We left Hattiesburg about 6 PM Friday night, and drove the long-ass drive to Atlanta, GA. Not even 15 minutes before we arrived at the hotel, Jason mistakenly takes the wrong exit, and hits a 6 inch long, 2 inch wide metal spike. We pull over into the projects, and notice that his tire was going flat. Jason pulls out his doughnut tire, and we discover that it, too, is out of air. I decide to call a tow truck, and they told us it would be an hour before they could come and get me. Jason was a little uncomfortable in the projects, but being from Canton, I was quite comfortable.
An hour later the tow truck comes, and he takes us to a 24-hour tire shop. Thank the gods for that. We chatted with the tow truck guy until the shop guys got us a tire and put it on the SPEC-V. We were only about 5 minutes from our hotel at that point, so we just hauled ass. We were supposed to be at the Ramada Capitol Park by 12. We got there at 4, but we had a new tire and not a doughnut, so yay!
We got up the next morning about 9, and we took the shuttle to the America's Mart. There was a very long line that stretched all the way around the building (a city block), but thankfully, we weren't waiting that long. We get in, and decide to look at the local vendors before I got in line to see the reason for coming so far. I eye the kilt vendors, and coaxed Jason into looking at them. The ladies were super nice, and they were so hilarious! They kept making pervy comments, and I kept laughing my ass off. Eventually, we spent a good $200+ and got Jason a very well made kilt, belt, sporran, and t-shirt.
Next, we got into the panel on "Bromance", starring none other than Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus. The Q&A was mostly "Can I have a hug? I love you guys." Afterwards, I got in line for what I came for: Norman Reedus' autograph/photo op. We were in line for about 3 hours and it had barely fucking moved. Norman kept being called back to the photo op sessions for the "original cast" and "group photos", as well as piss breaks and such, so he was constantly in and out of the autograph booth. But....when I got closer to him, I realized what he was doing when he was there. He was taking his time with each and every single fan, talking with them, getting to know them, and just being a friendly guy. Instead of rushing everyone through the line, he was getting to know them. That's fucking awesome.
There was a bit of confusion, because the Green Shirts (volunteer helpers) told us that the Norman Reedus photo ops was about to begin, and it ended at 6 PM. This confused the hell out of me, because my photo op was scheduled for 6 PM. I made Jason man the line, and then I went upstairs to see what was going on. Nobody knew what was going on, come to find out. There was a huge confusion on the third floor, and even the Green Shirts didn't know what I was talking about. Finally, the manager of the place came up and told everyone who was there for Norman Reedus to clear the area, and said that he was still in the autograph booth. I hurriedly ran back downstairs, just in time for Jason to send me a text that read, "I'm almost to Norman, better hurry up." I grab him a candy bar and some water (we hadn't eaten all day) and went to the autograph booth.
Finally, the moment had come. As soon as he saw me, he says, "Well, aren't you a cutie!" and hugs me. Made my fucking LIFE. Norman Reedus thinks I'm cute? Fucking right! I feel like I can do ANYTHING! As he signs my photo (that he provided), he says, "Your name is Pika? What an interesting name! I love it." We talk for a minute, and he and Jason starts talking. We then left, satisfied.
Next, we headed to the photo op. We wandered off and got pizza (ugh), and as a result, were the last motherfuckers in line. But that's ok, though. We waited for hours. It was supposed to be for 6 PM, but Norman was running behind schedule. The manager of the place told us we could get a refund if we wanted, but everyone was adamant and stayed put. Finally, after an eon (I took a nap on the floor) of waiting, the line started moving quickly. I got in, and got to Norman, hugged him, and took my picture. The cameraman was yelling at him, so I'm sure he felt rushed, the poor guy. His back was sweaty from all of the lights glaring on him for the photo session, and I realized that we wore the same deodorant. I enjoy man-sweat, so I wasn't disgusted by it at all. It was wonderful. My photo was printed almost immediately, and I was very pleased with it. It was actually on great quality paper, too!
The rest of the night....well, I'll keep that to myself. ^___^
Some advice: if you are going to a con to meet your favorite person, especially Norman Reedus, just know this:
Get VIP. That way you're always first before general admission.
Norman Reedus loves to talk to each and every single one of his fans, so it will take a very long time, and a hullva line as well.
Yes, Norman is as kind as you'd imagine him to be. Seriously. He has a heart of gold.
An hour later the tow truck comes, and he takes us to a 24-hour tire shop. Thank the gods for that. We chatted with the tow truck guy until the shop guys got us a tire and put it on the SPEC-V. We were only about 5 minutes from our hotel at that point, so we just hauled ass. We were supposed to be at the Ramada Capitol Park by 12. We got there at 4, but we had a new tire and not a doughnut, so yay!
We got up the next morning about 9, and we took the shuttle to the America's Mart. There was a very long line that stretched all the way around the building (a city block), but thankfully, we weren't waiting that long. We get in, and decide to look at the local vendors before I got in line to see the reason for coming so far. I eye the kilt vendors, and coaxed Jason into looking at them. The ladies were super nice, and they were so hilarious! They kept making pervy comments, and I kept laughing my ass off. Eventually, we spent a good $200+ and got Jason a very well made kilt, belt, sporran, and t-shirt.
Next, we got into the panel on "Bromance", starring none other than Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus. The Q&A was mostly "Can I have a hug? I love you guys." Afterwards, I got in line for what I came for: Norman Reedus' autograph/photo op. We were in line for about 3 hours and it had barely fucking moved. Norman kept being called back to the photo op sessions for the "original cast" and "group photos", as well as piss breaks and such, so he was constantly in and out of the autograph booth. But....when I got closer to him, I realized what he was doing when he was there. He was taking his time with each and every single fan, talking with them, getting to know them, and just being a friendly guy. Instead of rushing everyone through the line, he was getting to know them. That's fucking awesome.
There was a bit of confusion, because the Green Shirts (volunteer helpers) told us that the Norman Reedus photo ops was about to begin, and it ended at 6 PM. This confused the hell out of me, because my photo op was scheduled for 6 PM. I made Jason man the line, and then I went upstairs to see what was going on. Nobody knew what was going on, come to find out. There was a huge confusion on the third floor, and even the Green Shirts didn't know what I was talking about. Finally, the manager of the place came up and told everyone who was there for Norman Reedus to clear the area, and said that he was still in the autograph booth. I hurriedly ran back downstairs, just in time for Jason to send me a text that read, "I'm almost to Norman, better hurry up." I grab him a candy bar and some water (we hadn't eaten all day) and went to the autograph booth.
Finally, the moment had come. As soon as he saw me, he says, "Well, aren't you a cutie!" and hugs me. Made my fucking LIFE. Norman Reedus thinks I'm cute? Fucking right! I feel like I can do ANYTHING! As he signs my photo (that he provided), he says, "Your name is Pika? What an interesting name! I love it." We talk for a minute, and he and Jason starts talking. We then left, satisfied.
Next, we headed to the photo op. We wandered off and got pizza (ugh), and as a result, were the last motherfuckers in line. But that's ok, though. We waited for hours. It was supposed to be for 6 PM, but Norman was running behind schedule. The manager of the place told us we could get a refund if we wanted, but everyone was adamant and stayed put. Finally, after an eon (I took a nap on the floor) of waiting, the line started moving quickly. I got in, and got to Norman, hugged him, and took my picture. The cameraman was yelling at him, so I'm sure he felt rushed, the poor guy. His back was sweaty from all of the lights glaring on him for the photo session, and I realized that we wore the same deodorant. I enjoy man-sweat, so I wasn't disgusted by it at all. It was wonderful. My photo was printed almost immediately, and I was very pleased with it. It was actually on great quality paper, too!
The rest of the night....well, I'll keep that to myself. ^___^
Some advice: if you are going to a con to meet your favorite person, especially Norman Reedus, just know this:
Get VIP. That way you're always first before general admission.
Norman Reedus loves to talk to each and every single one of his fans, so it will take a very long time, and a hullva line as well.
Yes, Norman is as kind as you'd imagine him to be. Seriously. He has a heart of gold.
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