I needed to type this up in fear I'd forget it all. And with that, I'd like to start out and say....

I met Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes.

On Friday, I think it was, my sister IM'ed me while on the comp, and as we talked, she mentioned the Wizard World comic convention at the LA Convention. Now, I was sort of mellow at reading this, as I'm not much of a comic fan. Then, I asked, "Is Kevin Smith gonna be there?" As I had heard that he sometimes appears at these things. Then sister confirmed that he was, INDEED, going to be there. Sunday.

".... We HAVE to go!" I said, or rather typed, at once. I don't think it's that big of a surprise to know that I am a big Kevin Smith fan, so you know I was pretty excited at the mere chance to meet the guy. Who doesn't love Jay and Silent Bob, really? Boring people with no humor, that's who. We started making plans, and it turned out Smith AND Jason Mewes were going to be there, Saturday and Sunday. We couldn't make it Saturday, and might as well since I was basically left at home with little cousin anyway. So, we made plans to go on Sunday. However, on looking at the schedule, I was basically confused. On the Sunday programming, there was NO sign of Kevin Smith nor Jason Mewes, but it did mention a Q and A session on Saturday. However, there was a "10-12" signing for the LA guests, so it was natural of me to think they were included with that. I was going to bring my "Big Ass Jay and Silent Bob" figurines and have it signed.

Although, I knew that the time would not be good for sister... Or me either, really. We're not morning people. But fuck. I was prepared to get up early and all that for this. I get up at 9, and I call sister at that time. ... No answer. So I start to get ready, and around 9:30, which was really the time she told me to call her, I did, and got an answer. All seems well, and says she'll be there at 10:30. I get my shit together, and by 10:30... Well... Parents tell me sister is BARELY on her way. This is very typical.

So she ends up picking me up at around 11:30, with her boyfriend and older cousin ( one of my MANY cousins ) in tow. I take my figurines anyway, I didn't care. Maybe it was a desperate grasp of some shred of hope of still meeting these two.

We get there, it's like a little after 12, and we do not see them in sight. However, Efren Ramierez(sp? Oh, and Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite ) was there along with The Hulk, the original Lois Lane, and various others were there. Sister wanted to get a signed picture, and got a Napoleon Dynamite dvd signed with a "Vote for Pedro", by the guy. One of the convention staff was there, offering to answer any questions, in which I complied to.

"Is... Kevin Smith here or did he leave allready?"

"....I.... Don't know who that is."

.... haha.

"Uh.... You know. Jay and Silent Bob? .... This guy," holding up the Silent Bob figurine in hands.

".... I don't know. I don't have cable."

Er... Maybe... the staff at these things aren't required to know all of the guests or something? ... I dunno. But he directed me to the OTHER side of the convention hall where there other guests signing and whatnot. So, me and Cousin leave sister with Pedro and head on over to the otherside, again, we meet with disappointment. By this point... I'm somewhat defeated, but then generally think to just have fun and buy as much as I can in the convention. ( I do this at any convention I go to. I'm really bad at these things. So much temptation ) But! I go to the information desk and ask about Smith, and learned that he was going to do a signing at around 2:00pm. ... Ofcourse, this was told to me by the SECOND girl there, as the first one basically told me the Saturday programming, the Q and A session. But also told me that it was a PRIVATE signing. .... Well, fuck, sir.

The people from Spike TV was giving out like, free bags, and I took one to put the Silent Bob figurine as he got quite annoying carrying him around in hand, and basically wore him like a backpack, on my back, my sister who got the same bag carried Jay on hers. ....and it oddly reminded me of those mothers and fathers that would carry their offspring in this fashion. ....which worries me because Silent Bob figurine was bumped into things, and people, A LOT. If I had a child, I'd be so damn paranoid to do that. So at this point, I sort of strayed from the others, and checked the booths, which, consisted of some anime merchandise. I felt at home. What did I buy?

http://www.otaku-unlimited.com/pictures/chii.jpg Too damn cute. Pink dress and all~

http://www.otaku-unlimited.com/pictures/kh2sora.jpg I JUMPED at the chance of owning this. KH2 should be coming out later this month. ( The 30th to be exact~ )

http://www.otaku-unlimited.com/pictures/sakura.jpg I'm a slave for anything Cardcaptor Sakura, and was happy to get this out of the box XD

I spent almost 40 bucks. It was worth it. But that wasn't all I bought... Then, by pure luck, I assure you, I wandered over to Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash booth, and bought me a Chasing Dogma comic. And while there, I asked about the signing, and was told by the guy that was in charge of the booth, that it was public. Inwardly rejoicing, I moved on. It was around 1pm at this time, so I had an hour to kill. I temporarily met up with cousin, but then soon enough, we strayed from each other, and I walked on. I basically looked at anything that crossed my path, really. I went past a booth that had leather belts and leather skirts. Where there was two guys. In leather skirts. Yes, you heard me right... Or read me right if you want to get technical.

"Hi."

"Hey."

"Wow, you look like you're having SO much fun, there." I started to crack a smile, "I mean you look so excited I should just sedate you."

"Oh, please~" I replied. Then the guy caught sight of my Ed Elric patch sewn on my purse, and this led to a discussion on anime. Good times. Then I finally caught sight of my sister as I left the anime fan in a leather skirt, and for a while, we were together until I came across a booth of basic Japanese pop/rock and Game CD/Soundtracks and some posters of Jpop/rock artists. I told her I wanted to check it out, she had said that she would be at the booth across from this one. Then I bought this.

http://www.otaku-unlimited.com/pictures/hikki.jpg

It was their last one, too <3 20 bucks, though. But meh~ Worth it, damnit. Then as I put the lamenated poster into my ever growing bag of convention goods, I turn and find sister has just disappeared. And when I tried to call her, her cell just didn't work. Greaaat~ So I wander off a bit, and came across a booth giving off a raffle for a free scholarship to some classes, it was an art school. Now I was interested in film, which they offered, but I wasn't exactly into applying this soon at this time... For any type of film school, really. ....... But. The girl that talked to me, was this REALLY cute asian girl.

......So. Yeah. I entered it. Don't know if I even won ( You didn't have to be present at the raffle ) but I highly doubt it. ...but damn, she was so cute. I also picked up a brochere from the Vancouver Film School. Just for the hell of it. Heh. A year in Canada. That'd be interesting. Still in no sight of sister, her boyfriend, OR cousin, I went on, and picked up this little addition to my bag, which I'll sew on later~

http://www.otaku-unlimited.com/pictures/homer.jpg That's just too awesome. Rock out, Homer. Rock out.

It was around 1:51pm then, so dragging my bag of goods, I went on over to where the signing should be, and sure enough, I caught a glimpse of the two. Now, my only other experiences involving celebrities and meeting them was back in my Passions days when I would attend a grand total of 2, not 1, 2! signings. And everytime they looked so damn different than on TV. Hell, at my first signing when seeing my fave actress off the show, Lindsay ( then Korman ) Hartley, I just thought she was some teenage girl that worked at the place.... Until people were shouting out, "Lindsay! Lindsay!!!" then I had a, "HOSHIT!" moment. .... Man, that girl is so small. However, with these two? Even from a distance, you KNEW it was them.

However, I saw some people right at the booth they were both in, but also saw a line at the side. Now I wasn't so sure about the public signing. I didn't see sister at this point either, and she had my Jay figurine, after all. So I sort of felt incomplete or something XD And she really wanted to see Jason Mewes. ...... Well. She keeps mispronouncing his name, but whatever. Anyway, I went toward one of the staff that seemed to be in charge of the whole signing, and basically asked if this was a public signing and all that. And apparently, it wasn't. It seemed that a raffle was thrown Saturday, and a lucky 20 were chosen, given blue tickets with a star, and would get their stuff signed by Mewes and Smith, however, the others lined up were hopefuls there for the mere THOUGHT of signing some extras. I was going to be one of them. Around this time, my sister miraculously showed up, and was frantic. "COME ON! GET IT OUT!"

"...what?"

Giving me a frustrated look, "DUDE! HE'S THERE. KEVIN SMITH."

"... I know."

"GET OUT THE SILENT BOB!!!!"

"This is a PRIVATE signing. Only people with blue tickets with stars on them can get them signed."

".............................. Oh."

So we went to the side for a moment, and she says she's ready to bail. But, we sort of agree to join the line of the hopefuls. And as we do, a staff member comes over and hands some people blue tickets. Apparently, as the LA marathon was on that day, some of the 20 people couldn't make it. So, some blue tickets were given to some of the hopefuls to make up for that 20, and since my sister was infront of me, she got the last one. Now, since the main reason for me coming to this convention was to meet Kevin Smith, she turned to me and said, "I should just give this ticket to you, huh?" Looking at her, I replied,

"...... Please!" I begged. She did, holding Silent Bob in my hands ( which, as I stood there, was getting hard to do. ) Unfortunately, there were more guys that came that was one of the lucky 20, and they sort of seperated my sister and I, and soon sister's boyfriend handed me Jay. Confused, I took him, while I looked back at sister and silently asked, "What the hell...?" in which she just shrugged. Oh yeah.. Heh. While in that line I got a few comments about the figurines. Saying they were cool, and where I got it, stuff like that. I love them figurines, really. I got them at a comic store I would frequent when I was taking classes at El Camino, the comic store, Geoffery's Comics, was across the street from the college, so whenever I had a lunch break, I'd hit the comic store, look for some anime magazines and.... Well... Buy me some Yugioh TCG. Then like, one day I saw figurines, big figurines of Jay and Silent Bob. Only two of each.

Unfortunately I didn't have the money, they were close to 30 bucks each, and I was so certain they would be sold out the next day. So I pretty much thought it hopeless. .... Yet, every day I went to that comic store, they were there. A week or two had to pass by, and still, they were there. Then a Friday rolled along, and I decided to just get the money, and on that friday, I brought them home. ITWASFATEITELLYOU. Or maybe not. Meh.

Anyway, momentous occassion arrives. I go up to the booth, in line, and Jason Mewes is just in view. I start to get nervous. I have a fear that when I get infront of them, I'll just freak out, grin like an idiot and/or go "OMG!" .... I did NOT want to do that. XD I rather be the cool and collected fan than the uber excited rabid fan that most likely ruins it for the others, and looks like a complete idiot. So, I tell myself to be calm, but oddly... When I got to them, I didn't feel as nervous as I did. My mind did sort of came with a blank... I mean... I had thought of a lot of things that I wanted to say, but when I actually got there... Well...

The person infront of me goes on her way, and I'm next, I move infront of Jason Mewes, or rather, facing more between them, smile somewhat, not too much, "Hi." And I put the figurines down. I didn't really had to request to get the figurines signed, like instinct ( and since this WAS a signing it was pretty much a given anyway... ) they both took a hold of them, sharpies ready. I was planning to comment on Jason Mewes appearance in that Pauly Shore is Dead movie ( which is really good and I tottally recommend it. Even if you hate Shore and think he's overrated, watch it. It's really great and I was really impressed with Mr. Shore ) But, before I could do that....

"Chest?"

I look up, "...what?"

"Chest?" Kevin Smith asks again, indicating the Silent Bob figurine.

"Oh, yeah." I'm an idiot, I think. Okay, maybe I wasn't ALL that calm, but hey, I didn't spazz. But, all the things I thought of saying, it just left my mind, and honestly, I really didn't want to stall the line. But, I couldn't really think of anything until something popped. "I have to say, Sir. You're the reason I got into Degrassi." .... And I know now all of my friends, mostly online, that know of my Degrassi obsession are just ROLLING their eyes right now. But damnit, it's the truth.

"It's a great show, isn't it?" He asked, still signing.

"Oh, definately. I mean, before I wasn't really into it, and I'd see those commercials for it, that one with Ashley? You know, at the end they put her dad's gay and then she turned goth. And that just sort of made me think she turned goth BECAUSE her dad's gay...." He nodded a bit, "But then, I picked up the Jay and Silent Bob do Degrassi dvd, watched it and... I just got hooked." I have to note again, that I'm pretty proud of myself that I didn't go all shy and my voice didn't go that small, as I have had a habit of not being loud enough in the past.

At this point, all I could remember that both figurines were laid on the table, and Silent Bob almost fell, and I THINK Jason Mewes like tried to catch him, but I think... Yes, I got to it first. Heh, my mind's a bit hazy. Then, I wanted to say something, and all that came out, and sounded sooo completely fan-like I just sort of shook my head thinking back on it.

"I... I really like all that you've done, and... I really enjoyed meeting you." .... I'm such a fuckin' pussy, I swear. ...but then I do have one, so I'll excuse myself for acting like one.

"Oh, thanks," he said, reaching out his hand, and I shook it. Giving a nod, ( I think? ) I walked away, and rejoined cousin and sister's boyfriend, sister was still in line.

"You got 'em signed?" Cousin asked.

"Yep!" I reply, showing him the figurines, in which he looked at Silent Bob figurine, and sort of laughed a bit.

"...did you tell him to write that?"

"Eh?" Looking down, I quickly saw what he meant.



Looking back at him, I couldn't help but laugh, "Ha! No." Ahh, I felt a little special, though. Even if probably thousands more got the same "<3's you" on their signed goods, that was still pretty cool. Oh, and let's not forget the Jay figurine.



We walked toward sister, and it looks like the sneak went into my bag and took out my Chasing Dogma comic I just bought that day. ....but then she gave me her ticket, so whatever. However, she ended up not having a real good time since, well.... She was getting pretty frustrated, I guess. She was getting a bit paranoid, wondering if I, or her boyfriend was going to take a picture. So when she got there, she didn't really say anything, and... Smith tried to shake her hand, twice, and she just wasn't having it. And afterwards, the picture her boyfriend took? ...Cut Jason Mewes out. She was not happy. Then, a little before she got to them both, cousin took off in search of beer. And....



As we all got "reunited", after sister and I, waiting outside the convention hall, saw Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes make their exits with others, either staff or fans in tow, we headed on our way and hit the Bar and Grill. This was after my sister had turned to me and said:

"Okay, when we get home, I want you to wrap the figurines in plastic."

"....... Wh-Why....?"

"To preserve them, so you could sell them in twenty years."

"......... Are you crazy?! I'm not selling them!"

"Oh, come on! In twenty years you won't even know who Jay and Silent Bob WERE."

....... Now seeing as she was my ride, I simply just turned away. Now, I could understand if I had bought the figurines allready signed and whatnot... But damnit. These things have a story behind them. I carried them throughout the whole convention, and got them signed, IN PERSON. There is NO. WAY. I'm selling these. She wanted to take my Jay figurine as well. Her exact words were, "Give me Snoochies Bootchies". ...... Call me selfish, but damnit. Having Silent Bob figurine without Jay? That's just blasphemy. BLASPHEMY! I did offer to give her the Chasing Dogma comic after I read it as that was my original plan ( I can't exactly find any other KS comics around here, aside from the one Clerks one I have ) in which she said, with this general "wtf" look on her face:

"If you read it, you'll make crevices and then how am I supposed to sell it on Ebay?!"

.......... Jesus fuckin' Christ.

Needless to say, I kept it. Let her sell her Pedro/Efren Ramierez stuff. Oh, also, while we were all eating, cousin told me that, while I was up there, talking to Kevin and not purposely ignoring Jason, apparently Mewes ( why the hell do I keep neglect to capitalize his last name on the first time? ) was paying attention, and also saw him crack a smile when I whipped out the figurines. ..... I had no idea. Why? BECAUSE I AM GUILTY OF IGNORING HIM. GUILT FILLS ME. DAMN IT.

*sighs*

Before I finally end this, I just like to say... To the people at Wizard World? You guys.... Kicked major ass. It was my first comic convention ( As I'm not that big of a comic fan ) but I have been to Expos, consisting of the Anime ( once ) and Japan ( Twice ) expos. They were good.... A lot of cool stuff and all. But.... The difference between these conventions of sorts, was the people. I had talked about this to my sister, who has went with me to these things, and she agreed. The people at the Expos, were complete snobs.

SNOBS.

Everyone was out for themself, had an air of superiority, and basically? Made for a somewhat uncomfortable environment. When seperated from sister at these expos, I definately felt alone, just alone. Wandering the room, with the mentality of, "Just look. Buy. Leave. Don't make contact because these people aren't having it. They're here just for money, whether spending it or earning it." Honestly, I had thought it was like this all the time.

Then that Sunday I went to Wizard World. The people there.... Were friendly. Nice. I wandered around alone, but... I didn't FEEL alone. The people there were courteous, such as the anime fan in the leather skirt ( I ain't questioning ANYTHING, he was nice, that's it. ) or the rather cute asian girl offering a raffle for the scholarship to that art school that offered film, and.... It may sound weird, but..... I felt at home. At the other expos, I felt like an outsider crashing a party I wasn't invited to. At Wizard World, I felt like an outsider that was greatly welcomed as an insider, or to put it simply... Just welcomed.

I loved that. See you next year, Wizard World. See you next year.

I LOVE JAY AND SILENT BOB. I am so jealous of you meeting them and all that. We never get anything cool like that down here in Sydney.

YAY for u and have fun with all the cool stuff u got!!!