San Diego 2007

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I'm not going this year, for the first time in eight or nine years. I'm going to miss it in many ways, but I didn't miss the hotel frenzy yesterday. Nor will I miss the airport nightmares I always end up in the middle of.

But I'm still considering writing daily updates about the con for Pipeline. heh heh heh

Did anyone get a hotel room in yesterday's craziness?

-Augie

[jclaus]

What? Come on Augie. Now I have to take the reminders off my schedule plus for the year to check your column for the latest travel stories.

This will actually be my 4th year not attending San Diego after having gone for 7 straight years. I cannot say I totally miss it. San Diego did/does(?) have that "community event" feel to it, but after reading reports, blogs, etc. these past couple of years it seems like more of a circus feel has enveloped it. That would be a shame if true. But to each his own. I do not think attendance figures have been hurt recently so enough people like the current con setup.

Now that New York has a show (even with last year's bumps) and having attended Baltimore for the 1st time, I feel like I have my reasonable options for a comic con fix. Plus, less money spent on travel is more I can spend on comic swag.

PS. Are you attending NYCC this year? I will be there on Saturday.

[BronteJD]

We're not going this year either.

We're doing MegaCon next weekend, and then we're giving Emerald City a shot at the end of March (cheaper than San Diego in terms of hotel and airfare).

We'll probably go again next year, but we wanted to take a break.

[pmpknface]

Guess what? For the 1st time ever...

I'M IN!!!

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Prepare to have your mind blown, Jamie.

Patricia -- Looks like it's just NYCC for me this year. I still leave a small possibililty that I could do Chicago, but I don't have to worry about making that decision for awhile yet.

John - If I go to Chicago, you'll get your horror story. And I have one other flight opportunity lined up this year. I can always blog that for you.

I'm hoping to be at NYCC both Saturday and Sunday. I'd like to go Friday night, too, just for a couple of panels, but I think that might be pushing it. We'll see what happens as the dates get closer. Thankfully, it's a relatively easy trip, what with the ferry system and all.

And, yes, I'm starting to wonder if San Diego is as much fun as it used to be, too. Or, I'm just telling myself that to cut down on the sense of loss I feel inside. ;-)

-Augie

[pmpknface]

Good luck at NYCC Augie. SHOW UP EARLY!!!

[Brandon Hanvey]

I'm skipping this year as well. SDCC has become a maybe for me each year now. I went only from 2 days last year. And skipped 2005 for MoCCA.

I'm finding that I have more fun at smaller shows. So far, it's WonderCon and APE in terms of cons for me this year.

[nweathington]

I'll be at San Diego again. And Heroes — only two shows this year for me.

[BronteJD]

Guess what? For the 1st time ever...

I'M IN!!!

Oh, pooh. Figures.

Ah well. Like I said, next year is highly likely, barring anything odd. We just wanted a break, to check out the other options.

And it is beyond overwhelming. Trying to find that balance between being on the con floor and getting to see all the programs you want is rather tricky. :)

[BronteJD]

Prepare to have your mind blown, Jamie.

Patricia -- Looks like it's just NYCC for me this year. I still leave a small possibililty that I could do Chicago, but I don't have to worry about making that decision for awhile yet.
-Augie

Hey you, check your PMs. I had a question.

[roach04]

Any of you guys that like the smaller shows, I recommend the trip to Toronto for the Paradise Con. It's in June this, but it's a nice, comic-only show that always gets HUGE guests. Matt Wagner, Marv Wolfman, Michael Golden are already on tap for this year. And Augie, it's the only place I know of where you are guaranteed to get a Dave Sim sketch, b/c he draws constantly while he's there!

http://torontocomicon.com/content.asp?URL=2

I want to get back to San Diego some year, but I'm along the same lines - I don't mind crowds, but mobs I can live without.

[pmpknface]

I have to do it once. Just once. It's like a pilgrimage to Mecca... ;)

Roach - That con always looks good. After SDCC is out of the way, maybe I'll look into that one.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

I would definitely like to do Toronto someday, Murray, and Sim is quite a draw. I also want to get to Montreal, too, just so I can pick up the French albums without paying the extra shipping charges. =)

It's only, what, a six hour drive from Toronto to Montreal? So tempting. . .

-Augie

[neil kleid]

I was gonna go this year but am opting out to go to Europe.... though I will admit I'll miss out on your updates, Augie - make sure to find me at NYCC and say hi!

[BronteJD]

I was gonna go this year but am opting out to go to Europe.... though I will admit I'll miss out on your updates, Augie - make sure to find me at NYCC and say hi!

Neil,

That's a plan I entirely support!!!! Where in Europe are you going?? :)