I am still recovering from the convention this weekend, so I don’t know if this entry is going to make a lot of sense. I think it does, but I’m having a hard time feeling my fingers today, so . . . consider yourself warned.
I always write and talk about the positive aspects of conventions, but I want to open the door onto some of the realities of what it takes for me to give fans what I think they deserve at one of these things:
When I signed on for the Grand Slam convention, Adam Malin (one half of the Big Bosses™ at Creation) asked me if I’d participate in this dessert party thing they do on Saturday night. He said that it was sort of a “meet and greet” thing, where a few actors would spend a little time (no more than an hour) with a few fans, who had paid a little extra for the opportunity to get “up close” with them.
I told Adam that I thought it was silly for me to do that, since I hang out at the con all day, and just about anyone who wants to can get “up close” with me for no additional cost, but he thought it would be cool for me to come to this party thing. The fans would really like it, he told me, and he would appreciate it if I participated, as a favor to him. His assistant told me that all the other actors would also be there, and that it was always a very fun experience for everyone involved.
Against my better judgment, I agreed.
When the dessert party started at 9PM on Saturday night, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. The adrenaline surge that came with and followed my reading, and the eight hours of signing and posing and stuff that went along with it had left me totally drained. In my “emotional well,” I was sucking dirt.
I wrote something about the whole autograph and picture experience in Dancing Barefoot that may help explain why signing is so draining:
. . . I’m ready to be witty, charming and friendly. I am ready to make these fans feel like the autograph I’m currently signing is the only one I’ve signed all day, maybe the only one I’ve signed in my whole life, though the actual number of autographs I’ve signed over the years is probably closer to half a million.
Over the years, I’ve learned something from this [autograph signing] experience: it’s never about the signature. It’s about that brief moment, that brief encounter with a Star Trek cast member, that is so important to the fans. That 30 seconds or so of hopefully undivided attention is what they’re really paying for, and I always do my best to make sure they get their money’s worth. Contrary to popular belief, sitting at a table signing autographs for several hours without a break is hard. It’s not just mindlessly scrawling my name; it’s stopping and listening to the always excited, sometimes shaking, always sweating, sometimes scary dude who wants to know exactly why I did “X” on episode “Y” and would I please sign his picture in silver, because Marina signed it in gold and now he wants the men in silver and the women in gold, and I hated your character and here are 25 reasons why and I expect an answer for each one of them and I’m not leaving until I’m satisfied.
This goes on and on for hours at a time. The fans come down what amounts to an assembly line, stopping at a table, enjoying their 30 seconds of attention and trading a ticket for an autograph. They move to the next table, and repeat.
I personally think that this “assembly line” method, while the only one that really works, has the potential to totally suck for the fans. The first one hundred or so who come through the line will get to see a smiling, effusive, friendly actor, and will leave feeling happy and satisfied. Those unlucky ones who are at the end of the line risk seeing actors who are tired, with cramped hands and degraded signatures. We’ve often lost our voices, and have probably had to deal with at least one scary person. It is a challenge for me, but I always try to remind myself that the last fans through the line have paid as much as the first fans, and they’ve also waited a LONG time, so they are the ones that I need to give the most attention to when I am the most drained.
I’m not always successful, but I do my best. I know that as I get toward the end of the line, my signature degrades, my humor slows down, I feel tired and worn out and I just don’t have what the fans deserve. I know it and it sucks and I work VERY hard to treat the last 150 the same as the first 150, but sometimes, I am simply not physically able.
That passage is from the Saga of SpongeBob Vega$ Pants, and it refers to the traditional set up for signing pictures and stuff at a huge con. This particular “assembly line” method really applies more to headliner guests than it does to someone like me, though.
What I do now is very different: I set up my books and some WWdN junk at a table around a bunch of other actors and I hang out there pretty much all day. Fans come over to visit with me, I sign their books, and their pictures and stuff, and I spend a LOT of time talking to them about WWdN, TNG, and some of my other work. It’s that 30 or 60 seconds of hopefully undivided attention for five or six hours in a row, and sometimes a fan who is . . . uh . . . well, let’s just say “enthusiastic” will hang out for an hour, and manage to ask me every single question I’ve ever been asked before. I really can’t get away, and I knew the job was dangerous when I took it . . . but mothercrap, man, that can suck the life right out of me.
This year I was next to my friend Rob’s wife Alana, and between Ray Park (Nicest guy in the world), Jeremy Bulloch, and about fifteen feet from some Harry Potter kids and Lord Of The Rings actors. Yes, I geeked out when Sala Baker, who played Sauron, gave me an autographed picture. It was very cool.
Aside: You know what’s cool? Since I started this site three and a half years ago, each time I go to a convention (and I’ve only gone to two or three a year) the ratio of Trekkies to Readers has shifted dramatically in favor of Readers. That makes me very happy. I’m calling this the Best Grand Slam EVER, because the reading was so unbelievably successful — for the audience and for me. I felt like it was the best it’s ever been, and I’m even toying with turning some of the material into a one man show. Think Patrick Stewart doing “A Christmas Carol,” but it’s me doing “Just A Geek.” There’s enough non-Trek material there to build a show that would work beyond the convention circuit, I think. Well, I hope, anyway.
So I spend all day with people, and I really don’t get a break. I do this for two reasons:
- The convention promoters refuse to accept that I am a “headline draw.” I am working to change that perception, by bringing new and interesting material to every show I do, so I’m not just reciting the same old jokes, and same old stories about working on the show. So far, they are very reluctant to give me time on the main stage these days. This also means that they don’t give me a speaker’s fee(I know that idea of “getting paid for it” pisses some people off, but if you think Shatner is up there because he loves the fans, think again), so if I want to take advantage of the opportunity to support my family a little bit, I have to put in the hours at my table.
- I’ve said this before, but I feel like I spent many years at conventions just being an idiot. I was an unhappy, confused, sometimes angry teenager, and I regret those years. I have an opportunity now, after taking for many years, to give something back to the fans.
I hope the “giving something back” and the “supporting my family” parts aren’t mutually exclusive, but I guess it could be taken that way. It makes sense in my head, anyway.
This is a very long-winded way of saying that by 9PM on Saturday night, when I thought I was just going to “meet a few people and take a few pictures,” I was the Walking Dead. The slow kind of Walking Dead, not the new, improved, Super-Fast Zombies of the last few years. I was so tired, many people commented on it, and I felt a little embarrassed.
I met Adam, and walked into a room with somewhere between 30 and 40 tables, I guess. Each table had about 12 people around it. Adam asked me if I’d go from table to table, and say hello, and pose for pictures. I looked around for “all the other actors,” but I only saw a few people from Enterprise and Dead Zone. It was a far cry from “all the other actors.”
Oh shit. This is going to be really hard.
Everyone I saw there was incredibly kind, and very happy and excited to see me, and I felt compelled to be charming, and funny, and friendly . . . but it was like going to 40 mini-conventions, after I’d spent the entire day at one really big one, and it was one of the hardest, most draining things I’ve ever done. After just a few tables, I realized that I had gotten myself into something very different than what I was expecting, and I told Adam, “I can’t do this any more. I’m so drained and exhausted, I feel like I’m going to cry.” He told me that the pictures were really important to the fans, but if I had to go, I had to go. Somehow, I sucked it up and hit all the tables . . . but I can’t even recall the last 10 or so. To be totally honest, I felt a little mislead, a little taken advantage of, and even though Adam thanked me many times for sticking around on Saturday night and making sure everyone there got what they wanted, I don’t think I’ll do it again.
When I finally got home, and fell into bed, I could still see 500 tiny blue rectangles when I closed my eyes, and I slept badly. It was one of those “wake up every two hours singing songs in my head while my eye twitches and my legs ache” nights. I was over-tired from the day, I think, (and I have a LOT of anxiety about Just A Geek, which is the root of all my sleeplessness and stuff right now, but that’s another post entirely.)
When I woke up Sunday morning, I felt like . . . well, how’s this analogy: The dessert party was the drink that set me over the edge after a night of raising hell with the boys, and I felt “hungover” for most of the morning on Sunday. Does that make sense? Anne says it doesn’t. Check yes or no.
It took me several hours and a big lunch to get my head “back in the game” on Sunday, but by the middle of the afternoon, I felt better. Many, many people came to talk with me about the reading / performance, and many of them had already finished my book. I realize it’s unlikely that someone will come up to me and say, “Your book sucks, Wheaton,” but everyone told me they’d really liked it. People keep telling me that it’s very clear, and very easy to read. A woman told me that she didn’t expect to be so emotionally affected by it. That was cool.
The highlight of the con, however, was near the end of the day on Sunday. Brent Spiner had just finished his talk on stage, and he was coming over to the “photo-op” thingy, which was about 30 feet from my table. I guess they weren’t ready for him, so he came over and talked to me while he was waiting.
“Hey, Wil,” he said. He embraced me as hundreds of flashbulbs popped.
“Hey, Brent. It’s great to see you.”
“How are you doing?”
“Really well,” I said. “For the first time in years I don’t feel like a loser. I wrote a book –”
“Yes! I heard that you have a three book deal! Is that true?”
Holy fucking shit. Brent heard that I have a three book deal! HOLY FUCKING SHIT!
“Yeah. And I think I’m going to pitch two more to my publisher soon.”
“So are you just a writer now?”
I thought for a second. “I think so. I’m so happy, and right now, I have more work than I can handle. I’m riding this wave as long as I can stay on my board, you know?”
He smiled. “That’s fantastic.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out this silver box, that was about 2x4x1 inches. It turns out it was a digital camera.
“Look at this,” he said, with the same mirthful glint in his eye that I miss from our TNG days.
He turned on the camera, and showed me several pictures of his son, who is the most adorable little guy you’ve ever seen. He looks just like Brent.
We talked for a few minutes before a convention staffer came over and told him they were ready for him.
“Brent, can I give you one of my books?” I said.
“Wil, I would love to have one of your books.” He said.
“Will you read it?” I said.
He looked puzzled, and said, “Of course I’ll read it!”
“Cool!” I said. “You’re in it, you know.”
“Well, in that case, I promise you I will read it.”
“That’s cool, Brent. I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He said.
The staffer cleared his throat.
“I have to go,” he said. “It’s fantastic to see you, Willie. I’m glad you’re doing well.”
I should point out right now that Brent Spiner is the only person in the world who can call me Willie without getting a cock-punch, so don’t even think about it.
“Thanks, Brent.” I said.
I smiled as I watched him go, but in my mind, I was throwing the goat.
post script
I wrote the following in the comments, but I know that not everyone reads the comments, and I feel that these are two important points of clarification:
- I was very impressed with Adam at this convention, especially at this dessert party. It was very important to him that everyone who was there was having a good time, and he went out of his way to stop and talk to everyone who had questions, complaints, concerns, or just friendly comments. I think Adam and Gary are working to turn around the reputation they have in some circles of fandom. Since about 2002, I’ve seen two guys who are concerned about running a good show, and making sure that the fans in attendance get their money’s worth.
- I just want to clarify one more thing: the dessert party wasn’t “bad,” at all. Every single fan there was wonderful, and I could tell that they were all having a very good time, and it was really an event. If I hadn’t been doing essentially the same thing for most of the day, I bet I would have really enjoyed it, and maybe even spent some extra time hanging out.
But at the end of a long day, it was just one thing too many. I want to be very clear that I am an adult, and I am responsible for all of my actions. I could have left at any time if I had wanted to, and I am not resentful toward Creation, Adam, the fans, or anything like that.
I was just very, very tired. 🙂
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nobody cares that I’m the first comment.
Wrong…I care. For if you hadn’t been first, I would have been.
beyond my ken is to smile at people for hours on end. super-human. whenever i give a talk, I’m stunned for about 1.5 minutes * the number of persons present * the number of times I have to smile during the presentation. lasted for days after the most recent conference.
seriously, synchronicity the album is my favorite. both for nostalgic and musical reasons.
You are amazing. I feel like I was there at the convention after reading this post. I really wanted to go but distance and money prevented my attendance. But one of these days…and you will be the main reason I go. Thanks.
Way to stick it out, being that tired is so much harder to overcome than just being annoyed. I’m sure that you made a big difference for the people at those tables. That said, I’m sorry that you got taken advantage of for being nice.
It’s always cool to hear about your interactions with Brent Spiner (my girlfriend and I, tech geeks to be sure, always loved Data) — in fact, with the whole cast from TNG because it proves that good people can work together, really have fun, and even still like each other when it’s over. ROCK.
p.s. see the comments from “Never Threaten to Eat Your Co-Workers” for a note about the eye-twitching thing.
Hey, Will. I have been to several Creation (some call it Cremation) Xena cons and I heard that they are worse than the Trek cons when it comes to uh, hum, Adam. And that is just for the con goers. I feel for the actors though, seeing them with hand cramps and pasted smiles…ouch.
While I have enjoyed the opprotunity to meet some of the stars, it just amazes me to think that Creation has actually been doing these things for years and still haven’t got a clue on how to run a con. But there are good things about Creation too. And when I remember them, I will let you know…. Ever been to DragonCon? That is a blast.
1) You are a fantastic human being. I really think that people can sense this about you. You don’t just care about the fans – you get it when they get you and your infectuous enthusiasm makes them get you even more.
2) You are supporting your family by giving back to your fans. And you remain real doing so. Should anyone ever suggest any sort of selling out they need to play Eric Cartman Reauchambeau with you – you go first.
3) Borders in Seattle has to order your book. It would take a week. Morons. I’d order it from your website (assuming you get a kickback from amazon for sending the click over) before I wait for them. Unless you want me to request it… whatever helps you gain leverage. I’d like to see you get 2 more books.
4) I know it will be impossible for you to relax until JAG is off your lap, but a little bird is suggesting that everything is going to work out just right. That, and your Guinness will taste that much sweeter once you finish.
5) I hate iterated lists. I should be hanged.
6) I just wanted to make some points. You are an inspiration to me, and my ramblings in your comment zone serve to get me stimulated and writing in my own blog – a task which daunts me daily. And since I started reading you regularly it doesn’t seem like such a scary thing. So Thanks. You rock.
Wil… all I have to say is Why Can’t I Be You?
You’re like a rock star that hasn’t truly accepted greatness; Jim Morrison before he would turn around and look at the crowd.
Rock on!
I was very impressed with Adam at this convention, especially at this dessert party. It was very important to him that everyone who was there was having a good time, and he went out of his way to stop and talk to everyone who had questions, complaints, concerns, or just friendly comments. I think Adam and Gary are working to turn around the reputation they have in some circles of fandom. Since about 2002, I’ve seen two guys who are concerned about running a good show, and making sure that the fans in attendance get their money’s worth.
I have to say that whenever I read an entry about a convention or Trek in general, I’m shocked by how massive it really is. I enjoy the show, but to me it’s just another good show, like CSI or Stargate. But to see that really, there’s legions of people who come to massive conventions for it, years after the shows have finished their runs…
I guess this means when I read the Saga I’ll be shocked for half of it.
I don’t think I told you this while I was there, but your reading was amazing. Definitely better than last year, and I thought that was great, too.
Overall, I was pleased with the convention, but I think they need more people and fewer auctions. I guess the auctions are a big money maker for them, though.
Oh, and I went to lunch/dinner at the Hooters Sunday, before heading to Bicycle for some (more) poker. 🙂
The comment you made about feeling hungover makes perfect sense. A hangover is a combination of dehydration and vitamin depletion, both of which seem likely from the convention day you describe. If you add in exhaustion, the similarity of feeling makes “hangover” the perfect description.
(I once did a 12K race, and at the end of it I went to work. I realized about halfway through my shift that I had pushed myself too hard – even though I’d mostly walked it – and had the symptoms of intoxication: the imperfect judgement, the slightly blurred vision, the off balance. Alcohol is not the only thing in life that can produce drunken sensations or their aftermath.)
What about Patrick Stewart as Wil Wheaton in “Just A Geek – A One Man Show”?
OK. I think I am having one of those “40 mini-convention” moments.
Hey Wil! Sorry to hear that the convention was so draining. I know how those over-exhausted twitchy nights can go. Check out the article on being an introvert – does that sound about right?
One of the hazards of being a sci-fi fan is getting stuck in line with those people who hang around wanting to ask you that million questions. Because they have an overwhelming urge to talk to me about it before they can get to you.
In a funny twist – at one Con my husband ended up talking to Claudia Christian (Bab 5) for over an hour because SHE came over to talk to HIM. He thinks this is because he looked and acted ‘relatively normal’.
Wil,
Thanks again for letting us into your thoughts a bit. You are so open and seem to wear your heart on your sleeve, I think. What you do is work… sometimes a reward in and of itself, but just as deserving of pay as any job! Right? You definitely put your all into what you do! I greatly appreciate it when you share your feelings the way you do. You seem to be a man of integrity. “Data” is so cool, too. I’m glad that you got to share a moment with him at one of the more difficult points in your day. Your writing inspires many, including me! Thanks.
I’ve only been to one convention, and that was long ago. I had to marvel at the actors and their stamina, and their patience with the fans. The fact that some of the actors get paid for their appearances doesn’t bother me at all. It dismays me to know that “lesser known” actors sometimes don’t get paid anything at all. I’m sorry this was so tiring for you, but I applaud you for pushing yourself for the fans. In future, though, take a breather. 🙂
Feeling seriously clueless right about now: what’s throwing the goat?
Thanks,
JVA
Later that afternoon:
As I was walking back into the Annex to see if my earlier photo-op picture was available, I noticed Wil had a rare break with no one at his table.
So I tapped my friend on the shoulder and stood there pointing saying “Hey look it’s Wil”. I wondered if it might be too much if for the third day I made a point of stopping at his table, and decided not to be a scary fangirl. Anyway, I was a little annoyed that as I stood there talking to her a guy just cut right between the two of us on his way out the door.
Little did I know the guy who walked between us was one of the convention security and Brent Spiner walked right by me on the other side, easily within reach. He was leaving his photo session…and there I was more excited to see Wil across the room. My friend said Mr. Spiner looked straight at me and smiled but I didn’t even notice him, until she told me he’d just passed us. I didn’t even have time to pull out my camera for a quick picture of Brent as he walked past…no regrets tho because as we walked by his table, Wil looked up and smiled.
Ahh…the good times to be had at the big-ass Sci-fi Con!
g
Holy s**t — and this from someone who doesn’t ever use that expletive! You had a weekend like that (good and bad), and yet managed to churn out such an evocative post like this before 1:23pm on Monday!
You ARE a writer, Wil.
PS Please don’t give up acting.
I had the same consternation about the goat but a quick hop to the google toolbar revealed this: “Throwing the goat is making that little symbol with your fingers that, to many bible-belt grannies, ment you worshipped satan…”
Aha. Wil was silently rocking out to himself. Cheers!
Throwing a goat
1. shaving off you goatee and throwing it away.
2. picking up a farm animal and tossing it.
3. A hand signal: \m/
You know Wil every time I read your Con Stuff it hits my sympathy button. (it’s a small button next to the larger Kill button)
I’ve seen you in action and you are exactly like you write at Cons. I know its hard sitting at a bith saying hello, making the person holding your book feel special.
My hat goes off to you.
And BTW are you doing Comic Con this year? If so drop by my booth again. And I promise this time no puppet show 🙂
Man this was a great post, and it was your second one today!
You so totally rock, Dude!
If it makes you feel any better, all of that exhaustion is just evidence of how much you are loved. At least by most folks. I think its great that you got to have a moment with Brent Spiner and that the whole experience sounds like it was more positive than negative. If I lived around there I would SO have been there, but distance and money did not permit. I’m hoping one of these days you will announce that you are participating in a con or some other even closer to me. I can dream!
Now I’m jealous because it sounded like it was a total blast!
hahaha you said cock punch.
you were right near the LOTR cast…did you by any chance see sean astin??
and that exerpt from dancing barefoot was one of my favorite parts.
Sorry, Will, if I sounded so cross about Creation before. I guess I don’t like being herded like cattle.
I want to go to a Trek con if they ever come to Portland, Oregon. Do you ever get to travel far for conventions? And I do have your book and hope someday to have you sign it and if I am the almost that last person in line, I will understand your handcramps and will strive to smile and simply say thank you…
So this “cock punch” – a punch to the opponent’s cock, or a punch using your…
No, on the other hand, I don’t want to know…
Damn you for bringing on the water works!
You sell yourself short, Wil. Why do you do that? What more validation do you need? Published writer(3 book deal!),great family, celebrity recognition- what else do you want? Man, from what I just read you sound all “aw shucks” when people hear you’re a writer. Fuck that! I’d be walking around like I had a 12 inch cock knowing that I was a writer. Loosen up, Wil and own those conventions you go to. All of us who frequent this lame site know you really kick ass far and above anyone else.
I’m just rooting for you, man. I know you mean well but dude, would it hurt to rock just a little?
Tommy: I like to rock out on the inside, just a little bit . . . the worst thing in the world would be if it went to my head.
Great post, Wil. I enjoyed your comment about Brent being the only person able to call you that particular nickname…I am rather sensitive (perhaps overly sensitive) to variations on “Chuck” and if anyone tries them that I don’t know really well, things can get a bit heated. Anyway, glad you had a good time at the convention, I wish I could have been there, sorry the organizers wore you out!
I was doing fine, this time. I chuckled, I read some more, I enjoyed the story of the convention and really felt for ya when you described being so drained. I’ve been in that state, although a different zip code.
Then I read “Cock-Punch” . And I lost it.
Thanks.
Wil, I’m with Tommy. Give yourself the credit and OWN IT!!! “TV’S WIL WHEATON” couldn’t be trusted with this kind of adulation and praise, but I am EXTREMELY confident that “Mrs. Wheaton’s Husband” is MORE than capable of handling it. Remember what you told me last week, “I discovered that my writing covers Wesley’s face…I WIN, I WIN!!!” Wesley isn’t the ONLY person who gets beaten by “my writing”! (See “TV’S WIL WHEATON”) You’ve worked hard for this, enjoy it!
the time i met brent spiner he seemed like the coolest person in the world.
it was at puzzle zoo in santa monica, and his wife was asking me questions about data figures from the tng collection, when she turned around to ask somebody what they thought of what i was saying and it was *HIM.*
haven’t met you yet wil, but hopefully someday….
If you want to be a headliner, the best way is to sell books. If it is any consolation, I’ve never been real impressed with actors, but I am impressed by writers. Actors are craftsmen; writers are creators.
I think it is funny that I read the last part and said to myself, “Willy?!? He’s gotta hate that” and then read your next line.
Wil, come on, Brent’s watching what you’re doing.
I imagine that he’s excited by the fact that you can do *something* successfully, other than be an actor.
Face it, a lot of the people you worked with will only ever define themselves as actors. Sure, a lot of them are great actors, but still… you’re defining yourself as other things, including being a husband and daddy. Maybe that’s what prompted Brent to whip his camera out, even 🙂
hey wil,
you really are the greatest!!
yes, your comment about feeling hungover did make sense!! i often wake up from a bad night’s sleep from a hectic day before feeling as if i’d drunk about a million pints!! it’s not nice!
well, i’m glad the con went well, i would love to meet you, and, as i’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times before, if i’m one of those people in the last 150, i will totally understand the whole drained thing, and hand cramps!!! i’ll just be happy that i managed to see you!!! (i have your book, and think its GREAT!!!!)
take care wil
rach
Geez Wil, don’t be such a hard ass on the name suffix thing…..there are at least 5 people who can call me Bobby without losing a nut or an ovary….um….you being one of them. But then, I have a year or two on you so maybe it’s a mellowing thing, Mr. 3 book deal and 2 more about to be pitched….you rAwK…..and you’ll NEVER be just an author….you are way to multi-faceted for that
Wil every time I read one of your blog entries I get more and more impressed with your ability to tell the stories of your life. Acting? Voice overs? Yeah I guess they can help pay the bills, and help you get more material to write about. However, I think you have real talent when it comes to writing. So keep up the good work!
Fuckin A, man…Brent Spiner can call ME Willie if he wants.
When I read this, I gave a rueful little chuckle in sympathy:
“I really can’t get away, and I knew the job was dangerous when I took it . . . but mothercrap, man, that can suck the life right out of me.”
Oh man, that’s brutal. I think you should go the Herb Tarlek route and wear “the full Nanaimo” (white belt and white shoes), and hopefully that will scare some of the freaks off (and it will also put you in salesman mode). I saw, reading on, that it actually got worse. You DO work for your money, that’s for sure.
Wil,
I vote ‘yes’. Lack of sleep can cause just as bad a hangover as 9 Guinnesses. I just watched an episode of ST:TNG where Lt. Worf volunteered to tuck you in at night if you remained on the Enterprise. So go back to bed, try to get some sleep and count your Klingons instead of sheep.
Your friend, Freeman 🙂
P.S. Thanks to Jordan for updating us on “throwing the goat.”
I’m so happy that you are happy, Wil. One funny thing though, I actually had to look up on the net what ‘throwing the goat’ was. I have never heard it called that before.
seriously tommy and kalel38…would you really want to read a site that just brags about the writer’s achievments? “oh yes, today i wrote a book…the best damned book in history. its going to sell better than the bible. oh the horrors of being recognized and loved by so many. i am so great…”
come on now. humble people have the most success in the world. if you want a self praising huge ego shit dont stink page, check up on shatner or something. mr wheaton seems to have such a down to earth humble personality and writing style to match. he writes about the good things in his life, but hes not forcing it down our throats. i know id rather read his site any day than someone telling me how lucky i am that im reading his crap.
About four years I got to be Ted Raimi’s autograph assistant. I sat at his side for several hours as he signed and signed and signed. One of my jobs was to tell fans he would take photos after (and collect the tickets), which got old really fast. I repeated it like a robot. At the end he was tired, I was tired but I also had a greater appreciation for what actors have to go through. You are all so dedicated to your fans (even the crazy ones, of which Ted had quite a few) and when it was all said and done Ted was still kind enough to take a picture with me even though he spent a good hour being blinded by cameras.
Thank-you Wil for being you. You are an amazing inspiration to all of us. I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now but was always too nervous to post anything until now. Last quarter I took a fictional writing course and would look to you for inspiration. I am convinced had I not read your blog I wouldn’t have received the A. You are an amazing writer but I hope you don’t give up acting altogether. I am a film major at Savannah College of Art and Design and would love to work with you sometime in the future. Keep up the good work! I also included the picture of Ted and I. You can tell he is obviously just as drained as you described yourself but he took the picture anyway, which meant the world to me.
http://img6.photobucket.com/albums/v20/beherelove/tedme.jpg
Cock-punch; this is my new favorite phrase. I’m going to use it with annoying visitors to the reception desk–as in, “I will get to you in a moment, unless you would like me to serve you now–with a heaping helping of cock-punch.”
Hey Wil, I
Thanks for letting us “in”. And please, if ever we meet, do not cock punch me. I hate when that happens.
My opinion of both Adam and Creation is none-too-kind. You rate better than their treatment.
Thank you for such well-written insight into your life. It is much appreciated.
Nice story wil.
Not to show my ignorance but what does ‘throwing the goat’ mean? 🙂
I hope you can tell by all these comments just how much your effort really is appreciated.
I got your autograph at one of your signings– and here I digress to say that I was never particularly a fangirl while you were an actor, although I liked your work, but I am now a confirmed and unashamed fangirl of you as a writer– and you were just the *nicest* guy. So very cool and friendly and *real*. And when I read something like this, especially, my respect for you grows even greater, and I’m that much more grateful that you’re the kind of guy you are.
Someday I’m going to go to a con, and I’m going to make a point of getting in the *back* of your autograph line, just so that I can get up to you and give you a hug (or at least a handshake) and say something comforting and encouraging. “Dude. Hang in there. Some of us understand, and we appreciate it. We really, really do.”