phoenix trip report, part 3

(Concluded from part two)

When I was done a few minutes later, I walked back to the hotel —
which was only about 100 yards away — and stopped into the hospitality
suite for some pretzels and water. Normally, I’d grab a beer and unwind
after a show, but I’m having sinus surgery next week, and I’ve been on
doctor’s orders to have absolutely no alcohol, pain relievers,
vitamins, or fun for the last two weeks, so I’d have to unwind the old
fashioned way: geeking out with my fellow nerds about various geek
things.

Or so I thought. When I walked into the hospitality suite, they were playing Rock Band. Oh yeah.

I played a few songs, and left when I realized I was at that point
where I’d either stop, or keep playing for another four hours. Since it
was already after ten, I’d gotten little sleep the night before, and I
had a big day ahead of me on Sunday, I chose responsibly and went
upstairs to bed.

It was pouring rain when I woke up on Sunday, but that didn’t keep
anyone away as far as I could tell. By the time I was in my seat at 10,
the vendor’s room was already filling up with people, and lines were
beginning to form at my table by 10:30.

Sundays are always slower than Saturdays, though, so I got a chance
to visit with the indie publishers and artists around me. As I talked
with them — mostly with Daniel from Steam Crow — I realized how much
I’ve changed since I started blogging.

In Just A Geek, I recalled a trip to San Diego ComiCon in 2001:

ComiCon was nothing like I had expected, and the truth is,
it was a horrible experience. I went there expecting to sell hundreds
of autographed pictures to hundreds of adoring fans, but hardly anyone
was interested. I sat in a cavernous and undecorated area far away from
the main convention floor, surrounded by people who were definitely on
the downside of their careers.

While talking with Daniel, I noted that we were talking about
publishing costs and marketing strategies. We were talking about about
building our respective brands, and how much more fun and rewarding it
was to do this stuff on our own, rather than the so-called
"traditional" (I call it "old") way of doing things.

"Just a few years ago," I said, "I rarely came to conventions as a
guest, because I felt like I was trying to hold on to whatever fading
celebrity I once had. I didn’t do it because I wanted to be famous
again. I did it because, at the time, it was all I could do,
which was so much worse. But now, when I go to cons, I feel good about
it. I look forward to it, because I feel like I can share the Star Trek
thing with people who love it, but I’m really here as an indie
publisher, just like you."

I thought for a second and added, "You know what it’s like? It’s like — "

"Don’t say ‘rising from the ashes’ while you’re in Phoenix! Don’t say ‘rising from the ashes’ while you’re in Phoenix!" My brain screamed at me.

"It’s sort of like rising from the ashes for me, in a way, which is a pretty lame thing to say since I’m in Phoenix."

"Do you even listen to me anymore? That’s it," my brain said. "I’m out of here."

"I am so lame" I said. Daniel and his wife assured me that I was not, but we all know better, don’t we?

Shortly after that, the con was over. I packed up my stuff, thanked
everyone who brought me out for the show — especially Matt, who runs
the thing — and got a ride to the airport.

One annoying game of Airport Madness! and a pretty bumpy flight later, my wife picked me up from the airport.

"How was your trip?" She asked me, when I got in the car.

"It was awesome," I said.

"Did you have fun? Did you get your geek on?"

"Yeah, I totally did," I said. "I can’t wait for next year."

I leaned over and kissed her.

"I’m happy to be home, though," I said.

"Yeah, I missed my husband," she said.

I still love it when she calls me "her husband."

"I love that I’m your husband," I said.

"Stop it."

"Sorry. I do."

"I like that a whole lot." She said.

"Yeah, it’s pretty awesome."

She pulled out into traffic, and we drove home as the rain began to fall.

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32 thoughts on “phoenix trip report, part 3”

  1. That little internal squee when you hear “my husband” or “my wife” is one of the best parts of being married. *G*

  5. I third (or whatever) the great big “awwwww” and heartily agree that being married is completely made of win.
    Also, thanks for making me cry about the book for the girl’s stepdad. 🙂

  6. Aw man I’m so kicking myself because I couldn’t make it to the con, as I live in Phoenix. It sounds like it was a blast. But it sounds like you’re going to come back next year..? I will definitely be there!!!

  7. “I can’t wait for next year.”
    I sincerely hope that means you’ll be back next year, too! I’m so glad you had a great time this year.

  8. When I saw you playing that guitar, I thought the spirit of Jimi Hendrix lived in you. Knowing you as “Wesley Crusher”, I was suprised at how many of your “fans” knew you from your blog and books and never heard of Wesley Crusher other than from your stories. Kinda like the young poeple that were surprised to hear that Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings. Looking forward to you attending the con next year.

  11. That is so sweet.
    Also, College Humor has up a Star Trek orgasm video. I wondered if Wesley would be in it so I watched the whole thing. Can someone please refund those two minutes of my life?

  12. All I can say, Wil, is that 1) you are NOT lame, and 2) you rock! While I love your geek stories, I also love when you write about Anne. We can feel the love from here!

  13. I talked to Daniel and his kid quite a bit on Friday, then came back by on Saturday to pick up his books. He’s amazingly awesome. I managed to miss his workshop and was a bit bummed by that.

  14. Thanks for the great report on your trip. I am especially glad to hear that you want to do more cons, and I hope that means there will be one in the Dallas area where you will appear.

  16. “Don’t say ‘rising from the ashes’ while you’re in Phoenix! Don’t say ‘rising from the ashes’ while you’re in Phoenix!” My brain screamed at me.
    “It’s sort of like rising from the ashes for me, in a way, which is a pretty lame thing to say since I’m in Phoenix.”
    I seriously laughed so hard on this, my sides hurt now
    Please tell me you’re going to be at PAX again this year

  17. This has nothing to do with the Phoenix trip, but I just found this browsing youtube:

    I don’t recall it being mentioned on the blog, but damn if it wasn’t a good interview.
    I particularly loved the “Shitbags like Paris Hilton” comment.

  18. Yay for stories with happy endings like that.
    And I hate to bring up something off topic too, but its funny how things like Last.fm can really let a person know something about you that you may or may not want them to know…
    Like the fact that the at least last five songs you listened to were all “Stay Alive” from Portal. 🙂

  19. Geebus, sinus infection, why must you confuse my brain and fingers?
    “Still Alive”, not “Stay(in’) Alive”…
    Yeaaah. I’m going to crawl under a rock for a while now, kthx.

  21. At the end of the story, as I read about you and your wife driving off in the rain, all I could think of was:
    Did they pass a freeway info sign that read: “What I really want to do is direct”?

  22. Good luck with the sinus surgery next week. I seem to recall you complain about allergy problems from time-to-time, and even if your surgery goes well, you might want to look into alternative treatments to help stop the cause of your allergies. I’ve had great luck with a specific type of acupuncture called “Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Techniques.” It has helped me deal with allergies that were causing a painful autoimmune response, and it also helped a friend of mine completely overcome her dog allergy (she now owns two). You can read about it at http://www.neat.com. It may sound a bit over the top, but my experience has made me a big fan.

  24. Hey guys, hey Wil. Sounds like a hell of a trip.
    To change the topic from the Phoenix insanity for a moment, I found a small comedic site, awesome clip on there making the rounds. Thought I’d randomly share it.
    (Edited movie clips to make things happening that aren’t.)
    The clip’s link
    Although be warned, it’s comedic, but I’m guessing workplaces’d count it as NSFW, despite it being harmless edits to most of us.
    Not sure what you’d all make of it.

  25. Wil –
    Great ending on your recap of the con in Pheonix – I’d have to admit that I am not a complete geek yet, but this blog and your insight makes me inspire to a level of geek that is totally cool. Thanks for putting your thoughts in print so all can see. Great Job!

  26. Wil- glad you had an awesome time in PHX. Great getting to meet you. Hope you enjoy the BT comic. Yep, the Steam Crow crew are good folks, and Daniel is a heck of a guy. Always good to see them at a show. Hope you get to come back next year. Take care- Lin

  27. Wil, you’re the coolest ever! I hope I get the chance to hear you speak someday…
    You’re my favorite geek! Thanks for helping show the world that not only is it ok to be a geek, but it’s AWESOME!!! You’re an inspiration to us all.
    Yours in Geekery,
    Amber

  28. Daniel and his family at Steam Crow are lots of fun. They have a super newsletter too.
    I sure wish I hadn’t missed getting to meet you but I appreciate the ‘thank you’ gift for the painting and posted a pic on my blog you might like to see.
    Sure hope to see you next year!!

  32. This was great to read about your trip to the Phoenix Con. This was my 2nd year going and my husband & I took our whole crew (3 boys: ages 4 mos, 2 and 5) with us this time. It’s a really great Con that we enjoy. I have to admit, that I walked by your table a few times always wanting to stop to chat with you. But you were engaged with someone else… and I was embarrassed. Since I didn’t know what to say to you if I talked to you. Silly me. Sorry I missed out. But I agree, the Phx Con is a feel-good con. Tables of books, goodies and great people. Glad you enjoyed it. (And Daniel of SteamCrow and his wife and kid ARE awesome. So friendly and cool.)

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