My Dragon*Con Schedule

Here's my schedule for this weekend's Dragon*Con.

Friday

1pm -2pm – The Guild Panel with Robin and Amy in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom

2:30-5:30pm – Autographs in the Walk of Fame

6:00-6:30pm – The Guild Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

6:30-7:00pm – Star Trek Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

Saturday

10am-1pm, then again from 1:30-3:30pm – Autographs in the Walk of Fame

4-5pm – Star Trek TNG Panel with Brent and Gates in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom

5:00-5:30pm – The Guild Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

5:30-6:00pm – Star Trek Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

Sunday

11:30am-12:30pm Eureka Panel with Colin, Jordan, Chris, and Kevin in the Hyatt Centennial Ballroom

1:00-2:00pm – Autographs in the Walk of Fame

2:30-3:00pm – The Guild Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

3:00-3:30pm – Star Trek Photos in International Hall North at the Marriott.

4:00-7:00pm – Autographs in the Walk of Fame

Monday

10:00-11:00am – A panel that illustrates I was not consulted about what panels I wanted to be on, titled Wesley Crusher, Boy Genius. I tell you what: instead of rehashing something I did when I was 14 that we're all tired of talking about, I've asked Paul and Storm to join me for a dramatic retelling of a turgid tale some of you may know as the WILLIAM FUCKING SHATNER story, and then we'll do soem Q&A for the rest of the hour. This will be in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom.

11:30am-12:30pm – Final signing of the con, in the Walk of Fame

Boy, I'm exhausted just looking at this, but everyone keeps telling me that this is a great con, attended by great people, and that I'm going to have a great time, so that's become my "Krusty will come" mantra.

I sold out of all my books at PAX, but I did bring some 3-Wheaton Moon posters and a crapton of 8x10s. I also have a few Compleat Workes of Me Wil Wheaton(e) DVDs left that were not purchased at PAX, if you're interested.

I may extend or reduce the signing hours, depending on how I'm feeling.

Finally, this is important, so I'm reprinting it from my post about GenCon last year:

I got the Swine Flu at PAX Prime in 2009, and it was the worst two weeks of my life. When we went to PAX East, all of us (Jerry, Mike, Kurtz, Straub, Paul and Storm, The Professor and Mary Ann) all agreed that we wouldn't shake hands, give hugs, or engage in human contact with people, to limit the introduction of infection vectors. Most people understood, and we gave each other the old Iron Guard Salute (not the fascist thing, the gaming thing that looks like like "love" in ASL). The result: a few people were cheesed off, but none of us were too upset about that, because none of us got sick. It was the first con I've gone to in my whole life where I didn't get some form of Con Crud, and I'd like to repeat that until we turn out the lights on Planet Earth.

So, tl;dr: I'm not going to touch people at the con. I know it seems weird, but I hope you understand why. I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm trying not to get sick. (Edited to add: in comments, a non-zero number of readers seem to have a real problem with this, and people on the rest of the Internets are already giving me a hard time about it in very unkind terms. This makes me really sad; I hoped for a little more empathy and understanding. Not that it should matter, but I have Epstein-Barr, so my immune system isn't as robust as a normal person's; it is very easy for me to catch viruses and other nasty things. I'm not going to apologize for not wanting to get sick, especially after two weeks of Swine Flu. If you can't understand that, it's your problem, not mine.)

Thanks for understanding. I'll see you at the con!

145 thoughts on “My Dragon*Con Schedule”

  2. I may not be there for Dragon*Con but I want a hug from you sometime in the future (like maybe next year’s Comic-Con) because you just seem like a huggable guy and I just want one. Can you make an exception at least for that one time? 🙂

  3. Hi, Wil. I’m not remarking on this post because I haven’t read it yet, but just wanted to say I had to google you because I feel like I’m the only person on the planet who does not know you. You seem to be referred to a lot in pop culture and I just saw the Family Guy episode where you kept getting your head smacked by the bald guy.
    I plan to acquaint myself with you and your writing so I know what people are talking about when they mention you, OK? Just thought I’d get that out of the way, since this is our first conversation.
    The end.

  6. I cannot make it to this con, but if I were to bring us each a pair of rubber (non-latex) gloves and we put them on, would you be willing to shake hands then? That would be a Kodak moment, I’m thinkin’.
    I say this in good humor and it is not meant sarcastically AT ALL! I don’t shake my 7th graders hands because they still don’t all know how to wash hands after using the restroom, and that just goes ALL over me! *nauseous shudder*

  7. Have a great time. I totally understand and support your no touching policy. As a doctor, I can tell you absolutely that most cases of the common cold and flu (and other illnesses) are spread by direct contact: shaking hands, kissing, drinking from the same glass, etc. So to heck with anyone who doesn’t understand your policy.

  8. Even weirder is that they booked Garrett Wang with both you (for Boy Wonder – and could they *think* of a worse title?!?) *and* the DS9 panel (and I also see him on the Shatner panel). What the heck?

  9. Garrett is hosting the Trek Track, so he's on all the Trek panels. He's very funny, and I know that he'll add a lot to the Trek panels.

  11. I have been associated with Dragon Con since the very first year of the con and love, love, love it. I have been a paying attendee, a vendor, an artist showing in the art show, a staff member, and even, for a time I ran the office for the convention. I KNOW you will have a great time. It is a good bunch of people and the ST group is particularly fun. GO TO THE KLINGON EVENTS! They know how to party! If you have the time, seek out a musician guest by the name of Voltaire. He is also a big ST fan and also a lot of fun on his own. Sadly, due to my own health concerns I will not be attending this year and am sad for that, more than you can imagine, but look forward to hearing everyone’s con stories and seeing lots of photos. I know you are here in Atlanta by now and probably already having a pretty darned great time. Anyway, if you see this… HAVE FUN!

  12. I personally can’t understand wanting to touch someone I don’t know. Just because you’re a public person doesn’t make you a friend. Plus it’s nerve racking enough meeting someone you admire without adding awkward physical contact to the mix. Side note: a Wesley Crusher panel, why? You’ve done a lot since then, I had a total crush on that character. But anything there was to say about that role has been said.

  14. Hey Wil, I was at Dragon Con today for The Guild panel and then later at your signing on the Walk of Fame. No touching? Completly understandable. I was sweating like crazy for the humidity even in the hotels with the air going the crowds made it 20 degrees hotter. Add the MODOK Cosplay I was wearing during the day and I wouldn’t have given my mother a hug until I got cleaned up.

  15. Hope you have a great con! And as someone who’s caught con crud a few times over the years, I totally understand the no-touching thing.

  16. I’m kind of relieved about the no touch thing because it saves me from having to worry about how I smell when I am near you guys. (Even if you cake on the whole thing of deodorant, there is still zero chance of controlling how you smell at a con) I can safely stand an arm’s length away just in case and not have to worry about feeling rude.
    Though if *you* decided you wanted to hug *me* I doubt I’d turn it down…. 🙂

  17. Wil you have every right to protect yourself. I am a nurse and I recommend to every one not to touch anyone!!! Especially celebrities who get assaulted by out stretched hands by people who think touching you might in some way connect them to the awesomeness that flows through you!! Stay well Wil and have fun!!
    P.S. I totally think the fake hand idea rocks!!!

  18. Having gone to several PAX Primes, I can totally understand the no-touching thing. Every year, I come home with Con Crud and it’s miserable. This year wasn’t so bad – I made a bigger stink about people getting too close to me, didn’t touch anything I didn’t have to, and washed my hands constantly. Then again, being on the short(er) side, I always have a problem getting mooshed around or stepped on in things like that, anyway.
    That being said, with the immense population at this year’s PAX Prime (so many counterfeits!) I’m shocked I didn’t come home with anything. I came home with simple exhaustion, but that comes with the territory of too much stimulation and hype in a short time frame.
    Wish I could be there at Dragon*Con. PLEEEEEEEEASE tell us you took the CoD with you! That was phenomenal!

  20. no touch is awesome, what is it with all these people who want to spread the germs? Can’t they understand that getting sick is no fun at all?
    I wish kids who get sick would stay home with their colds and flu and other nasty germs, and not come to school to infect other kids, especially those with asthma, it is so darn frustrating- the ignorance and lack of empathy.
    Keeping physical distance is a normal thing to do when there is a crowd. I agree with you, Will!

  21. Thanks so much for coming to Dragon*Con, Wil. Hope everyone was nice and respectful today. Just so you know, we really appreciate it.
    Thanks 🙂

  22. [creepyfan]
    At the Phoenix Comicon several years ago it was early in the con and you shook my hand while I acted star struck and simply said I loved your work. To this day when my friends are having terrible days I offer them the blessing of Saint Wheaton and lay said hand on their head and pray “For blessed natural 20’s and to grow a beard of authority.”
    [/creepyfan]

  23. Why not wear one of those handy “Get AWAY from me you lowlife peons!” T-shirts?
    Jokes asked, don’t forget to watch what you eat as well, especially if it’s a fast food place where the guy taking the order is also the one cooking it… on a coleman type of stove right behind the counter (no kitchen). I went to my first Sci Fi convention this summer and ended up sitting at the curb outside the hotel sick as a dog during the panel that I was waiting all day to see. Could have used that T-shirt then!

  24. I know a bunch of people who went to a bloggers conference in Portland last weekend and now most of them are sick! So I understand, but if I ever went to a con I would probably bring a Hazmat suit just so I could squeeze the shit out of everyone without germing them up or vice versa.

  25. From her own blog it seems that she’s on the Eureka panel. it would almost be rude not to have you two on the same panel when they can. The one with you, her and Amy from ECCC is comedy gold.

  26. I totally understand you not wanting to touch people. What I found rude was you bailing on a room full of us Friday night for pics with you, Spiner and McFadden. You took the single shots, 4 group pic and doubles but left us with the 3 group shots waiting in line. We waited all that time and you just bailed. Not cool.

  27. If you’re seeking anecdotal proof that a “no touching” policy keeps you healthier, I come from a huge family and had to institute my own no-touching policy at the family Christmas dinner after spending from just before New Year’s eve to the end of February sick with bronchial pneumonia two years in a row. In previous years, I’d have hellacious headcolds that would turn into chest colds, so the progression to full-blown pneumonia really scared me — I mean, what’s the next step? A coffin?
    It does cause a certain amount of hard feelings, especially among the aunts, but I find I am able to attend a lot more New Year’s Eve parties due to not becoming ill a few days after Christmas, and I also enjoy not getting covered with other people’s makeup as a side-benefit.

  29. I'm sorry, but I didn't intentionally bail on anyone. Froggy told me that I was finished, and nobody else wanted me for photos, so I left to eat dinner.

  31. Man, now I’m sorry I’m going to miss D*C. Thought about doing a one day thing since I live in town, but then I looked at the one day pass prices. Eep! Hope you have fun!

  32. Was just at Gen Con and did TrueDungeon for the first time – we slayed the Dragon! I even met the Dungeon Master who ran the Dragon’s room when Wil slayed the Dragon last year, and he said he still couldn’t believe Wil’s luck (or skill?). Here’s a little video I put together with Gen Con footage and photos: http://youtu.be/xqm6S3GQl9U

  34. Totally agree with the no touching thing. I adopted this while promoting concerts a while back since I have stopped the concerts but kept my touching policy unless I know the person. I have been less sick then ever since. Also p.s. your posts about eureka almost brought me to tears, however fargo(neil)’s post at 6:30am on the final day of shooting did bring me to tears….seems like no one wanted it to end.

  35. I won’t be at the con, but I completely understand your not wanting to get sick and limiting contact with fans. Travelling is stressful and I’ve gotten sick during or immediately after a trip too many times to count. I always take some Airborne with me now and it does seem to help. Anyhow, hope you are having a great time at the con, that your travel home is uneventful and safe, and that you don’t get sick!

  36. WoW…It’s like a MUD, only it costs more.
    Classic.
    I also told the KoL guys you loved their game, and they wanted to be sure you knew they were having a 10pm Sunday Night part in the Sheraton Capitol Ballroom. Meant to bring a card when the wife (and her little HK and the cylinder percentile) visited you in the Walk today, but, low on coffee I was!
    Hope you’ve gotten some sleep by now. 🙂

  38. I suffer from it, as well as hypothyroid, high triglycerides, and clinical depression. Granted, I should probably see a sleep specialist as well, but the biggest thing that affects me is that I get tired REALLY easily. Like that Five Hour Energy commercial tired. Like I drink strong caffeinated coffee and can still take a nap with ease tired. Some people just get mono and get over it. I call them “lucky jerks”. 😛
    Wil, I hope to meet you one day, possibly at PAX, as long as I get past my crippling shyness, and shake your hand (I’ll bring the rubber gloves and respirators if you bring the bleach and hazmat suits…).

  39. Yes, EBV is what causes mononucleosis, but the vast majority of people who get it can build up the immunity to it so that it is a one time infection. People like Wil, BornALibra, and myself somehow managed to get stuck with a chronic EBV that kinda sucks hard.
    As for a dividing line between cautious germophobia and OCD, I’ll say the following:
    If you think that Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner is a good body wash, you’re probably OCD.

  40. Wil,
    If you get the chance, check out the Hilton lower level. That’s were all the board/card/minis gaming is going on. I spent the whole weekend there last year (having to work this year). My son and his friends will be there this weekend.

  41. Wil:
    Glad to have met you on Friday. Thanks for signing Just a Geek for me and the missus, and for the “SOLID” salute. If you end up in a bar while here at some point, we’ll buy you a beverage.
    Looking forward to tomorrow morning’s panel as well.
    WF

  42. Thank you SO much! I really appreciate the response. I’m not at all opposed to actually having to, oh, commute and make a good trip. I think it would be even more fun. It’s just hard with three kids under 11 years old, two dogs, and two kitties to have to board somewhere, hehheh.
    Thanks, again!
    Jess

  43. Thank you I enjoyed meeting you this morning. I kind of froze a bit but you were great. One question who was the guy that (unless I misread the situation) that was bugging you when the line was let in? I was about the fifth person in line and as I was coming up he butted in again and tried to shake your hand you were great though and did an elbow bump with him.

  44. I completely understand the whole “don’t want to get sick” thing. I attend two conventions a year, one with about 40-60 people and one with about 800-1000 people. And there are plenty of people who show up sick. So I get where you’re coming from.
    If I were to attend Dragon con however, and I had read your post, I would show up with a surgical gown, mask, and gloves. spread hand sanitizer on the gloves and give the old open arms hug request. If nothing else than for the laugh!
    Stay well!

  45. Hi Wil. I know you met a lot of people at the weekend, with many more to go. You told me Dragon*Con was like a micro Comic Con but way more overwhelming, but if you do remember, I was the Scottish guy in the 3 Wheaton moon shirt that thanked you for coming to your first Dragon*Con.
    I’ve been a fan of you and admired you since the (hold on for it)… the 80’s. I’ve followed you since way back in the day. 2001 at the earliest, maybe 2002 on the blog alone before blogs had a name. I’ve aspired to be as honest and as passionate about life as you appear to be throughout that time and it is only now in my late 30’s and after meeting you that I can really tell you how humbled and excited I was meeting you.
    I wasn’t going to make Dragon*Con this year due to my wife being so ill. She has a severe auto-immune disease and planning in advance is out of the question. A conspiracy between my M-i-L, my B-I-L and my wonderful wife made it happen and a mancrush/non-pervy dream came true for me this year with me finally meeting ‘Joey, Wesley, Festus, Fawkes, Ted Kord, Chaos, Dr Parrish but ultimately Wil fucking Wheaton on a Saturday at the beginning of September 2012!!!! It was a memory that I will carry for many, many years to come. I have two pictures up in my my meager office, Of my two favourite non family humans; yourself and Carl Sagan. You are a true gentleman and a gifted actor and I appreciate everything you lay down in font and on the screen. I consider you a friend after a three minute conversation and I look forward to any enterprise you undertake in the future.
    There is a reason you have so many people following you Wil. It’s your humility and humanism and I thank you for it. It has brought me out of a rut I have been in for longer than I care to explain. Never let it be said that what you do isn’t worthwhile. You, through your blog and your work has helped me through many rough episodes and if I ever have the opportunity to buy you a pint of IPA I will do so gladly.
    Thank you again for the the three minutes I got to spend with you. They mean more than you will ever imagine… Chris.
    http://imgur.com/dd9Ob

  46. Hi Wil. I cannot tell you how thrilled both my wife and I were to finally get to meet you in person. We are both long time fans. We grew up watching you on ST:TNG and have wanted to have the chance to meet you in person for years. DragonCon is the only large convention we go to due to time and funding, so we were so happy you decided to come this year. I hope that you are having a good time and that people are being kind to you.
    As far as your policy or stance or whatever you choose to call it on physical contact, I think you are well within your rights to dictate the terms of the interactions you have with your fans. No one should have any expectation whatsoever other than getting to speak to you. I don’t see how it detracts from the experience at all if you choose not to shake hands or hug people. I do not initiate physical contact with any of the guests I meet. Mostly because I am petrified when I meet celebrities and who am I to think I can touch them, but partly because I know that the risk of illness is fairly large for someone who meets thousands of people during a convention. I don’t understand why people cannot see your perspective on this.
    You were very nice to us when we met you in spite of how tired you had to have been and how many times you must have heard people say the same things to you we did. We truly appreciated meeting you and hope you will make it back for another appearance. I also hope to see more of you on The Guild.
    Sorry for going on so long.
    Don

  48. My husband and I felt horrible after we read this post. He grabbed your hand after you took our picture. He also got the swine flu during the 2009 PAX epidemic (though his dick of a doctor said it couldn’t be the flu since it lasted two weeks) and he refers to it as two of the worst weeks of his life. Rest assured that if we ever see you again we will be sure to just wave. I totally respect never wanting to feel that way again.

  49. The very first Wil Wheaton story I ever heard was from a mild-mannered co-worker who told the WILLIAM FUCKING SHATNER story over a business lunch.
    I hope you are all still having fun this morning at the Con.

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