Rose City Comicon and Portland

This weekend, Anne and I went to Portland for Rose City Comicon. While we were there, we visited my sister and her family, saw a strange ball of fire in the sky that I don’t usually seen in Portland, and had an absolutely fantastic time at the convention.

I took a bunch of pictures, and I think they tell the story of the weekend very well, so this is mostly a picture post. I’m going to put the rest of this behind a jump, so my blog doesn’t take forever to load.

Welcome to the other side of the jump. We have cookies.

So my sister took us to this landmark that she really wanted us to see:

Wheaton Lane

Anne and I got a little excited about it.

We taught my nephew that he should always be himself, unless he can be Batman.

What that picture doesn’t capture, unfortunately, is how my nephew started the whole thing by posing with his arm out, and going, “ARRRGGHHH!” When we put the Batman masks on, he knew exactly what to do.

And this is pretty funny to me: after we did this, his dad (who is Dallas Cowboys Super Fan Number One) gave him a Cowboys football, and told my nephew, “take that to uncle Wil!”

My nephew looked at it, handed it back to my brother in-law, picked up both Batman masks, and gave them to me.

This kid gets me, and I am a very proud godfather.

Later, we went to dinner. S and I spent a lot of time examining the menu. He ordered the chicken, and I had about 600 pounds of sushi.

We didn’t play with our food, but we did have a whole lot of fun together.

Wil and S.

He’s a really great little guy. He’s just turned two, and though the last time we visited the twos were terrible, they were terrific this weekend. I just love my godson, and I love how happy he and his parents are together.

Anne and I walked a whole bunch while we were in Portland, because it wasn’t infinity degrees outside like it has been in Los Angeles. Here’s my favorite bridge in a city with a lot of great bridges:

Steel Bridge

Steel Bridge has some really great history. It also has some sad, but beautiful graffiti on the East side.I'm so sorry. I love you. N9NA

I'm so sorry. I love you. N9NA We, of course, went to Voodoo Donuts so Anne could take care of some very important business.

We also went to Powell’s, so I could pick up a couple of books that I need (yes, need.) Because I just finished Prisoner of Azkaban, I got Goblet of Fire, and I also picked up Broken Monsters, based on this review at NPR.

We didn’t have as much time as I wanted while we were in Powell’s (we never do), but I had a bit of a revelation while I was walking the aisles there. I love bookstores and libraries the way some people love the beach, or the mountains, or a museum. When I’m in a bookstore or library, I feel like the rest of the world doesn’t exist, that the only world that matters — well, worlds that matter — are contained within its walls, between the covers of the books that line the shelves. When I’m in a place like Powell’s, that has tons of used books that go back decades, I can find and hold and look at and lose myself in the covers and stories that remind me of my youth, and pretty much any time in my life that I care to touch again.

Stephen King says that writing is a form of time travel, and I’ll take that a step further: a bookstore or library is a portal to anywhere in the multiverse; it’s Sigil made real.

I told Twitter that, while it’s convenient to order books online, going to a bookstore and finding a book is an experience. I love that experience, and I don’t want to live in a world without bookstores and libraries.

After Powell’s, we went to a shoe store for Anne … and left with two pair of fancy new shoes for me. I love them, especially because — and I actually said this out loud — I really like the way they make the cuffs of my pants break. #smh

Because that wasn’t enough, we then went to Nordstrom, where I bought pretty much all of my Fall wardrobe. Oh, and I had nitro cold brew coffee from Stumptown and it was amazing.

Normally, when I visit Portland, I consume a swimming pool full of delicious craft beer. This time, I didn’t have any beer at all, because I’m on a “don’t drink very much alcohol and keep sugar to a minimum” diet ahead of Tabletop, and also because the bar in our hotel had some of the best pre-Prohibition cocktails I’ve ever had in my life. It turns out that I’m crazy for something called a Vieux Carre, you guys, and this one bar made the best one I’ve ever had. It made sticking to Project: Drinks Just Have One very difficult.

So on to the convention, then. I took almost all of last year off from the convention circuit, because I was starting to burn out after 2012, and I needed to spend more time working on new things than I was spending promoting old things. With the Wil Wheaton Project coming to an end (fear not, fans of the show! I hear that the network is trying to do basically the exact same show without me, and I’m encouraging them to hire the same staff, so hopefully you’ll get your weekly dose of Skeletor back sooner than later, which will be awesome for all of us) I had an opportunity to attend Rose City Comicon for the first time.

This con was wonderful. It was big enough to bring in a wide variety of creators, actors, artists, and merchants, without being so huge that it was overwhelming. I met a ton of super creative people, including some truly outstanding cosplayers. Behold Sparks McGee:

Sparks McGeeThis amazing woman also cosplayed as the Glow Cloud from Welcome to Night Vale.

ALL HAIL THE GLOW CLOUD There was this fantastic Ash crossplay:

THIS IS MY BOOMSTICK

I was so excited about this woman’s costume, I shared it with Twitter. Of course, creeps were creeps, and someone complained that she was holding a Winchester Rifle instead of a shotgun. I have to admire Twitter’s ability to completely miss the point of everything so consistently.

R2-D2 was there, disguised as L3-G0:

This one is for the handful of people who are with me in the Venn Diagram overlap of Physics Nerds, Avengers Nerds, and Beatles Nerds.

Thor with Maxwell's Silver Mjolnir

I wish I could hide spoiler text here, so you can solve it for yourself, but since I can’t … oh! Just put your mouse over the next picture if you want to know why I love this cosplay so much.

Maxwell's Silver Mjolnir

Genius, right?

Finally, everyone in the world is on notice: you need to step up your cosplay game after this couple did this:

Team Cawkes

I was very happy to see these signs everywhere, but also sad that they needed to be everywhere.

Cosplay is not consent

I made a bunch of Cards Against Humanity cards, as usual:

IMG_20140920_185357 IMG_20140921_102432 IMG_20140921_113834 IMG_20140921_144849 IMG_20140921_151122 IMG_20140920_141928 IMG_20140920_141838 IMG_20140921_103334

I have no idea what that last one means.

I saw that Wesley Crusher is back … in POG form.

Wesley POGs

I got a wonderful, handcrafted Sparks McGee.

Plushie Sparks McGee

And I got to have my picture taken with two of my heroes:

NARF

I saw a family who named their team after me:

It's the Wesley CRUSHERS.

And I got to take a duckface selfie with Kelly Sue DeConnick, who is not only one of the most amazing writers I know, she’s also one of the most amazing human beings I know.

Duckface with Kelly Sue

You may notice that our respective spouses are photobombing us, which is kind of wonderful.

So that was my weekend, and it was great. I got to spend quality time with my family, got my geek on at a convention, and met tons of really great people. I haven’t left a convention feeling so rejuvenated in a very long time. I usually feel exhausted at the end of a show, but Rose City Comicon was so positive and enthusiastic and awesome, I actually felt like I gained back some mana and hit points while I was there.

I’ll probably keep my convention calendar light again next year, because it really is important to me that I write and create more stuff, but if Rose City will have me back, I’ll do everything I can to attend.

Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

65 thoughts on “Rose City Comicon and Portland”

  3. Re: Powell’s. I think Miss Emily visited there (by imagination).

    There is no Frigate like a Book (1286)
    By Emily Dickinson

    There is no Frigate like a Book
    To take us Lands away
    Nor any Coursers like a Page
    Of prancing Poetry –
    This Traverse may the poorest take
    Without oppress of Toll –
    How frugal is the Chariot
    That bears the Human Soul

  4. For those of you, who like me, received nothing by hovering over the Mjolnir (hammer) picture, the name of the picture is “Maxwell’s Silver Mjolnir”

  5. I work part time at my not so local (anymore) library. I have been there over 25 years and it is my hobby. It is where I go to escape from the rest of my everyday life. Yes it is still a job and I am working (no we don’t read books all day long much to my dismay) and sometimes I haven’t been there in months, but when I am there the rest of the world disappears. Thank you for sharing my sentiment that libraries and bookstores are portals. I have always suspected that they were and you have confirmed it. Support your local library!!

  7. “I hear that the network is trying to do basically the exact same show without me…”

    I have to say that I am really insulted about this on your behalf, despite the fact that you seem quite sanguine about it. I’m glad you’re feeling okay with it, and want to support the rest of the show team, but I’m still planning on behing a little pissed about it for a while.

    3. Me, too. How is this a good thing for all of us? I like that there will be a show and hopefully Wil’s Team can still do it but…it’s WIL’s baby. I’m pissed on his behalf. I love how gracious he is, though. Jeez. SyFy stinks.

  8. So happy I got to see you and Anne and Bonnie at Rose City! Driving down for it was seriously the best early birthday present I could have given myself! I hope the new Batman logo of stars finds a good place in your home!

    It sounds like the trip was a really great one for you and I’m really glad it was! Keep being the awesome you that you are! (And I’ll keep getting excited and making things!)

    <3 d

  9. Love that you had a wonderful experience at RCCC. I heard great things about it and really wanted to attend.

    I’m a fan of the Vieux Carré at Imperial… the cocktail scene in Portland is getting unreal! So many lovely drinks, so little time. And, oh! The doughnuts. You guys should try Blue Star some day… so good!

  10. Yay! I hope you come back. It was my first Rose City Comic Con (first any Con) ever. I saw you, but there were lots of people and that took some getting used to, all the people. It was super fun and I am going to do everything I can to return next year, too! Portland is pretty awesome, and today, the yellow orb is hiding behind clouds again. Everything is back where you usually find it here in the Rose City.

  11. Thank you SO MUCH for being at RCCC! I was in line just out of shot for the cosplaying couple, and yes it was awesome. This was my first chance at seeing you, so I was extra excited that I made it into your panel and got an awesome thumbs up pic. Overall it was a great con weekend, and I am glad to hear it was a great experience for you as well. If you do make it back next year, Portland will be happy to have you back!

  13. Hope you keep Orlando/ MegaCon on your itinerary next year, we missed you this year because our kids spring break fell on the same week. Have a great week, Sir.

  14. Please come to HawaiiCon next year! Your friend Aaron Douglas was there! You’ll LOVE doing a Con at the Hapuna Prince!

  15. Thanks for the news about the show! I was pretty bummed when it got canceled. Maybe now they’ll be able to come up with a non-lame name. Not that the show was lame, nor you, just the name.

  16. Wil,
    I am glad you and Anne had a blast and you are recharged. Did you both do anything divergent at this con that causes the recharge? Or perhaps it was the crowd?
    Anyway te CosPlay pica were aweaome. SHE did great job.

  17. Your panel was my favorite part of RCCC! If all that my kids took away from the experience was your words on anxiety and depression, then it was an excellent weekend indeed. Thanks for being awesome!

  18. I was nice to see you again, after seeing you at Emerald City last year, where you took a pic of my Baby Doctor. I’m sorry that my wife and I missed your panel. It was fun listen to you and Felicia in Seattle last year, but by the time we go to the line, this time, it was too long. Have a nice post-con rest, and hopefully things continue to work out for you.

  19. So glad that our con was nice to you. The nerds in this city are pretty laid back. And I hope they do ask you back next year. I know my son would love to see you again. Stay awesome!

  21. Wil, ditto what everyone said about RCCC – glad it was a positive experience! More importantly, I love the photos of your family time; watching you with your nephew left me with something in my eye darn it. What great fun! Thanks for sharing that!

  25. I really hope that you are able or willing to be at the Wizard World convention to be held in Des Moines next June 12 – !4th here in Iowa. i need to get your autograph in a copy of my How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. Your posts about struggling with depression and anxiety and especially how you finally found a mix to your medication that is right has played a huge part in reigniting my desire to break in to the comics industry again. Reading your thoughts helped push me to speak with a therapist and begin my own regime of medication and things have been moving forward for me in some pretty awesome ways. I just wanted to thank you for putting your thoughts down honestly on your blog! Thanks again and i hope to see you next June!

  28. I’m so glad you enjoyed the RCCC, because I sure did! It was my first real convention ever (aside from a really lame Star Trek convention back in the early 90s. You weren’t there) and I had a fantastic time and bought so many cool things, and met tons of wonderful people. It was mostly the fact that you were going to be there that convinced me to go in the hopes of attending your panel (which I did, and it was awesome), so thanks!

  29. I am so happy my town welcomed you so warmly. Hopefully next year I’ll get to see you, assuming you come back. (please please please do!). I’ve got dice for you! 🙂 Oh, and when you come back, try Blue Star Donuts. Voodoo gets all the press, but Blue Star knocks it out of the park!

  32. So glad to hear that you enjoyed RCCC so much! I was busy volunteering Saturday and missed your panel. Hoping that you make it back up next year for RCCC!!

  33. So glad our city and con treated you well, and that you had a chance to refresh. Also, if you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out the St. Johns Bridge, because although the Steel Bridge is indeed awesome, most Portlanders agree that the St. Johns Bridge is our most beautiful. Most visitors never see it because it’s further upriver, but the bridge (and our charming St. Johns neighborhood) are worth a visit. (DISCLAIMER: I may possibly be biased, since I live a block from the bridge. But I’m still right. 😉

  36. I’m glad that you enjoyed your time in town, Wil.
    I hope you do come back to RCCC… I may actually try to go! (I love the idea, but… never been to a con; too many people.)

  37. I’m so glad you had a good time, Wil! And the Sparks cosplayer adding that tattoo? Brilliant! 😀

    Though that Cawkes couple takes the cake!

  38. Hey Wiil…so glad that you could have a pos experience and recharge. Thanks for the awesome postings and pics of quality family time and quality fan time. I think you are being quite gracious about the SyFy thingy. Butt like most corporate entities (deemed human by our supreme of courts- Data would be jealous) they are mad I tell you mad……… (you have to have a sole to be human IMHO) Good job keeping your soul intact in the face of such mindlessness. What would they call it?? “The lack of wil project”, “The wheatless half hour of power” anyway…..grumble grumble etc. 🙂

  39. I couldn’t stop grinning and guffawing while I read this. I’m still grinning.
    I got to the cards written out in marker and I said to myself, “Really, Wil? Really?” But as I was giggling at the same time, I can’t, from a technical standpoint, take offense.
    The examples of cosplay and the duckface photo made me smile. A good way to start the day! So, if I haven’t said it already, thank you.

  41. Thank you so much for being there, and for making us feel special (We were the family with the Wesley Crusher shirts). It isn’t just my husband and I who are fans, my kids are too, and you really make their day, and that means a lot to me. So thank you again 🙂

  42. Wait, what? Why are they doing the show without you? Glad you had a good time in Portland — come to San Francisco!

  44. My 5-year old nephew has spent his life being one super-hero or another. Right now, he moves between Spiderman and Thor- sticking me with being Loki!

  45. I really wanted to make it down there for Rose City, but circumstances didn’t allow it. I love what you said about visiting Powell’s. I can’t imagine not being able to search through real books – though I do a fair share of reading on Kindle, I still like having a actual book.

  47. Wil, I just watched The Indecision Amalgamation (The Big Bang Theory: Season 7, Episode 19) and I must say… you NAILED the ending scene!

  48. I got the reduced Planck constant and the Maxwell field equations. And of course he’s Thor. But what about the Beatles ?

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

Recent Posts