The Con

Ahh, Comic Con. How I've missed you. It's been two years since I last sampled your excess. Free stuff everywhere, the best flair I've ever known decorating legions of costumed geeks, all squeezing in through cramped isles in the hopeless effort to see it all.

Hall H. That hallowed ground where only the super rich and famous grace the stage. Your 6,000 strong seating filled to capacity with a line of thousands more desperately awaiting their turn to see the next biggest best thing to come. I peek through the door as it briefly opens to admit one more lucky soul, take pictures of the thousands waiting for their moment to cross the threshold, then go on my way to explore the corners that are ignored by so many.

The independent artist's gallery. The indie press graphic novels. The secluded corner that allows me 3 inches of personal space and an unobstructed view of the craziness. These surround stages and productions not often seen outside of Hollywood. Crowds gather at the whisper of "free stuff", and turn into frenzied yet organized madness, all clamoring to be the lucky recipient of a tee shirt for a movie they've never heard of, a poster of someone they'll never hang, or a first edition signed collectors edition of their favorite artist/writer newest release.

A year of anticipation, 4 days of chaos, then no more. It's back to bottling up the alter ego that only comes out for the Con. No more zombie takeovers of Horton Plaza. No more Star Troopers battling next to knights in full armor while a legion of belly dancers and Leias cheer them on. No more glitter. No more flair.

Good-bye until next year...

I Can See Blue Sky!

Half way through July the sun has finally revealed itself. Until now it has insisted on hiding behind a veil of gray that obscured its light and warmth for months. While others in the country are dealing with heat exhaustion, we were still wearing sweaters and jeans to ward off the chill. So bring on the beach, the salt, the frigid water cooling off the roasting body, the waves that tumble you onto the shore, the happy exhaustion that follows a day of gleeful exertion.

OUTGOING CALL
Lala: " I need to give an order please."
Dumbdumb: "I am the nurse, I can help you."
Lala: "OK, great. D/C this medication."
Dumbdumb: "What?"
Lala: Maybe he can't hear me? "D/C this medication."
Dumbdumb: "Can you spell that please?"
Lala: Huh? "Spell what?"
Dumbdumb: "D/C."
Lala: "No, I won't spell that. Discontinue. Stop. No longer take. D/C. It is a common medical abbreviation." Oh. My. God. You are taking care of someone's mother.
Dumbdumb: "What?"
Lala: "Listen. Write D/C the medicine, that all you need to do. If you can't do that I need to speak with your charge nurse." And call the nursing board on you. Wow!
Dumbdumb: "I am the charge nurse!"

Time Passes

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to see yourself as who you are now, while looking through your eyes fifteen years ago? Would your old self be amazed at how far you have come? Be disappointed that you did not live up to all the promises that you made yourself? Would you have the capacity to forgive yourself for the mistakes that you made?

I recently remade the acquaintance of someone that was one of the most important people in my life. She was my LIFE and sanity for a little over a year, and when she could no longer take the strain of being responsible for her life as well as mine we had to go our separate ways. Now, 15 years later, we met with the memory of what was and the knowledge of who we have become.

To me, she exceeded the promise of who she would become. To her, I hope I did the same. It was a rocky path we were on back then, and only luck and some glimmering hope kept us from jumping off the edge. I walked further and closer to that edge than she would, which is why she had to let me go. It wasn't safe where I was leading, and as hard as it was, she had to let me go.

I was broken when she was lost to me. But she didn't leave me empty handed. She gave me the best present in that she gave Scott. None of us could have guessed what it would become, where we would all be now, but none the less I am forever in her debt for all that she gave me.

I was surprised at how bittersweet seeing her again was. It made me miss deeply what could have been. It made me so joyous for her life and love and accomplishments. It made me regret my many, many missteps that caused pain to her and others that were trying only to help. More than anything, it warmed my heart to see her as the kind girl of my memories, made only more beautiful by age and wisdom.

In fifteen years I hope to be able to look back and see this moment as the time we were reconnected, not another lost chance and wonder, "What ever happened to that lovely girl?".