10 Days in California Part 1: Four Day in LaLa Land
I’m not a San Diego veteran, but I’m far from a rookie. This year was my 4th trip out west for Comic Con and by now I more or less know exactly what to expect with each trip. So Friday morning as I waited in the airport I prepared for a 10 day adventure in California.
This year was gonna feel different though. I’m not going to out anyone’s dirty laundry but in the past I’ve been a mopey heart-broken guy flying out to San Diego to be lifted up by his cooler friends. This year the roles were slightly reversed. I’ve begun finding inner piece (which will be a new article series soon, stay tuned) and everyone else was going through the worst year of their life. I felt a weird weight and responsibility to make everyone happy.
Also this would be the first year that I attended San Diego Comic Con as a “notable podcast host”. While Horror Movie Night is still not an infamous money making enterprise, it’s had a good year full of growing listenership and super invested fans. This year I shipped two boxes worth of shirts to California for the event. Maybe they might sell.
Maybe I don’t know what to expect at all.
When the plane landed Friday night it took approximately 2 hours to get from the airport to Jonathan’s house thanks to LA traffic and LAX being a strong contender for worst airport in America. After getting some tacos from Sharky’s we awaiting the arrival of Jonathan’s brother Paul and together we watched the Steven Seagal masterpiece THE BELLY OF THE BEAST
This is one of the worst action films that has ever been produced. I have to thank my friend and co-worker Greg Smith for even telling me about this movie (which we have lovingly called Kung Fu Sofa). We laughed for approximately 2 hours eating Las Vegas popcorn and then Paul left and I passed out.
Saturday morning Jonathan tricked me into participating in November Project. My yearly reminder that the gym isn’t working. The highlight was seeing my friend Heidi who I met last year. The downside was the crippling feeling of inadequacy but at least there was breakfast afterwards.
That afternoon we crossed off two of the three places I need to visit with every trip to LA. Amoeba records (where I spent too much money on DVDs and CDs I don’t actually need) and Cafe 101 (probably my favorite sit down eatery in Los Angeles). After taking it easy the second half of the day we went to the Nerf Herder concert where I was super into the opener, bored to tears by the co-headliner and in the front row singing my heart out during Nerf Herder. I also finally met long time Facebook friend, former Saint Mort Show guest and mega talented musician Allie Goertz. It was a great night.
Sunday started off with brunch. I met my friend Jennie for the first time. Many years ago she was my primary contact for podcast interviews. We had developed a friendship the last few years and it was exciting to finally met her face to face and hear about her life (she’s originally from London and moved here to make film). I definitely hope that we will see each other again in future years. The rest of the day was spent driving with my friend Heidi and getting to know more and more about her life. The night ended with me attending a Game of Thrones party. I’ve never seen an episode before. That show is confusing without context.
My last full day in LA was spent recording an episode of Geekscape with Jonathan. I don’t want to pat myself on the back but I believe it to be one of the best episodes in years. There’s an undeniable energy when the two of us are in a room together. I spent the rest of the day getting a tour of Downtown LA and little Tokyo with Josh Jackson of the Geekscape Games podcast.
The Night ended with a visit to Metldown Comics for the Pre-SDCC party before going to bed to prepare for the next days train ride to San Diego.
I’ll discuss that tomorrow.
