Been havin' bad luck all of my days: Nightmare Nights Dallas, Day One · 3:48am Oct 28th, 2017
The convention’s events did not start in earnest until midday, so I spent time going through the schedule and making calendar entries for panels I wished to attend. Then I got a text message.
From one of our credit card companies.
From their fraud department.
Seems $24.95 was charged through some company in the Netherlands known for scams. The compromised card was cancelled, and my wife and I checked with all the other card issuers and our banks to make sure it was an isolated incident. So far, that appears to be the case. In the process, there went a good chunk of the day. And my nerves.
After a run through the vendors hall, which seemed a bit small, and purchasing a few small, packable things, it was past 3㏘
So the first panel I managed to attend was Silver Quill’s “Donut Steel” at 3:30, his second of the day. Never seen him before. Had fun. Following it, I chose to head straight to the first floor for autographs, skipping opening ceremonies, queuing up ninety minutes early.
The line was already snaking from the hallway into another room before staff started bending it around, finally splitting us into the Faust and non-Faust lines. Care to guess which was longer? Despite the lengthy line and wait, there was no need to panic; I made it in.
My first destination was, of course, Ms. Faust. My son wanted a particular page of “The Art of Equestria” signed by her. When I opened the book to page 19, she was a bit nostalgic, repeatedly going over the pictures of her sketches from what must be close to a decade ago. She began flipping pages back and forth, even remarking on one of her “screw up,” where a pony face was scribbled out. She went on to say the reproductions in the book were from a favorite type of sketchbook, mostly blank paper, but with a ruled section for notes, adding she just drew on all of it anyway. When she asked why this page in particular, I told her it was because we knew it was her artwork, not anybody else’s. “I draw much better now,” she said and smiled.
Before departing, I had one thing to tell her, which was the first half of “PowerProf” is one of my favorite pieces of visual storytelling, even to this day. That episode of PPG, she told me, was the first she ever storyboarded. Didn’t know that.
“I am much better at storyboarding now,” she said, and I thanked her and left.
Next was Mr. Larson. One of the book’s flys, I informed him, was all his if he wanted to use it. In response, he asked who was my favorite pony. With a stare, I said “Rarity” for I suspected he might laugh at this silly old man.
“You have excellent taste in ponies.” He claimed she’s his favorite too.
“I bet you say that to all the boys,” I quipped and got a bit of a strange look. Following a brief pause, he proceeded to write Rarity’s line from “Sonic Rainboom,” the one she has right before disaster strikes. Recognizing it after the first two words, and hearing it in her voice,I started laughing. This particular line, he said, was when he finally “got Rarity.” It is something I understand now, when it seems like you didn’t write anything at all , just transcribed the words the character spoke. I’ve only had it happen a few times, and it is scary cool.
Since that specific episode was now the subject, I said how much I loved his walkthrough of its evolution in his panel at TrotCon a few years ago. Apparently he’s done a few others like it since, which I imagine were just as entertaining and interesting.
G. M. Berrow was a quick step to the right, and let me say she seems irrepressibly happy. But she made the mistake of asking me how my day was going. Following an abbreviated version of my story, she felt compelled to tell me how her father’s eBay account was hacked, and someone listed gold and diamonds for sale there as part of an “elaborate scheme.” People suck.
She wrote “Reading is Magic “ above her signature. I felt better.
Seriously, no grumbling. The event was well managed given the demand, and I had a chance to chat, albeit briefly, with some talented, kind, and patient people. Thus, the day was redeemed.
Back to the room then for a brief collapse before seeking food. Dinner was at Thai Star, a not too long, but quite cold walk from the hotel. Food was very good, delivered fast too, but the best part was the live entertainment. I had a front row seat too.
Crammed into the corner with his guitar and electronic sax, was Victor, a pretty cool guy with snow white hair. Like all musicians, I think, he was frustrated with the sound system, but managed to adjust it to his liking before the second set, covers of sixties and seventies rock. I wrote about half of this while listening to him, then I headed back to the room to finish it.
After I post this, I might pop over and see what music is going on tonight, but it is more likely I will return to the room and read more of “The Buried Giant.” It’s just getting good.
That is all for now. No promises, but I will try and keep up the reports for the rest of the convention.
*Presses nonexistent blog post like button*
Great taste in ponies, and excellent with snappy comebacks! Sorry, ladies, he's taken.
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I had great training. Worked with a guy, still IM with him, who is a quick draw artist with comebacks and snark. When you hang around him, you’re always saying to yourself, “I wish I’d thought of that.”
Mr. Larson was a great sport. I think I am going to follow him on Twitter, send him a thanks, and see if he remembers me. Hope he doesn’t take out a restraining order.
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Thanks. I hope that feature shows up someday.
When I get back and have a chance to recover, I promise I’ll get right back to work on Hippogriff. When I see how long it’s been since I posted, I keep thinking you’re going to come over and thwack me with a stick until I’m done. Next time I do publish, the story will be complete. Two chapters and an epilogue.
Thanks for your support and patience.