Anyone Game? It’s my Sep 2013 Blog! I'm home; with a TR link in #1189, 10/14

[franandaj]

It looks like you had a great time that day. I'm not up on many of the series so I was at a loss for some characters, but I did recognize Star Trek, Star Wars, and LOTR. Interesting thought about Tia Carerra as Mulan. It certainly would have changed the Legends ceremony in 2011 at the Expo.

How cool that you got William Shatner this time and Patrick Stewart last time. They are definitely two of my favorite celebrities. Very cool.

 

[Luvchefmic]

WOW What an experience ! (and I just KNOW you bought something at that stand )

 

[SadieDog]

Fireworks shot are beautiful. I love the Gandalf statue. My daughter likes Charmed. She introduced me to the show and would have enjoyed seeing them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh my gosh....I love the Ori costume! I so miss that show. And DH would FLIP over Bumblebee.

We had a comicon in St. Louis this year as well. I didn't go but DH did and he loved it! He got to see Billy Dee Williams, Morena Baccarin, Dean Cain, Lou Ferrigno, Jason David Frank (who played the original Green Power Ranger) and of course Stan Lee. It was such a huge hit that they have already scheduled a bigger one for next year. We already have our tickets for that one!

Looks like you had an amazing time!

I hope you'll post your experience next year. Stan Lee was here last year; and he was a huge drawcard.

Looks like a successful day!

It was. I'm glad that they added this event to the Melbourne calendar.

Wow... I have never been to comic con but know a few in the past who have gone....

It looks like you had fun and enjoyed yourself...

Even DS had fun!

It looks like you had a great time that day. I'm not up on many of the series so I was at a loss for some characters, but I did recognize Star Trek, Star Wars, and LOTR. Interesting thought about Tia Carerra as Mulan. It certainly would have changed the Legends ceremony in 2011 at the Expo.

How cool that you got William Shatner this time and Patrick Stewart last time. They are definitely two of my favorite celebrities. Very cool.

William Shatner was rather efficient and gracious. His line moved very quickly and he looked everyone in the eye and thanked them for supporting him.

WOW What an experience ! (and I just KNOW you bought something at that stand )

If I never tell, you will never really really know.

Fireworks shot are beautiful. I love the Gandalf statue. My daughter likes Charmed. She introduced me to the show and would have enjoyed seeing them.

For someone living in Australia, seeing American celebrities like these are a novelty. Everyone that was there that day were huge fans of Charmed. I really enjoyed seeing all 3 of them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The 2 Month Check-in



In 2 months' time, I'll be on a plane flying somewhere over the Pacific Ocean; or even landed in LA by now.



To mark this checkpoint, I thought it was time to update my Pre Departure Checklist, as an international traveler:

1. Passport Validity. Previously COMPLETE.


2. Long Haul travel. Previously COMPLETE.


3. Electronic System for Travel Authorisation. Previously COMPLETE.


4. DFAT registration. I spent the better part of 30 minutes today entering all the details of my trip. Turns out I had 10 addresses/stops to enter; so that meant I had to go searching for their details. The good news is that this is now COMPLETE.


5. Travel insurance. And by inference of having completed my DFAT registration, my travel insurance is now sorted out. COMPLETE.


6. Medical bits. I’ve checked my stash and it seems that aside from one or two items, I have most of what I need already. COMPLETE.


7. Foreign currency. I've been buying currency for the better part of 10 months now. The dollar has dropped like a stone and I've locked in as much as I possibly can. I will still be purchasing currency right up to the point of departure and beyond; but the bulk of my requirements are COMPLETE.


8. Internal US air travel. Previously COMPLETE.


9. Airline Luggage allowance. Previously COMPLETE.





My to-do list is pretty much COMPLETED! I might be almost all set for this trip now….bar the countdown.

 

[rentayenta]

My Chloe would flip over an event like this especially the Gandolf statue.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I get such a thrill when I check things off on a normal day to day to do list
but WOW what an accomplishment with your list

its real its real now

 

[zanzibar138]

When you started this thread/blog, it seemed like September 2013 was soooooo far away. I can't believe how quickly it's gone, and that you'll be jetting off so soon! Gives me hope that the time between now and next September will go just as fast for me

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Comicon -woo whee! Gosh you get about PIO. Congrats on your completed pre-departure list - you seem really organised and the next few weeks will by!

 

[dgbg100106]

2 months... Wow you are almost there, and with all of the items marked off your list you are ready....

My list of things to do is long and I have no completed but a few.


You are making great memories, and I know you all will have a wonderful time.

 

[ACDSNY]

Cool Comicon pics and I love the look of the Royal Exhibition Building.

Two months until vacation will fly by!

 

[PrincessInOz]

My Chloe would flip over an event like this especially the Gandolf statue.

Do you go to Comicon in San Diego? That's just a dream for me!

I get such a thrill when I check things off on a normal day to day to do list
but WOW what an accomplishment with your list

its real its real now

Not quite yet. It'll be real when I'm on the plane.

When you started this thread/blog, it seemed like September 2013 was soooooo far away. I can't believe how quickly it's gone, and that you'll be jetting off so soon! Gives me hope that the time between now and next September will go just as fast for me

Next year will be here soon enough. It's getting pretty darn close to September this year and I thought it would never come round!

Comicon -woo whee! Gosh you get about PIO. Congrats on your completed pre-departure list - you seem really organised and the next few weeks will by!

Wendy - Perversely, I do enjoy the countdown and anticipation. It's nice to have something to look forward to.

2 months... Wow you are almost there, and with all of the items marked off your list you are ready....

My list of things to do is long and I have no completed but a few.


You are making great memories, and I know you all will have a wonderful time.

I still have the last night's accommodation to book in LA. I know which hotel; just waiting to see if there is going to be any fall specials in the next month or so.

Cool Comicon pics and I love the look of the Royal Exhibition Building.

Two months until vacation will fly by!

Yes, but not too quickly, I hope.

 

[franandaj]

I missed the whole two month check in post...glad you have all those details sealed down. Will you have a phone chip that we can contact each other once you hit the ground? I guess you did last time....There is an AT&T shop in the shore where we are planning on meeting up for shabu shabu.

Looking forward to seeing you again, and also shabu shabu, we need to go back there soon, before you come here or I'll go batty!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I missed the whole two month check in post...glad you have all those details sealed down. Will you have a phone chip that we can contact each other once you hit the ground? I guess you did last time....There is an AT&T shop in the shore where we are planning on meeting up for shabu shabu.

Looking forward to seeing you again, and also shabu shabu, we need to go back there soon, before you come here or I'll go batty!

I think I'll be hitting that AT&T shop again. DH still has a working US SIM. I need to get his number so that I can give that to a couple of people, like yourself.

And yes, check out that shabu shabu place. We need to double check if they are opened for lunch and also to make a booking.

 

[franandaj]

Yes they are open for lunch and don't take bookings. Hopefully there won't be a problem. Their yelp reviews are mixes enough that I hope they stay not too busy but enough to remain in business.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yes they are open for lunch and don't take bookings. Hopefully there won't be a problem. Their yelp reviews are mixes enough that I hope they stay not too busy but enough to remain in business.

Hmmmm. What is Plan B?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Fireworks in July - Part 2



I actually made it out to the Docklands precinct in Melbourne last Friday night for another round of Fireworks shooting.

I found an even more quiet spot to set up.












































































Another pretty good night's effort!

I had contemplated heading to the Docklands again tomorrow night; but there might be a spot of rain in the air. I'll wait and see what happens. If not, there is always a night in August.

 

[rentayenta]

We don't go to Comicon though I know Chloe would flip. There's just so much other stuff going on right now. That may have to be a little trip she takes on her own. We make to So Cal and pretty much stay put in Huntington and Seal. Creatures of habit.

 

[zanzibar138]

Another batch of spectacular fireworks photos

I think the fireworks Gods are definitely on your side now

 

[franandaj]

You continue to take wonderful firework photos!

Hmmmm. What is Plan B?

I doubt we will need plan B, but if we do there is a wonderful Thai/Japanese place that I'm sure your DH will be able to find stuff to eat. If your DS can't there is a pizza place, fish tacos, and coffee shop next door. Across the street is and iHop, Baja Fresh and supermarket. We won't starve.