No Strings Attached

Posted By Kathleen David on June 6, 2016

Where Awesome Con again lives up to its name.

This was the day that things we wanted to see and people we wanted to meet were happening.

We had tickets to Bill Nye’s StarTalk podcast and we had passes to meet a Doctor and his companion along with tickets to the panel they were on.

Caroline decided that she wanted to wear her Rey costume today so she did. We discovered later that it was Cos-Play Sunday at the convention so she picked her time well

(For the VI: This is Caroline using her hands to summon the force. She is standing in the middle of the aisle. She has on black shoes, grey pants, white shirt, brown belt and cream colored sashes over her shoulders hanging down front and back)

First thing on the docket was getting Capaldi’s autograph and testing his mood about puppets. So we went and stood in line for his autograph. Both he and his agent adored the puppet so I told him that the end of the day it was his. Caroline gave him a copy of Artful that Peter wrote. We got Jenna Coleman’s autograph as well and give her a copy of Artful too. Not much was said because they were trying to make sure everyone got an autograph. I will probably not be making a Clara puppet because I could tell that puppets freak her out and I wouldn’t want her to be uncomfortable.

(For the VI: This is in the autograph line. There is a long table with water and pens on it. Behind the table is a banner that says “Peter Capaldi” and a picture of the actor. In the foreground is Puppet Capaldi with blue eyes, grey hair, white shirt, blue vest and blue jacket)

Next was going to Startalk live.

(for the VI: This is a picture of one of the large screens in the hall with the words ‘StarTalk live! with Bill Nye the science guy’ on it.)

It was a good podcast on the Mars mission and whether there is life on Mars and if there is what do we do? They had the Deputy Administrator Dava Newman talking about what was happening on NASA’s end of things. Other people debated about life on Mars and agreed that considering most stars have planets, there is other life out there.

The lecture from our vantage point.
(For the VI: This is a very very blurry picture of seven people sitting in chairs with tables for water in between. Bill Nye is in the middle with his trademark bowtie)

We then had to race back downstairs for our Photo OP with Calpaldi. He saw the puppet and remember exactly who we were. I saw his eyes light up when he saw the puppet. He thanked Peter for the book and we took a photo. I have decided that I really don’t do well in photo ops. I have never shown, publically, the photo I have with Tennant.

This Photo is COPYRIGHT Epic Photo Ops
(For the VI: This is the David Family and the Doctor. From left to right Caroline in her Rey Costume with her Dr. Who watch around her neck. Puppet Calpaldi. Me with my DW hat, Blue bowling shirt, black shirt that says ‘keep calm and puppet on’ black pants and my bag slung over my shoulder. Peter Capaldi with a black jacket and black shirt with the David Bowie Dark Star logo and black pants. He has grey hair and blue eyes. Peter David wearing a red shirt and a white house baseball hat.)

Then Peter went back to his table and Caroline and I ran to the panel room to hear Capaldi and Coleman speak. There was a delay due to a delay at the beginning of the day which pushed everything about 45 minutes back. But eventually they did arrive and started talking. Caroline asked them a question of what would they/did they take when they left/would leave the series. Jenna admitted to taking a clockwork squirrel, her TARDIS key, and a piece of the TARDIS itself. Peter said he wouldn’t until Jenna reminded him about the guitars and he agreed he would talk ALL the guitars.

(for the VI: A very blurry purple and blue photo of Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, and the moderator for the panel)

Caroline standing in line to ask her question.
(For the VI: This is Caroline in her Rey costume standing behind two little girls. Hers was the 6th question asked)

Then one autograph line later, Capaldi had his puppet and all was right with the world.

We came back to the hotel as the skies opened up. We had made the decision based on the weather reports to hunker down and leave today rather than going all the way back in the rain at night. Safety issues.

So we are packed and waiting a little to let the traffic sort itself out then off we go to home.

I want to say a big ol’ Thank YOU to everyone at Awesome Con who helped us. To Ben for inviting us and then making sure we were looked after. Kevin who helped us with the Capaldi autographing. Andy who took care of the lines like a champ. Brett who took care of Artist Alley and did a great job. Becky who had to deal with an impatient crowd and a lot of information that had to be given out quickly. Her work in the main hall was amazing as was her crews. The gang at Epic Photo Ops who went above and beyond. Every volunteer who helped us. Anthony for getting us into the White House. And anyone that I am missing, I do remember you but not your name for which I do apologize but you know who you are and y’all were fantastic.

I am grateful that we went to Awesome Con and had an Awesome time.

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Posted By Kathleen David on June 5, 2016

Where Awesome Con still lives up to its name.

Yesterday Caroline and I went to the National Zoo. I didn’t know that there was no charge to go to the Zoo here. I was pleasantly surprised.

Apparently we lucked out that the baby panda wanted to come out and play.

We saw a number of animals that Caroline has read about and not seen including the sand cat, the fish cat, and the fennec fox.

The zoo is well organized and the volunteers are knowledgeable. I learned things about various animals I didn’t know.

At one point we came across a zookeeper with a tiny armadillo who was running around. She talked about the animal and their habits while we could watch the animal act and react to the environment around her. The critter was 16 years old and had been doing this demo for over 10 years so she was really use to people.

The convention was at that high Saturday buzz that conventions get. It was hard to hear people talk so we ended up shouting to be heard. Peter had his Q & A and that went well. He got some good questions from the audience and they were diverse questions as well spanning most of his writing career.

(for the VI: This is Peter on the left and his moderator on the right. The sign language interpreter is in front of the table. Behind them is a banner that says Awesome Com)

Today is going to be a mad house because Capaldi and Coleman are joining the fray. The Doctor Who fans are vibrating at the thought of meeting the current Doctor.

Today also we are going to go hear Bill Nye talk which I am very much looking forward to.

So busy today. More on it, I hope, tomorrow.

Some Zoo photos behind the cut because Zoos are Awesome.

I am grateful for the experiences we have had in Washington DC so far.

(more…)

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Posted By Kathleen David on June 4, 2016

Last night’s post was one of those trying to make it before midnight so I wasn’t thinking as clearly as I should posts.

This may be a bit of a place saver or it may be my entry for today.

Peter is going to the convention this morning but Caroline and I are going to make the trek to the Zoo to see what we can see before it starts raining this afternoon.

We will be at the convention after we are done at the Zoo.

Yesterday was a little bit of a blur but I want to thank all the people I have met that are part of Awesome Con who have gone above and beyond in helping us to do things that we wanted to do. Going to the White House was something that Caroline truly appreciated, as did I after finding out how rare it is to get tickets. We were walking through history with every step.

I think the piece of artwork that had the most impact on me was the Kennedy portrait.

(For the VI: This is Caroline under the portrait of Kennedy. Kennedy has his arms crossed and is looking down to the right)

I remember seeing this image when I was a child and it still has great resonance for me.

So off we go on today’s adventure. Maybe more later or not.

I am grateful that Awesome Con is living up to its name in many ways.

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Posted By Kathleen David on June 3, 2016

This morning we got up to get ready to start our adventure in Washington DC as Awesome Con arranged for a number of us to go to the White House. We agreed to do a short video for the National Park Service, which is celebrating its 100th year.

(for the VI: This is a photo of (from left to right) me, Caroline and Peter. I am wearing sunglasses and a black, white and grey dress. Caroline is wearing a blue dress and black boots. Peter is wearing sunglasses, a black coat, shirt and pants. The White House is behind us)

We were joined by a number of the other guests of the convention including Carole Barrowman, John Barrowman and his husband Scott, Phil Lamarr and Billy West.

(for the VI; This is the group standing in front of the east wing entrance into the White House)

(for the VI: This is Caroline and Peter under the seal of the President)

The convention has been fun and rather busy.

We are tired but happy.

I am grateful that we got to see the interior of the White House.

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Posted By Kathleen David on June 2, 2016

In which I have a lot to do so I am keeping this short to keep my streak going since I have managed to do this for half the year now.

Today I am packing us up and then we are driving down to Awesome Con, which starts tomorrow, but we are having one of our adventures in the morning that I can talk about after it happens.

Here is the finished product of what I made in two days.

(For the VI: It is my puppet of Doctor Who as portrayed by Peter Capaldi. The puppet has grey hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a white shirt, blue vest, and blue coat.)

I am rather proud of him. Let’s see if I can take him on the adventure I want to take him.

After this weekend things slow down for Caroline and me but Peter still has a few more conventions to go to including Denver Comic Con.

Think good thoughts for our travels to and from Washington DC.

Off to finish packing and the rest.

I am grateful that we can take Caroline on adventures.

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