Tr!ckster!...The Legend Continues

Oh, how the time flies! Many apologies for the late update. Where were we? Oh, yes! Setting up shop!

(above, Tr!ckster glasses with the first of our "High Five" boozes. This was for our "Quality Control" test. Never let it be said we don't care about quality!)



It's still Sunday and we've sorted all the books and started to lay out the store. Steve starts putting the shelves together. Scott and Ted get the tables set and I triple check the inventory to make sure I've got everything and know where it's all sitting.






We get some merchandise on the shelves before it's time to call it a night. Only one more day of set up before we OPEN!

Monday dawns bright and sunny. We all get straight to work. Quickly putting stuff on the tables and arranging backstock as fast as we possibly can. It takes a LOT longer than we could have imagined.







Sooo much stuff!

Scott, Ted and I take a break to celebrate my birthday - a day early. My actual birthday would fall on our opening day and we didn't think we'd have any time to dash out (we were correct). So we opted for what has become the traditional place to celebrate my bday in San Diego (as 'Con tends to fall on my bday) Lou & Mickey's! Ah, steak and Maytag martinis. Does it get any better?



I can taste that cool martini right now. Refreshing!

Before you know it, Monday was done and we were scrambling to finish our set up for TUESDAY - Opening Night!


Here's Scott assuring Allen Spiegel and Co. that we'll be finished with the set up by the time the doors open for business. HA!

And suddenly, we were off to the races!*
*I neglected to snap a single photo on the first day. Too busy! Here are photos from the following days. All excellent!



Inside the store! Madness!


The patio was the place to be!



Thanks, Ted - for making Tr!ckster happen.

Thank, Scott - for making Tr!ckster happen.

I cannot tell you guys (all) how much it meant to me to be a part of this wonderful event. Inspiring, exhausting, exciting, entertaining, hectic, stressful, wonderful!


Thanks to all who stopped by! Hope we see you at the NEXT Tr!ckster!

Tr!ckster!

At long last, I've uploaded all the photos I could find from Tr!ckster. Whew. What was/is Tr!ckster? By all means, stop reading this and go check it out. I'll wait...

Cool right?! Join me as I 'recap' the mania (based on my sleep deprived memories):


We begin our adventure when my fellow Tr!ckster co-founders, Scott and Ted arrived with our transportation (which I later dubbed, 'Truckulus the Destroyer'. A well-earned moniker, I assure you!). They along with my sainted husband, Jeff, loaded the beast while I (and my bad back) supervised.


Scott hauls a load of loot to the 'destroyer.


Ted documents the drudgery of 'load-in' day. Later, we will both regret any pic that has Truckulus the Destroyer in the background.


"Hey Anita! I'm pretty sure snapping pics doesn't really count as 'helping'."

Ted and I set off along the highway hoping to make excellent time. Well, at least arrive in San Diego with enough time to grab a cocktail and something for dinner. I will spare you the details of that arduous journey. Suffice it to say, it ended fine - in that we arrived safely. Our trip involved crawling along at a snail's pace (it was a big truck) and blowing a tire roughly 45 miles from our destination. Said tire blow resulted in a many hour wait that I think both us would prefer to forget. Dinner was fast food and no cocktails were had. It was well after 1:30am by the time each of us crashed at our respective hotels.

Let's get to SATURDAY!


Yes, I'm 'helping' again.

The guys hauled all the stuff away on dollies. I watched our belongings to make sure nothing walked off. I assure you, it was very helpful! I also fed the meter! See, I AM useful!

Once we got the 'Destroyer' unloaded, the tables in position, and the lists of stuff we needed made, it was time to call it a day and head out for a bit of fun:

Padres vs. Giants





After the game it was off to Cowboy Star for dinner followed by drinks at the Noble Experiment (look it up, I'm not telling! It involved a 'secret' door - that's all I'm sayin'!).



What do you mean somthing's behind me?

I recommend the 'Dealer's Choice' and tip well - else you end up on the 'wall of bad tippers'.

Sunday was bright and sunny. I jauntily made my way back to our excellent location with a spring in my step and song in my heart (and a coffee in my hand).


It was much more impressive when they turned the fountains ON. Still, nice to walk past it every day on my way to work.

I arrived to learn that Truckulus the Destroyer had struck again! Stranding Scott and Ted on a supply run. While they waited for rescue, Steve (my chief minion) and I sorted the boxes into categories to make getting merchandise out easier. Once the guys had returned we started to set up in earnest!




Up Next: MORE set up Fun! With a least one break for food and/or cocktails.

Comic-Con: The Madness Continues

The week is a bit of a blur now. We were all very, very busy!





Thursday was a day full of frenzy with pockets of quiet. Friday was a non-stop extravaganza! I was barely able to grab my camera for a few snaps. Last year I could document everything! This year? HA! Too busy try to keep up with everyone to take pictures. I did grab a couple!






One of the best parts of 'Con this year? Jeff got interviewed TWICE!



Also this year? We gotz commissions! Oh yeah! (here are a few of my favorites)





After spending our days swimming in a sea of humanity, our nights were spent stuffing our faces and laughing with friends. I, of course, was busily engaging in those activities and neglected to snap any pictures. Trust me, we had a wonderful time!

Comic-Con 2010: The Start

(Click on the image for a larger view)

I arrived at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel - right next to the Convention center! It was located right around the corner from our booth (#4800) which made the unloading of my car much easier. I'd say a 'snap' but, that would be a HUGE lie! It look THREE trips with the dolly to unload all the stuff from the car!



I picked up my badge and headed in with my first load (of THREE!) only to find our booth in shambles (the pic above is after I put it all together). Every year Freeman dumps all of our stuff right in the middle of the booth space and every year I try to get it set up before the gang arrives. Usually I have Jeff to help me but, this year I was solo. We had a lot more stuff in the booth this year as it was originally set for 5. The furniture hauling coupled with the trips to the car added to the drive down pretty much wiped me out. I opted for full 'set up' in the morning, after Jeff arrived. I finished my night with a swim at the hotel pool and room service.



The next day was Wednesday, Preview Night! The rest of the crew arrived for set up: Scott Morse, Josh Cooley, and Jeff Pidgeon.









Once we finished our set up, I took a quick jaunt over to see Jamie Baker and Rhode at their booth to document it. A tradition I started last year. I didn't really do their fantastic booth justice and only managed to grab a few shots before the hall opened and I had to sprint back to our booth (WAAAAAAY on the other side of the convention center!).






I made it back before the crowds descended!



And we were OFF!

Up Next: The Madness continues!