See what I did there? And for the 2nd time in a row! I used the city of Reading, PA and thought of a clever way to make it seem like I was talking about reading. And, I even tied in comic books this time. I'm a fucking genius.
Here's the story.
As you know, I went to Reading on Saturday for the night. After a debacle with the rental car, which turned into a rental mini-van, Joe and I got on the road and arrived in Reading right before 3pm. Checked into our Days Inn hotel. An old dude in overalls was sitting on a bench outside and just smiled at us. Uh-oh. This is why they call it Pennsyltucky. I dubbed him Uncle Jesse and we headed over to the mall where the festivities were happening.
Allow me to catch up the retards slow ones. Fellow podcasters and good buddies, Comic Geek Speak, were celebrating their 300th episode and had a weekend of events including a live recording in Reading. Signings, auctions, goody bags, etc. Caught up? Good.
I didn't take many shots, but I'll post the ones throughout this entry for you. I stole a couple from other people too. Get over it, bitches. We all do it.
We arrive at the mall and head over to the Golden Eagle Comics where most of the event was taking place. There were tables set up with many an artist doing sketches and what not. Got to see some old friends and meet many new ones. Forum members with whom we had only corresponded. Jun Bob Kim is not only a talented artist, but one of the nicest guys on the planet. That's him over there working hard on the many sketches he did over the weekend. He was great to chat with and I'm telling you....keep an eye out. He'll be a name in the biz sooner than later. Well, if I have anything to do with it that is!
I got to meet Rob Jackson aka Seraphyn. That's me and him over there. Great artist and all around good guy. He flew all the way over from across the pond. No, not Lake Michigan. He came from the UK. I think he was a spy The Meanies sent over to scout out the U.S. before they arrive to conquer in late October. Curse you Red Coats!! Though, gotta say, after all of the drunken Skype piss ups with the UK crew, I expected Rob to already be shit-faced. Alas, not to be. Something about only sleeping an hour in 3 days or something.
Amateur.
Another dude I wanted to meet up with (again) was Mike Norton. Famed artist on Adam Strange The Addams Family Atom Ant Atomika The Atom and co-host of the hilarious Crank Cast. That's Joe and I with Mr. Norton over there. Loyal listeners of my podcast, Comic News Insider, know of the controversy he stirred up recently with reading an email on his show from an enraged fan that dissed us. I wanted to meet him (again) so I could drop his name. But, he's just too fucking big to do that. Damn you, Giant Norton!!!
The recording was at 4pm in another area of the mall. I was hoping it would be in the Victoria's Secret, but not the case. After getting kicked out of the dressing rooms in Victoria's Secret, I head over to the recording. Pretty crowded so I had to stand in the back with Joe, Chris (Asgardian), Lobo, Norton, Rob and Mario. We couldn't hear much, but clapped along when everyone else did. I look forward to actually hearing the show when it's posted so I can see what I missed! The CGS crew did an awesome job of putting the show together. They called up quite a few of the friends of the show including Norton and Steve Bryant and others. I didn't get called up though. Hmm...maybe they did but I just didn't hear my name. Yeah, that must be it.
It was nice and cool in the back where we were. But, it was a bit tepid in the room. A lot of nerds getting hot makes for some heavy sweat balls and jankalicious odors. Janky Sweat Balls. My college band.
Post recording, we head outside for a giant nerd pile photo. We still can't find Raphael (Wraithmaker) as he was on the bottom. He was so young.
We pop over to a Mongolian BBQ buffet joint in the mall. Mmmm...buffet. Chris and I indulged in the desserts. I think I got pregnant after that photo was taken. He's a sneaky one, that Asgardian. We pay up and wonder how the advertised $6.95 turned into $12 each. Those tricky Mongolians!
Some of the NYC crew head back to the hotel to change. Yep, Uncle Jesse was still at his post. I quickly change, throw a bandanna on the noggin and then we piled into our soccer mom mini-van and head to The Works. It's a huge restaurant, video game, bar, etc. place. Much drinking, video game action, drinking, etc. At one point, they start charging a $5 cover to go to the upstairs bar because a band was playing. No big deal. I pull out my ID and the dude checks it intensely. I say, "Dude. I'm 37. Seriously?" He hands it back to me and then says, "You'll have to tuck your wallet chain in and take off your bandanna at 10pm." I guess the gangs suddenly show up at 10pm and I shouldn't have my "colors" on. Ridiculous.
Much drinking and mingling with everyone. I can't name them all because I can't remember them all. As The Works was closing, Peter Rios gets us all to go to another bar. Nice little joint.
Another acclaimed artist, Buzz, is at the bar drawing pics of the few pretty ladies in the joint. Now that's game. Better than me just going up and saying, "So...uh...you wanna..uh...do it? I got a mini-van in the parking lot." Which, strangely, the line worked on Buzz. But, that's another story.
More drinks later and it's off to the diner to get some eats. Gotta soak up all of that liquor! That's me, Peter, Spano, Joe, Erica, Danielle and Jeff.
p.s. How did I miss that hot girl on girl action down there?! Damn it!
We took over the joint, but there were some civilians there as well. Some granny hoochies were at the bar. Seriously. If someone got a pic with them, post it somewhere. Their septuagenarian bodies were coming out of all areas of their tight outfits . I almost threw up my scrapple.
Great ending to a fun day. Back to the hotel and off to bed. I woke up next to a Puppet Rios and a poodle with Uncle Jesse looking on giggling. Joe and I jump in the van and head back to NYC.
Oh Reading, I already miss you.
Congrats CGS crew. You guys deserve it. And for anyone's name I mentioned and is bothered by some of the content, I just wanna say...fuck you if you can't take a joke. That's how I roll, bitches.
Keep on truckin', CGS. We'll see you at The Shupashow. (Curse you, Mario!)
