My friend, Roth, and I decided to go to comic con in Chicago a few weeks ago. It actually started when I got my Man Cave at our duplex. Going even further back, ever since I had met Stephanie (my wife for those who don't know her), I had begun to put away "childish things" such as my comics, toys, etc. In fact I had sold most of my toys, a few hundred of my comics, and a lot of other possessions before moving to Kansas.
So up until 10 months ago or so, I had not read a single comic, bought any collectibles, not been in any meaningful discussions about the complicated issue of if Han Solo shot first or not. In being married, I admit that to a degree, there is a loss of identity. My wife picked out my clothes, fed me her foods, cleaned my messes, did my laundry, washed my dishes, and took it upon herself to take over my desires to work hard.
But something amazing happened. Something so wonderful and exciting, that it shook the very foundations of the life established for Stephanie and I. I got a Man Cave. I had personal space. I had my own messes to clean. I had a place to put my comics for easy access. I had a place to watch my shows. I had a place to spread my wings.
As the Man Cave helped me grow, I began to make friends with people of similar interests and hobbies. Conversations of what the next Star Trek movie will be like, and how DC Comics New 52 Universe has made Superman more of a jerk than a humble farm boy. And let's not forget that I now know how to dress in clothes of my choosing which also seem to be on the approved list my wife has.
That very summer was a huge summer for comic book related movies. Stephanie and I went to most every one of them, even midnight premieres. It was during those movies that she got to see a part of a world I once knew and loved.
A few months ago, Stephanie and I had talked about being ok with our individuality and our differences of interests and hobbies. I finally convinced her to give me permission to start going to comic book stores again. I was having guys nights more. I even started a group on Facebook called Always Nerds, Never Hipsters.
I read different blogs about movies, TV shows, comics, and other assorted things. I have always been into what happens at comic book conventions. San Diego Comic Con was going on and I had been reading all the events and announcements, and even shed a tear watching the two versions of the trailer for Superman: Man of Steel. I had promised myself that I will go to comic book conventions and start enjoying some of the fun events going on.
Roth and I met when Stephanie and her friend, Jamie, wanted to do a double date. He and I talked about WWF, no called WWE for legal reasons, some of the movies we had seen, and other topics that Stephanie and Jamie quickly zoned out of. We decided we would go to Chicago's comic con together.
Day 1 of Wizard Con, as it is sometimes known, was an overwhelming, exciting, and fun time. We met John Cena, a WWE wrestler. We went to all the different booths selling comics, toys, memorabilia, movie props, etc. I bought a kryptonite crystal like the one on the first Superman movie. The one he throws into the ice in the North Pole and it creates the Fortress of Solitude. I also got to meet George Perez, who is a comic book artist that has done cover art for different comics.
I walked around to meet a few other famous people including: Avery Brookes, who played Captain Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Kevin Sorbo, who played Hercules on the same named TV show; Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk in the old TV series of the same name; Kevin Nash, aka Diesel on WWE years ago.
We got to a friends house where we were staying for the weekend. I was so exhausted and didn't realize how much pain my feet were in from all the walking. We went to Mr Beefy's and stuffed ourselves with their fine cuisines!
Day 2: We met and got pictures with William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on the Star Trek original series. He didn't say much but we shook his hand and I said my mom and dad say hi and are extremely jealous of me. He told me to tell them "hi back"; Dean Cain, who played Superman on Lois and Clark: the New Adventures of Superman. We watched him help people to the photo op room and hug people and act like an all around cool guy. He was a lot of fun to talk with. He asked about what kind of Superman shirt I was wearing. I explained the storyline of Blackest Night and how Superman had become a zombie. He said he would like to play that Superman sometime. And we got to meet and get pictures with Stan Lee, one of the biggest creators of the Marvel characters like Spider-man, Iron Man, etc. He didn't say much but we didn't care. We got to meet STAN LEE!!!!!
In between photo ops with them, we went around taking pictures of and with others in amazing costumes, also known as cosplay. It's amazing the details and effort put into some of the cosplay people wore. I bought a few more collectibles as well. A Star Trek phaser from the original series, a few Superman toys, and a Star Trek: The Next Generation combadge pin.
Day 3: We met CM Punk, another WWE wrestler. He looked tired. I didn't care. He was still funny and nice to everyone. He was also helpful with some of the special needs fans. He is also a Chicago native who promotes being awesome without having to do drugs or drink. After the photo op with him, we took it easy, taking a few more pictures with cosplay people and then heading home.
Mom and Dad, I met Captain Kirk and Captain Sisko! Scott Bakula was there, but I don't consider Star Trek Enterprise an actual valid Star Trek series, hence he is not a Star Trek captain.
And so this story ends, I have found my place among the humans. I know more about who I am, and my place in the world. I thank my wife mostly. She doesn't always understand my interests or hobbies, but she does everything she can to support me and make sure I enjoy what I do. Being married to her is the ultimate high of my "nerd" career. What more could a nerd like me ask for than a beautiful, tall, red headed goddess?
So up until 10 months ago or so, I had not read a single comic, bought any collectibles, not been in any meaningful discussions about the complicated issue of if Han Solo shot first or not. In being married, I admit that to a degree, there is a loss of identity. My wife picked out my clothes, fed me her foods, cleaned my messes, did my laundry, washed my dishes, and took it upon herself to take over my desires to work hard.
But something amazing happened. Something so wonderful and exciting, that it shook the very foundations of the life established for Stephanie and I. I got a Man Cave. I had personal space. I had my own messes to clean. I had a place to put my comics for easy access. I had a place to watch my shows. I had a place to spread my wings.
As the Man Cave helped me grow, I began to make friends with people of similar interests and hobbies. Conversations of what the next Star Trek movie will be like, and how DC Comics New 52 Universe has made Superman more of a jerk than a humble farm boy. And let's not forget that I now know how to dress in clothes of my choosing which also seem to be on the approved list my wife has.
That very summer was a huge summer for comic book related movies. Stephanie and I went to most every one of them, even midnight premieres. It was during those movies that she got to see a part of a world I once knew and loved.
A few months ago, Stephanie and I had talked about being ok with our individuality and our differences of interests and hobbies. I finally convinced her to give me permission to start going to comic book stores again. I was having guys nights more. I even started a group on Facebook called Always Nerds, Never Hipsters.
I read different blogs about movies, TV shows, comics, and other assorted things. I have always been into what happens at comic book conventions. San Diego Comic Con was going on and I had been reading all the events and announcements, and even shed a tear watching the two versions of the trailer for Superman: Man of Steel. I had promised myself that I will go to comic book conventions and start enjoying some of the fun events going on.
Roth and I met when Stephanie and her friend, Jamie, wanted to do a double date. He and I talked about WWF, no called WWE for legal reasons, some of the movies we had seen, and other topics that Stephanie and Jamie quickly zoned out of. We decided we would go to Chicago's comic con together.
Day 1 of Wizard Con, as it is sometimes known, was an overwhelming, exciting, and fun time. We met John Cena, a WWE wrestler. We went to all the different booths selling comics, toys, memorabilia, movie props, etc. I bought a kryptonite crystal like the one on the first Superman movie. The one he throws into the ice in the North Pole and it creates the Fortress of Solitude. I also got to meet George Perez, who is a comic book artist that has done cover art for different comics.
I walked around to meet a few other famous people including: Avery Brookes, who played Captain Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Kevin Sorbo, who played Hercules on the same named TV show; Lou Ferrigno, who played the Incredible Hulk in the old TV series of the same name; Kevin Nash, aka Diesel on WWE years ago.
We got to a friends house where we were staying for the weekend. I was so exhausted and didn't realize how much pain my feet were in from all the walking. We went to Mr Beefy's and stuffed ourselves with their fine cuisines!
Day 2: We met and got pictures with William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk on the Star Trek original series. He didn't say much but we shook his hand and I said my mom and dad say hi and are extremely jealous of me. He told me to tell them "hi back"; Dean Cain, who played Superman on Lois and Clark: the New Adventures of Superman. We watched him help people to the photo op room and hug people and act like an all around cool guy. He was a lot of fun to talk with. He asked about what kind of Superman shirt I was wearing. I explained the storyline of Blackest Night and how Superman had become a zombie. He said he would like to play that Superman sometime. And we got to meet and get pictures with Stan Lee, one of the biggest creators of the Marvel characters like Spider-man, Iron Man, etc. He didn't say much but we didn't care. We got to meet STAN LEE!!!!!
In between photo ops with them, we went around taking pictures of and with others in amazing costumes, also known as cosplay. It's amazing the details and effort put into some of the cosplay people wore. I bought a few more collectibles as well. A Star Trek phaser from the original series, a few Superman toys, and a Star Trek: The Next Generation combadge pin.
Day 3: We met CM Punk, another WWE wrestler. He looked tired. I didn't care. He was still funny and nice to everyone. He was also helpful with some of the special needs fans. He is also a Chicago native who promotes being awesome without having to do drugs or drink. After the photo op with him, we took it easy, taking a few more pictures with cosplay people and then heading home.
Mom and Dad, I met Captain Kirk and Captain Sisko! Scott Bakula was there, but I don't consider Star Trek Enterprise an actual valid Star Trek series, hence he is not a Star Trek captain.
And so this story ends, I have found my place among the humans. I know more about who I am, and my place in the world. I thank my wife mostly. She doesn't always understand my interests or hobbies, but she does everything she can to support me and make sure I enjoy what I do. Being married to her is the ultimate high of my "nerd" career. What more could a nerd like me ask for than a beautiful, tall, red headed goddess?
