“It Is Over--FINISHED!”

(Author's Note: This is an extremely long post. It was typed over a couple of hours at LAX. You read this, your eyes may glaze over. You are warned.)

Or is it?

I’m typing this from LAX: it’s Sunday, 4:28PM. Now, normally I would be posting this, but the free Wi-Fi here won’t let you do a slagging thing on the net, which makes it pointless as hell. Irritating, but not unexpected; this seems to happen at every airport Prime and I have visited.

Yesterday morning, DA got up and headed out earlier than Prime and myself; I was so slagging tired that I was really surprised that I could get my sorry skidplate out of bed. But I managed to pull myself free from the nice, cozy blankets, get dressed and head out to the Convention center.

By the time I got there, the line for general admission was insanely long and they weren’t letting anyone inside. I walked down the length of the line until I spotted DA, drinking a Starbucks green tea and looking chill as always. Hopped in line with him and we yakked a little bit; Prime wasn’t with me and would catch up with us later.

There was no separate autograph line; according to DA it was one huge line and that was it. They would let us in at 9:30 and we’d go our different ways. So when the doors opened, DA and I headed to the autograph line near Ballrooms F and G; a group of others went to the Panel room and a slagload of people dashed into the Dealer room, looking for deals.

The line for autographs didn’t look terribly long, so I figured that it would be a quick session. The first autograph I nabbed was that of Arlene Banas; she was the voice of Carly, Spike’s girlfriend and later wife in the original 80s series. She’s a very sweet lady and happens to be from Chicago; we talked about just how badly spring has been in that part of the country. Poor Ms. Banas’s garden is suffering because of our lack of good weather! (I honestly hope that things are getting better now.) After I had gotten her signature on our Convention comic/program, I stepped out of her line and was about to step into Michael McConnohie’s line, but it was extremely long and snaked out of the room. I really thought that I might have been screwed out of getting his autograph but the BotCon volunteer told me to hang out for a bit and she’d help. So I got a place in line, along with a few other fans and the line was capped. I got mine after a time, happy as hell that I had done so. Michael’s a royally sweet guy.

Once I was done with the autographs, I caught up with Prime. He was in the Panel room, listening in on the making of Transformers: Prime. My timing was slightly unfortunate as I had to be subjected to, quite possibly, one of the stupidest damned questions I have ever heard. No, people, Knock Out is not gay. We’ve been over this with Tracks, you asshats. He is simply very refined and a bit of a snob. Please stop confusing snootiness with sexuality. It’s slagging annoying. Besides, he’s a mech for pit’s sake! They don’t exactly have “relations” like us squishies can and do…DeviantArt notwithstanding, I suppose.

After I chatted with Prime for a bit, I headed into the Dealer room. I wasn’t looking to buy anything, really. I just wanted to snap a few pictures and wander around. Prime gave me some cash in case I wanted anything and I did use a little of it. I grabbed a pair of necklaces, both of them Autobot sigils. Now, they are unlicensed, but that’s fine by me. I want to wear one of these to work and if something happens to a $5 unlicensed Chinese necklace, I won’t be too broken up about it.

Maybe I’d better see about having their compositions checked, though. Or at least avoid chewing on them. American Girl bracelets, anybody?

Eventually, Prime joined me in the Dealer room and we wandered around a bit. We ended up at Azusa-san’s table and looked about. He had Bumblebee goodies. Oh, boy howdy, did he have Bumblebee goodies. I grabbed a four-pack of Animated cellphone straps with Bumblebee inside, a Kewpie movie Bumblebee, and a Legends-class Animated Bumblebee. As I grabbed a single cellphone strap, again featuring Bumblebee, I heard Azusa say, “Bumblebee girl.” I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. As I’ve said, I do have a bit of a reputation. But as I reached for my wallet to pay for the last cellphone strap, Azusa waved his hand at it and me, saying, “That’s okay,” indicating that I could have it for free. Again, more blushing and a very sincere, bottom of the heart “Thank you” for his generosity. (Heck, I’m blushing a bit now as I type this!)

Prime and I did a bit more wheelin’ and dealin’ and I was able to grab yet another Legends-class ‘Bee from a different dealer; it was from Hydra, who runs BlackGears, if I recall correctly. After nabbing more deals, I got a few more pics of the movie vehicles, ran into Karl Hartman and hugged him (as every year), got a photo done at the BotCon Photo studio (I posed with Bumblebee, natch) and nabbed a freebie t-shirt from the Jagex booth, who will be putting out the forthcoming browser-based Transformers: Universe MMORPG. But at 3 PM, I found Prime and we waited for the yearly drawing for a chance to win a trip to next year’s ‘Con.

Yeah, Prime and I didn’t win, as always. Slag. Maybe next year.

Once that was done, we had a few more minutes in the Dealer room. Prime tracked down Alex Bickmore and did a little deal with him; he has a part--the tailfin to G1 Deluxe Targetmaster Needlenose--at home that Prime has needed for a very long time, so that is one thing off his want list. I’m pretty pleased about it. I don’t know that Prime is necessarily thirty bucks pleased about it, but at least the damn thing will be complete and he’ll, as he’s now sworn, never buy another loose and incomplete Transformer again. Eight years to find a part…you can probably understand that pain, whether or not you’ve dealt with anything similar. Yeah, royal bitch, but at least he’s done with it.

Soon enough, the staff started kicking everybody out of the Dealer room, which promptly turned my mood from bright to gloomy. The ‘Con was drawing to a close; it’s an event that always depresses me. In fact, Prime has said there is one thing about BotCon he doesn’t like: the fact that it ends, because I get so broken up over it. But before leaving the Dealer room for the last and final time, I managed to say goodbye to all of the movie vehicles that had visited. Optimus, Ironhide, Ratchet and Sideswipe all got heartfelt farewells, but Bumblebee…

I saved my final goodbye for him, thanking him for stopping by and swearing that we’d see each other again. Afterwards, as I walked away, I blew him a kiss.

That was a long, painful walk. Saying my goodbyes to ‘Bee was pretty rough, but I was very grateful and extremely glad that I had the chance to see him. To Paramount, Hasbro and Fun Publications: Thank you all. I’ve been waiting for that chance for nearly four years and to finally be in the same room with my favorite Autobot/guardian angel…it’s worth the heartbreak, trust me.

Once Prime and I were in the hallway, we ran into our friend Shawn, chatted with him, then wandered off to find DA. It took quite a bit of effort on my part not to start crying. The end of the ‘Con is rough. But when we spotted DA, my mood began to change and this time, for the better.

The three of us were headed to Santa Monica and the Aero theatre, which was showing Transformers: the Movie at 7:30PM. Yes, this was the original 1986 animated film and to sweeten the deal, they were, afterwards, going to hold a roundtable discussion with a few of the voice actors who had been in the film. Among the guests were G1 voice director Wally Burr, Gregg Berger (Grimlock), Neil Ross (Springer), Paul Eiding (Perceptor), David Mendenhall (Daniel Witwicky) and last but most certainly not least, Dan Gilvezan, the voice of the greatest Autobot ever, Bumblebee. At first, we were all going to head over there using public transportation but someone was running a shuttle service from the Convention center that would get us to the theatre. Our method of transportation? A Toyota van that looked exactly like G1 Ratchet. The frown turned upside down when I stepped foot into that van.

The ride was awesome. We had a group of kids yelling at “Ratchet” to transform and a guy in one of the crosswalks did a double take and started smiling when he saw the Autobot sigil on the van’s hood. Some drivers at the stoplights took shots of Ratchet with their camera phones. Fans near the Convention center cheered and waved. As we cruised along the streets of LA and beyond, I felt like a little kid. For a moment, I actually believed that we were on the run from the Decepticons and Ratchet was protecting us. I couldn’t stop smiling. (So, apparently, I GRIN at danger!)

As we made our way to Santa Monica, we got a bit of a movie tour, so to speak. We passed by the church that Sam Witwicky biked past in the 2007 film, saw the Burger King at which Mikaela sat as Sam cartwheeled up and over the handlebars of his mom’s bike onto the sidewalk--but best of all, we got to stop at the place that stood as Bobby Bolivia’s Used Car Lot. That was where Sam and his father purchased Bumblebee.

I was giddy as a schoolgirl and nearly wore out poor Shutterbug taking pictures. Prime got a shot of me standing in the exact spot where Bumblebee pulled up next to the VW Beetle in the lot. It was all I could do not to jump up and down and start screaming in delight. I was standing where Bumblebee had been! This was sacred ground to me and I was over the moon to actually be there. Never in a thousand years did I ever think I would be lucky enough to be in that very spot. Primus blessed me and I am very grateful.

Once we got to the theatre, Prime, DA and I, along with the other pair of passengers, hopped out of Ratchet and wandered around. The three of us hit an Italian Ice shop and Prime and I got our first taste of gelato. Prime and DA had pistachio while I treated myself to chocolate. If you’ve never had gelato and get the chance to sample it, for the love of Primus, do it. That stuff is decadent. It ranks up there with and then past Culver’s frozen custard. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. After we finished our treat, we headed up to the theatre proper, went in, grabbed snacks and seats and took in the awesome.

DA had to leave about 45 minutes into the movie; he couldn’t miss his flight back home. It was disappointing not having him there for the whole thing, but I was glad that he was able to stay with us even for the little while he could. It was great to have you there, DA. I hope we can do something like that again at a future ‘Con. And you don’t have to thank us; your presence is thanks enough.

Watching the movie was a blast. We all felt like kids again; we laughed, cried and cheered together. It was the most fun I’ve had in a number of months. I cheered when I first saw Bumblebee and Spike at the start of the movie, wept bitterly at Optimus Prime’s death and got chills when I heard Unicron speak for the first time. It was like I was 11 all over again.

At the end of the film, our moderator Grant came up and chatted a bit, then let Wally come up to the front and introduce everyone. I clapped for everybody but when Dan was announced, I started cheering. At one point I called out to Dan, “We love you!” and he replied “I love you, too.” Major blushing occurred.

The roundtable was very interesting and I learned a bit about the movie and the recording sessions that I didn’t know prior. It seems that quite a few of the other VAs were paired off during their recording sessions, but Dan did his alone. I believe it was Wally who said that nobody wanted to work with him and Dan pretended to pout in response. I couldn’t help but call out, “Oh, that’s not true!” Who wouldn’t want to work with Dan Gilvezan? He’s a wonderful guy.

SHAMELESS PLUG TIME: Dan’s got a novel out right now. It was released on the very day we were in the theatre. It’s on Amazon.com. Go buy it. Right now. This very second. In multiples. You are so ordered. (Hint, hint, Prime…)

When the panel was done, I headed to the stage to talk to Dan. Before I did, Prime handed me the Sharpie he had been carrying in case I wanted an autograph. I took it but I was a bit hesitant; I didn’t have anything on me to get autographed! But as I grabbed the strap to my fanny pack, I realized that I did.

I said hello to Dan and said that he may not have remembered me, but I could never forget him. He smiled and said that he did, in fact, remember me. Since he had just gotten published, I asked what I had to do to break into the writing business. He told me it would be difficult, but to keep sending my work to publishers and agents, to refine it and to keep trying.

With those words, my soul caught fire. I will not let anything get me down. I’m going to keep working at this and I won’t quit until someone takes the chance on me. I don’t care how much it takes, I will not get discouraged now. That voice speaking those words…that was what I needed to hear.

I also told Dan that I have Prime trained now. He is not allowed to speak while Dan is speaking. Dan said he was impressed. XD

After our chat, I got Dan’s autograph. On my trusty, well-worn navy blue Autobot cap. It is now officially retired. I have worn that cap to every BotCon I have attended since 2000. You read that right--it is eleven years old. I bought that cap in Fort Wayne, Indiana at BotCon 2000 and have worn it to every Convention since. When I met Dan for the very first time I was wearing that cap. But now, I will never wear it again. I have known for some time that I would have to retire it; it is starting to show some wear and the navy blue was starting to fade. But now it has earned a place of honor in my collection, for it has been signed by Dan Gilvezan, the man who voiced my childhood idol.

At that, I thanked him and Prime and I began to head to the lobby. As we did, I spotted Dan’s wife, Joselle, who was wearing a “Mrs. Bumblebee” t-shirt. When I saw her shirt, I said, “There’s the luckiest woman on the face of the Earth.” She saw me, smiled and said hello.

She remembered me. It would seem that I made their first appearance at BotCon rather memorable. She said to me, “You’re a star!”

If you’ve ever been to a BotCon and had the chance to sit in on a voice actor panel, you’ll hear one of them saying how hearing a fan’s appreciation is humbling. It’s true. Hearing Joselle saying that I made BotCon special for both her and Dan was incredibly humbling. To know that Dan appreciated my enthusiasm…it brings a lump to the throat, really, along with a huge smile.

We milled about and took more pictures; the lucky fellow who owns a Bumblebee-themed Camaro (and does events just as Ratchet's owner does) came by and Dan signed the engine cover. But, after much geeking out, we had to head back to our respective hotels. So Prime and I, along with the others in our group, hopped in Ratchet and headed back.

On our way back to LA, we were able to stop by the Witwicky house and drove through the tunnel where Bumblebee upgraded his vehicular form from 70s beater Camaro to 2009/Concept Camaro. Talk about off the hook awesome. When I see the scenes in the movie showing Sam’s house, or see Sam and Mikaela get kicked out of Bumblebee in that tunnel, I can now say, “Hey, I’ve actually been there!”

By the time Prime and I got back to the hotel, we were both exhausted, but I was on cloud nine. You could best describe me as elated. I was grinning happily from the time I got into our room to when I finally retired for the night. Quite a change from earlier in the day, when I was so close to tears. Hopefully, next year we can have something else similar to this right after the Convention; it’s a pick-me-up that I so desperately needed.

It’s been a blast. It really has. I’ve enjoyed every second of this. As I sit here at the airport, typing this insanely long post I’m not depressed at all. I’m content. Happy. Serene. And extremely tired but that always happens right after BotCon. You don’t really have time to sleep at a convention. Nor eat for that matter but I digress. But this has been one of the best ‘Cons I’ve had the honor to attend. Every year, it seems to get better and better.

To me, it’s not about the toys anymore (if they indeed ever were), although they are nice. It’s not about the boxed set of figures, the comic, or any of that. It’s about my friends. It’s about seeing all those who I now consider part of my family and simply hanging out with them, having a blast. To me, this isn’t a convention anymore. This is a family reunion and I am damned lucky to have the chance to attend. As I have said, Primus has granted me the luck to make it to this gathering year after year and I am forever grateful.

To all my friends: Have a safe trip home and best wishes until next time. I’ll be ready for our next meeting because as Simon Furman would say--“It never ends!”

See you next year.

--Weasel, "Hey, yeah, where IS it gonna be in 2012?"