[Groop] Gary G.'s Con Report Day Two

[GARY GROSSMANN]

Hi Folks!

First off, let me add that in addition to those mentioned in the first
report, we also found Dougie McCoy, a great guy, and I also had a chance to
say "Hi" to Dana Gabbard, who very kindly told me that the latest Issue of
Back Issues from TwoMorrows (Aug 2005 #11) had a Sergio/Mark Interview.
Thanks Dana!

> Just got back from the Eisners, which though interesting could learn
quiute
> a lot about pacing and entertainment value, too many interesting folks
were
> presented in uninteresting ways!

Yeah, we saw Mark on our way out and he listed all the things they should do
to improve and shorten it, all of which he has suggested many times, always
to be ignored.  (Larry, you're telling the day Backwards and confusing me!)

>
> Our annual Groo Dinner was held at the Crab Shack,and included Steve Kuhn,
> The Josh Joneses, Scott Hudlow and 3-man entourage, Gary and Larry. As we
> had an hour wait for a table, Kaytee and #2 son as well as Dougie McCoy
were
> sent to bed without supper. One of Scott's entourage, his friend Dave, was
> endlessly fascinated by the fact that The Groop exists,and decided he was
> the one mann Groo Fan Club Fan Club.

He WAS unduly fascinated with us.  He was a very nice guy.  But it was kind
of strange being asked all sorts of questions about the Groop.  He was much
mor interested in the Groop than in Groo.  I think we may have discovered a
new mental illness.

The dinner was great.  It was great to see Josh again. His wife "Tweeny"
(her real name!!) is adorable and also a PhD (in Biology, I think).   She's
also about a foot shorter than Josh.  They make a very cute couple.  While
we were sitting at dinner Josh whipped out his laptop, which has worldwide
GPS, and zoomed in on Groo Street in Middleton NY.  The houses did not
looked burned down(!)  We also watched a few minutes of Larry's Ray
Harryhausen movie on it.

>
> Not much in Groo-related happenings today, but tomorrow is Quick Draw and
> the Cartoon Voices panel, so we promise a much more interesting update.

I spent most of the day at Sergio's table, sitting in for him a couple
times, putting on the Sergio mask,and hawking his books and chatting with
folks while they waited in line.  Some folks know Sergio's stuff as well as
I do, but others have only a passing familiarity, so I tell them all about
his work, especially Groo.   You might think this sounds kind of boring, but
you've got to understand, I spend most of my days having to explain-in
understandable language-things like Sewerage Collection Tax and Business &
Occupation tax.  Telling other Sergio fans about Groo is HEAVEN for me
compared to that!

>
> Tis was followed by a fascinating King Kong 1933 pael
> featuring Ray Harryhausen (!!!), Joe DeVito & Brad Strickland (Kong, King
of
> Skull Island - BUY IT!!!) and Mark Cotta Vas (upcoming biography of Merian
> C. Cooper!)
>
> The quote of the day came from Mr. Harryhausen, in response to the 1976
> remake of Kong which inexplicably features no dinosaurs and the same
amount
> of charm as dinosaurs. It's no secret that Mr. Harryhausen was mightily
> inspired by KK33 to becone the  Stop Motion King. Said he of KK76 "If I
had
> seen THAT PICTURE in 1933 I would have become a plumber!"

I did see most of this panel, being almost as big a fan of King Kong as
Larry.  (Me being the fan of an unstoppable, wantonly destructive creature.
Boy, there's a surprise.)  Both of us zipped down to the Dark Horse booth
after the panel to be among the first in line for the Joe DeVito book
signing.  Ray Harryhausen also signed the book (he wrote the Forward) and we
were actually able to talk to them for a few moments. It was pretty darn
cool.  Later I had the chance to speak with both Joe and Mr. Harryhausen in
a less frenetic environment.  Only at San Diego!!

Then it was back to Sergio's table and then to dinner at the Crab Shack.
All in all, another great day!

Next:  Saturday at the Con and stuff I forgot to tell you about that
happened Thursday & Friday!   (I know, I know, you can hardly (yawn) wait.

Take care all -Gary G.