[Groop] Big Apple Con Saturday Report

[Larry Steller]

Saturday Big Apple Con Report
   
  Well, the debate about whether to go Saturday AND arrive at 4pm Sunday (rushing from the Bronx) for the Groo Panel resolved itself in weird ways.
   
  I decided to go both days, even though I would only get an hour or so of Con for Sunday. When I got to the ticket pickup area, I was prepared to say something like "I originally paid for today but begged them to move me to Sunday and they did, but now I want to come today instead..." but right away she just said "Let's cut to the chase; Here's your wristband, go on in and enjoy!" Hey, she's nice, smart AND cute!
   
  Gotta love this con!
   
  I went right to Sergio's table and met up with Tom Albitz, whom I mostly stayed with all day. Sergio of course was Sergio, do I really need to type 17 paragraphs of how wonderful, fun and friendly he is. We all know this already!
   
  Mark came by and did some Desk Time as well. He was going to post something on newsfromme from the con, I'll have to check that next! 
   
  The decision was quickly made to sadly cancel the Groo Panel, since as stated previously Sergio's flight leaves at 7pm Sunday, so it's impossible to do a 4pm panel in Midtown, leave the con say 5:45-ish probably at the earliest, and STILL get to the airport and make the flight!!!
   
  Mark found an accidental, real-world version of a MAD fold-in. I won't steal his thunder, watch for it on newsfromme!
   
  While watching Sergio's table, I didn't have ONE PERSON ask me if I was Sergio! AMAZING! Usually I'm either asked if I'm Sergio, they assume I am and just ask me for a sketch, or they ask if I am Sergio's son! LOL
   
  However, I had 3 people assume I'm Mark! Has Mark EVER sported a mustache? I wonder!
   
  One guy asked Mark-Larry if I would sign his Groo Statue, and I said "I would LOVE to, I'd be very happy to sign it. Oh by the way, you know I'm not Mark Evanier, don't you?"" 
   
  He started to enthusiastically say, "Yeah, I know..." and them was suddenly crestfallen and said. "Ohhhh..." I told him to try later or tomorrow, I hope he catches up with Mark, or at least someone more willing to pretend to be Mark, heee heeeee!
   
  I was talking with ergio about the mystery surrounding the death of Edgar Allan Pae, how he was found lying in a Baltimore gutter dressed in clothes "that were not his own.", and Sergio recounted a very funny story.
   
  While Sergio was in the Mexican Navy, they were doing some maneuvers with the US & British Navies in Mexican Waters. He was dressed in his Navy Uniform and met some Lovely Ladies (he IS after all Sergio) and was haging with 2 US Sailors. Sergio had no money, but he told the sailors if they pay for everything, he'll bring the girls! Good deal, huh?
   
  Well, they all got very drunk, of course, and the next thing Sergio remembers he woke up in a Mexican jail ( I wish I could get Sergio's description right, but he did call it The Clink, heee heeee) wearing a US NAVY uniform. He said they were very similar, so I guess in his drunken state he just put on the wrong clothes! LOL!!! 
   
  He didn't get in trouble, his commander laughed and made him pay for a new uniform. I somehow don't think that the US Sailor got off quite as easy!
   
  Back to the Con! I met up with Groopie Sean Ferris and two of his 3 kids, who were on Sketch Patrol. The little one, Alex, asked Frank Cho (I believe) to draw "a flying monkey" so Alex got a seriously cute sketch of Beppo The Super Monkey! 
   
  I had lunch with the Ferrises and Tom, and then we returned to the Con. When I caught up with Mark, he asked Tom and I if we'd had lunch yet. Silly me answered "Yes, we just got back!" What i SHOULD have said was, "Nope." LOL! 
   
  "Oh" Mark said "I'm going for a bite to eat and wondered if you'd join me." "I'm still hungry, honest!" I absolutely failed to say. DID I ERR??? 
   
  *sigh*
   
  Well, I wouldn't be mrgrooism if I did the smart thing, now would I? 
   
  Walking around the con I passed Kyle Baker's table, and he stoped me to chat after sighting my orange Groop shirt and remembering me from past cons. Kyle really IS about as nice and wonderful as Sergio.
   
  I explained to him my weird approach to this particular convention: This time around, i didn't bring ANYTHING with me, nothing to be signed,  no sketch pads, I'm not on any mission to GEt anything, I'm just being totally free and enjoying myself! I intend to leave without purchasing anythin but the Groo 25th Anniversary hat on my head, and since i don't have to carry it I think it doesn't count!  
   
  I got the feeling he got a kick out of my low key "just Have Fun" approach. 
   
  Anyway, i had a wonderful day, I'm glad it worked out. My only disappointment was not meeting Lia and Fred, AND now missing Josh Jones, to boot! Okay, Lia and Josh I've met in the past, but it would have been cool to hang again! I can't beleive I missed former "Guess The Grooper" star Fred Vigeant, though. 
   
  Hey Fred and Josh, how long are you guys in town? And Lia, if you want to come on one of my Yankee Stadium, Tours or go to a Yankees Game during the season, just shout. Same to any of you guys, whenever you are in New York!


-Larry "Mr. Grooism" Steller, Master Mendicant (!!!?) 
http://www.myspace.com/mrgrooism

"<i>I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.</i>" Edgar Allan Poe

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