I have to admit this was a con I did not have high expectations about, and it was all me, not so much the con. Well, let me rephrase. No, I did have some expectations, because the organizers of Emerald City Comic Con also organized and promoted Rose City Comic Con. . . and they did not disappoint. It was well organized and line control was most excellent. The only line I did not appreciate was the horribly long lines at the snack bars, but they had no control over that. I also found parking to be a complete bear and just about when I was about to give up in ever finding a parking spot, when a high school buddy texted me with a solution. I was able to park at the hotel parking lot she was staying at. Thank you, Anneliese! 

After attending such large conventions, like ECCC and Phoenix Con, Rose City felt small, but also was more intimate. I'm sure this will change when word of mouth gets out about this con. 

I only attended the first day (Saturday) because I thought I could squeeze what I wanted to do in one day. Boy, was I wrong. I felt rushed as I jogged from one venue to another. Next time, I better buy a ticket for both days and plan to stay the night in Portland. This year, I brought my youngest son, Joey. This was his first con ever. He has been asking me for a while and with this one so close and me not working the con, in addition, much smaller then Seattle's con, I thought this one would be a perfect one for him to get his feet wet. And he enjoyed himself immensely. 

We entered the Portland Convention Center and I grabbed his hand. I heard him sigh, as he mumbled, "Mom, I'm 13 now." I dropped his hand and walked with him towards the escalators. I had been at this convention center a few months previously for a different con, and assumed the layout would be much the same, and for the most part it was. We walked up to the ticket counter and purchased two Saturday passes. Then after briefly walking into the main hall, to get lay of the land, I dragged Joey to his first panel. He was hesitant and not sure he would like, but I think he had a good time, even though he was not aware of the show the actor in the first panel was in. However, this morning he started watching. . . Stargate SG-1. 

Yes, the first panel was all about Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1). A fellow Oregonian, he attended University of Oregon, back in his youth. I thoroughly enjoyed the striptease act as he whipped off the shirt he had been wearing and changed into an Oregon football jersey. He led a rowdy and humorously entertaining panel about himself and the pranks played on Stargate with fifteen minutes on the topic of farting alone. What is it about boys and their bodily functions? I do have to give props to the emcee, Jesse Blaze Snider. He was quiet entertaining is his own right and did a good job moderating the panels. In addition, major kudos, for emceeing all the panels, and he quoted, "with only one potty break." Although, I had met Christoper Judge before, I had not gone to a panel with him. I enjoyed it and learned some new things. I did not know that Independence Day was supposed to be the second movie to a three movie Stargate trilogy. Yep, it was supposed to be about the aliens revenging us for killing Ra. Wow! Now, I'm going to have to watch Independence Day again and see if I catch that. 

After the first panel, Joey and I grabbed some lunch and then went our separate ways. He walked around the different booths, while I waited in line for David Giuntoli's autograph. I have become a huge Grimm fan over the past year, although, I also have to admit, I am a little behind on season two. Thank goodness for Amazon, where I was able to purchase Grimm Season Two. The DVD were on my front porch by the time I returned from the con. Yay! Looking forward to viewing them soon and hopefully will be all caught up by the time the series returns on October 25th. I really enjoy the show, and although dark, I find it very edgy and really has some terrific writing (not only dark, but wonderful touches of humor) and a fantastic bromance. David was super friendly and even let me take a selfie with him leaning over the table. 

Then I took a picture of the Batmobile and walked through the exhibits, gaming booths, and comic and other merchandise vendor booths where I caught up with Joey, He has become a huge Dr.Who fan over the summer and found a TARDIS he wanted to buy. I bought it for him and then we went back upstairs to the panel rooms. I wanted to sit near the front for David Giuntoli's panel, but knew it would require sitting in the room watching the previous panel. Joey, didn't appear to mind, as he enjoys the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Therefore, we attended a panel with Lee Arenberg and Martin Klebba. It was another engaging and lively panel and I'm glad we went. The third panel, was with David Giuntoli. He received a very warm welcome. I think filming and staring in a show based in Portland, Oregon, helped his popularity at the Rose City Comic Con, but he was fun to listen to and engaging with the audience. I know he had to be very careful with giving away plot details regarding the upcoming season of Grimm, which lead to some hilarious answers to some of the questions from the audience. He also is very genuine when he says he loves Portland. 

After David Giuntoli's panel, Joey wanted a picture with Jewel Staite (Firefly). We were in luck as at that very moment was her photo op time. I paid for the picture and he stood in a long line, waiting for his turn. I told him to remember to smile when he got up there. On a side note, I have to give huge props to the company who handled the photo-ops at this con, as the pictures were ready to be picked up less then ten minutes after they were shot. Wow! At most cons, I have waited one to two hours and sometimes even longer for the photos to be printed. Joey was not too thrilled with the way the photo turned out - he thinks he has a "deer in the headlight" look and then complained that I did not tell him they snapped the picture so fast and no one told him they were doing it. He only heard, "Next." Think I might have to Photoshop a smile onto his face. After Joey received his picture, we walked up to Alexis Cruz's (Stargate SG-1) table and talked with him briefly.  I told him I loved him as Skaara in the original Stargate film and in the television series Stargate SG-1. He suggested a picture with us and him and I said "Sure." He's not very tall, both Joey and I tower over him. 

The con for the most part was wrapping up for the day (except for some late evening activities) and Joey and I headed out the door for the two and a half hour drive home. It was a long and exhausting day, but we both had a good time together and on the drive home he asked, "When is the next con?" 

I always wake up with a heavy heart on this day. Even twelve years later, the feelings from that day never dies. It was a beautiful sunny September morning in the Pacific Northwest. I was just starting to wake up and had reached for the television remote. I usually had the television on for background noise while getting the boys ready for the day. Joey had just turned a year old, Steffen 3 ½ and Michael was 7. Also living with us at the time was Shinsuke, a cultural exchange student from Japan. 

However, instead of my usual morning program of Little House on the Prairie playing in the background, breaking news reports about terrorist attacks on New York City was on the screen. I remember the horrifying images of the planes hitting the World Trade Center towers, the black billowing smoke filling the skyline, terrified people jumping the their death, and rescue personal rushing inside the burning buildings. I heard the reports of a plane hitting the Pentagon and one crashing in a Pennsylvania field. I said a silent prayer for those planes reporting missing during all this chaos and I was grateful for cities and towns in Canada that were allowing planes to be rerouted there. I knew right then life had changed forever. 

I was glued to the television, while tears continuously rolled down my cheeks. However, I also knew we were America, and we were not going to let these terrorists win. I got the boys ready and loaded them up in the van. I dropped Michael off first at the private Christian school he was attending at the time and then Shinsuke to a local church who was partnered with the exchange program. I remember gazing on people’s faces – we were all numb and in shock, many openly weeping.  They too realized life had changed forever. A few days later, Shinsuke flew back home, but before he left, we attended a party for the exchange students and their host families. I remember the director of the exchange program talking about the importance of being host families and opening our hearts and minds to exchange students. More then ever we needed to share history, culture, and traditions. 

Our country changed forever that day, and so did I.

Friends often ask me what to do and see when visiting Seattle, so I decided to post a blog entry of my favorite things to do in Seattle. I cannot suggest enough seeing all Washington has to offer – from majestic mountains, to rocky coastlines, to temperate rainforests, but in the city itself, I suggest:

1. Ride the ferry. There are several options. From Seattle at Coleman Dock, you can ride to either Bremerton or Bainbridge Island. If in West Seattle, you can ride to Southworth (Port Orchard). These are the Washington State run ferries. There are also city water taxis (seasonal runs) and private companies that ferry to beautiful Victoria, B.C., Canada. (One of my favorite locations in the world). Nothing compares to the ride over the magnificent waters of the Puget Sound with Seattle skyline and Mt. Rainier in the background. 

2. Visit Seattle Waterfront. The Seattle Waterfront is a span of parks, piers, ferry and ship terminals stretching from Pioneer on the south to Shilshole Marina on the north.  I love walking along the pier, and visiting the unique shops and restaurants along the way. If looking for a quick bite to eat, I highly recommend Ivar’s Acres of Clams. Their clam chowder cannot be beat. Other highlights along the waterfront include the Seattle Aquarium and the newest attraction the Seattle Ferris Wheel. In addition, Pike Place Market is just a short climb away, as well as, downtown Seattle and the Seattle Art Museum (which is free the first Thursday of every month). 

3. Visit Seattle Center. It’s gone through some growth and changes over the years; however, I love visiting the Pacific Science Center and have enjoyed cultural exhibits from King Tut to Titanic to Harry Potter. The science center is very hands-on and the Tropical Butterfly House is worth the price of admission. I also enjoy watching movies in the IMAX Theater on their six-story screen. Of course, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the world famous Seattle Space Needle. Enjoy the stunning 360-degree views from every direction on the observation deck. My only complaint is the ticket price, which is now up to $22 dollars. It's almost worth going up to the SkyCity Restaurant for breakfast or lunch instead.  

Other Seattle Center attractions include the shops and restaurants of the Center House, The Children’s Museum, Seattle Children’s Theater, the Experience Music Project, The Science Fiction Museum, Intiman Playhouse, International Fountain, SIFF Cinema, Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Seattle Center also hosts hundreds of festivals each year. Finally, hop on the Monorail for a ride to Westlake Center. Once there you are walking distance to several attractions including the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (where Emerald City Comicon is held), Nike Town and Game Works. Also tons of places to shop and eat. If looking to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Seattle without paying Space Needle prices, visit Columbia Tower’s Observation Deck. 

4. Bill Speidel's Underground Tours. Did you know there is a buried city underneath today’s Seattle? In 1889, Seattle was consumed by the Great Seattle Fire. When rebuilding the decision from the planning commissioners were to build over the destruction and raise the city. The tour is located in the historical Pioneer Square District.

5. Seattle Japanese Gardens and Washington Park Arboretum. Located within the Washington Park Arboretum, near the University of Washington, there is a 3-acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida. It’s a fantastic place to get your “Zen” in a hectic world.  Although not a very big garden, I find the changing season colors vibrant and the Koi fish are huge and always hungry. Whether visiting the Japanese Gardens first or later, be sure and spend time walking through the arboretum and park. A great way to spend the afternoon. 

​Finally, I highly recommend the Seattle CityPass to catch multiple attractions at a discounted rate. Included in the admission price is the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, EMP Museum or Woodland Park Zoo, and Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden and Glass. 

I applied for a seasonal job at Amazon about a month ago and had a computer knowledge test and a telephone interview. During the interview, the interviewer, asked me to describe my costumer service experience I have had over the years, and although I have been out of the work force for several years, I did mention the years of working at movie theaters and my experience at both Target and Montgomery Ward. He interrupted the interview and asked, "What is Montgomery Ward?" I quirked an invisible eyebrow at him. "You know, Montgomery Ward - a retail store and the first store to offer a catalog, where costumers could order items and have them shipped to the home. . . you know like. . . before. . . Amazon!!" 

He must have seen through my sarcasm, because this week I was offered a part-time seasonal customer service job working for Amazon. I'm looking forward to joining the work force again and earning some holiday cash.