Orlando Megadisaster

My Orlando Megacon Experience

Not gonna lie, Orlando wasn’t fun for me until the end of my time in the city. I was excited for Orlando Megacon. I really was. There were people I interviewed years ago I was going to meet in person, and it was one of the more famous shows to go on. I got a pass through Travis, and now was off to do the job and get a chance to have some fun at comic con.

I was looking forward to meeting some amazing friends. I found out that Rodney Fyke and Sean Forney were there for example. It was great to see Mr. Rodney again, although the circumstances were much tougher for me than when I saw him last. He was there to work with Sean and it was cool to catch up with him here. So hi Rodney and Sean!

Orlando was slated to be much bigger than I met Travis at the arranged place and got my pass, and got myself into the show. Orlando is a larger con closer along the lines of the bigger shows than a smaller one. I was impressed at the sheer number of creatives there, and all the stuff to see and hear.

Turns out, I knew one of Travis’ tablemates. I’m a huge Richard Davis fan. I admire the man’s integrity. One of the rare traits in this time is to meet someone who disagrees with you on things, and is tolerant. As much as I like Rich’s books, I respect the man more. It’s unfortunate he got sick, as I would have loved to pick his brain more.

I wish I had a chance to enjoy it more though. I was there to report for my job. I met my boss after figuring out how to navigate through the place. It’s always a challenge to navigate a con without a phone. I was a little late, but I got there and met Kyle. He seemed like a pleasant enough fellow. We didn’t talk for too too long, as it turns out he didn’t need me for the day. That said, he did pay me for the day, which was nice of him. He didn’t have to. I was excited to start tomorrow.

Turns out, that was the only day I worked for him. Later on that night I found out that the job I had wasn’t going to be necessary. Orlando Megacon took place over the superbowl weekend. With New Orleans being so close to Orlando, it turned out that the traffic expected wasn’t there. I was let go that night.

The other aspect of the show was that I had no where to sleep. I had a friend offer me a place to hold my stuff for the con, but a bed for me was out of the question. I had to sleep by the highway by the convention center. My stuff enjoyed the warmth of a hotel room. I was on the highway.

I got to be honest, I was miserable the next day. I needed that money, and had no way to acquire it. I had to resort to other means to get money. So my second day of the con was me doing what I’m doing here, typing at a starbucks and feeling sorry for myself. Man was I bummed about that. So I went upstairs at the con, played a little commander, and then went to the mcdonalds near I slept to work on freelance stuff.

Sunday I decided to enjoy the con. I played a touch of commander, but I actually took the time to meet some of the creative people I know. Stephanie Phillips is someone I’m a big fan of, and it was a pleasure to meet my secretly Canadian buddy. I got to meet Brian Azzarello, and Kami Garcia. I didn’t realize Kami had done Beautiful Creatures, which is a fantastic book, and it was a blast to meet them.

Oh, and I got a Frank Miller death stare.

Frank Miller was at the convention. I had used my pass to get access to the guest spot. I got looked at evilly from this legendary creator. I mistakenly thought I had access to this space. Turns out, I didn’t. Oh well. I still got a ton of free food from it. My mistake.

I didn’t enjoy the con as much as I wanted to. That said, there was one thing to look forward to on the horizon. My sister was going to be in town the last day I was staying in Orlando. I made it a point to visit her. That’s the next entry.

My overall assessment of Orlando Megacon: I wish I had gone under other circumstances. The show seemed amazing, and I know I missed out on a ton of things. I hope next time (if there is a next time) I’ll get a better chance to enjoy the show. I loved meeting the people I did and connecting with the people I knew. It was a blast.

But this still felt like a shade of the Florida curse. It blew.

But the worst was over. That i can say for sure.