It's sneaking up on us like it does every year around this time. I'm now in that mode of my life where I divide everything I have to do into three categories — Things I'll Do Before The Con, Things I'll Try To Do Before The Con But Probably Won't, and Things I'm Already Planning To Do After The Con. Everyone I'm talking to is looking forward to the big event, though they all wish they had an extra week or so before it starts. And the folks on the convention staff, who I talk to now and then, are working at a superhuman clip. I continue to be amazed that they pull this thing off every year. It involves matters and tasks you never see and wouldn't imagine someone has to do.
I received a bitch 'n' moan letter from someone who didn't grasp the concept that we're not having a Golden Age Panel this year because there won't be enough Golden Age writers and artists on the premises to have one. I still only know of two and one has his own spotlight interview. This is not the fault of the convention, which has been extremely generous about inviting veteran comic creators and often offering to pay all expenses. The problem, of course, is that our older talents are getting older…and since a lot of them do not have anything current to sign or sell, making the trek becomes a hardship with little reward. I explained this to the complainer but he apparently feels we should drag these people to the con at knifepoint.
The people at my favorite fast food chain, Five Guys, are ready for the con. They just this week opened a new outlet about a 10-15 minute drive from the convention center. It's at 670 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. If you need a Whole Foods Market while you're in town, the closest one to the con is about a block from that Five Guys.
Almost lastly: One of the great things about San Diego is the climate. The current forecast for the dates of the Comic-Con calls for mostly clear skies, daytime temps between 68