Well we got to Chicago at 7:30am (Chicago Time, 8:30 Eastern), and sat in the lobby for a few hours. We made friends with two others who came in early to wait. As we sat around and talked, I got to see a few of the guest head in to set up in the dealer room... which was the ONLY room for this event. There was no panels, no nothing else... just one room, about the size of three panel rooms pushed together.
The lay out had two allies of dealers, 3 allies of guests, and two more allies of dealers. You come in, in the middle of the room so you go straight in to where the guests are. Every guest was required to charge $20 for their autograph, in fact for Brady autographs you had to buy the autograph tickets before you get to them, than give them the ticket showing they can sign something for ya. I brought enough for two autographs, but this was all the money I really had so I couldn't get more... man I hate money.
As we sat there, I looked up to see Caroll Spinney walking towards that area. I got up and went over to talk with him, he was so nice. I told him that I saw him in New Jersey and how great it was to get to see him. He thought I meant at a convention he went too, though when I mentioned him having Oscar with him, he was a bit shocked. Than realized I meant that panel that they did at the beginning of Feb. He talked to me for a few minutes, than went in to set up. I went back and sat down on the couch waiting for the show to open.
After sitting there a few more minutes later, Robbie Rist walked by so I got up and said hi to him. We talked for a minute, than he went in to set up as well. I was so happy, I got to say hi to the two guest I came to see, before even getting in the door. We went and got in line when we realized where the line was... paid and went in.
Miki and I went straight over to where Robbie was and started to talk with him for a bit. He's really cool, and very friendly in person. I pulled out the Michaelangelo head from TMNT 3 for him to autograph. He told me he's never seen one of these in person so he got some pictures taken with it. Than I had to go and pay for him to do two autographs, he signed the strap on my Michaelangelo head and my T-Shirt (right near where Michelan signed). We talked with him for a little bit, than put the head away so that we could walk around a little. I kind of wish I brought the stand for the head so I could of offered him to let it sit at the table on display for the day... though there wasn't much room, so maybe it's good that I didn't. hehe
Miki and I walked around a little, we went over and talked with Caroll Spinney and his wife. They were very nice to us, we talked a bit about the event in New Jersey, he talked about Jim Henson a lot.. even asked me if I ever got the chance to meet him, man I really wish I did. Talking with him will be something I'll never forget, he would slip in and out of his voices... reminding me how much I love Sesame Street... this is the second time this year that this has come up, I'm going to start getting the DVD collections hehe
Miki and I talked with a lot of the other guests there, Caroll's line remain long all day.
I have more to say about this trip - though I will post it later in Part 2... just want to get something posted already since this has been sitting here since Monday written up
