This will most likely be a long little novel on my adventure in Pasadena, CA at Power Morphicon 2012!!
If you're in a mood to read, then please sit and relax-- grab some cookies and sit.
For those of you skimming, please:
CLICK THOSE LINKS and watch stuff! It wills et the mood for things!!
Anyway, here's the basic rundown:
- Forgot my camera, was pissed.
- Was completely overwhelmed the moment I stepped on the show room floor
- I was kissed and hugged by Vernon Wells (Ransik!!) OMG--! Not once-- but TWICE!!! OMG!!! Squeee! ♥♥
- Vernon Wells put the sticker I made him on his personal phone!!! ♥
- Mike Ginn (Gem of RPM!) LOVED his sticker and kept talkin' to me throughout the convention weekend. HE IS SO INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!! KABOOM!! ♥♥
- Met Amy and Reggie Rolle (Trakeena/Damon of Lost Galaxy) and they were INCREDIBLY AMAZING! They were so thrilled with the art I presented them with.♥
- Cerina Vincent is a doll! It was such an honor to meet her!!
- Bulk & Skull. Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy-- SUPER EPIC in all forms of the word! They signed my sketch I drew of them! :D
- I found my cousin!!!!! Yaaay Cam! Gooo Ninja Storm! ♥
- MEGAFORCE RANGERS OH. MY. EFF. GEE!!!! *squeee!!!!!* COMING SOON! I can't wait!!! ♥
- The costume contest was waaaai fun! Contestants in line! Do ya see me? xD (Vid not by me) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evlmSZOetmA&feature=youtu.be
- And best of all I got to spend the weekend with my bf! Eeee! ♥♥ So much love for pulling me with!
- I only posted a few pictures here... ALL other photos can be seen on my Facebook ---> Oracle's Facebook [And if they're not there.. then I'm about to put them up. So sit tight!]
Friday-- Preview Night! August 17, 2012
Chris and I weren't sure how to go about preview night. We figured it wasn't going to be too much.. Just a general pre-setup with a few vendors open here and there... So we opted to just go in normal clothes and save the costuming for Saturday and Sunday.
Once we get down there we're walking around and noticing that there are actual guests present. And of course I was having my fangirl moments when I looked to the left ad saw Vernon Wells and Jason Faunt and as I walked around there was Mike Ginn-- and OMG--!
Freak out mode! xD
Kinda strange seeing these actors feet away from me and me having crushes on them waaay in the past. Hah! I had to walk around a few times in order to make myself calm... xD Though, I couldn't meet them, because-- after all, I made all of those awesome little stickers I wanted to make sure I gave to them. I was so nervous-- really unsure on how everyone was going to accept everything.
We stopped in the artist alley and made friends with Tone Rodrigeuz. (He designed the character of Ransik as well as some of the promo posters for the event). We talked a LONG time with him, just about stuff in general. He was such an awesome guy! Throughout the weekend we kept stopping by to say hello. He always smiled and waved to us each time we passed by. He was so sweet! And so much fun to talk to. xD
Chris convinced me to go back to the hotel and snag things so we could get things signed and meet with as many guests that were there that day.. and leave the weekend for cosplaying antics and everything else. So we ended up going back to the hotel and grabbing things and.... yeah!!
Upon returning, we got in line to do a meet an' greet with Mike Ginn-- who played Gem in Power Rangers RPM. I was sooooooo giddy and excited and all kinds of thrilled to meet him. I gave him the little sticker of Gem I had done for him and he really seemed to genuinely love it. The way his face lit up-- was-- just-- SO AWESOME. Heehee! "I've got to find a place for this or frame it or something!"
There was some lady talking in the background while I was having my little moment and she wasn't even in line so a little part of me was like "OMG... c'mon--! I waited like everyone else, you should too!"
I dunno if brainwaves traveled by Mr. Mike kinda politely waved to the lady and turned back to me, just totally interested in whatever it was I had to say. Ha!
Man... Mike was *SO* nice!
"I was hoping I could possibly get an autographed print from you..."
"Sure..! Which one would you like?"
I pointed to the stand alone one and he grinned and started to press wet ink to paper.
After he finished and granted me the honor of takin' a picture of him (the first of a few throughout the weekend. But i'll get into that later, heh!). He gave me a hug! Eeeeee!!!
BOOM!
Epic.
Menuvering around the convention floor we managed to find Vernon Wells (Ransik of Power Rangers Time Force) and... I think I pretty much just lost it. Ransik is one of my suuuuuuuuper favorite villains. It almost felt like my feet were glued to the carpet as I inched closer.
When I reached his table, I smiled like a cheeseball and gave him a wave and told him. "Haaaaai Mr. Wells!" He seemed amused by my excitedness and offered his hand for me to shake. I squeaked and shook his hand and went about the normal fangirling I'm sure he gets on a constant basis. "I'm suuuuch a huge fan-- and it's a great honor to meet you... and OMG-- Eeee! I'm just so excited to finally meet you!" That was when I pulled out the Ransik sticker and I held it in my hands and offered it to him. "I actually-- made this for you. I just-- kinda had to--"
He took it from me and just grinned from ear to ear. "Awww.... THIS... is SOOOOO cuuute." His voice was deep, laced with a bemused accent. "And.. YOU did this?"
I was meek, still just thrilled to bits that he loved the little token. I was so giddy with glee. I'm sure Chris was probably having a field day watching me geek out. Hah! "Yep!"
"I LOVE this. I simply love it. Actually..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone "I have the perfect place for this..." He then peeled off the backing to the sticker and PLACED IT ON HIS PERSONAL PHONE!!!! "There...!" He smiled.
"Eeeee!!! I'm just so happy you like it!"
He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me and hugged me all tight and
KISSED MY FORHEAD-- TWICE!! ♥ ♥ I was beside myself. My favorite villain dude-- huggin' me and gave me a kiss on my forehead!!! DUDE. My cheeks were probably so red, but I know inside I was so happy an excited in that moment. How often does that happen!??
"Thank you, so much!"
"Yer-- So welcome!!"
I heard Chris snickering in the background. xD
"Is there any chance I could... get an autographed picture from you? As well as a picture for my personal memories?"
"How can I say no?"
So of all of the images he had, I picked the most evil looking picture of him as Ransik and he wrote "I ♥ you get the point. -Vernon Wells/Ransik"
I flipped out. Awwww!!!
And THEN he put on the headpiece, grabbed a knife and then offered it to me to point at him. "Oooh nono! You gotta take it. Could I get one to the throat?"
So he grabbed me all super-villain like and held the knife to my throat. Chris was sweet enough to get a Morphinominal picture. So I owe him big for that one. :D
OMG!! *faints!*
[Kinda wished this one didn't come out so blurry D: maaan how I wish I had me camera.... That's okay though. Heh!]
After, I thanked him again and GOT ANOTHER HUG AND A KISS from him and told him I'd come by and see him the next day while in costume and see how he was doing. "I look forward to it!"
WOW.
I have to admit-- through the WHOLE convention those first two moments with meetin' Mike and Vernon were my most favorite moments on the con floor. *giggles*
From there we made our way to Reggie and Amy Rolle (Damon and Trakeena of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy). The line was.... pretty long, but, that was okay. We knew what we were getting ourselves into. We ended up talking with some random people in line about... something. I'm not even sure what it was, but when i was next in line-- i was again in my freak out mode!
I calmed down when i stepped up and it was my turn. I introduced myself and Chris to the two of them. I was gushing again... something I've learned is really hard to do.. especially when you're such a fan of an actor or a comic artist or... writer... Once those first initial moments are over, everything starts to slowly smooth out, I suppose.
I shook the both of there hands, and realized that Amy is even more beautiful in person. She's so pretty!! xD As with the Mike and Vernon before, I again, offered the two of them the double sets of stickers I made and Amy gasped. "OH My GOSH these are SOOO cute!!! Did you do these?"
Reggie was pretty befuddled, but smiling from ear to ear. "Oh my gosh-- these are SO. SO CUTE and and COOL. MAN.... I.. had no idea anyone does... stuff like this of me. This is just SO cool."
"You're so talented! I know exactly where to put these where I get home. I've got just the place for them!" Amy smiled, sill marveling at the little stickers of her character I had done. "You did such amazing detail on these..!" That was when I pulled out my sketchbook and showed them the other drawings of the two of them I did.
They were SOOOOOOOO thrilled! "OH my GOSH--! Can I take a picture of these??" Amy smiled, searching frantically for her phone. "These are SO beautiful!"
Ahhhh! They loooved the sketches!!They took multiple pictures of the sketches I did fo the two of them in my sketchbook.. and Chris proceeded to tell them about how much I flipped out when they were announced as guests. Eeee!!! "Lost Galaxy is my favorite series... and you two are my absolute favorites of the cast. Trakeena is my favorite villain of all the Ranger series, and Damon is so my favorite green ranger!" Now that i type that out, that probably sounded so crazy coming out of my mouth. I'm sure they hear that kind of thing all the time. I spoke to Amy, "I wanted to come dressed as Trakeena, actually.. She was my first choice in costume for the weekend. But I was having trouble figuring out how to construct the headpiece... and I thought it might have to be left for another convention when I can get more time and more skill."
"Awww! Really? I would have simply loved to see that!" was the response I got.
"I had to opt for another alternative for a costume this year though."
"Oh? Who will you dressed as?"
"Marah from Power Rangers Ninja Storm."
"Oh how neat! Be sure to come by when you're dressed up so I can see the costume, okay?"
Maaaan it was sooo awesome! I managed to get a picture of them with me as well-- and OMG--!
Heehee!
After saying our goodbyes we kinda bounced around and just hung out in the middle of the floor, trying to figure out if Dan Southworth was around. We wanted to try and find him or figure out where he was going to hover about so we could be ready for his appearance. No luck-- BUT Chris kinda zoned out-- "....is.. that... Black Nerd? It's Andre!" Chris brought this awesome piece of fan art with him FOR the Black Nerd just in the off chance that he would be attending Morphicon. And sure enough, we ran into him! So we wiggled through the crowd and approached him. Chris tapped him on the shoulder and told him "Excuse me... Andre....? I am such a HUGE fan of yours. My name's Chris and I have something for you."
This was the picture he gave him.
It was such a cute little moment Andre's eyes lit up, chuckling. "Whaaaat? No WAY-- really?"
The way he accepted it-- it was just so awesome. I could tell Chris was having the same moment I was having a few times before when I had just met with Vernon and the other Ranger actors. I kinda stepped back and let him do his thing. I didn't wanna step on any toes during his little thing. After a moment, Chris introduced me and the three of us just started.. talking. We talked for a good while! About the convention, about the interwebs, and just stuff in general. Andre is one incredibly awesome person! I've had the tendency to watch his webshows, but-- well it's kinda my style to sit and lurk instead of commenting on videos and such. (I blame myself for that because I was trying to hide on the internet for a while so i didn't accumulate any other stalkers-- but anyway. That's another story for later). I was sure to tell him that I was an avid lurker. He laughed at my response. xD
At some point we decided to take a load off and go sit down. And Chris happened to catch something out of the corner of his eye. And he rushed off and my eyes followed. He went to grab something that had fallen from some guy's hand. Apparently it was a Quantum Morpher that the guy had dropped and Chris had returned it to him.
"Oh thank you so much--!" the guy responded. "I didn't even notice it fell."
"No problem!"
That was when I looked at him as he started walking away and realized. "OMG--! It's CAM!!!!"
Chris truend to me questionably. "Cam... wuh--?"
Considering I'm a Ninja Storm fan, I recognized him dressed as a civilian Cam from Ninja Storm. he wore a green plaid over shirt, white under shirt, pants, hair, glasses, Samurai Storm morpher dangling from his belt, not to mention the charm around his neck! He was Cam
Watanabe!
I got up quickly. "Cam--! Can I get a picture with you???"
He stopped and smiled. "Sure!"
[I realized when I got home I never got a picture of me and Ken together as Marah and Cam. Grrrr!]
"I never even thought I would find any other Ninja Storm cosplayers here."
"You too??"
"I'll be coming in as Marah for the next two days...... so.. technically yer my cousin!" I bounced and waved all happy-like. "Haaai cousin!!" He laughed and we managed to get a picture with him. He proceeded to tell us that he was actually selling morphers... and Chris was actually looking for one for his Silver Guardian costume. (The same morpher that he picked up and gave back to him just moments before!) So Chris ended up with his morpher... which was just some CRAZY luck. I ended up exchanging numbers with the guy so we could meet up and con it up the next day...
I mean.. we cosplayers in the same series gotta stick together. Besides. Ninja Storm is one of those obscure seasons it was rare to see anyone there dressed. At least, that's what I figured. I didn't even think there would be any Ninja Storm anybody's except for me there. xD
I think we ended goin' back into the main floor to look for Dan Southworth and Ron Lim but we failed to find them. And it was getting late and the doors were shutting for the day so we decided to go back to the hotel and get some rest for the next day. We were so hyped up and excited to see what the next day would bring-- we would both be needing sleep! Plus, we were pretty tired so... yeah.
We didn't sleep much that night. Excitement was too active in our minds of stuff that happened and possible antics of what was going to happen the next day.
Saturday-- Day 2! August 18, 2012
Saturday was an earlier start for Chris because had his Gold Ranger breakfast event that he was attending. Since I failed to get the gold pass, I wasn't able to attend. So I slept for another hour and then finally got up and decided to pull out my costume bits for the day.
Today was going to be panel and goofin' off time for the most part. At least, that was what the plan was. When we got to the convention center we made our way into one of the panel rooms. We sat in on some highlights between the RPM and SPD cast members that had attended-- but only managed to catch the tail end of things. We were still able to run into Mike (again!) yaaay! And He rememebered me an Chris and came over for a hug an a picture! Teehee!
Though we stayed put for the Lost Galaxy panel that was running immediately after.
Being present on that panel was really awesome. got to hear some random little known tidbits about the behind the scenes happenings and got to listen to some fans ask random questions. At one point during it all there was some reeeally loud music echoing throughout the panel room. It was obviously "Go go Power Rangers" and a lot of people cheering.
Everyone including Amy and Reggie Rolle, Cerina Vincent, the audience, and everyone else in that room got all quiet and were looking around, really confused. It seemed everyone was wondering what was going on behind the walls. After a moment, it died off and we were able to resume with the panel.
Well, come to find out (I found this after I got home) there was a Red Ranger flash mob at that exact moment happening on the convention floor that was pretty badass!! THERE WERE MOOGERS ATTACKING EVERYWHERE!!
Um.. here--! Watch! :D
Power Morphicon 2012 Power Ranger Flash Mob
I wish I was there to watch it.. but then again, I probably wouldn't have been able to get close enough to see anyway. And that prolly would have pissed me off.
After the panel it was back to the convention floor to see if we could find the other actors and artists we couldn't find the previous day. We found Cerina Vincent, Katerine Sutherland, Karen Ashley, Blake Foster, Nakia Burrise.... All before the next panel. I have to admit, Saturday was the most packed
When i got a chance to meet Cerina Vincent-- OMG she's so sweet in person! She's got the prettiest smile. xD I'm such a geek. I gave her the little chibi Maya sticker I had done of her to her and she was all kinds of flabbergasted by the cuteness. She really seemed to enjoy it! Eeee! In the end, I got a hug and a picture with her, so I'm quite happy! xD
Her line was pretty long and it took a while to get close to her, and by the time we finished with our meet and greet we had to skidattle off so we could catch some seats at the Bulk and Skull Panel. The one panel of the day we just HAD to make sure we attended. And OMG--! It was SOOO epic!
There was no introductions made.... but instead, Jason just stepped up on the table and just went right into things. Apparently, we were going to get a lesson in slapstick-- a-la Bulk & Skull style.
SWEET, no!?
All of a sudden the announcement of "The Art of Pie Throwing" came up. And apparently it's quite an artform! There was a whole 45 minute lesson it! People were pulled from the audience as whipped cream pies were being made to the right of the stage (technically it was stage left but.. meh!). Today was everyone's one and only chance to slam a pie into the faces of Paul and Jason. And they were LETTING THEM!
Though, with each person behind them, varying techniques were used.
The overhanded method, the clumsily walk, the surprise slam--
What was hilarious was this one guy who came up and just pelted Bulk with SUCH force that the whipped cream arced behind him and splattered all over the conference room wall behind them. I think you can see it here a little bit.
It was too funny! Paul stood there with this look of utmost astonishment. It took him a few moments to realize what happened and then made some kind of apologize about how it was going to smell really horrible in that room for a while after they were done with it. xD
There were points where audience members ended up taking pies to the face as well.. something, I wasn't expecting (but I really should have!)-- I'm kinda glad I wasn't picked now that I think about it. I could have had some issues since I was all in costume an' such. That would have been bad. :3
I really hated the fact that I forgot my camera... I had the camera on my phone but the shots that came out weren't all that great quality. At least I managed to get a few shots though. Chris's camera was the one that captured most of the shots... I'm just glad one of us had a camera!
After the panel... I... don't remember what we were doing.. Probably trying to find Dan Southworth. We saw that they had a place designated for him, and we were there on the floor quite a bit but he like never showed! We soon found out that he was pretty much just floating around. And Chris has seen him at the Gold Ranger breakfast earlier that morning, so he wasn't just an entity.
We did end up running into Amy and Reggie again and Reggie waved to me and told me she loved my costume. Eeee!! Compliments from teh pretty Amy!! *flails around!* And she even recognized me in costume an everything which was amazing to me!
We tried to sneak into the end of the Saban Brands panel thingy... and toward the end-- THE MOST EPIC THING HAPPENED!!
Megaforce is Coming!!
EVERY. SINGLE. Power. Ranger. EVAR.
TRANSLATED!
Americanized!!
*dies!*
It is the
ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN.
The crowd erupted in a quake of screams and cheers. Goosebumps were running down my arms from the sheer epicness of it all.
MAN.
Soooo incredible!!
Among our buzzing around we got a chance to meet Walter Jones (the original black MMPR/Zack) and his family!! They were in line behind us and he excused himself for a moment so he could check in with them and make sure that they were having a good time. Which was just really adorable! xD We got pictures and hugs and-- Eeeeee! *faints!*
After meeting Walter we went to find Monica May!! Chris got an adorable autographed print of her and we were able to have a bit of a talk with her. Eeeee!!! It was so neat to meet her an--
*flails!*
From there we managed to bounce to another panel.. but we stopped to somewhere along the way and I saw-- HIM.
Dan Southworth!!
THERE! And I was like--
OMG--!
I didn't want to just stop him there.... so we started to follow him back tot he con floor.. and then he stopped... And then Chris said something about just running up to him-- And MAN i'm GLAD we did. Because we never saw him after that. I just wanted to say 'Haaai' to him and hand him the little Silver Guardain sticker I had made for him.
His manager (or security?) whatever... was dressed as a Silver Guardain and was with him was just as impressed with the sticker I had just given Dan. "Did... you make the one for Vernon as well??"
I smiled and nodded. "Yeah! I did, actually!"
"He's been showing that off all day. It's really cute! So is this one!"
Which was just-- OMG--!!! Further enhanced the fact that Vernon Wells really enjoyed his little sticker guy and was SHOWING IT OFF TO PEOPLE!!!! How AWESOME is that?!?
"Well if you guys would like-- I'm going to head in for some signings after I grab something to eat.. So come find me!" Is what Dan said to us.
But.. like I said before... we never found him after that. He was never out on the floor. And we were there like flies on a dead body--!
At least we got to see him though. So that was awesome.. :D
Though, the whole time after talking with him, I just got this weird feeling from him... Even Chris said something about it.. out of all of the actors and vendors and artists that we met, it seemed that Dan just had this.... different vibe about him. I know he was doing panels and stuff, but there were three Divergence panels. One was late Friday and then the other was late afternoon on Saturday and the last was before closing ceremonies on Sunday. It almost seemed like he was... hiding....? And that's the nice way of putting it.
Saturday was a tiring day... I know that much. At one point we ended up sitting at this obscure area in the back of the con to just relax and chill out. I fell asleep sitting there for a short amount of time... I was.. of course, trying to pretend that I hadn't fallen asleep, so the moment I heard my name called I jolted awake. *snickers* I was so smooth. >.>
Apparently my Marah costume was more of a hit than I thought it was going to be. We ended up waiting in line to do a meet an greet with Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy. I made sure to give them both the little stickers I made of the two of them and OMG they loooved them! They seemed to really love the picture I sketched of them more (which I asked them both to sign)
Paul was grinning. "You made me skinner!! ....this is aweeesome!"
Jason was just as impressed, snickering as he squiggled his name in my Death Note sketchbook. "What am I holding, a tree?"
"Cotton candy--! Like from the episode where you an Bulk went to the carniva--"
"OOOOH YEAH!!! I love that tree!!" He grinned and handed it back to me.
Hahaha! OMG... they were a riot! Their personalities are just larger than life and way too fun. Duuuude could you imagine having Paul or Jason as an uncle or something?! Man.... Makes me wonder what kind of antics their home lives are filled with.
"Bye Oraaaacle!!" he smiled, waving as we turned to leave.
Eeeeee!!!!! He sid 'Bye ORACLE.' How aweeesome!??!?! *spazz-fits!!*
We kept running into familar faces. Andre-- The Black Nerd.... we kept seeing him in random panels and out on the convention floor.... Which was awesome! there were points where he came and just sat with us and just randomly join in on conversations when we saw him. That was just too awesome. xD Then we kept running into Ken (Cam!) as well as some other peoples I don't even remember their names.. so we stopped and chatted with them
So there was that! Saturday was exhausting! We called it an early day.. or semi-early, anyway. Heh!
After I had slept some, I had apparently got really moody and highly pissed... and I figured it was a food issue. So I went downstairs to try and make friends with the sammiches downstairs at this little Crispy Cream/Deli place that was lodged in the hotel. but.. GO FIGURE. They're not open late night-- Nor was Starbucks-- but the bar was open! You know when you're really hungry and you just get more and more pissed with each step you take, with each new sound that blows past your ears? Yeah, that was me.. until I made my way on upstairs and ate some chips, calmed down and.. things were fine.
Sunday-- Day 3! August 19, 2012
The last day of the con was looming and I don't think Chris or I were all that happy. I wasn't looking forward to post-con syndrome at all. That whole... idea of collapsing and going back home to fit right back into the normalcy and real life that I despise at times. At least during the con, all of those worries, all of those instances aren't even brought up for a second.
Maybe that's why I like going away on trips so much.
I'm not home. Therefore nothing can touch me--! I am invincible!! :D
Okay, maybe not.. but anyway...
We had to check out early today since we would be heading home after the con. So we packed everything but our costumes, and I threw a spare set of clothes in my backpack to change into afterward because Hera knows I wouldn't dare be sitting in a car in that costume for that ride. Pleather and Southern California heat do NOT mix well at all.
We checked out and headed back to the con for the final day. The only real thing on our agenda was the costume contest which started at 3:30.. check-in was at 3. We met up with Ken (who was still cosplaying as Cam and we figured we'd throw something together for... some kind of quick stage show. That all ended up getting scrapped though at the last minute. Probably the best thing...
This was pre-lineup of the costume contest. (again, not my video)
Power Morphicon costume contest lineup!
Yup I'm there..! In there for sure. XD Do you see Marah?? ;)
The Megazord guy ended up taking first place, Titanium Ranger as second, and the MMPR group as 3rd. Still quite fun!:D
We ended up staying in the room for closing ceremonies and before the closing ceremonies, I went to change. It was tiiiime to get out of that hot costume!
So like how Marah became good in the end, I threw on my newly obtained Ninja Academy jacket and went into civillain clothes.
It was crazy because as we left we once again ran into Mike Ginn! So I had to say goodbye to him and tell him again how much of a pleasure it was to meet him. He happened to see us through the crowd and he came over gave me a hug. (Eeeee!!! ^_^) Chris and I also told him of our idea to return to the next Morphicon as Gem and Gemma for giggles and grins. He really seemed to get a kick out of it and chuckled in response. "Oh that would be great! But-- Hold up one second-- I'd like to get a picture! Please just hang on one moment?" he fumbled around with his bag, searching, while trying to talk to someone else to pry away from them to come over and get a picture with us.
He wanted a PERSONAL PICTURE with us! OMG--!
Soooo.. we got one!
Okay.. two. ;) I had to take another one without the Marah headpiece on, because.. well.. I just had to. ♥
All in all, my first Power Morphicon was pretty epic. And I loved every moment of it. And i will definitely be attending the next one (especially if it stays in Pasedena... it's only about an hour away. I'll drive to and from next time, me thinks)
Chris and I had waaaay too much at this one!
Yaaaaay! ♥
