World Class Revolution: God Bless Texas II

               World Class Revolution presents God Bless Texas II. My son and I went to the first God Bless Texas event last year that was held at the Gas Monkey Live venue. We had a couple issues at that one and was assured that it was a one-time thing and it should not happen again. So we decided to go ahead and buy tickets for this one as well. It was at a different venue this time, so fingers crossed it will be better. My son and I arrive at Gilley’s Dallas around 4:00 pm on Sunday April 15^th. Since we had ringside VIP tickets we were allowed to enter the venue at 4:30 pm before regular admission. Everyone else was allowed to enter at 5:00 pm. So we go ahead and make our way to the venue’s entrance. A line started to grow behind us. We could over hear people making comments like “Do you think they will actually let us in on time?” Laughter and “I doubt it” was the answers we heard. Since we usually don’t know anyone at these shows, we just keep to ourselves. Well 4:30 came and went. We noticed some of the wrestlers starting to walk by to go in. They finally let us in at about 4:45 pm. As we enter we see most of the talent at their respective tables to greet their fans. I had already pre-planned who I wanted to meet. First and foremost was Chavo Guerrero Jr., Marshall and Ross Von Erich, Iceman King Parsons, John Morrison, & Eric Embry.

                When we walk in Ross and Marshall were already in a conversation with some of their fans. Not sure how that happened considering we were the first VIPs to enter. So we walked over to Chavo’s table. Who was set up right next door of the Von Erichs. I had an old WWE program from 2004 that I have been getting signed by some of the wrestlers in it. This time I needed Chavo and John Morrison to sign it. So my son and I were talking to Chavo and I had asked him what he would charge to sign my book. He gave me a price and took a photo with me. The price was really good. Even though we were only speaking for a few minutes, you can tell that he really cares about his fans.
 

                After that we walked back over to Ross and Marshall and were speaking to them for a while. It’s always good to see them. Like others who grew up here in Dallas, it’s good to see them keeping up the Von Erich moniker and keeping the tradition alive. I’m glad we were able to catch up a bit and able to speak about this and that on a personal level. We took a couple photos and let them get back to business. We were also able to get a photo with the Australian wrestler that goes by the name Hunter P.S. Hayes. Who, in the ring, is the “son” of former Freebird Michael P.S. Hayes. Just three of the coolest guys you will meet.

                Speaking of Freebirds. We were walking around the autograph area (which didn’t take that long) and who do I run into. (Not literally) Miranda Gordy. Miranda is the daughter of legendary Freebird (RIP) Terry Gordy. She was there at the show and was going to be part of the match against Ross, Marshall, and Hunter. She was supposed to have accompanied Buddy "Jack" Roberts Jr., son of former Freebird Dale Hey aka Buddy Roberts. But I didn’t see him. In the match he was replaced with Lance Hoyt. But Miranda was really cool. She and I took a photo together, shook hands, and said our nice to meet yous and went our separate ways.

                I totally missed Iceman the first time walking around. But I did see him the second time. So my son and I made our way over. I had a really good photo of the two of us from the first God Bless Texas back in 2018. We were chatting for a minute about it and he was talking to my son. Then I asked him if he would sign my photo. He said of course. It will be $25. I instantly thought “WOW” he went majorly up from the last time we met. Not to mention it was my own photo. But I really wanted him to sign it. (Something that I have since grown to regret doing) So I reluctantly paid it. I then asked if I could get a photo with him with my phone. He looked at his manager and his manager said that will be an additional $20. I was at a loss for words. So I passed on that. A different light seemed to be shinning down than it did before. Last time I make that mistake.

                We made our way over to speak to the Boss man. Jerry and I have never spoken that much in person. Mainly via Facebook. So it was good to finally speak with him and catch up a little. Our conversation spanned quite a few topics. Some personal, some wrestling. It was during one of those conversations that Jerry told me that John Morrison wasn’t going to make the show. Little bummed out because I really wanted his autograph. But it is what it is. So we knew Jerry was busy and we didn’t want to take up to much of his time. Especially by asking frivolous questions. Lol So we went and made one more go around the autograph area. Jerry did give us a promotional poster that came with our tickets. So I could try and get that signed.

                As we were walking around, I had noticed the former wrestler "The Flamboyant" Eric Embry walking around. I walked up to him and we spoke for a few minutes about the good old days of WCCW and the Sportatorium. He was a really nice guy that still seemed to care about his fans from back in the day. He took a photo with me. I got from our conversation that he was a little put off by the charging of autographs and photos. Back in the day I met just about all the wrestlers from the WCCW but I honestly couldn’t tell you if I met Eric before. But I’m glad I did now. I didn’t get an autograph though.

                As we finished up meeting Eric Embry, I really wanted to get my promotional posters signed by some of the talent that I didn’t really know. I walked over to “Retro” Randy Price’s table and spoke with him for a minute. We were talking about the last GBT. Which was his first event with World Class Revolution (At the time it was Imperial Wrestling Revolution). We spoke and he signed my poster then he had to go. I kept looking at all the wrestler’s tables to see how much they would charge to sign it. Not a one had prices for your own item or anything. Plus they would all have a lot of people around their table and it would be really awkward asking how much to sign it. So I wasn’t able to get anyone else on it.

                It was getting closer to start time and my son and I headed to our seats. We had really good ringside seats. They were unfortunately zip tied together. Which made for a very awkward evening. I was so close to the guy next to me, if I was at work, HR would have been involved. Lol Also, the view would have been better if the camera man wouldn’t have been in front of us most of the time. Occasionally he would move and we could see without having to lean this way or that way. But regardless, we had a great time. About mid-way through there was an “intermission” and the VIP ticket holders got to go in the ring and take a photo. We thought it was going to be just us, but wrestler Marti Belle joined the VIP’s in the photo. She was really nice. Then after about 15-20 minutes (maybe?) the wrestling started back up.

                When the final match started, it was Chavo against MVP. I instantly leaned over to my son and said I don’t know who to root for. I like them both. But it was a great match. Not to mention there was a guy behind us that was so funny. He had everyone just cracking up. But after the match, Chavo took the mic and did a speech thanking everyone as did MVP. They also said that they would take in ring photos with anyone who wanted one for $20 with both of them. So my son and I took the offer. As we were waiting for MVP to come back to the ring, Chavo told my son and I to come up in the ring. We got in the ring and was talking to him for a few minutes. Chavo is just a really awesome guy, I can’t stress that enough. So MVP made his way back in the ring and we took the photo. Some random guy walking by took the photo. The photo was ok, it could have been better. But it was cool none the less. Just a really cool night of wrasslin’. We got to have some well-deserved father/son time and see some really talented wrestlers. Can’t wait for the next Dallas show. Great job Jerry and all the talented wrestlers. See you all next time.

We're in this together

Red Letter Media-Mike Stoklasa

Riley: We’re here with Mike Stoklasa. Creative genius behind the website www.redlettermedia.com . Most would know Mike as the voice of the infamous Harry S. Plinkett in the even more infamous Star Wars prequels movie reviews. Mike has also directed, along with Jay Bauman, the movie Feeding Frenzy. Feeding Frenzy co-starred Plinkett alums such as Rich Evans (Mr. Plinkett), Jay Bauman (Martin), & Nadine herself Jocelyn Ridgely as Jennifer.  

Riley: So Mike, how the hell are you?
Mike: Doing well, thanks.
Riley: You’ve done reviews for all the of the (makes me cringe) Star Wars prequels as well as all the "Next Generation" Star Trek movies. I know it all started as something just for yourself, did you ever think it would be as big as it is now?
Mike: No, never. When I started with the Star Trek: Generations review it was 2008 and youtube was still relatively new. There was no Facebook or Twitter so it was hard to imagine viral videos like they are now. Not to say I would have expected that (especially with a video about Star Trek: Generations) but it wasn’t in my mind. I was just making it for fun.
Riley: With the obsession of pizza rolls by Harry S. Plinkett, has General Mills, parent company of Totino's, ever complain to you or RLM about the use of pizza rolls in your reviews?
Mike: Never heard from them, no. But as they say there’s no such thing as bad press! I would imagine they don’t mind the pizza roll name out there more cause of the Plinkett reviews, even if they are being eaten by a psychopath, but crazy people got to eat too. Crazy people love Pizza Rolls!
Riley: Speaking of Plinkett and his pizza rolls. On Half in the Bag, when Rich portrays Plinkett, he never mentions pizza rolls. Any reason for this or did it just happen that way?
Mike: Rich does a slightly different Plinkett. I don’t think we’ve ever said, “you should or shouldn’t mention Pizza Rolls” its just never come up? The Pizza Roll comment in the Generations review was just a non sequitur that I thought was funny to randomly blurt out. It’s sort of latched on with people for some reason, but its nothing I find I want to use more or less. It’s just pizza rolls! mmmmm
Riley: With the ever growing popularity of the Star Wars reviews and Half in the Bag with Jay, what's next on the agenda for you and RLM?
Mike: The biggest thing coming up is our next feature film called “Space Cop” which we’ll be shooting this summer. In addition to that we’ll keep making Half in the Bag, Gamestation 2.0, as well as more Plinkett reviews. I get bored with one thing and like to move on to other things too, but we’ve got a full schedule.
Riley: With your film school and editing background, which do you find more enjoyable  voicing the reviews or filming/editing the reviews?
Mike: I like both! Editing is my first passion though. I love editing and making something out of nothing essentially. Taking all the parts and putting them together and making it work. Voice acting and acting in general is a lot of fun, but I’m not an actor. I don’t enjoy that part as a craft, just as a means to an end. I know the kind of performance and read I need to get and when I got it I move on.
Riley: I know a lot of purist Star Wars fans that agree with everything you say in the Star Wars reviews, what have been some negative reactions?
Mike: The most noteworthy negative reaction was probably the guy that wrote the rebuttal stuff. The real hardcore fans think I was trying to pull some kind of trick or something when I think I made some valid points as to why the movies didn’t work for me or work as movies in general. I know some people love their Star Wars universe and see no wrong in the prequel, but I wasn’t trying to take that away from anyone, just present my opinion. People are free to like what they like! But the key was that it was in a character and in a comical fashion. Some people didn’t get the sarcasm or intentional errors and such. Those humorless, uptight uber-nerds kind of frighten me.
Riley: I know Plinkett is just a character you play. I know a lot of actors that occasionally put a little of themselves into the  character they portray. I know the Harry Plinkett character isn't your everyday guy. Is there any part of Mike Stoklasa in the Harry character?
Mike: Plinkett is a bit of an alter ego I suppose. He’s sort of the embodiment of complaining about stuff. Personified irritation. I’m a little more reasonable in real life, obviously, and he’s just a character. It’s part performance, part commentary.
Riley: Is there anything that yours or RLM fans would be surprised to know about?
Mike: I guess one thing that some fans might not know is that Jay and I essentially do everything in Red Letter Media. Occasionally we have some people help out on a more complex shoot, but when we make Half in the Bag it’s usually just me and jay operating the cameras, then editing, Jay updates the website, I take out the garbage and so on. We really do everything pretty much ourselves. I’ll get emails that say, “Not sure if this is really Jay or Mike reading this or if your assistants filter your mail” and its funny to me. Maybe someday we’ll get some help!
Riley:  With filming of  the short "fuck bot 5000", is there any plans to make a feature length film about FB 5000?
Mike: There are no plans to make a feature about Fuckbot 5000. Fuckbot is actually the brain child of my friend Jack and my girlfriend Jessi. They made him up and we used him in our 48 hour film. He makes appearances here and there, but FB is not really Jay or my thing.
Riley: Well Mike, that's about all the time we have today. Thank you for your time and keep making such awesome films. Is there anything else you would like to tell your fans before we depart?
Mike: Please continue to visit our webzone and purchase our products.

Kaci?

I’m just looking for assistance to tell this person thank you. When my daughter was in the third or fourth grade, she went to the "Texas Stampede" on a field trip. (Maybe 2004?) There was a barrel racer there by the name of "Kaci". My daughter came home and said "I got an autograph for you Daddy". My daughter just graduated college and is now going for her masters and I still have this autograph. I have no idea who this woman is. Other than a barrel racer named Kaci. But it will always be special to me.

Ralph Bakshi's Wizards: A Haiku

Being a HUGE fan of Ralph Bakshi and his illustrious career. So much so I have two tattoos of Avatar and Blackwolf from his movie Wizards tattooed on my leg. Well a few years ago ( 2014 to be precise) I wrote a Haiku about one of my favorite Ralph Bakshi movies.

Old avatar walks
To the land of scortch he goes
Blackwolf must go down

The Furchester Hotel

                When my daughter was young, she absolutely loved Sesame Street. More specifically, the character Elmo. I can remember when the Tickle Me Elmo doll first came out she really wanted one. Everyone who remembers back then, should remember that the Tickle Me Elmo was darn near impossible to just find. Well in the store that is. I can remember people standing in massive lines for hours and hours and actually getting into fist fights over the things. It reminded me of when I was a kid when the Cabbage Patch Kid dolls came out. Luckily my boss at the time just happened to be in Toys R Us right when they were putting them out. Without even me asking him, he graciously picked one up for me and just charged me what he paid for it. I took it home and my wife and I wrapped it for her Christmas present. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. She tore into the wrapping and her face just lit up. She loved it. Well...until she squeezed it and it started laughing and moving around. It scared the heck out of her. It took her a couple months to have anything to do with that doll, but she did end up loving it. I even wrote to Sesame Street for her and they sent her an autographed photo inscribed to her from Elmo. (hopefully someday I can do the same for my son) That love of Elmo continues to this day and she’s in her early 20’s. 

                 Fast forward to 2017, both of my children are young adults now and my wife and I decide to welcome a three day old baby boy into our home. When he is about a year old he starts watching Sesame Street. Of course the format is a little different now but most of the old staples are still there. I.e. Bert & Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, & of course Elmo. At the time, he liked Elmo, but he really liked other shows like Daniel Tiger and Mickey’s Clubhouse a little more. We even bought him a Tickle Me Elmo doll for his first Christmas. Which oddly enough was half the size of the one my daughter had. Just like my daughter, he loved it as well. Not to mention I can do an ok Elmo impression. Then one day in December 2018 out of the blue he asked to watch Elmo; it’s been Elmo ever since. 

                   He’s been watching Sesame Street on the PBS app as well as his PBS tablet and really enjoying it. Then one night the PBS Kids app was down and his tablet was not charged so I decided to look on some of the other Apps to find maybe the Elmo movie or something. As I was searching Netflix I found a British show I had never heard of before called The Furchester Hotel. It’s about the Furchester family and their nephew Elmo. They all run the hotel along with Cookie Monster as the chef of the hotel. It’s a cute little show and my son really loves it. I will admit though, I like it too. Lol. My wife and my daughter says it reminds them of Fawlty Towers if Fawlty Towers was “G” rated and puppets. I can definitely see that. So if you have little ones that like Sesame Street, The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, Mister Rogers or any other PBS children’s television programming, I highly suggest checking out The Furchester Hotel on Netflix (If you’re in the US). A friend of mine told me it’s on CBBC in the UK. And always remember: “A Furchester never gives up, never gives up, never gives up.”

2018 Autographs: A Year in Review

Ok folks, I hope your 2019 will be an awesome one and you get all the autographs you want. Here is my, albeit small, 2018 autograph review.

January:

This was my son and I’s first time going to an IWR (Imperial Wrestling Revolution) event. The name has since been changed. But that night was really cool for the most part. The autographs I got that night were from WCCW legend “Iceman” King Parsons and Lisa Marie Varon aka WWE’s Victoria. I also got to see Ross & Marshall Von Erich.

February: zip

March: zip

April: Actor Ed Gale was having a sale on his website. Four 8x10’s for $20+shipping. Could not pass up that one of a kind deal. 

My friend Paul in the UK went to a signing with Russell T. Davies. Out of the kindness of his heart he got Russell to sign the photo of him and I when I visited Cardiff last year. 

May: I purchased a small handful of sports autographs including Byron Hamspard (8x10 card), Bert Emanuel (8x10 card), David Murphy (8x10 photo), Keshawn Martin (signed card), Ian Kinsler (8x10), Michael Choice (signed card), Todd Collins (8x10 card) , Vernand Morency (8x10 card), Yatil Green(8x10 card), & Albert Connell (8x10 card)

June: Tina Packar from the Doctor Who series “The Web of Fear” as Anne Travers. She signed my 8x10, a print out, & two index cards. 

My friend Paul attended Utopia 2018 in Whitney and had Waris Hussein sign a postcard for me. Waris directed 11 of the original series including “The Unearthly Child”

July: Bonnie Langford aka Melanie Bush from Doctor Who. My friend Nigel attended the London Film and Comic Con and picked up this awesome autograph for me. 

Corpus Christi Hooks pitcher Riley Ferrell. I met Riley when we visited watched the Hooks take batting practice off of the USS Lexington. A couple weeks later my friend Greg surprised me with a signed card from Riley since I wasn’t able to get his sig in Corpus. 

August: I had won tickets and meet and greet to the Lost 80’s Live concert. I met and got autographs from the following people. 

Mike Score (A Flock of Seagulls) , Nick Feldman (Wang Chung) , Valerie Day & John Smith (Nu Shooz) , Astrid Plane & Bill Wadhams (Animotion), Clive Farrington & Andrew Mann ( When in Rome) , Dale Bozzio ( Missing Persons ) , Christopher Anton, & Michael Aston (Gene Loves Jezebel) 

I placed an order for a small handful of Doctor Who autographs from Tenth Planet in the UK. I got signed 8x10’s of Frazier Hines (aka Jamie McCrimmon), Louise Jameson (aka Leela), & Daphne Ashbrook (aka Dr. Grace Holloway). To make my order even sweeter they had a private signing with Paul McGann (The Eighth Doctor) and he signed my photo at no charge.

September: David Newell aka Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers Neighborhood. He sent me and my three kids signed photos, me a personal letter, two books of Fred Rogers, and a children’s book of Mr. McFeely. To say that I was very floored by this would be the understatement of the year.

My friend Craig in England had an extra David Gooderson autograph and he sent me one. Mr. Gooderson played Davros in Destiny of the Daleks on Doctor Who. 

October: This was a total surprise. Actor Jamie Hill. I have spoken of Jamie so much that even those who have never heard of him before know who he is now. For the few that might not, Jamie played some really cool characters in recent years on BBC’s Doctor Who. I met Jamie when my daughter and I visited Cardiff, Wales for the closing of the Doctor Who Experience. That day I had taken a couple photos with Jamie. I had sent my photos of him and I along with a photo of a Mondasian Cyberman (that Jamie portrayed). As a surprise to me Jamie signed all three of photos along with seven additional signed photos of various characters he has portrayed.

November: I purchased a ticket to the Dallas Comic Show: Holiday Special 2018. I personally only got one IP autograph from the show and that was from actor Ray Wise.

The next day I took my son to the show for his first “Comic Con”. I made a custom t-shirt that said “My First Dallas Comic Show” on it. I give him a closed sharpie and we just walked around meeting everyone. Five celebs signed his shirt. Actor Ray Wise (Fresh off the Boat, Robocop, & Swamp Thing), Harry Goaz (Twin Peaks), Jason Douglas (Preacher, The Walking Dead), Cynthia Cranz (Dragon Ball Z & YuYu Hakusho), and local artist Terry Parr. He had an awesome time meeting everyone and seeing everything. And everyone seemed to have loved meeting him.

My friend Mark (Who owns and runs the Dallas Comic Show) also sells autographs that he’s pick up over the years at various conventions. Well I was able to pick up two gems from him. Actor Michael Jayston (The Valeyard in Doctor Who) and actor Nicholas Hammond (The Amazing Spiderman & The Sound of Music).

Most who know me know of my fondness of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Well to round out my November, I received some really awesome autographs from Officer Francois Clemmons himself. Mister Clemmons sent seven really cool autographed photos that I will always treasure.

December: This month started off pretty darn cool. My friend Angel who goes by the name Saqman sent me a Christmas gift. It was a t-shirt with his latest Doctor Who (Jodie Whitaker) designs on it.

To my surprise my friend Dave surprises me with two Doctor Who Christmas cards (I didn’t even know there was such a thing) signed by the great Penelope Wilton yes Harriet Jones herself and by the talented Lee Evans aka Malcom from Planet of the Dead. Then to go even further, he sends me two Doctor Who Target books (Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear & Doctor Who and the Time Warrior).

As I said with my success from November, most know of my love of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Well I had sent “Handyman” Joe Negri a First Day Cover of Mister Rogers’ stamp. To which he graciously signed as well as sent me a signed photo of himself as well. Absolutely love this as well.

And to round December off with a bang. Dave comes through again. He was doing some in person autographing around London and thought of old Riley. He was able to get me three index personalized signed index cards of a few Doctor Who (and other things) actors. He was able to get:

Ron Cook (Sean the Irish bastard in the first series of The Black Adder or George Merchant in Hot Fuzz, or even as Mr. Magpie in the episode “The Idiot’s Lantern” in Doctor Who)

Phyllis Logan (Some would know her from the Doctor Who episode and series finale “The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos”, or in Lovejoy as Lady Jane, or even in Downton Abbey as Mrs. Hughes)

 Bill Bailey (Some might know him as Droxil in the Doctor Who episode “The Doctor, The Widow, & The Wardrobe”, or in Hot Fuzz as Sergeant Turner, or even on the hilarious Never Mind the Buzzcocks)

And also an interview I did with Jamie Hill was printed in the latest issue of Cosmic Masque from the Doctor Who Appreciation Society. http://www.dwasonline.uk/CM7_STD_format.pdf 

Well that’s it for 2018. For autographs it was a pretty good year I must say. Got a new son, got some cool autographs, and made some cool friends. 2019 has got to be better and I wish it better for you. Thank you for your time and good luck with you collection.

MERRY NEW YEAR

BEEF JERKY?

Just standing in line making memories.

              It’s funny how photos can help you remember details of events just by looking at them. Especially photos from sci fi/comic conventions. For everyone else, this photo is of myself meeting Brent Spiner, fellow Texan that is mostly known for portraying Lt. Comm. Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But for me, this photo gives me a few more details. One being the shirt that I was wearing. It was just a shirt that I had picked up from Old Navy that had some random BBQ restaurant in Texas on it. Could have been a real place, could not have been. I honestly don’t know. Well, when it was finally my turn, Brent Spiner started asking question after question about my shirt and the restaurant on it. If it was good and where was it located in Texas so he can go there. The second memory I have about this photo was just the random guy and his wife that was standing behind me. At most conventions, I usually go by myself and I usually keep to myself. Especially back then. But we all started talking about this and that. Afterwards they went on their way, I went on mine. 

             At that time Facebook hadn’t really taken off yet. I don’t even think it was around. But the convention had message boards (I miss those days) and you can post comments and photos etc about the shows and you could actually keep up with the conversations without them getting lost in the algorithm. Well I had commented on the board about the show and this person said he took a photo if I wanted it. Sure enough, it was from the couple behind me. So who’d thunk it? On Oct. 23, 2004 at Dallas Comic Con when a random photo was taken of a random person a friendship would start. And even though we don’t hang out as much, I still consider the both of them really good friends. Here’s to another almost 20 years my friends.

Dallas Comic Show: Holiday Special 2018 review

My Dallas Comic Show 2018 Holiday special review.

                As some may know, I don’t get to that many Comic/Celebrity conventions that much anymore. One reason is the money factor. They have just skyrocketed in cost nowadays, I just can’t afford it. The other is time. Time, especially free time, is almost nonexistent these days. But one I do try to go to is the Dallas Comic Show. This is actually only my second time being able to attend the DCS. Once again as I said before, there are two main factors. D.C.S. is put on by a friend of mine, Mark Walters. I’ve known Mark since the first Dallas Comic Con way back when. He puts on a great show that is affordable and has a variety of guests. Plus the venues are remnant of “back in the day”. To be honest it’s what I preferred back then. The cost of admission is great and most of the celebrities that are brought in are affordable.

                Now to the actual experience at the show. I purchased my ticket months ago around the time when they went on sale with the anticipation that some really cool guests would be added. It wasn’t long after actor Ray Wise was added. Being a fan of his from so many roles including Robocop and Swamp Thing and now Fresh off the Boat, I had to meet him. I noticed a theme lately is actors from the show Twin Peaks, to which Ray was on as well. I personally never really got into the show. I had seen a few episodes back in the day. But that’s about it. I know people who just absolutely love it. Another addition was Twin Peaks alumni Harry Goaz. He’s mainly known for Twin Peaks but I remember him from the short lived Eerie, Indiana. Then there was Michael Biehn (Kyle Reese from Terminator), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), Jason Douglas (The Walking Dead), and a handful of voice over artists including Monica Rial and Cynthia Cranz. Plus many many awesome artists (including my friend Terry Parr from Shonuff Studios).  

                Since I had purchased a VIP ticket, I was able to get “perks”. Usually this means you can get into the show early as well as priority placement for certain autograph lines and Q&A’s. You also get a special lanyard and “goodie” bag. The bag is usually some comics and a couple other things. When I had walked in I instantly saw all the familiar faces. First face I had seen was Paul. I’ve known Paul for years through the convention scene. He provides Mark with security for the show now. We usually don’t get to chat much, but it’s always good to see him. So I decided to take the opportunity of my “extra” early time to walk around without bumping into people and checking things out. Firstly, I go visit my buddy Terry with Shonuff Studios. It’s always good seeing him at the shows. His wife didn’t make the show this time. But it’s good seeing her too.

                I then decide to walk back to the media guest area and check it out. I walk straight up to Ray Wise’s table and look at his photos. He had a wide variety of Twin Peaks photos and a couple really good shots of him from a show called “Reaper”. Didn’t know the show. He had a couple photos from Swamp Thing as well as Robocop. Two out of the three from Robocop were fuzzy. I get it, it’s hard to get high res scans of older shows and movies. So I picked the third option of the Robocop photos. I was chatting with him for a few minutes and was talking to him about my son and that I was bringing him back the next day. He told me to make sure I brought him by to meet him. Will do I said. Shook his hand and was on my way.

                I then walked over to Michael Biehn’s table. He had some pretty cool photos to choose from his most iconic roles (Kyle Reese, Johnny Ringo, Planet Terror to name a few) and some lesser known ones as well. He also had some shots with his wife Jennifer Blanc-Biehn. I then saw his price list. Some may think it was a decent price to pay. But I wasn’t willing. I heard that he raised his price again from the last time someone had recently seen him. So I reluctantly passed. The same with Alan Ruck. Like Michael Biehn, I’ve loved just about everything I’ve seen him in. Ever since I had first seen Ferris Beuller at the drive in when I was a kid. He wasn’t as much as Biehn, but I just couldn’t do it. So I passed on him as well.

So I just I just wondered around the dealer’s room like some kind of on foot nomadic nascar driver. Just around and around. I had brought a handful of my Funko Pops that I didn’t want anymore and sold them to a dealer. Made a little money. Went over to Mark’s table and checked out what he was selling. Because as well as being the promoter of the show he also sells autographs he picks up at various shows he is part of and attends. I knew he had some Doctor Who autographs, so I pick up a classic shot of Michael Jayston as The Valeyard. As well as a cool signed shot of the first live action Spider-Man, Nicholas Hammond. After that I just walked around a little while longer then I headed out. I had seen a couple guys I know, but everyone was kind of doing their own thing. So the day got boring fast. The next day is going to be better I thought to myself.

I had designed a shirt for my son who is 20 months old today. I put the design together and bought some comic book heat transfer vinyl. I gave my design and vinyl to my sister in law and she printed it out on her cricut (sp?) machine and ironed it on his shirt. I also wanted “Sign here” with a line across the back. It turned out awesome. My plan was to take him to his first Comic Book convention and maybe some of the artists could sign it for him. So we wake up and get ready to go to the show. The night before, I find out that my daughter wishes she could get Cynthia Cranz’ autograph on her Yu Yu Hakusho book. Cynthia voiced the character Botan on the anime. My daughter has been a fan since it first came out. I wasn’t planning on getting anything signed that day, but I took my daughters book as well as a comic I wasn’t able to get signed the day before.

Of course the little guy falls asleep in the car on the way. But we make it to the convention in about half an hour. We get there and he wakes up. He’s happy but wanted me to hold him. Of course that’s no problem at all. Once we get into the venue I take his sweater off and I hand him “his” sharpie then we start to walk around. As soon as we walk in, we see some friends of mine I haven’t seen in a long time. I introduced my son to Scott and David and Joseph gave them his trademarked high five and fist bump. It was good seeing them, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Afterwards we go over in the direction of Ray Wise’s table. Ray remembers our conversation from the previous day and he sees my son. His face as well as the face of the young lady assisting him lights up as we walk over. I’m introducing him to them and Joseph quietly responds back. Again he does the high five and fist bump. They do it back and Joseph smiled. Ray had read Joseph’s shirt and loved it and he also noticed the “sign here” on the back. So he asked Joseph “Do you want me to sign your shirt Joseph?” Joseph shook his head yes. Even though he had no idea what he was talking about. He then asked, “Can I use your marker?” Joseph hands his the marker and he signed it for him. His handler was taking photos of the entire thing for me and then Ray posed with the two of us for a photo. I was already a huge fan of Mr. Wise before this, but even more so now.

We then head down toward the dealer’s room. Most people reading this know what that is. If by chance you do not, it’s a huge room consisting of various people peddling comics and other comic/sci fi collectibles. Every now and then you can find a bargain, but a lot of times the prices are quite inflated. But you can find some hard to find collectible there. So on the way to the dealer’s room we stop and talk to my friend Terry Parr with Shonuff Studios. Terry is an amazing local artist that I have known for many years. I walk over and introduce my son to him. After a couple minutes I ask Terry to sign his shirt and he was more than happy too. We were then on our way. We didn’t want to take up too much of his time as he was there to make money.  We also stopped by and said hello to Mark. Mark absolutely loved his shirt. So much so that he had to take a photo of it.

Well, little man wanted to walk now. So we walked into the dealer’s room. His face looked like mine when I first when to Toys R Us as a kid or when I first went to Kennedy Space Center as an adult. Lol. He grabbed my hand and we were off. He had his sharpie is the left hand and my hand in the right. It was his show, we went where he wanted to go. So we walked around checking everything out. Then he wanted to go out of the dealer’s room and walk around the autograph room again. So we walked out there. As we were walking Jason Douglas from The Walking Dead and Preacher said hello to him. So we walked over and said hello. Fist bumps and high fives. Then Jason asked him if he wanted to sign his shirt, Joseph said yes and so he did. I took a pic of Joseph, and Jason was pointing at Joseph in the background, just a cool guy.

We then made our way to Cynthia Cranz’ table to get my daughter’s book signed for her. We chatted for a minute about voice over and acting as well as Joseph and Sydnie. She absolutely loved that my daughter Sydnie was such a hardcore Yu Yu Hakusho fan and she just absolutely loved Joseph’s shirt. Even more so when she found out that it was a custom made shirt. She signed my daughter’s book as well as my son’s t-shirt. As we were walking away there was a small bantha next to the table of the 501^st. Well they weren’t there but Joseph wanted to see the bantha. So we walked over. Not sure what he thought at first. He was looking at and then started to pet it. Lol I took some great photos of him with it.

As we were leaving the bantha, Joseph walked right over to Harry Goaz’ table. Harry waved at him and said hello. Joseph waved back. I picked him up and walked him over and introduced him. Harry was talking to him and Joseph was being shy. Answering a little but in a very low voice. Without missing a beat my son hands Harry his sharpie. When Harry grabbed it, my son started to reach for Harry’s cup of sharpies. They chatted for a few minutes and Harry asked him if he wanted him to sign his shirt as well. Joseph said yes and immediately laid down on my chest so Harry could sign it. Lol. He picked up on that fast. I shook Harry’s hand and told him thank you so much. Joseph reached out and gave Harry as well as the young lady helping him high fives and fist bumps.

I decided to get one more thing completed that I wasn’t able to get done the previous day. I needed Frank Cho to sign my one comic. It was a Wizard World Texas Jungle Girl sketch variant that I’ve had for ten years. Every time I went by Frank’s table he wasn’t there. Multiple times I would ask if he was charging to sign and if he would charge to sign my one book. Every time I asked, same answer. No he will not charge. So my son and I walk over to his table and he is there. There is a huge line around the corner. I ask the lady running the line if I could use my VIP skip to get my one book signed. The answer I got was a little shocking. “This is a small show, you really don’t need the skips”. WOW! Ok. I really wanted my book signed so we got in line. You ever try to stand in a line juggling a 1.5 yr old. Then I noticed a guy taking money from people in line. So I asked him what the money is for. He said its five dollars per signed item. I told him every one has told me there would be no charge. “Don’t know what to tell you”. That and the lady’s response just rubbed me the wrong way. So we immediately got out of line and said our goodbyes to everyone and left.  

As a whole, I had a great time. Especially the time I spent with my son. Everyone we met was absolutely fantastic. Some people only think there is only one choice for quality comic conventions in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Let me tell you that is not the case. A certain big box convention not saying any names (But it rhymes with Dan Fexpo Allas) only cares about your money. I would recommend the Dallas Comic Show convention to anyone.  You should definitely check them out. Follow them on social media on most of the platforms. (FYI: I am no way connected to the show and am not being endorsed for my review.)

Interview with Doctor Who actor Jamie Hill

Riley: I’m here with actor Jamie Hill. Whovians would know Jamie from Doctor Who. Jamie played some very memorable characters on the show. Just a few would be The Mummy/The Foretold in the episode “The Mummy on the Orient Express”, he was also the monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land. Not to mention one of the three actors to play the Silence in series 6, an Ice Warrior, and a Mondasian Cyberman. Though Jamie has played some pretty iconic villains in recent Doctor Who history, he was also a manager at the unfortunately now closed Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, Wales. My daughter and I were able to fly in from Texas to be able to attend the closing of the Doctor Who Experience and I met and was able to briefly chat with Jamie. 

Riley: Hello Jamie, how are you today? I was wondering if I might be able to ask you just a few questions that will give Doctor Who fans a brief look into the mind of Jamie Hill. 

Jamie: Hi Riley! Great to hear from you again, hope everything is well, I’m great thank you! 

Riley: I’m sure you have many, so I will just narrow it down a little. You have done quite a few episodes of Doctor Who as well as played some pretty cool characters. If you had to choose two of your best memories from your time on set, what would they be?

Jamie: oooo this is a tricky one!

My favourite monster and episode would have to be the Foretold in the Mummy on the Orient Express.

Everybody found the costume extremely creepy and realistic, which is always great when playing any monster/creature character. Then I had a conversation with Daisy Beaumont who played Maisie in the episode about the fish and chips lunch, in full costume - which was quiet funny looking back.

My other favourite time would have to be the filming of the Monk episodes in Series 10, I had the fantastic opportunity to go out to Tenerife to film some of the scenes at an abandoned estate, the scenery was amazing and the whole trip was great fun with all the crew and other actors.

Riley: As I mentioned in the introduction, some Doctor Who fans might not have known that you were also a manager at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff. As you know, I was able to visit the Experience that last day it was open. I personally felt a multitude of emotions that day while visiting. I was just enamored at being able to see all there is to see about Doctor Who. From the props to the costumes to meeting Nicholas Briggs, Russell T. Davies, and yourself. We have nothing like that in Texas. Which is why it will always be an “Experience” that I will never forget. But when my visit was over I was saddened. Saddened that unless they open back up, no one will get to see this collection all together again.

Riley: When you found out the news that the Experience was closing its doors for good in Cardiff Bay, what was your thoughts on it? 

Jamie:

The Doctor Who Experience was a massive part of my life after leaving university. 

I started on a zero hour contract there in the shop, I really enjoyed the job and worked hard throughout my time there and eventually became Duty Manager, a massive reward and great feeling to be recognised.

All staff and visitors there were part of my overall experience throughout the 5 years, and I will always have very fond memories.

When I heard it was closing, it was sad. But, it was always planned to be a 5 year project so I felt like I knew the time would come. 

I learnt many skills from general retail and attraction skills to how to build a TARDIS, a great skill to have that I’m sure many would love!

I have moved on from the experience into a new career, and aim to continue my monster/creature acting when I can (keep an eye on Good Omens next year!) but always have great memories when I walk past the old Doctor Who Experience building.

Riley: Well thank you so much for your time, your hospitality, and your all around generosity. You helped make a great trip even greater. 

Jamie:  No problem at all Riley! It was great to have met you and added to the already great experience that you had. The closing of the Doctor Who Experience was a very busy and sad time, but I think we had a great celebration to see it off. 

Hopefully it wasn’t the last of the Doctor Who Experience, and it comes back again somewhere in the future.

Thank you again Jamie,

Riley

What's Missing?

With Rassilon and Pandak staring, I stood facing this unruly council of Lords, I could not grasp that I actually had to show physical proof that this council was wrong. So, I stood strong, with truth as my support, and vigor in my mind. I took a long inhalation of air, stood and said “You would also candidly allow that humans cross unsaid paths? Knowing what you know? With that in mind, I would say that humans that high up on a chain would automatically block any thought of this. That most would actually fight off such thoughts with such constraint that an act of dying was blatantly obvious. You must put this thought away from your minds and away from your bosom. It will do nothing but harm virtuous minds. Stop now or it will kill all of humanity. I say to all of you, this is not a way to our salvation.” At that instant I sat back down in my chair with my hands over my brow and I start to pray that my words will start a firm plan of action, that this will all go away, that our cultural way of living will hold strong.

As I pray, my thoughts start to run. I first think of why this was all occurring and how painful it is to both factions. It all starts so long ago. It was a common sight, for us and humans standing in tranquility and living in harmony. At that point in our history, all was blissful. As I said, it was so long ago though. Sadly, I found out that unsaid truths quickly wilt away. It was always thought that humans struck first. That is how it would all start. With all information pointing towards that as truth, I still couldn’t stop inquiring for factual validity of this. Fact, in my mind, that could possibly modify our history by fifty fold. Did this occur? Or was it just partial truths passing through familial offspring. That’s what I must find out.  

               As I launch my virtually unavailing mission, I start in a most unusual location; my Granny’s attic. I always call to mind an old photo that I had found long ago. It was of my Granny and my Papa with a couple of humans. Just by quickly looking at it, joy was what you would first spot in this photo. I would ask about it. Shut your mouth, I was told. Do not talk of this again. My mom would quickly snatch it from my hand, rip it in half and throw it away. OUT!, My Mom would howl. Confusion would launch into my mind. Obviously that did not stop my curiosity. So that night, I go back into my Granny’s attic to find that torn photo. I find it, patch it up, and stow it away in my room. Unknowingly, this is now my starting point. This is how I will find the truth.

             Though months and months would pass; I would look at that photo daily. I still could not crack this conundrum. Just as I look up from my invocations I catch sight of Rani looking my way, communicating subliminally. "Why? Why, do you submit aid? Do humans look at you as sort of a savior from subjugation?"  "It's my calling." I would say. "If I didn't, who will?" "Although most don't know Who I am, I still must assist." As Rani turns away in disavow, Rassilon turns my way, grins, and says "Watch your thoughts “Doctor”, your support isn't a commonality among this administration."    

Thank you for being my neighbor.

Most who know me, know of my fondness of the public television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As a child it was one of my favorite programs. Who am I kidding? It still is. Of course back in the day I liked Sesame Street as well. But it didn’t hold a candle to Mister Rogers. Mister Rogers would take you on a journey that you wouldn’t usually get to travel on. He would take you along to see how a saxophone was made, or crayons, or even to visit the penguins at Sea World (long before there was a Sea World here in Texas). They were all done through the wonderful Picture Picture. Most of the time you knew Picture Picture was going to be viewed when the ever so quick Mr. McFeely would stop by (SPEEDY DELIVERY) and drop off the daily mail. He usually delivered the rolls of film (which would eventually evolve into a vhs tape) that Mr. Rogers would put into Picture Picture and it would instantly start playing. I found out years later it was really a stage hand (often a young Michael Keaton) that was working behind the scenes that would take the film and start the video playing. But as a kid, it was just an amazing magical television screen.

The journeys didn’t just stop there. They also took you to the Neighborhood of Make Believe as well via Trolley (Ding Ding). There you would meet characters like X The Owl, Daniel Striped Tiger, King Friday (Royal Greetings) and his family, and the lovely Lady Aberlin and all the rest of the cast. They would play out scenarios that most kids would go through at some point in their lives and help them figure out how to cope with life’s problems. Most of all, Mister Rogers, Lady Aberlin, Handy Man Negri, Bob Dog and every single person that had anything to do with MRN, tried to instill one belief onto all of their viewers. Just be yourself. We’re all different and those differences makes every one of us special. So just be you.

                So as I have said before, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood will always have a special place in my heart. Which eventually will also have a special place in my children’s hearts as well. Though I believe it will have slightly more of a place in my daughter’s than my son’s. That’s because sadly MRN was cancelled when my son was really young. So he didn’t get as invested in it as she did. But they were both so excited when Mister Rogers sent them both a personalized signed photo that they still have to this day. They are both in their early 20’s now.

                Life is such a roller coaster of a ride sometimes. I think it’s funny how things happen that sometimes tie back to other things un-expectantly. My wife and I have this awesome little guy in our lives now. Well…not just now. When he was just a few months old we were searching for something to watch on television. To maybe see if there is something that he might like on tv that wasn’t violent and had a positive message and in the meantime could be educational to a growing mind. Lo and behold, what did we find? An animated program called “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”. By the title I instantly thought they were ripping off MRN. Open minded I gave it a watch and discovered what it was. Boy was I wrong. I usually don’t like remakes or reboots. But with this I have to make an exception. In my opinion they made a really good homage to a great show.

                As we watched, it seemed like Joseph took an instant like to it. Surprisingly, I have to say, I did too. There are a couple things I don’t particularly care for. One being that the Daniel Tiger character can be a little whiny at times. The other was the lack of the other human characters from MRN. It seems that only one human character transferred over from the original. That was Mr. McFeely. I guess I understand that they can’t have all of them back. But why not one here and there. A visit from Lady Aberlin or even Francois Clemmons would be really cool to see. Maybe that’s just me though.

                I recently wrote to David Newell and sent a long a couple things for him to autograph and send back. For those who don’t know, David Newell is Mr. McFeely. About a month after I sent it to him I come home to a package on my doorstep. The package was just torn up beyond belief. But the “to” and “from” address was still there and it didn’t affect the contents. So after reading the “from” address I knew instantly who it was from. It was from David Newell. I thought what could this be. I had only sent a couple 4x6 sized items to him. So I took it in the house and carefully opened it up. WOW.

                Upon opening it I find three books inside. Two of them were books that Fred Rogers had wrote that pertained to our current situation and the third was a children book about Mr. McFeely that I can read to Joseph. Also inside was a four page letter apologizing for the delay and answering some questions I had and also a 6x8 photo of Mr. McFeely signed to me. He also said that if I send him my kids’ names he will send them an autographed photo too. So I did, and a week or so later they receive their autographed photos in the mail. I didn’t get my items back, but with the great and unexpected response from him, I am totally ok with it. My mind was truly blown away. I am in my forties now and Mister Rogers Neighborhood is still putting a smile on my face as well as my kids’ faces. They loved their photos. Well two of them did. Joseph didn’t know what it was. Lol It’s such a good feeling a very good feeling.

Riley