I-Con 2002: "The Michiganders" and more cult nonesense than you can shake a stick at.
Coming soon: The Very Secret Diary of Liz at I-CON and some more reflections on the whole experience. But for now, please enjoy:
The Extremely Random Travel Journal of Liz:
A little bit of a disclaimer. This is how I actually interpreted the events in real time. You all know how I love to be eloquent and long-winded, and some of the following entries are written in that fashion. Some, however, have descended to the level of a gushing, 7th grade caffeinated fangirl (no offense meant to my little sister, who is a 7th grade caffeintated fangirl). Just a bit of forewarning. Also, may contain adult language and other such mature insinuendos.
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Thursday, April 18th -approx. 6:30 -Madison
Get this-I'm actually sitting at the greyhound station. This is so intense! I had a really late night last night, so I can confidantly say that I'm going on less than 2 hours of sleep. Oops! Surreal would probably be the only word I could possibly use right now to describe what and how things are. I'm sitting, facing a line of vending machines, some of which are humming along with the equally mindless chatter of the radio. I take off my jacket, but I'm sure to keep it folded close to my body-be smart Liz. Be safe. I can do this. Think of how empowering this'll be. I loosen my watch a bit-I had put it on quite tight this morning. Speaking of mornings, it was so neat to just walk around Madison this morning. The sun was rising all pink and orange over the buildings. Travis was very comforting. I am so glad that he volunteered to take me. Such a great guy. Well, I can only guess how much loner I am going to be able to stay awake. Thankfully, the bus leaves within a half hour. Holy shit, that means in less than an half hour, I'll be leaving Madsion. Just after 6:30-some more people drifting in. Hmm. Kind of scary people. Well, I'm sure if I keep doing something that I'll look less nice to approach. Haha. So weird. Well, I'm going to read the Onion. It's almost time to leave!
-approx. 10:45 -Chicago
Well, step one of the greyhound excursion is done. I must admit, I did get a bit flustered when we first pulled away from the station, but I'm doing really good now. Shit, I reek of confidance. Haha. I slept for a little while on the bus, but I was definitely up for at least the last hour or so. It was nice though-got to see downtown Chicago. I can't remember the last time my fam. and I were in Chicago, but I think that was when we saw Stomp. So fricking cool. Well, now I have a hour to blow here in the Chicago greyhound station-it seems worlds different from the one at Madison! I had gotten pretty used to the idea that I was going to school in a pretty big city (well, bigger than La Crosse-ha!), but this trip-more than anything-is just about getting out there and actually experiencing, for once! Well, I'm going to continue to chill in the station. Check ya when I get to Toledo.
Here's a funny thought-I just boarded the second greyhound and realized I'd be getting out of ILS right now. Weird...
-approx. 3:45 -Fort Wayne
We're stopped for a bit of food. I'm hoping the fast food sits well with my stomach (I could have had a sandwich, but the marketing of Wendy's won). This ride has been certainly a lot longer. For one, I gave up my seat so a mother and her child could sit together (an "aww" from the greyhound occupants. Ha, just kidding). So, as chance would have it, I'm currently shacked up with a guy-mid to late 40s, balding, very strange tattoos, but haha. "No biggie" says Fletcher Hall. Love to say more, but writing on a bus is just not working right now. I'm out.
-approx. 6:25 (5:25 central, time change) -Toledo
Well, we went through a time zone change, so my trip was actually shortened by an hour--hurrah! Sad news is one of my little Billy pictures fell off this journal. Oh well-we'll find something to do with it. Well, I tried (unsuccessfully) to call my mother again, but I ended up just leaving another message. Good things-the weird seat mate let me sit by the window, so I was much more comfortable and I got to see some scenary. Also, my mix cds are working out well-the Weezer one is right on. My next bus actually boards in less than 10 minutes. Wow! I'll be meeting the Michiganders really really soon-sooo excited (yes, even with the extra "o"s). Here's one more good thing-I found myself thinking about how I was going to meet Billy, and I was just smiling for about 20 minutes. Woah! I think my bus is here! Aii-next stop, Detroit.
-approx. 8:20 -Detroit
We're cruisin. I'm sitting shotty. Haha. Driving is going to be awesome. Gotta run and socialize.
-approx. 9:30 -the road
Filling up with gas. Chatting with everyone-great group chemistry. Sweetness. Everyone likes Weezer too-I just wish Seany would speak...haha!
Friday, April 19th -approx. 8:40 -Smithtown (Long Island)
We've been worshipping a picture of Billy on the dashboard for the past 12 hours that we've been in the car (recall the little picture off my book?) Situation grave. Have all taken picture of picture. V. sad. Also, all v. dishevalled. Haha. We really need to find a bathroom or something. Have made a note of all liquor stores and saloons in Smithtown. Oops. Getting hungry. Also, v. v. tired. I drove the 1:00-4:00 am shift. Woah. Mora later.
-approx. 10:00 -Econo Lodge
Well, it's a moment of chill for the Michiganders-yes, we're sitting in the parking lost of the motel. Oops. We made a run to the store so I could get a razor (yep, I knew I forgot something) and so Sean could get sunblock. We're listening to my low-key mix, chilling in the car, which I just cleaned up. Shit, if mom could see me. I can't wait to clean myself up a bit. That and nap-shit, I've gotten almost no sleep since Wednesday night. Speaking of, I'm going to sleep. Or try to.
-approx. 11:45 -the road
"I've got a right to be hairy-I've got a penis!" Sean takes a stand...
-approx. 3:00 -Econo Lodge
We are all dressed/cleaned up and ready to set off on the Viggo Venture. Yes, you've guessed it: v. v. feart!
-approx. 7:00 -the road (post Viggo)
"I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the dedication that you put into Lord of the Rings. Thank you so much."
"Oh, you're welcome."
"This means so much to me-I honestly traveled 24 hours to get here."
"Wow, where are you from?"
"Wisconsin"
"Holy shit-what city?"
"Madison"
"Do you go to school there?"
"Yeah, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison"
"That's a great city-I had a close friend who lived there"
::looks towards 3 people taking our picture::
"Those are my fans"
::turns towards Liz and laughs, with his mouth very close to her face::
Sorry--that was the conversation (yes, actual conversation) that I had with Viggo Mortensen. Holy shit.
-approx. 9:30 -the road
(context to the quote--we've been driving around for about 2 hours, looking for the resteraunt John Harvards. Yeah, it's not working. And we keep getting terrible directions. Linda is in another random gas station, and the guy is certainly gesturing a lot, but we have no idea is he actually knows the directions, seeing as we're sitting in the van)
"He doesn't know where John Harvards is, but he taught me this new dance."
Saturday, April 20th -approx. 8:45 -Econo Lodge
So, it's the next day. We actually decided to sleep last night (I'm thinking a good call) and now we are all working ourselves into a state of minor (no, major) hysteria. This is so fricking insane. I don't even know what's going on. I started putting on make-up, and then I washed my fash, and the I had to put on make-up again...crap, can't talk. Must freak out.
-approx. 11:30 -the convention
Driving and directions-horrific as usual, but I've somehow recently developed blind faith (to our Billy diety, that is). It's so odd how things seem to be going so bad, but it always works out: we get there right at the perfect time. We're sitting in the "cyberbar" mingeling. I think the next stop is a Q/A session. Nice.
-approx. 12:45
Sitting in a gymnasium with a whole lot of Billy Boyd loons. I hope that some people in this room are actually here for Brian Downey, who is actually up next. Haha. My heart is just racing now. Well, I'm going to pay attention now.
-approx. 3:50
Still at the 'con. I have a feeling that the rest of the group is getting rather tired. Too bad, because I've just been having a blast, walking and talking to all these people. Woah! This convention is really non-scary, which is great. Yay-smushed nutrigrain bar. Billy's Q/A session was surreal-absolutely surreal. He was so nice to everyone! And get this-I actually had the gall to go up there and ask him a question. I'm sure that my voice was quivering terribly. Oh, and on the beard/no beard debate-it's the perfect amount of scruff. Linda taped the entire session. Wow. To think that I was there. I can't wait for the signing. I'm going to give him my picture of "Pippen on Weathertop" to sign. Surreal. This whole thing with Billy. But the rest of the 'con is surprisingly down to earth. Random...
-approx. 4:30
Well, the line officially began to form. I was nominated by the group to run/climb/fight ahead and get a superior place in line. I did get a really good spot, but unfortunately, I don't think that the rest of the group could have joined me up from with out causing a minor uproar. So, I regressed. More bad news just arrived-no flash photography of Billy and I. Well, I'll still get an autograph, and I will be right up there by him. Soo v. happy. And we have that footage. Things are okay (note forced optimism). Alas, I was really really hoping for a picture of Billy. More later.
-approx. 7:15
Well, done with signing. It was quite a lengthy line, and we were pretty much right in the middle of it. When we got up there, it was amazing. Billy's composure and overall attitude about the whole process. The poor thing had been signing for over an hour straight. Met and talked to Stewart also-great guy, again (those Scotsmen). He was extremely friendly and casual-gave me a hug and was genuinely concerned at how shook up I was after the signing. Intense, I told him. Stewart siad that the bb group would be meeting perhaps after the panal. I am still just in shock at the entire Billy experience-he is such an amazing person. Words can't describe whatever it is that a.) makes him so appealing to all his loyal, 700 miles traveling fans and b.) gives him the ability to really give of himself, put up with it (and with the most charming smile) because he understands some degree of part a. This has been such an amazing realization about the good of man. More later.
-approx. 9:00
These are some random good quotes that I wrote down during the "Inside the Actor's Studio" panal. Haha.
"That's what's so difficult about sci fi fans: they're painfully loyal."
"Sci fi fans are v. v. special"
"Sci fi is Hollywood's versions of the Classics."
"Billy, you do a great accent! How do you do it?" -some random fan being naive, on purpose
"Lots of practice. I'm from Queens." -Billy
A short story from the set of LOTR:
"During a fight scene, Viggo knocked half of his front tooth off. Viggo being Viggo, he said to just glue it on and continue shooting. Dom was stabbed in the foot by Sean Bean, who was trying to put his sword in the scabbard and missed. Dom being Dom, he took 3 weeks off."
Question: if you could play any other character in your series, who would it be?
"I think Aragorn would kill...I kind of small Aragorn." -Billy
Jason Carter's (cool Brittish actor...look him up) best acting advice that he ever recieved:
"Words, darling: words. What are you saying?"
"You gotta be able to fuck when they can't."
And Billy's acting advice:
"If you don't have to move, don't."
Andreas Catsulas' (of Babylon 5) inspiration:
"What was always encouraging was the bad actors. I said 'I can do that!'"
Sunday, April 21st -approx. 11:15 -the road
"It ends. I do naught." Liz develops an accent and acts out 15 minutes of LOTR for the camera. Oops.
-approx. 1:00 -the convention
Another Q/A with Billy--joy! They're gonna try out this concept called guidelines, seeing as Billy's affection is neverending. Beautiful man. Can't wait.
-approx. 3:00
Billy-esquisite again. He is so casual, modest, beautiful... (list continues on to infinity). I was just so engaged in the whole session, the way he presented himself. One word: swoon. Now, we are positioned by the not-yet-exsistant line-to-be. We plan on getting a picture with Billy instead of another signature. I'm content with what I got. Did I say earlier that he asked me if I drew the picture. I said yes, that it was nothing. He said it was good, and then he looked up at me and gave me the most enchanting smile, as if he could really tell I was totally impressed/shocked/feart/mystified about being there, in front of him. And one more time, I would just like to say that no pictures can do him justice. Swoon. In other news, I finally bought myself a preciousss. Haha!
-approx. 7:20 -dinner
Oh my god, everything is still so surreal that I can barely feel my hand writing this. I wonder if it's even possible for Billy to fathom how much impact those 30 seconds have on people. Wow. I just got up there, and said to him "I don't have anything for you to sign, but I was wondering if you could just look towards my friend with the camera." "Oh sure, no problem!" He stands up, reachs completely over the table and put his arm around me. Surreal. Eating food now.
Liz: 0 meal: 2 I look like I peed myself. Spilled soup twice. Nice move, Liz. Yes, I'm still a bit shook up.
