UFC Day at San Diego Comic Con 2010

2010 was my 4th visit in 5 years to Comic Con and by all accounts, I now feel that my buddy Rad and I are hardened veterans of the scene.  If you have been to any type of convention ever, you might think you have an idea of what it's like, but unless you've been to SDCC, believe me, you have no idea.  It's 120,000+ people of all types herding through the convention center in search of that golden ticket.  There are so many things to see and do at Con, that you will never see or do them all, sorry but thats just fact.

I would say that as each trip has provided some awesome experiences and chances to meet some very cool people, this year would rank as the best ever for me at Con.  At first, this year looked like it was going to be another tough one as we missed seeing the Tron panel after waiting for a few hours on Thursday.  There isn't any way I could put it in perspective as this room holds 6000 people, but metaphorically speaking, we were within 2 yards of the goal line, when time ran out and the ref blew the play dead.  One word.... devastated.  To get that close to the biggest panel room was just like a kick in the crotch after going 5 full founds.  Ouch Town, population us.

Thankfully, that wasn't the theme of this trip and luck showed up late on Friday when Comic Con turned into UFC Con for me.  Among other very cool things that happened, the highlight of the day was meeting Jens Pulver, Brandon Vera, and Randy Couture.  More on Jens and Brandon in later posts, as this day was defined as Randy day.  For those who don't know, Randy is one of my all time favs and this was his 2nd year at Con.  Last time was to promote Scorpion King and I had no chance to meet him then.  This time was for The Expendables (which I am super excited for by the way).  There was a huge panel for the movie on Thursday that we missed that included the entire cast including Stallone and a surprise appearance by Bruce Willis, but on Friday there was a line to meet a few of the guys and get autographs.  Only 3 were supposed to show, Terry Crews, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Natural.  We got there early and right when the doors opened we ran to the booth and got in line.  They told us 100 tickets would be given out and we would be fine based on the line when we got there.  As we get to the front, there are only 5 people in front of me, when they call out "No more Expendables tickets, but here is a poster"....WTF???  Again with the low blow and I pass by Disappointment Avenue and go straight to Pissed Off Street.

This was an example when it's great to have friends that remain level headed and Rad did just that.  He casually suggests that we go back for the signing and see if anyone who got a ticket is expecting Stallone and leaves the line. Great idea, so I do just that, I camp out right across from where they are signing and wait for them to show.  Randy, Steve, and Terry walk right in front of me and the signing begins.  I am probably 15 ft from them and snapping pictures furiously as security clears out the isle in front of me.  As I formulate my plan to avoid security inevitably making me move and try to get a good pic of him as he leaves, I overhear the lady at the booth offer the signed poster to a fan in line who responds, "No Thanks, I got one already."  For those keeping track, he is referring to the UNSIGNED one they handed out earlier that he is carrying and walks away.  After picking my jaw up from the floor, I risk severe bodily harm by the huge military trained security guards, and step forward to the confused looking girl holding the poster standing behind a huge guard.  "Can I have that?"  I ask.  The guard gives me major stink eye and I assume is plotting out his attack on me.  "I mean if that dumbass doesn't want it, I do" I clarify.  To my surprise, the huge guard, smiles at me, nods, and turns to the girl.  She hands him the poster and he then turns and hands it to me.  SCORE.  I thank the big guy and walk away with the biggest smile ever.

As I move out of the crowd to protect my new treasure, Rad walks up and I share the story.  As we laugh at the misfortune of the strange kid, the signing ends and the guys start their escorted walk to the exit.  Apparently, my luck was not all used up yet, as they walk right by me.  "Hey Randy, how you doing?"  I ask as he walks by.  "Doing good man, how are you?"  he says as he smiles and walks over to shake my hand.  Holy hell...first the poster, then the handshake?  I didn't have a lot of time to talk to him, but it didn't matter, it was already the greatest day ever.