Countdown to Christmas

December is usually filled with festive activities, and, if you’re me, doctor appointments.

During college, winter break was the perfect excuse to go see hometown doctors that I otherwise was unable to see while in Columbus. Although I decided to keep up the tradition of December appointments this year, I had the tedious task of finding new doctors in New Jersey. I seem to have caught a break with my choices, since I had positive first impressions of all of them.  It’s difficult when you don’t know anyone in the area to provide you with recommendations and have to blindly choose a practitioner from a list.

So after my first appointment with my new optometrist yesterday, I traveled into the city for a short day of festive fun. This was my last weekend to see the Christmas decorations before heading home for the holidays, so I was eager to say the least.

In only five minutes after my arrival I was overwhelmed by just the crowds in Times Square. The warm temperatures (65 in December!) combined with Christmas on the horizon meant more people than usual on the streets.

I spent some time “people watching” at Bryant Park’s Winter Village while waiting for Summy, who was having lunch in Brooklyn with an out-of-town friend. I’ve always admired people who can ice skate. I’m that person who has to cling onto the wall and still manages to fall down.

After she arrived, the two of us decided to make our way towards Rockefeller Center after hearing that most of the “Christmas-y” displays and sculptures were in that area.

I was so ecstatic to see the tree for the first time! Although it wasn’t as pretty during the day, I was still in awe.

 

 

We were a little less than an hour away from it becoming dark outside, so we planned to hang around the area and admire the other decorations. Unfortunately, we had to fight our way through a sea of people to get around. There were police officers on nearly every corner to direct crowds crossing the street. Boy am I glad it’s not normally that insane!

Despite the chaos, I was still able to get some fun pics of the nearby decorations.

I had heard good things about Saks’ Christmas window displays, so I was quite disappointed when I saw they had gone a different direction this year with mannequins. Other passersby expressed complaints, as well.

Saks made it up to everyone, however, with their impressive holiday light show. It felt like watching the fireworks at Disneyworld (and almost looked like Cinderella’s castle)

Then, in a sea of people, we turned the corner and headed back to the tree. So magical! (The tree, not the crowds….)

I was so set on getting good pictures that Summy and I ended up getting separated in the area around the tree. It took a hard-to-hear phone call and some patience to find each other again!

We parted ways shortly after in Times Square, where I made a quick run into the Disney Store to see their decorations. I was not impressed that it was lacking seasonality.

Honestly, I was more excited about the very quick digital billboard/promo of the upcoming X Files revival. I’m sure the Times Square officers standing nearby were wondering why I was standing there like a nerd waiting for the loop of commercials to finish so I could take a picture.

That night, back in my apartment, I topped off the day’s festivities by watching Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. I ended up falling asleep on and off for the last hour, but hey…it’s the thought that counts.

So, to recap what I learned this weekend:

-People will go ice-skating even in 60-degree weather

–Global warming is alive and kicking

–Most Christmas decorations should be admired at night

–I’m enough of an X Files geek to stand in Times Square staring at a billboard of the show like an idiot

–Christmas in NYC is as pretty as I imagined, and I feel incredibly fortunate that I was able to see the city’s famous decorations in person

 

 

Walker Stalker Con NY/NJ

I already mentioned my disappointment with the absence of The Walking Dead cast at New York Comic Con, so imagine my surprise when about a month ago Summy told me about an entire Walking Dead convention right here in New Jersey!

Not only was my ticket much cheaper than NYCC, but the amount of actors from the show slated to appear was incredible. Plus, the convention center was a quick 10 minute bus ride…another win!

I actually stopped by the convention center yesterday to save time and pick up my wristband, and I’m glad I did! I arrived about an hour before the doors opened this morning and there was already a long line outside. Unlike my experience at NYCC, however, I wasn’t worrying about trying to get a wristband for a screening, so I was much more relaxed.

I decided to wise up and pre-purchase a photo op with Steven Yeun online to avoid worrying about whether or not they would sell out the day of the event. I previously bought two photo ops at a Wizard World comic con back in Columbus, so I knew what to expect this time around. You basically walk into the booth, say hello to the actor, get your picture, and walk out. There’s no time for interaction because there are so many people waiting for a picture. It’s also expensive, so you have to decide whether it’s worth it to spend the extra money for a professional photo with the actor (as opposed to an autograph).

Steven was incredibly sweet, and said “Hi Sweetheart” when we met. I’m sure he thought I was 17, but I don’t even care. I thanked him after the photo was taken as we parted ways. Was it worth the money for two seconds of standing next to him? You bet.

Normally I’d buy a protective sleeve to put the photo in until I can get it in a frame at home, but of course everyone had sold out. The photo op people were selling them for $5, but I decided to go get one from the vendor upstairs selling them for $2. Of course, they were sold out by the time I got there. When I went back downstairs to go get one for $5, they too, had sold out. That’s what I get for trying to save a couple of bucks.

After waiting in line for what seemed like hours just for the bathroom, I thought about buying lunch…except that also had a ridiculously long line. Instead I plopped down on the floor in a corner to nibble on the Cheez-Its I brought, mostly to keep me from becoming hangry.

I had initially planned on getting autographs from a few of the actors, but changed my mind when I found out most were also offering to take pictures with fans, and usually for the same price! (if not cheaper). I actually chose to meet with actors whose characters have long been dead on the show (although that doesn’t mean much since most characters do die in that series). They were all such well-known characters though, that I definitely felt it was worth it! I had a chance to meet with:

Emily Kinney (Beth)

Chad L. Coleman (Tyrese)

Madison Lintz (Sophia)

IronE Singleton (T-Dog) [who got a quick visit from Salt-N-Pepa while I was in line!]

It was so nice to be able to have a more relaxed, one-on-one meeting with each of them, all of whom were very sweet. There were so many other actors there from the show’s history, and even though I only met a handful, it was just great seeing so many of them there!

I didn’t spend much time around the vendors (though I did buy a t-shirt) and instead snapped pics of the Walking Dead-themed displays and decorations.

I left the convention around 2:00 (which sounds early), but I was so pleased with the overall experience. Even though there weren’t any spectacular panels or special screenings, meeting so many of the show’s actors was definitely worth the money!

So, to recap what I learned this weekend:

-The Walking Dead fandom is so awesome that it has its own convention

–It’s no less thrilling meeting the actors of characters who died seasons ago

–Norman Reedus still has an insane number of people flock to his autograph table or to get a photo op. Been there, done that.

–Even though the show’s popularity has skyrocketed in the last few years, it’s obvious that not one of the actors takes the experience for granted.