Slippery Slope To A Seafaring Life

It's the 23th of January and I feel like 2012 is slipping away from me. My intentions to blog are always so very good, but intentions are one thing and accomplishments are another.

A few weeks ago I went on a cruise with Superfro, my sister, her husband Steve, my nephew Billy, my Mom and my step-dad Bob. We took the Carnival Paradise from Tampa to Cozumel Mexico and back again. It was so very awesome. I really do love cruising and am looking forward to taking another cruise as soon as humanly possible. Superfro wasn't as keen, mostly because even after we got off the boat his equilibrium refused to equalize, messing with his senses of gravity. Poor guy!

But the cruise! It was so fun! We had dinner every night in the formal dining room, with a great wait staff who remembered what we liked to drink and flirted just enough to make the ladies all feel special and the gents all to feel proud. Billy had wasabi for the first time (on accident) and Mom enjoyed the Melted Chocolate Cake (more than once!)
Cozumel was cloudy but warm. Billy & Bob had signed up for a "Swimming With Stingrays" excursion so the rest of us hired a cab driver to give us a little tour of the town. He showed us the different neighborhoods; one for the hotel workers, one for the cab drivers, one for teachers, one for business owners and another for government workers. Turns out, in Cozumel, what you do for a living determines where you live and who your neighbors are. Also, Cozumel makes almost all its money form tourism. There was a lot of building and re-building going on too. It was hard to tell, kn some areas, which buildings were half built and which were half torn down.

But, some things in Cozumel are the same as they are here; we met our drivers son, who was peeking in the window of a dance studio, watching the local ladies get their Zumba on. Ladies around the world love Zumba.

For our last day at sea Superfro and I signed up for the Behind the Fun tour. We got to see the inner workings of the ship; the galley, the food/drink storage, the laundry, the "environmental" area (garbage), the backstage dressing room for the entertainers, the engine control room and then the bridge, with it's huge windows and tiny steering wheel. It was a 3 hour tour, no photos allowed, but incredibly informative. In each area we met the person "in charge" and they told us about the area, how it works and answered any questions. What to know where the poop goes? Well, it gets treated, just like sewage here at home, and then it gets dumped when the ship is at least 3 miles away from shore. Yes, that's right, three miles. Think about that next time you swim in the ocean.

The same thing happens to the sink and shower water, called "grey water," and all the leftover and discarded food (though that gets pulped up before being dumped.)

In the galley we were taught that the employees that handle the food are very specialized. The person who preps fish only works with fish. Same with beef and chicken. There are different cold storage rooms for each type of meat and each has their own equipment. This helps keep cross-contamination to a minimum. The cleanliness of the storage area, the galley and even the garbage areas was impressive. Shining stainless steel everywhere, no noticeable bad smells.

We learned a lot. A LOT. I've already forgotten most of what we learned. Oh wait, I do remember that they have a brig on the ship, in case anyone get unruly (more likely an employee would be put there, not a guest) and that nobody on board is armed. So, if pirates show up, you might as well just hide in your cabin or give yourself up, you'll be out-gunned.

Oh, and later that day the chef set us a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and other treats to our room, gratis.

Is cruising great fun? Yes! Is it for everyone? Of course not! There are many people to whom I would not suggest a cruise vacation. Do you hate people? Do you fear buffets? Are you easily motion sick or freaked out by large expanses of water with nothing at all in sight? Does seeing people drink at 9:00 in the morning bother you? Are you super-duper overweight or mobility challenged to the point where you can't walk one flight of stairs? Are you incredibly eco-conscious? An affirmative in any of these could make general cruising unpleasant for you I say "general" because there are always speciality cruises available if you're willing to pay a higher price.

Are the cabins and hallways really that small? Well, sort of....

But we were in our cabin mostly to sleep and use the toilet (don't even ask about the ladies rooms in the public areas, I don't have the adjectives for those...) I will say that 3or 4 people can also be booked into a room our size, which will have beds that fold down from the walls. That could pose a problem when trying to pee in the middle of the night, or because of lack of places to set things. The hallways are narrow in the cabin areas, not really in the common areas. The exception to that is the outdoor stairways leading up to the upper pool deck and the sports decks, those are really suitable for one adult at a time.

Of course, I'll be cruising again. Maybe with a different cruise line or a higher class of ship (the Paradise was nearly identical to the Sensation I was on last year) but I will for sure be hitting the high seas again!

Under the Knife Considerations

You guys! Guess what?!??! Losing weight ISN'T the answer to every problem! I know, I'm shocked as well. It turns out that losing weight can also cause problems!

I've lost just a little over 80 pounds in 16 months but somewhere along the way I gained the legs of an elephant. Or, more accurately, like a balloon elephant made by a clown and then discarded by a child and left to deflate, slowly.

Not all over, mind you, just in the upper thighs. You're welcome for the visual in your mind, and you're also welcome for NOT including actual photos.

Basically, my upper thighs are plagued with excess skin that sort of resembles an elephant skin and deflated balloon hybrid.

Besides being a terrible eyesore, it's awfully uncomfortable and is actually causing more problems than before I lost the weight. Rashes, sores, painful rubbing, all that great stuff. So, I went to my regular doctor and he sent me to a plastic surgeon. My ailments could not be prevented or helped by any modern medicine he could dispense.

It turns out that there are not many surgeons in my immediate area who do that sort of surgery (as opposed to a tummy tuck, which most plastic surgeons will gladly do.) So, I ended up down at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics meeting with Dr. Walter Lawrence. I was terribly nervous about the consultation, I babbled though all the questions and felt like a grade-A doofus. Dr. Lawrence was pleasant and I didn't even feel weird letting him look at or manipulate the skin on my inner thighs.

He agrees that I am a candidate for a "thigh lift" and explained the "medial" method he would use.

• A medial thigh lift would involve an incision in the "groin crease" almost circling my entire thigh.
• The skin is then pulled up and smoothed out
• The skin is then sutured into place using dissolving deep tissue sutures
• The excess skin and fat are then removed

That part sounds OK, but it's the recovery that scares the daylight out of me

• The stitches used in part of the procedure are in the "vulvular tissue" and in some cases gravity could pull them down, basically ripping my lady parts all over the place.
• Drainage tubes could be used.
• The incision is in an area quite difficult to keep immobile.
• Movement can irritate the incision, any movement that requires my legs to move laterally or spread apart.
• Sitting can irritate the incision.
• The incision is near my lady parts.
• The incision could become infected.
• Initial recover could last a few weeks, in the case of no complications.
• Bruising and swelling last about a month.
• Complete recovery could take up to 6 months or more.
• Don't forget about the possibility of my lady parts being hurt.

Dr. Lawrence also had no before and after photos that he could show me of this sort of surgery. It's not quite as common as another type of thigh surgery in which an incision is made on the back of the thigh running from the top to the bottom. That sort of surgery is used for when there is more "skin redundancy" down by the knee, which I do not have. Lucky?

So, basically, the way I imagine it is that the skin is cut all around my leg and is then hoisted up like a pair of panty hose made out if flesh. Then the skin is sewn into place like some sort of weird home-made living dead doll, and then the extra is cut off, probably with those scissors that kids use in school with the green or red handles, and then I'm left to get addicted to pain pills and figure out how to get up and down off the toilet without having my vulva rip a seam down to my knees.*

That's pretty much the way I see it.

But, I'm not ruling it out. Nor am I making an appointment for surgery. There are several other factors that need considering too.

Because of the recovery time involved I would need to have the surgery when I have nothing else planned. Right now I have planned (and paid for) a vacation in March and a vacation in July, neither of which I'm willing to risk. So, that pushes my timeline out to the middle of July.

Dr. Lawrence suggests that I get to my "ideal weight" before the surgery. I put that in quotes because it's basically an imaginary number and concept. I guess I'd like to maybe get down another 20 pounds. That would make my total over 100 pounds lost which is,  like, People magazine story worthy.

And, at the end of the day, it's about the money. Had my weight loss been because of a gastric bypass surgery, this plastic surgery would be mostly likely automatically covered by insurance. Because I did all the hard work myself I'm being punished by having to go though a highly annoying approval process. This process involves proving that my condition can't be improved by magical creams and potions that don't exist. Also, begging will be involved. And pleading.

Without the benefit of insurance the surgery will cost just under $8000.00. HOWEVER! If I get any other surgery at the same time the cheaper of the surgeries is half off! I can get my arms done for just $3000.00! And wouldn't that be awesome, having to nurse groin crease incision and 8 inch arm incisions at the same time?! *Sigh*

Here are some before and after photos of thigh lifts. Thigh Lifts
Here is a good example of someone of a similar shape to me but who also had a tummy tuck too. Thigh Lift Example

So, there you have it. I'm now in Step 3 if the Quest for Plastic Surgery (waiting on the insurance company and trying to decide if the risk and recover are worth it.) Stay tuned!

* Of course this isn't an accurate description, just the way my brain was processing the information as the doctor was telling me.

Chronicle Books 2nd Annual Haul-idays Giveaway

I have a pretty incredible family. I try to remind myself of that whenever one of them is getting on my last nerve. My father is a great storyteller who can start a conversation with any human and learn more about them in 5 minutes that most people could in a lifetime. My mother is sharp, always surprising me with her humor and her intensity in regards to politics and sports. My sister has become incredibly focused and determined, and shockingly mellow considering her only son just turned 18. I'm also blessed to have a husband who can do very little wrong (in my opinion), step parents who parent perfectly and a brother-in-law who can grow the most incredible beard in 6 days flat.
Yes, we may be a motley crew, but we're absolutely suited to one another.

Several years ago we all sort of stopped buying Christmas gifts for one another. We've all gotten to the point in our lives where we buy the things we want, indulging ourselves maybe more than we should.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help with the intense burning love I have for finding the perfect gift. Stumbling across an item that I know instinctively someone will love in intoxicating. Watching a loved ones eyes while they open a gift that I know they will love gives me deep satisfaction.

So, this year, instead of shopping in reality, I'm making an imaginary shopping list.  It's full of items picked from the amazing collection from Chronicle Books, one of my favorite publishers. I own dozens of Chronicle Books items and they are my go-to for inspiring gifts. As luck would have it, Chronicle Books is feeling generous and has announced their 2nd Annual Happy Haul-idays. Once again they are giving one blogger $500 worth of books.

Of course they couldn't stop there so in addition, one commenter on the winning blog will also receive the same gift. Yes, that means that just by reading and commenting on this blog you could haul in $500 in beautiful books.

Wait, it gets better. Chronicle Books is also giving the charity of the winners choice $500 in books. FIVE. HUNDRED. DOLLARS. In books!

I spent all week thinking about what books I would put on my list, that was the easy part. The hard part was trying to pick a charity. In the end, I decided on my local Toys For Tots. I have seen first hand the impact that Toys For Tots has here locally, serving hundreds of families every years and giving children something to look forward to on Christmas morning. Books are the perfect gift; they open up new worlds, teach new skills, ignite creativity and imaginations. Books have changed my life in the most positive way possible and to gave that gift to another human, well, that's the meaning of Christmas spirit.

So, here's my gift list, I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to comment on this post and keep your fingers crossed that I'm the winning blogger!

For my Mom, whose big yellow tome of Shakespeare I tried to read, not understanding a single bit of it. And whose polyester pants and wooden clogs I had once hoped t inherit.

Shakespeare’s Love Sonnets $18.95 : Chronicle Books

My Mom, Style Icon $18.95 : Chronicle Books

For my Dad, who believes that bigger is always better and never met a food that he didn't want to try to grill.

Bird Songs Bible $125.00 : Chronicle Books

Fire It Up $24.95 : Chronicle Books

For my Sister, who needs to take a break from all those textbooks.

The Doorbells of Florence $18.95 : Chronicle Books

Girl in the Kitchen $29.95 : Chronicle Books

For my husband, who has the best taste in art prints and has taken me almost everywhere I want to go.

Saul Bass $75.00 : Chronicle Books

Rude Hand Gestures of the World $12.95 : Chronicle BooksFor my nephew, because he'll need it.

The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Man Skills $24.95 : Chronicle Books
For my brother-in-law, because a guy needs something to strive for.

Beard $14.95 : Chronicle Books
For my step-father, who always has a joke ready.

Ultimate Book of Jokes $18.95 : Chronicle Books

For my step-mother, who enjoys a good fair, even seeing the hogs.

Iowa State Fair $19.95 : Chronicle Books

I hope you've enjoyed my imaginary Christmas shopping list. Don't forget to leave a comment, you could find $500 worth of books under the tree with your name on them!

Mobile Masterpieces: Lucky 13!

Oh no! Fall is here already and I have hardly taken any pictures on my cell phone! Good thing I had some old ones to pony up! Enjoy!

This is a photo of a car. The driver ran the car into the back of my building, on my neighbor's side. The impact knocking books off my wall but the lady said she thought she "just tapped it." She got out of her car not knowing that parts of the car were now on the ground.


Oh no, this is going to make me hungry! This was a fantastic fruit mix that I brought to work one day. I have really enjoyed the addition of fruit into my diet, even if cutting pineapple, strawberries and melons can be such a mess. It's very much worth it!

One of my new favorite necklaces! It's a teeny tiny pistol with a teeny tiny holster!

Winning! No, really, we won this! It's a giant Dr. Pepper / Thor cooler. It holds a buncha cans of soda and when you plug it in it lights up and the shelves spin around. When you open the door, the shelves stop spinning so you can grab a soda! Plus, the whole thing looks like a giant soda can!

After a busy Free Comic Book Day back in May we had my favorite dinner, pizza at Tomaso's. They have these yummy oatmeal / peanut butter / M&M dessert bars. I shared it with Superfro but I could have eaten the whole thing myself!

This is my new favorite piece of artwork. It's an original Shelby Lee Adams print called "Sheba Asleep." It's #1 of an edition of 25 and I really, really need to get it framed!

I was so excited for Twix Coconut to arrive in stores! I love coconut and caramel and the caramel in this Twix was supposed to be coconut flavored. It was pretty good, but not all that worth the calories. I still have one in my cupboard. I'm not ready to throw it out, but I'm not ready to eat it either.

There are only one or two days a year where it's comfortable to eat al fresco, and we happen to be at the Starlight Lounge during one of them so we took advantage of their new patio seating. This was also the night of one of the very first hamburgers I had eaten since last summer. It was delicious.

That purple thing is a flower that I stole from and put in my hair. To be fair, the house I stole it from has been vacant since last July. So, really, I was utilizing the abandoned flower.

Superfo really, really, REALLY wanted to buy this shirt but they didn't have it in his size. For shame!

My salads are never as good as the salads you can get at a restaurant, but I do try. To this one I added corn, black beans, sun dried tomatoes and a little bit of cheese. It's so hard to love a salad that is not drenched in dressing!

Well, that's it for today, next time I'll try to fit in some pics of Paxton Rhubarb, I'm sure by now you are missing them!





Return to Sandusky

It's been five years since I was last in Sandusky , Ohio to ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point. Last time I was there I managed to fit on the Top Thrill Dragster but not my favorite coaster, the Millennium Force. Between my weight gain and the rides new seat belt placement, I was too fat to ride.
Last weekend was my big return to the park, with an ass more able to fit in the seats. Despite the large crowd (we forgot that we usually went on Sunday, not Saturday) and the wicked weather (my face is bright red with wind burn) I had a fantastic time. I even ate a donut, the first donut I have had in about 15 months.

The Millennium Force was just as I remembered it, I lifted my arms up and my butt lifted up off the seat as we sailed down 315 feet at a nearly 88% angle. So good, we had to do it twice!

Here is the pretty park as you drive the causeway towards it. On the far left is the Top Thrill Dragster (420 ft at 120 mph) which we did not get a chance to ride. High winds made for a touch-and-go weekend for the Top Thrill and we were never in the right place at the right time. To the right of that  you can see the Millennium Force, the Power Tower, the Raptor and several other rides.

The first thing we rode was the newest coaster, the Maverick. It's got an ejection hill, as opposed to a chain lift hill, so you are shot up it too fast to get nervous. That didn't stop Sommer from getting nervous though. The guy on the left of her was having a good time teasing her while we were waiting in line.

As my first coaster since 2006, I was extra super-duper excited.

Here is a new addition to the park, the "Family Dryer!" it fits 4 people and will get you nice and dry after you get soaked on the water rides (which were not open when we were there!) It sort of looks like the shimmy shack at the end of Grease!

This is me and Sommer. Behind us is the Maverick, which we just rode, yee haw!

One of the exciting things about visiting Cedar Point during October is that the whole park is decorated for Halloween and they have many, MANY themed attractions, including several walk-though areas. This time they had a Steampunk themed area and here is a steampunked swan boat, which I thought was just fantastic. After the sun goes down this whole area turns into a foggy, smoky, spooky playground, full of crazy scientists and Victorian ladies trying to scare you with their fancy death ray-guns and kidnap you in their zeppelins.

This is a picture of Sean taking a picture while in line for the Millennium Force. The end of the track rushes right past you when you're in line.

Superfro's not crabby, the sun was in his eyes! OK, fine, he was a *little* crabby!

The closer to the front of the line we got, the more nervous/excited Sommer got!

Sean & Sommer are posing with the Millennium Force's first lift hill in the background. It's 315 feet tall and uses an elevator cable lift system to take you to the top.

We didn't play any midway games, but it was tempting to try to win one of these stuffed Marvel prizes!

The bakery where I got the dount also sold cinnamon rolls. Really, really big cinnamon rolls.  That's a 6 inch sugar cookie on display under them, for size reference. I don't even want to guess the number of calories!

Well, that's it for our quick trip to Sandusky, fun was had by all!



The Great Update of 2011

You guys! It's been like, FOREVER! I've missed you!
August was AWFUL. For the most part it was a no-good, very bad month. I wasn't in a blogging mood, or in any anything mood. Superfro was forcibly sent away for work, several billion miles away and that put me in a funky funk. That only lasted a few weeks but the month was lost. Work was crazy too (there are some exciting but stressful things going on in the comic book world right now) and I just didn't have time for anything but my own routine; walk, nourish, read.

But now September is here and it's been a really exciting month, ushering in what is sure to bee a super duper sweet autumn.

Today I hit TWO MILLION STEPS on the treadmill! That's 791 miles and 388 days of dedicated walking.

Earlier in the month I snagged a couple of new Swatch Watches. I have a crazy Swatch collection that began with the purchase of the Big Eclipse in 1989 but it's been a while since there was a new release I *had* to have. Until Swatch decided to team up with Kid Robot. And bring in designers. And pair the watches with vinyl figurines. Match made in Bavarian Erin heaven!

So, what I got was the The Eyes Are Watching by Tara McPherson and The So Far Away by Jeremyville.

Beautiful, ethereal, and powerful. Famed Gamma Mutant Space Friends artist Tara McPherson lends her 3-eyed space kitty Carina to the Swatch - The Eyes Are Watching 3-inch Dunny set; innocent and wise, Carina is embodied until the end of time.

Featuring a frosted band and see-through frame in McPherson's signature palette, the eyes wrap around to be seen from all angles.

Be lost and found with Ibbity Pop, the star of Australian artist Jeremyville's newest world.

Featured on the Swatch - The So Far Away 3-inch Dunny set, Ibbity Pop goes everywhere and with everything. Whether this set is traveling from one time zone to the next or displayed on a shelf, the bright colors and strong black lines are as striking as the artist's well-known illustrations.

I'm happy to have both of them in my collection. I almost had another Swatch in August but the store that sells then here locally, Von Maur, while usually be a great place to shop, has assholes that work the jewelry counter. Assholes that don't understand that a Swatch Watch comes with a case, a specific case that has a sticker with the matching watches number on it. They just put the watches in whatever case their asshole hands grab first, whether it's the right one or not. I was trying to buy a limited edition, oversized model and of course they didn't have the correct case for it. Oh well, saved me $70.00, but I still really want that Swatch! Assholes!

On a different topic, I'm looking forward to a whole new batch of television shows to start. I've got a boatload of old favorites starting back up (Community, Modern Family, Parks & Recreation, Sons of Anarchy, Fringe, Raising Hope, Amazing Race, Happy Endings...) plus a whole DVRs worth of new stuff too (New Girl, Terra Nova, Up All Night, Grimm, Homeland, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, 2 Broke Girls, American Horror Story, Mad Fashion...) I'm not sure how many of those new shows I will stick with long term, I'm banking on some of them to suck enough to clear them from my schedule.

Well, now you know what's up with me, now you can go about your business with clear, happy thoughts!

San Diego Comic-Con 2011: NBC Peacock Prayers Answered

I have so many thoughts about this years San Diego Comic-Con that I want to share. I already put many of my pics up on Facebook but there are stories behind many of them, which I will share here!

Last year I won an invitation to attend an NBC party in San Diego. This year, I begged to be invited again. Actually, I didn't have to beg, I simply asked for an invite and was given one. I had kept in touch with my NBC contact from last year and had also sent him a pitch earlier in the year regarding Comic-Con and an idea I had to send a "Fanbassador" to represent the fans for NBC's Fan It community. I never heard back after my pitch but when I asked for the party invite my contact asked me if I'd be interested in live Tweeting the party for the Fan It account as the "Fanbassador." So, not only did I get an invite, but I also got to utilize the Fanbassador idea.

Once again, the NBC party was full of awesome people, the cast of Community, the cast of Grimm (which will debut this fall) and many other people that make you say "I totally know that guy! What show do I know him from?!?!"

Here are my pics, please enjoy!

This year, the NBC party was at 207, the bar located at the foot of the Hard Rock Hotel. It's prime real estate in the Gaslamp district and a great place for people watching.

Superfro and I had to arrive a little early for the party. I needed to get my final briefing from my NBC contact and get my brain in order. I was nervous about Tweeting for NBC, even though I had studied the suggestions and "rules" that I had received from the NBC community managers. I also wanted to arrive before the other two Fan It members who had won tickets to the party via a contest. It a crazy coincidence, I knew both of the winners, Barb and Mario. Barb is the owner of When Nerds Attack and Mario is another freelance writer for the site.

We all had name tags, and my indicated that I work for NBC. Not exactly true, but a good conversation starter.

The first special guest to arrive was Zachary Levi, best known from the show "Chuck." Zach also spearheaded a giant off-site event venue called NERD HQ during Comic-Con. NERD HQ features panels and "conversations" with television stars, parties, and other events. It was quite popular and a great success. I suspect he'll be doing it again next year.

Because he had been glad handing all weekend (seriously, he was NON-STOP workin' it!) Zach was losing his voice. He was sipping tea to find some relief. Personally, I would suggest that maybe he stop smoking, but what do I know?

One corner of the 207 lounge was dedicated to interviews, which you can now see on NBC's special Comic-Con site. Here, part of the cast of the show Community is being interviewed.

Another corner of the lounge also featured a video camera, but this one was recording 6 second videos which were then printed off as still photos, trimmed in a fancy machine and bound together to make a little flip book! It was a very cool little souvenir. Superfro and I made a book of ourselves, but I would have loved to get a copy of the Community book!

This is Joel McHale, maybe you remember him from last year? My goodness, is he ever tall! Joel was looking at my name tag closely so I told him that I don't work for NBC but I had met him before, and reminded him of how he mocked me at a restaurant. To this he said "I do remember that and now I know you have a boob tattoo." and then very promptly walked away. Superfro hollered out to him "Quit checking out my wife's rack!" A few seconds later when Joel came back and we were saying good-bye he said "Bye! Nice boobs!" And again, promptly walked away.

Oh hey! It's Jim Rash! Jim plays Dean Pelton on Community. He was just recently announced as a "full time cast member" so congratulations were in order.

Gillian Jacobs was there again, looking stunning as always. She's so cute you almost want to hate her but far too sweet to hate. Poor Gillian spent much of her time leaning up against a sofa because her beautiful shoes were killing her feet!

She's doing a pretty good job smiling through the pain!

Clark Griswold! Fletch! Pierce Hawthorne! So many identities for one man, Chevy Chase! I was keeping my fingers crossed that Chevy would be there. I had told my Dad that I might get to meet him and he asked me to deliver a message. "Tell him I really loved the movie Spies Like Us!" Well, I didn't really intend to tell Chevy that, but the moment seemed right so I did, I told him. In a split second Chevy had pulled my name tag off my shirt, put it on the bar, borrowed a pen from someone and asked for my Dad's name. An unsolicited autograph, an incredible act of kindness.

In the past 12 months Donald Glover has blown up. He's a rap artist, an actor, a stand-up, a writer and beloved by nearly everyone. No wonder he's trying to hide under his hood. It must be impossible for this guy to go anywhere without being mobbed. Oh well, I just wanted one photo and then I left him alone (for a while.)

Danny Pudi was a joy to talk to. He asked us where we hail from and when we tolk him "Iowa" he told us that his wife is from Dyersville and that he got married in Dubuque! I hope you come visit Iowa soon Danny!

I've already posted my pic of me with Yvette Nicole Brown, but here she is with Superfro. Gawd, she's so sweet and adorable.

Here is Superfro with Danny, they look like the best of friends!

Well, we gave Donald a little break, not bothering him for a little while, then snapping this quick pic before leaving him back to his hoodie.

Community creator Dan Harmon is *NOT* this creepy looking in person. Also, anyone near him was always in stitches, I'm almost convinced he exhales laughing gas.

I swear this is Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock, it's not a mannequin or a cardboard stand-up.

I swear he was there in person!

This fall David Giuntoli is starring in a new show called Grimm (on NBC of course!)

Detective Nick Burkhardt thought he was ready for the grim reality of working homicide in Portland, Oregon. That is, until he started to see things... things he couldn't quite explain. Like a gorgeous woman suddenly transforming into a hideous hag, or an average Joe turning into a vicious troll. Then, after a panicked visit from his only living relative, Nick discovers the truth about his visions: he's not like everyone else, he's a descendant of an elite group of hunters known as "Grimms" who are charged with stopping the proliferation of supernatural creatures in the world. And so begins his new life journey - albeit a reluctant one at first - as he solves crimes with his partner who knows something about Nick has radically changed but can't quite put his finger on it. Along the way, Nick finds himself unexpectedly getting help on some of the more difficult cases from Monroe, a guy who seems normal at first but is soon revealed to be what you might call a "big bad wolf." Literally!

This is Silas Weir Mitchell who is also in Grimm. He's very intense with an honesty and a frankness that I really appreciated. I hope to meet him again someday.

I hope you will check out the series premiere of Grimm on October 21st, at 9:00/8:00 CST.

This last pic is of Adam Baldwin. He's on the NBC show Chuck but was also on the cult favorites Serenity and Firefly. I had to tell Adam how much, as a young adult, I watched his movie My Bodyguard and how every time it made me cry. He was very sweet about it. I also noticed that Adam was taking a lot of time to talk with any fan who wanted to meet him. He seemed genuinely enjoy talking with fans.

So, that was my Saturday night at Comic-Con. I managed to not make an ass out of myself Tweeting for NBC as the Fanbassador and I scored a great autograph for my Dad. Success!