Fan Expo...or... A gentle reminder why I'm no good in crowds...

Those who know me are painfully aware that I hate line-ups and crowds.  I hate them and will usually go out my way to avoid either one.  This past weekend was Fan Expo in Toronto - Canada's ultimate geek-fest.

I went.

My friend Roy and I took the subway into downtown and made our way to the Toronto Convention Centre.  It felt Like a hundred mile trek until we were herded into the underground parking ramp and went down, down, down into the bowels of the building.

The irony of such an event being held in the world's largest basement is not lost on me.

This is just a taste of what the crowds were like - in some sections the press of humanity was so dense that you could hardly move.

While there, I ran into a pair of old friends visiting the Expo for the day.  It was an unexpected treat to see Kevin and Tanya.

Later I sought out comic book writing and illustrating team, Katherine and Stuart Immonen.  They were very busy signing for fans but made time for a little chat.

I had to snap this picture for the kids.

That's a life-sized (ten feet tall) model of Hagrid made entirely of Lego.

The highlight of my visit was the chance to meet Nancy Kilpatrick, the editor of Evolve Two.  As an added bonus I got to make the acquaintance of David Tocher, whose story, Chelsea Mourning, has such vivid and blunt description that you'll be wincing as you turn the page, wondering what he'll hit you with next. It was a pleasure meeting them both.We had a nice visit and signed some books.

My friend Roy busied himself browsing the vendor tables.  He is hugely into the Anime and Manga scene and teaches a course in Manga at the local high school.  He found a few treasures that came home with him.  

 What's a geek-fest without a little Doctor Who?  There was a lot of Doctor Who.  Lots of folks in costume - almost an even split between David Tennant and Matt Smith representing The Doctor and , as far as I could see, a lone Captain Jack Harkness. In addition to costumes, there was merchandise galore, almost universally over-priced.  I couldn't come home empty-handed for the kids, so I picked up this little guy:

After a long day of line-ups, crowds and walking on concrete, I felt like this gent near the Steampunk table:

It was definitely time to go home.

In the mail...

Well, look what finally arrived in the post today:

It's a really great feeling opening the package knowing that this is your copy of the book straight from the publisher.

Really cool.  It would have been even cooler if my cheque had been in the envelope with the book, but I suppose I'll just need to keep checking the mailbox.

Gotta love the local bookstore

My local bookstore is Roxanne's Reflections.

I love Roxanne's and have since I moved to Fergus 12 years ago.  It's a wonderful, intimate shop with a wide selection for all tastes.  If they don't have it in stock, they will happily order it in.

Roxanne commits her time and sponsorship to the Elora Writers' Festival and is an active member of our community.

Here's another reason to love your local bookstore:

Look there - on the shelf at my local bookstore...it's Evolve Two, the anthology in which my short story, Symbiosis appears.  And it's on her shelf two weeks before it gets to Chapters or Indigo.  let's take a closer look at that shelf...

Very nice.  And every copy on the shelf has a bookmark - right on page 85.

If you're in the area and looking for a copy, pay Roxanne's a visit.  Besides Evolve Two, I guarantee you'll find something else you'll want to take home.

Thanks, Roxanne.