Well, the I-Maniacs are a tenacious group, which was proven this year when 2 of our members had to struggle with the airlines to get here.  Northeast Airlines was canceling flights, and Bethenati spent 11 hours trying to get out of Salt Lake so she could join us for the con.  CoolB had to fight to get here as well.

Special thanks to Krpm1 for bailing us out yet again.  Bethenati was finally able to get a flight to the Burbank airport, which was about a half an hour from LAX and our hotel.  Now that we had her in the right state, right city, we were at a loss how to get her to the hotel.  Our options were limited and expensive.  Krpm1 jumped in her car and make the hour round trip to pick her up for us and deliver her safely to the hotel.  Krpm1, you rock!

The con was fun as always, and we had newbies again this year, which is always great.  We showed videos and play Oh Crap!, as well as the “Find your frick’in friend” game.  We were also able to do our Scavenger Hunt this year.

We called Mike McCafferty around 11 a.m. PDT, put him on speakerphone, and he chatted with us while driving through cornfields in Michigan trying to find his friend’s wedding.  We assumed it was an invisible wedding since he couldn’t find it.  He was funny as usual and it was really nice of him to make the time for us. 

Blanking right now on what he said, but I am expecting con reports from the other attendees, so perhaps one of them can fill in the blanks.

He expects to be able to come next year, since it seems that every other year since we have had the con in LA he has been in Michigan, which means that next year he would be in LA.  *fingers crossed *

Mike and I talked later on the phone, and when he found out that most of us weren't leaving LA until Tuesday morning, he told me that he would be flying into LA around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday night.  Since the hotel is only about a mile from the airport, he came over and spent the better part of an hour visiting with us, giving autographs and posing for pics.  9 fans were available for this opportunity.

He is really a great guy.  He looked exhausted, and I knew he still had an hour drive to get home, so we didn't keep him after that, just grabbed a quick group pic in the lobby then sent him on his way home with our prayers for a safe drive home.

Unfortunately, Vince wasn't able to come because he was at a family reunion.  He is the youngest of 11, so needless to say it was quite large and impossible to make any time for us this year.  He talked to me earlier in the week and said he was really bummed that he couldn’t come.  He said that he had a great time last year and not to forget to invite him next year.  He would love to come if his schedule permits.  He also said to say hello to everyone!

Eddie wasn't able to come either because he was in play rehearsals all week.  When he has a chance to breath, he will send me info on the play so local fans can come see him in it.  He also had a great time last year and would like to come next year if his schedule permits.

Paul wasn't able to come to the con either this year, because friends from out-of-town were visiting for his birthday.  He called me to tell me he kept trying to think of a way to visit, but his friends weren't leaving until late Sunday.  I told him that most of us were in town until Tuesday morning, so he asked if there was anyway we could meet on Monday, maybe for dinner, since we couldn't do the dinner on Saturday night.  He said that he would be in the Santa Monica area all day Monday, and it wasn't that far from where we were staying.

So we discussed restaurants in the area, and we decided on Buca de Beppo.  I made reservations for a Pope Room (which is semi-private), and he and 2 of his friends came to visit with us.  Paul was his usual charming self, a real breath of fresh air.  The whole room changes when he walks in.   He chatted with each fan personally, posed for pics and gave out autographs.  We all had a wonderful time.  12 fans were available for this opportunity.

So it really paid off for the fans who were able to stay after the con, rather than coming in for Saturday and leaving town on Sunday.  It was great hanging with all my buds.  After all, I only get to see you once a year.

The fans who stayed in LA visited the LaBrea Tar Pits and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.  We also visited Santa Monica and went to the beach for awhile.  Very beautiful, calm and relaxing there.

I’m sure there are things I have forgotten, so look for con reports from the other attendees, and start saving your pennies now so you can join us next year!

Take care.

Joyce

(Invisible Mom)