November 02, 2003

Sunday November 2, 2003 • Howard Tayler

I'm popping in to the Las Vegas Comic-Con only briefly this morning. If you're at the 'con and want to see me... well... you've probably missed your chance. There's always next year. I doubt I'll be able to keep myself away, even if I don't come back for the whole thing.

See, here's the problem. For the attendees, the 'con was great. Lots of vendors, and it wasn't crowded.

For the vendors and the pros, however, the 'con sucked pretty hard. See, it wasn't crowded. There were not nearly enough people there to make it fun for those of us who are sitting around signing things.

That said, I did do a bunch of signings on Saturday, and I did have a good time. I'm not worried about making money at these events, because even in San Diego at the biggest 'Con of them all, you seldom make money. No, all I wanted was the chance to talk to lots of potential new fans. I wanted hundreds, I got a couple dozen.

Anyway, Chalain and I are going to head over for a little while this morning, and then drive back up to Utah. It's snowing back home, I don't want to have to drive in that at night, and I miss my family. In the face of these compelling reasons to leave early, the outside chance that a crowd of rabid fans is going to start burying me in praise and/or money is one I'm not going to gamble on.

Speaking of gambling, I did not gamble while I was here. I still have a perfect record. I've never put any money into a casino machine, card table, sports-book, Keno waitress, or any of the other modus stealyourmoney they run here in Sin City. Congratulations are in order. I've been tempted a few times, but I'm a bigger, better man than that.

Anyway, it's time to head home. Chalain summed Las Vegas Comic-Con up in one sentence (and I think this should be their new tagline):