StellarCon 2012 Wrap-up

My, I’ve gotten younger and cuter…

Attending StellarCon as an invited guest was instead of a paying attendee was both surreal and a bit like coming full circle.

Eight years ago when my husband and I were stationed in Eastern North Carolina I’d first heard about StellarCon from my friend, Podcasting’s Rich Sigfrit. When I looked online at the guest list I became ridiculously excited: Aaron Allston, Michael Stackpole, and Timothy Zahn, my 3 FAVORITE Star Wars authors, were going to be there!

That was it, we were going – I packed up all my Allston/Stackpole/Zahn books in a suitcase (I had a LOT), dug out my Jedi costume, and Ron, Rich, & I piled into our car. Like the the fan girl I was I went absolutely joyful/crazy upon meeting these three men, who had kept me entertained in my teens and early twenties, and in some part, the X-Wing books had given my my initial love for flying. This weekend was also when we were first introduced to the 501st, the largest Star Wars costuming fan club – a club we joined later that year.

Little did I know that in the course of that weekend I would forge lasting friendships with Aaron, Mike, Tim, and the many members of the Carolina Garrison in the 501st (that weekend specifically, Cheralyn Lambeth, Chris Burnside, and Todd Lacey).

Here I am meeting Tim Zahn for the first time, 8 years ago. I went on to win first prize in the costume contest that night – my very FIRST costume contest!

So to come back eight years later as a guest author and find myself on a panel with Mike Stackpole was both surreal and pretty much the MOST FUN EVER! 🙂

One of the most nerve-racking moments of the con was the reading I had to give. I’d missed on the schedule that I had one, so I was a bit surprised by it. I found myself both scared that no one would go and that everyone would go! You see, believe it or not, I tend to get stage fright in situations like this. Sure, I can stand in front of large groups of people and talk to them/give a speech. No problem! But ask me to enter a costume contest, do a reading of my writing, or play my guitar and sing in front of people? Yeah, I want to throw up. I get so nervous and so anxious.

But, I still did it. To my delight the room was filled with dear friends (like Kathy, Merv, & Mike), my family, and a few people I’d met during the course of the convention who seemed to like my panels. My anxiety eased and I read a short story that I’d written for the Origin’s Game Fair anthology (to be released this June). Everyone laughed and seemed entertained, and on the whole the entire experience was very positive, and I’m glad I did it. 🙂

Of note, this was also our daughter’s first convention. She seemed to have a lot of fun and entered the costume contest in the Martha Jones costume (from Doctor Who) that she’d put together herself. Everyone at the convention adored her, and one young man gave her a TARDIS key that he’d made (he was a locksmith and made several replicas – if you want one, email him at teachey_kevin at yahoo dot com). I think she’ll definitely want to attend another convention!

My table was manned by the cutest munchkins ever! Lulu and Bit-Bit. 🙂

The 501st Carolina Garrison’s 10th anniversary party – Albin Johnson, Cheralyn Lambeth, & R2-KT

Special guest, R2-KT.

Too matchy matchy? Probably, but who cares? 🙂

All the Carolina Garrison members present, & the first Honorary Member of the legion, Mike Stackpole.

OK, this picture needs some explaining… In the background if you look real close you can see a picture of Darth Vader choking an Imperial Officer. That Imperial Officer was Ron and that Darth Vader was me. 😀 That picture was taken about 8 years ago while we were on a float for the Azelea festival in Wilmington – if I recall correctly we were able to raise about a $1000 for the Make a Wish Foundation that day.

Here’s a close up of the original shot.

And this is a much nicer picture of the two of us. That parade was hilarious since no one knew I was a woman – as long as I didn’t say anything everyone was crazy happy to see Darth Vader, especially the kids, and I was not about to burst their bubble. To them I was Darth Vader. It’s been about 7 years since I’ve worn the suit, but I will always remember the smiles on kids faces whenever they’d see me – or rather, when they’d see Vader. 🙂

And this was later that year with my helmet off (just to prove it was me), where I was asked to be Darth Vader for the opening of Revenge of the Sith in Jacksonville, NC. And yes, Ron was a Stormtrooper. 🙂

OK, this shirt is hilarious. So wrong, but hilarious.

Why hello there hitchhiker! I see you’ve remembered your towel…

Zombie! EEK!

On the whole, the best part of the con was seeing old friends and making new ones – and of course, helping aspiring writers in the writers workshops and panels I was on. I always learn so much myself!

Here are a couple links of interviews and podcasts I’ve been on over the last several months:

1- Not writing related, but a blog post that my friend Caitlin & I featured heavily in while running the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon (yes, that mass of curly dark hair in the first pic in the blog post is me). Why yes, we were running as Rapunzel and Mother Gothel. 😀
http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/26/disneys-princess-half-marathon-2012/