ailurophile6

So, yes, I booked a last minute trip to LFCC when Benedict was added for Saturday.

I bought his Diamond Pass (#30!), which got me a guaranteed photo and autograph. I was also able to buy 3 more autographs.

That was one of the things I liked about LFCC, but like all cons, it had its issues.

I also got Andrew Robinson's autograph, one of the few DS9 actors I had not met.

Saturday morning we got in a huge line of people trying to gain entrance. We were NOT all in the door by 9:30 as promised, but I did get to Benedict's photo op in time for the DP, around 10 am.

He liked my shirt, and told me to 'have a great time today'. Very friendly, much different than the first time I saw him :)



Then it was off to meet Andrew Robinson.

After the scheduled lunch (really?!) was Benedict's panel. It was fine, no big revelations, and he was lovely. Loved his answer to someone asking about being a father: "It's great, and it's private". YES, STOP ASKING. What a wasted question.

Then I went to Benedict Wong's photo op:




And then to Benedict's autograph line, where we talked about Hamlet, as he had mentioned Andrew Scott's production during his panel, and I had seen it Friday night. Andrew's is very low key compared to Ben's high energy Hamlet, but both were great.

Then I had Matt Lucas' photo op (Nardole on Dr. Who):



Then off to wait for Mads Mikkelsen's photo op. During his photo op, they actually stopped Mads and had John Cleese come over to our photo area to finish since Cleese was running behind. We had to wait AN HOUR to get our Mads photos. UNBELIEVABLY RUDE to us and to Mads. Wow, I have NEVER had such a thing happen in 30 YEARS of going to cons.



He was lovely about it, and I got to take 2 pics since I blinked in the first one.

LFCC is run by the same people who do Sherlocked. They are idiots who cannot take any criticism.

I could not find ANY volunteers who knew ANYTHING. There were no signs telling you where the Main Stage was; I had to get another attendee to help me find it.

The layout was HORRIBLE. You had to wade through hundreds of people in the autograph lines to get to the main stage and 3 of the photo areas. SO STUPID.

But I got what I paid for and am so happy to meet Benedict again when he is more relaxed around his fans :)

I'm going to Birmingham for Sherlocked in October. No lead guests announced yet. Ridiculous. They'd better add some people soon. I for one do not want autos or photos with the 3 children from season 4 (it's not appropriate, imo). So that leaves Sian and a couple minor character actors.

We shall see.

Next up is WW Chicago for one day, to meet John Cusack and Paul Bettany, and then Dragon Con for 2 days, to meet the cast of Reign and see some Stargate and Star Trek people :)

A beautiful, talented man.

I don't really celebrate Easter. Today, I get to visit my sister in the hospital and then my parents and I are going to dinner.

My sister recently moved to a new group home, and started 'acting up' so now she's in the pysch unit and frankly, not doing well. Her brain has been destroyed by 25 years of medication (for schizophrenia) and she isn't recognizable as my sister anymore. They'll adjust her meds and the downhill cycle will continue :(

In addition, a couple weeks ago, when I was with her, my mom had a TIA. Scared the hell out of me. She's been fine since, and all her tests are coming back ok, but listening to someone spout gibberish as they think they are making perfect sense is creepy. She turns 80 tomorrow.

We're in the middle of planning an 80th birthday party for her and my dad, to be held next month. I hope they're both up to it!

We went to see Barry Manilow last week. As awesome as ever!

Next weekend I'm meeting Noah Wyle! I'll post my pics :) Really glad The Librarians got a second season, as I loved the first one. And of course, he's in Falling Skies!!

Less than 3 weeks until the Sherlock Con. In addition to autographs and photo ops with SIXTEEN guests!!!! I have a GROUP PHOTO with the main attending cast on the 221B set! I might just keel over after that one, lol. I can't wait to meet them all, especially BENEDICT OMG.

And one of my 13 year old cats went missing for a day and a half. Turns out he snuck into the garage and then hid from me. He finally decided he'd had enough and asked to be let back into the house, lol. But I was relieved to find him, I'd looked everywhere.

The Pens are playing so badly they might not even make the playoffs. Unbelievable! We have the 2 best players in the world. The new coach is a huge disappointment.

So that's what's been going on with me recently. What are you all up to? No one seems to be on lj anymore :(

Seems like no one is around these days. I'm here every day, posting to hewlett_daily if nothing else....

Finally caught up on everything on my DVR yesterday, lol. With hockey season in full swing, I record almost everything I want to watch.

Today I'm going to see my nephew E play in his third consecutive PIHL All Star Game. He's a senior, so this will be his last (high school) all star game. GO E! \o/

Tomorrow I'll be trying to get a ticket to Sherlock: The Event in London April 24-26th!! I'm going all out on this (happy bday to me!) so wish me luck! However, this is only happening if they have Ben and/or Martin signed on.

Believe it or not, they are not announcing any guests until the tickets go on sale! Crazy London people!! :/

I'm still going in October too, but probably not for a whole week.

Julian continues to keep my old cats on their toes! He and Jack have a great time playing every morning. Amazingly, they haven't broken anything! lol

In 2 weeks I'm going to Cleveland to see Sasha Roiz (Renard on Grimm) and some hobbits and dwarves ;)

In mid April, Steel City Con here in Pgh has NOAH WYLE!!!! I'm doing the photo op and autograph. LOVE Falling Skies and The Librarians :)

Also going to Chicago in August for Stargate (no DHew makes me sad) and Dragon Con in September.

Wizard World is having a con here in Pgh the weekend after DC. Can't wait to see who they get!

And I've seen 7 of the 8 movies nominated for Best Picture. Boyhood better not win, it's the worst of them. I still say The Imitation Game should win simply for the entertainment factor and terrific performances. Or The Grand Budapest Hotel, which is a great movie! I know Benedict is not going to win, but Michael Keaton BETTER WIN best actor; he gave the performance of his life in Birdman!

So, what are you all up to? What do you think of the Oscar race?!

And if anyone is ever coming to Pgh, or wants to go to a con here, please let me know!

Last night I was lucky enough to see The Imitation Game presented by the Three Rivers Film Festival.

It was wonderful. Benedict was perfection. It was funny and suspenseful and heartbreaking. I cannot recommend it more highly; go see it when it's released. I will definitely be seeing it again!

A powerful film with a message that the world needs to hear.

And now I'm going to watch the Steelers beat the Jets to remain in first place in the AFC North :D

Of course, the Steelers lost to the worst team in the NFL. Typical. Inconsistent as always :/

I followed a link about Sherlock season four, but the story was about Benedict's supposed upcoming engagement to his girlfriend of 4 months, Sophie Turner. If it's true, good for them, I hope they're happy and Benedict gets the children he wants so much!

He's all over the news and magazines these days, promoting The Imitation Game and his wax figure at Madame Tussaud's :) He's also filming Richard III for the BBC. Here are some new pics:









So gorgeous and awesome. Can't wait to see TIG next month!

He's absolutely gorgeous

I have to post a beautiful new pic of Ben on his birthday!



This is a still for his new movie, The Imitation Game (based on the life of Alan Turing).

So adorable!