ComicCon
2004, Pittsburgh and Travelogue
Wednesday, 28 April, 2004 – Friday, 7 May, 2004
by GitonCrais
(Cohorts in this tale: CIM-CraisIsMine, CT-CraisTrelk,
EC-EmeraldCity2,
NMC-NoMoreCrichton,PKLib-PKLibrarian and me as
myself-Giton)
Travelling
started off well. Arrived at Schiphol in time and did my shopping. A silly
headache was squashed by Panadol Zap, boy that really works fast. No delays at
take-off, get to Detroit in time.
Got
to customs, happy as I always am and remembered from the last time not to smile
too much and I have two bags. Everyone is moved to a separate lane, most
unproductive, if you ask me. Gave the man my passport and all the silly forms
you had to fill in on the plane.
Then
the questions began: “What’s your business here?”
“How
long will you be staying here?”
“Where
are you staying?”
Would
you believe it, I had forgotten to bring a copy of NMC’s full name and address
with me, it is still at home. Worse, I couldn’t remember her last name, and
that is part of her handle! I could only remember that Nancy NMC and Linda
Craistrelk were going to pick me up, those names weren’t very helpful. Neither
did they want me to ring hubby in Holland (“It has to be someone in the
States”) or our friend Bob who lives near Washington (“It has to be
someone in the States”, I know geography is not my forte but Washington IS
in the States!).
He taps my information in the Computer and knows when I had been in the States the last couple of times, apparently that is not good enough either.
I’m ordered to go into the Waiting Room, worries about my bag are pushed aside.
We
get to the waiting room and a Spanish looking man (who couldn’t itemise
every single object he was going to sell in America) and an Indian looking
man, are already seated. I sit down and wait. I am not going to be upset.
Reading like a cool, calm Cohort.
Half
an hour later I’m motioned over to the desk. Can’t they read my name?
Another officer goes through the same questions again, this time it is slightly shortened since I can remember NMC’s last name. They had one silly question added, “Are you a terrorist or do you have terrorists in your family?”
Really
now! “No! I am Civil Servant!” As a Civil Servant you’re not even allowed to
smoke pot in public, let alone be a terrorist.
I
can sit down again.
A
Japanese man is brought in to join the little group, followed shortly
thereafter by an elderly Arab woman in a wheelchair.
The
Arab woman didn’t speak a word of English, so, they sent someone out to look
for someone who could speak Arabic and English. When a man turned up his first
exclamation was, “There’s my wife!” I gathered that he must have lost her
because everyone was shoved into different lanes. You think they would
apologize for misplacing his wife, wrong.
Another
hour later it is my turn. “M’aam… M’aam…” All right, I’m coming. You would
expect that they would have at least the decency to read my name, wrong again.
“You can go.” That’s it. No apology (had I really expected one?).
Someone really has to tell them that they have to work on their Ps and Qs.
I
hunt for my bag and can’t find it on the conveyor-belts and walk up to one of
the attendants, who just directs me to the Missing-bags-claims. My upset that
it might be stolen because I was shoved into the Waiting Room unnecessarily
falls on deaf ears. I start to resemble Crais on a good day. Luckily I find my
bag or the word Terror would get a different meaning.
Next
stage. They go trough my bag and get the zipper stuck (and frelled).
Stand in another line for X-Rays. It’s warm and my patience is wearing thinner.
When I get to the man, he reads the tag and says, “You are staying in Detroit?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can just proceed to the exit. No need to be here.”
Where
is a jinkapole when you need it?
Seeing
the smiling faces of NMC and CT are a balm to frayed nerves and most anger
leaves me. NMC and CT were shocked when 4 burly men came out to look for them
while I was waiting in the waiting room. “Crichton? Crichton?”
“Yes,”
NMC had said in a small voice.
“Do
you know Loes Barnes?”
“Yes,
we’re here to pick her up.”
“Describe
her!”
Luckily
they knew me or I would have been really frelled.
What
is ironic, though, is that the Ukrainian puppeteer (who was my talking
companion on the plane for 9 hours), whose English was broken and two
blond-haired Dutch people who were going to trek through America for a month
with no fixed abode were getting through but of course they are not Profiling.
NMC
has Captain Crais waiting for me in Talyn holding a little note, “Welcome to
Detroit Loes”. Nice touch. Talyn is a Saab convertible with very cool
number-plates: Talyn at the front and Strbrst at the back.
We
get to NMC’s and Twinkle Toes (bulldog) really seem to be taken by me
and Cap’n Cranky (a black cat with greyish “trousers”) thinks I’m all
right. No need for antihistamines; that’s a relief. Cat allergy’s a thing of
the past?
Twinkle is in the “doghouse” for the evening. Even brushing her mouth didn’t endear her to us, not after what she had eaten in the garden (will not go into detail here).
We spend some fun time chatting and getting re-acquainted and go to a Crab-restaurant, where I’m introduced to Whitefish, great taste.
It
feels good to be among friends, makes all the hassle at the airport worthwhile.
I
manage to stay up till about 3 with only a drop off of about 10 minutes and get
up at 7, see, no jet lag.
We
go to CIM’s house. It’s a good six hours travel. It is beautiful weather and we
drive with the top down. Dear Talyn is a Saab convertible. Men who like Boy’s
Toys… get one.
I’m
sitting in the front passenger seat since I will do the reading of the map and
I’m amazed with what I see driving on the road.
A
beat-up pickup truck, glass in the sides all gone (not just rolled down)
and a huge set of deer-antlers to adorn the top. Or when we’re doing 140
clicks, passing a car, there is a woman behind the wheel. In her left hand she
holds a mobile (cell-phone) and she sips the coffee from a Starbucks beaker in
her right hand. Unless she has three arms, someone is not steering.
We
pull over at a gas station to put the top down, poor CT is blown away in the
back seat and to get something to eat and to drink. Have to warn you, for
Europeans the coffee Latte is too weak. The Polish sausage was nice. Found
something else too: Beef jerky Teriyaki. Great Atkins snack-food.
We’re
getting to the turnoff to Pittsburgh and the have to ring CIM, she and husband
Al are guiding us in. We wait for them at the edge of a big square; in the near
distance we can see numerous restaurants and bars. Near the car park we can
hear the trains go past. One trailed 90 cars (counted them).
When
CIM and Al arrive, we walk to the restaurants and go to a Mexican place. Turns
out that Al is into Soccer and Rugby and he is pleasantly surprised that I know
some of it. He claims me to drive back with him to talk some more about it, at
least that way we’re not boring the others with it.
CIM
has cats, loads of cats, 13 to be precise. They’re everywhere. Seven of them
are hers. The rest are on a waiting list to be placed in a no-kill shelter.
Luckily I’m not sneezing or getting a headache, so, no antihistamine needed. Cat-allergy
must be a thing of the past.
I
sleep in The Turrets, the cat-free room, while CT and NMC take over the floor
in the living room. We chat, we joke and we catch up. By the time I’m asleep
it’s 2 AM.
Friday,
Day 3 (First day of the Convention)
I’m
awake by 6 but since all is still quiet, decide to lay in for a bit. Read a
bit. When I finally go downstairs, Al is already busy, making the coffee and
some breakfast and we talk until the others surface.
Today
is the first day of the Convention and we’re all excited. First we go to the
Farscape booth where the Pittsburgh Scapers are and have a dive in the little
goodies. Crais-magnets, Crais-stickers. Yup, got them all (well, one each).
When
we walk up to the tables where Lani, David, Bianca, Virginia and EC are
sitting, Lani’s face lights up in a smile and the first words he speaks are,
“Hello Giton.”
That
makes us all wonder and I blush.
Lani resembles a pirate today, wearing a blue bandanna, here they call it a ‘Do-Rag’ (it’s an amalgamation of Hairdo and Clothes). The moustache is already in place and the beginning of a goatee is starting on the chin: No Johnny-Depp-look, it’s the Lani-look! He has lost quite some weight and the slim-Lani-look is perfect. His voice is deep and slightly hoarse.
He
and David are happy to see us and we manage to speak in Erp-speak (at least
I assume we did). I give Lani his new T-shirt and he likes it and gives me
a full hug. I like being hugged and hug back. I go completely red when he gives
me a present in return. One of his own prints: Apple tree in Seattle. He let me
choose it.
His prints are amazing and at first we all believed it was done in watercolours but his medium is oil paint and ink. The prints detail various plants and trees. He shows us the originals as well and the printer has done a great job translating it to the smaller prints. The originals are stunning. He also shows us a big contact print of the canvasses he is working on. Various sunsets. Imagining them as big canvasses, I could picture myself quite easily looking at them for hours and believing that I am somewhere else. I hope they will do well and will be well received.
Work
is slow in Australia and he has taking to painting again.
CIM
asks him if Crais will be back and he smiles, “Crais will need female
body-guards.” I grin, “Some of the Cohorts are already here.”
People
are coming to the table and we all disperse for a little while.
CT
and I are going around the various stands and are looking at the comics first.
CT buys up the last 2 Crais-dolls in one of the stands to give them a good home
(was only a little miffed the next day when the dealer was selling all the
dolls for half price).
I’m
ready to take my jinkapole out and spear a couple of dealers. CT and I are both
wearing our Fan club T-shirts and two of them insisted on reading Lani Tupa
instead of Lani Tupu (deep low growl). Because of my accent and the
T-shirt, they also believe I’m from New Zealand. “A couple of thousand miles
the wrong way,” says CT happily.
Bought
a couple of prints and comics of Stan Lee Junior and Mike Bocianowski.
CT
and I have something to eat from one of the stalls. She has a pretzel and I
BBQ-sliced-meat. I cringe; even the Dutch don’t make it that salty! I can only
take some bites.
CT goes back to the Farscape stand and I go back to the guest-table. I want to get some photos, autographed photos and another print.
EC is having a cold and is not too happy with it. She has also lost a lot of weight and we talk about the Atkins diet, which Lani, EC and I are following, it seems to be working for us. We talk about looking in on the Utopia-convention and I will see if I can give the Dutch a hint to get the Farscape actors over, since Holland is now starting to get into it now. Will definitely leave them the Peachtree-address.
She
tells me that she has been taking pictures of Lani while he was working on the
canvasses and I ask her if he doesn’t mind. I personally can’t stand it when
I’m doing a drawing and people are lurking over my shoulder. Suggest to her
that it might be an idea to take pictures after he finishes it and then “paint”
with a dry brush, that way he can paint in peace and quiet. But Lani doesn’t
seem to mind too much.
I
buy a picture of Pilot, I haven’t got that in my collection yet and a print of
the Lymbidium Orchid. This is from the money my office gave me for my 25 years
in Civil Service. I had promised myself to get at least one of the prints for
the money and am a happy Cohort.
PKLib
has arrived and is standing at the Scaper-stand.
CT
and I are on the Warpath again, this time we find a little side-room where
artists are drawing. Looking at the work of Hannibal King and finding out that
he does draw on commission, I ask him if he can do Captain Crais in Farscape.
He has sort of heard of Farscape but doesn’t know Captain Crais. Could he do
one off a picture? Yes, he could.
One
grinning Cohort going back to Lani’s table and buying the one where Crais and
Aeryn stand in Talyn in Family Ties.
Back
to Hannibal. Could he do one just of the male? He can drop the female in the
background. He looks at the picture and smiles, “Handsome man.” We grin.
He
will take it up to his room and will do the picture there. It will be ready
tomorrow.
CT
is looking for NMC and I have my picture taken with Tom Savini, who plays in Dawn
Of The Dead. Very intense eyes but nowhere near as good-looking as Lani.
I
walk back to Lani’s table, since I can’t find the others. He’s is showing EC a
drawing of a garden design. It is perfect, well, at least to my eye. I
compliment him on that and he shows me some more. The outlays are great and the
lines easy to understand. I suggest to him that maybe that might be a line of
work as well. He sighs, he can do garden designing but because he is not
trained in it, the people will still have to take it to a qualified
garden-designer to translate it into a calculations the gardeners can read.
Pity, it would have been great to have a garden designed by him.
EC
looks up and shows me some more pages on the design from different angles, also
the different textures, plants and features that will be used. They are
wonderful and I am willing to bet that the layout will be a good balance of
Nature. The design in question is actually designed for her garden and will be
built (heard from a reliable source, that it is actually in progress of
being build). He may not be trained for it but he definitely knows what
he's doing.
The secret why he knows me as Giton as well, besides Loes (and he still remembers how to spell, not an easy feat for an English speaking person – trust me), is revealed. He has seen my website and likes it. Thinks it is done very professionally and the remark “I saw something different from the first time I saw it” makes me believe that he has seen it at least twice. I do try to update quite regularly, that is true. I blush, that is a very nice compliment.
NMC
comes up and we go and see George Romero. She wants to have some pictures taken
and get some autographs for husband Jim. He likes Dawn Of The Dead and since it
is the 25th Anniversary of Dawn Of The Dead, it would make a great
present.
Together
we go back to Lani’s table, since NMC wants her picture taken with David and I
with Lani. I have one taken with a full hug of Lani. A very happy Cohort
indeed.
NMC
gives David a picture of Miklo Barca, he grins when he sees his “namesake”.
NMC
wants an autographed picture of Bianca for Jim and asks me to help choose it. I
point one out to her, “If I were a male I would choose that one.” Bianca
smiles, “That is the picture most males go for.” NMC chooses one that depicts a
scene from The Princess Episode, since Jim will be watching that one.
At
the Scaper stand NMC wins the Season Three trading cards, which she gives to
me. She already has the set. She is spoiling me! And to boot, I also win the
DVD with the best of Season One. The Cohort’s favourite episodes of Season One
are on there.
We
leave the halls and have some pictures taken of the Scaper-DRD with Talyn.
From
there we move to the Lobby of the hotel. EC had told us that Lani might stop
by.
Some
of the Pittsburgh Scapers are there and have moved tables together. PKLib and
some of the Ohio Scapers join us. We have some bar-snacks to eat and CT and I
are “fighting” over the bill, good fun. She wins.
Lani
and EC arrive and sit at the other end of the table. They will only be staying
for one drink. I have a nice view but the length of the table prevents me to
listen to his deep voice. CIM motions me over, there is still a seat between
her and EC. I get up and walk over.
Lani
wants to know if I had any problems getting through customs this time and I
gave him an abbreviated version of what has happened. It is easier to treat it
with a dose of humour. He nods knowingly. I am glad to hear that he didn’t have
any problems getting through this time around.
Tell
him with a smile that some people thought I was New Zealander and he looks at
me with disbelief. “It must be the T-shirt.” We get to pitches in the language
and he was quite astounded when I tell him that by speaking English at a normal
voice, while among the Dutch, the pitch goes under the pitch in the Dutch
language, so we could understand each other without having to shout.
Lani
sees the eyeglass-case of CIM sitting on the table and asks with curiosity what
it is. Before anyone could explain, someone says, “That’s Loes’
overnight-case.” Remembering how I got stopped at customs the last time for
only having one briefcase with me, being female and staying for two weeks.
“That’s
right,” I say, going with the joke.
“Really,”
he says and then looks at me, “I bet you a buck you can’t.”
Now,
them’s are fighting words. I grin, “You’re on.”
After
another drink Lani and EC leave. They’re going to have some fish. We all wish
them a great time.
Mark
and Maurie join us and I sit with CT and NMC again. I’m in a joking mood. When
Maurie asks us all what we want to drink I cannot resist to call out “Hammer”
after someone else said “screwdriver”. Maurie is repeating after everyone,
“Coke… screwdriver… hammer… Hammer?” Must admit, my jokes went from bad to
worse. At least it made them laugh.
Drat,
had to visit the bathroom, at the time that Lani and EC came back. About half
an hour later, the party breaks up.
PKLib
takes over the room in The Turrets, since she has a cat-allergy. I sleep with
NMC and CT downstairs and we treat it like a pyjama-party. Much more fun.
Saturday,
Day (Second day of the Convention)
I’m
sleeping in, sleeping 5 hours instead of 4. Reading my book at the kitchen
table, Lovecraft. Tried to make the coffee but couldn’t find the coffee. Found
everything else, like filters, water and cups. Al is up next. We make the
coffee and he starts on the breakfast. We talk about Europe and the differences
between Europe and the States. PKLib is the next to wake up and I take a quick
shower. The others are waking up now and we have breakfast.
We
still have to get David a small present. NMC wanted to make one herself but
time constraints prevented her doing that.
Off
we go to the Convention. CIM and NMC are off to get David’s present.
Today
the bandanna is off and the curls are ringing Lani’s face, more like a Charley
Chaplin hairstyle. It looks better than covered. I manage to get a picture of
Lani in a very relaxed pose. He looks simply adorable in that one. And get my
picture taken with him.
David
is funny, almost like a big kid and wanted to play with the credit-card machine
of EC’s. He does it with great panache and it is like a comic act. This is fun
to watch.
Lani
and I talk briefly about drawing and I’m privileged to see him at work. He just
brings the pen to the paper and draws. Quick, fluent lines and complex at
places, no sketching. You can see the picture come alive under the pen. It is
also proportionally right at the first strokes. I wish I could draw like that.
CT
and I go hunting for Hannibal. He has done a magnificent job on the drawing.
Crais is looking at us with cocky confidence. “Do you know how difficult it is
to draw a handsome man,” he tells us. We grin, we agree. I compliment him on
the result of the drawing; he has truly captured Crais.
We
show it to Lani and he’s quite pleased with the result. Grins even bigger when
I tell him what Hannibal had said.
CT
wants to find the man who does the airbrush-paintings and like Hannibal King,
he will do one of a picture. Back to Lani’s table and I choose the picture with
Crais and Larell. He signs it “Thanks for last night”. He grins and says, “I
hope I don’t get into trouble with your husband over that.”
“No,”
I grin back, “he has his hobbies and I have mine. We leave each other free in
that.”
“That
is how it should be. What is his hobby?”
“He
collects old bayonets up till the Second World War.”
“And
you collect me.” Mischievous grin.
“Yup.”
“As
it should be.”
We
grin. Lani is great to watch and listen to but Ian is my own lovely goblin, as
it should be.
Back
to Chad Hutchinson, the painting will be ready tomorrow at noon. Perfect.
We
wait for CIM and NMC at the Scaper-stand and then we all troop to the tables
and for once are happy to see that they’re the only ones behind the tables. CIM
is first. She has two shirts for Lani. He takes off the white sleeveless shirt
he’s wearing and dons his new shirt. A slimmer Lani is eye-candy.
“It
looks like Christmas,” he exclaims.
CT
gives him a new Crais-pin and NMC gives him a Pilot-pin, all home made.
CT
and NMC give EC her own Lani-Hula-doll and we all have titters about it.
I
give Lani two packages and a card. The card reads “This is for the days of
little sins”, the first present contains dark chocolate. When on a diet, little
sins are fun. Lani passes them to everyone. Only I can’t eat them, don’t want
to fall asleep. His face is a picture of delight when he eats one, I’m glad he
likes them.
I
give EC her T-shirt, the one with Many Lani’s, “I can wear Lani on my chest
now!”
The
second package contains four T-shirts, one of each drawing, this way he has no
problems with spoiling one of them.
NMC
walks up to David and gives him his birthday-card and the Strawberry
cheesecake.
His
face lights up, “Food!”
He
loves the birthday-card NMC made him, you will probably see it on her website.
We all stand around and sing him “Happy Birthday”, I’m sorry if my voice
sounded awful, will never make it to a song festival.
We
all have pictures taken and look like a family of Cheshire cats or happy
Cohorts, you choose.
It
is time to scoot. They have to make ready soon to do the Q&A and we are too
happy.
When
we get to the hall where they are to hold the Q&A, we are the first. There
is a drawing-auction in progress and it is not winding down yet. As a matter of
fact, the artists are still drawing. More people for the Q&A are joining
us. I’m getting jittery and start to bounce on my feet. Someone compared me to
an Energizer Bunny (Bexa, I believe) and it is true, too much energy to
be patient.
It
gets to 4:00 and our little group is getting restless, all complaining that the
auction is still going on. CT tells me to count to ten and calm down.
Finally
I had enough and race to the table where the organisers are seated. I explain
to them that the auction is still going on, the guests for the Q&A are
waiting and so are the people who have come to listen to them.
“Well,
we did tell them to wrap it up 10 minutes ago. They said they were doing the
last drawings. They should leave soon.”
I go into annoyed-Cohort-mode, that normally seems to work. My voice drops, “Then you better go over there and have a look because they have just started a new batch of drawings and unless you want to have a riot on your hands…” That seems to do the trick.
The
Q&A starts about 15 minutes later than planned but unfortunately it
finishes at 5:05.
Can
I jinkapole the auctioneers now? (Transcript is written in separate
document Transcript
QandA-1st May 2004-GC)
We’re
happy to see that the Q&A has brought more people to their tables and they
are now queuing up. Good.
PKLib
is going with the Star Wars-people and the four of us are joined by Scifigrrl
and her son from Columbus, Mark and Maurie from Gettysburg and Big Joe From
Chicago. Mark, Maurie and CIM go with Scifigrrl and Joe joins us in Talyn. He
gets a kick out of that. Really going in Talyn?
We
can’t find Talyn. The parking layout is designed by a madman. To get to our
level, eventually, we have to go up one level, which is actually two, and then
down one level. Whoever designed this should be shot or jinkapoled.
We
spend a pleasant evening in a Brazilian restaurant and after we paid the bill,
we drive back to the hotel to pick up PKLib. We go to the bar and see Lani and
EC.
CT
asks for a Fuzzy Navel and CIM for a Old Granddad-on-the-Rocks. They must be
pulling my leg, right? I am surprised to find out that the person behind the
bar knows what I am talking about. CT grins happily.
We
walk back and Lani walks over to the dart-board at the other end of the bar to
get himself a drink and watch the darters for a while. From where I am
standing, I’m almost itching to walk over to show them how to throw the darts.
Not to talk to Lani, he needs his downtime. I don’t want to give Lani the
impression that I am following him but the way those people throw the darts at
the dartboard is irritating me. Leaning on the left foot to throw with the
right hand? I could predict which darts would be hitting the wall or the
ceiling, anywhere but the dartboard. That no one got hurt is a miracle!
Lani
and EC leave. We leave shortly after that, having found PKLib.
Sunday,
Day (Third day of the Convention)
Guess
who’s up before everyone else? No extra points for guessing right.
I
know where the coffee is now and make the first pot. I make a start on the
transcript but don’t get far. Al and later PKLib come and join me. Then the
others are up.
Al
and CIM make a fry-up. Hash browns, bacon, eggs and toast. I sin and have some
toast with freezer-jam, nice jam.
Al
and I go out in the garden. We root in the pile of branches at the back of the
garden and find ourselves a nice straight and long stick (ash I believe),
perfect size for a jinkapole. I stomp-break some of the excess branches, no
need for a chain saw. Nobody has said that it has to be completely straight.
With all those branches lying around I want to have a picture taken as a Cohort
in full jinkapole mode. I have mentioned it more than enough on the Board, it
would be appropriate to have a picture in full mode.
CT
and I spend a happy half hour or 45 minutes on the floor, trying to fit a
T-shirt and a pair of socks in the glass-case. I will win this bet. The butt
ends of forks and other implements are used to do the job but it is finally in.
NMC is snapping photos and PKLib stands there in wonder.
There,
it all fits in there and for safety sake we wind some strong elastic bands
around it until it is time to give it to Lani. Al has left the kitchen shaking
his head.
Couldn’t
have done it without CT’s help and we had fun doing it.
We
leave for the Convention in two cars since PKLib will be leaving right after
the Convention.
When
we get to the Convention, the others go to the scaper booth while my first call
of port is Chad Hutchinson who has done the airbrush painting of Crais. I’m
happy as a lark.
We
get together and now stand at Lani’s table. He must be getting sick of seeing
the same faces. We grin. Lani is wearing CIM’s new shirt and jeans today; it
must be cold. Luckily he left his hair loose, so much nicer to look at.
CT
and I have taken the elastic bands off the case and I hold it firmly, one never
knows. I go over to Lani and show him the airbrush painting and after handing
over the money to EC, I ask him to autograph it on the back.
Then
I produce the little case, I grin even broader, “You owe me a buck.”
He
looks surprised and then sees the little case, “You didn’t?”
“Yup,”
nods head enthusiastically.
He
produces a dollar and gives it to me, while I hand over the case. The look of
complete astonishment and merriment on his face is not something I will forget
easily when the case opens up and a T-shirt and two little socks appear, grown
up T-shirt and socks, we didn’t cheat by putting baby-clothes in there. “You’ve
done it!”
“Of
course!”
He
asks the dollar back and signs it, “I hope they don’t mind me defacing a
dollar.”
“Don’t
worry, that one will not go back into circulation.”
It
reads, “Loes, you won! Lani Tupu”
Virginia
is sharp, “Where is the underwear.”
Deadpan
face, “Hey, it’s Sunday.”
NMC
suggests to put the painting in the car, to keep it safe. We walk outside and
place the painting over the spare wheel. It is nice and flat there.
We
go back in and I pick up some more new artist’s works.
When
I walk over to Lani’s table, Lani is sitting on his own, holding the fort. He
has just finished the drawing he was working on and shows the finished result.
It is great. It shows an inside court garden. A big plant takes up the centre
of the picture, in the “back” of the picture is a wall with an open window
through which one can see another courtyard. The perspective is perfect. I like
it.
He
asks me if I had been to the toy-section, there are some great toys to be found
and I shake my head, no, but I have been able to get some new comics and
artworks of various artists.
Lani
asks me what I do for work and I tell him without trying to sound too boring.
Being a Civil Servant is boring enough as it is, but it brings home the bacon
(grin).
I
compliment him on his work and tell him, when he asks, that I find it difficult
to draw and write in the same period. Had to take a week away from writing to
do the drawing.
We
talk a little about the diet and he suggests Sea-salt instead of regular salt.
It’s a good tip to remember. We compliment each other on the visible weight
loss.
NMC
explains to me about drawing without looking at the paper, it might increase
the way I draw. Told her that I tried that but that it doesn’t work for me. To
me it is a hobby.
We
wander about a little bit more. It is getting pretty quiet at the tables, some
of the artists have left and the guests are starting to gather their things.
At
about 4:00 the guests start taking down the banners and packing up the photos
and prints. The Hall is emptying now and some have to get ready to be picked up
to go to the airport. EC tells us they will be seeing us in the Lobby.
We
move over to the scaper booth and help bring down all the items, it is quiet
now.
While
CIM is busy with the Scapers, I show NMC that I can draw free style but I have
to look at the paper. A rather fat man, seen at the back is the target. The
profile is good and instantly recognisable. That works for me (grin).
Tried capturing CT’s face and am only partially successful. We’re having fun
keeping ourselves busy with that.
Off
to the Lobby we go.
David,
Bianca and Virginia are already there, they are waiting for the bus to take
them to the airport. Their bags are standing close by. Lani and EC won’t be
leaving until the next morning.
Virginia
places her feet in NMC’s lap, “We’re all friends here.” And they strike up a
conversation. NMC talks to David.
I
go to the bar. Just have one cigarette left and nearly get a heart attack when
I hear the price for a package, USD 5.85? That’s even worse than in Europe!
I
need a cigarette after that bit of news and walk outside. David is sitting
there too, having his. I grin at him, “Us smokers must be healthier than
non-smokers.”
He’s
puzzled, “How’s that?”
“We
get more fresh air.”
We
laugh. I tell him that I hope that he will find work soon, all of them.
“Me
too. You’ll be the first to know.”
He
goes in after he finishes his cigarette and follow him a little while later
after I have finished mine.
David
thanks NMC for the cake, finished it last night in his hotel room.
Lani
comes in with EC and we all sit around quite happily, chewing the fat.
When
the bus comes, we all hug each other like one big happy family and Lani and EC
go out to see them off.
When
Lani and EC come back we talk about the Rolling Stones and Salvador Dali and
Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings in Pennsylvania.
I
ask Lani how he would describe his singing voice and he replies, “Rough… and
sometimes I can hold the notes.” I bet he sings better than he lets on.
When
they leave we all get a close hug from Lani. He’s such a cuddly bear of a man.
“Hopes
everything will work out.”
“Thank
you, so do I.”
It
is almost like seeing a dear cousin off.
We
leave shortly after they left. CIM drives.
NMC,
CT and I do the Tim Tam Explosion in the kitchen. CIM will not be joining us,
she can’t drink tea or coffee before going to bed, it would keep her awake but
she’s happily watching us.
It
is fun. Tim Tam is an Australian chocolate covered small sponge cake. You bite
a small piece off the opposite corners and then suck the tea through one of the
corners. The minute the tea hits the mouth, you turn the cookie over and then
eat it quickly. The flavour of the chocolate and the cookie mingled with the
tea is fantastic, as is the taste of cold and warm at the same time. I wouldn’t
want to have missed it for the world.
About
20 minutes after that I can feel the chocolate working on my system and bid
everyone a good night. I just make it to the toilet and then to bed.
It
is strange how it knocks me out. Just imagine drinking litres of alcohol while
you’re on a ship. I wake up at 4:00, that night it is very cold, whether it is
just the weather or the after-effects of the chocolate but I need to put a
blanket over the sheet, now that is cold.
I’m
up at 7:00, that’s late for me. I make the coffee and work on the transcript of
the Q&A. It’s handy to have NMC’s laptop. I stop when Al comes into the
kitchen. The topic this morning is Europe.
The
effects of the chocolate stay with me during the day; a slight imbalance on
occasion as if walking on a bucking ship or a bad hangover. Luckily I don’t
fall asleep.
Most
of the morning is taken up by getting all our things packed and readied to be
loaded into Talyn.
We
load up the car and have our pictures taken in front and behind Talyn. CT takes
a couple of me as The Fierce Cohort with Jinkapole, attacking Talyn and
spearing NMC on Talyn. The pictures show 4 happy Cohorts. We did have fun
together.
Before
we go, we have to do the Tim Tam Explosion. Well, CT, NMC and CIM are doing the
Tim Tam Explosion. CIM bites too big a piece off and part of the Explosion is
lost. We urge her to do another one. I’m not so sure whether she will like
those pictures (evil grin). There are still two Tim Tams left for CIM
and Al to try after we have gone.
CIM
drives in front of us to get us to the Turnpike and we stop over at a drive-by
to have something to eat. CIM is almost reluctant to let us go and we are
reluctant to leave. We hug each other when we leave the place. It will be a
long time before we see each other again.
CIM
pulls over near the Turnpike and we all wave to her to get onto the road. It’s
5:30.
We
do a good run, at one time even hitting 105 m/hr, which is about 170 k/hr. NMC
drives safely, even at this speed and I’m not bothered by it.
We
have a small pit stop along the motorway and I notice a silly sign, well, I
think it is quite silly and NMC and CT had never thought much about it. I think
it goes with the sign of “Hidden Drive”. It will pounce on you when you least
expect it?
The
sign reads, “This is a non-smoking facility. Shoes and shirts must be worn”.
What? You can get away with only wearing shoes and shirt? No trousers or
anything else needed? Flashers would have a field day and would probably, legally,
get away with it. It does conjure up some mucky Cohort’s thoughts.
We
make it home by 10:00.
We
stay up a while longer and talk to Jim. Then CT goes to bed.
NMC
and I stay up a little longer and come up with some Peacekeeper theories,
mainly concerning Braca and Crais. I wouldn’t be surprised if either of us will
be able to work some of that into a story. She has some valid ideas concerning
the relationship between Crais and Braca and I can quite easily see a story
grow out of that one. Maybe I will start on the concept after I have written
the reports.
Finally
we went to bed at 4:00. It is nice and it feels good to be able to talk to
someone about some of the series theories. Not much chance to do so over here.
In Holland the series is still in the Second Season and not that many people
have gotten into Crais and Braca yet, although we are also shown episodes of
later ones. I bet that is quite confusing to everyone. It is getting there but
people to talk to are not so easy to find here.
The
weather is a little overcast and perfect for staying indoors to do the
shopping.
I’m
a happy trooper, I can fit nicely in a 32 regular now and buy ECs (for Ian and
me), CD’s and DVD’s, prices here are cheap compared to Holland. We also go to
NMC’s office. CT stays in the car, catching up on a little rest. NMC’s
workspace is tidy, so much tidier than mine. And her colleagues are nice. Of
course the custom-story was retold.
CT
cooks steaks on the Barbeque. Compliments to the Chef, it came out just the way
I like it.
We
have some fun cleaning up the barbeque and chasing Twinkle over the garden who
got hold of a soap sponge, luckily she didn’t swallow it.
According
to NMC and CT I am a bad guest and make them bad hosts by helping them in
cleaning up the barbeque and the table. Try and keep an Energizer Bunny down.
After
dinner, Jim plays the drums and as far as I can tell, he plays a mean drum (grin).
Then he and NMC give us a duet on the drums and percussion instruments. They
play well together and in rhythm.
I’m urged to play on the drums as well. Don’t think I even come close to it.
NMC
had told Jim that I played pool and I was happily obliged to give him a game.
My
game is snooker and I had to get used to the wider tip and the much shorter
table. I noticed that Jim was gripping the cue like a baseball bat, much too
tight; it will not give you direction.
Part
of the game was spend to show him to hold it as if he was caressing a lady’s
tight, gentle, and how to hit the cue off centre for effect. From what I can
see, he definitely got the eye for it and with practise and holding the cue
lighter, both games would be a pleasure playing for him. This evening I lost
3/5 but seeing that someone can learn to play, is well worth that.
Tiredness
is catching up with me and I go to bed early, well, early for me.
It’s
time to hit the museums today. The sun is out and the weather is warm.
We
drive into Detroit and I don’t care what people say, it is a pleasant drive up
there and the architecture in the city itself is quite amazing. For a modern
city there is very little high-rise, most of the houses are two stories tall
and changes quite quickly in styles.
The
Centre Building is tall and even has Gargoyle faces set into its façade.
The
traffic lights change quickly and gives me enough time to take pictures without
getting out of the car and getting run down.
Our
first stop is Hitsville, the birthplace of Motown.
The
museum is small, no more than two small houses put together but the music
history, which the guide imparts on us is very interesting and we can’t take
pictures other than in the recording studio, which is situated in the basement
of the second house. We do a singing re-enactment and NMC remembers all the
words to “Stop! In the name of love…”
The
number of famous and well-known names of that period of the music world is big.
Even Martin Luther King was a Motowner. His speech of “I had a dream” was
recorded here, two months before he gave his public speech.
Michael
Jackson was here and donated his hat and gloves to the museum. At one time the
hat was stolen and tricked back into the museum.
I
get Ian his T-shirt, hat, pin and book on the History Of Motown.
Off
we go to the Detroit Historical Museum.
It
is handy. All museums are in the same street or rather Avenue.
The
city of Detroit is built on an axis and the Wheel is depicted on the ground
before you enter the museum. I didn’t know that Canada was so close to Detroit,
only the river separates the two. It is one place where I can stand in both
countries, without a passport, and get no hassle at customs (grin).
Because it is Wednesday, it only costs us a dollar each to get in. Very civilised.
The
museum starts in the basement and is laid out with shop fronts from the
beginning of the history of Detroit and cobbled streets and a brief (oral and
written) history of Detroit. From speakers set in the walls one gets the
impression of being there at that time. Other speakers, set near the shops,
give you an idea of the transactions in the shops and the accents spoken then.
Detroit
was the Gateway or Underground for the slaves to Canada and that, although
slavery was abolished in Detroit, the people who were part of the Underground
still had to be careful. Slaves could still be brought back, for a fee, to
their slave owners. Also, the concept of the Free School and education to all,
in the English language, was born here. The museum really gives a good and
compact history of Detroit and the surrounding area.
One
section was dedicated to the Motor industry. It showed that robotics have now
taken over from the workers.
I
make the mistake of seeing a drinking fountain set in the wall as a pissoir.
Well, to my European eye it looked like one as it is used in Belgium, luckily
I’m not a male to make that mistake (ahem).
Across
the street is a “museum piece” Yoko Ono put up. It is the best example of bad
taste I’ve ever seen. It’s a boxcar, to commemorate Mexicans who tried to enter
America and were shot inside the car doing so. Did she have to do it in a
German Boxcar? Or worse, to play very loud music from the speakers?
We
see a little museum or gallery, which is open. The Scarab Club. An artist
colony, founded in 1907 as the Hopkin Club and renamed to its present name in
1913. They were just hanging the paintings for the upcoming exhibition and we
were allowed free entry.
Some
of the paintings were very modern, others very classical and some strange.
Upstairs they had the photo-art and a must-see is the toilet. It has some of
the finest paintings painted on its walls.
We
walked into the garden, small but nicely laid out.
The
head of the Club came out. They’re always looking for volunteers to help in the
garden and such and for artists to join.
A
remark from me, when he pointed to “a half dead tree”, “How about a half alive
tree” prompted him to tell me that I could bring my tools with me. There were
still places for artists and they had painting sessions every weekend with a
life model. It will be a long haul indeed to make the weekly sessions.
I
take pictures of The African Arts Museum, it has some interesting features and
its façade blends in the modern stark lines with the traditional huts, it’s
roofed by a glass dome. We take a rest on one of the stone benches and talk a
bit.
From
there we make our way home and drive past The Fist, a huge sculpture with the
fist pointing to Canada. NMC calls it an insult to the Canadian people.
We
pick up some ribs and broasted (broiled/roasted) chicken for the evening meal.
One
thing is for sure, my palate has been wonderfully assaulted while I was over
there and to top it, I have lost weight (thanks CT and NMC).
We
watch “Shame”, a very early film of David Franklin. He had quite a cute smile
then and the film was disturbing but very good to watch. David’s performance
was good. We three enjoyed it.
After that, I give Jim another game of pool. Twinkle disrupts the second game by jumping on top of the pool table and dropping some of the balls. Jim is not amused.
This
time we play for real and I beat Jim in three straight games.
He
was amazed by the fast balls being potted at strange angles, “What and where
was which ball hit and into which pocket?” Remember, Jim, hold the cue lightly
don’t grip it too tight. It will give you balance, direction, soft strokes and
power.
I
tell him that with this kind of power behind the shot I once managed to pot
three balls on three consecutive snooker tables with one white ball. All right,
the other snooker players of the other tables weren’t happy with it, especially
when I asked for the ball back but the power is there.
Going
home leaves a strange mix of sadness and anticipation, especially when you had
a good time and stayed with good friends.
Most
of the morning is spent in packing, I say my goodbyes to Jim. CT takes me over
to Wallmart to buy a new suitcase. Customs really frelled the old one.
NMC
has cooked a breakfast, which can be found in the Farscape-cookbook, volume two
and I can’t remember the name of the recipe (shame on me). It’s potato
au gratin with mushroom soup and tomato soup topped by cheddar, done in the
oven, absolutely delicious and well worth breaking a diet for.
I say goodbye to the animals. Yes, I will even miss them.
CT
and NMC drive me to the airport and we have a last coffee downstairs.
I
feel sad saying goodbye to them and I hope they can all make it over to Holland
one day. I miss them. I miss the long stories of CIM. I miss the happy banter
with CT and the talks with NMC.
Going
through the gates is no problem, that’s a change.
On
the way over I sit in the back of the plane and a cold blower is hitting me for
over 9 hours. We have a delay for nearly an hour. The computers of the Control
Towers are not talking to each other and they had to work it out manually.
Well, it seems to have worked.
The
American travellers must have been given a shock, when the Captain announced,
“For entering Europe, you do NOT have to fill in forms. When we land JUST go to
passport control and then pick up your bags. Have a pleasant stay in Holland.”
Did he have problems getting through Customs too in America?
It
is now Friday, 6:00 in the morning.
And it was true, was through customs and out in the Arrival Hall in 20 minutes flat. Luckily my bag was one of the first to come off the conveyor belt.
Hubby
is waiting for me. He even hugs and kisses me in public. Maybe I should go more
often (grin). Going to America was fun, a lot of fun but seeing his
happy face makes me happy to be home.
Apart from a short nap of about an hour in the afternoon, managed to stay awake to even join the chat room in the evening and went to bed at 4:00 AM. 38 hours, not too bad.