Tuesday, August 30, 2011

LOST andalone in Margaritaville

A margarita tastes better when it is served
in a glass from the LOST Prop Warehouse
in Hawaii.  There are two in the set.


Best as I can determine, the glasses were used in 
the Season 1 episode, "Exodus, Part1".
They are background props, holding some
sort of snack - nuts? on the bar
during the Jack and Ana Lucia encounter.




(I can barely detect the colored rim of the 
margarita glass when I enlarge the photos.)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

"The Numbers" Wristband

I am always on the lookout for
MORE LOST.
I recently admired a wristband that
Jo Garfein was wearing at the LOSTie
party at The Barracks, featuring
"The Numbers"

I ordered one as soon as I returned
home.  It is wider than most
of my LOST wristbands,
measuring almost an inch wide.
You can purchase one here:





Autograph Quest Continues...

My quest to obtain autographs
from all of the LOST cast and guest stars
continues. I received Susan Duerdan's 
autograph in yesterday's mail.
Ms. Duerdan portrayed Claire's mother,
Carole Littleton.


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Friends are the BEST Gift, But Presents are Great Too!

This is my friend Rob. He is AWESOME.
(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

(He is also very tall and calm, the exact opposite of
short, spastic me.)

Rob is a LOSTie as well, and was one of my
housemates at The Barracks.
He has an amazing collection of LOST
memorabilia, he purchased quite a few items
from the Official LOST Auction. 
Rob is also quite the wordsmith,
and his blog entries are always
informative and entertaining:

Rob approached me during the LOSTie
party at The Barracks, stating he had
a surprise for me. A short time later, he brought out one
of the screen-worn "Juliet shirts" he had purchased
during the LOST Auction....

Juliet fan, Jo Garfein enjoyed the moment
(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)
Note: Rob is also the person responsible for my twitter
avatar. He photographed my Head-on-a-Stick
wearing the other Juliet shirt from his auction lot.

I thought the opportunity to actually hold Juliet's shirt
was the surprise. I was WRONG-O.
A few days later, Rob presented me 
with an intriguing package.

The package was heavy for its size.
 I opened it and could make out a curious
shape beneath the bubble wrap.

 SURPRISE! It was one of Jin's handcuffs
from the lot that Rob purchased from the 
LOST Auction.

 You can read all about the handcuff lot here:

It was so cool to hold and handle the handcuff,
it was the first time I had ever held one.
I was surprised by the weight and thanked
my Miss Goody-Two-Shoes mentality that I
have never been arrested.

Like the Juliet shirt, I assumed that Rob brought
the handcuff simply for the purpose of sharing
some of his LOST props with his friends in person.
I was WRONG-O again!

Rob gifted the handcuff to me. For ME! TO KEEP!
Just wow! I was, and am still overwhelmed with his generosity.
The first thing I did upon arrival home
(after kissing the kid and dog)
was to properly frame the handcuff 
for display in a shadowbox.

It is one of my most prized pieces of
LOST memorabilia - not only because
it is so freaking AWESOME,
but also because is is also a symbol
of the amazing friendships I have made
through LOST.

Thank you, Rob. You are my hero.

$10 Commission Sketches by Ryan Dunlavey

Artist/illustrator Ryan Dunlavey offered
$10 Commission Sketches a few months ago.
I ordered three LOST-themed sketches.
They arrived last week.

You can see more of Ryan's work
on his blog:
http://www.ryandartist.com/art.html
and his tumblr:
http://ryandunlavey.tumblr.com/

Of course, Desmond was my the first selection.

The second subject I chose was Miles.
I don't have many "Miles items"
in my collection.

The final subject was Squirrel Baby.
It turned out to be my favorite of the three sketches.

I still want a Squirrel Baby doll!!!

We Have To Go Back!

My trip to San Diego and Los Angeles had to end sometime,
and I shared a cab with Kiwilostie
to LAX.


I haven't been in an airport
or boarded a plane in the last seven years
without thinking about LOST and looking for references.

I wasn't disappointed.
The seat assignments on my boarding passes
for the return flights
home seemed the perfect ending to the week.

All I needed was a couple of bottles
of vodka.....

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Walt Disney Studios Tour

Monday morning brought an end to our stay at The Barracks.
After a dash to the post office to mail home the assorted
banners, boxes, posters and swag, we loaded up into several
cars and began a caravan to Burbank and a tour
of the Walt Disney Studios. Comixguru is employed 
by Disney and was extremely generous to
arrange a tour for us.

I dozed most of the way, but was awake long enough
to realize that everything I have heard about
Los Angeles traffic is TRUE. Double ugh.

Our first stop on the tour was the commissary.
We had a delicious lunch - the options were
AMAZING - much more appetizing than
the Lean Cuisine frozen entree I
usually eat at my desk.

The tour through Disney Studios
was wondrous and magical, with happy memories
from my childhood sparked at every turn.
(photo courtesy Rob Perrin)

(photo courtesy Rob Perrin)

(photo courtesy Rob Perrin)



When we entered the Animation Building
we discovered a directory of the current offices
of the people who inspired magic and wonder
for me as an adult - Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.
(photo courtesy Rob Perrin)

(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)


Eddy Kitsis and  Adam Horowitz also
were listed on the directory.
It took every ounce of self-control
to NOT "go visiting".


We were then led to the holy grail for
LOST fans - Building 23.
Michael Emerson leads this tour
(from the LOST DVD Extras)

The LOST sign has since been removed, but
my friends and I lined up in front of
Building 23 with a mixture of awe and reverence.
(photo courtesy Ian Knight)


 and two members of the group paid homage
 to Damon Lindelof by planking.

We lingered there as a group for awhile,
reflecting on the impact
LOST has made on us.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Sunday at Comic-Con

I decided that I wasn't up for the long lines 
and forever waiting for any of the panels
scheduled on Sunday at Comic-Con.
(The long confinement in the "staging area"
from the previous day had taken its toll.)

I headed to the Con and just walked around
for a bit. I had two missions in mind....
score some swag for my friend Bonnie's
granddaughter and head to the Mondo booth.

Through some stretching of the truth...
okay- flat out giant lie, 
I talked a woman manning the Phineas & Ferb
booth out of posters and the much-in-demand
bags. Mission one accomplished.

I then headed over to the Mondo booth.
I knew that Kevin Tong, Daniel Danger and
Rob Jones were manning the booth at
various times, and I wanted to meet
some of the artists behind the DCaaPB 
LOST prints.
(photo courtesy Chris Leaning)

I was fortunate enough to meet all three artists
and purchased Kevin Tong's
"The Invisible Man" for my son 

and Daniel Danger's "Cowboys and Aliens"
for myself.
DCaaPB introduced me to not only some
fabulous LOST art but also to some amazing artists.
I have since purchased additional
(non-LOST) art by almost all of the artists
involved with both Series 1 and Series 2
of DCaaPB. 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Saturday (Not) at Comic-Con: Cowboys and Aliens World Premiere

 Early Saturday morning, Bonnie, Scoutpost and I 
boarded the #8 bus (LOST connection!!!)
just down the block from The Barracks
to make our way to the line for the
Cowboys and Aliens World Premiere.

The information sheet indicated that the
line formed at ten, which translated to:
  people were probably already in line at dawn.

A transfer from the bus to the trolley and
a short time later we were just blocks away from
what would be a very long wait.
There were already about 6-8 in line ahead 
of us.  Some of our housemates arrived
a bit later and joined us for a photo op.
(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

Hours and hours later, we began to be admitted 
into the "staging area" in groups of 5.
Security was thorough: our bags inspected,
bodies scanned, and IDs checked.
We were each given a wristband-
my was gold, which indicated I was
of legal age to consume alcohol at the after-party.
(note: waaaaay old enough)
The "staging area" was a huge ballroom-sized area.
It would be our home for the next 7+ hours.

Refreshments in the form of soft drinks and 
Teriyaki Jerky - huh? were provided for us.

The room continued to fill.....
(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

...as preparations were made outside for the arrival of the stars 
(photo courtesy Scoutpost)

We spent the time chatting, charging our phones, reading,
a lot of wandering around - I can't sit still for that long.

Finally were were led through the doors.... 
(photo courtesy LOST_4815162342)

and onto the red carpet to enter the theater.
(photo courtesy LOST_4815162342)

Bonnie, Scoutpost and I posed briefly on the red carpet.
I offered a little homecoming queen wave to our
adoring fans.
(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

Our little group was among the first in line,
so we were given first choice in seating
once inside the theater. A large section was 
marked "Reserved", and we chose the first row
adjacent to the VIP section.
(phot courtesy Bonnie Green)

(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

It was all so exciting! I tend to bounce like a human 
Bobble-Head out of enthusiasm 
and I almost spilled
the complimentary popcorn and drink.

We watched the red carpet arrivals streaming 
live on the screen and as the theater began filling with VIPS.

  
I almost gave myself whiplash looking around for
celebrities.  They were EVERYWHERE!!!
Grant Bowler aka Captain Gault of the Kahana
on LOST was seated two rows directly behind me.
Rob McElhenney aka Aldo of the Others on LOST
was seated across the aisle.

The lights dimmed and Jon Favreau took the stage and
began introducing the cast and those associated with
the film. I cannot express the overwhelming
thrill it was to have the idols of my childhood, teens,
heck - MY ENTIRE LIFE
on the stage LIVE in front of me.
I took a few photos with my iPhone 
(cameras were not allowed)
the Stars....
Daniel Craig! Harrison Ford! Olivia Wilde!
The Executive Producers....
Steven Spielberg! Ron Howard!
The Writers....
Damon Lindelof! Bob Orci! Alex Kurtman!
The Co-Stars....
Keith Carradine! Clancy Brown!
so many more.
I left out a ton of people -
full cast info here:



Damon Lindelof was seated about 5 rows behind 
our group just before the move started. 
He joined Adam Horowitz and a few others.

The movie was fantastic - though it was difficult to 
concentrate at times, knowing that so many of my 
idols were seated just feet/yards away.
(I saw it again a few days after returning home
to catch everything I missed in my starstruck coma)

Following the movie, I seized an opportunity
to speak to Damon Lindelof in the lobby.
(I had just exited the restroom as he was passing by)
Lame-o me tapped him on the shoulder and
said some stupid fan-gushing nonsense.
He was very gracious and did not
call security. 
But damn! I get so overwhelmed,
I always forget to ask for photo.

A fabulously catered after-party was held
in the courtyard just outside the theater and
we were treated to a variety of food stations, 
an open bar and music.
(photo courtesy Patrick McKinley)

(photo courtesy Bonnie Green)

Most of the celebrities left immediately after the 
screening to attend other parties/events.
But a few stayed and mingled.

I spotted Grant Bowler and his friends just a few
feet away. My friend Bonnie was brave enough
to approach him and posed for a photo.

But I chickened out of photo op.
 He was so incredibly good looking and I am an idiot. 
My friend Mib saved the day and had him sign my sketchbook
 He returned it to me and kissed my right cheek. Swoon!
I am fine with regular autograph session, 
but prospect of approaching celebrities in 
social settings is daunting to me.
So I am extremely grateful to Mib for her
courage and to Grant Bowler for being  so
understanding and kind to this fangirl.


We had a wonderful time at the party.
I even danced!
(and there is proof in form of
 an incriminating video floating around the 
world wide web somewhere.)
YIKES!!! 

Postscript - I forgot to mention that
premiere attendees received a 
Cowboys and Aliens go-cup
after the movie. They were
out of the nicer, covered travel cups
by the time I claimed mine.
I chose the holographic
Harrison Ford giant Slurpee cup....


I later made the trip to a 7-11 to pick
up the Daniel Craig


and Olivia Wilde cups.


(I wanted the complete set.)
Earlier in the week, 
LOST_4815162342 purchased
a light-up wrist blaster cup for me.