Hopefully next year the los Angeles Comic Convention will have a signing of spiderman stuff there. I know I will get a signing. By the way did they give away any limited edition Spider-man posters?

That's great, but I'd say she's an exception. I've been married over thirty years and my wife is no more interested now (and possibly even less) in attending any kind of con than when we first got together. And I know many other families/couples (married and otherwise) in similar situations.

I do buy stuff at ComicCon, some comics, mostly books, but not for collecting. For reading. I don't really collect, nor even do what you do with eBay. In fact, based on what you say that you do, it seems we do pretty much the same sort of things at ComicCon. Maybe I don't belong either.

Are you involved in the electronics industry? I've always wanted to go, but I was under the impression it was an industry only trade show.

Sometimes my son and I play on one of his systems. I've never had a game system either. I'm contemplating a PS3, but mostly because of Blu-ray.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Maybe split it into two conventions and have another in September or October for the winter stuff.

there was 300 less vendors this year than last because of the space they are giving to the big name companies. Makes you wonder if in another five or so years if this will just become a public trade show.

The vendor situation does need to be looked at. There were so many issues this year...like being let in only a 1/2 hr before the rush of the crowds on Sat. Insanity.

One of my favorite stories from this year's SDCC (and I've got tons) was waiting in the Pro line for my badge. By a twist of fate Jamie S. Rich, the writer of DVDTalk's "KING OF THE NERD PROM: COMIC-CON 2006" was standing right in front of me. We'd been waiting for a couple hours when we finally got near the front, the last few steps before freedom.

There was a row of volunteers at the pro counter and one of the professionals had just gotten his badge and left, leaving a big space for the next guy in line. But the female volunteer stood there blanky as the pro at the front of the line kept talking to his friend, unaware that it was his turn to get the holy badge.

Jamie, anxious to be on his way, yells out "SEE THAT GIRL? SHE'S GOT A HOLE! FILL IT!"

Oh...I can't count the number of times I've laughed beer out my nose telling that story. Wonderful twist of the tongue.

Another good story for my grandkids is Robert Rodriguez came by to check out my books. He and his crew stopped, picked up some stuff, and did me an honor by saying "very cool" in reference to one of my creations.

Hey, TheV, I've got a question for you.

What's the situation with tables and stuff after the hall closes for the night? To people leave their stuff at the tables, or pack up and take it out every night? I can't imagine vendors are resetting those action figure racks every night or lugging eight long boxes of comics to their hotel.

Are there just security guards in there all night or something?

It's just left there and covered.

There is security though...so don't get any funny ideas about stealing my books next year.