Highlight of my day:  Renee, Selena and I chatted with Jonathan Frid in the lobby of the Marriott about 30 minutes ago.  No one was around so we said hello.  Selena, who is 9 yrs old is frightened of Barnabas Collins so we asked Mr. Frid to assure her he was not as bad as she thinks.  He laughed and told Selena to "sleep tight" in a menacing but joking way!  He seems to be very relaxed and enjoying himself as are we!

I've seen casual to almost black tie at the dinner so just wear what you feel comfortable in.  I'm not doing the banquet this year but in the past I've just worn pants and a blouse. One year I was so uncomfortable in the dressy outfit I chose to wear to the banquet that I ran up to my room and changed in between salad and entree.

Just packed my sunscreen!! I am soooooooo ready~

I hear ya ladies! I will be going this year but I missed the previous 2 years due to finances and this one is by the skin of my teeth. My washer and dryer both had to be replaced in June and that set me back a bit.

Teresa

I checked Burbank and it was way out of my budget even for the convenience.  My RT flight to LAX will be approx $330 but Burbank was $680 so it was a no brainer.  I know I won't spend over $300 on a cab from LAX to Burbank and Super Shuttle is maybe $50?

Have a super fun day!!

Thank you everyone! I did enjoy my day starting with an early morning breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and then some sushi/thi for dinner.  I guess turning 47 isn't too bad~
Love Teresa

These are all great reviews of the fest! I love reading about everyone's experiences and what memories they brought back with them.  I also adore John Karlan and a few years back in Calif. when the fest was near Disneyland I got a chance to have some one on one talk time with him when he joined me for breakfast. Since he invited himself, how could I resist!! He was simply charming and sat with me about an hour chatting about NYC mostly and we talked a little about Korea since my dad was also in the war. Oh, and he ate a piece of my toast.

Nancy brings up a good point. To have the fest run smoothly we need staff and fest goers to all pitch in and help.  Those few fans that behaved like that should be ashamed of themselves.  Bothering anyone while eating is rude and being persistant when told politely to he was not signing autographs is ignorant. Sometimes I think there are a few (thankfully) who think paying admission to the fest also means getting undivided attention from the cast.

I had an experience a few years ago while volunteering at the festival.  They made an announcement that handicapped could move up to the front of the line and I had a huge surge break the line and I told them handicapped first and they looked me straight in the face and said " Oh, we are handicapped"  Since I had seen them moving around fine most of the weekend I seriously doubted their claim and thought how rude to take a place in line that someone else deserves.

So, it boils down to the fact that we all need to be aware of our friends and neighbors at the fest or anywhere and offer assistance if it appears to be needed.  Give up a seat if you are a healthy adult who can stand for awhile and just be kind and courteous.  This applies especially to those of us who have attended many fest and know the ropes a bit.  I think it's nice when the newcomers can have the close up seats and be first in line to get autographs.  It makes it a good experience for them and they return the next year.  Sorry, I seem to be rambling~