OK, San Diego Comic-Con International is really over, even in my skinny little mind. But I seem to need to process the show in text - what was hot and who was hot and what it was like to set up for Natalie's gracious, last-minute appearance in our Star Wars Pavilion.

First of all let me confess to a little post-show depression. Not serious depression mind you, but a little sadness that my one huge (Celebration III) and one big (Comic-Con) shows are over for 2005. Sniffle. What am I living for now, besides the closing books and budgets and the plans and budgets for the next big shows and Bantha Tracks and the next batch of membership kits and getting the X-wing from SIGGRAPH to its next destination and Bantha Tracks and thinking about the DVD release plans and . . . well what am I thinking about without these shows?

One of the surprising and gratifying things that happened at Comic-Con this year was that people thought our Pavilion was bigger than last year. In fact it was not, but I take the good comments to mean that it seemed as big or bigger. We were full of people in the shop, and all through the booth, crowded with people for the Master Replicas' live lightsaber battle demonstrations, the LucasArts Episode III tournaments, and to watch the LEGO remote-controlled Artoo toodle around. People stood watching the big, three-sided LED walls we hung in the middle of the Pavilion, which had almost 6 hours of footage per loop.

I love it. I love crowded booths. I love big shows. I love a lot of action, and most of all I love seeing Star Wars fans have a good time.

So what was hot? We were!

The "A-team" Volunteers were who was hot. Kristen, Debby, Christine, Matt M., Kelsey, Cindi, Brian, Rogue, Caitlin, Jesse, Matt S., Ken, Steve (Slawomir), Mike, Larry, Donna, Linda, Sam, Chris, Tom, Michael - you all rock! We couldn't do it without you, and I would work with you all again in a heartbeat. Half a heartbeat! A thousand thanks.

I've sent thank-yous to all our great panelists for Star Wars Day, and to the many professionals who really helped the show come off great. But it's you volunteers who don't get the press and don't get the paychecks for your show time, who really deserve my thanks here.

Natalie Portman was at Comic-Con to promote her new movie, "V for Vendetta." She graciously agreed to come by the Pavilion and greet Star Wars fans for a bit before her plane took off. As most things are in the entertainment business, the decision was very last-minute, and we had limited time. What to do?

We handed out numbered tickets (thank you Dan and Debby for producing those last-minute!) to folks in the Pavilion and told them to come back at a certain time for "something special." Natalie stole in through the hall and we put her up in a curtained room, then fans came in, got to say hi, and had their photo taken with her, and got to take the Polaroid with them. All in all it went great.

I think the biggest joy was mine, however. I got to explain to each small group of people who were about to go in and see Natalie, exactly what was happening. Watching their faces light up just made my day. Many had no idea, and if some suspected they were still pleasantly surprised at the confirmation. Two little boys were so excited to "see Queen Amidala" they looked like they had just found themselves in the GFFA (Galaxy Far, Far Away).

I have got to have the coolest job in the world.