So Convention life is over for the summer, for me, and I too have been reflecting on this truly amazing year I have had.
I have done 7 conventions since December, almost once a month. While I had great times at all of them, I'm very very tired. Wiped, pooped, bushed, the fork has been stuck in me. So I think I deserve a little break from it all.
Luckily I live in Los Angels, and the weather has been absolutely perfect.

So I have been spending the better part of the last 2 weeks, floating in the pool, drinking my Vodka tonics out of my 7-11 Star Wars cup, and absorbing the awesome California sun. Or in shorter terms, I've had time to think and reflect.

The greatest part of Convention life is seeing all my great friends from around the world. It's wonderful to see how so many people come together to celebrate life at these events.
This year has been particularly special for me because I met so many new people. Some clients, some celebrities, and some fans. More than ever I see that people are people no matter what they do or where they come from. There are great people in all walks of life.

My Conventions and their highlights for me:

GenCOn SoCAL- December 2004
A very low key convention but it served me well because I got to spend extra time getting to know people.
-The lucasarts guys were great. Their Mic man, Matt Shell is a ham like me, so he and I hit off well. Ever since then, during conventions, you can usually find Matt and I at a pub buying rounds for one another...it's cheaper that way.
- I met tom Hodges for the first time. He and I had tables at the Star Wars pavilion. We took turns drawing fans and gave drawing lessons. Terri Hodges (Toms wife) was very cool. Turns out we grew up in the same little town as kids. Terri would instantly become my super woman when Tom would rag on me about my lack of knowledge concerning comics. While Tom and I have had our differences, I'm still very happy to have met him.
-I got to show off what I do to my girlfriend...who isn't my girlfriend anymore. (I wonder if showing her my con life had anything to do with our split ),
- Not only meeting Ray Park, but getting to know him well enough to say we are friends. Such a nice guy.
- Teaching my first "how to draw Star Wars" class. Was really great, and found something I really enjoy doing.
- Getting to know Mary Franklin. Mary has quickly become one of my favorite people in this whole world. If you think she's amazing for planning C3 and Comic Con (and that is amazing), you don't know the half of it. If Mary wrote a biography, it would inspire the world.

Wonder Con- February 2005
Drove up to San Francisco with Tom Hodges for this one. I've never talked so much Star Wars in my life, but enjoyed every second of it.
-Business, I was so busy I didn't get to get up form my table much. Really enjoyed the fans.
-I got to apologize to Kevin Smith for showing his home on my Hollywood tour (a job I used to have). He was cool about it, and remembered me.
-Seeing Steve and the gang from LFL. I love them all.
-Nightlife with Pablo, Kristin, Bonnie, Jeff and friends. I'm so happy I got to know every better, and share laughs.

Wizard World LA- March 2005
One of the smaller and slower cons, but Cynthia Cummens came out for the show, and I love when she and Ian (my family in Chicago) come visit me. Both are very deer to my heart. Cynthia and I were like two little kids giggling and playing jokes on one another the whole time.
- The birth of Artists Allied. Cynthia, Tom and I had this great meeting after the con one day, and wrapped about pulling things together as a group.
The passion was there and it was exciting.
- Did I mention Cynthia Cummens was there?

Star Wars Celebration 3- April 2005
Oh man, where do I start? Just figure everything that was great about Comic Con and then these stand out highlights.
- Meeting all the great artists that were in the art show. Made some great friends and learned a lot form all.
-Having my Mom there to share it all with me. She went to Celebration 2 with me to help, when I was starting out. So she got to see first hand how far I had come. Artistically and success wise, yeah, but more so as a person.
-Did I mention Cynthia Cummens was in the table next to me?
- The beds at the westin...OOOOooooooOOOOoooooo
-The Private LFL Party, I literally met EVERYONE with LFL.
- The private screening of the film footage Mary arranged for all the help and artists who didn't have time to stand in lines.

Star Wars fan Fest- June 2005
Cool little con, with great fans of the game Star Wars Galaxies.
-Getting to know so many of the fans better.
-Partying with the Lucas Arts gang.

Comic Con- July 2005
Wow, I can't believe I made it this far. All that is comic con was great.
But these stand out the most.
-Meeting Natalie Portman. Ooo La La!
- The Padre Game with matt and some guys from Lucas Arts.
-My trip to San Diego, then back to Hollywood, then back to San Diego, and then back to Hollywood with Cynthia and Ian.
-My How to draw class on Sunday. 300 students strong!
- The Lucas film party. I always have fun there.

So yeah, I'm ready for vacation!
Randy