Another year has come and gone. I still have the post Comic-Con blahs. I've been reminiscing of this year and past years by slowly going through the 40 year anniversary book. Did any of you buy this? It's excellent!

I was very happy with the Hyperspace Breakfast. As always the folks at Official Pix (Anne Neuman) and Mary Franklin did an excellent job. People always whine and complain about the price, but could you imagine how much it would cost to rent out a hall that big and feed over 100 people for an event during Comic-Con at the Marriott right smack in the middle of the convention? It boggles the mind! It is such a nice and intimate event where you get to talk to VIPs such as Dave Filoni (a class act!), Steve Sansweet, Hasbro folks, and actors from the world of Star Wars. Every year my brother and I attend and every year we don't win the raffle. This year we both brought our spouses and lo and behold my sister-in-law won an original Clone Wars art piece. Wouldn't you know it! Rookie's luck!

I didn't get to attend as many panels as I had hoped. Of course it didn't help that I had a gap in child care on Friday and had to take a taxi to my mom's for a few hours. Also, I didn't get to stay for the night time programming because I have an infant. I may not be able to do the night time programming for many years because of it. I just hope that my kid grows to love Comic Con as much as I do and that she will want to geek out with me when she's older.

The San Diego Convention Center turns into a mini city every year with a daily population of 125,000+ comprised of creatures from all over the galaxy and space-time continuum. Here you wouldn't blink twice at a man walking on stilts, a Darth Vader holding the severed head of Jar Jar Binks, or a celebrity who is sitting in a panel in the row next to you to find out the latest on Family Guy (Jon Heder and his brother 2 rows up). It is also a place where reporters and media flock to get all the latest gossip.

One trend I noticed this year because of the increased popularity of the panels was decreased traffic in the exhibit hall. In years past, it was practically impossible to get from one end to the other without devoting a good hour. No joke! The foot traffic is still nuts, but it has been replaced by lines that last hours to get into panels. You learn to space out your time, triple book yourself and expect to be shut out. I hear many complain about how the crowds have made Comic Con difficult to enjoy. I see it as a metropolis where you just have to use strategies to achieve your goals and, in the end if you don't get to see the panel you wanted or pick up that one highly sought out piece of swag, you learn to get over it. I love being amongst the fans of all ages. Here I never feel like I'm getting to old to participate. I think I've come to a point where I want to give more than receive. I want to volunteer and perhaps devote some of my convention time to helping others. Lord knows the security guards (Elite - more like Marginal!) don't know squat and only confuse, aggravate, and waste every body's time. I'll probably give them a call as soon as things settle down and volunteer my services.

I really enjoyed the Star Wars Spectacular, except for Olivia Munn. Man was she aggravating or what?! I know she was trying to be funny, but the jokes got old and she insisted on sticking to her script even after it was bombing. She needs to learn to improvise! I really was looking forward to seeing the trailer to Old Republic on the big Hall H screens and was disappointed when they didn't show it. It was airing in the Star Wars Pavilion and it really took my breath away! Big props to the Lucasarts folks! Dave Filoni showed us some cuts from next season. I have to admit I stopped watching because I gave birth and had a rough start at parenting and now because of parenting obligations have not been able to pick up where I left off. Thankfully, the season 1 DVD is coming out. The sneak peek of season 2 looks awesome! I had read that Obi-Wan did have a love interest but never pursued it because of his commitment to being a Jedi. I think it's cool that they are incorporating it to season 2.

I am sad that it's over and quicker than I can even imagine. I had some rough times at the beginning of this year. My brother kept reminding me, "before you know it, it will be Comic Con." These words got me through a lot. Now it has come and gone. I can't wait 'til next year. I'm sure it will be here before we know it. Isn't it fall already? Just kidding!