Into the wee morning hours once again, I took a brief nap once I got home, mainly because I was trying to unplug myself so to speak from another day - it worked but eventually I should go to sleep for another day is approaching.

So what to discuss about...oh yes...venturing outside the Con; no I know I preached it but some of ya'll wonder do I really do it? Well I did, I managed to check out into the Downtown Gaslamp area for San Diego & I do stand by my statement. The interactive zone over at Petco Park was cute this year tho I have heard it was more lively last year w/ what was taking over the area & its fine, every year is different. Gaslamp Downtown was just another site within itself that just makes things rather different & unique. To see Downtown San Diego especially within the Gaslamp area transform for these events is something. In short of my adventure of taking in the sites & sounds, some free swag, some free snacks & a lot of relaxing. I also made my way over to the Marriot & Hyatt to see how things were as well. Ppl still went & there was plenty to do as I say once again...y'really don't need badges. Observing, I can safely guess the ratio of badge to non-badge folks wandering around is respectably 1:3.

Submitting my time to give back & seeing all the announcements; Star Wars, MLP: FiM & other sorts were pretty cool. Also, managed to go to the Kung Fury panel & as funny & great as that had been, the message was pretty sound - pursue your dreams & risk everything.

Some folks have been voicing how its not the same or its lost its luster, others wonder why ppl go there when they themselves aren't into the comic pop culture. As, as I would like to say, a veteran going for over 10+ years can understand the reasonings why ppl have been voicing their opinion. I can only humbly speculate as I think over these thought provoking voices stating their opinions. Why have I been going? Why have others flocked here if they are completely obvious to the pop culture that SDCC is providing to the masses?

I have to agree to one sentiment; its not that one con is better than the other, it is about friends going w/ friends & w/ me hanging out w/ good company for about 10+ has helped. My purpose has changed within the 10+ as an attendee, a good part of it has become apart of the volunteering, its a different insight, greater appreciation of how things are run in a convention, more friends [to hug fellow volunteers that y'work w/ in the same department is nice...granted its not everyday friends it is like I guess the best way to put it, long time friends coming together for 5 days] & the opportunity to show other friends the SDCC experience because they've never been or help folks who couldn't score tickets to come.

As for that anamoly, I think w/ ppl hyping how SDCC is; it became a curiousity factor. They may not be initially pop culture fans at first but after being there, some either become hooked or are satisified & feel there's no reason to go again...I wish the latter was more common but I think my first hunch is a more accurate statement. Afterall; especially w/ ppl I work with in volunteer staffing & even my long time local friends - it became a 'you're going to what con again?' to 'OMG you're going to Comic-Con, can you get me tickets?!' As much as ppl think this has long stopped being a convention 'bout comics...it is ironically a common theme among the con. It has a lil bit of something for everyone but at the same time its that lil bit of something in all reality became a large blob. Yes, from the video games to the movies & other promotional stints were inspired by something comic book based & if it wasn't; it had become its own comic within the next few years.

With Saturday being day 3. I am fairly ready...thanks for following me on twitter / instagram [ @ lilcherbear ] ; I'll hopefully have more pictures but w/ my plans to be fairly relaxed for the big ol' Masquerade Ball, we shall see. For now ~ nap time!