Unforgettable Summer Vacation!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This summer I decided to go on an adventure. This was me flying for the first time, traveling solo for the first time, and attending a convention for the first time. At first, I thought this was completely insane, but it started when I retweeted a post on Twitter saying "It be fun if I had friends that were into these types of things." I didn't expect what happened next, Mark Pellegrino had tweeted me back, and from there on out the journey started.

I was skeptical about it, because I never went anywhere alone, let alone get on a plane. I was nervous, and hell not even sure I could push myself to get out of that comfort bubble I've been in my entire life. I sat on the idea for weeks before requesting a cameo (a service that allows celebrities to make you a video, or send a message to their fans personally).

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e8d2c4_f468d9ccd2ec48a49b86b3291fd0cd6b/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Cameo Request: From Mark Pellegrino known as Lucifer Supernatural

After giving it some time I finally swallowed that lump in my throat and ordered my VIP Ticket to the convention along with my plane ticket, and hotel reservation. For weeks I was on an epic high, it was something to look forward to, months going by and it was finally the week of the convention. After getting my hair redone, and finishing up last-minute things. I was finally being dropped off at the airport, and the anxiety was flooding throughout me. But I held my head high and walked through the airport, got my ticket, and went through security. It took me two different flights before I finally landed in Pittsburgh. The excitement was immensely high, from getting off the flight and into that Uber on my way to the hotel. I had a roommate who was working the convention, she was awesome and a very nice lady. I was glad she was there with me so it was thrilling.

I had planned to try and go explore the downtown area, but jet lag was real. I needed to get some rest that night before the convention so I did. The next morning, getting up, showered, and finally put on a face. I couldn't believe it was the first day of the convention. I was super nervous I was about to meet Mark, and many others along with that.

Once I had walked over to the convention building which was next door to the hotel I was in. (luckily) I got there pretty early, so around 9:45 am I wasn't sure how early to show up but there were tons of people waiting in the lobby before we were let up around 10 am, So I followed behind the many of others of people. There were TONS of people on the first day. It was slightly confusing at first because there was this huge line of people. So I stood behind but then I noticed another line. So I asked a few of the other attendees where we need to stand for preorder tickets. So after asking and getting in the right line. It was probably a good 35min wait before I finally got my badge. It seem it would have been faster if I just paid the day off since there was only one long line for preorders and no line for the cash or card line to get a ticket anyways.

After I waited, gotten my stuff and walked through the doors where they had the vendor's tables all setup. Then they had a few other tables off to the side for autos. It was overwhelming because I was there alone, and I didn't know what exactly to do. So I walked around before getting in line to get my Mark photo op. My hands at this point were sweating badly. I was so excited, waited in the VIP line, and finally there he WAS. First off this guy is super tall, like REALLY tall. I didn't expect that, I wasn't sure if he would remember me from Twitter. Because I know he interacts with millions of people but he automatically remembers from when I tweeted the night before. Got my photo then walked away, to be honest, I was not a fan of my first photo. I was hella nervous, and it clearly showed in my photo op.

Photo Op with Mark Pellegrino

My hand bothers me, I always have these moments where I'm nervous and have absolutely no idea where to put my hand. I didn't know whether to touch him or have it hover. So I did what I always do and awkwardly have it hover. I kept saying my hair made me look like Mufasa because of how ridiculously poofy it was. But I was sooooooo glad I got to finally be in the presence of him. I walked away to check out the vendor's tables because I still was not sure what to do. I finally got tired and walked out on the balcony to have a smoke because it was seriously needed from all the anxiety. After coming back inside, someone stopped me and asked if I was Christen. It was my one friend from Twitter aka Ladyface!! When I tell you I was so relieved to see her I was shaking in my skin. I and her would hang out and get to know one another better. She is amazing, and I love her! We walked around and just talked mostly. This convention wasn't like the others that I've heard of, there weren't a whole lot of things to do like activities wise.

Selfies with my Big Sister Ashley

We went to check out the panels, and the room wasn't as filled with people as I expected. We watched David Haydn-Jones's panel. There was this one question that made me giggle. But someone asked if "What is one good pickup line and one bad pickup line" that he had ever used? This made me think of the ones I had noted on my phone. So my idea was to meet him and provide him with these very bad pickup lines. But they were pretty good to me, after watching the panel a little longer. We would go back downstairs because the panels were taking place on the 3rd floor as well as the M&G (Meet and Greet). We took some selfies and finally went over to Mark's auto table. We didn't have a auto ticket but we just wanted to go by and say hi! It turns out that she and Mark had a familiar friend so that was pretty cool to find out. But that is when I received the nickname "Fetus" It was hilarious and confusing at first. But it's because I was the youngest so I was considered the baby of the group. I started to feel less anxious and was having fun being able to have casual conversations with Mark. He is a very sweet person, and funny as well. I had caved and bought a selfie ticket so that I and Ashley could get a selfie with the devil himself.

Funny story, so he found out that I do vape. I know it's not the best life decision but I do when I get severally anxious. The entire time he would try to confiscate it from me but in the end, he did not win that part of it. But I did say I would try and kill the habit. Could be worse things I'm addicted to but we won't get into all of that.

Selfie with Mark & Ashely 08/05

I did get a chance to meet David, he was such a sweetheart. Shook my hand as I made sure to give him two of my pickup lines I found hilarious! He even wrote them down to say at his panel on Sunday, which however I did not attend because the times were jacked so I didn't get a chance to hear him talking about those. But still waiting to see any videos of his panel to see if he did use them.

It was winding down, and Ashely needed to go and get checked in for her hotel. After we walked and found the room where I was going to his M&G, she left. I was alone again because like I said I didn't know anyone. With me being a introvert it is always hard for me to talk to other people. But it was finally time to sit with devil himself and just chat with other people. It was a small group so we gathered around in a circle with the chairs and himself. I'm not going to disclose what we spoke about because I believe we can't talk about what happens in those settings. So just to bypass it, it was great. He made us laugh and we had some good talks. I obviously didn't say much because again I didn't know what to exactly say.

The M&G was coming to an end, and we got selfies and a group photo in before we all left to go attend Rob's concert that was happening on the rooftop of the convention. I took the elevator, got my ticket out, and walked over to sit on the edge to watch from a distance. Again Rob is amazing and it was a beautiful concert to be able to attend. I had finally gotten up to leave and go back to the hotel because it had been a long day. After my roommate had returned from working the convention we talked for a bit before she left to have dinner with a few friends. I would crash for the night.

Sunday came around the corner, and after experiencing how the layout of this convention was going. I decided to sleep in a little longer before getting dressed for the last day of the convention. It made me a bit sad because it was now the end of the event happening. I had made sure to bring my little fuzzy ears because I had a plan to purchase another photo op with Mark and make him wear them. The timeframe was shortened on a lot of the photo ops so I made sure to get in line early. But while I was waiting in line, I finally met Karmen! I knew she was coming but wasn't sure what she looked like, We had talked in line, and she was also an amazing person along with April who I had gotten to know the day before!

Being VIP had its perks you could get in first before everyone else. As I was walking inside the curtain, Mark walked up to me. I was slightly confused and had that "shit what did I do now??" facial expression. He had asked, "Have you been vaping today?" I am so sure my cheeks turned red before I finally just told him it had actually died when I was walking over to the convention that morning. And yet again he tried to take it away but I won that battle. Walked up and took my ears off to have him wear which turned out freaking amazing. I had a photo idea already pulled up and showed him before we posed for the camera.

I fell in love with this photo immediately! It was freaking perfect and he killed that pose! Once I gathered my photo op, Ashley had made it up there. I had made sure to inform her about the times being swapped around so that she could get her photo op with Mark and not miss it as they were not doing any retakes with just him alone. We were able to hang around Mark's auto table and just chat and goof around the majority of the time. Even if the convention wasn't super busy or packed it was still an amazing experience, and being able to share that with someone else who also was her first convention as well. It made me feel less worried or anxious! I made sure to have Mark sign my picture, it's a momento I cherish very much.

Mark wanted to make sure we attended his last final panel for the day. It was an amazing one and hilarious and deep. He always has a thing for giving us all a deep conversation. We had sat in the front row and watched, we both wanted to make sure to give him a hug and say our goodbyes before he left for his final M&G that day. I had walked with Ashley out of the convention building. She was getting ready to drive back home. It was heartbreaking to leave but was super blessed that she came and that we got to hang out for the weekend. I finally went back to the hotel for the night. It was a good weekend and the convention was super fun. Getting to spend time talking and speaking to the actors and meeting other people.

In the end, I grabbed dinner with my roommate and a couple of her friends before calling it a night. The next morning my flight had gotten cancelled so I had gotten stuck in Pittsburgh for another night. Luckily the hotel was able to honor the price and let me stay another night. Lots of people's flights had gotten canceled that day due to weather conditions. But once I was able to catch my next three flights home I was so relieved to finally get back. Flying has a way of draining you completely and it did. I had almost missed my final flight to get home only because the plane before was delayed an hour and a half. Other than that, I was finally glad I was home. This adventure was amazing and I had tons of fun! Now I am planning another convention out in Nash where I would be with other friends I met on Twitter because of Mark. I am forever grateful for that man, this was such a needed vacation and journey to take.

I was able to finally expand my bubble enough to get out there and do something I had never done before. As I close this out, I'm sure there are things I forgot to mention but overall this was my first convention journey! As there will be many more to come in the near future!