Based on a recommendation from the way too kind @carlgnash , I think I will try to embarrass myself by entering the Comedy Open Mic Round 14.
Sometimes at San Diego Comic Con, it’s about being in the right place at the right time. I was in that exact spot at the 2005 SDCC.
I believe it was Saturday morning and my buddies and I were waiting in the line to enter the con which was still hours away from opening. We saw a big commotion slowly making its way towards us. Once we could finally make out what the big deal was we were kinda unimpressed. It was 2 volunteers going around each with a bag filled with tickets. It was a simple thing. Dip your hand in. Yank a ticket out. If it had a stamp you were golden and a true champion, no stamp and you are every bit the loser you’ve been told you were your entire life.
Ok...that’s a bit harsh but you still lost. What were the prizes? Each sack represented a meet and greet with either Rachel Weisz or Natalie Portman. Both were there to promote their upcoming films. Rachel was in town for the Fountain.
Natalie for V For Vendetta.
I believe they said there were only 100 stamped tickets in each bag with a few thousand losers mixed in just to make ya feel truly hopeless. Everyone was losing. I mean everyone. I don’t think I saw one single winner in the group that we were in and I could probably see about 200 people.
My turn. Dip one hand in each bag and pull. Not only was I a champion but I was a mega ultra warrior as I pulled 2 stamps. I was the most hated person in that line at that moment.
The groans and scowls I received were the kind of legend. I savored it for a moment before realizing that not only did I not care to meet Rachel Weisz but I couldn’t. The fine folks running the event told me...lord of the raffles...the ticket master himself, that the meets were at the same time so I had to choose only one. How dare they?!? Did they not recognize the greatness that stood before them? Actually I think I was laying down on the floor sloppily eating a Bacon Egg and Cheese Croissant but that’s besides the point. I made my choice. I like Rachel Weisz and she’s a fine actress but she stood no chance against heavyweight Natalie Portman.
I stood up (most likely with croissant flakes in my beard) and shouted, “Who wants Rachel Weisz?” The line erupted and I singled out the least obnoxious dude who was NOT pushing and shoving. I handed this quiet soul the ticket and he nodded and smiled like I made his day because that’s what raffle champions do. We make days.
Fast forward several hours later and I was in the room for the Portman meet & greet. They handed all the other champions a headshot/promotional photo of her from V For Vendetta. She took her time with each person though the handlers tried to rush things along. She shook hands with everyone and I could see her chatting with mostly everyone for a moment.
I don’t get star struck at all. I’ve worked with and along side many big names and I never really feel anything other than the thought of “cool”. Except that time I creepily tried to get close enough to Brian Cranston to ask for a pic with him...I am professional and it’s no big deal yet I found myself a tad nervous as the line grew closer to my turn. She is one of my favorite actors on the planet so I didn’t but want to make a dickbag out of myself. A few people away. My palms grew sweaty. I get in front of her, she says “hi!” as she flashed a stunning smile...
I imagined that’s how I looked which is no way for the 2005 raffle king to act in front of greatness. I gathered my cool which was practically nonexistent and said hi. Once I got that out it was pretty cool. I kinda lost track of time but we chatted for about 2 minutes which was a really long time it seemed. We spoke about The Professional and she mentioned she had just spoke to Director Luc Besson a few days earlier, her new film V For Vendetta, her shaved head and how it felt growing back in (it was fairly short), and the convention itself. She was extremely genuine and never once rushed me out.
Not wanting to overstay my welcome I said I better go before I get the “curtains” signal and I handed her the headshot. She smiled and asked who I’d like it made out to. I said “Blewitt”. She looked up at me and asked “Blewitt?”. I said “Yeah, That’s my last name. As in Chris Blewitt...he needed the money! Or Who farted? Chris Blewitt!” Which were the juvenile jokes I used to hear as a kid.
A pause happened as she took a second to process, in which I felt so awkward and like a total douche in front of someone I admired. Then it happened. She burst out laughing. Real genuine laughter that lasted longer than it probably should have. She grabbed my hand and held it as she said “that’s great” or something along those lines. Then she grabbed the marker and scribbled on the photo. As she handed it to me she said it was nice to meet me and thanked me as she still kinda chuckled. I said the same and we smiled as I walked away. I was glowing the entire day. Thank for the story Natalie.
Just piling on the @comedyopenmic upvote love to get this >$100....hopefully!
@dj123 it worked!!! For a few minutes. Lol. Back down below again for the moment. I appreciate the support!!!
watch it go back up again!
Lol. Then down again. Damn you Steem!!!!!
looks 👀 like it's over 3 figures again
Woohoo!!! Champion!!! Lol. Hope it stays that way. Would be 1st one over a hundred.
nope cryto is slumping again, oh well, we tried ;)
Raffle King 2005! Blewitt really is an unfortunate last name, huh. You think this was a factor in you evolving a kick-ass sense of humor as you evidently have done? This was hilarious man. Hey have you entered the Comedy Open Mic contest before? This could 100% be an entry, which would just involve editing the title to note it was an entry in Comedy Open Mic round 14, and nominating 2 author Steemians to enter. Check out @comedyopenmic blog for more info. I think you would do well with that crowd :) Much love - Carl
Hey @carlgnash
Thanks for the kind word man! Truly humbled!!! That's not an easy thing for the 2005 Raffle King to admit....so thanks man! So if I were interested in trying out just to be humiliated what exactly do I need to do?!?! Sorry this would be the first type of contest I would be trying out for and I am kinda dumb not only in life but here on Steemit as well!!!
It is a very easy contest to join, they make it a pretty low bar which given present company seems like a good choice LOL Just kidding of course. You are a prince among men. To enter the contest the biggest thing is to make a funny, original post. You have that covered. Then the fiddly bits: Edit your title to include "Comedy Open Mic Round 14" (the current round) after your title; make one of your tags #comedyopenmic; and nominate two other unfortunate souls to participate (just edit that in at the end of your post - along the lines of "I nominate @sucker1 and @sucker2 for Comedy Open Mic". I could see @chood fitting in well with the comedy open mic scene, for instance. You don't have to do all this of course, you have a perfectly wonderful post as it is. But if you DO enter, you will get a lot more eyes on your post as the comedy folks check out all the entries, you will (not guaranteed but in your case as this is a hilarious post I can pretty much guaranty it) get an upvote from the @comedyopenmic community account, and you are eligible for several different prizes. Plus it is just a good community of funny people who give very few shits and can get behind posting like this. Cheers - Carl
@carlgnash Sounds great. Thanks for taking the time to spell it out for me. Yeah @chood is a good buddy of mine so he was a given as he is a fantastic writer and has tons of great stories. I will definitely be checking it out. Ok I think I covered the bases. Resteemed...nominated 2 mofo's...tags and title...and upvoted several other entries.I really appreciate the help man. I will be creepily following not only you but the @comedyopenmic as I would totally love to get more involved there. Hopefully some new fresh eyes see this post as I was proud of it while churning it out and there are plenty more I would like to share if it's a viable outlet. You rule man! Wish me luck!
This story makes me smile every time you tell it and you tell it well 😊
Thx love.
I am soooo jelly. She’s always been one of my celebrity crushes!
I’d still be glowing 13 years later!
Mine as well...
Lol. She was awesome. Could not have asked for a cooler meet.
The jealousy is strong with this one...but good on you, man! You left an impression, that's for sure! :D
My 38 year old self is jealous of my 25 year old self. I am going to imagine that sometimes when she's away in Paris or Milan or somewhere after a hard day on the set....she looks out of her window...gazing at the stars, she ponders a different life as a tear falls. One where she ran away with the 2005 Raffle King to sell Wolverine toys to adults. A road no woman wants to travel but somehow one that I suckered @reeseshara into. That's how I get through my days....
I'm a firm believer in the "Many Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics"... I.e. that shit actually happened.
And thankfully the infinite nature of reality means that your good fortune in no way interferes with my reality where Natalie just called on her way home from a day on set to let me know not to eat the leftover pizza in the fridge because she's bringing me home some chicken nuggets.
(except for the Natalie Portman bit, you can see that my fantasies are relatively modest...)
What a woman!!! Fresh Chicken Nugz?!? She’s incredible.
Stallllllker! Lol
me? him? both?
Crazy: I had an almost identical experience with Natalie Portman during the same, post V-for Vendetta timeline. Except it was in a truckstop bathroom near the airport outside of Amarillo, and it was with a Phillipino who, in hindsight was obviously in the late stages of HIV.
I can see how you’d confuse the 2 as they share many of the same attributes. I wonder if I need to get myself checked out...
Be good, Blewitt...!!
always, son!
yeah I love this pic. Gonna hang it in my new basement!
Great story! I have never been to one of those comic cons. It also is a great feeling getting such a rise from a celebrity. You were lucky the whole day.
Thanks for sharing!
Cons are fun but can be exhausting. As I have gotten older it's become a lot more difficult. My old man legs can barely take it....need to eat bananas for potassium so I don't get leg cramps....lol
Yes I know exactly what you are saying I could use a dozen bunches for the leg cramps I am dealing with.
Lol. Do they run any cons near where you are? Actually...where are you located? Most bigger shows are more pop culture events. A bit of Comics, movies, games, anime, art, shopping, and everything else in between. They are mostly a fun time and I think most folks would really enjoy.
I am located in Norfolk County just south of Brantford Ontario 90 mins south west of Toronto and 90 mins south east of London. I know they have them in those cities a friend of mine goes to London when they have them there.
Ah ok. I’m not sure what’s in your neck of the woods besides a big one in Toronto!!
Yup, the Toronto show would be the one to go to in Ontario. It would be fab.
;)
I would´ve stolen a kiss even if it meant jail time, back in the day I used to have the biggest crush on her one can have. I went to the 2003 San Diego comic-con btw, sounds like you had a blast man, cool story.
I wish!!! Funny part is 2003 was my first SDCC. I have been to everyone since. 15 straight years. Sadly the streak might be upended this year...
@blewitt Oh nooo, why? That is a long ass streak! I can´t even go 15 days without drinking coca cola :P
@anomadsoul I know. I’m pretty beat up about it. I miiiiiight try and get out there for just a short time like 2 days or something. Still figuring it out but yeah....Kinda bummed. Also a refreshing cold Coke is my biggest vice. I drink way too much of it. I don’t do coffee so that’s my go to drink daily.
You guys were kind enough to check out my last story about San Diego Comic Con so I thought you might possibly appreciate this new one as well!!
@hendrickdegrote & @curie
@buildawhale care to take a peek? Would love input as well.
Enjoyed reading this. wow, your writing style is way too good.
Thank you so much @sayee
That is super kind to hear. I just like telling silly stories of past experiences and there are a ton of em! Funny part is my best 2 performing posts since I started are both funny stories about a situation at Comic Con. I think I’m onto something....
Regardless, thank you so very much for the kind words. It’s truly humbling to hear. Stay tuned for more!!!
welcome, dear
Lol great story! Thanks for sharing.. that waving person made me feel like I could actually see you there feeling like a fool :)
Oh @anouk.nox I totally did at first. I’m guessing she’s so used to people being a little taken a back with her and she’s probably just that good at breaking the ice. I mean this was 13 years ago, but I still remember it fairly vividly. She excelled at easing the nerves. She’s fantastic and made a room full of dipshits waiting in a line to just say hi, feel like kings.
reads.. while slowly growing feelings of jealousy.......trying to calm down....
( Great story BTW! )
Awwwww thanks a ton @pechichemena!Truly appreciate it. Feel nice to write a silly story that people are enjoying. I have tons more I’ll be throwing out like this so please check back!
have never met you yet am so jealous. how the fcuk did you get so lucky? damn!
Don’t worry. The karma gods enjoy destroying all other aspects of life for me. This is a win but it’s one of only a few. Lol
She is so cool. :) That's a great story.
Thx a ton!! Glad you enjoyed it. Going to sdcc for 15 straight years has afforded me tons of cool stories like this. Can’t wait to share them all with you Guys!
That's really cool. We just attended a small one in Prince George, BC and Sean Astin was there. We loved him from everything, but the kids only knew him as Bob from Stranger Things.
We had never been to one and our oldest mentioned it at school. A LOTR fanatic in her class asked if she could get a shirt signed and she said sure.
We didn't realize that it was another $50 on top of the ticket price, plus a huge line of people to get an autograph.
I understand having to pay, but it sure would have been nice if they raffled off a few for the poor folks.
It also would have been nice to have Natalie Portman there.
When we told our daughter that we weren't standing in line and paying $50 to get a shirt signed for a kid we didn't know, she looked a little sad.
Her mom told her to put the shirt on and wait in line and when she got close, she would take a picture of the shirt in front of Sean Astin. She declined and then we were off the hook
Maybe next time, Alexander.
Yeah some of the fees at Con can be outrageous. Ontop of admission, you got parking or transportation...food...then the tremendous fees for the autograph or photo package with the celebs. It can definitely put a damper on the ol wallet.
@trufflepig
Thanks for calling @blewitt! Here is a small upvote for this post and my opinion about it.
To my mind this post is at least 9 SBD worth and should receive 37 votes.
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