Chicago is one of the cities I typically always do conventions at. This year TVD Chicago was 10 days before my yearly Salem Halloween trip. YOLO I guess.
Originally, all three of my boys were attending, but Steven cancelled, leaving it just Trevino and Zach. Which still, I was totally okay with.
Driving to Chicago has always been an adventure. Whether it's with Keisha, by myself, or with someone else, it's a long drive. But always an adventure.
This time, car full of costumes and baked goods, Kelsey and I made our way to Chicago.
My favorite stop on the trip to Chicago has always been Montpelier, OH. Keisha and I accidentally stopped there a few years ago, forgetting that it was Zach's hometown. So now it's tradition. And funny enough, the town next to Montpelier - Bryan, OH - looks scary similar to Covington Square in Covington, GA. The home of the Vampire Diaries.
Of the two of them, Trevino was the only one who knew I was coming to Chicago. Zach I hadn't talk to since summer 2020.
Conventions are my comfort place (other than Salem). Even with the rules and regulations due to Covid, I was so glad to have conventions back. And to see my friends. Video chats and text messages are not the same thing.
This was the first time going to Chicago since 2015 that I didn't go to Medieval Times. I did drive by the castle. So, sadness.
Kelsey and I had tickets for the Marvel Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago on Friday. I LOVE Marvel. Bucky Barnes is my absolute favorite.
I got to place myself in a comic strip. I got to see costumes and facts from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which was amazing.
After leaving the Marvel Exhibit, my friends kept texting me asking when I was coming to the hotel. Because one of my favorite actors from The Originals, Nate Buzolic, was doing photo ops.
We happened to get back right as his photo ops were starting. Two of my friends ended up pulling me into their photo ops. Even before I registered, or had my wristband. Shows how much people know me that they don't give a crap.
Nate was one of the first Originals actors I met. I actually met him before he started doing conventions with Creation Entertainment. Nate was one of the few actors the entire weekend that didn't wear a mask or use plexiglass.
Nate is also one of the actors that is very supportive of my baking. He calls me "Cookie Queen".
Saturday was Michael and Zach day. And of course Kelsey and I brought our T-Rex inflatable costumes. Typically I go absolutely last for photo ops with the boys. Due to people stealing poses, or taking extra time. But having to do photos with multiple costumes and with multiple people means going at different points in the photo op line.
Going pretty much at the beginning of Zach's photo ops, walking into the photo op room with inflatable T-Rex outfits on meant not having to wear masks. And it began the day of insanity.
It took Zach a minute to see me inside of the T-Rex, but when he realized that it was me inside the costume, he came up, grabbed me, and hugged me so tight he partially deflated my T-Rex costume.
Having taken the T-Rex costumes off, I ran back into line to do a photo op in my Sarah Sanderson costume with another one of my friends. That lead to a kiss on the cheek and another hug from Zach. As well an extra photo.
A third time in the line, this time at the end, with Kelsey, we did photos together (and myself separately) with Zach, while wearing our Sarah and Mary Sanderson costumes. Of course that meant a huge bear hug, and like four "Prom" photos because Zach wouldn't let me go.
I also had photos with Trevino, and then Trevino and Zach together. Which meant more hugs, and more promotion of my baking.
Stress from work (or something) led to a day-long migraine, and led to me getting sick right before autographs with the boys. Thankfully my friends, and the volunteers were very helpful with making sure I didn't miss anything.
Autographs with Michael and Zach meant more chats, more hugs, more love.
Attending conventions, I'm always bringing baked goods for friends, and for the talent. I gave one of the volunteers who I've known for years a 4-pack of Apple Filled Cinnamon Rolls.
I did not know that she shared with the actor that she was handling. One who I always usually give Oatmeal Apple Cinnamon Cookies to. Come to find out Sunday that he absolutely loved them. One of my friends went to offer him a brownie, and he (the actor) started raving about the cinnamon rolls. Which I had never given him before (not knowing my friend shared them). I ended up finding out he had them (and LOVED THEM) after getting back from Wizard World Chicago.
I hardly ever attend Sundays for TVD unless my boys are there. That meant this year I was free to do something else. Kelsey, my friend Bill, and I went to Wizard World Chicago. More of a comic con style show.
The last Wizard World I went to was 2016 when I met Sebastian Stan, Chris Hemsworth, Stan Tucci, and many other actors.
This time I was able to meet Colton Haynes, Matt Lewis, Rob Paulsen, Paige O'Hara, Irene Bedard, Robert Patrick, Michael Rooker (briefly), and Mark Sheppard.
I also got to buy some Bucky Barnes/Sebastian Stan merchandise.
I can't wait to go back to conventions next year. I'm hoping that my boys are added to some US conventions.
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