My Spartacon Adventure…

I copied the first part of this from my Facebook page because of it’s relevance: 

As most of you who know me, know, I’m kind of quirky and have varied interests. Sometimes, I even surprise myself!
Lately, I’ve been sort of working behind the scenes on my bucket list. Nothing too crazy or outlandish, just stepping outside of the box and trying things I’ve always wanted to but before, either lacked the nerve or feared what those closest to me might think about me running off alone and doing something without consulting with everyone around me to see what they thought.
Well, that’s exactly what I’ve done and in doing this, I know I’ll be a happier, contented woman!
A couple months ago, I found out that one of my all time FAVORITE television shows was going to be honored with a convention, right here in Maryland! Since the series began, as those closest to me will tell you, I have LOVED this show and watched it religiously every Friday night on STARZ, for the mere four seasons it aired.
While checking out the web site, I found they were looking for volunteers for the con and on a whim, I signed up! They graciously accepted me and next weekend (Now this past weekend), I will proudly be serving the Red Serpents at Spartacon and meeting hundreds of other fans, as well as hopefully meeting and greeting (and possibly fainting j/k) some of my favorite actors and actresses from the show!
Obviously my obsession with history and historical fiction is insatiable, so to be able to support such a wonderful and exciting event such as Spartacon, has captured my imagination and given me something that for once, is solely about me and what I want to do. This is so empowering and bold that it’s given me a whole new outlook on what I am capable of! Who’d have thought at my age I’d be volunteering at a con and going off alone to meet people I’ve so much in common with yet never met face to face?
I’d like to thank the organizers of this event and especially Kelly McLeod Montgomery, Meg Snyder and our team captain, Penelope Talleur, for taking me on and entrusting me with being a volunteer. You ladies rock and I can’t wait to meet you upon the sands of the arena! I stand ready to serve!
Who knows? Next year, maybe San Diego! After all, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales and Batman VS Superman Dawn of Justice is coming!
Wish me luck! http://www.redserpents.com/

Let me tell you all, I had no expectations going into this because I had no idea what to expect. I did however know I’m a great team player, I jump in with both feet and I also know my limitations and have no problem stating them up front. The organizers and team leaders were awesome and entrusted me to be a celebrity handler (assistant basically) for my favorite male actor on the show, Dan Feuerriegel, who played Agron!

I set out on Saturday morning, August 15th on my lonesome, and headed down to Waldorf, MD to the Blue Crab Stadium, which is a lovely venue by the way. I arrived at 8:50 AM and almost immediately went to work. My partner and co-assistant and I quickly got acquainted and divied up our responsibilities for the two day con, the first of which was simply making sure Dan had us at his disposal at all times and that whatever it took, all three of us would have a con experience we could all feel great about and remember forever.

First of all, we’re talking August in Maryland and we were in the open ended interior of the ball park. It was hot. I’m certain the temperature was in the 80’s but there was an occasional breeze which always seemed to arrive just when we thought we’d all melt.

As we sat there chatting, planning and hydrating at 10:00am, we hear, “The celebrities have arrived,” over the PA system and I turned to my right to find all of the cast members who would be in attendance, sans Manu Bennett, walking straight towards us.

I must admit, it was as surreal as surreal gets, especially since the night before, I had marathoned most of the first season: Blood and Sand, and had even dreamed about the show. There they were, the most beautiful people I’d ever seen in the flesh, walking towards us. I don’t know what I expected. Shouldn’t they be like floating or riding in on gossamer wings or something? I mean these people are fucking BEAUTIFUL. Perfect even. However, what my eyes didn’t see was something else and something even more important than their flawless skin and incredible physiques…

They were all, every single one of them, beautiful on the inside too.

When Dan approached my partner Elissa and me and shook our hands and introduced himself (Haha like we didn’t know who you were, Dan) I was immediately at ease. Real hands, real eyes, real dimples and REAL TALL. Lawd Jesus the man is a sight to behold, which explains why he’s a star. I’ve met plenty of celebrities in my life and they really do all have that something you can’t put your finger on…although you’d probably like to haha. Dan was genuine. He was truly a gentleman and a class act. Polite, generous with his time when his fans approached for autographs or photos and above all, so sweet I thought I’d need dental work when the con was over.

THEY ALL WERE. Every single one of these people were unbelievably amazing.

It didn’t matter that I barely ate a morsel of food. It didn’t matter that I held off on bathroom breaks because it was our duty to never leave him unattended. It didn’t matter that I threatened someone for not having coffee ready for him in the green room when he needed it 😉 . it didn’t matter that I probably did not sit down for more than five minutes at a time. I had plenty of water and an abundance of joy, every time I saw the looks on his fans faces when they approached his table and he smiled, again and again to greet them. The energy and electricity of it all was infectious. Not once did he complain. Not once did he even hint that he was the least bit uncomfortable. His schedule was pretty grueling but he appeared to welcome it with open arms, as he did every person who stood before him.

Can you believe I was basically forced to take pictures of this man all day for two days in a row??? What kind of bloody torture was this??? 😉 The kind I highly recommend. Watching him smile through countless cell phone cameras and Nikons repeatedly fueled my tank and kept me on my feet for nearly twelve hours.

Did I really care or concern myself with anything or anyone else around me? Well, not really, except when I had to and when it was required for me to do so and when those moments arose, I did them joyfully and with vigor.

From here forward, I’m going to paint this picture for you, well, in pictures. By all means, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 I’d also like to mention that the volunteers at this event were incredible. Everyone was on their A game and brought energy, smiles and professionalism to their positions. From the ladies and gentlemen at the front gate to the security team, celebrity assistants, organizers etc., everyone was in it to win it and win it we did!

Well….back to reality but I have to say, this weekend was everything and more I could have imagined. Being Dan Feuerriegel’s handler aka personal assistant, fan line wrangler, coffee fetcher, and photographer was such an honor. Fabulous actor, animal rights supporter, kitten and baby lover and all around awesome human being. Thank you‪ ‎Spartacon‬ for giving me this wonderful opportunity to enjoy all of these actors from one of my all time favorite TV series’.

Dreams do come true.