The trip for me started about 3 P.m. on Wednesday.
Day 1
I was able to get guest passes for the Magic Castle from A magician friend who is a member of the castle. I had planned on not going but at the last minute he came thru.I had to make the reservations for the next day, luckily I was able to get us in with so short of notice. So with bags packed and Castle passes in hand I left Tucson Az around 5 p.m. Much later than I was hoping for.
Skip ahead of boring road trip...
Arrived in L.A. and went to My friends house hung out got breakfast and then went to Hollywood Blvd. by myself to check out the stars and the Magic shop on Hollywood Blvd. Got to ride in my first "subway", it was much cleaner than I was expecting and fairly quick.
Skip random touristy stuff.
The Magic Castle was so great. I got to see some wonderful performers among them were....
Amos Levkovitch - From Israel he did some wonderful stage magic with birds.
Whit Haydn - www.whithaydn.com
David Zirbel - No one in our party enjoyed this guy, I doubt many in the audience did T_T poor guy.
I also saw someone going by the aka of The CardFather. Sadly he was not on the program so I have no clue his name or anything.
4 other performers performed there but I was unable to see them.(we got there at 8 instead of 5 pm when doors open T_T)
That night ended a little tipsy and filled with magical memories one of which Ill share with those that didn't here me spewing on about it. While showing y friends around the Castle I point out a photo of a magician saying "Hey thats the number 1 dove magician in the world.. Shimada. My friend Cullen says you mean that guy, pointing to the real Shimada omg wow I actually got to shake his hands and blubber to him for like 3 minutes wow.
Day 2
BLIZZCON
So wake up around 645 and get my stuff together call Day to get directions so I can pick him, Jane , and Losing up from USC. No problems there get to the convention center and we run into Chill, Littlechava , Hurricane and someone else maybe? Its all a jumble from then on Sc2 Diablo 3 and Pro gamers and loads of Tl shirts woot.
Osl party was fun but I kept falling asleep throughout the games.They Inc/ret/day commentary was gold. Got to do some magic for Effort but was not assertive enough to talk or do more for the rest of the PRO's.
Sleeppppppp......
Day 3
I woke up late missing the first match of the day.I played allot of SC2 some food some friends.That was about it for that day at the con anyway.
We got together as many TL peeps as we could that would pull themselves away from SC2 * cough chill/zatic cough*
while Kennigit and others where in the Harriot I was smoking and who happens to be in front of me... the MBC guys 2 camera crew and the news reporter.I asked them for a light (didn't need one) and proceeded to do some magic for them long stories short I now have a place to stay with the MBC crew they even gave me their home number wooot doubt Ill be able to use it but still cool as Alaska.
Off to dinner 19 of us went to eat at some meat house so I had a salad fitting me being in Cali I suppose. Had a great time and was able to do some magic for most of the people there.After Dinner I took Jane,Day, and Losing home and decided to see if I could get back and party..I got back about 2 am and couldnt find anyone though I had a few drinks with the WOW people in the Hilton.Called Fanta and woke him up (sorry) and decided to go ahead and leave for San Diego Stayed with a friend till this morning hanging out having food and seeing District 9...Decent movie.
On my way home I pass through 3 border checks first with 1 dog no problems second one was closed. Third had like 4-5 dogs and one of them liked me so much they had me stay there for awhile so they could check out my blizzcon gear and stuff in the car ( fuckers opened my Raynor toy)As I am waiting for them to finish going through my car one guy comes to me and has me come over to the car.
Him-"why do you have so many balloons?"
Me-" I do balloon twisting and magic."
Him- " well to be honest people use balloons to smuggle drugs in their body"
Me-"Umm not me wanna balloon dog?"
Other border guy- "what are these things (all of them look kinda suspect drug wise but all three objects are magical gadgets that I wont tell about but it did not help my situation)
They finally let me go and I am on my way home after being threatened with my car being impounded and me going to jail "If you lie to me and we find paraphernalia or drugs in the car."
I am home now no tickets, less money, and some great memories.
Thanks to all you at Blizzcon for making my time there something Ill remember.