oldsoldier's Blog

My oldest son asked me to go with him to a comic book convention in Charlotte, this past weekend, and it was , well, different. The regulars are quite an interesting group of people. Most of their wardrobe  consists of black shirts, with something printed on them, black pants, skirts, and even kilts. They spend a lot of money on tatoos, and piercings, and some of them, very little on soap, and deoderant. They go to great extremes to look like their heroes, from expensive, elaborate costumes, that must be hot in a crowded place, to going almost naked in public. They spend a tremendous amount of money on drawings, light sabers, and authentic memorabilia. 40 lucky folks, got to plunk down $200, for an original drawing by one artist, yes, I admit, he is very good. $225, will get you a light saber, with a flourescent light, and an original Man Of Steel costume, from a Superman movie, could be had for $10,500.00, darn, I left my checkbook at home. Most of these people are well fed, sportng ample waistlines, and get outside very little, as they are pale as ghosts. They drag their kids there, who can't understand why daddy gets to buy toys, that they can't have. But, my most lasting impression of the convention came on the last day. Tired from walking on a concrete floor all day, I sat down at an abandoned booth, and waited for my son to finish looking around. A tall woman, dressed as a Klingon, came over, leaning on the table in front of me, with a very low cut top, and asked if I was still taking interviews. No, maam, I said, I'm just resting my feet. She winked, and said," Well, at least you got to see some Klingon Cleavage, to take your mind off your feet". Then she walked off. Only then, did I look at the business size cards on the table, the booth was for an outfit called Creative Lusting, an online web site for people who want to meet other people for private activities. old soldier has left that booth!