so this is what a full schedule feels like (part 1)

[catatonic_17]

I wasn't able to sleep friday night. I was too excited for the summer KOMIKON and the college grad. I kept thinking what I should wear, how exactly my day would go, and how to get to the venue, how to budget the little money I have, etc. i got my things ready the night before--a commutable bag (that is, a bag that is suitable for riding jam-packed trains, and jeepneys), an umbrella, a fan, comics to autograph, my budget list (aka the only things I can buy), an extra bag (for new comics), and a digi cam (to document with supposedly but when i was to take a picture, the batt died on me. I brought spare batteries but they didn't have juice either. epic fail).

so I didn't sleep. I took my time time getting ready. changed outfits about three times. fixed my hair. i left the house a few minutes after nine. I knew then that I wouldn't be among the 1st 200 ticket buyers who'll get a  free KOMIKON canvass bag. So I commuted, missed the stop for the MRT, had to walk back a couple of blocks in the sweltering heat to get to the station, and finally road the train. It was already 10 when I boarded the train. 

Got to the venue a little before 10:30. There was no line at the entrance, there were a lot of people inside but not too much. The venue was really nice. It was classy, roomy, with good air conditioning. It wasn't that hard to get there. Acc to Mr L. (one of the organizers), if Bahay ng Alumni (1st Komikon venue) was the college love, Megamall the high-maintenance girlfriend, and Starmall the rebound love, Bayanihan Center is the probable long-term girlfriend.
 

First person I saw was Ms. Syeri, then Ms. Lei (who had her hair rebonded for her graduation the next day), then Ms. Hazel. I normally head straight to Mr. L's table, but since I didn't know where it was., I went around. I got to the visprint booth. Trese, kikomachine, zsazsa zaturnah, and the latest release: Filipino Heroes League. Two bones in one stone! I get to buy FHL, have it signed, buy the trese teaser, and have the copies I brought signed. Both Budjette and Kajo came. Yey! Too bad I couldn't take picture with them. Arghhh! Pictures would have been awesome!

 

The line for trese was really long (yes, they're that popular). Mr. L came to buy their latest release and I said hi. When he heard I wasn't early enough to get the free bag, he told me about how his mom wanted one too. He said she can't and she told him, "After all I've done for you, you can't give me a bag? I should've aborted you with a broken plastic hanger!" Eeeew. Graphic much.

 

So I finally got my autographed books. Went around. Remembered my list, and immediately consulted it before I overspend and be forced to walk to UP. I went to get Cresci Prophecies book 3 (released last Komikon, one of books I promised myself to get this time). Ms. Joanah was so ecstatic that I bought her book. 

 

Right across was the Callous Comics booth, also on my list. The author, DR. Carlo Jose San Juan, greeted me, introduced himself with a handshake. Ibang klase! Ang pogi pa! Its almost unfair that he has a medical degree (he's got the brain and the looks, tapos talented pa!). He's a real doctor (He was in his scrubs). He asked me how I learned about his comics, and I told him I was looking through the list of Komikon exhibitors and found the link to his comics, and read it online. I found them amusing so I decided to buy a copy. He gave a new 50 bill as change. Aww....it will be hard to spend it! 

 

Went around again, browsed mangas, read Gerry Alanguilan's Wasted in the Komikon Nook (where you can read comics for free!). Absolutely disturbing! Stopped reading it after a few pages. Good storyline but really disturbing. Viewed the gallery featuring Filipina Komik Writers/Artists. Went around again and found a magazine (local publication) with an arashi cover. bought it on the spot. I didn't care how much it was or what the magazine was about or the fact that it wasn't on my list. I just had to get it. It will be my first ever arashi-related purchase. (really pathetic since it doesn't count.)

 

Then I had to sit and rearrange my stuff. I found a copy of The official guide to Narnia for only 130 so I had to get it! My last purchase for the day was the Pugad Baboy One, because I really wanted to start my Pugad Baboy Collection. And THE PMJ was there! I didn't care that I was tired, and so hungry that I could die, and that the people in line in front of me were asking him to sign 20 comic books. In the end, I was able to have my copy signed. 

 

Passed by the visprint booth again to check if Carlo Vergara (ZsaZsa Zaturnah) was there. He was and so was manix (hence the looong queue). Got my copy signed and said goodbye to Ms. Lei. It was about minutes after 12 noon then. I  had to get back to UP at 2 pm. I looked for Mr. L and Ms. Syeri to bid them farewell as well. Found them outside the venue, eating lunch. When I told them I had to leave, Mr L said I can't leave yet without the bag. He said I could have his if there were none left, since I'm a loyal komikon-goer (since 2006!). I feel so spoiled! waiii~ He reminded me of the Komikon this November (no set time or venue yet). Won't miss it for the world! By then, hopefully he'd have a new Beerkada release.

I  got the bag and went to UP all happy! Had a quick bite at 7-eleven though. I was so hungry, I was weak. I  had trouble opening a drink bottle and tearing the ketchup and mayo sachets for my hot dog (I had to borrow scissors from the cashier) . The guy who sat beside me at the table noticed my predicament with amusement.

And after my lunch, I rode the train again to Quezon Ave to go back to UP, just a few minutes after 1 pm...(to be continued)

 will write about the cssp grad tom, and my komikon haul another day (hopefully with pictures).