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Posts Tagged ‘interviews’

  • An Interview with Comic-Con’s Space Trip Winner!

    Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012

    Meet my friend Mercedes! Fellow pop culture lover. Superhero fangirl. And Joss Whedon squealer. (Er…okay, maybe that last one is a bit more me, but whatever.)

    So last month, right around the time I was launching my very persuasive Joss Whedon Cupcake Campaign, Mercedes was down at Comic-Con actually breathing the same air as ol’ Joss, and facebooking me fangirl info about him (cuz although we rarely see each other, she’s super nice like that). And, well, wouldn’t you know it but while she was there she won THE coolest prize EVER (which, incidentally, has nothing whatsoever to do with Joss). Which made me all squealy and happy for her since she is such an absolute sweetheart.

    You’ve got to watch this CNN clip.

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    AMAZING, RIGHT?!

    And since I figured not only would you find the space trip awesome but you’d enjoy Mercedes as well, I asked her to do an interview with us! So here goes… Her comments are in green, mine in white. Enjoy! ;0)

    (1) Have you ever been to Comic-Con before?

    Mercedes:  I’ve never been. My sister has been telling me to go for a couple of years. She told me there were openings for volunteers, so my son Johnnie and I decided to go this time!

    Wait, seriously? It was your FIRST time and you won a space trip?! Um…BEST. DECISION. EVER.  *rushes off to buy 2013 Comic-Con tickets*

    (2) So you were waiting to see the cast of the Big Bang Theory. But how’d you become a part of the selection to go onstage and open the envelopes? *discreetly takes notes for next year’s Comic-Con*

    Mercedes:  Yes, we were waiting to see the Big Bang Theory! We totally love them! My mom said we had to start watching the show because it was hilarious! We did, and we were hooked! I got to meet the writers, Bill Prady, Steve Molaro, and of course the awesome Chuck Lorre! I excitedly told them, “You are comedic geniuses!”

    The way the selection worked is that anybody from the audience who asked a question to the panel was offered a chance to enter “The Trip to Space Contest,” where we got to randomly pick out these shiny envelopes from a plastic container. One guy shockingly declined! He was the one in the Spiderman costume, who refused to take off his mask! Some people just don’t want to reveal their secret identity I guess?

    *laughs* That’s hilariously awesome. Although, now I’m left to wonder if he was the real Spiderman or just having a bad hair day.  *sigh* Darn you Peter Parker.

    (3) So tell us what the trip entails. What exactly is meant by “trip to space,” and is it just you and the captain or is there a whole crew?

    Mercedes:  The trip to space involves a four day training stint at the Xcor facility. No zero gravity training or centrifuge (boo), which I totally would’ve done! From what I gather, it’ll be mostly safety training…. The “trip to space” means sub orbital, so I will experience weightlessness and get to see the whole pacific coast, but not so high that I see the Great Wall of China. And yes, it will be just me and the Cap.

    So in other words it’ll be COMPLETELY AWESOME.

    And speaking of completely awesome…I’m thinking you should brush up on your Klingon language skills. That way, when you get up there you could start speaking it to the captain as a way to show him you’ve really done your homework on this whole space travel thing. I imagine he’ll be impressed.

    (Seriously, I’ll give you like 5 bucks if you do it.) ;0)

    (4) Ahem. Anyway, I think we can all agree that, hands down, winning the ticket had to have been one of the coolest experiences ever! Did you have any inkling that it *might* be you in the moment right before opening the envelope?

    Mercedes:  Yes, I agree! THE coolest thing that’s ever happened to me! I actually was thinking it probably wouldn’t be me, so as to not bum myself out, but I was definitely hoping it would be! :) My heart is racing just thinking back to that moment! I guess it’s really hitting me! I won a trip to space! :-)

    *throws a squeal-party with you in which we scream space words and make Trekkie signs at each other while I promise not to be toooooo unbelievably jealous*

    (5) Oh, and before I forget, I have to ask — what were your favorite costumes at Comic-Con? Did YOU dress up?

    Mercedes:  The Star Trek costumes were my favorite! No, I didn’t dress up. I’m not quite there yet as a Comic Con fan. But Kaley Cuoco (Penny from Big Bang Theory) mentioned on stage that I could totally wear my pressure suit to Comic Con next year! LOL!

    Ha! I totally second that! (And if you’re anything like me, you’ll also wear it to your son’s prom. Because that’d be amazing. Just tell him he can thank you later.) ;0)

    (6) And since we’re unashamedly food-infatuated on this blog, was there any incredible food you ate at Comic-Con?

    Mercedes:  Not really. I’m sorry but their stands in “The Con” as they call it were cart food pretzels, nachos, and such. But I did go to Tin Fish Gaslamp where their entry had a Brothers Grimm makeover. That was cool! I wish I would’ve ventured outside The Con more because their famed Gaslamp District has a lot of amazing eateries! Next time.

    A Brothers Grimm makeover? LOVE.

    (7) Also, seeing as we’re a bookish blog, do you have a favorite novel?

    Mercedes:  Definitely, the Left Behind series! I’m not much of a reader but I loved it!

    (8) Favorite superhero?

    Mercedes:  Exponentially, the Hulk! I even got to meet Lou Ferigno! I had to ask if he really was a sheriff in our county! He said “YES, let me show you some pictures of me being sworn in.” He whipped out his GREEN iPhone (of course) and proceeded to show me pictures! Crazy Awesome! He had soft hands too! I totally thought I was going to get a muscle bound, finger crushing handshake but it was nice!

    Okay, firstly, I love that he’s a sheriff. And secondly, I love that you said the Hulk has soft hands. I will never forget this moment. Ever.

    (9) Lastly, the question we’ve all been wondering: How was Joss Whedon? Did he mention me and my cupcake campaign?

    Mercedes:  So a bunch of us were squashed like sardines in the trolley ride from a parking station, and I overheard a lot of people relaying their cool experiences. I just happened to see your Joss Whedon bobble-head post on Facebook at the same time that this guy riding near us was talking about Joss Whedon, and that’s how I confirmed the Firefly reunion information to you! I must say we had lots of cool conversations with the people going to Comic Con! It had a family of geeks atmosphere!

    But I’m sure Joss mentioned the cupcakes! ;-)

    I KNEW it. *fist pump*

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    And just so we can see how truly adorable Mercedes is, here’s a CBS clip of her singing “Soft Kitty” at Comic-Con.

    ;0)

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    Posted in Genre Savvy, Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

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