Date: August 22, 2026

Interstellar News: In February, we lost Professor Zoom very unexpectantly. In May, like a bunch of dummies, we adopted a puppy. Her name is Talia Quinn al Ghul Marini McCraw. She’s adorable, and knows it, is super willful, and is smart as a whip. This year it will be hard to leave her, but her brothers Loki and Jazz will look after her (as will Uncle Christopher).

2026 is also a big year for birthdays and anniversary’s. Kyle and I were both born in 1986, so we’re both turning 40 this year. It’s the 40th offering of Dragon Con. It’s the 10th anniversary of: my Master’s degree, my and Kyle’s weddings, and our 10th Dragon Con! We’ll be celebrating officially and unofficially all weekend.

Here’s my 2026 Dragon Con schedule:

Thursday, 9/3

• 8:30 pm: Two Nerds Turn 40: 40 Years of Geeky Things (Marriott M103-105).
  • Description: 30 for 30? Ha! Here’s 40 for 40: two 40-year old nerds celebrate 40 Dragon Cons by discussing the things they have loved since 1986. Audience participation expected. (Special note: The 90s were 10 years ago, right? We don’t know where this 40-year deal came from.)
  • This is the “unofficial” birthday party for me and Kyle. His 40th was in June and mine is this December. There will be party favors for everyone, come join us!

Friday, 9/4

• 10 am: Just the Worst: A Tournament of Villains (Marriott M103-105). Come see me be the bossiest board boss that ever board bossed!
• 11:30 am: Who or What Dunnit? Science Fiction Mysteries (Embassy AB Hyatt). I’m moderating a panel of fantastic authors who will help us discuss what happens when the Sci-Fi and Mystery genres meet.
• 7 pm: Classic Sci-Fi Charity Movie Lock-In : Howard the Duck (Marriott M103-105). This very real viewing of Howard the Duck will benefit the very real charity that Dragon Con has chosen for this year. It is unofficially a pajama part to continue the anniversary/birthday celebrations.

Saturday, 9/5

• 1 pm: Battle of Fictional Bands : From Archies to Wyld Stallynz (Marriott M103-105). Board boss time, and one of my favorite panels of the con.
• 2:30 pm: Classic Sci-Fi Fandom Feud (Marriott M103-105). The mighty Sue Kisenwether has requested my board boss skills. Since she brings the bagels, I do what she says. This will be a fabulous time.
• 4 pm: Batman 66: Holy 60th Anniversary! (Marriott M103-105). I may or may not talk to myself on the Bat-phone. We’ll see what happens.
• 7 pm: Classic TV Table Read: Saturday Night Live (Marriott M103-105). I might wind up in a van down by the river by the end of the night, or I might just host Coffee Talk… stay tuned!

Sunday, 9/6

• 4 pm: The History & Cultural Impact of the Battle Vest (Augusta Courtland Grand).
  • Description: Early battle vests were tribal vestments turned military garb. But the modern version is a cultural marker, representing affiliation with specific groups or subcultures, while functioning as a personal canvas for individual expression and creativity. Learn how your vest can show your identity.
  • I shall be a panelist along with my fantastic friends from the DC Battle Vest group. This will be a lot of fun!

Monday, 9/7

I have no official programming on Monday, so it’s likely we’ll just be packing and heading home.

Come find me and say hi!

TA Out!

Date: August 25, 2025

Interstellar News: Life has been life-ing lately. I fully intend to post more often, rather than just my yearly Dragon Con update. This year is my first as an attending professional and I’ll also continue to help out my author friends where I’m needed.

Here’s my 2025 schedule, including both official and unofficial appearances:

Thursday, 8/28

• 7 pm: Get Over Here! Mortal Kombat Movie Hits 30 (Marriott M103-105).
  • Description: There’s a sub-zero chance that fans should miss this tribute to the movie that made us forget Christopher Lambert in Highlander 2. What’s that? You don’t remember Highlander 2? EXACTLY.
  • I’ll be a panelist along with three other wonderful folks. You can’t miss me, I’ll be the shortest Sonya Blade you ever did see.
• 8:30 pm: Just Yell Out the Name of a Classic Sci-Fi Show (Marriott M103-105). Since I’ll already be in the track room, I’ll be the “board boss” for this gem. As people yell out a show, I’ll write it down and then the panelists will discuss it.

Friday, 8/29

• 10 am: Muppet Mayhem (Marriott M103-105). I’ll be the board boss once again, unless I severely oversleep. The Swedish Chef will make an appearance.
• 1 pm: Batman Forever Forever! (Marriott M103-105). My Lady Riddler cosplay and I will be crashing the panel that celebrates the ridiculousness that is Batman Forever, Jim Carey, and Tommy Lee Jones.
• 7 pm: We Finally Really Did It: Planet of the Apes Role-Playing Game Live Play! (Marriott M103-105). From the impressive mind of Andrew E.C. Gaska, you won’t want to miss this live play. There will be foam dice involved!

Saturday, 8/30

• 10 am: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (Marriott M103-105). I will either try to crash as a panelist or just jump in and heckle… it will be a game time decision.
• 2:30 pm: Classic Sci-Fi Fandom Feud (Marriott M103-105). The mighty Sue Kisenwether has requested my board boss skills. Since she brings the bagels, I do what she says.
• 7:30 pm: TMNT turns 30 (Marriott M103-105). I will either heckle the crap out of Keith R.A. DeCandido, or join him to discuss the most glorious of films. We’re also having a pizza party, so don’t pay full price for late pizza!
• 8:30 pm: One in a Million: The Dick Tracy Movie (Marriott M103-105).
  • Description: Totally true fact: Sales of yellow rain coats tripled in 1990 when this movie arrived. Another totally true fact: The most popular names for children that year were Mumbles and Breathless.
  • Unfortunately neither my Dick Tracy or Breathless Mahoney cosplays worked out, but I’ll still be a panelist who makes sure everyone gets a bath.

Sunday, 8/31

• 11:30 am: Are You Afraid of Nick at ’90s: A Tribute to Pete & Pete, Alex Mack, & More (Marriott M103-105).
  • Description: The ’90s were prime time for TV viewers of a certain age. Our tribute to Sci-Fi-adjacent sitcoms and extremely much more.
  • I am super stoked to finally be old enough to remember these “classic” shows. As a panelist, I’ll be gabbing about cucumber melon and such 🙂
• 1 pm: What Makes Pern So Influential? (Hyatt Embassy AB).
  • Description: The Dragonriders of Pern has been a favorite of fans for years. What is it about it that makes it so influential to both readers and writers?
  • I shall be moderating this panel. I have come up with fantastic questions for Jody Lynn Nye, Marisa Wolf, Kacey Lyn Ezell, and Melissa Olthoff.
• 4 pm: Andrew E.C. Gaska Author Signing (Westin Overlook). Drew will have some books for sale and will be signing things you bring him — I’ll just be helping out!
• 7 pm: Classic TV Table-Read: Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary (Marriott M103-105).
  • Description: Live from the Marriott, it’s Saturday night on Sunday! Be part our SNL 50th anniversary celebration with dramatic readings of classic SNL sketches.
  • As a professional Linda Richman cosplayer, I’ll be hosting Coffee Talk… no big whoop.

Sunday, 8/31

• 8:30 am and 10 am I will very likely be unofficially crashing both the Batman Begins at 20 and Roll-a-Panel 1990 & 2000 anniversaries panels in Marriott M103-105.
• 11:30 am: Socials in Science Fiction: How Does SF Use Social Sciences? (Hyatt Embassy AB).
  • Description: The social sciences are everywhere. Our panelists will discuss how they are used in Science Fiction, whether well done or not. Should there be more of a focus on them?
  • I shall be moderating this panel. I have come up with hard-hitting questions for Alison Tracy, Shane McInnis, Anya Martin, and Marie Vibbert.

Come find me and say hi!

TA Out!

Date: August 20, 2024

Interstellar News: I have apparently not posted since last year, and I sincerely apologize to all three of my loyal readers. I’ve been to a ton of conventions in the last year, received a promotion at work, and started doing more project management for BLAM! Ventures. I am once again super excited to be attending Dragon Con this year. Here’s my 2024 schedule:

Friday

• Earth Station One Presents: Freaks and Geeks 25th Anniversary — 4 pm in Marriott M103-105. Come see me, two of my favorite Kevins, and Denise to discuss this one season masterpiece.

Saturday

• We’re Going to Need You to Come in Saturday: The Office Space Anniversary — 10 am in Marriott M103-105. Come see me, two of my favorite Michaels, Van Allen Plexico, and the almighty co-directors to discuss this absolute gem of pre-2000 office life.

Sunday

• Researching Time: Preparing to Write Time Travel – 11:30 am in Hyatt Embassy AB. The Sci-Fi Literature Track tagged me to moderate this panel. Panelists include Andrew E.C. Gaska, M.A. Rothman, Robert J. Sawyer, S.M. Stirling, and Shami A. Stovall.
• Ultimate Face Off: Nicolas Cage vs. John Travlota — 10 pm in Marriott M103-105. I will be board-bossing this epic panel that you will NOT want to miss.

I’ll be checking out panels and cosplaying throughout the weekend, so come find me and say hi!

TA Out!

Date: August 27, 2023

Music Video of the Day:

Interstellar News: Life has been hectic the last few months. I’ve added on a job and a roommate, lost one of my fur babies, finished Season 2 of Enterprise and started Season 3 (a forthcoming post about my thoughts is forthcoming), and I’ve been struggling with some health issues. However things are coming about and I’m excited to be attending Dragon Con this year. Here’s my schedule:

Thursday

• 7 pm in Marriott M103-105: Just Yell Out A Sci-Fi Show That You Remember. I’ll be the “board boss”, so you can tell at me 🙂
• 10 pm and 11:30 pm in Marrott M103-105: I’ll be doing my best to attend Classic Sci-Fi Explosion and MTV’s 120 Minutes hosted respectively by my good friends Chris and Kevin.

Friday

• 10 am in Marriott M103-105, I’ll be cheering on my dear friend Andrew E.C. Gaska as he discusses the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park.
• 11:30 am in Marriott M103-105: Pirates of the Caribbean: 20th Dauntless Anniversary. I’ll be talking about all things savvy and suggested in the code.
• I’ll likely be helping out in the America’s Mart selling some books for the rest of the day.

Saturday

• I’ll be in Marriott M103-105 from 11:30 am – 4:30 pm for the following panels:
  • 35th anniversary of Die Hard (as a panelist)
  • 40th anniversary of He-Man (as an emotional support audience member)
  • Muppet Fights (as an emotional support audience member and very likely board boss if needed)
  • Kevins v. Michaels of Sci-Fi (as a moderator)
• I’ll do my best to stay awake until 11:30 pm to celebrate the late, great Pee-Wee Herman.

Sunday

I’ll be the board boss for Battle of the Mad Scientists (10 am) and again for the Battle of the Fictional Bands (11:30 am). I’ll be a participant in the Classic Table Reads at 2:30 pm and then a panelist on the Hocus Pocus panel at 5:30 pm. After dinner and a nap, I’ll be at the Charity Lock-In suffering through a classic and a low-key favorite, Super Mario Brothers.

Monday

After checking out of our hotel rooms and loading up the Dragon Wagon, we’ll all attend one last panel — Classic Sci-Fi Roll-A-Panel where 20 movies from 1998 will be discussed in one hour.

TA Out!