August and September hold two comic conventions: Emerald City Comic Con and Rose City Comic Con. I’m going to both. Not only do I absolutely love being surrounded by other nerds, but I love seeing the cosplayers, the artists, the small business owners, the tattoo artists, etc. And, of course, the guests and the panels. Those are my absolute favorites.

Am I meeting anyone this year? Oh, yes, dear reader. Yes I am.

I was going to meet David Tenant at Emerald City Comic Con, but he had to cancel. And as much as a love David Tenant, he was not the guest I was most excited to meet. Because one of my all-time favorite actors who plays one of my all-time favorite characters of any fandom ever is going to be there! I met him once before in a virtual setting, but this is in-person. I loved his character on the show so much, I actually created my own character based off of him.

The show: The Magicians.
The character: Elliot Waugh
The actor: Hale Appleman.

Yes, indeed. I’m getting a photo-op and an autograph of one of my all-time favorite people in the world. He’s an iconic queer actor with so much heart, so much talent, and a tremendous amount of compassion and love for his fans. I’m going to write him a personal letter to let him know just how much his portrayal of Elliot means to me, especially as a queer woman who recently came out to family (and that experience did not go well). Because even though the Elliot of the show isn’t exactly like the Elliot of the books, Hale Appleman tapped into something truly magical when he was playing Elliot. He saw deeper into the character’s personality, his sense of humor, his emotions, his trauma, and he brought those things to life. And while I am not happy with a lot of things the showrunners chose for the show, I will always adore Hale for his performance.

So that’s who I’m meeting at Emerald City Comic Con. And I swear to Gaia, I am going to be an enormous, blubbering, emotional mess. I’ll be cosplaying as Eddie Munson from Stranger Things Season 4, which I’m excited about too.

So what about Rose City Comic Con? I’m glad you asked. This one is going to be just as iconic and I am honestly not sure how I’m going to get through it. And I mean that in the best way. Because I’m getting photo-ops with two celebs at this convention. And oh my god, the sheer excitement I have to meet these two people.

Let’s look at the first one, the one I’ve watched in one of my top two favorite fandoms since I was a kid.

The fandom: Star Wars
The character: Lando Calrisean
The actor: Billy Dee Williams

I’m meeting one of the original cast members of the original Star Wars trilogy! I am so excited, I can’t even explain it. And while my personal connection to Billy Dee Williams is primarily wrapped up in the nostalgia of being a kid and watching the original trilogy, Star Wars itself is incredibly important to me personally. It’s one of my top two favorite fandoms, and depending on what I’m watching, will absolutely make it into the number one slot. So the chance to meet and get a photo with the actor who brought Lando to life was one I could not pass up.

But who is the second one? Well, he’s from my other top two favorite fandoms. This fandom and Star Wars switch back and forth depending on what day it is.

The fandom: Lord of the Rings
The character: Samwise Gamgee
The actor: Sean Astin

Sean was also Bob on season two of Stranger Things, and that’s probably my third favorite fandom. And I know Sean Astin is famous for other roles too, but Lord of the Rings was my first introduction to him, and while I love all of the actors who play all of the hobbits, I think Sam is my favorite. He is so loyal, so good, so true to Frodo, and I cannot imagine anyone else playing him. Lord of the Rings was the trilogy that got me into fantasy. It was also what started my friendship with my best friend in the entire world, and it remains one of the things we continue to obsess over because the movies are simply stunning. (I’m also excited because my partner is taking me to see the extended editions in theaters tomorrow, and I’m so fucking excited.)

Now, if either of these conventions announce anyone else from either of these two fandoms (or Stranger Things), I will lose my mind. Lose my mind. Lose. My. Ever. Loving. Mind. But so far, these are the people I’ve bought tickets to meet. I’m so excited.