I don't think taking precautions helps. I haven't taken any special precautions in any specific year and I only got sick at D*C the same two years you did. What you described you're feeling right now is me to a tee. I think today is going to be the last day of it, though. So it's nowhere near as bad as 2009.

You had no scenes with him? Inconceivable! Next year is the 25th anniversary of The Princess Bride and I'm really super duper hoping that Dragon*Con will be able to acknowledge it by having at least some of the actors as guests. I find that "movie" actors aren't quite as comfortable at cons as "tv" actors, but I'd still love to see them if we could make it happen. My dream list would even include Rob Reiner. Wow. That would rock.

I meant to ask you at Dragon*Con what it was like to work with Wallace Shawn. I don't know how I would have refrained from quoting The Princess Bride to him. I mean, it's just what I do, I quote that movie often and without forethought.

Wish I'd read this before I attempted to shake your hand. But it still wasn't awkward. I totally get it. I got Swine Flu at Dragon*Con in 2009 as well. It was in full swing that weekend. One of the last things I did at that con was shake Alan Ruck's hand (before I realized I was sick). I felt so bad about that the week afterwards...as I was hacking up a lung. I work at a hospital. This year, my infection control nurse told me that there is a new bird flu going around. Sure enough, I ended up sick. (But not nearly as sick as in 2009.) I posted on FB that I think I picked up that bird flu and my friend wittily replied that if I got it at Dragon*Con, surely it was the NerdFlu. :-)

This concept made me think of how Gary Jones got his job on Stargate SG-1. Gary is a really funny guy, but he auditioned for a really boring mostly-background role. (He was one of the technicians who announced that the "chevrons" were locked or engaged while the Gate was being dialed.) Anyway, Gary is now a legend with Stargate fans because his willingness to be creative with that audition. He was way too funny for the role, but the producers liked *him* because *he* stood out during the audition. He got the job and had to play the role very straight, but it led to Gary being on most of the shows throughout the 10 year run of the show. He has been on several of the DVD commentaries, had a not-frequently-updated blog on "Gateworld." He's even made one or two appearances in the Atlantis spin-off and been in both Stargate direct-to-dvd movies. Now, similar to you, Wil Wheaton, he's using those blog postings as the foundation for show-biz related memoirs. I definitely believe that success should be measured by more than just getting the gig.

This concept made me think of how Gary Jones got his job on Stargate SG-1. Gary is a really funny guy, but he auditioned for a really boring mostly-background role. (He was one of the technicians who announced that the "chevrons" were locked or engaged while the Gate was being dialed.) Anyway, Gary is now a legend with Stargate fans because his willingness to be creative with that audition. He was way too funny for the role, but the producers liked *him* because *he* stood out during the audition. He got the job and had to play the role very straight, but it led to Gary being on most of the shows throughout the 10 year run of the show. He has been on several of the DVD commentaries, had a not-frequently-updated blog on "Gateworld." He's even made one or two appearances in the Atlantis spin-off and been in both Stargate direct-to-dvd movies. Now, similar to you, Wil Wheaton, he's using those blog postings as the foundation for show-biz related memoirs. I definitely believe that success should be measured by more than just getting the gig.

I always hated that video because it didn't make sense to me. Honestly, I kinda feel like I finally understand it now. Could someone do this for Sledgehammer, too?

I always hated that video because it didn't make sense to me. Honestly, I kinda feel like I finally understand it now. Could someone do this for Sledgehammer, too?

"A little nerdy, nice and unassuming, with a great sense of humor." Dude. You just described my dream man. And, uh, that kinda explains my (not so)secret(anymore) crush on Seth Green. I gotta remember to watch Robot Chicken. I don't even know when it's on.

"A little nerdy, nice and unassuming, with a great sense of humor." Dude. You just described my dream man. And, uh, that kinda explains my (not so)secret(anymore) crush on Seth Green. I gotta remember to watch Robot Chicken. I don't even know when it's on.

The 80s. Sigh. I could only afford one Swatch, but I loved it and wore it everywhere. My big fashion memories may be regional to the Southeast, particularly the coastal Southeast. Did anyone else wear Jams? They were basically long shorts made from wild graphic material. Added bonus - my Jams were HOMEMADE because my mother refused to pay full price for something so easy to make. Our footwear was KSwiss tennis shoes, Sebagos or buckskins (totally Preppie shoes). God, I loved my Sebagos. And, we had to put the laces in so that they went straight across, not criss-crossed like they normally come. But the worst (best?) part was the hair and makeup. I wore blue and purple eyeliner...on the inside of my lids (not at the same time - different outfit, different color eyeliner). Evidently my purple eyeliner was greasy and ran into my eyes because it actually made my vision a little blurry...but I still wore it - had to look fierce. Lord, I didn't know if I wanted to be a Preppie or a Mall Chick. I was really a Goody-Goody/Nerd.

The 80s. Sigh. I could only afford one Swatch, but I loved it and wore it everywhere. My big fashion memories may be regional to the Southeast, particularly the coastal Southeast. Did anyone else wear Jams? They were basically long shorts made from wild graphic material. Added bonus - my Jams were HOMEMADE because my mother refused to pay full price for something so easy to make. Our footwear was KSwiss tennis shoes, Sebagos or buckskins (totally Preppie shoes). God, I loved my Sebagos. And, we had to put the laces in so that they went straight across, not criss-crossed like they normally come. But the worst (best?) part was the hair and makeup. I wore blue and purple eyeliner...on the inside of my lids (not at the same time - different outfit, different color eyeliner). Evidently my purple eyeliner was greasy and ran into my eyes because it actually made my vision a little blurry...but I still wore it - had to look fierce. Lord, I didn't know if I wanted to be a Preppie or a Mall Chick. I was really a Goody-Goody/Nerd.

I want Rule 17b to be enabled for life in general...particularly as I am getting ready to sell the mobile home that I thought was a good idea at the time cause "it's bigger *and* cheaper than an apartment!" I need to go back so someone can explain the concept of "upside down in a loan" and "it could take three years to sell this thing" vs "break your lease, pay your penalty and walk away a free woman" to my younger self.

I want Rule 17b to be enabled for life in general...particularly as I am getting ready to sell the mobile home that I thought was a good idea at the time cause "it's bigger *and* cheaper than an apartment!" I need to go back so someone can explain the concept of "upside down in a loan" and "it could take three years to sell this thing" vs "break your lease, pay your penalty and walk away a free woman" to my younger self.

I have never worn a costume to Dragon*con. But next year, I just may have to go as 8 bit wilw wearing the clown sweater. One lady came this year dressed entirely as Jayne's hat from Firefly. Maybe I'll make my *entire* costume be the clown sweater.

I have never worn a costume to Dragon*con. But next year, I just may have to go as 8 bit wilw wearing the clown sweater. One lady came this year dressed entirely as Jayne's hat from Firefly. Maybe I'll make my *entire* costume be the clown sweater.

Is that a dead horse? Let me get out my beating stick... Guess who came to DragonCon last year? Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden and ... Brent Spiner (and John de Lancie, too). If only you had been there, you could have hung out with them ALL weekend.

Is that a dead horse? Let me get out my beating stick... Guess who came to DragonCon last year? Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden and ... Brent Spiner (and John de Lancie, too). If only you had been there, you could have hung out with them ALL weekend.

Ugh, didn't mean to make "design's" possessive in above comment. I double checked all my links to make sure they displayed correctly but overlooked my grammar.

Ugh, didn't mean to make "design's" possessive in above comment. I double checked all my links to make sure they displayed correctly but overlooked my grammar.

Wil, my friend design's t-shirts. He was just interviewed by Flashfilm.com, a fashion magazine...weird that they interviewed a t-shirt designer, but cool exposure for my friend. You should check out his shirts at lintyfresh.com. He just quit his day job to support himself full time from his t-shirt line.

Wil, my friend design's t-shirts. He was just interviewed by Flashfilm.com, a fashion magazine...weird that they interviewed a t-shirt designer, but cool exposure for my friend. You should check out his shirts at lintyfresh.com. He just quit his day job to support himself full time from his t-shirt line.

Here's my breakdown of JJ Abrams projects: Felicity - Great beginning, got lame after a couple of seasons. Alias - Seriously awesome for two or three seasons, the rest was lame. Lost - I couldn't even finish out the first season. I felt personally annoyed that Abrams wasted my time. Armageddon - Embarrassed to say that I enjoyed this movie. What can I say? I like Bruce Willis as the father who saves the day. MI:3 - Buckets better than 2, not as good as 1. Meh. Cloverfield - Amazing, despite the sickening photography. So basically, I think the movie will definitely appeal to the general public. This guy knows how to make hits. But I am not confident that I will lurve the whole thing. Someone asked what would be the Trek equivalent of a Jar-Jar. Have you read the "New Frontier" books? That series has several possibilities. Wiki linkJanos (a furry creature who "went wild" and now lives like an animal on some random planet), Burgoyne 172 (a hermaphrodite with fur), Zak Kebron (Frontier's version of "Thing" from the Fantastic Four), or Morgan Primus (the mother of Wesley's first kiss, Robin Lefler, who's mind is now integrated into the computer of the ship).

Here's my breakdown of JJ Abrams projects: Felicity - Great beginning, got lame after a couple of seasons. Alias - Seriously awesome for two or three seasons, the rest was lame. Lost - I couldn't even finish out the first season. I felt personally annoyed that Abrams wasted my time. Armageddon - Embarrassed to say that I enjoyed this movie. What can I say? I like Bruce Willis as the father who saves the day. MI:3 - Buckets better than 2, not as good as 1. Meh. Cloverfield - Amazing, despite the sickening photography. So basically, I think the movie will definitely appeal to the general public. This guy knows how to make hits. But I am not confident that I will lurve the whole thing. Someone asked what would be the Trek equivalent of a Jar-Jar. Have you read the "New Frontier" books? That series has several possibilities. Wiki linkJanos (a furry creature who "went wild" and now lives like an animal on some random planet), Burgoyne 172 (a hermaphrodite with fur), Zak Kebron (Frontier's version of "Thing" from the Fantastic Four), or Morgan Primus (the mother of Wesley's first kiss, Robin Lefler, who's mind is now integrated into the computer of the ship).

Oh. My. God. I'm hooked. The first song I heard online was "Ship of Fools" by one of my all-time favoritest bands ever, World Party. I couldn't tell you the last time I heard World Party played by someone not me. Also, I'm with you, Wil. NO MORE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS! I have never understood their appeal...except for Flea playing on "Bust a Move."