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#WSCAtlanta 2017

Ah, Walker Stalker!  What an unbelievable weekend!  This was my first convention, and I will definitely will be going back next year.  For any fan of ‘The Walking Dead,’ ‘Fear The Walking Dead,’ or anything zombie-related, Walker Stalker is for you.  It. Was. Awesome.

The highlight for me were the panels.  Walker Stalker did a great job of putting together interesting and highly entertaining groups of past and present characters from both of the AMC shows.  30 actors!  As an avid watcher of both shows, it was surreal to be able to see and hear each of the actors from different groups interact with one another, and they were all so gracious and kind to the fans. From Andrew Lincoln (”Rick Grimes”) to David Morrissey (”The Governor”), to Danai Gurira (”Michonne’”) to Laurie Holden (”Andrea”), there were so many great moments. Although all of the panels were amazing, Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s (”Negan’) Q&A stood out among the others.  Morgan walked around the stage the entire time interacting with the crowd, answered any and every question asked, granted special requests from fans, and he even had a run-in with a mini Negan who did an unreal impersonation of him.  The panels were incredible!

In addition to all of the panels and amazing cosplay everywhere you looked, the vendor floor was the ultimate fan central.  Any zombie-centric product you could possibly imagine could be found for sale.  From t-shirts to life-sized bobble heads of Daryl to pumpkins that could be carved to the likeness of any favorite actor, it was all there for purchase.  It was also awesome to walk down the “road of stars” and see so many favorite actors from various shows taking photos and talking with fans.  

Walker Stalker Atlanta 2017 did not disappoint!  It was such a special experience and so cool to witness the joy and happiness brought to all of the  dedicated fans and to see the gratefulness of the actors who know the fans make it all possible.  For any zombie-lover, Walker Stalker is a Bucket List must.

www.walkerstalker.com

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Walker Stalker Atlanta 2017 - MEDIA Convention Coverage Badges

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The Night Before Walker Stalker Atlanta 2017

When I found out that I would be covering Walker Stalker for Power 96.1, I was beyond excited.  It’s like a dream come true! I’m a huge fan of the genre.  I’ve watched every episode of every season of ‘The Walking Dead.’ I’ve watched the marathon weekends before the start of each new season.  I’ve stayed loyal to the brand and have watched all of ‘Fear The Walking Dead.’ I’ve dragged my family to Senoia, GA (where the main street was the backdrop for Woodbury and the Alexandria set is across the street) no less than 20 times in hopes of seeing an actor from TWD. We lucked out while eating at Nic & Norman’s in Senoia on our wedding anniversary last year.  Greg Nicotero himself came into the restaurant and graciously met and took photos with us all.  When we were about to pay our bill, Norman Reedus walked in and slipped into a booth at the back of the restaurant.  We were going to keep ordering things in order to stay until Norman was done eating, but we figured four desserts was our limit.  It was enough to know that we were in the same room as him. Anyway, back to Walker Stalker...

Today I picked up the “Media Convention Coverage” badges.  It was surprisingly low key at the Georgia World Congress Center - the calm before the zombie apocalypse that will begin tomorrow.  Although I did see one Daryl Dixon t-shirt after another, I didn’t see any other signs of zombie transformation.  The couple in front of me was impressive.  As I walked up to the VIP booth, they were receiving their vouchers for all of the autograph and photo sessions they purchased.  Since I checked out the prices of these sessions online, I know they spent well over $1000 on these.  They even had a bag with files in it to keep their weekend organized.  That was the extent of the excitement for today.  

So, on this night before Walker Stalker Atlanta 2017, I can say that I don’t know what to expect, but I am looking forward to the unexpected.  The panels scheduled on the main stage are amazing in name alone: “Sitting in a Tree,” “The Good Guys,” “OG Crew,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Lovers, Fighters,” “Negan,” “Abraham’s Army,” “The Troublemakers,” “Woodbury Reunion,” “The Kingdom.”  All of the fan favorites, besides Glenn, are going to be there. Although I tend to be focused on the TWD, there are amazing panels for shows like “Boondocks Saints,” “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” “Lost,” “Bates Motel,” “Z Nation,” and “Sons of Anarchy” to name a few. There is a little something for everyone.  In addition to photographing the panels, I can’t wait to see the people who go all in with the cosplay action.  They never disappoint!  

I’ll report back starting tomorrow and share my experiences with you.  Until then, keep getting ready for Halloween and a new episode of TWD on Sunday night! 

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Atlanta Pride Parade - October 15, 2017

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Atlanta Pride - Stage Line-up - Piedmont Park - Atlanta, GA - October 14, 2017

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Atlanta Pride 2017

This year was my fourth Atlanta Pride weekend.  While I always find it to be two days full of love, acceptance and positivity, this year felt different to me.  It felt like all of that but heightened.  Maybe it was because this year in particular has been difficult and heart-wrenching on so many levels (do I even need to mention them??), and because of the insanity in our country and around the world right now and for the past 9 months, the light and kindness and great feelings that come from Pride weekend just seemed like a giant hug in the middle of chaos. A breath of fresh air during this time of uncertainty. It was a needed weekend of goodness and happiness.

Saturday began my Pride experience this year with the concerts in Piedmont Park.  They do such a good job of bringing fun musical acts to Pride each and every year, and this Pride didn’t disappoint.  From the iheart Media sponsored artists Madison Beer, MAX, Rita Ora and Dej Loaf to the artists Hero the Band, Jason Maek & Zaena, Arrested Development and The Pointer Sisters, a wonderful concert experience was had by all. In particular, MAX put on quite the high-energy show, and as a teenager of the 90′s, I was fan-girling out over Arrested Development!  I mean, come on!  I was able to give Speech a big hug and thank him for his music which was a huge highlight of mine.  It was a great night of music and dancing and fun.

Sunday was, of course, the parade. My husband’s company has floats in the parade every year, and we usually arrive early to help decorate the floats before the parade starts. We did that again this year, but I was also able to walk in the parade and take photographs of the crowd.  It. Was. Amazing. The positive vibes of the bystanders combined with the energy of the parade participants equaled a special moment.  It was impossible not to smile the entire time.  

I look forward to next year, and until then and as always, Happy Pride!