Trying to make a decision about JM in Toronto.

[shadowscast]

Dear Flist: I have to make a decision. Can you help?

So, James Marsters is going to appear in Toronto, August 26-28. I live in Montreal, but will most likely be visiting Halifax around the end of August. My Halifax-visiting dates are somewhat flexible, though, so ... I could go.

I have friends in Toronto, and in-laws in Oakville, so I'd have a place to stay. The tickets to the event themselves are a bit steep by my standards ($80 for the cheapest), and the travel would probably end up costing me around $150 (rough estimate).

So, what do you think? Would I feel silly later for spending so much money on a fleeting fangirl fancy? Would I regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't seize the opportunity?

I'm not even sure if I want to go. I mean, will I be horribly disappointed by the fact that JM isn't Spike? Isn't British, isn't a bleach blond, isn't a vampire? Will meeting the actual human actor mess with my kinky fantasies?

On the other hand...will it be the most awesome thing ever?

Okay, you have to help me figure this out. Hint: if any of you are actually going to be there, that would help with the figuring-out for sure.

Comments

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

Relatives in Oakville? Cool! My friend is from there; I live about half an hour away.

I'm not going to the con myself, not much bothered about them, although I'd like to meet LJ people, but if you think you'd regret it, go; JM's not going to be doing them for ever...

[shadowscast.livejournal.com]

::whimpers:: So very torn!

ENVY

[theprincesjewel.livejournal.com]

Oh, by all means go! Take a camera, then come back and post tons of piccies for those of us who have no chance in hell of going, along with a loverly report of such.

*grins* 'sides, does the fact that he's not a Brit or a vampire (are we sure he's not still bleached?) make him any less eye-candy? Less of someone you'd love ever so much to meet?

*blinks* And why would meeting the actor spoil your fantasies of the vampire? They shan't look or sound alike, now, should they? *smacks at the refrain of Offspring's "Keep 'em Seperated" that is running through her brain*

[hammiepoo.livejournal.com]

Never met/glimpsed/smelled JM in RL, but taking a rough concensus of online folks who have:

I get the sense that he's maybe kinda eager to not be automatically associated with his most famous role. Maybe even a little fake. Something about him just screams flaming gay Scientologist. Oh, wait, that last one is just me.

But then I also get a sense from folks of him being warm and genuine, willing to discuss his role on Buffy. Generally humble, alright guy.

Though let's not forget the vanity band. And that it's said that he's not impressively tall. And that he's 104 years young.

Not saying I wouldn't do Spike him (though I hear he's deep into scat - like, he needs an intervention), just it all seems very subjective.

Though I'm guessing that even if you feel silly afterward it'll be like a 'Huh. My friends are never gonna believe what a weirdo he is. I don't care if he is thisclose to B-list, nobody shits on my chest! Damn, I shoulda tape-recorded his coked-up pro-Creationism rant, though.'-type silly. Y'know, worth it.

Meh, I'm no help. Just hope you get to go!

[shapinglight]

I should just go. You'll probably enjoy it and meet some nice people.

FWIW, seeing JM in person just made me like him more. He came across as a genuinely nice guy - lively, intelligent and interesting, but a little prone to put his foot in his mouth verbally. It didn't spoil my Spike-love in the slightest.

[silverjaime.livejournal.com]

All I can say is that I thought the same as you back 3 years ago before my first con to see James the actor. I've never regretted it! he's such a sweet dorky intelligent man and I'm glad I got to see him then and since. ( I even won breakfast with him and DB at Hallowe'en!)
So I would go if I were you.
I went to see if it would 'cure' my Spike addiction, but actually it just created my James addiction!!

[trishabooms.livejournal.com]

I decided to be sensible and not go to the Halloween event last year, now I'm really sorry I missed it, all the photo sharing in the world can't possibly make up for the real thing.
Happily I went to one of JM's concerts here in the UK, despite being more of a DB fan, had a wonderful time, and came away hugely impressed with the man.
I would say that you shouldn't miss the opportunity.

[chrisleeoctaves.livejournal.com]

Not that you know me well enough for my opinion to count...but I'd go.
Friends who saw him last October in England said he was fabulous...and if you can do it on the cheap...you should at least consider it.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

GO!
Especially as he's said he's giving conventions a break for a bit after this year, so you may have to wait a while if you don't go now.
I wish I'd had a chance to meet Leonard Nimoy, because Spock had such a big influence on me, but I probably never will. Apart from that, I have never been one who was too interested in meeting any actor before, but
I've been to see James 3 times, - the first time I was prepared to be disappointed, either in him or any of the other cast members, but I need not have feared.
He's a lovely, sweet, honest guy, who's not afraid to be seen warts, guts and all, and I will go see him again as soon as I am able.
But - when you meet him, have what you want to say ready in your head, because much as he wants to engage with everyone, it's over too soon.
He's not Spike, but you can see the kernel of Spike-ism there, when he gets emotional or pissed off.

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

And did I mention, GO!

[tjgoldstein.livejournal.com]

I bought tickets for the convention in Melbourne last year that featured JM..unfortunately, I ended up selling them because the cat got an infected paw and that was the only way I had to pay the vet bills... ::screams in pure agony::

Soooo.. my advice is.. go.. girlfriend.. GO!

As much as I love my Sugar Plum Fairy, I was absolutely ropable at missing out on seeing him in the flesh... but then again, my cat or James... The Sugar Plum wins hands down each time.. ::sigh::

I hope that you have a brilliant time.. :D

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Good decision on the cat - I'm sure James would have approved of your loyalty winning out, if that's any consolation!