G-FAN #149 Arrived

Yesterday, I headed off eight miles to our post office in Continental Divide, New Mexico to pick up my mail.

At least the trip was productive as G-FAN #149 was waiting for me (along with a box of cigars I ordered). The package included a 2026 calendar!

For those of you who aren't aware, the issue of G-FAN is second to last issue to be published. J. D. Lees is ceasing publication with issue number 150. While it is sad to see an end of an era, it is good that he is about to embark on newer life experiences. 

Fortunately, G-FEST will be held this coming July, so fans can still enjoy kaiju camaraderie with like-minded fans.  

For details on the convention, go to www.g-fan.com.

Now At G-FEST 2024

Above, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What seemed like a longer flight than three hours, I made it to Rosemont (outside of Chicago) for this year's G-FEST.

Above, a view of the lobby from the 8th floor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The convention moved to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare out of necessity. It simply outgrew the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Hyatt, as one might expect, is a lot more luxurious with prices to match. Since G-FEST is only once a year, I'm not complaining. I saw few people I recognized. 

Above, the dealers setting up their tables in the Dealers Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am up early as I went to bed early, plus my inner clock is out of whack. 

Above, having an after dinner stogie.

G-FEST officially starts today. The Dealers Room will open at 10:00 this morning.  

Headed To G-FEST Next Year

Above, yours truly at the 2019 G-FEST with Jessica Tseang. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

Well, I booked my room for next year's G-FEST in the Chicago area.

It is set for next July 12-14, 2024, but considering the large attendance expected, it would be prudent to book the room now (the G-FEST hotel has opened room booking. So I did. It is at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, which is a new hotel for the convention. 

I attended the 2019 G-FEST at the old hotel, the Crowne Plaza, which the convention outgrew. I am looking forward to the new convention digs.

It will be nice seeing everyone again after five years.

For more information on G-FEST, go here.

Flight Cancellations: What To Do

Above, stuck at the Rosemont, Illinois
Motel 6 due to a flight cancellation.

During the past few years, it seemed that air travel had gotten worse with flight delays and cancellations.

With the exceptions of my recent trip to Los Angeles and last year's trip to Dallas/Fort Worth, flying had been a hassle. Generally, the problems arose when I would be trying to get back home rather than heading to the planned destinations. 

In those cases, one has to thank God for cell phones with Internet access to reschedule flights when one's flight had been cancelled. Twice, those flights caused me to stay an extra night as the next available flight would be the next day. I ended up getting rooms. This happened to me in 2019 when I was trying to get home from G-FEST and when I was trying to get home last year from Twin Falls. Both were weather-related.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on what to do if one's flight is cancelled.

They begin with:

Between extraordinarily high demand from passengers, airline staff shortages, and standard summer weather delays, flights have been delayed or canceled left and right. And while any unexpected schedule changes makes flying a hassle, it shouldn't completely discourage you from traveling.

From rebooking to hopefully getting a refund, travel expert, Scott Keyes, the founder of Scott's Cheap Flights, shared his tips and insight with Travel + Leisure for navigating these hectic times in air travel.

 To read more, go here.

G-FEST XXVII A Success

Above, J. D. Lees and yours truly at G-FEST XXV1 in 2019. Photo by Reagan Lees.

From the myriad of postings on Facebook and elsewhere, it appears that G-FEST XXVII was a huge success.

One poster said that the two-year layoff due to COVID-19 "made the show stronger."

I couldn't make it this year as my former roommate, Jessica, will be coming over next week and we will be doing some traveling during her visit to Durango, Colorado and Navajo Lake State Park. The funds are rather finite these days. 

However, I am planning on attending next year's convention. I last attended in 2019. Hopefully, I won't have airline issues like the last time.

From what I have been reading, the attendees liked the new hotel, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois (outside of Chicago). G-FEST simply outgrew the Crowne Plaza, necessitating a move to a much larger venue. When the numbers of attendees were smaller, the Crowne Plaza worked out just fine. But since the numbers grew to over 5,000 or so, that venue would not work out. 

The ballroom used for the Dealer's Room looked enormous. 

I found the architecture of the Hyatt Regency to be interesting, from the photos of it many have posted. Some likened it to the sets of Logan's Run. Yup, I can see that.

Anyway, I am glad that everyone had a great time. 

Happy Birthday Kaneko-San!

Above, from left, Shusuke Kaneko, yours truly and J. D. Lees at G-FEST in 2003. Photo by Richard Pusateri.

Here's one of those "I thought he was older" kind of revelations. I hadn't given it any thought until now.

Japanese director Shusuke Kaneko, who directed the acclaimed Heisei Gamera series of movies in the 1990s and Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) turns 67 today. He was the recipient of the 2019 "Mangled Skyscraper Award" at G-FEST XXVI in Rosemont, Illinois (outside of Chicago).

Above, Shusuke Kaneko receiving the 2019 "Mangled Skyscraper Award" at G-FEST XXVI. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I actually did think he was a few years older than me, but he's actually almost a year and a half younger.

Well, a big Happy Birthday to Kaneko-san!