There are many things I like about conventions, but you know what I don't like? Among other things, lines. I mean, we find them in all aspects of life and they'll be pretty necessary until businesses find a way to serve all customers at once -- something at which many online companies (but not Mattel and Digital River) excel -- but good lord, look at this:

Now, keep in mind that I TOOK THIS PIC AROUND 8:20 AM. Just what could this line that oddly resembles the Great Wall of China be for, you ask? Apparently some aughtograph signing, but get this! I asked one of the guys in the line who it was for, and he said he didn't even know -- and it wasn't like the rude answers you get from the snotty nerds who really do know but don't want to talk to uninformed l4m3rz who aren't completely dedicated to the geek lifestyle, either. He laughed, smiled, and said he genuinely didn't know. I imagine he's interested in selling the autograph on eBay, or perhaps he really wants to see what's so exciting that would compel these people to line up en masse. The line was so popular that a woman working line security scolded me for talking with the folks because she thought I was trying to cut.

And take this mosh-pit-resembling mish-mash of a line. This isn't even for an autograph --  it's for a chance to win the chance to stand in another long line to actually get the autograph. Amazing. On a side note, can anyone tell me the appeal of autographs? I get why a reseller might want to get items signed, as it drives up the value... but why does it drive up the value? Why are people so interested in having pieces of paper and various merchandise signed by other people? No matter whose hand held the pen that leaked ink onto a particular surface in the forms of letters that spell out a particular name, it's still just writing on a page and all it says is a name. What's even crazier is that almost all of the autographs here cost money to get. I think the respective $15 and ~$30 prices for DC Universe Classics and Masters of the Universe Classics figures are unacceptable, but even those are better deals than $20 for someone's name written in ink. Half the time those autographs aren't even legible.

Lines, lines, lines -- there were even lines for Starbucks (and it's just a freaking booth, so you don't even get the yuppie atmosphere or a swanky chair and table setup) and lines to cross the freaking street. And there were so many people around that even walking from point A to B felt like being in a line, albeit one that was moving fairly well. Did I mention that all of this was taking place before 9:00 AM?!?

But -- thankfully -- not everything entailed standing in a line. A while back TAO described the process for securing the Graphitti Designs exclusives at C2E2, and the process here at SDCC is pretty much the same thing... except when I showed up minutes after 8:00 AM (you can only stand in the secret line to win the right to buy the exclusives every hour, on/around the hour), nobody was there. And, as such, they were doing a first come, first serve thing and granting the magic purchase-powered wristbands to whoever showed up at that reprehensible hour. Of course, I'll have to go back to stand in a line later, but it won't be as bad since I'll know I won't be kicked out of it for not having fashionable wrist gear. But first I'll have to get on a bus and wait in a line to get off the bus and then wait in a line to cross the street to wait in a line to get back into the convention center to wait in what might as well be a line because navigating the exhibit hall is like trying to tiptoe through a sea of really thick, incredibly smelly molasses. Joy.

P.S. There needs to be a freaking shower line. Personal hygiene > comics and toys, guys. Seriously.

_________