I guess my Vulgarthon experience started around New Years Day. I woke up with a hangover, realizing I probably should have already started making the buttons. It had not struck me that I waited until the last minute. So I spent that day organizing all the names people had sent in. Then I didn't work on the buttons again until Wednesday night around ten. My friend Adam came over, we ate Burger King and watched films like Bring It On and Pump Up The Volume as we cut out the buttons. Adam grew tired of doing the cutting and started to press a few buttons. In time, he didn't feel like even doing that and left. I kept going till three in the morning, finishing all the cutting, my finger tips now slightly bruised from repeatedly using the cutter.

I slept in Thursday, worked on the buttons for part of the afternoon, pressing them all. And then the idiot-side of me kicked in and I wound up going out to visit a friend for a while, I got back after three. And then I started the push, I worked from three in the morning till eleven, getting half the buttons done. And after a mid-afternoon nap on Friday afternoon, I finished all the buttons by five.

Saturday morning I woke up early and headed down to the Stash. Len had told me Courtney and her friends were going to help me distribute the buttons. I only planned to stick around a little bit, to make sure everything went smoothly. Well, the place was kinda quiet, and I stayed longer than I thought, talking it up with Vincent, Courtney, Holly, and Ming. Vincent gave me a whole laundry list of movies to check out. I plan to start up with them all tomorrow.

As I finally decided to leave, I ran into Lynch, who was as friendly to me as he's always been, he told me to come to the Pat dinner if I could and that was about all for Saturday.

On Sunday, my friend Krista picked me up to go. Our first stop was Red Bank, just so I could see how everything was with the buttons. I got there to find out I had forgotten to make a button for Malcolm (and I later realized I forgot ones for Brad and Chris, guys, I'm sorry, I was rushing the last few days). After Krista picked up a few things, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed off to the hotel. We had a minor car accident while about to pull in the parking lot. We were in the shoulder lane just as a car sped by, knocking off Krista's side mirror and denting her bumper. The car never stopped. Krista was upset at first, but the damage could have been much worse and both of us new that.

After getting settled in, the two of us, along with two of the Irelanders (with names I can't remember, that's a running theme right now, I'm bad with names, if only someone had made name tags or something) that Glen had introduced me to, went to the Pat dinner. Good time all and all, I finally got to meet Smalls, Len told me how much Kevin dug the buttons, and it was fun laughing it up with Nancy, the Irelanders, and Dawn. Krista and I called it an early night afterwards, just staying in the room afterwards. Both of us were tired.

And then came the big day. Monday morning started out just like it did last year, with me cutting in line as soon as I saw Glen. Seriously, if you catch me doing it again next time, you have my permission to hit me or something. Waiting in line was a reunion of sorts, Bill (Magus 23) was right in front of me, just as he was last year. Great guy that Bill is. If you got one of his fan-art Dogma and JASBSB posters, you know what I mean. As we walked in, I apologized to Malcolm about forgetting his button. I really did feel bad. He didn't seem bothered and took a pic with me.

Right afterwards, I was greeted by the man himself. Kevin gave me the greatest welcome I could have ever expected, asking me "How's the writing going?" I can't tell you how flattered I was. After a picture with Krista and I, I gave Kevin the special one-of-kind variant Vulgarthon button for Harley. He thanked me and passed it off to Gail to hold on to.

We made out way into theater one and took a seat. Kevin did his intro, which included to a Thank You to me for the buttons. And an applause followed. For a person who usually has too much to say, I was left speechless getting a shout-out like that. And just like Len, I was even asked to do one autograph. Funny stuff, I know.

And so the movies started. Vulgar was pleasantly sick and fun, with some acting by Brian O that completely blew me away. That movie is definitely going to garner some attention. I feel privileged to have seen it first. And unless my memory has gone to shit, I believe the Lee video was shown next. Sure, it's a shame that Lee couldn't be there, but that video message was hysterical. I can't tell you how much I love that guy.

JASBSB was fun to see again, as were all the deleted footage and the gag reel. And Kev's Q&A that followed was as good as anyone he did in the past. The man knows how to keep an audience's attention.

After Krista and I's short dinner break, we were back at the theater, getting pics with Brian O, Jeff, and the likes. Brian was glad there was such a positive response to Vulgar, given its subject matter. He shouldn't be worrying. Why this man isn't doing many, many feature films is beyond me. His dramatic scenes in Vulgar proved he could handle it.

Now You Know was one of the bigger surprises of the evening. Jeff made a fine romantic comedy, and an incredibly first time effort. My only disappoint was his lack of interest in pursuing acting, wanting to focus on writing. While I can't be mad at anyone who just wants to write, I still would like to see the guy on the big screen as well.

Before Big Helium Dog, I chatted with Len briefly. He said they were going to try to sell the remainder of the buttons at the bowling alley. I agreed it would be a good idea. He also said they were enough of a hit that we were going to have to do it again next time. Had he said that to me on Friday night, I would have laughed in his face. But after seeing the response to them, as well as just like things such as walking through the streets of Red Bank and seeing people wearing them, has made the whole thing worth it. If Kevin wants them again next year, allow me to say now, "I'm on it." This year was a learning experience. Next time, the design won't be put off to the last minute, the name collection will be run more efficiently, and yea, I'll be a pro at making them all.

Just like last year, the night ended with Lynch's fantastic Big Helium Dog. He has to get around to releasing that film. I hate getting to see it only once a year. And who knows, it might not even play at the next one.

At the last minute, Krista and I decided not to go to the bowling alley, I was about to collapse from exhaustion and she wasn't feeling all that well. I said goodbye to Lynch, he introduced me to Matt, the three of us took a picture, and that was it. An end to a great night. And at this point, I just have to say, "Vincent, thank you." That man was going all out, making sure everything went well. Everyone who attended owes him a drink, or at least should buy an ABP poster from him. They're rather nice.

Ok, so I couldn't sleep once getting back to the Inn, so while Krista slept, I went out looking for a party. I ran into Chris Revier. The two of us stopped by the small 142 party, which was filled with some good peeps, abet peeps whose names I don't remember. Then we went to 509, which was way too crowded and just not as interested. I said a few hellos there, went back to my room get some beer, and headed back done to 142. I stayed for like an hour and decided to call it a night.

And I left Tuesday morning, went home, and resumed my normal life. Overall, I had a great time, and it's going to be tough to top next year. But that won't stop me from trying. So I'll end this with a few thanks and shout-outs.

Len - great job with everything, thanks for helping me get connected with the button thing and indirectly accomplish my dream of working for Kevin, although not exactly the way I planned.

Glen - thanks for letting me cut in line again, I love ya you crazy brit. And email me your addy, I'll get the Mallrats script out to ya.

Kevin - for the great show and the warm welcome.

Vincent - for running the great show. I saw you were getting tired, but kept marching on. You never cease to impress me

Lynch - Get famous already so I can start whoring the photos I have of us. The new one came out great. No, thanks for always being willing to chat.

Krista - for tagging along

Courtney and the girls - for helping the button distribution and doing it all yourself on Sunday.

Ming - It was great meeting ya.

Bill - for the posters

The boys from Ireland - That chalkboard story was great.

Chris Revier - Even though you live in PA, we have to chill some time.

Jessica from Day 2 - email me and I'll make you a button since someone took yours

I'm forgetting people here, sorry, I'm worn out. I'll end with this, it was great meeting everyone, talking it up, and so on. And also, thanks to everyone who bought a button. Before the bowling alley, I know we raised at least 2 grand. Who knows what the final tally was. But thanks. Next year, they'll be better.

Ok, I'm going to be a coma for the next few days, then hopefully, I'm off to Boston for my Birthday, so I won't be around much till Feb. I had a great time. Five events now, and each one as great as the last. And if the next one is after Jan 18, I'll be of legal age to drink, so I'm buying a round. Goodnight.