Detroit muRdOCK City

Well, I’m back again. Back to work, that is, after a long weekend of fun, friendship and memories that will last me a lifetime. But I know you guys are eager to hear the details so I’ll cut right to the chase.

If anybody has never been to a comic con, Star Trek con, or any other geek con, it’s an experience you must have at least once. I mean, this is Disneyland for geeks magnified 10 times. There’s Darth Vader there and The Avengers there and a life-size Wookiee walking around somewhere. Literally it’s a feast for the eyes and ears. And it’s a good thing I’m already poor, otherwise I soon would be from all the amazingly cool stuff for sale.

But this wasn’t my first rodeo/con as the case may be. I’d come for mainly one reason: to meet the one and only Mr. Dwight Schultz (aka Murdock, aka Reg Barclay.) He doesn’t do many of these events anymore and I figured it might be my last shot, since the planned visit to New Jersey last October turned out to be a no-go. I did meet my good e-friend A.J. for the first time there and she also attended this event.

Clearly I did meet Mr. Schultz. It was one of the first things I did upon arrival (this was the photo-op I got, and I’m sorry I look so weird):

And of course, a sizable group of us from the Dwight Schultz Fansite also attended from all over the country. It was the largest such gathering of fans ever, and it was a blast. Just getting together a group in hand-painted Murdock jackets was awesome:

There was plenty of other cool stuff and cool people to see, of course. My budget for autographs was limited but I did get Lando Calrissian himself, Billy Dee Williams, to sign a photo for me. I also found some gifts for upcoming birthdays and a couple cool souvenirs for myself (thank you, Mr. District 9 propmaker!) I’m not much of a photo-taker, so didn’t take too many. What I do have will be up as soon as I find a bit of time to do it.

After a while I reached my sensory limits and just had to chill out a bit. This was great because I could hang out with some of my fellow fans whom I’d never met in person and hear their stories. I’ve been part of many fandoms over the years and I don’t exaggerate when I say Dwight’s fans are the kindest, most interesting group I’ve ever encountered.

I also got my photo taken with the A-Team van replica which was on display at the show. (As soon as I get it scanned, it’ll be up as well.) They even let me sit in the front seat. How cool is that?

But the real fun was after hours. As it turns out, Dwight Schultz, gracious as he is, agreed to share some of his time with those of us from his fansite. It was just like hanging out with a favorite teacher or an old friend. His stories were hilarious, insightful, and heartfelt. Instead of really talking about The A-Team or any of his other performances, the conversation mostly ran to all sorts of topics: politics, the educational system, what makes a really great musical recording. I also got him to say some of the Middle Eastern names he often does on the radio, like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedenijad, which was a real treat. He was also kind enough to sign items we’d brought, including everything from A-2 Murdock jackets to photos to, in my case, a Reg Barclay action figure. (Again, picture forthcoming.)

I also can’t not mention my friend Susan and her incredible family, who were my hosts for the weekend. Though she didn’t attend the convention with me, she and her family made me feel like an honored guest. I can’t thank them enough.

We’re talking about another future get-together on the fansite already. Though I won’t be traveling for a while and I may never see Mr. Schultz and/or any of my fellow fans for a very long time, the memories will hold me over for months to come. You guys are all amazing and I was privileged to meet every one of you.

Oh, and for those who might have been wondering: I didn’t actually ask Dwight if he would write the preface to my book, but I did tell him about it. He said, with a smile, that he’d enjoy reading it. There is hope yet. And it gives me even more motivation to finish it once and for all.

I love it when a plan comes together.

~ by Howlin' Mad Heather on May 22, 2012.