I’m having one more smoke before bed and I thought I would just give a recap of some of the highlights from the Festival of Fear this weekend:
I got to meet Clive Barker. You have no idea what a huge impact this had on me. I have been an avid fan of his work since I was 18 and discovered one of his novels in the University book store. I had grown up on Stephen King and Dean Koontz but when I read Clive, I simply fell in love. I adored his words and his imagination. He inspired me to write, to express myself even if what I was thinking was dark and twisted.
I had the opportunity to go back to his hotel room with him, his assistant and Jovanka while he changed before his first Intimate and Interactive session and I changed my mind at the last moment. I didn’t want to seem like a hanger on, like some crazed fan sitting in his room struck dumb by him being the a natural sweetheart. So instead, with half of my ass in the great yellow hummer, I decided I didn’t want to intrude and got out saying that I would talk with him when he returned. Of course Jovanka gave me shit later not realizing I had gotten out and she turned around to introduce him to me and realized I wasn’t in the car. She was upset for me because she wanted me to meet him knowing we would have been able to talk and exchange ideas. I am kicking myself for missing that opportunity but I know what I did was right for me. Really, who wants some strange fan girl with one of your books in hand and a pen in her bag sitting in your room while you are trying to rush around and get changed?
He was kind enough to keep his promise though and he signed my book when he returned. We exchanged a few words as we walked down the hallway to the I&I session. Of course, being the geek that I am I sat in the front row during both of his talks and he blew me away. I do not even have the words to express how I feel. I got chills, I laughed, and he stole my heart by simply being…him. Articulate, creative, witty, well read and a decent, humble man. He even quoted my favourite author, Joseph Campbell, saying that he has a quote by him in his workspace….”Follow your bliss.” I’ve mentioned this quote many times in my journal and I’ve tried to follow it within my life. I left feeling inspired. Yes I am a huge fan, but at least I didn’t start screaming and bouncing around. At least not in his presence 
Ok really that was only one highlight, but another one is a ran into a long lost friend that I have not seen in almost seven years. I hope that we don’t lose touch again because I adore him. Which reminds me that I need to ask Vampress for the picture she took of us together.
And with that I must get to bed. I have a long day at work tomorrow and I need to get my sleep 
And here is a picture of Brett, Gary, Clive, Jovanka and I.
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[...] I’ve been asked to help out at the Rue Morgue booth again this year for their Festival of Fear. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun, but honestly I’m not that excited about the guests. How is it possible to top meeting Clive Barker? The only two people I can think of that would make me that excited would be Amy Brown or Brian Froud and they are not going to be there this year. [...]