The all-time defining MegoMeet moment(for me)

[Random Axe]

I'll write about Aw Yeah MM later in the week once I've fully decompressed and had some sleep, but I wanted to share an observation that completely and truly defines what the MegoMeet represents and should always stand for.

We all got to meet Ariel, known here as Boywonder0. This gentleman flew in from Puerto Rico with his family to his first Meet. It doesn't matter what kind of bad day you might have had or how tired you may have been from a long drive, his genuine enthusiasm and absolute joy from being there with all these toys and all of his online friends was completely infectious. To see someone this excited and jubilant really lifted me up for the entire weekend. He had an autograph book we signed and took pictures for like we were celebrities. That was just an awesome idea!

See, we too often forget the common denominator of our passions for this hobby. While most of us outgrew that giddiness of Christmas morning opening up a couple of Mego figs and a Batlab, Ariel carries that exuberance in to his every day life. I wish I had half of the joy and half the energy he possesses. Meeting him was a highlight of my weekend and was just inspiring. I sincerely thank him for the emotional and spiritual boost he gave me, even into this morning when I was leaving. He singlehandedly provided me with a new perspective and a fresh outlook. This was his first MegoMeet, but it personifies what the experience should always be and what I will always strive to make it in the future.

[Boywonder0]

Thanks for the kind words Scott! To me the Mego Talk forum is like family... I visit the forum on a daily basis (for many years now) and have come to love the people herein. Only God knows how much I wanted to assist to a Mego Meet before but the flying logistics was always very complex. This year Chicago O'Hare made the difference.

So yes I was very excited and thrilled to finally meet my cyber brothers: a)the forum administrators Scott, Steve and Brian; b) talented customizers like you, Austin, Noelani, Sean, Art, Paul Wasson (& LaserKid), Almitysufx, and Lee Taylor; c)cool dudes like Samurainoir, RobTMego, Dan, CJefferys, Toyman Chris, Derek, Roberto & Tomasso Lugotti, VintageMike, Flynne, Megogeek and guys I consider icons like Dr. Mego and David Lee. Also artists like Andrew Coval & Kurt Wood.

I wouldn't have traded my visit to Mego Meet 2015 for a visit to Hollywood Red Carpet... You guys are my stars!

[pmwasson]

It was an honor and privilege to meet you. I had never had anyone want my autograph before and I was a bit taken aback, but it was really fun. Thanks for stopping by my table.

[samurainoir]

wonderfully stated Scott! Ariel's enthusiasm was fantastic.

Absolutely delighted you travelled all that distance with your family to hang out with all of us. If ever there was an indicator of the success of MM 2015 and the move to Skokie, THIS is it.

I think consensus was that we are all hoping you return in 2016.

[cjefferys]

It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and your family, Ariel. I thought it was awesome that you brought a notebook for everyone to sign, I was very happy to do so, what a great memento! And also, it was great to meet you, Scott! Paul, I'm sorry, I didn't get a chance, hopefully next time. And Ed, a huge thanks for helping look out for me during my first Meet (Brian too!)

[Random Axe]

Right back atcha Chris. Those first Meets can be brutal, especially the ones from Wheeling. We're still trying to find three first timers who disappeared there in 2009...

[samurainoir]

The 'Axe deserves some big praise and props as one of the helpful elves behind the scenes at Mego Meet!

[Random Axe]

I'm nothing more than caulk, just there to fill in some gaps. Every bit of praise, kudos and purple heart medals belong to Steve, Brian and Art.

[Bronxboykev]

Ariel it was a pleasure!!! So glad to meet feces behind the ID's... I was walking thru the hallway and someone passed me (sorry the weekend is a blur) and said Kev Ariel is looking for you... I was blow away... There is so little time at these things and for someone to take the time to scope people out its just beyond words!!! Post those Pics Ariel!!! And Scott you are more than caulk my friend, you were My and My Families first extended family from this event 5 years back... Aces my Mego Brother!!!

[samurainoir]

And Ed, a huge thanks for helping look out for me during my first Meet (Brian too!)

I'm just happy that you finally were able to join us this time! Glad it was such an enjoyable experience and hope you can make it again next year.

[Boywonder0]

Hey brothas! Just to let you know that we (the wife, the kiddo & myself) arrived safely today! Non-Stop flight from Chicago O'Hare to San Juan International Airport is five hours. Not to mention the couple of hours they ask you to be at the airport prior to flight and the couple of hours afterwards for Baggage Claim and Car Rental Pick Up. Then another two hours for driving home from San Juan to Isabela.

So tired that I'll just take a bath and go to bed. Not to mention that I have to work tomorrow. But you know what? I'll do it again!

Thank you guys for being part of this dream! Pictures to come probably over the weekend! Have a good night!

[cjefferys]

Glad you and your family made it home safe Ariel. Looking forward to your photos!

[David Lee]

Ariel. It was so great to finally meet you...You are probably one of my oldest and most coveted customers...thanks for making it to the Meet. It was a real honour to meet you in person.

Dave

[noelani72]

this is an interesting thing going on...
I don’t really have the words to convey what is going through my mind - but it’s like this...
I came here well over a decade ago.
I’ve had the pleasure to deal with many people both personally and professionally.
I started adding things to my Home from creative folks here because there is this unseen connection since we are separated by computer screens.
Then, I began creating - and bask in the heartfelt joy of people truly wanting something that my two hands created. That made me feel special - made me feel as if in some weird way I have given back to the community...I get the full circle happiness of seeing how I felt, but in the eyes of someone else.
We’ve had fellow brothers and sisters fall on tough times - and we’ve worked through those times with them.
But to meet Ariel for the first time, seeing his enthusiasm - it simply defined what MM is all about.

[VintageMike]

Can't say much else other than I echo everything said. The Meet is always special but in way we taken it for granted. Seeing excitement like this was fantastic and a reminder of how special this event truly is.

[samurainoir]

I started adding things to my Home from creative folks here because there is this unseen connection since we are separated by computer screens.
Then, I began creating - and bask in the heartfelt joy of people truly wanting something that my two hands created. That made me feel special - made me feel as if in some weird way I have given back to the community...I get the full circle happiness of seeing how I felt, but in the eyes of someone else.


I think you've expressed this beautifully Chad. I totally get that feeling as well. Can't believe it's been now over a half decade since my first Meet.

It echoes my own journey of discovering customs... and then sitting around the customs table at my first Meet, taking all those parts from Brian Leitner, Doc Mego, Cast-a-Way etc, and putting something together myself, with the advice and encouragement of so many people.

The best defining moment this weekend for me, was an echo of my first Meet... finding the 12" Thing kit in Austin's pile of heads. Then getting the 12" Hulk from Roberto. In the suite, Art was kind enough to lend me a dremel. Then I got some solid advice from a bunch of people who were sitting around watching me struggle through it (Derek showing me how to "pinch and twist" with the pliers comes to mind). It became very easy thanks to everyone's help... I would have struggled for hours and hours if left to my own devices at home. That to me is Mego Meet. The creative energy and passion. (and the contact high of burning plastic)

Since I've been at my first Meet, I've been taken on an incredible journey. What is the best thing for me about our Mego Museum community is how "Open Source" everything is... how we're so willing to share our knowledge and abilities with each other because at the end of the day, this really is such a huge passion for us all.

So that I could put together the Captain Canuck action figure I always wanted as a kid, using off the shelf parts, with the help of my friends Paul Wasson and Brian Leitner. The one that I showed Richard Comely, and led to my fateful meeting with the folks at Captain Canuck inc.

My first Mego Meet also brought me face to face with Brian, who not only lived in driving distance of me, but was just getting Odeon Toys off the ground. Who would have expected my friend (a much better friend than the likes of me deserves BTW) would believe in this project enough to be a full partner on it, and it's to his credit that we went to the legendary Paul Clarke/Doc Mego and Made-It-Happen.

and this year, Brian and I got to bring my journey full circle by bringing along some China manufactured Captain Canuck figures, and the response was AMAZING. I never expected you guys to embrace it... I thought we were just a "Canadian thing" that we sold as a novelty for folks above the 49th parallel. We hugely underestimated demand at this year's Meet. We won't make that mistake again, we promise.

and now more of you are helping me out on the next leg of the journey, and it's nothing I can talk about yet, but I'm super super excited and energized and ready for more.