CatchCon 2010 - Deadlist Catch ala Seattle!
Monday, May 3, 2010 at 7:12AM 
What a busy weekend! Here's my CatchCon experience... I'll start off with two words:
Amazing!
Lines!
On one hand it was the dream experience... the captains are here, the boats are here, there's fun and games and this air of excitement that everyone feels...
And then there's the lines... a good 45 minutes to get in the door and register, an hour and a half wait to get on the Wizard and Northwestern. Lines for food, not enough seating for the panel discussions. I think because they had so few people last year, they didn't anticipate the crowd this year. There folks from all over the US and overseas there.
There was also a bit of chaos (thankfully). The rules for captain's autographs at the end of the day were: you could choose one captain and get one item autographed. So much for my hope of getting an item autographed by each of them to auction off at my agency's auction this year... And the thought of standing in those lines made my think I would just take off early and go home to K3. Then, after the captain's panel, all the captains were out on the pier and frankly... they were mobbed, politely mobbed. People were getting pictures, autographs, hugs... And I participated. I desperately wanted to be there, and I desperately wanted to get home and be with K3. So I took advantage of the opportunity...! here's my photo odyssey!
The captain's panel was awesome! Thank goodness for my 24-300 lens because I assure you, I was all the way in the back! The captains were unedited, salty and hilarious...
Just like I hoped they would be... They had fantastic stories about Cap'n Phil and each other and the pranks that never make the show. Totally entertaining!
Afterwards, I went outside and waited for my shot at a boat tour...
This is out on the pier... the space needle looks to be the same height as the mast from the Wizard (left), but it's much taller!
And this is where I was able to get two ladies from Oregon to save my place in line while I photo stalked captains and crew...!
Captain Keith... who was taller than I thought!
Jake from the Northwestern, who was thinner than I thought, and really nice!
Captain Sig!!!!!
And then... you get to the front of the line and onto the boats. It's surreal because you see these boats on the show with waves coming over the deck and ice all over them... did you know it takes like $80,000 in fuel to bring them down to Seattle?
Anyway... suddenly, there you are standing on the deck! And they have deckhands there waiting to have their picture taken with you! And you feel like you know them because you've been watching them forever! They also had helpers on the boats that you just hand your camera to and then you walk up and get your picture taken...
So here I am on the Wizard!
I did not know Paul, on the left... but I remember when Lynn, on the right was a greenhorn, maybe two seasons ago. And now I'm standing there getting my picture taken with him....!
On to the Northwestern, where I totally geeked out. Do not scroll down unless you're okay with that!
You've been warned!
I felt like I was gonna pop! Here I am ON THE NORTHWESTERN!!!! Standing between Nick and Matt!
When I saw Nick (on the right) I just blurted out "Oh my gosh, it's really you!" and hugged him! Poor guy. And Matt must have thought I was a loser because I couldn't even look at him!
Thankfully, when the lady taking the shot said I looked like an idiot (paraphrasing), Nick said it was cool to take one where I was actually able to compose myself...
Thusly!
So there you have it! A pretty cool experience all in all! I'm really glad I went! The Discovery channel crew and the captains and the deck hands were awesome! And in case you're interested, they had the best iced tea ever there. The cookies were pretty good too!
AG out!
Reader Comments (10)
I'm laughing hysterically over here! Nice geek out face, Mom!
P.S. I always thought Capt. Keith was a short guy.
Awesome .. I love your geeky shot its so wonderful to see a grown woman so totally squee'ing... and may I suggest your write to the organizers of this event and ask if its possible to get something autographed by all so you can use it for your fund raiser ... I would hope when asked for something like that you'd get a positive response
Hahaha, love how excited you are. Whenever I end up in pictures like that I end up with a HUGE smile on my face, so wide and stretched out that my eyes are always squinted shut. I understand the geekiness, believe me.
Glad you got to go. Hope K3 is kicking ass on recovering.
Hee hee hee! I got a huge kick out of the geeked out picture, but you really did get some great shots. Did you end up getting anything for the auction? I'm glad you got to go 'cause it looks like you had a blast.
My hubby loves that show and would be so jealous!
It appears that someone is quite excited here. Loved this! I may have to start watching the show.
OMG! U lucky girl U !
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WoooHooo! I love how they all wear Harley clothes;) My hubby is quite envious!
I'm so glad you went!! LOVE the photos, a little geeking out never hurt anyone.
If ever I need to go somewhere on the Interwebs to get the personification of glee, I will come here to see your picture on the Northwestern. It is here where all of your enthusiasm and joy gurgle up to the surface to shine through - it is absolute beauty!!!!!!!!
I'm so pleased that you committed to going did this for you - you deserved it! And now your photos are a great testament to making great decisions. Hugs.
O M G !!!! I kept going "SQUEEEEEE!!!!" inside each time I saw a pic with you and any of the guys. I LOVE that you met the deckhands too!