FanX 2024 Thursday Panels Schedule Revised

FanX 2024 Thursday panels have undergone some changes from the first look that I did. So a quick look at the new schedule, as of 9/12/2024, is in order with a reminder that convention schedules are subject to change.

Anthony Daniels is still on the schedule for 6pm, and he’s a must-see. However, he’s not the only heavy hitter panel on Thursday. FanX has scheduled a Lord of the Rings celebrity panel for 2pm. Fortunately, these two panels are far enough apart in time that I think we can make them both. Before two, we can grab some food and take our time exploring the vendor hall and some of the rooms that have displays not requiring a specifically timed visit.

Matthew Lillard is at 3pm, which is also a change that means we might be able to see him. The Ghostbuster celebrity panel is at 4pm. After that, we’ll have some time to get something to eat while we wait for Anthony Daniels. At 7pm, Brandon Sanderson will be presenting. So all told, our schedule will look something like this for Thursday:

  • 2pm – Lord of the Rings celebrity panel
  • 3pm – Matthew Lillard
  • 4pm – Ghostbusters celebrity panel
  • 6pm – Anthony Daniels
  • 7pm – Brandon Sanderson

As always, one of the best ways for me to enjoy a convention is choose one thing I want to do every day, but just one. Then, as long as I accomplish that one thing, the rest of the day is icing on the cake. It’s not always possible to accomplish the one thing though because conventions can change their schedules, so having a back-up plan is a good idea as well.

What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to at FanX 2024 on Thursday? Let me know in the comments.

FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City and ‘Disneyland Is Creativity’

It’s official! We are less than a month away from FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City, and I have a panel, “Disneyland Is Creativity.” Based on my book, this panel will provide ways to improve your creativity by using examples and metaphors from Disneyland’s structure and history. This panel is a must for fans of the park and for those who are interested in learning principles of creativity to improve their lives and the lives of others. The time and place of the panel will be released with the FanX app. Download the app, bookmark our panel, and join us for a walk down memory lane.

Get ‘Disneyland Is Creativity’

You can get a copy of “Disneyland Is Creativity” and its sequel “The Haunted Mansion Is Creativity” from Amazon. You can also order them directly from me and pick them up at my panel. We will bring a very limited supply of books to be available at Darren Lamb’s table in Artist Alley. (Darren is known as the Worst Buddhist; his table will have cool, geek-inspired Buddhas and stickers as well as books he’s written.) I’ll be happy to sign your books when I see you at FanX in Salt Lake City.

FanX 2023 in Salt Lake City

FanX 2023 is Salt Lake City’s premier comic convention. It will be held September 21 to 23, 2023. Tickets often sell out. Get yours ahead of time.

As always, events and panels are subject to change. Be sure to confirm the panels and activities you’re excited for, ahead of time.

Utah’s Ruby Snap Cookies Create Memories Worth Reliving

It’s Cookie Saturday, and you’ve got a cookie craving, but you don’t want or don’t have time to bake cookies what should you do? If you live in Salt Lake City, Utah, the answer is simple: Ruby Snap. The company delivers some of the best cookies ever made, and they’re open until 7pm on Saturday! If you don’t live in Salt Lake City, you still have options. Cookie dough is available in the freezer section of Smith’s, Harmon’s and Lee’s Marketplace. If you live even farther away, you can get the cookies by mail. (You’ll want to order before Saturday so they can arrive on time.)

Continue reading

Penguinate Makes Epic Comic Convention Trek in just One Month!

It’s just one month until we board the train in Blagoveshchensk to head to Khabarovsk. From there we’ll fly through Seoul and Honolulu to touch down in Portland, OR as we make our way to Lilac City Comicon 2019. Before we get to Spokane though, we’ll make a stop in Independence, OR to get our supplies and make any last-minute preparations. (If you’d like to see what we did last year, check out our archives and videos.) At Lilac City Comicon, I’ll be presenting the sequel to “Disneyland Is Creativity” with the release of “The Haunted Mansions Is Creativity.” Come see my panel “The Haunted Mansion: 50 Years of Creativity.”

From Lilac City Comicon, we’ll head toward Salt Lake City, with a short stop in Idaho to relax, for my author signing at City Cakes and Café on June 5. I can’t wait to see what they have for dinner, and I’m sure I’ll grab some great vegan pastries.

Ogden UnCon 2019 will be from June 7 to 9 in Ogden. The stars of “Black Sails” will be on hand as well as stars from “The Land of the Lost” – talk about retro! Drue M Scott is scheduled to be at our table, and we may have another special guest. On Sunday, I’m schedule to present “The Haunted Mansion: 50 Years of Creativity,” which will give attendees ideas for habits and activities they can do to become more creative.

When we leave Ogden, we’ll head over to Moab in the hopes of seeing Arches National Monument. After that little bit of relaxation (and celebrating Jenya’s birthday), we wind up the tour at Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con 2019.

Of course, this travel schedule may seem epic, but it won’t truly be epic unless you show up. Come by and say “Hi!” If you can’t make it to one of our events but are in the area, let me know I’ll see of I can make it work to meet up. We have some time after Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con to set up other events if you have a lead on something in the west that’s inexpensive. For those who want signed books sent to them, just use the order form on this website and we’ll get them to you as soon as we arrive in the U.S.

If you want one of our books or penguins, preordering will ensure that you get what you want. Our supplies are limited, so click on the event links above and order what you’d like. We’ll have them ready for you at the event, and you won’t have to worry about us being sold out! Remember, everyone of our Patreon Penguinators gets a discount on items bought at our events. Join today at any level!

Author Event in Salt Lake City: Vote now!

City Cakes and Café has generously given me space to hold an author signing on June 5, 2019 for my books, including “Disneyland Is Creativity” and “The Haunted Mansion Is Creativity.” I’ll give a short overview of creativity based on Disneyland’s structure and history and answer any questions. Then I will be happy to sign books; there might even be some stuffed penguins available. If you would like to vote on what time you can show up, there is a Facebook poll open until Jan 24, 2019.

Of course, City Cakes will be open for you to purchase refreshments. They specialize in vegan and gluten-free food. My favorite items were the lemon blueberry scones, waffles and the vegan sausage and cheezy potato wrap, but I’m pretty sure I ate everything on the menu. City Cakes is locally owned and operated, and they’ve expanded since I’ve been there last with a second café in Draper and a warehouse that allows them to deliver their baked goods to other coffee shops and stores.

When I lived in Salt Lake City, City Cakes and Café was like my second home. I spent many hours, days and weeks sitting at one of their tables enjoying breakfast, lunch or a snack while writing my next great article. The location in Salt Lake City (1860 S 300 W suite D) is smaller, so we’re going to pray for good weather.