Liv

So I have one last question. I realise particularly busy guests (as I'm sure Tom will be) won't always be able to personalise autos, but one of my friends who I'm buying extra autos for in particular would like her name at least (as would I). I have bought myself post it notes and will write our names clearly on them, as I seem to remember this would be the best thing to do to 1)save time and 2)avoid spelling mistakes etc from giving the crew your name. If there is a sign to say no personalisations, would it be reasonable to ask nicely to just at least have our names on them? Oh and when handing the crew the money, when I'm purchasing multiple autos, it's a lot of cash, is it a good idea to split the money £45 each so they know they're given the right money, or is it not a problem?

So close! I think I've got everything ready now. Am leaving on Thursday! Am a little concerned over the journey, but I did reserve a seat on the train for on the way, in the quiet coach. On the way back is going to be more interesting, as I couldn't book a seat. I'm also not looking forward to finding it that much hotter in London than it is here in the south west, it's hot enough here for me. But, it'll all be worth it. I just hope I don't literally melt in the process....

With everyone worried about clashes...makes me glad I'm only there to see Tom Welling. Friday; autos then photo with Tom & John. Saturday; auto, photo with Tom, talk. Glad I won't be rushing to anything.

Especially on the Saturday!

Thanks Nate. Have got everything possible to keep cool. Nothing else to do. Most important for me is to keep plenty hydrated. Oh and will probably bring strong sun cream too...

That's probably a good idea. I might do the same.

Get yourself a handheld fan, Tanker. I bought one with a cooling mist, you put water inside and it sprays you, keeps you nice and cool. Also make sure to bring a large water flask so you're able to keep yourself hydrated. I've never been to Olympia before either, and am definitely not adept to hot, crowded buildings. I can't stand the heat, especially inside, but with the fan and plenty of water, should be good. It'll all be worth it. Oh, and bring good deodorant, just in case.

Ah ok, I get it now. Thanks! I have the general entry tickets so, I will go in gate H. Understood!

Oh don't worry I do have entry tickets. Got them for Friday and Saturday. I just wasn't sure which entry to go in with Diamond Pass.

Ah, thank you. I was guess I was looking at the wrong sizes.

Ooh, ok. Thanks for the link. So could 10x8 fit in an A4 box?

So, I recently just bought myself some strong, acid free plastic sleeves, but they are A3 size 'cause A4 is just a little smaller than the 10X8 photo size. I gather you can buy some sort of sleeves at the venue? Also, to keep them extra safe I bought a zip wallet, but it is also a little too big to fit in my bag, again it is A3 size, would there also be something similar being on sale?

^ I know, it's really hitting me now too.

Oh good. Just as well I think I've got myself kitted out to cool off...handheld fan that sprays water mist (it's really useful and awesomely refreshing), and a massive special flask to keep water relatively cold. Plus, light summer cool clothes. Except for my Tom tee, that's kinda tight fitting unfortunately So with going in with Diamond Pass, you go in the Olympia West H?

Awesome, now I know to go straight there to pick up my Diamond pass when I arrive on Thursday before going back to the hotel!

I'm looking forward to both, Ben. Yes, whilst Smallville was on, Tom liked to keep his private life private, and when Smallville ended in 2011 he took a much needed long break and we didn't hear anything from him for about two years. A lot happened in his private life in that time which I won't go into here, but I always admired his ethics for wanting to keep private. He valued acting as his job and whenever he'd go home he managed to keep his home life private. He returned to film in 2013, appearing in Parkland, then again in 2014 with Draft Day and again in 2016 with The Choice. They were all smallish roles but he did many, many interviews for those films and attended the premieres. And that's also something I admired from him, as he wasn't always a fan of doing interviews, particularly if he was asked questions about his private life. Fortunately, most of the interviews he has done were by interviewers who respected that. And, to everyone's surprise in 2016, Tom officially joined instagram and Facebook, his first foray into social media. He doesn't post very often, but when he does it's very special. We now get to see a lot more of his life. Earlier this year, he got engaged to Jessica Rose Lee, founder of the Saddle Club and she has an open instagram account in which she shares some pictures of them together. And then in 2017 we got the news we had all been waiting for; his return to TV with landing the role of 'Marcus Pierce' on S3 of Lucifer. Since then, he has attended quite a few conventions, now getting a solid taste for them and actually happy to meet all his fans, with more scheduled later this year. I think he's found the perfect balance in his life now after his gruelling schedule filming Smallville in Vancouver. He looks happy and relaxed. He also owns his own production company, which I don't know if everyone knows of. So whilst I'm excited to meet Tom for the characters he has portrayed, I'm actually more excited to meet him as a person. With everything I've heard and seen from him, he's one of the most down to earth people you could possibly meet. I've watched, read and listened to all his interviews over 10 years so I've gotten to know a lot about him that way. If you haven't watched it already, the Inside of You Podcast with Michael Rosenbaum from last year is quite possibly the most in depth Tom has spoken about pretty much everything, because it was two best friends chatting rather than him being interviewed.

I know exactly how you feel. One of my friends in Australia went to meet him and that was just after that disappointment, I was so happy for her, but also really sad. I kept faith that a con like LFCC would get Tom here to the UK, but I always thought it was a long shot. Like you, on the Friday of the announcement I was shaking so much, I couldn't believe I was being given a second chance so soon after the other...erm 'chance.' I had to look at it multiple times to make sure it wasn't all a dream. I ran back upstairs so fast to grab my debit card I almost tripped. It's going to be a beautiful moment indeed. Always Hold On to Smallville (currently binge re-watching the first few seasons).

My excitement level would be through the roof. I don't know how I'll be able to sleep next Thursday night, at the hotel. Though one possible positive is that the hotel will most likely have air con, something my house is sorely lacking. ^ I have the exact same Smallville box set. I was planning to get the episode guide signed, but getting the newspaper signed then framed is an awesome idea!

Ok, thanks. I realise you can get 5 at a time. I just wasn't sure with the Diamond Pass at the same time. I will try for a VQ for Friday anyway and see what I get for my friends, then get the rest (if not all my friends) and mine (DP) on Saturday.

So, in relation to this topic...as I would like to try and get extra autos for some of my friends, would it be possible to include a couple of these with my Tom Welling Diamond Pass auto at the same time? That way it would mean possibly just getting 3 on Friday with a VQ ticket (possibly trying morning or later in the afternoon when it might be quieter) and 3 on Saturday (including mine). Would that be reasonable?

I can't believe it will be a week tomorrow!

Yeah, the campaign was on for a limited time only. It was such an awesome thing for him to do. As soon as I saw it on his Instagram page I had to buy at least two.

I can't wait either. I'll be wearing the no flights no tights tee Tom himself designed. Crazy how close it is now. I'm getting jitters! 10 days till I make my way to London! And yeah, in two weeks it will be over! But, memories of a lifetime. I'm just glad I've given myself five free days of recuperation before I have to go back to work. Mind you, I don't think I'll be able to stop smiling even when I do go back. Even if I'm having a bad day, I can just think back to the best weekend of my life to keep me going.

Ok, I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

I forgot that's the way you pay by card. Think I'll probably stick with cash then, as it's easier. Good to know it's absolutely ok to use £10 notes as well. Thanks guys. Oh, and with personalising autos, as I intend to get some for my friends it would be nice to have each one with their names. So when you choose which photos at the table, would it be best to put a post it note to each with their names?