I actually had not planned to even go this year. However, a friend asked me to meet her for dinner just after Friday night, so I went for an hour. Then someone else asked for help working her booth, so BAM! I ended up there all three days. The turnout was actually more impressive than I had expected - but no one was spending any money!
Guys/girls: If you are going to attend a convention, plan on spending at least a few dollars or stay home. Using zoom lenses to get free shots of the talent and not eing willing to pay for a pic with them, buy a DVD, poster, etc is just plain greedy. We are ALL being hit by the recession. If you don't have the bucks, thats understandable - but if you can spend the money on gas, parking, food, etc, surely you can spend a few dollars on merchandise. These performers aren't there just for the hell of it, they have expenses to meet as well.
Enough sermonizing...now for the good stuff: