A Sudden Windfall - A Convention Story from Kara Nagle

Another in our series of Convention Stories!  

I went to the Salute to Supernatural convention JUST to meet Tahmoh. I am a fan of Supernatural, but the price tag for the con was one that was only feasible if I had a sudden windfall. Tahmoh was announced as a guest around my birthday, and what did I receive? A sudden windfall. The signs aligned so that I could go. I bought the tickets as a birthday gift for myself, and counted down the days to the con.

The convention itself was only so-so. I do not fit the target audience age-bracket. I turn 30 this coming October, and also have a case of resting bitch face that scares off potential friends. I tried talking with other fans, but so many were just so excited to see everyone and celebrate the fandom it was hard to get a conversation in.

I went dressed as Gadreel, but with a modification. Instead of the purple/burgundy shirt under the leather jacket and hoodie, I had a red shirt with the Tyrell logo on it. It was a salute to Tahmoh's love of Blade Runner. I, too, love that movie.

I enjoyed Tahmoh's panel, and his passion for mindfulness. I have been trying to practice mindfulness over the course of 2014, and into 2015. His encouraging words stick well. I think it was his panel that started the SPNFit hashtag, or some combination of his panel and Mark Sheppard's.

Tahmoh seems wholly engaged with his audience, and respectful, gracious, and modest. I love that. It's not to say he is not larger-than-life, because he is, but he is kind of like a big cat, I think. Graceful, full of quiet strength, but also full of so much kinetic potential.

Photo by Chris Schmelke.
Shared by Kara Nagle.

I participated in the photo ops and the autograph ops. As I was in line for the photo and auto ops I watched all the other fans get their photos with Tahmoh. He was so game for whatever was requested. I didn't ask for anything other than a standard photo. I didn't want to waste my birthday gift. He was polite, grinning from ear to ear, and absolutely lovely to interact with for the few seconds I was in the photo op.

During the autograph op, which was after the photo, he recognized me and we chatted briefly about Battlestar, since I brought a Battlestar comic book to be signed. Again, Tahmoh was fantastic. Polite, chatty, and wonderful. We wished each other a Happy New Year, and I was on my merry way.

I have been petitioning my local cons to invite Tahmoh in for an appearance. I know he is busy, and will only get busier with his level of talent. I will definitely try my darnedest to meet Tahmoh again. SFCon was too brief, but it was great. I am glad meeting Tahmoh closed out the con for me. It definitely made my weekend, and I treasure the experience.

Fans' convention stories

A while ago, we asked fans to send in stories of their experience meeting Tahmoh at conventions. It took us a while to get our acts together as both our schedules got a bit mad, but we figured it's still the 20th May somewhere around the world. So, what better way to celebrate the man who brought us all together by launching the site's new section: Fan Stories.

So, without further ado, we give you 3 short stories to start with!
 

I met Tahmoh at DallasCon 2014. I had won a spot at the Meet and Greet auction, but the first time I spoke to him was during the autograph session. I was extremely nervous because I really admired his work in Battlestar Galactica. I got my autograph and continued on my day through the convention. Later, after his panel, they announced one of the winners of the music video contest which I had entered. I wasn't expecting to win, but I saw the opening frame of my entry and my mind went blank. After the video was over and Richard [Speight Jr.] called my name, he sent Tahmoh out to find me. A few of the people there got some good shots of the enormous hug that Tahmoh gave me. That is one of the best convention moments that I have had so far. -- Shannon Bowen, May 2015

I had the pleasure of meeting Tahmoh at the Supernatural Phoenix convention this past weekend! It was so amazing since I've loved him since the Battlestar days. -- Anna Swinford, February 2015











I'm French and in 2014, I went to the 'Jus in Bello' convention in Rome, Italy. It was the first time I met Tahmoh and I haven't took a photoshoot with him yet. The first day, I went to the autograph room, and when it was my turn he shook my hands saying "hi nice to meet you". It made me laugh that he shake hands with his fans. After he signed my paper, I decided to ask a small question about the film Man of Steel and despite the world who waited behind me, he took the time to answer me with a smile which surprised me; he seemed happy to be there, meet the fans, before I left, he again shake my hands and say "nice to meet you" and I ran to buy a photoshoot. I wanted to have a memory of him, his kindness and his friendly smile.

Later that day (I think) I did the photoshoot, even being a little tired, he kept his smile; that smile which showed that he loved his fans and EVERY minute spend with us was more a joy for him than for us. When it was my turn I said I wanted the pose, he said "ok", I thanked him, he smile and shake my hand again.

And since that day, since the convention, he became a kind of hero for me, and I could never forget. Tahmoh, thank you for these good times to spend with you. -- Mary (@winchesterina), February 2015

© Mary (@winchesterina)

 All photos and videos are copyright of their rightful owners. Want to send us a story? Email it to us at all.about.tahmoh@gmail.com and feel free to include videos and photos (make sure they're not blurry and hi-res, please!).

We want your convention stories!

As Tahmoh has been active on the convention circuit lately, we've seen a lot of stories of meetings during photo-ops, meet-and-greets and autograph sessions scattered throughout Twitter, Tumblr and other forums. We love these stories, and we think, if you allow us, we'd love to share them here on the site so that other fans who may not frequent Tumblr or Twitter may also enjoy these stories.

So if you've met Tahmoh recently, and have a story, pictures and/or videos to share, email them to all.about.tahmoh@gmail.com Don't forget to include your name, or a pseudonym of how you want to be credited on the site, and which con you met him!

Lisa and I will go through them, but you'll retain ownership and rights of the stories and pictures/videos you share, and obviously, you'll be credited!