Just a note to mention that I'm on my way to the Big Apple for this weekend's New York Comicon being held at the Javits Center.
It's the fourth year for the Con, and my buddy Nick and I have been to all of them. It's been fun watching it grow.
I remember attending a panel the first year on writing where the authors on the dias actually responded positivily to a question from the audience about fanfiction. Seems a couple of them had also used fanfiction as a means to hone their craft.
If you are at all into comic books, graphic works, gaming, or even sci-fi/fantasy publishing it can be a fun experience. I got Jim Butcher's autograph last year.
Tank (who will be the guy wearing a name tag that doesn't say "Tank")