Pulse - August 2022 - 4

PULSE PERSPECTIVE
VET4SPARTY@ME.COM
SUMMER BREAK
I
have Game of Thrones (or more specifically House of the Dragon) on my mind because I just
returned from my third San Diego Comic-Con. George Martin's quote is germane to my
broader theme this month of " get the heck out of the veterinary clinic. " The subtitle might be
" It is good for your mind and body. It will lead to a more interesting life thus assisting in being
better at your career. "
Although the Comic-Con tagline is " Celebrating the Popular Arts, " much of
" Different roads
sometimes lead to
the same castle. "
- George R.R. Martin,
A Game of Thrones
it is foreign to me. No, I do not know the difference between DC and Marvel or
all the Avengers characters. I am not well versed on Anime or Funko Pops. On
this trip I did learn about LoungeFlys and Hall H. So, you may be asking yourself
why am I going to Comic-Con if not to nerd out on comics? Cory and I do
so to help with our good friends' Fox Animation booth, which sells merchandise
for Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, American Dad, and the Great White North.
This year we specifically promoted the new Fox show Krapopolis that will be
released in 2023. Cory and I must plan time at home to watch the shows that we
promote so we are not completely in the dark when people ask us questions or
make references to the shows and their creators. However, we are well equipped
in dealing with clients (fan boys and girls), demanding and high maintenance clients
(studio executives) and VIP clients (show talent) therefore we hope to be an
asset to our friend when we volunteer to work at his booths.
One of the rewards to working at the Con is meeting and talking to interesting
people. One night after our shift we were lucky enough to find seats at the
bar of the Water Grill restaurant. As you can imagine every restaurant is packed
to the gills! Well, the seat next to us opened and a good-looking well-dressed
millennial sat down. This commenced to three hours of interesting conversation.
He owned a tech company in Washington D.C. This was his first Comic-Con
and he and his girlfriend dressed up as the Falcon and Black Widow, respectively.
I learned all about the Falcon and his relationship with Captain America. Fun
fact, his girlfriend is one of the correspondents for the CBS Saturday mornings
show Mission Unstoppable about female STEM superstars. How cool is that?!?
My new friend worked in a different field on the other side of the country but
we discovered that we shared the same difficulties in running a small business.
This is comforting to know that those of us who own our veterinary practices
are not alone in our worries. After a couple of glasses of rose I offered up my
unsolicited advice that he should propose marriage to his girlfriend.
Another one of my favorite summertime activities is going to the Orange
County fair. The piglets are my first stop as they are a classic affirmation of all
things good in the natural world and a representation of starting anew. But it
is the people's reaction to the piglets that I find interesting. The oohs and the
ahhhs, the giggling children and the adoring eyes of the grandmas and grandpas
just warm my heart. It conjures up the feelings of nostalgia. One point of nostalgia
for me is showing large animals. Yes this city slicker used to show feeder
calves at the LA county fair while attending Cal Poly Pomona, One of the worst
work related injuries I've ever suffered in my life was getting kicked by my calf.
The memories. It just gives me the warm and fuzzies.
One last thought I had wondered the convention hall in San Diego was that
the nerds have truly inherited the earth. Look at the rise of technology in Silicon
Valley or how traditional studios in Hollywood have had to pivot in response to
the popularity of Marvel. If you are a described nerd, as I am, this is our time.
But we must get out of our hospitals, clinics and practices and talk to different
folks and experience different things. It is what adds color to our nerdy lives. Oh,
and I now collect Funko Pops! Who knew!
Karla Nichols
SCVMA President
4
AUGUST 2022
PULSE

Pulse - August 2022

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