People watching is a delightful and data-free way to pass time, and there are three prime locations to people watch on this planet: airports, the Las Vegas strip, and as I recently discovered, comic book conventions.

Before anyone freaks out on me for not spelling "Comic-Con" correctly, I did not attend the famous, international version in San Diego. I attended Planet Comicon in Kansas City because it makes geographical sense, and is also much cheaper than the Southern California convention. It was also a spontaneous decision, which is the best kind of decision to make.

Since it was so spur-of-the-moment, I did not get the chance to indulge in cosplay, which is the equivalent of trick-or-treating without a costume in this community, so I wore a Harry Potter shirt so I wouldn't look like a complete plebeian. In effect, I blended in and was able to quietly gawk at the spectacular lengths people went through to look like their favorite Marvel characters and comic book heroes.

Avatar. Deadpool. Star Wars. The Magic School Bus. Every fandom was represented, in varying degrees of commitment, and it was fantastic to watch. I watched two men in suits hand out business cards advertising Nelson and Murdock, and took a picture with a living, beeping R2D2.

There were panels there, so fans could meet celebrities and get autographs, but panels are expensive. I did catch glimpses of Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Jeremy Shada (Finn from Adventure Time) and ALMOST TRIPPED GEORGE TAKEI AS HE WALKED BY. That was perhaps the nerdiest moment of the day, except when I saw Danielle Panabaker and freaked out because I didn't even know she was still alive.

I bought a comic book in the spirit of it all, but the infectious energy was what resonated the most. People gather for these events because bringing the fantasy world to life is fun, and it brings people together to celebrate a joined appreciation. I might not be the biggest nerd out there, but I respect the hardcore worshippers of everything from comic books to fluent Klingon.

And yes, I did have to look that up.