Further Assimilations

Friday, 9/2

It was kinda weird to wake up at a Con hotel before the Con's started. Despite an attempt to mark the interesting early-morning panels in the 100-some-page program booklet, I got a slow start on Friday, and blew them off. Instead, I wandered over to the Marriott to see if the dealers' room had opened.

Accidentally, I sat down to rest exactly where the WizKids envoys were meeting. One knew me, and the others reacted well when I dropped raininva's name. As a freshly-renewed Envoy myself, I was offered the opportunity to help out, but declined, as I needed a "vacation" con over a "working" one.

The Exhibitors' Hall held larger dealers, such as game companies and prop dealers, and the Dealers' room had the smaller stores and such. There was plenty in both I'd have bought with an unlimited budget; several times during the weekend, I had to ask myself, "If you take that gaming book home, will you ever actually use it?"

I wandered back into the lobby, and started to feel a real case of costume envy. There were so many incredible outfits there; I really wish I'd had time to pack more of my stuff. Not that much of it would be competition, but it might have been fun to show off anyway. I won't bother trying to list everything I saw, as that would be boring. It started to get a little depressing, honestly - I could have worn anything I own and not looked out-of-place - and there I stood in jeans and t-shirt. I felt like an arch-conservative.

I went back upstairs for a badly needed nap, as the laps of the hotels in the warmth of Atlanta (and 30,000 fans) were beginning to get to me. Rain called to let me know she was on the final leg of her flight in, so I wandered down to the Food Court joining the Hyatt and Marriott: a tunnel leads to the local metro station, where she'd have been coming in. I misremembered her arrival time, though, and her plane was delayed and the flight's luggage held up, resulting in me spending about 2.5 - 3 hours in that food court. I saw lots more great costumes, though, and recognized the trademark t-shirt and flame-boots of Jennie Breeden, author and artist of webcomic The Devil's Panties. She needed directions to the Hyatt, and I talked briefly to her while taking her there. Very nice lady. I'm sure she thinks I was a borderline stalker.

Rain finally made it to the Con, and we went to the WizKids Envoy Appreciation dinner. Good food, and we learned to play WizKids' first CCG, High Stakes Drifter. As well, Rain got to see something very very very cool at the Dinner which readers of her journal should get to hear about soon.

Tired. Slightly overheated. Rain went to the room WizKids had arranged for her, and I headed back up to mine. Fell into bed and blanked out.

Quote of the day, from websnark.com: "We watch He-Man, Sailor Moon, and other magical girl shows for the stock footage and the monster smiting."

Now I will have Shojo Universe Master He-Man running around in my head all day. "Greyskull Power Sword Transform!!"

Things I am thankful for today: The alarm clock did not wake me from the midst of a dream, so my head actually made it into second gear by the time I had to drive a car. My body kept trying to slip back into reverse, though. Also, it is sunny today and going to be 70 degrees. I need that right now.

Quick review of the Duran Duran concert from the 8th, before I let it slip any further: That was one excellent evening, and I can't thank stephaniesmom enough for giving me her extra ticket. It was absolutely worth leaving Fairfax at midnight to drive home. They performed every 80's song I liked, not just the hits, and some of it was interestingly remixed a bit for live performance. We even had pretty good seats! The only downside was that my ears were quickly overloaded by the concert speakers, as usual, so it was a lot easier for me to follow the lyrics of the familiar 80's material than the newer stuff. And boy, was I tired by the time I got home!

70 degrees and sunny outside today when I can't go out and enjoy it for a couple hours, and it'll be 45 again this weekend when I can. Poo. At least I'll be back in western Virginia and might be able to catch up with some people.

The iPod is so nice. I'd forgotten how good that really-loud on-demand Jean-Michael Jarre could be for my moods.

Robotech.com mentions this week that there will be a Robotech CCG this summer, and that Robotech: Shadow Chronicles is in pre-production as we speak. Yeah... I will believe in them both when I see them, and wait the same period before I trust in the quality of either. The CCG especially - designing an entertaining CCG with staying power isn't the cakewalk a lot of companies think - and they take a *lot* of money to support.

I haven't been real focused the last week or so, and haven't gotten many things done that I'd hoped to. Have to reign myself in on that.

The moon demons showed up last night and tried to turn the moon into caramel candy. But I played loud techno music at them and it disrupted their spells and chased them off.

For the first time, Rising Star was an out-of-town con for me! Thanks shrewlet for crash space. I have to say that the con seemed to go swimmingly from my perspective - every attendee seemed to have a good time, and no staff member melted down in my presence. Nicely done, rattrap! Next year I'll bring more and cooler Decipher stuff.

I had fun in nius' skit, though watching the video yesterday, I was struck with a sense of "Did I really do that?" Hey - it got a laugh. Wonderful thing, stage buzz.

This is just a quick reminder for anyone who is coming to help us move tomorrow. (And we appreciate it too!!!!)

When - Saturday September 25th starting about 10am

( Directions )

Food - we will be providing pop and food. Sandwich type food (I will have regular pop and diet. Also some water. Let me know if you need something else.)

Of Warning - our apartment is on the 3ed story... its a flight and a half of stairs. I am pretty sure I should have enough people to a 'bucket brigade' though so it should not be too bad.

Contact info - 540-375-9393 or cell phone - 540-819-6661

(crossposted from raininva)

Moved more boxes last night - woke up quite sore! I cannot wait until electric power is back on at the new place and I can turn on the air-conditioning! It's 90-100 degrees in that house, even after sunset. Naturally, I'll be finishing the move from my single room before I get power back - so all my toting must be done in the heat, and preferably before dark. On the other hand, at least any folk who help us on the big move from the Salem apartment will have air-conditioning to enjoy.

It's been weird enough living in a rented room with 2-3 roommates I rarely see. For a couple weeks, I'll be living completely alone in a 3-bedroom house. I expect I'll be playing lots of music to add some life to the place. Actually, for the second of those two weeks I'll have the kitty with me - that will help.

Tonight I hope to catch up with Tom. I need to burn a CD of MPEGs for him.

Just dropped off the first load of boxes in the new place.

On second look, I like it even more. There's room for 3 or 4 gaming tables for a party, 1 fewer if we want a PlayStation/DVD group or a chat group. I've tentatively claimed the smallest bedroom for my office, and it's twice the size - I can get back to modeling and miniatures. I've found the closest grocery store, a nearby Taco Bell for Rain, and a nearby lingerie store :p And I drove from work to the house in about 17 minutes, so the commute will actually be a little shorter than my current one.

The garage will only fit one car, but we might be using it for storage at first anyway. I'm not sure where the closest Wal-Mart is either, but I do know where to find a movie theater, a Barnes & Noble, and a Best Buy within about 20-25 minutes. All very important.

Happy me!

What:  Michael & Rain Moving
Where : (from Salem Wood Apartments) 100 Kimball Ave Apt G84 Salem, VA
When:  Saturday September 25th show up anytime after 9:00am
Who:  Any and all who would like to help 

Directions - From 81 take exit 140 and turn right at the stop sign at the bottom of the exit ramp.  Follow this road for about 1.5 miles.  You will go through a light at Main Street, continue forward.  You will go through another light, continue forward.  The first street you can turn at after the second light you will make a Left (there is no light or stop sign here).  It is Colorado Street.  Stay on this street for about a mile or so.  You will go through a stop light where the Salem Donut shop is on your right hand side.  Continue forward.  You will go up and over a small bridge.  When you see another stop light coming, there will be a stop sign to the right of the stop light.  You need to go forward to the stop sign and not the stop light (There is an Apple Mart on the corner).  This is still Colorado Street.  Go forward along the sharp turn in the road.  There will be a parking lot on your left hand side, right after that is Salem Wood Apartments, turn left into them.  We are the very first building on your right hand side, building G.

Things to know - our apartment is on the 3rd floor so stairs are involved.  It is 1.5 flights of stairs (one of those set ups a half flight down is the first floor, a half flight up is the second.)  We will have tons of drinks for everyone, ice tea, pop, whatever people want.  We will also be providing food.

If you could drop us a line if you think you could make it that would be great.

Thanx everyone!!

Quite a weekend! I burned myself out just a teeny bit, but I did have a lot of fun.

Friday morning, I decided I'd get right on the road after work, so I threw a weekend bag into the back seat. I even got to leave work a bit early to take care of an iMac repair at CompUSA. It was a good thing I did leave early, because there were 30-60 minute delays at every tunnel out of Norfolk, and if you're heading north, you pretty much have to take a tunnel.

I'll spare you the next in my ongoing series of traffic rants, because I still showed up at kittykatya's place just in time for lekythen and pulp_tarentino to return from an errand. Spent a couple hours catching up with J.J., whom I haven't seen in 6 years. We've both grown up a bit, and I almost felt that we clicked better as reunited friends than we did when we were dating. So that was quite good.

Friday night and Saturday morning were spent catching up with Alex & Barb & Chris (look, alphabetical). Unfortunately, I had to head off before J.J. came back for her stuff, so I didn't get a final goodbye. It was a good thing I left when I did, because the sky opened up as I left, and I lost another 90 minutes heading back down 95. Luckily, platypusgirl and krysturtle were willing to accept a soaked, bedraggled Borg into their home and I had a very good time at their party.

I met many people, some of whom I recognized from con meetings, but few of whom I can remember their names :) The party was fun - lotsa people, good food, nervous kitties. We established that cat toys are far better for amusing small children than small-children toys are, and I have finally seen more than 50% of "The Goonies".

Sunday, I napped a lot. I also tried to track down used copies of the "Riverworld" books - so far, no luck, but there are lots more places to look.

Phew.

I have discovered something about this part of Virginia.

If you have to drive anywhere that involves passing through a tunnel, don't be shocked if you're late to your destination.