Dragon*Con 2008
Convention ticket...........$50
1600 miles round trip.........$100
Hotel room.............$285
Hanging out with friends, Zombie!Dorothy's and men in deliciously skimpy costumes......PRICELESS!
Yes, yes we've FINALLY returned home from Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA.
I was amused that all of our first impressions were "What the.....what have we gotten ourselves into here?" Amazingly checking the car in with the valet and checking into the room went smoothly. It was wonderful to find out that our room was right next door to that of friends we were planning on meeting up with in Atlanta.
I managed to make all the Stargate panels, plus got to the ones for Mickey Dolenz, Adam West and Robert England. Sunday turned out to be an rather emotional day of panels. Started out at a panel with just Cliff Simon where he got talking about his father and animal rescue the later attended the Tribute to Don S. Davis. DAMN! There wasn't a dry eye in the house during the tribute - though really how can there be when Eric Avari and Cliff Simon are breaking down during thier memories of Don. Just REMEMBERING it now is bringing tears to my eyes. Regardless of the tears it was wonderful to spend over an hour with the actors just sharing memories of and celebrating Don.
Saturday night I'd volunteered to help run a game during the SG Games Night and it actually turned out to be more fun than I expected. I even earned my "Shut Up McKay" button. **snort** I had the Fix the DHD game - it's basically just a logic puzzle using "crystals" to complete a grid. Three levels each containing three levels took the players the entire four hours. I may cut it down to one level for each level and use a version of it at Tribal Forces (though I have to email McKay and make sure he's cool with that).
I have to say that the city of Atlanta sure was welcoming. Had something this big happened locally I don't think the police force or general public would have been as accepting/welcoming. I mean the cabbie offered to wait for us while we hit the grocery store like wild women.
The Walk of Fame was fantastic. Managed to get the autograph's that I was looking for. Went to get Hayden's at one point and her line was out the door so I figured I'd come back - went back on Sunday and there were all of four people in line. :) Go me! Got to talk a bit to Sean Astin about Rudy and was amused to find we both loose it at pretty much the same point in the movie. Sean's was the only panel that I wanted to go to but ditched because I wanted to grab some lunch and get into line for Don's tribute.
All in all? It was a blast and we're already looking at going again next year, baring any financial restrictions. Of course next year there will be a flight involved and we're talking about going in a few days early so that we can see some of the cities sights.
Was amused by the number of people that didn't want to get in an elevator that was going down (or up) because they wanted to go in the other direction - dude just get on and go for the ride. **snort**
Left the convention with only FOUR new cd's of four different groups. :) We're going to ignore the fact that there was only about six groups there selling stuff. Of course I've spent the day listening to Dreamcypher by The Cruxshadows and already plan on hitting thier website to order more of thier music.
The only thing sucky about the trip were the damn beds in the Marriott! penguingal was amused when I said I was crawling into my marshmellow to go to sleep the one night. Really that's what they were like - great to curl up in on a rainy/snowy afternoon to veg out in and watch tv but sucky to get a decent amount of sleep in at night.
Oh and a special note for when driving home - - - LOOK WITH YOUR HEAD NOT THE WHOLE CAR!!! ;)
1600 miles round trip.........$100
Hotel room.............$285
Hanging out with friends, Zombie!Dorothy's and men in deliciously skimpy costumes......PRICELESS!
Yes, yes we've FINALLY returned home from Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA.
I was amused that all of our first impressions were "What the.....what have we gotten ourselves into here?" Amazingly checking the car in with the valet and checking into the room went smoothly. It was wonderful to find out that our room was right next door to that of friends we were planning on meeting up with in Atlanta.
I managed to make all the Stargate panels, plus got to the ones for Mickey Dolenz, Adam West and Robert England. Sunday turned out to be an rather emotional day of panels. Started out at a panel with just Cliff Simon where he got talking about his father and animal rescue the later attended the Tribute to Don S. Davis. DAMN! There wasn't a dry eye in the house during the tribute - though really how can there be when Eric Avari and Cliff Simon are breaking down during thier memories of Don. Just REMEMBERING it now is bringing tears to my eyes. Regardless of the tears it was wonderful to spend over an hour with the actors just sharing memories of and celebrating Don.
Saturday night I'd volunteered to help run a game during the SG Games Night and it actually turned out to be more fun than I expected. I even earned my "Shut Up McKay" button. **snort** I had the Fix the DHD game - it's basically just a logic puzzle using "crystals" to complete a grid. Three levels each containing three levels took the players the entire four hours. I may cut it down to one level for each level and use a version of it at Tribal Forces (though I have to email McKay and make sure he's cool with that).
I have to say that the city of Atlanta sure was welcoming. Had something this big happened locally I don't think the police force or general public would have been as accepting/welcoming. I mean the cabbie offered to wait for us while we hit the grocery store like wild women.
The Walk of Fame was fantastic. Managed to get the autograph's that I was looking for. Went to get Hayden's at one point and her line was out the door so I figured I'd come back - went back on Sunday and there were all of four people in line. :) Go me! Got to talk a bit to Sean Astin about Rudy and was amused to find we both loose it at pretty much the same point in the movie. Sean's was the only panel that I wanted to go to but ditched because I wanted to grab some lunch and get into line for Don's tribute.
All in all? It was a blast and we're already looking at going again next year, baring any financial restrictions. Of course next year there will be a flight involved and we're talking about going in a few days early so that we can see some of the cities sights.
Was amused by the number of people that didn't want to get in an elevator that was going down (or up) because they wanted to go in the other direction - dude just get on and go for the ride. **snort**
Left the convention with only FOUR new cd's of four different groups. :) We're going to ignore the fact that there was only about six groups there selling stuff. Of course I've spent the day listening to Dreamcypher by The Cruxshadows and already plan on hitting thier website to order more of thier music.
The only thing sucky about the trip were the damn beds in the Marriott! penguingal was amused when I said I was crawling into my marshmellow to go to sleep the one night. Really that's what they were like - great to curl up in on a rainy/snowy afternoon to veg out in and watch tv but sucky to get a decent amount of sleep in at night.
Oh and a special note for when driving home - - - LOOK WITH YOUR HEAD NOT THE WHOLE CAR!!! ;)