=skip650 - !!!!! Swancon 2009.
Wow. Two years of my life is ebbing.
I'm elated. I'm sad. I'm relieved. I'd work with this committee again in a heartbeat.
I love all of you I got to work with, in many cases I either hand picked you, recruited you or told prk to recruit you, and I delighted in seeing what I thought was possible truly come to life.
You were all so amazing.
It has taken me all afternoon to catch up on the backlog of my life, as you can see by how much I scrolled back through - this is also me scrolling past the community posts for the most part. Wow. Busy holiday period :P
Many thanks to all of you who came along to Contact: Swancon 2009 this year, you all really made the convention and the two most consistent comments I've received are:
* gaming was outstanding and filled with eager new faces as well as those who are familiar to the lure of a game. People felt invited in and loved being able to easily and without embarrassment learn new games.
* the social nature of things being relaxed, very friendly and inviting. I spoke to several first time con goers, several approached me to talk to me about stuff they were enjoying or looking for. People going to swancon for ages commented to me how many people they'd met and spoken to that they hadn't before - both new people and just people that were fellow swanconners, but they'd never had the chance to chat to before.
There were several highlights for me, of which I can barely begin to touch on given how tired I am right now:
* My committee - all of them. Thank you for being so awesome!!!
* My room mate babalon_93 who on Friday morning at 6am when I first woke up, snuggled closer to me, and said 'Oh you're awake! It's 8am for me, and I've already slept in 2 hrs, can it be cuddle time now?' Seriously, this was one of the most touching moments of the con for me.
* The committee dinner at the end was also something I was glad I insisted on keeping as an 'optional' thing. Mainly because I thought it may be the first/only opportunity for our committee to meet and chat to the guests, and secondly by the Monday evening we were all going to be 'people' and not 'on show' and so the interaction between everyone was kind, and social, relaxed and informal - it was a bunch of friends going out for dinner rather than a formal affair. Also, the food was most excellent at Di Malaysia - William St, next to Aida and I may have remembered the name wrong.
* kathrynlinge's Tin Duck win for the Swancon 2009 logo - YAY! I still love this piece of art!
* Rebel Empire's demo - seriously amazing stuff. I am so PROUD of all that kae_dash has worked for with his group for the past months - they've been dedicated and tireless. The performance was the best choreography, performance, writing etc that he's produced to date - my favourite bit was the 32 person melee fight that was just so seamless it was amazing. The make up and costuming and characterisation that everyone put into their characters was amazing. I am extremely proud of K for inspiring people who would never have thought they could perform in front of a large group, to do so - and in such a physical and spectacular way. It. was. incredible. Well done beloved, and to aescapulius who has done most of the support work and partner-petting for this project of K's :) (this is why I love being poly!)
* Wrangling TR into being nice to JW for the next 14 months as JW is the 2010 treasurer and thus must be cherished and supported :) The three of us are having a great deal of hilarity in this - as it's all based in love :P I'm just offering an opportunity for TR to express said love in a different way :P
* Being voted onto the WASFF Board again. I reiterate my promise, to continue being your voice, your link and being willing to have the conversations. I will always do my best for you.
* Slightly less harried parents, happier children enjoying doing things they were interested in - I got shown at least one picture :) I also enjoyed cuddling a certain baby who was the happiest grumpy 'i refuse to sleep' baby in the world :P He was so cute!
One of the totally unexpected highlights:
* RW awarding me the inaugural WASFF Chairperson's award, for contribution to WASFF and Swancons. This still hasn't sunk in, I'm still overwhelmed and shocked. This is for two reasons:
1. This is the only Chair's Award he'll give out, being the outgoing Chair.
2. He's been to over 20 Swancons, and been Chairing (or at least on) the WASFF Board for 7 years - and given the huge array of people who contribute and do amazing service to the convention, the Board and the community.... in all honesty I just can't quite get my head around, that he picked me.
I am truly humbled and honoured. I truly love this community and it is important to me to be involved in the support, growth and making of the community, this space and this group of people as a whole will always be special to me - so thank you; for being you and inspiring me. Thank you to RW for awarding me, I am truly touched and will treasure the experience always.
Btw, robshearman - you were missed! *big hugs*
There's so much more - late nights and awesome conversations, new friends, old friends, panels and food and and and and... so much more. I already can't wait till next year!
I'm elated. I'm sad. I'm relieved. I'd work with this committee again in a heartbeat.
I love all of you I got to work with, in many cases I either hand picked you, recruited you or told prk to recruit you, and I delighted in seeing what I thought was possible truly come to life.
You were all so amazing.
It has taken me all afternoon to catch up on the backlog of my life, as you can see by how much I scrolled back through - this is also me scrolling past the community posts for the most part. Wow. Busy holiday period :P
Many thanks to all of you who came along to Contact: Swancon 2009 this year, you all really made the convention and the two most consistent comments I've received are:
* gaming was outstanding and filled with eager new faces as well as those who are familiar to the lure of a game. People felt invited in and loved being able to easily and without embarrassment learn new games.
* the social nature of things being relaxed, very friendly and inviting. I spoke to several first time con goers, several approached me to talk to me about stuff they were enjoying or looking for. People going to swancon for ages commented to me how many people they'd met and spoken to that they hadn't before - both new people and just people that were fellow swanconners, but they'd never had the chance to chat to before.
There were several highlights for me, of which I can barely begin to touch on given how tired I am right now:
* My committee - all of them. Thank you for being so awesome!!!
* My room mate babalon_93 who on Friday morning at 6am when I first woke up, snuggled closer to me, and said 'Oh you're awake! It's 8am for me, and I've already slept in 2 hrs, can it be cuddle time now?' Seriously, this was one of the most touching moments of the con for me.
* The committee dinner at the end was also something I was glad I insisted on keeping as an 'optional' thing. Mainly because I thought it may be the first/only opportunity for our committee to meet and chat to the guests, and secondly by the Monday evening we were all going to be 'people' and not 'on show' and so the interaction between everyone was kind, and social, relaxed and informal - it was a bunch of friends going out for dinner rather than a formal affair. Also, the food was most excellent at Di Malaysia - William St, next to Aida and I may have remembered the name wrong.
* kathrynlinge's Tin Duck win for the Swancon 2009 logo - YAY! I still love this piece of art!
* Rebel Empire's demo - seriously amazing stuff. I am so PROUD of all that kae_dash has worked for with his group for the past months - they've been dedicated and tireless. The performance was the best choreography, performance, writing etc that he's produced to date - my favourite bit was the 32 person melee fight that was just so seamless it was amazing. The make up and costuming and characterisation that everyone put into their characters was amazing. I am extremely proud of K for inspiring people who would never have thought they could perform in front of a large group, to do so - and in such a physical and spectacular way. It. was. incredible. Well done beloved, and to aescapulius who has done most of the support work and partner-petting for this project of K's :) (this is why I love being poly!)
* Wrangling TR into being nice to JW for the next 14 months as JW is the 2010 treasurer and thus must be cherished and supported :) The three of us are having a great deal of hilarity in this - as it's all based in love :P I'm just offering an opportunity for TR to express said love in a different way :P
* Being voted onto the WASFF Board again. I reiterate my promise, to continue being your voice, your link and being willing to have the conversations. I will always do my best for you.
* Slightly less harried parents, happier children enjoying doing things they were interested in - I got shown at least one picture :) I also enjoyed cuddling a certain baby who was the happiest grumpy 'i refuse to sleep' baby in the world :P He was so cute!
One of the totally unexpected highlights:
* RW awarding me the inaugural WASFF Chairperson's award, for contribution to WASFF and Swancons. This still hasn't sunk in, I'm still overwhelmed and shocked. This is for two reasons:
1. This is the only Chair's Award he'll give out, being the outgoing Chair.
2. He's been to over 20 Swancons, and been Chairing (or at least on) the WASFF Board for 7 years - and given the huge array of people who contribute and do amazing service to the convention, the Board and the community.... in all honesty I just can't quite get my head around, that he picked me.
I am truly humbled and honoured. I truly love this community and it is important to me to be involved in the support, growth and making of the community, this space and this group of people as a whole will always be special to me - so thank you; for being you and inspiring me. Thank you to RW for awarding me, I am truly touched and will treasure the experience always.
Btw, robshearman - you were missed! *big hugs*
There's so much more - late nights and awesome conversations, new friends, old friends, panels and food and and and and... so much more. I already can't wait till next year!