Current mood:	contemplative
Entry tags:	cons

Dragon!
Friday - get up around 6 am to get ride with the wonderful Dubheach, Barwench, and A to head for the elusive covention of Atlanta - DragonCon! Took a few breaks for gas and such - the one gas station I was amused (horrified) to see locking out devices for sale (to break back in to your car). The second rest stop had cows ---moo! We get to Dragon and I get out to find my roommates - Faefall, Darkheartpixie, Rincewind (since I don't know his LJ) and his sister. There was a sixth, but unfortunately I don't remember his name. I set up floor, and change to my first outfit. I then stand in line for over an hour to get my badge. I run over to the mall (connected by habitrail) and decide to explore a little the convention after my gyro wrap. I saw lots and lots of costumes and was taking pictures. I also picked up "I can has FUMP?" while I was there.



I ended up a the Emerald Rose concert. I had to wait in a long line, but it was worth it. They were really good, and I need to pick up some CDs soon. The only low note was the gentleman who collapsed - they were doing cpr on him, and I heard from a security member later that he was dead, but after 20 min by the EMTs they brought him back. Of course, we were all removed from the room. Afterwards there wasa drum circle, but it was delayed do to the shock of all around.

This was a lot of fun - one of the dancers drew me in, and I danced the rest of the night. I wore my black vest, tulle skirts and copper jinglies and danced to all the drumming. It was a lot of fun, though my body really didn't appreciate it. Oh well :)

Saturday- I woke up late and was a little depressed that I missed the parade. One of my roommates went outside to smoke on the balcony and discovered that the parade was still going on. It wasn't all that great a view but I got a chance to see bits of it. I saw the katamari crew with their ball. But it was cool for what I saw - the 101st - lots of troopers. Lots of pirates, Stargates, Browncoats, Dawns, Resident Evil. Got up and dressed as a piratish wench. Found the three dealers and exhibitors halls. I bought a Pendragon corset tooled with butterflies, a heart lock necklace, cat purse, Bun Bun plush (autographed), Devil's Panties comics (autographed), bunny puppet, cat ears and fox ears (sorta), face painted, and wandered around a bit more. Grazed in the con suite (subway, nachos, pinata for the Stargate party) Drank a lot of water. Went to dinner with my roommates (I cannot remember the name of the place). We got appetizers and salads - where we were sitting wasn't a food area but a bar area. Our waiter was new to Atlanta and was a bit curious about our outfits and we explained. Apparently he was interested in Anime - something called Silk Road. We told him there was a special programming for that, so he might go the next day. :)

Went to the drum circle again, but wasn't quite as good - there were a lot of people just kinda swaying in the middle with glow necklaces. There were a few dancers but they were crammed near the drummers. Talked to a few people and wandered a bit more.

Sunday - Kimono Kitsune. I wore my cat purse and brought my book for Roomie to sign. It took awhile to find out where the signing was. The Marriot was under construction. And the routes were not marked. Hyatt was a nightmare as per elevators - I even climbed to the eighth floor a couple times, taking breaks. I finally found her and talked for a little bit and was planning to attend her reading. She told me Holt was here at the Chessex booth so I went to try and find him in the Hilton. By the time I found him (and buying Foxwit's gifts - Sword of Omens from Thundercats) it was past her reading. I feel bad that I missed it, and I think that was why she passed up anon me when I saw her a little later. Holt had suggested meeting up after the exhibitor's room closed. Holt and I went to the food court and talked a bit, how his work was going and gaming and stuff. It was really nice talking to them both. Afterwards, I changed for the Pirate poarty.

The Pirate Party was in a small room. It needed to be bigger. The were really being picky about how many people could come in at all. They even directed people out. Dun=bheach was one of the last let in, cutting off Blues, Spydie, Peterbeerslayer and others. There was more room - it was mostly FireMarshall related reasons I am guessing. The Quarters AWle, Tom Smith and the Brobdingnagian Bards played - Voltaire was supposed to, but apparently the people guards at the door would allow him in but not the people with him, so he left. I really wanted to hear him and was sad to have missed his performances. I could never find where things were. That's ho I missed Filkertom's concert and his appearances as well. I was glad to see him at the Pirate Party though. They were doing the Virginia Reel to his Pride of Griffindor song :) There was a best costume contest and gave out flags and beads.
Went to the drum circle again but decided to go to bed.

Had to be up before 10 to be packed and ready to go .

Headed down to 2nd floor to the consuite and got fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts and chedder and bacon grilled cheeselets for food (yes, that wasn't fake cheese). I have to say the consuite was wonderful. There were activities (pinata), subway, homemade soup (missed it), nachos, chips and salsa, drinks of every type, candy, sweets, veggies, pbj, tuna fish, fruit (cherries and blueberries), ice cream (I missed this one), tea, bug juice and freak (didn't try either), and really great decor. The spam menu (from Monty Python), Blue Sun and Dharma logos, quotes from Kirk, "The corps is mother, the Corps is Father", Torchwood drink dispensers...just wow. I was blown away - and the people were really nice, for the most part. There was one guy who seemed on a power trip, but ususally there is one. He didn't single me out, but I saw him do it to others. Got everything to the elevator, and Dubheach did a heroic effort and helped me get my stuff to the Hilton where she was staying. Said goodbye to my roommates - they were really cool, and gracious to allow me to hang out with them a bit and eat out. They had really good Bebop costumes and the Rincewind was dead on :)

I so need to download my pics. When I do so, I will put up a link.

I had fun. I think, if I ever go again, I will preregister, and also stay at the Marriot, if I have a choice. The elevators at the Hyatt were horrible. And a good chunk of the people were riding were rude, especially later at night. I had no issue letting someone on crutches or in a wheelchair through. Others did, which I don't feel is right. We can (albiet slowly and stickily) get up the stairs. They couldn't. Also, being blocked from your own hotel by the Fire Marshall is annoying as well. They weren't even letting in people who had rooms. We had to go through the registration area to get back in. There were way too many people. I heard some possible estimates of 50,000 - I wouldn't be surprised. I did miss my harem...errr, household. I saw Peterbeerslayer in passing a couple times ValJenn twice, R from work two times - one with a nice corset, and Dubheach at the Pirate Party. I saw Blues and Spydie when she was getting her corset signed (I like the idea - I need to come up with a neat idea like that besides the obvious tshirt - and I cannot make a corset and don't want to copy) hmmmm.

I loved the Dragon Tv idea - especially broadcasting the Dawn and the costume contest. It made it easier to see, especiallty dince those rooms were packed. The Wallace and Grommit costumes won first and the Sailor Scout Moulin Rouge was second. The Adult swim Blurbs (bumpers?) were great as well.

I vouldn't find the filk track or al ot of the places I wanted to go. All I had was a pocket guide whick kept getting lost and I did ask for help from the info book a couple times and they really didn't know where some of these areas were either. Sigh.



Now hopefully, my body will forgive me for sleeping on the floor and dancing all night at drum circles and the like :)