Gencon Day Two - Sci Fi Saturday

Did not start out so well. Gardiner and I woke up feeling less than stellar, no headaches (thankfully) just extremely tired. Starks and Matt were much smarter than us and took it easy the night before. G and I felt the need to punish our livers for some unknown reason. I was tired but determined to continue on despite my body's protests. A few energy drinks and a quick stop at Einstein Bros. Bagels and we were on our way. We were attempting to be one of the first groups through the exhibit hall doors.

You see, Catalyst Games was releasing a new game called Eclipse Phase and we were determined to get a copy. Unfortunately, they had posted on their website that they would only sell 25 copies a day. We had checked yesterday to no avail, already sold out. So after waiting in line at the door, then moving quickly to the booth and waiting in line there, we were about six people too late as they ran out of books.

Dejected we wandered the exhibit hall and then I saw this tableau.



You might be a member of the Emperor's elite strike force but that does not save you from wife aggro. Seriously, take a good look at that pic. He's getting chewed out for spending their last couple credits on a warm beer in a cheap cantina on Mos Eisley. With any luck he'll be on the Death Star when it gets blown up and won't have to listen to her nagging anymore.

This one....



Yeah I got no clue who they are, but I think they're holding the kid ransom to get their dignity back.

Just outside the exhibit hall we saw this picture below. Basically, it was a group of people doing a synchronized dance to some J-Rock. That's Japanese Rock for the uninitiated. Basically, the bubblegum pop stuff you here during anime episodes. If you thought people playing Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade was funny, it's even better when there's no video game to dance to and they're just doing it for fun. Oh yeah, they were lip syncing too. It's like karaoke but without the liquid courage .



For this one, insert your own lightsaber joke...



So while walking back to the hotel, to play some Shadowrun, Gardiner took this next picture. My mother always said if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. So OK....



After the exhibit hall closed, we made plans for dinner and drinks at the Claddagh Irish Pub. We walked there (the long way, sorry guys). I didn't get lost, I just didn't plan on a whole lot of construction. Anyway, while walking to the pub we came across two guys fighting in the middle of downtown Indy with foam weapons. Take a close look at Mom sitting on the side and watching. She looks so proud!



Upon getting to the Claddagh, we had a couple drinks (nothing like the night before) and Wick and Ro stopped by for a round. Just to give you an idea of how GOOD a storyteller this guy is, he told us about a Hell in the Cell wrestling match between Undertaker and Mankind. Yes, I watched wrestling once upon a time (many years ago), yes I know it's fake, yes I no longer had ANY interest it, but I'm telling you, Wick made it sound awesome. Beyond awesome. Legen...........wait for it.......dary! Seriously, that guy could sell ice to an Eskimo. He's that charismatic. Even Gardiner admitted that he's never thought wrestling sounded cool until then.

Up next, the third and last day... :(

Gencon 2009...Day One With New Stuff!!!

Well, I finally have an internet connection, all my pictures, and a little bit of time. So without further ado, the first day of Gencon.

It's not too bad of a drive really, Gardiner and I think it's better than the wasteland that is Northern Texas. Plus McDonald's makes any roadtrip better, right G?



So we rolled into Gencon and started walking the exhibit hall. Got to take a look at Dante's Inferno, that game has some sweet graphics. Here's the statue that was on the top of the Dante booth. Gardiner needed the help of a booth babe to play though. Wuss.



Speaking of booth babes, Champions Online demoed their game too and had a couple people dressed up as Super Heroes to promote it. Now one of the people below is having a great time, and the other person would like to shoe him in the codpiece. I'll let you decide which is which. Apparently, a junior college degree in theatre doesn't go as far as you'd think.



Now this next picture you MUST click on to get a better view. This kid had Batman's profile shaved into the back of his head. Now those who know me are well aware I've had a strange hairstyle or two, but what parent allows their kid to do that. Man is he going to have a rough time of it at school. Little tip kid, when your elementary school gym class is about to do dodgeball, I'd find a way to go visit the nurse. The parents might have thought that haircut was cheap, but just wait until the therapy bills start to roll in...



Now the highlight of this entire trip for me was stumbling upon a booth which had my favorite game author John Wick. I have been playing this guys games since back in college. Legend of the Five Rings (he wrote the entire Scorpion Clan book that alone = legendary), 7th Sea, he's written some fantastic games and storylines...

So I just picked up his new game Houses of The Blooded a few months ago and he was at Gencon selling it and other games. So of course I picked up a copy, got it signed and proceeded to be a complete and utter fanboy. Seriously, I was giddier than a schoolgirl. Even more so when he invited us to come play Houses with him as he was running a demo later that night. That's about the time I achieved Nerdvana. Here's Wick bemusedly pointing out the vacant dumb grin on my face...




So now that we know we have a great night of gaming ahead we decide to go find some refreshment. Now last year the Epic guys had introduced us to 'Baby'. Baby is a pet name for a jug of alcohol sold at the Alcatraz Brewing Company in downtown Indianapolis. So Gardiner and I saddled up to the bar while Starks and Matt wait outside. We proceed to order a Baby each and wait....and wait....and wait.... Here's what we were staring at...



Yawn inducing I know. I mean sure it was a little busy at Alcatraz, but not busy enough that we should wait 15 mins for a Baby. Well luckily a waitress (not ours) proceeded to walk up to Gardiner and I and ask, "Do you guys like Stouts?" Seriously, this girl actually asked us if we liked beer. I gave her an incredulous look that I normally reserve for people who say they actually supported Sarah Palin as Vice President. Gardiner and I discussed afterwards how ridiculous a question that really was. I'm trying to keep the blog PG-13 so I can't tell you the joke I said to Gardiner afterwards about what that question compares to, but he knows it, feel free to ask him. :)

So we finally collect our jugs and head back to the Hilton to game with Wick. There was a big group of people and I have to say I'm impressed with how well Wick ran it, It's a daunting task running a game for that many people, but again, he's the man and a storyteller without equal. We played a demo of Houses with the group below.



Yes, one poor girl in the group. Ro was there too but she was helping John run and took the pic, so really this poor girl was by herself with a bunch of gaming nerds. Sarah (or Sara not sure, sorry) was her name and she played Dabria the apothecary. I would have felt sorry for her but she could definitely hold her own. She even attempted to drink Gardiner and I under the table after the game in the Hilton bar. Silly girl! I will say that she put up a very good fight, but seeing as we didn't see her the next night at the Claddagh Pub, I'll call us the victors by default. Though Gardiner and I paid for it the next morning.

Oh, and here are the empty jugs as proof....



Up next, Gencon Day Two!

Just got home....

And very tired but I'll provide some entertainment while you wait for the Gencon pics and notes....

The Ballad of G.I. Joe from Olivia Wilde

On the road again...

Well, it's official, we're on the road to Gencon. Just stopped for gas in East Moosejaw, Illinois or some such.

Not too far out now, need to find a wifi spot to download an iTunes update before I can post pics. Sorry to keep you all in suspense.

Thanks to Carolyn for providing the nerds with snacks.! Yum. Chili Cheese Fritos + Rooster Booster = Gamer Fuel.

Gardiner forgot to bring dice, what an amateur. That's like going out to a bar and ordering a Zima, Gardiner. Expect to be ridiculed endlessly.

Hunter S. Catson

This one is for you G. Since we'll be roadtripping in less than 24 hours.

By the way

Did I mention I LOVE Lolcats? Because I do....



Ok, one more and then back to Gencon talk....

The Four Horsemen

Well it's Tuesday of Gencon week. The day grows closer and we've completed our group. Gardiner's decided to come along with us. He's never been to Gencon before so I'm not sure whether I'm more excited to go, or watch someone else react to all the nerdery for the first time. Seriously, until you've seen this up close. Words don't describe. And yes, I seriously saw that huge Pikachu last year. And no I did not catch him. I was sadly without a pokeball, great ball, or ultra ball at my disposal. In addition, Pokemon cannot be caught by an offer of a scotch at the local Irish Pub. Go figure...

Just found out that one of my fave artists is going to be there, William O'Connor. He did a lot of great stuff for Legend of the Five Rings, 7th Sea, and a bunch of books and games(like this). Hope to say a quick hello to him as I respect anyone with art talent, as I have NONE.

Well, not much more to say just trying to get in the habit of posting. Later.