I'm not sure how much of a post this will be, but I do get kinda tired of not posting more than once or twice a month :P.
Tuesday before AC
Tried to pack early, that never works out. Think I had everything I needed, so I went to the first job. Got out of there and threw everything into the car and drove to the second job. Got out thankfully earlier than I was thinking I would, and drove to the bus station.
Now, I'm used to being able to park my car at the Greyhound station and leaving it there for days on end. Obviously, I've made Greyhound trips before...but there are these signs in the parking area that say 20 minute loading zone only...I don't remember these being here. I wander in and ask about long term parking, which comes in the tune of 20 something a night in a nearby garage...not gonna happen :P. I call Tora and ask if he and someone else can pick up my car, which turns into ME leaving the bus terminal to drop it off somewhere else. Whatever I guess..
Wednesday:
Typical Greyhound experience ensues. up to three hours after our schedueled departure time, we left Indy. My dislike of loud and boisterous *removed* was increasingly making the ride difficult, but thankfully I fell asleep somewhere just inside Ohio and woke up JUST as we parked in Pittsburgh...thank goodness. I was told I could 'walk' to the convention center from where I was...but I didn't think doing so with my baggage would be a good or safe idea. It was only a short taxi ride, and I could afford that.
Sadly though, I arived too late to join the convoy of van loaders, so I had literally nothing to do for several hours besides wander around and try to act socially competent...XD. So I sorta chatted with a marine fur, a few others, and 'Bondage Bob' introduced himself to me...I was beginning to wonder if he existed :p. Some people are noted story tellers, but some of the things you tell me are a little over the top. Yet here he is...not every day someone introduces themselves by telling you what their deepest fantasy is x.x; Not a bad guy all around, just a little out there.
So yeah, wandered around, constantly pestered Giza for something to do, saw a few others I could bug for a few minutes at a time, and that was about it until the truck arived. Unloaded, moved boxes around, and helped stuff convention bags. I can't quite remember what I did after that, but I think it involved dinner with Ian and Fishy. Yeah, that must have been Wednesday night, because the rest of my group wasn't here yet, and we roomed with the local Dingo. Chatted a bit with Shale on the way back to the hotel, was good to see him for more than two seconds at a time :).
Thursday:
I think today was spent helping set up, getting shirts folded with the Kage family and other artist ally/con store people. That was my morning at least. I remember wandering the zoo and playing Munchkin with a few Pittsburgh locals. I remember hearing there was a problem with Reg, I remember rains and showers and surprisingly little else. My roomate arived, as did the rest of my IN group. A good night was had by all involved :). I tried to get to the dance that night, but other things held higher priority. Wasn't really able to wander around in the new coat suit thing I'd just got practicly the day before the con. I Do intend on getting more for it along the way to the next convention :P. I think I'd make a good Psycho Mantis ripoff XD
Friday:
Finally, something to do :D. 'Work' was fun and totally easy. I got people to laugh and give me their money, what more could I ask? Grandma Kage's totally the go at it person, and I feel sorry for Grandpa Kage :P, he gets along well enough though. They're both very good humored about everything at least. Checkout procedures for artists in the alley were easy, and I'm glad people were earning money and stuff. After the con was over, just over 40k in sales was done in that area alone...makes ya wonder how the dealers den was doing. Not entirely sure what I did otherwise. Chatted with yet more people. There was a wonderful art show reception I got to attend (yay staff perks). Was really the first and only chance I got to wander around and actually stare at stuff in the show besides running around Saturday and Sunday trying to defend what few bids I felt I could afford XD. Tried to hang out with others, most were understandably busy. I'm not entirely sure what else I did otherwise.
Saturday and Sunday are mostly a blur, as is Monday and the week up to now... But I guess this is what I get for going a week without posting :P. Ate at Fernandos a few times, walked to some chineese place just past that, wasn't so great, but they were Very busy too. Tried to keep things relatively cheap, which is just how the SuperSponsor room seemed to have been run x.x; The two lady's running the place this year just weren't given enough to work with. It's not their fault at all, and I don't like seeing bad things being said about them. The two that usually run the show wouldn't have been able to do any better with what little they were given. Its hard to keep 300 overpaying customers happy when there's no food or drinks to be had. :p.
The SuperSponsor Luncheon and the Staff dinner went rather well. Was able to sit and chat with a few people at each. Hung around after the staff dinner to talk with yet more people. The few parties I attended seemed to have quite a turnout for being as private as they were. Learned I'm still not much interested in alcohol, though I did find two things I do rather like :). I'll have to look for good mulled mead and however you pronounce/spell that other drink I liked. There was a really good bottled Cherry Cola from Wisconsin I thought was pretty good.
Summary:
Looking forward to the next convention, whichever one that might be. Gencon's a possibility, MFF may be too far ahead to look, and our group only has one room right now. I might see about getting a nearby room for friends to stay so they can come and see a convention like that. Just means more out of pocket money for me, and I'm sure I'll make things work if people express an interest soon enough. Would be good to see Jim and a few others, and to drag people like Shaddy or Dane out of hiding :P.
Aftermath:
Most I won't discuss here, it's being dealt with. Post Con Depression? yes, but nothing to do with the con itself :P. AC was a blast (not FCN blast, but up there), and I hope to do most of it all over again in 09 (dear god WHY the 4th of july weekend?...you have to understand...some of us working stiffs CANT get holidays off.)
Not entirely sure what else to blather on about, but I'm not hard to find if something's on your mind :p. The end for now.
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curious
confused
sad
tired
curious