Started off the weekend with a fever on Friday, caused probably by having to run around in the cold cold rain on Thursday. But I medicated the heck out of myself, and was well enough to travel with Starr to Williamsburg on Friday for MarsCon.<\/p>\n
Most conventions are, for me, opportunities to socialize with friends I don’t often get to see. southernsinger<\/a>, kittykatya<\/a>, impink<\/a>, geckoman<\/a>, and stori_lundi<\/a> were all there, as well as folks I get to see a little more often such as ptownhiker<\/a>, fixitup<\/a>, and torn757<\/a>. Got to spend some quality time with Jesse and Dwight too!<\/p>\n Convention loot: a Devil’s Panties<\/a> graphic novel (Jennie Breeden remembered me from Dragon*Con), character sketches from an artist in the dealer’s room, a Carcassonne<\/a> expansion and an book of Paranoia XP<\/a> modules, two White Plectrum<\/a> CDs and a Coyote Run<\/a> CD, some erotica from Helen Madden<\/a>‘s table, and a couple of buttons. After spending the weekend avoiding the purchase of T-shirts, Starr and I were handed free ones by a local game store – now I have to get rid of more old ones to make space!<\/p>\n Next year, the con is supposed to move to a bigger location, and it really needs the space. MarsCon completely overflowed its host hotel, which is a shame, as I think it’s a nice place to hold the weekend. I got to hear some other VA con politics I didn’t want to hear about, but that’s the down side of having friends who are so heavily involved in things.<\/p>\n Speaking of being involved, this was the first time I can recall having my con badge paid for as a “Guest” presenter. I have to say I found it very cool, though somehow I had always imagined it would be for my Great American Science Fiction Novel. Still, the panels (which I talk a bit more about in the Lifestyle filter) were great fun, and I can’t wait to do them again next year.<\/p>\n We’d really intended to stay longer on Sunday, but despite finally getting the MarsCon Charity Chair Massage I’d been wanting to try for years, we had a bad case of burnout. Excitement, dancing, endorphins, and little sleep all hit at once, and Starr and I headed home around 1:30 to veg for the rest of the day. Still haven’t quite come down though. How long ’till T-Con?<\/p>\n