Dragon*Con 2003

Hi there!

I'm Back again, with another fun installment of information on
a little thing known as Dragon*Con. 

Updates from last report:

I finished my Twi'lek headpiece and it seems that it was successful. 
So dang successful, that the first day I wore it, I had folks tugging 
on 'em. More about that later. I Also did my Sith costume of Asanjj 
Ventress, and I managed to run into another while I was there. That 
was fun. I also had a chance to run into alot of old friends. And lets 
not forget the special visitor, known as Hurricane Francis...but
more on that later.

SO..YES..I'm a Klingon that LOVES to play Jedi from time to time. 
(So, dont be suprised, if you see a Jedi Klingon walking
around one day...)

So now, on to the story that is

          Dragon*Con 2004

THURSDAY
Wow. I actually made it on a Thrusday. LATE Thursday... 
but still Thursday. (Had to take care of RL issues before 
I left the family for the long weekend.) Got to the room.
This year Calveylon and my Padawan Mynn were my roomates. After 
my S.O. dropped me off, I was FREE!

My other padawan (My daughter) count attend this year..so 
after a few hours of catching up chatter, I settled in for the 
night.

FRIDAY
I LOVE Amerisuites. They have large frooms, and a free FULL
breakfast. Got up early and went to Pre-regs. I'll say it again.
I LOVE pre-regs. Since my daughter couldnt use her ticket, I 
passed it on to Leda. Pre-Regs had no trouble. Took me all 
of 5 minutes. It was even less to switch the other ticket over.

Afterwards, I changed, decideing to dress as a twi'lek Jedi. 
Usually there are not many folks in costume on Fridays, so I 
was pleasantly suprised when many folks showed up in costume.
As I said eariler, it seemed that my Twi'lek lekku were a hit, 
as I had folks constantly tugging on them, smacking them, or 
asking me how I made them. *reminder..MUST have larger chin 
strap* They were pretty comfortable, but the extra weight makes 
you keep your head straight until you get used to it. Turning 
your head gets to be fun also, but after I got used to them, 
they were quite comfortable to wear. I received many compliments.

I changed to a regular Jedi for later on. My camera received
quite a workout. I GOTTA remember to make folks take picutres 
of ME! Loved Leda in her Sith outfit.


SATURDAY
Can we say just a wee bit CROWDED! Saturday is always a madhouse, 
and this year was no diffrent. This is when EVERYONE shows up. 
The morning started off busy with the Parade at 10:00am. I 
marched as a Klingon this year. It was wild. We barely made it 
to the begining point, before we had to turn around, to 
begin the parade. Talk about tired. But it was great. 
Playing with the crowd that lines the streets is fantastic. 
Plenty of cameras abound. For some reason, they put 
the Klingon motorcycles in front of us, instead of behind 
us this year. But the Neverworld troupe was behind us. 
Nothing like undead behind you to keep you on your toes! They put
the 501st and Rebel folks farther back this year also.

After parade, time to change. You sweat alot inside a 
klingon uniform. Lets not forget that headpiece either! 
Course...do I pick something easy? Course not! I ran 
into a Sith, and after meeting her, I got enough nerve 
to try on my Asanjj Ventress costume. Note to self...


SUNDAY


MONDAY









(Hey Steve!)

After we left there, we went back down to the lobby, and took 
LOTS of pictures. Around 3am, took Mynn back to the room, and
this time, my daughter and I went back to look for a Rave dance.

Change clothes again..feet killing me...
Darn if I remember what I was wearing. By now..I barely remember
that I can speak English.

Silly folks pulling security for the Hyatt, didnt want to let us 
back in. Had to complain, to get back into the buildling.
(more later..look down)

We danced until 5:30am..then finally made our way back to our room.

MONDAY

...duh.

The breakfast table is quiet. My kid is still in the room. 
Asleep.
Mynn has her head on the table, one eye open. 
Xanna catches up with us. 

*Blink..Blink*

"uh....hi....eat?"
Lots of head nods.

LonMark and gang, catches up with us, and we start to chat.
Ask Xanna about.."The Thing" story.

Generally agree we had a blast...even if we are in no condition 
to talk much at the moment. We think we got about 5-7 hours 
sleep the entire convention. 
Maybe.

LonMark and Mynn have to leave..so lots of hugs and goodbyes.

Decided to head back over to con, to finish out the last day 
pannels..and any possible bargins.

I deal with other Klingon meetins and stuff...and more stuff..
and other stuff.

"It's a Klingon thing!"

We say our goodbye's to Xanna around 8:30pm.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THE CON

This year..I hung around with people I really wanted to be with.
And didnt stress out about the panels.

I finally got to MEET lots of folks from TJA..to include my 
Padawan! :D

The hotel was nice, not croweded..and not to far away. And it even 
had a kitchenette.

The Con suite was on the Second floor. Easy to walk too.

Rebel Legion Photo shoot! 
(FINALLY..somebody got a pic of me as a Jedi!)

That even on Sunday, the place was still packed and going strong.

I loved it when Mary Oyaya's (Jedi Master Unduli) manager(?) 
Paul Moses..remembers my daughter and me from last year, and comes
over to talk with us. YEESSSS!

HECK..I MADE IT!

=-=-=-=-=-
THINGS I DIDNT LIKE ABOUT THE CON

I missed some days.

The place was packed even more than normal. I hear they made it
to 50,000 visitors. WHEW!..thats alot of people.

Some of the more popular dealers seemed to be missing.
The dealers room is WAY too small. 

Ten-Forward. 
I really wanted to drum..and have dancers..and folks having 
fun. I dont really need to see the blooper reels..that are 
30+ years old... over, and over again, for over an hour.  
Tried to drum, and was told we were disturbing folks.

MAN..that was a fast klingon wedding..anybody catch it?
I want photos, please..and the awards ceremony too!!

Could it have been ANY muggier?

Why did they check for badges at both the bottom AND 
the top of the escalators? I dont think anyone was 
magically appearing in the middle.


I have NEVER seen the sky crosswalks get so full, 
that there is a line to go thru, and it is slow.

=-=-=-=-=-
THINGS I HATED ABOUT THE CON

The Frelling Hyatt Hotel Security! When we tried to get back
to the con for the dance, they were telling people in the front 
we couldnt get in without having a room key...even if we DID have 
a con pass. (I hear this also happened to one of the guest stars)
and in the back, they were telling folks with room keys they
couldnt get in without a con badge. I dont need this, at 3am.

I DONT like getting shouted at, by a twit with a bullhorn..4 inches
from my head. "Keep moving..keep moving.." Everybody WAS moving. 
They only stopped, when you YELLED at them. (HOTEL Security) 
And while we're at it, keep your hands to yourself.

Ten-Forward got busted...again..and shut down. 
Stupid people at fault. 

Where the con stuck the poor Drumming circle. INDOORS..in a
small room..in a hidden corner. Open the door, and get blasted
by the heat. Folks tried to open the doors, and some dancers
moved out the room, trying to get some air. Now..all the lovely
backdoor covered area, is taken up by the smokers alone.


I didnt even look at the elevators, till Monday. No problems 
then. ;)
=-=-=-=--=-=-
Overall though, the con did move pretty smoothly, and I 
hope to be able to make it next year. So much was going
on, I missed a bit of what I wanted to see.

But, there is always next year. :)

Hope to see you again, next year!

Laters!
Ris'sa