con recap
Finally up and about at 7PM Sunday accurately describes how things went.
Thanks to a situation involving my sister I was not in the best of moods since Wednesday. I got Carrie (who only joined us because it was my birthday) from work and headed to the hotel in Lombard and met Bill in the room to go over set up.
We then headed to Ed Debevic's for dinner and while at the table recorded an episode for the Pod of Destiny cast. Then it was back to the room and after moving the beds and two tables, Bill set up the open cola while I got Rock Band set up. Brick who made the trip now understands my "singing ability" as I tested the mike.
Knowing I was going to be in the room most of the night and not wanting to drink since I had to be somewhere on Saturday and not hung over or tired, I figured getting a full weekend badge would not be necessary. Once things got rolling, I discovered that some of the songs on my hard drive did not show up on the playlist and others would not play because I was not on XBox live. Bill was able to use his 3G card and an ethernet cable to get me live.
In spite of the over 300 songs available, it could not suit everybody. People would ask about groups I either not heard of, never downloaded or are not available but everyone found something worth playing. At $2 each, I only get songs I like and being 44, my taste is different from most of the patrons. We did put the Beatles game in later since people wanted to try that and one person was amazed by how well she sang.
When Luke and Sara showed up, they surprised me with a cake. I also discovered that the microphone volume in the game had to be turned to the lowest since the mike was actually picking up the sound from the tv. When I tried the second mike for the Beatles game, feedback made it not work.
Eventually we shut it down shortly after 2 and I had to pack up the system for Saturday evening.
I got to the con about 10:30 in the morning and got a Saturday badge which saved me $10. Though I went to the Dealer's room, the only thing I bought was the new Toyboat CD when I saw Eric Coleman in the lobby. After picking up Kiki from her house, I saw Luke drive up so I carried two tubs. Though there were shirts, they seemed awfully heavy but I managed.
Luke's show was the only con event I attended in full. Saw Marvel Poppins done live for the first time and joined Bill and Sara on stage for the Da Da Slide. I had to adjust since I did not want to hurt myself. While packing the merch, I discovered there was only one tub of shirts and the other one I carried had cds.
After getting the merch to his car, I did stop by Tom Smith's show for about 10 minutes before having to head home and change for the charity event at my nephew's school. They were hoping for 60 players but when only 38 showed up for the event, my help was not needed so after getting my swimsuit from home, headed back to the hotel to meet Josh and Carrie (who made rice Kristi treats) among others.
After some time in the hot tub, I got some alcohol and headed back to the crowded Dementia Radio party room to watch Dr Horrible and then the musical Buffy episode with various clips in between. Singing with the literal video version of Take on Me with everyone there was awesome. Due to shadowcasting the Buffy episode and preparing for it, I have seen it over a hundred times and impressed Bill with my call backs as him and others were making them too.
After more alcohol and stopping in the Dark City themed party room, it was time to set up Rock Band. Mr Tuesday was there so I did not have to be there all the time. Bill, Kiki, Vlad, and Luke were among the many on the mike. Everyone had fun even the people who have never done something like it before. We played until shortly after three as Sara finished the night singing Tom Sawyer at 98% shortly after a big man sang Just a Girl in a heavy Scottish accent.
After eating at Denny's, I got home shortly before five AM. Woke up after noon, took Jered home and spent most of the day nodding off until coming down here to post.
Thanks to everyone who made this weekend as awesome as it was.
Thanks to a situation involving my sister I was not in the best of moods since Wednesday. I got Carrie (who only joined us because it was my birthday) from work and headed to the hotel in Lombard and met Bill in the room to go over set up.
We then headed to Ed Debevic's for dinner and while at the table recorded an episode for the Pod of Destiny cast. Then it was back to the room and after moving the beds and two tables, Bill set up the open cola while I got Rock Band set up. Brick who made the trip now understands my "singing ability" as I tested the mike.
Knowing I was going to be in the room most of the night and not wanting to drink since I had to be somewhere on Saturday and not hung over or tired, I figured getting a full weekend badge would not be necessary. Once things got rolling, I discovered that some of the songs on my hard drive did not show up on the playlist and others would not play because I was not on XBox live. Bill was able to use his 3G card and an ethernet cable to get me live.
In spite of the over 300 songs available, it could not suit everybody. People would ask about groups I either not heard of, never downloaded or are not available but everyone found something worth playing. At $2 each, I only get songs I like and being 44, my taste is different from most of the patrons. We did put the Beatles game in later since people wanted to try that and one person was amazed by how well she sang.
When Luke and Sara showed up, they surprised me with a cake. I also discovered that the microphone volume in the game had to be turned to the lowest since the mike was actually picking up the sound from the tv. When I tried the second mike for the Beatles game, feedback made it not work.
Eventually we shut it down shortly after 2 and I had to pack up the system for Saturday evening.
I got to the con about 10:30 in the morning and got a Saturday badge which saved me $10. Though I went to the Dealer's room, the only thing I bought was the new Toyboat CD when I saw Eric Coleman in the lobby. After picking up Kiki from her house, I saw Luke drive up so I carried two tubs. Though there were shirts, they seemed awfully heavy but I managed.
Luke's show was the only con event I attended in full. Saw Marvel Poppins done live for the first time and joined Bill and Sara on stage for the Da Da Slide. I had to adjust since I did not want to hurt myself. While packing the merch, I discovered there was only one tub of shirts and the other one I carried had cds.
After getting the merch to his car, I did stop by Tom Smith's show for about 10 minutes before having to head home and change for the charity event at my nephew's school. They were hoping for 60 players but when only 38 showed up for the event, my help was not needed so after getting my swimsuit from home, headed back to the hotel to meet Josh and Carrie (who made rice Kristi treats) among others.
After some time in the hot tub, I got some alcohol and headed back to the crowded Dementia Radio party room to watch Dr Horrible and then the musical Buffy episode with various clips in between. Singing with the literal video version of Take on Me with everyone there was awesome. Due to shadowcasting the Buffy episode and preparing for it, I have seen it over a hundred times and impressed Bill with my call backs as him and others were making them too.
After more alcohol and stopping in the Dark City themed party room, it was time to set up Rock Band. Mr Tuesday was there so I did not have to be there all the time. Bill, Kiki, Vlad, and Luke were among the many on the mike. Everyone had fun even the people who have never done something like it before. We played until shortly after three as Sara finished the night singing Tom Sawyer at 98% shortly after a big man sang Just a Girl in a heavy Scottish accent.
After eating at Denny's, I got home shortly before five AM. Woke up after noon, took Jered home and spent most of the day nodding off until coming down here to post.
Thanks to everyone who made this weekend as awesome as it was.