DragonCon 2006 What I have learned (or relearned)

I have learned that I am older than I was when I started going to these things.

I have relearned to eat lunch no matter how chaotic my day is.

I have learned that I can pick up a pen in front of a crowd and try to explain myself visually.

I relearned where all the rooms are.

I learned that Caroline is old enough now to sit behind a table next to Peter as he signs stuff for people. She colored, played with her toys, had lunch, and took a nap all while Peter was signing. She even told Daddy when she had to go potty so we had no accidents. Peter said that her getting ready for nap was really cute. She got her pink blankie rolled and rolled it up. She then stuck in under her head and gathered her stuffed animals around her and took a 2 hour nap.

I relearned how nice it is to see old friends and make new ones.

I learned that Marv Wolfman is pretty doggone good at Poker.

I relearned that Bill Stout is a big fan and well versed in puppetry. I think we now have a discussion about the subject once a year and it is always very interesting.

I learned that Bill is working on the Murals at the San Diego Natural History museum. He did a lecture and showing of the work at this years San Diego Comic Con that went so well that he is doing it again next year.

I relearned how kick a** my brother's parties can be. He really outdid himself this time. The Elvis parties have been things of legend but this one he pulled all the stops out and created a fake casino in his hotel room. You bet with Whoopee Bucks and I think that a fun time was had by all. I did not have the signature drink of the party called a Jellied Doughnut nor did I sample his latest creation the Pineapple upside down cake but I was told by others that they did taste as described. Ariel had fun playing blackjack and walked out ahead from the tables.

I learned I am better at Blackjack than tourney poker. (Or at least that is what I think since I didn't finish my game due to the lateness of the hour and the early riser that is my daughter)

I relearned how cool it is to be in front of a crowd that appreciates my work.

I learned that the Awards dinner could be short and sweet with edible food. A special thanks to Phil Foglio for the masterful way he handled his duties as the MC. I think everyone was surprised how well it went including Phil.

I relearned what a pain in the tuckus the elevators in the Hyatt can be. Ariel and I were stuck on an elevator for about 20 minutes after some drunken idiots jumped as the doors closed and the elevator was at capacity thus engaging the brake and since it had started down the doors stayed closed. After about 20 minutes one woman who suffer from both vertigo and claustrophobia started to have a major panic attack so we got the doors open and got out only to have the elevator mechanic show up about 1 minute later. I gave him the short version of what happened and he went about fixing the elevator. Then on my way back to the hotel room, after ceding my place at poker table, I got stuck for another 15 minutes in a different elevator which didn't have too many people or too much weight on it. I got off that one and took the stairs down to the floor I had to get to.

I learned what an incredible magician and lovely person Misty Lee is. If you get a chance to see her in action do so. She is so good. Her husband Paul Dini is no slouch in the lovely person department either. He won the Julie Award last night which Peter presented to him.

I relearned how to navigate a suitcase through the crowds at DragonCon.

I learned that the Art Show and Tech staff so rawks. They got me a cable I needed for my power point presentation to hook my iBook up to a big screen so I could complete my demo. The audience rawked too.

I relearned how much I love being at DragonCon

I am grateful for all the experiences I have had so far here.