DragonCon 2011 Day 3

I meant to post this yesterday but things just got busy so here it is. I am going to post later the rest of the Story

Wow! What a day with a lots of highs and a few lows but overall it rocked.

The day started with me going to my parents to pick up Caroline so she could enjoy the convention too. We rushed back to the convention because I had a 10 AM panel in costuming for puppetry. I was about 10 minutes late but that was OK because Cheryl had to leave 10 minutes early. Beau stayed the whole time. Beau I had needed to track down because he was in charge of the puppet slam and we had to go over the logistics. So now, at least, I know where to find him.

I took Caroline up to the room and then to Peter’s table where she made $27 for drawings she did. I am quite proud of her. I went to get supplies for our annual dinner we have on Sunday night. I did that in good time and got everything arranged. I then finally was able to get me and my two victim…er...I mean volunteers in the same room at the same time to rehearse the puppet show. John and Rachel quickly sorted out what they needed to do. I had to redo the hands but I was expecting to do that anyway.

I went down to the table where Beau was suppose to be only to find out he had lost his voice which he very much needed for the evening show. So he was resting. I went back up to the room and cleared the decks for our dinner. Peter and John went to get the food. They got back and we had dinner with friends wandering in and out.

Now cool things happen at DragonCon that you would never expect to happen. I got a chance to show Jim Steranko my puppets which was really cool. He liked them. I got the what was going on with the puppet story from Misha. And a number of other friends came by to eat some food and have some good conversation.

Starting at 9:30, I had to get ready for the Puppet Slam. I went down to the table and Beau and I worked through what I needed for my piece to work. I was told that I needed to be at the International Ballroom South at 11:00 for what little bit of tech rehearsal we might get.

I went back up to the room and spent some time watching the Masquerade. It was drawing out longer and longer so I had to go. Sheila, my wonderful sister, took over Caroline duty as John and I headed for the Hyatt.

As we rounded the corner we found a rather long line forming going the length of the street. We asked them what they were waiting in line for and were informed it was for the puppet slam. I thought that was pretty amazing.

Tech was a bit messy but the stage manager did a great job of getting everything set up as did the crew. So we off and running with the show.

We were fourth in the running order. I think we did pretty well. The audience reaction was good.

I had almost forgotten how much fun playing with your peers can be. We had a great time cheering one and other on. The audience had great energy and we supported each other even through the inevitable mistakes that are going to happen. One of them did happen during ours but we worked it into a rather comic moment. I was happy to find out afterwards that Peter had been there for the show. We recreated the Avenue Q sketch that I did at Shoreleave.

I went up to my brother’s room to see who was there I needed to say good-bye to. I had a good talk with the twins and a number of other people. Then I felt the adrenaline drop that I get about half an hour after performing. That on top of lack of sleep made me find my way back to my Hotel room. Now I am typing this before I go to bed although I will probably post it tomorrow morning.

I am so grateful to everyone who participated in the Puppet Slam. Y’all just rock.

DragonCon 2011 Day 4 and the trip home

First off, we are home after an 18 hours trip accompanied by what was left of Tropical Storm Lee. That was probably the hardest slog home we have had coming back and I hope it stays that way.

Monday started early with a visit to the art show to get my number for check-out. I was number 7 which meant that it would be pretty easy to get out.

After that Peter, Caroline, and I went over to the walk of fame so all the people over there who know Caroline could see her. She got a lot of compliments and it was nice having a few moments to chat before having to run off to the next thing.

I had to go out and replace the cord on the GPS but ended up having to get another GPS to replace ours which is on its last legs.

Most of the rest of the day was saying good bye to friends both old and new.

I got back and went to artist Alley which was shutting down at 3. I helped Peter and Caroline pack up and we went back to the room. Peter ran off for his last panel and Caroline came with me back to help me pick-up the art show. We did that said more good-byes and went to see Peter’s last panel.

After that we went to my parents house for burgers and conversation. Sean and Rozanna were still loading out their stuff from the hotel so it was my parents, Sheila and Father Bryan who had been a program participant at the convention. It was a nice time to unwind a bit before heading out in the rain.

The less said about the drive back probably the better. We did make it back safely and that was the best thing about the trip.

Tomorrow will be my random thoughts about DragonCon but first I have to get Caroline ready for her first day in the Third Grade.

I am grateful that we got home considering all that happened along the way.