Final thoughts on DragonCon 2009
Sep. 11th, 2009 10:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
First I would like a moment of silence for those who lost so much 8 years ago today. For the families and friends who lost love ones and for everyone who lost things that are a bit more intangible but are gone due to the events of this day. I know that I lost both and am still dealing with some of the fall out even now.
Anyway, DragonCon was as big as ever.
I have to compliment those still wearing wings (the numbers where down) who were very contentious about where those wings were. A couple who had more difficult sets to navigate had people with them to help them move through the crowd. A lot of the larger costumes took their cue from the furry community and had people to help them through the crowd. The people in costume seemed more aware of the world around them. There were exceptions but it was much better than it had been in years past.
The badge pick-up moved to the Sheraton and considering what they have to do to get everyone their badge, it went pretty smoothly. There were bumps but there are always going to be bumps. Pre-reg was ready to go at three as were the Eternals and Guests. Ticketmaster is its own beast so any complaints about them should go to them. There were some hiccups along the way but considering the number of people they are trying to help, that is going to happen. I had to wait a bit in line but if I hadn’t then I wouldn’t have run into some old friends who the only time I saw them at DragonCon was in that line.
My panels were great. I didn’t do any Star Wars but since they have a new director who is just figuring out who everyone is, I am not upset. I did get to see Aaron Allston who is doing much better since his bypass operation. We got to chat for about 15 minutes about various things. It was the only time I saw him at the convention. I didn’t punch Keith in the arm but that was only because he wasn’t sitting next to me on the panel we were both on. It was a delight being on a puppetry panel with Cheralyn Lambeth. I hope we get to do that panel again. I didn’t get double scheduled this year which was nice. I did do a lot of waving to various friends.
Peter and I were in the Marriott on the top floor in a very nice suite thanks to Pat Henry. We were joking that it was Peter’s reward for 20 years of being game for just about anything. There were a lot of people who were going up to the 47 floor just for the view which was pretty magnificent the whole weekend. That was fine in itself but every night of the convention between 3 and 5 we would have some drunk screamers who were shouting things like I’ll jump and don’t let me fall and other things that made me believe they were engaged in some rather unsafe behavior outside our door. And people wondered why I looked tired the whole weekend when I was back in the room by 1 at the latest but more likely before midnight.
Then there were the constant drunks. It’s flipping Friday morning and they were already plowed and remained so through Monday. And they took great pride in their drunken state. And these weren’t just of age drinkers but people my generation which really made it even sadder. Security dealt with them the best they could and I know a couple of badges got yanked during the convention. There is so much to do at DragonCon, I don’t see the point of seeing through the bottom of a flask.
Then there were the lost. Who would come off the escalator and just stop while people tried to get past them. Would 7 steps forward made you any more lost? Eventually they had security guards making people move a safe distance away. Also the Hyatt put their own security on the elevator on Saturday night which made for getting up and down so much easier.
I gave a lot of directions to people over the weekend. I had people find me later during the convention after I got them to one place and had me help them get to another. I also took a couple of first-timers under my wing and showed them a couple of clever back ways that I know which allow for fastest navigation of the whole convention. One young lady sought me out on Monday and thanked me for helping her on Friday because it really made her convention easier.
I am grateful to everyone who made my DragonCon experience so much fun.
Anyway, DragonCon was as big as ever.
I have to compliment those still wearing wings (the numbers where down) who were very contentious about where those wings were. A couple who had more difficult sets to navigate had people with them to help them move through the crowd. A lot of the larger costumes took their cue from the furry community and had people to help them through the crowd. The people in costume seemed more aware of the world around them. There were exceptions but it was much better than it had been in years past.
The badge pick-up moved to the Sheraton and considering what they have to do to get everyone their badge, it went pretty smoothly. There were bumps but there are always going to be bumps. Pre-reg was ready to go at three as were the Eternals and Guests. Ticketmaster is its own beast so any complaints about them should go to them. There were some hiccups along the way but considering the number of people they are trying to help, that is going to happen. I had to wait a bit in line but if I hadn’t then I wouldn’t have run into some old friends who the only time I saw them at DragonCon was in that line.
My panels were great. I didn’t do any Star Wars but since they have a new director who is just figuring out who everyone is, I am not upset. I did get to see Aaron Allston who is doing much better since his bypass operation. We got to chat for about 15 minutes about various things. It was the only time I saw him at the convention. I didn’t punch Keith in the arm but that was only because he wasn’t sitting next to me on the panel we were both on. It was a delight being on a puppetry panel with Cheralyn Lambeth. I hope we get to do that panel again. I didn’t get double scheduled this year which was nice. I did do a lot of waving to various friends.
Peter and I were in the Marriott on the top floor in a very nice suite thanks to Pat Henry. We were joking that it was Peter’s reward for 20 years of being game for just about anything. There were a lot of people who were going up to the 47 floor just for the view which was pretty magnificent the whole weekend. That was fine in itself but every night of the convention between 3 and 5 we would have some drunk screamers who were shouting things like I’ll jump and don’t let me fall and other things that made me believe they were engaged in some rather unsafe behavior outside our door. And people wondered why I looked tired the whole weekend when I was back in the room by 1 at the latest but more likely before midnight.
Then there were the constant drunks. It’s flipping Friday morning and they were already plowed and remained so through Monday. And they took great pride in their drunken state. And these weren’t just of age drinkers but people my generation which really made it even sadder. Security dealt with them the best they could and I know a couple of badges got yanked during the convention. There is so much to do at DragonCon, I don’t see the point of seeing through the bottom of a flask.
Then there were the lost. Who would come off the escalator and just stop while people tried to get past them. Would 7 steps forward made you any more lost? Eventually they had security guards making people move a safe distance away. Also the Hyatt put their own security on the elevator on Saturday night which made for getting up and down so much easier.
I gave a lot of directions to people over the weekend. I had people find me later during the convention after I got them to one place and had me help them get to another. I also took a couple of first-timers under my wing and showed them a couple of clever back ways that I know which allow for fastest navigation of the whole convention. One young lady sought me out on Monday and thanked me for helping her on Friday because it really made her convention easier.
I am grateful to everyone who made my DragonCon experience so much fun.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-11 02:57 pm (UTC)I am so sorry that another year has passed and I didn't get the chance to say hello in person. There's always next year!
I am glad that you and yours had a good con. I think it was a good year.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-11 06:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-12 04:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-12 06:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-15 07:48 pm (UTC)As for Star Wars, the new director is a very good friend of mine and would be happy to pass your info to her for next year.
Love ya,
Bev