bert425

we loved it when we were at Kennywood, and sorry to hear it's going. tho to be completely honest, the biggest memory we have around Logjammer, is that after getting soaked on it, we tried the recommended "Deep Fried Oreos" from the stand there next to it. ugh. . sweet and disgusting

Can't believe you've never been then! next year is a "maybe" for me. Was supposed to take this year off .. . but ended up going after plans fell thru. so if things jell with what I hope to be doing around this time, I might skip next year. but if not? will have to hang out. the Queerios have a great party (used to be the Gay-Laxians, if I'm not mistaken).. and the Spectrum Party is always a lot of fun. The guy dressed as Supergirl is in line for getting into that party.

I actually use Facebook in a very VERY similar way. I have a few stipulations before I would even think about accepting someone as a Facebook friend: - I have to know them personally - I have to have known them personally for a decent length of time - I do not add anyone who is crazy about religion, politics, or who is just plain crazy - I will instantly remove someone who ends up posting crazy shit that makes my brain hurt - Everything I have is on lock down - I don't even post personal updates that often anymore very similar for me.. . I have 223 friends. of which, 221 of them I know Personally (the other 2: one I actually met, but he's a comic artist who I'm a fan of and he asked me to friend request him, the other is someone I reached out to when needing a teammate for an online game 3 years ago..she's in Norway, and we only ever interact on the game). really, my #1 rule is I have to know them to accept a friend request. Friend of a friend don't cut it. Only two of them (husband and wife, whom I actually spend a lot of time off work hanging out with) are current co-workers. And 3 of my friends are ex-coworkers, (i reached out to them after they left the company, mainly so we could stay in touch). Only two of them are family (Brother and SiL) the rest are all people I know and enjoy interacting with. . . tho to be honest, I don't follow a whole lot of folks, maybe 30 or so. The rest I remain friends with, but don't really need to see their every thought

I only use FaceBook.. but that's because I'm not an "early adapter" and a lot of the technology I'm not super compfortable, and so I simply prefer not to use. (I work in the tech industry, so am on computers a lot, but utilizing specific systems for my work) so just browsing on the computer, and then FB. . and that's pretty much it for me. If I weren't always so busy with work, I'd likely maintain a Blog or Tumblr page (I'm familiar with Tumblr and occasionally go to a page or two.. but not all that often).

while I think it's great that you focused on meeting characters (regardless of your age).. it's a bit . . "odd".. that you took pictures of just the characters, rather than any WITH the characters. this is a bit of a weird one. . but glad you had a good time, on the first day at least.

LOL, thanks. my Spouse calls me the "Musicpedia" I have a LOT of music, and a pretty good memory for band details. . I like all kinds of music, except: Pop music (anything boyband/Britney, etc). . and not a huge fan of Country, tho like some artists. my sweet spots? Glam Metal/Hair Metal (KISS, Motley, W.A.S.P., Dokken, Circus of Power, etc) & 80's/90's Industrial/electronic (basically anything on WaxTrax! or PlayitagainSam labels).

there is (apparently) surprisingly little drug use, at least visible drug use, even during all the late night parties, concerts and dances. Seriously, one doesn't even smell pot out in the smoking areas. now drinking on the other hand. . . (yeah, the Hotels put out a LOT of extra freestanding bars all over every level and every ballroom)

Realized I forgot to post these. on Monday night (over a week ago already . . sheesh, where does the time fly), and i spotted these in the lobby of the Westin. I posted on FB that "one knows the con is over when the underwear appears on the chair in the hotel lobby" a very good friend, who knows that the Hotels remove furniture from the lobbies during Dragon*con (simply too many people milling about, and they need room for the bars they set up.. as well as they don't want people passing out on the furniture), corrected me with this gem: "No, the sign that Con is over, is that the furniture reappeared. The Underwear indicates that someone doesn't realize yet that Con is over" LOL

awesome report. . but I'm with Brit: it makes me sad you can pay to throw a living thing into a tank of Piranhas to watch them get eaten

best part is that he told me people were actually recognizing him! Ghost for the win!

^ until then, I see y'all have "Mappy" so at least some good fun, until loss of power! hugs, and thoughts to stay safe continuing y'all's way. (I have LOTS of friends in Tampa. .they are all without power at the moment)

and one of my friends just posted a video he took from one of the raves at 4am. . . just look how many folks were still up and about. he gave me permission to share. . . here's the post that went along with his video: Now that my home pc is working again, I've finally downloaded 562 pics and videos from DragonCon. Oh boy do I have some editing to do, ts almost like a drunk was running the camera. In the meantime I'll leave you with this unedited "gem" of what its like to dance at the nightly rave at 4am half tired/half inebriated. So much fun though. [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew]

I thought the original was one of the best movies of the 90's. Tim Curry is an icon. But yeah, super duper hyped to see the film. Looks awesome in the trailers, and from the reviews I've seen, I hope it doesn't disappoint. that was a TV miniseries. this is the film adaptation. and VERY well done. beautifully photographed (cinematography is gorgeous), PERFECTLY cast. . every single kid is a great actor, and just exactly correct. most of the scares hit, and other than one practical effect (that I thought was silly rather than scary), the whole thing works. and contains several "jump-scares" that had the whole (sold out) audience jumping! recommended.

heh.. I guess that's a word to describe it, tho I've never really heard it described that way

heh. . I did the EXACT same thing! ("IT" is quite good, is it not? . . in particular the scene mid-way thru (the photo projector) ranks among the most effective I've ever seen in a scary film. . . VERY well done. and how about that Perfect casting). i'm finishing off the live stream via the link above this morning. .but enjoying it a LOT. edit: by the way, seeing the mostly empty line for BTM, and getting to actually LOOK at the level of themeing there? wow. . well done, Disney. Never noticed how well done that is.

don't have Twitter, so can't repond or re-tweet -- tho I can see it from front page of TPR. . . so going to say here, Robb: your response on Twitter to the trolls upset you were at Disney last night is SPOT on. very well said, and it's a shame that there are enough morons with Twitter access that some even questioned the parks being open and that folks wanted to go. Growing up in Houston? I TOTALLY understand doing something to take one's mind off an upcoming Hurricane -- *especially* if a place has evaluated the data, and determined it was going to be safe (at that time) for them to be open and for people to attend. good for you on the response, and i only wish I could share to a larger audience. y'all stay safe, and see you on the other side! bert

speaking of music. . I posted these in the "Last Concert Attended" thread over at random. . but might as well put here too: Cruxshadows at 2am on Sunday.. huge crowd. if you're not familiar with them, they are darkwave/goth, and just amazing, here's a sample: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] pretty full room LOVE this picture of Rogue (the lead singer) me, my friend Karen, and roomie Don Cruxshadows signature move.. during the final song (always "marilyn my bitterness" they invite as much of the audience who can make it, up on the stage with them.

Thanks I believe I did see their table down in the Marriott level where the bands sell merch. tho other than Cruxshadows and Voltaire (who's EVERYWHERE at Con), the only other band I interacted with was Psychostick, since i really liked some of their T-shirts. . so hung around talking to them for a bit. I would have gone to see Bella Morte, but they (with Voltaire) were just in Austin 2 days before I flew to Atlanta for Con, so I had just seen them live. in past years, the Con has brought in: Misfits, Gene Loves Jezebel, Starship (no, really), Bobradigan Bards, Emerald Rose, that Tesla Coil band that was on America's Got Talent, Abney Park, and tons of others. . the music lineup is always very eclectic and fun.

at that point, I wasn't going to Dragon*con! (I just don't drink that much when I know that I have full day in the sun the next day) i was supposed to be going to a friends Birthday up in St. John. . but we just couldn't make the timing/pricing work with Nick. . so it fell apart. Literally less than a month before Dragon*con. so Marcella, who ALSO hadn't planned on going this year -- we *all* gave up our Legacy Hyatt Regency rooms to take this year off to go to Canada (and a chunk of my typical Dragon*con group did go up to Canada) -- but had decided to go in March anyways and had swung a room at Westin. . said to me: 'ooooo. . Dragon*con ?" and I said I had no place to stay, no flight, no ticket, etc. . . so she said post on FB looking among my (many) friends. .and within 10 minutes had a couple of offers, including Don (who we met at CP for BarBQue) who was staying at Sheraton, another Host Hotel. He was only staying 4 nights tho (flying back home Monday) and Marce/Neal were staying until Tues and said I could crash with them at Westin on Monday night since their roomie also left on Monday morning. so with Room secure, I looked at flights, and miracle. . .round trip on days I needed, at the TIMES I needed, both flights non-stop with two checked bags: $204. . . .less than a month before con. it's like the universe wanted me to go. so I did. (but yeah, that 9am schlep from the Sheraton up that LONG hill to the Westin on Monday. . sorta sucked. . LOL)

as long as not stopping for pics, it's allowed. and the only one technically in the habitrail is the Angus one.. and i kept moving, and it was late. . hence blurry. been going for over 20 years. . ya gotta know the rules to bend em (Raven is while we were in a line to get into a party in the Hilton. . so it looks like we're in the walkway moving, but just standing and waiting to get into a late night party)

my 2 cents is that I absolutely adore them, and watch them every time I stumble across y'all doing one. It allows me to see places I've never been, or offers me reminders of places I have been. I hope you keep doing them as I greatly enjoy them, even if the running commentary is about an inside joke, or nothing much to do with the surroundings. You're having fun? I'm having fun too.

oh, I went to bed most nights at 5am. can't do that in "real life" but for con, there's so much stimulation, I never really feel tired. (tho I crash for a couple of days after I get back tho to catch up). as to your question: for the most part, many cosplayers bring a different outfit for each day. Some wear them all day (if coming from home, or live local, and are spending whole day at con). Those staying at host hotels, tend to change into the costumes in late afternoon/evening. now, the serious cosplayers (or as i call them the "photo whores". . . and my Ex was one of those ), bring multiple costumes, and change every few hours, then go hang out in the hotels to get their pictures taken. Some of them stake out an area and just hang out getting their picture taken all day. not sure if I ever shared this, but i did a group cosplay last year: we were the Justice Bowling League, and the Injustice Bowling League. . . LOL (we were a bit too cerebral. .not a lot of folks got it). and stupid me said to the lady making the balls: hey, I'm the Atom, wouldn't it be funny if my ball was huge, because I'm small? so I got to carry around a giant heavy ball all night, while the rest of them got foam. . LOL

heh. . you should see the pics i didn't post, from the Digisuite. . no nudity, but a lot of fun. (no costumes for the most part tho, just friends hanging out with music playing, and a full bar set up. . . it's like a mini-con within Dragon*con). it really has gotten quite big, and it's a totally different con during the day, then after say. . .10pm. I didn't get up to do the parade on Sat, but that attracts hundreds of thousands of folks to watch it march thru downtown Atlanta. but one could totally have a full and fun con experience just doing the daytime panels, and parties, and turning in by 10pm. or one could sleep most of the day and stay up all night and also have a fun con experience (Rocky Horror at 2am with 5000 people and Lips Down on Dixie performing on stage in front of the movie is a highlight of the con every year for me. . . . as is the late, late performance by electro-goth band Cruxshadows!) dark pic. . but here's looking back into the room for the seated portion of the Rocky Horror crowd.

and some more. Like I said, I have TONS more pics, but mainly of my friends and I hanging out at Con and around Atlanta. .so not posting those. tho if in Atlanta? go to the Vortex -- looks like a biker bar, but has the best burgers in Atl. my own "cosplay" from Saturday. . I was Ace (my friend who played Gary a few years ago couldn't make it). .but I bumped into a solo Gary and we high-fived. . wish I had gotten a pic tho!) seemed the perfect outfit to make use of the Banana purse, so carried it around all day Loki in a panel listening to a speaker at lunch with a group of friends, our waitress was a minion. . we bonded over bananas (and she seated us WAY ahead of the many other folks on the wait list, so we could be in her section because she said we were "fun") here's the full furry! (the mouth moved when he spoke too. . he was great!) heh this would be John Barrowman. . running up and down the aisles of a panel he did, dressed as Wonder Woman. incredible home made Alien costume Jedi? Slave Leia owned by a Dalek?? GHOST! Zatanna view of the Pulse Loft bar (in the Marriott) around 10pm on Saturday pretty crowded very well done beauty and the Beast Bloodshot she got in this pose the moment I asked if I could take a picture (always ask. . cosplay is NOT consent). Guess she had been practicing. . LOL. . pretty limber Poison Ivy Lady Gremlin! View across the atrium at the Pulse bar in the Marriott Angus with Pizza (at around 5 am if I'm not mistaken. . hence a bit blurry. . LOL) Bad Robot! Sailor Moon? my friend Neal in his TRON robes Scary baby! HA! absolutely one of the best cosplays i saw this year. Brilliantly done Cloak. . . . .and Dagger Lady Death Acrobatic spider-women Samara & Game of Thrones photo bomb Darth Bender Behind and awesome Bumblebee on the escalator. . asked him for a pic. . fantastic play chess with a Jawa? Bombshell (40s era) Wonder Woman Hello Kitty Wrestling crew Doctor Octopus LOL. .they were using saran wrap. . but it works! Professor Pyg (Batman villian) Raven (teen titans) Monday night. . time for the "Kill the Booze" party. had a pretty big turn out folks bring their leftovers, and share amongst the partiers. Table 1 table 2

Wasn't sure if this is the correct forum to post this in, but since it was a trip, and it was fun, and I think most folks here would enjoy seeing the pics, decided to put in the main forum. (if needs to move to Random.. apologies). Dragon*con is a huge (this year they got ~82K people) fan run Pop Culture convention that takes place every year in Atlanta, Georgia. (it used to be around the 4th of July, but for many years now it's been hosted on Labor Day weekend). over the years is't morphed from focus on Horror/Goth, to expand on a lot of pop culture panels, and has really become known not only as a "Party" convention, but one that celebrates and features attendees with fantastic cosplay. Unlike similar cons, such as San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) or New York Comicon, or Emerald City Con (Seattle) or even C2E2 (Chicago). .what set's Dragon*con apart is that it's actually hosted at the hotels as well as the convention center (s) in Atlanta. So that means that although the Dealer's Room (merchandise) might close at 7pm each night, there are plenty of goings on in the conference rooms at the host hotels 24 hours: Parties, Concerts, Dances, Drum Circles, Panels, film screenings, Rocky Horror Live, etc. . . or there's just people watching. As noted, it's hosted by 5 main hotels (majority of which are connected via tunnels or underground walkways, so it's possible to actually never leave the host hotels (and never sleep) unless you wanted to. It really does run 24 hours from the time it officially starts (Thursday afternoon) until it officially ends (Monday at 5pm). . tho there are plenty of unofficial things to do on Wed, and Monday evening. . .so really is a week long adventure. the hotels are: Hyatt Atlanta, Marriott Marquis, Hilton, Sheraton, and Westin. And between them, they host over 27 programming tracks, all with separate "host" rooms, that host panels, contests, autograph signings, etc . . . multiple of which do run all day/night. So say it's 3am? you have options of things to do: Concert, Dances, Movie, participate in game show, drum circle, discussion panel, or just hang out in Marriott central bar (with thousands of your closest friends) and people watch. I've been attending since 1997, and it's the only appointment con I have on my calendar (attending 20 of the past 21 years). I've made some life-long friends, from all over the world, whom I've met at Dragon*con, and look forwards to our adventures every year. i didn't think y'all wanted to see lots of pics of my friends and I hanging out in the suite they get every year (It's like a mini-convention within the convention), or going on our adventures. . . so instead just doing a Photo Trip report focusing on the Cosplay. enjoy. . and yeah. you TOTALLY should attend next year! Lobby of the Hyatt on the day we arrived. . they are already setting up, but con hasn't really started yet tho there are some people already running around in Costume (this is a friend of mine, wearing a knit Cthulhu mask, that another friend, Christine, made for him. there was a Onsie Party going on Thursday night, so several folks running around in onsies. . this guy was in line to give blood. my first thought was: "who cosplays as Captain Kangaroo". . followed quickly by. . "that's awesome, i want a pic with him" Coming up the escalator from the MARTA (Atlanta's subway system). . deep underground in some places, and direct ride from the airport to the convention hotels. this escalator is infamous.. I have some friends who won't use it. It actually IS rather disorienting. . LOL but it puts you out int he food court right between the Hyatt, Marriott, and Sheraton. .so super convenient. we decided to leave the Hyatt to head over to the Westin for an early dinner at the restaurant on the top floor (73 floors above Atlanta). . for some good drinks and food. This is the banner on the outside of the Hyatt. my Canadian friend Marcella, at the Sundial restaurant at the top of the Westin View from the Sundial of Atl. relatively inexpensive (for a fancy hotel) food. . lobster roll was only $20, and the pizzas were $18. the smoky martini, and rum punches?. .those will cost ya tho! after a quick change, it was time to head to the first big party of Dragon*con. . the Bunny Hutch. let out your inner Bunny, Hef, or any mashup you want. great crowd for a Thurs . . con doesn't really begin in earnest until Friday morning with the big panels. . . but lots of folks already out and in costumes. these Tetris guys were a hoot.. .especially when they ran at each other from across the room, and then "linked" up. the winner of the Bunny Hutch Costume contest Bunny nurse and Pyramid Hef from resident evil KISS bunnies Mr & Mrs Claus. . there was an Underwear party going on too. . this guy came by Bunny Hutch after. (the Banana purse is mine, it was a gift from a writer friend, earlier in the evening, and I didn't want to go back to the room to drop it off, so was carrying it around) Maleficent and Ursula bunnies Pickle Rick! (and me with my banana purse) after staying up until ~5am, I actually did get up on Friday, to go with my Con roomie to the 1st panel of the 1st day (10am Nathan Fillion). proof for my spouse that i actually DID go to a panel, and didnt' party the whole con yeah. . lots of other folks had the same idea to go to the 1st panel of the con. not looking too bad for so little sleep. . but it's really only day one. look. .it's Nathan Fillion no. really. he was funny. Other than this panel, I just went to one other (a wresting panel with Kane and Ricky the Dragon Steamboat) and hung out with author friends while they signed autographs. . otherwise? parties, dances, and took pictures! very well done Wonder Woman This guy was scary as crap. . just an amazing Pennywise Vampire teeth?.. LOL Absolutely the best wheelchair costume I have ever seen. he was amazing. from a video game, I assume..but no idea which one. R2D2 . lots of interesting cosplay choices. .but who am *I* to judge. this is the Marriott Marquis at ~4am on Friday night Looking up into the atrium from the main floor to the guest rooms. Misty Knight and Iron Fist! Loved this guy. . and this was a working camera! I have a pic he took of me while I was taking his picture one of my "scavenger hunt" things from every year at Dragon*con (there's a small list of pictures I must get each year) is one with a furry. I wasn't sure when I would see another one, but this fun guy was running around and posed for a pic, so while not full furry, he counted (until the next night when I got a pic with full furry)