Ok, I actually have a reason for going – but this is more of a “Here’s what I hope to accomplish with this trip”.
A little backstory: I started attending Conventions a short week and a half after asking my current wife out on our first date back in May of 2005. A group of 10 guys stormed the halls of Anime North in Toronto, but barely made it past the dealer room (didn’t realize what panels where, or that they where in another building entirely until our second trip there). Following that up, a couple of us that went decided that Otakon in Baltimore, MD was a good con to follow up with, and we took our girlfriends along for the ride. They loved it, and it was that group that began to expand out, to the point that we have a 6-12 regulars that go to the cons, based on cost and availability. I’ve been to Anime North 05, 06, 09, and 10 , Otakon 05, 08, and 09, Connecticon 07, and ToraCon 11.
I’ve always been a spectator, never a contestant. By that I mean, I’ve always gone, sat through panels, went and purchased things, come in cosplay garb – but I’ve never really added back. A couple times I could have hijacked a panel, I chickened out, I never looked for group cosplay photo’s to join when I did, and with that I’ve never signed up for any cosplay contests. I’ve never done any volunteer work, and I stay pretty secluded to the group I came with when mingling with people.
So really – what am I planning to do for this one? For starters, it’s a 12 hour drive including stops from where I live to Indianapolis. So for myself and the other 5 guys in the van, it’s going to be a chance to really talk for a good long while and spend time with them. Which might mean we get sick of each other by the time we get there, but that’ll help us branch out more.
Secondly, I was to learn the systems I’ve purchased books for, got about half way through before putting down and saying “I don’t understand where they are coming from at all!”. Systems include Burning Wheel, L5R, Rifts, and Anima. It’s not that these systems are bad, hard, or in any way not good systems – it’s just that I had a hard time with them because I don’t know anyone who DOES know how to play them.
Thirdly – I’m looking to see other methods of DM’ing. My past is kind of odd – I was self taught and jumped into it when I was still in school, then got back into it after some time off and based a lot of my DM’ing style on my friend that got me back into it (and is coming to GenCon with me). So I’m taking a couple panels on it, and will see if I can pin point ways of getting better.
Finally, I’m looking to purchase stuff that’s always been there as a “I should get this – maybe next week”. Hirst Arts molds, Mouseguard RPG, Reaper Mini’s . . . plus whatever strikes my fancy. I have to bring something home to the wife – and that’s not because I’ve been told to. Long running habit of mine.
So I don’t really have it as a checklist item, but I’m hoping to meet new people and maybe even get to meet some of the other bloggers out there, get there advice, feedback, etc. But knowing me, that’ll be a stretch, so I don’t want to hold myself to it. Just going to strive for it, and see what happens.
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