Even before I landed in San Diego yesterday, the pull of Comic-Con was already bringing me closer to my people.
Aboard the little plane flying from Los Angeles there sat a young woman in the row behind me who was very clearly heading for Comic-Con. While my keen insight accurately picked up on her general geekdom, my own affiliation was apparently less detectable.
Upon flying over downtown San Diego I saw the convention center sitting happily on the coast, unaware of the onslaught soon to ravage its halls. Believing that this would be of interest to my fellow con-goer, I pointed it out from the window.
The young woman, who’s name I would learn to be Rachel, virtually exploded in her cramped airplane seat. I soon discovered that Rachel was not only going to Comic-Con, but this would be her first time here.
With years of Comic-Con experience under my belt, I happily answered Rachel’s questions about the con and offered advice on where to eat and how early to get in line. We made a tentative agreement to meet again at the Farscape 10th Anniversary panel before going our separate ways after the landing.
So yes, even before the convention starts. Nay, before my feet even touched the ground of San Diego, Comic-Con brings geeks together.
As of right now, I’m sitting in front of the convention center waiting for Preview Night to start. It will be a 12 hour wait, but the promise of a break for breakfast and the distraction of free wi-fi should keep me happily amused.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Comic-Con has started putting out programming schedules! Oh happy day!
Comic-Con International is what I would describe as a geek mecca (not to be confused with a giant robot). Conventions by definition are a change of pace in our geekly sub-culture, but for the rural geek the contrast is beyond imagination.
Imagine trying to explain the specifics of Joe Quesada’s continuing crimes against the Marvel Universe to a random person in your town of a few hundred people. Now imagine a mile long building filled with 125,000 people and knowing that odds are good that any one of them not only know who Joey Q is, but understands exactly where you’re coming from.
For those of us that converse more over DSL lines than face-to-face, it is a very singular experience. One I recommend to anybody that can scrounge up a couple thousand bucks for the best week of geektastic fun of the year.
I will be there, of course. I may even update while I’m there (because I’m so good at that on normal days...)
Comic-Con International is what I would describe as a geek mecca (not to be confused with a giant robot). Conventions by definition are a change of pace in our geekly sub-culture, but for the rural geek the contrast is beyond imagination.
Imagine trying to explain the specifics of Joe Quesada’s continuing crimes against the Marvel Universe to a random person in your town of a few hundred people. Now imagine a mile long building filled with 125,000 people and knowing that odds are good that any one of them not only know who Joey Q is, but understands exactly where you’re coming from.
For those of us that converse more over DSL lines than face-to-face, it is a very singular experience. One I recommend to anybody that can scrounge up a couple thousand bucks for the best week of geektastic fun of the year.
I will be there, of course. I may even update while I’m there (because I’m so good at that on normal days...)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Managing Your Party
‘Party’ is an interestingly contradictory word to a geek. In some contexts, a party is a common and welcome mechanic. A often a gathering of three to six likeminded adventurers thrown together either by chance or design to work towards a common goal. Depending on the game, your role in the party may be as a single player, working with others as each fulfils their task. In other cases, you may have complete control over all the players, their abilities, and the composition of the group. In either case, fun is sure to be had.
But then there’s also parties as they are traditionally known. While there is certainly fun to be had in those as well, let’s face facts. The stigma of the socially uncomfortable geek is not unearned and as most traditionally parties feature a surplus of people who couldn’t tell you what a Metriod is or only think of elves during Christmas time, it is not the natural environment of the geek.
For those of us that live in small towns, this is the time of year for ‘days’. It may be Fireman Days, Big Days, “Your Town’s Name Here” Days, or something else, but you know how it goes. Parade in the morning, games in the park in the afternoon, and dancing on Main Street until midnight.
In some towns, depending on the popularity of the band booked, said street dance may inflate the town’s population to more than double its usual amount. All packed together in a couple blocks...
So what does one do when you’re surrounded by hundreds of friends, neighbors, and strangers alike all the while knowing that you don’t share a single interest with 99% of them? Aside from simply staying home and raiding Uludar of course.
Having been to a number of these in the last weeks (hence the lack of an update last week), I have some advice.
1. Keep moving. People watching is entertaining, but nobody likes to be stared at. Stay mobile. This way it at least looks like you’re doing something and you increase your chances of running into somebody you can hold a conversation with.
2. Chit-chat. You’re bound to see somebody you at least know. Make some small talk. Share whatever relevant details of your life you think they may be interested in and at least pretend to be interested in hearing about theirs.
3. Karaoke is the ultimate equalizer. Parties have an unusual effect on people doing embarrassing activities. While singing along to your favorite song in the middle of the street on any other day would result in severe shunning, at a street dance you it is not only acceptable, it’s almost expected. Good or bad, those that take the mic are heroes of the evening, so pick a good song that you know the words to and get up there.
But then there’s also parties as they are traditionally known. While there is certainly fun to be had in those as well, let’s face facts. The stigma of the socially uncomfortable geek is not unearned and as most traditionally parties feature a surplus of people who couldn’t tell you what a Metriod is or only think of elves during Christmas time, it is not the natural environment of the geek.
For those of us that live in small towns, this is the time of year for ‘days’. It may be Fireman Days, Big Days, “Your Town’s Name Here” Days, or something else, but you know how it goes. Parade in the morning, games in the park in the afternoon, and dancing on Main Street until midnight.
In some towns, depending on the popularity of the band booked, said street dance may inflate the town’s population to more than double its usual amount. All packed together in a couple blocks...
So what does one do when you’re surrounded by hundreds of friends, neighbors, and strangers alike all the while knowing that you don’t share a single interest with 99% of them? Aside from simply staying home and raiding Uludar of course.
Having been to a number of these in the last weeks (hence the lack of an update last week), I have some advice.
1. Keep moving. People watching is entertaining, but nobody likes to be stared at. Stay mobile. This way it at least looks like you’re doing something and you increase your chances of running into somebody you can hold a conversation with.
2. Chit-chat. You’re bound to see somebody you at least know. Make some small talk. Share whatever relevant details of your life you think they may be interested in and at least pretend to be interested in hearing about theirs.
3. Karaoke is the ultimate equalizer. Parties have an unusual effect on people doing embarrassing activities. While singing along to your favorite song in the middle of the street on any other day would result in severe shunning, at a street dance you it is not only acceptable, it’s almost expected. Good or bad, those that take the mic are heroes of the evening, so pick a good song that you know the words to and get up there.
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