Dragon*Con Wrap

I was only there on Sunday, from 11AM to around 5PM, and I had a blast. I didn’t get to see any shows or presentations or author readings or contests or, well, anything at all, really. I walked around with my wife, Suzy, hopping between the four hotels and immersing myself in the event that the Con really is. There are a few photos I took at the end of this post.

In order to miss traffic (we were staying with family in Conyers), we drove to Indian Springs and hopped MARTA into Peachtree Station, which put us at ground zero for the event. We immediately began seeing people in costumes. Highlights follow:

• Met Cherie Priest, and got her autograph. Positively the high point of the Con. You may remember I interviewed her here a while back, and I can tell you now that I’ve met her that I’ve not met very many nicer people. She didn’t bring any books with her, so I couldn’t buy one, but she did sign my Dragon*Con program, and she chit-chatted with Suzy and I for a little while, and she even remembered my name :-) 
• (I was a little disappointed that Cherie wasn’t wearing her steampunk regalia, but still…I was just glad to have met her)
• Met John Scalzi, who was nice as well but you could kinda tell he was ready to hit the road for home, and I can’t say I blame him. He signed my copy of “You’re Not Fooling Anyone…”
• Bought a book of H.P. Lovecraft stories, because it’s been too long since I read any of them.
• Saw Lou Ferrigno, who was a lot taller than I thought he would be, for some reason. I mean, I knew he was BIG, but I didn’t know how big he really was, y’know? I stood right beside the Incredible Hulk.
• Among the other actors we saw: the captain from Firefly (who is also Captain Hammer now in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog), Spike from Buffy (my wife swooned. She SWOONED!), and the little Asian dude from Big Trouble in Little China (who, I pointed out to my wife, was more famous–to me at least–for his classic performance in Seinfeld. Remember? “Seinfeld four!” Anyway…)
• I was surprised to see so many steampunk costumes. It seemed like steampunk was the second most popular genre there (next to Star Wars, of course). …Maybe I should point out that I’m thinking of putting together a little ensemble myself…nah, I’ll just keep that under my hat for the time being…er
• Evidently it’s a lot easier to come by a chain mail or steel mesh bikini top than I’d ever dreamed. I must have seen a dozen. I must say I think it’s a good look :-)
• Yes, of course I held Princess Leia’s slave chain. She made me. I had no choice. (See pic below)

Overall, I’d rate my experience an A+, and Suzy and I are seriously considering going for the whole event next year. These were my kinds of people, I think. It was my first event of this type, and I really didn’t know what to expect, but once I was there I just walked around in a daze, trying to absorb the reality of something so amazing. All those wonderful costumes, on people that–excuse me if I’m wrong here–are basically, generally, anti-social. But, wow, how they let down their guard when in costume. I’ve seen costumed people in tourist-trap towns (New Orleans), “living statues” and the like, who are quick to come to life if you dare consider taking their picture without boning up a dollar first. So I really didn’t know what to expect. My wife saw two girls she wanted me to take a picture of, so I turned on the camera and they stopped, posed, and smiled while I grabbed a shot. Then they continued on their way. I didn’t know if I was going to have to pull out a dollar or what, but no, of course I didn’t. And on it went, through the whole afternoon: “Mind if I take a picture?” And then they’d pose, and you’d know it’s a practiced pose, but they’re all so gracious and…well. You get the picture. I love these people. They’re my kinds of people. I would make friends with people like these. I am people like these. For everyone at Dragon*Con, thanks, you were great, and I enjoyed seeing every one of you.

Me and the princess:

Here was one of the best costumes of the day, a steampunk girl with copper-tube wings:

Can anyone tell me who this is supposed to be? This hat was so large she had to be led by the fairy ladybug girl and had to stop and bend over to get through doorways. She had a big sword in her hand, and the rest of the costume was basically a towel and a brown bra. I was a very well made hat, big, but well made. It actually looked like metal. I just don’t know what she’s supposed to be.

I think these two were really pirates. And not in a good, happy, or fun way. The bad way.

This Guy (I know you know who he is) came complete with sound effects:

That’s enough for now. I took a few others, but this is a good sampling. If I’d been there the whole weekend I think I could have taken a million pictures.

Animalia. Imagery.

Just some amazing animal photography I’ve collected around the web over the past few months:

Electron microscope image of a fly’s foot. Found on Dark Roasted Blend. What amazing detail; what an amazing adaptation…

A sunburst orange dragonfly (links to full-sized image):

This one, also from Dark Roasted Blend, is especially for Matt Staggs (links to full-sized image):

Here’s a beautiful brown pelican shot (links to full-sized image):

A pair of owls:

Herons (click for full-size image):

Frigate bird (click for full-size):

Hawk (click for full-size):

A turtle:

Elephants, then wolves, then I’m done (oh yeah, click for full-sized image):

What an amazing world we live in. I’ve got an idea, let’s save it!