Back from Origins...

...A little older, a little wiser, and thankful for the friends and strangers who made it an awesome time!

It was good, this year. The convention center was under renovations, but there was still plenty of space left over to avoid crowding or confusion. Biggest impact was an early shutdown in the food court, where they stopped serving around 4 PM, but that was only during the week. It was still open in the weekends, and I got to enjoy my customary breakfast sandwiches and a gyro or two.

Mind you, that was when I wasn't trying out the Rodrizio Grill (A Brazilian steakhouse) and sampling ethnic cuisines of a dozen nations at the North Market. I swear, if it weren't for all the walking inherent in a large gaming convention, I'd put on serious pounds from this trip.

Accommodations were with some nearby friends, but due to an expected move, that's probably the last time that'll happen. From here on out it's hotel rooms, and I can live with that. It's not like Gencon, where the entire Downtown's booked solid for miles around. There's actually a chance at finding a hotel within a block or two that isn't four times the normal rate.

Highlights of the trip included the aforementioned meals, a slew of fun Role-playing-games, taking in some boardgame and deckbuilder demos, and seeing the annual Pride parade for the first time. (It usually falls over Origins weekend, and goes right by the convention center. Normally I'm busy gaming, but this year I made an exception. (After that mess in Orlando, it felt only right to pay respects and enjoy the sight of a tolerant and supportive city helping an established community express themselves.)

And then there was Author's Alley...

Oh my gosh, this was a group of thoroughly awesome people, and I'm very glad I stopped to talk shop and learn about their work. I managed to attend a few of the panels, too, and every time I walked out of there with a smile and a page or two of notes on how to up my game. Robin, Sheryl, many thanks for pointing me to Kelly and getting an application started, hopefully I'll get the nod for next year! And if not, eh, perhaps the year after that, or the next. Time is on my side so long as I keep writing, and I don't plan to stop anytime soon.

Also I got to apologize to Mike Stackpole about accidentally using one of his hero names. Fortunately it's a throwaway reference in my book, and I was planning to kill the guy off soon anyway, so no real harm done. He was cool about it. Lawsuit averted, whew! :D

Souvenirs were fairly light, all told. A half-dozen roleplaying books, some miniatures I was missing, and a few expansions for deckbuilding games. (Got to demo Ascension, and I'm hooked!) These days I'm picky about what I bring home.

Got to play in a session of Cold Steel Wardens, a gritty and low-powered iron age superhero game. I was impressed! The creator was running the games, and everyone walked away from the table smiling. I felt like the entire scenario could have been a scene out of Watchmen, or one of the darker Batman comics. This was good. I wouldn't mind playing in this world, and the guy's a local... I have to see what I can get going there. I think we might be able to help each other.

And where would Origins be without the Smithee awards? Oh, the movies were horrible, and the hall rang with laughter at every clip. Birdemic 2 was up there this year, along with a classic called "The Rollerblade Seven". Gonna have to pick that up one of these days. Not enough post apocalyptic dystopian rollerblade movies out there.

Also, the pearl guy was back this year. It's a neat racket... the guy's a professional jeweler. He brings in a tank full of oysters, and you get to pick out the one you want. Each one's a guaranteed pearl, some are two. He'll pop the pearl(s) right out, and for an additional fee, he'll work them into jewelry right then and there. It's clever, really. Kind of like opening a treasure chest in the game of your choice, there's always that edge of anticipation and joy at the surprise.

Anyway, it was a good convention. If you ever get the chance to make it over, I heartily recommend it. Unlike Gencon, there's ways to do it on the cheap, if you're thrifty.