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I tried to do these for every day. I didn't have the time, though, so this may well be the most detailed of the DragonCon blogs. I'll try to remember everything; I'd like to give those who couldn't make it a taste of how it was. I got to Atlanta Thursday and Jimi and Washie met me at the airport. They were, of course, awesome and sweet. Washie was dropped at the Mariott first and Jimi and I continued to the Hyatt. I was wondering at this point where Magda was, because I didn't think she'd be able to check in without me, since the room had been reserved under my name. I added her, but that came later. Anyway, Jimi had to go pick someone else up so I went in, didn't see Magda. Went to check in, saw the little check in computer machines, and was taking care of that and the most likely person to find me before anyone else came over to say hi. It was a Navy! I didn't recognize him right off; he had to tell me who he was before I glomped him. He wouldn't hug me back until I told him I wouldn't let go til he did. He's a really good hugger. I'm glad he found me rather than hiding from me the whole con, despite the affection-induced trauma I'm sure he'll (claim to) have. Anyway, he introduced his friend Michael (Seils is also a Michael, so the other Scottish Michael became our Auxiliary Backup Michael) and we wandered around aimlessly for a bit, just chatting. I understood a good half of what they said through the thick accents; I was proud. Although some of the credit should go to them, becuase they were really trying to be understood. When they talked to each other in 'Glasweigian' I could only understand the odd word, usually a profanity. So there was wandering and chatting and accents and I finally spotted Magda and Canter coming back into the lobby, squealed, and running glomped my jie jie! Oh, such fun! So we talked a great deal, Canter looked for her roomates, we talked more, mentioned food, talked more, continued the quest to get in touch with roomates, talked, finally got something to eat (the poor Scotsmen hadn't eaten all day) and we wandered back to our hotel (connected to the food court and mall by a bridge over the street) and Seils gave the funniest quote of the con (try to read in a Scottish accent): "I've seen more kilts in this lobby the past two hours than I've seen in Scotland the last two years!" I cracked up so hard at that. I told him it wasn't Americans in general but geeks who seemed drawn to the kilt. Priceless. So after that there was the endless line for Con badges (the Michaels had to go back to their hotel; not sure when they ended up getting checked in) where we spotted and talked to people in Jayne hats and our mei mei Engie found us through VeX and Canter standing on the sidelines. After that there's a blur of hugs, hugs, more hugs, trying to find someone to take us to the dinner Jimi had mentioned and getting walked there nearly two miles by Browncoat1 (also called Booth by the 76th) and his gorgeous wife, who were both delightful. Dinner was fantastic and there was amazing conversation with 'old' friends as well as people I'd never talked to before. I met Gibbs (who gave me Bawls mints, making him one of my favorite people ever. yes I'm that easy) and Zephyr, who started chatting to me about my pentacle without knowing who I was, but realized who I was at one point. He's good friends with Jimi. So I'm a topic of conversation! shiny. I met Aiken the Finder, ShinyHappyKlin, Babywiththepower, Benji, Sister... probably a couple I'm forgetting. I was surrounded by wonderful people, basically. Didn't get to talk to all of them very much; conversation kind of swirled. It was 1:15 when we finally made it back to the hotel, longer than that to part ways and get inside, and the place looked like it was afternoon. Just full of people! Not nearly as many as there would be, but a lot of people for 1:30 in the morning. I dn't think DragonCon ever really slept. So ends day 1. Will post day 2... when I can.

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So on day two (Friday) everyone woke up late, dallied around, yakked like nothing else, and finally got our rears in gear when Washie called Engie. We went to Hard Rock Cafe for breakfast/lunch, met Whim and Tommy and Washie there, and it was quite lovely. Burgers weren't as good as the vortex, but the waitstaff was sexy (one was done up like a blond Jack Sparrow; there are pictures of us with him somewheres) and when we got up 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was playing on the screen, and I started to sing along and so did Clara and random people coming out of the gift shop stopped to sing with us. Engie has a great pic of me headbanging with Silent Bob (not the real one, just a damn good cosplay of one) so that was fun. Then I think we had to run to the panel with Mark Sheppard (Ron Glass couldn't make it) and that was an incredible time. He's very eloquent and cool. As I was leaving, I saw someone in a perfect Jayne hat and ran over to ask where he got it, and he pointed out Serenity to me, so I got to meet her (she promised to sell me one of her last non-wool hats) and TheRealMe and a couple other people... and Karel tapped me on the shoulder, so I met him... and then we left because there was supposed to be a thing at Jimi's room... I think. The details are already going fuzzy, oh noes! But I know we headed over to the Marriott, and Magda found a ninja kitty on the way, and she was incredibly sweet but stayed hidden behind a pillar. She also wouldn't be photographed solo, but I have shots of her with me and her with Magda. She's so gorgeous. So yeah, there was a room party at Jimi's and... I'm trying to remember who all was there. Engie didn't come with us; I think there was a Buffy thing she wanted to do. Sister had her awesome Zoe gun, and I think Mircea was there, and Fillygirl, who was so pleased that I was there because she hadn't known I would be at the Con. She was such a sweetie. She lives in Denver, so hopefully I'll get to see her again sometime before the next Con. Um... then I think we went to another room party. Yes, the one at Booth's. It was great fun. I called Nico and told everyone to say hi. He was really happy and really jealous and adorable. I told him how many people had told me they wished he could have come (some of whom had no clue who I was or that I knew him at all) and he was pleased and also sad. I think after that we dragged back to our room to sleep. Engie and Clara were already passed out when Magda and I got in. It was about two in the morning? I can't remember. So... yeah, that's all I can remember from Friday. I'm sure I missed something, but it's such a blur. It was amazing fun, just hanging out with everyone and meeting people. There was a lot of that at DragonCon :smile:

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Okay! Saturday! A lot happened on Saturday! Let's see... I woke up late. I think the parade was Saturday, but I didn't wake up until Engie came back from it. I was knackered from the late partying. I decided to wear my best Saffron clothes and wander around with a tube of lipstick in my cleavage. It worked okay; not many people realized who I was supposed to be. Gibbs says he did, though. Anyway, to start with I went to check out the vendor stalls. Yaaay for shopping! I got a shirt and a fan... and maybe something else. I did much more shopping the next day, though. But I wandered around with the Scotsmen until it was time to head over to the Marriott for some food. We got there way early and wandered around there a bit more, taking in the views. Then more people started to show up, and a sweet little girl named Stevie thought throwing the 76th mini business cards over the railing would be a good marketting thing; she'd seen a bunch of flyers flutter down. Buy she didn't want to hurt anyone, so we tested a few first; she and me and AB Michael. Securty then rushed up, threatened to have us arrested if we left, led us down to the bowels of the hotel, told us we were banned for the next year, took our pictures, and only stopped being complete dicks when the poor little girl started crying. It was obviously ridiculous and wrong of them, and I almost wish I had fought more over it, but I was a little overwhelmed and trying to comfort poor Stevie, who was really the sweetest little thing you'll ever meet, felt guilty as hell, and really didn't want to cause any harm. Well, people congregated in front of the hotel to meet us, we told them what happened, Flat Top gave us hugs, Lila started plotting to go to the press about it if they kept being assholes, and Canter had already gone upstairs to work her legal skills. How many 20somethings can pull a South African lawyer out of thin air? Lila and Canter then used the "We're not going away until you give us what we want, you're being unreasonable, these girls are devastated, they paid to go to this con, and we're just going to take up your time until you admit that" technique on the dick of a hotel manager and finally got to talk to the Event Coordinator, who was very reasonable and agreed that it was stupid and let us back in. So that was an adventure. AB Michael was so tickled and optomistic the whole time, too, it was hilarious. Anyway, we jumped that hurdle and went up to eat the excellent food Jimibear had provided, and I talked to many shiny people. In fact, I hung out way after most people had left chatting with Justin (who's screen name is anotherfireflyfan, and who I'd never gotten to talk to before) and Gibbs and the Scots. It was awesome fun and we all headed down to the shindig together. There was a ridiculous line, the fire marshal freaked out (again) about how many people were in one hotel, and when we finally got in it was hard to find anyone else because of how dark and crowded it was. Saw Serenity again, but I'd forgotten to bring hat money. Talked to NaughtyMan, sampled the beer he tried to give me and nearly retched, yakked more with Justin, waited for Jimi and Magda and VeX, took pics of them when they got there, sat through some music on a bad sound system and finally called it quits. Whim or someone had heard there was a room party at Jimi's and we headed there. Magda and Engie joined me and Navy and Whim there and fun was had by all. I traumatized Navy with forehead kisses and he hid in the corner. Gibbs (who I don't think was at the shindig) was there in his sexy Romo costume, and there was lots of talking and just more fun times. We didn't leave until at least three in the morning. End day three. *edit* I think thee was a panel with Ron Glass and Mark Sheppard in there somewhere. I know that I went to one. There was one with Mark, one with both of them, and then one with just Ron, so it all worked out. Though I missed a lot of the one with just Ron. Umm... Yeah, I can't remember. Also, I realized I had omitted a fun story about one of the pics I ha

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Sunday! Slept way, way late, until the Michaels came knocking. I told them I'd meet them there at 11:30 and we'd go find Serenity and get hats. Well, it was quarter to one and they'd just gotten up and I was still sleeping. But I got dressed and we set out to get some breakfast. Found Lila and had some food, and we all headed for the vendor rooms where I bought a bunch of stuff. Pirate hat, jingly belt, knives, pretty shirt, whip, that kind of thing. We found Magda and Canter and Jimi, and then we had our very own room party! We had to clean up, and a lot of stuff ended up in the corners. But yeah, we told everyone we could find to head on up. We found the rum. Jimi passed out. We watched the costume contest on DC TV and it was lots of fun. Rocky Horror was showing that night, so I started to get ready. Quite a few people had said they'd go with me, but ultimately only Engie and Clara did. Damn thing was delayed for a lame ass concert, but we finally got in and it was great fun. Engie met a boy. There was a very sexy guy wearing a Serenity shirt under his corset. I made people laugh with my out of state callback lines. I had no idea how much my cast had changed a few things up, but people seemed to like it. Anyway, we got back around five and Jimi was still passed out and the Scotsmen were nearly there. Lila had been invited to stay, of course, but it was a tight squeeze with her,Magda and Jimi in one bed, and me, the Scots, and Clara in the other. But no one seemed to mind except Navy. So ends day four. I know I'm missing a lot of details. I really should have stuck to writing things out before going to bed.

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Monday was the last official day of DragonCon. Engie and Clara had to leave. Also had to reschedule their flight because the time had gotten mixed up and they missed the plane. Poor Engie mei mei was frantic about it, but it got worked out in the end. Then it was time for more shopping. I got a lanyard (about damn time) and a copy of On the Drift and presents for a couple of my favorite people who had been planning to come but couldn't. Then I had a bit of a meltdown because, well, I felt left behind. Poor Zephyr caught me in the act of storming back to my room and took the full brunt of my frustration and anger, which wasn't at all what I wanted, but he was absolutely wonderful to me. He knew I wasn't mad at him and he offered to stay there with me and he told Jimi and Lila (diplomatically I'm sure) that I was having raging mood swings and freaking out. They came up to talk, the Scotsmen sat on my lap, and we all headed to the post-con shindig. Oh, also, Zeph lent me his Serenity zippo lighter and I temporarily killed it. I think I amazed/frightened a few people because it refused to light after I'd held it a bit and calmed down, and then was fine twenty minutes later. That was funny. It was a long drive in a packed minivan but we finally arrived. I had more fun than I thought I would. I got a gun. I shot a few people. I stole Canter's gun and she twisted my arm to get it back. I had fresh bao. I did my best River-ish dancing to the Bedlam Bards's version of her Safe dance. Shot some more things. Noticed a few disappearances. Chatted with the Bedlam Bards, who were beyond awesome and had a Wiccan Fish on their truck. Magda got drunk and I was irritated about that (yes jie jie, I was, sorry.) Not that people weren't drinking, but there's a certain level of innebraition that makes me unsettled. We finally drove back to the hotel in the wee small hours, and those leaving early in the morning napped. The Scotsmen crashed with us again, though Navy insisted on staying on the floor. I fell deep asleep and woke up at 9:30 when my alarm went off. Navy complained about sleeping on the cold hard floor and I was unsympathetic, having told him it was fine if he slept in the bed again. I got all packed, went and checked out just shy of my deadline, and set out for the train station so I could get to the airport. The Michaels walked me there and hugged me goodbye, and off I went. Got to the airport just fine, checked my stuff, and headed to the gate. I had about two and a half hours before my flight, but I ran into TheRealMe a couple gates down from mine, so I got to talk to him for awhile before his flight left. I wondered why he wasn't on the same flight as me, but he was flying to Colorado Springs, whereas I opted for Denver. Cuz, you know, Denver's closer to where I live and all. Plus the Colorado Springs flight was going to Dallas first, and who needs that, right? *snicker* But it was great talking to him; I soaked up those last drops of Browncoat Convention goodness. So. That's all. Now it's just over a week later and I'm having serious Browncoat withdrawls. Can't wait for my next trip for Browncoaty goodness down in Texas with Dano! Talked to ArtCat about the shindigs they have down there, so I'll time my trip for the first weekend of October. God, if I can't make it I'm gonna cry. No, I'll make it, I just might have to find someone willing to let me stay with them for a couple days, since money is still rather tight from the con. And speaking of money, I have to give a shout out to MsG, who is too sweet to be allowed and running a campaign to raise money so I can go to Australia! *squee!!*

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...I go for Browncoats. this month is was Atlanta, of all the crazy places. Why is one of the biggest geekfests in Atlanta? And why are so many 'coats drawn there? I don't know, but there I was. Those who've read my blogs know what a blast I had. And no one tried to burn me at the stake! :wink: Next month, Houston. Yeah, me in Texas. Who thought they'd ever see the day? But again, going for Browncoats. Not only is one of my best Browncoat buddies from overseas taking a trip there, but Houston has a really active bunch of Browncoats, so there will be shindigs! I'm in serious 'coat/huggle withdrawl after D*C, so I'm excited to go! And what's next? Australia. A place I never thought I'd go not because it just wasn't my kind of place, but because it's so far away. No idea when I'll manage it, but it's next on my list, and with the help of some incredible people I know I'll get there. It's dauntingly expensive, but I'm still determined.

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I am so tired of hearing that we are. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard "Women sometimes know what they don't want, but they don't know what they do want." or "Women always get complicated." or "I'll never understand women." or something in a similar vein, I would be lying on a beach instead of sitting in front of my computer reeking of burnt coffee from my wage-slave job. Women want three very simple things. 1) To understand what is going on 2) To be acknowledged and appreciated (on a regular basis, not just once in awhile; a kind word, a hug, a kiss, a truly thrilling roll in the hay, you get the idea. As often as possible!) 3) Chocolate Why is that complicated? Am I wrong? Seriously. Sometimes situations can get complicated, or women seem to be overreacting to something not understood, but I am convinced that it can be traced back to either not understanding what's going on or just wanting to be told she's loved and appreciated. Or possibly a problem that she can't fix. I guess that's the other thing that can send me over the edge. But when there's a problem I can't fix, often the best solution is someone to hug me and say it's okay. Or fix the problem if they have the power to do so. Or both! Hey, both is good. Chocolate also helps. I can't imagine this is just me. So am I the only not-really-that-complicated woman around? Sure, I freely admit I have my times of freaking out, but it's always pretty simple as to why. Specifics change, but those general things don't. I need to understand, I need a hug, or I need chocolate. Simple. Not complicated.

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I want to profoundly thank everyone who was so wonderful and generous and sweet and sent me money to get to Australia. It was the most amazing thing that’s ever been done for me. In a month I got about $450 and it was... really an incredible response. I will not be going. Anyone who wants what they gave back, I will return your money. Anyone else, I thank you again and will use the funds for my trip to Houston in two weeks, or on DragonCon bills; either mine or Magda’s, whatever would be preferred. I’m sorry. It’s not what I wanted. It really isn't. Thank you, all, for being so wonderful.