At one point this elegantly dressed older lady stood up and thanked Tembe for setting such a wonderful example for other women, and women of color at that, by playing such a strong, intelligent character. Tia then immediately started talking about Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) and what an inspiration *she* had been. It was a beautiful moment, and I know I wasn't the only one choked up by it.
Friday night we took my parents to Pittypatt's Porch, this fabulous Southern restaurant across the street from the Westin (try the pickled watermelon rind! Really!), and by some crazy random happenstance we walked in exactly one minute after the entire cast of The Guild. (!!) So, yeah, I may have spent the whole meal staring three tables over and being told by John to stop staring. Hee.
Saturday I decided to sleep in and skip the parade, while John went out and took pictures. I later learned he had a miserable time of it, though, since he emerged from the hotel into a solid wall of humanity, and it took over 45 minutes for him to navigate two block to the Press area - and once there he still couldn't see much, and then the Parade stopped moving for over 15 minutes while it backed up, and finally John admitted defeat and left.
Stuff like that makes me so sad and disgusted with people. I can only hope the rude ones were locals or other tourists, and not Dragon*Con attendees. Considering that most D*C folk are always amazingly polite, I really think that must be the case.
You can see from these pics just had crazy the parade crowds are. It's hard to tell where the parade stops and the onlookers begin!
I think from now on we're swearing off the parade, unless we stand at the very tail end by the Marriott - we've had luck there in years past.
In happier news, on Saturday I got a tattoo!!
Ok, so it's a Sharpie tattoo, but still.
Plus Saturday night we got to see the premier of his new cartoon, Cradle Me, Sky, which looks pretty amazing. The fates conspired against Jason & his partner Jennifer that night, though, with a room change, disappearing equipment, and a host of other problems, until the delayed premier was to a much smaller crowd than they'd hoped. So do me a favor and go check out the nine minute premier. I, for one, can't wait to see the next chapters.
Also on Saturday we attended the Gadgeteer's Showcase, where steampunk builders and enthusiasts show off everything from jetpacks to giant wings to weaponry. Needless to say, it's awesome.
That's the builder/creator in the cap. He rode this...erm...vehicle? through the whole parade! And I overheard him saying he's worked for Disney for years as a prop builder. Makes sense, right?
This is Leah, aka "Chloe Seachord," and the secret to her costume's success is all in those wings!
Amazing, right? She's using an iPhone to control the wings mechanism. Hit the Abolishers link up there to see lots of information on how the group built it all.
Sunday night was the big night: the Mechanical Masquerade, and time for me to step out once again as Lady Vadore.
I was so nervous I had John loosen my corset twice, and even then I had to pace around the room a bit and take half a Xanax before I could don the mask and goggles. Once we left the room we discovered another problem, though: the dreaded elevator wait.
Elevators are another thing that trigger my anxiety; every time the doors close I have to suppress a moment of panic that we'll be trapped. When we checked in we initially were assigned the 40th floor, but after one shaky elevator trip up I made John get us a lower room. We ended up on the 16th floor, which was a vast improvement, but that meant getting down to the lobby could be a challenge: every elevator going down was already full. (There were 72 floors total.) So...we waited. And I paced. And we waited some more.
The Masquerade was getting a late start, though, so rather than stand around at the Westin we decided to trek down to the Marriott - you know, that pace where you have to trade places with people to move? - and wander around a bit.
If ever there was a test for crowd anxiety, this was it. It was the most crowded night at the most crowded hotel, and I quickly discovered that the lack of movement (due to both the crowd & photo requests) caused my goggles to fog up. When I walk the cooler air gets in on the sides, so I hadn't noticed this problem before. My already limited vision got worse the longer we stood in one place, until I had to cling to John's sleeve to lead me through the thickest areas.
I'm sure this sounds like some people's worst nightmare, but somehow the crowds at D*C don't really bother me. (Well, there was one point when we got caught right outside the main ballroom just as the Masquerade let out, and we literally couldn't move for about three solid minutes. That made me a bit antsy - but eventually we shuffled along to a slightly clearer spot, and all was well.) There's just so much to see, and overall you do keep moving. If I didn't have John, though, I could see it getting too much too fast.
And, surprise surprise, a LOT of readers found me in costume! Some were too shy to stop me, instead choosing to yell to the person next to them, "THAT'S JEN. FROM CAKE WRECKS!" Most stopped to grab a photo or chat (or attempt to chat, at least) for a few minutes, though.
Someone said they saw more kids in costume than ever this year, which baffled me, because I saw almost none! I guess that's because I skipped the parade and was mostly out in the later afternoons and evenings, but I was still pretty bummed I didn't see more. Anyway, aren't these two girls great? When they asked for a picture, I made sure John grabbed one with our camera, too.
Plus the music combined with my mask made conversation extra impossible. So after making the circuit through the room once or twice to make sure we met all the readers who were looking for us, we headed back to the Marriott.
In the end we stayed out 'til 2AM in costume - a new record! - and John and I were both nearly crippled from all the walking. Ha! Not to mention the gouges on my face from the mask & goggles took nearly two days to fade completely.
Ben Franklin, Cat Woman & Harley, and a steampunk lady Vader - only at Dragon*Con.
Now, speaking as a cosplay photographer, I'll take Dragon*Con over any other con all day, any day. You just can't beat it. Wait'll you see my next posts - you'll see what I mean!
And now, my friends, I will end this insanely long post, because it really is getting insanely long. If you're still reading this, thanks for making it this far! I hope you've been able to enjoy Dragon*Con vicariously through my ramblings.
If you have an issue with elevators (I do too), call the hotel a couple weeks before and request a low floor. You don't have to explain why, unless you want to. Nine times out of ten I've gotten a low floor when requested. I've stayed on the second floor of the Sheraton for the past 3 Dragon*Cons and never used an elevator. The Sheraton also has many fewer floors than the other hotels.
I seriously admire your bravery, Jen- not to mention your endurance and general geeky awesomeness. And OHMAHGOSHTRICORDERENVY. After reading about your epic Con adventures, I've decided to bring out the Steampunk costume that's been hiding in my closet and head to a convention near my college. I'll probably be going alone, and it'll be an epic adventure. Thanks for being your oh-so-inspiring self!
I love the long posts! i told my mom i was exctatic to hear that "Jen was posting twice today!!" which resulted in "who's Jen?" a sigh and a "you know, from epbot!" and my mom oooohhhhing your basically a celebrity at my house! love epbot keep it up!
I SOOOO love your Vadore costume, and I'm so glad it's turned out so well for you.
I was in the Westin as well... the elevators weren't as MUCH of a mess if you were on a lower floor.
My kid was in costume! If you do a Google image search for Sweetie Belle Dragoncon and look for the fat girl in a purple wig and corset with the little girl in a lavender wig, that's us (we were my little ponies). She was also a Phoenix at one point, and she wore an adorable purple steam punk gown to the mechanical masquerade (you can see that one on Michael Blitch's photography website).
My secret to full elevators is to call one going up and then ride it down. Works at Otakon!
@ Got Apples - Eek, I was certainly aware that using the term as a noun was offensive, but I've never heard of the verb being a problem - since it just means "to make someone unable to move/walk." Since it's not a label, I'm surprised anyone would take offense - but I'm glad you know I didn't mean anything hurtful by it!
I like how you tilt your head in photos- it makes lady Vader very cute!
OMG I want that vehicle! Desperately.
Well done on the whole convention, Jen. It sounds like a weird thing to say about something that's fun, but just because something's fun doesn't mean it can't be hard work, and I think you've done so well. I'd have crashed after one afternoon!
Oh, for the love of Bowie, it's a LEGITIMATE WORD that you used in a PROPER CONTEXT, not as a slur, much less a NOUN. Pick your battles, don't *look* for them.
I don't mean to sound like the nerdy fox crap-taking the geeky grapes, but the more I see/hear about what a logistical nightmare D*C is, the less I burn to go to it. It's more of a smoulder now; if I wanted to be stuck in crowds for ages at a time, I'd still be doing Comic Con. What's the use of coming all that way to see and be seen in costumes if one can't see them? And the Nerd Parade is easily half the reason I wanted to go!
I've known a lot of people who have spent tons of money to go to it, only to be unable to see/attend what they came for, and dozens of folk who have had shows/events they were conducting that were completely screwed up/over by the Programming staff (shows late as hell, or cancelled altogether). And isn't it against the LAW to prevent people from using the stairs in a hotel?!
But I'm glad you had a good time, girl, and I hope to meet you at a Celebration someday!
Jen, I believe the inner ring of the steam punk vehicle does not rotate. But the whole contraption reminds me of dream finder's flying machine from journey into imagination.
Love your long posts and pictures!!! Can't wait for more!
Love it! Oh, and the creepy lady with the feathers is my friend Tracy. She Also works for Netherworld, the big haunted house in Atlanta.
We disappeared off of Google image! I can send a pic if you want, she really was adorable as a pony. She's a big fan of cake wrecks, too, I wish we had run into you at some point. Unfortunately, con kind of overwhelmed her, and we spent a lot of time in the room watching DragonCon TV. Next year I am in the Hilton, and I am bringing my (totally not a geek) mom to babysit.
Have you heard the rumors about the Westin? The fire Marshall saw the dealer rooms and had a total fit, so they have to move the dealer rooms to America's Mart next year, which might not be such a bad thing. I'd love to shop without needing a healthy dose of Valium first. But now that they'll have so much more space in the Marriott, rumor has it that the Westin won't be a con hotel anymore.
Just to encourage people who think they can't put together a costume, the lady in the creepy black-feathered headdress costume was on one of the Costuming Track panels that I attended. (I have her name in my notes...somewhere). Anyway, she says she doesn't sew. If you notice the shiny gold bustle that you can just see in Jen's photo, this is actually the skirt to a girl's fancy dress....and the lady is wearing the *whole* dress, with price tag still attached! The arms of the dress are tied around her waist and tucked under her corset. Don't be afraid to go to thrift stores and mash together clothes to make and outfit! Jen, it was great to meet you briefly; wish I could've caught you on a day when I was Novice Hame instead of a 13th cent. Welshwoman, and you could've seen my son's robot costume in person. Love the buttons, though. Thanks! Oh, as for seeing kids-- we left each night around 8pm, since D*C gets a little less kid-friendly after dark (and we had to drive home each night). I bet most kids were winding down in the evening and not so visible.
@ Tara - Oooh, really? I hadn't heard those rumors! But really, anything that clears out more space in the Marriott would be welcome, even if it means they don't use the Westin anymore!
The elevators are just one of the fabulous things about staying at the Sheraton- it's more spread out so you may walk down some really long hallways, but I've never seen a full elevator (other than people checking in/out with tons of stuff) and it's only a few floors so not so long crammed in the elevator.
Seriously, the Sheraton is amazing. I almost hate to talk about it for fear I'll never be able to get a room there again if everyone else finds out how great it is. The staff are phenomenal, and I'm going to stop before I sound like a commercial.
The parade... I don't know what can be done about it, but as one of the participants I agree the last few years it's gotten out of hand. Some areas the crowd spills in the street so much there's barely room for the parade vehicles to pass, and I've heard many tales of people who got there early being blocked at the last minute, like your parents. It was a strangely unenthusiastic crowd this year, too. Normally being in the parade is highlight of my weekend, but it just felt like walking past 60,000 quiet, unsmiling strangers this year. By Marriott is not great, you see everyone when they're tired, sweaty, only the goal of end of parade in sight... and some grumpy costumers who can't get to our reward of boy scouts with cold water bottles and indoors to air conditioning because of crowds blocking us.
The parade crowds were pretty crazy this year. My group (Captain America USO girls) was right near the front of the parade and we still came to a standstill near the end, because so many spectators had crowded the back of the Marriott and basically made it a single-file exit. As a participant, it was still great fun, but I felt bad for the later groups who had to wait around much longer than we did.
It's become progressively less fun to costume at D*C as the crowds have gotten more and more intense. Nights were always crazy, but now you can't wander around in a daytime costume like you used to be able to-- it's just too crowded.
That said, I still had an awesome time this year, and I'm bummed I never found you!
Count me as one of those people who was looking for ya, but never found you. Maybe because I'm only about an inch taller than you?
That robot in a cake costume sharpie tattoo made me squeal. Too adorable.
And I'm always happy to read your D*C coverage, regardless of how long the posts are. Maybe some day I'll get to go to a convention too.
Jen, thank you SO MUCH for sharing your experiences. And John's of course. (Hi, John!) LOVE the pics, and your parents are, I am sure you know, aMAZing!! I'm so proud of you for going outside your comfort zone and having FUN with it! I'm really enjoying the posts,and I also have serious envy over than utterly fantastic Steampunk Tricorder!!!! I hope you are feeling better?
Just before I read this, my sister sent an email letting me know Colin Ferguson will be in Orlando next month.
I don't live near any big cons, so I love reading about your experiences. It sounds like so much fun and maybe one year I'll make a trip to a big con. There was a small one here this year, but I chickened out on going because I couldn't find anyone else to go with me.
I love that your parents go too and enjoy it, that is so awesome! Your mom's costumes are so pretty too. She does a great job. Can't wait for the next post!
I am going to second what trulymadlygeekly said about the Sheraton. I stayed at the Hilton my first year at Con because it was the only hotel I could get a room at booking so late, and it wasn't even at the Con rate (luckily I was in a room with 4 other people--that was also the last time I did that!). Ever since then I have stayed at the Sheraton and I don't think I will ever go anywhere else. I've never had to wait more than 2-5 minutes for an elevator going up or down. The staff is awesome and enthusiastic, and they dress up! There is always fun music playing in the lobby. It is not too crowded. The rooms are fine. Stuff was always clean when I wanted it to be. And the way the hotel is organized keeps all the crowds for panels/registrations/parties out of the way of people who are just there trying to get to their rooms. My only complaint this year was that they had changed their photography policies in their GORGEOUS central courtyard/pool area, so a few photoshoots I was in got borked, but as a guest of the hotel I was zero complaints. Also they do a "soft release" of D*Con rooms EARLY (like, I booked my 2013 room for them in July), so it rewards people (like me) who like to plan ahead and be aware of things, and who do not like to wait for the Passkey insanity.
Someone beat me to it, but you DO have to check out the closing ceremony for the Paralympics - I SO now want a giant grasshopper that was made from a VW Beetle....and I want a scrap metal horse...and the giant fish and the giant sailing ship........and a huge dragonfly on top of a bicycle - it was brilliant!
I hate when people muscle their way in front of you when you've staked out a parade viewing location.
We saw the Electric Lights parade in Disney World back in April. We got there early, got a seat right up front. The floats would be mere feet from us. Then these kids came up and pushed in front of my kids so they couldn't see. I tried being nice and accommodating them but every time they'd move to let me kids see, they'd move back 30 seconds later.
We finally figured out who their parents were. They were a few feet down not caring where their kids had gotten off to. My wife asked the kids' parents to please take them away since we were there first and their kids were obstructing our kids' view. The women (reluctantly I'm sure) obliged.
It was really hard not to let the actions of some inconsiderate folks ruin the magical parade that Disney put on.
All three dealer areas (2 exhibit halls a 1 dealer room) are moving to the america's mart. They'll take up 2 floors there. That building is connected to the westin by skybridge, and is 1 block from the hyatt.
They also plan for there to be *more* programming in the westin next year.
My six year old son, who is a huge fan of all things Star Wars, wandered in while I was reading hits. He gives you costume his official stamp of approval, noting only that you ought to have a red light saber. I think your costume is amazing! I love to marvel at the creativity of others - sometimes it even encourages my own.
The lady in the "Creeeepy" costume is Paige, she ran the "Desperate Steampunk" panel on Sunday. It was AMAZING to see how they made their costumes and gadgets.
I was one of the shy people... I saw you in your Lady Vadore costume and was soooo nervous to say hi. My friend shoved me to you after I said "There's Jen!!!" and I'm glad he did. The awkward conversation was totally worth it. I was more nervous to meet you than any of the Celebrity guests!