Results for «DragonCon» | Return to main
Another year, another DragonCon. After each one is over, I have my normal surly attitude about being glad that it's over and not wanting to go to another one. The massive crowds and some off-putting fans asking off-putting questions in panels really annoy me. I know that comes as a surprise. But this year, I want to go back like right now. Here are some possible reasons why:
For the first time ever, I have con crud, a cold-like sickness that comes with mingling with thousands of other people. This is causing me wooziness and in this state, I'm not my normal anti-social self. I love everybody!
During the con, I wasn't wearing my everyday-make-no-eye-contact demeanor. I was smiling at strangers and then, oh my gosh, they started talking to me. It was weird and oddly pleasant, but not something I want to encourage.
Although some people had awful experiences, I didn't mind the gawkers who wanted to experience the con without a badge. They weren't geeks, but everyone I saw was excited at all the costumes and taking pictures and not mocking anyone. I liked seeing kids all dressed up, having fun and seeing that they don't have to stop dressing up when they grow up.
Along those lines, I've almost convinced myself to dress up in costume next year. The small obstacle I have to overcome is that I possess no talent in creating costumes and have no idea where to start. But I do have this ability to do what I set my mind to and if I want to make a master cable that Rita wears as a belt in Flushed Away, I'm going to have a master cable next year.
The guest line-up at the con this year was fantastic. I finally got to see Adam Savage from Mythbusters after striking out last year. The main stars of I Dream of Jeannie were not dead and it was kinda neat to see them even though I don't remember any episodes. My favorite panel was with the creators and voice actors of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Seeing normal looking people do the voices of Frylock, Master Shake and Meatwad was ridiculously funny and surreal. I had wished a few years ago to see Marina Sirtis on a panel with Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner and my wish came true. They were joined by Levar Burton and Denise Crosby so it was half of Star Trek : TNG Season One together again.
So all this good stuff coupled with my brother picking up our badges for us so we avoided registration line hell made for one of the best cons ever. More photos on Flickr.
That right there is my Dragon*Con souvenir. It's a bunny for those who are stuff-animal-challenged. Every year, there's a sing-a-long to the Buffy musical episode ("Once More With Feeling") in the vein of Rocky Horror. During the Anya freak-out over bunnies, the stage cast tossed out bunnies and one seemed to bounce off my head and into my hands. No, seriously, I dove for the free bunny and snatched it out of the sticky fingers of a little baby. No mercy.
Sooooo....Anyway, the con started out with the wait in the registration line that I won't be telling you about. If you ever consider going to this con, I don't want to discourage you by describing in detail what you have to go through to get into geek heaven. And you would absolutely be turned off and not think it's worth it.
It was worth it to wake up early and get in line to see the comedy duo of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Two other Star Trek captains were there, too - Patrick Stewart and Kate Mulgrew - and they were wonderful to see. I also saw John Schneider and Catherine Bach (Bo and Daisy Duke), but I wish Tom Wopat would've joined in on the fun.
The most enjoyable moments were some panels aimed at kids (and me, by default) which included a light saber school and a pair of Australian skeptics handing out Tim Tams to everyone but me. What are Tim Tams and how do I get some?
Dragon*Con had about 35,000 attendees this year spread out over four hotels. Every year, I think I'm done with it because the mass of humanity wears me out. But once the guest list starts getting put together, I know I'll be asking my brother, "Do you want to go to Dragon*Con? Huh? Huh?"
In anticipation for Dragon*Con 2007, here's an ode to geeks of all types:
Walking Sports Database Scorns Walking Sci-Fi Database
(The Onion, October 2001)
So, what I get out of this old, non-newsworthy, fake piece of journalism is that knowing too much about any one subject is geeky and people will shun me and they will be right to do so. Okay....I think I'm in the clear. I know stuff about lots of different things, but I don't know too much about any one of them. I must be immensely cool.
I admit, though, this picture of a gathering of Star Wars costumers is kind of both geeky and cool and I don't even really like SW. But who's the dude in the middle with the fanny pack? That's not supposed to be George Lucas, is it? Haha. That's awesome. This guy probably just resembles Lucas, but when he's surrounded by Stormtroopers, Siths and Vaders, he's suddenly in costume. I'd go to Dragon*Con in costume if it was that easy.
The major stars for the Trek programming at DragonCon this year were high caliber:
-- Jonathan "I'm number one always and forever" Frakes
-- Brent "I'm funnier than I look" Spiner
-- Gates "I haven't aged since my pact with the devil" McFadden
All three were hilarious, inappropriate, and best of all, refused to humor the fans. You know what I mean -- those fans William Shatner makes fun of; the ones who ask questions about the minute details in obscure and forgotten episodes and the motivations behind characters during very specific scenes. Mr. Data had the best response to one such question:
"I thought about it for a while... and then I read the script." (paraphrased, which means I don't remember the exact quote...exactly)
If Marina Sirtis had been with this gang, all trying to one-up each other, it would have been perfect. She was at DragonCon two years ago and was awesome and I don't even really like the character of Troi.
So anyway, the guests this year didn't talk much about the show or anything really in particular. I actually don't remember any of the topics except one: Jonathan Frakes is a stud in the bear community. Did you know that? Me, neither! Neither did Gates McFadden. That picture of her hiding her face is her reaction. She couldn't look up for 5 minutes, but JF took the news more calmly. He said he couldn't wait to tell his wife.
One last note: They all imitate Patrick Stewart's voice as if he were possessing their bodies. Such talent.
Tomorrow: Freaks dressed up as...freaks.
Earlier this year, when the initial Dragon*Con 2007 guest list announcements were made, they included Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes. I was impressed. Star Trek: TNG actors are still big deals in my time-addled late 80s brain.
Then John de Lancie (Q) was added along with Corin Nemec a few weeks ago. That was a good day. (Any day with Parker Lewis is a good day.) It couldn't get better, could it? Oh yes. Gates McFadden is now coming, too. Holy moley. Dr. Crusher!
If I get to see Patrick Stewart and Michael Dorn one of these years (and if the people mentioned above don't cancel) I'll have seen all the major players from TNG, including Whoopi!
2004: the back of Garrett Wang's head as he judged the Miss Klingon Pageant
2005: LeVar Burton and Marina Sirtis
2006: Denise Crosby (and George Takei!)
Just kidding about Whoopi. I'm sure I've never seen her because I think I'd remember that.
...just not the kinds that count, like winning the lotto or door prizes. But I won't be picky right now because I finally got to see The Crüxshadows in concert at DragonCon. You could say this was a long-standing unfulfilled dream of mine that was gloriously realized just a few days ago, but that would be a lie.
Ok, I have wanted to see this darkwave goth band for the last 3 years, but I didn't put much effort into waiting for their midnight shows. This year, since we stayed at one of the host hotels instead of commuting, I continued to not put forth effort, but with remarkably different results!
Rogue (here in this picture taken during the show) is their lead singer. I have to say, he speaks so properly, he puts me to shame (ok, not hard) and I'd take him home to meet the parents if his hair could fit through the door. What an upstanding guy! The rest of the band includes a guitarist, keyboardist, some dancers and a violinist who jumped around and played at the same time. She and Natalie McMaster could duel.
I realized I haven't said anything about the con yet, so I think I'm going to drag this out in excruciating, mind-numbing detail for the next few days. In the meantime, here's some photos from the ATL Journal Constitution of the parade:
AJC DragonCon photos
Tomorrow: Come take a Brent break* with me!
*If you watched Trekkies, you'll get that joke. If you didn't, it's best you keep it that way.