"Espritia's Simucon Report"

by Espritia

This year's Con was my first, and I am very glad my husband and I decided to go. Best vacation we've had in a very long time.

I'll admit to having some trepidation about the Con when it first started. My guild had just had a very nasty firestorm, and we lost our guild guru days before. The Bards that gathered were wary, at best, about the state of our guild.

But putting all that aside, I was very excited to see people I'd met before at the Maryland Ren Faire, as well as other friends I hadn't had the opportunity to meet.

Most of the early afternoon was spent hanging out in the lobby, waiting for check-in time. I saw some familiar faces, Argot and Sharyn, as well as some new ones, like Ailyssa, Ysselt and Taigue. Not to mention watching the crowd swarming Solomon, who was selling some rather amusing buttons: Bards do it to music, Clerics do it on altars, Mentors do it with newbies, etc. Those buttons were a big hit, and he made a big wad of cash! I predict those buttons will show up again at next year's Con!

Games and other socializing took place outside. There was a dunk tank on the patio. Candidus, quite the pitcher, got GM Damissak very wet. I also remember GM Tonwit threatening the empaths with transference decay if anyone dunked him... no one - from DR, anyway - did. A few other GS3 and DR staffers were dunked, and then the D&D and BattleMech games started, as well as Clue and Murder, I think. My husband participated in both of those with old friends from Modus - where we met - but I did not. Instead, I hung out with bard friends Taigue and Ysselt and discussed religion. What can I say, I'm boring. :)

Friday brought the State of Elanthia address... Solomon gave my husband, who runs the Crossroads of Elanthia website, an exclusive about the Horse system before it was announced at the big meeting. The rest of the two days was a blur of seminars. I do remember thinking I missed the Bard meeting by somehow changing the time on the hotel alarm clock - man, was I upset for about fifteen minutes until Rinae told me what time it was!

The costume ball was the next highlight I remember, especially seeing my hubby all dressed up in his slick suede and leather doublet (oooh, that man of mine!) and Naiph - a paladin - wearing black leather pants, and carrying long sword. Even Royce said she was dressed much more like a thief than a pallie! Drongol's now famous (notorious?) "Nothing Special" costume is burned into my memory. The entertainment for the evening was wonderful, especially the woman who had played on late night TV (I think she played HX, as well).

I gathered up my courage and hit Quaavy's bar on the seventh floor. A very sweet Gemstone player saved me from drinking some. . .concoction. . .made from Goldschlager and Jaegermeister called the Four Horseman. Bless her soul, I tried lemon drops instead, and was much happier as a result.

I also remember that my husband, who insisted on bringing his instruments (the man could be a walking bard shop!), was a prominent member of the singalong group. He had whistles, his bodhran and bones. He and quite a crowd gathered around two baby grand pianos and sung their hearts out.

The most fun I had, though, was in the Courtesy suite with Shavay and Taigue. I naturally had to spread gossip back to the folks who weren't able to attend to the Con, so I had my AIM window open. Taigue and I would start to IM each other, with him sitting across the room. Shavay, usually sitting next to me, would throw a hissy fit about turning around and speaking if we wanted to talk to each other. All that served to do was make me laugh harder. At one point, we three were using three consecutive computers, and in the same buddy chat room with three mutual friends. I was highly amused. Yes, I'm a geek, and yes, I'm easily entertained.

All in all, it was a wonderful time. Hubby and I have decided that we want to go every year - at least until we start a family. Hey, Simutronics staff - announce the dates for Simucon 2002, I want to buy my tickets!