...yes, like that classic Chris Nolan movie that
doesn't involve dreams within dreams, I shall be presenting my BrickCon 2010 trip report in reverse. It's simply the only way that makes sense.
Almost exactly very slightly over 1 week ago, BrickCon 2010 ended. Well, ended for me at least. For the many lucky AFOLs that had for forsight to
avoid the curse of 4 hours of display tear-down, there were any number of sumptuous after-parties, where Steve Witt would be giving everyone back rubs and bear hugs, while Gary McIntire handed out non-production colored bricks probably.
I say probably because I was the one who, either through a complete lack of forward planning, a lack of sense of urgency, or the exhaustive haze of the prior 4 days, found himself still packing away his belongings and bagging up his bricks long after everyone else (and most of the furniture) had left the building.
But alone, I was not! A few stalwart buddies hung out to keep me company. Ok, they probably stuck around just to mock me while waiting for their limos to arrive. But in a funny way, it was a much nicer way to tease a few precious moments from the tail end of yet another wonderful BrickCon experience. Much better than simply packing your bags and waving at people as you run to catch your ride. Because, as always with these things, it's the people you meet at these events that make it worth the time and energy <choke!>
So I will wrap up this last of my 4-part trip report, as I prepare to write the first 3 parts, with some
shout outs to all my AFOL peeps! God, let's hope this doesn't devolve into some bizarre mixture of roasting and weeping...
And before I start, to anyone who I forget to mention below, please forgive me, don't snub me at the next SeaLUG meeting, or send me poo in the mail. Because if I don't remember you, then you simply weren't that important to me, right? ;-)
(...it's been a long weekend, you can probably tell)Justin and Roger
If I could choose any two people to get stuck with for 2 months at the bottom of a Chilean mine, it would be my fellow SeaLUG stalwarts Justin and Roger. You really can't beat the company of evil comical geniuses! Within seconds of me declaring open season on my mini-Hawkings, these guys had already built a zombie-based mini-diorama featuring a bullet-spitting scientist vigilante. Wtf? And don't ask me what maniacal plots they are hatching for next year's BrickCon... you wouldn't believe me even if I told you!
Guy, and Va-ug-hn ("The Protection")
Guy, I should
so mis-spell your name again, but I will declare a truce. For now. Since meeting at last year's event, Guy and I have had time to really nurture and solidify our mutual contempt and disrespect for one another. Whether it's referring to steam punk as "Crap-Fi", or mispronouncing Miyazaki as "Mawaki-Floki-Puki", the wounds run deep. And if I see that fucking sig-fig again I'm going to ram it up my own arse, just because, mwuhahahahaha! Love you, man. PS: I urinated inside one of your MOCs.
Brother Sister Caylin, aka 'Prize Godess'
Thank you for not photographing my bottom, my dear. Oh, and thanks for all the Lego!
Nannan and Tyler
WTF?! You guys said you were bringing microscale this year? What are these wierd fucking giant guns or whatever they are that you brought? Seriously, you guys need to try harder next year. Tsk. Amateurs. Oh, and we need to hang more next time too!
Alex and Heather
Heather, it's time you came to more SeaLUG meetings, young lady, and share that building talent that you keep so well protected! I might even let you wear
The Wig. Oh dear, that probably wasn't a good incentive. Well anyway, thanks for letting Micah and I vandalize your splendid creation! Alex: I am always at a loss for words when we meet in person. Your talent is considerable. Next time round, I propose we just text eachother continuously from opposite sides of the table! It'll feel closer to how we normally communicate. Peace out.
Aylse and Remi
A pleasure to run into you two again, after Bricks by the Bay! Loved the dinosaurs, and thanks for contributing to our OhmLUG display. I hope you got your two Ohm back, although I would imagine you probably didn't (my bad!). Now once upon a time, I christened these two the CCOL or "Cute Couple of Lego". Well...
Dave and Stacy
...possibly dethroned! This year I finally got to meet the Sterlings, who's work I have blogged here on multiple occasions. These two are overflowing with enthusiasm and always ready to par-tay. I just wish I could have joined the par-tay a little more frequently. Dave and Stacy are a lovable couple, and while Stacy is an angel, when hanging out with Dave I always half expect to pass out at some point and wake up to find myself naked and chained to a lampost in Belgium! Fortunately, that didn't happen on this meeting. Maybe next time?
Lino
"Lino..."
"...Iain"
"Fucking skirt wearer"
"Stuck-up British ponse"
"One-upping bloody media whore biker wannabe"
"Two-faced ingratiating talentless dabbler"
"...ooh, touché. See you at next month's meeting?"
"Sure, see you there!"
"Later! Oh, and bring that dildo with you."
"Will do. Bye now. (twat)"
Micah, Boy Wonder
You have no idea the physical effort (and number of car swap-outs) it takes for Micah and his brother to make it to BrickCon every year! We're honored that of all the Cons, he should choose ours to make the pigrimage from deepest darkest Colorado. Micah, it was a real honor to hang out with you again, and feed off the aura of your energy and talent. Under-appreciated, my arse! Thanks for being part of the "Bricks of Character" posse, and also for the kind gift. Darn, now I'm going to have to build you something in return for next year! I enjoyed being the Tom Servo to your Crow T. Robot.
Jason, Tabitha and Gazebo
Hi guys, good to see you there again. You're such regulars at SeaLUG meetings that I keeping forgetting you have to drive all the way up from Portland! Jason, you are a natural entertainer. But seriously you two, please don't bring your kids to the Con next time. The yellow bodyless one was really starting to freak me out!
Mariann
I think someone once said that your enthusiasm for Lego is infectious. Now I see what they mean! Great seeing you again after our successful venture at Bricks by the Bay. How you got that giant bridge all the way up from the Bay area baffles me. And thanks for being the 2nd slowest packer-upper (after me) so that I didn't feel quite so lame and embarrased. Keep on bloggin'!
The Becraft Brothers
Nathan, it was great to see you again and share the fruits of our respective year-long Big In Japan
follies projects. You are the most shit-together-est person I have ever met. Live long and prosper! And many thanks for the precious little gift you left in my bag of flame bricks! (No, he didn't take a dump in them). Andrew: WTF, you need to stop working for the North Korean Military Industrial Complex so you can actually enjoy an uninterrupted Con, man! See ya next month. Bring Lego. ;-)
Edward Wilkinson
One of only two other Brits that I ran into at the Con this year. It was great to be able to spend quality time with someone who has a clue what the hec I am saying and why it might be funny. Ed, thanks for being so patient with my boy Oscar, and letting him be an Operation Bricklord "fan boy" for most of the Con. When you get back to old Blighty, enjoy a Curly Wurly and think of me! :D
Tommy Williamson
To my partner in crime: Show up next year, dude! Bricks of Character is definitely a 2-man operation. You were missed. Everybody asked where you were. I told them you were in prison, for buggering sheep. Are you SURE you weren't at the con? I'm sure I saw your face about a million times. On the plus side, it looks like you had a pretty good time over at STEAM instead!
So at this point it is getting late, and I feel the funny running out. I also just realized my shout-out list is way, way long. So I will wrap up with a condensed list of some other folks that made the Con a blast for me: Josh Wedin, Brad Krick (Ohm-master), Joe Menomenomenomeno, Tory-B (reprezent!), Drew and Soren (respect!), the illuminated Mike Swanson, Jedi Rob and Tommy Armstrong (best. drunks. evaaaar), Field Marshal Wayne and his Generals. Oh, the list goes on...In closing, to the young lad that I spoke to during the public exhibition, who told me he was a regular reader of this blog... FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T TELL YOUR PARENTS!!
...but please, feel free to tell your friends. ;-)
