Sunday
Rain rolled in today, so I used that as an excuse to relax for most of it. In the afternoon, we ran over to Hardy Ivy Park for a Hellfire Yearbook group photo and then just had to stop by the Poop Lions at the Marriott to see the giant google eyes in person.
The evening consisted of a group Carpet outfit and meeting up with our various friends throughout the hotels. The rain had closed off the patio at the Hilton and a DJ relocated in the “meetup” lobby area. Lobby dance party commenced and suddenly it felt like the Hilton years and years ago – when Sho Nuff Karaoke still operated in that area before the hotel renovated.
While wandering, I managed to see Lureece (one half of the Run DRC couple) and it turned out we met online last year! I mailed them some extra badge ribbons I had but this was the first time we had met in person. A lovely couple, she previously had made them a stunning matching Carpet evening gown and suit. The creativity everyone comes up with for Marriott Carpet attire and mashups never ceases to amaze me – as you can tell by the many outfits I make for myself!
We ended the evening treated to an impromptu performance of some Irish & Pirate tunes on one of the Marriott patios.
Monday
After an 8 year break, I’m staying in the hotel for one more night – so instead of rushing to pack and checkout along with 100s of others, I can actually enjoy the final day of con. Perfect time to head back over to the vendor hall to see the bottom 2 floors.
My wallet is thankful I didn’t really find anything I needed or wanted today. That solidifies to me that the top 2 floors of artists & creators are where I should just keep focusing my dollars at each year.
I went pack to pack up as much as could to be ready to leave the next morning, took a nap and then after receiving the “official call to arms”, we bagged up our leftover alcohol that we couldn’t travel with and made our way to the ADP (Alcohol Disposal Party).
This is NOT an official event hosted by Dragon Con. Some long time con veterans are able to secure a spot with Hilton staff/security for this to take place as long as people keep inside the room and behave. This was my first year to attend and man, was I instantly transported to exactly what DC means to me: Family. A room full of happy nerds, groups mingling, con staff, volunteers, attendees, friends old and new conversing, card and board games, laughter everywhere. Oh, and Pie. So much delicious pie. This was a perfect way for the con to end for me and I look forward to attending again next year.
And that was my Dragon Con. I left some things out here and there as they escaped my brain while writing. Like running into Brian Richardson (DCTV, the Dragon Con Late Show) on the Trader Vic’s patio my first day at con and chatting about working in commercial radio versus how media is now (I’m one of the few I know still in commercial media), meeting Deena Roth (“Last Dragon Con” parody – such as sweetheart!) and actually getting to spend time with the Mad Scientist with A Camera crew away from the photo booth.
I already miss Dragon Con deeply, can I go back now?
