Wow, Thanksgiving and BGG.con in the span of a week. Quite a lot of activity for an old hermit like me.(hehe)I went into this year's con with a little trepidation for I had jumped feet first into a math trade and screwed up so that I received four copies of Hollywood Blockbuster. But it all worked out in the end, now I have some of my Christmas shopping done.
I started off Thursday morning early and hopped into line for registration. Even though registration did not open until 10, people were queuing up. Each registrant gets to choose a door prize from one of two tables when they get their badge, being on of the first gives you a better choice of prizes. While in line I hung out with Quinn, another local, and made the acquaintance of Mark, who had made the trek with his wife from San Diego. Our conservations helped pass the time and soon I found myself at the prize table deciding if I wanted Yspahan or Colosseum. Yspahan finally won out, but I changed my mind several times before I finally walked away.
As with the first two BGG.cons I soon found myself playing a game with TK. I think it is quickly becoming a tradition. Right off the bat we got into a meaty game of Starcraft. It was my first time out that, but luckily I wasn't alone. Strangely enough all the players ended up being local gamers. This ended up being my MO for most of the con. But then again there seemed to be a lot of local people present, some of which I hadn't met before.
One of the great things about this years con, was that I knew so many people that I rarely had any down time. If I looked like I was wanting for a game someone I knew grabbed me for a game or a meal. And other than Carl P, I never ate a meal with the same person. Kind of odd to me, but it provided for a varied weekend. In addition it gave me time to catch up with a lot of people that I don't get to see enough (even though they all live locally)
Some of the other highlights of Thursday:
Moai (with Mckenzie, Eddie, Shane and his bro Jon) much more than I thought it would be. Who knew Easter Island could be so vicious
Dinner at Champ's (with Eddie, Mckenzie, and Christy)- really just an overpriced sports bar, but the food wasn't bad
A prototype game with Shane and Jon designed by another local, Tony A. I'm not too much on prototypes, but this one grew on me quickly. Well that and it was one of the few I won all weekend.
Air Baron (with Allen, Eddie, Christy, Quinn) one I got to teach, though I was a little rusty. The best part was realizing I had won the first prize giveaway (Can't Stop) of the con. Engrossed in the game, I was giving the drawing little attention (I usually never win anything) and then realized I had won, without know what I had won. Cool really. I guess it falls along those lines of "a watched pot never boils".
Clash of the Gladiators- I managed to work this game at the end of every night. Not much thought involved, lots of dice and plenty of trash talking.
Friday
Friday morning came awfully early. TK took Herkum's spot as my roommate and is one of those people who maintains his schedule no matter what. 7 am every morning, no alarm clock needed. I'm the type that does not sleep too soundly in hotel rooms, so every morning I was up and at 'em every morning when I heard the door close. After a breakfast bar and a cup or two of coffee I was ready for some more gaming.
I started off with another game of Starcraft with TK and a few other locals (I think Starcraft took up most of TK's time this weekend).
Afterwards it was lunch with Carl P and Troy at the hotel bar.
Then to wander through the vendor's displays where I ended up sitting down to a game of Oregon with Melby, Steven and Mark, taught to us by none other than Jay Tummelson, the head of Rio Grande. I'm guessing Melby had been there awhile because Jay picked on him mercilessly. Again another game that surprised me through its play. I certainly look forward to trying this one out again.
Next I got into Lunatix Loop with Michelle. Probably the only game I played with non locals, though I knew Michelle from Prezcon, Play and the previous BGG.con. The game I didn't really care for. It seemed more of a kid's luck driven race game, but at least I had good company for the game.
It was also Friedemann Friese day. He was the guest of honor at the con and was amazingly accessible and friendly. I managed getting a picture with him (shown above) and played his Power Grid and Felix. I also managed to get in a game of Hollywood Blockbuster (seemed fitting since I got copies out of the math trade) and of course finished the night off with Clash of the Gladiators.
For dinner I somehow ended up going out with Trimmer 2, Alex and Alex's wife. We ended up at Ifritelli's, which was a pretty decent Italian restaurant. It turns out Alex and his wife are big into Kingdom of Loathing, which Robely has recently been sucked into, so I was happy to pass on their info to her. Which brought up another thing I noticed. All the women I gamed with or talked to to wanted to know the whereabouts of Robely. Some of them had not even met her. Just mad me wonder what kind of stories I've been telling her to pique so much interest. Maybe I can convince her to join us at the next DGM or next year's con.
It is something I find kind of strange. I guess it is a difference in our upbringing. My stepfather and mother were always social people and we always had people over at the house or were going to someone else's house. As such I am used to interacting with a lot of people and having a large circle of people I call friends. Robely is sort of the antithesis of that. She grew up in an older household surrounded by family and not used to having many friends. That being said, she is the first one that wants to go out and do things (museums, plays, concerts, etc) whereas I would rather stay at home and read, watch a movie or hide from the world. Go figure. She and I recently had that conversation regarding vacations. She wants to go to exotic places and do thing and I would rather go places and see friends and/or family.
Saturday
The big day of the con, when all the real excitement happens. Ok, maybe I exaggerate a bit, but it was a full day with the flea market and the math trade. Both were a success for me. I was able to clear out a large part of my heroscape collection and a few of my extra mechwarrior boosters.
The math trade went without a hitch as well, finding me doing my and Tommy's trades.
Afterwards I got into a game from Robely's college days, but I had never heard of. Tales of Arabian Nights (with Coon, J, Quinn and Giles). I was told that Z-Man is going to reprint this classic. It definitely showed some promise but was definitely, imho, unpolished. Though it is a good hybrid between rpgs and boardgames.
I also got in a game of Agricola. This was all the rage of the con and on BGG as well. I just didn't get the hype. I found it mediocre and long for what it was. I think the hype is because it is new. But what do I know? eh-'nuff said.
I also got in In the Year of the Dragon. Another new release which I found a pleasant surprise. I was warned beforehand that it is a game of "crisis management" but I quickly found you need some forethought in your planning as well. Definitely looking forward to try it again.
And of course I completed the night with Clash of the Gladiators. TK joined us for Clash. At this point his lack of sleep was showing. By the end of the game he was a zombie. It was a humorous sight, but I'm sure I was not looking much better.
Sunday
The end of the con, a return to reality. To top off the event I did a little more shopping (and went overboard on the t-shirts) and joined Melby, Steven and Hudson for a game of Ming Dynasty. Only Melby had played before and his experience really showed. I was too tired to really grasp all the rules, but Hudson knew by the end that he hated the game. I wouldn't go that strong, but I definitely will need another rules explanation. Afterwards it was back to my loving wife and spent the rest of the day drooling in front of football.
But soon enough it was time to get back to work and get ready for my Thanksgiving trip to Oklahoma. Can't wait for next year....
Even though I had my camera and my phone, I took no pictures. Instead I have linked to other attendees collections
Captain Caveman's photos
Rozmiarek photos
Evolving's photos
Tribal Wars is a browser-based game set in the Middle Ages. Every player controls a small village, striving for power and glory. 
