Convention Report – Con on the Cob 2008.
Hey there, Internet. I spent last weeknd (Thursday to Sunday morning, actually,) at a little convention in Ohio called Con on the Cob. I?ll do my best to spare you the less-than-exciting details of the trip, like getting to the airport before dawn to make my flight to Detroit do I could fly back the way I came, and flying out to Atlanta in order to fly to New York, and instead give the highlight reel:
Day 1, Thursday:
Scored a ride from the airport to the con (it?s some 30 miles or so, and a taxi runs about $50 each way,) with Brian “Glad” Thomas and Jason Braun of Three-Headed Troll Art Works and their friend Mandy.
We visited the Beer Cave of a Giant Eagle (sounds like an adventure already), and made it to the con proper without further incident.
The con was a bit slow that day; the only other item of note was the Drink n? Draw, which is pretty much what it sounds like. I was one of the few sober people there, so I got to dictate the theme of the evening?s artistic exercises.
Day 2, Friday:
Woke up early to play in the “80?s Cartoon Extravagasm,” which was a tabletop game where the players were sidekicks from cartoons from the 80s. It used the Savage Worlds system with a few house rules thrown in. I managed to get in even though I got there late (that?s what I get for showering). I played Man-At-Arms. It was pretty sweet, once I got the hang of it (the other players were well acquainted with the rules, so during a lull in the game, I swiped a rulebook and read up on them).
Later research would reveal that I played alongside “Evil” Mike and “Chaos” Steve of the Pinnacle Entertainment Group, who played Good Luck Bear, and Ookla the Mok, respectively.
Sat in on a painting seminar held by Ed Beard Jr. I?m not much of a painter, but the theory was sound. More rewarding was the lengthy talk he gave about the business of making (and selling) art.
Played a farmer-turned-preacher in a game of Desolation. While not my character concept, I managed to embrace it, and entertain the table with a lot of “I reckon?s” and other countryish lines.
Also rolled big on my “Bless the Party” roll for the (more decisive) win. This game session also featured a giant cow.
Day 3, Saturday:
Due to a general shyness or lack of interest from my fellow panelgoers, led the discussion at the Webcomic seminar hosted by Rob Balder of Partially Clips. Got to speak to him after the seminar as well, and on the whole it was rather informative.
Made some contacts for potential work. (I didn?t just go to play games, you know) There will be more about that at my own blog as they unfold.
Had a chat with Ed Beard, Jr. about marketing oneself; he was very encouraging and invited me to keep in touch.
Played a game of Dread. It?s an interesting concept, but I have mixed feelings about the system. I?m still willing to give it another shot, especially since I had to leave the game early in order to…
Play in my first LARP? I mean LASH. That is to say that it was a Live Action Survival Horror game as opposed to a Live Action RolePlaying game. I did not survive.
But then again, it was a Cthulhu game, and no one ever really survives a Cthulhu game of any kind. Still wish I hadn?t ended up playing the doctor, though.
Day 4, Sunday:
Ate breakfast with Charles Urbach, and I didn?t even know it until I interrupted him to ask him his name. I knew he was at the con, but I had not seen him until then. We talked shop until I had to leave to check out.
Got a hug from Andy Hopp, convention organizer and really swell guy, on my way out. He made me feel right at home at Con on the Cob, and he owes me half a drawing.
Got a ride from a wonderful lady named Kelly who drove me to the airport and wouldn?t even let me give her money for gas.
Caught my flight to NYC from Atlanta (Thank You Delta Airlines for sending me about 500 miles in the wrong direction,) without incident, even though the flight to NYC left about 10 minutes after I arrived in Atlanta.
And there?s the highlight reel. It wasn?t too long, and it was definitely easier to write (and hopefully more interesting to read!) than the day-by-day posts that I have attempted in the past. I?ll see you next week for some webcomic-related shenanigans.
