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Post by GRWelsh on Jan 24, 2020 17:19:19 GMT -5
Yeah, he has to write in code now because his family monitors his online activity.
"Mom, what do you think he meant by 'Lake Geneva Covfefe'?"
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Post by Scott on Jan 24, 2020 20:11:20 GMT -5
That was code for, don't post while standing in line at Starbucks.
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 5, 2020 10:38:34 GMT -5
I got my silver badge and booked the trip. I'll fly into O'Hare morning of 3/25 and out afternoon 3/30 and I'm staying at Seven Oaks. That will give me some time for "random wilderness exploration" around Lake Geneva on 3/25, something I've always wanted to do. Finally get to do the pilgrimage! Now, I just have to remember that 2/22 is event registration day. I noticed that many events are already filled up.
I spoke to the manager at Seven Oaks, and what sold me on it was fresh breakfast everyday, a complimentary bottle of Cab, and although it does not have a stove top it has an outdoor propane grill and they offered to shovel me a path even if there is a blizzard. I love to grill outside, even in the winter... Sold! I'll even have my own cottage and driveway.
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Post by grodog on Feb 5, 2020 14:41:26 GMT -5
We're on-site at the Grand---unless they screw up our reservations between now and the con, of course.... You can reach me on my cell at 408-655-3095, although I'm a terrible texter.
Allan.
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 5, 2020 15:02:00 GMT -5
Nice! I waited too long to get into the Grand Geneva. But I'm happy with what I got. My cell is 412-491-7842 -- I'll give you a call when I get into town. Are you running any games, Allan?
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Post by grodog on Feb 6, 2020 8:30:12 GMT -5
I'm running my version of S4 Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth on Saturday night, and am helping Paul to DM his Friday night AD&D tourney. I'll either be running or playing in some pickup games on Wednesday (hopefully, pending booth setup), Saturday, and Sunday nights. I may be playing in something during the day here or there, just haven't looked at the schedule in detail yet; I'll mostly be at the booth.
Allan.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 9:41:37 GMT -5
Does anyone know if the badges have names on them? I just searched for images and I wasn't sure if any were "official".
When I went to GenCon recognizing people was difficult, I recall that a player from one of my open to the public games approached me and then was very standoffish bragging about going to an exclusive game with the then new D&D designers (2002 so 3rd edition). At the end of the weekend, as I awaited my cab to airport, this guy pops out of nowhere stinking drunk in the morning and is asking me to stay in my room. Once that I convinced him that I was leaving he stumbled off in a huff. He was of the stereotypical "corny & religious by day/D&D by night" type people so I couldn't believe running into him in this "state" (Wisconsin and drunk).
I think some people from Knights & Knaves Alehouse were at the Lake Geneva COnvention in 2007 but I didn't recognize anyone except for the obvious people associated with Rob.
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 6, 2020 10:35:19 GMT -5
Yes, Gene, the badges will have our names printed on them. I just emailed the Con that question and they confirmed it.
Now, I'm wondering if Elise and Heidi will be selling hamburgers...
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 12:38:40 GMT -5
I recall Rob's 2007 game had GT & friend, Stormberg & friend, Allen (Grodog), Eric Shook and the rest of the players were unknown. There was some thin guy who kept complementing me but I still have no idea who that was. There were also people from Dragonsfoot there but I did not register who was who at all.
Heh, last time I stood through Gary Gygax talking about the NFL for an hour because someone who walked up didn't feel like they could keep up with all the D&D talk and knew he was a fan. That I believe was a different situation. Rob on the phone was always better than Rob in person. Ernie and Luke Gygax had this seeming gaming disconnect thing as if I was talking to someone who vaguely recalls playing at the beginning but isn't aware of the industry changes. I wonder if that has changed since they've seemed to be more involved since those Gaxmoor days?
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 12:45:01 GMT -5
Now, I'm wondering if Elise and Heidi will be selling hamburgers... Is that an inside joke or were they selling hamburgers?
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 6, 2020 13:16:58 GMT -5
At the first few Gen Cons, EGG's first wife Mary Jo and his oldest daughters Elise and Heidi sold hamburgers and hot dogs to the attendees, who must have been grateful because that was at the Horticultural Hall before they had any vendors! I noticed on the GARY CON XII website Elise and Heidi are listed as guests who will be there this year and that's why I said that. I was joking and I don't really expect them to be selling hamburgers at this event... Although if they are, I will definitely buy some!
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 13:44:02 GMT -5
That reminds me of church events with random food. When they would have the "White Elephant Sale" they would have hot dogs and knishes. The bigger ones usually had Italian food. Zeppoles and sausages.
Also the "Barbarian War" had stew in a giant pot and canned sodas.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 13:48:03 GMT -5
I think the best celeb purchase was buying an LA screen from Gary and having him sign it on both sides. But the best was handing him the money and him looking for change in a box.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 6, 2020 13:54:12 GMT -5
The weird thing was that I never asked him to sign it. He rapidly opened it up (I think it was a ziplock) and did it automatically.
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 8, 2020 14:53:22 GMT -5
Now, I just have to remember that 2/22 is event registration day. I noticed that many events are already filled up.. Correction, I was reading the Schedule improperly. Most events are NOT already filled up. Most are still available. Elise Gygax and Ernie Gygax will each be running 1st edition AD&D games at 1 PM on Thursday, and I'd be happy to join either of those to kick off the convention ("Dead Man's Chest" with availability 5/6, and "Hobby Shop Dungeon" with availability 11/12, both free). At 2 PM, there is "Theatrical" AD&D with Stefan Pokorny, AKA: Zaltar" and I would love to get into his game, also, as he makes DWARVEN FORGE and I"m a big fan (availability 4/8, free). Good lord, I just noticed also at 2 PM, the artist Darlene Pekul is going to be running JASMINE: BATTLE FOR THE MID-REALM (availability 4/4, free), and Dave Megarry is going to be running DUNGEON! (availability 16/16, free) so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with choices. Fortunately it looks like most of these will have repeat options over several days, except for "Dead Man's Chest" so I may lean towards trying to get into Elise's game as my first choice on Thursday. Heidi Gygax also appears to be running only one AD&D game, on Friday at 2 PM: "Dragon Lady Returns" (availability 3/6, free). On Saturday at 2 PM and 5 PM it looks like Paul Stormberg will be running 3 hour games using original D&D rules exploring the Castle Greyhawk Dungeon offsite at the former Gygax house at 330 Center Street (Availability 8/12 and 11/12, tickets $100 each). In spite of ticket cost, I'm considering getting into one of these games just for the experience. I guess this also raises the question of what I want to bring to get signed. I suppose my 1st edition DMG is the logical choice for Gygaxes and Darlene... And to bring my copy of BROKEN CASTLE in case I can locate this odd "Weigel" character to get him to sign it...
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 9, 2020 0:21:35 GMT -5
I don't think I want to get in on anything planned but I'm definitely going to DM something every day. Probably early and then cut off in the afternoon.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 9, 2020 0:46:26 GMT -5
Darlene would be cool to sign a Greyhawk map! There seems to be plenty of TSR alumni there but I'm not certain if I want to risk bringing some ancient shit that I have like the original Top Secret or the original B1.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 9, 2020 0:48:01 GMT -5
Although I might get Allen Hammack to sign the foreword to my Greyhawk Folio!
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Post by GRWelsh on Feb 9, 2020 14:26:47 GMT -5
Are there a lot of pick up games at these Cons? I had the impression that most events are registered, but I don't have much experience with Cons. I think before NecronomiCon, the last Con I was at may have been ORIGINS around 1997.
Other signing ideas I had were: T1 for Ernie, Heidi, and Luke Gygax for Burne (originally played by Ernie), Y'Dey the Canoness (probably named after Heidi, I can ask her), Murfles (a character originally played by Heidi), and Otis (originally played by Luke); ELDRITCH WIZARDRY Supplement for Ernie, Elise, Heidi and Luke because of the first appearance of the artifacts known as the Crowns, Orbs and Scepters of Power (Ernie had some of them as Tenser), Iron Flask of Tuerny the Merciless, Queen Ehlissa's Marvelous Nightingale, Johydee's Mask, and The Mighty Servant of Leuk-O, and The Ring of Gax; D3 because of the Drow city ERELHEI-CINLU being named after the Gygax kids ERnie, ELise, HEIdi, CINdy and LUke... Conversation starters! I always wondered where EGG got many of those wonderfully evocative names, and it turns out he went back over and over again to the well of inspiration which was made up of his friends and relatives.
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Post by geneweigel on Feb 9, 2020 14:42:44 GMT -5
I honestly don't know what I'm doing regarding con trends. I'm just showing up, not playing in anything and running something casual. I don't really want to be stuck with anyone who has nothing better to do which is a general rpg trend.
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