Well, my friends, this li'l Ulysses has finally returned from her post-Imanicon travels. Now, I had a 12 ½ hour drive home Friday during which I spent plenty of time thinking deep thoughts about my very first Imaniac con experience. As always, I feel compelled to foist my inane little musings upon you, but hey, you knew this was going to happen, didn't ya?
1. Seeing is believing: OK, I've got to come clean here. I'd heard for a long time about how great everyone associated with making Iman is. I've got to say, I had my doubts. I mean, *nice* people in *Hollywood*? Frankly, I'd always ascribed to the belief that that was an extinct species in TV-Land. Then I met Mike, Matt and Jason and this little Doubting Thomas is extremely pleased to tell you all how wrong I was. These guys are the best and if they're any indication of what the rest of the Iman cast and crew are like, then, my friends, these folks are truly wonderful. Which I guess is my way of saying a great, big, "Thanks," to Mike and the guys (and Kim!) for coming to the con and sharing of themselves with us.
photo by devilbird
2. Ditto for the Imaniacs: You know, we always refer to ourselves on the boards and lists as a family and it was amazing to me to see how accurate that description is in real life. R2 really is the #1 fan, Emerald really is a gem, and I-Mom really is everyone's mom. There were a *ton* of us there and despite our different backgrounds and outlooks and origins, I can't for the life of me remember one harsh word spoken from one person to another. ::sniff:: Kinda makes me want to go to Woodstock....
3. Suite Surreal: OK, so I'm standing in the middle of my hotel suite getting ready for the party Saturday night, when I realize that I'm deliberating the origins of Philly-style pizza with fanfic writer extraordinaire Suz, the 'Fish, a tres glam gland and Mae West. Seriously folks, I can't make this stuff up.
photo by devilbird
4. Note to Self #1: When trying to buy room provisions, remember no legitimate grocery store is named "Whitey's."
5. Halos R Us: Here's a word to the wise should you ever find yourself trying to attend the local mass at 8 freakin'o'clock Sunday morning -- always let the inebriated (me) and sleep-deprived (Laura) females handle the driving and navigation respectively, no matter how often the male claims that he "got the most sleep."
Sorry, Carl, I just call 'em the way I see 'em! :) Which brings me to....
6. And the "Most Sleep Award" Goes to.... Well, frankly we're not sure. At last check on Sunday morning Doug and Carl were supposed to wrestle for the title. For some strange reason that bout never occurred. However, I do hear they're going to settle the title later this summer at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. You can buy your tickets care of ... ah ... uhm ... me! Yeah, that's right, just send your money to me and I'll get those tickets right out to you. (Hey, a girl's gotta pay her con expenses *somehow*.)
7. The Name Game: When calling someone on the phone, always remember to identify yourself with your screen name rather than with your real name or the resulting response will be, "Who?" Conversely, when shouting at someone from across the lobby, use their real name or they'll just keep on going.
8. A Tale of Two Naughtyvilles: Residency status at Naughtyville East and Central can only be described as liquid at best. At worst, well, let's just say it's a good thing the Sheriff was in town. Of course, the Sheriff is *Adel*... ::snort::
photo by devilbird
9. Note to Self #2: When begging for paper plates at the local pizza joint, never tell the owner you "will do anything." He will try and take you up on the offer.
10. Most Amazing Feat: I was simply in awe as I watched Silver recreate her lost, 8-page part of the Blind Round Robin from memory. Unfortunately, the whole dang story was so long we had to cut the reading short, which leads me to ....
11: Note to Self #3: When organizing a BRR among Iman writers, remember they are *prolific* and set a cap of 2 pages per section. BTW, the full version of the story can be found in the Iman section of www.fanfiction.net under the title, "Imanicon Blind Round Robin." (Well, what would you have called it?) Go and read it -- it is *hysterical*. (All the authors will be getting their very own soft copy in their email within the next day or so.)
12. Androgyny's a Bitch: So do you think Darien's Muse is going to have QSM Stage 5 D's walk and mannerisms for the rest of her life or what?
photo by devilbird
13. The Ultimate Answer: Remember back in DOT when D theorizes that the world would basically implode if his past and future selves met? Not true, my friends. Nope, QSM Stage 5 D met see-thru D and all that resulted was drinking. Much drinking. Sooo actually in retrospect, maybe D was right after all. 'Cuz I think there was plenty of personal imploding going on Sunday morning after all that Trania .... :-x
14. Note to Self #4: When trapped between a hoard of Imaniacs and Mike McCafferty, RUN! Or you *will* end up like Wile. E. Coyote.
15. Rockin' Roomies: A special shout-out to my fabulous roomies, Kris, Mel, and Suz. You guys are the *best*! :: pip gives great big group hug ::
16. The Hobbes Thing: Apparently Hobbes transferred his amazing ESP phone powers to me for the weekend since every time I was looking for someone, all I had to do was walk into my room and there they were, on the phone telling me they were waiting for me in the lobby. It was actually kinda eerie...
17. The Truth is Out There: Well, there are now about 60 people who can attest to the fact that, yes, Virginia, there is a pip ... and she is short ... and evil. :)
photo by devilbird (pip is the one on the far left)
18. The Self-Restraint Award goes to ... Me! That's right, and I deserve it. I didn't kill one happy little cheerleader all weekend long. What? Noooo, there's no body behind the potted plants in the lobby. Really, no need for you to check at all ....:: pip blinks innocently ::
Well, that's all my road-weary little mind can think of for now. It was a *great* weekend and I'm already looking forward to next year's con. Muchas smoochas to everyone!
--pipsqueak, rising to give Em and all the con folks a standing ovation :: clap, clap, clap ::
