This past weekend we had the pleasure of heading to Hartford, Connecticut for Connecticon. I often long to be back on the East coast and think fondly of it’s falls and winters. Stepping off the plane in Hartford I immediately remembered why I do not remember so fondly of it’s summers! The humidity made if feel like I was walking around in a very thick, wet, warm quilt. Being the wuss that I am, it actually took me awhile to adjust. The east coast was nice enough to make it up to me by providing me with rain over the weekend, a weather pattern I much miss.
We were greeted by the smiling face of good friend George Rohac and proceeded to pile everything in his vehicle. The ride to our accommodations past pleasantly with the sounds of Richard Cheese in the background as we were filled in with all the latest tidbits of enjoyableness.
Getting settled into our hotel room, we then quested for food and, because of the lateness of our arrival, found that only a Denny’s was available for “food”. I put food into quotations because I am not entirely sure that something containing that much salt can be considered food. Denny’s at 4am was a rare treat for me because it was the first time that I had been to the franchise, let alone it being the first time I had been to the franchise at 4am. I suspect that the service would not have been much better had we arrived at a more reasonable hour, however the company was wonderful!
After a few hours of sleep George and I shlept over to the convention center where I was met with our inventory already at the booth! This was a lovely convenience! I was also met with the friendly faces of many a colleague that I had not seen in three or so years, a few I had only seen a few months ago, and a few I had not met before. Hawk, Ananth, and Yuko were the first to greet me and make me feel like it had not really been three years since we’d last convened together. I would say that you will never find a more friendly bunch of folks; but that would not be entirely accurate as webcomic folks, in general, tend to be a pretty friendly bunch. After hearty hugs I went to go through my inventory.
While folding and counting my way through shirt Brain came by to arch an eyebrow at me followed shortly by Tim who looked in far better spirits than I had seen him in three years ago. It was nice to see them in such good sorts and I very much enjoyed watching them torment each other over the weekend!
Dave (who was sporting very awesome shirts as per usual) came soon after and Chris came by to shake hands and welcome us back. Later in the weekend he also bestowed upon us some very rad surf board necklaces! Thanks!
I also had the pleasure of chatting with Steve Napierski while the guys were off doing panels and a few big hugs from Mookie.
Day one past with much enjoyable conversations with friend and fans.
I saw very little of day two for I had been to put the task of making awesome things for the awesome George. Well to be far, he only asked me to make some cookies and brownies. *pffft* After gathering up all my supplies and donning my chef’s jacket I went to work in the kitchenette in George’s room. Six hours later I’d come up with vegan peanut butter cookie, cherry oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, a fruit tart, an almond lemon berry cake, and chocolate-peanut butter-caramelized banana brownies. People arrived and much food, alcohol, and conversation was enjoyed. I was given the rare pleasure of talking to interested people about food. I also apparently made an impression on them as well. Flattering to be sure.
Full of food and happiness we adjourned for the night for the melancholy of the final day would soon be upon us.
Goodbyes and hugs having been exchanged, we hulled the remaining merchandise back to our room with the help of Ananth and were invited to enjoy a meal made by the talented Karian later that evening. What a meal it was. I am such a huge fan of casseroles that I could not have hoped for better. All of the ingredients were distinct and gave life to each bite. Thank you Karian for the wonderful food! Slipping into a food coma I sat to chat with the rest of the company there and embarrassed Yuko by going utterly fan girl on her, something I had been more or less able to reign in the first part of the weekend. I got to see her sketchbook….it was amazing! Thanks to everyone for the marvelous company!
George drove us back to the airport the next morning and we journeyed back to sunny San Francisco.
I should also mention that with the considerable amount of travel time this past week I was able to start and finish Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. A Jane Austen book to be sure; but with a quirk.
