favorite memories from DragonCon

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

What is your favorite memory from DragonCon?

I have a couple.  The Stargate Universe panel on Saturday morning last year was just awesome.  It was so much fun.  It was right after the parade so I couldn't believe I made it to get in, let alone being as close to the front as I was.

Also, when I got to see Brent Spiner and Gates McFadden for the first time last year.  It was so surreal.  It was kind of like part of my childhood coming to life.

Comments

[glasscannon.livejournal.com]

I have many, many favorite Dragon*Con memories, but one of my first D*C memories really stands out: 2009 was the first year my husband and I went (after reading everything we could find about it online and watching the photos hit Flickr over Labor Day weekend 2008) and we flew out from California on an overnight flight that landed in Atlanta at just before 5am Friday morning. We rode MARTA with the early morning commuters, scaled the Escalator of Doom for the first time, figured out how to get from there to the Hyatt, dropped our bags off with bell services, and then headed over to the Sheraton to get in line to pick up our badges.

Just as we were crossing the Hyatt lobby on our way downstairs, at not even 6am yet, we saw our first person in costume: a guy in original-series Star Trek uniform, complete with Vulcan ears and eyebrows, tricorder, and phaser. After the overnight flight and journey from the airport, it was surreal. Surreal and awesome -- which turns out to be pretty much the best words to describe Dragon*Con over all. ;D

We walked past the beginning of the line to see the Shatner-Nimoy panel, wandered around until we found the Sheraton, and watched the sun come up over the pre-registration badge line. By the time we made it back to the Hyatt around 9am, our room was ready, so we went up, turned on DragonConTV, which was airing the Shatner-Nimoy panel live, and promptly fell asleep to the soothing sounds of our first Dragon*Con panel. It's still one of my favorite memories. :)

(A second favorite Dragon*Con memory, in honor of my icon: people yelling khaleesi at me across hotel lobbies when I wore my Daenerys-and-the-horse-heart get up last year. So. Much. Fun.)

...Is it September yet? ;D

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

That is so great! What an introduction to DragonCon! I couldn't think of a better one. :)

Speaking of first times at DragonCon, mine was around 15 years ago maybe, when Sliders was popular, and I got to meet and talk to John Rhys Davies. I was a teenager at the time and it was one of the biggest and coolest experiences of my life. :)

[fluffydragon.livejournal.com]

my FAVORITE would be that my husband proposed to me DragonCon weekend.. uh.. 7 years ago. Only it was during the Con time weekend, and not AT DragonCon, so I think it can count as a separate favorite memory.

I have several favorites. and like Glasscannon, involve people knowing my character and taking photos with/of me. Last year, my best friend and I actually not only made CNN, but made their VO roll for a revolving background they played behind their DragonCon interviews in the studio. I'm Midna and she's the giant Wolf-Link :). They cut my part of the interview, but I thought I sounded like a dork anyway. They kept hers, and she had a close up of the wolf head in the camera talking to a microphone. That was epic.

The first year I went to DragonCon in costume, my photo got put up on the site on one of the revolving corner photo loops. Still have the screen capture from that :D

Last year, we watched the masquerade from our hotel room, and I saw "the Question" propose to Sally from Nightmare before Christmas on stage. It was so wonderful, I cried.

While my friend and I were Sokka and Suki one year, a random person going up the opposite elevator saw us, saw my friend and yelled "BOOMERANG! YOU DO COME BACK!" We're still laughing about that XD.

2 years ago, my husband's face when we went to Fogo de Chou and he found out he could eat their cheesy rolls because they were wheat-free.

Last year was my second time walking the Parade, and with the star wars group as a Rebel Legion member. My husband bought me my very first Ultrasaber as an anniversary gift.

man. There's been some amazing times. :)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

That's so cool that there are so many proposal and meeting future mates stories. I so wish that would happen to me.

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Well, all right, but I'll have to ask the wife first.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

:)

[perdissa.livejournal.com]

My favorite was the Shatner & Nimoy panel on Friday morning. TOS came out when I was in 8th grade and I had the BIGGEST crush on Mr. Spock! My friend & I wrote a fanfic series with ourselves in it, and we got into a lot of trouble at school. I made a glitter-covered pin shaped like the emblem they wore on their shirts, but that was really nerdy. Nobody did stuff like that except me. Then about 2009, there they were! In person!!! That was a huge thrill. They've gotten a little older since 1966, but then, so have I. I slipped up to the front of the audience and got a closer picture. Wow!

[altxchange.livejournal.com]

Mine also involves Brent Spiner from last year. He was wandering around the Exhibit Hall at some point last year and came upon my table so I was able to give him a necklace of himself as Data that he thought his son would enjoy. Of course, I was rendered socially retarded when I looked up and realized who was asking me for Star Trek charms.

[danabren.livejournal.com]

That is a very sweet story, and it made me LOL @ socially retarded. (Don't you hate it when that happens??)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I would be in the same boat. :)

[kitt79.livejournal.com]

Would have to be the year I met my husband-to-be.... outside the consuite whilst listening to some slimeball try to hit on my sister :). A good year.

[elfcat255.livejournal.com]

In 2010 my wife was getting an autograph from Kate Mulgrew...after she signed the picture we bought for that purpose, Kate looked at me and held out her hand...I told her we only had the one item to sign and she said, "Do you want me to sign your badge?'...I got a free autograph from Captain Janeway!!!!...Kate rocks!!!

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

that's very cool. I love when unexpected stuff like that happens. :)

[immortal-jedi.livejournal.com]

the Zombies vs Unicorns panel in 2010 is my favorite memory. Silly, lots of logic abuse, and fun!

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

i've never heard of that but it sounds like it was great. :)

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

I got so excited just -thinking- about the memories I could talk about for this entry. I've only been going since 2008, but each year has been filled with lots of "only at Dragon*Con" type moments. So hard to narrow them down but I'll just highlight one for each year:

2008: The Firefly panels with Nathan Fillion acting like a clown that everyone loves him for.

2009: Doing the Thriller dance with 10 of my close friends, and 900 other fantastic folk.

2010: Marching in the parade for the first time and seeing all the excited kids waving on the side walk.

2011: Walking around with my brother, who was in costume as Aladdin, when we see a group of the pro wrestlers that do the Friday night show come up to us all stoked, lifting him on their shoulders, and singing A Whole New World.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

That's one of the cool things about DragonCon. Every year can bring a new favorite memory. This year will be my 4th year. I can't wait. :)

[richardlt.livejournal.com]

My first Dragon*Con was in 1995, when it hosted the North American Science Fiction Convention and the STARFLEET International Conference. I was there for STARFLEET, and was totally unprepared for the size of DC, even back then. However, the highlight of the con for me was getting to meet Richard Garriott, AKA Lord British of the Ultima computer games, which is my favorite game series. He talked about undergoing the process of turning Ultima into a multi-player online gaming experience, thus helping to pioneer the MMORPG genre.

This amazing experience came full circle last year for DC's 25th Anniversary. Garriott returned, but this time as a civilian astronaut, AKA space tourist. Ironically enough, as awesome as DC was, 1995 was the only time I attended until returning in 2009. That was such an awesome experience that I decided to become an Eternal Member.

Perhaps the second best DC experience occurred in 2010. While that year had a really bad vibe to it, it was also the year that I costumed for the first time. While I've worn different Starfleet uniforms to various STARFLEET functions, that really doesn't feel like a costume; it feels more like a uniform. The costume I wore was Mr. Incredible, and I even participated in a Disney photoshoot. While I overheard a few rude comments about a fat man running around in spandex, I heard many more positive, encouraging comments. It was such a rush to have people want to take my picture or have their picture taken with me.

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

I've started craving that posing for photos rush more and more each year. Never thought I would dress up in '08, and here I am trying to limit my costume haul to 4. I'll admit I take into consideration how "popular" a costume may be with the crowds.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

I've never costumed at DragonCon before but I'm thinking about doing it this year. I'm overweight myself and think I would be a bit self conscious but I know there is more love at DragonCon that haters. :)

[lapis-lazuli615.livejournal.com]

Erik Estrada grabbing me, pulling me close, and dancing with me. No music, mind you. :) (my first year)

Dancing at the MMORPG party last year with Wil Wheaton, Colin Ferguson, Felicia Day, Amy Okuda and Robin Thorsen. And attempting to keep a drink down around Jeff and Sandeep the year before (omg, those two are REALLY good at getting you to snort alcohol out your nose!) I can't wait to have them all there this year (minus Wil of course. *grumble grumble* PAX *sigh*)

Getting to meet Lea Thompson last year right before she left and her being so unbelievably sweet and adorable. (and tiny!!)

A strange conversation with Marina Sirtis and, five minutes later, a totally embarassing one with Jonathan Frakes.

And OMG, LeVar Burton and Brent Spiner fanboying over Summer Glau! That was freaking adorable!

There have been a couple of interesting elevator rides, conversations, and people letting me into their rooms when they're half-dressed (NOT the ones you want to see half-dressed, mind you!) over the years - but some of that just comes with being a handler and you learn to take it in stride... kind of. LOL

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

that's awesome! :)

[elvishtard.livejournal.com]

In 2004 I met the love of my life.

No other memory can compare to that ;).

[whiteladyeowyn.livejournal.com]

:-D

[tonyalittegirl.livejournal.com]

I got a free autograph from Sam Witwer from Being Human at the Smallville panel becuase someone got up to the mic and asked for everyone's nameplate except his so I stood up and said I would take his and he signed it for me before handing it over, it was AWESOME :) I loved the Monday Wil Wheaton Panel last year :) He was hilarious, I recommend Monday panels to anyone who can stick around for them, it seems that the actors are just as tired as we are and anything flies lol. Also last year i met Nicholas Brendon at his autograph tale and he posed with me for a great picture :) Also Brent Spiner is hilarious :)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

I actually had 3 Monday panels last year and I agree they have a different vibe. It was very funny to see. :)

[hollycomb.livejournal.com]

A jock that I'd had a crush on in high school not only randomly being at Dragoncon, but also modding the game of Werewolves we were playing, lol. It was surreal and hilarious.

Probably my favorite favorite memory was 2009 (I think?) when me and my husband went to Trader Vic's on Thursday night and got sat at a tiny table right across from a huge table with pretty much the entire MST3K cast. We were pretty lit on mai tais and such, so we just sat there laughing and thinking we were the coolest people ever for eating dinner in the same room as them. IT WAS SO FUN, but we ended up being hungover for the rest of con, haha. A close runner up from that year was almost dying of laughter when a woman mentioned "adult puppeteering" during Crow vs. Crow.

Also, Edward Furlong saying that Call of Duty 4 ruined his marriage, though that's more like my favorite quote I've ever heard at Dragoncon ... and I've heard some good ones.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

that is too funny! It is definitely a small world. :)

[raidingparty.livejournal.com]

Cirroc Lofton talking about "the party with a thousand of your new friends".

Lots of people hitting on me. Or more likely, hitting on the stuffed frog I was carrying around at the time.

The all-nighter and Panel Without A Purpose, and discovering the authority of the tuxedo.

The Butler Did It.

Pirate Tango

[gypsywitch.livejournal.com]

My first year at Dragon a girl, she couldn't have been more than 10 years old hugged me and said my costume made all the scariness of the crowds worth it for her. Never felt so worth it as that moment.

....Though getting hugged my Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis comes in a close second :D

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

AWWW! So precious! :)

[griffindorgirl.livejournal.com]

My first Dragon Con was last year and I had a blast. My favorite panel was the Stargate Atlantis AKA the guest run wild panel. That was so much fun. The Stargate Universe panel on Saturday morning was awesome but I was embarrassed that I was called out about working on a stargate blanket during the panel [I got behind the gun on getting it done].

[life-on-stage.livejournal.com]

First year of Dragon*Con (2009), me and a friend sat in on one of Tom Smith's hall concerts (we were in costume, I was the Question, she was Batwoman). He was just joking around, waiting for "the proper starting time", and he just looks right at me and says something to the effect of " Oh my god, the Question! I love that character, you're awesome!" and gives me a thumbs up. I was speechless for a moment before thanking him.

Chatting in character to a Joker, Riddler, and Batman, while I was Harley Quinn. The fun thing was, there was an entire floor between us, and I was leaning over the Marriott rail.

2010 - being stopped in the Walk of Fame twice by celebrities, so they could take pictures of me and my friend's costumes. That was mind blowing. I still can't get over Kristin Bauer looking up from her table, and before I could even say "Hi", she says "I need a picture with you in your costume!" I got a free picture out of that.

One of my roommates that year did an insane epic hero move involving an elevator. A couple got into one of the Marriott elevator and was holding the door for us, when, somehow the doors start to close on the man's arm, refusing to automatically retract like they should. The next thing I know, my friend Lori, a girl from California who looks like a slender super model, claws open the doors, and braces herself between them, holding them open and shouting to us "MOVE! Move! Inside!" We all dash inside, collapse, and basically break out into WTF laughter after we make sure the gentleman was okay. Lori earned the title of Elevator Slayer that afternoon.

2011 - I arrived Thursday with a friend's younger sister (Angel), who, being a D*C virgin, still doesn't get what it's going to be like, despite all the stories, videos, and pictures I show her. We're waiting for a elevator to go up to our rooms, when a remote controlled R2-D2 comes rolling along in the lobby. The little kids there love it, and the man operating R2 does a fantastic and subtle job of it (I actually shook his hand afterwards). We get into the elevator as does R2 (still chirping and everything the little bot does). I just can't get over riding in an elevator with R2-D2 (we both were actually geeking out over it) so I finally just to Angel and say "This. This is what D*C is like." And it just clicked for her.

Freaking out over how fast the membership badge was moving. Also, just starting random conversations with people in line while waiting for badges. I've done it every year, and I love everyone I talk to.

Friday, Angel and I are done making our rounds for the midafternoon and are just about to go down the back Marriott elevators to head back to our rooms, when I heard someone yell across the lobby "Hatter!" I was dressed as a somewhat obscure version of The Mad Hatter (a female version from a musical), and no one really knew who I was, so I was shocked to hear someone recognize my character. Two girls come running over to me, saying "Oh my god, you're Kate Shindle's Hatter!" over and over again. We then had a geek out chat and now I'm friends with them.

The people watching in general. That is worth it. It's like playing Where's Waldo, everywhere you look there is something awesome to see.

I could keep going on and on, but I'll be good and stop.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

those are all so great. I don't think anyone would object if you kept going. :)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

thank you all so much for sharing. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of your experiences. I can't wait for this year! :)

[jackwabbit.livejournal.com]

My first Yule Ball, for so many reasons. Dancing, limbo, the Journey dance circle at the end with me drop kicking Edward (not really Cullen's) head across the room and @voldiebeth then yelling out "I love this fandom!"

My friend on our first Dragon*Con, saying "I always imagined a place like this existed, but I never thought I'd see it."

Getting a kiss from Paul McGillion.

Marching in my first Dragon*Con parade.

That'll do for now. ;)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

ah cool! I would love to see McGillion in person. I hope he comes back soon. :)

[mayday1960.livejournal.com]

At first, it was meeting celebs and going to panels; then, it became partying and meeting the fans.
Best roomie: Karen Venn! Lance (Sirius), Cat (Bellatrix), Alex (Snape), Alex (Lucius), Toni (Molly) & Andrew (Mad-Eye Moody), and all the Mischief Managed gang...walking in the parade as a Death Eater, Professor Sinistra, the Death Eaters Angel and the Death Eaters Cheerleader (all with Mischief Managed)...the Yule Ball!.

Best geek moment: getting to talk with James ("The Amazing") Randi for about 20 minutes in the lobby of the Hilton.
Embarrassing moments, that really weren't too bad: getting caught by Trace Beaulieu (sp?), singing the MST3K theme (he turned to Joel and commented that he was surprised people still knew the words). Calling out to David Hedison (one of the only people who played Felix Lighter twice in the Bond films) "Hi, Felix!".

Best hug: Richard Hatch, almost every year I've been at D*C...it's become a pre-con tradition, and I can't wait to get back to my lil geek home to get one again!

Haven't been since 2008, and it looks like the ol' finances are conspiring against this year as well...hope everyone here has a blast...look forward to your photos!

[sherlock40.livejournal.com]

I have many favorite memories of DC. It was my first major convention, I took my daughters to it one year and just a couple of years ago I brought my daughter (now grown), her husband and my granddaughter to experience it. And there is one of my favorite memories. We had been walking through the con and the little one was tired and resting in her stroller. We came across the Star Wars fan tables and stopped to look. There were many people in costume and they had a couple of the R2D2 units that could move. I asked my granddaughter if she wanted to see one of the R2's (and maybe grandpa could get a picture). She just said no and we got ready to leave the area. At that point, one of the costumed people knelt down and held his hands out to my granddaughter. Well, she jumped out of the stroller and ran over to him and gave him a hug and let us take a picture of them. And that's how I knew my little one had went over to the dark side because it was none other than the Dark Emperor in full costume. I've never been more proud (wipes away a tear at the happy memory...).

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

that is too funny!

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

So many memories...
I'd have to say my dearest is from my first D*C in 2003. I was going through a NASTY divorce that had taken pretty much everything from me mentally and emotionally, when I got word that a friend had arranged for me to crash at an acquaintances home for a few days (I wasn't able to check in to my hotel until Saturday). These wonderful people picked me up at the airport, took me to dinner, let me pour my heart out, gave me D*C virgin advice, and are still some of my closest and dearest friends to this day.

Most surreal moment had to have been last year, when my wife points at the open elevator door at the Marriott and goes "Abuh..abuh..EEE!!". I look over and there's Robert Englund looking all mellow and unobtrusive. I take the opportunity to go "Love your work, man, been a fan for YEARS! Thanks for the movies!"
His response? (In his best Freddy voice) "Going....down! ALL the way down! Ahahahahahahahaha!!" With the doors closing on that laugh. I'll admit, I fanboy squeed.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

that is pretty awesome!

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

When my wife and I were trying to decide where to go for our honeymoon, she's shooting down all of my ideas and goes "What about this 'Dragon Con' thing you're always talking about? Why don't we go there since it's only 3 weeks after the wedding?"
Again, I squeed. It was glorious :D

Friday of Con, she's looking around all wide eyed and starstruck (Up until then she'd never been to a con or been around costumers before. Aside from the video games she was pretty mundane, to be honest) grabs me by the shirt and goes "I need a costume. NOW."

I corrupted her into costuming. It was glorious.

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

she is a keeper! :)

what do you guys costume as?

i've never dressed up before but was thinking of some sort of fairy this year.

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

My userpic is one of my favorite, Mary has done Morrigan from Darkstalkers, currently has a White Mage costume that she's been adding pieces to, and is working on a Persocon Chobits costume. Also being modified is a phoenix costume (she needs better footwear to go with the wings and kimono)
Here's a link to our Flickr site:http://www.flickr.com/photos/48915408@N00/sets/72157626679653466/
Feel free to look around :)

[sandiafairy.livejournal.com]

very cool! thanks for sharing. you guys are a cute couple.

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Awww...thanks!

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

Many great memories after 13 years, but this one jumped in my mind first...

Getting up early to hit a 10 a.m. panel with Lance Hendrickson and being two of only three people there for it. So Mr. Hendrickson bid us call him Lance, and had us drag chairs in a small circle in front of the stage, and we just talked like he was in our living room for over an hour. He's been all over the world and had many interesting tales, along with stories of his film and TV career. Priceless.

Then, the next day, when we went to his table in the WoF, he remembered us by name and we hung around and chatted some more. He's a very nice man.

[chiefsbaby.livejournal.com]

After being at so many Dragoncons, I don't think I could pick just one memory. However, something that happens at every one, every day, is the fun of the elevators. It can be such a pain waiting for them, but our whole group is just so fabulous, that we always seem to make the best of it. Think about it; don't you usually get out of the elevator laughing? Ya never know what's gonna happen in an elevator, but ya know it's gonna be fun. Hell, I met Leonard Nimoy waiting for one, but even with that honor, I still have more fun chatting with all of our fellow congoers...looking forward to more elevator antics with y'all in 88 days!!!