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Video Games, Anime, and Costumed Cuties...Who could ask for more?

Ok, this is how it's going to work...After every relevant section, I'm going to post a URL to my PhotoBucket album pics.

Warning: Long Blog Ahead...

Have you ever been to a movie, that you expected to be the greatest film you had ever seen, and it lived up to all of your expectations? Have you ever been to a restaurant, that was supposed to have wonderful service, and it turned out to be one of the best dinning experience of your life? Have you ever had to replace your broken Xbox 360, and expected crummy Microsoft service, only to have the representative take care of all your needs? Isn't that just the coolest feeling in the world?

NerdaCon 2007: I expected greatness, and I received greatness.

I arrived at Columbus State's Davidson Student Center promptly at 9:05am, one full hour before the door opening. Being a bit early, I decided to kick back on some patio furniture, tables, chairs, and what not, on the Center's front porch. Making myself comfortable, one chair to sit in while a second to prop my feet in, I began to observe all of the effort these volunteers put forth. Tables and chairs were being carried past my position at a quickening pace, golf carts were being driven madly, carrying cargo both human and convention in nature. On the front lawn, towards the background, a gentleman was curiously fashioning lawn stakes and yellow tape into a large, rectangular , arena. After watching the hustle and bustle for about 15 minutes, and being as comfortable as I was...I took a nap.

I was awakened 30 minutes later, by a beautiful maiden clad in the most delicate, Victorian style red dress. She beckoned me to arise and enter through the convention doors. I did so, and was ushered into a main lobby where a young man gave me a door prize ticket and explained to me how the events of the day were planned. He then gave me a program guide and thanked me for coming. I made a direct bee line for room 258...The Game Room.

Even from down the hall, I new right a way which room was the Game Room. A short moving line at the door, people milling around outside of the classroom, all seats and couches in the hallway, full. Many were having trouble entering the class room, but not I. People tend to part like the Red Sea when someone as large as I walks up. So, enter I did...and was astounded at the setup of the game room. Everything from Mario Kart : Double Dash, to Gears of War, to Dark Stalkers were being played on 14 televisions that lined the walls of the room. In the center of the room, playing on a video projector and being projected onto an 8 foot screen, two patrons were battling it out for the highest score on Guitar Hero 2. I observed other gamers for about ten minutes and then decided to try my hand at Mario Kart. I raced 5 tracks, and promptly had my ass handed to me by 3 other players. On the 5th race I placed second and decided to leave the Game Room on a high note.

After exiting the Game Room, I turned right down the hall and heard a loud commotion. As I walked further toward the sound, I noticed that this commotion was laughter. " What on earth is that?" I thought to myself as I passed room 256. I stopped outside the room to read a post on the door that exclaimed that this was the Viewing Room. So, I decided to stop in and see what all of the fuss was about. As soon as I cleared the doorway, I was in a room with video projector and about 60 seats...All filled with bodies. I, clumsily, found a seat among the crowed and was treated to an interesting, and hilarious Japanese cartoon known as Azumanga Diaoh . Never having seen this anime before, I decided to stay an episode. I was treated to some genuine Japanese wackiness, replete with genderless characters, pubescent sexuality, and odd amounts of violence. In other words, everything you need to make a great anime. The crowed agreed as roars of laughter, bouts of sadness, and moments of suspense were verbally displayed throughout the show.

Once this thirty minute love affair was over, I decided to make my way towards the vendor room. After all, I wanted to show my support for NerdaCon, and purchase some fine wares from local, Columbus, shops. This, alas, was not to be, for as I was attempting to head in that direction, another room caught my eye...Room 254, the Panel Discussion room. I fumbled around for my "con" brochure and flipped through the pages to find room 254 hosting a panel discussion on Intro to Role Playing. Now, being a pen and paper nerd myself, I decided to sit in on the last 30 minutes of the discussion. Relatively few people were in attendance, however, that did not deter from an interesting, and informative panel on the intricacies of role playing. Four members of "Nerds" (sorry guys, I didn't get your names) answered all questions, and related experiences and adventures, to those in attendance. I left the discussion feeling that, any non-experienced person, now had an excellent grasp on the world of pen and paper.

Finally, I found my way across the building and into the Vendor Room. Vendors from all over Columbus, and surrounding areas, were in attendance. Everything from comic shops, to computer hardware shops, to custom made weapons, and even D-N-A Productions and Creations (a costume design troupe) were out in full force. I purchased a Mechwarrior starter set from Columbus Collectibles and Tick Tock Shop, and was even able to purchase two works of art from a local artist. All in all, the vendors were nice, well spoken, and enjoyed talking to the patrons about anything. (A rarity in today's world of ultra large, impersonal, "con" vendors.)

This is how the day unfolded. Each room altered it's attraction about every hour, and entertainment was never more then a hallway away. In the main lobby, throughout the day Dojo from all over Columbus came and gave martial arts demonstrations ( great demonstration) and, in the auditorium, live bands played for most of the afternoon. ( sorry guys, can't remember the name of your band, but you kicked ass!) Outside on the lawn, the lawn stakes and tape mentioned earlier, became a "Boffing" arena ( imagine mid-evil sword tournaments but with stiff foam weapons.) where great battles took place throughout the day. The Viewing Room ran Naruto a.m.v.'s, Cromartie High school and, later that night, horror movies. On the front porch, the guys and gals from Phi Mu Alpha and Alpha Kappa Alpha were keeping those in attendance, and I, fed and happy with grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and snack station. (killer hamburgers, guys! I was your "best customer" ; ) Later on in the afternoon the troupe from D-N-A Productions gave a class on "how to make your own costumes using household and common items. (Thanks Drew and Abbey, you and your family did an awesome job! I had no idea how simple it is to make a great costume at a killer price. : ) At 7:30, Steven Cummings, a free lance artist who has drawn for D.C. and is currently working for TokyoPop, came to discuss the world of manga, professional artistry, and his co-created new manga Pantheon High to a crowded discussion room.

A, special thanks go out to Tyrone Wells, who taught a class on Intro to Flash Programming. Even though you only had 2 in attendance, I had a blast and learned what Flash was all about! (However, I still think the young lady needed a 70's style porn mustache on her Flash character... ; )

Entertainment no more then a hallway away.

NerdaCon 2007 was one of the best "cons" I have been to in a while. Thank you FatFace, and all of the Columbus State NERDS, for working your ass's off and living up to all of our expectations. Also, thanks goes out to all the vendors who came out to support this nerdy debacle. I can't wait for NerdaCon 2008!

Super cutie...

" The one that I love "cutie...

"Mid Summers Night" cutie...

Clock Work cutie...

Sword swinging cutie...

DDR cutie...

Harry Potter cutie...

Final Fantasy X cutie...