Cryptic ConFusion

[cathyr19355]

This weekend, I attended ConFusion in Troy, MI. I am typing this from a computer in Pinckney, MI, where esrblog and I are staying for a few days of socializing before flying home Tuesday night.

One thing I noticed about the con was the surprising prevalence of steampunk costumes. Granted, "Steampunk" was the costuming theme for the Masquerade, but I've been to other cons with official Masquerade themes, and that fact didn't induce even the hall costumers to dress in theme! Some of the costumes were very good, too. There was also a vendor in the dealer's room selling steampunk accessories, including nifty goggles with changeable colored lenses ($90!) and facemasks (I didn't have the nerve to ask the price).

I was on four panels, but the real fun for me at this ConFusion was gaming and socializing. We got to have breakfast with metalfatigue0, and a late-night food expedition with treebones, the1trueheather, and others. The gaming included three sessions of "Betrayal at the House on the Hill", which esrblog really likes, but I can do without. Unless I have friends willing to roleplay the betrayal part, of course. :-)

All the same, I'll be happy to come back to my home, and our cat.

Comments

[terriwells.livejournal.com]

Necronomicon had a steampunk theme last year, and a lot of the hall costumes also followed the theme. That was down here in Florida, though, so no wonder you didn't make it. ;-) I saw goggles here for $60 and thought they were overpriced! Especially since you can make your own (haven't gotten around to it yet, but thinking seriously about it).

Will you be going to CostumeCon this year?

[etain.livejournal.com]

the internet realllly likes steampunk these days. There would have been costumes regardless.

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

Maybe so, but I hadn't seen any at the cons I attend until now--how recent is the current surge of interest?

[thefile.livejournal.com]

Sorry I wasn't able to attend this year. I blame unemployment.

:)

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

S**t happens. Maybe you'll be able to be at ConFusion.

[pearl]

The gaming included three sessions of "Betrayal at the House on the Hill"

Hmm... your description implies that the betrayer doesn't cackle madly and plot your downfall... or something more appropriate. What you need is a room full of uni students, full of sugar and red soft drink, that'd fix it.

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

The problem is that it's more than 10 years since most of my gaming friends graduated from university, and over 20 years since I have. :-)

It's also true that my local gaming group at home doesn't like and thus doesn't play "Betrayal", though the friends I saw in Michigan do. And sure enough, cackling was done.

[landley.livejournal.com]

I really need to get to ConFusion again next year. (Sorry I missed it this year, I was in California for work.)

Rob

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

Maybe next year we can do a coordinated appearance at ConFusion--throw a room party, even. And drive out to Haven for a party afterwards.

[landley.livejournal.com]

What would we throw a room party for? (I still haven't gotten in touch with the armadillocon guys yet...)

[cathyr19355.livejournal.com]

Ah, but the next ConFusion won't be until January 2010. If you're holding a convention in October 2010, that will be a good time to hold a party promoting it.

And what if you're not holding anything in 2010? You can throw a room party to plug a later con, or even to ascertain whether people would be interested in a "Penguicon South" or "Linucon Redux".