Where I Wasn’t, But Almost Was…
It’s been a while folks and I can confirm, I’m not dead. I’ve just been remiss in my duties. Now some people may wonder just where I’ve been and what exciting adventures I’ve been up to, expecting tales of sun drenched beaches or fantastic hotels with crappy facilities, or talk about how much I dislike train journeys on certain networks.
No. See, I haven’t been anywhere or done much, I’ve just not been here.
It’s not that I haven’t done anything, it’s just everything I’ve done has been ‘one level removed’ of achieving, so I’m going to share what of late has caught my attention, what I haven’t done and how I almost did. Think of it as reviewing a movie you’ve never seen.
Where I Wasn’t: Writing Here
How I Almost Was: Writing Elsewhere
Obviously, I haven’t been here, but that isn’t to say I haven’t been writing. Recent inspiration has been a lot different and took my writing in a different approach. I’ve still let my brain spill words along nerve endings to flood to my fingers, but blogging kind of ran dry. I’ve been enjoying writing though, so all though I feel bad for being remiss here, I’ve had fun too.
No, the writing won’t be posted here. In fact, it should never see the light of day.
Where I Wasn’t: Playing DS/Wii
How I Almost Was: Surfing the ‘net
I’ve been on a slight Pokemon and Brawl kick recently, however, not having a Wii or a DS does make that a tad difficult – it should also be noted that the release date for Brawl in the UK is 27 June 2008. However, I have been frequenting sites like Bulbapedia Wiki, Smash Wiki, Smash Bros Dojo and YouTube for videos. Not forgetting Dio’s DeviantArt gallery for her Brawl diaries and art.
In conclusion, I have decided that Zelda and Samus are hotties, several male and female Pokemon trainers are filled with the smexy, Pit is too damn bishy for his own good, and Lucas and Ness are cool.
Where I Wasn’t: Watching Indiana Jones
How I Almost Was: Reading Dan’s Blog
The new Indy film was highly tempting to go see, however, there was just something that stopped me from wanting to see it at the cinema. To me, Indy will always be the type of movie I want to sit on the couch and watch, bouncing around and getting over-excited about.
However, this means I can’t review the movie, for which I am thankful that Dan gave his views and gave me faith that it is worthwhile seeing.
Where I Wasn’t: Fanime
How I Almost Was: Watching the forum; Stalking Flickr; Reading Dio’s Blog
I love conventions, especially conventions with cosplayers and gamers. I wasn’t there but I kept an eye on the event, and I hope to get out there for a future event. The thing you guys should worry about is that I’ve already identified, costed and begun collecting for cosplay components for at least two characters, and you may get subjected to viewing it – even if I can’t make it there, I’m gonna get costumes.
Dio gave a good review and I was very lucky to catch her over the weekend to chat about it, the event seems a lot of fun.
Where I Wasn’t: Working
How I Almost Was: Waiting
I’ve basically been told that pending references, a post is mine. Now comes the waiting. I heard from one of the people I listed to say they’d done it and gave a glowing report, so I have my fingers crossed.
Where I Wasn’t: Being the smexy
How I Almost Was: Being complimented
I’ve been told I’m ‘cute’, and further have allegedly become ‘cuter’ since I was last seen by someone. Some people need to either cut or up their medication, seriously.
Comments
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Saturday 31 May 2008 at 21:44
I was actually surprised at the relative cheapness of the flights from my local airport, though I think the time element and the fact I’d fly from an airport with a cattlegrid on the airport and planes run by elastic bands for the first leg might have something to do with it. If I went to Heathrow, it’s 6 hours to get there and then about 12 hours on different flights solid, or locally 20 minutes to get there and 18 hours flight with a stop over in Amsterdam. I looked in to it a while back for DragonCon in Atlanta and things in Colorado and Maine.
Hotels, I’ve found, tend to be a lot better priced in most states than here, but it’s obviously down to what you expect. I’ve stayed in some dives and some luxuries, and as long as they sheets fold and not bend, and the bed isn’t completely solid, I’m good. God, some of the places I’ve stayed were shabby though.
Comment from Dan
Time Sunday 01 June 2008 at 4:34
Well I’m glad I was able to provide an opinion on the new Indy movie for you, I’m curious to hear your feedback when you see it. If you do get a DS and a Pokemon game let me know your friend code and I’ll be happy to hook you up with some Poke’ goodness!
And I have a confession to make, as big of a geek as I am, I’ve only been to 3 conventions. One was the SW Celebration the year they had it here and it was rainy and miserable so I didn’t stick around long. Fortunately I didn’t have to pay for it because I worked for the SW/ST fan Club at the time! XD (Told you I was a geek!). The other two were the StarCons they have every year, one I won free tickets too and the other I actually did pay for. Let me tell you, you’ve not seen anything till you’ve seen a man in full Klingon makeup dressed as Dr. Frankenfurter from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I still wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night thinking about it.
Comment from Dio
Time Sunday 01 June 2008 at 6:47
Dan? Pokemon FC? ^^ Heh, we need to exchange, yes?
I used to live on cons, but since retiring, I usually only hit Fanime (its in my hometown), but this year I might make it to Yaoi Con cuz it doesn’t conflict w/ my annual Halloween party.
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Sunday 01 June 2008 at 12:36
As far as gaming, the DS comes after getting a Wii and Brawl, but Pokemon is high on the the list as I’ve never actually played. Blue rocks though. In terms of priority, I’d want to sort out Wii/Brawl (so that I don’t get tempted to blow money later), flight money and hotel, then cosplay, and then hit the DS so that I have something to play whilst waiting.
Seriously, I’d so get a photo taken with a Klingon transvestite.
Comment from JoshC
Time Sunday 01 June 2008 at 15:23
I was thinking there had nerver been any conventions in my city and then I find out that there was one here last month and Jeremy Bulloch was a guest(boba fett).
I think I’ll pick up brawl this week, I dont know why but the only thing I find interesting about the game is being able to battle all the cool cats from X-E.
And when you get Zee DS let me know, We can share the Pokemadness also.
Dan I lost your friend code…shame on me.
Comment from Dan
Time Sunday 01 June 2008 at 16:37
Ok since I know Dio has Mario Kart DS I’m gonna post that as well as my Pokemon codes. My Kart code is 025905777942, my Pokemon code is 2406 3354 6277. 
Comment from dohopoki
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 3:58
Dan you magnificent comb, I’ve been trying to get people to play Mario Kart DS online at X-E for ages. They’re too quick to jump on the next big thing over there.
I added you, here’s mine 1590004678656
As for you Guise, you’ll get what’s coming to you!
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 9:57
Thanks guys, the DS is on the list and I’ll definately be up for some online play, same for Smash-ing. I’m gonna try and throw something together later for everyone to be able to put up their codes too, so that you can find it easier.
Doho, I feel threatened. It’s like those guys in the suits on the street “Have you had an accident or injury in the last six months?”, are they running a protection racket and plan to kneecap me?!
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 14:41
Ok ladies and gentlemen, should we give this a whirl: http://www.rogues.1me.net/bb/?
I’ve included somwhere for codes too, so enjoy!
Comment from dohopoki
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 15:10
I don’t know what you mean by integrate IDs with your existing Wordpress blog but if it means I don’t have to register, then that doesn’t seem to be true.
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 15:43
Dammit…ok, imma gonna go hit it.
EDIT: Ah, solved…it’s because you aren’t registered on the blog either, so no ID to integrate. I’ll see if I can find the ‘allow unregistered visitors’ setting
Comment from dohopoki
Time Monday 02 June 2008 at 15:53
I never realized until now that I needed to register specifically to this blog.
Comment from Boo
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 0:42
Dio:
I’m sorry, but “retiring from cons” is quite possibly the dumbest statement I’ve ever heard. That’s like “retiring from playing video games” or “retiring from reading books”.
If you have to throw a word like “retire” on something that’s supposed to be fun, then you both take yourself way too seriously, and need to reassess yourself before making silly statements.
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 5:25
Boo:
Same as you can actually be a professional gamer, and retire from that, there are competitive things at cons that you can retire from, for example competitive cosplay.
Dio said she retired, but didn’t actually say from cons in general, just didn’t say what element of the competitive arena it was she had retired from. So, retiring from the con scene is just doing it for fun, not for the ’sport’, and only attending the ones you feel are the best.
Comment from boo
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 5:41
Guise, I really hate to argue, but seriously, there shouldn’t be sport in a con. A con is supposed to be a vacation, an excuse to have fun. Even the so-called sports, like the karaoke contests or cosplay contests, only exist for people to enjoy themselves.
And I’m sorry, the phrase “retiring from the con scene” means pretty much not going to cons anymore. And as I said, retiring from something that is supposed to be fun speaks volumes about a person.
Comment from Dio
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 6:09
Let it go, guys. Its not worth arguing over. Words are tricky things, and sometimes people mean different things.
Dan, Doho: I completely blanked out when you guys suggested FC on XE. Its hard to keep track when the blog gets hit by 50 comments in a day, then launches into other tangents. I got you guys registered, check the bb for my stuff. I put my Animal Crossing FC up too. ^^ I’d love to visit other towns.
Comment from boo
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 8:06
No such thing as not worth arguing until you’ve won.
Comment from dohopoki
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 11:33
There is no arguement, you just don’t know the definition of the word.
retire: withdraw from active participation; “He retired from chess”
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 13:01
…and yet, the intention behind what was being said was otherwise understood, even if the wording wasn’t reflective of the meaning aimed for. So how about just viewing it as it was intend and not written, which I think is now obvious, as: “I used to live on cons, but [now], I usually only hit Fanime (its in my hometown), but this year I might make it to Yaoi Con cuz it doesn’t conflict w/ my annual Halloween party.”
Besides, if we want to get nitpicking, my Dad could have said: I used to always be deeply involved in woodworking, but since retiring, I only make shelves. He wasn’t a carpenter, he retired from a hospital job, but he still retired. Because, as much as the phrase given was “I retired from cons”, the actual sentence just refers to retiring from something.
I don’t really care much for going over this kind of thing, so it’d be appreciated if we could just let this drop and try to understand each others views in a nice, relaxed attitude of openness and friendliness. If anyone really feels the need to win, fine, you’ve ‘won’.
Comment from dohopoki
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 13:08
I don’t know if you’re referring to me but I was pointing out that the word retired was used correctly.
Comment from Guise Dugal
Time Tuesday 03 June 2008 at 13:27
Doho, no, you just happened to be directly above me and I hadn’t refreshed the screen. I’m lazy like that!
Comment from JoshC
Time Saturday 31 May 2008 at 20:37
Guise, you have been missed!
I’ve always wanted to attend a convention, but for me that means exspensive plane tickets and hotel rooms, so no go.
Good luck on getting that job, I could also write you a glowing endorsement but I doubt that would carry much weight.