Now that I've had some time to digest (and sadly get back to my "wonderful" job) It seems like the cool kids are all doing a high low list. Not to let mark think this IS all about him here's my turn.
Warning minor spoilers possible ahead.
Highs: The LARP. Seriously dave holy crap that was a stupid amount of fun. Going in i wasn't quite sure but was willing to run with it, and spending my time instead of worrying about it reassuring amanda that everything would be fine and fun it turned out to be. I have know people in the past who larp a ton and it never really appealed to me, but now i'm going to chalk that up to the setting (7th sea vs WoD) and the players. We really have the best community of players for any game i have ever played. There is not one person who I saw this year that made me think, dang i really don't wanna be here. Granted there were a lot of dang i wanna play with person X that I didn't get to, but there is always next year.
Episode 8. without going into too much detail we had an absolute blast with mark running our episode 8 this year. from the "well that escalated quickly" moments that were all to frequent to us talking ourselves out of pulling a leverage moment to have to turn around and do that very thing. All in all it was probably one of the best episodes I have played to date, slightly overshadowing the infamous ep 3 cow ride and the ever popular "ep 1 incident"
One more high amanda's 10yo cousin blake, better known to you all as IVAN! I am astounded that he not only expressed interest in trying to play, and was able to sit down long enough to play (mostly) but the fact that he had so much fun he kept coming back and played a total of 3 different sessions. He wants to come back to play with you all again next year and even wants to start playing at home this summer. We have some fresh young blood
Middle: Board Game room / Board Ribbon. The CABS sponsored room this year was in a much better space this year but there was a serious lack of ribbon checking to get in this year. it wouldn't have bothered me as much if i didn't drop the $$ on 2 extra ribbons for kids who 1 of which only came 2 days and only wanted to be in the board room for less than 20m :/
Lows: Alaina huffman tickets costing 36$ each. holy crap that's stupidly high to meet someone and get their autograph. *old man mode engaged* I remember as a teen i went to a haunted "house" dealie and got to not only watch alice cooper judge a look alike contest but to sing a song on stage, AND got to meet him and get his autograph for NO ADDITIONAL COST!
Board room again, this year not enough free games to give out ribbons for so you had to play a bunch friday and saturday to get a chance to "win" a "free" game and that was not in the cards for us this year, i did manage a free copy of tahiti for being one of the unclaimed winners games they were just getting rid of, but still, sorely disappointed as that was a highlight i was looking forward to from last year.
Not enough time to play with everyone. I know We made plans to play some board games but again time was against us this year and we didn't get a chance. I would love to play with everyone so maybe there is next year we shall see.
On a side note i wish i would have known about your car troubles ken we could have put you up for a night in our home while you were waiting on the repairs to be done, would have saved you the hotel cost
. If it happens again next year i expect you to tell me so i can at least offer to help.
We miss you all and next year can not come soon enough. Thanks for the games and the memories.