I had a great time at Lunacon this year.
Lunacon is the premier New-York-area science-fiction convention. I visited Lunacon in 2008, for the first time in over 12 years. I enjoyed it, it led to me to rediscover the joys of gaming, and inspired me to set up the monthly game sessions at my place.
I returned in 2009. The country had just hit the recession. The mood at the convention was sober, attendance was down, and I just couldn't get into the swing of things. I did not have a good time. I didn't bother to go back in 2010.
Out of the blue, a friend of mine (B if you've kept track of the aliases) suggested that we go to the Lunacon together. I thought "What the heck?" and decided to go. I'm glad I did.
Here are the highlights of my con experience:
– I spent most of the time in game room, the most I've ever spent at a con. Some of the games I played were Toon, Munchkin Quest, Luna, Three Dragon Ante, Werewolves of Miller's Hollow, Zendo, Pirate Fluxx, Martian Fluxx, and Monty Python Fluxx (I was in a Fluxx tournament).
– I attended the Masquerade/Costume contest. The contest was better than I remember from three years ago; not only were the entries better, but the event was more tightly organized.
– I spent more than I probably should on games, including Munchkin expansion sets and more dice for Argothald.
– There were two LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing) groups at the con, doing different kinds of demos. LARPing is no longer part of my life, but there was a pleasant sense of nostalgia chatting with them about the good ol' days.
– I succesfully bid on items in the art show. One is a new stained-glass pentacle for my wall; the others will be Yule gifts.
I don't know yet if I'll go to Lunacon in 2012; it's expensive, and I plan to fly to California that year, which will probably use up most of my discretionary cash. I still hope to return there some day, and relieve the simple joy of sharing geeky pleasures with other people.