Well, finally back from 4C's and all that jazz (literally). I have to admit, I think this is probably my favorite experience at 4C's. New Orleans is an awesome place, and I'm sad that I didn't visit it more when I was actually living in Louisiana. Guess I know now what all the fuss was about.

I guess I could call the bulk of my 4C's "travels with Charlie." We went to the Harrah's Casino (where he won $1200 on two quarters!), the Maple Leaf, Tippatina's (spelling?) and a place called the Howlin' Wolf. We ended up seeing a jazz band named Rebirth at Tip's and Wolf, which was fine with me. Another plus was that cab fare in New Orleans is very reasonable.

Of course, I also got to hang out with friends and colleagues that I don't get to see enough. I should have gone to Bowling Green, because I really feel a connection to Lanette, Liz, and Kris. I am sorry about missing that SIG, though. It's always fun to see which people are going to brush you off this go-round, though. I hate that.

I didn't have a panel this time, but did help chair a SIG and participate in a workshop. The SIG went over well. I enjoyed working with Scott and Wendi, and even though the SIG didn't go as planned (no games!), we still had a great discussion. Dennis Jerz showed up, as well as Stephanie Vie and a guy named...Oh, hell. What was his name? Shoot. Oh, well, he was a Medieval guy with long hair. Thanks for coming Medieval long-haired guy!

The workshop was good, too, even though only two people came. Oddly, one left early, and the other got there early; I don't think they were actually together. I don't want to go into great detail on this point, but, man, that conservation got a bit weird even for me. You never know what to expect, I guess!

I also had fun at the little pre-Bedford party and with the Fountainhead group. I mean, I just can't believe that some people prefer to go to their room and grade papers rather than hang out at these things. I mean, what the hell is up with that? You know what else bugs me--people who only hang out with the little clique from their school. Yeah that's networking it, baby.

I managed to mostly avoid the dreaded monotone paper readers this go round, and the few readers I went to were smart enough to put some motion and energy into their presentations. I was really impressed with Kevin Moberly. Wow! He's star material. Of course he disappeared right after!

Of course, the thing I loved most was...OMG IT WAS LIKE WOWWWWWWEEEEE

oops, gotta run, the delicious food is here.