I think I'd say Glitch Con was a HUGE success for it's first year!
There were TONS of costumes, tons of steampunks, and plenty of people, panels, and guests! And I never even had time to go up to the tabletop gaming floor! Ha ha.
The Amtgard Demo on Saturday morning is here:
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0QdFjQ3dEkPart 1 of 10[/url]
The TCos Panel on Saturday night:
Part I Part IIThe Airship Isabella (ASI) Leatherworking class, Saturday Night:
Part 1 of 8The Closing Ceremonies Sunday afternoon are here:
Part I
Part IIPhotos:
fb1 fb2 fb3 fb4 fb5 fb6] fb7PhotobucketOk, here we go, the good ol' Con review.
Friday was a very very calm opening night. Got to hang out with the folks I knew were coming via internet, so we met in person for the first time and I got suited up in my first costume for the weekend - a Reaper Conduit from the video game inFAMOUS. The Airship Isabella crew were already set up, along with many of the vendors in the main hall. I walked around, got a few photos taken by folks, and met many new people. Unfortunately the Opening Ceremony was kicked back an hour, and so deprived the very first panels of many guests. I myself went to John's Costume Armoring 101. I captured most of the panel, so that will be up and linked to shortly.
Later on, after meeting up with Velocity on Skype to ensure our connection functioned, I ran to the Blasters & Ray Guns & Lasers panel real quick, as the host had asked I stop by at some point. I made it in for the last 15 minutes or so and tried to quietly sit down...Little did I know that he would then ask me to come up and talk about my own gun for my costume. I hadn't been carrying it, so I ran back to the 405th table to grab my gun. I went over real quick what my gun was, and also talked about two of the guns over on the 405th table, because one was modded, and the other made from scratch (non-functioning).
After that, and some wandering about some more (I did that a lot), I sat down in the workshop room, waiting for the wig panel to start. Unknowingly, I was there about 45 minutes early. About 15 minutes in I realized the Japanese Fairy Tales panel was supposed to start then, so I went over there...but it did not happen.
SO, stayed there and it ended up being a panel for artists.
After that, I was sufficiently spent (I had spent the former half of the day before the con working on Rampage), so I said my goodbyes for the night and headed home.
Saturday morning I was up bright and early to work on Rampage again before heading on over to the hotel to catch the Amtgard Exhibition. Once I knew Rampage wasn't going to be done for Saturday in time, I decided to bring Cam, who was initially for Sunday. It was slightly rainy when I arrived so I left my costume and panel stuffs in the nice, dry car (Camshaft, ironically). After the Exhibition (which I facepalmed myself for arriving 30 minutes early when I thought I was going to be late) was much fun to watch, especially the more experienced members. I then found the 405th table again, my new friends, and noticed it wasn't raining anymore, so I brought the box o' costume goodies inside and dressed up as Cam. Wandered around for some time, and once the cosplay stuff started, and I was reminded by Mr. David of it, I wandered into that room, caught some of the cosplay on stage tips, then waited and watched as all of the many costumes went into judging. Once everything was said and done (the judges were very nice and personal about every costume, they took the time to know what went into your outfit, the downside to that being it takes lots of time). Then wandered into the main events hall where the costumes would go on stage and do some poses. I was the only one who couldn't do stairs, so I asked Mr. Peter Pixie, the Master of Ceremonies, to pull me up. Everything was fine until right before I was to go up (I was the last one)...Then Cam had a nervous breakdown and decided his chest plate would not stay up, and his right forefinger armor fell off. I managed to hold both in place for my time on stage with minimal changes to my plans, but still it was nerve wracking and I wanted to yell at Cam, "You choose NOW to break?!" Ha ha. He had done fine for all the hours up to then.
The Venusaur, Red Engineer, and Dr. Mrs. the Monarch, all won judges' choice awards. Third was a Jawa, Second was a Cat-Lady, and first was Davis in his MC Halo armor.
Commander Gree (Phase II Armor) won Best in Show.
After that, Davis and I both finally shed our armor. Me after about 4.5 hours, him after ~5. Then we FINALLY got to head out to Zaxby's for some lunch around 3ish. John also had suited up for a short while earlier in the day, but physical problems kept him from wearing it for very long (I did not get to see it, and haven't caught photos of it yet. ~:[ ).
From that point was some meandering, sitting at the 405th table, taking pictures, etc. up until about 6, when Mirai and Velocity jumped on Skype to get set for the Robot Costuming Panel. Once I established communique' with them, I got the panel room set up, including nagging the kind staff to get the projector ready, LOL.
After the panel, I hung around for the following Leather Workshop by ASI, where we got to make our own leather bracers!
Unfortunately, John canceled his Latex & Silicone creations panel, which would have been after this one. I headed home, knowing I was going to wake up early to work on Rampage further.
Sunday I got up early as well and worked on Rampage. Unfortunately, as I slowly ran out of time, I didn't have what I needed to be able to rig the last few pieces - so I brought Rampage to the hotel, and asked for assistance from John, David, and Davis, who were wonderfully patient in getting me suited up and all the pieces glued on. So Rampage made his debut not quiet finished, but still with many oohs, ahhs, photos, and great to hear compliments. For the first full-body test run, everything went quite well. There were no catastrophic failures, but some pieces did like to detach. He was also VERY comfortable to wear and move around in. I did not test whether I can sit by lowering the piston though. Still theoretical, there. Lawrence, the man dressed as Two-face from the Comic group (with The Riddler and the Joker), was very kind and sat nearby while I suited up and asked lots of questions about Rampage.
Before changing back into my Reaper Conduit for the last hour or so before the charity auction, David offered Davis' coupon for a free photo from the photographer in the main entrance near the info booth. Every one who participated in the cosplay contest got one, so now I had two - and planned to use them for Rampage and the Reaper!
After photos, everyone headed over to the Charity auction. From the get go I knew I wanted John's Armor pieces, so I tried to remain focused on that as each piece rolled by. Some of the arts were tempting, and definitely the chocolate Halo Helmets molds (with painted pieces included), but as their bids slowly went up, I reminded myself I only had some $80 bucks to try and snag the halo pieces. Also of concern was a gentleman there with deep pockets apparently buying for his business (de'cor?)...who could easily outbid me. Blessedly, the halo armor had a short auction - starting at $50 which I promptly snagged. As it was taken away from me, I snagged it again at $65 - and there it stayed!
As I headed off to pay for the armor, the gentleman with deep pockets asked what they just bid for. When I mentioned the halo armor, he noted, as I realized - that he hadn't been paying attention (I think he won the halo chocolate head molds right before, so was off paying, and then speaking to someone else)! I was blessed!
During the short lull after the auction, everyone got their stuff in their vehicles. Cam was pretty full, considering he had a bag of art supplies and three costumes stuffed in him (Reaper, Rampage, Halo). While waiting for the end, I stopped Peter Pixie and asked if I might have his badge - since my little robot was on the guest badges.
He kindly let me know his wife laid claim to it first, and offered to help me get one of the banners hanging up with my little guy on it.
Then we all headed over the the sad but fun Closing Ceremonies, most of us milling about afterwards, saying goodbye to everyone, and snagging my banner of the Gametronic with my little Glitchy robot on it.
I stayed for some time after most all but the staff were gone, to see if the photographer might finish my photos before he had to leave. He did, and I left one very happy con goer. It was a magnificent convention, and I can't hope any better for next year.
GlitchCon 2011, 9/9-11/11
I'm starting to think 800 attendees for the first year isn't sounding so hard now....I forgot how word of mouth travels 'round these parts. 
And I'm suddenly a little nervous about the TCos Panel, lol. 