ChicagoCon 2008 - Saturday, July 12
Saturday, July 12
Starmen.Net Takes Over Wal-Mart
The date: July 14, 2008. The location: Wal-Mart, Route 421, Michigan City, Indiana. This fine retail establishment was decided upon after an exhausting selection process as a temporary meeting location, as our house would not be available until 4 PM.
After picking up Rob and Luke from the train station, Paul arrived at the Wal-Mart and went inside to find Stephen, Will, and Trip. More people slowly trickled in as the afternoon progressed.
Will, Stephen, Rob, and Luke.
Stephen shows off his seat belt belt.
Of course, we migrated to the electronics section.
Free 3-D glasses combine with boredom.
Stephen and Paul B make fun of Rob's height.
[Photo courtesy of Mallory]
We may not obey signs, but at least we can imitate them.
Trip attempts to keep the building from sliding away.
First Day
After spending hours at the amazing pastime that is Wal-Mart, we reluctantly fervently fled from the embodiment of retail and sought out the rental house. Due to some slight confusion with the Google Maps address, it was harder to find than expected and resulted in some of us driving up and down the same street about three times, but we eventually turned into a side street and saw one of the other conventiongoers unloading things.
Once people got unpacked, a number of us visited the beach, which was a short walk along a boardwalk away.
Conventiongoers on the shore of Lake Michigan
[Photo courtesy of Mallory]
Back at the house, food was being prepared and games were being played.
Reid washes a pot wearing his kevlar apron as Liz prepares the meat.
Reid relaxes.
[Photo courtesy of Mallory]
Stephanie frosts cookies.
Playing video games
The Fishtank apparently had several peanut cheese bars in the glove box. They were donated to the house.
Covering the artwork that came with the house with our own Mother 3 poster
Later that evening, we were treated to a show of figurines and previews of new site merchandise, among other things.
Figurines, badges, and the new mugzor
[Photo courtesy of Matt]
Jon shows off the new shirts, which were made available to everyone attending the convention.
Pins were on display as well
Lots of people hanging around in the living room
Kevin and Bill
[Photo courtesy of Matt]
Casey T, Ken, and Lindsay
[Photo courtesy of Matt]