Norwescon 3

Saturday, April 14, 2001
One year ago: Kafka
Three years ago: Tap Brothers

I'd prearranged with my sister M----- for her to bring my nephew J--- to the convention and I'd show him around today. So I got myself up and dressed (leaving Jack and his daughter H--- sleeping), and met them at the front door of the hotel.

We got J--- fixed up at registration; he was pleased to get a con badge instead of a wristband, which they'd run out of. While we were waiting, I had him look through the program book and pick items that looked interesting to him. Since he only had one day, I wanted to make sure he had fun!

The Riddle of Steel: Another Dragon Dronet thing. He had a martial arts teacher with him, but I didn't get that man's name! An older man, very inoffensive looking, until he got going with the cane. J--- was very impressed, and so was I, especially with the tiny six-year-old who defended himself with the sticks.

We visited the art show, hospitality, and the dealer's room, then spent some time at a panel on Costuming sources on the Internet. This wasn't too interesting for J---, though he is interested in all the costume stuff. But he was really pleased by the cartoonist Jam; Roberta Gregory and some of the artists there did some spontaneous cartooning on themes suggested by the audience.

I think one of J---'s favorite programming items was about customizing your own action figures and toys. Jeff Adams was a good presenter, very enthusiastic! He showed some of the earliest things he'd done, imperfect but he'd liked them, which I think shows a good attitude. He does this because he enjoys toys and plays with them, not just for collectors to buy. I don't know if J--- wants to do some of this activity, though.

By this time it was late afternoon, so we got a bite to eat, then J---, H---- and I went to the masquerade. I don't know how early you need to line up to get a really good seat, but of course we were late. We were able to see reasonably well in the event, so it turned out all right. I was glad that the show started pretty much on time, and wasn't as long as last year. But it was broadcast live on the hotel TVs, so we could have watched it that way and seen more, I'll bet!

After the show, we went back to the room and got H--- rigged up in her wings. She'd put the dress on earlier, and looked very cute in it! J--- and I walked with her as she paraded up and down the long hotel walkways. She got a lot of compliments, and enjoyed it, I think! Soon it was time to go meet my sister so J--- could go home. He'd had a good time, so I think he'll want to come back next year.

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Tonight Jack was working on the big Vikingcon party. I'm afraid I mostly stayed out of the way. Too much noise!