MegaCon '08

MegaCon 2008
Originally uploaded by thumat2002

So, went to MegaCon 2008 with a few GFLUG friends... And all I can say is that I feel old. I've read fantasy and sci-fi books, comic books, and manga magazines. I've followed sci-fi, brit-coms and anime shows. I've play video games and D&D. I've written computer program. I'm not into doing costumes or LARPing. Overall, I feel like I have a good grasp on nerd-culture. But what is with all the otaku kids? And I'm talking otaku in the creepy, basement dwelling, furry, cuteness, obsessed sense of the term, not just Japanese culture nerdom.

It was an interesting slice into 20-something culture. I was just coming to grips with vampires and goth-culture, but I feel like there's been a major shift in nerdom that I wasn't aware of -- I think out-right BDSM cosplay was the most 'shocking'... and along those lines, 'free hugs' and 'you can spank my pet' signs people wore around.

Anyway. Fun was had by all. I picked up a few issues of Love and Capes. It's given me some ideas for a LEGO display we'll have there next year, so look for us. And please don't call me 'ojiichan'.

Sinister Forces

Sinister Forces
Originally uploaded by
Gems from the Collection.

Very cool collection of pulp sci-fi covers and art. I'll be using it for reference material for the LEGO micro moonbase that I'm suppose to be building... :)

21st Century?

What did I imagine the 21^st century to be like? Did I believe in the dreams of flying cars, rocket back packs, & mechanical maids? All of life's troubles being completed in a push of a plastic button? I don't think I ever did.

I wasn't raised on a diet of Flash Gordon ray guns, on quirky expressions from Dr. Zachary Smith, on moon landing missions, or on space men traveling to Earth only to steal our women. From bad acting, bad props, simple stories, to dated technology -- it all have always turned me off of the sci-fi mind set. No one could capture the future as I saw it.

I wasn't easily fooled by the juxtaposition of the words 'space' and 'cowboy' -- something that appealed to all boys, both young and old. I didn't believe in technology that was built out of spare parts, had flashing lights with random bleeps and blips. And I just couldn't bring myself to believe that everyone talked so melodramatic in the future... or maybe they will... but did they have to take everything so seriously?

... more later ...