GenCon Indy
Thursday, July 24 - Day 1
After arriving late on Wednesday night, Luke had to be up early for a thing called Virtual GenCon that he was tentatively supposed to be involved in. After finding out that they wouldn't need his services for the weekend, Luke came back to the Hampton Inn and we decided to peruse the breakfast selection. (Those of you that know me, know that I've become quite the fussy eater so I brought my own Kashi cereal with me.) While we were assembling our breakfasts, Luke got a call from someone at ManCow's Morning Madhouse, a syndicated morning show out of Chicago. Long story short, they told Luke they would be calling him in about 45 minutes to have him interview Weird Al on the air. For the next 45 minutes, Luke wrote questions while I was on the phone calling everyone we knew and sending out a message to Luke's email list for everyone to listen, since ManCow's show was going to be an opportunity for Luke to let everyone know that his new album, "Worst Album Ever" was available. It didn't quite turn out that way, as ManCow had Dave Atell in the studio and Luke basically got to ask one question during the round of geek-bashing that ensued. (For the record, Luke would like everyone to know that ManCow has always been very cool with him off the air and does play his stuff on a regular basis, so Luke doesn't have any hard feelings towards ManCow about the situation.)
After the "interview," we wandered over to the mall to browse a bit and eventually get some lunch. I ended up having a Hambrosia sandwich from Steak Escape and it was actually quite good. At some point, we went over to the Convention center so that Luke could do some flyering for his Masquerade half-time show. The flyering policy was not what Luke was used to, but the GenCon staff was helpful in getting an easel and some foamcore to put a few flyers outside the dealer's room. We did manage to find ONE billboard.
Back by the Star Wars zoo, we ran into Tina and Kitt from Neenah and Corey Chabot who we see at GenCon every year and have always been a great support at Luke's shows. We chatted for a little bit and then wandered the dealer room. Later we caught up with them in the hallways and had a little more time to chat, but then it was time for a bit of a break before our nighttime festivities.
We went back to the hotel for a bit of a nap and a dip in our in-room jacuzzi. By that point in the day, it was absolutely necessary. We headed back over to the Convention for Party in the Plaza where Luke was recognized by a few fans and we watched the band we were supposed to be talking about for the rest of the weekend. (It was an all-girl AC/DC cover band from San Francisco and they were WAY too loud - this coming from someone who regularly works at rock concerts and never feels the need to wear earplugs!) I perused the "free food" at the party which consisted of cookies and chips and then we swiftly headed back to the mall for some actual food. (Chik-Fil-A has a Carrot Raisin Salad that is to die for!)
After dinner, we headed up to Brewski's, a sports bar on the fourth floor of the
mall. It's part of a complex that also includes a couple dance clubs
and a live music club on the weekends. Brewski's was having a
karaoke contest that night, and as many of you probably know, if there's
karaoke, we'll be there! The karaoke selection was a bit dismal, but
the company was great. We shared a table with new friends, Joe and
Natalie, and our old friend "Blasted" Bill Putt stopped by for a bit
on his way from Detroit to Chicago. 
Steph
and Bill
after Steph had
a few beers
Joe and Nat at Brewski's
The karaoke contest was pretty fun. Luke entered with "Just a Gigolo" and Natalie entered with "I Touch Myself." Joe, Bill and I were just spectators. Unfortunately, the spirit of Jon Bon Jovi was too strong that night and a guy named Chris won the contest after a dancing on the tables and ripping open his shirt version of "You give Love a Bad Name." He was apparently pretty drunk as he came over to our table at one point and asked Nat a few personal questions and then asked me what I do if he spread ketchup over himself and licked it off. Thankfully his friends pulled him away from our table. He was nice enough (or drunk enough) to spend the $50 he won on 75 cent taps for the entire bar. Somehow little plastic cups of beer kept appearing on the table in front of me, just like my cigarettes kept magically getting lit.
At one point in the evening, Natalie and I realized that our bathroom breaks could also turn into dance breaks as the dance club was close to the bathroom, so her and I snuck into the dance club once or twice. I swear to god, it felt so good to be out dancing! I haven't actually been to a dance club in years and I had a blast!
Eventually, the karaoke had to end and the bar closed after Luke and Joe did a rousing rendition of "Minnie the Moocher."
We exchanged cell numbers with Nat and Joe and then made our way back to the Hampton for a good night's sleep....
GenCon 2003: Thursday - Friday - Saturday afternoon - Saturday evening