WONDERFEST 2005

Official Site

Ok here is my tale from Wonderfest2004
First, the trip there wasn't too bad until we got just south of Cincinatti. Hit a major traffic jam.
Over 2.5 hours to travel 5 miles just sucked!
Then we got stuck all the way up on the 8th floor, down at the end of the hall.
Also I wasn't too keen on a lot of the changes from the remodel.
The new dressers are a lot smaller, plus the stand next to the dresser is gone now.
No rocking chair, no foot-stool. And without the old woodwork, it really looses a lot of it's charm.
I was pleased with the new beds though. Very comfortable, even if I didn't use them much.

Saturday we got up. I finished my contest entries then we submitted out models. Hung out and waited for the dealers room to open.

After getting in, I made a B-line for Action Hobbies table for the new PS kit. And what a beauty it is too. Thankfully, Larry kept mine behind the table for me, while we checked the rest of the room.
We took in a couple of demos. I checked out 'Weathering with Salt', while Britny went to Joe's drybrushing demo.

My demo finished early, while Brit's ran long. So I popped in and caught the last half-hour or so. Heckled Joe a bit and watched the master at work.
Later we caught the guest talk by Greg Nicotero. Always fun to listen to his storied and see some of the stuff he has been working on. Can't wait to see the Reavers his company did for the Serenity movie.
Somewhere in there, we also got a chance to meet a few new friends, make a few more passes around the dealers room, and a pass through the contest room.
Then the show was done for the day. Went to the room to eat, and check out all our goodies we got.
Then back to the lobby to hang again.

Of course we ran into more friends. Then we went and checked the contest room again. It was very cool to have it opened back up in the evening. A chance to really look things over, without the crowds, and without taking time away from other activities

Again it was hosted by Doctor Gangrene with special guest Bob Burns. They showed The Ghost Busters, which was cool to see again. I had forgotten about this show until I started watching it again. During the comercial breaks, Bob would talk a bit, and the Dr. would toss out free goodies to the crowd. After the last segment, Bob was nowhere to be found.
Suddenly, he made his entrance.
As Tracy, the gorilla from the show we watched.
Very cool. He did a little dancing with the band.
After that, he, and the Nurse were doing photo's.
As cute as she is, I had to get a pic with Bob.

Afterwards, we hung out in the lobby again for a while. Took a swing by the Cult-suite around 3 only to find it darkend.
Seems the Cultman can't handle the early mornings anymore. :-)
The next morning we took up positions in the lobby again as we waited for the show to open.
Good thing too. Otherwise we would have missed Lisa leaving.
Seems she and Anthony had to leave Sunday morning :-(

Seems John and the guys had a rough go of it in the morning.
Here is their table after the dealers room opened.

Also should put this pic somewhere.
Dice being Dice.
Ed really is a cool guy, if you can get past the gruff exterior.

Today has a heavy schedule of demos that we want to see.
I took in 'Painting with Oils' by Dave Metzner. Very cool. I really need to give these a try someday.
Next was the infamous demo by Rick Cantu - 'Flesh Mottling'. The place was standing room all the way around the room!
As you can see, there are a lot of dealer's badges around the room. Kind of makes you wonder who is watching the tables.
The demo was very informative, as well as tons of fun. Matter of fact, it ran really long to. There was a crowd outside waiting to get in for the next demo when we left.

The fun didn't end there.
We made another pass through the dealers room and picked up a few more things, then on to the next demo on our list. 'Painting Eyes' with 'Crazy Joe' Nejberger.
It was just as informative and insane as Rick's. Though I think we were having more fun 'doinking' with Joe :-)

We went to the contest awards ceremony to see who all won what. Then picked up our kits, took them back to our room and went back to the dealers room looking for some last minute goodies.
When the show was over, we went back to our room to eat and unwind a bit.
Then back to the lobby. Turned down a few offers to go with a large group to dinner. (I think next year we will plan to go along with everyone else as it seems to be quite the crew and tons of fun)

The insanity from earlier in the day carried over to evening. I think people were making up for the first 2 days being a bit mellow.
We were hanging around in Cult's-suite during the banquet.
There was partying on Don's balcony.

In the courtyard below.

The lobby was hopping as well. Seems they kicked the guys out of the lounge early since it was Sunday night.
Got a bunch of people together for a group pic again. (sorry all mine turned out like crap. Waiting to get a good copy)
Then we headed up to the Jayco suite (I know the name is Resin Realities now, but it just doesn't have the same ring as the Jayco suite)
Had a blast up there, think we left around 4-4:30 AM.

Monday morning we packed up. Loaded everything into the truck, then headed back to the lobby.
Ran into a few people. Said our good bye's. Ran up to the Resin Realities suite to say good bye to those guys, but there was a 'do not disturb' sign on the door. Stopped at Steve's again, but there was no answer. Figured he was gone already
Made another couple rounds, said good bye to a few more people, then left for our trip home.

Already making plans for next year!

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