Entry posted by Jedi Master J.
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Hey, folks. I thought I should pop in and let you all know how the Saturday visit went. I actually meant to get this up sooner.
But well, I was exhausted on the way back (Constantly thirsty for water), so I went to bed almost as soon as I got back from the trip. And on Sunday, I spent the almost all of my day reviewing photos before realizing that I had 641 of them to review and yeah, there was no way I could review all these in one day.
So yeah, my pictures probably won't be up till this weekend (9th or 10th). I might be able to get Bionicle pictures up earlier than that though since I do have most of them organized in a folder already and I just need to do secondary review of them.
But anyway, I guess I’ll start off by mentioning that I technically start the day off at 4 in morning. Yeah, I know that’s rather early. But well, I guess I couldn’t help it due to excitement as it is not everyday I get to visit another state. Of course, I didn’t actually get out of my bed at 4 AM. I waited till it was like 6 AM to head downstairs and get ready to go. And well, I was feeling pretty good like I wasn’t really nervous about the trip at all. So that was a good sign to start the day.
Of course, it wasn’t to last as soon as it got two minutes from my friend’s arrival, I began to have the all too common stomach issues that I have whenever I go on trips like this. It happened at BrickFair VA 2012, Philly BrickFest April 2014, Zelda Symphony, Nintendo E3 demos. It always happens. Like at times, I have to wonder if my body plots against me whenever I get excited about something. It honestly something I need to get look into at some point. And well, it does play a bit of role in my fear of meeting some of you folks as I am worried that I might make a bad impression by possibly vomiting in front of you or worst…
But anyway, after dealing with that (Which made me a bit later coming out) and taking some medicine to help ease it a little, I went out and met my friend in his car. Not much to say about the car ride up, beside that we took the toll routes this time around (Last time we manage to avoid tolls in their entirety.) and I was feeling like I might barf a few times during the ride up. I was actually kind of worried that I might barf when I saw AT since he did said he would meet us, while I was waiting in line. So it was a relief that barf-ness disappeared when we actually got to convention center.
Speaking of our arrival, I got say I wish I was able to convinced my friend that eating lunch at 2 PM was a terrible idea and we really should have just ate lunch as soon as we arrived like we did in 2012 (We ate lunch at the Subway in Walmart last time).
Oh, and I think we drove by someone cosplay-ing as MetalBeard, whom I think was a BZPer since I seem to recall someone here saying that they would be doing that. I didn’t actually meet them, but their cosplay was pretty cool.
But anyway, after finding a parking spot (Which was actually almost the exact same spot, we parked last time) and running over to Walmart to use the bathroom (Again, we really should of ate there when we had the chance.), we walked over to the line for people that order tickets online and well, waited there for about an hour, I guess.
Oh, and AT literally appear like six or so minutes after we got in line. I guess that's not surprising though since I did tell him that I would be there around 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. So yeah, I met AT. I guess I made an alright impression (My handshake was probably terrible.). *shrugs* I probably should of introduce him to my friend. I am bad at this social stuff. Speak of my friend, he actually thought I had met AT before since well, I knew who he was instantly. XD I had to explain him that was first time I have met AT in person and well, why exactly AT thanked me. The "why AT thank me" conversation was interesting one to explain. XD
Alright, so moving on from that, when we finally got in, we decided to go straight to Bionicle table since AT said the others would be waiting for me there. Of course, I didn't go directly over to them as I want to stay close by my friend since I didn't want to make him think I was going to abandon him to hang out with BZPers here (That and well, I'll admit was kind of nervous.). So yeah, I just follow along with him and took pictures of what was on display.
Eventually we got over to Sumiki / Zatth group and I think either Sumiki or Zatth start the conversation (My memory is a bit fuzzy, I admit. And it was kind of loud at the time, so it was hard to hear.). And well, I greet them back and just continue on my way. I probably should of been more conversational and well, introduce my friend to them. But again, I didn't think about that, so I must come off as very rude. *sigh*
I also should of I said hello to Meiko and Aanchir when I was passing by them to go toward Sumiki / Zatth group. But again, I wasn't thinking and just walk by them (Well, admittedly I was hoping they would notice I was here when conversation with Sumiki group started.).
Oh, and I didn't give them the comic to sign since at that point, I was having second thoughts about that idea. (I also brought a bunch of TNG Miru in a Toa Mata Canister to give to anyone that sign it.) *shrugs* I don’t know… I thought the idea wasn’t going to work too well, especially if those pens, that I brought, weren’t readable on the comic.
That and well, I may have been slightly worried about repeating what happen at Philly BrickFest by accidentally knocking something over when trying to hand over the comic. So yeah, I was kind trying to avoid making any contact with table this time. That’s also why I didn’t sign the Logbook right away (I didn’t sign it until it was time for me to leave.).
Alright, I should get back on track. XD So after meeting Sumiki / Zatth group (Their group needs a name. How about Team Farm Animals? =P), we continued along the table till we met Black Six (for like second time this year.).
He basically said to me, “JMJ, you can’t hide this time.” (I should have hid behind my friend or bag as a joke. XD Also technically I wasn’t hiding in 2012, I was there in plain slight. I just didn’t say anything and wait to sign the book at 3 PM, which was around the time we left. UPDATED: I just realize he was referring our April meeting at Philly BrickFest since I was kind of hiding behind my phone/camera. You win this round, Black Six. =P)
Black Six then proceed to tell the group behind Bionicle table with banner that I was here. They greeted me and I said hello back. After that, I just went on my way and continue taking pictures of stuff.
Really not a whole lot to mention after we left the Bionicle Table. I mean not say that other tables don't have cool stuff, they do have cool stuff. I just mean all I was doing at that point was just taking pictures, so I doubt that describing that in detail will be interesting. XD
There definitely was a lot of cool stuff to look at. After all, I somehow have 641 pictures from this event. Its crazy and we didn't get to all the tables since our deadline to leave was like 2 PM (Last time we left at 3 PM. My friend wanted to leave earlier this time since last time we run into traffic on the way home. Of course, technically it was his fault since he was one that want to see a movie afterwards, so we likely would of avoid some of that traffic if we had left Virigina at the time we said we would.).
Oh, I just remembered we did run into Black Six again briefly since apparently he decided to give me my reward for supporting BZPower BrickFair LaserTag thing. I am glad to see it was just the shirt. Thanks again for that, Black Six. (I'll note here that I did have another interesting conversation explaining to my friend, why Black Six thank me and gave me the shirt. XD) I hope you folks had fun at that LaserTag thing.
Alright, so when it got closer to 2 PM, we start get ready leave since by then, our hungry and thirsty were getting pretty bad. Especially mines since I was so thirsty for water that I drank from that terrible water fountain again (It still the worst water fountain I have ever drank from.). So yeah, like I said, waiting to have lunch at 2 PM was not best idea, especially when the last time you had something to eat or drink was a light meal at 7 AM.
Of course, before we could leave, I had to make sure that I sign the Logbook, which I did make my friend aware of. But I think when we did decide it was time for us to get going, there was misunderstanding as he had straight for the exit. I did try tell him to wait, but he did not hear me. So knowing that once I went out that door I could not come back in, I had to stop myself from following my friend.
And well, I went over to Bionicle table one last time and sign the Logbook (I also drop my bag on the floor because I thought it would get in the way of signing it.). While I was doing that, Takuma Nuva came over and briefly ask how I was. I was honest with him and told him that I was dehydrated, but follow it up by mentioning that we going to lunch now to dismiss any possible worries.
And well, I thought that was it for conversation, so I said good bye to Takuma Nuva and awkwardly wave at him. I mean it would probably would been nice to have maybe a longer conversation, but I knew my friend was going call me soon. Before I get away though, someone call me back over the table. It took me a bit by surprised, especially when I notice who it was.... It was DeeVee.
Yeah, I totally wasn't expecting that. Although I guess I should of since I guess Black Six told him about my comic signing thing that I originally mention on my Twitter. *shrugs* But anyway, he introduce himself to me and I kind awkwardly said hi. I mean I wasn't really sure what else to say to him, so once it seems like he was finished what he want to say, I said my goodbyes and quickly rush for the exit.
My friend call me just as I got there, so it was good timing on my part. After we reunited outside, we headed to car and check our 3DSs for streetpasses. We didn't get a lot this time around. I only got about 10 Miis for Mii Plaza (I later got seven more on the way home.). And I'll be honest we spent an hour messing with our 3DSs in the car rather than just go to lunch. XD
And when we did go to get lunch (at 3 PM), we went to a Subway that was in a shopping center nearby rather than just go to one in the Walmart nearby. XD We really did a terrible job of following that leave time deadline. If it is any consolation, traffic wasn't too bad heading home.
Our problem going home was more toll related than anything else since for some reason the way back had five tolls (The way there only had three tolls and they cost about $12 total) and they cost about $21 total. Well, to be specific, it was one toll really. We ended up in a coins only toll by mistake and of course, we didn't have enough coins to pay it (The toll was $1 in coins; we were 4 cents off.).
So yeah, that wasn't great. We have been told that fine could be waved if we explain the situation in a letter after getting the fine papers in the mail. (For those wondering, I have told my friend that I am willing to give him the funds to pay the fine, so if it comes to that I will.) So yeah, that moment did spoil the ride home a bit. It definitely taught me to bring a bunch of coins with me, if we ever do a trip like this again.
Along the way home, my friend explain to me what Data on my phone was (Note: My Phone is a TracFone.) and I got say I am kicking myself for not figuring that out sooner as that would of been useful to let people know when we actually arrived at BrickFair VA. So yeah, another lesson for future trips, I guess.
Alright, the last interesting part of that day was that we stop by a Best Buy in Delaware since my friend want to pick up a copy of Ni-No-Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch (Unfortunately they didn't have a copy.). I ended up picking up a copy of HD Collection of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus (I got it for $4.99 since I had $15 rewards thing from Best Buy) since there wasn't any 3DS games available.
And well, that was our trip. After we were done in Best Buy, we headed home and I pay for my friend's gas (Remind me never to get a Ford Explorer. Geez...Gas for that thing is expense. It was $54!). Not much else to say really.
Well, actually I guess there is this question. Will I be checking out next year's BrickFair VA? Maybe. We hadn't made any plans for it yet. I mean I can't go by myself since I don't have a vehicle (Maybe I'll have my license by then. But still that's a bit of big trip to do when you are new with a driving license.). Beside that, I feel more confidence when I am around people that I am familiar with, so I don't think going alone is ever the best idea for me. *shrugs*
Alright, that's all for this entry. I apologize for writing such a long-winded entry. Thanks though for taking the time to read this and I hope you all have a great day. Talk to later, BZPers.
- JMJ 2014
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