Con Week Part 1: ConCarolinas

I had the fortune of attending not one but two SciFi/fantasy Conventions consecutively at the beginning of June. The first was ConCarolinas, going into its 7th year, followed by HeroesCon, a staple of the Charlotte area for 20 years. After so much at such a it takes assume time to reflect on what feels like the longest party I've been to since that one back in…8th grade?


While I enjoyed Charlotte Mini-con, a sub of Charlotte Comicon, I must admit that in hindsight I was a bit let down by it being only a vendor's show room and nothing more. After you've walked thought all the tables there's nothing else to do but go home. When I was invited to attend the ConCarolinas however, I was a bit apprehensive, but at least I wouldn't have to attend alone this time. With only the Charlotte mini con as my last experience, I didn't expect too much, only planning to look around for an hour before leaving. To my surprise, though, I unearthed a lot of social gems that never seems to get recognition. While Charlotte Mini-con was a vendor show-room and nothing more, ConCarolinas showcased scheduled panels that stood out as familiar to a person in my profession: "Writer's workshops". The panels provide you a change to engage in conversation with those whom would otherwise stand silently.

Reality versus Myth (no pun intended)

Too often the mainstream media like to focus primarily on the Q & A sessions consisting of celebrities answering trivial questions from unwashed and costumed basement dwellers.  While those stereotypes are justified, depending on the social circle near you, the reality is that most of the attendants span an age range from 2 to 70 , aside from the costumes, is that many of the are (gasp) articulate, worldly and many more have arrived with their spouses and children in tow.

There were celebrities, of course.

Kandyse McClure from Battlestar Galactica

Jason Carter from Babylon 5

 So before I get that far in this story, let me scale back to what made this con so special to me…..

Openess

Covering most of the Hilton University's lower level, the con represented a crosshatch of different fan tracks peacefully mingling such as ghost hunting, gaming, and steampunk.

The Carolina Ghostbusters

 No one feuded or fought.  Everyone respected one another's interest. We were all nerds, so there was no "pot and kettle-ing" allowed here, and I loved it.


Except Bronies. Everyone made fun of Bronies… and Twilight fans.

Though a possible furry may have slipped through.

Culture within Culture

I knew the creative worlds have always found ways to combine their interests and skills, but I never knew about the combination of fandom and music called "Filk". The video below shows a few people who've made names for themselves by embracing this subgenre:

Panels, Forums and Workshops 

While a lot of panels featured celebrities and creators, as expected there were a few that allowed for more than simple entertainment. For example, one panel titled international  "Why Aren't We in Space?", where panelists discussed China's plans to send a man to mars, bringing up the many political and social factors that pushed man to visit the moon and what would current motivate us again. Another panel titled "Rise of the internet tough guy" invited attendees to discuss internet cruelty and answer the question of whether people are truly anonymous online.  One young lady even shared her own forum experience witnessing an online discussion where someone retaliated to a disagreement by calling the "offender's" boss, resulting in that person's termination. It was not just another sad reminder of the debilitating state of tolerance among people, but our continuing taboo status in society. Other panels featured discussions and workshops with writers, zinesters, musicians and illustrators sharing the latest info to those looking to enter their respective fields.

Game rooms

One of the ballrooms hosted a X-box gaming station where you could log online for a game of Black Ops. I had not played a console since the Nintendo 64, and felt the need to at least try to catch up and this was my opportunity. It was not easy maneuvering a controller with 9 buttons when you're used to 6, but Luckily I had teenage gaming partners who didn't mind an adult noob who's avatar kept running in circles and made a easy target. Even Mario had to go through several game overs before he reached world 8, right?

If your gaming didn't involve a joystick, the SCARAB gaming convention and the local Charlotte Geeks hosted two board gaming rooms. One had the usual RPG gaming tables but I was more of a "Cards against Humanity" kind of person.

The Charlotte geeks's game room featured a "traffic light" game -- a concept similar to speed dating where you get a few minutes to speak with someone before everyone switches tables. Most of us were not looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend (I think a few were married) and were just using the pop to but it was fun just getting to know new people that share your interests without having to go to a bar.
With so many activities, my original plan for a couple-hour stay stretched all the way into the rest of Friday night.

And more Fun!

If a panel or workshop was not in session, it didn't mean that something wasn't going on.  Attendees could catch other events just outside the hotel, such as dalek rides through the hotel corridors!

That thing can fit an adult inside. NOT a Tardis joke.

The Pineapple-shaped Lamps, a improv group out of Wilmington, NC held their own improv show the first night, channeling the "Whose line" cast and did a damn good job of it. The following Saturday night, two of their members entertained the guests with a fire-dancing routine.



I eventually decided to sacrifice one more night of sleep to see them one last time in a Rocky Horror Shadow cast!

Sorry, No Vid.

By Sunday, the air was ripe with feelings of hangover and tables were gradually being disassembled.  I technically wasn't out of town (the hotel was a 15 minute drive) but I felt like I didn't want to go home. But alas, like everyone else, I had a job and other priorities to return to for Monday. That week became busier that ever once I had to squeeze in extra chores as I prepared for HeroesCon!

Click here for Part 2 of ConWeek!

Hail Yes!

As of this posting, the city of Greensboro received another barrage of east-coast hail with an aftertaste of mild flooding. Marble sized hail pellets, in case anyone from the midwest is reading (yes, I've been told about the "baseball-sized" ones). This is only my second time experiencing this phenomenon, never having experienced it anywhere else on the east coast.

I was lucky enough to video record my first experience with hail and the subsequent flooding at one of my internships. Armed only with my Canon 2100, my computer's camera and a bit of editing magic, I was able to patch a narrative of Elsewhere Artist Collaborative's 2011 fight of the flood invasion!

Trucking for Food

It's food truck time again down in South End Charlotte. Two days of the finest dishes all within walking distance (well, for me). Even two cupcake Vendors (Cupcake Delirium and The Cupcake Queen) and Ice Cream Trucks.  Couples, friends and families gathered to get a taste of unique delicacies like rib burritos and gourmet grilled cheese while they picnic for a concert by local sponsors.

"What's so damn special about food trucks?" I can sense that one reader asking out in the depths of the internet. Well, think about this: a lot of folks are broke, right? And out of anything that gets cut from a weekly budget, it's the usually the food you can't pick up to take home, right? Well, of the trucks I've patronized, the food is restaurant quality (with a few using locally grown ingredients) that charge an average $8 to $10 for a full meal. Now, if I had to choose between the Qdoba for another chicken burrito, and a food truck where I got to experience something new, I think I'd rather spend my money on the Oaxacan Chicken Tacos, thank you very much.

Complete with that iron skillet smell.

So….where was I? Ah yes….


This kind of event happened only once a month, so naturally I hightailed it down the block to pick a truck I hadn't experienced before and got in line. A really long line.

I didn't care, as long as the ends justified the means. As I entertained my line wait, I look around the area and couldn't help but there was one food "truck" whose absence I couldn't help but notice  --The Chrome Toaster. 

A frequent staple of South Boulevard and East Bland Street, the chrome-painted school bus was sorely missed but had a good reason for it.  Not long ago, their bus caught fire, resulting in irreparable damage. In the last couple months however, The Chrome Toaster launched a Kickstarter campaign to purchase a new school bus for their business. As of this week (6/22/2013 ) I received my obligatory Kickstarter notice that Chrome Toaster had reached their goal. I can't wait to see the Silver bus back in South End, and a rib burrito back in my hands.

I'm Not Dead.

After so many posts, you're probably wondering "where did she go?"

Welp, to answer that question, a lot has happened in the past three weeks that has kept me off focus.

I have a post in progress but I'd rather delay a good blog post than publish a really rushed and terrible one. But at least you guys know I have a life.


Until then, stay seated.



roX

Hornets (might) Return to Charlotte

At a press conference today at 6:00pm ET, Michael Jordan announced the possible re-purchase of the Hornets team name to Charlotte pending New Orleans' name change to the Pelicans.

I apologize for the blurry video quality. The audio is pretty intact.





In the past year, the public response for the Hornets' return has pretty much grown from Facebook pages to a huge spike in sales for Hornets merchandise at Time Warner Cable Arena, the Bobcats' home stadium. If you ever attended a Bobcats game, you've probably noticed the crowd of blue and orange was often sprinkled of teal and purple. Many fans can't seem to let go.

While this isn't unique to Charlotte ( I did live in "Die Colts, Die" Baltimore for a while), but to wear the old team's colors in the presence of your current team kind of says "We support you but you'll never take the place of our true team." That must be hurtful to the Bobcats players, and this news just hits them where it really hurts. Keep in mind, I was also was taken aback by the team change after being out of the loop for several year, but even I made an effort to accept the changes when they came. It's a part of life.


If the name does return, I just wonder how the change back will impact Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and the other players? What do you guys think?

UPDATE October 19, 2013--

The Hornets are returning, but not until 2014. Until then, Charlotte will be a Bobcats city for one more year, as Bobcats paraphernalia still drapes the Arena.

One Detail came to mind since publishing this article: Rufus Lynx, the Bobcats' Mascot, who has been a fan favorite since the Bobcats' induction. Are they willing to see HIM go with the franchise?

"I'm gonna miss you too, but your mom and dad wanted the old team back"

Just goes to show you gotta be careful of what you wish for.

The Stolen Business

If you are thinking of heading down to Amy's Baking Company after following the Bouzaglos' subsequent broadcast and online meltdown on Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, you may want to think twice before choosing any food selection. Particularly the pizza.

Two years before their appearance on the reality show, Amy Bouzaglo posted the following Facebook message promoting her "pizza":

As the racially-colored comments suggests, the photos she used were not hers, but from an Irish Pizzeria called The Stolen Pizza.

Note the bottom photo (pictured in the top left of ABC's facebook pic)

The staff of The Stolen Pizza represent what a business should look like online. Their facebook page, even better. Compared to Amy's page, they look spectacular.

As I continue to grow my own business, it makes me angry to see shady people stealing from more honest entrepreneurs who've worked hard and earned their customer base. I don't care if that business is overseas. The economy is becoming more global and anything that happens in one part of the world is always gonna affect another faster than centuries ago. If Amy thinks she can scam someone outside the United States with no consequences on her part then that's just another type of "stupid" to add to her growing list.

Don't waste your money giving that spoiled womanchild Amy Bouzaglo any more attention than she wants. If you want quality and a good vacation, hop on a plane and go support The Stolen Pizza, or at least like their FB page.

http://www.thestolenpizza.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stolen-Pizza/199917130031657

And In case Amy sees this and wants to rail on me........

http://www.jhonta.com/news/wp-content/uploads/uBYfU.jpg

Flashback: Dishwashing with Anarchists

It was an evening in June of 2011 when I still interned for Elsewhere Artist Collaborative. The interns, residents and staff had just finished their dinner of vegan and organic courses when I found myself washing dishes with a couple of anarchists who where exchanging their services for a place to sleep. A married couple, both decked in baggy black clothes and piercings in all places that could be pierced. The words "Fuck cops" adorned the man's right cheek as his wife wore matted blonde dreads. Both were still drenched from the rain they recently escaped.  We were an odd sight as I stood next to them in a fairly conservative t-shirt and denim capris.

Over the sound of plates being scratched and scrubbed, I listened to their stories of hitching freight trains across the country. I didn't have a choice-- I thought that life died in the advancement of locomotive technology and post-WWII economic development. Besides, don't trains run too fast for people jump on them anymore? Well, they explained their jumping strategies (which is NOT we see in the movies), but how they survived in uncontrolled conditions, and even the legal risks they took in doing what they did.  somewhere in the conversation "Mrs. Freight" mentioned having a daughter who lived with her mother in Arkansas. This part bothered me a bit but I let it go for the moment just so I could ask more about their travels via this transit method.

"Anywhere the train stops" She said. Specifically, anywhere the train stopped that had an anarchist or anarchist-friendly community. I guess that also included free shelter, which usually meant large or moderately-sized cities like Greensboro, NC. They claimed of all the cities they lived in, the one to avoid was New Orleans.

And this bit of curiosity is what gets cats killed.

When I asked them about it, New Orleans, they claimed, had a low tolerance for vegans. I wouldn't say they were lying-- What about hindus, people with health problems, and anyone with food allergies? Or Mormons?  Cajun food has to survive but at what cost to certain populations? But then do those populations even make an impact on the food service businesses?  Probably not.

While I understood the frustration of such intolerance I remember what I did when it reached a point of no return-- I eventually moved away to a city that let me be. I'd figure a couple that migrated on a freight would have figured out which city to avoid by now.

The dishes finally complete, I picked up one last cooking pot, stared into the reflection, then my hands, starting to get blackened by the summer sun, and realized who exactly was telling me all this: Why was this couple seeking shelter when they had a child at home with Grandma? If the grandma would care for the child, can she provide shelter for the parents? As soon as they received the news that no bed would come, the dishwashing ended. Why do all that work when you won't even get the most basic of amenities in return? Maybe they could get a job? Nevermind.

I guess life isn't easy for the anarchist couple who can drop off the kid at grandma while they freely jumping freight trains and call out people who reject their freedom to wear their social views on their sleeves. What injustice.


Sidenote:
This was not the only anarchist couple I met with children, but the only one somehow decided to reject the tradition of being a parent too.  Anarchists vary in their ideals but all those ideals, whether I agree with them or not, fascinate me and I do not regret the experience of meeting the anarchist community at all.