Off the bus I think the first thing I was aware of was the bitter cold as we walked down Canal St to the subway. Upon reaching the underground Paul and I shared the same confused look as we attempted to plot our rout. Thankfully Laura lead us to Penn station (its good to have a New Yorker on hand in these kind of situations) We reached Penn Station just in time to run to our train. This would have been easier if we knew where the gates were. But with a bit of luck we actuallymade the train and then enjoyed the hour long jaunt through the NJ commuter service. 

After a short nap on the rails, I woke and called the hotel to confirm our reservation, and to have them send the shuttle. Of course, our luck ran that the shuttle wasn’t ready yet. But the kind folks had the number of a driver they use. So I dial the number and I can only relate the following as best I can from memory as it was so unbelievable that I really wish I had it on record. To paraphrase, it went something like this; 

     Doug: Hello, I would like to get picked up at New Brunswick station please, 

     Guy: Where are you now? (took three tries to get this) 

   Doug: I dont know really, umm.. pulling out of Elliot station? 

   Guy: Pick up at Elliot to New Brunswick! Okay 

  Doug: NO! no no! I want to be picked up AT New Brunswick! 

  Guy: Where? 

 Doug New Brunswick Station, 

     REPEAT the last Two lines 12 times, (No lie!) 

Guy: (clearly frustrated) WHEREwherewherewhereWHERE!? 

Doug: Okay, I dont know how else to say New Brunswick station soooo, what are you looking for me to say? 

Guy: WHERE in New Brunswick!? 

Doug: Like what part of the station? I dont know dude, Im not from here! 

Guy: Where?! Where?! Where?! where are you? Bridge? 

Doug: Sure….. why the hell not, the Bridge? where would that be? 

Guy: Okay… Bridge! ~click~ 

 
So yeah… needless to say there was some confusion once we got off the train, after two more calls with this guy, both of them as fruitful as the first we hopped in a cab and I proceeded to ignore his angry calls. I did save his angry voice mail though so if you see me and ask, I will play it for you! Hopping in this cab might not have been our best move, we all pile in and I tell the driver the address, and without looking he jumps out into the street and pulls a big U turn in the newly falling snow, cutting off three cars as he did so.  From here, Somehow Laura got to sleep so only Paul and I got to enjoy the cab drivers attempt to get us to the hotel!  This of course involved the usual, you know…jumping a curb, a bit of off roading..missing a stop sign so to make up for it slamming on the breaks and sliding into the center of a busy intersection…fishtailing… and my favorite, driving along peoples front lawns!  Well, we managed to make it to the Hotel…alive. Well done crazy New Jersey cab driver.. you earned your twelve dollars! 

More on the shoot in the next Blog

Dogtoon Media will be running around TempleCon  

in Warwick Rhode Island!

This will be the first year of Dogtoon Media at TempleCon Warwick’s premier gaming convention. I will be going along with the Penny Dredfuls of S.S Icarus and I have to say I am really stoked for this shindig! So since the Dreadfuls have a very large presence there I was really surprised when they advised me not to get a table! so say the steam punk bandits, “Its not a convention you want to be tied down at!” and that really peaks my interest.. so of course like any sound research…I started with THE INTERNET! and found so much info on it, and lots of pictures and many of them with the Dreadfuls.

After all this, I find myself a little unsure as to what will be happening at TempleCon for Dogtoon Media, one thing I am pretty sure about though is that I will be having a blast, (and really isn’t that the best thing?) But my thought is to run around and take LOTS of pictures! our last Big convention I was able to make one Video update, Ill see if maybe I can make a few at this one! I am really stoked to see what this convention has to offer! if you’re interested, check the link!

TEMPLECON

The Penny Dreadfuls

Friday: Since I was flying with the Penny Dreadfuls and sharing a table with those fine folks I had them come up early to plan things out and Friday night we took off (I snuk in a beach trip right before departure! awesome!) So we rolled out of the Dog House Friday night and got on the road, and what a fun trip! The Icarus was fun to ride in very Millennium Falcon; old, well used and clearly well loved. And I must say she held up wonderfully as we drive through a hurricane in the works! After a night on the road we arrived at Pioneer Vally and the location of Pi Con. Here we met up with Jeff Mach of Wicked Fare and James Hatton of “In His Likeness” and the evening was a fantastic mix of talking, plotting and drinking! WONDERFUL!

SAT: Awake and on site we quickly got our table set up. I must say the location was a bit rough, right over the washers so umm yeah… HOT! and as we were the end of a hallway the traffic was a bit low but still the folks I did talk with I had great conversations with. So the day rolled on and it got to be time for the Steampunk Dance. So Cap and Whisper and I got the place all set up and the music going, and the turn out seemed good for openers around 15-20. But not as many as I would like, so as I walked out to see if anyone was about I could pull into the ball I heard the sweet sweet sounds of a violin. This being my favorite instrument i was drawn to it! and I had the thought perhaps others would be as well, with a quick introduction I was able to convince him to follow myself and Whisper around as we gathered people for the Steampunk Dance! at its height I would say we had about 40 people. My favorite part being when I got the event coordinator to come and dance for one song and she stayed for the rest of the night! After that it was all hanging out with the General of the Dreadfuls and Jess from Western Mass Steam. Fun parties, and drinking into the wee wee hours of the morning.

SUN: Sunday was a very relaxing day, given how little I sold I decided to not set up the table and spent it instead hanging out. The hotel had several pools that we made very good use of to beat the heat and talk about the convention. Soon it was time for the convention “Gripe Session” a open venue for people to say what they liked and didn’t like about the convention. I have to say it gave us some great feedback and when we found out the usual turn out for Saturday night dances was between 5-10 our 40 seemed all the larger and more impressive! The convention concluded the only item of business was a dinner meeting with Jeff Mach, a fun excursion and a very interesting conversation! I am now very amped up for Wicked Faire! The return trip I feel asleep for and then it was back to work as usual come Monday but what a fun time!