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Fantasm
April 2004
Thursday Night
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Eventually it was time for the official events to get going, kicking off
with live music. Well, half-live.
Vampstar used “backing tracks” instead of live percussion, rounding the
sound out with live bass, keyboard, and a singer that reminded me of the
drag queen from Dead or Alive. There’s a little bit of 80’s goth Dead or
Alive in their sound too. Positively the absolute worst music I have ever
experienced in person. The lyrics alone almost made me cough out my first
drink. I couldn’t tell you a thing about them had they not had some very nice
eye candy to keep me in the room for a few minutes at a time. But even with such sights, the sounds drove me out after a few
minutes. |
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I returned a while later, just as they blew a breaker or something. It
took the staff a while to figure out how to get things up and running
again. The girls tried to hold everyone’s attention, but soon even they got
bored. |
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The power came back on eventually, putting everything behind schedule
right off the bat. A bummer, but no experienced con-goer expects anything to
be on time. |
| Meanwhile, long time con-party-thrower Reverend John Ling had prepared the
con suite for the kickoff party. |
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| He took geekdom to new heights by throwing a Revenge of the Nerds party,
nerdishly recreating the films in minute detail, complete with t-shirts and
costumes and such. Nerds glorifying a film that glorifies nerds – postmodern
nerdism at it’s finest. |
 |
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I thought this guy had lost a contact or something, until he growled and snapped
at me. Then I realized he was acting like a dog. No, I don’t mean that in some
metaphorical way. He crawled everywhere and even nipped a few friends on the
calf. I was tempted to sink my big boot in his face but his handler kept him at
bay most of the time. |
| Next in the main ballroom, The Unadored, an audible improvement over Vampstar
but still not my cup o’ tea. Tired-sounding goth kinda droney, dark stuff with
Dali films projected over them for a heavy-handed attempt at being surreal.
Cute, but not cute enough to hold my attention. |
 |
 |
Back in the con suite, the nerd party was in full swing as a parade of guys in
Alpha Beta t-shirts invaded, chanting “nerd nerd nerd” over and over again as
they hoisted a keg into place behind the bar.
Their sorority sisters followed, then they picked out people dressed as nerds
(either for the party or as default) and encircled them, pointing and chanted
“nerd” at them. It had the feel of a Nazi rally in many ways and I kept waiting
for the chant to change to “Jew.” Fortunately that never came about. Instead,
they held eachother over the keg one by one for “kegstands”, an acrobatic feat
involving drinking beer upside down. Impressive! |
| In the main ballroom, Salome’s Wish wrapped up the live music portion of the
con. Yet another improvement. Their visual effects included day-glo paint and
blacklights. Unfortunately, I can’t recall it in detail as I was running from
place to place, buzzing like a bee in more ways than one. |
 |
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In the other half of the con suite a guy had set up an area for bodypainting.
Over the course of the weekend he painted countless women, some entirely naked,
and a male or two. He did great work and anything that encourages girls to run
around undressed is fine by me. |
| Fortunately my digital camera kept everything in order ‘cause I would’a
forgotten things like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, shown on a sheet in the
ballroom. |
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| The low-tech quality of the event only added to the flavor and there
wasn’t a heck of a lot else going on. |
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| Besides, when you’ve got a Janet like this why go anywhere else? For more of this lovely lass, see
her site at www.alisakiss.com She
gets my award for Best Bubble-Butt! |
 |
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Back at the nerd party, the lovely Soni was running around signing
people. |
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I guess she liked my pants? |
Thanks to Reverend Gale for this shot.
Award for Cutest Male-Male couple goes to this pair
having a swell time at the Nerd Party.
I remember striking this pose, but I don't remember why.
I headed out sometime around 3:30 AM. There was still lots of socializing going
on but one thing I’ve learned in years of con whoring is not to wear myself out
too much on the first night.
