ConDFW 2013

I'm still recuperating from the whirlwind weekend I spent with LD Masterson and Angela Brown when we attended ConDFW. The panels were so-so, though I thoroughly enjoyed the steampunk panels and the Tai Chi panel where I discovered that Tai Chi is not as easy as it looks on tv.

I was hoping EJ Wesley would've met us at ConDFW, but noooooooo. He had better things to do--like promote his latest book, Blood Fugue.

Even though I know Angela, LD and I would've been far more entertaining than a book tour, duty must come first. Go pick up Blood Fugue so EJ's sacrifice will not have been in vain. It's only 99 cents.

I'll talk more about the con when I'm more recovered, but meanwhile I'll leave you with some steampunkery. I was so stoked to learn how creative you could get building these costumes and accessories. It really appealed to my frugal side.

The pictures don't do these actors justice. There was so much in the details, makeup and even to the stitching on the clothing. They were so much fun to watch while they went into character too.

I apologize for not getting everyone's name. But my hat is off to them. They brought steampunk to life and turned me into an avid fan.

Steampunk was especially popular at this con, from the characters in costume to the Dealer Room where they sold books, accessories, clothes, and glossy magazines with slick photos of models in sexy steampunk attire.


Ramon & Radha Fagan (above and below)


Orvis Bloodletter, who was delightful despite the spiky teeth.




So how about you? What's the last conference you attended? Have you attended any where people walked around in costume?


Comments

Stacy McKitrick said…
My last conference was a writers' conference (which was fun, but no dressing up), but before that I was at Dragon*Con, where there are costumes galore. I'll be attending again this year, too. Maybe I'll get braver and actually go up to the people to take their picture!

Nah, probably not! :)
Unknown said…
I went to WFC and there were no costumes.
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: You should talk to them. They are so fascinating. And they love to talk about their costumes.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: I expect to see you as one of the people dressed up. :o)
Mike Keyton said…
It sounds as though you all had great, great fun. Ref Tai Chi you'd be a master, or should that be a mistress of it compared to me. I've just discovered I've got lumbago. Been in agony for the last three days and nights -totally unable to sleep - I think I got about three hours of the three days. But lumbago. The shame of it. It'll be gout next. Bring on the port and cigars and the Tai Chi!
Cate Masters said…
What fun! It's been far too long since I attended a conference. How cool you got to spend time with Angela and Linda.
Oo, just bought a Tai Chi DVD for hubby, hoping it will help him with his arthritis. We've had to postpone trying it but I'm looking forward to using it too.
Maria Zannini said…
Oh, Mike. You poor thing. I'm sorry. Is the lumbago from a slipped disk or a pulled muscle?

Not that it makes a difference. They both hurt. I hope you find some relief soon. I know all about sleepless nights due to pain.

At this point narcotics are your friend. Hope you get some rest soon.

:shakes finger: And no cigars for you.
Maria Zannini said…
Cate: I'm thinking about getting a tai chi dvd too. The class itself is too far for me. But I'd like to learn. I'm hoping it will increase my strength and improve my balance.

Us old people need to hang onto whatever we've got left. LOL.

So good to hear from you, hon!
Unknown said…
I'm so upset I missed this, Maria! I love cosplay shenanigans. :-) Angela said she'd try to take a picture of y'all getting up to no good for proof--or maybe evidence. :-)

I had read through the panel list, and a few of them seemed like they'd be interesting. My brother who lives in DFW area wondered if this was a kid-friendly event, or if there was much for children to do. Any thoughts?

Thank you for mentioning the tour! Blood Fugue is actually free for Kindle today if anyone is interested in trying it out. This has been a crazy-busy month for sure, and I have jury duty tomorrow AND a deadline to get something to the editor by the end of the week.

March can't get here soon enough. :-)

Glad you all had a good time!
Maria Zannini said…
We missed you EJ! We probably had more fun amusing ourselves than we did at the con.

Re: kids
I noticed quite a few kids especially toward the end of the con. There was nothing inappropriate, costume-wise. The only scantily clad person was well protected so there'd be no wardrobe malfunctions.

Try to stay sane until March gets here.
Misha Gerrick said…
Well... that's actually why I went to Germany, for the biggest fruit exporter's conference in the world.

It was interesting, but I wish I could go to a lit conference. Sigh.
Anonymous said…
I love steampunk! We have outfits of a sort - nothing fancy. We wear 'em to Baycon every year. Love it!
Anonymous said…
Sounds like you had a great time :)
I've been to lots of cons where people walked around in costume. My favs were probably World Fantasy Con from when it was last in Austin (way before I lived here). I met so many authors and such that trip. I walked around with a suitcase full of books to be signed.
Unknown said…
Oh heck yeah! If I ever went to a con where that was allowed, I'd be all over it!!
Jenny Schwartz said…
Steampunk is so cool. Wish I had the nerve to wear a steampunk costume to a con.

Tai chi is hard! I tried it years ago. Your thighs hurt at the end of the session. Also, and I don't know if this was something the instructor's words created in my mind, but I could feel balls of energy against my palms sometimes. Weird but cool.
Maria Zannini said…
Misha: Cons are fun regardless of the venue. I love going to home and garden conventions.
Maria Zannini said…
Marlene: After this last con, I am sorely tempted to try it. But I don't want to do it alone. ;-)
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: I have to admit it was all due to the company involved.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: I noticed many of the panelists referencing World Con. That must be a mecca for costumers.
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: There better be pictures if you ever do that. You'd look great!
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: Oh, no. You don't get off that easy. Anyone who posts beaucoup steampunk art MUST indulge if she ever attends such a con.

Re: tai chi
I was greatly surprised at how difficult it was despite the simple movements.

PS I noticed the wall of energy between my palms too when we tried it.
Angela Brown said…
The fun we had was cool, including the dogs :-)

I must apologize to EJ since I didn't get the shenanigans captured on film. Now that I think about it, that may be a good thing lol!!

LOVED the steampunk and Tai Chi. they were the best.

But not better than keeping company with you, Maria, and Blister Sister Linda lol!!!
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: Sister! I was so glad you came up to join us. I don't think I ever laughed so much.
Shelley Munro said…
No, I haven't, and I've obviously missed out. The costumes look like fun. Steam punk has so much scope.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: I'm not sure about wearing them, but I sure would like to try and make a costume.
Unknown said…
There is another convention at the same hotel that is 70%+ costuming. several panelists from ConDFW will be presenting there as well. (John Manning, Ethan Nahte, Anthony Brownrigg, Peggy Dee, Bev Hale, etc.) All-Con Dallas March 8-10. It's a good sized convention with 1,850 attendees annually. It's a door buster from the opening Friday through the last event Sunday and only shuts down from 4am to 9am for the overnight.
Maria Zannini said…
Thank you, Todd! I will definitely look into this. I was so intrigued by the costumes I've seen so far.

Thanks for the head's up.
Gwen Gardner said…
How fun that you got to meet Angela and LD! Can't wait to hear more about the conference.

I love the steampunk costumes (I love dressing up for renaissance faires, too). I haven't read any steampunk yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Jennifer Shirk said…
Whoa. Totally fun! The last conference I went to was in Oct. NO costumes but still a good time!
Rula Sinara said…
I've seen a few people decked out at Nationals, but that's it. Those costumes look cool. Sounds like you had a great time!
Maria Zannini said…
Gwen: I'm not sure I have the guts to dress up, but I love people-watching.

***

Jennifer: Cons, even the puny ones make you think and get you motivated. I'd go all the time if I could afford it.


***

Rula: I've been to Nationals when they dress up. Somehow it seems silly at a romance conference, but science fiction? Bring it on. It would seem silly if there weren't costumes.