You can't attend PAX and not come back with a head full of memories; a belly full of food, booze or both; and a bloodstream full of uppers, downers and STDs and not write about it -- it's in the bible, look it up. You've read the lovely digital diaries of other attendees and this little piece of internet handjobbery really is no different, but when you've spent 4 incredible days with some of the most ridiculously great people to ever be assembled in one area everyone needs to share. And sometimes people share more than just words.



I really don't remember what you see above happening and the worst part being I was definitely sober enough at the time to know what was going on. Therein lies the beauty (or horror) of the PAX experience because it's like one big, hedonistic whirlpool of grab ass and awesome. My parents would truly be proud, but it's all I could do.

I won't lie, prior to PAX I was feeling disconnected to Dtoid as a whole. Not sure what it was exactly but I was spending almost no time on the site beyond reading the news via RSS or hopping into the occasionally linked-to c-blog. Any feeling of disconnect went away the split-second I started meeting the community members. There really is something special about Destructoid and the people that are drawn to it. Here I was, having just met people I'd never met before, maybe not even interacting with on the site at all and it was like we were best friends from years back. Nothing but smiling faces, inviting hugs and plenty of latent homosexuality to fill the city of Seattle and spill into the nearby Puget Sound. It really was one of the greatest things I have ever been a part of and it's an experience I doubt I'll be able to match anytime soon.



I'm extremely thankful to be a part of this community and you ALL are some of the greatest people I have ever and will ever meet in my entire life. From the bottom of my heart, I consider you all to be friends -- editors and community members alike -- and I cannot wait to see you again.

I don't want to single anybody out because I would feel awful if I forgot anyone with all the greatness we experienced like failed attempts to find the IHOP on Butmac's iPhone (spoiler: it didn't fucking exist and breakfast sucked), the CBM kidnapping Necros at the airport and holding forced peace negotiations with the IRCartel, consistently terrible bar service that we returned to night-after-night, mouth raped by a shark and the arduous task of saying goodnight and goodbye one last time.



To contradict myself, there is one person I would like to single out amongst the army of many and without this man, none of this would be possible: Niero. He is, without a doubt, one of the most humble, nicest and appreciative people that has ever lived. He treats Dtoiders not as minions but as friends that he wants to see have a good time. It was an honor to have finally met him and a pleasure to witness the passion for what he does first-hand. Our last night together where everyone said an emotional goodbye group hug style and Kryptinite was in jeopardy of being arrested for his blackness will never be forgotten.



I hope everyone that attended this year will return next year to attempt a recreation of the experience and for those that couldn't make it this year, I beg you: FIND A WAY TO ATTEND PAX 09!!! I miss you all already.

Also, live show. <3