What is this strange thing known as a gaming convention? Up till this point I had never been to one and had no idea what to expect. What did I expect? I expected something similar to a big comic Convention. I mean there can't be that much of a difference can there? Well there definitely was. One thing I noticed for the most part was a ridiculous level of respect shown by the people attending the show. Then next was the swag. At a comic convention you get pins and maybe a free issue of something and tiny fold in half posters. Here I got toilet paper, toy cars, swine flue, posters galore and more T-shirts than even Goodwill would accept. Simply a shocking development in showing how awesome something can be.

But that honestly isn't the important part of the PAX. The important part was the people. More specifically, my fellow D'toiders. This was actually something that ended up being the best part of the week. I was just this stupid kid in a batman T-shirt popping in and suddenly mingling with people who had no idea who the hell he was. I mean really. Who was I? Scion of Mogo? I think I had made maybe 10 comments since I had joined the site before I came to the show. Yet somehow multiple poeple recognized the screen name and were accepting of this stupid short guy running around like a chicken with his head cut off as he introduced himself to as many people as possible.

I originally walked away shy. I really am a quite and reserved person for the most part but something brought something out of me that Friday. I don't know what it was. I think it might have been the hundred plus people standing on the stairs for a picture screaming Also Cocks. Or it could have been the fact that every time I saw someone with a D'toid name badge I could walk up and say hi and they would immediately let me join in their group walking around for a bit. That amazed me. It didn't matter that I was new. It mattered that I was a member of the community and was willing to join right on it. What kind of acceptance is that? Where I can just walk up and immediately be accepted just for having I'm Satan and my screen name on a name badge? It confused me I've been a member of huge forums for other mediums and I have never seen anything as large and as caring as what I saw last weekend. You folks are seriously freaking amazing. Whether it was taking over the Red Lion on 2 nights and drinking like nutters or going to a fancy bar and giving the bartender an aneurysm from anger it was an amazingly fun and accepting atmosphere. Not to mention the way you guys were going out of your way for one another. Whether it was having us all sign a big poster as a gift or signing a card in an effort to cheer up another member it was astonishing. This isn't a community, it's a family and I'm damn glad to be a part of it now. Also Cocks