I seriously don't even know where to start when it comes to making a post on the amazingness that was the Penny Arcade Expo of 2009. The whole thing was just such a positive experience for me, I am totally at a loss for words just how amazing it was.
Definitely my favourite part of the entire weekend was meeting all these people who I interact with online every day in real life. It really was a surreal thing finally putting faces to names.
There really isn't anything else that I could possibly put in this introduction section that probably hasn't been said in someone else's previous PAX blog, so I'll just post a shit load of me with other Dtoiders, along with random stories that pop into my head. I hope that isn't a problem for you guys.
One thing that I couldn't help but notice was just how sexually attractive everyone in the Dtoid community is. From Mama Donna, to R3Y, to Necros, to Nukka Jdav, to Stella Wong, to Mikey, to Dale North, to Niero, to Knives, to Tactix, to Funktastic, to Hamza (especially to Hamza ;), and to everyone else, I want to feel the warmth of all your bodies at once. This really does sound like a Chad Concelmo style exaggeration , but I'm really not kidding. The Dtoid community is probably the hottest group of people on the internet.
It was totally mindboggling, the sheer amount of people that showed up. As most of you probably know, this picture was taken just moments after Destructoid's panel. OH! I almost forgot about this story. When I was waiting in line with some Dtoiders to get into the panel, Niero just walks up to me randomly, intorduces himself, and says "Hi Garison". It was literally the first time I ever seen him, and it means the world to me that he thought to come say hi.
I'm probably just being the over-emotional person that I am, but it really was awesome. Also, later, when they were handing out the "Become" t shirts, there was a mistake with my order, and it got left in Miami. Niero offered me the shirt right off his back, I had to decline, but the fact that he would do that just proves how awesome of a guy he really is.
We really are lucky to a guy like him running Destructoid. If it weren't for him, none of us would have even met each other. <3
I'm pretty sure I was the youngest member to show up to the event, but did that stop me from having a nice cold glass of grape drink? No sirree.
One of my favourite parts of the weekend was being able to meet the adorable Colette Bennett. We've talked online a number of times before finally meeting for the first time at PAX, sonit was totally obligatory that we took a cliche MySpace style scene-kid photo. :P
A picture of The GHost proposing to me, replacing the engagement ring with Funkstastic's Domo-kun plush. Yeah.
Another highlight was meeting the beautiful EternalPlayer. We had many good conversations sitting on the bench outside the 21 and over bar, on account of we couldn't get in on account of we weren't 21.
But seriously, EternalPlayer is the best.
I remember the first time I ever seen Chad Concelmo. There was a big group of Dtoiders walking down the sidewalk, when we came to another large group of Dtoiders. Chad happened to be in that other group, and one of the first things he did was ask Phoenix Blood if he could put babies in her. She said yes, and they had sex right there on the sidewalk.
It was Funktastic's idea to get a Cblog recap team photo toghether. And boy was it an awesome idea. From left to right: Pendelton21, Funktastic, Qalamari, me, and ScottyG.
Sadly, this photo is no longer applicable, as I have stepped down from the position as Friday's official recapper. Who knows though, maybe I'll take back the responsibility again one day ...
Stella, Bleach Boy, and me. Funny thing, actually PAX weekend was the first time I ever played Mega Man 2, Bleach Boy and I went to the Console Freeplay area and we plowed through 3 or 4 levels before I got too frustrated and started screaming f-bombs at the screen. People were staring.
On Saturday I casually stopped by The Behemoth's booth, only to find my favourite person ever, the Clown Princess from Castle Crashers! Weird thing, actually, when I walked up to her for a chat, she says "HEY! You changed your hair since I last saw you!" I was like, "what, I've never even been to a con before", so she said that she remembered me from Comic Con. Definitely weird. But we hung out for 15 minutes, then I peaced out. I wonder if she will remember me next year?
I have to give a shoutout to my Backwards-Compatible podcast buddy, James (or Nukka Jdav). I miss this guy :(
Funny story about me and Rev. As I was checking into my hotel on Thursday night after a long day or travel, I hear the famous Anthony Burch's voice behind me. I turn around, to see him sitting majestically on this big throne of a chair, surrounded by Ashley Davis, Ashley Burch, and Aaron Linde. I walk over to them, shake their hands, say hi, and then collapse on the floor. I pretty much fainted.
Most embarrassing thing ever! ^_______^
Yashoki and I had this fascination with the sparkly sidewalk outside the convention center. it doesn't really show up that well on camera, but trust me, if you see it IRL, you will SHIT BRICKS.
I punched a shark in the face.
Then a shark carried me around for a while.
TACTIX <3 We had a good cuddle sesh.
One of my favourite person I got to meet at PAX this year, Miss Stella Wong, <3 You're the best.
GHost ... :O
Even Tactix' dick wears a fedora ;)
And last but not least, Hamza butt rapes Suff0cat.
So, I"m going to try my hardest to make it to Boston in March for PAX East, but I definitely can't make any promises right now. I hope to see everyone then! <3
[EDIT: I decided to throw a bunch more pictures in. Just cause.]
@Kryptinite: I have no problem with that at all. We could pretend I'm you and your fiance's newborn child, and then she won't have to go through the whole pregnancy thing. =D
@Suff0cat: I have another video of us all sitting in that same hotel room, and then a Paramore video comes on TV, and you have like the biggest grin ever.
Go picture stealing! =P Hahaha! <3 So effing glad I finally got to meet you and all mate! So awesome chilling with you and all, plus getting you "adult" drinks . . . hahaha! Get your ass to Calgary!
Go picture stealing! =P Hahaha! <3 So effing glad I finally got to meet you and all mate! So awesome chilling with you and all, plus getting you "adult" drinks . . . hahaha! Get your ass to Calgary!
... I'm just loving all these PAX blogs... and these are some of the best pics yet... especially the sparkly sidewalk one... for some reason I really want to see that sparkly sidewalk now! :)
It feels weird fapping to a blog that has a picture of me shirtless, but oh well. Speaking of which, I don't remember taking my shirt off at all during that week. So what I'm really asking is what kind of rufies did you give me? Clearly they were super effective.
Kidding aside, it was great meeting you man. Hopefully you don't get too bored in them big 'ol great plains :)
Cblog recap photo-op was MY idea, yo. =p Was great meeting you, and I apologize if I creeped you out at the beginning like I said. I forgot you didn't know what I look like beforehand.
I don't even remember Hamza buttraping Suff - I remember my Andrew sandwich though, between suff and drewloid...how do i not remember the sharkrape?!
You rule, I adore you, and Guitar Atomik forgot to say goodbye so I was supposed to remember to say goodbye for him. My bad. <3 <3 <3 Love you miss you!
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about me
Hey, I'm Gary, but you can call me garison. I've been on Destructoid for about a year, and have fallen in love with this place. I enjoy playing videogames, collecting videogames, reading about videogames, and writing about videogames.
Braid Bit.Trip Beat Bit.Trip Core Chibi-Robo Ico Mother 3 Pop'n Music series
Professor Layton and the Curious Villiage Rhythm Heaven Shadow of the Colossus Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: FES Super Mario Galaxy Zelda: Wind Waker
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
I'm so glad we got the chance to meet in person! I think I'm just going to kidnap you next year..if that's cool with you :).
@Kryptinite: I have no problem with that at all. We could pretend I'm you and your fiance's newborn child, and then she won't have to go through the whole pregnancy thing. =D
I love you Garison! Although the picture of me with my trousers down to my ankles didn't make the cut. :'(
Maybe next year...
OMG! I'll include that photo ASAP! Thanks for reminding me!
Also, I love you too, Mikey <3
Twas a pleasure to meet you. I just realized I spent more time with out of country people then any of us Americans. Win.
I hope you can make PAX East! I'm hopefully going. Otherwise, PAX10!
I don't remember doing that to suff ... at all
I love you! That photo of us is so cute ^__^
Your are my sexy kitten. Love you long time <3
YES.
That looks like fucking heaven, dude.
So damn jealous.
OH great pic of me haha. Next time I'll actually get the guts to talk to the other dtoiders.
now that is a good collection of shots
Oh god, I don't remember Hamza doing that to me...at all.
No wonder I was sore the next day.
@Suff0cat: I have another video of us all sitting in that same hotel room, and then a Paramore video comes on TV, and you have like the biggest grin ever.
No love for me. Sad panda. <3
I <3 garison. :D
I <3 garison also! YAY cuddling!
We are going to beat that damn game next time!!
@blehman: What we have between us should be kept between only us.
<3
OMG Only Garison could be awesome enough to get a shot with silverback where he doesn't look like he's drunk off his ass. Garison wins.
Awesome, it's nice to see all the pictures so I can have an idea of how the fuck doyou look, and you all look amazing <3
Hey, I'm in the last photo! Yay!
It was awesome to meet you, man. I hope you can make it out to PAX East, even though tickets are crazy expensive!
Thx for the hugs, Garison! You were very sweet to a newbie -- get to PAX East!!!
awesome.
It was awesome to see you, garison! :D <3
I wanna PAX so bad now.
I <3 PAX pictures. I can feel the awesome from my monitor!
Go picture stealing! =P Hahaha! <3 So effing glad I finally got to meet you and all mate! So awesome chilling with you and all, plus getting you "adult" drinks . . . hahaha! Get your ass to Calgary!
Go picture stealing! =P Hahaha! <3 So effing glad I finally got to meet you and all mate! So awesome chilling with you and all, plus getting you "adult" drinks . . . hahaha! Get your ass to Calgary!
Garison you are my most favorite person ever
I'll vouch for stella's coolness.
Awesome pictures Garison!!!
... I'm just loving all these PAX blogs... and these are some of the best pics yet... especially the sparkly sidewalk one... for some reason I really want to see that sparkly sidewalk now! :)
It feels weird fapping to a blog that has a picture of me shirtless, but oh well. Speaking of which, I don't remember taking my shirt off at all during that week. So what I'm really asking is what kind of rufies did you give me? Clearly they were super effective.
Kidding aside, it was great meeting you man. Hopefully you don't get too bored in them big 'ol great plains :)
<3 <3 <3 <3
It was awesome finally meeting you! Although we need to hangout more next time :)
Still, j00 r00xx0rd my b0xx0rz :D
<3 <3 <3 <3 I LOVE YOU GARISON IT WAS SO AMAZING TO MEET YOU! :D Will do business again A++++++
That's it, I'm buying tickets for PAX East this instant, fuck you people and your PAX blogs, I want in on this shit.
@Everyone: <3
It was incredible getting to meet you this year! Miss you terribly! Hopefully I can make PAX East but for sure PAX West next year!
Cblog recap photo-op was MY idea, yo. =p Was great meeting you, and I apologize if I creeped you out at the beginning like I said. I forgot you didn't know what I look like beforehand.
I don't even remember Hamza buttraping Suff - I remember my Andrew sandwich though, between suff and drewloid...how do i not remember the sharkrape?!
You rule, I adore you, and Guitar Atomik forgot to say goodbye so I was supposed to remember to say goodbye for him. My bad. <3 <3 <3 Love you miss you!
Maya
This is beautiful.
Oh, also <3!
We are gods.
Oy Garison, it was great meeting you. I hope you can make it to PAX East!
I wish I could have met you Garison. :-(
These pictures take awesome to a whole 'nother level. I am jealous of everyone.
Remember who bought you that grape drink!
Definitely awesome to meet you Garison, my adorable little Canadian friend. You are an awesome drunk. <3
So, what happened after you fainted in front of Rev, Linde and co?
lol <3<3<3<3