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My Incredible PAX Adventure, and how Kauza's avatar ruined it all.
walkyourpath | 5:55 PM on 09.09.2009 40 comments





In most cases, when a community is “tightly-knit” it also means the community is less welcoming to outsiders than a Baptist congregation to a group of vampire LARPers. Yet, for every rule there is an exception and unsurprisingly, Destructoid is that exception.

My initial expectations going in were to see some games, see a bit of the city, and hopefully get to meet a few of the people I had grown so fond of over the interwebs. 4 days of debauchery, nerdery, and revelry later, and I still hadn't met all the Dtoiders who showed up. No exaggeration, every single Dtoider I plucked up the courage to meet was friendly and welcoming – I've never seen such love before in my life, let alone from a community where people interact primarily over the internet.

My wife doesn't play very many games, but as a nerd herself she wanted to see what PAX was all about. She expected to just lurk in the background, but every time I turned around she was in a conversation with another Dtoider. Many thanks to all of you who took the time to get to know her and make her feel welcome – she had an awesome time.

The staff was so approachable and friendly – I got to meet Ashley, Samit, Dyson, Grim, Aerox, Colette, and even Niero himself. The way this team interacts with the community is nothing short of astounding. Special props go out to Hamza, who in addition to being a hella-cool shark (seriously, he's a snappy dresser) also worked his ass off to make sure that everyone got together and had a good time. He was constantly coordinating or informing and making the newbies feel welcome all the while!




Disproved by Destructoid.


From meeting the bad-ass members of Dtoid Texas, to being one of only 2 Dtoiders to actually sing karaoke on karaoke night (ScottyG was the other brave soul on the scouting party), to seeing a live gameplay demo of Red Dead Redemption (now my second most anticipated game of 2010 behind Heavy Rain), and many other happy memories, PAX is an experience I will never forget.

I could go on and on about all the amazing people I met, but I'll just close this part of the blog by saying you have got to find a way to get to the next community meetup – whether it be PAX or another con or your nearest NARP, you will not find a more worthy use of your time than getting to interact with this fine community face-to-face. I not only feel like a true part of the community now, but a part of the family. Whatever is standing in your way (money, time, shyness, etc.), start planning now for how you're going to overcome that obstacle for the next event, you'll be ever so glad you did.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Guns and Roses said it all so much more eloquently than I ever could, but I do have to reiterate that every story has a dark side. PAX wasn't all rainbows and kittens for me. Before I left, I promised my good interwebz buddy Kauza that I would take his avatar with me so that he could be there in spirit since he couldn't make it. Little did I know the trouble that would follow from such a simple gesture.

I had an inkling that things might be a little off when Kauza's avatar proceeded to get absolutely hammered on the plane. I think being 2-dimensional makes you a pretty cheap date.





The convention was fun, but Kauza's avatar didn't make it easy. I promised Kauza I'd take good care of his avatar for him, so I didn't want us to get separated – so when he demanded to hang around and stare at Mr. Destructoid's ass for 20 minutes I was forced to oblige.





I thought he could help me out at the Star Wars : The Old Republic Demo. When I let him out of the messenger bag he proceeded to immediately turn to the nearest woman in the crowd and said, “C'mon baby – I don't want to go Hand Solo tonight!”





After threatening to lock him up in the Hello Kitty demo box, he calmed down and even offered to take some notes for me. So I relaxed and enjoyed the demo thinking he had me covered -- so much for turning over a new leaf.





Kauza's avatar tagged along to the Elephant and Castle one night, and it wasn't just the nerves from flying that made him drink before – he really is a lush.





My wife and Aerox were trying to have a conversation about the Discworld novels, but Kauza's avatar kept butting in. Also, I was beginning to get a little bit uncomfortable with how close he was getting to my wife.





Before long, he was passed out right in the middle of the patio.





At the end of the night, all I wanted to do was sleep, but Kauza's avatar made that impossible. We barely got upstairs before he announced he was about to “de-frag his stomach's hard drive”, and asked if I would hold him over the toilet. Given that the alternative was him tossing his cookies in the hotel room, I had little choice.





What has been seen cannot be unseen. What took place in that bathroom defied the laws of physics.





You'd think after a night like that he would learn his lesson. The next night at the E&C he was right back to his old tricks. Having scared away all other prospects with his drunken misogynistic demeanor, he sunk to new depths when he asked my wife if she'd like to “ditch old 'kissyourass' over there and go back to the room with a real man”.





Well, my amazing wife was having none of that. She was just about fed up with Kauza's avatar anyway and the proposition was just too much. She took matters into her own hands.





Oh, the humanity!





Moral of the story : A person's avatar often does not reflect their true nature. Also, nobody, and I mean NOBODY fucks with wifey.




Attached photos:

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40 comments | showing # 1 to 40

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Zodiac Eclipse's Destructoid Blog
LOL this was fantastic. I was about to go back and ask Kauza what you two were "working" on, but I'm glad I waited it out. Mere words could have never done this blog justice.

My hat is off to you and especially your wife for being such a good sport.
Arttemis's Destructoid Blog
That is an incredible story. I wish I could have been around for more parts of this!
Magnalon's Destructoid Blog
KAUZA YOU DIRTY BASTARD

Walk, you're adorable: as is your wife

<3
Jordan Devore's Destructoid Blog
You and your wife were both very awesome. Glad to see the pics turned out!
Technophile's Destructoid Blog
Dude, it was amazing to meet you. You were one of my highlights of PAX.
Sentry's Destructoid Blog
This is full of love and awesome. You guys are the tops.
walkyourpath's Destructoid Blog
Techn0phile! Much love to you, sir! I got to hang out with you more than any other staffer and I went on and on to Dawn about how cool it was to get to know you better. Thank you sir.
kauza's Destructoid Blog
Holy shit, everyone in this apartment complex probably thinks I just had a stroke. Haven't laughed like that in...well, today, but still, damn. That was amazing.

I guess I owe it to PAX to right all of the wrongs caused by my avatar. But I'll be damned if I clean up that toilet. What the hell.
Puppy Licks's Destructoid Blog
Never trust a robot dragon seahorse jetpack thingy.
gatorsax2010's Destructoid Blog
Kauza, your avatar is a jerk.
storyr's Destructoid Blog
Dude, I apologize we were not able to do anything Monday but I had an absolute blast with you and your wife!

I am hoping to visit Travis and Andrea soon in Austin and would absolutely love to see you both if and when I do
Jack Maverick's Destructoid Blog
No conSARS for you or the wifey? Let's hope it stays that way. Fun story, by the way.

Also, I would go to one of these, but my relatives would rather waste their money on me getting into college than anything else. Pfft, I know that I could learn a lot more from a day at PAX than I could a semester at college.
walkyourpath's Destructoid Blog
@Jack -- Actually, we both got the conSARS big time (I ran a 103.6 degree temp last night). But even as achey and crappy as I feel right now, all that fades in comparison to the awesome trip. Totally worth it.
Stevil's Destructoid Blog
His avatar lived fast and died young.


TheDreadHawk's Destructoid Blog
This is great, haha
Knives's Destructoid Blog
Can't believe i missed the burning! :O

You and your wife are awesome, i'm glad you felt at home with all the dtoid people, hope to see you again some time soon.
TheBigFeel's Destructoid Blog
Did Kauza's avatar catch swine flu?
Ashley Davis's Destructoid Blog
It was an honor (you're one of my favorite C-bloggers!) and a pleasure to meet you and your wife, even if we didn't get to hang out a whole lot. I'm sad I didn't get to meet Kauza's avatar, though. I like giant mechanical dragons in space with guns.
robotbebop's Destructoid Blog
This is probably the coolest thing I've read all day. It's also a great idea, we should do this next year for more people who can't go to PAX. We can call it adopt-an-avatar!
NihonTiger90's Destructoid Blog
Kauza, your avatar is pure evil.
robotbebop's Destructoid Blog


Woooo... Woooo...
Elsa's Destructoid Blog
OMG! That was just waaaay too funny! I actually spit out my tea I was laughing so hard!

You and your wife are just awesome!... and this (and the other blogs) have me already madly anticipating my trip to PAX next year. :)

Kauza, Kauza, Kauza.... Robotbebop is right... you may have started an evil trend! (love the idea of adopt-an-avatar!)
Dao2-SKP's Destructoid Blog
epic!
Zodiac Eclipse's Destructoid Blog
@ Robotbebop, that is the best idea ever created. If this happens I'll sign up the first day.
gatorsax2010's Destructoid Blog
@Robotbebop

Do it for PAX East!
blehman's Destructoid Blog
Amazing.
kauza's Destructoid Blog
Hey, if I do end up making PAX East, I'll definitely pay the avatar adoption forward.
walkyourpath's Destructoid Blog
Adopt-an-Avatar for the win! Someone needs to shoop a Suzanne Summers up for that!
SilverDragon1979's Destructoid Blog
Walkyourpath, you are the freaking MAN!!!! I wish I could have gone to PAX and met you man. :-(
Solgrim's Destructoid Blog
I plan on coming down to Texas some time in the future to hang out. Do you live near the other Texas Dtoiders?
robotbebop's Destructoid Blog
@Zodiac, I don't think there's anything to sign up for, we all just have to remember to do it. I've setup an event in my google calendar for Aug 1 2010 to remind me cause I will forget otherwise.
walkyourpath's Destructoid Blog
@Solgrim -- I live minutes away from itemforty, the rest of the Texas gang is spread out a bit more (College Station and Dallas). There is a Texas NARP coming up here in Austin soon though!
teknomcr's Destructoid Blog
You totally rocked the mic at The Crescent. Even the tranny thought so!
CblogRecaps's Destructoid Blog
Awesome! I caught the tail end of the burning... was wondering what that was all about!

Also, thanks for being so cool and helping me introduce my friend to Destructoid in such a positive way. You and your wife are amazing people and it was a pleasure to get to meet you both.

<3
Qalamari's Destructoid Blog
Well, crap. That was me, guess I never logged out of the recap account last night. Still, <3
ZombiePlatypus's Destructoid Blog



I need to get to PAX next year.
kauza's Destructoid Blog
Haha, that's awesome, Zombie! Profiled!

Go to PAX East!
walkyourpath's Destructoid Blog
That is sweet, Zombie! Yeah, dunno if I can make Seattle next year, but I'm definitely going to Boston. My sister lives there!
ZombiePlatypus's Destructoid Blog
Yeah, if I make it it may have to be East, normal PAX doesn't tend to work. Late summer/early fall is a bitch at my job, it's nearly the only time I'm 100% necessary. It always looks like there's such a good time had.
bushofghosts's Destructoid Blog
<3 <3 <3 Next PAX we must hang out more. Bigtime.


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 about me

Greetings, Programs!

My name is Sean, and I am a 34 year old cubicle monkey living in Austin, TX. with my lovely wife of 1 year, Dawn. And yes, we are acutely aware of the cheesiness of the rhyme scheme. And no, it doesn't bother us when people make fun of us for being so saccharine, because we are both huge dorks in our spare time. Being happy in life gives your character +1 million XP towards the "not caring about other people's opinions" skill.




Above : Me from my theatre days. Puppy Licks says it makes me look like Kefka.

Likes : sense of humor, intelligence, creativity, the ability to argue without fighting, not taking one's self too seriously.

Dis-Likes : console crusaders, people who are cruel on the internet because they are too timid to express themselves in real life, people who cannot separate facts from opinions, Fox News, onions.


Video Game Writing :



I am a staff writer at Gamer Limit, focusing on editorials and reviews.
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(Some Of) My Favorite Games of Times Past :

Pitfall (Atari)
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Civilization I-IV (PC)
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Psi-Ops (PS2)

(Some Of) My Favorite Games of the Current Gen :

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Portal (X360)
Uncharted : Drake's Fortune (PS3)
Patapon (PSP)
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Currently Playing :

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