The first day of the con is over. It's been a long day, involving me getting up at 5:00am to pick up Bob and drive to the airport and fly here, only to lad and start the show. So this will be a little short.
Traveling during Lent is always a bit of a challenge, especially on Fridays since we Catholics can't have meat and I'm allergic to seafood. Fortunately, Orlando is home to the second most interesting McDonalds in the world. They've got a ton of stuff, including McPizza and McRavioli. So I was okay there.
The show had the typical Friday slowness, but I still sold well. I even made a few new contacts. Plus I saw some old friends, including Mr. and Mrs. The Defuser and Steve Conley. My friend Sandi and a couple of her friends came up for the day, too. And our group of dinner companions even acquiesed to my pleading to go to Uno's Chicago Grill, which I like on general principal and is no longer an option in the Buckeye State, and has a very Lent-friendly food: pizza. Sandi and her pals even went as an advance team to score our seats so those of us con-bound were able to just walk right in.
Then, Bob and I headed to Downtown Disney for a little shopping. For some reason, the Disney group and I have been drifting apart in terms of souvenirs. When I came down for the first time in 2003, I had to force myself to stop buying stuff. Now, it's not a problem to hold back. I don't know if it's a lack of cool stuff or changing tastes or I just have a lot of what I want.
I did pass on my usual Disney coffee purchase. I've got plenty waiting for me at home, sealed up until after Lent, between my Watchmen coffee and other stuff. So I just bought a couple of presents for my Goddaughter and her brother.
It's amazing how much it changes, too. Stores are remodeled and replaced. Pleasure Island is almost gone. All the clubs are closed, soon to be replaced with restaurants. They have a new T-Rex Restaurant, which looks kind of fun. It's got a crystal ice cave that's actually cooler than the rest of the prehistoric themed decor, and a bluelit ice bar that looks phenomenal. We didn't eat there of course, but it was fun to visit.
So now I'm back, missing Battlestar Galactica since I've picked another hotel that doesn't carry Sci-Fi Channel. Oh well, that's why Jos invented iTunes, right?