PAX 2018
Finally, I have returned to PAX!
This past weekend, I went to PAX for the first time in 4 years. I think it was still referred to as PAX Prime the last time I went. Now, it’s officially PAX West. I wanted to go this year if I could get badges, but when I missed the onsale I resigned myself to staying home. Luckily, my friend Cory had bought extra badges and sold me one of his sets. I went with him, his partner Chris, and our friend Cody. We rented an airbnb in Burien, which is right outside of Seattle.
I drove to Seattle Friday morning on my own, parked at CenturyLink Field and took a Lyft to the convention center. I met Cory and Chris to get my badges and headed off on my own to a Life is Strange panel. This ended up being the only panel I saw that weekend. There weren’t a lot interesting panels as far as I saw on the schedule. Gearbox, Major Nelson, and Destructoid, some of my favorites from years past, weren’t on the schedule this year. Does Destructoid still exist? There was a Giant Bomb panel one night, but I think we went out as a group that night. I spent the rest of the day at the convention center wondering around, taking pictures of cosplayers, and checking out video games. I met the others (Cody had arrived by bus in the meantime and had been picked up by Cory and Chris) at the airbnb, and we went out to a brew pub for dinner.
The next day we all went together to the convention center. We split up shortly after we arrived. I really liked going around on my own. If I’m trying to keep up with others, I might miss something I’m interested in, like an interesting cosplayer. I did more of the same as the day before and I also played some video games and board games. I actually waited in a long line to play a game, which might be a first for me. I bought one of board games I played – Dice Throne. We went to Pike Place (my first time) before heading back to the airbnb. That night we took a Lyft to the PAX Pink Party, which is an LGBT event. It was an okay party. Cory and Cody met friends of theirs. I briefly met with somebody I’ve known online for a few months – the president of Seattle Gaymers. We stumbled upon another party downstairs, which was much better than the Pink Party. I actually danced and sang in front of other people. After this we got some food at Sizzle Pie and headed home around 2 in the morning. I think we were all feeling old at this point.
On Sunday I was very tired and sore. I tried to find activities that would allow me to sit down. I did wait in another long line to play a game and get pictures of cosplayers. Also, I played more board games, played some Jack Party Pack, and watched some fighting game competition in the Arena area, which was in the main exhibit area this time. That night, they went out to eat with a friend of Cory’s, but I decided to go back to the airbnb. I was pooped.
I decided to drive back early Monday morning. Xander had to leave Reese here by himself Sunday night because he had another dog to sit. This was the first time I’ve ever gone out of town and left Reese at home and not at a kennel or dogsitter’s place. I didn’t want Reese to be here by himself too long. Also, I was exhausted and I don’t think I had another day in me.
It was so much fun getting to go back to PAX! I’m glad that I went with people I know this time. Just being around so many people who share the same passion as you is amazing. It was great rediscovering my way around the convention convention center. There’s so much there and it seemed like each day I found an area I had forgotten about, though some things had moved or changed. I’m 4 years older and a lot more out of shape than I was the last time I went and it showed. I was tired and sweaty a lot. I needed to rest often. When I was with the group, I had a hard time keeping up. I ended up skipping parties and panels I was interested in because it would be hard for me to get there. I guess that’s motivation for getting in better shape before next time. I’m really hoping that next time will be next year.
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