TotalCon 2023 - Day One

Returning to the scene of the crime! TotalCon 2023!

I can't thank Steven & Angelia Parenteau enough for going out of their way to make sure Rach and I returned to TotalCon this year.

For those that don't know the history, while 2020 was generally known as The Year of Covid, for me it was literally a year of life or death, and the road to healing started at TotalCon in 2020.

I came down with an upper respiratory infection that weekend and left the con early (my first con crud in many years of convention attendance). After 2 weeks, the URI progressed to pneumonia and sepsis and a short hospital stay as Covid kicked off, followed by Congestive Heart Failure over the course of nearly 2 months before seeking medical attention (and getting hospitalized 12 hours after my hospital opened a Covid Free Wing). 3 weeks and 3 stents later, and after losing over 60 pounds of water weight, I was home with a new lease on life and a new awareness.

I was told by my Heart Failure Specialist at the time that my CHF was set off by my pneumonia and sepsis, which in turn were set off by my URI. Without that specific chain of events, I likely would have simply not awoken one morning from straight-up heart failure, as my heart had been damaged over a decade prior from chemo and radiation treatment for Hodgekin's Lymphoma.

I am a healthier and happier individual for the trials and troubles of 2020, and if it weren't for TotalCon 2020, I might not have been around to attend this year's convention.

I can play my RPGs on a VTT, but I get to socialize and connect with the gaming community at conventions like TotalCon, NTRPG, and others. Heck, it may even save your life in a most roundabout way too ;)

TotalCon Day Three - Strike of the Crud

I woke up at 630 in the morning with a death rattle in my chest. Uggh!

I do 4 to 5 conventions a year and this is the first time con crud has struck AT the convention, but it is a horrible year for the flu. Not that I have the flu, but you know what I mean.

I was told at Urgent Care that the URI is likely the result of seasonal allergies. Another uggh!

I have a break from 3 to 7 and run a game of SWL at 7pm. Hopefully, I've got a second wind (and a nice nap) for the game.

Total Con Day One - The Arrival

Rach and I actually arrived yesterday afternoon. Uneventful ride up from NYC. I must say, heated seats take some of the sting out of lower back pain ;)

It has been s slow burn since early last night, with Frogs and others friends arriving and settling down at the hotel bar. Yep, Total Coneven has its own beer this year. It’s a Belgian White with a light hint of raspberry. Very cool. I’m keeping the can ;)

As usual, working the Frog God booth. Running SWL tomorrow and Saturday. Planning to close down the hotel bar each night.

Huzzah!

Post TotalCon Wrap Up - First Time Attending - Definitely NOT the Last ;)

Alright. I'll say this out loud - I shouldn't have waited this long to attend. Rach and I had a blast and next year will be even better as Frog God will be having more table space, more Swords & Wizardry and possibly even more Tavern Chat. Seriously had a blast recording live at TotalCon.

Oh, and for those that asked about business cards - yes, coming soon to a convention near you ;)

Convention staff treated us like aces. Hotel and bar staff were top notch.

It was great meeting the different fans of The Tavern - both blog and podcast. Its a really special time when I get to meet members of The Tavern's community face to face and now I have a New England convention where I can do just that. Huzzah!

The ride back to NYC was messy with steady light rain and fog. Just under four hours including a pit stop at a rest stop for a Subway sandwich. Any port in a storm ;)

Now its time to catch up before Gary Con arrives in a week and a half ;)

TotalCon Day 3 With the Real Wives of the OSR :)

The ladies have taken over the Frog God table at TotalCon. I've been blessed with meeting and talking with a number of Taverners at the convention and I'm having a blast.

Our neighbor Jeff. We try to keep him well fed and happy. You won't like Jeff if he's angry... ;P

Stefan Pokorny is all his glory.

TotalCon 33 - Day One - Road Trip

This is the first TotalCon for Rach and I. Its also the first con we've driven to that we are staying overnight at because we drove up from NYC.

That snow last night made for some beautifully frozen trees in the early morning sun. I'm guessing there was a nice coating of freezing rain. Door to door, including a Burger King visit for breakfast, was about 3 hours, 40 minutes. Not too shabby. Rach doesn't know it yet, but my lower and mid back is going to need some repair work. Sciatica is not fun :(

Cell service sucks. Period. Hotel internet is poor. Period. I will survive. Somehow. This may be a pic free post. That is how long its taking to upload a single photo.

Other than that the con is great. Zach and Bill are dong a fine job of filling my trunk with goodies I will need to ship to them. Sigh

Looks like the photo isn't uploading. I need a drink...

Back to the Frog God booth in the AM :)

edit - internet is down - back to trying phone back to hotel internet