It's only 3-2/3 months until DunDraCon, so I thought I'd try to write down some more memories. This year, the convention falls on President's Day weekend, which is around the 21st of February. This is the same dates that it was when I first went to this convention, and so it's the dates I associate with it. Although it sometimes falls on Valentine's Day weekend, I will always associate the convention with the 21st.

Since I don't like role-playing *that* much, I don't go for to game with strangers. I like to wander around and watch the games going on. The miniature games are the most appealing for me, but some of the role-playing games can be entertaining.

One of my favorite parts of going to a convention is the flea market. When I first started going to conventions, I took the opportunity to buy lots of games in the flea market. I had my list of games I own and I'd look for bargains and such, rare items to fill out my various collections. At times I'd buy stuff kind of randomly because I took a fancy to it. It was very fun. It still is very fun. But DunDraCon no longer has a flea market that's only open for a couple of hours one night of the weekend. Now it's open the whole weekend with people rotating in and out. It's just not as exciting.

I remember a Twilight 2000 scenario I played in. Dave Sweet and Woo were both there, I think. Out mission was to transport some- thing across town; us being the local military base. Geez, I don't remember it too well. The players were a hodgepodge of different organizations: militia, police, military. The GM tried to get us to fight amongst ourselves, but that didn't work too well. I find that unless it's stated at the start, you shouldn't try to have the players compete with each other.

When I was still sort of into Magic I played in one of the Magic Tournaments. I had my hodgepodge deck that was random cards with some "genetic" improvements. Didn't do too well, lost two games and was out. But I wasn't crushed, I just didn't have a chance to win. I could do a fair amount of damage and get the game close, but my opponent had a much stronger deck.

We usually make it a point not to play in games that one of us runs. Eric tends to run a game or two in each Con. I've gone in and watched a bit sometimes, Eric being a superb GM. But I at least feel that other people should be given the chance to play in one of Eric's games. That and why go to a convention if you're going to do the same thing that you do every week?

That being said, the last two conventions I've run an all-night BattleTech scenario. Since my regular Friday session is on the first night of DunDraCon, I just run the session at DunDraCon. The first time was really cool. Huge battle, lots of players, lots of destruction. The second time wasn't as hot, less players and the battle was not as epic. Since my campaign is ending the only idea I have is to run a Star Trek scenario on Saturday, although the Star Trek campaign is not one that has to run every week like I'm trying to do with BattleTech.

So that's part two. Part one is journal #38. In part three maybe I'll remember to talk about anime and some of the more cinematic session that I've seen, like the Barbie one, which left many scars...