I am not going to Gencon this year. It is the first time in (can it be?) 15 years that I am missing it for any reason other than illness. I've got ample funds this year, though in the past I've been unemployed and poor and still found a way to make it. It's always been an immutable part of my calendar. I've chosen Gencon over weddings and parties and hiking trips, and this year I have literally nothing else to do that weekend. But I am not going. Why?
Last year's organizational problems were so colossal that I find them, even a year later, to be simply inexcusable. As a judge, I was able to get around without a badge (occasionally borrowing a friend's to sneak into the dealers' room), so I was spared the long hours of waiting in line in the hot sun and the abusive comments from the frustrated convention staff. I know that Peter has issued lengthy explanations and offered sincere apologies, but I simply feel that there should be consequences for incompetence on that scale. Call it my overactive sense of justice.
Individually, I can't really muster much in the way of consequence, except to deny them my meager contribution to their coffers this year, and to tell people why I am doing so. I do believe in the capacity for men and organizations to change for the better, so I am not sworn off forever, just until I hear that Peter and his gang have redeemed themselves.
So I wait anxiously for good news from Gencon this year. I'd like to hear that lines were short and fast, events were well advertised and organized, that staff were friendly and helpful, and that good times were had by all. I want to feel like I missed something.
However, it seems that last year at this time there was quite a bit more buzz about the con. There was lots of speculation about the new location, folks were raising money for Morrus and Piratecat to be able to go, and there was more talk about the products to be released there. Is it just that this year there is less going on to talk about, or has the shine come off?
Last year's organizational problems were so colossal that I find them, even a year later, to be simply inexcusable. As a judge, I was able to get around without a badge (occasionally borrowing a friend's to sneak into the dealers' room), so I was spared the long hours of waiting in line in the hot sun and the abusive comments from the frustrated convention staff. I know that Peter has issued lengthy explanations and offered sincere apologies, but I simply feel that there should be consequences for incompetence on that scale. Call it my overactive sense of justice.
Individually, I can't really muster much in the way of consequence, except to deny them my meager contribution to their coffers this year, and to tell people why I am doing so. I do believe in the capacity for men and organizations to change for the better, so I am not sworn off forever, just until I hear that Peter and his gang have redeemed themselves.
So I wait anxiously for good news from Gencon this year. I'd like to hear that lines were short and fast, events were well advertised and organized, that staff were friendly and helpful, and that good times were had by all. I want to feel like I missed something.
However, it seems that last year at this time there was quite a bit more buzz about the con. There was lots of speculation about the new location, folks were raising money for Morrus and Piratecat to be able to go, and there was more talk about the products to be released there. Is it just that this year there is less going on to talk about, or has the shine come off?
