So I went to this little shin-dig in Atlanta last weekend; a little something called Dragon*Con!

Per their web site:

Dragon*Con is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US.

In other words, it’s a geek nexus, where Star Trek redshirts rub elbows with Star Wars stormtroopers while steampunkers and vampires look on. It’s loaded with tons of panels covering everything from Hello Kitty/Wolverine mashup fanfiction to how to make your Twilight sparkle more realistic. The panels are organized into tracks covering common topics. But even more cool is that there are tracks covering science fact as well as science fiction. Robotics, science and space were some of the covered areas.

Skeptrack!

The track where I spent most of my time, however, was the Skeptrack, featuring panels made up of such skeptical luminaries as Dr. Phil Plait (Bad Astronomy blog), Dr. Pamela Gay (here’s her summary of the con) and the Dr’s Novella of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe.  The Skepchicks were well represented, as well as a bunch of other awesome bloggers and podcasters.

I decided to start the trip off right by going out the day before Dragon*Con started and attending a Star Party hosted by Dr’s Phil Plait and Pamela Gay. It was held at the Bradley Observatory on the Agnes Scott College campus. The event was sponsored by the Atlanta Skeptics benefiting the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser was in honor of Jeff Medkeff, also known as the Blue Collar Scientist. Jeff succumbed to liver cancer in August 2008.

Through this blogging thing and hanging out on Twitter, I’ve gotten to virtually know quite a few people, several of whom were attending Dragon*Con. It was at this party that I got to meet my first virtual friend in person;

Surly Amy!

Surly Amy of the Skepchicks! After finally managing to screw up my confidence to the point where I could overcome an acute attack of social anxiety, I was able to introduce myself. Fortunately, I survived the traumatic experience of speaking to people and went on to have a great time. It was terrific to see Amy’s jewelry in person. I got to hear fantastic talks by Dr. Plait and Dr. Gay and then I got to see Jupiter for the first time with my own eyeball through a telescope. I could even see the cloud bands! How cool is that?

The next few days were an exercise in complete sensory overload. All memories are getting mushed together. I was prepared for this, however, and took notes summarizing what I did.

But you’ll have to come back tomorrow to hear more exciting tales of CyberLizard at Dragon*Con!

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