Origins

I know, I've been a long time updating. I'm currently at my parents-in-law's place, having spent most of last week at Origins 2007 at Columbus, OH. The drive really wasn't too bad (though after stopping for a break just outside Indianapolis, a sign to get us back to I-70 took us on a very out-of-the-way route).

I spent a lot time up at the Looney Labs Big Experiment, and even received a complimentary copy of 3HOUSE from Andy as a thank you for my proof reading skills. I also spent a fair amount of time in the "Board Room" - an area of pick-up gaming with many other gamers, and a large Library of games supplied by CABS.

Some highlights of the time there:

• Meeting Andy, Kristin, and Alison.
  
• Seeing Carol again
  
• Being tacklehugged by Marissa, and while still in a tight hug saying "Hi Marissa, this is my wife, Karyn"
  
• Making a ton of new friends
  
• Karyn's quotable quote: "There are a lot of people here who look like gamers."
  
• Being awake at 07/07/07 07:07:07 (both GMT and Eastern)
  
• Participating in my first Zendo tournament. I need a lot more practice as a student.
  
• Learning properly how to play Icehouse, thanks to Eeyore's excellent Icehouse 101 and 201 classes.
  
• Seeing Andy's excitement at Treehouse winning an Origins award
  
• Play testing Zombie Fluxx. It's lots of fun, I can't wait to get it when it comes out.
  
• After deciding that I'd not spent enough time in the Boardroom that I'd not bother with the 18th International Icehouse Tournament, to change my mind half an hour before, only to make it into the final, win the "Cooler than Ice" award, and then win the final to become the 3rd person ever to win the "Triple Crown" in the IIT, and the first to do so on their first tournament.
  

A great time, I'll be back, for sure. But right now, I'm exhausted. I'll be giving some more thoughts, and pictures in due course.