Thoughts on Rabbitcon

The basic problem with bringing a quorum of writers for a given site to the scenic and ridiculously picturesque wilds of New England in May for an extended weekend of drinking, revelry, Rock Band and epic marathon gaming sessions is that nobody wants to get back on Tuesday and do work. God knows I don’t, so you will have to indulge me as I wax a bit nostalgic.

When it comes right down to it, Rabbitcon was an unqualified success, and for a man who had expected to be able to generate relatively little interest in the board gaming aspects of the weekend also an eye-opening surprise. Impeccably hosted by what I now officially think of as a convenient “friend-hub”, a person to whom you can attach in leech-like fashion to siphon off friends rather than having to go out and make your own, the entire event was virtually flawless.

Well, there was that one time that poor Cory grew pale and quiet after I plied him with bourbon shots, but that’s hardly worth a mention.

Allow me to share with you my favorite Rabbitcon moments — or at least the ones I can disclose without being exposed to litigation. Those of you looking forward to regular GWJ content, we resume our regular schedule tomorrow.

Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game — By Sunday I was a full-on board game geek, and this particular game took the entire experience to the next level. Playing along with Katerin (Go team, human!) and four other intrepid players this was a six-hour exploration of social dynamics, paranoia, hive mind, Kobayashi Maru scenarios and betrayal. The rules of the game are meaningless -- this game is simply about who is and who is not a cylon, and the dynamics of play do a genius job of managing to cast reasonable and equal suspicion on every player.

Our particular game was clearly unwinnable by humans no less than 138 different times, and declared unbalanced in favor of the Cylons to the point of being broken only 20 minutes before we humans won. It is, and this is important, exactly as despairing, hopeless and ridiculously full of life-changing escapes as the show was in its first two seasons. When we escaped three basestars and a swarm of fighters while fighting back a boarding party of centurions from heavy raiders, all with virtually no food, fuel or morale by rolling a monstrously unlikely series of dice to jump the fleet and set up a winning strategy, well that was a moment unlike any other. Honestly, I get chills just thinking about it.

JUMP!!!!

Rock Band — I shamelessly admit that I have been practicing my Rock Band skills for two solid months, so that I could arrive and unleash drumming and guitar work to boggle the minds of onlookers. I won’t be coy — every time someone wandered into the room to watch me execute double beats, back beats, fills and rolls on the hardest songs my self-worth increased by a factor of ten.

Eventually Rabbit’s wife had to school me on proper social etiquette, and I learned how to simply say thank you rather than spout thinly veiled false modesty that was certainly both cloying and nauseating. What I did not expect was to enjoy singing in front of a group, and while very few songs were comfortably in my range, I realize now that I had been longing for years to unleash the Billy Idol primal scream of White Wedding on an unsuspecting public so that people outside were forced to come investigate. Rabbit has audio documentation of this event, and I do not want to hear it.

That is all irrelevant however to the joy of listening to Katerin make guitar sounds during Rush songs. Comedy, thy name is Lara. Also of note, Cory’s mad singing skills. If you ask nicely, particularly with alcohol, he will croon ballads for you.

Delicious Ribs — Rabbit’s friend Rob — not that Rob — is not only an outstanding game designer. He is a wizard of the grill, and created glorious, succulent and tender morsels that described a menagerie of tastes to envelop my senses. I am from the south, so I know from ribs, and this man can do things with grills that angels themselves could not.

Imaginary People Come to Life — For the most part I assume that none of you are real, and the entire community is some kind of delusion I have imagined to sate my attention lust. When forum names take on corporeal form it is at first jarring and then an epiphany.

I don’t know why I continue to be surprised that the community is exactly as friendly, smart, engaging, witty and open in real life as they are online, but there is nothing better than walking into a room full of strangers only to discover that none of them are strangers at all. Pyroman, Wordsmythe, Demiurge, E Hunnie, Cmitts, Rabbit, Drunken Slepnier, Katerin, Certis — there are real people behind these and many other iconic personas. They are even more awesome than you already suspect.

Goodjers are, however, huggers. Be warned.

Live Show! — In general I record the podcast in a quiet room, by myself, in front of a microphone that fills the majority of my otherwise boring view while hundreds of miles away from my nearest co-podcaster. Being in a room with most of the crew, and live in front of an audience, was a joy I wasn’t entirely prepared for. I will forever lust for the immediacy of the feedback, the participation of listeners and the heightened sense of connection with the rest of the cast.

I realize, for those of you who stayed for the After-Show, that it was a terribly self-indulgent exercise, but it’s because none of us wanted that show to end. Whether it will be a particularly good podcast, I can’t say for sure, but it is easily the most fun I’ve ever had recording.

Ten Thousand Other Things — Cory's endless twittering. Julian’s awesome kids. The Snorlax. Making smores. Don’t Stop Believin’. Being lapped in History of the World. The third case of Corona. Wordsmythe hopelessly trying to teach me real drums. The Canadian National Sport. Driving through a Norman Rockwell painting.

The memories are indistinct, jumbled and joyous. All I can say is if you are invited to a Rabbitcon and if you can make it there, then you would be doing yourself a deep disservice to not attend.

Comments

Rabbitcon sounds like fun! I would have to attend but I had a huge LAN Party in Austin, [size=3]also I was not invited.. rude![/size] Sounds like you guys had a great time, as for the hugger bit, I have been to the Austin slap and tickles and a mini-houston Slap and Tickle and there was no hugging, maybe a New England thing or something in the water? Or maybe Rabbit was spiking the drinks for some Goodjers gone wild video?

Elysium wrote:

All weekend it was, "Wow, he's pretty good. He's no, McChuck, but still ... good."

Several possible responses -
Response #1: Sigged.
Response #2: You'd be surprised at how often people say that.
Response #3: Thanks, Ely. You know how to cheer a guy up.
Response #4: You're most likely better than me but I make it look goooood. It's from years of experience pretending I can play set. It transfers easily enough to Rock Band.
Response #5: But my beard cowers before yours. If I'd been there, I'd have worn a bandanna over it.

Take your pick.

JessicaRabbit wrote:
McChuck wrote:

And Corona? Did rabbit not get any growlers this time?

There were, they were drunk - the growlers, not the people...though come to think of it....

I think one thing I've taken from this RabbitCon thing is that if you wanted to be there but weren't, the best response is to find some cool people where you're at and start playing games. Seriously, just start your own.

There wasn't anything special about this that you can't manage yourself (other than Rabbit's herculean efforts to make it all turn out okay, I think he was bitten by a radioactive organization spider as a child). It's a bunch of food and cool people hanging out all weekend playing games.

I'd kill for a semi-regular group around here. So I think I'm going to go try to find one. Point is, don't wait around for someone to organize it for you. Just go find a bunch of people, get a new board game, and try it out. It's going to be a pretty good time.

And Corona? Did rabbit not get any growlers this time?

Elysium's alter ego is King Corona. You will respect the King, or he will pour you shots of bourbon until you're begging for him to stop!

adam.greenbrier wrote:

I'm just sad that I didn't get the invite for my comment of the year. ;)

Bah, I solved the dialogue UI problem and didn't get an invite (not that I could have come anyway! :D). I'm clearly going to have to cure cancer and, in lieu of accepting the Nobel Prize, request a Rabbitcon invite from a grateful planet.

PyromanFO wrote:

I think one thing I've taken from this RabbitCon thing is that if you wanted to be there but weren't, the best response is to find some cool people where you're at and start playing games. Seriously, just start your own.

There wasn't anything special about this that you can't manage yourself (other than Rabbit's herculean efforts to make it all turn out okay, I think he was bitten by a radioactive organization spider as a child). It's a bunch of food and cool people hanging out all weekend playing games.

I'd kill for a semi-regular group around here. So I think I'm going to go try to find one. Point is, don't wait around for someone to organize it for you. Just go find a bunch of people, get a new board game, and try it out. It's going to be a pretty good time.

QFT. After we close on our house, it'll be KatCon 2009, baby.

PyromanFO wrote:
And Corona? Did rabbit not get any growlers this time?

Elysium's alter ego is King Corona. You will respect the King, or he will pour you shots of bourbon until you're begging for him to stop!

The coolest thing about King Corona is that he drinks em so we don't have to

KaterinLHC wrote:
PyromanFO wrote:

I think one thing I've taken from this RabbitCon thing is that if you wanted to be there but weren't, the best response is to find some cool people where you're at and start playing games. Seriously, just start your own.

There wasn't anything special about this that you can't manage yourself (other than Rabbit's herculean efforts to make it all turn out okay, I think he was bitten by a radioactive organization spider as a child). It's a bunch of food and cool people hanging out all weekend playing games.

I'd kill for a semi-regular group around here. So I think I'm going to go try to find one. Point is, don't wait around for someone to organize it for you. Just go find a bunch of people, get a new board game, and try it out. It's going to be a pretty good time.

QFT. After we close on our house, it'll be KatCon 2009, baby.

QFFT. After we find a house to close on and then close on it, LobsterCon 2010 (at the rate we're going) will be on, fishes!

So, what we're beating-around-the-bush-about is a sort of pan-regional Rabbitcon? If only my family had a house I'd offer to be the Pacific Northwest chapter...

Having the run of a somewhat larger place, maybe next year we can get the pan-regional thing going. Unless things go really oddly, we'd likely be able to throw down the midwest chapter.

Pics?

I crawl and grovel before your literary skills, Sean. Though not your puny human attempts at survival, we Cylons bide our time.

RabbitCon is a refreshing weekend of hysterical laughter and games that always leaves me extra thankful for my friends. I can't thank my hosts enough for making it possible.

Sounds like a great time. When the little one doesn't have to go down for naps every few hours, I'll plan on hosting one in the DC area.

May I ask where RabbitCon is held each year? No, I won't crash it.

I'm not a hugger. In Oklahoma its handshakes barring blood relation or friendship freater than 5 years.

After I move to Chicago in July why not do a Chicago-con Slap and Tickle Festivocalypse (tm).

I'm still up for a Hawaii slap n tickle if anyone is out here. Either living here or visiting.

docbadwrench wrote:

So, what we're beating-around-the-bush-about is a sort of pan-regional Rabbitcon? If only my family had a house I'd offer to be the Pacific Northwest chapter...

You know, with PAX '09 coming up, we should look into the possibility of organizing some boardgame action in the tabletop annex for jonesing goojers in the short-term. My knowledge of good first-time boardgames is lacking, but what I lack in experience I make up for with enthusiasm. Suggestions for good games to learn on the fly most welcome!

(unrelated p.s: I have a DSi, now. There will be kartracing. And victory!)

PyromanFO wrote:

I think one thing I've taken from this RabbitCon thing is that if you wanted to be there but weren't, the best response is to find some cool people where you're at and start playing games. Seriously, just start your own.

There wasn't anything special about this that you can't manage yourself (other than Rabbit's herculean efforts to make it all turn out okay, I think he was bitten by a radioactive organization spider as a child). It's a bunch of food and cool people hanging out all weekend playing games.

I'd kill for a semi-regular group around here. So I think I'm going to go try to find one. Point is, don't wait around for someone to organize it for you. Just go find a bunch of people, get a new board game, and try it out. It's going to be a pretty good time.

While I have a semi-regular (read: every couple or three months) boardgaming group , getting together for an entire long weekend of gaming is the stuff of Legend. We're lucky to get an uninterrupted night. So how did it work? Everybody didn't crash @ Rabbit's, did they? Or did you just fall asleep where you were playing and pick up where you left off when you woke up again? Was there a schedule? What were the most games running simultaneously?

Man, I love History of the World, though there's nothing worse than ending up with the freaking Khymer Rouge.

Also, if you like Settlers of Cataan (and who doesn't?) There's a space game that is very loosely based (as in it uses hexagonal tiles randomly spaced about for the board), Galatic Empires is a fun game too. My group of GWJers that are non-posters around here play a large smattering of board games. We used to do it once a week, but it has been pushed to once a month. If you're interested and in the D/FW area and are interested in playing roleplaying/board games, send me a PM.

I'm centrally located for your pleasure.

Watchers of the incredible show, Rendering With Rabbit, represent!

Rabbitcon happens in my house, which is in the middle of freaking nowhere in the wilds of rural MA. People had to fly to small airports and then drive an hour and a half to get here, and yes, they all slept here. If I put mattresses/aerobeds in every room in the house and people grab couch, I can sleep 18-20. The rest are locals. The entire thing lives off the back of my wife, because not driving, she does a million hours of shuttling people to airports, getting food and drink, etc. Our kids stay with friends, but spend an hour or two a day in the house just to look cute and humiliate guests with their mad (cheaterpants) gaming skilz.

Mostly I just tend bar, clean, make sure we have enough towels and say prayers to the Septic System Gods that this not be the year it goes. And sing Alex Chilton when it comes up.

For those of you charting out into unknown board game waters, I'm happy to be your cardboard sommelier. Tell me the number of players, mood, what sort of depth/ease of learning you are looking for and I'll do my best to pair you up with a game.

rabbit wrote:

Rabbitcon happens in my house, which is in the middle of freaking nowhere in the wilds of rural MA. People had to fly to small airports and then drive an hour and a half to get here, and yes, they all slept here. If I put mattresses/aerobeds in every room in the house and people grab couch, I can sleep 18-20. The rest are locals. The entire thing lives off the back of my wife, because not driving, she does a million hours of shuttling people to airports, getting food and drink, etc. Our kids stay with friends, but spend an hour or two a day in the house just to look cute and humiliate guests with their mad (cheaterpants) gaming skilz.

Mostly I just tend bar, clean, make sure we have enough towels and say prayers to the Septic System Gods that this not be the year it goes. And sing Alex Chilton when it comes up.

And how does one get invited to such a prestigeous event? Do I need to go pyro and stick to your backside like slime on a snail to protect against the spying spies? Or do I simply need to provide the explicit Certis - Ely photos we've all known exist yet were unable to secure? Tell me and I will send out my minions to accomplish the task.

Montalban wrote:

After I move to Chicago in July why not do a Chicago-con Slap and Tickle Festivocalypse (tm).

E Hunnie and I are shooting for a massive boardgame party for our wedding reception on Aug. 22, the week after GenCon. Anyone and everyone interested should send me an address to receive an invite.

wordsmythe wrote:
Montalban wrote:

After I move to Chicago in July why not do a Chicago-con Slap and Tickle Festivocalypse (tm).

E Hunnie and I are shooting for a massive boardgame party for our wedding reception on Aug. 22, the week after GenCon. Anyone and everyone interested should send me an address to receive an invite.

Nice try. I figured out your little guise. You just want to fill our mailboxes with gay porn. Sneaky. Sneaky.

[size=4]PM sent[/size]

PyromanFO wrote:
And Corona? Did rabbit not get any growlers this time?

Elysium's alter ego is King Corona. You will respect the King, or he will pour you shots of bourbon until you're begging for him to stop!

I hear it's good to be the king.

KrazyTacoFO wrote:

I'm still up for a Hawaii slap n tickle if anyone is out here. Either living here or visiting.

If we ever manage to make it back there, we'll take you up on it. The wife and I would both love to go back.

We have a group of guys that go off into the mountains every year for four days of uninterrupted gaming. We rent a huge 6+ bedroom cabin, stock up on groceries, and game for 16-18 hours a day. Typical day looks something like:

Wake-up
Eat cereal
Play board game
Lunch while playing second board game
Dinner
Cash n Guns right after dinner
Another board game
Rock band
Board game
Sleep
Repeat

And the list from Rabbitcon is very similar to the games we played this year. I think this year the games were:

Android
Agricola
Arkham Horror
Colosseum
Pirate's Cove
Mystery in the Abbey
Shogun
Cosmic Encounter
Descent
Pandemic
Dominion
Race for the Galaxy
Battlestar Galactica
Cash n Guns
Power Grid
Stone Age

A lot of fun, that is for sure.

Johnny, how was Android? I'd wanted to play that. Looked kinda neat.