See this is the problem right there- the hotel does not want to spend more money; they already are spending who knows how much more than usual for extra staff and security.

They aren't making more money than usual because of the reduced convention rates. All they get is a constant string of headaches with the overcrowding. And since D-Con does not provide more income to the hotel than any other time of the year, they could decide at anytime no longer to host the event.

Now if your talking about D-Con themselves who need to hire security rather than using their own volunteer staff goons- err... members, this is something we as con goers need to address with all of D-Con's upper management and especially Pat Henry.

Honestly if the way things were handled in the Hyatt this year is the shape of things to come, I hope they do pull out for good. Hopefully the Marriott's renovations will be finished by next September. The Hilton can take up the slack.

One good thing was the wide open space behind the Marriott's Atrium bar. Out of the way of traffic (so we don't have to KEEP MOVING AND STAY OUT OF THE CIRCLE!!), and with nice plain white walls (which make for an uncluttered background).

I find it ironic that Spat made a joke about "No cameras are allowed at D-Con" before last weekend. Seems like it's headed that way (in the Hyatt at least).

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

I'd think they make money off the $4 coke and red bulls.

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Checking in. Got home safe, but we stayed an extra day to avoid the Monday leaving crush.

It was a blast seeing everyone.

So does anyone know where my "Tradition... Firepower" recruiting poster went?

And where's Dom at?

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Derek has the poster, fear not!!

Dom......I'm pretty sure he's asleep right now <lol>
I believe he had a 25 hour drive

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And what did I win in the raffle?

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-Spat

Spat, did you get your custom tags?

Russ

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"A writer needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." - Orson Wells.

http://www.rookscastle.com
http://www.alchemyarms.com

Just staggered in. I definately do not want to do a drive like that again.

4000 kilometres is too much to do (2k down, 2k back) over 4 days.

Any trip like that and Techwolf and I will do a long leisurely sight-seeing trip. Too many states have interesting points of interest I would have like to have seen.

Flying looks better and better!

I hope I adequately portrayed a xenomorph for y'all - walking the whole parade kitted out as a "bug", working the crowd [hot work running back and forth], putting on the costume multiple times during the con.

......going back to bed now

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Jennifer
(l'araignée timide )

~Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face, when you push them down a flight of stairs.~

Jennifer, you made the absolute best bug we've ever had! An outstanding job!!!

It was awesome having a Bug and a Pred, really got the crowd into it!!

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Hey Mantroon would ya mind reducing that last post by a few

OOOOOOOOOOOs?

My wrist can only handle so much scrolling to the right/left to read
everyone's comments.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

I did get the dog tags, thanks! They're awesome!!

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-Spat

Thanks Tony!

Derek- you can hang onto it for safe keeping as well!

It's just a printout in a plexi photo stand so I can reproduce another one for my home no problem.


Now someone post some more pictures! I need a fix!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

[quote="SSgt Burton
Now someone post some more pictures! I need a fix! [/quote]

Yeah, I hear that!!

Dom? Mike? It'll be later in the week before I get mine up...

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

An awesome set of UACM patches... send me your address by PM.

Still got lag from this brutal road trip.

Pics to come... little videos a little later... parade and sweep will need some work.

I won a signed program at the raffle. Which was cool considering I wasn't expecting to be included even. That was very cool.

Fal, did that get left with Derek as well???

Man's got everything.

If you guys have USCM specific photos, I'd love to see them. It's nice to see a whole album, but I hate having to weed through such just to see you guys.

And videos, anything other than youtube. Youtube got blocked at my work. I know, I shouldn't be looking at that stuff at work...but the connection here is soooo good and I don't have the patience to boot up the photos on my crappy 10 y.o. computer with 56k connection.

Pretty please, with sprinkles on top?

And as far as the hotels not being adequate for the con, that's been a problem since last time I went 6 years ago. And the people I felt were the most abusive were the hotel staff....but now I know why.
If it keeps growing they WILL have to move weather they like it or not. I don't know how they would arrange all the panels without the benefit of all the smaller rooms.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Awesome! Good thing I was so busy, I was going to ask to buy a set of patches from you. Glad I didn't.

Who got the throat guard I donated?

Actually, to make it easier, is there a way to post who got what in the raffle? I'm sure I'm not the only one that's curious.

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-Spat

I think Sid got alot of the stuff...

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Well he certainly got a lot of the cool stuff (not that every donation wasn't cool- just some things I had my hopes up for).

As for pics- I've been pulling ones of us off Flickr. Few ones of us from the parade. Not many of us by the table or about the convention grounds (damn civilian photographers ).

I'll post what I have after I resize them tonight.

Still waiting for those OOOOOOOs to be reduced Mantroon!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Here's some pic to tide us over:








LET'S ROOOOOOCCCKKK!!!


Parade pics:














(What a tight group! This was supposed to be a double line formation! )

And finally it wouldn't be a parade without Airborne Mike breaking part of his kit.

It was caught on camera:




Alien spots Mike.




DON'T FALL MIKE! THAT'S HOW YOUR LAMP BROKE LAST TIME!





Yep. There goes his helmet. And there went his Pentax lens.

That's all for now.

Hopefully Rick and Dom will have their pics up soon!

Just 51 weeks until next D-Con '08!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

You guys look f'ing awesome in the parade!

As for not being in a double-line formation: they look great all spread out... it's like they're on combat patrol.

Well done. I'm sad I missed out.

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CPL Conley, D. A06/TQ2.0.72147E1



"To err is human; to forgive, divine... Neither of which is Marine Corps policy."
"In Onoraigh Ar Marbh" ~ We Honor Our Fallen

...and the pics start to surface!!

MORE, MORE I TELL YOU!!!

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Great pics Kev!!!

I'll be uploading mine soon!

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

They're the best pics I've seen yet from DCon, absolutely fantastic!
Great to see Pete Cooper flying the flag for us once again.
I really think we should all save up over here and get out for next year.
What say you, Harry & the UKCM?

Ok Marines, finally an evening off since I flew home (working too hard). Air Canada being that it is lost my luggage (barrack box) in Toronto with all my amour and BDU's it in but was delivered to me next day. Oh yeah, Pete & I (took a cab together instead of the Martaaaaaaa! ) ran into Rex at the airport. Tried to have a beer together but ran out of time. Perhaps next year. An awesome time had by all. Will post my pix soon. Watch for them in the picture thread.

Mike

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There is nothing more impressive than a bloody big Alien wiggling on the end of a sharp stick!