05/31/07

Conquest: Story in a Bag (permalink)

conquest kansas_city convention con writing book scifi science_fiction fantasy competition

While attending the Conquest KC science fiction and fantasy convention this year, I participated in the Story in a Bag contest. For the contest, the conquest staff prepared a series of bags containing short sentences or words that had to be incorporated into a new, custom written story which the contestants had one hour to complete. The best stories in each of three categories (science fiction, fantasy and horror) were judged within three skill levels (youth, adult amateur, and adult professional/published).

For my entry, I chose to write within the Science Fiction category and qualified for the Adult Amateur level. My topics were as follows:

• Theme: A Trip Home.
• Character: A Crying Baby.
• Item: A Box of Chocolates
• Setting: A Run Down Apartment Building
• Starting Sentence: "Seven years ago today my life changed completely when..."

I ended up writing a story about a researcher who was indentured into service only to return to his home planet seven years later and try to pick up his old life. It turned out ok, considering it took me 20 minutes to decide on a plot which left me only 40 minutes to write and edit the 6 page story.

All of the stories were judged by convention attendees, and in the end out of the four stories that were submitted in my category and level, I won a close second place. I hope to compete again next year and try for first.

05/29/07

Conquest Idol (permalink)

music science_ficiton scifi convention con kansas_city

One of the main events at the 2007 Conquest Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention was the Conquest Idol Competition. This was the first year for this event at Conquest, but its popularity will ensure that it will continue next year.

The effect of listening to a bunch of dedicated nerds get up on stage and try to sing was both painful and hilarious. The best acts, unsurprisingly, were those that embraced their bad singing and used it along with intentionally horrible song choices for maximum comedic effect.

Though the singing was almost universally bad, the event was a blast and I hope to see what next year's entrants can do.

05/25/07

This Weekend: Conquest KC (permalink)

conquest books scifi science_fiction fantasy convention con kansas_city anime

This weekend, I will be spending some time at the Conquest science fiction convention here in Kansas City, MO at the airport Hilton hotel. This is the 38th year for the con, but will be the first time I attend. I met one of the con organizers at Naka-Kon a few months ago, and saw him again at Anime St. Louis/ShoMeCon last month. It seems to be a very well organized convention and they have a lot of interesting events, so it should be a good experience. I will be posting several updates and photos after the con, so check back for more next week.

05/06/07

Quail Ridge Park (permalink)

park missouri st_louis wentzville quail ridge disc_golf travel

On the way back from Anime St. Louis and ShowMeCon a couple weeks ago, we stopped at Quail Ridge Park just outside of Wentzville Mo, off I-70 and Highway 40/61 in St. Charles County to play a round of Frisbee golf.

The disc golf course at Quail Ridge Park is very well maintained and fairly challenging, with a wide variety of hole types, ranging from simple open distance shots to narrow paths in the woods. It is one of the shorter courses I have played, with most of the holes well under 300' in length. The shortness of the holes makes the course fairly easy, so advanced players may be left wanting more challenge.

The park has very nicely kept facilities, with many clean public restrooms, water fountains and faucets, and a number of picnic shelters. If you live nearby this park, I highly recommend a visit, but due to the overall simplicity of the course, players who live very far from this park may not find it worth the drive.

05/06/07

Masquerade - Anime St. Louis (permalink)

cosplay masquerade con convention showmecon st_louis anime

One of my favorite features of anime conventions is the masquerade. Well over half of the attendees of anime cons generally show up in costume, and the masquerade is a great way to show off the incredible workmanship that goes into some of the costumes. Not only that, but the participants often perform short skits or performances as well.

The Masqerade at Anime St. Louis, while one of the smaller cons I have been to, had one of the best run Masquerades I have seen. Not only did it start on time, which is rare for a convention, but it also was run very smoothly and with minimal problems. It was a great show with many impressive entrants and several awesome skits. I am looking forward to next year's show already.