I headed out to Stratford Ontario at 630am with 90 minutes of driving ahead.
I had to be home by 2pm and wanted to get a lot done there.
I set out several goals I wanted to accomplish. This was my 6th consecutive year and have always had a great time. This year I left feeling empty. I couldn't figure out why. Here are the goals:
1) Play 'Technical Difficulties' an imagination modern Africa game
2) Sell unwanted stuff (approx $500 worth of goodies)
3) purchase painted miniatures from a specific painter that fit into existing collections
4) purchase miniatures for either KKBB or RCW/Back of Beyond
5) purchase Viking/Saxon terrain
6) spend as little as possible (weird considering #3-5
7) speak with a painter about a commission (and drop off the figures)
8) be home by 2pm ( imposed by the wife)
I arrived at 8am and offloaded my stuff at the bring and buy table. I walked around the hall but as the tables were being set up, there wasn't a lot to look at.
The vendors were set up but I usually avoid them until after the bring and buy (gotta grab the 'real' deals first)!
An announcement was made to line up to sign up for the 930 game slot. I managed to find myself about 40 gamers back from the front. I was pretty worried as the GM running 'Technical Difficulties' runs another game called 'Mongols and Mausers' which is always a fun looking but full table. After what seemed like a long wait I managed to snag a spot at 'Technical Difficulties'! Goal 1: achieved.
Next I went to the bring and buy and began looking ( despite not officially being open, whoops)!
The guy who flogs painted miniatures didn't appear to have dropped anything off Goal 3: denied but I found a pack of Coppletone Russian Sailors which was jammed with more then 10 figures. For $10. I snagged those.
There was nothing else that jumped out and grabbed my attention so I sat at the table where Technical Difficulties was being run.
I was in control of a small detachment of MILF troops (Morrowi Independance League Fighters or something like that).
Here are my troops in all their finest.
My objective was to seize the compound and any diamonds inside.
Well, I failed miserably but had a good time doing so. However the game ran over until 1230.
Realizing I had a 90 minute drive home and exactly 90 minutes to get there (yikes!) I quickly went to the bring and buy to gather my unsold wares. I had sold $170 worth of goods ( Goal 2: small success). Next I spoke with the commission painter and dropped off some Foundry Darkest Africa archers and the &10 Copplestone Sailors (which was the 10 Sailors and 4 Sailors command pack valued at $38).
I sped home after hitting a drivethru arriving closer to 3pm. Goal 8: failed.
So I achieved some of my goals. But I think the crux was that given the time frame imposed (by my wife) I wasn't realistic about what I could do at the venue. I opted to play a game but in doing so, I missed out on looking at the other great games going on and didn't have time to even browse the vendors wares. The flip side is I only spent $30 ($20 entry + $10 Figures).
I think next year I will stay one night so I can do a bit if everything.
