Origins Guest of Honor 2005.

Perks included: LWC and me got picked up at the airport, paid flight for me and room (we paid for her tickets, pre Black Thursday). A total of eight events of various kinds I was committed to, only 2 of which had people show up for them. We were constantly wrangled by Origins volunteers who were unfailingly helpful and polite. I got to meet and greet some of my real idols, such as Jim Dunnigan, Tom Shaw, Frank Chadwick, and Richard Garfield.

One of the events that had people show up for it was a seminar on TCGs, important tenets for making thereof. Me, Richard Garfield and David Eckhard from Score. Luckily, Richard had spent (as he said) about 10 minutes making a list. He went down the list and commented, and then I did, and then David did. Despite all my poo-pooing of seminars at conventions, this was an awesome seminar. About 100 in attendance, due to Richard's palpable star power, and the discussion was terrific. Richard told me later it was the best gaming seminar he was ever involved with.

The other event was the Guest of Honor Banquet, across the street at a real hotel. Food was catered and wonderful, especially so for con weekend, of course. "Uncle" Duke Seifried, a legendary maker of wargaming miniatures (first to put them in blister packs, first to sell them in multiples, the list goes on and on) received his GAMA Hall of Fame award and made us all pledge to make his dream of a Game Museum in Columbus come true. Awesome stuff. Frank Chadwick wore the coolest sheep tie ever, and also at the dinner was Hacksaw Jim Duggan!

They scheduled a total of four "play with a creator" events for me, 2 Rings and 2 hack, and nobody showed up for any of them. Gee, I guess the TCG players were playing over in the tournament hall.