The Musings of Adam Lawton

Welcome to Part 0 in the Wrath of Con series! Part 0 because this takes place before the Con actually starts. There are a few stories, photos and videos that are going to have to be cut from this out of respect to the actors/actresses though.

I was really disappointed when I found out that Aaron Douglas and Tahmoh Penikett were not going to be able to make it out - not disappointed in anyone, just the way things turned out. I was bummed again when last minute replacement guest Lucianna Carro was not going to make it either, but c’est la vie.

My brother and I left around 9:15 am on Thursday, I figured why not get up there early. The 6 1/2, 380 mile drive proved my point. We got to the hotel at around 2:30 with me not realizing that there was a time zone change from central to northern Florida, go figure.

So enough of the non-con related stuff, who cares about that right?!

No one was on the Con floor. Since that was the case, I decided to roam around the hotel a bit and see what was there. 15 minutes and 2 rounds along the hotel area later I went back to where the con was going to take place and just relaxed on one of the sofas there for a while. Quite a while later Tim Riley who I assumed might have been Rick Albritton was going ballroom to ballroom scouting out and the like. Rick Albritton, Presenter and Head Promoter of the show came in the floor and recognized me from a photo at Megacon with Leah Cairns. Very good man, he really put his all into this con and it certainly showed. I also met Ian and West of the CIA Shock podcast, both of which are two cool gents. I was officially dubbed fan #1 for the Wrath of Con!

After walking around a bit more, I walked right past Virginia Hey as she was checking in. I didn’t say anything though because I didn’t want to be a bother.

As it became evening, head security Tammy and Chris arrived along with some of the dealers and authors. I hung out with Tammy and Chris hearing stories of some of their outings at other cons, which were pretty funny.

They left to go do some more of their surveying, and at this point I was relaxin’ on one of the chairs in the hallway when I saw Jerry Doyle walk by. He went outside to have a smoke break, and then came back in and sat down next to me and one of the security personnel. Jerry was talking about politics and how the “smoking playground” is becoming smaller and smaller. He got up to leave a little later, patted me on the back and when I said “it was nice to meet you Mr. Doyle” he said “call me Jerry, don’t ever call me Mr. Doyle again.” Very fascinating and smart man he is. Little did I know that we were going to become good friends.. at least I thought so anyway.

With more and more dealers coming in I decided I might as well do something and help out, so I did a little setting up with some of the dealers. It was around midnight or so when they closed up so I went back to the room, showered, and went to bed. I set my alarm for around 9 and ready for the con to begin!

**Also a free beauty tip**

I forgot to pack shaving cream, so I had to resort to using in-room body lotion/body wash. I only ever break out when I shave, which I knew was going to happen. In fact I was already getting bumps starting to appear, so remembering a helpful tip I’ve heard somewhere I put dabs of toothpaste on likely areas. Lo and behold, in the morning all was fine!