Post PAX Post - Friday, March 26th

Friday started like most mornings. I was tired and I didn't want to get up. Then I remembered that I was in Boston, PAX was about to start, and I had to get to the liquor store for some flask booze. Also, I was going to scout the initial line to get into PAX.

First off, it was fucking cold. Also, it was snowing. LOUSY SMARCH weather! I swung by Bauer's Wine and Spirits on Newbury St. to find that they were closed. BOO, I thought. I figured since I was there, I might as well check out the line. I'm so glad that I did, because thanks to this early venture in the cold New England morning, I was able to get me and my friends a spot close to the front of the line for the PAX Opening Ceremonies.

Speaking of my friends, I would not have tolerated the wait in line had it not been for them. It was a chance to do nothing but talk and hang out with these wonderful people. John, Jack, Casey, David, Jozef, Ian, and Travie: you guys made the wait in line, and the whole experience worth doing.

As it turns out, Friday was a day of contrasts. After doing nothing but waiting in line for hours in the morning for the keynote, you were suddenly hit with the entirety of the pax experience. All of a sudden, you had all options available to you, and it was almost overwhelming. I for one explored, caught up with the RoosterTeeth guys, found the D&D area, and played some Rock Band with friends!

Speaking of the Keynote, it was awesome. Wil Wheaton talked about how gaming builds friendships, and I could not agree more. What brought my core group of friends together in college was gaming, and it continues to be the thing that we like to do most when we get together. The crowd was phenomenal, and although I didn't get picked to be an Omeganaut, fun was had by all and tweeting from the front of the line has its moments.

After my first exhaust day PAX, we met up with a bunch of friends and headed to The Golden Leaf for karaoke and bento boxes. On the way, I grabbed a hot dog at a joint called Spike's, and subsequently had the best hot dog of my life. OM. NOM. NOM.

After gathering everyone and walking to Golden Leaf, sake and BAD singing ensued. Props to everyone who came and hung out! After hiking back to the hotel, a few of us ventured into the chilly Boston night, and got some cheap ass pizza from the most shrewd pizza place I've ever been to. Seriously, they had no seating, only two kinds of pizzas, and their floor was very dirty. Still they were the best 2am munchies game on the block.

Finally we returned to our hotel to find the cops had blocked off our street. Forunately we were able to get back into our hotel, but it seemed like there was always some sort of drama on that street every night of the weekend.

PAX East run-up

PAX East is coming up, so keep it here for the latest news and info! I’ll be doing my best to cover new D&D products, board game releases, and any other geeky goings on. Don’t forget to follow my Twitter for the latest, and tune in Tuesday night to Late Nite Jengajam for our first PAX interview with Shota Nakama and Jeff Williams of The Video Game Orchestra.