It seems that waiting for breakfast becomes my LJ update time. I'm packed and ready to head back to Texas. Next year's con moves to Cherry Hill and I can't say that I'll be sorry to never again stay at this hotel. On the plus side, the elevators worked this time. I have a nice view of the Manhattan skyline and it is particularly convenient to get into the City but Secaucus is not my idea of a great vacation spot.

Random con thoughts:

1. The shortest route between Point A and Point B in Secaucus involves an extended tour of industrial parks and at least one turn into a scary-looking garage.

2. Michael Shanks was early to the breakfast and spent a long time at every table. He wore black leather and black denim. I'm not so clear on what's up with the hair but it was obvious that whatever it was, it was on purpose. I might not be down with it but I was so ridiculously thrilled that he wasn't wearing a baseball cap that I was willing to forgive and forget.

3. Michael Shanks gave us a deliciously evil laugh when we were discussing his casting as Lucifer in the upcoming Rage of Angels. He remains optimistic that the project will be produced.

4. Do not ever get between Jay Acavone and his $150 jar of facial cream.

5. Tony Amendola reads Shakespeare beautifully. The fact that he followed it with a theatrical reading of doggerel and bad internet jokes only proved I'd happily listen to him read anything.

6. Kate Hewlett is an excellent playwright. This was a wonderful discovery last night. She's also a fun guest and clearly enjoyed being onstage.

7. Cliff Simon? He is still incendiary hot. They tailor his wardrobe on the show and it's all real leather. Oh yeah, and since he's "ripped" (his words), they made a decision to remove the sleeves from most of his wardrobe in the forthcoming movie. The guys (MS and RDA?) made sport of him for this while filming.

8. A third movie script is being written. I have no idea if that means we'll *see* a third, but Brad is penning one.

9. Alexis Cruz is still a thoughtful kind of guy but the cabaret act is not one you'd expect from a guy who was on the schmaltzy, Christian-fest Touched by an Angel.

10. Paul McGillion's Scottish accent reasserts itself in direct proportion to the hotness of the woman standing in front of him. :)

11. I'm still sorry that Steve Bacic couldn't make it.

12. Cons are still all about the friends. No surprise that I had fun with the usual suspects (selmak, janiekins, triciabyrne1978) but also with niamaea, who turns out to be exactly as cool and nice and pretty as I suspected. I got to know a lot of people from Gateworld this time around. I would be willing to wade into the abyss in order to keep up with Dave and Marla, who were just plain wonderful.

13. Meeting triciabyrne1978's family was...interesting. It's good to know that she comes by her smut gene naturally.

14. The hotel bartender didn't get to us often but he "made up for it" by forgetting to include the mixers. However, a glass of tequila really isn't an improvement over the margarita I ordered. Not that that stopped me from drinking it.

15. Creation Cons are MUCH MUCH MUCH more enjoyable when they're run by a really nice, laid-back guy. With the exception of a few incidences, it was easy to forget that we were at a Creation Con. It was the (mostly) pleasant event that I suspected a con could be. I almost don't feel overcharged. ;)