Smilin' Jack: August 2014

Or - The Reason your IT Guys Are "Out Sick"…

We were off on another adventure today. We were heading downtown for Fun at the PAX Convention at the Washington State Convention Center. Even after having been to the Convention, I still don't know what PAX stands for but it must be Big Guns in the Gaming Industry.

Anyway, to get this picture, I put the camera on a ledge and then used the delayed timer.

Hahahaha, this was the best of four tries. We had a lot of fun trying to get this shot.

Part of our adventures is just getting to wherever it is we are going. It's always fun taking a walk, even just up to catch the Link. With a camera every walk is a trip of discovery.

Like this small discovery when we found a spider's web hidden in the tall grass and covered with dew.

And this, Carol spotted this Red-Shafted Flicker sitting up high on a telephone pole. It's always a kick to see the wildlife around our urban home.

And another example of wildlife…these skateboarders. I don't know what the deal was but there were about 20-25 of them, skateboarders, all with large backpacks and all heading South down MLK. I have to figure they were traveling somewhere…what a kick, eh?

I don't know where they came from or where they were going, but what a kick to travel around on a skateboard with a bunch of your buddies.

After a quick ride on the Link to downtown we were, once again, into the eclectic mix of the Emerald City.

And what do we run into but that unique way of seeing the sights of Seattle, The Duck!! It's great. I've made it a habit to shout and wave whenever a Duck goes by. And I always get waves and shouts back from the happy passengers.

We were heading East towards the Washington State Convention Center and had to pass by Westlake Park with its small playground for the little kids.

And one for the big kids, too. It's a fountain and, we discovered just today, it has a walkway down the center of it. As soon as Carol learned about it, she was off to experience it first-hand. Fun for the Big Kids, too.

And just because it looms so large over the small park, here's a picture of the Nordstrom building. You can see, looking at Nordstrom, the skies are showing just a bit of blue. It was, really, a beautiful day…not too warm, just cool enough to be comfortable with plenty of good light.

And another small discovery. I've walked up Pine a bunch of times, but this was the first time I saw this…a clock set into a Question Mark. Cool, eh?

Even though it is a Major Metropolitan City, Seattle still remembers its original roots as a logging community. I appreciate all the trees lining the streets. It hides some of the more overwhelming features of the city…makes it more livable.

B&W Alert!!

I still haven't forgotten about B&W. I just haven't thought of it for a while. But this shot sorta demanded to be shown as a Black and White shot.

But let's get back to the reason for the trip today. We were getting closer to the Washington State Convention Center and you could tell by the foot traffic.

Then we saw these guys and knew we were very close. I don't know what he is but I can say he is "All Ears".

She's like the girl from Hunger Games, except she has a bunch of cuts and bruises on her face. Don't ask me, I sure don't know. I just come for the show even though I don't understand most of what's going on around me.

And it's a fun show.

Here it is, the reason for all the excitement.

14PAX

A gaming convention full of new stuff and an opportunity to play the games you love.

As we were walking up we saw this sign and got a good laugh out of it. How true. I bet they had a lot of sick days during this time.

And we saw a whole buncha these buttons. Intel was pushing it big.

There were the same scalpers there that were out hawking passes during Comicon. They were buying and selling the passes left and right. And, evidently, some of these scalpers weren't quite on the up and up.

"Gee, Ernie, is this really plastic?"

Hahahahaha. Like the scalper is gonna come in the convention center to verify his passes.

Here we are!!

The Promised Land!!

We heard about this Gaming Convention from our upstairs neighbors who are, unashamedly, Geeks, with a Capital G. They are proud gamers and were looking forward to going to this convention.

And so were we. It's like a different version of ComiCon with a lot of the same characters.

We got in the big hall and saw this guy. I think he's a goblin…the one on the right.

Yeah, he's a goblin who has, somehow, gotten a bit wet, I'm guessing.

Before we could do anything, though, we had to get ourselves some nourishment. Some healthy good to give us the strength to carry on at the convention.

What better than some chocolate muffins?

Muffin = Healthy, right?

Of course!!

It was so busy that we had to share a table. Our table mates were in a deep discussion about their work, they were exhibiters at the Convention, and we couldn't help but overhear.

So, naturally, we butted in.

It was easy enough to get them talking about what they were doing. They were both proud of their work and happy to tell us. Unfortunately, it was all pretty much Greek to me and went, unimpeded, from one ear directly to the next…without any stops.

I got that they're in games and they were selling them.

I'm sure there was a lot more but…

"All aboard the Express from one side of Jack's unused noodle to the other!!"

They were pleasant and explained things to us in detail and then, just before we left, he gave us this pin. OK, it's some part of the game and if you do something with glow sticks on the sticky stuff behind it then it will glow and pop…or something like that.

Honestly, even I wonder at the depth of my stupidity at times.

Then I get a head ache and stop.

Ah, the magic badge that gets you into the Kingdom.

And, believe me, a lot of the Kingdom's doors were closed to all but those with a pass.

But not to this Warrior!!

Shades of ComiCon!!

Game on, Dude!!

And it were crowded!!

Lines to go up and lines to go down.

It was a crowded scene. We rode up the four escalators and then worked our way down walking around and looking at all the goings on.

Venders had their tables set up in the halls and were busy doing business.

And the gamers were out as their favorite characters from their favorite games.

I don't know. I don't know what game they represent nor do I know why they're all dressed up like a character from their game.

I just don't know.

But I do know they were pleasant and every time I asked for a picture, they were all more than willing to accommodate me.

Like these kids.

Hahaha, I just realized, I'm so old I can pretty much call EVERYONE kids!!

Looking back towards the escalators from the fourth floor.

Dead Island 2

Implies a Dead Island 1, right?

Whatever happened to the cute little Mario Brothers?

Shades of The Big Bang Theory!!

Seriously, you need some college education just to get started in this game. It'd be too much work for me.

Way too much work. Heck, I still have trouble with Clue.

"In order for me to have everything I want, you're going to have to give up some things."

Wow, philosophical, too!!

Heavy, Man.

And this. I don't know. I assumed it was some cute little stuffed toy but I'm guessing as I think more about it that this cute little guy probably kills you and then guts your rotting carcass. Or something like that.

Cuz, right after I saw cute little stuffed toy, we ran into this guy.

He told us that his suit is based on a game but he has elaborated on it. He also told us that yesterday he wore the same thing but with 5-inch heels. On boots, not stilettos.

And then I got this close-up so I could show you his…red eyes!!! And yesterday, he told us, he was there with one red and one white eye!! Then he showed us a picture of himself from yesterday.

And he was very polite. Hahaha, these kids were Yes, Ma'aming and No, Sirring us. Not that I'm complaining. I appreciate good manners. Still, it's another graphic example of my advanced years. And they seem to be advancing at a much faster rate lately.

Halo!! I've heard of that.

That's all. I've heard of it. Nothing more there for me. But evidently it is a big seller. See all the 'Sold Out' signs below.

They even had someone doing interviews. I wanted to 'photo-bomb' these guys…but Carol wouldn't let me. And they were filming it with DSLRs. Whatever happened to carrying around a heavy ol' movie camera like I had to do when I was making my home movies.

Ah, Modern Times. A wee bit too late for me.

Ratz!!

As we were wandering around, we glanced into the rooms on either side and in a lot of them, they were involved in some heavy duty and extremely serious games.

I mean, these guys are playing for keeps.

But we were still a couple of wide-eyed innocents, naive little waifs from the Country.

And it shows.

Hahahaha...

Welcome to PAX 2014

Seriously, I've never even heard of these things!!

But this I understood.

My kids go crazy with these things…dancing and playing some kinda music with these things.

And more games.

Serious business, these games.

Loser has to shave. Hahaha.

Hahaha!! Finally!! I knew one of the dress up guys!!

It's Jaffir from Aladdin.

I nailed it.

There were plenty of games for sale. And all the little thingies you need in order to play.

Not too crowded but just as intense.

I know this is blurred, I was shooting in low light with a long lens.

Hahaha, a lot of L's there, eh!?!

It's blurry but it gives you an idea of what was going on there.

Shadowrun

Dragonfall

????????????????

I figure this is just a large game set up to interest people. I mean, they can't play it at this size…can they? I don't know, anymore.

But they were playing it.

No shoes, please.

And this guy. From Futorama.

Gender Bender.

Side note…he got a card from someone and he took off his head and stored it inside his tiara. Or is that a diadem…Harry Potter has me all confused.

We'd had enough fun and so we headed out.

The street in front of the Convention Center.

Subway kills it here.

McDonald's would rule here.

So would a Hot Dog Stand!!

And while we were moving through the crowd we saw this guy and I asked for a picture.

He readily agreed and then pulled his mask into place and posed.

Now, look closely to the left (your left) of his mask!!

Can you see it!?!

Smoke!! He pushed something and smoke started coming out of his mask!!

Amazing!!!

This guy has something to do with The Republic of Kalifornia. Don't know what and I do know better than to ask. It's all Greek to me anyway.

Nice costume.

The streets around the Convention Center were crowded.

One final look back.

This guy was taking a smoke break and so after I asked to take his picture, I told him he didn't need to pose for me…I just wanted the picture.

But he was ready to pose!

We were heading back to reality now. Tourist Reality.

B&W Alert!!

Another building and another B&W. Like the last one, this one seemed better as a monotone.

But not this one. Notice the skies are getting back to Seattle normal.

And then we saw this.

For cryin' out loud. What are we coming to?

The Original Canabus.

There's more than one!?!?!

'Nuff said.

(#goingtoHell…#quickly)

I bought some postcards for the grandkids and got this shot from inside the store looking through the door towards the Pike Public Market.

OK, OK, I'm still a tourist at heart.

Look, the skies are back to overcast.

We were walking up First Avenue and saw this. I've never seen it before. Makes me wonder…if this is the Sanitary Market what does that make the Pike Public Market?