Episode 14 – Convention Experiences with. . . The David

Summary: One of the best parts of a new year, besides failing miserably at your resolutions by the second week of January, is the start of a whole new convention season.  Whether you are rabidly anticipating the "Geek Mecca" that is San Diego Comic-Con or like to keep it low-key and hit up your local favorites, we here at the Podcast love conventions, large and small.  From awesome (to awesomely bad) cosplay to getting mad-dogged by The Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, hitting the convention circuit and reporting back to our listeners is definitely a top priority for the podcast monkeys this year. Join us this week as we welcome our most seasoned Con-goer and close personal friend, The David from the Greenlandic Powerpop band The Maxies, as we recollect some highlights from convention trips past.  Grab your daily passes and stack up your swag while we dive into this week's look at the convention experience.  It's both chaotic and fun, just like the convention floor! (01:44) - We throw the opening out to our "special" guest, The David, as he talks about playing the recently released Metal Gear Solid HD Collection in chronological order.  He's also caught up in the depressing behind-the-scenes lives of WWE wrestlers.  Suicide-induced boss battles, fighting bees underwater, and racism in Mexico??  When David tells it, it's funny no matter what! (06:21) - Ramses has finally finished the visually stunning Uncharted 3 and is ready to race Matt to the end of Batman: Arkham City.  He's also fighting illiteracy by starting The Hunger Games while Karen has finished the second book, Catching Fire.  Also, the group brings David up to speed on the premise of the novels.  Kids killing kids??  David's in.. (10:04) - Karen has also been keeping up with graphic novels, having finished  Joe Hill's Locke and Key: Volume 1.  Magic doors, ladies in wells, and creepy gore can only mean one thing, Karen found new bedtime stories for her son!  The more therapy your child needs, the more successful a parent you are, right?? (12:47) - New year, new game!  Since everyone can't fully believe Matt about his game, Robert has been warming up in the wings with the Shadowrun RPG.  However, Cyberpunk ATM hacking in Neo-Tokyo or Seattle is going to have to wait if Matt has anything to do with it... We're still waiting, Mr. Fuller.... (14:54) - When he isn't preparing to (potentially?) pick up Matt's slack, Robert  has also been catching up on HBO's Game of Thrones series, and is particularly enjoying the gratuitous boobage that is involved.  HBO and boobies in the same sentence naturally leads to a discussion of Boardwalk Empire, Steve Buscemi's lack of sexiness, and the massive dong-fest that is Spartacus: Blood and Sand.  Maybe the porn Karen bought Matt for Christmas shouldn't have come as such a surprise... (16:55) - Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II has also spent some time spinning in Robert's PS3, but has proven to be a little less than fulfilling as the original.  Maybe some Han Solo killing DLC or some more costume changes can satisfy him.  Dongocles "The Bro" Starkiller in the house! (18:33) - Matt's been making the final sprint in home-improvement projects before his knee surgery, which will force him to attend to his geek duties.  Weeks away from a custom gaming station / writing desk have him thinking in shades of the über-awesome (and SUPER expensive) furniture available at Geek Chic.  Also, being gimpy will leave him stuck on the couch, so it'll be the perfect opportunity to catch up on The Walking Dead trades, Batman: Arkham City, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and, oh, maybe WRITE HIS DAMN GAME!  Good luck with the Post-Op lifestyle, she-bro! (23:00) - You know what's awesome?  We are.  You know what's 1,000 times more awesome?  Our listeners!  We're giving a big shout out this week to listener and friend of the podcast, artist Dennis Salvatier - the creative and industrious mind behind Salvatier Studios.