"Visiting KeyCon 22" May 21, 2005
After
visiting Winnipeg all time BEST science fiction convention, KeyCon
19, KeyCon 20 and KeyCon 21, I just couldn't wait for KeyCon 22. Why??
Because this year I had the perfect outfit to wear. Uhura's little red
mini dress from the original Start Trek series! After wearing the uniform
to last fall's KeyCon halloween social I just couldn't wait for the convention.
After getting ready in the afternoon I stopped at Lady Godiva Boutique to show Mary the uniform and get a last minute look in the mirror! Mary took the pic at the right.
By around 3:30 I arrived at the Radisson Hotel on Portage Avenue and found parking in the parkade, which means taking one elevator to the lobby, walking through the lobby, then taking a 2nd elevator to the 11th floor! Great! I get to walk past the front desk in my sexy Star Trek uniform!
On the 11th floor I stopped first at the dealer's room and checked out what the vendors had for sale!. Everything from jewelry, wood crafts, sci fi books and trinkets. The girl from "Dog Eared Books" was there too with her collection of sci fi books. I know her as HIM and it was kinda fun spending time browsing through her selection and chatting with her. I'll have to remember to ask her next time I'm at her store in drab, if she remembers seeing me at the convention!
I took the staircase to the 12th floor and met my daughter who was selling some kind of food ticket, for which she wanted a dollar. So of course I bought one and was directed to the room where a ritual was about to take place. Something about praising sugar I think as these sci fi things are kinda outta this world! In the room I met up with "The Danny", who hosted a Con Suite at last years convention.
Now
for anther "First" for me. In the room I was introduced to my
daughter's little step-sister as "Aunt Sabrina". She's only 6
years old and really cute. After so many years of going through life worrying
about how I would
be accepted it is sure is a wonderful feeling to have people accept me
enough to be "OK" with me being around their children. Now for
the ceremony, which was much like a communion in church, and jello, marsh
mellows, chocolate
and coca cola was passed out! I was a lot of fun and I'm glad I spent the
buck!
Now it was time for the Masquerade costume contest! Darn, I was too late to enter..(Note to self, enter early next year!). While the contestants got their little briefing I helped Clif set up a photo backdrop and had to leave the room with the rest, waiting for the contestants to get ready for the show, which was running behind. Nothing unusual at KeyCon :-) For the show I sat with "The Danny" and enjoyed watching the contestants walk the runway! Some were in costumes of their favorite sci fi characters while others were just lain fun fantasy costumes.
After the Masquerade costume contest I went up to the 15th floor with "The Danny" to where the Con hospitality suites were and went to "Hogwarts" The room was decorated with brick walls, and the four shields from the houses of Hogwarts! Very nicely done. I tried the "Witch's Brew" they were serving, which was a non alcoholic fruit drink. Kinda tasty too:-)
By 7:45 Pm it was time for me to leave and change for the KeyCon social to follow that evening. I felt my Uhura uniform was going to be too hot to dance in, and decided my red leather mini skirt, a black sleeveless top and stilettos was the best choice:-) Since Rhiannon, another Masquerade member, was going to the social and needed a ride I went and picked her up. She wore a nice silver blouse, a black knee length leather skirt and ankle boots!
Rhiannon and I arrived back at the Radisson hotel just before 9PM and I really enjoyed walking through the lobby in my leather and stilettos! (Yes, I turned a few heads). On the 12th floor we stopped to see Leamber who was working the door. Rhiannon registered for her pass and we met my daughter and "The Danny" in the social hall. Dancing had started and the party had begun.
The evening was a lot of fun. Meeting up with friends I've gotten to know from the previous KeyCon's I've been to. Andrew, who had taken me out to dinner after one of the KeyCon socials entered the room and before sitting at our table leaned over and gave me a hug. He's so sweet! Of course Rhiannon and I spent quite a bit of time on the dance floor with my daughter and my ex. And with me in 5 inch heels too! Rhiannon and I took a break and checked out the Con Suites on the 15th floor and just enjoyed being girls out for a wonderful evening. By about 12:30 AM it was time to call it an evening so Rhiannon and I said our goodbye's and headed for home. With one stop along the way, at Shoppers Drug Mart, just not wanting the night of walking around in a mini skirt and heels to end!
For more pics visit my photo album CLICK HERE!
Visit the KeyCon web site at
http://www.keycon.org
for info on KeyCon
23 in 2006 !
Thanks for reading my story,
Sabrina
E-mail me at sabrina_markes@masquerade.ca
Member of the Winnipeg support group - "Masquerade"