Awright, nitpickers, I know it was technically Mississauga. Whatever. Shut up.

So. I've finally been to a filk con!

Okay, that's not entirely accurate. I was at Conflikt, I ran the hospitality suite after all. Still, I never really got to be part of the con. Now, it's not that I minded - I *like* running hospitality and that's why I do it. And most people come through the con suite at some point, so you mostly get to meet people, but you really don't get out to a lot of stuff.

It's been a number of years since I have been at a con without either kids in tow, being on the concom or being a guest with panel commitments. Usually a combination thereof. This weekend I was sans children, commitments and responsibilities.

Just *attending*. Wow. This was *awesome*. And also, OMG! NON STOP FILK!

The whole weekend was a rush. jhayman and her partner in crime put on a great con. I finally had people pointed out to me and was able to put names I've seen on LJ and in #filkhaven with faces (thank you SO MUCH hsifyppah!)

The coolest things (that I can remember off the top of my head) about FKO 18 for me:

- going to a medieval wedding for sposter and sexybass that was so lovely it made me cry

- listening to the concom sing their welcoming song that was so touching it made me cry

- getting to *finally* see Urban Tapestry! *Y A Y ! !*

- getting to jam with gundo and his wonderfully talented friend - yowza!
* Yknow, I have seriously never entertained the slightest thought about going to Chicago before, but he was telling me I really had to. And seriously, to make music with these guys, the temptation is very great. Oh, to be independently wealthy. *le sigh*

- being part of this massive, spontaneous Celtic jam that kind of evolved in one of the filk rooms (wow! I never realized I could jam! and jam to jigs! It was so cool!)

- taking advantage of the drummers at said jam and singing Warrior Maid, only to end up with 2 Bohdrans, 2 violins, a dulcimer, several penny whistles, and at least a half dozen guitars accompanying me. I could have gone to bed without singing another note after that and been happy, it was so good. But I stayed.

It was most awesome meeting peteralway, having a chance to chit chat and make some music. And dude! He has a dulcimer made of Leggo. Seriously! Leggo, I kid you not. Strung with fishing line on Leggo gears. And it *works*. I played it! The mind, she boggles!

I also got to premier the filk I *finally* finished - Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And, as inferred by the title, it references the US military policy of the same name. Those who read my fic know *exactly* who this song is for.

I played it for hsifyppah before hand and she was all "OMG it's so sad!" so yay! Cuz it really is! And then she pulls out this other song she wrote that she never does and she tells me its the perfect response, so I listen to her sing it. And I'm in *tears* by the end, because it seriously could not have been a more perfect match if they'd been written at the same time deliberately meant to go together.

When I sang it in the circle, I was really nervous, because it actually was quite an investment for me. And I thought it kinda bombed. When I told hsifyppah that, she looked at me like I was crazy - which I am - and threatened to slap me for being an idiot. Hee! I *heart* her so hard.

Also, I talked to vixyish about it today to, and she said it made sense to her even though she is totally unfamiliar with the subject matter. I wanted it to be specific enough that fans get the references, but vague enough that the emotional impact came through regardless, and she agreed that it worked.

So. Overall, this was a kick ass weekend. And I don't want to go back to real life yet. After this, I think I am spoiled for cons. I don't really even want to go back to a gen con. I think I could happily do just filk cons. But crap! It could get really expensive. *sigh*

I am seriously thinking that next year, I may just bag out of everything else and stick with Conflikt, FKO, Pondfilk and VCon. If I didn't do Norwescon, I could probably afford to do Consonance instead, and I think that might be a better choice. Then again, I don't think I could do FKO and Consonance.

I will worry about this *next year*. I just go home, but I can't wait to go back.