JoCo Cruise Crazy
Nerd cruise FTW!
NOTE: After many months of putting off publishing this entry, I've decided to heck with it, I'm just going to finish it up and post it. Please disregard use of the phrase "just got back from". And yes, my mother and I are still on speaking terms.As many of you may know (since I wouldn't shut up about it) I just got back from a week long cruise to the Caribbean. Do I like the Caribbean? No! But when you fill the boat with nerds, it's hard to resist.
I didn't take many photos, but there's a picture of me and my mother wearing fake mustaches online, so I feel fulfilled anyway. I ate a dessert after EVERY MEAL, and I only gained two pounds. And my mother and I are still on speaking terms after being trapped in a 6'x6' box for 6 days! At least, I think we are. I haven't called her since I got back.
So here's a list of what I would do again, given the chance (yes, there should be more nerd cruises in the future), and what I would change.
First of all, let me start by saying that the experience was fantastic. I'm a reasonably big fan of Jonathan Coulton, and I really enjoyed all the shows and extras (like the Q&A session and quiz show). And this is one of the few places where you can have a nice chat while wearing a fake mustache with someone dressed up as the 11th doctor (fez, bow tie, jacket, screwdriver, and driver's license featuring the 1st doctor).
Fezes are cool!
Some of the highlights of the cruise were the Mustache party, karaoke in front of JoCo, the gaming room - we played cash'n'guns, though I never ended up breaking out my Monty Python Fluxx, and simply the sheer amount of nerds (such as angelastic and chicazul from the JoCo forums). I would love to go into more detail, but would never finish this blog entry if I do.
The shows were fantastic. Sadly, I don't remember much from them, but there's lots of videos on youtube. My favorite parts of Jonathan's concerts were when he screwed up. Paul & Storm are always funny live and I learned a few new songs. And there was a lot of comedy: Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett did a great riff of some short film about grass; Wil Wheaton's story about losing his Rocky Horror Picture Show virginity was hilarious; Peter Sagal ran an amazing quiz show with fake trivia; and John Hodgeman taught us about the Caribbean and the rare "tastes like shit fish". And there was other stuff too - I love Molly Lewis now, and Mike Phirman is very funny live. John Roderick was... well... kind of weird. But I think I would like his music if I were in the right mindset.
Some of the things I wish had gone differently were the dinners (I hate making smalltalk with fringe nerds) and the fact that Stirling & Jude bailed. I loved hanging out with my mom but I think I would have enjoyed myself more with more friends there.
So, for anyone who thinks they can afford it - you should totally come on the next cruise! It's like a week long party for nerds. :)
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