Thoughts are just floating randomly through my head, all swarming in one sea of ideas, facts and memories, all related to JournalCon. But jesus, where do I even start?

Maybe I should begin by saying that I’ve been home for a mere three and a half hours (which is coincidentally the number of hours I slept last night this morning), and I already miss everyone. Or I could also point out that I am so fucking exhausted I feel seasick, but am still goofily happy thinking about what a great time I just had.

JournalCon seriously rocked. The closer the time came for me to head into the city on Friday afternoon, the more excited I became. And when I got there, the first person I saw was AB, and my brain shouted, “Oh my god, this is real, and I actually AM about to meet a ton of complete and total strangers!” I must admit, I did cater briefly to my ever-present initial instincts which urgently instruct me to withdraw inside myself and become invisible whenever I’m in new situations. I shyly walked past AB and the other folks who were part of a small smoking group outside the hotel. I wasn’t quite ready to start introducing myself to folks just yet. As I walked inside the hotel, it occurred to me that I didn’t have my nametag yet, and that no one really knows me. I was like some kind of undercover agent! I could actually take a moment or two to observe and take it all in before delving into the entire experience. Also, when I stepped out of my car, I was still on edge from my brief encounter with city driving, and I didn’t want to complain to the first JournalConner I saw. So instead, I complained to the check-in lady. She welcomed me, I said I was happy to be there, and added, “But driving in this city is a complete pain in the ass!” She laughed and said, “Yes, it is.”

And the party started from there, baby! I was really surprised at how easy it was to talk to everyone. I’ve never felt so comfortable so fast meeting complete strangers. Then again, these are journallers, the most talkative people I could ever have chosen to surround myself with. I was home!

Everyone was so nice and friendly! People were introducing themselves left and right. Lots of camaraderie in the air right off the bat. Also… funny people, man. It felt good to laugh so much!

And could I have been happier with my roommate situation?!! I think not! I adore Emily. She rocks! I want to be her for a day. I at least want to have clothes as cool as hers. She bought me a beer in the first ten minutes of meeting me. I love that girl.

I just gotta say, Emily, Anna Beth, Pamie, and Pineapple Girl are my people, dude. Totally. I could not have felt more instantly at ease in their presence, and they are way fuckin’ fun.

Last night was the best. I hung out with the 4 above-mentioned people, Sasha, Jenfu-Jen, Michelle, and Jared for several hours after the whole karaoke party ended. We laughed and drank and laughed and drank some more in the hotel room. We actually played round after round of "I Never" until 4 in the morning! Jared was the only guy in a room full of girls, but I don’t think he minded one bit! A quick note: In my drunken state, I actually counted the number of people in the room so I could make sure to remember who all was there! Heh. Drinking and laughing with awesome people. What’s more fun than that? Nothing, I tell you!

Okay, so karaoke? Awesome. I’ve never even been to a karaoke bar before, and it was amazing. It was in Japan Town, and the videos that went along with the music and lyrics were these surreal, abstract Asian videos, ranging from obscure bunny wedding cake toppers to something close to soft porn. Not one of them had a single thing to do with the actual lyrics! I guess some things seemed remotely related, if you stretched your imagination. I loved that at the end of the “Somewhere over the Rainbow” video, which had been showing a car driving on a country road, there was this dusty, deserted road with a big sign that said, “ROAD BLOCKED.” Excellent.

Jen-Tight Science-Jen and Emily are my personal heroes for singing Queen’s ”Bohemian Rhapsody” with me. After being up on that little stage with them, getting to try the experience out a little bit, I figured I could gather up the courage to do it by myself. I was actually shaking when I went up there! I mean, hey, it was the first time I’ve ever sung by myself in front of a group!! Can we say adrenaline rush? So, I picked “Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears, mostly because I happen to know all the words. Later, I chose The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout”, which I hoped might get people dancing. Oh my god! It was AWESOME. The whole place stood up, sang along and danced with their arms in the air. I loved it! Apparently, the small group of the only non-journallers in the place (about 6 people) had also requested the song. So, “Twist and Shout” played twice back to back!! So, so cool. Everyone cheered and sang and danced even harder the second time through. I love that song, and I loved that crowd!

Pamie is such an awesome singer. She just blew me away. That girl can really belt it out! So much talent!!

There were so many good performances though! I found Pete’s Tom Waits voice quite impressive! He also happens to have a really awesome Om tattoo on his neck. Nothing to do with karaoke; I just thought it was cool.

About the time we were going to leave the restaurant, Pamie said emphatically, “Do NOT leave without me!” before heading into the restroom. Naturally, the second she was out of sight, we all ran outside the bar as fast as we could, slowed down only by our fits of hysterics. We waited around the corner, hiding in a small area, squished together like sardines for a few moments before hearing Pamie shout, “I KNEW it!!” She then ran out toward our hiding space, only to find us jumping out to surprise her and giggling ourselves silly.

It was hard to get out of there today, the last day of JournalCon! I didn’t want the experience to end. It was so fun! I got to talk to the awesome animal-loving Mo for a while (she brought her poor, sick parakeet with her to give him meds while he was sick), and Krystyn who looks especially beautiful adorned with so much glitter, and Renee and Beth (and Vic!), who were so sweet to me. I also loved hanging out with Beth and Kymm after Alcatraz, and chatting with great people at the diner this afternoon.

I adore Jared for buying my sandwich for me (with my money… don’t worry, I didn’t just mooch off people all weekend long!) when I was so tired and my feet hurt so much I couldn’t bare to stand in line, Sasha because she’s cute and said that I’m “a doll,” while we were dancing together at the karaoke place. I loved Lisa, Jenfu-Jen, and Lucy’s love of books, including children’s books. I loved that many people asked me at various times if I was having a great time, which was always answered with an enthusiastic, “Yes!” I loved that when people asked what my site was and I said SeaFoam, I actually got a few, “Oh, okay!” phrases of recognition. Woo!

I loved that others shared my hatred of SF hills. I loved that there were Texans. I loved the hugs.

I adored hanging with Krystyn, Michelle, Tim, Em, and Jared that first night. Jared (and Renee and Amanda) were great at suggesting drinks for me. Jared bought me a black Russian because he is cool like that. I love that Krystyn nicknamed me Snacky Crackers and that Tim thought it should be Snacky McCrackers. Krystyn said she remembers only calling me Snacky and credits Tim with the entire "Cracker" last name concept. That's not how I remember it, but confidentially speaking, I've been known to be wrong once or twice in the past...

I just loved meeting everyone, including lots of people whose names, as I sadly predicted would happen, I have entirely forgotten. I’m sorry! Everyone I talked to was so charming and loveable. And that’s not an exaggeration. Each and every single person I spoke with was friendly, sweet, and amazing. You all rock!

I could go on and on, and will… later. I have much more to say. For now, I am freakin’ beat, and must take off. The writing of JournalCon 2002 will be a multi-entry process, I’m predicting.

So, to close, here is a quote: