C2E2 – Chicago, 2013

Ahh yes. C2E2! Looking back on it, from a few months down the road, I have to say this is still one of my favorite conventions. Yes, Dragon*Con is glorious and mind blowing, but for us, C2E2 is far more relaxing. It is a great convention. The attendance is growing each year, and there are a more and more cosplays every year, but it is still “small” enough that there is plenty of room for everyone. Much less hustle and bustle compared to many other conventions. And for us, the best part is seeing our friends, or “con family.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G-ZNylxDp2M/UYPpZhGzbuI/AAAAAAAAIC8/vEOEFQ_rcD0/s144-c-o/DSC08227.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5873794963614166754″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSC08227.JPG” ]

There are tons of comic book artists there, lots of merchandise to peruse and this year quite a nice list of guest stars! We got to meet Lord Mormont (Game of Thrones), several of the stars of The Walking Dead, and chatted with Felicia Day. She even remembered Courtney and her scary nurse costume from Dragon*Con the previous year. The weather was beautiful (ahh springtime in Chicago!) and the convention hotel, the Hyatt at McCormick Place, has been completely remodeled and is fabulous!

 [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m2ZiwnnNDGY/UYPokp7ktcI/AAAAAAAAH-A/nMVK0DVRcIM/s144-c-o/DSC08183.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5873794055449916866″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSC08183.JPG” ]

 [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nzOzb1urNJQ/UYPoo6-vGxI/AAAAAAAAH-Y/nL6k8-Jyzw0/s144-c-o/DSC08186.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5873794128746060562″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSC08186.JPG” ]

We arrived on Friday and got settled into our “King Suite”. Yes, a SUITE (can you say “free upgrade?”)!! HUGE corner room with a view of the lake and a ton of seating for all of our friends. Our room became the gathering place for the duration. At one point I think we had about 18 people in there, hanging out drinking and eating pizza! Sooo much fun!

Friday Courtney dressed in her Silent Hill nurse cosplay and, on the spur of the moment, entered the Friday night costume contest. Though the competition was stiff, she won! I think it had to do not only with the fact that she looked amazing, but also because she was freaking out the MC….doing the nurse bobble-head thing, walking like in the movie, slashing her knife… So cool!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NQqLR7PMc0M/UjDPUyULMEI/AAAAAAAAKDI/H8spO-46rrI/s144-c-o/tommyteephotog.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5922461466002927682″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”tommyteephotog.jpg” ]

Saturday was Zer0, with the minecraft helmet, since we didn’t have time to get the default helmet done. Funny thing though…..the minecraft was a huge hit! She had so much fun in it! Not only did the Borderlands people enjoy it, but the minecraft fans did too. We wound up meeting a TON of Borderlands cosplayers and did an impromptu Borderlands photo shoot.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fiMxfjXY_vk/UYU1l5qfDlI/AAAAAAAAIlg/IVebXODMhiI/s144-c-o/DSC08364.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5874160214225129042″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSC08364.JPG” ]

 We shot video of Zer0 dancing, and skipping all over the place. Zer0 also found a group to go skipping through Pandora with! So much fun! Saturday was topped off with dinner with all of our friends back in our suite and a long, hilarious game of Cards Against Humanity.

Sunday Courtney wore Hawke from Dragon Age 2, until it was time to go home. We were very sad to have to leave, but also excited that it was only the beginning of convention season and we would see most of them again…..soon!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h-NOybjXlaY/UjDSMKAu8RI/AAAAAAAAKDo/q7ze7a-xFDo/s144-c-o/DSC08635.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/110577777339526861820/C2E22013#5922464616279896338″ caption=”” type=”image” alt=”DSC08635.JPG” ]

 To view all the photos we took, click here.