I was sent this photo a few days ago. Funny timing as Jason has again been on my mind. Most of you who knew Jason already know the story behind this photo, but I'm going to tell it again. As I feel I can tell it again.

This was the first DragonCon I attended. I had no clue what to expect and I was nervous as all hell to attend. My husband was VERY worried about me flying to Atlanta to attend a large convention all by myself. The only way he would agree for me to attend was if I stayed at Jason's house. I had met Jason before, he was married, and had a teen son. We both trusted him.

So off I went. I arrived at the airport and Jason was there to meet my flight. We went right to the convention and stood in line for hours to get our badges. By the time we got done and met all our other on-line friends (most of whom I had never met) I had gone an entire day without eating a bit and it was now evening. I was nervous to met all these people. (Close to 25 on-line friends from all over the world were in that bar that night) What if they hated me? And then I would stuck there with people who hated me! So I did what I usually do when I'm nervous in a group. I drank like a fucking fish. I mean...I drank straight up martinis until I about floated away. Jason and I left at bar close.

We took a taxi to where his car was parked. I was so drunk that I peed in the parking ramp. Real classy. Then we drove the 1/2 hour to his house. I went into the extra bedroom and I couldn't figure out how to keep the ceiling fan going and have the light off so I slept (passed out) with the light on. Jason's wife didn't know WTF to think. She thought I was nuts. That wasn't helped that morning when I got up and showered. I was still flat out drunk.

Jason drove us to the MARTA station and we parked the car and go onto the train. That's when started to feel sick. Keep in mind, I am in costume - the one you see in the photo. Jason thought it was funny, and I did too when I wasn't trying to barf. We debated, out loud, if I should puke on the floor of the train or in the plastic seat. That made the other train riders move away from us.

I made it to the con without throwing up. Miracle. Then we decided to try to eat something with Kool, John, and a few others. Kool and I had to leave the food court to throw-up. Battle lost. Then we went to John and Kool's room to lay down for a while. That helped a bit.

Finally I was OK enough to go to the Pern room and meet up with all our friends again. I still looked and felt like shit. I heloed Cat sew the rest of the hem of her gown. Jason stayed with me and we had a great time each and every day (and evening) of the Con. The photo above is Jason and I in the Pern room. As a side note: check out the BPOI logo on Jason's shirt. Remember that was the year we had those shirts and I paid for the bags with the logo on them. I made the circle dragon logo) I was soooo sad to go. I had to leave right when Debbie got to the bar one night and I almost cried as I hugged her. I had wanted to hang out with Debbie the most since we are twins. She looked at me and said, "Oh Jeez, don't cry. We'll be on the boards." Jason took me to the airport and that was that.

I look at that photo and I still can't catch a glimpse of killer in it. I look at it and still see the guy my husband and I trusted to care for me and about me when I went to my first Con. Gods...what madness can steal from us all.