This reporter has just returned from another late-shift on the Dragon*Con scene and is ready to spill forth the 411 on the par-tay scene.

Nothing is more exciting than a walk through the lobby of the Hyatt or the Mariott after midnight. Costumes, conversation, and all manner of levity permeate the place. Even now, as I sit here writing at my computer in the Chicago Room of the Hyatt, I feel as though I’m missing something, as though I should get down the words as quickly as possible and hurry back to the action.

Why, you might ask (that is if you are one of those early-morning-people who needs a warm toddy and a snuggle under the covers by 11PM, in case the pumpkin chick has your number) would I be so willing to forgo sleep in favor of boisterous absurdity?

Because it’s there.

And it ROCKS!

Saturday night, there was a party for every interest: the high-tech colonial delights of the Battlestar Galactica party (where the stars partied beside the fans), the down-to-earth Browncoat party for the Firefly crowd (including a live band), the get down-and-boogie thrill of the Rainbow party (and they had really good food, including chocolate cake, I kid you not!), and the World of Warcraft party (including some serious swag). And those were only the parties at the Sheraton. Dragon*Con has four hotels, don’t you know.

Sunday night, the Pirate party (Arrrrgh), and the Mad Scientist party (featuring the Tesla coils of ArcAttack which are totally, geekily amazing) were the main attractions at the Hyatt.

Four hotels. Seriously!

Even if you don’t have the patience to stand in a long line to check out the action, simply stroll through the lobby again and absorb. The sights. The sounds. The smells (yeah, that guy’s got to have a shower eventually!)  Take it all in and live it while you can. Because in a few more hours it will all be over and we’ll all go back to our normal lives.

Rock on. Peace out. Godspeed.