When I first started going to conventions, the one thing I specifically did NOT like was the hoards of inebriated revelers who poured out of the woodwork after sundown. I’ve grown more used to it now, and can usually just tune ’em out, but random drunk encounters are still at the bottom of my Favorite Con Experiences list. I’m not sure if there were more booze hounds than usual at AUSA this year, or if the size of the Hyatt just means that you bump into more of them than at other cons. Either way, this sort of thing happened a LOT. Well, at least they were all friendly drunks… excessively so, in fact.

(Historical Notes: These days, rampant public intoxication IS a bit less common… though public panic attacks and emotional breakdowns are very much on the rise.  Given the choice, I’ll take the drunks)