There are days where I wonder to myself why I ever went to law school.  Today is one of those days.

I woke up after a really excellent dream.  I had put together a convention for my Facebook friends and their Facebook friends only.  It was by invitation only. Everyone had fun playing board games, dice-rolling RPGs, and watching movies and bands.  All of the bands that played at the convention were friends of the group.  Folks like Schwarzenator, Joyce Lee and The Killing Shoes, and Esque.

I got to thinking today, and living that dream is totally plausible.  I have a lot of event coordination experience, and some truly excellent friends.  I bet I could make one hell of a convention/party for about a thousand people or so.  I think it would take at least a year to plan properly. I just need to make a business plan for it, and get some people on board to help with it.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: why not just get your friends to go to a convention that already exists?  I mean, there’s ComicCon, GenCon, DragonCon, AwesomeCon, and so many others that I could go on… and honestly, it’s because I don’t want to do what’s already been done. I’m not looking to do the same thing that’s already out there. I’m looking to get us computer geeks together in a social atmosphere.  I’m not looking for cosplay. (Though with my friends, I wouldn’t rule it out…) I’m not looking for comics. (The books — funny people, however, I *am* interested in!) I’m not trying to force people into playing games with strangers. I’m looking for a party with friends and friends of friends.

One of my friends, Reichart Von Wolfsheild, started BIL – the Southern California counterpart to TED.  He’s a huge inspiration to me. One of the things I can see happening at this convention is inspirational talks by folks like me who have chronic illnesses who are letting people know how they cope with their issues and live their lives to the fullest.

I think I’d also have some people in the entertainment industry, like folks who are involved in TV or who are professional musicians come and talk about what their daily lives are actually like.  Maybe visual artists too.  I’d call the track “Secrets of the Universe.” 🙂  Because that shit needs to be demystified and de-glamorized.

Anyway, I think getting this idea out of my head and into the real world is the best that I can do for myself and for the world today. It’s a step in the right direction.

By all means, let me know what you think – positive or negative. Just don’t be surprised if you’re negative if I don’t listen. 😉