PAX East was a good show but small. The convention center wasn’t really equipped to handle the lines, the theaters had to be purged between panels to make sure everyone saw something, navigating the hallways was made difficult by Enforcers doing their job well (Sorry guys, sometimes I need to talk to someone and we shouldn’t have to walk across the center to find a place to chat.)

Though it was the first time we’d met, Jenn Cutter and I fell into our brother/sister routine pretty quickly, so she was my constant companion for much of the convention. I also spent a lot of time with Meghan Watt of Gameshark, Tiffany Martin of Kombo and Rob Zacny of here. It was great having a group of people to run with because it gave a chaotic show a sense of continuity. The fact I was meeting all these people for the first time and we all seemed to get along made it better.

Here’s a list of some of my personal highlights. You’ll note that few have anything to do with panels or games. I’ll write up some previews later. But right now, enjoy this taste of what I thought was neat.

1. I was having a casual dinner with Jenn Cutter and Danielle Riendeau when we were interrupted by three of my favorite refugees from games journalism – Jeff Green, Shawn Elliott and N’Gai Croal. Made even better when Shawn finally clued in as to whom I was (“Goodfellow! Oh, that Troy!”) and insisted on shaking my hand again. Great conversation was had by all. I’d never met Shawn nor N’Gai before, so it was a great treat to finally talk to them in person. I know that Cutter had Jeff on her list of people to meet. We expected to run into him at the IGN/Gamespy party but we bailed early because of the noise and crowds there. So the serendipity pleased her greatly.

2. The Three Moves Ahead meeting at the Trident Booksellers Cafe was small but enthusiastic group. In a less claustrophobic setting I would have made personal time for everyone who came, so sorry if you were there and felt a little excluded. It was a lot of fun and the debates were animated. I came away from the show with a new appreciation for our place in the strategy and gaming community. But the fans make it all worthwhile.

3. This was a fan show that revealed the thing you often miss at a trade show like GDC or E3 — gamers and nerds come in a bewildering array of shapes, sizes, aesthetics and colors. Also, lots of women. They were a great crowd and very friendly, and I hope that they someday get the nerd culture that reflects their own diversity. Not to bring them in – we’ve already got them. But because they deserve it.

4. Fans will impose on you and make you feel honored by it. At the IGN/Gamespy meetup, Ryan Scott was hailed as a hero and had his picture taken many times. Jenn Cutter has been on the margins of the business for a few years, but she is still recognized and asked for pictures. There was no social awkwardness or sheepishness on the fans’ parts and I liked that. It’s great that people think that they can know you.

5. I saw Civ 5 and left feeling reassured. I saw Making History II and left feeling pleasantly surprised.

6. The food around the Hynes Convention Center was cheap and tasty. I’ll be working off this pub food for weeks, but I would do it all again. McGreevy’s has a great beef stew – so great that Jenn ate half of mine while waiting for her food to cool. When I see her in Toronto someday, she owes me.

7. The speed of the internet makes it easy for people to complain. I wrote up the Print Panel post and, in my haste to get some content up, forgot to mention the moderator, Russ Pitts. The Escapist army kicked into high gear to call me out, and rightfully so. I, therefore, edited the post to give Russ his due.

8. It was very cool seeing Chris Dahlen’s Kill Screen Magazine in the wild. I hope this is a great success for him. It looks like nothing else in the games media. I recommend you all buy it. I will be pitching him soon, especially since my good friend Ryan Kuo is now on staff there.

9. The hotel concierge at the Sheraton was first class. If we had printing problems, he fixed them. He went the extra mile even after I checked out to make sure that anyone who was with me had everything they needed to enjoy Boston. Thanks, Adam.