Indeed we did, sir!!!
If I can convey anything to those of you who didn't attend, it would be these few little gems of wisdom:
1.) Do what you HAVE to do to be there next year!
2.) The HDN Black Label Exclusive and ALL challenge coins look ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in hand!!!
3.) Do NOT eat the yellow snow.
Oh, I almost forgot! There are a few awards that need to be given out from this weekend:
1.) "Ninja most likely to leave something behind" - This award goes to
@Aniv. This man's ability to leave his newly acquired trinkets behind is remarkably uncanny. Aniv, you're crazy. I love you, but, you're crazy!
2.) "Ninja who made the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time" - This one goes to
@bloodsnake007 as I think he was there for all of 2 hours before getting the "phone call heard 'round the world". Still bummed for you, Franky! Was nothing short of a pleasure to get to meet you though! Hopefully you can make it back out next year!
3.) "Ninja to get the most autographs and to cause a certain artist to have carpal tunnel syndrome and/or arthritis for the remainder of his life." - I'm not really sure who this one goes to as none of us compared numbers...
4.) "Ninja most likely NOT to pull out his sword on somebody" - This award DEFINITELY goes to
@AcIDc0r3. This man is an absolute sweetheart...a real teddy bear. Had a GREAT time hanging out with you, Kelly!
5.) "Ninja most likely to bring his own sandwich...toasted." - This one goes to the one and only
@TheStixter. Man, did that thing look DELICIOUS!!! Had a GREAT time hanging out with you AND your sandwich, Ryan!
6.) "Ninja most likely to have diarrhea." - This is regretfully awarded to our honorable editor-in-chief,
@tridon. This poor Canadian soul has never had a taste of REAL Mexican/Tex-Mex food in his life. And today...he is surely paying for it...on an airplane...all the way back to Canadia. Not sure who I feel bad for the most - Ken, or the passengers.
7.) "Ninja who looks most like he could be HDN's mascot (according to the cardboard cutout at the booth)" - This award also goes to
@bloodsnake007, you short little Messican!
8.) "Honorary Ninja with the WORST...BOSS...EVER!!!" - This one goes to
@bloodsnake007's lovely girlfriend, Alyssa. Personally, if it were me, I would've had a few choice words for my utter d-bag of a boss. But she sucked it up, took it in stride and did what she had to do. Hats off to you, sweetie!!! Both of you should strongly consider finding out where that @$$hat lives and, at the very least, toilet paper roll his house one night. He's going to need all those "$#!+ tickets" after taking that giant crap on your weekend.
9.) "Ninja most likely to be taking a U-Haul van home and dreading his trip the most." - With SO MANY candidates for this one, it was a REALLY tough decision, but I think we've figured it out. This award goes to the BEST Sensei a ninja could ask for...@Wreck. For those of you who don't know our fearless leader, this man is a gentleman AND a scholar. Such a nice and giving guy! The amount of time, effort and money that this man put in to making sure HDN was represented professionally (to the fullest extent of the word), was impressive to say the least. It was GREAT to meet you John, and I'm already looking forward to what's in store for next year!!!
Want to thank all the ninjas who were there for such a FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!! I had one hell of a time with all of you!
@Aniv @TheStixter @AcIDc0r3 @tridon @bloodsnake007 and last - but certainly NOT least - the sensei himself,
@Wreck . Hell, even
@White Rat &
@roseart made appearances throughout the weekend. This was an AMAZING journey we all took and one that will be remembered forever.
I have some more pics to post from the convention, along with my haul. Will do that some time later today after I get everything unpacked.