The past week has been spent in a nerdy wonderland called Gen Con. It's a convention with a focus on tabletop and RPG games. It's one of Indianapolis' largest shows that sells out all the hotels downtown and brings the locals out for some quality people watching. I played three shows while I was there. The first was with this lovely band below Five Year Mission. They play songs based on Star Trek episodes, but their sound is accessible to anyone who enjoys the punk pop rock genre. The lead guitarist has a guitar strap made of tribbles!

Five Year Mission plays songs based on Star Trek episodes

I've haven't been to that many conventions, but I did notice that this one had a particularly communal feel to it. I don't like the corporate feeling of other conventions with looming alien sculptures and thunderous multi media booths that boast more LCD screens and subwoofers than couldn't fit in my apartment. It's a little too overwhelming and overstimulating for me. Gen Con hosts not just gaming booths, but also artists and musicians which I think is super cool.

Sgt. Safety Pin fixed up my broken H on my merch case.

I like to say I'm just getting my con legs when it comes to the nerd scene. They are a magnificent community to be a part of, and that fact was only amplified after I left and played a less nerd, more muggle type of gig in St. Louis last night. So I'm definitely planning to make Gen Con one of my stops in 2015.

I painted this picture of Sterling in Chicago way back in 2008, and finally got a pic for my gallery!

I wrote a new song called "The Longest Road" which is based on the game Settlers of Catan. I'm going to get that recorded and released this year along with a new Oatmeal song, all the Kickstarter cover songs, and new pieces for the musical. I HAVE SO MUCH WRITING TO DO. And with that, it's time to head back to NJ!

Settlers of Catan van!

WINNER OF CUTEST DOG ON TOUR goes to Duke in Indianapolis