1. Tell us a little about yourself...

My name is Lydia. I live in Oakland, California. I’ve been attending gaming conventions for 5-6 years. I am primarily into board games; Settlers of Catan is my favorite.

2. What do you do at KublaCon?

I hang around open gaming a lot. I also hang around Japji quite a bit hounding him to stop workin’ and play Catan. :P Oh.. and as an actual 'job' at Kublacon, I'm Japji's assistant.

3. How did you get involved with KublaCon and how long have you been here?

I’ve been going to Kublacon for four years. I met Japji through a friend of mine and just slowly became more and more involved in the process. I think KublaCon is a really awesome convention; they have a lot of everything going on, not like some of the other gaming cons that tend to lean heavily toward some game in particular. Kublacon has something for everyone and is big on young players—gotta get that next generation rollin’, ya know? KublaCon is a great thing and I am honored to be a part of it

4. What motivates you and what rewards to you get out of being involved with KublaCon?

Well, it helps me to keep tabs on my favorite Catan buddies. Only kidding, a little. ;)

I like helping out my friends, and if I can give back a little something to the community—spread the geekery—while I am at it, awesome!

It is a pleasure to be a part of something that so many enjoy. I especially love seeing all the families that bring their children to the convention. My girlfriend, in particular, brings her son and once remarked how awesome it was to leave her teenager to do his own thing for a few hours and trusted he’d be completely safe. After all, how often do you go to a place full of folk who like to play heroes in their spare time? ;)

5. What is your earliest gaming or game convention memory?

I remember coming to the game convention originally to hang out with my husband. It never worked very well, as we like to play very different games when we were at the con. That said, that first time out in the foyer of the hotel, where I just came out to hang and randomly fell into a pick-up game was pretty sweet.

6. What is your favorite gaming or game convention memory?

I once made it past the first round of a Catan qualifier; I hope I have the time to compete again soon.

7. What is your least favorite gaming or game convention memory?

Least favorite? Huh? Wha?
(Editor's Note: We're pretty sure that Lydia's deep emotional pain around losing to Dave and Japji at Cities and Knights impaired her ability to mention that under this question.)

8. Give us a top 3 list of your favorite games and tell us your least favorite game.

Favorite #1: Settlers of Catan

Cities and Knights (though, honestly, I’ve not found a game I Settlers game I didn’t like at least a little).

#2: Betrayal at House on a Hill

A fun, easy-to-learn game of exploration and mystery. I’ve run this game at a gaming convention before. It’s popular with young players and adults alike.

#3: Runebound or Dungeoneer

The first is a board game the second is a card game; they play very similarly in a DandD-y sort of way. Play characters, explore and quest!

Least favorite:

Nothing particular. I mean who plays something they don’t like? I’m not a fan of high strategy games; it's a bit too heavy to be my kind of fun. Nor am I a particular fan of live action role playing games. I find the acting a bit too constant, for my tastes. I’d rather catch up with my friends, rather than catch up on their character(s).

9. Where do you currently play games and what do you play when you are there?

Wherever and whenever I get a chance. CATAN!

10. If you could tell all of the KublaCon attendees something, what would it be?

Drink lots of water and don’t forget to eat. Gaming is awesome, but it is important you take care of yourself too. You don’t want to get dehydrated in the stale hotel environment or be running on fumes for long stretches of gaming. The fun will last longer, if you remember to take care of yourself.