BizarroCon 1 was a smashing success. Rose O'Keef of Eraserhead Press did a fantastic job of distilling the best parts of a Con: only the most diverting panels, craziest parties, and wackiest personalities. The Con was held at The Edgefield, an artistic haven east of Portland, fueled by much good food, and even better beer. The good stuff was brewed by Rose for the book release party (Although the fresh-hopped "Apesh*t double Belgian" was my personal favorite, I also recommend the "Rampaging F*ckers of Everything on the Crazy Sh*tting Planet of the Vomit Atmosphere India Pale Ale". Ask for it by name.

Cartlon Mellick III gave the BEST reading I've seen him pull off, as he pitted a crew of rabid fantasy LARPers against a cornered yet courageous Star Trek geek. Other notable folks I met included the magical Bruce Taylor (author of Final Trick of the Funnyman),  the bombastic Mykel Hansen (Author of "Eyeheart Everything"), manic Jeremy Robert Johnson  (Author of "Angeldust Apocalypse"), and.the kind and reserved Daniel Scott Buck (Author of "The Kissing Bug"). Amusingly it was soft-spoken Daniel who had a knack for having attractive, emotionally unbalanced women throw themselves at him, awkwardly, in public elevators. Some writers have all the luck. Rose has taken it upon herself to screen out the crazier ones that may interfere with his writing.

The highlight of the event was the Bizarro Showdown, where everyone with the guts and gumption had two minutes on stage and rattle off the most bizarre piece of fiction or entertainment. I went up and did the Bizarro Election Special, where an explosively pregnant George Dubaya delivered the next shocking leader of the free world (outcome voted on by the studio audience - they wanted a cybernetic Edward James Olmos ripping forth). I'm afraid I didn't place, but I had a lot of fun =). albionidaho also performed, with a twisted monologue about tentacles and wet undergarments that I'm not sure is safe to repeat in most red states. pamrentz also joined in the audience as they blew their kazoos at us, gong show style. It was a great chance to check out writers and publishers, as well as hang with old friends and make new ones.

The winners of the Wonderland Awards were D. Harlan Wilson, for Doctor Identity (Best Novel), and Gina Ranalli for 13 Thorns (Best Collection). Check them out. If all Cons are this good then this stands to be an exciting year.