This year, I was one of the 19 chosen in the random draw to be an Omeganaut at PAX Prime 2014. This is my story. In four parts!
I had only purchased PAX badges twice before, but I recognized that the Omegathon opt-in was different this year in that it simply didn’t exist in the badge-buying checkout. Instead, a Google form went out later to opt into random draw.
Of course I was interested! I filled out the form accordingly.
-Insert some number of weeks here-
*Wake up from nap*
*Play on phone while still in bed*
*Receive phone call from blocked number*
*Shrug* “Hello?”
Lo and behold, Robert Khoo (@rkhoo) from Penny Arcade was on the phone. After verifying that he was talking to me, Melissa, he asked, “Are you awake?” To which I responded, “Haha… I think so?” Random. He proceeded to remind me that I like sleep. Turns out, in the when’s-the-best-time-to-contact-you? box, I had written late afternoon because “I like sleep.” Well, yep, I do!
After a series of questions, one of which being something along the lines of “Do you want to be an Omeganaut?” …. UM OF COURSE THE ANSWER IS YES!!
Was I actually awake? Was I dreaming? Did I wake up from my nap only to be still dreaming? You know, Inception style.
Even with that uncertainty, I messaged my game and PAX friends and told the internet what had just happened.
Woke up from a nap. @rkhoo called. He said I could be an Omeganaut. I’D BETTER NOT STILL BE NAPPING OMFG. #PAXPrime #paxiscoming
— Melissa Estuesta (@mewissa) June 3, 2014
I was met with overwhelming congratulations and support!! Through all of the excitement, it still hadn’t sunk in what being an Omeganaut really meant in full.
To my delight, I received the congratulating and informatory email from Angela (SmallLady) a few hours later. It was real, and I was awake.
Let the gaming…BEGIN!
[EDIT: Part 2 is up n ready.]