EPIC REVIEW (ExPo ICrontic) 2009

EPIC 2009 Icrontic.comEach June, Located in and around a home in Warren MI. Geeks, Gamers, and FRIENDS from all around the nation… hell the world meet up for a week long EXPO. Among the Expo this year included a viking from Norway, being the only international to make the trip for the 2009 Icrontic EXPO.  Previous years have included some Euros
If you have never experienced EPIC, ExPo ICrontic, it is held each year in June. People come from all over to compete in tournaments, Board Games, join in some interactive classes, or just to hang out at the Icrontic HQ

This year (June 23-28) marked the largest attendance to date hitting 60 attendees, 5 days of gaming, a food tour extravaganza, lots of beer, and prizes supplied by sponsors such as, OCZ Technology, ATI, Duck Brand Duct Tape, NZXT Guardian, Thrustmaster, EA Games, Sumo Lounge Furniture and Futuremark.

We changed the name and the concept to indicate that this huge summer gathering was about way more than computer gaming; it was about being an Icrontian, and Livin’ the Icrontic Life. We renamed the gathering to reflect this, and “EXPO ICRONTIC” was born (EPIC for short).” – Icrontic.com

Events Included:

  • LAN Gaming (Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead, and more)
  • Tastes of Detroit food tour
  • Duct Tape Challenge
  • IC Golf Outing
  • Boardgaming Area
  • Rock Band
  • Moar

The Icrontic.com community is dedicated to each years events, planning generally starts before the last handful of attendees have even finished leaving the year prior. People arrive days in advance just to hang out at ICHQ and help with the preparation.

Internationals guests tend to stay around 3 weeks enjoying as much as possible of Michigan, and sometimes a trip or two into neighboring great lake states. Some of the competitions involve board game challenges, Team based death matches, and strategy based games. The winning team would earn prize tickets to enter a raffle for certain prizes. Ranging from portable console cases, games, new pc cases, power supplies, and ram.

As the last day came to an end, late into the night as after the last tournament ended, prizes were awarded in a Chinese raffle, Drinks were raised, some departed some slept, while some just refused to sleep, savoring their last remaining hours together pulling pranks on those that choose to sleep randomly around the house. Some relaxed on the back porch until well after the sun had risen and the birds and squirrels were awake.


“So to summarize, EPIC is the biggest Icrontic event of the year; the most fun, the most hectic, the most social, the most…. Epic! ” – Icrontic.com

Well until Oktoberfest

Links:
What is EPIC
Icrontic

Belly Dancing at Noir Leather, Downtown Royal Oak

So it was a nice hot evening, decided to go for a walk downtown.  I just knew when I steped off the porch it was going to be an interesting night, and I should have at that moment turned around and grabbed my camcorder.

As any other normal night downtown Royal Oak, the streets are filled with people, bikers and old cars from the 50′s 60′s.  Came across some models on 3rd st posing, after a short bit, I ran into Oné talked with him for a bit, then he had to hurry and catch his bus to make it back to warren and prepare for another long day of job hunting and possibly entertaining us on another hot day downtown.

The night got interesting when I came down center street and saw a crowd building out front of Noir Leather before I arrived there had to be a good 15, maybe 20 people standing around.  At this moment I realized I only had my phone on me, so I apologize for the low res video included, pictures came out alright.  After a few minuets of prep the show began.




“As a certified instructor, I have led Yoga and Pilates classes in metropolitan Detroit since 2001. I work with clients of every age, shape and size. Through my recovery of a near fatal car accident, I have incorporated Yoga and Pilates into my daily life for the past 7 years. I have extensive knowledge in rehabilitation and injury recovery. I am available for private training, group classes and corporate sessions.”

Aviva can be reached at

http://www.Aviva4Fitness.com
248.797.6469