I leave for IATC tomorrow. Here are my very badgery goals.

It just finally hit me that I'll be picking up Chøpman (my dad) and our son DaddyLongLegs (Brendan) around 6 in the morning tomorrow, beginning our trip to Toronto and the biggest axe throwing show in the world. Like, I've got the fidgets about it.

And seeing as I'm not competing this year, I get my very first chance to 100% focus on being at IATC as an emissary for this lil' blog, which is probably even more exciting to me than competing (because I already know how that'd go, and boy howdy, no need for it). So, what am I hoping to accomplish, and what can you fine folks heading to IATC (or there already) expect from yours truly.

IATC goal number one: you know, it you love it - I'm going to avoid my social anxiety for as long as possible.

Almost goes without saying, but I do not do well around lots and lots of people. So imma try to stay in the mix for as long as possible. The drinks will help. ALSO don't take this as a "don't talk to me" passive sort of request - please do come and say hi if you see me (and know what I look like enough to identify me), but just understand if I seem reaaaaallll weird, it's me, not you.

IATC goal number 2: get all that sweet, sweet content

For the second time ever, I'm gonna have a real, actual camera with me. So I'm hoping to take a millionish, kinda-okay pictures. Keep in mind: I've been around photographers most of my life, and I have a loose sense of what makes a good photo - but I have zero skill when it comes to photography. So, you know, we'll see how that all goes. Hopefully it makes me look like a real official fella, at least.

IATC goal number 3: give out everything I have on me

I'm not as popular or cool as other axe throwing media groups. AALOTO has awesome stuff to sell, NAMP has, you know, real skill in the sport. Me? I got stickers and goofy Axefirmation cards. But gub help me, I'm gonna give away everything I can at IATC. Look around for free stickies and heartwarming (?) motivational cards that I'll be planting everywhere I can on Saturday and Sunday. Because if I come home with any of them, I'll be very put out.

IATC goal number 4: be a good axe-house-mate and supporter of Meduseld Meadery throwers

It's easy to be overwhelmed at something like this, and loose track of your own local throwers - but I'm going to make it a BIG FOCUS to be as much of a cheerleader and coach for Chøpman, Waterboy, and Crazy Bob. These 3 are huge parts of what makes throwing at my local axe venue so great, and I think the least I can do is dry their brows and give them shoulder rubs or whatever I'm supposed to do. Tell them to use their left hook? The nine iron? I dunno, I'm not familiar with sport. But whatever it turns out to be, I'm gonna do it as much as possible when they're throwing.

IATC goal number 5: REALLY think about what I buy before I buy it

I wanted to say I won't buy anything, but I know that's a ding dang lie. Imma buy something. Maybe a few things. But I'm making a promise to myself that I'll really consider what I'm buying before I buy it. Like, I know I need an axe cover for Grumbus, but anything on top of that is kinda an excitement buy. Out of all my goals, this one is the least likely to be achieved. But I wrote it down, and that's half the battle.

Anyway, I hope to see as many of you fine, dear readers as I can up in Toronto this weekend, and if you see a little, round fellow clicking away on a camera or scribbling frantically in a little notebook, say hi!