Suddenly I spot the Childlike Empress from The Never Ending Story. I kneel to take her picture, telling her how beautiful she is. Then, back to shuffling.
There's a woman wearing nothing but panties and two small stickers that say "America." There's a 10-foot rabbit with fangs. There's No-Face, offering gold coins.
Two elegant vampires adjust their lace collars and snuggle close for my camera. Gold Member offers me a "schmoke and a pancake." Immortan Joe sprays (edible) chrome into the mouth of a willing volunteer.
There's a dull roar of happy chaos all around me, and even when the mobs halts completely, trapping me for long minutes in a vise of sweaty elbows and foam armor, I am deliriously content.
What's more, that wise-cracking robot behind me is drawing the most delighted reactions. People shout and grin and laugh. They demand to know how he's made. They shower him with compliments, and I'm glowing inside, because even though they don't know it, I helped make that happen.
John and I stay too late, because we can't get enough of the madness. Next week I'll be an agoraphobic recluse again, only seeing a few people a week, rarely speaking to anyone besides John. But tonight? Tonight I introduce myself to cosplayers and photographers and minor internet celebrities, all people I admire online, and tell them I'm a fan. I meet dozens more of my own fans. I make new friends. I have surprisingly insightful, off-the-cuff discussions about Ghostbusters with random strangers. I talk 'til my voice rasps, and I smile 'til my cheeks ache.
This is Dragon Con.
Day One.
I love this. Wishing I was there. Can't wait for more pics. :-)
ReplyDeleteI miss Dragoncon so much. We used to go every year, one year my husband even managed to get most of our closest WoW guildies to go, and he proposed to me on stage at what used to be the MMO party (though it was really just those of us that played WoW). Now we have two small kids and it's much harder for us to make it up there from Orlando. I'm hoping in a few years we can get back up there, when the kids are old enough to stay with grandparents for the weekend :) I love reading your posts about it every year, though, even if it makes me as sad and homesick (because it was always home to me, even if only for a weekend) as it makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteSo my family and I went bowling today and while I was waiting for my turn, I was looking at the notice board. I noticed that the local comic club had a flyer up and they were having a cosplay convention!! I had no idea we had a a cosplay group in my small town. I'm really hoping my mum will let me go! If I do, I'll send you pictures :)
ReplyDeleteIt was SO lovely to meet you (and Figment! ;) ) on Thursday (which was seriously become the new Day One). I was the gal in the off-duty Wonder Woman outfit with the cane. You do such wonderful work. I can't believe Figment was your and your husband's first sculpt! I can't even wrap my mind around that. It looks darn near perfect. I hope you have a very fun rest of your weekend! (If you happen to see a very bloodied and dirtied Tomb Raider today, that'll be me! Well....most likely, there may be other dirtied Lara Crofts running around. :P )
ReplyDelete~ Briana
aka The Lady Nerd
I wish I was there!!!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so ridiculously happy for you. I can't wait to hear more.
ReplyDeleteI sense there are stories there... you could probably make a bunch of posts just on some of the comments you made up there! ("I helped make that happen" being one of them) I'm jealous. Nothing happens up near me. And I don't have the money to go even a little ways away, or the fortitude to go to anyplace big. I can't even go to the State Fair without the certainly having a massive panic attack. Crowds and me? Not friends... Not acquaintances... Not even on the same plane of existence! So never stop posting. You are the best!
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubted you'd be posting anything during DragonCon, but I checked anyway, just hoping for an update, and was so thrilled to find this. Many happy/envious tears were shed as I read your beautiful words. I would LOVE to be there to experience the wonder, magic, and camaraderie of it all. Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read and see more when you get back. Hopefully, you won't catch the con-crud, but I know that after a trip like that, it always takes awhile to recover and get back into the swing of things no matter what.
Enjoy the rest of DragonCon!
KW
I can't believe I'm missing it again! One day, I'll get to go hang out with all you cool people! Sad that I live so close... probably more likely to meet you guys at DW than DC!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you! Keep being awesome. And please keep sharing the awesome with us anonymous folks.
ReplyDeleteI swear, I will make it to Dragon*Con (or a similar con) someday. Sounds like you're having a blast so far! :)
ReplyDeleteDoing the Snoopy dance for you! So happy for you and John!
ReplyDeleteHow do you shoot pictures in that? Nevermind -- I'm sure you'll tell us. Thanks so much for this great post. I wasn't expecting any posts about DragonCon until you got home. LOVE it!
Maureen S
The whole time I was reading this, I was afraid that I'd start getting a panic attack and I'm not even there. I don't know how you do it girl, props to you.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful and beautifully written, it's been a while since I've felt thay way so thank you for sharing it:) Hope you have a fantastic time!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! I spy John Strangeway!! Love his new costume. Wish I could have gone this year. :(
ReplyDeleteWow, you have really captured that giddy excitement! It has been ten years since I went, and I can still feel that wonderful, happy feeling of "coming home". What a fantastic experience, and I am so jealous you are there right now! Can't wait for more pictures.
ReplyDeleteI also feel "home" when I'm at conventions. I don't know what that magic is. It's part knowing you aren't alone in your enthusiasm for non-mainstream things, part childlike wonder, and part… something else. It's just indescribable and very special.
DeleteYou are amazing! So glad you're having a great time. This seems like the suburbs of Hell to me!
ReplyDeleteJen, you & John are true inspirations for all of us closet almost-agoraphobics out here. I, too, have an amazing husband who accompanies me when I'm okay & hugs & supports me in my hominess when I'm 'stuck.' Thanks for reminding me what I'm missing when I forget that there are good days and world to see! <3
ReplyDeleteJen, this brought a tear to my eye. I'm so happy that you are able to enjoy such an event! Reading this gave me some anxiety, but I hope some day I will be able to face crowds such as those!
ReplyDelete/huggles
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really hope you have Epbot card to give out to the peeps you photograph so they can come find their awesome photos. I really appreciate people who give me their card at the Mermaid Parade.
I do have cards, but only give them out if the cosplayer asks. I never want to seem pushy or like I'm just there to advertise, y'know?
DeleteThis made me all teary! Probably because I was also at a Con this weekend. They really are wonderful little havens of nerdiness, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI got to meet you! Twice! Thanks for the pin and for being kind enough to take time out and say hello to strangers. You're a peach and it was one of my MAJOR DCon 2015 goals to meet you!
ReplyDeleteMeeting you (and some other Epbot readers - hi Laura, Christine, and Beth!) on Thursday was one of the highlights of my convention this year! Thanks for the Leia bot pin :D And doubt you recognized me in my cosplay since my firey hair was covered, but was super excited when you stopped my disco mario party group for a photo on Saturday afternoon! Kinda funny - I have missed you every dragoncon until this one, but once after meeting you and John on Thursday, I saw you through the crowds at least three other times over the weekend LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you posted this. I have friends who went this year for their first time. I really, really, really want to go. And I know that I'd feel the same way. That high happy feeling being in the midst of all of that fun. I also know I'd be stuck in my office for the week after, yes ignoring people because I'm on overload, but also giddily pinning down ideas for the next year. I do it every time we go to a local con. I love seeing your photos and recounts of cons. I really appreciate all that you share, and the fabulous that is you two!
ReplyDeleteForget the anxiety meds - you need to find a way to bottle dragoncon and take a healthy swig of it every time you go out.
ReplyDeleteYou'd get pretty rich too. I know I'd buy some.
That was beautiful, Jen.
ReplyDeleteI get it now! I just went to my first con in Northampton, MA (In-CON-cievable, great name, huh?) and I was just blown away by the cosplayers who really brought their A-game, and the panels and all the social aspects--I'm hooked. I miss the con now that it's over. Dragon-Con is totally a 2016 goal. <3
ReplyDeleteSo sad I missed you this year.
ReplyDeleteSo sad I missed you this year.
ReplyDelete