Bronycon. · 3:32pm Aug 5th, 2019
So I'm currently sitting at the train station, awaiting my train home from the last Bronycon. I'm kind of a bag of mixed emotions at the moment.
I feel guilty. Guilty that I couldn't go out more and see people. In previous Bronycons, i spent a lot of time in Quills and Sofas or going to panels. I slowed down on the panels last year, but still made more effort to go to Quills and Sofas. This year, there were just too many people there for me to handle. My social awkwardness turned into complete anxiety as I saw the giant crowds of people everywhere, so the majority of my time was spent in my hotel room. I got to see Admiral Biscuit, PresentPerfect, and a couple of others, but that was really it. If anyone was hoping to meet me or speak to me about anything, I sincerely apologize for not being more available. It's the thing I feel I failed at the most at this con.
I feel sad. Sad that this was the final Bronycon. I've been to the last four Bronycons, and had gone to a number of them before they moved to Baltimore. I remember the first one I went to. It was in a little upstairs area over a business, and was a fairly small gathering. It took place on the day that the second part of the season 2 opening aired, and the entire room was eagerly waiting to see how Twilight would restore her friends and defeat Discord. Jayson Thiessen was the featured guest, and having someone from the show there felt like the impossible had become possible. I remember the Bronycon in the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City, where I got Ashleigh Ball and Andrea Libman to sign a cute picture of my favorite ship, Appleshy. I got to stand next to Ashleigh as we watched the premiere of Family Appreciation Day. I remember the Bronycon in New Jersey, my first experience staying overnight for a con, watching the premiere of Anthology 2 and being there for the Great Bronycon Fire. When it moved to Baltimore, I took a number of years off, not terribly willing to do much traveling, until I was finally convinced to make the trip in 2016 and coming for every one since. It's been a staple of my summer, and I'm really sad to see it go.
I feel happy. Happy that I could experience all of this. Happy that I could meet new people, have new experiences, spend exorbitant amounts of money, and just have a fantastic time overall. I met friends in person at Bronycon that I'd spoken to for years online. Friends from other parts of the US, and even some who came in from places like Australia and Singapore. I got to meet people who had heard of me through my stories. The idea of someone wanting to meet me was, and still is, mind-blowing. To go up to an artist whose work I love and have her say, "Oh, I know you! I love your stories!" Utterly mind-blowing. Experiencing all of this was a joy that I'm going to miss greatly.
I feel hopeful. Hopeful that I'll be able to experience something similar to this again. My plan is to try and go to Trotcon next year, since that seems to be the one my friends are possibly migrating to. It's a bit farther than I've traveled by myself, but I'm hoping to be able to make the trip.
Most of all, I feel thankful. Thankful that I could experience all of this with so many lovely people. Thankful for the show for providing the chance for something like Bronycon to happen, thankful for the friends I've made along the way, and thankful for all of you, whether we met or not.
I'm really going to miss Bronycon, but the memories will always remain.
I'm going to cut this off because I honestly feel like I'm about to cry in the train station. I'll be posting a less emotional blog when I get home that talks a little bit more about what little I did this year and, as always, post my swag. If you read this far, thanks for reading.
Sniff. It’s just allergies. Honest.
Hugs man. I saw you at one point and waved, but it seemed like something was wrong and didn't want to stress you out. I'm happy that you really enjoyed some parts of your con, but im right there with you as far as feeling "con drop"
I feel ya. I spent a lot of time on autograph lines. I made it to a few panels, but I missed some of the ones I wanted to go to, and didn't get to meet some people I had planned to.
In terms of meeting people who like your work, somebody asked me for my autograph while I was waiting on the line for Michelle Creber's. That was certainly a mind-blower. I have no idea how to sign my brony alias, so it kinda looked like crap, but hey, it made me feel pretty damn good.
This was my only BronyCon, and only my second con overall, so I guess I'll just have to go to some of the others to get some of those opportunities again.
5099933
Heh, sorry about that man. I did spend a little time being stressed, so I'm sorry if I missed you! Especially since I bought one of your books and could have gotten it signed haha
5099936
OMG. thank you for supporting the book!!!!!
*Hugs*
*hugs Twinkletail*
yeah I
I looked at "13,000 tickets" and shut that possibility out forever. I think I'd either implode from social anxiety or explode from extrovertedness.
I'm sorry we didn't get to do more than just say hi once, but it was still great putting a face to the name. :D
I wonder if we did cross paths at some point? In 2016, I was losing the last of my eyesight and was one of the very few people there using a white cane. Then I needed people to aid me around in 2017 due to having all my sight gone. 2018 had me walking with my Seeing Eye Dog.
So, if you saw me, I express a fond 'Hello!' to you as, sadly, the whole blind thing is a drag.
I know your thoughts on the crowds. Perhaps you, too, noticed they used less of the convention center than in previous years? I found this odd as they knew they'd have a big turnout and it was a very anxiety-inducing situation having so many people in such a small space. Past BronyCon's had parts you could walk through with lots of open space. This year you just couldn't avoid crowds at all. :(
Were you happy with the swag you got? I enjoyed finding a Starlight Glimmer polo that is just subtle enough I can wear it at my job. :)
Which train station were you at? Was it the one near the airport or the one near the convention center / Inner Harbor? My son and I departed at the one near the Inner Harbor around 12:30 PM. It certainly was yucky leaving behind such memorable times.
I, too, will miss BronyCon. It's the one time each year I felt like my disability didn't define me. I'll also miss helping to lead "Coping With limitations through Pony". I enjoyed doing that panel series and talking with all those who felt the team and I inspired them through show references and how MLP is a great example of how, no matter what our background is, we can all unite as one under a colorful banner of pastel ponies. :)
5102332
It’s possible that we crossed paths, but unlikely to be honest, haha. I rarely left my hotel room due to social anxiety from the sea of humanity in the con center. And yup, it turns out the other side of the con center was being used by a Rubik’s Cube competition. Which, honestly, I kinda wanted to go check out!
I was veeeery happy with my swag! A few plushies, plus a commission put in for another one, a bunch of prints, stickers, and pins, a nicely-crafted Element of Honesty, and a gorgeous set of dice that I can use for my podcast’s tabletop RPGs. Definitely a win there!
I was at Baltimore Penn Station, due to the ease of connection between it and New York Penn. My train left just about a half hour before yours so it’s possible we were waiting in there at the same time!