The People of Bronycon · 9:30pm Jul 12th, 2016
Hey guys. I’m back.
So, I’m going to be breaking my blogging about Bronycon into a few posts based around theme, and first off, I’m going to start off with the thing that made the con awesome; the people.
I met a lot of cool people at the con. I basically spent half the con jammed in Quills and Sofas where I got to meet all sorts of people I’d only met through chat, their work, or their rep. Beyond that I sought out old friends, met some amazing people trying to expand my horizons, and even just met cool total strangers wandering the halls.
The atmosphere of the con was something else. It was a completely different feeling, just being able to turn and talk to the person next to you and know you had a common interest. Not to mention being able to just go into Quills and Sofas and being able to discuss ponyfic and talk shop with people other than SoloBrony in person was one hell of an experience. Just being around so many people who shared my interest was something else and I can’t recommend enough that you guys try to make it to BronyCon - or any other con if you can.
But beyond just the verve of being around seven thousand happy bronies, were some of the individuals I met there. I’m going to give some shoutouts to all of them now, both to convey how I felt to them and also to convey to all of you how awesome these people were to meet.
Skeeter - You are a wonderful precious flower, who must be protected at all costs. You are just a bastion of friendliness and personability and getting glomped by you was one of the first moments after a terrible flight in and a morning of running around trying to put out the last of the pre-con fires that really marked for me that I was at Bronycon. You are just a wonderful dude all around and I was glad to finally meet you in person. My only regret was that I did not get to kick the crap out of you and toss you around the Renegade Stage like a sack of flour, and I mean that in the friendliest way possible.
Nadnerb - It was great to meet you in person after years of knowing you, and chilling at your booth and shooting the shit with you was a highlight of the con for me. Your a surprisingly laid back and chill person and knowing that now makes some of things I’ve said in private a bit embarrassing. Still, hanging with you was awesome in a lot of ways and I just generally appreciate having you as a friend all the more.
Also, I tried to encourage people to go check your stuff when I could. I hope it helped.
Titanium Dragon - As I’ve said a couple times, not getting to hang more with you was something I regret. I actually really enjoyed shooting the shit with you till five a.m.. Despite how off-putting some of our online discussions have been in person your a pretty chill, dorky dude and yes I am on the down low undercutting you rep as the iron dragon of Fimfic in public :P
Soge - You are just one chill dude. It was always nice spotting you and hanging out whenever no one else I knew was around, and you were always just a chill presence at the con. In fact, I am not sure you can even be flapped. You are just a super human anti-flap entity.
The Hugbro - I do not know who you are, or from whence you came. I only know the name you gave me when we met in passing, but you nearly breaking my back at Bronypalooza was awesome.
If any of go to a Brony convention and see a man with a Free Hugs sign, take him up on his offer.
M.A. Larson - I’m sorry, I really wasn’t stalking you. Nor was it my idea to sit next to you at the Elements of Harmony panel. That really was just all crazy random happenstance. That said, your panel was great, and it was really cool to meet and talk with you a bit about your work. You’re a pretty awesome guy.
Also, some of the con staff told me about your feelings on autographs and what you did to the financial office and that was pretty fucking hilarious.
Bad Horse - You are a gentle and humble soul and your streak of mischief is charming and hilarious. I am also still of the opinion that you would have been the prettiest girl at the gala if you’d worn those boots. Meeting and hanging with you was one of the nice surprises of the con. You wouldn’t believe how refreshing it is to be able to hang with someone where we can talk about the Iliad's themes and Ayn Rand’s story design in the context of how to make better stories about magic horses kissing.
Also, I just checked your profile and you’re the one other person who liked King of Carrot Flowers and still remembers it!
Shenanigans - You sir are a blast to be around. Your boundless energy and enthusiasm and your dedication to humor are something to behold. I also regret not getting to kick your ass and throw you around the Renegade Stage like a sack of flour - properly. I do also mean that in the friendliest way possible.
Somber - You give off an aura of frankness and casualness that makes you seem instantly approachable, and just getting to chat with you about your work and Kkat’s in that frank, relaxed manner was one of the first of many breaths of fresh air I got at the con and made me feel like a friend after only a few minutes. That only impression grew the more we crossed paths at the con. I also deeply respect how frank you are about your own experiences in public and that is something of an inspiration for me, and when I saw your post-con posts my heart went out to you and I basically want you to know that if you need anything, I am around.
Plus, how many other bronies am I going to meet who love Wraith the Oblivion and will totally get it when I crack jokes about Entropy curses and Ted Cruz being a Nephandus?
Masked Ferret - You are just a boundless bundle of fluff and friendliness and I was completely surprised to meet the ferret behind the mask. You gave a spike of energy and friendliness to the con, and your efforts to keep things organized were appreciated. Plus, your’s marks the third favorite glomping I got at the con. I kind of regret not getting to know you better since you’ve been a follower of mine for ages, but it was nice to put a face to the name.
Cap’n Chryssalid - It was amusing and heartening to see you give voice to my frustrations, and then later learn that the author of one of my favorite fics was also as much of a history and lit nerd as I was. It was also neat to just hear you talk shop about your own fics and I may finally sit down and given Platinum Crown a read because of it.
Along with all the other fics I’m going to have to read because of the people I met at this con.
*sigh*
Well, I was complaining my read it later was getting dull and sparse.
Wanderer D - I’m sorry. I really didn’t want to walk up to you and bust your chops about that panel. I just wanted to say hey and something nice that stood out to me. I really respect your humility though, and you are just a cool, chill guy. It was honestly really nice to meet you, and I’m glad I did it.
Brasta Septim - Despite you hanging with my friend a lot we didn’t get to hang and now seeing your profile I sort of feel that was a lost opportunity. I always respect of people of sincere faith, and hey, it’s nice to know someone else is stuck in this fetid hell-hole with me.
Assassin Monkey - I know I already told you, but I really dug your philosophy of art and, as my walls will soon testify, your actual art too. I was glad I followed Nadnerb to your panel and got to see how you think and feel. It was a real treat.
Yamgoth - Your high energy and enthusiasm were a real boon to those around you. You were just enthusiastic and silly about everything and that was great. Despite having to turn you down on the room (which you probably got the better deal on, if we’re being honest), it was great bumping into you by chance and getting to meet you.
Seether00 - You have been following and commenting on my horse words since the very beginning and it’s always nice to meet fans. I’m glad we got a chance to cross paths. I kind of wish we could have talked more but hey, I have little doubt I that I will be seeing your name again.
Zyrian - More or less same to you, man. Plus, thanks for the offer. I’m going to take you up on it.
Pav Feira - It always confuses and tickles me when a fellow author remembers and appreciate it when I bust their chops. Also, I’m sorry, but I absconded with Existential Suffering. We were cleaning Quills and Sofas and he was going to be thrown away, so I decided to grab him as a con momento, and it was only afterwards that I was told who he belonged too. I promise to take care of him and give him a good home though.
Horizon - Unfortunately, despite being interested in meeting you we didn’t get to hang all that much. Still, it was nice to shake your hand and anybody who goes out to cut a rug on the dance floor has my respect. I do still feel embarrassed for forgetting about the 18th Brewmare though. That story really is great.
Skywriter - Despite a possibly awkward first meeting which sounded way more interesting and meaningful in my head, I was glad to finally meet you and shake your hand. Although I failed to mention it, I have read (some) of your stuff, and Heretical Fiction is jammed into a favorite shelf somewhere on this profile.
Applejinx - You sir run a tight ship and above all I have to respect the fact that you make your choices for good reasons. Plus, as with Bad Horse, it’s always nice to get to chat with someone about both doing comedy in ponyfic and Tolkien’s philosophy of writing. Keep up the good work sir, and I hope to see more of it next year.
Pascoite - Finding out you were a fan was something which blew my goddamn mind. I think I found the blog post you were talking about though, and sadly Cold in Gardez was not singing my praises. Still, it was a nice surprise to meet someone who has clout in the community who knows me by name and wants to shake my hand for the work I do. Glad you caught me and I hope I continue to impress.
ROBCakeran53 - Aside from loud-capping you and shaking your hand we didn’t get to hang much, but from what I saw of you around Quills and Sofas and the party on Sunday you seem like a big ball of fun. Of course, now that I’ve seen that I’m actually interested in reading (sigh) My Little Dashie.
What a terrible fate.
---
And that’s everyone for now. There are a few other people, but unfortunately I didn’t get their names. To all of you, Bronycon was great, I loved it, and I loved all of you.
To all the people on that list and off of it, I just want to say that I sincerely hope we keep interacting, discussing, and collaborating, out of the con like we did there, or, at the very least, that I will get the opportunity to see you all again next year. Because, if there is anything this convention has taught me, it’s that friendship really is magic.
More Bronycon posts to follow.
Wasn't expecting that start to it.
~Skeeter The Lurker
4087057
Honesty is part of the Elements of Harmony for a reason, Skeeter.
Hm, you too sound like you had loads of fun.
Kinda makes me wish I could've been there.
4087064
Good, let that fire fuel your desire to come next year. That way you too can meet all the cool kids and get your ass kicked and tossed around the Renegade Stage like a sack of flour.
The first year I went to Bronycon I was just as stunned as you were, I think. Never before, and I had been writing for a decade before that, but never before had I been able to meet with other authors like this and "talk shop." I've gone every year since. Until you've done it, I don't think you can quite imagine what it is like to meet all these people who share your interests in crazy things like pone and fanfiction. It really is a breath of fresh air and a ton of fun!
4087079
Damn right it is!
I saw him grab some random guy in the hall and sign his arm.
It was beautiful.
4087159
According to one of the financial guys he broke into the finance office and began autographing every single piece of office supply he could get his hands on.
They supposedly caught him on his second stapler.
KEKEKEKEKEKE! If only the speed of your fists matched the skill with which you ship pastel ponies! The only bag of anything I am is a bag of poison joke. I will knock you so hard with the fists of my friendship that you will start writing stories about the tender love of malamutes... although not hard enough to make you explode into rainbows and sunshine because you are a beautiful person who I enjoy the crap out of! Until we next get to cross friendships on the field of battle.
Yes, I'm a lot less scary in person.
Well, other than to that one guy who was trying to do aura readings in the main hallway and ran away screaming after I approached them.
I never saw them again. Not sure what got into them. Probably had somewhere to be.
It was nice chatting, even if you're totally wrong about Raiders of the Lost Mark
HE HAS NO IDEA.
It was great meeting you, too! And don't be surprised at who reads your stories. You've made a name for yourself, and people notice.
4087063
4087057
Just make out already.
Well, to be fair you didn't. I asked for your honest opinion, and that's what you gave me!
It was good to hear what you had to say man, and I'm glad you shared your thoughts with me.
Seems like everyone's more chill in person, huh?
I'm not surprised. I might have been once. That's how it works though.
Did I tell you that this year I met that one guy who got me into ponies and blocked me on twitter ages ago? He was pretty cool.
LOL. I love all the old WoD games, but Wraith is the deepest of all, and the one I can most relate too. I'm sad they cancelled it. It tied so much together, and the Shoah was one of the best game materials ever.
Anytime you want to talk, I'm glad to listen.
4087067
Yeah but like, an internal envy combustion engine can't make the magic substance known as "money" appear.
Aha ha ha... I hope this was a joke XD
Shame we didn't get to talk much though. I'm terrible with names, but I always encourage people to just walk up to me and talk. If there's anything I like to do is talk to others, so next time feel free to punch me in the face and get my attention.
Only the third? I clearly need to try harder.
4087606
He's right, you know.
That's what friends are for.
4087175
...I am not even sure if that was English past a certain point but FUCK if it didn't get me pumped.
I WILL TOTALLY RAINBOW FIST YOU TOO, BRO.
WAIT, SHIT, NO, THAT SOUNDS WEIRD.
FUCK IT. TOO LATE. KEEP GOING.
4087213
I know it's an appeal to the vox populi, but I'm just saying, if you had said Crusaders of the Lost Mark sucked to the 7000 people of Bronycon, you would have had to go through about 6999 rounds of fisticuffs.
Something like that should make a man think.
4087371
I was glad you were so receptive to them, and I plan on expanding on them down the line. Plus, listening to you and Applejinx talk con stuff really gave me a new perspective on the whole thing. It was just a neat conversation all around.
4087455
Yeah, pretty much.
4087472
Oh dear, I hope you don't come to regret that decision.
4087606
4088155
Yeah, but he could use it to drive himself to work harder, and earn fat stacks of cash. Only envy is a terrible basis on which to base action, not to mention each mistake is going to end up causing a hit to self esteem. Eventually they'll all pile up, feeding on each other until he blow out and ends up in a whimpering heap of alcohol and self-loathing...
Huh, that got dark.
Maybe friends are a better idea. It worked for me, after all
4087845
Oh no sir. This is not a joke. You see, the instant I become interested in a fimfic author, I feel compelled to read a story of theirs, and I will often seek out the one that looks the most interesting, or the one that meant the most to the fandom or the author, and for you sir, that means My Little Dashie.
Oh, but it is so much worse than that. You see, I'm going to read it, and then, I am going to tell you about how I felt about your work artistically. I will send you a private message, and if I didn't like it, I will try to explain to you, tactfully, exactly where I felt your artistic design broke down and give meaningful criticism for how to avoid that in the future. Half the people on that list already got a piece of me Rob, so you might as well get the FULL NYRONUS EXPERIENCE!
4088078
Well, see, that will give you something to work towards next year. Nothing really motivates you like a proper goal.
Don't be embarrassed about forgetting stories! We meet so many people so quickly over the course of a con that my default assumption is that even people who know my stuff well are gonna space out. I've done that enough times myself that I can't possibly be bothered to see it in others.
4087213
Aura readings confirmed as legitimate.
It was pretty cool, wasn't it? Oddly, I've spent almost as much time now catching up on Bronycon posts as I did at Bronycon. Very pleased to talk with you. Kick me if I fall out of touch.
4090003
Oh, be careful what you wish for. After all, Solo trained me in martial arts long before I came to Bronycon.
4090239 ... is SoloBrony building a gang?
Now I want to write a story about a brony motorcycle gang.
4090265
More like a battalion of pony loving knight errants who know kung fu.
I blame it on him being German.
4090282 As long as there are 6 of them, and they travel the country dressed in the pastel colors of the Mane 6, everywhere being taunted by close-minded macho men, kicking their asses, and then showing them their anger and hostility stem from a lack of true friendship.