#conlife

[mgshogun]

The Real Con Life: O RLY? and the Friend Support System

Looking back on those high-intensity years in the cosplay community (2009–2014), the most memorable moments weren't always at the conventions themselves. They were the times our crew showed up for each other.

I remember one day when a bunch of us drove out to LA to cheer up a friend who had just gotten dumped by her ex. We ended up taking her to a little local zoo to try and get her mind off things.

And there, plain as day, underneath an owl sign in the bird enclosure, one of our friends immediately dropped the classic, slightly-dated, and perfectly executed "O RLY?" joke.

It was such a simple moment—a spontaneous flash of that shared, absurd 2010 internet humor—but it was exactly the kind of emotional release we all needed. That's what that era was truly about: using the inside jokes and the shared culture as a tool to support each other through the real-life struggles.

[mgshogun]

Pre-Con Prep: Comfort Over Chaos

This image was taken right before my friend and I headed out for Anime Conji 2011 Day 3. As you can see, we had just put on our cosplays and were packing up our bags before leaving for the con.

My friend actually had an invite to crash in someone’s crowded hotel room at Conji, but she opted to stay at my house instead. Nothing beats having your own room and a real bed when you're powering through a con weekend! Plus, I live fairly close to the venue, so it was a quick, short drive every day.

It was all about prioritizing comfort and low stress so we could have maximum fun at the convention.

[mgshogun]

A fantastic throwback—this is me waiting in line on Preview Night of San Diego Comic-Con 2007 (SDCC '07)!

We were in line for a solid five or six hours, but the wave of relief when the security guards finally let us into the exhibition hall was incredible. Don't let anyone tell you con life is all glamorous photoshoots; this picture, waiting in the massive queue, is the true representation of the con endurance test!

That’s why surrounding yourself with friends who can keep the energy up is essential. Look at the size of that backpack next to me! It was packed with sandwiches, drinks, and all my notebooks and programs so I could meticulously map out my con schedule. Preparation is key to survival.

SDCC 2007 was a rock-solid convention—one of the last great years before it truly morphed into something completely different post-2010.

[mgshogun]

Throwback to PMX 2010! This was snapped right after we woke up, before the long, arduous day began.

This was a tough con because the main venue (Hilton Pasadena, I think?) didn't have enough hotel rooms in the block, so we ended up having to walk a solid mile just to get to the convention center every day. It wasn't the most enjoyable event, but you make the best of it!

This is also where I fully learned the Cosplay Hotel Hierarchy rules: The cardholder gets the first bed, then couples get the second, then females (if no couples), and the rest take the floor. I volunteered for the floor—it was honestly great because it meant more sleeping space for me!

Didn't make many memories of the con itself, but I was happy to be there with my friends. Still, lesson learned: a con's location can make or break the weekend!

[mgshogun]

This picture marks a major milestone: my very first anime convention, Pacific Media Expo 2009 (PMX '09).

It was a completely new world, and honestly, I felt like an alien the whole time—clueless about what I was actually supposed to do. Everyone was incredibly friendly, though, which made the atmosphere welcoming.

Back in that era, you really had to do things the "hard way": meeting up at local gatherings or coordinating online beforehand just to make plans to meet at the con. I guess I liked the challenge! It was a great learning experience.

For the costume, I wore a schoolboy version of Joker because I thought it would be fun. Solid choice, even if the makeup was really itchy the whole day! It was a solid convention, even if I was totally lost the entire time.

[mgshogun]

This is the quintessential image of Anime Los Angeles (ALA) at the Marriott Hotel. This spot, the pool floor, was the true heart of the con, where every fandom gathered to mingle and make memories.

For me, it was always fun to meet so many cosplayers from various series and interact with them. Running into people rocking beach or pool versions of their characters only amplified the special atmosphere.

I truly believe that ALA at the Marriott was a cosplayer's paradise, bar none. It was the place where everyone could pull out their highest level cosplay and where the photographers brought their A-game. It was truly a special convention.

(Image taken at ALA '13)

[mgshogun]

My Personal Archive’s Low Bar: The Fanime 2012 Purge

I’ve been going through my five years of con archives, and I noticed something weird: I have a detailed folder for almost every single convention... except Fanime 2012.

I finally realized why. My rule was always to upload and organize the pictures on my PC the moment I got home. But for Fanime 2012? I remember skipping the upload and just erasing the memory card. That's it. No backup, no selection, just gone.

That single act tells you everything you need to know about the convention that year. It must have been such a miserable experience—a classic "Line Con" or just a logistical nightmare—that the photos weren't even worth the time it took to drag them into a folder. My organized past self decided that the best review was to delete the evidence.

It’s a great reminder: even if a con is huge, if the experience is bad, it doesn't leave a memory worth keeping.

Did any of you veterans go to Fanime 2012? I’d love to know what made it so bad that I wiped the slate clean!

[lagomorphflix]

Mid Ga Lit Fest and where I'll be next

Last weekend, I attended the Middle GA Lit Fest. I have to tell you this 1-day show in Warner Robins was a blast. I got to see some of my writer friends, while also meeting a lot of great readers. To everyone who came out, it was a pleasure getting to meet you. For anyone, who couldn’t make it. I’m not done yet. I’ll be at ConNooga from 2/21-2/23, the Dalton-Whitfield County Library on 3/29, the…

Mid Ga Lit Fest and where I'll be next