Dino con was absolutely AMAZING! It really did feel like my dream con, i met so many awesome people wich is so surreal because in my daily life i dont think i know any proper dino nerds! Like your telling me that other people like this exist and not just as internet guys!? (Shout out to dream bob like especially fellow tumblr people exist irl?! Nuts.) . I also just wanna gush about the paleo art pannel wich apart from the contest was the absolute highlight for me. Hearing these people that are basically my idols and highly respected paleo artists say that they became paleoartists becuase they knew being a scientist like a paleontologist wasnt for me really boosted my confidence. Often i see paleo artists that were scientists first and seem to be so much more infinitely knowledgeable than me and i feel really intimidated. As somebody with late diagnosed ADHD i find it really hard to do academics so knowing that i can still succeed with paleo art is massive. I also had this fear that I dressed up in a silly fursuit wouldnt fit in with all the big boy palaeontologists at the con but EVERYONE was so welcoming and friendly! And the staff were incredible and ran it so well for a 1st year con! Ran better than 90% of the cons ive been too!
Also to address the titanosaur in the room I WON THE COSTUME CONTEST?!?! Everyone had absolutely INCREDIBLE costumes too like im obsessed with the Mary anning cosplayer holy shit (also the mary anning museum people were so so sweet they gave me some free pins and postcards for winning)! Im still shocked its such an honour! Ive never been awarded a rosette before since i didnt do like competitive sports as a kid or anything idk i keep on looking at the rosette lol. Im so curious to see what darran naish said when i went on stage the speakers were kinda muffled and i cant hear well in suit but i know he said a bunch so i cant wait to watch the recording and also see everyone elses performances!
Last but not least owie my wallet really hurts the artist alley was too good… usually i run around get the 5 dino things at a con… also all the vendors were so friendly shoutout to julianne zelda kiely for yapping with us about zelda breath of the wild and also my fellow tumblerinas thylacines toybox and jay eton
And i will be back next year! Mayhaps even vending?!
