#uncon

[hankycodes]

tumblr glitched out when i tried to post this and im not retyping all that

[whumperfect]

Hospital Scenes from Short films on YouTube.

[livila]

I went to the Ogden UnCon this weekend to meet Zach and Toby. It was exhilarating then deflating: repeat 3 times. 3 panels, 3 photo ops (awful, stupid, sensible). I also talked to him 3 times. Initially I walked in the room muttered “bloody heck” and reversed out again. When I approached to eventually talk, I couldn’t look at him at all and talked to the wall behind. The second day I briefly asked a question about an audiobook he did a few years back. Today, my kids were with me this gave me confidence but I was aware I have to lead by example and not be an idiot. So I was able to string sentences together. I turned around after I said goodbye and my friend thought I’d had an allergic reaction. My face was beet.

Zach was very easy to talk to.

It was terrifying at times but I’m so glad I did this.

[sweettist]

Hall of Gratuitous Praise: Charmed

I have a Praise Kink. It goes both ways, giving and receiving.

At first I wanted a simple multi-tist Praise Trance and then, on a rerun of Sabrina, I saw The Hall of Gratuitous Praise.

That. I wanted that. It was so much better!

I’ll admit I was nervous. Nervous that no one would show up, but, I was willing to put in the work anyways. I wanted this to happen.

I had announced it several times, in several places and surprisingly had a few volunteers to be praisers. I wrote their names and contact information down.

I then talked to ConCom who said my plan for when was a No. Buuuuut, it would be perfect for an UnCon event.

I agreed and woke up way too early Sunday in order to make it to UnCon Planning.

After writing down my idea, I sat down and waited. Nervously. My Play Partner came over to offer me support.

Finally the time came to read off the Events.

“Hall of Gratuitous Praise” was announced and, after some discussion, was put at noon, which is when I had said it would originally be.

Someone in the crowd near me said “that’s an awesome idea”, which gave me hope.

I messaged all the relevant people, and did a few things. When I came back, the room had changed!

I quickly messaged everyone again with the room change, hoping they would all get it.

What if I ended up being in a room alone...? But, I couldn’t think that. This was going to happen!

Once the room was clear again, it was nearing noon and...

My volunteers were showing up! Omg! This might actually happen! Breathe Sweet!

We moved chairs and aimed them at the doors, so we could sit in between praising.

When everything else was ready, I slipped out and wrote a description and hung it on the door.

Now to wait.

It was slow at first, but the most of the people getting praised did as asked, and joined the praisers after being praised themselves.

Praising included generic things, personal things, and applauding, whooping, etc..

It was a lot of fun.

At one time I believe there were probably about about 15 praisers in the room, waiting for people to walk in. (Including the original 8.)

In between praising we entertained ourselves to keep the energy up. I asked someone to get me water and they praised not only him for being a good friend but me for hydrating.

There were also people just outside the room who were playing games, like putting a foot in, and out, and we praisers were

“Yeah!” Stop.

“Whoo!” Stop.

Once a few people realized what was going on, they encouraged, tricked, or pushed people in. (This will not be allowed next time.)

And those people either got shy or started laughing.

There were a few serious, personal praising, like the volunteers for Project Hammond, but for the most part it was light and fun.

A few people walked in, their arms raised, like “Yeah!!!! Give me all the praise!”

And we did!

After about 25 mins of clapping and yelling my throat was hurting and most of the people who had been praised trickled out and left.

I said 5 more mins and then I was going to walk out and back in, which I had announced was my plan several times.

We praised a few more people in that time and then I got up and left the room.

I actually walked just far enough outside the room that I could no longer see in, to sort of break the connection in my head for a moment. (That probably sounds weird.)

And then I walked back in.

And holy heck!

They clapped and shouted praise and hollered and I looked around at the 10 or so people and it felt absolutely amazing.

Absolutely. Amazing.

It didn’t matter they had been doing the same to the 20 odd people before me. It didn’t matter that 30 seconds ago, I had been one of them.

It was joyous and uplifting and meant so much.

Being in the Hall of Praise as a praiser was one thing, but as the person receiving the praise, heck yes.

Absolutely. Amazing.

After my turn a couple more people walked in and I immediately joined in on the praise until they left and I called the end and thanked them all.

I’m guessing we had between 20 and 25 people show up. It may have been more, but to guess so seems... conceited.

The rest of the day I heard nothing but good things about the Hall of Praise. People who didn’t even go was telling me how awesome it sounded.

I definitely plan on doing this again at other UnCons. With some guidelines and careful direction, of course.

Thank you everyone who volunteered. And thank you everyone who let us praise you!

[candycloth]

Sonya Sanchez Arias

[larevueerotique]

[magicadams]

Performing my "Nerd Trick" at the #uncon in #cumberlandfalls • • #unconventionalconvention #bald #hairisnteverything #d20 #nerd #magic #magicians #mynerdisshowing #ravenclaw (at Cumberland Falls)

[candycloth]