No convention is like San Diego Comic-Con. I’ve been around
and so far, nothing has compared to the size and circus that is Comic-Con. It’s
a feeling of being home amongst friends – even though you haven’t met most of
the tens of thousands of people there.
I checked into my hotel on Wednesday before Preview Night.
Well, tried to check in. The room wasn’t ready so I set up my laptop in the
lobby area to get work done while I waited. I hadn’t been there two minutes
when a fellow convention attendee spotted my Star Wars tattoo. “You have a
Rebel Alliance tattoo. You’re a good person.”
I almost hugged him – not for the compliment but because I
was among people who get it. Who get
me.
I spend most of my days in an office full of people who don’t
understand things why I loved Pacific Rim so much and had to make a tank top in the few days between seeing the movie and
Comic-Con. When others give me that askance look I sometimes I feel like my
enthusiasm over something as simple as a movie or book or toy is childish. I
know it’s not, and I love that I am young at heart and can be passionate about
things (I feel sorry for those who don’t get excited about anything, honestly)
but it can be draining to be around people who think you’re silly.
Cue Comic-Con where geeks and like-minded people invade a
city. The convention doesn’t end after you step outside of the convention
center. You’ll see lanyards, costumes, banners, exhibits, and themed menus damn
near everywhere in a two mile radius.
Some people may count not being able to escape as a negative, but I love being
immersed. If I talk about being traumatized by the Red Wedding and crying
over it for days, chances are good a few people around me will sympathize
rather than rolling their eyes.
It’s a safe place for me.
I’m not saying I don’t get worn down. Walking the mile from
my hotel over to the Hilton Bayfront for a press room and then over to Hard Rock
and back to the convention center to race to Ballroom 20 is exhausting. I get tired. I get hungry and cranky. It’s still worth it though
because even though it’s hard work, I still spend most of the five day marathon
that is Comic-Con smiling, laughing, and waving my arms around in an animated
Muppet flail. So much I see there is heartening. From cool toys to fans who
pour hours into costumes to people dedicated enough to wait overnight in line
for Hall H – it all lets me know I’m not alone.
Even on the last day of the convention when I was feeling completely
wiped, I transformed into a giddy girl when I saw the life-sized LEGO Bag End
set up by the Bayfront. I’m sure the stoic security guard thought my bouncing
around was crazy, but I didn’t care. Posing on the steps of Bilbo’s blocky
house fueled my day and the fun continued right up to the end when I spotted a
little girl in a TARDIS Transformer costume.
On my walk over to the Bayfront that day as I dodged costume parts and people handing out free bandanas, I heard a man telling
his companion in an awed tone, "They shut down streets for this, it must
be a big deal.” Yes, yes it is.
Few judgments, few weird looks, kindred
spirits, and awesome eye candy - those are the reasons I do everything in my power to go to this particular Comic-Con every single year. Others just can't top it.
There is no greater joy than spending time surrounded by people that get it in the same way you do. Cons of all sorts are more comfortable for me than anywhere else on earth (well, except for a quiet little pub in Doolin, Ireland).
ReplyDeleteI need to go to Ireland one of these days.
DeleteSo eloquently written! I attended my very first Comic Con this year and heartily agree with how you feel about it, and the sense of nerd belonging that just washes over everyone there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed your first Comic-Con! :D
Delete*Sighs* This is exactly why I need to get to a convetion before I lose it! (Whoops, already there! Haha)
ReplyDeleteSeriously; I live my Dad and, despite the good person he is, he is too 'grown up'. Anything I like, love or enjoy seems to have an instant distancing effect on him...You refer to some people who think people like us are silly as 'draining'...Well he can be more than that, frankly. (Sometimes even to an upsetting degree). But more recently he's been more accepting to the idea that I'm passionate about stuff (even though he describes it negatively, calling it 'obsessions' and what-not)...I just wish he'd be more open-minded.
Anyway, another great post Amy! Anytime I read about or hear about Conventions, it's always a thrill to know that there are others out there! But it's simultaneously frustrating that I can't get to them. At least that will change come November; there'll be a local annual convention called 'Thought Bubble' (which I'll be doing the Capt. Jack/11th Doctor cosplays to coincide with the 50th) and my city's Media Museum will be hosting a Doctor Who event/exhibition and they seemed excited when I told 'em I'll be showing up as either character! Hehe So hey! More people who 'get it'! ^^
AM
The situation with your dad sounds frustrating!
DeleteI'm glad you get to attend a convention-like setting where people just like you will be. It's so much fun to nerd out with fellow fans! I bet there will be lots of costumes at the Doctor Who event. :)
Thank you, Amy...On all counts! ^^ And I can't wait!
DeleteAM
AMEN!!! After 10 years, it just keeps getting better and better! My husband calls it my home too! He says "Comic-Con...where Trish can be Trish!" I love it!
ReplyDeleteYes! I didn't get to go to Comic-Con because I failed the waiting room for tickets, but I made it to Star Wars Cantina Tour and actually made friends there. That's how comfortable I was being around other people who get it. Whenever the Con comes to town, even if I don't make it, it's amazing to see everyone change San Diego into a wonderland of cool people.
ReplyDeleteThat's my little TARDIStron! Unfortunately we won't be going to Comiccon this year.
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