Bronycon was Cool · 12:03am Aug 5th, 2014
I feel obligated to make a post about this right after the con ended 'cause other cool people are doing it and I'm amazingly susceptible to peer pressure.
I'll bullet point 'cause I'm lazy, and you're lazy too. Let's summarize:
I met a lot of cool people.
I think this goes first and foremost, because Bronycon for me is really a story of hanging out with awesome folks I don't normally see face-to-face. And to be honest, a lot of the various events weren't so much important to me as going with folks I was chilling with at the time. So let's give a hands up to all the cool cats I met at Bronycon.
A bunch of great authors in the various circles of Fimfiction showed up, and I got the incredible opportunity to meet and speak with a whole lot of them. Including (but not limited to) folks like Eakin, Wanderer D, Pen Stroke, Golden Vision, Cyborg Samurai, Pearple Prose, Capn_Chryssalid, Cloudhammer, alexmagnet, Masked Ferret, Couch Crusader, Aquaman, Midnight Dancer, and... Jesus. A whole lot of people, all said, is the point.
I, uh, didn't actually meet Jesus, incidentally. That's just an expression.
It would've been cool if I had, though.
Here's a group-pic of a lot of us that we took. It's not absolutely everyone (that pic comes later), but it's a solid showing of some of the folks:
That's me there in the middle. In the hat. You'll be seeing a lot more of that.
Anyhow, yes! That happened. Everyone was great and I love you all. You're good stock.
The beard was retracted.
I did not want to incinerate anyone with the full majesty of my facial hair, so for the duration of the con my mighty follicles pulled the beard back in. This explains any questions you may have regarding it. Fully. Ask no more about beards.
There were cool panels. Including mine.
There were a neat array of panels, though I mostly went to the ones regarding fanfiction, since that's the pool in which I swim. There was a decent variety of stuff for all walks of writers, including Crossover and Adventure writing panels, for folks who enjoy those, and more general stuff like Advanced Writing and a panel Cyborg Samurai did on how Fanfiction affects the fandom as a whole. There was even an EqD Q&A I got to listen to, which talked about some of the mysterious business those people get up to. Also, I was on the Do's and Don'ts of Fanfiction panel! Which I've heard was something of a hoot.
Or at least I hope it was.
I've heard whispers in the dark that Bronycon will be uploading Youtube videos of all the panels within the next couple weeks or so, so if anyone sees any vids for the above panels, feel free to send them to me.
Also, for a time during the Do's and Don'ts panel, I ascended to the throne as Hatlord. Here's some pics of my world-conquering exploits:
Couple follow-up thoughts regarding panels
I'm sort of a stickler regarding writing advice, because I think that the best general advice people can give you for how to write better is really about good habits, rather than how you ought to word a sentence or structure your plot. Mnemonics like Lavender Unicorn Syndrome and Show Don't Tell can really only take you so far, and I think that the best ways to improve are reading and studying better authors, continuing to write more, and getting advice that's personalized to your writing, instead of intended to help everyone's writing.
So, y'know, there are a few things I think about writing panels, and not a lot of them have to deal with how they'll tell you specifically how to write better. The mere dissemination of information is something you can do over the internet, and is nice, but shouldn't necessarily be the primary goal. I think playing to the more personal aspects of a panel--like fielding questions, human-like discussion, and yes, entertainment--are where it's really at.
So, y'know, it's something to keep in mind, I guess, for both people running panels, and folks who have questions in the audience. If you want to know about whether it's a good idea to try a certain variation on a Human in Equestria story--y'know, that isn't a bad question in itself. It's just probably one you may want to think about asking at Quills and Sofas or someplace where the panelists are chilling and ready to answer those questions, as opposed to during the panel.
All the writing panels I went to did pretty well in this regard, I think. There was a little something for everyone. Advanced Writing catered a bit more heavily to the higher-brow folks. Do's and Don'ts was something of a general catch-all. Adventure and Crossovers obviously had their markets. And How Fanfiction Helps a Fandom was just generally neat. Most of the panelists appeared to have pretty good chemistry with each other, and that made for some fun moments overall.
I got some swag.
The haul wasn't as extensive as it was last year. Mostly because last year taught me that some things aren't worth spending money on. I was reasonably modest in my ambitions this time -- a few neat hats, a bar of Drunkberry soap (courtesy of Midnight Dancer, who sells amazing soaps--look her up and ask her regarding that if you're interested). I got a couple t-shirts too. One with a monsterish design that I'm rather fond of, and another that sports a spiffy logo from Attack on Titan. No pony shirts this time. I've realized now that I'm terminally embarrassed to wear those in public.
I also weakened and bought a small print of Scootaloo's Bizarre Adventure, because anyone who knows me is aware that I'm an absurd JoJo nerd and really couldn't have passed something like this up. I hear the same artist's doing another one involving the Pillar Men. Gotta keep an eye out for that one.
There was an incredible author dinner
We ate at a fancy Irish pub that was conveniently near the convention center. Legend says that some sixty people showed up to eat there. I sure hope the restaurant didn't feel too under-siege. At least the waiters were tipped well, from what I saw.
We took a group photo afterwards, which is a much more all-encompassing view of the authorfolk who showed up. Hats off to all y'all. Great times eating with ya's.
Guess who
I, uh, may've contracted the con crud
Yeah, that happened. I may be feeling generally bleh for the next couple days. The price, I suppose, of being in confined spaces with like a bazillion other people and hugging them and getting hats from them and stuff. My immune system isn't the best at the best of times, and certainly can't handle strains like that, despite my best efforts to stay clean. Didn't even eat anything questionable off the ground. Still managed to catch a bug. Oh well.
Fun Times.
Self-explanatory.
Wish I had the money and the time D:
Aww, I wanted to see the beard.
So sad I missed out on going this year
2343802
SHIT.
Pen's head is in front of me...
Damn I'm short.
~Skeeter The Lurker
2343805
Yeah, I know. I missed it the first time, realized and was trying to ninja edit my comment so as not to look stupid.
You were too fast, though.
Alas, I hear it was not enough to save some from being blinded by the majesty of the Obs.
Alas, despite being present I somehow missed both meeting you and your luscious, retractable beard.
Ah well. Maybe next year.
I for one am looking forward to any videos that surface. The writing panels sound like they were great.
Man, if I wanted to, I could've walked to the convention center.
Though I probably would have spent the entire time with my face mushed against the glass like an orphan standing in the cold streets looking into a mansion, gazing in wonder at the colorful interior and the even more colorful people conversing of their interests.
No, I actually had the money, I was just cheap. That and I was saving up for... well stuff.
Maybe a new laptop, because the one I have now is crumbling apart.
Also, Gravity Falls Season 2 was the other reason I didn't go.
2343826
Speaking of, a rather-spiffy Dipper Pines hat was amongst my purchases!
I dig it.
2343834
[JEALOUSY INTENSIFIES]
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Also, funny thing is that they seemingly weren't checking badges at the door -- mostly just the vendor hall. So feasibly you could've waltzed in and hung out. :()
Re: swag, that JoJo print is like twelve levels of badass. I approve of this crossover. Did any more of the anime ever make it over to the states? I watched a sub literally back in the days before Internet, and I have fond memories.
I, too, don't wear a lot of pony swag, but I've found some really great stealth pony shirts. This one gets compliments from non-Brony geeks all the time.
Glad you enjoyed the con! I was 3000 miles away, getting shot at by rednecks while hiking cross-country, over a mile from the nearest dirt road. Eh, not the worst weekend I've had.
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Gasp! A JoJo!
The 2012 anime, comprising the entirety of Parts 1 and 2 (and currently working on 3), is totes available on Crunchyroll right now, if you haven't heard about that (you mentioned seeing a sub pre-Internet, so I'm assuming you watched the Part 3 OVA). Part 3, which is in-progress right now, is at the top. Parts 1 and 2 are in the dropdowns below.
Also yeah, there are some great subtle pony shirts. Sadly, those didn't seem to be too prevalent at the con. I'd have gone in for some of those if I'd seen 'em.
2343849
WHAT.
Oh well. What's done is done.
Sounds like it was a blast.
You're skinner than I imagined.
2343834 YOU MUST SHOW US THAT HAT!
I know not a lot of people comment on it (and I blame your majestic beard for it), but it was amazing getting to hang with you and that rich molasses you call your voice again. BC 2015 already feels like it's here.
Woooo! I'm two to the right of the almighty Hat-Lord, if anyone wants to see me, lol (In the plaid, not the blue)
I also feel kind of sick too, not really sick, but just a little sick. So it's not just me. Didn't help that I bought a burger @ the convention center, and to my mother's horror, bit into nearly raw meat (thankfully, I managed to spit 98% of it out and get a full refund). Probably will feel even sicker after Otacon next week...
We went to the fancy Irish pub too! I did see a LOT of people from the con there (probably to take advantage of the 10% discount they were offering), so I wouldn't be surprised if sixty people did show up. My parents' friends asked me about the con over dinner and they seemed very interested about the concept of bronies in general.
As for the beard, sure it's retractable. Not really believing it, but why bother to argue about majestic beards?
I swear, next year I will remember to sign up and attend, instead of just planning on going for months while neglecting to make any actual arraignments.
Man, Bronycon sounds like a damned good time. I'd really like to make it there some year.
Beard retracted huh? Yeah I'll believe that never.
The false prophet has been revealed, no longer shall you believe his lies.
It wasn't truly cool because I wasn't there!
Curse you, Obselescence! Now how will I fuel my doomsday device?
2343851 Those weren't rednecks.
And they have failed me for the last time.
2343959 I feel a little sick too, though that could just be laryngitis as a result of hollering jovially for extended periods of time at all the panels/ceremonies.
It was nice meeting you, btw!
I wish we could've hung out some more, so here's to hoping we can next year! 
2344188 Nice meeting you too!
That's me with the purple hair in the second picture.
Also, Obselescence, I must ask you something. No, not about your beard, since you already answered me that at the convention when I asked. My question to you now is, are you currently in training to be the second coming of Jackie Chan?
Which one of these people is Eakin? I had looked for him at Quills and Sofas a few times and eventually gave up and decided he wasn't there.
Obsy!
also am requesting full size of the group shot
As a female Brony, those pics made me feel a tad lonlier.
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They checked me once, funnily enough.
Somehow, the pony plushie on my shoulder, the radio on my hip, and the staff t-shirt that said "STAFF" in big letters on the back wasn't enough to convince the guy that I'd purchased a badge, and a staff badge no less.
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Oooh, thanks for the pointer! You're right, I watched the original OVA. Going to have to check out the new stuff for certain!
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You definitely should! Part 2 in the new anime is an incredible experience. Part 1 not as much so, but still very solid.
...you didn't see Jesus?
Dude was chillin in the back of quills and sofas for, like, hours. He was all over the shipping card game--you should have seen the ships he strung together. They were beautiful. The guy was mad crazy about Twilestia. Super approachable too.
Ah, I can't agree with this enough. The greatest tool anyone can have in becoming a good writer is themselves. The best thing an author can teach any other writer is how to truly learn--how to think critically about the stories that have affected them the most and draw crucial lessons from them. Real learning is a skill, and is wholly different from just absorbing information. It's about understanding or comprehending, about seeing the connections and making new ones.
There is no stopping someone who knows how to learn and think.
Dang I missed out on being in the photos :( oh well
You also got another picture of The Hat Pillar Of Amazing swagness from meee
just throwin' that out there
Oh gross, I hope you weren't contagious. :(
I think that first pic is a better pic of me. :B
Also, Sunday at the... adventure fic panel (?), the audience was yelling "Do the hat thing!" and you weren't even in the panel.
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I've been sneaking in an episode or two per night this week while work has been eating my life. Okay, I have to admit, I was pretty underwhelmed by season 1 — I think it made the mistake of starting out so over-the-top that there was nowhere to escalate to — but Joseph's first meeting with Straizo singlehandedly redeemed all the time I've spent watching it.
Stands > Hamon, definitely, but young Joseph is an early contender for the series' best character.
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Joseph is indeed altogether perfect and I feel my life has been enriched by his existence.
It's incidentally why I'm so glad that the print I got was from Part 2. I ultimately enjoy Stands, but Part 2 is probably still my favorite on the whole.