Bronycon 2017 Post Con · 5:27pm Aug 17th, 2017
Image by the one and only: FoughtDragon
Bronycon 2017 Recap!
Excitement! Anyway, that image above. Can you believe FaughtDragon's art? That is one epic Daybreaker. Hay, it's already a background for my PC. I have to tell you people, he's the real deal. You should bother him with commissions and such.
Anyway, what to say about Bronycon this year? I've seen a couple of blogs where friends were feeling a bit down or underwhelmed by the con itself, but I didn't share that experience. TBH, my issue with the Con is that it's too short for me to have adequate time to hang out with my friends old and new.
The thing about Bronycon is that when I get there, it's like coming home in a way. It's not Baltimore, it's Baltimare for a magical weekend when I get to talk about stuff I love on multiple levels. I meet with the writers I respect; the artists I admire and the people that make the show (and the event) happen.
I travel there for an experience which I can't have the rest of the year. Not like this.
My close group of brony friends here; RobCakeran, Zyrian, Lord Legion and Admiral Biscuit are the people that keep me sane, of course, when I need someone that "gets" my geekiness about pastel ponies or if I need to discuss writing and episodes outside of a screen.
So going down to Baltimare with them is a treat. Being part of the Con by doing panels is rewarding, even if we get sucky hours or have to go against really big events like Anthology with awesome panels such as Coming of Age Stories.
To me, Bronycon is about the people, sure we get swag and we get to talk to crowds or randomly stopped for authographs, but the real experience is that moment of discovery when you meet Monochromatic or Crystal Wishes and Anzel and Anonpencil in person for the first time.
Or when you shuffle around the marketplace until White Diamonds is right there in all her awesome artist glory and you get to talk for half an hour. Or when Midnight Dancer walks in dressed as Rarity or Twilight and you can't help but just simply be glad that you drove 13 hours or so just to see these people.
I see old friends there with who I want to catch up with, but who are doing their own thing. I see new, possible friends there who I want to sit down and interrogate for hours. I see friends that need hugs or support and I can do that in person, and others who have it in their heart to do simple things that make my day brighter or even discover (rediscover?) amazing artists who just happen to be there sketching awesome, amazing things, and then you get to keep them. Because they're awesome.
All glory to GrievousFan
Our panels were great and fun, we had some time-slot competition, but we still got a good showing of people on each and hopefully had interesting things to share with the people that attended and working with Pen Stroke and GapJaxie is always a fun thing to do,
There's way too many people to give proper credit in their awesomeness and I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'll do my best to comment on them here, but if I miss anyone I talked to or said hi to, rest assured that it's just me being tired and if you give me a shoutout down in the comments I'll make sure to update this.
First of all, my travelling companions:
RobCakeran, Petrichord, Crunchy and Corejo.
Dudes, it was a blast being in a cramped car with you. I hadn't had a chance to meet Petri and Crunchy before, but they're awesome, chill dudes that enjoy pone and have a great sense of humor, what else do you need? Don't worry Petrichord, I'm not ignoring you, I have to check a couple of things before I follow up. Corejo, brother, it was great seeing you again, I think we freaked someone (will remain unnamed) with how we get along, but hey, it's always fun! Let's see if we can somehow get together sooner than a whole year. Rob, you wrote My Little Dashie, what else can be said other than: why?
My fellow panelists:
Pen Stroke, Horizon, Ether Echoes and GapJaxie
Guys being on panels with you is not only an honor, but a learning experience. I learned a lot and next year I'll have improved thanks to you. Thank you for doing this with me. Jaxie, you're always awesome to hang around and you have an endless (seriously, it never ends) amount of stories to share. Pen, dude we have to do that thing and publish it. You know what I'm talking about. Don't shake your head! We have to! They'll love/hate it with a passion! Horizon, between the panel and having dinner together I think I learned quite a few things about you, I really enjoyed that and I hope we can chat soon. Picahna is awesome, isn't it? Ether... you didn't make it to the panel, which sucks, but your speech was awesome and insightful and I loved your points. We met the next day and had a chance to talk a little and I found you to be an amazing person and fun to hang out with, Meeting Solana was pretty awesome too, although I feel like I'd need to go deep into WoD conversations now.
And my many many friends who I am very lucky indeed to know...
Midnight Dancer: You are always, always awesome to be with and someone I will treasure knowing. That is not even accounting for your creativity and being a great mom and writer and gamer. Keep being you. My only regret is I fell into the trap of trying to do too much and spent less time with you as I would have liked.
White Diamonds: You're a blast and a great artist whose always fun to hang out with. Curse that erroneous phone number! It's fixed now, so as Celestia is my witness, next time we will have a coffee!
Monochromatic: Welp. We had breakfast (lunch?) together. Mexicans FTW! Not even the wall can keep us—ahem. Anyway, as you can see from my comments above, finding time to coordinate with people was a bit tough, but I'm glad we made this time to get to know each other better and to show you the wonder of the tip calculator.
Archonix: Dude, sitting down and talking with you was awesome. I really enjoyed your story about the Whisky distillery you visited when you were a kid and the description of the quality-taster was hilarious! It was a back and forth finding time, but for what its worth, the short time we did chat, was pretty sweet. Not to mention the scotch. Because single malt.
Plum: I gave you a hug and then you disappeared, emerging only in time to get wet on the way to Tir Na Nog, or for the group picture. :( Why u avoid me?
Uncr3at1ve: Thanks for the ride! But damn you, sir, for making me want to read another HiE story. Damn you! Other than that, we had a fun chat I think, looking forward to seeing you again!
Skeeter: I wasn't following you. Even tho you're awesome. BC wouldn't feel the same if you weren't lurking about.
Jake the Army Guy: Sending you that story was worth it just for the look in your face when you realized it was me! Bwhahaaha! Seriously tho, you're one of the best and I'm glad I was able to finally buy you a beer.
Applejinx: Yeah, yeah, I'll get to work on all that stuff soon! ;) Still, always a pleasure to hang out with you, and let it not be said that I do not acknowledge how hard you work. Well done, bro!
Zyrian: Dude, what the hell with those euphemisms?
Lunatone: We got to hang out! And play games! that was pretty cool bro, I'll be taking good care of Chrysalis!
MaskedFerret: When you're tired, you should sleep! Just sayin'! :) Need I say how you remain fun and cool? Outside of Tir Na Nog we didn't hang out much, but I will always remember fondly how we serenaded the bar to the tune of Billy Joel's Piano Man much to your distress.
Pascoite: You know that Zecora can't take me on, right? Even if she did want to kill me.
Horse Voice: Dude. Yes, you. You are awesome. I can't remember a moment you did not have a big ol' smile in your face and it was ridiculously easy to feel happy just being in the same room.
AugieDog: You're terribly humble for someone so talented.
Olden Bronie: You sir, are damn respectable and sufficiently imposing in your uniform. It was an honor to meet you!
Trick Question: We didn't see each other much this time, although you partied a lot :P Sorry I couldn't make it, I was running all over the place!
Sunchaser: Man, it's always good to see you! Thank you for all your effort and patience with the Writer's Dinner. At least we got a song together under our belt!
Crystal Wishes: What was it? Like 5 minutes to talk :P still, I'm glad to have met you and Anzel for a brief time, although I do regret not taking a picture with you when you were dressed up as Star!
FoughtDragon: My man, you are an awesome artist. Keep drawing, keep getting better and get started on taking commissions!
Nyoronus: Well, we got to chat a bit! And you went to my panels! Thanks XD it was good to see you and talk to you about that!
Trevor: Well Trevs, we spoke a lot more this time, thanks for introducing me to your gang, you're always, always an awesome friend.
Meeester: you were not at Bronycon. So I'm not sure why I brought you up here, but hey, you're a cool dude too.
Cloudhammer and Noble Cause: You two are always a pleasure to meet and hang out with, I'm glad you both made it!
Gamma: Do you even read my blogs? Do you even fimfic? Was I right about the best meat cut in the house? Anyway, we need to chat more my friend. Stay awesome.
Gary Oak: Always nice to see you man! Best dinner idea, btw, I insist. What did you think of the Caipirinha? Isn't that an awesome drink?
SuperTrampoline: You are awesome in person dude, stay chill!
BikerDash: Sorry that last convo soured out a bit the situation, I do respect and enjoy your company tho, so I hope we're still cool.
Aquaman: my friend, we hung out for far too short a period this time, but you are one of the Bronycon experience cornerstones!
Couch Crusader: Dude, you have a lot of energy. It's always fun seeing how involved you keep yourself in all of this!
Anyway, that's all for now, since I can't keep doing this at work. If I missed anyone, please remind me! There were a lot of you there!
We'll need to make a point of hanging out some next year. I look forward to it.
Still worth it for Shellshocker's expression when the water hit him. Not to mention everyone's shock at my following through on a threat.
It's cool to see how you really appreciate the interaction with so many people. I really enjoyed talking with I believe it was you, GapJaxie, and Applejinx. Hope to see you again next year!
How could I not, in the midst of meeting yourself and so many other great folks? You can bet I'll be doing my best to make the next one!
A TRUE Lord of Cinder.
Every year I've been to it I've sworn I'd chat you up.
Each year I fail.
Each year I promise the same.
Oh well, its in keeping with the name, at least!
~Skeeter The Lurker
It was awesome getting to hang out with you again this year!
One of these days we'll talk for more than like 2 seconds, I swear it. If only the writer's dinner hadn't been rescheduled, then I would have been able to go.
Some ponies just want to see the world burn...
It was indeed an awesome weekend. I only wish I could have met more of the weird and wonderful people there. Oh, well. Next year.
You forgot DaWillstanator proposing to his girlfriend
My that Nyoronus sounds like a swell guy. I should meet him sometime!
Truth be told I wish we had gotten more hang time in and I had gotten around to more of your panels XD
At least it was a good HiE, right?
Thanks for being a riding buddy for most of my trip back to Ohio. I would have been at the end of my wits being alone for the whole 7 hour drive, hopefully my car wasn't too messy for you.
Skipping both pencil and I. The hurt, man :p well, I suppose you mentioned pencil earlier. But dude! I wish we coulda chatted more than we did.
Bronycon really is an experience thats for sure. I still remember meeting you briefly at 2014s con.
Its beginning to feel like all my favorite authors were there, and I didn't get to meet any of them. :(
I would never presume to think anyone could take you on. You fight dirty.
I have been deemed by a FIMFic mod as a BronyCon experience cornerstone.
This must be what making it feels like.
#horsefamous
I forgot to go find you when I was there... oops.
How much is for a commission?
4638603 Depends on word count, but you can check the rates here. Unless you're asking art commissions XD, but that wouldn't be me.
Was great meeting you, too~ My sister says hi!
Mwa ha ha. Another year I have seen you but I am always busy bouncing around too much to say hi. Oh well. Maybe next year will be the time we finally talk for like, 30 seconds even
Are we still cool???
HELL TO THE YEAH! We're still awesomely cool, my friend!
It may have beem an awkward topic, but you and I were honest about things, and honesty should never hurt a friendship.
The more of these post con blogs I read the more I realize I had been sitting/standing (or talking to) some of you awesome people and never knew! I really should have looked at badges more often. (granted I would have turned into a even more of a awkward numpty but still...)
It was great seeing you again, fam. Hope to see you again next year, and maybe even do a panel with you!
I only shouted a few words across a table at you about your beard. Now I'll have to do something bannable to get into a conversation with you. Any suggestions?