Griffish Isles 2019 · 1:40pm May 26th, 2019
Grifish Isles, the 21st MLP con to be held in th UK [1] Thats a Lot of Pony for a county so far from the main action, and my 11th, and Just how much fun can be packed into a one day con anyhow? Rather like Pinkie Pies confetti cannon, the answer is a lot!
Pulling tono manchester Piccadilly just as the rain ceased, and after a quick muffin[2] and dropping stuff at the excently situated Air BnB booked by @ali directly across from the next days venue, it was off to the waldorfmanchester (the pub not the hotel) for the pree pree meet.
A rough unassuming pub from the outside, but from the inside a hipster establishment with live music and our own upstairs room, which fast became full of ponies from across the isles and a sea serpent from far far away [3]. With flowing alcohol (that did run out!) and lots of ponies old and new, awkwardness was at a minimum as the conversation flowed until closing time and they forced us out into the glow of the city center mcdonalds, until they too closed!.
After waking up, it was time for the official con day! (yay) and after a beff trip across the park and back (to a nearby tesco so the locals could be suitably altered to what was going on)
Queueing in the bright morning sunshine [4], thanking that other pegasus had done their job, the VIP holders were let in first (and me along with them) which meant we needed to give time to the others to catch up, pondering the side room with some merch sellers.
The opening ceremony with @hypno was great, explaining what what's going to happen when, and with updates thought the day kept everypony informed [5]
It was then straight into a full packed day of events in the main hall, beginning with ‘MLP and the meaning of Life’ presented by Dr Kirkland and Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History @aldersgate Which I had extremely over prepared for.
Afterwards it was to feel bad about screwing up my question and feel award in the dealers room in the opposite building. I always feel awkward in march halls, in front of people who have worked so hard, standing awkwardly a rabbit not knowing which way to run or what to buy, but I did manage to come away with lots of badges [6 tbc]
Though @Ace did get some mech from Tormin [AtsNPrints] which I am more jealous of than Starlight in custard [here]
Karaoke at MLP cons is the best, and should be mandatory, maybe even what the whole con should revolve around imo, and it cheered me right up, because I can sing pony songs with a lot more gusto and meaning a lot less awakley than I talk to people [7], I did make me miss the Cosplay competition though :( [8] Although @hypono totally saved me, I mean, here I am with Griffin and Lee Tockar [9] <3
Then it was into the talk by Steven Magnet Lee Tockar and it was good to hear his fabours life story, and how anyone can make it with determination.It was good to hear how the fandom had brought people together and make success. [10] He also played his poem, one of the older ones you can find on youtube [11]
Skipping to the closing ceremony just watch this video of stomy on loop
It wasn't really a closing ceremony of course, because the con was in two parts and after a two hour break it was time to go to the Powelage center for BUCKBALL!
Then was the charity action, compared by an exuberant @aldersgate which started off slow (dam I could have nabbed something) but then reached the typical insanity familiar with all convention charity auctions.
#teamcustard would not be #teamcustard without taking part in the quiz, with full participation, so much so we had to congregate on the floor, and use our phones torches to fill in the answers. We tried to take is serious (a first!) but those anagrams were hard. [12]
Music has been a big part of the fandom from the start, and its great to have live acts at con’s. SteelyHooves is allways great to listen too [13] and[url=https://twitter.com/scrimmypone/status/1127330681443450880[14]] Price Whatever totally rocks[14], though by this point they alcohol had become available, which meant things got loud, and with loud music there was rocking out[14] and talking (mostly about ponies and meaning of life in MLP (Lacan, Hegal, Zizek XD) oh and epic plushie stacking [15]
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!