Journal Entry #1 · 7:02am Jul 16th, 2013
I attended Everfree Northwest about a week ago and, between my internship and the novel I'm writing, I've finally had the time to sit down and jot down a journal about the whole experience. 
For those of you who don't know, this was a four-of-a-kind print that was given out three very lucky young lads colts during the opening ceremony and one generous auction winner. I didn't actually see the opening ceremony; I got there before it started, but not early enough to make it through the line. I was naive and thought they'd get their registration system sorted out this year. So, after getting lost on 405 and finding my way to the hotel, I was greeted with a line that rivaled the year before. It went through the entrance hallway, and out into the street.
And kept going into the parking lot.
Up to this van...
...and behind some cars...
...and ended in some trees.
But at least it was pleasant out, and in all honest I didn't mind the wait. I socialized with the other bronies and I even ran into some people from around the site: Omegapony11, the author of Pony Age Origins, and Tired Eyes. Omega printed out a whole bunch of high quality posters from his fanfic, and was giving them out for free. I swear, he was one of the most popular people in that line. I grabbed one of his posters, and unintentionally ended up doing a whole bunch of free advertising for him. I got stopped so many times by people asking where I got that poster and where they could find one. Maybe next year I'll get a bunch of pictures of Lumina and [Redacted on account of spoilers] and hand them out.
Once I actually did make it inside and got my badge, I dropped into the dealer's hall and you'll never guess who I saw... John freakin' Joseco. Don't believe me? I took pictures!
He, uh, didn't feel like smiling for them. I told him pictures would probably be a reoccurring motif for him, and he grunted. As I walked away three more people lined up at his table and asked to take a picture with him.
I stopped by a booth ran by an artist named Charlott Jackson, and she was taking OC Commissions for $20 a drawing. I'm not really into the cards, or plushies, or autographs, but art I'm into, and I jumped in line and commissioned a piece of Lumina in the style of the Canterlot stain-glass windows, and a button of her too. I revisited the vender hall repeatedly, and every time I strolled by there was a line of people at her booth commissioning pictures. I'm sure she loved the business, but I don't think anyone else was anywhere near as flustered as she was.
Somehow, though, I believe she managed to get through all her commissions, including mine.
So, what do you guys think?
After the vender hall, I ran into the guys from Brony Aerospace and got into an extended conversation with them. This was before their presentation, and before EFNW gave them the con banner, and they were nearly convinced that no one would be interested in their panel or anything they were doing. They're an awesome and talented bunch, and I'm glad (as I'm sure they are too) that they were wrong about the reception they expected. Anyway, check them out. One of their long term goals is to put a brony satellite in orbit and broadcast XM pony radio.
I spent a lot of time in the game rooms, and got to try out Legends of Equestria. It looks promising, but I'm a little disappointed by the lack of a PvP element (that's sarcasm, in case you can't tell). I played a game of Apples to Apples at one point, and almost won the game by playing Giant Squid on Touchy Feelly. I also got to see a little bit of Twilight Sparkle's Secret Ship Fic Folder, which looked completely ridiculous, and also one of the funnest games to come out of the fandom. I'm printing out a copy of the rules and cards, and Imma give it a shot as soon as I can.
On the last day of the convention, I sat in on the auction and watched some incredible acts of generosity by some incredibly privileged bronies. Don't get me wrong, I thought the charity was wonderful, but as items started jumping up to $2,000 on the first couple bids, I couldn't help but think: "That's what tuition is going to cost me next term, and my family is having trouble getting just that much together, and that brony just spent well over that amount on a Twilight Sparkle Pendant." Don't get me wrong, it was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've seen in a long time, and the fact that it was donated to a charity auction, and made so much for the children's hospital is amazing, but it's weird when you see people spend sums of money that could make or break your future on shiny bobbles. I'm just happy that it all went to making someone else's future a brighter.
Also, here's a picture of Big Mac eating a... big mac. I kid you not he auctioned it off.
After the auction I headed out. I wanted to see the closing ceremonies, but I got a glimpse of the line to get in and it was just as long and maybe even more than the registration line. I was like, "no, not worth it," and so I got in my car, aimed for the exit, rolled down my windows and shouted to the line "So long everypony!" and then crashed into some traffic cones, got stuck backing out, and spent ten minutes trying to get turned toward the exit. Yeah, I was that guy.
So, that was my experience at Everfree Northwest, did anyone of you make it over there?
That Lumina commission somehow reminds me of Chell from Portal. It's amazing.
It was a pleasure to meet you and speak with you, Solocitizen. The giveaway of prints was fun, got to talk to quite a few folks. Didn't get anything out of it for the fic though. Still enjoyable.
I didn't get to go (I live as far across the country as you can get from there - aka Florida), but a close friend of mine did. He's been a regular congoer for some time, and he... was less than impressed with EFNW. He felt it wasn't well-organized, nor did it have good communication with registrants, pre-reg people had to wait in the same incredibly long line as day-of reggers, no/little signage pointing out where things were, somewhat unhelpful con staff - you get the idea. Also, light on scheduled stuff for the space (understandable given how new it is, though).
He did, however, get to meet some interesting folks (including the author for the Hot Blooded Pinkie Pie Tumblr), and got some rather awesome stuff, including a pair of awesome plushies. His overall verdict was that it was all right, the inexperience of the con staff showed, and that hopefully it would improve in future years.
Love the commission image of Lumina. Sounds like you had a lot of fun at Everfree, right up till the end when it might of gotten a little awkward with the traffic cones.
Myself I didn't get to go, I don't live up north anymore
I'm... oddly curious, how much did the Big Mac go for?
Well, if you live in Germany, you don't simply walk into... MLP conventions. I feel lucky whenever I see a report like this, because it shows me what's going on in the fandom. Thanks for that!
I like Lumina's portrait. The Canterlot-window-style comes very authentic, and with what's still to come it's surely not that Utopian to see her drawn next to Twilight and the sisters.
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Still, it was a brilliant idea, and it was good to meet you too!
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As I said, I never mind waiting in line because of the conversation, but it still took me over three hours to get my badge. I stopped by Hotblooded Pinkie Pie's artist's table too, and I got a poster of Fluttershy piloting Eva unit 01 from him.
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I think the big mac went for about $400, but I'm not sure about that 100%. It also came with Peter New's badge, Las Pegasus t-shirt, and a few other little goodies.
1215318 Mmm, that's a lot, but I'm sure the other stuff made up for it. Plus if it went for charity it's still worth it.
Still pretty amazing the talent behind the show is willing to do stuff like that.
You were that guy!
I was on the lower rungs of the line for the closing ceremonies (complaining about the heat of course) and we saw someone try to turn left through a set of cones CLEARLY indicating you could only go right. Heheheh... For the record, we all just laughed, then sang a Pinky song. And while the closing ceremony was cool, I don't blame you for leaving early. I skipped several other major events because it was clear I wouldn't get in. I REALLY hope they fix that next year. It's a shame when everypony can't attend con-wide events like that.
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I'm glad there was someone here who witnessed that. I'm not ashamed to admit, 405 into SeaTac and hotel parking are my banes. I drove to the con from Kirkland everyday it was running, and I got lost in the SeaTac area every single goddamn time... Including everyday last year, too. 405, y u no have clear signs? I'm pretty sure all those hotels and buildings down there need a better description than "Cellphone waiting Area," or whatever obtuse language they use to describe the turn off for International Boulevard.
I know that the Everfree Northwest people are doing the best they can, and they do an amazing job, but they kinda need to get their act together a little more. But, I'm not going to complain about it any more than I already have.
I enjoyed myself and had an excellent time, and I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for that artist next year. I want more of her drawings.