Convention Chamber · 4:19am Jan 29th, 2017
Well, I just got back from Ponycon. Long story short? It was fun. Very fun. I'm eagerly looking forward to attending Bronycon for the full three days. For further details, read below:
• I got there more than half an hour ahead of time, but I made the most of it. Just exploring the parking lot was an interesting experience, seeing all the different states people had come from, and the occasional vanity plate. (A "RNBW DSH" was almost exactly across from an "APPLEJK.")
• After getting my ticket (again...,) I got in a conversation with UnovaBrony, a semi-defunct YouTube reviewer, and accidentally caused a roadblock in the ticket line. We were talking at a blind corner and... yeah. Fortunately, it hadn't been for too long, so everyone was a good sport about it.
• I was intrigued by a Mimikyu plush long enough to get talked into buying a calendar. Of course, the fact that the proceeds are going to cancer research didn't hurt.
• Turns out I'm still pretty good at Stepmania despite not having played DDR-style games for several years. Also, stopping to pick up a massive bottle of water on the way to the convention was definitely a good idea.
• I got a hoofsie from a 10-year old Countess Coloratura cosplayer, who I have to commend for her dedication to the costume.
• I poked my head in to see the MLP CCG played for the first time. Also saw an EG Pinkiepool cosplayer who became something of a recurring theme over the course of the day.
• The Analysis Anarchy panel was very fun, previewing three shorts that haven't been put up on YouTube yet. They did a crowd-shot blind react recording, though it remains to be seen if they'll ever put that up.
• At the vendors' hall, I ended up buying a copy of Twilight Sparkle's Secret Shipfic Folder (because card games are my Kryptonite,) a "Why can't I hold all these muffins?" shirt from Tsitra360 (who I praised for the Opposite Fluttershy drawing on his table,) an original novel from ShottsyArts (who I need to link to in some form of social media in exchange for getting a picture of some incredible wire sculptures,) a bubble mark button from a woman whose name I sadly didn't get, a Derpy and Dinky sticker from her neighbor (which I promptly applied on one of my story notebooks... upside down, on the back cover, which is actually kind of appropriate,) and a print of the cover art for horizon's "Time Enough For Love" from NadnerbD, who was very pleased to meet someone who actually understood what it was. Also, I agreed to pester horizon to publish the thing already. (I have a freaking poster of Sunbutt and Frumpy, horizon. Feel free to put the thing up. 
)
• While I was at the vendor's hall, some played the opening notes of "We Are Number One" on a kazoo, prompting a mass "Hey!" Just in case it wasn't clear that I was surrounded by fellow nerds.
• While having lunch, I thanked a member of the hotel staff for putting up with us. She laughed, but I think she appreciated it.
• I got to show Silver Quill a picture of a fan card I made for him, because I am good at making two things: Stories and trading cards.
• Priceless moment: Someone discussing a Littleshy video while five feet in front of Littleshy, facing him, and only realizing it a few sentences in. (And no, the hapless person wasn't me. Though I did complement Littleshy on his fine taste in best ponies.)
• At the Riffponies panel, where we got to suffer through examples of G's 1, 3, and 3.5, part of the lead-up had one of the hosts shout "Are you ready to make some bad decisions?" I responded, "We're already at a brony convention!" There was much mirth.
• I managed to find Majin Syeekoh entirely by accident, after a Derpibooru panel when I came to say hello to Blissey1 and help put a face to my name.
• I played Buck: Legacy with Syeekoh, WingbeatPony, and a few others... and left after the third time my unicorn necromancer got eaten by snakes. I hope I didn't come off as a sore loser, but it's no fun when what little strategy you can bring to bear crumples before the unforgiving forces of randomness.
• The Ponies: the Anthology panel was amazing. Part introduction for those unfamiliar with the series, part audience-participation clip show, part tantalizing preview.
• After a very fun mythology and ponies panel (that the hosts had to throw together in the 72 hours after they were notified that it was added to the convention,) I got to speak with one of the hosts, Forward Progress. Very enjoyable discussion, wherein I was able to offer a few fanfic suggestions he readily accepted. (Mendacity, Well of Pirene, and Georg's There Goes the Neighborhood, if you're wondering. All of them touched on something mentioned in the panel.)
• Beautiful moment: About twenty people singing along during a Rock Band performance of Bohemian Rhapsody, led by aforementioned Pinkiepool. Less beautiful moment: The staff understandably shutting down the encore presentation... of America, Fyay Yeah. 
• And I closed the night with a fascinating if rambling presentation on transformative art through the ages... which was sadly attended by only nine people. And I was the only one who did fanwork. Or had read anything by Alan Moore. Still, glad I went, even if I had originally planned to go to a demonstration game of TSSSF.
So yeah, tremendous fun today. But now I've spent the better part of an hour writing this up, I'm bone tired, and I haven't even looked at the comics I'll be reviewing tomorrow. Good night, all. See you then
Glad you had fun and can't wait to see you at BC
Glad it went well and that you had fun. I need to get to one of these conventions sooner or later here.
Aren't cons just amazing?
I've been to plenty of conventions, just not pony conventions.
I was even in Columbus, OH, the same weekend as TrotCon, but it was for another reason.
Good to hear you enjoyed yourself.
TSSSF is fun. Ive got a deck and several expansions. Havent played in some time sadly.
Yay, glad Saturday plan worked well :D
Gonna throw this out there. Shottsy's messenger/laptop bags are possibly the best I've used. There's so many pockets and you can expand the size of the bag by unzipping a zipper. It's so useful. And from what I've seen on the online store, it seems that it's just the conventions where they customize the iron on print they put on it, making it even more appealing to use it. I got one with the starkest looking Maud Pie on it ^.^
You met Sickoh, eh? He's quite different irl than his online persona. A lot more quiet, but will occasionally crack "your mom" jokes. I think he needs to get a bit drunk to get to that state of wacky that we know and love. Y'know, like soft hands (oh wait was that just PP?) or absurd amounts of draconic bodily fluids. Either way, he's still a fun guy to be around.
Was horizon at this convention?
Glad to hear you bought a bottle of water. Staying hydrated is important. I forget where you're at, but Bronycon in Baltimore is hot and humid, seeing as it's located next to a harbour. Like, I couldn't stand the heat and was sweating out the wazoo (ain't helpful being Canadian, being used to cold weather and all). You'll want to carry around a couple big bottles there. There's often a guy at the entrance of the con selling "one dolla wattah! :V" but don't fall for it. Also they do have water dispensers in most every room in the convention centre. The water bottles are mostly for your own convenience. But if you travel with the fimfic crowd, you'll find yourself travelling outside the convention centre. Mostly for post con hanging out and grabbing food (save money don't buy pop :P). But mostly parties.
That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.
Were they selling any expansions for TSSSF?
Looking forward to meeting you at Bronycon
so I may make a suitable sacrifice to the DARK GAWWDZand maybe we can hang out a bit. Y'know, stuff like getting washed away in the waves of Brony masses, yet having someone there to throw a life preserver, various petty mischief like sneaking things into Jake the Army Guy's pockets, deciding what panels to go to, get stuck in the middle of a Deadpool mini meetup, helping Bad Horse do his nefarious plans like distracting a panelist during their panel (pure ebil!) and inducting unknowing bronies into the Evil League of Evil, and putting up with Gary Oak's stupid and awesome perverted horse puns. Aww man this is gonna be fun!!!!!!!!!*bounces around and leaves moth wing dust imprints all over the room, especially the ceiling*
You'll recognize me. I'm the moth that's bigger than a dog flying around talking in excited moth noises. I presume you'll be the disembodied floating deck of cards that shuffles itself as it speaks?
Oh. Before I forget. You took pics, right?
Pics of cosplayers and of crazy moments like two TF2 Spies doing the Spy Crab or Pinkie mobs or guys cosplaying as bank robbers having a pretend shootout (???what???) are quite important.
Sounds awesome
4401048 whaaaaaat?!? The one dollah water guy is a convention fixture! Support local entrepreneurs!
Also, I'm going to have to try that kazoo thing at bc...
This is fucking adorable. :D
Sounds like you had a good time at the con. Yay!
I was there for that, I think!
I distinctly remember seeing the rock band crew closing out the night in the game room with a rousing performance AFH. Incidentally, the Rainbow Rocks music works really well in Rock Band. (probably not surprising)
Pretty sure "someone" was Acesential.
I desperately need to get back in the habit of actually replying to comments. Best get on it.
4400849
Looking forward to it!
4400885
They really are. Everything I hoped for, almost nothing I feared.
4400948
Missed my chance this weekend, but I'll have another come Bronycon. Plus, I can always play by myself to get a sense of the game.
4401048
Duly noted on those messenger bags, though my backpack performed quite admirably. Especially since I only found the coat check after several hours of keeping my jacket in there.
I've found that a lot of recognizable names tend to be different in person. Under normal circumstances, Littleshy's... well, shy. Or at least soft-spoken. Not little, though.
I'm fairly certain horizon wasn't there. He certainly wasn't at the mythology panel, where both speakers spent a good minute gushing over how pretty King Thorax is.
Definitely looking forward to being part of the Fimfic entourage come Bronycon. I've heard wonderful things about Baltimore's cuisine. And my body tends to run thirsty, so I always try to keep water on hand.
It's funny in hindsight. At the time, I just slipped out of the room and walked to the next panel as innocuous as possible. I may have actually said "Innocuous whistling" at one point.
Yup. Got the Internet reviewer-themed one.
If this were Doonesbury, yes. However, that form could not have a mustache, which would be a deep and terrible tragedy. But yes, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in person. And yes, I took a few photos. I suppose I'll have to post them at some juncture.
4401168
I should've taken a picture of her and her presumably-a-sister, who was dressed as Luna.
It really was. She had a little mesh veil and everything.
4401290
Looking back, probably, though I didn't know it was him when I made that note.
Yes, I made notes. What, you think I just wrote all that out from memory?
4401334
Not with that attitude, it couldn't!
I'm so happy that you had fun!
Really, sounds like you had a blast, and it did you good. Hope you keep us all informed on your next adventure!
One of the mascots of Ponycon was Mirage, who is a female Draconequus. She and another mascot is Bowtie. In their comic, Bowtie gets her cutie mark and then ends up having trouble finding work. She gets a job at a starbucks and runs into the invisible Draquonequus after a customer complains some pony shoved them out of their chair when they were about to eat their sandwich.
Ends up Mirage just needed some friends and she signs up to volunteer at a convention similar to ponycon, which Bowtie and her friends are putting on.
Mirage has her own origins animated story on youtube. It's called Mirage: Origins.
Glee~
4425846
I believe I described it as "two parts ponies, two parts Greek mythology, one part Norse mythology, and one part Jim Henson's Labyrinth." He seemed immensely intrigued.