Aftermath: Trotcon 2017 · 3:38pm Jul 19th, 2017
Boy howdy, what a weekend. Lets start from the beginning, shall we? (Also forgive me, I don't have a lot of pictures because I'm currently using my back up flip phone, so I'm "borrowing" pictures others took for me.)
Thursday I left for the con, however very late. I was expecting a package of new typewriter ribbon spools. Now, you may be asking yourself, "ROB why do you need type writer ribbon spools?" That will be answered shortly, just for now, the issue was getting them. Turned out I ordered them later than I'd thought, so instead of getting them Wednesday, they were coming Thursday. So instead of leaving for the convention at 1000 like I wanted, 1430 rolls around and I'm getting antsy. Issue is, normally the drive from my place to Columbus is about four and a half hours, but because I'm picking up a friend near Akron, it adds about two and a half hours.
Eventually, I make a pity phone call to UPS, and they help me meet up with the delivery truck so I can get my package. All worked out, so thanks to UPS. I've always like those guys. So I'm finally on the road, first stop is near Detroit to pick up my friend Sam, aka Tenebarious. You may know him, he works with the Fallout Equestria printing project, the guys printing and making the actual hardcover books of Fallout Equestria. This was the third printing, and hot damn were they gorgeous. The next issue was I had totally forgotten that South bound I-75 was completely closed, so we had to do a bunch of detours that added even more time.
I did my best to make up time on the Ohio Turnpike, but it too was riddled with construction zones and reduced speeds. Urg. Eventually we make it to my vape bro Crunchy. We barely say our hello's as I throw his shit into the trunk and we take off, another two hours of driving ahead of us. By this time it's 1900, and I'm getting kinda frustrated. We hit even more construction, more detours, and we finally make it to the hotel at 2200. This was the latest I've ever made it to Trotcon on Thursday, and I was just so damn tired I threw my shit into the room and went to bed. Rooming was a weird situation, but basically I had Zyrian, Vengeful Spirit, Gaylord, Crunchy, and that didgery doo guy that I forget his name.
This was the first year of Trotcon where I actually held two panels. Normally I do my general writing panel, Writers Waffling about Writing Willingly, but last year talking with Present Perfect he had given up doing the speed fic panel. So I said "Oh, well I'll do it then." Afterthought, knowing I've never done a workshop panel before, I should have been more prepared. Instead, I went last minute shopping with my friend Holly Oats for paper and pencils. Remember that typewriter ribbon from earlier? Well, for this panel I brought along with me 10 typewriters. That's right, 10 typewriters. Why do I own 10 typewriters? I don't, I actually own about 16, but the other 6 were still inop, so they stayed behind.
Anyway, after shopping with Holly, I still had to re-ribbon four of the typewriters. I spent the next hour, mind you my panel was in an hour and a half, sitting in the hotel lobby with a cart full of typewriters, working on 4 of them. Admiral Biscuit showed up with his own, which I thought was awesome. So panel time comes around, and as every one is getting seated, I start setting out typewriters. This gets people's attention quickly, and several jump to the front to use them. Several people weren't sure about it, or didn't want to, which was fine. I wanted to bring them more for an atmospheric thing anyway. Ponies use typewiters, so now you can experience one and understand how they work, and what's involved. Amazing, other than Admiral's own machine having a hick up, there were not failures (you can check out more of his adventure there in his blog).
The next challenge with the panel that apparently caught some people off guard, was my deciding method for what they were going to write. According to people I spoke with, in the past it was either just "write whatever you want" or they were given a prompt. Me? I do things weird. Instead, I had everyone write down one character name and a location in Equestra. Could be a specific place, or general location, didn't matter. Then I put them into a hat, and drew two characters, and one location. They were then tasked with writing a fic in any style, any genera, and any theme, but they were bound to using 3 things: Roseluck, Princess Luna, and The Zebra Lands.
Needless to say, there were some fun stories from that. We couldn't get through reading them all, and Holly was kind to donate some prizes for our "winners". I say winners in quotes, because we didn't really do any judging. That's something I'm gonna change for next year. I don't want the panel to be about winning anything or writing for a purpose other than for yourself. I want to challenge writers, and have them break out of their comfort zone/molds and be told what to write. I later talked with a couple of participants, since I was thinking the panel was a flop, but apparently they all had fun. In fact, I got several people out of writing slumps they were in, so yay!
After that panel (named Speed Fics R Us since I forgot to mention that) I got some food and just bummed around with friends at the hotel. Eventually along the way I met up with another good friend, Bad Horse. He actually attended the speed fic panel, late mind you, but still managed to get his story done and read it aloud. Brave soul that one. Quiet, but brave.
Not much went on during Saturday, other than my usual drawing people into playing Uno in the hotel lobby. We eventually had our Saturday tradition dinner at The Old Bag of Nails. Among the usual group we had Trick Question, Jedimaster Ed, Uncr3at1ve, and our ever loving Present Perfect. Food was amazing as always. Seriously, if you ever do Trotcon, you gotta try their union rings. They are to die for.
My Saturday panel, WWWW, was at 2300 because I goofed up and made it a 18 plus panel. We had a pretty good turnout for that late at night, and even more surprisingly almost no mature questions. Panel consisted of Zyrian, Admiral Biscuit, Present Perfect, and myself. I was also a bit drunk, but not blitzed like last year, so I was coherent enough to actually speak. Afterwords we went to the lobby, bought some drinks at the bar, and played more Uno because Uno is love, Uno is life. On a side note, M. A. Larson wanted to join us at one point, but he was in a hurry with some other stuff, and never did get around to joining. Hopefully one day.
Sunday was con cool off day. All I did was wander the artist alley one last time, say bye to friends, and sat around for the charity auction and closing events. So, a fun thing about the Trotcon charity auction. Between actual auction items, they sell marshmallows. At one point they offered 3 for the price of one, and I bid 10 dollars and won. So I went up on stage and they fed me all three at once, even though they dropped one of them on the ground. Tasted like victory.
Another fun thing I do is during both the auction and raffle (raffle happens after closing ceremonies, where we were all given tickets upon getting our badges), I sit in the farthest back I can, and I cheer as loud as I can every time something was won. In years past, they both seemed to be really calm and no one was making any noise. It was boring, to say the least. So over the years I've gotten a small band of friends who join me in the back, calling ourselves the Peanut Gallery, and we cheer, blast air horns, or blow didgery doo's. Lots of fun were had.
Sunday night was probably the best part of my con. So myself and Uncre3t1ve were sitting at the bar drinking, when Peter New sits next to us. I just give him a nod hello, and we continue with our conversation. I was talking about if I ever got a commission sketch done, that I wanted something with the Apple Family and the Taylor family from Andy Griffith. This caught Peter's attention, and we started talking about the older TV shows and movies, then about our adventures with junk cars. Eventually another friend of mine, Delta, joined in and things went to politics. I'm not gonna get into the details, but it all remained quite civil, and even though they had varying opinions, they still shook hands at the end and had smiles on their faces. That's how it should always go.
Now, there's something I'd like to talk about. During our talking, we had a lady approach Peter, and basically try heckling him for free autographs. Now, this may sound like no big deal, right? Well actually it is. You see, special guests like Peter, or Larson, even Beckel, are brought to conventions for a reason. And one of those is to make money. They have a contract to uphold to, and expecting free autographs, as simple of a thing that it sounds, are still relevant to their contracts. The lady ends up trying to pity talk him to doing it for free, but Peter sticks to his guns and says "No, it's money or nothing." This may seem heartless, but it was the right thing to do.
If you start just giving out free handouts to everyone whenever, then their contracts start to lose their bounds, and eventually could mean nothing. So not only does Peter lose out, but the convention does too. So next time you see one of our fandom "celebrities", don't just walk up expecting a hand out. Be thoughtful, and more so respectful. Peter's not new to being heckled and pity talked by others, and thankfully myself or anyone else needed to intervene (I offered, but he said he had it. At my work we've had celebrities before, and I've been a bouncer of sorts with paparazzi).
Anyway, those 3 hours talking with Peter were a lot of fun, and I'm glad I got to meet him and chat like normal. Some people "fangasm" over the VA's or writers. Just remember, please please please, they are normal people and want to be treated as such. Huddling around them and disturbing their time off is rude and intrusive. Everyone is given the chance during autographs, so do both the guest and the convention itself a favor and buy a voucher, get something signed, and use that time to talk and say hello. Appreciate them for what they do and have done for you, and be on your way.
Oh, and also thank Peter for making me finally make a twitter. It's @ROBCakeran53, so feel free to follow me or whatever.
Lastly, Monday came around, and all our big group got together and had breakfast/lunch at Bob Evans, another con tradition. This time joining us another couple good friends of mine, Out of Work Derpy and Midnight Quill. Last thing we did was get our picture at the Elmers Glue sign, and we said goodbye. Over all, it was a lot of fun, and I met some new people, and got others to start joining our Friday meet ups at my house (finding out they live closer than I thought.)
There are a lot of smaller tid bits that I didn't include, but this blog post is already long enough. Anyone got other stories to share, or met me and wanna chat? Comment below, or PM me!
So, until the next fic update, see ya!
I'm following you on Twitter. Hype
Hah! I still don't have a Twitter! :V Hope you like them socially medians, grandpa!
Trotcon 2018 will be The Quest for Larsuno.
For the record, for previous years' speedfics, I would go to the #what tag on Derpibooru, find five weird images, and have everyone vote on which one they wanted to be the prompt. That's how we got Sweetie Belle vs. Fabric for the year Protopony won, anyway. :B
Sounds like a pretty fun time!
Man, sounds like a lot of fun!
BronyCon is fast approaching though. I gotta get my shit together. You bringing your boatload of typewriters to Quills and Sofas? I'm planning on pitching in 2 of my own.
Pictures of me, nooooooo!
I wish I had been less busy! Though I mean you did get to be fed marshmallows by my co-host so it all works out. But I was being a jerk and hanging with my vendor friends all weekend alas!
I shall try to be more visible at Bronycon.
I promise nothing, however. The Fam is just so easy to fall in with and never leave all weekend, damnit!
And yea - on the last bit, they are normal people, and really it is way easier to just talk to them like that. It's part of why I work the roles I do; all the exposure to everything really helps destroy the old fangasm urges. Nowadays I think I could handle meeting nigh-anyone and being chill about it thanks to pony fandom stuff.
Alex - you bring the typewriters, and I'll bring the correction fluid
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Oh, hush! You look fine. Or are you worried ROB captured your soul?
I don't think anyone got a picture of me, thankfully
What did Peter New say to make you get a Twitter?
Nobody has an obligation to sign an autograph--but I've heard this argument, and am not convinced it isn't just an excuse. It implies that Peter is under a contract by which the money from his autographs goes to someone else. Now, why should that happen? Does the convention hire Peter to come, and take a percentage of his autograph money? I doubt it. Does Peter's agent get a percentage of his autograph money? That's more plausible, but agents never did that in the past.
And I gotta say I'm sour on the entire concept of actors charging high prices for autographs. Charging enough to reduce the number of people asking for an autograph, sure, but that would be, like $5. The actor didn't make the show by himself; he's leeching off the work of everyone else involved when he gets paid $20 for an autograph. Hell, the fans are the ones who made him famous. They should get a cut.
Maaan, I never get to be invited to the fun.