Totally Legit BronyCon'17 Recap · 1:01am Aug 16th, 2017
(srsly, how was DWK not there?)
BronyCon '17
I had a blast seeing so many of my friends from online again. And some for the first time. This year felt more like a giant meet-up than a convention. Back in 2012, there were so many activities, and panels with celebrities that I didn't spend much time socializing. Plus, I wasn't as horse famous. But I've met all the celebrities, got all the photos and autographs I ever wanted. This year was about the fandom itself, I felt. And there I went.
I arrived Thursday, checked into my hotel, the Holiday Inn. I was bunking with GaryOak & company. Five in all. Then we pre-registered and got some food at Hooters.
Knowing how strenuous a convention can be, I wanted to make sure I looked and felt my best for the first day. So of course I spent all of Thursday Night getting good and drunk on the Bar Trot.
Since there wasn't an 'official' bar trot organizer, we all just went to the de-facto Trot headquarters of years past, the DogWatch Tavern. I made the mistake of wearing a shirt from the previous official Bar Trot, so naturally everyone looked to me for leadership.
"Which bar are we going to next, Shakes?" - everyone.
"Fuck if I know. I'm just as drunk as you."
The rest of the night was kind of a blur. But I remember a Brony Tarot reading and calling shotgun on a cab and stuffing four people into the back.
Friday morning I headed to the Con. The first place I went was the vendor hall to get some of the exclusive comics I was missing, and just to look around in general.
Stay classy, BronyCon.
I spent most of the con popping in and out Quills and Sofas for the most part. I went to the CMC panel and Cathy Weseluck's. There were a few others that interested me, or were being hosted by people I personally knew. Then a few of us went out for dinner.
That night I went to TrickQuestion's hotel party and had a blast playing cards and getting wrecked. But I ended up leaving a little early. But I got to see both TheAbyss, Zyrian, and RobCakeran53 again. I was too busy drinking to remember to get pictures with all the other cool people there. And I'd list them off if I could remember.
Anyhoo, back in Quills and Sofas on Saturday, we got to playing Secret Hitler. 
I caught up with AnonPencil and FlutterPriest to talk about the panel we were doing that night. AppleJinx proved to be very elusive until the panel itself, but we had all had a chance to discuss the panel's outline before coming to the Con.
"I honestly expected you to be this bigger than life person, as I often am, but really? You were just pretty chill." - AnonPencil
That evening, before the 50 Shades of Neigh panel, we all went out to the Writer's Dinner. But we got caught in a torrential rain. My cosplay was so wet, I might as well have swam there.
So as for the 50 Shades of Neigh panel itself, I didn't get a chance to take pictures. I managed to find a couple from online. And yeah, I get that it's a play on 50 shades of grey, but color photos would have been nice too.
All reports were that the panel was a big hit. The crowd was smaller than I hoped, but bigger than I expected! It was fun, and educational (I hope). I had several people come up to me afterwards telling me how helpful the panel was, and how they were unsure about writing clop before, but now were wanting to do it. YES! More Bronies subverted to the dark side! MUAHAHA!
But in all seriousness, I was so glad that people enjoyed the panel, and that some people actually learned a thing or two about writing sex, or writing in general. And if I can inspire even just one person to write erotica, then I'll call that a success!
The next morning, we were running a little late. We'd gotten less than five hours of sleep after my panel ended at 2AM. And we rushed to GaryOak's screenwriting panel. Just look how excited he was to be awake!
Afterwards, I headed back to Quills and Sofas for the remainder of the day. I could find traces of AnonPencil's presence. 
I saw Professor Plum. He was hard to miss.
and Jake the Army Guy.
As military Bronies, Jake and I go way back to 2012, where I met him during the filming of the military portion of the Brony Documentary, along with the beginnings of FOB Equestria. Of course, I was going by a different name back then.
There are a ton of others that I had the absolute pleasure to meet, or see again. But I'm not much of a shutterbug. I don't live through my phone's camera lens. BadHorse, Horizon, Vision, CrystalWishes, Flammerweffer, Milk, RazalonTheLizardman, Skeeter The Lurker, Majin Syeekoh, NikitaKitten and a ton of others that I am forgetting to mention but don't think that it was because you were forgettable! It's because I have a terrible memory/ no sleep all weekend/ or was drunk. Just know that I enjoyed every minute of it!
Please comment about what your experiences (with me) were so I can add you to my post properly!
And if you have any PICTURES of me, my panel, or cosplay, please PM them to me. I didn't take any, myself. 
P.S. PenStroke, I'm sorry I said that I wanted to punch you. My writing arm just gets envious sometimes.
The real question is: Did you buy that Rarity pillow?
What the hell was I doing in that Secret Hitler photo?
~Skeeter The Lurker
Was a blast, and I'm sad that your cosplay got so wet. :( Would have been entertaining. I'll see if I can't track down more pics of the panel from folks!
As someone who isn't into clop, drinking, or Secret Hitler, yet wishes he could spend time with his fellow writers, I'm so conflicted. It only reinforces my black sheep self-image.
Ah, well, it was a blast meeting the world's strongest writer in the flesh. Hope to see you again next year!
4636205 No.
4636207 Lurking.
4636232 Maybe next year.
4636236 Thanks. I hope to see you again, too.
i looks like you defiantly had a blast.
Oh wait never mind.
Stop making me jealous.
B-Baka.
You're right about the convention feeling like a massive meet-up. It really is something special.
Also, I look hella dorky in your otherwise baller selfie.
See, I would've been all over the place too, if I wasn't such an indecisive faggot. I didn't want to look like a loner, and ended up being a loner. Glimmer Logic
You had a much more social time than I did. I don't remember much from the panel, on account of my idiot decision not to eat AND drinking.
The only other thing of note I did was gather a bunch of people to watch the new episode at the con. Speak up, anyone, if you were one of the people I gathered around a laptop and a Bluetooth speaker next to that cafe!
Damn, this looks like a lot of fun.
I really hope I'll be able to make it some time in the future. Y'all look like cool people to hang out with.
It was amazing to room with you again this year. I had a great time being on your panel and drinking myself half to death at the con!
Looked like it was a great time. Never been to any type of cons. Your blog makes me want to go to one guess it'll go on my bucket list. Article was great.
I might have added the obvious text to the Celie pillow Anonpencil pic.
4636303 Dude! I'm so bummed that I didn't have more pictures of us!
4636377 Ah, I think you mean Adorkable.
4636521 You're a good roomie and drinking buddy. You can be on my panel any time!
4636655 Oh you! Big props to the hostess with the most-est!
4636534 I hope to see you there!
Pleasure to work with ya
and I do mean WORK 
Here's to many more, hope I lived up to expectations
As for the DWK thing, he has stated in one of his blog videos that he doesn't want to have his face associated with his videos, in case he needs to actually get a job.
4636727 You too.
4636742 Boo! Lame. One thing I've learned, is that if a place of employment doesn't want you for who you are, then it isn't for you. Money aside, you will be far happier working someplace that likes you for you. If you have to spend your whole career wearing a mask, it's miserable. It took me a long time to figure that out. Yeah, I could be making more money someplace where I'd have to wear a suit all day. (And I look DAMN good in a suit.) But I don't like getting dressed up all the time.
If I could do a graduation speech, my advice would be to not focus on what you want to do, but what you DON'T want to do. Me, I hate customers. I hate retail, and having to get dressed up. I made it clear in my interviews later on. Employers want to know what you don't like too. It might take you longer to find A job. (And I know most don't have the luxury to be picky.) But you will be happier to have the RIGHT job. Look while you are employed. It's less stressful. It looks better to potential employers. And you don't reek of desperation in the interview because you have less at stake.
I know I'm lucky to have a job that I enjoy, with decent pay and benefits. I'm happy that I can wear jeans and a t-shirt. I can eat, drink, and listen to music while I work.
Sure, I could wear an emotional mask, and force myself into a box I'll never fit for more pay at another job. But I could also make more money being a whore. (And it would feel about the same.)
Haaaah I did fucking see you in the airport. I knew it! But I was so hungover and tired that I completely forgot how to get up, walk over and say hi...
Oh well.
4636828 You should have. Dem post-con blues...
It was fun to see/meet you Shakes. I also love how I photo bombed that one of you two in your cosplays at the restaurant.
4636883 I didn't notice it at the time that I took it. But when I went through them afterwards, it gave me a good laugh! Carry on you magnificent bastard!
Was good seeing you, even though we didn't chat all that much. I seem to recall being dragged off everytime we were together.
Oh heck, you should see the ones they sell at furry conventions. These dakis at least you can display in public.
Anyway! You did manage to capture a photo of me despite the non-photo namedrop (I'm smack dab center in the Secret Hitler shot). And I was the one responsible for the drunken pony Tarot readings, too! Great meeting you — and it was even more cool having you briefly in on that drinking ritual we were finishing up on the last night.
4637459 Ah, I do remember that!