Dramatic Life Changes · 6:06am Jul 31st, 2018
When I left for Bronycon this year, I mentioned to a friend of mine at work that I had high hopes. Every year I've gone to Bronycon, there's been some huge, positive event in my life that occurs during the con itself. At my first Bronycon I finally kissed the girl, at the second I met someone who got me a great job, and at the third there were some positive personal events and my depression got a lot better.
I know there's no causal relationship, and so expecting it to happen a fourth time is superstition, but it was hard not to get my hopes up.
This year did not break the pattern. While at Bronycon, I got an offer for a new job that's much better than my old one, some personal issues with my family sorted themselves out, and I got a lot of writing done. Then, on my way back to the airport, they announced that Bronycon is ending next year.
And I feel okay. I feel like something changed over the weekend. I learned something.
That's the metaphor I'm looking for.
Being a brony has been amazing. And no, I'm not leaving the fandom -- I anticipate writing ponyfics for many years to come! But even if the entire fandom died tomorrow and FiMFic's archives went down in flames, I wouldn't regret the time I spent here. The entire brony community has been so welcoming and taught me so much. And the same is true of BC.
Four cons in a row, Bronycon has given me something wonderful: fun, friends, sense of community, and some bizarrely consistent good luck. Now that I know it's coming to an end, I feel more appreciative than sad. I treasure what I've gotten from it, and I'll treasure it just as much if BC ends or not.
A lot's going to change in my life this year; I'll have a new job, new apartment, and a new neighborhood. I'm going to work different hours, hang out with different people, and have different habits. And with that change comes a chance to change for the better.
So maybe BC ending doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can be the kick that makes me do something good.
I got together with several writers after we got the news about BC, and we decided that for the con's last year, we wanted to do something spectacular. Details will be announced in a separate blog post (we're all going to post together), but it'll be a surprise.
I also swore a personal oath. Next Bronycon, I want to run one particular panel. Humble Roots: Going From Fanfiction to Published Author. I've tried to break into so-called 'Humanfic' before and failed, but this time feels different. Now I've got a time limit. There's only 364 days left to see BC off in the proper fashion.
Time to make it happen.
"This year did not break the pattern."
Glad to hear it. :)
"While at Bronycon, I got an offer for a new job that's much better than my old one"
Ah, nice! I didn't realize it was that recent. Hope it goes well.
"some personal issues with my family sorted themselves out, and I got a lot of writing done"
Good, and good. :)
Very good luck with the humanfic, and with your secret group project!
And thanks for the post. :)
I think the folks in the fandom are amazing. Hell, if you hadn't come along and given me a much-needed kick in the arse, I might not have taken my own writing up a notch. Without the nice folks I've met here and the awesome content-creators on other sites, I might not have been so compelled to contribute my own work. And, in the end, even as my life and career take their own turns, this fandom's still here and so are the people in it.
I hope you guys do something special for Bronycon next year. I may or may not be able to attend, but I'll be rooting for you. And though Bronycon and Gen 4 may be nearing their end, there's still a community that will endure.
...especially if Gen 5 ends up being good.
You can do it! Hopefully I'll get to give a more appropriate in-person greeting next time. Sitting two chairs down and laughing at jokes isn't quite proper, but I hate interrupting.
Kick ass, buddy!
mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Matt-LeBlancs-Classy-Thumbs-Up-Wink-In-a-Suit-Gif.gif
I’m happy I was a teeny tiny part of you having a great con experience! You do a great Princess Luna!
Yay! Glad to hear your Bronycon was good, both in normal con terms, and on a more personal level!
Glad to click through and find the pattern unbroken! Will wait, with bated breath, your mega-announcement.
I probably won't bate that long though. I might pass out.
Congrats on the job, and best of luck in writing stories about balding apes. Great seeing you at the con.
I'll be attending that panel, of course. Not to let the weight of my excruciatingly high standards make you feel uncomfortable, or anything.
4910938
Yup! I was expecting the news for awhile, but I got the actual call during the convention.
It won't be secret for long! #GetHype
4910943
I think I told you once I feel the same way about Pascoite. I wouldn't be half the writer I am today (or maybe not even a writer at all) if he hadn't gone full drill sergeant on my early writing.
"JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH, WHAT IS THAT? WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?"
"It's a... comma, sir."
"I CAN SEE THAT PRIVATE JAXIE. AND PERHAPS YOU'D LIKE TO EXPLAIN WHY THERE'S A COMMA SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PERFECTLY GOOD CLAUSE."
Having a community like this one is just such a warm and fuzzy feeling. And I think it will endure. I think you're right.
It might be good! I'm actually optimistic it will be good!
4910950
Man, I'm just glad to hear you'll be there next year. It'll be good to see you again.
4910958
I'm glad you liked it! doing the Royal Canterlot Voice for that long messed up my throat, but it was a ton of fun.
4910980
Yeah, I mean like, the announcement might be up tomorrow? That's a long time to hold your breath.
Please don't die. I need you to write more Cadence.
4911027
4911089
i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/172/927/b2a.gif
4911158 (snerk!) Writing Boot Camp.
Drop and give me twenty subordinate clauses!
4911172
pbs.twimg.com/media/DZFe7-VV4AECZXO.jpg
Hug time!
4911154
"It won't be secret for long! #GetHype"
Already gotten! :D
4911158
"It might be good! I'm actually optimistic it will be good!"
Aye, I'm definitely not writing it off yet! If nothing else, I'd be surprised if Hasbro wasn't going to try pretty hard to make it good.
That's awesome! Except the con ending, I mean, but even that's just a milestone. It's not the single archstone that holds the fandom bridge together.
I, too, will be looking forward to hearing the big plan. Although given that tomorrow I'll be on the road to Oregon for a camping convention, it might be a while until I actually hear it.
I was glad to finally meet the famous Jaxie at last, however briefly. I didn't have time to tell you that hearing we would be on the same panel inspired me to finally read The Arbitrage of Moments. And I'm glad I did, as it was quite literary.
I know what it's like to set out on a mission like yours. I don't need to tell you it will be worth the effort. I would say "good luck," but I get the sense you won't need luck.
4911814
memegenerator.net/img/instances/61047575.jpg
Thanks man. One way or another, it'll be an eventful year.
It was fun saying hi, however brief, and seeya next year :)
Nice to hear things are looking up for you!