BronyCon: Day 0 · 5:44am Sep 29th, 2019
July 31st, 2019
Following the previous blog, where I woke up at home and took my odyssey to Baltimore, we find the continuation. Aftr a long, exhausting day with little to no sleep, I arrived in Baltimore. Groggily, I grabbed my stuff and left the train, quickly. I walked up the steps to the station, which looked really nice, actually. Wooden benches everywhere, a restaurant ahead of me (which I didn't eat at), and generally, a more friendly atmosphere than the huge station at Boston. It was easy enough to find my way out.
After I left the station, my original plan was just to walk to the hotel with my luggage, but before I could, I spotted a taxi who seemed to be beckoning me, so instead, I relented, and I put my stuff in the trunk and got in. After a bit of a chat with the driver, asking me what I was doing (I explained I was in town for a convention), I basically was quiet for the rest of the trip. I was pretty exhausted, so it was rightfully so, I'd say. After the short trip, I finally arrived at the Sheraton, where I'd be staying.
As I arrived, I grabbed my luggage, bid a farewell to the taxi-man, and entered the hotel. I walked up to the front desk, and I tried getting into my hotel room early. As far as getting in early? No dice. I was allowed to store my suitcase, but I wasn't allowed into my room, as I was not the one with the reservation. So, that being said, I decided to (groggily) walk around Baltimore. During my walk, I stopped at the Convention Center, since it was just next door. I stood there, just...looking inside. I was so happy to be back at the convention center. Seeing it so empty made me excited. I knew that BronyCon was just around the corner, but it all looked unprepared. I arrived super early in the day, so nothing was set up. Anyway, after looking at it for a bit, I decided to leave and grab something for food.
After looking at google maps for a good spot to eat, the closest spot I found was Subway, so I made my way there, and ordered a Chicken Teriyaki sub (my usual), and sat down. In front of me, I saw familiar white hair, and heard a distinctive Scottish accent. Turns out, Mad Munchkin, and her bf at the time, Kickit. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but I did glance their way every now and again. As they were leaving, I said goodbye to them, and told them I was looking forward to seeing them at BC, and that I like Maddie's art. A nice meeting, for sure. After the fact, I talked to her on a Discord I foray, and she told me I was the first fan she'd met in Baltimore. So, that was apparently a treat for both of us!
After this went on, I went back to the Convention Center, and I slipped in through the side, actually. However, I was promptly found and told to leave. I did so, but not before I was reminded that the con would open at 6:30 for registration. Afterwards, I went back to the hotel, and I sat down to rest. Next thing I know, I wake up a couple of hours later, refreshed and with a second wind. However, that did me no good. I'd done what I'd wanted to, so I sat there for a few hours and waited.
A few hours later, the man who bought the room finally arrived, and I was allowed inside the room, where I flopped down on the bed for a minute, before going back downstairs. I had received through text that sonofheaven (you might've read his BC blogs) had just arrived in Baltimore. I went downstairs to wait. After an hour or so (and a few irritating delays on his part), he finally arrived. He entered the hotel, and I stalked him almost to the front desk before finally getting his attention. I thought it was pretty funny.
After that, I went upstairs with him, opened the door for him, and he got his card key. After waiting around and chatting for a good amount of time, the fourth member of our hotel band finally walked into the room, and we made introductions all round. I was actually the youngest in the group by a few months, if I remember correctly. After introductions, we all made plans to go to a haitian restaurant on the outskirts of town. Unfortunately, said restaurant had been closed for awhile, so we weren't going there anytime soon. We settled on Bubba Gump's Shrimp at the harborside.
Before we left to eat, we had a small debate about whether we should register first and then eat, or eat, then register. Walking outside to register, we decided to eat first. The line was insane. We made our way to the harbor, and sat down at Bubba Gump's. I ordered a burger and ate my food while chatting with the other guys. On the Discord I foray, people were talking about one Eliyora in line at registration. After I ate, I dashed off to grab my ID and join the line to register. By the time I got in line, it was too late. She was so far ahead of me it was insane. I resigned myself to standing in line for a few hours, chatting with people now and again, but generally just waiting.
My feet were killing me the whole line. I didn't complain too much, but it really hurt. And I was kinda starting to go a bit crazy having to stand like that for so long. Eventually I decided to sit down during particularly long waits without movement. Eventually, we finished our wait in the line...to hit another one. However, I could at least see the registration booths now. The light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. I eventually made it to the booths and I finally was able to register and acquire my badge and BronyCon map/schedule/brochure. I was happy to get out of line after that.
Afterwards, I headed back to the hotel, and caught up with the others in my room. We stayed awake for a bit longer and chatted. Ultimately, though, I took a shower and headed to bed, exhausted after my long period of time with little sleep, and tired from the days' events.
