Off-Topic

I spent the weekend at one of Florida's, as well as the South's, biggest conventions, Megacon. While not insanely large it isn't insanely small either, packing about 47,000 over three days. This was also my very first convention of any kind and needless to say it was a culture shock even for someone who involves himself in nerdy things.

For those who don't know Megacon is mostly a anime and comic convention but with a healthy mix of Star Wars, Star Trek, and video games. You can spend three days playing DnD, LARPing, or shopping the exhibition floor. Personally I just did my best to wander and people watch taking in the culture I'm so much a part of. As strange and odd the whole experience was, I already miss being surrounded by like-minded people.

And without further ado here are a handful of pictures I took. If you notice, I like Star Wars:

wow, this looks amazing. It's like a smaller SDCC but with much better quality from the booths and cosplayers

Did you get that Mad Hatter's number for me? Because RAWR

@FinalDasa: Did you happen to see an awesome Fox McCloud or Wolf from the Star Fox series? I was talking to a friend about Megacon and her friend made a couple of really amazing Fox and Wolf costumes.

I probably should go next year. I'm really close to it and it sounds like great fun.

@VinceNotVance: haha no unfortunately, and that's actually a steam punk poison ivy believe it or not

@TopSteer: No I didn't see them but that sounds absolutely awesome! I was looking at a friend's photos who went and she definitely ran across cosplayers I didn't even see, so I guess its all about time and place. You should definitely go! I'm fairly sure I'll be going next year as well.

@FinalDasa: I was gonna say Poison Ivy but I saw that hat and just made the assumption. Love it though.

So how was it as a first-timer? Overwhelming? Did you get to do what you wanted to? Any cool panels you attended, events you went to or people you met there?

@VinceNotVance: It was pretty amazing. There were certainly a few moments of culture shock being among so many people let alone so many dressed up as anime ninjas and dancing to j-pop in a hallway. I can even remember a few distinct seconds of fear and panic that maybe I had gotten myself in deep but I soon became comfortable, especially once I saw all that Star Wars stuff.

Unfortunately I didn't attend many panels, only one Dr. Horrible panel where they performed the movie while it played in the background. That was neat because I hadn't yet seen Dr. Horrible. I wanted to catch a Stan Lee and Star Wars panel but the SW one was on Friday (the day I didn't go) and both days of the Stan Lee panel I missed it thanks to long ticket lines or sheer loss of time.

Overall I had a lot of fun just people watching and getting used to the environment I was in. It made me feel better and closer bonded to the culture I belong to. A lot of times we just settle for the hostility and idiocy we often see around the internet. But in person I didn't get elbowed or pushed, I heard no yelling or complaining, no one was acting like an ass or openly putting anyone else down. I'm excited to go back and hopefully, money permitting, attend more cons more often.