Eons ago, back when I was first discovering there was an internet beyond Cute Overload, I stumbled across a site (long gone now) where a guy posted pics of a local convention he'd just been to, along with snippets of conversation he had with the cosplayers & fun observations.
I was enthralled.
I'd been to conventions before, and even seen some costumes, but this was something new. Something more experiential. Something that shone a spotlight on details and people I'd otherwise miss, in a world where other humans actually liked the same stuff I liked.
And instead of a silent, impersonal slideshow, there was this running commentary that felt like a friend taking me on a tour of all the cool stuff.
And instead of a silent, impersonal slideshow, there was this running commentary that felt like a friend taking me on a tour of all the cool stuff.
So to this day, every time I write another insanely long costume post, I think about how much I love it, how far I've come since then, and how I hope it gives you guys the same feelings of fun and appreciation and wistful longing to BE there that a much younger geek Jen had, all these eons ago.
And if it doesn't, well heck, I'm still having a blast. ;)
PS - If you missed it, Part 2 of my SuperCon favs is up now!
And if it doesn't, well heck, I'm still having a blast. ;)
PS - If you missed it, Part 2 of my SuperCon favs is up now!
I love your con posts- it's always inspiring to see what people have come up with!
ReplyDeleteYour con posts got me to my first con and beyond! In my past I had made some poor decisions and spent 12 years with someone that Wil Wheaton would call a "gatekeeper" (in his latest super awesome blog post with his Keynote Address to MENSA). I did get to Star Wars Celebration in Orlando in 2012 and my first RI ComicCon with the ex and have continued at RI ComicCon with plans to expand into other cons as we can find them. And it's all thanks to you cluing me into all this cool stuff and kind of letting me know it's okay to go even if I don't pass all the "Gatekeeper" tests. And as a heads up, the Wil Wheaton post may have triggers for anxiety/depression depending on how you may be affected. My anxiety, thankfully, was mostly centered around the ex and now that he's out of my life, it's mostly in the past (Like Pumbaa said: you gotta put your behind in the past ;) I've always loved that line even without the double meaning if you use an adult synonym for "behind"!)
ReplyDeleteYour love and your admiration for this world and the people in it come through very clearly in your writing. Your talent is equal to theirs and we love and admire you for sharing it with all of us. Thank you Jen and John both.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to figure out how to say this before, but could never quite find the words until now, so here goes....
ReplyDeleteI had never even considered going to a convention before you started Epbot. I love dressing up, and would take any excuse - spirit week at school, movie releases, Halloween, etc. - but I discovered a whole new world of opportunities when I started reading about cosplay on this site.
I finally got to go to my first convention after I graduated from college, and it was at that I got linked up with a cosplay group that would become my main group of friends while I lived in Arkansas (although I always knew it was a temporary location). I got a taste of the convention scene at the little Cons in Arkansas, but seeing your posts about some of the big conventions made me long for even more.
Simultaneously, I was falling in love with Dapper Day and everything else you posted about Disney, and I got it into my head that I could actually live close enough to visit the parks all the time. I already knew that I wanted to live near the ocean and as far from cold winter climates as I could get, and the idea of living within easy visiting distance from both Disney and big conventions like Megacon and Tampa Bay Comicon solidified Florida as my dream destination.
It's been just over a year since I moved here and it has been such an amazing year!!! I've got Annual Passes for both Disney and Universal, I've been to some amazing conventions and I'm planning for more, and I've made amazing new friends through both local cosplay and Disney groups.
So, yes, your posts mean the world to me - everything you described and more. My life has literally been changed by your stories and your adventures. I am so grateful for the day when my roommate and I discovered Cakewrecks and decided to read through the whole archive (that was still possible back then) and immediately became hooked on your writing.
Thank you so, SO MUCH for everything, Jen! You are so amazing and you really do make a difference for so many people. Thank you for sharing your world and for passing along your passions.
-Traci K.
I love this, Traci. Thank you! We need to schedule a park date when the weather is a little less surface-of-the-sun-ish. ;)
DeleteDefinitely! :D
DeleteI wouldn't even know what conventions are if not for you.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting cons you've been to. I look forward to continuing posts when you post that you are going/ have just gone to one. As a cosplay mom I love seeing the amazing builds and getting ideas for my boys! I haven't ever managed to get both of theirs done and my own, so I look forward to the day I can do so. :) I've already told my husband that if we go to a big out of state con, I'd like it to be one of the ones near you as they look like so much fun!
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ReplyDeleteI just went to Cute Overload for the first time in I don't know how many years, sad to see they shut down in January! 😞
ReplyDeleteI always love reading your con posts - I've never been to a con but I get to live vicariously through your posts, and they only make me more determined to get to a con someday
ReplyDeleteAnd this is absolutely why we love your posts. Cos you make us feel like friends even though we aren't anywhere near you in most cases :D
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will ever go to a con - there aren't many opportunities for that kind of thing in very rural Nebraska, but I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to see another slice of life in this amazing world we live in. The imagination of people is amazing. I am glad you have shared so many things with us.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your con posts and dapper day photos! The photos are always awesome and I love the comments, reference photos and stories that go along with the photos. Each post is filled with so much love and enthusiasm that you can't help but smile as you read them.
ReplyDeleteYou claim each post is too long, but they are never too long for us readers as we are always left wanting more! I've seen cosplay and con photos on many sites, but EPBOT will always be my favorite spot since you make us feel like we are there experiencing it with you and John!
I love all your con posts, Jen! Honestly, they (and you of course) are what inspired me and gave me the guts to go to my first con (by myself no less) and do my first cosplay. And I don't think I would have survived DragonCon last year without your con survival post. :D And since I'm lucky if I can get to one con a year, I do live vicariously through your posts and wish I was there. I love hearing about your interactions with fans, cosplayers, and celebs, and seeing the amazing costumes. So thank you for all the long hours editing pics, writing posts, and going to cons and sharing about them so we can enjoy them, too!
ReplyDeleteI love your con posts! It gives me a chance to enjoy vicariously something I would like to do, but am unable to. So Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour Con posts are awesome. The two naked Dalek guys are my favorite of all time!
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