In a strange postscript.
18 years ago, the university society I was a member of founded a con. It ran until 2016 and ended on a high note.
7 years hence, the Society has again founded a new con in a new, post-covid era. What came before is long forgotten, save for one or two greybeards still wandering around. As it should be. Better they find their own way, rather than being dragged down by the boat-anchor legacy of the past.
They ran into a little problem, however. 3 weeks before the con was due to run, the university decided to put a minimum cap attendees. Which they found out about on Friday. And which they needed to beat by Monday. By Friday - they were at the halfway point. They had three days to double their prereg count.
Amazingly, they made it. With more than a few old members sharing and resharing the post for good measure. A few of us even bought tickets and showed up on the Saturday. Got to show the flag.
The building had been mostly demolished - but enough of it remained that muscle memory still brought me from the bar to where the old toilets used to be - before getting bricked up. Fandom had changed so much, compared to the last time an anime con ran in that building. The panels had gotten worse - the same 'intro to Lolita' and 'Cosplay on a budget' stuff. Fan created stuff was everywhere - an artist's alley that took up one end of a corridor had spread through three levels of the building. What the fuck was a vTuber and why should I know what one is? People are eve more open about who they are. They nasty creepers seem to have fucked off.
A few friends showed up. We chatted. Ended up staying late in the bar enjoying the nostalgia.
For a con, it was quiet. Very much like the first con I went to, 18 years ago. That grew massive inside a decade. Maybe these guys will too
Maybe if a con invites just the right guest (I've a collection of signatures to finish) or if I came up with some good idea to run a panel on - I might go again. But as a Coda to congoing - I'm happy with this.
18 years ago, the university society I was a member of founded a con. It ran until 2016 and ended on a high note.
7 years hence, the Society has again founded a new con in a new, post-covid era. What came before is long forgotten, save for one or two greybeards still wandering around. As it should be. Better they find their own way, rather than being dragged down by the boat-anchor legacy of the past.
They ran into a little problem, however. 3 weeks before the con was due to run, the university decided to put a minimum cap attendees. Which they found out about on Friday. And which they needed to beat by Monday. By Friday - they were at the halfway point. They had three days to double their prereg count.
Amazingly, they made it. With more than a few old members sharing and resharing the post for good measure. A few of us even bought tickets and showed up on the Saturday. Got to show the flag.
The building had been mostly demolished - but enough of it remained that muscle memory still brought me from the bar to where the old toilets used to be - before getting bricked up. Fandom had changed so much, compared to the last time an anime con ran in that building. The panels had gotten worse - the same 'intro to Lolita' and 'Cosplay on a budget' stuff. Fan created stuff was everywhere - an artist's alley that took up one end of a corridor had spread through three levels of the building. What the fuck was a vTuber and why should I know what one is? People are eve more open about who they are. They nasty creepers seem to have fucked off.
A few friends showed up. We chatted. Ended up staying late in the bar enjoying the nostalgia.
For a con, it was quiet. Very much like the first con I went to, 18 years ago. That grew massive inside a decade. Maybe these guys will too
Maybe if a con invites just the right guest (I've a collection of signatures to finish) or if I came up with some good idea to run a panel on - I might go again. But as a Coda to congoing - I'm happy with this.
Oh sweet meteor of death
Fall upon us.
Deliver us in fire
To Peace everlasting.
Fall upon us.
Deliver us in fire
To Peace everlasting.