Dragon*Con report
Normally I don't write con reports, but given all that happened in the time leading up to Dragon*Con this year, I figured I should share how the con itself went (and mention some key things unrelated to the prior drama- you'll see what I mean).
In the past (2005, 2007-2009), I flew to D*C. Last year, however, Shadow and I drove, and did so again this year (believe it or not, the twelve hour drive is less of a hassle than flying). As anticpated, we arrived late Thursday morning/early Thursday afternoon. We met up with out hotel roomies (who I'll say right now we had nor problems with and got along pretty well) and got our key. Our only plan for that night was meeting materpenitentia and her group at Trader Vic's for dinner.
Oh, Trader Vic's. You were fail #1 of the weekend in more ways than one (Trader Vic's, not materpenitentia). Now I'm a bit hazy on the details (probably because I mostly blocked out the memory), but I'll share them to the best of my memory, and the point is the same regardless. We were offered drinks and got them after a reasonable wait, but it was a while before they took our food orders. When they did take our food orders, Shadow specified that she is allergic to peppers thus did not want them in her food, as did I (for the record, I actually just don't like peppers, but Shadow really is allergic to them). When everyone's appetizers came out, one guy got the wrong soup. This was corrected, but then it took over an hour to get our main courses. Then when we finally got our main courses, guess what was on both my and Shadow's dishes. Again, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention, but Shadow reminded him that she had specifically said she was allergic to peppers and demanded that her food be taken back. I also asked for mine to be taken back and given a fresh on with no peppers. It didn't take as long to get the new dishes sans the offending vegetable as it did to get them in the first place, but as far as our opinion of Trader Vic's, which we had never been to before, the damage was done. I should probably mention that we were constantly offered drinks the entire time. Then when the checks came, we were still charged full price plus the forced 18% gratuity. Shadow managed to argue a 20% discount, which should have been more but it essentially took the gratuity off and we didn't want to be there all night. Then as we were all leaving and they were rearranging the tables that had been pushed together, the staff was not careful at all and a water glass ended up falling on materpenitentia's medical assist dog (the dog wasn't hurt and just drank up the spilled water, but still). Needless to say, with all due respect to materpenitentia, Shadow and I will not be giving Trader Vic's another dime of our money. In fact, I had decided that the post-photoshoot dinner for the "Geeks of Primetime Crime", slated for Saturday evening, would take place elsewhere if at all.
After that early fail, we spent most of Friday in the hotel room because Shadow had to finish our lolita "Winnie the Pooh" costumes for either the Disney photoshoot that evening or the one early Saturday afternoon (shortly after the Tom Felton panel we planned to attend). We ultimately went to the Saturday one, so the only things of note for us on Friday were watching the simulcast of William Shatner's panel on D*CTV (Dragon*Con's dedicated TV channel) and being glad we didn't try to see it in person since he's not that great without Leonard Nimoy to play off of. The other thing of note for Friday? Fail #2 for the weekend. Shadow and I changed into our masked Vocaloid costumes (I was Luka in what's usually my Magnet dress with my hot pink wavy wig (also meant for a different version of Luka) and Shadow was an improvised Gakuko, both of us wearing masks from Party City) for the Masquerade Ball that night. Turns out it was in too small a room for such an event and they were at capacity for a fair bit of time, so we never even got in. Furthermore, it became apparent they weren't really enforcing the dress code (several people weren't "dressed to the nines"). So yeah, like I said, fail #2.
Early Saturday was devoted to finishing loli-Eeyore and loli-Piglet (which still aren't 100% finished, but there's little left to be done), attending the aforementioned Tom Felton panel, and participating in the Disney photoshoot that day. We weren't the only "Winnie the Pooh" characters there, either- there was also a girl dressed as a (sort of, it was really more of a "prom dress" style) loli-Pooh Bear. And even without her/outside of the photoshoot Shadow was recognized as Eeyore and I was recognized as Piglet, which was cool. Sometime after the photoshoot we changed into Garcia from "Criminal Minds" and Abby from "NCIS" respectively for the "Geeks of Prime Time Crime" event we were hosting. Only one other person, another Abby cosplayer, showed up and had another dinnertime commitment (I guess that's technically a fail, but I choose not to view it as such), but I still say the photoshoot went well. Shadow and I just went to the food court afterward, then decided we weren't up to the Villain's Ball thus changed into normal clothes instead of our formal versions of Abby and Garcia. We also realized that neither of us was up to wearing heels the next day, therefore decided against wearing Jem and Clash and effectively cancelling the '80s photoshoot. Instead, we were simply going to wear the costumes we'd planned for later in the day (i.e. after the '80s photoshoot) all day instead. In my case, this was my infamous Professor Remus Lupin costume (the "normal" version, though given all the "Harry Potter"-cosplay related drama lord knows I was tempted to wear the other version). As I was wandering about in my "civilian" clothes that night (this is still Saturday, BTW), fail #3 occurred, and it was my own fault. I had left my tie for Remus at home and just then realized it. Luckily the hotel gift shop was still open and sold ties, so I bought one I liked and had the concierge tie it for me. So, crisis averted, but still a fail on my part.
With nothing else to do around the time of the '80s photoshoot on Sunday, while Shadow was at a panel (remember, she opted not to wear a HP costume at all this year due to the drama, and the only reason I wore one was for the Yule Ball) I decided to hang out on the 10th floor of the Marriott (where the photoshoot was to have been). In the event I saw anyone looking for the photoshoot, I'd tell them that I was supposed to host it as Jem but had decided against wearing her at the last minute, though I'd be happy to lead the shoot as a photographer. I did not see anyone looking for the '80s photoshoot (probably because I'd only really announced it at the last minute- a reminder of why I usually don't do that and hate people who do). What I did see, however...
What was supposed to have been the third HP gathering hosted by those- let me say it- brats (that's putting it mildly) was half an hour/an hour (something like that) before the 80s photoshoot in the same location. Indeed, I had seen a couple HP cosplayers who weren't the would-be hosts but we didn't acknowledge each other at first. Then, about ten or so minutes after the 80s photoshoot was supposed to have started, I heard someone call out to me (as "Lupin", not my real name or any variant of "maryryanbogard"). I turned and saw the HP cosplayers from earlier and some others. Apparently they hadn't even started yet, and there was still no sign of the alleged hosts. So I did join them, and hosting duty fell to this one photographer and myself. I then calmly (partially) explained the situation, vowing to take the reins back next year, and gave them all my card (yes I have one; I'm essentially a sales representative for Shadow's business, SkyFireFox Arts, which we both represent at cons where we have an artist alley table). I guess I should now mention that I did see one of the bratty would-be hosts on Friday night, dressed in a costume for what I knew to be a conflicting (or too close in time for her have done both) photoshoot, giving me reason to suspect she (and possibly her accomplices as well) were no-shows at that one, too, and I don't care to find out for sure one way or the other (that goes for the Saturday one, too). I also don't care if they apologized for not showing up this year, given that as far as I know they still haven't apologized for last year's fiasco (and in the latter case, to do so now only proves arrogance). Oh yeah, and for what it's worth the only turquoise wigs I saw were on a Mikuo (from "Vocaloid") cosplayer and someone cosplaying a character I recognized from some anime but could not place- didn't see that one one brat (in that or any of her other costumes) at all, nor anyone else cosplaying the offending character all weekend.
Later that evening was the Yule Ball, and the other HP photoshoot I mentioned before. That one went okay; the only issue was a hotel staffer getting p***y with the group after a few minutes and forcing it to break up early. No, none of the drama llamas were at that one, either. Then at the Yule Ball itself, I did get to see/talk to some "old friends" I only ever see at D*C, which is what I'd wanted and why I wore Remus in spite of everything. However, fail #4 occurred directly before these. I had gotten to the Sheraton for the photoshoot and ball, but was still a bit early. After having the Remus costume in some form for three years (though only doing the "normal" version for one of the three years) without incident, a Tonks cosplayer asked for a picture with me. Problems is, she asked so nicely and pleadingly I couldn't bring myself to flat-out refuse (so yes, like fail #3, this was my own fault). She didn't get the pic she likely envisioned, though- I leaned back from her with an "OMGWTF, get away from me!" look on my face and pointed my wand at her in a self-defense pose. A pre-emptive "no" here and now to all other Tonks cosplayers who may want a pic with me in the future- nothing personal, I just don't like that pairing and it's not like I'm the only Remus Lupin cosplayer in the world.
Monday, due to fail #5- a forgotten wig on my part and an unfinished crown on Shadow's part (one was directly related to the other), we weren't pajama versions of Peach and Rosalina per se but still wore the PJ sets we'd bought for that purpose. Apparently tornado watches had gone out while we were in the various panels the two of us attended that day and my mother and grandparents were freaking out. My phone was on silent, of course, but never was my current text message alert tone (Lucy saying "Oh, good grief!" upon seeing Charlie Brown's Swiss cheese ghost costume) more apt. I did respond to the numerous messages and explained I had been where I couldn't answer my phone, though we missed the tornadoes. All we encountered en route to my grandparent's house (which is near Columbus, GA- I always visit them when I go to D*C) was some really heavy rain. Then on the drive home (we only stayed with my grandparents one night this year), we didn't have too many problems that I can recall and made it home safely (as indicated by a post to That Other Site).
Overall, I did have a good time at D*C despite the drama that preceded it and despite the Trader Vic's fiasco. And while I'm not usually one of those people who plans for next year's con so soon (and this goes for all conventions, not just D*C), before D*C some people did say they were interested in the "Geeks of Prime Time Crime" event... if such a thing were to occur next year. I decided then that regardless of whether or not I host the "Harry Potter" photoshoots next year (though I have every intention of doing so), I've found a new D*C tradition. "Abby" will indeed return to host another crime dramas photoshoot (possibly a dinner as well depending on what time it ends up being), and Shadow doesn't mind reprising her Garcia costume for it, either (I know, I asked her). I've also experienced a D*C (well, cons in general) tradition of Shadow's for the first time this year and will likely participate in that again (what it is merits a separate entry as there's a bit of back story).
My next convention is Anime USA in November, a local con to me, though of course I also have Halloween and Renaissance fair (Maryland and/or Pennsylvania) plans.
In the past (2005, 2007-2009), I flew to D*C. Last year, however, Shadow and I drove, and did so again this year (believe it or not, the twelve hour drive is less of a hassle than flying). As anticpated, we arrived late Thursday morning/early Thursday afternoon. We met up with out hotel roomies (who I'll say right now we had nor problems with and got along pretty well) and got our key. Our only plan for that night was meeting materpenitentia and her group at Trader Vic's for dinner.
Oh, Trader Vic's. You were fail #1 of the weekend in more ways than one (Trader Vic's, not materpenitentia). Now I'm a bit hazy on the details (probably because I mostly blocked out the memory), but I'll share them to the best of my memory, and the point is the same regardless. We were offered drinks and got them after a reasonable wait, but it was a while before they took our food orders. When they did take our food orders, Shadow specified that she is allergic to peppers thus did not want them in her food, as did I (for the record, I actually just don't like peppers, but Shadow really is allergic to them). When everyone's appetizers came out, one guy got the wrong soup. This was corrected, but then it took over an hour to get our main courses. Then when we finally got our main courses, guess what was on both my and Shadow's dishes. Again, it was difficult to get the waiter's attention, but Shadow reminded him that she had specifically said she was allergic to peppers and demanded that her food be taken back. I also asked for mine to be taken back and given a fresh on with no peppers. It didn't take as long to get the new dishes sans the offending vegetable as it did to get them in the first place, but as far as our opinion of Trader Vic's, which we had never been to before, the damage was done. I should probably mention that we were constantly offered drinks the entire time. Then when the checks came, we were still charged full price plus the forced 18% gratuity. Shadow managed to argue a 20% discount, which should have been more but it essentially took the gratuity off and we didn't want to be there all night. Then as we were all leaving and they were rearranging the tables that had been pushed together, the staff was not careful at all and a water glass ended up falling on materpenitentia's medical assist dog (the dog wasn't hurt and just drank up the spilled water, but still). Needless to say, with all due respect to materpenitentia, Shadow and I will not be giving Trader Vic's another dime of our money. In fact, I had decided that the post-photoshoot dinner for the "Geeks of Primetime Crime", slated for Saturday evening, would take place elsewhere if at all.
After that early fail, we spent most of Friday in the hotel room because Shadow had to finish our lolita "Winnie the Pooh" costumes for either the Disney photoshoot that evening or the one early Saturday afternoon (shortly after the Tom Felton panel we planned to attend). We ultimately went to the Saturday one, so the only things of note for us on Friday were watching the simulcast of William Shatner's panel on D*CTV (Dragon*Con's dedicated TV channel) and being glad we didn't try to see it in person since he's not that great without Leonard Nimoy to play off of. The other thing of note for Friday? Fail #2 for the weekend. Shadow and I changed into our masked Vocaloid costumes (I was Luka in what's usually my Magnet dress with my hot pink wavy wig (also meant for a different version of Luka) and Shadow was an improvised Gakuko, both of us wearing masks from Party City) for the Masquerade Ball that night. Turns out it was in too small a room for such an event and they were at capacity for a fair bit of time, so we never even got in. Furthermore, it became apparent they weren't really enforcing the dress code (several people weren't "dressed to the nines"). So yeah, like I said, fail #2.
Early Saturday was devoted to finishing loli-Eeyore and loli-Piglet (which still aren't 100% finished, but there's little left to be done), attending the aforementioned Tom Felton panel, and participating in the Disney photoshoot that day. We weren't the only "Winnie the Pooh" characters there, either- there was also a girl dressed as a (sort of, it was really more of a "prom dress" style) loli-Pooh Bear. And even without her/outside of the photoshoot Shadow was recognized as Eeyore and I was recognized as Piglet, which was cool. Sometime after the photoshoot we changed into Garcia from "Criminal Minds" and Abby from "NCIS" respectively for the "Geeks of Prime Time Crime" event we were hosting. Only one other person, another Abby cosplayer, showed up and had another dinnertime commitment (I guess that's technically a fail, but I choose not to view it as such), but I still say the photoshoot went well. Shadow and I just went to the food court afterward, then decided we weren't up to the Villain's Ball thus changed into normal clothes instead of our formal versions of Abby and Garcia. We also realized that neither of us was up to wearing heels the next day, therefore decided against wearing Jem and Clash and effectively cancelling the '80s photoshoot. Instead, we were simply going to wear the costumes we'd planned for later in the day (i.e. after the '80s photoshoot) all day instead. In my case, this was my infamous Professor Remus Lupin costume (the "normal" version, though given all the "Harry Potter"-cosplay related drama lord knows I was tempted to wear the other version). As I was wandering about in my "civilian" clothes that night (this is still Saturday, BTW), fail #3 occurred, and it was my own fault. I had left my tie for Remus at home and just then realized it. Luckily the hotel gift shop was still open and sold ties, so I bought one I liked and had the concierge tie it for me. So, crisis averted, but still a fail on my part.
With nothing else to do around the time of the '80s photoshoot on Sunday, while Shadow was at a panel (remember, she opted not to wear a HP costume at all this year due to the drama, and the only reason I wore one was for the Yule Ball) I decided to hang out on the 10th floor of the Marriott (where the photoshoot was to have been). In the event I saw anyone looking for the photoshoot, I'd tell them that I was supposed to host it as Jem but had decided against wearing her at the last minute, though I'd be happy to lead the shoot as a photographer. I did not see anyone looking for the '80s photoshoot (probably because I'd only really announced it at the last minute- a reminder of why I usually don't do that and hate people who do). What I did see, however...
What was supposed to have been the third HP gathering hosted by those- let me say it- brats (that's putting it mildly) was half an hour/an hour (something like that) before the 80s photoshoot in the same location. Indeed, I had seen a couple HP cosplayers who weren't the would-be hosts but we didn't acknowledge each other at first. Then, about ten or so minutes after the 80s photoshoot was supposed to have started, I heard someone call out to me (as "Lupin", not my real name or any variant of "maryryanbogard"). I turned and saw the HP cosplayers from earlier and some others. Apparently they hadn't even started yet, and there was still no sign of the alleged hosts. So I did join them, and hosting duty fell to this one photographer and myself. I then calmly (partially) explained the situation, vowing to take the reins back next year, and gave them all my card (yes I have one; I'm essentially a sales representative for Shadow's business, SkyFireFox Arts, which we both represent at cons where we have an artist alley table). I guess I should now mention that I did see one of the bratty would-be hosts on Friday night, dressed in a costume for what I knew to be a conflicting (or too close in time for her have done both) photoshoot, giving me reason to suspect she (and possibly her accomplices as well) were no-shows at that one, too, and I don't care to find out for sure one way or the other (that goes for the Saturday one, too). I also don't care if they apologized for not showing up this year, given that as far as I know they still haven't apologized for last year's fiasco (and in the latter case, to do so now only proves arrogance). Oh yeah, and for what it's worth the only turquoise wigs I saw were on a Mikuo (from "Vocaloid") cosplayer and someone cosplaying a character I recognized from some anime but could not place- didn't see that one one brat (in that or any of her other costumes) at all, nor anyone else cosplaying the offending character all weekend.
Later that evening was the Yule Ball, and the other HP photoshoot I mentioned before. That one went okay; the only issue was a hotel staffer getting p***y with the group after a few minutes and forcing it to break up early. No, none of the drama llamas were at that one, either. Then at the Yule Ball itself, I did get to see/talk to some "old friends" I only ever see at D*C, which is what I'd wanted and why I wore Remus in spite of everything. However, fail #4 occurred directly before these. I had gotten to the Sheraton for the photoshoot and ball, but was still a bit early. After having the Remus costume in some form for three years (though only doing the "normal" version for one of the three years) without incident, a Tonks cosplayer asked for a picture with me. Problems is, she asked so nicely and pleadingly I couldn't bring myself to flat-out refuse (so yes, like fail #3, this was my own fault). She didn't get the pic she likely envisioned, though- I leaned back from her with an "OMGWTF, get away from me!" look on my face and pointed my wand at her in a self-defense pose. A pre-emptive "no" here and now to all other Tonks cosplayers who may want a pic with me in the future- nothing personal, I just don't like that pairing and it's not like I'm the only Remus Lupin cosplayer in the world.
Monday, due to fail #5- a forgotten wig on my part and an unfinished crown on Shadow's part (one was directly related to the other), we weren't pajama versions of Peach and Rosalina per se but still wore the PJ sets we'd bought for that purpose. Apparently tornado watches had gone out while we were in the various panels the two of us attended that day and my mother and grandparents were freaking out. My phone was on silent, of course, but never was my current text message alert tone (Lucy saying "Oh, good grief!" upon seeing Charlie Brown's Swiss cheese ghost costume) more apt. I did respond to the numerous messages and explained I had been where I couldn't answer my phone, though we missed the tornadoes. All we encountered en route to my grandparent's house (which is near Columbus, GA- I always visit them when I go to D*C) was some really heavy rain. Then on the drive home (we only stayed with my grandparents one night this year), we didn't have too many problems that I can recall and made it home safely (as indicated by a post to That Other Site).
Overall, I did have a good time at D*C despite the drama that preceded it and despite the Trader Vic's fiasco. And while I'm not usually one of those people who plans for next year's con so soon (and this goes for all conventions, not just D*C), before D*C some people did say they were interested in the "Geeks of Prime Time Crime" event... if such a thing were to occur next year. I decided then that regardless of whether or not I host the "Harry Potter" photoshoots next year (though I have every intention of doing so), I've found a new D*C tradition. "Abby" will indeed return to host another crime dramas photoshoot (possibly a dinner as well depending on what time it ends up being), and Shadow doesn't mind reprising her Garcia costume for it, either (I know, I asked her). I've also experienced a D*C (well, cons in general) tradition of Shadow's for the first time this year and will likely participate in that again (what it is merits a separate entry as there's a bit of back story).
My next convention is Anime USA in November, a local con to me, though of course I also have Halloween and Renaissance fair (Maryland and/or Pennsylvania) plans.