Whinny City Pony Con 2016
This has been over a month in the writing since Whinny City Pony Con. So long that two of my friends are currently attending another pony con, Everfree Northwest. So, finally, I present to you a rather long read:
The pony convention of my dreams were fulfilled this past weekend with two online friends who joined me there. In a nutshell, it was *SO* *AWESOME!!!* =D
March 31st.
After my Thursday work day, I come home and gather up everything and head back out to the Hyatt where Darrell and Scooter have already arrived earlier in the afternoon. I checked into my room -- booked on behalf of Whinny City Pony Con for my ~generous~ sponsorship -- headed back down to the lobby where Darrell and Scooter were already there to greet me. =D
Nothing else really happening with Whinny City except early registration. Darrell and Scooter were already registered, but they decided to hang out with me in the line while I waited. I get to the con booth and hand the person there my registration printout. She was impressed I was 'Royal Guard Sponsor', but lamented that the higher sponsor badges won't be ready until Friday morning, as well as the 'swag bag' of items that comes along with the specific registration tier. So, basically all I got out of that was 'Hi' and welcome to Whinny City. ;-D
After having dinner, Darrell and Scooter I scooped out the venue for whatever was happening, manely looking at the banners set out by various rooms. Back at my room I set up my herd in the window and hung my MLP beach towel overlooking the lobby. Was otherwise a good time to spend the rest of the evening watching MLP eps on a nice big screen LCD TV.
April 1st.
Friday begins with a scurry down to registration where there is a sizeable line already, hoping that I won't be too late for opening ceremonies. Darrell got in early so he was way up at near the front. While standing there I see Darrell talk with Whinny City staff and he's pointing at me, which I kinda shrug off. Next thing I know said staff member points to me and gestures me to come up. Turns out the high sponsors like myself get a priority in registration. I get my badge and swag back of stuff(WCPC Tee and the WCPC mascot pony of my choice), but I am told my OC pony badge won't be ready until later. Oh well, they are working really hard on making everything in this con happen.
Opening ceremonies commence a little bit late, which is understandable for people are still at registration yet. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but still a lot of fun with the intros of the guests of honor.
First panel on Friday was Apple Family Feud. Rather self-explanatory, it's survey questions based on MLP FiM. Was fun to watch, but the people running the game had a terrible time with the projection screen. Couldn't keep their game show board displayed for more than a second. Oy, technology sometimes =P .
The Friday Guest of Honor panel kicked off at 1PM. So much amusing dialogue with Jenn Blake, Andrea Libman, 'Big' Jim Miller, M.A.Larson and Kazumi Evans. It's just so hard to pin down every detail with panels like this. I had been planning and working up the courage to ask Andrea Libman during the panel about when 5 VA's called her at the same time back at Ciderfest. Alas, the moderator of the panel already brought that up at the introductions at the start of this panel. Oh well. ;)
The rest of Friday afternoon was open-ended. Darrell, Scooter and I checked out the vendor hall to see what neat pony items were being sold. We must have spent nearly 20 minutes at Cutie Corral with what had to be over 100 chibi-style ponies. We were all collectively figuring out/identifying what each pony was, even the episode specific ponies offered. Scooter got himself a cosplay pony tail. He almost got Scootaloo's, but decided on getting Vinyl's tail.
We returned to our rooms for a break from the fun when I randomly asked if Scooter brought the required formal attire for The Gala. Unfortunately he didn't get that piece of info and would not be allowed admittance to the Gala. I contacted Darrell about this issue, and he replies to me saying he didn't really any pants that would be acceptable for the Gala. The only thought was do I drag my two friends across the street to Woodfield Mall and we do a hasty clothes shopping spree or not. I have learned to regard time as VERY valuable at a convention(only an hour until the next event we wanted to see), yet if I don't act I'm the only one of the three of us attending The Gala. So the circumstance ended up being just me being able to go to the Gala.
From 6 to 7 PM we attended The Blackman Brony's LOL Comedy Hour. This guy also hosts a My Little Wheel of Fortune Panel at Whinny City, as he has done in the past at Ciderfest. Most of his comedy is about his own life and challenges of being a brony. Some of it was funny, some parts made me wanna cringe a bit, but I do understand those who do comedy embellish and exaggerate stories for a bigger laugh.
Quick change of clothes -- for just me -- as I head off to The Grand Galloping Gala. Darrell and Scooter went to check out some other panels in the mean time(the upside to more than just one event running at a time).
Having been to the Gala at Ciderfest I knew what to and not to expect out of it, so it wasn't too bad, just not having my two friends with me. So I sat at a table and randomly commiserated with some other attendees about the series/the con/the Gala. Not as many people at this Gala compared to Ciderfest, but I reminded myself this is the first year for this con here. Watched people waltz some, nibbled on some dessert thingies, sat back and listened to the music change from waltz to electronic remixes.
Quick change back into my usual pony con attire. Darrell, Scooter and I head to(for me head right back to)the Mane Events hall for My Little Karaoke: Singing is Magic. This was A LOT of FUN where we hear lots of pony songs performed by a number of attendees. I got to hear two Apple Family favorites of mine: Apples to the Core and Raise This Barn. Pinkie Pie's Smile Song was a huge hit with the rest of the group as a bunch of fans locked arms and swayed to the last verse of the song. I, like many others, backed up the person(s)..er..pony(ies) singing on chorus parts, i.e, Winter Wrap Up. Another great performance was the Flim-Flam Cider Song where a bunch got out on the floor and bounced up and down, singing the chorus parts like the ep it came from. I managed to stream some of this fun in Google Hangouts for those who couldn't be here (Goaty, Fifi Lover, et al). Truly a magical moment of Whinny City for the music brings the fans together. It was supposed to end at 11:30PM but there was to be a DJ performing until 1AM with an open bar, but the DJ wasn't there yet so the karaoke continued on for another 20 minutes. Finally the DJ did show up and so the karaoke came to a close, that it would be 10 or more minutes til he started performing, so we decided this was probably enough for one day, so we headed back to our rooms and got into our chatroom routines. I did step out about quarter to 1AM and see if the DJ was finally performing. He was, so I just hung around for a few moments and returned to my room and my friends. Only the first day of Whinny City and I'm having a huge blast! =D
April 2nd.
Saturday I wake up and look out the window to the lobby and it is SNOWING, which is typical for this area to just have random swings of weather like this, being in the 50s/low 60's Thursday and Friday. Of course there are out of town people who are very confused or surprised at this -- mostly the con's guests.
Saturday Whinny City beings with Whose Line is it Anyway, hosted by ACRacebest and Saberspark along with Paleo Sterno. For those that don't know it's basically the TV version of Whose Line is it Anyway but majorly MLP FiM themed. I somehow missed this at Ponyville Ciderfest, and having seen their panel I rather regretted missing them then. I laughed so much I was aching. XP The show was to begin with performing DJ Garnika, but he slept late and they had volunteers from the audience fill in for him. Personal highlight for myself was when the hosts were calling out for character requests, and I called out Derpy, and they took my suggestion (I think a couple others said it too after I first did. ;-). I am really glad I attended this panel.
One panel the three of us had somewhat skipped on to see Whose Line is My Little Wheel of Fortune, another gameshow adaptation with an MLP FiM theme. My Little Wheel was a 90 minute panel, so we were able to scurry to one of the other panel rooms and catch the last 20 minutes. Maybe next time we'll have a little more favorable schedule.
Darrell was going to hang around for the next panel in the Mane room, The Show Makers, with Big Jim Miller and M.A. Larson. Scooter and I needed something more to eat than a breakfast bar from the hotel cafe, so the two of us go to the Sponsor Lounge to grab some free food to snack on. Much to our delight MLP FiM eps are playing in a stream on the big TV there, so we sit around and watch an episode, then another, noting the time, and a third! We were really torn for we're watching MLP with a couple other sponsors there, but now Scooter and I are missing more than half the panel Darrell is at. After a hasty 'we wanna stay and watch more eps but we're missing stuff departure', Scooter and I catch up with Darrell, just as the panel was wrapping up. He tells us of the silliness that ensued during that panel, starting with Larson or Big Jim dropping their mic on the floor, rolling under the table(draped with a cloth). The one goes down to retrieve their mic and decides to continue speaking under the table, and the other joins for the next few minutes, carrying the panel on, hidden from the audience. Oh well, can't catch everything at a con.
The next event for the mane hall is the screening of the new MLP episode The Gift of Maud Pie, which happens to have been directed by Jim Miller. Darrell, Scooter and I were right up front to watch, the 'foals' were invited on the stage to be the closest to the screen. Big Jim was still hanging around prior to the screening, and thankfully he was around when technical issues arose. First was a delay in getting to start playing the ep. When they finally start, we can see but can't hear anything. A few attempts at starting over was futile. So Big Jim takes over and starts taking questions from the audience. One of the younger attendees asks Big Jim if Octavia plays the cello, being a bass instrument, why does she have a treble clef as a cute mark (as opposed to what would be more likely a bass clef). I never heard so many ooh's and cheers for one question. After about 15 minutes of delays and spontaneous Q&A's filling in the delay we finally get to watch AND hear The Gift of Maud Pie. A overall good ep, but soooo much more fun (for which I will FOREVER associate this great time with this ep) watching, laughing and cheering with a couple hundred other fans.
Right after the MLP ep screening was the Saturday Guest of Honor panel. Very same format as Friday's, line up for questions, etc. One item Big Jim brought up was he had never attended a screening of any of the MLP eps he directed, let alone any MLP ep. He was really pleased and flattered by the fans' reactions. He admitted that there were lines he wondered if we'd get it and laugh or would it just fall flat. Big Jim was very delighted with how it all turned out.
After the Guest of Honor panel, we headed over for autographs. I went back to my room to get my 4 included vouchers for my 'Royal Guard Sponsorship' but realized they're good for autographs only, and I wanted pics with all 4 guests signing. So a quick scurry to the vendor hall and buy 4 picture vouchers, and off to the autograph room where I was expecting a looong line where I'd be able to use my sponsor privilege to get priority. There was maybe half a dozen people waiting. I'd end up spending more time with the guests than the wait in line. Oh well, saved me about 5 whole minutes. XD First up for autographs and photos was Jim Miller, then Kazumi Evans, M. A. Larson and Andrea Libman. I can't remember exactly what I said to any of them but generally overall praise and appreciation for their talents and efforts in the show. I asked Andrea about the 'VA phone calls' at Ciderfest, if she got 'revenge' at Peter New for he more or less started it. She hadn't and never planned to, but she told me about her reaction in the end 'ha-ha, thanks guys, you really had me worried there! =P '. Part of what I love about these guys who work in this profession. ;-)
Time to hit the vendor hall again, where I remembered I was supposed to pick up a 'hoovsies stamp' for Goaty. As I recall, the one vendor who made those said they only had a limited quantity, and I thought already being the second day I would end up being too late. After scouring the aisles (all three of them. ;-) I found the vendor, much to my surprise had them in stock yet. I told the vendor I thought I was going to be too late, but they said I was the first one to buy a hoovsies stamp. Gotta liven up the midwest bronies buying habits here. XP Meanwhile I had yet to find and buy anything for myself(would later end up forgetting completely about the Whinny City soda glass). I wanted something that decorative that didn't take up a lot of space. I saw neat stained glass MLP cutie mark items, like a 12 inch by 18 inch Rarity cutie mark window, $650, to a more affordable and less-space-y Applejack cutie mark(apples only) for $60. In the corner of the vendor hall was someone who had a Ponyville virtual reality set-up. I saw this at Ciderfest but never had the chance to try it out. Basically a 3D headset you wear that changes the view with your angle, position, etc., while a hand held game controller gives you direction to move to, as well as let you fly. I was really immersed in the experience, so much to a point of starting to lose my sense of balance. XD
After leaving the vendor hall, walking past the mane event hall I glanced inside seeing how I aaaaaagain missed the cosplay contest. Only so much one can do at a pony convention, and from the Saturday 5:30 PM onward our day was booked solid into the night. To quote Applejack preparing for the Gala, "We're gonna be a might busy", but as Pinkie Pie added, "Busy, having fun!", which is the most important part. ;-) So, before that huge block of 'Busy-fun' the three of us hang out in the Sponsor lounge until that time because there won't be any other time to do so Saturday. We reeeaaally enjoy the food offerings, the hospitality of the Whinny City staff running the room, and the MLP eps playing the TV. Time to pull ourselves away from the Sponsor Lounge for the rest of Saturday is about to begin.
Darrell, Scooter and I promptly arrive at the Sponsor Dinner at 5:30, along with everyone else waiting outside the room for the dinner(the very same room used for autographs). We all ended up waiting a little bit past 5:30 for they were still setting up the dinner, but such as plans go when you're running a convention. ;-)
We walk in to find four nice, large, round tables, and find Andrea, Kazumi, Big Jm and Larson milling about. As i figure, it' will be one guest per table, so Darrell, Scooter and pick the closest one -- Big Jim ends up sitting at our table. Not long after we all get seated we're told we can come to the buffet table and serve ourselves. Macaroni, Salad and Deep Dish Pizza are the offerings. I fill up my plate on all of the above. ;-) In the course of dinner we all strike up a ton of conversation with Big Jim. I ask him if the leaner 3rd season with 13 episodes was correlated to not realizing the popularity of the show in the brony world. He answers that was merely a formality to make an even 65 ep package to make future syndication viable. They already were aware of the brony interest when season 3 was in negotiations. I also expressed gratitude to Jim about how Hasbro is very welcoming to the fan community with the whole FiM series. I tell him about the comparison to back when a bunch of us were watching KidsWB, and how they were driven more or less by the advertisers to make the shows more 'kid-centric', driving away the shows where (supposedly in their eyes) more adults than kids were watching. It was a truly amazing dinner for Darrell, Scooter and I, as well as everyone else at the table, including Big Jim himself.
As soon as the VIP dinner ended, we headed right out to the mane hall for the Saturday night concert. As we get closer to the doors to the hall we can hear the Shakeups playing Equestrian Smash, a song for Vinyl Scratch/DJ Pon3. I reeeeaaally enjoy the Shakeups' pony music -- their power pony pop as they call it. I was up front and off to the right, I think they saw me singing along to every song I knew, though they tossed in a few other their songs from their latest album, 'Rock Candy' that I hadn't heard yet. A couple of the songs I've heard them play before got bumped for time, but they wrapped up their set like they've done before with '20% Cooler', a song about Rainbow Dash. I reeeeeaally can get into that song.
The Shakeups' set wraps up right at 8PM, but the three of us have the VIP cocktail hour to attend, so we have to depart from the saturday night concert. We would end up missing Tetsuo the Robot's set of music -- oh well, can't experience everything at a con. A scurry down the hallways right back at the same room that we just had the VIP dinner at, with our guests of honor present. Taking the same table again, Big Jim is there once more, where we all randomly talk more about the shows and other related animation topics. This time around the Guests of Honor do a little rotation at the tables, so M. A. Larson comes on over and the first thing he asks everyone what was the episode that got us hooked on MLP FiM. I was third to be asked but I had to think about it, so I told Larson to get back to me. I had a more complex answer to give but I had to consider the time in my rambling answer, so I greatly abridged it. I told Larson it was mainly the latter half of season two, but specifically Baby Cakes and Super Speedy Cider Squeezy are two eps that really captivated me to come back for more MLP.
Darrell and Scooter have noticed I seldom drink(how many Pepsi colas did I order? XD), but I have stated I drink on occasion, so I have some red wine, since I've had that in the past. Little more potent I'd have to say than what I've had before, but I'm one not to guzzle wine down. ;-) I made a toast at the table, to my friends who I am very grateful for joining me here(as well as to our friend, Goaty, who couldn't be here), and as cheesey as it sounds, to friendship being truly magic, for this entire series has a magic that has brought hundreds and thousands friends together.
Andrea Libman poked in for a few minutes at our table. I can't remember specifically what was said amongst us but it was fun all the same. The Blackman Brony who ran My Little Wheel of Fortune happened to come to our table and we were talking to him about his panel and the wheel. We told him we wished we could have seen more of his panel, but he fully understood the circumstances.
The cocktail hour just flies by when you're having fun, so Darrell, Scooter and I head back to our rooms for a moment. I get our nightly chat going and give a quick synopsis of our day so far, with plans to head right back out to go see the rest of the Saturday night concert. Alas, for Scooter was a bit exhausted, and the drink or two put him over the top to zzzz-ing. Therefore it would be just Darrell and I heading back to the concert.
The both of us re-enter the concert, appearing not as full as we left it. Maybe 2 dozen other people at that time, but it's the first year for this con, so it's just getting established. The usual mix of music as I've come to realize for a pony con like this. I'll admit some of the genres have grown on me, and the bass isn't too bad, especially when I wear ear plugs when it's getting a little too much. ;-)
Darrell and I are sitting at a table close to the dance area. Neither of us really dance, and for the most part everyone else is just hip-hopping, so for the most part we're just watching others enjoy the music. I didn't get this on camera, nor do I think Darrell did either, but I clearly saw an attendee do a mid air forward flip. Some really do get into the spirit of the event. I didn't sit around the whole time, for a couple staff members inflated some glowing balloons and tossed them out into the floor, so I ended up joining them for some random balloon volleys. :-) That helped burn off that Sponsor Dinner from a couple hours earlier.
A couple of full suiters are dancing in front of us, Dashie and a puppy. They were dancing in a way that made me say in my head, get a room please. They didn't get too crazy, so I didn't need to turn the hose on them. XP
One of the DJ's tosses a bunch of glowing sticks out on the floor, and seeing there's only a few others on the dance floor, I grab a couple and make a few loops to hang from my badge lanyard. I see one of the others on the floor must have grabbed up all the rest and made a 6 loop chain. ;-) Later in the concert I
"Friendship Through The Ages" from Equistria Girls plays, and more people start coming out to dance to that, so I take a moment to do a walk around pan of everyone else having fun. Other songs from EQ Girls were played at times during the concert that night, and they kinda stuck on me, especially Friendship Through The Ages.
For the rest of the concert I'm just playing around with the balloons, at times I take my Pinkie Pie mini plush and have her just bouncing on the balloons to the beat of the music. I also have Fluttershy do some less hyperactive dancing next to Pinkie Pie. As we've become so accustomed to the concert and our random little bits of fun, it the music diminishes and the lights come up. Darrell and I look at each other in amazement we stayed for the entire concert. We gather up our belongings and head back to our rooms, walking down the hallways, thinking about all the fun we managed to cram in one day. A very rewarding experience as I'm still singing in my head Friendship Through The Ages.
April 3rd.
The last day of the con, already? I seem to feel a pressure to map out everything I want to get to while I can. First thing we do is head to the Sponsor Lounge one last time, for it will be closed up by 2PM. We all hang out there for something to eat for breakfast and watch some more MLP eps. I find it just that much more fun watching MLP with other fans.
We pull ourselves away from the Sponsor Lounge to head to the Sunday Guest of Honor panel. Very same as Friday and Saturday, they talk for a little bit, and then take questions for the rest of the hour. It may sound repetitive, but all three of these Guest of Honor panels are unique in their own experiences, lots of fun and amusing every time.
After the Sunday Guest of Honor panel, I have three objectives on my schedule before closing ceremonies: Buy something in the vendor hall, go to Making Comics with Jenn Blake panel at 3PM, and catch the last half of the Charity Auction(maybe actually bid on something) at 4PM.
To the Vender Hall, for the clock is ticking for me to buy something! I must have been up and down all the aisles (all 3 of them. ;-) looking for some little neat thing that's at least MLP FiM themed. Scooter and I checked out a vendor selling scented candles that represented at least 2 dozen ponies of the show. All of the scents really seemed to have a spot on identity with the pony associated with. I think we spent about 10-15 minutes sniffing each candle sample put out, discussing how the scent associates with the pony on the candle container. I forget which exactly Scooter bought, but he had at least 3 different candles.
I must have spent another 10 minutes scouring all the wears for something not too big and maybe even practical. I finally decide on getting a MLP FiM themed mouse pad for the downstairs family room Mac. There were about 2 dozen designs to choose from -- I spent even more time just trying to make up my mind. I end up choosing one with Twilight on it, reading a book in a park.
With about 10 minutes left before the vendor hall closes up, I spot Jenn Blake at her table. I ask her if she's about to prepare to head over to her Making Comics panel, and she gives me some disappointing news her panel had been moved up to the day before. Last minute change I was unable to learn about, or simply missed an announcement at one of the Guest of Honor panels. Having been dealt that little setback, I aimlessly roam about the vendor hall, taking in the sights and ambiance of pony merchandise until the announcement the hall was closing.
Since my 3PM hour became unexpectedly freed up, the Charity Auction, being 2 hours long, was to also start at 3, so I decide I'll just do that til closing ceremonies.
There was A LOT of items up for auction. A whole bunch of plushies of different sizes, play sets and other pony themed toys to bid on. I had to reaaally restrain myself from even thinking of bidding on a big plushie I have no room for. Garnika and KimPossibleFan are running the auction at the start. Garnika is acting super hyper like Pinkie Pie, running back and forth, at times leaping onto the stage from the floor.
I was going to take a look at all the items up for auction at a display near the lobby, but I was just a little too late for that. Everything was being moved out by the time I finally got to the display of auction items. I was curious if there was something that might be worthy of me bidding on that didn't take up a lot of space. ;-)
After a dozen or so items brought up to bid, there was this reflector image of the Mane Six, which when viewed at one angle you see Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and the other Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. It's something not too small so I decide I'll bid. $30 was the opening bid. No one was quick to jump on it so I call out thirty. Someone else bids $35, so I figure I can go a little bit cause it's charity and call out forty. I hold my breath for a second for a second thinking I was about to be outbid…but Garnika and KimPossibleFan call out 'going once…going twice…*pointing to me* SOLD!!' First time I ever bid in an auction and first time winning an auction. =D (outside of ebay, of course. ;-)
The auction's last item was a LARGE diorama, about 18 inches wide by about 4 feet long, of an MLP FiM crossover of Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction. It was impressive, and, big. The opening bid was for $500, but no one was really biting. As I saw it, one issue was that item was plain ol BIG and one would need the space for it. Secondly, it's a rather narrow niche, one would have to really like MLP and the Haunted Mansion attraction. Third, Whinny City was in its premiere, so there may not have been as many 'high rollers' to bid, and everyone else seemed tapped out given how the latter auctions were $75-$150 range. I could have bid on it, but points one and two above were big issues with me. The artist of this work was present, and after an awkward moment of no bids, he dropped down to an opening of $250. Someone finally bid at $250, but no one went any higher. Then I heard something I've never heard before, someone else offering to bid $15 in contribution to the current bidder, in the sake of just raising money for the core objective: Charity. Right after that assisting bid, another offers $20 in addition, and someone chimes in $10. So Big Jim, Garnica and everyone else do an impromptu change in bidding: Contribute to just the charity of bidding even though not interested about the huuuge item up for bids. Also, the con chair Corey Wood decided to match whatever everyone contributed at that moment. Everyone donated a total of $426, and the Haunted Mansion eventually ended up being sold for $350. There was a lot of crazy fun in the end of the auction. =D
Literally at the time the auction ended, closing ceremonies began. Due to a number of Whinny City staffers having to make a hasty departure, they started off with the staff group pics. Like most closing ceremonies I've seen (or the 2 prior ones I've been to) it's just thanking everyone and anything that moves that's part of the pony con. It usually goes by quick, and before you know it, the Con Chair and Vice Con Chair announce next year there shall be another Whinny City Pony Con, and then bid everyone adu. It's ooooooverrr!
We slowly file out of the hall, no rush to leave the con ambiance behind, as others stand in groups talking, while others have some ride to catch, or have a short ride home like I do. Walking down the hallways we see what's probably the last major bit of brony activity milling about. Peeked into some of the smaller rooms to see what's left, as the banners for the various rooms still stand -- the projectional stills over the stairway showing who's here for Whinny City -- for now.
Heading back to the room to relax and reflect, you can't deny the post con blahs, especially when looking out into the lobby nearly everyone has filed out on what's now a rather quiet Sunday night. After downloading videos and pics and other random things before we head out to Ram Restaurant and Brewery for a little late dinner, I take another look out into the lobby. I spot two full suiters, the one Rainbow Dash and the Puppy from who we spotted Saturday evening and night. They're waving at me, so I wave back at them. I call Scooter and Darrell over to wave at them too. Then I realize they're gesturing us to come down to the lobby to meet them. So we head right on down and join them, and talk for a few minutes. They're rather amazed we're still here because they couldn't find anyone else to hang around with. We talk for a few minutes about our experiences with the con and how great it was and so forth. That helped defer some post-con blahs.
We finally head out for a later-than-usual (well for me) dinner about 8PM. I we have our jackets on as we head outside and we're flabbergasted by how mild the weather is at night. It had to have been 70 degrees yet, with a mild breeze. Contrast that to the snow we had on Saturday. Darrell had wanted to check out Ram Brewery and Restaurant well before getting here, so that's where we walked to on a rather balmy evening. Felt a little weird in a sense of a post-con activity, for I was not wearing my AJ hat which had been nearly glued to my head morning, day and evening. ;-) It was a nice place to dine at, we all ordered some kind of specialty hamburger. I tried out garlic fries, which really had as much garlic as can be legally applied to any potato product. We had a wonderful meal where we reflected on our experiences at Whinny City -- our hopes and expectations, and a couple of the minor things that didn't go exactly as planned. By far we had more fun than we realized. We had a couple toasts to friendship, friends that we wish were here with us, and to every single person behind MLP FiM who have made it a show we love so much.
Walking back to the hotel, we spot one of the office buildings that's been there forever seemingly, and on the north face of it at the top it has IQM on it, which to some is an inside joke with AIM chat rooms('iqm' upside down is 'wb!'). I'm rather amazed by seeing that, and yet it seems like an omen of our gathering.
We enter the hotel through the north entrance and we meet up with a few of the Whinny City staff we had seen during the con. We chatted for a bit and told them what a wonderful convention it was and so much fun we had. One of the staffers showed us the 'bro-elbow', how it's easy to do when one's hands are full.
Heading back to my room, we play a few rounds of wii bowling as we chat and stream to the rest of our friends. Darrell won every time. XP Occasionally I looked out into the lobby to see if there's any bronies milling about. There's NO ONE milling about on a Sunday night. Just earlier it was still bustling with an MLP theme. I played a couple more pony eps to round out the evening, while we chatted and streamed the last night of our meet-up to the rest of our friends online.
April 4th.
Waking up Monday morning, realizing all good things come to an end. We make the most of the morning as we can. Packing up all the ponies, taking down the towel that hung as a banner for the con, carefully storing the autographs, and of course packing everything else. Doesn't feel like a Monday in this way, but I've already done this for a convention twice already.
Double checking the floors for anything and leaving a nice tip, we check out of our rooms and head over to the Fresh Bar for a quick bite to eat for breakfast. Already we're dreading how our meet-up is coming to a close, but we keep those thoughts at bay as we look at pics and video as we eat and reminisce about the fun we had at Whinny City.
Scooter shows us an app for Uber that displays all the nearest drivers around that can pick him up and take him to the Grayhound Station in downtown Chicago. He books a ride and has a confirmation that a driver will be there in a matter of a few minutes. Just like that, Scooter's ride shows up, so we head outside. As Darrell and I are about to say goodbye to Scooter, we notice just how COLD it is this morning. That's Chicago weather for you. ;-) Darrell and I give Scooter a send off and watch him depart. Darrell's super shuttle ride won't be here for a few minutes yet, and we decide it's just a little TOO cold to stay out here, so we take a seat back inside the lobby close to the door.
While we wait, I decide to play the MLP FiM ep Castle Sweet Castle for us, just to hear the "I'm pancake!" line(which reminds me I never did order any pancakes so I could say that).Looking around, there is literally no trace of anything of Whinny City Pony Con left, not even attendees, but we both spot across the lobby the Rainbow Dash full suiter, still in his Dashie suit, but without the headpiece on. We would go over to say bye to him, but Darrell's ride could show up any minute. I thought he'd maybe come leave by the front door and then maybe give a shout out to him, but he ended up going to the far north exit. About half way through the ep, Darrell's ride shows up, so I do a quick packing up of the laptop and head out the door with him. We say our goodbyes and say how awesome the time was, and I see him ride off to Golf Road on his way to O'hare.
And so it's just myself again. I don't have to make any travel arrangements, just walk to my car and drive home. Of course it feels lonely and empty walking out to the parking lot after having a blast like the three of us had over the weekend. In a way it reminds me how special this whole thing was for all of us. I load up the bags of stuff (might as well bring all I can if I drive to a place like this ;-), and get ready to back away. Just as I am pulling away I see something on the car that was parked to the right of my car (and somehow missed this as I walked past) it was a black Civic with the license plate TWILCRN and Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark on the fuel door. That right there really made my day and was a VERY fitting ending to my Whinny City Pony Con experience. The whole time driving back home all I thought of was all the fun and laughs the three of us had together, and reminding myself there will be future opportunities for pony conventions with my friends, laughter and fun.
The pony convention of my dreams were fulfilled this past weekend with two online friends who joined me there. In a nutshell, it was *SO* *AWESOME!!!* =D
March 31st.
After my Thursday work day, I come home and gather up everything and head back out to the Hyatt where Darrell and Scooter have already arrived earlier in the afternoon. I checked into my room -- booked on behalf of Whinny City Pony Con for my ~generous~ sponsorship -- headed back down to the lobby where Darrell and Scooter were already there to greet me. =D
Nothing else really happening with Whinny City except early registration. Darrell and Scooter were already registered, but they decided to hang out with me in the line while I waited. I get to the con booth and hand the person there my registration printout. She was impressed I was 'Royal Guard Sponsor', but lamented that the higher sponsor badges won't be ready until Friday morning, as well as the 'swag bag' of items that comes along with the specific registration tier. So, basically all I got out of that was 'Hi' and welcome to Whinny City. ;-D
After having dinner, Darrell and Scooter I scooped out the venue for whatever was happening, manely looking at the banners set out by various rooms. Back at my room I set up my herd in the window and hung my MLP beach towel overlooking the lobby. Was otherwise a good time to spend the rest of the evening watching MLP eps on a nice big screen LCD TV.
April 1st.
Friday begins with a scurry down to registration where there is a sizeable line already, hoping that I won't be too late for opening ceremonies. Darrell got in early so he was way up at near the front. While standing there I see Darrell talk with Whinny City staff and he's pointing at me, which I kinda shrug off. Next thing I know said staff member points to me and gestures me to come up. Turns out the high sponsors like myself get a priority in registration. I get my badge and swag back of stuff(WCPC Tee and the WCPC mascot pony of my choice), but I am told my OC pony badge won't be ready until later. Oh well, they are working really hard on making everything in this con happen.
Opening ceremonies commence a little bit late, which is understandable for people are still at registration yet. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but still a lot of fun with the intros of the guests of honor.
First panel on Friday was Apple Family Feud. Rather self-explanatory, it's survey questions based on MLP FiM. Was fun to watch, but the people running the game had a terrible time with the projection screen. Couldn't keep their game show board displayed for more than a second. Oy, technology sometimes =P .
The Friday Guest of Honor panel kicked off at 1PM. So much amusing dialogue with Jenn Blake, Andrea Libman, 'Big' Jim Miller, M.A.Larson and Kazumi Evans. It's just so hard to pin down every detail with panels like this. I had been planning and working up the courage to ask Andrea Libman during the panel about when 5 VA's called her at the same time back at Ciderfest. Alas, the moderator of the panel already brought that up at the introductions at the start of this panel. Oh well. ;)
The rest of Friday afternoon was open-ended. Darrell, Scooter and I checked out the vendor hall to see what neat pony items were being sold. We must have spent nearly 20 minutes at Cutie Corral with what had to be over 100 chibi-style ponies. We were all collectively figuring out/identifying what each pony was, even the episode specific ponies offered. Scooter got himself a cosplay pony tail. He almost got Scootaloo's, but decided on getting Vinyl's tail.
We returned to our rooms for a break from the fun when I randomly asked if Scooter brought the required formal attire for The Gala. Unfortunately he didn't get that piece of info and would not be allowed admittance to the Gala. I contacted Darrell about this issue, and he replies to me saying he didn't really any pants that would be acceptable for the Gala. The only thought was do I drag my two friends across the street to Woodfield Mall and we do a hasty clothes shopping spree or not. I have learned to regard time as VERY valuable at a convention(only an hour until the next event we wanted to see), yet if I don't act I'm the only one of the three of us attending The Gala. So the circumstance ended up being just me being able to go to the Gala.
From 6 to 7 PM we attended The Blackman Brony's LOL Comedy Hour. This guy also hosts a My Little Wheel of Fortune Panel at Whinny City, as he has done in the past at Ciderfest. Most of his comedy is about his own life and challenges of being a brony. Some of it was funny, some parts made me wanna cringe a bit, but I do understand those who do comedy embellish and exaggerate stories for a bigger laugh.
Quick change of clothes -- for just me -- as I head off to The Grand Galloping Gala. Darrell and Scooter went to check out some other panels in the mean time(the upside to more than just one event running at a time).
Having been to the Gala at Ciderfest I knew what to and not to expect out of it, so it wasn't too bad, just not having my two friends with me. So I sat at a table and randomly commiserated with some other attendees about the series/the con/the Gala. Not as many people at this Gala compared to Ciderfest, but I reminded myself this is the first year for this con here. Watched people waltz some, nibbled on some dessert thingies, sat back and listened to the music change from waltz to electronic remixes.
Quick change back into my usual pony con attire. Darrell, Scooter and I head to(for me head right back to)the Mane Events hall for My Little Karaoke: Singing is Magic. This was A LOT of FUN where we hear lots of pony songs performed by a number of attendees. I got to hear two Apple Family favorites of mine: Apples to the Core and Raise This Barn. Pinkie Pie's Smile Song was a huge hit with the rest of the group as a bunch of fans locked arms and swayed to the last verse of the song. I, like many others, backed up the person(s)..er..pony(ies) singing on chorus parts, i.e, Winter Wrap Up. Another great performance was the Flim-Flam Cider Song where a bunch got out on the floor and bounced up and down, singing the chorus parts like the ep it came from. I managed to stream some of this fun in Google Hangouts for those who couldn't be here (Goaty, Fifi Lover, et al). Truly a magical moment of Whinny City for the music brings the fans together. It was supposed to end at 11:30PM but there was to be a DJ performing until 1AM with an open bar, but the DJ wasn't there yet so the karaoke continued on for another 20 minutes. Finally the DJ did show up and so the karaoke came to a close, that it would be 10 or more minutes til he started performing, so we decided this was probably enough for one day, so we headed back to our rooms and got into our chatroom routines. I did step out about quarter to 1AM and see if the DJ was finally performing. He was, so I just hung around for a few moments and returned to my room and my friends. Only the first day of Whinny City and I'm having a huge blast! =D
April 2nd.
Saturday I wake up and look out the window to the lobby and it is SNOWING, which is typical for this area to just have random swings of weather like this, being in the 50s/low 60's Thursday and Friday. Of course there are out of town people who are very confused or surprised at this -- mostly the con's guests.
Saturday Whinny City beings with Whose Line is it Anyway, hosted by ACRacebest and Saberspark along with Paleo Sterno. For those that don't know it's basically the TV version of Whose Line is it Anyway but majorly MLP FiM themed. I somehow missed this at Ponyville Ciderfest, and having seen their panel I rather regretted missing them then. I laughed so much I was aching. XP The show was to begin with performing DJ Garnika, but he slept late and they had volunteers from the audience fill in for him. Personal highlight for myself was when the hosts were calling out for character requests, and I called out Derpy, and they took my suggestion (I think a couple others said it too after I first did. ;-). I am really glad I attended this panel.
One panel the three of us had somewhat skipped on to see Whose Line is My Little Wheel of Fortune, another gameshow adaptation with an MLP FiM theme. My Little Wheel was a 90 minute panel, so we were able to scurry to one of the other panel rooms and catch the last 20 minutes. Maybe next time we'll have a little more favorable schedule.
Darrell was going to hang around for the next panel in the Mane room, The Show Makers, with Big Jim Miller and M.A. Larson. Scooter and I needed something more to eat than a breakfast bar from the hotel cafe, so the two of us go to the Sponsor Lounge to grab some free food to snack on. Much to our delight MLP FiM eps are playing in a stream on the big TV there, so we sit around and watch an episode, then another, noting the time, and a third! We were really torn for we're watching MLP with a couple other sponsors there, but now Scooter and I are missing more than half the panel Darrell is at. After a hasty 'we wanna stay and watch more eps but we're missing stuff departure', Scooter and I catch up with Darrell, just as the panel was wrapping up. He tells us of the silliness that ensued during that panel, starting with Larson or Big Jim dropping their mic on the floor, rolling under the table(draped with a cloth). The one goes down to retrieve their mic and decides to continue speaking under the table, and the other joins for the next few minutes, carrying the panel on, hidden from the audience. Oh well, can't catch everything at a con.
The next event for the mane hall is the screening of the new MLP episode The Gift of Maud Pie, which happens to have been directed by Jim Miller. Darrell, Scooter and I were right up front to watch, the 'foals' were invited on the stage to be the closest to the screen. Big Jim was still hanging around prior to the screening, and thankfully he was around when technical issues arose. First was a delay in getting to start playing the ep. When they finally start, we can see but can't hear anything. A few attempts at starting over was futile. So Big Jim takes over and starts taking questions from the audience. One of the younger attendees asks Big Jim if Octavia plays the cello, being a bass instrument, why does she have a treble clef as a cute mark (as opposed to what would be more likely a bass clef). I never heard so many ooh's and cheers for one question. After about 15 minutes of delays and spontaneous Q&A's filling in the delay we finally get to watch AND hear The Gift of Maud Pie. A overall good ep, but soooo much more fun (for which I will FOREVER associate this great time with this ep) watching, laughing and cheering with a couple hundred other fans.
Right after the MLP ep screening was the Saturday Guest of Honor panel. Very same format as Friday's, line up for questions, etc. One item Big Jim brought up was he had never attended a screening of any of the MLP eps he directed, let alone any MLP ep. He was really pleased and flattered by the fans' reactions. He admitted that there were lines he wondered if we'd get it and laugh or would it just fall flat. Big Jim was very delighted with how it all turned out.
After the Guest of Honor panel, we headed over for autographs. I went back to my room to get my 4 included vouchers for my 'Royal Guard Sponsorship' but realized they're good for autographs only, and I wanted pics with all 4 guests signing. So a quick scurry to the vendor hall and buy 4 picture vouchers, and off to the autograph room where I was expecting a looong line where I'd be able to use my sponsor privilege to get priority. There was maybe half a dozen people waiting. I'd end up spending more time with the guests than the wait in line. Oh well, saved me about 5 whole minutes. XD First up for autographs and photos was Jim Miller, then Kazumi Evans, M. A. Larson and Andrea Libman. I can't remember exactly what I said to any of them but generally overall praise and appreciation for their talents and efforts in the show. I asked Andrea about the 'VA phone calls' at Ciderfest, if she got 'revenge' at Peter New for he more or less started it. She hadn't and never planned to, but she told me about her reaction in the end 'ha-ha, thanks guys, you really had me worried there! =P '. Part of what I love about these guys who work in this profession. ;-)
Time to hit the vendor hall again, where I remembered I was supposed to pick up a 'hoovsies stamp' for Goaty. As I recall, the one vendor who made those said they only had a limited quantity, and I thought already being the second day I would end up being too late. After scouring the aisles (all three of them. ;-) I found the vendor, much to my surprise had them in stock yet. I told the vendor I thought I was going to be too late, but they said I was the first one to buy a hoovsies stamp. Gotta liven up the midwest bronies buying habits here. XP Meanwhile I had yet to find and buy anything for myself(would later end up forgetting completely about the Whinny City soda glass). I wanted something that decorative that didn't take up a lot of space. I saw neat stained glass MLP cutie mark items, like a 12 inch by 18 inch Rarity cutie mark window, $650, to a more affordable and less-space-y Applejack cutie mark(apples only) for $60. In the corner of the vendor hall was someone who had a Ponyville virtual reality set-up. I saw this at Ciderfest but never had the chance to try it out. Basically a 3D headset you wear that changes the view with your angle, position, etc., while a hand held game controller gives you direction to move to, as well as let you fly. I was really immersed in the experience, so much to a point of starting to lose my sense of balance. XD
After leaving the vendor hall, walking past the mane event hall I glanced inside seeing how I aaaaaagain missed the cosplay contest. Only so much one can do at a pony convention, and from the Saturday 5:30 PM onward our day was booked solid into the night. To quote Applejack preparing for the Gala, "We're gonna be a might busy", but as Pinkie Pie added, "Busy, having fun!", which is the most important part. ;-) So, before that huge block of 'Busy-fun' the three of us hang out in the Sponsor lounge until that time because there won't be any other time to do so Saturday. We reeeaaally enjoy the food offerings, the hospitality of the Whinny City staff running the room, and the MLP eps playing the TV. Time to pull ourselves away from the Sponsor Lounge for the rest of Saturday is about to begin.
Darrell, Scooter and I promptly arrive at the Sponsor Dinner at 5:30, along with everyone else waiting outside the room for the dinner(the very same room used for autographs). We all ended up waiting a little bit past 5:30 for they were still setting up the dinner, but such as plans go when you're running a convention. ;-)
We walk in to find four nice, large, round tables, and find Andrea, Kazumi, Big Jm and Larson milling about. As i figure, it' will be one guest per table, so Darrell, Scooter and pick the closest one -- Big Jim ends up sitting at our table. Not long after we all get seated we're told we can come to the buffet table and serve ourselves. Macaroni, Salad and Deep Dish Pizza are the offerings. I fill up my plate on all of the above. ;-) In the course of dinner we all strike up a ton of conversation with Big Jim. I ask him if the leaner 3rd season with 13 episodes was correlated to not realizing the popularity of the show in the brony world. He answers that was merely a formality to make an even 65 ep package to make future syndication viable. They already were aware of the brony interest when season 3 was in negotiations. I also expressed gratitude to Jim about how Hasbro is very welcoming to the fan community with the whole FiM series. I tell him about the comparison to back when a bunch of us were watching KidsWB, and how they were driven more or less by the advertisers to make the shows more 'kid-centric', driving away the shows where (supposedly in their eyes) more adults than kids were watching. It was a truly amazing dinner for Darrell, Scooter and I, as well as everyone else at the table, including Big Jim himself.
As soon as the VIP dinner ended, we headed right out to the mane hall for the Saturday night concert. As we get closer to the doors to the hall we can hear the Shakeups playing Equestrian Smash, a song for Vinyl Scratch/DJ Pon3. I reeeeaaally enjoy the Shakeups' pony music -- their power pony pop as they call it. I was up front and off to the right, I think they saw me singing along to every song I knew, though they tossed in a few other their songs from their latest album, 'Rock Candy' that I hadn't heard yet. A couple of the songs I've heard them play before got bumped for time, but they wrapped up their set like they've done before with '20% Cooler', a song about Rainbow Dash. I reeeeeaally can get into that song.
The Shakeups' set wraps up right at 8PM, but the three of us have the VIP cocktail hour to attend, so we have to depart from the saturday night concert. We would end up missing Tetsuo the Robot's set of music -- oh well, can't experience everything at a con. A scurry down the hallways right back at the same room that we just had the VIP dinner at, with our guests of honor present. Taking the same table again, Big Jim is there once more, where we all randomly talk more about the shows and other related animation topics. This time around the Guests of Honor do a little rotation at the tables, so M. A. Larson comes on over and the first thing he asks everyone what was the episode that got us hooked on MLP FiM. I was third to be asked but I had to think about it, so I told Larson to get back to me. I had a more complex answer to give but I had to consider the time in my rambling answer, so I greatly abridged it. I told Larson it was mainly the latter half of season two, but specifically Baby Cakes and Super Speedy Cider Squeezy are two eps that really captivated me to come back for more MLP.
Darrell and Scooter have noticed I seldom drink(how many Pepsi colas did I order? XD), but I have stated I drink on occasion, so I have some red wine, since I've had that in the past. Little more potent I'd have to say than what I've had before, but I'm one not to guzzle wine down. ;-) I made a toast at the table, to my friends who I am very grateful for joining me here(as well as to our friend, Goaty, who couldn't be here), and as cheesey as it sounds, to friendship being truly magic, for this entire series has a magic that has brought hundreds and thousands friends together.
Andrea Libman poked in for a few minutes at our table. I can't remember specifically what was said amongst us but it was fun all the same. The Blackman Brony who ran My Little Wheel of Fortune happened to come to our table and we were talking to him about his panel and the wheel. We told him we wished we could have seen more of his panel, but he fully understood the circumstances.
The cocktail hour just flies by when you're having fun, so Darrell, Scooter and I head back to our rooms for a moment. I get our nightly chat going and give a quick synopsis of our day so far, with plans to head right back out to go see the rest of the Saturday night concert. Alas, for Scooter was a bit exhausted, and the drink or two put him over the top to zzzz-ing. Therefore it would be just Darrell and I heading back to the concert.
The both of us re-enter the concert, appearing not as full as we left it. Maybe 2 dozen other people at that time, but it's the first year for this con, so it's just getting established. The usual mix of music as I've come to realize for a pony con like this. I'll admit some of the genres have grown on me, and the bass isn't too bad, especially when I wear ear plugs when it's getting a little too much. ;-)
Darrell and I are sitting at a table close to the dance area. Neither of us really dance, and for the most part everyone else is just hip-hopping, so for the most part we're just watching others enjoy the music. I didn't get this on camera, nor do I think Darrell did either, but I clearly saw an attendee do a mid air forward flip. Some really do get into the spirit of the event. I didn't sit around the whole time, for a couple staff members inflated some glowing balloons and tossed them out into the floor, so I ended up joining them for some random balloon volleys. :-) That helped burn off that Sponsor Dinner from a couple hours earlier.
A couple of full suiters are dancing in front of us, Dashie and a puppy. They were dancing in a way that made me say in my head, get a room please. They didn't get too crazy, so I didn't need to turn the hose on them. XP
One of the DJ's tosses a bunch of glowing sticks out on the floor, and seeing there's only a few others on the dance floor, I grab a couple and make a few loops to hang from my badge lanyard. I see one of the others on the floor must have grabbed up all the rest and made a 6 loop chain. ;-) Later in the concert I
"Friendship Through The Ages" from Equistria Girls plays, and more people start coming out to dance to that, so I take a moment to do a walk around pan of everyone else having fun. Other songs from EQ Girls were played at times during the concert that night, and they kinda stuck on me, especially Friendship Through The Ages.
For the rest of the concert I'm just playing around with the balloons, at times I take my Pinkie Pie mini plush and have her just bouncing on the balloons to the beat of the music. I also have Fluttershy do some less hyperactive dancing next to Pinkie Pie. As we've become so accustomed to the concert and our random little bits of fun, it the music diminishes and the lights come up. Darrell and I look at each other in amazement we stayed for the entire concert. We gather up our belongings and head back to our rooms, walking down the hallways, thinking about all the fun we managed to cram in one day. A very rewarding experience as I'm still singing in my head Friendship Through The Ages.
April 3rd.
The last day of the con, already? I seem to feel a pressure to map out everything I want to get to while I can. First thing we do is head to the Sponsor Lounge one last time, for it will be closed up by 2PM. We all hang out there for something to eat for breakfast and watch some more MLP eps. I find it just that much more fun watching MLP with other fans.
We pull ourselves away from the Sponsor Lounge to head to the Sunday Guest of Honor panel. Very same as Friday and Saturday, they talk for a little bit, and then take questions for the rest of the hour. It may sound repetitive, but all three of these Guest of Honor panels are unique in their own experiences, lots of fun and amusing every time.
After the Sunday Guest of Honor panel, I have three objectives on my schedule before closing ceremonies: Buy something in the vendor hall, go to Making Comics with Jenn Blake panel at 3PM, and catch the last half of the Charity Auction(maybe actually bid on something) at 4PM.
To the Vender Hall, for the clock is ticking for me to buy something! I must have been up and down all the aisles (all 3 of them. ;-) looking for some little neat thing that's at least MLP FiM themed. Scooter and I checked out a vendor selling scented candles that represented at least 2 dozen ponies of the show. All of the scents really seemed to have a spot on identity with the pony associated with. I think we spent about 10-15 minutes sniffing each candle sample put out, discussing how the scent associates with the pony on the candle container. I forget which exactly Scooter bought, but he had at least 3 different candles.
I must have spent another 10 minutes scouring all the wears for something not too big and maybe even practical. I finally decide on getting a MLP FiM themed mouse pad for the downstairs family room Mac. There were about 2 dozen designs to choose from -- I spent even more time just trying to make up my mind. I end up choosing one with Twilight on it, reading a book in a park.
With about 10 minutes left before the vendor hall closes up, I spot Jenn Blake at her table. I ask her if she's about to prepare to head over to her Making Comics panel, and she gives me some disappointing news her panel had been moved up to the day before. Last minute change I was unable to learn about, or simply missed an announcement at one of the Guest of Honor panels. Having been dealt that little setback, I aimlessly roam about the vendor hall, taking in the sights and ambiance of pony merchandise until the announcement the hall was closing.
Since my 3PM hour became unexpectedly freed up, the Charity Auction, being 2 hours long, was to also start at 3, so I decide I'll just do that til closing ceremonies.
There was A LOT of items up for auction. A whole bunch of plushies of different sizes, play sets and other pony themed toys to bid on. I had to reaaally restrain myself from even thinking of bidding on a big plushie I have no room for. Garnika and KimPossibleFan are running the auction at the start. Garnika is acting super hyper like Pinkie Pie, running back and forth, at times leaping onto the stage from the floor.
I was going to take a look at all the items up for auction at a display near the lobby, but I was just a little too late for that. Everything was being moved out by the time I finally got to the display of auction items. I was curious if there was something that might be worthy of me bidding on that didn't take up a lot of space. ;-)
After a dozen or so items brought up to bid, there was this reflector image of the Mane Six, which when viewed at one angle you see Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and the other Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. It's something not too small so I decide I'll bid. $30 was the opening bid. No one was quick to jump on it so I call out thirty. Someone else bids $35, so I figure I can go a little bit cause it's charity and call out forty. I hold my breath for a second for a second thinking I was about to be outbid…but Garnika and KimPossibleFan call out 'going once…going twice…*pointing to me* SOLD!!' First time I ever bid in an auction and first time winning an auction. =D (outside of ebay, of course. ;-)
The auction's last item was a LARGE diorama, about 18 inches wide by about 4 feet long, of an MLP FiM crossover of Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction. It was impressive, and, big. The opening bid was for $500, but no one was really biting. As I saw it, one issue was that item was plain ol BIG and one would need the space for it. Secondly, it's a rather narrow niche, one would have to really like MLP and the Haunted Mansion attraction. Third, Whinny City was in its premiere, so there may not have been as many 'high rollers' to bid, and everyone else seemed tapped out given how the latter auctions were $75-$150 range. I could have bid on it, but points one and two above were big issues with me. The artist of this work was present, and after an awkward moment of no bids, he dropped down to an opening of $250. Someone finally bid at $250, but no one went any higher. Then I heard something I've never heard before, someone else offering to bid $15 in contribution to the current bidder, in the sake of just raising money for the core objective: Charity. Right after that assisting bid, another offers $20 in addition, and someone chimes in $10. So Big Jim, Garnica and everyone else do an impromptu change in bidding: Contribute to just the charity of bidding even though not interested about the huuuge item up for bids. Also, the con chair Corey Wood decided to match whatever everyone contributed at that moment. Everyone donated a total of $426, and the Haunted Mansion eventually ended up being sold for $350. There was a lot of crazy fun in the end of the auction. =D
Literally at the time the auction ended, closing ceremonies began. Due to a number of Whinny City staffers having to make a hasty departure, they started off with the staff group pics. Like most closing ceremonies I've seen (or the 2 prior ones I've been to) it's just thanking everyone and anything that moves that's part of the pony con. It usually goes by quick, and before you know it, the Con Chair and Vice Con Chair announce next year there shall be another Whinny City Pony Con, and then bid everyone adu. It's ooooooverrr!
We slowly file out of the hall, no rush to leave the con ambiance behind, as others stand in groups talking, while others have some ride to catch, or have a short ride home like I do. Walking down the hallways we see what's probably the last major bit of brony activity milling about. Peeked into some of the smaller rooms to see what's left, as the banners for the various rooms still stand -- the projectional stills over the stairway showing who's here for Whinny City -- for now.
Heading back to the room to relax and reflect, you can't deny the post con blahs, especially when looking out into the lobby nearly everyone has filed out on what's now a rather quiet Sunday night. After downloading videos and pics and other random things before we head out to Ram Restaurant and Brewery for a little late dinner, I take another look out into the lobby. I spot two full suiters, the one Rainbow Dash and the Puppy from who we spotted Saturday evening and night. They're waving at me, so I wave back at them. I call Scooter and Darrell over to wave at them too. Then I realize they're gesturing us to come down to the lobby to meet them. So we head right on down and join them, and talk for a few minutes. They're rather amazed we're still here because they couldn't find anyone else to hang around with. We talk for a few minutes about our experiences with the con and how great it was and so forth. That helped defer some post-con blahs.
We finally head out for a later-than-usual (well for me) dinner about 8PM. I we have our jackets on as we head outside and we're flabbergasted by how mild the weather is at night. It had to have been 70 degrees yet, with a mild breeze. Contrast that to the snow we had on Saturday. Darrell had wanted to check out Ram Brewery and Restaurant well before getting here, so that's where we walked to on a rather balmy evening. Felt a little weird in a sense of a post-con activity, for I was not wearing my AJ hat which had been nearly glued to my head morning, day and evening. ;-) It was a nice place to dine at, we all ordered some kind of specialty hamburger. I tried out garlic fries, which really had as much garlic as can be legally applied to any potato product. We had a wonderful meal where we reflected on our experiences at Whinny City -- our hopes and expectations, and a couple of the minor things that didn't go exactly as planned. By far we had more fun than we realized. We had a couple toasts to friendship, friends that we wish were here with us, and to every single person behind MLP FiM who have made it a show we love so much.
Walking back to the hotel, we spot one of the office buildings that's been there forever seemingly, and on the north face of it at the top it has IQM on it, which to some is an inside joke with AIM chat rooms('iqm' upside down is 'wb!'). I'm rather amazed by seeing that, and yet it seems like an omen of our gathering.
We enter the hotel through the north entrance and we meet up with a few of the Whinny City staff we had seen during the con. We chatted for a bit and told them what a wonderful convention it was and so much fun we had. One of the staffers showed us the 'bro-elbow', how it's easy to do when one's hands are full.
Heading back to my room, we play a few rounds of wii bowling as we chat and stream to the rest of our friends. Darrell won every time. XP Occasionally I looked out into the lobby to see if there's any bronies milling about. There's NO ONE milling about on a Sunday night. Just earlier it was still bustling with an MLP theme. I played a couple more pony eps to round out the evening, while we chatted and streamed the last night of our meet-up to the rest of our friends online.
April 4th.
Waking up Monday morning, realizing all good things come to an end. We make the most of the morning as we can. Packing up all the ponies, taking down the towel that hung as a banner for the con, carefully storing the autographs, and of course packing everything else. Doesn't feel like a Monday in this way, but I've already done this for a convention twice already.
Double checking the floors for anything and leaving a nice tip, we check out of our rooms and head over to the Fresh Bar for a quick bite to eat for breakfast. Already we're dreading how our meet-up is coming to a close, but we keep those thoughts at bay as we look at pics and video as we eat and reminisce about the fun we had at Whinny City.
Scooter shows us an app for Uber that displays all the nearest drivers around that can pick him up and take him to the Grayhound Station in downtown Chicago. He books a ride and has a confirmation that a driver will be there in a matter of a few minutes. Just like that, Scooter's ride shows up, so we head outside. As Darrell and I are about to say goodbye to Scooter, we notice just how COLD it is this morning. That's Chicago weather for you. ;-) Darrell and I give Scooter a send off and watch him depart. Darrell's super shuttle ride won't be here for a few minutes yet, and we decide it's just a little TOO cold to stay out here, so we take a seat back inside the lobby close to the door.
While we wait, I decide to play the MLP FiM ep Castle Sweet Castle for us, just to hear the "I'm pancake!" line(which reminds me I never did order any pancakes so I could say that).Looking around, there is literally no trace of anything of Whinny City Pony Con left, not even attendees, but we both spot across the lobby the Rainbow Dash full suiter, still in his Dashie suit, but without the headpiece on. We would go over to say bye to him, but Darrell's ride could show up any minute. I thought he'd maybe come leave by the front door and then maybe give a shout out to him, but he ended up going to the far north exit. About half way through the ep, Darrell's ride shows up, so I do a quick packing up of the laptop and head out the door with him. We say our goodbyes and say how awesome the time was, and I see him ride off to Golf Road on his way to O'hare.
And so it's just myself again. I don't have to make any travel arrangements, just walk to my car and drive home. Of course it feels lonely and empty walking out to the parking lot after having a blast like the three of us had over the weekend. In a way it reminds me how special this whole thing was for all of us. I load up the bags of stuff (might as well bring all I can if I drive to a place like this ;-), and get ready to back away. Just as I am pulling away I see something on the car that was parked to the right of my car (and somehow missed this as I walked past) it was a black Civic with the license plate TWILCRN and Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark on the fuel door. That right there really made my day and was a VERY fitting ending to my Whinny City Pony Con experience. The whole time driving back home all I thought of was all the fun and laughs the three of us had together, and reminding myself there will be future opportunities for pony conventions with my friends, laughter and fun.