I posted this on another site, but I figured I'd post it here and see if I can get a different perspective from other people. So here we go.
Most people who know me or have known me for a long time know that when I have an opinion on something, I try to be nice. At the same time, however, I cannot try to mince words, as I am a "tell it like it is" kind of guy. I call things as I see them and cannot apologize for doing so. So bear with me here. And don't worry, I won't be throwing anybody under the bus.
Over the last 9 years or so, I have gone to many anime/geek conventions. During that time, I've learned a lot about myself and what I can improve on, spent way more money than was necessary for me to spend, and met many interesting and cool people. I have also learned that at any con, anything can and will happen. Think about this example for a minute:
You take a large (or small) group of con goers and put them in or around a con location (usually a hotel/convention center) during a 3 to 5 day period. You mix everything there is to do at a con with many different types of con-goers, add food (or sometimes lack of) to their systems, lack of sleep, that oh-so-familiar smell of con funk, and top it all off with sex, alcohol, drugs, and other vices. Mix all of that up very well and serve. What are you going to get?
My Answer: It depends on the person. For some, it's the perfect getaway, a golden opportunity to lose themselves in the enjoyment of a con, at least for that moment, before going back to their everyday lives. To those people it's a cocktail made in heaven.
But....
For other people it can be a cocktail made in hell. Senses can be overloaded, bodies can be overworked, emotions can be overwhelming. And in some cases, one too many words can be said, one too many actions can be taken. As a result of that, bad things will happen and con drama will ensue.
Still, in some cases it can be both good and bad, sometimes even manic. The worst thing ever can happen to a person on Friday, and then 24 hours later the most awesome event in the history of awesomeness occurs in a flash. Of course, it all depends on how the person in question receives the events that happen to them.
Also, about emotion. I've also learned that every single emotion you can think of is present at a con. Yes, it's 3, 4, 5 days or whatever, but it's all there. Happiness, joy, sadness, disbelief, anger, kindness, love, lust, hate, compassion, distress, despair, contentment, stoicism, excitement, sorrow, peace....I could go on and on. One day of the con you could be walking down a hallway and you narrowly avoid a gaggle of happy cosplayers running to get to a photo shoot that they've waited a whole year or more to attend. And then you turn the corner in the hallway and you see someone slumped to their knees and attempting to coherently talk to their friend on the phone between fits of sobbing and tears. Yes, I have seen both of those examples happen. Numerous times, at numerous conventions. And I'm sure it will happen again in the future.
In closing, I believe that cons can be fun for a person, but only if the person allows the con to be fun. It is my hope that the convention I staff, Anime Milwaukee, as well as any future conventions I go to, will be a lot of fun for everyone involved. Staff, volunteers, vendors, artists, guests, con-goers. Everyone should have a good time. Thanks for reading.
Mike
Anime Milwaukee 2012
Adult Programming DH
adultprogramming@animemilwaukee.com
