Nearly six months into the country being more or less closed for business, and I thought I was doing pretty all right — until I opened Facebook this morning.
Most of the time I’m good with the flashback-reminder thingies Facebook gives. When it brings back a person who’s passed away, or a person who’s passed on your friendship it brings mixed feelings, and old first day of school photos are weird sometimes if your kid is now living as a different gender, but overall memories are cool.
This morning I felt a bit gut-pinched, when reminded that I used to leave my city, stay in hotels, and willingly hang out for hours in a smoosh of stinky humans.
Not gonna lie: I miss the heck out of it.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
I just spent three days as a spectator at SacAnime. It was enormously entertaining, as expected, but I have observations:
*Apparently, if you’re a guy who thinks you're in good physical shape you can walk around shirtless, and call that your cosplay...
*You know that weird mesh patch in the crotch of pantyhose? SO MANY adorable young ladies were in cosplays requiring a leotard and tights — but instead of finding dance or cosplay tights they went with hose, and had the patch hanging out of their leotards. Sometimes it stretched almost to their knees.
It’s okay, though, because I might be the only one who noticed.
*Sometimes awkwardness occurs because you’re not sure if a person is cosplaying or just existing. I saw a possible Heisenberg, a couple of maybe Wolverines, and several people in wild Hawaiian shirts who were most likely just parents.
*I can’t understand how people can spend exorbitant amounts of money on costumes and choose to not wear deodorant. Seriously. The Sacramento convention center must have B.O. permanently seeped into the walls. Gawd help me, I’m still here, and some of these people haven’t showered — and it’s day 3 of the convention.
*a bottle of water costs $4.50.
*The thing I was most aware of was the acceptance level. Cosplay(the costumes, makeup, wigs) provide a sort of a protective shield of marvelous confidence to people who might not ordinarily shine. Piles of teens (some longtime friends, some new connections) playing D&D, and other role play games, laughing, encouraging each other. Kids in costumes posing for photos and admiring the efforts of their peers. Overall there is an overwhelming sense of positivity and friendliness. It’s a joy to witness.
