If you’re one of the ones fortunate enough to have a
convention pop up in your neck of the woods, then by all means I suggest
checking it out. And why is that, you ask? Aside from a cult, where else are you
going to find a larger group of like-minded individuals? As the safer
alternative, I highly recommend to anyone that they attend a convention, at
least once. Be it sci-fi, anime, or what have you, it’s a good opportunity to
gain a broader appreciation of your genre of choice. Of course it can be a bit
daunting, so I’m here to offer my services in preparing you for such an
endeavor. This guide is not only for you neophytes out there, but for you con
vets at well, because, well, sometimes even we need a reminder or two.
The first thing that you’ll more than likely notice,
especially if you are a newbie, is the fact that there are some people in this
world that make your devotion for a particular series/character seem almost
normal. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is all in the eye of the beholder.
It’s either something to aspire to, or something to shy away from. On the
subject of social interaction at conventions, even if it goes against every
fiber of your being, I strongly suggest speaking to some of the people there.
Sure, you might be as pale as Rei from Evangelion due to your constant
shunning of sunlight and human contact, but I guarantee that they’ll be
someone there that can relate to you. If you see a nice costume, complement
them. If you like someone’s shirt, let him or her know. For the love of
humanity, remember your upbringing and show some decency, though. Just because
someone is dressed up as Naga from Slayers is no reason to hold a
conversation with her cleavage.
The best way to describe the feeling you’ll get the first
time you walk into the Dealers’ Room is that of fandom overload, as
you’re going to see just about everything you have possibly ever wanted, and
then some. While the more seasoned vet is used to this, it can still be pretty
overwhelming at times. You can always tell who’s the newbie in the Dealers’
Room, because often times they are the ones you’ll find on the ground
twitching and giggling madly. My advice here is to simply narrow your search
down. Make a list of the things that you really want, and would probably have a
hard time finding outside of the convention. If you still have it in your
budget, you can then start hunting for whatever odds and ends strike your fancy.
Random side note - food money should not be mixed in with this budget, and
neither should your hotel expenses. You need to eat, and spending money meant to
cover the hotel room has been known to anger roommates.
Now, this one is for the more seasoned con-goer, those
individuals that have been at this for a while. My advice to you is to simply
get out of your routine from time to time. It may seem painful to skip that
Hentai panel that you’ve attended every year, but I’m sure that there’s
something else going on at that same time that you’ll find just as
interesting. It doesn’t pay to get stuck in your ways, because there’s a lot
going on over the course of the weekend that you’re bound to miss out on.
And of course, the final and most important rule is to
simply have fun. Do whatever you do to have a good time, within reason of
course. Whether that is Cosplaying, attending panels, or getting tipsy with your
friends in the sanctuary of your hotel room, have fun. I mean, after all,
isn’t that what these conventions are all about? Having a bit of fun and
meeting new people that share your enthusiasm for the genre? I’ve learned that
you get back what you put into these conventions. So with that in mind, sit
back, relax, and take in the sights. And have fun, dammit.
-- Mani, who will be Cosplaying, attending panels, and getting tipsy with his friends in the sanctuary of his hotel room at this year’s Anime Weekend Atlanta