A few years ago, Amy asked the question: What’s your Con? I’m back with my answer.
What’s Your Con? Is it New York Comic Con? The “Official Con” in San Diego every July? Do you like the local Con in “insert name of your hometown”? Do YOU go to Brunch Con (a real thing!), Hello Kitty Con or Book Con? Or is “Con” OBVIOUSLY Comic Con to you?
After my 5th year at San Diego Comic Con, after attending New York Comic Con 3 times, plus a walk or two through Wizard Con in Philadelphia, I have to admit that My Con IS Comic Con.
But I’m not really a nerd!
Deep fandom here…
Sure I like cats and there was that whole Twilight phase I went through for like 8 years.
Casual Twilight-themed photoshoot Nikki and I did in 2009
I’ve dressed as Hermione (who hasn’t with hair like mine?)
I’ve been a sexy cat for Halloween (obviously).
I own a shirt with myself as a super hero on it. (I’m the one on the left taking a selfie)
But I haven’t seen the latest Star Wars. Or actually ANY of the Star Wars. I don’t know which characters are Marvel and which are DC. I don’t read comic books, and graphic novels confuse me. I’ve confessed before I’m a pop culture faker.
But I can hold my OWN at a con. I know which bathroom is the least busy in the Javitz center (It’s in the press lounge), and I know how to get into Hall H in San Diego (sorta), and I definitely know the best places to eat.
There was also that one time we dressed up like Disney Hipster Princesses
When I meet new people and they find out that I attend cons, I get asked “Are you nerdy?” Sometimes it’s from someone who is a total nerd and is looking for camaraderie. Other times it’s from someone who is hoping I answer “no” since think Comic Con attendees spend 3 days playing Dungeons and Dragons and the other day playing MineCraft (Dream con!)
And I haven’t known how to answer. Am I as nerdy as Beth who will cry telling you about her love affair she’s had since she was a kid with Star Wars?
Or Nikki who has Game of Thrones theories that she could talk about for an hour without taking a break?
If Nerdy is Natasha going to a NYC party fully dressed in 18th century garb, then I’m the most “normal” vanilla person there is:
But I’m NOT like those fabulous nerdy friends of mine. While I may not go to Comic Con for specific reasons, for a fandom or even know half the people are, the fact that I go at all and enjoy myself and love people watching and laughing and seeing people bond together over their love for a particular fandom, is my con.
It’s why I do it multiple times a year and have for the past 5 years or so. It’s why I continue to fight the crowds at SDCC and will do so again next July.
Here are some cons I probably would attend:
Brunch Con
(A real possibility since there are TEN OF THEM IN 2018!)
Avocado Toast Con
I assume this is a branch of Brunch Con that WILL be coming sometime in the near future
Wine Con
TELL ME THIS IS A THING. I guess a weekend in Napa with friends could be called “Wine Con” but TELL ME THIS IS A THING.
Robert Pattinson Con
Once a Rob Fan, always a Rob Fan
Cat cafe con
There is nothing better than a cat cafe. I passed one on the street in Brooklyn the other night, and I stood there for a good 5 minutes talking to the kitties through the window. And there’s this great cat cafe in Philly with this AWESOME instagram account their insta stories will blow your mind, so follow them now.
Twilight Con
Well, I sorta attend one already as I’ve been to the Forever Twilight in Forks festival for the past THREE years now. Yes, Forks, Washington is a client of my agency (really, #EGBTT), but it’s mostly because I’m still a HUGE Twihard deep down:
So while my answer to the question “Are you nerdy?” or “What’s your fandom?” might disappoint some people when they find out I’m a Comic Con attendee, I’m comfortable with what I’m into!
I love comic con. I love watching people and their fandoms. I love seeing the detail that they put into their costume. I love the super weird attendees the worst. Comic Con IS my Con. It may not be for a specific fandom, but it’s where I want to be!
