After nearly 2 years, I finally went to a convention again. In a few ways it felt like the first time all over again, but so familiar. It was a truly marvelous feeling to be back amongst other people, wearing cosplay in public, and having social interactions that I so desperately missed. Being an ambivert, the last year was a rather sort of torture. While my introverted side loved the solitude, the part of me that's an extrovert was crying out to get out. But of course, my fear of the virus (because I and my parents are high risk), it kept me from really going anywhere for health and safety purposes. With things opening up in Ontario, Canada again, I took the opportunity to finally go to a con. For the first time ever in my cosplay/convention career, I had a hotel room all to myself, and booked myself into the Hilton Garden Inn nearby. This convention was extremely refreshing after almost 2 years, it was absolutely fantastic to see friends again, interact in person, shop for fandom items in person. Sometimes through the weekend I had to remind myself it wasn't a dream. Friday: I worked all day Friday until 4:30pm, leaving straight from work with all of my luggage inside my van. I drove straight to my hotel, checking in around 7:30-8. I chilled and relaxed briefly before getting ready to meet with my friends Sean and Mike, getting sushi and alcohol with them for the first time in forever. We spent the night eating, chatting, drinking, great fun that we had desperately missed since the start of the pandemic. I can't say much more than that about Friday since it was very personal being with them again. Saturday: I woke up around 8:30 Saturday, a bit later than I had planned given Lucifer's makeup. But I still got up, made myself some coffee and had some breakfast - just something small to start my day. For doing Lucifer's makeup I went live on TikTok, with my friend Sean present through the whole thing. I finished Lucifer's makeup in record time. I got the costume all on, put on my pentacle mask for heading out of my room, with Sean in tow. We drove over to the convention centre, choosing to drive only because of the wind and cold. Sadly because Sean only had 8 days fully vaccinated he could not attend, so I was left to walk around on my own. I quickly found a friend though, and chatted and walked around with her for a while - Venturi Cosplay. I had photos taken by Pokame_for_pics (IG), which I just got back, indoors, and also paid for a shoot with Richard of Open Shutter Photography - photos coming soon! While walking around and doing some browsing my friend @imajenncos (IG) found me looking at keychains and it was so good to see her, even if it was brief, as I was pulled away by the Fizzarolli, Alastor, and Charlie that were also at the con asking if I wanted to join them in their photoshoot. At the end of the photoshoot we ended up spending the rest of the convention day together, walking around the con, getting photos taken and making a lot of people very excited. We didn't part ways until 5:30, just as the con was ending. We saw off Fizz, and knowing that Charlie and Alastor were traveling together made me feel more comfortable to head to my van. Before we all parted ways there were many hugs and now we have a group chat on IG for ourselves. I spent the rest of my night filming a few TikToks in Lucifer (cut short because my mouth was in pain from wearing the teeth all day. So I changed looks after a bit to something more comfortable. I was also on call with international friends for much of the night and had pizza and wings all to myself for dinner. Sunday: Sunday I slept in a bit! But not too much as I had to pack and get all of my things down to my van. I prepared my coffee, had a bite, and started up finishing the packing process, while also putting on Dabi's makeup and cosplay. I filmed two TikToks in my hotel room before I fully packed up everything and took them down to the van. Getting everything into my van took a few trips and about 20 minutes, but it was a smooth process at least and checking out was super quick. I did however have to run back up to the hotel room (and have them give me a new key card) as I almost forgot my normal jacket that I arrived with on Friday. At least I remembered before I even left the hotel parking lot. I got to the con shortly after, even getting to park closer to the door (bonus with a short sleeved coat), and I wasn't even in the door 2 minutes and got stopped by a Toga, who I took a selfie with. I did my shopping today since my hands were basically free. Hallelujah for a cosplay with pockets! I did a decent amount of Christmas shopping, including getting my niece and my sister bought for for the holiday and something small for my mother. I did buy a few things for myself but that's kinda natural when you go to a con. I found my friend Venturi Cosplay again, who was dressed as Nejire in the UA track uniform. I spent the rest of the day with her until we parted ways at the end of the con. It was a lot of fun and I'm so glad I got to see her and other friends over the weekend - and make a few new ones! I had dinner with Mike and Sean before I left Ottawa and headed home. Hopefully soon I can see them again, and go to a con again. I really missed the social interactions, being amongst others, learning things from others while at a con, taking photos, having my photo taken... it was like going to a con for the first time all over again.
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My blog will cover costume progress and event coverage for the most part. There may also be other posts that will be cosplay related. Categories
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