Post DragonCon Depression

It seems like I left on a cliff-hanger the last time that I posted. Before I get into everything, I’ll do a quick recap.

DragonCon is a five day long multi-genre convention with upwards of 60K attendees that takes place in Atlanta Georgia every year over Labor Day weekend. I’ve attended every year since 2014 except 2018 and (of course) 2020.

I had an incredible time this year. I ran a different cosplay every single day and I loved it. The line up this year was club dress Harley Quinn on Thursday night, Wednesday Addams on Friday, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck on Saturday, a nurse from Silent Hill on Sunday, and generic pink seifuku on Monday.

I usually help a particular book-selling vendor and this year she did great. We sold out of the brand new book that she had on offer, and nearly sold out of most others.

I’d like to recount a few stories from my adventures:

Some of the greatest kindnesses that I’ve received in my life have been bestowed upon me in the bathrooms at DragonCon, and this year continued the trend. One night (Saturday?) I was washing my hands in the Hyatt lobby bathroom and I realized they were completely out of paper towels. So, I’m standing just flicking my wet hands into the sink to try and dry them a little. There was a fellow con goer near the exit door drying her hands on her shirt. She saw me, and offered to let me dry my hands on her shirt.

And I did.

I don’t know your name, friend, but if you ever read this you are one cool cat.

I saw so many Barbie cosplayers (Hi Barbie!) and Korok cosplayers (Ya ha ha!) that I am pretty sure the phrases have become a permanent part of my lexicon.

I’ll do a really brief review of the drink situation. The rum buckets available in the Hyatt are decent tasting and classic. The drinks in the Hilton first floor are perfectly mixed and crisp. Not one of them is going to get you drunk for under $100.

I’ve already booked my hotel room for next year. I’m pretty excited as my husband and I are kind of striking out on our own.

I don’t know what cosplays that I’ll do next year, but I know one way or the other I’m going to have a great time.

But… I’m home now.

I’ve gone back to work, and cleaning my house, and wearing all my regular non-cosplay clothes. Regular problems have returned, and we’ve even encountered some advanced regular problems.

I’m going to sound pathetic, but now that it’s over I’m so horribly sad.

That was the life I want to live, and those people are the people I belong with.

That said, I know it’s possible to make that kind of life happen. It’s going to take a tremendous amount of work but I am dedicating myself to it.

Wish me luck.