[ SECRET POST #3564 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3564 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.



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02.
[Keeping Up Appearances]


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03.
[set the thames on fire]


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04.
[Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth]


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05.
[Dragon Ball Z]


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06.
[Obduction]


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07.

















Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 09 secrets from Secret Submission Post #509.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[fscom]

01. http://i.imgur.com/EIq81CU.png

[(Anonymous)]

Same tbh

[(Anonymous)]

this describes my life

[ketita]

That is probably a legitimate fear, especially for the big conventions. Very small ones, however, can be a lot friendlier, and you can meet people there, because they're less hectic with more time to talk, and less crowds.
You could also try to put together a F!S con-visit, though! It could be fun.

[(Anonymous)]

Same. I'm willing to go anyway if there is some star or panel I really want to see, but it would have to be someone or something I'm majorly into because cons are really expensive, plus the travel costs :(

[philstar22]

I used to feel this way. Then I went to one and had so much fun. There is generally so much to do and see, there isn't really even time for standing around.

[(Anonymous)]

Not OP - this might just be me. But for me, the issue of not having stuff to do is only part of the issue. The other issue is that cons tend to be the kinds of situation where I would have really intense social anxiety, especially if I was by myself.

And I've actually been to conventions by myself in the past, and in fact, it turns out that there were things that I did enjoy but that I also did end up feeling really anxious most of the time I was there.

[vethica]

There's plenty of stuff to do at cons by yourself! Panels, events, dealers' room, artists' alley... Heck, even when I do go with people, we usually spend a lot of time separated because we have different things we want to go to. Of course it's nice to have friends to go with, but I don't think the idea of going alone should discourage you. Try to go for one day sometime and see if you like it. c:

[thezmage]

The big cons are actually a lot of fun alone. You can go to whatever panels you want and can check out the show floor alone without worrying that you're going to get separated.

[kallanda_lee]

I've been to cons alone. Mostly I just hang around at Q&A's, see the vendors, catch the occasional cosplay contest. But, I'm also the sort who goes to movies alone, I must say.

[(Anonymous)]

hahaha shit that is an A+ picture choice. nice work.

that said, cons are partly what you make of them, partly what they offer. Like, if you're not at all interested in tabletop or LAN gaming, a gaming con is not for you. If you don't like comics and aren't interested in paying $50 for a celebrity autograph, steer clear of the big corporate comic-cons. check out what they're offering in terms of guests, events, and panel programming and select one that looks like it has a lot of things that appeal to you. then, make your own schedule and do what you want when you want. if you want to meet lots of new people, cosplay! Wear even the cheapest thrown-together costume and you'll at least become a beacon for other fans.

[(Anonymous)]

You think a sci-fi con will sense something unusual with an awkward overweight trekkie standing around all on their ownsome and staring at people who turned up in groups? You really haven't been to one before.

[(Anonymous)]

I have the same fear. I am not good with crowds and standing by myself. What if no one talked to me or worse what if everyone laughed at me. It doesn't help that I would want to dress up and don't fit into the normal sexy hot cosplayer mold.

[(Anonymous)]

anon, trust me, the "sexy hot cosplayer" is not normal. Are there hot cosplayers? Of course. Are they all hot? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NO. Not by a long shot. The internet has lied to you if you think you need to be hot to cosplay. If you want to dress up, do it. Be the cutest best most fun whatever you can be and don't give a single brain cell's thought otherwise.

[(Anonymous)]

I feel you, OP. I really want to go to a con, but I get kinda nervous when I'm alone and crowds make me anxious. I have a friend who might go with me next year, but it's a little difficult to coordinate things because her schedule is very different from mine.

[dinogrrl]

Try one and see? Especially if there's one within driving distance, then you won't have to worry about losing a bunch of money on travel and board if you end up not enjoying yourself.

I went to a local one a few years ago, unfortunately it was during my physical and mental health low point so I didn't get as much out of the con as I had hoped, but I wore a shirt with a design I had done myself and actually had some people ask me about it, which was pretty cool. Soooo yeah wear something with your favorite character, you'll run into someone sooner or later who'll comment on it and that's a nice icebreaker.

On the flip side, a major con came to town last year and I decided not to go at all (for whatever reason, I think maybe it was during another really 'down' time for me), and I have been kicking myself about it ever since.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm going to my first ever convention this Sunday :D (a Star Trek one)

I don't have anyone to go with, I just decided that after having such a crap year I wanted to do something I've always wanted to do but never done. I have no idea what to expect, but I've got my Star Trek uniform ready :)

[(Anonymous)]

Go by yourself! I went to my first few cons by myself and made friends at each one. As time wore on, I would meet up with them at future cons. And then was invited to fannish events on a regular basis. Like here in NYC, there are once a week meetings, once a month, parties at certain times of the year. You'll meet more people at the cons. Usually standing in line to get into a talk.

[(Anonymous)]

Same, OP. I'm quite shy and introverted and I worry that I'd end up just sort of wandering around on the edge of peoples' conversations like a creeper.

[world_eater]

you could try arranging meeting with people online. con sites usually have forums or you can use cosplay.com's (if they're still cool?)

maybe people with similar interests or maybe you want to cosplay together

[(Anonymous)]

It's a lot of awkward standing around anyway. You might as well go and see what's up.

[rivulet027]

I've been to a few smaller ones by myself and generally had a good time, actually ran into a friend that was already there at the last one I went to. I generally have already decided who I'm getting an autograph from, see if there are any panels I want to go to, and then check out the toys before heading home. That and get lots of pictures of people in their wonderful cosplay. It's a lot of fun.

I've also taken my toddler niece to two cons and plan to take a nephew to one in March. It's a nice way to bond with them, get them to have fun running around in a costume while meeting other kids in costume. The other thing I've found that is really nice is I paid attention to where she was at and when she started to get overstimulated we'd find a quiet spot and take a break before having more fun, which reminded me to take breaks and keep us both hydrated.

Plan out your schedule.

[(Anonymous)]

Take a look at what's going on during the con, decide what you really want to go to or see, then the stuff that might be interesting, plan out your days and most of your time. You can always skip out on something you're iffy about if something better comes along, but there's a lot less awkward standing around if you've got something you're going to go to. And make sure you have something to do while standing in line.

[supermanda]

This is exactly me, OP.

Or, if I did attend one alone, I sure as shit would not dress up lol and I feel like that's kind of a waste

[(Anonymous)]

Depending on why you want to go, either a) pick a small local con. go every year. The first year you will stand around awkwardly a lot listening to conversations by people who have clearly known each other for years. by the second year people will recognize you and try to have conversations with you like you have known each other for years. it will still be awkward.

or b) go to a huge national con with lots of dealers and celebrity guests. You will spend most of your time standing in line or shopping. That is socially sanctioned standing around awkwardly. you will be less likely to make friends but nobody will notice if you don't.

either way, c) contact the con runners and offer to volunteer. you will then be assigned to stand around awkwardly, but you will be wearing a badge that says you are doing it for justice, so it's okay. usually you will be assigned to stand around awkwardly with other people who are required to interact with you, and friends will happen.

and d) remember that basically nobody goes to a fan con unless they are socially awkward already. you are not alone. find the person in the room who looks even more awkward and alone than you. there will be at least one. go say hi. they will be so grateful you will have a friend for life.