Do you enjoy conventions?

[Unorthodox]

Salt Lake Comic Con getting all the news locally, the Halloween conventions gearing up, kinda got stuck in my head this morning. 

I might do a Halloween one some day down the road, but the whole convention thing really isn't "me".  Too crowded, too much.  I don't give a rodents rectum about celebrities, the next seminar I want to attend will be the first, and the floor would at best be inspiration, not likely something I have the wallet for. 

That said, if hEt wanted to go meet insert celebrity here at one of the conventions, I'd be able to enjoy the costumes at the least. 

[Lorizael]

I enjoy conventions because of the enthusiasm for and the different perspectives on fandom that you see. There's a small, local SF writing convention I semi-regularly attend that I enjoy because it's a bunch of SF writers discussing their craft. I like being a part of that. But I can also only tolerate conventions in short spurts. I get a headache on Christmas when I'm in the same house as all my extended family for most of a day; something like a convention just multiplies that. So I go, attend a panel or two, then leave to get some fresh air, then come back when I feel refreshed, etc.

[Valka]

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[Unorthodox]

the term "cosplay" hadn't been invented yet, and I find that term rather bizarre

So, I'm not alone.  How did that term "stick"? 

I think the closest I've ever come to that is my costume last year (and that's stretching it), which I could see myself improving and wearing around at suitable events (there was a "renfair" type Christmas event I was severely tempted to 'father christmas' it up a bit and attend, for instance), just because people reacted so peculiarly. 

[Valka]

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[Rusty Edge]

I said too loud for me.

I guess I've never been to a comic, sci-fi, or gaming con. I have a niece who works security at such events, makes &wears  costumes, and dances. For me those things mostly generate traffic, parking problems, and crowds when I'm try to do something else.

I have fond memories of other conferences and conventions. My Dad used to take the family along to various conventions. I think that's when I learned to love travel. Also, my wife and I had our first date at an antique show/collector's convention.

I have some good memories of interesting speakers, exhibits, but also a few naps and long lines at the bathroom after lunch at my own professional conferences.

On the whole, though, I'm glad the "Cons" exist. My sister discovered the "Iron Druid Chronicles" at one and suggested them to me. Those books make me laugh aloud. Cons get people to travel and take their virtual friendships to Real Life.

Too bad that Civ thing never materialized.

[ColdWizard]

I assume they're too crowded for me, so I haven't gone to one yet.

[Valka]

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