And it was awesome.
I got to see Mark Pellegrino, Emma Caulfield, Kane Hodder, and James Marsters.
I attended some super fun panels on all sorts of random topics.
I won a pretty kickass poster for "Now You See Me 2."
But most of all...I got to be myself.
Physically, I'm still exhausted. I woke up "early" and spend 3 days fairly active. I have a sore bruise on my shoulder (no clue where that came from) and marks on my thighs from ill-fitting tights. My hips and ankles were SORE thanks to cheap shoes with zero support.
Emotionally, however, I felt at ease. They estimate 85,000 people made their way around the convention center during the 4 days. You'd think my social anxiety would have been through the roof and I would have spent it miserable.
I wasn't. I got to just...exist. I didn't have to impress anyone. I didn't have to adhere to any particular societal rules (Rules: Cosplay is not consent and don't stand in the walkways). People watching is pretty much encouraged at these events. Squealing and clapping when you see something you like just blends in to the other weirdos doing the same thing. Wear what you want as long as the important bits are covered (for the most part).
It's definitely my favorite part of Comicon.
I'll have posts about specific experiences as the weeks go by! I didn't want to word-vomit all over and expect you to read a novel cataloguing every single thing I did over the 3 days.
I'm already excited for next year.
And, yes, I already have my cosplay planned.
No. I won't tell you. You'll just have to wait and see in 2017.