Alright, let me start off by saying that this is going to be a rather personal blog entry. So, if you don’t want to read that bit just scroll down to the really cool part. You’ll know it when you see it.
In my original report on Dragon*Con, I had a lot of positive and negative experiences. I thought I had gotten a handle on everything before I wrote that entry, but apparently I had not. Thanks to a lot of help from my wife and my best friend Maria, I’ve gotten a much clearer picture on why Dragon*Con felt so rough for me this year.
I put way too much pressure on myself. Plain and simple.
2012 was the first Dragon*Con for my friends, and I wanted to make sure it was the most awesome experience they’ve ever had. I was also bringing Subject Delta back for the girls, and I wanted to make sure it was just as awesome as it could be. How anyone could go to Dragon*Con for the first time, and not have a blast, had not entered my head. How someone could bring any kind of a Subject Delta costume and not have fun, had not entered my mind. I simply put the weight of 8 or so Dragon*Con experiences on my shoulders, and quite frankly, I cracked.
My friends all had so much fun taking my advice of “Now, don’t feel like you have to stick with me the whole time. If there is something you want to do, go do it.” The problem with that advice, they took it, and I didn’t see them as much. Without seeing their faces, expressions, and being able to watch them watch Dragon*Con, I had no idea if they were enjoying it or not. Sure they told me they were, but they’re my friends. I don’t think any of them would say, “Dude, this sucks.” to my face.
Now, add to that pressure worry about my paying job (I tried to fight it), costumes breaking and technology that just wouldn’t work, and you have a very frustrated geek. That allowed for my depression to kick in and nearly ruin Dragon*Con. I do not take any prescription meds for my depression. The side effects frighten me, and honestly, it doesn’t get that bad, in my opinion. It has never crippled me. It ruins my mood, and often the moods of those around me, but my close family and friends know this and do what they can to lift me up. Thanks everyone.
After talking to Melinda and Maria, and letting the fog clear, I have come to realize that 2012 was probably the best Dragon*Con yet. I met some amazing people that I am now calling friends. I never knew there were other cosplayers here in Tennessee, and now I’ve found a whole group of them and we’re already making plans for next year. I met an amazing photographer and I really hope to see next year and hopefully work with him too. My friends had an amazing time and are already planning to go next year (memberships have been purchased). They’ve even convinced me that I had enough fun to go back again next year. Yes, I know I said I wasn’t going to go back, but I also said that could change, and it did. Rather quickly too.
THE REALLY COOL PART
Told you you’d know it when you saw it.
If you read all the above, thanks. I think what is coming up will be worth it.
If you didn’t read the above and just scrolled to here, it’s still cool. Thanks for just reading.
Costume Plans for 2013
IDW Comic’s Cobra Commander
Yup. I think it is about time for this. I made the Destro costume for my first Dragon*Con and my first attempt at real costume making, so I think I need to do a Cobra Commander costume now.
This will involve making another helmet. I’ve made a few now, and I know I could make this using similar methods to the Night Guard and Delta helmets, but I’m going to try the Volpin Props method of casting the whole thing. I’ve been studying the video below, and I think I’m going to be able to do it.
This will also involve more body armor work. My last attempt at armor for the Night Guard didn’t turn out too well, but I learned a lot from it and I’ve learned a few new tricks since then too. I’m excited to try and see what happens.
Beyond that, I think this will make a really cool costume and also be something easy to wear. I just have to remember the diver’s mask defogging solution this year. I would really like to be able to see out of the helmet for once.
Bioshock Infinite’s Songbird
Yup, you read that right. The group of us that did the Bioshock cosplays at the aquarium have been talking and it’s time to do an Infinite cosplay.
The very first time I saw Songbird in the trailer, I knew I had to make this costume. After Delta, I swore off big heavy bulky costumes, and I think I can keep that promise and do Songbird at the same time. It is bulky, but it can’t be heavy. He flies for crying out loud. If I can get the wing mechanics right, I think this is something I can actually do. I’m just going to be taking it in small steps at a time.
I’ll also be helping out some of the other cosplayers with Handyman, Mechanized Patriots, and hopefully Boys of Silence builds too, but Songbird is for me.
There will of course be changes to all this. New costumes will be added. Some might go away. Prop and commissioned prop builds will hopefully be coming. Upgrades to existing costumes will happen. We will be going to other local cons. Like all things associated with Dragon*Con, it is very fluid.
