Conventions: A Stealth Geek Overview

Dragon*Con officially kicks off tomorrow in Atlanta, GA. Your leader will be attending this convention Saturday.

                     

Perhaps you’ve not had the opportunity to visit a (geeky) convention or really even know what they’re all about.

Conventions, as you may already know my dear comrades, are organized gatherings of people centered around a certain common interest(s). Geeks generally attend conventions themed around fantasy, sci-fi, gaming, anime, comics, and gadgetry.

Conventions like Dragon*Con feature artists, famous actors and voice actors, board gaming rooms, video gaming rooms, merchandise rooms, dances, live performances, costume contests, movie viewings, workshops (for various crafts), photography sessions for people in costume, and lots of other odd events.

Geek Conventions can be really fun, but there are several things to be aware of before attending.

1. Cons are the largest gathering of socially awkward/inept people you’ll ever come across. You will hear and see things you can never un-hear or un-see (makes for great stories though).

2. Non-stealth geek ladies will be scantily clad. “What’s wrong with that?!” you might inquire. Does the term “muffin top” mean anything to you? Perhaps you’re familiar with the effects of improper nutrition on skin and hair?

3. There are men dressed up as scantily clad fictional female characters. Your leader is unsure of the reasoning for this.

4. There are usually skits performed by costumed people. Really, really, really painful skits.

Here are a few examples:

It just makes you uncomfortable to watch. We stealth geeks understand that doing such things looks….well….let’s just face it, our social awareness prohibits such nonsense (social suicide). Though our interests be geeky, these skits go somewhere far beyond. Someplace we dare not go. To be honest, your leader hates these skits.

With all the highs and lows of a con, you should attend at least one just to experience it. The people watching is enough reason to go and it won’t cost you anything.

If you attend Dragon*Con this weekend, be sure to look for your dear leader on Saturday. He will be dressed this way:

Photo credit: Jason Wallis, www.jasonwallis.com

This getup your leader is sporting is from a sub-genre of sci-fi called “Steampunk” which will be explained in a later post.

Cheers,

CaptainAhmazing