Post-Otakon

Back from Otakon. It was alright, but there have been better years. Ups and downs come and go. (The fact that they're bringing back MAT3K next year is quite promising.) Then again, I'm of the belief that an anime convention's worth is determined mostly by the attendee. I had discovered that only after many years of learning, and various Easter eggs of zen thrown in my face. The official offerings of a convention could be complete shit, and it could still be a fantastic event from an attendee's perspective. Or it could be the most tightly-run and well-managed event there is, and someone could have such an awful time that they leave early and never come back. It is what you make of it.

Now, here's something that helps me enjoy Otakon: When there's an event this large, one that puts over 30k people in one building, I can expect some of them are going to be assholes and the chances of encountering some of them are almost certain. So, I'm faced with a choice. Either skip the event entirely to avoid the assholes, or go to the event whilst prepared for them. Some people decide that dealing with the assholes really isn't worth it, and I don't begrudge them of their choice. But I look at things a little differently. According to my logic, I don't see much point in skipping something that would otherwise be loads of fun on account of someone who genuinely does not give half a shit one way or the other about if I'm there or not. As I choose to not let someone else's incompetence or asshattery ruin my day, I can say I had fun. That said, I think it's safe to say that I'm in for next year, barring any catastrophic events.

With Otakon 2012 safely tucked behind me, I am going back to enjoying a weekend of doing nearly nothing, already in progress. Hm, two months from now, I have the Japan trip...