#thats just how charity shops are though so next time i might find something really good

[a-sleepy-ginger]

9/4/24

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Saw a couple of black pigeons (never seen black pigeons before they are very cute)

Sweet potato chips

Tiger bread toast

Started watching Shuumatsu train doko e iku no and so far it's great

Teased my dog (somehow every time I close my hand there's something in there and he must have it)

Helped my mother cook rice

[amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines]

Sweet Pea//Just The Way You Are

Request: Reader/Sweet Pea, you’re normally pretty “tom boy/casual” when it comes to fashion but at a party you get convinced by Cheryl to have her give you a makeover none of serpents recognise you and Sweet Pea is like 😍😲 when he sees you

Friday Night. 

Everyone’s favourite night. 

There was always at least one party happening and tonight was no different. It was Cheryl’s turn to host, and because she was one of the richest and popular teenagers in Riverdale, you could guarantee that her party would be one of the best. 

By the time you arrived there were people everywhere. They were spilling out the front door, gathered in the drive, some were even hanging out the windows. You couldn’t even imagine what it would look like inside. 

The rest of your friends and serpents were already there, so as soon as you walked in you were greeted by Toni and Fangs. 

“We’ve been waiting for you!” Fangs slurred and handed you a drink. 

“Sorry.” You apologized and downed your drink. “Jesus Christ Fangs, what the hell did you put in this?” 

“Who knows.” He shrugged. “I was just handed it.” 

“Ewwww.” You complained. 

“Come on, lets get you a proper drink.” Toni laughed, pulling you towards the kitchen. 

“Where’s Pea?” You asked. 

“Talking to the devil.” Toni replied and you looked at her confused. “He’s talking to Tina.” 

“Tina?!” You asked surprised. 

“Yep.” She pointed to the hallway. 

“Gross.” You grimaced. “She is wearing a pretty dress though.” You shrugged and she looked at you confused. 

“When did you take notice in stuff like that?” 

“I can tell when something is pretty you know. Just because I don’t wear them doesn’t mean I don’t like them. I just feel more comfy in jeans.” 

“You’re telling me.” She replied, handing you a drink. 

“Topaz.” You raised an eyebrow. “You’re literally wearing a dress right now.” 

“Shut up. Its cute.” 

“It is.” You agreed. “Anyway, why’s Pea talking to Tina. I didn’t think she would be his type.” 

“She isn’t. He was waiting for you to get here.” 

“Oh.” 

“Go on. I need to find Cheryl anyway.” 

“See you later Topaz.” You pushed yourself off the bench and made your way towards Pea. “Save me a dance.” You called behind you and she laughed. “Hey Pea.” You greeted him and he stopped his conversation. 

“Y/n!” He gave you a tight hug. “I’ll talk to you later Tina.” He said and she nodded before disappearing. 

“Sooooo. Tina?” You asked raising your eyebrow. 

“Shut up. She cornered me.” 

“Sure she did.” You teased. 

“Whatever. I like your shirt.” 

“Thank you.” You smiled softly at him. “Its yours.” You added and he rolled his eyes. 

“Of course it is.” 

“It looks cuter on me then it does you.” You shrugged and he laughed. 

“True.” He agreed. 

“I think Sarah wants to talk to me. I’ll talk to you later.” You excused yourself. 

“Who the fuck is Sarah?” He called after you. 

“You’re replacement.” You winked and he laughed. 

A few hours had passed and you were trying to find Sweet Pea. You’d looked literally everywhere you could think he would be. He wasn’t playing beer pong, or in the garden, or in the kitchen, or with Fangs. And they were you’re only options. 

“Toni! Have you seen Sweet Pea?” 

“Nope. Have you checked the beer pong table?” 

“Yep.” You nodded. 

“I dunno. Try upstairs.” She shrugged and you sighed. 

“Fine.” Walking up the stairs you managed to avoid the many teenagers dry humping each other and getting high. Turning the corner you walked straight into a very tall boy. “Sorry.” You muttered and he turned around. “Oh, Sweet Pea. You’re just the boy I was looking for.” 

“I’m a bit busy Y/n.” He nodded to the girl pinned against him and the wall who was looking at you annoyed. 

“Oh.” You said. “Ohhhhhhh. Sorry. I’ll find you later. When you’re less busy.” You quickly apologized and continued down the corridor, walking into the first room you found. You sat down on the bed, your head falling into your hands. What was wrong with you, why did that upset you so much? Oh yeah, because you’ve been in love with him since you can remember and he barely notices you. 

“Y/n?” 

“Cheryl!” You jumped and looked to your side. “What are you doing in here?” 

“Its my room. What are you doing in here?” She asked and sat beside you. 

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” You shrugged. 

“Let me guess. Sweet Pea’s talking to some pretty girl, who’s completely different to you and you’re upset because you’re in love with him but he doesn’t notice you like that.” 

“Yeahhhh.” You sighed. “How’s you know that?” 

“Its a gift.” She shrugged. “But he’s in love with you too.” 

“Why’s he talking to Tina then?” 

“Tina?!” She asked. “Really?” 

“Yep.” 

“Wow. But he’s trying to move on from you. And who is the complete opposite of you?” 

“Tina.” You answered her question and she nodded. 

“Exactly.” 

“Why are you in here? Shouldn’t you be enjoying your party?” You asked. 

“I don’t really wanna talk about it.” 

“Let me guess.” You started and she raised on eyebrow making you laugh softly. “You and Toni had a fight and now you’re hiding in here because you don’t want to admit she was right?” 

“How’d you know.” 

“Its a gift.” You nudged her and she laughed. “I heard you arguing before.” 

“I heard Sweet Pea talking about you earlier.” 

“To who?” 

“Some random people in the year below us. He was telling them how much he loved you. It was quite cute actually.” She told you making you blush. 

“What do I do Cheryl?” 

“I dunno. Talk to him.” 

“But what does he see in me?” You wondered aloud.

“You dress like him, he might be into that.” She shrugged and you groaned, laying back on the bed. “I’m joking.” She lay next to you and you sighed. “He see’s that your cute, pretty, funny, beautiful, kind, smart and so many other things.” 

“So why hasn’t he told me?” 

“Because he’s a boy.” She rolled her eyes. “But you haven’t told him either.” 

“Shut up.” You laughed. “What if I grab his attention.” 

“How?” 

“You could give me a makeover.” You suggested and she sat up quickly. 

“Are you serious right now?” She asked excitedly. 

“Yeah?” You asked, slightly scared. “I mean, we’re both hiding from people we like, we may as well do something to pass the time.” 

“True. But are you sure? He likes you the way you are.” 

“I know, but it might give him the boost to actually ask me out. And if not, it might give me the confidence to ask him.” 

“Okay.” She nodded, a bright smile on her face. “But you should never change who you are for someone. Especially a boy. But if you wanna try something new, then I suppose its okay. Plus I’m sure we can find clothes that fit your...aesthetic.�� 

“I can’t imagine you have anything that would suit me.” You raised an eyebrow.

“Actually. Come with me.” She stood up and grabbed your hand, pulling you off the bed and into another room. 

“Holy shit.” You whispered, looking around the room.“Why do you have all of these clothes?” You asked. The room she’d brought you into, had clothes literally everywhere. 

“You never know when someone’s gonna need a makeover. You have to be prepared.”

“So you have an entire room filled with clothes that you don’t like/aren’t in your size?” 

“Yeah! I’m a charity worker.” 

“Thanks.” 

“Plus, I have a slight shopping problem.” She said casually. 

“Yeahhhhh.” 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“God, I feel like I should be in every stereotypical teen movie.” 

“Just go.” Cheryl rolled her eyes and practically pushed you down the stairs. “You look great! Very you!” She called after you as you made your way down the stairs. Your eyes scanned the large group of people, trying to find Sweet Pea. It didn’t take long for you to locate him, seeing as though he stuck out from the rest of teenagers. Fangs was stood beside him and they were too engrossed in their conversation to notice you stood beside them. 

“Can we help you?” Fangs turned his attention to you and you looked at him confused. 

“Fangs. Its me.” You laughed and his eyebrows furrowed. 

“Who?” 

“Y/n.” 

“No it isn’t.” He laughed. 

“Y/n doesn’t look like tha-holy fucking shit. You look amazing.” 

“Who are you talking to?” Sweet Pea asked. 

“Y/n.” He pointed towards you. 

“Thats not Y/n.” He rolled his eyes. 

“No, that is Y/n.” He argued. 

“No it isn-Wow.” He looked at you properly and you smiled softly at him. 

“What do you think?” You asked and he continued to stare at you. “Sweet Pea?” 

“Sweet Pea!” Fangs shoved him. 

“What?!” 

“What do you think?” 

“You look...perfect, like always.” He whispered making you blush. 

“I’m gonna go find other people to talk to. I think I’m interrupting something.” Fangs excused himself and you laughed. 

“Why’d you do this?” He asked and you suddenly felt self conscious. 

“Do I look stupid?” 

“No.” He shook his head. “Of course not. You look amazing, like I said.” 

“You said perfect.” You corrected him and he blushed. 

“You look perfect. But what happened to your jeans and t-shirt look?” 

“I wanted to get your attention.” 

“You certainly got that.” He smiled. “But why?” 

“I like you.” You admitted and he looked at you shocked. “I thought it might give you a push to ask me out, or me the confidence to ask you. So, will you go on a date with me?” 

“Will you be my girlfriend?” He asked at the same time. Your eyes widened and he started to panic. 

“I mean, what you said.” He started to backtrack. 

“Yes.” You interrupted him before he spiraled. “I’ll be your girlfriend.” 

“Reall-” You cut him off with a kiss and he kissed you back straight away. You pulled away breathless and he smiled brightly at you. “You could wear a trash bag and I’d still think you were the prettiest woman in the world.” 

“Shut up.” 

“I’m being serious. You look amazing no matter what you wear. I love you just the way you are.” 

[qdtquietdownthere]

Day 8- Swim, clay and personal space.

Day 8

Today is going to be a busy day and I wake up and put on my swimming costume before doing anything else. 

If that isn't a wild start to a Tuesday, I don't know what is.

I get the tube to Victoria (one stop before my usual Pimlico) and head to the Queen Mother Sports Centre to go for a swim. It is odd getting off here. There have been major delays on the railways and the space is buzzing with frantic energy. Everyone is passing through. No one seems to stop. I down a coffee from cafe-disgusting-Nero before my swim. It is interesting wandering in a mad sea of people who are rushing. I like to guess what job they have and I wonder what they think I do when they look at me. If they look at me. There was a man on the tube this morning swearing at his laptop. I wondered what his day was going to be like. It is funny taking the tube every morning and being in this transient space. It gives me energy and I feel part of the crowd, but it is also so transient and so isolating. A swelling day population and I'm just one of them. As I walk towards Pimlico however, and towards the pool, the swell of people calms. I sit outside the pool and wait until 10am as I sip my coffee before I go in. I am enjoying sticking to the timetable as well as I can, This is the little bit of structure surrounded by unknown activities. 

The pool is quite this time in the morning. There are maybe only 5 people in the pool and we are all spread out. Absolute luxury. At first I notice how calm and clean the pool is. There are sheets hanging on the wall which contain workout guides. One for strength, one for cardio and there is one sheet titled ‘silver’ for elderly people. This one looks the most used, and 4 out of 5 of the people swimming today all have silver hair. This is inviting for me as the pace is relaxed. Im not ready to try and fight for a place in the pool. My last experience in Stoke Newington pool was not pleasant, whereas this is already a great experience. I stay for 45 minutes until the local schools start playing on the flumes and distracting the tranquility of the unified breast strokes happening in our orderly lanes. I hear two elderly men in the slow lane laugh with each other. Up until this point I have only spoken to two people today, and that makes me feel a little sad. Most other days I would have spoken to many people by this time. Swimming is also a lonely sport I feel, it is easy to be in your own head. Running for example, keeps your eyes busy and you get to smile at other runners. It is so easy it is to be out in the community, doing an activity in a shared space, but still lack engagement with another human. Later on in Tesco on Lupas Street I wait to pay for my nut bar and notice that the line for the tills run by a real human cashier are almost twice as long as self service. Never have I seen this in another supermarket before. A simple chore is buying food, but for older people, lonely people, it might be the little interaction they get in a day. 

After swimming, and sporting a beautiful chlorine barnet, I make my way towards Thames Bank centre. I pop into a few charity shops on the way. In both there are lots of young people, both working and shopping. Its nice to see some 20 somethings and when I buy a dress (which I now regret buying) we have a little laugh. Its nice to have this, and its interesting how the demographic has changed.  

Like the market at the weekend, it is wonderful to look in a charity shop and see the identity of a place and area. I think charity shops, and a sharing of items and style is a wonderful way to get to understand a place. There is a great book titled ‘the Comfort of Things’ (2008) by Daniel Miller in which the author, and anthropologist, goes into a London tower block to speak to people about their belongings and asks the owners to tell their stories. It is a wonderful and deeply personal book which unifies through difference, all around a backdrop of belongings. Charity shops for local areas remind me of this. I find comfort in buying something which has its own story. 

Thames bank centre is hosting ETAT (Encouragement through the arts and talking). I turn up a little early and walk into a room full of chatting, and laughing and there is clay everywhere. I walk in and have to introduce myself to everyone in the room. Everyone is elderly and they are all chatting away while deep into their clay. There is some confusion about who I am. I am there to come along to the class and do the chair exercises. This however gets misinterpreted that I am leading the chair exercise sessions. I don't really understand and go along with it. This has been the best approach to most of the activities. I start making clay into an underwater theme and then, luckily, like an act of god, the chair exercise instructor turns up and I'm off the hook. It makes everyone giggle. 

I am overwhelmed by the sense of community in the room, and once again this free, easy and non comital environment. The space is like a loud living room with clay everywhere and people come and go. Like a living room exactly. There is a range of ages, though I hear the oldest is 97. Once again I am the youngest, but this is something with invigorates me today, excites even. I feel like it is a space I would come to completely by myself. I sit next to a lady who I went on the Warwick trip with and we laugh about her attention to detail while making her ceramic tile compared with my botch job attempt. Yes thats right, I am an ‘Artist’. I speak to Jane and Karen (Who runs CAVE in Pimlico) about ETAT. They are far reaching and busy people. Pimlico million was set up by Jane who shows me videos and photos from events, exhibitions and footage of her singing at SouthWest Fest. They are currently preparing for an art show and ETAT have even recorded an album. However I am told that the album has a parental advisory because many swear words are sang throughout the song…. Again, the eldest member is 97. I'll just leave that there. What is apparent is how both Jane and Karen, and everyone for that matter, are connected to the community. They seem completely involved in its development. They make it feel this way just by  simply knowing everyones name. There is power in naming.  

Im a little anxious when I meet Jane and Karen, because I am nervous to be seen as a threat to existing services. It has been a challenge explaining why I am coming along to activities which haven't seen a new, or young, member in many moons. I stand out. I feel like a cultural probe at times. However, I'm also there for me. I am interested and excited by these activities and interactions separate from the schedule, the blog, and the cash to eat breakfast. 

We begin chair class in the corner of the huge room. There are around seven of us, all with a mixture of abilities. Emily who is in a wheel chair, a woman with dementia, Barney who is a Chelsea pensioner and wont stop laughing and then me who is giggling along with the energy of the place. We dance to music in our seats which are arranged in a circle. We play volleyball and Barney throws a mean punch. Its fun and I'm happy. I loose track of time and have to run out. 

Later on in the day, after a visit to Victoria library, I head over to the London Mayor’s Parlour to observe the council meeting of the health and wellbeing board. Im early and then I'm late and then I'm lost. Being lost is hard and I wonder what this residency would be like without a phone. Even more, without a schedule. It makes me see even clearer the obstacles in leaving an area where you grew up when you don't have the funds, the ability or the confidence to leave. It is easy to ‘other’ the next streets across the busy road. It is then easy to other the next community, the young teenagers, the refugees. I wonder how much of a knock on effect this inability to access certain spaces shapes us. Urban geography shapes us. 

The streets as you leave Pimlico become busy with suits and men who are walking like they mean business. The buildings get taller and it becomes striking that you have left pimlico. Again, the city scape, the gardens and the design of Churchill Gardens and the surrounding area give you a sense of a village. It is protected. I am desperate to draw this- desperate to map it out. 

I eventually arrive to the building I need to be at. In the foyer but the woman at reception tells me the meeting was last week. The only one today is on transport. I feel a little embarrassed but mainly because I'm a bubbly sweaty mess and everyone is in navy blue suits, not sweating and cool as a business man shaped cucumber. I ask to use the toilet but she says no, so I leave. 

It Is nice walking back to Pimlico and towards the library. I don't need a map anymore and that gives me confidence and a sense of belonging. I know where streets are and have a sense within me like a homing pigeon for the library. 

The day takes a turn and while waiting outside the library in the sunshine I get a personal call with some bad news. I am outside the library in Pimlico, but on the phone feeling very emotional. I am here in Pimlico but I'm transported into my life in Tottenham, in Edinburgh. I wish to be in these places now. I try and clean myself up to go into knitting, but when I walk in I notice only two people sat in the space outside the toilets,  knitting at speed in complete silence. It is not the right space for me at this moment. This is the only time I have felt an overwhelming sense of being in a place which isn't mine. I want someone to talk to who knows me and I want to be with my friend. I crave something normal in an abnormal situation and after abnormal news? For the rest of my night I isolate myself. I get off the tube at one point to isolate myself. To be in control. Its demanding giving all the time during the residency. I am always trying to bring energy. It takes energy to walk into a room, to try and engage someone, to listen to long stories, to listen to upset and to ideas you don't agree with. Even the stories which are happy and interesting, it takes energy. I know I bring energy to what I have been doing. I bring a genuine interest and care and a giddiness to talk and connect. I wonder how much I have given of myself. I told the women who I sat with at choir how nervous I was to sing and walk into the room, and it was in this activity which I felt most happiest, and most transformed when I left to go home. I wonder if I should have gone into knitting but be open and honest about how I was feeling and what had just happened to me merely 3 minutes before. How would this have felt? With action research I am aware of mutuality and transparency. It has been this. But I wonder if I had pushed it a little further, and let go of this need to make people feel good and happy and just talked about me, how would this change the residency and my interactions? I wonder if this had happened just before choir, would I have gone in? What is it about knitting club which meant that in that situation I couldn't walk in and be with the sadness I had just received? I believe it was the intensity of the situation, and the fact it was only two knitters sat in the library space. Even more so after this, I celebrate how all the activities and groups I have attended are relaxed and casual. One doesn't have to commit to a 5 week course going every Thursday night. Life happens. 

I am someone who recharges my batteries alone and I don't want to talk about hard subject with strangers. I know how to self sooth, how to get back the sunshine. I feel bad I didn't go in but in this moment it wasn't right. It has also shone light on the need for flexible activities in a community which inevitable will encounter childcare problems, ill health ect. Its about designing a service which despite all of what life can throw at someone, the service will continue to be outwards reaching. I think there is value and need for creating something which can be someones fall back. That in despite of sadness, loneliness or not feeling like leaving the sofa, one doesn't feel lonely and isolated from the culture and happenings of the community.

I go home and have a bath, watch some Netflix and I draw a quick drawing of a lobster. I also listen to Stormzy. Lots of Stormzy. 

[exotahu]

The Bronycon 2017 big text post!

This is the longest thing I ever write but here is my of the 2017 Bronycon.

Lets get to it. 

Thursday:

We met at Bill's house so we could travel down in two groups, since we had too many people to fit in one car. (8 of us, Me, Andrew, Justin and Ethan in one car, Kyle, Bill, Nick and Josh in another.) We managed to pretty much stay together and stopped at the same gas station together. It was the good-hot dog speedway. They only had two left and everyone looked at me like I was crazy for wanting gas station hot dogs. I ate those two and asked if they had any more. They totally did. I intended to eat a couple more but NOPE. Everybody else decided to try the gas station hotdogs and doubled up. Oh well, it was kinda funny. The next stop was Baltimore. There was crazy construction in the city, atleast around our hotel. Slowed us down a bit. Justin really had to use the bathroom, so he jumped out of the car in still traffic and went into a nearby subway rather than waiting until we got to the hotel. As soon as he did, traffic moved, like we thought it would. It was easy to direct him from there to the hotel though. They had the special keys, but there wasn't a wifi password this year. I'm a Marriott member so I got free wifi anyway though. We hung around for a bit and went to get our badges. Went pretty quick for us basic pass holders, only like 45 minutes. Not bad at all. Deposited our con things at the hotel. Went to Dick's Last Resort. Nick decided he wanted to arm wrestle me for some reason. I won. Of course the waiter saw this so he challenged me. I lost pretty quick, he was large. Might have been better had I not planted my elbow on the goddamn laminated menu, but what can you do? The funniest part was when he brought our drinks, he brought one. Left the others at the station thingy. I got up and got just mine. Then everyone else slowly did it. It was funny. Managed to place a Pokemon on the gym there too. Didn't last that long but was nice anyway. Then we went to Fells Point. Everybody went to a ramen shop but I decided to go to the bar trot early. I was the only one to actually sign up for it in our group. The original company running the bar trot apparently closed. I didn't know there wasn't to be one until a month before, and then I noticed a new company doing it but it was definitely very last minute for them. There were only two bars participating, neither of them being the admiral, which seemed kinda lame. However the Admiral, being awesome as it as, participated ANYWAY. They had the themed drink including the Great and Powerful Trixie. Drank a fuckton of it. They also had a Pinkie Pie and Applejack themed drink that I saw. Then the bartender made a Rainbow Dash drink by combining them all. It was fuckin' awesome. We then went to the Soundgarden because apparently it's just right there and back to the hotel for bed.

 Friday:

 I got up relatively early, think I actually got almost 8 hours of sleep. Decided to bring my bad Derpy cosplay. Product of a 3$ costume store clearance wing/ear/tail set and a shirt photo transfer. I actually went to opening ceremonies because A. I woke up for it on time, B. I didn't want to just book it to the vendor hall.  It was neat, maybe I'll try to do opening ceremonies again. After that, I got to meet up with a group of people from a Scisetdaily (a really cute Sciset tumblr askblog thingy) discord server I joined, which was really cool. We hung out and ate some con food before we split off to do other things. I went to the vendor hall at this point and wandered. Bought one of the cool engraved lighters. It has Princess Luna on it. I also got some 4de plushies (Specifically Fluttershy and Trixie), a fantastic JoJo shirt and some a couple Cutie Corral plushies. Specifically the comic universe reverse world princesses. Apparently its their last year doing cons : (. Comics hadn't been set up yet so I held off on that. Then I bought an absolutely adorable Derpy playmat. Also I got to see something neat. The MyLittleTies booth had A VR demo for the occulus rift where you could wander around Ponyville. It was really cool, even though I had to take my glasses off I could still see well enough for it to be cool. And yes I totally want an occulus rift for this reason.... Sad my computer won't support it. It was sort of disorienting, but I'm sure if I used VR more, I'd get used to it. After this I went to the hotel and deposited my things and headed to the Fursuit photoshoot with a couple friends. Next was the CMC VA panel which was cool. I like the VA panels. I kinda just wandered around again after that before going back to the main hall. I was going to watch the comic creators panel, but the adjacent room had a tesla coil set up and i really wanted to watch them go. Ultimately ended up watching the tesla coils go cause I needed to charge my phone and that is where an outlet was. Caught the end of the comic panel though. I hate when two panels I want to see conflict. Ate some more con food and did a bunch of wandering. Went back to the hotel and switched to a normal shirt and prepped for bronypalooza. Hung out in the other room and played some splatoon2. Really wanted to see Vylet. His set was fuckin awesome. Other acts were really cool too. A lot more electronic music than usual for that early in the night. Then I did something different. Rather than stay at the palooza, I met up with everyone and went to the Anthology 6 panel. Fuckin hysterical. Everyone else went back to the hotel and I went back to the palooza to catch Silva Hound's set. Then went back to the hotel and went to sleep.

 Saturday: Decided last minute to bring my Chrysalis cosplay. Ran into the guy I met at an Otakon a few years back, which was cool. I went to the vendor hall first. The comic booth had a box of variant covers for 5$ each. I dropped 60$ on comics. Then I found a Madoka playmat. I also got Bill to grab a movie playmat for me when they went to the vendor hall day 1. I got like 3 mats. I mostly just wandered and observed. Saw a dakimakura that was real funny bud I didn't want to drop 100 at that time. It was a cartoon-y chrysalis laying on a fuzzy pink background and that fuzzy pink background was Fluffllepuff. Next I got to meet up with the cool people from the internet again and we went to the Kelly Sheridan and Kyle Rideout panel as one big group. I thought of a q&a question but by that point the line was to infinity and I knew there was no way, perhaps another time. Once that ended I grabbed some food and went to the crystal arena. Bill and Josh wanted to see how the game had changed and see what the game was like now. They were running a novice tournament that was 10$ you got a deck to play with and two packs and at the end. It was neat learning the game again. It sounds like it really became good. They streamlined it a lot. Went to another fursuit photoshoot. Then we went back and got ready for palooza. I stayed the entire time this time. Really liked Michelle Creber and BlackGryph0n’s set. Chilled out and sat for one of the acts with Andrew and Ethan, needed to save my legs which were super sore. It was fantastic. Got to see Garnika, he's probably my favorite of all the regular artists there. I bought one of his shirts. Although I heard this might have been his last Bronycon? Infinite sadness if thats true. This is about when Kyle and Josh showed up. I also got a message that the fire alarm went off at the hotel. Everybody there had a clusterfuck, Justin slept through it. Turns out someone was vaping or smoking or some nonsense. then Andrew and Ethan returned in time for the end of Garnika's set and Alex S. Was a great time.

 Sunday: Waking up was a bit rough since I hadnt gotten to bed until like 330-4. I wanted to go the VA panel but it was at 10 am (Goddamn who DOES that) but I was way to tired to get out of bed on time. I caught the end of it though! Then I went to the vendor hall. I was trying to avoid buying prints, but guess what. Bought so many goddamn prints. Again. Fuck. Oh well. I've tetris'd my walls before and I can totes do it again. Was trying to buy other neat things. I did too. I got a lazer etched geode slice and an edge lit acrylic pane. I really just hung out in the vendor hall with various people and looked at things. Also Nick got me a commission from an artist named Baron Engle. It's Lapis and Peridot as ponies in his style. Really fucking cool. Also bought another glass. Fluttershy this time. Was hoping one of the bands was gonna be at the Bronypalooza table but they weren't. Also had a print ordered to be shipped to me cause one of the print places printer broke. (There are certain booths that will sell art on behalf of the artists that can't be there.) Also bought a little digital nametag thing. It's pretty cool. I gotta get a cord to hook it up to the computer though. Wandered the con a little bit then deposited stuff at the hotel. We went to closing ceremonies after that. Ran into Garnika on the way there which was neat. Before it started we were playing music and everyone was just kinda goofing around. Closing ceremonies were cool. They said they were short 219 from their 33000 charity goal. So they asked the crowd if they could do that and SO MANY people got up to give them money (myself included). Turns out they made like 1200 $ They were then 10 short from 34k, and someone gave them 10$ We got our annual group photo and then headed to the Inner Harbor for some food and to play some Pokemon Go. Went to Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. Place remains to be fucking fanstastic. Shrimpers Heaven is the best. While we waited for a table we managed to find a whole bunch of cool pokemon, Even did a Machamp raid. Found a fuckin Sandshew, Totodile and Mantine as well. Those are all things I've never seen around here ever. The Bronycon gym was blue so we couldn't do it yet decided to try later. I also evolved my first Gyrados. I decided to do it down there because that's where I essentially started my game. Went around an played some more Pokemon after dinner. The bronycon gym had changed but unfortunately the game broke real hard, we managed to get it down after a half hour of error-ing out a game crashes. Then we should have had it but it turned yellow in the clusterfuck. And no one had it in them to stand there for another half hour of broken game to beat one Blissey. We went back the next day but it had once again turned blue so we never got on it. Then we all went back to the hotel and watched the newest Rick and Morty while packing. Got our shit together and slept.

 Monday: We got up and hung out before loading vehicles. Checkout and hotel exiting was pretty easy. Decided to hang around in the inner harbor for a bit. Got lunch at an Irish pub in the pavilion. Yay for pub burgers and vodka cranberries! Then went to do a raid. A bunch of us went to get ice cream, but I went to the bigass Barnes and Noble instead. I had been looking for the Daring Do books at the con but no one had them. Barnes and Noble had one of the ones I was missing. After all that we walked back and headed out. We tried to stay together but traffic was nonsensical so it was hard. Unfortunately a rock flew up and cracked Kyle's windshield. Minor but still annoying. We  met up one last time in Wilkes-Barre at a Sheetz. I got some 2 for a dollar hot dogs and they were not good. After hanging out some they left about 15 minutes before us. We thought it'd be funny if we managed to pass them since they had such a ridiculously long head start and guess what? We totally did. It was funny. Got home after that.

 Overall:

             It was a good fucking time. Usually is. Bought some neat stuff. Got to meet some cool people from the internet. (Honestly, if any of y'all are reading this, even though it wasn't for that long at any given point you were all cool to meet and hang out with. I hope we get to again sometime.) It's honestly been a while since I've done that. It's funny, despite having done this the last 5 years, I don't feel at all burned out. Though next year, I think I'm going to do something different for my usual con photography. I'm going to shoot everything in black and white. (I accidentally left my camera in black and white mode for my first shot) I want to see how that makes things different.  

 (Also as always my memory is pretty butthole, and I essentially wrote this twice, so there might be errors and things I missed or got in the wrong order.)