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Thread: 7 years ago today I set out for Auto Assembly 2013. Which was an important one for me.
Before that at the con, with the exception of the one year @buskalilly went, I'd not really known many folks who were there. I'd go round the hall by myself and sit at the bar alone.
Before that at the con, with the exception of the one year @buskalilly went, I'd not really known many folks who were there. I'd go round the hall by myself and sit at the bar alone.
But this time, for really the first time, there were a good chubk of folk I actually knew from TFArchive there.
Importantly including these two guys, @virtualdebris and @knightdramon.
(Some of you may recognise the person in the middle as well. More on them in a minute)
Importantly including these two guys, @virtualdebris and @knightdramon.
(Some of you may recognise the person in the middle as well. More on them in a minute)
For the first time in 9 years, I was fully socialising with folks. Chatting, talking, hanging out. That absolutely changed everything.
Because once you start chilling at a table at a con with folk you know rather than sitting by yourself, you start making new friends.
Because once you start chilling at a table at a con with folk you know rather than sitting by yourself, you start making new friends.
The big one of course, in the above pic (and boy did I used to not take many photos. There are like 20 in my AA2013 Album) is @MMortAH. Who has gone on to be a close talk most days mate, co-podcaster and some I admire to an extensive amount.
And then it was like an avalanche effect. So many people over the years (other of whom may have been in 2013 as well and I just don't have a pic of). So many new good friends. Not just at AA/TFN, but the various meets I started going to as well.
And some of them I knew a bit online first, but meeting in person really made a strong connection.
Including other podcast pal @teromemcnally and amazing folk like @theryanfrost; @tainkirrahe; @bloodtype_ink; @Claudovel; @Teletraan_MJ; @domsalvia; @Speed_Freak01; @auto_thots...
Including other podcast pal @teromemcnally and amazing folk like @theryanfrost; @tainkirrahe; @bloodtype_ink; @Claudovel; @Teletraan_MJ; @domsalvia; @Speed_Freak01; @auto_thots...
...I could go on naming folks for several tweets (and though I knew him reasonably well before, the Book came from mildly drunken chats with @andrewdturnbull as well).
Just lovely, and right now very important to my own mental health people.
Just lovely, and right now very important to my own mental health people.
Because we all have our own shit and crap to deal with. Especially right now. But there's also a huge amount of low key unfussy positivity from folks as well that, tbh, has probably kept me going a lot. Especially right now.
Like @DarkestH0ur17's glorious Tempest photos.
Like @DarkestH0ur17's glorious Tempest photos.
So my first Transformers convention was in 2003. But the real blossoming moment was a decade later and effected changes that still run through my life.
Even with a few moments it got a bit much for me last year, even with the occasional disappointing person, I'd not change that.
Even with a few moments it got a bit much for me last year, even with the occasional disappointing person, I'd not change that.
That's a long enough thread, I could go on more (there's @TheLlamaGod and @jobot935 as well! @Skeletonizer too), but thanks to you all. It may not feel it at time, but you are all having a positive effect. And not just on me, this mad little community helps each other a lot.
