A Little Backstory

So, for those not familiar, there is this fabulous sub-section of geekdom known as the convention circuit. Whether you're a fan of science fiction, fantasy, anime, video games, table top games, horror movies, or just about anything else, there's a convention for it. In the United States alone, there is at least one convention scheduled on pretty much every weekend of the year. On the convention calendar at AnimeCons.com, I counted 42 conventions starting between January 1 and April 1, 2011.

What's more insane is that I know several cons not even listed on the calendar.

Anyhow, conventions are obviously a big deal to the people willing to expend time, money, and travel on attending them. Four years ago, I wouldn't have been able to give you the faintest clue as to why they were so appealing. Then, in the summer of 2007, I set out to Origins Game Expo (it became Origins Game Fair the next year) with a friend. Four days of non-stop gaming surrounded by my fellow RPG-geeks was all it took to have me forever hooked.

Now, as I enter my fourth consecutive year on the convention circuit, I've come to realize that conventions are perhaps the happiest part of my life. I've met some fantastic people, seen some amazing things, and found my niche working in event planning and programming for three different conventions. Since that fateful summer, I have attended thirty-seven conventions. I have two more before the month of January ends.

Some people have called me immature for hitting the road so often with nothing but a small suitcase, my camera, and a veritable wet bar full of energy drinks. I've been called childish and told to "grow up and get over all that crap." Others are incredulous that I can do so many while working a part time job and--in the past--attending school full time. Finally, there are the people I can count on to be waiting for me--in Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Chicago--with a big smile on their face and something fantastic for us to do once we have our badges. The people themselves are what make such events worth coming back to.

This post is the start of my opus of convention life. I've been there, seen that, and helped sell the Aardvark T-shirt for just about anything imaginable for cons. I've driven to Pennsylvania for anime, Chattanooga for stormtroopers, and Indiana to roll a bunch of dice.

Hello, my name is Caitlin, and I am a convention addict.