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Short form: Crypticon was the best convention I've been to in years. I'm a lifelong horror genre fan, and going to a con solely focused on that? Amazing. The panels I attended were all engaging and thoughtful, I met great people, and the vendor rooms were full of things I wanted.
The slightly longer form: SO MANY great discussions around women and their experiences with the genre, and what fans can do to help support creators who aren't cis straight white dudes. Fantastic information about a wide range of international horror. Amazing interviews with guests.
And then, of course, sharing a room with Jen and Rhias was a delight.
On Saturday night I went up to the party floor to find a friend, which meant wandering through the rooms. About 10 minutes in, I had what I can only think of as a panic attack. I felt trapped and claustrophobic; everything was too loud, the assorted black lights and decor screwed with my vision, it was too crowded, and I was suddenly overwhelmed. I found my friend, had a quick conversation, and then fled to our hotel room where I had a snack, lots of water, and some Xanax.
I have NEVER had that happen to me before. A completely new, unsettling, upsetting experience. I've never been a big fan of room parties at conventions, but this wasn't "This is crowded and I'm probably not going to stay long", it was "I am going to faint and possibly die". I never want to repeat that experience.
The slightly longer form: SO MANY great discussions around women and their experiences with the genre, and what fans can do to help support creators who aren't cis straight white dudes. Fantastic information about a wide range of international horror. Amazing interviews with guests.
And then, of course, sharing a room with Jen and Rhias was a delight.
On Saturday night I went up to the party floor to find a friend, which meant wandering through the rooms. About 10 minutes in, I had what I can only think of as a panic attack. I felt trapped and claustrophobic; everything was too loud, the assorted black lights and decor screwed with my vision, it was too crowded, and I was suddenly overwhelmed. I found my friend, had a quick conversation, and then fled to our hotel room where I had a snack, lots of water, and some Xanax.
I have NEVER had that happen to me before. A completely new, unsettling, upsetting experience. I've never been a big fan of room parties at conventions, but this wasn't "This is crowded and I'm probably not going to stay long", it was "I am going to faint and possibly die". I never want to repeat that experience.