Post the Sixteenth: Con Report Part 1

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Red mage cosplay outfit. Arms on my hips becaise I can't think of anything better to do with them.
Obligatory photo in the hotel room because the second boots hit asphalt, all bets are off.

  Wore the hat through the airport because both it and the box were too bulky and there's no way that's getting crushed. Big hit. No, seriously. If you ever want walk-by compliments, I highly recommend wearing a silly hat through an airport. It will make someone's day. Think of yourself like the frozen watermelons they give polar bears in July. 

  Truth be told I was really only planning to wear the costume one day. Locals tend to bristle when you point this out, but Atlanta in September tends towards the hot and humid. And you gotta walk.


A lot.

  Also, technically the hotel I was staying at isn't even on this map. 

  What? You think I'm making "stays at host hotel" kind of money? Flattered, but no.

  Anyway, flipping through schedule and saw a FF shoot. Told myself I'd go if I got ready in time. And if they didn't look bothered. And if I got ready in time.

  Gotta love that confidence.

DC 2025 Final Fantasy Photoshoot. Sorry, I am not tagging every costume
Pictured: a bunch of cool nerds.
 
 As you can see, I did. Me and a couple others got chided for showing up a smidge late. (To be fair, photoshoots are scheduled within an inch of their life.) 
 
Three different red mages in three different styles
There was a fourth mage, but unfortunately they disappeared before I could get a group photo. Sorry!
 
  Shoot went great through! Met some other red mages! Received some gil!

Wooden nickel in the form of a gil piece with a chocobo burned on it
Well, A gil. Still, so freakin' cool.
(Gift from middle red mage.)
 
  Afterwards went over to the Marriott. See, several months ago I purchased some time with a photographer. That's right! Forgive me for my self-indulgent sins. I paid someone to take pictures of me.

Red mage close up photo

Red mage full body facing stage left

Red mage full body facing stage right

Photos by Bryan Humphrey.
   
  This is hands down the most egotistical thing I've ever done. And they turned out great. Highly recommend.
 
  After that was more your standard fair convention things. Go to panels. Idle chit-chat with people you will never see again in your life. Debate getting a signature from that one celebrity that intimidates you. Picking up model kits, tea, and fancy soap in the dealer's hall because I'm too cheap to pay shipping and handling and would rather schlep them home in a suitcase. You know, the usual.

  Did not, in fact, wear red mage the entire time. However, I did put it back on the evenings to walk around and people watch. Had some people flag me down for photos. Fun times. Well, there was one tiny complication...

Chibi red mage comic with dialog "This is great. I'm getting so many compliments and this outfit is so comfortable to wear. It's way over the top but I wish I'd wear something like this more often. I love how masculine it feels and --" chibi pauses. Red mage snaps back to more realistic proportions. Red mage yells "DAMMIT"

Next time: Con Report Part 2

Material Directory

Drinks & Snacks: Well, not a material per se, but you how conventions are. Constant state of grazing, really. Anyway, shout out to the local co-op always coincidentally having a snack bar sale right before this con. You filthy hippies are a real life saver.

Current background music: Fabiano Do Nascimento & E Ruscha V. "Nascer." Aquáticos.


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