Okay so it wasn’t last night it was last weekend, and it wasn’t a DJ it was just a really cool group of people, and they didn’t save my life they just altered my perspective on it a bit, or a lot, I haven’t decided on that yet. So maybe that was a pretty shit metaphor. Whatever. You get the point. It was a weekend, I met loads of cool people, I had the time of my life. That about sums it up in the short form.
Last weekend I flew down to London for a convention for The 100, it was my very first convention and I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect. I was travelling by myself, and whilst I’d been practically bouncing with excitement for the whole week before (seriously ask my co-workers, I was like a hyper puppy all week) I was slightly worried as well. My biggest worry was that I wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone and that I’d spend the whole weekend by myself. I needn’t have worried. By the end of the first night I’d already met so many amazing people, and just by being there we all automatically had things in common.
Everyone was ridiculously friendly, some people were like me, new to the whole con thing and had travelled by themselves, others had been going for years, not only to this con but to others as well. One thing we all had in common was that we loved the show. It was easy to find things to talk about, from favourite characters, to favourite actors, to who we were most excited to meet, what we wanted to happen in season 5 (and what we thought might happen, even if we don’t want it to). It was great to talk to other people who love the show just as much, if not more than me, and who don’t get that vacant, slightly glazed look that most of my friends do whenever I go off on a tangent about the show.
Getting to see the actors who play some of my favourite characters in person was, as can probably be expected, the bit I was most excited for. However, despite the fact I’ve been following most of them on social media for months, if not years, and had watched a ridiculous number of videos of panels they’d done at previous cons, I had very little clue as to what to actually expect from that at the con. However, I did have one expectation; that they’d be absolutely hilarious. They definitely did not disappoint.
Unfortunately most of the funniest moments were definite “you had to be there moments,” such as the whole coffee panties fiasco, or comparing how quiet or loud someone is when they’re fighting to how quiet or loud they are having sex (honestly, don’t ask). Some of the other funniest bits were definite “you have to know the characters.” Apparently no-one else gets why the idea of Echo in space causing mayhem by pressing all sorts of random buttons is so funny, but it’s been cracking me up all week. I also learnt that you can never be too professional to find farting and pooping funny.
Whilst there were many funny moments, there were also some pretty serious moments too, and some moments that were just plain inspiring (oh god I’m sounding cheesy, sorry). There were plenty of lessons to be learnt in amongst the toilet humour and discussions around people’s unconventional sleep wear choices. Some of it was stuff that I already believed in, stuff like the fact that everyone has a story, a history, things that have shaped them into who they are today, and that everyone’s story has value. Some of it were things that I want to take with me.
I learnt that having ambition, that need to constantly strive for better, is a key part of human nature. However sometimes it’s worth taking a step back and looking at all the things that we do have, all the things we’ve achieved and be grateful for those things. Sometimes we’re too focused on what we don’t have and we miss all the great things we do have. I also learnt that sometimes we have to be persistent, to keep on trying if there’s a goal you want to achieve, and that you should always give something your all, even if you don’t think you’re gonna succeed.
All in all I had the absolute time of my life. Seriously. You know when people ask you “what’s the best thing you’ve ever done” (actually, do people ask that, or am I just weird?), this has got to be a serious contender. Of the top ten experiences of my short little life this has to be up in the top three, if not the best experience so far. One of my friends even commented that I was the happiest they’d ever seen me, and it was certainly the happiest I felt in a long time. Everyone there was amazing, and everyone was so friendly and helpful, guests, attendees and staff alike. I met so many incredible people, some of who I hope to stay in contact with in the future, and I had an absolute blast. So much so that less than a week later I’d already booked my tickets for next year. Only 418 days to go.
Everyone seems to be suffering from post-con blues, but I’m still riding on a post-con high, a new-found motivation and drive to do something good, and interesting, and worthwhile with my time on Earth. I’ve been inspired to do something to make a positive impact on other people in this world. One quote from the show which seems to fit my current mental state, words that I’m trying to live by, and what I’m gonna leave this post on is this:
“Maybe life should be about more than just surviving.”
Sophie x
A Place of Mine 