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Hello Greg, this Brooklyn (Shaun), and as promised here is my CONvergence 2024 Con Journal:
I am going to admit that the last time I had written one of these was for the final Gathering of The Gargoyles back in 2009. Hard to believe it has been 15 years, which not only makes me feel old, but probably does the same for Greg Weisman. Sorry Greg.
After the Gatherings came to end, I attended a few other cons, but none of them quite had the same feel. I tried out AnthroCon for the first time in 2013 so I had been kind of curious about the furry fandom. I ended up behind the tables again, but not as a volunteer, but as a dealers assistant. And it became my go to summer convention.
I hadn't beard about the 20th anniversary get together for 2014, so I missed that one. If I had known about it, you can bet I would have been there instead of AnthroCon. Oooops.
In the 2017, I went from living in Sacramento, CA to the small city of Pacific, WA (about 30 miles south of Seattle). I guess I felt the need to spread my wings a bit. Fast forward to AnthronCon 2023, and I heard about the 30th anniversary of Gargoyles. And that it would be at CONvergence.
More or less immediately, I told my roommate that they were going to be on their own next year. After not seeing my fellow fans for 15+ years, I had to go. Now we fast forward to 2024.
Wednesday July 3rd, 2024:
I departed for SeaTac airport a little later than intended, but had given myself plenty of time. Getting through security was quick, but my flight was delayed just under an hour. Wouldn't be a trip without some sort of minor hiccup early on. Thankfully, the flight was nice, and relatively smooth.
Got into Minneapolis Saint Paul airport a bit later than planned. Not going to lie, it was quite the hike trying to find my way over to the car rental place. Felt like I was going up, down, left, and right. I tend to have a decent sense of direction, but that airport design was defeating me.
Finally located it, got my car, and headed for the hotel. After some minor issues with the card, and after getting that settled, I got checked in, and went up to the room. After a bit, I decided to mosey across the street to pick up my badge.
After doing that, I went back downstairs where I ran across Patrick, Karine, Greg B., and a few others whose names escape me at the moment. We ended up talking for a while when Seth, Sammy, and some fans I hadn't met before joined us.
We ended talking for a while before calling it a night.
Thursday July 4th:
As I was preparing to get ready for the day, I noticed I had forgotten to pack socks. Usually when I take a trip, I will forget something, and typically something rather minor. Toothbrush, comb, toothpaste, or some other small item that easy to get from the hotel itself. But socks? Yeah, that rather dumb of me.
So off to the Target that was 3 or 4 blocks away. Of course, it started to sprinkle as I headed over there. Why not add a little insult to injury? Got the socks, some drinks, and snacks for the con. Hoofed it back, and had to get out of the wet shirt into something a bit more dry.
Off to the main hotel. I joined various others in the lobby area. While there, I started passing out some of the âBeware of Gargoylesâ badges I had brought along. I had brought along 24 of them. Some of the first ones I handed out to were some of the fans that I ran across from the Gathering of The Gargoyles. Gave out to a few of the newer fans, but wanted to make sure to save one for Greg, Thom, and Keith David.
After a while, wandered down to join the Meet and Greet Gargoyles Cast line. Missed out getting an autograph from Thom, Brigitte Bako, and Greg. But was able to get Keith David's autograph, and a selfie with him. And was able to hand off one of the badges to Greg. It was neat to see him clip to his lanyard nearly right away.
Went across the street to the diner with Seth, Sammy, and Laurean to get some dinner. Tried out the grilled cheese, which was pretty decent. And it came more fries than I was expecting. It was a tasty meal before heading back for the Gargoyles 30th Anniversary Celebration.
It was great to see both Gregs, Brigitte, Thom, Karine, Keith, Jennifer, Zehra, and Erin on stage. Probably the first time I've attended a panel of any sort in years. Made sure to take a couple of pictures to send to one of the German fans; Duncan.
Got to talk with Greg Weisman, along with a few others for a bit. Kind of found it surprising that he remembers who I am 15 years after the last the Gathering. Remembers the handle, but not my name (It is Shaun). To be honest, the same applies to me as well. I can sometimes remember both, or just one. Happens to us all.
Friday July 5th:
After getting ready for the day, back to the con hotel. Chatted with some fellow fans before going to the Voice acting panel. Once that was done, I decided to wander the dealers room before going to the âVoices from Eyrieâ panel. Not going to lie, going to need to catch up on those podcasts.
From there, headed up for the Gargoyles in comics one. Not going to lie, I was happy when the comics started coming out again, and was hooked once again. Would love to see more of Dark Ages, along more Timedancer as well besides what was covered in the SLG run. Plus would love to see, and learn more about Gargoyle customs. Especially their courting rituals. What can I say? I'm curious.
Received some art from Y2Hecate that I commissioned her to draw of my characters. And handed off another art idea of a couple of different characters that needed some love too.
Went back to my hotel room for a little before getting dinner at the diner again. The next thing I checked out was the Fancy Bastard Pie Competition. Only 5 pies were submitted. Even so, it was an interesting thing to behold.
After that ended, I have Brigitte Bako my Beware of Gargoyles badge. She had been looking for one, and I was more than happy to give her mine. Certainly made her night. Seeing the joy, and smile made it all the worth while. And got to take a selfie with her.
My roommate has the master file for the badge design, so next time I will make sure I have far more than the 24 I brought.
Skip forward a bit in time for the Blue Mug, and then off to sleep.
Saturday July 6th:
Made a dash up the street to Target again since Kythera suggested getting some Oreos before taking a picture with them to send off to Duncan. Ate some breakfast, and off to the con hotel.
Went off to a panel whose name escapes me at the time of writing this. Wandered for a bit afterwards, and then got in the line for the radio play. âI'm right here!â indeed.
From there, off too jump in the Meet and Greet line to get a Gargoyles comic signed by Greg Weisman. I spotted a couple of variant covers that I did not have, and was able to have those signed instead. I do the love the comment âI feel sorry for you, I sign the same thing for you every time.â Replied saying that I didn't mind. To me, it is always a treat.
Probably wandered some more before Hitting up the Young Justice, and Spectacular Spider-Man panels. Admittedly, I need to watch both of those.
Did a little more talking with a few folks before getting some badly needed food.
Back into my hotel room, I had very random thought; minus the whole time dancing thing, part of my younger life was sort of like gNash's life. Moving from one place to another without being able too settle down. Not really the sort of thing one expects to pop into ones head when trying to get to sleep.
Sunday July 7th:
I guess while I slept, my brain probably kept it bouncing around. And came to a realization after I woke up. Pardon some of the phrasing.
It is weird realizing one of the reasons that "Gargoyles" drew me in 30 years after the show came out. I was a military (USAF) brat until I was 15. So moving around was a regular thing, but hard to understand when you are young. More so when you live 7 (technically 6 as we came back to the same place for a second time, but one doesn't know what's changed either) different places in 13 years.
Wanting to make friends was a challenge. Not just a matter of trust, but not knowing when said friendship might end because of him being assigned to a different base states away. Or being deployed overseas. Even after the final move, it was still difficult to make, and to hold on to friends for years.
Seeing the show when it first came on the air, I could empathize with their thoughts, and feelings of being in a strange new place. Figuring out the layout, who to trust, or even become friends with. In high school, I could count my amount of friends on one hand.
That aside, going to the Gathering of The Gargoyles 2000 in Orlando was the first step in spreading my wings. And a leap of faith. I didn't know what I was getting into. What sort of folks would be meeting? I was still in my shell as as I was still a fairly shy person.
It started cracking my shell, and then the subsequent Gatherings finally brought me out. Along with meeting folks that I can still call friends to this day.
And today, I realize just how much that show meant to me. The connections it helped make to so many wonderful, and talented people. But more importantly, it helped me find a clan that I'm lucky to be a part of. Plus helped change into what I sincerely hope is a far person than I might have been if it hadn't been for Gargoyles.
Heck of a thing to wake up to.
The day of going to three back to back Gargoyles panels. First up was Bio/ Culture, and of course, the panel ran over on time. After Greg, loves to hear himself talk. But hey, that's part of the reason the fandom likes you.
Gargoyles to screen quickly followed. Unlike his previous panels where he has prepared âAbsolutly nothing,â he was prepared. I've heard most of this before, but it is still awesome to see, and hear again for the first time in years. And âBetter than Barney.â I don't think I'll ever get over that comment. Much like the previous panel, this one ran over as well.
And last one up was Gargoyle visually. He was prepared for this one as well, and again I've seen all of these before. Still a treat though. Didn't have time to show all of the clips. Some of us were saddened by the sight of the Ed Asner clips. I wish I had gotten to chance to meet him, even just once.
A little while later, it was off to closing ceremonies. Got a selfie with Greg before some of us went off to get dinner. After coming back to the hotel, we met up with him in the lobby for a bit before getting milkshakes at the diner.
All of us had to order online since they wanted an $3 if we placed the order in person. Probably took close to an hour to get all of our orders, and there were a few mix ups. I got a butterscotch one. Was okay, but I've had better.
We hung around talking for a bit in the lobby before various folks in the the group started saying their goodbyes before going to bed for their various early morning flights. Very bittersweet moment to say the least.
Headed back to my hotel to pack, and prepare for my trip home the next day. It certainly felt bittersweet; getting to see fellow fans for the first time in 15 years, if not longer, and feeling the line did not last enough. Always hard to say goodbye.
Monday July 8th:
The day felt rather bittersweet as I drover back to the airport. Nearly got lost on the way after being able to get into the proper highway lane. After getting to the airport, and returning the car, the fun started trying to get from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.
MSP does not make it easy. More going all over the place to find the light rail to get there, and more hiking all over the place. Got lost inside more than once due the signage not being great. After 30 minutes, I finally got to the security check point, and was through that in 5 minutes.
Started typing this out while waiting for my flight. No delay this time, and a little over 3 hours later, I was back at SeaTac airport. Took an hour to drive home, bringing the trip to end. Typing this out also feels bittersweet, but I did promise Greg that I would write one up even if it will be a few years before he responds. Plus akes me realize I really need to be less of a stranger in the fandom.
Already miss talking to you, and all of the others as well.