The Best Weekend Ever: Part 6 - First Convention Lessons Learned

Sherlocked was my first convention. Here is what I learned from this experience.

1. My feet hurt. 
I wore my comfiest most broken in trainers and I got blisters! The combination of queueing and concrete floors do not make for happy feet. I only took one pair so I couldn't relieve the pain the next day by changing shoes. It didn't spoil the day but I have a MASSIVE amount of respect to all the Irene Adler cosplayers who spent the day in killer heels. Bravo ladies that is commitment. 

2. Set a budget. 

As I expected there were lots of lovely things to tempt you to spend your monies on. Merchandise, extra photos, autographs all sorts. I took cash and left my card at home. This worked brilliantly I got all the things I wanted from the weekend. I confess I did have to get a little extra cash out for food and wines on the train home but convention wise I stuck to budget. Success! 

3. These are my people. 

I loved having a good old geek out at Sherlocked. The levels of enthusiasm in the room were exceptional. People were so friendly all jammed together in queues chatting, asking who you'd met so far, how you had travelled, squeeing over photos, and generally sharing in the group joy of this experience. Compliments were going off all over the place! "I love your bag" "Your cosplay is fab" "That photo is amazing". I have deduced that the Sherlock Fandom is awesome. 

4. Friendships grow at cons. 

Whether it's old friends you have come with, Internet friends your meeting for the first time or people you talk to in line, sharing the con experience makes it sooooo awesome. Vicki and I got to spend some quality friend time together. We got to meet Jackie and Darren prop-ly and made a new fangirl friend in line in Harley. I'm sad I didn't get to say a proper hello to my Twitter pal Julie but I have a feeling that will come one day. 

5. Fangirl friends are the best kind of friends. 

Outside of the excitement of actually meeting the stars of Sherlock my favourite experience of the weekend involved being with friends. Catching sight of Jackie across the room and running over waving pictures and fangirling unapologetically. Making the most of every moment the four of us went for tea on the Saturday night and had a show and tell session. Getting all our pictures out to have a proper look at and telling our stories of what we said to who. Just reliving the day, really extending the fun with Prosecco and Pizza! They are there for the highs and the lows. When the weekend was over we were so sad to go back to normal life we were there for each other too. Because no one really gets it like fangirls do. Friends will be excited to see your pictures and will want little anecdotes. BUT fangirl friends will repeatedly listen to your blow by blow account and be excited even though they were stood next to you when it happened! And join in a chorus of "I want to do it all again" with a verse of "Take me back" and an extended mix of "Where is my time machine". 

So in conclusion planning and preparation make for a good experience. The meeting your idols and them being lovely humans makes it wonderful but sharing the experience with friends makes a convention truly, truly epic. Thank you.

Much Love 

Charlie x