Why When I was Young ……
Posted By Kathleen David on May 14, 2004
I have been going to conventions since I was about 12. That was a while ago. I was thinking this morning after checking some of the internet boards I read about how much easier fans have it today in many ways. Then I started feeling like an old fogy.
When I first started playing Dungeons and Dragons it was a couple of books. There was a basic set in a blue box and Advanced Dungeons and Dragons. The only place you could get them was a game store called
I completely know what you mean. My first convention experiences were all exactly like you said. I had a small group of friends with similar interests, but we didn’t find comraderie in numbers until conventions. We looked forward to a local annual convention with bated breath year after year.
Then I started going to the Maryland conventions – Farpoint, Shore Leave, Vulcon. Same experience even larger this time because there were celebrities at these and more people then the small city con I had been to previously.
Then DragonCon and even more boggling eyes at the guests and dealers room.
Now the internet. It’s nice to have communities I can share my thoughts and joys with, but it’s not the same, and conventions now have a different feel to them because of it. I don’t know what it is, but it is different.
I’m the same way. I wish technology was where it is today when I was younger. But I’m betting a lot of generations are like that.
Good deep thoughts!
I’ve also been waxing nostalgic for the “good old days” recently. I remember riding my bike to the local drug store on Fridays when I was 10 years old to buy the latest comic books. There were no Previews catalogues and no specialty stores available, just the anticipation of what I might find on the shelf. I still enjoy reading comics (Fallen Angel included 🙂 ), but the naivite is tarnished.
D&D was another fondly remembered pasttime. In a effort to avoid school work, I found http://www.acaeum.com. It’s an excellent, and rather complete, catalogue of pre-WotC D&D product with great screen shots. And, it reminded me of my favorite module, S3 – Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. Sword, sorcery, spaceships, and rayguns…hurrah!!!
I’ve actually been out of the convention circuit for almost 10 years. The last one I attended was more of a media show in Las Vegas in 1991. But I got to talk to Stan Lee and Todd McFarlane which was good. I was lucky enough to meet PAD and Julius Schwartz at a Dallas Fantasy Fair in 1989. I still smile when I remember how excited PAD was when he heard Stan Lee’s narration on the original X-Men cartoon pilot. I enjoyed playing a “comic book” Hollywood Squares game with Mr. Schwartz and Mark Gruenwald. These are experiences that the internet and technology cannot replace.
I plan on attending the Gallifrey One 2005 convention. I look forward to meeting Nicholas Courtney. I had hoped to meet the (now) late Anthony Ainley. I hope to see premiere footage of the new Doctor Who show. And for now, I sit in anticipation.
When I was younger I was always reaching out for someone who connected with me and my ideas. Along came the hubbie and thankfully he was as much of a sci-fi/ artist geek as I am. It has been a tremendous experience reaching out to the world that he introduced me to when we became a couple. I never had the opportunity to attend conventions prior to meeting him, but as soon as I went to my first one I was hooked. So many people in one tiny space all communicating exciting, interesting ideas that make your brain light up with enthusiasm for contributing your own very special thoughts and ideas…and then we have the INTERNET revolution… Good golly, Miss Molly what a wonderful world we live in!