I have never been to a convention of any kind ever
 

But a friend brought my attention to this http://www.heroesonline.com/heroescon/guests/

So you don't really have to read this, today I saw Brian Clevinger was going to be on the list there. So is there anything anyone would like before I capture him and take control of these forums here?

You're going to beg us on your knees to take it back within a week.

I generally really want to go to conventions, but never do because I don't want to go alone. I might go to Yaoicon later this year though.

This concept is terrifying to me.

That said, I just went to my first con last weekend. Steampunk rather than anime, and it was rather small as a first-year con, but it was still rather amazing.

If I can recall, Nikose told me that Anime North is called Yaoi North or something.

I've been to the last... 4 San Diego Comic Cons, and 1 Botcon. Botcon was nice enough, but I didn't care for many of the panels they had that year, and Botcon's exclusives are hideously overpriced. (Of course, to be fair, my back had just gone out prior to Botcon, so my skipping of many panels might have more to do with that, rather than the content.)

I have considered going to New York Comic Con instead of SDCC, seeing as how I live on the East coast, and SDCC is on the west. (Plus, after SDCC, I've heard that NYCC is the 2nd largest con.)

The reason why I keep hitting SDCC, is that there's always more than a few panels I enjoy seeing (assuming I can get into the room).. There's more than a few premiere showings of some straight to DVD stuff.. The exclusives are always interesting, and sometimes even worth buying.. Plus, there's a butt ton of freebies to be had, I'm disappointed if I don't manage to snag at least 6 t-shirts, 1 convention bag & maybe a DVD or 2.

My suggestion to picking a Con is always to look at the kind of panels they get, at least look at the prior year, as you won't likely know everything before they sell out of tickets. You might like the theme behind the con (like Anime), but if its just showing movies you can rent/already own, plus costume play... Well that's a waste of your time & money.

SWB

Guide to Cosplay: The Doctor is never out of place. Ren Fair? The doctor is visiting 1500. Anime convention? The Doctor is crossing demenions. Steampunk? Fuck you, The Doctor is Steampunk from the future, you can't even handle it.

I appreciate your interest in something but holy fuck don't force it upon everyone.
 

It honestly seems that any anime con becomes an excuse for yaoi fans to rally together and clamor for the most attention possible. They, in general, were hands-down the most annoying and aggravating group(s) at Otakon a few times.

I went to Fan Expo Canada last year and it was really fun, so I'm going again this year.

Oh, you went to Steampunk World Fair? I was there too. You might've seen me on stage with the Clockwork Dolls. I was wearing a grey pinstripe conductor's hat, tan vest, and pants to match the hat. I also had a leather tool belt.