Reasons I love Baltimore: Otakon

Every year, the world's foremost, exciting, awe-inspiring, mind-boggling, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious people watching convention comes to town.  When you first start to get glimpses of the convention arriving on Thursday, you find yourself thinking "hmm, it's not Halloween yet is it?  Why, no, it's August..."  Then you find yourself staring far too long at each pedestrian that crosses your path for hints of a costume. 

Friday rolls around and you're in the office far before most convention goers awake.  You stare out the window, and see the masses start to trickle into the city.  By lunchtime you're filled with giddy schoolgirl anticipation.  You run out for what is sure to be a very long lunch while you people watch your heart out.  At first, as you sit down with your meal at one of the various convention-friendly hot spots like Five Guys, California Tortilla, or Wharf Rat you may find yourself initially wanting to judge the ever-loving crap out of the convention folk.  But after a few INSANELY ornate outfits you just can't help but be in awe.  The detail and amount of work that these folks put into gearing up for this event is pretty impressive.  If you keep your eye peeled, chances are you'll even see one of your favorite childhood video game characters. 

I'd explain what this convention is all about, but the couple photos I got this year do it way more justice than words ever will.  I scoped out the "picture-taking" etiquette this year so next year I promise to have many more.  This time around I pretty much just tried to sneak photos like a creepy stalker when folks weren't looking.  But after observing from afar it became very clear that not only do these ladies and gents not mind photos being taken of them; they LOVE it.  If you ask, most of them will happily stop everything and get into a genre appropriate pose.  How great is that!?  Another point to remember when looking at these photos is that this is August in Baltimore.  It. Is. Hot.  And disgustingly humid.  And yet, these folks keep their full getup on no matter what.  That's dedication.

So without further ado, my photos:

Holy crap.  If only I knew they'd probably have taken a picture with me if I asked...next year you will see me smooshed in between these fellas.  Helloooooo facebook profile pic gold.

Yeah, no idea.  But cool nonetheless.

Dinosaur!  With a leash!  Yoshi maybe?

They got the boots with the fur but they appear to have forgotten their apple-bottom jeans.

Good heavens, can't even imagine how heavy/hot that thing was to wear all day on her head.

I. Want. That. Sword.

In closing, even if you don't appreciate the spectacular people watching the convention attendees give us or the extreme dedication they show each year in making their costumes, I promise everyone can enjoy the looks on the faces of the other folks visiting Baltimore that weekend.  You'll see them stare in abject horror with no knowledge that one of the largest and longest running anime conventions in the world is in town.  And then you'll think of how these poor, uninformed tourists will describe their exciting weekend to that strange place called Baltimore.  Sweet.