WONDERFEST 2021

Ok, here is my tale of WF2021 from my own perspective.
For those who do not know, that is me on the right and my daughter on the left.

MONDAY
And just like that, it was over.
Of course, the next morning wasn't as much fun. Packing. Loading the car. Checking out.
The drive home was uneventful, which is always a good thing.

The show was great!
I am still amazed at how smoothly it all went, and how much the organizers managed to pull off with the shortened timeline and all the stuff that was up-in-the-air right up until the show opened. Other than missing some of the normal vendors, a few empty tables, and a limited seminar selection it was almost a normal show.

I did really miss seeing a lot of the normal attendees that couldn't make it this year. I could rattle off a list of names but I would still forget many, so I am not even going to try. Let's just say there were a lot of people missing this year. But, there were also a few who managed to make it that haven't been there in a few years, so there is that.
On the flip side it was also kind of nice to have a more limited number of people to hang out with.
Let's be honest, it's been almost a year with very little social interaction. While I enjoyed my time with people, I was also pretty close to my limit of socializing most of the weekend. Which is one of the reasons I kept returning to the room to sit and snack during the show. I needed a little time alone to recharge before getting back out with everyone.
That meant that I missed out on some stuff. Like not hitting any of the seminars this year. But this year wasn't about trying to cram as much in as possible like it usually is. It was just about getting away from everything. Work, home, responsibilities, and seclusion. With that in mind, there were only two things I 'had' to do this year. One, was enter my contest entries. Not because I thought any of them were really any good, but more to show my support for the show, and do my part to fill the tables in the contest room. The other thing was to see Greg's presentation.
That's it. Those were the only time-sensitive things on the schedule for the show this year. The only goals.
So, having a smaller circle of friends was kind of nice. A little more intimate conversation, instead of large loud groups was what I needed.
There were some large group moments, but just the right amount. Enough to get that rush, and that fix, without being too much, or too overwhelming.


I had a good haul of stuff from the show. Not what I was expecting to buy, but some great things I didn't even know I wanted until I saw them.
Also, there wasn't nearly as much styrene there as I hoped there would be. I ended up with a very kaiju heavy haul, and that is fine with me.

I think next year's show is going to blow the doors off the place.
All the people like me, who took things kind of easy this year are going to be looking to make up for lost time next year, on top of all the people who couldn't even make it. With the Canadians back, and a year of something-close-to-normal everyone is going to be going all out. Both for the contest, and for the after-hours fun.

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