November 27th, 2009
YaoiCon 2009 – Closing Thoughts
This is really a post to include more pictures and say all the things that I wanted to say, but couldn’t fit into the flow of the other posts. It’s likely to be a little bit discombobulated.
- Tahdig! I think that only makes sense if you’re one of the three people I spoke with about it, but it’s awesome anyways.
- Café Verführen has great souvenirs. Their shot glasses are etched, not printed, and their Sunday-morning gift boxes are copied from real vintage labels (seriously).
- Ryusei is never ever without less than immaculately dressed. I think I’m a little bit jealous.
- I wish I had taken up Tiff’s invitation to go watch Supernatural on Saturday night. I got some ideas for First and Last and Always that I needed to write down, and I didn’t see her at all on Sunday. She seemed like a good person to know.
- In general, wish I were better about collecting phone numbers and email addresses.
- The official YaoiCon “bishounen” events – Bingo, the Auction, and the (ahem) Bishounen Spanking Inferno raffle – can be a lot of fun in their own rights, but… (I never finished this sentence, and I wish I could remember what I was thinking when I started it. The events are fun.
- Mostly for DreamSkaype, I’ve uploaded a picture of my special badge from my service as a waiter for the YaoiCon Café (not Café Verführen) back in 2007. Being called a “bishounen” feels like a compliment that I can’t properly accept, so I replaced it with something more comfortable.
- I should bring Kelda another tribute offering of chocolate next year.
- YaoiCon is always, at the same time, more and less expensive than I thought it would be.
- …and then Buffy staked Edward. THE END!
Hi,
I actually found your article a couple posts back and followed to this one. I’d like to say that if you have a problem with any of the bishounen’s behaviour, then let him know. If he persists, then report him to staff (ideally, one of the volunteer or bishounen coordinators). As one of the guys, I can tell you that staff are always very clear to us about respecting people’s personal boundaries. I can’t say what will happen (as far as I know, the situation has never occurred), but it’s better than feeling helpless and frustrated. I imagine it’s too late to say anything now, but it’s something to keep in mind for future reference.
I admit that I’m not being entirely altruistic here, because if one of the guys is making people uncomfortable, then it reflects badly on all of us.
Also, while it is true that calling someone a bishounen is a huge compliment, in fact, we’re not chosen on the basis of our looks alone (because the gods know I’d never get picked…). Far more important is our willingness to do…the things we do. The most gorgeous guy won’t be much use to the con if he can’t interact with the attendees or put on a show or volunteer hours and hours of his time.
Man, I didn’t mean to sound so preachy. Glad you enjoyed the con and I hope this helps. :)
Oh, I’m very aware of staff’s general protective attitude. I had another unfortunate incident at YCon a few years back, and they offered to ban the person involved.
I didn’t take them up on it – it was early Friday afternoon, a lot of people look forward to YCon all year, and it’s easy to get just a bit overexcited. I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s weekend that early, and I was more disoriented than upset.
With Mr. Viki here it was quite different, but that was a different con. I did make myself pretty clear to him, and since then he’s given me a wide berth, so I think that’s about all I can ask.
I know the boys aren’t just pretty faces! It’s a big commitment in both directions, and I didn’t mean to demean it. I know… well, I don’t know if I can say most anymore, but I know a lot of the crew, and they’re genuinely wonderful people. I just have weird personal history and hangups in the game, that’s all.
Thanks for the comment! Frequently it is helpful to talk things out, and I really am happy for the chance to clarify some of the things I’ve said.
See you next year!
Ooh…etched shot glasses are always a bonus. They look very pretty :]
“Unrepentant fanboy” just gives me the image of somebody yelling ‘I regret nothing!’ at the top of their lungs. Kinda gives a better idea for what it would mean to be a bishounen, though.
In response to the epic ending of Buffy ending Edward, there is YouTube footage of such. If you haven’t seen it, I’m more than happy to provide the link.
Oh, the shotglass is very pretty, and the lettering shows up even more with a nice dark liqueur to give it contrast. Maybe next year you’ll be able to get one of your own? (We can hope.)
“Unrepentant Fanboy” is mostly a more-honest description of me than anything. RainWeaver’s comment, above, is quite accurate, though. A lot of it is about being friendly, outgoing, and inside-the-lines fanservicey.
There is a story behind the ending, actually! At closing ceremonies, I gave some of my raffle tickets to Senshixdoukeshi, who was wearing the t-shirt. Near the end of the raffle, one of the tickets won. People went nuts when they saw. =D
Ooh…that sounds awesome. I’d like to be able to get one. Do they check your age if you just wanna buy one?
Sounds like extreme patience would be needed too. …Unrepentant Fanboy sounds cuter, though.
Oh nice! On the both counts–shirt and the person winning!
Café Verführen doesn’t serve alcohol, so there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to buy a shotglass. There’s nothing in it, so you don’t have to be 21.
I’m happy to hear you like my badge-vandalism. =D
Back to writing…
Oh, well that’s all jolly good then!
Of course :3
Yes, back to writing! >:U