Flight of the Valkyrie

The 2016 New York Comic Con officially ended today. I had been looking forward to it for 2yrs, since I had missed it last year. I spent time with Leo, Andrea, and Josh. It was Josh's first rodeo with a convention of any kind so it was fun to throw him into my world. I love NYCC. I loved it from the very first time I went years ago. I like the little booths and shops and costumes, but my favorite thing is being able to be myself without judgement. There are men dressed as women, women in revealing outfits, people with props bigger than them, and everyone looks like a complete dork. But no one cares. They don't care if you're overweight or the costume doesn't look perfect or your makeup isn't just so. It's about having fun and enjoying yourself. I went mostly casual for my first day on Saturday, but today I had a full costume. Hat, skirt, thigh highs, ruffle top, and I didn't feel insecure. I never wear skirts because of how self conscious I am. At NYCC I didn't care about what other people thought because I know we're all from the same dorky world. Strangers going up to each other asking for pictures or striking up conversations about a common fandom, and just being all around accepting. I'm not a person who easily fits in. I have to change myself slightly when I'm at school or work. I can't be uncensored and weird. I can't just break into anime references or curse excessively or dress up as an anime character. NYCC is the one weekend a year that I don't feel self conscious about what I like or enjoy. If I want to dress up as a cute/sexy giraffe, why not?
I love the feeling of being free. I'm leaving with Josh in a few days to head out on our mini vacation, and I'll be free once again. However, I still have school in the back of my mind. Stress never quite leaves me, I'm only momentarily distracted.