Tick… tick… tick…
Hear that? It’s the sound of the timer running down.
Tick… tick… tick…
The sound of an editor scrambling to get his last supplies together, the sound of a panelist scribbling down notes, checking facts, and getting those last-minute details transcribed before exhaustion takes over. It’s the sound of a photographer making his rounds, checking his batteries and memory, the blogger trying to prepare for the big interview.
Tick… tick… tick…
That’s the sound of cosplayers making those final tweaks to their garb, of last-minute planners fretting over a lack of a hotel room. The sound of friends making plans, clubs plotting their plans of approach, and hobbyists poring over schedules.
Tick… tick.. tick…
It’s the sound of the artists that are eagerly working on their final pieces. Their rush against the clock for that last drawing or painting drives them to their very best. The rush of finishing is only eclipsed by the questions of how to fit their wares into their cars.
Tick… tick… tick…
The clock ticks as industry reps scramble to catch their flights, and subculture celebs prepare to meet thousands, if not tens of thousands of eager fans.
Tick… tick… tick…
Frantic workers set up their booths, and vendors prepare their wares. A muted exuberance sweeps through the laborers, each one thinking “This one’s gonna be big.”
Tick… tick… tick…
Volunteers scramble to get everything ready for guest and customer alike. Final e-mails are sent out, rooms are outfitted, and routines are rehearsed. A line begins to form outside, and reality slowly begins to set in. It’s here, it’s time, and they’re as ready as they can possibly be. Soon, the doors will open and the masses will spill into the site. Quiet tension will break, and a seemingly dead location will be brimming with life and color. It will be busy at times, crazy even. Rooms will fill, events will be packed, and everybody will be dead-tired, but somehow pushing forward.
Writers will breathlessly chronicle every event, no matter how small. The photographers will continue to hammer their shutters in hopes of getting the perfect shot. Fans and friends will crowd the floor to “ooh” and “ahh” at the cosplayers and the spectacles. The stalls of artists and vendors will overflow with customers eager to make their inventories lighter.
Panels will pack, events will overflow, and lines for the biggest events will wrap around the crowded floor. People will be loud, they’ll be sweaty, and they’ll be exhausted. But they’ll all be smiling. For this weekend, they’re all friends and neighbors to one another. The memories that will be had will be those that last a lifetime.
The countdown has finally ended, and convention season has begun once again. And, like those before it, this year’s will be one to remember.
