DragonCon 2026 - The Good, The Bad, The Needs Improvement
DragonCon 2026 - The Good, The Bad, The Needs Improvement
DragonCon is, sadly, once again over. Me and 75,000 of my closest friends have all returned home to rub our sore feet, recover from various forms of con crude, and most important, sleep for long periods of time in the vain hope of feeling human again.
I you have never been to DragonCon before you might wonder why someone would subject themselves to something that has such serious after effects, and the answer is simple. DragonCon, regardless of the price to be paid, is, and always has, been worth it.
I attended DragonCon for the very first time in 2008. I was visiting my Uncle and cousins in Atlanta, and on a bright sunny Saturday morning my Uncle Jerry called and told my cousin Jeremy and I that there were a bunch of folks walking around in cosplay downtown, and maybe we might want to come down and check it out. So, we hopped into the car, drove downtown, and walked into DragonCon.
I had no idea, at the time, just how much that single decision would affect my life. Looking back, knowing all the ways DragonCon would change my life, I often wonder what my life would be like, today, had I not ever attended that first DragonCon.
In 2008, security was a lot less than it is today, so Jeremy and I were able to walk right into the Marriott, the Hilton, The Westin, and the Sheraton without anyone so much as giving us a second glance. True, we couldn't get into any panels, but we weren't really interested in the panels. We spent the day just wondering the hotels, taking pictures of the various cosplays and costumes. It was, a lot of fun, and I left DragonCon, that night, determined to return the next year, with a badge, and experience the full thing.
Fast forward to 2026, and I am attending DragonCon again. This time with a lot of experience and past DragonCons under my belt, and as soon as I walked into the Marriott, I could breath a sigh of relief. I was home. I was among friends. I was safe.
All that said, this year, in the year of our lord 2026, DragonCon had it's ups and it's downs. It wasn't the worst year, in my experience of attending, but it certainly wasn't the best. Most, if not all my criticism of this years DragonCon can be squarely laid at the feet of the Courtland hotel (formerly the Sheraton). I won't go into a lot of detail, other than to say, the Courtland made it very Very VERY clear that they do not want to be part of DragonCon anymore. Which is disappointing, and honestly baffling, in my humble opinion. But, I think this year, and all the issues with the Courtland, from badge pickup, to room nightmares, to broken sewer lines, are proof that DragonCon needs to evolve. Perhaps, in a future post, I will jot down a few thoughts on ways, I think, DragonCon could and should change, but not today.
Today, I just want to focus on how good it felt to be home, and, even though my phone was ruined due to rain, and the fact that I picked a couple dud panels, I really loved being there.
This year, I did something I have never done before. I participated in the Marriott floor show. Again, if you've never been to DragonCon before you probably have no idea what I am talking about, so, let me explain...
The Marriott is sort of the central hub of DragonCon, and when the sun goes down all the best cosplays, and more migrate to the Marriott. On the main 3rd floor level, near the back, people in large cosplays will often stand in a single spot in order to be seen and photographed, but, people also, set up fun little displays and interactive events. For example, last year, there was a Swedish fish glory hole...use your imagination.
I've never participated in the floor show, but a few months ago I had an idea, The Con-Fessional. I wanted to set up a confessional booth and take peoples confessions. No I'm not a catholic, I just like making fun of religion. I posed my idea to my buddy Eric and he was 100% onboard, so, we bought a couple priest outfits from Spirit Halloween, and set up a confessional booth using PVC and some extra fabric Leslie had laying about.
The booth was an absolute hit. Before the con I had 250 Con-Fessional ribbons printed to be handed out to anyone who made a confession. We left DragonCon with 37 left.
So, I think the Con-Fessional will certainly be returning to DragonCon in 2027.
There is so much more I could talk about and speak on when it comes to DragonCon, but, it is only Wednesday, and I will confess, I am tired. So I will leave you with this...
While DragonCon 2026 had it's issues, DragonCon is great. It's still worth the long lines, the ATL heat, and all the sweat. Because, I'll say it again, DragonCon is home.
3 Book Series EVERY Man Should Read
Growing up, we are often bombarded with societal expectations of what it means to be a "real" man. We are told to be strong, stoic, and always have it together. I myself grew up being told over and over again "When I was a child I thought as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish things." The first time I can remember my Father telling me that was shortly after I turned 8 years old. But let's face it, life is messy, and sometimes we need to let loose and have some fun.
When I was younger, I had this idea that being a man meant I had to be serious all the time. I thought I had to let go of my childhood hobbies and interests and focus on "mature" activities. But the truth is, being a man is not about conforming to outdated stereotypes or what society thinks we should be. It's about being true to ourselves and embracing the things that make us happy.
For me, that meant embracing my inner geek and diving back into my love for Dungeons and Dragons. It also meant allowing myself to indulge in my favorite movies and books, no matter how silly or childish they may seem to others. And you know what? It felt good. It reminded me that being an adult doesn't mean we have to give up the things we love.
So, to all the men out there who feel like they have to conform to society's expectations, I urge you to let go of those notions and embrace the things that make you happy. Whether it's playing video games, reading comic books, or watching cheesy rom-coms, do what makes you happy. Life is too short to live it according to someone else's standards.
And on that note, here are a few book recommendations that I believe every man (or anyone, really) should read:
- Old Man's War by John Scalzi - This science fiction novel explores a future where humanity has colonized the stars and follows protagonist John Perry as he joins the military at the age of 75 to fight for the future of the human race.
- The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - As you mentioned, this urban fantasy series follows Harry Dresden, a professional wizard and private investigator in Chicago. The series is action-packed, full of humor, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
- The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne - This fantasy series follows the adventures of Atticus O'Sullivan, the last of the Druids, as he navigates through supernatural dangers and encounters gods, goddesses, and other mythical beings.
Remember, reading is a personal and subjective experience. Don't let anyone tell you what books you should or should not read. Instead, focus on finding books that you enjoy and that make you happy.
Ultimately, I learned that being a man is not about adhering to rigid stereotypes or societal expectations. It's about being true to yourself and embracing the things that make you happy, even if they involve wizards, dragons, or spaceships. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to ride a dragon into battle or blast off into the galaxy with a motley crew of misfits? So go ahead, embrace your inner geek, and revel in the wonder of fiction and fantasy. After all, life is too short to take ourselves too seriously!
