Starting the year off right.

2016 is behind us (thank goodness) and 2017 is upon us (let’s see how this goes).  Garth and I are beginning our year, as we have for the past few years, with a trip to OHAYOCON.  This show has become not only a tradition for us, but a real pleasure to attend.  We had a blast the first year we attended as a team, and the following years have been progressively better and more fun.  With friendly attendees, an attentive staff, and a city I’m slowly falling in love with, Ohayocon is a great way to kick off our year.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of Ohayocon is a feature of its Artist Alley.  Thanks to its location, the Artist Alley is treated to a large window overlooking Columbus.  The view is not spectacular from our tables, nor is it particularly breathtaking when you get near it.  But what makes this window so lovely and important is that it provides natural light, which is something you don’t realize you’ve been missing after years of doing conventions in windowless exhibit halls and hotel conference rooms.  The natural light also provides a gauge on the progress of time.  When you’ve been sitting at your merch table for hours on end and look up to see the sun setting, you get a sense that the day has progressed and you’re nearly done with your work day.  In windowless rooms there is no sense of time, and checking your phone/watch for the time can be a harsh reality check when you’ve felt you’ve been in one place for an eternity.

One of the great treats I’m looking forward to indulging is a grilled cheese restaurant called, appropriately, “Melt Bar & Grilled.”  I don’t eat dairy, but they have a decadent list of selections that cater to those of us on a plant-based diet, and when I’m on the road that’s a luxury I am rarely afforded.  So if you’ll be at Ohayocon, don’t be surprised if you see me there every night stuffing my face with creative grilled “cheese” sandwiches and bonding with the bartender over awesome heavy metal shirts.  (I don’t know if that last part will happen, but it did last year and it was awesome.)

We’re eager to see familiar faces and make new friends.  The year is just beginning and we’re aiming to fill it with as much optimism and positive energy as we can.  Stop on by to OHAYOCON if you’re in the area this weekend!  We’ll be happy to see you, and you won’t regret your visit.