Month: May 2020

DigiCon: The Rise of Virtual Conventions

Aside D&A Anime Blog Anime Conventions, Blogging, Filler Posts

It has been two whole months since our state (Maryland) was issued a ‘Shelter-in-Place’ order due to COVID-19. With large gatherings like festivals, sporting events, and yes…even anime and gaming conventions cancelled all around the U.S. and the world, nerds (and otaku) like ourselves have been wondering what the future of our three-day sanctuaries would look like in a post COVID world. It bummed us out after receiving word that our next convention, Zenkaikon, was cancelled after the state of PA issued its state of emergency. However, it was also nice to see that they take the safety of their con goers, staff, and potential guests seriously. With Summer knocking on the door, it’s already set in stone that con season is pretty much dead, and I can only imagine how bad the organizers and staff are feeling; having to scrap everything because you don’t want to take the chance of infecting more people, because at this rate, it seems like con season won’t have the same effect that it once did even after this year is over.

We’re not saying that you won’t have the same experiences you did back in year’s past, it just that with the mega conventions like Anime Expo, SDCC, SXSW, and E3, they probably won’t be returning next year either – at least not at the capacity they once had. There’s at least 6-8 months worth of planning that has to go into making cons that size what they are, and with COVID hanging around until Fall/Winter, that doesn’t give the organizers a lot of turn-around time to work with…which sucks! So yeah, we feel your pain, and though we can’t go to any of our favorite conventions to see you guys, many organizers have created digital alternatives to many of your favorite cons. Heck, even FUNimation has their own con!

With many of us who are FOLLOWING THE RULES AND STAYING HOME UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE WE WON’T NAME, digital conventions are the new norm – at least for now anyway. I’d say between 2021 and 2022, we’ll find ourselves back to doing what we do best; going to cons and meeting our cool friends and fans! (We’ll be hugging our super fans, and pounding fists with everyone else.) Hopefully you guys stay safe during this time, and remember, we’ve got discord and all of our other social media, so you can chat with us anytime! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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We shall return! Believe it!

A Founder’s Thought’s With D.J. Lewis! (05/04/20)

Aside D&A Anime Blog Filler Posts

Hey guys n’ gals, may the fourth be with you! Everyday that I find myself constantly distracting myself with ‘internet-tainment’ to keep me sane, is another small victory in my book. For may of us it feels like our quality of life is a bit…well, if there was a word for it, I’d say it in this post. With more cases of COVID coming in day-by-day; as well as the threat of a new and dangerous member of the wasp family, the Murder Hornet, making its U.S. appearance at the worst possible time, it feels like 2020 just told us to go @#$% ourselves. With Summer knocking on the door, the need to be outside without a mask is going to be higher than ever. Doctors and nurses all around the U.S. and the world save a lot of lives and been through pandemics in years past, but I bet they never had to deal with anything of this magnitude before.

All my life I’ve never heard of a virus shutting down the entire world before – let alone an entire country. Some say this was our divine punishment for all of the times we’ve taken mother Earth for granted, and other’s just want to point the finger. Yeah, having 80% of your social life stripped from you sucks indeed, but in the midst of it all, this situation gave me the chance to take a look at some aspects of my life. I guess you can say the coronavirus put the world on hiatus because we all need to reevaluate our priorities. I can’t speak for everyone, but instead of whining and complaining like some states I know (Florida, Atlanta, Huntington Beach), try making someone else’s life in quarantine a little better. Our world is being tested, but if I know my anime fans, my introverts, and my home-dwellers, we know how to make the best out of the worst situation!

Yeah, most of the idiots outside without masks are going to revolt and do what they want; which is terrible. (Sorry, but you can’t fix stupid, ask the president.) Just know that just because you wear your mask and follow social distancing rules, doesn’t make you weak or even feel like your rights are violated. It means that you’re a considerate person who cares more about the lives of others, their grandparents, and members of their family with health challenges instead of trying to figure out where the next party is, or even if you can get your nails done. Seriously, don’t even talk to me or spit in my direction if you care more about yourself than somebody else during this time!

Okay, I feel a little better. Just had to vent a little bit because of all the ‘dumb-assery’ I’ve been seeing all over social media and the news. Hopefully you guys are staying safe, and staying health. Until next post! ๐Ÿ™‚