Conventions: Breaking Out

PAX Prime 2011 was my first big PAX. The reason I say big PAX is because I went to one of the first years of PAX back when it was in the Belleview Convention Center, before they moved over to Seattle. Overall, I had fun. But I had one problem with the convention: I was shy.

During the last PAX, I was just starting to be a part of the Destructoid community. I barely knew anyone from the community going in. However, I went to every scheduled Destructoid function, with the exception of Rock Bottom the last day. The first night I went to the GameWorks meetup and visited with a couple of the people I knew and had talked to before, like Mr. Andy Dixon and Max Scoville. It was fun seeing them and talking to them, but overall I felt lost. I was in a sea of people that I didn't know.



Over the weekend I talked a few other Dtoid staffers and community members. When I'd introduce myself to people, I was surprised at how many people actually knew me. Before PAX, I usually would comment on the front page, play Bad Company 2 with Mr. Andy Dixon and company, and write a few cblogs. But that was basically it. I didn't feel like I would be known by very many people, yet I was. I remember being in line for Destructoid Live 2.0 and meeting Gobun. I'd heard of him before, and he'd heard of me. What I'm kicking myself for back then was that I didn't try to get to know him or any other Dtoider that weekend. I let my shyness get the best of me.

As I type this, we're just a week away from PAX Prime 2012. I've promised myself that this year is going to be different. In the past year I've gone from just Swishiee, to the guy who runs the Destructoid Team Fortress 2 server, hosts a live show on the new community steaming channel, Streamtoid, and runs PC Friday Night Fights. I feel like I've made a name for myself in the community, and as such, I shouldn't be so damn shy around the community. Plus, in the past year I've become friends with quite a few Dtoiders who plan to be at PAX. I'm looking forward to PAX Prime 2012 not because of the games, but because of the Destructoid community. I can't wait to see all of you sexy people in Seattle!



This is going to be the longest week of my life.