#dragoncon — Public Fediverse posts

#Introduction:

Hi, I’m Mark. Glad you’re here.

I work in #PlatformEngineering and #SoftwareEngineering, after a long stretch in #Perl and now deep into #Go, #Docker, #Kubernetes, and #AWS. I like systems that behave, tools that justify their existence, and explanations that don’t waste anyone’s time.

https://PhoenixTrap.com is where I #blog about the engineering side of that: production, clarity, and the discipline required to build things that hold up under pressure.

I’m also an #Objectivist, which for me means treating ideas as tools for living, not ornaments.

https://TheBeautifulPrison.com is where I explore — through #fiction and #essay #writing — the philosophical side: consciousness, identity, boundaries, and what happens when a self is tested. If you’re curious about the deeper themes behind my posts, that’s the place to look.

Outside of work and writing, you’ll see #BassGuitar, conventions like #DragonCon, and the occasional bit of structured nonsense.

This #Mastodon instance is #SelfHosted because I like owning my infrastructure and my identity; it keeps the whole thing honest.

If something I say sparks a thought, feel free to reply. I enjoy good conversations — especially the kind where two people are actually trying to understand each other.

Pull up a chair.

For the first time since 2012, I'm not going to #DragonCon (save 2 years during Covid where I went nowhere). Still enjoy going, but I thought I might do something different for a solo trip this year in its place. Unfortunately, I need to make sure finances work and the open-ended question of where is leading to some decision paralysis. Current thoughts:

* Japan
* Iceland
* Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden)

Want to see places unique from my home country. I enjoy the idea of seeing the northern lights in Iceland. Just not sure what might make sense IF finances cooperate for a trip likely late in the year (November maybe).

@JoeWynne Speaking of Cassandra Peterson, I met her at #DragonCon many years ago (probably circa 2008). She was seated at a table in the vendor hall, signing autographs. I didn't get her autograph, but no one was there, so we talked for a bit. In retrospect, I should have paid for her autograph because I was just a dick by talking to her and not getting an autograph.

#Monsterdon

Flopcast 698: Part 2 of our Dragon Con recap, covering Friday and Saturday! #podcast #jaws #misfitsofscience #dragoncon #esonetwork https://flopcast.net/698.html

Flopcast 698: Part 2 of our Dragon Con recap, covering Friday and Saturday! #podcast #jaws #misfitsofscience #dragoncon #esonetwork https://flopcast.net/698.html

Flopcast 698: Part 2 of our Dragon Con recap, covering Friday and Saturday! #podcast #jaws #misfitsofscience #dragoncon #esonetwork https://flopcast.net/698.html

Flopcast 698: Part 2 of our Dragon Con recap, covering Friday and Saturday! #podcast #jaws #misfitsofscience #dragoncon #esonetwork https://flopcast.net/698.html

In two hours, it’s #Monsterdon!

I was away the past two weekends for #DragonCon and then family stuff, but I’m back, and this week, we're watching Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). I’m looking forward to it; I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.

Join us by starting the film at 8pm Central / 01:00 UTC, following the #Monsterdon hash tag, and providing your own silly commentary!

Details: https://timeloop.cafe/@Taweret/115203553458810167
Bingo: https://hypertext.monster/@cherizilla/115204806434082321
Theme Drink: https://mstdn.plus/@JoeWynne/115191684236272596

It’s been a week and I’m still decompressing from #DragonCon2025. Good thing there’s this supercut of #LoFi Hotel Room Party to keep me chill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPb195kv9rw&feature=youtu.be

#DragonCon #cosplay #music

It’s been a week and I’m still decompressing from #DragonCon2025. Good thing there’s this supercut of #LoFi Hotel Room Party to keep me chill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPb195kv9rw&feature=youtu.be

#DragonCon #cosplay #music

It’s been a week and I’m still decompressing from #DragonCon2025. Good thing there’s this supercut of #LoFi Hotel Room Party to keep me chill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPb195kv9rw&feature=youtu.be

#DragonCon #cosplay #music

It’s been a week and I’m still decompressing from #DragonCon2025. Good thing there’s this supercut of #LoFi Hotel Room Party to keep me chill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPb195kv9rw&feature=youtu.be

#DragonCon #cosplay #music

It’s been a week and I’m still decompressing from #DragonCon2025. Good thing there’s this supercut of #LoFi Hotel Room Party to keep me chill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPb195kv9rw&feature=youtu.be

#DragonCon #cosplay #music

Obscure #StarWars characters I spotted at #DragonCon over the weekend included a #DeathStar survivors support group, some soon-to-be-unemployed staff of the #GalacticStarcruiser #Halcyon and a pair of #Twilek Kalikori Cola #Barbie carhops! (Very appropriate for an #Atlanta convention) #cosplay #DragonCon2023 #BarbieMovie #CocaCola #CocaColaBarbie #CaptainKeevan #Saja #Andor

Obscure #StarWars characters I spotted at #DragonCon over the weekend included a #DeathStar survivors support group, some soon-to-be-unemployed staff of the #GalacticStarcruiser #Halcyon and a pair of #Twilek Kalikori Cola #Barbie carhops! (Very appropriate for an #Atlanta convention) #cosplay #DragonCon2023 #BarbieMovie #CocaCola #CocaColaBarbie #CaptainKeevan #Saja #Andor

Obscure #StarWars characters I spotted at #DragonCon over the weekend included a #DeathStar survivors support group, some soon-to-be-unemployed staff of the #GalacticStarcruiser #Halcyon and a pair of #Twilek Kalikori Cola #Barbie carhops! (Very appropriate for an #Atlanta convention) #cosplay #DragonCon2023 #BarbieMovie #CocaCola #CocaColaBarbie #CaptainKeevan #Saja #Andor

Obscure #StarWars characters I spotted at #DragonCon over the weekend included a #DeathStar survivors support group, some soon-to-be-unemployed staff of the #GalacticStarcruiser #Halcyon and a pair of #Twilek Kalikori Cola #Barbie carhops! (Very appropriate for an #Atlanta convention) #cosplay #DragonCon2023 #BarbieMovie #CocaCola #CocaColaBarbie #CaptainKeevan #Saja #Andor

Obscure #StarWars characters I spotted at #DragonCon over the weekend included a #DeathStar survivors support group, some soon-to-be-unemployed staff of the #GalacticStarcruiser #Halcyon and a pair of #Twilek Kalikori Cola #Barbie carhops! (Very appropriate for an #Atlanta convention) #cosplay #DragonCon2023 #BarbieMovie #CocaCola #CocaColaBarbie #CaptainKeevan #Saja #Andor

Found ken!
#barbie #jen #dragoncon #atlanta #cosplay #waldo

#introduction

Hi all! My name is Jeff, and I'm #softwareDeveloper and #maker in the process of relocating to #NewZealand.

My journey through social media started with Bulletin Board Systems (#BBS) & #IRC, through LiveJournal, to Facebook, an enjoyable stint in G+, back to Facebook, and now Mastodon. Ironically I never really got into Twitter, which I understand Mastadon aims to replace.

In my career I've worked on incredibly interesting projects like full scale helicopter simulators, small drone (#sUAS) control systems, and signal jamming technologies. I've worked with #C++ , #CSharp, #Python, #LabView.

But what I'm most proud of has been my time volunteering for a local charity I helped found, #MakersLocal256. This #makerspace was the first in #Alabama, has been around for over 15 years, and has survived on a "pay what you can" system. Our goal was and is to make available tools and technologies to those who either can afford it better together, or simply don't have the space for something like a gigantic #laserCutter. I've learned and taught equipment there such as #3DPrinters, #soldering, #embedded projects, #IoT, #lathes, #welding, #leatherWorking, #HamRadio and #cyberSecurity.

I've served #ML256 as both their Treasurer using systems like #GnuCash, and as a #systemsAdministrator using technologies including #Proxmox, #VMWare, #Redmine, #Owncloud, #ZoneMinder

As a hobbyist I run my own #homelab including this instance of Mastadon, #Plex, #mqtt, #proxmoxBE

My other hobbies include #cooking, with a focus on #sousVide and #cajun food, collecting #puzzleBoxes .
I consume large amounts of #Sci-Fi television, #anime, and have a weakness for paranormal teenage drama series like #vampireDiaries and now some soul rotting show called #FateWinxSaga. They're just so awful I can't stop watching.

In my youth I attended a #boardingSchool called #ASMS before Dumbledore made them cool. We had a cheerleading team for our chess team, it was baller. Our headmaster was from #NewZealand, and we plan to catch up once we get settled in.

My wife of eight years and I met in college, and has been my best friend, travel companion, taste tester, and cheerleader. She's an amazing #cosplay artist from Tennessee who has crafted #yukatas #kimonos, outfits from #animes, and so much more.
Her Londo Mallari from #Babylon5 is still the highest rated post of all time in r/Babylon5.

As her handler I end up going to many of her competitions and events, our favorite being #DragonCon . As a reward for being her personal slave, I earn cosplay points, which I save up and cash in on requests. The most memorable is when I asked to be a #sandworm from #Dune. She built a 14 meter worm in the style of a Chinese dragon. It takes eight people to pilot, has been in three parades, two with Kevin J. Anderson leading our path. She carries the 16 kilogram head, with me as her second in line. It's been featured in #MakeMagazine and has been used for a movie premier at a local theatre.

Well, that's me :) I don't intend on writing posts this long going forward, and honestly this felt like writing a CV. But hell, if you're gunna do, do it up.

Had a good time at #Dragoncon today with my best friend.

#Dragoncon2025 #cosplay #sanrio #goth #decora #altfashion

👋 Hi everyone, I’m Mark, and this is my #introduction!

I’m a #SoftwareEngineer who codes mostly in #Perl, enjoys discussing #AynRand’s #philosophy of #Objectivism, and shares thoughts on #ballroom #dance, #cosplay, and playing #music on #BassGuitar.

I attend #DragonCon in #Atlanta, as well as #DeltaHCon and #Comicpalooza right here in #Houston.

You may know me from my previous #fediverse / #Mastodon accounts. Sorry about all the jumping around.

I think that Mousey would appreciate this photo with Ruby Rhod (Cult of the Marriott Carpet edition) at #DragonCon2025. Unbelievable! #FifthElement #StarWars #Droids #VTubers #DragonCon #IronmouseArt

My wife @jlweiss educated me that the #DrWho costume photo I posted is a #BeautyAndTheBeast mashup. Note that the #Cyberman is holding a rose and wearing a tailcoat. #Dalek #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #cosplay

Have bought memberships/acquired hotel rooms for #WorldFantasy and the #Nebulas. Those _may_ be my only in-person convention appearances this year, which is…weird but also kinda relaxing?

Sorry, #Nasfic, the schedule just didn’t work out.

(I miss #DragonCon, but at that size, and after last year’s mask fiasco, I’m still hesitant to return)

This is so deliciously stupid. On the part of everyone involved. #dragoncon #ai

https://www.comicsbeat.com/ai-artist-escorted-out-of-dragon-con-after-police-are-called/

@thatkatharine I’m sorry that you don’t get the appeal of #DragonCon. It’s not about “showing off.”

But there’s no need to publicly yuck someone else’s yum.

This is pretty good #journalism, going to the users. I have always found frontends tedious work to please buttercups, I can only concentrate on the facination of the data. Honestly, I am happy to collaborate with #AI if the results are interesting! While the drawing kids rage against #genai over their "jobs" that never existed in the first place because the #dragoncon and private-for-profits were telling them lies for generations... I am looking forward.

https://thenewstack.io/is-gpt-5-a-coding-powerhouse-or-maintainability-nightmare/

#thenewstack

Sorry, but #DragonCon is not the "art world" and honestly the art is much less interesting than #GenAI! And GenAI is not that interesting to begin with. Dragon con is a con, a for profit conference where generations of young people were fleeced by recruiters for private for-profit colleges which were also cons. Don't call that the art world. I've seen some #creativebloq articles pushed at me and I am not impressed.

https://www.creativebloq.com/ai/ai-art/the-art-world-finally-drew-a-line-in-the-sand-over-ai-and-not-before-time

I'm looking for conferences and conventions that might want a paper airplane guy. I used to do Pop Culture Con but am wondering what other cool groups have events in 2026.

Have paper, will travel...

#Art #Aviation #Avgeek #DragonCon #Creativity #Education #FOSS #Mastodon #NoAI #PaperAirplanes #STEAM #Zen

SPOCK: If I am not mistaken, Jim, this is the #DragonCon Welcoming Committee spoken of in Captain McKinsey's personal log.

#AllStarTrek #StarTrekTOS #TheCloudMinders @allstartrek

A photo of me and some other #ResidentEvil monsters from the #DragonCon2025 parade. I am the “scientist” to the right.

Courtesy of PopCultHQ #Cosplay: https://popculthq-cosplay.com/dragon-con-2025-cosplay-parade/#jp-carousel-18867

#DragonCon #VideoGames #movies

Want to eat whatever you want, but still lose weight? Try the #DragonCon Track Volunteer Workout!

- 20,000+ steps a day
- 100 flights of stairs
- 5 "jfc I'm late to a panel" sprints
- 50 microphone extensions
- 50 squats (so the people behind you can see)

This print order came in on Monday while I was still close to Atlanta. Felt like a #DragonCon order. Thank you!

#art #birdart #fantasyart #raven #drawing #graphite #artwork #artists #MastoArt #ArtistsOnMastodon

I tried to find some information about the incident in which #DragonCon removed the AI “artist” from their Artist Alley with police assistance, since the vendor refused to leave. Unfortunately, almost everyone discussing it is a YouTube “content creator,” and they’re all siding with the “artist.”

To me, it seems many who are supportive of AI are jealous of others’ skills and believe they should have access to them, without having to spend the time practicing art.

Yesterday, #DragonCon Artist Alley management removed (with police assistance!) a vendor selling AI-generated slop, after the former were certain the “art” was entirely AI-generated.

Following the offender’s removal, another vendor created a sign (attached) to place on the empty table. Soon a small shrine to collective #AI disdain began to form around her initial statement.

#ArtByHumans #art #DragonCon2025

Looking forward to cutting a rug (literally—hotel won’t install hardwood 😉) at #DragonCon with the #Atlanta #Swing Orchestra!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu-KFQhPvLz/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

#dance #dancing #SwingDancing

Hi, I’m Alan-2 Dee-2! #BarbieMovie meets #StarWars at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #Barbie #Artoo #Droid

Hi, I’m Alan-2 Dee-2! #BarbieMovie meets #StarWars at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #Barbie #Artoo #Droid

Hi, I’m Alan-2 Dee-2! #BarbieMovie meets #StarWars at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #Barbie #Artoo #Droid

Hi, I’m Alan-2 Dee-2! #BarbieMovie meets #StarWars at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #Barbie #Artoo #Droid

Hi, I’m Alan-2 Dee-2! #BarbieMovie meets #StarWars at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #Barbie #Artoo #Droid

The #AddamsFamily plus #TheMunsters together again at #DragonCon #DragonCon2023 #cosplay #60sTV #Marriott

Blueeeeeeey!!!!
#bluey #dragoncon #grannies

one of them creepy dogbots at Dragoncon this afternoon

#creepy #dogbot #Dragoncon
#dogsofmastodon

Smashy robot time today was fun! I didn't win any of the main bracket battles but Flippin' Heck (my 1lb) did win one of the rumbles near the end despite spending most of it doing upside down robot break dancing,.

Spicy Donut, frustratingly, did not spin up the first time because one of my motor wires disconnected between testing and my first match (guessing it was just barely in). I also ran it in a rumble and it spun up then but I got swarmed before doing much damage.

I need to get out of the habit of using small wheels. I do it because they're easy to protect, but they are also prone to not touching the floor if I drive over a piece of debris.

#combatrobotics #dragoncon

I have acquired a transmitter.

It didn't come with sticks on the analog sticks?? But it otherwise works.

#combatrobotics #dragoncon

Just launched my account on tenforward.social, so it's time for an #introduction!

I'm a writer and artist and I like to combine those in the form of comics. I had a modestly successful webcomic back in the day and bringing it back is my full-time job at the moment. You can see my art stuff at @[email protected]!

I also sometimes make videos, video games, podcasts and I occasionally even do improv. You can see all my various stuff at https://nickthewright.com

My core fandom is #StarTrek and I volunteer for #TrekTrack at #DragonCon. I've been into #anime almost as long as I've been into Trek, and I grew up with Ranma 1/2, Kimagure Orange Road, and Dirty Pair (currently I'm really enjoying Frieren). I also like Star Wars and other generally geeky stuff.

I'm an #Xennial. I support #trans and #queer rights, I'm #leftist af, #antifascist and #anticapitalist. I'm #vegan, #bicyclist, #urbanist and #atheist.

If none of that scares you, hi!

I had to come in on Saturday.

#dragoncon #officespace #scificlassics