THE END

TUESDAY, JULY 24TH

Jilly’s driving me home from the airport. I’ve got a little energy since I stayed at that hotel in Georgia, but emotionally I am wiped. For everyone else in San Diego, Comic-Con had been over for two whole days. For me, it’s only finally ending right now.

Every year, CCI is a long, hard journey even without endless flight delays. 2018 marked my 13th consecutive Comic-Con, and each one is more meaningful than the last. In between each of these Tall Tales are heartfelt, emotional conversations with loved ones I hardly ever get to see- family, friends, and new strangers united by our passion for all things weird and full of spaceships and magic wands. I leave the event annually feeling emotionally fulfilled, like I’m a step closer to the person and the artist I have always aspired to be, and in spite of the exhaustion it’s always worth it.

The question I’m asked most often about Comic-Con is “What was your favorite part?” and it’s always difficult to express, because it’s not bumping into Kristen Schall or Adam Savage or seeing three dudes in 6’7” Darth Vader costumes waving lightsabers at each other while a Stormtrooper holding an 80s boombox blares the Imperial March. It’s not a specific panel, or the exhibit hall, or anything I purchased. It’s you, reader.

Whether you’re a stranger who stumbled on my weird-ass blog, Jilly, the semi-obscure friends who I only see for a few hours out of the year, someone I bumped into on the floor, or one of the ladies I matched with on Tinder during my travels, you are the reason I keep going back. The Con itself is merely a backdrop for the wonderful examples of humanity that descend on San Diego every July. Even those who couldn’t make it- texting me to find a certain thing, meet a certain person, or eat a certain place- were a part of the fun.

As I coalesce my nonsensical thoughts into some form of cohesion, the clock strikes midnight. I feel a hand on mine, and soft lips on my cheek.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25TH

Jilly: Happy Birthday!

Thank you all for reading this far down. There was a lot to take in, and I hope you enjoyed the ride.

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