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New Acrylic LED Pictures

I still make st least some of these LED pictures each year to sell at GalaCon Some of them I like better than others. But there aren't really any that stand out enough for me to want to share them here. I'm making qantity above all, not investing the necessary time and effort to realise the more elaborate ideas. A sheet, a template, outlines, possibly shadows. Like the ones of which I've attached quick snapshots below (quick and dirty, including greasy fingerptints, sorry). No multiple colours, no 3D effect, no several seconds, no customised software for the LED driver. There are so man things that could be done. I'm producing what I think that people want to see at my vendow table. That's still fun. I'm just not approaching the limits of my potential, which could potentially be much more fun. I've always approached this LED picture thing like cooking for a popular restaurant. I make what I knwo people will like, plus some variety. But I'm neither a cook nor am I trying to make money with this venture. Maybe I'll explore making what I want to make more from now on. Just one more interesting picture a year, or something.

I've always had ideas for more complex LED pictures and night lights. At making some of them I've made attempts before. But Nothing that I'm proud of enough to post here. The idea to spend more time on a single picture and possibly make multiple iterations until I'm satisfied has been rekindled though by one specific conversation that I had last year with themisto97. He has made some very elaborate multi-colour LED pictures. There's Jungle Sunset, Sunset Magic, Daring Do and he told me last week that he might try and get around to adding more to his Gallery soon.

And while I'm at it, here are three more LED pictures that I like that are not just outlines: A hand-engraved Princess Luna with different area-filling styles by Ksander-Zen (more night lights from them), hand-engraved, multi-coloured Colonia by Malte279 and laser-etched, monochrome ditcher of Moon Dancer with Party Favor by VasGoTec.

Oh, look, there's an extra paragraph where a description of my ideas for multi-coloured LED pictures could be that could make somebody hold me to making them because I said I wanted to.

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GalaCon and the Brony Fandom 2024

I was at GalaCon 2024. Actually, I was at every GalaCon since the first one in 2012 in Stuttgart. But the 2024 one was just last weekend and that's the one I'm going to write about. GalaCon is a My Little Pony fan convention in southern Germany that's taken the place of the largest such gathering in Europe ever since the fourth generation of the My Little Pony TV show has become the source of such a popular meme and art culture. As usually with events I write about, I'm not going to explain what it is like, what culture characterises which parts of the event or what happened in the past. I'm writing this from the perspective of somebody who is famililiar with the fandom even though they have not been involved with it much in recent years.

I had a vendor table again, selling my LED pictures. (I hope I remember to link the post here that I plan to write tomorrow.) So I didn't exactly have the time to walk around all day and attend panels and workshops whenever I liked. But I took enough time to walk around the vendor hall (which really is just everywhere around the corridors of the venue). My overall impression was that mostly established vendors with experience had a table, and only one new name was there. More than one new to GC. But only one who was trying out how things go for the first time. The fandom did change over the years. It's not as young and brisk anymore and the vendor hall reflects that. The establieshed cosplay, plushie and other fandom culture has the power to conceseal the fact that this has become an old fandom. New things arise, and a new generation of the show ensure new content and dialogue. So it is not a dying fandom or a fandom occupied with the past. But it has come a long way since 2013. The mountains of fresh memes, edgy video shorts and its affiliation with the troll cuture has faded to the point I don't expect people I talk to to know anything about it. Many remember the biggest memes and running gags. Others have heard about the funniest controversies or the most cornerstone events of the fandom. But I don't expect anybody to know. And nowadays I'm not actively involved in the fandom much. GalaCon once a year and two or three post on social media a year are pretty much the extend of what I see of it. I'm one of the 2013 bronies. And by now it doesn't matter anymore what your definition of a brony is or whether I myself define me as one. A 2013 brony simply is what I am and that's the role that I play at fandom events. I may catch up on the new generation of the show. But it will lack the enthusiasm that I experienced during a livestream of the new episode with a chat in 2015 or so and I will not be tempted to created memes and GIF animations from the new episode like I used to. It's a G5 fandom now. Not the one controversion or wholesome news articles were written about. Just one cartoon fandom among many. This is not to say that it's character changes. Lover and Tolerance are still values that are held high by many and referenced to at times. It is not the motto of everything most people do most of the time anymore. But in the end, I really like the plushie culture, the implied freindliness and the kind of show-related talk that occurs during an event like GalaCon, aside from the show itself.

I was surprised at how many pictures I took this year. Nothign special. I'm not the hobby photographer anymore who takes his camera everywhere and overuses it's ability to take 6.3 photos per second for pretty much no cost. But it did show, like in the lest of my life, that I'm getting off the years-long period of being too stressed to even read a paragraph of anything or to thing about how to frame or light a photo of something. So, to my surprise, I left out many photos that weren't that bad or even interesting, to draw a more even picture of the entire event as I experienced it. The attached photos are meant as an impression of what I saw from my table, while walking arounf or socialising outside suring and after the event. In addition to the photos below I took a lot of photos of the concert on Saturday. To be honest, almost exclusively of Prince Whateverer's performance. Over 190 pictures got into the shortlist of pictures that I will post in an additional entry in this blog. It was the first time that Prince Whateverer and My SLR camera were at the same venue. And I too the chance to try and get as many nice stage pictures as I could during the half hour he and the band played. Well, the best I could do with the two focal lengths I had packed (30 mm and 8 mm at a 1/1.6 crop sensor). I plan to edit some of them this week and post them in my next entry.

As for my LED picture selling stuff, it's incredible how close I keep getting to a bottom-line-0 almost every year. I didn't make any money again this year except if I exclude the convention ticket for me and my helper and calculate with an hourly wage of 0 € for everybody involved. It really is a loss. But I'm not planning to quit. As every year, I didn't sell every last thing that I made. So I have some merch to start with in the next year. And I always have enough ideas to make new pictures that I can then sell. I also have ideas for some elaborate ideas that would be far too expensive to sell. (Althoug, I should try before I claim that.) And one of those years I'll probably make one ore the other of those. I think I'll probably write more about that in my upcoming post about my LED picture hobby.

There are so many details that I though I'd write about. But I don't see the point right now to spend a lot of time on jokes and references only people who attended the convention would get. So, instead I'll just describe some of the convention's surroundings. Since I didn't write about GalaCon last year (the first year at the new venue in Waiblingen), I'd first like to emphasise how much I like the Bürgerzentrum compared to the Forum in Ludwigsburg. The Forum was great. It could hardly have been any better. The building, its style, the square in front of it. The parking area and the park nearby. I thought it would probably be worse in Waiblingen. But: The venue is very much in the same style; even the fountain on the square in front of it. There is a park even closer to it. There is a beergarden with good food very close, which is arguably better than the Irish bub in Ludwigsburg. The parking is just as cheap (but only a very limited number of spaces for vehicles higher than 2 m is available) as it used to be in Ludwigsburg. And the only thing you even need to cross a street for are the two discount markets that are right across the strees, way closer than the next supermarket or similar store used to be in Ludwigsburg. I can't speak for other attendies or the organisers. But I like the new venue very much. There are way fewer hotels in the entire town. Many more attendies than before have to commute from Stuttgart. There is no Bodencon or Stair Con or similar venture that I'm aware of. But in principle the park area would hold enough places for settings up tents or maybe even very small camps for the night. That would probably not go well as lonog as it did in Ludwigsburg since more passerby would notice them in the morning and such a camp would be difinitely illegal in Germany. But I'm just saying, in principle, there are nice places under some bridges and next the the stream.

I watched the recording of the livestream on Tuesday. Monday was for sleeeeeeeeeeeping. (There's this many 'e's in the word because I slept for such a looooooooong time.) And honestly, I think that a nice way of adding that content to my con experience. I still rememberd the people that I met and the memes that were going around and the cosplayers and the genral vibe of the event when I watched the panel recordings. I really like that GalaCon not only does high-quality livestreanms and free recordings but also publishes the unedited livestreams on YouTube right away. I've watched everything that happened in the mane hall in those two days. (Well, I skipped some bits.) And I was not disappointed by the amount of ambition that many attendies of the charity auction have put into keeping years-old jokes alive, developing them further and in one case, taking it over the top. I consider this the GalaCon at which one particular shark has been jumped (figuratively, even though there were shark plushies around). If you know how GalaCon charity auction go and you remember the Swiss bronies vs. the Joker fondly, you should watch this years's auction. Above that, I guess it's nothing special nor worth watching for somebody who doesn't know what I'm talking about. More about the actual convention in the image descriptions below.

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Saul Gutmann, a lawer very much in character most of the time posing for the camera after his other standard move: giving everybody that he just met one of his business cards_
Saul Gutmann, a lawer very much in character most of the time posing for the camera after his other standard move: giving everybody that he just met one of his business cards.
Saul Gutmann meating bronies in the park_
Saul Gutmann meating bronies in the park.
One of my favourite outfits that weekend_ Casual, Dash shirt, small scoot plush, proper hair, friendly wearer_
One of my favourite outfits that weekend. Casual, Dash shirt, small scoot plush, proper hair, friendly wearer.
Bronies at the beergarden close by_ At a certain time of the night at least one table will have loud electronic pony music playing_
Bronies at the beergarden close by. At a certain time of the night at least one table will have loud electronic pony music playing.
So many plushies at the beergarden as well_ That is mostly how I determine that it's a brony table_
So many plushies at the beergarden as well. That is mostly how I determine that it's a brony table.
I just liked the pictuure_ Couldn't not share it_
I just liked the pictuure. Couldn't not share it.
The second of two chalk paintings this year_ I have no idea why this trend suddenly plummeted like this_ The Hamburg meetup ended up taking their group picture not in front of the drawing but closer to the building, maybe because of the weather_
The second of two chalk paintings this year. I have no idea why this trend suddenly plummeted like this. The Hamburg meetup ended up taking their group picture not in front of the drawing but closer to the building, maybe because of the weather.
Scootalooplushies were one of my favourite thngs to take pictures of this year_ This is the only one with hairy hair_ Looks punky_ I like it_
Scootalooplushies were one of my favourite thngs to take pictures of this year. This is the only one with hairy hair. Looks punky. I like it.
Another Scootaloo plush_ It doesn't get much cuter than this_
Another Scootaloo plush. It doesn't get much cuter than this.
The "black market" at the camper parking area close to the venue_ Speculations were brought up that they were selling OnlyFactory and other chinese cheap pony plushies there, like at that one stand close to the old venue in Ludwigsburg once_ But I don't know anybody who has met anybody at that trailer_
The "black market" at the camper parking area close to the venue. Speculations were brought up that they were selling OnlyFactory and other chinese cheap pony plushies there, like at that one stand close to the old venue in Ludwigsburg once. But I don't know anybody who has met anybody at that trailer.
The front window of the "black market" trailer_ There is a hint of a huge plush further back in the camper_
The front window of the "black market" trailer. There is a hint of a huge plush further back in the camper.
I just like how many plushies are poking out of backpacks_ Can be cute_
I just like how many plushies are poking out of backpacks. Can be cute.
Sparkling drinks with pony theme_ I guess somebody made them themselves some years back_ This brony had six of them left still unopened_ Sounded like he couldn't decide whether he was a collector or wanted a soft drink_ But he ended up continuing to be a collector_
Sparkling drinks with pony theme. I guess somebody made them themselves some years back. This brony had six of them left still unopened. Sounded like he couldn't decide whether he was a collector or wanted a soft drink. But he ended up continuing to be a collector.
The other chalk drawing this year_ Looked really good from the right height_
The other chalk drawing this year. Looked really good from the right height.
Looked weired from the wrong height_ But they did take the time to extend the lines inbetween_ I like that work_
Looked weired from the wrong height. But they did take the time to extend the lines inbetween. I like that work.
Poking out might be an understatement in this case_ She was gazing at the clear sky or trying to fall out_ I don't know_
Poking out might be an understatement in this case. She was gazing at the clear sky or trying to fall out. I don't know.
Raise the flag_ Raise the flag_ …
Raise the flag. Raise the flag. …
Dusty Katt and [refraining from any speculation_ I don't remember who that is_ I probably should know_] in great costume in this year's theme_
Dusty Katt and [refraining from any speculation. I don't remember who that is. I probably should know.] in great costume in this year's theme.
My vendor table after setting up but before cleaning up_ (I always forget to clean up before the con is over_)
My vendor table after setting up but before cleaning up. (I always forget to clean up before the con is over.)
My favourite piece this year_ It wasn't sold; a little bit to my surprise_ So I gifted it to my helper_
My favourite piece this year. It wasn't sold; a little bit to my surprise. So I gifted it to my helper.
I made some non-MLP pictures this year_
I made some non-MLP pictures this year.
Corner broke off, so I decided to make it a Tempest picture_ Sold it including the broken-off horn_
Corner broke off, so I decided to make it a Tempest picture. Sold it including the broken-off horn.
This plushie maker didn't apparently wanted to feed the Fanta joke but she said she didn't want her plushies to end up at the auction_ So she made a Spezi, a Sprite and a Coke plush_ Really great work!
This plushie maker didn't apparently wanted to feed the Fanta joke but she said she didn't want her plushies to end up at the auction. So she made a Spezi, a Sprite and a Coke plush. Really great work!
Folr the first time there was a vendor at GalaCon who mainly sold similar items as me_ He has laser-cut and -etched vectors, a limited slection of pictures, a nice table set-up with black backgrounds, just one type of base_ Nice work_ A more professional-looking version of my table_ But a smaller selection of characters as well_
Folr the first time there was a vendor at GalaCon who mainly sold similar items as me. He has laser-cut and -etched vectors, a limited slection of pictures, a nice table set-up with black backgrounds, just one type of base. Nice work. A more professional-looking version of my table. But a smaller selection of characters as well.
The other pictures at his table_ I especially like the cut-out edges_
The other pictures at his table. I especially like the cut-out edges.
Large plushies can poke out of backpacks as well_
Large plushies can poke out of backpacks as well.
One of the few elaborate theme-related costumes this year_ (Few is more than there usually are_) I think this may be my favourite viking cosplayer at this year's GalaCon_ The costume fits him_ And he was super-nice_
One of the few elaborate theme-related costumes this year. (Few is more than there usually are.) I think this may be my favourite viking cosplayer at this year's GalaCon. The costume fits him. And he was super-nice.
Sweetie Bot was there again_ I heard they even had a panel there_ Still have to look that up_ I don't know if there are recordings from the smaller rooms_ Sweetie Bot has changed since the last time I saw her_ She did seem to be more reliable in the movements that she does_ Or her controlling human had more experience_ She can turn her head 360, show several emotions on her mouth display, wiggle, shake, nod her head, open up her back_ The pistol with soap bubbles wasn't with her_ But there's apparently plans for an improved version of it in the future_
Sweetie Bot was there again. I heard they even had a panel there. Still have to look that up. I don't know if there are recordings from the smaller rooms. Sweetie Bot has changed since the last time I saw her. She did seem to be more reliable in the movements that she does. Or her controlling human had more experience. She can turn her head 360, show several emotions on her mouth display, wiggle, shake, nod her head, open up her back. The pistol with soap bubbles wasn't with her. But there's apparently plans for an improved version of it in the future.
Vinyl Scratch hogging the base cannon_ (Well, one of the tweeters is all that this small one can manage_)
Vinyl Scratch hogging the base cannon. (Well, one of the tweeters is all that this small one can manage.)
Many ponies hogging many parts of the base cannon_ I like that the base cannon seems to be an annual attendence now_ It's a great build of the iconic device from the old fan animation_ I don't know the name of the person who made it, though_ No idea what to link to_
Many ponies hogging many parts of the base cannon. I like that the base cannon seems to be an annual attendence now. It's a great build of the iconic device from the old fan animation. I don't know the name of the person who made it, though. No idea what to link to.
This guy suddenly appeared to inspect my table_ He took a lot of notes, made sure that there are no sharp edges on my products, made sure that I knew who's best pony and asked a couple of other safety-related questions_ Kudos to him for staying in character even though I talked a lot of crap_
This guy suddenly appeared to inspect my table. He took a lot of notes, made sure that there are no sharp edges on my products, made sure that I knew who's best pony and asked a couple of other safety-related questions. Kudos to him for staying in character even though I talked a lot of crap.
Colorful variation of LED pictures at my table_
Colorful variation of LED pictures at my table.
I found orangehaj_ Nemo is not in this picture_ What a confusing plush_ Sold to another vendor_ The maker of this shark had also some other uncommon plush items_
I found orangehaj. Nemo is not in this picture. What a confusing plush. Sold to another vendor. The maker of this shark had also some other uncommon plush items.
Familiar faces are sometimes accompanied with familiar outfits and plushies_
Familiar faces are sometimes accompanied with familiar outfits and plushies.
Plushies of this size were hanging out on the railings ore than I remember from last year_
Plushies of this size were hanging out on the railings ore than I remember from last year.
This year's roll-up_ It was auctioned for charity later_
This year's roll-up. It was auctioned for charity later.
Sweetie Bot alive_ Sweetie Bot like regular pony_ Sweetie Bot has equality_
Sweetie Bot alive. Sweetie Bot like regular pony. Sweetie Bot has equality.
Sweetie Bot kiss brony
Sweetie Bot kiss brony
:p
:p
More and more plushies accumulated on these railings_ Weirdly, they seemed to move whenever I wans't looking_ I haven't seen one of them in the same spot twice_
More and more plushies accumulated on these railings. Weirdly, they seemed to move whenever I wans't looking. I haven't seen one of them in the same spot twice.
Pinkest Pie in the Länd_
Pinkest Pie in the Länd.
Scootaloo has the perfect colour scheme for a pony (or dragon), winged or otherwise)_
Scootaloo has the perfect colour scheme for a pony (or dragon), winged or otherwise).
The largest plush I've ever seen was this one of Discord_ He has a blow-up baseball bat, which proved to be perfect to hit passing bronies without hurting them_
The largest plush I've ever seen was this one of Discord. He has a blow-up baseball bat, which proved to be perfect to hit passing bronies without hurting them.
Best dragon costume again_ Petting cute human_
Best dragon costume again. Petting cute human.
Princess Ember is best princess_
Princess Ember is best princess.
? poni
? poni
This artist wasn't at the con_ But a friend sold prints of hers at their table_ I like thagt style_ And the price of these prints is really low_
This artist wasn't at the con. But a friend sold prints of hers at their table. I like thagt style. And the price of these prints is really low.
People like Sweetie Bot_
People like Sweetie Bot.
That Flutterguy was there, too, of course_ I think he's been at avery GalaCon I've been at, or more if you consider those meetups that happened during the time GalaCon would have taken place if it hadn't been cancled because of the pandemic_ And for some reasons I always habe to take a photo of him_
That Flutterguy was there, too, of course. I think he's been at avery GalaCon I've been at, or more if you consider those meetups that happened during the time GalaCon would have taken place if it hadn't been cancled because of the pandemic. And for some reasons I always habe to take a photo of him.
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GalaCon 2022

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To the extent possible under law, steeph has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.

In this entry I'm probably going to not try hard enough to give enough context for a reader who doesn't know the MLP:FiM fandom. So I guess it's written for fans, especially people who know/have attended GalaCon before. But I'll try to explain what I'm talking about at least a little bit where necessary. Or maybe I'm not going to go that far into details. We'll see.

After 2 years without a GalaCon in person (because of COVID), there finally was one last week in Ludwigsburg. When in 2019 it was officially announced that there will be one in 2020, I and others were happy to hear that GalaCon was not one of the My Little Pony fan conventions that quit because the fandom was finally shrinking after a surprising grouth since 2011. I always thought badly of the Bronycon organisers for ditching the project as soon as it seemed that it might not be an easy yearly money printing operation any more. GalaCon is different and I expect the foundation behind it to continue to organise events as long as there are people willing to organise them and some fans willing to attend them. But nobody planned with the pandemic of course. So, I and others were even happier that the plans for the next in-person convention weren't cancelled. As it has turned out, the fandom didn't shrink into a tiny puddle of half-heartedness, like it was predicted by some in 2019. GalaCon started out as the European MLP fan convention because not enough people thought it worthwhile to start conventions in their European countries at first. Since then, several other MLP conventions have been held and some of them became a yearly expectance. And now, years into the pandemic, there are more MLP convensions in Europe than ever before. It seems that the USA weren't guiding the trend in this case, contrary to what almost everybody expected. I'm not saying the fandom grew in the last three years. I think the opposite is likely true. But it sure is still thriving and lots of (not huge but worthwhile) in-person events are happening this year and are planned for next year. The fact that attendance at GalaCon 2022 wasn't much smaller than in other years may be because many wanted to have one last GalaCon and couldn't in the last two years. We'll see how it goes next year. I'll assume that there will be another one of them next year. By the way, it's not quite true that GalaCon didn't happen at all in Ludwigsburg in 2020 and 2021. A few people still came and met outside the Forum. In some cases because they couldn't cancel their travelling arrangements and hotel rooms, in other cases because they don't live too far away.

steeph at GalaCon 2022

I was, like at almost every GalaCon in Ludwigsburg, a vendor, selling some of my engraved LED pictures. So I didn't take much time away from the vendor table during opening hours. But as always, I still saw and met a lot of things, ponies and people. I didn't have any time to make new LED pictures in the last three years, since the last GalaCon. But I still had enough from earlier to fill the table.

I just accepted that it's not really interesting enough to describe everything that I saw, mention everybody that I talked with and explain everything that I learned. But here is a list of things determined somewhat noteworthy by me right now. I mean, I'll try to make it shorter. I don't know if I can. (Spoiler: I stopped trying too hard after just a few sentences. Who cares?)

Starting on Friday, there was a DJ with a mobile set at the quare in front of the forum, playing mostly electronic music from the fandom that I know and like but also performing similar music. That meant that the cops this year already found a reason to interrupt on Friday. Good cop calmed bad cop down and we agreed that the lack of a permit for the live music isn't actually relevant because we were bothering nobody and that Rainbow Dash is cool.

There wasn't much time for setting up the table. I always take too long for that. But I had enough up when the doors opened to show what the table was about. I sold a few pictures over the two days, making just a bit more than I payed for tables, entry tickets, traveling and hotel, but not enough to pay for all materials. But I bought those years ago. So I'm just glad that I could visit GalaCon more or less for free again this year. From behind my table I also met a bunch of people, including some that I know but only ever meet at GalaCon. I had some nice conversations without leaving the table. And I liked every time somebody stopped just to tell me that they like my LED pictures.

As usual I missed all the panels, games and other sessions because somebody had to be at the table pretty much at all times and my helper couldn't be there all day either. But I took some minutes here and there to visit other tables. I was stunned by some of the art. I was happy to see old acquaintances who are also regularly vendors at GalaCon and I was glad to still find a very big variety of different fan-made merch and different art. A lot of stickers this time. But as usual not many t-shirts and I again didn't get one in my size. Except for the official con shirt. But those are always very cheap, don't last long but cost a lot of money. I did get a pile of used pony t-shirts, though. Zunt brought his private shirts as part of his final sell-out.

Chalk Ponies

As always the first chalk drawings started to appear on Friday. On Saturday there were many more than ever before. There was no rain during the entire weekend. But that alone can't explain why there were so many more chalk drawings on Saturday than on any other GalaCon Saturday. And there were even more on Sunday. People continued and added pictures way into dawn. Some of these drawings are really stunning. But it's also interesting to watch them develop, to watch how they are made. The result may look kind of magical sometimes. But seeing how it's done reveals that it's learnable skill that creates that look. There are some pictures of some chark drawings attached. I made way more photos of them. This is just a selection of a few that I like for different reasons.

The Concert

Prince Whateverer (YouTube, Bandcamp) was at the concert. I like his songs (lyrics, music, voice). Some of the songs he writes are so strong if you knwo the context or the inspiration for them. For some I don't really knwo what they are about. But those sound good, too. Too bad the sound at the concert wasn't mixed properly. Maybe it sounded right from the monitor speakers, I don't know. But it was pretty bad from right in front of the stage, except when you were standing right in front of of the tweeters. I enjoyed the performance anyway. We has a band now, which is great! I only saw him perform alone before, with the rest of the instruments as playback. I took the opportunity to get a CD and get it signed. If I had tried I probably could have had a chat and/or a beer with him later at the pub. But he had enough people around himself whenever I saw him. He probably wouldn't have enjoyed more fans talking at him. I'm just glad I got to talk to him for a minute before he left.

Blackened Blue (YouTube, Bandcamp), another metal musician from the UK who is in the MLP fandom, was great, too. I hadn't heard him before But his stuff is definitely worth checking out. Some good remixes of recent songs from The New Generation, among many original songs.

Other Vendors

Zunt sold out and ended his side-business. If you don't know who Zunt is, well, it doesn't really matter to you. But Zunt has been well known for buying and selling pony merch from very early on in the fandom. He imported licensed and fan-made merch from the USA and traveled through Germany selling it at brony meetups and later also at GalaCon. At this year's GalaCon he sold the last of his stuff, including his tombola wheel and raffle box. People who know his role in the German brony community can imagine how I felt taking a symbolic photo of him selling his last plushie, and sitting behind his empty vendor table. I was glad to catch that little, sort of historical moment.

The were also two new vendors this year. I mean, there are usually new vendors every year. I don't keep track of everybody. But these two I'd like to mention. This one guy (apparently I didn't remember to write down his name) decorated glass jars with landscapes and pony figurines and they look really great. He didn't have his own table in the vendor hall, just part of somebody else'd table. I guess maybe this was the reason that they didn't sell that well. Because they really look amazing. There are a few pictures of his work below. And if I find a webpage to link to, I'll add the link here. (Well, I didn't.)

The other new vendor that I talked with wasn't officially a vendor. She tried to sell some MLP-themed bracelets outside the venue. She was sent away by staff before she could sell anything. When she tried again outside of the property ground that belongs to the venue, she apparently was threatened, or at least harshyl told to stop in order to not get into serious trouble. I don't know why anybody thought it necessary to tell her and her dad that selling things here without a permit would be illegal. A 7-year-old trying to make 2 bucks didn't hurt anybody at all. I offered her to take half of one of my tables. But when we spoke on Sunday they had already given up because she was too intimidated.

One other vendor that I'd like to mention. I mean, there would be more with products and art worth presenting. But then I'd take several more weeks until I finish this entry, and that isn't my intention with this writeup. So, this painter of whom I have to look up the name again (Yeah, this entry still seems to be work in progress even though it isn't.) had this painting at her table. She had several very good painting. But this one stood out to me and made me stop at her table every time I passed it, whether I wanted to or had time to or not. There's a picture attached. It's not so much what this piece expresses, but rather how it speaks to me. The style, technique, but also the character, her expression and the setting. That's one of the few times I've seen a pony painting and thought "Now that is real art!" There are lots and lots of really great drawings and paintings that came out of the brondydom. The MLP fandom of the last decate is kind of known for that. But only very few, less than a handful, stick out to me like this. I'm not an artist and I don't know art. So I won't try to describe the painting any further. It's the one of Fluttershy below in the attachments.

The Future Of The Fandom

Some people have voiced their negative or at least less optimistic outlook on the development of the fandom, especially in terms of size, at the last GalaCon in 2019. We were all glad back then that GalaCon wasn't one of the MLP fan conventiosn that announced plans of ending things. The future of the fandom is safe, I'm sure of that. It just couldn't keep growing, especially at the fast rate many bronies were used to. And after the 4th generation series ended, it's to be expected that people move on. Now, three years later, GalaCon still had a good amount of attendees. It wasn't the fullest the venue ever was during a GalaCon weekend. It was probably just right. Very diverse and enough visitors so you definitely couldn't say "hi" to everybody in just two and a half days, but not so full that you couldn't calmly stroll through the halls at almost any time.

Conclusions

Sunday after closing I took some time to talk more to random people, about the show and its developments, the new generation, the fandom and its developments, other fan conventions and fan events and their development. It was so nice to meet those nice people again after a 2 year long hole of no events!

I thought I'd summarise what I gathered people think of the new generation and how they expect the fandom will develop. But I didn't make a survey or something and the conclusion may, in the end, not really top what most people said on the topic even before season 9 of the G4 show ended: The fandom will shrink, but the core of the fandom will stay, and G5 will have to be good if Hasbro wants a sizeable fandom to continue to exist at all. The movie was promising. There is potential. The actual G5 show hasn't started yet. So it may use that potential and keep a good amount of bronies around. I'd like that. I hope it will be a show that I can enjoy watching. But I'm not sure whether that (for me) would be a show that's very much like the previous one, or one that takes standards (both storytelling and animation) to another level.

There are a bunch of photos with descriptions attached. Most of the photos aren't manually edited at all and most of the descriptions have typos (probably). I will probably reduce image resolution and increase JPEG compression to save space on the server. The JPEG files from my GRIII (the compact camera that I took to GalaCon) are huge. Just ask if you want an original.

File Attachments (110 files)
Vendors getting good deals the day before the convention opens_
Vendors getting good deals the day before the convention opens.
I like these pins_ They are very good_ And colorful_ They are made by My Little Ties_
I like these pins. They are very good. And colorful. They are made by My Little Ties.
Hand-engraved drinking glasses_ Good prices, too_ They are made by Bastler´s Bastelstube
Hand-engraved drinking glasses. Good prices, too. They are made by Bastler´s Bastelstube
Dusty at GalaCon_
Dusty at GalaCon.
Outside Music Supplier
Outside Music Supplier
Chalk Painting Canni (in the making)
Chalk Painting Canni (in the making)
The well water wasn't clean this year_ But it still was refreshing_
The well water wasn't clean this year. But it still was refreshing.
Canni Chalk Painting (done)
Canni Chalk Painting (done)
Derpy!
Derpy!
HORS!
HORS!
Czech check…
Czech check…
The pub is always so full that most people are in front of it_ One reason why this is good is that one can join the crowd but drink/eat brought stuff_ It's still good business for the pub_
The pub is always so full that most people are in front of it. One reason why this is good is that one can join the crowd but drink/eat brought stuff. It's still good business for the pub.
Year after year the music seems to be getting more in front of the pub_ It hasn't reacht levels of not letting me enjoy it though_
Year after year the music seems to be getting more in front of the pub. It hasn't reacht levels of not letting me enjoy it though.
This conga-stuff is always so weird to me_ But it seems to be so much fun to the people who join and so many do every time I see one at GalaCon_ It became a normal thing to me that just happens sometimes around me_
This conga-stuff is always so weird to me. But it seems to be so much fun to the people who join and so many do every time I see one at GalaCon. It became a normal thing to me that just happens sometimes around me.
I don't knwo what costume that is_ But I bet it's a character from or a reference to some fanfic or meme or something_
I don't knwo what costume that is. But I bet it's a character from or a reference to some fanfic or meme or something.
The Real Party
The Real Party
This is the guy decorating the jars with pony figurines and landscapes_ Doing another one while waiting for the doors on Saturday morning_ Why didn't I write down his name?
This is the guy decorating the jars with pony figurines and landscapes. Doing another one while waiting for the doors on Saturday morning. Why didn't I write down his name?
I just don't know what went wrong_ It kind of looks a bit as if it's intentionally blurred_ Cool effect_ But it looks even more as if a great painting has been damaged_ Also: Shoobeedoo!
I just don't know what went wrong. It kind of looks a bit as if it's intentionally blurred. Cool effect. But it looks even more as if a great painting has been damaged. Also: Shoobeedoo!
I always like seeing Torben's place at GalaCon_ It's always so colorful and great pictures too_ Every time I want to buy something from him whether I need it or not_ Torben is cool, and so is the stuff he sells_
I always like seeing Torben's place at GalaCon. It's always so colorful and great pictures too. Every time I want to buy something from him whether I need it or not. Torben is cool, and so is the stuff he sells.
Nice colorful metal with pony pictures from My Little Ties_ (The next two pictures, too_)
Nice colorful metal with pony pictures from My Little Ties. (The next two pictures, too.)
Many vendors had keychains_ (I'm not judging; I have some, too_ It's an easy extra item to serve the demand for pony merch in the low price range_) I don't even know who's table this is at_ _Maybe_ "Lefays Creations feat_ Tegs", but that's just a guess after a look at the vendor table chart_
Many vendors had keychains. (I'm not judging; I have some, too. It's an easy extra item to serve the demand for pony merch in the low price range.) I don't even know who's table this is at. _Maybe_ "Lefays Creations feat. Tegs", but that's just a guess after a look at the vendor table chart.
Nice Rainbow Dash plushie! One of the two biggest plushies on sale at GalaCon this year_ I didn't buy it_
Nice Rainbow Dash plushie! One of the two biggest plushies on sale at GalaCon this year. I didn't buy it.
Dusty at his table_
Dusty at his table.
Vinyl Scratch with his base cannon and … some- somepony …
Vinyl Scratch with his base cannon and … some- somepony …
Base Cannon (front, outside) - Looks as close to the original as it has to_ Very nice! I did a bit of planning once to see what it would take to build one as close as possible to the original using only high-quality parts_ I came up with a BoM over just a bit over 1000 € and has still quite a bit of uncertainty left about whether the opening mechanism would work the way I imagined it_ (I'm not an engineer_) The one in the picture doesn't open automatically and the red button also diesn't work like it does in the video_ But it's perfect_ Because this one was built; mine wasn't_
Base Cannon (front, outside) - Looks as close to the original as it has to. Very nice! I did a bit of planning once to see what it would take to build one as close as possible to the original using only high-quality parts. I came up with a BoM over just a bit over 1000 € and has still quite a bit of uncertainty left about whether the opening mechanism would work the way I imagined it. (I'm not an engineer.) The one in the picture doesn't open automatically and the red button also diesn't work like it does in the video. But it's perfect. Because this one was built; mine wasn't.
Base Cannon (back, inside) - Not bad considering you have to leave a lot of room for the woofer_
Base Cannon (back, inside) - Not bad considering you have to leave a lot of room for the woofer.
Probably the largest plushie I saw this year_ (Although there were others that at least came close_) Real heavy limbs, too_
Probably the largest plushie I saw this year. (Although there were others that at least came close.) Real heavy limbs, too.
Boop_
Boop.
That in the back there looks like a beer bike for plushies but without being a beer bike_ Don't feed them!
That in the back there looks like a beer bike for plushies but without being a beer bike. Don't feed them!
His hair actually look like they do in the show_ I've never before seen that in an MLP costume_
His hair actually look like they do in the show. I've never before seen that in an MLP costume.
I so love that this guy has actually built a base cannon that looks like the one from that skit and that he started cosplaying and bringing his base cannon to conventions after years of having his base cannon only for himself_ (Or should I say she/her because it's vinyl scratch?
I so love that this guy has actually built a base cannon that looks like the one from that skit and that he started cosplaying and bringing his base cannon to conventions after years of having his base cannon only for himself. (Or should I say she/her because it's vinyl scratch?
My table never finishes being set up during the event_ I never get around to tidying up_
My table never finishes being set up during the event. I never get around to tidying up.
Drink Fanta!
Drink Fanta!
Come to UK PonyCon!
Come to UK PonyCon!
Celia Kasper's table_ She wasn't there when I came by_
Celia Kasper's table. She wasn't there when I came by.
I like those tiny frames_ Again I didn't note down who's table this is_ Sry_
I like those tiny frames. Again I didn't note down who's table this is. Sry.
Laser-engraved wood stuff by Dranaar_ Paintings by Yulyeen_ I hope those wood-pieces sell better than they did when I last spoke to him_ The quality of those pictures has increased since then_ They look perfect_ Maybe I'll get another one next year if I see one that I like especially_
Laser-engraved wood stuff by Dranaar. Paintings by Yulyeen. I hope those wood-pieces sell better than they did when I last spoke to him. The quality of those pictures has increased since then. They look perfect. Maybe I'll get another one next year if I see one that I like especially.
Prince Whateverer's table_ He wasn't there when I came by_
Prince Whateverer's table. He wasn't there when I came by.
I don't know that fanfic or character_ But I like how this costume is made of just three simple things (cartboard, packaging tape and paint) but still looks elaborate on first and second glance_
I don't know that fanfic or character. But I like how this costume is made of just three simple things (cartboard, packaging tape and paint) but still looks elaborate on first and second glance.
Apropos giant plishies_ Applejack, Fluttershy and Egghead (next picture) chilling and waiting for something_
Apropos giant plishies. Applejack, Fluttershy and Egghead (next picture) chilling and waiting for something.
Hand for comparison_ And to make her heavy head look into the camera_
Hand for comparison. And to make her heavy head look into the camera.
Starlight Glimmer with her "original" cutie mark_
Starlight Glimmer with her "original" cutie mark.
👍
👍
The chalk drawings are getting more and more_
The chalk drawings are getting more and more.
cute
cute
Isee (Izzy)
Isee (Izzy)
Oh, I take back what I said earlier about the biggest plushie I saw there for sale_ I think those were bigger_ Abd more elaborate, with their costumes_ Awesome job!
Oh, I take back what I said earlier about the biggest plushie I saw there for sale. I think those were bigger. Abd more elaborate, with their costumes. Awesome job!
Many vendors had these and similar key fobs_ Apparently they suddenly became a thing_ I hadn't seen them before_ I didn't see any with a picture of a human on it, though_ Would be something to give your MLP plushie maybe_
Many vendors had these and similar key fobs. Apparently they suddenly became a thing. I hadn't seen them before. I didn't see any with a picture of a human on it, though. Would be something to give your MLP plushie maybe.
Magic? We're safe_
Magic? We're safe.
These are those jars I mentioned_
These are those jars I mentioned.
This is the table with the Fluttershy painting that amazed so much_ (On the left_)
This is the table with the Fluttershy painting that amazed so much. (On the left.)
Neat suits_
Neat suits.
More and more neat suits came by_
More and more neat suits came by.
My favirite fursuit at GC2022_
My favirite fursuit at GC2022.
Taking a picture of smiling Flutterguy at GalaCon is sort of a tradition for me_ Also, he's a tradition at GalaCon of sorts_
Taking a picture of smiling Flutterguy at GalaCon is sort of a tradition for me. Also, he's a tradition at GalaCon of sorts.
He has fans_
He has fans.
This tennis ball on her horn looks about as big as it does in the movie, right? So, since tennis ball are of an expected standard size, is this how big Genereation 5 My Little Ponies are?
This tennis ball on her horn looks about as big as it does in the movie, right? So, since tennis ball are of an expected standard size, is this how big Genereation 5 My Little Ponies are?
Every now and then some fursuits were walking by and sometimes I was quick enough at getting the camera out and taking a picture_ But they were always that far away_ I think I don't have even one picture of the Tempest Shadow_ (I know that's not her 'real name'_)
Every now and then some fursuits were walking by and sometimes I was quick enough at getting the camera out and taking a picture. But they were always that far away. I think I don't have even one picture of the Tempest Shadow. (I know that's not her 'real name'.)
BlackenedBlue shooting invisible mouth lasers_
BlackenedBlue shooting invisible mouth lasers.
Prince Whateverer yelling at the microphone_
Prince Whateverer yelling at the microphone.
Wall of Death_ Nobody died though_
Wall of Death. Nobody died though.
Prince Whateverer openly yelling at the microphone_
Prince Whateverer openly yelling at the microphone.
PrinceWhateverer and band
PrinceWhateverer and band
PrinceWhateverer and no band
PrinceWhateverer and no band
Masks were about as rare as in a supermarket in the same region around that time, which is pretty rare_ I know some people would have liked more people to wear masks_ But people were there to have fun and I guess that makes them not start aguments or shout at each other or something of that sort_
Masks were about as rare as in a supermarket in the same region around that time, which is pretty rare. I know some people would have liked more people to wear masks. But people were there to have fun and I guess that makes them not start aguments or shout at each other or something of that sort.
Some visitors watching pony videos projected on a metallic anthracite-coloured surface_ That worked very well actually_ There is a backstory about this_ But I'm not going to tell it in this image description_ Maybe I should've put it in the blog post_
Some visitors watching pony videos projected on a metallic anthracite-coloured surface. That worked very well actually. There is a backstory about this. But I'm not going to tell it in this image description. Maybe I should've put it in the blog post.
Wow!
Wow!
This is further than the chalk ponies ever reached before_
This is further than the chalk ponies ever reached before.
There was a ferris wheel on the parking lot on the other side of the street which started to be colorful before it went dark but stopped being lit when it really became dark_ I took this picture just a few seconds - maybe 2 seconds - before the colors were turned off_ The photographer next to me tried to take the same picture at the same time but was two seconds slower and didn't get it_ Mine didn't turn out exactly how I intended_ I could probably fix it if I developed the raw image_
There was a ferris wheel on the parking lot on the other side of the street which started to be colorful before it went dark but stopped being lit when it really became dark. I took this picture just a few seconds - maybe 2 seconds - before the colors were turned off. The photographer next to me tried to take the same picture at the same time but was two seconds slower and didn't get it. Mine didn't turn out exactly how I intended. I could probably fix it if I developed the raw image.
Ponies who attended the gala
Ponies who attended the gala
Bronies who didn't attend the gala
Bronies who didn't attend the gala
Ponies all the way!
Ponies all the way!
All the way back there!
All the way back there!
The Great and Powerful Brixie
The Great and Powerful Brixie
A late welcome to GalaCon
A late welcome to GalaCon
She's called Stablight Glimmer_
She's called Stablight Glimmer.
Weirly lit pony in a glass idea that I quickly tried out_ Maybe I'll make a few of these but better_
Weirly lit pony in a glass idea that I quickly tried out. Maybe I'll make a few of these but better.
Lyra: :D
Lyra: :D
Zunt attempting to sell everything
Zunt attempting to sell everything
This may be the best Tempest plushie that I've ever seen_
This may be the best Tempest plushie that I've ever seen.
A photographer from Belgium (I think) doing a project on bronies (I think)_ www_katherine-longly_net
A photographer from Belgium (I think) doing a project on bronies (I think). www.katherine-longly.net
Another good costume made from cartboard_ Also, I feel like I've seen this one at the first GalaCon in Stuttgart_ It probably was a similar one_
Another good costume made from cartboard. Also, I feel like I've seen this one at the first GalaCon in Stuttgart. It probably was a similar one.
And here is a close-up of the painting that I mentioned that improssed me so much_ Now it can impress you too_
And here is a close-up of the painting that I mentioned that improssed me so much. Now it can impress you too.
Zunt selling his last irem_
Zunt selling his last irem.
Zunt got rid of everything_ Even his mask (for the picture)_ But not his smile_
Zunt got rid of everything. Even his mask (for the picture). But not his smile.
Later I solved the mysterie of the missing word in this picture_ It was just a mistake of an English learner_ Also I think it should say 'apples', but anyways, nice picture!
Later I solved the mysterie of the missing word in this picture. It was just a mistake of an English learner. Also I think it should say 'apples', but anyways, nice picture!
Du musst saufen_
Du musst saufen.
I love this style for chalk paintings because it's so unlike chalk painting usually are_ The shadows and the outlines look so good!
I love this style for chalk paintings because it's so unlike chalk painting usually are. The shadows and the outlines look so good!
Alright, the chalk ponies have almost made it to the other side of the square_ (Not really, the square stretches around and is huge_)
Alright, the chalk ponies have almost made it to the other side of the square. (Not really, the square stretches around and is huge.)
I watched about 12 minutes of the charity auktion_ It was fun, but I couldn't sit calmly_ Too much excitement in the last two/three days_ But at least I took a picture (of red hair)_
I watched about 12 minutes of the charity auktion. It was fun, but I couldn't sit calmly. Too much excitement in the last two/three days. But at least I took a picture (of red hair).
Ponies and bronies going home_ That luna plush there is best plush_
Ponies and bronies going home. That luna plush there is best plush.
Actually, many stayed for another few hours, or went to the pub afterwards_ So since the venue was closed already and I had no table to attend to, I got to have interesting conversations with kind strangers_
Actually, many stayed for another few hours, or went to the pub afterwards. So since the venue was closed already and I had no table to attend to, I got to have interesting conversations with kind strangers.
It's so useful to have a bass cannon_
It's so useful to have a bass cannon.
Spike is best pony!
Spike is best pony!
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Derpy did 9/11

I realise that the fun in this GIF, if you would have ever been someone who would have smiled at a joke like this, is lost by now. But it was a popular and hated animation among bronies after the episode where Derpy demolished that building came out. I'd like to keep a backup here because the file is known to be reported (and removed) on image boards, discussion boards and other moderated web sites. (Imgur is almost the only one who kept it until now. But they started to remove old uploads. So it will vanish from there, too.)

This probably would be the most popular My Little Pony GIF animation that I've made if most bronies weren't Americans. :)

Edit: Oh and I found this audio recording of an old version of the Google text-to-speech reading an excerpt of the transcript of the relevant MLP:FiM episode. I created that file as a test audio file for some other project. But I think it fits here as well and sounds kind of funny.

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Go to sleep, Luna!

imageconstructor has made some fantastic embroideries of My Little Pony characters. I sold some pillow cases with them at my table at GalaCon. Really great work. There is one picture among them that I like particularly much because in addition to being well-designed and well-made it's an ingenious idea. It's a picture of Princess Luna lying down. Not sleeping, apparently, because her eyes are open. But if she would close her eyes, it would look just like she was sleeping. The ingenious thing is: She does close her eyes, when you turn out the lights. If you look at her lower eye lids in the light, you may notice that they don't look exactly right. But it's done in a way that makes it nearly impossible that anybody would notice this without being told about it. The other thing that's hardly noticable looking at it in the light is that the border of her body and her lower eye lids are made from -css -formula phosphorescent yarn. Now if the lights go out, Luna including her eye lids glow, but her eyes don't, which makes them invisible. This creates the effect of having Luna go to sleep when the lights go out and waking up when you turn on the lights. And it works really well. It really does look as good in reality as it does in the animated GIF below.

There are several different versions of this picture and multiple copies on different pillow cases. Princess Luna is one of the most interesting characters in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and sort of one of my favourites. So I kept one instead of selling it. Because I didn't want to scuff it, I cut it out from the pillow case and framed it. Works really well.

The one I have and still like very much after years is this one.There are more examples on Deviantart. Or, here, have an animated GIF attached to this entry.

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Humanity's Cruelty

I don't understand how people can be so cruel.

She was just sitting there in the cold, abandoned.

She's better now though.

These pictures have been published with Twilight's consent.

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Derpyfest 2018

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To the extent possible under law, steeph has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this work.

Derpyfest was a great community event. I visited only once (in 2018) and I couldn't have been made feel more welcome. I was a bit sad that it didn't happen in 2019 and I didn't even check if people met for it in 2020 because of the virus. It would make me very happy if we could get together for another Derpyfest in 2021 with all its customs and beer-drinking.

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