Sincerity

I forgot that I was using this account to post about real-life things! I should start doing that again now that this platform has burst into life.

…that I know my own name and that my documentation is valid. I can't believe I didn't do it sooner, though. So many years of using a name that I hated and feeling uncomfortable every time someone referenced it!

So once that was sorted out, I moved on to having to notify all of the places which use my old name, and as part of that I decided to change my title too since it felt like a good opportunity. Some places are more reasonable than others, so I feel quite tired at having to firmly persuade companies…

But my family has been remarkably accepting of it. They're all trying extra hard to use my new name and correcting one another. My brother even knew about the concept of deadnames! Mother-in-law was appalled but she's a sweetie and will adapt (she doesn't go by her birth name anyway, so...)

I changed my legal name over the holidays. It's surprising how many people were ok with it - I was assuming that I'd have to keep going by my old nickname even if my documents had my new name because it would simply be easier for people. And that was ok, because I did it for me and not other people.

FFXIV orchestra concert 2023 in London to finish off the weekend. Going well so far!

The Primals were great (of course); we got lots of classics. Time to brave the crowds at the station.

Finally ready for the Primals. Obviously I am not 7ft tall so can't actually see the stage like this, went for the edge so I can escape in a crush because anxiety. Also, here I can breathe.

The live cactpot experience is no less a reminder of my poor luck than the in-game version

Agreed! Super cute... though I bet the inhabitant is rather warm :)

Nooo the concert is standing and they cleared us all out xD not sure how safe I feel being crushed in tbh

Improving our seats steadily, muahaha... no floor sitting for the Primals later >.<

I swear these PvP tournament hosts have coordinated Ace Attorney suits secretly

More assorted pictures. There are two Emet-Selchs that I've seen, both excellent. Y'shtola, G'raha Tia and Alisaie are definitely the most popular heroes for cosplay this weekend. Quite a few of the Twelve too.

Final Fantasy XIV sin eater cosplayer at Fanfest in London

This sin eater cosplay is one of my favourites so far. She's staying in character and I thought this shot was moderately artistic xD

Random cosplayers and scenes walking around in the gloom - jealous of that glowing sword!

I cannot handle the grape cosplayer - amazing

Moving on to Thanalan

Random La Noscea stuff from the show

Whew, finished walking around the show area now (and lost this post a bunch of times as the signal here is rubbish). Time for some of my rubbish low light pictures. Hopefully we'll get better seats for the masquerade in a couple of hours!

FFXIV Fanfest precision art gallery

Fantastic cosplayer showing off her wings

View of the crowd at the information desk with cosplayers of scions and other characters

After wondering about the "high precision art gallery" in the pamphlet we finally located it in the entrance hall, completely unmarked. It's a row of illustrations and a glass cabinet with the trading card game. Separately, the cosplayers are out in force today!

FFXIV FanFest stage for A Stroll with Yoshi-P

Fanfest day two! Only just arrived as it was starting thanks to train drama and having to change routes but we managed to get (distant) seats to watch Sakaguchi-san and YoshiP doing battle.

Concert was good. Butt is sore. Time to brave the throngs at the station and get home! People keep complimenting me on my thirsty tee shirt haha.

No seats for the piano concert, sadly! The floor it is (again). We will need to utilise Strategy for tomorrow as we'd rather like seats for The Primals!

More various FFXIV shots while we wait for YoshiP's next panel (yep, I took a photo of the green screen idk).

We actually got seats (and decent ones) for the dev panel while other people were trapped in queues, lucky us

Not seen any! Quite a few au'ra though so far.

All of the people at the Musical convention down the other end of the show probably think our con is full of furries due to the many miqote cosplayers ^^;

My meet and greet lottery ticket showing a lack of success at winning a signing session with Sakaguchi Hironobu

Going well so far :D