2024 Creative Inspirations

As 2024 comes to an end, I wanted to look back on some of the creatively inspiring experiences I had this year. It has been an eventful year!

Neotropolis

Neotropolis was easily the most profoundly awe inspiring event I attended this year. I had become instantly enamored with the event when I first discovered it through a random YouTube video, but didn't know what to expect with the actual experience. But it did not disappoint. Calling this an immersive theater, music festival, live-action role playing, and sci-fi convention all in one doesn't nearly cover it.

Forestier's Underground Garden

This was the result of yet another random YouTube video. I had booked an extra day onto my Neotropolis trip, thinking the event ran through Sunday. So found myself needing to find something to kills some time in Fresno, CA, and remembered having seen this place featured in a travel video. The complex of tunnels calls to mind Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine, or myriad underground complexes in fantasy literature and gaming.

Joshua Tree National Park

In addition to the Neotropolis trip, I found myself in Southern California on two other occasions this year due to my day job. During one of those trips, I had the opportunity to take a drive through Joshua Tree. I cannot express how truly breathtaking the natural beauty of this place is. For a lifelong Florida native, this landscape was like a different planet.

DragonCon

They don't call DragonCon "Nerdi-gras" for nothing. It is the most overwhelmingly massive and amazing convergence of geek culture I have ever experienced. The level of skill on display in the cosplay here is always off the charts. It had been several years since I was last able to attend, and didn't expect to this year. But the opportunity arose and I took it. I got to see several of the makers I consider my para-social mentors, and play dress-up three days in a row with my Sesshomaru cosplay, my Neotropolis gear, and a previous Halloween costume just for fun.

Orlando Maker Faire

The Maker Faire is an event I look forward to every year. It's a great boost to the creative energy at the tail end of the year. This year, they had "Theme Park Builder's" panels that included some of my old project managers from my time with Universal Creative. I've decided that I'm going to show some of my work at the event in 2025.

Asian Lantern Festival: Into The Wild at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden

This one was an unplanned addition to my year, and really was a sleeper hit. I had been aware that the Asian Lantern Festival took place the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden each year, but had never gone. This year, I had an impromptu visit at the urging of a very dear friend and was so completely impressed. The displays are gorgeous and fascinating from a maker stand point. Plus we got to spend half an hours popping smoke-filled bubbles like a pair of excited children. I so very highly recommend giving this event a shot.