Abstract

So, since the fandom is winding down and conventions are becoming less common, I decided I was going to go to at least one while I still had the chance - I've always wanted to see Seattle, and so I'm turning it into my first vacation in 4 years and figured why not this convention? I'll be flying up there all the way from San Antonio, Texas and bringing a non-brony friend along with me whom I won't torture by dragging him to the convention with me (most likely ;)). I've never been to an MLP convention before, or actually ANY convention ever, so I'm really not sure to expect - beyond merch booths and a few planned activities by the committee running it, what all is going on at these places? I only bought a one-day pass, because as much as I enjoy ponies, there are few events I've seen on the official schedule that I would actually be interested in participating. Veterans of Everfree, can you perhaps provide a little insight into the must-see/do things at this convention?

"Sugar Belle" just bothers me for some reason - I really couldn't explain why but it bothers my ears to hear it. The character itself is fine, it's just the name that irks me somehow

I never have liked Spike. I don't even really have a good reason why - I mean, his attitude and persona are definitely not my favorites, but he's not awful either. Honestly, I think it's just his voice that irritates me so much. Maybe if he had a different voice actor my perception of him would be different.

I nearly had my own heart broken over this scene. I don't think anyone else could have shattered it like Spike did (figuratively... I think) though others have come close.

Ponies invaded a small forum I was a member of in March 2012. It was the first time I had heard of the show or the fandom. I was skeptical, but the regulars assured me this was actually a thing, that it wasn't just a joke they were trying to pull. So I took their word for it, and watched the two episodes that were up for free on the offical MLP website - "Hearts and Hooves Day" and "Putting Your Hoof Down". I don't know why they had two non-sequential episodes as the ones available for viewing, but regardless, my curiosity was piqued. Over the next few days and weeks, I ended up watching all of Season 1 and caught the season finale of 2. By the end of all this, I knew I was hooked. Found this forum two months later by just doing a Google search for "mlp forum" In the 6 and a half years I've been a fan of the show, I've changed a lot, and I know for a fact that this show had a lot to do with many of the positive changes I've made in my life. It's made me happier, more kind, more generous and more accepting. I wouldn't be the person I am today without MLP, and I'll forever be in debt to the creators and staff of this amazing show.

My weirdo days in online forums were about 15 years ago.

My guess is this episode is somewhat pivotal to the finale, and people are sharing their thoughts on how it relates to that. I'm sticking to the official release schedule in watching the episodes, so I don't know that for a fact, but the ending scene in this episode sure was ominous. Definitely much, MUCH better than I was expecting, especially after that dud of last episode. The Student 6 are actually somewhat interesting to me now.

It really just depends. I've got a bunch of computers with my music on them, also a bunch of iPods and other MP3 players, plus my phone. Not to mention my cassette players and turntable.

Exactly. I groaned when I saw them in Friendship University, knowing exactly how this was going to go down - they're obviously up to some shady scheme, almost nopony notices except for one or two, and eventually they slip up or the one suspicious pony gets clever and foils their plans. Of course, it's a cookie-cutter formula much older than the MLP franchise, but some shows can put just enough of a twist on it to make it interesting - apparently MLP is not one of them, and they really should have retired Flim and Flam after their 2nd episode.

Gotta be Applejack. While I'm certainly not a big fan of Pinkie, I have to admit she does have her moments and some necessary comic relief from time to time. Applejack, on the other hand, is bland and boring. Not to mention, like many "country" people in real life, she almost has this sense of superiority, of too much pride; that the "simple life" she lives is the best way to live, and she tends to look down on activities and lifestyles dissimilar to her own. To be fair, Rarity also has this problem on the opposite side of the spectrum, but at least her personality has some flair to it, and as far as I remember there have been more occasions where she is willing to get dirty than Applejack has been to get dainty.

I agree with the underlying sentiment, but I'd use words like "beautiful" and "stunning" in place of "hot"

OK - I think this was a fairly lackluster episode - not bad per se, but nothing really special either. However, I have to say - I am officially won over to liking Starlight. I disliked her all throughout Season 6, and most of 7; though I was softening to her by the end of that one. But with her appearances in this season, I have to admit that I'm becoming a fan. Her character is coming together and being defined in the best of ways, really making her standout from the Twiclone she was in Season 6.

For the most part, I don't believe in fate - things that happen to you are by and large the results of your own choices and nothing else. However... I also believe certain events in one's life aren't necessarily by random chance. There was a single event that happened to me in my life in the last two years that caused me to consider this, which I won't get into. I don't personally believe in any kind of higher power, but that doesn't mean I don't accept the possibility that there could be one; certain forces acting upon the universe, so to speak. In other words, I believe most everything is not predetermined, but there are possibly certain things that happen which just maybe aren't so random.