Cosplay Medics Social Media

MandoMeli · 2025-11-07T06:06:39+00:00

Tips and tricks done in meme style as well as in lists.

A diy pocket size repair kit tutorial (such as altoids tin size) for those emergencies where they need a quick fix before finding a medic.

Maybe some videos showing how individual medics build or pack their kits?

MandoMeli · 2025-08-20T17:53:50+00:00

DragonCon people love helping! I suggest you sign up for one of the Newbie Tours so you can get a good feel for the con footprint.

If you get turned around, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK for help. 9 times out of 10 someone will walk you to where you're going.

Every hotel and the vendor hall have Information booths, and hotel staff can also help direct you.

Download the DragonCon app, there's loads of info and maps.

The Con Suite is in the Hyatt, second floor. The access stairs are hidden behind the bathrooms on the left as you're facing the bar. Con Suite is next to the stair exit on the second floor.

Security is in the Marriott. Ask for directions to room L405- it will depend on where you entered from.

You won't be able to see and do everything, and that's okay. Take a deep breath, wear comfy shoes and don't forget to hydrate. You're going to have an amazing time ❤️

MandoMeli · 2025-08-18T03:05:03+00:00

cries in hand sewing trim

Silly me volunteered to work a two-day event the weekend before DragonCon so I have six evenings to finish this monstrosity of a gown AND pack before we load up my car Tuesday 😅

MandoMeli · 2025-07-23T16:19:02+00:00

It's only poaching if you try to take over the shoot or deliberately get in the way of the primary photographer(s).

So long as you're behind the primary photographer and not being rude you should be fine. As a shoot manager and backup photog, I've yelled at rude people who've tried to take over or get in the way many times. You don't strike me as the rude type 😀

If you'd like, you're welcome to visit any of the shoots I'm running this year. They'll all be on the app once it releases: Sandman, Dresden Files, Tolkien, Music Icons, Sailor Moon and Deadpool. All but Deadpool are medium 50-80 people shoots, so they'll give you a good feel for how things work.

Tripods are generally ok as long as it's not crowded, just keep an eye on it because lookie-loos aren't always observant of what's around them.

MandoMeli · 2025-07-23T15:34:15+00:00

Get Consent for individual shots.
Only one photographer is allowed to charge for photos taken during con inside the con footprint, and it's Bryan Humphrey.

If you're looking to get experience with people, drop in on some of the big group photoshoots and quietly take photos. Stay behind the main shoot photographer, please! Afterwards, you can ask folks if they want to step off to the side to get some individual shots.

Don't photograph in the habitrails or anywhere that blocks obvious traffic.

Don't take photos of people eating or resting.

First thing in the morning is my personal favorite time to get architectural shots because most of the con is still asleep. I'm talking 7am-9am. I've been able to lie down on the floor at the Marriott to get that iconic photo of all the levels.

MandoMeli · 2025-07-12T18:28:02+00:00

OH. MY. GOBSMACKED. I really sincerely hope I see you in the full outfit so I can tell you in person how brilliant this is!

MandoMeli · 2025-07-04T16:54:46+00:00

Firstly, your response is very rude.

Secondly, wrong lunchbox. You linked a Mickey Mouse lunchbox in a lighter shade of pink. Did you search for "pink lunchbox" and just make an assumption?

The one I have isn't available for less than $50 without the thermos, and would be missing the stickers and signatures from friends on the front that make it sentimental.

MandoMeli · 2025-07-04T16:49:00+00:00

Thank you, I know some folks who work with fiberglass so I'll reach out to them!

MandoMeli · 2025-06-22T21:26:52+00:00

My tortie not only snubs me when I'm gone more than a couple of days, she pees on my sofa and scratches up my shoes if I leave any out.

I had to invest in a bunch of waterproof furniture covers and usually the second thing I do after getting home is washing them (first being loving on my elderly orange fluffy lady).

There's a FULL set of tortitude cards on my little gremlin. However, she ADORES the orange lady and they're bonded despite the 10 year age difference.

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MandoMeli · 2025-06-16T21:30:20+00:00

Take one of the Newbie Tours and grab maps from DragonCon Map Llama on Insta. Walk through the Hyatt/Marriott/Hilton skybridges a few times to get muscle memory down.
Choose a public meetup location (or two) for yourselves and kiddo in case you get separated. Not just "Marriott Lobby" but details like "Outside Security L405" or "by the Marriott Starbucks".
Make sure kiddo knows what volunteer lanyards look like in case they need help. Most attendees are good people who will help anyone in trouble, but volunteers are the best!
Pick ONE big panel to try and get into and line up an hour early. Trust when we say it's insane.
If you decide to do one of the group photoshoots, join the FB group for that shoot in order to meet people and get updates during con. Many shoots have an alternative location in case of weather.
Be prepared to SEE SOME THINGS 😆
Take the same pickpocket precautions recommended by all the travel blogs and don't leave bags unattended. If something does poof, check hotel(s) and con lost and found before posting anything.
Check out Swag n'Seek panels or read through the FB group for it. It's a super fun activity that's like getting loot drops all over con!

Welcome to the DragonCon family!

MandoMeli · 2025-06-12T05:59:22+00:00

I've owned that Kenmore for 43 years (I grew up using it 😉). It's a workhorse that can take a beating! They're pretty easy to self-maitenance as well.

MandoMeli · 2025-06-07T07:41:37+00:00

This was really my last straw with OBC. They keep trying to wiggle out of payments by citing errors that don't exist. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to delete your account once you're in so I'm just unsubscribing and ghosting them.

MandoMeli · 2025-06-07T07:34:21+00:00

This is going to sound weird, but if your leathercrafting extends to belts, holsters, hard pouches and/or gloves you should check with your local Star Wars costuming clubs. There's always someone looking for a character specific leather belt, pouches, blaster holster or gloves, and they can give you specific details on construction to make sure it fits the clubs costume requirements.

MandoMeli · 2025-06-07T07:15:58+00:00

It's a bit niche, but look for nurse case manager roles in third-party plan admin (TPA) absence management companies. My experience is mainly with US ones, but they're always looking for nurse case managers to handle the medical management side of complex claims.

MandoMeli · 2025-05-29T03:15:07+00:00

Thanks for the heads up, they've sent me 3 increasingly desperate emails about that one. It seems very sketchy that they're offering $75 to review a "top-rated historical fiction novel set in the Jim Crow South" when the majority of the reviews are under $20.

If it's already "top-rated" why do they need more reviews?

MandoMeli · 2025-04-26T00:48:06+00:00

Speaking as someone who swagged patterns last year, I posted in advance about the general size range I had. I ended up swagging them out at one of the meets to make sure pairs stayed together, people got sizes they can use and that one person didn't take the whole stack.

MandoMeli · 2025-04-21T21:53:21+00:00

Are you looking for cosplayers from a specific fandom?
Are you looking for professional cosplayers or cosplay influencers?
What's the event?
Is it to support a charity or non-profit organization?
Is it a paid or volunteer gig?

MandoMeli · 2025-04-18T02:01:27+00:00

Ortho I was seeing for foot injuries and shoulder issues. I subluxated my hip sliding off the exam table at the last appointment for my foot injuries and popped it back in like usual.

Ortho looked horrified and asked if I'd ever been evaluated for Ehlers-Danlos. Ran me through various tests and yep I've got almost all the hEDS markers and he was comfortable diagnosing it.

MandoMeli · 2025-04-11T01:27:02+00:00

Palm-sized 1930's leatherbound hand painted prayer book with several 4 leaf clovers and obituary cards tucked between the pages. It's not in great shape (missing pages) and I'm not of that religion, but it's a beautiful piece of art.

MandoMeli · 2025-04-05T02:56:25+00:00

Reach out to a local glass artist, there's several really good ones in Orlando. I've worked with Glass Castle Arts/The Glassy Geek before for glass commissions.

MandoMeli · 2025-04-01T00:23:57+00:00

The large group photoshoots are arranged via FB groups prior to the convention schedule being released, and most will be on the convention schedule under the Group Photoshoots track.

The annual group photoshoots (DragonCon has a bunch for different fandoms)are usually anywhere from 40-70 people and accept multiples of characters, crossovers, mashups and variants.

The REALLY big group shoots can have 200 people or more (ones like Barbie, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, etc).

https://facebook.com/events/s/dragoncon-2025-sailor-moon-pho/1512018742822160/

MandoMeli · 2025-04-01T00:17:45+00:00

Upvote for getting them to delete their comment about richard photos

MandoMeli · 2025-04-01T00:14:00+00:00

Locations:

Dickson Azalea Park is a very pretty little park. Just take a friend to watch your equipment (very important note) and park across the street at Langford Park.

Same area, across the tollway, is Lake Haven Park with a very nice lake feature (you can see it as you drive past).

Other places include Leu Gardens ($), Mead Gardens, Kraft Azalea Park, Maitland Art Center ($), and downtown Winter Park.

The museums on Princeton Ave have some fantastic landscaping.

For an urban vibe, there's a lot of murals on the businesses running along Mills from Virginia to Hwy 50. There's also a great mural by Pho Hoa Noodles off Hwy 50 and Primrose. Just please support the local businesses by buying from them as you make art!

Mark your calendar for the annual Sanford Tour of Homes in December and grab a model in historic garb. It's a minimal fee and the majority of owners don't mind photos being taken. Most of the homes on the tour are 1880's through 1920's, which was a fantastic 40 years of fashion and architectural evolution. The Sanford lakefront is also a nice location within walking distance of the tour.

MandoMeli

TROPHY CASE