C2E2 provides a place for creative people to shine.

This weekend I attended C2E2 (The Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo).

One of my favorite things in the world is witnessing people having a shining moment. If you have ever read any of my pieces about books, movies, or TV shows, you know how immersed and emotionally attached I get to the things I watch and read. This is why it's so easy for me to cry at a tearjerker movie and why I find it so difficult to watch scary films. I am just too "in" to them (it's also because I'm a complete wuss).

If that is the case when I am consuming something from a distance, imagine how I connect when I am actually in the presence of a performer. I am a sucker for watching amateurs getting their moment in the sun. When I see a high school play, sport or music performance, I imagine how those kids must feel seeing all of their hard work come to a triumphant conclusion (heck just having the courage to put themselves out there and getting through it without wilting is a triumph in my book).

In addition, I think about how proud their families and friends are feeling at that moment. I can see them beaming and thinking "that's my kid". Witnessing that courage and being surrounded by so much pride and joy really moves me.

Riddle me this... what do shining moments have to do with a geek convention?

But this is a post about a geek convention called C2E2. What the heck does that have to do with shining moments?

Every year, I am amazed by the work and creativity people put into the costumes they wear to these events. Even if the costumes are simple and clearly didn't take much effort, I am still thrilled to see how much fun these people are having.

These huge conventions (C2E2 had close to 100,000 attendees this year) are the Super Bowls for these cosplayers. Many work on their costumes for months in anticipation of these events. Some want to impress the world with their skill. Others want to see if people will recognize their creativity and get their joke. Many just want to have fun.

This is clearly a championship costume!

Every time someone stops one of these cosplayers and asks, "May I take your picture?" I can practically feel the pride and joy emanating from them.

I would imagine many think, "Wow! This person likes my costume so much they want to remember it forever!"

It is a moment in the spotlight for them.

I love being a witness to it.

Here are some shining moments I observed this year.

Thank you cosplayers everywhere for your effort, creativity and for having so much fun that those around you can't help but have it too!

*All of these pictures were taken by me (except the Riddlers). I am not a talented photographer. I use a cheap camera and just take quick, unprofessional shots that help me to remember these moments.