On May 19-22nd, I attended a Compass retreat called Compass Con, which was Renaissance themed. I got to meet some Compass admin and friends (many of whom I’ve seen on video calls). I really enjoyed meeting new people and making new connections. Now, I’ll need to find them on social media so I can continue my friendships with them.
On the first night, I went to dinner. I was a little late to dinner because I headed downstairs to check into my room. I wasn’t late by much, though. The part that I missed was just the introduction. There was a magic show that night. The magician was named Cody Clark. Before the show started, Cody came over to where I was sitting and introduced himself. The magic show wasn’t just a magic show. Cody is not only a magician, but he’s also a disability advocate, and he talked about living with a disability in his act.
That night as I was headed to my room for the night, I was stopped by one of the knights asking me if I would help during the show the following night. I asked what I would have to do. I was slightly nervous but I figured I’d give it a try. The knight told me that I would be jousting with another knight, would have a lance (a long pole), and would knock him off his horse.
The second day, I woke up and had breakfast in my room because I was running late. I went to the Peanuts museum and ice rink. When I got there, it was time for lunch, so I got in line and ordered. I had a tuna sandwich, a brownie, and a Coke. The tuna sandwich was good. When it was time to go to the ice rink, I found out that I could go on the ice! I waited until the door to the rink was open. I waited until it was time to get out on the ice. I slowly made my way onto the ice rink. I was nervous because I didn’t know which way to go.
After the ice rink, I went to the Snoopy museum. It was a guided tour. I learned about Charles Schulz, who was the cartoonist who created the comic strip Peanuts. It was pretty interesting learning about his life.
When I got back to the hotel, someone came and found me to rehearse what I was going to do that night. I went around to where I was going to be. One of the knights helped position the lance and explained how I would move and knock the knight off his horse.
That night, I was enjoying the music and eating dinner when the show started. There was a projector showing what the knights were doing when they were offstage. There were a few scenes. When it was time for the jousting scene, I waited until it was time to go up. I got into position and was handed my lance, and the knight was coming at me, and I moved foward and knocked the knight off his horse. If you would like to see some of the event, you can check out https://www.instagram.com/p/DYnt3dYEzWN/
I also got to participate in a film project I’m working on with Compass. I don’t know when the film will come out (I’ll post it when it comes out)
On the final day, I attended a few workshops. I attended a Magic workshop, a knight storytime, and a making friends workshop, which was similar to speed dating.
That night, I got to meet the one and only Zach Anner! His wife was there also. I got to meet with them and film an interview with Zach, which was very fun. Talking to Zach was like talking to a friend. After the interview, I got the biggest surprise ever. Zach is going to help me with my video making projects! Zach and his wife also gave me two lav mics so I can do interviews.
I’m really glad I decided to go to Compass Con this year. It was definitely worth it!
Here are a few pictures from Compass Con:
If anyone has any questions or comments about my experience at Compass Con, please feel free to comment below or use the Contact Me page on the homepage.