One thing I learned at Otakon 2022: gaming and cosplaying rule, but I'm not into either of those. The con was still a blast for the record-breaking 40,000 or so (!) people who attended it last weekend (most of 'em arrived on Saturday, to be met with jaw-droppingly long lines to get in), with a full slate of anime screenings, workshops, panels, concerts, dances, and autograph sessions, plus Artists' Alley and the Manga Library.

But the Dealer's Room was, for the second year in a row, noticeably emptier than it had been in 2019 (the con was suspended in 2020). If shopping's your thing, there was less stuff to buy this year, but as I said, gaming and cosplaying are where the action is. I don't have enough imagination to dress as anyone but myself.

BTW, burgers and beers for two at restaurants near the DC convention center will run you about $80 - $90 bucks now. Damn tasty, though.