On Saturday, we attended the Wrap-Up meeting for Otakon, held at the Radisson Lord Baltimore. Afterward, The Gryphon, Kung Fu Panda and I went to a barbecue at The Godfather's place, held as a thank-you for the Relations staff (including Guest Relations, Industrial Relations and Press Relations).

( Kung Fu Panda is a great conversation piece. )

Since I'm going to to be incredibly busy for the next few days, I'm counting down to Otakon by sharing some pics from my years on staff. Today I share pics from 2004.

( Pics from Otakon 2004. )

Saturday, our plans included seeing the John Lennon exhibit at the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame Annex, doing sightseeing in the city, and going to a friend's party.

( Sampling the sights, sounds and tastes of New York. )

This weekend was Com Con, which is the annual winter retreat for Otakon staffers. Traditionally, it is both a working weekend and an opportunity to socialize.

( A little work, a little fun. )

One function of dreams is to process daily events, to make sense of them, order them, file them away.

No doubt, that's why, after watching The Dark Knight, I dreamt swirls of insanity and violence, characterized by a ghastly white face.

Similarly, last night I dreamt over and over about a certain Alaskan governor, speaking to applauding throngs, ( Read more... )

On Monday after Otakon, we slept in a little longer than we'd been able to the rest of the weekend. Then we made our way downstairs for a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. We both got the breakfast buffet, although I restrained myself. (I'd eaten a lot that weekend.)

As we were enjoying our second cup of coffee, after eating, our friends ( Read more... )

It's going to be fun typing this today, because I cut my left pinky pretty badly last night, rushing to make dinner. Never handle sharp knives when you're still recovering from Otakon!

On Friday, The Gryphon and I got up with enough time to grab some breakfast in the staff suite. I always enjoy chilling out in there and swapping stories with people ( Read more... )

This past weekend was the 15th annual Otakon, the Japanese animation and culture convention in Baltimore, and as we've done for many years before, The Gryphon and I both served as staff.

He was second in command for the industry section, which serves as a liaison between major industry guests and the rest of the convention. I served on the press ( Read more... )

Saturday was the last time the Otakon staff met before the convention, a session traditionally known as the Panic Meeting. It was held at the Holiday Inn in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The Gryphon and I got a ride down with The Dormouse on a wretchedly hot day, which is probably what we can expect at Otakon itself in a couple weeks.

( The low-down on the meeting and my internal monologue. )