Post Con - Entry #1
So it's been a week since Otakon. It's been a busy week and I've been tired, so I haven't had a chance to upload any video and such, but I can tell the story, right?
OTAKON!
I jetted out of work Friday, and because of the rain, couldn't get a taxi, but I barely made it to the bus before it pulled off. So I was on my way...
I got to Baltimore close to 9:30, caught a taxi into Downtown that costed friggin $31! RIPOFF! But I met up with Lauren at the Radisson, checked in - and got a really cute front deskman who was OH SO NICE and helpful, got my package of shirts to sell from that was shipped overnight by the t-shirt printing company to the hotel, then Lauren and I marveled at the cheaper and nicer room I was letting Jared and his 10 friends stay in, while Lauren and I slummed it at the Days Inn. Tried to call the president of the DC Anime Club so I could get my badge (I was helping out at the table during the weekend, so I got a dealer's badge instead of the regular members one, which he had picked up that morning), and like the fanboy he is, he was being difficult about me getting it from him or even coming to his hotel to get it. So I basically missed out on a FULL day of Otakon events on Friday because I couldn't even get my badge. I SO MISSED the rave and my YAOI HOUR!!! *Also a perfect place to sell my shirts...*
Next day, bright and early, Lauren and I got dressed - She was going as Akio (revised from Katsucon since she had done her Emma cosplay on Friday) and I was going with my 99% finished Zola from Blue Dragon (pics will follow). I met up with El PResidente for my badge and headed off for my first shift at the table. In truth, I didn't see much outside of the dealer's room this year. I went to one panel - The Otaku Game show - after the Masquerade (which I wouldn't miss for the world - more on that later). I walked around the convention for maybe 2 hours at max before going back down to the Dealer's room in hopes of sellng more shirts. Plus, I didn't get a real chance to explore the Artist Alley (fortunately for my wallet). The first time I walked in, I met a friend of mine from Howard who was DJing at a fan manga table illustrated by his best friend and I officially sold my first shirt to a girl walking by who saw it hanging on my bookbag. :p
Masquerade - was a bit painful. It sucks that they were EXTRA strict about video taping this year, so my brand new 5 hour battery and stacks of tapes I bought for my camcorder just for the masquerade were not even put to use. The first junior entrants were pretty good. A Kare Kano skit where the three sisters (as Yukino and her two little sisters) sung the opening theme to the anime, and the sounded pretty good. The second act (who sung the entire opening to Kingdom Hearts - Simple and Clean (Japanese version) was not so good. But the crowd was definately nice and encouraged her to the point where we were all waving blue cell phone lights in the crowd and she started to gain a little more confidence.
There were LOTS of novice entries. Nearly 40 entries in all. Only about 10 were any good. :p I loved the novice Kingdom Hearts Organization XIII skit, where it was just a pairing and yaoi kissing. Very first skit of the night. :) I also like the KH2 skit that had the Enchanted song. Others that stood out in my mind was the Yu-Gi-Oh Bakura vs. Loveless gay skit, The two guys trying to settle the dispute of Ninjas vs. Pirates, Johnny Starwind and his girlfriend (2 cool people from the DC Anime Club) had a skit that was funny (Make a Merc out of You - Hellsing), most KH skits were okay. I vaguely remember a Death Note Skit with Light and a punch of other evil characters and an Emo Sakura who yelled at Emo Sasuke. :p Oh YEAH! The Haruhi Dance Remix! Haruhi cosplay starting the dance, but then had a GREAT mix of other dance songs like Cottoneye Joe, Macarana, Carmeldansen, etc mixed into it. Definately entertaining. There was also a funny DBZ skit with Vegeta, Goku, Raditz, Nappa, and a stuffed Gohan (hehehe). And The young Link flutest made a comeback with another awesome performance that outdid last years. This time, she had Navi in the act and was trying to upstage her, plus she played some of the familar themes from the game. She got a standing ovation, and it was WORTH IT!! It was soooo long, though, that me and Lauren didn't stay to see who won. All in all, I still felt last year's was better. Oh, This year's "Code Monkey" (the song i was humming and singing and was stuck in my head since the first time I heard it at the AMV contest) is "Still Alive" from the Portal game (was the sing-along song before Masquerade started) written by "Code Monkey"'s own Johnathan Coultre. I'm addicted to his songs. I just hear them and I fall madly in love with them...
BTW: Cake is a LIE!!!
I lost my badge (actually, it was stolen, despite what Lauren thinks) that night when me and Lauren were doing cosplay fashion and drama shots by the Harbor fountains. Lauren got some good shots of me, some that I'm going to edit and post up on Cosplay.com. I like alot of her pics I did as well. Speaking of pics, I got a bit of people asking me for pictures (mostly guys, though) and I'm sure they didn't know who I was. Only about 2 or 3 people identified me at all. Is Blue Dragon REALLY not that popular? Clearly, Zola is the best character in the game AND on the show. My costume was not bad (I don't think) where I was unrecognizible. Lots of random B-more guys asked me questions and wanted pictures as well. Definately a slutty outfit. :)
OH! And I met Dawn from Danity Kane (The girl group from P. Diddy's Making the Band 3,4, &5). She was walking around the Dealer's Room Sunday with some of her people in Danitykanecomic.com t-shirts to promote the comic she's drawing. Never expected to see HER at Otakon. Too glamorous for us fangurls-and-boys. She got stopped for alot of pics, and she was RIGHT in front of the Anime club's booth (btw, we were the ONLY anime club with a booth in the dealer's room) for a minute, and I finally asked for her picture (her people took one with us together with their camera as well) and I gave her one of my shirts. It'll be hilarious if she wore it, and then she found out what YAOI stood for. LOL!!!
The haul this year? No original artwork...and I really just bought things for myself as well...and no weapons, I stayed clear this year. But I did by a colored Hitsugaya wallet, Kodocha Season 2, Gokusen 1st DVD (with cosplay jacket), Outlaw Star boxset, and plenty of manga (including a couple of nice Yaoi titles. Heavenly Body is so far my favorite).
Special Cosplayers - I got a cute video of a toddler dressed up as Gaara rolling around on the ground having a Grand time. CUTE male Future Trunks. I think I scared him even though the first time I saw him I asked if I could glomp him and he said okay. Everytime he saw me after that, I guess i was a little stalker-ish. Plus I found a Revolutionary Utena cosplay group for Lauren to take pics with - It was the entire student council and they ALL looked great. Plus the Organization XIII cosplay group that also did the skit. There was a perfect Afro Samurai. His Afro was ABSOLUTELY perfect, with it pulled out in just the right places like in the anime. There were alot of Jokers this year with a really cool Harley Quinn, a catwomen, and a few batmans. What I loved was the nurse Joker from Dark Knight. Plus he was SO in character that it freaked me the HELL out. Lots of Gurren Lappa this year and of course, Death Note. Naruto is dying out, and eventually, so will Bleach.
Roommates - Judy was our older guest in our room. She only stayed one Night because she had to work Sunday. She was cool, and she worked at the booth that was selling yaoi manga i bought. Christine was a younger first-timer who JUSt got into anime (seriously, she had only seen Death Note and Naruto on CN) and Otakon wasn't her best idea, since she was ready to leave after the first day like her friend did (she wasn't even into anime, she just came cuz Christine wanted to, and she even paid $65 and waited in that atrocious line for the pass). Luckily, Lauren managed to convince her to stay and I think she ended up having fun and learning ALOT more about the fandom then she even thought was possible. Then there was Dallas and Tu. Such Yaoi boys! I think Tu is absolutely fabulous for a gay asian guy with a name like "Tu". He is so the convention boy where everyone knows him and he has convention friends he meets up with every year. He was also a heavy clubber, so he clubbed and partied all night, got in around 6am, then slept through most of the convention. Sadly, he lost his wallet and his I-pod the first night in Baltimore.
All in all - Otakon had a different feel than from last year. I think with trying to sell my stuff and work the DCAC booth, I did too much and didn't get the chance to be the geek I wanted to be. I have GOT to make it to Otakon events on Fridays. This is the second time this has happened!!! Lauren's already preparing for next year, so I have to plan ahead as well. :)
And now: Pics!
Outside Con things: I finished Breaking Dawn - more on that later. My internship is finished and still no job - complain on that later. I have no money and no place to live, and I'm kicked out of the I-house Sunday at 11am. Will discuss if it EVER WORKS OUT!
OTAKON!
I jetted out of work Friday, and because of the rain, couldn't get a taxi, but I barely made it to the bus before it pulled off. So I was on my way...
I got to Baltimore close to 9:30, caught a taxi into Downtown that costed friggin $31! RIPOFF! But I met up with Lauren at the Radisson, checked in - and got a really cute front deskman who was OH SO NICE and helpful, got my package of shirts to sell from that was shipped overnight by the t-shirt printing company to the hotel, then Lauren and I marveled at the cheaper and nicer room I was letting Jared and his 10 friends stay in, while Lauren and I slummed it at the Days Inn. Tried to call the president of the DC Anime Club so I could get my badge (I was helping out at the table during the weekend, so I got a dealer's badge instead of the regular members one, which he had picked up that morning), and like the fanboy he is, he was being difficult about me getting it from him or even coming to his hotel to get it. So I basically missed out on a FULL day of Otakon events on Friday because I couldn't even get my badge. I SO MISSED the rave and my YAOI HOUR!!! *Also a perfect place to sell my shirts...*
Next day, bright and early, Lauren and I got dressed - She was going as Akio (revised from Katsucon since she had done her Emma cosplay on Friday) and I was going with my 99% finished Zola from Blue Dragon (pics will follow). I met up with El PResidente for my badge and headed off for my first shift at the table. In truth, I didn't see much outside of the dealer's room this year. I went to one panel - The Otaku Game show - after the Masquerade (which I wouldn't miss for the world - more on that later). I walked around the convention for maybe 2 hours at max before going back down to the Dealer's room in hopes of sellng more shirts. Plus, I didn't get a real chance to explore the Artist Alley (fortunately for my wallet). The first time I walked in, I met a friend of mine from Howard who was DJing at a fan manga table illustrated by his best friend and I officially sold my first shirt to a girl walking by who saw it hanging on my bookbag. :p
Masquerade - was a bit painful. It sucks that they were EXTRA strict about video taping this year, so my brand new 5 hour battery and stacks of tapes I bought for my camcorder just for the masquerade were not even put to use. The first junior entrants were pretty good. A Kare Kano skit where the three sisters (as Yukino and her two little sisters) sung the opening theme to the anime, and the sounded pretty good. The second act (who sung the entire opening to Kingdom Hearts - Simple and Clean (Japanese version) was not so good. But the crowd was definately nice and encouraged her to the point where we were all waving blue cell phone lights in the crowd and she started to gain a little more confidence.
There were LOTS of novice entries. Nearly 40 entries in all. Only about 10 were any good. :p I loved the novice Kingdom Hearts Organization XIII skit, where it was just a pairing and yaoi kissing. Very first skit of the night. :) I also like the KH2 skit that had the Enchanted song. Others that stood out in my mind was the Yu-Gi-Oh Bakura vs. Loveless gay skit, The two guys trying to settle the dispute of Ninjas vs. Pirates, Johnny Starwind and his girlfriend (2 cool people from the DC Anime Club) had a skit that was funny (Make a Merc out of You - Hellsing), most KH skits were okay. I vaguely remember a Death Note Skit with Light and a punch of other evil characters and an Emo Sakura who yelled at Emo Sasuke. :p Oh YEAH! The Haruhi Dance Remix! Haruhi cosplay starting the dance, but then had a GREAT mix of other dance songs like Cottoneye Joe, Macarana, Carmeldansen, etc mixed into it. Definately entertaining. There was also a funny DBZ skit with Vegeta, Goku, Raditz, Nappa, and a stuffed Gohan (hehehe). And The young Link flutest made a comeback with another awesome performance that outdid last years. This time, she had Navi in the act and was trying to upstage her, plus she played some of the familar themes from the game. She got a standing ovation, and it was WORTH IT!! It was soooo long, though, that me and Lauren didn't stay to see who won. All in all, I still felt last year's was better. Oh, This year's "Code Monkey" (the song i was humming and singing and was stuck in my head since the first time I heard it at the AMV contest) is "Still Alive" from the Portal game (was the sing-along song before Masquerade started) written by "Code Monkey"'s own Johnathan Coultre. I'm addicted to his songs. I just hear them and I fall madly in love with them...
BTW: Cake is a LIE!!!
I lost my badge (actually, it was stolen, despite what Lauren thinks) that night when me and Lauren were doing cosplay fashion and drama shots by the Harbor fountains. Lauren got some good shots of me, some that I'm going to edit and post up on Cosplay.com. I like alot of her pics I did as well. Speaking of pics, I got a bit of people asking me for pictures (mostly guys, though) and I'm sure they didn't know who I was. Only about 2 or 3 people identified me at all. Is Blue Dragon REALLY not that popular? Clearly, Zola is the best character in the game AND on the show. My costume was not bad (I don't think) where I was unrecognizible. Lots of random B-more guys asked me questions and wanted pictures as well. Definately a slutty outfit. :)
OH! And I met Dawn from Danity Kane (The girl group from P. Diddy's Making the Band 3,4, &5). She was walking around the Dealer's Room Sunday with some of her people in Danitykanecomic.com t-shirts to promote the comic she's drawing. Never expected to see HER at Otakon. Too glamorous for us fangurls-and-boys. She got stopped for alot of pics, and she was RIGHT in front of the Anime club's booth (btw, we were the ONLY anime club with a booth in the dealer's room) for a minute, and I finally asked for her picture (her people took one with us together with their camera as well) and I gave her one of my shirts. It'll be hilarious if she wore it, and then she found out what YAOI stood for. LOL!!!
The haul this year? No original artwork...and I really just bought things for myself as well...and no weapons, I stayed clear this year. But I did by a colored Hitsugaya wallet, Kodocha Season 2, Gokusen 1st DVD (with cosplay jacket), Outlaw Star boxset, and plenty of manga (including a couple of nice Yaoi titles. Heavenly Body is so far my favorite).
Special Cosplayers - I got a cute video of a toddler dressed up as Gaara rolling around on the ground having a Grand time. CUTE male Future Trunks. I think I scared him even though the first time I saw him I asked if I could glomp him and he said okay. Everytime he saw me after that, I guess i was a little stalker-ish. Plus I found a Revolutionary Utena cosplay group for Lauren to take pics with - It was the entire student council and they ALL looked great. Plus the Organization XIII cosplay group that also did the skit. There was a perfect Afro Samurai. His Afro was ABSOLUTELY perfect, with it pulled out in just the right places like in the anime. There were alot of Jokers this year with a really cool Harley Quinn, a catwomen, and a few batmans. What I loved was the nurse Joker from Dark Knight. Plus he was SO in character that it freaked me the HELL out. Lots of Gurren Lappa this year and of course, Death Note. Naruto is dying out, and eventually, so will Bleach.
Roommates - Judy was our older guest in our room. She only stayed one Night because she had to work Sunday. She was cool, and she worked at the booth that was selling yaoi manga i bought. Christine was a younger first-timer who JUSt got into anime (seriously, she had only seen Death Note and Naruto on CN) and Otakon wasn't her best idea, since she was ready to leave after the first day like her friend did (she wasn't even into anime, she just came cuz Christine wanted to, and she even paid $65 and waited in that atrocious line for the pass). Luckily, Lauren managed to convince her to stay and I think she ended up having fun and learning ALOT more about the fandom then she even thought was possible. Then there was Dallas and Tu. Such Yaoi boys! I think Tu is absolutely fabulous for a gay asian guy with a name like "Tu". He is so the convention boy where everyone knows him and he has convention friends he meets up with every year. He was also a heavy clubber, so he clubbed and partied all night, got in around 6am, then slept through most of the convention. Sadly, he lost his wallet and his I-pod the first night in Baltimore.
All in all - Otakon had a different feel than from last year. I think with trying to sell my stuff and work the DCAC booth, I did too much and didn't get the chance to be the geek I wanted to be. I have GOT to make it to Otakon events on Fridays. This is the second time this has happened!!! Lauren's already preparing for next year, so I have to plan ahead as well. :)
And now: Pics!
Outside Con things: I finished Breaking Dawn - more on that later. My internship is finished and still no job - complain on that later. I have no money and no place to live, and I'm kicked out of the I-house Sunday at 11am. Will discuss if it EVER WORKS OUT!