NYCC - Part Two
...in which Our Hero has further adventures in The Big City!
SATURDAY AFTERNOON:
Ack! Running late! Terry, Alex, and I -- big lads all -- immediately depart the Javitz and begin a search for suitable clothing, as neither Alex nor I were prepared for fancy-duds. At least I had a suitable button-down shirt, but no pants, dark socks, dress shoes, tie, or jacket. We hit several places in vain hope; I am hard to fit properly, especially on short notice, but Alex scrapes up a dress shirt and slacks in no time.
Terry and I are late for namfle's script reading, and we arrive just as the food's running out. Fine by me, I feel terribly fat after the failed clothing hunt anyway. I thought I'd be reading a lesser part but ended up reading a hero part. The reading went well (see more details in namfle's journal), but ran late, and we had to boogey.
Unfortunately by then my lingering traveler's distress was taking a dire turn, and well, it wasn't so much that I knew I had to do anything particular in the bathroom, but rather that I wasn't sure what the hell the gurgling meant. We neared Terry's place, both of us ravenous, and decided to snag a hot dog from Rush Hour -- and it was damned tasty. We got to Terry's place just in time for me to deal with some explosive gas (hooray for a chili dog catalyst) and get changed. I felt much better (if a bit guilty) after that. Attired in jeans, sneakers, button-down, and borrowed black blazer, and Terry in a suit, we ran for a taxi and headed up to the New Yorker.
We weren't sure what to expect from these first anime awards, but damned if we didn't have a good time. Our "bling bracelets" and tickets got us into a ritzy party on the balcony, and we schmoozed with various folks up there. Then into the press & guests room (which ain't too hard if you have three presenters saying "Hey! Hi Jim!" when you walk in), and from there into the ceremony itself. Loved the drummers, enjoyed the schmaltzy awards stuff. We sat with John O'Donnell from CPM (which I am happy to hear is slowly rebuilding itself.)
Was pleased about the lifetime award for Peter Fernandez -- aka the original American voice of Speed Racer -- and happy to see so many deserving shows nominated, no matter what issues I may have had with the process. In the end just about every award went to someone I know personally, so that was cool, too. Fullmetal Alchemist really cleaned up, and afterwards we teased Lance about all the awards Funimation got -- he kept holding all four of them throughout most of the after-party.
Engaged in some major schmoozing, most of which I can't really discuss yet but which will hopefully pay off for Otakon.
After THAT, we hooked up with namfle for a late-night diner run (Tik Tok, which was surprisingly yummy), because aside from a hot dog at 6:30, we'd had nothing but a few appetizer nibbles since about noon. Then back to our hotel, where we played poker for a while (I played badly and will blame it on being wiped), and finally bed at around 330am.
SUNDAY: Breakfast in the hotel, and then a day exploring the city. Unfortunately, the traveler's distress kept me from fully enjoying it. The cold snap didn't help either -- wandering the village was actually *painful*, to the point where i felt bad enough that I couldn't even sample the deliciously bad for you Fried Mac & Cheese at the Automat. And then, all too soon, it was time to say goodbye, and settle in for the train ride home.
Which would also have been fine except for the impending snow and ice, which led to worried phone calls and such, and the crowd on the train. Amusing: near the end of the ride, I discovered that the folks sitting near me were actualy reps of Baltimore Comic Con, and we exchanged some info. So even the *train* ride involved schmoozing and networking.
So I've got a ton of stuff to follow up on. Tokyo plans, concert contracts, guest followups, etc.
Oh yeah, and my house is a mess. This weekend, I clean and play catch-up on stuff.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON:
Ack! Running late! Terry, Alex, and I -- big lads all -- immediately depart the Javitz and begin a search for suitable clothing, as neither Alex nor I were prepared for fancy-duds. At least I had a suitable button-down shirt, but no pants, dark socks, dress shoes, tie, or jacket. We hit several places in vain hope; I am hard to fit properly, especially on short notice, but Alex scrapes up a dress shirt and slacks in no time.
Terry and I are late for namfle's script reading, and we arrive just as the food's running out. Fine by me, I feel terribly fat after the failed clothing hunt anyway. I thought I'd be reading a lesser part but ended up reading a hero part. The reading went well (see more details in namfle's journal), but ran late, and we had to boogey.
Unfortunately by then my lingering traveler's distress was taking a dire turn, and well, it wasn't so much that I knew I had to do anything particular in the bathroom, but rather that I wasn't sure what the hell the gurgling meant. We neared Terry's place, both of us ravenous, and decided to snag a hot dog from Rush Hour -- and it was damned tasty. We got to Terry's place just in time for me to deal with some explosive gas (hooray for a chili dog catalyst) and get changed. I felt much better (if a bit guilty) after that. Attired in jeans, sneakers, button-down, and borrowed black blazer, and Terry in a suit, we ran for a taxi and headed up to the New Yorker.
We weren't sure what to expect from these first anime awards, but damned if we didn't have a good time. Our "bling bracelets" and tickets got us into a ritzy party on the balcony, and we schmoozed with various folks up there. Then into the press & guests room (which ain't too hard if you have three presenters saying "Hey! Hi Jim!" when you walk in), and from there into the ceremony itself. Loved the drummers, enjoyed the schmaltzy awards stuff. We sat with John O'Donnell from CPM (which I am happy to hear is slowly rebuilding itself.)
Was pleased about the lifetime award for Peter Fernandez -- aka the original American voice of Speed Racer -- and happy to see so many deserving shows nominated, no matter what issues I may have had with the process. In the end just about every award went to someone I know personally, so that was cool, too. Fullmetal Alchemist really cleaned up, and afterwards we teased Lance about all the awards Funimation got -- he kept holding all four of them throughout most of the after-party.
Engaged in some major schmoozing, most of which I can't really discuss yet but which will hopefully pay off for Otakon.
After THAT, we hooked up with namfle for a late-night diner run (Tik Tok, which was surprisingly yummy), because aside from a hot dog at 6:30, we'd had nothing but a few appetizer nibbles since about noon. Then back to our hotel, where we played poker for a while (I played badly and will blame it on being wiped), and finally bed at around 330am.
SUNDAY: Breakfast in the hotel, and then a day exploring the city. Unfortunately, the traveler's distress kept me from fully enjoying it. The cold snap didn't help either -- wandering the village was actually *painful*, to the point where i felt bad enough that I couldn't even sample the deliciously bad for you Fried Mac & Cheese at the Automat. And then, all too soon, it was time to say goodbye, and settle in for the train ride home.
Which would also have been fine except for the impending snow and ice, which led to worried phone calls and such, and the crowd on the train. Amusing: near the end of the ride, I discovered that the folks sitting near me were actualy reps of Baltimore Comic Con, and we exchanged some info. So even the *train* ride involved schmoozing and networking.
So I've got a ton of stuff to follow up on. Tokyo plans, concert contracts, guest followups, etc.
Oh yeah, and my house is a mess. This weekend, I clean and play catch-up on stuff.