What kind of an offense is Starbucking?
My condolences to those who were lucky enough to know starbucking, aka The American Otaking Steve Pearl, better than I did. Steve passed away after a lengthy illness.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-13/american-otaking-steve-pearl-passes-away
It is probably truest to say that Steve and I were acquaintances; we shared many common interests (Anime, Doctor Who, Battlestar, etc.) and had many mutual friends, but I think I met Steve only once or twice in person. The only memory I have is of a very friendly fellow at a Hunt Valley convention -- most likely Otakon 97 -- and a conversation in a side hallway. Steve was talking to someone else and I happened to be standing nearby. I remember only that he recommended some Rumiko Takahashi show called Fire Tripper, largely because I liked Doctor Who.
It wasn't until I saw a photo of Steve on his LJ that I associated that person with the Steve Pearl everyone was talking about. (For a while, I had confused him with another Steve Pearl I used to work with.)
As I looked over the list of possible guests for Otakon 2008, his was a name that a few folks had suggested. You see, Steve was dubbed "the American Okaking" by the original Japanese model, and he was a frequent guest in Otakon's early years. Steve was out of the con circuit by the time I was heavily involved, but he'd been reading my journal for the past few years and we'd had a few pleasant exchanges over shared bits of fan-joy. As his health declined amidst peaks and valleys, it struck me that this was a person I'd wished to know better.
Steve, here's a toast in your honor, and my sincere hope that you've found your Otaku Paradise. We'll have that chat about Doctor Who next time around.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-11-13/american-otaking-steve-pearl-passes-away
It is probably truest to say that Steve and I were acquaintances; we shared many common interests (Anime, Doctor Who, Battlestar, etc.) and had many mutual friends, but I think I met Steve only once or twice in person. The only memory I have is of a very friendly fellow at a Hunt Valley convention -- most likely Otakon 97 -- and a conversation in a side hallway. Steve was talking to someone else and I happened to be standing nearby. I remember only that he recommended some Rumiko Takahashi show called Fire Tripper, largely because I liked Doctor Who.
It wasn't until I saw a photo of Steve on his LJ that I associated that person with the Steve Pearl everyone was talking about. (For a while, I had confused him with another Steve Pearl I used to work with.)
As I looked over the list of possible guests for Otakon 2008, his was a name that a few folks had suggested. You see, Steve was dubbed "the American Okaking" by the original Japanese model, and he was a frequent guest in Otakon's early years. Steve was out of the con circuit by the time I was heavily involved, but he'd been reading my journal for the past few years and we'd had a few pleasant exchanges over shared bits of fan-joy. As his health declined amidst peaks and valleys, it struck me that this was a person I'd wished to know better.
Steve, here's a toast in your honor, and my sincere hope that you've found your Otaku Paradise. We'll have that chat about Doctor Who next time around.