Back from Ohayocon
I'm back from Ohayocon and it was a blast. It seemed larger this time- more people there, more things to do. The snow and ice we were hit with a few days before Ohayocon melted enough that driving up and back weren't a big deal (actually, I rode shotgun, someone else did the driving).
Arrived in time, checked into the hotel (the Hilton is nice) and hit the ground running. Went to a few interesting panels- Avatar: Last Air Bender, Eva (natch), Tales of Con Horror (funny), and the history of the Yakuza (interesting). The Avatar panel was fun, although there was a girl next to me who was a bit rabid in her fandom (kinda loud too). The Yakuza panel was interesting. I didn't know much about it. One of the panelists actually was living/studying in Japan at the time and wound up living with the Yakuza while there. She was a very interesting person, wild but neat. (She claimed to have been banned from Canada for life, twice. Is that possible?)
I was able to get some new autographs- Aaron Dismuke (Al-Fullmetal Alchemist), Jerry Jewel (Kyo-Fruits Basket), Mike McFarland (DB, DBZ), and Chris Patton (Sosuke-Full Metal Panic?!). Chris Patton was very nice. I waited about an hour in line to get into the room where he was signing autographs and about another hour in the room before I was able to go to his table. The staff at Ohayocon let us know that we weren't to ask questions so the line could keep moving. I understand why they did this, but it's somewhat disapointing when you're told this. I mean, how often do most of us get to meet the voice actors (not often). Mr. Patton was polite but said he wasn't going to do that. He said the fans had come a long way and spent money to meet the voice actors, so he was going to talk to us. Thank you Mr. Patton.
I met some lovely people at the con. There was a group of four people I ran around with and they were all very nice. I also met Neko and Kit, owners/operators of Neko Jin Designs. I was able to model a kimono for their workshop. It was beautiful. The workshop was fun. They demonstrated the basics (very basics) of how to put on a kimono and tie an obi. Neko said that there are over 300 ways to tie and obi and they each mean something. She also said that a kimono can have up to 24 layers, depending on how elaborate the wearer wants it. I really had fun modeling the kimono (my debut!). I wound up purchasing a kimono (actually two- one kimono [worn for more formal/elaborate occasions, made of silk] and one yukata [worn is summer, made of cotton]). I'm going to have to practice putting on the kimono correctly, it's not as easy at it looks. A kimono comes in one size and if you're shorter, then you have to tie it up a certain way so the kimono fits properly. At any rate, check out Neko Jin Design's website, they import stuff from Japan (kimono, yukata, obi, geta, etc.) and make messenger bags and jewelry (nj-designs[dot]com). I hope to see Neko and Kit next year at Ohayocon!
I purchased some lovely artwork from Doug Smith (artist and voice actor) and had my picture taken with him. He's always nice and willing to talk with you. Stop by and say hello if you ever see him at a con. Robert and Emily DeJesus were also in there, but I didn't spot them until a few hours before leaving. They're always busy! Robert designed the badges for Ohayocon this year. Adorable. Tiffany Grant (Asuka-Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Matt Greenfield (one of the bigwigs at ADV Films) were at some of the panels and both are nice people. Mr. Greenfield let the fans know there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the live action Eva movie. Check out the "trailers" on YouTube. If the movie is anything like the "trailers" I can't wait for the movies. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting and getting my picture with David Williams (another bigwig at ADV Films). He interviewed Chris Patton on one of ADV's series (can't remember which) and left him speechless (he introduces Chris Patton as "doing 17 year old boys" to which, after a long pause, Chris Patton correct him by saying "he does the voice of 17 year old characters." I've wanted Mr. Williams's picture ever since.). I was also able to get a picture of Jan Scott Fraizer, one of the anime industry's most renowned people. I unfortunately didn't get to see Chris or Greg Ayers and only saw Vic Mignogna in passing (take a look at his World of Warcraft videos on YouTube-it looks like he has the same wardrobe designer as Ozzy Osborne).
Overall, I had a lot of fun and am glad I went. I think I will go next year as well.