Anime Vegas 2012
Last year wasn't fantastic, this year was worse.
It was at the Cashman Center again, which is fine for space for Dealers and Artists and autograph space. And compared to the Alexis Park, there's room for people to lounge about and not crowd hallways. If it were warmer outside, that'd be a different story. But as far as panel space? Yeah. Ridiculous. Main Events was 1/4th the size of Main Events at the Alexis. I barely managed to squeeze my way into Tara and Tabitha's panel (I feared this was going to be a pony panel, but it was surprisingly diverse). I went to a Name that Voice Actor panel and it was lame. Went to Tiffany and David's panel on Voice Vs. Stage. Those were the only panels I went to. And those were the first day of the convention. I got all my autographs on the first day, too.
The rest of the convention I spent wandering dealers/artist alley and hanging out at Melissa's table.
I don't know what has changed. I guess it cost so much to have Tara Strong and Tabitha St. Germain, Rich couldn't afford any other guests. There was note in the program that T&T would only be there Saturday. Didn't say anything about David Matranga or Chris Smith being there only way day. I'm used to it not being very organized, but I saw a total of five staff and three volunteers. There was no manning of anything aside from registration and autographs. The panels I went to went over and attendees waiting for the next panel would come in before the previous one was over and just sit down and gab away and not care how rude they were. The Convention Center security were the ones that watched for people going into dealers/artist hall. Although, we found out some guy snuck in on last year's badge. Lol, clever guy. Love how he didn't get caught even though the badge was totally different.
I went to autographs alone. I'd already met Tiffany, but she was signing with David Matranga (omg Orphen was his first anime role <3!), and apparently he'd never gone to a con before. I felt bad for him that this was his first con :|
Then I waited right after for Tara and Tabitha. They charged for a picture and additional items. Yikes. It's disappointing as a fan, but I guess when you're big like that you can get away with it. I'm used to anime voice actors not charging :( So no, I do not have a photo with me and them.
Amusingly enough, Tabitha signed my Gundam 00 and was like "Imma sign on Grahams Abs~"
Sunday I cosplayed Ringo and I had SEVERAL people recognize me. I even ran into a small Uta no Prince-Sama group! They were really awesome. We expressed awesomeness of each other and love. I got hugs from random people that called "Ringo~Senseeeeiiiiiii~" to me. Asked who my favorite UtaPuri boy was and I responded with Ren and there was much fangirling.
Awesome thing about Ringo is that I can be a derp and it's totes fine. And gah the lighting in there made pictures hard.
One Piece! omg I know these characters, now!
VIEWITFUL JOOOOOOE
And D'awwww my gab and her Bro Jeff as Mabel and Dipper!
Monday I even had people taking pictures of my Tiger & Bunny shirt. Wtf.
Also, I have no idea why it was a Saturday-Monday con. Maybe in Vegas they get Veterans Day off or something. But Sunday and Monday were dead slow. There were two dealers that had so many shiny things I wanted, but because they CLAIMED they were rare and out of print, they up-sold the items. Being the fan I am, know they are not, so had to turn down the Yugioh art book and several Tiger & Bunny figures and UtaPuri cute things because of this. At least I spent less money that way...
Renji after time skip figure! Faaaaabulous Fire Emblem and OMG SECRET BLIND BOX KOTETSU MAKING FRIED RICE (I had Zach pick me the 'best box', and it was this adorable one and I keep reminding him about it)(srsly my favorite purchase next to -), Okarin button that I commissioned Melissa for, as well as Barnaby and Kotetsu buttons and Supes/Bats, and another Kotetsu from another dealer, a Rukako cellphone charm.
Outside the convention, we went to Anime Ramen for dinner (omg soooo good and cute), saw Wreck-It Ralph again, wandered The Strip and went to the Buchannel Buffet (best buffet EVAR!). There was lots of hanging around the time share, watching the new Turtles, MLP and random internet things. It was too cold to go swimming and do a whole lot of Strip Strolling. I was not prepared for it to be THAT cold T^T
Just look at dat buffet!
TINY DESSERTS!
Whatever this cute and delicious thing was... it was cute and delicious.
Zach derping around. Cause we do that. This mostly happened because we were walking around the casino and passed a guy that was in front of another one and was on his cellphone and pointing like the statue. I have no idea if it was on purpose or not, but it was hilarious!
All in all, the convention was really disappointing and we've all decided to not go again. At least to that one. Maybe one of the other conventions in Vegas since it's not too far of a drive and it's enough that it feels like a vacation. We've also agreed to go to Vegas to just do Vegas things. There were so many exhibits and shows we'd like to go to, but there was no time with the convention and Melissa having a table. But clearly, we had more fun doing stuff outside the convention.
For a slightly more complainy version of the con, you can go on me webby-site
Now to get caught up on NaNo.
It was at the Cashman Center again, which is fine for space for Dealers and Artists and autograph space. And compared to the Alexis Park, there's room for people to lounge about and not crowd hallways. If it were warmer outside, that'd be a different story. But as far as panel space? Yeah. Ridiculous. Main Events was 1/4th the size of Main Events at the Alexis. I barely managed to squeeze my way into Tara and Tabitha's panel (I feared this was going to be a pony panel, but it was surprisingly diverse). I went to a Name that Voice Actor panel and it was lame. Went to Tiffany and David's panel on Voice Vs. Stage. Those were the only panels I went to. And those were the first day of the convention. I got all my autographs on the first day, too.
The rest of the convention I spent wandering dealers/artist alley and hanging out at Melissa's table.
I don't know what has changed. I guess it cost so much to have Tara Strong and Tabitha St. Germain, Rich couldn't afford any other guests. There was note in the program that T&T would only be there Saturday. Didn't say anything about David Matranga or Chris Smith being there only way day. I'm used to it not being very organized, but I saw a total of five staff and three volunteers. There was no manning of anything aside from registration and autographs. The panels I went to went over and attendees waiting for the next panel would come in before the previous one was over and just sit down and gab away and not care how rude they were. The Convention Center security were the ones that watched for people going into dealers/artist hall. Although, we found out some guy snuck in on last year's badge. Lol, clever guy. Love how he didn't get caught even though the badge was totally different.
I went to autographs alone. I'd already met Tiffany, but she was signing with David Matranga (omg Orphen was his first anime role <3!), and apparently he'd never gone to a con before. I felt bad for him that this was his first con :|
Then I waited right after for Tara and Tabitha. They charged for a picture and additional items. Yikes. It's disappointing as a fan, but I guess when you're big like that you can get away with it. I'm used to anime voice actors not charging :( So no, I do not have a photo with me and them.
Amusingly enough, Tabitha signed my Gundam 00 and was like "Imma sign on Grahams Abs~"
Sunday I cosplayed Ringo and I had SEVERAL people recognize me. I even ran into a small Uta no Prince-Sama group! They were really awesome. We expressed awesomeness of each other and love. I got hugs from random people that called "Ringo~Senseeeeiiiiiii~" to me. Asked who my favorite UtaPuri boy was and I responded with Ren and there was much fangirling.
Awesome thing about Ringo is that I can be a derp and it's totes fine. And gah the lighting in there made pictures hard.
One Piece! omg I know these characters, now!
VIEWITFUL JOOOOOOE
And D'awwww my gab and her Bro Jeff as Mabel and Dipper!
Monday I even had people taking pictures of my Tiger & Bunny shirt. Wtf.
Also, I have no idea why it was a Saturday-Monday con. Maybe in Vegas they get Veterans Day off or something. But Sunday and Monday were dead slow. There were two dealers that had so many shiny things I wanted, but because they CLAIMED they were rare and out of print, they up-sold the items. Being the fan I am, know they are not, so had to turn down the Yugioh art book and several Tiger & Bunny figures and UtaPuri cute things because of this. At least I spent less money that way...
Renji after time skip figure! Faaaaabulous Fire Emblem and OMG SECRET BLIND BOX KOTETSU MAKING FRIED RICE (I had Zach pick me the 'best box', and it was this adorable one and I keep reminding him about it)(srsly my favorite purchase next to -), Okarin button that I commissioned Melissa for, as well as Barnaby and Kotetsu buttons and Supes/Bats, and another Kotetsu from another dealer, a Rukako cellphone charm.
Outside the convention, we went to Anime Ramen for dinner (omg soooo good and cute), saw Wreck-It Ralph again, wandered The Strip and went to the Buchannel Buffet (best buffet EVAR!). There was lots of hanging around the time share, watching the new Turtles, MLP and random internet things. It was too cold to go swimming and do a whole lot of Strip Strolling. I was not prepared for it to be THAT cold T^T
Just look at dat buffet!
TINY DESSERTS!
Whatever this cute and delicious thing was... it was cute and delicious.
Zach derping around. Cause we do that. This mostly happened because we were walking around the casino and passed a guy that was in front of another one and was on his cellphone and pointing like the statue. I have no idea if it was on purpose or not, but it was hilarious!
All in all, the convention was really disappointing and we've all decided to not go again. At least to that one. Maybe one of the other conventions in Vegas since it's not too far of a drive and it's enough that it feels like a vacation. We've also agreed to go to Vegas to just do Vegas things. There were so many exhibits and shows we'd like to go to, but there was no time with the convention and Melissa having a table. But clearly, we had more fun doing stuff outside the convention.
For a slightly more complainy version of the con, you can go on me webby-site
Now to get caught up on NaNo.