Amecon 2010 Review
Okay, I will now ...attempt to write up a review of the crazy fun things that went on at Ame this year :P I am really REALLY tired, so I apologise if I miss anything :3
Thursday 12th August:
crack_tod and I set off to Stoke on Trent for the con! We started by dragging our heavy suitcases into our local Starbucks for breakfast, then hopped onto the first of two trains to our destination.
After a lot of squeeing on the way there, the three and a half hour journey soon came to an end, and as we leapt off the train at Stoke on Trent station, it started to rain. A LOT. So, we ran to the nearest taxi and were soon on our way to the venue, Keele University~!
We were then dropped off at the 24 hour reception to pick up our room keys and maps of the campus for the weekend. I literally JUST got through the front door of the building when I was jumped and hugged to death by chibielmer XD yay, a reunion! <3
So after a llot of hugging and squeeing, we began the trek across the huuuge campus to find our rooms. Turns out we were all staying in Lindsey Court, and me, chibielmer and crack_tod had the whole ground floor and a kitchen to ourselves, which was win!
After getting into our rooms, the unpacking started. Okay, not really unpacking, more like throwing all our stuff EVERYWHERE to find our things for the Takarazuka panel that was happening the next day. This included Takarazuka panel posters, printed pics of Osa!Koala (she was our mascot 8D), and a bunch of chirashis. And a Hungarian flag, oh yes.
We then rushed out in the rain to buy food from the onsite supermarket (which was very useful) and bought snacks, alcohol and caffiene-filled goodies, and went back to our kitchen where we set up my laptop, and danced and sang for a few hours while people walking past became more and more confused XD
After a few hours we recieved a text from an awesome friend, Chrissy, who had just arrived. She would be cosplaying Elisabeth for the panel~~ By this time the rain was just getting heavier, so crack_tod and I left chibielmer in our block and ran around (and got lost) trying to find Chrissy's accomodation, which ended up being just around the corner.... crap. XD we got soaked, met up with our Sissi, and took refuge in Chrissy's room where we met up with the rest of the Waywards (Sazi and the twins~) and dried off a bit. We arranged to let them into our kitchen later, so we could hang out, and plan for the panel with Rachel (our Lucheni), and run through everything,
The evening was spent in the tiny kitchen with at least 20 people crammed in there, having a laugh and going through the videos and information for the panel. T'was fun :P
After everyone left, it was time to crash in crack_tod 's room for a while, because it was much warmer than the kitchen. Then me and chibielmer stole crack_tod 's bed XDDD And that was more or less the end of the pre-con!
Friday 13th August:
It rained. AGAIN. I think it was 'cause I was cosplaying Mizu, I don't know. :P But yes. The day started with throwing on random warm clothes, and heading to Keele Hall for a full English (FREE) breakfast. It was the perfect start to every day at the con, I don't know if I would've survived without it!
After breakfast, we bumped into several friends, and went to the Sports Hall to register, and collect our con badges and conbags. This was when we discovered the epic fail (or win, depending on how you think about it) in the events book, where we were apparently mistaken for the 'siennes... hmm.
Anyway, after collecting our badges, we went back to the supermarket to pick up some more goodies for the evening, so we wouldn't starve (like the day before). After picking up supplies, we decided to head to the main events building which was were our Takarazuka panel would be held later that day. It was HUGE. We squeed over the signs reading "Takarazuka Panel", and then proceeded to get very nervous, and went to change into our costumes. I was Der Tod, crack_tod was Franz, and chibielmer was Rudolf.
Somehow, 2pm seemed to arrive very quickly, so we headed back to the panel room so we could set up early. However... the door was LOCKED, so Franz and I had to run around like blue-arsed flies trying to find a helpful committee member with keys and technical skillz. At around 2:30, we were inside the panel room, sticking up pics of Osa!Koala and chirashi all over the place to make it look pretty, and the projector, mic and speakers were set up. I tested the sound by playing AQUA5, which was fun :P
Then people started arriving early. Like.. An HOUR early, so I asked them to wait outside while we were still setting up. At around 3:15, people were let in, and we realised we were still missing two panel members. Where had Lucheni and Sissi gone?!
Franz went out to find them, and brought them back with ten minutes to spare before the panel began at 3:30pm.
It went well. It went VERY well. We got a great turnout. The room was full. So full, that people were standing up at the back because all the seats were taken! The audience seemed to love the Elisabeth prologue clip, and most of them were doubled over at the 1999 "The Final Countdown" clip :P So yes, it was a success! *punches air*
After the panel finished, the panel members went outside into the hallway to have pictures taken. The whole thing looked like an Elisabeth press conference, and we got lots of great photos.
What happened afterwards is a bit of a blur now, but I do remember that we went to get changed into normal clothes whilst still wearing our wigs/makeup, and we went off to the Students Union for the Opening Ceremony at 7pm, followed by snacks, and then we headed to karaoke, where we spent the night with Tasuki Daisuki, her boyfriend, and InsaneLampshade, just generally drinking, chatting, and listening to the karaoke performances until around 1:30am.
Saturday 14th August:
Again, the day began with the short walk to Keele Hall for breakfast, buying snacks, and getting changed into costume. Again, I was Der Tod and crack_tod was Franz, but chibielmer was cosplaying Young Rudolf for the day, before getting changed into her older Rudolf costume for the masquerade, which we were participatiing in at 6pm.
Once we'd changed, we headed to the sports hall to the dealers room to buy things, and we bumped into Choco, Rachel and the Waywards once more. We then headed to the masquerade briefing in the gym, to find out the much needed info about how the masquerade event would be taking place later that day.
Rachel had to drop out due to being covered in body paint, so Kirakiragumi's masquerade group now consisted of Death, Rudolf and Franz.
By 5pm, we were waiting around in the Outback, the outside beer garden area at the back of the SU, near the stage doors. We queued for HOURS and there were wasps EVERYWHERE, but by the time it was our turn to get up onstage, it was totally worth it. Well known American voice actor Monica Rial announced our group as we walked on stage, and this was the first time we'd been announced as Kirakiragumi in a huge event like this. She said we were stunning ;D and we SPARKLED. Most of the stage time is a blur now... but I do remembering walking down those stage stairs onto the catwalk with a flick of my coat~ I was very in character XD
After we were done onstage, we sat in K2 with the other masquerade entrants to watch the remainder of the show. After that, chibielmer left to practice for the Omake, and myself and crack_tod went to get fish and chips at the Students Union. I have never been so happy to eat a hot meal XD
We then went to change into more comfortable clothes for the Jpop/Jrock party, which Choco was DJing that night until 12:30am, and a guest DJ from 12:30 until 2am. Before the party started, we met up with InsaneLampshade, Tasuki and her boyfriend once more, decked ourselves out in glowsticks, drank more alcohol, and went onto the dancefloor when a Morning Musume song came on XD
The party was brilliant! Choco was kind enough to actually play AQUA FEEL AQUA SOUL by AQUA5 because we requested it!!!!! And Mizu's "RUN" music video on the big screens <3
We left the party once Choco's set was over, and hung out in the kitchen again until it was time to sleep.
Sunday 15th August:
This was non-cosplay day for me and crack_tod . chibielmer was Tomu!Phoenix from Phoenix Wright 2, with her friend Gemma as Tomochin!Edgeworth.
Once again, the day began like this. Breakfast at Keele hall > changing into costumes. We went to the dealers room once more, and met up with Gemma, before more Omake practicing was done.
crack_tod and I went and bought Hangry&Angry goodies from the dealers room, and went to see Choco at her stall.
After this, we went back to the SU and queued for the Omake at 1pm. The whole event was brilliant! chibielmer and Gemma's Phoenix Wright 2 performance was brilliant, and Team Giblets had us falling out of our seats with laughter as usual. Brilliant Omake!
After the omake, we wandered to Comu's resteraunt (and squeed, and we were like "yay Komu" XD), but it was CLOSED. So we ended up in the sports hall cafe, ordering boxes of pizza which was dericious!
Then we went back to get changed into formal outfits before the closing ceremony began at 6pm. After the closing ceremony, everyone was let loose for an hour before the Cosplay Ball began at 8pm. We went back to see the Waywards in their accomodation, where they were STILL sewing their ball costumes XD
We then rested in our kitchen for a bit, before heading to the ballroom for the evening, where we were greeted by WAITERS with FREE WINE and SWEETS ON PLATTERS. It was magical. After around 30 minutes, I decided to randomly rush back to the accomodation, and change back into Der Tod because there was an official photoshoot area and I wanted some snazzy pics of my costume >__> which I later got... and it looked like something out of an Elisabeth program! 8D
It was also technically Mizu's birthday then, too. I guess I just wanted to cosplay Mizu!Tod on her birthday! The party and ball was definately a good way to celebrate.
So yes, dancing was done, alcohol was drank, and the ball slowly fizzled out and turned into an end of con disco. And that was the end of that!
Monday 16th August:
crack_tod and I had to get our train early, so we woke up at 7am, finished packing, and banged on chibielmer's door to say goodbye... long hug was long, and I didn't want to let go! D:
After we left the accomodation, we met up with Chrissy once more, and went to drop off our room keys together, and dragged our bags to the sports center for the last time, to hop on a minibus that would take us and some other con-goers to Stoke on Trent station.
Once there, we said goodbye to Chrissy so she could get her train, and we went to the station's cafe for latte and sausage sammiches and croissants, which was quite nice. Then we got our first train 20 mins later, which ended up running late because of signal failure, so we missed our second train....
We waited in Manchester for a different train, and ended up arriving home an hour later than expected. I was then greeted with Mizu Takarazuka raku photos, so I wasn't too sad to be home ;D
The post-con depression hasn't hit yet, but I do feel the inevitable con-flu coming on...
I will post some pictures in another entry... I don't wanna clog this one up anymore. XD
Thursday 12th August:
crack_tod and I set off to Stoke on Trent for the con! We started by dragging our heavy suitcases into our local Starbucks for breakfast, then hopped onto the first of two trains to our destination.
After a lot of squeeing on the way there, the three and a half hour journey soon came to an end, and as we leapt off the train at Stoke on Trent station, it started to rain. A LOT. So, we ran to the nearest taxi and were soon on our way to the venue, Keele University~!
We were then dropped off at the 24 hour reception to pick up our room keys and maps of the campus for the weekend. I literally JUST got through the front door of the building when I was jumped and hugged to death by chibielmer XD yay, a reunion! <3
So after a llot of hugging and squeeing, we began the trek across the huuuge campus to find our rooms. Turns out we were all staying in Lindsey Court, and me, chibielmer and crack_tod had the whole ground floor and a kitchen to ourselves, which was win!
After getting into our rooms, the unpacking started. Okay, not really unpacking, more like throwing all our stuff EVERYWHERE to find our things for the Takarazuka panel that was happening the next day. This included Takarazuka panel posters, printed pics of Osa!Koala (she was our mascot 8D), and a bunch of chirashis. And a Hungarian flag, oh yes.
We then rushed out in the rain to buy food from the onsite supermarket (which was very useful) and bought snacks, alcohol and caffiene-filled goodies, and went back to our kitchen where we set up my laptop, and danced and sang for a few hours while people walking past became more and more confused XD
After a few hours we recieved a text from an awesome friend, Chrissy, who had just arrived. She would be cosplaying Elisabeth for the panel~~ By this time the rain was just getting heavier, so crack_tod and I left chibielmer in our block and ran around (and got lost) trying to find Chrissy's accomodation, which ended up being just around the corner.... crap. XD we got soaked, met up with our Sissi, and took refuge in Chrissy's room where we met up with the rest of the Waywards (Sazi and the twins~) and dried off a bit. We arranged to let them into our kitchen later, so we could hang out, and plan for the panel with Rachel (our Lucheni), and run through everything,
The evening was spent in the tiny kitchen with at least 20 people crammed in there, having a laugh and going through the videos and information for the panel. T'was fun :P
After everyone left, it was time to crash in crack_tod 's room for a while, because it was much warmer than the kitchen. Then me and chibielmer stole crack_tod 's bed XDDD And that was more or less the end of the pre-con!
Friday 13th August:
It rained. AGAIN. I think it was 'cause I was cosplaying Mizu, I don't know. :P But yes. The day started with throwing on random warm clothes, and heading to Keele Hall for a full English (FREE) breakfast. It was the perfect start to every day at the con, I don't know if I would've survived without it!
After breakfast, we bumped into several friends, and went to the Sports Hall to register, and collect our con badges and conbags. This was when we discovered the epic fail (or win, depending on how you think about it) in the events book, where we were apparently mistaken for the 'siennes... hmm.
Anyway, after collecting our badges, we went back to the supermarket to pick up some more goodies for the evening, so we wouldn't starve (like the day before). After picking up supplies, we decided to head to the main events building which was were our Takarazuka panel would be held later that day. It was HUGE. We squeed over the signs reading "Takarazuka Panel", and then proceeded to get very nervous, and went to change into our costumes. I was Der Tod, crack_tod was Franz, and chibielmer was Rudolf.
Somehow, 2pm seemed to arrive very quickly, so we headed back to the panel room so we could set up early. However... the door was LOCKED, so Franz and I had to run around like blue-arsed flies trying to find a helpful committee member with keys and technical skillz. At around 2:30, we were inside the panel room, sticking up pics of Osa!Koala and chirashi all over the place to make it look pretty, and the projector, mic and speakers were set up. I tested the sound by playing AQUA5, which was fun :P
Then people started arriving early. Like.. An HOUR early, so I asked them to wait outside while we were still setting up. At around 3:15, people were let in, and we realised we were still missing two panel members. Where had Lucheni and Sissi gone?!
Franz went out to find them, and brought them back with ten minutes to spare before the panel began at 3:30pm.
It went well. It went VERY well. We got a great turnout. The room was full. So full, that people were standing up at the back because all the seats were taken! The audience seemed to love the Elisabeth prologue clip, and most of them were doubled over at the 1999 "The Final Countdown" clip :P So yes, it was a success! *punches air*
After the panel finished, the panel members went outside into the hallway to have pictures taken. The whole thing looked like an Elisabeth press conference, and we got lots of great photos.
What happened afterwards is a bit of a blur now, but I do remember that we went to get changed into normal clothes whilst still wearing our wigs/makeup, and we went off to the Students Union for the Opening Ceremony at 7pm, followed by snacks, and then we headed to karaoke, where we spent the night with Tasuki Daisuki, her boyfriend, and InsaneLampshade, just generally drinking, chatting, and listening to the karaoke performances until around 1:30am.
Saturday 14th August:
Again, the day began with the short walk to Keele Hall for breakfast, buying snacks, and getting changed into costume. Again, I was Der Tod and crack_tod was Franz, but chibielmer was cosplaying Young Rudolf for the day, before getting changed into her older Rudolf costume for the masquerade, which we were participatiing in at 6pm.
Once we'd changed, we headed to the sports hall to the dealers room to buy things, and we bumped into Choco, Rachel and the Waywards once more. We then headed to the masquerade briefing in the gym, to find out the much needed info about how the masquerade event would be taking place later that day.
Rachel had to drop out due to being covered in body paint, so Kirakiragumi's masquerade group now consisted of Death, Rudolf and Franz.
By 5pm, we were waiting around in the Outback, the outside beer garden area at the back of the SU, near the stage doors. We queued for HOURS and there were wasps EVERYWHERE, but by the time it was our turn to get up onstage, it was totally worth it. Well known American voice actor Monica Rial announced our group as we walked on stage, and this was the first time we'd been announced as Kirakiragumi in a huge event like this. She said we were stunning ;D and we SPARKLED. Most of the stage time is a blur now... but I do remembering walking down those stage stairs onto the catwalk with a flick of my coat~ I was very in character XD
After we were done onstage, we sat in K2 with the other masquerade entrants to watch the remainder of the show. After that, chibielmer left to practice for the Omake, and myself and crack_tod went to get fish and chips at the Students Union. I have never been so happy to eat a hot meal XD
We then went to change into more comfortable clothes for the Jpop/Jrock party, which Choco was DJing that night until 12:30am, and a guest DJ from 12:30 until 2am. Before the party started, we met up with InsaneLampshade, Tasuki and her boyfriend once more, decked ourselves out in glowsticks, drank more alcohol, and went onto the dancefloor when a Morning Musume song came on XD
The party was brilliant! Choco was kind enough to actually play AQUA FEEL AQUA SOUL by AQUA5 because we requested it!!!!! And Mizu's "RUN" music video on the big screens <3
We left the party once Choco's set was over, and hung out in the kitchen again until it was time to sleep.
Sunday 15th August:
This was non-cosplay day for me and crack_tod . chibielmer was Tomu!Phoenix from Phoenix Wright 2, with her friend Gemma as Tomochin!Edgeworth.
Once again, the day began like this. Breakfast at Keele hall > changing into costumes. We went to the dealers room once more, and met up with Gemma, before more Omake practicing was done.
crack_tod and I went and bought Hangry&Angry goodies from the dealers room, and went to see Choco at her stall.
After this, we went back to the SU and queued for the Omake at 1pm. The whole event was brilliant! chibielmer and Gemma's Phoenix Wright 2 performance was brilliant, and Team Giblets had us falling out of our seats with laughter as usual. Brilliant Omake!
After the omake, we wandered to Comu's resteraunt (and squeed, and we were like "yay Komu" XD), but it was CLOSED. So we ended up in the sports hall cafe, ordering boxes of pizza which was dericious!
Then we went back to get changed into formal outfits before the closing ceremony began at 6pm. After the closing ceremony, everyone was let loose for an hour before the Cosplay Ball began at 8pm. We went back to see the Waywards in their accomodation, where they were STILL sewing their ball costumes XD
We then rested in our kitchen for a bit, before heading to the ballroom for the evening, where we were greeted by WAITERS with FREE WINE and SWEETS ON PLATTERS. It was magical. After around 30 minutes, I decided to randomly rush back to the accomodation, and change back into Der Tod because there was an official photoshoot area and I wanted some snazzy pics of my costume >__> which I later got... and it looked like something out of an Elisabeth program! 8D
It was also technically Mizu's birthday then, too. I guess I just wanted to cosplay Mizu!Tod on her birthday! The party and ball was definately a good way to celebrate.
So yes, dancing was done, alcohol was drank, and the ball slowly fizzled out and turned into an end of con disco. And that was the end of that!
Monday 16th August:
crack_tod and I had to get our train early, so we woke up at 7am, finished packing, and banged on chibielmer's door to say goodbye... long hug was long, and I didn't want to let go! D:
After we left the accomodation, we met up with Chrissy once more, and went to drop off our room keys together, and dragged our bags to the sports center for the last time, to hop on a minibus that would take us and some other con-goers to Stoke on Trent station.
Once there, we said goodbye to Chrissy so she could get her train, and we went to the station's cafe for latte and sausage sammiches and croissants, which was quite nice. Then we got our first train 20 mins later, which ended up running late because of signal failure, so we missed our second train....
We waited in Manchester for a different train, and ended up arriving home an hour later than expected. I was then greeted with Mizu Takarazuka raku photos, so I wasn't too sad to be home ;D
The post-con depression hasn't hit yet, but I do feel the inevitable con-flu coming on...
I will post some pictures in another entry... I don't wanna clog this one up anymore. XD