So far, I've been to 18 other anime conventions. This is the first one where I arrived a day early. Not originally my idea, but it was a good idea. After a search for roomies ended with Liz from TAS looking for a room, it became pertinent that I get the extra hotel night.
The day started with me waking up to my alarm clock, and did a final
email check, and loading stuff into my car. Good thing I got my brakes
fixed yesterday, but I'm still a bit concerned.
6:30 in the evening: A thankfully uneventful trip over, I check into the room. Double beds, as requested.
Well, it's now 8:30 Thursday night and I haven't heard anything from
Liz since last Sunday. Originally, I wasn't going to come here at all,
since around Katsucon there weren't any volunteers to go with me, plus
I was generally wiped out mentally, physically, and financially. But that
was a month ago.
Somewhere around noon, in the artist's alley, Pocky-man is selling off some of his old (not used) doujinshi, one of them with Variable Geo. Since it wasn't sealed in a bag, I was able to do a poultry check. No chicken inside, so I bought it. Guess if I'm going to buy doujinshi, I should carry a bag with me. ^_^;
4-ish: The super glue is holding my shoes together well. My prospective roommate has yet to show up. Picked up the two tapes I wanted, might get a third, and got a Sailor Moon wall scroll for Cyndi.
It was weird. Shortly before the dealers room opened, there were maybe 50 people standing in line. When I went in, it was a little crowded, but no line. Instead of con volunteers guarding entrance and exit, were hired security guards in uniform, and the occasional police officer. Very effective security measures, and without hassle. Suffice to say, the dealers themselves were happy about it.
Done with the dealers room, I checked out Tatoon Master, which entertained. The video schedule has gobs of goodies, both known and obscure. I just wish there was a blurb on the shows in the program book, since a goodly portion of these shows I've barely heard of. But that's also the beauty of it all, that the best way to find out what it's like is to go and watch it first-hand.
Another thing: There are only 4 elevators that I know of, and they aren't being overworked. One of them, not along the main route but no less convenient, is almost always empty.
8 or so... I get the feeling that I'll be going solo this weekend, unless I can find someone to crash here. And then, what am I risking? Would I be inviting a fellow otaku in need, or disaster? Great con so far, I just wish I knew what was going on. Was I right in coming here? Is it worth it? One thing's for sure, after this is over, I'm going to try to cut back on a lot of fandom things. Feels like I'm just another fan, at just another convention, getting immersed in a culture I don't completely understand. That I'm only part of the background. I could go for some pizza. Still feels like Saturday, but I know better. Didn't get my Steam Detectives book signed because the line was so freakin' long. Perhaps tomorrow.
10pm? Now after I put up a notice offering my room for crash space, and had some pizza, tried to watch the actual Steam Detectives show, but my attention span is worn down for the night. It really doesn't look like Liz might show up at all. Did I scare her off? Or did she make other arrangements? I might never know.
somewhere past 1 am: Never imagined how quotable "Fear and Loathing
in Las Vegas" was until I went to Katsucon, and a lot of it can apply here
as well. Going to a room party and watching the English dub of "Dragon
Half" with the voice actors helped me feel better. Finding no takers on
the crash space, took a nice long shower, and I'm getting tired. Suddenly,
I noticed the only two pictures in my room are identical, down to the very
frame.
A lesson for the weekend: Maintain regular contact with roommates prior to the convention, especially ones you know vaguely.
2-something: A trip to the grocery store by foot leaves my pinky numb from carrying bags. On the closed circuit TV, they're pumping in "Lucky-man" from Japanese Cartoon Network. In between episodes, are some old Hanna-Barbara shorts and US promos, dubbed into Japanese in a half-assed manner. Listening closely, I could hear the original English dialogue. I'm not going to be so fast to condemn American dubs anymore. They've come a long way from the days of yore. After all, American voice actors are fans too, and they do their part by providing an English track to those who don't like to watch and read their anime at the same time. To each their own, I say.
close to 6...: Found out Liz is here, and while she crashed in a room with other friends, she's still interested in riding along for the return trip. Got to see Gokudou-kun subtitled, and got my Steam Detectives book signed. Right now, a line is likely forming for the Cosplay, but unless they do a camera-pit thing, then I'm not interested. Who says I have to go to every cosplay at every con? Hell, I just taped on a month ago. I'll use my camcorder at Otakon. From the new schedules posted at the video room doors, they're starting to go a little off course. A show change here, and a delay there... Well, they'd been running all night. There's still a slice and a half of pizza left, and I'm scared to eat it now. My left pinky is still considerably numb after 5 hours; that qualifies as a Not Good Thing. Feels like I've been in this hotel room for a week.
Notable notes: While I got my Steam Detectives book signed by Kia Asamiya, Sailor Bacon had him sign an empty "Tang" can. Quite amusing for all involved in that. In retrospect, I could've had the guests sign a pizza box. Maybe next con, and get as many people to sign it.
approx. 11: The cosplay has come and gone, and I have witnessed none of it. I did watch some of "To Heart" which is a bit like "Beverly Hills 90210" but without the breakneck pace and hostility.
Two AM: Suddenly, I'm tipsy. After wandering about, I end up conversing
with a girl from Charlotte. Her boyfriend shows up, and they invite me
to their room and give me a drink. It's blue-ish, and the taste of alcohol
is strong. That stuff was great, gotta get the recipe somehow. Went over
to the dance, and soaked up the music and the energy. Didn't actually dance,
as in that condition I'd have blown my knee out.
about noonish: Hung out in the con suite which was, unlike many other cons, on the bottom floor. There I met a couple of other otaku from that area, and shared many stories of how to prevent college roommates from eating more than their share of food. Then, went to the dealers room one last time to get a lain CD.
2pm: Right before the Shadow Puppet play, run into the same two guys again, so we watch the play and stick around for the Closing Ceremonies. We share automotive horror stories, email addresses, and tales of fandom.
4:30: After a long weekend at the convention, Liz, Antonio, and I finally leave. The first part of the trip back turns quiet, as my two passengers fall asleep. Somewhere around Richmond, we stop for food, gas, and the obligatory bathroom stop. From there, the conversation picks up for the next two hours or so.
10:50: Dropped off Liz at home, and Antonio at the Metrorail station. Then, it was time for me to make that last leg of the journey home, a road I've driven up and down hundreds of times. Cranked up the lain soundtrack remix CD.
Midnight. Pulled up to the house, glad to be home. Even more glad that
I didn't have to go to work tomorrow.
But, like I've said, maybe it's time for a rest away from fandom. I
could possibly go to Anime Central, the plane tickets look feasible, but
the only way I could go is if someone already had the room and needed a
fourth roommate. Then, I could go. But I digress. I'm glad I was able to
end this weekend on a high note. It's been a long, fun and strange journey
in fandom, but it's time to stay at home for awhile. Perhaps that feeling
that I was getting earlier that weekend that I shouldn't have been there
was due to the fact that in the fandom scene, I was starting to fell like
I was simply part of the background. Perhaps I just need a lift. I've become
dazed again.
approximate attendance: 1600
3 all-night video rooms, plus 3 panels/events
So, that concludes my report on Animazement 2000. Up next: Anime Central 2000!
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