My body feels wrecked, tired, and worn out from a good 5+ hours of driving. It was worth it though. This last weekend was Ani-Magic 2003, or as I like to call it: my Birthday during the convention and trying to have as few people know as possible. So, let's do that day by day we do so well! Thursday: Long car, wrong hotel, early late night Because of some stuff going on with my new house, I had to skip my 2-4 capstone class. I needed to sign some papers, buy a black paint pen for touchup on my claws (I think Mel and Heather used the last of my other one doing their Escaflowne cats from last year), and make sure I packed everything I would need. I was at Chris' by about 4:30 or so, which gave him time to pack up and then we waited. And then we waited some more. By the time about 5:00 rolled around, I was starting to wonder where C and H were, who were joining us from the northern lands of Santa Cruz. They ended up past the school and down in Monterey, but with a new set of directions, they made it okay, and we were ready to pick up Sheyne and hit the road. We kept pace with H's car through the messy interchanges that take someone from highway 1 to highway 5 (the omgomgIamgoingtoSoCal freeway), and then we went at our own pace, stopping at Kettleman City for gas.
We got to Lancaster about 1:30 in the morning or so, and tried to check in to the wrong hotel. I swore I made the reservations for Inn of Lancaster, but apparently, I didn't. So we were back at the Desert Inn. On the plus side, we will never have to be there again. We settled in, unpacked, and called it a night. Sheyne and everyone belted out Happy Birthday in the car at midnight, while driving through the first part of the Grapevine to hwy 138.
Friday: Sploosh I had an obligatory check in with Rob Miles in the morning, but then it was just a day of relaxing by the pool and meeting up with friends. I got to talk with Wayne for a bit, which was pretty nice, and also caught up with Jenn and met her friend and her friend's brother. I got to say hi to Jared and Nate, help "watch over" the Matrix gathering (more on security later), and then took a small break before Opening Ceremonies. Rob mandated my presence here, so I had a feeling I would be getting soaked. After all, Ani-Magic always starts by throwing someone in the pool. This year was no exception. Rob wasn't content just dunking me though. I know not the details, the how, why, nor who about it, but before being so kindly tossed into the pool Nessa sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" much to my total embarrassment. After that, one good heave ho later, I was soaking wet in about five and a half feet of water. I made my way over to the stairs and slogged my way out. Only then did it occur to me the only pair of shoes I had besides the now soggy ones were my Kuro shoes. I dried them out as best I could, and then went with the group to go get some Pizza at Nick's Pizzeria. I ignored the fact I felt perpetually cold, and so by the time I got back to the room, I wanted to sleep more than drink even though it was my 21st. Chris did get me a little toy for my birthday. Sure it was at the $0.25 thingy, but it is a LOONEY TUNES mini-mug! I intend to use it as much as possible.
Saturday: Cosplay Poolside, Doing Nothing! I was up by 9am since Christine, H, and myself were all doing our One Piece cosplay, and wanted to do some nice pictures out in the pretty garden area. We got those done, and everyone sort of headed off their own ways. Having nice long "fingernails", I did what I thought best: nothing. I sat down and relaxed poolside, met Darryl, said hi to Wayne, watched my panel time change some three times so I really wasn't sure when it was anymore, So I just relaxed and did nothing in particular that day. Come late afternoon, I changed out of Kuro into normal clothes and took my first (and really only) dealer's room walk. I managed to get out only getting a few more anime pins to further decorate by bag with. As everyone was setting up for the masquerade, I checked with Rob to see what seats would be reserved, and which ones wouldn't. As luck would have it, the entire left section was open to the general public and so we took those seats. All was good until Masquerade time, when we were evicted because they needed more chairs. Looking at this convention for an organizational standpoint, I expected something like this to happen: one person saying one thing, another person acting while saying another, so this didn't catch me too off guard. I also knew well enough to stand off to the side because a third person would also act and say something different. Experience paid off, and within a few moments, there was another row of chairs, and nobody had to move after all. Personally, I think it would have been funny to watch some 10-15 people vacate their seats, and seeing no seating within a good 100 ft radius to simply walk out, but that's just me. That stuff settled, it was time for the Masquerade. ReyRey and Jean did well, although at times it almost felt like some of the jokes were forced. Turns out that was quite okay, especially when it came time to stall. Oh man, did they have to stall. For some 45 minutes, Rey, Jean, the Neko Twins, Rob, and just about everyone else was killing time. We were only a few steps away from some "stupid Rob tricks" like building a pyramid, or doing a silly dance. I felt bad because it seemed really disorganized from the very start, and I knew I could have helped (I had index cards and stuff in my room so the Stage Manager, MC, and Sound Guys could have all had a list of who's act was when and what their audio needs were, However, thanks to the previously mentioned ban from all things work related, I was forced to sit there and wait and fidget while I watched. Eventually, we were done, and headed over to Zach's for a small after-pArty. After a bit of drinking, everyone else wandered off, leaving H and I in custody of Soul Calibur 2. We played a few games, and by then everyone else was back and wanted to call it a night. Memory serving, by this point it was also 1:30 or so in the morning.
Sunday: The Fall of Saigon Up again at 9am or so for the official One Piece gathering. Nobody showed, probably because everyone was asleep. We relaxed at the side of the pool for a bit before Wayne caught me and reminded me about the USA Musume panel that was about to happen. Since the gathering wasn't, I opted for the panel. I sat near Arty, Rey, and Angela, and for everyone that was there, I'm sure you could appreciate the situation. Thanks to the morning's gathering, I was still in my Kuro costume complete with the massive claws. The first game was a Karaoke thing. Now close your eyes and think of Jakob, with his costume like this, trying to hold a microphone and sing. Now imagine him doing the hand motions for Love Machine. Are you laughing yet? You probably should be, because me trying to hold the microphone in this costume was like that gag where you throw three baseballs at someone telling them to catch them all. Not to be outdone by the sillyness of trying to sing, the next little game was a drawing contest! As if trying to hold the Microphone wasn't challenging enough, trying to manipulate a pen to produce a picture of Wayne was hilarious. Many thanks to Arty for holding the paper for me on that one. Our picture ended up with devil horns, a tilted halo, and a few other cosmetic things. After a small Q&A, the last panel for Ani-Magic was over, and it was time to head out. We didn't really leave until about 1:30 or so, because we got sidetracked where saying goodbye turned into conversation. I caught up with Rob, talked with Revell to drop my name and ask if they needed any webmasterish things, said bye to everyone and hit the road. We got back about 7ish or so.
I still haven't unpacked, but I think that might have to do with me heading home today.
Shout Outs! H - WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS??!?! The last thing I needed while driving late at night was a phone call of that song. I put it on loudspeaker so others could enjoy it, though they didn't appreciate my singing quite as much. That song is beautiful in its own special way.
C - Thank you for being the bearer of the bag! You didn't use my GBA to play FFT:A even though I said you could... I'm shocked and in awe! Nobody could resist the tempa- wait... my turn. Okay, nobody can resist the temptation of- hold on, I wanna try this class. Anyway, nobody can resist the temptation of this game!
Chris - I was in a very not-drinky mood that night, sorry. :( Thank you so much for the looney tunes mug! I intend to use it as much as possible. I wonder if the DC will let me fill it for free.
Michelle - Thank you for coming down to AM! It was a lot of fun, and next year is going to be just as awesome!
Sheyne - I'm sorry about the camera, but I'm sure the piccies inside are okay. You sold really cute anime stuff to be able to come pArty pArty with us in Lancaster, and that was easily one of the best gifts ever. :D
Christine - More than just a hi and hello in passing at AX, you were an awesome roommie (despite the hotel being kinda ishy). I hope you had a lot of fun and got to meet lotsa people!
Wayne - The Man, the Myth, the ... Legend? Was awesome seeing you there, you looked so busy all day! Great stage presence as always, although watching Lionel embarrass you during the panel was priceless. ^_^
Nessa - Bad singing monkey! I was so embarrassed as it was thanks to Rob and ya went and made it worse. XD Some of my friends got pictures of that thing, so as soon as they get them up, I'll kick the links over to you.
Wayne #2 - It was nice getting to hang out with you this convention! You were a great Black Mage and I'm glad you got the whole badge thing sorted out eventually.
ReyRey - Great MC job, especially with the stalling. And you took a dip! Bravo! (at least you won't have to next year, hehe)
Jean - Meow! I will get the last few eps of Wolf's Rain on CD and get those in the mail! I didn't even think of bringing them to AM, gah. Great job up there, especially when it came time to stall.
Darryl - Was awesome getting to meet you. Just remember your nisu body body body! (keeheeheehee)
Annie - Yay power of October birthdays! Happy birthday to you in 10 days, and you did an awesome job with Love Machine!
Kimi - Great job with Love Machine and the panel. Stay ubergenki!
Jenn - It was so cool getting to hang out at AM, and congrats on the finished Ansem costume! After AX, there is no fear. No fear!
Amanda - Sorry we didn't get to talk too much and stuff, I hope you had fun and we weren't too rowdy a bunch! Your bro is really cool!
Zach - So awesome hanging with you! Your room kicked so much more ass than ours! I owe you a battle in Advance Wars 2...
Chris T. - Congrats and awesome Zero and Roll costumes! The master electrician strikes again, making things glow and go beep. :)
Arty - OMG I got to talk to you for more than thirty seconds at a convention! (gasp) It was nice getting to just relax and talk after the Masquerade. Keep it cool ya lil white cat. ^_^
Lionel - Lionel the picture taker, the AV master, the guy who seemed to be everywhere at once. You know, it still amazes me how you manage to do it. You must have clones, I swear!
In response to "The Really Too Big Ani-Magic 2003 Report":
What are you talking about? You know you loved it. LOVED MY SINGING!