Sunday, December 30, 2007

Cosplay Preview: FMA State Military Uniform

I wanted to wait a bit longer to show everyone what I got up my sleeve for Sac-Anime in January, but I just couldn't wait!

First off, I'd like to thank the people who made it (Yes, I'll be honest: this is a commissioned creation. Then agian, I have no time to sow or do that kind of fancy stuff.), as they did a wonderful job of creating my idea!




As you can see, it's not the correct color - this one is in a custom black that I had asked for. Either than that, it's pretty much the same State Military uniform.

Either than that, 11 days 'till Sac-Anime!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Sac-Con Dec. 2007 Report

Ah, the last Sac-Con of the year, the last one before Sac-Anime in January. For many of us, this is a time to fine-tune our costumes and acting skills (via the Cosplay Contest) for the huge show in January.

I must say that the quality of guests is improving rapidly - especially when Doug Jones, the man who played Silver Surfer in the 2nd Fantastic Four movie, is in the house. Unforunately, he was charging $20 an autograph, and I all I wanted as for him to sign my badge, something that I should of started back in January of this year. Then again, that's the norm of comic conventions, and to anime convention attendees who usually get their autographics for free it's a bit of a shock.

The cosplay contest was good again, and whoever thought of using Phoenix Wright with a skit to explain the rules of the contest is brilliant. Seriously, that should be done at the January show. I only have three videos, though, that I recorded off my camera - that skit, the last candy giveaway, and when we all sang Sac-Con's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas." I have the last two up, and after some talk with the group who did the beginning skit I got the green light to post it on YouTube; however, it's in maintainence mode so I'll have to wait until tommorrow.

I'm also trying to get all the photos (OVER 400!) online, so that will be up soon. Expect a post with some of my favorite shots soon.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Digital Camera

Thank god for Black Friday.

I was able to get ahold of a 7.2MP Sony Cyber-shot digital camera for real cheap - $80. I finally got myself a decent camera that won't suck on me.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

We're Definately Going Two...

I'm close on obtaining a FMA costume for Sac-Anime in January, so definately I will be wearing that to FanimeCon. Now the question is if I should go three or even four if my finances play out to my favor.

Odds are, I could go three, but probably the rest will go towards getting a room (which I didn't have to worry about the first time I went, at least at full price) and registration.

Dec. 9th

Apparently, Sac-Con for December is actually on Dec. 9th, not Dec. 2nd which I thought was the date. This is good since I found out this early, so I was able to adjust my time off accordingly.

Either than that, I am looking into a FMA costume.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Sac-Anime Flyer

If you haven't noticed, I got my hands on a flyer for the upcoming January show.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Evolution of the Director

I keep forgetting to post about this...

My late late late late birthday gift came in. I got me an AEG airsoft rifle in the form of a MP5SD6, a carrying case, dual shoulder pistol holsters, and a spare mag for the MP5.

I posted that I was looking to ditch my belt holsters for the shoulder holsters. I did a test run today and I felt much comfortable around the waist. I may have to get my jacket tailored so that it expands a bit more, but that depends on how much it all costs and my decision if it's all worth it.

I will be trying this new configuration in the December, and then make changes for the January show.

Meanwhile, I'm also in the process of obtaining a new costume...I hope to put in an order sometime in November.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Double Tree Hotel

So, I'm at the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento for a Community College Leadership Conference.

If you don't know, across the street from the Red Lion Inn is the Double Tree Hotel.

Personally, I think that if Sac-Anime wants to go back to a hotel for Summer 2008, it should come here. After all, this Double Tree is known for hosting such conventions, including the much publicized Star Trek Con that rolled by a year or two ago (I know it did though, I just don't remember when it happened). Compared to the Red Lion Inn, the Double Tree Hotel is much nicer and would still be a good site to hold Sac-Anime.

Monday, October 15, 2007

'08 Registration

Registration for FanimeCon '08 is up. Price right now if $40 until November 1st.

I want to pull the trigger and do it, but I may have to wait; someone might accompy me to Fanime and probably I'll pay for them...

So, for now I'll wait.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Guests Announced For Sac-Con & Sac-Anime

For Sac-Anime in January:
  • Vic Mignogna
  • Travis Willingham
  • Laura Bailey
  • Darrel Guilbeau

Musical Performances include The Slants & Metal Phyzixs!

For Sac-Con in December:

  • Stephan Cardenas
  • Doug Jones
  • Billy Martinez
  • Ron Lim
  • Dan Brereton
  • Nate Watson

I must say, that's a nice line-up for Sac-Anime in January. The questions are already circulating in my head...

Monday, October 1, 2007

Being Uncomfortable

So, I've decided to ditch my twin belt holsters for shoulder holsters. The problem I had with the belt holsters was when I sat down, plus they were bit of an effort to get them on and off. With the shoulder holsters, they will go under the jacket, they won't get in the way when I sit down, and it will be easier to get them on and off. I can even still carry my twin pistols, thanks to an additional holster that I can use to do a double draw.

I haven't purchased them yet, but I plan to soon in time to try it out for the December show.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

OHSSS Bio, Updated

My character is the Director of the Ouran High School Secret Service, or OHSSS for short. At the Ouran Private Academy, concerns over security was a high priority especially with the fact that many of the students that were attending are future heirs to various families. So when events like Columbine and VT occur, Yoshio Ootori (the head of the Ootori Private Police Force) and Yuzuru Suou (the superintendent of OHS) get together and look over the emergency plans. After seeing how long it would take the Ootori Private Police Force to respond, about 10 minutes, they came to the conclusion that the response time was inacceptable despite the fact 10 minutes is the best the police force can do - in that short amount of time, the gunman can inflict major damage to people and/or property before the authorties arrive and have a chance to respond. They decided to form a 40-man Secret Service dedicated to protecting the students at Ouran High School, and they would be the first to respond in a critical situation such as a gunman on campus. They took the model of the US Secret Service, but took it one step futher and decided that the special agents would wear the standard uniform in order to blend in and not stand-out instead of the black suits of the US Secret Service.

That's where I come in. I was the first person hired and I was named Director of the newly-created OHSSS. My duty is to oversee the operations of the OHSSS and to make sure that the students, faculty, and administration of this school are protected by the OHSSS and the Ootori Pirvate Police Force.

The two, however, had a very special request: in addition of being Director, I would also watch over their two sons - Tamaki and Kyoya - while they were attending. That meant the majority of time I would be inside the Third Music Room basically protecting them - and the Host Club.


The standard sidearm of the OHSSS is the H&K USP [40. S&W]. The OHSSS is also trained in using the H&K MP5SD5/SD6 [9 x 19 mm Luger], FN P90 [5.7 x 28 mm], M4A1 Carbine [5.56 x 45 mm NATO], H&K G36 [5.56 x 45 mm NATO], Benelli M4 Super 90 [12 gauge], Franchi SPAS-15 [12 gauge], and the H&K PSG-1 [7.62 x 51 mm NATO]. These weapons are stored in the basement of OHS & at the command post of the OHSSS and are used in tactical situations. (A special note: the Director carries around two H&K USP pistols, while everyone else carries one.)

Saturday, September 29, 2007

I need another banner

Looks like I'll be waiting for the new website to open so that I can get a new banner...since the banner I was using was on the old site.

*waits*

2004

So, I'm on the Sac Anime and Comics Forum, and I come across this thread that has links to past photo albums, which date back to - 2004! And I thought the first one was in 2005...

Still, I've been there for all the Sac-Anime Conventions since 2005 back at the Sunrise Mall - Summer 2005, Winter 2006, Summer 2006, Winter 2007, & Summer 2007.

Just a small thought.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Three?

So, I'm deciding what else to cosplay at Sac-Anime in January (and also Sac-Con in December to try it out) to compliment my Ouran High School Host Club cosplay. The thing is, whatever I cosplay there I will cosplay at FanimeCon '08. The question that I have for me when it comes to FanimeCon is should I stick with the two I'll have then or go for three? That way, I have something to wear everyday - sans Friday, since I'll be arriving and I really don't like to cosplay when everyone's not there.

I really shouldn't be asking this question just yet - not until Sac-Anime January '08 passes. But, it's never too early to have it in the back of your head.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Winter Cosplay

I know for sure I'm going to have two cosplay costumes, one being my Ouran High School uniform and probably my Director of the OHSSS character.

The other I'm still still debating on. It's a coin flip between Fullmetal Alchemist and Eureka seveN, both involving military uniform and original characters. This way, I can still have my weapons with me as well, including carrying around an assault rifle. But I know someone will tell me that a M4 didn't exist in the era of FMA, and that maybe a AK-47, a SKS (which someone told me when I first had this idea), or some old-school bolt-action rifle like a Kar98k.

Actually, I just remembered that before any of this, I had submitted a commission request to LimeBarb about a red version of the State Military uniform, since red is my favorite color. I have the last e-mail saved in my Hotmail accont for just in case I want to bring it back up with LimbBarb. As I look at the last e-mail saved, it said $227 for the jacket, which is a lot more than what I paid for my Ouran uniform. (Remember, I can't sow for shit and I don't have the time committment for it outside of work, school, and Student Government.) I might bring it back up again, but I might just go with the standard blue.

Yes, Sac-Con and Sac-Anime are still about 2 months away, but it's never too early to plan out.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Con Photos

Since I went to work, I am not featured in the Cosplay Contest. However, there were two photos courtesy of our good friends over at Conpix.net:




Yes, that is a SOS-dan armband. Yes, I did just mix Ouran High School Host Club and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Notice I'm not in my Director of the Ouran Secret Service form; I'm in the form of ordinary student that I took up at Fanime - plus the SOS-dan armband.

I'll probably do it again for the December, but I will break out the Director cosplay again at the January show.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Sac-Con, Sept '07 Report

If there was one way to describe Sac-Con in September, I'll put it like this: IT WAS FREAKIN' HOT. This has to be one of the hottest Sac-Cons on record, 102 according to KCRA 3. And man, did it feel like 102, especially when I left for work around 4. Luckily, I had to work, so I really didn't have to deal with the peak of the heat during the cosplay contest.

Either than that, it was a good way to see people again after Sac-Anime (especially BSaphire and the crew) and just hang out with them. The turnout for Sac-Cons are generally lower than Sac-Animes, but you also have to factor in Labor Day weekend and the last weekend of the State Fair.

I did score the Ah! My Goddess plushie set (Belldandy, Skuld, and Urd) for a bargain, and that's really about it besides a Winry keychain to go alongside my car keys (LOL) and a couple of minor items. I probably spent half of what I brought with me today.

Not everyone showed up today, but I think everyone will show up for the December show, which for me will be a tune-up for Sac-Anime in 2008 if I decide to get a new costume.

Overall, it was alright.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Sac-Con Septmber 07

I have some bad news and some semi-good news.

The bad news is that I have to work and I can't be there the whole entire time.

The semi-good news is that I talked to my manager and a co-worker who's looking for some hours, and he's willing to work the morning for me (which I was originally scheduled for) and I'll come in the afternoon to close up.

If everything sticks up, I'll have to be in at 4:30. That means the only thing I'll be missing is the cosplay contest. I'll be there for just about everything else.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

New forums?

http://www.sacanime.com/forums/index.php
So, I got an e-mail saying "Hey, new Sac-Anime forums!"

Yeah...I know what you're thinking: there's already a forum for Sac-Anime. But this is supposed to be the "official" forums, compared to the other forums that exist.

I wonder what new drama we'll get from this...I'm not promoting any type at all, I'm just being cautious after what has taken place...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Looking Forward...

Yes, I do plan to attend to FanimeCon 2008. I hope to pre-register as soon as I can, but at least sometime during the early part of 2008.

By then, I should have more than one costume to wear at Fanime...but homemade or not is still up in the air...

Monday, August 6, 2007

Traveling Valentine

Man, I felt so stupid not to check their website after Sac-Anime. But by way of their business card, I did, and I found their report on Sac-Anime. Very insightful, full of pictures, stories, quotes, and much more. And since they were in the hotel room I was in, they got a couple of pictures of me, including this one infamous picture...


Which, BTW, they used as their banner for one of the subpages.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Cosplay Picnic Gathering

So yesterday, before I went to work, I went over to the Cosplay Picnic Gathering over at McKinley Park. The turnout was fewer than expected for me, but we still had a blast. I was working the BBQ making hambugers, and let me tell you: that fire was hot all the way through once the burgers started coming in. However, no one ate my potato salad and I think I left it there when I left...

We also went to the pond to feed the ducks, and I took a couple of pictures at the Rose Garden. Unfortunately, those didn't come out as well...stupid lighting.

They say the next gathering is supposed to be Sept. 1 @ the California State Fair, but odds are I will only get Sunday, Sept. 2, off for Sac-Con, so I won't be able to make it to that.

But I had a lot of fun, and I hope we get to do that more often outside of the cons.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

FanimeCon '08 Site Up

I just caught the new page for FanimeCon '08, hence the new banner.

I also added a countdown timer for anyone who's keeping track of when it's going down.

BTW, it's going down May 23-26.

Forum Drama Update

First off, I take that comment back about "fucking hitting everyone over the head" for the forum drama. Despite knowing what's going on, there's a lot more things that I didn't know what was going on. If anyone felt offended by that, I'm sorry. But at this point, we really don't know what the true picture is.

I will be home tomorrow morning and back on my laptop. Hopefully I can think over everything that's going on, and see where everything is going to head. I have seen the forums, but I haven't logged in and posted anything. Like I said, I'm waiting to get home tomorrow and then I will deal with this.

There's a lot of things that I know that I cannot say publicly about the things that I know...but by now the people who know should know mostly everything.

At least I'm not directly involved in all of this...all I do is sit behind a table and peace bond...

Forum Drama

The one time I decide to visit the Sac-Anime forums during my trip to LA, I see all this forum shit going down involving Bart and just about everyone else. And from what I read, I couldn't even put together a real response in the forums; it's going to have to wait until I get back on Monday. But from what I saw I just shook my head and went "What the fuck is going on?"

Then I tried calling him in the afternoon and the evening during the poker tournament (which I went out early), and someone else picked up, playing off like this wasn't his number and that there was no George. Now, how can that be when I just left him a message on his voice mail which was him? Either he's trying to lay low and pretend that he's not there to avoid any more trouble, or someone else picked up and was fucking with me.

I swear to god, I just want to fucking hit all of them over the head for all the shit that they're causing, especially when I'm away...like I said, I would love to respond, but I just can't anything together for a response, not when I'm down here.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Into The Blue

There was something that I wanted to do at Sac-Anime that I did today - jump into a pool after a long day of work.

After work, I went to family birthday party. The first thing I did was say hi to everyone before taking a quick dip in the pool. Oh man that felt good, even if I only swam for about 15 minutes.

At Sac-Anime, I wanted to so jump into that pool that was near everything, but I never did. It would of been nice to wind down after con with a splash at the pool. Maybe I should of taken some time out to go to the poolside gathering...

In other news, I'm waiting on Bart to write up his report, so once that comes up I will put that under the "Reports/Gallery" section. And there's still 170+ days until Sac-Anime January 2008, which will be back at the Scottish Rite Center. It's for three days, Jan. 11-13. And yes, I will be staffing there again.

Edit: Check that, Bart has his gallery up, and write up is in progress.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

EBK's Photos

OK, so I was looking through both sets - Saturday and Sunday - of the pictures EBK took from Sac-Anime. I find it funny that I looked better from the pictures that were taken Saturday, because the ones he took Sunday were from the Masquerade, and for some odd reason when I did my John Woo pose I looked like I was on crack, for reals!

I'm still waiting on other sites to upload since it's been a week, so I'll be on the lookout for more.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Official Sac-Anime Summer 2007 Report

The journey began for me at 9-10 AM, when I arrived at the Red Lion Inn. I was fully packed and waiting to check-in to the room that I was going to be in. But since my friend George aka Bart wasn't arriving until 11, I decided to help out and get registration ready. Once 11 hit, I went to go pick up Bart, drive him back to the hotel, and he checked in. I got everything up to my room before 12, which was when the staff meeting was going to be held. I stayed for a bit because I was needed at peace bonding, which would be my home for the majority of the con. So from 12:15PM to god knows when (I think it was like 9ish) I sat at that table and worked and worked and worked. Then about 5:30PM I was relieved so that I could go attend the Ouran gathering in the lobby. While there wasn't that many of us (and no Haruhi, she didn't show up until Saturday), we had fun and we all ate cake & drank tea (although I passed since I had 8 bottles of Powerade to work with). Once that was over, I went back to change and see the Dealers Room for a bit before heading back to finishing off the evening. After that, I went to the Green Room (the place where all the staffers could hang out) to eat before heading back down to cover some more. While I was in the lobby, someone had told me that Crispin Freeman was here eating over at the hotel restruant. So after pretending to do security work, I talked to him for the first time, shaking his hand and greeting him to Sac-Anime. Of course, after that I got all giddy because I had just met Crispin Freeman. I would cover at the rave for a bit before turning in everything I had with me for the night.

Saturday started for me at 7:30AM, so for the most part I only had 5 hours of sleep when I planned to be awake for 18+ hours. I did more peace bonding that morning before heading down to Cosplay Chess. Now, for an event that was supposed to be held indoors (it was held outdoors), the event went pretty well the first time. This is where I met for the first time Eurobeat King, one of the most famous cosplay photographers (and does cosplay himself on the side). He took my picutres, and my they came out good. After that it was back to peace bonding until the Masquerade tech meeting. I went there knowing that I would know the order of skits, but when I found out we wouldn't know until tomorrow, I left go to back to work. I was there from about 3PM to 8PMish, but I took a break to go get something to eat, check out Dealers Room again, and to go check out Artist Alley. There I got me a Chibi Badge courtesty of Katie (I think that's her name). The funny thing is that halfway through her sketch, I threw her a $20 and told her to keep the change, since it was $16 for the badge. After I closed peace bonding, I went go to cover the rave again for the majority of the evening, but not after having some fun in the Hot Yaoi Night session. I won me a nice art drawing for $5 and I had some fun with the ladies (and a guy, lol). I was going to be part of the Bingo game, but I got called down to rave and that's where I was. After that, it was off to bed and into Sunday.

Sunday was "my free day" since I worked my ass off to get this day free. But I did work some more in the morning, but it was at 9AM. At 11:30AM, I went to go security work for the Q&A panel for Crispin Freeman, Spike Spencer, and Chris Patton. Needless to say, that was the big highlight of this con. After the panel session was over, I was able to get more autographs, hand shakes, and even a picture of me and Crispin which I am still waiting on at this moment. About 2PM, an hour before Masquerade check-in for the show, I finally sat down and had a nice meal in the lounge. Needless to say, I was chillin'. Once then, it was off to Masquerade...but not after trying to get people in a straight line against the wall to prevent a fire hazard. There were some delays, but the show got on the road. I was #20, and I had a blast doing my skit. Sure, I didn't win anything (even though I was kind of disappointed) but my time will come. After that, I was asked to clear out the hotel and cover at places and do various odd jobs. Finally, at 9:15PMish Sunday, I was dismissed for the con. I was able to go home with my haul and my memories.

60+ hours at the con, and only 12 hours of sleep. Yeah, that works out pretty well.

Camera Pictures

The first one is pretty self-explanatory. This from the Sunday Q&A panel that I was covering in. From left to right - Spike Spencer, Crispin Freeman, and Chris Patton.


This one was taken Saturday night. This was after I reponded to a disturbance in the video rooms, but when I reach the lobby I was told to go back to the rave. But then I look over and I see Lisa Furukawa playing the grand piano in the lobby with Spencer and Freeman listening. So before I headed back to the rave, I listened into her performance and took this picture. Afterwards, all of three of us clapped, and I said hi to all three before going back. BTW, this picture is now part of my wallpaper on my phone.

Monday, July 16, 2007

My Apology

I posted this on the Sac-Anime forums tonight, and I wanted to post this there...

As part of the security staff and the head of peace bonding (I was at the table for the majority of the time), I would like to apologize personally for any problems that may have occured during the process of peace bonding.

I tried to make peace bonding as quick as possible, and I know that many people were angry with the policy but the rules are rules. I was lucky that I allowed people to carry keyblades and other weapons that didn't come with a sheath or a sling, but if it was live steal or a gun then the policy was that it had to be peace bonded to you.

I also did security detail for some events and at the end of the con when we grouped everyone together so that security could have a better check on everyone that was still there and was waiting to be picked up. If you recalled, I was doing my part during cosplay line-up for Masquerade when I told everyone to line-up against the wall and making sure that the aisles were clear so that they didn't pose a fire hazard. If I was rude to you when telling you to clear and make a straight line, I apologize. At that point at the con, everyone was just trying to get everything together so that Masquerade could go on and we could all go home after that.

Despite all of that, many were pleased with the job that I did with peace bonding. After all, my job is to make sure that no one feels threatened and gets hurt while at the con, while at the same time allowing cosplayers to be what their character is. Even everyone got my jokes when I tried to peace bond items that weren't really weapons - like roses for Ouran characters, wands, Death Notes, and even the box that contained Jenova.

If you have any futher concerns about peace bonding and/or anything that I did over the weekend, you may contact me via AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, or e-mail. I will answer all questions to the best of my ability.

I would like to thank BSaphire, Dan, and the rest of the staff for allowing me to work with all of you, and to serve all the fans with the best service I can. I would also like to thank Crispin Freeman, Spike Spencer, Chris Patton, Voltaire, Lisa Furukawa, Eurobeat King, and everyone else who attened this con. For me, this is my hometown con and I would go to hell and back for this con. I have been going since 2005, and I will continue to attend and staff at future conventions.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

End of Day 3, The End of the Con

(Before I get started...right after I posted the last blog, Spike Spencer wanted to use the business center computer to send some e-mails. I said ok, and I let him use it. As I came back to Masquerade, I asked him "Are you e-mailing your agent?" He said, "You can call it that.")

After 60 hours of being at the Con, the journey finally ended when I got home. Luckly, I have enough time to be on here and blogging before I have to go to sleep so that I can recover and go to work in the morning.

I went up after intermission, and I did a good perfomance. Unforuntately, it wasn't enough to win any awards. Eh, I was disappointed, but one day my time will come.

After that, I helped close the con up and do some last minute things before finally heading home about 9ish.

My full report will be up later in the week, sightings too as well.

But all I can say for now is "Mission accomplished."

Sunday Afternoon, Day 3

I have everything packed in my car waiting for me when I leave the con later in the evening. I did do more peace bonding this morning, but for the most part I have been free, covering the panels - if you want to say it like that - and waiting on Masquerade. Currently, there is a line but since I am staff I'm also helping out in line control.

I was able to get more signatures from Chris Patton, Crispin Freeman (again), and Spike Spencer on both my badge and the program guide. I also did take a picture with Crispin Freeman, putting me at a level that only fangirls/boys can dream of. Take that Cille and Kohikki!

So I wait to get into Masquerade...

Saturday, End of Day 2

It is 12:26AM Sunday morning, and we just closed down Day 2. A much better day indeed.

It started when I went to cosplay chess. I must say, it was a very fun. Unforunately, I was last man standing for the white team, leaving me to protect the king - InuYasha - alone. I was taken out by a Wii-mote and then everything ended.

The highlight of my day is when I got a chance for Crispin Freeman to sign my badge and the Haurhi Suzumiya pencil board. He even took my silver Sharpie to use for future signatures. I hope he brings it back tomorrow.

The majority of my day - since I am staffing - is peace bonding. But after that, it was off to the rave to hang out.

Day 3 - the last day - includes the huge Q&A and the Masquerade, which I am in. Odds are, I will post when I get home. BTW, I have to work tomorrow on Monday in the morning. Fuck.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Crispin Freeman

So, someone had told me that Crispin Freeman was at the convention eating dinner over in the dining area. So while making my rounds to the video rooms to check on things, I find Crispin Freeman there.

After I walk around pretending to be checking the dining area for staff, I decide to greet Mr. Freeman (that's what I refered to him as after asking for his full name). I told him my name and that I was a part of the staff here at Sac-Anime. I also time him that it was an honor to meet him and I had a chance to shake his hand.

^_^

I'm On Break

...for right now. I've been at the peace bonding table since 12 this afternoon, and now it's almost 6. I'm going to the Ouran gathering at 6, then change back and head to dealer's room for a bit before finishing out the evening. After that (at 8), I'm out until tomorrow. At least I don't have to work that long...

Crispin Freeman isn't here until tomorrow, but Spike Spencer and a couple of other people are here. Either than that, it's all good here at Sac-Anime...but tomorrow is when everything starts going down, starting with cosplay chess.

Welcome to Sac-Anime!

I'm actually blogging straight from the reg table at Sac-Anime. I got here about 5 minutes ago, and really no one is here...yet...

At least the Wi-Fi connection is good enough to allow me to live blog from this event. I hope to have more daily updates from Sac-Anime than Fanime since the rooms are a lot closer.

Hurray!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I Should Be...

...recording my audio for my cosplay skit, but somehow I'm thinking I can do it all on Thursday. And I probably will.

Either than that, I'm all ready to head out. All I need to do is pack tomorrow and have everything out by Friday morning.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Dry Cleaning

So I get to go home early from work today after it started to slow down despite an AT&T call center moving in down the street. I look at the clock, and it's only 1:10PM.

I decided to go drop off my Ouran uniform today at Swansons next to my work. No discount, but hey $7.50 goes a long way for that $89 Ouran uniform.

I still need to record my audio, and I plan to do that very very soon...

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Fanime 2008

To be honest, after I found out after everything that had happened at Anime Expo 2007 down in Long Beach I thought to myself "Let's show these GoH what Fanime is really about."

Because if you haven't heard, there was a ton of GoH mistreatment by AX staff and volunteers, and problems such as no hotel to backed-up lines for events (not to mention the delays and/or canceled ones) to audio/visual technical problems to and everything in between. If you went to AX, you'd probably encountered one of these horror stories.

Now, I didn't go to AX, and I don't plan on going in 2008. Yeah, the LACC? It was good for E3, but not for a con that basically runs 24/4 in an area that is virtually unsafe at night and no hotels within a 1/2 mile radius of the center. But just by reading the posts and watching the videos, I can see how bad AX '07 was.

I'm not saying "Let's get everyone who was dissatisfied with AX to Fanime," but it would be nice to really show that Fanime is truely "By Fans, For Fans."

Many say that Fanime was better than Anime Expo this year, and since I didn't go to AX I can't say anything. But still, I wonder how these two will stack up next year.

Banner Update: With the new site for Fanime '08 coming up soon, I will be changing the banner to reflect the new year - and another con.

Work Schedule for Week of Sac-Anime

Along with my huge paycheck, I also got my work schedule for next week. Of course, I have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off for Sac-Anime. But here's my work schedule for the other four days (starting on Monday)(in my own words):

Open, close, open, open.

That means I can go dryclean my Ouran uniform on Tuesday and get it when I get off of work Thursday, the day before Sac-Anime.

Hurray!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Cosplay Skit Update #1

Last night I got the rough draft of the skit script done. I'll probably tinker with it over the weekend and record first thing on Monday. I clocked myself reading the whole script under a minute, so I have 30 seconds to add on more material or allow for a slower reading when I record. The problem once I get everything down is making sure it burns and that it works since I only have two CDs to work with (3 if I hadn't burned that new T.I. CD I got). I should be fine.

It's Friday, and there's 7 days left until Sac-Anime.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Re: Cosplay Contest

Good news! I'm in the cosplay contest! I am currently the second one registered for the Sunday Masquerade, so all I need to do is bring the forms to Sac-Anime to sign.

Now I have a laundry list of items to do before Sac-Anime begins:
  • Dryclean Ouran uniform (drop-off/pick-up dates depends on work schedule)
  • Create monologue script for Masquerade skit
  • Record skit audio
  • Burn skit audio to CD
  • Make sure CD works
  • Buy water/Gatorade
  • Clean cooler
  • Pack on Wednesday/Thursday

It's only Thursday, so I might create the script and record sometime this weekend.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Cosplay Contest

BSaphire is not accepting applications for the Cosplay Masquerade Sunday. There is a ton of crap to read, and I saw a lot of it at Sac-Con in June. Yeah, we're getting that big.

Anyways, the rules and application are on my hard drive, so I will be filling that out and sending it to her...soon.

Monday, July 2, 2007

CBox

So, the Sac-Anime forums have this thing now called a CBox, a little chat code that enables us to talk within the forums. It's pretty cool since I use it a lot since they put it up on the site. So I decided to put one on the blog (both blogs) so that the same thing can happen, and I think it makes it easier to leave comments.

Either than that, it's dead on the Fanime front for now...

CBox, plus more on Sac-Anime

So, the forums have this thing now called a CBox, a little chat code that enables us to talk within the forums. It's pretty cool since I use it a lot since they put it up on the site. So I decided to put one on the blog (both blogs) so that the same thing can happen, and I think it makes it easier to leave comments.

Speaking of Sac-Anime, it's coming up pretty soon. And as I get ready, more information is coming to me about what I'm doing. For one, I can't cosplay while I'm on the job staffing. That's a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. It's bad because I can't cosplay, but it's good because then I won't be wearing my Ouran uniform and the holsters the whole entire time. It's one thing to wear the uniform 24/4 at Fanime when it's about 70 degrees, but we're talking a Sacramento summer. For god's sake, it's going to be 103 4th of July and 106 the following day! At least then I'll be able to get a breather from my cosplay, even if I am wearing back when I work.

I put in 53 hours of work for this paycheck, so I should be able to cash in a nice paycheck. Then I also remembered that my birthday is the week after, so I might be able to spend a bit more then recover with those funds. Plus, there's another paycheck coming that week too, a week before I go to Los Angeles in the end of July.

July is going to be hectic, just as I like it during the summer.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

This weekend...

...is Anime Expo, which I am not going to. But a couple of people who are regulars at Sac-Anime (most noted, Bart) are.

If I had some extra pop in my account, and some more time off from work, I would be going to AX and meeting up with everyone that I know.

This weekend is work, work, work. After all, I do need some pop in my account for Sac-Anime come less than 2 weeks from now.

I also have to keep reminding myself that I have to go dry clean my Ouran uniform and pray to god that nothing happens to it...

Friday, June 22, 2007

As Sac-Anime inches closer...

My countdown timer on iGoogle is at 20 days. Yes, 20 days until Sac-Anime. That building of anticipation of going to a con is going back up again, and it's a con that's in my backyard - Sacramento.

My plans in preparation for Sac-Anime? Well for one, working. I still have two paychecks before Sac-Anime (and one after that) so I will try to squeeze in hours next week and the week after. I worked a lot of hours the past pay period, so I should get a monster paycheck with the raise I got. I'm still paying off my credit card from the food from Fanime and a couple of things I bought just recently (a car wash and a gun case for my airsoft pistols) and I plan to pay those off with then next paycheck.

I also plan to get my Ouran uniform dry cleaned the week of Sac-Anime. I hope the folks at Swansons next door from Quiznos can hook me up with a discount.

Either than that, it's saving up, working hard, and then staying up-to-date via website and boards.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

4chan

Apparently, one of my photoshoot pictures have appeared on 4chan.

Yeah, 4chan. That site.

BTW, FUCK YEAH SEAKING!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

OHSSS

So during Sac-Con and the days after it, I created my own character based off Ouran High School Host Club - the Director of the Ouran High School Secret Service (or OHSSS for short) (and OSS for even shorter). If you want in-depth info on this character, head to my Sac-Anime/Sac-Con blog.

The reason why I bring it up in the Fanime Blog is because odds are I won't be able to do that character for Fanime 2008 because of the weapons rule the con has. But odds are, I will have something else to compliment my Ouran cosplay come Fanime 2008 in tune of another series. And maybe by then I'll be tall enough to be Mori-sempai...

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Good photos from Sac-Con

...that don't relate to the cosplay contest.


These shots were actually taken after the contest, but before I had to put back my guns since the peacebond was taken off for the contest. Those shots are want I want more in terms of photoshoots at Sac-Anime...and maybe a few of me with my rifle too as well if I can do that...

Kudos to California Cosplay Times and Brocas for taking these nice shots.

They are the last 5 pictures of the album.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Daily Life of the OHSSS Director

So, a typical day of the OHSSS Director looks like this:

I get to Ouran High School about 7:30AM. At 8:00AM, I call a daily briefing to talk to my staff about any events that are going on in the school, events that are occuring in the surrounding community that we should pay attention to, and to look over new and old intelligence documents provided by the school, a team of intelligence officers for the OHSSS, the Ootori Private Police Force, and sometimes the Japanese Government.

Once the briefing ends, everyone is dismissed and are sent to their posts. Since the Host Club isn't open yet in the early mornings (and there have been exemptions), I usually talk to Yuzuru to discuss the major points of the briefing. Usually he gives me something to look at either in the time I have today or at tomorrow's briefing. Now usually I don't get to talk to Yoshio all that often, but sometimes he will find me throughout the day with news, documents, or thanks.

By then, I'd come back to the OHSSS command post located in the southwest corner of the campus to take a breather or grab something to eat.

Once the Host Club opens or the Host Club has gathered, I immedately head over to the Third Music Room to observe and protect. I get questions of "Are you part of the Host Club?" from the patrons that visit the Host Club. For the most part, I've said "No, I'm just observing here." But a couple of times I've said yes, and I've had a couple of girls latch on to me for a minute or two with a quick glance of "I want to designate you! But you're not part of the Host Club." Kyoya has thought of putting me as an Honary Host so that I can easily blend in, but he hasn't come up with a set plan.

Unless there is a event going on at night, I'm back in the OHSSS command post with the Deputy Director, Chief of Intelligence, and a couple of key members for a evening debrief. Then it's off to home as the graveyard crew comes into the command post.

And that's about it...

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Creation of the OHSSS

I've decided to really make my own character, and I might stick to it (depending if I'm allowed to carry my airsoft pistols with me, then I just have to be a random Ouran student).

My chararacter is the Director of the Ouran High School Secret Service, or OHSSS for short. Throughout the years of Ouran High School, concerns over security was a high priority especially with the fact that many of the students that were attending were future heirs to various families. So when events like Columbine and VT occur, Yoshio Ootori (the head of the Ootori Private Police Force) and Yuzuru Suou (the superintendent of OHS) get together and look over the emergency plans. After seeing how long it would take the Ootori Private Police Force to respond, about 10 minutes, they came to the conclusion that the response time was inacceptable despite the fact 10 minutes is the best the police force can do - in that short amount of time, the gunman can inflict major damage to people and/or property before the authorties arrive and have a chance to respond. They decided to form a 40-man Secret Service dedicated to protecting the students at Ouran High School, and they would be the first to respond in a critical situation such as a gunman on campus. They took the model of the US Secret Service, but took it one step futher and decided that the special agents would wear the standard uniform in order to blend in and not stand-out instead of the black suits of the US Secret Service.

That's where I come in. I was the first person hired and I was named Director of the newly-created OHSSS. My duty is to oversee the operations of the OHSSS and to make sure that the students, faculty, and administration of this school are protected by the OHSSS (and the Ootori Pirvate Police Force, in conjuction with our work). Also, the two had a very special request: in addition of being Director, I would also watch over their two sons - Tamaki and Kyoya. That meant the majority of time I would be inside the Third Music Room basically protecting them - and the Host Club.

The standard sidearm of the OHSSS is the H&K USP chambered for the 40. S&W round. The OHSSS is also trained in using the H&K MP5 (the MP5SD6 and the MP5KA4 are used), FN P90, H&K G36, SIG 552, Remington 870 shotgun, Franchi SPAS-12, and the H&K PSG-1, but those weapons are stored in the basement of OHS & at the command post of the OHSSS and are used in extreme situations. (A special note: the Director carries around two H&K USP pistols, while everyone else carries one.)

Monday, June 11, 2007

Sac-Anime Wiki

So, yesterday at the con I was throwing around the idea of starting a wiki page for the Sac-Anime show.

I just finished creating the "template" for the Sac-Anime wiki. I'm hoping that everyone that knows Sac-Anime will jump in and help me develop this page. Sac-Anime has been taking steps to grow more and more, and I feel that this is the next step.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Sac-Con, June 2007

I just got back from eating dinner over at Arigato Sushi off of Howe Ave. I must say, they have some tasty sushi rolls for 50% off, and it was a well-deserved meal after my hard work at Sac-Con today. It all started when I woke up and got there about 8:30ish and was briefed about the new rules which included new peacebonding guidelines. Apparently, the new peacebonding rules (and all the other new rules) for today's con will apply to Sac-Anime in July, as well as other processes in preperation and to get a glimpse into how the July show will be run. For the most part, I did peacebonding (many of the staffers call me the master of peacebonding) and I did more than I had done back in the January show (which was the first time I did peacebonding).

Either than that, I just hanged around and talked and had some fun! I took part in the cosplay contest just to tell a short story and get a few poses in. I also got a few poses in with other photographers so I will be posting those whenever they come out. I had a different element with me, as now I had my twin USP pistols, posing as the head of the Ouran High School Undercover Security Force. More details about my character will be upcoming for Sac-Anime. Some people told me that I could be Mori, but Mori is tall and I'm still short...but they say I do have the looks, so I'll look into that.

Here is my (short) haul from this con:

- Shippo plushie ($7.50)
- Bun-bun plushie ($5)
- Shaq bobblehead doll (from his Laker Days) ($1)
- Gundam Seed model kit ($10)
- Naruto knives ($4)

I still have about half my money that I took out this morning (that also included an Arby's lunch and the dinner over at Arigato Sushi). That's good for me.

My countdown timer to Sac-Anime says 32 days, and I can't freakin wait!!!

Friday, June 8, 2007

Crispin mother**bleep**in' Freeman

Oh yeah, I forgot - Crispin Freeman (VA for Holland in Eureka seveN, Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Tsume from Wolf's Rain, and a whole lot of other roles) is coming to Sac-Anime in July. Crispin motherfuckin' Freeman! Spike Spencer is also back (he showed up at the Sac-Anime winter show this year) and he was a blast. He actually signed the case art for Disc 1 of the Evangelion Platinum Thin-Pak set; he drew a face on Shinji and signed my name. But what I really wanted him to yell into my cellphone ala Shinji and make it my ringtone. But two things - one, he didn't; and two, I got a new cellphone.

The people over in the Adult Swim message boards want me to stalk Mr. Freeman and take as many pictures as possible, and I might...for a price. :)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Speaking of that farewell...

Yeah, look what I found...thank god for YouTube



...but what I did haunted me for awhile. I had bought a card for Francine to give her after the cosplay show. But throughout that day, I had plans to say that my card also included a flight to Japan. It would serve as a joke since me and Francine are really close as friends/partners. But when I said it, I got such a negative vibe that I felt really bad until the March show. By then, I had decided that I would have to get her something. So I dug through the archives, got two photos from Sac-Anime in the winter of 2006 (when she was cosplaying as Robin from Witch Hunter Robin, and we had all stormed the stage to get a hold of the mic), printed those, signed them, framed them, and gave them to Francine. After I had gave her that gift, I felt so relieved. I do see her around though, but instead of cosplaying she's doing something for a website as part of her job (I remember her telling me that, but that was back in March).

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Time to display that FanimeCon katana!

The wall mount sword stand (yes, that's what it says on the receipt) that I bought the day after I got back from Fanime finally came in today. To be honest, I got kind of scared when the package came in, and it was really small. I found out that I had to assemble it, and it didn't take me long to do so. Now my FanimeCon katana hangs proudly up in my room, hanging next to the Bleach wallscroll and MOHS promo poster (both I also got from Fanime). I ordered one that could hold 3 katanas/swords since I had another one that I wasn't displaying. All I need now is one more, and I'm good to go. Maybe I'll get myself a reverse-blade sword...

Monday, June 4, 2007

Domain Change

Since I decided that I will attend more FanimeCons in the future, I've decided to get rid of the old domain for this blog and obtain a new one so that I can keep using this for years to come.

The new domain is http://fanimecon.blogspot.com

I also started a parallel blog, but this one covers the conventions that both happen in Sacramento - Sac-Con and Sac-Anime. Since these two are coming up (and, well Fanime 355 days away...), I will be blogging there for those conventions.

Ah, the memories...

This was back at Sac-Anime in 2005 when it was at the Sunrise Mall (and the only time it would be at the Sunrise Mall). I had come on my own using the Nissan Stanza I used to have (now I have a 98 Eclipse that I have to drive around in) to my first Sac-Anime convention. (Remember, I was only introduced to these Sacramento Conventions a few months back.) All I have from that convention are memories, pictures that are still on the hard drive of the desktop computer in my house, and these two videos that I took...





Yes, that is the famed "Coconut Song," and yes I did record that.

I also do remember meeting Bart Boy there for the first time. I sat front and center during the Cosplay Contest, and I sat next to him. I remember him going far into the mall just to get batteries when he could of gone somewhere close. I also have fond memories of seeing my grandma there (who was shocked to see me there) and the fact I didn't stand in line at Sbarro when everyone else was standing in line at Taco Bell next door.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

The Beginning Of This Blog

With Sac-Con coming up next week, I decided to make a different blog for all the Sacramento Conventions that I attend - that would both include Sac-Anime and Sac-Con.

On the horizon is Sac-Anime in July, and this year the summer show will be at the Red Lion Inn Hotel - it's next door to Arden Fair Mall and about a 10 minute drive from downtown Sacramento. (I've only attended two other Sac-Anime summer shows - one was in 2005 over at the Sunrise Mall, and 2006 was back at the Scottish Rite Center.) I haven't made my hotel reservations yet, but I will before the June 15th cut-off date to be "VIP."

The funny thing is that it's only been about 2 years since I started attending both Sac-Con and Sac-Anime. The first one that I attended was Sac-Con in the spring of 2005 - back when I was a junior in high school. I went with a group that I knew out of high school, and we didn't stay the whole entire time because we got bored pretty quickly. But before that, the only other convention I had attended was Anime Expo back in 2002.

Both these conventions have been nice to me, and ever since then I've been enclosed in the close-knitted family that has formed. This is where I met BSahpire and Francine, two people that showed me the ropes of being part of a convention. Over time, I got to know them, and they helped me out in return. Since the spring of '05, I've never missed one convention in Sacramento (I think). It was sad though when Francine retired at Sac-Anime in January of this year, but I still consider her as part of this family that has grown to me.

And I thought the Gay Bar skit was off the hook...

Check this out...this is from A-Kon down in Dallas, Texas (and again, another special thanks to ACP for getting this out pretty quick)...

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Fanime aftermath, about a week later

Well, it's been a week since Fanime has passed over us (well, not really). The days after Fanime, life became normal again - doing stuff my parents asked me to do, going to work, planning for Sac-Anime in July. But one difference is my room. I took down all the bootleg wallscrolls in favor of a new, legit Bleach wallpaper, a Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya promo poster (and a $25 poster frame from Arron Brothers), and my sword wall mount that is supposed to be comming in Tuesday. Right when I got home Monday, I ordered one online, but after finding out I had another one that I bought awhile back, I canceled the order in favor of a 3-rack mount. Now, all I need to do is buy me one more katana to complete the collection...maybe a reverse-blade sword.

I also found myself (as mentioned before) scanning YouTube for Fanime videos. I've found a few that contain me, yet I'm still looking for one of my karaoke contest performance. A special thanks goes out to American Cosplay Paradise for getting all the Cosplay Masquerade skits online and very quickly - about 24 hours after the event. I've also been a frequent visitor to the Fanime Forums, posting about how much of a good time I had, and what I plan to do next year.

As I also mentioned before, I do plan to volunteer next year at Fanime. I said staff first, but someone close to me told me not to. But hey, I got the rest of the year to ponder on this.

I'm not considering this blog closed just yet, because you have to remember (like I also mentioned), it's only been a week since Fanime ended. Everyone is still getting all their pics, vids, and reports up (my photo-shoot just appeared on Darkain.com today, I think). It probably won't be for awhile before this blog will be closed. As for Fanime '08 blog, like I said, I got the rest of this year to ponder this.

Now, if you would excuse me, I'm going back to the Forums...

Darkain.com photo-shoot up

http://gallery.darkain.com/v/conventions/Fanime2007/HostClub/

It's up under the Fanime 2007 Gallery.

I think it was worth $20. And to think, it was only two years ago that one of my goals was to get into cosplaying as a side hobby...looks like that has been achieved with flying colors.

Hey, I found myself in a Fanime YouTube video!



About 56 seconds in, you see someone in a blue jacket carrying a bunch of stuff, then right at the 59 second mark you see someone walk past the camera...that was me. Now I'm assuming that this was after I had done the karaoke contest, ate with Shiro at the Maid Cafe, and I had picked up everything (which was a Saturday) because the person who took the video was walking East from the Hilton side to the Marriot side, and I was going to the Hilton side from the Dealers Room so that I can go across the street to the hotel I was staying at, the Crowne Plaza.

...YAY!!!

On a somewhat related topic, I'm finding myself looking on YouTube every day for new Fanime videos...hey, it takes awhile for everyone to get everything (reports, pics, vids) up. You have to remember, this con happened a week ago.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

New photo-shoot





A link to the full photo-shoot can be found here. Special thanks IamTetsuo for taking these wonderful picutres! I hope to see him for more photo-shoots in the future!

FanimeCon 2007 Report Part 2

Sunday came out the same way as Saturday - a trip to Starbucks over at the Hilton. Yes, I was willing to shell out a bit more at the Hilton Starbucks than at any other Starbucks, but hey it's Starbucks. And Starbucks has the best coffee cake in my book. In fact, I bought coffee cake in both my visits.

Around 12 I went to the Bleach gathering. There I talked to BSaphire more, and she asked me to do a few things for her, which I did. I also attended The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya gathering, and I had a blast watching all the Kyons getting abused...like the anime.

Finally, I've reached the 2PM Darkain.com photo-shoot. I pay the man my $20, and we walk around the area a bit. If you've seen the photos, you can gain a sense of where I walked with him. The funny thing was that I was taking him places that he wasn't familiar of - like across the street. I ended up back in the Marriott where I grabbed a bite to eat before going up to the Charity Auction. I was able to obtain a few items, although I did let that hand-forged FanimeCon katana signed by all the guests slip out of my hands - if I could afford $200+. Then I went to the 4PM 2nd Ouran gathering, and took a few pictures with the group, and went up to the hotel to head out to the Cosplay Masquerade. The cool thing about this year's Masquerade was it was at the CPA (Center for Performing Arts) and both the con and the CPA were across the street from the Crowne Plaza.

My bro Shiro comes along with me and stands in line with me. What's funny though was that I took all that effort to jaywalk across Almaden Blvd to find out there was a line. We get in about 6, but Shiro tells me he has to bail before his mom picks him back up in the hotel. I stay the whole entire time until right after the opera lady performed (I was the one who started both standing appaluses because he was freakin' awesome), then bail out to find something to eat. After eating at Original Joes, I went back to the con and went to Yaoi Let's Make A Deal. By then, all my cash was gone and I wasn't willing to pay a 1.50+ surcharge, but this couple was kind enough to buy two tickets for me, although none of us won.

Later that night, I finally sat in the viewing room for anime for at least one episode for the first time at the con. Ironically, it was Ouran High School Host Club. After that, and doing a few other things, it was time to sleep one last time before heading home. Back at the hotel, I found out me and Demitri had switched rooms, so it was all good.



Monday. After packing up, I went back to the Dealers Room to find last-minute items to buy with a check card. Luckly, I got the Black Lagoon box set for cheap, and that was the last time I bought. I was cursing at myself when the dealers told me "30 dollar purchase" and I was like "F that!"

Our car took off early, while the rest went back to the Dealers Room like what I did earlier in the morning. We arrived in Sacramento around 12:3oish, 4 days and 1 hour after I had left from the same exact location to Fanime.


That's my FanimeCon 2007 report. It was an honor in attenting Fanime, meeting all the wonderful staff, meeting new friends, and giving me an experience that I do not want to forget.

As for FanimeCon 2008, I plan to staff there. But everything else is still up in the air. Come back to me early in 2008 and I might give you a couple of answers.

(Note: I am missing a ton of details that I have not come back to me, so when they come to me I will add them in the appropiate spot.)

FanimeCon 2007 Report Part 1

Here we go...the full FanimeCon 2007 Report, broken into two parts. Part 1 is now, Part 2 will be sometime today.

It all starts out when I arrived in San Jose about 1:30ish. That took us enough time to actually walk to the convention center, get all our badges, and walk around before checking in. When we got to the covention center, it was already 2 and I was able to catch the first Ouran High School Host Club gathering. But I wasn't in my Ouran uniform. I said hi to Imari-chan and told her that I would be in the Sunday gathering. We got our badges, and we were told to meet back at the hotel by 3. So I went into the Dealers Room to check in and see if my FanimeCon katana was in. It was, and I told them to hold it until Monday. Anyways, after we got situated, I decided to change into my cosplay, and went back to the con in my cosplay uniform. I actually do remember someone asking me to pose so that they could take their picture.

We attended Opening Ceremonies, and I was impressed with the line-up of guests that were on hand. One of them was Hiroyuki Yamaga, the president of Gainax (you know...the company that created such hits as Evangelion and FLCL). Anyways, we were the first ones in and we got the chance to sit 2nd row - the only people that were in front of us were the guests themselves. I was sitting near and behind the freakin' president of Gainax. After Opening Ceremonies were over, I was able to shake the hand of Hiroyuki Yamaga and told him how much of an Eva fan I was (and Evangelion is #1 in my Top 10 anime). So far, that was the best, and probably will be, the best moment from Fanime 2007.

Later that night, I found myself scouting the area to find something to eat, just because Friday is the time when not everyone is there and not everyone is cosplaying 24/7. Eventually I found myself at Johnny Rockets and a nice dinner. I went back to the con to go participate in the FanimeCon Texas Hold'em Tournament. I got busted out by someone who I had going into the turn and catching a 3rd 8 on the turn, giving them trip 8s over my pair queens. I then went back up to the hotel room to change out. After that, it was off to the rave and the 18+ rooms. By then, BSaphire wanted me to help her out and keep the rave in check, so I helped out and was checking for badges. I also went into the Yuri and Hentai rooms that night, and I must say I had a wonderful experience with that. I got up into the room about 2 and crashed for the night.



Saturday. The morning started out with me, Ryann, and Michelle looking for a Denny's. Since there wasn't one, we ate at Starbucks. Then I had to head back and wait for my bro Shiro who was arriving that morning. I told him to get there early so that he can go through reg and go check-in for the karaoke contest. (I already checked in yesterday, but I still had the CD since DAYS wasn't on the karaoke list). But the reg line for Saturday was long as hell, and well...Shiro didn't make it in time to check-in for the karaoke contest. The people in the room felt bad for him, because well...it's the reg line. I was able to get the CD before the cut-off time. 1PM swings along, and I'm 4th up in the contest. I go out there, get loose, and just have a good time. After that, it was off to go get something to eat...at the Fanmaid Cafe with Shiro. We talked and had a good time. After getting an early meal in from McDonalds, I met up with a person I met up at the forums that was going to do a short photo-shoot. I didn't take too long, and I thanked him. I haven't seen the results yet, but I'm looking foward to.

Fast foward to 6PM. After waiting to see the results of the Prelims, I found myself out of contention; Ryann too as well. I was waiting for her so that I could tell her that we were going to the B&W Ball together. I did go, but only for the first hour. The best memory from that was that someone early on grabbed on my tie (like what Haruhi would do to Kyon...a lot), yanked me to the middle of the dance floor, and danced with me (which we did). Unforunately, I did leave early because...well space ran out quickly. It was a common issue with both the B&W Ball and the Rave that it was in a small space. I went back to my room to save before heading back down here for the night. I found myself at the Texas Hold'em Tournament, but I was there longer. I managed to salvage a 4th place finish, but I still think about that final hand when I went all-in with pocket 3s, only to get called with someone who held pocket jacks. Oh well, at least I got Ryann a Gaia Online tee because she said she didn't want to buy anything from the Gaia Online booth in the Dealers Room. I also went to the rave and more 18+ rooms. I found myself crashing early because tomorrow would be a big day for me.

Guess what I found!

**bleep**ing Google Earth lied to me.

I keep forgetting to post thist story.

Saturday morning, me, Michelle and Ryann (I think that was the two that went with me) go out to find a place to eat in the morning. Google Earth told me that there is a Denny's on the corner of S 1st Street and E San Salavador St.

Actually, there isn't. It took me asking someone at the Ramada Inn to figure out that the nearest Denny's is in driving distance, not walking distance. So we ended up going back to San Carlos St and headed to Starbucks inside the Hilton.

**bleeping** Google Earth lied to me.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

More pictures



More highlights of the Masquerade



Fuck yeah, let's all go to Candy Mountain!



Another epic win.



Final Fantasy group therapy...yeah, that'll work...



And finally, bringing some SoCal flavor to the Yay Area...

Monday, May 28, 2007

First pictures up.



























































These are the photos from the Darkain.com photo-shoot that I did Sunday. I am very pleased with the results. I hope to make more of these in future conventions, specially at Fanime 2008. I haven't committed to it yet though. I'm going to let the rest of the year ride out, and I'll see where I end up this time next year, or near it.

Also, Ouran gathering pic...