My take on AX 2005
by V.E. on July 14th, 2005
filed under anime/manga, ladyamedeus, thoughts
Okay, so I figured I should give you all my take on Anime Expo this year before it gets so far away that I don’t remember what happened at all! DISCLAIMER: If I offend you, I’m sorry in advance. All animes mentioned in this report are copyright their respective owners. Also, for the record, the “group” was as follows: Bobby and I (henceforth: “us/we/etc”) were together most of the weekend; Bunny and Angela were together most of the weekend, but NOT with us; John was with us for some of the time, but also went off alone for some of it. THERFORE, I only know what we did, not what the rest of the group did. For their stories, ask them. (Bobby’s AX post link is in a previous post of mine).
My brother didn’t get out of school until 12:45 so we didn’t even leave until like 1:30, but it ended up being okay since we couldn’t check into the hotel until 3:00 anyway. The hotel room was a GODSEND from previous years, since it meant we all had a convening place and if someone didn’t want to go to something, they didn’t have to (coughJohncough). We were in Days Inn (room 326) on Harbor Blvd. Somehow, it’s where all the Robotech people were also staying, so there was a lot of Robotech-ness going on. We took a TON of food and drinks, but also ate out a bit on Bobby’s ticket (dankeschon, Bobby).
I MISSED the yaoi/yuri panel this year for the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW (I wasn’t old enough before that)! I am SO angry about that; and I’m DEFINITELY going next year… NO ONE will be able to keep me away from that panel, not even TERRORISTS. We also missed opening ceremonies, but I swear we’ll get to those eventually! We picked up our badges and then headed over to the Exhibit Hall were we checked out the booths and I picked up the first season of Shojo Kakumei Utena and the Utena movie. Bobby got Transformers (WTF?) and I also got a Fullmetal Alchemist mug with the Flame Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist (that is: Roy Mustang and Edward Elric, respectively) on it and two official AX shirts (one from last year and one for this year). There was also a Summer Festival, which was okay, but not as good as last year’s (when it was actually outside).
Bunny and Angela went to the Anime Music Video (AMV) contest and enjoyed it. I still haven’t seen any of them, but I tend to enjoy the ones in the drama category most, so we’ll see. John went to watch some stuff in the video rooms and Bobby and I went to the Anime Club Summit that evening, which was boring-ish but that was okay cause we got free stuff at the end. Then John and Bobby and I went to Denny’s (open 24 hours, thank GOD) and Bunny and Angela met up with us there and we ate real FOOD and then went to the room to sleep (YAY). Bunny decided to take a shower AFTER all of us had started sleeping and Bobby was like “OMG WTF!” and I was like “Look, it’s Bunny. I can’t do anything about this!” although I must admit I was irritated as well.
In previous years, Saturday has been the biggest day for everyone, and I don’t think this was an exception. We got up early-ish and went to see “Mars Daybreak” eps. 1-2 in the video rooms. Looks promising, although one HUGE flaw is that in the series, Mars (yes, I mean the planet) has LOTS of water, which everyone knows is total BS here in reality. Extension of disbelief, I guess, right? Afterwards, Bobby and I went to the Kimono Demostration which was AWESOME. It’s sad that we’ve been tying OUR kimonos horribly wrong all this time, but at least now we know. Also, I am SO glad that I have a man’s kimono because I, from this day forward, absolutely REFUSE to EVER wear a woman’s kimono. It took freaking FORTY-FIVE minutes to put on, and that was with TWO other women helping. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get one of those things on by yourself, and the dresser even SAID that herself. Let me put it this way: those HUGE bow things in the back of a woman’s kimono? — they are NOT clip on. AND, to top it all off, kimonos don’t have zippers, buttons, or anything of the like, so it’s all tied TIGHT with ribbons and strings. I’m surprised that poor girl they were demonstrating on could breathe by the end.
Following the kimono demo, we went to the Exhibit Hall again and picked up some more stuff (YAY for anime). I wanted to go to “Piano”, “Fafner”, “Gunslinger Girl”, and “DEARS” in the video rooms but ended up being exhausted and going for Subway sandwiches and then back to the room to sleep for a while. Then we went swmming in the hotel pool with John and hung out and then went back to the video rooms for more anime goodness!
Sunday was odd cause this year it was the third day, and in previous years has been the final day of AX. I kept thinking that we’d have to go home around 4 but then we didn’t (which was fine with me!). Got up later than we did on Saturday and went with John and Angela to “Stellvia”, which seems to be like Ender’s Game but anime-ized and with a female lead character. Then watched “Fafner” and “Spiral” and then went back to the room with John (Bobby went back to the Exhibit Hall by himself; if he hadn’t, I’d've been like “I’m going to strangle you if I don’t get some time to myself!” but he did, so it was okay).
Went swimming that afternoon and then to the Manga Library to read some DEARS since I’d missed the showing of it on Saturday. the Manga Library is SUCH and AWESOME idea, and I hope they keep it on and grow it so that I can read some stuff so I know whether I want to buy it or not. Back to the video rooms for “Someday’s Dreamers” and “Petit Cossette”. Also stayed for a couple of episodes of “Gantz” and then went with Bobby and John to Baker’s Square for real food. Stuff I wanted to go to on Sunday, but missed: Webcomics Dos and Don’ts panel, Sub vs. Dub panel, Mechanized Propulsion Systems (MPS) panel #1, Japanese Traditional Dance demonstration, Tea Ceremony demonstration, and the AX dance that night.
Last day of Expo! Got up and went to see “Photon” in the video rooms and was VERY relieved that it wasn’t something deep and touching and that it was just fun, cause after all the anime I’d seen previously, I didn’t WANT to watch something that made me think or that creeped me out. We went back to the Exhibit Hall for various things including Pocky for Rachel, an “I (heart) Yaoi” shirt for me, and tabby socks for Bobby and me. Bobby also got a sakabatou (reverse-blade sword) one of the days, but I forget which day. Amazingly, that was the ONLY sharp object that ANYone in the group got, although Angela did get an AWESOME yaoi paddle (that is, a paddle with the word “yaoi” written on both sides), which I am SO getting next year. After we said goodbye to the Exhibit Hall, we went to see “Appleseed” in the movie room. It was a nice one-shot and it was another relief not to have to know any background before watching it. Then, we played Mao (at John’s insistence, and Bobby refused to play) until my parents called to pick us up, after which we went back to Days Inn (where we’d stored our stuff and then checked out previously) to be picked up and go home (WAAAH!). Stuff I wanted to catch on Monday, but missed: Scavenger Hunt, Western Symbolism in Japanese Animation panel, Sushi demonstration, MPS panel #2, Whose Line is it Anime?, and closing ceremonies (!!).
For stuff on cosplaying, which I KNOW isn’t covered in my report, check my previous posts. My resolutions to do for next year: more panels and photo shoots, yaoi panel especially!, more time in Artist’s Alley, less sleeping and less time in the Exhibit Hall (although this year was better than last year).
PS: A report on my war with my computer is forthcoming!
TWO anime cons in one summer? It IS possible!
by V.E. on July 14th, 2005
filed under anime/manga, ladyamedeus
OMG Bunny, Bobby, John, and Angela: have you seen this?!?! Japanese ANIMEtion Convention, in late August, and NOT related to Anime Expo.
http://animetion.minus-world.net/
http://minus-world.net/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=74
Email godrifle@earthlink.net ASAP to sign up!! The cost is only $10-15. WAY smaller than AX, but still here in SoCal! OMG, we could totally get in on the ground floor of this thing! Email that good man NOW.
He needs 200 people by TOMORROW. I don’t know if that’s possible, but I know if we/you express interest, that will help. PLEASE do this for me! It’s more anime for EVERYONE!
Cross-posted to anime, animecon, animecons, and animeexpo.
This is frighteningly accurate.
by V.E. on July 14th, 2005
filed under ladyamedeus, quizzes/surveys
| Your Birthdate: June 3 |
|
Being born on the 3rd day of the month is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life.
The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, “couldn’t care less” attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. You are affectionate and loving, but sometimes too sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs. |
| Overall, Your Observation Skills Get: B |
 And it takes something big to distract you! |
Computer back up!
by V.E. on July 14th, 2005
filed under ladyamedeus, personal, work
Yay! After quite a while of downloading, installing, UNinstalling, restoring, and restarting… My compy is now back up and running! It took over 24 hours total, including 3 calls to tech support and multiple driver downloads, but now it’s virus-free and crap-free! Yay! I’m so happy. Now off to finish my play for tonight’s class.
PS: If you want the blow by blow of my war with my computer, drop me a line.
