Anime Fest 2009

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Anime Fest 2009

Nothing beats that first shower after a con. So I sit here with a turban toweled head to write my con report for Afest 2009, while Leo has claimed my laptop bag to sit on, Jake is laying on his back on the ground, and Riah is sitting beside me rubbing her face on the table lamp. Oh, yeah and I am listening to Eyeshine and drinking diet coke with Tarantula strawberry liqueur.

No matter how much I plan things out Sean is always there to screw them up and irk me the morning of the con. I got up at 430 to do the morning routine that way we could be out the door by 5 and at the airport at 530. That is never the case. I made it just intime to prove I can sprint when need be inorder to make the boarding time. We had a 30 minute wait in New Mexico on the way to Love Field.

That airport is TINY! First phone call was to mom telling her I landed and then to Sarah to get the address of the hotel since I was taking a cab there. Then I placed a call to Greg to see how he was doing and to say that the con just wouldn't be the same without him.
Once I got hotel I didn't know that those words I said to Greg earlier would be so true. The Convention Center was tiny. Only 2 floors were used for the convention. Programming was basically the same everyday. The only thing that changed was the content used by the VA's in each of the panels. I was really upset that my Blackberry failed in saving the rest of the "Tatum makes an ass out of himself" panel. Troy and Chuck were a no show. It was partially my fault. I gave them contraband.

There were very few really good cosplays and a lot of really bad ones. As in they make my soul cry bad ones. I tried taking as many pics as possible. I will also post what little I have of the Tatum panel.

As always the VA panels are full of win. the usual questions were asked and answered and there was a lot of story time. Lets just say I don't think Colleen Clinkenbeard will get too close to the pop net infront of the mic... ewww

Artist alley was really good! I picked up some art from Amelie and had a commission done. I really love her artwork. Sadly she hasn't updated her site in forever but it can be found at www.cordeval.com.

I also picked up a Fluer de lis ring to replace my claddagh ring that I lost and a knitted super fuzzy blue mario mushroom hat....(Leah Clark, Chuck, and Troy wanted to feel it XD)

Stody was with us as well taking pics and doing "Stody Vision" for the duration of the convention. Bunches of thanks to him for taping the Donut panel eventually a video will be posted.. lol

We had a sucessful Donut dinner with Pizza. Chuck was late....lol.. by an hour and a half. haa haa industry people held him hostage. That was ok. He did make it and it was a wonderful time getting to know some of the Donuts and a Donut mom!

Meanwhile we had Eyeshine playing right on the otherside. Chuck got us into the "Special" section were we danced like idiots and listened to awesome music by Johnny Bosch's amazing band. Go buy their Cd's its worth it. I got all 3 while I was there.

The only thing tha was bad about the concert was the attendees... It was as if it were the awkward middle school dances all over no.. no one was really moving. The music was great people! Get moving!! Not even my loud efforts got that crowd moving. T_T

After the concert I said a quick hello to Johnny. I was very surprised that he remembered me and was SO enthusiastic when he saw me. That was awesome. Really.. If you knew what happened at Sabo then you would understand. I was put at ease after our Conversation.

Oh yeah! We even had a chat with Mike McFarland who was in attendance. He hates yard work too! XD

The one thing that I was really happy to see was that there were 2 charms hanging off of Joshua's Camera. One I had given to Greg Ayre's and ended up on Joshua's camera at AX 08. The other I gave Joshua at Sakura Con 09. Tatum said he ws even surprised they were still there. It seems Joshua has a loosing/dropping things problem.. XD It was also very good to catch up with Tatum and Joshua again.

Ahhh... Troy Baker... this was my first time meeting Troy. I was very glad I had made the decision to draw Abel Nightroad in his Crusnic form. Turns out Abel is one of his favorite charcters.

I have 2 things I will always remember with Troy. I can only share one of them.

"OMG I wanted to dip a biscut in it!"

I gave Chuck a bottle of BarenJager. This is a Honey Liqueur. The taste is very close to KFC honey.

All of the Va's Signed my MSA bear and thought that what my parents did was an amazing thing to have that bear made for me out of my lost MSA uniform. I agree. No one can top that. NO ONE.

The Donut panel was a greast success as well. Chuck briefly touched on a super secret thing that is going to be happening here soon. Its going to be amazing and will change the Anime Industry as we see it now. I can't wait to be apart of this (Hopefully *Crosses fingers* Hint hint Chuck* I see many many many more happening with lots of entertaining times. We even gave away a signed DVD of Yu Yu Hakusho during the panel. Our next Donut Panel will be at Saboten Con in Mesa Arizona.

At one point I was alittle conned out and just wanted to chill for a while in the room. Sarah introduced me to Wallflower.... Its like crack on crack with a side of crack. We also watched an episode of Big wind up. Both are really good if you haven't seen them. Great cast on both. Todd Haberkorn plays a really great comic relief roll in big windup. Seriously, its hilarious.

Goodbyes were said and the taxi was called after it was all said and done. Even though it was a small con. Nothing to eat outside the con except pizza. It was still a lot of fun.

I am dead serious that the big secret is so super amazing. Be on the look out. It will change everything we know and love.. We will love it even more.