AnimeBoston 2011
Hahaha, look at all the work I'm getting done at...work XD my boss is on call, so I have nothing to do until he's done. Hence why I'm writing these suckers. Next in line is AnimeBoston 2011, which, of course, is held in Boston~ It was in April, and was like a 16.5 hour drive, ugh. Anyways, onto the report!
PreCon/Thursday-
I wasn't overly happy with the costs of AA at AB, but I managed to purchase 4 feet of table (that's all I could afford) and actually get in. They sold their table space by 2 foot increments. We were informed that there was no separate place for AA to pick up their badges, however, if we went and found a staff member, and informed them that we were a member of AA, they let us bypass the line and get our badges so we actually had time to get to the AA and check-in/set-up before the convention has opened *gasp* I personally loved that though. I do prefer when conventions have a separate area for AA members, to make it easier, but at least AB made it easier on us to actually get the badges! I had put in for my two panels, and Urd-chan for her one, but originally we just only got hers. A couple weeks before the convention, my Anzai panel got in due to some cuts, and when asked if the other panel could be on the waitlist, should something be canceled, I okayed it. And, sure enough...a couple days before the convention, I got my other one, too, lol.
For the lovely long ass drive we had ahead of us, we started with three of us, picked up Peter in Cleveland, and then finally picked up Aero in Youngstown, to fill the car. The trip wasn't that bad though, and the tolls ended up being $60 less than we had expected, which was nice. We got lost as we entered Boston, but LadyRyuu came to our rescue and gave me the hotel's phone number so we got better directions, lol.
Friday-
Cosplay: Lily, AniMOVE (Vocaloid)
Photoshoot: Vocaloid
Events: Girugamesh autograph session
Concert: Girugamesh
First thing we did was stand in line at check-in. Got the room right away, and got everything out of the car and into it. Totally exhausted, I dragged myself down to the convention center to get everything taken care of. The walk from the hotel to the convention center was dreadful. The walkways were like they would never end, and then we had to cut through a mall, too! What the heck!? Once I got to the convention center though, it didn't take me long to get my badge. I checked myself into AA before running back up to the room to get changed into my cosplay and drag the rest of my stuff up into the room. When I was changed, I headed down with my alley stuff, the dreadful trip back. I was starting to set-up my table alone, while Urd-chan dealt with her badge issue, but Peter showed up and ended up helping me set up, thankfully. The girls at the other 2 feet of my table helped me put up the rack, too, so we had everything set up by the time Urd-chan successfully made it to the alley. We were still setting up as it opened, but within 10 mins after that, everything was taken care of. I snuck away for the Vocaloid photoshoot, but it was outdoors and I was freezing, so I didn't stay for much of it, lol.
Panda-chan stole me away in the afternoon to go wait in line for the Girugamesh autograph sessions. Go figure, we were within the first 30 people to go in, so once it opened, it didn't take long for us to go through. Panda-chan had decided she wanted to make a "stupid" sign for them, so I got coerced into making one with her. I honestly didn't know the band, save for a few songs I had looked up before the convention, but I wrote (in Japanese) "I want your pants" on a poster board, lol. We got THOSE signed, cause we are dorks. I made the mistake of replying to one of them when he commented on my poster, so they kept chatting with me down the line, and I spent a bit longer getting my autographs than I was supposed to, whoopsie XD (but course, I didn't wanna blow them off!). They were pretty friendly though, lol.
The last thing I did for the night, after AA closed, was to rush to the Girugamesh concert. I met Panda-chan there, and a bit later, Urd-chan met us there. We were pretty close to the front, though we were off to the left side. They had the concert up on the screens, too. The sound was horrible, but the band and the concert was freaking awesome! we ended up getting back later than planned cause they did a 5 song encore! But it was totally worth it. With their encore, they did the song Panda-chan was dying to hear "Break down." Sadly, they didn't play my fave, "Arrow." ;_; but with the concert done, I snuck to the merchandise table to grab a tshirt of theirs (which guarenteed a pic with them on Sunday <3), and finally headed off to bed.
Saturday-
Cosplay: Nami, Strong World casual (One Piece)
Photoshoot: One Piece
Karaoke Contest: Gin no Hashi (Sousei no Aquarion)
Panels: It's A Rumic World (Urd-chan's); Anzai Nobuyuki
Concert: Stereopony
We started off the morning early, like usual, and headed down to AA to open up my table. I got Peter to cover my table during the photoshoot, so I went to meet Panda-chan at the meeting spot when it was time for it (she borrowed Komi's Luffy for the shoot). Urd-chan met us at the shoot, but man, was that disorganized! We met in the food court right outside the convention center, took me forever to get out. Then, we turned around and went back in, taking us a long tedious time to traverse the convention center to the crowded spot we finally ended up at for the shoot. Urd-chan had even more trouble getting to us (her panel was back-to-back with it), so I missed the first group shot (in regards to pictures) and I was taking the photos until she showed up, just in time for all the Namis. At least that part of the shoot was more organized, lol. We ended up leaving after like 40 mins of it, so that I could get back to my table. But we stayed for a lot of pictures before then, and got stopped for some on our way back. I spent all day in the alley until it was time for my panel, aside from the brief time I had to escape for the karaoke contest. I left Urd-chan in charge of it as Aero and I headed off to the Anzai Panel~ The panel went pretty much as it always does, with a few more people who showed up, lol. We had more of a turn out than I had expected though, reaching almost 20 people O.O it was nice though, and we chatted the whole time about Anzai-sensei (course). After that, it was about time to head back and close up my AA table so we could head to Stereopony concert. There was a pretty long line for the concert, but it moved really quick, and our seats weren't terrible. Panda-chan met us inside, and we were able to hold a spot for her. The concert itself was so-so, and couldn't even hope to compare to Girugamesh's, lol. There were no encores even, and we headed off to bed right after it.
Sunday-
Cosplay: Luka (UraBoku)
Panels: Cosplay on a Shoestring
Event: Photo with Girugamesh
Like usual, started off the day heading down to AA, bright and early. My panel was pretty early in the morning, too, so I headed off to do that. The turn around wasn't bad, all things considered, and I spent the entire time solo, fielding questions and explaining easy and simple ways to make cosplay. I think I'm starting to get used to this panel now, lol. After that, I headed back to AA to meet with Panda-chan for Girugamesh's photo session, since we both had bought shirts, lol. So, we headed down to the Dealer's room about an hour or so early, and sure enough, there was already a line. Fortunately, we weren't too far back, and like 15 minutes after we arrived, the line behind us got ridiculously long. Once it was time, the line moved pretty fast, and we both got our pictures with the band, using my camera. We were told initially that we would have to have a friend take the photo, but in the end, they had a staff member on hand to take the photos for us. It was fun and it was nice to see the band again. After the session, I decided to spend like half an hour wandering the dealer's room, but there wasn't much that caught my attention, so I broke away and went back to spend the rest of the day in AA. I had a basket of easter eggs, since it was Easter, and I passed them out to random people. They were full of a lot of random crap, but there were some strict rules about what we could pass out, so I ended up with firemen and rings. Right before we were gonna head out, Panda-chan joined me for a quick photoshoot of just the two of us, before I went and changed. While I was changing for the trip home, my group packed up my table with me, so we were all ready to go home. The trip home is long and goofy, and boy was it nice to finally get home and sleep.
Well, overall, I loved the guests the con got, and it was a fun con, though the venue itself left much to be offered. It was widespread, and there was like only one way in and out that was small and always congested. The costs were ridiculously high for everything (parking was freaking $100!!! for the weekend, uuugh), even moreso than Baltimore (which I thought was bad).
My final score for the con is 5/10. I probably won't be going back because of the cost, though if they get a super awesome music guest, I may have to try :D
Pictures have been up on DSOD for a while now, lol.
PreCon/Thursday-
I wasn't overly happy with the costs of AA at AB, but I managed to purchase 4 feet of table (that's all I could afford) and actually get in. They sold their table space by 2 foot increments. We were informed that there was no separate place for AA to pick up their badges, however, if we went and found a staff member, and informed them that we were a member of AA, they let us bypass the line and get our badges so we actually had time to get to the AA and check-in/set-up before the convention has opened *gasp* I personally loved that though. I do prefer when conventions have a separate area for AA members, to make it easier, but at least AB made it easier on us to actually get the badges! I had put in for my two panels, and Urd-chan for her one, but originally we just only got hers. A couple weeks before the convention, my Anzai panel got in due to some cuts, and when asked if the other panel could be on the waitlist, should something be canceled, I okayed it. And, sure enough...a couple days before the convention, I got my other one, too, lol.
For the lovely long ass drive we had ahead of us, we started with three of us, picked up Peter in Cleveland, and then finally picked up Aero in Youngstown, to fill the car. The trip wasn't that bad though, and the tolls ended up being $60 less than we had expected, which was nice. We got lost as we entered Boston, but LadyRyuu came to our rescue and gave me the hotel's phone number so we got better directions, lol.
Friday-
Cosplay: Lily, AniMOVE (Vocaloid)
Photoshoot: Vocaloid
Events: Girugamesh autograph session
Concert: Girugamesh
First thing we did was stand in line at check-in. Got the room right away, and got everything out of the car and into it. Totally exhausted, I dragged myself down to the convention center to get everything taken care of. The walk from the hotel to the convention center was dreadful. The walkways were like they would never end, and then we had to cut through a mall, too! What the heck!? Once I got to the convention center though, it didn't take me long to get my badge. I checked myself into AA before running back up to the room to get changed into my cosplay and drag the rest of my stuff up into the room. When I was changed, I headed down with my alley stuff, the dreadful trip back. I was starting to set-up my table alone, while Urd-chan dealt with her badge issue, but Peter showed up and ended up helping me set up, thankfully. The girls at the other 2 feet of my table helped me put up the rack, too, so we had everything set up by the time Urd-chan successfully made it to the alley. We were still setting up as it opened, but within 10 mins after that, everything was taken care of. I snuck away for the Vocaloid photoshoot, but it was outdoors and I was freezing, so I didn't stay for much of it, lol.
Panda-chan stole me away in the afternoon to go wait in line for the Girugamesh autograph sessions. Go figure, we were within the first 30 people to go in, so once it opened, it didn't take long for us to go through. Panda-chan had decided she wanted to make a "stupid" sign for them, so I got coerced into making one with her. I honestly didn't know the band, save for a few songs I had looked up before the convention, but I wrote (in Japanese) "I want your pants" on a poster board, lol. We got THOSE signed, cause we are dorks. I made the mistake of replying to one of them when he commented on my poster, so they kept chatting with me down the line, and I spent a bit longer getting my autographs than I was supposed to, whoopsie XD (but course, I didn't wanna blow them off!). They were pretty friendly though, lol.
The last thing I did for the night, after AA closed, was to rush to the Girugamesh concert. I met Panda-chan there, and a bit later, Urd-chan met us there. We were pretty close to the front, though we were off to the left side. They had the concert up on the screens, too. The sound was horrible, but the band and the concert was freaking awesome! we ended up getting back later than planned cause they did a 5 song encore! But it was totally worth it. With their encore, they did the song Panda-chan was dying to hear "Break down." Sadly, they didn't play my fave, "Arrow." ;_; but with the concert done, I snuck to the merchandise table to grab a tshirt of theirs (which guarenteed a pic with them on Sunday <3), and finally headed off to bed.
Saturday-
Cosplay: Nami, Strong World casual (One Piece)
Photoshoot: One Piece
Karaoke Contest: Gin no Hashi (Sousei no Aquarion)
Panels: It's A Rumic World (Urd-chan's); Anzai Nobuyuki
Concert: Stereopony
We started off the morning early, like usual, and headed down to AA to open up my table. I got Peter to cover my table during the photoshoot, so I went to meet Panda-chan at the meeting spot when it was time for it (she borrowed Komi's Luffy for the shoot). Urd-chan met us at the shoot, but man, was that disorganized! We met in the food court right outside the convention center, took me forever to get out. Then, we turned around and went back in, taking us a long tedious time to traverse the convention center to the crowded spot we finally ended up at for the shoot. Urd-chan had even more trouble getting to us (her panel was back-to-back with it), so I missed the first group shot (in regards to pictures) and I was taking the photos until she showed up, just in time for all the Namis. At least that part of the shoot was more organized, lol. We ended up leaving after like 40 mins of it, so that I could get back to my table. But we stayed for a lot of pictures before then, and got stopped for some on our way back. I spent all day in the alley until it was time for my panel, aside from the brief time I had to escape for the karaoke contest. I left Urd-chan in charge of it as Aero and I headed off to the Anzai Panel~ The panel went pretty much as it always does, with a few more people who showed up, lol. We had more of a turn out than I had expected though, reaching almost 20 people O.O it was nice though, and we chatted the whole time about Anzai-sensei (course). After that, it was about time to head back and close up my AA table so we could head to Stereopony concert. There was a pretty long line for the concert, but it moved really quick, and our seats weren't terrible. Panda-chan met us inside, and we were able to hold a spot for her. The concert itself was so-so, and couldn't even hope to compare to Girugamesh's, lol. There were no encores even, and we headed off to bed right after it.
Sunday-
Cosplay: Luka (UraBoku)
Panels: Cosplay on a Shoestring
Event: Photo with Girugamesh
Like usual, started off the day heading down to AA, bright and early. My panel was pretty early in the morning, too, so I headed off to do that. The turn around wasn't bad, all things considered, and I spent the entire time solo, fielding questions and explaining easy and simple ways to make cosplay. I think I'm starting to get used to this panel now, lol. After that, I headed back to AA to meet with Panda-chan for Girugamesh's photo session, since we both had bought shirts, lol. So, we headed down to the Dealer's room about an hour or so early, and sure enough, there was already a line. Fortunately, we weren't too far back, and like 15 minutes after we arrived, the line behind us got ridiculously long. Once it was time, the line moved pretty fast, and we both got our pictures with the band, using my camera. We were told initially that we would have to have a friend take the photo, but in the end, they had a staff member on hand to take the photos for us. It was fun and it was nice to see the band again. After the session, I decided to spend like half an hour wandering the dealer's room, but there wasn't much that caught my attention, so I broke away and went back to spend the rest of the day in AA. I had a basket of easter eggs, since it was Easter, and I passed them out to random people. They were full of a lot of random crap, but there were some strict rules about what we could pass out, so I ended up with firemen and rings. Right before we were gonna head out, Panda-chan joined me for a quick photoshoot of just the two of us, before I went and changed. While I was changing for the trip home, my group packed up my table with me, so we were all ready to go home. The trip home is long and goofy, and boy was it nice to finally get home and sleep.
Well, overall, I loved the guests the con got, and it was a fun con, though the venue itself left much to be offered. It was widespread, and there was like only one way in and out that was small and always congested. The costs were ridiculously high for everything (parking was freaking $100!!! for the weekend, uuugh), even moreso than Baltimore (which I thought was bad).
My final score for the con is 5/10. I probably won't be going back because of the cost, though if they get a super awesome music guest, I may have to try :D
Pictures have been up on DSOD for a while now, lol.