Random Thoughts of an Otaku
Jul. 5th, 2008
09:43 am - Evening of Day 2 at Expo
I have forgotten to mention a few things from the last two days, so I am going to put them into this post. The big thing of last night is that I went to the Geneon Premiere panel. Nobody quite knew what was going to happen with that panel because of the current Geneon mess. That has moved towards resolution with Funimation being the distributor for Hellsing Ultimate. A couple of hundred people got to see Hellsing Ulitmate IV in English dub last night. I was one of the lucky people who got to see it and it rocks. For those who have read the manga and/or watched the original series, it is the epic battle with Rip Van Winkle. It was epic and very good. I can't wait to buy this disk later this year. I really enjoy the OVA series and this volume didn't disappoint.
I also was at the Anime Expo Forum Meet and Greet yesterday at the noontime hour. It was alot of fun and I now have an Anime Expo hat because of it. It is an AX 2007 hat, so people may think that I have been there before. There were games and a chance to meet people that I had only seen on the fourms. Also, I had the opportunity to sit down and have Lunch (well almost Breakfast because of what I chose) with the forumers, also. We took over the Denny's on 8th and Figueroa streets. I got to meet so many people that I have never gotten to see in person before.
There are two true strengths of this show: 1. That you don't have to run around like a madman to enjoy things and 2. the community of the forums is the strongest in fandom (outside of myspace and Livejournal). This is what makes fandom work and grow. Community is at the heart of a great fandom. Comic Books doesn't have that sense of community that Anime and Science Fiction does.
I do have one other thing I did on Thursday night and that was BBQ at Spring Street Smokehouse. I will talk more about that after I get the pictures developed. I will say one thing it is a true dive with great food.
I have a busy day with Shokotan's concert, trying to help the US economy and the Masquerade. I am going to do now instead of talking about con. One final thing, I want to wish a couple of days belated birthday to tkunsman who had his on 7/2.
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chipperJul. 4th, 2008
07:47 pm - Having a blast at Expo
I am just having a blast at Anime Expo over the last day plus. Over the last day plus, I have been to so alot of events and met so many new friends. This is what I was hoping for during SD Comic Con last year. I met Hazelchaz from Anime Los Angeles, hung out with the guests of honor of the con at Breakfast and other things. I have not spent a dime in the Exhibit Hall, but will tomorrow.
The Guests of Honor Breakfast has been the highlight of my fannish life. I know Science Fiction Cons have Meet the Guests reception where hundreds of people talk to the guests. The Meet the Guests Breakfast was different. It was only for 100 people in the VIP Lounge of the Nokia Theatre. People got a chance to spend 15 minutes with each guest of honor. I spent time with five of them including Masahiro Ando, Hiromi Kato and David Hayter. I got regailed with stories about life at Madhouse studios, living the life of a public blogger (Shoko Nakagawa's question) and how David Hayter got writing credits on the first X-Men movie. This only cost $20, so they weren't making money on it. They were making people's weekends with that sort of access.
Anime USA (part of our Sponsor membership) and Sakura Con ($50, I think) are notable exceptions to this rule of no Guest of Honor receptions. I applaud them for it. You don't get VIP access like this at many other media cons unless you are willing to spend $275 for these passes. If you ever go to Anime Expo, you should have breakfast with the Guests.
One other brief note, I will be on Anime USA staff for this year. I will explain more next week in a non-high staff capacity (no pre-con work), but am looking forward to trying something totally new. Have a great 4th of July and I hope your weekends are going well, also.
ecstaticJul. 1st, 2008
08:47 pm - Quick Goodbye before Expo
In literally 8 hours, I will be in a cab to BWI. That means I must make my goodbye very brief. I hope to have some more to say tomorrow afternoon post landing. See you on the other side of the trip, if I don't see you there.
Jun. 29th, 2008
02:48 pm - Things to watch out for at Anime Expo
Since I am not sure that I will be able to post much more before I get to LA, I am going to get you ready for Expo and I think the big stories for this year. There really isn't a big guest story at AX this year. This is in contrast to Otakon having Kappei Yamaguchi or Worldcon having Lois McMaster Bujold. There is no guest of honor that is impressing people this year. They do have Shoko Nakagawa (singer of the theme from Gurren Lagann) and Toshihiko Seki (Gundam wing's Duo Maxwell). This is what I think the stories of Expo this year (in order of importance):
1. How does the economy affect Anime Expo? Will it lead to a drop in attendance? The pre-registration numbers aren't public for a variety of reasons, so we won't know the full affect of this story until weeks after con. You will hear about by talking to people like Steve Lin of Anime Pavilion. The vendors drive this con's success because they come back to it through good and bad. Steve Lin makes most of his money from conventions. The dealers have been down about 20% since middle of last year. Does the stimulus checks help that or Is it going to young adults gas money? Gas is $4.50 to $4.75 in LA at this time and over $4.00 in all of California (approaching $5 in Kevin_Standlee's area).
2. How does the economy affect the industry? The industry is down 40% since 2005 according to ICV2's most recent report. How will that affect the titles licensed? I think we may have five to ten titles announced from all of the anime companies combined at AX. I would be surprised if ADV Films announces any new licenses. Manga Entertainment (licensor of Ghost in the Shell movie and series) is an online only company now and Geneon is totally dead it looks like. If the business of anime is dying, how much longer can the fandom keep going?
3. How does the new convention center help or hurt AX? AX had a rough year (by many people's accounts) last year at the LBCC. There is a significant undercurrent of people who want Anime Expo to fail this year due to it not being in Anaheim and in response to last year. It is also in Downtown LA, which has a unsafe stigma attached to it. It is unfair, but that has driven lots of post on AX's forums. Ax is providing shuttle service due to the mile's length between the con and the con's hotels.
There are also great benefits to the location. Nokia Theatre is the main events hall and has served as home to the American Idol Finals in it's first year. This will make Nokia Theatre probably the best venue for a Masquerade in any fandom. A strong Little Tokyo and Chinatown are there. Dodger Stadium and Hollywood are short transit rides away. It makes for a great vacation location. I can't wait for Expo even with all the stories. I think AX has an opportunity to broaden it's appeal. Take itself in a new direction like Otakon has a broad agenda. That will help Expo in the long run.
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contemplativeJun. 28th, 2008
11:18 am - Weight Watchers and getting ready for Expo
I went to Weight Watchers this morning for the first time in two weeks. My car was with mom at work last Saturday. I am very happy right now as I have now lost a total of 51 pounds at 318 pounds. I was thinking before the meeting that if I didn't make this lifestyle change I would be 400 plus. I started out at 369 pounds. I don't think in terms of healthy body weight. I have to think as 10% at a time. It is one way I keep the morale up on the way to a new me.
This weekend is about relaxing and getting ready for Expo. I have confirmations to print, contact information to get together, all those little things that make the trip worthwhile. I have a packet of critical information (Roommates cell numbers, Reservation number, Flight information, hotel number and other things) that I get ready for a longer convention (more than three days). I also give a page with hotel number and flight information to mom in case she needs to reach me.
There is also the packing and all those other things I need to do. It is going to be a busy weekend.
Jun. 21st, 2008
11:06 am - Aberdeen Ironbirds and vacation
Aberdeen Ironbirds season began on Tuesday and my first game is tonight. Ironbirds are 3-1 on the young season after another win last night for their home opener. It finally feels like Baseball season. The weather has been baseball weather for the last few weeks, except for all that rain in May. It is that feeling that my team is playing today. It is nice to see the Orioles do well, but I care about the Ironbirds much more than the Orioles.
As you know, I am going on Vacation to Anime Expo in 11 days. I am starting to get excited about the vacation. I haven't taken a full week off since 2003. I also will be getting to see Deal or No Deal (the new daytime version) when I am out there. I can't wait. I really enjoy the show and have never been to a TV taping where you may actually see me. I was at the American Anime Awards at NYCC in 2007, but you probably never saw those (unless you have Anime Network).
Just to give you a heads up, don't expect alot of posts out of me. I am probably going to do a lot of posting through backdating after con. I don't want to spend a $100 on a laptop and I will probably post on three times during the trip due to cost of a computer at the Westin's business center.
I should also be hanging out at the convention runners dinner, but ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
hazelchaz
had no idea which convention to put me under for the dinner. I told him to put me under Anime USA. Anime USA is on my radar to work this year and that mildly scares me. I think it is a good sign that work isn't going to kill me this year. I had feared that with my new position. I will be doing something different that I think I will enjoy than I had originally planned. That reminds me I need e-mail Greg in Main Events about it, today.
Jun. 11th, 2008
09:41 pm - Otaku Parliamentary Debate and other things
I am hoping to get a team for Otaku Parliamentary Debate at Anime Expo. A little known bit of my history was that I was a Collegiate public speaker. I made it to nationals in my senior year at Towson. I am excited to try my hand at something I deeply loved from my college days. Parliamentary Debate is very different from Cross Examination Debate that is popular here.
The thing is I need a third person for a Parlimentary Debate team. http://forums.anime-expo.org/index.p
I got my Dodgers ticket today and it was the seat they had claimed it would be. That is one less stresser on my mind. I was wondering what other cool things I should see while in LA. I know about the Japanese American National Museum, Little Tokyo and Chinatown. What other cool things should I see (besides the obvious)? I am leaning towards putting most of my time to Anime Expo, since there are days that do have interesting things at them.
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tiredJun. 7th, 2008
07:05 pm - Could've been a Triple Crown Contender and other things
Big Brown became the first ever Triple Crown contender to end up last in the Belmont Stakes. I was so disappointed because I still had my ticket of Big Brown from the Preakness. I wanted to see Big Brown win the Triple Crown today. It would have been one of those things I had never seen before in my life to cross off. I still haven't seen the Orioles win the World Series (when I was five doesn't count) nor a Triple Crown winner. It didn't reduce the great time I had at the Preakness and I can't wait to be part of it in 2009. One final thought, I should have put $2 on the Exacta and made my Anime Expo money today.
It has been a quiet week for me overall at work and in life. I guess that It is now a waiting game and to getting the last money together for Anime Expo. There is also that part of me that is wondering how do I make sure that I can have the Anti-San Diego. San Diego felt so unfriendly and I still fear that for Anime Expo. I will be going to meet and greets that fourmers are having throughout the time I am there.
Anime Expo seems to be all about the industry and doesn't have a fan panel to speak of. I am not going to change convention plans at a month before con. You don't disappoint roommates, but there is that part of me that says "Should I just show up for Forums Meet and Greet, Shoko-tan concert and Masquerade and just tour LA Thursday, most of Friday and Sunday?" Everyone says you should put Anime Expo in a seperate pair of viewers than Otakon. When Otakon is your first and biggest passion, It is near impossible to do. Otakon is the measure of every anime con I know of. How does one adjust their expectations for Anime Expo lower than that of this year's Otakon?
contemplativeApr. 27th, 2008
09:13 pm - Appleseed Ex Machina review and Anime Expo Update
I have been seeing some anime this weekend and I finally got to see Appleseed: Ex Machina (one of Mom's Birthday gifts). I must say this film just rocks. If you want to see the present and future of Japanese animation, see this film. Appleseed: Ex Machina is based on the manga series from Shirow Masamune. The story is set in a place called Olympus. This is the so called perfect future world after a world war destroys the earth. It tells the story of Deunan Kunte and her partner Briarios as they fight together on the E-Swat Police force. They have to stop a riot after a cybernetic device runs wild and controls people.
It is a well put together story. I believe it is worth of a Hugo nomination for 2009 and I will put up the recommendation next Hugo season. The 3D animation is what makes this amazing. The technolgy has advanced alot in the last three years, since the first Appleseed movie came out. The story seems to be better thought than the first film. The english language dub is very well put together. It was done by ADV films along with the subtitle translation. You should find this film on Netflix along with Wal-Mart, Blockbuster and Target. It is definitely worth a buy.
I also have firm hotel plans for Anime Expo out in LA. I will be at the Westin Bonaventure starting on July 2nd and leaving on July 8th. It really looks like a very nice hotel. It has a refrigerator to store food in, which will help with the diet and a walking track as part of their Fitness center. Room share ranges from $280-550 depending on the number of people. Also, it is less if you need for less nights than the six I plan to have. If you are interested, please respond to this post or E-mail.
Apr. 23rd, 2008
08:58 pm - Anime Expo Trip and other things
The first major change to my 2008 fannish plans happened today. I have decided to go to Anime Expo this year instead of Denvention. I knew Worldcon was going to be on the East Coast next year and decided to go to Anime Expo. I have seen the last two years of great guests and events pass me by and decided to take the risk.
I also have decided that I don't want to do this alone. I am giving my fannish friends first crack at being part of this trip (for the room share part). My tenative plans are to fly out on July 2nd and come back on July 8th. The room dates are flexible, but I do want to see Universal Studios Hollywood and a Dodgers game during my visit. My room plan involves staying in one of the conference hotels. Who wants to experience Anime Expo with me? Talk to me through e-mail on that part.
I have a harder decision to make than to go to Anime Expo. That I will talk about after I make it later this week.
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anxiousJan. 22nd, 2008
09:57 pm - SDCC vs. Worldcon
I am debating between my first Science Fiction Worldcon and doing San Diego Comic Con. The reason why I am thinking about San Diego is that someone who goes to Anime Boston is offering $110 roundtrip ticket to San Diego. He works for an airline and sounds like a great deal for airfare.
I know Worldcon is a very different environment from SDCC or Otakon. The problem that makes Worldcon such a hard sell (as in just get the airfare and hotel money together) is that I enjoy my local Science Fiction convention (Balticon) because it is small and has a lot of different things. I am thinking that if I can have a good time at Balticon than I can have at Worldcon.
Worldcon is a literary Science Fiction con and I am having a hard time getting excited. Part of it is that I can't get excited about Lois Mcmaster Bujold. I am reading The Sharing Knife: Beguilement and it isn't making me excited in Bujold's work. It could be that I should read her short fiction or shorter novel.
I know my thoughts about San Diego Comic Con and after experiencing it I don't want to go to Anime Expo or Worldcon alone. The trouble with Worldcon is that I would most certainly be going alone except for Tom Kunsman and Kevin Standlee. Most of my friends are going to be at Otakon since it is the same weekend.
I have to make a hard decision for me. I have been wanting to go to Worldcon since 2006. Maybe, I should wait to decide until the first major program participants are announced for Worldcon. There are fun things about the event such as the Hugos, the Masquerade and the parties. I also love a well programmed con and they have alot of panels there.
contemplativeDec. 20th, 2007
09:19 pm - Anime Expo Red and Black Tickets for Auction
I saw this and I will be part of the auction soon. Anime Expo is auctioning off two of their premier passes called Red and Black Passes. These are VIP passes for the convention and are usually only given away. They include first look into the Exhibit Hall, Front row seating at all events, a custom badge and much more. http://forums.anime-expo.org/index.p
THere are two auctions. One whose proceeds will go to the Child's Play Charity of Penny Arcade. You choose where the donation goes and includes San Francisco, Hershey, PA, Hopkins (in Baltimore) and Children's National out of DC.
The other auction proceeds goes to Children's Hospital of Orange County, CA. Also, both auctions are for a pair of passes.
happyNov. 29th, 2007
08:36 am - Starting to think 2008 Conventions
It is that time of year when you have finished and recovered from your last convention of the year and you start to think about conventions for 2008. I don't really commit to conventions definitely more than three to four months ahead of time. Here is what I am thinking and have committed for 2008 conventions:
Ohayocon January 4th-6th- I am committed to be on Live Events staff for this convention. I should have a fun time there. It will give me a chance to meet some different fans than I usually meet and also work something I haven't done. Variety helps keep a convention runner from getting burnt out.
Katsucon February 15th-17th-Saturday day only at best. I am not impressed with their guest list. They never seem to do different things or try to have a great convention. If they don't get much to impress me with a last minute guest, I may ask for a refund (this is one of the few cons you can get your money refunded from). You would think they would try to get an Japanese director or Voice Actor or a big name band every couple of years. They draw 7,000 people to the event. Since they are going to move to a new hotel in 2009, maybe they will finally put some energy towards making the convention better.
This is where things get merky. March-May is where there are a lot of maybes.
Anime Boston is the first choice of conventions. I want to get some roommates before I commit to a badge. I will start on that quest after the first of the year. Anime Boston is one of the better run conventions out there of any genre. They work hard on getting good guests and don't over extend themselves every year. New England fans are fans that can live without a big name Japanese band. That surprises me and maybe something Anime USA should try for 2008 and get a Japanese director instead. That convention is March 21-23.
If Anime Boston doesn't work out, I may go to MTAC on April 25-27. This is in Nashville, TN and they are supposedly bringing Kaiju Big Battel to the convention. It is also an expensive flight city, but that may be a little better since Southwest has posted their airfares. Note: NY Comic Con is a no go for me because it is the weekend of a family wedding.
Balticon (Memorial Day Weekend) is a definite even if it is for an overnight. I always have fun at the closest thing out there to a relaxacon out there. The Masquerade is always fun and I hope to help out Cindy in Green Room again. I would like to go to Marcon to meet the real Kevin Standlee in person.
From June Onward, it really gets merky. I am considering Anime Expo or Worldcon over Otakon and many other things. I want to see hotel rates for both before I commit to one. I haven't even started to think about what I am doing for Anime USA next year and how it impacts all of this. I need to talk to Mark about this at the meeting on Sunday since Anime USA is in October instead of the usual Mid-November timeframe.
contentJul. 4th, 2007
08:52 pm - The Transformers Movie and Anime Expo aftermath
I saw the Transformers movie today. The theatre where I saw it was filled to the maximum for the film and it has been out for a couple of days. I think this means that the film is going to have a big opening.
I enjoyed the film as a thrill ride. I did not expect Generation one designs or the plot of a Satoshi Kon movie, but it was fun for what it was. Is it worth of a Hugo nomination? No, it isn't. Is if a fun film to just relax and turn off your mind? That is what it is and thensome. It really isn't a sequable film, though.
The main reason why I am writing this post is to talk about Anime Expo. I am not sure what happened with Anime Expo. They had a great guest list especially musically, but totally whiffed in organization. There are a lot of people on the influencial places (ANN, Cosplay.com, fansview.com, and the Anime Expo Forms) that are calling it the worst AX ever.
I think you can do too much as a convention sometimes when you are an Anime Expo. You have to sometimes say no to people to have a great con. Anime expo had four or five musical acts over the weekend.
I know it had 44,000 people at it, but sometimes you have to put a limit on what you can do. Sometimes you have to say can we put this idea off until next year (we don't have the resources, time, etc. for it). That is the problem with Anime Expo after having Clamp (the biggest selling Manga artists from Japan). They wanted to do something bigger than last year.
Otakon had this issue after 2004 with the L'arc En Ciel concert. They were very tight in their building after that. They put in a cap for 2005 and didn't put a focus on musical guests. They lifted the cap for this year's con, but still have it where you have to buy a three day pass for the convention. I think this has helped them with not getting overcrowded.
For Anime Expo, they will be at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the convention. They are already facing a huge backlash because people fear for their safety especially teenagers. I go to Otakon in downtown Baltimore, MD (a place people think is very unsafe) and have never had a bit of an issue with my safety. I just say no to the homeless people and put my badge away from the convention center.
People are saying the convention will be forced to end at 5 PM local time for people's safety. Anime Expo is in for another rough year based on the decision they have made. As a con runner, I agree with the decision to be in LACC. If things go well there, that could be there permanent home. They can become something special for Los Angeles like San Diego Comic Con is part of San diego fan culture. They didn't have the space at Long Beach Convention Center. Talk about drama at conventions. This takes the cake. I also wasn't there at LBCC, so I can't say whether this was the worst one ever.
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confusedMay. 29th, 2007
06:39 pm - Anime Expo is a Dream
I won't be able to go to Anime Expo. I will not be able to get the time off and an overnight trip is not worth it (especially from MD). Oh, well. More time to save money for San Diego CC.
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disappointedNov. 28th, 2006
09:47 am - The recovery continues
I am basically back to normal life after the convention. I started Christmas shopping over the weekend through the internet. I have been very busy with the day job and answering post con e-mails.
I did get to start thinking about Conventions for 2007. I am strongly thinking about going to Anime Expo or San Diego Comic Con over Nippon 2007. It is just too expensive. I am not going to sell my membership at this point to keep my options open and to vote in Site Selection and Hugos. I have upgraded my membership for Denver 2008, so I will definitely be going to that.
This weekend should be very exciting as I will be going to the Army-Navy game on Saturday in Philadelphia. It will be nice to see all the pomp and circumstance of Army/Navy. I hope it is going to be a good game, but I am not sure because only Navy is good this year. Army is only 3-8 and could very well lose their fifth straight Army/Navy game. Navy is 8-3 and may very well be playing Maryland in the Meineke Car Care Bowl over New Year's weekend. Navy can just run the ball with the triple option offense. Very few teams can stop their rushing attack that can rack up 400 yards a game. I think it is going to be a blowout type of game, but this is a different game with our nation at war.
excited