[Convention] Otakon

[The Eva Monkey]

Likewise. Haven't seen you in ages.

What was it, 2007? 2008?

[Reichu]

What was it, 2007? 2008?

Oh, man... Latter part of the 00s is a total blur to me right now. I can't assign years to anything. I need to sit down and work on that problem sometime.

Well, got back from Otakon a couple of hours ago. It was great to see Monkey, chocomanji, and drinian again, even though things were generally insane and I didn't get to hang out quite as much as I would have liked. All the weight of the con years I missed just, like, came crashing down on me. (You'll have to formally invite me down for a couple of days of honorary hang-out time, Aaron-kun. :3) I got some high-quality Eva / biology / sociology nerd time in with Bagheera, too. Apparently I managed to not completely traumatize him, but I suppose I'll let him be the judge of that!

Also caught NeverKnowsBest, "doggy" (and, yes, he does speak articulated English!), and the IRC's JeffersonLeeEng. (There was also a unregistered admirer who approached me to express her appreciation of my posts here. I felt so... fluffy and . But she took off before we could chat any. Awshucks...) B-b-but.... we need more! More EvaGeeks geeks!

Well, I can forgive ya'll for not wanting to be at Otakon specifically. It's horrifically, unhealthily overcrowded. The "Japanese subway" comparison is all too apt. Are they just going to keep on packing people into the Baltimore Convention Center and the Hilton until some tragic overcrowding-related incident happens? Moving from one location to another is ridiculous. Getting into panels is ridiculous. It's at the point where I ended up just not fucking bothering at all with most of the ones I'd initially highlighted -- spared myself the frustration expressed by folks at the feedback session at the end.

I did go to both of the Eva ones, of course. (There was only supposed to be one, but Aaron had to fill in for a panel that went MIA.) It was a little weird, not being up at front. I could have benefited from the mic a few times. Aaron and I need to collab again. I do have an idea for next year...

Sunday (which ended not too long ago), I spent much of the day in Otachan at chocomanji's invite. (She doesn't show around here anymore, but she's Monkey/Aaron's better half -- I can say that, right? -- and absolutely sweet and wonderful. Well, to me, at least. Maybe not to Aaron all the time. ) It was fun. I played with clay and made a kirin head, and took it home. (Well, technically not a kirin, but it's slightly easier to say that than to say it's an original character that's simply based on a kirin.) I'll post a picture later, if I remember.

I also spent quite a bit of money. Maybe I'll make a post to "hauls" later. I dunno.

[Bagheera]

Well, got back from Otakon a couple of hours ago. It was great to see Monkey, chocomanji, and drinian again, even though things were generally insane and I didn't get to hang out quite as much as I would have liked. All the weight of the con years I missed just, like, came crashing down on me. (You'll have to formally invite me down for a couple of days of honorary hang-out time, Aaron-kun. :3) I got some high-quality Eva / biology / sociology nerd time in with Bagheera, too. Apparently I managed to not completely traumatize him, but I suppose I'll let him be the judge of that!

Feh. No trauma here. I wasn't bothered by the crowds, either, but in my case my standard for comparison is SDCC so nothing fazes me. Heck, even traffic was a breeze by compare.

I did go to both of the Eva ones, of course. (There was only supposed to be one, but Aaron had to fill in for a panel that went MIA.) It was a little weird, not being up at front. I could have benefited from the mic a few times. Aaron and I need to collab again. I do have an idea for next year...

I might as well. Something about perceptions of Eva on either side of the pond, Shinji's status as a card-carrying vertebrate, that sort of thing . . .

Sunday (which ended not too long ago), I spent much of the day in Otachan at chocomanji's invite. (She doesn't show around here anymore, but she's Monkey/Aaron's better half -- I can say that, right? -- and absolutely sweet and wonderful. Well, to me, at least. Maybe not to Aaron all the time. ) It was fun. I played with clay and made a kirin head, and took it home. (Well, technically not a kirin, but it's slightly easier to say that than to say it's an original character that's simply based on a kirin.) I'll post a picture later, if I remember.

Ooh, fun! Next year I definitely need to take leave on Monday and go back a day later. I missed out on all of Sunday. :(

[The Eva Monkey]

Con spiel forthcoming, but for now:

PRO TIP: Always follow instructions to check in, sign waivers, and get panelist ribbons, otherwise your panel might get cancelled and given to someone else. This actually happened. FACT.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 703&type=1

[sum_exsanguis]

I know I am late to the show by a lot but the eva panels were fun. thanks for you guys running them.

[The Eva Monkey]

Thanks, I have fun doing them. You coming to Otakon this year? It's going to be the 20th Otakon. It's going to be a big one.

[sum_exsanguis]

Yeah, it will be my 3rd...are you doing Katsucon? I also need to thank you for the fun trivia you had rolling after the one.

[The Eva Monkey]

Hey kids, particularly any of you out west who've never made it to Otakon due to the distance, Otakon just announced today that will be hosting the first Otakon Vegas! It'll be next January, so start planning to attend now! I'll be there, running the panels department, probably hosting a panel or two, as is usually the case.

http://www.otakonvegas.com/

[supershinjiasukashipper]

Oh my god!!!
My two favorite things in the world, vegas style gambling and anime!!!!!!
Now I am all emo cause I prob will miss it. :'(

[Bagheera]

FWIW I'll be heading to Baltimore for Otakon this year. Anyone else going?

[The Eva Monkey]

I'll be there, busy staffing as usual. A late night drink may be in the cards.

[Catamari]

Bags is getting in good with the admins, I see. Save some ass-kissery for us mere mortals, please.

I'll be in Baltimore for a little bit, but I don't think I'll be there in that date range. Not that you lot would want to meet me, anyway.

[Bagheera]

Bags is getting in good with the admins, I see. Save some ass-kissery for us mere mortals, please.

Hah! Not so much. I tried that already, it didn't work.

I'll be in Baltimore for a little bit, but I don't think I'll be there in that date range. Not that you lot would want to meet me, anyway.

Oh, I don't know. I'm in no position to throw stones, so you might be surprised.

[The Eva Monkey]

Hah! Not so much. I tried that already, it didn't work.

I can only be bribed with boobs.

[AR-99]

http://otakon.com/

Not going myself, I was curious to know if anyone other than The Eva Monkey I assume, will be there. They have a killer guest lineup, the big names for me being Yoko Kanno, Home Made Kazoku, and Shinichiro Watanabe. Tomokazu Seki, who voiced Touji, will also be there.

If someone who is going would be open to attempting to obtain Seki's autograph on a shikishi board on my behalf, I can reimburse you for your time and effort plus shipping of course. Let me know.

Note: This was originally set up as a separate thread before I saw this one and was merged in.

[r1cepurin]

Bags is getting in good with the admins, I see. Save some ass-kissery for us mere mortals, please.

I'll be in Baltimore for a little bit, but I don't think I'll be there in that date range. Not that you lot would want to meet me, anyway.

oh that's where you are? I heard a lot of bad things about that place (like it's Detroit tier) but I still hope you are having fun!

[CJD]

I-I'll be p-popping my convention ch-cherry at Otakon this year if anyone wants to get d-drinks or something.

[The Eva Monkey]

oh that's where you are? I heard a lot of bad things about that place (like it's Detroit tier) but I still hope you are having fun!

There are two Baltimores, unfortunately. I don't live in the one you're thinking of. Basically if you don't go into east or west baltimore, and don't get involved in gangs or drugs, Baltimore is actually an okay place to live. There are entire neighborhoods completely devoid of violence and blight. Actually, there's a third Baltimore if you consider the prefabricated tourist destination known as the Inner Harbor.

I-I'll be p-popping my convention ch-cherry at Otakon this year if anyone wants to get d-drinks or something.

Hopefully I'll get my staff schedule soon and I can set some time to hit the bar. We usually meet up for drinks at the Hilton bar.

[Bagheera]

There are two Baltimores, unfortunately. I don't live in the one you're thinking of. Basically if you don't go into east or west baltimore, and don't get involved in gangs or drugs, Baltimore is actually an okay place to live. There are entire neighborhoods completely devoid of violence and blight. Actually, there's a third Baltimore if you consider the prefabricated tourist destination known as the Inner Harbor.

Which seems to be where the convention center is, or at least close to it. I didn't have any problems walking from there to my hotel in the dead of night, so it never occurred to me that Baltimore might be a less than pleasant place.

Hopefully I'll get my staff schedule soon and I can set some time to hit the bar. We usually meet up for drinks at the Hilton bar.

Should be interesting to see who shows up.

[drinian]

I will of course also be attending Otakon yet again this year. Although there is one Evangelion panel on the list, I don't think anyone here is involved with hosting it. Will see folks at the Hilton bar as usual; otherwise, keep an eye out for me at any Doctor Who photoshoots. Cheers.