Anime
Central 2003
"That
makes me happy, Yay!"
(sorry Monica, I can't help it! Blame
Chris) LOL
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Well,
Brian and I hit the road about 1:30 pm, and at only 21
miles into the trip came across some road construcion,
I'd swear that was the longest 5 miles EVER!
We made or first stop about 180 miles into the trip, at
the place with the "Convenience Drive through" at the
convenince store, we found that to be a rather interesting
concept, but I don't think it'll catch on.
We
hit another construction slowdown about 250 miles into
the trip (just past the half way mark) but it didn't last
nearly as long. Then, there was more roadwork at 318 miles
that went for a 17 mile stretch off and on, until we reached
the state border.
The
first highlight of the trip (for me) was when we passed
the Neon car plant at 359 miles, while I was driving my
Neon! I love little Neons, I love them good LOL.
All
in all the trip there was pretty uneventful, except for
the stupid hotel parking situation but I won't get into
that. Oh, and the fact I forgot a prop for one of my costumes
*sigh* I never said I wasn't a baka :P
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On
Friday we caught the tail end of opening ceramonies, where
Monica Rial caught "the first pokemon thrown" of the convention.
After that, we went in search of her, so I could introduce
myself, of course I chickend out the first time, and chit
chatted with Tiffany instead (I'd met her before, so I
wasn't as intimidated) That was when we gave her our specialy
designed "EVA water", which she got a huge kick out of!
Later,
when I ran into Monica again, I hovered around wresting
with myself, until I finaly got up the nerve to introduce
myslef, and was pleasently surprised by two big "glomps",
she then introduced us to Chris Patton and Greg Ayers
(probably spelt that wrong)
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We
(Brian and I) then went to the "EVAlasting Panel", where
Brian won the "End of Evangelion" soundtrack of course,
Tiffany was at the panel, having a good time as usual,
her new Asuka figure and her EVA water with her :)
On
a side note, we found out Friday afternoon that the band
SWEK was in the room right next door to us, they are a
local Chicago band who covers Anime songs!
After
that we went down and perused the dealers room, and found
two for one hotdogs at the concession stand (YAY!), then
I got onions down my sleeves. (EWWWW!)
That
pretty much brought Friday to a close, Saturday we hit
Monica's first panel and I debuted my Saki costume, Monica's
first words in responce were "You are so cool for that!"
needless to say, I felt pretty cool :)
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I
then headed down to the dealers room again, in search
of Monica, as she had said she would be at the ADV table
periodicaly, she was there, and they were doing "Monica
related" trivia for the freebies they were giving away,
after answering two questions correctly in a row I was
forbidden to play anymore, accused of being a stalker
and shooed away, but Monica wasn't scared LOL.
After
that, hit the panel that featcherd all the ADV voice talent
present, and we couldn't help but giggle at poor Tiffany
as she struggled to get her banana open until some nice
fan with a pocket knife came up to help her.
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The
next thing of note was attending the "AMV iron chef"
which monica was judging/hosting with a few others
(David Lee Williams- Director/Producer at ADV and
E.K of Big Big Truck) where I participated in a
"What would you do for a DVD" mini game and by pure
luck won a DVD of the DDR Iron Chef 11 project,
it was fun cause I had "Yay Amiee" coming from Monica
to cheer me on :) It was at this same event I finaly
put two and two together, got one and figured out
that E.K. and Brett Weaver are boyfriend girlfriend
(I'm a little slow)
After
that I talked to Monica again, and we made plans
to meet up at the ADV reception after the Masquerade,
but because of the less than perfect con staff,
we lost her and didn't end up meeting up again that
night. (the alternate titlefor the con report had
been "Desperatly Seeking Monica)
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Sunday,
we went to the "East meets West" panel, where they had
Voice Actors from both America and Japan all together
to discuss the differences in producing anime on either
side of the ocean, where probably one of the funniest
moments of the con happend. The guests were talking about
how it's hard to work if they are sick, or if their throat
is off a little, and Monica chimed in "I guess I don't
really have that problem, I have vocal cords of steel.
Just ask Chris, I can scream for eight hours straight
no problem!" -incert lewd Brett Weaver comment here- and
the whole room started laughing. Monica walks over to
Brett, pretened to choke him, and then stole a piece of
his melon. It was a good time.
Later
that day was closing ceremonies, which, for whatever reason,
Monica missed, so Chris Patton said goodbye for her in
his best impression "Yay" "I rock" "Acen makes me happy"
etc. etc.
The
Japanese guests, to the delight of the audience, all threw
their badges into the crowd, and there was a few moments
of screaming as the otaku all scrambled. LOL.
After
closing ceremonies, we ran into Monica again, I refused
to leave without saying goodbye, finaly met up with her
and had a few moments to chat and get to know each other
a little, as well as Greg too. We said our goodbyes, I
got a couple more hugs, Brian got a hug too, and it was
off to the car to begin the long drive home.
Not
to much happening on the ride home, a little after seven,
justice was served as a state trooper pulled over a stupid
SUV driver just after the last oasis/toll booth in Illinois,
and then on road right after we stopped for dinner, there
was a mysterious floating, glowing cross on the hill which
we decided MUST be 3rd impact!
In
parting, a song I wrote to commerate the weekend!
(sung
to the tune of "oh where or where has my little dog gone")
Oh where oh were has Monica gone?
Oh where oh were could she be?
We looked up, and down
All over the con
Oh where oh were could she be?
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