Two months ago, I didn’t even think I would be making this post. In November of 2008, I didn’t even think I could AFFORD this. Once again, I fight against the odds and come out on top. Thanks to a decent job and some chess moves in getting time off, I am able to make it to Otakon 2009. This will be my 5th consecutive Otakon and me and my friends will raise the roof.

First off, I managed to book the brand-spanking new Baltimore Hilton. (It actually opened in 2008, but a week later after Otakon took place!) This hotel has it’s very own entrance to the Baltimore convention center and even some of the events will be held there. This is probably considered the “Hotel that Otakon built”, since the convention’s future was contingent on it’s existence in Baltimore (So the rumors say). The max capacity for this event is reaching it’s breaking point. One year, they had to limit attendees. Now, after number crunching, the con staff are able to fit in more bodies. The additon of the nearby hotel not only gives the con more breathing room, but more hotel rooms as well.

Just as in previous years, I am taking pictures. The Nikon D50 has been retired in favor of a more pro-sumer D90. I’m still trying to get the hang of it and even bought a book to go over the fine details. I may stick to some functions I know instead just to get up to speed. Due to work, I don’t really have a lot of time to do “dress rehearsals”. Perhaps I might squeeze in a visit to NYC for some nighttime shots in Times Square.

Right now, I’m still glossing over the schedule. I see that there is a cosplay photography panel, but it’s way early on Friday. Hope I can make it. I’m definitely attending the Evangelion 1.0 movie and looking forward to see stand-up otaku comedian UncleYo. Moar posts on the way.

So Long, Farewell....

Another Anime convention comes to a close. I am freakin’ tired of walking all over the place and sleeping a total of 7 hours the entire weekend. The organizers just HAD to screw with my sleep patterns by putting the Rie Tanaka panel and Autograph signing on a Sunday. Sunday is for sleep, for Christian worship, for hangovers and for football, not an awesome panel featuring an awesome voice actress from Japan.

Still, it was a duty of mine to show up. Continue reading →

Now with moar Mudkips.

Since I have to get on another early train out to NYC, I’ll make this entry quick. Compared to Friday, a lot more people were attending than Friday. Still, it was a rather medium-sized crowd compared to the likes of Otakon. Cosplay improved somewhat dramatically, but still the same tired series are still being overused like a heroin needle. This is why my count is so low. I should’ve got some more cards to hand out and I was afraid not to give them to multiple subjects. Well, at least they can be reused. Perhaps I should’ve made the link to my Flickr set a bit more easier to read.

I attended panels such as Anime Blogging, the 10th annual Anime News Network Panel, saw “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” and a Hentai dubbing panel. If I hadn’t spent so much time wanting to get a question answered at the ANN panel, I would’ve be admitted into the World Cosplay Summit Masquerade. Thus, I missed Rie Tanaka sing and some actual pro-level talent from Japan. As a substitute for this, I decided to attend the Hentai dubbing panel. Needless to say, I will not think of Tuna Casserole in the same way ever again. As for the ANN panel, I liked hearing a lot of how the site came to being and how the much of the staff create magic every day. However, I would like to reserve special comments for Zac Bertschy. Not only he sounds like a douchebag, he also looks like a douchebag. Just because you have a little corner on the internets doing editorial commentary on an anime news site does not make you hot stuff. See the eventual video up on ANN and you’ll see what I mean. Maybe you’ll get to hear my comments about him being uttered under my breath.

BTW, Saturday pics are up. Now, I must catch another 7:40 am train for the Rie Tanaka Panel/Autograph session.