[raspberihevn]

I would like to share my days at AX. Thank goodness I took time to write them down because by now I would've forgotten the sequence of events that occurred.

Day 1~
2 guy crossdressers really stood out. (1) A 5'9" male in a Yuna FFX2 costume with short spandex shorts. I have to give him credit, he tried his best to work it. (2) A 5'3" male in a school girl plaid skirt, green blazer, and red necktie. He had long straight brown hair, glued on nails, and loose socks. Everything about him said "femininity" however when I saw his legs (they weren't slender but somewhat muscular) I knew it was a guy. His legs were dark, not hairless (but not hairy), and wrinkled-guy feet in sandles. Man I should've taken a pic of him. He walked by people and no one knew.
Not much happened on the first day. The anime music video contest was average. The video I really wanted to win didn't ><;

Day2~
Let me start off with the bad then I'll move onto the good.
The panels were quite disappointing (only one worth going to was the Read Or Die panel; hilarious and fun). They lacked attendees. I believe it's because the older generation has either moved on or left AX for PMX. The ones that attend are entry-level otakus who don't know jackshit from good anime. It is as I feared, AX may be the biggest convention in the U.S. (people all over the states fly in during Independence weekend) but its respectability has lessened, I'm even feeling weary -_- No respect for the guest of honors. No interest in different kinds of genre and good quality animes except the popular ones that everyone watches.
Gossip of the Day: Man Faye Valentine (yes the one and only who dares to wear such tight shorts!) was seen walking near?into? a Christian convention last night. He was accosted by security and charged with indecenct exposure. This morning he was surrounded by attendees and he retold his story. "They told me to change my outfit. I wore this same outfit last year, why should I change? They said they're sending me to jail. Thank you everyone for listening to my story. I'm so happy to have you as my supporters. That you care about me." I'm like o_O er?
Boy1: That's not fair. You wore that costume last year. They can't do that to you.
Man Faye: Yes, that's exactly what I told security.
Boy2: But there are sites dedicated to you.
Man Faye: Yes from Germany to France.. there are sites of me all over the world.
Me: o_o? >_> psst Arashi, what is this about?
My thoughts~ Man Faye's expression, movements, and words all conveyed his ignorance. He truly believed he is America's icon. That he means something to the cosplayers out there. And all I could think of was locating that Boy #2 and smack him on the head. Why did he have to give him a bigger ego by sounding like he IS an icon? The sites are not dedicated to him but made to make fun of him. Can someone tell me o_o why is he so dense =_=
Moving onwards- "NARUTO CON!" shouts all the Naruto fans at 3:00pm sharp. Everyone has been whispering about the gathering since yesterday. Such adrenaline! Someone estimated 170 Naruto cosplayers will gather today at 3pm (probably got the info from EZ board; I didn't count) and it was HUGE! Right on cue, people stopped what they were doing, and followed the crowd of deliriously jolly Naruto cosplayers to gather at the center of the convention center. From balcony to stairs to floor, we all stood there as excited as children, waiting eagerly in anticipation... for something to happen. (Haha reading this paragraph I am reminded of the pied piper, it sounds quite cultic huh?) All too soon, the staff disbursed the crowd. Said we were causing a fire hazard -_- which was true, and ushered (screamed and threatened to push) everyone who blocked the stairs and floor. But what great fun. We just moved from the convention center to the quad outside.
Highlight of the Day: RAMEN AND RICE!!!! Oh it doesn't feel like AX when they're not around. Call me superstitious but seeing them gave me hope. When they're around, it livens up AX. Who are Ramen and Rice? They are two very talented sisters. The older sister plays the violin and the younger sister plays the cello. Together they make the most beautiful music. Any requests for RPG, anime, or movie songs, they will play it. I missed them so much! I saw them earlier today but I thought they were just cosplaying and enjoying the convention. But lo and behold, a great circle was formed around the sisters, bright eyed, attentive, and eager, "we" sat quietly and respectfully as they played one song after the next *_*

Day 3~
The day flew by all too quickly. Going to the Tomokazu Seki panel (voice actor for Van Fanel, Chichiri, Sagara Sousuke, Keisuke Takahashi, Kyo Souma) took the entire day! I already knew his panel would be the most popular. Due to lack of time, attendees were asked to write questions before entering the panel. We were most anxious to hear his "Chichiri" voice and his popular "no-da" ^^ Autograph signing was a pure delight.
Surprisingly masquerade wasn't bad. Petshop of Horror put on a fabulously well choreographed show; skits of Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, and Final Fantasy had me laughing till my sides hurt and my throat hoarse; the best two pieces came last (it was every boy's dream come true). Immediately the male audience stood up and waited in anticipation for the robots of the year. Their omgs and hoots echoed.
1. The Autobot Project's "Optimus Prime" had us standing and jaw dropping. It was a huge home made robot with blinking lights and shiny body. His little skit was about "being the better vehicle than Initial D". He tore apart a cardboard "Initial D" car while slowly and with difficulty transforming from a blue little box vehicle into the powerful Optimus Prime. It towered so high, 3 male staff members surrounded him, in case he tips over from his little dancing ^^ He could move the hands, bend the knees, and rotate the head.
2. Gundam was incredible!! The guy flew in from Japan just to attend the masquerade. This guy came with a weapon on his back and he looked so damn real! Everything about it looked high quality; it was labeled as "the dancing robot" a pun from AMV the night before "Football", a reference to Strong Bad's song called "Techno."
Special of the Day: Little Girl Last Exile "Al". Such a sweetie with her dimply smile and her huggable softness.


Every Otaku shouldn't be without when attending a large Con: (A) a cellphone or a 2 mile radius walkie talkie and (B) a digital camera. If you don't have these essential items, please latch yourself to someone who does, so you can fully enjoy all the benefits a Con will provide.
Day4~
I was going through a bit of withdraw. I didn't plan on going to the last day, since there wasn't anything that particularly interested me, but it was such a hot day, I used that reason to go one last time before I have to wait another year for this event. I'm very glad I did. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the charity auction, woo-ing and ah-ing along with the audience. Pretty bummed that I can never win an auction because there will always be someone who will outbid me. I had my eye on Last Exile "Dio/Deuce" piece. I bid for $800 >[ some idiot won it for $1000 ;_;