K9: Full Circle
Feb. 18th, 2003 09:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackofallgeeksKatsucon Nine. It started out the same as any other convention. Hundreds of Otaku from around the country converged on Crystal City, seeking Anime, Merchandise, and J-Rock. Some were aware that snow lurked on the horizon, but none suspected what was truly in store. We all expected a con like any other.
Dumb like a moose, Dib. Dumb like a moose.
Day 1 of 3
Where's The Lobby?
My con started as most of my weekends have this year -- with school. It wasn't a typical school day, though. My two day-classes were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Sadly, I still had me evening class, and so during the afternoon I packed my bag full of clothes, music, and food, and hit the Metro after class, with a small stop at South to get dinner. The metro trip was a breeze and couldn't have taken more than 30 - 45 minutes, total. After finding my bearings, I began my trek from the 18th Street Metro stop to the Hyatt on 27th.
It was a dark, cold, unfamiliar city, but I had a rough idea of where I was going thanks to checking the Website for a map and -general- directions before heading out. I caught a glimpse of the building (with the name emblazoned on the side) and was well on my way.
My first surge of Con-euphoria was when I turned the corner around Chili's and saw the back-alley-looking roadway. The McDonald's across the Highway. The Sushi Bar. This was Katsucon, this was were 'it all started.'
Grinning stupidly to myself, visions of Myers and Leslie danced before me. Where's the Lobby? Where's the Sushi Bar? Dam it's cold.
I called Kim as I approached The Con, but she was busy eating, and said she'd give me a call when we could meet. As such, I went in and wandered through the Hotel, becoming charged with Con-like energies at seeing the other Otaku. A sense of 'this is what a con is' came over me, and for the first time since the plans had been made I was excited about it all. ^_^;; I don't seem to get excited about something until I'm actually there a lot of the time. I managed to run into Louis, who directed me towards Registration and told me to meet him at the AMVs when I got my badge. In line for Registration, I saw THS Megan signing in for Volunteering -- seems she hasn't paid for a Convention since before '97. I got my $45 badge and went down to the AMVs, where I found Louis and The Gang -- of whom I only 'knew' Becky and Jamie at the time. One notable vid (for you, Mel) was Escaflowne (both the OAV and Movie, I think) to "Gravity of Love" by Enigma.
We hung out for a while after the AMVs and got some foodstuffs until 10:00 when we watched the X TV Series Vol.3, accompanied by the J-Rock sounds of Dual Jewel. Those walls are only so thick... They didn't sound half-bad, if you ask me (which you didn't), but I heard less-than-stellar reviews from those who went, and does 'fangirl' mean anything to anyone? Still, it was cool seeing X. I can't decide who's the Good Guys and who's the Bad Guys, but I'm told that's half the point.
Louis and Becky went off to a Room Party, which actually turned out to be a Staff Party (we're still not sure why Becky was invited there) which they apparently ditched out of, but we didn't meet up with them for a few hours afterwards. In the mean time, Jamie, Holly, and I sat and commiserated in the Lobby -- each of them got a drink from the bar. I settled with the Lime from Jamie's when she was finished. Saw a few people I'd met in passing at an earlier Con, sucked on a Mint, and then when Louis and Becky came back, we attracted the attention of Random Guy, who hung out with us for the rest of the evening. We chatted, goofed around, and took a bunch of Pictures. A while later, a girl named Angel (who was a Con-Virgin) came by and chatted with us, and then some punkish, 15-year-old, obscene, self-proclaimed sex-god came buy. His presence irked me, to say the least, and around 5am as things dulled I left in a semi-soured mood to get to sleep.
Day 2 of 3
The Con Proper
We got up sometime Saturday morning, likely earlier than we should have. It had started snowing, and was flurrying this morning, but the group of us -- me, Louis, Becky, Jamie, Alyce, and Joe -- trekked out for IHOP anyways.
I suppose I'll introduce the gang here, for a second. We all know Louis, more or less, as my old friend from Elementary. Becky and Jamie are two ladies we met in the AMV room at Anime USA, and I rather have Becky to tank for my interest in Queensryche (right up there with Savatage as one of my favorite bands) as I wouldn't have known who they were without her. Alyce and Joe were Becky and Jamie's friends from school, and one of the 2 couples in The Group. I must say here that they were probably the best behaved couple I've ever known. Downstairs we also had Holly, Dorian, and Britney. Holly was a spritely little girl who varied between subdued and off-the-wall. Dorian and Britney were the second couple -- Britney seemed to be consistently one the edge of bouncing off the wall, but was very much a cool girl, and Dorian was an awesome guy for as little time as I ended up being around him. He was really cool, though, and kinda reminded me of my cousin Nick, but more personable (and shorter, I think). He's also an amazing Artist, I liked what I saw. -nods- In addition to this group there was also Kim and Heather, who I know from Claire/Nekocon V and Megu-chan (THS Megan) who was in Tallwood's Anime Club when I first got into Anime.
Anyways, like I said, the six of us went out to IHOP through the snow and flurries, and had an interesting conversation about Death and Dorian (separately, not combined) and I think we scared our waitress. Louis was awesome and offered to pay for the whole thing on his card. We had an interesting trek back walking along the road, then went back to the room so 'The Group,' minus Louis and I, could get into their FF Tactics costumes for a Photo-shoot. While they were down, Louis and I crashed. They got back and we all migrated back down (after a costume change) for a CosPlay.com picture thing or somesuch. Some how we got separated between us all, and Becky was left 'all alone.' I walked around with her for a while, we found the CosPlay.com thing, and then checked out the Art Gallery, where she bet on a sweet little piece of Auska FanArt. I bumped into Kim, and she and I hung out looking at the art while Becky went upstairs. The two of us had a great time looking at art and stuff, until Tim showed up and I promptly disappeared. Eventually found Louis, Becky, Britney, and Becky and we hung out and chatted for a while with a few CosPlayers. Later, The Group once again gathered (plus Dorian and Britney) and we went to McDonald's for dinner. I was reminded why I never eat there.
Louis, Becky, Jamie and I went to the Dance, which was cool. I get charged at dances now (thanks most especially to Ms. Mullin) and it'll all adrenaline. Holly showed up with Some Guy, and we had fun for a while. Becky and Louis ran off to the Yaoi/Yuri Panel at 12:00, though, and later on when Becky left me, I sought out Heather and she and I had a nice chat in the Lobby (I managed to get her out of her room, w00+). Andrew is Furniture. Went to bed after chatting with Heather and her friend Dan at around 4:30. No one save Alyce and Joe, so I stole a spot on the empty bed.
Day 3 of 3
Snowed In
The 'final' day of the Con. Woke up and hung out for a moment. I ended up being the last in the shower and the last out of the room. Found Britney in a Cait Sith costume (Ultra Ghetto Megaphone). Stood through the Art Line, went through the Dealer's room, and chatted with WhiteWolf Em (She and Parker were at the Con, and he did his Lulu costume) and saw Kim and Heather waiting to be picked up. Found The Group again and we all watched .hack//Sign which was an awesome Anime, and it seems Cartoon Network is going to be playing it on Saturdays (but that means dubs. >_<* ). Found that the Metro was out of commission and walked around the 'closing' Convention. We went up to the room and hung out a bit. Jamie attacked me, but wasn't very good at it (she claims I weigh more than I look) and then she and I ended up chatting in the Lobby again. At 10:00, the Con That Is Not A Con was showing Invader Zim thanks to Gir, and I finally got to see the show! We watched the Uncut version of the Christmas Special (and yes, that was an Eva reference), the Game Slave 2 (with an obvious Vampire Hunter D reference). I wandered back upstairs around 2:30 and slept on the floor.
Day 4 of 3
The Con That Would Not Die
We got up early and went to the nearby Diner for breakfast while Becky slept -- she hadn't gotten in until around 6:00. I owe Louis and Alyce my eternal soul - and about $25 each. ^_^;; We brought Becky back some fruit and a bagel, and then Joe, Louis, and Jamie crashed. Alyce and I stayed up for the next several hours chatting though, and I think it was one of the most enjoyable things that'd happened all weekend. She's a really nice girl, and it was a great conversation. Joe was half-awake the whole time and contributed now and again. My parents finally called me (everyone else had had 2 or 3 calls from their families) but not because of the snow -- it was because I was offline all weekend (in their defense, I know they understand I can hold my own, and they didn't -know- I was at a con, so...). The Mocks had called a day earlier, though, so I had fun giving my mom a hard time about it.
After The Gang woke up, we went out to 23rd Street and had some Chinese food (Schezuan Beef isn't quite as good as Mongolian Beef, I think) and we had a 'development meeting' for the Twine-Echo RPG, which looks to have A LOT of potential. There's a lot of creativity that they have to draw from, and I think if they get things organized and do it systematically without over-extending themselves...
Anyways, afterwards we went back to the room and talked about AMVs and childhood cartoons, particularly The Pirates of Dark Water. THAT was an awesome show, and I'm going to get me some when I can. Sucks that they never finished it.
Afterwards I went down to the Pseudo-Con with Holly and Becky. We chatted with some Merchant-Otaku, and then just hung around. There were munchies and cheesecake, I saw some of Dorian's work, and said 'hi' to Megu-can and Ben one last time. At about 2am, I went upstairs, wrote some notes, and slept on the floor again.
Post Con
We got up this morning and Alyce got us all moving and packing and out of the room. We went downstairs, the car was pulled from the snow, and everything was loaded up. We said quick good-byes, Louis and I got on the Metro-shuttle, and the Con was over.
All in all, it was a good Con, I think. I go to these things for the people, and I got to sit and really talk with everyone excepting maybe Dorian. I didn't see as much of Kim as I'd planned, but I had a great time with the people I was with, and I got to see plenty of old friends (Em, Megu-chan, Heather) as well. I said it at Neko, I'll say it again -- I really like these people, and it'd be awesome if we can keep in touch.
I also forgot to mention -- I apparently have earned a new Nickname to add to the collection, Giggles. Though I'm not quite sure why...
Tangentially, The Gang wants me to CosPlay Jinai for some reason... I'd be more than willing to do it, so long as I get help with the costume. ^_^;; I barely know the first thing about CosPlaying.
Dumb like a moose, Dib. Dumb like a moose.
Day 1 of 3
Where's The Lobby?
My con started as most of my weekends have this year -- with school. It wasn't a typical school day, though. My two day-classes were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Sadly, I still had me evening class, and so during the afternoon I packed my bag full of clothes, music, and food, and hit the Metro after class, with a small stop at South to get dinner. The metro trip was a breeze and couldn't have taken more than 30 - 45 minutes, total. After finding my bearings, I began my trek from the 18th Street Metro stop to the Hyatt on 27th.
It was a dark, cold, unfamiliar city, but I had a rough idea of where I was going thanks to checking the Website for a map and -general- directions before heading out. I caught a glimpse of the building (with the name emblazoned on the side) and was well on my way.
My first surge of Con-euphoria was when I turned the corner around Chili's and saw the back-alley-looking roadway. The McDonald's across the Highway. The Sushi Bar. This was Katsucon, this was were 'it all started.'
Grinning stupidly to myself, visions of Myers and Leslie danced before me. Where's the Lobby? Where's the Sushi Bar? Dam it's cold.
I called Kim as I approached The Con, but she was busy eating, and said she'd give me a call when we could meet. As such, I went in and wandered through the Hotel, becoming charged with Con-like energies at seeing the other Otaku. A sense of 'this is what a con is' came over me, and for the first time since the plans had been made I was excited about it all. ^_^;; I don't seem to get excited about something until I'm actually there a lot of the time. I managed to run into Louis, who directed me towards Registration and told me to meet him at the AMVs when I got my badge. In line for Registration, I saw THS Megan signing in for Volunteering -- seems she hasn't paid for a Convention since before '97. I got my $45 badge and went down to the AMVs, where I found Louis and The Gang -- of whom I only 'knew' Becky and Jamie at the time. One notable vid (for you, Mel) was Escaflowne (both the OAV and Movie, I think) to "Gravity of Love" by Enigma.
We hung out for a while after the AMVs and got some foodstuffs until 10:00 when we watched the X TV Series Vol.3, accompanied by the J-Rock sounds of Dual Jewel. Those walls are only so thick... They didn't sound half-bad, if you ask me (which you didn't), but I heard less-than-stellar reviews from those who went, and does 'fangirl' mean anything to anyone? Still, it was cool seeing X. I can't decide who's the Good Guys and who's the Bad Guys, but I'm told that's half the point.
Louis and Becky went off to a Room Party, which actually turned out to be a Staff Party (we're still not sure why Becky was invited there) which they apparently ditched out of, but we didn't meet up with them for a few hours afterwards. In the mean time, Jamie, Holly, and I sat and commiserated in the Lobby -- each of them got a drink from the bar. I settled with the Lime from Jamie's when she was finished. Saw a few people I'd met in passing at an earlier Con, sucked on a Mint, and then when Louis and Becky came back, we attracted the attention of Random Guy, who hung out with us for the rest of the evening. We chatted, goofed around, and took a bunch of Pictures. A while later, a girl named Angel (who was a Con-Virgin) came by and chatted with us, and then some punkish, 15-year-old, obscene, self-proclaimed sex-god came buy. His presence irked me, to say the least, and around 5am as things dulled I left in a semi-soured mood to get to sleep.
Day 2 of 3
The Con Proper
We got up sometime Saturday morning, likely earlier than we should have. It had started snowing, and was flurrying this morning, but the group of us -- me, Louis, Becky, Jamie, Alyce, and Joe -- trekked out for IHOP anyways.
I suppose I'll introduce the gang here, for a second. We all know Louis, more or less, as my old friend from Elementary. Becky and Jamie are two ladies we met in the AMV room at Anime USA, and I rather have Becky to tank for my interest in Queensryche (right up there with Savatage as one of my favorite bands) as I wouldn't have known who they were without her. Alyce and Joe were Becky and Jamie's friends from school, and one of the 2 couples in The Group. I must say here that they were probably the best behaved couple I've ever known. Downstairs we also had Holly, Dorian, and Britney. Holly was a spritely little girl who varied between subdued and off-the-wall. Dorian and Britney were the second couple -- Britney seemed to be consistently one the edge of bouncing off the wall, but was very much a cool girl, and Dorian was an awesome guy for as little time as I ended up being around him. He was really cool, though, and kinda reminded me of my cousin Nick, but more personable (and shorter, I think). He's also an amazing Artist, I liked what I saw. -nods- In addition to this group there was also Kim and Heather, who I know from Claire/Nekocon V and Megu-chan (THS Megan) who was in Tallwood's Anime Club when I first got into Anime.
Anyways, like I said, the six of us went out to IHOP through the snow and flurries, and had an interesting conversation about Death and Dorian (separately, not combined) and I think we scared our waitress. Louis was awesome and offered to pay for the whole thing on his card. We had an interesting trek back walking along the road, then went back to the room so 'The Group,' minus Louis and I, could get into their FF Tactics costumes for a Photo-shoot. While they were down, Louis and I crashed. They got back and we all migrated back down (after a costume change) for a CosPlay.com picture thing or somesuch. Some how we got separated between us all, and Becky was left 'all alone.' I walked around with her for a while, we found the CosPlay.com thing, and then checked out the Art Gallery, where she bet on a sweet little piece of Auska FanArt. I bumped into Kim, and she and I hung out looking at the art while Becky went upstairs. The two of us had a great time looking at art and stuff, until Tim showed up and I promptly disappeared. Eventually found Louis, Becky, Britney, and Becky and we hung out and chatted for a while with a few CosPlayers. Later, The Group once again gathered (plus Dorian and Britney) and we went to McDonald's for dinner. I was reminded why I never eat there.
Louis, Becky, Jamie and I went to the Dance, which was cool. I get charged at dances now (thanks most especially to Ms. Mullin) and it'll all adrenaline. Holly showed up with Some Guy, and we had fun for a while. Becky and Louis ran off to the Yaoi/Yuri Panel at 12:00, though, and later on when Becky left me, I sought out Heather and she and I had a nice chat in the Lobby (I managed to get her out of her room, w00+). Andrew is Furniture. Went to bed after chatting with Heather and her friend Dan at around 4:30. No one save Alyce and Joe, so I stole a spot on the empty bed.
Day 3 of 3
Snowed In
The 'final' day of the Con. Woke up and hung out for a moment. I ended up being the last in the shower and the last out of the room. Found Britney in a Cait Sith costume (Ultra Ghetto Megaphone). Stood through the Art Line, went through the Dealer's room, and chatted with WhiteWolf Em (She and Parker were at the Con, and he did his Lulu costume) and saw Kim and Heather waiting to be picked up. Found The Group again and we all watched .hack//Sign which was an awesome Anime, and it seems Cartoon Network is going to be playing it on Saturdays (but that means dubs. >_<* ). Found that the Metro was out of commission and walked around the 'closing' Convention. We went up to the room and hung out a bit. Jamie attacked me, but wasn't very good at it (she claims I weigh more than I look) and then she and I ended up chatting in the Lobby again. At 10:00, the Con That Is Not A Con was showing Invader Zim thanks to Gir, and I finally got to see the show! We watched the Uncut version of the Christmas Special (and yes, that was an Eva reference), the Game Slave 2 (with an obvious Vampire Hunter D reference). I wandered back upstairs around 2:30 and slept on the floor.
Day 4 of 3
The Con That Would Not Die
We got up early and went to the nearby Diner for breakfast while Becky slept -- she hadn't gotten in until around 6:00. I owe Louis and Alyce my eternal soul - and about $25 each. ^_^;; We brought Becky back some fruit and a bagel, and then Joe, Louis, and Jamie crashed. Alyce and I stayed up for the next several hours chatting though, and I think it was one of the most enjoyable things that'd happened all weekend. She's a really nice girl, and it was a great conversation. Joe was half-awake the whole time and contributed now and again. My parents finally called me (everyone else had had 2 or 3 calls from their families) but not because of the snow -- it was because I was offline all weekend (in their defense, I know they understand I can hold my own, and they didn't -know- I was at a con, so...). The Mocks had called a day earlier, though, so I had fun giving my mom a hard time about it.
After The Gang woke up, we went out to 23rd Street and had some Chinese food (Schezuan Beef isn't quite as good as Mongolian Beef, I think) and we had a 'development meeting' for the Twine-Echo RPG, which looks to have A LOT of potential. There's a lot of creativity that they have to draw from, and I think if they get things organized and do it systematically without over-extending themselves...
Anyways, afterwards we went back to the room and talked about AMVs and childhood cartoons, particularly The Pirates of Dark Water. THAT was an awesome show, and I'm going to get me some when I can. Sucks that they never finished it.
Afterwards I went down to the Pseudo-Con with Holly and Becky. We chatted with some Merchant-Otaku, and then just hung around. There were munchies and cheesecake, I saw some of Dorian's work, and said 'hi' to Megu-can and Ben one last time. At about 2am, I went upstairs, wrote some notes, and slept on the floor again.
Post Con
We got up this morning and Alyce got us all moving and packing and out of the room. We went downstairs, the car was pulled from the snow, and everything was loaded up. We said quick good-byes, Louis and I got on the Metro-shuttle, and the Con was over.
All in all, it was a good Con, I think. I go to these things for the people, and I got to sit and really talk with everyone excepting maybe Dorian. I didn't see as much of Kim as I'd planned, but I had a great time with the people I was with, and I got to see plenty of old friends (Em, Megu-chan, Heather) as well. I said it at Neko, I'll say it again -- I really like these people, and it'd be awesome if we can keep in touch.
I also forgot to mention -- I apparently have earned a new Nickname to add to the collection, Giggles. Though I'm not quite sure why...
Tangentially, The Gang wants me to CosPlay Jinai for some reason... I'd be more than willing to do it, so long as I get help with the costume. ^_^;; I barely know the first thing about CosPlaying.
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Date: 2003-02-18 07:11 pm (UTC)Such excitement, remembering those days. I was still such a happy little anime fan. ::grins:: It's good to look back on fun times, before the induction of the Drama Con. Speaking of which, when next you and I meet, sushi is most definitely on the menu.
Megu-chan (THS Megan) who was in Tallwood's Anime Club when I first got into Anime.
YAAAAAAAAY, MEGU-CHAN!! I talked to her for a little bit a couple of days ago...she told me she'd be at K9. I might try to get a job with her over the summer.
I get charged at dances now (thanks most especially to Ms. Mullin) and it's all adrenaline.
::does a little dance:: Go me, go me!
The Pirates of Dark Water. THAT was an awesome show
I remember that show from somewhere...but I can't for the life of me remember what it was!! Now I'm gonna be tearing my brain out until I remember.
Glad you had fun, Bakabakashii!
no subject
Date: 2003-02-18 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-02-19 07:20 am (UTC)What can I say -- it was a fun Con.
no subject
Date: 2003-02-19 09:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-02-19 10:16 am (UTC)She said I'm clever. ^_^;;
Actually, the only reason my post may be 'better' than yours is because this Journal functions more-or-less as my long-term memory. I'm not very good at remembering much of anything, and actually made notes during the con. I'm such a weirdo.
And, actually, I confess -- I would have spelled your name 'Alice,' excepting that I kinda scouted out your Journal right as I got home and found the 'y.' Like I was telling Jamie, though, 'Alice' is a pretty name in itself, but the 'y' is a nice touch. ^_^
no subject
Date: 2003-02-19 11:14 am (UTC)