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Joe Taku on Nekocon
2003-11-07 00:23:12
NOTE: I'M NOT ATTENDING THE CONVENTION THIS YEAR (WHICH IS PROBABLY A WISE MOVE). HOWEVER, I STILL HAVE A FEW COMMENTS CONCERNING IT.
I have two comments concerning Nekocon, which starts at Vriginia Beach tomorrow. The first is a little complaint that I have concerning the convention, and it involves the scheduling. When I went to Nekocon last year, I didn't mind staying late Friday night so that I can view the impromptu second showing of fanparodies, as the first showing was full. However, this year, the fanparodies will be starting at 2:00 after the AMV contest with NO 11:00 PM showings in video 1 or an extra Saturday showing of This is Otakudom. To make things worse, the showing of the DDR Project 3 is scheduled for after the dance Saturday night, which will be around 3:00 AM (compare that to the showing of the second project last year, which was shown at 11:00 PM Friday night). Sure, I usually go to bed around 2:00 AM, and I did stay up late to watch Friday night programming at the last two Nekocons (2001 for the Cowboy Bebop movie, 2002 for the fanparodies). However, scheduling two things that would interest me for very late at night is dumb IMO, and I wouldn't deprive myself of sleep for two nights in a row just to watch the stuff I want to watch.
With my "Late Night" rant aside, it's time for the real reason of this Joe Taku post: Nekocon being too big for it's current location. This year, 1,250 people pre-registered for the con. Unfortunately, the amount of pre-registered con-goers this year makes up more than 3/4 of the maximum capacity that the hotel can handle when it comes to fire safety rules. As a result, only 350 at-desk weekend passes will be issued for the convention, with no "one day only" passes being given out this year (although there with be "one day dealers' room" passes being given out). Luckily, the staff at Nekocon has mentioned that the con will be at a new location next year. Thus, I'm exploring the possible pros and cons of various cities that may be the new home for Nekocon, as well as conventions that the cities have hosted.
1. Virginia Beach, Virginia (current home of Nekocon)
Pro: It will be in the same city as it has been for the past few years, but will be held at a larger hotel, meaning more people can attend the con.
Con: Location can be be a problem, if the new hotel isn't close to any restaurants besides the hotel restaurant.
2. Durham, North Carolina (Animazement)
Pro: The hotel that hosts Animazement appears to be bigger than Nekocon's hotel, has two restaurants, has plenty of places to sit and chat with fellow fans, and can be used to show anime via CCTV.
Con: Much longer travel for those who live in Maryland, hotel isn't close to other restaurants.
3. Washington DC area (Katsucon, Anime USA)
Pro: Katsucon moved to the DC area after a few years in Virginia Beach. Plus, multi-floored conventions will allow for more room of people attending the con.
Con: DC already has a fall anime convention in Anime USA.
4. Baltimore, MD (Otakon, Katsucon 8)
Pro: Baltimore is the home of the biggest anime convention in the East Coast. Thus, it could be a great place to host Nekocon.
Con: The con is too small for the Baltimore Convention Center. Some hotels may not want to host an anime convention. -
A Scary Experience
2003-11-01 22:29:51
Tonight, one night after Halloween, I had a very scary experience at my local Six Flags amusement park, which was open with for the Halloween season. However, this scare isn't one that was part of the show but a real one.
It happened while I was in line for one of the park's main rides, a roller coaster called Superman: Flight of Steel (or whatever the ride is called). About the time I was close to get on the ride, the ride began experiencing some technical difficulties, with a few riders stuck on the first hill. Thinking that it the difficulties will be fixed in a few minutes, I stayed in line and waited. A few minutes later, the people working the ride felt that the ride was ready to run again, and they decided to let the people who were on the hill continue with their ride while preparing another train for a test run to see if the ride is working.
However, it is after the test car left the station and began its ascent that disater happened. The ride's braking system ended up not working, which resulted in the train with the passengers in it zooming past the station. This led to a lot people leaving the station ASAP (with me leaving when I realized the possibility of the train speeding by again and derailing). Thankfully, no one was hurt and the passengers who were in the runaway roller coaster train got off of the ride safely.
As for me, I stayed in the park for anothe 1 1/2 hours before returning home. However, that incident still spooked me. In fact, I somewhat nervous about it right this minute. -
Update on My Current Status
2003-10-25 11:31:08
-My pre-reg information for Anime USA has been sent. All I need to do now is wait for the confirmation from the convention.
-I called ExpertDV concerning my order for the DDR 3 Project DVD. Good news for me: the company did get my check, which is a relief since I was worried that it would be lost in the mail. I also got the current status of the project. That information will hopefully be up on the ExpertDV site soon, however I'm sure a few people here have an idea of the current status.
-Finally, it turns out that I didn't need to buy a new RFU Adapter for my PS2. All that was really needed was for one wire to be straightened by using some pliers (sp?). -
My Current State
2003-10-24 22:43:13
Here's my current status:
-With a lot of good anime DVD's, the X-Box DDR, and the next volume of the Azumanga Daioh manga coming out next month, I'm going to need a lot of money to pay for this stuff, which will be tough since my basic form of getting money is via working at a local farm stand on weekends. Even with my birthday coming up next month, I try to put anime on my birthday or Xmas list (maybe DDR, but not anime). As a result, I'm planning to cancel my trip to Neko-Con this year so that I can work to make money for the stuff I want to buy next month. It's somewhat of a bummer, however since I haven't pre-registered for the con and haven't gotten a hotel room for it, it's probably best if I just skip the con this year and try again for next year (besides, I can always download the cosplay skits from Chocobo Rancher).
-With my plans to go to Neko-Con being dropped for this year, I'm now planning instead to attend Anime USA on both Friday and Saturday instead of attending on just Saturday (haven't decided if I'll go on Sunday as well or not). Hopefully, this year's Anime USA will be exciting this year.
-I haven't gotten word about whether ZPC Inc. got my check for the DDR Project 3 or not. Thus, I'm very likely going to call them tomorrow afternoon to see what the status is. If the check hasn't been received, then I'm going to send the money via Paypal to ensure the company does get my payment before November 1st.
-Finally, the RFU Adapter on my Playstation 2 is broken. Thus, I need to pick up a new one tomorrow. -
Another Interesting Week
2003-10-15 00:08:06
The past seven days were somewhat fun:
-One main thing that I did during the past week was play the latest game that I bought: Disgaea. Best way to describe it: Final Fantasy Tactics + Characters that are interesting + Crack Anime. Definitely a must-play for fans of "cracked induced" comedy anime.
-I downloaded Bit Torrent as a way to download files. So far, my main is to use it to download Stepmania files. However, I may use it in the future to download anime.
-With just two more DVD's left in Utena and a few months before the US DVD release of Azumanga (MUST BUY R1 ASAP), it's time for me to start on a new series. Monday, I did so by purchasing the first Angelic Layer DVD (with box) at a Best Buy in Virginia (until the one near my mall opens, that and one in Bowie are the closest store in the area). That means my current plan when it comes to DVD buying consists of Utena, Angelic Layer, and, when it comes out, Abenobashi Magical Shopping District.
-I ordered my copy of the DDR Project I & III and Iron Chef 2003 DVD. I'm sending my payment tomorrow and hopefully the DVD will arrive by the end of the year (while shipping is scheduled for November 17, I'm keeping in mind a possible delay of the DVD and the amount of people who are ordering this DVD).
JOURNAL: TnAdct1 (Joseph Klemm)
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