Back from the U.S.A.
So I've returned from Anime Expo in Anaheim, CA early this morning. In fact, I left L.A. at 10:30pm (after nearly missing my flight, yikes!) and arrived at 6:30am in Toronto.

I slept 'till 2pm... didn't think I could do that, but I was dead tired.

Of course, I look at my bags and eye them with distaste. I really didn't want to unpack due to laziness, but... well now my room's 8x messier than before as I try to "put things away"

tofu and artist's alley
So at the con, I was selling tOFU, a doujinshi with aimo, eisu, heather, and a whole host of other kids I know on and offline. If you'd like to pick up tOFU, you can get one online or email me if you're attending SDCC in two weeks.

but back to AX, it was nice to see everyone again, even with the smaller turn out. The alley set up was great, but location wasn't the best. while close to the dealer room doors, it was off to the side and not in the flow of traffic.

people...
Got to meet a friend of Aimo's, (edit: Laine!) but I forget her online nick, of course. durf. But that was neat, as I was hearing that telltale malay accent in her english -- it made me crave for cendol, a sweet coconut and jelly drink.

While I was supposed to share a table with Terry, the alley people somehow changed their minds and allocated two artists to a table instead of one table to an artist. This was kind of a bummer. I ended up sharing my table with Henry Liao, whom I met last year and a really nice guy. Cute and sure of his skills, I shmucked him often enough through out the weekend to ensure that he was thoroughly grounded. He was a great table mate. Even with all the "eh" teasing. *g*

So what happened to Terry? well, as he only had his doujin to sell, he didn't need so much space, even with me hogging it all. It is unfortunate that we had to cram. Terry also wasn't there until later on Thursday, and absent on Saturday, (attending Ozfest), and thus, it worked okay space wise. Terry also got pretty blasted on the Friday evening with the rest of the boys in the alley. (more on that later)

Sam.. Sam, sam, sam. Sam forgot about me and so didn't show his face until Saturday evening. I was rather sad at that, but I'll have a chance to talk to Sam in an couple weeks. As long as he doesn't forget that I'm staying with him then! hehehe...

PMBQ was in the dealer's room this year, so we didn't see too much of her until after hours. I think she did rather well, so that's really cool. I bought three of her extra cute baby tee's. Make sure that you pick some up. I highly reccommend them.

Vo, CP, Lanzer, and co, (a.k.a. Studio XD) were also there pimping go-gaia.com with postcards and stuff. They're also doing super well with that. It was nice to see 'em again too. CP tells me that he might go to Toronto some time again. That'd be cool.

I also met up with Stone and Sanosuke, whom I know casually online. Those guys are jokers, but we pretty much killed ourselves laughing over BLGT and other Sarcastabitch history.

Ianoji was selling BAAU Down 2, and I do baau down to his enthusiasm for the project. I also envy his sales skills and enlisted him to sell tofu for me on the Saturday when he ran out of BAAU on Friday. I lament about the fact that all the artist groups are so far away and don't actually communicate with each other.

And running on this thought, I ponder the regeneration of OFU. I miss that whole drawing thing. We'll see if I have the motivation for it. not to mention talking it over with all the rest of the gang. We tend to hang out as friends and watch movies more than anything now. *g*

Anime Expo Antics
so here's the run down of my time at AX in a nut shell...

Wednesday
arrived a little early, my luggage came first out of the shute, and caught the next shuttle to the hotel. Fantastic.

Thursday
got up and hit the lineup for badges. Even with prereg and it being 8:15 when I joined the line, I had to wait an hour. Played the "where the hell do I go for the alley" game again. From Badge reg at that hilton to the convention centre, back to the hilton, back to the con centre (but to the alley where I met up with Henry), and then finally, to the Marriott. you know, where I was staying. >_< Every year. can't they just tell us where the hell it is?!

We claim our tables, and head back to the alley for set up. Henry teased me for the length of time it took me to write all the signs, arrange all the stuff and price it. It did take me over an hour.

Wondered when Sam would show.

Khanh showed up and I muttered to him about the missing Sam. He called Sam, but apparently, it was the wrong number. grr.

It was a pretty easy day. Sales were brisk. Stayed at the alley until like.. 9pm, at which time we were starving. Someone had brought us Taco Bell at 3, and we didn't eat until 5. McD's was dinner, where Henry and I remarked that there were a startling amount of children up far too late. After waiting a half hour for food, (fast!? ha!!!), we ate and by the time we left, all the children were falling asleep.

Henry dropped me back off at the hotel and then I was planning to go to sleep, but decided to check out the dance solo. There's a dance on every night of the con, so I figured that I wouldn't stay too long.

However, there were some damn cool dancing going on. Stood on the edge of the circle to cheer the break dancers, ravers, and assorted brave people on. Some brazillian+phillipino dude started talking to me and encouraged me to dance. With my purse and crap, it wasn't great, but I did like the music and so, danced. We also talked some, but by 12:30am, I was ready to turn in. Said goodbye to the nice dude, walked back to my room and arranged my stuff for the next day and turned off the lights.

Friday
I sent a text message to my sis regarding Sam's cell number.

So, hit the alley on time the next morning. Henry was already there, and we started our day. Nothing terribly exciting.

Terry had his doujin out and so the three of us were behind the table. Ran in to the dealer's room to get my Digi Charat Trading figure set 3 box, (found it cheaper elsewhere after that - ouch), and asked the Gamers people to bring the cute key chains I had been eyeing online for me the next day. Bought other random digi things.

Where's Sam?

Lunch was hot dogs today, compliments of Terry. mmm.. food. Sales were slower today, which was suprising.

I called home for Sam's number. Found out it was the right number after 15 minutes of long distance cell phone fun. yay. Khanh called Sam.

This evening's fun was to go to Denny's - ahh, the traditional Denny's dinner.. So we made our way and did our thing. It was a group of 20, so seating us would take a bit, but still faster than I thought. We were in three groups/tables, and I was sitting with PMBQ, Vo, Ian, and err... can't remember who else was at the table now. Silly memory.

After dinner, we made our way to the convenience store to buy alcamahol and then to the XD boys' room.. Which we promptly left to go to my hotel room which was larger and had A/C. Our depart was delayed as we waited for people to use the facilities. We did have some fun in the parking lot though. Vo and Josh demoed their Capoiera fighting. hilarious. I have me video of that. I'll post it later.

So finally to my hotel. Where people proceeded to get drunk. Also funny. Willie, whom I don't know online, was thouroughly trashed. Terry too. He was quite good at the prize games that we hit at 2am. Also saw Shawn this day -- I found out later that he was that guy in the lain bear costume the year before. Very cute! I'll dig up that photo at some point. Also discovered that Shawn was NOT Japanese, but Chinese. I mean, Hsiang Wang - you're not getting more chinese than that, really. But I swear that him living in Japan all this time has turned him superficially Japanese!!

Terry was to stay in my hotel room this night due to his massive drunkeness and inability to drive and with the missing Sam, there was a bed free. The fool takes a shower, lights are out and then ten minutes later when he thinks I'm sleeping, he tries to sneak out.

Now, in my head, I thought I'd startle him by saying, "go back to sleep Terry!" but as I had been sick for the last few days, all I got out was a massive coughing fit. After talking with him in the dark about the sanity of driving home at 3am and inebriated. He did need to be at Ozfest at 9am the next day and would have to be up in three hours to get there regardless. Well, I said my piece and tackling 200lbs of a guy even on my best of days is futile. I threatened his hide if he got in to an accident.

Saturday

Henry had left his stuff in my room this time 'round so he swung by at just before 10am. I had just gotten out of the shower, so I looked a little bedraggled. greaaaat. At any rate, we arrived at the alley and began to do the alley thing.

Khanh was there and we muttered again about Sam. Called Sam. Berated Sam. Badgered him to show.

Tonight was to be alley jam night. We set it for 7. Durf. Planning!? what the..?! Obviously, by the time alley closed it was 7 and we were all starving. we went to dinner in smaller groups this time 'round and others were headed for the alley. I felt bad because I told Evil Tiger and my other friends Arn and Joo that we were going to be there and they called.. drat.

But Sam!!! Sam ARRIVED!!! he arrived towards 6, so we were able to nab him for dinner.

So after dinner, we arrived at the alley to find Vo and co there. We were suprised, as they had planned to go to the masquerade. but they didn't get in line in time and lost their seats. So the jam started at like 9.

There's a funny group shot that I'll post after.

We headed to the dance, as Vo was eager to go so we could play with our glow lights. I bought them earlier that day so we could be all ravey. hehhehe..

We were to be very dissapointed. the music was all jrock and not our style at all. boo! boo! Went back to the hotel where PMBQ, Marcial, Vo, and others went to Karoke. forgot to ask 'em how that was. The others, Shawn, Henry, Stone, and Sano, and (one more guy I don't really know), stayed and we chit chatted. Sam showed up a bit later and we talked until we kicked everyone out at 2am. Sam and I were exhausted.

Sunday
Last day. I woke up, took a shower and nuged Sam awake. Sam's funny when he's tired. He muttered, "I'm up! I'm up!" into his pillow and lay still for the next five minutes.

Henry was late today, and he grabbed his stuff and we made our way to the alley. Sam and I stopped to checkout and get some breakfast. met up with Stone and Sano in the Starbucks. Took a while, but we got to the alley where Henry had gone ahead. I brought him a coffee and Bananna bread. So dumb am I, I forgot he had said the day before he was allergic to bannanas and strawberries. I cry for his loss of nummy fruits. Oh, and he didn't drink coffee. ah well, I tried to bring him food.

Terry arrived later, but in one piece.

Not bad for sales today, though the price drop on tofu might have done it. But I also think I got the hang of selling it.

I drew a really nice Blood the Last Vampire fanart. That was a request though, so I had to give it up. :( Hopefully, he will remember to scan it. I'd love to colour it.

Sat around as the alley cleared out. Henry was busy with one last humongous commission. Talked with Khanh, Kitsy and other artists I can't remember and didn't know very well. But it was good chatting. They were heading up to ET's, Joo , and Arn 's room next. Terry, Sam and I decided to grab a quick bite to eat before joining 'em. Said good bye to Henry as he was in the middle of inking.

Went to the hotel room to find it packed. :) but we stayed around until 8:30 and I had a good time talking with everyone, cramped as it was.

However, after repacking and traffic, I nearly missed my 10:25 flight. I got to the airport at like... 10:05... yikes!

After sounding pitiful, they let me in. On the plane, took my nyquil and prayed for it to kick in so I would have at least some sleep.

and well, you all know the rest.