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ACen 2004 xD!
Monday, May 24, 2004
Now that was quite an exciting three days ^_^. Obviously, the con got me a little more hyped up about anime in general, but most of all, it made for some good times (with Tara!) and opened my eyes to the culture some.
I especially noticed and loved the cosplaying there, but the first thing that really got me was the large number of "goths" and "geeks" (there were like three people wearing brand name clothing in the entire convention xD). I think there's a correlation between this and the fact that everyone seemed so laid back and friendly. No one needed to impress anyone. No one needed to be all on top of things. And there was a lot of hugging going on.
In fact, by noon on Saturday, a whole ton of people had gotten bored enough of everything that they positioned themselves around the hotel in heavy traffic areas, holding signs on which said some variation of "Hug me!" After a while of just staring at these people, I went and hugged some of them -- which was a very cool experience. It's quite an act of trust and goodwill. As I went back to the stiffness of Real Life, I found that I missed the anime community a lot. T_T the hugging too.
All the cosplaying was excellent! (cosplay = people dressing up as different anime characters.) I got a whole ton of people to pose for my camera ^‾ there were Links, Vashes, Final Fantasy charas, a gigantic Moogle, and lots of things I didn't recognize. Even a storm trooper who looked really out of place, but was worth a shot (imperial WALKER!). There was that Inuyasha worth stalking... and in one corner, a Sephiroth, a Rikku, and a bunch of other people were playing video game music on violins, guitars, and keyboard, with a sign that said "request your favorite FF song" -- that was awesome.
And yes, I made a photo gallery for my pics complete with commentary so that all of you can see the goodness. Go to violasong.com/acen04 :D!
Regarding the sketches section of the above photo gallery: During Saturday night, Tara and I found Tara's friend Charlie and we hung out with him and his buddy for a while. We went into the consuite where I met this guy named John who had a big red sheet draped over his shoulders and was planning to be a field biologist. I showed him my "Two People" drawing which he really liked, and he (after much "encouragement" ^^) decided to draw something for me. We got to talking about random anime things, and he mentioned that he liked religious anime. I asked him about religion and he replied that his was not religious as nothing in religions had ever touched him, except for "maybe Daoism." So I took the chance to talk about Christianity and how it had touched me and many others, also explaining my theory that true hedonism leads to faith in God... and as he finished his drawing, I asked him what it meant. He said, "It's someone who is really confused. Someone who is sort of withdrawn from the different beliefs." At the top of the picture, he then wrote, "To a person I hope is happy with her heart and faith." And when I saw that, I was speechless.
To me, John and his drawing represent much of the anime community. So many people look like they don't have much to live for. They know about religion (a lot of spirituality is present in anime as well) but as life kicks in, they usually figure out their own doctrine. In the end, some are well described as confused. Confused, a bit cynical; for the most part, friendly and smart, but lost. There is a huge need there.
So that's something I've been thinking about -- reaching those people. Because I really love them.
It's not completely bad; I've found some Christian anime fans such as the ones in here ^^. And
So yeah, I was drawing a picture for John, but by the time I was done (I had moved a bit away to talk to some other people) he had left. So if you ever see him, please refer him to my pic. Thanks... I also got a drawing from Charlie (I love getting gift pics!! :D) and after that I made up this great "cosplay" idea -- I'll come with my giant sketch pad (it's gotta be something like 2.5 x 4 feet) and just make everyone sketch something for me for free hugs.
Anyway, we hung around the dealers area for like half the time because it was so great xD and I only got 2 t-shirts, but one of them, megatokyo sw4g, I had signed by Fred Gallagher ^^. Tara got some of the coolest posters ever. Including the half-your-wall Gundam Seed ones :D.
I have tons more to say but I need to go, I've been staying up for too long lately =_=. I led a praise symphony rehearsal by myself a few days ago, which was a little awkward but I think it went ok ^^. ALSO SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENED TODAY but I'll save that for later! Lastly, I am working on version two of violasong.com, and it's going great so far. Let me know of broken links here... and sankyuu for your thoughts, Kash,Weien, and David!
2:27 AM
Comments
I'm getting those half-wall posters framed. So Anime Central succeeded in completely emptying my pockets and put me in the hole about six hundred bucks. Good thing GS doesn't come out for a while in DVD.
Thanks for putting the pictures up. I love your descriptions.
As for ever creating a manga, maybe after I polish my skills (or lack thereof). You still have to finish your picture.
Good luck on the new layout. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by Ag at May 24, 2004 8:47 AM
*brandishes thermos
Behold, a threat! You should do those comics... your old ones were a success! Make time and do it!
And those pics were awesome. Cosplayers are de bomb. Makes me want to make a deku mask or something.
And.. that AMAZING THING is truly amazing. I can hardly comprehend it!
Posted by Weien at May 24, 2004 11:17 AM