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Posts tagged 2009
Anime USA '09: Courtyard, Marriott
Nov 24th
This Anime USA was a comfortable one, after getting a hotel deal at just under $90 a night. I stayed at the hotel immediately adjascent to the cons Hyatt, the Courtyard by Marriott. Not to be confused with any of the other many Marriott hotels in the area. I was rewarded with a room large enough to fit an air matress between the beds and the desk. Plus the desk hides an extra desk, with wheels, giving us more space for junk and laptops after it was rolled between the beds. I had no major issues with the hotel, was able to check in/out smoothly, but best of all, I didn’t have to play elevator games, dispite the hotel only having two. One elevator was actually put out of order late Saturday evening but it was fixed before check out Sunday morning.
- Pros:
- No wait for Elevators
- Extra towels and bedding on call
- TV Inputs available: Composite, S-Video, Component, HDMI, VGA
- Above Average sized room
- Extra Desk
- Power Outlets on the Desk Lamp and Bed Lamps
- Guest Only, Resonably Priced Parking with In/Out
- Cons:
- Smaller closet space
- No mirrors outside of bathroom
- Pillows flatten too easy, not as good as Hyatt
- No Towel rack in bathroom
- Does the Courtyard offer rooms with two queens?
Hotel Photos: 1 2 3 4 (Part of AUSA 09 Gallery)
Anime USA 2009 Report
NC to NJ, Time Lapse
Oct 5th
If you like killing time to good music, this might interest you. En route to New York Anime Fest I setup a camera for some time lapse photography. I had to space the pictures out a bit more than I would of liked, but I still appreciate the results. It was an experiment. In the future I’ll bring more battery life and memory. And sorry, no scenic views of entering NY, as I spent my nights in NJ.
NYAF's Social Side
Oct 2nd
So usually I try to avoid boring people with my typical con goings-on. I spend a lot of time meeting with friends and talking to people. However, I think for NYAF I will enlighten everyone with what kept me happy at a con in which I did virtually nothing and spent no-small-amount. To clarify, it was at least $140 in just gasoline and tolls. Tomino was no large draw either, not a big Gundam fan. If I finally hit the publish button on this article, it’s probably because I felt I gave NYAF too much undue credit.
I knew quite a few cool folks would be in town. I like a good long solitary drive once in awhile. Then if the con were a complete failure, I would of finally got a chance to see some of the sights in New York. In hindsight, the fact that I saw almost none of said sights is a good thing.
My baseline expectations were beat. I met new people like Bkub and a buncha Vocaloid cosplayers. I was surprised by what a few dealers had to offer. I got some free stuff, cheap stuff and had a good time overall.
Bringing people together is probably the most important aspect of conventions. Too bad almost any convention can do that and New York isn’t exactly prime location. Maybe it’s not their fault but there are better run events with more affordable locations. But I’m not exactly as inclined to do them charity; which would be more suited for one of the numerous fan-run, non-profit conventions.
So yeah, quality writing aside, other cool people deserve credit. I ran into wildarmsheero, rabidkimba and others who I apologize for forgetting their identities. Made an important Cheerwine delivery to ex-North-Carolinians living in the north. Hung out with the importers behind Hendane. Then had a quality BBQ dinner with Ryu Moto, Bkub, Jason Robinson, Agilis, Akira, Kyosuke, Shinikenshi and two of the Hendane guys.
Then there is the loot. Ryu Moto’s new full color book, got a nice Tsukimiya Ayu sketch. Finally got my Petit Eva Rei figure signed. A comic from Bkub. A few doujinshi care of Hendane. Enigmatic 2 and Unlimited Skies (Vocaloid) from a Lia dealer I forgot to get a name from. They threw in a Kotomi (Clannad) cellphone strap, signed Lia collection pamphlet, and a sampler cd. I was also able to pick up my Hatchune Miku fumo from a friend who obtained for me. Then bought a Misuzu plushie off a friend. Plus, with Kino in NY, got an extra sign-board for who knows what.
Miku hits NYAF!
Sep 30th
A thousand miles in the drivers seat of my little car last weekend brought me to New York Anime Fest. Held at the Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan, NYAF is a trade show style convention. A mix of dealers room, stage, and artist alley all in the same floor space without separation. Not to mention, the World Cyber Games running tournaments and free gaming as part of a national final. Starcraft and Counter Strike 1.6, among others, could be seen on a projection screen from most of the event hall.
Unlike most conventions I’ve become accustomed to, trade shows typically don’t offer as many of the community embracing panels and events. However the event had a variety of guests, dealers, and artists to bring people in. A mini event stage was constantly providing a distraction to those on the event floor. And separately NYAF ran 4 panel rooms, 2 screening rooms, and the main events theatre. I was happy to see a few Japanese speakers between guests such as Yoshiyuki Tomino of Gundam fame and artists like Ryu Moto of Petit Eva (http://ryusukeworks.com/, http://ryusukeworks.blogspot.com/) and bkub (http://comoco8109.web.fc2.com/). Generously, Ryu Moto was selling his new full color sketchbook for only $5 and bkub was giving out a comic. The WCG offered open gaming to attendees as well. It certainly seems like NYAF is still growing and improving.
On the other hand the con has quiet moments. A reported 21,388 attendees made it by this year. But, unless this number was exaggerated, I expect people were coming and going without staying as long, which the proximity to public transportation doesn’t make difficult. Also, it seems that NYAF doesn’t get as much cosplay as most cons. Not a surprise, since you have to choose to change on-site, brave public transport, or spend the extra money to stay local or drive in. I’m glad the con gets a few discounted places to park, but the costs are still high. Staying at a hotel locally or driving in for the day makes it a rather expensive con for what you get. Note that NYAF provides no facilities for changing on-site. Restrooms are available and last time I checked, no one could police what you do in there after you waited in line for your turn.
While it’s obviously difficult for an event in Manhattan to compete in accessibility. NYAF accomplishes a feel of a bit more than just a trade show. I had a better time than I was expecting, although I took advantage of the location to meet up with a lot of people I haven’t seen in awhile. If there is anything I’ve come to know, the people you meet make up the events. I’m looking forward to what NYAF comes up with next year. New York is a tough place to run a con as history has shown.
Miku Adventures to New York
Sep 27th
So far this weekend, aside from catching up with friends I haven’t seen since Comiket 75, I have been enjoying New York Anime Fest. It is the fast growing replacement for Big Apple Anime Fest. Look forward to a more in depth report and of course photos once I get some sleep.
In addition, as summer activities are coming to an end, I would like to post a few missing articles from the summer. The gallery is nearing a revitalization as well, which Otakon photos have been awaiting, as the new software is nearly ready.
Katsucon '09: The Return to Crystal City
Feb 15th
Katsucon is one of the longest running Anime conventions on the east coast. However this year, they’re once again the longest running in Virginia. The convention moved back to its 2004 location the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. However, a fresh face with new events and guests kept it from being a repeat. More >
Kanon 10th Anniversary Event!
Nov 28th
Almost 10 years ago Key released the hit visual novel Kanon. Ever since Kanon has been rereleased, made into anime twice, and loved throughly by yours truly. As a direct result, a doujinshi event has been announced for next year, when Kanon will turn 10. I look forward to seeing the inevitable spur of new doujin works; not that they haven’t been going strong already. And if you manage to drop by, don’t forget to check out the cosplay. It even seems they will have backdrops for photography available.
It’ll take place on May 4th, 2009 from 11am to 3pm. You should buy a catalog beforehand. Check the site for the venue information and further details. It’s near the Kamata stop on the JR Keihin-Tohoku line.