April 4-6th (3-7th for me): Sakura Con is really growing! Unfortunately, due to the war, there were 4 guest cancellations but I'm amazed at how hard Rik worked to get guests and we even lucked out in the end when a couple ended up appearing after all. The cosplay went way smoother than last year but it really sounds like the sound equipment is going to need a recharge. The stage lighting setup was really cool.
Thursday: Virgil and I took the plane this time on Southwestern which
was cheap and very stress free. Shawn and Mika came by train to see what all
the fuss was about. That's cause Virgil and I went on about our train trip and
the beautiful country side last time. We arrived from the airport at the Marriot
Hotel around 5pm in our rental car. We asked for a midsize car and were given
a Red Mustang. Apparently Mustangs are considered midsize...though the inside
is tiny. At least we looked hot *snicker*. Virgil drove it like an old man though
due to the fact that he hadn't driven a mustang before and wanted to be extra
careful. I'll just stick to my dreams of flying cars.
I took care of pre-reg that night to get it out of the way and Virgil headed
to the booth area to make sure we had one in the exhibitors hall. We then drove
to the Valley mall area to get supped up at Target and Quiznos. Shawn and Mika
didn't get in until around 11pm at the train station... trains are always 3
hours late.
Friday: I wore my bright orange PomPom shirt. We set our booth up early
morning. Well, they did. I was feeling nasty sick up in our room from sudden
stress level changes. I was also busy getting our costumes ready. I missed the
opening ceremonies. I usually do. Not intended. I'll catch it next year.
I spent the day roaming around as Sadako
(FansView photo). Not Samara. Get out more. I got alot of that. I've
been a fan of the original japanese Ring movie years before it ever came here
in any form. (mutter: Same thing with T.A.t.u.) For more on Sadako and the Ring
trilogy (this ain't the fantasy movies *L*), visit HERE.
Anyhow, enough people knew who I was and enjoyed the costume so that made it
fun for everyone. That's a big reason why I cosplay. That and I love becoming
my favorite characters. I love Sadako in a special way. Virgil went as The Great
Muta (famous japanese wrestler). Video
of The Great Muta at Sakura Con 03'! ...&... Video
of Sadako at Sakura Con 03'!
Later that day, I signed up for the karaoke contest. FINALLY!!! First time I
ever made the list, but you'd already know that if you read my other reviews.
I had prepared to sing Dir En Grey's "Raison Detre". The sound system
was really bad this year, but at least it helped me sing over the lead vocals
a bit better. My song didn't come in a karaoke version. They also played the
song 2 octaves lower than it's supposed to be, so you can imagine my vocal fun
trying to be heard. Oh well! I had a blast anyway!!! The karaoke hosts are always
the best -Ahna & Theo (I hope I spelled their names right). I still had
my Sadako costume on and I wanted to make my performance entertaining or why
bother. I don't believe in executing the audience. Unless it's done the way
Nick does it. With blood. ;) Let it loose! This awesome girl won the karaoke
contest with an anime filk of Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back" and
original lyrics about Final Fantasy hot guys. It was the best thing I've ever
seen at karaoke! She goes by the handle "silentshadow31" in the Sakura
Con forums and by the author name "Tobu Ishi" at fanfiction.net
so check out her stuff. Unfortunately, the only thing I got was a Video
of My Karaoke Performance / Alternate
Link as I only had a few minutes of extra tape. Virgil helped
tape it. But I heard there's someone in the forum who got her on tape. I have
to find them!
BakaZoku got together that night briefly to go over the skit concept.
Saturday: I wore my bright orange PomPom shirt again. We almost didn't
make the cosplay masquerade skits list but thanks to Mike's hardwork we got
lucky. The rest of the day was spent getting ready. We met up at 2:30pm for
the pre-cosplay runthrough with all the cosplay groups. We actually got done
on time this year and they said we could run around and meet back there at 5pm
for the cosplay show. I was so tired, probably from wearing the bear costume,
that I just stayed in the main event ballroom and slept until 5. I drooled all
over my body stuffing pillow which I slept on. Well everyone's skits went well
but we all could have talked alot louder and faced the audience more. We didn't
have a couple areas in our skit solidified but thanks to quick thinking by our
cast members, they were decently saved. :) All in all it rocked! We won an award
for our skit and I won the best craftsmanship award for my costume. I was not
expecting that award at all since I didn't think my costume looked the most
detailed. But I guess the judges though it was cool. I just made the costume
to goof around in but I am very grateful for the award and the prizes. I really
had no money at all so it was nice to get the gifts. I'm broke from putting
the costume together and flying myself up to Washington. :) I also think the
convention doesn't want BakaZoku to win so much. heehee. well, the group that
did win Best skit this year did an awesome job. It was a really awesomely funny
skit with the dating game and some funny batchelors which were all likable.
They got the audience involved too. It was almost impossible to hear them talk,
but I totally understood the skit. If anyone has a copy of it, please let me
know. Video
of Our 'BakaZoku 2003' Skit
After the cosplay, Shawn, Virgil and I wandered around. We went to the RadCon
Toxic Waste Party (aka Sludge Party) at the Hilton which was filled with proud
Scotsman and green mystery drinks. Good snack though. It was fun. Then we went
to check out the dance going on in the main event ballroom. It was pretty smelly
in there but you couldn't help but smile. It looked like a giant Ewok celebration.
A giant hentai
tentacle (FansView photo) was dancing inside a circle with some girls.
That was the best.
Sunday: I wore my black TROGDOR!!! shirt. I brought the magic bubbles
again but since I was sitting in the back, I couldn't get more than a few out
to the rows around me. Also, they started the event pretty quickly this time...
It was fun. And the Taiko drummers were awesome as usual. That pretty much closed
the whole convention for me. We went out to eat afterwards for some high class
oysters and oyster shots...Shawn and I were the oyster people for that. The
food was good though. We walked around downtown as well and then went to Gameworks
where you use cards instead of cash to activate
the games. They have this cool ceiling high hot air balloon game where you sit
in these seats that shoots up into the air, with you literally in them, when
you move your balloon onto "up" action icon.
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| Additional pics from FansView
below... Go to Fansview.com to see more cosplay pics. |
