My weekend

evil_little_dog joined me this weekend to go to the Animepunch convention in Columbus OH. It felt a little weird going to this hotel for an anime con after so many years of going there as a doctor (I had my medical practice in Columbus and returned even afterwards because some of the medical cons there were cheap and high in CME’s). It’s about an hour and forty minutes from my house which I’m sure evil_little_dog was grateful for since she got a tad lost coming into southern OH (okay real lost).

The con is put on by OSU and this is only the second (I think) year it’s been held for the public instead of a school only function. While the anime showings were well marked time wise pretty much nothing else was. That was a little discouraging especially when there were several writers, and voice actors, like Crispin Freeman (mentioning his name got me jumped by a stick figure of a young woman dressed as Envy, as if I somehow knew where this love of her life might be), we would have liked to seen. No times anywhere listed for them for any of the three days this con ran. In fact, there was no mention they would be appearing soon as we left for lunch but by the time we got back, they were already wrapping up the big name stars panel. (so the signing was what? A half hour long?)

Still, we had a good time in the small (too small, it broke fire codes) dealer’s room. Bought way too many magic beans (My mother’s euphemism for fan crap I don’t need to waste money on), including the Fullmetal alchemist pocket watch (that I said I wouldn’t buy but we all knew I lied) and the Flame alchemist’s array as a necklace (must bead that into something now), some photo cards, some little figurines, and a few shitajiki. (I’ll post some pictures now, and the jewelry in a few days, forgot to take my memory stick to work. Those pictures will NOT load here).

We didn’t really get into any of the anime screenings (nothing we wanted to see until late at night. This thing was running 24 hours a day more or less). Couldn’t work up interest in the panels. It was a lot of fun watching all the people doing cosplay. Saw a lot of people from Fullmetal Alchemist, Trigun and Hellsing (photos will have to wait, see above whining). I was thrilled to see the Winking Lizard Tavern was still there (you can drink your way around the world). It used to be pretty good so we went for lunch (it was still good). I drank my way from here to England (hey I could have went further but I wanted to save my money for magic beans and ELD was giving me a look that said 44 oz of beer is enough in an hour. You drove, twit.)

The downside to the con besides the above mentioned lack of times? Well the price but it would be a fair price IF I were staying at the hotel all weekend and could take full advantage (My queendom for reduced rates for day trippers) and the tiny dealers room/ tiny forum rooms. The other thing was what the dealers room offered. I’m SO lucky I’m into Fullmetal Alchemist because if you weren’t into FMA, Trigun, or Bleach there was next to nothing there (a few offerings from Samurai Champloo and a little manga/anime not at very good prices). I mean, no Hellsing, no Fruits Basket, or any of the other popular manga/anime. There were almost no collectors cards (which I love) and no cels (yes, everything’s computer animated now but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cel collectors (not me) out there. I guess the need for space limitations cut into diversity.

I really really wished I had taken a photo of the 60 something year old man dressed in a Shojo outfit (pink). Kicks self. I did get a great photo of Barry and Armstrong and one of Trigun.

After we plundered the dealers room, we hit the theatre across the street to see Slither because let’s face it, cheesy horror-comedies are my thing. They promised it was Tremors funny and it had Nathan Filion in it (okay he does nothing for me but he can act at any rate). It wasn’t Tremors good but it was amusing and gross and I enjoyed it. It’s funnier when you realize these are my neighbors and this is where I live (when ELD called me lost she was whining there were no lights anywhere. On the drive up I said, look around, now do you see why there’s no lights?) I wouldn’t say run out and watch it but do rent it/ see it on cable. I can sum it up in two words Tentacle Sex (wish I could have figured out when the Pg-13 Hentai party at the con was just to see how that even worked)

The next day I took ELD to see the Mothman. (Again photos must wait) I think she was suitably underwhelmed by the grandeur that is Point Pleasant. I think there is no longer a mystery as to why I want to run screaming from here. She was quite amused by my moaning groaning creaking house. You can’t sneak up on me, no sir. My house telegraphs every foot fall.

Here’s some acquisitions (two shitajiki and double sided plastic folder) ( See the Magic Beans )