A while back I heard about this con, which is rather nice for being located no more than a few kilometers from my apartment. So I pre-registered for it, and Friday morning after a 45 minute walk, I was at the convention center. Unfortunately, it was about the most humid day I've experienced in Toronto, so I was sweating pretty good by the time I got there. Not like anyone would notice another sweating fan anyway. I got my badge quickly enough and made my way to the second floor, where there was the longest, most confusing line I've seen in a while. I just sat by and waited for the line to dwindle as the dealers' room was opened quite late compared to what I am used to--nearly 5PM. However, this isn't just an anime convention. It's mashed together with sci-fi, comics, and horror to produce some confusing, megacon. I was disappointed to find that the dealers' room was only slightly organized by genre. Also, the artists' ghetto was placed right in the dealers' room, meaning that once it's closed off, there's nowhere for slackers like me to hang around and sit and draw. I picked up a few manga to get a feel for what's up these days, since it's been years since I actively bothered to read any manga. I saw a couple of people from the lab and caught the first couple of episodes of Stand Alone Complex, which was okay as far as anime action flicks go these days (that is, not very). I got a couple of photos of cosplayers, but overall, there weren't too many good costumes here for the size of the con, perhaps because a good deal of the con had nothing to do with anime. Being right here in Toronto, it was convenient enough to walk back home and discuss video games and such with one of the guys from the lab. It's much nicer having a real bed than sharing a room with half a dozen other people in a hotel.

I got a late start on the second day of the con, but without a table to man, books to sell, or commissions to bother with, it didn't really matter. I didn't even bother to draw in my free time, as I'm spending a few hours a day on my big Radio Comix project anyway. For the first time in my seven years of con-going, I decided to make it to the masquerade, having no other compelling engagements. Another ridiculously unruly line had formed for this event, and my friend from the lab and I waited well past the 7PM deadline for the start to get our seats way up on the balcony. Unfortunately, my camera has no optical zoom, so this is about the quality of photos I could manage. There were a few good costumes I would have liked to get pictures of that I didn't see around the con at other times, like Dizzy from Guilty Gear X. A few of the skits (and audience feedback) were entertaining, and some of the costumes were good, but for the most part it was forgettable. But it was something to do, and it didn't cost me anything, so I can't complain.

A got up early enough to be at the convention center by noon to catch a semi-retarded SD Gundam show. However, just as I was getting ready to leave, it started raining. I don't own an umbrella, but I figured I can brave the elements for anime. Surely the rain would only last a few minutes before lightening up. As I made my way down to the show, the rain got heavier, and I got wetter. Finally, I surrendered and purchased a cheap umbrella in China town on the way. I arrived soaked from head to toe, but on time for the Gundam show. About five minutes into it, the power went out. Great. I wrenched myself out of bed at 10AM only to hang around the convention center and read manga. I kept myself entertained until the power came back on and I was able to catch the painfully adorable Panyo Panyo Di Gi Charat at 2PM. By this time, I was still completely soaked, and I found myself freezing as the air conditioning came back to life. So much so, that I had to call it a day and head back home around 3PM.

I don't know why these two belong together.


Like most costumes, I don't know what this is from.


Imperials doing imperial things.


The girl on the left doesn't seem too pleased about the giant cat.


None of these pictures make any sense.


I don't know how her halo is powered.