Below, you will find links to my public LiveJournal entries corresponding to the seven parts of this report. There are pics included, so dialup users, beware! Anyway, on with the show.

In case you need a refresher on the previous events,...
Part one
Part Deux
Part trois
Part four
Part Cinco
Part six

Previously in the TekkoshoCon report, we left our protagonist going back to the room to change into something a bit warmer and return to the hotel lobby / lounge to be around when anything happened. Something almost did, and not in a good way.



I was hanging out around the impromptu yaoi party sitting in the lobby in front of the elevators. I knew it was getting colder outside, but I noticed Greg Ayres and a few others nattering about whatever there so I went. I quietly listened and observed until the attendees went inside, leaving Greg and me in front. We passed small talk back and forth until Jeff and his posse came out. More chatter ensued until they all wandered off to an alternate doorway. I thought they were going back inside and I stayed behind, since I was finishing a clove.

Within a couple minutes, I discovered the convention drunk guy. You know the one. He has been partying, steps out for some air or to aimlessly meander about, annoys and irritates people at random until he goes his merry way as if nothing has happened, and leaves behind a wake of con attendees who want to see his ass righteously kicked. That guy.

I didn't know he was "that guy" when he was telling me of a suite party on the top floor of the hotel. I didn't have any set plans and thought I might wanna go, but I thought I'd see if Greg & Company knew of it and wanted to check it out. I was about to wander in and noticed them all sitting outside the aforementioned alternate door because of a wall that was shielding them from the chilly night wind. I went over to address them. The drunk guy followed.

At first, it was no big deal. Then he began saying some ignorant things regarding anime forums or something like that. No one was agreeing with him although he was, in his own drunken way, defending his position. People were becoming visibly annoyed, including Greg (who I soon discovered has a nasty vicious streak when provoked...and he was close to that point). He really grated Jeff in every wrong way. I won't go into details about why, but Mr. Drunk Guy became Mr. Marked Man for the rest of the night.

So we retired to the lobby / lounge for another bull session. Many things were discussed and thrown around, but I couldn't help feeling a bit overwhelmed by the tension in the room every time Mr. Drunk Guy walked by. Greg left the scene at some point to go upstairs, check out the suite party, and make a Sheetz run (he is nearly obsessed with that place). Within that time, a few of the guys went back to their rooms. Down came Lynn (who ran the AMVs), drunk but semi-coherent. She took a couch and hung out with the few of us who were still around.

When it came down to me and her being the last two in the lounge, somehow the subject of AMVs came up. I told her my friend, Whitney, had an entry in the action category. She asked which one and I told her. She told me that she'd won. I still get excited when I think about that moment. I was (and still am) so proud of her. Anyway, she was always saying how she wasn't going to win anything for her AMV, so I decided to surprise her with the news the next day. There was no way I could keep a lid on this news. Lynn went on to tell me who the rest of the winners were. I was right on five of the six categories.

Sometime later, Greg came from his room after doing whatever. What transpired over the next three hours was a fascinating exchange between two people who are knowledgeable in any way imaginable of the anime business. I just listened. It was a learning experience no panel could offer. The little party finally broke up around 8:30am. Sleep? Like I had time for that. I had a wedding to attend in an hour and a half.

Or so I thought.

When I trapsed my sleepy, exhausted carcass to Artist Alley as Tidus to meet up with my Yuna for the "ceremony," I was told kshadow_chan wouldn't be coming in as her character because her wings had broken. Wonderful...a runaway bride. So it was back upstairs to pack Tidus away and pull out Greed. Gawd, I was beat. I was driven on, however, by this little nugget of news which I had decided to pass on th Whitney. I waited until I could have all the gang around the table at once for the announcement of Whit's AMV triumph. Without going into detail, I tried to create a bit of tension by building up to the news, but it happened a bit faster than I'd initially planned because, in my excitement, I started forgetting and tripping over words. When it finally came out,...another priceless look of elation from Whitney (and thunderous cheers from the crew) was the payoff. I told her to pretend to be surprised when her name was announced, but she said she wouldn't have to when she heard her name called during the "official" announcements.

More random Final Fantasy battles would ensue. We also sold the remaining bottles of BAWLS at the art table by holding them aloft and singing out loud the entirety of AC/DC's "Big Balls" (read "Big BAWLS"). Hey, it worked. Then the call went out to whatever costumed attendees were left to sit in on the "Last Supper" shot. What is that, you ask? A picture is worth many words (see below). Incidentally, Whitney made sure the poses were correct and decided she would probably go to hell for setting this stage. (:P)

(Notice the feast of Pocky and BAWLS and the Judas with a really long sword.)


(Of course, what would the Last Supper be without the weapons?)

Sundays at conventions are always the worst. Half the attendees have already packed and departed for whatever parts they came from, and the others are busy getting their stuff together or searching for bargains in the dealer room. You never have much time to exchange contact information and the goodbyes are always too brief and abrupt. The hardest part is knowing you just spent three days with these people and can't be sure when you'll see them next. After closing ceremonies were done, Whitney got her shining moment, and I found out someone had BEATEN MY KATAMARI DAMACY SCORE???...it was over.

I mean OVER. People cleared the scene and left faster and almost more unceremoniously than scattering roaches when the lights are turned on. Of course, it could also be that everyone knows they will see each other sooner than they think when the next convention rolls around. All I knew was when the gang I affectionately named "the CALUPA Posse" had departed, the Monroeville ExpoMart suddenly felt very empty. As a result, I found my resolve to make it to Otakon in Baltimore August 18-20.

But first, I had to gather my bags, check out of the hotel, cross the street, pass one more time through the Dawn of the Dead mall, and await the Greyhound to carry me back home to Norfolk, VA. I decided to take an earlier coach, opting for the 5:pm route instead of the 7:10. My camera batteries were both dead and so was I. There would be much unpacking and photo editing to do when I returned. I even brought back a couple of weapons donated to whoever wanted them from those random battles, as well as a ton of memories I'll keep with me forever. Memories which won't be merely overshadowed by, but complemented by and added to those I will make and encounter at Otakon.

Thank you, TekkoshoCon...see you next year!