First off, I'd like to mention that Ice Age 3 totally has a Windwaker reference... if you see the movie, you're bound to catch it. (Yes, ~teh-DPG/D. Dude... I mentioned it.)

Anyway, on to more important things... or so I say. As promised--I have an Anime Expo 2009 report...

DAY ONE

Well, I somehow survived the six hour drive from Phoenix to LA. I tried to sleep a lot of the time to make the time go faster (fortunately I can willingly sleep in a moving car.) Though it wasn't fun when I had to put on my Gaara make-up in the car. I started getting claustrophobic and the rest of my family was panicking over LA traffic. So after getting a little sick and finally stopping, I managed to put on the rest of my costume. So we finally were able to enter the LA Convention Center. My brother ~Syrinox and I got our badges and were finally allowed to roam around freely. This is a view of the West Hall from above: [link]

And there were some pretty freaking amazing cosplayers there... namely these guys. I just about wet my pants when I saw them. [link]

I actually learned about how there was a D. Gray-Man cosplay gathering that day. So I decided to go and check it out. I got some pretty funny shots, too: [link] (Go, Allen(s)! Ah, wait... but it was in vain...) [link]

Actually that day I was pleasantly surprised that my Gaara costume was so well received by the public. I honestly thought it was sux0rs, so it sort of gave me a self-esteem boost when people were constantly asking for pictures (I lost count after 30 something... it must have been over 50), and saying that it looked really good. Though I couldn't smile, because I'd be breaking my character. XD;;

That night, when my brother and I met up with our parents again, they showed us how to work the LA metro... it was my first time riding a train in America. (The first train I rode was when I was in Switzerland.) [link] At first I was thinking to myself, "Yaaaayyy! Train!" But since I barely ate anything that day, I got motion sickness halfway through and started thinking, "Noooooooooo! Train..."

Now that was where I got the most interesting reactions from people. While we were waiting for the train to come, this lady tapped me on the shoulder:

Lady: Excuse me... wut iz this?

Me: It's supposed to be a giant gourd... XD;

Mom: It's from a Japanese cartoon...

Lady:.....

And then while we were on the train, this guy started talking to me--

Man: Hey--are you gothic?

Me:...(*laughs inside*) No--I'm in a costume. *smiles*

Man: Oh... what for? (And conversation goes on.)

There are a lot of talkative people in LA and a lot of interesting characters--it's like half of the fun was just observing people. XD Since I come from a kinda-sorta small town, I don't get the full brunt of city-life. The most epic part at the hotel (while wolfing down Wendy's) was the Asian channel! There was a Korean soap opera. It was the most interesting thing on TV.

DAY 2

I was really, really looking forward to day 2, because I planned to be Emil Castagnier. I worked the hardest on that costume, and I was fairly proud of it, if I may be so bold to say. That day there was also a bunch of stuff to do--so it was much more fun (and more relaxing since I didn't just get out of a car that had been going for six hours).

I had epic encounters with several Tales of Symphonia cosplayers, too. It was fun staying in character. When I met a Richter there were a bunch of people that went "...ohhhhhh!!!" Later that day was the Tales of gathering--which was super fun because I met several Lloyds... If I ever get the chance to go to Anime Expo again, I'd love to meet all those people again, they were awesome. This was a group shot of the gathering: [link] (I laugh at the Zelos in the front. XD)

I also went to the Zelda cosplay gathering that day to get some pictures...because I'm a Zelda freak and can do that. Here are some shots: [link] [link] [link] (I LOVED THIS GUY )

The last thing my brother and I did that day was go to the FUNimation sneak peek panel. Where this amazing picture was being displayed while we waited: [link]

I think Day 2 was my favorite day.

DAY 3

On Day 3 I was Oz Bezarius from Pandora Hearts. It was kind of a relief that not as many pictures were taken because the anime/manga is less popular here in America... but out of the people that did take pictures of me, a lot of them were Japanese. XD I noticed because after they'd take the picture, I'd either hear a "sank-yuu" or get a bow.

That day was the Ouran High School Host Club cosplay gathering. Unfortunately, I didn't take much pictures because I was behind the crowd, and my shortness does not allow me to get a good view. XD; But the good news is I ran into ~panda-monnee-um from Comicon. =3 (W00t! Go AZ!) Her and her sister had amazing Cheshire Cat Twin cosplays.

Though I did manage to get this picture of Code Geass cosplayers... of Zero being a pimp. [link]

And I also got this... [link]

That day I also had the chance to meet Vic Mignona! (for about 30 seconds... XD) (I was not expecting that--because I don't recall seeing him on the special guest list on the AX website.) He's a great guy and very loyal to his fans. If any of you guys have the opportunity to go to a convention where he's going to be, I'd totally encourage you guys to meet him. He's a very nice guy.

That night was the masquerade, too. Where there was some pretty amazing costumes. D= Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures because no flash photography is allowed--and my camera isn't made to take pictures in the dark. There were some really great skits...and some, well--you get the picture. XD My favorite was this Pokemon skit where Ash went Super Sayan(?).

Fully satisfied and tired, we left AX. I really hope I have the chance to go again, someday. =3 (...when I raise enough money...)

And this part is for ~teh-DPG because he said I was bound to fangirl over the merchandise I bought.

OH EM GEE, I got this sweet Allen Walker poster!!!11 It's so shineeeeeeeeyyyyy and amazing. He's so hot because he's British. Nya~ And I also got a D. Gray-Man DVD set--with a free shirt!!11 tehe

(By the way, I already have a Cloud Strife action figure--for real)

...Okay, I'll go back to normal now.

Anyways....My message box is currently full right now, and I still need to take care of a couple of things. But I still have an art piece in the works. And I'm not going to any conventions any time soon, so I won't be consumed by costume-making. Oh! One more thing... if there are those of you who want to see my cosplays, just note me.