8.5 out of 10. Can't wait to go back next year.
First Carolina convention. I really didn't expect much since I was looking towards the fashion show, but man, this place DELIVERED like a dedicated pizza man in a snowstorm. Between this convention and AWA, it's really hard and it was neck and neck. I liked AWA for its size, but Ichibancon seemed to capture the togetherness of a smaller convention, yet had enough entertainment to keep me busy and pleased.
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| Fountain with a mini waterfall in the middle of the hotel. |
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| Only one part of the Video Game Room. Note the 3 dancing games which I LOVE! |
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| The only stairway suitable for photos. |
FRIDAY
Okay, so let's begin with Friday. Friday was a big, big day for me since it was my first time in a fashion show. I never modeled or did anything related to beauty, I actually shyed away from it, because I used to be picked in school for my appearance. But hey, life has been good to me and with enough hard work, I'm pleased with my body.... for now. Cosplay plans require me to change so it's back to that 6-pack workout. Excited from the energy of the con and from Thursday's brief DDR adventure, I took some pictures of the con-attendees. Now, I'm not sure if it is due to my availability bias, but it seemed like this convention had a lot of j-fashion running around. I was finding one every couple of minutes or so...
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| Imagine all sorts of styles walking throughout the con. Yeah, it was diverse. |
...until it was time to apply makeup. I wish a makeup pro or somebody who is well experienced can help me, I learn better than trial and error, but I'm doing okay so far. After I applied makeup I went to the gathering place where the show was going to be held at, and there were a lot of models waiting. I immediately froze up and took the seat that was closest, yet farthest away from people. I could already hear my heart beating faster than pistons in a car engine (Bugatti Veyron, over 1000hp anyone?). Sat my arse down and proceeded to freeze as usually when a lovely lady sitting next to me started making small talk. I was so nervous that I started to do that thing again, where I would give short answers while a million thoughts remained crammed in my head.
"Was my wig okay?" "How the hell am I suppose to pose?" "Are any loose parts showing?" "What's for lunch after the show?" "I really gotta pee, even though I went to the restroom five minutes ago."
Luckily, she didn't treat my cold demeanor as being an ass, so we became friends later! Ah that's right, after show picture:
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| Some of the participants in the fashion show. |
I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day after the fashion show since I was suffering from the after effects of pent up nervousness. Hard liquor does amazing stuff to the nerves... My friend, Y, came around midnight so it was good to catch up with him...
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| My first time at Jack in the Box! We don't have em in Atlanta. The burger was about Wendy's quality, but the real winner was the breakfast menu being available all DAY!!!! |
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SATURDAY
Saturday was nothing but picture taking time. Attended some lolita panels, which was very informative! Probably a very difficult, but workable goal of mine is to memorize all of the prints the brands pump out. I'm slowly starting to recognize some, but usually forget about the name.
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| Final Fantasy 6 (JPN), Sakizou version |
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| Some Vocaloid Inspiration |
I keep running into newly made friends from the fashion show! It's really nice, to have that homey feel to this convention. I was only expecting to play the living crap of the gameroom, but these people were really nice. I miss them a lot. So later on the day, Y and I got some food and spent a lot of time just talking about life. Slowly though, his mood started to change.
One thing that irked me. Some guy who was really good at DDR, not a newbie at that, decided to sit all the way close up to the pads. Now, I think he seen me play both pads and I take up extra space, but I don't know why he decided to do that. I warned him that I was going to hit him if he sat there and he just looked at me like I was a joke. I then explained that I was going to freestyle and that I will hit him cause I often did handstands and all sorts of tricks, but he refused to budge.
Sunday
During breakfast Y didn't talk much. I'm not sure if it was due to him not being a morning person or if he's always quiet like that, but he didn't seem to talk much throughout the morning. I had to take a shower and get ready for a panel, but when I stepped out of the bathroom, he was gone. I'm not sure if it was something I did, but I had a feeling he was angry at me? Or disappointed? He often complains he is unable to relate to younger people, with me being significantly younger than him, but it always looks like he's chasing the younger girls. He's a puzzling guy for sure, and it is hard for him to get him talking. And he claims I'm his best friend..... Sometimes, it is the men that I have a harder time figuring out than women. It's probably been a week or two after the con and he still hasn't talked. *shrug*
I was about to call it early and drive back, but I keep running into my newly made friends! It was sooooo nice being able to talk about whatever and just be around people who share your interests. Just honest people, having a good time. It may be just a convention to you, but to me, it's a big boost to my sanity. It makes me very sad I had to leave, but hopefully I get to see them again and again!
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| A friend. |
Next week is the big lolita tea party. My outfit didn't arrive in time, so I'll probably reuse an old one. The next post will be about that.
