Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts
By Alyce Wilson
Day Two: A Mad Tea-Party
I should have known not to wear my staff shirt until I got to the convention center. On my second day (Friday, August 8) at Otakon I was grabbed on the way in by an artist who wanted to know when she could set up her gear. I didn't know, so I spent a fruitless half hour with her in tow, trying phone numbers and looking for the information.
I should have just told her what I knew, which was that pre-registered people could enter the Charles Street Lobby at 9 a.m.
I knew this because I'd said it to hundreds of people in the preregistration line the previous night.
So when I finally got to Registration, where I was supposed to be helping for the day, they were already halfway through the orientation session. I would have to wing it.
I stepped next to a friend of mine and then, realizing someone was behind me, stepped back to my original place. The person whom I'd blocked said, somewhat icily, "Good. Now I can see."
Five minutes later, after I'd composed myself in the hallway, I decided the best thing to do was put a smile on my face and start over. I introduced myself to the person I'd blocked, apologizing.
"Yeah, I thought the one wearing cat ears would have a sense of humor," she said.
Oh, did I forget to mention? I wore my cat ears that day, figuring that I was one of the first impressions into the con and no matter how many hours you've been waiting in line, it's hard not to smile at a person wearing cat ears.
Although the registration line was mad busy, I actually enjoyed myself. I got to meet a lot of people, some wearing elf costumes (my favorite).
After putting in a full day, taking only short breaks to eat protein bars and apples, the head of registration told me I could leave. I'd requested to be allowed to watch "Mystery Anime Theatre 3000," which is a live performance where some of my oldest friends perform skits and make fun of bad anime.
This year's recipient was Crusher Joe, a particularly insipid one. I should know. I helped them write some of the jokes (they even used a few). So after a break for dinner, it was back to the main events room and front row seats for MAT3K.
I've seen MAT3K live three times, and this year's show was the best. They acted with gusto during the skits, and the jokes went over well with the audience. I laughed so hard I couldn't laugh any more.
Afterwards, I was flying high on the humor. I stopped backstage to congratulate them before I had to be zipping along. For much as I didn't want to leave, I had a three and a half hour drive ahead of me, so that I could get to State College that night. You see, my sister's graduation from Penn State was the next morning.
But I was feeling so happy I had to take a stroll through the convention center first. I saw so many weird and wonderful costumes, so many happy people. One of them flashed me a peace sign. "Love and peace!" he exclaimed.
"Love and peace!" I said back. It was a mantra from a popular anime, Trigun. Love and peace, I chuckled to myself, as I left this mad tea-party behind.
After a quick change in the parking lot — I pulled a "Mr. Bean" and switched into fresh clothes without ever being indecent — I was on the road.
It was a beautiful night, driving away on empty highway, cranking the Stones. Somewhere around Harrisburg, I missed my turn but, doubling back, I saw a stranded motorist, trying to flag down help. I used my new cell phone to call 911 and directed them to the exact mile marker.
Love and peace.
More of Alyce's Adventures in Otakon:
Musings
on Otakon 2006:
August 8, 2006 - Bunny Ears of Command
Musings on Otakon 2005:
Musings on Otakon 2004:
August 10 , 2004 - Overture to Otakon
Moral:
Neither of the others took the least notice of her going, though she
looked back once or twice, half hoping they would call after her: the
last time she saw them, they were trying to put the Dormouse into the
teapot.
Copyright
2003 by Alyce Wilson
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