DAY THREE: Sunday, August 25, 2002

There was much packing to be done. There were also a couple of panels I wanted to go to.(The hardcore costuming one, for starters). Unfortunately, since we had wanted to hit the road home by noon, our choice of activities were extremely limited. The hotel had already begun to reclaim the space which had been taken over by the otaku, and it was now holding a massive buffet in the center courtyard. Jared and Amber plunked down 15 dollars for all they could eat, but I didn't feel much like eating a big breakfast. Instead, I wandered what was left of the con, making a last minute stroll through the Dealer's Room, speaking with some friends I had made during the con, and looking in at the Art Auction (which was being held in the room where the masquerade had been held the previous evening.) My Vash fanart, I 'm happy to say, had sufficient bids on it to warrant it going to auction, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around long enough to hear the results of said auction. (Oh well. I'll find out in a few weeks when they send me my check, I'm sure. I hope.)

Final thoughts? It was a good con and a good experience. In fact, I can't recall my having this much fun in the entire past year. AnimeIowa may not be the biggest, most flashiest event in anime fandom, but it's got lots to do and you don't have to wait in 6 hour-long lines to do it, either. Will I go next year? Perhaps. (Especially if the people running the con get themselves a bigger hotel to hold it in. They'll need one.)

So now, in closing, I'd like to present to you:

AA's Advice for Anime Conventioneering
Or, Things I Learned at AnimeIowa:

1. Don't go as Vash the Stampede. Yes, I know. He's probably the only male character in all of anime that a guy can dress up as and still look cool, but there will be at least 20 other guys who have the same idea as you do. At least, if you must be Vash, try to do something different with the idea. (Dress as the "Black Vash" variant. Or dress up like Drunken Vash, with the tie wrapped around your head. Be creative!)

2. During peak activity periods, do NOT use the elevator to travel the distance of only one floor unless you have a heart condition, a heavy load to carry, a cumbersome costume, or an urgent desire to get pummeled by everyone else in the elevator with you.

3. If you must wear a costume with a hoopskirt, keep in mind that hoopskirts are magnets for pop, beer, or any other liquid which may happen to be sloshing around in glasses nearby (or lying mysteriously open on stairs and next to stairwell doors).

4. Be kind and considerate of others while taking your pictures. Ask someone (or at least give them a nanosecond's worth of notice) before you blind them with your flashcubes.

5. Keep in mind that events at conventions always start about two hours later than they're scheduled to. They just do. Deal with it and plan accordingly.

6.Always assume the worst is going to happen. Bring twice as much of anything which you feel you might need. (This includes extra pairs of contact lenses). Convince yourself that the entire weekend is going to be nothing but one disaster after another. That way, if things go well, you'll have an extra buzz of "pleasant surprisedness" to go on top of your general default feeling of fun.

7. Talk to the artists in the Artists Alley. Stroke their egos. God knows, they're in desperate need of what little attention you're able to give them..

8. Don't sweat the small stuff. That way, you'll have plenty of sweat left over for the big stuff (when it happens).

9. Never underestimate the comedic value of flashing your underwear while planning your cosplay skits.

and lastly,

10. Hug your cats when you get home. Chances are, they've probably missed you.

And now, at long last, the part you've all been waiting to see, the PICTURES...