Post by The Mad Plumber on Sept 7, 2015 22:38:44 GMT -5
On Media Blasters' Facebook page, I was made aware of Glass City Con at the Seagate Convention Center in Toledo, Ohio. This took me by surprise because I had assumed that conventions were only held in New York. I had never been to a convention before and given that Seagate is hardly a trek for me, I figured this might be a worthwhile experience. After all, the website boasted Jessica Calvello and Monica Rial, which I figured which would be a treat.
However, I was prepared for nothing and I might describe my experience a fiasco. So I thought I might share my experience so that the other board members can mock me, deride me, or (more preferably) relay helpful experience for the future.
Firstly, I had never been to the Seagate Center before and I was unaware of the parking situation down there. The parking garage I found did not accept credit cards, and I have a bad habit of not carrying cash in my wallet. They still let me in, though, and just directed me to an ATM. After parking, I found the catwalk to the Convention Center. Immediately upon finding it, I spied a young man wearing cat ears and a fox tail. I immediately grumbled to myself, "This was a mistake." I suppose I reminded myself that the point is to have fun, and that is probably what he was doing.
So, I spent a while trying to figure out where registration was. The funny thing was, in retrospect, I have the distinct feeling I could have spent the entire day at the event without buying registration and would have never gotten accosted. After getting a program, I tried to figure out what to do. The Saturday schedule was spread across three pages, so I would need to analyze each page to find the worthwhile event at the present hour. I found a Jessica Calvello panel, but she just seemed to be rambling about random geek things. So, I reanalyzed the schedule and realized that Monica Rial was out in the lobby this entire time signing autographs. Well, either I got in the wrong line or I just came in too late, because I was informed that the line was for Calvello. Oh, well.
I was woefully ignorant to etiquette and I was unsure if it was rudely presumptuous to expect autographs. I debated whether I should bring my Cutey Honey DVD for Calvello to sign or if that would have been in some way offending. So, I decided against it. While in line, I eventually realized I actually needed something for Calvello to sign. So, she signed my program, and to my chagrin, she signed it as "Hange" in reference to her character from Attack on Titan. Dammit. Maybe it's better I didn't bring my Cutey Honey DVD.
Eventually, I discovered the game room on the third floor. They had probably 25 to 30 X-Boxes lined up within two rows, each featuring a different fighting game, most of which I couldn't recognize. At one far end, they were selling very expensive Amiibos. At the other far end, they were holding a Super Smash Bros. tournament. I found an X-Box with Street Fighter II on it. I bested a young Korean kid, but was bested myself by his older brother. I suppose I'm not the Dhalsim pro I thought I was.
I goofed off in the game room until the time of the next panel I was interested in. It was hosted by two actors from Holy Knight, and it seemed I was the only person who actually saw the show (and I've actually only seen it once). So, I did my best to keep them busy with questions about their professions. Afterwards, they signed DVD inserts for us which I appreciated.
From the panel, I learned where the booth and vendor area was. It featured various tables selling fan art prints or miscellaneous merchandise, such as a $150 figurine of the female protagonist from High School DxD. $150!? So, I bought some Sailor Moon stuff for my sister and some Media Blasters videos for myself. Speaking of the booths, I don't recall seeing any "booth babes" that I've heard talk about.
I was ultimately dissuaded from staying any longer because I couldn't stop sweating. Maybe I spend too much time in an air-conditioned office.
Here is why I would seek future advice. When I bought my registration, included was a flyer for Grand Rapids Comic Con, which boasted Caroll Spinney and Marina Sirtis as guests. Part of me figures this might be a nice opportunity and that I can learn from my previous mistakes to be better prepared. However, I then realize that Grand Rapids is a three-hour trip from home, far from the 45-minute drive that was Seagate Center. I cannot justify such a trip without registering at a hotel, and even then, I am not sure I can justify doing so just to meet Caroll Spinney or Marina Sirtis. The sacrifice forces me to look at the Glass City Con and say that it really wasn't all that special, or at least not special enough to justify driving three hours to the other side of Michigan. I wonder if there was a way I could convince my employer to send me to do some work in Grand Rapids ...
So, I would welcome other board members' con experience and advice. Thank you.
However, I was prepared for nothing and I might describe my experience a fiasco. So I thought I might share my experience so that the other board members can mock me, deride me, or (more preferably) relay helpful experience for the future.
Firstly, I had never been to the Seagate Center before and I was unaware of the parking situation down there. The parking garage I found did not accept credit cards, and I have a bad habit of not carrying cash in my wallet. They still let me in, though, and just directed me to an ATM. After parking, I found the catwalk to the Convention Center. Immediately upon finding it, I spied a young man wearing cat ears and a fox tail. I immediately grumbled to myself, "This was a mistake." I suppose I reminded myself that the point is to have fun, and that is probably what he was doing.
So, I spent a while trying to figure out where registration was. The funny thing was, in retrospect, I have the distinct feeling I could have spent the entire day at the event without buying registration and would have never gotten accosted. After getting a program, I tried to figure out what to do. The Saturday schedule was spread across three pages, so I would need to analyze each page to find the worthwhile event at the present hour. I found a Jessica Calvello panel, but she just seemed to be rambling about random geek things. So, I reanalyzed the schedule and realized that Monica Rial was out in the lobby this entire time signing autographs. Well, either I got in the wrong line or I just came in too late, because I was informed that the line was for Calvello. Oh, well.
I was woefully ignorant to etiquette and I was unsure if it was rudely presumptuous to expect autographs. I debated whether I should bring my Cutey Honey DVD for Calvello to sign or if that would have been in some way offending. So, I decided against it. While in line, I eventually realized I actually needed something for Calvello to sign. So, she signed my program, and to my chagrin, she signed it as "Hange" in reference to her character from Attack on Titan. Dammit. Maybe it's better I didn't bring my Cutey Honey DVD.
Eventually, I discovered the game room on the third floor. They had probably 25 to 30 X-Boxes lined up within two rows, each featuring a different fighting game, most of which I couldn't recognize. At one far end, they were selling very expensive Amiibos. At the other far end, they were holding a Super Smash Bros. tournament. I found an X-Box with Street Fighter II on it. I bested a young Korean kid, but was bested myself by his older brother. I suppose I'm not the Dhalsim pro I thought I was.
I goofed off in the game room until the time of the next panel I was interested in. It was hosted by two actors from Holy Knight, and it seemed I was the only person who actually saw the show (and I've actually only seen it once). So, I did my best to keep them busy with questions about their professions. Afterwards, they signed DVD inserts for us which I appreciated.
From the panel, I learned where the booth and vendor area was. It featured various tables selling fan art prints or miscellaneous merchandise, such as a $150 figurine of the female protagonist from High School DxD. $150!? So, I bought some Sailor Moon stuff for my sister and some Media Blasters videos for myself. Speaking of the booths, I don't recall seeing any "booth babes" that I've heard talk about.
I was ultimately dissuaded from staying any longer because I couldn't stop sweating. Maybe I spend too much time in an air-conditioned office.
Here is why I would seek future advice. When I bought my registration, included was a flyer for Grand Rapids Comic Con, which boasted Caroll Spinney and Marina Sirtis as guests. Part of me figures this might be a nice opportunity and that I can learn from my previous mistakes to be better prepared. However, I then realize that Grand Rapids is a three-hour trip from home, far from the 45-minute drive that was Seagate Center. I cannot justify such a trip without registering at a hotel, and even then, I am not sure I can justify doing so just to meet Caroll Spinney or Marina Sirtis. The sacrifice forces me to look at the Glass City Con and say that it really wasn't all that special, or at least not special enough to justify driving three hours to the other side of Michigan. I wonder if there was a way I could convince my employer to send me to do some work in Grand Rapids ...
So, I would welcome other board members' con experience and advice. Thank you.