19th Mar2010

I Hate Lines

by ardith

I’ve been to or worked at San Diego Comic-Con for over 15 years. That’s a super long time, though there are lots of multi-generational geek families who have gone for even longer.

But honestly this year I don’t think I’ll be attending. At least not for fun. I’m always up to give a hand to friends or for work, but running around as a Fan? I just can’t take it.

Comic-Con has been growing every year. It’s great! Exciting! But also tiring. Especially since I really, really don’t like crowds. Spending hours pressed against people in line is just not my cuppa.

I spent hours in line last year trying to go to two panels: True Blood and Doctor Who. Now, getting in line 3 hours before my target panel is just NOT my idea of a good time.

I’m glad there are a lot of new fans out there who have discovered Comic-Con. I don’t mind the Twilight people. Twilight is a gateway title, much like Sailor Moon introduced a crop of new anime fans in the mid to late 90′s. My love of sci-fi and fantasy did not start with me picking up Dune as a teen. It started with Jane Yolden and Patricia C. Wrede. I moved to Andre Norton. I kept on going. Of course, I was also exposed to Robotech, Transformers, and other 80′s cartoons. I’m sure that whet my imagination.

In previous years, I was there for work. My panel attendance was few and far between. Since a great number of bloggers are out there in full force, I think I can get most of my news from them.

Or better yet, maybe not listen to the news and be surprised once in a while. It’s a feeling I sometimes miss since news is so readily available.

Category : Books, Conventions, Fantasy, Science Fiction
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03rd Aug2009

San Diego Comic-Con 2009 – True Blood Panel

by ardith

I’m sorry for the crappy video, but I did get into the True Blood Panel. You know, after trying to get into V and Fringe and failing….

It’s sort of OK. I mean, I really, really wanted to get into True Blood. Of course, a few hours in the sun was a very steep price to pay for the pleasure of being very, very far away from the actual cast.

The neat part was the trailer for the second half of the season (which I didn’t tape, but is available on the interwebs).

Pardon the sucky shaky-cam work.  Videos after the jump!

(more…)

Category : Conventions, TV, Urban Fantasy
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09th Jul2009

San Diego Comic Con 2009 is Gonna Be A Nerdgasm

by ardith

As a gal who leans geek, I have attended San Diego Comic-Con practically every year since I was a junior in high school. Of course, back in the early 90′s, it was not the behemoth that it is now.

I will be helping out a booth at Comic-Con this year since I can’t stand not working at SDCC, but there are 2 panels I am planning on attending.

First of all, there’s the True Blood Panel on Saturday evening. Well, 5pm is not exactly dark, but the actors who play vampires and other creatures will be out.

And the other panel, I want to attend is Sunday’s Doctor Who panel.

I think having my yearly interaction with the Comic-Con geeks will give me the strength to go on another year.

I’m looking forward to it.

Category : Conventions, Work
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30th May2009

BotCon 2009 Day 3

by ardith

Guess what time the exhibitor’s hall opened this morning?

truck version of Optimus Prime

Truck Prime

8:30 am.

This has to be the earliest start for any exhibit hall that I’ve worked in. But this con is a bit unusual in that it lets the pre-reged members have first pickings before letting in general admissions.

It’s super nice for the members, but really, really tiring for exhibitors!

I made the drive with Sat. from West LA to Pasadena a little before 7am. We arrived via amazingly clear freeways a little before 7:30. I say amazing because freeways in LA are almost always sort of crowded. But I guess people don’t wake up on the weekend before 8am, so could make our way to the land of giant robots without any impediments.

Apparently the line for general admission took about an hour to get through. The general public is allowed to go to the exhibit hall and but wristbands for autograph sessions. I’m not really sure if they let them attend panels.

We got here at 7:30am…. No coffee. Lots of robots.

The hall, of course, was busy and quiet in waves. Today, there were A LOT more families. Also? A lot of people with massive amounts of Transformers bodyart. Sleeve and calf tattoos of battles and stuff. Which must have been all sorts of painful, yes?

It was also sweet to watch dads buy robot stuff for their kids. I guess that’s a great way for geek-dads to bond. Over the love of giant robots. And of course, on the hope that their kid will be that genius scientist who INVENTS GIANT ROBOTS!

Isn’t that the hope of a Transformer fanboy who has kids?

Tell me it isn’t true.

Anyway, the last wave of shoppers just about did me in. Our booth features a TON of Revoltech figures for series like Transformers, Macross, Tatsujin 28, as well as Patlobor and Votoms merchandise.

Hotrodimus is a name that makes me giggle. Even after all the days that have passed since I read that on the Revoltech box. I guess Rodimus Prime just sounds a bit more dignified.

Also? He has the touch.

Category : Conventions, Work
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29th May2009

BotCon 2009 Day 2

by ardith

This was the first time I’ve ever worked at a Transformers

Better since he can't make noise.

Bumblebee Statue

 Convention. Apparently BotCon moves from city to city each year, so it’s not so strange that I’ve never actually attended before.

I guess this is the case for many conventions. BEA (Book Expo America) is in a different city each year (well, either in New York, Chicago, DC, or LA). I’m used to conventions like San Diego Comic-Con and Anime Expo. They stay in the same region year after year.

This Exhibitor Hall is so much smaller AX or SDCC. Of course, the dealers are catering to a different crowd. Well, more like a very specific crowd. All the exhibitors must feature Transformers or Robots of the giant variety.

The booth I’m working at is featuring poseable Transformer figures along with figures from Macross, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tetsujin 28 (Gigantor), Die-buster, and more.

The convention seems to be skewing more males than females, with a few families. I wonder what tomorrow will be like, since it will be opened for general admission on Saturday and Sunday.

The script writers for the recent live-action Transformer movies are Guests of Honor, along with voice actors from the animated series.

As I confessed earlier, I haven’t actually watched the new live-action movie. All I know is apparently, now Optimus Prime has FLAMES on his chassy (?!). And they are pu

Optimus Prime Statue

rple. Or is that blue?

I know more about the animated series as I am a child of the 80′s. But even then, I don’t think I watched it as closely as I watched Robotech. Of course, I was obsessed with Robotech as a kid, so that doesn’t signify….

Since the toys have been around for over 2 decades, there are lots of toys to collect. BotCon caters to these hardcore collectors as well as the casual Transformer fan. There are limited edition figures as well as out of print toys that cost a mint.

Our neighboring exhibitors seem friendly and the attendees are polite, so I hope for another good day tomorrow.

Honestly, I miss working at conventions. I haven’t worked at one in over a year. It’s super fun, since I love speaking with other fans. There’s just such a feeling of comradery. Just sometimes…people need to remember their hygiene and keep clean. Shower once a day. Cuz knowing is half the battle.

Category : Conventions
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08th May2009

Botcon 2009

by ardith

p>I’m planning on attending BotCon 2009 and will be working on Saturday. I shall be tweeting, so you can find me via Twitter (@hanabatake). While I’m like Transformers, I’ve never been an obsessive fan, I have watched quite a few episodes and did like the animated movie. 

I have to admit that I have NOT watched the live-action movie. Well, I did see bits and pieces over at my cousin’s house during Thanksgiving, but I wasn’t paying attention. I did catch the last scene, though.

**** SPOILER /****  

Ew. Your car = alive. Do you make out on your cat or your brother? Please do not do so on your sentient car.

**** /SPOILER **** 

Category : Conventions, Work
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31st Jul2008

What Does One Do with a Dalek Helmet?

by ardith

SDCC 2008 - Day 3 - 07/26/2008Oh Comic-Con. The mad-crowds. The lack of personal space. The magical amounts of stuff to buy. 

I had a lot of fun seeing my friends, but my wee brain just couldn’t handle all of that stimulation.

Anyway, the above helmet was just one of the fan-toys available. I have several things captured in my flickr.

Now, I need some coffee.

Update: 
Oh yeah! I forgot, this is one of my favorite pictures (of myself) from the con. *laugh* Picture with Chris, taken by Erika. She was on the same train to SD as the cast of Heroes and brushed up against Masi Oka. And she copped a feel. I kid!! She didn’t. Or at least she wouldn’t confess.

We’re too cool for school, no?

No. *sigh*

The next time I’ll be in LA is for the John Williams Concert. Or maybe Dennis’ bday. According to Shiz, there will be other girls at the party so the boys can expand their horizons. Cuz Shizuki, Erika, Satsuki, Stephanie, Hangyee, Sofie and I aren’t cutting it. We don’t introduce them to new girls. Sad, no?

Oh. Just had a thought about what people would do with the Dalek helmet. Dalek cosplay in bed. Ew. Ew! Exterminate!

Category : Conventions
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27th Jul2008

San Diego Comic-Con 2008 – Doctor Who / Torchwood Panel

by ardith

I attended the 2 hour Doctor Who & Torchwood panel at San Diego Comic-Con. It was a lot of fun, especially since a Jetlagged Steven Moffatt offered dating advice which included not dropping a toothbrush in front of your date on the first date as it seems a bit too hopeful.

I took some (bad) pictures and added them to my flickr.

SDCC Day 1 - BBC America Booth - TARDIS USB HUB

Some small items from the panels from my twitter.

  • Steven Moffatt talked about how Doctor Who writers often write episodes like the type they remember watching growing up. His are scary.
  • Torchwood will be 6 episodes next year, but will cover all one storyline. Apparently more about Ianto will be revealed. Tosh is still dead.
  • John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd, and Naoko Mori were at the Torchwood panel. John and Naoko sang a bit from Miss Saigon. about 4 hours ago from web

Okay, it’s late. I’m off to bed.

Update: 7/26/08 @ 6:50 am 
Forgot to add: 
Julie Gardner showed the extended Christmas 2008 trailer that featured:

  • Woman in Red being all creepy and explaining to companions at a funeral that the metal men were Cybermen
  • Monkey/ape/Big Foot looking creatures with Cybermen masks running, using their forearms to propel them forward with flowing body hair.
  • Cyber-punk-ish guy with straps on who later in the trailer is seen weeping.

Sorry I don’t remember all of it. I should have tried to use my camera to record it. Maybe one of the other attendees did….

Category : Conventions, Science Fiction
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23rd Jul2008

San Diego Comic-Con 2008

by ardith

Tonight is the first night of San Diego Comic-Con.

I say first night because it’s Preview Night and if you purchase a 4 day pass, you get to go into SDCC the day before it officially opens.

Of course, vendors have to be there really early the day before (Tuesday) to get set up and then spend most of Wednesday organizing and getting the booth ready AND THEN working until about 9:30pm with the crowds. You have no idea how tired the dealer’s room people are, kids. So if you attend Preview Night, please be kind to the exhibitors. They really had a long day. 

Anyway, since I’ve retired from that business, I’m attending SDCC for fun. I’ve actually gone since I was a teenager. SDCC was one of the perks of growing up in San Diego. I’ve been practically every year since I was 15. (Um, that’s over half my life.).

So I’m going on Thursday (for the Doctor Who panel and to see friends on a less crazy day) and Saturday (to go with my bff Nay and her husband J). Saturday tends to be the madhouse day and though I’m looking forward to seeing Stormtroopers (honestly I find them kinda attractive in a Snake-eyes mysterious way), Klingons, pirates, elves, hobbits, and all of that.

So the last half of this week is a bit mad. I’ve got class this evening and I’m driving down bright and early tomorrow. Friday, back to work and then Saturday, back to the madness.

So I am going to try to enjoy Comic-Con this weekend, see some Doctor Who producers, and get some autographs.

Maybe I’ll see Wil Wheaton again. *laugh* I have his signature twice in my sketch pad dedicated to SDCC. The pad is years old! Anyway, during one Comic-con, I confessed my tween love for him (I was in my 20′s at the time). I think he kinda gets tired of that. I said, “I used to love you when I was a teenager.” His snappy come back was, “You don’t love me now?”

I was a bit taken aback. Mostly because I didn’t love him anymore. Sadly, that went away along with a lot of my tween love. I have hope for those kids so enamored of Zac Efron. Yes, kids, the unrequited love for a tv teen heartthrob goes away. (Even if the heartthrob was only for geek-centric show like Star Trek: The Next Generation.) Of course, I’d also moved on to Mulder by then.

Anyway, I’m uber-excited. And wallowing in my geekdom. Go me.

Category : Conventions, Work
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19th Jul2007

San Diego Comic-Con 2007

by ardith

Now, I’ve been attending SDCC since I was in high school and it has grown soooo much. Sometimes I dread going because it’s so crazy.

Anyway, I shall working in the Broccoli Booth (booth 2235) across from Sideshow.

Anime Jungle and Anime Gamers are teaming up in booth 301 with NIS right next door in booth 305.

I’m really looking forward to SDCC. So if you are going and want to say “hi,” please stop by our booths. ^_^

Category : Conventions, Work
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20th Jun2007

Convention Conniptions

by ardith

Anime Expo and Comic-Con have been driving me nuts.

Actually, every year they drive me nuts. This year, however, it’s especially crazy since Broccoli and Bandai Visual have a 60 x 40 foot giant booth spread (booth 1605). I think it’s the 2nd largest booth area after Bandai Entertainment.

To tell you the truth, it is by far the largest booth spread I’ve had to help organize. Thankfully, Blaine and Anime Expo’s exhibit hall manager Lynn are easy to work with. And of course Shizuki and Bandai Visual’s Aya and Yumiko are always awesome.

As the booth is huge, we will have tons of staff this year. I hope the systems we’ve established at previous Anime Expos will hold up in the larger booth area setting.

Prepping for such a large convention means late nights for the Broccoli staff. I’ve heard that there was pizza involved though, so hopefully it was worth it for a slice of pepperoni/sausage/ham/pineapple pizza.

San Diego Comic-Con is only a few weeks after AX, so I’m also working on furniture and utilities for those conventions. The due dates for ordering all the SDCC stuff falls DURING AX, so I have to finalize all of it next week.

Thankfully, at Comic-Con, we will be in a 20 x 20 booth ( 2235) and a 20 x 10 (Booth 301/303).

I shall be at both conventions, so hopefully people who stop by my page can also stop by the booth and say, “Hi.” I’m looking at you Satsuki.

Category : Conventions, Work
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23rd Oct2006

Yaoi-Con 2006: Taco Roco

by ardith

We drove up to San Francisco on Thursday for Yaoi Con, we stopped for lunch. Luckily, we ended up in a great resturant in Santa Maria.

We took special note of the name so we could look it up and see if there were any near LA. Taco Roco was soooo yummy. The fresh Mexican food was lovely.

Even though I was really, really full of sopes made with delicious shredded chicken, I had to get a churro at the end. Oh, it was fabulous. Fresh, crunchy, and soft in the center. Pefect.

Category : Anime & Manga, Conventions, Work
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23rd Oct2006

Yaoi-Con 2006: Elephant Bar – Conflicting Themes

by ardith

While at Yaoi Con, I had dinner at the Elephant Bar. It was a nice, quiet dinner…that we had to wait almost 45 minutes to get seated for dinner.

For the most part, I would never wait that long. I was actually told 20 minutes. 20 minutes, that is no problem. Almost an hour!?! I’d rather go to a different resturant.

Especially when the food doesn’t really have a specific theme. When I think of elephants, I think if Africa or Asia. Hm, no African food on the menu. But strangely, the decor is African safari theme. Hm… And there is lots of Asian food on the menu, but also stuff like cheesesteak and gumbo.

Anyway, the best part was dessert. Chocolate chocolate (that’s double!) lava cake with ice cream. The cake was as big as my doll-like fist. Hm, chocolate.

Category : Conventions, Work
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05th Jul2006

Anim Expo 2006: I like YAOI as much as the next girl

by ardith

Anime Expo is over! This page hasn’t been updated in so long because, well… I’ve been busy. But now, there is going to be one week of brightness before Comic-Con.

The Di Gi Charat panel went very well and the debut of the new Di Gi Charat anime was lovely. The trailer features an alternative version of Dejiko, 10 years after the original series. It’s a softer series, more serious that the original Di Gi Charat stories,

The Broccoli booth was swamped this weekend and I was busy the whole time. I did have a bit of trouble with a YAOI dealer who insisted on yelling stuff about YAOI and making some young ladies on my staff uncomfortable.

I like yaoi, but I don’t need someone yelling descriptive terms about it around children. Such aggressive tactics is just annoying to me. Places like Anime Avalon have a great YAOI selection and don’t have that kind of attidude about the product.

It was an exaughsting weekend. We’re all tired, but will recover soon. You know, just in time for Comic-Con.

Category : Conventions, Work
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05th Jun2006

Anime Vegas 2006 – What happens in Anime Vegas…

by ardith

I’m back from Anime Vegas. It was hot, but the buffets were worth it. ^_^

Of course, when I came back, I ended up in bed with a horrible back ache. I think something went terribly wrong. Perhaps winning the $30 on the slots did it. My soul protested against the gambling and punished me with the pain.

Soul, I’d like to say, I paid $37 for a buffet. It was the best buffet on the strip, but really, I’m out $7 in the end.

Anime Vegas was very nice. The organizers were uber-friendly and very helpful. The attendees were relaxed and the vendors were busy most of the time. I hung out with Jennifer Sekiguchi. I think the sweetest thing is really seeing upclose how excited fans get about anime.

I think it’s been a while since I’ve really just observed everyone in their element. At major conventions, I spend most of the time worrying and busy with…work. And while I did meet some new vendors and talked about Broccoli Int’l, I got to really spend time talking to people.

Although, sitting with JenSeki @ her autograph session was a bit confusing. I had to say several times – I’m not a VA. I just sell things.

Of course, selling something I love is a lot better than selling something I lothe, so there you are. ^_^

Category : Conventions, Work
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