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Live from Otakon 2003
Aug. 9th, 2003 11:45 amYeah, I'm here. I'm in my hotel room trying to rest a bit. I think I'm suffering from a bit of dehydration, exhaustion, and crowd stress, despite trying to keep myself hydrated and getting a reasonable night's sleep last night. Perhaps that is a giveaway, since I usually suffer from Strange Bed Syndrome and don't sleep well the first night at a con. So, I'm up here in the Marriott on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, hydrating myself and eating some Pringles (because they are easilly assimilable carbohydrates and salt which I probably need). The weather is miserable, 80F, relative humidity around 85%, dew point at 75F. The sky is grey overcast, as Gibson put it, "the color of a TV tuned to a dead channel." The air quality can't be all that good, either. Both Zoner and I were wondering if something was wrong with our eyes, or if it really is that hazy out there.
But there is some good in all of this. I saw Rob Fenelon yesterday, albeit briefly. I attend anime and SF cons to see people like Rob, whom I only get to see at cons. I hope to see a few more con friends later today, if I'm feeling up to it.
I didn't find Gryphon's Jules Vernesque Great Mazinger toy (think Great Mazinger but done up in 1890s sheet steel and rivets and such), but I did get a bargain on a Macross VF-21 Valkyrie toy, usually going for around $250, "stolen" for only $100. And I obtained something of a holy grail: the Bubblegum Crisis B-Club Special from someone other than the guy who for the past few years has had at least a dozen "this is my last copy" (of which I know he tried to sell me at least four different copies). Current eBay price: hmm, only one up for auction at a BIN price of $80. I paid $150 for mine so maybe not a huge bargain, but still, it's the thought that counts, and I didn't pay $500 for it.
As of 11am the art show was still not open. I could see artwork piled on the tables around the display area. They still don't have everything sorted and hung.
And now, more than ever, I want to get that 17-35mm wide angle zoom lens that Nikon has for the D series cameras. My 24-85mm is only just barely wide enough at the 24-35mm range for hall costume photography. Note to self: remember, spot metering for costume photography without the speedlight.
I'll finish this off with a slightly amusing note. In addition to the Gideon Bible in the drawer, this Marriott also has a copy of The Book of Mormon (a soft cover edition) and "The Spirit to Serve: Marriott's Way", a compilation of "corporate folk wisdom".
But there is some good in all of this. I saw Rob Fenelon yesterday, albeit briefly. I attend anime and SF cons to see people like Rob, whom I only get to see at cons. I hope to see a few more con friends later today, if I'm feeling up to it.
I didn't find Gryphon's Jules Vernesque Great Mazinger toy (think Great Mazinger but done up in 1890s sheet steel and rivets and such), but I did get a bargain on a Macross VF-21 Valkyrie toy, usually going for around $250, "stolen" for only $100. And I obtained something of a holy grail: the Bubblegum Crisis B-Club Special from someone other than the guy who for the past few years has had at least a dozen "this is my last copy" (of which I know he tried to sell me at least four different copies). Current eBay price: hmm, only one up for auction at a BIN price of $80. I paid $150 for mine so maybe not a huge bargain, but still, it's the thought that counts, and I didn't pay $500 for it.
As of 11am the art show was still not open. I could see artwork piled on the tables around the display area. They still don't have everything sorted and hung.
And now, more than ever, I want to get that 17-35mm wide angle zoom lens that Nikon has for the D series cameras. My 24-85mm is only just barely wide enough at the 24-35mm range for hall costume photography. Note to self: remember, spot metering for costume photography without the speedlight.
I'll finish this off with a slightly amusing note. In addition to the Gideon Bible in the drawer, this Marriott also has a copy of The Book of Mormon (a soft cover edition) and "The Spirit to Serve: Marriott's Way", a compilation of "corporate folk wisdom".
