Meet at an anime convention?

[Montreal]

Does anybody else think it would be really cool to set up a meeting of all ACF members that are possible to attend? maybe to a convention or something like that in the next few years? tell me what you guys think. let's brainstorm.

[Takai]

That would be awesome :shock:

But depends on where we all are, and how far each of us can travel. A lot of us are in the U.S., as well as Europe >.<

[Nyuu]

I would love to go ^_^ but it all depends on where it would be >.>

[Montreal]

Yeah. We just have to see the ratio of people in other countries in comparison to the people in U.S to determine where exactly we would meet.

[The Guiltiest Gear]

i would love to,but if its out of state however would i get allowed to go with an excuse like "Im going to meet some online friends" :lol1:

[Takai]

You don't need to specify who you're going to meet; just say you're going to a convention >.> lol

[Mac]

I don't have a passport or anything so unless by some miracle I just happen to end up in a certain close area at the certain time there's not much chance of me turning up. x.x;

[Montreal]

I don't have a passport or anything so unless by some miracle I just happen to end up in a certain close area at the certain time there's not much chance of me turning up. x.x;
why don't you just get a passport? lol

[Mac]

Do you realise just how much trouble it is? And besides that, the American customs people treat English people like they're terrorists! Erk went to Seattle and they made him do all sorts of ridiculous stuff.

</rant>

I actually don't have any money to pay for a passport. x.x; And then of course I wouldn't have enough money to pay for the flights. Stupid government system.

[Montreal]

it's really not that much trouble, and is more helpful than hurtful. and american customs treat EVERYONE like they're terrorists.

[Brian]

1. We could all meet at Mac's house. Hope you all like Cornish pasty for breakfast. Do American PS3s run on that funny Brit electricity?

2. We could get the T-shirts, then just figure out what anime convention everyone can make it to. I go to AWA and Anime South, but I could travel to Vegas or the eastern seaboard with enough advance notice.

[Takai]

I have hopes for 2009's Otakon >.>

[Montreal]

Takai and I calculated the locations of all the members who might be willing to go, and decided that Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland would be the best location and time to go (July of 2009.)

Yeas or Nays?

[Mac]

1. We could all meet at Mac's house. Hope you all like Cornish pasty for breakfast. Do American PS3s run on that funny Brit electricity?You'd need a step-down converter / US -> UK power adapter otherwise it'd explode.

[line:1tdja56c]500[/line:1tdja56c]

I don't know where Maryland is but I'd say Yeas.

[do they sell dragon memorabilia at conventions? I'd definitely go if I could get some neat dragony things to take back. :3]

[Takai]

You won't really know what they sell until you get there. I don't think even the organizators know what the dealers will bring over XD But i can guarantee a bunch of anime merchandise you can't buy in local stores (here at least).
I left so much money at the dealer's room in Anime Boston last year =_= lol

[Montreal]

Well, who thinks they would be willing to try to go for sure? I'd like to know a general number of people who would plan to try to make it so i could begin a budget plan.


For now i know these:
Myself,
Takai,
Rain_Pixie,
Jericho


please PM me if you are more than 70% positive you think you could attend.

[Nyuu]

I would need to figure out the cost first and then maybe.

[Brian]

frank, you wanna carpool up there? I have a couple of weeks of vacation.

[frank]

frank, you wanna carpool up there? I have a couple of weeks of vacation.

I appreciate the offer, Brian, thanks, but the reality is that even carpooling I dont think the funding would be in place and I need to stay pretty close to home because of medical concerns.

[Mac]

I'll see if I can drag Erk along with me.

It'll cost us both less if I can and since he's already dealt with the international airflight system it'll be easier on us both too. >.<

Otherwise I am not in the 70% sure list. >.<

[Takai]

GUYS. (and girls)

I know everyone is dealing with a new board right now and all that, and i know it's not even Summer yet, but guess what. The pre-registration for Otakon 2009 is already open, and will not be open forever. And once it's not open anymore, the entrance price will immediately jump up, and i doubt anyone would be happy with paying more (seeing how conventions are expensive as it is).

So, where are we with this? Many of you seemed to be quite enthusiastic when Montreal brought it up for the first time, but it's been kinda quiet since then. I have a lot of plans for the summer since i'm planning a trip to Russia. And it's like three times more expensive than the whole Otakon thing. So i need to know right now whether we are meeting this summer or not. It's not something i can decide in the beginning of July and just go five states away because i feel like it.

Please, we need to decide whether we are meeting. WE, not 1 or 2 people, but a group. Because, i'm sorry, but i wouldn't be able to go out of my way if only like one person other aside from me is willing to do it. It's inconvenient and frankly i don't have money. But i'll make the money for a group meeting.

[frank]

I would like to go, but I can't. :(

[Mac]

I won't be able to make it either. :(

I don't even have a passport =-='' -head/desk-

[Takai]

I won't be able to make it either. :(

I don't even have a passport =-='' -head/desk-

How long does it take to make a passport at where you live? O.o I mean Montreal brought this up back in October, and "I don't even have a passport" is what you said back then ^^; Did you try to get a passport...?

[Montreal]

Sadly I'm not going to know if I will be able to go for a while. Probably not until summer begins. Once I get my full legitimate license is when I'll know....which will be during the first week of June..

[Mac]

How long does it take to make a passport at where you live? O.o I mean Montreal brought this up back in October, and "I don't even have a passport" is what you said back then ^^; Did you try to get a passport...?Well, I've been kinda busy so I completely forgot about it.

-queue the hiding-in-corner-in-depression anime scene here.-

Besides that, I don't have the money to get a flight to America. I'd need like $1,000+ which... well frankly, isn't going to happen. ><

[Takai]

Sadly I'm not going to know if I will be able to go for a while. Probably not until summer begins. Once I get my full legitimate license is when I'll know....which will be during the first week of June..

Well.. first week of June is when i'll have to fly out to Russia given that the Otakon meeting is happening. And i have to get a ticket like soon. Because if the Otakon meeting is -not- happening, then i'm going to Russia in late July. I can't really wait til June with my decision because there is quite a difference in price of a plane ticket in beginning of summer and in the middle of summer; about 500 bucks difference. I dunno.. Maybe you guys are better off meeting without me then, 'cause by the end of March i need to decide when i'm going to Russia. I'm sure you understand that i can't just wake up in the middle of June and fly off. I'll wait for other people's response. So far there doesn't seem to be anyone who is 100% going :(

[Mac]

I think so too.

I'm not normally one to try to force a suggestion but maybe the whole Otakon thing should be dropped? It doesn't seem like anybody is definitely able to go, or at least not enough to make it worthwhile.

I mean, I would love to come out just for this but I don't have the money for it >_<

Oh, and to answer the original question Takai, it probably takes about two months to get a passport here, if at all. =/

[Brian]

Not going. Sorry.

[Dark Shadow]

not going... I don't have money and it takes 6+ months to get a visa (kinda like passport issued by USA embassy to Mexican people.)

don't have the money and/or time to go. My job is kinda pressuring now.

[Nyuu]

I really wish I could but there is no way for me to get enough money to make it :( maybe we could try for next year?

[Takai]

Next year i'm definitely out. I can only take summer off every other year (there is no summer vacation in this college), and this year i'm going to Russia no matter what.

[Montreal]

I talked to my mom today; It's a possibility moreso than I thought it would be. But i've heard that almost every Baltimore hotel is booked during that weekend....and that the rates are like 400 a night.

[Takai]

There are specific hotels that are under contract with Otakon, for people who attend Otakon. You need to pre-register and reserve the room in advance of course.
More info here: http://www.otakon.com/hotels.asp

[Brian]

Animazement is in May, in Raleigh North Carolina. I can probably drive to that one in a day, but I don't see myself driving for two days to get to a convention.

http://www.animazement.org/

[Takai]

May, that's even closer @_@ Distance-wise it's pretty much the same for me... SEKI TOMOKAZU IS COMING THERE?! O___O Waaaaah i want to go T___T
The hotel room prices are like half as expensive as the ones for Otakon. The entrance price is also quite cheap for a con. But then again, Otakon is like the biggest anime convention >_>

*is seiyuu high now* I wanna go, i wanna go, Seki-san *_* *_* *_*

Okay, waiting for a response from others.

[Montreal]

The only room that showed up for me was Mariott, and that is a ridiculous price that I can't even fathom paying. I just don't have the money. I also highly doubt that I could go in may...I will still have school. Maybe, though.

[Kharmy]

:cry: It's a long drive to Otakon from where I am. Plus I have a lil' seedling to take care of.

[Takai]

:cry: It's a long drive to Otakon from where I am. Plus I have a lil' seedling to take care of.

What about the other one, at North Carolina?

[Montreal]

He lives in NYC, so that's even farther.

[Sarah]

I can't go to any of them, I'm sorry. :(

[Silver Winchester]

I would love to meet all of you even though some of you might be killers... too much CSI: Miami. Damn you, Horatio xDDD

[Hara Michiyo]

I'd like breakfast at macs house. Lol.

I live in an annoying place though. Everytime my work organises a meeting they do it in places like Glasgow thinking it's near me, then they are surprised to here it take me over 3 and a half hours to get there by train!

I remember a while back we were all wanting to go to an anime thing in America (this included macus :) ) but dunno what happened to that, lol.

[Mac]

You'd like breakfast at my house? Shame, I don't have breakfast.

O_o

I live in the middle of nowhere too. -.-'' it kinda sucks. It makes travelling difficult.

[BrokenWings_Sene]

I wish I could go.... I probably could do to either one... but thats the matter of transportation and expenses

End of may am done with school due too.

But I don't know...

I have irrational fear of going down south.. The people... the weather... *shakes head*

[silence]

sounds like not alot of people are going. : (

I'd totally go! I'd like to meet every one and go to a convention... I've never been to one...

Sounds like we'd need alot more deciding time... ha ha like a whole years worth of thinking and planning.

[Takai]

Yeah, i doubt we're doing anything this year. Let's see how it goes next year, maybe we'll choose a more convenient location ^^

[Brian]

I'm guessing if we went to a huge con we'd all be going in different directions. "Merchant room, plushies!" "Autograph session!" "Yaoi-fest!" "Lolita Cafe!"

[Takai]

We'd just have to agree to not separate from a group. It's way too easy to get lost during the con. Also, cellphones are quite useful :P

But before solving that issue, we need to get together first XD

[Montreal]

well, if i were unable to go this year, i'm almost positive that i could go next year. since it will just be my own free will and time xDDD

[Takai]

Next year count me out if it's summer. Because i can only take one semester off every two years, which means next year i have classes all year long. Except Christmas break and other short breaks.

[Montreal]

i may be taking a year off from school after i graduate, so i'd be free all year.

[Silver Winchester]

That's what I should do but it's straight to college for me xD

[silence]

wow, busy people... well there is always 5 years from now ha ha.

how long do people stay in collage for any way? : S

[Takai]

Anime convention is only 3 days though, so at most you'd need to find a free week. You don't need to like.. skip a semester to go to a con lol But still, it'd be better to have it during break or something. Because i can't just finish with my classes on Friday, fly to another state right away, and make sure i come back on Sunday night for a Monday class XD That would be kinda unrealistic. But i do get small breaks between semesters. We'll have to see what cons (and where) are available next year.

[Silver Winchester]

Like four fudgin' years xD if you want you bachelor's but if you want an associate's degree you have to take 2 years xD

my career choices are: actress, doctor, detective, and psychiatrist.

[Montreal]

and, well, there's always the option of skipping your classes :P though i wouldn't recommend it in college.

[Takai]

Yeah, bad idea. Three classes skipped = grade goes one letter down, in my case. Four skipped = D is the highest you'll get. So yeah, college is a bad place to fool around ^^;

[Mac]

I skipped two classes at college. o.o

I still passed them somehow >_>

[Takai]

The past two semesters i skipped the maximum amount allowed until it starts affecting the grade XD

And this is going off topic >.> <.<

I don't think there is much more to discuss in here, it's way too early to decide on next year's (or the year after next) meeting date or location.

[Brian]

well Animania is not on my plans this year now, half of the guests cancelled because they're worried about getting the flu.

[Keated]

Did anything ever come of this I wonder? :)

[frank]

I don't think so. At least no one said about going, etc. I think it just kind of died.

[Keated]

Aww :(

Only forum I ever met up with was the one that belonged to the TFC server I used to play on... was good fun :D

[Lady Sano]

I wish this was still going on lol I've only met Frank, my brother, and my irl bestie, if that counts haha

[Takai]

:( I want to meet frank. And others. But now i don't know when i'll have time, if at all :/

I'm almost 100% going to NYAF this year. Anyone else?
I'll be in the artist alley all weekend though, so can't really hang out at the con itself v.v

[frank]

Yeah, it's awesome when you meet the forum personality face to face. Actually it was Lady Sano & Takeshi who are totally responsible for my appearance on ACF. I didn't even know how to register. Srsly.

Takai, you're sweet. <3 But maybe, just maybe, the forum personality (mine) is so different than the irl reality, that everyone would go, "No Wai!" I would like to meet all of you too, but health and finances are major hurdles. :(

Back to topic: The original idea died just about a year ago, with majority declines, but there was talk, then, of maybe a year away--which would be now, of course.

No plans have been presented, yet, by anyone, but there's always a possibility, neh?

[Takai]

Well i'm proposing NYAF (October)... i have a sad feeling it'll die again though. I'll be going there either way to sell artwork, just thought someone else might want to join.

[Lady Sano]

Ohhhhh I'd love to sell artwork ;__; And I'd love to go, buuuuuut
School
Bills
Rent
Car
Gas
Food...
The list goes on D;

[Lady Sano]

Frank, your personality isn't that different. You're kind and giving, it's the same here, right? :]

[frank]

Frank, your personality isn't that different. You're kind and giving, it's the same here, right? :]

Thanks, Lady S. Yes, you're right, of course. I must have been thinking of other things, sorry.

It really is a staggering experience when you can actually meet other forum members in person. I think that was one of the most memorable and important experiences I've ever had. ^_^

I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from experiencing the same thing.

If it would be possible for me to meet up with any of you, I would be the first in line. With me, it always comes back to realities of health and finances, more than anything else, that prevent serious planning. :(

[Brian]

Anime Weekend Atlanta, September 30th - October 2nd. I'll be there.

[Takai]

Anime Weekend Atlanta, September 30th - October 2nd. I'll be there.
I'll be there too. Sano and Mel as well.

[Brian]

Animazement 2012 is May 24th-May 27th next year. GG, it's practically next door to you.

[Brian]

*no response on that one* fine...
Anime Detour is end of March/beginning of April in Minneapolis. I'm pretty sure I can be there for that in 2013, and it looks okay. Not as good as AWA, but okay. Anyone else interested? In addition to the con, we can do a day at the Mall of The Americas, or anything else that looks like fun.

[momo1415]

<----- wishes she had heard about this earlier

[Brian]

April 2013 is eleven months from now... I'm not sure trying to plan farther in advance than that would be productive.

[demon_knight]

wow i am 17 days late to the news

[Brian]

NP, that's why I'm posting this now, so we can plan way in advance. Save up your vacation days and money, and be ready next April.