There are a few thank you's out there I want to get out of the way first. Thanks to Bart Boy for videotaping masquerade for us. This was our primary concern at Anime Los Angeles as far as media coverage goes. Thanks to Matt and Carolyn for setting us up with a panel on Sunday. Thanks to Pikmin Link for letting us use your room as a change point for masquerade. Thanks to Brilliant Moon Cosplay for the candy. Thanks to Karisu and family for the party! Thanks to Koku because you drafted me into judging Iron Cosplay! Thanks to the dollfie panel people for drafting Tom into handing out raffle tickets, even though he thinks the dolls are gonna kill him. Thanks to Youko for getting us steak, even though we really had to leave early. Thanks to all the photographers who covered this convention. It's always a pleasure working alongside you all. Most of all, thanks to Kevin L for being Kevin. Many of us convention photographers admire and look up to you.

Thank you to you guys who attended our documentary screening.

It has been known that Anime Los Angeles had horrible security, "Badge Nazis," if you will who were harassing paying members. It's not a problem to me if they want to check badges, but being confrontational and hostile about it is no excuse. It is one thing a convention to be concerned about selling memberships and eyeballing out for freeloaders (or "ghosters"), but it's another thing to please the paying members and have them come back for future Anime Los Angeles events.

I am uncertain if I will be able to return. This is more of a scheduling conflict as it's too close to the winter holidays. I really hope Anime Los Angeles will change for the better and totally revamp security. Tom, on the other hand, felt belittled and talked down too when he was asking staffers if he can borrow sound equipment for our panel as if he did not know English.

However, the high point was masquerade. It was entirely stress free. The only thing I would change is the green up room set up. I understand you cannot control the weather, but I wouldn't have mind if we could have used a Video Room (the one next to the game room) as back up. No one wants to be waiting out in the rain. The refreshments and food were very much appreciated. I understand these circumstances could not be helped due to the hotel giving us limited space and heat, but you guys did the best. Thank you for running an awesome show. Tom and I had a blast (no pun intended) performing as Trapnest for masquerade. Mind you, we didn't win anything, but when I was up there, I completely forgot how fun is it to be on stage. We were told on Sunday that people at the dance were copying our skit.

The only regrets I have are missing out on the Gothic Lolita Tea Party by Hanaco and not taking enough masquerade photos, but Richard and others have that covered.

As mentioned before, and I'll say it again, I want Anime Los Angeles to be better than what it is. SoCal does not have as many laid back relaxing cons as the Bay Area (SiliCon, Sac Anime, Anime Overdose, to name a few). SoCal does not have much choice for a cosplay friendly venue. I see potential in Anime Los Angeles to be better than what it currently is.

I will give Chaz, the convention chair, a benefit of a doubt. I respect that he came out and apologized for the actions of his staff. While the damage is done, I have much respect for Chaz to come out and take responsibility. I've seen convention drama from the higher ups from the outside looking in. Suffice to say, Chaz is one of the few to publically take responsibility. However, we cannot accept Kat's apology. Many of us Anime Los Angeles convention attendees do not feel comfortable around Kat and Wendy in charge. Even so, granted attendees enough reason to never come back. On the brighter side, I see that Chaz is stepping up and making sure these do not happen again. Yet, only 2008 will tell. Good luck.

Of course, tons of thanks goes to Tom for coming out from San Jose and taking the time off for the weekend. Of course, tons of thanks for being a good sport about dressing up as Takumi Ichinose. (I knew Lacie had her eye on him! lol) After this weekend, I'm very certain that we're meant to be together. That's all I have to say about that.

And to remember the lovely badge Nazis, this is all I have to say about that:

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