AniMagic 2003 marks my third time living the autumn magic. The con has given me sweet memories. 2000 was the first time I have ever been in a masquerade, and so far has been the only time I have won something in costume. ^_^; Thank you IPLay. 2002 introduced me to a bundle of cosplayers whom I've got to know during and after the con. Among these friends include a cosplayer Santa Barbara who was on a tight budget. He met me after the karaoke review. He liked my singing and I guess he had my song stuck in his mind. ^_^; I tried to get his contact information to stay in touch with him. However, I lost his business card. ;_; He did get a cosplay.com account and I was able to locate his site. We talked here and there every so often. It was not until Anime Expo 2003 - July 4, 2003, under the fireworks in our "red" X costumes that I told him I was in love with him. Shortly after Anime Expo (and thanks to some Pimp$sugyu BR matchmaking magic), we became a couple.

As for the others? After the con, Kenny and Mochihead drove to Vegas and got married by Elvis (not Jarod). They launched a chain of Indian Casinos. He is currently single. Jim served two years in Vietnam and won four purple hearts in the process. Krispy Mike and the rest of the AG Mixer company started their own boyband.

Perhaps this "bye bye" picture from last year would foretell the events to come.

This year, we would travel together to this con. A year ago, I never thought that this would be. I thought I would by flying to AniMagic and driving up there myself! Also, being on stage with the person whom my voice enchanted. Wow...this con was truly something! Hence why we had to pop the champagne on Friday night to celebrate our first time meeting.

Oh, before this turns into a mushy final concluding thoughts, um...overall thoughts of the con. I only have two gripes about the con. 1) The Hot Dog stand. I got sick Saturday afternoon and was out for about two hours. Please do inspect sanitation. 2) Weapons and Security. I think this subject has been discussed already, so I won't touch up on that, otherwise I'll go nuts on the closing thoughts.

Anyways, AniMagic had only a small amount of drama. However, like I always say...the good memories always overshadow that. I think more about joining the masquerade and having fun on stage rather than creepy fanboys. I also realized that AniMagic was the place where I first saw X. What better skit to be in but an X skit? Thank you Candy-chan and company for allowing Tom and I to be in your X skit. I truly had a blast...on and off stage!

Again, the reason why I go to cons is the people. AniMagic always has this chill out type environment to mingle with others. Though I missed out on a few people, it was truly nice seeing my friends again. You guys know who you are. It was always cool meeting new peoples. Thank you for assisting me in pictures for this report. Without you guys, this convention report wouldn't be possible. You guys are my convention memories! Thank you for making every moment worthwhile. You guys always make me laugh and smile! *^^* If you ever wish to contact me, my email is soletta@scarlet-rhapsody.com, just give me your AOL sn if you ever wanna talk sometime!

I can't finish this off thanking the one person who put the "magic" in AniMagic Memories - Tom Ton-that. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for making this convention possible. I enjoy the millions of costumes we went through this weekend. Everything from the five hour drive to the free breakfast. Every moment with you is a memory I cherish. I truly hope we have future AniMagics so we can pop the champagne to celebrate another year. Thank you for the small trinkets and gifts during the con. Thank you for being there for me, and thank you for comforting me. I look forward to the memories of future AniMagics and other cons. I love you. *kissu glomp*