If I want to get up to date on the anime industry, preview new anime releases and get some work done, I go to a large anime convention like Anime Expo. If I just want to have a good time with friends, I go to small conventions. Animation on Display (AOD) is small, but it was a heck of a time this year. I wonder why I still gamble at big conventions when I know I will have a good time with small local cons.

I remember my first AOD in 2004. It was small then, but gave away plenty of prizes. I'm glad to see that tradition has not changed this year. Giveaways are some of the best ways to get my interest in a new series. I guess I'm just saying I'm easily bribed. This year AOD had plenty of freebies including the starter ink set, the first season of "Dragonball GT," Robotech attire and a figure, and that "DiGi Charat" poster. It's fun to participate in such convention events.

Seeing friends and being able to talk to the convention guests were the highlight of AOD. Unlike large conventions where doing either of the above is an exercise in futility, small conventions are contained spaces where it is easy to spot the friend or the guest. Though such a small space may make it easier to get everyone sick if even one person is. I sure hope my doctor was correct about me not being contagious during AOD.

I brought my netbook to AOD for a genuine field test. So far it worked great for my classes and freelance writing away from home. But now I wanted to see if I could use her for quicker convention reports and possibly live field reports at the convention. The result: While she could take notes, relieve memory cards, and was light enough not to be a burden, the lack of a steady free wi-fi connection at AOD killed the prospects of live coverage. Perhaps I should invest in one of those USB Internet everywhere devices later. And the small 3-cell battery is quick frankly as useful handing a bottle of water to a drowning victim. Juggling between camera, socializing, and using the netbook was difficult. I need a set up like Christophe's for more efficiency. Hopefully I will have things better prepared for WonderCon or Fanime later.

And I suppose it would be unsporting of me to not acknowledge Valentine's Day. I mean, I have "Valentine" as part of my cosplay name and writing pen name of "K Valentine" and my convention coverage name of "Traveling Valentine" kind makes me obliged to do so. So, here's to the wonderful ladies that made Valentine's Day weekend memorable:

My mother, naturally. Without her, there wouldn't be a K Valentine to cover AOD or other convention reports. I'm sure my father also had a hand in my creation, but how often does a guy give another guy a valentine outside the city of San Francisco?

Christal for her never ending offers of hot, wet comfort. Sorry I never really took advantage of your tempting offers, but I'm not really an instant ramen guy. Your homemade chocolate, however, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of during the late night, preferably with some red wine.

Ras, though you don't attend these things, chances are you'll hear about these anecdotes of the con anyway. Thanks for listening.

The Platinum Stars for bringing back Para Para, a dance movement that I thought evolved into that diabetes inducing sugary sweet Caramelldansen that makes some want to bang their heads against the wall. Even though I'm as much a fish out of water as a fish driving a car when it comes to Para Para, it's something I'm able to do on a whim. Or while drunk. Or while directing traffic. Janelle-Ann, I still owe you an ice cream for some arbitrary reason.

A brief mention of the other half of Traveling Valentine. That was it.

Yukie, your singing brought me back to the halcyon days of my anime fandom when I enjoyed "Ranma 1/2" or "Ah my Goddess" and didn't have to play catch up with all the newfangled anime that gets released each hour. I don't mean to shake my old man cane with the flames on it, but I miss those old school days when I could appreciate story instead of for fandom's sake.

My cousin, who celebrates her birthday on Valentine's Day. If her witty remarks keep up, she's going to break a lot of hearts. And a lot of egos. And maybe a few game controllers.

My partner during the Sunday quiz show for knowing what I didn't know and for trusting me in knowing what I did know. I kept my mouth relatively free of cursing to ensure victory.

Torch, who was the first person I recall who came up with the novel idea of returning a punt with a punt. Others simply would have responded with a "It's just Tom. It's what he does." But you took it upon yourself to try something new. Of course grappling and grabbing resulted from the punting, but it's just me. It's what I do.

Claudine, for having the good judgment to stay out of the con while sick. Your sacrifice reduced the number of people to blame when fellow attendees catch the con-SARS or other illness. Get better for WonderCon.

And for any other ladies (and the occasional guy) who I failed to mention, you're still special to me. I'm just too drained and on cough medicine to recall now.

For those who want to see AOD from my camera's point of view, check out the AOD playlist:

Or click here for the respective YouTube window.

I had a great time. Please stay tuned to my next convention coverage of WonderCon.

For those who wish to add me to Facebook, you can find me under "Tom Tonthat." There's another Tonthat, but he doesn't have a sense of humor. You may also visit my Livejournal or the Traveling Valentine livejournal as well.

Pictures are copyright by Traveling Valentine. If we took your picture, feel free to use it on your site or cosplay gallery. While you're here, do sign the guestbook. This site was brought to you by the font Lovitz Many thanks to Chaz Boston Baden for the image resizing and watermarking program.