When I finally dragged myself out of bed and got dressed, I made it downstairs in time to go to the Q and A session with the voice actors. They answered questions from the audience about voicing video game characters, the worst animes they'd ever been involved in, con stories, etc. Troy answered questions about getting into voice acting. Chris discussed the music he likes. D.C. talked about doing film and TV and only recently getting into voice acting. All three explained how they realize at any point the acting jobs could dry up and what they might do if that happened (Troy would consider working in sound recording or teaching, Chris might be a counselor, and D.C. had been doing "day jobs" as recently as six years ago).
After lunch I made my first trip to the Dealer's Room. It was better equipped than I expected. There were tons of Japanese snacks (Pocky, beverages, gummi candies), key chains and patches, artwork, costumes, cosplay weapons, manga and DVDs. I gave in to temptation and bought the volumes of Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit that I was missing (so now I own the complete series), Gunslinger Girl (really just bought it so Troy Baker could sign it -- I should be getting the Blu-Ray edition in the next week, but it hasn't been released yet), and Code Geass: Season 1 Part 1. I also bought a couple of mementos to pass on to friends and family.
Got near the very front of the line for the second autograph session and happily got Chris Patton to sign Soul Eater, Fullmetal Alchemist, The Wallflower, Baccano!, Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid and Princess Tutu. I then was lucky enough to get Troy Baker to sign my newly purchased Gunslinger Girl and Code Geass. Looked around for a bit - saw a guy cosplaying as Alex Louis Armstrong of FMA (this method of cosplaying has been passed down through the Armstrong family for generations!!!).
I headed upstairs and after lazing around in my room for a while - working on blog entries, watching some Soul Eater, getting in my daily workout - I ordered some room service, chowed down while watching some Golden Girls (I don't know why, but I love that show) and then got my stuff together to venture downstairs again.
I tried to make a bee line for the Dealer's Room but found it closed for the evening. This means I'll have to get my ass to bed early so I have time to get up in the morning, exercise, pack up, and make one more soujourn to the Dealer's Room to pick up a few more knickknacks and some Japanese goodies (for some co-workers who have been putting in long hours -- what could be better than Pocky and gummies?). And all that has to be done while losing an hour tonight (curse Daylight Savings Time).
With the Dealer's Room no longer on the evening's agenda I headed to the hotel's restaurant and sat down at the bar. D.C. Douglas was there talking to some of the (very patient, loving and amazing) mothers who had brought their teens to the con. I actually ordered a drink (first one of 2010), and nursed it for about an hour while talking to a very nice woman about anime. Ten o'clock rolled around and I headed to a panel led by Troy Baker. The panel was about gaming, so most of it went right over my head. But it was cool to hear Troy (who is incredibly articulate and has a knack for drawing conversation out of panel attendees) talk so animatedly and passionately about gaming -- and not just strategy, but quality of story, plot lines, character arcs, voice work, and graphics of gaming.
Panel was winding down when someone came in and instructed everyone to leave via the outside exit door - apparently some (incredibly immature, douche-bag-y) con-goer had pulled the fire alarm. There was a fire truck and an ambulance outside. After about 15 minutes in the chilly night air, with rain spitting down in fits and starts (OK, I was only outside for about 5 minutes, I spent the remaining 10 sitting in my car listening to a lecture about the Roman emperors -- I hate rain and I'm a nerd), the alarm was called off and everyone was allowed back in.
Day 2 was pretty low-key. Wish there were more anime-based panels, but I'm sure I'll get more than my fill of that at the three cons next month. Not feeling up to braving the 21+ party tonight -- hell, I'm almost 30 and can't keep up with these younger kids! Signing off for Day 2. . . .
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