Otakon: Departure and Arrival - Thursday

[lbd_nytetrayn]

So, back from Otakon. Back late Monday, actually, but was too tired then to make a post, and yesterday LJ decided to fall over. And here we are.

Back to looking for work. I think the most depressing aspect of job hunting is that I feel extremely uncomfortable if I see a job that doesn't list by-the-hour payment, but rather, $XX,XXX/year or whatever. I feel like I'm in WAY over my head on something like that, and I get this small, nagging feeling I'm cutting myself short somehow. Part of it is probably because I've never been very good at telling what's "good" pay per year. Given the way we've been getting by, around $12,000/year (after taxes and crap) sounds fantastic. Something else tells me that I'm a moron for thinking that.

So, Otakon.

Otakon pretty much blew.

Lucky for me, I had enough fun seeing friends and doing things with them around the area that I don't mind all that much. Over the course of the trip, Otakon was more a backdrop to the real fun than anything. Checking out cosplay, and visiting the Dealer's Room and Artist's Alley were the only real Otakon things I wound up doing. Which doesn't say very much for the event itself, I suppose.

The trip down was... well, I'm just glad I was able to sleep through most of it. Not all of it, though. I did get to read a bit of the TransFormers movie prequel novel, Ghosts of Yesterday. And I'm enjoying it quite a bit thus far. If you like Starscream and wish he'd had more of a role in the film, this book may be for you. My favorite part of the whole thing is that he is practically the star of the book, at least on the TransFormer side of things, and you get to see him in action as the leader of the Decepticons, and it goes quite a bit into his mindset as far as managing that role, and more importantly, keeping it. I'm not finished yet, but it's a purchase I'm glad I made.

The rest of my time on the train went with the copy of Super Mario 64 DS which nova_eclipse was kind enough to send me after mine went missing. This really is my favorite version of the game, and I like it more than Super Mario 64 and way more than Sunshine. The only detriment is in the controls, and even those aren't horrible. Nova gave me a head-start reclaiming lost ground with 12 stars and Mario unlocked. Within the day, I think I'm around 65 stars and have Luigi and Wario in the party as well.

We stopped over at NYC's Penn Station, a curiously common name for train stations it would seem, as there's another in Baltimore. We weren't TOO hungry, and knew Lyra had a nice dinner planned that we didn't want to spoil, and wound up sharing in a KFC Famous Bowl. And this time, they had a biscuit added in the mix! Making me all the happier. Yeah, maybe it's not the classiest thing to eat, but it's still good. Normally, one bowl is enough to sustain me for a day or more, so that's why we went for the split. Ironically, still a little hungry, we tried some boneless Teriyaki wings. During our KFC experience, I also elected to share that we were down from Canada, where half the menu doesn't exist, and the side orders are usually just fries. "I don't know what kind of chicken they're serving" was one's response. I just had to know if they knew, and if so, what they thought of the vasectomy of the Canadian menu.

Oh, and at some point, evidently that KFC stopped giving refills, but they were kind enough to let me by this time, for which I thanked them. Very nice, and that'll come up again later.

We eventually leave and make our way to Baltimore. After a day of sitting on a train or in a station, we naturally decided to walk to our hotel, which we didn't actually know where it was. Thankfully, the past two years have helped provide a rough knowledge of BM geography, so it wasn't really a problem.

The walk itself was about an hour or two from the station, keeping in mind that we were hauling luggage which included a bunch of Animorphs books that were a belated Christmas gift to zaphy. On the way, we passed a grocer, and I decided to take advantage of the situation and grab some Pepsi for the hotel, rather than pay some exorbitant price for the fare around the convention center that wouldn't last a fraction of the time. A two-for-one 12-pack special later, and we were on our way again, albeit with quite a bit more weight onhand. Red protested, I didn't care; I knew we'd appreciate it later when we aren't taking out loans to quench our thirst. How's that saying go, "no sacrifice, no victory?" I knew I wasn't going to feel like backtracking later, especially since I didn't know when a chance would present itself, and that the grocer was still some distance from the hotel. Better to just suck it up then. Given it was all gone by the time we left (before, actually), I'd say it was worth the effort.

We finally find the joint, and one of these things, is not like the others...

Last year, when deathtosocrates(Lyra) booked a hotel for us, they took the amount off right away, and being the first ones there, we just had to show some ID, and I think they had to put some sort of temporary charge on my card, and off we went, with Lyra having stuff put to her card upon arrival.

This year, new hotel, new rules. They didn't take the charges, they just held the room. No problem?

Problem.

We were there at 7 in the morning, and Lyra wasn't due until 3:30 that afternoon. If we were getting into that room, then we had to pay right then and there. The whole thing. And without some fax or something Lyra couldn't access because she had already left, she couldn't settle things then by phone.

I of course lacked this kind of money, which lead to us asking them to hold our luggage until Lyra showed up. We managed to find a way to get showered (an exercise in near-futility in itself), got something to eat, and killed a little time by visiting Best Buy and Barnes & Noble, for which we had received two gift cards awhile back that we can't use in Canada. Because Canada is some third-world country from across the vastness of space, rather than a chunk of land making itself cozy on top of the US, I guess.

I find stuff there, but in trying to get the most out of this bit of an opportunity, I wind up being indecisive. They had Wii Play, which I've not yet seen in Canada (we have it, I've just not seen it) for 50 bucks, and that'd take the whole card and then some. Really, just about anything for the Wii was a bad idea, since it's a little too new to find any decent bargains. DS was a little better, but I faltered. Super Princess Peach, Yoshi's Island DS, Custom Robo Arena, and more for the taking, but somehow I was unsure of dropping my funds on them, even after talking to shinkuu about what was good. Custom Robo Arena would've been a no-brainer, but part of the draw there is the online, and I'm not sure I know many people that have it. Maybe I should've tried to effect influence on the rest of our lot and get them to get it as they did Pokemon.

I also thought of checking DVDs, since they don't sell any of the Shout! Factory sets of Mario, Captain N, Sonic, Zelda, etc. in Canada. I looked, and had to get help, and as it happens, they had just one title: the first volume of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, which Lyra had gotten me for Christmas. Well, that was just perfect. I had really hoped to find Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.

I didn't leave empty-handed, though; Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones was 10 bucks, and that was good enough for me to grab it with a clear conscience.

After some time at Barnes & Noble, wherein Red had much better luck using her fare later that weekend with the new Potter launch and all, we were both feeling tired and went back to the hotel to sit in the lobby. Weeeee, fun.

Guess I was a little too tired; I had someone yelling at me for being asleep on one of their many unused sofas there. Or so Red tells me.

After trying to stay up, I realized this shit just wasn't happening, and decided to throw myself upon the mercy of the hotel, explaining our situation again. Fortunately for us, the manager decided to allow us to put one night on my card, for which the charges would be transferred to Lyra upon her arrival. Hallelujah!

We get to our room (actually, a room just like ours that was available while ours wasn't yet, but nevermind that. This was our room now), and set things up, unpack, and relax. Ironically, didn't wind up sleeping. But was able to rest up a bit just the same.

Wasn't too long until emerald084 arrived and we got acquainted in person for the first time. Soon after was Lyra, and we all had some fun talking and such. Zaph had the job of picking up jackscarab, jinguj, and magnus_samma on her way in. Unfortunately, Mags' flight was delayed, and so was their trip, but they soon made it.

They arrived, and we all had our meet and greet. makzu wasn't able to make it back this year, but in his place were the Otakon n00bs of Mags, Emerald, and Jingu. As it turns out, I felt Em and JJ were very much like their online personas, while Mags seemed a bit more reserved. Plus, Em and Mags' voices were the opposites of what I expected for each.

Their late arrivals were like the most mixed of blessings, however. Not only did the rain that had caused some delays make the weekend a bit cooler for us all as it came BM's way, but we all went to collect our badges at Otakon later, so we missed Linecon, but got a pretty rapid progression into the building where the line was cool and moving.

As an aside, BM = Baltimore, Maryland, if you haven't figured it out. The initials also serve an unintentional double-meaning, as that's what the waterfront also smelled like.

The badges (hope Scar doesn't mind if I borrow that link), as usual, sucked. Well, not sucked, just... almost none were terribly interesting to me. Except #2, Chun Li, which was lifted from a SVC Chaos comic being sold in the dealer's room. Now that I think about it, I'm a little surprised that #12, Witchblade, didn't hold more appeal to me.

Whatever. digitallyfanged made up some badges for myself and Red, anyway. Mine was made as such to go with what turned out to be a doomed cosplay.

See, my grand plan was to go as Mario. Big stretch, right? Well, I've had a better costume on the back-burner for some time, one that will likely knock some socks off, and no funds to tackle it with. So this year, Mario.

Continuing my cruise aboard the cosplay failboat, I managed to get together a nice hat (with a perfect "M" by Zaph), a great mustache, perfect gloves, and even painted up a hammer to look like the Ultra Hammer from Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, the concept of the costume being a cross between the Paper Mario designs and the somewhat-realistic style of The Peoples' Mario.

But, my overalls didn't arrive at Zaph's in time. The biggest part of the fucking costume, and the fuckers at Amazon failed to get it to where it was supposed to be in decent time.

I don't get why overalls are so fucking hard to find. Zaph searched, nada. I searched here, zilch. As a result of this, we checked every damn clothing store we could find in the area in Baltimore, and NOTHING. Not even Gap or the Levi's stores had them.

I swear to God, I wanted to punch damn near every Mario I saw in the convention center and steal their pants.

Yeah, C&P that one for posterity, why don'cha.

So that put a real damper on things. I wound up cosplaying anyway, after very nearly giving it up, and wound up borrowing a pair of jeans from Em. I still feel and look like such a hack. It made quite a few peoples' day when they saw me, but... it felt wrong. Even with the story I concocted for it that Wario threw red dye into the wash.

So, that's three straight years of fail for me. The first two, I thought my costume was good (though I only wore it the second year at ryouko's behest), though no one recognized me. This year was pretty much just the opposite. There was a really nice Peach cosplayer I saw as well, but I decided not to go for the photo op out of pure embarassment; my presence would've only served as a detriment to a photo of her, in my view; from "hey, it's Princess Peach!" to "hey, it's Princess Peach... and some guy in pants."

I didn't let it ruin my weekend, but I remain 3 for 3 for sour cosplay experiences.

Oh, I was supposed to have a neat custom plush Goombella backpack to store stuff in through the con, including a loop for my hammer, but I couldn't afford it in time. /_\

So while Zaph, Mags, Em, and I went on a hunt for pants, Lyra and Scarab went on ahead to secure seating at the establishment where she was treating us all, Edo Sushi, and Red had to take care of press badge stuff and JJ had to set up her stuff for Artist's Alley. So, that is of course where we went after our fruitless labors, and we helped run up a dandy of a $300 tab. Maybe we'll run up more next year. As I can imagine Em saying, "is that a CHALLENGE?"

From there, it was back to the bedroom to chill out, relax, and prepare for the coming days ahead. Oh, and to look and funny images and macros stored on laptops.

Friday and beyond shall come later.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

Comments

[shinkuu.livejournal.com]

Man! Do you at least have the suspenders now, post-con?

As for the yearly pay, I'm no expert with that stuff myself so I usually break it down into monthly pay. So with your example of 12K a year, it'd be $1000 a month, or $250 a week. But that's probably before taxes where you'll lose at least 25% (down here... I'm also unsure about how it'll work out in Canada). My guess is you should aim for a minimum of 20K/year, at the very least... But whatever works, right? I think Red's right... Things'll definitely get better soon! You just need a positive attitude!

I almost let the intrusions from work get me down for the weekend... But with some help I was able to get over it and enjoy the con! Anyway, ranting helps but try not to let the bad things sour you permanently. Things are hectic this year but I'll see if I can visit you guys next year!

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

Man! Do you at least have the suspenders now, post-con?

Zaph said they came after she left. /_\

I'd throw them back in their faces (figuratively), if not for the fact I may need them later...

As for the yearly pay, I'm no expert with that stuff myself so I usually break it down into monthly pay. So with your example of 12K a year, it'd be $1000 a month, or $250 a week. But that's probably before taxes where you'll lose at least 25% (down here... I'm also unsure about how it'll work out in Canada).

True, I'm thinking after taxes. Because then that's rent covered.

As for the con, well, things pretty much go up from there. I just sort of semi-regret shaving my beard for it. ;P

Glad you enjoyed the con, if only there'd been more time! But it was good to see you and Shelby again. :)

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[shinkuu.livejournal.com]

That's good! I feel bad we didn't play any DS while we were down there, but I felt 90% exhausted every single day and I ended up not really playing much DS, period. Urgh... Friday when you guys introduced me to everyone I felt half-asleep! Zaph complimented my costume but I neglected to compliment hers... Everyone had great costumes, though! And Scarab (I think... Mr. Tall) was hilarious doing those poses for picture-takers.

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it was a bit exhausting. The only DS playing I did was standing in line, and one night back at the hotel when we played some Pokemon and Mario Kart DS. The latter was really fun, what with Scar as Wario, myself as Mario, and Mags, Em, and Zaph as Shy Guys, the latter directionally challenged. XD

Damn shame we couldn't make it all-Shy Guys.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[shinkuu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I ended up not playing much DS, even while in line! Didn't feel like it most the time, even though it was the prime opportunity... I did get in a few crazy Pictochats, though.

Haha! All Shy Guys... When my friends played as Shy Guys, they claimed they got random boosts of speed for no reason (not mini-turbos and not slipstreaming). Anyone else notice that?

For a second there I took a glance at your post and thought you said everyone was planning to COSPLAY as Shy Guys... That'd be interesting.

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

For a second there I took a glance at your post and thought you said everyone was planning to COSPLAY as Shy Guys... That'd be interesting.

Heh, it's been done... last year, by someone else. That was part of why I wanted to play as Mario this year.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[kanuckles.livejournal.com]

Generally, 30k a year is considered the low end of livable in Metropolitan areas. You shouldn't think you can't do it - there are fucking secretaries with no training here that make 35k a year.

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

I'm confident I can do it, or at least some of it; it just feels overwhelming in some sort of way.

It still feels a little daunting, though, when I see that sort of thing come up. I'm just not used to it...

--LBD "Nytetrayn"

[kanuckles.livejournal.com]

Well, to make a long story short: get used to it, for the love of god. It'd make your financial situation 10x better.

[lbd-nytetrayn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know, I'm trying... I just need to find a better way to know what I need to know for this stuff.

--LBD "Nytetrayn"