To be honest the drive down was a killer. It wouldn't have been nearly as bad except for the fact that people in DC don't know how to drive at all @___@ Learn to snow removal guys. I was incredibly exhausted the whole time. But that's my fault not the cons...
Pre-reg took a grand total of 7 minutes. Awesome! Dealer's room left a bit to be desired. Prices were high and selection was crap. I think Ohayocon had better dealers. But I'm guessing some venders backed out due to the weather?
The hotel was gorgeous! It was a literal magical forest of cosplayers. The light up fountains were just awesome. There were plenty of places to sit and relax, it didn't seem crowded at all. It seemed like most of the photographers were hanging around the gazebo area, it had the best lighting and was more open. If i want to photowhore more I should have gone there. Food was super super expensive! I brought a few things to eat with me but we still had to break down and buy a few meals. Miku and I ate at a 32$ buffet but man was it good! The hotel staff was really nice! I was so afraid of getting yelled at (Everyone remeber the Omni? I got yelled at for standing on the carpet in the middle of the lobby -.-) I had hotel staff asking me how i was enjoying the con and how the service was. Everyone was super friendly and helpful! Our room was pretty nice. Not huge but it had a double vanity which is good when you have multiple girls trying to get make-up on at once.
Actual con events were kinda meh. I did the Hall contest because normally anyone who is any good does the Masquerdae. Well not this year, the Hall contest was full of really good people. and they didn't do walk ons this year(that i saw) so every craftsmanship person was pretty much shoved into Hall. I didn't go to any panels or anything (not that i ever do). We watched the end of the masquerade. We saw everything after the Macross skit. It was pretty horrid. The MCs were some not quite super models in bikini tops(WTF) who were not funny and seemed to be having problems just reading the papers in front of them. The skits we saw were really bad. I did kinda like that they did the AMV awards at the end, I LOVE AMVs so i got to see just the good ones. But all in all I can say I will never enter the Katsu Masquerade unless someone else is running it for many reasons but mostly because 8:30 AM REHEARSAL! Oh fuck no, I do not leave my hotel room before 11am. I can not get up that early especially after spending the day before driving for 9+ hours.
Also went to the rave for the first time in three years. It was aweful! OMG the smell @_@ And how can you dance to that music?! Blargh what happened to the good old days when they played some eurobeat, some Ayumi remixes, and lots and lots of anime music? If I want to go to a club I can go to a damn club on my own time. I'm at a con I want to hear Japanese crap!
On the way home we totally found a Medieval Times just outside National Harbor.
So... Will I be going back to Katsucon?
Yes, it has won back my heart! <3
But next year I think we will head down on Thursay so I'm not so damn tired and bitchy all Friday, and possibly to stop by Medieval Times! I will bring a lot more food for us to eat. I will make costumes that will look awesome in the magical cosplay forest and fountains! We will come prepared to shoot with minimal lighting! And most importantly we will make sure all our friends can come next year! Cause let's face it, friends make a con!
~Usagi
