02/08/2004
		02/08/2004

February 16, 2004 Author: vaz The Katsucon ramblings of an incoherent mind. part 1 Now that it's over, I begin to feel a little let down. As I write this, it's currently 5 A.M here in D.C. On the west coast where I'm from it's around 2 A.M I can tell you flat out it was one hell of a con. I made no real sales and we're about a thousand in the hole for the whole affair. But despite all that I have to admit I've never had a better time at a con It was "Doc" and I. (Doc you would know from our forums.) We came in from L.A.X Thursday morning. We had to battle the Los Angeles Rush hour to get to the airport in time. In which I was basically without a clue. By the time I had gone through security I was down to my pants, shirt and socks. That was interesting. The Plane ride went without a hitch, considering I was on a about a milligram of zanex (however you spell it) and a dose of Dramamine. By the time we arrived at Dulles, I was conscious enough to get off the plane, grab my bag, jump on a shuttle and get the rental car. Doc intended to do some sight seeing since we arrived early, but that didn't really work out since doc got lost while I slept, but we found the Hyatt without effort. First thing I normally do after I survive a plane ride is hit the bar. Met up with Dave from paradox lost, and was introduced to Booj and Jamie. Met "Nami" from Seraphic Blue. Now that I think about it though, the day was something of a blur. I believe I was able to meet hawk and Anath of apple geeks that Thursday. But I may be wrong. Getting smashed will do that to you. Friday however we set up, and I had made a vow that I would sketch something for every reader that stopped by the table, but not only that, I would draw something for every other web comic artist at my table and something for Michael "mookie" of Dominic Deegan, and I can say with some pride that I was able to do just all that. Drew ren for Ian, Drew Hawk of apple geeks, had a rendition of secret agent jekka for Dave. A pic of space pirate nami for seraphic Blue, drew Luna and Dominic for Michael, and got something done for a few other special people, readers who asked for sketches, and of course my favorite cute couple Fred and Sara Gallagher. They are sweet. What? Stop looking at me like that.. I LIKE CUTE THINGS. I wonder just how much I should put into this rant. Like I said financially, we did miserably, but I'm not going to worry about something I can't really control. And hopefully I can make up our losses by selling the rest of the remaining prints on E-bay. Moments of interest: Getting trapped in an elevator with doc and Dave Lister as we went to get our panelist badges. That's right, we were trapped in an elevator from somewhere between 20 - 30 minutes. Being part of a web panel that included a whole shit load of web cartoonists who almost outnumbered the audience. Having Fred Gallagher try to figure out why the audience was laughing during the web panel only to realize I was causing it, when I threw on my Mexican wrestlers mask. Having Fred look at me with a "WTF?" expression Putting Matt Boyd in a sleeper hold during the web panel Meeting, hawk, Ananth, Nami, Dave Lister, Michael, Jes in person for the first time Seeing Fred, Sara, Matt, and Ian again. Meeting the readers. Those of you who showed, I thank you. Embarrassments Having Fred, Sara, and doc, tag teaming me about eating something (long story, suffice to say I try to eat very little at cons) Repeating 'I'm DRUNK" while drunk, when hanging with my web peers. Butchering the English language. Walking up 10 flights of stairs and wheezing like an ancient and feeble man afterwards in front of Ian, matt, Dave Lister, Jes, and Jamie. Low points: Damaged the cord to my laptop, so I have to order a new one. The massive negative balance in our accounts Some rude hotel staff. Just plane tiredness from me. Which means I'm sure I must have come off like a moron very often to others. Sorry. The thing about this con, was that even though it was small, and even though there wasn't much of a profit for someone like me. I had a chance to hang out with the people who comprise a great deal of the web comics I read. I was able to sit and socialize, talk shop; I was able to draw alongside Fred for a bit. Which left me slightly intimidated for some reason! I got to wake up and sit next to some of the nicest people I've had a chance to meet in this business and watch them work. You really can't put a price tag on moments like that. And of course, making sketches for readers. It's always fun to see your faces light up when I draw up someone you get a kick out of in matter of minutes. Anyway, it's getting colder, and I'm passing the time and trying to occupy my phobic jitters. Doc is being the responsible one and getting some sleep. I really can't think of what else to say. The three days are becoming a blur for me, and I'm sure apple geeks, megatokyo, Mac hall and Paradox lost will create and relate better and more interesting con reports then I. There are so many places to touch upon, so many moments. Like getting trapped in the elevator, watching matt and Ian game at the table in-between reader visits. Hanging with some amazing creative talent, and some lovely and kind people. There are so many moments, so many things to depict. But I have no idea what the rest will create. But I'm likely making excuses. I should get to draw the katsu report, and stop procrastinating. Like by the fact that I keep thumbing through my signed megatokyo volume two, which has an awesome sketch by Fred of "Cynical Piro" now let your minds cope with the ramifications of that one! =) Well before I go. I should do the whole special thanks thing… Special thanks: Sara and Fred: for being the cute and kind people they are. Closest things to guardian angels we have Dave Lister for being our katsucon web artist's dad. He took care of everything and went far above and beyond the call of duty to make sure we were all doing good. Pocky for dealing with us in the art exhibit room, some day I will draw in your book. Sorry for almost killing you with but a word. I forgot my humor allows me to no longer need the wierding module. The katsucon staff, for being the most polite con staff I ever dealt with. Barb for setting up the web panel and dealing with us rowdy temperamental folks. Booj for being a sport.. I will repay you, I swear. Jes for being the best moogle a mathematically challenged and tired web artist could have. Hope you and Ian had a nice flight and got home ok. You're an angel. I will steal you from machall!!! Ok not really, but it would be nice...I'M SO LAZY! Matt, Ian, Hawk, Ananth, Emily, for being amazing web artists and writers and allowing me to say some really silly and stupid shit at the table. Matt, because I'm a nimrod and we never did get a chance to go over the guest comic. ^^;;;; Michael for drawing me a beautiful pic of Luna and Dominic I can't wait to ink and for keeping an eye on our things for longer then he should have. You are a scholar and a gentleman, and I hope to see you at another con some day. Moony and white mage… "THUP" *in strong bad accent* "IMPLODED!" The guys who do home star runner for making "the system is down" you will not believe how often you found apple geeks, machall, Paradox lost and underpower singing that through out the con… Captain Morgan! For letting me unwind. Doc because he is l33t. He got us food on a sprained ankle and basically came to Katsucon a con virgin and owned it like a Playa! The readers cause well... you read us. =D Now to thank the rest of the D.C area in alphabetical order… I'm not looking forward to returning back to hell. I have debts to look into, and a home I rather not be in. But for now, I have some lovely memories to reflect upon. Some beautiful drawings and prints I can't wait to share. And I have the early morning dawn and docs snores to keep me company while I work. I likely won't have anything done, until after I get back to California. So until I get on that plane, I am Somewhere awake, Arlington, VA 6:31 A.M