In my last post, I casually mentioned that I’m finally going to check off a bucket list item with my first trip to Japan. You know, the one that could potentially end with me attending a once in a lifetime concert if the lottery gods work in my favor? Yeah, that one.
Well, what if I told you that about a month and a half before I even board that flight to Tokyo, I’m crossing another item off my list?
Not a “that would be nice someday” item. A core memory loading item.
Continue Reading →I’ve only casually mentioned it before, but it’s actually happening — the pieces are falling into place for the Japan trip I’ve been talking about for what feels like a lifetime. Dates aren’t locked down in permanent ink yet, but the blueprint is there: three weeks, late October into mid-November, Tokyo as the main focus with equal parts cultural deep dive and full-on anime pilgrimage mode (yes, Love Live is absolutely on the list). And then, because the universe apparently thrives on chaos, and impeccable timing, the 15th Anniversary live in Nagoya gets announced…and just like that, my carefully structured plan immediately pivoted.
To be fair, the dates shifting doesn’t actually derail anything I’ve been building — it just means extending the trip a few extra nights and carving out time for Nagoya. The Tokyo-heavy plan would remain intact. The cultural stuff? Still happening. The pilgrimages? Obviously still happening. This is just… adding one more layer.
Continue Reading →So here’s the deal: I haven’t actually sat down and watched WWE regularly since last year’s WrestleMania. I’ve loosely kept up with stories and results, but as far as committing to weekly shows or Premium Live Events? The motivation just hasn’t really been there. I have a list of issues with WWE that is probably its own post, honestly.
That said… the Royal Rumble is still one of my favorite wrestling events every year, and when I saw it was playing in theaters, my self-control immediately folded. Because let’s be real — you can’t say no to the potential of surprise returns and “oh my god that music hit” debuts, especially with a crowd of like minded people.
You’ve been looking forward to attending your first (or even your 50th) convention for awhile, but time seems to drag on until the day arrives and you’re with your people. Then, because you were having so much fun, it seems like the event is over as soon as it started, and suddenly you’re back in the grind of everyday life. In any case, enter the dreaded Post-Con Blues; the feeling of longing for the chaos of the con, surrounded by like-minded people.
You want to go back to that amazing weekend spent with friends, but you’re back to boring real life and your very real responsibilities (adulting…0/10, do not fucking recommend).
Continue Reading →In my last post, I discussed the basics of planning and preparation in terms of budgeting to help make the con a more enjoyable and stress free experience for you. Well, in the second of this three part series we’ve come to the actual convention itself. What can you do to make it through the weekend and get the most out of your time at an anime convention while you’re there?
Before we get to the actual convention business itself, let’s back up a bit to the days leading up to the convention. You’re getting excited (don’t lie, you totally are) about the fact you will soon be spending a weekend with thousands of fellow anime fans and escaping real life for a few wonderful days, it’s only natural.
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