Dearest Rachel – So, as we landed in the States a little more than a week ago (and thus were able to receive text messages, being back in-network), one notice I got was from one of our old buddies in the anime fandom community. Doc is the type to keep his eyes open and earContinue reading “Where Your Treasure Is…”
Tag Archives: conventions
Gradually, and Then Suddenly
Dearest Rachel – One more story for you from the convention this past weekend, although with the understanding that, like the one about Daniel at the restaurant table, the convention merely serves as a backdrop to the real action (and the thought processes that passed through my mind throughout it all). Ironically, it all beganContinue reading “Gradually, and Then Suddenly”
He Is Not the Third Wheel
Dearest Rachel – This morning, on the final day of the convention, we decided to pop for the brunch offered by the Hyatt. Unlike the Embassy, everything here is à la carte, rather than being a part of the the amenities that come from renting a room here. Not sure why, other than I supposeContinue reading “He Is Not the Third Wheel”
Not Ready For VR
Dearest Rachel – I know there was a point at which I considered the idea of getting a VR headset for the office, even before the accident. While I hadn’t planned on becoming a YouTube gamer, it might have been interesting to have tried out the latest hardware, and let others know if it wasContinue reading “Not Ready For VR”
Having the Stamina
Dearest Rachel – Years ago – has it really been two decades since last I went into such detail? – I used to write about these conventions, and everything you and I experienced at them that I could write down as it was happening. I considered it my little contribution to the community, and toContinue reading “Having the Stamina”
You’d Think I’d Get Whiplash
Dearest Rachel – After waking up yesterday around five or so (Eastern time, mind you), and driving what turned out to be some seven hours, thanks to several bouts of construction and one point where a car we passed in the corner of the merge was completely burned out, down to the wheel rims (thankfully,Continue reading “You’d Think I’d Get Whiplash”
Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo
Dearest Rachel – You might remember listening to the radio being piped in through the overhead speakers in the cafeteria back at college. While most of the time, it was playing the usual top 40 stuff we could just as easily watch on the ‘campus nightlight’ that was MTV (I referred to it as suchContinue reading “Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo”
To Be the Glittering Joker
Dearest Rachel – It was one of the first albums I picked up once I got my bearings at university, and discovered the local Christian bookstore, with its racks of older music that straddled the line between secular and sacred; it was my introduction to Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian singer-songwriter who I was never anyContinue reading “To Be the Glittering Joker”
A Quiet, Empty House
Dearest Rachel – I really didn’t need to hurry home as fast as I did, but at the same time, I just didn’t see much point in staying at camp yesterday morning. The counselor training was about to wrap up for the week, so there wouldn’t be as much going on for me to beContinue reading “A Quiet, Empty House”
A Waste of Time and Money
Dearest Rachel – Another year of the convention scene, another reminder that the scene has passed me by. I wish I didn’t have to utter the cliché “I’m getting too old for this,” but more and more, I’m starting to realize how well it fits. There’s no place for dilettantes in Otaku Nation; you’re eitherContinue reading “A Waste of Time and Money”
Why It Hurts To Watch
Dearest Rachel – Okay, I promised to tell you about these series I’d been watching from time to time over the past few months – as well as why I don’t particularly like watching them, or any anime, as much as I used to when we did so together. And given that I’m up atContinue reading “Why It Hurts To Watch”
Magical Matsuri Tour
Dearest Rachel – Roll up, roll up for the magical matsuri tour! Step right this way… In some ways, this weekend is going to be the absolute antithesis of one of those stereotypical English ‘mystery tours.’ I know exactly what I’m getting into; I’ve been to all twenty-four Anime Centrals up until now. There isContinue reading “Magical Matsuri Tour”
Bye, Bye, Brony
Dearest Rachel – The weirdest part of this isn’t so much that Daniel has decided not to go this weekend, as much the fact that I’ve been asked to drive Logan to a pickup point where he can meet a friend of his, from whence they’ll drive up to the convention in Milwaukee together. It’sContinue reading “Bye, Bye, Brony”
Side Quests
Dearest Rachel – On what I expect to be my last walk through the corridors of the Hyatt convention center, I found myself pausing at the sight below: It might be a more common sight at an anime convention than most times and places, but it was a new idea on me. I decided thereContinue reading “Side Quests”
Smoke on the Water
The good sleep better at night, but the wicked enjoy their waking hours more Woody Allen (attributed) Dearest Rachel – Well, were you expecting the intense bass guitar riffs of Deep Purple? This isn’t exactly a format that can accommodate that; or rather, I don’t have a .midi file at hand to attach to thisContinue reading “Smoke on the Water”
The Main Events?
Dearest Rachel – Main programming is not where I spend most of my time at an anime convention. To be sure, the largest part is spent in my hotel room – sleeping, of course, but we would also watch stuff (and do other things) there, and these days, I spend time writing you a lotContinue reading “The Main Events?”
The Return of Samurai Dan
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve talked about the atmosphere surrounding the convention, I haven’t told you anything about the actual scheduled events. Part of that is because, even when we were attending these things together, we were rarely all that concerned about the panels, the guests, the screenings and all the other scheduledContinue reading “The Return of Samurai Dan”
Asking the Artist
Dearest Rachel – So another thing that went on yesterday that I just didn’t have time to cover (because other things came up – I’m sure you can understand). Regardless of the fact that I’m not ‘meeting’ anyone at the convention this year (not that this is really any different than last year, to beContinue reading “Asking the Artist”
A Lot (Or Not) to Unpack
Dearest Rachel – You’ve heard me mention several times already how this is my first road trip in a year. In that time, I’ve taken two overseas trips, which tend to be for longer periods, and require me (and Daniel) to use a large suitcase, and pack a lot more (although, since he will sometimesContinue reading “A Lot (Or Not) to Unpack”
Once, Twice, Three Times a Philosopher
Dearest Rachel – There is a story about Voltaire that tells of him being invited to a party by some of his more… libertine… friends. For all intents and purposes, this was basically an orgy. The story doesn’t relate as to whether he actually participated in the events of the night, but one is leftContinue reading “Once, Twice, Three Times a Philosopher”
Home(wood) Away from Home
Dearest Rachel – I think that, at one point, we may have considered booking a room at the Homewood Suites a short walk away from the convention center, but balked at the price; at the time, we weren’t in the financial position we – well, I guess, I – are (am?) now. Besides, given thatContinue reading “Home(wood) Away from Home”
Like Virgil in the Forest
Dearest Rachel – I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest I owe you an apology for going back on my word – had life continued as we expected, with you still here, there would have been absolutely no question about whether or not we would continue to go to Anime Iowa, no reason forContinue reading “Like Virgil in the Forest”
Elevators Down
Dearest Rachel – I really could’ve sworn that I would have needed to set the alarm last night. Granted, I don’t have a panel to attend at nine in the morning (although there is one on the schedule that looks like it might be interesting), but I do prefer to grab breakfast before things getContinue reading “Elevators Down”
A Brighter Day
Dearest Rachel – Outdoors, it’s a big change from yesterday. The sun is shining brightly; in fact, it’s beating down pretty fiercely, even as it approaches five in the afternoon – and just think, it hasn’t been too many months since it was ‘in the evening,’ or even ‘at night.’ And while I won’t sayContinue reading “A Brighter Day”
Fahn-cy!
Dearest Rachel – On my first trip back to the hotel, after the opening ceremonies, and in order to check in, I passed by a number of cosplayers in the corridors, as to be expected of an anime convention. Most of them were either of the “ho-hum, I’ve seen them before an infinite number ofContinue reading “Fahn-cy!”
Rough Start
Dearest Rachel – These conventions don’t always start out grey and rainy, but it’s certainly a risk we run during the spring. When I started to fill the car, it was just sprinkling (which was more than nuisance enough), but by the time the boys were awake, it was pretty much pouring down rain. It’sContinue reading “Rough Start”
Force of Habit, I Suppose…
Dearest Rachel – A couple of weeks ago, shortly after returning from Japan (from which I had unsuccessfully tried to get a room in the hotel that the convention was being held in; when you’re fourteen hours out of sync with the world you’re trying to deal with, that adds a level of difficulty toContinue reading “Force of Habit, I Suppose…”
You Have to Make the ‘Wrong’ Choice
How Was I to Know? Dearest Rachel – I know that Doc used to read these letters to you from time to time; I wonder what he would think about the fact that he’s getting mentioned twice in two days, especially considering that we’re pretty much on the opposite point of the calendar from conventionContinue reading “You Have to Make the ‘Wrong’ Choice”
An Unexpected Choice
Dearest Rachel – Well, that serves me right for trying to draft a letter to you while waiting for things to shake out. It’s amazing how much things can change in a matter of a few hours. I’ll start at the beginning, as best I can, since it’s not really my story – I’m justContinue reading “An Unexpected Choice”
With the Sun at My Back
Dearest Rachel – It may not the most efficient way to travel, or the most glamorous, but it gets the job done. The old Irish blessing is that the wind should be at your back, rather than the sun. That way, you can be propelled along by the breeze, speeding you to your destination withContinue reading “With the Sun at My Back”
It’s Not Them…
Dearest Rachel – “It’s not you, it’s me.” It’s amazing to realize you never heard those words directed at you, but I know it to be true. You never dated anyone – indeed, you never considered dating (although you admitted to having a handful of childhood crushes back in the day) – until I cameContinue reading “It’s Not Them…”
The Last Masque
Dearest Rachel – When I used to do those convention reports to be posted to the Fanfiction Mailing List way back when – some twenty years ago, you might recall – I would take pages of notes as each entrant strode across the stage. Most of the names meant nothing to me or you, sinceContinue reading “The Last Masque”
Snippets From the First Night
Dearest Rachel – I try to limit myself to no more than four letters in any given day to you; however, there are so many little things that happen at a convention that are worthy of comment, and there’s no one to comment to anymore. So I’m just gonna put together a collection of paragraphsContinue reading “Snippets From the First Night”
Brill-Ain’t
Dearest Rachel – I know that you can’t be expected to know about all the books in my library, any more than I could about yours (until Jan and I had to go through it all, and decide what I was likely to read or not and treat accordingly). However, you might recall that I’veContinue reading “Brill-Ain’t”
Still A Little Too Soon
Dearest Rachel – it’s funny how things work out sometimes. When I wrote to you earlier this morning, I was already concerned that I would not be there when I was told that the registration booth for sponsors would be opening up. In fact, I was late by well over an hour. And yet, whenContinue reading “Still A Little Too Soon”
Cartoon Brigadoon
Dearest Rachel – I know that true otaku tend to take offense at their precious anime being referred to as ‘cartoons’; it’s the mark of an uncultured philistine to not recognize the distinction between the two very different art forms (or, more to the point, their styles). Only someone who didn’t ‘get it’ would callContinue reading “Cartoon Brigadoon”
Strictly Unofficial
Just walk in like you own the place. It always works for me. Pick a Doctor, any Doctor; I’m sure each of them has said something like this to a companion or two Dearest Rachel – It’s a weird experience, arriving at the convention nearly a full day before everything starts. Just about everything isContinue reading “Strictly Unofficial”
How the Pendulum Swings
Dearest Rachel – So, I’m on my way to Iowa for this year’s anime convention. Call me pessimistic, but this may very well be for the last time. To think that, back in 2019, we were considering joining the Mindbridge community as part of the volunteer staff in the future for the convention. We nowContinue reading “How the Pendulum Swings”
The End of the Road
Dearest Rachel – I’m beginning to wonder if my running shoes should have come with an odometer, or some other means to indicate when I’ve gotten to the end of their useful life. They still cover and protect my feet from the elements, both above and beneath, but I can feel the difference in supportContinue reading “The End of the Road”
Up Too Soon
Dearest Rachel – After two days of mostly threatening – or outright raining – the sun is what comes pouring into our room… at 6:30 in the morning. Much as I’d like to sleep in that much longer, that’s just not going to be in the cards. You’d have probably gotten up this early yourselfContinue reading “Up Too Soon”
It Wasn’t That Important
Dearest Rachel – I can’t remember which year it was – after a certain point, they all tend to blur together, I’m afraid – but there was one other year that we couldn’t get a room in time at one of the four hotels surrounding the convention center (i.e., the Hyatt, the Hilton, the EmbassyContinue reading “It Wasn’t That Important”
No Choice But to Continue
Dearest Rachel – You would probably be pleased note I stayed awake during the entire two hour run of Anime Hell; no need for you to nudge me awake as I nodded off (a good thing, since you weren’t there to do so – I know now how those folks we would always see scatteredContinue reading “No Choice But to Continue”
Nerd Prom
Dearest Rachel – It never fails. You’d think that the convention would fill up the entirety of the Hyatt, where everything is based out of (or at least was, back in the old days. Nowadays, I suppose the convention center proper is the real hub for all the goings-on). Considering that the event books upContinue reading “Nerd Prom”
Milling About of a Midday… Maskless
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting that Daniel would have a lot of fun here in any event, given the restrictions that they seem to have in their rules and regulations. But so far, that doesn’t seem to have been nearly as bad as we feared. The only real problem he seemsContinue reading “Milling About of a Midday… Maskless”
Life in Escrow
“Do you have any brothers and sisters?”“Well, I have a big sister, a little brother, and we have a baby in escrow.”“In escrow?”“That’s how daddy describes it when it seems like it’s never going to come out.” Art Linkletter and a candid guest, as taken from Kids Say the Darnedest Things Dearest Rachel – Sometimes,Continue reading “Life in Escrow”
I Should Be Panicking
Dearest Rachel – By this time tomorrow, if all goes well today, I’ll be driving the boys and myself off to Rosemont for the first Anime Central in three years. There are so many things to take care of before hand – both the usual things, like packing and shopping and such, and some not-so-usualContinue reading “I Should Be Panicking”
No Substitute
Dearest Rachel – You know, if you were still here, I wouldn’t have anything to do with social media. It’s just no substitute for the real thing. But you aren’t, and I do. It’s not ideal, but you work with what you’re given. I was woken up this morning at twenty to six by theContinue reading “No Substitute”
Ready Or Not
Dearest Rachel – There are days when life comes at you fast, like a tree at the bottom of a hill. Other days can just seem to creep along, like the one when the remodeling crew is supposed to be arriving – it’s been pushed back yet another day, wouldn’t you know, to Tuesday (edit:Continue reading “Ready Or Not”
Stuck With It
Dearest Rachel – It’s one of those things that you used to keep on top of because I couldn’t be trusted to do so myself. And sure enough, I botched it this year, just like you might expect. In my defense, the window is so small, I could hardly be expected to squeeze through. Although,Continue reading “Stuck With It”
Taking Delivery
Dearest Rachel – This morning started with a confusing jumble of images and story. It’s probably why it’s so hard to relate dreams to someone else; it’s hard to unravel the storyline, even for yourself. Had I gone back in time, or was I running through an alternate universe where the accident hadn’t happened? WasContinue reading “Taking Delivery”
Imagine Storms
Dearest Rachel – Another long night, another dream – or series of dreams – that might otherwise make sense except for the timing, the location, the cast, and the fact that I was constantly looking for my phone to take pictures of it all, only to find that it was nowhere near me (which, asContinue reading “Imagine Storms”
from Rachel: Created to Become Like Christ
“May 14 “Just when I had almost caught up, I come to two days too full to do more than read a page or two. Wednesday included a trip to the DMV and finishing my last BSF lesson. Thursday was my next-to-last BSF day, and then getting ready for the weekend because ACen begins today!Continue reading “from Rachel: Created to Become Like Christ”
Leaving the TARDIS Door Open
Dearest Rachel – This morning, as I went to check my itinerary to determine where in Cologne our shore excursion was likely to take us through, I found this in my email, and realized that I had overlooked the fact that this year’s convention was already long-since paid for: Of course, we had put inContinue reading “Leaving the TARDIS Door Open”
Costumes
Dearest Rachel – There are so many things to say on this Halloween; so many memories to call up. It was a Halloween I am which I first sat with you in the cafeteria at breakfast, decked out as a denim clad mime, but unable to keep silent. Since I’d made up my face toContinue reading “Costumes”
Il Faut Manger
Dearest Rachel – This letter is running concurrent with the previous one, because there are that many impossible things to do at the moment. All I’m doing at this point is waiting for the marketplace to open, and then I’ll be going to breakfast. ‘One must eat,’ after all… The contrast between last night andContinue reading “Il Faut Manger”
Behind the Table
Dearest Rachel – More stories from the convention: The recharge room was virtually empty – which apparently has been the idea the whole time, go figure! – so, with no one to speak of to hang out with, I find myself making my way back down to the volunteer booth. The gal down there givesContinue reading “Behind the Table”
Amblin’ About
Dearest Rachel – Sorry to disappoint you, but this entry isn’t going to be about old Steve Spielberg’s film studio – not even the bit about the Animaniacs, as much as we might have loved them. This is an anime convention, after all. None of this American garbage here, now. This was supposed to beContinue reading “Amblin’ About”
Morning in an Empty Hotel Room
Dearest Rachel – It’s Friday morning, just a little after seven (which means I’ve actually slept in after last night, to be honest). I’m awake, and it’s long before anything is supposed to start here at the convention. And there’s only so long I can convince myself that you’re downstairs, taking a dip in theContinue reading “Morning in an Empty Hotel Room”
Checking In and Checking Out
Dearest Rachel – It’s about 8 o’clock when I get here. The road leading up to the hotel is much more built-up; several new restaurants – and an arena, of all things! – line the area. It seems, too, that my idea of being here on Thursday isn’t unique to me. The parking lot –Continue reading “Checking In and Checking Out”
Always One More Thing
Dearest Rachel – Now that you’ve been gone for all this time, I guess it falls to me to pull the “just one more thing” routine before heading out on a trip. Bear in mind, I was in no hurry to leave today – and I’m still not. Kris was coming over to clean, andContinue reading “Always One More Thing”
The Wide and Lonesome Road
Dearest Rachel – Look, this is not the proof-of-concept, can-I-travel-on-my-own venture that you might think it would be. After all, I’ve driven more or less nonstop to Tennessee earlier this year, and that was twice the distance and length as this trip. I’ve said it before, but it needs to be reiterated; it’s not thatContinue reading “The Wide and Lonesome Road”
Preparing to Leave the House
Dearest Rachel – I never really considered just how involved this process was of putting ourselves together for a convention weekend. All I ever did was to pack the computers and hard drives and my own set of clothes and toiletries, and call it good. There’s so much else that has to be taken careContinue reading “Preparing to Leave the House”
The Hostess
Dearest Rachel – So… Sunday night, I received a text from Doc Pearson. It was actually kind of strange, because he would usually call me in the days leading up to Anime Central, rather than texting. Of course, the times are strange already, what with there not being any Anime Central this year – again.Continue reading “The Hostess”
In Lieu Of…
Dearest Rachel – I’m really not entirely sure if this is the week that Anime Central was supposed to happen. However, since the annual celebration for the church is happening today, I’m going to assume it was. After all, the church had a knack for holding the annual celebration on the same weekend as ourContinue reading “In Lieu Of…”
Convention Season
Dearest Rachel – Well, I’ve gone and done it. I’ve booked a room at the Marriott Coralville for the AnimeIowa weekend. Without your help. All by myself. Yeah… all by myself. All… by… myself. I remember you watching the feed on Twitch last year when AnimeCentral did its virtual convention. You were sobbing as youContinue reading “Convention Season”
Letters to Rachel 