Abode of Clarus

I am back from Otakon. Another great great year. I'm trying to 'catch up' my hours at work, so i'll be putting in a twelve hour day today running off of perhaps 4 hours of sleep each night for the whole weekend.

I'd do it again though...

(;

I have mentioned it to a lot of you, but I am here to present you with the picture I took of "Chain Mail Girl" at Otakon. Yes, the rumor is true, there was a girl walking around all day Saturday wearing chain mail... and *nothing else*

**EDIT**
I moved NSFW girl as Mincus called her to the extended entry. I didn't think it was that bad.

The Video Game room at Otakon is always one of my favorites. Lots of 'golden-esque' people running around showcasing their impressive talents. This year the competition games were just as 'repetative' (halo 2, DDR, and the like), but the non-competative games were much more interesting. The new Naruto game was a big hit and a pleasure to watch, while there were also some guys doing an impressive Donkey Konga round. There were also some kids playing that ddr-type game where you hit buttons on a pad with your hands instead, that were very impressive. But the best part about the room is the abundance of 1337 speaking n00bz.

One of the best parts about Otakon is just being able to see things from a different point of view. When you're walking aroung the mall, it is very rare to run into someone who is wearing your shirt, or is wearing one that you are planning to buy, but at Otakon, you get a chance to see how they look from a different perspective.

One thing I got to see was a bag, very similar to mine on an Otakon patron also enjoying the finer cuisine of The Burger King.

So on Sat. I happen to be poking around the Red Octane booth. The main reason for hanging out was to give them a serious bitch fest regarding my hard pad that never worked with my USB computer or my xBox. So I gave them a thurough talking to and got the problem fixed with a complimentary PS -> USB converter. WOOT!. Anyway, while waiting in line to talk to the technician for my pad, I happened to notice some h4wt dance moves on the pads. What went through my mind was, "I haven't seen dancing like that since I was last on the OC Boardwalk." And sure enough... I was right.

You all DO remember that guy.. don't you?

At Otakon, you can also be sure to run into what will tomorrow be the next greatest fad. Naruto, very popular last year will be on Adult Swim in Sept. no doubt planning to make a big splash into America. Also perhaps the entire idea of Anime has been added to american culture because of conventions like Otakon.

What I forsee as the next big thing to come out of Otakon is the fashion of wearing bags on your head. It has great potential. The people here were planning to.. i don't know, start a band or something. Great Potential.

I personally thought that the girl on the right looked like GTA: San Andres, but she failed to see the link. Also included in this picture is the darling MJ in some sort of fairy outfit.. thing. (it's a good thing she didn't get too close to the 'bag people' or she might have been influenced with their "gamma rays")

There were a lot of costume's at Otakon this year, and I think the best one were these guys. It was a feat of engineering to watch them walk around.

I think if I were to ever go in costume it would be something engineering based. None of this, sewing and hair style crap. Maybe I'll just fashion weapons out of misc. items lying around, or create helmets of some sort. I could get into that.

Then, on the other hand, there is always the daunting task of figuring out ways to structurally stabilize lace so that it can have even more ribbon tied in it too....

maybe not.

Well it's that time of the year again. Otakon 2k6! I think the best way to present Otakon is in a few week long photo definition and summary.

Apart from the giant mass of costumed nerds, perhaps the first thing of merit that I came across was this perfect replica of everyone's favorite Toyota. Certainly a thing of beauty.

In case you guys forgot what Otakon really looks like, it's nerds. Nerds and more nerds, as far as the eye can see.

James was probably the best 'poser' out there. (Yes I intentionally implied the double meaning). If you didn't notice, James has a penchant for "Full Metal Alchemist."

James and I had some great conversations about "playing the part." It all comes down to realized what type of person, face, and body type you have and matching that to the appropriate costume. Most people that dress up as "their favorite character" fail horribly.

Take Mr. E. Honda for instance. When you realize you are pasty white and over weight... why try and be anything else... like.. say.. Sailor Moon you fat bastard.. don't subject me to that!

And, as I promised; the women of Otakon.

In all honesty, the pictures were a little hard to come by. People get jealous these days so easily. :: sigh :: I managed to scrap together some for you though.

There was a definate lack of "engineered" costumes this year. No LED based lighting, or strange technical designs of swords. It was however, a 'colorful' year. Lots of bright outfits. All the pantyhose, though.. was a little to much for me.