Sunday July 29th, 2007. Ai-Kon Part 3.

Sunday morning, the last day of Ai-Kon. For myself, it was just a continuation of Saturday. After all, I had stayed up all night, having no place to go for much needed sleep. However, as you’ll soon find out as you read what I’ve typed up, Sunday proved to be more exciting and better then even myself could have imagined.

It started out simple enough. I was hungry and so was Shawn Swan, my convention partner in crime. So, armed with what little money we had left, we went to eat at a small cafe coffee shop in the hotel across the street, which is connected by a walkway.

It was here we had the chance to meet Heather, the girl that headed the team that was behind it all this year, and I congratulated her on doing such a good job. We then got to talking about the guests, and I briefly mentioned that it would have been neat to do an interview, but also admitted that I did not in fact have a press pass.

Lo and behold, like a tantalizing treat, Heather says to us that she might be able to arrange an interview with either Greg and/or Vic. Cue the hurried list of questions written down on paper, and a very sudden burst of excitement. As a fan of anime, and a fan of acomplished voice actors, this was a real treat. After all, had I not just the day before gotten an autograph and picture with Greg Ayres, thus overcoming my fear of strangers and defeating my shyness?

Yes, I had.

After the hurried breakfast of two cups of disgusting coffee and a bag of chips, and writing down the questions we wanted to ask, we headed back through the high rise walk way and into the depths of the convention center. Our objective: To take part in Vic Mignogna’s last Panel for the convention, about his talent in the musical circles. Even though we were tired and half asleep, we went.

Of course I was soon left by my lonesome, and I somehow managed to stay awake for the entire thing, even drawing a twenty minuite sketch of Vic himself. I had planned to give it to him, because in my sleep-deprived mind, I couldn’t simply just keep it and never let him know how deeply some of the music he played touched me.

So at the end of the pannel, overloaded with my own bag, Shawn’s, and ten dollars in my hand, I walked to the front desk and selected a CD to purchase - which I later found out had “Hello Beautiful” on it, a song he had played for those of us who attenended this panel. Paying for my purchase, I also slid the picture across the table with a mumbled line of it being for him. He simply smiled and said, looking up at me after looking over it, “Crystal, this is simply beautiful.” Great, I thought, it’s a twenty minuite sketch, and now I’m grinning like a goof.

Needless to say, I awkwardly grinned as Vic signed the CD “METAFICTION.” I fumbled and held out my camera, shyly explaining to the girl behind me how it worked. She snapped a quick photo of Vic and myself, and then I scurried like a scared mouse out of the room. Too many people by then were crowded around me, and I was about to possibly have one of my infamous spaz attacks.

Once out in the main hallway, Shawn and Heather tracked me down. From there Heather tracked down Greg, and asked if it would be possible for an interview. He gladly agreed.

Exhausted and tired, we went to the closing ceremonies. We sat way in the back and watched the spectacle. In fact, Greg was given a piece of Artwork, which if I’m correct was a color drawing of Ronald McDonald in a kimono.

Like an energetic child Greg hopped up and down and screamed gleefully, “This has to be the most creepiest and amusing picture I’ve ever gotten.” A few more pleasantries and then everyone filed out to get autographs. While Shawn and I waited on the side lines for Greg for our first video taped interview, which Greg gave us permission to put online at YouTube.

After the interview, we gathered our belongings, called my mother, and waited for the ride home. Leaving behind the convention center and excidedly awaiting next year, with hopes that Greg or even Vic would return to our humble city of Winnipeg.
 

If you liked that, try...

1. Adventure at Ai-Kon Part 2
2. Adventure at Ai-Kon 2007. Part One.
3. E3 May Go Public Again
4. Week in Geek #02
5. Big Mean Flash Gamer reviews Duel Adventure

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