[ACML] Memories of the Otakon Dinner

[S. K. Monroe]

On 9/2/05 7:10 PM, "Isaac Alexander" <isaacada1 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Here's my larger report about the ACML dinner
> held during this years Otakon.
> 
> I prefer getting the bad out first so lets do
> that.
> 
> The Bad
> *The service at the restaurant was both
> satisfactory or downright horrible. I remember
> Erica telling the waiter to actually take orders
> for the table she was at.
> *The food ranged also from very good to
> questionable. I only ate good food but am aware
> others didn't have as good as experience.
> *I will NEVER use a disposable camera again. My
> digital camera didn't arrive until after I left
> for the con. Apologies for the pics being so
> grainy. 
> *Unstable tables to eat off of and really old
> chairs.
> *Eugene showing up late(only by 40min though) ;-)
> 
> Now the fun stuff.
> The Good
> *Eugene flying in from San Francisco for the
> dinner. 
> *Nice closed off area for the groups to talk loud
> without interupting other people in the
> restuarant.
> *The number of people that attended. It was
> almost triple the amount of people that showed up
> for the first acml dinner at AX 2002. The two
> people that attended that one that were also at
> this one was Erica and myself.
> *Meeting the faces of all the movers and shakers
> of the anime convention scene. We basically had a
> rep from each time zone in the continental USA.
> *Jim Vowles, the vice chairman of Otakon 2005
> announcing that Otakon was picking up the tab for
> dessert for everyone(Thank you Jim and Otakon
> staff for that!).
> 
> I don't know how previous acml dinners at Otakon
> went, but after calling Eugene and finding out
> he'd be late, I chose to MC the dinner. I had
> everyone get up and introduce themselves(name,
> con they were from, and anything else they wished
> to say). Then we held a toast to all cons for
> continued fun and success in the years to come.
> 
> This dinner was probably the highlite of the
> weekend for me. So many of you have given me help
> over the years and I was so glad to meet everyone
> in person. Also, the trading of war stories and
> finding out how things work at other events was
> educational, as well as entertaining. I'm very
> honored that Eugene has chosen to organize these
> dinners after I couldn't do them anymore after
> 02.
> 
> I unfortunatley won't be able to attend any big
> conventions in the next year because of my
> schedule with the navy, but I will definately
> treasure Otakon this past month. Thank you to all
> that attended and good luck with your respective
> events in the future.
> 
> Oh, and don't think you have to limit these
> dinners to just AX or Otakon. Hopefully, more of
> these dinners will pop up at the regional cons as
> some already have(Anime Boston, Anime Next).
> 
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Isaac
> 
> PS. Also, after the dinners, it's great to head
> to a bar and really trade good information over a
> good drink. :D

Wish I had done that, if only to take the taste of that Fogcutter out of my
mouth!

The rest of my food was good, though!

I had a great time, and was glad to meet so many people I didn't have faces
to fit the names.  And it was good to see people I already knew!

Thank goodness for Erica, she joined my Staff Staff and helped me check
people in on Thursday, and I am very Grateful!

Katsucon people gave me the name of a good Italian restaurant for next time
where they get good service, good room, and good food.  Unfortunatly I've
forgotten it already, but I'll get it again by August 5th.

I was so glad that Eugene made it!  And Isaac is a doll!  Thanks for
hosting!

Cousin Sue