Prologue: Departure
Thursday 1996.6.27 - 8:13
After a sleepless night (I have a terrible habit of being extremely keyed up before any major event), I arrived at San Jose International Airport, with my sister Carolann, and my bro-in-law, Michael (Makes for a lot of confusion when I'm visiting them ^_^). I was feeling a bit nauseous, having consumed 10 chocolate mini-donuts, but, after a considerable amount of Starbucks Coffee and a brisk walk to the departure gate (At the very end of the terminal.), I felt somewhat better. Now, we are waiting to board the plane that will take us to Anaheim.

I've packed just about everything but the kitchen sink for my weekend (The laptop and my camcorder are two crucial items of mine, for the creation of this project.), and, surprisingly, I've managed to split it all between one suitcase and one carry-on. I am considering throttling my sis and bro-in-law for their incessant Postal Service jokes. ^_^

Now begins the journey to Anime Expo, and the start of my adventure!

I. Arrival
Thursday 1996.6.27 - 11:11
The flight from San Jose to Anaheim went without a hitch. Flax, Mike's seeing eye dog, made it through like a trooper, which was quite impressive for his first time flying! I was fortunate to have the window seat for the trip downward. No matter how many times I experience flying, the moments of taking off and breaking throught the clouds are always impressive! I quickly lost track of where we were over California from so far up in the sky, but the view was heavenly.

Upon arrival at John Wayne Airport, things went smoothly from the moment we left the plane. Our luggage was on the carousel and waiting the moment we made it down from the arrival gate, and we hired a taxi for the ride to the Marriott, which was probably a bit less than taking the shuttle bus. Registration went fairly well, with just a reclarification of the need for a ground floor room to accommodate Mike taking Flax out for “walkies”, and requesting a refrigerator in the room for storing the necessary insulin for him.

Our room is decent for the con hotel, and definitely beats the hell out of the Motel 6! (Speaking from personal experience ^_^)

But, the euphoria of anticipation is wearing off, and I am fscking tired out! Thankfully, today is the kick-back day... I could spend a few hours at Disneyland, or crash in the room. I need to be mindful of pre-registration at 20:00 (8 pm) tonight.

Still, I can't believe I've made it... This is the realization of a dream I've had since the first AX (AnimeCon '91)... To spend an entire con weekend, and in the convention hotel, right where the action is! I can die a happy man now! ^_^

Thursday 1996.6.27 - 15:38
A micro-nap later, I'm a bit dehydrated, but a bit more rested up. Already I have seen that most of the AX staff are here, and commencing final preparations to the con launch. I believe I have spotted Lumchan and Kyousuke off the bat, but, as far as everyone on AX staff and #anime! are concerned, they don't know I'm here yet. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to get acquainted with some of the folks during pre-registration later tonight. Sis and Mike are back from meeting Mom at Disneyland, and I've been the pizza-fetcher for them. I see that they are going to take full advantage of my hospitality... (Well, I sprung for the room, and invited them along to further justify the con room rate!)^_^

Sis has remarked that she's seen my fellow “nerds” around the hotel... Looks like someone needs to be dragged kicking and screaming to be forced to watched Otaku No Video 1982. There's no escape for her... We're here... we're there... we're everywhere.... Bwahahahahaha B)

Thursday 1996.6.27 - 18:37
Sis and Mike have returned to Disneyland for the rest of the night. I took the opportunity earlier in the evening to reconnoiter the area where we are at, primarily, to locate the Bank of America branch office I located through their website. It was about a 45-minute round trip. I wisely decided, after increasing my cash-on-hand to half of my projected con spending budget, that it would be wiser to go for the speed and safety of the hotel's ATM, and deal with the surcharges, than walk down there everytime I needed more funds... Besides, I have my credit lines if any drastic measures call for it. I should have additional funds on hand by tomorrow morning, if my direct deposit of my paychecks are already in effect.

Meanwhile, I managed to kill some more time until pre-registration badge and packet pick-up by crossing the street to the Hilton, to have dinner at their sushi bar. The food and service were top-notch, befitting the prestige of the hotel. Upon return to my base camp, I noted many more otaku/AX attendees on the scene. I still can't believe I'm actually here.

I felt sorry for Mom, as I heard she had a rough time of the trip and check-in, compared to our ease of getting set-up here. I hope things get better for her. At least she'll be able to enjoy herself here. (I told her - "If you see any weird folks, don't freak out -- They're probably from my convention.")

Thursday 1996.6.27 - 23:41
I am back in my hotel room, and throughly worn out from running around through the hotel. Pre-registration badge pick-up was painless, though there was a HUGE crowd. Nonetheness, pre-reg was extended an hour. I was able to finally meet some of my IRC friends tonight, and hope to meet more over the next three days. For right now, I can rest, and plan what I will do tomorrow.

Items of note purchased: Signed edition of Lionel "Kyousuke" Lum's AX'96 poster (#687) - $20 AnimeCon' 91 T-shirt (The one with Noriko on the front, and Rally Vincent(?) on the back) - $5 AX Anime Reference Guides from 93-95 - $5 each

Total expenditures on merchandise today: $40 - Cumulative Total So Far: $40

IRC friends I met tonight: Keiichi, Jigen (^_^), Sage-Neko, Radman, Akane, Gosunkugi, Morrigan, Nation, Conty, Asrial, Sydney2K

On To The First Day!