Hmm Katsucon where to begin. I'll start with the getting ready for the convention.

Thursday 15th, Day before Katsucon

Well I stayed up all night long with my friend Layne (Thanks for helping out Layne.) making T-shirts for the convention. We finished making three new shirt designs. A Zelda Triforce based T-shirt, a Bleach based "Hollow Inside" shirt, and a Naruto based "Konoha Ninja Academy Graduate '02" shirt. Obviously all three were new to this con so we went from inventory zero to 300+ Yeah it took all night. Barely made it actually. But we did make it which was good. It was also scary because it was the first time I've silk screened when I was the "expert" in the room. Usually I have someone else there that really knows what they're doing. But it went really well and I'm pleased with it. But I'm still a lil nervous on the idea of silk screening multiple colors on the same shirt alone. You'll notice all the shirts were one color based. Yeeeeah. Maybe next time I'll try two+ colors.

Anyhoo got to the airport thanks to Layne dropping me off. He also had to take some of my shirts back with him since my luggage was too heavy by about 7 pounds. Picky-picky airport. My flight got delayed from Salt Lake City to Denver for an hour or so due to bad weather conditions (snow). As soon as I got on the plane I feel deep asleep from the exhaustion of staying up making T-shirts. It was a small plane so there was plenty of turbulence that woke me up from time to time. But when I woke up big time is to the sound of the landing gear coming out of the plane and it made a TERRIBLE noise like something broke or ripped off the plane. Which startled me awake and I immediately realized we were heading down and I really thought I was going to die. The only thought that went through my mind was "Well this is the end. Nothing I can do about it." Luckily I realized soon after nobody else was freaking out at all so it crossed my mind at that point we were just landing. The psychological damage had already been done though. I never want to sleep on a plane again.

So I feel asleep on the next plane. After it too got delayed for snow of course.

I've been to BWI airport a total of three times, not counting return flights. But I've always taken public transite to the Baltimore Convention Center. I've never gone to the D.C. area. Needless to say the instructions on the official Katsucon website did nothing but give me cancer. Luckily some locals approached me with the proposition of four way sharing a cab to a metro station. Since I'm in the habit of always getting in cars when strangers ask me I of course accepted.

Finally made it to the Omni Hotel where Katsucon would be held. The next challenge would be checking into my hotel room. Which is EASY if you're a normal guest since you would have registered with the hotel and taken care of things yourself. But since I was a guest at Katsucon the convention got the hotel for me. I tried explaining that to the hotel and that didn't work out well so from there it was searching for a convention staff member that could help me and get me checked into my room. I made it to the con ops room where I ran into David Lister (the author for Paradox Lost) and his lovely girlfriend. Seems I was in the right place if other webcomic authors were also waiting there for their rooms. Eventually we got into our room which had one king sized bed instead of the usual dual Queen beds in most hotel rooms. I gladly took the floor since at that point I could have slept on a bed of nails... that were on fire. Later that night I was wishing for the burning nails though because it got COLD. Dave's girlfriend woke up and actually put one of their bed blankets over me. I hope she becomes president of the United States of America because she has my vote.

Friday 16th, First day of Katsucon

dragged my stuff down to the table area where I ran into Mookie (author for Dominic Deagan), Shawn Handyside (Author for Staccato and Fork You), and I can't remember who else was there but... someone. Anyhoo I've talked to these guys before and I waved to Mookie when walking down the stair and said Hi to the both of them. I got REALLY weird looks from the both of them it was moderately awkward for me basically immediately. So I kinda sat at my table and relaxed for a second. Then I saw Brian Wilson (author for Hookie Dookie Panic) coming down the stairs with two much baggage to carry alone. I've also met Brian before several times in the conventions world so I quickly ran to his aid to help him carry his stuff. After Brian got all his luggage to the table he came back to mine to thank me and introduce himself to me. Which I was kinda surprised at that. I'm like "It's me... Dave... SnafuDave?" Which immediately his eyes got that flash of realization of who I was. He went over to the group of webcomic peeps consisting of Mookie and Shawn and the rest and told them all who I was. Apparently NONE of them recognized me and that was why I was getting so many odd looks from the lot. It didn't occur to me until then that all of them saw me last year with nearly buzzed hair and glasses, in a T-shirt. This year I had Lasik so glasses are gone, I had long hair, a hat, and a tight emo sweater on the whole time. Yeah that is definitely a change. Even though emo sweaters are very unusual dress attire for me I was grateful I had it. I really assumed D.C. would be warm since it was on the coast and I thought the east coast would be much like the west. Wow was I wrong. So cold. So I kept the sweater on the whole con. I think the east coast webcomic convention goers think I'm emo as fuck now. That's fine.

About an hour after the initial wave of not getting recognized Matt Herms my Sticky partner in crime showed up with his fantabulous girlfriend Karen. Matt also didn't recognize me. Cool. Anyhoo Matt and I made a freaking awesome con team immediately. It was amazing how smooth everything went. Karen especially was a direct gift from Heaven. She made regular runs for food and drinks so Matt and I could keep manning the tables. And when we couldn't be at the table she could cover for us. Not only did she just "cover" for me but she actually did a MUCH better job that I ever could at it. She sold more shirts in an hour than I would in three. Thanks again Karen for everything!.

Last real event of Friday was the "Meet the Webcomics Panel" where all the webcomic guests spoke on a Q&A panel. There were maybe 15 webcomic authors on the stage. I in true Dave fashion showed up a few minutes ahead of time which landed me a seat in the second row of the panel where there weren't any microphones to speak into unless an author from the first row felt like passing one back. Which was fine because honestly I didn't want to say anything in that panel. I really don't like talking on panels with over 3 speakers as a general rule. once it's 3+ I just feel like anything I'd have to say would be a "broken record" of everyone else speaking on the panel. So I bowed out and went back to the table. Which was a good choice because I sold a fair amount of t-shirts in that time slot. It makes sense all the other webcomic authors were gone so I was suddenly the only "open" booth in the webcomic Artist Alley area. After the panel I found out that I was brought up by Mookie (Dominic Deagan guy.) apparently he told the story of my "disguise" and how now he thinks the disguise between Clark Kent and SuperMan works because apparently taking your glasses off DOES make you a completely different person.

That night I got moved into a different hotel room than the first night's room with Dave Lister. I got moved into a room with Garth (Author of Comedity), his Girlfriend, and Brian Wilson. Unfortunately this room also was a one King sized bed room so Brian and I got the floor. Oh well no biggie. Before we called it quits Brian talked me into going to the "Guests uncensored" panel. At the panel Brian and Kilika (author for Blue and Blonde) represented the webcomic guests fantastically. I bowed out since yeah I don't want to be on an "Guests Uncensored" panel for fear of saying something REALLY fucked up in the heat of the moment. Fortunately for me Brian and Kilika said those sorts of things for me. I'm pretty sure they both one my heart forever at that panel. Which was good because I was already wearing Kilika's merchandise, so I was ready to be a fan. Speaking of Kilika merchandise he has this SUPER rad little surf board necklace and shirt that rock my face clean off. I LOVE the necklace I haven't taken it off since the con and I HATE wearing necklaces.

Saturday 17th, Second day of Katsucon.

During the day was pretty unnote worthy besides some crazy weirdness, a dude bleeding on the floor in front of my table, and three zombies with actual hooks in their backs. That was kinda gross. Oh and I met the Anime USA con chair along with the director of Anime USA's Guests and Artist Alley. They invited me to attend their con as a guest this year. Sound like fun.

Panel wise Matt Herms had to take care of a "Fan art and Copyright Law" panel. Apparently it was the most boring thing since the movie "The Good Shepard". I guess some dude actually passed out packets and ready straight from copyright law. LAME. The panel I had to do however was marginally more interesting thank goodness. It was "The Business of Webcomics" and I believe it was supposed to be Mookie and I speaking. Prior to that panel was a "Animal Characters in Webcomics" panel. When we got there the authors on the panel prior decided to just stay up on the panel so suddenly there were 6 people speaking, 5 seats, and one microphone. So I bowed out again and just watched the panel for the same reasons as the last panel. I hate being a "broken record". The panel went very well actually. Mookie impressed me especially with how charismatic he is on stage. the author from Partially Clips who was also on the panel described Mookie as secreting Cotton Candy from every orifice. That's kinda hot.

After the con was over the webcomic group went to some Pub near the hotel to celebrate a successful Saturday (the biggest day of any con.) I went along even though pubs don't hold a lot of interest for me since I in general despise drinking. But I ended up talking to a really cool girl for the majority of the time. It worked out rather well I'd say. Then at one point I found myself in a booth talking with Jim Brown the Morlock Enterprises guy until closing call. He offered to make any custom merchandise I need which was cool of him.

From there we went to another webcomic room where we got kicked out in well under five minutes for noise complaints. So Brian and I went back to the room which Garth and his Girlfriend weren't back at yet. So Brian and I stayed up talking to each other in true sleep over fashion till some ungodly hour at night. Did I mention Brian won the con? Because he totally did. That dude is Bad ASSED.

Sunday 18th, Last day of Katsucon.

Sunday was pretty unremarkable all around like most last days of cons usually are. Not too many people things just get packed up and people book it out of there. Brian however decided to make a HUGE rubber band slingshot... web... thingie. He recruited me in making huge rubber band chains which I gladly made for the sake of science. We ended up launching a Penguin into railing and it got wedged in hardcore style. Pretty neat.

As I was getting ready to leave I did some last minute trading with Shawn Handyside. Getting three rad shirts from him. Attorney at LOL, This is how I Roll, and Blow Me. I owe him three shirts now... I need to contact him and get his address of where to ship them. I also traded for a Wiitarded shirt from... someone. Don't remember. I remember it had a web address on the actual shirt but I don't want to unpack it to find out right now. Sadly I forgot to grab the Shake It shirt from Brian. Which means I FAIL. Oh well I'll see Bri-Guy again at another con soon enough I'm sure.

I left the con three hours before my flight thinking that would be PLENTY of time to get back to the airport. Nope. I BARELY made it. But I got to talk to a freaking amazing girl the entire way through the Washington D.C. public transite station. Which is weird because I don't seem to EVER talk to girls when I'm within 50 miles of where I live. I'm starting blame Utah for that. Hell I even chatted with a different girl on the plane ride home. Anyhoo Layne came and picked me up from the Airport which is hella cool of him because he live like an hour away. Which I then had to drive him back home and myself back home as well. So I didn't get into bed (the couch) till maybe 3 A.M.

Convention Review

I loved it. Great sized con, perfect sized actually. Sold lots of shirts, met lots of cool people. Had a lot of fun with Kilika, Brian, Shawn, Mookie, Garth, Dave, Matt and his girlfriend Karen, strangely didn't see much of Hawk and Aanath, probably my fault. DEFINATELY returning next year and recommend anyone in the area to go as well.

Really small convention but for how small it is it's fairly high traffic. The person running it does a really really good job. Surprisingly so. More stuff happens in a day thank in most larger cons happen in two days. I was supposed to get my gas paid for for travel expenses but I didn't ask for it when I got there because I felt bad how small the convention was. Which his fine I sold plenty of T-shirts in that one day that I didn't have to worry about travel expenses.

I was supposed to do a panel at the Con on a subject that I can't currently recall. But what I do recall is it never happened. The guy who was speaking before my panel went a half hour over time and completely ate up my entire time slot. It was the voice actor for Optimus Prime (the shitty new stuff). He was kinda pompous dick in a lot of ways. Which was cool because his table was right next to mine at the con. Ugh. Oh well I'll never see him again. He's said "Roll Out" for the last time in these ears.

Convention Review

Really small but REALLY well run. If you're in the area I recommend checking it out. They had some really great merchandise, it was cheap enough and it was a one day event so you're not worn out afterwards. It's not the best for cosplaying since it's so small but for cheap dealers room goodness it's great. I'd return again if I'm in the area. But chances are I won't be.

It was a PAX. Which means I didn't need to worry about an Artist Alley Table and just attended the convention. It was much larger than past years. Same level of fun. Probably not really worth the drive for me since I go to so many cons all year round, it's kinda silly for me to drive to this one. But I do so love supporting webcomics in any form.

Convention Review

I'll return next year and every years because I'm a sucker for webcomics. My review would be biased beyond that simple truth so I'll leave it at that.

This Con I actually didn't attend because somehow I got double booked at two cons at the same time. My friend Kevin covered for me though and manned the table himself. Thanks Kevin. He said it was a small con. Really small. But tis to be expected when a con isn't on a coast.

Convention Review

Since I didn't actually go this is kinda tricky since it was all hearsay from Kevin. It didn't sound too exciting or large enough to really warrant the time put into it. But I do like Vegas and it's close enough to me that I may go to it again this year IF it's convenient.

Convention Review

This Con basically just sucked. I won't be returning next year and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Really small. Really REALLY small. Maybe it'll be better in like 3-5 years... but I doubt it. It you live locally go to it much like I do with Anime Banzai in Salt Lake. But if your over 20 miles from this thing don't bother.

This convention is super easy for me. it's the only con even REMOTELY close to me. It's so nice to work a con and go home and sleep in your own bed you have NO idea. Too bad it's not the greatest con on earth but for only being in it's 2nd year it's doing pretty good. Although seriously it's the con I was treated the worst at. Pretty lame all around. Every con I go to ever I'm a guest at and usually I get free table and hotel at the LEAST if not travel and the rest. This con made me pay for a table which was the same price as artist alley tables for cons that are two to three times the size of this one. LAME. But considering it's so close it would be dumb not to work it I figured what the heck. Oh and I went to a "Doujinshi" panel which royally sucked balls. It degraded into talking about porno comics nearly immediately. Then they had a webcomic panel as well which I went to. It too sucked MAJOR balls. Eventually some dude in the back of the room just slowly started speaking up and more or less completely hijacked and took over the panel. It was Howard Taylor of Schlock Mercenary. Meeting Howard was by far the highlight of the con. I had no idea he was local in Utah and since we've become decent enough professional webcomic friends. I look forward to doing A-kon with him in 2007. Should be fun.

Convention Review

It's a second year con. Small, the staff doesn't really "get it" yet. But they will soon enough and it's all Utah has. I'll be back next year and it'll be fun to see this one grow. Ultimately the best thing about the Con was meeting Howard. He's a great guy and I'm glad to know him.