Long journal is looooooooooong.

I suppose I am under obligation to write a con report. This was my first time in Texas and second time in the Bay Area. Anyhow, in short, flying sucked - you don't want to hear about that. They "lost" our luggage once - or rather, it took a different flight to the same location and wouldn't be arriving until the next day (it could have been much worse. Especially since my Copics - aka, the source of half my revenue - were in there). It was good we got to Dallas a day early.

To be honest, as I've said before - cons themselves are about business for me. The only thing I actually have some heart and want to attend is concerts - of which I missed both (AN Cafe and Versailles, respectively... but I'm NOT missing Rentret En Soi at ANext). Where the reward lies is in hanging out with and meeting people. So yes, I suppose this is going to turn into a million shout-outs, but if I can help people find each others' DAs, all the better. If you're interested in events, you'll just have to glean from these little messages - trust me, all the photos I took, the background is just the table across from me!

So, first, I want to thank everyone who made the trip possible (in order of initial contact):

- I don't apologize for throwing shit at you in the morning, but you're a damned good traveling companion. Thanks for keeping me company and sitting through my short temper - so few people understand I can take four days of weeaboodom maximum in a row. And thank you for all the Mondigan art, even if everyone had cat ears.

- I apologize for being a burden, but thank you very much for letting us stay at your place during Fanime on such semi-short notice. Your rabbit is adorable to no bounds. Your dad's a sweetheart, too - reminds me of mine - really likes feeding us.

- Dude, I hope you know how crucial you were to this. I wouldn't have been able to come at all if it wasn't for you. You're young, but your work is very good - all you need now is the convention experience. Grab a table next year - with someone who's at the same con-experience level - , and things should start looking up. Thank god we moved to a better position. Yay for incompetent staff. I apologize that my picture sucked. I'll try again. D:

- I know we didn't end up sharing tables, but thank you again very much for the offer. Just making that option available helped make our journey a reality.

- Again, you were one of the lovely people who offered us table space. You're so sweet, and I love the way you color your work. Your cosplay was really sweet, too. Again - thank you, thank you!

- Dude, you have the coolest parents in the friggin' world. You live in a beautiful neighborhood, too. Thank you so much for your generosity, even if we were there mostly while you were at school (nothing interesting happened, we just slept). And also, thanks for introducing me to In-n-Out. I'm addicted now. I miss your dogs. D:

- Ah, so we spent a looong time at your place - I'm sorry! But thank you so much, for the driving, the parking, the everything. You're so nice. D: Looking at your walls was like looking at a colorgasm of awesomeness. Thank you so much for the little chibi badge, too. Lol. I look so much better on there than in real life.

- Ah, my retarded child, but I still love you. *petpet* Thanks for sharing a table with me again, just like so many other cons we've been to - I was using the Boston sign again, haha. We do really have it all worked down, though - maximum efficiency! Even if you do have negative-half-a-brain, lol. Thanks for the salads, too, even if your sense of direction couldn't find the food court, at least you found something! Damn, your squishes are adorable - now make more, or I hurt you. I know you have nothing better to do right now!

- Hey, your sales doing better? I think you've found your niche with the cyberlocks and the jewelry. I love your chainmail. It just blows my mind. Goddamn your permit troubles, though. See you again at Otakon - or any earlier!

- You saved my ass. Thank you so much for letting all of us crash your aunt's place on such short notice, especially since had to leave at 4 AM. It was really nice getting to know you and learn that Cali kids really aren't all that intimidating. The home-cooked meal was wonderful, a great break from all the burgers and fried chicken - I think Han and I were crying tears of joy, we missed that kind of food so much. Oh, and thanks for making me seem like LESS of a creeper by fangirling over that one guy, too, haha.

Of course, there were many old faces with whom I am always glad to be re-united (again in rough order of appearance).

- Always nice to see you. Although what were you doing so far from home, lol? I always think you're supposed to look like your avatar - dye your hair red to settle my mind, plz? Haha, just kidding. It's awesome tlaking to you, as always, seeing as you're the first Gaian to ever actually introduce themselves to me in person - so many, many years ago (Otakon 05!)

- Aw, TTGL!Emi (as we all refer to you now, to distinguish you from other Emis). *hug* You cried. I can't believe you were so lucky to art jam with the Gainax animators. But of all people, you and =tehRyu deserved it most.

- Aw, Lisha - I'm sorry. I don't hate you. D: You're too cute to hate. I am just really short-tempered, lol, and you never realized it. *hug* or rather *squeezes cheeks* Interesting talk we had that night. ; Sorry I exploded - it's a sore subject.

- Fev, baybeh! Always nice to see you and your plastic pidgeon. Thanks for telling us we could sell on Thursday and keeping us out of that massive line. As always, your work is full of hot mancakes.

- Beerdaddy! Although now you're more like beergrandaddy with all your white hairs! Always nice to see you... and see you again... and see you again... lol. You have some epic double-fannypack-tascity with your pants that go only to your ankles.

- Aww, Lainey! I feel so bad about those Chii ears. *hug* It was nice seeing you, as usual - I want to custom order like, a rabbit hat or something. D: *wants to be cute.*

Do you know how hard it is to figure out where that extra hyphen in your DA screenname is?! Anyhow, your watercolor pieces were gorgeous! I really liked watching you work. Congrats on graduating.

- I get you guys confused on DeviantART still. But now, I'm just going to refer to you as the "creepy one who's always on his DS." I didn't even know you took commissions, but I want one now. D: I have that picture of you, and you look like a hobo. And that's how I'm always going to remember Vince.

- Where did he get that sheet, anyway? I still love that archer picture you did - I really need to grab a copy. It was nice talking to you guys on a "I swear I'm not intimidated, if they're from Canada, they're probably ass weird as Jay..." level - and thanks for telling us where the food court was. Hanjun needs to eat every two hours, so it was very valuable information.

And there were many people I knew from the internet but I finally had the chance to meet in person.

- What has it been? Four years?! Ah, I still have that cherished picture you did for me. Mm. My baby looks so hot, haha. You're so nice in real life. Thank you so much for saving me from the ebil Fanime AA staff, even if you dodn't have any idea what was going on. But yes, totally check out Gurren Lagann! It'll be so epic, you have to fanart it.

- Ah, lady of my sustenance. ~Anarahk and I would have starved without you. Thank you for the nutella. You seriously made this con worthwhile - I don't know if you believe me, but you really did. I so lost your cell phone number, though. D: Note me if you want mine. Or call me if you still have mine. I like to talk on the phone and stuff.

- I really regret not talking to you more. It was partially because, although I recognized your face, I immediately forgot the face-to-deviantART-name connection right afterwards. *hides head* I swear I don't do that normally! I'll say more at AX, I promise.

- It's always a pleasure to meet my watchers. You're so nice in real life. thank you for buying prints. :3 Haha, I'll always remember you're the only one who wanted a girl in the Perfect Mate meme.

- Dude, you're so friggin' chill, I don't know how you manage it. Thank you for the amazing commission and the pin and the sketchbook (I spent the most money on you the entire con, lol... you sitting right across from me, tempting me with your artwork). I've already put two drawings in it - I swore to myself, it'll only be original work! Mmm. Rivek has always looked downright perfect in your style. Mind exchanging instant messenger names?

- Lol, I reaed your tag, and it so didn't click you the hell you were while you stood at my table for a good ten minutes. Thank you so much for the sketch. Argh, I've like, waited four years for that, and it was everything I had hoped it'd be. He looks amazing, and you captured him perfectly. Thank you so much. It was an honor meeting you, and I hope you have a table next year. I've known you for ages, and your work just gets better. And your characters are hot as hell. Seeing as you're going to SVA next year, give me a ring - I'll Note you my cellphone if you ask (I'm thinking about going to New York Anime Fest because =ProdigyBombay will let me sleep in her dorm room). I'm just a $15 train ride away, and I know the East Coast pretty well if it just confuses the hell out of you, haha.

- I can't believe you only charge $10/hr. I so call first commission at AX. I'm gonna jump you on Wednesday even. Pffbt, mean to me or not, you're just a giant teddy bear in a blue hoodie. Would have liked to talk to you more, but your entourage is biiig, lol! *hug*

- Ah, I can't wait to get that print at AX. It was really nice meeting you - been a fan of your work since god knows when - 04, maybe? Back when the Gaia Art Arena was still a big deal, hah! You're so nice in person - I apologize for any awkwardness with the "Are you (insert screenname here)?" because that always sounds off in real life.

- Whoa. I... did NOT expect you to be so HYPER in real life (nor so tall... ;_; *is tiny*). Watch with the squee-ing, man. Haha. Thank yo ufor that wonderful painting of Rivek from this Christmas. I apologize for not talking to you much, but you were rarely ever there, lol.

- So many nice people at Fanime. Thank you for drawing in my book. I love the miniwings. But yeah, shoot me a message if you ever want to chat. I'm not that exciting, though.

- Fawn! Dude, you're still one of my oldest internet friends. It was amazing meeting you IRL. I'm so glad you're at Viz now - I heard about the Tokyopop thing. *hughug* You're so sweet. Thanks for the sketch (and the Asian!fight over payment)! I love your work. And thank you for (ineffectively) reserving me a copy of LGG. Your layout work in there is totally professional. Please respond to my Note, by the way.

- Holy... I.... I don't know what to say. It's been... six years. No, eight years. It's 2008. I've been oogling your art for that long. You're the one who inspired me to do colored pencil. Ugh. Your table was like, the only one I fainted over. Make your prints bigger next year! D: I want some mega-huge JenZee paintings. Thank you so much for the commission by the way. Oh, and sorry for showing Andrew the old-ass REFF stuff. Haha. But it's a little embarrassment all in good fun, right? ; Btw, I am so jealous of your abs. So jealous.

- Ah, I can't beelive I met you and Ryuuzaki. Omg. Old school ArtCorner. Thank you for that copy of Cornered. Were you at AKon? I didn't see you. But I'll be at AX. Are you working at Gaia like Jen?

- Thanks to you and your friends, I broke even for the entire trip on Thursday of AKon. It was really nice meeting you in person. We didn't say it in front of you, but ~Anarahk and I were talking, and we concluded that... your characters are effin' brilliant. Like, I look up to them. They have a way of, every time you draw them, they turn out perfect. We didn't want to let go of our pieces, lol. I was honored that you and your friends commissions me, and tell Moreau thank you for all the tips on the commissioners - I picked up some valuable gems that weekend.

- Haha, part of me still thinks you live in Australia. I had no idea you were going to be at AKon. You're so sweet. Yeah, I originally mistook your sister for you. But argh. We hafta hafta print trade next time. It totally slipped my mind because of the "WE GOTTA LEAVE" pressure.

- Dude, thanks for the sketch. You and *saruwarui are cool beans. It was awesome meeting you and chilling. ;_; I still love your style. You make Rivek adorabible. *hughug* I hope things are going well for the two of you.

- Dude you're friggin' crazy. Absinthe? and chewing tabacco? Thank you so much for the candy, though. Your artwork's so unique. I love the way you paint like blood. And your guys are damned hot, too. Haha. I like Swallow. See you at AX!

And, if you all don't know, I am actually much more comfortable meeting people in real life than online! So here are the people I would consider having met in person first. It was great, and you're all so bloody awesome. Again, if you're dense, order of appearance.

- I've been to a lot of art shows, but the help I received with the Fanime one was the best I've had. You were a part of that. Thank you! It's people like you that totally inspire me.

- Okay, I admit, I didn't know you lived in Texas - I thought you were somewhere in Asia. But I came close, didn't I? But thank you so much for the commission. I've said it a million times, and I'll say it again, "pencils like watercolor" - I love your work. It's so full of strength and flow. Thank you so much for drawing Rivek. I was honored. Raise your prices next time, haha.

- I want to commission you at AX. I'll do it Wednesday, I don't care...! D: I love your style. It was great meeting you (you Cali kids are all so pretty, too, lol. Bing said she curled your hair, haha. She also said you're a perv.). That Deuce picture has always been one of my favorites. It was really great meeting you.

- I still can't believe you're in high school. My mind won't let me. You're like a friggin' prodigy. I love your work - been amazed with it ever since you did that commission for =look of her character, Cade. I love your brush stroke, your color work. Thank you so much for the print trade. I'm honored.

- Pffbt, that commission was so worth it. Rivek looks great in your style. I love his face - high cheekbones are so sexy. Thank you for the copy of the LGG even if it was hell in a handbasket to get it (you were never theeere! D: ). I'm starting to collect signatures with yours and Fawn's. :3

- I can't believe... a twenty minute talk with you changed my perspective so much. Not going ot say too much, lest I incite drama, but I know I have a lot of room to grow, and I'm determined to do it. I think, out of the whole trip, just your words were the most important (although, that print I bought was downright bangin'. Yoon was pissed I took the last of that one.) Thank you for the dinner and the print-traded Aftershock. But I don't think I'll be drinking mouthwash ever again. Have a safe move to Atlanta.

- Dude, you make one amazing Grimmjow. I didn't match you to your DA until I got home. I'd seen your work on Gaia and had always loved it. Truth be told, though, I always thought you were a girl online. *is smacked* I wish I had talked with you more. I was kind of too blown away because, well, eight years is eight years, haha. Are you going to be at AX?

- I regret not commissioning you, still. I want to go back to Fanime just for that. I've always been a huge fan of your inks. Your style's so unique. Thank you very much for the bookmark! And now, I have a reason not to call you "Ass." I can use your real name instead - oh wait, I forgot it. Back to "Ass" it is.

- You are so yellow fever bait, hahaha. I almost feel bad. Anyhow, you're so nice. D: Thank you so much for stopping by my table. We should have done a sketch trade. Are you going to AX?

- Stevie, if you need an Otakon table, don't be afraid to ask. We've been okayed to give you a space (half a table, 3'x3'. You're so nice, lol, sweet as your screenname. You're another person I need to apologize for not talking to. I was too intimidated by you Cali kids' work.

- Okay, I admit, you intimidated the hell out of me first! You're kinda quiet, but it was really nice to get to know you at Ari's house. You're a really funny girl (in more ways than one, lol. J/k). If you add me on Facebook, I have the Morwyn picture uploaded. Let our Circle of Luv stay unbroken forever! Haha. And when I buy foam, I'll think of you.

- Jinny! You're so sweet. Thank you so much for the Grimmjow print trade. I haven't even seen up to that part, but I have my reasons for liking that one - huu huu. I hear you'll also be doing a Byakuya down the line. Make him hot. I can't wait. I'll see you again soon!

- Ah, your dolls were adorable. I'm going to save up for one at Otakon. It was really nice meeting you. You just helped confirmed our suspicion that all you Canadians aren't really people, just art robots. I think your shirts, though, are really cool and artsy. I like how it's not just some anime character printed on fabric. Basically, I'd wear it, and that's a compliment?

- Yeah. I know I didn't talk to you. Like, at all. Other than "HI" but if you're staying in Kevin's room for any con, I'll end up seeing you again. Your work is mindblowing. @_@ I met so many Canadians this trip...

- Haha, ~Anarahk is still angry that I didn't introduce you right away when I saw your badge with your DA name swinging back and forth. You're so sweet. I hope you have a table next year - your artwork's so bing bang awesome. Full of styyyyle.

- Holy beloved Jesus. I've been like, loving your work since Mendels! Your coloring, your bendiness. That Mad Hatter print is going in my room next year (you forgot ot sign it, though. D: ) Thank you so, so, much for the drawing of Rivek - it didn't occur to me until after I got back that you have a character named Rivec, lol. I didn't realize we'd be seated in the same island, lol. Seriously, you have like, an east coast following, so please, please come to Otakon. We have space for you if you don't mind sharing. D: I want moar art from you...

- Jumpin' freakin' Jehoshaphat (can you believe it, Mozilla's right-click word-spelling-correction has Jehoshaphat?). It still amazes me sometimes that I am talking to you on MSN (and not fainting). I love your style. It's like bang, you're dead. You're so nice, too. Argh, thank you so much for coming to our table. Come to Otakon, too. We have space for you as well (if you don't mind sharing). D:

- When I was flipping through your book, I like, knew you were on Gaia way back when, and I had wanted your art way back when - I recognized a piece you'd done for Yumehayla - a girl with curly hair and bone wings. I didn't want ot say anything because I had forgotten your screenname - and your table was full of INTIMIDATION. But really, you're really nice. Thank you very much for coming to our table and speaking with us.

- Haha, talk about last minute meeting. I apologize for not talking much beforehand. But hey, if you know Fev, it's always pretty easy to find me through her. PS - Your chibis are some of the cutest I've ever seen. Your thin linework and soft colors are perfect for them.

Did I forget to name anyone? I probably did. But wow, I started almsot every other sentence with "dude." Must be the Cali getting to me.

I know there are so many people I missed seeing in the flesh (that means you - ~ebil-jenna , *porkbun , ~chuwei , *shinobi-fi !) , but there's always hope for next year - and of course, I'll be going to quite a few more cons just this summer. If you're going to AnimeNext, Anime Expo, or Otakon, drop a comment, and look for me in the Artist's Alley!

Oh, and for you who read thus far ... there are many of you I'd like to keep contact with through means other than DeviantART - it's much easier for me to get to know people over instant messenger, so feel free to add or drop me a line - just please tell me you're doing so and which name you're using on waht messenger (via comment, note, what have you). Trillian has a problem with me getting messages from people who aren't already on my buddy list.

AIM: Fong MingYun
MSN: woefulinfinity@hotmail.com
Facebook: ... uhm, ask for this one by Note.

Cheers, and see you at ANext!

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Here are the entries to the contest. Judging will take place once I get to help me - I'm having such a hard time deciding. Thank you all very, very much!



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Kiriban: 100,000