DC Rushton’s Web Report: Anime Conji Con Report: Day-2

The Good, the Bad, and W-T-F-Happen?

Leaving sad disgusting “Reality” behind me, I return to OUR WORLD! Breathing in the complements, returning them back to my Brothers and Sisters Cosplayer, I take an outdoor table. “Lock and Loading” my camera’s batteries, My Gut cries out for fuel I made last night of sausage and egg sandwich. “YO! Tao Priest. I grabbed two of the Con’s Convention Guides and Maps. Here you go and have one!” a shout came from a table over. The Cosplayer jumped up and gave them to me. That is the kindness, AND KARMA that is one of the many reason I go to these Cons.

The Masquerade P/W stated: “Be prepared for doing Masquerade things all day. So Plan Accordingly.” Nothing really was interesting to me to go to. Hit the Dealer’s floor and Cosplay my way along there. “LOVE IT”! I have NEVER seen so LITTLE in such dealer’s room. What they had wasn’t worth the buy, or of no interest of mine, and what I was interest of mine, TOO MUCH! How Sad. Oh well, the cosplaying there, only somewhat worth entering the place.

Time Check! It is time to go to mandatory Masquerade Rehearsal meeting. Entering the Theater Room, FLASH BACK! BC, (before NAM) memories of my “Old Acting Day of High School” hit hard. I thought I was in a memory of my youth I tell you. (I bet you Readers were still in PRE SCHOOL!) Lady Jennifer head of the Masquerade Dept., introduced our stage manager. She did Roll call by the numbers. I’m number 3#. At this time we were briefed, (damn MILITARY training) Music was collected, and Introductions as well. Such theater preps for the show were work out from A to Z. Places/Marks, Lighting, Your act/Music coronation/entering/exiting stage/assigning of personal “Ninja”, (personal Stage assistant to keep me Straight/Guide), were worked out. Then we did a full BLOWN Rehearsal. Time to return was made, and we were “DISMISSED”. My GUT… CALLED LUNCH!

After Lunch and discovering that there was STILL ZERO of ANYTHING of interest to me in the Con Guide… IT’S SEE AND BE SEEN, COSPLAY STYLE! So many “I KNOW YOU from Comic Con”, came to me. Among the most memorable moments of my Cosplaying along I must share with you all here. I am one to all ways share and post is “COSPLAY OF THE DISABLED”. I met a Cosplaying couple who will be getting married next month. And I may I say that I was moved to a tear over them. With my cell phone alarm ring, I march over to the Convention’s Theater.
“SHOW TIME!”

DAMN! These old theater memories are like walking in a “Deep Awaking Dream”. But it felt so right and the Zen was proper. WHY NOT! Being me the actor had to get ONE ACTOR’S JOKE IN! “Anyone want a last run through?” Our Stage Manager announced. “I need a 30 seconds Center Stage Spot Light please, NO Music!” I answered. I stood there in all my TAO GLORY of Red and Black center stage in the spot light. Suddenly in STLYE OF A BROUDWAY MUSICAL I “SANG and DANCE”…

“THERE NO BUSINESS, LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, LIKE NO BUSINESS, I KNOW!
OH THAT FEELING, CENTER STAGE, AND THE CROWD, CHEERS YOU ON!”
(I drop down on one knee with arms spread wide)

“SO….. ON….. WITH…. THE…. SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

One is not a “Writer”, until your fellow Writers tell you so. Well. Every Cosplayer there and the rest present let this Old Cosplayer/Actor… “YOU STILL HAVE IT!” And that meant so much to me.
I was in my element back stage! A flash back had me climbing on top of stage equipment for an overhead picture. “AND DON’T FORGET MY FELLOW COSPLAYES ACTORS… “BREAK A LEG!” I wished everyone “PROPERLY”. And it was returned many times back to me. Such Respect! The show went off without a hitch. Saw only a few costumes minor problems. In the darkness, I drew by flashlight on paper, (got it ALL in that bag Readers), “Rough Weapon Blade Deployment Idea”, and my card. Lined up and ready to LAUNCH into Cosplay/Masquerade History “Tadao Tomomatsu”, The Master Of Ceremonies, said our Intros, and one by one we hit the stage. I was so “ZONE IN” and holding my Ninja hand, in did not hear him announce me as, “THE BEAST OF TAO”? “GO!” ordered my Stage Manager. I LAUNCH!

A BURNING TAO PRIEST of likes of the “HUMAN TORCH”, descended from the stage. My Nina fearlessly guided me down and repeated what I warned her to say: “BREATH!” And even open the stage back door so I could outside and burn a Quick One for the Come Down! Just as I was to open the door, Catered food rolled up, and in we went. NOW I WAS HUNGRY! Watching the Half Time Anime (Whatever it was, it was FUNNY!) I chowed down. That’s how you can tell I am in a Good in Mind and Soul. Just ask my Ladies of the Past. It was so SHORT LIVED! “You were Damn GOOD out there DC! Get your Stuff.” A Cosplayer with her plate and a T-Shirt over her arm, said to me. “We all get one”. A lady who was handing out the “Runners Up T shirts” was confused like when I said to her:

“I’m Number 3#. I would like my T-Shirt.” Waiting as she seem to be looking around for MY DUE, a sinking feeling in my gut hit. Something was wrong. “WE RAN OUT. HERE’S A STICKER.” She said. “W-T-F-2-T-99TH-POWER?” I yelled. “A STICKER?” SHE THEN SPLIT OUT THEE DOOR! I watch THE CHOSEN One who got t-Shirts and OTHER THINGS, talk and Laugh over HERS. Not me. Tossing the half finish TASTLESS plate the direction of the trash, I PACKED. My Ninja saw me and asked as I headed out DE DOOR: “Where are you going? Aren’t you going to take a Bow?” she asked wondering. Pissed and Very Care full, not to “SCORCH” this SWEET LADY, I explained all in 30 seconds. I don’t grab women and give an ear kiss. NOT ME. I did then, Bowed, said I am so sorry for that, and “LIMPED INTO THE DARKNESS… SOILED.”

What could be worst? The trolley “Runs All night” info the Con’s people said was WRONG! I GOT STUCK OUT SOME WHERE HALF WAY HOME. NEXT, FLASH BACKS TO VIETNAM! ON THE FRACKING RADIO/CELL COM UNIT! NO CONTACT, NO HOPE FOR AN EXTRACTION! LOOKING OVER/AROUND/6 SHOULDER OUT IN THE CITY/JUNGLE/LZ FREEZING MY ASS OFF. FINALLY 6 CALLS to Cabs, GOT ONE. MADE IT BACK TO TRUCK AT EL CAJON TROLLEY PARKING LOT HOME… SHORT MONEY! NEXT… PISSED CABBIE CALLS THE COPS! (never came)

As My Song Sings, “After All Is Said and DONE”, Anime Conji Con 2013 was worth it:

“ONLY BECAUSE OF ALL THE COSPLAYERS AND QUEEN LINDA LE “VAMPY”!

DC Rushton Web/Net Reported.