ACen hit its usual, practically on exams, date in May and I was lucky enough to move out of my dorm and finish up in time to go to ACen as my end of the year treat. The Sunday after the convention I had an audition so it was my plan to be rather responsible at the con as to not ruin my voice, to be alert, and not look too worn out. My friend Steve, from Anime Pavilion offered me a ride and room for extending my stay to Thursday. (Thanks Steve!) And I spent the good portion of Thursday evening helping set up his booth with his awesome staff, sampling Chicago deep dish pizza, and getting my fill of partying Thursday night.

Friday was an unusual since I had never spent a whole Thursday at ACen. I switched to my own room and spent the morning shopping and wandering around in my Chii costume. I met so many nice cosplayers and people and saw some friends. As always, when Al (with his camera glued to his hand) found me he made me feel like a star. In the evening I switched to Crimson Cat Shadow and caught photos with the Neko Community. I ran into Brendan and his Stray Radio group and eventually Jake. The Stray Radio guys were kind enough to stand/sit and talk with me while I waited a later photo group. Nothing better than laughing with/at those guys and they gave me the “safe and not alone” factor when wearing a skin tight costume. (Thanks again guys!) And they even would hold my bag for me for photos. (A millions thanks, you always get stuck with that.)

Eventually, after breaking in my room for food, I met with Hoshikuzu (as Spark Girl) and ParnsAngel (as Shadow Lady) for our Shadow Lady Trio. We had been hoping and planning on this group for a while, since it seemed we were the only 3 people to ever have read Shadow Lady. These girls were a riot and I loved spending my Friday night wandering around and laughing with them. I also caught Casey and her group of friends who had the bad luck in arriving and with their room that is usually saved for me.

Saturday I actually wandered out in normal clothes and checked in for the masquerade with Casey and took some photos of cosplayers. I saw Al, because you can’t not run into him ever 2 hours, and met the really nice and amazingly talented cosplay duo Sugar and Spice. The Stray Radio group and I headed to the Con Suite for the free movie promotional things my friend Nancy was giving out around noon as she showed preview clips. The highlight had to be the free LEGO Harry Potter busses followed by all the guys asking for perfume samples when Nancy only gave me one, assuming they wouldn’t be interested.

I changed into my new Riddel Viper costume and my friend Jake kept me company (and held my purse when necessary) as we roamed and met up with Al and Erin and transverse the tides of con goers passing through the hallways. Eventually I met up with Kyle from cosplay.com for a private photo shoot that had some really beautiful photos turnout. He’s just an amazing photographer! As I passed my time, I saw/met quite a few big name cosplayers and had to stop teasing Ryan W. about his “bellbottoms” because he actually knew who my character was. ParnsAngel and I also decided that the plushie snake on my headdress was now named “Blinky” so I could introduce him along with myself.

Saturday evening was filled with the masquerade as usual. Casey and I entered Janice and Riddel from Chrono Cross. We were sat between ChibiRydia’s amazing FFIV group and Sugar and Spice’s stunning aristocrat Utena and Anthy as we waited and they were all very nice people to talk with to fill the time. We were interviewed with a lot of other cosplayers backstage too. As usual by award time Casey and I were more than a tad hungry so when things were finished we didn’t stick around very long but ran off to waiting room service thanks to her mother. (Special thanks the Sugar and Spice for giving us those granola bars, you two are angels!)

I usually would have been out late Saturday evening but I had to leave early Sunday morning for the audition (btw I got the part! XD) Sunday was moving smoothly until I realized that my folder with extra music for backup for the audition was missing. Rushing back to check in the room, with lost and found, and leave notes with Steve, the hotel, and the ACen Staff in case they found it was more than hectic. (Never found it though.) Mad props go out to my brother whose driving skills defy reason and got me home in time even after all the wasted time in the morning. I wouldn’t look at the speedometer but I know and love the benefits of a radar detector now.

From my dealings with con events and staff at this ACen, I was very impressed. The organization for such a huge con was more than impressive. (Special thanks to those great guys at the ACen merchandise booth who helped me out twice, and even remembered me the next day.) The masquerade ran unbelievably smoothly and started earlier than it ever had before. The live feed for us to watch backstage and water were wonderful. The walk to the convention center of course didn’t change, but it’s not nearly as daunting when you’re not wearing platform boots. The vendors had a good selection for what I was looking for and it was easy to get most the booths. There wasn't a fire alarm but there were more ambulances than I had ever seen called to a con. ACen04 was quite the new con experience and I look forward to ACen05.

-Samantha (AngelSamui)