Anime Boston 2017
Now that it is October November, the changing leaves and cold winds bring a sudden reminder; it's time to start planning for Anime Boston 2018. Which reminded me, I never wrote my blog for AB 2017 OR Denver Comic Con 2017. Clearly I'm bad at this, or just too good at procrastinating. But I digress, it's time to get in gear and before I start really focusing on 2018 I need to square away 2017.
2017 was a great Con Year, with new additions and great cosplay.
Anime Boston, Day One. BLEACH DAY.
Our day started out in a chaotic and stressful way, one I hope to never repeat. Colie and I misread the plane times for our flight to Boston, and for the first time ever we missed our flight! We arrived just as they stopped allowing checkins for the flight, and in a scramble John came to our rescue and found us a flight to Boston about an hour later.
What it meant for us was that Colie and I would not have our precious nap time by getting to Boston as early as we did last year, but we sucked it up. Instead of a direct flight we had a layover in JFK, and time-wise it set us to arriving in Boston roughly the same as the rest of the Nerds With Needles Group.
While we were hopping on our final bus to the hotel, Amie and Cole were on a different bus and got to the hotel just before us at. They checked in and we met them in the lobby (Colie almost knocked Amie over in a joyful reunion). Colie, Cole and Amie went to the room to start getting ready while I waited for Manda, who had just gotten of her bus from Connecticut and was taking an Uber to the hotel. She got dropped off at the wrong end, but we found each other! The hotel couldn't handle our happy reunion.
Manda and I met up with the rest of the crew in the hotel room, and after introducing Manda and Cole officially (face to face) we were all suited up and ready to roll!
Amie and Cole left first, off to make money and take amazing con photos.
Amie and Cole were cosplaying characters from Yona of the Red Dawn, Cole was Hak and Amie was Kija.
Colie and I cosplayed Bleach, she was Hitsugaya and I was Yoruichi.
Manda was her own thing, she cosplayed Hoth Leia from Star Wars. Nichole helped braid her hair.
The registration line wasn't too long, and the line to get into con wasn't as long as last year either (they made some changes, perhaps it helped!) however, much to Colie's dismay it was still raining, and the line to get in was still outside. It was a cold rainy/snowy day, with a high of 36F.
Once we got inside, our first order of business was locating the Head Quarters so Colie could register and get her pass to compete in the Masquerade.
We took photos of our awesome cosplays, and met a Yamada (from Bleach) who was ADORABLE and gave us a bandaid.
We spent time walking the artist alley, and then around 3:30 we headed back to the hotel so Colie could change into her Tsubasa cosplay and get it judged (another step before the Masquerade). While we were in the hotel, Manda and I decided our cosplays were getting uncomfortable and decided to switch to Saturday's cosplay too.
We were rushing to get to where Colie needed to be judged, only to find the elevators were not working! This was an issue, as we were on the 20th floor. We ended up using the maintenance elevator (I don't recommend, they did NOT appreciate this). Turns out some morons jammed the elevators by jumping up and down or something like that.
We finally scramble back into the con, and while waiting outside for Colie to be called in and get judged, the fire alarm went off! With only 10 minutes before Colie was supposed to be judged, we looked outside the window at the snow and rain pouring from the gray Boston sky. We looked at Colie's perfect white dress. We internally cried. Some of us may have shed exterior tears and cries of dismay.
We walked toward the exit, where I was able to locate a security guard, who kindly assured me that if we needed to evacuate it would be more obvious. She didn't say this, but some chuckle-head probably pulled the alarm, and the fire marshal is on their way to check it out.
We went back to where Colie was supposed to be judged, where she ran into the wonderful woman who runs the Masquerade, Lindsay, who reassuringly ushered poor panicking Colie into the room for judgement.
While Colie was getting judged, Manda and I stared outside at the snowy Boson Streets.
Manda pointed out two people hugging very dramatically, and not long after EMT showed up with a stretcher. No one was taken away in the stretcher, who knows what was happening.
When Colie was done getting judged (it went pretty well, she said) we changed into street clothes and went out to locate some food. Amie and Cole got food at a Japanese food place (Madamana wama...something...) We went to hit up the food court that was under construction last year, only to find it replaced by something called Eataly. We were not impressed, so we ended up finding food at Trader Joes across the street. We got sushi and sandwiches, and crashed back at the hotel.
Anime Boston, Day two. DRAGON BALL Z DAY.
After getting only 2 or so hours of sleep the night before, we were up much earlier than I expected at 7am. This was Colie's big day, where she gets to participate in the Masquerade! It was a day of waiting in lines for Manda and I, but we managed to have fun.
I was Goku from Dragon Ball Z
Manda was Kurumu from Rosario + Vampire
Colie was Sakura from Tsubasa
Amie and Cole were characters from Inuyasha.
We got delicious precious coffee at Dunkin Donuts, and Amie and Cole took off again for their busy busy day.
Manda, Colie and I checked out the dealer's room where I picked up a book by Akira Toriyama, and then we meandered the Artists Alley. In cons, if you're not going to panels, or taking pictures of amazing cosplays (including your own), you are probably checking out all the amazing things for sale, and it includes so. much. walking.
They aren't kidding when conventions warn you to wear comfy shoes, you will get ALL the blisters if you wear something uncomfortable. We had to stop at the room for pain meds because of this, and also keep a stock of blister bandaids in my bag.
In the Artist Alley, I picked up a comic book called Spinnerette, and it was signed by the author! Later in the con I would go back to buy the spider mascot, who will now be accompanying me to any and all future conventions that I go to.
I named her Tonks.
We later got some food at this mini food court they had in the convention, where Manda and I got a taco bowl and Colie took off to take some photos of her cosplay with Amie.
Colie went to a Clamp photoshoot next (Clamp is an all female artists anime group that makes manga) and Manda and I watched her stuff. I was feeling kind of drained by that point and in hindsight should have taken photos of her, but I just wasn't into it at the time.
We then walked around the con looking at cosplays and showing off our own. Manda and Colie were taking pictures of me as Goku holding up the dragonballs, when we were approached by cosplayers who were dressed as the dragonballs! It was perfect timing.
We also ran into a friend from college, who was dressed as Captain Guinu (Captain Guinness?)
Colie split off from the team to get ready for the Masquerade, so Manda and I wandered. We ran into a Deadpool who also hypnotizes. He hypnotized Manda.
We bumped back into Colie again afterwards, and Manda and I got in line for seating to the Masquerade. It was an hour and a half wait (you have to get there early to get good seats) and the pre-show as rather entertaining.
We watched Colie walk on the stage, but it was so quick I didn't get a video! : (
Right after the walkons were done, Manda and I dashed out early to go see Extreme Geek. I was introduced to this crazy panel of adult weirdness on my first Anime Boston Convention, so it was only right to make sure Manda got to see it too.
While waiting in line we were approached by two men from CON-MEN TV and they had Manda and I recruit a bunch of cosplayers to do a live video shouting "We Love Anime Boston." It was a short, random fun thing.
We were able to hop back in line, and finally got let in to see Extreme Geek!
They start off by playing adult videos, one of which was a video about how Belle wants some Beast Dick, and a video about Too Many Cooks.
The Game show itself was its usual silly self, and the food part was particularly gross I thought (putting chewed up gum on someone's sweaty body and then putting it back in your mouth.
For those who may not know, only a few people are picked to compete in the game show. Its the audience versus them, (there are 4 teams I think?) and someone from the audience gets picked to play for the audiences point each game.
Manda and I had a great time watching, and talked that MAYBE we'd try and compete next year.
We hit up Au Bon Pan on our way back to the hotel room, it was open AMAZINGLY late and I was very impressed with the food, I had never eaten there before. I got mac and cheese, the classiest of foods.
Everyone was still awake in the hotel room, but not for long. We crashed HARD.
Anime Boston, Day three. MY LITTLE PONY DAY!
After two days of snow and rain, it was finally sunny. We slept in a bit, getting up at 9am, and prepared for our last day of con.
We opted to do a late checkout, which was awesome. It meant we had the hotel room to store our stuff in for a little longer, with less rush to scramble back. We grabbed Starbucks coffee, and Amie was kind enough to get photos of Manda, Colie and I in our cosplays outside.
I was Applejack, Colie was Rarity, and Manda was Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony.
Amie and Cole decided to reuse their Inuyasha cosplay.
We went our separate ways from Amie and Cole again, and our little trio went to the Dealer's room to find a specific gift that Manda wanted to get for someone. We got a LOT of love as My Little Pony characters.
We went to get photos of our cosplay, when we were suddenly approached by a guy dressed as Mr. T. He told us he had arranged a My Little Pony photoshoot just down the hall from where we were taking photos! We have the best luck. There were two Fluttershys AND a Big Mac! They were all amazing and really got into character.
We ended the day with our traditional lunch at Cheese Cake Factory, where we stuffed our faces.
After eating we hobbled to our room to pack, and then Amie, Cole and Manda took an Uber to South Station while Colie and I bus back to the airport.
Sunday always goes by too fast, and it reminds me how fast the weekend goes as a whole. It's a whirlwind of activity, only to suddenly find yourself at work the next day and trying to adjust to reality.
But at least Colie and I had Denver Comic Con to look forward to!
Check us out!
https://www.facebook.com/nerdswithneedles/
2017 was a great Con Year, with new additions and great cosplay.
Anime Boston, Day One. BLEACH DAY.
 |
| Jen as Yoruichi, Colie as Hitsugaya from Bleach. Pic taken by Manda |
Our day started out in a chaotic and stressful way, one I hope to never repeat. Colie and I misread the plane times for our flight to Boston, and for the first time ever we missed our flight! We arrived just as they stopped allowing checkins for the flight, and in a scramble John came to our rescue and found us a flight to Boston about an hour later.
What it meant for us was that Colie and I would not have our precious nap time by getting to Boston as early as we did last year, but we sucked it up. Instead of a direct flight we had a layover in JFK, and time-wise it set us to arriving in Boston roughly the same as the rest of the Nerds With Needles Group.
While we were hopping on our final bus to the hotel, Amie and Cole were on a different bus and got to the hotel just before us at. They checked in and we met them in the lobby (Colie almost knocked Amie over in a joyful reunion). Colie, Cole and Amie went to the room to start getting ready while I waited for Manda, who had just gotten of her bus from Connecticut and was taking an Uber to the hotel. She got dropped off at the wrong end, but we found each other! The hotel couldn't handle our happy reunion.
Manda and I met up with the rest of the crew in the hotel room, and after introducing Manda and Cole officially (face to face) we were all suited up and ready to roll!
Amie and Cole left first, off to make money and take amazing con photos.
Amie and Cole were cosplaying characters from Yona of the Red Dawn, Cole was Hak and Amie was Kija.
Colie and I cosplayed Bleach, she was Hitsugaya and I was Yoruichi.
 | |
|
Manda was her own thing, she cosplayed Hoth Leia from Star Wars. Nichole helped braid her hair.
 |
| Manda as Hoth Leia. Pic taken by Jen |
The registration line wasn't too long, and the line to get into con wasn't as long as last year either (they made some changes, perhaps it helped!) however, much to Colie's dismay it was still raining, and the line to get in was still outside. It was a cold rainy/snowy day, with a high of 36F.
Once we got inside, our first order of business was locating the Head Quarters so Colie could register and get her pass to compete in the Masquerade.
We took photos of our awesome cosplays, and met a Yamada (from Bleach) who was ADORABLE and gave us a bandaid.
 |
| Unknown cosplayer as Yamada from Bleach. Pic by Jen. |
We spent time walking the artist alley, and then around 3:30 we headed back to the hotel so Colie could change into her Tsubasa cosplay and get it judged (another step before the Masquerade). While we were in the hotel, Manda and I decided our cosplays were getting uncomfortable and decided to switch to Saturday's cosplay too.
We were rushing to get to where Colie needed to be judged, only to find the elevators were not working! This was an issue, as we were on the 20th floor. We ended up using the maintenance elevator (I don't recommend, they did NOT appreciate this). Turns out some morons jammed the elevators by jumping up and down or something like that.
We finally scramble back into the con, and while waiting outside for Colie to be called in and get judged, the fire alarm went off! With only 10 minutes before Colie was supposed to be judged, we looked outside the window at the snow and rain pouring from the gray Boston sky. We looked at Colie's perfect white dress. We internally cried. Some of us may have shed exterior tears and cries of dismay.
We walked toward the exit, where I was able to locate a security guard, who kindly assured me that if we needed to evacuate it would be more obvious. She didn't say this, but some chuckle-head probably pulled the alarm, and the fire marshal is on their way to check it out.
We went back to where Colie was supposed to be judged, where she ran into the wonderful woman who runs the Masquerade, Lindsay, who reassuringly ushered poor panicking Colie into the room for judgement.
While Colie was getting judged, Manda and I stared outside at the snowy Boson Streets.
 |
| Jen as Yoruichi from Bleach. Pic taken by Manda |
Manda pointed out two people hugging very dramatically, and not long after EMT showed up with a stretcher. No one was taken away in the stretcher, who knows what was happening.
 |
| We found Amie and Cole! Pic by Manda. They are cosplaying characters from Inuyasha. I believe Amie is Kagome, and Cole is as Songo. Pic by Manda |
When Colie was done getting judged (it went pretty well, she said) we changed into street clothes and went out to locate some food. Amie and Cole got food at a Japanese food place (Madamana wama...something...) We went to hit up the food court that was under construction last year, only to find it replaced by something called Eataly. We were not impressed, so we ended up finding food at Trader Joes across the street. We got sushi and sandwiches, and crashed back at the hotel.
 |
| Jen as Yoruichi from Bleach. Pic taken by Manda |
Anime Boston, Day two. DRAGON BALL Z DAY.
 |
| Jen as femGoku from Dragon Ball Z. Pic taken by Colie |
After getting only 2 or so hours of sleep the night before, we were up much earlier than I expected at 7am. This was Colie's big day, where she gets to participate in the Masquerade! It was a day of waiting in lines for Manda and I, but we managed to have fun.
I was Goku from Dragon Ball Z
 |
| Jen as femGoku from Dragonball Z. Pic taken by Colie |
Manda was Kurumu from Rosario + Vampire
 |
| Manda as Kurumu from Rosario+ Vampire. Pic taken by Jen |
Colie was Sakura from Tsubasa
 |
| Colie as Sakura from Tsubasa. Pic taken by Jen |
Amie and Cole were characters from Inuyasha.
We got delicious precious coffee at Dunkin Donuts, and Amie and Cole took off again for their busy busy day.
Manda, Colie and I checked out the dealer's room where I picked up a book by Akira Toriyama, and then we meandered the Artists Alley. In cons, if you're not going to panels, or taking pictures of amazing cosplays (including your own), you are probably checking out all the amazing things for sale, and it includes so. much. walking.
They aren't kidding when conventions warn you to wear comfy shoes, you will get ALL the blisters if you wear something uncomfortable. We had to stop at the room for pain meds because of this, and also keep a stock of blister bandaids in my bag.
In the Artist Alley, I picked up a comic book called Spinnerette, and it was signed by the author! Later in the con I would go back to buy the spider mascot, who will now be accompanying me to any and all future conventions that I go to.
I named her Tonks.
We later got some food at this mini food court they had in the convention, where Manda and I got a taco bowl and Colie took off to take some photos of her cosplay with Amie.
 |
| Photo: Photography by Amie E http://www.photographybyamiee.com Colie as Sakura from Tsubasa |
Colie went to a Clamp photoshoot next (Clamp is an all female artists anime group that makes manga) and Manda and I watched her stuff. I was feeling kind of drained by that point and in hindsight should have taken photos of her, but I just wasn't into it at the time.
We then walked around the con looking at cosplays and showing off our own. Manda and Colie were taking pictures of me as Goku holding up the dragonballs, when we were approached by cosplayers who were dressed as the dragonballs! It was perfect timing.
 |
| Jen as femGoku with cosplays cosplaying the Dragon Balls, From Draogonball Z.Pic taken by Colie |
We also ran into a friend from college, who was dressed as Captain Guinu (Captain Guinness?)
 |
| Bill as Captain Guiness/Ginyu with Jen as FemGoku from Draonball Z performing Fusion Dance |
Colie split off from the team to get ready for the Masquerade, so Manda and I wandered. We ran into a Deadpool who also hypnotizes. He hypnotized Manda.
 |
| Jen as Goku shakes hands with Hypnotizing Deadpool. Pic by Manda |
 |
| Manda found cosplayers from Rosario+ Vampire. Pic by Jen, sorry for the quality! |
We bumped back into Colie again afterwards, and Manda and I got in line for seating to the Masquerade. It was an hour and a half wait (you have to get there early to get good seats) and the pre-show as rather entertaining.
We watched Colie walk on the stage, but it was so quick I didn't get a video! : (
Right after the walkons were done, Manda and I dashed out early to go see Extreme Geek. I was introduced to this crazy panel of adult weirdness on my first Anime Boston Convention, so it was only right to make sure Manda got to see it too.
While waiting in line we were approached by two men from CON-MEN TV and they had Manda and I recruit a bunch of cosplayers to do a live video shouting "We Love Anime Boston." It was a short, random fun thing.
We were able to hop back in line, and finally got let in to see Extreme Geek!
They start off by playing adult videos, one of which was a video about how Belle wants some Beast Dick, and a video about Too Many Cooks.
The Game show itself was its usual silly self, and the food part was particularly gross I thought (putting chewed up gum on someone's sweaty body and then putting it back in your mouth.
For those who may not know, only a few people are picked to compete in the game show. Its the audience versus them, (there are 4 teams I think?) and someone from the audience gets picked to play for the audiences point each game.
Manda and I had a great time watching, and talked that MAYBE we'd try and compete next year.
We hit up Au Bon Pan on our way back to the hotel room, it was open AMAZINGLY late and I was very impressed with the food, I had never eaten there before. I got mac and cheese, the classiest of foods.
Everyone was still awake in the hotel room, but not for long. We crashed HARD.
 |
| Jen as FemGoku, Manda as Kurumu. Pic by Colie |
Anime Boston, Day three. MY LITTLE PONY DAY!
 |
| Photo: Photography by Amie E http://www.photographybyamiee.com Manda as Rainbow Dash, Jen as Applejack, Colie as Rarity |
After two days of snow and rain, it was finally sunny. We slept in a bit, getting up at 9am, and prepared for our last day of con.
We opted to do a late checkout, which was awesome. It meant we had the hotel room to store our stuff in for a little longer, with less rush to scramble back. We grabbed Starbucks coffee, and Amie was kind enough to get photos of Manda, Colie and I in our cosplays outside.
I was Applejack, Colie was Rarity, and Manda was Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony.
 |
| Photo: Photography by Amie E http://www.photographybyamiee.com Manda as Rainbow Dash, Jen as Applejack, Colie as Rarity |
 |
| Photo: Photography by Amie E http://www.photographybyamiee.com Manda as Rainbow Dash, Jen as Applejack, Colie as Rarity |
Amie and Cole decided to reuse their Inuyasha cosplay.
We went our separate ways from Amie and Cole again, and our little trio went to the Dealer's room to find a specific gift that Manda wanted to get for someone. We got a LOT of love as My Little Pony characters.
We went to get photos of our cosplay, when we were suddenly approached by a guy dressed as Mr. T. He told us he had arranged a My Little Pony photoshoot just down the hall from where we were taking photos! We have the best luck. There were two Fluttershys AND a Big Mac! They were all amazing and really got into character.
 |
| There's mystery Mr T, two awesome Fluttershys, a Big Mac (he was so adorable!) and Jen as Applejack, Colie as Rarity and Manda as Rainbow Dash. Pic taken by friend of Mr. T's. |
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| Bic Mac and Applejack fighting over a toy that Twilight Sparkle enchanted. Jen as Applejack, pic by Colie |
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| Fluttershy's unknown. Manda as Rainbow Dash, Jen as Applejack, Colie as Rarity. Pic by Mr. T (I believe) |
We ended the day with our traditional lunch at Cheese Cake Factory, where we stuffed our faces.
After eating we hobbled to our room to pack, and then Amie, Cole and Manda took an Uber to South Station while Colie and I bus back to the airport.
 |
| Colie and Jen at the airport. |
Sunday always goes by too fast, and it reminds me how fast the weekend goes as a whole. It's a whirlwind of activity, only to suddenly find yourself at work the next day and trying to adjust to reality.
But at least Colie and I had Denver Comic Con to look forward to!
 |
| UNTIL NEXT TIME! |
We are Nerds With Needles! Colie and I are in Colorado, Manda hails from Connecticut, and Amie and Cole live in Maine.
Check us out!
https://www.facebook.com/nerdswithneedles/
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