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Current mood:  relaxed
Well...I know I've said this before, but this time it's different. I'm sticking to my guns.
For the last six years, I have spent almost all of my free time at conventions, or with anime fans (Anime at the Alamo, clubs, etc.). I don't get paid for it, I do it because I enjoy it. I like meeting people & making friends. But things have changed A LOT in the last two or three years and it's starting to feel more like "work" than fun.
So for 2009 I'm only doing 10 out of state conventions. (Texas Cons and Conventions outside of the US are open).
Here's Why . . . .
1. MONEY - Most of the guests you see appearing at conventions are charging "Appearance Fees" now. They range from reasonable to totally ridiculous. If that wasn't enough, now some of them are even charging money for their autographs as well. The minute you start to treat conventions as "work" they become just that...work.
Along those lines, I find it really annoying that a lot of them don't even like being around anime fans. One specific actor, has even been quoted in an interview as saying "I don't watch this shit!". I think a lot of actors forget that I feel, I have more in common with anime fans that I do them.
2. POORLY RUN SHOWS - Wow...there could be a seven page rant about this one fact alone. While the number of anime conventions has gone up quite a bit over the last few years...the number of well run conventions has dropped through the floor. Even shows that I used to look forward to going to every year, have now been put on my "Never Again" list.
My "Personal Injury Tour" joke about this year wasn't really a joke. I suffered broken ribs at one show (which I was never even reimbursed for medical expenses), then had to be rushed to the ER just a week later at another. It's hasn't just been MY health that has been put in jeopardy either. This convention season alone I have heard of 1 abduction, 2 rapes, and 3 overdoses. That's really pathetic.
3. HATERS - I am so tired of shitty people. Whether it's assholes in afro-wigs or people talking shit on the internet, I'm done with it. Anime Conventions used to be a place where no matter who you were - you could meet new people and make friends, without dealing with the bullying bullshit most of us felt in the real world. Now, in some cases it's worse at conventions than it is "out there". Whether it's people picking on plus-sized cosplayers, or just assholes looking for a fight...it's pretty sad to see us "nerds" acting like "jocks".
4. ME - Last but not least...It's time that I gave myself a break. It's kind of hard to feel like a normal person, when you don't live a normal life. I would like to have some of my life back...I have a family, and friends who almost never see me. It's just not fair to them. For years I have put the needs and expectations of anime fans above everything else...and it's time I put their needs first.
I'm also starting my own business next year, and will need time to get that off the ground. It's something that I'm really excited about and want to make sure that I give it a lot of attention. I'm not willing to talk about it just yet...so please don't ask for specifics. It's also something that will not keep me from doing work as a voice actor, or going to conventions...which is a huge plus.
So there you have it...in a nutshell.
There's a lot more I can (and probably will) say on the subject, but for now...I think that's enough.
I know that by limiting the number of conventions I go to, will effect how many people I get to see this next year. But I hope that when we do get to see each other, that it's good for you and me both.
Take Care (of each other)
Greg
1:20 PM
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