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Anime
Iowa 2007, July --by Steve Bennett
Wow, what can I say about Anime Iowa 2007 that had probably not already been said on countless other convention report and blogs? I guess I can take a stab at it one way or another. It was really awesome to come back again after having been back there last year with Nikki, who was unfortunately feeling under the weather after we spent a fun week in Colorado Springs and couldn't hang out with us that much. Just about everyone I encountered this year besides staffer all asked about her and were glad to hear she soon recovered as soon as we returned home. This year's Corn fun-filled events were shared with First timers Chris Aryes and Jonathan Klein along with Anime Iowa alum's Carrie Savage (This time her voice was healthy and in full spirts! ) Talisen Jaffe, Richard & Shannon Townsend, Greg Aryes naturally, and who can forget Emily and Bob Dejesus who was my fellow guest mate way back when Anime Iowa started on back in 1997! The convention has come along way since those days growing in size! We all remembered how the con staff kept begging everyone to keep quiet about the good times we all had there so that the con would not grow and thus outstrip the hotel and convention space available during those early years. This year's Marriott Hotel in Cedar Rapids was spacious enough to hold Iowa's Best Worst Kept Secret Event nice and cozy with room to spare for all. I was so happy to be back celebrating Iowa's tenth year anniversary with so many old and new friends I have made there over the years. It was a real Joy to see Anime Iowa's first Conchairs Noel and his family who just so happened to be in the area. Man, the kids are all growing up so big and quickly It was so funny for me to party with folks that were practically babies when everything first started out there. This time's "How To talk to Girls" was a riot with Chris Ayre's helping me help out our less than confindent/insecure Otaku brethren out in that department. We had lot's of girls and guys participate in it as well. I also got to do my first ever bare knuckles Do's and Don'ts of getting into the industry with decent success and as usual, was only way too happy to share my art knowledge with fellow artists/students in my art panels. My table help this time was Katie and yes Debbie, I treated her quite nicely thank you very much! Our table neighbor's were the fun Townsends and their Chicago Crew, and the Dejesi down the ways. Fun was had at Josh's "GoJira" Party, Monie's Picnic Style Hospitality Party, The Nebraskon Party, and also out on the patio with my new "Catch Phrase" buddies!! I also enjoyed a nice dinner out with Fuzzy, Katie, Keith Burgess's very near due pregnant wife Jessie, and my lovely Soni V from back east! And I also had such a blast meeting and making so many more new friends that it didn't even stop with me leaving the airport's food court without making the beautiful Puerto Rican American Juliet's day after she commented that my original design Olmec Jaguar head necklace was "Tight!" by drawing something nice for her! (God, she really reminded me a lot of Eva Mendez! ) Anyway, we had more new Koala Klub members join up there including our first ever pair of twins Frik and Frak! They will be soon contributing their own event report for inclusion over here. (Everyone is welcome to send me their own pics and words for inclusion as well! ) I hope to have more con pics as well up and feel like I need to grab a serious snooze and get cracking on writing past over due event report for Anime St. Louis - Metrocon heheheh! Much thanks to Denae, Laura, Jeff, Chelsea, Dave, Kate, Laurie, Nicole, Sarah, Josh Evan, Noel, Linda, the con sponsors, staff & volunteers, friends old and new, and so many other cool folks too numerous to mention for everything! I am very
sure Mom will be happy to see you all again as well as I! PS, A special thanks and lots of love goes to Elevator
Watch con volunteer Mallory, who went above and beyond helping me with
a lost wallet and room key mini crisis!
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