SMASH!

Jenn and I went to SMASH! (Sydney Manga & Anime Convention) yesterday as Volunteers in the karaoke section.

***Warning: This blog may be longer than usual***

The day started at 6am for both Jenn and I. Caught a taxi to the train station, picked up Jenn on the way (she had a headache at the time :S not such a great start to the day, on top of that it was COLD). Got to the city at 7 something where we would catch the bus to UNSW. Before we could figure out which bus it was that we were suppose to catch (even though the SMASH! committee had sent us an email with all the bus details on it) an old western man (who later we found out was a Sensei at TAFE) saw us running across the road "unsafely" and lectured us about "how dangerous" that was. We knew we knew. He thought we were from Taiwan (that's a first for me), we told him we werent and asked him if he knew which bus went to UNSW. Lucky for us he DID know and was a huge help, though before he let us go, he asked a few more questions like which Uni we went to and what we studied and stuff. Nice old man(which was probably one of the reasons why we couldnt just leave him and go to catch the bus(even though we were running late :S)).

Finally got to UNSW at 8.15am (Volunteers were suppose to get to UNSW Roundhouse at 8am (convention officially opened at 10am for patrons)). Found our way to the green room (which wasnt even green, hmmm :P) got our names marked off and headed to the Karaoke room where we would "help" set up (or rather struggle with our bright Green Volunteer arm bands! (the safety pins used to pin the band together wouldnt pierce the band, but instead it would bend the safety pin itself (photo proof from Jenn. I must snag photos from her))). Met our other fellow volunteers (cool bunch of people).

Patrons were slowly filing in around 10.15,all excited and eager. Though at that point I had to have my two hour break (Jenn joined me during the first hour then after that I was by my lonesome...). Jenn bought Japanese octopus and Prawn balls (for correct name, go to Jenn's blog on this event ;)) though she wasnt able to eat it as she had to return to the karaoke room and her food wasnt ready yet. So I stayed behind (seeng how I still had another hour to kill) and waited (for who knows how long!) to collect her food. After that I wondered the Roundhouse once more and bought for my brother a Bleach DVD (vol.9), a 1m wooden sword and a Bleach figurine set. In attempt not to tempt myself into buying toys (I'm broke) I avoided going to PININ (FYI: PININ sells vinyl toys) and headed back to the Karaoke room 30mins early. I was Door person (checking if they had tickets) for the next 40mins or so and was FREEZING, I had left my scarf and jacket back in the green room, lucky Jenn had her big nice bright orange warm jacket with her and let me borrow (thanx J).

Karaoke Competition started at 1pm, It's amazing how serious the competitors are (so strange, it's funny). there's apparently a lot of pressure, one girl broke down into tears in the middle of her performance (sad really.I apologise, Jenn tells me that the song she was singing was very emotional and deep, now I feel like such a douche :S) . Another came off stage all frustrated, exclaiming "that was disgusting!" (FYI: when I say "stage" I mean the front of the room). Most are confident though. My fave (also the the crowds' I'd say) was this asian guy, had a whole routine and everything! Amazingly freaky! A video of him should pop up on YouTube soon (saw a couple of people recording him with their mobile phone) when it does, I'll be sure to post it here ;). Though before him I was pretty much falling asleep, it was getting quite boring just sitting there watching and listening to people singing songs that I've never heard of or understand for that matter (most were in Japanese, but good on them for being able to sing in Japanese and having fun).

3pm, Jenn and I went on our last break. Went back to the green room after we heard there was FREE pizza! (boo ya!) though it was pretty cold when we arrived but still a lot left. oh! oh! Selina and Rose (two of the volunteers who were working with us) bought Jenn and I drinks 'cause they felt bad that they didnt come back on time after their break (which was totally cool with me, and totally nice of them to do so) Jenn got Milk Green Tea (?) and I got this lemon/sparkly water. It was the most interesting looking bottle, had a lot of fun trying to open that bottle that's for sure until of course it fizzed over! Sticky sweet water everywhere! plus I let out a loud "ah!" causing everyone in the last two rows in crowd turn around (oops).

Anyways, back on topic. Jenn and I wondered the roundhouse once more. and my plan in avoiding PININ failed and I ended up buying a toy, that Jackson (the guy who runs PININ) got especially for me (I've been looking/wanting the the toy for a while now (picture below)) and Gris Grimly’s Wicked Nursery Rhymes, love em both! though I kinda used my brother's money to buy it.... :S so I gotta pay him back...

ok this blog entry is getting rather long. I'm gonna end it by saying it was an OK day, could have been more fun (if certain people were more clear with instructions) but overall good. Next Animania. I'll post a few photos up from SMASH when the other volunteers send me them (so check back here later) and Jenn may or may not blog in more detail about the day. (I was rather vague).

My next attempt at getting my P's for driving is this Tuesday. until Next time. Peace.