Otakon 2010

July 30 - August 1

Day Three

Urd - Violet Dress

For one reason or another, it took me FOREVER to get ready Sunday morning; we were supposed to meet at the pool with the fountains at 10 AM to finally get all four goddesses together for the group we planned back in 2008, when Avi got sick.  Part of it was because we were packing as we would be checking out as soon as we were ready (and stashing our luggage with the hotel until we were ready to leave), part of it was because 10 AM is early even for me, but part of it has to be because this was the one day I really, REALLY needed to be on time.  You see, I was one of only two holders of one of the world’s worst kept secrets...
Caloris and I.

To provide a bit of backstory, OPIB’s friend and usual photographer, David Ng, had decided to quit attending anime conventions at the end of 2009.  It was a decision we all respected and understood, but I felt so bad that he hadn’t gotten to photograph all four of us in our AMG costumes together in 2008, because he was a major factor in our deciding to do those costumes.  (AMG is his favorite anime, and his three main cameras are named after the three main characters.)  I could tell Dave felt a little blue about it too, so we put our heads together.  We decided I would tell the girls I had found another photographer to take our pictures on Sunday, and Dave would take the train down to Baltimore that morning and be waiting for us at the fountains.  Technically, he did NOT attend the con, he didn’t buy a badge or go inside, he just HAPPENED to be in Baltimore that day with his camera!  Unfortunately, because I left so late, the girls saw Dave before I got there, so I missed the squeeing.  However, they all swore they had a feeling he was going to turn up, so I have a feeling our secret was not quite as surprising as we had anticipated.
Chris and I.

At any rate, we had a great time finally getting our two year delayed photoshoot.  Reinii is perfectly sweet as Belldandy, Avi is absolutely adorable as Skuld, and while Lady Terentia generally doesn’t come across as the type to be a battling Valkyrie, once she gets into costume she can totally play the part!  We got solo shots, duet shots, sisters shots, and group shots—basically every combination you could think of, we took a picture.  Unfortunately, the girls and Chris had to run back to check out of their hotel room, so I sniffled and said goodbye to all of them, and then Dave, Caloris and I all decided to hang out together a little while longer.
One of the beautiful statues in the fountains and pool.
It was at this time Dave realized that while he’s done solo photoshoots for both Belldandy and Skuld cosplayers before, he had yet to conduct a solo shoot for the third goddess, Urd.  We had some time, so, why not?  We slowly made our way up the fountains, across the skywalk, and towards the mall, taking pictures along the way, until we finally got to the harbor. 
 
Taking pictures by the harbor was a lot of fun, especially when I got to wave to the people on the pirate boat (and oh my God do I want to go on that next year!), but there was one incident in particular that I have to mention.  I was perched precariously on one of the black…stumps, I’m not really sure what function they serve, when all of a sudden there was this enormous “BOOM!” and I startled so badly that I almost fell off my seat!  “It’s twelve o’clock,” David announced calmly, and then both he and Caloris laughed their butts off at me ashamedly burying my face in my hands.

 
Keeping Dave from dying.
Our shoot over, Louis and I decided to take one last run through the Dealer’s Room and see if there wasn’t SOMETHING we could buy.  Louis had been in the mood for a new anime series lately, so we ended up getting Ouran Host Club on BluRay, and Gurren Laggann.  It was a good thing, too, because we ended up running in Dr. Teng, who I might not have seen otherwise!  It was too bad we didn’t get to spend any quality (drinking) time with him, but at least I got to see him, and we’ll make up for what we missed at this year’s New York Comic Con and Anime Fest.  All too soon, it was time for us to return to the hotel, get into what passes for normal clothes, and start the trip back home to New York City.
 
All in all, it was a wonderful return to Otakon for Louis and I, and a great first con as husband and wife.  We’ve met some truly great people and wonderful friends through this hobby, and that’s what keeps us coming back, year after year.
Goddesses on MySpace!

More Photos
David Ng and I.
The things we do for photos!
Chris and I.
Winding down.
David posing us.
The master at work.
Dave and his goddesses.
"Look to the right..."
Dave does his impersonation of Dominik Hašek.
"Look to the left..."
Dave, some guy we don't know, and Chris.
We did a lot of climbing for this shoot.
Goddesses on vacation.
Dave and I start another shoot.
I pose for Dave.
Dave unwittingly poses for Caloris.
The battle of the century.
Dave came up with the narrative for this shoot.
Taking a break.
Gabbing with friends.
Dave and I go way back.
We met at AXNY in 2002.
Starting on our walk.
Trying different poses.
Trying different angles.
Really I might have just been cracking my back.
We have a great working relationship.
We have a great joking relationship, too.
It's a good mix.
I loved shooting by the harbor.
You get such beautiful backgrounds.
Dave checking his work.
I see pirates!
I wave to the pirate ship.
"I'm SINGing in the rain, just SINGing in the rain!"
The shoes had to come off for some of these poses.
I didn't want to accidentally topple and fall into the harbor.
Dave gets himself into the most unlikely positions.
He wanted to make it look like I was flying.
I look forward to doing more photoshoots with Dave in the years to come.