So, this Saturday I was down at AMA and did my usual emcee stint. Tiki, as always, runs a great show, and even though we were low on contestants this year (like FanTek low: 11 entrants), she managed to make it all work and none of them were “duds.” It’s true sometimes you get “duds,” like real bad acts and costumes. And you can’t say anything because, well, that’s rude. Some people work very, very hard to make stuff that is very, very awful and you can’t gamble on whether they are self aware of their lack of skill. But this last weekend, some of these skits were fucking impressive for “amateur.” One did an entire video game, complete with props and “special effects” using creative Japanese shadow play. Another did an Monty Python homage with a Pikachu keyboard and mallets. Epic. And almost everyone used a pre-made skit soundtrack which makes it easier on the audience to hear.
Sadly, mere hours before I went onstage, I found out Storm, my 13 year old cat, had suddenly and unexpectedly died. That’s what I would have classified as the exact opposite of a “pick me up.” So I didn’t think I had my A-game up there on stage, because I was trying to mange my shock and denial to deal with it AFTER the Cosplay awards, which dulled my deeper sense of humor and timing. But I was told I was really funny and multiple people not only thanked and congratulated me afterwards, but a few wanted photo ops. That’s weird, my “fame wings” are still rather new, and I am not sure how to fly. I try and take up what Danny T does, who used to me on my “Whose Katsu” Improv halftime show. Tiki later came up to me with sincere thanks and “you’re coming back next year, right?” and my thoughts have to stop thinking, “You… you actually want me BACK?” I keep feeling like it’s some big charade, and one day, someone is going to realize, “this guy SUCKS.” But until then, I am really having a lot of fun. I REALLY like the AMA attendees, they really are responsive, sweet, and like to laugh. And like Rocky Horror.
My opening number for Opening Ceremonies, “There’s Life Outside Your Hotel Room,” (a spoof on Avenue Q’s “There’s Life Outside Your Apartment”) was performed by Danny T and his crew. I took a video of it, but my iPhone won’t let me save it anywhere. I’ll work on that.
I got to hang out with fellow author, Robert Aldrich, who did Katsucon 17 opening ceremonies (and I’d like him back for 18). I also put out some bookmarks, and ALL of them disappeared pretty quickly which either means everyone likes bookmarks or someone was throwing them away in bulk as some kind of dick move. I can’t imagine the latter being likely, so I’ll assume my bookmarks are sticking hanging out in a lot of random fan’s manga. I didn’t sell any books, but I didn’t try very hard, either.
Punkadyne Labs 