Goodbye Wai-Con Circuit: 2013 ...

Well, a week later and I'm trying to launch myself into tidying the study, which looks like a cosplay bomb went off in it. If not for all the photos emerging on Facebook, Wai-Con would seem like a distant memory as I retreat back into full-time work.

I had an absolute blast. On Saturday, The Wonky Pirates www.facebook.com/TheWonkyPirat… (Veleven and I) reprised L and Watari. It was just as well that we started the con with those guys. They don't require a great deal of smiling or running around so, although we were still exhausted by the end of the day, we gently waded into the craziness of the con at the pace of a dawdling recluse detective and his elderly helper. We were very surprised and humbled to receive an Honourable Mention in the Cosplay Competition for Best Stage Presence. Really, all we did was walk on, around, and off the stage in character. We'd been nervous about the fact that we were following and being followed by very energetic, vibrant and talented acts, so it completely blew us away and meant so much that people still enjoyed whatever we did up there - (everything went by in a blur - I don't remember!) ...

On Sunday, we really had to bring it. We finally got to wear our One Piece New World outfits, Veleven as Luffy, and me as Usopp. This year, Mutiny Go! Cosplay www.facebook.com/MutinyGoCospl… included Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Robin and Brook, but we were also joined by our friends Rina as Boa Hancock, Risachantag as Camie and Kaizokiru as Chopper!! (So cool meeting you in real life, Zoe!)  The biggest thrill of the day was right at the beginning, when the crew began to meet at the arranged spot (Shabondy?). Everyone looked AMAZING! It actually looked and felt like we were the Strawhats, and that we could do anything now that we were finally back together again!! GO TO THE NEW WORLD! YOSH!

Long story short, we had such a big day of photos, little food, adrenaline and general all-round hijinx ... and WE WON BEST GROUP IN THE COSPLAY COMPETITION!! Oh my goodness, SUCH A BUZZ!! We can't thank the judges enough. Such an amazing feeling to share that happiness with our crew two years in a row now.

If I find footage of our stage walk-ons (both the Wonkies and Mutiny Go!), I will post them as soon as possible. For now, though, please enjoy this video www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEYGm9… by the Panic Media Team. The theme of the convention was 'CIRCUIT', so the team went around filming cosplayers and stall vendors throwing an Xbox controller around. It's really cool, and features our One Piece group right at the end! (Please also keep an eye out for as Camie and as Chopper!!) Awesome stuff! We were so happy to be included in it!

I will try very hard to post actual photos of my cosplay soon, but for now ... I got myself a study to clean. Maaaaaaaaan ...

e/berpi/Usopp/Watari/whatever!