Was working on Friday so I wasn't able to go. Thus no report.
Saturday
After getting off of work we went over to the DoubleTree. Even in the car ride over I was still working on my costume - hurray for hemming with double-sided tape! Har! We had about 5 bags of stuff with us so our mobility was somewhat limited. Machiko and I decided to pick up our badges and then get dressed. Before dressing we went to peacebond KOS-MOS' enormous scythe. Then we went into the "Special Needs" washroom since it was so big and began the process of becoming KOS-MOS and Amelia. I realized that I hadn't properly laced my corset up and Tiff was cussing about this and that - overall rather cramped and annoying. I looked at my watch and realized that the Masquerade desk would be closing in 20 mins so I quickly threw on my costume and ran up there to register us - after all, that WAS the reason we were there...
I asked a few people where the Masquerade Desk was and was simply told "upstairs, next to [blah blah blah]" so I went into the main lobby and took the elevator up to the second floor. I was accompanied by a young man in a blue soccer jersey. He asked me in broken English what floor I needed to go to. I said "Two." and held up two fingers. He said "Due?" To which I just nodded. I asked him what language he spoke and he told me that he was Italian. The entire time he was staring at my cleavage... I got off on the second floor, realized that it was a "terrace" with nothing there, got back in the elevator with the soccer boy and went up to the third floor (and this time he ask me my name...). That was enough! I got off on the third floor and went back down to the lobby to look for a map! I realized I was TOTALLY at the wrong end of the hotel and went up to the proper "upstairs" area.
While I was filling out the Masquerade form I realized that I needed to put down the names of all the participants... well my "other" participant (Michael-David) hadn't confirmed with me whether or not he was coming or not. So I called him up on my cell phone and told him to get down asap. Filled out more forms. Bleh. SHIT! I realized that I had to register MD or else he couldn't actually participate in the masquerade -_-' So I ran down to the Registration Desk (in 4" stiletto heels) to take care of that, while still managing to pose for a few photos and graciously accept some compliments on how "beautiful" I looked... Right. I had no makeup on and I was wearing a dress. Murf. (BTW, MD - you now live at my house according to the TT people.. hehe...)
After all the paperwork and money exchanging was done I ran back to the bathroom to check on Machiko. She was standing around looking dejected because she needed help putting on her wig and headpiece (among other things). So I helped her out, did my makeup, did her makeup, packed up our "baggage" and left the bathroom. Time check: 3:20pm.
Let the stares begin!
We went to explore the convention space and see what was up. Every 10 steps or so we'd be stopped to take a photo, which was fine and lovely :) I'm sure the attention was drawn by KOS-MOS and not me, but who am I to complain, hehe. We found Dani at his table and said hi. I asked if it'd be alright to stash some of our baggage under a table (*cough* mini suitcase, 4 shopping bags *cough*). Thank you SO MUCH Dani, you saved us!!
The rest was all walking, looking, photo taking, etc. We checked out the Dealers Room and the Art Room and decided to take an outdoor photoshoot since the weather was so nice. We chose a spot near the parking lot that had some nice trees and landscaping and I started to take some shots of KOS-MOS. Suddenly out of nowhere a whole swarm of guys appeared at the window in their swimtrunks (and Speedos -_-' ) and started banging on the window, hooting and making handsigns at us! Most of it was directed at sexay lil' Tiff (eeeuw... child porn!). We ignored them and continued taking our photos. It was most distracting and unusual and bizarre. (We later saw some of these guys again, the were part of the soccer team, just like the boy in the elevator...)
At about 5:30 we went into the lobby of the hotel to take more photos and take advantage of the stairs, columns, sofas, etc. The soccer team was congregated in the lobby and stared the enitre time... We met Derwin Mak and took some pictures with him. Then Machiko and I sat down and relaxed our feet a bit.
Suddenly MD appeared! And he was blond! *blink* *blink* *in awe*
Hugs and greets, I waved at his mom (who looked quite puzzled, and I don't blame her, hehe) and we did some catching up. We tried to do a bit of looking around in the Dealers Room but since it closed at 6pm we were kicked out once we got about 10 steps in there. So we sat around and chatted for a bit before heading up into the Green Room. Took some silly photos (MD wearing my necklace, funky footware, etc.. hehe)
This was my first entry in a "real" masquerade so it was a great new experience. It was fabulous to see the costumers up close and personal. I'd seen a few in photos before but there's nothing quite like being in the same live space. Tiff kept pointing out cosplayers by their online names, so it was great to put faces to names. We met Eric (Ikegami) of SMA. MD was rendered speechless by Sarcasm-Hime and her husband's Morpheus˛ duo.
Our stage act was thought up 5 minutes before we walked onstage and went off well - except for me somehow managing to stick my hand in MD's pocket while trying to link arms.. lol! Tiff's act didn't go so well - she managed to hit herself in the head with her scythe... -_-'
The moment Tiff got off stage she screamed to be peeled out of her KOS-MOS costume, so I helped her with that. My apologies to MD for leaving you in the green room. We managed to catch the last few acts of the masquerade in the "overflow" area. In the aftermath MD and I were glomped for photos. Since Tiff was back in civies she wasn't very interesting to photograph so MD got to wield her scythe - which he did beautifully too :)
We took a few more photos in the evening light and then went into the dance. We had to leave before the masquerade awards were announced since my ride arrived. We dropped of MD at the subway and that was the end of Saturday.
Sunday
As with most conventions, Sunday was the "nothing" day so neither Tiff or I dressed up. I wore something to showcase the necklace and Tiff brought Poring along. I walked into a "cousin" without even recognizing him... lol but the most amazing thing was meeting the costumers dressed as the Ringwraiths from LOTR. We picked up our Masquerade polaroids and certs, and Tiff was SO amazed to win Best in Class (so was I, but it was a very good surprise).
And that was Sunday .. hehe :)