(Dinner plate from this years Botcon)
I know that many others have wrote Botcon reports as well, but due to many of
my friends asking my personal opinion on it, I felt this was the best way of
doing it by writing a report. But before I begin, let me say thank you to many
of my friends that have been there for me this past year. Especially Tony
Tuski,
as many of you know I'm sure one way or another. My Boyfriend and Best
friend! Also to Tony Buchanan and his friend Chad for support during some
very depressing January nights this past year. And to all my other friends;
Jive, Tut, Talon, Seawave, My Aunt Paula and Cousin Jules, Jettara and Nai
along with Wreckloose, Flashback, and many others. I thank you all for
being there in
times of need. And now with this said, on with Tony and my report!
We had hoped to do a "Botcon Fort Wayne Project", but the battery kept dying
in my Mom's Camcorder. But we did get the Art room and some panels. Along
with the Nerf shooting of Austin, and some clowning around to boot!
Tuesday Before Botcon 2000;
Rose and Tony
It all began the Tuesday before Botcon, with a long road trip! I won't bore
you with the details but it was fun to say the least. This is the day Tony
finally got to meet my family and see the mess that I call a room ;) We
hadn't stayed there long though before we headed out to the local thrift
stores and a comic book store near by, that closed just five minutes before
we got there! Major Bummer! But we still got to the thrift store to find very
little. Afterwards we hit a Kaybee Toys before getting supper at Pizza Hut.
As you can tell
we did a lot of running around that night. Then last but not least after
supper we checked out a local Target where Tony picked up two new Beast
Riders toys, one being for Megatron and the other looking a lot like
Cheetor. Also
finding a Speed Racer hot wheel he hadn't had yet.
Then it was off to a late night movie to see Pokemon 2000! But seeing all the
running around we had done during the day, I feel asleep half way through it,
waking up to see the ending. Of course Tony said it was good! The movie
letting out around 11:30p.m., we headed back to my parents place for a good
nights rest.
Wednesday:
Austin and Tony
Sideswipe and Galvatron Huffmasters
We were up and running around 7am, we had hoped to get everything out to the
car and out of town by 8:30am at the latest. But due to my Aunt going into the
Hospital that Tuesday morning of a stroke, we had to run my Mom down to be
with her as well as pay respects to my Aunt. In doing so Tony also got to
meet a few of my uncles as well.
Then after all was done we stopped at the Hospital cafeteria for a few donuts
before heading out. We were on our way to Fort Wayne! Stopping only for gas
and to grab a bite at a McD's on the turnpike, we managed to get into Fort
Wayne at about 1:30pm. We hadn't got lost, but did get a little confused
when the exit
we had mapped out was closed going into Fort Wayne. But we managed :)
We had checked into the hotel, cleaned up and rested a bit until Austin Welch
showed up around 3p.m. Austin and Tony showed each other their goodies for the
Art Contest. Austin having made Lego versions of the three Insecicons;
Bombshell, Kickback and
Shrapnel, along with a PowerGlide he had made up. Of course all Transforming!
He also had a little transforming scout and Huffer to add to his LegoMasters!
Tony also showed off his Goodies Being; Galvatron, Sideswipe and a
transformed Megatron gun Gen 1 Huffmasters.
Then it was off to get some lunch. It hadn't taking us long to decide where
to eat, Austin hadn't been to or seen a Wendy's in years. So our choice was
made, can't say the service was the best. But we did little complaining
afterwards. We spent the next few hours just hanging out in the hotel room,
then close to night fall we decided to venture out to find some snacks for
the weekend. I also forgot my dress shoes for the dinner so this was another
good reason to go out.
We happened upon a K-Mart first but Austin seemed to be disappointed with the
store and wanted to find a Wal-Mart instead, this could be because he works
for a Wal-mart!
Anyhow we checked out the toys and were off to look for a Wal-Mart, found one
a few minutes later just down the road from where we had been. Austin was
very happy, as was Tony when he found a Speed Racer model in the Toy
department (actually Austin pointed it out to him).
I also found some nice enough shoes, other things I would need for the dinner
and we got some soda pop and snacks for the weekend ahead. We got a little
lost on the way back, but we managed. The rest of the night we watched a Star
Wars Follies tape Austin had brought with him! Very cool Austin! Troops was
the Best! *Still singing the Bad Boys song to herself*
Thursday;
Wearing our BTTF T-shirts
Tony and I were the first ones up, so cleaning up we waited for Austin to
wake. This was the day we wore our matching custom made Back to the Future
T-shirts. And
as Tony and Austin both have pointed out, you would have to be a true BTTF to notice these T-shirts. We headed out to McD's for a fast breakfast before
going to the SouthTown Mall I had found on the map. It hadn't taken us long to
find it, but it did seem to be a little empty of stores and was a bit aged.
Mainly we had went there because there was a movie theater, where we planned
to see X-Men. We also found a comic book/card/collectible shop in that same
mall. But at
the time everything was still closed, so we went across the street to yet
another Target. Not much new there but I did pick up some blank tape for my
CamCorder. Then it was back to the Mall! On the way to the comic shop, Austin
and Tony found a game called Afterburner that they used to play years ago.
I really hadn't paid much mind to what Tony and Austin were doing in the
comic store, due to my spending a lot of my time digging through Doctor Who
cards for Jive. But I did notice some Star Wars carded figures and some other
cool items throughout the store.And then it was off again! We headed to a
few other stores outside of the Mall while we waited for the movie to start,
being it began around 2p.m.
Out to yet another comic book, gaming store. But it just so happened that
there was a collectable toy shop right next to this Comic shop. Mostly filled
with Star Wars toys, but it had many different 80's and 70's toys in there as
well! At a very reasonable price to boot! Tony found some extra things he
hadn't had, such as a few Speed Racer figures, Star Wars one and a Bill and
Ted's Grim Reaper figure! Tony also picked me up a few Return of the Jedi
items I had been looking at as well in the store, all in all it was a very cool
store!
(We had hoped to go there again, but ran out of time. As I'll add later in
this report.) Austin then checked out the gaming cards as well as Tony and I
checked out a few of the comics.
Going back to the mall to watch the movie, we stopped at Subway in the mall
for lunch
and then both Tony and Austin took turns playing the Afterburner game they
had spotted earlier that morning. The movie was Great! I loved Rogue and
Wolverine! Actually been a fan of X-Men for many years and have always
thought Rogue was cool! But after seeing the movie, I knew I'd have to collect
the toys!
After all this running around it was back to the hotel, that's where we
stayed the rest of the night besides getting a bite to eat. Frank Gross
stopped up for a few minutes to pick up a T-Shirt he had paid for my friend
to do (back home). Then told us his story on getting to Fort Wayne with no
brakes on his car! After he left, we watched South Park episodes until I
fell asleep. Can't say for sure
when the two went to sleep, but I'm sure it wasn't much longer after I had.
(During the day the Austin Nerf shooting took place as well, which is on
tape. We
stocked we, hunted and we shot! Well... not really, we just waited outside the
bathroom! But it still was fun!)
Friday;
Tony B, in this years Art room
Pat and Matt
Tony, Austin and Rose
Tony and I were up earlier again, cleaning up. And then Austin followed
shortly after. Knowing the day was going to busy, what with getting things
ready for the art room and picking up our packets for the convention. We ran
to McD's and decided to hit another local mall for a few hours before lines
started forming.
Austin needed to pick up a backpack since he forgot his other at home this
year, so that was another reason to go to the mall. We also found a Hot
Topic store
in this one. Along with a lot of other cool shops! At one point we sat down
to rest in the mall since the shoes I had been wearing were killing my feet.
When getting up, Austin forgot his new back pack. We finally found it
eventually. But
after he realized he had forgot it, it became a chase to find it. Seeing how
someone had picked it up. Luckily Tony had spotted it in a near by store,
where apparently some elderly lady had taken it when she found it (that's
what the store owner said).
So after all that excitement it was back to the hotel to get in line to pick
up our packets! On the way down to the front of the hotel, we ran into a
group of fans that were headed for the second floor, where they heard there
was some Transformers already for sale! The three of us decided to stop and
check it out ourselves. Turning out to be the Men In Black, selling some
items.
Austin picked up a few items, Tony and I just looked through things. Pretty
much I just didn't have spending money this year and Tony hadn't see anything
of interest. Then it was off again to get in line, for a long wait of course.
Most the wait the three of us made jokes and video taped a little. But most the time was spent clowning
around. Also not to forget Men In Black came by throwing T-shirt, we missed
catching one. But we did see a couple of fans later on that had caught one,
actually holding their arms up they must've slipped right onto them. Because
they already had them on! This ran into a lot of jokes as well.
Finally we picked up our packets!! Tony and Austin loved the T-shirts for
this year! But I think everyone did! Then it was back up to the room to get
the Huffmasters and Legomasters! Back to set them up, that's when I met up
with my friend Matt Karpowich and his mother Patricia. Talked to those two a
few minutes before going to get sign up forms for Tony and Austin's entries
for the art contest.
Afterward Tony and I headed back up to the room to rest and clean up a bit
for the dinner, while Austin talked to a few other fans.
Waiting in line for the dinner I met up with my friend Relayer, who had just
gotten a Target Master Cyclonus from a friend as a gift! The catcher was it
still had it's box and it looked mint! This not only caught my eye but also
Tony's and Sharon's, who had stopped over to talk to us. We also talked to a
few others that I had met the year before and then it was on to the dinner.
It wasn't the greatest, but it seemed better then the dinner from 97! (Note
to Tanya Dean, remembering 97#!! Missed that flying decoy this year Tannie!)
We also got to sit right next to the man that had brought the actual copy
of the Transformers movie that was to be shown that Saturday night! Was very
cool! And for those fans that didn't get the dinner
plate, as you've seen from the image at the top of this report! It is very
impressive!
After the dinner we went up to the room for a few minutes before heading down
to Raksha's room to see Magic. Magic and I have talked and played in the
chats for quite some time so it was very nice to actually get to meet her
this year, that and she did some work for me. So after stopping and saying
hello as well as picking up the art she had done. Tony and I headed down to
the hotel lobby for an hour or so, playing with a Pikachu remote control
car we had
picked up a few weeks before.
We were only a few feet from the voice actors, who were hanging out in a
corner table in the hotel lobby, but never got up to talk to
them (we kinda figured they didn't want to be bothered). Maybe we should
have after we thought about it. Then before heading up
to our room to meet up with Austin again, we ran into a fan from Ireland. She
loved to talk about that war Planets show! We've never watched the cartoon
much, which
we tried to tell her. But this is all she seemed to be able to talk about :)
After returning to the room, we talked to Austin a bit, showed off the dinner
plate. Then headed to bed for the night.
Saturday;
Standing in line, one thing we did a lot of!
John Moschitta and Rose
Started the same way as every morning, this day it was Burger King for
Breakfest if I remember right :) Then as those two went into the dealers
room I
waited in line to collect Jive's Botcon toys I had promised to pick up for
her. Afterwards I looked around for the two, running into Tony Buchanan, Matt and his mother Pat again along with a few other friends here and
there.
Meeting up with Tony again, we checked out the room some more, then took
some things up to the room before the panels began. I also picked up the
camcorder
so we could record John Moschitta, which I did until the battary died. I
got most of
it though! Very cool to say the least! After the panel was over, Tony
decided to go
back to the dealers room, while I was waiting to get
autographs. Austin hung around with us too! As well as Matt and his mother
again, we took pictures and then met up with Tony again before getting lunch!
Also during the course of the day, Tony and I met up with a friend from the
chats (Net). Nate (AKA Dec), it was very cool to meet and get a chance to talk
to him for a few minutes. We also took pictures.
During the day we also saw some of the fan panel and then the Beast Wars
actor panel. Then after the Hasbro panel, Tony met up with
us again while we were still in line. He told us what Hasbro had to say. Like
always it wasn't much. After the three of us got our autographs again, Tony
and I hit the dealers room once more before heading up to the room for a few
hours before the movie started. Austin joining us shortly.
Shortly before the movie I headed down to Relayer and Angelstarr's room to
chat a bit, trying some goodies that Angel had made for the trip. Very tasty,
Angel! Then it was back to our room, where we then headed to get in line
around 6:50 p.m. for the movie.
The Theater was great!!! Austin took pictures! And as for the movie, after
picking up a few snacks, we relived our childhood memories. All of us that
saw the movie that night did. Being the first time seeing the movie in my
earlir teens, it was wonderful to see it on the big screen again! We were on
cloud nine all through it!
Then after being in heaven for an hour and a half, even watching all the
ending
credits, along with hearing many of the fans around us singing with the song
as the movie closed. We headed back up to our room where we met up with Tony
Klepack, Matt Swenson and Jive's friend Max. Tony B loaned us his
Transformer follies tape along with some of his Japanese tapes to watch that
night. Tony B was suppose to join us too, but was called aside by the
Hartmans to claim an award! Very cool!
(Thanks again for bring the tapes Tony! They were very cool!) After waking up
the sleeping Max and after everyone had left, the three of us turned in for
the
night.
Sunday;
Rose, Austin,Tut and Daryn
A Tired Austin
Last day of Botcon came fast. Getting up earlier again, we went down to
Sharon, Daryn and Matt's room before heading down to the Con for the morning.
I got the three on tape and Sharon showed off her goodies. Tony and Austin
meeting me down there, Sharon showed the two a few T-shirts she had been
selling, then the three of us headed out for a fast breakfast before going
back to the dealers room.
Tony picked up the last of the toys he wanted, I met up with Tony Preto
again. Having had hanged out with Tony P and a few of his friends in 97#, we
talked a little, then he asked if Tony and I would run over and get him a set
of this years exclusives! So after doing so he gave us one of these Japanese
gift sets of Fire Convoy (those candy ones), as a thank you to the two of us.
Then it was off shopping again and I taped the art room. (Note to Marg Davis,
Tony's also making a tape of this for you too!) And then Tony and I checked
out
the Japanese toys the next room over. Most of the day was spent watching
panels and then finding out who won the art contest. Too bad the dealer rooms
hadn't stayed open longer, and along with a few other friends we had planned
to go back to that collectable toy shop again. But as Tony suspected, it
closed before we could have made it. Running up to the room after the Art
Contest results, I called and they were going to close within 20 minutes so
there was no way of making it.
But the whole day was still fun, even though we hadn't got everything in.
After the Con ended, Austin, Tony and myself headed out to get
something to eat at Arby's. Talking about the Con awhile before heading
back to rest
and watch cartoons. Matt took off to say good bye to some others as the three
of us headed back to the room. The two guys checked out their new toys as I
rested
and of course watched the two play with their Transformers and chat about the
Con in general.
Later that night we went back out to eat, took the food back up to the room and then watched South Park the movie. Falling asleep during it I missed most
of it. Then the two turned in soon after.
Monday;
The day to say our goodbyes and to drive home. I ran up to say goobye to
Sharon, Daryn and Matt K, getting my last hugs in and to take a few pictures.
Austin joined us and then made plans to met the three others later after Tony and I left. Then heading back to the room the three of us carried our things
out to the car and gave our last hugs good bye. Taking more pictures.
This depressed feeling comes over you as you drive away from the hotel and
you know it'll be another year before you see your friends again. But Tony
and I still made the best of it and had a good trip home. In ending this
report, let me say this might not have been as great a con as 97# and it
may not have been in California like in 98#. But just being with the person I
love and some of my best friends made this the greatest Botcon of all!
Until next year! Rose and Tony