Our day started when Lawrence and I were dropped off at the Riverside Metrolink station. So far so good. We were about an hour early for our scheduled ride. We caught a little to eat from a street vendor. Then we got our tickets. The first major thing I noticed was there was no Metrolink service Monday, July 4th. That’s the day we’re supposed to return. So now, out first major hurdle—to get home Monday—somehow. I called Tim after we arrived in downtown Los Angeles to tell him of our situation and help with the solution. We left it at that.

Lawrence and I went to the hotel to check in. Luckily there were rooms available that morning. Which leads to our next hurdle. I reserved for a double room. When we went to our room, it was a single king. So we went back to the front desk to tell them of our situation. Apparently, all the doubles were already reserved for Expo staff—leaving the rest for attendees. Also there was another convention going, so a lot of the rooms were already taken. Thanks to the good person at the front desk, we were given a free roll-away bed for the week. From then on, we unpacked, settled in and rested before going to Little Tokyo to buy supplies.



Three hours later, around 10 am, we headed to Little Tokyo. Since it was a little early to eat at the Curry House, we browsed around Kinokuniya Bookstore. The books I wanted to get were not there. I left bummed. Now that Curry House was open, we ate lunch. By this time, we figured out our return travel situation. Tim was able to get a car to drive to LA. Though we have to shell out more money for parking, we got a ride home Monday. After lunch we went to Nijiya Market to buy a box of cup Ramen—something we totally messed up last year. We called the guys to buy the rest of the supplies. There was nothing else we wanted to do, exhausted, we went back to the hotel and rested before Tim and Andy arrived.



After some rest and a little nap, we got a little hungry again and had a little bite at Carl’s. The guys were on their way, so we relaxed in Citicorp Plaza while we waited for them. The plaza looks so much better now after the redesign. Before, the area was spartan, but now, every eye appealing. I called them after thirty minutes and they were already here, scouting the convention center for parking fees. They were going to pick us up so we met outside the Bonaventure. Then we found out the the shuttles were running today, we parked the car in the hotel and took the shuttle to register.



We got the to the Convention Center around 4:30 pm to wait in some long-ass line in the sun to get our badges. The pre-registration line gets longer and longer, year by year. By around seven, we finally made it in and got our badges. That’s not it. We still had to get in line to get our Miku concert tickets. That was another two-hour wait—cutting it real close to nine, closing time. Volunteers said that there could be some available tickets, but by the time we got ours, Tim and Andy were out of luck. They’re sold out for today and they left the line.

The shuttle situation was the same, or for at least tonight. There was no control and everyone at the bus stop jammed into the bus. We caught the next one. Back at the hotel, it was already late, but we freshened up and went back downstairs to the bar to have a few before turning in this crazy day zero.

Today was the last day of Fanime. I started out early as usual. I got myself ready, wile everyone else was still asleep, I went downstairs and had coffee. After finishing two cups, I dod a little walkabout around the hotel and the convention center. I check to see what was going on there. Nothing much, just the usual morning crowd trickling in. I went up to Stage Zero where I picked up the latest newsletters of what went on the previous two day. I not sure, but I don’t think that Friday’s newsletter was there. I had a little chat with Rob Miles, an acquaintance of ours whom I met with Ron back in the early Expo days. After our quick chat, since we was running Stage Zero, I went back to the hotel.

When I got back, everyone was just waking up. We then all got ready and ate breakfast at Peggy Sue’s once again. When breakfast was over, I went back to the convention center to wait for Tim and Lawrence, who went back to hotel because they forgot some stuff. While at the convention, I watched “The Girl Who Leapt Through TIme” at Stage Zero. I did catch the beginning earlier, but now it was the ending. After the movie, I went back outside in the frigid morning air to cool down and wait for the two.



Several minuted later, we all went back to the con. After short wait at Stage Zero again, we went to get in line for Halko Momoi’s morning panel which started at ten. An interesting panel. Very cute too as well as, for the most part, very intelligent questions.



Nothing interesting happened for the next couple hours. It just the usual, taking more pictures, going to the Dealer’s Hall to do out last-minute shopping, relaxing outside, taking more pictures and then Dealer’s Hall once again. When we went outside this time around, Tim went back to the hotel to drop off our purchases and to get fresh batteries. WHen he got back, we just wandered around until I got really thirsty and had pork bun and iced coffee.



Since it’s the last day, everything was dying down. So luckily we stayed later than out checkout time so is not to be rushed. We talked about going to watch Closing Ceremonies, but it was the same time that we should go back to the hotel to pack our stuff. Well, we did go back to the hotel around three to pack up. After packing and making sure we got everything. We checked out of the hotel, with bags in tow and hang out the convention until about 5:30. Everyone was got for the most part, only several dozen or so stragglers and staff are left. So we caught a taxi headed for the airport.