The day started with me waking up wary to get ready, everyone followed suit soon after. We thought were were going to have an early start, but nope. Francis came over to drop off his stuff in our room for when he checks in later today. We missed breakfast. Instead it was almost nine and we made it to convention center for Opening Ceremonies. For some reason, I thought it was going to start at ten that morning. No, it’s nine. We rushed in line for that outside in the warn California sun. That was not to be. It was already nine and Opening Cermonies didn’t start. On top to that, I was mistaken that it was at the Nokia Theatre. It was in the convention center. Fifteen minutes later, nothing happened. It was already hot and people were getting restless. So we left and missed it.



On our way to South Hall, we found food truck and ate to full our grumbling stomachs. Ok, some of us had a little to eat while some of us didn’t. We made it to South Hall, thinking that the Exhibit Hall opened at ten or eleven, after the Opening Ceremonies. It opened at noon. Eleven for those who have VIP passes. So we killed time taking pictures. Our next plan let us to get in line for the Kalafina panel in West Hall, scheduled for noon. While waiting, the line actually formed on the second floor and was being transferred to the first. We got into the end of the line. Again we waited and again the event was late—almost thirty minutes late. And again, we wasted our time for another late event and left.

By this time, some time after noon, the Exhibit Hall was already open. Man, when we entered it was utter chaos. I swear there was so many people that it was being packed in a can of sardines—literally. You couldn’t walk without bumping into people. As we tried to walk together as a group, we eventually got separated. Eventually we met up again. When we met up with our buddy, Bao, his sister Kim and their little brother. So we relaxed our weary feet. Lawrence “was taken by AX” and nowhere to be found. On our quest to find Lawrence, he notified us that we went to the hotel. It was nearing 2:15.



Our next plan to to go to the Miku Keynote panel. Even tough it started late, we wanted to see this. Andy and Lawrence made it in first because Tim and I didn’t want to wait outside in the not hot California sun so we caught the tail end of the line and got in. Man, it wasn’t packed! So we sat near the back—away from the crowd. At least there was a screen half way in the room. The Miku Keynote was interpreting, but not interesting enough to keep us awake. Tim and I were somewhat dozing off and on. By this time, we were really hungry and wanted to eat. We texted the other two if they wanted to join us to back to the hotel, freshen up and eat. They stayed till the end and we left. At least the bus lines were organized now.

Tim and I got back to the hotel. As we got off the bus—lo and behold—Francis caught us! Apparently, he was supposed to find us to get the stuff he left in the room. What timing! So we made it up to the room and refreshed ourselves. A few minutes later, Andy and Lawrence made it made. The panel was apparently almost finished when we left. They freshened up. All five of us ate at Carl’s—to save money. One of our plans was to eat at the Pantry, buy couldn’t find the time to walk there.

After dinner, we all made it back to the Convention Center. We were all going to catch Nirgelis’ concert at Club Nokia. We though that they were going to give out free tickets near Club Nokia. But no, they were giving them out now, but at the Convention Center. Now we had to walk back and forth. Then when we got up to security check, cameras were not allowed in. Totally WTF!!! I could understand that no cameras are not allowed, but what does AX expect people to do! Go back to the hotel to leave their cameras and to get them with it’s done! Totally WTF!!! So three of us didn’t see the concert. Tim and Francis did.



But we decided to make the most of the situation and went to see Danny Choo’s panel. Even though we waited in line, it was worth it. Unlike the boring-ass, in my opinion, Danny’s panel to so inspirational that I didn’t dozed off and listed closely to the whole thing. Man, what a panel! It totally lifted up my spirits. After the panel was the screen to the US version of “High School of the Dead.” It’s still an awesome series. And afterward was Maon Kurosaki’s mini concert. She sang many of the songs for HOTD as well as some songs for “Toaru Majutsu no Index” anime. Excellent concert. It was no FLOW, but excellent never the less. I just love the way her voice resonates when she sings. That most excellent concert ended our day.



Oh, one more thing. The lines for the shuttle was so damn long that it would take 3-4 shuttles to take the crowd. We decided to walk back to the hotel, but saw the “Miku” Corolla over at Nokia Live and checked it out. Then we took a taxi back.

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.