Omoshiroi!!: Grand International Cosplay Ball

So it's about time that I did this. My review of the Grand International Cosplay Ball 2009. XD Only a month late... whoops, XD This is also posted on my livejournal (public entry).

Okies so I'm going to start with Friday...

Friday

So I had work in the morning which was fine. Managed to draw the money I was taking with me out aswell. Had a brief panic moment when I thought I had killed my earphones, but it wasn't. The battery in my iPod had died so it needed charging, XD Needless to say I was relieved when I figured that out, XD So I got home and began work on finishing the xmas pressies for the girlies... this took WAY longer than I thought, and in the end had to change the plan to something smaller and I would give them their original pressies at a later date or send it to them.

So yeah, I worked on the other bits, got them finished and was happy with them. And I was excited to see how the girls were going to react. Only after I printed them... I found that it had gone all liney... the ink cartridges needed refilling. This was at 11ish at night and my parents had gone away for the weekend. And we didn't have any refill packs. Unhappy and angry was I, XD So after some tears and freaking out by me, I pretty much had a hissy fit and shut the main computer down and returned to my bedroom. There was nothing else I could do anyway. But then I had another brainwave whilst finishing my packing. I could still give them xmas pressies!! So panic averted, I finished packing and went to sleep ready for the next day...

Saturday

Didn't sleep much. Was WAY too excited, but I had expected it. XD My sister's boyfriend had to drop me off at the coach station in the end as everyone was working. Bless him... he had only finished work at 4am and must have had four or five hours sleep? Still he got me there in plenty of time. Spent the time waiting for the coach trying not to bounce too much. XD XD Eventually got on the coach, turned my iPod on and was away on my journey.

The journey was quite smooth actually. And the driver had an awesome sense of humour... his safety instructions had me in stitches, XD XD But anyway, yes we arrived. Or well I arrived as I was travelling alone, but you all know what I mean, XD

So I got off the coach, grabbed my suitcase and entered the arrivals bit of the coach station. Had a slight panic about being on my own in that place again, it happenned in October aswell so I wasn't that surprised... having my purse stolen in May sure has made it's mark... anyway... after I composed myself I looked around a bit and decided to wander towards the bathroom area and the main doors in case the girlies were there. I knew Sam and Steph were arriving just before me, Emi was going to be late as she had to catch a later train...

Anyways, I wandered up there and thought I spotted a familiar blonde head. I wasn't too sure though so I slowly crept closer, glancing at said blonde person all the while. I was pretty sure it was Steph but I wasn't 100% sure. I didn't exactly want to start talking to this person if it wasn't Steph and was in fact a random stranger... XD But I managed to get my nerves up and ask. And it was Steph, XD Relief surged through me then, XD

So after hugs and greetings, we talked while we waited for Sam to finish in the bathroom. I refuse to use those bathrooms as you have to pay... XD XD Besides I didn't actually need to go, XD Anyways, Sam appeared shortly after, and I'm pretty sure she squeed at me, XD More hugs then, XD And I think then was when the zuka squeeing began, XD

So we met up with Lampshade and Matt, and then made our way to the train station to meet up with Emi. Highlights of this included the HUGE camera and talks of if it actually worked and how awesome it would be. And a conversation about not wanting to buy their big camera as carrying it around would be too much of a burden... that camera amused us to no end, XD But yes, as we were waiting for Emi, Sam got out one of her Graph's I think it was... or her Mizu photobook. Can't remember exactly. I do know we stood around squeeing for a while.

So, I spotted Emi... abandoned by suitcase to go and hug her and say hi, XD Sam and Steph followed me, XD XD Not that we went that far away, XD Since Emi basically ran to us aswell, ^_^ Finally the zuka family was together... <3 <3

So yes, more hugging and squeeing, XD We then tackled the underground and more trains to get to the hotel. The trains and underground travelling was fine. It was walking to the hotel that nearly killed me... It took us way longer than it should have, XD It was also cold and wet. Not a good combination. But we still spent most of the time chatting and getting into our Elisabeth group mind set. XD

Once we did reach the hotel we all collapsed for a few moments to get our breath back... and to create what is now known as the pile of squee... which included all our zuka stuff combined, XD We should have taken a picture of it really, it was awesome, XD Ah well, we will do next time, ;) But yes, at first there ended up being a semi circle around where I was sat of all our squee stuff, but eventually I put it into a pile. ^_^

We also did our xmas pressie exchange. I did feel really guilty as my originally planned presents obviously didn't happen, and I also didn't have cards to give to them either... but I'll make up for that, ;) Recieved some awesome pressies from the girlies... one of which included a sketch by Steph of Hiromi... <3 I squeed... I know I squeed... and probably very loudly... and apparently they loved my reaction to it... it's up on my wall now, XD XD

Anyways, yes. We exchanged pressies and cards and after much prodding finally got our butts downstairs as we were late for karaoke, XD Very late... XD Whoops... XD

Lampshade and Matt had waited down in the lobby for us and we started off all together... but we lost Lampshade, well he decided to walk there I think... all I know is that he arrived nearly an hour before the rest of us, I think...

So yes, the rest of us slowly made our way to the train station again, and tried to make our way back across London, XD At one point we were split up and me, Emi, Matt and Steph had to wait for Sam. The underground was so jam-packed it wasn't even funny... well it was but it was also frustrating. And paranoia about being lost and losing people is just made worse in that situation but anyway...

We eventually made our way to karaoke... and had about twenty mins to half an hour left... we were VERY late... I'm blaming the trains... *shiftyeyes*

Anyways, looking through the book we were pleased to find the Takarazuka section, ^_^ Well... Choco found it for us and literally squeed over the page... it had Ai to Shi no Rondo and Saigo no Dansu on there!! We so wanted to do that, the four of us, but we didn't have time. Emi managed to fit in a song though which was good, ^_^ We've already decided to go back there in May, ^_^ 'Zuka karaoke ftw!! XD XD

Anyways after karaoke came a brief amount of time stood deciding what to do. Which somehow ended up with me, Sam, Matt and I think Emi talking about body chocolate... we were stood opposite a place that sold it. XD XD How ironic now that after saying Body Chocolate was added to our crack that a month later Chocolate Spread is running rampent... Apparently I attract crack... XD XD

Anyways... we eventually decided on food, and pizza. So we went on a trek to find Pizza Express. We found it in the end... after stopping to look at some Boots, in the window... ^^;;

But yes, we found Pizza Express, and had much fun conversation in there. Matt made the mistake of going to the bathroom though, giving Paul the chance to put the vase that was on the table, including flower, into Matt's coat pocket. It was sticking out and everything... but still highly entertaining to see Matt's reaction when he got back to the table.

After this we ended up in an Arcade. Spent some time wandering around in there, before we decided we needed to get back to the hotel to work on costumes a bit more. I didn't need to work on mine as I had completed Lucheni for the expo, but the girlies needed to finish off theirs, ^_^ So yes, we returned to the hotel and worked on the costumes a bit more, and squeed a bit more of course, before finally going to bed, XD

It rained all day.

Sunday

So once we were all awake and dressed, we ventured out into London again as we needed to pick up some more bits for our cosplays. Long day was long and it took us an age to find the things we wanted. Some bits we couldn't get so we had to improvise, but we managed to get most things. We managed to find a tanned foundation for me to use as Lucheni as the stage tan I was using before just made me look dirty... XD

We also ate pizza again, XD Well Sam and Steph did. Me and Emi had pasta... yay Pizza Hut and free refills on drinks!! XD XD

Yes, we eventually made it back to the hotel and after a panic session of more costume finishing and me checking into my room (which I didn't sleep in, we just pinched the pillows) we finally got ready to go to the Ball! Again this took longer than we had planned, and I think we were about an hour and a half late but ah well... we still had an awesome time, ^_^

There was a brief moment of panic when they nearly didn't let us in. In our rush to get their we all forgot our IDs... *facepalm* They said we all looked around 16... *facepalm again* They trusted us in the end though, which was good cus otherwise we would not have been happy... though I suppose we could have just returned to the hotel and had zuka fun anyway... XD

But we got in, and were happy. For those who don't know, I'm 21, Sam and Steph had recently turned 19 and Emi is 18. So we are all old enough to drink, XD

But anyways yes we got in. I won't go into detail about the Ball... mainly cus I can't remember a lot of it, XD And no not because I got drunk... I don't really drink alcohol. The only drink I had was diet coke... XD Nah, it's cus I can't remember... it has been over a month now. XD

I do remember lots of crack photos though. Us all dancing with each other. XD Photos to prove it, XD I think the crack couple of the evening was LucheniRudolf... but you see I was Elmer in disguise... apparently, XD There was also the photoshoot in the Gingerbread House set up, which was good. The photos our group had were awesome!!

It was fun catching up with people, ^_^ Not that I had a lot of people to catch up with but I did manage to talk to Jake, Mike and Granny, ^_^ I don't think many others recognised me to be honest... a tash will do that, XD

I didn't know a lot of the music, and the Disney section was entertaining... though a lot of the other entertainment I kinda blanked at or during... my fault mainly as I was so tired... and my feet were killing, XD

I did have an awesome time at the ball though. Even if I ended up with a huge bruise on the back of my leg. Which explained why I literally wasn't able to walk back to the hotel. We got a taxi and the poor taxi driver gave us some interesting comments... He asked us if it was a wedding party first... and then... he said that I was beautiful with a moustache... yeah I was giggling for ages after that.

I do remember once back in the hotel, the need for Oasis and Salt and Vinegar McCoys... I was hungry, XD

We all collapsed out of our costumes and after random chatter, went to sleep.

Again it rained all day.

Monday

Our last day... well half day. This day turned out completely not how we planned... but anyway. We packed up and left the hotel. Traversed the underground again. I was in way too much pain to be able to cart my luggage all around London again, my arthritis was playing up something terrible... and the bruise on my leg wasn't helping either. So I came up with the awesome plan. I would sit in Victoria Station, in the food bit, with all the cases, whilst Emi, Sam and Steph went out to get the things they wanted.

Unfortunately by the time they got back, Sam and Steph had to grab their cases and run as they were going to miss their coach. Thankfully their coach was running late so they managed to get on it in time but it was sad that we never got to have a proper goodbye. Thankfully we have plans for expo and future events of planning in an extra day for the treks around London, XD XD

But after Sam and Steph had gone, it was just me and Emi left... we grabbed some food (MacDonalds... yeah... it was edible and we were hungry) before going back to the coach station so I could catch my coach.

Did get a proper goodbye with Emi which was nice. Though it was sad to leave. I had had so much fun, and I made some of the best friends ever that weekend. On the coach trip back I had texts from them all... and as soon as we all were back we were online to talk to each other again.

I love my zuka family to pieces. And I am so thankful to have met them all... hopefully the next time we will see each other is in March for Phantom 2!! And definitely for May Expo...

Overall

The Grand International Cosplay Ball was a good event. Even with all the crappy weather and the pain it was still worth it, and I'll definitely be going again next year if it's on again, ^_^

We've already got our costumes planned for it, XD We're going to rewear our Rose of Versailles costumes, XD Alain will be going to the ball!! XD XD

My next cosplay event will be London May MCM Expo 2010. Currently my costumes planned are, Alain de Soissons (Rose of Versailles, Takarazuka) and Kozuki Wataru (ACHE). I will be doing a review with pictures of that one too afterwards, ^_^

Pictures