Yaoi Con Journal

Day One:

We had arrived in SFO airport via Oakland airport via LAX. Yes, one may ask why the run around? Well the staff and I love to save money! (At least that's what our boss wants us to say.) Nevertheless, what we weren't suspecting was Higuri-sensei arriving 45 minutes early! So... unknown to me at the time, I watched a fairly tall and elegant Japanese woman use the phone and minutes later (with American cell phones being the quality they are), I get a message with Higuri's lovely english.

Transcript

Aka-san's Prank Voicemail: This is Isaac rrroooooooar! *Beep*

Higuri: Moshi, Moshi... (15 seconds) Moshi Moshi.... (Laughs) Hello... Mister Isaac-san? Mister Isaac-san? Higuri-sensei.... Ano.... (Click)

And that is how I and the Yaoi-con staff was introduced to You Higuri.

Later on, we went to Fisherman's Wharf and ate at Bubba Gump's, where our seme bear was introduced to Gentosha's (Japanese publisher of Gorgeous Carat Galaxy) uke rabbit. Finally, Higuri's furry collection was complete!

Later that night, Higuri, Ms. Okamoto (Gentosha Comic's representative in Japan), myself, and the rest of the Y-M staff attended the opening ceremonies of Yaoi-con 05. We were treated to a beautiful audio and visual collage of the past 5 years of Yaoi-con. Our East Coast publishing buddies, Be Beautiful, was present as well with their guest, Kodaka Kazuma. I took the time to introduce myself in Japanese, only to get a sympathetic reply from her translator... "Yeah, it's ok... I speak English."

Thanks... I think...

Then we were introduced as Digital Manga Press.

Thanks... -_-

However, my sweet revenge would come during the period where Yaoi-con staffers had flowers to give out to the guest of honors. There were only two bouquets and seeing how Kazuma and her translator each got one, what was to happen to Higuri's? Well, during Higuri and DMP's introduction (as Digital Manga Press), Y-con staffer Shiki, picked up on the bouquet error, ran up to the translator... blurted "I am soooo sorry, but I need this now!" snatched the bouquet and placed it in Higuri's hands, who then raised it above her head in victory to the thunderous fans' support of sympathy (for Kazuma's translator), laughter, and applause.

(Later Higuri admitted to knowing that her flowers were snatched away from someone else.)

Don't believe me check it out yourself!!

Later that night, we went to dinner where we were joined with the folks of Go Comi (who publish Cantarella).Funny story short, earlier that day, Higuri-sensei asked me if my name was Russian. It's not, but she inadvertently made her first ever American joke. Always trying to get to the next location on time, I always tend to walk 2 step faster than everyone else. Therefore, You Higuri declaring that "Isaac is always Russian (rushing)." Maybe you had to be there, but the followup to this was during dinner where we happened to mention a small error on the cover of Cantarella's cover. As to where, Go Comi oddly replied "Are you part German?" (We're assuming German's are very observant?) As to where I replied, "No, I'm Russian". Ok, in hindsight, maybe you did have to be there to get it.

Overall it was an great day and was only a taste as to what Yaoi-con would offer.

Coming up next week, Higuri-sensei's, Ms. Okamoto's, and the Y-M staff's Yaoi Con story continues!

On to Day 2!