AWA 2008 - GiddyUp Lil CowPOkes!

[Akanari]

The girls have LOTS of pictures....

But those won't be going up online.

[FawkesFyre]

It feels like without any pics, AWA never really happened...we don't really know what went on past Friday night...and POs were pretty scarce at the con.

The hush over Saturday plans is still a mystery to me, even if I'm not the partying sort...where'd you go? And no one told us about anything that was planned for Sunday so we stayed at the con. So...sorry if we were no-shows but no one told us a where-show

Chow Baby is kickass BTW

[Akanari]

First of all, I don't mean to offend anyone; I'm just stating facts.

This AWA was more for a particular group of POs than actual PO. Sure, we had a lot of fun, but it did not feel to me in the same spirit as past years.

Notice there is no "What I learned at AWA..." thread, and there is no picture thread automatically being thrown up. Sure, PO may be getting a little old for the con, but we can't completely separate ourselves from AWA just because the main, dominant members of PO are just not interested anymore.

There wasn't even a group picture. This was not a PO con. Everyone seemed way too distracted with their own lives, which is fine, I was too, but it really hurt the spirit of the thing. I'm even doubting there's going to be a Holiday Party this year. Also, PO does not get to -choose- who will be part of PO, regardless of what you think about the person. I love you all dearly, but I'm also a bit ashamed. I'm also not really talking about anyone in particular with these negative statements; it just was a general feeling. I get those.

((Sorry if I get anyone annoyed, or angry. It's not my intention to emotionally influence or point fingers. Really, I shouldn't apologize for other people, but still, I feel bad for writing something so negative against the big blue.))

[Ultrawolf]

[FawkesFyre]

I'm fully aware of what the boards stated about the free flow this year, the point was more towards the unofficial stuff that was planned but never relayed in person. I know a group took UP somewhere and something was semi-planned but, no one ever told me anything/invited me to come...

I'm fine with everyone doing their own thing and it had nothing to do with tablesitting all day instead of enjoying the con...I've been there, done that, will only do again with a group and scheduled times...

We had a great time this year at the con...just wish we had been able to see more POs...got a little spoiled from last year I suppose.

[Shandriz]

That's not entirely true, Ultra. Some of us did -not- get to completely enjoy AWA because plans for stuff outside of AWA were at the same time as the majority of the Con.

I enjoyed the plans, yes, but I wish I could've been able to spend more time at the actual convention as well. That was my only real issue (other than my cosplay not working out so well).

But yeah, this AWA didn't really feel like AWA at all. I'm sorry if people felt excluded. It's hard to have so much going on all at once, especially when not everyone can be invited to join in on everything. Still, I hope everyone managed to have fun. ^^

[Shurikane]

The instant Osiris got an XBL achievement for yelling random crap into a microphone, my weekend was made.

[Doot]

Everyone’s concerns are valid and so are the measures (as small as they were) taken this year. I can speak from my experience that this is the first year in a VERY long time that I’ve been able to relax during AWA. Frankly, I picked up my badge on Friday and that’s all I saw of the con. I understand that in my choice to do so it meant that there were a lot of exclusions of activities and social interactions as a PO whole.

We’ve been running full speed on “POWA” for the past five years, each year out-doing the previous from tables, to hotel bookings, to scavenger hunts, life-size (and pocket sized) “a brick” to yearbooks (which I must sheepishly admit I still need to get in the mail to some folks) and super massive group photos. POWA is something Team PO spends a lot of time, money and effort planning and this year we all just didn’t have the time and money to commit on the same scale.

I’ll be selfish to admit I appreciated the break this year but I’d like to address a few things.

I understand we’ve ramped up the status of “POWA” so much that it’s come to be expected every year. Even with prior proclamations that it was going to be low-key and “do as you may” some expectations still remained. We tried to give a basic structure of things we were doing (standard RuSan’s and Copeland’s) but beyond that it was pretty much left up to the individual. This also includes any overlap between AWA schedules and stag party scheduling.

I will take full responsibility for omissions on Saturday. The respective stag parties for Ming and Underpants were neither what I would have categorized as “AWA” nor “PO” group specific. They were being managed by me and Chris (Osiris) and involved local non-PO/AWA people who also know the couple. I apologize if the lack of details left confusion or any hurt feelings.

As for Sunday, I set out an APB on the front page for any suggestions for our brunching to no reply, hence no plans were made.

As for not enjoying AWA due to conflicting schedules of plans outside of the con, well, that’s a decision you make yourself. I’ve come to the realization, especially recently, that all you simply do is toss out the idea and leave it up to the individual whether or not they attend. “No matter what you do, you are always missing something.” (~Doot’s papa)

In conclusion (for now), it’s an arduous task to be an event/party planner. I’ve done it (willingly, lovingly and happily) for over five years now. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world. I’ve met a lot of amazing people and am happy to have my pocket-sized family, no matter how dysfunctional we may be.

I’d like to thank you all for allowing me the reprieve this year, even though I know it may have taken multiple people out of their comfort level of POWA’s past.

[shadokastur]

Well, I missed everybody and everything this year because of how much time and love I've been putting into Code Atom's EP. When I got Doot's "It's AWA weekend!" text, my heart sank. I just lost track of our once-a-year get together.

Sorry everyone,I really wanted to see you guys! But hopefully even this pain will be worth it.

Love you all,
Reydokastur

[Shurikane]

I somewhat missed out on communications after realizing too late that my cellular phone did not work outside of Canada. However, we did manage to plan properly enough so that I at least wouldn't be missing out on the stuff I wanted to see and do. Of course, it's always a bit frustrating to know that you're somewhere in the con, your buddy's somewhere else, and you two don't know where each other are. But anyway...

For one part, I realize that I have seen the bulk of what AWA has to offer, so each year I take less cosplay photos because there are some I already have, and the bleach/narutardplosion doesn't cater to my tastes. It doesn't bother me in the slightest because I knew that beforehand and my reason for going to AWA is to, first and foremost, see Doot, Shino & co, which means the Atlanta PO crew along with some other buddies.

I remember the first year, I was taking pictures like a maniac and I had brought my laptop to backwash my memory cards so I could take more.

Second year, since we didn't put up a table, I wandered around here and there and took part in the olympic activities.

Third year, with us being left to our own devices, I spent my time looking for commissions (bought two), and in the video rooms to check out interesting Animes and clip shows.

Over the years, AWA has taken the background in my eyes and my activities center on the PO folks, whom I know and love. Technically, I could hop into a plane and give Doot a visit any time of the year - but AWA is the best time for me since it's at this time that several of the out-of-Georgia guys gather up. And more people equals more fun!

Now, of course, I'm slightly bitter over this year's experience mostly due to myself catching a cold, which made me feel miserable on Sunday and Monday for the most part (and prevented me from adequately tasting my beer.) So we can say the fault's all mine here. I nonetheless appreciated what I've seen and done.

I place the lower attendance on the money and work issue. I was in school before, which meant I could cut class without consequence. This year, with a boss to tell me when and when not, it was a slightly stickier situation, but thankfully it came out all right.