Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
A Rest Between Shows
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Yaoi Press, and for me (Yamila) personally. I had several shows in fast succession starting with Anime Expo, then Otakon, then Anime Tucon.
Otakon was a great show, as usual. I regret not doing our Industry panel there. I know it's my fault for not making it happen. It's tough to keep track of every detail when there are so many shows in such a short time. I know a lot of people came by the booth saying the missed it this year. It was one of the few Yaoi Panels people under 18 could attend.
Anime Tucon stands out as one of the most fun conventions I've done in a long time. This was our first time in Tucson. I found the crowd was starved for Yaoi. I sold as many books to a show of 300 or so attendees as I usually sell at shows of 3,000.
The live yaoi shows caused a hysteria. People asked the participants to replay the scenes over and over, even to the point of being a nuisance. They really acted like they'd never seen two guys kiss before. Everyone was showing me the pictures and video they took of the scene with such amazement. They were asking me questions after, like if I ever set up shows like this before. They were trying to make the moment last as though it were a once in a lifetime thing. I remember that the reaction to the Live Yaoi Shows in Phoenix were more extreme than in other places, but Tucson really went nuts for them.
And for me also. I was attacked with unwelcome glomps several times when walking to my hotel room or the bathroom. New friend Warky (singer/songwriter/MC and fellow guest) jokingly commented that he needed to be my body guard when we were walking together. I took him up on this. As many people know I'm not comfortable hugging strangers. I do 'aura-hugs' so the kids at shows don't feel like I'm rejecting them. I've had shows were one or two people attack me with a hug without asking first. I never had to fight off as much love as at this show.
I know it's well-meaning. I don't mean for my boundaries to offend friendly kids. At the first show Yaoi Press did (PMX in California, 2005) I hugged a sweaty, grimey fan who passed their BO onto me for the rest of the day. I was throwing up in my mouth the rest of the day. I think it traumatized me about hugging strangers from then on. It made hugging people I don't know feel icky. When I hug a friend I get a warm feeling and I want to hold on. If I'm not there with a person yet I don't want to get that intimate. I hope people will understand.
I used to claim I was a germaphobe to avoid hugs, but I knew I couldn't get away with that at this show where I'm so close to the staff. I did a 'live yuri show' with con-chair AT on stage at closing ceremonies. I love her dearly!
Anime Tucon was the first show where I didn't hole up in my hotel room when I wasn't at a scheduled event. I played Mahjong with 3 new friends in the artist alley lobby area until it was time to do my Yaoi Hentaipalooza panel. This wasn't Mahjong solitaire like most people play on their computers. We played American-style 4 player mahjong. It was easy to learn and lots of fun. It was good research for the custom yaoi mahjong sets we'll be coming out with toward the end of the year.
There were many wonderful moments at this show. I'm so glad I came out. I'm looking forward to Otakumex, which is put on by the same group. I hope to see you there in September!
Otakon was a great show, as usual. I regret not doing our Industry panel there. I know it's my fault for not making it happen. It's tough to keep track of every detail when there are so many shows in such a short time. I know a lot of people came by the booth saying the missed it this year. It was one of the few Yaoi Panels people under 18 could attend.
Anime Tucon stands out as one of the most fun conventions I've done in a long time. This was our first time in Tucson. I found the crowd was starved for Yaoi. I sold as many books to a show of 300 or so attendees as I usually sell at shows of 3,000.
The live yaoi shows caused a hysteria. People asked the participants to replay the scenes over and over, even to the point of being a nuisance. They really acted like they'd never seen two guys kiss before. Everyone was showing me the pictures and video they took of the scene with such amazement. They were asking me questions after, like if I ever set up shows like this before. They were trying to make the moment last as though it were a once in a lifetime thing. I remember that the reaction to the Live Yaoi Shows in Phoenix were more extreme than in other places, but Tucson really went nuts for them.
And for me also. I was attacked with unwelcome glomps several times when walking to my hotel room or the bathroom. New friend Warky (singer/songwriter/MC and fellow guest) jokingly commented that he needed to be my body guard when we were walking together. I took him up on this. As many people know I'm not comfortable hugging strangers. I do 'aura-hugs' so the kids at shows don't feel like I'm rejecting them. I've had shows were one or two people attack me with a hug without asking first. I never had to fight off as much love as at this show.
I know it's well-meaning. I don't mean for my boundaries to offend friendly kids. At the first show Yaoi Press did (PMX in California, 2005) I hugged a sweaty, grimey fan who passed their BO onto me for the rest of the day. I was throwing up in my mouth the rest of the day. I think it traumatized me about hugging strangers from then on. It made hugging people I don't know feel icky. When I hug a friend I get a warm feeling and I want to hold on. If I'm not there with a person yet I don't want to get that intimate. I hope people will understand.
I used to claim I was a germaphobe to avoid hugs, but I knew I couldn't get away with that at this show where I'm so close to the staff. I did a 'live yuri show' with con-chair AT on stage at closing ceremonies. I love her dearly!
Anime Tucon was the first show where I didn't hole up in my hotel room when I wasn't at a scheduled event. I played Mahjong with 3 new friends in the artist alley lobby area until it was time to do my Yaoi Hentaipalooza panel. This wasn't Mahjong solitaire like most people play on their computers. We played American-style 4 player mahjong. It was easy to learn and lots of fun. It was good research for the custom yaoi mahjong sets we'll be coming out with toward the end of the year.
There were many wonderful moments at this show. I'm so glad I came out. I'm looking forward to Otakumex, which is put on by the same group. I hope to see you there in September!
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