Those of you who've inhabited this ML know how I feel about Anime 
conventions - I find them expensive, mildly amusing, and only interesting in 
that I get to spend some time face-to-face with people who've become E-mail 
friends.
	I've also admitted that I'm not an otaku.  Never have been.  Normally, I 
can't tell you which characters go with which series.  Heck, I can't even 
tell you what most series are about.  I'm just a wanna-be writer who 
happened to stumble across a story-line (Ranma) that offered numerous 
writing opportunities.
	After my disastrous trip to Denver earlier this summer, I was reluctant to 
repeat that experience in Iowa.  But, since I'd already taken the time off, 
had the money in hand, and was going to get to see Richard again, I figured 
a 5 hour drive wouldn't be too bad.  At least it wasn't Western Kansas again.
	In all fairness, AnimeIowa was far superior to what I experienced in 
Colorado.  It was in a better location, it was better organized, and (most 
of all) there were people there I actually looked forward to seeing and 
meeting.
	However, nothing typifies my feelings about the entire enterprise more than 
the Fanfic Panel.  Let me just say that Mark Engels did a marvelous job 
organizing and moderating the panel.  If anyone ever wants to know how to 
run a fanfic panel correctly, I'd direct them immediately to Mark.  
AnimeIowa should consider themselves lucky he agreed to do this.
	As Richard will testify, I was extremely reluctant to participate on the 
panel due to my uncertainty of having anything positive to offer.  
Eventually, I agreed to be a member when I was assured my inclusion was due 
to my background in Japanese culture and how that aspect was sorely needed 
on the panel.  (Deep down, I was dubious but allowed myself to be convinced 
in the end.  Everyone has a streak of vanity in them.  I just let mine to 
momentarily take over.)  
	However, judging from the remarks I've seen posted on this ML so far, about 
all I was able to contribute was a few 'throw away' lines of comedy relief 
that shed absolutely no light on how Anime and fanfictions, in general, 
treated the cultural subject or much of anything else for that matter.  
Whenever I tried to direct my points in that direction, it quickly became 
apparent that not only was no one interested but the conversation quickly 
got hijacked to other subjects.
	Anyway, the point of all this is that while I thought the panel, as a 
whole, went rather well, I've made a vow (somewhere between Des Moines and 
the Missouri border) that it will be my last.  The reasons for this decision 
can be found in the evidence of my 'contributions' in the following quotes.

"Greg Sandborn: "And you call yourself a writer?" (Whaddya know, the man 
speaks.  All we'd gotten outta him up to now was the occasional "What was 
the question again?  I wasn't paying attention")"  *****  UkyouKwnji@aol.com

"-Greg showed off his briefcase that he claimed was shrunk after washing 
it."  *****  Tobimaro@aol.com

	Not the kind of thing serious writers want to be known for.

	I want to thank Mark Engels for inviting me and Richard for putting him up 
to it.  Being asked was nice.  I only wish I could have contributed more - 
or anything at all.

	Actually, meeting Mark, Anna and the rest of TCAMS was one of the few high 
points of this convention.  The other was getting to spend some quality time 
with Richard, Nick, and Jeanne - three of the finest people in the 
fanfiction community.  I will always treasure that.  (If ANYTHING can draw 
me back to a con, it would be to spend quiet time talking and trading ideas 
with the above named persons.) [Jeanne: Thank you for spending Friday night 
in the bar listening to my ramblings about 'Missing Pieces' while we watched 
Amanda Winn lap dance with a couple of other patrons.  Drinks and a floor 
show in Iowa City.  NOW I've done everything.]

	I just wanted to take this opportunity to apologize to the folks who posted 
their AnimeIowa Diaries here and the rest of the fanfic community for such a 
poor showing at the panel.  Deep down, I thought my inclusion was a mistake. 
The comments above only confirmed it for me.  Not to worry.  This mistake 
will NOT be repeated.

	- Greg
	(Who's crawling back under his rock to get some serious work done on 
'Missing Pieces'... or maybe NNH Chapter 17.  Who knows.)

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G.L. Sandborn  [aka Uncle Fester]

Home on the range at:   sandborn@microlink.net
                        sandborn@burnsmcd.com

All my stories can be found at: 
		 http://www.microlink.net/~sandborn/ 

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