...and that is extend my heartfelt thanks to "The Magnificent Seven".

I've had chance to read some of what each of you have sent to either
the FFML or r.a.a.f, and all I can say is that I'm very flattered. 
Really, all the positive comments I've received from not only all of
you but also from the Anime Iowa staff would have never been possible
were it not for each of you coming and contributing.  And that goes
for ALL of you.  I was after quality, not quantity, and I can say
without a doubt I wasn't disappointed.  (^.^)

John:

Even though I just about tripped over all the people bowing before you
paying homage, I'm really glad I got a chance to meet you.  Your
insight upon how to really develop texture and fabric in a story by
imagining the characters in "normal situations" will really stick to
my ribs.  I intend to keep that arrow in my quiver and knock it often.
 (^.^)

Nick:

Great to have had chance to meet you.  Hope we'll have the chance
again soon to hang out.

Greg:

I really hold those who served our country in high esteem.  This
applies especially to someone low hung enough to not only fly in a
plane of which is said "proof if you strap big enough engines to a
brick it will fly" but also one crammed with so much EW gear that you
couldn't bail out if you'd wanted to.  My respect for your ability
grew a thousandfold as you shared with me the REAL story behind why
you started to write Nabiki New Horizons in the first place.  

Richard:

You are just DA MAN!  In addition to being the almighty pig sticker,
you're probably the main reason why this panel went off so well.  Were
it not for your bringing in the other members of the "Four Musketeers"
it would have been a VERY boring panel.  Thank you so much for all
your helpful suggestions as to content and questions, and for riding
herd on Nick, Greg, Travis and John to make sure they were there. 
(^.^)  I'm lucky that I've got chance to hang out with you here in the
Twin Cities so we can just keep the good thing going.

Travis:

While you weren't orginally on the fictwriter's panel list, I'm
awfully glad I had chance to hang out with you.  I do hope I'll see
you, digital camera, laptop and all at Anime Central in April and at
the next Anime Iowa.  Being able to see those pictures was a real
treat.  (^.^)  Say, tell me where you're keeping them on the net OK? 
Send me a link!


Jeanne:

And you thought you could bail on me so easily. Mwuhahahah!  (^.^) 
Gotcha.  Glad you could make it and hang out with us.  Shall we do it
again at Anime Central 99?

Anna:

Even though I've had chance aplenty to hang out with you in the Twin
Cities, it was still nice to serve with you in an "offical capacity". 
Being able to hang out and write with a truly worthy artisan of the
craft was really a great experience.

One more person I need to thank is Ryan Mathews. He was the one who
coordinated the fictwriter's panel at Anime Central 98, and was a big
help in helping me screen my candidates and figure out just how to
pull it off.  Hats off to you, Ryan.  Let's do this again at Anime
Central 99, shall we?


===

(^.^) .|/

--me

Mark Engels
aka Gonzu











_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com