Pos:
+ friendly and polite people (the organisators/staff and the cosplayers/visitors)
+ candy and water that was provided by the cosplay contest crew
+ place where we could leave our bags by using a ticket system – note: only for the participating cosplayers
+ contest crew who assist us without any difficulties
+ location: easy to get there by using the train/underground
+ separate tickets for the audience (cosplay contest)
+ super cool/unique/beautiful cosplays
+ winners of Saturday were correct!
+ quick announcement of the winners
+ the organization of entrance/exit/contest was well organized
+ the big hall which was separate from the con where you could sit, eat and where you could go to the toilet
+ many cosplayers were outside and near the stairs, kind of reminds me of Japantag
+ diversity food as huge: from sandwiches to Chinese to …
+ diversity  of games <> guests <> … was better organized
+ free and clean toilets!

Neg:
- contest started quite late (4:30 p.m.)?
- the convention room was quite small, I suspected that it would be bigger (it looked like FACTS but smaller)
- the row of the “normal entry” tickets was hugs, probably 1-2 hours waiting luckily I had pre-entry  tickets
- I had the feeling that the merchandise of the dealers were not much, I thought it was bigger
- skit and costume was not separated and all had to go on stage, it took longer because of that and it started to get boring at the end
- when I wanted to go outside for the game record we were not allowed to pass the actors. We had to take another “route” but we were with too many. There was a big row trying to get outside and it was quite busy in the hallway that time… *
- not so much to do
- I missed projections of Anime…

Personal Pos:
+ free SC4 fan
+ I have met 5 new people, there soo cool and awesome (catbus etc.)
+ I saw Belgian/Dutch cosplayers back and I had to chance to talk to them a little more
+ The Belgian/Dutch invasion was quite nice.
+ found money!
+ bought 2 manga’s cheaper than usual
+ had pictures with children!

Personal Neg:
- not knowing what the list of the participants were… (what were my final points for the act/costume)
- the jury that was missing first for the pre-judging ( arrived 1-2 later)
- with 1 dealer I never had the chance to see his merchandise (tried 3-4 times!)
- apparently I missed a few awesome/nice cosplays in the crowd
- I was too late to see the Guinness book of records contest… *
- huge crowd with yaioh/free hugs signs and once again the L,Naruto,Ichigo of Bleach and that caramel dance… *sigh*
- some were saying that they received free stuff. I did not, except my SC4 fan, what did I miss and mostly HOW?
- I was only Saturday at the convention

Comments:
Big thank you to Azzy and Lisu!

I will go back but it is sad that it is far an quite expensive (GBP vs. EUR).
Booking Eurostar tickets for 1 day is expensive!
We went a few days to London so that was okay but 150-250 euro for 1 day is just too much. (food/drinks, hotel, eurostar, entrance, underground/train)
So people when you want to go, do like us and combine it with site-seeing in London. Or go at least 2 days to the convention.

BTW the few evening with Francis were fun.

Just a minor update.
I met new cosplayers at MCM London and the link is added to my friends page.

Alicia Keys was ok.
She can sing and also her backing vocals were great.
The show itself started good.
After 30min she announced her band and then it was less good as the first part.
Mainly because songs were stretched: solo’s, chorus was longer and everything.
I had the feeling that they wanted to proof themselves.

I am not saying that you may not or cannot to a solo or a capella but there is a limit to it.
If you so it once or twice that is okay but almost doing it with every song?!
It gets kind of bored and I preferred to have 2-3 extra songs than those solos or a capella’s.

My thoughts/experience of MCM London will be given tomorrow.

BTW I cancelled the Filmfestival at Bruge.
Mainly because:
- I am not feeling well
_ I had no more lift to get home, my bf could not go to Bruge anymore

It is sad because I was looking forward to it but then again my health is more important than cosplay…

Today we are finally going to make my Mary complete.
The fabric arrived (lace and shoes stuff) and I went yesterday to Mechelen to get the final pieces.

Honestly it sucked that I first did not have clear pictures.
Because of that reason my Mary was not completed at FACTS.
The pictures we had were too small difficult to see, that is what you can have when it is an old movie I guess.

Finally I saw the movie 4 times (mainly for the parasol head) to know what details she has.
Afterwards my BF came up with the idea to take some print screens by using a special application. OMG WHY did he not mention that earlier?!
It could have saved me a lot of time and money! >_<”
Anyway having good reference material (pictures) is VERY important.

I already decided in February/March to do another cosplay at Asianim III.
Luckily I ordered the wig and bits and pieces already a while ago.
For this cosplay some little things (zipper, ribbon) were needed that were bought in Mechelen too.

Her hat is on my to do list.
Afterwards I will have to find a volunteer to wear the wig so it can be styled.

I am actually quite excited.
Mainly because I am looking forward to be her and I am wondering if people will recognize this uncommon version…

Yes, I finally received my tickets!!
I always wanted to see her.
Mainly because of her beautiful voice, her lyrics and her “normal attitude”.

People said that she’s live very strong.
When we come back from London, I have this on my list!

Mostly I listen to (hard) rock, (heavy) metal, alternative (apocalyptica, K’s choice) but I do like her too.

Nick cannot come with us so that is one person less.

Dad’s cosplay is almost finished.
It looks good and it is partly and “own/original” design.

If everything goes well, we will start it my 2nd cosplay today.

More and more people are coming to FACTS, yuppie!!
I just hope that we will have a wonderful time.

Some people are getting on our forum and start to talk about the “past”.
To be honnest, I am starting to get a little annoyed. -_-”
Other people who have nothing to do with “that” (like me) are becoming involved, when they like it or not. Because of these postings, it is harsh to say but they are making a fuss and they are making it worser!!
I am sick of this “you are the bad guy”, their kinder garden attitude/scene and everything. >_<”
As long there is no proof that they are not involved, I will guess that the majority will keep their opinion. I agree on the fact that if some people had nothing to do with “it”, just proof it to the other ones so it can finally rest.

Sumomo => completed
Dad’s cosplay => completed (except accessories)
Nick’s cosplay => completed (we are not sure that it will fit him)
Friend’s cosplay => we have everything what is required but it has to be created!
Maemi’s cosplay => we have almost everything, costume has to be created, the prop is almost finished (progress 20%)

I have won a free entrance for FACTS for one day. *joy*
The entrance is for my mom because she is a guest and I think she likes the idea of this little “donation”.

My friend is coming over on Wednesday.
Starting from that day we will practice our sketch/skit.
He delivers the music for our act and to be honest I am a little curious. ^_^

If I have time left today, I would like the create the music for 2 acts.
I am going to Mechelen to get the final stuff for the last cosplay.
In worst case we will go to Antwerp on Saturday.

It seems weird but I am finally getting excited for FACTS.
The feeling started a few days ago!
I believe it is because I am going to meet new people, see my friends again, show my new costume!
The ‘allo allo’ people are so interesting but I prefer to signed drawings of Eric and Romano.

I calculated the entrance for 2 days: 37 EURO (mom, dad, myself, a friend 1 day and nick 1 one day)! Otherwise it would be 60 euro’s! God, that is soo much!!
Let us hope that we will have more room and space this year!

Some people give me the feeling that they really want to win this year.
To be honest, if I win or not, I do not care because I just want to amuse myself.

Of course everyone likes to receive a little acknowledgment from the jury regarding their cosplay and act, even I.
But I prefer the visitors/cosplayers remarks and photos more than winning a price. If I would not win, I would not feel sad.
On the contrary my friends probably won so I am glad for them!

They asked my Lara and Jack but Jack cannot go.
Anyway it is fun that I can be her again.
Sometimes it is sad that they only ask her all the time.
I do have better cosplays (quality costume) and more impressive ones than that… :s