Unlike last year, this year's convention had to share convention space with three other conventions in the same complax. The The Probe College Fair (Friday), the Southeast Fabric Notions and Crafts Association (Friday & Saturday), and a Christian Conference (Sunday). Some people got confused and almost signed-up for these cons instead of AWA. However, the look on these peoples faces when they see some guy dressed as devilman is halarious. This was also to be the last year AWA would be at the Sheraton and Convention Center; because in February, the building (built in the early '90s) was to be torn down to make way for another runway for Hartsfield International Airport. That is why some of the problems people expereinced in the Hotel happened, because the staff just don't give a damn anymore. I think even when I got my hotel room, the hotel staff wondered if I brought my own sledgehammer or if I wanted to rent one for two bucks.

This year's convention had several big events, first and foremost was the Final Fantasy Ball. The deal was that they would hold a formal ball, presented by characters from all the Final Fantasy Series. This became the big even for Friday Night, with long lines wanting to see it or be part of it, it took'em two hours before they got a bigger room to hold it in. However, I personally didn't go, with a five dollar cover charge, I wasn't going to waiste my time to see more cosplayers in Final Fantasy attire (there was plenty just outside as were in it). Later, some of my friends told me that the ball reminded them of a bad middle school dance.

Other big events included the Dance Dance Revoluation Experiment, where several top anime music video makers join forces to animate a DDR soundtrack. Chobits was also a very big draw, showing twice in the video rooms because of overcrowding. And lastly, the Costume Fashion Show was also a big draw, but not as fun as cosplay.

As for my expereince, the fun began early for me because of car troubles. So on Saturday, I left the convention for a little while to SEARS and got my vieacle fixed. Other than that, I stayed in Room #914 in the Sheraton, roamed around the convention floor and dealer's room taking pictures of cosplayers; and late Saturday night, hosted a Tenchi ML sponsored showing of Tenchi Muyo! GXP in my hotel room (had thirteen show-up for it). I also brought my computer along to burn anime for friends and stuff, but in the end I didn't because they never came to my room (sad too, I had all 26 episodes of Chobits and other goodies).

A lot of the more interesting sights happen late at night during the convention. The Drunkin' Posse, headed by the con staff, were traveling around the hotel floors looking for parties to go too. Another was the Yaoi/Hentai room, which was the only video room active after 2am, the things that were shown in there should never be repeated anywhere else. Last was the Con Slut, who allowed any horny teen to feel her up, suck her breasts, and do whatever else in front of like thirty people. She eventually left with a guy in search for a restroom (I believe her name was Jan, say hi to her when you see her).