No matter how many conventions I attend, no matter how large they might be or what prodigious guests may attend, Anime Express will always be my very first convention and will always stand as a special place for me.

Listen, was there ever a moment where you just loved life, where you felt absolutely on top of the world?

The Anything Goes Anime club had brought in pizza and was selling them by the slice. One thing about me and conventions is that I usually eat on the run with whatever food I can find in one hand and my camera in the other. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I was still on a high from Select Start's concert, I had a slice of hot pizza in one hand and I was on my way out of Miller Center ready to take more pictures. As I crunched down for my first bite, there was this stunning moment of exultation that actually made me stop in my tracks with awe. I was so very happy with everything; the weather was perfect, I was surrounded by beloved friends and family and I was doing the things that I love to do.

For a minute or two I reveled in the feeling, and then came back to earth and resumed my mission to document this convention.

What a wonderful world it is that has anime and the people who take joy in it!

I know that there may finally reach a point where the attendance at AE will be so large that they will have to move to conventional stage seating. However, it is my fervent hope that day will never come. This year we were still lucky enough to have Cosplay in the Round, just like the very first contest.

Here's the gang as we gather to watch the contest. It looks like this may have been AE's biggest audience yet looking at the number of folks who ended up sitting on the floor.