New York Anime Festival/ New York Comicon: An Amazing Experience For All Fans of Anime, Comics, Graphic Novels, and Cosplay

WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK COMICON AND NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL 2010!

For the first time ever, the New York Anime Festival and New York Comicon held a combined event at the Javits Center in New York City.

It turned out to be a brilliant move! The 2nd day of the annual three day event was completely sold out with online ticket holders lined up from the main level to the lower level and around the block; no easy feat to do considering the massive size of the 675,000 square feet convention center. However, the wait would be well worth it to enjoy the vendors, comic publishers, artists, celebrities, performers, and fans that filled the Javits Center to brimming.

Cosplay is big at Comicon! (No, this is NOT me!)

Even before you enter the various halls containing the exhibitions, panel rooms, main floor attractions, and "Artist's Alley", you get a taste of the excitement as fans rush around and photograph other fans dressed up as their favorite anime and comics characters. This is called cosplay, and it is huge at the comic and anime conventions. And the New York Comicon is perfectly timed at the beginning of October for those young-at-heart Trick-or-Treaters who pick up or construct their costumes early to come dressed up for the day.

Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by representatives of past, present, and future classics from the world of comics, anime, video games, and sci-fi, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, Pokemon, Naruto, Trigun, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and Avatar: the Last Airbender (No, not James Cameron's Pocahontas rip-off!).

This is one of the greatest things about comic and anime conventions; fans get to see or get to bring their favorite fictional characters to life and share their passion with thousands of others who understand their passion.

For the first time in all my years of attending comic conventions (mostly before I graduated college, went to medical school, and started a family), I spent more time in the panel discussion rooms than on the main floor buying comics or waiting to get my comics signed by my favorite artists. Having weened off of my comic book habit that started early on in life, I returned to this comic convention with a new perspective on comic collectors, otakus (anime fans), trekkies (star trek fans), cosplay (dressing up as comic or anime character), and comic fandom, in general.

DR. KATIE MONNIN

Comics have emerged from their parents' basement and become a mainstream literary form. Graphic novels are now a part of some middle school, high school, and college curricula. During the panel called "Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom", Dr. Katie Monnin gave a humorous and empassioned talk about how teachers can properly use graphic novels to help their students learn English and language arts concepts and how teachers should teach graphic novels as a literary form.

Comics now rule the mainstream media with TV shows like Heroes and Smallville returning for several seasons due to strong viewership and with movies like Spider-man, Iron Man, and The Dark Knight dominating the box office. Most recently, a little movie called Scott Pilgrim vs. the World continued the mainstream dominance of comic inspired movies and, again, pushed the cinematic effects to new heights of innovativation. A panel called "The History of Superhero Movies- Past, Present, and Future" examined the evolution. There is no doubt that these days, "Comics Rule!"

COMIC AND ANIME FANS ARE PASSIONATE AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE!

The main floor and Artist's Alley were no less crowded, ...and no less fun! It was more of a struggle than I have ever remembered to get around to all the exhibitors, vendors, artists, and celebs because of the huge crowd that attended. However, despite this fact, there was never any pushing and shoving nor other examples of rude behavior. Costumed fans are really cool about having their photo taken if you politely ask them! It was just a large group of great people united by a common passion for comics and anime.

I did not spend much time on the main floor or Artist's Alley, however, I did end up buying one graphic novel and getting it signed by my favorite husband and wife team of comic book cover artists today, Terry and Rachel Dodson. They were fantastic to meet and talk to, and they were incredibly humble given the fame that their talent has garnered them in the world of comics. I hope they continue to share the gift of their artwork with the world for as long as their love and passion for it is strong. For examples of Terry and Rachel's incredible artwork, check out The Bombshellter Website and Blog!

As the New York Comicon's Spotlight Guest of Honor, Stan Lee, would say, Excelsior! Our experience at the New York Comicon was "Fan"-tastic, and we are making plans for next year! For an amazing time, support and attend a comicon in your area!

New York Anime Festival
www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en/NYAF/

New York Comicon
www.newyorkcomiccon.com

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
New York, 10001
(212) 216-2000

Mountain Creek Riding Stables: Enjoyable Equestrian Fun For Inexperienced Riders

Howdy, Pardner!

Ever dream of being a cowboy? Well, here is your chance to try out riding into action or riding off into the sunset!

MOUNTAIN CREEK RIDING STABLES, POCONOS, PENNSYLVANIA

Mountain Creek Riding Stables in Cresco, Pennsylvania runs a fantastic hour long riding tour mainly geared toward casual and inexperienced riders. As an inexperienced rider that managed to draw one of the more rambunctious horses in the bunch, I can say that this tour is very manageable for the first-time rider.

The experience begins with getting you onto your steed (not difficult at all with the help of the friendly and capable staff and the assistance of a step stool that they have everyone use). After you are up, they ask you if you have any riding experience (now that you can no longer change your mind...), and if you are a first-time rider like myself, they give you a short tutorial about how to get your horse to go, stop, go left, and go right. Then it is off you go!

You take to the trail in single file, and begin the trail by crossing a flowing creek. The hour ride is filled with an enjoyable time of bantering with your family and friends during the leisurely ride, mostly making fun of each other's horse and how they may or may not live up to their respective names. My daughter, 9 years old (and smarter than the rest of the world, by her measure) pointed out how my wife's horse, Turbo, was actually Turbo-Eating Machine, and how my horse, Flash, should be redesignated Slow-poke.

The horses are pretty good about doing the follow-the-leader thing and staying in line, however, occasionally, the horses will stray in order to get a tasty bit of greenery from the side of the trail. And if you are not willing to take control of your horse right away, he may even pursue the tasty-looking bit of greenery well off the trail! There is no track here; you are in control.

I found the experience to be a great first experience horseback riding because the horses are very tame, yet you will have a chance to learn quite a bit about riding in the short period of the tour. Mountain Creek Riding Stables also provides you with a really comfortable environment and an overall great experience.

The most valuable bit of advice that the guide shared with me was to make sure to stand up when the horse goes into a trot. Wise words considering I was able to sit without any pain the rest of the day!

Mountain Creek Riding Stables
GPS Coordinates: N 41 degrees 7.645, W 75 degrees 18.529
or 3 miles east of Mount Pocono on Rte 940
(570) 839-8725 for reservations