Anime 2007: the final crunch (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

There are two days left before I leave for Almelo to run Anime 2007 with my friends. Unfortunately there are still a few things that I need to take care of personally (let alone a few dozen things that the staff as a whole still needs to tackle). I will be spending my little remaining time on the following tasks.

* Create the final Dealer Room design, assigning specific tables to dealers.
* Create the final Doujin Lounge design, assigning tables to circles and artists.
* Drive to The Hague to pick up stuff at the Japanese embassy.
* Drive to Rotterdam to pick up consoles and other materials for the Game Room.
* Drive to Harmelen to pick up steel DDR mats.
* Finalise the info system that shows each day's schedule.

Creating the info system was a fun little project insofar that I finally found something to try Apple's Keynote for. I have to admit that it took a little getting used to (especially that Inspector window), but in the end I found the software rather pleasing in its use. Since the hotel's integral TV system accepts DVDs for their info channel I've exported the Keynote presentation to Quicktime clips, which are then used in an iDVD project. The end result looks pretty good :)

Two minor snags that I've run into:
1. When exporting to Quicktime the clip either ends in one additional empty sheet, or in a repeat of the first slide. This depends on whether you've configured the presentation to loop or not. Since I found it a horrible idea to have twenty seconds of blank TV screen every two minutes, I've decided to add the loop which in turn repeats that first slide.

2. When creating a slide show that is to be used on TVs, adjust your slide's canvas size. When working with PAL TV systems, use a 720x576 slide.

EDIT:
How could I forget such tasks as packing our bags, gathering our clothes, my uniform and our toiletry? There's a boatload of crap that needs to come with us and I do believe I'll be dragging along my iBook and an USB key as well.

Posted in: anime 2007 , festival , final crunch , preparations

A very busy schedule (Kilala.nl (Cailin Coilleach)) by Cailin Coilleach

I'm very happy that I have taken three weeks off, starting next Monday. I really wouldn't be able to make all the preparations for the Anime 2007 festival, since I'll be driving around the country in a van to gather a lot of Big Stuff (tm) that needs to go to Almelo.

Up there you'll see my schedule for the next three weeks. Items in blue are activities that I'll be doing for the festival, work, or our relationship. Items in red are sports-related. As you see only the last four days of my holiday are empty, meaning that I can relax and rest up a little by then. Everything else is booked solid...

Well, here I go! *strikes fighting position* Ikuso!

EDIT:
After I left Marli of course took it upon herself to make guests of our household think that I'm a complete loon. She's left literary greats such as "Boobies rule!", "Cat's are great" and "I *heart* Thomas" littered across the board. Knowing that my wife can enjoy herself with such silliness really makes me love her even more :D

Posted in: anime 2007 , anniversary , busy , preparations , schedule