"A special badge is only a tool. It's the hard heart that kills. If your killer instincts are not clean and strong you will hesitate at the moment of truth. You will not kill. You will become dead staffers. And then you will be in a world of shit. Because staffers are not allowed to die without permission! Do you maggots understand?"
It's not that bad, really it's not. It's just that a con without blood is like a day without sunshine.
I was first approached to work at a convention as a guest co-ordinatior by Mark Mandolia in February of 1998. I was working for Studio Ironcat and Mark had noticed that I had communication, organization, and people skills. He must have noticed more about me, because we were dating at the time, but I digress. He told me to keep an open mind about working as a staff member in the future. I attended Katsucon IV as a guest of Ironcat, not as a staff member.
After I quit my job, the transition for guest to staff was simple. I already knew most of the American guests; many of them were good buddies of mine. Furthermore I had ample time outside of my new job to network over e-mail and phones.
Nekocon put me on the front lines. I took over as senior staff, in charge of ALL guests.I've got some fun Neko-tales.
Since then I have worked as a guest co-ordinator for Katsucon, at-con co-ordinator for Acen and Otakon, and am returning to nekocon for my second year, where I will also be MC of opening and closing ceremonies.