I wonder if there is a cel collector's gathering for
Akon... Although I can't see myself taking the plane with
my cel book under one arm and my laptop under the other.

As for cosplay...

I love it. I'm also one of those shameless people who don't 
mind walking down the street in costume on my way to a 
get-together. 
I have also been known to scare children. *lol* I mean, 
who knew kids were afraid of Zoisite!  

And it can get expensive.

My Zoisite costume was not too bad (I made it myself) if you 
don't take into account the leather boots (which I wear
on other occasions anyway) but I am working on a costume
of Rosiel from Angel Sanctuary and this one will cost me a 
pretty penny. Luckily, I _like_ to wear leather so the 
costume will also double as club-hopping clothes. But the
wings... those are pretty useless outside of cosplay. :P

My only tip: watch a lot of anime and choose a character
that looks like an animated version of you.
Half the costume is how authentic YOU look in it.

Zoi