For my first Anime Boston, it wasn't so bad. However, a lot of what could have gone wrong did.
 

Friday was the worst. Although I tried on my cosplay boots plenty of times prior to then, somehow this time they decided to become 2 sizes smaller. It hurt with every step. =( By mid-day, I was dying. However, I did manage to find several of the other Final Fantasy cosplayers that I met on the forums. They all seem like pretty cool people, and I look forward to seeing them again at future conventions.
Check-in time at our group's hotel was at 4PM. We arrived around noon to the convention center. At 4, I was eating in the mall food court, and thus I did not get my room key at that time. By about 9PM, I realized that I hadn't seen my group all day. My feet were still killing me. I waited on each floor of the convention center for my group to walk by. Each time I hung out with a different set of people, and borrowed a cell phone twice (I found out later that the number I dialed was wrong). Finally, at about 10-10:30PM, I decided to take the T back to the hotel where we were staying. [Also note that our hotel was not in Boston, but rather in a suburb.] I walked through the mall, got some vague directions to the train station and was off. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember the stop for our hotel and ended up walking 3 extra blocks to get there. The front counter staff would not give out the room number to me (damn you, security!), and nobody would answer the room phone, so I had to wait in the lobby for one of the group to show up. During that time I was hit on twice. The first guy was getting drunk and invited me to his room (of course I refused). The second guy thought my cosplay was stylish and trendy. At least he was honest. Lucky for me, partway through that conversation I saw someone I recognized, and got into the room. I could do no more that day. I changed into pyjamas and called it a night.

Saturday was a little better. I could find my way around easier. I met up with some of the other FF cosplayers over the course of the day (including a girl dressed as Zidane!). None of us stayed together for too long, however. I wanted to go to the second Final Fantasy photoshoot, but because of the Masquerade, the time of that was pushed back. Standing in the Masquerade line was hell. Sleeping did nothing to heal the blisters on my feet. Once those boots were back on, all of the pain immediately returned. I must have been in line for 2 hours.
A guy who had cosplayed Kuja earlier (I missed it!) came by and said he saw another Garnet with a Zidane ealier, and that they looked good together, complimented each other well. And then he left. And then I got jealous. It hurt me that another cosplayer was getting more attention. Because from that point forward, nobody asked for my photograph anymore. From what I have seen of her, she was wearing the same Garnet outfit that you can buy on ebay. My cosplay is something that I am very proud of -- I spent over 7 years working on it! I guess this is just jealousy on an artistic level. Anyway, I let his comment get to me. Bad Daggie.
The Masquerade was alright -- although lacking in the number of cosplays I expected. Afterwards, I was set to meet back up with the Zidane girl I met earlier when I ran into a couple people from my group. They were heading back to the room. I figured that since it was starting to get late anyways, and I might not have the chance later - that I should follow them. Well, the T takes way longer to get back and forth than I thought. By the time I got back to the convention center, 2 hours had gone by since the Masquerade got out. That means I ditched the Zidane girl and the Final Fantasy photoshoot. I am very sorry if anyone who was there happens to see this! I didn't mean it! ;_;
On Sunday, I stayed close to my group the whole time. I didn't get to see very many of those new friends I met during the convention. I hope that I can see them again someday.

I heard Connecticon is much better. Not as big as the 15k people who showed up at AB. If I don't like that, then small conventions might need to become my limit.
I might go to Connecticon with a friend. Only if I can meet up with him before the con somewhere, find a phone and afford registration. We shall see. =)

I am definitely going to Another Anime Con. Ideally, I will have an Artist's Alley table, too. I'll be fixing my cosplay to show Dagger off there as well. It will fit their theme of "Epic Quest" this year -- another added bonus.
Serious re-working of my cosplay:
--> add/fix the accessories I mentioned in my earlier post.
--> fix the boots. Right now, they are not meant for that (or any) amount of walking. When I make the boot covering, I am going to have to cut the bottoms off my current red boots. the new covering and the top of these current boots will have to go on another pair a size or two bigger than my feet are now. This will make the boots' casualty count thus far to 3.
--> reinforce more of the stitching in my orange jumpsuit. Without fail, part of it comes unstitched at every convention.
--> soak everything in a detergent/water solution and hand-wash. I'm picky about stains. =P

But enough about my paranoia. Onto the loot!

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THE VENDOR ROOM SWAG:

Final Fantasy IX Coca-Cola Promo Mini-figures

Zidane, Garnet and Vivi.
I also purchased Freya (the clear red version) for my sister, Rachel. I was so suprised to see those for sale. Even on e-bay, sometimes these can be hard to find.
Garnet is the only problem figure of the three here. Her paint started chipping immediately. I had to wrap her in some fabric, but even then she started to bend and stick.

Dissidia - Final Fantasy Trading Arts Figure: Zidane Tribal

This made my entire weekend - all of the bad things that happened up until Sunday afternoon - totally worth it.
On Saturday, a one of the girl vendors recognized my cosplay and freaked out. (It's great to see FF9 fans! See? We ARE out there!) So I told her I wanted Zidane. But she was only selling the blind-box Dissidia figures (meaning you don't know which one you might end up getting). BUT she also said I had a very good chance because she had sold 4 Zidanes earlier that day. Still, I was unsure. Sunday, I went back. The same vendor-girl then promised me that if she saw anyone that didn't want their Zidane figure, she would send them my way. I continued to wander. Another stand on a different side of the Vendor's Room had a Warrior of Light on display. I asked that vendor, "Do you have any other Dissidia figures?", thinking that what they were showing was the entire stock. Luckily, the second vendor was like "I had a Tidus--no, a Zidane...". No other words were required. "SOLD!", I told her. Thankfully, this Zidane only cost me $15. (The blind-boxes were $13.50 before tax and yet another vendor was selling the same set for $30 each. I did good.)