2008, The Year When....

Robots will enslave the earth.





















As far as entertainment is concerned, 2008 will no doubt be a penultimate year where some fantastic movies (The Dark Knight, Wall E) and videogames (Metal Gear Solid 4, Super Smash Bros Brawl, and hopefully Final Fantasy XIII) will debut.

As for me, the one thing in 2007 I am most thankful for is the wonderful job oppurtunity I was given in August, where I currently work in a proffesional and beneficial environment. The latter has helped me in enjoying the finer things in life through monthly splurges, which you can see in my previous postings concerning the aquisition of an Xbox 360 and its most pristine available titles.

Getting this job was a major step for me, and I hope to make several more notable steps starting next year. One of my biggest goals is to break through the barriers of fear and rejection and just start writing whatever the hell comes to mind. Whether it's a short story, a feature-lengthed novel, or even fanfiction, I'm going to go forth with my dream regardless of the harsh criticism I may endure. As long as one or two people praise what I have achieved, then it will be well worth it.

One thing that's bound to carry over into the new year is my obsession with updating technology. It seems I'll never be satisfied with what I have, as I have plans to upgrade my computer with several new (and pricey) components, as well as tinker with a few programs to make my internet life more comfortable. Micromanaging my files is a lot easier than cleaning up my room, that's for certain.

But I'll make sure to get around that as well.

In addition to storytelling, I hope to start uploading videos, photos, more commentary (written and possibly vocal as well), and whatever else to make myself heard in the digital world.

Again, it's easier than real life. But I won't be forgetting about that either.

I had a good year, and I hope the same can be said for all of you reading this. I hope to look back at this page twelve months from now with approval that I only made the year 2008 even better.

The Swag

Today I overslept, with less than thirty minutes before my work shift. I took a single minute laying in my bed, deciding whether to

A) Make a mad dash downstairs, pack my dinner, run to my car and push 100 all the way to the interstate.

B) Use my remaining sick time to take the day off, since it will automatically refresh next week.

I chose the latter, and did not regret it. Made a trip to Best Buy, fixed up my room, packed up my gifts, and learned that Comcast now supplies a cable box that supports HDMI (word to the wise: component is an obsolete output. and no, that isn't a dig on the Wii).

Speaking of gifts, let me take the time to show you what I got this year.















Praise Santa. This was all I needed to have a happy holiday. The order was placed toward Amazon, despite messages that they were out of stock. It literally shipped the day before Christmas. Apparently, Jacob does love me.

If you don't know what that means, you need to start watching this show.















Coffee!















With assorted flavors!















They should have had a camera handy, because I'm certain the look I was giving upon receiving this was priceless. At first I thought that this toolbox was a prank, with the real gift being inside.















Well I can't say I wasn't surprised. I was never big on tools or construction, and more of an electronics kind of guy. I began to suspect if perhaps my Dad was echoing Homer in purchasing a gift as a clever ruse to enjoy it himself. But after some later thought, it turned out that a toolset was something that was both useful and essential for me, much like Bart's little birthday revelation.















Screwdrivers were also included.















And to conclude "Father knows Best", he also got me this push-up set, which features a tutorial DVD. I'm very much looking forward to this, hoping that the set's claims of growing tremendously strong in short increments per day will yield quick results.

















Oh, and....he also got me this Hooters 2008 calender. I'm not one to shy away from free eye candy, but to receive this from my father isn't just awkward, it's also annoying ("Woo, son. Look at those titties.").















Grandma stopped over shortly, offering a large amount of clothes, the swankiest being these pair of cargo pants.















She also included this rather pricey electric razor. My last attempt with trying an electric razor did not yield sufficient results, but the first test drive with this gizmo left a moderately smooth shave around my cheeks, but not so much under my chin. The manual says it takes about three weeks for my skin to grow used to the razor, so hopefully I can get a smooth cut without shelling out for spare blades and shaving cream.















A movie giftcard from my aunt. Only problem is that my local theater is a Muvico, not AMC. It could take a while before I deplete this card completely.















Ah, good old Uncle Ben. Always a pleasure to see you.

Ben and I went out to Best Buy on my day off today, where I made off with the following two games.















Unreal Tournament III: I haven't immersed myself in this online frag-fest just yet, but so far the atmosphere feels like a cross between Gears of War and Mortal Kombat. The dialog is even more sophomoric than the aforementioned game, if you can believe that.















Silent Hill Origins: I had my doubts, but many longtime fans have sworn that this game is just as terrifying as its large-screen predecessors. I'm going to give this a spin right after this entry, immersed in darkness and with a pair of headphones.

Hope everyone else had a good haul this year. See you the day before year's end.

Merry Something Something

Christmas is tommorow?

You wouldn't know it, living in Florida. It's pathetically hot outside for this time of year, with tommorow promising a "cooling off" with random daily showers. I'm also working right now, although I'm thankful for the lack of customer calls. I guess most people are sensible enough to stay at home with their loved ones, instead of calling me up and declare me a cocksucker for not having Hannah Montanna tickets for sale.

Usually the hours leading up to the end of Christmas Eve leave me excited for the following day, but I'm not feeling it much this year. I already bought most of the things I wanted this year, although I will be content enough if my request for Lost Season 3 on Blu Ray comes to fruition.

I was half-hoping to have my Sea of Sorrow story finished up as a Christmas present to my readers, but laziness and reality prevented that idea from happening. In regards to the latter, I would be surprised if anyone was actually reading this post right now.

But for anyone who does stumble upon my little blooming blog, allow me to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kwazy Kwanzaa, a Tip-Top Tet, and a solemn and dignified Ramadan.

International Posterotica

Taken from Aintitcool, here are two absolutely beautiful international posters from Batman: The Dark Knight.

The more images and promotional material released, the less likely this film will be anything less but an absolute triumph, a technical blessing where both the noir genre and the comic book adaption genre will benefit from the radiance of its pale moonlight.

There is no doubt this movie will be amazing. Why so serious?

SOS: The 2nd Preview

Here's another sneak peek of my story in progress. This will be the last preview until I finish the story.



Sea of Sorrow: Chapter 2 Preview

I never noticed how quiet it is until now. I haven't heard a single noise since I've been here. Not the splashing of the waves or the wind blowing in the air.

Then again, my ears as clogged with so much water, it's a wonder I can hear anything at all. I also haven't felt any fish bump into me, or seen a single bird soaring in the sky. Shouldn't there at least be a few birds flying around?

You're all alone.

That's nothing new. I've always been alone. At school whenever we had outside recess, I was always by myself. All the other kids would hang out with their own clique while I would sit under a tree in the corner. Not a single person would talk to me. They probably never even knew I existed.

A few people did try approaching you...

And I turned them all away. I didn't want to waste my time.

Is that why you never opened up to anyone?

I didn't open up to anyone because I didn't want to get hurt.

The closer you get to someone, the closer you come to hurting one another.

I know what that pain feels like. I'd rather live alone than ever feel that pain again.

You're not the only one who's afraid of being hurt.

Then what's the point of making friends?

Because life is meant for people to take risks. Even if you must experience pain a hundred times over, that one moment of happiness is worth the anguish.

That doesn't add up.

Your fear of being hurt only shows what a coward you are.

Shut up.

Your secluded lifestyle outlines your fear of life.

Well, it's not like I didn't have a good reason. I've been picked on and laughed at almost my whole life. Why should I open up to anyone?

The ones who laugh at you are cowards themselves. They use cruelty to hide their fear, and use force to gain respect. You're not that different from them.

Shut up.

Actually, you're worse. At least they're trying to exist. You just hide yourself from the entire world. It's as if you're already dead.

I said shut up!

The pain you're feeling now is far worse than the sting of rejection. Now you will experience what it feels like to die alone.

Shut up! That's enough! There's no way I'm going to die out here! Why am I even arguing with you? You're just a voice in my head!

It's the only voice you'll hear besides your own.

I don't need you! You scold me on what I did or didn't do like today was my last day. But I'm not going to die here. Feeling depressed will only distract me from reaching land.

Is that why you're not even thinking about your parents?

Why aren't there any birds? If there were birds, then that would mean I would be close to land, right?

Go ahead and ignore me then. It's a big ocean, little fish.

Christmas Comes Early

If by early, you mean "Summer 2008".



Batman.

Anime.

Bruce Timm.

Oh My.

Misa-Misa's Supercon of Power Rangers, Test Pilots and Hugs

This weekend, my sister and I attended the South Florida Anime Supercon, our fourth convention together. Naturally we were perfectly adjusted to the crowd of fans and freaks frollicking around in costumes of their favorite characters (or in the case of people like Man Faye, irony for irony's sake. And no, he wasn't there, God be praised) along with the treasure trove of merchandise that hungers for our meager savings.

The difference in this particular event, however, is that my sister finally mustered up the insanity....er, courage, to dress up for the event. After months of pondering and practice, she settled with cosplaying as Death Note's Misa Amane. I tried to warn her about the potential stalkers or freaks that might take photos of her and would later post online for unspeakable reasons, but she seemed almost entranced by the attention.

As for whether or not she managed to complete the illusion, I'll let you decide for yourselves.





Pretty well, from my point of view. The wig was a bit obvious and thick, but otherwise she captured the character rather well. The question though was whether fellow cosplayers would immediately recognize her.





"It's Misa Misa!" exclaims the first person to greet us outside. Similar costumed fans (including this L cosplayer tempting fate as he gropes my sister while I have to manage her camera) approached her, two actually asking if they could give her hugs.

I really don't get why some of these people want to give and receive hugs. Actually, it's best if I never find out.



Final Fantasy VII is still, to this day, the preferred repository to which costumed fanboys and fangirls draw inspiration from. These four people came in seperately, but all joined in for the photo when they caught wind of my first target.



The FFVII love didn't stop there, though.





Anyone see the Steven Segall sketches on Mad TV? The guy on the left is either that guy, a fat Tseng, or Steven Segall dressed like Tseng. The latter would have been a perfect combination if he spoke with the Segall accent and snapped necks wherever he went.



Yes, that Cid is holding an umbrella. Somehow he thought wrapping it in tin foil would shield this budget choice in costuming.



Here we have Aerith and....Link. I just wanted a picture of Aerith, but Keebler insisted on being included.



Yuna was a highly popular costume choice in the first convention I ever attended, but her popularity seems to have died down over time.



Meanwhile, Yuffie Cosplayers seem to be picking up in momentum.





Despite the continued popularity and devotion of FFVII, the Kingdom Hearts cosplayers almost overwhelmed the convention with their sheer numbers. Of course, originality doesn't play quite a factor here, as the Organization XIII outfit can be easily purchased on Ebay and/or other online costume vendors, so I only took pictures of anything besides them.







As for the rest...



The Katamari crew drew a big crowd, but I believe Katamari cosplaying grew out of style about a year ago. It's been done.





He....Still....Functions!

Too bad he immediately removed his helmet afterwards, sweating heavily. He ran one of the vendors, which would have made for some additional amusing photos. Regardless, the first picture should be a hit on 4chan.





Wii Girl. Yes, she's wearing the remote and nunchuck on her head. To quote an online exchange with a friend...

"What a waste. That's like $50 on her head."

"Dude, it's not like she can't take them off and play with them afterwards."

I wonder if the same could be said for Ms. Croft here.



My sister insisted that it would be very mean to post this person online just for the humiliation. I insist that she most likely wanted the attention dressed like that.



This Orochimaru was pretty freaky in person. He must have been at least seven feet tall, and had the enlonged tongue to boot.



Sanin Showdown.



"What costume?"

This guy had ruby red eyes. Contacts? A soul binding contract with Satan? Who knows.



At first I thought I was taking a picture of a zombie schoolgirl of some sort. Several hours later, it finally dawned on me that she was cosplaying Saya, from Blood+.



Gundam Box. It was funny the first time, not so much the second or third time.



I'm very tempted to make an inappropriate joke here, but I'll leave this poor guy to the 4chan jackals.



Same idea. These girls might actually be underage, so I'll spare myself the restraining orders and move on.



Here we have a sort of conflict. On the one hand, he has a very cool and detailed costume. On the other hand, there are hundreds of Samurai characters in Japanese fiction, so it will be impossible to guess which one he's supposed to be. Too bad.



This is an even more obvious budget outfit than Cid's tin foil umbrella. Your eyes do not deceive you, these two are indeed wearing body paint. It's not like black spandex is hard to acquire these days. Maybe these two just have a fetish going on, although it would be normal compared to some other cosplayers.



If it's any consolation, the Haku pictured is cosplayed by a girl.

That doesn't make this any less disturbing, however.



There were probably even more Bleach cosplayers than Kingdom Hearts. It was impossible to get all of them, but these two were the most amusing of the bunch.



I recorded a good 45 seconds of this little dance number. Expect the video to go up on Youtube once I figure out how to do that.



Our primary motivation for attending these conventions is always the sheer amount of merchandise available, which is always far cheaper than online vendors. As usual there was quite a number of things to choose from.



....moving on.



There was a small booth of fan-made sculpts and figures that were pretty well done.





The Mega Man figures were even better sculpted than the official ones made by Capcom. Unfortunately, none of them were for sale, and were instead shown off by an amatuer 3D artist in training. He has a signature sheet were people can fill in requests, but what's the point if you can't actually purchase the toy?

This event was particularly noticible for us, as we mustered up the courage to converse with a couple of the guests attending the event. Normally I shy away from such encounters for fear of geeking out, but both conversations went very well.



First up was Tiffany Grant, voice actor for Evangelion's Asuka. Miss Grant was very polite to talk to, as I briefly inquired about how she received her job as a voice actor. Turns out she was attending a drama school a few years back when she was approached by AD Vision's director Matt Greenfield, who asked her to audition for a job. She didn't even speak any lines; A brief conversation and she was hired immediately. It felt weird hearing Asuka's voice coming from this person, especially considering how short she was (but then again I'm a giant, so don't consider that a criticicm). As an amusing thought, I recalled a magazine review from GameFan just before the release of her debut episode, in how she was criticed for having an awful voice and terrible Germanisms, but how I thought differently once I actually heard her in action. She grimaced for a bit then laughed afterwards.



The real highlight of the day, however, was meeting up with former Power Rangers Rocky (Red, then Blue) and Ashley (Yellow). Power Rangers was very dear to my heart when I was younger (and it still is, as far as nostalgia goes), so it was pretty weird seeing these two childhood actors again, years older (and in Ashley's case, chunkier; I couldn't say anything to her since that thought kept leering in my head).

I basically just said whatever came to mind. I told "Rocky" how I preferred him over Jason (he was more fun, while Jason was a bit of a jock), and how he broke my heart once he broke his back (in the story). I stopped watching once they replaced him with that stupid kid. He was a real nice guy, we shook hands, and that was that. I would have gotten an autograph too, but it wasn't free.

As for what I purchased this event, I made off with a smaller haul than usual, due in part to one vendor that was selling some slightly used games I was interested in; Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles was a mere $30 despite being released a week prior, and I also made off with Metal Gear Portable Ops ($25) and Portable Ops + ($15). Afterwards came the decision of acquiring one of the new FFVII PlayArts figures: Kadaj, Yuffie, or Reno. After about three hours of pondering, I decided "chicks before dicks." My sister is a big Yuffie fan, but she wasn't impressed by the quality of the figure.

Instead she made off with a spiffy looking Unit-02, a small Cammy figurine, and an even smaller Orihime figurine. We probably would have spent a little more, but the $20 admission fee sought to that. I did, however, manage to haggle a few bucks off a beautiful minituare PlayArts Shera/Sierra model airship. I just need to pick a good spot in my room for it.

Not sure when the next event will occur, but you can rest assured we'll attend it. My sister plans to use the Misa outfit a couple more times, and might consider dressing as Yuffie afterwards.