I usually do this on my book blog, SHELF PICKINGS over at Wordpress. But I'm not much into audiobooks (yet) and anything outside the realm of reading, I'd rather put here. Plus, this little nook needs a little traffic. Won't hurt, right?

This week is an audio freebie. I have a couple of audio books in my possession. I was gifted a free copy of A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab on Audible and The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner, narrated by no other than Tom Hiddleston. I also have the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon on audio. My favorites would have to be One Bullet Away, written and narrated by Nathaniel Fick and Generation Kill by Evan Wright. Do I include radio dramas? There was a time when I was obsessed with them.

(I have not abandoned this blog. No way. I just slumped when I got to the 2nd night of KCON. Needless to say, I don't enjoy writing about stuff that I don't actually like. But life goes on.)

First of all, let me extend my belated birthday greetings to: singer/actor Constantine Maroulis, designer Nate Berkus, tennis player Tomas Berdych, singer and voice actor Minako Kotobuki, singer/songwriter Aiza Seguerra, and the Opening Ceremonies of the Seoul Summer Olympics. We all share one special date.

KCON is a tricky thing for me to talk about because I like it and hate it at the same time. This is my 3rd non-consecutive time attending. I like that it's a convention about K-pop, a fandom that is not as big as the comic book types and the otaku. I like that one concert can have five or more acts. I like that it gives fans an opportunity to meet their faves, may it be a K-pop idol, actor, or online personality. I like that this year, they have food trucks.

I... Where do I even begin?

This is the most low-key yet most exciting conventions ever. I've never experienced something like this in my so far short con-going life. I've gone to many events but I was never this excited, overwhelmed, lucky, ~blessed~, and grateful. I'm going to sound like a total weab but holy shiz, guys. EVO is definitely something else.

We waited a year for this weekend. AX2016 passes were bought on the last day of AX2015. And you guessed it, AX2017 passes are already bought and ready.

In my previous post, you will see that I had cosplay plans. Well... er... I only did one of them. Yui Hirasawa from K-On! on day 2. I wanted to do Mayuri from Steins;Gate but we had a late day on Sunday and I wasn't feeling it. Monday, Day 4, I went by myself and stayed at the venue for just 2-3 hours for my final walkthrough. Messing with a long silver wig while wearing a nightie-ish kind of costume... maybe next time. (I know it's possible; we saw a Menma from Anohana on Day 1.)

I've been to two so far this year. Asian-American Expo/Anime Impulse in Pomona, CA and WonderCon 2016 that was held in Los Angeles this year. It goes back to Anaheim in 2017. Sigh. This weekend will be my favorite con, Anime Expo 2016. I waited a year for this. Yes, my brother and I bought tickets for 2016 on the 4th and final day of Anime Expo 2015.

We all need one. With all the stresses of work, adult life, school, and other stuff, a nice change of scenery is a good way of getting away from all of that.

I was due for mine and it couldn't have been timed better.

Ah yes, the obligatory wing shot. This was taken on my flight from ICN to NAIA. I couldn't take any from my LAX to ICN flight because we were seated in the middle rows. Never again. It was more cramped and uncomfortable vs window seats. Sigh. That was a long, miserable flight that I spent either asleep or watching through the whole Star Wars franchise. (I only got through A New Hope before passing out.)