events
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label events. Show all posts

28

(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.

SEPTEMBER 17.

I am one of those people who make a big deal ON my birthday. That is my one day that is for me. Not catering to what other people want of and from me. It's my day. I will spend as much as I want, eat what I desire, do what ever that comes into mind. This past weekend was pretty awesome on my scale.

Having said that, I'm not big into actually celebrating my birthday. I rather have it low key... actually alone sometimes. I'm not a party person. I have "celebrated" my birthday with friends in the past but it's not a yearly thing. But hey, if they're okay going with me to conventions, why not.


Which brings me to this year's ~celebration. I spent my birthday at my first Long Beach Comic Con. This event wasn't even on my radar until I saw the guest list. One of my favorite voice actors, TROY BAKER, was going to be there. I thought, hey... it's gonna fall on my birthday and what a way to treat myself. 

I went there to meet Troy Baker and walked away with a few lovely things to commemorate my LBCC2016 experience. It's definitely smaller than what I'm used to but it was still fun. But yeah, I'm still reeling that I met Kanji Tatsu- I mean, Troy Baker lol. 

Hehe, yeah. Short girl problems. Funny, I'm actually writing an article about how I love being short and how it is "uncool" to do ... erm... that above. But in my heart of hearts... I make an exception. XD He's 6'3". I am... not. Oh well. 

 I originally wanted him to sign Kanji Tatsumi's arcana but we couldn't find it at home. Instead, my brother found his Catherine game. He voices the main character, Vincent Brooks. As usual, I wanted him to sign with his favorite line from the game. He said it was the long "Aaaaahhhhh...." Vincent says. LOL. And then he asked me which one I was, Katherine or Catherine. Well, I gotta keep it real and stick with the C, right? XD I told him it was my birthday so he added that on my autograph too.

He's so cool. I'm still over the moon about meeting him! I only get this way with fighting game players and voice actors. The Hollywood types, I can handle. 

 And oh, I bought a wand! My cheapo wand broke. Guys, when they say "The wand chooses the wizard," believe it. Central Curios has a lot of wands on display but I kept coming back to one. This dainty, almost unassuming thing of beauty. It's one-of-a-kind.

He also said something about the Cherry wood being strong or something about guidance... well, my mother's name is Cherry so I guess that's right on the money. I love the design on the handle; it's simple and oh boy, the smell of wood! I actually want another one so I might check out NerdBot Con next week. After all, I live five minutes away from the venue. Listen to the wandmaker talk about it here: Nerd with an Opinion. 

 I also found the most adorable plushie of Fullmetal Alchemist characters. I just couldn't pass it up. 

The store is called Wee Bit O' Freak. I first saw this Alex Louis Armstrong and to my surprise, she has the whole gang there. Yes, even Heymans Breda. I wanted them all. And I can tell them apart from each other which is so important to me. I can't even do that for some Funkos! She said she doesn't have Maria Ross and Denny Brosh yet. I wonder if she does other cons. I want to get my girl Hawkeye!

 It was a small-ish con, not really my fandom but dang, it was still so much fun. Artist Alley is still the place to be. Pass by multiple times because you'll never know. You may miss that one piece of art on your first pass. We certainly did. It wasn't a huge haul but we still loved it.

 Let's see who they have for next year~ 

 Here's to a wonderful 28th year of existence!
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KCON LA 2016, Days 1 & 2

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.



But that's about it. Everything else, I either don't care for or dislike completely. I'm the simplest of K-pop fans. I stan 2-3 groups, passively listen to everything else, and only go to YG Entertainment (and Block B) concerts. So half the things at these kinds of events seem irrelevant to me. But I view it as discovering new things. And in that respect, KCON has not disappointed me. I've started listening to new or new-to-me groups as well as incredible indie artists that they've invited. Although there are some things that I dislike about this convention, I always end up enjoying myself. That, 우리 친구들, is reason enough for me to go every year.
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My First EVO - The View From Behind the Players' Seats

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.

My only other experience with something like this is the Capcom Pro Tour Finals 2015 in San Francisco. We decided to go to that on a whim and oh boy, nothing prepared me for that. I thought that was enough "preparation" for a future EVO experience. Well... yes and no. I expected epic gameplay, witnessing great moments, and having a ton of fun. It was all that times a million.

I was so impressed by the fighting game community, not only with the "regular" people playing but also with the pros. They were so nice, unassuming, humble. Hey, they're people too. We, including myself at times, seem to forget that. Especially when you're sort of new in the "fandom". I fell off that when I was in high school because PS3 came out and we couldn't afford one at that time. Now we have one and then there's Twitch, Youtube, social media, online shopping, and two Madcatz fight sticks... bring it on! My brother is such an influence and an enabler. And I'm thankful for it. He had me watching a random tournament about two years ago on stream and since then, I'm hooked. The FGC has been one of the best - if not THE BEST - communities that I joined and it's been so amazing.
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Let's Talk About Conventions

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.

And guess what... I'M COSPLAYING! Here's my lineup for this year:


I already went as Shiina Mayuri of Steins;Gate at last year's Comikaze Expo 2015. I originally planned to go as Mio Akiyama of K-On dressed in yukata but I decided to go as Yui Hirasawa instead. I'm going in their summer uniform sans the giita. I do have a Japanese school bag though. And for the final costume, I went back and forth between Menma of Anohana and Taiga of Toradora. In the end, I factored in how hot it's going to be and went for the simple white... nightie. That's pretty much what that dress is like. Taiga will have her turn. Probably at a convention later in the year.

Aside from anime and nerd cons, I also regularly attend KCON. It's a convention centered around K-pop and all that Korean hallyu goodness. It'll be at the end of July. I've been to IMATS, a makeup convention, three years in a row. And if possible, I might be attending Playstation Experience this year also... if it were to coincide with the Capcom Cup Finals again. I'm also going to EVO 2016 two weeks after Anime Expo. So you see, July is pretty packed. That's why it doesn't kill me to skip SDCC every single year. I just don't have enough energy for that battle LOL.
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Is this your first IMATS? Prepare to be overwhelmed!

I'm going to have an awesome weekend. I know it.

On the 16th, I have IMATS LA. On the 17th, I have Anime Impulse! It's going to be my first year at Impulse and THIRD at IMATS. I didn't write about last year but I sure had a lot to say about my first one. Note, the photos in this post are from IMATS 2015.


IMATS stands for International Makeup Artist Trade Show. It says "trade show" but it is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday with a pro-night Friday. I usually go on the Saturday, one of the rare times when I make an effort to glam up.

Having only gone to two IMATS previously, I'm not claiming to be an "expert". Although, I've been to quite a handful of convention type events. At the end of the day, these events are pretty much the same. It's an overwhelming feast for the senses, nothing can 100% prepare you for them, you'll walk away with much more than you planned, but you're going to enjoy the hell out of it.

I've had people ask me if I have tips on attending conventions. Some, specifically IMATS. I have some in my older post and looking at it now, they're pretty much the same. I'm trying to think of other tips that I may have that apply to the bigger conventions but really, IMATS is a sample size compared to Anime Expo or Comikaze. And IMATS is rather specialized so you can sort of anticipate what to see, what to buy, and who to see.

Also, I happen to live about 5 minutes away from the Pasadena Convention Center. Old Town Pasadena is my backyard. So I'm not too wide-eyed when I see how gorgeous Pasadena is. *wink* So if I sound a little bit jaded, this is bulk of the reason. LOL. Also, it's my 3rd time... surprise me, IMATS. ;-)
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2015 Iconography & Listography

Just when you thought that 2015-related posts are so last year... ;-)

I'm so pumped for 2016 but I'm forever grateful for all the things that happened in the past year. The good and the bad. I hope the good things will continue and all the bad things will get better. For you and for me.

I'll try something different. Iconography. I'm not exactly good at it but I'm testing out a website/service that makes it easy for Photoshop dummies like me. If you've noticed, I've been tweaking the appearance of this blog. A little change for 2016, yeah?

가자!

CONVENTIONS: 6.
I can't get enough of them. They're exhausting and I tend to spend much more than my budget - not to mention, adding to the clutter in my room - but I love them. I'm looking forward to going to more in 2016. Preferably, EVO 2016.

  • 3 times at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I can tell you where the nearest restrooms are. WonderCon is moving to LACC in 2016, by the way.
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