Monday, April 10, 2006

   Unfortunately...

Due to technical issues the Panda will be unavailable for the time being. Sorry for any inconvience.

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Thursday, April 6, 2006

   Random Cosplay Randomness

Yeah, so here I am slowing getting caught up on stuff when I get totally side tracked by thoughts of what I'm going to cosplay for AX this year. I know for sure I will be doing some more Bleach-iness. I just need to decide: - Rukia with sketch book of drawings: Easy (draw some pics in my sketch book) - Rukia with Bankai Zanpakutou: Not so easy (will take some woodworking, painting and sewing) I also want to cosplay FMA too since there is going to be some major FMA stuff going on at AX this year. On a side note: FUNimation is going to release the last FMA DVD the same time as the movie so fans don't have to wait between the end of the series and the movie. Back on my cosplay topic: Mei is the FMA character I want to cosplay. I would have to make the entire outfit including Xiao Mei (that is her little panda friend). Oh bother. But wait, there is more! I have also had this idea of how to make the perfect Vivi (Final Fantasy IX) hat. So needless to say if I make this hat I'm going to have to make the entire outfit. This one I know is on the back burner for now...but if I get the other costumes completed then maybe I'll just have to get started on a FF cosplay costume. Vivi Rocks. What I really need to do is get all my writing done, catch up on everyone's blogs (as well as my own) and do something productive. Heck, even sleep is more productive than the time I am spending day dreaming about costumes. I, of course, am writing this at 2:36am when I should be sleeping! Meh. I should get to work. Next up in theOtaku.com Screening Room is Kodacha. I'll catch you guys later! Comments on Window...or I should say, lack thereof. More of the glass has fallen out. In fact it's pretty much all out. Now there is just the beautiful "hurricane chic" look adorning the office front. It's going to take a couple of weeks to get that huge custom window replaced. What a pain in the bum. Insurance pays for it but just the fact it needs to be dealt with is mega annoying. Darn punks.

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Monday, April 3, 2006

   Best Laid Plans...

I think the window is broken! Hey all. So, as you all know I had big plans on cranking out a bunch of work this past weekend. Well, as with all ambitious plans this one fell quite a bit short. Saturday was good. I got my review of Sakura-con and the photo gallery put together. I didn't add as many pictures as I like but if I did anymore I am sure I would be way too much bandwidth usage on John's server. I watched all the anime I need to review and started writing up the screeners. All was going according to plan. Then Sunday rolled around. John and I figured we would get an early start on running errands - grocery shopping and such - so we would both have the rest of the day to finish up projects. While out and about we drove by John's office. His place is this older brick building that has three huge picture windows. They are about 12 feet tall and, I am sure, very expensive. He was driving and I was looking out the window. I always look over at the building out of habit. That's when I thought something was wrong so I made John turn around. This is what we saw: This is what it looked like from the inside: There was broken glass all over the inside. The glass was a tinted almost auto glass type of glass. Needless to say John was a "little" upset. I only had my cell phone camera so I took those pictures. John and I looked for what could have been thrown through the window and didn't find anything except broken glass. More than likely it was someone with a bat. We called the police and an officer came by. Apparently there was another business in town, a little mom and pop taco shop that had it's big picture window busted out on Saturday night too. Frinken' moron punks. So these losers apparently were making the rounds busting out windows. It just happened that John's place was hit. They didn't steal anything, just broke this huge window. And of course, since it is the weekend there aren't any places open to replace it. Not like they could since this window has got to be specially made. One of our friends is a General Contractor and we called him up and he came down to board it up. He ended up calling a couple of his employees to come in and help. Oh so lovely... As you can see by the above picture more of the glass broke out in the process of boarding it up. I am just happy that it did get boarded up before it started to rain in the evening. It was like as soon as the guys packed up their equipment it started to sprinkle. I'm also glad I spied the busted window on Sunday versus John showing up for work on Monday to broken glass, rain water and possibly a robbery. I wish it didn't happen but at least we took care of it right away. Dealing with this issue basically took up the entire day. Making phone calls to the corporate office, the police, contractors...started a little before noon, finally left the office after 5:30pm. Yeah, pretty much my entire day. Meh! Now I better get back to work. I think I'll stop making plans, they only get side tracked by wacky and weird things you weren't expecting. LOL Question for Everyone Have you ever been the victim of vandalism or any type of crime? I've had my childhood home broken into. Those losers ripped apart all my stuffed animals. That was mega upsetting to the 8 year old me. I've had my car hit by a guy backing out of a parking spot at Wal-Mart. He then drove away...after I got his license. Little odds and ends stolen from me...stuff like sunglasses and jackets. I've been very lucky in all of this, no one has been hurt. I know there are many out there who can't say the same. That is just heartbreaking.

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Friday, March 31, 2006

   Gotta hack my way through the piles of work!

Chop! Chop! Sorry all, I can't believe how much work that has piled up. I am still working on pictures from Sakura-con, articles, interviews and I have 4 screeners from FUNimation I need to review. >_<;; I should be back soon. Laters all! No Comments, Only Question For those who have gone to a con: What is your favorite part of a convention? For those who have not gone yet: What convention would you like to attend?

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Monday, March 27, 2006

   Too much fun, not enough sleep!!

This panda was very glompable! Hey everyone! I am home and I've got a bunch of stuff to tell you guys about. We had an amazing time. I've got well over 1000 pictures to sort through, plenty to write about and lots of funny stuff to share. I did get a chance to meet up with a few myO members which was great. I am completely worn out and have so much to do. Speaking of so much to do...submissions. The first thing I noticed when I got back online to check the site was Adam's update about 800 submissions that needed approval. My initial reaction was: ... When I started to read the comments I noticed Lindus took care of the fan art. Thank goodness! If there really was a backlog of 800+ items I would cry. ;_; No worries, all the submissions have been dealt with now. I got all the submissions I am responsible for caught up. Now I just need to get started on my writing! Speaking of which I better get started! I will get to guest book signings, PM's, emails and such after I get done with my artilcles. Laters all! Comments on Comments: Submission Comments Here are my 2 cents on the comments left by members on the submission situation. I am on top of the submissions on a daily basis. Usually 4 to 5 times daily which is much faster approval rate than in the past. Way back when I was a new member and needed to wait for my approvals sometimes it would take a couple of days before I would see it on the site. Now the longest someone has to wait is 10 hours...and the only reason for that is I need some time to sleep. I basically live on the site. On the rare occasion I am away from the site (anime convention, family functions, internet issues...) Adam takes care of the submissions. This has always worked well in the past. That is until this last weekend. Adam is so busy with updates on the site that it's not surprising that the submissions were put on the back burner. After all, the submissions is not something he has to worry about on a daily basis. I am very happy he asked one of the moderators for help out this weekend. I really must give props to Lindus for picking up the slack. Now I have someone who understands the joys of dealing with a backlog of submissions. Dealing with submissions is a very time consuming job which is why I work on them several times a day so they don't pile up. This was only a little glitch in the system, not the end of the world.

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Thursday, March 23, 2006

   See You When I Get Back!

I'm off to Sakura-con!

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Wednesday, March 22, 2006

   Bwahahahaha!!

Pandas are always with yoooooooou! Ok, that was cheesetastic. I'm a bit short on time right now since I am trying to get a bunch of stuff ready for my trip to Sakura-con. I don't even have all my cosplay stuff in order yet. I'm so far behind I am going to lap myself. Meh. I haven't even started packing yet and we are leaving tomorrow! Eeep! I will be taking lots of pictures to share with everyone. Speaking of pictures I'll give you guys a preview of my Nanao costume! Me in my Ise Nanao, 8th Division Vice Captain costume! I had to do a trial run so John took a piccy of me. I think it turned out pretty good for my very first cosplay costume. I'm going as a 4th Division member on Friday and then Nanao on Saturday just for the photoshoot. John is going as Tessai. I don't have a picture of him yet but I will after this weekend! He grew out some funky facial hair to be in character. Right now he's looking pretty presidential...like Chester Arthur. >_<;; It just makes me want to Bwahahaha!! at him. I guess that is about it. I better get packin'. I try to post again before I leave. If I don't, I'll be back after the weekend! Later all! Comments on Comments - new hig-fat/ high cholesterol/ high carb version! Ok, I'm lame again. I am going to answer my own question from the last post here instead. In a movie about my life there is no other choice but to have it animated. My life is an anime. There really isn't a real life actress who looks enough like me to fit the bill. Now animated I would have to go with "Fat Fuu" from Samurai Champloo. I'm so full!! I know normally Fuu is rail thin but when she goes on those eating binges I think she looks really cute in fat form. I should cosplay Fat Fuu. Yeah, back on topic I think the only way a movie of my life would be cast is with anime characters.

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Monday, March 20, 2006

   I'm a closet closet lover.

I love my closet! I know, I disappeared for a bit again. I have a good reason. It's my closet's fault! I had to empty out my entire walk in closet so my father-in-law could install the closet organizer he made for me. He is so talented. He can make everything from little wooden toys to houses. So this new organizer has open shelves for sweaters and jeans, poles to hang clothes and even a pull out shoe organizer. It is so cool. This new system has given me more storage space in my closet which is wonderful!! So far I've put most of the clothes back in but I still have to put my shoes and sweaters away. I just kinda pooped out. But still, I can't get over how cool my closet is now. I just wish I could have taken some better pictures. The one above is taken from outside the closet so you can't see part of the organizer on the left side. Meh. I had a great time reading through all your answers to my last post. I am one who does a bit of both when it comes to planing. For instance this trip I have coming up to Sakura-con. I have plans for where to stay and which panels and stuff I would like to attend but that is about it. I don't plan everything down to the minute or anything like that. I can go with the flow. Like everything in my life, I like to have some plans but I can adjust to changes. Now for your question for today: In a movie about your life who would you cast in the role for yourself? As for comments on comments...I'm lazy today. I'll comment on comments next post.

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Friday, March 17, 2006

   Think, think, think...

I don't think therefore I may not be. Do you give a lot of thought in your life decisions (education, career choice, relationships, etc..) or just fly by the seat of your pants? Comments on Comments in random order! SomeGuy: Ah yes, the old 1000 crane story. I did make a wish and it didn't come true. I wished for my mom to feel better. She has RA too and she still does. ;_; I tried. One of these years we will meet up at a con. That's a promise! Yensid: Be sure to check out the new updated Sakura-con schedule. They added the Japanese band Camino so it shifted some other activities around. You're a con newbie huh. No worries. I'll make sure you are ok. They usually have lots of places to sit and rest. No worries k. I have trouble standing for long periods of time too because of the RA. The best thing about sitting around...people watching!!! With so many costumes it never gets boring. Silvereagle: My cranes...I really don't know for sure what happened to them. I think my parents might still have them. Ms. Bakura Istar: That sounds too funny. It's great freaking out the "normal people" at hotels when you are wearing less than normal clothing. Lytjuh: To tell you the truth, I'm really not sure what happened with those cranes. They did get used several times in displays. I took them to school for different reports and stuff I did about Japanese culture and entered them in the county fair. I got a blue ribbon. I remember putting them in this huge box that ended up in the basement of my parent's house....I bet it's probably still there. LOL Solo: I can't wait to meet up at AX!! The Hilton in Anaheim is pretty nice. The hold quite a few of the convention panels and competitions in the hotel. Be prepared to be glomped by a Panda at AX. I think we really should have an Otaku get together at AX this year. Summoner Rekka: I didn't mean for my comment to sound like I was implying that you were implying it was my fault. LOL So much implying. naski: I'm sure you could play the hollophoner..you just need the robot devil's hands! Dark Spirit: I'm pretty sure the picture of the panda in the box that the panda is having fun. I have about a dozen pictures of pandas playing in boxes. They also like buckets and crates too. LOL Lady K: I don't remember how long it took but I remember feeling like it was some sort of strange torture. After a few hundred you start to wonder why you started the project. Fallen Angel: RA stands for Rhuematoid Arthritis. KitsuneTsuki: That is too funny. I wonder what the people who open the mail think? o_O;; Mariskah: If you ever get the chance you have to go to a con. It's so much fun. ^_^ Angie Lee Lee: I'm glad I don't have to sleep in a cardboard box on the side of the road. The funny thing is the panda in that picture I had posted is in a Washington State apple box. It just seemed so appropriate since I was ranting about a hotel in Washington State. Needless to say finding apple boxes here is pretty easy. Mamma Vash: You're one of them letter writers huh. I have never been motivated enough to write a complaint. I'm just too lazy. Now complaining to all my friends and family I have the energy for but not for putting my complaint to paper. LOL SunfallE: I think it would be so much fun to have a big theOtaku.com get together. What I would really like to do is eventually get to the point where we can host our own panel at a convention. Perhaps bring industry guests for a Q & A session. I think it would be a blast.

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006

   Got New Hotel Reservations!

No cardboard box for a Panda! I won't have to sleep on the side of the road in a cardboard box during Sakura-con! No worries, no ranting this time. For those of you just tuning in I had a little rant update I posted Monday afternoon about some issues with a hotel reservation. It's all good now. In the end my new hotel reservations will work out better in the end. I guess you can call it a blessing in disguise. Now I'll be staying at a hotel that some of my friends will be at. This sounds like a room party is in order! Woo Hoo! So...yeah. I really don't have much to talk about right now. I'm feeling pretty good. My RA isn't all flared up and freaking out. That is a definite plus. Um...yeah. How about a random fact. When I was in grade school I folded 1000 origami cranes. How's that for random. I guess that's about it. I'll see you guys around the site! Laters! Comments on Comments Lytjuh: It just seemed like they didn't care. It's that air of "better-than-you" attitude that really fries my bacon. If they were just a bit more sympathetic and not just "It's impossible" I don't think I would have been so bent out of shape. You are exactly right about happy people. Happy customers are return customers. They tell their family and friends of their good experiences. Unhappy ones tell more than family and friends. They tell everyone and anyone. Bad reviews travel much faster than good that is for sure! Ms. Bakura Ishtar: I was in a good mood before then since I would be getting another "vacation" day to spend out of town. It's really the staff's snotty attitude that chapped my hide. Summoner Rekka: No matter how frustrated I get with rude staff, I don't verbally attack anyone. I know what it is like to work with the public. If people feel like you are honestly doing your best and trying to help them they are understanding. When you take the position that nothing can change and I'm not even going to try to help you...people get mad. As for another hotel, yes. We are going to the Red Lion who were very friendly. We would have booked with them initially but some little Mouse told me when he booked his room that he thought they were sold out so we went with the last open hotel. Hmmm...maybe their great customer service is why Crowne Plaza was the only hotel not to be sold out. I know, I should have known huh. Mimmi: I so hear you. Obviously they haven't seen the Samurai Panda video or they would know that you don't mess with pandas!! LOL If Adam ran a hotel it would have amazing customer service that would be always on the cutting edge in the industry. ::huggles Mimmi:: Yensid: First, I hope you got my email! ^_^ Registration for the con has been swamped. I know much of the issues going on this year are due to growing pains. New venue, new hotels and new sets of problems. I do wish the website was kept up to date though. They did post the schedule but didn't make any mention of it. I found out via the Sakura-con message boards when someone off hand mentioned it in a thread. (I sent it to you in the email.) We are going to be at the Red Lion. It should be fine walking, as long as my RA doesn't flare up, since there will be 5 of us together. Safety in numbers. We will be attending the con all three days so just give me a call (my number is in the email too...that email had a lot of info in it! lol) and we'll meet up. We'll definitely have to make a run through the Dealer's Room together! KitsuneTsuki: That extra "e" is just so pretentious. Perhaps they have a "Gift Shoppe" too. LOL I have noticed just because you pay more doesn't mean you will have better service. I've had far better service at Best Westerns, Days Inns and even Super 8 compared to those "hotel snobs" at the fancy 5 star hotels. I can't believe the Sheraton tried to get away with that! I will definitely steer clear of them! JD Person: True, true. There are many more lemmings to jump off the cliff. It's just sad that some businesses don't even attempt to help. Aaryanna: I just think people don't care. It's easier to just say no than attempt to help.

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