September 09, 2008
PAX 2008 - More reminiscing
I'm happy with the swag we got at PAX this year. I queued up straight away when I got to the exhib halls on the first day of PAX. Lucky I did, they were out of PAX 08 tees and others stuff by Saturday evening.
The special PAX Razer mouse Mick got was cool:
And the collectors of Penny Arcade's first game, Precipice of Darkness:
(Both images from Kotaku.)
Most of our swag was bought or given on the 1st day:
And yes, we even got the Fallout 3's Vault Boy puppet as seen in http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-the-vault-boy-puppet/.
A few people have been blogging how PAX can be improved (here and here and here for example). I hope the overlaps of certain events like demos, panels, Q&As as well as the long queues are resolved for next year. 5 hours queuing the first day was epic, and was not that enjoyable. Ok, people falling over themselves to get a blue band to get into the concert on Friday was funny:
Although in the end, we got our blue bands without doing anything. A few cosplayers were taking our attentions away from our tired and sore limbs from standing or sitting on the hard floor:
And not forgetting the Cookie Brigade who sold cookies and manage to raise $5000 for Child's Play.
There were good suggestions voiced out at PA's Q&A sessions, like having a Child's Play auction at future PAXis (apparently Tycho approves of the use of "PAXis suggested by a fan). And for all those dads who thinks that gaming is a waste of time, direct them to Child's Play (just re-iterating what Gabe said at the Q&A).
I don't think the smell was that bad, as mentioned by some bloggers, but I was lucky not being stuck with ones they mentioned. One other thing, they should have designated areas for charging DS', PSPs, laptops, etc. When over 50K (I mentioned 60K before, I was incorrect, I was guessing at the time as everyone was saying it was double the amount from last year's PAX) nerds attend a gaming festival, there are bound to be a lot of portable consoles and laptops. While we were queuing for an event in the main hall, it was announced that items will be confiscated if people were caught using the power outlets in the convention centre. Hours waiting in line, what did they expect, anyway, people honoured the announcement, and no more crowds of people around a power source that pocketed the convention centre. One thing I found funny, was the gun they were giving away (we did not get one as we were busy queuing) was not allowed to be used in the centre as they are a weapon. Sheesh, they should have asked the security in the place, give gamers a gun and hours of wait time, what did you think would happen?
And it sometimes feels good when photos taken (mainly by Mick) are good quality especially when you come across an article such as this one by Joystiq and compare to Mick's pic:
Again I cannot emphasise on the queuing side of PAX, at least we were having a nice dinner when these guys were in line at 10:30pm the night before PAX opened. We wandered in at 10'ish I think, after brekkie. We love PA, but there are limits. (Ok, Mick got sigs off Tycho and Gabe after their second Q&A, got to take a photo of that and put it up).
April 19, 2008
He's going to ruin it!
Hollywood is going to make Ghost in the Shell, Steven Spielberg is directing. Leave it be, I tell you, it's such a bad idea.
November 12, 2006
Train Man (Densha Otoko)
Thanks to my brother Vince for lending me Train Man. It's a story about a Japanese phenomenon about an otaku (Japanese geek) who helps a girl on a submway train from a drunk, and from a thank you gift from her to him, things just blossomed. And with the help of a Japanese singles board, they give him helpful, and not so advice on how to proceed his pursuit of the girl, who could quite possibly be his love of his life (and probably the only one). And what makes this stand out, it's real-life. The chattering posts, and tense build-up through each progression of an otaku-turned-man. It just brings some tears in my eyes and makes me feel fluffy inside with each successful attempt.
But I noticed that they made it into manga as well as tv drama (an a movie as well?). I have been checking the drama out on youtube. The dramatisation is so cheesy, and slightly mad, but it is so funny.
Only in Japan. >-<
January 18, 2005
I see that I will have a powerbook...
Heh, good ref comic! 
Just so happens I am currently under the process of acquiring a 17" Powerbook before the speed bump. Just taking advantage of the price slash I suppose. 
Just need to clear my credit card, add a secondary delivery address to my credit card, and finally order it through my work discount. And hopefully, by end of Feb, I would have a new laptop. I have a name that is especially cute, already picked out. 
Heh, maybe both Mick and I will have our own couples bubble when we visit the Apple store in London in the near future! 
November 03, 2004
Nano-fun
Friend pointed me to this bunny site and this nanotech strip reminded me of hair-brain PHB's idea of a project project in Dilbert. 
July 03, 2004
Comic Book day today.
I missed comic book day... NOOO, I was in Forbidden Planet and they did not participate this year. I knew I should have dropped by 3rd Place! Oh well....
September 03, 2003
KAPOW! Guide to sysadmin.. Tank Girl's Way!
Heh, found this link, but forgot to blog about it...The Unofficial Tank Girl Guide to Sysadminning
There are not many Tank Girl fan sites out there.. hmm... an idea may have just sprouted and just withered away... I want to set up a fan site.. but where will I find the time!!! sigh...
August 04, 2003
Anime links for VCDs/DVDs etc...
Someone requested for a some more info on Korean Animé in my previous blog :: Wonderful Days - Korean Animé
Seems funny that all I get is Animé pr0n when I did the search for it as well! But as I was looking for more Miyazaki related animé that I can buy and place it on my http://global.yesasia.com/
The Korean one is http://global.yesasia.com/en/Korean/
April 11, 2003
Funny stuff
Can't wait for Matrix Reloaded to come out, and XMen 2. Here is a funny strip from PvPonline - Overload.
And came across this one from Angst Technology - Flak Monkey. :P
March 27, 2003
More on the art theme
I love this style used in the cartoons drawn - http://www.shag.com/gallery.html ou'd propb seen some of his works in ads, well they do look familiar somehow. Although this type of desgin is sort of the rage at the moment.
Um, unfortunately, the title of his site is not what it seems, it's the last 2 letters of his first name and the first 2 letters of his last name - His bio.
Man! If only I can draw like this! - http://www.excelsiorstudios.net/ And check out the links to other cool artists sites as well. So much talent!
March 11, 2003
Ghibli Museum
I would love to go to Studio Ghibli's Museum! But the site will do for now, even if it is in Japanese...
Cute (?!?) flash cartoons
Dunno where I found these, but these are quite good, and quite short. The site does not have an index page, so go to each ep via the links below:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
March 09, 2003
Brill comic site
to get you latest kung fu comics and manga. Plus you can get DVDs, and the model replicas of the cool swords. - http://comicsone.com/
March 08, 2003
February 24, 2003
Star Wars: Clone Wars animation shorts
Seems like Lucas Films and Cartoon Network got together to make 20 animated short for Clone Wars.
February 23, 2003
February 15, 2003
Strong Bad as a Japanese Cartoon
Strong Bad is this character from http://www.homestarrunner.com/, which has pleny of cool flash cartoons. This particular one is Strong Bad as a Japanese Cartoon.
February 10, 2003
Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Cards
They are getting v. popular in Ireland. Sold out in Limerick and Dublin last week. But both comic stores are getting more stock in today. My BF just got the last packet (import from the States) for my bro's B-day pressie. I wonder if I should get them online? - Yu-Gi-Oh stuff on sale from Forbidden Planet's website
February 05, 2003
Wonderful Days - Korean Anime
Found this from Ain't it Cool News The screen captures looks brilliant.
Can't get through to the official site though - http://wonderfuldays.co.kr/. Must check back as the trailers are there as well... (oh, by the way, the site is in Korean)
February 02, 2003
Homer mails back!
Yup, the email address from The Simpsons that Homer used is actaully real - From Ramblings of a Code Monkey's blog
January 29, 2003
This is what I need at work!
Meetings....meetings...meetings.... a likely solution! - Today's Dilbert strip
January 28, 2003
Cool comic resource URL
Yup, this site has alot of stuff to become a serious comic artist, and get yourself known to professionals - http://www.planetcartoonist.com/
Blue Line Pro Suppliers
Comic/manga/fantasy art supplies. How-to books and comics etc.... http://www.bluelinepro.com
Comic Fonts and Lettering
Hey, you can even download free fonts! And a few tips on how to do a comic as well. A very nice, clean site. http://www.blambot.com/
January 15, 2003
December 06, 2002
Totoro
Totoro is soooo cuuuute! I use to find it hard to find Totoro stuff, but now it is everywhere. Check this one good link - Totoro Links. I've got more stuff on creator of Totoro - Miyazaki Animes at my IBC message board.
PANZER DRAGOON
Boy, Neil would hop up and down when he sees The Art of Panzer Dragoon, and I would presume that he would have already visited the Panzer Dragoon Official Website