Anime Expo 2010

This was my first year at Anime Expo, and it was amazing! I mostly attended voice acting panels as well as AX Idol. I didn't win, but it was super fun, and I learned a lot of stuff.

Day 1

Anime Expo 2010 Day 1

This was Anime Expo Idol 2010. I got there in the morning, picked up my badge, and then rushed all around to find where the AXIdol sign-in was. Turns out it was in the JW Marriot hotel outside of the convention center. Luckily I made it in time, but I was quite tired, which is probably why my throat dried up partway through my audition. The competition was intense, but really fun.

Day 2

Anime Expo 2010 Day 2

The only significant thing I did this was was the Danny Choo panel, but it was very inspiring. Choo basically explained his story about how he made it to Japan. It was quite a touching story I thought. I didn't win the game of jan-ken-pon for the Black Rock Shooter figure though. I found it in the deal hall for almost $100 O.O

Day 3

Anime Expo 2010 Day 3

This was the Crispin Freeman panel and AX Idol finals. I thought it would be a good idea to attend the finals anyway, just to see what I would be up for next year. It was quite a rush, there were so many people, and the excitement was only boosted by Johnny Yong Bosch and Cristina Vee. All of the finalists were amazing, they definitely deserved to win. Freeman's panel was also very educational.

Day 4

Anime Expo 2010 Day 4

The final day of the con, and the Cristina Vee panel and the big Voice Acting panel. Those were also really fun and educational. Not much else to say about that. Had to leave early to get to the bus in time to head back to San Diego, otherwise I would have stayed to watch the AnimeTV panel.

Overall, the experience was great, and I hope to be able to go again next year.

It's finally over, year 1

Phew, I can't believe I made it through the first year of college alive! Actually, I must say, it wasn't that hard.

Being in a dorm by myself, I felt a lot more independent, which meant I got to stay up as late as I wanted, no curfew or bedtime, it was completely my own responsibility. This meant I had to learn to be more responsible, but I also had a lot more freedom, which helped a lot to take off the stress of school-work and responsibility for myself.

I never did get a job, but I did make some money on my own, a little by my Voice Acting work and a little by my website. I really should get a job though.

Finals have been the worst every quarter, but once they were over, it felt great. It was bad, but never so bad that it put me into a state of panic. Maybe this is a side effect of being more responsible for myself.

This has certainly been an experience. I am far from being able to support myself completely on my own, but you know, college is a time for learning, not only academically but about the real world too. I'll be getting an apartment for next year, that'll be even more exciting.

I'm just glad it's finally all over. It's time for summer! Up next, Anime Expo and Comic-Con!

Avatar (and not the air bender)

I went with my roommates to see Avatar, that new movie that's out in theaters. Thought it'd be a great way to kick off the quarter, since I imagine this is going to be one long winter.

I must say it is an absolutely amazing movie. The CG is wonderful, very detailed, at times, it was hard to tell the reality from the animation.

The plot was great. Simple enough to follow and sophisticated enough to get you thinking. Some elements were hard to remember, but the ideas were always present so this wasn't a problem.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't seen at (at this point, I doubt there isn't anyone who hasn't seen it).

So that's my short review of Avatar, and my first day of the quarter. It's gonna be a long one, but I'll see it through to the end.

Xmas! Present Galore!

I say present 'cause I only got one :> but it's all good.

For Xmas, I got the MXL 990 USB Condenser Microphone with a standard pop screen. I'd been looking at it for a while, and I read some good reviews, so I asked for it.

It really is good, but it gave me a bit of trouble starting up. Once I downloaded the right drivers though, it was pretty much the quality I expected it to be. I imagine I'd have truly professional quality when I go to record in the music room at college.

So here's some pics. Hopefully I can get some awesome stuff out with that mic soon too.

First day of finals week, I'm already dead [tired]

I think my story actually stats last night. I stayed up until almost 4:00 AM trying to finish my final English paper, as that was part of the requirement for the in-class final.

So eventually, I finished and went to sleep, being sure I set my alarm early enough. Unfortunately, I was so tired that I slept through the alarm. I woke up at 7:57 AM. A mere 4 hours of sleep. Oh, and my final was at 8:00 AM in a building I didn't have time to find beforehand.

It's a beautiful December, the sky is full of gray melancholic clouds. It's pouring freezing rain outside, and I was in such a rush that I had nothing put a pair of pants and a t-shirt on. I picked up the papers I had prepared for the final and ran like I was in the Olympics.

No breakfast, minimal clothes that were accepted by society, barely any sleep, and the pressure of an English final.

I arrived barely in time, so I didn't disrupt too much. I got in there and tried to write my paper. Being dead tired, I strung together only whatever thoughts came to mind and got out of there as fast as I could. I took maybe an hour and a half out of the three hours we were allotted and just booked it.

At least I know I won't have to deal with that again for a little while.

I came back to the entrance of my building to realize that earlier, I was in such a rush that I had forgotten my cell phone and my room key. I couldn't call my roommate and ask him to open the door for me, nor could I open the door myself.

I sat there in a beautiful rain for a good amount of time, just looking up at the sky and watching the water fall.

Eventually, I was let in by a fellow building resident. Now I'm here posting this entry.

This was only the first day of finals week, but I'm hoping I can prepare myself better after this. I'm so crashing. I acknowledge that most of this is probably my own fault, but that doesn't stop me from complaining :>

You know, ironically, my final paper and exam were on the topic of suicide. Just thought I'd point that out.