The Year in Collecting

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's the fact that I'm a collector (a mild version of a hoarder hehehe). I collect anything that fascinates me -lenticular photos, autographs, commemorative bills/coins, glow in the dark stuff, arcade tokens, foreign currencies, sneakers, candy/chocolate dispenser, stamps, flashlight, business cards (WTH!), tickets . I'm not a big collector though, I can't afford it. The stuff I mentioned, I have very few it may not even qualify to be called a collection. Still, I collect them whenever I could. There are priority collections, they are: Music box, books, and Ellen stuff. Out of the three, books won the number this year, I think I've bought a record number of books, (32) which is not much either, but still, for an average reader like me, I feel that's a lot. Most of the gifts I gave out to my niece and nephews are books too. I'm hoping that I could encourage and promote a culture of reading in my family. But I kinda hate this attitude I have when I keep on buying more even when I still have towering titles yet to read. I pledged over and over that I won't buy another one till I've read the other books I bought earlier, yet I keep on breaking them anyway. I'm an impulsive buyer. I guess it will be part of my new year's resolution to reduce my expenditure.

Books on the queue for 2013 reading hehehe

My music box consumption had also waned, I realized that I can't completely quit the toy collection, I had to compromised a reasonable bargain with myself. So the deal is, I should only order twice a year. One is for Christmas and one for my birthday. But can you imagine, I would scour the internet for music box all year round, and when the time comes, I'll choose the one I like the most, it's like a selection process.

This is what I got for Christmas (I bought it sometime in September as an advance Christmas present). This music box has all the elements I like - a Panda, a Santa, a blonda (blonde kid hehehe). Despite the Christmas design, it plays a non-Christmas song, but one of my favorite music - The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. I love the details of the figure, you can expect nothing less from Enesco. The music box is manufactured by Sankyo, another top name in quality, the sound is crisp and right on.

So yeah, it's not an absolute cessation. I know for sure that I've stopped buying any action figures, gashapon or die casts, but once in a while, I'd break the promise. But I've matured and have become really picky. I think about the future use and worth of what I'm buying. I'd like to think I am more reasonable now. Like when I decided to get a view master. It's an out of date toy, but I believe Mattel is still manufacturing them. We used to have one when we were kids, my dad got it for Oliver, but we take turns in using it. I decided to get one so my niece and nephews can enjoy some old toys that we used to enjoy. I got a 1950's model of the view master made of bakelite. I figured, the older the better, it has more stories and it's a good way to avoid made in China products (I try to avoid them as much as possible due to political reason, nothing against the Chinese people). I have 13 reels so far, 10 are scenes of old American TV shows like Mighty Mouse and Rin Tin Tin, and 3 our scenic spots in Japan. I plan to get more scenic reels next year. I'm hoping to use it to educate my niece and nephew of our beautiful planet.

Another thing I stopped collecting is the the Starbucks sticker for the Starbucks planner, years ago. For 6 years, Starbucks had always been my planner "provider", but collecting it has lost its charm on me. Everybody's going for it, even my sister, the competition just got boring. Besides, I've switched to tea. I still love Starbucks and sometimes I still have their coffee beverages, but I'm not getting their planner anymore. I decided to get something more practical and more appropriate for my usage. I realized how fun it is to look for the perfect planner. I found the perfect planner for me from Yeah Just You journals.

    

It's small and waaayyy cheaper, designed with a year, monthly and weekly planner, there's a space for budget planning (which I love), the weekly planning space has a weather indicator, there are blank spaces at the back which gives you freedom to doodle, it's colorful and cute I think I'm solved! Until I saw the Free Speech Publication journal, too late! But next year I'd love to have that one. Smartphone and tablets don't work for me, I like writing things down and i love to doodle, I think planners would be a yearly thing for me for the long run.

Speaking of gadgets, I also got me a copy of the last print issue of Newsweek. TIME's biggest rival has gone all digital, I think it's only a matter of "time" before they go the same direction. I'm not really a fan or follower of Newsweek, but I'm such a sucker for commemorative stuff like this (hoarder instinct kicks in). Both magazines, however, were my staple companion in the library when I was in college. So yeah, I may be crazy and all over anime and all those Japanese stuff at the time, but I kinda knew what's going on. In a way, it gave me a sentimental reason to get the issue for my collection.

In a way, I feel like my collecting (or hoarding) habit have toned down this year, I hope to keep it lower next year. I plan to shift my priorities to collective initiatives. I pray that I'll have the discipline to do that.

The Art of Letting Go

More than 12 years ago, when I was a still fledgling otaku, I started collecting anime related items. I can still remember, I started out with "text cards" of Yuyu Hakusho and Gundam Wing. Had I known ahead of time that typhoon Ondoy will submerge our town back in 2009, I could have prepared and I may have been able to show you what these "text cards" are. More commonly called as "text" or "teks", it is like the Filipino version of trading cards, only smaller and a lot cheaper (so cheap, for PHP1 you'll get 4 pcs). But so many things had happened for 12 years, so many stuff have been accumulated. My collection grew into something bigger, it has become my trademark. Not that I'm a huge collector, but collecting (anime) is my passion, in my circle, it's what I'm known for.

When we decided to renovate the first floor of the house after the Ondoy damage, I got the chance to own a room, and by room, I mean showroom. I mean, I shared bedroom with my siblings my whole life, and when I finally had my own one, I got to showcase my stuff. I had them neatly organized in shelves and have them situated parallel to my bed. I wanted them to be the first thing I see when I wake up.

It didn't disappoint, everyone who see it in person is amazed. It feels great I tell you, when something you put your heart into is appreciated by others. The thing is, it's an expensive hobby and I'm not rich. In so many ways, this hobby doesn't suit me because I had to sacrifice some of my needs just to purchase a single item. There are many useful commodities that my hard earned money could go to. This idea had never left me. In every purchase comes a tinge of guilt, I felt like that I'm being selfish. My eldest brother is my no.1 critic for this obsession. But I always justify that this simple pleasure of buying collectibles eases the loneliness I feel for being alone. ~sigh

Last year, unfortunate events in my life led me to believe that I'm being punished for forgetting God and being selfish. I am reminded many times that He does not punish but He tests, and I believe that. Still, I made it clear to myself that I would change ways so I that won't forget about Him. I prayed harder than I ever did and made a pledge that I will quit. I made a promise that I will stop buying toys. I could not give up books and comic books, I wanted to continue reading and learning but I had to stop hoarding toys...And I stop.

For 10 months now, I have not made any toy or even anime related purchase. Other than the happy meal toys that my friends gave me and the dispenser I won at M&M's online promo, I have not made any accumulation. Instead, I've come to a point that I figured I need to downsize, I need to let go of some stuff. Aside from the ones that I have in my room, I have more stuff tucked all over the house. I don't wanna end up like those hoarders I see on TV. I want to get rid (in a good way) of some items that I have less attachment. Stuff that I bought on impulse. My friends and I collaborated to put up an online shop (Fandorasbox) and I put up my own on ebay. I have already sold some toys and manga (I have my own share of "horror" stories with buyers but I'm not gonna talk about that now) and while I have items up for sale, I'm still figuring out the stuff that can stay and which ones should go. It's a tough process I tell you, I have deep emotional investment on so many things, but I figured that it's not healthy to cling on to material things. After all, we'll all end up departing from this temporary world we live in.

I'm working on this. Honestly I still check stuff on ebay, and everytime I see something interesting, it breaks my heart, because I know I can't get it. Not because I can't afford it, but because I made a promise. It's a form of discipline and to be honest, I don't know what I'm gonna get out of it. Suppressing my urges like that and quitting on what I believed to be my passion. I don't know where it's gonna take me. It's a tough battle I'm fighting, and it's too early to say I'm winning, but I know I will.

Random Stuff and Hiatus announcement

Alright let's start with the Hiatus thingie. What a way to start the year, I finally brought my laptop to the service center, and unfortunately, the motherboard was damaged already and we all know that its better to buy a new unit than buy a replacement for the motherboard. Not bad, my laptop had done its job. It didn't only help me, it also helped a lot of people and was used on many important occasion. I don't have the budget to get a new lappie so there...So much for my cyberlife, it's gonna be on a LOOOOONGGG hiatus.

I was a little sad though.. When I decided to let it go, it felt like I parted with a very dear friend. Someone who had always been there on my loneliest hours. Oh well, nothing lasts forever especially gadgets!

I think I have this jinx with gadgets... my very first mobile phone died on me for no reason.. no symptoms, no warning, no whatever. Everything seemed fine, until one day, it just won't turn on. Just like my laptop.

-sigh-

So this will be the last post for now and I'm just gonna throw some random stuff since I can't think straight

Yesterday I went to Japan Foundation Manila Office library to claim my membership ID. They gave one free manga if you renewed membership. I was asked to choose from a stack of manga titles that I've never heard before. It's not a bad thing, I'm not after the freebies anyway. I'm after the exclusive invitations for events. But anyway, I chose a manga called "Otanko Nurse". It's about a newbie nurse. So I have a manga about a doctor (Black Jack), now I have a nurse manga. I'm gonna build a hospital in my manga collection haha..

My one month old niece, Rome. She's lovely, but I noticed that she frowns a lot. I wonder if that's normal.. I have to be honest though, I really prefer a nephew because I don't know how to get along with young girls, but I guess boys can't go on dominating the family hehehe. The important thing (as always) is that she's a normal healthy girl. Her dad preferred a girl. He said girls are more responsible. I absolutely agree!

My 8 month old nephew Mighael, he's so white! He's like a white bun so I gave him a secret name "Shiroman" (shiro manju = white bun).

And he loves gashapon too!

I promised Ren that I'd blog about this when I had the chance. He got admitted when he sprained his foot last month.

When I visited him, his wife offered me this iced coffee drink. She said it was good, but it's not!

It's the worst iced coffee drink I've ever tasted! Where did it come from?!? I don't blame his wife, we have different taste buds hehe. But if your taste buds happened to be just like mine, then I'm warning you to stay away from this drink. yuck!

Speaking of coffee, I did get a Starbucks planner. I want to thank my friends Frances and Ryan for their contribution to the stickers hahaha.

I was finally able to find a chess board for the CLAMP chess photoshoot. It was my cousin's. Thanks Butchoy! Here are all the pics I took.

At Greenbelt yesterday... I had a bad day, so I tried to calm myself here... I just love Greenbelt.

I saw this once I went to Robinsons Galleria. I never knew that MRT had a mascot and I find it really cute.


I saw this at "Confessions of Shopaholic" promotional installation at Shangri-la and find it really funny. A giant paperbag, I wish I had myself pictured with it but I was alone, so... I want to see this film. I can relate in so many ways. I don't shop for clothes but I greatly relied on my credit card for shopping toys hahaha! I want to know how the hell did she end up being a financial adviser!

my shopaholic buddy Frances. This was taken last month, she said she was looking for a Christmas present for her boyfriend but I don't understand why we were at women's clothes and accessories section...

last Christmas, I burned a big hole in my pocket. But nothing to regret. It comes once a year anyway.

This year, I promise I'm gonna save, save, save!

Have you seen the moon tonight? It's not a full one, but it's unusually BIG and bright.What can I say, it's beautiful! It made my weekend and I thank God for that.

It was a heavy day for me since I made a TOUGH! decision not to go to Glorieta Midnight Toy Fair and Rihanna concert. Realization hit me that I have no right to spend just because. I've been buying this and that, fercrissake I have no place to store them! That I've been promising myself for NNNTH TIME not to buy any toys or comic books until... -sigh- it's hard...it's very hard I swear.

And it's definitely not right wanting to see a concert just because I'm currently addicted to "Disturbia" LOL! I am not a fan of Rihanna or Chris Brown, I'd like to make that clear. Thank God I realized this...

Oh yeah, another reason why I wanted to go to the concert was to try the binoculars I borrowed from Frances. I'm having so much fun using it that I compromised to go to Tanay Dike Lighthouse every morning and convinced myself that I am a... watchamacalit? A look-out? of a pirate ship... whatever, my sister told me that it's just a gossip tool. Now that reminds me, I never thought that my neighbors are... bzzzz...LOL! No, I would never do such a thing. I'll watch out for the next worth seeing concert =)

Gacha Vending Machines (sequel to Pokemon Gashapon Vending machine)

Whenever I go to the mall, it has become a must for me to check the Gashapon Vendors to check if there are other series of mini-vending machines. Of course I found some, and to date, I have 5 representatives from different series! I got Pokemon, Nobita from Doraemon, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Emily from Thomas the Train. They are really cute and they drive me crazy LOL. Okay that’s exaggerating, but hey they are really cute. Check this out!

At first I got frustrated that I got Minnie Mouse when I wanted to get Dumbo, but I realized that the pink vending machine is cute. Plus I love strawberries!

From this series (other characters are Mickey, Genie, Cinderella, Stich), I wanted to get Genie but I got Winnie the Pooh –sigh-. Now I have nothing against Pooh-chan, it’s just that when I was in college, my classmates thought that I was a Pooh fan because I have many Pooh shirts and I wore a Pooh pajama during one of our retreats. Mind you, they were all given by my sister and cousin who happened to be the real fans. Now if my college classmates see this toy, it would confirm their theory! But this toy is really cute =)

Believe it or not, the mini-capsules also have toys inside. No they’re not super mini vending machines but it would be great if they are hahaha.

If you see other series of mini-vending machines other than what I have mentioned, pls. inform me ASAP.

Bonbon Candies

Sherry gave me this Sakuma bonbon candies. Now I don’t know if this stuff is as popular as Pocky but this tin can played a very important role in “Grave of the Fireflies”. When I saw this can, the first thing that I thought of was “Barefoot Gen” and I don’t know why Sherry and Mike agreed, but it’s a different film. Maybe because it’s also a story about a child during World War II. According to Isao Takahata (director of “Grave of the Fireflies), Sakuma bonbon candies were popular during that time but it was scarce due to war. In the film, Seita put Setsuko’s ashes in the tin can and took it with him until the day he died. It’s a very sad story, just looking at the can made me want to cry. The candies were really tasty though.

Rubix Cube

I’ve always forgot, but I’ve been wanting to blog about rubix cube. For sometime, whenever I’d go out, I’ve always seen rubix cubes almost everywhere – bookstores, toy stores, bazaars, sidewalk vendors. It’s a very old toy, but for some reason it has become sensational again. I don’t really know how to play it, there’s a technique but I don’t have the patience to learn it. They say playing rubix cube can enhance your IQ but who cares. I’m not a rubix cube hater, I just can’t understand why all of a sudden it’s everywhere. Can somebody explain?

Here’s my very own Gashapon vending machine. It came from a Gashapon capsule. Yes, the world turned upside down, so it’s the other way around now. Just kidding, but don’t you think it’s cute? It’s a Pokemon Gashapon model. Take a closer look, it does have capsules! Gashapons are amazing. The greatest challenge is putting it back to its capsule. Try it if you have a lot of time to spare hehehe.

Reunion X Eiga Sai X Takoyaki X DVD Window Shopping X Mcdo Happy Meal = Looonnng Saturday

I was surprised when I received a call from Sherry last week informing she already got back from Singapore. Apparently she quit her job due to a conflict with her superior. I was surprised because all along I thought she was having a great time with her job, plus she never informed me beforehand that she’s coming home (duh like I’d prepare something hahaha). Anyway, the first thing I did when I got in touch with her was invite her to Eiga Sai and she agreed in an instant which I find unusual, usually she’d say "I’d think about it" which more often than not means "NO". Yay I smell reunion! I smell chocolates and omiyage!

I anticipated July 13 – Saturday with excitement that I went off very early without realizing traffic is less likely during weekend mornings. I arrived at Megamall as early as 10:30 AM, our call time was 12:00 NN. Damn! I hate being early in mall rendezvous. When I start to get bored, I start to look around and I start to see things I like and I start to spend. Just to share, my favorite quotes for the last 3 months: NEVER BE A LOSER and STOP SPENDING. I immediately informed Sherry to hurry. While waiting for her, I did my best to stay away from toys and comics.

I went to St. Francis Square. I rarely go there, but this place reminds me of Greenhills’ Shoppesville cheap clothes, Cellphones, bootleg toys, Pirated DVDs. These stuffs don’t give me potential to spend. Hold it right there! Did I just say Pirated DVDs??? Oh my, it’s been a long time since I went for DVD shopping and I really missed Quiapo. I looked around to check and reminded myself, "JUST 2-3 TITLES OKAY". The good thing with Anime DVDs nowadays is that you’ll get the whole series in one disc, depending how long the series is. But nothing caught my interest. There are tons of anime titles to chose from, but I guess I’ve really grown up when choosing a title to buy. Before, anime in pirated DVD was RARE so I ended up buying every anime title I saw. And that explains why I bought titles with no subtitles and loose episodes (Houshin Engi Vol. 3, Tokimeki Memorial Vol. 2, etc). So I support pirated DVDs? So what? It’s cheap, that’s why! One thing that caught my attention is that the new DVDs are in blue and red packaging with labels "Blue Ray" and "HD DVD" and I stupidly thought to myself – WTF! So now there are pirated Blue Rays and HD DVDs??? When I asked one of the vendors he told me that they are just "blue ray" copy but the discs are still in regular DVD format. Whew! But it would be good if Blue Ray would be pirated too don’t you think hehehe.

Sherry arrived with no chocolates or omiyage, but I don’t really mind. The first thing I asked was to eat Takoyaki at the food court. There’s this Takoyaki stand in Megamall that I really love – Chito’s Takuyaki. Their takoyaki is the only food that made me eat veggies because they don’t taste like one when they’re inside the takoyaki balls, and Sherry loved it too. She was surprised to see me eat the whole takoyaki without separating the vegetables, really, it’s that damn good. Plus I get to drink my favorite buko shake. It was the best meal I had that week (mom I really miss you) –tears-

At 1:00 PM we started to move to the venue, the Shang Cineplex. We were lucky that we didn’t experience queuing for the tickets. The ticket lady informed us that the screening would start at 2:00 PM. So that gave us time to talk. She told me what happened at work. She now has friends in Singapore and she told me how much she wanted to go back. She started looking for job again through the internet. Then she showed me pictures of her stay there and the conversation went on something like this:

Kid: (looking at the pics on the phone) is this a penguin?
Sherry: Yep!
Kid: How did that happen? They don’t snow in Singapore
Sherry: It’s synthetic of course. Oh yeah, they (Ocean World) housed Polar Bears too. Look!
Kid: No way!!! (looks at the video of a swimming polar bear)… but they’re not cute when they swim, I like them when they’re dry so they’ll have this fluffy look.
Sherry: Oh really…
Kid: Yeah! (raise an eyebrow) BTW, did you see a Panda too???
Sherry: Uhm, no. Unfortunately… I wanted to see one too..
Kid: Hah! As long as you haven’t seen one, I won’t feel envious bwahahahaha! Look I’ve seen one (brags my phone)

Sherry: LOL! Panda your ass! This is not a real one
Kid: Of course it is! LOL!

-sigh- I want to see a real Panda…

The other things we did while waiting for the show to start – drop at Kid’s Station, answer some Kokology, CAMWHORE (this has been a regular activity whoever I'm with hehehe)… Then I saw Neitaro, she never changed. She always have this upbeat energy during events that would make you want to shout "hey" "woi"… Finally, when the show was about to start, I saw Chris but he doesn’t have the ticket yet. He went to get some and we followed him to check - and surprise - Aish and Duston were also there. Wow! Unfortunately, they were not able to get the tickets for the first film. So Sherry and I went ahead to watch the first film – Linda, Linda, Linda!

This film about youth is set in modern-day high school just outside of Tokyo. In the days just before the school’s culture festival, a girl’s music group is facing a dilemma. They planned on playing an original piece of music but, three days before the festival, the guitarist appears to have broken her finger (actually she doesn’t want to break her nails) and an argument breaks out between the vocalist and Kyoko. They need to find a new guitarist and a new vocalist. While the remaining three girls are pondering who to ask to be the new vocalist, they hear the song, “Linda Linda Linda” by the famous Japanese rock band Blue Hearts and decide they want to sing it instead of an original song. A Korean exchange student, Song, is sitting in the next room and they take the chance to ask her to be their vocalist. Her Japanese is not perfect, and she’s never sung in front of an audience, but she just happens to be listening to the Blue Hearts song. They practice and practice but they don’t seem to be improving. They spend a lot of time at Kei’s ex-boyfriend’s studio and at the school practicing late into the night. They are really tired, but a deep friendship develops among the four girls. The night before the festival, they practice late into the night and exhaust themselves. They suddenly wake up the next morning and realize that they are late for the festival. They arrive at the school just as the festival is finishing and perform as the last act. The audience loves them and the four girls play their hearts out.

-taken from Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO) Eiga Sai 2008 flyer

At the end of the film, we were both singing Rinda, rinda, rinda! I loved the film. Funny and endearing, this film made me remember my college days again. My favorite scene was when a certain Maki confessed to Son, the way he tried to speak in Korean and Son barely understand what he was saying, then she’d reply in Nihongo. A Japanese speaking Korean and a Korean speaking Japanese. A major BWAHAHAHA! I always find it funny to hear Japanese try to speak other languages particularly Filipino. Here’s a classic line I’ll never forget – tutugutogu kami – the Nitta Oyako saying "tutugtog kami" during their self introduction at the Tsugari Shamisen Play last October 2004, and they said that many times! This film made me want to check Blue Heart’s music, I liked the soundtrack!

When we got out of the movie house, there’s already a line for the next film and the tickets available are for the 3rd film already. I was planning on watching all the four films but it was impossible because by the time you finish the film, tickets for the next film were already "sold out" (admission is free, but for my lack of term hehehe). We queued for the tickets of the 3rd film that lasted an hour because they won’t release them for some reason.

After we got the tickets we decided to eat. I never told Sherry that I was feeling sick due to lack of sleep but at that time, I wanted to have some soup so badly (this is an indication that I’m sick hehehe). I was tight with my budget so I asked her if we could eat at Jollibee because I want their macaroni soup and she agreed. Now that reminds me, 8 years ago we’d go anywhere just to avoid eating at Jollibee hahaha. When we got there, the first thing that caught my attention was the happy meal toys. They featured Inuyasha! I got excited but sherry told me that Mcdo featured Conan Meitantei. I got more excited that I forgot I’m feeling sick. I inspected the Inuyasha toys and I found the details unsatisfactory so I told Sherry, "let’s eat at Mcdo instead hehehe". We both ordered happy meals and Sherry was kind enough to give me her toy. They are not action figures like the Inuyasha toy but a variety of puzzle games. Not bad, I love Conan more than Inuyasha anyway hehehe. I completely felt refreshed after eating and we were ready for the next film –We Shall Overcome Someday.

This film takes place in 1968 in Kyoto, Japan. The background of the film is the turmoil of the 1960s and the relationship between Japanese and Koreans in Japan. The story begins when members of the karate group of a Kyoto high school insult two girls from a Korean high school. A war breaks out when the Korean girls get the boys from their school, led by a boy named Lee Ang-son, to seek revenge. The Japanese boys are reprimanded by their teacher, and two boys, Kosuke and Norio, are told to go to the Korean high school and make a peace offering: to have the two schools play a friendly match of soccer. While they are at the school, Kosuke hears the sound of a beautiful song of Ang-son’s little sister, Kyung-ja, a non-violent, peaceful, 2nd year high-school student who is part of a band. He finds himself drawn to the young girl and the sound of the Korean folk song, “Imjing River.” He steps over the ethnic divide and becomes friendly with Ang-son and his rough-neck gang. Ang-son has plans to go back to Korea and has unknowingly gotten his girlfriend pregnant. Kosuke then find’s himself part of the group until an accident kills one of the Korean boys and Kosuke bears the brunt of the family’s anger. Kosuke begins to understand the anger felt by the Korean community toward the Japanese community through the music and words of the folk song. Ang-son finds out he is going to be a father and realizes he has to grow up.

-taken from JFMO Eiga Sai 2008 flyer

There were also funny and heart warming moments in this film but my general feelings were really heavy. After I watched this film I noticed something. The two films featured Japan-Korea friendship theme. So are these films part of Japan’s attempt to atone for its past mistakes with its neighboring Asian countries. "We Shall Overcome Someday" reminded me that Japan really started it all – all those hatred. I can’t blame those Korean kids for assaulting the Japanese’ high school bus since some Japanese highschool boys started picking on some Korean high school girls. If only the sense of revenge doesn’t exist… But as the title suggests, it also showed how the new generation can make up for the sins of the past. I find Kosuke and Kung-jya’s relationship as a perfect example of hope for a grudgeless truce among warring nations. World peace is still a far fetched dream, but I truly believe that we shall overcome someday. After all, the film concluded with a happy ending.

When we got out (again), I finally saw Chris, Aish and Duston queuing for the next film. We approached them and stayed for a little while. Chris said that film they saw is not really good, it was long and boring (no wonder the 3rd film started late). I informed them about the Anime Matsuri on July 26, JFMO will be showing classic anime Films like Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, but just as I thought, they are well aware of the event. According to Aish, the Doraemon film was heartbreaking but I can’t imagine myself crying at a Doraemon movie hehe. But that’s something to look forward at the end of the month. When the line started to move, we bid goodbye. Sherry and I eventually parted our ways.

It was a long Saturday and it was really tiring but it was fun. As soon as I got home, I slumped in my bed with a happy sigh.

In my search for a chess board for my Clamp chess pieces pictorial I came across that ‘ol treasure chest. I hardly pay attention to it although it’s just beside my abubot boxes, but now I’m looking at it with sheer interest. It’s antique! I wonder how much I can sell it. I can buy the Perfect Grade Wing Zero Custom Pearl Mirror Coating Version (I wish there’s a nickname for that) Bwahahahaha!!! But then a voice echoed “forget it kid, you’ll never know who’s gonna haunt you” hmmmm…-shivers- okay… Anyway, I went ahead and opened it hoping to find the chess board but luck was not on my side (it never was damn it). Instead I found yearbooks, photo albums, loose old pictures, old letters, old junks… It is a TREASURE chest indeed!

I browsed the loose pictures, laughed at how silly we look back then and realized something from this picture…

Notice the girls with same dress and boys with the same shirt design. Yes that’s me and my siblings, together with our parents and first degree kins. (to my cousins involved, sorry if I had to post this embarrassing photo hehhehe)

I wonder if your parents were the same as mine, but it seemed that they are obsessed in making their kids look so much alike by sporting the same hair cut and clothes. Yeah when, we were a lot younger, I have the same hair style as my sisters and we always go to mass with the same design/terno clothes. Whatever happened to man’s struggle for individuality… grrrr…. But this will never happen again, I’m glad hehehehe

And here’s another one… BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

By the way… it’s Killua Zoldick’s birthday! Happy Birthday baby, muah!

Momonji went to Hong Kong together with my uncle and aunt. She left yesterday and thank God she arrived there safe and sound. She’s staying there for 3 weeks. I’m happy for her. I know she always wanted to travel abroad and now she finally had the chance to do it. Hong Kong is not much nowadays. Even highschool kids can go there but still, it’s overseas and you have to ride the plane to go there so I know it means a lot to my mom and I’m really happy for that. I hope she can enjoy her stay even with limited funds she got. On the other hand, I’m a little sad. I can imagine what my lunch and dinner would be for the next 20 days - canned goods, frozen delights, salted egg, Ka Millet’s BBQ, Andoks, Jollibee, Tapsilogan… haay, I will be deprived of home cooked meals for 20 days and that’s equivalent to 40 meals (lunch and dinner) –tears-. Breakfast is my only saving grace – I love Gutierrez’ pan de sal! And dear lord what will happen to my… uhm… clothes? My mom would definitely expect a 3 weeks worth of clothes… I’m so helpless, sue me. And of course, home’s not complete without my mom around…

Good news, today I finally completed the Clamp No Kiseki, yay! Sandy of Comic Odyssey gave me great discount on vol. 6 and vol.12. He’s so nice. By the way, ever wonder if there’s any connection with the other comic store Comic Quest? I highly doubt if the 2 shops are in anyway owned by the same person or group, there’s a big difference in prices. But what’s with those names?! Maybe I should put up one and name it ‘comic journey’ or ‘comic trek’ hahaha! Cheesy me hehehe. But I definitely prefer buying from Comic Odyssey. Aside from cheaper price, the owner and staff gives me discount and are very accommodating. Unlike the people of Comic Quest, they seem to be nice to REGULAR customers only. You know, the typical “customer service”.

Back to CLAMP no Kiseki, it’s a 12 volume publication that exhibits CLAMP’s works from 1989 to 2004. It’s a celebration of CLAMP’s 15th year in commercial manga scene. Each volume showcases exclusive interviews, artworks, short manga, essays and –deep breath- limited edition collectible chess figures. I don’t know how to play chess but I am a CLAMP fan so I decided to collect them. It’s a MUST have for fans! I learned a lot about CLAMP team from this publication and I became more obsessed with them hehehe. I learned that they are heavy drinkers and a bunch book worms. Despite their high profile, they were very friendly and approachable. Bunch of gullible also, right Takashi Yamazaki-sensei? Kidding hehhehe. But what really amazed me is that they are obviously more than just a team. They are very good friends. They used to live together but now they live separately, their cats Kakyou and Kogane, stayed with Ohkawa-san and the other 3 CLAMP members always visit them. It’s very rare to be colleagues and good friends at the same time without getting into huge conflict (case in point: Eraserheads). I’m pretty sure they have a smooth relationship otherwise they won’t stay together that long. It’s already their 19th year and they are still doing very well in the industry. Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles and XXX Holic are still ongoing and they have a project with Dark Horse Comics in 2009. CLAMP-sensei I love you!!!!

The bad news, no issue comes with a chess board and I haven’t heard that there’s an official release yet. Damn I can’t find the fuckin’ chess board! I need it for the pictorial! By the way, in Japan, if you completed the set, you’ll also get a Keroberos and Spinel as alternative Kings…. Too bad, I have the US version T_T

Oh yeah I know you're not asking, but I want to say that my favorite chess piece is the white king Shaoran and the black knight Nokoru. They are the apple and strawberry of my eyes, kawaiiii!!! 0_0

(Painful) Addition to my Wishlist

I was looking at an online shop of toys when something caught my attention. This is actually an old news but I just accidentally learned that Bandai released a new version of the Perfect Grade Wing Zero Custom, the Pearl Mirror Coating Version. When I was looking at the pictures I felt a mixed emotion of happiness and sadness.

I was flowing with happiness because it’s so f*cking gorgeous. Magnificent! I’ve been pre-occupied by it for a week already. It feels like falling in love. The sad part is… it’s so f*ckin’ expensive gaah =’(. Much more expensive than the original version and it really hurts me that I can’t get it now. And this is what you call a one-sided love =’(

But this is just my impulsive nature towards toys or anime stuff. It is my only passion in life after all. I know if I’d just think a little longer, give it more time, I’d realize there are more important things that I can get for $399. The price would go down eventually.

Then again, this feeling at this moment is also important. If I could satisfy this yearning for this TIME… then that is something I can consider as PRICELESS. But this is just my childish wish…

7th Toycon 2008

So I went to the Toycon and now comes the hardest part – my report! NOT!

I’m a little lazy but I have a responsibility to my journal –sigh-

I didn’t stay very long and I wasn’t able to take a lot pics. It was time-constrained, I need to go by 5 PM. I was able to meet with old friends and it felt nostalgic to see them again. I didn’t watch the cosplay catwalk, I was busy shopping. Sadly I didn’t get any toys, just magazine and manga. As always, I didn’t finish the event. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to my friends, I was really in a hurry. I can only say this much… I feel like I’ve been numbed by previous conventions so I don’t think there’s a point extorting what I think about it. But of course, you can expect me to be present by next year hehehe…

And here’s my coverage of the 7th Toycon.

I just got back from Manila. I went to see my friends in MDH. I printed CD stickers in the office. I had my gift to Colleen sent through LBC shipping. But the most important thing I did was I took my toys which I temporarily stored at Aris’ place. I had them stored there when I moved back to Tanay after I resigned from the hospital. I didn’t want to take them home at first for 2 reasons.

First, I don’t want an argument with my Mom or my brother Richard. I’d always get a negative reaction from them whenever I’d buy something to add up to my collection. They find it unreasonable for me to spend much for something that is not a necessity. If only I could, I wanted to tell them:

hey this is my money,I worked hard for this
why can’t I spend it on something I really like
do you know I’m a lonely soul and these stuff are my little source of happiness,
blah blah blah
blah blah blah

But I didn’t and I won’t. I prefer to keep quiet to end it all. An argument requires “transparency“ on both parties which I’d prefer not to get into. A set of words would lead to an explanation that leads to another story and eventually would lead to another explanation. Who knows, it may never end. It’s always best to keep your mouth shut. Less words, less mistakes! Or so I thought. It’d be best for me not to let them know that I spend more on anime and toys than food and clothes hehehe.

Second reason, at that time, I didn’t want to leave Manila for good (duh like you’re going abroad?!?). I wanted to go back. I thought I need to leave something important behind to make me go back. I told myself, I’ll get another job and get another place and move them (toys) with me again.

But then I realized that I was only being emotional. For crissake I’m only 2 hours away, that with or without a job, I can always go back. And I MISS the toys I left SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUUUUUCCCHHH!

Surprisingly, my mom knew all along that I still have some stuff left in Manila.
She asked me:
“so what are you going to do with all of this?”
And I said:
“collection. I’m an ANIME FAN and I work hard and I deserve to be pleased”
End of discussion. Teeheee…

Now they’re back to join the others. We’re one BIG family again. It’s not like I feel complete inside. But at least for now, I’m satisfied.

I wonder if anybody noticed that I rarely update my blog nowadays. If you do, then what do you think could be the reason?

1. I’m too lazy to write something
2. I’m too busy, can’t find time for this
3. There’s really no update to write
4. It’s best keep my activities to myself
5. All of the above
6. None of the above

And the answer is… well I’ll leave it to your imagination hehehe. But one reason I have is that I rarely get “connected” to the web. Sometimes, ideas keep popping out of my mind and I feel the urge to share them but it’s either I’m not on my PC or online and by the time I am, all those thoughts have already flown away –sigh-.

As for updates (on my life), I think I owe my (very few) readers a lot… So let’s start with the Ozine Fest last April 5. I attended Day 1 and it was… just fine. Don’t blame me if over the years I’ve gotten jaded over local anime conventions held. There’s really nothing new. But of course I can still appreciate some cosplayers, and yes I still approach some to take pics. It runs on every otaku’s system and can’t be taken off by external influences hehehe. The best thing about it though was being able to see my friends which I haven’t seen for a long time. I finally got to meet Aish’ husband Duston. He’s a nice and funny guy and they really look cute together. I wonder if they’re planning to have a baby soon because I’m really rooting for a baby boy hehehe. Going back to the event, the day 1 featured the Group cosplay competition and I really don’t like staying in the event just to watch the group cosplay category. Don’t get me wrong though, I have nothing against group cosplay, how I’d love to join group cosplaying with my friends. It’s just that I find the skits too lame. Honestly, a 5-15 minute skit by a group can get me snoring. Nothing against the cosplayers, the costumes were wonderful but the “stage play” factor is way below my standards. PLUS, that big yakult replica really helped! If I only knew, I would’ve come the second day and I will never stand behind the Yakult booth ever. Still, seeing my friends made coming worth it. And yes, I managed to get a Ruroken doujinshi and a Yuyu Hakusho snap fit model kit hehehe. You can view my Ozine Fest ’08 HERE.

Speaking of toys, I’m currently addicted to gashapons. Well not really, it’s just that a certain series of gashapon caught my attention. And guess what, they are not anime, manga or game related but replica of the human anatomy. I find it really amusing that these anatomical models found their way to gashapon world. But the main reason I liked it is because I was really impressed with the details in relation to its size. Hail to the Japanese toy makers! The major disadvantage of being hooked to gashapon is the blind purchase system. We all know that you can get them at vending machines installed at various toy stores, and there’s no way you wouldn’t end up getting the same design two or more times. But then again, I have already found a sensible solution for that. Hehehe, for this year, friends can expect me to give out gasahpons as birthday presents!

Oro?!? Something amazing about the date -02-07-2007- eh? OTANJOUBI OMEDETOU!!! Yes I just turned 24! Awww! Last night I watched the last 10 episodes of XXX Holic and the last episode was a reminiscence theme. It’s about Watanuki’s past, about his very first friend which was actually a spirit. In that episode was also Watanuki’s birthday. It’s just that I got excited because there was this caption by his “friend” saying “tomorrow is your birthday ne”. And early this morning, when I was watching episode 8 of Honey & Clover, Takemoto was also celebrating his birthday. Regardless what their actual birthdates are, the bottomline is, it’s my birthday and the day before my birthday when I saw it, and I could only come up with only one conclusion… the heavens is greeting me hahahaha!!!

Anyway, there’s really nothing special. Still the same old me. I’ve received greetings from expected people and some unexpected. What a shame, I have neglected to hear mass first thing in the morning. I overslept. Though I promised to hear mass later this day, in the end my memory lapses prevailed. So what did I do for my special day? I had my brunch at Starbucks Megastrip (Megamall). I’ll be meeting my parents later so I decided I don’t have to each much.. Of course I didn’t take kohi hehehe. I bought my birthday present which is CLAMP No Kiseki Volume 5. Then I met up with my parents for dinner. Ren, Dindee, and Frances came over too. Then Ate Tesie, Kuya Val and Oliver caught up. I’d finally got to blow a birthday cake hehe… I made a wish… a wish without any compensation, because I honestly could not afford to lose anyone or anything that I have right now. Everyone within my world is a necessity to me. Everything went out just fine and when I got home I received a present that Mike left in my dorm. While writing this entry… I thought, everyone seems to be in good shape… and yet, why do I feel something is missing… -sigh- I wouldn’t want my birthday to end with grievances… I want to be optimistic… that everything will be better… better than what I hoped for… after all… God decides what’s best… so I’ll just have to entrust everything to Him… yes that’s right… everything will turn out right… no, better…Happy Birthday Kid (“,x)

Darn, am I really that busy?! I was thinking if I really had no time or I’m just too lazy or I have weakened my writing skills… awww… anyway, I wanted so badly to update my blog, so to start with, I must summarize the what happened the previous year. Then later I’d report the recent happenings in KiD’s groovy and gloomy life hehehe…

So how was the year2006 for me? Good and bad, happy and sad… maybe I could start after that resignation of Ma’am Shella last September. After she went off, Ma’am Marits assume the position as the Officer-in-Charge in our department. Everything went smoothly with our Surveillance Audit and was able to maintain our ISO certificate. Prior to the Audit, we moved to a new and better office, along the Executive Offices, BDD and HRD. Ma’am Marits is also a member of the IQA team, former Lead Auditor, and was a part of the legendary Docs Team. A very diligent and professional person, to be under her supervision was a good learning experience for the QM Staff and her tamed personality was a good example for all of us. It was a regret on our (QM) part that she preferred practicing her profession (Physical Therapist) and eventually let go of her OIC position as per her agreement with Dr. Joson.

The year 2006 was the year that I got to socialize more with other MDH people, in and out, of the hospital. I guess it all started when Frances was on the verge of emotional depression that I got connected with different icons in the hospital hehehe. She had this very frequent emotional shift that we named her “pakto” (topak) hehehe. I won’t go on the details since I wouldn’t want her personal problems to be aired, I’ll never know who’s gonna read this journal anyway. But anyway, it all started with her that I got close with Dindee, Aris, and Ren. And who would forget our late night escapades using Dindee’s car. We would go to different places whenever it popped in our mind regardless of time and location hehehe. I really enjoyed their company that I’d forget my own emotional problems. And the ironic thing about it is that (I think) we don’t share the same interests. Minus the fact that we’re all “not normal”, each has his/her own set of interest. So what brings us together? STARBUCKS!!! Hahaha…

This new set of friends may have been the reason why I am not so updated in anime/ manga for so long. I hardly had the time to watch anime, read manga and attend anicons. After the Toycon, the next event I was into was the UPAME Matsuri… and I wasn’t even able to join the Cosplay. Waahh, I didn’t cosplay in 2006?!?! Now that was really depressing –sigh-… but it’s all worthwhile since I get to learn new things. And though I’m not so updated with the latest anime, manga or event, I still manage to update my Toy collection, yay! Some of the best I got since I acquired that Kenshin figures that I craved for so long (see my July 26 entry) were Vincent Valentine, Ohm model kit, 1/144 HG Wing Gundam 0-custom Metal clear edition, 1/100 MG Gundam 0-custom (read that “MG”!) Rei Ayanami in white santa dress,Tsubasa Chronicles mini figures, etc…

Late 2006 was also the time that I am really confused with myself. What I want to be, where I want to be, what I want to achieve, etc… I am talking about my career. Now that we're on the middle of a big project that entails much of my time, I’m having second thoughts if I’d still push through with my manga artist dream. Maybe I should just study intensive nihongo, or maybe I could push through with medical studies, etc… but one thing remains clear, I want to go to Japan. I want to work there. I want to have Japanese friends… when and how, I don’t know… I really need guidance on this matter…

Okay, that would be all for a year recall. What makes it hard for me to document everything that transpired is the feeling that nothing significant changed in me. I’m still on the same base… I’m still confused, still depressed, still broke –sigh-. I haven’t matured a bit! I’m still that same foolish kid!!!! And my blog layout still sucks!!! Arghhhhhh!!!!!

But perhaps, the coming year would be better... it's the year of the boar! Hey Kagura!!! I'll try my very best to be active in the virtual reality hehehe... And i'll try to be more Japanese, hey I'm speaking of "discipline" here. Be more focused on my goals. Reach for my dream!

By the way, as I try to be more active on the web, from now on i'll be posting my pictures in my Multiply account... Geez.. having different web accounts is just as tedious as multi-tasking. But really, on my 10-day vacation next month, I'll try to fix my account! That'd be all for now! Mata ne!!!! (",x)

Good news, I finally got that Kenshin toy! The one that I have been looking for ages. And who would’ve known that it would actually find it’s way to me bwahaha! There is a newly opened wrestling stuff stall at UN Times Plaza. They sell WWF videos, PS2 games, and –drumroll- TOYS! Very limited though, they have action figures of wrestlers, McFarlane toys (the best!), and… to my surprise, they have the Kenshin action figure released by Yamato, Inc. that I’ve been desperately seeking for, well, ages! Darn, I’ve searched every toyshop I know, but I never found any stock. Plus, when I finally found one in Comic Alley Megamall, it’s not for sale. I persuaded the CA salespeople a million times already, damn, I even bid 5000 bucks (but that was just a bluff hehe) for Kenshin but they just wouldn’t sell it. Anyways, it made me felt incomplete, that I have Kaoru, Tomoe, Saito and Okita, but no Kenshin. During the time that it was still available (around 5 years ago), I haven’t got this enthusiasm for toys yet. My concentration back then geared on manga and Artbooks. Going back to the wrestling stuff shop, when I asked the saleslady if the toys (all of them) are for sale, she told me that for now they weren’t because the owner hasn’t put a price on them yet. At least it gave me an idea that they’ll be for sale in the future. The next day, I went there to check again. This time, I inquired specifically for my target. Heavens must have heard me, the saleslady gave me the price! it’s significantly cheaper than what I expected but I have to buy the whole set. I inspected the toy though, and they are not really on their best condition. I'll give it a grade of B. Still, I think it won’t be a lost if I buy it with the price given. The original price when it was still on the market was about 650 per head. When it got obsolete, toy sellers sold them from 2900-4500 per set, but incomplete, usually Kaoru is missing. And that was 2 years ago, and they were actually second hand, mind you. Now this shop which is few steps away from my work place is selling a set of 3 (Kenshin, Saito and Sano) for P1500. Surely, heavens have heard my plead hahaha So I wasted no time and asked the saleslady to reserve it for me. heck, I even told her to put it out of display hehe. Anyways, I have it now, all mine! Ureshii! Bad news is, it’s totally out of my budget… so… I’m super broke again haha… oh well…–sigh- I even sacrificed paying half of my dues to Citibank. I promise to pay it back on the next payday though.. At least it’s another obligation fulfilled to Kenshin hehehe. Just 7 more RK manga, and I am fully free of Ruroken obligation. I mean, at least I would’ve fulfill my promises to him ahaha.

By the way, I just want to share, last week I watched XXX Holic anime series and movie. Hmmm, considering I have read the earliest volumes about two years ago, I think it’s acceptable if I can’t remember if the stories featured in the anime were the same as the manga (is it?). But I can confidently say that the plot is the same. The white Mokona had a cameo in 3rd episode, but only as a CHESS PIECE. Hey CLAMP fans, where have you seen that? Yep, the CLAMP no Kiseki publication. Damn, I’ll get one of those when I get my 13th month pay! A must!!! Okay, here I go again...anyway, I really loved the movie XXX Holic: Manatsu no Yoru no Yume (Midsummer Night’s Dream). The wish-granting-in-replace-of-an-equal-value shop of Yuuko received a request from a middle-aged (around 30+) woman to help her get into her own house, because her key won’t fit in. That is to say, she can’t enter the house. Prior to that, Yuuko received an invitation coming from the housemaster of the same house (everything about XXX Holic is weird, which made it really interesting). Together with Doumeki and Watanuki, Yuuko went to the house with the purpose of complying with her customer and granting the mysterious invitation. When they got into the house, aww, make that mansion, they were surprised to see that there were other people invited. They are actually collectors, and the invitation actually said that they’ll be able to complete their collection by granting the invitation. The collectors who came believed that the housemaster conducts an underground auction, and everyone believed that they can get something to add up or complete their collection. Now this really sounded interesting for me because I am a collector too. Now I wouldn’t want to spoil my readers so let me just conclude the synopsis with the information that the housemaster has a significant LINK to Yuuko’s middle-aged female customer. And let me add that XXX Holic movie was linked (finally) with Tsubasa Chronicles: Tori no Kage movie. Once again, let me say, I loved it. This collector theme thingie really aroused me hehehe. And the animation was really superb, it kinda reminded me of Spirited Away. Moral-wise, it reminded me of my “unhealthy emotional attachment” to my collection, which is actually turning (or might have turned) to avarice, which is really bad for my spirituality. Honestly, I love my collection that much that I give so much priority to it than my health, basic needs, and even family and friends. Bad huh, I admit that this is something that I need to work on. But I hope, people around me would understand that my collection is my primary source of motivation to work (just work okay). It’s the main thing that keeps me stick to my job, even if I’m not happy anymore. I’d always tell myself, you can’t buy what you want when you lose your source of income. Haayyy… the dilemma of poor people like me… anyway, pls. don’t condemn my collection because they have done so much to make me happy.

Belated Happy Easter! I’m thankful to God for the break I had. It’s been a good one really, although a piece of me is definitely missing, but staying home for a longer period, made me think of all the people around me, who cares about me and they give me hope that everything’s gonna be alright. First thing I’m thankful is that Mathet and I talked yesterday over the phone, she was inquiring about issuance of employment certificate at MDH… we talked about our sighs in the Hospital… what I really want to say is that it’s been so long since we had a talk like that. I miss hanging out with her, despite our big differences we get along well. And it might still be too early to hope that we’d be just like before, but I’m keeping my hopes up… second, I’ve taken the first step in teaching my dad to use PC. I taught him how to start and shut down Windows… and the first program I taught him is MS Word (of course). He doesn’t have to be an expert, just the basic operations would do. And I’d really feel some sort of fulfillment if I can get him to get used to Windows. And then I went out with Mike, well I promised him that I’d treat him to Starbucks. He gave me a 3/1 scale (hehehe) plushie of Mokona (of TRC and not MKR!)… It’s really cute! Mokona looks like an egg, so Mike was actually giving me an Easter egg hahaha. Then we played at Timezone at Greenbelt 3 and G4. Finally I’ve played the House of the Dead 4! It’s sooooo freaking cool. Too bad we didn’t beat the game… we went out of load, but we were really close to the final chapter hehehe… we also played House of the Dead 1 and 2, hehehe…. HOD is soooo addicting! And after such a long time, I got to play that boxing game (damn I forgot the title of the game)… that boxing simulation game is sooo fun plus it’s a calorie burning game hehehe…. We played basketball, bowling and car racing… Whew, really it’s been so long since I spent so much time in an arcade center, and it feels so good. I just want to point out that it feels so great to be young hehehe… haay so much for the fun… it’s back to -reality check- work…. I want to go on vacation leave!!!

Nicknames, IDs, Cloud... My rabidness…

I had my hair trimmed yesterday! I love it, just a trim but it feels lighter… I asked the stylist to retain the length and reduce the thickness. But I had my bangs and right sideburns shorten. Why only left? Because I’ve had enough with symmetry hehehe… anyway very few noticed the hair trim…

Then finally got my ID! Yay, after almost a year! And as I’m expecting, the front portion boasts my nickname Kid! My otaku name is in my valid ID! Sugoi! And it’s even better because the pertinent info are much accurate than the one I lost, I also had my TIN written in it now hahaha. Geez, what a simpleton, rejoicing over an ID hehehe. But anyway, ever wondered of the etymology of my otaku name… Kid? I just love it, very suitable for someone looking young and androgynous hehehe. I wonder how many would think of it as a guy or gal’s name. Honestly it sounds like a guy’s name to me. Ever heard of Jason Kidd (NBA)? Well it was used as surname. What about Kid Rock? Uhm yeah, it’s a screen name. But I didn’t get it from them okay, I’m just citing them as examples. Well just a brief background, more than 6 years ago, when I was still a rabid anime fan, I used different anime nicknames in the anime online community. It depends on my current addiction. I’ve used Momonja (from Mojacko), Nanashi (Trowa Barton’s name when he lost his memory)… uhm, I can’t remember the others already. I guess it’s a youngster or otaku’s nature to use other names. I used the name Kid during the brink of my addiction to Chrono Cross. Kid is the female lead character of Chrono Cross. I just love Kid’s character, reminds me of myself. And I also found it cool that such a pretty girl is using the name Kid, well, she’s boyish yeah, but it was obvious that she has some special interest towards Serge hehehe… back to Kid, it was summer vacation of my 2nd year, I’m turning 3rd year when I got hooked to Chrono Cross and eventually started using Kid as nick. In fact, I also use a surname for it, Himura of course. See it’s Kid Himura (weird combi huh). Like I said, I also used other nickname to other communities. But as time passed by, I realized the need for consistency. I have to use only one. Well, I was right when I chose Kid. It’s very convenient (because it’s one-syllable) to pronounce don’t you think. Besides, I love the letter ‘K’. I realized back then that most my favorite characters in various anime starts with ‘K’ Kenshin, Ken, Kennichi, Kyo, Kiba, Kira, Koenma, Kokubunji, Kaworu, Kamui, Killua… Killua… so now you know… well I believe some of my regular readers know this already…

Also, I finally took pics of Cloud! Aww, my very pecious toy… Okay, I can’t wait anymore, here it is! The super cool Cloud Strife with his drop dead gorgeous Fenrir! Looking at these pics makes me want to be an action figure too hahaha…. If only to get to that gorgeous Fenrir with the super cool and handsome Cloud-sama –faints-