Thursday, February 28, 2008

Alabama, Apartments, and Adjectives.
The trip to Alabama went okay. Nothing against Alabama, but the place we visited was like driving 6 hours to come back to where I live now (Auburn/Oplekia is where we went). 'Course we just went to visit my sister's friends. They did have a Cold Stone Creamery. I tried one is Hawaii and it was fabulous. My sister keeps laughing at me because I went to Hawaii and did/saw tons of stuff, but all I talk about is Cold Stone ice cream. It puts anything I've ever had to shame. You should try it if there is one near you (and you like ice cream).

Apartment hunting has been a nightmare. People actually charge $500+ rent for places that are the size of a box and so filthy that they are unlivable. Dirty can be cleaned but these were very far beyond that.

After a long, tedious day of looking at unlivable apartments, we were pretty frustrated. We found an apartment guide and in it found a spacious townhouse with any amenity you could think of for under our budget. We were so excited! I called the property manager and talked to him and we were pretty well going to sign the lease the next morning. We show up and we are told that we can't have it because we make too much money! There is apparently a thing called income restricted housing where you can only make so much money! It wouldn't have been so frustrating except I was wondering where the fuck it was when we were living in the projects, on the streets etc. I mean, we just can't win. We don't make money, we get screwed. We finally make money and still....geez. My only solace is that hopefully it is giving great housing to people in bad situations and all. I thought my sister was going to bawl afterwards though...It was still frustrating.

So to make a long (and did I say FRUSTRATING) story relatively short, we did find a pretty nice apartment for a decent price (good thing cause it was the last one before we were gonna pack up and move to Texas like NOW). We pretty well had to give up the few requirements that we were asking for, (we REALLY wanted a down stairs place) but what we got is pretty spacious, it has lots of amenities, and it is under our budget, yay.

Now we just have to pack, move, turn on all our phones, cable, etc, set up a bank account in town, get a PO box, buy furniture and decor, and get our house in BFE cleaned up real good for our mom who is staying here for one more year (until she can retire). I'm tired just reading that but oh well. Let's hope it goes better than the apartment hunting did...

Later!

--Shinkiro

P.S. I have been corresponding with MSKeller and she is doing okay. Not digging the military life, but that is no surprise because your first year is usually the worst. I can relay any message if you all want.
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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Now that my lovely trip to Hawaii is over with, it is back to the real world. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy. First up is a trip to Alabama so my sister can go visit her friends from college. I am going as her navigator because she'd get lost in a paper bag X_X.

When we come back, it looks like my sister and I will be moving out of our house and in to an apartment about fifty-ish miles away from where we are. It has been two months since I have worked and my sister just lost the case she was working on. The fact of the matter is there are just no jobs to be had here in BFE. I have actively looked but to no avail and I just can't afford being with out work for much longer.

The good news is that the city we are moving to is really nice and we have lived there before. There is lots to do, the apartment has great amenities (pool and tennis court, yes!), and last but not least, there are plenty of nursing jobs to be had. Not to mention, pay rates are higher there too.

On top of all of this, we are starting work on our house to boot. It has needed some work for a while, but we just now got enough money to work on it. Life is going to be hectic for a while.

That brings me to con season. I'm 99% sure that I won't be able to attend. Sorry everyone. After being out of work for so long and trying to make the rent, I just can't afford to take off right now. Something might change between now and then, but don't plan on seeing the Shink at any cons for awhile. Gomen T_T.

Guess that is about it. Stay warm and well!

Later,

--Shinkiro
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Monday, February 18, 2008

Live Aloha, Baby!
First allow me to treat you to some eye candy and hysterical audience participation moments from the luau I attended at Paradise Cove in Ko'Olina (Don't forget to check out the vid in quiz results below either):

Overview Video for the Luau at Paradise Cove

The Fire Dancer (who wouldn't fit in to a suit case)

The Maori

More Maori

Hawaiian Sandwhich aka Humilation=Happy Ending

Learn to Shake Your Booty with the Help of a local hottie.

To break it down, I stayed on the island of Oahu for two weeks, and I traveled the island extensively with my somewhat incapacitated friend. We ended up driving around the entire island by the time it was said and done. My friend told me she was taking me to the “tourist” Hawaii and then the “real” Hawaii. The names I remember include Ko’Olina, Kapolei, Honolulu, Waikiki, the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Hanauma Bay, Hawaii Kai, Turtle Bay, Sea Life Park, Barber’s Point , White Plains Beach, Ewa Beach, Wai’nai, and Waipahu. We didn’t go to Diamond Head because the North Shore was about as stuck up of an area as I wanted to visit.

I really enjoyed most of the places we visited. My favorite event was the luau at Paradise Cove in Ko’Olina. The most beautiful scenery was the drive along the North Shore, and I thought Hanauma Bay was particularly magnificent. Everywhere else was pretty nice. Barber’s Point was an industrial area and oil and other gunk from the USS Arizona leaks into the waters there, so it was probably the least attractive place we visited. Wai’nai and Ewa are considered the “slums” of the area, and most stuck up ‘haoles’ avoid those places like the plague. While not the crowning jewels of Oahu, they certainly weren’t hideous or anything. It was amazing to see what were best described as shacks that my friend said you couldn’t touch for under 5 million dollars simply because they were water front.

I also enjoyed Pearl Harbor and the Sea Life Park. Pearl Harbor is a must if you are going to Oahu. The Arizona memorial is a pretty chilling site. You can still see a few sections of the ship above the brown, nasty looking water. You can also tour the submarine USS Bowfin and of course the USS Missouri, where the Japanese signed the treaty of surrender. It was pretty awesome to walk through for sure. I was quite surprised at the large number of Japanese tourist, but I guess I shouldn’t be as I am just as likely to visit Hiroshima when I go to Japan. The Sea Life part was another great experience and I plan to go back when I have saved enough money to swim with the dolphins there.

I ate tons of food to include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian, and Tai. I had tasted most of these on the mainland, but these places were more authentic. My favorites were Chinese and Japanese. Hawaiian was good, but they really like deep fried foods and I only have so much toleration for that kind of thing. The Japanese restaurant was really cool because it was the kind I read about where all the food is on a conveyor belt and you pick what you like. I also got to try dim sum in China Town in Honolulu. The fact that it was Chinese New Year was an added bonus. We got to see the Lion Dancers and they did such a good job. They really played with the crowd and they let you get up close and personal. My friend rubbed the Lion’s butt. I wonder if that is lucky or unlucky? The troupe behind the dancers that were playing all the drums and such thought it was pretty funny though.

I ended up with a sunburn from hell, but it was fun showing my Asian friends how a ‘haole’ burns…then peels! They especially enjoyed the peeling, hehe. All in all it was good times and I can’t wait to go back when my friend is feeling better and we can snorkel, hike, scuba dive, etc together. I would also like to see more of Honolulu and visit the Waikiki Shopping Plaza when we have time to explore it all. Also can’t wait to take my sister back either.

Now it is back to the real world where I'll be fixing up my house, looking for a job, and preparing to relocate to Texas!

Later all,

--Shinkiro
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Sunday, February 17, 2008

Back from Hawaii
Just wanted to pop in real quick to let everyone know I am back from my trip to Hawaii. I had a blast and will post more later. Can't wait to get around the O and see what everyone has been up to while I have been gone.

I also have gifts that need to be sorted out. Probably gonna spend the next few days getting settled back in. We are going to start work on our house and I have to get back to work. I'll update when all of that gets sorted out!

Oh yeah, the tornadoes on Feb 5th missed my home. Can't believe the destruction. My sister went to Union University and from what I hear, it was demolished.

Later everyone!

--Shinkiro

PS. MyO looks different. Time to do some updating and stuff.
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Thursday, January 24, 2008

   First off, I am sorry to see that 2008 has turned in to a real $h*tfest for most everyone on my friends list. It's kind of a downer. You hope so hard for things to be different, better and not even a month has passed and it seems like the same old crap.

Then there is the Heath Ledger thing. People always think suicide is a selfish act and it really isn't. Suicide is an act of unfathomable despair so deep that you can't see all the people you will hurt. I know they didn't rule it a suicide, but it is text book. Even if it was an OD, what are drugs but a slow, self-destructive suicide?

Don't get me wrong, this isn't self pity. My year is going fine, especially compared to most. Just remarking on how awful a time many people are having already.

As for me not much new. My sister and I are apparently fighting and I have no idea why. She just quit speaking to me suddenly yesterday and is pretty well acting pissed off. Hate it when she gets like this, but I am grateful that these times are few and far between for us.

My MP3 player died so I got a new Zune since Kat talked hers up so much. Sorry, K didn't name it.

Finances are starting to suck. Didn't think I'd be out of work for this long and now with the Hawaii trip, I won't be available to work again until almost March and that is if they even have a job for me. Seeing as ACen and AN were rewards for meeting certain financial goals that it appears I am going to fall short of, they may not be happening. Just have to see how things go. I am sure I can swing it but by the time I have the money, the rooms, flights etc probably won't be available. Just gonna have to wait and see if things pan out...

Maybe the year of the Rat will be better?

Later,

--Shinkiro
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Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Mood: Super Sayan Hyper!
Hawaii is ON!!! I'll be gone February 1st-February 16. I am so excited and my sister keeps making fun of me because I am so hyper. Guess she isn't used to seeing me so happy. This year is so full of hope that I can hardly contain myself. Usually my years are full of...... well other stuff, hehe.

I'm sure I'll have internet access and may even be able to post. My friend is very energetic and always in to something so I may not have the time, but I will certainly try to stop by while I am there. I have a new digital camera so maybe I can end my photo taking curse and upload some here as well. February just isn't gonna get here fast enough.

I kinda dread the trip though. Gonna have to leave at 2am and drive 4 hours to Nashville. I won't reach Hawaii until about 9:30pm, yuck. The good news is I have a layover in Seattle. Been to tons of airports, but it will be a first for Seattle. I can scope it out for my trip to Vancouver because I plan on coming through Seattle to get there.

I also got a call for a job. It is only one day every other week but I may take it just to have some type of income until more cases come along. It is really out of the way so I am going to wait until the paperwork comes in before I decide for sure if I am going to take it.

I'm also totally addicted to Imeem. Intended on using it to explore Asian music but have ended up rekindling my passion for the music I grew up with in the 90's. Forgot how much of a role music has had in my life. Man I listened to some cynical/emo stuff!!! Feel free to stop by if you are on Imeem.

Better stop now. According to my sister I am extra rambley (No, it's not a word. Shut up).

Later!!!

--Shinkiro

PS. Anyone want anything from Hawaii? Now taking requests ^^.
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Saturday, January 5, 2008

   I know it's only January but...
I've been researching Chicago and Toronto. Gonna try and do the tourism thing on top of the con thing, especially since there is a week to kill between each city's con. (Niagara Falls, anyone?).

Also I was wrong about the hotel rooms being sold out. Rooms are still available on Yahoo travel and Hyatt.com but it is 200 bucks cheaper on Hyatt. Still close to one grand for the weekend! I'd like a nice place for us to chill though if the con ebbs like it did last year.

I'm even working on some new duds for all my travels. I put in an order and the the clothes I got were so comfy and nice that I put in another $300 order! It is so rare I find something I like so I am not letting it pass me by.

Still no job. Not going to get worried for a few more weeks though. I'd really like to be earning so I can buy tickets and reserve rooms and what-not, but I'm not hurting...yet.

Finally in the way of new toys: I set a full fledged account on Imeem. Look me up if you are in the area. Got Firefox. Tired of jacked up web pages, not being able to read ya'lls post, etc. Internet displaying much better since then, coolness. Been playing Okami too. Fun stuff! Heard it came out for the Wii. Think me will have to look in to that purchase.

Anyway, that's it. Crossing my fingers for a job phone call next week. See you all soon.

Later,

--Shinkiro


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Monday, December 31, 2007

Last Post of 2007
Happy New Year's Eve! I thought that I would just give you all fair warning that I am probably going to be around a lot more in the coming months. That's right, back to novel sized, rambling comments left at 3am, woohoo. I know you all miss that, tehehe. The chat box should be cropping up soon as time comes to prepare for con season again.

I have such a *good* feeling about the year. I really plan on making it to Hawaii, Chicago, Toronto, AND Vancouver. Kind of my reward system for reaching financial goals and all. On top of getting to travel and meet up with several of you all, I get to see my one of my best friends whom I haven't seen for three years now, I am on schedule to be completely out of debt, and we can finally start work on getting our house fixed up. Going back to college my also be in the plans in the Fall, we'll see.

So resolutions? This is the first year I can't think of any! What are some of ya'lls?

Plans for January? Find a new job since my patient's case got dropped and work like a dog to until February at which time I will be going to see my best friend in Hawaii! Plan on putting in some applications this week. Let's hope I can get back to work fast so I can start registering for cons and booking hotel rooms while they are cheap.

Anywhoo, I hope you all have a wonderful year in 2008!

Later!

--Shinkiro

PS. Could ya'll help me watch for when ACen opens up registration for their reseverved hotel rooms? I tried to book a room and they are ALREADY sold out so if I don't get one from the ACen site, I'm screwed out of staying at the Hyatt like I want too. I'll try to keep an eye out but most of you seem more up on that stuff *cough* Katana *cough*.
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Thursday, December 20, 2007

December 2008
Well it seems like I can make it around here on a monthly basis these days. It's not that I am just terribly busy, it's just that my life is full monotany, leaving nothing really to post about.

I do have some news this time though, I am going to Hawaii in February! One of my best friends that I haven't seen in a while just moved there and invited me to come see her now that she is settled in. I'm really looking forward to it.

I don't know what it is going to do to my con schedule, I just have to see how broke I am when I get back.

Other stuff: I'm totally in to genealogy now, my mom's dog had four puppies (didn't get her fixed fast enough), and I'm losing my job at the first of the year because my patient is being dropped (hope to start a few new cases).

That's really it. Good luck to those of you burried under final exams, projects, portfolio reviews, etc. Hope you all have a fabulous holiday!

Later,

--Shinkiro
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Saturday, May 19, 2007

ACen Report-Finally Finished!
Friday-Finale

It is past 7pm on Friday night and I have found a seemingly empty room to sit quietly and text Katana. I had been sitting for a while before texting her, and right as I started, I heard a commotion, which caused me to look up. Low and behold, it was the Spiral Spiders filing in for a panel. I was perfectly content to text Katana while listening to the Engrish of Spiral Spider’s front man, Yosuke Sakanoue. He tried to do most of the panel with his Engrish skill alone, *insert fangirl squee*! They were so fun and one girl had flown from the U.K. just to see them perform in Rosemont!

After the Spiral Spiders panel ended, I moseyed next door to see Lisa Furukawa’s concert. She was at MTAC, but I missed her main concert because it was on Sunday, so I was glad for a chance to finally see her. I waited and waited in line only to find out that her concert time had been pushed back. I took the time to eat some crackers and right as I was stuffing my face, the Spiral Spiders walked by. Bad timing. I just kept my eyes focused on the pack of crackers. I didn’t want to look up for lots of reasons, the main one being my very attractive cracker-filled chipmunk cheeks. :-P

Even by the time Schultzie met up with me again, the concert still had not started. We finally headed over to the Anime Hell event, which we were told we absolutely not miss. The line was insane! It stretched all the way out side. We watched them file in for thirty minutes, I swear! When all was said and done, the room hit capacity and we were forced to find other means of entertainment.

Our final panel of the evening was What Happens at the Con Stays at the Con, with our old friend from the Eva panel, Spike Spencer. He was pretty funny as usual, and he told more funny stories, but when he started talking about sexual exploits and orgies I was neither impressed nor interested. It still turned out to be an entertaining panel. I wanted to check out Midnight Madness and Underground Groove, but Schultzie and I decided to head back to the hotel so we could get plenty of rest for Saturday.

Saturday

We all woke up pretty early, even MsKeller who had stayed at the con until 4am watching yaoi. I needed a phone card because I was running out of minutes and Schultz needed batteries for his camera so we set out in search of a Walgreen’s. We ended up eventually finding a Target. Being at a Target where you had to park in a parking garage was an interesting experience. We then made our way back toward Rosemont (the Target was kind of out of the way).

It was after 11am when we reached the con, so I hauled ass to the SaiYuki panel, which I really wanted to see. I got a text from Katana around this time telling us that she was there waiting in the horribly long registration line. I told her I was off to the SaiYuki panel and she told me she’d text me when she made it through the line.

The SaiYuki panel was fan run and I lost interest fast, so Schultzie and I were off to see what else was happening. Schultzie ended up going to the Final Fantasy XII panel and I scooted on over to the Living and Teaching in Japan panel to see if it was going to be any good. After waiting a while, it was apparent that the panelist was not showing so the panel was cancelled. With nothing else interesting happening, I decided to just go wait in line for the Spiral Spiders/High and Mighty Color concert event. It was in this time that Katana and I kept trying to call and text each other to arrange a meet up. The eventual decided place was the café in the back of the dealer’s room at 2pm.

The Spiral Spiders were actually a very good live band. I was only able to catch two or three of their songs before I decided to take the skywalk of doom back toward the dealer room area so that I wouldn’t be late for the meet. I sent out a group text to Schultz, Katana, and MsKeller to make sure that everyone got the message (we had no way to contact BellPickle at this time). On the ten mile hike back over to the dealer’s room, I realized I had just gotten up and walked out of the Spiral Spider’s concert without my jacket and schedule >_<.

Schultz and I met up briefly as I was standing in line to get some food from the café (we hadn’t eaten since early Friday morning). Schultz declined food and headed back off to the dealer’s room while I braved the lines and busy tables to procure some food (two hot dogs and a water) and a place to sit. The hot dogs weren’t that great (surprise, surprise) and apparently they don’t eat catsup on their dogs in Chicago (my mom tells me I am the only weirdo that does!). With my meal consumed, I had nothing to do but sit and wait for the MyO meet up.

My phone rings. It’s Katana telling me that she and her friend Waffles are at the café but that she doesn’t see us. It was so loud we could hardly hear each other, but I eventually deciphered that Katana was in front of the café next to the Funimation booth and I heard something that sounded like “yellow cream puff” but I was sure I had heard that wrong.

I rounded the corner and saw two girls in Ouran uniforms (one in the boy’s uniform and one in the girl’s). “I see you”, I yelled in to the phone as I hung it up and started toward them (I was like ten feet away from them at the time). K was still on her phone, not having heard what I had just said. I looked at her badge to make sure and yep, it was her!

MsKeller showed up a few minutes later and barley said hello before having to rush back to her booth in Artists’ Alley. The three remaining ‘Oer’s wandered around the Dealer’s room and Artist Alley in search of anime booty. The meeting is kind of a blur to me but we extensively scoured the Dealer Room (mostly in search of Mori merchandise for me), we made several trips back and fourth between the Hyatt and Convention Center, we met up with Bell for a little while and she brought Japanese snacks and tried to educate me on Korean rap (she rocked!), we ordered pizza and had a My Otaku Pizza Social, I stuffed three bucks in the leather strap of a guy who was scantily clad on a dare from Katana, we retrieved my jacket and got me a new schedule, and mostly just kind of lounged around and talked. It was cool, though it didn’t seem like Walffles was having that good of a time and poor Shcultz was in tow of us crazy fangirls.

After Katana and Waffles left, Schultz and I wandered around a little more before I decided that there was nothing else I cared to see. I took a cab back to the hotel room, where I got a message that my mom was really sick. She almost had to go to the ER on Friday! With that on top of the job thing and financial things looming, I decided it was best to make my way home as early as possible, despite my plans to revist the Dealer room and see more of Chicago on Sunday.

I spent the rest of the night arranging for transportation home and thus ended my con experience. It was fun and I learned a ton while testing the waters this year. I know what to do and what not to do to make next year rock even harder (I’ll be flying in to O’Hare since transportation costs were almost three hundred dollars, much more than the money I saved on my flight).

Hope to see some of you there next year (I’ll be staying in the Hyatt in a Regency Suite if I can reserve it in time!).

THE END

So that was it. Thanks for reading! Tomorrow it is back to real time, though I might give my impression of your favorite MyO members that I got to meet live. Until then!

--Shinkiro
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