animemiz’s scribblings..

Just this past Friday, I made my way to 17 Frost, amidst the incredibly snowed covered parts of Williamsburg and attended a performance to the movie screening of Zipperhead. This is my third time seeing the show, and I definitely enjoyed myself with every time I see this multimedia show. I wrote about this show way back when it was initially shown at Monkeytown.

The movie is going to be made into a DVD, with more commentary. Settling into the cushy black seats, I found myself back in Andrew Sarchus’s tormented journey again.

Prior to the video clip staring, heard some opening remarks from Steven Pacia, on the movement for 17 Frost to having more multimedia show experiences. Personally I definitely would love to hear more from Sineparade. I like Demon a lot from Zipperhead, but here’s a Here’s a movie clip shown during the presentation of Zipperhead: “Closer Now”

So yes winter is banking pretty much in New York City, and what else can I do, other than think about warmer weather. Job hunting is certainly something that is done on a flurry of on/off moments. Rather several things this week as I have my errands to run.

1. Get to the library to pick up some manga.
2. Post something for Manga Movable Feast this week.. Karakuri Odette (no this is not related to Swan Princess)

Somethings has happen though, I have been slowly getting back into reading my Google Reader.. very slowly though. My blog reading count is still in the 1000′s but what else to do. I have been on and off Twitter. I think I can control my tweeting to only doing it with my cell phone at some points.

Another is something I find myself going nuts for. Folding paper aka Origami, and for this I happened to get something in the mail on Saturday.

Granted it is the book that is by the organizer of a weekly origami group that I join last fall, but I still find that it is anifty thing to get into. With practice and and a little pocket change one can indeed fold something of interest.

Crease + Fold has origami projects that is not organized by level of origami folding. Rather it is organized by how big the finished product would be.

For a person like me, who is still learning how to read diagrams to fold more projects.  I find that I like the folding explanations toward the beginning. It is not lost in technical jargon, and very layman speech for some parts.

Also another nifty thing about this book, is that every page is in color. So as a visual appreciator, folding can be a bit more tempting to do.

A majority of the projects in this book are explaining about folding animals, but there are some that I find myself wanting to do in the future. Sweetheart Dress, Subway Map Wallet  or a Sakura Blossom. Reading this book does take some time. I am experimenting, and the diagrams does pose some issue, but origami is a rewarding craft in the end.

Drawn by Mel-vivi at Deviantart

I have not been as regular as updates on this blog, but once again.. let’s try it again for the year. I have become more of an observer, but if you do read Anime Diet or Anime.com, JLHLS my writings do appear there, more or less as a regular contributor. I have in my time of watching anime, turned more and more to reading manga….. so I am following that trend.

I have been finding myself more on is on Twitter, so I’ll probably be writing more of my quick thoughts there. This blog will probably suffer some lack of updates, but will try to keep it going, since there are some ideas I still want to share.

Personally for this blog:

• I want to be able to be more on top of sharing/linking/updating my photos…
• I want to be able to gain more experience in reading manga, even though that is limiting my reading time for other materials.
• I actually want to continue this blog on writing about impressions that is not on forefront ideas for Anime Diet.

So may all have a great new year!

DJ Ozma inspired...

This is a pretty late entry, but for my memory purposes. Not that it is any shape and form relevant to Japanese culture, unless you count the amount of Asians I saw this year, as well as the occasional anime costume wearing people, then this is one possible activity that adults in New York City do on Halloween that is different from the kiddies going trick or treating.

The Greenwich Halloween Parade is a procession of people in costume walking from Spring Street to a designated area. This is an annual parade that occurs in NYC, that if applied earlier and with good reasoning – then it is a treasure trove of photographs to be taken.

Brain anyone?

This is my first year as press for the venue, so other than feeling some soreness, it is a good practice for night time photography. So other than following the directions of the NYPD, and surrendering a majority of images for press photos, as well as following with a lot of other photographers, and fighting positions for the best poses/shots.. then my memories of Halloween is going to be something like this for the time being. Much like cosplay, I really am not sure if I have the interest to go dress up.

Some costumes that stood out for me

• The Chile miners, people seen the rescue, so what else can people dress up as?
• Bedbugs, yes NYC has an infestation.
• Outlandish costumes such as naked girls, paint girls, padded guys, woman and her tampon, laundry – are quite memorable for me. I didn’t get an image of the woman and her tampon, but yes I can remember it and chuckle.
• A group of Japanese dressed and dancing to DJ Ozma’s Bounce With Me… that is easily one of my favorite moments of the parade. That song while, very very tacky is memorable in being a highly wtf moment on Kohaku a couple of years ago.

Monkey King

A gallery of my images are all available here for print sale or perusal, so these images.. I share are only a snippet of my memories.

Have I mentioned how much I love reading graphic novels? Well it is something I love to do – on a daily basics… that in spite of there being a Public Day of Reading Comics.. that I will be participating in on Saturday.

I am writing this entry to give a thought on what I believe is the right thing to do for consistently reading and supporting manga! Also give a shout out for other great reads online- from what I know is out there on this similar issue..

I am not going to lie, and say that I have never read scanalations. But there are some reasons on why I do such a thing, of which I am consistently trying to correct myself of. One reason I do so – is because the niche marke is so small for a type of manga, that I have enjoyed, that I have purchased the paperback copies in the end or in the end found alternatives for. I probably won’t talk about this as much on this site, but bara is a topic of bl-eroge that I do like read, and it doesn’t fit the standard of fujoshi, so I just follow other alternatives. Learning Japanese is an important thing. Otherwise it will not be fair for the author, and in the end prove worse for readers who want to read it in a language that can be understood.

Also I do know that in bookstores – the graphic novel section is usually being over run with teenagers, and that is such a pet peeve with me. Graphic novel in America are not cheap – with the translation costs, packing etc… but it is pretty rude to ruin a graphic novel that is for sale. So please take care on not reading in bookstores like you’re at home. It is pretty rude to a potential buyer.. and to block the aisle like that.

These points I am pointing out though, are my personal solutions for getting manga to read.

1. Go to the public library and borrow, pillage, ravage, devour their shelves – if they have a graphic novel collection. I do.. and I usually am very very VERY grateful that New York City has three public library systems. Each library system has their own collection of graphic novels! If not – then inter-library loan for books. Go on World Cat (http://www.worldcat.org/) and see if a specific title is within your area. Consult with librarian on obtaining graphic novels. If the library is there- go and support it. I know libraries need money, but if you forget that they are there, then that is a waste of tax payer’s money. It is for free to the public! I see other libraries having issues with getting graphic novels, but there are some education worth in collecting graphic novels. Comics like Maus or American Born Chinese has won awards, and on September 25−October 2 (this year), there is such a thing known as Banned Book Weeks. So challenge your library – petition if you have the time for it..if your library is so conservative. I recently had an interesting conversation with Ryu Sheng on Twitter about where he lives…
2. Manga NEXT or other relevant conventions – having the hobby or life of an otaku or manga reader not cheap at all.. but take advantage of conventions – because vendors in the dealers room has graphic novel for dirt cheap price. Normally I would haggle for prices, but with no tax.. and the practice of bundling – especially on Sunday – do you realize how much manga bargains is there! Plus Manga NEXT, a local sister convention to Anime NEXT in New Jersey, has been fantastic so far, since I have been to three or so conventions they have provide a manga library free for convention attendees!
3. Take notice of manga for free as contest prizes on Twitter or publisher’s pages- that means know who the manga publishers are! There are lists on Twitter that users made, so there is a manga list on Twitter out there!
4. Get together with friends to purchase or share graphic novels… did I ever mention how much I adore my friend’s bookshelves… she has the best bl-collection that is among my friend’s. Did I ever share a tidbit – on how an vendor once told me that bl-fan girls are loyal – since they will purchase armfuls and armfuls of graphic novels, well that’s how my friend is… ^_^
5. Join a book reviewing group, with an emphasis on graphic novels.. I know for a fact that some blogs are on the move for consistently looking for reviewers. I have joined and worked on blogs that have graphic novel available. If not – then just research online – for manga reviewing groups there are currently – and see if you can or cannot get book for free. Also one thing – media mail is cheap – so I have been trying to do some exchanges with manga reviewers I have met online.
6. Remember to read book reviews- so that even without seeing the preview, at least you know a future presentation perspective or so. There are countless book review sites or entries out there. Google it.
7. Know that online there are manga previews or legal scanlations like what I have seen Viz has done with their ikki line, have I mention how much I love Kinyo’s Used Books or Saturn Apartments or Children of the Sea etc.. and they’re all free chapters! There are right now currently manga publishers also looking to get into the i-pod or e-book market….
8. Know that bookstores, online or physical sites would have sales.. and a lot of it. Borders has buy 4 or 3 for 1 free books. Book Depository online has free shipping, along with some discount pricing to many places in the world. Amazon or other online retailers, has used books or books on sale. There has been a current trend of omnibus-ing which is collecting several volumes into one. While that is more expensive.. definitely know that you are getting money’s worth in it having three volumes or so volume for the price of one, rather than several volumes worth.

Last but not least – this blog entry was in part inspired by several other blog entries that I have read. So these are other further readings.

All About Manga -Ten REALLY GOOD Ways to Buy and Not Steal Manga.

Libraries Are Not The Same as Manga Scanlation Sites: 4 Reasons Why Reading Manga From a Library Isn’t Piracy by Robin Brenner (Librarian of No Flying Tights)

Deb Aoki’s About.com – 13 Ways to Read Manga Without Going Broke

By no means is this a how to do tutorial.. I just decided to blog about it briefly to just say what my feelings are. It is very much like creating an icon, as size is definitely dictated by how much of the image you want to show, and not let the rest of the Twitter text take it over. I usually use Photoshop to create composite images. Then after using the Twitter images, I usually upload to my deviantart account. When I say I am not an artist, I guess these twitter backgrounds validate my account on DA.

Since I am an anime and a manga fan, my choice in background is as such. One of these days I would definitely like to try and create a working business background, but so far- doing these simple Twitter backgrounds – makes it fun for me to change my background ever so often. If I can probably use this energy to create very simplistic background – probably want to go back and take some courses on computer design.

This is one of my favorite things to collect, in terms of really wanting to keep things for the long run. Pencil boards, in my eyes are gigantic trading cards really. I have lost my trading cards set somewhere in my home, so this is my new passion for collecting. It is also the best thing to get autographs, for one thing – it is light weight and, I doubt it is going to be inked away.

FYI – pencil boards/shitajiki are plastic boards that Japan has.. it is suppose to be used as a smooth surface when there is nothing between the paper, pencil and desk.

From the two trips I have made to Japan, let’s just say that my collection has grown exponentially. So I figure I’ll just do a listing of how many I have in my set so far.

I ordered a Gintama, Shugo Chara, One Piece yet as of August 20, 2010, this is what I physically have.

Total Collected: 91

10xShitajiki
One Piece – (1 rare, 1 autographed by Kappei Yamaguchi, 2 Dragon Ball Crossover)

6xShitajiki
Ranma 1/2
Yu Yu Hakusho

5xShitajiki
Sailor Moon

4xShitajiki
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Ah My Goddess
xxxHolic
City Hunter

3xShitajiki
Wish
Nausicaa of Valley of the Wind

2xShitajiki
You’re Under Arrest
Chobits (1 autographed by Rie Tanaka, 1 mini)
Clamp Su [Kobato, Tsubasa Chronicles] – 2 (1 autographed by Makino Yu)
Laputa
My Neighbor Totoro
Jigoku Shoujo (1 autographed by Mamiko Noto)
Slayers
Onegai Sensei (1 autographed by Kikuko Inoue)

1xShitajiki
Hunter x Hunter
Kiki Delivery Service
Porco Rosso
Angelic Layer
Clamp in Wonderland [Wish, X, Card Captor Sakura]
Hime-chan no Ribon
Gundum Wing
Sakura Wars
Tegami Bachi
Mameshiba
Fairy Tale
Genshiken
Karin
Nagasarete Airantou
Full Metal Panic
Noir
Kare Kano
Zombie Loan
Gundum Seed Destiny
Kuroshitsuji
Shikabane Hime
Tsukihime
Junjou Romantica
Mezzo Forte
Durarara
Natsume Yuujinchou
Japanese Hirigana/Katekana Chart

Okay, I am jumping days, but yes. I definitely feel like talking about sooner than my other blog entries! After a year of thinking, getting over my nerves, I finally made it to a sento, or a Japanese bathouse. What a nice experience this was. Showers and bathes are always great in my book.

Background
I have memories of watching anime like Ranam ½, Totoro, My Neighbor the Yamadas, One Piece, or other Japanese life anime titles, with the most recent being Higepiyo, that has me just loving the idea of being able to go take showers and baths at a facility that is not just a spa or a gym. The United States does not have communal bathing experiences, based on a conservative or hygienic reason. I imagine that as an Americans, a person who won’t try this is missing out on a Japan or Asian experience.

Prior to Japan 2010, as I was researching the push is for tourists to try the onsen. There are some clear distinction between onsen and sento that affect price. Mineral water vs. tap water is one factor. Another factor is the connection of onsen with a ryokan, so a tourist who is in Japan with a budget, then sento is the answer. Sento by some readings are also considered lesser in numbers, and being swallowed by other factors of apartments having their own bathrooms, or a growing conservatism. There certainly is not as much help in English finding various sento, however there are still some English blogs and resources trying to correct this issue. My concerns were finding a sento that won’t be too shady or too out of place to travel for. Another small reason on why I waited a year to try the sento was a fear of my tattoos, usually Japanese don’t really think highly of tattoos, being synonymous with Yakuzas. Fashion tattoos are questioned though, so my tattoos attracted some attention.

Impressions of Komparu-yu
I found a nice sentou that wasn’t very out of the way, and simple to get to. Ginza’s Komparu-yu, a sento opened since the 1800’s, so with some aspects updated, there are still nuances from yesteryears off Japan. Komparu-yu is definitely a basic sento, and not a super sento. The sento is divided into three main parts, the shoe area, the locker room area and the bath area.

As Rai and I stepped past the blue store sign, past the vending machines, we stopped to put our shoes into individual shoe compartments, each locked and open with a wooden key. I was mentally feeling excited and nervous, and as we stepped into the woman’s bath. We paid an elderly granny, the 450 yen price entrance fee. One of the sento site said that the fee was for 430 yen, but the price has obviously changed. Komparu-yu also has toiletries that a bather can purchase if they didn’t have any. Some sentos said that there are coin lockers, and Komparu-yu had lockers with keys, that bathers can wear like a bracelet on the wrist. After claiming a locker, I stepped into the bath area, where there are also two sections, one a shower/cleaning section where bathers sit first to clean and wash off the body. After going through the normal bath routines, I tested the bath water, and stepped in. Soaking in the tub was great, it was relaxing, and the temperature of the water did take use to. After soaking in the sento, my skin felt egg smooth, so I really hope to be able to go again. After stepping out and rinsing off, I stepped into the locker room, and got dressed. Rai pointed that there was a blow dryer for 20 yen to use. I did see another of those old fashion salon style dryers for 40 yen to use, so there is that option as well.

Rai mentioned to me that there was a majority of elderly woman or tourists at this particular sento, I need to go to another sento to see if that is the case, but with this being in Ginza, I wouldn’t expect differently.

So we left the sento, and got milk from the vending machine. The practice of drinking something after soaking in a sento is definitely for re-hydration purposes. I was definitely thinking about the Japanese animation title, Saki.

So for a cheap way to relax, sentos are a great thing to experience.