Kenchanayoh.com

A Kindle Fire? Says so ON the Box

2012-02-08T15:53:00.000-08:00

Many online retailers often advertise their logo on their shipment boxes. Amazon is no different. What really bugs me is that when someone orders a Kindle Fire from the Amazon, it comes in a cardboard box stating it is exactly a Kindle Fire. Most often than not, that is the outer box.

Does anyone else see the problems with that? Anyways, it is like buying an IPhone and having Apple put IPhone! on the shipment box. Or buying one in the store then having someone delivery to you on top of the hood of your car. It says, "There is something expensive in here. Please steal me!"

One of my coworkers had a Kindle Fire shipped to him. The box was tampered with, and upon further inspection, the Kindle Fire was nicked, or what we American called jacked, or stolen. It seemed relatively easy to steal, too. No packing tape or wrap to hinder thieves or unscrupulous delivery men. No idea where to put the blame on, but Amazon was kind enough to overnight another Fire to my coworker.

I am assuming that Amazon rather advertise through this method, and that replacing stolen gadgets is not too financially burdening. My belief is that Amazon is probably making most of the money off Amazon Prime, videos, music, games, and apps. Therefore, they are breaking-even or taking a loss in selling each device. But if you find your Kindles nicked in the future, Amazon has a very good replacement policy.

The Pacquiao Special!

2012-02-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

This is a pair of Nike Trainer SC 2010 Manny Pacquiao sneakers. Been pretty busy recently without anytime to blog, but I found these quite interesting to write about. Not the most sophisticated shoes you can wear. However, they are amazingly comfortable and supportive. It features Flywire and Air technology from Nike.

What makes these special? First of all, it comes in a golden box. Secondly, they are the Manny Pacquiao version. You know, the boxing guy who sings on television shows. The colorway represents all the colors on the flag of the Philippines, Pacquiao's home county. It comes with 4 sets of laces in red, blue, gold, and white. The tongue has his initials, MP. As you can see, the heel has his nickname "PacMan" as well as stars referring the flag. And most special of all, there is even a photo of his face in the sockliner...

Fierce! Awesome in my opinion. My feet are pleased.

Girls Generation Debuts on Letterman

2012-02-01T01:12:00.000-08:00

Girls Generation made their American debut on David Letterman to promote the stateside release of their album. Great performance. Song not so good.

But everyone loves hot girls dancing around. Just ask Regis...

Bonerific.

Bleaching 2.0 - Dariya Men's Palty EX-Hi Bleach

2012-01-24T22:41:00.000-08:00

Last month, I reviewed Mandom Gatsby EX-HI Bleach Clear Blond. This month, I will try out Dariya Men's Palty EX-Hi Bleach.

My hair color before performing the second round of bleaching was almost amber with black roots. The results were very impressive. It came out much better than with the Gatsby bleach. My hair is now really yellowish orange.

Pros: The color came out very close to the box. I was expecting a slightly lighter result due to my already-bleached hair, but it is very satisfactory. Compared to the Gatsby bleach I prefer the Palty because it didn't scorch my scalp. Also, the roots dyed to the same color as the tip. The application process is still not as easy as other types of dyes or bleach. My favorite ones are the wax types, which provide the best coverage. However, it is compensated by the inclusion of a plastic shower cap, allowing for a mess-free wait with proper time to set. The included post-bleach hair cream is a huge plus. I am quite happy with the brightness and shine on my hair without any noticeable damage.

Cons: The application process is still not as simple as it could be. Other than the color not appearing as light as it could be, there are not many complaints about this product.

I am not quite to platinum blonde yet, but I am expecting the next step to be Ash Grey or Silver. Not quite sure which brand yet, but after this experience I will be heavily considering another Palty product rather than a Gatsby one.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

2012-01-22T22:41:00.000-08:00

Kicking off the new year the right way! Well, close enough...

STOP SOPA!

2012-01-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

My American blogging friend. We have to stop the SOPA (and PIPA) legislation from making it to President Obama's desk. If the bill passes, it means the government has the right to censor and throttle what we can see on the internet in America. It could be the end of blogs, opinions, and freedom of speech as we know it. Sad that this has to happen in one of the greatest nations in the world. The government cannot give everyone health care, but they spend their time trying to take our voice away? Insane!

What can we do? Call the government about it! Go search for the info of your congressman and senator. Tell them you don't want SOPA nor PIPA to pass. Also, visit these sites for more info:

http://www.sopastrike.com/strike/

http://americancensorship.org/modal/call-form-moz.html

Straight-Man's Opinions of the Golden Globes Fashion

2012-01-16T00:17:00.000-08:00

Watching the highlights of the Golden Globes red carpet fashions and getting bloody tired of critical chicks and supposedly-fashionable gay men's critique of the winners and disasters. Why are there never straight guys critiquing those fashions on television? These are my opinions and feel free to disagree. Just don't call me a moron or a buffoon!

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu. Love Michelle as an actress. Love Jason Wu for his dress for Michelle. For Michelle Obama that is. I am totally not feeling this conservative direction. The headband is making me frown and what is the deal with the sleeves that cannot seem to decide to be short or long? Either cover it up completely or go totally sleeveless.

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang. Sofia is gorgeous already and this Vera Wang dress is probably the best display for her gorgeous figure as well as my favorite for the night. Love dresses with the contrast of the slim top and the exaggerated trains.

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace. The dress is gorgeous as much as it is glamorous. But the neckline nightmare made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. I am not a fashion designer or a professional fashion writer. So hopefully this is my honest opinion: "Not feeling the red eyebrow."

Claire Danes in J. Mendel. This sleeveless, backless number is fascinating, until you look at the front. Doesn't it not seem to contrast the right way? Thought so.

Emma Stone in Lanvin. Maybe it is the bias that I love Emma or fuchsia is a great color on her. Maybe it is that awesome belt buckle. Just enough in my view.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior. Fantastic. Love the lines on this dress. It is daring in just the right way. Plus, Charlize is a gorgeous lady. This is an example of a headband properly accessorized with the ensemble. Ken loves trains!

Jessica Alba in Gucci. Another beautiful lady in an equally beautiful dress. The accessories, great compliments. Extremely fascinated with the color choice.

Natalie Portman in Lanvin. My third favorite Jewish girl in the world (behind my girlfriend and Sarah Silverman) in another Lanvin. It looks a little too much like a prom dress with a bad case of the Pepto Bismol. If it was indeed a prom dress then I would give it a thumbs up, but this is the Golden Globes. Not acceptable.

La Sera @ the Echo

2012-01-13T01:08:00.000-08:00

Oh how I miss watching live shows. La Sera is awesome. And so is their hot ginger lead singer, Kickball Katy.

Oh yea...

What's In My Bag? 2012 Edition

2012-01-09T23:35:00.000-08:00

What is in my bag for the new year? Let's take a look inside shall we?

(1) A Bathing Ape x Mastermind bag with a talking Animal Crossing plush (2) Nike water bottle (3) Seinheiser headphones (4) Salonpas patches (5) compact mirror (6) Apple IPod Shuffle 2 GB (7) multipurpose bottle opener (8) Sandisk flash drive 4 GB (9) keys (10) daily planner (11) Apple IPod Touch 8 GB with knitted case

Jordan XI Concord Chaos

2012-01-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, the Jordan XI Concords were released to thousands of crazed sneakerheads who waited hours and even days for the opportunity to purchase these pristine shoes. There were even rumors of people getting robbed and killed for them.

This is how it looked in front of Niketown New York on release night (photo from Freshness). A bunch of dudes, very cute chicks in sight. I didn't wait in line like some dedicated individuals. Thank goodness, I had a connect to a wonderful sneaker shop in London, Crooked Tongues.

Thanks for some bastards who released information on Twitter about Crooked Tongues selling them, the web shop crashed, for over 16 hours. Eventually, my dedication was rewarded. Here they are...

This is the second time this specific sneaker colorway has been remade and released since its initial inception. The other time, it was packaged with the Jordan XII as part of the Defining Moments Pack.

My Christmas Gifts

2012-01-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

What did everyone get this Christmas holiday? I got a bunch of wonderful stuff from several people who are really close to me. My godsister gave me an AKB48 music videos on Bluray, an AKB48 single, and some KARA photos.

My sister got me Bones on DVD, Full Metal Panic Fumoffu on Bluray, a Simpsons t-shirt, gum, Pepero, and a personally-made amigurumi doll of Nicole from KARA in her baking outfit!

My girlfriend got me a Milhouse action figure, a Macho Man figure, and jam and honey from her hometown of Albuquerque. Wonderful right? It was a great year of presents from my beloveds. Talk to everyone soon. Bye!

Un-Fresh Sneakers

2012-01-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

Sneakers, the one accessory that is probably the most important part of young male fashion. There is a whole culture dedicated to the collection of sneakers. Guys would have the same model of shoes in different colors, or camp in the streets for days in order to obtain limited edition ones. If you have a sneakerhead in your life, you absolutely know the extent of this type of devotion and addiction.

I know for ladies, shoes have to be nice and clean. But these are sneakers. Now, is it important for the sneakers to look clean and fresh, or actually seems like it has been through days of hard labor?

There is an obsession to keep them as nice as possible, at least for the generic sneaker collector. It is almost like having a car, having to wash and wax it. But it is fine to have a truck covered in dirt. If that is so, then my Nike Pegasus 92 is definitely a...

Truck! I got them two week ago, and unfortunately got them all muddy doing some chores at work and home. Since the front of the shoe is suede, I am quite doomed to not destroy these by not cleaning them carefully.

Stay tuned for more sneaker adventures! Happy New Year everyone!

Taco Visits the Vet

2011-12-28T23:56:00.000-08:00

Taco visited the veterinarian for the first time last week. He was so scared and confused, I think Taco is still mad at me for taking him there. Doesn't he looked worried in his carrying cage?

"Oh no. I'm scared!" Overall it was a good checkup. The doctor gave him flea medication and an antibiotic shot. Also, they stuck a rod up his butt for a poopoo sample. Great news: Taco doesn't have parasites! But he was definitely not pleased with the anal probe.

Since then, Taco has been acting more like a bunny, simply ignoring and sometimes biting me. Most of the time he just rests and eats. I'm glad he is healthy. Hope Taco cheers up soon.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

Currently enjoying the holidays with family and friends. Hope you are enjoying it, too. Have a ducky holiday, stay warm, and come back for a lot more posts and stories!

Black Friday Final Round!

2011-12-21T00:42:00.000-08:00

Several weeks has passed since Black Friday. Finally, everything I ordered online arrived to my door. Let's take a look at the goodies shall we? The geek in me ordered a Star Wars Blackhole Stormtrooper made by Sideshow. Also, I got the Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 Collector's Edition game on PS3. In terms of movies, there is Away We Go and Sucker Punch.

I waited a long time to get the Nike Pegasus 92. Within a week it is completely dirty. Hopefully, I will explain this in the future.

Two Mitchell & Ness jerseys! They are really quite expensive at regular price (around $300 USD), but luckily I got each of them on sale for their Black Friday sale. The last item that arrived is perhaps the most awesome...

The new Apple IPod Touch! Yippee!

If you want to see Part One my Black Friday haul, please look here: http://www.kenchanayoh.com/2011/11/black-friday-round-one.html

Music: Tristen Update!

2011-12-19T01:34:00.000-08:00

Amidst the demise of my car's water pump along with the serpentine belt flying off a pulley causing the engine to overheat in less than two minutes time, my reward package arrived from Tristen's successful Kickstarter fundraiser. My donation of $30 yielded a red vinyl of her Christmas release and a limited edition promo print, both signed by the wonderfully dainty Tristen.

Holiday Party Outfit

2011-12-15T00:09:00.000-08:00

The company holiday party was last week at Nokia Live. There was great food, stiff drinks, a lot of friends, and loads of dancing and singing. I had an awesome time, and an equally dapper outfit. Hope you enjoy!~

(1) Alfani shirt, (2) Giordano vest, (3) Giordano blazer, (4) UO hat, (5) H&M dress pants, (6) Uniqlo patent leather sneakers, (7) Jordan V pendant necklace

Nemo, The Diva Bunny

2011-12-12T02:52:00.000-08:00

She doesn't pay attention to you when you call her name. She doesn't listen to your commands. She is mischievous and chews up everything in sight. Her name is Nemo, a diva bunny who doesn't care what you think as long as she gets her way.

Unlike Taco, Nemo enjoys a lot of freedom and causing a lot of trouble, but also spends most of her time obsessing about her hygiene. You might be able to differentiate her from Taco because of her grey fur and mismatching ears.

She only likes to be held by my father...

Of course, Nemo loves circling around me and do her courtship dance. Sorry little one, I am already taken, but you are my favorite girl bunny in the world!

FREE The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo 6-Track Sampler!

2011-12-11T12:44:00.000-08:00

To promote the Trent Reznor (NIN) and Atticus Ross soundtrack release of the upcoming remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, there is a free 6-track sampler available for download. The same duo won an Academy Award for their soundtrack of The Social Network. All you need is to input your email and they will send you a download link. Enjoy!

Go here to get started: http://www.nullco.com/GDT/usd.php

Taco, The Lover Bunny

2011-12-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

My sweet little Taco Bella. He loves to pose for the camera almost like a professional bunny model, perhaps making love to the lens. Taco often doesn't mind us using flash photography as long as he gets a tasty treat afterwards.

Make sure that you pet him. He loves it very much!

AKB48 Trading Collection Review

2011-12-06T00:27:00.000-08:00

Idol cards are immensely popular in Japan. For idol otaku, called wota, these periodic releases often results in massive credit card damage and sleepless nights waiting for boxes to arrive. It is an addiction only these fans can truly feel. Perhaps there are none as popular as the AKB48 ladies in the Japanese market. You can almost put their face on any product and it will sell, collaborating with Puccho candies, Wonda coffee, and even domestic 7Eleven chains. I have yet to see foreign fans open the Trading Collection boxes yet, so hope this post will give useful information to those wondering what to expect.

The newest card collection from AKB48 is a mass-release featuring all 48 active members on the roster and boast a nearly 9500-yen price tag for fifteen sealed packs in a box. There are 380 possible cards on the checklist, ranging from basic to extremely rare signed cards. Every pack will yield a rare SP (short-printed) insert.

Every 15-pack box will include a box topper, an extra incentive featuring one of the Senbatsu frontgirls. In this box, I got a Mariko Shinoda. Finding several cards of my favorite, Natsumi Matsubara, made my day. With 48 different members, finding rare cards of your favorites might be near impossible. You are better off bidding on Yahoo!Japan Auctions for particular ones.

The rarest pull in this particular box is a Sayaka Akimoto jersey card serially numbered to 400. I have seen autographs numbered to 150, quite a bit rarer. I am assuming that a box will yield either one or two jerseys, and it will take maybe three or four boxes to find an autograph, but don't quote me on that. I am merely speculating.

I really enjoy the design of the cards, especially the rare SP cards. My favorite are the embossed cards with a printed personalized message to fans by each of the girls.

With the yields of this box, I am not quite sure if I want to risk another $130 to try to find something really rare. As of yesterday, I saw a Mariko Shinoda autograph card running for 70,000 yen in auction, while really popular Atsuko Maeda and Yuki Kashiwagi autos are currently bidding at 65,000 and 55,000 yen respectively. Most likely than not, this will be my only box, especially with the KARA Bromides coming out next month with specially signed photographs! This is not looking to good for my bank account...

Bleaching 1.0 - Gatsby EX HI-Bleach

2011-12-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

It has been quite a while since I colored my hair and was in the mood for something different. Today, I tried out Mandom Gatsby EX-HI Bleach Clear Blond (yikes that was a mouthful). Consider this step number one in a long process of getting to the perfectly extreme hair color.

The result came out pretty standard from my natural hair color. A lot of my previous caramel color was all hacked off anyways, so it was mostly bleaching my semi black/dark red hair (I have naturally red hair mixed in somehow). My hair came out almost like an amber tint in my room lighting. In the sun, the color was noticeably yellow.

Pros: The color came out exactly as advertised on the box. The instructions were easy to understand even though it is in Japanese. Smell was not too unbearable, and my hair came out less scorched than using American bleach. If you have Asian or relatively-manageable hair, this product is perfect. The damage is not as severe as stronger American bleaches.

Cons: The major problem with this product is that the coverage was terrible. It failed to penetrate the sides of my hair, and since there was too little of the mixture it was impossible to touch up those areas. The foamy Palty bleaches would provide better coverage than the Gatsby. This is probably just me, but it actually burned a little too much, something I didn't notice with the past Gatsby bleach or even the Palty brand. The applicator was primitive compared to the other products of its type.

It will obvious take another bleaching in order to achieve platinum blonde, but I will definitely not use this product in the next stage. I am either aiming for the Palty men or women bleaches.

Thanks for reading!

Why I Was Gone

2011-12-03T01:48:00.000-08:00

I was unable to update my blog or any other social network thingies since Wednesday evening. There is a perfectly good explanation for my absence. Some of my readers might have seen news reports of extreme hurricane-level winds in Southern California. In my area, there were gusts in the area of 50-60 mph (80-100 km). Not so far away from my residence, there were reported gusts of over 100 mph, which is a Category-2 hurricane (typhoon or cyclone for my international readers), wind-wise. My mother and Nemo were very spooked by the gusts and loud noises created from debris slamming against the gates around the property.

Consequentially when the winds died down the next morning, our neighborhood was left without electricity and many of the trees either had their leaves completely blown off, branches snapped, or were completely uprooted by the wind. We are quite used to high inland winds in Southern California, called the Santa Ana winds, but never nearly this damaging and forceful.

On my way to work, I snapped some photographs of the damage with my cellphone camera. Luckily, there was minimal damage to property in my neighborhood. As of 8:30pm on Friday night, the power finally returned after two nights of candlelight in complete darkness.

I am glad to be back and share this story with everyone. There will be other Black Friday and What is in my Bag post coming soon. Have a nice weekend!

Black Friday Round One

2011-11-29T02:36:00.000-08:00

Above is my first wave of Black Friday purchases done during the hours of midnight to four in the morning, the beginning of several waves (most were through the means of online shopping.

The item I am most excited about is the Nikon Coolpix L105 camera, with a 15x optical zoom. While it takes distance and daytime images quite well, it suffers severely in close-up macro shots and interior settings without the use of the flash. But my last camera was such a piece of crap, that the Nikon seems like an amazing improvement! It will likely hold me over until the purchase of a future move to a four-third camera and then a DSLR.

I got several movies, including Blu rays of Inglourious Bastards, Bridesmaids, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Also, got season two of 30Rock and Charlie Wilson's War on DVD.

The new Daughtry CD is really good, well worth the drive to Walmart! Isn't it amazing how the non-winners of American Idol seem to put out way better music than the winners do?

Finally, you might be wondering who is the big white Yeti monster with my camera. It is Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie. I am so happy I saw him at the Build-a-Bear Workshop at 3am that I had to stand in line to get it.

That is it for my first purchases from Black Friday. What did you get?

Resting After Black Friday

2011-11-25T23:36:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving in America is called Black Friday, known as when retailers have heavily discounted items for sale in order to kick off the holiday shopping season. It is hard to explain the madness if you have never witnessed it for yourself. This year, the stores like Walmart and Toys R Us are open on Thanksgiving night, almost unheard of ever since this day started.

For customers, it is an opportunity to get some big ticket items for cheap while doing a bulk of their Christmas shopping. The trade-off is the awfully long wait in line either in front of the store or to purchase the items. After a long day and a half, I am content will just resting at home and playing with my two bunnies.

This photo is taken with my new camera, a Nikon Coolpix L105, an upgraded L100.

Watch out Nemo! Taco is lurking around the corner!

Music: Support Allison Weiss

2011-11-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

Allison Weiss. Not a big name by any means (yet), but definitely tries her best to promote her lyrically-driven songs through the endless reaches of the modern internet and social networking. The result is a lot of loyal fans flocking to her tour stops across the country and contributing to her first Kickstarter fundraising project.

Allison is back, once again to pitch her second venture. With most Kickstarter projects, Allison is offering rewards for your generous donations. Even if you do not donate, I hope you introduce you to this artist.

My favorite song is I Was An Island, a single off her album titled Was Right All Along displaying her often angst and emotion-filled vocal style.

Kickstarter | Allison Weiss Site

Freedom and Fashion 2011: REBIRTH Show

2011-11-20T22:38:00.000-08:00

Freedom and Fashion is a non-profit organization utilizing art and fashion to bring awareness to social injustices and inequalities by educating and employing victims, who in turn create responsible and sustainable consumer products.

Next month their third annual fair trade fashion show called "Rebirth" is being head at the Cooper Design Space in Downtown Los Angeles. Thank you to Clara, the PR Manager, for letting me know about this event.

Here is more info for people who want to attend a night of fashion and help a great cause. If you are in the area, swing by.

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2011
Time: 6:00pm until 10:00pm
Where: The Cooper Design Space, 860 South Los Angeles Street (11th Floor Penthouse), Los Angeles, CA
Prices:
$25: General Standing (Admission + General Standing)
$50: General Seats (Admission + General Seating)
$80: Premium (Admission + Preferred Seating + Swag Bag)
$100: VIP (Admission + Reserved Seating + Swag Bag + Access to VIP Lounge)

www.freedomandfashion.com
www.facebook.com/events/297333746952029/

Be Like Cristiano Ronaldo

2011-11-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

Cristiano Ronaldo lovers unite! Nike is releasing their CR7 collection this holiday season. Though you may not possess the talent, wealth, and gorgeous girlfriends of our Portuguese friend, but you can dress just as nicely. The collection features a lot of pieces with the style and functionality of the Nike Sportswear lines.

Nice shirt, Cristiano.

Harajuku Mini for Target

2011-11-16T00:59:00.000-08:00

Gwen Stefani presents Harajuku Mini for Target for the fashionably small. There are incredibly adorable outfits for infants, toddlers, as well as preteens. I am assuming they are going to share billing with the Hello Kitty and Paul Frank sections in the retail giant. Here are some of the products they offer...

As much as I love Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku Lovers line, this children-oriented brand seems a little all too familiar.

It looks a little bit like Hysteric Mini, an established children brand in Japan based off the Hysteric label. Was this done on purpose, especially since most people in America have never heard of Hysteric Mini? A lot of Hysteric's inspiration draws from Americana and rock music, yet Harajuku Lovers draws more upon erratic style of Japanese-inspired fashion. Glam, music, and hyper-cuteness. Sparks my interest!

CatShitOne: The Animated Series

2011-11-13T22:41:00.000-08:00

CatShitOne, a hyper-violent war manga starring incredibly cute animals, has made it to animated action in America on Blu ray. Don't let the cute rabbits fool you, they end up shooting a lot of camels in the span of twenty minutes.

So far, there has only been one volume released of CatShitOne: the Animated Series. Also, there has not been much merchandise and tie-ins.

Wonder if my rabbits can cosplay as these two...

Deathly Hallows Part 2 Release!

2011-11-12T04:28:00.000-08:00

Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Part 2 was just released in America yesterday, and thankfully I reserved a copy of the Blu-ray at the store near my workplace. This version has a gorgeous lenticular slipcase which shows two different images: (1) Harry, Hermione, and Ron (2) Voldemort, Bellatrix, Lucius and Draco Malfoy.

It is going to rain this weekend, so I know what I will be doing. Have a nice weekend!

The Millennium Pepero Day

2011-11-10T23:29:00.000-08:00

It is already Pepero Day in Korea, an annual event every November 11th. Why on this date, you might ask? Well, the date 11.11 resembles the snack Pepero, a Korean equivalent to Glico's Pocky. On this holiday, people in Korea are supposed to give Pepero to the ones they love, almost like Valentine's Day or White Day. However, this year is quite special because it is 11.11.11, which the makers of the snack explains it as "a once in a millennium Pepero Day".

Yes, it might be all marketing by the nice folks at Lotte. But how can you argue with delicious cookie sticks? If you are able to get your hands on Pepero this year, please buy some extra boxes for the special people in your life. Happy Millennium Pepero Day!

Music: Support Tristen

2011-11-10T01:11:00.000-08:00

Tristen is an artist who opened my heart to her musical mixture of folk and country. I ended up at one of her live shows when she was touring and instantly was hooked to her vocals and stage-presence. Baby Drugs and Cheatin' are my favorite songs off her EP, Eager for Your Love. In total, I have seen her live twice and chatted with her for a handful of minutes.

Recently, she started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the pressing of her Christmas vinyl. I have already helped out. Will you? Maybe her campaign video will convince you! Link: http://kck.st/uTQf7o

Creative Recreation GENO

2011-11-09T00:59:00.000-08:00

The Creative Recreation Geno are the newest pair of shoes in my collection. For some reason, the design of the sneakers kind of resembles something futuristic yet classic, almost like the shoes in Back to the Future 2. The upper is mostly grey-colored perforated suede with metallic navy leather. Doesn't that sound amazing? Any drop of liquid other than water instantaneously stains the material. Not kidding at all.

Reboot! I'm Back!

2011-11-07T23:22:00.000-08:00

Indeed. I'm back! You might notice a few differences with the website. The most noticeable one being the layout is completely different. It is much easier to navigate and looks a whole lot better. The domain is now completely merged into the Blogger. I hope that everyone comes back to my website. Please leave me a message and follow the site!

Twitter | Facebook | Follow the Blogger

Exclusive: Shonen Knife Drops By

2011-11-07T03:33:00.000-08:00

I remember doing this interview for Infinity Buster a while ago. Hope you enjoy it!

If there was a story about a little band that could, Shonen Knife would definitely fit the bill. Drawing inspirations from the stylings of the Ramones while infusing their own brand of bubble-gum exuberance that made even Kurt Cobain smile, this little Osakan trio weathered through the demise of the original punk rock movement into the new era of overnight internet sensations.

Thirty years later, they return to America to with the same vigor and play in front of eager fans who make it to their show whenever they tour America, singing along to every word and throwing the customary jellybeans onto the stage.

Only Naoko remains from their original incarnation that also featured her sister Atsuko and fellow founding member Michie. However, the great thing about having such a tremendous following, there is never a shortage of capable musicians who would gladly lend their services. Enter Emi and Ritsuko, both fans of the band and talented, youthful individuals.

Now, their future seems brighter than ever, delivering the brand of music that has kept them relevant for the past three decades. We caught up with Naoko during recent American tour and conversed about the state of the band.

Noticed that Shonen Knife has a new drummer once again. Can you tell me a little bit more about Emi?
Naoko: She played in local bands and has been drumming for 10 years. She is a big fan of Shonen Knife. Our manager found her. Emi has very good character.

How is it like when new members join the band? Do you treat them like your daughters? Are they ever intimidated by you?
Naoko: It’s fun to play with a new person. We rehearsed a lot, though. I can’t treat them like my daughter. They are adults and too grown to be my daughters. All of us are equal.

What do you like about touring overseas? Did you ever imagine your music would be heard around the world?
Naoko: I like to see our fans. I'm happy when our audience seems to have fun with our music. Now I can imagine, but when I first released our album in America, I could have never imagined.

How did you get to appear at All Tomorrows Parties Festival in the UK? Is Matt Groening (The Simpsons) a fan of the band?
Naoko: We were invited by Matt Groening. I've heard that Matt is a fan of Shonen Knife.

Since I am quite young, I actually learned about the Ramones from Shonen Knife and the Simpsons. How has the Ramones continue to be a part of Shonen Knife's music, and what bands still inspire you when writing new songs?
Naoko: The Ramones is one of my main inspirations. Beatles and Buzzcocks, too. Recently I listen various kind of music which is from classical music to death metal. I'm inspired by everything.

Random question. Have you ever heard of a Japanese Ramones cover band, the Romanes? What do you think of them?
Naoko: I think we've played with them once in Tokyo. I think the vocal style of them is a little different from the Ramones, but doing Ramones is good thing.

I was a fan of Shonen Knife since finding "Let's Knife" at a Virgin Megastore when I was 13 years old! Are you more surprised and excited to see your loyal fans returning to support you every tour, or younger fans who just starting listening to you?
Naoko: Both makes me surprised. I’m honored to have loyal fans and also have younger fans, too.

Your stage outfits are so awesome! Did you know Martin's (Giant Robot) daughter was a Shonen Knife member for Halloween? Very cute!
Naoko: Ah, I saw cute little girls were wearing our outfits at Amoeba Music L.A. They were so cute!

It gets pretty wild at your live shows. Fans even throw jellybeans! What is the weirdest thing you ever witnessed at your shows?
Naoko: Diving and moshing. It's dangerous, though.

How often do you still play tennis?
Naoko: When I'm not on tour, I play tennis twice a week.

What are your plans for the coming year?
Naoko: We have some recordings and shows in Osaka this autumn. In December, we'll have Japanese tour called “Space Christmas” tour.

What do you want to tell your fans, young and old?
Naoko: Let's ROCK!

Thank you for your time. I have been a Shonen Knife fan since I was 13 years old, so it is a dream come true to get to interview you. The first time seeing your show and meeting you were great memories in my life! Please come back to Los Angeles soon.
Naoko: Thank you! I'd like to come back to LA!!!

Special thanks to Miyoko from Good Charamel

Loving the Rain

2011-10-07T02:30:00.000-07:00

Though it is not typical California weather, the occasional rain shower makes another welcome appearance. I love driving around in the rain. Not quite as difficult as driving in snow, but one has to be careful nonetheless. Hydroplaning is never fun!

The storm has left, and the sky is sunny again. Such fresh air right now!

Yummy Loaf of Bread

2011-09-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

So excited to try this new kind of bread. Wait, that isn't a loaf of bread. It is one of my bunnies, Taco! And he is resting in the hay basket. It is true that bunnies like small spaces. Taco says, "Remember not to eat me! I am not delicious and very stinky!"

Mariko Rocks!

2011-09-22T01:12:00.000-07:00

Some might call it a Cinderella story, almost a defining moment in an unlikely idol's career. Once merely a cafe worker at the AKB48 Theater, Mariko Shinoda eventually became one of the 48 ladies of the popular idol group through patron-support, parlaying her opportunity to becoming an accomplished gravure model and television personality.

The second AKB48 Janken tournament ended with Shinoda and Reina Fujie battling for the center position for the upcoming single release. Both have a gravure career beyond performing on stage. Shinoda is the oldest remaining member of the group at the age of 25, while Fujie is slightly shy of turning eighteen. The eldest member, donning a plaid poncho-like outfit, defeated the adorable youngster with a rock to a scissor. She was ranked as high as third place in last year's member election, while being one of the most popular members on the Mixi website.

This might one of the final hoorahs for the idol, who already spends most of her time outside of theater performances and group appearances. But what a great way to go out!

Remember my photobook post of Mariko?

Let Me Out!

2011-09-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Living in cage is not fun. Sometimes you just want to chew the bars to escape.

Naptime

2011-09-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Chasing me around has exhausted Taco. Time for him to take a nap. Maybe I should, too.

Ten Years Later

2011-09-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

Ten years later, life goes on. Stumbling out of bed and getting ready to catch the school bus, I never quite realized that the tower being on fire was anything more than a regular building fire, at least until later in the day. Word started spreading both towers were on fire due to planes flying into them. Even more horrific, after a couple hours both have fallen to the ground.

I was in New York City four years ago and visited Ground Zero to take the photograph above. It was merely just a construction zone and felt a little eerie because there was never any sunlight in that area due to the other tall buildings. Ten years after the nightmare, this is how the area looks now:

from: nyctrip

It appears to be a giant inverted fountain with the names of the fallen on the sides. I hope to visit the memorial site in the next few years.

Nike MAG - Back to the Future Charity Sneaker

2011-09-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

If you thought the day would never come, it appears that hell has officially frozen over. The Nike McFly from Back to the Future II is finally released (four years early)! The Nike MAG are almost exactly like the pair from the movie. It has a a light-up feature which last 5 hours on each charge (not quite sure how the battery charges, though). Missing from the model is the self-lacing feature, a technology patented by Nike but yet has seen the light of day on any of their release. I am thinking if they make a true sneaker release in 2015 (when Marty first wears the sneakers), it will be an exact replica down to the self-lacing function.

However, this release is not for everyone. Meaning if you do not have a lot of money, you are likely out of luck. There will 1500 pair for bid on eBay and proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation, who will hopefully and successful combat Parkinson's disease.

Tonight, Michael J Fox was on the Letterman show to spread the word on the charity auctions. One bid on eBay, as we speak, is at $75,000 USD with about 23 hours to go. It is pretty likely it will be much higher when bidding ends. Mattel hoverboard is not included.

More info @ SOLE Collector

Puffin, Destroyer of Worlds

2011-09-07T00:11:00.000-07:00

Happened to be at the pet store to get my rabbits some toiletries, when I met this little fella who will be named Mr. Puffin (or Miss Puffin, not quite sure if it is a boy or girl). Puffin ran in my direction and put his paws up on the glass. "Please get me out of here!"

I always wanted a chinchilla, but they are very expensive and high-maintenance pets. Maybe one day I will have more free time and resources to raise this soft and cuddly animal. Does anyone have a chinchilla as a pet?

Happy One Year Olds!

2011-08-31T22:10:00.001-07:00

It has been a year since Nemo started living at our house. She is a lot bigger now, but still really bratty.

Taco has been gaining a lot of weight. He doesn't eat enough hay and grass, so his diet is not very good.

Can you find him?!

Hello Kitty Loves Baseball

2011-08-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

Are you a baseball fan? No? But at least you might like Hello Kitty. My hometown team, the Dodgers, are not having a great year. However, they are having a special giveaway next month, giving Sanrio fans a nice surprise. Whoever buys the tickets to the games online against the Pittsburgh Pirates will get a Hello Kitty plush in a Dodgers uniform!

Take a look: http://www.dodgers.com/hellokitty

KARA and Palty

2011-08-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

KARA and Palty. A match made in heaven? Their new B-side to their Japanese summer single Go Go Summer is also their theme to their new ad campaign with Palty hair dye. Interestingly, none of them are using the dye/beach. At least it does appear so. I'm glad Seungyeon is the center of the commercial!

Daily Style Day09: Denim

2011-08-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

I kind of think wearing light denim jackets is something that is many years past its expiry date. But here is a nice alternative: a jacket with a dark denim appearance yet is not really made out of the material at all. Thankfully Australian brand Cotton-On supplies this article quite brilliantly. It is paired with a gray skinny jeans from H&M and an official t-shirt from New Zealand band, the Naked and Famous. Cheers from down under! More photos of how I rock it soon!

Cotton-On fully cotton jacket

H&M skinny denim

Naked and Famous t-shirt

Last Night was Fun...

2011-08-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

The party ended up really fun even though we had to end it a little premature... from what I remember. Things got kind of fuzzy after a while. Good times!

Happy Birthday?

2011-08-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

As we get older, the amount to time spent with casual friends is usually few and farther between. I was happy to make it two years of friends showing up to my random birthday parties. But this past year, trying to throw a birthday dinner for myself yielded the appearance of an old high school friend, two of my best buddies, and my girlfriend. This would seem like a good group of people, except I was actually stupidly waiting for my other friends to show up. They never did, nor did they bother to call.

Instead, I am going to throw a party this weekend to savage that. But unfortunately I planned it when a bunch of people had plans with weddings and various birthday parties that I wasn't invited to. Seriously, I am bothered with the fact that only a few people are going to show up. This made me realize one thing: I don't have a lot of close or good friends to hang out with. I often feel out of place when my other friends or coworkers would talk about hanging out with their friends or having connections, stuff like that. Why? Because I really don't have that anymore. Part of it is my fault.

Perhaps this party is my final hurrah. My final party for quite a while. That is why I wanted it to be special. It has been a horrifically difficult year, where I have actually contemplating ditching my current life to start anew somewhere far away. Anyways, I know that this is going to be my own defining party where people who cut themselves out of my lives and vice-versa. This is just the way the cookie crumbles, I guess.

I should be happy that people check my Facebook and tell me happy birthday. Because it is not like they are going to call me or send me a birthday card anyways.

Still I am thankful for my two best friends, who took me out to birthday dinner.

Also, fuck you Ken for expecting so much out of people.

AKB48 x Peach John Heart Bra

2011-08-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

Japanese brand Peach John collaborated with idol group AKB48 for their new line of heart-padded bras, choosing members Kojima Haruna, Oshima Yuko, and Kasai Tomomi. I think they look really cute and sexy!

Take a look at the Peach John website.

The Naked and Famous LIVE!

2011-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

Last night after work, I went down to the Music Box in Hollywood to watch my favorite Kiwi band, the Naked and Famous live for the very first time. They definitely didn't disappoint a sold-out Henry Fonda Theater. After taking some photographs, it made me really want a new, better camera because mine absolutely sucks.

Here is what they are supposed to look like!

from LAWeekly.com

Haircut!

2011-08-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

I just got a haircut a few days ago. This is it unstyled. Wonder how it looks like with wax...

Employee of the Month!

2011-07-31T00:50:00.001-07:00

Indeed, I am the production department's Employee of the Month just like this Garfield t-shirt I am wearing. It is a great honor to be recognized for hard work.

Sorry, I'm very busy lately and also my anxiety disorder is getting worse at the moment so it is hard to concentrate on what I love to do. Wish me well! I want to get better soon.

Harry Potter Tribute Art @ Gallery Nucleus

2011-07-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Harry Potter Tribute Art Exhibition opened a week at Gallery Nucleus before the Deathly Hallows Part Two was released in theaters. The collection was enormous, spanning two floors, with the most amazing piece being the huge Voldemort statue in the middle of the exhibit space. Please look at some of the other pieces at the Nucleus site while it is still online. Enjoy!

Got Facebook? View the album here with tags!

Frustrated

2011-07-23T10:43:00.001-07:00

Everything is frustrating. Does anyone still read this blog? Sometimes I don't think so.

Harry Potter Tribute Art Exhibition

2011-07-20T23:49:00.000-07:00

I have not attended this art exhibit yet but hoping to go this weekend when there is free time. Will be sure to post of photographs of the installations. Hopefully this will be nice inspiration for my own fan art.

Did anyone watch the final Harry Potter film in theaters? What did you think about it?

Renegade Craft Fair - Cassette Tape Necklace!

2011-07-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

The Renegade Craft Fair came to Los Angeles this weekend at the historic park near Chinatown. Exhibiting were dozens upon dozens of independent craftsman and artists selling their wares, most of which were wearable and adorable. Patrons were even able to learn about how to do some of the crafts as well.

My favorite booth award belongs to Plastique, who makes plastic jewelry through laser cutting pieces into interesting replicas of either boomboxes or city skylines. I purchased a cassette tape necklace, which is very intricately detailed. There is a warning on the back that states plastic jewelry cannot handle the wear and tear as a metal one can, but who else would be making plastic jewelry this well?!

Several of my other favorites are:

The Steppie

Rag Trader Vintage

Little Sprinkles

Pop Pop Portraits

Shannon Gerard

I wanted to post samples, but my computer is not cooperating. Hope you will take a look and enjoy!

The Renegade Craft Fair might come to your town soon (Chicago, San Francisco, London), so check their website for more details.

Denise's Zephie Cosplay

2011-07-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

This post is dedicated to a nice cosplayer and friend, Denise, who cosplayed as Zephie from Magna Carta 2 video game. The photoset is with a cosplay of Raud, also from the game. Visit her cosplay site! The-OCD

from GFBRobot

Cosplay at Anime Expo Part Four

2011-07-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is the final installment of cosplay photographs from AX 2011. I was not at the convention center for long, but managed to take some nice pictures of remaining cosplayers. Walking to South Hall, there were the four different colors of Link from the Legend of Zelda series. My other favorite is the ninth photo of Revan from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic. Enjoy the last of the photos!

If you are a cosplayer I photographed, please leave me a comment or send me an email at kenetran@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

Cosplay at Anime Expo Part Three

2011-07-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the third installment of cosplay photos from AX 2011. There were a lot of princesses walking around this day, especially from the Nintendo franchise. My favorite of today is the ensemble cast from Super Mario with Princess Daisy, Princess Peach, Birdo, and Yoshi. Enjoy the different versions of the famous Princess Peach. Each is quite unique, holding their own charm. Please come back again for the exciting conclusion to the AX cosplay collection!

If you are a cosplayer I photographed, please leave me a comment or send me an email at kenetran@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

Cosplay at Anime Expo Part Two

2011-07-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you for viewing the second collection of cosplay photos from AX 2011! The cosplayer on top is one of my new favorites named Maridah. Hopefully I will talk about her more in the future. But until then please visit her cosplay site: Maridah.com

If you are a cosplayer I photographed, please leave me a comment or send me an email at kenetran@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

Cosplay at Anime Expo Part One

2011-07-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

There are three things I enjoy about Anime Expo: Shopping for toys, attending concerts, and cosplay. Meeting a lot of cosplayers made this year quite an enjoyable experience. Please enjoy the first part of my compilation of cosplay photographs from AX 2011. If you are a cosplayer I photographed, please leave me a comment or send me an email at kenetran@hotmail.com. I would love to hear from you!

Anime Expo Day One Part Two

2011-07-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

Anime Expo Day One Part One

2011-07-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

More to come soon!

My Bag Collection

2011-06-29T01:50:00.000-07:00

My bag collection is constantly growing. Though this seems like a female sort of hobby, there are plenty of functional, manly carrier packs. But since my space is limited, I only keep the bags that are special. Here are some of the bags that I carry.

Cotton-On charity tote is a reusable bag that is capable of holding small items while shopping. I used to enjoy book totes because it made carrying planners and magazine much more easily than lugging around a large bag. This was great when I was traveling a lot without having an automobile, like catching the subway train.

Burton urban pack is my second bag made by the snowboarding brand. At the moment, I only use this backpack when staying overnight somewhere due to the amazing capacity. It fits my spare clothes and laptop with no problem.

Funky Gabe pack is a bag purchased in Hong Kong at the shop with same name, which may or may not exist anymore. Backpacks that look like mini hiking bags became really popular in the urban fashion scene. I love the bag's plaid accents on the sides but never found much purpose for using this accessory on a regular basis.

Headporter Plus shoulder bag is something I wear when going to a place where a bigger bag would feel quite out of place. Therefore, the Headporter Plus fits all of the essentials (camera, cellphone) and is perfect for going to a rock show or an art gallery.

This Messenger bag was purchased at an Urban Outfitters because the color was really nice. It is quite useful for holding documents and my laptop. I used it a lot going on interviews or doing work at a coffee shop.

The Ghostbusters Proton Pack is not the most functional backpack. It does have a very large capacity in the main body and the detachable "Proton Gun" can house a water bottle, which is incredibly ingenious.

Shorty's mini backpack is super small but still fits my lunchbox, a 32-oz. water bottle, a can of soda, some paperwork, and a skateboard. It looks a lot like I stole a backpack from an elementary school kid, but this is one that I use each and everyday. It developed a giant hole a year ago. Good thing my mom sewed it up for me.

Supreme sack is a tiny bag made by the skate brand as a promo item. It doesn't really fit much and is super fragile. Maybe a change of shirt or sneakers going to the gym?

Hope you enjoyed some of the bags that I own. See everyone soon!

Gift for Myself! AKB48 Koko ni Itakoto

2011-06-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

The birthday gift from myself finally arrived at my house all the way from Japan. In the mail is the newest AKB48 single, the special edition album Koko ni Itakoto, and some photos of my favorites. This might be the last time dropping so much money on AKB48 stuff.

Let's look inside the packaging of Koko ni Itakoto. The special version includes a 100-page hardcover photobook as well as a CD and DVD. Included is also a random photo. Mine is Haruyan. I wonder when they will start putting Blu-ray disc for Japanese releases, mainly because America and Japan share the same region coding.

There is even an instruction sheet on how to pop the discs out of the case!

The photobook is the best part, featuring the top ranked girls in a circus-themed hardcover journal-sized book. The photographs are wonderfully done, extremely rich in color, and makes it well worth the extra 500 yen for the special edition.

Join the Giveaway!

2011-06-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already. Join my giveaway! All you need is be a follower and leave your name on the link!

Make Music Pasadena - The Morning Benders

2011-06-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

Make Music Pasadena was a perfect way to throw a small music festival without apprehension of hipsters and monkeymen who care too much. Pasadena is a suburb of Los Angeles embracing the artistic movement of those who populate the area. It is not an up-and-coming place, rather it has been this way since I can remember. Lots of people showed up for the all-day music marathon on numerous different stages in the city. It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces and soak in the warm Southern California weather.

Of course I went to see the Morning Benders, a band that really got my attention when I had to type up an interview with Chris Chu at my old job at Giant Robot. Yes, he looks kind of like Eric Forman (Topher Grace) from That's 70s Show. But when he hits the stage, it is all substance and charisma from Chu. What has transpired in the past two years is that they have an even bigger following with multitudes of loyal fans. Now the Morning Benders headline their own tours to sold-out venues. What do they sound like? Well, hard to say. Chris Chu's voice is special, with an ensemble playing music that seems really nostalgic of the sixties and the Shins.

You might have heard their stuff in commercials and television shows. I remember hearing it in a Reese's peanut butter cup commercial several months ago. Take a listen and enjoy!

from the Morning Benders Tumblr

Thank You for the Birthday Gifts and Wishes

2011-06-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday, my best friends who took me out to dinner and hookah, and several people who got me a lot of stuff I like. Also, please join my Giveaway! You do not have to have a Facebook to join!

My adopted sister Nancy got me a lot of great stuff: KARA Jetcoaster Love CD/DVD, KARA postcards, and two $15 ITunes giftcards.

My friend Kenny got me a Lobo action figure and a bobblehead.

And last but not least, my sister got made me a Seungyeon doll and got me KARA 1st album and Pretty Girls 2nd Mini album.

Birthday - Han Seungyeon Doll!

2011-06-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

My sister makes crochet dolls, which she displays on her blog: Swallow's Creative Corner. For my birthday, she made a Han Seungyeon doll from KARA Cat commercial for Freestyle. Isn't it cute? It has removable paws and booties!

Here are more photos of the cute Seungyeon doll! http://swallowtt.blogspot.com/2011/06/crochet-freestyle-kara-cat-han-seung.html

A Summer Mixtape for 2011

2011-06-14T01:24:00.000-07:00

My first playlist was posted nearly 2 years ago. It is vastly different, the types of songs I listen to now has definitely grown. I won't say that my taste has changed but rather expanded to other genres and styles. Listening to more music is never a bad thing.

Current Playlist:
1. Muse - Time is Running Out
2. Jack Johnson - Flake
3. KARA - Jumping
4. The Like - Release Me
5. The Naked and Famous - Dadada
6. Lady GaGa - Pokerface (Cherrytree Sessions)
7. The Splinters - Hot Hands
8. Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
9. DumDum Girls - He Gets Me High
10. Tristen - Eager for Your Love
11. CeeLo Green - F*ck You
12. Dev - In the Dark
13. Boris - Riot Sugar
14. Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
15. Lily Allen - Fuck You
16. Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones - Baby It's Cold Outside
17. The Morning Benders - Excuses

July.27.2009
1. Wheesung - Insomnia
2. Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra
3. Kara - Honey
4. Jumper - Yes!
5. 8Eight - Without a Heart
6. Kanon Wakeshima - Suna no Oshino
7. Kanon Wakeshima - Kagami
8. Hangry & Angry - Angelia
9. Chemistry - Point of No Return
10. Wonder Girls - Nobody (English version)
11. Utada - Come Back to Me
12. Leona Lewis - Better in Time
13. Apocalyptica feat. Adam Gontier - I Don't Care
14. Common - Universal Mind Control
15. Gnarls Barkley - Going On
16. David Archuleta - Crush

Quite different, right?! I am pretty sure after a few months, it will be totally different. Just noticed there are 2 songs on there named "Fuck You". The Featuring Norah Jones is a very great album. If you like something a little softer, more on the acoustic side with wonderful vocals that is a must have.Another recommended listen is the DumDum Girls' He Gets Me High EP. If you have time, listen to the The Like's album especially if you are into 1950's poprock.

How about letting me know your playlist?

Birthday Giveaway Surprise! Please Join Now!

2011-06-13T00:56:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! It is almost my birthday. Yes, it is my birthday this week. Hopefully, it will be a fun week despite feeling older and having to work so much. Remember last year when I had my first giveaway during my birthday? I wanted to do it again.

The prizes:

It is a surprise for now. But I guarantee it will be good! I guess the more people who participate, the bigger the prize!

Here are the guidelines:

1. Please follow my blog if you didn't already and leave your name in this post.
2. Like this site on Facebook if you have not already.
3. Link this giveaway if you can and tell your friends about it!
4. Help me promote my giveaway and site! Feel free to use the banner above.
5. Giveaway ends July 4th!

Cool right? Terms and conditions can change at my discretion. If you don't want to leave your contact on my blog, just email me your contact. Now you can message me for more information at my blog contact: duckdodgersbatscleanup@gmail.com

Purikura Stash

2011-06-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I took sticker photos. I dug up my collection taken from many different countries, but ironically none are from Japan, the capital of print club culture. There was a time when I used to go to these place every week. Since they are so expensive in America, it is really a novelty item rather than a consistent hobby.

Every place I visited treats them quite differently. Taipei has mainly imported Japanese machines. While Seoul has a majority of Korean-made machines, which are actually my favorite because you get the most value and quality compared to Japanese ones. But if you want variety, you definitely should go seek Japanese brands. One day, I hope to go to Tokyo and take a lot of them.

Does anyone want to go take some?

New Music Haul: Cassettes

2011-06-08T00:35:00.000-07:00

Did you know people still created cassette tapes? For some bands, these are some of the rarer stuff you can find. The cassette above was released by Sixteen Tambourines in Japan for the Splinters, a riot grrrl band. There are only 75 of them recorded. Thank goodness for Paypal and international mail. I recently got several cassette tapes just to round out my music collection.

This one is a split by the Sweater Girls and Sourpatch by HHBTM and limited to 63 copies. Ironically, after I got these two last week, the tape deck in my car died a miraculous death. I have to go storage in order to find something to play them! Stay tuned for more!

BAPE x Exile iD Bag

2011-06-07T01:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite tote bag, doubling as a sling. It is a collaboration between Exile and BAPE for Samurai Magazine and a promo item. I rarely use it though, because I do not want it damaged. Just thought I would share.

The Naked and Famous

2011-06-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

These days I am really into a band called The Naked and Famous from New Zealand (do I have any Kiwi readers?). The first time I saw them was in an international music and fashion magazine, and afterwards ended up picking up several of their EPs released through this year's Record Store Day. It is like MGMT but not quite as annoying. If you like electropop and rock, give them a listen.

They are going to be doing a show in Hollywood in August, so I am going to get to see them live! More info next time...

Jonas Bevacqua R.I.P

2011-05-31T22:28:00.000-07:00

LRG founder, Jonas Bevacqua, was found dead in his home on May 31, 2011.

Will be rockin' LRG gear this week in his honor.

Daily Style Day08: Going Gray

2011-05-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

No matter the season, it is always a good time for a gray outfit. By far, it is my favorite color to wear because of the versatility. The shirt and slacks are from H&M, with the t-shirt being designed by Yoko Ono. The shoes are from Creative Recreation, named the Cesario High. It is silver with 3M reflective material, so it looks like it is white or glows in the dark. If there is a question about what to wear, then gray is the easiest way to turn.

H&M t-shirt by Yoko Ono

H&M slim-fit pants

Creative Recreation Cesario High

Lomography Fisheye Part One

2011-05-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

Recently, I purchased a Lomography camera. These are really trendy plastic camera made for niche hobbyists who do not quite feel satisfied snapping away with their digital devices. Indeed, photography nowadays does lack the process as it did for photographers several decades ago. For those who want to experience manually loading a camera with 35 mm film and winding it just right can do so for an affordable price and without digging in the family attic nor the local Salvation Army. But Lomography did and continues to promote casual photography.

This model in particular is called the Fisheye, which is the first in the series of Fisheye cameras produced by Lomography. The main purpose of this camera is to feature a simple wide-angle lens producing a bulbous and close to an 180 degree field of view.

No photos have been processed at the moment. I hope to post the results after the first test run!

Hairy Situation

2011-05-14T23:04:00.000-07:00

My hair grew back once again. Should I dye it silver this time?

Johnny Cupcakes Stud Earrings

2011-05-11T00:31:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite accessories is the Johnny Cupcakes Stud Earrings, available at their B&M shops and online. There are half a dozen pairs of studs with the brand's logo in different colors in a nice faux cupcake tin, so in essence a nice fashion dozen.

The great thing is that a lot of colors are included for you to match your outfits. Not much bling, but it has nice detail when you take a closer look. The packaging is great in my opinion.

Happy Free Comic Book Day!

2011-05-07T22:52:00.000-07:00

The first Saturday of May is Free Comic Book Day! Yes, you can get a stack of free promo comics to read. What a holiday!

Kanon x Kanon @ AM²

2011-05-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Kanon Wakeshima and Kanon from An Cafe, otherwise known as Kanon x Kanon, will indeed make an appearance in America for the first time together at AM² in Anaheim, California the first weekend of July. It will be Kanon² at the "another" anime convention, which is running at the same time as the annual Anime Expo situated in Los Angeles (at one time in Anaheim itself).

It will be the first time in two years since Kanon Wakeshima made her debut in Los Angeles, and it was covered by my blog when it just started out. For Kanon, this will be his first appearance without the disbanded An Cafe.

This will be the second year for AM², a competing anime convention. At the moment, it was also hinted AM² will invite the band Scandal, as well. Conversing, Anime Expo has yet to announce a musical Guest-of-Honor for the upcoming convention. AX hit the jackpot by landing Morning Musume and AKB48 for consecutive years.

Happy Easter! From Bunnies

2011-04-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter from Nemo!

Happy Easter from Taco!

Don't get yourself into trouble this Easter!

Happy Record Store Day!

2011-04-17T23:39:00.000-07:00

The third Saturday of April is Record Store Day! That is when artists release special edition vinyl at independently owned record shops everywhere. After one vicious sunburn, I got several items that I wanted.

Tron!

I haven't been feeling too well lately. After nearly passing out at work, my tongue got injured. So actually, I cannot really talk because it hurts a ton! Hopefully, it will be better. Talk to everyone soon!

Daily Style Day07: Super Bright

2011-04-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a bright outfit for the Springtime. I really like the pink and blue, which makes for a nice contrast and perfectly radiant coordinate. It is totally by accident how the pieces came together. The most interesting part is the sweater, which was found in the basement and probably belonged to my sister. Well it fits me! The G-shock actually glows in pink!

Vintage blue sweater

Pink American Apparel tee

Pink scarf

Casio G-shock

Levi's 505 jeans

Nike Air Force 1 Low

Daily Style Day06: Pride of the Netherlands!

2011-04-11T22:26:00.000-07:00

Orange and blue, the colors of Holland. Also, two of my favorite colors! I have a lot of friends from the Netherlands, so this outfit is a tribute to them. The "t-shirt above the collared-shirt" method came from an issue of Complex several years ago, but this is still rarely done. Of course, the best accessory is the sneakers, the Nike Dunk High AC "Netherlands" edition made especially for the World Cup 2010. The upper is full orange canvas, royal blue trim, and fit very differently than the regular Dunk. The orange dress shirt is a bit too loud to wear alone; therefore, complimenting it with another bold color makes for a fitting outfit.

Kanye West Glow in the Dark Tour tee

Gap shirt

Levi's 505 jeans

Casio watch

Nike Dunk High AC Netherlands

Daily Style Day05: Lime Green!

2011-04-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Lime green is a difficult color to pull off. To even attempt it requires a lot of courage. This outfit is sure to be an attention-getter. There are several shades of green here, as well as several shades of blue. Together, I think it makes for something really interesting. The only problem is the fact is the shirt is extra large, bought during a time when I was wearing baggy clothes.

Reebok Atlanta Hawks fitted cap

Atlanta Hawks throwback tee

American Eagle track jacket

Onitsuka Tiger Fencing La sneakers

Daily Style Day04: Camouflage

2011-04-09T00:12:00.001-07:00

My favorite pattern is camouflage, so much so that I have several different outfits and sneakers just dedicated to camo. When I was living in Seoul, one of my regular shopping spots is UNIQLO in Myeongdong district. This is where I grabbed the hoodie and thermal. An interesting piece is the camouflage Von Dutch trucker hat, which may or may not be real. I did get it at a Von Dutch shop in Korea that was going out of business. Hopefully, there will be another one of these outfits coming out soon.

UNIQLO camo hoodie

UNIQLO camo thermal

Aeropostale cargo shorts

Von Dutch camo cap

Puma Anjan camo sneakers

Daily Style Day03: The Ghostbuster

2011-04-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do you like Ghostbusters? This is as much of a homage that I could give the movies. For the winter season, H&M had a collaboration with Ghostbusters 2 and released this hoodie. When it is unzipped, there is a Ghostbusters tee from the first film underneath! Yes, it does shock people. The denim is made by the skate shop, Supreme. The Nike Auto Flight is one of my favorite pair of sneakers, because it combines the Air Flight Lite with vulcanized rubber soles. The Proton Pack is included to complete the entire outfit.

H&M x Ghostbusters 2 hoodie

Ghostbusters glow in the dark tee

Ghostbusters Proton Pack

Supreme denim

Nike Auto Flight sneakers

Daily Style Day02: Red Plaid Cold Buster

2011-04-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Plaid is built for warmth. It rarely gets that chilly in southern California, but when it is cloudy outside, it is nice to put on an extra layer clothing, especially when it fits the rest of the outfit so well. The emphasis is on the functionality as well as the plaid pattern, the red one to be exact.

Nothing is more satisfying to get so many different pieces together to create such union. The jacket is vintage style, as well the Nike Waffle Racer. The shirt is from H&M, the hat is made by Nike SB, and the jeans from the nice folks at Aeropostale. Together, this is one of my favorite coordinates, despite looking slightly like the Brawny man.

Vintage plaid jacket

H&M plaid button down

Vintage Nike Waffle Racer

Nike SB plaid hat
Aeropostale jeans

Day 2 finished! Come back tomorrow!

Daily Style Day01: Human Torch Orange

2011-04-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

Ken is back! Let's take this website to a different direction. In the past year or so, I have forgotten about one of the things that defined me the most, that is my often flamboyant and exciting fashion style. This realization has allowed me to dress up totally unique each and every day. Each day a new outfit, each outfit has a purpose. Hope you enjoy my first daily style post!

This outfit is what I aptly name, the Human Torch. Based on the famous Fantastic Four character who recently died, it highlights the bright tones that mimics the pure flame. It is definitely not easy to pull off this look. When I wore this to work, all eyes were on me. Love it or hate it, I got everyone's attention, and that is the main purpose of this fiery coordinate.

New Era Astros hat

Nike track jacket

Nike Air Force 1 low

Tristen t-shirt

Shorts from Urban Outfitters

More Outdoor Bunnies

2011-03-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

Are You Okay?

2011-03-11T22:36:00.000-08:00

My ex-girlfriend is from Japan. After breaking up, we ended up not talking anymore and are on bad terms. Before the earthquake happened, I had a bad feeling the night before and started wondering if she was okay even before the fact. My ex lives in Tokyo, but her family lives on the eastern coast of Japan in Ibaraki. I am thinking the tsunami hit that area hard as well.

Since we aren't talking anymore, all emails I send her are probably ignored. I wished I knew if she was doing well. And even her family. I pray that she is okay.

Here New Hair!

2011-03-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

My hair is now brown! I am thinking of coloring it silver soon.

And there is the rest of my hair cut!

Yay I'm Back!

2011-03-06T21:45:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! After getting my new netbook AC adapter, I caught the flu. It was unbearable! I still managed to work over 46 hours this week barely being able to stand. But the extra sleep received definitely got me off my illness now. Do you like the little black crocheted bunny my sister made for me? It is really cute isn't it? Also, my bunnies are doing well. They have really fluffy fur now for the spring time.

Finally, I had the chance and energy to have some fun this weekend. I ended up at my friend's party for his fiancée's birthday. The excess alcohol killed all of the germs in my body! Good thing, too. This is going to be the start of a long month. I got my dancing on thanks to my friend, David Ionik, who is a DJ who I hope to get to perform at my party in June. He currently has a weekly set on ZMIX97.COM.

Well that was my hair from last week. But my hair has already been officially chopped! How does it look now? Let's just say it is short and brown. I will post some photos soon, as soon as my camera battery recharges.

I'm glad to be back! With my friend and the championship belt!

Broken Netbook =/

2011-02-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

Well, at least the AC adapter is busted so my netbook doesn't charge. That is why I have not been able to use the internet on the most part. I will hopefully be getting a new one via eBay really soon!

Manami Oku Announces Graduation from AKB48

2011-02-21T22:52:00.000-08:00

Team B member, Manami Oku, announced her graduation from AKB48 on the official website early this week, citing her wish to focus on her studies as the main reason. Known to friends and fans as Maachan, the fifteen year-old idol has been a veteran of the idol group for the past five years. Her announcement was quite a shock to fans, but maybe even more so to her fellow AKB48 members, who have been blogging about the news.

Mariko Shinoda, considered a close friend of Maachan, recently posted a candid photo on her Twitter. Team B captain Yuki Kashiwagi also expressed her sadness over the the announcement. One consensus that was reached was that several of the blogging members found out the news through other means rather than through the management. Thus, this decision might be shocking as well as bittersweet for supporters of Maachan.

What is my reaction to this news? Quite depressed about it, actually. Maachan is perhaps my favorite member, or what wotas would call an "oshimen". When I first becoming a fan of AKB48, my main focuses were probably Tomomi Itano and Mariko Shinoda, mostly because they were the members with the most media attention. However as time went on and I began to educate myself on the other ladies of the group, Manami Oku was perhaps my darkhorse favorite. She doesn't have the most fan support, probably due to her reserved nature on stage. But recently, it appeared that Maachan was slowly coming into her own and developing a lovable personality.

To older members like Shinoda, I think she appears to be the sweet little sister. And since she is the only half-Japanese in the group and slightly chubbier than the typical Japanese idol, Maachan easily stands out from the crowd. Still, there is not much media attention on her as well as lower ranked members. This is quite a shame.

However, I am hopeful that she will return to the industry. Unlike a lot of the members, she did release solo work outside of the group. Also since the 48 culture has been expanding, so has been expansion into other regions. Maybe one day, Maachan will join SDN48 or maybe even jumpstart her own career.

As a fan, I am rather disappointed. Maachan does not have much merchandise with her likeness on it, so I try to get anything her face graces. Like with most of the lower ranked members, mainly her products is through monthly theater sold photos and BLT releases (a magazine containing randomized photos of the members). Because she is not quite as famous and well-liked as other members, I could get a lot of her things for relatively cheap.

I would love to wish Maachan good luck in her studies and that she still has my full support!

Maachan posted a reply on her blog that she hopes to return to show business after things settle down in high school. Yay!

From: Manami Oku Announces Graduation from AKB48- INFINITY BUSTER!

Something Exciting!

2011-02-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

Hello readers! There is some exciting news. Yes, I am finally writing for a website called InfinityBuster.com. I will try to post all my entries from there on here as well. The website is a web magazine that will hopefully grow bigger and more relevant. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Please follow the site and me as well. I need your support!