Salt Lake Comic Con // FanX 2014

 Art and other hobbies, Life  No Responses »
May 252014
 

I’ve been looking forward to SLCC / FanX 2014 since the beginning of the year, and it was such an FUNtastic experience!  I’m usually either staffing, helping at a booth, or wandering on my own when I’m at a convention.  Not very exciting. However, this time I traveled out of California, met up with friends, made new friends, and ever day was like an adventure.

I’m still not used to flying, but it was either 2 hours by plane, or 10 hours by car…   While in line for the human x-ray machine, I noticed a man in the aisle next to mine who looked lot like William Shatner.  He was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, so I couldn’t really tell.  But I thought to myself, just because I was going to comic con didn’t mean everyone else in line was going as well.  Besides, this was just the screening area.  What were the chances that we were both headed for Salt Lake City?  Well, when I boarded the plane, the same man was sitting in first class.  Coincidence?  Maybe??  But what came next really caught me by surprise.   Almost the entire cast of TNG were also on the same flight.  Woah… So, yes. It was Mr. Shatner.

The rest of the flight was uneventful.  I tried playing Bejeweled on the flight’s touchscreen monitor, but it crashed and I wasn’t able to get it working again.

Here are pictures from my FanXperience.

Day 1 // April 17, 2014

         Hotel-02           

                    

                                                                                        – TNG PANEL –

                   

                    

                    

                    

     

Day 2 // April 18, 2014

                   

                    

                 

 

Day 3 // April 19, 2014

                    

                    

                    

  

(Pictures taken by me, Marie, and Angie. )

 

 

2013 SCrew Badminton Tournament

 Art and other hobbies, Life  No Responses »
Nov 182013
 

We had our annual SCrew (Socal Crew) badminton tournament on November 16th.  We moved the venue from San Gabriel Valley Badminton Club 1 (SGVBC) to Manhattan Beach Badminton Club (MBCC).  It’s a bit far for some of us, but it was worth the drive.  It’s a wonderful facility, with clean and spacious locker rooms, shower and restrooms, a large kitchen, a lounge area, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and 6 badminton courts.  We also had the drawing party at MBCC 2 weeks before the tournament to decide the teams.  It was just me, Su-Ting, Choei, Chase, Phap, Pat, and Grace, but only Grace and I drew .  We compiled a list of all participating players and marked down each person’s experience level so we could evenly distribute them among the 6 teams.  I got drawn into team #2, and it was apparent at that point that team #2 was going to be the underdog.  Later, I drew a #2 for Choei, and he broke down and threw a hissy fit.  Pat was laughing at Choei’s misery…but not for long, as he, too, got drawn into team #2.  So, we went from being the underdog to not-so-sh*tty-looking.  Not bad.  Pat decided the line-up for our team, and it proved to be very effective!  We, team# 2 (aka Thai Iced Tea with Boba) were victorious!

                          

(Video to be uploaded soon…)

Southern California Gundam Modeling (SCGMC)!!!

 Art and other hobbies, Life  No Responses »
Nov 092013
 

We’re just through the first half of TGG’s Gundam model competition (SCGMC).  The raffle was a hit, and we’ll definitely need a bigger raffle drum next year.  What’s funny is when we locked the drum after the raffle, the lock JAMMED!  Clem used a pair of pliers and…wire cutter(?) to tear the lock off.  Bad..Sanrio rip-off lock…bad!!!

   

Bad Sanrio rip-off lock…Bad..!!!

   

Our new lock = a key ring!

Here are just some of the awesome entries:

          

         

    

Award ceremony.  Clem is so loud he does not need a microphone.

    

And of course, the prizes:

   

Swallow Your Bliss – Join the Army of Bliss

 Art and other hobbies  Comments Off on Swallow Your Bliss – Join the Army of Bliss
Sep 082013
 


Have you heard about Swallow Your Bliss?  If you haven’t, you should check out their indiegogo page here.

 

Here’s a short description of the show from their indiegogo campaign homepage:

Swallow Your Bliss is a comedy set in the world of a highly successful cooking show that pairs our two favorite things in life — food and sex (don’t lie, they’re your favorites too).  The action takes place both while the camera is rolling and especially when it’s not.  The star chef, Amanda Bliss, a very desirable, thirty- eleven-ish (she refuses to use the term “forties”), strong willed, sarcastic and always the number one.  Behind her back, she is referred to as the “Blisster”.  As her producer, Martin puts it, “A mild irritation that develops into a constant pain until it bursts into a miasma of despair.”

(Left to right: Lisa Long, Michael Dorn, Caroline Rich Schwartz, Christopher Rich.)

The show features a talented ensemble cast including Christopher Rich, Lisa Long, Michael Dorn, and Caroline Rich Schwartz .  They have yet to announce who will be playing Amanda Bliss, but said, “You will know her, you will love her and you will want to be her.”

Comedy and food…who doesn’t like to laugh, and c’mon…everyone loves the Food Network, right?  From their pitch video, the show looks like it’s going to be packed with laughs and chaotic goodness.  I made a few contributions and I’m tempted to pick up a some shirts!  I have a badminton buddy named Bliss, and it would be totally wear the “Army of Bliss” shirt around him.  It would be so awkwardly awesome.

It’s the final week of their crowd funding campain, so please check out their indiegogo page and join the Army of Bliss!  Check out some of the awesome perks that are available.

3rd Annual Southern California Gundam Model Competition (SCGMC) — Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013

 Art and other hobbies, Life  No Responses »
Sep 062013
 

Hey SoCal-ers, please join us for the 3rd annual Southern California Gundam Model Competition (SCGMC)!  My friends started this event to promote and encourage people to get into the hobby of building model kits.  Don’t know anything about Gundam?  It’s okay!  Me neither!  Competitors are also welcome to showcase resin statues, scratch build projects…and almost anything .  The boys will also be doing live demos on airbrushing, tips on building dioramas, and etc.  I’ll be at the registration/merchandise booth.  I might have a few Wind Wakers with me (without boxes).  Hmmm…maybe we’ll offer one as a raffle prize?

Here’s the little badminton ninja I made last year.  He’s the mascot for our badminton group, SCrew.

 

 Posted by at 2:53 PM

Summer (Part I)

 Art and other hobbies, Life  No Responses »
Aug 032013
 

JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Angel and Nicky spoiled me on my birthday week by taking me to see the Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses at the Greek Theatre. What a great way to kick start the summer!  I thought about wearing my Link costume, but I couldn’t convince myself to wear tights. I like my clothes baggy and comfortable… I did, however, put on elf ears but ended up with way more glue in my hair than on latex prosthetics. Nicky’s solution to removing the glue: “Put your head under water for a few minutes.”

We arrived at the Greek 40 minutes before the start of the concert. Unfortunately, the line for merchandise was too long so I didn’t get the new tan-colored Zelda SoG shirt. I’ll try again in December at San Jose! The Prelude (“The Creation of Hyrule”) was replaced with “Link’s Awakening” and “Spirit Tracks,” both of which I’ve never heard before. After the first movement Eimear switched to the Wind Waker baton that Angel and I made especially for her. I got a little emotional~! It will be a memory that I will keep with me forever. We were treated to several encore pieces including “Gerudo Valley,” “Majora’s Mask,” “Dragon Roost Island,” and a new piece from “Skyward Sword.” We didn’t hear the Dungeon Medley that night, but who knows what San Jose will have in store for us, right?

      Hi John!   

A few days later, on my actual birthday, I mourned my youth at the happiest place on earth with Angel and Nicky. In the evening, we met up with friends at Orange Hill for happy hour and to enjoy the sunset view. We went back to Anaheim a week later to celebrate Angel’s birthday. No Disneyland, but we got Star Class seats at UlraLuxe to see “End of the World,” and wrapped up the night with a relaxing dinner at McCormick’s and Schmick’s.

                 

Kenny’s birthday was also in June.  Geminis sure are popular…  Our special nickname for him is “Sunflower.” I thought it would be cute to make him a sunflower fleece hat with removable petals.  I found a basic hat pattern online and modified it so there would be room to attach the petals.  I don’t know anything about sewing, and my mom’s sewing machine is ancient, clunky, and dangerous.  I didn’t trust myself with the sewing machine and hand stitched everything together in two days.  For some reason, my fingers, joints, and wrist locks up after a few hours, and I get these sharp, shooting pains when I try and move my hand.  It happens when I’m painting or sanding, too.  Hopefully it’s nothing too serious.

           

ANIME EXPO 2013
My interest for anime and manga has dwindled over the years, but I still enjoy going to Anime Expo to people watch and take pictures. A group of us from the build gathering go every year for Clem’s Gunpla model building panel. We got to LACC at 11AM and had the entire day to kill because the panel wasn’t until 7PM. Clem hung out at Blue Fin’s booth snapping pictures of kits from the competition while Angel and I walked the entire exhibit hall looking for the elusive Messala kit. (I finally got it a few weeks later at Comic Con.) We had lunch across the street where several food truck vendors had congregated. There was even a boba truck…so they do exisit… It was over 100 degrees and there was literally nowhere to hide from the sun. I got in the shortest line and was rewarded with the driest pulled pork sandwich ever. We quickly finished our lunch and ran back into the convention center. Ahhhh. AC… There were still a few hours before the panel so we headed over to the bar/lounge area where the boys got their drink on. Clem passed out on the couch and a staffer came by and took a picture of him. I claimed an unoccupied ottoman and tried taking a nap, but the disco lights and throbbing music was too distracting. We arrived at our 15 minutes before the panel and found the line of attendees had already wrapped around the hallway leading back towards South Hall. Wow! I brought Angel’s Wind Waker case to work on during the presentation. I was setting the inner tray in and had to mix epoxy glue, so I had to apologize to everyone around me for the funky smell. During Q&A, Clem spotted a pair of identical twin brothers. They were both bald, had a scruffy beard, and wore matching Hawaiian shirts! Clem asked them some silly questions and they answered together, word for word! You don’t see that everyday…

 

                                       Photo bomb!           

I made this brain slug for fun.  Here’s some pictures of me and my friends being silly.

      Me and my pet brain slug.   Clem.   George.   Su-Ting (my lovely twin sister).

COMIC CON 2013
(See separate post here.)

SCARFACE
I have these dark spots on my face that’s bothered me for a long time, but I never got around to doing anything about them. My sister recently had laser treatment to remove the moles on her face. The moles are still there but much lighter than before. After seeing her results I decided to make an appointment to get the treatment as well. The procedure for moles and dark spots removal are basically the same. I asked my sister to accompany me for emotional support, but she tagged along just to be entertained by my “torture.” She knew I would break down, scream, cry, and whine my butt off. …and, of course, I did. Luckily there weren’t too many people waiting outside. I would have scared them away. The lady applied numbing cream on my skin before the treatment, but honestly, I don’t think it did anything. It still…hurt….soooo…much… It feels like a hot knife being scraped across your skin. And, oh my goodness, the smell…! THE SMELL! Burning flesh! Yuck!!! My sister’s boyfriend made a last minute decision to get his dark spots removed, too, and he was a lot braver than me. He waited until the lady lifted up the laser tool before screaming and reaching out to hold our hand. I just screamed from start to finish. Yup. I was a mess…

Before   After
Before                    After

I still need to go back in a few weeks for a touch up… Oh…Yayy…  I originally scheduled the treatment the week before Comic Con. Thank goodness I postponed it until afterwards, otherwise, I would have been walking around the convention looking like I had chicken pox or something. That would have been horrible… I guess I could have blended in with the zombie cosplayers, though…

Comic Con 2013

 Art and other hobbies, Life  1 Response »
Jul 312013
 

It was great to be back at Comic Con!  I was able to go this year all thanks to my friends at ABCtoy4me. In return, I happily supplied them with caffeine and free labor.  This year, ABC had a much larger crew so there was plenty of time for everyone to walk around and enjoy the show for themselves. There wasn’t anything in particular I wanted to do or see, but I went to Comic Con with 3 goals in mind:

  • Book Signing/author Seanan McGuire (for Nicky)
  • Buy Messala (HGUC) Gundam Model Kit (for Angel)
  • Meet Brent Spiner (personal goal)
TUESDAY, July 16, 2013

I didn’t get much sleep the night before because I was finishing up some Wind Wakers for Daniel and Adam.  I downed 4 Red Bulls during the day but it didn’t really do anything.  I was still feeling exhausted.  Before I left, I tried taking a 15 minute nap, but my heart was beating too rapidly making it impossible to relax.  Oh well.

The 405S ramp from 605 was closed, so I had to get off and follow the detour from hell that led me past my alma mater, past Seal Beach and around Huntington Beach.  After 30 minutes on surface streets, it finally led me back on the freeway and it was smooth sailing from there on.  I reached Daniel’s place around 12:30 AM, crashed on the couch and passed out.

WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2013 (Preview Night)
Getting inside the convention center was easier said than done.  I had to wait outside for someone to bring me my badge.  My friends directed me to go from lobby F to D, then D to A, then back to F.  (That’s walking the length of 11 football fields…twice!)  Outside, I had to elbow my way through the mass of people lining up to get in for Preview Night.  Some guy ran into me and knocked over my boxed lunch and coffee.  Blargh..!  It was my only meal for the day!  I was expecting a short day with little activity, so I had worn flip flops instead of my tennis shoes.  What a mistake that was!  My toes got stomped on and ran over by scooters and wheelchairs.  It’s no one’s fault but my own.  I should have known better.

After I got my badge, I dropped by our booth to say hello and then wandered off to do my own thing.  Light Speed Fine Art’s booth was only a few aisles away, so my first stop was to see if they had posted a photo op/signing schedule.  To my surprise, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn were already there.  I had the opportunity to get Brent’s autograph then and there, but hmm….completing my goal on preview night?  What’s the fun in that?  Besides, I wouldn’t have much to look forward to during the rest of the show.  That or I would have to come up with new goals to meet…  I prepaid for a photo op with Brent, picked up a schedule, and moved on.

Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Michael Dorn at Light Speed Fine Art.

Side note:  I should probably mention that I’m a late bloomer to the Star Trek series.  I watched a few episodes of TNG during its original broadcast, but I never got into it because it aired during the same time as the Chinese soap operas.  But even then, I knew who Data was, and he was (and still is) my favorite TNG cast member.  Everyone loved Data! So now, fast forward to 2013… I recently caught an episode on BBC America, “Time’s Arrow” part one.  For whatever reason, instead showing part two, BBC jumped to another episode from an earlier Season.  Why?!  Now I’m watching TNG on Netflix, and yep, I’m hooked.

Next stop was Bluefin’s booth at the opposite end of the hall… I was supposed to get Messala (Gundam model kit) for Angel’s birthday in JUNE, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.  We tried some local shops, and even asked all the vendors at Anime Expo, and no one had it.  I really didn’t want to go home empty handed again… Casval at Bluefin confirmed that Messala wasn’t released in the US yet, but they had a few Japanese sample kits they were selling at the show. Sure, why not?!  Goal completed!  Two more to go!

MORE PICTURES:

        Remake of 1989 DuckTale's game!           

THURSDAY, July 18, 2013

I spent the morning helping friends hunt down Comic Con exclusives.  Everywhere you turn there were lines, lines, and more lines.  At 9:30 AM, I attended a music-related panel, “The Anatomy of Superhero Film Music: Bringing a Comic Book to Life.”  The guest panelists included composer Marco Beltrami (The Wolverine), composer John Debney (Iron Man 2), composer Matthew Margeson (X-Men: First Class, Kick Ass 2) with director Jeff Wadlow (Kick Ass 2), composer Christopher Lennertz (Marvel: Agent Carter), composer Bear McCreary and music supervisor Dave Jordan (The Avengers).

                

I was back in the exhibit hall for the rest of the afternoon.  I swung by Light Speed’s booth again to see if Brent was available., but I got there, I overheard a rather obnoxious man shouting questions at Brent.  I couldn’t tell if he was asking a real question or purposely being an A-hole.  I didn’t want to stick around and find out so I ran away.  After about an hour, I mustered the courage to go back and talk to Brent.  He was very nice and friendly! Goal completed!

Brent didn’t like the photo I picked out and said it looked too much like a mug shot.  (No it didn’t!)  I’m sure he was joking, because honestly, all the photos were lovely and I wish I got them all!  Brent suggested another photo and took his advice.  I handed him my badge so he could see the spelling of my name because I was too nervous to speak.  (I babble when I’m scared…)  I was amazed when he pronounced my name correctly on his first try.  It was a treat because I’m used to my name getting butchered all the time. That was the most memorable moment of Comic Con.

I returned a few hours later for the photo op and Brent still remembered my name. Wow!  Brent looked awesome in the photo, but I, on the other hand, looked like someone just died.  I need to work on smiling.  I must have some irrational fear of taking pictures.  Ugh…fail!

MORE PICTURES:

Dr. Venture and Mr. White   My phone died....              

FRIDAY, July 19, 2013

I decided to take another photo with Brent since I didn’t really like first.  Unfortunately, my nerves got to me AGAIN, and the photo came out worse than the first.  Still, it was a fun experience.  I brought the first photo back to Brent to sign.  He also said I looked as if I were about to cry in the photo.  (T_T)  I purchased an additional autograph for myself, and one for my pal, Terrence.

Brent Spiner. I look like I'm half smiling half crying.      Mr. Brent Spiner

We also chatted briefly about his music works.  Brent has a beautiful singing voice, and has released two albums– “Ol’ Yellow Eyes is Back” in 1991, and “Dreamland” in 2008.   I found a copy of “Ol’ Yellow Eyes is Back” on ebay and also ordered “Dreamland,” too.

I went back to Light Speed at the end of the day in hopes of purchasing the photos I didn’t already have, but sadly, Brent, Marina and Michael had already left.  It was their last day at Comic Con, too.  Aww..darn.

MORE PICTURES:

                       

 

SATURDAY, July 20, 2013

I helped out at the booth for most of the morning. My friends were having some trouble getting the Square credit card app to work.  They were using a Samsung Galaxy phone  and an iPhone 5 and had trouble staying connected to the internet. Surprisingly, my phone (iPhone 4) had the best connection and worked like a charm every time!

I met up with Helen and her friends for the last Futurama panel ever(?).  The entire cast was present!  They did a table read the first act of an unaired episode, and then showed the completed second act.  It was hilarious!  Can’t wait to see the full episode!

                              

There was a book signing event for Carniepunk at 3 PM at Simon and Schuster’s booth.  All the authors were there, including Seanan, and everyone in line got a free copy of the book.  Nicky will be pleased!  Since it was an exclusive signing for Carniepunk, I didn’t bother Seanan with the other books.

 Carniepunk signing.  

I had time to kill so I walked next door to Nintendo’s Gaming Lounge in the Marriott Hotel.  It was packed!!  They had several stations with playable demos for upcoming games.  You earned tickets by playing the demos, which can then be traded in for T-shirts or other prizes.  More goodies for Terrence.

                 

There was a Family Guy/American Dad signing at 4 PM, and a man generously offered his ticket to me.  He was in line since 6 AM to get tickets for the How I Met Your Mother signing, but they ran out so he got tickets for Family Guy instead.  Apparently, Fox was handing out 2 tickets per person for the same event, and people were then selling their extra ticket for $20-$40 a pop.  Shame on scalpers…  I wish I could have done something to return his generosity.  He was first in the stand-by line for How I Met Your Mother, and I really hope he made it in…

The lovely Alex Borstein (Family Guy).  Patrick Warburton (Family Guy). "...Brock Shampshon..."

MORE PICTURES:

            

 

SUNDAY, July 21, 2013

The last day of Comic Con!  People were cray for Ugly Dolls.  They sold out of merchandise every day during the show.  Put Hello Kitty’s face on anything, slap the word “exclusive” on it and everyone will want to buy it.  Helen wanted a set of the Hello Kitty Ugly Dolls (4 colors in all), but they were not selling to exhibitors for the first hour.  I lined up and got a ticket which guaranteed met at least one doll.  Two of the colors were already sold out within 20 minutes of the hall opening.  We managed to get one of each of the remaining colors.  (Sorry, Helen… I have failed you!)

Seanan had two panels with signings afterward.  I missed the first one because I was in line for a photo op with John Barrowman, but made it to the second one.  The signings were only an hour long, so I got there ahead schedule to make sure I was near the front of the line.  The line moved at snail’s pace because everyone brought a mountain of books to get signed.  I accidentally dropped one of Nicky’s book while waiting in line and people around me looked at me as if I had just committed bloody murder…  Yikes.  I got all of Nicky’s books signed, and for fun, I asked Seanan to write, “COME TO COMIC CON” in one of the books.  Goal completed!

John Barrowman.   

Back at our booth, the Sons of Anarchy signing at Fox created traffic congestion in the surrounding aisles.  Stragglers tend to hide in our booth to avoid getting yelled at by security.  (“Shoot and Scoot!”)

Charlie Hunnam and Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy)  Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy)  Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy)

Tear down went smoothly and we were packed up and ready to go in under two hours.  That’s a new record!

MORE PICTURES:

                     

This year’s Comic Con was very special to me.  I accomplished all my goals, helped out friends in the process, and even lost five pounds.  Until next year…I hope.

Book of Mormon / Wellcast Launch!

 Art and other hobbies, Life, Music  Comments Off on Book of Mormon / Wellcast Launch!
Sep 302012
 

Book of Mormon

It’s been a very exciting week! On Tuesday night, my friend Caroline and I went to the Pantages to see The Book of Mormon. We got there around 7:30 PM, (much earlier than we had anticipated), so Caroline gave me a quick tour around the theater since it was my first trip to the Pantages. Our seats were on the second level, and in the first row, Mezzo, RC (right center). Awesome seats with an amazing view. (Thanks, Clem!)

Needless to say, the show was epic and hilarious.  I left with a bag of goodies:  a Book of Mormon tote bag, CD soundtrack of the original Broadway cast, and a T-Shirt.

               

     

 

Wellcast

I was contacted by Jeff Chang a few weeks ago to write a short jingle for a podcast series called Wellcast. Jeff and I previously worked together on another project at school, so it was really great to team up once again!

About Wellcast:  “Wellcast is a twice-a-week quirky, animated show, that explores the physical, mental and emotional paths to wellness. With an emphasis on education, the show addresses both the latest trends and long-standing practices of wellness—everything from the efficacy of the gratitude experiment to the importance of sunshine and vitamin D.”

The channel just launched last week.

http://www.youtube.com/watchwellcast

 

JW concert // SCrew T-shirts

 Art and other hobbies, Life, Music  Comments Off on JW concert // SCrew T-shirts
Sep 032012
 

My friend, Clem, invited me to a JW concert at the Bowl three summers ago, and needless to say, I’ve been going back every year since!  We had a group of six this time.  We arrived at the Bowl an hour and a half before the concert and had ourselves a little picnic.   After filling our bellies, we hiked up to our seats in section N3.

             

On a completely unrelated note…Choei received his first shipment of T-shirts for the upcoming SCrew badminton tournament.  This is the alternative T-shirt design.  The official T-shirts haven’t arrived yet.  There are 4 teams:  Water buffalo, Elephant, Giant Panda, and Komodo Dragon.  I doodled a sketch of the animals, and Choei used the artwork to print T-shirts.

The T-shirt color is dark greenish-grey (and 2 printed  on light pink).  Here’s what it looks like.  My sister is the shirt model pictured below~

      

(Shu Shuu is my pen name.)