I wasn’t expecting to get anything else this month, but imagine my surprise when I came home and saw the above on my doorstep. Two boxes from HLJ and one big flat package from RedOctane. What did the postman bring me today? Keep reading to find out!
Archive for May, 2009
May acquisitions, part 2
Posted by Asian Ed on May 28, 2009
Posted in Figures | Tagged: belldandy, ddr, Figures, fuka ayase, hlj, kaiyodo, kotobukiya, Neko Mimi Mode, toysworks, yotsuba& | 7 Comments »
New Arrival: FREEing 1/4 scale Ryoko Asakura bunny
Posted by Asian Ed on May 27, 2009
She took awhile to track down, but I finally found the 1/4 scale FREEing Ryoko Asakura bunny figure for a decent price. Thanks to MooMooCow on Dannychoo.com, who made the decision to part with this beautiful figure and sell her to me for the great price of $125. Up until this point, I’d been scouting out eBay and other sites, but without much success. The lowest going price for a brand new figure had a minimum price tag of $150 plus shipping, with some listings going well into the $200 range. I like the Ryoko bunny, but I don’t like it that much.
Posted in Figures | Tagged: bunny, Figures, freeing, haruhi, ryoko asakura | 6 Comments »
Quick review – Be With You, Ichikawa Takuji
Posted by Asian Ed on May 24, 2009
When Takumi’s wife suddenly returns from the grave, he can’t believe his eyes. How could such a thing be possible? Is she here to stay? Has love miraculously triumphed over death? As Takumi starts looking for answers to these questions, he discovers the secret of his wife’s appearance is somehow linked to the past…and the future.
When I first saw this book in the manga section at my local Borders, I was a bit intrigued. First, it wasn’t a title I recognized, and second, there wasn’t an accompanying manga next to it. I picked it up and read the description (which also included a quick blurb about how the story was later adapted into a manga, full length live action film, and live action TV series) and decided it might be worth a read. Up until this point, my exposure to Japanese literature has been limited to the works of Murakami Haruki and various light novels that were later adapted into manga/anime. I’m also a sucker for love stories, so this really was right up my alley.
Posted in Otaku | Tagged: be with you, books, borders, ichikawa takuji, review | 1 Comment »
Sleepy cat + glass desk = win
Posted by Asian Ed on May 24, 2009
My cat has a tendency to nap on my computer desk. Since I’d cleaned it recently and it has a glass top, I snapped a couple of photos while she napped. On a couple of shots, I got some really nice reflections of her face in the glass. Then there’s the shot from under the desk…
There’s plenty more where that came from… Check out the rest of the shots!
Posted in Neko Mimi Mode | Tagged: neko, Neko Mimi Mode, photography | 1 Comment »
Selling off some goods
Posted by Asian Ed on May 21, 2009
Since I’ve had some pretty hefty expenditures the past couple of weeks, I’ve decided to start a pile of things that I can part with and sell. Since I’ve failed in moving some things on the buy/sell email list at work, I’ve resorted to putting things up on Half.com. For a full list of things that I’ve parting with, check out my sales page. Please, help me pay for a Dollfie! 
…and yes, I did get chosen in the last VolksUSA Dolfie lottery. Rin will be here in July! Just as a reminder, this is what she looks like:
Posted in Otaku | Tagged: Dollfie, dollfie dream, sale, tohsa, tohsaka rin | 5 Comments »
There be dragon (boats)!
Posted by Asian Ed on May 17, 2009
Last weekend marked the 4th annual Charlotte Dragonboat and Asian Festival. I made the decision to attend and support the Microsoft team in the pursuit of a medal position. There are typically several good showings at this event, including a few teams from outside of the area that ramp up the level of competition. Unfortunately, this never bodes well for those teams that are just good enough to make the top bracket and end up fighting for the consolation prizes.
Being that several of my co-workers were involved on the team this year, I decided to go along for the whole day. This meant waking up much earlier than usual and heading up to the lake for the 7am registration time. Since it is about a 30-45 minute drive, this meant I was up at about 5:30am.
CAUTION: this is probably one of the most graphically intensive posts I’ve done. More after the break!
Posted in Otaku | Tagged: charlotte, chocobo, dragonboats, microsoft | 3 Comments »
DannyChoo.com “My desk” entry
Posted by Asian Ed on May 11, 2009
It’s contest time again! Danny is giving away $150 in credit for J-List to the best “my desk” photo. Above is my entry (click to enlarge). Now to make my shopping list…
Posted in Otaku | Tagged: dannychoo, Figures, my room | Leave a Comment »
And now for something completely different
Posted by Asian Ed on May 9, 2009
As an aside from general otakuness, I give you the following video (taken today):
Feel free to go “awwwwww.” Regular service might resume later on. ^.^
Posted in Neko Mimi Mode | Tagged: cat, fetch, kitty, neko, Neko Mimi Mode, sophie | 2 Comments »
First impressions: Star Trek 2009
Posted by Asian Ed on May 7, 2009
After a two year wait, I finally got the chance to see the new Star Trek movie. Captained by Sci-Fi demigod J.J. Abrams, this new journey into final frontier is heralded as the great reboot of an aging franchise. Old fans and future fans alike are supposed to enjoy this movie. It is supposed to excite the senses and get you to fall in love with the characters all over again or for the first time. This new Trek is supposed to cast off the nerdy stigma that has plagued the franchise for so many years.
When I first heard about this new attempt at Star Trek, I was slightly worried. Along with many other fans, I didn’t know what to think about taking a long cherished story and rewriting it for the masses. Like the Star Wars prequels before it, die-hard fans wondered how this new installment would fit in with the long established time line and universe. Any tiny misstep, any creative liberty taken had the potential to destroy 40 years of Trek canon and send the universe into chaos. A mistake of that magnitude would not be tolerated and could only be punishable by death, or at the very least an hour in the agony booth.
I’m happy to report that it has succeeded with flying colors. In one word, “wow.” In two words, “simply amazing.”As a lifelong Trekkie, I’m very satisfied with this new Star Trek. The actors chosen filled their roles masterfully (though a bit culturally confused… Sulu is played by a Korean, Uhura is Latino, and Scotty is British) and canon was dealt with masterfully (all I can say is, it doesn’t actually matter anymore).
I was originally intending on writing more on the film, but I don’t think I’d be able to give it proper respect. I would highly recommend that everyone go and experience this movie first hand. Even if you’re not a fan of the original Star Trek, just remember one of the commercials: “This is not your father’s Star Trek.”
Posted in Otaku | Tagged: jj abrams, star trek | 7 Comments »
The replacement figma
Posted by Asian Ed on May 6, 2009
I came home today only to find an interesting bundle sitting in the middle of my driveway. It seems that the postman had put a package in a plastic bag (it was raining most of today) and dropped it off on my driveway. It was blocking my car from getting into the driveway, so I had to retrieve it before coming in. It seems that my two figmas had arrived from eBay! To get to them, I had to go through several layers of packaging. The outside was wrapped in thick paper, which was covered in tape. Inside was two cardboard boxes wrapped together with tape. Once I got the boxes open, there were layers of bubble wrap. Lastly, each figma box was wrapped in tissue paper. Talk about thorough! As a result, both arrived intact and in good condition.
I immediately set to opening them up, checking them out, and posing them in all sorts of interesting ways.
Posted in Figures | Tagged: figma, konata, lucky star, tohsaka rin | 6 Comments »
