Traveling Valentine: Putting the Gone in Gonzo.

Traveling Valentine: Putting the Gone in Gonzo

The Escapist Magazine--TravelingValntine--Associated Content

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8/30/09: Back from Sac-Anime.

Sac-Anime was an interesting experience. On the one hand, it felt like hell due to the heat and the presence of all my friends--thank you, Jean-Paul Sartre. On the other hand, I had a good time while giving the rest of Traveling Valentine some much needed wetwork. While working on pictures and collaborating accounts, I am in dire need of rest before churning a report.

A couple of family-related rumors I need to address:

Hanako is the baby sister I never had and is treated as such.
I have a twin sister named Tam who is a spitting image of me. Poor girl.

Now to hit the showers before any post convention debriefings.

8/25/09: Preparing for Sac-Anime.

I just cleaned the car in preparation for this weekend's Sac-Anime. For further information as the convention draws near, check out the California Conventions Blog. I am keeping mum about my cosplay plans. It less about cosplay secrecy and more about having no idea what I plan to cosplay.

But tomorrow, Michael and I are attending a little friendly stroll in downtown San Jose to watch my favorite romantic comedy. Brains are fun!

8/21/09: I just saw the best summer movie of 2009.

Probably my favorite summer movie of 2009 is no longer Revenge of the Fallen or GI-Joe, but the movie with the aliens and "9" in the title. Naturally I meanthe Rifftrax version of Plan 9 From Outer Space.

For one night--last night to be precise--I attended the Rifftrax Live showing of Ed Wood's magnum opus of bad movies involving zombies, aliens, inept editing, poor writing, bad acting, and the worst Bela Lugosi stand-in ever. Pity that I was not in Tennessee last night to see the Rifftrax crew live. I enjoyed MST3K and love their ripping of movies.

The event began with Flying Stewardess, an orientation short for post WWII stewardesses. Then the Lowtax guy of that Something Awful website showed off his parody ads for the Flour & Grain Expo and his Berry Watch protection service.

Jonathan Coulton of geek music fame performed "The Future Soon" and "RE: Your Brains" since both related to the featured film. He joined the Riff-Tones to explain the previous eight plans before the film.

The film itself is awful that exists purely to be riffed. The best way to experience it outside of a live setting is to buy the riff on Rifftrax. It should be up for grabs later today since the live event ended. Watching it at home would be inexpensive, but seeing Plan 9 on the big screen and fully riffed was worth the ticket price. Even the stoic Michael had a sore throat by the end of the film from laughing so much.

8/18/09: Not bad for so early in the week.

One trifecta of anime and cosplay related material to announce. Fresh after finishing the Nor-Cal Summer Gathering, the Okage-Sama De~ Cosplay Tea from the 8/8 weekend is finished and uploaded. Featuring the combined work of Michael and Ten, our first run made for excellent practice for Sac Anime.

Next there is a retrospective review of Cowboy Bebop, a classic anime series I actually enjoyed back then and still enjoy to this day. With characters worth watching and a wonderful setting and story, they simply do not make anime like that anime more.

And closing the third part of this trifecta is my review of Baccano! on The Escapist. I was glad to dive into that series after pounding my head on the previous review. I admit that my first exposure to Baccano! was a rather horrible experience thanks to the inept review my associate gave me. But thankfully I decided to give it a second chance and enjoyed it. If anything, I hope the review does a better job of hooking more people into the anime. All Baccano! needs is a full second season.

I hope to take it easier this week while churning out more slices out of this anime life.

8/17/09: Why do we bother with summer vacation?

I hate summer and in turn hate summer vacation. Why did I get summers off as a student? During summer vacation, the last place I wanted to be was away from school or outside because it was too damned hot. It made more sense to me to be in school during summer because the school at least had air conditioning. Spring vacation made more sense to me. The weather would be pleasant so I could appreciate being outside and away from school. And with teenage horniness I actually had goals for spring vacation.

But until school systems adopt my spring vacation switch, students free during summer vacation will hold more cosplay events during that time and I will faithfully cover them as my schedule allows. Now do me a small favor and turn off the sun.

Updates: Despite being the second event of August, the Nor-Cal Summer Gathering report is up in Coverage while I polish off the Okage-Sama De~ Tea. Nor-Cal simply required less words and was was easier to generate.

8/14/09: What is the difference between fact and fiction?

Fiction has to make sense.

Aside from reimbursement requests, I never got into writing fiction. I do not mind reading fiction, but writing it on my own is usually as fun as counting sand on the beach. With fiction, I have to describe a setting, develop characters, make readers relate to them, and put everything into a plot that makes sense. But I get a very easy bye when writing my reports or personal accounts of events thanks to two words:

It happened.

Those two words are like a magic ticket that excuse me from explaining the inexpicable. If it happened, it happened. Now read on to see what happened and why I bother to write about it.

Nevertheless, I decided to try my hand at flash fiction. Starting with one sentence, I had to write a story in under 800 words. I was not too happy with the results, but I guess practice makes perfect.

Now if you don't mind, I need to find a way to be at two places at the same time for Saturday. If I manage to pull it off, I will have one heck of a report to write and can explain my bending of the time-space continuum with two simple words.

8/13/09: Talking Heads runs my life.

I can see my lifetime piling up
I can see the days turn into nights.

Okay, the first weekend event of August is finished and my cousin just had a taste of the life of a convention during the Okage-Sama De~ tea event. Ten and I are working on the report Amid photo sorting and video uploading. In the meantime I had one of possibly many convention survival guides starting with Ten Necessary Convention Items and another anime review for The Escapist. I also have to convert a one paragraph biography about myself into two sentences. My lifetime of work and recreation continues to pile up and I need a vacation.

8/07/09: Yo Joe?

Any movie that begins with "In the not too distant future" is just begging for the MST3K treatment. GI-Joe, I am looking at you specifically.

For every jab at GI-Joe except the MST3K jab, listen to my audio review of the film.

8/04/09: This guy should run for President.

Two journalists rotted in a labor camp in North Korea as part of a 12-year sentence for allegedly spying. But in pops this Bill Clinton fellow who smooth talks his way to get those two free. Such a slick Willy should consider running for President. It is great to see that Bill still has it.

But I do worry that this act opens the door for other foreign countries who hate America to follow North Korea's example. Arresting visiting Americans in exchange for international press from encountering acclaimed American politicians is similar to a child threatening to hold his breath until he gets his toy. But instead of holding his breath, he is threatening to shoot the neighbor's cat.

Uploaded a few more gems for Coverage and Archives. I also reviewed the Transformers Voyager Class Long Haul toy. I have a few more toys in the attic to review as well as an assignment for a certain military movie.

8/01/09: Probably the one time opposite sex marriage is a sin.

I was watching some old school anime--Saber Marionette J--that happened to touch upon the issue of opposite sex marriage. For those unfamiliar with the anime, I recommend you put down the Haruhi, the Lucky Star, and whatever current age anime that focuses on moe while sacrificing story and start watching Saber Marionette J (SMJ). SMJ is set in a planet populated only with men due to some lapses in basic genetic cloning capabilities. Female shaped androids fill in the feminine void in their lives but most have the emotional depth of a teaspoon. Due to the lack of human women, homosexuality is commonplace and loving a female android is considered taboo. Imagine if those dimwitted pro Proposition 8 people got hold of this anime... I'd rather not think about it.

But I would rather think about my favorite 10 comedy films, which just got posted on AC. Enjoy or disagree.

7/29/09: A busy August is busy.

I better appreciate my one free August weekend. From what I have scheduled, Traveling Valentine has:

One Okage-Sama De~ Cosplay Tea.
One cosplay picnic.
One anime store opening.
One BBQ.
One Sac Anime.

Sac Anime will be the debut of the entire force of Traveling Valentine working together at one convention. Hopefully we will work well together and I will not have to kill any bureaucracy. I am running out of places to hide the bodies.

In a blast from the past, my photographer friend Oscar C. has his photoshoot of me as Spike Spiegel from Anime Expo 2009 up. I first wore this costume at Anime Expo 2002 and the suit still looks great after so many years. Too bad the guy wearing it is still the same insane loon. Many thanks to him for the opportunity to get my mug online. Click on either photo to get to his gallery.

7/26/09: The beach is back.

After two nights of reminiscing with old movies, swimming in a sun-free beach, setting things on fire, watching some dog deflie the corpse of an innocent duck, and getting punched and/or kicked in my sleep, I have returned to the beach with minimal news.

But I must make note of an odd activity I participated in three times this week. Some dudes in a van pull over in front of some seemingly well to do dude. Those dudes attempt to sell the dude an extra home theater system they accidentally bought one too many of--I guess CostCo sells them by the twin pack now. Three times I refused since my room could barely handle a television, never mind a home theater system. I am not sure what happens if anyone agrees to buy the home theater system, so these possible next steps are pure speculation:

The dudes arrive at your house and commence the home robbery, assault, and rape of women and small house pets.
While inspecting the home theater system in the van, the dudes kidnap you and ransom you for an XBox 360 that is guaranteed never to Red Ring of Death.
The dudes arrive at your house and are immediately shot and baked into pies while you enjoy your new home theater system and van.

I am interested to know if anyone else came upon a similar proposition just to see if my suspicions are correct.

And one lesson I need to take to heart is to never write an anime review immediately after an anime convention since your brain will have the consistency of melted Pocky as seen in my D.Gray-Man review. I better shape up for my next review.

7/24/09: On holiday.

Migrating convention reports to the rightful location is such a chore. Hopefully things will go smoothly. The task is a little difficult given my decision to take a beach holiday with BART Boy, Ten, RubyMoonIII, and other Bay Area friends in lieu of this whole "Comic-Con" thing.

7/22/09: HDTV Sucks.

My analog television died last year and after nine months, I finally replaced it with an HDTV I bought at Best Buy. I found it hard to accept change and changing expensive technology is no exception. But as long Jay Leno was hosting The Tonight Show and the Republicans ran the country, all would still be good.

You could imagine my surprise when I learned that the Democrats took over the White House--I thought that Obama thing was just some Internet meme--and now some redhead is hosting The Tonight Show and doing a pretty bad job of it. Based on those two observations, it is safe for me to conclude that HDTV sucks. If it were not for the included DVD player that allows me to get my anime review articles done, I would pitch the HDTV in the trash.

So Associated Content published my Anime Expo 2009 observations. One more article to publish and my AX report is complete and this site goes live.

7/21/09: A Time for Introduction.

While people often regard me as Traveling Valentine, it is important to remember that Traveling Valentine is a team effort even if one team member is a mute. But one team member who is not a mute and is ready to introduce herself as a member of Traveling Valentine is Tatiana V. Below is her first written piece under Traveling Valentine appropriately disginated as her introduction letter. Take it away, Tatiana.

As the newest addition to Traveling Valentine, introductions are necessary. My name is Tatiana, ~~also known~~ always known as Ten. I am generally good at socializing with everyone within a two foot radius though I take no responsibility for any injuries that may occur within said two foot radius. Many consider me to have a charming personality and a personable nature--although the same is often said of sociopaths and serial killers. My most favorite things are shojo manga, Gloomy Bear, and cosplay. My least favorite things are people who think the stranglehold known as “glomping” is an appropriate greeting and people who would rather put down cosplay than try it themselves.

Now that the formal part of this intro is out of the way, I am super happy and excited to be writing for Traveling Valentine! I hope that you all will enjoy my articles and random rants on anything & everything. Expect me to be all over the Bay Area conventions this year interviewing, taking pictures, and stalking the general public.

To better aquaint yourselves with the staff of Traveling Valentine, please head over to the Staff section. I am still hammering out details for Associates while scouting for some.

7/21/09: TV needs a TV.

After much prodding, I figure it is time to join the 21st century and buy a new television. While I enjoyed my 27" television from the 90s since it matched my decor, it was hard to fully enjoy given that it was busted for nearly a year and the only channel I got was the mute ninja clad in black fighting a black bear at midnight during a lunar eclipse.

So looking at the new selection of televisions, I have no idea what to select. The flat panel televisions are thin, but I already use wall space for posters, awards, and other facets of my personal life. I am more partial to the televisions that double as computer monitors, but I already have a giant widescreen monitor that is almost as old as the deceased television. Unlike the television, the monitor still works so I am reluctant to throw it out just for the sake of innovation. Perhaps if I had a high-end computer to go along with the monitor...

7/18/09: Anime Expo Report Online!

Traveling Valentine's report of Anime Expo is online at the "Coverage" section. Despite the many complaints of my fellow attendees, Traveling Valentine had a good time albeit experiencing limited industry content. Take a look through the photos, video, and field reports of one solitary Traveling Valentine unit working his way through Masquerade Ball, Power Rangers, Transformers, and twins.

Traveling Valentine still has a few holes to patch as the staff fill in their information and I transfer more of my articles and portfolio.

7/17/09: Cosette and Yo-Joe As Webcomic Characters

I allowed my friend RubyMoonIII the use of my Cosette and Yo-Joe doll characters for her developing webcomic series World's Most Bizarre. I gave her free artistic license just to see how she would design them and what situations she would put them in. The first two results appear below:

RubyMoonIII captured the personalities of Cosette well complete with terminally happy go lucky expression and oblivious nature. Yo-Joe's lack of emotion and limited speech reminds me of Michael. Their outfits and looks are a cute choice with Cosette in a kimono and Sailor Moon hair. I actually do have a kimono intended for Cosette, but it's too small for her now. Yo-Joe in a male school uniform fits well within his usual military fatigues. RubyMoonIII seemed to convert them into children, which works since I used to refer to those dolls as Village of the Damned Children. RubyMoonIII's reaction to taking care of the two dolls reminded me of my first time taking care of Cosette when I thought Ball-Jointed Dolls came to Earth to steal their owners' souls and eat the brains of people who did not like them. RubyMoonIII making herself their temporary mother is an interesting development, but it is her comic and she can do what she pleases as long as those dolls return safe and sound. I am almost curious whether Cosette's papa will appear.

7/1/09: She rides!

The site is designed. The programming is verified. The content is generated. The links work. Even the spell checker is doing its job. All systems are go. All I need now is that damned logo.

As founder, site manager, producer, and writer of Traveling Valentine, I am pleased to open this site to the public. This is your one stop spot for the convention coverage, writing, and videos of Traveling Valentine and I would not have it any other way.

If you are new to Traveling Valentine, please visit the About page to familiarize yourself with the links on the left. Otherwise feel free to explore, read, watch, and laugh. If anything goes wrong, feel free to contact me.

7/23/03: Traveling Valentine established

After this Livejournal entry, I founded the name Traveling Valentine. It started out as a cosplay group, but I feel I could do much more with the name as my portfolio. So I plan to pick up the Travelingvalentine.com domain name to prevent others from taking it. I do not really have a need for a web site since the other place works well enough despite not having the official Traveling Valentine name. Should any developments brew, I will have this site to fall back on. Stay tuned for additional updates as I get things booted up here.

All material not otherwise credited by Tom Tonthat
Copyright 2003-2009