Say, What Chu Looking At?

Central Park Ariel 03

Originally uploaded by Doc Stampede

I came home, and despite having work to do tonight I had to get away from “real life work” for a little while to post a few pics from Saturday.

This one took my breath away when I first viewed the preview, and I’m glad the post-processed photo didn’t let us down. As always with me, I tried to avoid doing an outrageous amount of work, but this one kind of begged for some tweaking and softening that I normally don’t indulge in.

Stunning.

A few more pics at the flickr page, and I’ll update there as I post more.

Spent about 10 minutes at the convention.  Spent rest of Saturday in the park, taking photos, and spent most of Sunday getting to a slow start.  Fun times!

Already feeling like its too quiet again.

Will post photos later, except for one, which we have titled the “Lionel Tribute shot” with great respect for Lionel. 

Anyway, more serious photos when I’ve had some time to rest, recover, and edit. 

So, apparently there’s enough interest that we might put something more … extended together.

Since my brain has been running in overdrive, lemme get some character notes down.

(This is all in reference to THIS post….)

Character notes

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I blame this on Razorbagel, who put the idea in my head with just a few lines… I had to rewrite the whole song.

Yes, I want to actually do this.  I think it’d be absolutely drop dead funny as a fan video.   (And Matt…  Sue… You KNOW I’m thinking of this for Scott M. for the next fan parody… Hahaha)

Under the cut – One Week More — Otakon as sung in Les Mis style… 

Read more…

So I was cleaning out my shelves this past weekend, and found a big black binder full of photos from Otakon 1999…

So here I give you, AHHHH FLASHBACK!  XD

In several flavors, both my own hosted Gallery and Flickr as well.  Enjoy!

(Keep an eye out for alot of very familiar faces, just… younger. 

Ever wonder why you see my eyes cross and I turn into a raging monster at times at con meetings?  Dork Tower got it, compressed right down into a single panel comic.

Scuse me.  Powers that be…  Firmament of the convention universe?

Why didn’t I ever get a +10 Sword of Totally Peeved Con Chair?

Oh wait.  I did.  It was my voice.  XD

(But I’d like a physical sword…

Read the entire chain over at Dork Tower

I know that I’ve got at least…  7 or more readers who have done their time chairing conventions…  Looks like Dork Tower is doing a series on being chair…

The Tao of Igor Chapter 2, Part 1 | Dork Tower

FUNimation Adds Oh! Edo Rocket Alternate-History Anime (Updated) – Anime News Network

This excites me for silly reasons.  This is the show I got to watch getting recorded back in 2007 on my birthday in Tokyo.   XD

Ensemble cast, looks like alot of fun!

As noted on ANN, as per MTV’s movies blog.  Keanu Reeves, (in)famous movie actor, has expressed interest in the lead role in a proposed 20th Century Fox adaptation of Cowboy Bebop.

I might bleed from the eye sockets.   Really. 

That being said, there’s more in the article that might be of interest to those of you following the development of this adaptation.  Word is they’re going to flesh out the “Redeye” story — which COULD be interesting actually.   

Color me skeptical.  I suspect I’ll have Redeye myself if and when this movie comes out.  Because I’ll be bleeding from the eyes.

Keanu Reeves Hopes to Star in Live-Action Cowboy Bebop – Anime News Network

Alright folks – I know many of you have been seeing this article drift here and there across the Manga and Anime communities.   I’m throwing my two cents in here.

Carl Horn’s editorial below states the case very clearly.  It should scare the living daylights out of you.   Its also not a new fight, its an old fight that people have to fight all the time.  

In this particular case, someone is being persecuted for buying manga from Japan.   He was originally hit under the PROTECT act — and while some parts of the act have been ruled unconstitutional he is still facing charges for portions of manga that have been labeled as obscene.

20 Years in Prison for Buying a Manga – Anime News Network

CBLDF to Serve As Special Consultant in PROTECT Act Manga Case - CBLDF.org

Right.  This guy had 1200 pieces of general manga and dojinshi.   He’s not being charged with selling or distribution, nor is he being charged for having a massive collection of child pornography.  He is being charged because “several” images in this massive collection “seem” to depict minors in a sexual act.

Those of you who like to collect books..  Do you know the contect of every single image on your computer or in your house?  Say, aren’t there scenes in high school romance manga that depict kissing between minors?  Got a piece that’s slightly ecchi in nature?  Watch out.  The guy ogiling her chest looks like he’s under 18..

At root – an illustration has been labeled obscene.  An idea, a thought that was put down on paper has been labeled as offensive and obscene, and deserving of upwards of 20 years in prison.  I shouldn’t need to say much about this.

Make your own decision.  Don’t take my word on it.  My feelings on this are based on my initial read of the case as presented by Carl Horn’s editorial and the CBLDF’s statements.  I will freely admit that I don’t have the full picture, I don’t have the prosecution’s case, and I have not see the images in question.   Make your own decision. 

However, if you want to care about certain basic tenants of our country, freedom of creativity and freedom of thought…  Please read up on this case (and others like it) then decide how you feel about it.