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Post Socal earthquake prepareness

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:28:35 GMT

These days, Im actually very caught up with setting up the final touches to our last event.. But tonight there were considerable amount of distraction. With folks asking me about disaster preparedness. Most of it revolves around post Socal earthquake situation. Those few who knows me very well, also know as I am heavily involved with disaster preparations, and have been so far nearly a decade. It's sad that it has to take an event like this for people to have any concerns that life can be disrupted.

I hope this is not another temporary reactionary thing people are doing. preparation involves a lot of investments in time, money, thoughtfulness, and training. Yes, training. Being prepared is not simply buying salvation in a box. Or anticipate for only one type of perceived disaster that is temporary, and some how assume modern day conveniences, and social order still exists during those situations. In truth, noone knows what tomorrow brings.

There's a wealth of information as well as communities on the net regarding this topic.
Research, commit, and apply it.

So young, so much potential.

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:58:12 GMT

神戸みゆき, the singer to the two first season of Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch had passed away at the age of 24. She was pronounced deceased on Jun 18th 2008 at 4:08am. Cause of death is a heart failure.

It is especially sad to remember that I barely experienced life went I was her age. Because of an incident similar to this, I've made a promise to experience, and bring experience.. Like the old saying, health is wealth.

Japan no longer safe?

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:45:18 GMT

The saying of how the world we live in is no longer as innocent as it used to be really isn't just some catch phrase anymore. We had the knifing epidemics in UK, now even Japan is not immune to the age of growing violence.

I strongly feel many reactive people / government is going about it wrong curbing violence by focusing on the means, but not the root of the violence. There will always be the means, unless the need is extinguished. Asking the question of Why, instead of What.

Stabbing rampage in Tokyo. killing 7, wounding 12

Excessive logging

Fri, 09 May 2008 21:09:44 GMT

This is funny.. So today the bill for my work phone came in, and it was 54 pages long. That is right. Fifty Four pages.

AT&T is rather obsessed in logging every tiny little transactions. Since I am a very heavy data user, and I get automated pages all hours of the day and night (those who traveled with me in the past, my sincerest apologies). My usage are typically higher than the typical thumb master teenager..

While I have heard people getting 300page bills, I always thought those were either flukes or just a myth.

Well, I can tell you that these massive phone bills are quite real. I some how feel I have done some wrong to the rain forest today....

[PMXStaff] Thanks For The Memories!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:08:27 GMT

To the staff and friends of Pacific Media Expo:

Since 2004, PMX has striven to be one of the best and most influential
events in recent years, showcasing concerts such as T.M.Revolution,
OLIVIA, and The Candy Spooky Theater; and hosting Guests of Honor like
Yasuhiro Nightow, Daisuke Moriyama, Bryan Konietzko, Michael
DiMartino, Angelic Pretty, and James Kyson Lee. PMX was an act that
many other cons attempted to follow. We defined a new generation of
fans for a new generation of Asian pop culture.

But sadly, all good things must come to end...

As of today, Pacific Media Expo is no more. Gone. Kaput. Adios.
Sayonara. Fin. å®Œ . It was a great 4-year run and fun, but we simply
ran out of absinthe. Many of us have already moved on to other, more
quieter things like fishing, sewing, playing poker, trading stocks,
strumming on Guitar Hero 3, wii-ing to Smash Brothers, hobo'in after
failing to flip a house, chasing girls (or guys if your initials are
M.T.), smurfing like Spitzer, or just being a regular boho.

On behalf of PMX, I would like to thank each and every staffer for
their tireless and most-appreciated efforts, but most importantly, for
the memories we shared. Good luck and hope we'll meet again soon!

Regards,

Chris Hemaratanatorn
Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Media Association

LJ and shady pops

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:14:15 GMT

It appears Livejournal,and few other sites are now sporting shady pop up ads. In particular with journals using the so called "plus" ad supported account.
I'm not a big LJ participant for many reason, and this perhaps for me to take further migratory actions. There are honest marketing, and there are underhanded / aggressive marketing. This one is is the latter.
For now, I'll simply local DNS resolve all hosts associated to their ad servers. At least things will load faster without loading all the junk.

Perfect world not so perfect

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:12:01 GMT

I know his is old news.. I'm revisiting now that it's nearly a month since the start of all the accusation regarding to Baby The Star Shine Bright's labor dispute.

It doesn't look like it will get any resolution anytime soon, My heart really goes out to these girls. They are hard workers with a real passion. One has to wonder how they survive with their level income. Shop staff pay are only around $9 to $12 /hr, with a small bus stipend for getting to and from work.

My wish is BTSSB to be an example, and show compassion tho these girls.

The following link is fro the Hyogo prefecture senior high school teacher's union website.
A demonstration march in respond to BTSSB's action ..
http://www.hyogo-kokyoso.com/index.php

[edit]
It appears a lot of people did not know of this incident. I'll quickly summarize.
4 employee were suddenly fired at the Baby Kobe branch. There is an claim for wrongful termination by the manager, and an association that the same manager harassed customer and the staff.

The the Baby company's respond is that this is the store manager's do, and the company has no responsibility for this matter. The liability is of course being disputed.
further clames is that over time pay was never given, and staffers were forced to buy the company's clothes by preemptively taking an amount out of their paychecks. Other problems also came out of the wood works such as hours allocation or lack there of in possible evade fulltime employee obligations, as we as the lack of social insurance.

They're vowing to fight until their firing is overturned, and retracted.

The group is supported and guided under the Japan Communist party, a very left wing union. It also appear that the teacher's union is in support of this as well.

source: http://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik07/2008-03-06/2008030603_01_0.html

*note: Due to the many misconception of the Japan Communist Party. It is in fact quite left wing in the political spectrum, NOT what most western world think it is. please read these linksfor further information:
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Communist_Party
Japanese Communist Party- http://www.jcp.or.jp/

IRL Macaron from Japan.

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:37:03 GMT

I've been nudged a few times to post these. But many who know me well, know that I don't like posting pictures for attention getting purposes....

Here they are, by aggressive nudging. IRL macarons.
These are the maracons used to templet out the Angelic Pretty "Dreams of Macarons" series print. I've included the business card in the photo for those who are interested in getting some in Tokyo..

Friends are always welcomed!

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

My Japan hair stylist is visiting San Francisco this coming month. Cant wait to see her, and take her around.

She is in this collection of pictures
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/10892528.html

And I look like pebbles....

pipe dreams reflection

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 18:57:26 GMT

Is the lolita a sustainable community?

This is a simple question get asked a lot, and I have ways felt it is quite possible to do so. Recently I have been revisiting this very question myself due to a number of things surfacing. But I have realize that the dream of authenticity may only stay in dreams. While I feel there are much potential in the community itself, the predatory and cannibalistic nature is too much of a temptation.

Which brings me to an old chinese story which had many variations, in reflecting on kindness and the cruel reality of the world. The version I heard goes something like this, and I will make it very short for the tl;dr types. This shot tale about an ox and a snake looking for food as the field they were in are becoming barren. The snake got up a tree and saw that there was food abundant in a distant, but it cannot cross the fairly wide, and rather deep river. The ox being fairly big couldn't get the same view due to it's size being too big to climb a tree to know where this new area abundant is. . After a while of contemplating, a fish in the river suggested the idea that if the ox would allow the snake to ride on it's back to cross the river, and to navigate to the food source. Then both of them will be able to find food in this cooperative manner. The idea seems great so the two agreed to help each others to cross the river. Only a few more yards before reaching the shore, the ox felt a sting on it's neck.. turned and found the snake had impaled it's fangs into it's neck.. Upon the ox's dying breath it asks: Why have you done this to me? We will now both perish. The snake replies: Because this is my nature.

Strange twist of fate..

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:50:05 GMT

The year is still early but there are so much preliminary things to do. I already a second generation of profiters hard at work. I just hope greed does not perverse what we have currently at the expense other's efforts.

In other notes, I haven't spoke much about the most recent trip since it was pretty much all business related. Quite boring to most everyone. There were no shortage of work related emergencies, and lots sleep loss.

Long story short, a $3,674.67 phone bill came in. No, you read that right, and that is not a typo. It covered several voice calls, and LOTS of data routing over international roaming 3G mobile networks to put of some fires at HQ. Not to mention lots of loss sleep.
In a really strange twist of fate I was given a 16G Iphone due to the ordeal of this huge bill. Even I was a taken little off guard with this development. (yes, visualize me with doing the booglie eyes)
I guess what appears to be a bad thing can some times turn into a hidden blessings.

I will end this entry with one of my favorite quote from the movie Blade Runner back in 1982.
"The light that burn twice as bright lasts half as long. And you have burned so very very brightly..."

Angelic Pretty english shopping site.

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:01:02 GMT

If case the word hasn't spread like wild fire yet. The site will be open for business mid-end March. Paypal will be accepted, as well as most major credit cards. Some will offer better exchange rate than other. It is best that you do your research to optimize your purchasing power with your bank.

http://www.angelicpretty.com/en/

Home sweet home?

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:22:24 GMT

The question is , where IS home?
a few weeks ago with the encounter of the fortune teller, I couldn't help to wonder if it's not all a coincident. Or all this were meant to be.

I might post a few pictures and perhaps write some stories However, much of the trip was largely business related and I am under NDA.. Sorry, folks.

Obligatory Japan status post

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:25:24 GMT

Caught up with old friends and made some new ones. Shopping has been pretty minimal for me since things are rather different now that I'm, on the other side of the fence. On the other hand, the unique natures of what was acquired were well worth the sacrifices.

Most of my time during this trip pretty much revolved catching up with friends, agendas, business meetings. While I am not allowed to give any details at this time, prospects are quite positive. It will be a busy year..

Journey again to the east.

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:54:55 GMT

Is it vacation or is it work? Sometimes it's one in the same.
it is almost routine, but this time many doors are opening. I will do my best with these opportunities, and I hope the dream of a positive community will be successful.

hocus pocus?

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:43:00 GMT

It was just friday when I went to a friend's company christmas party. At the party as expected, good food and good entertainment. Among the various entertainments, this year they also have hired a fortune teller whom you can request for either a palm reading or a tarot card reading. Since I have never had any sort of reading done before, and I do consider myself some what of s a skeptic of these things. I simply couldn't resist, decided to stand on the and very slow moving line to see what comes out of it. We were of course the last two for the evening.

After that seem like an eternity of waiting, it was finally our turn. My friend, decided to have his palm read. And the fortuneteller read him like a book, and pointed out some interesting focuses.. Perhaps she was just good at reading people? But all she have asked him was his palm, and his birthdate. Amusing indeed.

Now comes my turn. The procedure was the same, reading my palm with her lighted magnifying glass and started to describe what she had read. I'll skip the next part as it is just a tad cheesy, and rather embarrassing. So fast forwarded passing that part, and on to the "srs business". The fortuneteller said, I have a very philosophical thing to address to, and it is best to be answered by the cards.

She begin by asking me to shuffle what appears to be a Rider-Waite tarot deck, and make sure I ask the cards in my head. My thoughts and concerns were the viability of my endeavor of Oneesan, and the lolita community's future. Then she asked me to separate the cards into 3 piles, and proceed to flip the first card of each of the piles. the results were The Magician, Temperance, and The Hangman. (Same card from a slightly different deck)

What was interesting that all the cards dawn were from the Major Arcana of the deck, and nothing from the Minor Arcana. The interpretation from the fortuneteller was leading with the Magician, which means the power/ability to make it happen is within me. It is supported by Temperance, which means it is balanced/ sound, supported , and will be unification. Finally The Hang Man, means in order for this to all come to fruition, seeing things from a different point of view and perspective. I must also work for my philosophy to be successful, and it will be because of the prior two cards.

It certainly a little bit more that I expected. I remain to be uncertain with rather or not is is hocus pocus, or she is just good at reading people. Nonetheless it is interesting, and some what encouraging to hear. I am compelled to ponder about how some people, in particular the japanese often are very much into this stuff. It is often that much respect, and money are paid to a good fortuneteller to steer their futures.
hocus pocus?

Normality?!

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:20:19 GMT

I went to bed at around 11pm last night. which it's highly unusual since I typically am caught up working on various projects (usually Oneesan related stuff) till around 2-3~am. Got up at the usual hour 7:30am for work this morning feeling rather refreshed. I just realized, I have not slept like this this in over 6 months., far longer than I can really even remember. Is this what normality is like? I envy those who have the luxury of rest every night.

Viz Media Center

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:29:14 GMT

Looks like the Viz Media Center has been pushed back. I guess things are now up in the air again.

Post PMX07

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:57:35 GMT

Just got home, starting to unpack my luggage.
This is by far the most trying of any events my team and I had ever put together.
So much perseverance, trials, and tears shed not in vain. These memories and bonds will not be forgotten.

more later.

Post halloween thoughts.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:21:37 GMT

While I was returning from home last night on the short drive home from the ferry docks . I have noticed there were at least two confirmed cosplay lolita out trick or treating. Given that it was only a short 10 mins drive, the ratio was quite high. I am quite convinced that peak of lolita awareness is probably approaching. Not quite there yet, but approaching. However, in other thoughts, I am not too sure if I am happy or sad about what I saw. The costumes were of course halloween costume quality, and the poor girls probably didn't know better. So Im quite split. it is nice that it is contrary to some, it is picking up. On the other hand, there are the the mislead....

Earthquake

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:18:59 GMT

Things are just business as usual with just 1 week away from the big day at PMX...

Tonight, we've experienced a very significant sized earthquake at 5.6. Couple with the recent SoCal fires, I've notice many of my friends used whom laugh joke about my tinfoil hat mentality on being readied and prepared are now taking a second notice.
Disasters happens. It's always less of an "if" and and more of a "when", and "what". My philosophy is that these things are always inevitable throughout history. When that time comes, I'd like to be one who can help. I like modern convinces just like everyone else. But having the necessary primitive skills prevents one to become a liability to others.

Letting the Poodle out of the bag

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:17:59 GMT

Yes, I'd say it is time. :)

Good things comes to those who wait.

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:43:23 GMT

Thoughts on Novala Takemoto

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:45:04 GMT

A few thoughts that has been running through my mind. With all joking said, had anyone realize just how this much of a domino affect will this incident will have?
Knowing the fact that Japanese society is very unforgiving when it comes down to the law, specially when it involves illegal substance.

Jail time will no doubt be served, with no less than 1 month in duration.

Will he be able to recover from this career and PR wise?

We knew Isobe-san / Btssb had a close relationship with him. However, Japan's social mechanics predictably deserts a person when they make a mistake. We can count on just about every other friends / business associates, and family will turn. I hope his is strong enough to some how turn this around, often lives are so ruined, suicide is common.

Will he loose contract with his publishing companies, which includes VIZ media? This is a very likely situation. Where's Viz's position in the light of all this?

Something that is hitting even more so at home. Remember, Novala was the reason why BTSSB was convinced that our market was viable. He visited us during last October, and brought good news to both lands, which result a pending BTSSB branch store that we had hope so. Now I must force myself to wonder, if Baby withdraws their association with Novala, what does that mean about the store? The Baby store is not a free standing project. It is suppose to be a store within the Viz Media center, revolving around Novala's books and movie and the glue and anchor to everything. I will be so blunt to propose this question: "Will this derail the BTSSB San Francisco store project completely?"
While we americans believe what had happen is not really a big deal, it is so for the japanese. And it does not bode well for the future of EGL community + VIZ + Baby Store In SF. relationship. I honestly do not know where this will lead us, but it is something we should be very concerned about.

There are a few things that we can do. First thing is probably to wait it out a bit for things to pan out. Someone will probably start a petition to free paris hiton.. er. novala , but petitions of that type are generally quite useless. But I feel there is one thing that we can do is to make our voices known as individuals. We certainly order enough as a community that they are starting to cater to us. Why not ask for an explanation for their actions when we make a purchase?

It's way past my bedtime, but hopefully this provoke useful action, ideas, and the depth of how serious this ordeal really is from everyone. That this turn of event has the very high probability of directly affecting all of us..

Lastly, don't try to make sense of any of this, as it simply won't. This is why Japan is Japan..

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon toys anyone?

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:12:37 GMT

cleaning out my closet, I realized I have a bunch of PGSM stuff sitting around. I'm not particularly into sailor

* PGSM Electronic Harp sword
* PGSM Electronic Moon Crystal Wand
* PGSM Electronic Tambourine
* PGSM Electronic Henshin Bracelet

マーメイドメロディー ぴちぴちピッチ♪