Following the Wind...

* Eat food from one of those food stands. I don't care if its ramen or yakitori etc.
* Visit a shrine or temple. Preferably Shinto
* Eat sushi at a conveyor belt sushi place
* Go to a 100 yen store
* Eat one of the At-Japan only sandwiches at McDonalds or Burger King
* Stay a night at a crazy themed Love Motel
* Visit the Toei Movie lot
* Visit that park with the deer. I think it's in Ueno
* Try a tea ceremony
* Go to an onsen
* Go to a festival and or cultural fest at a school
* Ride the bullet train
* Go to theme cafes
* Wear a yukata
* Go to awe-inspiring places like the Unkai Terrace in Hokkaido
* Go to one of the Cat Islands like Aoshima or Tashirojima. (I think the former has that alley cat mascot and the latter has buildings that are cat shaped by the guy who did Cyborg 008)
* Buy a weird thing from a vending machine.
* Collect some star-sand from Okinawa's beaches.
* Buy different kinds of Kit-Kat bars! <3
*Try one of those Kinseikei mizu shingen mochi

Sorry for the delay. (Not that I expect anyone to really have been in anticipation XD ) But continuing from my last post, I wanted to talk about the convention I went to in New York. Now, I've gone to the ones down here in Florida...one of which claims to be the biggest anime/scifi convention in Florida I believe...but this was a different level entirely.  For one it was at a larger venue and for another there was an entire large space for each of two kinds of dealers: The ones who sold anime/scifi official (or unnofficial) goods and the ones who made things that were what you'd called miscellaneous. I happened to order a couple ear cuffs that were really pretty (a star with a pearl in it on the cuff with this chain looping around with another star on it) that I had to wait to pick up/purchase the next day. There were also places selling fan/original art (of course) and also places that sold various plushies. There were also the places that sold pocky. All of these are in the Florida cons, just...this was bigger. There was also the concert hall for where the band Mixed Speakers was playing. The dear friend I was visiting had actually bought the VIP level tickets so we got to meet them later and get a photo opportunity (we had to supply the camera--luckily somebody offered to take my pic and email it later) The concert was pretty good. It was my first Jrock concert and it was as wild as I expected and since we'd gotten there early we were very up front. There was some rave Amazon bouncing around who attempted to muscle her way in front but I was waaaatching her. I heard we weren't allowed to take pictures but I managed to sneak a few for my friend (I sent them immediately after taking them in case I got caught and told to delete)

We saw the whole thing and then Alex said that the last time they'd gone to a concert there, the band had taken their break on the stair case behind the building before they did an encore. So we walked out and snuck around hoping to see them...we didn't XD; And we heard them continuing. But hey, we got to hang out in the almost dark chatting with other people and watching various cosplayers (there were whole groups of beings like My Little Pony humans etc)

Howeeeever. One of the interesting things that happened at the convention was during a late night walk. I was in casual pajama like clothing (one of the best things about conventions is how  casual you can be among your people XD) when I noted two Japanese guys walking around. I noted they were looking around like tourists but they weren't acting like they were curious about what was going on (with the groups of cosplayers and anime watchers loitering around). Theeen I thought...wait. Who came here from Japan and for the convention? I didn't know them very well so I walked over quickly to where Alex was and got a confirmation that, yes, it was the two lead singers from Mixed Speakers. We trailed a bit, Alex was nervous but new more Japanese than I did. I greeted them and dragged my friend along with me. I realized they didn't know much English either so I pointed to their picture on my VIP concert badge (that I had attached to my convention badge)  I don't think they'd gotten to see it yet. We chatted a bit and then they eventually made their way upstairs. Poor Alex was so nervous all previous learning of Japanese had fluttered out of my friends head. (I think some was remembered when we did the meet and greet--the drummer is Alex's hero, though) I called out an "Oyasumi" and they said it back with a smile :)

Leeeeet's see. Bad things that happened? Well, I have always had a tendency to wander off alone. I don't mean it badly I just like to go see things and am impatient/don't really look around. It led to some weepy moments that were also a result of little sleep/sustenance/basic convention stress. Also, another online friend had flown in from out of town and I got to meet him in person too: Frank. He's...the type to poke you and is the type of guy who wears glasses and starrrrres. Alex got some money by letting him sleep in the hotel bed. (XD Can you rent the hotel bed? Well if you can buy glomps...) I had wandered off alone because it was weird RPing with the person right next to you ._. and went to actually see some anime. There was a hentai one I was curious about and boy, was it weird stuff. Regrettably not tentacles but more like step mom and stranger on the train and step son stuff. It was funny because everyone was cracking jokes out loud about it. I think we caught a few minutes glimpse near the end of some sort of bondage thing where the woman was completely wrapped up (that the guy said was from his personal stash XD) I wished Alex could have come :( But I didn't realize that part of the bed rental was that he wanted someone in the room watching over him too. :m Then I walked back and got half lost in the half dark (the con was spread out the huge hotel grounds) in my soaked sandals and then my bare feet. In the why-is-it-suddenly-freezing-cold-when-it-was-hot-yesterday-northern weather.

  So, a few months ago I went up to New Jersey to visit a previously internet-only friend of mine, Alex-kun. It was my first experience out-of-state to a non-relatives house, and I'd like to think our friendship deepened because of it. A misunderstanding almost created a bit of trouble before I even got there, however! I had told her I'd be at the airport at a certain time but she thought I meant PM instead of AM XD;; Luckily she was able to beg a ride from her father to fetch me~ I would have waited without complaining otherwise. I had made the To trip in the morn and the From trip in the evening so that I could spend as much time as I could and thought I'd impressed that upon her :m She made me a taiyaki: a fish shaped cake filled with sweet bean filling. It was quite delicious. I find that she likes things sweeter and I like my tea stronger XD


I got to see and do quite a lot of fun things...a favorite day in particular was going to visit a korean strip mall and a japanese store. At the Korean store I bought a cellphone charm. It's quite lovely: a red crystal dangling a red (straw?)berry and a bejeweled leaf.  We had lunch there as well. A bowl of rice that had several kinds of fish eggs on it (the black kind tasted of sesame but the big red ones were fishy tasting), okonomiyaki (a thick Japanse-style cabbage pancake) and inarizushi (sweetened fried tofu pouches filled with sushi rice). I was excited to finally try "real" okonomiyaki and was glad to find that it tasted just like the kind I made, though much thicker. 


  While the Korean place was a big strip mall, the Japanese place was a big store. Not unlike a Winn-dixie. I got to walk around looking at various shelves with treats printed in a language I couldn't read :D They also had mini stores and a restaurants!  I was so deliiiighted <3 <3 They had things like sushi, filled breads, various -dons (meat on rice) and mochi (sweet rice treat)! There was a small section that I think was only for making riceballs, a place for taiyaki, a tea place, a ramen store and one with various rice dishes. There was also this expensive looking place that sold these little jelly jewels that had a fruit in the middle :o

  Later in the week, when we went to collect tickets for a con, we went again to the store (at my request) to have dinner :D  I also finally got to try fresh ramen. There was so many different kinds of food to try but I decided to try Natto-ramen. It was a regular bowl of ramen that came with some natto, really. But I'd never tried that either. I had heard that it was very strong...but I didn't think it was much different from the other beans I've ever eaten. I felt a bit proud that I knew how to swirl my chopsticks to get the sticky fermented strands off.I had opted for miso broth because I was worried it'd be too salty, but I realized that there is a reason they have salt broth :o Then we went to a little cafe where I finally got to try a japanese style parfait <3 <3 I chose the mixed fruit one. There was mochi, green tea cake, and exotic fruits like dragonfruit and lychee.

I'll tell you next time about the convention. I got to go to a concert in style~ Mixed Speakers~

To all those who worried, I have made a full recovery and am happy to report it went well. I lost my left ovary, but the condition that led to the mass can be controlled with a particular brand of birth control.

It took me so long to post this because I was unable to think of anything to type for a while and when I realized I'd waited to long it got harder to post...so I busied myself in other projects and shows. I had a rough time because around the time of my surgery my job sort of dissolved and there were more things to worry about. Even now my father is going in for a rather intensive surgery and I still haven't found a new job. My only local friend also just moved so I've been sort of stuck around the house with no one to hang with. It's frustrating when you like anime and toku and no one enjoys it in your family. It's very... lonely.


I've been sort of taking a side job in babysitting her nephew for her sister though...not that my friend wants anything to do with that. Her relationship with her sister is rather strained. My mom says it's a bit unfair that I can't say anything to her about it when oftentimes me and my mom would listen to her talk about her issues with other people, but whatever~ I can understand not wanting to be involved. But that family doesn't seem to realize that the amount they're paying me isn't exactly minimum wage;; I'll have to move on when my unemployment runs out next month.

Well, for those of you reading this...I'd like to unload my inner feelings. Today I learned that I was going to have surgery on my stomach this Friday morning. There are many ifs. There's a worst case scenario and a "icing on the cake" scenario. It seems the general best I can expect is a small incision (if the thing refuses to budge easily I'm looking at a cut below from the breast bone to the pelvic bone), no cancer (3 out of 4 that it's not) and the doctor seems almost certain that I'll...lose an ovary.

Yes yes; I know I just need one to function. And my main concern wasn't about fertility as much as other health issues that might be caused by it. And what about my menstrual cycle?? Plus the weird feeling of being asymmetrical ;;; Though I guess it's a small enough thing that I'd barely feel it? As it is now my left side is heavier so maybe lighter would feel different.

Ah;; But I'm getting a little vague. What I have is a large mass in my abdomen. It is about...29 centimeters across (I forget the two other measurements but it was like 26-28 I think) which, to the less metrically inclined (like me) is about the size of a football. Yeah; I've been a bit uncomfortable..now that I think of it. Didn't Minekura-sensei have such a thing? XD;; Except hers was the size of a small child's head.

But anyway. I hope he doesn't have to get rid of it. Just because it'd feel...like I lost something; But I do realize that's the bottom of the list of his concerns. *shrug* Well, I made sure he noted that I was concerned about that anyway.

I'm...lonely. And scared. If I let myself, my thoughts wander to how it'll feel being drugged to sleep...and having people cut me open...and then waking up with stitches...and not even knowing if things are all right until then too! I can't just break down in front of my family though. My mom's already feeling guilty for not getting me to the doctor's sooner. How much more awful would she feel?! And if I just cry, it'll just take away from a positive attitude right..? But I'm feeling some stress of it...and I've already been to three different doctors over the past couple of months and....I got needled at least a handful of times >O lll *had a bad experience with a blood drawing when she was a kid and is only now realizing that she's QUITE uncomfortable with needles now*

Anyway;; They'll be keeping me overnight...and more if it goes less well. They'll start with a small cut and try to shrink it with a vacuum. If it doesn't work out (like it's too sticky to sides of...things) then they'll cut all the way. Theeeen, I'll have to stay for longer at the hospital;; And then there's the cancer chance. The doctor doubts it is..and if it is, he says it's probably (because my blood work came clean) a borderline sort that won't even need chemotherapy. I don't think I have it. But I really really hope I don't have to get a big incision either. If I can even hope for my ovary to be left in too...as my doctor says that would "really be icing on the cake"


Haaa;; That was a good release. *feels a bit better*

Huzzah. I now have a tablet. :3 I wonder what I'll be able to accomplish?

Uwaaah. The pink grasshopper article I found was mentioned in Final Aura Burst. I'm all happy it gets to be appreciated by other Kamen Rider fans lD

Weeell, I've been reading mangas and watching a drama. Refreshingly enough, the Rosario + Vampire manga has noticeably less (gratuitous) pantyshot/fan service moments than the anime. Although, there is a bit more in Rosario II so far. It's also naturally further along than the anime. Still going I believe. It is interesting to see another vampire. I am disappointed the girl's monsters forms aren't anything more than what they've shown, however :< I was hoping it was just a partial transformation. Particularly with the Mizore, the snow girl.

Drama-wise, I have been watching Orthros no Ino. It is incredible. Very deep and full of emotions...the description of the whole series sounded like one bit "INSERT SLASHY PLOT" though XD Maybe that's why I started watching it? See, in the show there are two men...one is a manipulative introvert who has the power to heal a person of any illness or injury with his touch. On the other hand (literally), there is a kind highschool teacher who was born with the ability to kill a person with his touch. Now, the first man is in jail for the crime of murder...but when his student's life is threatened, the latter person's path starts to lean to the first's direction. The question is...if these two individuals met...what would happen if a demon with God's hand met with an angel with the Devil's hand? The opening is beautifully sung by the man with God's hand, and there are a few Western-style animation clips that are quite lovely.

It's been a while. ^_^ I've been in quite a lot since my last post. I am quite enjoying Decade. It has a lot of crack to it and I like the try-their-best characters like Yuusuke. As for the sentai this year, Shinkenger...I think it's faabulous. So far I am enjoying it a great deal. Samuraaaai *__*

Haaa, I wonder when Saraba will be subbed? I know the raw was released quite a while ago. But then, Tv-Nihon also surprised me by releasing alll of the Imagin Climax videos <3 <3

It's summer time at my job. Very low kid-count.

Next year, I am going to Japan. *thinking positively* It shall be done and I will have a splendid vacation with my bosom buddy.

It's...been a while since I've made a post. I guess...it's a good time to start getting back into the swing of things. I was a bit depressed (for more than one reason) but, since I'm in an unusually good mood today it seems like a good time to start back up.

Firstly, it's hard not to smile at a Magenta Rider. In case there are stil those of you whom haven't heard about it yet, that is the color of the new 2009 Kamen Rider.

Also, I've decided to dub him the Zim Rider. Because...look at him, Doenst' he look like an inverted Invader Zim? ._. And from what I hear he kind of indvades the different worlds of the previous series' and messes with their Riders. XD; ...He's a Mary Sue Rider. Complete with big sparkly green eyes and pink form fitting outfit.

I hope we get to see the actual human characters behind the Rider suits. Not a cop-out like the Riders/suits got possessed by the Enemy and fight Decade. Actually, the only thing I really hope to see is characters like Kagami and Tendou from Kabuto reappear. Especially since the last I heard, Kagami's actor is now sporting a moustache. Which makes him look very un-Kagami like. But kind of sexy. Like a villain but handsomer than that one guy in the Kabuto movie.

And, I can just hear the groans of the anti-Deno people. Just when you thought the KR Deno had just gone "Saraba". Personally, I adore the Imagin. I'm glad we get a little longer with them, mini anime (volume 2) aside. Speaking of which, the Rider Museum (I think) in Japan has picked up a suit actor that plays a really decent Momo. My favorite part of the video is at the end where there is Kiva performing high dance-kicks. I also wonder who the kid with the...webcam on his head is. Bisque doll anime girl still creeps me out a bit. Who came up with using that kind of costume?