Anime - Kengan Ashura

I tried to like the new Grappler Baki Netflix series but I felt that it was just too over-the-top with the action scenes and the plot was everywhere and it was boring. I think I got as far as episode 9 and I could go no further than that. Which is a shame as I do remember the old Baki from the mid 2000s and with that series I got as far as episode 6 before it got licensed and the fansub had to end. I had liked the old Baki. The new Baki not as much.

As I browsed Netflix,  Kengan Ashura caught my eye. So we started watching it. I was a bit apprehensive as they made use of the digital anime style which killed Berserk for me. But they seem to have either mixed the anime with traditional and the digital and blended it well or they are just doing it better than how Berserk turned out.

We ended up watching four episodes in one night and binge watched the rest that weekend. This anime has the gratuitous violence similar to Baki but the story was fun, characters were interesting, some crazy fighting styles but not as bad as Baki where you can't suspend belief and the story just turns ridiculous.

The manga was written by Yabako Sandrovich and ran for 27 volumes before it ended. A sequel two years after the original time line began early this year.

Shortest summary intro ever, the protagonist is Ohma Tokita. A man on a mission with his fists. I don't want to spoil the story. Granted, it's not as deep, almost following a familiar track, but I would categorize this one as satisfyingly fun with good visuals.

Another thing that we liked a lot with this anime is it's music. The ending song Born This Way by BAD HOP is awesome. The flow is smooth and the beats are amazing.

Also, please note, we never watch anime in English dub. Always in Japanese with English subtitles. We are of the mentality of watching any foreign movies in it's native language with subtitles.

This series ran 12 episodes when it dropped in July 2019. But we didn't have to wait too long as Season 2 is scheduled to drop on October 31, 2019.

Cannot wait to continue this series. Gotta fill in the space while we wait for new episodes of Seven Deadly Sins!

Summer Slime 3

I am trying to remember when PK left SDCC and started holding his sales offsite.

I am checking my Event albums and the last pics I have of him in SDCC was 2011. I think after that it was moved to 5&A Dime for two years so that's 2012 and 2013.

Then in 2014 PK's offsite event went to Gunnzo in Old Town. It was called A Fistful of Dominoes. I believe Domino Jack was first released during this event.

In 2015 it was still held at Gunnzo and Bwana Spoons joins the line-up for the offsite. No official event name as of yet just Paul Kaiju and Bwana Spoons event. Same name and deal in 2016.

Around 2017 was when an official name, Summer Slime, was picked and it seemed to have stuck. Rampage Toys also joined the line-up for the offsite.

Now we are in 2019 and I think PK's offsite event is now called Summer Slime (3) and Anime Jungle joined the event. Not sure if they are coming back or another artist will come next year.

Nate and I almost did not make it this year. We currently have some family issues that we are dealing with and we were seriously considering not going. I was half and half thinking it through all the way to two weeks prior to the event when I said, screw it. We plan this months in advance. We need to maintain a sense of normal in these trying times and it was one day. So Nate sorted the car rental a week before Summer Slime and made plans to head out.

Nate doesn't mind the drive as he and I always talk about stuff when we go down to San Diego. I make it a point to take a pic of the power plant in San Onofre for obvious reasons when we go down the 5.

We also like to stop at Phil's BBQ in San Marcos before we head off to Old Town for the event. I like the fact that there's no early morning rush to get ready to line up etc etc. We can take our time getting there.

Once we arrive in Old Town SD, Nate drops me off at the site as I refuse to walk up that hill and he goes to park the car. The first thing I do is take pics and say hi to people at the event. PK and Gunnzo generously provide the space and have food catering available for attendees.

PK never disappoints with his offerings! The half and half figures along with the Sorbet versions of Boss Carrion, Mockbat, Hyper Kraken and Machine Gun Ghost were one of the most sought after toys. I believe they were very limited runs of five maybe or less.

Bwana's Peanut Killer debut at this event. It is adorable. I love how the figure looks completely hand sculpted. Bwana painted them well and you can't beat that price.

He also brought a lot of customs minis. I love the Puppy Killers but something else caught my eye on his table.

I love the Teenage Randall figure and these customs were painted awesome. It was hard to choose which one to get. There's literally something for everyone with Bwana's selection. So happy I was able to score my first choice. I love Frederick the Beetle too but not fond of green but I miss that figure so much and wish more would be released.

Nate picked up this weirdo. I told him the eyebrows throw me off. He got one anyway. LOL He got a tailed one which I'm not sure is less creepier or more creepier.

Rampage toys brought quite the selection of micros and I made sure to nab a unicorn for me and another for a collector who is also building a herd.

He also made this awesome Boss Charged custom pair. I was like, I want to go home with money left so to my surprise I was able to resist. I think it was still available when I was at his table. Temptation successfully denied.

More socializing and catching up with old friends and opening the blind bags for the Peanut Killers was fun. It was nice to catch up with everyone.

When the event ended Nate and I drove back home. The drive back was faster than the drive down but I love this time as he and I talk about the event, what we were expecting, what we got, people news etc etc. The drive went by fast and we got home safely to our furkids.

Nate and I always look forward to this event. Hope to be able to attend next year!

The Casketeers

I do love this show. At first I was a little wary, I mean, a reality show about funerals? One, I hate reality shows because nothing is based on reality on any reality show. Manufactured drama I call it. 

Two, this could be bad, inappropriate and morbid, but I was taken aback by how the Tipene's treated their clients. Both dead and alive. The staff treated the dead with a lot of respect and dignity and they also treated the families with empathy. 

Maybe I am naive in thinking that, those emotions can't be manufactured for TV, but I feel that they are really passionate about their business and you can see in the show how much care and pride the staff put into their work. 

I am also learning a lot about New Zealand and the different cultures that inhabit the island. The language and interesting funeral customs. What touched me the most is that their dead are never left alone. Families stay with the bodies, overnight even prior to the final service. 

The funerals I have been to here in the US, and thankfully not a lot, have been stiff and formal. Funeral directors I've encountered are very business-like. Not as personable as the Tipene's seen on the show. These differences could be attributed to the culture as it seems like New Zealand's people are very very family oriented.

The show handles grieving and saying goodbye very tastefully. I am not ashamed to admit that when I see the families cry for their loved ones I cry too and it helps me process my grief for my family members that have passed on, those long gone and those who left us most recently. 

I like shows that teach me things and this is one of them. Surprisingly, a reality show that doesn't make me feel dumber just by watching it. Opens the curiosity door and makes me ask and research topics like how many tribes are in New Zealand? How big is the country, what is a haka and what is a mince and cheese pie? What is mince? 

I just finished watching Season 2 and I hope that they do another season as I really like the show. 

Purchases of the Week - June 7, 2019

It's been ages since I did this! As the years have gone by and technology and delivery services have almost become instantaneous, shopping online has never been easier.

Jelly Comb Wireless 2.4GHz Left Hand Ergonomic Vertical Mouse with USB Receiver: 

I've always compromised and bought ergonomic mouses so that people can use my PC. But no more, it's MY PC. A couple of years ago my only choice was an ergonomic mouse. Not very ergonomic just evenly shaped I suppose for both lefty and righty. Left handed mice were rare. But I found a fairly inexpensive one. I am loving it so far and I  am wondering why I waited so long to purchase one. It's perfect for my small hands. I just have to break the muscle memory of holding the ergo mouse. I was a little concerned with the vertical alignment but it's actually comfortable to the point that the wrist rest I have is just getting in the way.

Butterfly Clutch Badge Insignia Clutches Pin Backs Replacement (Nickel, 200 Pieces): 

That's right, 200. I bought 400 previously and I am already half-way through the last packet of 200. That's how many pins I have to put in my pin books. Some are double posts which explains why I go through these so quickly. 

DWCN White Faux Linen Sheer Curtains - Textured Semi Voile Bedroom and Living Room Curtains, Set of 2 Rod Pocket Curtain Panels, 52 x 63 Inch Length: 

Trying a shorter curtain for the living room and dining room area. This is thicker than a sheer panel which the cats go through like it's paper. Hopefully, this will last longer. Another consideration was that Nodame has a particular favorite spot to pee in the living room and the current curtains have had to be washed due to it being soaked. These higher ones should prevent that. Although I should have measured the curtain rod length to make sure these will work. Haha!

That's it for now. I am monitoring my purchases. It's been an expensive week with expected expenses and unexpected ones as well. 

Moon's Haunted

I am feeling as excited as when Forsaken was announced. A lot of changes are happening with Destiny. My impression of the vidoc indicates that a lot of the things Bungie wanted to do were not "allowed" until they were free of Activision and have gained their independence. 

Some thoughts on the new content. I don't like the moniker Monster Killing Machine. That's a Guardian's job description, not their name. I prefer Guardian so Bungie please don't push that as a new name to call our beloved Guardians.

Customization. I've been wanting this. I want to customize my armor with the mods that I want. Now if only Bungie can implement a preset system for load outs. This is my PVP load out my PVE load out that would be convenient. Also I wish our current shader inventory can be in the Collections and only when we run out of that particular shader do we start using resources to generate them again. I am storing mine in my vault which I don't like to do. 

First Light. I had heard the first mission is the only thing re-mastered. I want to see and experience it but do I have to delete a character? I have all three classes on my account. That's a big nope. They should have done this sooner to bulk up the player base and get players interested in playing the game. But then again it may have been "other" forces that prevented this from occurring sooner thus the delay from implementing this. 

Lore! I like Eris. The weird goth girl with bleeding eyes at the Tower always intrigued me. Hopefully, her character and story line will be explored extensively. 

Although there are other character story lines I wish they would touch. Like The Stranger. Where did Variks go? I was hoping they would make a hub for lore hunters to go and hunt lore. I was thinking Venus. I don't know this is all wishful thinking. 

Nate and I have another wonderful Fall to look forward to. Thanks Bungie!

Much Needed Site Overhaul

Well... I was planning on doing this in 2015. LOL

Life got in the way. I am on vacation this week so I decided to re-ignite our personal site with a new look. I am still tweaking things and re-arranging and contemplating as I watch one of my favorite streamers prepping for the hunt for the World's First title in the Season of Povert..uhh I meant Opulence in Destiny 2.

Honestly, what prevented me from doing this sooner is just remembering the html and my obsession with a neat and functional design. So I bought a theme on Etsy to make things easier LOL! Theme designer is on the footer of the blog. Gotta fix links, remove dead ones, arrange aesthetics so the site is going to be very much fluid till I settle on something I like.

I love reading my previous thoughts from years ago so I plan on blogging more often and I hope I can maintain this better. Four years is too long of a silence!