Martin Luther King survived shooting, was murdered in hospital: an interview with William Pepper
For future reading. Gonna need some sources tho
30 Day Anime Challenge Day 3 – Most Underrated Anime: Outlaw Star
Outlaw Star is underrated.
Seihō Bukyō Outlaw Star (lit. “Outlaw Star: Starward Warrior Knight), or simply Outlaw Star is Sunrise Studio 10’s 1998 anime adaption of the manga series of the same name by mangaka Takehiko Itō. Outlaw Star aired in the West in three years later in early 2001 on the Cartoon Network’s dedicated anime and action block, Toonami, alongside other anime series such as Sailor Moon S, Dragon Ball Z (Cell Saga), Tenchi Muyo, and so forth. While not as massively popular and successful as the series mentioned, Outlaw Star devolved a cult following in North America, which stands strong even today – nearly 16 years since its original North American airing.
What’s Outlaw Star premise and why do I consider it underrated?
Outlaw Star follows bounty hunters Gene Starwind and his business partner the child genius Jim Hawking as the two make ends meet by taking up odd jobs, chasing bounties on criminals across the galaxy, and wanting to achieve their ultimate goal: discovering the legendary omnipresent data repository – The Galactic Leyline. During their adventure, the two add to their motley crew Aisha Clan Clan, military officer and ambassador to the Ctarl-Ctarl military, the beautiful assassin Twilight Suzuka, and the mysterious bio-android Melfina.
What makes Outlaw Star underrated is how underappreciated the narrative themes explored in the show; confronting fears and questioning one’s existence being two of the main key narrative themes.
At the tage of 15, Gene helplessly witnessed the murdered of his father at by space pirates. He narrowly escaped with the help of his father (who threw him into an escape pod moments before their ship exploded). Such a horrific event would devolved into a phobia of space exploration in Gene. It wouldn’t be until five years later when Gene meet up with fellow bounty hunter, “Hot Ice” Hilda, who would inspired him to get over his fears for his dream to find the Galatic Leyline (and to protect Melfina).
‘You gonna just keep running away?’
-Ice Hot Hilda to Gene
As an artificially creation, Melfina questions her existence and her reason of her creation. Resulting from her unnatural creation, Melfina views the world with a lens of innocence and naivety, allowing her to give a straight forward opinions and viewpoints in the world she lives in.
As the series progress, Melfina comes to terms with her existence and overtime discover her purpose in life.
“Who am I? Why was I made? Who made me? And what did they make me for?”
-Melfina
And that’s what I can remember from her personality and character developments as I haven’t watch Outlaw Star in years. I do plan on watching the entire again in the future, so I can give you guys a much better run down of the series later on. In the meantime I would recommend you to watch the series if you love space opera such as Cowboy Bebop. While the story pacing is tedious in terms of not getting to the point and the show visuals are outdated compared to most shows from that area, Outlaw Star is nonetheless a great watch. Please check it out!
Day 2 – Anime You’re Ashamed You Enjoyed: Umineko no Naku Koro Ni
One should never feel ashamed for enjoying an anime (well, unless it’s some sexualized loli crap, then you should be ashamed and arrested). You shouldn’t feel embarrassed by it – even if it’s a terrible, flawed adaption. You enjoy it regardless. This is how I feel about Studio DEEN’s infamous animation adaption of the visual novel series “Umineko no Naku Koro ni” (When The Seagulls Cry). Despite the disrespect towards the original source material, such as key story elements left out (creating loose ends untied) and animation errors, I hold a small space in my heart for Umineko.
A space I use to make fun of shitty adaptions, but a space nonetheless.
The Umineko anime is garbage compared to the original visual novel and amazing manga counterparts. I can’t deny that Studio DEEN did a horrible job on it. Even if visual novels are awkward to adapt (I assume it’s hard to animated scenes from a source material that only has a static image, character sprites, and background music) , Studio Deen is known in the anime community for being lazy with their work and creating horrible adaptions (see: their version of the Fate/Zero anime). Umineko isn’t exempt from DEEN’s laziness.
The Umineko VN is heavy with detailed dialogue scenes which were omitted from the anime (which I can assume DEEN was being lazy). Any mention of kid Ange’s sickness preventing her to attend the Ushiromiya annual family meeting by her parents from Episode 1 in the anime? Nope! Did you love how Rosa barbarically jammed an ink pen in the eyes of a Goat Butler and saying her saying her epic line ‘I’ll show you how lukewarm the hell you came from is!’ before blowing it brains out with her gun in the visual novel? Well, DEEN decide to not add that in.
Reflect on how sorrowful you felt for Ange when she revealed her true identity was to her brother Battler, pleading to him to defeat Beatrice and return to Kid Ange to prevent living the lonely, depressing life as her future self as she was dying in the visual novel. Remember man?
Well, It’s in the anime, but DEEN managed to ruin that with one simple frame:
Because of Deen’s hilarious errors , the Umineko fanbase straight up loathe the anime. The very mention of the anime and anyone admitting that they enjoy it will trigger even the most chilliest Umineko fan. You’ll get attacked with great vigor by the diehards. It’s not worth it unless you like creating conflict. Go on the Umineko tag on tumblr or /jp/, say you think Studio DEEN did nothing wrong with the anime, sit back and watch the rage.
Despite the flaws of the anime, I still love it as it’s special to me.
There’s something about the anime that I can forgive its awfulness. It made me aware of narrative themes in anime such as abuse (sexual, emotional, and physical), the past returning, revenge, and suicide. Umineko (both the visual novel and anime) shows how abuse can be passed down within a family, as we see patriarch figure Kinzo passing down his abusive ways to his children. This results in mother Rosa abusing daughter Maria.
Hell, this gets worse with Eva (suffering from being the sole survival of the massacre of her family in Episode 4) abusing her niece Ange (who too was suffering from losing her love ones). The abuse from her aunt, the impact of losing her family (who was involved in some pretty illegal shit mind you), and being bullied in school drove her to become suicidal. Even with the awfulness of the anime, it made me aware of narrative themes within the story-line which got me hooked into the series.
I do not feel ashamed about my love for the Umineko anime. In fact, I feel given it got me into the original visual novel and the manga (which is a superior adaption compare to the anime), Yea, it’s garbage, but it made me notice themes in anime.
But seriously, you fucked up Studio Deen.
30 Day Anime Challenge Day 1 – Anime I Want to Watch
Well, I did say I’ll return to writing about anime soon. I’m always good on my word (okay I’m lying about that part). From seeing blogger Karandi’s post, I figure that I’ll do the 30 Day Anime Callenge as well! I have nothing better to write about for the next 30 days (outside my planned posts) so why not!
Day 1 – “Anime I Want to Watch” (boy where do I start?)
Bubblegum Crisis
Bubblegum Crisis was recommended to me by a friend recently. I’ve heard of this legendary cyberpunk OVA series by studios Youmex, AIC, and Artmix during my early anime viewership days, but I never had any means of watching it up until my adult years. While I’m not super deep into 80s and 90s cyberpunk anime, I do love the a e s t h e t i c visuals of that era (there’s something about cel animation man it’s so beautiful). Four kick ass women mercenaries in exoskeleton suits destroying robots and doing whatever kickass women do in 2032 Japan?
Yes please.
Nisemonogatari.
Bakemonogatari was a visual and story masterpiece. Can’t believe I slept on the show for seven years. So glad my homeboy got me hip to this show and it’s characters, including best girl Hanekawa (and second best Hitagi). So why I’ve been sleeping on the second animation adaption? I do not know (okay I know it’s because I’m lazy). But I do know that Akiyuki Shinbo is back as chief director with Nisemonogatari. That’s great! You know why? We get his outlandish directing style that we all know and love from him. Yay Shinboism!
I’m going to have some E&J for the infamous Toothbrush scene on standby. I have yet to see the scene in full, but I heard it’s quite…interesting. Cringe-inducing creepy incestuous fanservice interesting. Alcohol is needed for that shit.
The anime adaption of the third volume, Owarimonogatari, is coming soon. I best knock out Nisemonogatari and the moves out as soon as possible before that drops this Summer 2017 season.
Summer 2017 Anime
I’m a shitty anime fan. I’ve been lacking on the recent anime game. I’m screwing myself over with my laziness by not to investing the time on watching new shows. If I’m gonna be about this anime blogger life, that means I best expand on the anime I watch. Here are two shows I’m eyeing from the upcoming season!
Gamers!
Looks promising, but I’m not holding my breath on another light novel anime adaption doing well or at the very least blow me away. I do not know much about studio “Pine Jam”, so that will be something on the field of first impressions. From what I’ve researched, it’s like a group of high schoolers forming a video game club with fellow other gaming otaku. Getting some Genshiken vibes here, but I’m doubtful it’ll go heavy with the gaming nerd culture like the Genshiken manga and anime series.
Hajimete no Gal
I’m going to be completely real here. Up until three minutes into writing this paragraph, I’ve never heard of Hajimete no Gal (First Time Girl) and its My Anime List (MAL) synopsis left much to be desire in explaining what’s up with the show (as most MAL synopsis are). I took it upon myself to researching the upcoming anime by studio NAZ (hey! That sounds like Nas the rapper. That must be a great sign!)
After completing my quick lackluster research, I found that Hajimete no Gal is based off Shonen Ace’s romantic comedy manga of the same name by Meguru Ueno. Main character Junichi is pressured by his homeboys to seek out a girlfriend and lose his virginity to her during his first year of high school. He encounters the alluring gyaru Yukana, who shames him for looking at a porn magazine openly in school. Junichi decides to make it his mission to confess his feelings towards Yukana and get with her.
To his surprise, Yukana is incredibly sexually forward, teasing him about how much he wants to sleep with her by flashing her panties and revealing her cleavage towards the kid. From my first impression off two chapters, the art is amazing and the story is funny enough to catch my attention.
I have high hopes for the adaptation!
There are my anime I want to see soon! With that, the day 1 challenge is completed! Onwards to day 2!
Here’s the list! Enjoy! 
FREEWRITE: How to Get Over Somebody and Get Your Revenge
The best way to get over somebody is to keep working on you, improving yourself daily. The best way you get revenge on somebody who’ve screwed you over is to become massively successful; making them regret what they did to you. Breaking up sucks, trust me. Cutting ties with somebody who wronged you hurts, I know this. You want to – no – you need to do whatever it takes to get your payback. You need to get back at them for their wrongdoing. You need to make them feel the same way, if not worse, than how they made you felt. That’s okay. It’s okay to feel angry and bitter, Emotions are natural. We’re human after all.
The best way to get back at them is to become more successful than them. Become better, smarter, wiser, richer. Do not do anything to harm your target physically, emotionally, or mentally. That’ll only get you in some shit you don’t wanna be in.
I’m saying all this because the other day while I was browsing on Facebook there was word of a revenge porn thread on another website poppin’ up on an convention group I’m a part of. Somebody was requesting nudes to be leaked of female csoaplyers from one of the region (perhaps some creep got mad some cosplaying chick rejected them and wanted to get back at them). Unfortunately, some girls’ nudes were leaked by most likely their bitter ex-boyfriends. Ex-boyfriends still mad about the breakup and seeking revenge by ruining their life through their nudes.
Imma say this real shit: If you so mad at a chick breaking up with you that it inspires you to post their nudes to the public – you’re an insecure little bitch. Same to you ladies out there reading this. if you leak your ex dude’s nudes as well, you’re an insecure little bitch . How low and petty do you have to be to violate a person’s privacy and trust? How much anger, rage, and hatred do you have towards an ex that you wanna ruin their life by posting their most imitate and private pictures that they entrusted you to not sparead aroud, all because you’re mad at them? You’re not a real man or woman. You’re a real sad bitch
Just broken up with somebody? Feeling anger towards them? You need to get over that shit quick. If somebody did you wrong and your enraged? Get over it quick. It’s okay to be angry at them. What you do with that anger may not be okay. Do not let that anger blind and consume you. What do you need to do when you’re mad and angry?
Use that anger as motivation.
In my introduction or whatever, I stated that you should become better and more successful than whomever screwed you. How do you do that you may ask? Well, focus on whatever you love to do and work hard on that. Are you a writer? Then write! Improve your writing skills and direct your attention to any writing projects you have in mind. Hell, write about the person that hurt you if it makes you feel better. Create a story based off the break up! You may help somebody get over their anger!
You’re a hustler and a grinder? Keep on your grind. Keep working on your business and make that money and stack. . Work your ass off so hard and so much on the hustle that you become something due to how much hard work you put in your hustle. It’ll make those who wronged you regert that they did that!
That’s the revenge you want! Their regrets and your success! Posting a person’s nudes ain’t goana make them respect you! That’s only gonna make you catch a revenge porn case. That’ll be 4-7 years of your life gone cuz you’re out here trying to ruin a person’s life. Busting a person’s car window or slashing their tires ain’t gonna make it better. It’ll only gonna force you to lawyer up and pay them along with court fees. It ain’t worth your freedom to get revenge by being petty. It’s worth your time to become more successful and greater than those who screwed you over by working on you, improving day-by-day until you reach your biggest goal, whatever they may be.
In conclusion, the best revenge is massive success. The greatest way to get over somebody is to improve yourself and focusing on yourself. By doing somebody physical or mental harm a payback will only end with your downfall and imprisonment. You must disdain from that person by any means necessary. Ignoring them is revenge. WIninng at life is revenge.
With that said I hope you enjoy this freewrite and I hope I have helped anyone with their problems or a break up or getting back at anyone. I shall be returning to my anime focused writings soon enough ya’ll!
FREEWRITE: Bosses and Fearing Nothing
“Rock’s here! You miss it earlier, he was on a rampage nitpicking every little thing. ” My coworker informs me on our regional manager “Rock” was on going off on everyone (sans me given I just arrived).
Oh.
“Damn, that bad huh?” I replied nonchalantly. I wasn’t concern about “Rock” (name changed cuz I’m not trying to get fired yet), or fearing his arrival. I was warned about his visit earlier in the week. The prior warning gave me time to do my mental training and job preparations. Furthermore, I’ve been working both harder and smarter to improve my section and my work ethics (although admittedly I’ve been slacking in some areas).
As fucked up as this sounds, I’m laughing at everyone’s fears (in the inside, of course I would get fired if I did that externally). At this point, we ‘re informed about Rock’s expectations. Yea, it’s annoying that dude is in town, but that we expected it. Adapt or die.
In my time researching (and now owning an actual copy of) the 48 Laws of Power, analyzing the mindset of superiors, being interested on how business are run, and my own desires of being a boss, I figured this out: The only reason why we were trippin’ off Rock’s arrival is because he’s a boss. Bosses make their worker’s “fear” them. It’s how power works (at times).
Yet, given I’m evolving my own mindset of becoming a boss, and knowing that Rock has to answer to ahis own bosses despite being a boss, what is there to fear from him?
As long as we’re doing our shit on the daily, and feeling confident in towards our work ethics, we shouldn’t worried about this dude. And on the flip side, he shouldn’t worried if we’re doing what he expect us to do when he come through. It’s that sense of security; we can put each other’s minds at ease if we perform to our expectations, and beyond.
Hell, I’ve been had this mindset since my second job (working at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s restaurant). When news of the CEO’s arrival, everyone sans a few cooks and I were in fear. We both knew what the CEO expected from us, and given that we respected his position of power, I made sure when dude came to our kitchen, and I had it as clean and neat for him.
Plus, my former bosses informed the GMs on my hard work, so my on the line (guard ya rep no matter what ya’ll). If the CEO would have seen a kitchen a mess, it would not only look bad on me, but my bosses and GMs who told him about my work. I don’t wanna make people look like liars off my bullshit.
I’m not fearful of Rock, but rather respectful of him and his position. As a boss he has to make sure we’re doing our work so he can feel secure about his position. Because trust me, if he let our bullshit slid, that would be on his head with bosses and that wouldn’ be great on our end. Plus I interactived with the dude a few times in the past, he seems like he’s chill if he’s not on boss mode, so there’s that.
I guess I think differently from my fellow coworkers and the average worker.
(I know this is different from my usually writings but I haven’t wrote anything in a while due to my own laziness, and this idea was in my head all day. Plus, I need to sharpen my writing skills).
“I Wanna Be Like Dr. Tomoe When I Grow Up!”
Yesterday during my lunch break at work, I was listening to Grant Cardone’s (American author and CEO) interview on his 2016 book “Be Obsessed or Be Average” (great book I highly recommend if you have giant dreams). During it, he brought up a childhood dream (an obsession even) of on becoming like fictional movie spy James Bond when he grew up (having the hot women, flashy cars, infinite cash flow, etc.). Cardone’s reflection of his childhood dreams and goals reminded myself of my own innocent dream of becoming like Dr. Tomoe; villain of Sailor Moon S.
Yes, that Dr. Tomoe. The crazed cracklin’, evil science experimenting, nutjob ass dude with the clichéd evil badguy laugh. That is the Dr. Tomoe I’m talking about. As a child, I wanted to be like him as a kid (I was a weird kid). Why? Well, here some reasons why!
Going back to a previous post, my very first episode of Sailor Moon had the infamous fake orgasms Twister game with Mimete and the reminding Witches 5. We see Professor Tomoe enjoying (albeit creepily) his all-female staff playing Twister in short shirts, lab coats, and high heels. Tomoe enters the room and the women welcome him warmly. After debriefing Minmete on her next mission, Tomoe continue the game of Twister with the other women, taking pleasure in being surrounded by smart and sexy science lady nerds .
“I wanna be like Dr. Tomoe when I grow up!” I declared! What ten-year-old male doesn’t wanna grow up to have a secret lab filled with sexy science nerds, man?
“He has women in high heels and lab coats playing Twister with him. I want that in life. Also I wonder if he’s fucking all of them behind their backs. I would do that too if I was him.”
Oh ten-year-old me was full of hopes and dreams. Oh Ben. You were so innocent back then! But really, that one definite scene inspired me to work and learn hard, so that one day I could be like that creepy blackface paint like science man on the new anime.
To have the beautiful women working for me and my business. Ten-year-old wanted that. Today? I still want that. Create humanoid monsters from alien eggs to take over the world. Ten year old wanted that shit. Me today? I would get locked up for unethical science experiments and terrorism.
As ten-year-old me continued to watch Sailor Moon S, I was impress by Profressor Tomoe and what he had. I was quickly inspired by the man, with him becoming one of my favorite characters in the series. The business. The school he founded. The money and giant house. And the women.
Kaorinite. Tomoe’s beautiful (and incredibly crazy) lab assistance. I mean, no wonder he hand selected her to be his personal assistance. I mean she’s straight up beautiful, smart as fuck, has big ol nice ass cow tits, and probably has a S-rank blowjob game in bed (hey I’m just saying).
For her character arc in the beginning of the S, to her first death, and finally her second death at the hands of Mistress 9, Kaorinite was by Tomoe side. My dude Tomoe had a fine ass chick by him at nearly all times. She must had been that special because he brought her back to life after her first death at the hands of the Sailor Scouts.
I want a Kaorinite in my life (sans all the crazy homicidal shit and her abusiveness towards children [poor Hotaru]) Like, a fine ass sexy woman by my side when I become a successful person. Introduce her to at a party or an event and everyone starts looking at her. Have their breath taken away from not only her beauty and grace, but her presence and wisdom. Have people hate on me because I have her and she doesn’t not.
Finally, the last factor that made me go “I Wanna Be Like Dr. Tomoe” was his powerful relationship with his daughter, Hotaru.
Despite being incredibly busy with his personal work, Tomoe made time to spend time with Hotaru. It’s clear that they’re close as Hotaru happily introduced Chibi-Usa to him (but that’s for another post). At the final few episodes of the S arc, Professor Tomoe is risking his life to save and protect Hotaru (after she transformed into Mistress 9 See, that’s a real ass father. Taking time off time to take care of daughter. Then we have his willingness to protect her at all costs, by any means.
Granted, personally I don’t want kids anytime soon (or ever), but if I ever had a kid, I would done the same he did with his kid. Take the time from my own shit to be around them. To protect them at all cost.
As a kid I had this innocent, but wild dream to be like a fictional cartoon anime character. I want what he had: beautiful women (the Witches 5 and Kaorinite), the money and own business, the nice mansion, and family. Am I working on that childish dream today as an adult? Yes. It might be taking slower than I want but I know I can get it if I push myself.
Thanks Professor Tomoe! your crazy ass inspired me to become a man like ya.
(Fuck Crystal/Manga Professor Tomoe tho. That nigga’s a piece of shit. Don’t be like him.)
Yea that was a wild day.
HAPPY BEST FRIENDS DAY!!!
“Real Niggas Do What They Wanna Do. Bitch Niggas Do What They Can Do.” (Freewrite)
I’m a 90s hip-hop fan, with the late Tupac Shakur as one of my favorite rappers from the era. “Staring Through My Rare View” (which the title of this freewrite is from), is my favorite work by the legend, as to me, can describes one own desires of achieving their dreams , goals, and how one yearn to reach their personal level of success by any means.
As stated from an earlier post about my pride and ego, for most my childhood and teen life, I was told I’d never be successful with having a learning disability and being in special education. Overtime I managed to prove the doubters wrong . However, with recent unwanted interactions from a toxic person ()whom I had cut off a year ago) who decided to remind me of my past struggles, my pride and ego has been working overtime to prove yet another doubter wrong to say the least.
This is where the line “Real niggas do what they wanna do” comes to play.
I do not know what’s going on in my head (in combination with my desires), but I have this drive to do whatever the fuck I please in order to reach what I want in life, or at the very least, achieve my own personal short or long terms goals then move forward to the next one. Even with things not going how I want it right now, me starting on this anime blogging (and now “vlogging”) journey at an late age compare to most others, and working full time, I still gonna do whatever I want to gain higher success.
Massive success even.
There’s more from life I want then just doing the same shit everyone else is doing. I wanna new shit rather than doing the same old bullshit from last year. Maybe this what Haruhi Suzumiya probably felt when she realized she can do whatever she pleased on that fateful day of realization watching baseball with her dad (gotta keep this somehow anime related).
So, I’m just going to keep doing me. Do whatever I wanna do in life, and for my passion.
On My Pride, My Ego, My Ambitions, and Helping Others (Freewrite)
The other day on Facebook, I created a status about haters. I stated if you have them, you’re making moves. My homegirl, who’s incredibly infamous in her field, and have a lot of haters, replied with “YES I DO LOL!”. I asked “How can I get more haters fam!” given she’s the expert of gaining them.
She followed up with some real shit.
“Do you want my honest opinion? Your ambition isn’t that high. You have form, but no clear refinement, or clear purpose, or agenda. Set the path up for yourself to contribute something worthy of recognition towards society and the haters will come and drove. Stop practicing your trolling skills online doing nothing. Instead of trolling to seek hateres, use your social skills to improve people’s lives, and make a positive impact for both their lives, and your own.”
(The last sentence is a paraphrase, but whatever. The message is still there)
This made me think hard about myself, and my life goals hardcore.
Ever since I got back from Anime Central, my ego, arrogance levels, and pride, were growing larger. I managed to successfully run a room party with my friend (bartending the party), made new contacts, expanded my network, and managed to promote my blog and brand.
My ego was on an all-time high. I felt unstoppable, and needed to reach higher and yield more results, but just for myself, Nobody else.
Years of being the underdog, belittled, bullied, and people calling you a failure at life because you were in special education for academics weaknesses does that to your ego; make it larger after success. Sans a handful of people, who I guess saw I had more potential than what I gave myself credit for (growing up with low self-esteem issues is a bitch), people counted me out, telling me I’ll never be successful.
For years, I just let that shit bottled up inside me, trying to ignore it subconsciously. However, it manifested itself into pride, and a sort of “revenge mission” against the haters, doubters, and niggas who belittled me.
The breaking point of this was when my brother, who I haven’t talked to a year (due to his own petty bullshit) decided to randomly text me, calling me a failure, a retard, and a loser who’ll never do anything with my life. He went on to compared me to our uncle, who (in my brother words “a fucking failure”) . That shit made me berserk, and made my focus to produce more work.
I wasn’t working to make others enjoy my work. I was working to feed my ego, and stunt on this family member. I’m gonna admit something; My Sailor Moon S’s analysis and my analysis on Hitagi’s mental state were results from my anger towards this family member who was doubting my success (the last two themes of my Sailor Moon S analysis was rushed just so I could prove a point and prove this man wrong, not because I was passionate)
‘I WILL be successful and I make every last one of ya who counted me out or made me felt bad about myself regret saying all that shit.’
-Benjamin’s Pride.
When my friend (and another one whom I spoke to in private) to me I could do so much more by helping others with my skills, rather than using them just feed my ego, and increase haters, it awoken something in me: The drive to help others.
I’ve known and befriended many people over the last seven years of my life. I can easily help them, and more.
Saw a friend who was upset with their family fuckin’ with them (not going into details, as that’s their busssiness), and I figure “Well, guess I better put whatever fucking skills I have to good use and help this friend out.”
Besides, I’m so used to dealing with an insecure family member’s petty bullshit. Let me use my experience with them to help my friend feel better and have a space to get out their anger. If I can make my friend feel better, and push themselves to prove their family members wrong, then I guess I’m on the right path.
Another friend was having problems letting go the past, being insecure, and confidence issues. Three fields I’m an expert in! Not going into details (because again, I don’t wanna put their business out there), but I told my friend she need to focus on herself first and foremost. Find something that she’s proud of that she done, and build confidence off that. In addition, taught her that it’s normal to have insecurities, but to also work and improve them, so she can be more secure and happy with herself.
When she told me that she was glad she was able to speak to me about those topics, that legit made me happy. Another friend is feeling better about themselves, because I helped them out.
May I say, happy others really feel good? Perhaps I really should focus on that skill, and build up my ambitions through helping.
Anime Central – Day 1 (Part 1)
You know what’s awesome? Having a Hilton Hhonors membership. A Gold tier membership at that. I don’t have to pay for breakfast as a perk. And goddammit, I need the early morning fuel. Can’t make fun of weeaboos on an empty stomach ya know. I mean, I could, but I’d pass out. I’d wind up in the hospital or something . That’ll be an unfavorable position; giving the weeaboos and the ACEN community the power to make fun of my dumbass mistake.
Can’t have that. No I cannot.
I’ll spare you useless details about my breakfast and jump to me meeting up with my boy “Alan” at the Hyatt.
Alan is one of my closest and bestest friend in the whole wide big ass fucked up world we call planet Earth. We’ve been buddies since high school (or about 13 years). Honestly, he’s somebody I can call a brother. Not a lover (I doubt his girlfriend would like that) but a brother. Check out his blog and give him a follow.
Alright, fuck this sappy heartwarming bullshit.
Alan needed to use my room to prep for his cosplay. There was time left before I had to check out from my Hilton room. However, he wanted to get stoned first before working on it. I like his idea. Smoke some trees and get right before we start the day. Funny enough, my new homeboy “Bill” wanted to smoke as well! Kill five birds with one stone. I, and I alone, can perform such a feat because I am Benjamin Snow the Greatest.
(I’m so full of it it’s not even funny)
As we waited for Bill’s arrival, an Incident Response Team (ACEN’s volunteer security team, or IRT) member approached me. Goddammit. It’s only a quarter to nine, and already, I’m in trouble. And fuck, I must be in deep trouble. Like I’ve done something illegal (not yet) trouble.
“Are you Benjamin Snow? I’m here to beat your ass for runnin’ your mouth online.”
I never imagined that somebody forreal would take my offer to confront and fight me in real life. Honestly, I was shock. I didn’t know how to respond. As my mind process what I should do, he followed up with
“Nah, I’m just playing. I’m Orion’s Belt, a Facebook friend of yours.”
Whew! Okay, I don’t have to assault an IRT member today. Not that I would actually do it any other time. Perhaps I will in a few years down the road when I have mental breakdown phase due to my B-list celebrity status.
We spoke briefly about my online persona, refering to me as the (in)famous Benjamin Snow to his teammate. (I kinda sorta hate it when people say I’m famous in the convention scene because I’m really not). He praised my legendary trolling skills are (they’re nowhere near legendary).
Look, I get that that you, the fans, admire me and everything, but please; stop calling me famous and legendary.
After exchanging farewells with Orion, Alan brought up that I have at least one IRT member in my network. That’s something huh? Being somewhat known in the community, I have a personal IRT acknowledgement. May it be one guy, but still my network is slowly becoming diversify.
Still waiting for Bill and wanting to pass time, Alan and I decided to create a cosplaying drinking for the convention. I think it’s a very easy game, take a shot for X cosplay Y series you spot at the convention.
The rules were as followed (taken from my original Facebook post):
‘ACEN COSPLAY DRINKING GAME. Take a shot for:
*Sailor Moon. Triple for Galaxia or Saturn or any evil Scouts. Take a Molly for a Molly (Naru) cosplayer.
*Dragon Ball. Triple for Merged Zamasu or outside of Z/GT
*Virgin Killer.
Wendy’s. 4x if they work at that place.
*Dragon Maid. Triple for male characters.
Attack on Titan. Triple for Titans.
*Touhou. Triple for actual female cosplayers
*My Hero Acamedia
*Overwatch
*Final Fantasy 15
*Star Wars.
*Street Fighter
*Undertale
*Pokemon
*Rick and Morty. Nigga you may as well cosplay as Rick.
*Soul Eater
*Fate/Zero 5x for Saber cuz she’s the worse girl unlike Rin
*Disney’
I, Benjamin Andrew Snow, do not claim responsibility for any idiots who may had die from this during ACEN. I’m just simply cleaning out the gene pool. Following the creation of the game, Bill finally arrived! About time nigga! To the smokers’ circle we go!
Anime Cental’s infamous smokers’ circle. A grey and stone grey circular structure, divided into 4-6 separate “pocket” spaces . It winds itself around Hyatt tower, supported by featureless pillars. Early morning, it’s pretty mellow. People tend to just chill, smoke, and drink coffee while reading the news, may it be old media (newspapers) or new (cellphones).
Nothing exciting happens around this time. I like it like that. I like the peaceful mellowness of a morning smoke.
We encountered Alan’s friends in the circle, inside one of the smaller pockets, cut into the support pillar. They were pregaming since Wednesday night, and claim they had broke into the convention center late that night. Jesus, maybe I should do that next year. Day -1 drinking and partying. However, breaking into the convention center for fun and exploration? Nah. They’ll shoot my black ass.
Real shit tho, Day -1 sounds like a great idea for exploring Downtown Chicago.
Once Alan and I got our minds right off the demon grass and devil’s wax, we marched back inside to the Hyatt, meeting up with two of our other friends. These friends, I’ve known very well through a secret Facebook group chat.
Our friends “Miku” and “Scotch”.
Miku is rather well known throughout the ACEN community due to her shitposting efforts (her level of shitposting isn’t as superior as mine) and unfortunately, drawing in the (creepy) thirsty fucks towards her. Thirsty fucks, she often has to reject on the daily. People lack personal boundaries. She’s an all-around cool girl.
Scotch, as his name implies, is a huge fan of scotch liquor, and has an expansive knowledge of top shelf liquors (thanks to getting me hip on that $40 whiskey fam). He does a commission work for cosplays. He’s pretty short, and looks about 20 despite being 30. That’s dem Asian genes for ya.
Since Alan and I had most of our crew together, we decided to check into our respected Hyatt rooms. However, our rooms weren’t ready yet. More sitting and looking awkward stupid! Go us!
Speaking of looking stupid, get this; I’m looking around my surroundings when I spot this dude with a red hat, white lettings, and a certain front and format. You get where I’m going with this right? No? Its okay readers, I didn’t expect you to get it.
I’m straight giving this white boy this vicious look. Like, I can’t fuckin’ believe this alt-right edgelords are forreal wearing these hates at the cons. Great. Trump supporters at muh SJW left wing ACEN. As I’m giving the guy my infamous death stare of doom, Alan was like “Dude chill, it says ‘Make Konami Great Again!’.
Whoops.
I want a hat like that now. I mean, Konami will never be great again, but I want it! Granted, I would probably receive some strange looks, and black people coming up to me and asking me if I’m on some coon shit. Ah well. Thanks Trump. Thanks Obama. Seriously thanks a lot guys.
Since neither Alan nor my rooms were ready, Scotch requested if Miku and I could help in carry some drinks form his car into his room in exchange for beers and shots. I’m down for free alcohol! Plus I was getting bored.
Look, if you want me to help you out, you gotta give me great shit. Alcohol. Weed. Food. Money. Sexual favors (18+ only). Or all five! I do not care! Just pay me in alcohol and I’ll help ya out things for ya.
Well, off we go! A black man, an Asian man, and a white chick together in harmony. Racial unity at ACEN (sans my racist comments and jokes)!
A wistful tone sat in as we walked thorugh the skybridge (it connets to multiple hotels and the convention center itself). Years ago, the skybridge was decorated with creepy, disturbing surrealism paintings. The hallway hosted eerie paintings; humans starring you down and unsettling landscapes. You felt at unease walking through the humid corridors, questioning if the painitngs are watching you. It wasn’t a great place to walk about intoxicated.
Today, the Hyatt’s skybridge is bland, just like your sex life.
As we trek through skybridge, we caught a glance of the enewly located, enormous, and dully illuminated game room. We didn’t see much of it, since Miku didn’t have her badge yet.
“I do not have my badge. I wish I could get inside, but I can only look.” Miku lamented.
“I wonder how many guys have said the same line about you.” Scotch replied in jest.
We all laughed at his diss towards Miku’s creepy fanboys. Poor Miku though. Can’t imagine how she has to deal with the creepy dudes on the ACEN groups. Seriously, ya niggas need to learn personal boundaries.
(By the way I’m totally stealing Scotch’s joke. I’m getting rich off that one when I start my comedy tour in 2020.)
Eventually, we reached Scotch’s car, which surprising wasn’t a rice burner as I was expecting it to be(goddamit Ben). We grabbed the goods (cases of Monster, Root Beer, and Pepsi), and headed to his room. Miku was struggling to carry the cases, due to her props and cosplay. Some nice young, dude came along to help her out. An extra party member to help us! What a nice fellow! He did depart after we got to his room. Kinda like in Final Fantasy 2 where the fourth party member is just a temp.
(In her words : “He probably saw a cute girl struggling, and wanted to help her out, in hopes he’ll hook up.” Something like that I don’t fucking remember.)
For my peerless efforts of the Great Soda Case March of 2017, Scotch rewards me with beers and a Bloody Mary! Thank you, Scotch! I needed the 1:00PM pregame, and an excuse to support my undying alcoholism. Alright! Got my mind right for the day. Alan hits up my line, telling me that his room is ready. I end my mission with one last beer (for the time being), and proceed towards Alan’s room for a nice, warm shower. Besides, I’d be a giant hypocrite for mocking unwashed weebs, yet I am unwashed myself.
As I head back to the Hyatt lobby , my eyes caught an offensive sight. Such a sight that will even enraged even more the most chill person.
“Ya crackas are really this bold this year, huh? Blackface? Really whiteboy?!” I’m infuriated. It’s 2017, and we still have people think it’s okay to wear blackface.
“This white boy is out in public, forreal in blackface. This cracker’s really fuckin’ using blackface for his cosp- wait it’s actually a black guy with an obvious skin condition. My lord I’m a piece of shit I need to stop doing this!”
Whew boy. Ben, what is wrong with you today? You know what, just go take your shower, because you need to wash away some shame, boy. Just go!
Alright! I’ve arrived at Alan and his fiancé “Emerald” room at last! Finally, I can take a shower, and after that, belittle all the other weeaboos who refuse to! They can’t say shit, because they smell like shit, and I won’t. Besides, I gotta smell good for all the fine ass kohai who want Benpai to notices them. I can’t disappoint them at all. Okay, maybe in bed, but that’s another story.
I gather my body wash and soap, hop in the shower, and got the Drake and Big Sean bumpin’ off the Bluetooth speaker. Drake and Big Sean are my biggest motivators for the convention (besides making money), especially with their song “Blessings.” I’m at ACEN for a goodtime and not a longtime. Get my networks right, make money off bartending the homeboy’s engagement party, have a cute, shy, quiet kohai get super happy I noticed her.
Hopefully one that’s cosplaying as one of my waifus (Rin from fate/zero, Misato from Evangelion, Sailor Saturn from Sailor Moon, or Sabrina from Pokemon to name a many, many few) take her back to my room, and fuck brains out from behind while she is in said waifu cosplay, moaning out my name in a hentai-like voice.
…A nigga can dream. Sigh. My luck with women is low despite my confidence (I’m so oblivious to flirting my lord.)
‘K. Out of the shower Benji. I get that you wanna be fresh and all, but that Irish Spring soap and bodywash gotta last you the entire weekend. But hey! Do you smell fresh as fuck, Ben! I’m feeling good. Finally, I can make fun of smelly weebs, and not be a hypocrite. To the con floor!
Or not. My phone start’s buzzing, the T-Moblie jingle plays off the speaker, and I pick up the phone.
“Eto…Moshi moshi. Benyamin Yuki des.” I answered in my most faux Japanese accent.
“What?” The hotel clerk responded. “Mr. Snow, you’re room is now ready! Please come by to pick up your room keys!”
“Arrigatou!”
“Please stop sir. You’re not Japanese.” The clerk hung up.
Damn. I was hoping to impress her with my fake Japanese accent, and butchering of the language. She sounded cute. That what I get for trying to flirt with everyone, including hotel clerks. Well, my room’s ready. Adrian and I need to drop our shit off, so off I go.
I enter the check-in line. Thankfully, it’s short. Good. The quicker I go through the line, and get into my room, the quicker I can make fun of nerds, to build my massive ego and arrogance up. Alright, finally it’s my turn! . I step up to the clerk, a cute woman with a purple wig. Awesome! Purple’s my favorite color! And hell, she sounded just like the woman whom I was failing to impress over the phone. Maybe if she notice how handsome and fresh I am, she’ll be sworn by my fake Japanese.
“Hi! I’m here to pick up my keys to my room!” I don’t know how to say that in Japanese, so I went for the English route instead.
“Here’s your keys Mr. Snow! You’re in the Executive Wing rom 2432! Enjoy the con!”
She hands the key over to me and send me on my way.
Wait, did I hear her right? Executive Wing!? As in, the exclusive large rooms only reversed for the most balling of niggas? And I only paid low tier room pricing for it? Fuck yea, this is gonna be a great ACEN! Let’s make it greater by flexing on niggas on Facebook (even though I didn’t pay full price for the room, and I had to stack, invest, and save money for the convention with extreme discipline)
Hooray for lying like I got it!
I’ve arrive at my room. It’s slightly larger than the normal rooms. The room featured two queen size beds, a nice marble table, an Eazy-Boy type chair, and shelves. Hey, at least the area is quiet; it’s not too far off from Alan’s room. Plus, I don’t have to deal with the infamous congested elevators of the main wing. I take this unexpected upgrade and it’s benefits!
My phone goes off again. It’s Adrian. He informs me that Alan, Emerald, and he were off to some store I don’t care about, and that it’ll take them a while to get back. Oh. I was hoping they’ll come with me to the liquor store. Guess I go myself. Back to theworld of weebs and normies.
I leave the building, ready to walk for twenty-four minutes for booze. Hold up! That black Nissan mini SUV parked out front with the Punisher logo on the back. Don’t tell me that’s…nah. That can’t be my boy “Punisher” (I’m running out of fake names to protect my friends). Holy fuck, I can’t be that lucky!
“Hey Ben what’s up man!” Yes! It’s my boy Punisher indeed! Cool country white guy from my home area. Man, I really am lucking out this year. If I can just throw him some gas money, I can totally not have to walk in the rain like a sad, lonely alcoholic nerd, and have him take me to the liquor store!
“Hey bro, could you take me to the liquor store? I’ll throw in some gas money or something!”
“Sure man, I didn’t want you to walk in this rain in the first place!”
Thank god for great friends.
Back to Rosemont Liqour. Now, common sense would had your boy to get all, it not, most of my alcohol when Joe had took me up there the day before, but I was waiting for extra money that I was owed to me from various people. Plus, I didn’t wanna spend any cash I had in my bank from the other day (just in case ya know).
Time to go shopping!
I have a main quest, and two side quests. The main quest requires me finding the indigents for an fishbowl-type drink Alan and Emerald requested me to make: Mermaid Water, a cocktail created by popular YouTube bartender “Tipsy Bartender”.
Here’s the details of the drink from his website:
‘The Mermaid Water Cocktail is the type of drink that will have you asking if you ever feel like a pirate. If you want to feel the gentle breeze of the ocean punch you in the mouth, then this is a drink for you. It is basically a bunch of delicious alcohol mixed with delicious juice. The exact sort of thing that pirates need when crossing vast seas of water in search of various forms of plunder.
(source: http://www.tipsybartender.com/Mermaid+Water+Cocktail)
It’s not that deep.
Main quest easily completed, sans Punisher and I having difficulties finding Blue Curacao (which was in front of us, just on a lower shelf). Alright! Now onward to my first side question: the indigents to my new cocktail creation: Sailor Saturn.
Prior to ACEN, I planned to create a cocktail based off the Sailor Scouts from the anime and manga series “Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon”. I already made one based off my second favorite scout; Sailor Mercury (UV Blue Vodka, Blueberry liqueur, Sprite. Might throw in Blue Cuacao next time I make it. BTW OC dough nut steel), so I figure why not make one based off my first fictional crush favorite Sailor Scout of all time?
With the Sailor Saturn cocktail, I was thinking of going with aesthetic look; I needed either a purple colored liquor or liqueur to match her visual design. Next, I wanted to play off her powers of death and destruction, so I need liquors that represented destruction perfectly: 100 Proof Vodka and Hennessy.
(I was originally going to go with Everclear, but I also didn’t want niggas to think they’re a Solider of Destruction. I get that Hennything is possible but I didn’t want people dying off my shit. Ya can’t rebirth like Saturn)
Unfortunately (or fortunately), the store didn’t have 100 Proof vodka on stocked. Goddammit. But they had Hennessy! Go me…or I would say that, if I didn’t saw Martell Cognac for under $27 (special deal), as opposed to the $40 of Henny. Hennything is possible, including a discount on a competitor’s product! GO ME INDEED! I love saving me money and acting like a cheap ass! Plus, I never tried Martell before.
You gotta try new things. It’ll get you far. Trust me.
Next, was finding a purple colored liqueur. I wanted Hpnotiq Harmoic, which is an uncommonly known version of the original Hpnotiq. If you never had Harmoic, it’s congac, vodka, mixed berries, and I think lavender extracts. The lavender (and possibly mixed berries) provides Harmoic it’s purple color, which would had been perfect for the Sailor Saturn cocktail. Sadly, they also did not carry that version. Fuck. Looks like Saturn won’t be destroying anyone soo- hey what’s that beautiful purple glowing bottle with the white swirls liquor over there in the vodka aisle?
“Viniq? Oh wow, you’re so pretty.”
Yeah no, I’m using this for the cocktail. If you do not know what Viniq is like, here are some details from the official website (please sponsor me Viniq I’ll be your spokesman for the alcoholic weeaboos niche):
‘Sweet refreshing, and glamorous, VINIQ’s purple shimmer cathes your eye before you hit your glass. Bursting with peach, berry, and citrus flavors, it’s the perfect complement to any occasion’
(Source: http://www.viniq.com/)
(Viniq has mosacto wine infused with it, but the website forgot to mention that. Thought I throw that lil tidbit in there)
Cool. I’ll take it. Throw it in the basket with the rest of my booze and onwards to the second and final side mission: Dirty Princess Peach, a drink I created at ACEN 2015.
Dirty Princess Peach, (as the name suggest), is named after Nintendo legendary princess, Peach. Ya know, the woman who has a thing for giant Koopa cocks, had both kidnapping and imprisonment fetishes, and enjoys wearing, and showing off her lacy thongs while playing Tennis. There’s a reason why I’m calling her dirty.
I’m just going to post a link to the cocktail repiece below because I’m wasting time and I wanna get to the next scene asap.
[Dirty Princess Peach cocktail]
Alright, got everything I need for the weekend. To the checkout line! Let me tell ya something; If you have a cart full of booze at the liquor store, you’re gonna get some looks and question. No lie: I love this part.
“Are you guys planning for a wedding party?” One guy asked in the check out line.
“Nah. Planning a party at a comic book convention.” I replied.
”Wait what? Comic book convention? Ya drink and party at those things?” The dude was bewildered. I blew his mind, man! I love it when people are surprise that us nerds party and drink heavy. I can’t lie; When I first got into the cosplay and convention scene, I was shocked that nerds drink, smoke, and party. The revelation changed my entire point on view on the nerd community.
I legit enjoy explaining to non-nerds how there are after parties, and many crazy shit that goes down during the conventions. Things that people would not associate nerds with. It legit get people interested in what we do.
Hey, if I can change one person’s bias about our community, then I guess I’ve done some good.
After paying for our stuff, Punisher and I headed back to the Hyatt. He had to go do something, so I was left alone with a heavy box of mixers and booze. Fun. I get to carry around a box of booze throughout the convention hotel with thousands of eyes on me like I’m 2pac. All eyes on me. Me and my box-‘o-debauchery!
Yes, I want all your attention! Watch me be Mr. Stongman carrying this heavy box with no effo- okay ouch there goes my back. And my legs are cramping up. Fuck I’m old. Oh great! Service carts! This will be easy! Just place this heavy ass box down and…
“Sir. We are a full service hotel. We have to carry your things for you.” An older black gentleman looks over at me as I attempted to lay my booze box on the cart.
‘Fuck.’ I thought to myself. I don’t have cash to tip him, but this is super heavy. Oh well.
“I can help you carry your alcohol up to your room if need be.”
“Sure.” Sigh. He’s gonna expect a tip, ain’t he? Don’t get me wrong, I tip service workers. Just that I don’t have cash, and I’d feel like a piece of shit if I didn’t tip him. I let him carry the cart through the hotel to a secret exclusive elevator for ballin’ niggas like myself (stay jealous). We hit the elevator from the bottom floor to the main lobby.
“So, how much this all run ya?”
‘Make up a complete lie Ben.’
“About $230.”
‘Benjamin, you’re fucking stupid. He’s gonna press you for a tip you know how this game works.’
“I see you got Martell . That must have run ya .” Yep. Here’s the begging ass nigga asking for a tip in a few. Sigh. Broke niggas I swear.
“Yep.” I just replied back. Here we go.
We reached the main lobby. He took me over to another attendant. Before he took me over to him, he finally pop the question. I’m the luckiest man in the world!
“So, you gonna tip me?” He begged.
‘Nigga. What kinda bullshit is this? If I was a white boy you wouldn’t be on this crabs-in-a-bucket shit.’
“Yea…where’s the ATM?” He just points behind me towards the ATM. I follow his finger to the ATM, and withdrew a $20. 10 for him and his coworker, an older white gentleman.
“Ya got change?” I asked. The white attendant had change alright. And by change I mean some bands. Like 1s, 20s, a few 50s. I take it he gets all the tips. I doubt he’s on some begging shit. He gives me two 10s, allowing me to tip them both the 10. The second attendant helps me to my room with the booze.
“Which room are you in?” He asked
“2432”. I replied back.
“Ahh, you must have a party room huh? No wonder you have so much alcohol.
“Heh heh yeah! I’m just having a smallish party with some friends, nothing major.” I replied with a sly smile. Boy, I’m helping my friends host a rager old man!
Back on the trek to my room! We head to another secret side elevator, pasting the mess of the overflowing elevators. An older white IRT lady caught a quick glance of my box-o’-debauchery, and gave me the most “I fucking parties like you” look I’ve ever received from a con staff. I dunno if it just she was jealous she had to work all weekend, or she thinks I’m gonna get caught slippin’ with my party, but holy that bitter white woman death glare man!
Bitch you’re getting mad! I’m having fun!
Finally, after that bullshit, we arrive at my room! I thank the guy and we went our separate ways. I pull out the Viniq first. I want to taste this alluring, enticing, sparkling violet liquid. I take a small shot. My lord, the taste of Viniq is astonishing. Delicate and sweet like Hotaru Tomoe. And yet, destructive and dangerous like Sailor Saturn.
…My weeaboo ass just fucking compared alcohol to a fucking Japanese anime character. Whew lord I need Jesus. Or another shot of this Viniq, this is good as fuck. Wait hold up, it’s almost 6:00PM. As much as I wanna get a little tipsy, I gotta meet up with some very old friends from my first Anime Central. My day ones from my first cosplay group: The Umineko and Higurashi cosplay group.
I’m gonna save that for the next post. Eleven pages and nearly 4700 plus words is more than enough for night. Day 1 will be split into two parts (with this being part one of course). Stay tune in the future in which I take a short delicious food detour before meeting up with the Higurashi and Umineko cosplay group! Following that, I will introduce ya to one of my favorite Chicago citizen and I’ll treat ya to my wild partying lifestyle! Oh and the part on how hard I really had to chill out before killing somebody who I thought was my friend.
All that, plus not that much more, next time! I’ll post a link the Part 2 once I am finish with it! Be good ya’ll!
Rika to Bernkastel (Freewrite)
NOTE: This freewrite is based off memories of my experience with the When They Cry series (Higurashi and Umineko) I am too lazy to check if what I said are correct . I may have some information wrong.
I’ve always enjoy characters that started out as heroes, but grew into villains. It’s interesting to see what events have such an impact on them that they decided to say “fuck it”, evolving into a villain. Some become villains due to an incident. Others as a result of losing their hope and giving up on their goals.
I feel like Rika Furude from Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni (When The Cicadas Cry) is such a heroine-turn-villain by the factors previously mentioned. Tragic factors that caused the young child to become the sadistic witch, Bernkastel.
Rika had a pretty fucked up life despite being so young. She’s theorized to be the queen carrier of the Hinamizawa Syndrone (a virus that cause victims to go into a psychiatric rage, increase anxiety, and commit violent homicidal and suicidal acts), her parents are dead, she can’t escape a timeloop that ends with her death, is an alcoholic at the age of 9, and she also tried to stab Santa Clause to death.
Initially, Rika started out as an optimistic and happy child, She believed she could prevent the endless June 1983 tragic events. She wouldn’t give up, no matter how bleak each situation felt. Even when Hanyuu (her ancestor ghost or whatever the fuck she is) flat out told her in the Massacre Arc that she and her friends will die, she just simply brush her aside, stating that she will defeat fate.
Of course, Rika failed and Hanyuu was once again right. Her friends got gun down by Miyo (the series’s true villain, who also had a fucked up childhood) and Rika got gutted by the crazed nurse-turned-terrorist. Rika was proven wrong once again. Don’t have hope children or you’ll end up like Rika.
After a few oh let’s say hundred years’ worth of losing and watching her friends and love ones die , Rika’s mind and views changed. Once a girl full of hope was slowly becoming hopeless. Overtime, she stop caring about fighting against fate and saving her friends. She became numb and cold. Emotionless even.
She became Bernkastel, the witch of Miracles; A collection of hopeless Rikas from different worlds and timelines fused into one sadistic being.
‘Lord, I don’t cry no more
Don’t look to the sky no more
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on my soul
Somewhere my heart turned cold’
–“Many Men” by 50 Cent (American rapper)
Bernkastel is one of the main villains of Umineko no Naku Koro ni (When The Seagulls Cry), the spiritual successor to Higurashi (which I’m not gonna go into in-depth details with both series about their relation. It’s fucking crazy). Simply put, Bernkastel is a piece of shit. She loves fucking with people, playing mind games with them. She use people for her personal gain. She’ll act like she’s your friend and ally, only to fuck you over at the end. Ange Ushiromiya (a girl with her own tragic past and pain) had to learn that shit the hard way.
Boy did she learn the hard way.
Simply put, Bern doesn’t give a fuck about you. Only herself. Maybe her lover Lambdadelta and her teacher Featherine. But that’s it. Bernkastel is the type of person who has clearly been through some shit. Horrible shit that changed her. The way she deals with that shit is by passing her own pain upon others to make her feel better about herself. She wants others to experience the pain she went through from her past. A past she really hates.
To conclude this unorganized freewrite, horrible events creates horrible people who started out nice and heroic. Rika was an innocent carefree girl, and yet due to being a victim one too many time, became a horrible corrupted being who had her point of view destroyed.
ART SOURCES:
Shut the Fuck Up Hanyu:
http://kyousgayart.tumblr.com/post/89109835477/serious-higurashi-fanart
Rika and Bernkastel
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=28677576
Feature image:
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=207464
So You Wanna Throw a Convention Hotel Room Party
Gotta love room parties. Where else can you find a normally socially awkward Uthena cosplayer drunk off shots of Hennessy flirting with other women, a Future Trunks cosplayer high off coke that he snorted off a Hex Maniac cosplayer’s ass, and two stoned Persona fans talk about who’s best girl(s) in Persona 5? (the answer: Tae and Ohya)
Yea, you could visit multiple room parties. That’s cool and all. But, what is cooler is hosting your own room party. You can become the source of otaku debauchery! I’ll teach you how!
The Hotel
To host a room party, you obviously need a hotel room. Make you have booked a room. Location is key. You want to host your party at the primary convention hotel. Hosting at the secondary hotel isn’t bad either, just as long as it’s not too far from the main hotel(s). Ain’t nobody gonna drive 20 minutes to your lame ass hotel party. A suite, a large single king-size room, or two rooms that are linked are best choices for room partying (depending on how the size of the party you’re planning).
If the convention hotel has a dedicated floor/wing/etc. for parties, request a room on that floor. Some hotels will move your room to the party floor for free, while others require an additional fee (around an extra $100 a night).
Anime Nebraskon (Omaha), Anime Weekend Atlanta (Atlanta), DragonCon (Altanta) , and Archon (St. Louis) are conventions that I’ve personally attended in which they have a select floor or wing for partying.
Hospitality
The job of a host is showing as much hospitality to your guests as possible. Greet everyone with a smile. Show them respect. Make them feel comfortable and welcomed. This means cleaning the room hours before the party and throughout it, having liquor, juices, soda, food, and water available (which I will cover later). Talk to as many of your guests as possible. Be friendly. Trust me, doing these things will net you repeat visitors for future parties.
Cleaning Supplies
Spills and party fouls happen. It’s unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t clean up (plus, you don’t want cleaning fees on your bill). Cleaning supplies will help you in the long run, and plus, cleaning goes hand-in-hand with hospitality.
Here what you’ll need:
Trashbags: Hotel trashbags are small, weak, and will overflow quick. You want something that’s heavy duty, like Hefty trashbags. 3-7 heavy duty trashbags should be more than enough for your party. Tie a trashbag on the door handle for easy access for trash and waifus alike.
Paper Towels: Paper towels are godsend for messes. Get something strong and absorbent like Brawny or Bounty.
Tip: Don’t use the hotel towels. You’ll need them to dry yourself off , after you’ve washed off the shame of sleeping with that Black Lady (Sailor Moon) cosplayer after the party ended. You know, the one who was way into character calling you “daddy” while you were raw dogging her from behind.
Dish Soap: For difficult stains. Plus the best dish soap smells good.
Disinfection Wipes: Great way to kill germs and reduce con pluage from unwashed, unhealthy virgin nerds.
Febreze: Because people don’t fucking shower at conventions.
Having these simple cleaning products will help you in the long run. You don’t need everything on the list, but it’s useful to have at least trash bags, dish soap, febreze, and paper towels on stand by.
Food and Drinks:
What’s a party without food or drinks? A rather boring one, run by a host who’s most likely a freeloader, expecting others to bring things but not providing anything in exchange. Nobody likes those type of people. You gotta have your own set of food and drinks at your party.
Here what you’ll need:
Alcohol (LEGAL DISCLAIMER: DO NOT SERVE ANYONE UNDER 21)
3 Bottles of plain Vodka
2 Bottles of plain White Rum
2 Bottles of Dark Rum
1 bottle of tequila
1 bottle of gin
1 bottle of Triple Sec
1 bottle of Schnapps
1-3 bottles of Liquer (Peach, Sour Apple, Midori, coffee, etc.)
1 bottle of Rumchata
1 bottle/box or red wine
1 bottle/box or white wine
Case of beer (24-36 pack work best)
1-6 bottles of fruit flavored vodka/rum (pineapple, mango, raspberry, etc.)
Juices:
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice
Apple juice
Fruit Juice/Punch
Lemon/Lime juice
Cranberry Juice
Sweet and Sour Mix
Tonic
Sodas:
Coke
Lemon-Lime
Dr. Pepper
Ginger Ale
Root beer
Club soda
24-36 case of bottled water
On the food end, pizza and chicken wings work well. You can order 1-3 pounds of wings and 5 boxes of cheap pizza for an entire party. Convince party goers to put in on the food. Don’t let others mooch off your shit.
Promotion
Nobody will come to your party if they’re unaware. You must promote it. Create a Facebook event. Speak to people at the convention. Networking is key. Now, if room partying is against hotel rules, keep it on the low. Only tell a very select few people that you can trust.
Besides, you don’t want your party shut down because you let the wrong people in.
Rules
As a host, you gotta have rules. Yeah, parties can be chaotic, that’s a given. But you need to lay down some rules and have order to ensure a safe and happy party for you and your guests.
My general rules:
- Respect the host and host’s room
- Don’t be a creep and make others uncomfortable
- Don’t fuck/sleep on my/our bed
- Don’t steal. You steal you’re getting your ass beat and booted.
- Keep noise at a reasonable level to prevent noise complaints.
- No smoking unless it’s a smoking floor, 420 friendly hotel, etc. Also match me. I’ll match you too.
- No one under 21 (if serving alcohol)
Just simple universal rules that should work. You can add your own rules for your party depending on the nature.
Hope these tips help! Feel free to apply them to your own parties. Be safe and have fun this con season! If you have any suggestions and advice, please post them in the comments section below!
Further Reading:
https://matadornetwork.com/nights/how-to-throw-a-secret-party-in-a-hotel-room/
http://www.betches.com/how-to-throw-a-hotel-party
Art Sources:
Second best Hotaru making terrible life choices:
http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=55182233
Featured image source:
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=929247
Sakuya cleaning:
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=40230929
Black Lady fanart (WARNING: NSFW wesbsite):
http://www.hentai-foundry.com/pictures/user/utilizator/165232
Gundam getting arrested:
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=9441297
Resurrection of Freeza. Again. Yay… (Slight Freewrite)
This past week, news from 2channel (Japanese image board) surfaced citing the return Freeza to Dragon Ball Super (DBS) for the Universe Survival Arc. I didn’t care at first; the major Dragon Ball YouTubers (Geekdom 101, Qaadman’s Land, Dragon Ball Nation, etc.) I follow and trust didn’t believe it was legit news. The lack of a secondary and more trustworthy source made it less believable. It’s 2channel. Any ol’ (Japanese-reading) nerd can post some fake ass shit on there and pass it off as “legit” news.
However, long-time Dragon Ball news translator Herms98 posted his translations of the upcoming Japanese TV Guide Dragon Ball Super episode synopsis; confirming the return of ruthless tyrant. Freeza will replace Majin Buu in the Tournament of Power (whom once again, has gone to sleep right before a major tournament).
I’m honestly not happy with Freeza returning. I mean yeah, having a different warrior outside of Goku’s clique representing Universe 7 is refreshing. We didn’t need ten warriors from Earth as a team that suppose to represent a vast universe.
Yet, Freeza replacing Buu just seems like lazy writing on Toei’s end. The Majin Buu falling asleep trick is old. We’ve seen Freeza returned ten times throughout the series. We get it; Toei has a hard on for Freeza. Some of us fans do not.
Toei, please end the Freeza dicking riding session.
While I’m not happy Freeza is coming back, I do look forward to his interactions with the Z Warriors. Especially with the ones he has a storied history with (Piccolo, Krillin, Goku, and of course Vegeta: prince of no one). Piccolo’s home planet was invaded by this man. Krillin pretty much has PTSD from Freeza torturing and killing him. Vegeta and Goku’s entire race was wiped out by this dude; with Vegeta being misled about Freeza’s killing his.
I doubt Freeza wants to work with past enemies, but if it means getting out of that damn cocoon surrounded by pretty stuffed animals and fairies as a bargain, then I guess he’ll have to work with folks he don’t like.
But seriously Toei stop the dick riding of Freeza.
SOURCES:
Herms98’s translation of Freeza’s return
Geekdom101 video on Freeza’s return:
Catcallin’. Why? (Barely edited freewrite)
As I’m about to sit down at the busstop bench after grocery shopping, a woman asked me a question. Normally, I’m annoyed by strangers asking me shit while I am minding my own business, but my gut was like “listen to this person”. She asked me why do men feel the need to catcall and holla at women for sexual favors. I was thrown off by this question, given I don’t catcall women or try to talk to them for sex (plus you don’t do that in general towards women on some respect shit). I replied with “people, mainly men, are stupid and ain’t go respect for women.”
She followed up with “I’m from Arkansas and I never had men catcall me and try to offer me for sex down there, but here in St. Louis, I had different dudes asking me for that shit. I don’t sell my body! I make an honest living. I don’t like this.” I explain to her that St. Louis folks (for the most part), are ignorant and tend to be on some stupid ass shit for no reason (catcalling is an universal thing yes but I can assume the Southern parts of America are on that respect thing, compared to St. Louis and the Midwest from what Southerners have told me coming up here)
I can’t say I understand her pain because I’m not a woman, and will never experience the bullshit women go through, but at the same time, it upset me that this woman had to deal with this.
I don’t get it. Why do dudes feel entitled to do goofy ass shit like cat calling towards women? I mean yea, I had holla at a woman with a rather vulgar line (a line I can’t really repeat here) when I was 16 and trying to fit in with the boys, but now that I’m a grown ass man, I don’t see the joy of making a woman uncomfortable with tasteless words, yelling with pretty much harassment. At what point when dudes felt entitled to say such fucked up things to women?
(Regular nerd related posts will return later tonight)
Taking the First Step (Freewrite)
Taking the first step is scary. You get nervous, have doubts, lose confidence, and fears hold you back. Once you knock those negative feelings aside, you must take a plunge. You must take that first step. Nothing will ever happen to you if you don’t move forward. You won’t get anywhere in life that way.
‘You never gone make it if you never rolled a dice
Take the first step, that was Doctor King’s advice’
-Dom Kennedy – Locals Only (2011 hip-hop single)
Things will get easier as you take that step and move forward. The other day, I took the first steps to forward and invest into my dreams. I decided to run two ads on my Facebook page for two recent projects I’m proud of. The first is my analysis on the Sailor Moon S narrative themes, and my analysis on Bakemonogatari’s Hitagi’s mental health. Yea, instant success and engagement won’t happen overnight, it’s a long process. A process I must stick with long term if I want long term success.
It’s a risky thing to do; investing money into a Facebook ad in hopes that people will read my writings and spread it around. But what’s life without taking risks? What’s life without taking that first step? If you do not take that risk, that gamble, you’ll never move forward in life. You’ll never be successful.
I’m gonna move forward.
Yuki The Snowman 