Beautiful music for super sore ears

The Islands show last night at the Echo was amazing and was just what I needed to restore my faith in going to shows. Beautiful.

Know of any others in the future? Holla!

Next up is American Analog Set at the Knitting Factory tomorrow. Sheesh, that's gonna take me back to the pre-Man Man days when I was still around in Philly and we (the rag tag band) called ourselves Apes Smaller Apes (ASA for short). I remember buying the 12" for Amanset's record, "The Golden Band" around that time at Spaceboy on South Street. It's one of the few records I've held on to since the Mr. iPod came to town.

Speaking of Man Man, the new stuff I've heard is incredible. Ryan, I mean Honus, you never cease to amaze my apple shaped head.

Ugh. I'm a wreck today. Kinda still sick, kinda hungover. Work is not the place to be.

Finally, Some Tokyo Photos

I'm very happy, people. The Holga was very good to me. Here's a link to the photo album so far. I only got back (and scanned) my contact sheets so not all the photos were printed optimally. When I get prints, there should be another 50 more. There are also 100 or so shots taken on Advantix film that still need processing. Those will be more strightfoward images. The ones you are about to see when you clicky clicky on the linky linky are a bit more fucked up and cool. Thank you Holga and cross-processed Ektachrome film!! Thank you VERY much!!

I'm a crappy blogger but I still love you

Hey brother. Sorry about the lack of interesting blogging over the past month or so. Around Thanksgiving time, things should be back to "normal". By normal I mean a more regular Weekly comic featuring Kusai & Ben as well as a more up to date blog in general.

I'm also getting my Tokyo photos back tomorrow and will be posting as many of those as I can. Let's just hope the Holga did it's job and didn't completely screw up my 12 rolls of Ektachrome. If not, I just sunk a whole bunch of hope and enough money to buy myself a trip into outer space with a Russian for nothing but black contact sheets. Fingers are tightly crossed.

And one more thing... I never thought I would like it, let alone become addicted to it like a Western Pennsylvania hick does to meth/ Oxy-Contin BUT I am completely hooked on the show LOST on ABC. Yep, there. I said it. It's really really good people. Like TWIN PEAKS good. And you must watch it from the beginning to really get it. Carlos and I just finished the entire 1st season on DVD late last night and are sweating and scratching at imaginary itches just hoping someone we know started taping the 2nd season.



UPDATE>> iTunes has the episodes at $2 a pop. Ah, so little for such a big "fix".

Cough, shiver, cough

I've caught me one a' them crazy Asian colds. I guess the crazy American ones weren't cunning enough to creep their way into my tough as nails immune system. Like I said before, everything in Japan is more efficient and just better. Unfortunately that includes their colds.

I'm Back, Bitches

At least it's not an annoyingly sunny day here in LA. Overcast feels so nice. We got in super early this morning and having gained a whole extra day with little to no sleep on the bumpy plane, we're both beat. I have to say though, Korean Airlines economy class is exceptional. Tons of leg room, really good veggie meals, easy check in (no bull shit) procedures and super cute Korean girl flight attendants.

Tokyo was so, so good to us. I envy those lucky enough to live in that city. And what about all the warnings from people that I would have trouble finding vegetarian or fish only meals and that the subways lines are difficult to navigate (oh, and who could forget the one about there being no toilet paper in public restrooms!)?? Lies!!! I found all of the above to be as true as there being 6 digits in my salary.

I can't wait to post my Holga images when I get them back!

Work beings again tomorrow. Whoop-de-shit. If you happen to see or speak to me, please don't mind the fact that I may resemble the living dead. Donations of sugar free Red Bull are greatly appreciated and can be sent to my office in the Frank G. Wells Building, Room # 4135. Thanks for your continued compassion.

My Soul Is A Web Of Circuits

Yesterday was yet another karate chop to the wallet as we re-visited Nakano Broadway's Mandarake stores for the last time. Robots, people!!! Many many robots!!

Today's going to be the "go-around-and-take-pictures-of-cool-things day" since we'll be sadly departing tomorrow morning- after our amazing hotel breakfast, of course!

Wow people, we bought a ton of stuff here. Originally we thought there would be no way to take it all on the plane and that FedEx was the only option. Then my dumb ass realized that we're allowed 4 checked items of baggage. I think it'll be fine...

Time to enjoy the last full day-- amidst the return of the rain!

Tokyo Disneyland (sponsored by Kirin Beer)

Today was the first day we had full on sunshine. This worked out well because Tokyo Disneyland was on our almost non-existent itinerary. But how different could it possibly be? Let's just say that it's a lot like both the Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim but everything is kicked up a notch because the Japanese know how to party, yo.

Much to my delight, Tokyo Disneyland also had a few attractions that are now non-existent in the states. I was particularly thrilled to find that they have the Grand Circuit Raceway in Tomorrowland. The last time I experienced that, I was 8 years old.

Everyone told us to check out the other Disney theme park called Tokyo Disney Sea but I'm glad we opted for the Japanese take on our familiar favorite! Not only is Pirates of the Caribbean 10 times better (due to more advanced animatronics) but the food is absolutely amazing and cheap. What's that you say? Reasonably priced, clean AND thoroughly entertaining?? Ah, that would be because Disney doesn't actually own these theme parks anymore (directly). They've been bought up by private investors and sponsors. Hence the reason Pirates of the Caribbean is sponsored by Kirin Beer. Hey whatever. I had great sushi at a restaurant on "Disney's Main Street" today. That would never happen in the mother country. Yay for private investors and sponsors! Yay for Japan!

Yesterday was equally as cool... We took the JR line out to Mitaka for the Studio Ghibli Museum. Situated on the edge of a large park, The Ghibli Museum is a small place but insanely quaint and charming. Unfortunately they're really adamant about not taking photos inside. The Holga stayed tucked away until we got the photo friendly roof where the large bronze robot lives. On the bottom floor, they have zoetropes that are comprised of many 3D sculptures and various methods of strobing the image. Ugh. It was so pretty it made me want to cry. They do everything right.

Oh yeah, I don't have a digital camera with me (GASP, huh, what?) so I'll post the Holga images when I get 'em back.

Kore Wa, Ikuru Desu Ka?

I am spending yen like it's going out of style. How much is that huge robot? Oh wait, how much is that crazy watch? Kore wa, ikuru desu ka? Suki da!! Doomo!!

We just discovered the free shuttle that runs from our hotel to Shinjuku Station today-- which is great due to the persistent rain here. We hit up Harajuku and more of Shinjuku today. Let me just say that if you know me, consider yourself lucky cause you all have sweet gifts coming your way. It's hard not to buy ya'll a piece of the Japanese moon (or your own Asimo robot) but I'm showing some responsible spending restraint...

Gotta go-- time for real sushi!

A, sumimasen!

Whoops. Didn't mean to bump into you with my gazillion bags of TOYS and ROBOTS!!! Hells yeah, bitches. Just got off the JR. I'm a wide eyed kid at xmas here in Tokyo. And I'm staying at the Park Hyatt (Lost In Translation hotel) to boot. If you ever come to Tokyo, do yourself the favor of a lifetime and spend the extra whatever it is a night just to experience this place first-hand. The movie only gives the hotel a little bit of justice. I bet the staff would even come wipe my ass if I called and asked for it. Wait, all bets are off. They're wiping my ass right now.

Hehe. Oh, sake makes me giddy!

I've already dropped a heap of yen on the aforementioned toys. Six more glorious days to go. We hit Nakano (and its insane Mandarake) and part of Shinjuku today. We'll be headed down to Harajuku tomorrow for more things involving Japan reaching it's cute and efficiently designed fist into the bowels of my fragile bank account. But hey, I'm not complaining. As long as it's got an adorable little icon character on it, I don't mind being violated monitarily.

But I think this guy might love cute things way too much in the literal sort of way...



I'll also report on the Ghibli Museum later this week!!

Part of the Bigger Problem...

Ok, so I had to post this one. Check this shit out. This woman is alive in the wrong century. Shoulda been in the 1400's at the end of the dark ages or even the late 1800's for the industrial revolution (or whenever that happened). If repopulating the planet post famine or plague were necessary, by all means call this bitch up. She's on it. Er, her husband's on her. Yeah. Poppin' 'em out so I DON'T HAVE TO!!! No miracle mix of sperm and egg for me, thank you very much!

Verdict?

Let's just say I have a lot more work to do before any of Ben & Kusai sees the light of day again. And I mean, A LOT more work. I'm not complaining-- just worried about yet another deadline.

The next time ya'll will hear from me, I will be reporting from Japan about how super sweet it is. I need this so badly. Can't wait.

Lates.

gulp

Thank heavens my stomach problems have recently subsided (at least I hope they have) because they'd probably have swallowed my soul whole in situations like the one about to take place later today. For today, my friends, a few lucky people on this planet are going to learn a bit more about Kusai & Ben via a storyboard and other art materials. Some call it a pitch, I call it "my stomach and back are tied in a knot". Anyone good at back massages?

Zombie Dreams

They're back. The dreams, that is. I had a full on 12 hour long zombie dream (not necessarily a nightmare for me) where the rage virus was spreading doomsday all over the planet. I, for some bizarre reason, was running from and fighting the living dead in Canada.

What do normals do

I have my windows open right now at home and I am listening first-hand to the "party" that my neighbors are having. The music's gone from whatever number Buddha Lounge cd they're up to this year all the way to M.I.A.-- and it hasn't left M.I.A. for quite some time. Though the nice audible icing on my Friday night cake would have to be the "EmCeeeee" chiming in on the mic every so often to tell the folk to "get on the dance floor, yo". Man, I knew working on my character art wasn't going to happen tonight. Sigh. I should have just met up with folk at the Devendra Banhart show like I initially planned (and really wanted to do). The other half already had plans. Shit, I really am lame.

Uh-oh! Everyone's starting to get drunk next door. That means kareoke. Loud kareoke. Without a mic kareoke. uh, yay?





I need friends.



......

Labor? Fruits? Of?

Here's a little bit o' Kusai & Ben...


(click to make bigger)

The obvious.

Warning: boring blog post ahead.

I had an insanely busy day at work. No time for lunch. I have a terrible headache. Hold me.

I love you laptop but...

...really now. Do you really need to poop out on me today? Right this very second? When I need you most?

Drawing late...

...made me very late for work today. I gotta get better at this superhero's double life thing. I'll post a panel or two from the many that make up the (now completed) storyboard after I scan it later this evening. Later this evening when I slip into my batcave, that is.

Also gonna toy around with the new Lomo in what little spare time I have. Anybody want their picture taken in a somewhat tasteful manner on Tri-X? By somewhat tasteful I mean most of your clothes stay on. Potential bidders in the LA area please email me, seriously. If I'm going to test a roll, might as well make it worth my time. Only caveat is you can't be a rapist. Sorry, I have this thing against rapists, I don't know what it is. I prefer gypsies and half-breeds but anyone else will do. Ok, I'll stop now.

My First Holga

For the upcoming Tokyo trip, we decided it would be best NOT to take the bulk of our photos with a perfect little digital camera. I mean, the city's already clean and crisp enough. The only camera I could think of that reliably takes the most unreliable and most fucked up pictures are sweet little (and cheap) Holgas. Yay!

I got me the model with the color flash to shoot some super punchy reversal color slide film (oh, how I love me some Ektachrome!) to push a few stops and cross process as negative. Also got some good old Tri-X black and white. Who can forget their black photo tape! Not me. I'll wear that damn roll like a bracelet while I'm out taking hip-shots. But then again, a little light leak never hurt anyone. Carlos, that clever bastard, picked up the Holga model without the built-in flash but got the add-on flash AND polaroid back. Sweet.