If You Can, Then Why Not?

Well, the first month of 2016 came and went and with barely a breath to settle in slowly, I found myself in the chilly cold of Los Angeles, California. I've temporarily moved here for a good part to watch over my sister while she finishes her studies. I left all my Nendoroid and miniatures behind, not that I'll be able to do anything with them since I'm actually busy doing chores and errands and stuff!

Despite the abundance of housework, I try to find and take time to do creative things. One such opportunity arose when I noticed the stark white parking lot walls of the compound where my sister goes to practice piano. The compound was made up of six adjacent stores facing the public street (or just three since the others was closed down) and the parking lot was behind. People come and go for the Chinese take-out but the area was mostly left empty and undisturbed.

I figured it was a good spot to try experimental photography. So I put on my bright blue sweater while my sister wore her bright hot pink hoodie (after I successfully convinced her to be my model hehe) The result was a series of ambitious poses and pseudo-streetwear photoshoot. We personally don't like posting pictures of our faces here in the public blog because we're such shy little things lol but the photoshoot was tons of amusement and and it would be a waste not to share the photos. So pardon this little narcissistic entry but it's all in the name of aspiring modelling and artistic photography. ^__^

December 2015

Hey everyone, it's finally December and houses are starting to look twinkly and pretty everywhere!! And look, we almost have 1000 fans on Facebook! Just 46 more and we'll be hitting a milestone! Maybe we should host a contest or a giveaway huh? And to welcome the holiday season, here's a quick festive photo! I know you've missed these little Nendoroids as much I did. Thank you as always!

Cool Japan Festival 2015

Just when I thought I've had enough of Japanese girl bands and their catchy songs, Team 8 visits Manila and holds a live concert. FOR FREE. And nothing gets you as quickly hooked up on a band like a live concert. FOR FREE. Something about live experiences gets you so wrapped up in the moment and vividly captures all the singing, dancing and cheering in your memory that you start enjoy yourself so much and like the band, even if you weren't a fan at first. The AKB48 handshake event last September proved that first-hand encounters are very impressionable so I wouldn't expect less from Team 8's concert participation.

Team 8 is an unofficial AKB sister group, whose existence is sponsored by Toyota. While the official 48group in whole are "idols you can meet," Team 8 in contrast are "idols who go meet you." Since Team 8 is one of the newer groups, I didn't get to know them because I purposely refrained from getting into the other sister groups like SKE, NMB (there are just too many now!!) But when I learned that they were coming to the Philippines for an event, I decided to go see them because an unofficial AKB concert is better than no AKB concert lol

For your pleasure and to possibly a trap to lure you into the 48G fandom as well, I've attached my videos of the concert. Sorry about the heads--I didn't get to a good position right away. Enjoy the singing and dancing anyway!

There were two sets of the concert and I watched both with my friends. (the people in the background you can clearly hear screaming insanely--that's us lol) After the event, I found a rekindled interest in this distinct girl band. It helped a lot that the songs they sung were old favorites so I found myself listening to the singles once again. Watching Team 8 perform reminded me why I liked AKB48 in the first place.. The girls' unwavering cheerfulness, their passionate energy, their friendships so close and sweet it makes me puke with envy, their humble appreciation for ALL fans and their unlimited amounts of kawaii that probably come from some secret Japanese hot spring is all so intensely contagious that I can't help but want to sing and dance along them and throw buckets of sunshine at other people as well.

I still don't think I'll be as big a fan like the super hardcore fans out there. But AKB48 will still definitely be on my playlist, even only as a small pill of infinite glee on a dull day.

Jet set in Japan

One of my favorite countries in the world is Japan. I've had the opportunity to finally visit the country last March 2013 with my sister for her Suzuki convention. (read one of my early travel blog entries about it here ^_^) Although my interest in Japan started out childish because of the anime and the music, I grew to love everything else about the country as I learned more about the Japanese culture and history. After my first visit, I was already eager to go back.

If there's something I'm greatly thankful for, it's the opportunities I've had to travel to other countries and visit places not a lot of people can travel to. I was able to go to Japan again this year with my friend vanillux, when she won tickets to Watanabe Mayu's concert. Mayu is a member of the popular Japanese group, AKB48. While I missed AKB events last time in Japan, this time I was able to join their handshake event, which is similar to a meet-and-greet. I'll explain more about this in my next entry.

Japan in September is actually a nice time to visit for foreigners from more tropical countries (like me). The last warmth of summer meets the early chills of a fall, mixing sunny days with refreshing nights. Interestingly, Japan is apparently also another humid Asian country. So if you'll be visiting during that time, wear light and comfortable clothes for the day but bring a jacket or two to keep you warm at night.

For all my 10 days in Japan, these are my top 10 highlights.

1. AKB48 Handshake
2. Tachibana
3. Harry Potter in Universal Studios
4. Going Around Osaka
5. Shibuya
6. One Piece in Tokyo Tower
7. Pokemon Center in Ikebukuro
8. The Apartments
9. Bullet Train to Osaka
10. The Japanese

Next time, I'll talk more specifically about my experiences in Osaka and my second time around Tokyo. I'll also talk about my AKB experience in more detail. I've taken a lot more pictures of my trip but most are artistic shots, which I won't post here. Instead, you can view them on my Flickr account.

DOCTOR WHO: Season 9 Countdown, Part 1

Hello everyone! meaches here.

I'm trying hard to get back to monthly (if not weekly) blogging. I'm very busy with the family business but I'm still in the middle of developing my top two projects, the scifi detective manga and the creature-based fantasy collaboration with my sister. I've made a lot of progress with both stories but I don't have anything decent to upload aside from messy sketches. Maybe I'll post them here on the blog too anyway.

That actually means I'm also too busy to do any figurine photography--who misses the Nendoroids? I do!! I tried to make something special for the countdown premiere of Doctor Who Season 9. My mom gave me the a minifig set of all 11 Doctors and I decided to use them as the theme, which was to reenact scenes from the tv series. I was able to do the first four doctors but unfortunately, I got sick and had to postpone the completion of the project. I've originally uploaded the pictures on Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram but if you haven't been following me there, I've reuploaded the photos here too for your convenience.

When I feel better, I'll pick the series up and finish it. Enjoy these for now and thanks for reading. Be sure to say hi!

Treasure Trove in Thailand

Hello everyone, meaches here. I've been in conflict about whether I should post personal stories here on "No Real Plot!" or write them up in the other blog but I finally realized I'm too lazy to manage too many blogs and social network profiles. So I decided to dump all my entries into this blog. The title "No Real Plot!" fits the bill of mixed something and nothings anyway.

You see, I've recently warmed up to an interesting benefit in corporate careers. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I'm involved with the family business now and that's what has been eating up most of my time like school deadlines. But the time I've been working has taught me a lot of lessons and insights.

When it comes to business trips, we usually think it's the same boring meetings and seminars and other office events, just in a different location. It's partially true that business trips are solely meant for activities related to the business but since those trips also mean traveling to another place, it can also be a time for experiencing other cultures. So when my dad and I went to Bangkok in Thailand a few weeks ago, we made sure to have a few extra days for sight-seeing and going around the city.

Thailand was an interesting country. Despite being a popular tourist and shopping stop, the local Thai managed to preserve their cultural roots and maintain the Thai flavor in their fashion, architecture and cuisine. The weather was typical Southeast Asian hot and humid, where a five minute walk under the sun leaves you sweating like you came from the sauna. Bugs and critters and sausages seem like the popular street food but I stuck with less creepy-looking pad thai noodles and fried chicken. I bought just two cute hats but brought home more memories and life lessons.

I never really talked about the struggle I went through in helping out the family business instead of pursuing a career in the art industry. After graduation, I worked as a freelance artist for about a year. I had planned to go to Thailand (interestingly) and join this missionary art school after the freelance project finished. Yes, I was into the 'my talents for Jesus' thing and yes, it's a missionary school that uses art and media to share the Bible. I thought it was the next best thing since I didn't think I was talented enough to be able to work my dream job in Disney. However, during the course of preparing my application, Dad asked if I can stay at home instead and help him run the business. God didn't tell me the same thing specifically but the Bible did say to honor my parents. Admittedly, I initially disliked working in the business, stuck on the desk typing invoices and receipts and talking to all these customers and suppliers that I've never met.

Our line of business is simple but "old." I don't mean archaic or obsolete, but I mean that it's not a trendy line or a quick job, not a field popular with fresh-faced, fashionable and talented young adults who like to live life excitingly and extremely. So feeling suppressed from creative pursuits, I became bored to death to a point that I started to doubt if I heard God correctly. I mean, who trades what they like to do for something they don't like to do? I asked God again and again if this is really what I'm supposed to be doing with my life because it sure feels like my youth is being wasted being cooped up with these middle-aged men, balancing finances.

But over the dinner with my dad's business partners and associates, mingling and interacting with entrepreneurs and professionals, I discovered something. All of these events happening in my life right now are meant to develop my character for the future. This is a future I didn't know, a future I haven't dreamed of yet, a future God had prepared for me. I have no idea where administrative and managerial skills and diplomacy fit in my life but I became sure that it will be important. My time and experiences in the family business is the exact preparation I needed for whatever position I will holding in the future. This was the first revelation God showed me.

The second revelation happened during our last day in Thailand. Mom asked Dad to buy this coffee brand she liked and we searched for it through several grocery stores. We were leaving one mall to cross to the next one when a familiar melody floated into my ear. The chorus was from "Wonderful Rush," a song from my current favorite anime, Love Live. When I realized the music was coming right outside, I automatically rushed out the entrance to an open plaza where I was greeted by a crowd of cosplayers cheering and dancing along to a performance onstage.

I felt overcome with delight and wonder. I stumbled on an open anime convention and I could hear God laughing. It felt like He told me two encouraging things: 1) He was reminding me that He really rewards those who listen and obey Him, and 2) He was telling me that I'm on the right path in my life, to keep it up, that I'm doing okay and I'll be okay in the end. Somehow, Dad understood too. After we moved on to the next mall where we finally! found the coffee, he let me go back to the plaza and enjoy the convention while he finished doing the groceries.

So, despite the conflicting interests I had and the skepticism I was developing, God trumped all my fears and doubts in life and taught me the perspective I should be looking at. This is the longest personal entry I have written in a while but the lessons I've learned and the renewed perspective for my life need to be told. I believe it's all part of my journey to become better, as a person, as a Christian and as an artist.

What I've Been Doing

Hello everyone! It's meaches here, I'm still alive! I've been so busy lately that I don't have enough free time for blogging. I'm more active on Twitter and I have Instagram now too because my friends told me to get one. Follow me both @norealplot and say hello! The reason I'm busy isn't just with the family business but I'm also concentrating very hard on writing and designing my comics. It's not easy with the limited time I have but I'm making it work the best way I can. And of course, I want it to be good so I'm taking extra care with the quality of the story.

I'm actually working on two projects. One is an all-ages sci-fi/fantasy comic series that I've been tossing around since high school? It is my life's work! haha! The other project is a more recent collaboration with my sister: the idea is a children's story featuring animals having adventures. That's all I can say for now. Above is the sneak peek of what the character designs might look like. I'm mostly going for a simplified cartoony style to keep the work load light. But really, who doesn't love cute cartoons?

I've also been drawing a lot of Doctor Who. You all know how much I love Doctor Who. When the 8th season finished, that was the time I decided to doodle some 12th Doctor. Sometimes I think I'm forgetting how to draw. I'm getting rusty. Both are bad. lol. But I found the 12th Doctor is fun to draw as much as he is charming, despite his elderly wrinkles. I like how he still manages to convey a child-like "innocence" in his character.

So I've only posted the nicer drawings here. You can find the sketchier sketches on my art tumblr. Thank you again for reading!

COMICS: Double Doctor Adventures

Another set of comics I'd like to feature is newly released Doctor Who by Titan Comics, featuring the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor each in his own series. Being a Doctor Who fan who's a had a while to blog about the traveling Time Lord, it's only proper that I feature the Doctor's latest adventures in 2D world.

Both standard covers are made by Alice Zhang, more popularly known as alicexz on deviantART. Alice became a fandom favorite for her colorful renderings of BBC Sherlock and eventually, Doctor Who. As with Rocket Raccoon, the regular covers are prettier than the variant and you can see the variants (as well as the covers for the following issues) right on the Doctor Who website. But the covers aren't the only interesting thing about these comics.

COMICS: Rocket Raccoon #1

Hello everyone! I just got back from my summer trip to Interlochen, Michigan. It was the most wonderful of experiences and I can't wait to share about that. For now, I'd like to get back on the art and comics track starting with my reviews about Rocket Racoon #1, which just has to be said!

CONVENTIONS: Ozine Fest 2014

Last weekend I attended Ozine Fest, the biggest summer anime convention held every year. It's a three-day event held once again at SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia. It started Friday, April 25 and ended April 27, Sunday evening. I went Saturday morning to pick up the Nendoroids and redjuice REDBOX artbook that I reserved with Onegai Onii-chan Hobby Shop. Thank you again, OOC, especially for the recently sold out artbook! I thought I'd never find a copy anywhere anymore. Anyway, I'll reserve my comments on REDBOX for my review next week so be sure to come back here to the blog. ^__^

Ozine Fest 2014 was my third convention attending as a solo photojournalist?  a photoblogger? (lol I'm not really sure what I am...) but definitely no longer the regular convention-going student I used to be. There were lots of new costumes this year, mostly from the latest anime series like Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) or Kill la Kill; this title only reminds me of Kill Bill haha. I only took a few photos this time because I had to leave early for an afternoon photography seminar courtesy of my mom's friend. Still, I'm happy with the pictures I have, especially after seeing fem!Sherlock and fem!Watson. You can see their pictures and other cosplayers after the break. 

Pigeon Roosting

The other night there was a tapping noise outside my bedroom window. It went tap then a scuffle or rustle. At first I ignored it, thinking it was the wind or the trees or something. The curtain was down so I really couldn't see what caused the sound and I was too lazy to move from my desk. Later I came back to room and my sister was on her bed, reading. There was another scuffle. My sister looked at me and said, "It's been going on for quite a while."

"You didn't check it out?" I asked. Nope. So I went over to the windows and drew the curtains apart. Beyond the glass, I stared into the darkness then over to my neighbor's house. There were a few lit rooms but I couldn't see any person. There was no wind so the trees weren't moving. Actually, they were too far from my room. So what could've made those noises?

I decided to open the windows and look outside. There was nothing to my left but when I looked over to the right, I saw a young pigeon resting on the sill. It was lying (sitting?) with its wings tucked it. It cocked its blue head towards me and observed me with its wide black eyes. It didn’t fly away but it was probably worried about the huge creature staring back at it. As the documentary enthusiast that I am, I got my phone and blinded the creature with the flash from my camera. Then I apologized with goodnights and tucked back inside my room. It shuffled on throughout the night.

The following day, the pigeon was gone. I thought it flew back to wherever it came from. Later that afternoon though, it came back to roost late again on my window sill. There it slept for two more nights, leaving early in the day and coming back before dark. I thought I had a new "pet."

But sadly, some new "pets" don't always settle in their temporary homes. Just the past Monday night, I peeked behind the curtains but the pigeon wasn't there. It still wasn't around late that night. Dad said it might've flown away with one of the flocks of migratory birds he saw earlier. Ah well, I do hope so. I'd rather think it found new family. Pigeons are better off hanging around other birds anyway.

Of Blood Moons and Lunar Tetrads

If you're like me and you live in the Eastern part of the world then you missed out seeing the "blood moon" eclipse last April 15, 2014. The Americans and a handful of smaller countries were able to witness the spectacular event. Unless they were asleep at that time.

What's a blood moon, you ask? Well quick trivia explains that a "blood moon" occurs during a total lunar eclipse when the moons completely in line with the Earth's shadow and particles in the atmosphere scatter sunlight all over the place. Did you get it? No? Well, a more accurate and scientific explanation about the total lunar eclipse can be read on the Earthsky.org website http://earthsky.org/space/why-does-the-moon-look-red-during-a-total-lunar-eclipse

So two days have already passed since the night of the eclipse. Imagine my family's surprise when we saw the dark orange moon rising over the mountains while we were having dinner. The moon wasn't as round anymore and neither was it as red. But a dark orange moon glaring at you through the darkness of the starless night has roughly the same effect. With the only camera I had, I captured several photos of the moon and hoped it would turn out okay.

Yep, a moon that strange..you can't miss it.

But the friends that I told to look at the moon either had cloudy skies on their side of the city or were occupied with other reasons so they missed it. Although a remnant of the total eclipse, the colored moon was still a beautiful and terrifying phenomenon to see. Sometimes though, I believe that unusual events have significant meanings as well, no matter what "coincidences" other people say. Earthsky.org has an interesting trivia about the 2014-2015 lunar tetrad here http://earthsky.org/space/what-is-a-blood-moon-lunar-eclipses-2014-2015.

Another eclipse is predicted to come about in October. In six months time, maybe I'll be able to see the red moon better.

NENDOROID #284: Iron Man Mark 7

With the premiere of The Winter Soldier heralding the parade of summer blockbusters (aka action-packed superhero movies), I decided to release the review of Nendoroid Iron Man Mark 7. I also have Spider-Man but I'm saving him in time for the premiere of his new movie. I'm a big fan of superheroes and I find it amusing that Marvel characters should have their own Nendoroid. Iron Man is obviously cool no matter what form but as a Nendoroid he turned out surprisingly cute as well.

Nendo Farm

For every novelty, there is a community. Especially if it has its own merchandise collection.

Last weekend, I met up with members of Nendo Farm, a local community for Nendoroid collectors and similar figurines. The group was smaller than the last meet up I attended, with more new faces than the usual participants. I went there to pick up the Rin figure I bought and deliver the Mio figure to my friend, Nikko. I was also able to take pictures of the other members' figures as they stood on Leo's funky rotating display. I'd upload pictures from the group, but they're too shy and don't want their pictures uploaded hahaha

When Tony Met Spidey

SPIDEY: Hey, Capt. America’s new movie is out in theaters! It looks cool, wanna watch it with me?
TONY: You think he’s cool with two movies? I have four. And he doesn’t have a Nendoroid. I have two.
TONY: But sure, let’s go. You’re paying.

When Tony Met Spidey, Chapter 7

CONVENTION: Toycon 2013

Hello there, before I post about my recent Pet Vogue, allow me a backlog here. I was looking through my 2013 photos and I found the ToyCon album that I completely forgot to post last December. That was such a fun convention. The Toy Convention of Christmas 2013 marked how I met the lot of Whovian Philippines and how they delightfully took over ToyCon in their Doctor Who outfits.

In Emerald City

Some days are so magical, it changes you for good.

Broadway was one of those famous places I dreamed to visit in person and watch a real musical play in. While I will never probably get around to being an actor, I love to reenact scenes and sing the songs just the ways the actors did it whether in filmed or live performances. Wicked was one musical that has yet to have a recorded version so all I ever had to work with was the soundtrack and a few videos. Even then, the musical had captured my heart and I longed to watch Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth. Unfortunately, when I first went to the US back in 2004, I didn't go to New York so I missed out then.

This year, however and wonderfully, the international musical sensation has FINALLY graced the Philippine shores! And thanks to my dearest darling mumsie and popsicle, I finally had the opportunity to watch Wicked last February 13. The show was absolutely breathtaking. The performance numbers, the set, the costumes and everything was just amaaaazing! A perfect "Valentine's" gift worth remembering.

NENDOROID: Wonfes 2014

Hello everyone, who has heard of Wonfes 2014 that took place the other day, Feb. 9 2014? For those who don't know, Wonfes is short for Wonder Festival, a mini event in Chiba, Japan that displays "garage kits" or assembled scale models and showcasing upcoming figurine releases from various toy manufacturers like Good Smile Company and Max Factory. It's a popular event among anime and modeling enthusiasts alike.

Although there are plenty of awesome and interesting scaled figures, I'm only featuring Nendoroids that I might buy when I can. Why? Weeeell, I don't really buy other figures except for Nendoroids and the occasional other miniature. I chose to stick with "collecting" Nendoroids mostly because they're my favorite anime characters soo kawaii! (No, don't picture me saying that.) Nendoroids look appealing and the fact their parts are swappable with other Nendoroids amounts to endless creativity, making these little cuties adorable subjects for photography.

Moonlight Saber

I took some pictures of Saber during some full moons ago. Then I decided to try some kind of time lapse photography.. It was really windy that night so some of my pictures turned out blurry but not all of the ruined shots are noticeable in the gifs I compiled. Have a look and tell me what you think.

ARTBOOKS: redjuice IGNITION

Hello everyone, today I'm writing about the anime artists redjuice and his doujinshi IGNITION, which was released last 2010 during Comiket 7. I'm aware that this is sold out in most online stores but I found a shop that still sold copies! So happily, I ordered a copy and here it is.

It's a thin A4 size book with less than 60 pages. I'm so glad to find a copy because doujinshi, similar to indie sketchbooks and comics, run out quickly and soon become collector's items. With redjuice famous for the album covers of the Japanese band supercell and the character designer for recent anime like Guilty Crown, it's no surprise his printed materials sell out immediately. IGNITION is the third doujinshi but the content inside is no less lovely than the first two books.