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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Happy New Year!

Here's to a wonderful 2014. Happy New Year, everyone! May you have a fantastic and blessed year ahead. Photos mostly taken by my brother.

 

 

The Lego and the Bees

Hey, who killed the bees??

I'm supposed to be drawing and painting....buuuuut sometimes, I can't help but make pictures like this. Anyway, photoshoots like these help stimulate my creative juices and makes me feel better! Who doesn't have fun playing and doing something different?

These scenes were initially inspired by the number of dead bees I've been finding around my house late summer... It was really strange since I've never seen bees dying around before. I felt kinda sad that they're dead for no obvious reason (unless it's global warming and I heard bees aren't good friends with temperature changes..) but I always found them in pairs so it's safe to say a bee didn't die alone..hahahaha

Don't travel alone.

My current obsession and lack of new Doctor Who episodes led me to create these scenes. I based the setting on some Series 4 episodes and the subtle random trivia in the series about the bees disappearing. The mini photo shoot was fun and the models didn't complain one bit. Now, there isn't anything else spectacular about these photos, I just wanted to tell a story and try out some photo-editing techniques I found (and forgot by the time you read this)

More, hi-res photos will be posted over at Flick account http://www.flickr.com/norealplot

Hello Japan

Hello friends! No new artwork yet, since most of my projects are on a non-disclosure contract which is really really sad. Anyway, I'm working on some personal illustrations which I will get around to posting.

Anyway! Here's some photo journal from me. Sometime last March I went to Japan. It's a dream come true because I've always wanted to visit that beautiful country. Although the timing was awkward (after winter, so not quite snowy; but before spring, so not quite alive) my stay there was very very nice.

First I went to the Matsumoto for my sister's violin convention. First off, the Suzuki convention was fun. There were violins and flutes, cellos and pianos, and students from all over the world. It was a very exciting experience and it inspired me to pick up my flute and roll my fingers over the piano again.

Now, on to Matsumoto! Matsumoto is a lovely province with its samurai castle-like houses and pretty cherry blossom trees everywhere. We stayed in the town of Matsumoto itself, where the Matsumoto Castle resides. We were able to tour that castle and some parts of the city because we, as convention participants get free public rides for some reason.

The people in Japan are kind and courteous. Even with a language barrier, most of them will try to help you anyway they can. Thankfully, I know a little Japanese (from my anime days) and it was interesting to be able to try out what little I knew.

Another thing I liked about Japan is the clean, clean air. You can walk some miles from your hotel to wherever and not worry about getting smog in your lungs. The environment is clean and pretty, which makes walking all the more delightful. The only hindrance might be the weather, which is comfortable at 9-Celsius during the daytime. At night it can drop as low as 6-Celsius freeze, and I mean really teeth-chattering, finger-numbing freeze. Still, it was a good experience.

What else can I say? The food is delicious; I tried everything possible from ramen to sushi to authentic street takoyaki. It definitely is a lovely place. I want to go back someday.

HELLO 2013

Wow, look at that. It's February already tomorrow. Time really does fly and I feel like it's slipping through so quickly.. I just finished a project for a video game company. I made their backgrounds but I'm not allowed to post the art online or talk about it publicly yet. It's a shame because I was really proud of what I've done. I developed a working pattern and went through forced self-training so I learned all these new skills that I can apply to future artworks.

Right now, I'm relaxing and dabbling with painting again. Since The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey came out last December, I'm itching to draw the dwarves. While that's not done, here are pictures from my New Year's party taken from my new Canon 1100D DSLR! I was soooo happy when my dad got me one. I haven't figured out all the controls yet, though.

lookit dem pretty fireworks

 

I've spammed you with fireworks. I was so ecstatic because I couldn't do capture those well with my old digicam. I still love my digicam though. I have too many hobbies. Anyway, a belated Happy New Year wish for you, dear reader! May you have a blessed one.

Spores of Life

Earlier one morning, my mom was doing the laundry when she saw these clump of fungi on the plastic hangers. It's amazing how resilient these puny life forms can be! And how intricate! Imagine tiny creatures trying to make life by growing on plastic hangers. All I know it's some kind of amazing fascinating wonder.

up close they're like little monsters!

Three-point Dusk

Look, the moon and the stars are aligned!

Well I want to draw but I just don't have the time to really work on something good. Maybe that's no excuse, huh, so I turn out to be a pretty lazy artist. But this was really pretty, don't you think? I absolutely love moments like these where you can just stop for a while and simply admire the beauty of the created world.

Photography is an easier hobby for me so I end up taking pictures for most of my free time to relax. This was taken from my backyard, some time last month. I happened to try experimenting with long exposures and night shots.