PlasmaFire.org

Two posts within 24 hours of each other? This is sporadic updating at its best…

And here I go again, about to head off to the largest anime convention on the East Coast: Otakon 2008! I’ll make it clear right now, and quit lying to anyone, that picture uploads from my camera are likely not going to occur. Even more so, weblog updates. I’m referring to my sole Otakon 2007 post and the Tekkoshocon 2008 bit, both of which failed in follow-ups. Otakon’s just too involving throughout the three days, so any write-ups will have to occur in the morning or the late evening – assuming I have any energy remaining.

About mecha cosplay at the convention: it won’t happen. Like my previous entry, I thank God that I’m even able to go (considering a hotel’s required this year, since the Jiangs are unavailable to make room at their house). Although money is an issue due to the increased costs, time is a far worse enemy due to the 6-week Summer Session classes eating up any available long-term project space. Ah well…hope there will be a few good mechs there to photograph! This is Otakon’s 10th anniversary at the Baltimore Convention Center and 15th anniversary overall, so I’m expecting some seriously good costumes there.

Just to close things down on Otakon 2007, though, here’s a video (thanks, Firestorm3818) of a hilarious stage light fire that occurred when myself and a number of con-goers went to Tomokazu Seki‘s Q&A panel (he’s the seiyuu of Sousuke Sagara from Full Metal Panic!, one of my favorite light novel and anime series of all time). I’m still laughing on the inside over this, because even Seki was caught off guard when the thing started to spark and flame…

I still wish that Activision and RedOctane would publish a Jazz Guitar Hero (a Pat Metheny or Lee Ritenour track will make “Jordan” and “Through the Fire and Flames” seem like 4th-grade band lessons on Expert), but today’s “FoxTrot” touches base closely enough.

Oh, and did I tell you that Setsucon 2008 was even more awesome than last year? The Daily Collegian covered the event! Sorry, no pictures as both days were pegged at 110% for me working the gaming room. Apparently, my head was glowing red from the effort, though I consider it good stress compared to what is going on right now with classes. Sunday’s “Guitar Hero Idol,” despite being a technical failure (believe it or not, two PS2s died during that event!), was still a lot of fun with those who participated; same goes for “Retro Gaming Live” with 007 GoldenEye 64 and Pokémon Stadium minigames. Meeting Chris “Kilika” Malone, Dave Lister, and Kyle Herbert was awesome, too. Finally, the PSAOM managed to sell over 50 copies of the manga’s pilot chapter (which is posted online here as well), quite a success for our group’s first print run!

I miss those two days, namely January 26-27, but it’s less than one year ’till 2009, Setsucon fans!

[Edit, 2/18/07] Here’s video of a former PSAO member competing in “Guitar Hero Idol” (she’s the owner of the “What the Kat dragged in…” blog); thanks to GeminixDragon for the footage!

Here’s a formerly-abandoned article that I wrote at RELAy.PlasmaFire.org months ago, of which I decided to move here today. I’ll continue it again as a blog post series (instead of a page) soon; it’s not worth throwing off thoughts such as these anyway.

Ephesians 6:10-20 has always been one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Paul, locked in prison with Roman guards standing close by, vividly illustrates–of all things–the very clothing that his adversaries were wearing: combat armor. Even then, he doesn’t hesitate to bring the truth of the Gospel to light with an object lesson.

Being a video gamer for years, as well as a recent Anime addict as of this writing, I’ve found that one of the most awesome aspects of science fiction is the concept of physical protection from projectiles while often providing a range of mobility and performance unheard of for a normal human. What do I mean? Oh yes, the very dream of many an Anime otaku, FPS/RTS/(MMO)RPG gamer, sci-fi reader, or for that matter, defense researcher: mobile suits and mecha (giant robots!), powered body armor, human tanks, land walkers, cyborgs, and more. They’re often extremely fast. Incredibly dangerous. Very sleek and refined. Really good-looking (most of the time, and usually for the protagonists). And above all, they don’t exist in real life. How sad, isn’t it? Why, oh why can’t I have my own EVA Unit, Gundam, Arm Slave, or at least something smaller like Master Chief’s MJOLNIR exoskeleton armor to command? Why can’t I wield a gigantic beam rifle/sword while smiling to myself, knowing that this multi-story-high, super-fast robot contains un-gaugeable power? Why can’t I sprint faster than a jet around campus, certain that no one would dare threaten me, or at least be reassured that I won’t ever be late for class again?

WHY?

Because I already have armor. And it’s better than the GF13-017NJII God Gundam, to you MS fans. In fact, it’s better than anything in this world!

[to be continued]