I couldn't NOT share this with you! While perusing one of the many food Web sites I like to visit, I ran across this:

( Cut for your downloading pleasure...Trust me, this is worth clicking, though! )

How cool is that? A bride and groom decided to do a video game-themed cake for their wedding and chose Mario Kart as their theme! As someone who tried to make their wedding unique, I tip my hat to this couple and their baker. ^__~

Check out more pics here. Tasty AND entertaining, no?

Had to pass this funny bit along! For the uninformed, shokushu goukan is tentacle rape...Even if you've never seen/read hentai, you should be somewhat familiar with the sub-genre, as it's what most folks are (unfortunately) familiar with if they don't understand manga or anime well.

Anyhoo, looks like Dwight, a character from the American version of The Office, is a manga fan, or so says his blog. Of course, his favorite series in Ranma 1/2, "the story of a teenaged boy trained from a young age to be a martial arts master."

Unfortunately, it looks like there was a mix-up at the bookstore and he got some tentacle-themed reads...XD

While doing some Web-crawling, ran across this:



Evidently, someone was trying to sell a Catbus this past March in Albany, New York.

Amusing, no?

Happy May Day to all! For those unfamiliar with the Hawaiian custom for this oh-so-special day, click here. And for those of you who are nowhere near the tropics, or have any family to bestow a lovely and fragrant lei upon you, here you go:



Hopefully, spring has sprung in your part of the world!

[I'm Iroh!] Which Avatar character are you?

It's weird for me to get anything saying I'm an introvert because I didn't start testing as an introvert until my mid-twenties. Up until now, I'd always tested as a loud-mouthed extrovert. I guess I've become more introspective as I've gotten older. *shrugs*

But I do like Iroh, so it's okay!

Imagine you're a manga blogger and you get this e-mail from a college student, asking for somewhat confidential information about your blog...He's asking for thinks like numbers of recent hits, why you choose what you do to discuss, etc. But there's this sneaking suspicion that somethings not legit...Oh, I don't know, like maybe it says Kodansha Information System Dept. at the bottom of the e-mail?!?

So, yeah, some arse of an employee actually did this at Kodansha. But what's the big deal, Rena? So what if he did a little lying to get the info--it's not like the info was top secret to begin with...

( Why lying is bad for the industry... )

So, while I have no explanations as to why this person did what they did-- there's no excuse for pulling stunts like these, especially in this type of media environment. There's no such things as secrets in the age of the Internet...Any lie you tell (as a PR person or marketer) WILL be exposed, one way or another.

  According to the Anime Blog, yesterday was Pocky Day in Japan. The funny thing is, it looks like Pocky-maker Glico created the holiday to one-up Korean cookie stick maker Lotte, which established their holiday (also Nov. 11) as a marketing scheme...Ah, marketing, how you can twist anything heartfelt into a reason to make money! For examples, see any major American holiday...

I peeped this on a friend's blog and had to share. After getting into international soccer some years ago due to a combination of the World Cup and my husband (then boyfriend), I have to say American sports fans have nothing on footballers the world over!

Make sure you keep watching until about mid-way through--there's a pretty cool tiger that comes into play...


The Human LCD - Amazing
South Korea: boys cheering for their soccer teams. the most amazing thing is that they do this with their CLOTHES (not holding up cards). They have a jacket that is one color on the back, one on the front, and that they can open or close to show a third color shirt on the inside. One school has also figured out how to use their pants to make shading.

Today is Blog Action Day! And what the hell is that you're wondering? Well, this is the premise, as presented on their Web site:

What would happen if every blog published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day?
One issue. One day. Thousands of voices.

So, what's the issue to be discussed today? Well, it's the environment...Not a surprise, considering how big of a buzzword it is in the media (or the similar concept of sustainability) and the fact that Al Gore just got a Nobel Peace Prize for taking global warming to the masses...This being my little ol' blog, I thought I'd post about it, too.

But, how the hell will I relate these concepts to anime and manga? Well, I could just point you in the direction of The Anime Blog, where they discuss Japan's Cool Biz Initiative, Princess Mononoke, and the Nausicaa, Valley of the Wind anime. Or, I could point out last Friday's Avatar eppie: The Painted Lady or the great Zutara fanfic by fandomme, Ozai's Vengeance. So, obviously, the environment is getting some love from us nerds and I don't really need to go into that stuff.

( So, instead, I'll share what I do for the environment in hopes that it encourages you! :D )

Anyway, I hope you'll all consider posting something on the environment today, even if it is just acknowledging the conversation going on online...

I ran across this video today and all I have to say is "Filipinos can DANCE!" If you don't believe me, just check out this Filipino prison re-enacting Michael Jackson's Thriller video!

And would you believe this is PRACTICE! O__o

YES, PRACTICE!!! They aren't even finished with this opus yet!!! And this isn't their first time doing this!!!



I'm impressed, awestruck, and a little confused as to why a bunch of prisoners would do this...Then again, I guess it's better than having them lifting weights or starting a prison gang war...Talk about keeping morale up!

If you're a fan of Ren & Stimpy (like me) and its creator, John Kricfalusi, then check out this funny little commercial for Comcast Triply Play...It bears his signature animation style and is very tongue-in-cheek. For once, I find myself enjoying a commercial instead of criticizing it...

Enjoy!

Usually my journal is limited to posts of the fandom kind...But, I just heard the most fabulous news and had to share my excitement somewhere. You guys understand, don't you?

So what is this oh-so-grand news?

Well, I just found out that Weezer is coming out with a new album!!! I'm SO excited. They've been my favorite band since I bought my first CD over a decade ago...I just hope this one is a little better than "Make Believe," which was average at best...Their sixth, as-yet-untitled album will be out in early 2008. And with a new album means a tour!!! :D

Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, I guess I should go back to work (yes, I'm at work; no, I don't feel 100% better yet)...Especially since I have to jet out of here after work to hang out with my little sister who flew into town earlier today!

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

I was reading a pop culture blog and found this fun link to some of the most (painfully) unforgettable cartoon theme songs. This link will drop you on a page of 15 cartoon theme songs. They are at times nostalgic, funny and/or annoying as hell. If you need a nice distraction or a giggle, you should check it out.

Sadly, I remembered most of them and had hoped that the theme song for "The Flintstones," "The Smurfs," and "Snorks" would have made it onto the page...Oh well, at least my other favs are there. However, I have NO idea how the stupid Power Rangers made it on there...It's not even a cartoon! XP

I am a huge fan of "Heroes" on NBC and I just read through an insightful interview with Masi Oka, who plays Hiro. Hiro is my favorite character on the show-- mostly for his humanity, his humor and his optimism.

And I now have one more thing to love about Hiro/Masi Oka-- he modeled the character on Trunks from Dragon Ball Z! DBZ was one of the first animes I got into (along with Sailor Moon and, of course, Speed Racer).

And the more I read of the article, the cooler I realized he is!!!

Anyway, I think I'm done fangirling for the time being...

Looking for something fun and free to read? Then head out to your local comic book store today-- it's Free Comic Book Day!

Comic book stores across the country are giving away free comic books supplied by publishers, including DC, Marvel, Bongo Comics (owned by the creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, Matt Groening), Dark Horse and TOKYOPOP. There's something for everyone-- so find the closest store to you that's participating and pick up some freebies (and buy something while you're there-- I'm a big believer in supporting your local store!)...

Happy reading!

So, I got a little bored at work today and I went looking for some fun ATLA quizzes.







Which Avatar Character are You?

Find out @ Distant Horizon.



I guess I have more in common with Aang than just our vegetarianism!

Which Avatar: The Last Airbender Guy is your Best Match?

Sokka is the best person for you! Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

And, of course, funny guys are where it's at for me!