Anime Expo 2008

I attended the Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center this past weekend. It was the best convention I have ever attended. It was much more fun than the L.A. Auto Show. It was even better than E3 when I went there in 2000.

There was a huge variety of different things to do and see. I think I enjoyed seeing all the cosplayers (Costume Players) the most. They dress up as their favorite anime or video game characters. Many of them make their own costumes. It looked like so much fun that I wish I dressed up as well. There were a lot of people dressed up as Final Fantasy, Naruto, Metal Gear Solid, and various other characters.

Whenever a cosplayer saw another person dressed up as her friend in the anime, then they hug. If cosplayers see their enemy in the anime, then they have fake battles.

They were the friendliest nerds in the world. It was a fun time watching them play.

There were several theaters set up to play anime movies almost 24 hours a day for 4 days of the Expo. There was a 24 hour video arcade.

There were many conferences held as well. I went to a conference that was pretty packed about becoming a voice actor. I used to do several different types of voices when I was younger. I liked mimicking cartoon voices and actors on tv. I haven't practiced lately though. I thought that I couldn't waste time with that as an attorney. Being voice actors is tougher than it looks, but seems like fun. The Simpsons voice actors make millions per episode.

There were video game exhibits, table top gaming such as Dungeons and Dragons, and a huge Exhibition Hall. It took a couple hours just walking through all the aisles. There was Artist Alley where professional artists showed off their talent and solicited commissions of their work. The Exhibition Hall had tons of stuff for sale. Pretty much anything anime, videogame, and comic related stuff were there for people to purchase. I wanted to get some t-shirts, but they were pretty pricey.

David Hayter was there as guest of honor, the voice of Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series. There were people lined up for probably a mile around the convention center. It seriously took 40 minutes for everyone to get inside the hall where he was speaking. There were a lot of guys dressed up as their hero, Snake. I couldn't believe how many people were there for him. That was the most people I have ever seen line up to see one person. The autograph line was just as long. It would probably take him a week to sign for everyone.

I got a bunch of cool swag too. There weren't as much free stuff given out as other conventions, because they wanted to make some money selling their merchandise instead.

I want to attend Comic-Con International in San Diego in a couple of weeks, but I'll be in New Mexico at that time. Comic-Con is the biggest comic and pop culture convention in the world. It may even be the biggest convention of all.

Biking in Long Beach

Sarah and I biked along the bike paths of Long Beach. I think I could bike all the way down to Long Beach along the bike paths. There are bike paths that go all the way to the end of Huntington Beach. That will be an epic ride. Plus, there would be a minimal amount of dealings with cars.

Long Beach is very nice, especially around the marina.

Happy July 4th

This 4th of July, I saw the fireworks show from my "penthouse" balcony. It's almost as good as watching it at the park across the street. Well, it's even better since I don't have to deal with the large crowds. I could see 8 other fireworks shows from my place, because I also live on a hill.

Arboretum III

Even more Arboretum picture madness.

Arboretum II

More pictures from the Los Angeles Arboretum.

Arboretum

These pictures were taken at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia. The Arboretum is 127 acres. That makes for a very long stroll in the garden. There are many different kinds of gardens and sections. It was really hot when I went. When I was walking in the Australian section, I really felt like I was hiking in the Australian Outback, because it was so hot.

All in all, it's pretty fun to explore all the different gardens, buildings, greenhouses, and sections. Just make sure to bring a hat and some sunscreen.

More pictures to come....

You know I love pictures.

Crystal Cave

We had to hike to the Crystal Cave from the parking lot. It takes awhile to even drive to the parking lot, because the road is extremely windy and hilly.

Inside the cave was pretty cool, both literally and figuratively. You can feel the cold air coming out of the cave when you're standing at the entrance. You can experience perfect dark when the tour guide shuts off her flashlight. It's so dark, that I actually "see" imaginary lines of light. It's totally like a maze in there. There are living creatures but they're very small. Some of them are blind or don't have eyes at all. Many of them don't even have any pigmentation. There are underground waterways. I wonder where they would take me if I slid down them like a water ride.

Sarah and I both had a fun time at Sequoia. I want to go camping here again as soon as possible. I still have a ton of other places I want to visit or revisit again too.

Beetle Rock

At Beetle Rock in the Giant Forest. More terrific views and hiking here.

Giant Forest

At the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park.