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shinigamisama
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Name: Marc
Country: United States
State: New York
Metro: New York City
Birthday: 1/9/1985
Gender: Male
Interests: Anime, drawing, bass playing, reading and writing poetry
Expertise: I'm an old-fashioned kinda guy...with a passion for anime, video games and bass playing for over 6 years.
Occupation: Student
Industry: Media
Message: message meEmail: email me
Member Since:
11/5/2002
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| Year number four, and AnimeNext proved once again to be quite the enjoyable experience. Unlike last year where I attended 2 out of the three days the con runs for, this year I went for only one day, yesterday. But it was made even more enjoyable for the fact that I had my first cosplay! A relatively easy cosplay mind you, but a cosplay nevertheless. I went as Louis from Valve's co-op shooting game Left 4 Dead (as soon as I get my hands on some pictures I'll upload them). The group I went with this year was a little smaller due to extenuating circumstances with several of my friends but it was still a great deal of fun. My buddy Eric went as Dan Hibiki, the awesome joke character of the Street Fighter series and my other friend Anna went as Chun-li of the same series. I must say I had to get used to people recognizing me and asking to pose for pictures but it comes with the territory and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the attention. Many complimented me on the cosplay as well so I think I'm off to a good start. For the most part I spent the day at the game room and the dealer's room, which is outside the norm of my usual con-going routine but it was worth it. The gaming competition was heavy, as I was quickly eliminated from both the Guilty Gear (lost to a Slayer who chained Big Bang Upper) and the Street Fighter 4 tournaments (lost to a Honda who is one of Cammy's worst matchups). I got in some wins during the casuals though, so it wasn't all a loss. Sadly I didn't buy any loot this year, as my newfound unemployment is forcing me to really watch my wallet...but I'm hoping to land a job soon so that for my next con in September (New York Anime Fest) I'll be able to resume the usual geek-spending.
I'll admit there were times where I wondered if I'd be able to keep doing this on a yearly basis, but on my train ride home to Brooklyn I met some con-goers who happened to live in my neighborhood and in talking with them, they reminded me of how I was when I was a con-going newbie (these kids were 17-18 and this con was their first). I was pretty much reminded of the excitement and joy I'd have spending time at a place alongside like-minded people as well as that feeling of belonging that accompanies it. So I guess it'll still be some time before I grow tired of the anime scene. Even if I have to drag my future wife and kids to cons, I will do it 
Well, back to the job hunt. Ja ne!
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
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| So much for coming back to update my post about my birthday huh. Well, I can make any number of excuses I want but the fact of the matter is that the past few months have wrought upon me so many different distractions that updating xanga has become even more difficult than ever before. I suppose that it's only natural for that to happen as time progresses. However I do have the desire to write more, and despite the fact that this probably won't be read anymore, I figure it'll be a good exercise for me seeing as I haven't done it in over six months.
Well, I'll try as best as I can to summarize the events that have occurred since my 24th birthday. I'm still working at Accounts Payable at the Weinstein Company; a job that I have grown accustomed to but certainly feel trapped in. But with the state of the economy the way it is, I'm lucky to be in a job, period. While I am grateful for that, I have always encountered moments where I begin to resent this period of my life. It sometimes feels as if all of my chances to succed, to be happy, have run out. Every day it's the same old routine, work, home, sleep, with the occassional (read: frequent) video game to pass the time.What's been keeping me somewhat sane is the time I spent with the group of friends I've managed to keep in close contact with since college. I think I depend on their company more now than ever before since when I'm with them it feels like I truly belong somewhere. A feeling I don't always find at work, and even at home sometimes.
Other than that, I saw some cool movies, Watchmen being my personal fav of the year, especially since I've read the graphic novel. I acquired a Playstation 3 in March and Street Fighter IV has been my game of choice to spend the most time with. I've also rekindeled my love for the retro, playing games in the Mega Man series. After beating 9 I've gone back to the beginning (well, almost) playing and beating 2, and currently trying to beat 3 (which is proving to be quite the ordeal). For my handhelds, I'm trying to get through Final Fantasy Tactics A2, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Mother 3. Multitasking games has always been tough going for me, especially when this year is looking to be an exciting one for games in general (for fighters, BlazBlue and King of Fighters XII are highly anticipated, as well as the recently announced US bound game Tatsunoko vs Capcom). New RPGs on the horizion and remakes of old classics like Punch Out for the Wii are just a few of the games coming out that will ensure my career as a gamer continues well into the next decade. Whether that's a good thing or not, has yet to be determined.
I've also been going through something of a mid-twenties crisis personal-wise. When my brother was my age he was already married with a kid. Me? Far from it. Not to say that I wouldn't like to find a relationship one day though; far from it. I'd been recently spending more time with a close friend from college that I'd like to take to another level...but that's been hard to do as I'm terrible at expressing my feelings, and also due to the fact that since our last outing I haven't heard from her since. So it's quite discouraging to say the least. I'm trying my best not to make a big deal about it though. Key word is "trying".
As of this moment, it's Memorial day which means I'm home. Should be going to hang with the gang later, which will be fun as always. This weekend I'll be in Long Island for my friend Chris' annual birthday weekend bash which I am highly anticipating.
And that's pretty much it. My future is quite uncertain right now. I have so many things I'd love to pursue but can't because either I'm afraid of stepping outside my comfort zone, or because it's just not feasible. I'd love for one day to wake up and truly feel happy about my life, but I don't that will happen anytime soon. I think the last time that happened was when I was 15 years old, and it was the middle of summer vacation. Those were the days...
Hopefully it won't be another 6 months until my next update. Here's hoping for a brighter day.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
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| Twenty-four today. Holy crap I'm getting old.
Full update later. 'Till then, I'm going to sleep and pretend I'm still 18.
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| And the new year goes along. It's back to a regular work week tomorrow, but with one slight addition: my birthday at week's end. I will be taking that day off, so it'll be another long weekend for yours truly. Things at work will be a bit different as well; my old supervisor will take up her position as such again, and a new coworker should be added to the ranks. At any rate, this week will signal the resumption of my job search now that the holidays are over. I've got to find a way out of this rut somehow. As long as I don't give up I should be ok.
But anyway. Here's my "Best of 2008" list!
The nominees for Best Anime of 2008 are:
Air Gear
Code Geass
Kannagi
Gundam 00 Season 2
Hell Girl
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
The winner: Kannagi. This anime was the gem of the Fall season, and the kind of anime I'd been longing for ever since Tenchi Muyo, a similarly genred show. It had it all; interesting plot, cute girls, gags, and very tasteful fanservice. My only qualm about it is that it only lasted 13 episodes! They did leave it open for a second season though, which given its success and popularity in Japan seems like a matter of 'when' and not 'if'. So it is with much anticipation that I look forward to that season, circa 2010 or so I predict.
The nominees for Best Song of 2007 are:
モンスター (trans, 'Monster') by Ellegarden
Fire Cracker by Ellegarden
Mr. Feather by Ellegarden
Love is Growing by James Wendt (music by Yoko Kanno)
Solus by James Wendt (music by Yoko Kanno)
The winner: モンスター by Ellegarden. 2008 was the year of Ellegarden, a J-rock band I discovered almost by accident in early May. This song was the first I'd heard, and I was hooked. A catchy riff, strong vocals and even some poignant English lyrics sprinkled in made this song unmatched by any other I'd heard all year. It was by far the most played song of my Ipod that year, and will continue to be unless 2009 steps up and brings more musical lovliness to my ears.
The nominees for Best Game of 2008 (that I've played in 2008) are:
The Metroid Prime Trilogy
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Mega Man 9
Super Smash Bros Brawl
The winner: Final Fantasy Tactics. I had been introduced to the Tactics line of Final Fantasy via Tactics Advance for the GBA back in 2003. That games was based on the original for the Playstation that came out in 1998. Thanks to a good friend I was able to play the original in '08 and I know now why it it so universally lauded. Deep, engrossing story, intense tactical fights and an absolutely amazing soundtrack cemented this as the best game I've played in 2008. Why hadn't I played it before? Simple. I never owned a PS1, and when I got my PS2 I was too busy playing the current games and past FF titles. Even after I played Tactics Advance and made a point to play the original something or the other prevented me from doing so (mostly college related stuff). But as they say, better late than never. And boy was I happy that it turned out to be the former.
Looking back, 2008 was a pretty good year for my hobbies. This year I hope to get a PS3, opening up myself to a library of even more titles. Bring it on.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
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| Another year has arrived. What a year 2008 was. I think it can be summed up best with some lyrics from a new song I've been listening to (and a nominee for my song of the year 2008).
"Found and lost so many dreams,
but some I still believe in,
others I let walk away.
Times I laughed and felt so free,
and times I felt so little.
The sudden highs and misery,
yes, that is what you gave me."
--- "Love is Growing Up" James Wendt (composed by Yoko Kanno)
It could not have been said any better. 2008 was a year of many laughs and many tears, many hopes and many fears. More than anything, it was a year where life began to get a lot harder. The worst economic recession since the Great Depression. A historic election and hope for a better day. In terms of my personal life, finally landing a job. Not the ideal job, not the best paying job, but a job. Growing closer to a group of friends from college that made me realize that it's ok to be myself. A home situation that I have grown quite fed up with. Yes, this year had many ups and down. No different than any other year, but this year I've definitely seen a difference in the hardships as I now have to deal with the so-called "real world". As it stands now, I still have the same old job at the Weinstein Company, still live at home and still yearn for a job in production/animation. Hopefully 2009 will be the year of change and evolution; in all aspects of my life.
As for my resolutions...well, seeing as I only fulfilled one of them from 2008 I don't think making resolutions is a good idea for me...but I'll do it anyway.
1. Leave Weinstein. Find either a job in production (full-time) or, find a part-time job and go back to school for animation/graphic design.
2. Read more.
3. Finish all the video games I currently have yet to finish:
Earthbound
Super Metroid
Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Devil May Cry 4
Final Fantasy Tactics A2
God of War: Chains of Olympus
Resident Evil 4
(wow. that's a lotta games)
4. Date
5. Live somewhere other than my current residence. Be that on my own or in a new house with the family
And that's all for now. I hope 2009 brings you all your dreams fulfilled, and hope for the future.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
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