Masquerades

I went to two masquerade balls this year.

One was called Devil's Night Ball 3, which took place the day before Halloween. It was held by Tragic Trantrum, a San Diego cabaret. They also performed and a friend of mine was one of their dancers. There were other performers there, including Zirk Ubu. They did some freaky circus acts, like putting a needle through an arm, having a topless girl ejaculate feathers, and showing a violent shadow puppet show. It was also fun seeing people in their Halloween costumes. I saw Billy Mays, Linguine from Ratatouille, Frieda Kahlo, Wolf from the Star Fox video game series, and Prince Nuada and Princess Nuala from Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Overall, the event was fun and I only wish that more of my friends came to see it.

The other ball was UCSD Circle K's annual masquerade ball. Last night I went there, which took place on a cruise ship. I saw alot of people from Circle Ks across California, Nevada, and possibly Hawaii. There was a dance floor, karaoke, casino games, but not enough food. Also, I was the only person from my school CK to attend. My fellow members couldn't come because they either had family-related business or other plans. Its too bad since they would have enjoyed it. Its a bit irritating though. Nowadays I feel like I'm the only one who represents my college at volunteer events and such. If only there were more active members...

The masquerade also had somewhat of a Sin City theme to it. They gave me this bag of chocolates as a thank-you gift.

Marv: "I don't know about you, but I'm having a ball."

What did I wear to both masquerades? This mask.



I went to a costume shop called Gypsy Treasure. They had a wall filled with masks and I chose the one I liked the most. Too bad I don't have an extravagant ball gown to go with it.

Short Reviews

• Last month I went to Eternal/Eterno, a goth nightclub in Los Angeles. I saw a band called Gentleman Junkie. I was actually very impressed with the backup vocalist, even though, obviously, she wasn't the lead singer. Still, they were great. Strangely, I swear, I've heard their songs before at Sabbat, and they're not even a mainstream band.
• I saw a Japanese horror film called Audition. Its pretty silly how it starts off as a cutesy romantic movie about a widower looking for a new wife. Then it goes down the creepy feministic-revange route. My friend commented saying that American movies should be more like Audition.
• My other friend wanted to celebrate Halloween with me by renting An American Werewolf in London and drinking pumpkin ale. We tried creating a drinking game but she couldn't handle the taste and stopped drinking. I guess she was expecting it to taste like pumpkin pie. (Pumpkin itself doesn't taste like anything but its often given spices to taste like "pumpkin.") I didn't like the taste either but I drank it anyway. The movie itself was amusing, especially because the bystanders near the end ran TO the werewolf instead of AWAY from it! Impressive pre-CGI makeup effects too.
  

Stickers!

This entry is all about the stickers I own. I'm not a collector, but I get them anyway and I rarely use them. Actually, I did stick them to letters I'd send to my ex until he became a...never mind!

A little recently, my sister bought me a Little Big Planet sticker book, knowing that I love Sackboys.



I love that stencil graffiti Sackboy (next to cowboy), but I don't know where to stick it yet.





There are illustrated pages of game levels that contain empty spaces. They have clues to which stickers to fill them with.



I bought these Briar Rose/Aurora stickers from the Disney Store, and they were expensive!





I got these scratch-and-sniff stickers when I saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 3-D.



Don't smell the hotdog, unless you want your nose burnt!



Here's some Naruto stickers I bought a long time ago.



From left: A sparkly Sailor Mercury sticker that's peeling off, another sparkly sticker that was a clothing tag, and shiny St. Patrick's Day stickers.



Now this is ancient. When my sister was little, she got dinosaur stickers that had a backing which could be colored and used as a bookmark. Since the picture was of dancing dinosaurs, it seemed appropriate to put the stickers on it in dancing positions. I always laugh at the dinosaur riding on top of the diplodocus (upper left-hand corner). X)



Before the release of Demon Days, the animated band Gorillaz encouraged fans to promote the album by sticking "REJECT FALSE ICONS" stickers onto public places, like graffiti. They tended to be used as public statements against the media and celebrities. I requested stickers but I never stuck them anywhere. The bottom two are of band members 2-D (vocals) and Noodle (guitar and vocals). They came from the limited edition version of their compilation DVD Phase One: Celebrity Takedown. I use to stick these in my locker in high school. I lost some other stickers there too. :(



I found the Noodle sticker attached to a dog tag my sister made me years ago. Its labeled "this is your left" with arrows supposedly pointing at the left side. This was an inside joke my sister and I had, related to the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force.



I get a lot of activist junk in the mail. Yes, I believe in gay rights, civil rights, women's rights, saving the environment, etc. I just don't want to pay money. From upper left: Human Rights Campaign (I have another on my car), American Civil Liberties Union, and Amnesty International USA.



From upper left: FM 94.9, an alternative music radio station I listen to; In-N-Out, my favorite fast food restaurant; and The Crypt, a gay, leather, bondage, clothing, sex shop in San Diego.

What's New, VML?

Life as been a mix of ups and downs. First of all, I want to explain what happened since my last blog entry, the one I posted back in June.

Birth control pills didn't do wonders to me. I got more acne and became more depressed. I could get into more detail but I think that's enough information to post.

I did go to Anime Expo 2009, which was in Los Angeles. I stayed with a friend on the first two days but I ended up staying in a motel during the last few days. Overall, the trip was miserable because I felt lonely. Its ironic because LA has always been my favorite city. Its just not fun going to anime conventions alone. Yes, there were some upsides to my trip. I went with a friend the first day before she left, I took a lot of photos, I got to visit Das Bunker for the first time, and I was able to see my LA friend to give him late birthday gifts. Staying in a motel by myself was an interesting experience too. Still, my trip could have been much better and I was disappointed. Next time, I'm only traveling when I know for sure my friends or travel buddies aren't going to neglet me. I don't mind traveling alone but this was a trip I planned with friends.

Other details:

• AX seemed much smaller than prior years. There were less activities going on and less companies visiting. I think its because of economical reasons. The US anime/manga industry is going down due to internet downloading, too many high-priced and unsold DVDs, and too many unpopular manga books not selling. Companies like ADV Films are shuttering as a result of this downward trend.
• Another reason AX seemed less active is because of the popularity of Comic Con. For example, Viz Media chose to show up at Comic Con instead of AX. It makes sense since CC gets more attention each year. Still, they should have visited AX since, you know, it is (or was) the biggest anime convention in the US. Then there's that other summer anime convention called Otakon...
• At one point, while I was walking back to my motel, a man in a car stopped to ask if I "needed a ride." I shook my head and died inside.
• Before I went to Bunker, I needed money. I walked to a nearby 7-Eleven while decked out in my gothic lolita dress, boots, and accessories. People stared at me, of course. Once I passed a group of teenaged guys giggling in the magazine section, they all went silent.

Life as of Now

I'm back in community college. I'm suppose to have two semesters left before I transfer to a university. I already applied to seven California State Universities. I've been eyeing CSU Northridge and CSU Los Angeles. Yet, I'm not going to make my decision until spring time, when they start sending acceptance letters to students. Who knows, I may fuck up this semester and stay in San Diego longer (which I don't want), or I may get pissed at family and friends and go to some faraway place like CSU Monterey Bay, Academy of Art University, or even University of Hawaii in Manoa.

I must say, blogging is relaxing and soothing for me, since I've been feeling stressed out and moody lately.

I'm Still Alive

I just haven't gotten around to updating this blog.

This is boring! I can't wait to die!

I had a crappy spring semester. I got two F's, a W, and a B in Total Body Fitness.

I am in summer school now. I'm there to repeat English. I may also take public speaking or repeat theatre later on.

Outside of school, I've been doing some fun stuff. Here's what has happened recently.

• My sister and I got whiplashes. The driver behind us was checking her cellphone.
• Clubbing is fun. Recently, for my friend's 21st birthday, I took her to a goth club called Sabbat. It was military night too. She had good buzzed fun. I was happy too.
• Most recently, I went to a steampunk club/concert with another 21-year-old club-virgin friend. Unextraordinary Gentlemen performed. It was nice, although I wish I had steampunk outfits.
• I was suppose to go to Las Vegas last weekend, but my parents cancelled the trip. It wouldn't have been exciting anyway. I would have gone there with my dad only. I don't think he's fond of me going out. Awkward...
• I saw Star Trek, The Brothers Bloom, and Up.
• Two former classmates and an actress we know started a club. Its for creative people of all sorts. Yet, our biggest goal is to make a short film by the end of the summer.
  

Now here are some things that will be happening in the future, I hope.

• This Friday I'm going to the San Diego Zoo with my Circle K club. I hope other members come too.
• I may check out an indie club later on that night, if I have the time. I always wanted to go to one.
  
• I've made plans to go with a friend to see a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening that night too. I've been to one in Long Beach.
• I'm looking forward to seeing Moon. I love Sam Rockwell and existential sci-fi.
• I'm going to see a preview of (500) Days of Summer! I love Zooey Deschanel. Speaking of which, she and Rockwell were in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! :D
• I'm going to get back on birth control pills. I hope it will get rid of my acne!
• Finally, I bought a 4-day pass to Anime Expo, which will be in Los Angeles this year. I'm going to stay at a friend's house for the first two days before she leaves to San Diego. I'm REALLY hoping that my other L.A. friend will let me stay at his place for the other two days. I need shelter and I want to see him again. If that doesn't work, I'll have to find other options, which will be disappointing to me. I'll either have to mooch off of friends-of-friends or people I don't know, stay at a hostel (because I can barely afford a hotel), be a bum, or go back to SD with my friend and waste money on the pass. If I do go back and only be at AX for two days, I'll have to exchange my pass for a 2-day one before June 19th. For now, I have to save money on a train ticket or two, and wait for my L.A. friend to make a decision. He's on vacation right now and internet access is limited for him. That's why I'm waiting for him to get back.
  

Ugh...I shouldn't have bought my pass so soon...

Zero

Here's everything in a nutshell:

Bad Luck

I don't believe in bad luck or superstition, but last month I seriously thought I was cursed.

It all started with an argument I had with a friend. He started giving me the silent treatment and I became depressed afterward. Two days later I got really sick. I had a fever, cold, headache, and I felt dizzy whenever I stood up. I spent the day bedridden and curled up on the floor next to the heater. I nearly fainted and blacked out from walking up the stairs! Oddly enough, this all happened on the day of my friend's birthday!

Luckily, my fever lasted only for a day, but my cold and low appetite would continue on.

The next day I was suppose to attend two volunteer events. One of them was a two-day event. I couldn't make it to any of them and I felt unloyal.

Two days later it was school time. I hit a parked car and I didn't know what to do. No dents, only scratches on our vehicles. My sister advised me to park someplace else immediately. I did so, even though I felt very guilty about it.

Two days later I felt too sick and moody to attend classes. I ended up being withdrawn from my English class, which was a bummer. I really liked the professor and the class was interesting. Yet, I was behind in the work anyway.

The next day I got pink eye. I was afraid that it was something more than a side-effect from colds. I had to miss art class so my dad could drive me to the emergency room. The doctor examined me and said there was nothing I could do about it. At least I had no signs of infections.

All of this happened within one week.

Eventually, I got so fed up with feeling moody and sick that I let loose and went out clubbing. I went to a goth club in San Diego and it was my first San Diegan club too. Nice atmosphere for a tiny place, fun people, and good music. I enjoyed myself and I felt much better.

I also saw the nature documentary Earth because my mom kept bugging me to see it with her. It was good. Nature documentaries always make me think as I absorb the natural visuals.

Post-Bad Luck

As of now, I've been coughing frequently. I hate the fact that colds take forever to go away. I also lost 6.5 pounds from having low or no appetite.

My friend broke his silence and we started talking again. We're in good terms now, to say the least.

Ever since I went to the goth club in LA (which I mentioned in my last entry), I've been exploring clubs in San Diego. Eventually I'll find favorites and be a frequent clubber. I like dancing and meeting new people, but its too bad most of my friends aren't into that. (By the way, I'm not a drinker. Therefore, clubbing is inexpensive!)

I'm planning on taking summer classes. I just haven't figured which ones to take. I'm waiting to see my final grades for this (spring) semester. I know that it has been the worst semester ever due to me being lazy, depressed, sick, distracted, busy with other commitments, and tired. At least I'm able to wipe out a bad semester out of my transcript.

In other news, last weekend I made this:



I didn't make this



Nor this



These were all done at the Miracle Mile of Quarters 2009 event. Circle K clubs in San Diego participated in the event. We were given quarters and designed pictures with them.

I have more Circle K business to attend. Later today I'm suppose to go to Fullerton, CA for a conference. I hope that turns out swell.

Fuck Yeah!

I'm gonna see Lily Allen this Wednesday! I can't wait! :D

Last weekend I went to Woodland Hills, CA for a Circle K district convention. It was fun and interesting. I had to attend workshops about running a club and elect new people to run the Circle K district. (There was one guy who ran for treasurer and he was so shy and stage freight during his speeches that he was crying and not finishing his sentences. I just died inside.) There were also a lot of award receptions that were merely just us patting ourselves on the back. People were shouting, cheering, and chanting like crazy. Hell, the whole theme of the convention was "sounds of service."

I also went to a goth club with a friend. It was a fun experience for me since I've never been to one (nor to any club in general since I turned 21). I was awestruck by my friend's dancing. He's a good dancer! Only problem is that he NEVER DANCES! He only danced to two songs there. He spent most of the time sitting and standing, waiting for a song he liked to be played! >_< I have some volunteer events coming up this weekend.

Next week is spring break. I'm going to take a train to Northridge, CA and spend five days there with a best friend.

I'm behind in my homework. :(