March 15, 2013: It never fails to amuse me when my humble site, despite a dearth of users and meaningful content, manages to upset someone. This is because I aspire to be a sociopath, but am handicapped by empathy and common sense. While I try to have fun with issues that aren't so much fun, there are times I don't consider how things I poke fun at could affect folks innocent in the discussion.
I received a message from the con chair of Shuto Con letting me know my report of a rumor of the Westboro Baptist Church showing up at Shuto Con to protest their Safe Space initiative (because of its LGBT-tolerant message) had spurred a flurry of questions from concerned people. While I stated this was just a rumor, apparently it was too juicy to contain. I also used some wording that would indicate the Shuto Con staff isn't handling this situation properly, which was, of course, not my intention.
I have nothing by respect for the folks over at Shuto Con. They're great people who put on an amazing show. I apologize if this post caused any problems, and have decided to take it down, because there was some bad information in it. I don't take down pieces as a policy, so this should give you an idea how much esteem I hold those involved in. I may use some of the ideas again in the future, because I find the idea of con goers and religious nutjobs bumping into each other fascinating.
To clarify, Westboro has not confirmed their intentions of showing up to Shuto Con. This is a rumor and I doubt they'll come up to Lansing to start something, but I'm intrigued by the what-if. Since I'm talking about Shuto Con, if you're a even remotely a fan of the content they offer, you need to check this event out, because its a legitimately important convention with a staff who cares about its fans. I plan on attending every one of them, because I know it's a worthwhile experience.
March 5, 2013: Considering it's a multi-billion dollar industry that’s taking over every aspect of our lives, including what we do when we visit the restroom, it’s about time video games receive a suitable movie paying tribute to the sacred act. Wreck-It Ralph is that. In celebration of the movie's home video release today, and not because I've been working on this article since its theatrical run, here's my take on the flick, what it means to gaming, and ponder why we can’t get more cool toys like pixelated plushes.
January 25, 2013: Since I have this Facebook thing and I have a site I hypothetically want to generate hits for, why not combine the effort and post updates on Facebook? We’ll see how these flavors go together; hopefully we’ll get a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup out of this. And if you don’t prefer that analogy because you don’t like Reese’s, you are not the sort of person I care to acknowledge.
My goal is to use Facebook to announce updates to Pocky Box and not bather about things like my restroom habits, so you Facebook denizens will hear from me about as much as I update Pocky Box, so about as much as before. With as much as I like to cruelly and randomly tease about Glass City Con, like right there, watch me fail.
I find it ironic the Phelps vs Shutocon Pocky Blog is the first link I'm sharing, since I found that out on Facebook.
It’s double ironic this is the first posting for Pocky Box, since I state outright in the piece I don’t use Facebook. If I use any more irony, the ironitinuum would collapse and cause a worldwide spread of dark irony, which is like regular irony, but a lot sadder. Like how Americans want change, but gesture threateningly at the White House whenever something looks like it’s going to change, which scares everyone and makes them angry, and they want that to change.
Yeah, Facebook, this is what you get for ingraining yourself into everyone’s lives: a whole lot o’ me.
January 17, 2013: I normally wouldn't make a comment for a Pocky Blog post, but this one is to delicious to go ignored with the others: Fred Phelps at an anime convention. Read on!
November 20, 2012: The Wii U has launched, and the ravenous mob that is the gaming public has begun feasting on it. While Nintendo is patting itself on the back for a successful launch, I can't help but wonder if this is the last time there will be back patting of this fashion. Check out my take on the history of Nintendo's flawed efforts. Here ye, all fanboys, it’s not as bad as it seems.
Glass City Con is slowly becoming a thing. With longtime friend and business lackey Joe and I prepared to fork over our (take note, IRS) total lack of earnings from our OtakUtopia venture, a location in negotiation, and staff coming together, you should hear more about it before the year is out. Get your pre-reg money ready for 2014.
September 14, 2012: In celebration of my 30th birthday, I've taken a look back at the five years, which, if you recall, a lot of stuff was happening. Not so much on this site, mind you, and I blame the points stated in the latest article on that. Yep, that's the stuff. I have a couple of articles cooking, and Selmek has some content I need to sift through. Ideally, I'll get this stuff out before it becomes irrelevant. Ideally, I'll piss off a few Nintendo fanboys.
Speaking of my chaotic life, one of those elements is sort of online. OtakUtopia's online store domain has been parked, so bookmark it if you want to give me money. Apologies for the lame placeholder page. Evidentially, in the two years or so since I've registered domains with them, they yanked out free page hosting and replaced it with... this. I'll be looking at other e-retailor hosts in the coming months, when we can ensure a good return on the investment. So get your credit cards ready!
June 11, 2012: Insert increasing update joke here. I have no zest for the endeavor any longer.
I’m certain the Internet has been buzzing for months about rumors of Selmek’s fall into Christianity. We confirm these rumors are true. Here is the requisite article from the man himself, plus my response.
One might wonder if Selmek’s new faith will affect the core dynamics of Pocky Box, because we know he’s been doing an excellent job submitting articles as of late, as have I. It’s not my intention on dropping spoilers, but rest assured Pocky Box will continue on as normal, though hopefully with more reliable updates. The majority of you reading this can slowly lower your pumped fists.
Like the melancholy of removing a store sign from its hinges after it is out of business, it was a little saddening to remove the Glass City Con banner from its resting place. Despite the immense relief of not having to run it this year and the exciting possibilities of being behind the table at other conventions, on some occasions as I walk the quiet halls that once hosted Glass City Con, I reflect quietly on my way to my destination. There was a special magic about it, as there is with any good con, a magic we’ll perhaps one day revive.
Speaking of which, we’ve posted a schedule of conventions OtakUtopia will be vending at on the Glass City Con site. Feel free to come by and say “Hi.” And buy something.
And speaking of buying something, much like a clothing store that looks like it was pulled from the 60's, One Box Shopping has sort of sat in the oblivion of time, so I felt it was time to give it a bit of a tear-down. With a new name that makes more sense now, the most important change is we've stepped out of 1995 and now offer direct Paypal ordering for shirt. That's right, no more forms! Our goal is a more than 20,000% boost in business. Actually, stick any percentile in there. It doesn't matter one way or the other. Buy something!
April 2, 2012: Now the world can end. This is an actual, second, full update, conducted in the same year, here on Pocky Box. I just don't know what got into me! I am so ashamed.
I offer to the masses an article over a year in the making: my impressions on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fan service film, Turtles Forever. Seriously, I worked way too long on this, and if it weren't for the fact no one actually knew this title existed, I would call it well past its relavancy expiration date. The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series premieres later this year, so now's a good time to rekindle some interest in the franchise. That's the excuse I'm sticking to, anyway.
No doubt news of the sudden cancelation of Glass City Con has ripped through the internet, taking with it countless lives who have given up on continuing, too weary from the giant void in their soul. It's probably not as bad as all that. One would expect me to comment on it in greater detail from my personal opinion venue, but I've learned sometimes this site doesn't do its job and obscure my rants from public eyes. Sometimes people actually find this humble domain, so on the off chance those responsible for the event's demise happen upon my mumblings, I will decline to elaborate further on the basis of good taste and bridges better left unburned.
While Glass City Con might be done, like so many anime wherein the characters receive wounds that would kill a man just by bearing witness to them, the con will go on. Longtime friend Otaku Joe and myself are embarking down the perilous path of anime and gaming retail, hocking our exotic (and in case of what's under the black sheet, erotic) goods to pining fans. Where Glass City Con has fallen, OtakUtopia will rise, and ideally, we'll be able to bring back the convention under our own healing wing. It will be a long process; cons don't grow on trees, though the money that funds them sort of does, after an elaborate processing that results in it not ending up in my wallet unless I perform an action that merits this.
That's my shameless plug. Drop by the table and say "hi," or thrust a Bible in my face, or whatever suits your fancy. Just buy something before you leave.
I really need to write about that con...
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