Technology gets smaller all the time, to the point that in the near future, it will be nigh invisible and functioning all around us. While this may sound to some like a doomsday prophecy, I for one take the stance that invisible technology is a sign of human progress.

Since antiquity, humanity has been heavily invested in magic. Be it miraculous, sympathetic, rational, alchemical, or just plain fantasy, magic excites us. Whether or not you believe in magic is quite beside the point: Nearly everyone longs for it.
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I grew up watching M*A*S*H, a comedy-come-drama about the Korean war and the doctors and nurses who lived through it. It was based on a dark humour movie of the same name, which in turn was adapted from a novel with similar themes.

M*A*S*H as a TV series was a wild departure from its source material. Where the book had been a resoundingly racist, sexist piece of hate-filled literature and the movie was little better, the television adaptation was fun, warm-hearted, and often spoke out about social inequalities.
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Hey folks, in case you’re interested in a nice two-day February con, G-Anime will be going down on February 7th and 8th. I’ll be there as a guest alongside my fellow OAS members. Be sure to catch our opening number for the masquerade and check out some of our panels! We’ll also be available in the Artist’s Alley. Just be on the lookout for some 8-bit goodness and you’ll find us no problem.

Not so much as post as an advertisement for local readers, but in case you live in Guelph, Ontario, or a region close by (say, Toronto or Waterloo), come on down to Con-G on February 21 and 22. It’s a two-day, first time convention and looks to be a lot of fun.

If all goes well, I’ll be running the Ultimate Animanga Quiz, a real hardass event that I’m sure will provide a challenge to anime fans new and old. Polish up on the classics, check out the new shows, and get your thinking caps on!

Should the show work out, I’ll look into bringing it to other cons too, like Otakuthon in Montreal during July!

Let’s be honest: No one’s wondered where I’ve been. That’s probably cynical, considering I’ve made some good blogging buddies doin’ this whole shtick, but I’ve been away long enough that I think most everyone’s given up on my ever returning.

Well surprise, suckers!

I kid. But I am back, at least for now. Work has recently been a bit of a resounding issue for me. It basically deprived me of my happy attitude, but that’s all over with now. Change of jobs, change of plans, hi-yo Silver, awaaaay!

Let’s discuss The Ultimate Teacher, shall we?
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I began watching Birdy the Mighty Decode with some trepidation. Having been decidedly unimpressed with the mid-90’s edition of Birdy’s animated adventures, I came in expecting the same sub-par treatment, perhaps better presented.

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I figure it’s about time I start blogging something contemporary. Any recommendations? I tend to watch anime over my lunch break these days, so please do toss me something. I hear Xam’d is good, but it’s also licensed and that means I won’t review it until it’s on DVD. Besides that though; what are you guys into? Just keep in mind that a) I don’t like horror, and b) I don’t like shows based around cards. Thanks!

This is a bit of an ongoing debate I’m having with a buddy of mine: What exactly should you expect out of a convention? I have my own laundry list (see below), but I’d like to hear what you guys and gals think. Should a convention be efficient? Comfortable? Or just a warehouse with things to buy in it?

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One of the recent Bonus Round features at GameTrailers asks some very good questions in regards to Guitar Hero 3, such as why its songs won’t work on future instalments.

While I’ll leave the industry answers to GT’s panelists, I’d like to address something that’s been bothering me since Rock Band came out: Why the hell do I invest in these things? What incentive as a gamer do I have, if my investment is going to be outdated so quickly? With the emergence of DLC and HD installations on consoles, there’s no reason we can’t just upgrade current games of this kind, especially when they’re being released within 2-3 years of each other.
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I was asked recently about Japanese traditions, particularly the Obon (お盆) dance. While traditionally a festival to honour the deceased, particularly one’s ancestors, this celebration is not originally native to Japan.

The Obon is based on the Ullambana Sutra, one of the earliest Buddhist teachings from Southeast Asia. The Ullambana was taught to one of the Buddha’s foremost disciples, Mahamaudgalyayana — a mouthful to be sure. The Japanese call him by a much simpler name: Mokuren. Mokuren is purported to have practised a form of ritual magic which allowed him to do various things, including talk with the dead. Once, when looking into the afterlife, he saw his mother suffering in one of the various hells because she was worried about her son. Her attachment to him was prolonging her suffering, because she was unsure if she had reared him correctly. This strong clinging had amplified karma from her previous lives, and she was unable to move on.
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