Travel: Kyoto

Milo Marathon

The Milo Marathon was one of the races I initially tried to avoid in my early running years due to the strict cutoff times/ time limit, participant volume (starting line queue counting against the time limit) and road closures (traffic going to venue). But those are just manifestations on how prestigious the event really is. Everyone is out to prove his or herself to the point that they are risking their lives (hence medical certificates / clearances are now a requirement for registration). But then again it is every filipino runner's dream to go and participate in this event. I went to the 10k category where there is a friendlier cutoff time. But the tension was still there as participants are lobbying for nearer starting positions and cramping at the starting area (the collected body heat makes you dehydrated even from the start). The thought of cutoff gives additional anxiety and pressure to push further even though you already know that you were on pace to make it. A lot of runners are serious and not taking selfies on the road. In the end I made it through the cutoff with a lot of time to spare and was so happy to finally join the most prestigious running event in the country. It was a 10k run that felt like a 21k run and I treated it as such (preparation, pacing and even soreness wise).

Diorama: Berk

 

Some people want their Funkos to stay in the box, others want it placed on risers or shelves, how about in a diorama?

 

The diorama was made with wooden sticks, plaster of paris and some wooden platform stands. The water area is made up of dried glue.

Diorama: Star Wars Meisho Movie Realization: The prodigal son returns

You may (or probably haven't) seen this diorama in the recently concluded Toycon 2016. A Star Wars diorama based on its Meisho movie realization line which pays homage to the old Japanese films the saga was based upon.

After 9 long years, I was finally able to get my third Diorama first place award from the said event  thanks to this diorama and the words of encouragement of some friends.

The diorama depicts young Luke Skywalker confronting his father Darth Vader on their own turf. Pretty much what happened at Return of the Jedi but I gave Luke his iconic tatoine color scheme to fit more with the diorama and prevent color clashing. More pics after the jump.

Elmer

Chickens are such tormented animals. The male are forced to battle gladitorial style by their masters of whom are obsessed with gambling, while their female counterparts are either forced to ay eggs for the rest of their lives or injected with growth hormones in order to be "harvested" quickly for human consumption. In an alternate world where chickens gained intelligence at par with humans, enter Jake Gallo: a second generation "evolved" chicken dealing with everyday discrimination as their kind is still struggling from acceptance by the human dominated society. Jake then discovers a diary from his uncle, elmer about the time chickens first gained sentience. Their ply for liberty and an impending uprising against humanity. Jake finally learned the sacrifices his forefathers took in order for his generation to get there.

Live your fandom

Live your fandom fanart.

Cosplay Shoot: One Punch Man

May the 4th be with you

Diorama: Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars

So I recently got some Bandai Meisho Movie Realization figures (Star Wars figures re-imagined in old samurai/japanese themed armors) and I needed something to hold these figures as a display case. So I managed to build a mini shrine diorama that can hold up to 9 figures using a bunch of craft sticks, wooden bases and wooden sticks from the neighborhood hardware.

新年快乐

A prosperous year of the monkey to all

1Q84

"It's just that you're about to do something out of the ordinary, and after you do something like that, the everyday look of things might seem to change a little. Things may look different to you than they did before. But don't let appearances fool you. There's always only one reality." The year was 1984. Masami Aomame is your typical fitness trainer with a not so typical sideline; she moonlights as a vigilante assasin for abusive men. But when a major traffic jam threatens to cancel her "appointment", she is forced to take drastic measures and enter an unusual route to her destination.

Unbeknownst to her, this route is a passageway for 1Q84, an alternate universe which looks like 1984, but with two moons and little people. Little did she know that the more different her world becomes, the more she is drawn to someone really familiar.

The Ultramarathon Man

I have read a lot of sports books in my life, but none was more influential than Ultramarathon Man. The story revolves around Dean Karnazes, your typical office guy soul searching as he approached his 30s. During his birthday, he found his calling by running all night long. The book then covered all of his adventures as he ran from different cities and forrests to the coldest mountains and the hottest deserts. Underlying in his extreme adventures is his will and passion not to give up when times get tough. And that has influenced me a lot as a runner.

Korean Souvenirs

The Book of Sith

The Book of Sith by Daniel Wallace.

 For centuries, the Sith order has wreaked havok and dismay throughout the galaxy with their mastery of using the dark side of the force. Their careful execution and cold, calculated decisions were successful in overthrowing the Jedi order and the establishment of the galactic empire. This book contained six recovered transcripts from notable sith lords that were recovered by Luke Skywalker through his journeys. The Sith's philosophy, doctrines and schemes are well documented in the book.

Happy New Year