Kimono Pillows

As I was fixing up my work space and taking some pics at the newly, redesigned studio. I noticed a few things sitting on the restaurant booth. There were these sofa pillows sitting there all packaged up and ready for selling. They are made from Japanese kimono fabric. They are really gorgeous! You have to see them for yourself, since the pics don't do them justice.

I thought that my studio partner, Ty, made these. Found out later that someone had given these to him for helping out on something. I really thought he produced them since he makes handbags using similar materials. Even kids clothing using Hawaiian printed fabrics. He needs to get his website back up and running to sell these things.

Now that I think about it, the both of us need to get started on that plush project we were going to do a few years ago. I have a couple of different characters I want to do first, but not sure on how that will work in plush form. Hmmm... will it be Diablo... Chowdah... Fang... or someone else...

Rearranged and Functional

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that the floorplan of the studio was being rearranged to accommodate my new studio partner. Wasn't sure how this was going to work out, but I knew it wasn't going to be too much of a problem. My other studio partner and I really never had a lot of things in there to begin with. Basically there was only the 2 desks, tv, sofa, small fridge, restaurant booth and a magazine rack. Majority of Ty's stuff was sewing equipment, supplies, materials, fabric, worktables, cabinets, racks and a few other things. It was a little tough to figure out how to fit them in, but I think it worked out in the end.

The platform with the restaurant booth and the sofa/tv were a bit of a problem. My previous studio partner and I built the platform just for that booth. Only thing is that we anchored it to the floor. So it really can't be moved. The sofa we have is just a little too long with all the stuff there now. TV has a similar problem with it being about 30"-32" and needed to be in an area you could see the screen. Plus the cable connection is there. TV stayed in the corner where it was and the sofa is against the wall next to it instead of in front of it. Think we're still deciding on selling it.

Thought about attaching the corner piece to form my desk into the "L" shape it was originally purchased at. That way it would fit perfectly in the corner of the studio where it was located before. That didn't quite work out. The only way I could make it work is by putting the longer desk behind, me against the wall, with the smaller one in front of me. Actually this worked even better because I have a better window view now. Still have to figure out where I am going to put that color lazerprinter... I think I just worked out the placement of the scanner.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Screening

Just got back from seeing a screening of the new Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen tonight. Got to see this at the screening theater on the Paramount lot, which has an incredible sound system and seating. All I can say about this movie is... OMG!... Unbelieveable! This one was way better than the first one. Now I can see how Shia LaBeouf hurt his hand during the filming of his stunts. The action is just incedible and Megan Fox looks absolutely smokin' HOT! Lots of laughs... Mudflap and Skids are two of the funniest Autobots in the movie. Then there are even more Transformers in this movie... there are even Insecticons and a Prentender in this one...

Everyone from the first movie returns to this sequel, along with some new characters. Finally we get to see the Constructicons and Devastator, Soundwave, Ravage, Jetfire and Arcee in the film. Although not quite in the same form as their cartoon and toy counterparts. A little disappointed with that, but can live with it. New Autobots: the Twins (Mudflap and Skids), the motorcycle sisters (Arcee, Chromia and Moonracer), Sideswipe, Wheelie, Jolt and Jetfire. New Decepticons: the Constructicons (plus Devastator), Soundwave, Ravage, the Doctor (Scalpel), Demolishor, Sideways, Rampage, the Fallen and more in their protoforms.

I really, really did not like the first movie. Mostly because the CGI designs of the Transformers and their choices on who they used in the film. But this one has much better CGI in it, I can actually tell what Decepticon is fighting. Sadly some of my favorite Autobots don't look like they survive this one. One thing that seemed kind of odd to me - Are bullets really that effective against a giant metal robot? Maybe a granade/rocket launcher would be a better choice... I'm just saying...

I am definitely going to see this movie again over the weekend.

Reborn

This July marks the two year anniversary of Captain America's death at the end of Civil War in the Marvel Universe. To celebrate this event Marvel is... bringing him back?

Captain America #600 went on sale this week, which is also the launching point for the upcoming Captain America: Reborn mini-series. With all the media attention it's receiving, a sell out is pretty much guaranteed. It has already sold out at Diamond Distributors and a second-printing of this issue is should be out in a couple of weeks or so.

Everyone knows that in comics heroes, and some villians, never stay dead for long... especially legendary ones. I was wondering when they would bring Steve Rogers back from the dead. I really hope they do this in the right way and not make it stupid or senseless. Like Spider-Man: One More Day, which I still hate. Plus what is going to happen to Bucky Barnes, who became the new Captain America. Is he going to revert back to Winter Soldier? Don't think they can have 2 Captain Americas in the Marvel Universe. Guess I'll have to wait and see in 2 weeks.

Total Drama Action!

The series spinoff to Total Drama Island made it's long awaited premiere last Thursday to huge numbers for Cartoon Network. It was the most watched among kids 6-11, 9-14 and all boys for the day. This propelled the network to its best Thursday performance year-to-date.

15 of the original 22 contestants (Chris and Chef also) make their return to this cartoon version of a reality game show. Instead of a camping/wilderness setting this series takes place in an abandoned movie studio. All the challenges revolve around movie themes. The elimination ceremony that took place around a bonfire with marshmallows for awards has been replaced with an awards ceremony and Gilded Chris Statuettes in place of the marshmallows. Storylines and relationships are carried over from TDI which add to the growth of the characters.

I loved TDI and can't wait to see what happens in this series. Think my favorite characters are Duncan, Gwen, Leshawna, Bridgette, DJ and Izzy. Now I can't wait for Stoked and hope they make another season of 6teen.

Who's Side Are You On?

This is one of the games that I really wanted to try out at E3, but was not able to. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, the sequel to Marvel Ultimate Alliance. I was able to see some of game play footage and a new trailer on the huge video screen they had at the Activision booth. Trailer can be seen here. Release date, September 2009.

Deadpool looks so awesome in the game! I hear that he even runs his mouth off throughout the game when you play as him. They don't call him "the merc with the mouth" for nothing. Over 20 playable characters to include: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm, Deadpool, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, Thing, Juggernaut, Songbird, Venom, Green Goblin and possibly Bishop, Nick Fury and She-Hulk.

Main theme of the game seems to follow the Civil War storyline that appeared throughout the Marvel Universe line of comics. It involved the Superhuman Registration Act being activated with Iron Man for it and Captain America against it. Heroes, friends and allies all took a side... hero vs hero... friend vs friend. Some heroes went underground, some even quit, while others were hunted down, arrested and put into a super prison.

Studio Restructuring

Going to be rearranging the studio a bit in the next few weeks. Not going to be any big construction, just changing the layout, adding/switching out some furniture and another person is moving in. The main reason for the rearranging. Ty is joining me here in the studio, since it has been only me there. I've known him for a long time and he is a very talented designer. He does a lot of sewing projects like baby/kids clothing and handbags using Japanese/Hawaiian printed materials. We were supposed to collaborate on a plush project a few years ago, he was living in SF at the time and I was in LA, but things got busy for the both of us. Now that we are in the same studio that plush project may be coming back. So you may see some characters I drew in plush form. I'll post some later on. I have to say that I have not been very motivated, within the past year, at using the studio. But maybe this is just "the kick in the butt" I need to be creatively motivated.

It's been a a few years since we last changed the studio. In the beginning phases of getting the studio remodeled there were 3 of us partnered in on the project: Ash, Derek and myself. Just before finishing and relocating to the upstairs unit Ash left on creative differences and we were left with the 2 of us. In 2006 we were set and ready to go. Derek had used the space to edit and film a documentary movie on the history of the fortune cookie, but hasn't been there since the beginning of 2008. It has pretty much been just me using the space.

E3 2009: Square Enix, Konami - Days 2 and 3

No surprises from the Square Enix press conference, other than the previously mentioned Final Fantasy XIV. Can't believe they are announcing this when Final Fantasy XIII has not come out yet. Really no news but FFXIII stuff.

At least Konami announced Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (yes... finally a Castlevania game!) and the previously announced Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot and Peacewalker. In addition to those there will be 2 more Metal Gear Solid games: Rising and Mask Project, plus Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Saw, another DDR and Karaoke Revolution, Pop'n Music Wii, Deca Sports 2 and Wireway.

The last 2 days I was not able to stay for too long at the shows due to deadlines. But I was able to play a lot more of the games. Got to play some of the other games in Wii Sports Resort, Tony Hawk: Ride, Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time, God of War 3, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Left4Dead 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Sonic All-Stars game, Harvest Moon puzzle game and the PSP Go.

That brings this year's E3 to an exciting close... wished this was longer and not during my deadlines though... Picked up some swag stuff here and there... not a whole lot, like the previous E3's I attended. Fewer shirts and bags. G4TV has already announced that the E3 dates and location for 2010, will be at the L.A. Convention Center again on June 15-17.

E3 2009: Nintendo, Sony - Day 1

The first official day of E3 begins today at noon when the doors to the exhibit hall opens. Nintendo gets things started at their press conference at 9am. Announcing Wii Sports Resort, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario Bros. Wii, Metroid: The Other M, Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Kingdom Hearts: 365/2 Days, Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers, Style Savvy, new Golden Sun game and Dead Space: Extraction.

Sony's press conference followed, not too long after Nintendo's, highlighting: Uncharted 2, MAG: Massive Action Game, Hannah Montana PSP bundle, PSP Go, Gran Turismo PSP, Final Fantasy XIV, Metal Gear Solid PSP, modNation Racers, Last Guardian, God of War 3, Assasin's Creed 2, Eye Toy 2 and a new motion control.

Excited about Super Mario Bros. Wii with 4 player co-op, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and... Metroid: The Other M... Team Ninja + Nintendo = AWESOME! Although not announced at the press conference, a new Zelda game should be coming out in 2010. Only things from Sony that caught my interest was the 256 player MAG: Massive Action Game and God of War 3.

There were just so many games to play on the exhibit floor I wasn't sure where to start. So I headed to Nintendo first and worked my way around to all the other booths from there. Some of the games I got to try out at the booths were: Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort (amazing), Rabbids Go Home (hillarious), Toy Story Mania (based off the ride itself Disney ride), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Katamari Forever, Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, Afrika (graphically stunning), Marvel Super Hero Squad, TMNT: Smash Up, All Star Cheer Squad 2, Tatsunoku vs. Capcom, Lego: Rock Band, Samurai Showdown: Edge of Destiny and King of Fighters XII.

E3 2009: Microsoft, EA, Ubisoft Kick It Off

Microsoft, EA and Ubisoft had their press conferences on Monday. There's a whole lot of stuff coming up from all three of them. Microsoft seemed to have the biggest news so far. Showing off trailers and previews of Rock Band: The Beatles, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Halo: ODST and Reach, Left 4 Dead 2, Crackdown 2, Tony Hawk's Ride, Forza 3 and Final Fantasy XIII. Gotta see the Project Natal controller... unbelieveable! Facebook, Twitter and LastFM streaming coming to the 360. Metal Gear Solid Rising an Xbox exclusive...?

The main thing I can't wait for from Ubisoft's announcements is Rabbids Go Home. A new Raving Rabbids game and No More Heroes 2 for the Wii. I love those Rabbids!! I this new game you have to collect objects to be used in a pile of junk to build a bridge to the moon. Splitter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2 look incredible! Their fitness game looks very interesting and could give the Wii Fit some competition. Ubisoft seems to be putting a lot of effort in its tween oriented titles for the DS, making them more interactive and online. Not too sure about the Avatar game based on James Cameron's upcoming 3D movie.

Missed hearing most of EA's announcements, but they do have all the sports titles and have added MMA to that long list.

Missed listing some stuff, since so many things were announced by these 3 publishers. What a start to the 2009 E3! Nintendo and Sony have their press conferences Tuesday, while Square Enix and Konami have there's on Wednesday. Let's see if they have any surprises to top this!