HiJacked Nightmarish Swag.

Did you know that my last post was my 800th? Considering I don't have much to say, I think I've done okay. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.

Recently the コンビニ (conbini/ convenience store) Sunkus, has had one of those "buy a scratch ticket for 500￥ and maybe you'll get a cool expensive prize but it's more likely that you'll get a crappier prize that they crank out of China for pennies a pop" schemes. But I'm a big sucker for that particular scheme, especially when it involves Nightmare Before Christmas goodies. So I've bought a few tix, looking for the elusive Jackalope.


First I got a few mirrors which I gave away to a few gals at a previous Echo event. Not Jack-shit, but still not in the big leagues.















Then I got 2 sets of blankets with carrying bags. Pretty cool, but I've seen them on sale for 399￥, so they've Jacked the price up. I still haven't struck pay dirt.

Along the way, I got a couple of what appears to be transparent makeup cases. Not bad, but still it looks like it was made by some Chinese Jack-of-all-trades.

So then I got another few tix and got some China china. A couple of cool bowls. I'm not yet a Jack-ass for buying this crap, but getting there.

But yesterday I got a Salad Bowl. Getting better. Still slightly cheap but looking more impressive. Since I'm no longer Jack Sprat, and eat no fat, the salad will come in handy.

So with the last ticket that I purchased yesterday, I hit the Jackpot and got an Interior Lamp that was the 2nd-most premium item (the first was a stool, but it had already been Jack-rabbitted away.)

(UPDATE): While moving stuff around, I managed to smash this light. DOH!

All in all for 50 bucks I got several items that are actually of some use to me. Now I think I'll go Jack up my bike (Ha, I bet you thought I was going to say something else...)

Halloween Video for You.

I scammed this pick from Katherine Luther's Anime Blog. It IS brilliant.

Neither Rain Nor Sleet...

Would prevent the Echophonyk Halloween Party from completing its mission to entertain the masses. Alas, the typhoon-induced rain did prevent the masses from attending in swarms, but those who did show were certainly entertained. Compared to last year only about 2 dozen people braved the elements to show up to the Farm to imbibe & jive to the tunes. Only 3 DJs made it and split the duties amongst them starting with Mixture, Mokugohan at Midnight, a bit more Mixture and culminating in a 2 hour set by Special Guest Mark Saito.

Without further ado, here's a sampling of the costumes displayed for all to gawk at.

Keep this bunny away from Glenn Close or she'll end up in the stew.

Not a very creative effort, but a pumpkin hat does fit the bill.

An adorable China doll, with whom I cut a rug.


















Da Devil made me do it.


















DJ Mixture looking militarily zombified.














Mark Saito as Blechula.


















Grooving those groovy grooves.













We had tons of fun while he applied his makeup during dinner. The red eyes are a photographic snag but are certainly appropriate. (Click on the pic to see them up close.)

As one of the chubbier scarecrows out there, there is some explanation as to the prep of my costume. As usual, I left it to the last minute and as usual, I'm amongst the top contenders for best costume. Too bad I'm a judge and thus I never win!















If I only had a brain, I'd be able to realize something. I tried to make stuffing by cutting up some whisk-brooms into hay. Well much to my surprise, my nose began to run like Niagara and I didn't clue in until later that you can get hay fever from hay! I gave up on the whisks and cut up a much larger broom (that uses another less allergen-filled grass) and placed it in my hat. Throughout the night, I lost stuffing all over the dance-floor...good thing I wasn't cleaning up.





A rose between two thorns.














The bar staff & I with Mixture's missus peeking in.

The China doll & I.

 Adam does his best to imitate Japanese dental-work.

Adam's adorable wife, Kuni, chose to mingle rather than DJ.



















Is she ever not posing?

Motoko looking lovely as a 魔女 (majo = witch.)













My gal pal Motoko and a former student, Karin.
Karin caring about a かかし (kakashi = scarecrow.)

Halloween at the Farm is not complete until a light sabre fight.

The best costume of the night Jack スズメ (Suzume means Sparrow.)
















Jack is about to have his brains eaten.

Nori is polishing the sabre.

Jack gives some pointers.

My favourite photo. Though bouncing a balloon back & forth has limited appeal to me since I am older than 8, these girls went at it for ages. This surreal shot has them blowing the balloon.

See you next year.

All Hallow's Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve Down at the Farm.

I've made mention on occasion of our upcoming Halloween party at the Fabulous Farm. It's only a few days away and I have yet to create a costume. If I had any talent whatsoever, I'd make this werewolf outfit but that doesn't seem too likely. So I went to my local 100￥ shop and bought a poop-load of cheap crap with the hope of throwing something together at the last minute.





Here is the flyer that I whipped up to hand out to those at work and around town. It is a pretty lame effort, but no one else had made one. (Nori made the above poster, but no flyer.)

Should be a rocking event! See you Saturday!

Ooooh...Scary, Boys& Girls.

I agree with many of the choices for All-time scariest TV characters but the author has obviously never seen any Kolchak episodes.





I was particularly creeped out by the Hindu demon, Rakshasa from "Horror in the Heights", not so much for looking scary, but for its ability to take on the appearance of the one you trust most. One of the few shows I recall getting nightmares from.





Speaking of spooky shows, The first season of Medium has started airing over here. What a well-written show! Each episode ends by putting a lump in my throat and her children are the best kid-actors I've seen in a show since Frank Black's daughter Jordan from Millennium.


While I'm in a TV mood and speaking of child actors, let's make mention of Buffy. Oh yeah, there is that vampire-loving, vampire killing Buffy, but there is also another Buffy...

A Bit of Bubbly.

Last Friday's Echophonyk event "Bubble" was pretty lively. For a change, I didn't get there until about 10 and once there, I stuck to my guns and didn't imbibe all night. There wasn't a huge crowd, but those who were there had a blast.

Kanako and Kazuko haven't shown up in about a year. Glad to see them.












VJ Nori in his Rasta look, chatting up the birds. Yah, Mon! Check out his blog for a detailed account of the evening.











The lovely Akari and her boss. She gave Alex an incredibly cool Mr. Potato-Head (I am so jealous!)












Mariko brought the organizers of the last Enn party, Pirate. They wanted to check out the locale and will be bringing their gang to Shaft for a Christmas Charity Event. I hope to Santa for it.










Boogieing down.













Lighting the ケキ (ke-ki).













お誕生日おめでとうございます。 (O-tanjobi omedeto gozaimasu = birthday congrats please).











The birthday boy spins.
and spins while rapping (not really.)































Mr. Potato-Head & Ittan Momen.














The reason I hung around instead of going home and nursing my colitis.













Not only did I not nurse my tummy, I danced for 3 extra hours.
You can see why...


















This post has been brought to you by Collon - the cream filled colon-shaped cookie for colitis abusers.