Pocky Central

Apologies for the long delay. Again. Things have been kind of hectic.

Some people have asked me, “Why aren’t you going to cons anymore?”

The answer is simple, yet complex.

The simple version: A lack of time, a lack of money, and a desire to avoid the fandom for a while.

The complex version:

I’m trying to devote more of my time to me, and those close to me. While I love my friends at the cons, I would rather see them in a non-convention setting, so I can spend more time with them. This may sound stupid, but because I know so many people, I have to try to divide my time amongst a lot of people, and that’s not fair to them or me.

Money-wise, I want to try to save more. I want to eventually get my own home, and that means spending a lot less. Cons, for me, are huge money sinks, even if I don’t buy anything in the Dealer’s Room or the Artist’s Alley. Hotel, travel, food and such add up quick.

Finally, the fandom. Contrary to what some believe, and to some of what I’ve said, I don’t hate my fandom. But at the same time, I’m kind of tired of it. I need a break, a chance to get back some of the excitement I used to feel. I will admit that some of the recent changes, on top of my growing older, have changed some of my views on the fandom.

I think, once I get my life on the track I want it to be on, I will be heading back to anime cons in a year or two.

When I started college, I experienced a great many new things. College scheduling headaches, good and bad campus food, and of course, alcohol.

I have never been anti-alcohol or smoking, though I’m not really for them, either. (I used to smoke, too, but that’s another story) I enjoyed a drink or two when I was in college, and afterwards, too.

But these days, I drink very little. This started just before I graduated college, and has continued since. I’m not entirely sure why, though part of it is because my doctor recommended that I cut back.

This normally isn’t a problem. But when I moved to Japan, where a big after-work activity is drinking, “I don’t drink” is met with wonderment and confusion.

“You don’t drink beer?”

“No, I don’t drink alcohol (anymore).”

“Oh, so no (sake/vodka/etc.). How about beer?”

“No, I don’t drink.”

“Oh, is it because of your (health/religion/etc.)?”

“… yes.” (This depends on the question, of course)

It took some doing, but I managed to convince my co-workers that I didn’t drink, and nothing they could do would change that. Then again, these are the same people who boggled at me drinking Coke with my lunch.

I think that alcohol is a fine thing to partake when you feel like it. I do worry when it’s something that is drunk every night “just because”. Or when it’s the only way to “feel good”. Granted, I feel that way about any type of vice.

As for me, as long as you’re okay with “Nah, I’ll have a ginger ale” or something similar, you can drink all you want.

Just don’t throw up in my car.

Heya, folks.

I will be on a longish business trip from 1/29 to 2/2, so updates will be sporatic at best. I will have net access, but I’m not sure how exhausted I will be when I get back to my hotel room.

Take care, all.

It has been a while since I was last in Vegas. It’s kind of nice to see that other than growing in size and scope, it’s still the same Las Vegas I ‘ve always known.

Ah, Las Vegas, how I missed you.

Note: unless you really like walking or waiting, don’t vacation in Vegas during a big convention. And try to make your reservations well ahead of time, no matter the case.

When I moved back to the U.S. from Japan in 2002, I had absolutely no job prospects. None. I looked, but there wasn’t really anyone hiring, at least, not that I could find.

So on a lark, I applied to the F.B.I. Yes, that F.B.I. (I also applied to the C.I.A., but that went absolutely nowhere)

I was hoping they might want someone to translate Japanese documents or something. I really wasnt’ expecting to hear back, though. The Yakuza really aren’t a huge problem in the U.S. these days (at least, not that I know of), so I figured my applying to the F.B.I. was just a shot in the dark.

To my surprise, I got a response from them later in 2003. To be a special agent. (I must have clicked on that, too, when I did my online application)

So, I got my invitation to take the first of several tests to see if I was good enough to get to the second stage of application. Letters in hand, I went to this center (somewhere in Maryland - I honestly don’t remember where), where many other people waited, all in suits, to take the written exam.

The test started, and the hours flew by. The questions ranged from ‘what would you do in this situation’ to practical knowledge questions to questions about my personality and such. After the test ended, I went home, figuring that I wouldn’t get a call back.

But I did. I got a letter stating that I was chosen for the second stage of application - physical fitness. (Those of you who know me know that while I am not a super-fat guy, I am hardly Captain America… hell, I’m not even Corporal U.S. Guy) They wanted me to lose around fifty (50) pounds in a month or so, if I remember right. And to be able to do a 15 minute mile. (I can do, at this point, a 20-22 minute run… maybe)

In addition, my mother, who I get a lot of my worrying from, flat out told me that she didn’t want me to be a ‘cop’. I told her that I would likely not need to use my gun (I wasn’t sure, honestly; I have no idea how often an F.B.I. agent has to pull their firearm out), but she was adamant. And that, coupled with the sudden need for weight loss (fifty pounds in a month and some is not healthy) led me to decide to not go through with it.

But sometimes I wonder, what would have happened if I had gone through with it, and managed to pass the test. Where would I live? What would I be doing, exactly? How would the last few years have gone?

F.B.I. Agent Richard Kim. Kind of has a nice ring to it, I guess.