On Positivity, Aging, and… Anime Conventions?

April 24, 2016

Today, I am 35 years old.

Holy crap. Thirty-freakin’-five. I’m frankly amazed I survived this long.

Here’s the thing, though: I really don’t feel 35. I certainly don’t look my age, and I’m more or less sure I don’t act like a grown adult, either. I mean, I was just watching Animaniacs on Netflix, okay? Clearly, something is amiss here.

Then again, maybe it isn’t. I know my last post was a downer, but that’s what this blog is for me. It’s a place to work through things, both the good and the bad, and the ups and downs of the day-to-day. And I’d be lying if I said the past week was anything but up and down. The reasons for my mood swings of late are very personal, but they do exist, and everyday is a challenge to do better and face down my inner demons.

For the moment, I think I’ve done that. I’m in a good place right now, in this time and place. Some of that anxiety and hopelessness I felt had to do with this day, in fact, and the idea that I’m a year older. As I look back on the past year, I ask myself what I’ve done. Have I grown at all? Or did I just stagnate or give in to my laziness?

I think the answer is that I have grown, and I have changed. I think that I have a better, more open relationship with my friends and coworkers, and I think I’ve made a greater effort to keep in touch with more of them. It’s been a year of new beginnings and bittersweet endings, of terrifying experiences and new opportunities for understanding.

I think I’ve done pretty okay for myself this past year. I know I’ve said I’m a negative person, a perfectionist, my own worst critic, etc., but for once, I can honestly say that I tried to do better and to be better as a person over the last year. I think I’ve succeeded, at least in part.

And that’s pretty much as positive as I get.

I mean, I’m 35. I’m just going to let that sink in for a moment.

Okay, moment's over. Now, let’s talk about Kawaii Kon 2016! I know I’ve mentioned the Kon before and that I’ve shown some pictures I took with friends, but I thought I’d post some of my personal favorites as a sort of pictorial. Hope you enjoy them!

Also, I apologize in advance for my weird face. I don't photograph well, so I surround myself with people who do.

Living the dream, standing next to the lovely and talented Jessica Nigri.
She gave me a potato chip, by the way. Best moment of the Kon for me.
I'll never look at chips the same way again, I can tell ya that.

Here I am with the amazing Grey DeLisle.
She banished me in Azula's voice (her character in
Avatar: The Last Airbender; the cartoon, obviously).
I've never been so happy to be banished in my life.

I met Gaige the Mechromancer herself, Cherami Leigh!
She's so adorable and sweet! I love her!

Here's Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, original voice of Maj. Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell!
She's an amazing singer, too, and a great voice director, to boot! Such a kind person, too!

I also got to meet one of my heroes, the awesomely talented and all-around badass
Steve Blum, voice of Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop and the voice of Wolverine,
Amon, many Stormtroopers and incidental roles, Wrex in Mass Effect 2 and 3, and
the list goes on and on. Such a great guy and a wonderful talent. He's a hero of mine!

This is me with Leah Rose, a very talented cosplayer and one of the most hilarious,
down-to-earth, and kindest people I've ever met! I bought, like, five of her prints.
I love her!

Okay, so I don't know what I'm actually doing in this pic, but standing on either side
of me are two of the loveliest and most wonderful cosplayers I got to meet at the Kon.
On the left is Dallas Nagata White, one of the coolest people I met (and a fellow Maui
person, what up!), and on the right is Uncanny Megan, who is super-awesome!

Here I am, holding a Halo Magnum pistol and smiling.
Why? Because I'm standing next to the amazing Katie Kubo,
who made the Magnum as well as her own Halo armor and
the Gravity Hammer! Love it!

My buddy Josh and I getting our Star Wars on. He's an Imperial Officer.
I mean, this blog IS called Musings From the Dark Side, after all.

Speaking of Dark Side friends...

And Teen Titans friends...

And awesome Final Fantasy friends (hi, Elizabeth!)...

And a best friend with her friends (hi, Natalie!)...

And a new friend (hi again, Dallas!)...

Finally, another best friend (hi, Xylena!).

Well, there you have it. My Kawaii Kon adventure in pictures. I can't wait to see what next year's event holds, and I hope to meet some amazing people once again. Coming up next month, we have Amazing Hawaii Comic-Con, which I definitely hope to attend. Hopefully I'll be able to meet some of my favorite comic book writers and maybe get a picture or two with them, as well.

See you, space cowboy.