Of being Anime-ed, Hello Kitty-ed and 1/2 a life lived...

If this is not hot, I don't know what is. She SO tips the scale for ogle factor. Seen at the Anime Festival Asia 2009 (AFA 2009) during the Regional Cosplay (Costume Play) Championship finals held in the island over the weekend. Miss Witchblade and her equally flaming hot partner (Alodia and Ashley, both from the Philippines) were the crowd favourite to win but unfortunately not the judges' choice that consisted of 2/3 female.

What an experience it was, attending the festival. I was tagging along IA and her two sisters, who flew down excitedly. They are anime fans and call Japan, home. It was interesting, to see so many people dressed and made up as their favourite anime character, getting into character and enthusiastically posing for pictures. There is an art to posing apparently. Photographers (professionals and visitors alike) were snapping away. No lack of flashes for sure.

This is Kaname, the only male judge. He is a famous Cosplayer, renowned as Cloud from the Final Fantasy series. His attention to character detail is meticulous. It takes him 3-4 hours to complete his make-up. No one is born looking this beautiful. I bet he went under the knife for more anime-like features. Cute. Below, as his renowned character.'Comel' huh? Thumbs up to people like him, who are courageous enough to pursue their passion determinedly where they not only succeed but make a name for themselves as well. Kaname is employed by his father but also works as a male maid to supplement his income, on top of being a Cosplayer champion. Yes, a male maid. For a better picture, check out the female versions here.

Observed some male diners while having lunch at the AFA Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe located inside the convention hall and it's amazing... what a girl in costume can do, even when she's doing nothing and standing still. It was a field day for testosterones. I reckon this is somewhat general knowledge but having witnessed it upfront, I now know what to wear for Halloween next year. *chuckle* Boys... will be boys.

It was while looking at my schedule for the week this morning, that I realised hey, it's a short work week! Mini happie, mini happie. What else is? Buying a Hello Kitty mouse that costs only 10 bucks to try and reduce the aggravation caused by unwanted emails and VIPs (very irritating persons) because looking at it tickles your heart everytime. Cheap thrill but if it works, it works. And it WORKS.

30 days to go (depending on how one calculates), before I deem myself as forever ##. To be frank, I'm not really affected by it. After all, ain't it just a number? And whether you like it or not, your age is one of those things that will continue to go up, never come down and reach a halt only when you're six feet underground. Might as well accept it. Although this means I have lived almost half of my life. I've always had this feeling that I will either meet my Maker or burn in hell at an early old age, if you know what I mean. Looks like I have half a life left to live, and to make it as good as the first half. If not, better.

I LOVE birthdays. Especially mine :)