And now for something fun. Usually for anime conventions I would make costumes from a random pool of ideas floaing in my head, or a desire to work with a group of friends. For Otakon 2005 Ina asked me to join a Teen Titans Cosplay. At first i agreed to repay the favor of her and her friend completeling our dekarangers group for katsucon but after Puffy Ami Yumi was anounced as one of the guest speakers for the convention everything seemed to justify it self. (note: Puffy Ami Yumi, is the band that sings the teen titans theme song) And now for your amusement Pics from the con of the titans.... clones and clones of titans... Can you guess which one i am? (oh fun it is)

as you can see there is more than 2 of everyone except for the badguys....

If you havent figured out which one i am by now, heres a hint, I'm in every shot.

Hint # 2. I have a fully functional utility belt complete with a flash light, extra batteries, strawberry gummy projectiles, and a fold out cup holder.

Hint #3 X

at the end of september theres a anime costume contest in DC, The prizze is $500 but with school starting up I doubt I'll be able to construct someting that would be ready in time for the competeion. Hopefully There will be holloweeen bash again at UMBC, i'll definately have something for that. but for now back to work.

Red Out

I've Been a lil busy lately but thing are slowing down right before school starts back up again.... ALMOST DONE... I think/hope/wish. Anyways as per requested by Sophia and Allan Pics of my shiny new old car. 1993 GTFour Converted to a GTR. If you have never heard of a GTFour, Its like a Celica + a Mr2 with an engine designed by Lotus. Except it has a wider body and lower ground clearance than a celica, all wheel drive, and a single turbo stock and more hp/tq = .  The GTR Is a limited run in Japan with Power Folding Mirrors, an Upgraded turbo/intercooler, Fuel injetors, exhaust, and a stiffer suspension. As you may have noticed its red but the bestest part is, EVERY SINGLE THING on/in the  car and that will be going into the car is from EBAY including the car and the brand new shiny turbo (which is so much more shinieer thant he rest of the enging bay). And because I have no sence of dirrection I installed a hacked Avic D1. Theres Still a few bugs to work out... The All wheel drive system weighs alot more than my other cars did and there isn't a lot of trunk space because of it but all in all im very happy with this car.  Hanging from the mirror of the car is a small ChronoQ figure of the Car ^_^;

Turbo Shiny
*side note: in 1993 only 75 of these cars were shipped for sale in the US.

As for what I've been doing the past weekend... I went to OTAKON. I'll post pics of that  and of my teen titans cosplay group next time (if you guess who/what I was dressed as I'll give you some candy). Below is a pic of my 35 gallon tokyo pop shopping bag after shopping in the dealers room, it got pwn3d ....

-Red Out

.... I just got a personal phone call from ebay north america about a town hall meeting for sellers taking place tomorrow in a virtual online environment.....

Yes I bought a car. Now all I have to do is get it to pass mdstate inspection. in hte search of parts I brought the car to mineke, the guy at the desk looks just like george forman except hes white with a very dark sunburnish tan it was funny, real nice guy tho. while he was researching the car every place he called, even toyota was like,
Toyota: Wait!!! What car was it?  Are you sure?
George: yes, it says it right on the back....., a 2.0l turbo, all wheel drive everything....
T: damn, I haven't sourced parts for that car in years, Do you know how rare that car is!!!
g: yeah its insane trying to find the parts.
T: does he know what he has?
g: yes, he knows exactly what he has.

So yeah... evryone he talked to or who passed by and saw the car wants to know when im gonna sell it hahahahaahhaahahaahahaahahahaah

Things are looking up, its gonna be fun

-Red Ranger Out

Mission Status Logs

Mission R32GTR 1: Failed, Target location UK, aquired by rival party. Solution- Engage target All Track 1

Mission ST185All Trac 1: Failed. After a 2 hour drive into PA Target was located and examined. Subject was obviouly involved in a head on collision and way over priced. Solution- Engage target R32GTST 1

Mission R32GTST 1: Aquision pending. Target location is MN

Mission ST185All Trac 2: Failed. Target location is WV. -aquired by rival party.

Mission ST185All Trac 3: Aquision pending. Target location is IL

Mission ST185All Trac 4: Aquision pending. Target location is Kansas City

Mission AE86GTS 1: Aquision pending. CA

Mission AE86GTS 2: Aquision pending. WI

Operation greater than three is also pending and not looking so well. Solution, reprogram, repair, reboot.

   This was earlier in the month, I've been selling carparts left and right on ebay and havent been buying much lately, Its so differnt spending virtual money as opposed to credit, I always feel that way with real money and credit, even though I know I'll have to spend the actual cash anyway. It just feels weird. Actually ever since finals the main staple of my diet has been Slurpies, in the plastic starwars cups. Yoda's head is sitting in my cabinet and the yummy red cheery filling that was his brain was delicious.

If any or all of this entry deos not make sence please locate the User Manual that was provided with you personal Victor2.0 Beta Master Systems Robot as for now Customer Service will be back logged till I return on the 11th/12th from the far northern west cost. 

-Red Ranger Out

Finals are over... Honestly have no Idea how well or bad I did but ill be posting my animations online, only the final 2 projects from 3d animaiton are uploaded and acessable for now but hopefully ill have everything uploaded in a week or so. you can view them here http://www.arafiles.com/animation/

and a side note

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD
IT BE?

okinawa would be nice, beachfront property but access to the highway is important too.

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
pockets

3. IF YOU COULD HAVE CHOSEN YOUR NAME, WHAT WOULD IT
BE?
I dont mind my ande at all, It means I win,... so I guess after im done losing I'll eventually end up in the top right?

4. WHAT IS THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT?
Baby Vox's Westside

5. WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
in the drives seat of my car parked in the middle of an empty lot at night while its raining, lisitening to the beat of the falling rain and matching it to the songs from the stero letting me clear my mind and really get to think...

6. WHERE IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
lying in a hospital bed stairing at the bleak tiled cealing because the tv they always asign to me is broken.

7. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
Tuesday..

8. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE?
since im a chef i prefer a gas stove, its better for cooking because it evenly distributes the heat. but at home i have an electric flat top range whcih is alot easier to clean.

9. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY?
hm...angry or upset?
being judged on apearance.

10. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT
BE?
violin

11. FAVORITE COLOR
Red

12. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTER LIFE?
yes


13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDRENS BOOK?
the little engine that could, or the velvetine rabbit

14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
summer

15. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT
BE?
to control time

16. IF YOU HAD A TATTOO, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
dragons

17. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
no

19. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
anyday but sunday

20. WHAT IS IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
nitrous oxide, subwoofer, spare tire, jack, acouple hundred candybars, lightsabers, almost everythig that was in the fasa locker at school, bottled water, first aid kit, tools, night vision goggles, spare clothes, spools of speaker wire.

21. WHICH DO YOU PREFER...SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
SSHI

22. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO IS
MOST LIKELY TO
RESPOND FIRST?
no email

23. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
no email

24. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CARTOON?
Im an animator so all of them

25. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
Miso soup, seaweed salad, white tuna sashimi, 1 vegas roll, 1 bridal veil roll, 1 dynamite roll, 4-6 pieces of white tuna nigiri sushi, 1 dragon roll, 1 rocknroll, 1 shrimp tempura roll, 1 salmon skin roll, 1 white tuna hand roll, and for desert 2 pieces of O-toro or master grade toro sushi. yes, I eat alot of sushi. ... oh and if its in that one place in towson, a monster roll.

26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?
panda, or dragon

27. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS?
jackie chan

28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE?
eyes

29. What is your favorite holiday?
I havent had an actual holiday in over 5 years. My family usually goes out of town where it would be just another day at work for me.

something random:
I know this isn't really part of the survey, but I liked it anyway: so something random: The car I might buy is older than my cousin.

-Red Out

She wasnt just a car, a machine, a compilaiton of wires and circuts. She was my partner, a companion I could give absolute trust in and always count on. She would bring peace  to my life. comfot and shelter from the world, and a chance to feel free. She wasn't just a composite of sheetmetal and carbon fiber but an extension of my soul. I've been with her from her first day rolling off the trailer to the last, and as I watched her burn to the gound a piece of me died that day. To me these cars are so much more. They have names, and souls.... there family.

There are 4 rings I often wear. the first is my class ring. On one side there is a dragon from dunloggin, and the other has a pheonix from centennial I'll go further into that another time for eveyone that is confused abotu it not being an eagle. The top right ring is a mask rider ring, I grew up watching those shows in japan, and with it I'm supose to rememr I'm one of the good guys. the botom left ring is a band of titanium, the strongest metal on earth, and the same material they used to rebuild my body in january 1999. The last ring is a band of carbonfiber representing my past with scca rally and the vehicles I've built over the years. Which brings us back to where we were.

The insurance company called today and said they are going to move aki soon, they just needed to get my permission. Apearently my claims representative also said that I failed to notify them that the fire caused dammage to the service bay and acted like it was my fault, even though I handed the service manager the phone while i was talking to the insurance company the day of and he exchanged information with a representative there and xeroxed all the forms for me. My claims representaive then said she talked to the service manager and "she" implying the service manager was female, never recieved any contact information even though I know for a fact Andy is a He and i was in his office the majority of the day of the incident sorting everything out. >< And it took them a long time to figure out the obvious that the car is totalled. She was also asking me about the stereo system implying that my wiring could have been a factor but the visual evidence that all my wiring is completely intact while the entire engine block itself melted is proof enough added on wiht the fact teh electrical work was done over a year ago. But since there moving the car I stopped by to take some photos since some popel coundt comprehend the extent of a car melting from a fire or just wanted to see the car.

from this angle it looks fine, the badges were ripped off no more licence plate and the stubby antenna is gone but somehting looks odd in the front.

as you can see the entire front end is melted/burned away but the tires and the breaks are in good condition, the tires even stillhold air.

And this is what a melted engine looks like and where the fire originated. The engine. It probly didnt help that there was a full tank of premium gasoline which is a cleaner burning fuel.

The glove compartment became a swimming pool and well theres lots of stuff that melted.

The electrical wiring from the nav and stero system in perfect condition. The glass of the windshield is actually melted. but the carbonfiber of the hood did not burn. also the red dragon airfreshiner was almost unscathed excpt for the very top of the string that burned away. btu he dragon did not melt and still smells good so i put it in the corolla.

 and lastly the notice left by the insurance company stating all the damage. notice all the tires are still in good condition. but yes it will be a total loss... =( it also stats the reason is unknown. They also still havent told me what they are going to do with my situation other than that they wont fix my car since it will cost more than the car is worth to repair.

With that I say goodbye to aki and I will have to move on. I will sell all the parts that I was able to salvage on ebay unless dave or jesse want to claim them, thogh they cant use all the parts I have since they have sedans not hatches. Im guessing the insurance company or mazda will just issue me a check btu for how much and when is unknown.

Trying to look forward I've been searching for a new car. Something to fill that empty void left in my soul. There is a car I think would work but I might not get the insurance money in time and I'm not the only one trying to buy it. What ever happens I'll prolly get a 4wd,/Awd, or Rwd.

As the images of my chs class ring show. The dragon survies and the pheonix will rise fom the ashes. Thus we start a new.

-Red Out

Well yes the $#!% just keeps hitting the fan. As many of you may or may not know I no longer have my car. And some of you have asked why so I will put everythign into retrospect.

last tuseday it started makign a rattling noise in the enging so I decided to stop driving it and on thursday morning I broguht it to mazda for a checkup. 8:45am I hear a loud bang  and my car is on fire infront of the service bay at the dealership. Theres screaming and someone yelling to pop the hood and another guy saiying that he woudlnt do it. So i run back to my car and open the hood..... The enginge is on fire....

They used up 3 whole fire extinguishers but it only seems to make things worse. by now the hood is closed and the flames are flying out the front grill, hood scoop and the weel wells, its not long before the fire completly engulfs the front end and melts the hood completely as well as the licenceplate, front bumper, headlights and windshield. At 8:50 I call the insurance company and they siad to call back after i get a report formt eh fire department. 

8:55 The fire department finally arrives and sees that the flames are shooting higher than the dealership building causing the windows of the building to crack from the heat. Everyone on the premises is order to exit the building for it may catch on fire... The fire department use there giant hose and at 9:05 they finally put the fire out.

9:10 I get the report number from the fire department. By now i can see the total extent of the damage. everything from the steerignwheel to the side mirrors to where the front licence plate use to be has decenigrated from the fire. nothign is left. the dvd nav was melted, the dvd changer was submerged in water, my ez pass looked like something resebling a fire roasted marshmellow and at first I thoguht it was my black garage remote but then my dad found that inside the new lake the fire department made. Pretty much everythign eletrical was destroyed. and well anything that was infront of the front seats. The heds up display compas was definately melted away all that was left was a cord runnign up to where it use to be. I also found out carbon fiber doesnt burn. The resin that is used to keep it in a sold form however burns very well.

9:@3 i get a hold of the insurance company, They said that in 3-5 days they will send a claims representitave to assess the damages and extimate the cost of repairs for the vehicle... Since they have not yet seen it they dont know that all thats really left is the rear end of the car. The service department manager told me that inorder to fix a $20k car that badly dammaged piece by piece will cost $30k in parts and $50k in labor. all in all a little more than double of what I've invested and spent on the car... I salved eveyrhtingthat I possibly could from the car. dunno what I will do witht he stuff. I still want another 3 but I dunno. Its jsut not the same.

The service manager also said that It wil proably take a while before I see any money from this incident, mainly because theinsurance company will try and say it was a defect and mazda will say prove it. and well since there is nothing left there is no way to prove what cause the engine to explode.

So basically I watched the sum of everything i worked and sacrified over for the past 3 years burn to the ground before my eyes. all those days spend in a dark lit kitchen for a evil menichal company with only non english speaking mechicans as company missing out on find, birthdays, parties, semi, amusement parks, halidays, PISTAHAN, and pretty much all my weekends ever. Everything vanish in a meer 10 minutes. And all I coudl do was stand there and watch it burn. The one and only thing I woudl never want to see on fire. The one last thing left in my life to bring a smile to my face is dead.

Aside from this, since the nav is gone I will get lost and more often than ever before, and wont be able to find my way back. I dont even know how to get back to sunshine place. And the only way to get to mengmeng's house is through the navigation since its a brand new development thats not registred. And any cross country trips this summer will be a bitch.

My printer also died today...

Everythign that Is near me or close to me dies breaks or goes away... ><

Is this carma? am I not doing enough to better the world, isnt there anything enough. Is it a crime to be happy to live happy.. or is it jsut a privilage that i am not entitled to. Or is this all the preminisions that mengmeng warned me about the year of the rooster being bad luck for all those that are roosters. And yet in the end I could have still been stuck inside that car and burnt to a crisp. or maybe simply my lick has jsut finally run out. Or maybe its jsut another day.... Anyways Come to Pistahan Friday May 6th.

Red Out.... Like the fire that engulfed my car....

I will sleep on masy 7th.... maybe

It took a week of no sleeping and no eating and changed to the very last second but in the end it all worked out. I actually lost 8lbs that week and then gained back 2lbs durring asia ^^;  I still have to edit the videos and get the 35mm film developed but heres some shots from the digital.

after asia Mike notified me that the class list for fall is up and regestration dates were posted last week... That part concerned me a little but what concerned me more was that One last class I need isnt offered next semester..... hopefully They will let me take an alternative.... althouhg ther is a part of me that doesnt want to leave. Im so close to haveing a double diploma... but the majority of me just wants to finish. but if I finish I will have to figure out what to do with my life. I'll think of it later.

For now I get to focus on pistahan.

Red Out.