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For you star Trek Fans out there...

Photo credit to: Darth Ryu

Yeah, so the fountains we all knew and enjoyed are now huge planter plot.

Thoughts?

my first thought, is do we now call it the "previously known as the water fountain" meet up for cosplayers?

Hello Fanime Forum Friends!
Just wanted to share~
Hope you enjoy all your weekend adventures



Free Museum Day: Lunar New Year

Category:
    Visual Arts

When:
    Saturday, February 4, 2012 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
   

Where:
    San Jose Museum of Art
    110 S Market St
    San Jose, CA 95113
    (408) 271-6840

website:
http://www.sanjosemuseumofart.org/event/community-day-feb-4

Cost:
    Free

What/Why:
    The powerful dragon, the only mythical animal in the Chinese zodiac, is associated with honesty, bravery, innovation, and ambition. Our popular family-friendly event takes a modern approach to traditional multicultural customs.

    Welcome in the lucky Year of the Dragon and enjoy:

    Free admission all day
    Traditional Lion Dance by Rising Phoenix Lion Dance Association
    Dance performance by Sukyung Choi's Korean Dance Academy
    Cultural crafts, hands-on activities, family fun, and more!

I've been a huge Resident Evil fan since the original horribly scripted "master lock picking & Jill sandwich" dayz.
So im excited to see that Capcom has announced Resident Evil 6.



Trailer video :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmC1lZeQad4

Course I wonder who's going to be the new villain now...

if anyone still plays Resident Evil 5 - It would be awesome to Co-op over Xbox Live.

My gamertag is --- Jranma23456
Happy gaming everyone!

[Happy Meal Controversy: Are the Toys Bait for Children?]

one (of the many) articles here:

http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=13706855

Happy Meal Controversy: Are the Toys Bait for Children?

WGEM) --A California mother is leading a class action lawsuit against McDonalds accusing the restaurant chain of using Happy Meal toys as bait to make children want fast food.

But McDonalds is defending its product and menu saying it offers healthier alternatives to some high calorie foods.

The lawsuit against McDonalds puts forth an interesting question when it comes to any kind of fast food for children. Is it the company's responsibility to make sure children are getting a balanced meal or is it up to the parents?

"He's always rocking in his car seat and going lets go to McDonalds mom, McDonalds!," said Lacie Robinson. Robinson says she deals with her children begging for Happy Meals all the time and sometimes, she gives in.

"We go twice a week maybe three times a week, I think its because of the toys that they get with the Happy Meals," said Robinson.

But lately McDonalds has come under fire from public health officials, parents and lawmakers who are frustrated with the rising childhood obesity rates and weak anti-obesity efforts from restaurant operators.

Dietitan Nancy Hays points out there are healthier options available at McDonalds.

Apple slices to replace the french fries and milk instead of soda.

McDonald's says it's proud of its Happy Meals, and said in a statement it "intends to vigorously defend our brand, our reputation and our food."

Hays says it is also the parents responsibility to model healthy eating habits at home, and at restaurants.

"If mom and dad aren't eating the apples at home as well as the apples at the restaurant then why would the child?,"said Hays.

But even then, Hays eating at McDonald's is a choice.

"No one has to drive them to McDonalds to eat the meal, it is a point of personal responsibility and accountability," said Hays.

--------------------------------------------------

Any thoughts, questions, comments?

[About this event:]

Just wanted to share with everyone about a mini local Holiday Faire
Take a friend and check it out!

*********************************


http://www.holidayanimefaire.com/

Fremont Teen Center in Central Park (Lake Elizabeth)
39770 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538

Turn into park at Sailway Drive
Turn left at U-shaped parking lot

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About this event:

Holiday Anime Faire Mascots, Lizzie and ArtIn 2006, Phuong-Mai Bui-Quang (aka P.M.B.Q.), founder of P.M.B.Q. Studios, had a crazy idea to create an all-ages, one-day event combining handmade crafts with anime shopping and anime education. As Halloween had just passed, it made sense to give this a try during the upcoming holiday season.

The City of Fremont and P.M.B.Q. Studios have been a successful partners with their past Manga Expo for Teens events, so it was only natural that they work together to bring the Holiday Anime Faire to life.

Thus, on December 9, 2006, the very first Holiday Anime Faire was born. We enjoyed 394 unique visitors for a fun-filled day of anime and crafts.

Why Anime & Manga?
Anime (ah-knee-may) is the Japanese word for animation. Manga (mon-gah)is the Japanese word for comics. The term "anime" has also often been used to refer to both animation and comics originating from Japan.

In recent years, anime has become more mainstream within American culture. Both the City of Fremont and P.M.B.Q. Studios would like to educate the public on the fact that anime can be for all ages, as well as the fact that it is more of a medium than an art style.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Activities & Registration
There's A LOT to do at the Holiday Anime Faire!

NEW FOR 2010! Tickets are $9 if you pre-register, $15 at the door

Your admission fee is good for 2 people! Make sure you bring a parent or friend with you.  Admission includes a Goodie Bag and 2 Activity Tickets.

Each additional Activity Ticket costs $1, and can be purchased onsite.
Activities include ornament-making, card-making, and so much more!  Activities vary from 1 to 3 tickets.

Pre-Register at www.regerec.com : Barcode # 136626
Manga Start Drawing Classes:
Session 1: Beginners, K-5 11am – 11:45am
Session 2: Intermediate, High School & Up 1pm – 1:45pm

Karen Luk and Jeannie Lee of Manga Start are teaching two, 45 minute classes on Drawing Manga Techniques.

Each class costs an additional $5 (if you pre-register) or $8 on-site. This additional fee gives you your own set of professional-quality Manga art materials, courtesy of Seth Cole and Sakura of America.

Pre-Register for Manga Start at www.regerec.com :
Session 1, Beginners K-5 use Barcode # 142076
Session 2, Intermediate High School & Up use Barcode # 142077

More Amazing Arts & Crafts

    * Glass Ornament Decorating
    * Fabric Ornament Making
    * Handmade Cards
    * Button-Making
    * More at the show!

Visit with Manga Artists

    * Bay Area Artists Unite – http://www.baau.org
    * Manga Start – http://www.mangastart.com

Manga Drawing Room

    * sponsored by Sakura of America – http://www.sakuraofamerica.com

Anime Viewing Lounge

Holiday/Anime Music

Snack Bar

AND MUCH MORE TO COME!
Raffles and Door Prizes

Each admission gives you automatic entry to our fabulous door prizes! We have some pretty nifty prizes donated to us by Sakura of America, Viz Media, P.M.B.Q. Studios and more to be announced.

[RAMEN]

From one of me fav blogger websites : http://geeksdreamgirl.com

All I Needed to Know About Japanese Food, I Learned from Ranma ½
22 Nov By m



One of the great things about living in Vancouver is the sheer wealth of Japanese restaurants we have here. You can't go a block without at least two sushi places ready to fill you with rice and raw fish. However, as anyone who has been to Japan will tell you, sushi is actually just one dish in a culture filled with cool and unusual tasties. In fact, when I was living in Japan, I probably only had sushi once every few months or so; the rest of the time I was gorging myself on the other treats the country had to offer.

Often, when my friends and I would go to a restaurant and I would order some mystical-sounding dish they'd never heard of before, they'd ask how on earth I knew about these dishes. "Oh," I'd say with a lofty smile, "I like to research foreign cuisine so I can truly know a country," and so on, until they all became suitably impressed with my Deep and Educated Personality.

It was either that, or tell them that I heard of them all through anime.

Watch enough anime set in modern Japan (or in Japanese-based fantasy realms) and chances are you're eventually going to see characters sitting around and eating, preparing or talking about some wondrous delicacy that you've never seen or heard of. Ranma ½ was particularly noteworthy for doing this, seeing as several of the characters run their own restaurants, and the characters spent a lot of time eating, talking over food, etc. So for today, I thought I'd get our stomachs rumbling as I go through some popular food in anime and hopefully put some names to those weird brown skewers you've been pondering over.

RAMEN

What is it: A noodle broth that originated in China, ramen is usually topped with sliced pork, egg, seaweed, veggies, fish paste and other assorted items.

What does it look like: A really big bowl of soup with tons of veggies and bacon floating on top. Pay particular attention to the white and pink spiral fish cake. it's very distinctive..

What anime does it appear in: What doesn't it appear in? As per the title, it got some fame through Ranma ½, where Shampoo worked at her grandmother's ramen delivery. But it is arguably Naruto and the titular character's obsession with the dish that's really made it famous.

OKONOMIYAKI

What is it: Sometimes described as Japanese pancake or Japanese pizza, okonomiyaki is a little bit of both. The base is made of batter mixed with shredded cabbage; this batter is then fried on a flat stove until it becomes pancake-like. It is then smothered, and I mean smothered, with meat, seafood, dried tuna (bonito) flakes, sweet sauce and mayonnaise. It is also the best thing mankind has ever created.

What does it look like: In anime, it usually appears as a sort of thick pancake with lots of "stuff" piled on top of it, smothered in thick dark sauce. Sometimes it appears as if two are stacked on top of each other; in other anime, they sometimes show the Hiroshima variant that has noodles on top as well.

What anime does it appear in: Again, we can thank Ranma ½ for bringing this food of the gods to our attention. Ukyo, one of Ranma's fiancées, runs an okonomiyaki restaurant, and we get to see not only the food itself but also how it's prepared, the spatulas used, etc.

ONIGIRI

What is it: A clump of steamed rice shaped in a triangular wedge and half covered with a slip of dried seaweed. Many might call this the "sandwich" of Japanese cuisine, in that it's often eaten in similar situations (lunch, food on the go, etc) and can be eaten one handed. Most nigiri have something savory in the middle of the rice, like salmon or pickles. There is also a toasted variant.

What does it look like: In anime, it's usually depicted as a vaguely triangular white "ball" with a large black or dark green square used to hold it (the seaweed).

What anime does it appear in: It made quite a few appearances in Sailor Moon, but it's all over the place, especially in high school anime etc. It also made for a particularly heartbreaking scene in Spirited Away when Chihiro eats one after seeing the fate of her parents.

MOCHI

What is it: A very thick and gooey rice cake. The texture is not that far off from bubble gum, and it's incredibly chewy and can take a while to get through. Mochi offers itself to a variety of different dishes and versions. One popular variant is to fill it with sweet red bean paste; another is to glaze it with a soy based syrup. One of the nicest deserts I ever had was actually mochi toasted over a flame.

What does it look like: Big white balls, mostly, about the size of a small fist.

What anime does it appear in: It sort of appears all over the place, with particular appearances in Fruits Basket and Pretear. You often see it in the background in many houses in anime set in modern Japan; this is because it is considered a traditional offering for the household shrine, particularly around New Year. Thus, it's not uncommon to see several of this little white cakes stacked neatly before the shrine.

ODANGO

What is it: Very similar to mochi, odango is a dumpling made of rice flour and a somewhat chewy, moist texture. One of the most popular forms is kushi-dango, which consist of five small odango on a skewer and covered with a thick sweet sauce of sugar and soy.

What does it look like: Kushi-dango looks at first glance like a BBQ skewer of some sort, albeit without any veggies; instead, there are several small ball-shaped brown pieces on the skewer.

What anime does it appear in: Kushi-dango appears as a popular snack food in many different anime titles, usually as something the characters munch on absently while thinking to themselves etc. There's also a somewhat famous reference to odango in Sailor Moon; Mamoru is amused by Usagi's bun-headed hair style and nicknames her "dumpling head"... or in other words, "Odango atama"!

SUKIYAKI

What is it: Hot pot at its finest and a common dish at parties and get-togethers, sukiyaki is very simple: soak your choice of ingredients (such as beef, tofu, cabbage, mushroom, noodles etc) in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar and mirin in an open and shallow iron pot. Put said iron pot on table, and let everyone help themselves as the items cook to perfection.

What does it look like: The open iron pot is usually a dead giveaway for sukiyaki in anime. The broth inside the pot is brown, and one can usually pick out several kinds of mushrooms (some squat and acorn shaped, others long and noodle-like) and blocks of tofu.

What anime does it appear in: Mahoromatic and Loveless both feature scenes with a hot pot, and it crops up all over the place (I'd say Ranma ½ features it, but that's unfair as I'm pretty sure Ranma ½ has shown almost every Japanese dish known to mankind at some point). It's a favorite dish for scenes where friends (or new allies) are sitting down to dinner together.

TAKOYAKI

What is it: Small chunks of octopus are deep fried in thick batter and formed into perfectly round little dumplings. They are then smothered (that magic word again) with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. Arguably the second greatest thing mankind has ever created.

What does it look like: Small round orbs of a light tan or brown color, often half-covered with a rich brown sauce. Some people mistake anime takoyaki for donut holes, and to be fair, it's an understandable mistake, given that they're about the same size and shape, and the sauce topping can look like chocolate depending on the shading.

What anime does it appear in: Pretty Cure has several scenes of the heroines sampling takoyaki from one of their friend's vending stall (imagine my difficulty in dubbing the scene for a non-takoyaki loving audience!) Also, although it doesn't always show the dish itself, keep an eye out during festival scenes; there is almost always at least one takoyaki stall, usually with a cute cartoony octopus drawn on the front.

NIKUMAN

What is it: Another import from China, this is a steamed meat bun made from flour-based dough and filled with pork or other meat. It tends to have a slightly sweet taste to it which counterbalances the savory ingredients.

What does it look like: ... my friend once commented that they looked like a breast, complete with nipple. Unfortunately, I can no longer unsee this. And now neither can you.

What anime does it appear in: Again, a common dish in lots of anime, with noteworthy appearances in, you guessed it, Ranma ½ as well as Card Captor Sakura, Saiyuki and tons of others.

There are plenty more dishes to cover, but frankly, writing this article has made me hungry, and I have to have stuff to cover for future editions, right? In the meantime...

What other Japanese dishes do you know about through anime, or can recognize as you watch? Anything anime introduced to you? What's your favorite Japanese dish?

So some of my friends have kept linking me to this website:

http://museumca.org/exhibit/pixar-25-years-animation

PIXAR: 25 Years of Animation
July 31 - January 9, 2011

Walt Disney's arrival in Los Angeles in the 1920s firmly established California as a magnet for animation artists in the decades to come. Home to a number of leading studios, the San Francisco Bay Area has emerged as a global center for animation today. PIXAR: 25 Years of Animation provides an unprecedented look at the renowned Emeryville-based studio (located just a few miles from OMCA) and showcases the creative work behind its wildly successful computer-animated films.  After its opening in New York and its five-year  international tour, the exhibition comes home to Oakland. The OMCA presentation includes all of the artwork from the original presentation at MOMA, plus art from Ratatouille, WALL•E, Up, and Pixar's latest film, Toy Story 3.


Would anyone be interested in checking this exhibit before it stops in January?

Just a random interesting article i found on the internets...

http://www.mancouch.com/734982184/ladies-5-ways-of-finding-and-keeping-a-guy-friend/

with most girls sometimes having to deal with one too many fanboys or boys in general following them around or "Not getting the hint" i figure I'd post this article as a random "for your information" when you just want to keep guy friends as JUST A Friend(s)...

i know its hard ladies, but here are some random tips from the article... and of course I'm interested what the rest of you people think too....

****

Okay, I'm a guy, so I guess I can give you some insight regarding the do's and dont's about finding and keeping guy friends.

1. Draw The Line - Always know your boundaries and keep your guy friend inform. I mean if a guy (like me) became your friend and we aren't clear about what our friendship consists of and I really really like you then that little loophole can spark a lot of hope in a guy.

2. Do NOT Flirt - Honestly, a guy can only hold back so much, so even if its a friendly flirt resist the urge. Especially if the guy is in a vulnerable emotional state. Sometimes a pat on the back or a quick hug is all good but always keep it short.

3. Always Remember, A Guy Is A Guy -  If you're asking for a guy friend, that's what you'll get. So just remember that your talking to a guy and we aren't so touchy feely (depends because sometimes I am) about certain things (body weight, etc). I mean, yeah, we can give a comforting hug or a shoulder to lean on but don't get used to it like you would do to most of your girl-friends.

4. Mean What You Say And Be Clear - Plain and simple if you say something as "I LOVE YOU" always make sure to add "as a friend/brother/cousin etc" because if not, well, your going to get your guy friend confused. Also, don't use those 3 words too much to your guy friend because sometimes it makes us think about whether you really mean it or you're just hinting at something else.

5. Treat Your Guy Friend As A Friend - Some girls are somewhat affectionate to their guy friends, others are way too affectionate. A guy friend appreciates a girls sweetness at times but if you're consistently sweet then that's a red flag that might mean something else like "is she hitting on me?"

There's probably more but I hope that's a start to keep you going.

So people, do you have anything to add to this list?

*****

thoughts or comments?

So I randomly starting hearing about the "Cleavage-gate"  - sorta like Watergate except with Katy Perry's Cleavage and the little Muppet known as Elmo...

See the article below:

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/09/26/2010-09-26_saturday_night_live_katy_perry_spoofs_sesame_street_elmo_duet_on_snl_season_prem.html

So long story short - Katy Perry made a music video with Elmo that was suppose to Air on PBS only to be pulled for being Too racey and suggestive for younger intended audiences... such overly sexualized images would give kids the wrong ideas especially paired along with "California Girls/Hot & Cold" to add the stereotype that all girls from our awesome state are just barely dressed harlots.
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHROHJlU_Ng


So Katy Perry ends up on the Season premiere of SNL [saturday night live] sporting a Elmo shirt like non-other... where gratuitous cleavage is over flowing from Elmo's fore head.

So whats your 2 cents everyone? is it inappropriate to show too much skin/cleavage for programs intended for kids/youth?

Should I not even care about Katy Perry?

Did I screw up again and post something thats not even debatable? [even tho i swear i think this topic is debatable... i swear!]

Or should i post/debate how one article claims that staring at cleavage is actually good for people:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/10-Minutes-Of-Staring-Boobs-Daily-Prolongs-Man-039-s-Life-by-5-Years-72490.shtml

or maybe I should just ask Elmo and see what he says...  like this clip from Scrubs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8w-qZEiNsY
Seems like Elmo likes huggles from women... "What she your woman?!?!" :D

http://www.wix.com/Hyperbooster/hypercon

Location: 450 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Door price at the show are also avaliable for
Saturday $12     Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sunday   $12     Sun: 10am - 2pm
Weekend $20


Here you can read about the fun we are going to have live at the show. You can easily click the link to your right for more info. -------------------> > > >

Art Contest
Come join our Art Contest at hyper-Con, where you produce your art work from home and bring them to the show for prices! This Contest is Sponsored by Sakura Color Products of America Inc., who is dedicated to providing high quality, safe and reliable writing instruments, markers, and artistic mediums.

Cosplay
    No anime convention is complete without cosplay. Cosplay is the art of dressing up as your favorite characters from Anime/Manga/Etc. Whether you make your own costumes, collaborate with friends, or purchase them from others, cosplaying is always a fun and exciting part of attending a convention.
    Some cosplayers will put together groups and create skits to be performed at the masquerade, others will stage photo shoots around the convention grounds. Cosplay, in short, adds a whole new dimension to anime conventions and their entertainment value.

Panels and Workshops
    From fans bringing you up to speed on the latest anime worth viewing to professionals showing you how to sculpt a creature in a sci-fi film, HyperCon's panels and workshops are worth a visit.  Experts on a wide variety of topics from the fan community all the way up to the entertainment industry will be on site to expand your horizons or to provide a laugh or two.

Video Programming
   What convention is not complete without an anime screening room?  HyperCon's Video Room features both domestic and imported shows and movies from some of the classic and up and coming titles available.

* - Titles scheduled are subject to change at any time. Video content is not rated.        Viewer Discretion is advised.

Vendors and Aritst Alley
Need to buy an item for your cosplay?  Feeling a little hungry?  Want to get a custom drawing of your favorite character?  HyperCon's Vendor area features artists, retailers and food vendors from the local area to help you with your shopping needs.

Music Performances and Karaoke
Since Hyperbooster Studio is a local artist, Hyper-Con is proud to bring you some of best musical talent in the local music scene. These musical artists have performed at numerous events and have now gathered here at Hyper-Con to give you one amazing show.

Console Gaming
Want to play some video games? HyperCon's Console Gaming Room features games from some of the most popular video game platforms and maybe even a few that you haven't heard from in a while.

**************************************************

Anyone else going?  I have bday parties all day Saturday, and with Sunday being a short day. im wondering if its a worth a trip to SF just for a 4 hour Con for $12

Decisions Decisions...

So with Scott Pilgrim vs. The world coming out this Friday I was thinking... would it be worth it to fight for the girl of your dreams?

Time to fight against the Evil League of Exes:


Random blog article.
----------------------------
http://www.mancouch.com/728954280/evil-exes-fact-or-fiction/

Evil Exes: Fact or Fiction?


      "You're nothing like my ex. She/he was crazy!" How many times have you heard this or said it yourself? The premise of the upcoming film Scott Pilgrim versus The World revolves around this popular concept of "evil" or rather, crazy exes. Sure, most of us never had to fight to the death with someone's ex but it's not a completely foreign notion. But what is the likelihood that everyone has had crazy exes?


      Think about it, if every person really had a "crazy" ex, wouldn't that make the entire world "crazy"? What does crazy even mean? Does a person have to become a serial stalker who breaks the windows on your car and spray paints "I Love You" on your door to be deemed crazy or is a couple of angry voice mails enough? Emotions and hormones are heightened when it comes to love, is it just the breaking up that makes us act a little cuckoo? Maybe we ARE all crazy but most of it is only limited to relationships.

      It is also possible that the person you are seeing currently is crazy. The likelihood of all your partner's exes being crazy is slim. Chances are, she/he is exaggerating. Maybe the exes reacted in a "crazy" way only to deflect your partner's crazy actions.

      There is, of course, the dreaded possibility that you are crazy. After all, crazy attracts crazy. You may not appear crazy with the initial infatuation surrounding your fevered affections. However, once your partner loses interest, knocking on his/her door at 5 AM because you didn't get a text reply might not be the best thing to do.

      Do you have crazy exes? Are you one yourself? Or are we all drama queens?

--------------------------

Believe it or not, I've been lucky enough to either cut my ties with exes, or just move on from friends that are no longer friends.

anyone else wanna share any interesting stories [omitting names and overly specific stuff of course]. but one thing is for sure, I'm gonna enjoy this movie:

hi again guys - It's Jerry and of course I was Russell from Disney/pixar's UP movie at FanimeCon 2010.

So...
After chatting with some friends, one of my friends dared me to goto Yaoi Con 2010 [this October]...
another friend up'ed the ante thought that If i had a skit would be fun/hilarious too.

problem is i dont have a cosplay group. anyone willing to assist me?

So I'm looking for any or all of the following--- Doug cosplay, Kevin Cosplay or Mister Carl Fredrickson Cosplay. or maybe any random character from any universe at this point that would think sticking me as Russell into a skit would be a good idea...  :P

I'm open to any and all ideas as far as a skit goes, and for those familiar with Yaoi Con , I accept and understand any or all lines i may have to cross to make this a memorable and absolutely hilarious skit as possible.

maybe even participate the *gulp* bishie auction...

so please contact me at ranma23456 [at] gmail [dot] com
or reply to this thread.

Thanks for reading and your consideration!

Hey everyone! Another event is happening THIS WEEKEND in San Francisco Japantown!

http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/

Saturday & Sunday  11am to 6pm   San Francisco Japantown   Peace Plaza & Post Street

37h Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair
On Saturday and Sunday, August 14th and 15th (11am - 6pm) in San Francisco's Japantown, the Nihonmachi Street Fair will take to the streets again for another exciting weekend. With the spirit of unity, we welcome back old friends and open our hearts to new friendships.

- Multiple Performance Stages [check out the schedule]
http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/nsf_entertainment.htm
- Lots of Food & Arts/Crafts Vendors
- Costumes, Fashion & Kids Sections

Hope to see you all there!

ALSO  ~~~ For those into Lolita Fashion, the Baby - The Star shines bright  Store is also having their 1 year anniversary sale! Be there early to get limited edition items.
http://baby-aatp.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-year-anniversary-lucky-packs.html

Our Fentons Ice Cream event has been moved to 2pm.  [see topic and info change]
http://community.livejournal.com/ca_egl/254162.html

But My Girlfriend and I are going to be at this event first! and then after the frenzy at the BABY store, then its off to get ice cream!

Woot for adventures! :D

So my co-workers have been talking about this show called "The Colony"

www.discovery.com/colony

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Colony_%28U.S._TV_series%29

so they way the document this 'reality' series is that they take "volunteers" for this social/survival experient. and see how given an post-disaster situation given- limited supplies, a few days worth of canned food, no water or electricity, a broken shelter and expected to fend for themselves... how long would they be able to keep themselves sustainable.

In season one - they literally had engineers, rocket scientist, architects and just plain really smart people. - they were able to make water filtration, fix broken down vehicles and even make a flamethrower.

In season two - two have 3 or 4 carpenters and construction workers, but they have a artist, teacher and model in the mix to see if the can contribute despite their 'trade' not being something conventional in regards to 'survival' skills.

So i guess the real question is... would you be able to fend for youself? think about it -

no running water or electricity, a days worth of food, basic tools, and OMFG no internets.

could you survive/fend or work well with others ?

[Samus]

Another random blog i thought was interesting, enjoy!

http://www.gofanboy.com/home/fanboy-features/3314-top-10-female-characters-you-couldnt-handle-if-they-were-real
or see below!

Females in video games tend to be designed to do one thing - get the attention of male gamers. Sure they can be just as badass as the male heroes, stars and villains of other games, but their designs almost always lean towards the "exaggerated" side regarding their female endowments. It's one of the reasons there's an entire market for dolls, posters and more (primarily in Asia). Even cosplay has invaded western culture with real-life women becoming "internet famous" just for dressing like the sexier female characters. So of course we've heard all the talk from different gamers saying things like; "You know what I would do to her?". Because of this, we're looking at top 10 females that you might think you want, but wouldn't know what to do with if they were real.

Samus

Samus Aran is the star of the Metroid franchise introduced way back in the original 1986 Metroid on the little gray NES. She's a female bounty hunter, which of course is automatically hot, and usually is wearing an armor suit with weapons that include beams and missiles. Samus has appeared in tons of Metroid games with another on the way soon. Samus is also one of the first major female leads in video games. While no one knew it when they first started playing Metroid, the world soon learned that Samus Aran was the first sexy female in gaming. But let's face facts here - She kicks way too much ass for you to handle her.

Morrigan Aensland

Morrigan was one of the easiest choices when we decided on picking the babes you can't handle list. While many people criticize video games for having inproportionate features on female characters, Morrigan takes it to a-whole-other level. But as you can see by the image below, there are some women out there who are "equipped" to portray the character. But what is it about Morrigan that makes her so appealing? Morrigan is from the Darkstalkers line of Capcom games (although it's called Vampire and/or Vampire Savior in other regions). Morrigan is a succubus who is very vain and lives for little more than the excitement of battle. We all like competitive chicks and she has all the right in the world to be vain based on the fact she made our list. The character's appearance is a beautiful woman with long, light green hair, large breasts and bat-like wings on her back and the sides of her head. Morrigan can reshape these wings into spikes and blades when attacking her enemies, as well as using them to shield her from enemy attacks. Come on. You really think you could handle her?

Cammy

Cammy was another easy choice because like all the top girls on this list, she is a favorite among our cosplay fanboys and has one of the most popular cosplay features we ever had. Cammy is from the Street Fighter series, but we pray you already knew that. She first appeared in Super Street Fighter II:The New Challengers, which was released for the arcades in 1993, as one of the "New Challengers". She is the second female fighter in the Street Fighter series, following Chun-Li who also made our list. Cammy has also appeared in the Street Fighter Alpha games, initially as a hidden character and then as a playable character, in Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold and Street Fighter Alpha 3 respectively. Cammy also made our list because she was actually voted back into the SF franchise after missing the console edition of SF III (although she made the PC version). Capcom held a pole and fans voted the hottie back onto consoles, but in real life, she'd tear you a new one.

Felicia

Felicia is our second Darkstalkers lady to make the list. She debuted in the original Darkstalkers and every sequel. She's become so popular that she's made the leap into several other Capcom franchises. Felicia came to be while designing the original Darkstalkers. Capcom wanted to have two female characters: a cabwoman and a female vampire. You already know the vampire (succubus) character is Morrigan and Felicia got the second spot in the series. She's also a great example of the catwoman fetish that is far more popular in the East than in Western culture. Although we do admit we can see some of the attraction after checking out Felicia. The cosplayer below is another example of a real woman coming close to "filling" the role of the character.

Tifa Lockhart

Tifa Lockhart is a female protagonist in Final Fantasy VII and still reigns as the number one cosplay feature in our Cosplay Babe of the Week section. Because of this, she's an obvious pick as one of the sexiest, if not the sexiest, female character in the history of the Final Fantasy franchise. Tifa's long hair falls below her waist and is tied at the end in a distinctive dolphin-tail split. Tifa's hair is dark brown, but in some appearances it looks black. Tifa's eyes are officially addressed as red, but they have also been depicted as brown in some appearances, and she wears white tear-drop earrings. She wears a sleeveless white tank shirt that shows her stomach with a short black miniskirt and a pair of black suspenders connected to her belt. She also wears fighting gloves that come up to her elbows, which have metal protecting pads, and she wears old boots.

Ivy Valentine

Isabella Valentine, or as most of us know her- Ivy, is from the Soul video game franchise. Originally created by Namco's Project Soul division, she first appeared in the original Soul Calibur (the second title in the series after Soul Blade) and each of the sequels that followed. She's the illegitimate daughter of undead pirate Cervantes de Leon. So she's got some daddy issues which explains why she chooses to do combat in the least amount of clothes possible. Some news sources like MSNBC argue that Ivy's busty appearance goes "too far". We say that is bull. We want more. But can we handle more?

Sniper Wolf

Sniper Wolf was an easy choice for a few reasons. First off, she can kick ass! While she was killed off in the second battle of Metal Gear Solid, some believe her soul or spirit was kept alive and put into a Gear by Otacon. That's all debatable. What isn't debatable is that she is tough and a loner. She bucks the trend of snipers and is a solo-artist. But the main reason she makes this list is for her looks. The awesome black top under the Iraqi coveralls is hot. Sniper Wolf is able to disarm you with her looks and then kick your ass right after. Tick her off though and it's some lead between the eyes.

Nariko

Nariko doesn't really require a lot of detail in terms of description. Just look at her. She can tear enemies a new one all while looking amazing. Maybe it's the Ninja toga she's sporting that is totally hot. Maybe it's the fact that she wields a kickass sword that morphs depending on the attack she's using. Then of course there's the fact that she is one of the hottest red-heads in the history of gaming. The real question here is whether or not her sword will intimidate most men in the bedroom. That's a big tool to live up to.

Joanna Dark

Fiery red heads always find a way onto our lists. And Joanna is no different. She's the top agent employed by the Carrington Institute, specializing in combat, espionage, and undercover operations. As the star of the Perfect Dark series, she plays a pivotal role in the events of the games. While she did debut on the Nintendo 64, she's 100% Xbox now that Rare is wholly part of the Microsoft world and made her 360 debut in Perfect Dark Zero. She gives Xbox fanboys something to long for, but can they handle this secret agent?

Christie

Some of you may be thinking to yourself that this spot should belong to Kasumi since we're picking a Dead or Alive girl, but we felt Kasumi gets too much attention already. Plus, Christie is looking fine in that dominatrix leather thing she has going on there. Whether she's playing volleyball, lying by the pool while teenage boys try to find the best camera angle, or kicking butt in the ring; Christie is tops on our list of DoA girls. Just like the rest of the girls on this list, there are multiple reasons we question whether or not most guys could handle her. She's equipped in the body and ass-kicking skills department equally.

-----------------------------------------
Ironically, I know Chun Li was mentioned on this list but didnt appear...

Other characters worth noting like Kasumi or Ayane from the DOA series.
Jill Valentine or Claire Redfield from the Resident Evil Series...

Do you think any other characters are missing?

[Basic phrases in Klingon]

Random article from a blogger's website i usually read:

do you agree with any of the below? :p
come to think of it, ive already done the majority of the geek's "bucket's list"
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15 Things That Every Geek Should Know, Do, or Be

Admit it: you have a bucket list or life list, some way to tally whether or not your life is going successfully. But do you have enough geeky activities and plans on it?

If not, here are a few ideas to get you thinking...
What to Know

Basic phrases in Klingon
You should be able to greet people, bid farewell, and casually remark that "today is a good day to die" in Klingon. If you haven't checked this off your list yet, you can find instructions and pronunciation guides of all kinds online. Remember to use the phrases regularly so they'll stay fresh in your mind. majQa'!

How to set up your computer and network
If you're proud of your computer skills, you probably did this when you were eight. For the knitting, manga, or model geeks out there, this is still an essential geeky skill that people expect you to have. And it's useful to be able to help that pretty girl or cute guy set up their new computer or home network, if you catch my drift.

The entire "all your base" script
Any geek should recognize this, and if you don't, you need to learn now. Youtube can instruct you in the ways of this secret geek handshake. If you're not sure if you're among friends, blurt out, "All your base are belong to us." If there's laughter, you're safe. If you get blank stares, edge away. Just beware... if you recite it too much around your friends, it gets annoying, and somebody might set up you the bomb!

At least one computer language (other than HTML)
You probably already know basic HTML, but don't be lazy. Take the time to learn some computer language and you can impress employers, cute nerds, or webmasters at will. You might even be surprised at how useful it can be.

The basic plot of either Star Wars or Star Trek
How many times have fellow geeks started making red shirt jokes or quoting lines that made you stare blankly? It's a really embarrassing feeling! Learn the plot of one... or both for bonus points and best results.
What to Do

Make or build something related to your main obsession
If you're a gamer, have you ever built a gaming computer? If you love manga, have you tried to write one? If you play D&D, have you built your own fantasy world and campaign from scratch? Try it out! All of these activities are fun and will award you plenty of geek XP.

Go to a fan convention
It can be about Star Trek or Supernatural, Comic-Con or Anime North... as long as it's geeky and you go, all's fair. This is the ultimate experience in geekiness for many, though others say it's the ultimate experience in overheating and fatigue. It's still full of nerdy glee either way.

Drive a Prius and pretend you're in White and Nerdy
Do I really have to explain this? If you'd prefer to avoid the experience, act out any other Weird Al video and you can still get the nerd cred. Tape it and post it on Youtube if you feel like risking being laughed at (a la the lightsaber kid), for the chance of bonding with other nerds.

Play Pong on the oldest (or newest) console you can find
Program your own if you want to really impress people. Otherwise, it's still fair game if you've played it enough to describe how the game works. ...you have played it before, right?

Back up everything
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... a public service announcement disguised as a life list item. Seriously, back up all your stuff – WordPress installations, games, emails, whatever you have that you'd miss. Make it a fun afternoon with some Pepsi and chips, music, and nerdy friends out to accomplish the same mission. Take pictures of all your external hard drives in a circle. Did I make it sound fun yet? Darn...
What to Be

The life of the party (even if just once)
You might be a socialite geek, or perhaps you're a total introvert (I'm raising my hand), but this is an experience that's bound to make you happy. Maybe it's a geeky party or a "normal" one, but either way, having everyone hanging onto each word of your latest story is a pretty cool feeling.

A star in Japan
Maybe it's harder to be one these days, but the Japanese are still generally fascinated by foreigners. Take full advantage of this status and use your gaijin power to wile your way into show biz. Appear on talk shows for them to laugh at your bad Japanese, or volunteer for game shows; voice over English in commercials or coach famous Japanese singers. It's easy to be a star there, and you'll be the envy of many sheltered North American geeks.

A cosplayer
If you haven't done this yet, you need to. It's a surreal and bizarre experience if you're holding tightly onto your expectations or haven't been to a convention before, but it can be hilarious and very gratifying when photographers rush to take pictures of your costume.

A podcaster
Chances are very good that you already have all the equipment you need. Maybe your podcast will only last for an episode or two, but it's still pretty cool to be able to say, "Check out my podcast." The public downloads podcasts... the geeky make them.

The proudest geek you can be
Yes, it's cheesy. It's also essential if you want to identify as a geek in public. Though the very g-word has shifted from having entirely negative connotations to having a kind of cool, chic air about it, it's still important that we represent geekdom proudly!
Your List

So, what's on your life list? Here are a few things on mine that inspired this post:

   * Play a full board game of Sid Meier's Civilization without sleeping.
   * Visit Akihabara (in Tokyo).
   * Build my own gaming computer.

Share your geeky goals and dreams! Don't be shy, you're probably not the only one who wants to do it.

Hi everyone - Sorry if this is posted in the wrong subforum.

So as the topic says, I actually have a room for rent in my residential home.
the last 2 roommates were friends I met from these forums, so I figure it may work again.

and in case your wondering, I parted ways on good terms with these past roommates, they needed to move to cheaper or closer living areas and the lease was honored accordingly without crazy drama or situations. :)

So on to the Room for Rent info:

Room for rent in 4 bed and 2 1/2 bath home in East Side San Jose.
Local Landmarks are the - Raging Waters Park & Eastridge Mall.
room is about 9ft by 11ft and has a walk in closet.
The bathroom would be shared - shower/tub very recently renovated.

Current roommates include:
Jerry - full time office worker, anime fanboy, gamer, and socialite on weekends.
Angie - full time child care worker, fan of 80's and J-rock, lives mostly on the internets
Alex  - SJSU student, PT work, and likes anime, hanging with her bf, and art stuffs

Lease would be 12 months preferred.

Rent is $450/month
utilities included [garbage, water, electricty, pest control]
basic wifi internet included
washer & dryer in house
Dish network DVR - shared in living room TV
video gaming area - shared in living room TV
parking in driveway or street.

Please contact via PM or email me for more details.
Please spread the word. Thanks!

So with the wild success of my cosplay: as most of you already know it was Russell from Disney/Pixar's  UP movie. My girlfriend is thinking about having a gathering at Fenton's Creamery in Oakland, Ca.

She's actually thinking of organizing Lolita event ~ but she's also okay with the idea of other cosplayers or even non-cosplaying people showing up and just hanging out.


http://www.fentonscreamery.com/

Sure the movie "UP" is over a year old, but Fenton's is still also known for its great ice cream and awesome atmosphere which i think would be a great place to hang out, beat the heat and get your noms on with a tasty treat.

I wanted to see if anyone was interested in going to Fenton's in Oakland one Saturday, maybe Aug. 14th? We can go for lunch and get some ice cream!

Let me know if you are available to join us! ^_^


Date: Saturday, August 14th
Time: 2:00PM [changed due to the NihonMachi event in SF Japantown]  tentative time due to traffice between SF and Oakland.

Place: Fenton's Creamery & Restaurant
Map: google "fentons ice creamery, oakland"
Closest BART station is on MacArthur
Cost: Lunch + ice cream if you want, parking is free

updated Details here: http://community.livejournal.com/ca_egl/254162.html

[1) Femininity is not a bad thing!]

so I was going thru my morning e-mails and saw this article from - Geek's Dream Girl .com website:
http://geeksdreamgirl.com/2010/07/12/unleash-your-inner-pretty-boy-4-dating-tips-from-anime-bishounen/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GeeksDreamGirl+%28Geek%27s+Dream+Girl%29

************************************************************

Unleash your Inner Pretty Boy: 4 Dating Tips from Anime Bishounen   

Written by m 


Bishounen for those not in the know, is a Japanese word meaning, literally, "beautiful boy." While it used to refer primarily to an ideal of a youthful and pretty boy, it has now expanded to refer to an entire character archetype within anime and other media: a beautiful adult male with fine features, long and/or well-styled hair, and a generally refined demeanor. While they're most often found in anime for girls and women, such as Kyou Kara Maoh and Fushigi Yuugi,

there are plenty of examples in boys' anime (such as Gundam) as well as video games (Final Fantasy VII is famous for its stable of specimens).

I love bishounen. I squee like a mad thing over them. And I'm not alone. There are women of all ages that respond to this character archetype. Let's face it, there's something about these men that is devastatingly attractive. So, if you're a guy looking for love, what can you learn from these characters besides hairstyle ideas and snazzy fashion sense? Here's my perspective as a bishounen fangirl.

1) Femininity is not a bad thing!

One complaint I often hear from male geeks is that these sorts of characters are androgynous or even effeminate compared to the more rugged heroes in Western comics and games. My answer is... what's wrong with that? Sure, there are plenty of bishounen that are more "feminine" than we might be used to; perhaps they have particularly delicate features, or a soft voice, or maybe just don't behave in a "macho" fashion. But speaking for myself, I'd rather go out with a long-haired and willowy bishounen with an affection for tea than any of the muscle-bound supermen I find in Western comics.

Contrary to what you may think, not all women demand ultra-manliness in our men. Some of us actually like a bit of a feminine side, for a variety of reasons. This doesn't mean you have to start wearing makeup or growing your hair out. It just means that A) you don't have to sprain yourself in trying to be a MACHO MACHO MAN, and B) you don't have to be ashamed if you like something "girly" or behave in a non-macho way. Honestly, we don't mind! In fact, some of us find it kind of hot.
Besides, who's really to say what counts as "masculine" and "feminine" anyway?

Examples: Most bishounen, but special note goes to Nuriko from Fushigi Yuugi, Zoisite of Sailor Moon, and James from Pokemon.

2) Confidence is sexy...

One of the most striking qualities a bishounen can possess is effortless confidence. A little bit of pride and self-possession can be incredibly attractive, whether you're a military general, a medieval Chinese emperor or a silver-haired megalomaniac.  A bit of catlike strutting, a smirk or two, and you're well on your way. Note, however, that this is not the same as bravado, i.e. "I am the greatest thing ever, now listen while I talk endlessly about myself!" That's a turnoff, unless you're the aforementioned megalomaniac and you're discussing your plans for world domination. Then you get a pass, but only if your evil outfit is appropriately swanky.

The most successful bishounen don't need to make a big song and dance about themselves; their relaxed and genuine confidence just shines through in the way they look, act and smile. Take a look at that picture up top and tell me that's not a man who's comfortable in his own skin. So don't worry so much about "acting" confident... instead, try to be confident. There is a difference.

Examples: Ilpalazzo from Excel Saga, Nakago from Fushigi Yuugi, Zechs from Gundam Wing, Touga and Akio from Revolutionary Girl Utena, Taishakuten from RG Veda.

3) ... but so is vulnerability.

While 50% of bishounen are smirking and strutting their way across the screen, the other 50% go the opposite route;  they struggle with themselves, spend all their time soul-searching, and generally tend to carry around varying amounts of angst. Many people accuse these characters of "emo" tendencies, and with some just cause... but there are still plenty of fangirls who flock to these guys. What's the secret?

Well, the Woobie factor is certainly an element, but in my opinion, the attraction is in emotional vulnerability. In a world that keeps telling men that they have to be hard, manly and macho, it's nice to see a guy who acknowledges his own fears and confusion, who can feel lonely and need companionship.  Having said that, a lot of these characters take things to a very unhealthy extreme (more about that in the next point) so I wouldn't necessarily hold them up as good role models for behavior. But the next time you find yourself upset or emotionally lost, don't be in such a hurry to be the big manly man and hide your fears. If Mr. Saves the World A Lot can spare a moment out of his busy schedule to worry about his future, it's perfectly acceptable for you to do the same.

Examples: Hotohori from Fushigi Yuugi, Kamui and Kakyou from X/1999, Ryuki from The Story of Saiunkoku.

4) Intensity can be cool... in moderation.

There's something about the act of bishies brooding that drives some girls (myself included) wild. I think the draw of brooding is the intensity of emotion that goes into it. Behind the character's eyes, there is a lot of powerful and deep feeling, and powerful deep feelings can definitely be attractive. Bishounen tend to be very intense as a rule; most of them have some sort of pet cause, quest or duty that they get very passionate about. That passion can be very compelling, both narratively and romantically.  And let's face it, there's something very nice about a smoldering glance filled with boiling hot emotions. Rawr.

However, bishounen also show what can happen when intensity, brooding and violent emotions go too far.  Between brutal quests for vengeance, creepy obsessions with the object of their affection, and maniacal attempts for world domination, there are plenty of examples of why sometimes it's a good idea to rein in your feelings a bit, calm down, and try to react in a calm and logical manner.  If you let your emotions get too strong or twisted, it can lead to destructive and unhealthy behavior.

So yes, be intense, but keep it cool too. Because otherwise, one minute you're brooding about how the world is really a dark and depressing place, and the next thing you know you've raised an army of the dead to destroy the galaxy and the plucky hero is trying to kill you. Whoops.

Examples: Nakago from Fushigi Yuugi, Light and Mikami from Death Note, Heero from Gundam Wing, Zagato from Magic Knight Rayearth.
Your turn!

Do you like bishounen, and if so, what do you like about them? What sorts of life (and love) lessons can we learn from these characters?

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With the exception of the "bishie's"  from Yaoi Con and what not, do you think guys in general actually go out of their way to look good for their female counter parts?

then again they've had some really interesting old spice commericals:


So what do you think ladies and gents? who would win? A bishie or an old spice man? LoL

This is more a lol-thread than anything else. so please have a sense of humor as you post here.

With all the hype of the Twilight series, fans of the two sides [Vampires and Werewolves] as well as Anti-fans are always ready to debate the "realism" as it were.

My brief opinion on the matter:

- Vampires Dont Sparkle.
- Werewolves Dont turn into Dogs that look angry.
- pretty high school girls Dont get the boys to fight over her.

oh and these arent the droids your looking for:

Pretty Straight Forward-  Anyone interesting in checking out this movie?  :D


I'll even go as the Pixar Character Russell, just to see if anyone reacts to be being a dork that day.

Anyone else a Pixar / Disney fan?

Then I'm thinking Chinese food :D
[still need to make up for that since we didnt have a rice party... yet. or an idea for another gathering ]

Pretty self explanatory:

http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com/

Vote for which day works for you best! We'll go by majority rule : Friday or  Saturday or  Sunday

In previous years, I've gone with roommates, Fellow Fanime staff, Rovers, and whoever else I may run into from or around that area.

Heck, I'll even go in my Russell Cosplay just for giggles and more photo ops- :P

Most Likely we could meet up at my place [east side san jose] and then head down via carpool-

for the most part, we'll just check out the food [duh], maybe check out a live event or two, play some carnival games, try to stay sober in the wine tasting tent, and have a nice dinner somewhere on the way back or in san jose.

Anyone else interested? :D

after watching this new movie called " Kick- @ss" it made me wonder...
who in their right mind would actually go out into the world and try to be a Super Hero?
sure as fans of comics, anime, and fantasy we all read, follow it and watch movies about it--- but would anyone actually take it a step further than that?

would you try to protect a perfect stranger from harm or being wronged?
would it matter more if it was a friend or loved one being wronged in anyway?

just curious what peoples 2 cents or thoughts were.
Self Defense, Do-gooder, or vigilante or Do-nothing?

Why is the news so focus on crime or bad stuff happening, and where do our "Heroes" come up?
Just random things to note.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20100302/sc_space/chileearthquakemayhaveshorteneddaysonearth

Chile Earthquake May Have Shortened Days on Earth
SPACE.com

Clinton visits quake-hit Chile AFP – View of a car trapped in rubble after a tsunami hit the Chilean town of San Antonio on February 28. US ...

    * Massive earthquake strikes Chile Slideshow:Massive earthquake strikes Chile
    * Raw Video: Searching for survivors in Chile Play Video Video:Raw Video: Searching for survivors in Chile AP
    * Tsunami ravages Chile's islands Play Video Video:Tsunami ravages Chile's islands Reuters

SPACE.com Staff

SPACE.com Space.com Staff

space.com – Tue Mar 2, 10:00 am ET

The massive 8.8 earthquake that struck Chile may have changed the entire Earth's rotation and shortened the length of days on our planet, a NASA scientist said Monday.

The quake, the seventh strongest earthquake in recorded history, hit Chile Saturday and should have shortened the length of an Earth day by 1.26 milliseconds, according to research scientist Richard Gross at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

"Perhaps more impressive is how much the quake shifted Earth's axis," NASA officials said in a Monday update.

The computer model used by Gross and his colleagues to determine the effects of the Chile earthquake effect also found that it should have moved Earth's figure axis by about 3 inches (8 cm or 27 milliarcseconds). 

The Earth's figure axis is not the same as its north-south axis, which it spins around once every day at a speed of about 1,000 mph (1,604 kph).

The figure axis is the axis around which the Earth's mass is balanced. It is offset from the Earth's north-south axis by about 33 feet (10 meters).

Strong earthquakes have altered Earth's days and its axis in the past. The 9.1 Sumatran earthquake in 2004, which set off a deadly tsunami, should have shortened Earth's days by 6.8 microseconds and shifted its axis by about 2.76 inches (7 cm, or 2.32 milliarcseconds).

One Earth day is about 24 hours long. Over the course of a year, the length of a day normally changes gradually by one millisecond. It increases in the winter, when the Earth rotates more slowly, and decreases in the summer, Gross has said in the past.

The Chile earthquake was much smaller than the Sumatran temblor, but its effects on the Earth are larger because of its location. Its epicenter was located in the Earth's mid-latitudes rather than near the equator like the Sumatran event.

The fault responsible for the 2010 Chile quake also slices through Earth at a steeper angle than the Sumatran quake's fault, NASA scientists said.

"This makes the Chile fault more effective in moving Earth's mass vertically and hence more effective in shifting Earth's figure axis," NASA officials said.

Gross said his findings are based on early data available on the Chile earthquake. As more information about its characteristics are revealed, his prediction of its effects will likely change.

The Chile earthquake has killed more than 700 people and caused widespread devastation in the South American country.

Several major telescopes in Chile's Atacama Desert have escaped damage, according to the European Southern Observatory managing them.

A salt-measuring NASA satellite instrument destined to be installed on an Argentinean satellite was also undamaged in the earthquake, JPL officials said.

The Aquarius instrument was in the city of Bariloche, Argentina, where it is being installed in the Satelite de Aplicaciones Cientificas (SAC-D) satellite. The satellite integration facility is about 365 miles (588 km) from the Chile quake's epicenter.

The Aquarius instrument is designed to provide monthly global maps of the ocean's salt concentration in order to track current circulation and its role in climate change.

    * Images: Deadly Earthquakes Past and Present
    * Satellite Images Help Focus Haiti Earthquake Relief
    * Chile Earthquake: Is Mother Nature Out of Control?

    * Original Story: Chile Earthquake May Have Shortened Days on Earth

SPACE.com offers rich and compelling content about space science, travel and exploration as well as astronomy, technology, business news and more. The site boasts a variety of popular features including our space image of the day and other space pictures,space videos, Top 10s, Trivia, podcasts and Amazing Images submitted by our users. Join our community, sign up for our free newsletters and register for our RSS Feeds today!


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Just another reason why ppl wanna believe everything is going down in 2012? :P
Your 2 cents?