Disappearance Diary

Title: Disappearance Diary

Writer: Hideo Azuma

Art Work: Hideo Azuma

Publisher: Ponent Mon

I wasn’t too excited about reading this manga when I first picked it up.  The drawings were very basic, and almost childish.  But then I started reading it and I soon developed a different opinion of the book.  It wasn’t a book for children, but a book about dealing with depression.  As the back cover says’ it is a book that takes a positive outlook on life.  This is why the artist, Hideo Azuma decided to draw in this cartoonish style.  He wanted to tell his story (the years he spent dealing with depression), in a way that wouldn’t scare away potential readers.

I find that when we focus on the bad things in life, we can potentially ruin our future.  Thinking about those bad experiences can prevent us from going out into the world and trying to grow as persons.  For Azuma, Disappearance Diary must have been a liberating experience.  To let go of the past, and also tell it in a way that isn’t as harmful.  Once you are fully entrenched in the book, you will soon love his artwork as well.  It just seems to express his emotions and experiences clearly.  The book is divided into three parts, each representing different years in his life, from living on the streets to being locked up in an alcoholic ward.  My favourite part though, would have to be the first part called ‘walking at night’.  Just based on this first part, I highly recommend this book.

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Disappearance-Diary-Hideo-Azuma/dp/8496427420/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331652203&sr=8-1

Superman

If there is one toy series from the 80’s that I think really lacks the nostalgia fan base appreciation today, it is the Kenner toy line of Super Powers Collection.  This to me was one of those ultimate toys that every kid had to have.  They came in these really bright colors that made them very eye catching.  I guess you can say that’s where my infatuation with something as simple as colors on toys or sneakers first developed.  Another benefit to the toy line was that they were very affordable.  I don’t remember the prices, but I do remember my parents buying me a ton of these figures.

The figure that I loved the most from the series was the Superman version. Unfortunately just like this Kenner toy line, Superman has had a very underappreciated following.  I guess it’s because DC has been investing more in their Batman series, with toys and movies.  Speaking of movies, the last great Superman film was back in 1987 with Superman IV.  I am hopeful that the new Superman movie (Man of Steel) will bring back the popularity of Superman.  Plus it will feature Amy Adams, as Lois Lane.

For now though, I am delighted that at a recent toy convention I was able to pick-up a Superman figure.  This toy really brings me back to when I was a little kid and I would play with him for hours (now I just stare at him for hours, lol).  Other figures I owned were the Green Lantern, Aquaman (yuck), Martian Manhunter, and the Flash.  I have been very hesitant to buy this toy again because I knew that as soon as I bought one, I would want to buy more and more.  But honestly, I’m glad that I picked him up (for $2.50) and now plan on collecting more figures.

Super Powers Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Powers_Collection

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlE_hs4sTwY

Rant: Blogger Headache

I've been having issues with uploading posts on Blogger for many months now.  There's either a problem with how the pictures are showing up, where they're located, the size can be wrong, or even the font I use is off.  These issues have caused me to hate blogger, because it's not simple to use.  Writing a post, or uploading pictures is hard enough, but I hate dealing with upload glitches.  While I enjoy being able to express my opinion online, I have since neglected using blogger because of the glitches, and have instead focused on youtube videos.  So this is just a little update for anyone that likes my blog, and is wondering why I don't put much attention to it anymore.

He-Con and the 80s Toy Expo

I finally made it out to another toy expo after a few years absent.  This year’s expo was called He-Con and was part of the Canadian 80’s Toy Expo.  I usually am unable to go to one because they are either too far away or I am busy doing other things.  This year though, the Expo was held close to where I live and while I was also busy, I still made time to go.  This Expo happened on Sunday, April 1^st, 2012 and was held at the Sheraton Parkway hotel.

Unfortunately I arrived a few hours late, and I had to go through the whole place in a hurry.  I brought my camera as well because I wanted to film my excursion.  The link to the video is below in case you would like to see it.  I wanted to make it seem (the video) like anyone that hasn’t been to a show, would get a pretty good impression on what it’s like to go to one.  I didn’t do a lot of editing because my battery was dying as well, so what I showed was basically what I filmed.  If not for the battery I would have shown more toys, and cool things.

Some of the highlights of this Expo were that I was able to buy a Superman toy from the mid 80’s that I used to own.  I saw some really great art work from Matt Moylan, who does lil’ formers.  I was also able to meet a lot of friendly toy dealers and convention followers and have great conversations with them.  So F.Y.I., in case you can’t find any friends to go with for the next convention, going by yourself is still guaranteed a good time.

He-Con and the 80s Toy Expo:

http://www.he-con.ca

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGIrTeb3YrY