FETES Showcase 2008 / Sapporo.

Size: M
Where: Far East to East Showcase 2008, Knitting Factory.



Why: The cute shirt vendor basically sweet-talked me into it. I also "won" this flashing necklace thing that I haven't had the nerve to wear out anywhere in public yet.



Comment: The Showcase was put on by local promoters Karaterice in conjunction with New York Anime Festival. I was there mostly to see the Notorious MSG (and because I like events in general), but the show was completely stolen by Japanese visual kei sensations quaff.

Amusingly enough, I (and most of the audience, I think) just assumed that the show was over after the MSG set. I finished my beer, took off, and was halfway home when I got a text from Jimmy and Hoche telling me that more bands were going up! Had I not been on my feet for the Anime Festival for the last two days, I think I totally would have turned right around and went to see the rest of the show. Oh well, next time.

LAIFF '99.

Size: XL
Where: Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, 1999.



Why: I actually got this shirt free for volunteering at the festival.

Comment: I also got a free pair of pants, which I actually still wore regularly until maybe 3 years ago, despite having lost a button.



This shirt (and those halcyon days before the weight of the world crushed me) is now literally ten years old. Yikes. It (and I, come to that) has definitely seen better days.

I believe the festival is still around, though last I heard it's turned into a professionals-only event for buyers and distributors. Sad, but I guess LA isn't really a great indie-film town anyway - anyone with serious interest in the industry would be working in the industry.

[I miss you, Kim. I guess I never really knew you that well - maybe nobody did - but I think about you, and I do miss you.]

Warriors.

Size: L
Where: Oddica



Why: Waaariors! Come out to plaaaay!

Comment: This shirt actually looks a lot better in photos than in real life, where the brown bottles matches a little too well with the grey shirt, so from more than a foot away all you see is a weird half-hand kind of crawling towards you.


Easter egg.

Canstruction.

Size: L?
Where: Tim gave it to me.



Why: Canstruction is this great charity that holds competitions for artists, designers, architects, etc. to construct large, elaborate sculptures using canned food, after which all of the food is donated to local food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.



Comment: Check out the Canstruction website for some great shots of some of the past entrants and winners to their competitions.

Because of the whimsical designs and the charitable aspect, you'd think these competitions would be all in good fun, no? Not so! Tim, whose firm has enters and participates in these competitions regularly, tells me that people take this VERY seriously and get into all kinds of screaming matches about size/material regulations, unfair judging, etc. Ah, the delicate geniuses.

Kauai '05.

Size: L
Where: Kaui



Why: Nice design incorporating the island and the Hawaiian state flag, also I liked that it had the year on it (it's a thing).



Comment: In honor of April Fool's Day...I've got nothing. So instead here's a shirt from Kauai that I somehow forgot to post during "Hawaii Week". Enjoy!