Bedlam on Baltic Avenue

And #ThereWillBeIdiots...

...who compare Zebra popcorn to cocaine or heroin. Settle down, circle jerkers; it's popped kernels in three layers of robing.

this is crack!

this is crack. plain and simple. one bite and you better head to rehab. :)

PRODUCT RATING

Review by lovezebra (Posted on 5/18/2014)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

No thanks, I'm not Amy Winehouse. Next!

CALL THE POLICE!!

This stuff should be illegal. There needs to be a major study conducted by a prestigious university to see if Zebra popcorn is more addictive than tobacco, crack cocaine, or alcohol. I'm gonna need a 12-step program to stop eating this.......

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Larry (Posted on 4/11/2014)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

>illegal
>not manufactured in Mexico

Jimmy CRACK CORN...AND I DON'T CARE!!! SO DELICIOUS

Now that nursery rhyme all makes sense. I've tasted the sweet sinful deliciousness of the CRACK corn that Jimmy was popping and I'm hooked on it too! It really is addicting. The line says it all "Once you've had Zebra®, nothing else will ever do." I eat as much as I can till I get a sugar rush and my body forces me to stop. But oh how I want to keep going, but alas it's a good thing cause I have some left for tomorrows munching.

I've always feared store bought popcorn would taste stale or not as fresh as popping corn yourself but the way this stuff is bagged makes every bite so airy and keeps it fresh.

When I typed this review they asked me "Would you recommend this product to a friend?" Sadly HELL YESS was not an option to pick.

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Jams (Posted on 1/19/2014)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

I believed the phrase "professionalism" comes into play here...

You'll lose control

So good, someone will have to take it away from you.
You just can't stop!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by BH (Posted on 1/12/2013)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

What is this, Pringles?

Crackcorn

My husband James and I are recovering addicts (grateful!!) and we fondly refer to this as Jimmy Crack Corn...I'll have to do a 1st step on it...it's sooo addicting and thank God it"s pricey because otherwise it would be deadly and around all the time rather than a special treat!!!!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Sobergirl (Posted on 1/5/2013)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

Yeah, lady, for you, generic store brand microwavables is your best bet. Amateur.

Former skeptic

Almost chose buttered popcorn over this, but decided to put out the extra .25 and was glad I did! You can have buttered pc any time, but on special occasions I suggest you go all out with this.

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Shel (Posted on 12/9/2012)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

Almost? Almost!? What, Orville or Act II wasn't available where you were!?

Just kill me now!!!! I can't stop eating this!!!

Once you taste this you will just melt. I am continually amazed at how many great flavors are offered. OUTSTANDING!!!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Brenda Michelle (Posted on 7/31/2012)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

Oh Inazuma...

"Somebody ordered a Nanodeath?"

Wicked stuff

OMG! I hate whoever put this wicked, evil stuff in the lunchroom. I'm going to be spending hours in the gym!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Peaches (Posted on 12/6/2011)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

>Hates on Zebra

>Gives it 5 stars

"Ohohohoho, you're beyond pathetic!"

O..M..G...

My mouth will never be the same.....

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Phantom Fire (Posted on 10/2/2011)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

What, you juiced down a Thunderbird or something?

sinful....

I always hated popcorn until a friend introduced me to this sinful treat!!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Fifi1212 (Posted on 8/6/2011)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

>Always

Usotsuki.

#ThereWillBeHaters of Zebra Popcorn.

Very sweet

I absolutely looooove Popcornopolis, so when I received this as a gift I was excited to try it. Let me be quite honest, this stuff is way too sweet for my liking, and I'm a sweet fanatic. I'm no softie either, I eat sweets everyday. I do not recommend this flavor at all.

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Angel (Posted on 4/8/2013)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

I don't recommend your review, either, you lying snob. Next.

What happened?

I first purchased this from Old Navy. It was simply the most delicious popcorn I've even eaten. I loved it so much I went online and purchased a large tin.
What happened? I was startled by the difference. There wasn't nearly the same amount of toppings and the taste was much more ordinary. I am so disappointed and feel like I've wasted my money.

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Lisa (Posted on 2/1/2013)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

Old Navy.... *laughter* You might as well bought your popcorn at Ross or Marshalls you dolt! Stick to buying it at a real store that sells real food...like 7-Eleven.

oddly sweet

I love caramel corn and I have a huge sweet tooth. I even adore the intensely sweet Cupcake flavor. But Zebra was too sickeningly sweet. To me, the dark and white chocolate would be better served on plain popcorn. I am surprised this flavor of popcorn gets such good reviews. Maybe it's just me, but I threw away most of the bag.

PRODUCT RATING

Review by lebeth (Posted on 1/11/2013)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

It is you. No, seriously. It IS you.

Tasty, but too pricey

Yea, it's pretty good. But who can pay this much for sugary popcorn?

PRODUCT RATING

Review by Gumby (Posted on 9/5/2011)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

You do, apparently. Maybe a bag of Orville Kettle Korn at Target or a generic store brand will fix you up! Cop that! It's called gourmet for a reason...wink wink.

barely any chocolate on the popcorn

they barely put any chocolate on my zebra popcorn...it basically tasted like caramel covered popcorn. About 1 out of every 10 pieces had a bit of chocolate on it! total ripoff!

PRODUCT RATING

Review by sky (Posted on 10/30/2012)

- See more at: http://www.popcornopolis.com/shop-our-flavor/zebra-popcorn.html#review-form

All right, in this case, the cat's out of the bag. But hey, remember what Old P.T. said, "A sucker is born every minute."

Akagi, save me!

Like Akagi from Kantai Collection (who I now would like to have as a personal companion), I find my refuge in eating comfort food. For Akagi, it's plenty of rice and curry, although she doesn't play favorites when it comes to eating (or, as they say in KanColle lingo, "resupplying"). As for me, I like a good-quality burger like the El Diablo Six Dollar Burger from Carl's Jr., a decent side like jalapeno poppers, a bag of Funyuns (my personal sine qua non of snacks) and perhaps a Magnum Chcocolate Infinity bar as a closer.

The reason why I chose to invest in a nice morning supper after a long night of Pangya is because I am disappointed by some events regarding the game. Days prior to the promotion date closing, they removed the Hanbok for the remodels off the shelves. Then, on April Fools' Day, what was supposed to be a sale for the Good Club Set (a.k.a the invisible golf clubs) ends up becoming the worst maintenance update in as long as I have played the game: a simple update for a new Daily Quest Bonus event.

It didn't stop there. Last Saturday, what was supposed to be a Tee Time with the Game Masters as per the notice turned out to be a false alarm, even though I was offline due to covering a soccer match. Then, on Monday, it was announced that the Personal Shops on Dolfini were shut down yet again, in a vain attempt to deflate the rare prices.

Why is Pangya Team obsessed with this losing streak of mistakes and errors? I feel this is deliberate drivel coming out of Pangya Team and something is going on in Korea and Turkey that in a perfect world, I would know the details about. Based on the cycles, a new Pangya maintenance would be scheduled for next week, and it would be Hana's birthday event, replete with Grand Prix updates and perhaps new maps to do in Grand Prix mode.

I am baffled by these stall tactics from Pangya Team and I am hoping the other servers in Korea (of course, we are supposedly patterned after them ), Japan (who I want us to align with), and Thailand take notice of this: Global is getting shafted yet again and all of the active veterans playing are innocent victims. I really don't care what they decide to do: I want them to sell the Good Club Set, even for just one day. I still have money to throw at them for this, they just have to offer it. That's going to be my main club set for the long haul, but the ball is in Pangya Team's court.

Oh Akagi, I wish you were here so I could do a little guilty motorboating of my own to put my mind off what has been a sorry, sorry several days for the Pangya Team. This is not looking good...

Eh!? What's that? You ate Hiei's curry of mass destruction!!?

Noooooooooo!!!! T_T

Duke: 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Champions

INDIANAPOLIS -- Call them freshmen. Please, do not call them kids.

Led by Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor, Duke's talented group of youngsters outscored Wisconsin by 14 points over the final 13 minutes Monday night to grit out a 68-63 victory for the program's fifth national title.

Okafor, the likely first pick in the NBA draft if he decides to leave, got outplayed by Badgers center Frank Kaminsky but came through when the pressure was highest.

He made two straight buckets over Kaminsky, sandwiched between a pair of 3-pointers from Jones to help the Blue Devils (35-4) turn a one-time nine-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 1:22 left.

"They showed such grit tonight," said coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose five titles puts him alone in second place on the all-time list behind John Wooden. "Our bench was spectacular, and like we said about two months ago, eight is enough. Eight is enough."A furious Wisconsin rally ensued, but it came up short. Then, it was Okafor on the bottom of a rowdy, raucous dog pile -- a scene very reminiscent of the last time the Final Four was Indianapolis, back in 2010 when Duke won that one, too. The Blue Devils also took one here in 1991 -- the Grant Hill, Christian Laettner squad.

Among the eight who share all the playing time are Okafor, Jones and another freshman, Justise Winslow. They all might be one-and-dones.

But Grayson Allen? The most unheralded of Krzyzewski's first-year players, who averages four points a game, stepped up with Okafor on the bench for much of the second half in foul trouble. Allen, the slam-dunk champion at the high school McDonald's All-American contest last year, scored 16 points and kept Duke in it when Wisconsin (36-4) looked like it was about to run away.

Duke certainly didn't look young.

This was a savvy, calm, collected comeback against the team that wrote the book on that all season. Wisconsin kept its cool two nights earlier in an upset over undefeated Kentucky and looked to be pulling away early in the second half of this one.

Then, suddenly, Duke looked like veterans and Wisconsin looked like kids.

Kaminsky outscored Okafor 21-10 but struggled to get a good look down the stretch. On Okafor's first late bucket, Kaminsky tried to wrap an arm around him, but Okafor just powered his way through it for the bucket and the foul. He missed the free throw, but a different point had been made.

Nigel Hayes had 13 points and Sam Dekker, the key guy down the stretch against Kentucky, had a very quiet 13 for the Badgers, who were trying to bring their first title back to Madison since 1941.

4.5.2015.

Happy Easter

From The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue.

Stanford: 2015 National Invitation Tournament Champions

NEW YORK -- With the season -- and his record-breaking career -- winding down, Chasson Randle found a way to deliver one last time and help bring another NIT title home to Stanford.

Randle put Stanford ahead with two free throws after drawing a controversial shooting foul with 3.4 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Cardinal held on for a 66-64 win over Miami on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

It was the third NIT title for Stanford and second since 2012.

"Our guys just refused to lose," coach Johnny Dawkins said. "I think that's what you saw down the stretch of the game, the last few minutes and in overtime, just a will to win."

Randle said, "It's just a great feeling, just to be able to end your season and your career with a win."

With Stanford trailing 64-63 in the final seconds of overtime, Randle was heavily defended and seemingly out of answers when he took an off-balance shot and appeared to lean into Miami's Davon Reed. Randle was awarded the free throws, and he calmly buried both to give the Cardinal its second NIT championship in four years.

"We were going to put the ball in Chasson's hands, and he was going to decide it for us," Dawkins said.

Randle, the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament after he finished with 25 points in the championship game, was difficult to pin down even after the dramatic contest ended.

Asked if he initiated contact, he replied, "The ref called it. I can't do anything about it."

After a Miami turnover, Anthony Brown was fouled and made one free throw to make it 66-64, but the Hurricanes had one more chance. But Sheldon McClellan's off-balance jumper from the right corner fell short and Stanford (24-13) began to celebrate.

Dawkins, in his seventh year, acknowledged that the program's aspirations extend well behind the NIT, college basketball's consolation prize. "We are a program that wants to compete in the NCAA and wants to compete for championships," he said. "Unfortunately, that has not happened as much as we would like.

"But our last four years, we've won two NIT championships and we have gone to the Sweet 16. I don't think that's horrible. I think we have shown we can be competitive in either tournament."

Randle, who ended his career with a Stanford-record 2,375 points, scored Stanford's final four points in regulation, which ended at 59-59. With fans for both teams rising to their feet, he twice slashed down the right side to bank home scores.

The Hurricanes forced overtime on McClellan's driving score with 16.8 seconds to play.

Evansville: 2015 College Insider.com Tournament Champions

EVANSVILLE - University of Evansville basketball fans were excited by Thursday night’s championship of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and hopeful it signals even greater achievements next season.

A juiced-up crowd of 4,549 fed energy to the Purple Aces, who defeated Northern Arizona 71-65 for the CIT crown. Fans in purple, orange and white filled much of the Ford Center’s available lower bowl seating (the area behind one basket was taken by a stage set up for an Easter church service) and created a big-game atmosphere.

Fans stood and roared in the close contest’s waning minutes. The size of Thursday’s crowd wasn’t much bigger than Evansville’s season average, but its enthusiasm was sky-high.

“I wish every crowd next year was like this one. This is how it should be,” said Lance Wilkerson, marketing director for UE athletics and the men’s basketball team’s radio voice. “You know, the fans are the ones generating the noise, not the athletics department trying to force them to generate the noise. That’s how the great fan bases are, it comes from within.”

The Aces reeled off five wins in the CIT — three at the Ford Center and two on the road. Although the CIT wasn’t the NCAA Tournament or NIT fans wished for, Evansville’s CIT run delighted long-time rooters such as Steve Kweskin, who noted the Aces hadn’t won a postseason tournament since the Division II championship in 1971.

Kweskin said the CIT title “would be good for Marty,” referring to Aces’ eight-year coach Marty Simmons. “All the people who are against Marty, this might change their minds.”

Numerous fans said they hope positive vibes from Evansville’s CIT title carry over to next season, when the Aces’ nonconference schedule includes a trip the Wooden Classic in Anaheim, California. Teams such as Arizona, Michigan State, Boise State and Boston College are signed on to participate.

“It’s good experience for next year, and it’s good for recruiting down the line,” Aces fan Robert Elpers, of Haubstadt, said of the team’s CIT championship run. “Most teams who play in these tournaments (such as the CIT), the following year, they are better teams.”

Last year’s CIT champion, Murray State, finished 29-6 and won two games in the NIT.

Mark Miller of Evansville was a UE student during the program’s transition to Division I in the 1970s, and he’s been a fan ever since. As he awaited tipoff Thursday night in the Ford Center, he said a CIT title would mean only good things for the Aces.

“It would be a great springboard for next season, to get some enthusiasm for the future,” Miller said.

Wilkerson noted this year’s Aces struggled down the stretch, losing seven of their last 10 games before accepting the CIT invitation and dashing to the title.

“A lot of teams would have packed it in,” Wilkerson said. “I think our guys wanted to play. ... For these guys to experience success and cut down the nets, they can draw from this when we go to L.A. for Wooden Classic. And of course the most important thing is to play well in the Missouri Valley (Conference).”

Loyola-Chicago: 2015 College Basketball Invitational Champions

MONROE, La. -- Devon Turk had 14 points, and Loyola of Chicago rallied to win the College Basketball Invitational title, 63-62 over Louisiana-Monroe on Wednesday night.

Loyola was down four points with five minutes left when Turk buried a 3-pointer from the wing to make it a one-point game.

Milton Doyle then hit a jumper, and Jeff White's steal led to two Doyle free throws to give the Ramblers a 61-58 lead with about three minutes left.

With three seconds left and Loyola up 63-60, Louisiana-Monroe's Jamaal Samuel missed the first foul shot of a one-and-one, and his teammates grabbed the board to cut the lead to one. But the Warhawks ran out of time.

Doyle finished with 13 points.

The Ramblers' Earl Peterson, who averaged 14 points per game in the championship series, was named the tournament's most valuable player, according to Loyola's website. He had 12 in this game, hitting five of seven shots from the field.

Majok Deng had 17 points for Louisiana-Monroe.

The dramatic end of the game was fitting as the teams tussled and kept the score close.

Early on, a three-point play from Majok Deng gave ULM an 11-7 lead, but five straight Loyola points gave the Ramblers a 14-12 lead. The Warhawks opened up a five-point lead before Loyola rallied again. Turk answered with a three, the 205th of his career to break the school record, according to the school's website.

The game stayed competitive throughout. Every time Loyola seemed to be taking control, ULM answered until the Ramblers' late run sealed it.

For the second straight game, Loyola shot better than 50 percent from the field. It hit 54.5 percent against one of the nation's top-10 field goal percentage defenses.

Beat Of The Rising Sun

I'm feeling bright

Come baby come on

I say to you "it's all right"

Just you and I

We gotta fly

Oh, baby feel it

Music is power

I wanna stay all the night

I wanna hold you tonight

Oh, baby let me stay now

I'm all right, babe

Because you want it

Ready to dance

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh...

Beat of the rising sun

You gotta feel the dance

It's always in your heart

Feeling the time to come

Beat of the rising sun

I wanna feel your heart

The power of the sun

I wanna fly

With you in the sky

Come take it easy, baby

With you tonight,

You're gonna shine

Oh, baby listen

Music is power

I wanna stay all the night

I wanna hold you tonight

Oh, baby let me stay now

I'm all right, babe

Because you want it

Ready to dance

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh...

Beat of the rising sun

You gotta feel the dance

It's always in your heart

Feeling the time to come

Beat of the rising sun

I wanna feel your heart

The power of the sun

Beat of the rising sun

You gotta feel the dance

It's always in your heart

Feeling the time to come

Beat of the rising sun

I wanna feel your heart

The power of the sun

Beat of the rising sun

You gotta feel the dance

It's always in your heart

Feeling the time to come

Beat of the rising sun

I wanna feel your heart

The power of the sun

Beat of the rising sun

You gotta feel the dance

It's always in your heart

Feeling the time to come

Beat of the rising sun

I wanna feel your heart

The power of the sun!

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh...

Nutopia Sports at it again..

Uh, guys, cut it out. I have a dynasty I need to update here. And this restaurant sucks, too.

Texas.

It's been a while, and I've been alone

and you've been the only thing I've known

Born in the South, at home in the North

We could be anywhere you want

Now you're taking me down where you grew up

I wish I had known you when we were young

You figured me out, I know I've said it enough

but waiting is just too much

So cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline

Picture it now, down the road

Oh just say the word and I'll go

Wherever you are, whatever the coast

You are the one I care for the most

Remember the night we slept on the roof?

I didn't sleep much to tell the truth

Now we're the sand caught in the tide

We laugh until we cry

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline

Pull me closer, hold me tighter

The nights are long but the stars are brighter

Pull me closer, hold me tighter

Take me down, take me down, take me down

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline...

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline...

KanColle Anime Is Over, So Now What?

As I wait for my money to arrive so I can finish paying my bill and buy some clothes for Hana R on Pangya Wiki, I quietly reflect on what looks like the first season of KanColle. A second season is in development (can't be an April Fools Joke because it's not on April Fools Day and it was announced after the final scene in the anime), and it received sharp amounts of criticism for the scriptwriting, series direction and the choice of character.

First off, the real-life Admiral of this show, Kensuke Tanaka, is, like the main character Fubuki, a rookie when it comes to working in the anime business. If this was under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo or Gen Urobuchi or even Mari Okada, we would see a far more convincing series based on experience and track record. Second, there is a reason Fubuki, a generic-based starter/destroyer, is the main character. If a well-known shipgirl like Kongou or Kaga or Tenryuu (who did not appear in the anime at all) or even Shimakaze was the main character, it would divide the fanbase further than it did.

That's why Junya Oota, a.k.a. ZUN of Team Shanghai Alice, does not want to do a Touhou Project anime, even though it would have a Naruto/ONE PIECE length with plenty of arcs and would have a Saimoe leverage stronger than Madoka and Saki combined. There's too many good characters in that series with strong, loyal followings to have it based around Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame, which would be the case by default. Fans will say, "Flandre should be the main!" or "What about Sakuya!" or "Patchouli's not the MC? Blasphemy!" and so on and so forth. Sooner or later, ZUN's gotta realize that making an anime of Touhou will keep the series relevant for a long time and it's already been around for a while.

But enough of that, let's talk about KanColle. Ah, Fubuki. I am starting to have a soft side for Fubuki, even though I prefer Shimakaze and Kongou. Indeed, those two were my badge art for what is currently my most recent Anime Expo staffed to date. But Fubuki has her charms. She refers the Admiral as "Commander," which is a far more intimate, more casual drop of formalities. It's almost like Fubuki treats the admiral like a big brother, and that's fine.

The anime did not improve Fubuki's popularity much; in fact, the fan support for the other characters also remained the same. In Kantai Collection (and this is coming from someone that can't play the game due to geoblock restrictions and having to win a lottery; get a global server going already!), admirals have their ship that they adore, and it affects them if it gets sunk while on event duty or doing some sortie mission because you can't get that ship back.

But it doesn't hurt to see the beauty of the ordinary. I see Fubuki as the Akari Akaza of KanColle. Ready salted, simple and delicious. She doesn't have to go over the top or what not to be awesome. To appreciate Fubuki is like appreciating a good bag of ready salted, kettle-cooked crisps or brown rice without anything placed on it. Or, a bowl of three scoops of vanilla ice cream without any toppings.

The way Fubuki was portrayed in the anime was noteworthy, except for one thing: her second remodel wasn't shown, just her first. Thus, my speculation is that the second season will introduce the second remodel with the black uniform with red trim and the green eyes. I am torn as to which Fubuki I like. Do I go for the first remodel? Or the second remodel?

It's a massive dilemma that will be resolved when the second season rolls around and the remodel is portrayed. I hope the eyes are just palette-swapped for Fubuki's Kai Ni. It's better that way. I don't like them in the style of Yamato, Yuudachi or the Big Seven NagaMutsu combo. So for now, the jury is still out. But it's temporary and unlike some gamers who are calling out the anime in general in an attempt to convince the 2ch Saimoe voters that the race is open now that Saki and Madoka are gone, I liked the KanColle anime and am eagerly awaiting the second season.

Dammit, Commander Izumi, stop staring at me and get back to work RIGHT NOW!

Anime Expo Decides To Go Younger And Inexperienced. Sigh!

All right, so, I've had a rough week this week. Not only did Pangya Global pull out the Hanbok Sets for the remodels on the day I receive my paycheck, but I received this email from Amy Miyamoto, who is the Registration and Exhibits Division Manager. See, I was wondering why I applied for staff in January, and I never received any e-mails or contacts. I had worked the Registration Department for my first three years at the con and wanted to come back for a fourth.

Jo-Ryan, We will respectfully decline your offer to join Registration. You will remain [in] the open applicants to see if any other departments contact you. Regards, Amy Miyamoto Registration & Exhibits Division ManagerSociety for the Promotion of Japanese Animation 1522 Brookhollow Dr, Suite 1, Santa Ana, CA 92705Anime Conji - AC | Anime Expo - AX | Project Anime – PA – Los Angeles & Tokyo

Shortage of staffers...my ass.

While I did say in a follow-up that I intend to reapply next year, one thing that is important when working with experienced convention staffers like myself is that department managers need to be transparent and not withhold important information and conjecture/opinion regarding the direction of staffing a convention like AX. Otherwise, you end up with speculatory conclusions which may or may not be correct, and I don't like to do speculation in these circumstances but I am force to because Ms. Miyamoto did not disclose the exact reasons.

My speculation is as follows: Anime Expo is going younger to save costs regarding housing its staffers. They are going with inexperienced, unqualified newbies who have to pay part of their hotel room, which, unless pointed out, is the Radisson USC. As a veteran staff member, the hotel and perks are free, so long as the room is in good shape and I make a deposit. So by this, it would be more expensive for the penny-pinchers at SPJA to retain my services because I've served a string of cons. I was with them in Anaheim, I was with them in Long Beach. And I was with them when staff was housed at the Westin Bonaventure and the Radisson.

This is not meant to be an affront to SPJA or the convention, for the record. I had a great time staffing this con during my nine years. Good memories, it's forever a part of me, and everyone out there should get the chance to take part in it on Independence Day Weekend. Thank you, AX. But I strongly believe that Ms. Miyamoto or the others should have explained further the future direction of the convention's makeup in terms of staffers so that it will alllow me to make a decision as to whether or not I should do further business with them. I'll give them one more year for them to give me a chance, but if no department wants my services, I have no choice but to cut my ties by mutual agreement.

One of my personal beliefs is that I don't waste my time with people, organizations, groups, anyone who doesn't want my services. I wanted to do 10 years at AX and stop there, but if they wanted me to stop at nine, they could have just said so. They can give me a good reason, I'll consider it, and then my time staffing this con is history. Anyone that I know or work with, regardless of who it is, that doesn't come clean with me and leaves me out of the loop is essentially giving me a slap to the face, and that is something that businesses and companies should never do when communicating bad news.

End true story.