Archive for: April, 2008

“What strength!!  But don’t forget there are many guys like you all over the world.”

Yeah, we were slammed.  Some sizes and colorways were hit pretty hard.  And it may have looked like they were down for the count.  But everything is back in stock now!

Uwe Boll, this is for you: Tenacious D – Cosmic Shame

JB & KG are swooping down and telling you to STOP in the form of this petition. You will never make a video game related movie that looks as good as the upcoming Onechanbara.

Just like the Simple 2000 budget series video game, it is going to be so bad it’s good. Please face it, Uwe, this concept has been elusive at best your entire “career”, and will never be within your grasp.

I had the same smile on my face upon finding this in my inbox.

Chris Kohler from WIRED got to hang out with the Man himself, Shigeru Miyamoto. Chris and Clive Thompson got to stomp on the Wii Fit board and have promised to delight readers in print and online with full coverage of every calorie burned.

We are honestly flattered in your choice of attire, Chris. Expect a “thank you” package in the mail soon!

That is how you throw a grand opening celebration.  With a DJ mix that sounded like it was straight out of WOMB, we knew ROYAL/T pulled all the stops to kick things off right.  Even details like maids servicing the people lining up outside were not over looked.  Once inside, I do not think I was once without a cocktail, ranging from espresso martinis to some innocent looking fresh-squeezed watermelon concoctions that proved to be anything but innocent.

The art collection was straight out of the pages of Superflat, and will probably be easier to appreciate when ROYAL/T isn’t at max capacity like it was last night.  I can imagine this space (for lack of a better term) will be quite delightful when afternoon tea is being formally served by its attentive and doting staff.  But when they aren’t concerned about waking the neighbors, they can make you think you just stumbled out of a club in Roppongi Hills.

A small graft of Akihabara has been planted within walking distance of my apartment on Washington Blvd. in beautiful Culver City. Whether or not this graft takes and sprouts new growth remains to be seen, but I for one am excited to see the addition of ROYAL/T, LA’s first Japanese-style Maid cosplay cafe, to my neighborhood.

It seems they are expanding the scope of what a “traditional” maid-cafe offers, with an extensive art gallery and book/gift shop. I would also imagine they are going to downplay the fetish aspect of these cafes. But who knows. That remains to be seen. I’ll know it has gone too far when Yakuza deny me access to a groping-friendly train-themed cafe opening across the street.

The Grand Opening is tomorrow, and I will let you know how it goes with a hands-on impression.

Arcades are rarer than a case of Orbitz now a days.

But San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf is home to a real gem! I was able to get my fix of Spy Hunter, Moon Patrol, and even indulge in a little Death Race. When’s the last time you’ve seen Death Race? The answer is never. Most people will go their entire life not knowing that this game even exists. Shame too. The cabinet is a thing of beauty!

Musee Mecanique doesn’t stop there. It houses quite a few other coin operated rarities. How about an animated Opium Den? Or a peep show featuring a belly dancer taking a bath? Or some Indian getting mauled by wild bison?

Musee Mecanique is located on Pier 45 at the end of Taylor Street, Shed A, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. Admission is free. Go!