Hello again from San Diego. We’re about top pile into the J-List truck and start our drive to Phoenix, Arizona, where we’ll meet thousands of fans and show off all the cool product we’ve prepared for Phoenix Comicon. But first, a new site update!
One interesting oddity about the Japanese is their compulsion with blood types, which can be seen in anime in the form of characters who have established blood types despite being, you know, fictional. This all got started back in 1927, when a researcher named Furukawa published a paper of dubious scientific value about differences in personality types being determined by blood, which was embraced by the militaristic government of the era, eager to understand which blood type would make the best soldiers. In general terms, Japanese consider type A people to be neat, tidy, and plan things meticulously, almost to a fault (like my wife). Type B are “my pace,” meaning that they do their own thing without worrying about the opinions of others, and don’t plan things out in advance (I am a good example of this). Type O are said to be loyal and passionate, and have the best leadership skills. Finally, AB people are cool and controlled, and like to hide their inner selves from others. Because there are some minor prejudices related to blood types (usually taking the form of “blood type bashing” against us type B people for being so disorganized), asking someone’s blood type is frowned upon in certain situations, such as during job interviews.
It’s been fun being back in San Diego for my extended vacation, visiting family and zooming around California’s freeways. As usual, I enjoy the vibrant Asian culture that’s becoming increasingly important in my home city. If I want to sample the amazing food culture of Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea, and Vietnam, I need only take a drive down Convoy Street, our local Asian district. Nearby there’s a K-Mart that closed a few years ago, which was taken over by an Asian market. At first I expressed doubt that a niche shop could effectively full the huge floor space of the old K-Mart effectively, yet they did a great job, filling the sprawling shelves with all manner of Asian foods, including more varieties of Korean sesame oil and tobanjan spicy miso paste than you can shake a chopstick at. Best of all is the explosion of Boba Tea, which my daughter and I love.
While J-List customers are browsing our our awesome stock of Japanese snacks for the final days of our Flash Sale we’re headed off to Phoenix! The Phoenix Comicon is a great show with super fans, and we’ll have tons of stuff for everyone. Make sure you come to our eroge and visual novel panel on Friday at 10 pm!