Attention all Melbourne-based geeks – you have a chance to get paid to geek out working at Tamarket, an anime store in Melbourne city. Here’s the details:

Tamarket is looking for a responsible, efficient and enthusiastic individual to join our team! As a Tamarket employee, you will be involved in Australia’s growing anime industry, with access to the latest products from Japan.

This position is casual/part-time and involves work for 3-4 hours per day for at least three days a week at our Melbourne city office (usually Monday, Wednesday, Friday).

Some weekend work may be required during the initial three-month probationary period and time flexibility is preferred.

Interstate travel may be required.

Your tasks will involve:

- order processing and dispatch
- stock control
- assisting with customer queries
- preparation of goods for website display
- basic office maintenance and general office duties
- assisting with Tamarket booth at conventions (local and interstate)

You need to:
- be over 18 years of age and based in Melbourne
- have fluent english communication skills (spoken and written essential)
- have good computer skills with proficiency in use of Windows, Word, Excel and basic photo editing software
- be willing to take direction and be capable of self-directed work

Other useful skills (preferred but not essential):
- a broad knowledge of anime
- japanese language skills for web-search and reading

Please send your cover letter and resume to:
[email protected]

Applications close Friday 15th March. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email.

 

[Tamarket]

Want a pun that is so cringe worthy, you may not be able to look at Brock from Pokemon the same way ever again? Just read on…

{Gifs via Tumblr}

This is one for the ladies and the straight men:

Isn’t she hot? Elena has always been into costuming but it was in 2010 that she really started proper cosplay when she and her friends dressed as Sailor Moon characters for Katsucon 2010. From there she’s gone on to do amazing costumes, the latest of which was a female Captain America for DragonCon.

She also tells me she’s got a Tron costume in the works – I’m sure you’re drooling in anticipation for that one! Here is a collection of my favourite pictures from her so far (click to see full screen):

[For more pictures and info visit (and like!) the Hyoutan Cosplay Facebook page | Also find her on DeviantART]

This is too cool. I actually saw these epic artworks on someone’s Facebook, and it had a 9gag link attached to it. I find it really rude that the 9gag link didn’t link back to the original artist, Hat Boy, whose tumblr is full of amazing Tim Burton-inspired artwork.

I therefore cropped off the stupid link and will not be linking back to where I got this image. Instead I’m going to link back to Hat Boy again, just because he deserves it.

In fact, here, have another one Hat Boy. And keep making awesome Tim Burton art…it’s brilliant!

What do you guys think of it? Leave us a comment about it…or about the courtesy of linking back!

Hey it’s me again and this time I’m off my convention high (whoo!).

As many of you will know conventions are generally great fun, but they can be made better if you follow the simple rules below. This shall have the brilliantly original title of ‘The Convention Do’s’. That being said I also know what can ruin the experience and I hope reading through the ‘Convention Don’ts’ list will make sure you will NEVER do these horrible, horrible things. In both these lists I could go on and on, but I will give you my TOP 5 and in no particular order.

CONVENTIONS DO’s

1. Talk to People
    
   A convention is one of the very few places that you can talk to strangers! In fact I would encourage you to do so. I know this can be daunting but conventions are the place to be to meet people who are like-minded.  These people generally will live in the same area, so you can actually meet up with them later on.Obviously don’t just start talking to random people, but if you are sitting next to someone at the cosplay competition or the Anime Idol, then do it, you won’t regret it.

 

2. Take Photos
    
   Seriously take a bucket load of photos. Take photos of yourself; take photos of your friends, yourself with friends and yourself with amazing cosplayers…Take a heck of a lot of photos! This doesn’t just preserve memory, it can also inspire you if you are a regular cosplayer and serve as hype material for the next convention you go to.

 

3. Buy Swag
    
   Don’t be afraid to spend money at a con, people! Sure things might be a little more expensive but it is so worth it in the end. The worst thing you can do is come out of a con with regrets for not buying that plushie or that painting.In fact I was a victim of this! I saw this Link plushie and it was for $35. I stared at the thing for five minutes, I wanted it so bad, but I knew that it was a ridiculous price, so I left it. When I laid out my stuff that night I felt such painful regret.

 

4. Give and Get Hugs (but with Caution)
    
   I’m saying this especially for the girls, but it can also apply to guys.There are quite a few people with ‘free hugs’ or ‘free glomp’ signs, this is usually harmless fun, and usually it’s a great way to enact Convention Do number 1. Also being photographed while getting hugged by your favourite character is fun. However, use your judgment! Unfortunately there are quite a few creepy people; I’ve had a friend who was hugging her favourite character of all time, when he put a hand on her butt. Not cool, people, not cool. It ruins the whole experience and it makes you want to take a bath.

 

5. Wear Cologne/Perfume/Things with a Nice Scent
    
   You are going to be there all day and at some point it is going to get mildly warm. If not for yourself, then for the sake of others, please, please, pleaseput on some deodorant.This rule is especially important if you are coming in a cosplay. People will want to take a photo with you and that would be one nasty surprise.

 
 
CONVENTIONS DONT’S
 

1. Be an A$$hole
    
   Okay the reason why I put this on the list is because in the cosplay compeition of the convention I just went to, there was some guy hollering trying to be funny with every costume. Every costume. I’m not saying don’t be funny, some of the things that are yelled can be funny, but if it is one guy every time, then it is just obnoxious. Just don’t.

 

2. Don’t Block the Swag Stands If You Aren’t Buying
    
   This is pretty self explanatory. If you are there just to look at the pretty pretty things than please keep in mind the flow of people. If people want to buy things, please don’t stand in the way.

 

3. Be Rude to the Traders
    
   Okay, so they might have just given a customer a discount and not you. It would make me angry sure, but don’t pick a fight with the stand people. Either get your stuff or get out. There are probably tons of people waiting to purchase something and there you are, picking a fight. In the end you look like a tool and people make a note to steer clear away from you.

 

4. Don’t steal people’s stuff!
    
   At the con I went to, a friend of a friend of a friend’s wallet got stolen. And even though there were four degrees of separation, I still think that guy is scum.  Just don’t. Think of how many convention karma points you could lose! Just don’t.

 

5. Be shy
    
   I know this is an odd one but it is an important one. In cons there are a lot of people and it can get noisy. Being shy here means you won’t get what you want. This is a disadvantage in getting Traders to notice you, in getting walking cosplay people to stand still for a photo op or if there is quite a few people that want the photo op, you will be the last one to get there. So don’t be shy!

 
 
These are the convention rules that I believe everyone should follow. It makes not only your day a whole lot better but everyone’s as well! I know I have left out quite a lot of rules, so come on guys, what have I left out?

Oh, and here is the merchandise I bought!

Until next time down the rabbit hole,

Liz

It’s that time of the year again!! CONVENTION TIME*!!

Now conventions are a huge deal in the geek world. Even if you are not a TV or anime geek such as I, you have probably been to a convention, heck if you have been to a school ‘careers day’ you’ve been to a convention.  Sooner or later, people are going to revise Ben Franklin’s statement to ‘nothing is certain in life but death, taxes and conventions.’

Since conventions are such a huge deal, I believe it deserves a three part post. One before the convention, when I’m so excited for it, and of course one immediately after, when my wallet is empty and my bed is full of swag, and one where I relive the experience the day after.

This will also be my first time dressing up for an event, so I have no idea what to expect from it. Would I have a ‘normal’ convention experience just in pretty, pretty clothes? Or, would people actually want to take a photo of me? Oh God! Would I feel offended if nobody wants a photo?!

Anyway, leaving that mild bit of anxiety aside, I’m generally stoked (as if you couldn’t tell right?).

Now I wanted to write a survival guide for convention goers (especially those who are newbies) but I wasn’t sure if to write it as a reminder for myself or after learning from another year of some regrets. But, I figure I might as well write this today and give you guys the ten convention dos and don’ts tomorrow and then the day after, the top ten cosplays of that convention.**

Okay, so here goes, after three years and six conventions later I’m imparting my wisdom.

SURVIVAL RULE 1

The prepaid ticket.

The first thing any geek should be equipped with is a prepaid ticket. This is probably the most important thing you could do. I went to my first anime convention when I was still in school and I thought that my city (more like town) had no way near enough interest to garner the line it had. So five of my friends and I rocked up at 9:00 sharp, when the convention opened, and had to wait 2 and a half hours to get in. Let me point out that this place didn’t even have an anime store.

Let me say that from then on, I have never forgotten to prepay my ticket.

SURVIVAL RULE 1- part 2

Your I.D

If you have forgotten your ticket, not to worry! They will have computers to look you up and to check if you are who you say you are.  So as long as you have brought your I.D you should be able to still receive all the benefits of a prepaid ticket (i.e cheaper and shorter line).

Actually this is also a good habit for anyone who is over 18 (or 21) because I have enjoyed many a post-convention drinks with friends. This is usually done best if you have a big group of cosplayers so that you can weird people out in the bar.  We were even once photographed and placed in a magazine once because of it!

SURVIVAL RULE 2

Money.

This rule is quite obvious. You need money so you can buy SWAG. You might think that you won’t buy anything, or you might think you have all there is on X T.V/Anime show, but you don’t, you really don’t. And if you don’t bring money you will become really disappointed.

I have heard a lot of whiney people who didn’t have enough money or forgot to bring money/cards… a lot of people. These people just look longingly into the stand (often obstructing people who want to buy the swag) and say, “it’s so expensive here, just go on ebay, blah blah blah, cheaper, blah blah blah, rip off.” Sometimes you have to mentally picture yourself hitting them with a giant hammer and imagine them flying away like Team Rocket.

Obviously convention swag is not going to be the cheapest, but these are tokens of your time together with friends (in the outside world!) and I haven’t yet met a person who has regretted buying swag from a stand.

It’s also important if you haven’t brought your own food or drinks.

SURVIVAL RULE 3

Comfy, closed-in shoes.

I understand that for a few cosplays high heels or uncomfortable shoes are required, but if you want to last more than four hours than you need to pack or just wear comfortable shoes. I can guarantee you; you will thank me for this. Besides after the first two hours the photo ops tend to die down.

I think closed in shoes is also a must. I know some people can get away with their toes not being stepped on the whole time, but let me say that in four conventions I have attended, there was someone in flip flops in my group. That person has always been stepped on, at least twice. Once you wear closed in shoes you either don’t notice or people just don’t step on you. It’s like your bare toes are sending out invitations for high heels and boots to stomp on them (although can you imagine that?).

SURVIVAL RULE 4

A camera. Preferably digital.

This is not something you will necessarily need, but most certainly something you will want.  I cannot count how many photos of awesome cosplay/Lolita outfits I have seen. And it doesn’t matter if you will never review those photo’s ever again, at that moment you are having fun and maybe even becoming inspired.

Also, if you are going with a group of friends it would certainly be handy to have something (other than your swag) to preserve the memory.

SURVIVAL RULE 5

Your friends.

I think I have mentioned them in every rule so far, and you want to know why? Well it’s because they are key to having an amazing experience and I have yet to find someone to dispute this. And do you want to know why? Because this is a fact.

I have heard from people that going to conventions alone are not horrible and it can be fun. But friends create the ‘convention hype’. You get excited about going, about seeing the awesome outfits, or seeing celebrities and sharing what you have bought.

I will emphasise this now, you may not need friends to have a good convention experience, but to have an amazing experience, friends are definitely needed.

Now I have put these rules in a Pop-Culture convention context but it really works with any form of convention. I hope these rules can serve either as a check list or guide to both new and old convention geeks. But I’ve got a feeling that convension goers who are both older and wiser than me might have some other rules they abide by and if so I would love to read some. Heck if there are enough of them, I might ammend the Geek Survival Guide.

Come visit my cupcake treehouse soon,

Liz

*Also known as, the time to restock my yaoi collection.

**How organised am I? Well, more like how obsessed am I? ( >.>)