For those who don’t know Masterchef is a reality cooking show that has amateur cooks battling out for the title of Masterchef. It has been immensely popular in the first season and the second season was even BIGGER. Celebrity chefs from Australia and around the world have appeared on the show, and one of Australia’s best known patissier is Adriano Zumbo. He brought about the wondrous V8 cake that you see above. This cake contains 8 different layers of vanilla. That’s right 8 layers!! (Recipe here) . All I can say I was absolutely excited when my sister decided to order one for her birthday.

But since Mugi knows a lot about cakes, I figured I’ll let her take it from here:

Mugi arrived early last week and I was quite happy when she finally arrived. And what perfect timing for Mugi to come along and a V8 cake later in the week.

As you can see, the V8 cake is made by Adriano Zumbo,where he has both a cafe and patisserie that create a number of delicious pastries and sweets. Of course the menu item changes based on the season.

Here we have some water droplets but are in fact sugar spheres. But what’s this to Mugi’s right??

Mugi is quite amazed at what she is seeing here. And what she is seeing here is a tempered white chocolate flower. When I first saw it with my very eyes I was absolutely astounded at the beauty of it.

However I had to wait till the night time before I could take a slice of this cake. Even my niece was very excited about eating it. eventually the time had come to slice the cake up and eat.

At first I couldn’t see the 8 layers and initially counted 6. But upon closer inspection I finally counted all 8 layers. Within the first bite, I was in heaven. The textures were smooth and creamy that you could at times sense the different layers being tasted. The vanilla almond layer also gives it a slight crunch to balance out the smoothness. Not only was this cake a piece of art, it also shows that food can stimulate the senses in ways that you can’t imagine. In the end this was the best cake I have ever tasted.

Of course given the complexity of this cake it also comes with a heavy price. The cake alone is $125 AUD. The flower is an extra $25 AUD. So a $150 AUD for a cake that is 8 inches wide, 8 inches long, and 3 inches high I think it was well worth it. Some may not agree but to have something like this during a special occasion, price shouldn’t matter. And with special occasions there will always be people to share this cake with, meaning that enjoyment can be had by all.

Of course this kind of cake Mugi would bring to the K-ON clubroom with some tea ready for you. But if you don’t want to buy a cake as expensive as this there are some other things to look forward to at Adriano Zumbo’s store:

Mugi recommends some macarons as they are quite cheap at $2 AUD each. Unfortunately I never got to read what type they are but the purple ones are lavender and the green ones are pistachios. I’ve been meaning to try these for a while but have only managed to try the lavender ones, but I think my mum and sister have eaten the others already. So if you’re a Sydneysider, I do recommend heading to Adriano Zumbo’s store but you have to be there before 11am otherwise everything is sold out.

Art by にしうりわりと @ pixiv

Just thought I’d make a little post about this before the clock struck midnight. Here’s a Happy Birthday wish to my favorite drummer girl, Ritsu Tainaka. Keep on keeping the beats, glorious band leader.

Sourced from pixiv

However, let’s start by looking at where it all began. We always start off with the simple and cheap alternatives, and for me it was posters. Being a high school student didn’t give me a lot of options, as anime in Australia in the late 90′s was nearly non-existent. As a disposable income became available, so did an increase of access via the Internet. It grew to collecting DVDs, keychains, plushies, and even figures at an exponential rate as I drowned myself deeper in exploring anime culture. A trip to Japan gave me a deeper insight into anime culture, and gave me even greater access to so much more collectible items – even to the point of spending $5493 AUD alone in goods in one trip.

With such a vast and growing collection it can become hard to appreciate everything. There may even be a point where you start to feel little or no excitement about what you collect. I started to reach that point early last year. Having amassed somewhere around 170 figures, I just couldn’t reach that 200 mark and it might look like I never will. My friend Roobar said that my BURNING PASSION was lacking and it was indeed true. I would even go as far as saying that it was dying. That excitement and joy of receiving a long awaited figure had turned into “when did I order this?” and “meh, goes on top of the pile”. It seemed that nothing could save me.

It wasn’t until shortly after this bleak time that I had found my savior: my Dollfie Dream princess Erika. I had been interested in ABJD (Asian ball-jointed dolls) for quite some time and thought that I would have one in my otaku kingdom. However, I did not realise that owning a Dollfie would change me in such a dramatic way that it has even reignited my BURNING PASSION! Seeing Erika for the first time was love at first sight. There were times that I would sit in front of her and smile at her beauty like I was staring at an art-piece. But it goes beyond that now as I consider her to be my princess.

To express my love for my princess, my collection has come to a stop as my hard earned dollars start funding her new wardrobe. Seeing her with new clothes always brings a smile to my face and that little bit of happiness that we all need now and then. When times got tough, I would always go back to Erika to make myself feel a little better and it always worked. Of course I couldn’t have her cooped up, so at conventions I always brought her along with me to show her off to the world.

To many of you reading, some may think that this is a little creepy; but my love for my Erika is no different to your love for your own inanimate objects. It could be similar to how a person loves their car and even gives it a name (Mini has even named his WRX Yoshika), a childhood teddy bear, a piece of jewelery, or even a photograph. It came to my attention that DevKimiko had her doll stolen at AVCon a few weeks ago and this got me thinking about my own doll, and it’s also the inspiration for this post. To think that my Erika or Mashiro would get stolen would absolutely devastate me, as it means more to me than just losing a doll, but something I truly love and cherish.

In essence, I cherish my Erika so much that one could say I don’t treat her an an inanimate object, but as a real entity. An example would be the night before SMASH 2010 that I had a chat with Erika and her sister Mashiro on who would be coming along with me (we decided that Mashiro was going with me). So despite what others may say, if you think about it, you might even have an inanimate object that you love dearly yourself. Do you happen to have something you cherish very much?

This sale is only open to Australian residents for now. International buyers can register their interest and try their luck. Because I’m still getting to grips with my D5000 and I had to take most of these photos at night, the flash is a bit glaring, though True Figure Maniacs should be able to figure out what’s what.

Gunpla note: All Gundam and Virtual-On kits listed below are unbuilt.

For the two figures above:

Left Figure

• Figure: Himekuri Image Girl – Black Clothes ver
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure – SOLD

• Figure: Hikaru – Death Cloth ver
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Arika Yumemiya (Kotobukiya)
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Seolla Schweizer
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Arcueid Pinky Collaboration Book
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Rei & Asuka Grimrock Mix Edition
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Hiyorigawa Asahi
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: May require a bit of reworking of her foot’s pin to fit into the stand

Right Figure

• Figure: Ideon
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: I have an urge to play Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 again.

Left Figure

• Figure: Voice I-Doll – Athrun Zala
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Voice I-Doll – Stellar Loussier
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

• Figure: Evangelion Unit 00 – Revoltech – WonFes Special Edition
• Price: $100AUD
• Note: I bought this item and the next one at Wonder Festival 2007. They’re event exclusives, hence the higher price. Both are in mint condition – I only took them out to photograph because the boxes have no windows.

• Figure: Evangelion Unit 01 – Revoltech – WonFes Special Edition
• Price: $100AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Haruhi Suzumiya
• HLJ
• Price: $70AUD
• Note: Wonder Festival special edition – contains option parts for other Haruhi-series figures by Max Factory, like Mikuru’s signboards and “Mikuru Beam!” effect piece.

Right Figure

• Figure: Rindou Rina
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Haruka Amami
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Iori Minase (GSC)
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Hitomi
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD
• Note: The box is damaged but the figure is fine. Very fine.

Right Figure

• Figure: White Moon Princess
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Ichigo Morino (Yujin)
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Pinky Costume Rei & Asuka Set
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Ichigo Morino (Max Factory)
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Mizuho Kazami
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: KFF KA-006S Keroro Gunsou
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Wendy Garrett (Yamato)
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Fraulein Revoltech – Mami Futami
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Fraulein Revoltech – Ami Futami
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Manami Amamiya & Mika Inamori Navy School Swimsuit Ver
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Maid – T’s System
• Price: $40AUD
• Note: I bought this at Wonder Festival 2007, but I can’t find it on the T’s System webpage.

Left Figure – SOLD

• Figure: Melissa Seraphy
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Asa Shigure
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Meirin Hawke
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Pastel Ink
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: This figure may shift around in transit. I’ll try to cushion it with tissue paper or bubble wrap.

Left Figure

• Figure: Michelle
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Tamaki Kousaka
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Midori
• HLJ
• Price: $60AUD
• Note: This figure is also a hand-puppet, so you can finally realise your dream of sticking your hand up Midori’s skirt. Err, wait.

Right Figure

• Figure: Agnes Bell
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Minawa Ando
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Rei Ayanami
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD
• Includes posable Rei figure and volume 9 of the JP version of the Evangelion manga.

Left Figure

• Figure: Priecia
• Price: $50AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Yuki Nagato – White Bunny
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Rei Ayanami
• HLJ
• Price: $60AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Bioshock Collector’s Edition
• Price: $80AUD
• Note: Includes Bioshock game for PC, Big Daddy figurine, soundtrack CD, making-of DVD

Left Figure – RESERVED

• Figure: Revoltech 2G Saber
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure – RESERVED

• Figure: Revoltech 2G Saber Alter
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Sei
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Amy
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Shana
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Sayaka Takai
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: This figure exhibits some lean.

Left Figure

• Figure: Shima Katase
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Yayoi Fujisawa
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Shinku
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: Includes Shinku figure and volume 7 of the JP version of the Rozen Maiden manga

Right Figure

• Figure: Food Girls Strawberry-chan
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Shinobu Maehara – Sailor Uniform Comic Ver
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD
• Note: Resin kit, unassembled and unpainted

Right Figure

• Figure: Fine Scenery Haruhi Suzumiya Bunny Version
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Stellar Loussier (Banpresto)
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Arika Yumemiya (Wave)
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Stellar Loussier (Mega House)
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Asuka – Summer Casual Wear
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Wendy Garrett – Max Factory
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Iori Minase (Kotobukiya)
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Souffle Rossetti
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Mitsuki Sawatari
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD

Left Figure

• Figure: Asuna Kagurazaka
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Miharu Fuyuki
• HLJ
• Price: $30AUD
• Note: How did HLJ manage to get the name wrong when it’s printed on the box.

Left Figure

• Figure: Arika Yumemiya (Bandai)
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Figure

• Figure: Shinku (GSC)
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Left Model

• Model: 1/100 MG RX-78-4 Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Right Model

• Model: 1/100 MG RX-78-5 Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $20AUD

Top-Left Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Cgue Deep Arms
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD
• The fact that Shiho Hahnenfuss didn’t get a regular part in the series is a damn shame.

Top-Right Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Ginn Type High Maneuver
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Left Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Dreadnought Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Right Model – SOLD

• Model: 1/144 HG 105 Dagger + Gun Barrel
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Top-Left Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Verde Buster Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Top-Right Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Force Impulse Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Left Model

• Model: 1/144 HG Aile Strike Gundam
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Right Model – RESERVED

• Model: 1/144 HGUC Hazel RX121-1 TR-1
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

• Model: 1/100 Duel Gundam Assault Shroud
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Model

• Model: 1/144 GFF 0021-b Gundam F91 (F90-II)
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Right Model

• Model: GFF Cross Bone Gundam X-3
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Left Model

• Model: 1/144 GFF 0010 GP04G Gerbera
• HLJ
• Price: $40AUD

Right Model

• Model: 1/144 GFF 0014 EX-S Gundam Taskforce Alpha
• HLJ
• Price: $50AUD

Top Model

• Model: 1/144 Temjin D.N.A Side
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Left Model

• Model: 1/144 Dash Pronger Raiden
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Bottom-Right Model

• Model: 1/144 MBV-04-10/80 Ten-Eighty
• HLJ
• Price: $10AUD

Left Plushy

• Plushy: Evangeline A.K. McDowell
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: She’s in her “failed Pactio card” mode, and holding onto a carrot as a rabbit should.

Middle Plushy

• Plushy: Unknown mascot character
• Price: $20AUD
• Note: I think she’s a shop mascot in the DiGi Charat-esque way.

Right Plushy – SOLD

• Plushy: Saber Lion
• Price: $30AUD

Prices are as you see them currently; if I adjust them later I’ll put an update below as well. All sales are final. No running by the pool. Look both ways before crossing the road.

If you want to buy any of these items, send an email to mini (at) moemoerabu.net to sort out delivery costs and payment. I’m only accepting order requests from Australian residents until further notice.

Order updates:
D Lau: Order received 14/08, Payment received 17/08, Package sent 19/08
Kuujiryo: Order received 14/08, Payment received 17/08, Package sent 19/08
Anim3Fr33K: Order received 14/08
Roobar: Order received 14/08, Payment received 17/08, Pickup arranged

I don’t quite remember when SMASH announced that they were holding it at Town Hall but I was quite apprehensive about it. Given that Animania used to be held here it was quite a bad experience due to low lighting, moving between floors, and general crowding. And despite the renovations of Town Hall being completed, I was right that Town Hall was not a suitable location. The true benefit of Town Hall would be the ease of access compared to UNSW Roundhouse, and the easy access of food when one hungers.

Arriving a little later than I usually do for a convention, it was just after 10a.m. that I arrived at Town Hall and there was a long queue for those paying at the door. It wasn’t too much of a deal as I’ve waited in longer queues before. But I’ve always known that SMASH lines move quickly. Prepaid line was practically empty as most people were already inside. Once inside there was only one place to head to, the ABJD table!

The two days before SMASH I had a hard time deciding which princess to bring with me. Eventually I decided on Mashiro as I haven’t had the chance to try out her other clothes set and with her ears and tail. Unfortunately I arrived a little late to find that the table was completely full. I only just managed to find a spot for her to sit. I would’ve been sad if I couldn’t have her displayed and I’m sure Mashiro would be sad as well.

So with like every other convention, I do the usual rounds of meeting and greeting people I know and didn’t take that many photos all up. At first I started and found that the upper floor where the main stage and artists were situated were way too dark for me to produce any decent photos. The lower floor is where the prime location to take photos was. Plenty of lighting but unfortunately a very busy area with many people going around the vendors spending their hard earned dollars. So in the end it was a very disappointing effort on my behalf and just bad lighting all around.

Upper Floor

Lower Floor

A lot of my time was mainly spent hanging around the ABJD table where we even had a little mischief going on:

But despite all the lighting issues and general lack of enthusiasm on my part, I did manage to take a few decent cosplayer pics and it was only until I checked my photos that most had turned out a lot better than I had thought when inspecting on the camera. And for those photographers, keep in mind I was shooting with a Canon 400D with a 24-105mm L f/4 lens, 580EX II Speedlite, and on ISO 400-800.

Definitely one of the best Luka cosplayers I’ve see at an Australian convention

For those who don’t know I’m a MASSIVE Reisen fan and deep down I was just estatic. I only wished I had taken a single photo of her but the thought never came to mind at the moment.

Overall it was a fun day but I still think that Town Hall wasn’t the best option of venue. At around 11:30a.m-12p.m they had officially stopped door sales sue to the overwhelming number of people attending. But this was not by choice as Town Hall does have a maximum capacity and SMASH had reached that. On the bright side it shows that SMASH as a convention is growing every year and it may even press future attendees to prepay for their tickets. But of course if this is to come true I would still probably just pay at the door. Though I must say that the best part of SMASH would be talking to everyone’s favourite person Alfred Man for a good 30 minutes.

Also this will be the final convention for my dearly loved 4 year old Canon 400D and the final convention for me for 2010. Animania Sydney is the next and last convention for Sydney 2010 and I won’t be attending. I shall be overseas at the time so look forward to posts of my cross Asia trip!