The second event we are covering for Bento Blocks is Bak-Anime in Bakersfield, CA. Being a Los Angeles local, I never knew Bakersfield had an Anime Convention. I was very surprised to see how many people showed up at the event. From Central to Southern California, as far down as San Diego, anime fans and cosplayers from all over California came.

It's only 9:00am and people are all lined up.

I can't function with out breakfast. Steak and eggs it is! ^^;

Spinach omelette

Eggs benedict.

The same organization run Bak-Anime and Sac-Anime.

Card game room ahead. Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, and Yugioh tournaments...

Yes, the all mighty press pass >_<

Only using 1 camera for this event.

Walking around the exhibit hall before everyone else.

Fans wait ever so patiently at the entrance.

More cute goodies.

Miku, what's wrong? Can't breathe?

Doors open to the public!

It did not take long for the exhibit hall to get packed.

Too much neko mimi!

How many of you recognize these characters?

Anime iPhone 4/S cases.

More oppai mouse pads.

Inside Hetalia Q&A.

This is one of the most detailed games I've ever seen...

You don't buy these already painted. You have to paint them yourself to look like this.

This guy is amazing. He is teaching me how the game works.

I'm asking him if he can teach me some good painting tips so I can make my Gundams look good.

Yugioh card tournament in progress.

Street Fighter x Tekken tournament.

I signed up ^^; I have not played in 6 months!

Andrew debating if he should buy a Miku Nendoroid. If he does, it would be his first one.

Link with a Pikachu!?

After the convention, we head off to Sonic.

Lucky! Shade, it's 99 degrees outside and it's HOT!!!

I’ve been recruited by Mnet to host a show called "Bento Blocks". Which introduces Anime, Cosplay, Video Game, and Gadget otakus of all likes and interests, bringing coverage from the US and Asia! The first assignment was to visit Anime Day Las Vegas 2012 and Anime Ramen.

Checking in at Anime Day Vegas to get press badges.

Brief meeting with Dani from Anime Day Vegas and Hansha Studios.

Pikachu is in the elevator!

Typical elevator angle.

Drew prepping up the camera.

Vendors prepping up their items for display.

Still too early. The entrances are still closed.

Some of the prizes for today's games.

Pika pika nyan!

Look, I found all 7 Dragon Balls.

Make a wish!

Lunch time! Brisket sandwich at Rock and Rita's.

Jalopeno burger.

A gigantic bowl of mac & cheese. Food coma for sure!

After going back to the hotel and taking a quick break. We head to Anime Ramen!

Owner Jay-Son and Andrew talk about the filming.

Break time for Sakura from Naruto.

Vietnamese ice coffee in the house! I won't sleep now.

Gyoza.

Chicken karaage.

Bude Jige Ramen.

Mochi ice cream.

Green tea tempura ice cream.

Andrew with creeper look.

Andrew with more of a creeper look.

Owner Kim and I. I can explain my bags... 3 hours of sleep.

Oh look at that another photo.

Their hair matches with the mic.

The girls at Anime Ramen!

^^;

Girls of Anime Ramen having fun with the Mnet mic.

Bye now! See you at Animegacon!

The day that everyone has been waiting for is here. The FINALE episode shoot. I hope you have been watching and keeping up with story line. This is the day Emerson Lee and I battle to see who has been practicing and learning from our teachers (Yuri Tag and Aimee Lee Lucas). This is probably the craziest group ever because today we have TK Nguyen, Ellen Kim, and Cass Song in the studio as the judges. Who will win!? You have to find out when the episode airs in April 2012. >_< eeekkk!

This is what coffee does when you are half asleep.

Breakfast?

Clive is going to man up the jib.

Production interns coming in.

예쁜 누나 relaxing before putting on make-up on me.

Why MEN only!?

Cool kids outside having a smoke.

Smoke break before starting.

예쁜 누나 starts off with my hair. She's making sure it stays up.

예쁜 누나 making my eye brows look darker.

Emerson is next!

Hair done, now for some foundation.

Chrissa picking her outfit for today.

Very colorful wardrobe by Chrissa.

Emerson with eye liner.

Finished product... See my bags? That's what I get for sleeping at 3am the day before the shoot. Hey I was nervous... I needed to practice. ^_^;

Trying to look good, but it's a complete failure.

Dan, our calendar boy. From January to December, it's him.

This is February, imagine what's left by December.

My Pro Photographer friend Ting stopped by at the studio to take some shots.

Practicing while the Yuri and Aimee are being interviewed.

Last minute talk and fine tuning before the show.

Keeping up with Aimee.

Do you know which choreography I'm doing here?

I think he is liking the eye liner.

예쁜 누나 and I.

Cass! Judge #1

TK Nguyen! Judge #2

Ellen in the back as Judge #3. Yuri adding some foundation.

Me and Cass.

Emerson and Cass.

Sharon and Cass.

My teacher Aimee.

TK Nguyen on instagram because he is stoked.

Lovely lovely ladies. Aimee, Ellen, and Yuri.

While everyone is saying hi to each other, we watch from the back.

Dan, looking like a big boss.

These two are both on twitter, tweeting about how excited they are. LOL!

Foundation time.

TK! What are you looking at!?

TK getting some foundation from 예쁜 누나.

Strike a pose! It's VOGUE.

Hi!

Right side or...

Let side?

Everyone copiying Ellen's pose.

TK being TK.

Cass and TK "wacking".

Focused...

Neegghh!

I'm actually really nervous right now... Am I taking it too seriously?

Learning how to control the Jib.

Some power moves with Chrissa and Emerson.

Fixing my tie.

I think...

Goofing off before I get on stage.

Intense face watching me.

Intense face watching Emerson.

Who won? You have to watch the finale on April 2012. Left to right: Me, Cass, Sharon, TK, Aimee, Ellen, Yuri, and Emerson.

This is just a quick promo for Project Kpop. I’m sure after watching this you feel confused and don’t know what exactly is going on. Don’t worry I felt the same way, this video is a bit confusing. Let me summarize it for you. Mnet is creating a show that involves well known dance choreographers like Aimee Lee Lucas and Yuri Tag to teach an average nerdy Kpop fanatic fan to learn iconic Kpop dance routines. Routines ranges from Kara, T-ara, 2NE1, B2ast, Taeyang, 2PM, etc… It has the same concept as “Dancing With The Stars” but this one is directed to Kpop. Hope that helps!

Non stop work and planning for the Mnet production crew. Got called in again to continue with the shoot. Today, Emerson starts learning dance routines by Yuri. However before starting, he needs to do some stretching. From the photos, what dance routine is he learning and does he look flexible?

Hello Pop! production set.

Yuri and Emerson ready to practice.

Checking the script one more time before the shoot.

Everyone is brainstorming... Except for Emerson.

Coming up with some fun ideas.

Dan's thinking stance...

When he has this face, you can't really talk to him. Serious mode.

While waiting on the script, he decides to check Facebook or Twitter?

A cute multi-tasker over here.

Revising the script.

Warp speed to Ono Hawaiin BBQ!

Hawaiian BBQ chicken with steamed veggies.

Grilled chicken breast, macaroni salad, and rice.

Udon?

Spicy Hawaiian BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, and rice.

Andy directing Emerson on how the reactions should be when Yuri comes in.

Bromace?

Yuri says, "Imagine you're looking at Dan".

Yuri is too cute!

Training for T-ara's "Rolly Polly" dance starts.

Testing the camera and checking for audio.

I asked Yuri to make another cute face and all I got was this. >_<

Amazed by Emerson's flexibility.

Andy trying to 1up.

Yup... That's as far up as he goes.

Group photo before we wrap up! Left to right: Andy, Emerson, Me, Yuri, and Dan.

I already introduced you to Aimee Lee Lucas, now the next one I’ll be introducing is Yuri Tag from Kaba Modern and America’s Best Dance Crew. Today Emerson Lee get’s a chance to show off some of his moves to Yuri and see where he stands. By now you probably are thinking that this project involves dancing. Think what you like I still won’t tell you. Until then let your imagination form what you see.

I don't know why, but he loves photo bombing...

Korean Napoleon?

Yuri is here, and she drives a Hyundai Genesis.

Wah? Is Danny Choo here too!?

Director Dan.

Boss Andy.

Checking the set for Mnet's "Hello Pop!".

She really doesn't need make up.

Get it? LOL!

Yuri already in battle mode. Analyzing the routines already.

Emerson playing a shy guy.

*nyan *nyan ^_^

No no, Andy is not gay. Sorry fellas, he's straight.

It’s been a week since we started this project with Mnet and we got another filming done today with Aimee Lee Lucas. Don’t know who she is? Google her and you’ll quickly see keywords like Big Bang, G-Dragon, 2NE1, Taeyang, YG Entertainment, and more. That’s not important, what’s important is I showed her some kick butt moves today and she was literally, blown away out of her seat! Yea!

Director wearing the "Director" hat.

He's really tall, so I made him duck.

Aimee's head looks photoshopped...

Aimee pocket size.

Shy, but as soon as I started up the camera, went Asian and ready to take a photo.

A really really really... Bad angle. Why did I upload this?

"I got this bro!"

The lights were too hot. I'm the official fan boy for Mnet.

Sorry, some of the photos in the beginning were taken from an iPhone (front) camera, so the quality is so so.

Here we are finally! At the Mnet Studio, under construction, but cozy I was very excited to get invited and be part of this project. Thank you Mnet ^_^; As soon as we all got here, everyone started setting up so I couldn’t get a chance to take many photos. Camera check, Mic check, Lighting, Script check! Sorry can’t really tell you what’s going on yet, but check out the photos to see what we are working on.

That's a gigantic green screen!

Loading in equipment.

One of the cameras being used.

POWER!

Setting up the camera angles and lighting.

My friend Emerson fooling around in the dressing room.

No make-up kit here. The closest thing you can get to a foundation is these powdered donuts.

Me + Sugar = Uncontrollable Party

POV shot.

We found something...

That leg is too cool.

Starting a project is always the though. Imagine a boulder at a stand still. You need to use all your energy just to push it before it can roll.

Here’s a video I found that explains what you need to know about Protect IP and SOPA. A well made video that goes straight to the point. The video is from Fight for the Future.

Tell Congress not to censor the internet NOW! – http://www.fightforthefuture.org/pipa

PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting “creativity”. The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites– they just have to convince a judge that the site is “dedicated to copyright infringement.”

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would cost us $47 million tax dollars a year — that’s for a fix that won’t work, disrupts the internet, stifles innovation, shuts out diverse voices, and censors the internet. This bill is bad for creativity and does not protect your rights.