Grinning Studios YouTube, website, and more update!

Hey everyone, Grin here.  So you may have noticed a long dead space in my post dates.  Sorry about that.  Grinning Studios is still here and I have a new website for my YouTube channel.
http://youtube.grinningstudios.com

So, if you have not watched any of my videos and are wondering where my gaming posts are, then here is a short explanation. 

I'm a father now! Here's my insanely photogenic baby Malukah Smiles!

Being a father now, means that my priorities kind of changed a bit.  I'm still doing videos and such, but my writing on all of my websites has gone down extensively.  I will be doing more writing soon and bringing some more interesting content as well in the next few weeks and I have a lot planned for the next few months.

First, I am going to be hosting some videos from friends, this includes Time Lapse Japan and a documentary by Linh Vien Thai about Mongolia! My video game series and Let's Plays will be available as well of course.

Soon I will be posting a lot of information about the Larian Studios game "Divinity: Dragon Commander." This will include tips, let's play video, and Strategy and Tips videos.  I sent an Email asking for permission to make the videos and Larion Studios accepted.  Not only do they make awesome games, but they are a team of equally awesome people who love their fans! 

If you don't own the game Divinity: Dragon Commander, I highly recommend adding it to your collections.  You can find it on Steam, Here.

Some other great "Living in Japan" videos are also coming and more.  I have over 1TB of video to edit and will get to it when my daughter isn't hogging all of my attention.  Seriously, check out that Malukah Smiles video, you'll totally love it!

Sincerely,
Grin

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Malukah Smiles! A cute compilation of baby smiles that will brighten your day! Must see!

Please Share this video!

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This video is all about the many smiles of Malukah.  Before she was born, and while deciding baby names, my wife and I happened to be listening to one of (the singer,) Malukah's, cover songs.  We thought the music and her name were great, so we decided to name our baby, Malukah.  We contacted Malukah, told her, and she gave us her blessing. 

Malukah was supposed to be born in May, but she was two weeks late and ended up being born, coincidentally, on (the singer,) Malukah's same birthday.  So now they have the same name and the same birthday.  ^_^

Please visit Malufenix's channel too. https://www.youtube.com/user/malufenix

The music from this video is; TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music - Royalty Free Music #196 (Harassing the Mailman) Comedy_Orchestra_Drama and can be found at -
http://youtu.be/WyqN0pee1XU

The video was recorded by Grin Isobe, The sound effects can be found for free use at - http://www.freesound.org - http://www.freesound.org/people/PhreaKsAccount/

Grinning Studios owns all rights to use, monetize, distribute, modify, and do what ever we want to all the elements in this video.  All rights are reserved by Grinning Studios. For information about becoming a network partner, please message us, or visit our FaceBook Page link at the top of this description.

Please like and subscribe to support my 4 hours of video work per month.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Time Lapse Japan - Episode 1 - A drive from Gunma toward Saitama Japan.

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This video is from Bruce Schofield's "Time Lapse Japan" series of videos.  Bruce Schofield is a Grinning Studios Network partner. You can check out his videos at -
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZEUvpGUMxA0aheNAD4tcQ

Check out Bruce Schofield's commentary version of this video at -
http://youtu.be/VQUR8-vsh8g

The music from this video is; TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music - Royalty Free Loop Music #20 (Tribal Drum Corps) PercussionActionSuspense and can be found at -
http://youtu.be/07CBXS8Ed2g
and
TeknoAXE's Royalty Free Music - Royalty Free Loop Music #22 (Fields of Fury) ActionSuspenseOrchestra which can be found at -
http://youtu.be/XONLDlY7fUE

The video was recorded by Bruce Schofield, The sound effects can be found for free use at - http://www.freesound.org and http://youtu.be/i0R_Ydn_Th4

Grinning Studios owns all rights to use, monetize, distribute, modify, and do what ever we want to all the elements in this video.  All rights are reserved by Grinning Studios and our network partners, including channels, Save Sci-Fi, and Bruce Schofield. For information about becoming a network partner, please message us, or visit out FaceBook Page link at the top of this description.

Please like and subscribe to support my 4 hours of video work per month.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Japanese Arcade Game of the Day - 002: Dragon Ball Z (Awakening Super Saiyan)

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JAGOD, or Japanese Arcade Game of the Day is a video series where I will be playing a Japanese arcade game every day I have a chance, and showing you the results. This Japanese arcade game of the day episode includes Dragon Ball Z Awakening Super Saiyan. (Chou Saiyan Kakusei.)

I didn't get to play my favorite Dragon Ball Z Character, Vegetta - but I did get to blast a Kame Hame Ha mid-air.  Look for that one after the halfway point of the video.  This game is very involved and there are a ton of controls. It was my first time playing this Dragon Ball game, so I apologize if I suck at it.

If there is a game you would like to see me play, let me know in the comments.

Please like and subscribe to support my 4 hours of video work per month.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Japanese Arcade Game Of The Day: Crane Catcher - Bracelets and tiny shoes.

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JAGOD, or Japanese Arcade Game of the Day is a video series where I will be playing a Japanese arcade game every day I have a chance and showing you the results. This Japanese arcade game of the day episode includes a crane catcher also known as a UFO catcher. The prizes are not exactly my style, but maybe you will like it. Sadly, I lost anyway. Oh well. Maybe next time.

If there is a specific type of Japanese arcade game you would like to see me play, let me know in the comments.

Please like and subscribe to support my 4 hours of video work per month.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Walking the Streets of Japan: Niigata, Furumachi - Episode 1

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Come walk the streets of Japan with me!


This is a pilot for a new series called Streets of Japan. The idea is that I will walk through various streets of Japan and record as I go, talking about what I see and explaining what I can.  The first streets of Japan I plan to walk through are in Niigata, since that is where I live. If the series becomes popular, I will go to other places and even visit points of interest, buildings or possibly businesses. 

Streets of Japan has no current schedule for release, but if the series is popular enough, I will consider every other week.  If it becomes very popular, I will make it more often and perhaps buy a better camera/microphone.

If you would like to support the project - please like, and subscribe on YouTube and share with your friends and networks.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

Toilets in Japan: Hightech and not so high tech.

Doing your business in Japan has never been more comfortable. I mean using the restroom, or toilet to be specific. That's what the toilet companies would have you believe in Japan.  The truth is a little more oblique however, and it holds true in all facets of living in a foreign country. So let's get to the seat of the matter, clean off the misconceptions, and see what washes up and what flushes away.

Perhaps you have seen in the news or on the internet that Japan has some of the most technologically advanced toilets in the world?  Yes, that's right, toilets.

Some toilets in Japan come jam packed with all the comfort features you would expect from a porcelain throne. They have heated seats, washlets, bidets, will play music, will remove odor, will massage your backside, self clean, and so many other features you probably couldn't imagine. You might think that every visit to a restroom in Japan is an adventure in the comfort of doing your business, stylishly, and with such convenience that you may never have the need to leave the stalls for the entirety of your stay in Japan.

You may be surprised when you get to Japan and visit the nearest airport washroom.  The toilets are so modern and amazing! Welcome to Japan.  Or, should I say, welcome to modern Japan.

The truth is that these toilets are so new, and Japan's buildings and infrastructure are so old, this techno toiletry is the exception, not the rule.  If you are on a visit and stick to the restrooms in the hotels and fancy restaurants, expect all the comfort Japan's freakish attention to comfort through technology can offer.  Venture to live in Japan or travel the mass transit systems, and you may find a completely different story.

These techno-toilets are nice, but the simple fact is that they are expensive, and most places are not equipped with the space or plumbing to support them.  The standard Japanese style toilet is little more than a hole in the floor.  That's how the majority of Japanese do their business, squatting.

With the modern concern for handicapped and special needs peoples of the growing and aging population of Japan, there has been a mass conversion of the old squat style toilets to more convenient western style toilets, but it is still inevitable that you will visit a toilet in Japan that has not made that conversion yet.

What can you expect? Below is a video depicting a typical mall in Japan that has made the conversion, but still sports the old Japanese style toilets.  




 Most old homes and buildings still have the old squat style of toilets and you may need to expect it in some cases. Be aware of where you are. If the building or facility you are in is old you can expect, not only a squat toilet but also, in many cases, no heating in the restrooms either.

There are conversion kits to turn old toilets into more modern western style thrones, but the cost is often not considered by the majority of Japanese who feel quite comfortable using the squat toilets, as they have since they were children growing up.

In the end, Modern Japanese toilets are truly technological wonders, but most of Japan has not actually caught up to modern ways of construction much less technology.  So while you will find some of the most amazing creature comforts and attention to convenience in newer buildings, you may also be forced to learn how the Japanese do business in the Japanese style as well.  Keep that in mind when you make that decision to live in Japan, or tread the less beaten paths of Japan's tourist centers.

Above all,
Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

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Japan Mc Donalds: The Mega Mac in 60 seconds or it's free!

Get fat yo! That's the mantra for the Japan food section of Grinning Studios. This episode is all about the Japan Mc Donalds Mega Mac.  That's a Big Mac with four patties instead of just two.  On top of the Mega Mac set offer, Mc Donalds Japan promises to make and deliver your meal in 60 seconds or less, if ordered from 11:00 to 14:00, or or they will give you a bigmac free! How does it stack up?  Check out the video below to find out. 



Overall, the sandwich was pretty good! At 740 yen it is priced to fill you up for your money.  It comes with a side of fries, M-size, and a drink, also M-size. If you want ketchup, you have to ask, but this lady knows me, as I am a frequent customer, and puts the ketchup and my drink in the order without even asking.  She's so good to me! She remembers me and is always smiling.  The customer service at Mc Donalds Japan is fantastic.

In the video, I unbox the Mega Mac and give you a good view of it.  Then I go to town and get that puppy in my belly. I didn't know it, but the Big Mac also includes pickle slices. Not a fan, but the pickles were not half bad. There's lots of lettuce in this burger so I feel consoled in the healthy undertone of this fat building meal.  Overall, this set was totally worth the price.

Hope you enjoyed the video.

The music in the BGM is Try 2 B written, played, recorded and produced by me 2010. I own all rights to this song.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

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Hello Kitty Merchandice Give Away - Grinning Studios Vlog 08-29-2012

The contest is in motion!  I have purchased all the Hello Kitty merchandise and sent it off to TheLily1077 in the UK.  She will be running the contest from here! So please check out her channel to find out how to win the contest!

If you would like to do a collaboration with me, I am very much open to working with more YouTubers for anything in Japan.  Tell me what you want, I will find it, take video of it and the pricing and post it.  If you want it, we can hammer out the details in PM.

The only rules I have are 1. Nothing illegal of course. and you must make a YouTube video of you opening the package after you receive it.

If you have a Hello Kitty request, please visit the main video and tell me what you liked from it and at what time you saw the item you liked. I will post a video for you with more detail. The video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5ZYmBPZIA&feature=g-upl

The music in the BGM is Try 2 B written, played, recorded and produced by me 2010. I own all rights to this song.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

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Japan public event: 24 hour television in Nagaoka, Niigata - 08-26-2012

This is my artistic report on the 35th 24 hour television charity event for the Local area of Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan. This public and free event is a local part of the larger tokyo broadcasted 24 hour television event, and fundraiser for many charities. You can learn more about the Charity at: http://www.ntv.co.jp/24h/contents/english.html
Or in Japanese at: http://www.ntv.co.jp/24h/

Learn more about the specific local show that I was at here: http://www.teny.co.jp/tokuban/24h/index.html

The contents of this video are news based and fair-use. I am fully within my right as a commenter, artist, participant, and reporter to use these images in my news report and do with the video as I see fit. The arrangement, and structure of this video is my artistic expression of my experience at this free public event. No tickets were issued and no license agreement was made or implied at this public, local, and free event. no restrictions were made and video recording was encouraged as the parents of many of the children performing were taking video of their children. I have full right to use this video as my own creation as did everyone else that attended and recorded the event in Nagaoka. I own the rights to this video and the BGM "Try 2 B." as my own creations.

"Try 2 B." BGM written, arranged, produced, recorded and everything else, by me: Grin

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.


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A closer look at some of the Hello Kitty merchandise.

The original video with the first look at the merchandise is here.
The story of how this Hello Kitty project began is here.

This video is a response to requests by 
MrUsucksomuch: https://www.youtube.com/user/MrUsucksomuch
and 
Cutecremepastries: https://www.youtube.com/user/cutecremepastries

The prices are in Japanese yen.  I don't know what currency you use, so please convert the prices using yahoo finance or XE exchange rates or something. 

First, is for cutecremepastries: Plush Jewel Pets at 0:20 - Tamaire (basketball like game) candy case 0:37 - Finger puppet cellphone screen cleaners at 0:54 - and the soap dispensers at 1:14 are actually prizes you can only get from a contest, and cannot be purchased.

For MrUsucksomuch: All the Ohashi, (chopsticks,) and their prices at 1:30 .

If you have a request, please visit the main video and tell me what you liked from the video and at what time you saw it. I will post a video for you with more detail. The video is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5ZYmBPZIA&feature=g-upl

The music in the BGM is Try 2 B written, played, recorded and produced by me 2010. I own all rights to this song.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

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Skyrim Dawnguard Let's Play Super Modded 007 - The worst thief in all of skyrim!

The seventh episode of the Roleplayed version of the let's play Skyrim Dawnguard super modded adventure with, Grin.

There are tons of mods in this game.  About ninety or one-hundred.  If you guess a mod, post it in the comments and I will add it to the discovered mod list on the blog.

In this episode, I ransack Yarl Gruffyballs' Dragon's Reach castle, stealing everything I can of value.  In the process of thieving, I manage to be seen by a guard even though he was on the other side of a wall... I am the worst thief ever. For thieving commentary, check out this episode! I'm going to take the piss out off everything I can.  haha!

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is Published by Bethesda Game Studios and available on PS3, Xbox 360, & PC via Steam. The mods appearing in this Let's Play are from the nexus and steam workshop. All mod debugging information will be posted on the Grinning Studios blog.

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Skyrim Dawnguard Let's Play Super Modded 006 - Yarl GruffyBalls, and Mr. Condescending

The sixth episode of the Roleplayed version of the let's play Skyrim Dawnguard super modded adventure with, Grin.

There are tons of mods in this game.  About ninety or one-hundred.  If you guess a mod, post it in the comments and I will add it to the discovered mod list on the blog.

In this episode, A new beautiful companion joins my entourage. I have a meeting with Yarl Gruffyballs... or Bahlgruff, I can't remember.  Gruffyballs introduces me to Farengar, his court jester... or wizard, I can't remember.  And I read some books!  Reading is very important! Or at least opening books and pretending to read for one second is important.  Find out why in this episode!.

Thanks for watching.  If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is Published by Bethesda Game Studios and available on PS3, Xbox 360, & PC via Steam. The mods appearing in this Let's Play are from the nexus and steam workshop. All mod debugging information will be posted on the Grinning Studios blog.


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Skyrim Dawnguard Let's Play Super Modded 005 - Beautiful warrior women, and school girls

The fifth episode of the Roleplayed version of the let's play Skyrim Dawnguard super modded adventure with, Grin.

There are tons of mods in this game. About ninety or one-hundred. If you guess a mod, post it in the comments and I will add it to the discovered mod list on the blog.

In this episode, my new companion and I head out to Whiterun. I kill steal a giant from some fighters named "The Companions." They were impressed.

Some super cute armor? What the ... I'm a Nerd man! not a cross dresser... oh wow those outfits really are cute. haha! xD

Y U no Guess the Mod with all the followers? xD

No bugs to report in this episode. Some small lag inside Whiterun but nothing too game affecting. So far 5 episodes and no crashes! not bad. Only two mods have been discovered. so far. Check the blog for discovered mod information.

Thanks for watching. If you like these videos even a little, Please spread the butter on the bread! and by butter I mean the videos, and by bread I mean the social network of your choice. Share it wherever you share things, like it when you do, post your comments and show me your Nerdswagger.

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is Published by Bethesda Game Studios and available on PS3, Xbox 360, & PC via Steam. The mods appearing in this Let's Play are from the nexus and steam workshop. All mod debugging information will be posted on the Grinning Studios blog.

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Going to be at the 35th 24 hour television event: 24時間テレビ35 - Extra points if you spot me on TV.

The event is over, read about it and watch the video here.

Hello Everyone! Here's an awesome update and contest!

The 35th 24 hour Television Telethon in Nagaoka Japan (24時間テレビ35) is this Sunday. This telethon is a charity event raising money for various causes every year since 1978.  Before I was even born.  Last year, I was lucky enough to go and sing on TV a Japanese song I only just learned.  I was also in pictures and got to shake the hands of three of the Ultraman Actors, in costume. 

This year, the English school division, PKE Mega Bluebird, of my company, Alpha Bright, has asked me to make another appearance at the 24 hour television event and represent our company!  It is a great honor for me and I am so happy and excited to do it!

I will be dressing up as a cowboy this year and should be on TV a few times, maybe in the background.  The event is live, so if you have a recorder, I will be there from 10 AM until 6 PM Sunday the 26th Japan time.  Between those eight hours, there is a chance you might see me on TV. Maybe I will sing a song, maybe I will rope a bull.  Not sure yet, but it will certainly be a lot of fun! 

No doubt I will meet some really interesting people and characters.  I will take as many pictures and videos as I can and post them as soon as I can.

Contest! If you recorded this event and found me on the video, post it on Youtube as a response to my post.  The first 480P good quality or better video will get a gift of 5,000 yen from me!

For more information about 24 hour Television, please click the link.

24 Hr. Television: English.  
24時間テレビ35: Japanese.

 

Giving away Hello Kitty merchandise with TheLily1077 - Grinning Studios Vlog: 08-24-2012

For the story on how this project started go here.

Thanks for viewing the video.  TheLily1077 will be doing the actual give-away. You can view her channel at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLily1077

This video is to help us pick out what she will be giving away.  Also, if you want to buy any of the items you see or something else from Japan.  let me know. I'm not going to give you anything for free like I am for TheLily1077, but if you want something then here's what I will do for you:

Tell me what you want, I will see if I can find it.  If I find it, I will send you a picture of it at the store with the price tag and estimated shipping cost. If you want it, send the money or pay through Paypal and I will make a video where I go to the store, find the item, buy it, and send it to you. All of that will be in the video. Please read all of the rules below.

Giveaway RULES: TheLily1077 decides how to run the contest.  The only thing I know for sure is that you are not able to win in areas where contests are prohibited. There is no purchase necessary.

Buying for your own purpose RULES: I will only send items you buy from Japan when it is not illegal of course, and if you do some sort of video about it.  For example. You see something you want for yourself or for a contest, you contact me and we work out the sending details.  I do a video of the purchase and sendoff and you do a video of the receiving of the package or the contest/give away.

I am not giving anything away! If you want something you have to pay for it. But you will get something cool at the same price everyone else gets it at and you will get a YouTube video event out of it. It's all worth it.

Don't forget to like and subscribe!

The music in the BGM is "Try 2 B" written, played, recorded and produced by me, 2010. I own all rights to this song.

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How the Hello Kitty Contest began.

This is an interesting story, and I thought I would share it with you.  If you have not seen the video yet, you can check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5ZYmBPZIA.

On August 7th, I posted a video about a Sanrio store in the mall that I work at.  It is a great store with wall to wall Hello Kitty merchandise.  I originally posted the video for my niece in the USA to watch, but I somehow caught the eye of a YouTube member in the UK. Her channel is Thelily1077 and she trades cute things with other girls through YouTube. 

I wasn't expecting any commenting on the video, but Thelily1077 was thrilled about the Sanrio store and compelled to thank me for showing the video.  She said there were no Sanrio stores in the UK and that it was really interesting to see what one looked like and the merchandise they sell. 

Thelily1077 was the first commenter I've had that was so generous and nice in her comments and messages showing a genuine continuous interest in what I was posting. The YouTube community is so much more than just posting videos.  It is also a social network with many wonderful users.  In the spirit of the YouTube community, I thought how we could both grow and do something interesting.  That is when I came up with the idea of the Hello Kitty give away contest.

I wanted to give Thelily1077's YouTube channel something unique. I thought, perhaps we could stir up some interest together.  When I told her I wanted to do a contest with her, she was happy to do it.  At first she worried that she would have to spend money, but I wasn't about to let her spend any money on my idea.  When she realized I was going to send her free stuff to give away on her channel she was ecstatic! Even though the gifts I was going to send her were not for her specifically, she was more than happy to give it away.

Since then, many other crafters, collectors and enthusiasts have seen the video in a short time and asked to do collaborations. Even though I specifically said I could not do any more free give aways, I am getting collaboration requests.  I never realized how interested people where in collectibles in Japan since I see the stuff every day.  I think it is great that I can help creative people get something unique to share to their YouTube subscribers and grow their channels.

I hope to do many more things like this in the future, including; An internet and comic cafe video, a UFO catcher video, a miscellaneous coin machine toys video, and of course more Hello Kitty stuff.  If there is something you would like to see in Japan.  Let me know, I would be happy to do a video for you.

Sincerely,
Grin

Stay Creative, It's Good For You.
and,
Show me your nerd swagger. ^_^

Oops, wrong door: People versus bad design

I was at the Don Kihote in Niigata today with nothing to do.  I was waiting for my wife to finish her Toeic test, and just chillin at the entrance.   As I chilled... I noticed a lot of people were confused by the doors.  They kept choosing the wrong one. The design is atrocious and the signage is minimal. I told the building security about it and they basically said, thanks for telling us, and left it at that.  In the end, I decided to take video.  I whipped out my iPhone and for about 45 minutes, recorded people coming into the building.  After a little editing, I added some music and sound effects.  Hope you like it.

Valentine's Day: Street Interviews. Japan!

Today I attempted another Street Interview after my regular Job.  Since my work finished pretty late, it was dark by the time I was set to do the interviews. I decided to go to an Aeon Mall, where there would be warmth and plenty of light.  I walked around and asked random people if I could ask them a few questions about Valentine's day for my YouTube channel.  Some said no, some said yes, and some didn't realize I was going to use the video for YouTube until I told them where they could watch it.   I had to delete two videos after the interviews by request of the interviewees.

I had done maybe ten interviews when I realized I was being trailed by the mall security.  I walked up to the man with a huge grin on my face and asked if everything was ok.  He asked me what I was doing, how I was doing it, and what kind of questions I was asking people.  Then he checked with the mall manager.  He was very polite and we joked about Valentines day and all the singles while waiting for word from the manager.  In the end, the manager declined to allow me to do my videos.  They politely asked me not to do any more interviews and I thanked them for their time.  I am, however, able to use the interviews I already took.

The video will hopefully be up tomorrow, though it is after Valentines day, I just don't have the time to edit and post it tonight.  The basic theme is that Valentine's day in Japan and America are different.  In Japan, women give men chocolate for Valentine's day and men reciprocate March 14th on what they call White Day.  How many of my interviewees actually gave and received chocolate?  Stay tuned to find out.

Be creative, it's good for you.

Grinning Studios: Super Bowl Street Interviews - Japan!

Recently while talking to my good friend Linh Vien Thai, he gave me a great idea for a video.  Since the Super Bowl was coming up, he suggested that I walk the streets and ask random people about it. The only problem I had was how to do the video.  I decided to spend as little money as possible, because I have no money, and use my iPhone video recording.

The problem with recording video on the iPhone is the sound.  I only had my headphone mic that comes with the iPone and it was too sensitive.

I went to a K's Denki and was assisted by Kawasaki Norio. He helped me find a video camera microphone that worked on my iPone.  A great guy, and if anyone needs any assistance in Shibata at K's Denki, I suggest finding Mr. Kawasaki Norio.

To the left is a pic you can use to find him.  Tell him Grin sent you.

Having a microphone presented a new challenge. The type of microphone I purchased was very small and had a clip to pin it to your clothing.  I needed some sort of handle to allow me to point it when people were talking. I thought to find some piece of wood or something at the home store next door, but everything they had was characterless and expensive. I thought about buying a spatula and using that as a microphone handle, which would have been funny, but may have freaked out my interviewees a bit.

At last, I came to a 100 yen store and they had the solution!  Pika Pika bou!  Or shiny, sparkling stick.  The ladies at the register even gave me a paperclip so that I could pin the microphone to the tip.

With my new video recording, and interview equipment ready to go, I left for Niigata Station.  Near the station is an "everything" store called Don Kihote.  The best part about this place is, if you buy anything, you can have free parking for up to 2 hours.  Having bought my gum and validated my parking ticket, I set off to interview hapless victims of Super Bowl Ignorance.

I started off in the Don Kihote lobby, then headed to the station, then out towards Bandai and ended at a place called Gioia Mia.  Gioia Mia had an Open mic night hosted by Martyn Pratt. He's the last interview in the video.

During my walk about, I met some interesting people and had a great time.  Even though I could only just barely feel my hands at times, it was definitely worth braving the cold. I hope you like the video as much as I liked making it.  Cheers: for the Super Bowl!