Friday, April 20, 2001
06:28 p.m.
"Alone," Gensoumaden Saiyuki
I didn't get to blog last night because I was watching "JFK" for History class. Scared the crap out of me. o.o Now, I'm not a conspiracy theory buff, but with the way they presented the facts in that movie -- how much of that was true? -- I'm pretty sure there was a conspiracy in the assassination of Kennedy that involved the CIA. And, hell, there was the constant replaying of the actual video footage of the shooting -- "Back, and to the left ... back, and to the left." >_<
Okay, there's something of an issue going on with some of my friends. One of my friends -- the only one out of those involved that I really talk to on a regular basis -- was apparently friends with this guy and girl. Now, my friend has a rather, ah, strong personality; she's not deliberately rude, but she does have a biting wit that could quite possibly be interpreted as bitchy. So the guy and the girl decide to mail-bomb her (I'm still not quite sure about their thought process here). They didn't expect her to take it as badly as she did -- though, honestly, how could you possibly not? -- and since her hurt turned to anger (that's her personality), they tried to get another guy to convince her that it was a joke, even threatening to mail-bomb him if he didn't.
Excuse me ... what? I didn't realize we were still that juvenile, let alone vindictive and destructive. I can't say I know these two intimately, but I have known them at least casually since ninth and tenth grade, respectively; I always thought they were decent people. I understand if they don't like my friend's personality, or if they even dislike her -- but if that's the case, take it up with her, and don't pull any crap like that. *sigh* It's not even really my problem, but -- I've just lost a lot of respect for both these people.
In more pleasant news, I'm making a new layout. I just finished the graphics this afternoon, which is a major part of the process -- I don't have Photoshop at home, so I have to use it at school -- where the computers are crappy and I don't really have much free time anyway. Then, I have to email the images to my house, because the Dencity file manager freezes the computers at school and I can't upload from there. O_o And this time, the design went kind of slowly because I didn't have a very coherent picture of what I wanted in the layout. I just played with images until I hit on something. ^_^;; But I'm going to work on the code today.
I should go, anyway. I'm waiting for my friend to call so we can finalize our plans for tomorrow. Anime in the afternoon, then a study session at another friend's house, with some vaguely formed plans for the morning. ^_^;
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
06:11 p.m.
"Mac Trek," Martin Molloy
Erm ... anyone heard this file? It's a guy imitating Patrick Stewart at a McDonald's drive-thru, and it's fecking hilarious. >D "The first window ... The first portal to a new dimension! One greater, one more wondrous than our own!" "No, just the first window of the drive-thru, please, sir." XD
I first heard it from some of my guy friends -- they usually talk about it, as well as "All your base are belong to us" and MST3K jokes, at the lunch table. The other girls at my table usually give them strange looks, but for some reason, I think their jokes are totally funny. ^_^;;; Like the MST3K one, where a guy was giving his dolphin a fish, and they made him say, "Look, I brought you a little friend. He's cute, and cuddly, and -- OH MY GOD!!" XD
Speaking of jokes, check out Outtakes 3, 4, 5, and 6 at this page. XD
Neko-chan, you are feeling better, yes? Always remember that I love you dearly and I would not want you to change. It's funny, what you said about taking from your friends, because whenever I think of my best friends -- you and Lili-chan and neechan -- I think of how you always seem to give and give to me, and ask precious little in return. Ruby-san (another Ruby, not Ruby-chan ^_^;) posted the lyrics to "Friends" by Yonekura Chihiro, and it's quite fitting for how I see you guys. It's a nice song, too, so give it a listen. ^_^v
Ne, Lili-chan, never say you're not eloquent. Reading your note gave me warm fuzzies. ^_^*
What else? I haven't blogged in a while (two days ^_^;;) ... I haven't been doing much, though. Yesterday and Monday, our school security guard Sam came to our History class to speak about the Vietnam War. Hearing that made me think of the current issue with the new Japanese textbooks. I don't see how an ethical person could stand, both as a leader and as a human being, to refuse to recognize such atrocities. America's history has been far from perfect, but at least we admit it when we screw up -- perhaps not in so many words, but we don't try to hide it. Our government and textbooks speak freely of our mistakes (the latter, at least, if not so much the former), be it conscious violation of people's rights (African slaves, Native Americans), allegedly humanitarian, but nonetheless misguided, efforts (Korean War, Vietnam War, anything else related to the Cold War), or "justified" wrongs (Mexican-American War, the Philippines, Japanese internment). An official Japanese apology or even reparations would not make the country appear weak or let others take advantage of them; sometimes, denial can be worse than the actual crime. (One word: Clinton.) It's in the past, they aren't at war anymore; an admitting of culpability could begin to make up for the past wrongs.
A rather interesting bit I got from the Vietnam lesson, though: Sam was in the Marine Corps, and they, along with the Army, had ... less than luxurious living conditions. The Air Force, on the other hand, lived it up with real barracks, not hooches, and air conditioners and everything. They didn't get along well, however, because certain things would come up ... erm, missing from the Air Force camp. But, Sam declared, they were "good, honest young American men." They wouldn't steal -- they simply had "midnight acquisitions." >D
I've also been keeping myself busy with doing that fanart for my friend's birthday that I mentioned. I did a picture of Kenshin -- could have been better ... I wanted to do a cool, action-type pose, but seeing as I can't draw cool, action-type poses, I took an image of Hiko (from vol. 15) and adapted it to Kenshin (as Battousai). It turned out okay, though I'd've liked to have more practice with Bakumatsu/Meiji Era clothing -- moving gi sleeves are not fun to draw. @_@ And, you know, they have no pants, just large pieces of cloth tied at the waist. >P Hakama are frickin' glorified skirts, is what they are.
And thank you to Pat Robertson for reminding me why I don't take sides in the abortion debate. I think I'd be officially pro-life, if not for the insensitivity so rampant in the movement's advocates. In a magnificient display of just why male pro-lifers are so often resented by the pro-choice movement, Robertson declared that the forced abortion policy in China is an understandable population control method. So he won't consider the circumstances of an American woman in some little town who may need an abortion, but he can sympathize with this situation, which could, interestingly enough, actually affect him? Pro-choice advocates maintain that if men were the ones to be pregnant, there would be no contest for abortion -- and lo and behold, the pro-life leader of the Christian Coalition decides that abortion in China is okay because it's now an issue he can relate to and a solution he considers convenient. Can anyone else smell the hypocrisy?
All right, enough of that. Let's think of more pleasant things, shall we? Like Sakura Con being just over a week away. ^o^ And the fact that I'm pointedly ignoring the imminent AP exams until after it's over. XD
Sunday, April 15, 2001
10:02 p.m.
"Powder Snow," Hamasaki Ayumi
Ne, neko-chan, which version of this song did you get? I've found two different versions, both called "Powder Snow," and another one called "Powder Snow II." *blinks* But, anyway, it's a really nice song.
Lili-chan of the fractured soldier (XD), I recommend "Movie in My Mind," "Sun and Moon," "Last Night of the World," "Now That I've Seen Her" (it might be a different title, though; the libretto is off on that track O_o), "I'd Give My Life For You," and "Please." All the tracks are good, really; these are just the slower/ballad-type songs that I like best. ^_^ I dunno for sure if those are all correctly listed, though; I'm currently lending my CD to a friend. Also, even though my doujinshi list and spending limit won't be finalized until after Sakura Con, I know I have two additions: under 'Series,' Cowboy Bebop; and under 'Titles,' "Batto Romansu." I'm practically drooling in anticipation, you know. (... I'm the Doujinshi Whore. ~.~)
SNA was fun. ^_^v My Little Sister (from the Big Brother, Big Sister program -- not my real sister ^_^;) actually came for a little while. She's a Sailormoon fan, but that's okay. >D They showed Gunsmith Cats first (the OAV? It was only three episodes long), which I found sort of boring. Perhaps it's because I missed some -- my Little Sister had to leave and catch the bus, and I walked with her. On the way back, I saw a guy walking in my direction, and I sort of freaked out becaues I was alone in the parking lot. It wasn't dark out or anything, but, what can I say, I'm a weenie. >P Anyway, I got closer and realized it was my friend, who came to see what I was doing. ^_^;; After Gunsmith Cats was Kodomo no Omocha, which is crazy as hell -- but I like it. >D Then eps. 13-16 of Recca no Honou, with my sexy Mi-chan-baby who looks like a girl. XD
During the breaks, they showed music videos as usual. One of them was a Nadesico vid set to "Zankoku no Tenshi no Teeze" -- all the images were set to "match" the ones from the actual Eva opening, which was played in a small screen in the corner. (Does that make sense? O_o) But it was cool. >D Then a Sailormoon/Jerry Springer spoof (@_@), and a vid based on the Saitou fight from Kenshin. *_* They had the computer hooked up to the screen to play the videos, so I could see the file listing -- they had "Far and Away"! :O But of course they didn't play it, being guys and all. ~_~ Also during the break, some guys went to the TV in the corner and started playing Dance Dance Revolution. I'd never seen it played before, so that was fun -- one of the guys was doing it backwards (his mat was turned away from the screen), and was doing well until they turned on a music video and blasted the sound over the DDR music, which threw him off. ^_^;; Also, when my friends (all guys) and I went up there to watch, one guy turned and said, "You're all coming down to watch, huh?" and then turned to me and said, "And you're cute." O_<;;
Me: *brain implodes* Uh ... thanks.
It was rather odd. I still don't think I heard him right. O_o
Friday, April 13, 2001
09:35 p.m.
"Te no Hira no Uchuu," Iwao Junko
Happy Friday the 13th, minna-san. Here's hoping you weren't hit too hard with the bad luck. ^_^
Everybody has to go here and download the KareKano video, "Far and Away." *_* It's so amazingly well done, in direction and synchronization and just sheer goodness. The music is gorgeous, too, and I just love Miyazawa and Arima. *happy sigh*
This song is nice, too. ^_^ All I know is that it's by Iwao Junko; I don't know if it's from an anime or a solo album or what. (Well, it seems to be a solo, as I don't hear any unusual voice contortioning a la her roles in CCS and Eva.) If anyone would care to enlighten me, I'd be most grateful. ^_^ It actually reminds me of "Mugen no Kaze," the GeSang duet from the AyaCere drama CDs. (Waa~ai, Shuro-sama! ^o^)
I haven't been to SNA in three weeks. o.o I missed the end of Saber Marionette J, too; friends told me about it, but they're guys and it's just not the same. >P I also missed the first two tapes of Recca no Honou, but, seeing as I have the series, it's not a major loss. ^_^; This Saturday, they're starting up the DNA^2 OAV series, which I know squat about, and ... Kodomo no Omocha. O_o Now, why the people at Clark would show that of all things is a mystery. But, well, I have a bit of morbid fascination about that show. I just hope it's not as weird as Furi Kuri. >_<
Maa, this Napster junkie is off to download some more songs. ^_^v
Thursday, April 12, 2001
06:26 p.m.
"Get Along," Hayashibara Megumi and Okui Masami
And for once I find myself with absolutely nothing to say. O_o Which will not, of course, keep me from talking anyway. >D
We took a practice AP English exam today -- three essays in two hours. I hate rushing like that. ~_~ But I definitely feel like I did better than last time; at least I didn't freeze from panic. Hopefully, that means no zeroes for "not addressing the prompt." Argh ... The AP exams are less than a month away, and I am doubting my chances for survival. X_x
Che. My MSN connection has been randomly and sporadically dying for the past few days. >_<
Maa, when in doubt: eBay links! XD
*_* I don't read or write Aoshi yaoi fanfic, and if you asked me, I'd say that I'm not a real fan of it in general. But there's an undeniable allure in Aoshi-uke doujinshi. XD
*sigh* It's Kouga Yun ... I still want yet do not have KawoShin doujinshi.
Okay, the link says "Rurouni Kenshin Yaoi Doujinshi: Aoshi!" and you think I'm NOT gonna click?
Damn, but I love this circle. There's something about those fingerless gloves ... Lili-chan said he resembles Ken from Weiß and I'm inclined to agree. :D~~~
Who doesn't love Fuji Shinichi?
O_O At first I thought Yukina was Kurama, but the art is gorgeous nonetheless.
This is new. Yaoi with Hiei and the humanoid version of the Kokuryuuha. O_o
It's kind of rare to find Van x Hitomi doujinshi. And this one is nice. Van-sama ... sekushii. *_*
Seems to go with the other one, but its ... Van x Celena? O_o
*koff* Nice Kurama. Very nice.
Sparkly. o_o
For Ren'ai, because it's so darned cute. ^_^
For me. XD
*chokes on tongue* They're selling Violently Happy 4!! Well -- and 3 and 5, but this! This one I want! *whine*
Raizen x Yuusuke's father. O_o But check the hair on Toushin Yuusuke!
Heh. I think I've wasted enough time (and space) here. ^_^v
Wednesday, April 11, 2001
08:45 p.m.
"Izayoi," Hayashibara Megumi
Looks like the weather here. >P
Actually, unlike the past several days, today was quite nice. Sunny and not-quite-warm. I happened to glance out the window while doing my homework and was -- transfixed at the rich blue of the sky. (And yes, I learned in Physics what makes the sky blue and how it's that evilevil refraction that does it ... but! It's still nice. ^_^v) "The blue sky must be forever clear and forever tall," or whatever. I forget the quote. O_o
You ARE coming, neko-chan. Resistance is futile. XD
You know, the table I sit at during lunch will debate anything -- and I mean anything. Actually, it's usually just two people -- one, the pessimistic, self-proclaimed member (and founder) of the militant anti-feminist neo-Republican party, and the other, a liberal, devout Catholic who openly acknowledges all the crap Christians have put the world through over the past two milennia. The rest of us usually sit back and watch. >D But whenever a topic of any sort of substance comes up, they turn it into a huge debate that usually ends up encompassing the fate of the United States, or society in general. One day, it was whether or not we could/should help the less fortunate people in the world -- no, because we could never reach them all, or the American businesses that use sweatshops would never give up their profits, or the corrupt governments of those countries wouldn't accept our help, but it doesn't matter because society is incurably corrupt and this country is going to collapse anyway. Today, it was whether or not the media influences kids toward violence -- no, because it's the parents' responsibility to raise the kids, and the government shouldn't regulate and censor the media, but it doesn't matter, because society is incurably corrupt and this country is going to collapse anyway. @_@
This idea I had for a layout, which would have had Van and Hitomi, didn't quite pan out. Well, I haven't given up on it, but I have decided instead to do one with Lime from Saber Marionette J because I found a website with really nice scans from the artbook. ^_^v I dunno when I'll get it up, though ... I don't have Photoshop at home, so I have to use the school computers. And the school computers have sucky mouses (mice? ^_^;;). It's hard to manipulate images when your cursor won't move in the horizontal direction. O_o
I should write something. I really should. ^_^;; And I want to, but my Muse is being distinctly uncooperative. I've got three different fics I want to do, and have been meaning to do for a long time, but I can't get any of them going. X_x I even had a possible idea for a new one (AoMisao) but ... hum. I'm not sure if it would be an actual, viable story exploring the difficulties in maintaining a relationship -- exacerbated by the rather, well, unconventional circumstances of the RuroKen universe O_o -- or whether I'd be mixing up plot with plot device and fangirlishly (is that a word? ^_^;) indulging in excessive angst. Am I making sense? I don't think I am. ^_^;; I'll shut up now.
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
08:08 p.m.
"Can You Keep a Secret?" Utada Hikaru
WAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!! It's not confirmed yet, but neko-chan might be coming up to visit for the summer!! ^o^ Oh, that would be so absolutely positively indescribably cool. XD It's been over a year since I've seen her, and, oh! how wonderful if she could stay for a week or more. ^_____________^*
More good news! ^_^v Wonder of wonders, I actually understand the Physics chapter. Which means that for once I knew what I was talking about while tutoring today. Muahahaha. XD
I also learned a bit of interesting information from my Physics teacher. The woman is a fountain of fascinating, if not always relevant, information, and it's a kick just to hear her talk when she goes off on a tangent from her lecture. >D Anyway, what she told us today was what to do if you're ever caught in a thunderstorm. Obviously, the first thing you want to do is get inside a building or car or something, or, if you're stuck outside, at least not be the tallest thing in the area. ^_^; But if you can't do that, she said, and you know you're probably going to get struck, what you do is this: bend down, put your right hand on top of your head, and your right knee on the ground. Lets the charge from the lightning travel right from your head and discharge through the ground. And it's right side, not left, so as not to have that charge acting as a spontaneous defibrillator on your heart. ^_^;;
Lili-chan, I did talk a lot. Squacking little birdie who won't shut up, is what I am. >D Heiji sounds cool. ^_^ I actually thought at first that he might be Shinichi, since they look sort of alike, and Conan hadn't shown up. But then there was that smirk -- I should've known he was "the rival." >D And yeah, Ran has weird hair. But Shinichi has big ears. >D Sorry about what happened with the site; I know that's a real kick in the pants. X_x *pats* (And my doujinshi list is coming right after I finish this entry. >D)
Monday, April 9, 2001
07:36 p.m.
"Omoitsuki," Koyasu Takehito and Midorikawa Hikaru
You know what scares me? Billy Blanks' pecs. Those things move with a friggin' life of their own. O_o
Hai, hai, neko-chan, I can look for Inuyasha manga for you. I don't think I'll be going to Kinokuniya before Sakura Con, so here's hoping the prices are reasonable at the con. >_< It's going to run you about $20-25, and I kinda need the money before I go; all the cash I have is going to my doujinshi hunt. ^_^v
BTW, I was thinking about how long I've been reading your stuff, and ... do you remember what the first fic I ever read by you was? ^_^;; I remember that it was a YuuHaku fic and that I read it in seventh grade ... It was kind of odd because I just barely knew the characters by then. ^_^; I remember every other detail about that day -- we went on a field trip to City Park, there was a guy with a bunch of reptiles there, I was reading "Hunter of the Light" by Risa Aratyr, and I was wearing a white shirt and it rained. O_o But I don't remember the title of the fic. ^_^;;; Ah, well. Ne, feel better, okay?
I most emphatically agree with Tin-san on the subject of fanfics and websites and other fan creations. I realize people put extremely personal value on things they create -- I know I do O_o -- but you can't put something up for people to see and then claim you wrote/drew/etc. it "just for yourself." Do whatever you want to for your own pleasure, but the moment you post it in a public forum, it becomes ... well, public. If you're going to send your work out to a list or put up a link to your site or whatever, that means it's public domain. Which doesn't necessarily mean public adoration, you know? You wouldn't, say, submit your artwork to The Art Corner and expect not to receive any constructive criticism. ~_~ Ah, well, read what Tin-san has to say; she said it better than me. ^_^;
The incident that brought all this up involved someone doing basically what was outlined above ... and for some reason, whenever something like that comes up, I think of neko-chan. Poor girl seems to always have to deal with *koff* stubbornly blind people like that. (You're an idiot magnet, neko-chan. o_o) Like your recent "love letter." ^_^;; At least she didn't try to convert you to a certain denomination of Pokemon fandom, as usual (and I think "denomination" is the right word; I doubt these people attend church as regularly as they troll yaoi sites to flame X_x). You have my sympathies. ^_^;
Maa, what can you do? I live by neko-chan's mantra: Opinions are never wrong. I can just consider some people as infuriatingly obstinate as I'd like. >P
You know, watching the Escaflowne movie reminded me just how much I love Van-sama. ^_^v Not his bloodthirsty savage incarnation, so much; I prefer my sweet little king who never charges aggressively enough. ^_^* This is a good site for fellow Van lovers. And wings are sexy, dammit. XD
Sunday, April 8, 2001
06:34 p.m.
"Rinbu Revolution," Shoujo Kakumei Utena
And so I'm back. o_o
I had a hell of a fun time with neechan and, frankly, I didn't want to go back. >P It means Spring Break is over, which sucks a big one, and I have to go back to school. Mostly, though, what was funnest was that it was such a break from routine. Not only was I out of the daily grind of school, but I was somewhere other than home, and with no parental surveillance. Nothing against my parents -- I know I'm lucky in that, if anything, they love me too much -- but it was kind of nice to be out from under them and able to do whatever. (No, I didn't go party hopping and get falling down drunk. >P)
Plus, I got to be with neechan, which is also unusual. (Kind of strange because a year ago, the opposite was true.) All of my best friends live somewhere other than where I am, so I loved being able to spend a whole week where I wouldn't have to IM or email or call her to talk to her. But! I'm not getting sad about not seeing her, because it's only three weeks till Sakura Con. Got that, neechan? Three more weeks, and we can "go bonding and party like there's no tomorrow!" >D
And doujinshi ... Sakura Con means I can go doujinshi hunting ... :D~~~
Che. I think I have a sore throat. (And don't you dare go feeling guilty about it, neechan. I may be more like Kano but I can always get in touch with my Yukino side and turn oni on you. Remember, I got a 10 in P.E. XD)
Of course you're idol material, neko-chan! I've looked up to you since I first read your stuff in ... what, seventh grade? >D You inspire me -- not to compete with you, per se, but to become better as you do. (Tin-san cites you as one of her favorites, too. You're all of our idols. Mwahahaha. XD) I wish I could read more of your newer stuff, but it's all in fandoms I don't know (or, in the case of Trigun, haven't seen enough of). ;_; Maa, I need to get you to watch RuroKen so you can write lovely ficcies for me. Hm ... Though you'd probably go for the yaoi pairings, which wouldn't be as fun, since I'm not a major fan of any yaoi couple. Unless it's Aoshi-uke. Aoshi-uke yaoi is always highly entertaining. XD
Lili-chan, I'm glad Miro's okay. How's the house construction going? o_o I'll send my doujin list soon ... Actually, it'll just be a list of circles, because I think it'd be easier to find those rather than a specific title. ^_^; And you should be glad to hear that I watched the first four episodes of Detective Conan, and I liked it a lot. ^_^v Ran is a kickass femme lead. I've got an issue of Shounen Sunday with a chapter of the manga in it, but I have no idea what's going on. @_@ Ne, can you tell me who Hatsutori Heiji is?
Ruby-chan, ganbatte on Chem! o_o That fanfic snippet sounds intriguing, btw. ^_^
Tin-san, thanks for the well wishes. They come a bit, erm, premature, however. I'm not in college yet; I was just visiting neechan for the week, and following her to classes and the like. ^_^; Lucky me, I've still got a couple more years to stay at home. And congratulations on your scholarship!
Hum. You know, I used to be so anal about when I would archive this page -- when the text was at a certain length, every 10-11 days or so. @_@ It's much more arbitrary now. The Type A side of my personality is going to have a coronary. >D And I need a new layout ... I've got a rough idea for it, too; I just need to find the images. ^_^v
