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Prom was last night, and wow am I tired. ^_^; I even got a good nine hours of sleep ... I hope I'll be okay tomorrow morning for the English AP exam. (Good luck to all others who are taking that!)
Yesterday was spent in preparation, nearly from the moment neechan and I woke up. I really didn't think our hair would take that long to do, but my mom was doing us both at the same time, and it ended up being somewhere from two to three hours. O.o I really liked my hairstyle, though; my mom is good at just making up styles, which never ceases to amaze me. After that was getting dressed and putting on makeup ... My dress was red, very simple, wide skirt but not bouffant. My date had a vest that was actually a bit more maroon than my dress, which didn't actually coordinate, but oh well. Neechan's was black-blue-purple and was gathered at the sides like curtains. XD;; But really, it looked pretty. The first thing we did when all three couples in our group got together was go for pre-pictures. (Actually, the first thing we did was take lots of pictures at home, so that we were sufficiently blinded for the drive. XD;;) Prom was held at the Portland Art Museum, which was quite nice -- better than last year's, I think. When we first saw the room while we were there for pictures, we thought it'd be really small ... which turned out to be correct, except that there weren't as many people there as I thought there'd be. There was also a balcony-type area around the dance floor that had several tables -- not to mention naked statues with ferns that prompted some mental images of Yatta! XD;; At dinner, we saw a man parallel parking a horse and carriage outside the restaurant. 'Twas highly amusing. ^_^ The dance itself was rather nice. Like all school dances, the deejay seemed to think the more bass the better, but that improved as the night went on. We had the requisite mind-bending music, like Vanilla Ice (no dance is complete without him XP) and M.C. Hammer ... but also a good amount of slow songs, comparatively. And then the "Zoot Suit Riot" was fun, because I got to swing dance. :D For real this time, because I remembered a bit more than I did for the SakCon Masquerade ... even though my partner still did pretty much everything. I mean, that's the way it's supposed to be, but usually even if I'm following someone's lead I at least know what's going on, and I didn't really. ^_^;; The decorations were elegant, even if not really tailored to the theme ("In the Arms of the Angel"). Oh, and they had chocolate-dipped strawberries, which is always a plus. ^_^ But! Even when the dance was over, our night didn't end until much later. First, we went out to dessert -- I tried creme brulee for the first time, and it was gooooood. :D Then we went for a horse and carriage ride. It was raining just a little, so we had the hood up most of the time, but it was still fun. Except for the slightly crazy guy who tried to get into our carriage, but yeah ... it scared the crap outta me at the time, but then again so did everything. I saw Prom-dressed couples walking along the waterfront and wanted to yell, "Why are you in the city walking outside of a vehicle this late? And in Prom clothes -- what if you have to run away from someone!?" <--raised in suburbia ^^;;; Anyway, that was about it. I had a lot of fun, and so did neechan. I hope my date had a good time -- I mean, I'm pretty sure he did, but since he's so quiet there were times when the rest of us were talking and he was sort of hanging around on the edge of the group. He's really good friends with one of my girlfriends, who was there with us, but he usually left her with her date. That's part of why I asked him; we talk, but he's quiet and I'm quiet (don't laugh; I mean around people I don't really know XP), so we never became really close. We didn't have any major breakthroughs or anything last night, but, well, that's okay. It was definitely a good night. ... Though now I have the reality of the AP exams staring me down. >_< I *think* I should be fine for tomorrow's Literature and Composition exam -- the only part that really worries me is the third essay question, which is the only thing that's markedly different, in terms of structure, from last year's Language and Composition ... but I have a few books that I've closely reviewed, so it really shouldn't be a problem. But ... the Calculus exam is Tuesday. >_________________< I've heard that it's graded differently from the English and History tests, so that the multiple choice section is weighted equally with, or at least comparable to, the free response section. Which is good. I think. Ugh. Last year I got 5 on both exams that I took; it doesn't look like that's likely with this year's set. I don't know if it's that the material is that much harder, or if I'm just that much of a slacking senior. ^_O;; I'm still aiming for a 5 in English, but in Comparative Government my lack of knowledge (at least compared to last year's U.S. History) has me hoping for a 5 yet bracing for a 4. And Calculus ... X_x I seem to fluctuate between feeling capable of doing really well, or wondering if I can even qualify, depending on what review packet or practice exam I'm doing. So I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping for nothing lower than a 4 on any of the exams so I can get some good credit substitution for next year. *deep breath* Okay, off to do more reviewing~~ have a real circus ~~ 06:09 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2002
Neechan's home, yay. <3 Prom's tomorrow ... ugh. XD;;; Kidding, kidding. I'm sure it'll be fun; I'm just a bit ... stressed.
Browsing through the Sakura Con photos here, currently the ones from Friday's dance. Good memories. ^_^ Haven't been able to find any pictures of our group, though one does have a bit of neechan in it. She and I have been talking and making grandiose plans of cosplaying next year, and perhaps even hitting karaoke. What do you think, neko-chan? :D have a real circus ~~ 08:18 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2002
 Heh. Heh heh heh. :D And in the FuruBa character quiz I get Hiro, whom I haven't met yet. The description seems kinda off ... though yeah, I can be a brat. ^_^;; But #3 is Ha-san~~ <3<3<3
Neechan comes home tomorrow! *happiness* I'm just concentrating on the good things to make me happy, instead of letting the little things get me down ... Cause in five years or so, it won't really matter whether I get a 4 or a 5 on my Calculus AP exam, right? ^_^; have a real circus ~~ 08:23 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2002
O love, O crazy sunbeam and purple premonition,
you come to me and climb your cool stairway, the castle that time has crowned with fog, pale walls of a closed heart. No one else will know that only a delicacy could do it,
that is why your mouth, your skin, your light, your sadnesses
that holds and lifts the pregnant seeds,
I think I fall in love with Neruda a little more every time I read him. *happy sigh* Now I just have to find his reincarnated form to write these for *me* ... *grabs world and shakes it like an empty piggy bank* Come on, where is he!? XD;; In other news, I am freaking exhausted. I have been all week. o_o I've taken naps on Monday and again today, but instead of feeling refreshed I just feel more tired ... I mean, I figure it's because of last weekend; but it's just disturbing to feel dizzy at random intervals throughout the day. Let's just hope I recover by next week for AP exams ... and don't pass out during Prom, hm? o.o;; (And will SOMEONE explain Calculus to me? Please? Just a little?? *whimper*) Wub the new layout, Clara! <3 And I agree, he's not *quite* Ryousuke. He's got the smoldering look going on, but it's not quite the smoldering-I-wanna-jump-Takumi's-bones-look, deshou? XD have a real circus ~~ 07:16 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2002
Aaaaaahhh, I'm disturbed ... T_T But look! It's Tidus and Auron, and Tidus actually has the right hair! ^_^
Back to the SakCon goodness -- it's Johnny! *fangirl scream* XD;; have a real circus ~~ 08:13 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Uwaaa ... I still wanna talk about the con. XD;; Though I have nothing new to add, really ... I'm still pleased -- hell, who am I kidding? giddily ecstatic! -- about Ashes' 0wnage of the fanfic contest. It feels rather validating. XD Not as in, we can do this for a living, but at least, we can succeed in the admittedly somewhat pretentious and transient but still great fun field of fanfic. Our efforts do not go unappreciated! And since Ashes is our baby, that just makes it all the more sweeter. ^______^
Looking at the Fanime pics at A Fan's View, and realizing that we really got shafted on the cosplay. ^_^;; There was a sleepy-eyed Enishi, Sango and Miroku (^_^), various angels from Angelic Layer ... and since one of my dream cosplays is Suzuka (short skirt be damned! :P), I cry. Next year! We shall do it! XD;; (And of *course* you are coming!) We should all go as something matching ... I dunno what, though. The cast of Alice 19th? I wanna see someone as Nyozeka. XD; have a real circus ~~ 06:36 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Aaaaaand I'm back! ^_^ And -- yes, I had fun. Nope, I didn't keep a con journal, because I was much busier than last year -- it's a good thing I didn't volunteer for the newsletter after all. ^_^; But I'm going to tell everyone about the weekend in ... moderate detail, because I'm still happy-bouncy about it, and I have to share. ^__________^
I'm so pleased with this trip, in fact, that I'm not even bitter about US Anime blowing their stock at ACen and then taking all the rest of their non-h3ntai het doujin to Fanime ... well, not much. ^_~;; (On a side note, I'd like to mention that I hate coming home after a trip. Like I said before about worrying about relaxing *before* doing it ... I also worry *after* relaxing, because I have to get back in my groove and I know I could've been productive during that time but it's okay, I don't care, I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. Though it is somewhat of a bother to catch up on stuff ... hopefully, people didn't choose this weekend to have a blog war or anything. ^_^;;) And DAMMIT. The SPAM. >_O;; Well. Let's start with what was different (besides the fact that I was with a large group of friends this year *happiness*) ... The two big events of last year, the karaoke contest and cosplay, we completely missed. ^_^;; Also, loot -- spent more money this year, because I was such a pansy last time and held back. XD;; (Also, my friends were lovely and bought all these goodies for neechan and me. *_*) So now we've got a fair stack of new doujinshi -- SanoKen and Yamaguchirow (KenKao ... can't complain, though, the art is pretty), a set of Saiyuuki shitajiki (with the four guys and Kougaiji), a RuroKen shitajiki (the only RuroKen merchandise I bought all weekend O.o), plushies of Gojyou, Hakkai, and Shigure (signed by the FuruBa assistant director XD), and matching Hakkai and Gojyou pins. XD So, Friday. Getting up early wasn't so bad, since I only stayed up till about eleven packing. And the train ride was spent ... eating. O.o That's pretty much all we did, talk and eat, and the ladies across the aisle from us wondered how long we were staying in Seattle because of the ungodly amount of food we had. ^_^;; The movie they were playing was Harry Potter. Nostalgic sparklies. ^_^ (Am totally neglecting my homework to do this ... will pay tomorrow. _o_;;) The taxi ride to the hotel took longer than expected, but we got there and registered in time for neechan's panel. Which turned out to be rather boring, so the rest of us hit the dealer's room. ^_^; After neechan caught up with us, we also skipped the fanfic panel, which I hope wasn't terribly interesting. That night was the Masquerade Ball, which was really fun. Neechan wore a borrowed Miyu costume, while I wore my old Winter dress. ^_^v The dancing instructor never showed up (XO) so we ended up swapping steps with neechan's friends in an attempt to do something close to actual dance moves. XD;; But it was good -- the music was actually danceable. And this little tori-chan was even semi-brave and actually met a guy. o.o Well, sort of; I never got his name. (Erm, okay, that sounds sluttier than it was ... XD;;; I just asked him to dance because it looked like he had the steps but lacked a partner. Really.) I sort of chickened out after the end of the song and just thanked him for the dance instead of introducing myself ... Not that I was trying to pick him up or anything. o_o Apparently we had seen him earlier that day, cosplaying as Ikari Gendou ... O.o;;; (So because of that, he had a bit of facial hair, which threw me off, but we determined that he couldn't have been older than thirty ... ^_^;;) And yeah, even if I *were* trying to pick him up, I bet having a badge with a bright red "MINOR" on it would be a real turn-on. ^_~;; When the dance ended, it was eleven, so we went to the karaoke room; but the contest was long over and the room itself was pretty empty. A girl I know from school won something, which was cool -- hardly surprising, though, because she's an amazing singer. It's too bad I missed it. All we got was a Dir en Grey cosplayer growling some American rock songs. XP And a Misao cosplayer who did "Yakusoku wa Iranai." (Shoulda shoved her off the stage and belted out "Ice Blue Eyes." XD;;) For lack of other things to do, we went back to the main building to the DDR/Para Para room. Got to bed a little before four, was up by nine. -_- Saturday morning was lots of wandering around, getting pictures, hitting the dealer's room, etc. Inflicted "Grave of the Fireflies" on a couple of my friends, because it was their only chance to see it even if it *would* shove them into a hopeless depression. ^_^; I would have watched it myself, but neechan dragged me off to see Johnny Young Bosch in person. And yes, he was cute. XD Plans were thrown off a bit that evening because I got sick. Probably because of the crap we'd been eating all weekend ... I hate my body sometimes; I have the constitution of an eighty year-old. >_< But fortunately I managed to catch up with the others at the AMV contest not too long after it started. I missed some good ones, apparently, like the RuroKen vid to Madonna's "Frozen" and a Bebop one to "Let it Be." (Yes, the Beatles and Bebop. Apparently it worked. ^_^;) I did catch a *gorgeous* Utena one to "Castles in the Sky." I don't know the artist, but it fit really well. And there was "El Tango de Tokyo 3," which *is* what you think it is -- Eva video to "El Tango de Roxanne." @_@ Now, Shinji as Ewan McGregor is frightening enough, but it really disturbed me that that was in the Emotional Category. I mean, it was a great video, and the audience loved it, but ... I sure *hope* the author had no illusions of being taken seriously. O.o Anyway, we left before the Comedy Category because it was getting late, and we were tired. Pansies, I know. ^_^;; We skipped the dance, which is too bad. But at least we had the Masquerade! ^_^ Cosplayers this year were pretty good. I don't remember any real jaw-dropping ones like last year's Vash or Folken ... Oh, and there were *still* lots of Vashes running around. No more Utenas that I could see, though a Touga or two; several Sanos, and a few Misaos. I even saw two Mireilles -- one with the handbag! -- but never got their pictures ... I managed to get most of the ones I wanted, though. (Except for the Tomoe. I should have gotten her when she was with Battousai Kenshin. T_T) But I took lots more pictures this year. Go me! :D Sunday morning was sort of vague, as there were no big events we wanted to hit. I peeked in at the runway show for a few minutes, but that was it. I think I took the most pictures that day, because we wandered around aimlessly a lot. But! Neechan and I finally found what we'd been looking for, on and off, all weekend ... I am pleased to announce that From the Ashes won the Best Novel award in the fanfic contest~~~!!! <3<3<3 I have no idea how much competition there was, but it's something Krista Perry has won. It's gotta be good. ^__________^ I feel rather validated, now. XD XD XD That was our last major activity before we headed to the bus station. It was sad to leave. ;_; It was the same feeling as last year ... it's a real kick to be able to open your hotel room door and see random cosplayers wandering the halls. It's just great to be surrounded by people just as gleefully nerdy as you. XD I don't know what'll happen when I become an "experienced" con-goer, but I don't think that feeling will change. Now, must read Meimi's Fanime blog and share in the con sparkliness. XD have a real circus ~~ 10:35 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2002
I need this break. I need it so very, very badly. >_< And yet, much as I would like a respite from the pressures currently threatening to reduce my brain to an incoherent mass of jello, the thought of getting one is actually *frightening* to me because relaxing would mean not getting anything done. XO The fact that human brains have the ability to comprehend the future can be a real bother sometimes. >.>
But! That's okay because when I actually start having fun, it won't matter anymore. The prospect of forgetting everything is sort of nervous-making right now, but when I actually *do* forget it won't matter. XD;; All that's left ... is to pack. ^_^; I know pretty much what I'm taking, though; I just hope all the crazy things I'm bringing will fit into my luggage -- i.e., my dress for the Masquerade Ball, neechan's TokyoPop package, my aforementioned crapload of shoes, and a lot of food. (Apparently my mother thinks we'll all be ravenous on the train ride, so she's giving me a giant bag full of snacks. O.o) Oh yeah, that reminds me -- anyone who'll be at the Ball, look for the Asian girl in a sparkly gold dress. Most likely I'll be swing dancing with a ninja. XD;; I wonder if I should keep a con journal like last year. I may not have as much time ... but I'd like to anyway, if only for nostalgic purposes. We'll see. (Erm, gomen, Vinita-san~~ But after this you won't hear a thing from us for three days ... Well, until Monday, when we'll blog about our respective cons. ^_^;;;) So ... see everyone on Monday, when I'll be (hopefully) loot-laden and more or less in one piece. :D have a real circus ~~ 08:57 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2002
TWO MORE DAYS~~~~~~ ^o^
I'm packing four pairs of shoes. And yes, I *absolutely* need them all. I feel like such a ... *girl*. XD;; And now, off to a pre-con AIM planning session~~ <3 have a real circus ~~ 08:07 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Going to bed at 11:30 means I'm borderline-tired throughout the day, which means when I sit down to do my Government work I tend to end up staring at it fuzzily and flipping vaguely through my information, and consequently I don't *finish* said work, and stay up trying to do it until 11:30 again ... And I just *know* I'm not going to get any sleep this weekend (not that I'm complaining, yo), and I really can't fall behind on my schedule because there's no catchup weekend to rely on because of, well, Prom. Which I *do* want to go to, and which *will* be fun, but ... I'm not thinking about it right now. >.>
Speaking of Prom ... someone finally got asked today. XD 'Twas amusing, yes it was. Also, I saw a certain someone and his new someone-else holding ha~aaaands ... *ufufu* And, um, sparkly-happy as I am for my friends, I can't help but feel a little bit, um ... jealous. ARGH! I'm so horrible, I know. >_< I mean, I *don't* begrudge them their fortune, and I know I should just focus on how happy they are and be satisfied with that, but a little part of me is keenly aware of the giant sign above me that says YES, I'M SINGLE. n.n And I'm normally not the type to wail and bemoan my lack of significant other, and I know I don't even have anyone I'm pining after, and I know it's probably not a good time for that kind of thing anyway (end of senior year, AP exams approaching ... ugh), but. You just can't help but think of those things every once in a while, yes? ^_^;; Anyway, onto more important things -- yes, it looks like we're going to the masquerade ball. ^_^;; I mean, when I talked it over with everyone today it seemed like a lot less work than it did last night. So if you can get the cosplay, we'll be a group of a Miyu, sentai ninja, and two girls in dresses. XD;; Also, it seems it's now only from 9:00-11:00, so we'd have time to hit karaoke after all. We'll miss the actual contest unless we go before the dance, but if we go afterward I'd like to see j00 do it. :D Hyde's voice ... pitty. *_* have a real circus ~~ 07:13 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Yesterday was lotsa fun. ^_^ Went to Uwajimaya, bought HanaKimi 17 and Saiyuuki 1, as well as FLCL 2 for my friend's birthday present. Resisted Recca 32 because I still haven't read 31 (^^;;), and didn't get any FuruBa because they only had 4 and 8, and YES, I'm an anal-retentive who has to start with the first tankoubon. (4 *did* have Shi-chan on the cover, though. *shiku*) They had some other Saiyuuki book that seemed to focus on their past lives, but since I didn't recognize it I didn't get it. I hope I won't regret that. And yes, I realize that Sakura Con is soon (FOUR DAYS AWAY XD), but they won't have a good manga selection there. And yes, I realize that I'm obscenely behind on my manga reading, and still have those stacks from Christmas, but ... er ... I have no excuse for that. _o_;;
Anyway, I'm slightly bothered by the fact that Kino's has now decided to stock Sakamoto Maaya albums, prominently displaying multiple copies of "Lucy," "Hotchpotch," and "Easy Listening." I would have bought the dang things officially and supported her if they'd had them earlier, demmit. >.> (Well, I *did* buy "Easy Listening," after special ordering it. But anyway.) I'd like to get Kanno Yoko's "The Other Side of Midnight" when it comes out (info here). They also had both Onitsuka Chihiro albums, though I don't know if they were there before because I never checked. The soundtrack of the new FushiYuu OAV was there, but I don't know if the music is any good. Same with the third Saiyuuki image album. Also saw "Siam Shade VI" (which has a yellow case, and the sticker on it says "Shocking Yellow Case!" XD;;) and Hyde's solo album, "Roentgen" -- both of which I was slavering over, but it doesn't matter anyway because a certain someone burned me copies of the latter and "Siam Shade IX." *glomps bean* Lessee, after the Kino's raid was lunch, though I'd already had lunch and just ended up with a Ramune and an onigiri with umeboshi (apparently called musubi). The umeboshi (pickled plum) was too strong. O.o I've had pickled (dried) plums before, but it's just too much for onigiri, imo. x_x The Ramune was good, though ... I shall master the art of opening one, someday. XD;; From Uwajimaya, we headed to Wunderland ... I didn't actually do any DDR, but I did try DanceManiax. It's easier to get into than DDR, I think, since you don't have to step and turn -- I'm so uncoordinated, any reduction in movement can only be a good thing. XD;; By that, I don't mean it's easier to do *well* ... So, today. Went to a school district board meeting for recognition of a scholarship I won. It was ... faintly mindnumbing. I mean, I'm not going to resent their recognizing me, because that *is* rather nice; but it's just the diplomatic, smile-and-speak-nicely atmosphere. It would get to me, if I had to sit through those things every month. Oh, yes, and heard about the French election results. (After the first round on Sunday, the candidates for the runoff election are not President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin, as expected, but Chirac and National Front candidate Le Pen.) Say it with me, people: voter apathy can do Bad Things. And that's what it was, really -- general apathy for Jospin and Chirac, combined with an excessive number of leftist candidates, drew enough support from Jospin and leeched enough for Le Pen. True, Le Pen probably attracted some people because of anxiety about crime. But votes for the National Front tend to be votes of defiance rather than real support, it seems ... Le Pen was just in a convenient position. But anyway, Chirac's going to win, because the whole point of people not voting was because he and Jospin were so alike, right? >_> What pisses me off, though, is the fact that he had the gall to call upon citizens of "all races and religions" ... if he by some freak accident *did* win, that would piss me off more than the Zimbabwe elections did, and that would be ... a really angry P-chan. XP But! I am amused by the fact that they're calling the "low" (70-something percent) voter turnout "Americanism." I guess we deserved that one, huh? ^_^; *snatches up reporter microphone* Lili-chan! Your thoughts? ^_~ I think spam is mutating. We got a letter in the mail today from VeriSign warning us about an "expiration date" and trying to get us to renew PetNet ... under their company. XP I rather like Canaca, thank you very much -- we've rarely ever had any down time with them. Of course, we also use next to none of our bandwith, like, ever. XD;; Yes, tick, tick... BOOM! is great. I still prefer Rent, because it's more, shall we say, sweeping ... but though ttB doesn't have anything like "Light My Candle," "Louder Than Words" was my Very Favorite Song for about a month. XD (And suddenly, I'm getting very wrong images of Oogata in a "green, green dress" ... XD;;) I'm sorry. I know paying for college is a bitch; but it's a good school, and you'll have friends who wub you and will take good care of you. :D Erm. I almost think I shouldn't share this, but ... LOTR "Yatta!" is just too funny. XD;; Whew. Long entry. Gotta go, because my Government final is nipping at my heels ... have a real circus ~~ 07:06 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2002
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