Even More Lost...

2003-06-06T18:10:00.000-04:00

Look! This way!

Meaning,

New site!

2003-06-03T12:21:00.000-04:00

What? It's Pilfer Small Stories' Links Week!

Ms. Shaenon has got it right. If you scroll down a bit on Ed's blog, you'll notice a similar discussion from a different aspect.

Being an anime/manga-influenced person myself (look at my older stuff, if you dare, for some pretty blatant examples), this has always been a touchy, yet interesting subject for me. Where does the line between your own art and art-too-influenced lie? Can you really have that line? And, most importantly, do/when do I cross it?

stratches chin, walks away

2003-06-02T22:22:00.000-04:00

Smell Those Douglas Firs!
Twin Peaks is a very good show. Now, before Ed & Steph went about showing it to Shaun and I, I saw a SNL sketch about it. I have been hoping to find it now that I'm a fan of the show and, well, here's a illustrated transcript. Some spoilers if you're not more than, say, four episodes into the show. Well, technically, it's probably the spoiler of the series...but it's one of those not-really-surprising things. Anyway.

Finding Nemo is a very good film. There is nothing else to say, nothing to expound. It's good, it's funny, it's pretty...in other words, it's Pixar. See it!

So, how long you been in love with Norma, Big Ed?

Added: Holy Crap! Agent Cooper is Claudius in Hamlet 2000? O_o! I will never be able to watch the film the same way again.

2003-05-31T11:33:00.000-04:00

Baywatch is Not Rock-Bottom

No, David Hasslehoff has sunk lower. I promise, it's like watching a train wreck. A particularly nasty train wreck. And it's real, which is the scariest, most disturbing part. Thanks (?) to Small Stories for the link. And the head-explodingly cute picture of the Xmen.

Still playing with the new website. With less fervor now, since I'm at the boring, filler part. Alas.

2003-05-25T12:25:00.000-04:00

Once More, This Time with FEELING!

Well, not to be horribly cynical and pessimistic, but let's hope this time's a little more...well...successful than past attempts.

In other news, Chez Geek is a wonderful game. Chez Greek and Chez Grunt are also fun, but Chez Greek more so (most likely because I understand the college experience more than the army experience). Keep your eye open for 'em, 'cause they're just great. Hilarious. Anyway, I need to stop procrastinating, get off the computer, and take a shower before one. Can I accomplish this? Can I be any less stereotypically college? Tune in next time.

2003-05-23T10:35:00.000-04:00

Holy...

It looks normal until you scroll down...O_O

2003-05-22T18:42:00.000-04:00

Most Triumphant

Saw the Matrix2 last night. I understand it had problems. Especially visually. But saying that it was "dumber" or "nonsense" is silly. Scott Kurtz over at PVP reviewed it, and I have to say his criticisms are often right. But I can point out flaws just as big, if not bigger in XMen 2 (which I also liked a lot). Hello, the whole world suddenly is totally distracted by exploding headaches and millions of people don't die on the freeway? And lots of other little things, including Halle Berry. But, he is also often wrong. So, at the risk of spoilers, let me explain.

Yes, the plot is convoluted. As if the first movie wasn't? Yes, it was heavy handed. But apparently, running around saying, "there is no spoon!" and "Everything you see isn't real." isn't. And frankly, the script was just fine. Yes, the editing needed work. The Agent Smith fight scene went on too long. This is coming from a person who really likes action movies. Somehow I get the impression the Wachowski brothers were revelling in the fighting, and forgot to yell cut. Whatever. That makes a movie so bad it got him angry? Someone needs to see more movies. And no, Zion did not look that bad. It wasn't mindblowing, but what the hell were you expecting? On Morpheus: He was still very obviously revered. Just because there was resitance doesn't mean he wasn't revered. In fact, the big political guns all obviously agreed with him. Anybody running around talking about oracles and prophecies is going to run into people who think he's crazy. On Neo being confused as to what to do: Scenario: "You are the person who can save the world. So get going." "Uh..." As the film often reiterates, he's still human. He started doing what he could, freeing people individually, but as the to big picture, where's he supposed to start?
To its positive aspects, Shaun summed up the movie best in what he called, "a philosophy war." This film is more metaphysical that the original Matrix. It focuses more on more questions of philosophy. Yes, heavy-handedly. But as I mentioned earlier, so was the original. And heavy-handed isn't always bad--this is an action flick we're talking about. Schools of philosophy pop up and battle, characters act as avatars for religious (often tribal) faith, choice-bound humanism, Hume's Causation, Purpose, and destiny. There's an underlying theme of relationship--love--in the first film, and in Reloaded it steps up as one of these "philosophies"...a reason, a motivation. Neo must deal with all of these and decide which are the ones to keep and which are the ones to drop.
Another thing M2is doing is answering some of the questions about the first film that no one wanted to ask. "How did Zion even get there?" "How did the first guy get unplugged?" "How did he unplug other people?" The answers are the ones you might have guessed but hoped weren't true. Matrix: Reloaded also spends a lot of time mucking around with the computer-based concept of the first film, introducing programs and rogue programs and other consequences of things taking place in a computer. I like it. I like the hooks it brings to the world of the Matrix. A lot. And where the first film implicity played with the blurring of fiction and reality, the the second film began to and the third film is going to do it explicity...to be very honest, playing with that line has always been a pet theme of mine, which makes November very far away.

Yes. I can't get away from how cheesy and weird some of it is. But you know what The Matrix is for me? It's like studying under a really great teacher, who was kinda off-kilter, but passionate about what he was teaching and did it through movies or novels or things you wouldn't expect. The Matrix is being that teacher, getting me to ask questions and contemplate meaning through people in black leather kicking each other's asses.
Oh, and ghosty-things that are really damn freaky.

I like Ebert and Roeper's review. And agree.

2003-05-14T13:16:00.000-04:00

'Sbout Time!

Let's hope such crack-downs continue. This, on the other hand, is completely ridiculous and someone needs to pretend it never happened.

To continue with the vagueness of this post, this is a good comic. (the art improves drastically after twenty pages or so, think D101)

Chugging along at a new website, and also the family garage sale that will soon be happening. Off to sticker things...

2003-05-05T18:31:00.000-04:00

Mega Happy Flash Battle

It's linking time.

2003-05-04T22:29:00.000-04:00

Ha-Larious

Subtle, but made me CRACK UP!

2003-05-02T13:43:00.000-04:00

Wai!

Haha! I've got my lowest grade since entering college...a 3.7! And because it's in sociology, I don't Care! I mean, considering I never cracked the book and wrote papers the night before, that's not bad. And my cumulative GPA is 3.89...so I care even less. Especially because I 4.0ed Ren Lit. w00t!

I went to the Pedro the Lion show at the Magic Stick last night and it was wonderful. The two opening bands, Ester Drang and the Stratford 4 were thoroughly enjoyable, though Ester Drang seemed unanimously more so. Pedro was dreamy, and I could not have been more thrilled. Except if I had known from the beginning that the guy standing right next to me through the opening acts was David Bazan. I didn't know this until it was too late and he was gone. Of course, it's probably better for him I didn't know, because I am easily star-struck and would've gone all flighty or something.

*sigh* I woke up this morning feeling like I had been broadsided by a truck...Don't ask me why. I must have rocked out too hard or something ^_-

2003-04-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

Already?

Jeez. Doesn't feel like 8.

I've spent the past hour or so watching Matrix trailers because I finally saw the first one this weekend (dodges bullets from shocked friends very kick-assed-ly). Also, I read an article about the upcoming movies. Apparently Reloaded is more ass-kicking and ends with a cliffhanger, while Revolutions is more thought-provoking and ends the story. And, enjoyably, ends the story only three months later.

But you all knew this, and I am just excitable because I am a new convert.

2003-04-26T13:42:00.000-04:00

A Reading

"...I saw a little girl of about three walking with a boy of about seven. They were walking and laughing and holding their hands together, and swinging their arms. The boy wore a skullcap and sidecurls; ritual fringes protruded from beneath his shirt and flapped gaily in the air as he walked. They looked to be brother and sister. How many times had I seen a brother and sister walking like that along Brooklyn Parkway? How many times? Something was happening to my eyes and my head and I did not know how to think or feel about it.

Mrs. Rackover said to me when I came into the apartment, 'Where were you? You are more than an hour and a half late for lunch.'

'I was walking.'

'You were walking. You were driving me crazy. Go wash your hands and I will give you something to eat.'

'Where is my mother?'

'Your mother went to the library. Go wash your hands, Asher. I cannot spend half the day giving you lunch.'

'They were very beautiful,' I said. 'Why didn't I see it before?'"

--From Chaim Potok's My Name is Asher Lev

2003-04-26T03:08:00.000-04:00

My Funny Joke

Did you see the trailer for the new Matrix? There are like 100 Agent Smith's. You know what that means? Two hundred of those eyebrows!

It's worked. More than once. I don't tell jokes often that work. This is exciting to me!

2003-04-25T01:28:00.000-04:00

Drive boy, Dive Boy
...And all in your inner space boy.

If you haven't heard Underworld's "Born Slippy..." mmm...you're missing out! Awesome.

Anyway, tonight reaffirmed that maybe people are a little teensy bit sane and rational was totally squashed into the ground. I had my first retail-customer-so-mean-I-almost-cried experience, and out of curiosity, I flipped open Michael Savage's Savage Nation. Nazis? Fascists? I mean, I hate the ACLU and Clinton, too, but, jeez, bud, take a look in the mirror. I mean we're talking scary right winger, here...Take a look through these articles to be disturbed. The scariest part? This freak has been on the bestseller list for the past ten weeks. Or are titles like, "White Male Inventions" "How Kwanzaa Kons You" "Are Jewish Liberals to Blame?" "Sheocracy: Radicals United for Ladies' Evil" or "From Melting Pot to Chamber Pot" say enough? It's like watching I train wreck. I want to see how much more of an ass he can make of himself...

2003-04-24T00:20:00.000-04:00

School's Out for Sum-mah!

Phew. Well, that was rough. Finals, it turns out, suck away my soul. Guh. But, I know I did well on all of them (at least, I've got a 97% certainty I did well on all of them). And my final paper for Renaissance Literature (not the final exam, but the biggest grade in the class) got not just one fabulous but THREE fabuli in the comments from the professor. And a 3.9, to boot, which is a good grade for a Warley paper. Hell, for any paper.

Well, a lot has been happening. Mainly, I am living in a new house. And not just one newly moved into, but a new one newly moved into. It's pretty darn cool, if I say so myself. It's got all kinds of space, which is a good thing to have with six people. But most importantly: I have my own room. That's right. My own private living space where I can burn all the incense I want without Kelsey and Mom going, "God, it's so strong how do you live with that?" the moment I strike the match. It's in the basement, and it's kinda cold if it's cold outside or the ac is on, but it's perfect. And I have a desk and a bigass bookshelf I built myself (from bricks and 2x6's) and a couch (an old one we had in storage) and a shelf for my PS2 and TV...and it's perfect. I couldn't be happier. But let me tell you, moving the two weeks before finals, when papers and stuff was due...O_o

So, if i've been out of the loop, forgive me, it's been busy. But I'm back now, and hoping to do some serious revamping of my site...so, watch out!

Also, The Pants Press Sketchblog is full of goodness! ..."Like my FIST!"...I have to remember that one. heh. mmm. That Vera...she should totally be famous within a few years. Not just webcomic famous, but famous famous. Though Jen has mad skillz, I have to say Vera is the most technically talented of the bunch. And by technically I mean "technically" but also, the tightest style. What I mean is, she's the artsy-ist, I guess. But I love them all to bits. And Jen is fantabulous...she understands the making of comics a bit more, methinks. And I am jealous of all of them with their discipline to comic things!

Okay, once the blabbering begins, it's time for me to shut up. Good night.

2003-04-14T00:14:00.000-04:00

RooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOxanne

Alas for me running around singing all the time. Why? Well, I've hinted at it, you see. I've picked up a Best of The Police/Sting disc we've been playing at work. It's great, and only has the three Sting songs I like. The rest is The Police, who are intensely get-stuck-in-your-head-y. The end of the school year is darwing nigh, and most of my classes are actually not going into finals week which means that this week is a week of DOOM. Guh. Anyway, so, not that it's anything fancy-new or anything, but you may not hear from me for a week or so. Or maybe, the opposite will happen.

So, to recap this post: Police=singing me. Blogging this week? Maybe. Maybe not.

I'm tired. I'm going to bed.

2003-04-11T14:55:00.000-04:00

FAME!

I'm gonna live forever! Well, actually, until May. Turns out, a figure drawing I'm quite proud of got accepted into the Oakland University Student Art Exhibit. Um, needless to say, I'm rather excited. Weeeeeeee!

2003-04-08T06:26:00.000-04:00

Old, But Funny

Cursed Taylor Ham. It is tasty but it makes me wake up at six with a throat as dry as the Sahara in a drought.

2003-03-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

Everything's Funnier With a Monkey

2003-03-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

Just call him, "Stubby"

Well, I beat Ico yesterday. That game kicks some shadow demon ass, some shadow queen ass, and any other ass it ought to be kicking (including mine, but in a good way). Play it now, or forever hold your peace.

In other news, I have an RPG-played house in the Sims. Meaning I work them as slaves to level them up as high as possible. Interestingly, getting friends is a lot harder than just the stat leveling. Anyway. Soon, they will be GODS of Simville. Mwahaha.

2003-03-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

Well

Aren't we special?

guh.

2003-03-18T22:42:00.000-05:00

Bubble BLISS

It's official. I'm a bubble tea freak. I had it first in Ann Arbor only to find that there's a bubble tea joint right here in downtown Rochester and I like it even better than the AA one. I was at Bubble Bliss, the Rochester joint, studying and drinking icy refreshing red bean bubble tea for two hours today. Actually, I wasn't studying, I was trying to organize my Japanese notes so that they were legible and comprehensible. I think I've got it.

Anyway, not much has been going on, hence the lack of bloggage. Work, school, etc. etc. It has been absolutely beautiful outside, except yesterday, when, while I won't complain about the warmth, it was mug-gy. Also, I found out I have two years tops left of school. Which is a lot less than I expected. I thought into the third year. But nope, 16 hours/semester seems to have taken care of most of that. Over break I was able to read one more book, The Number Devil, which was very fun and cute. Totally not scary, too, which is a big deal to me...math and not scary are usual mutually exclusive.

I have been itching to game, and am lucky that Shaun has felt the same. He says he'll be running another Shadowrun soon, which is exciting. Shadowrun is fun because my character can totally hit things. And not fall. That's also good.

I'm babbling now because my brain is breaking, so I think I'll go to sleep. G'night.

2003-02-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

Accomplished!

I have accomplished as of last night the third thing I meant to finish before Spring Break. I have read Abhorsen. There's no way I could have been more thrilled with it. My God, kick ass! I have to give it the prestigious award of being the first book I've read of 2003 (LotR doesn't count, I've read it before), and what a way to start a year! It also has the distinguished title of a book that has made me cry, which only has two recipients that I can think of. And also is the 103rd book I have read since my Freshman year in highschool. (I keep a log, but it was the first time today that I counted them)...I need to keep a hardcopy, handwritten one, just in case. Ann's horror story about losing what was it, like ten years?, of Reading Log when her computer died is scary. Okay, I'm babbling, so I'll shut up now.

2003-02-25T10:50:00.000-05:00

La Li Lu Le Lo

Ah, sweet Spring Break, I have a chance to finish things again! I have already taken care of a lot. Well, two things. But they are big things. First off, I finished Metal Gear Solid 2. Up until the last fifteen minutes or so, my impression was, "It's reall stupid, but that stupidity comes from trying to do far to much at once. Stick with the world-ruling conspiracy or the idea that this is all some VR stunt gone horribly wrong. Don't do both. You'll have a better game that way. It's just overload." And then the last fifteen minutes hit. I read someone once give a fair review to Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, that it was "pretty, but nonsensical psychobabble." That was true, but I am going to give it to an even more appropriate owner. Metal Gear Solid 2's last fifteen minutes: congratulations! However, this doesn't mean I didn't like the game. I think it's one of the best games out on the PS2 yet (although there are a few games that are supposed to be excellent that have just come out). I'm very excited for MGS3, for which they have set us up, just like the little Ocelot/President snippet at the very end of MGS. It will be pretty and it will be fun, and maybe the reviews of MGS2 will convince them to not spout off any more psychobabble to make the game seem artsy.

Secondly, I have been rereading Lord of the Rings since December. With the onset of school, I was a quarter of the way through Return of the King. I have not been able to finish it. Until last night!!! *sigh* It's so wonderful. I'm a little nervous about the movie, but then, I've been so thrilled with what's happened before that I have little doubt. The ending of RotK is a happy ending, you know, the good guys win and all. But, damn, it's so sad. To me, it feels like Middle Earth is really the old name for this place and all of the magic is gone forever and will never come back and why couldn't I have lived then? I suppose it does its job in being a classic myth, though, don't they all seem to end like that? *le sigh*

Now I get to start Abhorsen! Finally!!!

2003-02-20T23:45:00.000-05:00

Meh?

Hey, blog! Work!

It wasn't working before. Let's hope it works now, or at least continues.

2003-02-15T18:17:00.000-05:00

Reciprocity

Saw Chicago last night. I liked it a lot. I would say it had style, because it did, only I wouldn't because I've never been really into the '20's Flapper style, so it doesn't have something that would necessarily catch my attention immediately. Anyway. What I don't get is how Hollywood is eating it up. "Hey, we love this ruthless criticism of how we make the masses follow us as blind as bats!" Huh. Very disturbing, especially in how true it is. The performances are great. Richard Gere isn't annoying when he's supposed to be, because, see, if someone's annoying, then they're good at being annoying, so when the character is annoying, they're not really annoying. Also, I decided a musical is best when it is very conscious of the fact that it is a musical and plays around with the genre. (I've also decided anything that belongs to a specifc genre is best when it acts this way) Moulin Rouge did it, so does Chicago. It's not better than LotR, but it's damn good, and I wouldn't be sad if it takes the Oscar.

PS, Shaun, cellophane was invented in 1908.

2003-02-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

One More Time!

For Valentine's Day!...just in case you missed it.

squeeeeee.

2003-02-12T17:12:00.000-05:00

Blooger

That's what I always type when I'm supposed to be typing Blogger.

Good Lord, Texas wants to Save Our Kids. (Warning, the picture is not safe for work or kids, though it's not showing all). Screw that, I'm not even gonna get into that one.

I had a dream last night that I somehow became the next Abhorsen, and that I put undead demons in little glass bottles. I had the Bells and everything. Thing was, I was only going on what I'd learned from the books, and suddenly there was this huge thing I had to fight, so I went to the Old Kingdom (via some Harry-Potter-esque magical way I can't really explain), and when to Charter Blood School. I was pretty popular, because I was an outsider and I was an Abhorsen-in-training all at once. The Charter kids were nice, and I made freinds, though I don't remember with whom besides the obvious characters. Sabriel taught me, and Lirael helped out. And on one undead killing mission, Touchstone helped out, too. Strangest thing: My mom was all proud of me, she even came to help once because I had forgotten my book, but my grandma went to a big rant about witchcraft and all that stuff. I had no nifty animal friend, though, which was sad. I have no idea where this dream came from, because I haven't thought about Sabriel, Lirael, and Abhorsen in forever (if I do, the sadness of my inability to read Abhorsen makes me want to cry). I woke up with the usual, "What the heck...?" and quickly wrote it down so I would remember it. Oh yeah, and when I put the undead demony souls in the little glass bottles, they were green, glowing gas. So there's for not dreaming in color.

2003-02-11T22:12:00.000-05:00

Video Games and Nude Models

No, not your average teenage boy's fantasy. We're talking about my life experiences, thank you very much. So, which shall I address first? Let's go with nude models, because it's shorter.

On Monday, I had my first experience drawing from a live nude model. Don't think me a pervert for being excited, because I was. Thing is, I had an artistic reason: I'd never done it before, and considering I really enjoy drawing people and want to get better at it, the best way I can figure to get better at drawing a person is to draw a person. Live models are useful because, a.) they're there to be drawn. They don't ask you to draw them, you ask them to draw them. b.) when you're trying to work out anatomy issues, believe it or not, clothes aren't very helpful. Regardless of what my grandmother thinks (she overheard me talking about it to my mom and had a tizzy)...even though she's a nurse, so her training didn't have much room to talk. Anyway. I've heard many a horror story about the live models one can get, so I was a little scared. However, she wasn't horribly lumpy in the wrong places, she wasn't 67 years old, and she wasn't wantonly excited about being naked in front of people (i.e. showing too much). She was actually, and this was the most surprising part, really good at modelling. I didn't think one could be good at just standing there. But, you know, every angle you looked to draw from the pose was equally challenging and aesthetically pleasing. I was like, "Dood, she's good at just standing there!" She was very classically European, too, which was satisfying because I felt all old-fashioned artsy-fartsy, like a master of old or something. (Face, hair, and body structure, I mean, but also that she was hairy) Anyway, she's coming again Wednesday, and I'm rather geeked to get some more drawings done. I was really proud of the figure drawings I did on Monday. They turned out better than I expected, being that Monday I was still under the weather. I was also much less uncomfortable than I expected to be, though I think that will probably be different when the male model comes in later this year.

Now, onto Video Games! Whee! Well, last weekend when I was full of sickness, Shaun brought over the copy of Metal Gear Solid 2 that Ed let him borrow from the weekend before. Shaun played for about forty-five minutes, then got stuck, so I said, "Hey, I've played through all of MGS1, so let me try it, I'm more experienced." In about ten minutes, I was sold. Walking into Gamestop on Sunday (Ed wanted to preorder Zelda: The Wind Waker), I spotted a Used copy of MGS2 for $16.99. After about five minutes of deliberation, I was sold. Needless to say, I have not been doing much else.
As far as I see it, there are two separate entities that make a video game good: 1.) A compelling story. This does not happen often, but when it does, I mean, come on, who can't forgive bad graphics (Chrono Trigger) or annoying gameplay (can't think of one at the moment)? 2.) Pure-fun factor. Though a good (or, at least complicated (Xenogears?)story is what makes a game a "classic," what makes people tout it to video game cynics, we all play video games because of one reason: they're fun. Or, at least they're supposed to be. There is an annoyingly low percentage of fun games out there right now, which is a whole other topic. Anyway. So, there are games that have totally sucky stories and bad graphics, but we play them because they're just so damn fun. For me, that is Street Fighter (though I know other may disagree), and GTA, but think also of arcade classics like Bust-a-Move. Very rarely do we find a game that has both, on the PS2, I can think of ICO, then there are the oldies; Grandia, the Zelda games, and MGS1, for example. Even in these cases, it is usually one of the two that is stronger than the other...there aren't many true "melds," though I would probably name ICO and Grandia in that category for sure. Note, yes, note, the lack of graphics in my "two things that make games great." Graphics would be the third. I am impressed with prettiness, sometimes letting it forgive greater evils of a game, but I don't find it a necessary part of a game's goodness, and certainly not part of why I'd buy a game. Granted, a game should live up to the graphics standards of the day...but there's something about me that really enjoys old school 2-D RPGs like Lunar, Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Chrono Trigger. So, Prettiness: #3. There is a realm of uber-prettiness that exists, that transcends what people thought games were possible of doing and can be an excuse for a game in and of itself, but this is so rare it's barely even its own category (let's put, say, Metroid Prime here...but note also that Metroid Prime is very fun and has an interesting story)...these games usually have had enough care put into them, though, that there are other redeemable things about them. OK, trying to find what I was saying...Okay, okay...fun and story. So, here's how my ranking goes: 3.) Pretty 2.)Story 1.)Fun. Fun is the most important thing. The funness of a game is what made you rent the game again and again back when you were a kid with a Blockbuster card. Not necessarily the pretty, and probably not the story, unless you were playing an RPG and hadn't finished by the time five days was up.

Where is MGS2, in all of this? I don't know. So far, I am 10 hours into it, the story is interesting enough that I am involved and interested in what's going on. However, it is cliche to the max, I already understand almost all of what's going on, and can tell what will be dealt with well, what will be dealt with stupidly, and what phrasology will be used to describe the obvious. Although, some of the subtler touches to point back to *Spoiler, hightlight to see, just in case you haven't played it or something* "Hey, this is about cloning!" story are very neat, like the shape of the buildings the tie-ins to MGS1. The game is massivly pretty, probably the prettiest game for PS2 I've seen. Yes, even prettier than FFX. (Not during cut-scene FMVs, but Square didn't make this game, and nobody will be beating Square in that department anytime soon.) Everything flows together, the textures are quite amazing, the blood in queasily realistic (though not when it's doing the whole photoshop spray-paint spray-thing), the character animation is smooth and believable. And in gameplay, Snake's mullet isn't so bad. Also, the characters are fun. Rose seems like a real normal person (although, who doesn't miss Ms. Japanesey Cuteness, Mei Ling?), Otacon is wonderfully and charmingly dorky, and the Colonel is just as two-faced and annoyingly obvious as the last game. The stark difference in character between Raiden and Snake is very interesting to watch. With Snake, I'm all about the shooting people up and breaking their necks and stuffing them in lockers. I was just itching to get a "real gun" after using that tranq gun for so long. Once I got the "real gun" it's was all about putting them to sleep then pulling out the real gun and making sure they won't tell stories, then dragging them to the nearest locker and stuffing them in it. With Raiden, though, I feel guilty doing that. I'm much more at ease just letting him sneak around with his flowing blonde hair and ninja suit, doing fancy flips to avoid the enemy. Raiden isn't the ruthless infiltrator that Snake is. He's just (at least, he seems just) a normal guy doing something totally out of character for many mysterious (cough, clones don't have any choice, cough) reasons. It's an interesting dynamic to the usual "sneak-around-and-shoot-things" genre of video games.
Where will all of this lead? Who knows. I'll tell you when I finish the game. But, I think my original point was going to be, regardless of how silly the story may be, I know I'll play this game over more than once...it's just so damn fun.

Sorry for all the stream of consciousness video game talk, but it's been floating around in my head for a while. Tell me if you agree, disagree! Let's discuss it sometimes, huh? Video games are fun to talk about.

All right, gonna go play some more MGS2, if I can convince my father he hasn't been watching TV, but sleeping for the past half hour.

PS...CUTENESS!
PSS...Back to an older layout that hoepfully won't have problems being read on a mac. ^_-

2003-02-08T22:42:00.000-05:00

Agony!

My cold is a very bad one, full of misery and woe. Woe is me! Woe is me!

2003-02-07T14:25:00.000-05:00

Um...

Why I hate politicians

Guh. in oder newth, I hab a code and it ith bery annoying.

2003-02-04T09:26:00.000-05:00

You'll Never Catch Me Alive, Copper!

Guh. I feel almost guilty after not updating for two days after that crazy-go-nuts stint just there. I've been busy writing papers and drawing pictures of rooms and going to store meetings and writing that damn paper some more. So. That's what's been going on. Have a test on Friday, and a quiz today in Nihongo...Saturday will be a day of welcome relief.

Friends out of college, remember midterm madness and never wish you were younger!

2003-01-31T00:14:00.000-05:00

Bum Bum Bum Another One Bites the Dust

Look! It even matches his lady's. Awww.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Ed sir. As that I did not know it was coming because you boys are always so quiet about your birthdays, I don't have anything fancy to post or say "viola!" to properly celebrate such a momentous occasion as your third decade; oh you, who first lead me down the unending tunnel of geekiness that is roleplaying.

2003-01-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

Is Saddam Disarming?

Ask Neil Gaiman. He knows. Also, it's time for hand-puppet theatre! But alas for people not being able to come to grips with true male friendship.

Also, love the TOFU BLOG!

2003-01-29T00:27:00.000-05:00

guffaw

you deserve it, 'cause you're special / alibi, alibi / maybe Jesus wants you for His sunbeam / alibi, alibi....
from When I Was Cruel's "Alibi" by Elvis Costello

Thank you Elvis, for brightening a dark day.

2003-01-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

A Friend for Frances

Well, goaded to blog by the blogging activity of friends (Steph's new blog, Shaun's redesign), I am reluctantly stepping up with nothing really interesting to say. Okay, well, I guess I have a few interesting things, but I haven't had much time to sit down and type them out lately. Right now, even, I have to leave for Brit Lit in 15 minutes. We are reading Donne, and my heart is filled to overflowing with an unmitigatible joy for it. Even if we are only reading Jake the Rake's eloquent dirty jokes, and, being a public college, dutifully ignoring Dr. John Donne, theologian-poet. Oh well.

Things that have happened to me: I have run into a friend whom I haven't seen in 6-7 years. I have cat-sitting Maureen's cats...Patsy really is as wide as she is tall (sphere-kitty!). I have been to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, which was wonderful, and I went crazy and bought two CD's, Billy Jonas (who's CD I bought mainly for one song, because it turns out, he's a performer, he's better live (he plays buckets!)) and Josh Ritter. They are full of goodness. I will eventually pick up Patty Griffin , becuase she was quite amazing, too. I have run into, eating dinner before the folk festival, my Brit Lit Professor, so that Shaun was able to meet the fabled Dr. Warley.

I have to leave for class in two minutes!

2003-01-17T10:51:00.000-05:00

Happiness is...

Having DSL and knowing this and this. Seriously, though, longer, and by that much? My goodness, keeping at this rate, the seventh book is going to be bigger than a Bible! 'Shoulda just made it like a ten-book series or something. But oh, well! It's exciting!

2003-01-17T00:38:00.000-05:00

DSL!

It is speedy and it is mine!

2003-01-14T21:09:00.000-05:00

New and Not Really Improved!

Lalala. I have to draw coffee mugs this evening. Also read some Renaissance lit. Pretty impressive, huh? Blogging again, so soon. Well, I know. I'm amazing, after all. ;-)

My anecdote for today was that I was IDed for the first time tonight. Stupid reason, really. I wanted matches, (incense and candles!) but they were kept behind the cigarette counter and so required ID. Ha! At least they weren't behind the alcohol counter, that'd be a safety hazard, anyway, I guess.

Sorry for the change from vanilla template to vanilla template. I'm just HTML-illiterate if it doesn't involve dragging and clicking. Not illiterate, I suppose, but no more than a third-grade level. I can color inside the lines and whatnot.

2003-01-12T23:41:00.000-05:00

Return of the Student-person

Well, I am alive. Just not with enough time to remember to blog. See, blogging requires thinking, requires wanting to say something badly enough to sit down and write it down. It also requires another member of the family being not being on the computer. So, h ere I sit, even though I ought to reread Utopia excerpts for class on Tuesday because that's not all I have to read for class. And I have a kanji quiz on Tuesday. I did get my homework done, though. Sociology chapter 2 needs to be started...as that it is full of boring and I don't really want to read it all at once. But I did get my boxes drawn for art. Anyway, I saw Adaptation today. It was totally fun. Guh. time to go to sleep. *falls*

2003-01-11T12:01:00.000-05:00

huh? wha?

rotk pictures!

2002-12-27T20:45:00.000-05:00

Post-Christmas Blues

They hit hard, huh? All the excitement is over and it leaves just a sort of exhaustion, wherein I am not sure where or when I am half the time and am prone to nodding off if I sit in one position too long. Point in case: once yesterday, twice today, I was sitting on the couch only to wake up half an hour later going, "Huh?" Anyway, they seem to be abating, especially with the knowledge that I have finally been able to rent my precious...that is, the extended LotR: FotR. Mom has expressed interest! Whuppah.

Well, the order of the post Christmas-bloggage seems to be inventory of gifts, so I will go about it!

A CD player for my car, installation included. CDs! In my car! It's an amazing concept. The Two Towers video game for PS2. Horribly disjointed storywise so far, and relatively bad graphics (I play a lot of Square games, okay?), but hell, I can play the big fighting scenes of the movie! Wooooohoo! Four CD's, which I had to tell them, so it wasn't a surprise, but they are mine now! ^_^ Sixpence None the Richer's new one (it's very good), Bowie's new best of, Best of U2 1980-90, and the Spirited Away soundtrack. The Sims Deluxe addition (I now have Livin' Large...) and Kelsey got Unleashed. Since we both play, it's like those were double gifts. wahoo! Some really nice bath stuff, sweater and sweatsuit. uh...most impressively, Nick gave me Kingdom Hearts. He had about $60 from birthday and Christmas, and decided he really wanted to give it to me. O_O That kid is horribly generous...the scary part is that's not out of the ordinary. I am letting him play it, so it's "ours" (he does have to tell me, though, because that PS2 is expensive and he is still a hyperactive eight-year-old). Then there's the usual, socks, candy, the obligatory, you-collected-American-girls-when-you-were-young-let's-get-you-something-to-"finish-your-collection" gift, which I told my parents I was no longer interested in, but ah well. Oh, also, a CareBear. Tenderheart to be exact. And not one of the funky new ones with the fluff of whatever for hair, but the old-fashioned ones with the curl. An Olivia Calender and tea mug/strainer with "Mixed Cats" from Sanrio from Shaun. Ann and Jeff totally knocked me out of the water with a subscription to Mars Hill and Books and Culture. I listened to the first edition of Mars Hill while being a Santa-wrapper on Christmas eve. It annoyed everyone, they wanted Christmas music. But I wanted my children's literature review, dammit! And it was splendid. With Pato's Christmas money gift, I bought The Partly Cloudy Patriot, which is full of educated and witty essays that so fit my style of humor and the type of essay I enjoy it's crazy (I will probably post excerpts soon enough) Then there was the I-Worked-the-23rd-that-was-so-crazy-I-died Christmas gift to myself, a discovery I made that very evening, a collection of 220 Japanese folk tales. I totally cleaned house, man. To the point where I almost feel guilty! *^_^*

2002-12-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Everybody!

2002-12-21T02:03:00.000-05:00

Two Towers Part Two

I saw it again! And it was even more wonderful. Just going to point to some scenes I think deserve special attention:
1.) Fiery Ent dousing himself with water.
2.) Theoden's speech before going to battle. The fellow who played Theoden was quite amazing.
3.) Totally obvious, but Legolas' backflip onto the horse. Rock my socks. As someone I ran into at the show tonight said, "He can do everything! He's like Barbie--only a man!" So mark any of Legolas' fancy-pants moves here.
4.) Most twistedly cute moment of the film: Gollum's little dances. Especially the one at the Forbidden Pool. I can't help it, they make me squeal. Gollum was handled perfectly: you go between loving and hating him, and most of all you feel overwhelming pity for the poor bastard.
5.) Saruman's "Holy Crap" look on his face when the Ents totally kicked his ass.
6.) Haldir's reaction to Aragorn's hug.
7.) My favorite scene: Sam's speech to Frodo about the best stories, the ones that change us most. Because in a very real sense, that is what Lord of the Rings is to me. And "in a real sense" is almost tough, because I can't really explain what it is about LotR that is so important to me, but it is, and there is something very fundamental about who I feel I am that somehow ties into Lord of the Rings (the story)...kind of like I associate The Last Unicorn and the animated The Hobbit with my childhood. I can see its flaws and there are things that I am not crazy about, but I keep coming back to it, keep wanting to reread it...and I can't explain why except that there's just something about it to me. I also like that speech because it embodies the reckless hope I have about life and the world--acknowledging the evil, but searching and waiting for the good. A bit naive, and it will (not probably, it will) set me up for some nasty wake-up calls, but, like the film tries to get us to believe--hope is often all you have, and no matter how dark it gets, there is always one shred of good left to fight for. A sentimental message yes, but...well, sentimental isn't always bad.

2002-12-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

You're Late

This will be long and full of spoilers

Saw The Two Towers last night. And here is my review that will make Tolkien conservatives everywhere cringe: I. Loved. It.

Let me deal with the criticism first. Gimli: Yes, he was comedic relief. However, I don't know that anyone could really deal completely what was going on without him. And he was really funny. Anyway, it occurs to me if you need someone to be funny, the dwarf is the one. A short little fellow with a different culture amidst a bunch of stuffy elves and really tall men. Anyway, he was able to make jokes and still kick ass. If I remember correctly, he was comic relief in the book anyway, the orc-kill-counting was much more extended in the book. Messing with Faramir: I did have issue with this at first, but I've deliberated about it. It is true in the books he is instantly a better person than Boromir was, and it takes a bit to recognize him as such in the film. But here's what I've figured out. It's relatively obvious that Jackson's interpretation lies heavily on the issue of dealing with temptation. An inability to deal with temptation is what lead Boromir, otherwise a pretty good guy, to his doom. Understandable temptation, even. His people are dying. Now, take Faramir. Give him the same need as his brother, only make it more pressing and more tangible. Let Faramir be tempted, but be able to resist it regardless. Which drives the point home harder? An instantly pure fellow, or someone who has to deal with something? Aragorn: It seems, post-blogging and Shaun-talking that some people have an issue with how human Aragorn is compared to his superhero-ness in the book (which, I think he's rather human in the books, a bit super-heroy, but not distractingly so). Again, I think this is going to Jackson's interpretation of the books. Another point the film is driving is that men are the only hope for Middle Earth (this is especially the case in Two Towers, more than in Fellowship. It is man, with all his flaws and weaknesses, that must save the world. This is why we see Boromir fall so hard. This is why we see Elrond's doubts. Of course, this is in the book, but it's dealt with less overtly. How can Aragorn be the hope of men if he's so high above them? Give him complicated relationships (well, show them instead of talk about them in the appendix), a personality, weakness, and suddenly he's more relatable. I, being a characterization fiend, dig it.
On the offensive (^_^), can you believe Helm's Deep? Oh my holy crap! Also, I dig how they started it, a nice way to tie in the first film with the second, and avoid a very long monologue from Gandalf (Not that I would mind Sir McKellan's acting, of course...am I sick to think there's something horrible sexy about him? Too charismatic for an old fellow!). Eowyn, Theoden, and Gollum were all kick-booty. Eowyn especially. And Gollum worked! Pretty close to seamless CG/Live action intergration, I think. Although, I still like The Hobbit voice actor better. I was surprised by Grima. I didn't think I liked ihm from the stills, but he worked a lot better and looked less over-the-top in action. Ents: Two thumbs up! And I loved seeing Saruman all freaked out as the Ents totally opened up a can of whoop-ass on Isengard. And, of course, Oliphaunts! I think, though, my favorite part of the movie, call me sentimental, was watching Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli's relationship. I think it was handled splendidly, even without the little cutscenes that established it a little stronger in the extended version of FotR.
And, let me say, I really think that Mr. Jackson's interpretation of Lord of the Rings is interesting and compelling. That is what the movie is, anyway. That is why changes are made. I think he is handling them with an amazing care for the original text and spirit of the story. I think people want to judge it along the book, but you can't. They are completely different beasts. No one would see a scene-for-scene movie interpretation of the book. That was what the first Harry Potter film was. Chamber of Secrets was willing to interpret more than tell, and it suceeded on every level that I disliked the first film. Jackson's interpration is not my own, but that doesn't make it bad. It just makes Tolkien's Lord of the Rings better.

So, you can bet I'll be seeing TTT again. And you can bet I have plans December 17, 2003.

2002-12-18T11:45:00.000-05:00

Woooooooooooooo!

The Two Towers....today! Me....watching....it! THE TWO TOWERS! W0000000000000000T!!!!!

I will post something for real eventually, it'll just have to be long and I am planning.

2002-12-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

Six Deer and Falling Snow

Today I was driving a backroad to get to Avon from school, and as I was driving by a sub entrance, I saw six deer grazing in front of the subdivision sign. I slowed to a stop, and sat for a few minutes just watching them. I've rarely seen one deer before, and here, right before me, are six does just sitting there. Eventually they notice me and dart away, long-legged strides as graceful as a dancer.

After work, several of us walked outside to the falling snow. The parking lot was empty, lit by a bright but distant parking light. Three of us, two grown men and I, opened our arms and jumped around catching snowflakes on our tongues.

It was a good day.

2002-11-27T11:09:00.000-05:00

Quiz!

Take the Final Fantasy X personality test here! by

Only I'm not wearing daisy dukes in the sequel!

2002-11-25T23:11:00.000-05:00

It Reminded Her of Aragorn, Only in a Bad Way

Courtesy of this very funny LOTR "novelization." Link courtesy Ed.

Guh. It's been a bit crazy. Last week I battled it out with the financial aid office (because most of them are incapable dolts). Because of them, I also had to chase down two of my possibl-future professors (both of which I luckily knew) to see if they'd manually add me to their already full (because did I mention I'm annoyed with the financial aid office?) classes. Luckily I got 98% yesses from both. Then there are two papers due in the next two weeks, and a modern lit final. Modern Lit final: half a piece of cake! The papers won't be too bad, either. They're on Hamlet, and I've already written the detailed outlines. It's just a matter of writing them, which doesn't take me all too long if the kidlets let me be.

I finished my 100th book of the past four years. I suppose for some people that's not too impressive, but I'm happy with it. My 100th book (The Giant, O'Brien) wasn't nearly as enamouring as my 99th, though (Blindess). My room is being organized much more to my liking.

The extended edition of LOTR is amazing. They fixed Lothlorien with fifteen minutes. And Lothlorien was my only real complaint about the film. And then it was better! And then there were more great character moments! And there was an extra decapitation! DREAMY!

My grandfather is coming up for Thanksgiving.

2002-11-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

Giiku!

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.1
GL/d-(--)s:a--C+(++)U?P?l?E?W++(+++)N-O?K?w+!O!
MV?PS+PEY(+)PGP-t5X+R+(*)tv(+)b++(+++)Ge>+++
h--!r++
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

Find out what it means here.

Meh! Took longer that necessary, but it was kinda fun.

So, I finished my IS paper on Nausicaa. It wasn't the paper I wanted to write. Not nearly as abstract as I wanted to go. Alas! Also, I spent more money than I meant to this recent employee weekend. However, I did get over 3/4 of my Christmas shopping done, and do to a bout of insomnia last night, wrapped. I bought some stuff for myself, though! Report:

1.) Jose Saramago's All the Names: After reading and being utterly blown away by Blindness, I really wanted to read more of his stuff. I've been told by more than one person that All the Names is definitely worth my time. So I went with it.
2.) Stan Rogers' From Coffee House to Concert Hall: I like Mr. Rogers a lot. A lot. Full of old-school folky goodness. It's a great CD. Listen to it. Listen to him! (well, via CD, anyway...Stan died the year I was born)
3.)Japanese Particle Workbook: Very useful for figuring out those little buggers >_<*
4.)Frederick Buechner's The Hungering Dark: As that I've read The Magnificent Defeat into the ground, I figured it was time to start on its "partner" (they were written very close together and are the same type of book).

Okay. Enough links for you to explore for now!

2002-11-15T11:01:00.000-05:00

YUKI GA DAISUKI DA YOOOOOOOOOO!

It snowed last night. Only a little, but it snowed! Anyway, I'll get back with more eventually. I've lost my blogging 5K1LLZ. Also!

Tolkienology 101: What is Your Tolkien Belief System?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hey, Fuali.com's back! I am 40% Tortured Artist

I have some artistic ability, but it is probably a hobby and doesn't drive my life into a dark abysmal hole were I am alone and against the world.

Take the Tortured Artist Test at fuali.com

I am 31% Metal Head

Most other metal-heads acknowledge my presence, but they laugh at me behind my back. Maybe I need to stop spending all that money on haircuts and invest in a few Pantera T-shirts.

Take the Metal Head Test at fuali.com

I am 45% Grunge

What's this? The longest I've been without a shower is three days? Not even close, man. I should go sit out in the rain for a week.

Take the Grunge Test at fuali.com

I am 27% Raver

Well, I may have been to a rave. I probably know a bunch of ravers, but they may think of me as an outsider. That's okay, at least I am not a complete freak.

Take the Raver Test at fuali.com

2002-11-08T16:48:00.000-05:00

Obvious.

The Subculture Label Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla

Also, Amber emailed me this weekend. Those of you who know me well enough understand that threw me for quite a loop. Yeah, that one.

2002-11-04T14:53:00.000-05:00

Owowowowowowow

Hi. Well, my eardrums are still hurting. Kelsey had her tenth birthday last night. She had four friends over. I was exhausted just listening to it! My poor, poor mother.

Beyond the pain, it was a pretty good weekend, even if I was rather exhausted most of it. Friday Shaun came over to my place. I saw The Crow for the first time...I liked it. It wasn't what I expected, but rather than get into a big explanation of why it wasn't what I expected, we'll say I liked it. (And I did expect gothness, believe you me). Saturday we completed a game of Lord of the Risk...Shaun won with a last minute sweep of the Brown Land (Rhovanion or something like that). Shaun also lit a fire, which was very exciting.

Haha, I suddenly felt no urge to continue with this, so I'm gonna go. Talk later.

2002-10-30T00:16:00.000-05:00

I Could Be Heroes!

Just for one day...or maybe six weeks. Apparently, my body is down with mononucleosis. Rock! Just what I need. Alas.

2002-10-29T11:26:00.000-05:00

Meh

I wanted to draw something yesterday. I sat down with my pencil and sketchbook and...nothing came out. I have no story inside of me right now. Nothing! I even tried to do some story-starters or something, but nothing! u_u Because I didn't want to be a total downer in this post, I asked googlism what happened to my creativity.

my creativity is lacking in titles
my creativity is diminished (and goes to the West?)
my creativity is what is making me nuts
my creativity is steeped with this ukrainian character
my creativity is seriously drained at the moment
my creativity is energised i dance (that explains it...)
my creativity is at it's wits end
more positively...
my creativity is opening up
my creativity is one of my best assets
my creativity is still alive

2002-10-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

Last Turn, I Kicked Ass!

Shaun, Chris, and I partook of a game of Lord of the Risk last night. I know I've sold out to the man by suggesting strongly to Shaun that if he bought it I would play, and comprimising the integrity of the brilliant work of art that is LoTR by enjoying it, but, scheiße damnt, imagine all the fun of Risk with the fun of saying "Hahahaha! My brave little elven archer of Rivendell has held off the orcs ONE MORE ROUND!!!" We've postponed the finishing of the game until today...and my last round kicked bunches of ass, oh yes it did.

On a last note before I head out to finish said Risk game, I propose a question: What does it make one when one suddenly "reccomends" something that someone said person "hates" reccomended only hours before? Only, said hated-person was not necessarily reccomending the most current manifestion, but rather the concept of the whole...but said "one" decides that this is a glorious manifestion, though probably was unaware of it hours before? Answer: Me being pissed off about something I shouldn't need to worry about.

This is Andrea, wanting you to curb your consumption.

2002-10-25T11:12:00.000-04:00

You'll Never Get Me Alive, Copper!

OOh!Return to Sender updated! It is always a joyous thing.

Anyway, I've just finished re-reading Things Fall Apart (I read it about two years ago) for Modern Lit. It is a very good book, and takes horribly interesting points of view, but also rather grim. Things fall apart, the center cannot hold. Name the allusion, kids! Hint: Modernist poet who liked to sail toward Byzantium and counting geese. Come on, it's should be a gimme now!

I'm working on a many-con Cosplay report, as I suddenly got the urge to revisit it and found I'd missed about forty seven cons. Okay, so it wasn't suddenly. Animania did Con Ja Nai this weekend and I, much to my dismay, missed the costume contest. I saw Sen to Chihiro, subtitled this time. It's amazing...the translation was almost identicaly, but it was practically a different movie. Wonderful, even more wonderful than before.

Guh! It's getting late! I have to go to class!

2002-10-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

Genki ni narimasu...

Well, I've been ill. I don't know what to say. I've rea and finished Their Eyes Were Watching God, which I found very enjoyable. I've got to figure out what I'm going to say about some Hamlet solilquy and talk about it on Monday (Welcome back to school!). I saw Spirted Away again in one of my "I'm feeling alive for this few hours, let me do something!" moments. Even better the second time. I even got to hang out with Ed and Steph again (the day before)...see, over the weekend I had this "I'm better now" thing...then I had this "wooo, get hit by the flu train" thing. I'm just getting over that thing. I was able to go into school today to tak my test. It was pretty rough, but at the same time, it felt good to be out. I felt like I did really well. I know I got 30/25 on the kanji part. Sensei graded it.

Well, I'm gonna play some Sims. Even if I'm sitting, I'm determined to avoid the couch for a few hours.

A'ight y'all. outies.

2002-10-09T14:31:00.000-04:00

I Have Magic Powers!

Just pimping explodingdog.com again. And if you didn't get the email, but were harassed by some asshat who decided to log into my AIM account and mess with people...It wasn't me!...damn, this keyboard is sticky!

2002-10-07T00:53:00.000-04:00

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi

Verdict:

Oh. My. God.

2002-10-05T23:12:00.000-04:00

Critical Acclaim!

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikaushi, translated to Spirited Away, is getting AMAZING reviews. Press! Good press! Bring on the money for Miyazaki's films! Give me Totoro and Kiki on DVD!

More later.

2002-10-01T11:47:00.000-04:00

My Record Collection Can Beat Up Your Record Collection!

Thank the ever-beautiful Cat and Girl for the title. Cat and Girl kicks bunches and bunches of ass. Anyway, this is more of an addendum to the last post than a new post. I forgot several things:

1.) My little brother (Nick, not Pato) has purchased a hamster, and it is adorable. Part of my excitiment comes from the fact that's it's a fat cute furball and I like fat cute furbally things.
2.) I purchased A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius for the Kick-Ass Book Club and have so far read the intro. I am so going to love this book.
3.) The manga MARS is very good. It's mushy relationship stuff, to be sure, but when it's done well, you can't deny it's moving. Like Kare Kano, you know? Well, MARS is pretty good. read it!
4.) Finally, I remember what I originally wanted and planned on titling the last blog, but blanked when I sat down to write it. It was a wonderful song from the 70's that applies very nicely to today, especially since the next line is "We're already overcrowded from your dirty little war." Go political statements! Stop being gungho about the Iraqi War! Stop trying to be like your dad!

Ahem. That's as politcal I'll get in the blog.

2002-09-30T13:51:00.000-04:00

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

Other titles I was thinking of using for this blog:
"What's Your Number?"
Post-Prophetic Fortune Cookies
A Veritable Plethora of Antlers
&tc

Well, it's been fun since, well, a week ago. There goes my plan of being more consistent. Well, I guess six days is more consistent than twelve days. Watch my next post be in three days. I'll keep posting in increments of one half less time until I'll be posting every nano second, like that girl from NeiA Under 7 (Chiaki Komatsu). Sweet. My being able to make that NeiA Under 7 reference means that I have, indeed, seen some of NeiA Under 7. Well, at least the first DVD. It's kooky and I love it. Just to give ya'll an idea of the kookiness...It's a comedy, made by the people to did Serial Experiments Lain. Lain + comedy = KOOKY! and GOOD!

Okay. Speaking of good things I've seen of late, there are two that I can think of. 1.) Blood: the Last Vampire. It's very short, and very good. You know what's lacking in a lot of film today? Open-ended stories. Granted, I like exhaustively-explored stories...I love Nausicaa. But I also dig the stories that leave something to be told, while at the same time telling a whole story. If you don't get what I'm saying, go watch Blood. Be warned, oh you who may be queasy, it's about vampires, and that means there's a lot of blood. Being splattered all over the place. Lots of blood also correlates with lots of people dying. So, take that as you will.

2.)Gattaca. Mmmm. I love me a good distopia. I love me a good old-school sci-fi. I really love me a good old-school distopian sci-fi. I really love me a good Gattaca. It's gorgeous! It's well-written! There's no gene for the human spirit! It's Gattaca!

Thirdly and finally, going back to the titles, specifically the one referring to fortune cookies, I refound an old friend today. Back when I worked at Barnes & Noble, I regularly worked with a tres cool chick by the name of Andria Kuelske. We were buddies and hung out and were offended when customers interrupted our conversations. Well, Andria left B&N, but we still hung out, and she became Andria Philippe and had a very cute baby by the name of Yves. Then, we lsot contact and I head she moved to California with baby and husband Rene. I was sad. I couldn't find her email address. I couldn't be in touch with her! Then, sitting at a cafe in Ann Arbor with Shaun and Chris, I looked out the window and saw Rene. "HEY!" I shouted. I looked through the group of people he was walking with and saw Andria. "HEY!!!" I shouted again, and ran outside. Excitment of excitments! Andria and Rene and Yves have moved back to Michigan! And they live right near Shaun! WOOOOOT! Later that evening, Shaun, Chris, Laura, and I went out to Chinese. My fortune cookie was kinda kooky: Long absent friends will come back into your life.

I completely kid you not.

Well, anybody who emaioled me, I will email you soon, I swear. Also, go see this site. It is the most consistently HILARIOUS thing I've ever seen in my life,especially the StrongBad Emails.

A One that is Not Cold, Is Scarcely a One at All.

2002-09-24T20:02:00.000-04:00

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died

WARNING: THIS BLOG WILL BE HUGE. You'll have to forgive my prolonged lack of blogging. It's been crazy busy this weekend. Why? Mainly, Steph and Ed are now partaking of their wedding bliss. No, not because of their wedded bliss, but because they had to get married to partake of said bliss. And weddings zap away one's time. Of course, I'm not going to even complain in comparison to say, the maid of honor or the couple themselves...but being involved at all does take a bit out of you.

Friday was the bachelorette party, which was lots of fun. The place we ate, Camp Ticonderoga, had lots and lots of antlers and other horns all over the place. Veritable chandeliers of antlers! Ivory Tusk gateways! Goat heads! Also, it took them forever to bring me my fish and chips >_<* After eating and the opening of raunchy gifts, we headed down to the Rochester Mills Beer Company, wherein those not driving would celebrate by drinking what I am told is good alcohol. I was not planning on drinking, or even wanting to try or anything. They still almost didn't let me in. Steph finally knocked sense into their heads. "Hello, she's in the wedding party!" I was happy with my Coke, which was all I wanted anyway.

Saturday was the Rehearsal. It was kooky and fun, and everyone was silly as is common in wedding rehearsals. The Rehearsal dinner (more of a lunch, really) was shortly after, and it was splendiferous. Dim Sum, people! I bloated myself probably beyond capacity, but it was so tasty. I was given by Stephenie a beautiful edition of Rudyard Kipling's Collected Stories with engraved bookmarks. Thanks, Steph, if you're reading this wherever your undisclosed location is.

The Wedding was absolutely gorgeous. As Ann said and was oft repeated, Steph was "trailing clouds of glory" and Ed looked quite the gentleman in his tux. The place, the historic Holly Hotel, was also very beautiful. Dinner was very tasty (chicken baklava!) It was lovely lovely lovely. And I feel my continued pratter would only make it seem less than it was.

Before the wedding was also massively crazy. Billy Collins came, and he signed my book! He was great. The Emily Dickinson poem is one of my new favorites. Isn't it grand? Thomas Lynch introduced Collins, which was a double-whammy of coolness! Since my last post I have read As You Like It and John Lennon: In His Own Write. Both were enjoyed...in very different ways. There's not much more to Lennon's book than enjoying its silliness, which is obviously not the same as Shakespeare. But they were both fun.

Whoosh! Forgive the rocket speed. Unless you want this post to be longer, this will have to do! I will try and be more consistent in the future. Sumimasen to Ja ne!

2002-09-16T13:42:00.000-04:00

Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes

First, her tippet made of tulle,
easily lifted off her shoulders and laid
on the back of a wooden chair.

And her bonnet,
the bow undone with a light foward pull.

Then the long white dress, a more
complicated matter with mother-of-pearl
buttons down the back,
so tiny and numerous that is takes forever
before my hands can part the fabric,
like a swimmer's divind the water,
and slip inside

You will want to know
that she was standing
by an open window in an upstairs bedroom,
motionless, a little wide-eyed
looking out at the orchard below,
the white dress puddled at her feet
on the wide-board, hardwood floor.

THe complexity of women's undergarments
in nineteenth-century America
is not to be waved off,
and I proceeded like a polar explorer
through clips, clasps, and mooring,
catches, straps, and whalebone stays,
sailing toward the iceberg of her nakedness.

Later, I wrote in a notebook
it was like riding a swan into the night,
but, of course, I cannot tell you everything--
the way she closed her eyes to the orchard,
how herhair tumbled free of its pins,
how there were sudden dashes
whenever we spoke.

What I can tell you is
it was terribly quiet in Amherst
that Sabbath afternoon,
nothing but a carriage passing the house,
a fly buzzin in a windowpane.

So I could plainly hear her inhale
when I undid the very top
hook-and-eye fastener of her corset

and I could hear her sigh when finally it was unloosed,
the way some readers sigh when they realized
that Hope has feathers,
that Reason is a plank,
that Life is a loaded gun
that looks right at you with a yellow eye.

--Billy Collins

2002-09-08T22:51:00.000-04:00

Sitting at My Computer Desk After a Weary Workshift, I Listen to my Favorite Band and Write this Blog

The title was brought to you per inspiration of theBilly Collins' poem, "Reading an Anthology of Chinese Poems of the Sung Dynasty, I Pause to Admire the Length and Clarity of Their Titles." You should read Billy Collins. I totally dig him. Not to mention he's coming to OU Friday! Rock!

I like my classes a lot. I'm rather fond of Ranguroa-Sensei,and I have two classes with him. Modern Lit will be a lot a lot of reading, but it'll be good. Lit as Discovery will also be rocking.

Pato is annoying me because he's playing his guitar so loudly I can't hear my music. Grr.

Anyway. They totally redid the OC Cafeteria, and I'm down with what they did. Adding a little class is never a bad thing! Also, Bumpers got a DDR machine. ^____^.

I had a mean winning streak going at Yahoo! Pool, but now I've been losing like mad >_<

2002-09-04T10:50:00.000-04:00

The Blog is Famous!

I bet all you friends of mine who read this on a regular basis wouldn't think so, but it is! Go to MegaTokyo and read Seraphim's post...fourth paragraph down...that's right! That's my blog! Remember that?!? DOOOOD! *faints, gets up, goes to school*

By the way, a humongo thanks to the observant Mr. Gamemaster Edward Sir for noticing it!

2002-09-03T12:49:00.000-04:00

Like They Legs All Broke?

Whew! What a rush! It always seems like all of the exhaustion and business of summer crushes down on you in the one weekend before school starts. In the past week, I have: missed a doctor's appointments due to my absent-mindedness; attended a dentist appointment wherin I found, unbeliveably, I am cavity-less; listened to Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head all the way through at least twelve times; visiting and explored most of the DIA, wherein I saw Warhols and Riverias up close; visited and explored most of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, wherein I saw Picassos and Ansel Adamses up close; got my hair cut short (hallelujah!); made both chocolate oatmeal cookies and snickerdoodles; bought his-and-her roleplaying dice for TJ and Merrilyn for their wedding; went to work at 8 AM on Saturday!; attended TJ and Merrilyn's wedding (which was gorgeous and which Shaun and I were both all dresed up for); attended TJ and Merrilyn's reception at Dave and Buster's (which was very fun as Shaun and I ran around taking artsy photos with the instant cameras); and, today, fixed my index page so you can get to the Links page! If that weren't enough, School starts tomorrow! *falls over*

2002-08-29T00:34:00.000-04:00

I'm Gonna Buy a Gun and Start a War

Noble readers, Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head is out, and due to the wonderfulness of a certain Herr Gilroy, despite my college-induced poverty, in my possession! All I have to say is, it's beautiful. It shows some maturity from the last album, which is both very good and kinda sad at the same time. Sometimes the simplicity of a less mature album is missed. Anyway. Like the last album, it is full of lyrically beautiful and provoking songs. The old tunes of lost and unnoticed love return, along with love found and statements of more politkal nature (wink wink nudge nudge to those who have the CD already) I like it a lot, and am probably going to listen to is tonight when I'm reading before I go to bed...for the fourth time today. It's good.

Jorge Luis Borges is also quite good.

2002-08-26T23:36:00.000-04:00

I Knew He'd Look Normal!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ben Leland is in the building!

In other news, Amelie is a darned good movie, A Rush of Blood to the Head comes out in 24 minutes, and half the DIA is closed down for repairs.

2002-08-24T13:05:00.000-04:00

Nanda?

Hmm...

2002-08-23T00:54:00.000-04:00

I Slept with My Sister, and like to wear Diaaaaaperrrrs

Jerry Springer: the Opera exists, and according to NPR, is quite good. Apparently it uses the conext of a Jerry Springer show to postmodernly explore good and evil, and the moral nature of mankind. It's doing swimmingly in the UK. In other news, I really hate the ACLU. You know why it's necessary to single out the theory of evolution? Because the textbooks don't treat it like a theory. That's why it's in there. The sticker says nothing about creation, it just says, "Hey, kids, this books treats a theory as though it is fact" It even says to freaking consider it with an open mind. Isn't that what the ACLU is supposed to be about? Open mind and free speech? The Bill of Rights states freedom of religion, and ACLU spends most of its time fighting any thing that is in any way, shape, or form Christian. Not even a single drop of Christianity can get past the ACLU, but they'll fight for other religious freedom. This is a good fight, but let's not be two-faced. Simply because a religion is in the majoroty does not mean it should be attacked. It has the same rights as any other religion, okay? Damn.

Geez, people are in the hospital all over the place! Send your prayers out to Steph, who's recently had back surgery (it'll help her be able to walk, though, which is wonderful!), and my manager and cool-person, Sam, who has come down with viral menangitis. Ouch. Well, I'm going to bed. Got lots of running around to do tomorrow

2002-08-21T15:39:00.000-04:00

Hey, do you like Bran Muffins?

Still on muffins, but I forgot to give credit to the past two blog titles. Thank you, Muffinfilms! It's pure genius. I added three pictures to Shadowrun . Go look!

2002-08-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

Muffins are for the People!

Added a bit of flare to the site. Also, yesterday evening I finished The Red Tent. It was quite a good book. I'd have to do some heavy thinking about it, though, or discussion or something before I give a spiel. In other news, Coldplay has a new CD coming out August 27th!

2002-08-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

I want YOU to Curb Your Consumption!

Yeah!. Thank you, adbusters! Not that I agree with more than half of what you say, but hey, half is better than nothing.

2002-08-19T01:51:00.000-04:00

God Didn't Want them to Slap Each Other With Fishes!

Wow! Bet you didn't see it coming...the site has been completely revamped! Even the blog gets a new template, to reflect the blockiness of the fancy new Lost to Normalcy! Lots of stuff has happened, so I'm going to fast foward. Met Shaun's parents. Met Christian and Ann. Had exciting lunch buffet at Rangoli with Christian, Ann, and Shaun, as well as Katie and Ben and Ann and Jeff. I even had hommous today!

2002-08-08T23:45:00.000-04:00

Half-Dog-Demons = Sexy

Inu-Yasha! *dies*

I've been gone for a while, I know. A lot has happened, so forgive me. On the morning of my 19th birthday, we got a call that our great-Aunt Mary Lou had died. She was very special to all of us, so that took a good chunk out of our week, preparing and going to the funeral. Just thought you'd like to know. Out

2002-07-31T14:30:00.000-04:00

Samurai Nudity

I've decided to come up with more creative titles. It makes life so much more exciting. Today's title is from CapAlert. It was on their scorecard against the new Austin Powers flick. I relaly shouldn't be so amused by fundamentalists. We are all brothers and sisters or some shit like that.

Well, today I went welding chowder shopping. I won't say what I got, because I've heard the soon-to-be-married read this page every now and then. I would have liked to get something more impressive, but somehow all of my money has completely disappeared. So it is a poor college student welding gift. Alas.

I just finished reading Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson. It was very good. Painful and thought-provoking. I have an essay brewing inside me about the similarities and differences between it and Till We Have Faces, but I would have to reread both of them, and my reading pile is far too large.

Speaking of reading, I just got the book list for school. Eleven books for my Modern Lit Class alone! Shhhhheeeee-it! Many. THankfully, I can get most at Borders. It's still going to run me somewhere arond $300 for all my books. Crapola.

Anyway, my birthday is Friday! Happy Birthdayto me! I'll be legal in Canada!

2002-07-27T01:55:00.000-04:00

Eee.

Oh. My. God.

2002-07-24T12:53:00.000-04:00

Deep Thoughts

From the mouth of Tycho, of Penny-Arcade fame: "Before I get underway, I want to make something perfectly clear: The dreams one has after playing Dance Dance Revolution, Eternal Darkness, and Warcraft III in rapid succession are beyond harrowing. I thought I was losing my f***ing mind."

The mental image of what such a dream may entail is beyond hilarious.

2002-07-24T00:32:00.000-04:00

How Could I Forget?

In the wake of my own cat attack, I forgot about Tony's. The ending of Strings of Fate, Part 1 is so squealy and wonderful. I love it to pieces!

Argh! How DOES she do it?

2002-07-23T22:03:00.001-04:00

meh...why did it double-post, I wonder?

2002-07-23T22:03:00.000-04:00

Attacked by Lirael

Not the book, the cat. See, the kittens we have outside, one of them is black with brown eyes, the rest of them are Clayr-like with their lightness and their light eyes. Hence, with a Mogget, the name Lirael for the black one was a no brainer. Lirael and I have developed a bit of a bond. She's not really scared of me, and lets me pet her. Well, today, I decided to try and pick her up, since I've been petting her for about three or four days now. She was fine for a second, then she realized she was in my hands and clawed her way out of them, leaving a very inconvenient scratch on my wrist and the side of my right hand. It doesn't hurt, but it looks worse than it is. ANd don't worry, I've bathed it in peroxide and washed it with antibacterial soap several times over. Beyond that, not much has happened. Shaun is starting a Shadowrun game mainly for his brother and I will be joining it, so I've been working on my character. I like her lots. She's Japanese. ^___^

2002-07-18T03:38:00.000-04:00

Grr.

Robot Template was being snarky. Have changed it. Alas.

2002-07-18T03:34:00.000-04:00

The Prodigal Tenenbaums

It's late. But I feel like my late-night has been well-spent. Shaun came over earlier today, and I rented The Royal Tenenbaums because I liked it when I saw it in the theatres, but wanted to see it again, and Shaun hadn't seen it. Well, instead of watching the movie, Shaun and I went kitty-hunting, since the kittens were prowling around the backyard. I decided I wanted to watch it anyway, since I paid for it, and I'll have to return it before he can come to watch it again.

Anyway, I feel as though I entirely missed everything the movie is the first time I saw it. It was a dark yet funny and hopeful look into a dysfunctional family. The cost of perfectionism and overachieving. It was really good, I liked it. When I watched it this time, I saw it in a completely different light. Think the Prodigal Son, only make it the whole family sitting in the pig slop. Each Tenenbaum had strayed so far from what they could have been, what they were going to be, for decent reasons to be sure, but they weren't where they ought to have been. They were miserable. And nobody was doing anything to help it...rather, they were getting together to have one big pity-party. When all of a sudden, with the loss of any shred of family and dignity, Royal looks up and says what basically translates to, "Do not my father's servants eat better than this?"

The solution isn't quick, and the realization isn't nearly the end of the issues facing the Tenenbaums. But, as Royal sees the light, his family does, too; and even the hardest hearts suck it in and go back home. And the scariest part is, if they waited a few days, it would have been too late.

Watching the ending scenes of Tenenbaums, truly crying (which hasn't happened since Moulin Rouge) was a shout from the sky along the lines of, "Hey, it's never too late until it's over."

It is an important thing to remember.

2002-07-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

Quick Update

UGH! Nothing like throwing away $90 cause you were going a wee bit too fast. Kitties are gone, but they pop back every few days. Poor Mogget! Lirael is darn good, all of you need to go read Sabriel and Lirael so you're ready for Abhorsen when it comes out in January. Cat and Girl should be read by all, especially if you quietly (or proudly) admit to being and artsy intellectual snob. I have to run errands now. Goodbye.

2002-07-08T11:38:00.000-04:00

Eating Green soybeans faster is its specialty.

Meet San-X's new creation, one that will probably never take off over here, although I wish it would. *falls into a fit of giggles*

Well, now that that's over with. One of my greatest little pleasure on earth is driving down to Shaun's on Saturday, with the sun shining, the air blowing, and Folks Like Us with Matt Watroba on the radio. I smile just thinking about it. I almost hate asking Shaun to come down here some Saturdays, but I do need to save that gas money every now and again. Well, life trucks on as usual, so catch you all some other time I've actually got something to write.

2002-07-05T00:51:00.000-04:00

Neko! Neko neko neko!

Quiz thingee!

You are Yuuki Miaka

You love food, boys, and hate studying. However, you are tying to make your family happy by tyring your hardest to do things that are too hard. Often, when things get really tough, you depend on your friends to bail you out. You trust in others to do what is best, even when they often dissappoint you. Your greatest need is loyalty, and it is also your greatest asset.

Take the "What Magic Girl are you?" Quiz

Wow, they actually made Miaka sound cool. huh. Well, I don't know the studying part, since schools and book played importantly roles in a few of my answers. Anyway. So, there are kittens and their mummy living under my shed. I don't think I'll be able to give them away. I can see them sneaking out to nibble on the food we leave. They are cute. I love them, and have named a particularly brazen one Mogget, after a badass cat in Sabriel. I have told no one in my family this, for that would mean I am attahed to them, which has dangerous implications in an already too-full house.

Mehehe. Although I think the Editing Room's abridged script of Spiderman was a little too harsh, this line kills me, there for I will leave you with it. CGI TOBEY MAGUIRE TO CGI WILLEM DEFOE "Ha ha! That's right, New York! When you let six-foot action figures kill costumed superheroes, then the terrorists have already won!"

2002-07-02T23:34:00.000-04:00

Booyaka!

That phrase is one of the truly great things to come from FFVIII, regardless of what all the 90% of the world who hates the game thinks. Anyway, two pics in Fan Art and one in Book Illustrations.

2002-07-02T22:51:00.000-04:00

Do the Dance of Unmitigated Joy!

Or at least the Bjork Happy Dance. Why? Because I own some Bjork now! Huzzah! Bjork is so cool. So is Sabriel. I just finished it and I'm immediately starting on the sequel, Lirael. Rocking-ness abounds. Shaun and I are trying to learn how to play the Pokemon CCG for Nicholas originally, but it seems like it'll be fun. I've got to make som thumbnails so I can update my site. Only a few drawings (Sabriel included), but it's something. Uuuugh. I'm having that "itch-that-itches-harder-when-you-scratch-it" on top of my foot. Grrrrrr! Go away!

Aw, yeeah, sang it, Bjork! (I've been wanting to own Bjork for quite some time).

2002-06-30T22:34:00.000-04:00

Martha Stewart is so Flattering When She Speaks Leet.

See?

Meh. I'm tired. Going to bed. Real Ultimate Power is quite funny. G'night.

2002-06-29T03:39:00.000-04:00

BWAAA!

Ah! Someone is DYING in the upcoming D101 Update! Faith said so herself. Bwaaah. Who? Dammit!

In other news, my Sims are doing well, thankyou, but I'm not very good at real-time strategy games. Give me time, you evil warlords, give me time!

2002-06-27T11:53:00.000-04:00

Andrea is...

Good morning, all. Sorry I haven't written a lot lately, there's not been very much worthy of any story. Shaun finished his story, and it is a good one. I got to hang out with Ann and Shaun most of the day yesterday, and it was fun. Ooh! I learned how to play MagiNation, so I can be a CCG geek now (always looking to further my geekdom)

More important is the crazy dream I had last night. First off, it was a Red Wings game, but it turned into an anime convention. For some reason, I was up front with all of the artists and stuff. Apparently, I was part of the panel or something. So after we won (the panel, yes, remember somehow a hockey game got melded into all of this), I was talking to everybody (noticing many strange people I know in the crowd) and someone in Battle Angel Motorball cosplay walks by. I tap her shoulder and say, "Kishiro-san?" Now, it should be noted that Yukito Kishiro (the creator of Alita) is a man, but in my dream he was a she. I don't know. So she took of the motorball helmet and was like, "Yes?" She looked suspiciously like Tochi (Strings of Fate). I got all excited and introduced myself and told her [him] how much I loved Alita, when much to my surprise, she told me she was really into my comic. I don't have a comic in real life, but I've been thinking about putting the True King stories in a comic. So she was all telling me things she liked about my comic. Then I grabbed Shaun (who was posing with all the anime artists for a picture) and introduced him to Yukito Kishiro, and then we all went out for Koren food, the restaurant apparently a sauna. Then we formed a big group of people and went on a sea adventure, when the group (which no longer consisted of Kishiro or Shaun, but a bunch of ancient Chinese heroes a la Crouching Tiger) ended up in some temple that reminded me a lot of Tomb Raider, and that was how I led us out. I woke up once the group was outside the temple. The dream reminded me of a certain Return to Sender strip.

This is the game all the cool cats are playing, and it's interesting enough. Simply put "(your name) is" (keep quote marks in) into Google and see the answer to the philosophical question of what you are.

--ANDREA is established in cooperation with European Distance Education Network (EDEN)
--Andrea is involved in a newly formed group called ACRW (American Christian Romance Writers)
--Andrea is a former President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Women's National Book Association and she is its National Pannell Award Chair.
--Andrea is always fighting for her love. She has to bare a lot, but at the end she will win.
--Andrea is the youngest, as well as the shortest, of the siblings.
--Andrea is so gentle, yet so effective, that problem hair seems to fade from delicate spots along your lip line, chin, cheek or arms.
--Andrea is wederom Nederlands Kampioene Sprint!! Op de 500 meter was zij oppermachtig.
--Andrea is our incredibly talented fiddle and mandolin player.
--Andrea is a Distributed, Object Oriented Window System, with a client-server architecture.
--Andrea is a Master teacher of the Basic and Advanced Sacred Merkaba Techniques and the Golden Flower of Life Spherical Healing Techniques.

Wow, I didn't even know half of that stuff about myself. Guess I better pull out that old mandolin.

2002-06-23T01:41:00.000-04:00

Waxing Mushy

It is a good thing, to have someone like Shaun around. He makes me happy because he has such a good heart. And he's nice. And he's very cuddly and very ticklish. There are some out there who may snort derisively as I say this, but you have no reason to, because I never asked you to read my blog. So you don't have to. I know you did at one point, though, because you were willing to take potshots at me (even though you've never met me and have no idea who or what I am) and you linked back here... I'll get off that now because it didn't bother me at all. Not a bit. And I don't want to dwell on bad things, I'm waxing mushy here. Anyway...it goes further than just those with the title of "boyfriend." I don't think I would survive without people around me who I can laugh with, who will send me flowers when I'm depressed about my car and computer breaking at the same time, who will instruct in the ways of sushi, and expose me to all those movies I haven't seen yet (even if, like Shallow Grave, I don't...er...like it very much). For the silly things from blurting out random story ideas over Instant Messenger to the important things like a coffee break when I need a friend, thank you all so very much.

...I have no idea why I felt like being all soft feely. I don't really have a reason, it just seemed that though I sat down to write something else, this kinda blurted out instead. So, hope you all get the picture.

2002-06-22T12:21:00.000-04:00

Ohana Means Family!

And family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. Lilo and Stitch was good and very, very cute. It wasn't mind-blowing meaningful or life-alteringly beautiful; but it had heart and it was pretty and it was CUUUUTE. You should all go see it, I think I'd like to see it again. It was a fun story, with a little too much cheese in some places, but genuinely funny and pretty darn true-to-life as far as six-year-old girls go. Basically, Lilo is what would happen if Nick was a girl. I'll leave you with..."He used to be a collie before he got hit by a truck."

2002-06-21T00:31:00.000-04:00

Lone Panda and Cub

Shaun pointed me to a super-nifty new wallpaper. It makes me unspeakably happy. Anyway, I felt a need to write, because I've been lacking in my writage lately. It just seems that after a while I'd keep repeating the same stuff if I blogged everything that happened and such. It's summertime, and things are quiet. But there's a little to talk about, book-wise.

First off, because it's quick, Inu-Yasha volume 11 came in to the store today, so I got to read it! Everything I said before about Inu-Yasha stands. Takahashi-sama is a genius. Secondly, more importantly, any of you who care about art MUST READ Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art. It is basically like the woman walked by me one day and said, "Hey, I can see everything you want to say, and I write better than you, so why don't I write it in a book?" It is beautiful and breathtaking, and I am revelling in each moment I get to read it. It is one of those books, like Frederick Buechner's The Magnificent Defeat, that will be read over and over and over. I will leave you with an excerpt.

"All right. So it's an impossible task. But thinking about it ['Christian art'] may open new questions, new insights. And as I listen to the silence, I learn that my feelings about art and my feelings about the Creator of the Universe are inseparable. To try to talk about art and about Christianity is for me one and the same thing, and it means attempting to share the meaning of my life, what gives it, for me, its tragedy and its glory. It is what makes me respond to the death of an apple tree, the birth of a puppy, northern lights shaking the sky, by writing stories."

2002-06-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Battle Beasts!

I always mean to write that down, because I'll find out about it, then forget. Those were really cool toys!

Bow before their coolness! (He was one of my favorites)

2002-06-17T18:42:00.000-04:00

I'm Allliiiiiiiiiive!

Well, at least I"m not falling asleep on my feet. That's an improvement. I saw UHF yesterday, and it made me laugh. Here's an important note. If any of you sent me an email from June 3rd to June 12th, please resend it. My webmail server does not save old emails if your mailbox reaches capacity, which with this webmail is about 20. I get enough junk mail and dailies (word-a-day, elfwood comments, etc) that I only had mail from the last three days. Catch you later...still typing the Japan stuff.

2002-06-16T01:36:00.000-04:00

Still Blarrghfdsh

Poor Shaun. He had a tooth all dug out of his mouth this morning. Hana Yori Dango and Boys Be are both amazing shows. I'm going to be now before I fall asleep on the keyboard.