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| 2008-03-18 10:26 |
| Mushishi and Lonesome Dove |
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Finished the Mushishi anime series in less than 24 hours. That's saying a lot when you're raising a toddler. What a fantastic show.
Also finished Lonesome Dove a few weeks ago. Definitely deserved the Pulitzer. There's a lot of deep stuff about the ending that I wish I could talk to someone about. Oh well.
I'm listening to Wuthering Heights. Fantastic narrators. I read the novel quite a few times when I was younger. Another masterpiece.
With so many crummy things going on right now, I feel lucky to at least have fantastic stories to help comfort me.
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| 2008-03-02 08:00 |
| Things |
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Things I've appreciated during the past few weeks:
* Prismacolor Colored Pencils
* Le Mysterie Bra
* Drawing - I'm doing an awful lot of it lately
* They Were Eleven
* Black Blood Brothers - not a masterpiece, but I do love vampire stories
* Genshiken manga - I just finished it this week. Kind of a limp ending for such a great series, but I will miss those guys. I want to draw the picture of Madarame by the soda machine in volume 9
* Lonesome Dove - only 1 1/2 hours left to go and I'm done. Terrific writing
* Hellsing
* Amy Winehouse - still love that album
* Alive manga. Really like the illustrations
* Kaze no Yojimbo - just finished the series. Nothing earth shattering, but I'm glad I stuck through it. It was a nice change of pace
* Weather Report Girl - I could have done without the licking scenes, but the main character was so deliciously evil and funny
Okay, I'd better get back to work
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| 2008-02-07 20:49 |
| Ode to Kirihito |
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Wow! Finished the manga today. I loooooooooooove Osamu Tezuka. I also got pictures of my poor child in cupid wings and a diaper. Oh he will have his revenge when he is older, but he looks so gosh darn cute. Still slowly working on YYH. I watched the whole series around six years ago and am revisiting it. I'm just about finished with the whole Dark Tournament Arc. Okay, I'm tired. Nighty night.
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| 2008-02-05 08:31 |
| Life is Good |
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I took the day off, but I actually think I could have gone back to work today. But it seems like since I was in the emergency room a little over 24 hours ago, I should rest. I've got an unread copy of Osamu Tezuka's Ode to Kirihito and am watching Kaze no Yojimbo. Gosh, I love Tezuka! He really is a master storyteller. I actually just wrote Vertical a thank you email for all the great titles they publish. I like modern manga too, but there is something I really like about the vintage stuff. Those broad pen strokes, Disney-like bodies. . . magical. And of course, if someone still thinks it's worth publishing decades after it's been written, then it must be good. Kaze no Yojimbo - I don't think it's going to be a masterpiece, but I like it's slow, small-town mystery storytelling. I also like how the art director is the same one who did the first Saiyuki series. There are some "tricks" that he does, that I really like. They're actually probably there to cut costs, but very effective.
I just discovered a new music group The Bird and the Bee. I'll have to get the album, but I've already spent my budget for the month. Rightstuf had a great sale on ADV films and also Dark Horse publishing. I got the Hellsing series. I really like the art and want to try and draw some of his characters. It's funny, the books are rated 13 plus, but there are quiet a few f-bombs and men threaten to rape, kill, and then re-rape women. Probably not appropriate to let my kids read. It's too bad, because I know they can get the series at the public library. Hmmmm. . . kids now days are not as phased by stuff like I would have been.
The doctor gave me some Vicodin to help with the pain. I took some and I must say I'm feeling a bit loopy right now. I wouldn't want to take the stuff everyday, but I do like the warm, fuzzy feeling it gives me. I've seen people who had to take pain killers on a daily basis and I know that they can really hurt you in the long run. But I'll enjoy the feeling for today. Ahhhh. . .
I'm laying in my bed with my cats curled up around me and my dog sleeping soundly below. Baby's in daycare and husband is at work. Although I love my family, I don't get days like this too often. It sure is nice. I know I should clean the house, etc. but I'm just going to enjoy every second and RELAX. Ahhhhhhh. . .
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| 2008-02-04 16:08 |
| WTF - Avenger Ending |
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Warning - spoiler below. . .
I just don't get it. How could Nei have looked like anything BUT a girl during the entire show? I mean she wears a dress and has boobies in the closing credits. How was I supposed to think that she was gender neutral? Why does her eye change color? And why does Layla leave her? WTF?
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| 2008-02-04 12:49 |
| Anime Drinking Game |
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I was just thinking if there was a way to play a drinking game with anime. Like every time a character does this, one shot. Etc. To be honest, I have no desire to do shots. But the idea of making a drinking game sounds fun. . .
1. You cannot see person's eyes because of glare from glasses
2. Girl character says another characters name as her line (Layla-sama, Naruto-kun, etc.)
3. Wind stirs up when a character in Naruto talks about his/her bad day
4. Ice cracks in a glass
5. Characters go to a cafe and don't finish their drink
6. Girl protagonist races to school
7. Bangs block characters eyes
Hmmm. . . I'll have to add some more later on. . .
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So I had a bad sore throat Saturday night and all day Sunday. I made a doctor's appointment for Monday morning. But Sunday night it got to the point where I couldn't swallow anymore. So I drove myself to the emergency room (husband had to watch darling baby) and they took me in right away. I got steriods, antibiotics, and some other gunk put in me. My throat still hurts, but I can swallow now. I munched down an english muffin when I got home and had a big glass of Gatorade. I'll probably miss two or three days of work. I hate missing work. It's so hard getting ready for a sub. But in cases like this one, where I have no choice, it's a little easier to accept. I might have mono or strep, but it takes 2-3 days to get the results. I don't think I have mono though. I think it's strep. I just hope baby doesn't get it!!!!
The good news is all I can honestly do is lay down right now. I'm pretty weak. So I get the chance to catch up on some anime and manga. Woo hoo!
I finished the series Old Boy. I thought the ending was really lame. The reason the main character got locked up was so stupid, that I'm close to feeling ripped off. That said, the series did keep me engrossed until the end. But geez. What a lame ending.
Read volume 1 of Tezuka's Buddha. Might try to read Ode to Kirihito today. I really enjoy Tezuka's storytelling style.
The final volume of Tramps Like Us will be released in February. Maybe I should re-read the series. I wish I could bring that one to work, but the title makes it look like such an indecent book, when actually the characters are all pretty monogamous.
I'm watching Avengers right now. It's such a slow series, but I want to see how it ends. Ah, so much anime, so little time. To bad I can't inject it like the steriods they put in me this morning.
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| 2008-01-27 18:59 |
| Another Good Turn for Mother Earth |
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I'm trying hard to be eco-friendly. I know that China's building a new coal factory everyday, so maybe my little bit won't help all that much, but at least I can say I tried. I'm using canvas bags at the grocery store instead of plastic and instead of plastic water bottles (which I did recycle), I'm using a water filter. Our lightbulbs are all just about the low energy kind. It's a good start for the New Year.
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| 2008-01-26 23:43 |
| My Beautiful Girl Mari |
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I finally got around to watching this film. Although I didn't quite understand everything, I enjoyed it and the ending made me really sad. Nobody died or anything, it was just a loss of childhood sadness sort of ending. I watched it while also playing with my son, so I'm sure I missed out on some important details. But it's a film that definitely haunts me.
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| 2008-01-26 07:24 |
| Elmo's World and Super Rightstuf Sale |
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Super cool thing for parents: They have an online site called Elmo's World that has Seasame Street games and videos for kids. I am NOT one for putting my kid in front of a TV, but five minutes of Elmo singing sure makes him happy.
My older sister is making me design a fairy on Disney's fairy site. Then I have to share it with her. Sigh.
Rightstuf is having a 25 dvds for $100 sale. I'm glad I ordered when I did. It looks like everything's sold out. I'm bummed I can't access the site from work or I might have had a slightly better selection, but I got some goodins'. The comnplete Madlax, This Ugly and Beautiful World, Kaleido Star: New Wings, and Yugo the Negiotiator. I also got Little Plastic, Burn Up, Elicia, Area 88 OVA, and Weather Report Girl. I wish have could have gotten the complete Ghost Stories, but that's okay. I did pretty well. That's $4 per licensed, legitamate DVD, including shipping and handling and there's no tax.
Boy they sure got cleaned out quickly though. It's like everyone was chomping at the bit for the next sale. Well, it was a pretty kick ass sale.
I know the shows I got aren't going to be remembered as classics, but they'll be fun to add to my collection. Gads I love online shopping. ^_~
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| 2008-01-24 06:07 |
| Air and Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms |
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I watched an episode or two of Air quite a few years back and thought it was lame. I've given it another chance since it got so many good reviews with the ADV release and I have to say that I'm hooked. What a sweet story. I don't want to spend the money buying individual dvds of it right now (sorry anime industry) because I've just splurged on updating my manga library, but I will keep an eye out for it when it comes in a thinpack.
I'm also reading Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms. It's a lot like when I read MW in the sense that I keep stopping and re-reading just because I'm so blown away by the art and storytelling. I'm trying to savor it. It's also a lot like MW in the sense that the artwork didn't initially grab me, but once I got used to it, I realized how poetic and beautiful it was. STrongly recommended.
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| 2008-01-20 09:49 |
| The Awakening |
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I finished Kate Chopan's The Awakening. I hadn't read that since college. I really felt for the main character, but I don't get why she did what she did at the end. She had lots of other ways out. It seems like at the heart of it, she didn't want to go on living without Robert? But then she confessed to herself that she knew she would have fallen out of love with him too. I don't know. It just doesn't seem like she was "trapped". After all, she moved out of her house, left her children with her mother-in-law, and had become a successful painter with friends of her own. What else did she want? Once again, I feel sorry for her and I know there was more going on. . . but I just don't think she had to do it.
I started Lonesome Dove. I saw the mini-series when I was a wee child and loooooved it. The book is fanastic so far. I can see why it won the Pulitzer. What a fantastic storyteller.
I watched volume 1 of Master Keaton. It's not something that I feel inclined to rush through, but I sure like the character designs (although it's a bit confusing at times because I'm also reading Monster).
Baby is sleeping. He woke up really grumpy today and so he's getting an early nap. It actually works out well since we're going out for lunch at Bucca di Beppo with the family later. I think I should try and get some sleep too.
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| 2008-01-16 18:23 |
| I Love Things! |
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I've been reading so many great manga series this week:
Emma, After School Nightmare, Girls High School, Loki Ragnarok, Yotsuba&, Monster. . .
I also am being good about drinking my green tea.
Steel cut oats rock.
That's all I have time for today.
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Crap. I really like Air TV. I want to be against moe because it's on such a slippery slope to nastiness, but it's just so darn cute and comforting.
Moe Titles I like:
Card Captor Sakura
Kamichu
Azumanga Daioh
Strawberry Marshmallow (the anime)
Air TV
To Heart
Jubei Chan (is that moe?)
Bottle Fairies (okay - I'm ashamed to admit that one)
Koi Kaze
Saikano
I also liked When They Cry, but I stopped watching it because I knew Geneon wouldn't be able to finish it (sob)
There's probably more, but I need to go now.
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Finished the first week of school in the New Year. I think I have bronchitis (sp?). My throat really hurts and I can barely speak. The kids were really good about the fact that it was hard for me to speak though. Only two weeks until the new semester and then I'll get new kids in 4 of my classes. I'll miss my 2, 3, and 4th period kiddos, but to be honest, I'll be glad to have a new 5th period group. I actually like all of the kids in that class, but it's just a bad combination of talkers. That said, they get their work done and none of them are failing - so they're not horrible. And they're no rude either. Just chatters.
A whole weekend off. But it's not a weekend off when you have a toddler. I just want to curl up on the couch and veg. Oh well - I guess that's not healthy anyway right?
I got the new Kate Nash album. Not as good as Lily Allen, but fun. I also got the soundtrack for Juno. Fun.
Reading Old Boy, High School Girl, Tactics, and Sugar Sugar Rune right now.
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I'm rewatching Yu Yu Hakush this week. I doubt I'll be able to finish the entire series, although I want to. Hiei has always been my favorite character - but I'm reminded of what a cool character Kuwabara is. Although he isn't pretty on the eyes, he has such a good heart. He listens to his older sister's advice and always tries to do what's just. I like that straight and narrow personality in him. Makes me happy.
Here's an incomplete list of some of my favorite characters:
Koinosuke from Jubei-chan
Hiei from YYH
Puck from Berserk
Kuwabara from YYH
Wolfram from KKM
Lina from Slayers
Schmendrick from Last Unicorn
Rin from Inuyasha
Noriko and Kazumi from Gunbuster
Mayura from Loki
Duck from Princess Tutu
Goku from Saiyuki
Yurie from Kamichu
Ichiro from Nerima Daikon Brothers
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Finished Lunar Park. I dont' understand why some critics call it scary. Yes, icky things happen, but I was never scared. The ending was pretty, but overall, I don't think I could recommend it to someone to read. James Van Der Beek (did I spell that right?) did a great job narrating the book. It turns out that Ellis actually requested that VanDer Beek do the project. Good choice. Would like to pontificate more about the book but dear son is out of bananas and wants more. ^_~
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It's raining hard today and should stay that way until the weekend.
I got anthropologie's spring catalog today. If I were rich, I would buy so much more of their clothes. I loooove the look of their catalog and the design of their clothes.
Watched a few episodes of YYH today and if I'm lucky I'll either watch Wedding Peach or Master Keaton tonight. Probably won't happen though.
Started reading the manga High School Girls. To be honest, I enjoyed the anime more. But I'll give it a chance. There was a special for a 6-pack, so I got the first 6 volumes.
Didn't do much cleaning today. I just feel so beat. The problem is I know when I get lazy, it usually doesn't help to relax. Sloth begets sloth.
But it did feel good to curl up underneath a blanket and watch YYH with the rain pouring outside. I honestly don't remember the last time I did that. . .
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Husband put down a wood floor in my office. It looks so fantastic. I spent all day yesterday organizing my manga and tidying things up. I keep peeping in the room to admire it. Over the past two years the space had really gotten cluttered and unorganized. Now my manga is proudly on display. Woo hoo!
I know some countries have a great tradition of cleaning their houses before the new year - that way they start everything out nice and neat. Yes, it's after the New Year, but heck. . . I'm motivated. Let's see what else I can accomplish today. So far I've started by organizing the closet. (A HUGE job!!!!!)
Finished Osamu Tezuka's MW yesterday. Wow. That book really kept me glued. I know it's a good book if I can find time to read it despite the fact that I have a little toddler to watch. The ending was a bit of a let down, but overall I really appreciated the book. I've got Ode to Kirihito to read next, but I think I'll take a little bit of a break. I'm reading Azumanga Daioh and will probably strat Monster #5 or After School Nightmare #5 today. (If I have time with all the cleaning I want to do.)
I definitely have to take the poor dog out for a long walk today. I got kind of lazy and she hasn't been exercised properly in about a week. Sorry doggy! The good news is she's had me home because of Winter Break, but still. . . she needs more time outdoors.
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Heck. I'm trying to improve myself every day, but here's a basic outline of goals for 2008:
1. Finish my novel
2. Walk like I did in the summer
3. Work out for 30 minutes after work every day with a combination of yoga and weight training
4. Clean a little bit of the house every day
5. Start running again
6. Lose weight (of course)
7. Sell some of my crap on ebay
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