Friday: 8-9-02 ~ Pay attention to the details...

I went to a specialist in cosmetic and reconstruction surgery to discuss a breast reduction for myself. The best procedure based upon my current size and my desired new results is listed below. But first it's important to understand the following:the nipple has a significant blood vessel attached to it. Incisions are made entirely around the nipple/areole, skin & tissue is moved from around it... then the nipple (still attached but now free standing) is raised, and remaining skin & tissue is sewn back together. Incisions are around the entire nipple, and will have remaining scars in a vertical line from the bottom of the nipple, that then connects into a semi-circle curving with the bottom of each breast.

So an analogy would be like, the nipple is a flower, the blood vessel connected to it acts as a stem, and the surrounding tissue are leaves pruned back, then using gardening wire, rebundled into a new shape.

For now I'm mulling it over, though we are trying to go ahead and see if the insurance WILL pay for it. The procedure is covered, but it has to meet all the stupid prerequistes the insurance company has.



Thursday: 8-8-02 ~ Riches to Robbing...

I found this amusing. Christina of Sweden, 1626-1654, was Queen of Sweden from 1632. She left her throne behind her and pursued a life of swash-buckling and adventure. I found the info at BabyNamer.com. They had composed a list of female names of swash-bucklers and adventurers.



Thursday: 8-8-02 ~ Reading Rainbow

I haven't been on much the last few days. I've been far too ensconsced with my nose in several books. I have now finished Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Summers at Castle Auburn (which I had picked up randomly on a whim... and enjoyed the writing of and the quiet love story), and now am half way through the latest book in Tara K. Harper's WolfWalker Series. When that book is done, I have Neil Gaiman's American Gods waiting patiently for me.

My parents should be picking me up tonight, since I have an early appointment tomorrow with the specialist I'm seeing regarding the possibility of me undergoing a breast reduction. I have certainly NOT made up my mind yet, but I do want to explore the possibility. Especially since I'll only be on my parent's insurance for another year, and the insurance will cover reductions.

I'll also be going out to do my grocery shopping, find some ceramic plates suitable for making into fanart gifts, and pick up a few things for S-con, being held as a birthday celebration at my apartment this weekend for SailorDot.

I'm feeling much better, and am actualyl quite surprised at myself. Graduate school has somewhat killed the joy I had once had for reading. So for me to be on a reading rampage like this... is highly unusual for any but my most favorite of authors, Mercedes Lackey.

Somehow the long dead writing muse in me appears to be awakening once again with a variety of original fiction ideas and concepts that beg to be written. But I hate leaving things unfinished, and am instead trying to re-read the continuing fics not yet completed of mine that I have been writing. Mainly I'm re-reading, and trying to get myself back into the style of writing and story-telling I had adopted for that story. So with luck, the next installment of one of my numerous fics may be forthcoming.



Tuesday: 8-6-02 ~ A prince?

There are days when a random act... can do much for boistering one's spirits, and or restoring one's faith in mankind. DarkFax has yet again randomly surprised me at work with a brief international phone call. Not only are those random calls much appreciated, but they give me quite a bit of joy. But I fail to understand how the baka would rather read a book on a wrestler instead of reading books 1-3 of Harry Potter. Like those of his gender, I do fear he's a bit daft in some regards. Ah well, no one can be perfect.





Tuesday: 8-6-02 ~ The Saga Continues...

Just when you think things could not deteriorate further... they do. >_< Lycaon and I arrive at the restaraunt at the designated time... but the rest of our party hasn't shown. Nearly an hour later, fed up we go ahead and get a table for ourselves. Thirty minutes later they show up. Wanting us to get a table together... but we had already gone through our appetizer and knew oour food would be out in a matter of a few minutes, so we declined.

Just when the alcohol from my daiquiri kicks in and my tension starts draining away from the topsy-turvy day, and all the stress trying to arrange this outing has caused... things get worse again. Due to bad directions, the last and finally member of our outing shows up... thirty minutes later than the rest of them, and rightfully bitches. But the bitching, dampened my enjoyment of the meal. The food was good, but the atmosphere absolutely STUNK.

I come home to see a notice that the a/c will be offline tomorrow for repairs... which is not a thought I relish in a Texas summer. I go to take my shower... and the ceiling above the shower is leaking, and detriorating from the neighbors above us.

This was just one of those days, I don't think I ever should have left bed. Oh and did I mention I was having nightmares regarding "8-legged freaks" specifically one creature and its mate. And I have not, nor do I desire to see that movie... *screams*





Monday: 8-5-02 ~ Retrograde...

So, as I'm in the midst of closing down procedures at work, I get a call from Lycaon. He asks me if it will be ok for him to catch a ride with me and another one of our friends since that friend is picking me up. I told him that "gee it would be nice if someone told me these things." Since I hadn't heard of this at all, but went ahead and hurried close-out so I could get home and change/dress up/fix hair & do make-up since the possibility of doing some business type networking was strong, and I wanted to look like a professional seeming representative of Ushicon.

So Lycaon and I wait.. and wait... and guess what, nope what the previous people had said was wrong, the one group of friends assumed the other party was getting us and vice versa. So we're screwed over. I was a bit irked and down from the early events of the day... but after hearing that someone was coming to get me... and then being let down again... I'm really just fed up. If Lycaon wasn't over here I probably would have broke down into tears >_< I was really hurt by it all.

Granted Lycaon and I have now made our own plans to go to Cheesecake Factory and we're now meeting up with the others there. Eventhough there were misunderstandings and confusion... and I realize that... everything just really enforces the entire feeling of disregard I have been experiencing lately. It's not that I'm mad, because I'm not. But I'm hurt by the apparent lack of consideration. I don't make assumptions when it comes down to someone being able to join us or not is dependent on someone else. I make *CERTAIN* they have a means to come. I don't assume, I don't go on old information, I verify and validate.

I hate having to vent like this, but right now, this pita is the only sympathetic ear I can access. Even the friends I'm not upset with I can't reach...

- .... .. ... / -... -.-- - . ...



Monday: 8-5-02 ~ Monday Blues...

I spent yesterday cleaning... and for all the cleaning I did in the long run it doesn't look like much. Although at least I managed to finally get rid of the mineral deposit stains on the tub and shower curtain. Took me nearly 2 hours of work to do so. Bleh.

I also spent over half an hour doing dishes. The sad thing is most of them weren't from me or my roomie. Our apartment partially do to its size and location, tends to be the central hanging out and meeting point for our combined circle of friends. Why we don't mind having them over... I will be sending e-mails off their way hoping to make them more aware of the workload they are leaving us. Such as not picking up their trash, leaving dishes all over, etc. Although Angie and I have felt a touch... taken for granted their. Some people regardless of asking us first just say let's do this there. -_-

I'm planning to work on the rest of the cleaning on and off this week. I'll be going through my clothes to see what needs to be donated, and going through my anime collection to see what I can live without. I have a number of items I need to try to sell off via EBAY or my website. I'll be getting rid of some of my fansubs (including stuff already licensed over here). I won't be publicizing this outside of my pita and circle of friends... and will want a modest $2.50 a tape + shipping/handling. So look here for the list of 'subs I'll be "liquidating" soon.

I have to admit I've been in a bit of a funk lately. I feel... disregarded and taken for granted by several friends. Which doesn't help considering I'm already ... disappointed over the situation here at work.

I bet you're wondering.. what situation at work. Well, our new manager has been driving me absolutely NUTTY. He switched us to military time. Wanted us to even post lab hours to our users in military time. Despite my bad knee and leg injury is wanting me to run errands all over campus. He wrote me up over a minor transgression that was an honest mistake on my part, and failed to write up others for more serious problems. (Across the board in the lab he manages).

What was the transgression? I had sent an e-mail expressing to the employees in this lab that fianls were over with, and that there was no need to open up the classroom labs. I never said anything about having the labs closed. In other words, I was telling them to open up the other labs (meaning the classroom labs, outside of the open lab). I fully admit, upon re-reading the e-mail I sent, I could understand that there was confusion. But the one employee understood it, the other instead of asking me, asked upper mangement and got me written up because I attempted to close all labs without authority -_-. Bakayarou.

This "trouble" headache type employee of mine is thankfully now GONE. But here's the other reason I'm depressed: he got the job over me I had been promised. So not only did he get a promotion, but went up twice in rank. Someone hinted that they're not certain if the tidbits of conversation they overheard, applies to him or not, but it appears he was raising such a legal ruckus, that he was promoted so he could fail. Even if this is true (and I reiterate this is only a supposition of rumor), I'm miffed and depressed. This entire summer it's as if all of the efforts I go through have been taken for granted at work by management.

I count my blessings that my current manager will not be my manager for much longer. There should be a new manager position opening to take care of the two labs on this side of the campus. I'm hoping and praying that the new management is... far less anal retentive.

Now let me back track as to why I feel taken for granted among my circle of friends. I'm sure alot of this is just I'm already in a funk and these little things are really just rubbing me the wrong way. But I honestly can't remember when anyone said "thank you" to me. Anyway made the extra effort (outside of DarkFax) to reach me via e-mail, phone, or snail mail without prompting on my part. As a child I was always the one asking if other people wanted to play, as a youth, to hang out, and even now it's almost always me. There's a part of me that always wonders... why don't they ask me. Maybe I'm not really welcomed and they only tolerate me.

Today, also brought a few facts home. Someone who's known me now and is continually over at my place didn't realize something as simple as I didn't have a car. -_- A fact they should know, since recently I told them "let's see if I can borrow Dad's car so we can all go."They try last minute to arrange a dinner for a large number of us at a restaraunt we've been meaning to go to for a while. I couldn't go, because I was covering the end of the shift my roomie was working so she could leave for a Japanese Animation person's seminar this evening. Sometimes this person seems to forget that we have schedules, and tight budgets and assumes that if they are free so are we. -_- The sad thing is if this person had given it more thought, and me advance warning I *COULD* have gone tonight. And the restaraunt is my favorite too, and I get to go there less than a handful of times a year.

Don't get me wrong, this person is nice and sweet and does a great deal for all of us... but I don't think they understand how their impulsiveness is harder on us. I think this person just forgets that they make quite a deal more than the rest of us.

I feel like a wallflower in the dance of life nearly everyone else ignores, unless I'm in line of sight. I really can't remember when's the last time anyone in this area, out of the blue just did something unexpected for me (with some exceptions. Let me be clear it's not EVERYONE, but enough to bother me). -_-

I've been sleeping alot lately. Part of it is because I'm in a great deal of pain, and I cope with pain by sleeping. Part of it is I'm just physically and emotionally exhausted.

... --- / -... .-.. ..- .





Thursday: 8-1-02 ~ WMC's random thoughts...

Legolas.................................

*chants in mantra*

*drools*

Legolas... Legolas... Legolas... come here oh pointy-eared one... let me caress those ears... play with that hair, run my hands over your lean and lithe frame.

Hmmm....

Legolas.

*.*




Thursday: 8-1-02 ~ Hardcore...

I'm pretty damn hard core! Fear me!

Is it really any surprise? My violent tendencies reign it appears...



Thursday: 8-1-02 ~ Shockwave...

*wmc falls over in shock... and after a while begins squealing*

SUGOI!!!!! SailorDot finally got a new issue of Seekers out. Starring me and my hobbit loving wench, Usabunny. Can you imagine the havoc that will occur once our two characters meet up?

*cackles maniacally*




Thursday: 8-1-02 ~ Blame it on the pain...

My entire right leg has been utterly nasty lately. The old martial arts injury in my knee is radiating outwards to my heel and my hip, and then into my lower back. Every position hurts. Painkillers aren't doing much good, and the knee brace that had to be custom made, although in, is not meant to be worn all the time. Otherwise the muscles in the leg become dependent on the brace, and weaken. I had the brace ordered since I'm trying to start up exercising again. Swimming mainly, but I wanted to start up walking as well. The brace is supposed to be around only when I'm using it for exercise purposes, and occassionally as other circumstances deem. It is not meant to be a 24/7 solution. Even sleeping is hard because the leg hurts so much. :(

Bleh.

I found on CNN a rough basic timeline of the highlights of interest and conflict with the Middle East, especially Israeli related, violence. I figured some of you may find it educational.

...........................................




Tuesday: 7-30-02 ~ I'm sly like a fox...

This is due to Seimei & Tamyris, who were influenced by Kourin...


What type of Bishounen are you? Find out at artificial-soul.net by Rin.

*SNERKS* Look look, I was Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho. The clever kitsune ^_^. I love kitsune! I want a traditional Japanese kitsune scultpure one day.



Tuesday: 7-30-02 ~ I wish I were still in bed...

Today was one of those days when the bed is just perfect and seems to have wrapped it's seductive limbs around you preventing you from leaving it. I think I'm going through separation anxiety... *sniffs*

Let's see what's been going on in my life... I spent the weekend sleeping, playing DDR on Keegander's homemade DDR pad, and catching up on my severe backlog of anime watching. I have discovered I am addicted to Azumanga Daioh and Full Moon wo Sagashite. They're jsut kawaii and fun ^_^

Last week when swimming I noticed a butterfly upside down and struggling to get out of the pool. I tried to scoop it out with my hands... but the water current kept making it flow away from me at the last moment. Thankfully we had brought my roomate's frisbee out to the pool with us to play. I used that to finally scoop it up and put it on the pavement alongside the pool. The poor thing was still upside down and struggling. I found a twig and manuevered it so it was in grabbing distance of the butterfly's legs until it managed to pull enough I could bring the butterfly right side up. Once it was dry enough to fly the first place it flew towards and landed on... my breast. Obviously even bugs find my breasts of interest. You think I'd know this after all the bug bites they have gotten. In fact it is my most insect snacked on area of my body... and I don't get how they manage to bite me through shirt and bra... Anyway... it reminded me of the quote from the Simpsons... "No one suspects the butterfly."

In weird twists of nature... I had one friend who was taking the bus down to visit her ailing father. He doesn't appear to have much time left... somehow she gets stuck beside annoying (yet thankfully bathed) fanboy heading off to Otakon. Why is it you can never escape fanboys? My other friend, Chibi Majo had actually attended Otakon... and was stalked by a fanboy at the airport who wanted stop staring at her... And guys wonder what the big deal is?

*shakes her head sadly*

In other news, there will be a Japanese Animation guest speaking in the Dallas area in about a week.

Yasuhiro Imagawa who has directed Mr. Ajikko, G Gundam, 7 Nanas, Giant Robo-the night the earth stood still, Violinist of Hamelin, Boy, Pet Shop of Horrors. Will be speaking In Addison (next door to Dallas) at the:

Addison Conference & Theatre Centre
15650 Addison Rd
Addison, TX 75001-3285

On Monday, August 5th @ 7pm.

The talk appears to be sponsored by the Japan-Amercia Society and the Consulate-General of Japan at Houston.

I haven't made up my mind yet if I'll be attending or not.



Tuesday: 7-23-02 ~ 'Da Dance of Joy

Look what I found at a Japanese site. Isn't it *CUTE*:

*squeals like a fangirl*

The site I got it from can be found here. The site is full of Japanese fanart for Fushigi Yuugi. Though it does appear that Tasuki & Chichiri are very close, whether it's of a yaoi persuasion or not, I can't tell. But the images are sweet in nature, and there is nothing risque. Just uber-kawaii, all the way around!

As some of you will recall... I always talk about doing the da dance of joy... and it seems someone else in Japan had the same or similar thoughts... because there it is. You know what they say... great minds think alike.





Friday: 7-19-02 ~ Disco Lives

Ah I love Disco Lives. It's an original flavor of homemade ice cream from a small, local chain of ice cream stores called Milwaukee Joe's in my area. Disco Lives is the sacred color blue. it has a tarty taste, and has the Willy Wonka candy Nerds mixed in with it. OISHI!

Today was an errand day, Anime UTA officer meting, doctor's appointments, took roomie to Milwaukee Joe's, finally got my thesis bound, and picked up the birthday present for SailorDot.

Whoever wanted copies of my thesis let me know. I now know they cost $15 to reproduce, with color illustration, clear cover, and tough black vinyl backing. the few I made today are already spoken for, but I can go make others.

I'll be leaving tomorrow for Austin for the Ushicon staff meeting at our new hotel. I'm excited. ^+^ Da.





Tuesday: 7-16-02 ~ Mac-Users smarter than PC-Users?

I at least found this article... entertaining. Although I have a PC at home... I *LOVE* using Mac's, and am equally versed in both. A happy home for me, ius having a good machine of each. :)



Tuesday: 7-16-02 ~ Bleargh.

Sunday's lunch is the last meal I was able to successfully hold down without World War 3 occuring in the realms of my stomach. I finally felt brave enough to attempt soup *LATE* yesterday evening... and wished I hadn't. The fever has noticeably dropped, but I'm still running one, experiencing chills, and a stomach that just won't settle. The scary thing is, even with these symptoms, I feel INFINITELY better that I did by late Sunday night / early Monday morning.

I dragged myself off to work... and I don't think I'm going to last. Sometimes I just need to get up and moving around, but if in another hour I still feel really bad, I'll see about finding a replacement. Bleargh.



Thursday: 7-11-02 ~ Seek and Ye Shall Find

If at any time I have sent you a paper of mine, notes for my fanfiction, original story ideas, and/or images of any jewelry I have done--and you still have said files--please for all that is holy show some mercy and send it my way! I lost a great deal of that stuff when my harddrive was fried, and my last back-up turned out to be corrupted. *wails*

Help me everybody... you're my only hope.



Tuesday: 7-09-02 ~ Lord of the DVD

I was reading an article by Moriarty at Ain't it Cool News that deals with the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring DVD party hosted by New Line. They detailed what can be found on the first DVD release (movie-cut) that releases in August, and detailed the added footage in the Special Extended Cut release releasing in Novemeber.

(*Side Note: According to Figwit Lives the full-screen formats of LotR: FotR is primarily Figwit free, and urges Figwit fans to make sure they obtain a widescreen edition copy.)

Below is quoted material from Moriarity's review dealing with the new footage:

"The film opens now with Bilbo working on his journal, providing detail about hobbits and their culture.

During that narration, we see Samwise Gamgee working in the garden of Bag End.

We see Sam and Frodo singing together at the Green Dragon Inn. It's a moment of pure and simple joy before the outside world reaches in to ruin it for them.

En route to Bree, Frodo and Sam hide in some bushes and watch as some Elves leave Middle-Earth. There's a real sense that this world is being left to Man, for better or for worse. As the hobbits sleep, en route to Weathertop, Aragorn sits watch, and he sings to himself, the haunting "Ballad of Beren and Luthien," the love story that mirrors the story of Aragorn and Arwen. Frodo wakes up and listens in, but doesn't interrupt.

Aragorn visits his mother's grave in Rivendell, further establishing his history and showing how he has been hunted by Sauron his whole life. He is, after all, the missing King of Gondor, and he could well be the thing that stops Sauron. This scene and others will help to pay off the third film even more.

There were two different slides from the departure of Rivendell, significantly longer here. There's more of a sense of Arwen and Aragorn saying goodbye to each other, an acknowledgement that anything could happen.

Elrond also is there to send them off, and there's a bit of comedy as Frodo realizes he is supposed to lead the Fellowship, but doesn't even know if they go right or left as they leave. Gandalf suggests "right," and they go.

In the Mines of Moria, the sequence is expanded to show just what happened there, and to illustrate how it was the greed of the dwarves that led to their own destruction. Tolkien's work is layered with warnings about how our own nature can destroy us, and this scene re-emphasizes that.

Then there's the gift-giving scene. We saw several slides from this. Legolas gets his bow. Sam gets his elven rope (which Ordesky suggested "just might come in handy against a giant spider later... maybe").

And Gimli asks for and receives several strands of Galadriel's hair. He is smitten by the Lady of Lothlorien, something which suggests the possibility of healing in the relationships between the races. Personally, this is one of the things I am happiest to see PJ restore.

Finally, they showed us a slide of Pippin and Merry fighting orcs at Amon Hen and said that if, indeed, the Special Extended Version is re-rated as an R, it's this sequence that will do it. Ordesky said there was as little as 30 seconds difference here, but it's the difference between shooting eight arrows into someone or two, or showing a sword hit or not. They haven't submitted the film to the MPAA yet, so they aren't sure if they'll be forced to change the rating or not. Sounds like it would be a preposterous decision, but that New Line is willing to accept it without making Peter change his work."



Tuesday: 7-09-02 ~ Anime News

Several of the domestic anime companies announced at Anime Expo this past weekend the series that they have recently acquired the licensing rights for distribution in North America. They are:

ADV Titles

• Blue Seed OVAs
• Sorcerer Hunter OAVs
• Nuku Nuku Dash
• King of Bandits Jing
• Steam Detectives
• Super GALs
• Cosplay Complex
• Zeon OAVs
• Pretear
• Rahxephon
• Kolaida Star
• Steel Angel Kurumi

Pioneer Titles

Master Keaton

Fushigi Yugi Gaiden

Mahoromatic Maiden

Aoi Yori Aoshi

Gatekeepers 21

Tiny Snow Sugar Fairy

Sakura Taisen (movie)

Chobits

Lupin the Third(52 TV eps)

Patlabor Movie 3

Right Stuf Titles

Gravitation - TV

Muryo

Nonamura Hospital

Hooligan

Spotlight

Media Blasters titles

7 of Seven

Iria (from CPM's lost license)

Tales of Eternia

Seraphim Call

Sentimental Journey

Yume de Atera (TV)

Central Park Media/ US Manga titles

Utena (all)

Alien 9

DNA^2 (all)

Neko Jiro-so

Bandai's titles

Argent Soma

Melty Lancer

.hack//SIGN

Infinite Ryvius

Kikaider 01

TokyoPop will be releasing the original Lupin manga by Monkey Punch as well as Clamp's Wish. Cartoon Network will soon be airing Gundam G. There are *vague* rumors circulating about Funimation gearing their title, Fruits Basket, for television airing (on Cartoon Network).

Additionally, Weib Kreuz's third season, Gluhen, has resumed production with a completely new look and character designer. Aya/Ran and Ken in my opinion look better (except I hate the eyes for all the guys), Yohji was sheared of his long luscious locks... and Omi is the one character that looks radically different. *CRIES* You can view the new look at Koyasu's official site.



Monday: 7-08-02 ~ Aoi-Chan Alive?

A burnt out power supply, harddrive, zip drive, modem & processor later... my Aoi-chan (in a brand spanking new case) has been upgraded. She features a faster processor speed, 7 gig's of additional harddrive space, and a faster modem. I'm still trying to install software and drivers, and re-set the computer back to my personal preferences and settings. I'll be so happy when that is done. Bleh. I may be back online with more regularity soon. Probably not this week, I have to not only finish tweaking my new PC, but also have family in town. Phew, I'm so tired.

................



Tuesday: 7-02-02 ~ Same Bat Time...

As the new Vanilla Coke AD campaign suggest, your curiousity is rewarded. For any curious souls who have checked out the website for The WB, you can discover what the fall schedule is for the network, including the new series. One of the new series is Birds of Prey. The plotline is a combination of the current comic timeline story-arc with a comic series that follows the team of Oracle (Barbara Gordon's new role after she can no longer be Batgirl) and Black Canary (who follows in her mtoher's footsteps). However, isntead of following the current timeline background for Huntress (daughter and sole survivor of a mafioso family) the series instead pulls upon the old timeline where Huntress was the daughter of Catwoman and Batman.

Once you move past that odd combination, the series premise operates on the following foundation: In new Gotham, the Joker kills the Catwoman and in the same night Batgirl falls having been hit by gunfire, Batman leaves brokenhearted. Batgirl redefines herself as Oracle and takes Huntress under her wing and eventually Black Canary finds her way into the mix.

The producers for Birds of Prey are known for their last season new hit, Smallville. The actress casted as Huntress was previously the lead actress on the Fox series: Dark Angel (which may make Seimei happy, I know she liked Dark Angel).

Although I'm not pleased about the odd blending of comic timelines and some liberties taken with the series premise, I am excited about the upcoming series. Huntress and Oracle are my favorite female characters from any American comic, my next two favorite characters are Robin (the third one Tim) and Nightwing (first Robin, Dick, all grown up). In the Gotham based comics running in recent years from DC comics the tension is increasing again between Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson as well as their alter-ego's Oracle and Nightwing. So I'm excited about the show as well, hoping that Nightwing will make several appearances.

did you know that back in the old 60's show of Batman starring Adam West, that Batgirl not only had her own theme, but they had accompanying lyrics? The lyrics were:

Batgirrl... Batgirl. Batgirrrl...
where did you come from where did you go,
what is your scene, baby, we just gotta know.
Batgirrl... Batgirl. Batgirrrl...
Are you a chick who fell in from outer space?
Or are you real with a tender warm embrace?
Yaaa, whose baby are you?
Batgirrl... Batgirl. Batgirrrl...
Yaaa, whose baby are you?
Batgirl!

Hey my love for anime and manga didn't appear out of a vacuum you know!



Tuesday: 7-02-02 ~ News from the Orient

I came across an article that in Osaka, Japan the local railway company is introducing Women-Only passenger cars during the morning commute on their trains for the benefit of their female passengers. This was in response to the numerous complaints that have been received and filed by women who complain of being groped while on the train. Although this isn't the first time it has happened in Japan, this service is the first one offered during the prime morning rush hour where women were being groped the most.

Another article reported that a Chinese lychee (type of fruit) was sold for approximately 67,000 USD. The lychee weighed in at around half an ounce. So why the high price tag, for some fruit? The tree is centuries old producing inr ecent years at most a dozen lychee annually. The fruit from this tree fed Chinese Emperors in the past.



Tuesday: 7-02-02 ~ Withdrawal...

I have realized that life and my internet usage is a funny thing. If it is my own choice on why I haven't been online... it doesn't bother me in the slightest. However, if the choice is taken from me... I go absolutely-positively-da'ing insane with cherries and caramel --hmm caramel-- and nuts on top. Bleh.

I took the tests on Seimei's pita and came up with the same results as her: I am both an Artist, and a CO2 bomb.

To squirt aka mini-me aka munchkin, my pigtailed monster I have but one thing to say to you: .................... ^.^

The elevators are not much up to par in the building I work in. First one of the two elevators on the North side of the building was not working, once I reach my floor, it's crawling with cops and firefighters... some poor soul was stuck in the elevator for well over an hour on the only south side elevator. I must admit... I usually don't go for beefcake, but I certainly was appreciating some of the scenery. *whistles*

I think it's just a sign of withdrawal, I can't see pretty elf screensaver on my computer, so I look for alternative pretties... but nothing can compare with my Legolas.





Monday: 7-01-02 ~ Smoke Signals...

Tragically, I shall have to adopt an incommunicado lifestyle for the foreseeable future. Last night while online, the power cut out at my apartment, and my computer went with it. During the ensuing black-out (which did not occur during any sort of storm activity, be in rain, thunder, or lightning) my roomie and I went out to run some errands. When we returned the apartment smelled of burnt rubber emanating from my poor abused CPU. I fear Aoi-chan's power supply is gone beyond repair, and I do not know if anything else was destroyed at that time.

I am without computer or internet access or capability except when at work. *sniffles* My poor little baby.



Thursday: 6-27-02 ~ Weib Kreuz Gluhen, Resumes

WOOHOO! They have resumed production on the new tv series/season of Weib Kreuz. Production had been halted after a copyright dispute erupted (something about the original character designer not getting his monetary cut nor permission on the new series). The new series will have a new look however, with a new character designer. I got this information from the Animaxis site. And more information can be found at the Japanese site, Kids Station.

At the recent Project A-kon, I asked Media Blasters on why they weren't using the name Weib Kreuz, or even white cross, and instead were using "Knight Hunters" (and the series is not about Knight's hunting, nor is it about those hunting Knights). Their response was they feared "White Cross" would be misconstrued by racial issues, and even keeping the series name in German, would in many ways re-inforce that due to Neo-Nazi groups and movements. I can certainly understand why they chose to go with a different name, but KNIGHT Hunters? Yes they are told by Persia when they are given a mission "Hunters of the Night, Hunt the dark beast's tommorow." Which should then mean the name should be Night Hunters, not Knight. >_< Bakayarous.



Thursday: 6-27-02 ~ Incommunicado...

Yes I must admit to being woefully away from my online correspondances, chats, etc the last couple of days. I have been reading the Harry Potter books. I just finished the third book late last night. Overall I do like the stories, in fact despite KNOWing that certain characters are definitely involved, the plot of how they are involved is something I can't guess. I like that about the books. Point in fact: Scabbers (for anyone who's read that far, you'll know what I mean). But I do find the books full of shortcomings. Yes they are quite good for children's/young adult literature but they are lacking. I find the description to be for the most part lacking, and find that the characters are neither vivid nor jumping off the page at me. Usually when I read a book (especially by a third of the way in) I sorta can HEAR them speaking when they go through dialogue... but not with these books at all, it's so flat. Ah well, it's been a long time since I read for pleasure, and I did enjoy myself. it was a fairly lighty easy read.



Monday: 6-24-02 ~ I'm Burning Up...

First Keegander was enamored of my sheets, wrapping up in them and smelling them... (see archives for full story and context) now he's leaving his pants behind after a long night of play into the morning hours... perhaps it is time for us to renegotiate this level of our relationship...

Hmmm...

Nay, he just changed after work, and the group of us played Final Fantasy RPG. I'm excited because we're soon hitting my home town, which of course is an elven city. ELF! ELF! ELF!

I also finished Final Fantasy 9 today, roughly 130 hours in, with Zidane at level 92, and everyone else at level 75 or higher. Beating the final bosses (ie: Kuja & Necron) were easy after I had beat the two optional bosses, Ozma, and Hades. Ozma is a *PAIN* he infects your entire party with one spell with status effects and mini. The trick to beating Ozma (who will give you the summon Ark) is to complete the Friendly Yan quest (which you can't do without getting the golden Chocobo after completing the Chocograph quest). If you complete the Friendly Yan quest, you are then able to use physical attacks against Ozma. In all I compelted all the Chocobo related side quests, Mognet Central, the Friendly Yan quest, and the optional bosses. My final party consisted of Freya, Steiner, Dagger, and Zidane, and was a walk in the park. When I beat the bosses I blinked thinking, that's it? (Ozma is the hardest enemy in the entire game).



Thursday; 6-20-02 ~ in need of c o f f e e

... Today is one of those days where I really feel the effects of being far too tired for my own good. I tossed and turned for quite some time before I was fianlly able to drift off to sleepand manage 3-4 hours worth of it. The sad part of this scenario is after I woke up and hit my snooze alarm, I must have inadvertingly hit the volume control. I fell back asleep because the alarm when it went back off was too faint for me to hear. Thankfully, sanitation emptied the dumpster in enough time for me to get to work without being late. usually the dumpster is emptied until around four in the morning versus the 7:15 of this morning.

Yesterday I was advised, and as a result I registered for my fall classes today, I'm taking a Russian Level 1 & 2 intensive block, plus a Humanities course dealing with Studies in Culture (this semester focusing on ethnography and personal narrative).

I'm grumbling over notification that we have an employee meeting this upcoming Saturday morning. Why can't they ever give us the courtesy of informing us a week in advance?

I went out with SailorDot last night and we saw a double feature: undercover Brother & Scooby Doo. Undercover Brother is delightfully funny, the actor who plays Mr. Feath (of SNL fame) is an utter and absolute riot. The actor we knew as Doogie Howser, M.D. also has a part in the movie... watch out for his twitch... and remember don't call him sissy. ^+^ I definitely would recommend Undercover Brother. As to Scooby Doo... I was disappointed, it was actually a lot better than I thought the movie would be from the previews. It captures part of the original charm of the cartoon series, but fails in other regards. At one point they pass down a hallway with many doors while running from the monsters... but they don't do the door gag :( My friend and I were WAITING for it. I must say it did have some 'body humor' which i could have lived with out including a belching and farting contest. Was that really necessary? So what if the movie is geared to children, must we really go for the lowest form of humor? Afterall children will only emulate that -_- and that is not something we wish to encourage. And I have "issues" with the "villain" of the movie. (Someone from the Cartoon). The first few minutes of the film are the truest to the story. I will say the actor portraying Shaggy *IS* Shaggy. Scooby Doo is what I would call a catch it in a matinee showing or at the dollar theatre movie for anyone who *WAS* a fan of the original series.

In other news... my sister informed my mother that she intends to move out here both her and my nephew will live with my parents for a while during the relocation. She's going to wait until after my newphe's cast is removed (the one for his severed then reattached thumb) and other related medical issues are resolved because once she moves she loses the medical coverage she has when she leaves her job. *IF* my sister does indeed live up to her intention, it will be the smartest thing I think she has done in years. Which means I'll be forced to dow hat I've been meaning to do for years now, donate, sell off, or box the stuff in my room at my parents' house. I have some old american cartoon & comic posters I can put up and decorate the room with for my nephew (who is around 8 years old now).

If my mother feels up to it we have plans tomorrow to do some shopping and probably hit the movies to see Windtalkers, and that evening I'll accompany my friends to see the new Disney film, Lilo & Stitch.



Wednesday: 6-19-02 ~ Oh Happy Day...

I won the battle with Central Park Media. After informing them I have no compunctions about reporting them and filing a complaint with the FTC they suddenly state "we'll fulfill your order." I love how they avoided commenting directly to certain allegations about incompliancy with FTC regulations (such as placement of disclaimers and sales policies). How they also tried to switch things to the legally weak term "guidelines" versus the strong term of regulations. Makes me wonder now why I was never in debate... I could have made a killing.

A little bit of research is a good thing. So in 3-4 weeks time, I shall receive my order, and the anime club their goody for fund-raiser material.





Tuesday: 6-18-02 ~ Beam me up, Scotty...

Recent scientific work seems to suggest the teleportation device that was such a key story element and nifty gadget to Star Trek and its various spin-offs... may very well be an element of our future. The following is excerpted from the Associate Press:

"Australian scientists said Monday they had successfully 'teleported' a laser beam encoded with data, breaking it up and reconstructing an exact replica a yard away. Their work replicates an experiment at the California Institute of Technology in 1998, but the Australian team believes their technique is more reliable and consistent."

In other news Central Park Media is trying to weasel their way out of my receipt and order... they should just give up now. *cracks knuckles* I know enough consumer law to know they have a legal obligation to me to comply with the receipt and order I have. They're now trying to get me to buy the set at $80 each. Even if it was an honest mistake, their "e-mail" only is miring them deeper by making it appear that they planned to use such a gimmick and guise from the beginning. I'll point them to the FTC to apprise them of trade law as it relates in the realm of e-commerce and if they don't comply with their legal obligation to honor the receipt and purchase I made, then I have no compunctions against filing a FTC complaint.

Speaking of complaints... it's easy to complain about spammers these days at the FTC, all you do is forward the spam with header info to UCE@FTC.GOV. Maybe I can use this to finally get rid of the "increase your penis size" and "viagra ads" and pornographic ads, Korean ads, and Univeristy Diplomas and Debt consolation ads, and all those work at home ads. I'm getting fed up. >_<



Tuesday: 6-18-02 ~ Do you have the Force?

I blame this on Darkfax & Seimei who were merely following the antics of Kourin:


:: how jedi are you? ::

If I do say so myself, this is accurate. I would prefer to reach things via negotation, but if that doesn't work... you better believe it that I'm coming to get medieval on your rear.



Tuesday: 6-18-02 ~ I'm so smug...

After spending the evening at my parents house going through IRS tax forms to find the information so I could complete and submit my FAFSA form, I came back home to check my e-mail. Low and behold, I had my latest issue of ANIMAIL. A newsletter of upcoming and recent releases plus special discounts from Central Park Media. Listed under the discount section was the complete VHS boxed set of Record of Lodoss War TV subtitled for, get this, $10. So yes I picked a few up, one for the anime club as a way they might be able to raise some money, and a few others as presents (like to my anime addicted cousin). (I checked back this morning and it's no longer being offered on the discounts, and those listed discounts are good between 2 weeks to a month usually... so I have a feeling someone goofed. However I purchased said items under a "published" price, and legally they MUST honor said price, or I can claim fradulent business practices on them. *cackles*.

Don't you think I have every reason to be smug this morning?



Thursday: 6-13-02 ~ I am so easily amused. -_-

For those of you familiar with the anime series Digi Charat, the artist behind the designs, has now drawn their interpretation of the Harry Potter characters. It's cute. Hermione should have crazier hair though... and Snape looks a tad to old, but Draco looks dead on! Wow, can a Weasley clean up in anime :P

I have been turned on to a new web-comic by Truth, called User Friendly. Anyone who has worked with computers, and especially in tech support can appreciate it, but I particularly find Tech Support Veteran at the Veteran meetings... highly amusing.

But what really has me in a good mood this morning (besides molesting the ears on my Legolas dolly) is the fact that New Line Cinema is now beginning to accept pre-orders for the special Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring extended 4-disc DVD set. A description of it from the New Line Cinema Stores states:

his wide-screen four-disc DVD set includes 30 minutes of extra footage woven into the theatrical release of the film, and new music by Howard Shore. The movie is presented on two DVDs in Widescreen (2.35:1) format with Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround Sound, DTS ES 6.1 Surround Sound, and stereo Surround Sound. Bonus features on the movie discs include four audio commentaries from Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Academy Award winners Richard Taylor, Andrew Lesnie, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Randy Cook and more. Disc 3 is titled, "From Book to Vision" and includes features on adapting the book into a screenplay, designing and building Middle-earth, Weta Workshop visit, guided tour of the wardrobe department, and more. Disc 4 is titled "From Vision to Reality" and focuses on bringing the characters to life, a day in the life of a hobbit, creating the illusion of size, sound design demonstration, and much more.

My long haired, pointy eared elven bishounen will have more footage! *squeals happily*

Yes, I am easily amused. It's fun, you should join me.



Thursday: 6-13-02 ~ Remember, Death is Your Friend..

I have finally advanced to disc four of Final Fantasy 9... I'm at roughly 106 hours into the game and Zidane is up at level 80. *cackles* And yes, I do have the flying Golden Chocobo. Who needs an airship? When a Chocobo can go all the places a landship can't! *cackles*

I do love using Dagger to summon Odin, so he can make my enemies die. I do prefer Odin's killing ways in FF8, he dismembered them. But what irks me is that here Odin is supposed to be a "summon" a special higher level technique that surpasses almost all magical attacks, he certainly costs a great deal of MP (magic points) and yet he doesn't kill bosses. What's up with that?

I mean yes I understand that would make things to easy, but why does he cost so much MP then if he can only kill generic monsters? That's my problem with the whole scenario. Don't get me wrong, I still love having him make things die. That's fun.

My roomie killed several of my friends this week, and yes it was for a homework assignment. She's taking forensic investigation and had to create a crime scene scenario. So she "killed" our friends at work, making body outlines, mapping out the crime scene. I believe the operational scenario was something along the lines of a user got angered that 1) her computer crashed 2) she lost all her work 3) the lab assistant couldn't do anything about it and went on a killing spree. Keep in mind that is my job... so I found it highly amusing for not only the fact the roomie killed off so many... but also for the scenario involved.

Some of you may laugh yourself to death over the latest Seekers and my blue minions of Da. SailorSpot has decided to start doing the strip twice weekly, I can't wait! Scary to think, how much comic fodder she has gotten off of me, and yes people, I really am that strange. (I do believe that Tripod who hosts the site has been having technical difficulties so if it doens't work keep trying.. )



Wednesday: 6-12-02 ~ Decisions... decisions

I'm faced with having to make several decisions with my time in the next 4 weeks, wedding invitations, family coming into visit, a house warming party, a baby shower... and a few other things, all coinciding at the same time, and much in conflict with each other. Bleh.

Oh yes... I *DID* finally manage to attend the Texas Scottish Festival. For the last several years I've missed the annual event attending Project A-kon, or found out about it AFTER it was over. I did go this past weekend and so many a man in a kilt, some of the Scottish traditional games, music, crafts, foods, etc. I had fun, though the heat was slowly killing me.



Monday: 6-10-02 ~ Weird Things on the Horizon

... so mother calls me warning she got a non-specific message of my sister that was a clear indication something was SERIOUSLY wrong with my nephew... time passes, and mother finally manages to contact my sister. Seems my nephew managed to severe his own thumb with the dull side of a knife trying to get into a toy package. Yes, they reattached it. But it'll be two months (barring infection and complications) until they will be able to assess the damage done, ie what nerve and motor functions will remain.

In... less gruesome news, today is a solar eclipse, For places in North America the best time for us to view it is roughly around sunset (at least for the DFW area (ie 7:15pm)). We will only see a partial eclipse in the form of a crescent shape. I'm still looking forward to it.



Thursday: 6-6-02 ~ D-Day

"Soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force: You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of the liberty-loving people everywhere are with you..." Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower June 6, 1944.

Today is the 58th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion and a great deal of sacrifice on the part of Allied military, civilians, and leaders went into the planning and viability of the mission which became the turning point of the war and marked the decline and eventual destruction of Nazi occupied Europe.

The invasion was given the code name OVERLORD. Thousands of men were involved in the planning of the assault, and thousands kept it secret. The campaign was a triumph of intelligence and teamwork. That came with a heavy price.

Allied forces had just managed to crack a key and crucial Nazi code... and were forced into a difficult position. Act on information decoded, of an upcoming air raid on a specific area in England and give away the fact the code has been broken, or save the decoded code and only show your hand AFTER the Normandy invasion was well under way.

Churchill was faced with this decision, and chose to follow the philosophy of the good of the many outweigh the good of the few or the one. He visited the targeted city prior to its scheduled air-raid and let the raid take place.

To further throw off the Axis powers, a phantom army maneuvered about in northern England threatening to cross at Calais. Where the true aim was the 50-mile spread of Normandy coastline. Five thousand ships carried 150,000 men and nearly 30,000 vehicles across the English channel, one of the most unpredictable and dangerous bodies of water in the world.

The opening sequences of Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" portrays an accurate depiction of the invasion, with technicolor realistic surround sound that is stomach-wrenchingly accurate.

What the veterans faced and endured during this horrific battle, the Battle of the Bulge (where sometimes the worst enemies came from up in Allied command, which had ordered that if any injured soldier could walk and shoot they were to return to the lines no matter HOW injured they were), and battles in the Pacific including the infamous Bataan March, are all reasons why we *SHOULD* pay respect and homage to our veterans.

Not only must we thank veterans of those Allied forces, but also the fact Hitler was a moron and disliked his best military mind Rommel. If Hitler had more prescience and appointed Rommel to lead the troops, things may have turned out QUITE differently. (Further evidence of Hitler's lack of intelligence comes from repeating Napoleon's mistake of invading Russia in winter.)

This is something I feel quite strongly about. My own Uncle (deceased as of February 2000) was a veteran of World War II. Several of my uncles and fathers have served in the other wars following WW2 including both Korea and Vietnam.

From private funding the WW2 memorial has finally begun construction in Washington DC and is expected to be completed by 2004. Unlike many other National memorials, this one is being primarily funded by private donations. You can find more information about it, or how to donate at the memorial's official website: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.

And let's face it, are we going to complain about the end of Nazi occupied Europe?



Thursday: 6-6-02 ~ *squeals*

LOOK! LOOK! LOOK! I have a precious Legolas dolly all of my own! I slept with him last night, and first thing I did upon waking was *wub* those cute wittle ears. *Squeals* That certainly brightened my day, and I've been giggling like a fangirl ever since. I had it custom made for under $40 with shipping from Lita Mitchell. She currently has another one up on E-bay, same design as mine for auction. If interested in acquiring your own, or just curious to see what my "precious" looks like, go take a gander.

Yesterday was a Mother-Daughter day. We went over to the Kimball Art Museum for the Murillo exhibit. They also have in their permanent collection exhibit hall Asian art currently up. Murillo manages to tone down the (in my opinion) over exaggerated musculature chareteristic of Michelangelo, yet approach his art with a classic traind and Renaissance derived sensitivity. He flirts with the romantic period with his use of reds in central foreground places, or using dark colors along the edges and more of an illumniation/spotlight effect (without apeparing as cheesy as that sounds) to highlight the main focus of the painting. He worked exclusively with oils as far as I can tell. But I was icnredible impressed with two pieces in the exhibit by him. He had a panel depicting scriptural scenes painted on unusual objects. One was copper. i'd be surprised with the changes in temperature that the paint hadn't cracked on it after all these years. Even more so that oil woudl adhere to copper in the first place. But the result was... stunning. The piece glowed. You couldn't see the copper, but it had a slightly reflective quality to the light and paint that really brightened indescribably the entire piece. Near it was another similarly painted piece, but this time on a slab of polished obsidian. It also had the same play wight light, though far more subtle, and the obsidian had natural striations in it that Murillo played off of to look like heavenly illumniations down to the nativity scene below under the dark obsidian sky. Truly, I was quite impressed, especially since I had never heard of this artist before.





Tuesday: 6-4-02 ~ Games, Cons, & Fangirls

I know I said I wouldn't be attending Project A-kon... but running into a friend with a spare pass I could use for free changed everything. I spent more than I could afford, but managed to find some items I've been searching years for... so I'm glad, despite the mixed feelings I have over the whole experience.

Eventhough I attended, I did little outside of hitting the dealer's room, eating meals with friends, and talking with friends too. I was probably at the con for a sum total of 6 hours the entire weekend. I did run into some people from my past: Nelson (who used to sit behind me in creative writing class in HS (DFW area), and who was also with Usagi in her Japanese college class in Austin, TX)... small world, eh?

The con meant that Usagi and her husband Heero were in the area. I kidnapped Usagi for fangirl silliness, we watched LotR, and the fangirl comments did fly. I teased her when she stepped on my sandal and 'de-shoed' me that her hobbit fetish was going extreme. :P

Sailordot, will soon be adding Usagi to her webcomic because of her hobbit fetish... and my character will soon have more silliness, Didn't you know I have dominion over all things blue?

I've been waking quite early, which will come as a shock to many of you. I've been getting up around 10'ish lately... versus my more usual 2pm. Scary? Yesterday I played 16 hours worth of FF9, and did laundry, dishes, and trash. I was mainly just leveling and abilitying up. I want all of my characters to have learned all the new abilities associated with all the new items I received during the chocobo chocograph quest, and the chocobo deadpepper treasure hunt quest. Once all their abilities have been learned, and they all reach a minimum of a level 60 ranking, I'll move on. But having to switch out party members and level up all of my characters (Quina, Freya, Dagger, Eiko, Amarant, Vivi, Steiner, & Zidane) is very time consuming.

I'm leveling up at the small plain you can reach either by chocobo, airship, or by climbing up the tower in Gizamaluke's Grotto. I can stay in the forests and ability up quickly on the Garuda, or go to the plain and face the Grand Dragon to level up. I have a ridiculous amount of gil currently: well over 400,000. Since I'm stuck with Zidane by default in my party... he's grossly leveled up to something over level 70 (99 being the max). And I'm only half way through disc 3 (of 4 discs). I'm having fun though. The leveling up is giving me a chance to reacquaint myself with my varying characters magical, phsyical, and healing abilities. Freya's 'Reis Wind' is invaluable, as is Steiner's 'Darkside', Amarant's 'Chakra' & 'No Mercy', Quina's 'Mighty Guard' & 'Angel Snack'.

I can't wait to get off work today, so I can play some more! *cackles maniacally*





Tuesday: 5-28-02 ~ Figwit Lives!

As I'm sure it will come to *NO* surprise to those who read this pita regularly, I am a pervert elf fancier. WOOHOO! Pretty elves! Bishy hair! De-lick-able ears. *smirks*

*AHEM* But as much as I love my PRECIOUS Legolas... I must admit to being amused over the entire Figwit following. The name Figwit is an acronym, standing for "Frodo is great! .... *eye sees nice elfie bish* Who is that! During the Council of Elrond at Rivendell. (Frodo is Great, refers to him saying "I will take it! I will take the ring."

I must admit, like so many other pervert elf fanciers, I can certainly appreciate Figwit's allure. He's a nice gorgeous dark haired elven bishy. What's there not to love? He even has his own domain: FigwitLives.net.

He sits besides Aragorn at the council, and during the "argument" that erupts over what to _do_ with the ring, especially after Frodo utters the "I will take it!" line you can see him on the far right before another dark-haired elf.

I want an elven bishounen harem! Think of all those lean, tall, lithe, and supple bodies. *slurps* Those upswept pointed ears, perfect for nuzzling and nibbling and devouring. *melts into a puddle*