[ DRIFTING :: WEDNESDAY 2.28.01 :: 9:56 PM ]

You know those songs that you don't give a damn about when you first hear them, because they don't strike you as anything special, and then you actually hear them in the context in which they were meant to be heard and they suddenly speak to you? Drifting is one of those. It's not a spectacular piece of music by any means...long chords in the strings with very little variation. But hearing it played during the scene it was used in during the game just gave me goosebumps all over. It's a very powerful piece.

Most music is like that, I suppose. The power of music comes not from the notes themselves, but how we as humans relate to the music. The music that sticks most in my mind is music that reminds me of a person, a certain happening, a scene in a movie. That's why soundtracks will always be popular.

The point of this is not to talk about music, really, but to talk about drifting in general. These days I've been really feeling that I've been just drifting. I'm not really sure what I'm doing, not sure where I'm going, just getting through life one day at a time and hoping it all works out. I know many of you feel the same. I know that depression is common for a lot of you, as it is for me, and I've been thankful that in the past week or so I haven't been hit with another bout of it. It's always looming in the distance, ready to settle around my shoulders, and I am just so very tired of convincing myself that it's worth it to be here.

But you know, even if it's not worth it most of the time, there are those times that make everything all right. This isn't a pep talk or anything like that. I'm simply saying that things will get better. Yes, I know it's corny. Yes, I know that you're going to shake your head at me and say, "yeah whatever. You're not helping." I'd do the same thing if I were you...I've had people try to cheer me up before, and in my cynicism I've always snapped back at them. But even if you don't believe me, I'm saying it now.

We're all drifting, but sometimes, even if it's for a brief moment, we find an anchor in the storm...and that makes it all worthwhile.

~Ger

[ DONE! :: WEDNESDAY 2.28.01 :: 12:24 ]

Well, I have finished all my papers. The English paper I'd been procrastinating on for two weeks has been printed out, and I've posted a copy on the internet for anyone interested in finding out about sex and sexuality in Italian Renaissance Comedy. I don't know why anyone would be, but the link is here if you'd like to look at it.

In other news, I seem to be coming down with something...a weird mixture of allergies and a cold and too little sleep. I should try to go to bed earlier, I think. ^^;;;

Neesan, the group that sings Natsu no Yoru no Yume from DNAngel is a jpop group called Lazy Knack. I have the single CD with the c/w Real. Lazy Knack was one of the jpop boy bands of the early 90's...I don't remember when they broke up exactly. There isn't really anything about them on the net, but there's a site that I found that has some stuff about them. I can try to dig up the address if you'd like. ^^

And now it's off to class I go...

~Ger

[ WATER :: MONDAY 2.26.01 :: 11:38 PM ]

Why yes, I am actually going to bed early tonight. I'm going to get enough sleep on a PT night for once...hopefully, if this post is short.

Laurel, thanks for the info on Houshin Engi! My brother err...mentioned...the flying hippo part. How scary this series is has yet to be determined...I'll keep you updated over Spring Break.

Jen, DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!!!! May the Utena gods bless you forever and ever. ^_~

Worked some more on my Macross shrine today. The thing's going quite slowly, but I'm not in any hurry to finish it. I'm working on it when I have time and so far all I have up are a few graphics and a bunch of index pages for various sections. We'll see how it turns out when I actually put content on the page. (content? what's that? ^^;;)

I just realized that this and the previous few posts sound quite inane and say absolutely NOTHING, but that's what happens when I'm not depressed. I babble randomly. ^___^

Oyasumi! May your dreams be filled with Macross 7!

~Ger
Oh yeah, and the title of the entry...well, I'm drinking water in a vain hope that I won't get dehydrated tomorrow morning ^^;;; Never works, though.

[ HEEEEEEERO!!!!!! :: MONDAY 2.26.01 :: 1:42 AM ]

*falls over*

Been playing FF8 for the last...oh, about 5 hours, and it just gets weirder and weirder. First thing is that I renamed my Shiva GF to Sivil. Now, I know none of you have seen Macross 7, but if you ever see it, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Shiva IS Sivil. The resemblance is uncanny, and I'm having a hard time even remembering that its real name ISN'T Sivil.

And remember that Squall = Heero, in my game. So I get to the Timber Owls part, and it was time to name Rinoa. So...you guessed it. Rinoa = Relena, and what a CREEPY coincidence. Not only does she go around yelling HEERO!!! (SQUALL!!!) half the time, she even ACTS like Relena to Heero. Trying to boss him around while he sits there and goes "......." It's hilariously funny and strangely disturbing at the same time, and I wonder if the creators of FF8 just took a whole bunch of anime characters and decided "we'll base everyone in this game off of people from various shounen mecha series." ^^;;;

My Sivil and Gigil are perfect for each other, though. I'm looking forward to getting the Brothers...I stopped right where Squall and the gang are headed for the Tomb of the Unknown King. Hopefully it'll take me a shorter time to get through that part of the game...the first time I played it, I got totally lost. Though now that I actually REMEMBER I have a map, things might get easier. *crosses fingers*

For those of you who have NO idea what I'm talking about, I offer friendly pats and copies Gundam Wing, Macross 7, and Final Fantasy 8. ^_~ (Not really...I wish I had that much money to buy these three series for everyone)

My brother seems to be obsessed with Houshin Engi, so I'm going to have to check out that series. ^^;;; We're also planning on getting YYH and DNA^2 to watch over Spring Break. Hopefully that'll work out. Anyone seen Houshin Engi, ever?

Well...all the homework I got done today was translating 5 sentences for Latin, and I don't even have Latin tomorrow. My professor went to Mardi Gras, so she cancelled class *looks evil* I guess it makes up for my Englih paper that I still haven't finished, and my ROTC background paper that's due on Wednesday. I'm supposed to write about an Air Force weapons system and how it changed the Air Force. Like I know any!!! ><

Ooh, I know...I'll write about the wheel! *thinks*
The wheel was invented a real long time ago. You use it to run people over.
*Gerald scratches head at F on paper*

Totsugeki Love Heart is ending, which means I've been writing this entry for way too long and need to go to bed....

~Ger

[ FINAL FANTASY :: SUNDAY 2.25.01 :: 4:38 PM ]

Well, it's another boring day. I have Latin homework but have been procrastinating. I really should finish my English paper that was due last LAST Friday, but I guess I'll do that tonight sometime...

I re-installed Final Fantasy VIII on my computer today when I got home from church, and have been re-experiencing the finer points of the game. Since it's my what? 5th time playing the first disk ^^;;; (DARTH! THE ROAD! STAY ON THE ROAD!!!) I should hope it would take me less than 2 hours to get through the Dollet battle. Still currently being chased by the huge mechanical thingy through Dollet and being awed by the wonderful FMV's (the comm tower Starting Up FMV, anyone? A work of art!) Squall ain't Squall...I named him Heero, and of course the GF's are all named after various characters from *ahem* Macross 7 ^^;;;

I PROMISE I'll stop obsessing...I've been good! I haven't watched any Macross since I finished the series yesterday!

Speaking of church the accompaniment thingy was all right. I kept getting lost because I forgot to count rests, and then ended up making up things to fill in the gaps. But it wasn't that hard...there were like three chord changes throughout the whole song and it's not hard to just do variations on arpeggios or whatever. ^^;;

Time for my weekly flight meeting...be back around 8 or so if the flight doesn't self-destruct. >< Ja!

~Ger

[ MACROSSSS :: SUNDAY 2.25.01 :: 1:18 AM ]

I promise I'll stop raving about Macross soon, but give me a few days. ^_~ I'm currently looking for the original Superdimensional Fortress Macross series, AKA Robotech, and it looks like I don't have very many choices. The series was never quite released in the US in subtitled form, and the dubbed Robotech has long been out of print. I basically have two choices: I can either bid on that VHS Robotech Perfect Collection set that's selling on Ebay, or save up money to get the SDF Macross DVD collection that's coming out sometime this summer.

The VHS set is 7 tapes, with 4 episodes a tape. BUT that's two dubbed eps and then the same 2 eps subtitled. So that means it's only 14 episodes on 7 tapes, for about $60. The DVD set is $250 complete 36 episodes, uncut, subtitled only. Problem is, I don't have a DVD player. I guess I could gamble on either having gotten one by the time the series is released or else I can watch it in RAS in the new DVD/sound/multimedia system we have in 317. Oh the agony. ^^;;;

QS, I am so sorry about your computer. ;_; It sucks that you lost everything...if there's any way I can help, let me know, ok? Are you getting a new computer, or are you stuck using your brother's?

Lyra, allergies suck, I agree. Get lots of rest and take medicine! AND DON'T RUB YOUR EYES! ^_~ They always tell me that and it never works...but I thought I'd reiterate the old adage. I'm currently having sinus/allergy problems, and while they're nowhere near as bad as yours, I can sympathize.

Neesan, I think you made the right choice about the board. I remember a few weeks ago when we were having that big discussion about it, and I think it's for the best that you're giving it to someone else. Save you a big hassle and too much worry, ne?

Mearl, been reading your rants on "original fics" and "fanfics," and I must say that I for one don't make a distinction between fanfics, original fics, published novels, whatever. A work of writing is a work of writing, and the only thing I'm going to judge it on is if the writing is good or bad. I think it's extremely egotistic to say you don't read "original fics" or you don't read "fanfics" or anything that's written. True writing comes from the heart, not the classification. That's all I'm going to say about that, and that anytime you need someone to read anything you've written, know that I'll always be happy to. ^_^

Laurel and Jen, I love you guys. You are the BEST. *glomp* And you know why! ^__^

I really hope Anipike is taking link submissions this week for sure. I have about 5 sites that I've been meaning to submit but either missed the 750 site cutoff or Anipike wasn't accepting that week. Sucks.

Added a new Wish list page to my list of Obsessive lists (^^;;). Take a look, ne? *nudgenudge* ^_~

To bed I must go, to get up for church. I get to accompany the choir tomorrow for some song they're singing in service. Fun stuff.

ORE NO UTA O KIKE!!!

~Ger

[ TO BE FIRE :: SATURDAY 2.24.01 :: 6:11 PM ]

So I finished all 49 eps of Macross 7 this afternoon, and I must say it's the most awesome series I've ever seen. ^___^ It must also say it's the only anime series that's actually made me cry. When Gigil sang for Sivil and when Mylene sang for Gamlin...those were the most amazing works of art I've ever seen in an anime.

I guess you have to be weird like me to like Macross 7, but *shrug*

Anyway, this week's layout is in honor of Macross, with Basara and Mylene being their usual cheery selves up above. The comet took me a while to actually figure out how to make, but I think it turned out pretty nice, ne? ^_~ Lyrics are from Glay's song Glorious...I was gonna use a Fire Bomber song, but the Glay lyrics fit better for the layout. Hee.

I think there's something I have to do today...but I can't think of what, and it's probably something boring like do homework. Homework? What's that?

*runs away*

~Ger