Yui looked my way at 09:51 p.m.(Wednesday, February 20, 2002)

It's final. My harddisk died on me and will have to be replaced. All the data in there is gone. GONE! Hear me cry....

Yui looked my way at 09:18 a.m.(Monday, February 18, 2002)

My home PC is having major problems. Most likely a motherboard issue. Hopefully I can get it fixed before the next update, and will have to read my mails from the office. My brother lost my setup disk and my Windows installation CD. I could so kill him.

Anyway, my online life will be slightly hampered. So please be patient if I owe you emails and stuff.

Yui looked my way at 09:21 a.m.(Friday, February 15, 2002)

This layout is a scream.

Blogging from work. I think the CMOS battery on my home PC just went flat, or at least I hope that's all there is to the problem. Time to explore the innards of my computer.

Yui looked my way at 12:57 p.m.(Thursday, February 14, 2002)

I didn't mean to hurt you, Taryn, but you did prove my point that the books are readily available if one is willing to order via Sasuga etc. And the Europeans apparently have been into manga longer than the US. But if the fansubs are taken away due to some US company obtaining a license for the US, we (who are not in the US) can forget about the IRC source, unless someone decides to be less "ethical" about it. Original manga are a lot easier to get than licensed anime.

My rant about scanlations was mainly in response to this. Plus there are lots of people who are willing to look at the diamond while holding onto the coal (printout from the web). I have received emails requesting my help on scanlation projects, which I politely refused. If I'm going to do scanlations, I might as well do it for my own website. As for now, I refuse to even scan the entire Asuka instalments for X unless it's a major plot movement like December 2000.

Yui looked my way at 03:24 p.m.(Monday, February 11, 2002)

I don't think fansubs and scanlations should be lumped together with the same argument. Sure, the X anime is going to be licensed in the US. But if one bothers to check a map, there's a whole world out there that's not part of the US (or Japan). And those places don't have companies willing to license the series. Hence, we can only get our anime fix from unlicensed sources.

Scanlations, on the other hand, is a pointless mutilation of a good book, not to mention starving the author of his rightful royalties. In many cases, fans screaming for scanlations come from places where there are plenty of stores selling the manga in the original language. Books are still easier to get hold of than a TV series. Okay, so you can't read Japanese. Ever heard of translations? Good. They're available on the net. So buy the book and read it with the help of that, and support the mangaka whose work you claim to love. Translations help to promote the sales of the manga. Scanlations encourage freeloaders.

There are people who are so ready to hit the roof when someone "steals" their web layouts, and yet claim to have no ethical problems with robbing the livelihood of artistes and writers.

Yui looked my way at 10:53 a.m.(Monday, February 11, 2002)

Kakyou is pretty, as in pretty boring. He's never cute, not with Hokuto, and not with Fuuma. Prettiness is not a requisite for cuteness. Kusanagi can be cute, especially when he's like a deer caught in the over-genki headlights of Yuzuriha.

Yui looked my way at 08:08 a.m.(Saturday, February 9, 2002)

Was glancing through the Chobits anime info at Clamp-net. Hideki's voice is going to be played by Sugita Tomokazu, aka Subaru in X TV. It'll be cute to hear Subaru's voice in a more ecchi setting. *wink* Shinbo is going to be done by Seki Tomokazu, aka Kamui in X movie. Hmmm, some gorgeous voices are gracing this series. Incidentally, the series is going to be shown on late nights from April 2nd on the TBS channel.

Yui looked my way at 04:43 p.m.(Thursday, February 7, 2002)

Public service announcement: E'S volume 6 in Chinese is out now.

Yui looked my way at 12:50 p.m.(Thursday, February 7, 2002)

Kenchan, your blog looks fine now.

The "first seven days" has passed, but I don't think Misha visited. The Chinese believe that the spirit of the dead will return to its living abode on the seventh day after its death to visit its loved ones. Hmmm, I suppose this would be a neat plotbunny for a S/S fic.

Anyway, been rather busy lately to blog more. Chinese New Year is next Tuesday, which means Spring cleaning time. My huge pile of stuff for Social Psychology just arrived two days ago, and I'm currently a little overwhelmed by how much more I need to cover this year. And, of course, I'm in the committee for the Modern World series of the CFA contest. I'll have to relax by replaying X13.

Btw, how do I save a pal who thinks Kakyou is cute? *cringe*

Yui looked my way at 07:02 a.m.(Wednesday, February 6, 2002)

Mwahahaha!! Some others have fallen for the delicious slashability that is the Yasha TV series. Incidentally, my best pal lent me the first volume of the manga. I'd say, dump the manga and watch the series instead. The TV series has a very Clampish/X-TB feel that's totally missing from the manga, which is much lighter in tone. Not to mention that the real actors are so much bishier than the manga originals. Kurosaki Ken!!! *nosebleed* I can no longer listen to Sting'sDesert Rose without seeing Sei's (Yasha, not X) beige coat fluttering in the winds like Subaru's at Rainbow Bridge.

Yui looked my way at 12:49 p.m.(Thursday, January 31, 2002)

Kristin, I'm glad to hear that your data is going to be okay. Yokatta.

Yui looked my way at 12:38 p.m.(Thursday, January 31, 2002)

Fixed Kim's blog link. By the way, Ken-chan, your blog has been looking seriously messed up on both my home and office PCs for the past couple of days. I'm using IE on both machines.

Yui looked my way at 10:42 p.m.(Wednesday, January 30, 2002)

Thanks for all the emails and messages of condolences. I'm feeling better now, and I think so is Misha, wherever he may be. At least I still have 9 other cats with me *hugs the babes*, but they're all unique in their own ways and there's no replacing the ones who are lost forever.

Yui looked my way at 10:30 p.m.(Wednesday, January 30, 2002)

Misha has finally left for Kitty Heaven.

Yui looked my way at 02:17 p.m.(Tuesday, January 29, 2002)

Long post.

With all the interest in the new Sakurazukamori, I'm quite puzzled why it's generally assumed that Subaru would turn all evil. As Seishirou had remarked before his death, Subaru is still a gentle soul. His nature is not to be a cold-hearted bastard. Remember, this was the guy who still cared enough to risk his life (and chance to fulfil his Wish) in order to dive into Kamui's messed up subconscious mind and, in the process, open up his deeply embedded wounds to a total stranger to save said stranger's life, when just moments ago, he had declared that he wasn't the least bit interested in the fate of the Earth. He isn't about to turn all berserk like the other Kamui. I don't think the Sakurazukamori job naturally turn people schizophrenic. Oh, there's talk about the influence of the Evil Tree-san, but that's just in the fandom. Nothing even suggests that the Tree has a Consciousness, except for the resentment of the souls trapped within it. They'll probably make Subaru weep a little and then chainsmoke, just to forget the noise. Besides, at the pace the story is crawling, I don't think there's panel space for a showdown with Soul Snatching Sakura.

Instead, given that a Dragon of Heaven is able to create a kekkai because there are things he wants to protect, I believe that Subaru has become a Dragon of Earth because he no longer cares about anything. Technically, he was probably already a Dragon of Earth the moment he jumped out of that window. The pickled eye would give him Seishirou's powers, and Fuuma did so because it was Seishirou's wish. Perhaps Seishirou had some other ulterior motive driving him to die and give that eye to Subaru, but I doubt it had to do with overhauling Subaru's personality. That wouldn't be the the person that Seishirou was in love with. To change Subaru's personality, would be to kill the "Subaru" that Seishirou loved.

Recall that Fuuma told all the DOEs that they were free to decide how they wish to spend their spare time. None of them are required to destroy Kekkais and kill humans. Nataku does it because it thinks that's what Daddy wants. Satsuki does it because she thinks most humans are like running on Windows and deserved to be reformatted. Kakyou just want the end to come a little faster. If only he'll stop hogging Asuka pages, it might. Kusanagi and Yuuto are content to stay out of the mess, and so far, there's been no complaints from Fuuma about their tardiness. Therefore, I believe that Subaru will gently tend to his everblooming Sakura and Tsubaki garden until the Final Day. Hey, cleaning up the constantly raining petals and falling flowers is quite a huge chore!

On a similar note, if Arashi ever do become a Dragon of Earth, as many people in various mailing lists are predicting, it's probably because Sorata somehow got himself killed and she no longer cares about anything in the world. She doesn't necessarily have to blow up Kekkais or attack her old comrades.

Yui looked my way at 09:33 p.m.(Friday, January 25, 2002)

*Reads TV summaries on Asuka March*

The makers of the TV series are really trying to mess with our minds. The vague summaries for Episode 16 says that this episode features the final fight between Subaru and Seishirou, and that the truth surrounding the circumstances of Hokuto's death will be revealed. Yeah, I'm pretty sure Rainbow Bridge is going to appear here.

However, the episode seems a little packed. Subaru's lost an eye, and yet he's going to share a little bedside scene with Kamui (the summary says to look out for the heart-to-heart talk scene between S/K), there's going to be Seishirou's side-story, Fuuma telling Seishirou about Subaru's wish, an injured Subaru being sent to Rainbow Bridge alone, the Rainbow Bridge fight, explanation of Hokuto's spell etc. My head is aching. Well, at least the anime is certainly moving along much faster than the manga!

Yui looked my way at 11:04 p.m.(Thursday, January 24, 2002)

Misha is still okay, just needs to eat a little more. Which means, the March Asuka summaries are up! Please note the new address at Tsuriai.net

Yui looked my way at 10:50 p.m.(Thursday, January 24, 2002)

Misha isn't responding too well. We're forcefeeding him according to the doctor's orders but he's totally uninterested in food. Only lies in a corner, and barely lifts his head to take a look at us when we call his name. I don't think he can hold on for much longer. We'll have to see what the good vet says tomorrow.

Incidentally, I might be late with the Asuka March updates, also due tomorrow. Please understand. Thanks.

Yui looked my way at 09:35 p.m.(Wednesday, January 23, 2002)

Lika, the flushing fine is not really enforced since it's darn difficult to catch the perpetrators (except for guys, I guess). More like an official jawboning. I haven't heard of anyone being hauled up for not flushing. Besides, most public toilets have automatic flushing system installed, so it isn't a big deal.

Some other clarifications about Singapore's unique laws. Yes, chewing gum is banned, but you're allowed to bring them into the country for your own consumption. In fact, it's almost a ritual for Singaporeans travelling abroad to bring home some of the stuff. However, you aren't allowed to bring in large quantities (no specific amount ever mentioned) as that would constitute smuggling and you'll be fined. The one place where chewing gum is an absolute no-no is on the public train system. The blanket ban on chewing gum came about because too many inconsiderate chewers were sticking the stuff under the plastic seats (necessitating yucky long cleanups at the end of each operating day) and between train doors (messing up the door sensors and delaying train schedules).

Singapore isn't a draconian society for the general law-abiding soul, unless one happens to be a chewing-gum addict as well.

Yui looked my way at 08:41 p.m.(Monday, January 21, 2002)

Misha was back from the vet yesterday. His blood test result is back to normal range, but he's still not eating on his own. Mom and I have been trying to forcefeed him. He doesn't like it because the prescription diet probably tastes foul. At least he's interested in the other cats' normal diet (though we're not letting him have any of that), which means he isn't refusing food entirely. Thanks for asking.

Murasaki, I finally got my X First Contact. You're right. It's very weird. The First Contact book lists Episode 16 as the one where Subaru loses his eye as in the manga after noting that Fuuma resembles Seishirou, and later Fuuma tells Seishirou that Subaru's wish is something that only he (Sei) can fulfill. This would make more sense in the time-line of the manga than having the Rainbow Bridge incident brought forward. Besides, Subaru losing his eye is a key plot point towards establishing the parallels in the relationships between Seishirou/Subaru in Tokyo Babylon and Subaru/Kamui in X. I want to see Kamui hammering at the op room's door and bawling his eyes out. Not to forget more touchy-feely bedside scenes to come. *grins*

Take care of your throat. Try gargling with lots of salt dissolved in water first thing in the morning or after brushing your teeth, but don't drink the solution.

Yui looked my way at 10:58 p.m.(Sunday, January 20, 2002)

Whoa! Kira's mom can make Fuuma cakes and Lika's mom can make Kamui pin-cushions! I need to send my mom to baking and sewing classes. *pouts*

Thanks for the screencaps. *grins*

Yui looked my way at 05:09 p.m.(Saturday, January 19, 2002)

Happy birthday Kira! *hugs my own Kira, a pretty silver tabby* ^_^

Yui looked my way at 09:52 p.m.(Friday, January 18, 2002)

Lika, the handmade Kamui plushy/pincushion-doll your mom made is certainly interesting. >_< I'll use it as a voodoo doll if the boy doesn't do something to bring Subaru back in future Asuka instalments.

I've put up the scan for the Subaru/Kamui promotional card onto my Cartharsis of Fate site. You can also go here directly for the scan. Since a good scan of this official illustration is pretty rare on the web, please drop me an email if you wish to use this to create your own layouts/skins/wallpapers etc. Strictly not for use on any other illustration gallery, even with credit. Please find your own card if you wish to do that.

I can't wait to see your version of the fic. I'm quite sure it'll turn out to be good, maybe even better than what I had initially envisioned.

Yui looked my way at 08:26 p.m.(Friday, January 18, 2002)

More bad news, Ammie. According to the Official X Anime site, Hinoto foresees Daisuke's death in the beginning of Episode 15. Later in the episode, there's an earthquake at Ikebukuro, created by Fuuma and Nataku. Kamui and Daisuke rush to the site...

They're not following the manga anymore. Daisuke isn't going to lose his head in Shinjuku. But having him die here would explain why Hinoto goes bonkers enough to send Subaru out on his own to Rainbow Bridge in the next episode. Subaru is very likely not going to lose his eye though. There will be no sick eyeball-in-a-flask joke. I doubt there's going to be any "touching bedside scenes". I won't be surprised if Subaru doesn't even survive Rainbow Bridge. On the other hand, the anime might have him succeed the Sakurazukamori mantle without having to stuff in the Eye, i.e. killing Seishirou is enough.

Yui looked my way at 10:38 a.m.(Friday, January 18, 2002)

*Reads episode guides from X:03*

This is probably unwelcome news, but it seems like the TV series is about to diverge quite a fair bit from canon from episode 15 onwards.

Episode 15 has Daisuke telling Kamui how Aoki goes about creating a kekkai (aka "to protect your most important thing"). Then an earthquake hits Ikebukuro... No mention of any Keiichi. Ammie won't like this one bit.

Bigger surprise in Episode 16. This features Seishirou's side story with Setsuka, and also the Rainbow Bridge incident. They're really trying to kill Seishirou early in the anime too? And that's taking into account that Shinjuku, where Yuzuriha meets Satsuki, only gets hit in Episode 18! *covers ears from screaming S/S fangirls* Of course, it's possible that the producers might change Seishirou's fate here, but not very likely given what's in Episode 17.

Episode 17 looks like it's Kakyou's side story where he whines about not being able to change Hokuto's fate and how the future is foreordained blah blah blah, while everyone else watching the show is suffering a sneezing fit from the feathers littering his dreamscape.

Yui looked my way at 09:46 p.m.(Thursday, January 17, 2002)

Today is a good day indeed. First the S/K card. And now...Lika!!! Your birthday pressie has finally reached me!!!! Thanks!!!!! *glomps*

Yes, Megan, be seduced by the evil greatness that is Gerald Tarrant. I love the part where he explains to Vryce how he represents the fears of each member of the party. Kind of reminds me of Fuuma and his ability to take the form of one's wish. As for the slash, since two guys going at it obviously can't produce life, I don't see why Tarrant shouldn't be able to get some. *grin*

Yui looked my way at 09:07 p.m.(Thursday, January 17, 2002)

I just got the Special Asuka X volume 03 with a free trading card, and I got the one featuring the only official Subaru/Kamui illustration ever known. *screams* I wonder if the card issued is random for each magazine, or is this a sign of better things to come. *still gasping for breath*

Yui looked my way at 01:21 p.m.(Thursday, January 17, 2002)

Happy belated birthday to Kerianne. May CLAMP have mercy on S/K, i.e. Seiichirou/Karen, in the upcoming Asuka instalments.

To the two of you, thanks for asking. Misha is still with the vet. He's not taking in anything except water. The vet in charged of his case will be in tomorrow. We'll see what he has to say. The little furballs are stoic little babes. If only they could understand what's good for them, like unappetising special diets and medicines.

We are agreeing on something with regards to Subaru and Kamui? Ah, the Promised Day is truly here! Just kidding. ^_^ However, I have to point out that Kamui is certainly much less selfish about his wish. He's willing to sacrifice himself to bring Fuuma back. He's also willing to hurt Fuuma though, if that's what it takes to stop Fuuma from killing more people. So you see, he's not as blinded by his wish as Subaru is.

My Muse *dumps the Eye into the blender* is presently generating citrusy fic bunnies around Eiji and Kai, with sometimes guest appearance by Maxim. No! My first E'S fic, if I ever get to put it to words, shall not be a lemon! Seriously, I need to cut down on those yaoi one-volume mangas, and pick up something harmless like Doraemon.

Yui looked my way at 10:38 p.m.(Wednesday, January 16, 2002)

How could I forget? *slaps forehead* HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIIIKKKKAAAA!!! Have a smashing time without me. I know it's gonna be difficult, but you must try. *smirk*

Yui looked my way at 11:16 p.m.(Tuesday, January 15, 2002)

One of my most affectionate cats, Misha, is with the vet again for the third time in three months. His kidney trouble is getting worse because he's not eating. This is probably his last chance, and if he fails to respond to medication...

IhatethisIhatethisIhatethis.

Yui looked my way at 09:05 p.m.(Tuesday, January 15, 2002)

About HMC, I was not really involved in any of the characters. It's probably the way they were written. They're not easy to get into beyond the superficial. *hides from Ammie*

Sat-chan, I cannot see how Subaru/Kamui fail to compare against Kusanagi/Yuzuriha in the mutual base/resistance arena. Certainly Subaru and Kamui shared similar pasts. While both are angst-boys, their individual thought patterns are very different. Kamui wants to do something to change his destiny and bring Fuuma back, even if he hasn't been very successful. Subaru, on the other hand, has given up all hope of change and is content to allow destiny to just push him along. Furthermore, Subaru's only aim in life is to attain his one happiness even if it were to bring pain to others. Kamui is not so selfish, as can be gathered from his conversation with Subaru in X16. While their similar pain allowed the two boys to subconsciously bond, it is also the reason that they fail to accept each other because they simply cannot let go of the past at this moment. As someone on my Sakura Board has mentioned, it is a very Victorian relationship.

Granted, Kusanagi and Yuzuriha have quite different personalities, probably on account of their age difference, but I wouldn't say that their personalities are in conflict with each other. Neither are Gojyo/Hakkai. A better example of a couple in conflict in Saiyuki would be Gojyo/Goku. But as you can see, too much conflict can be destructive. In the same vein, Seishirou/Subaru is another couple who failed to see past their conflict, which ultimately destroyed each other.

I do agree about the gun bit. If there was a Saiyuki/X crossover, I honestly think Sanzo would help Subaru end his misery...unless Kamui manages to defeat Goku in time to rescue his "special one". ^_^ That would be an interesting battle, with Sorata facing off Gojyo, and Aoki having a polite session of wind versus "chi" with Hakkai. The girls shall watch and vote on who's cutest.

On other note, I just got my E'S volume 5 in Chinese. This story just gets better with each book. The plotting, the pacing, the characters are all first-rate. I have to admit that X pales in comparison due to its bad tendency to meander into soap opera territory at times.

Yui looked my way at 08:58 p.m.(Monday, January 14, 2002)

Layout change. After the eye sore, we return to something more optically pleasant. Introducing one of the top bishies from Alichino. *fangirlish sigh*

I've finally linked Kim, something that I should have gotten around to doing so for a good long time. *smacks self*

Yui looked my way at 10:00 p.m.(Sunday, January 13, 2002)