the other side of strange

Wednesday, February 27, 2002,01:37 a.m.

*Eyeballs the ever-shrinking scrollbar* Methinks it's time to archive this sucker... I'd rather not, though, until I have the time to make a new layout. As much as I love the color blue, this is still rather pathetic. >_< Especially considering my possession of Photoshop, a scanner, and some pretty sweet manga...

NO! THE WEISS STAMPS! *Cackles* Oh, that is most definitely what I have to use... Curious? ;p Just wait.

Seems some people *beams* want my sorry little Weiss-blurb to /go/ somewhere. Arg. Plot was not a consideration in any way when I wrote it... in fact, not much besides sleep and being sleepy entered my consciousness at the time. I can add a bit more to it, but I don't think a /point/ will be among the additions. It was more a product of frustration than anything else... tired of random fic-Japanese (especially the polite and chipper and out-of-context kind), tired of cliche'd characterizations, tired of shounen-ai (no, hell has NOT frozen over...not yet), and tired of the boys all magically living together in one apartment. As easy as that makes writing most scenarios... no. So I drooled four pages into my word processor, mostly to outline the way /I/ see things. And that's pretty much all there is to it. ^_^

And after all this, I might toss it up at FF.net anyway, because it's sure gonna be awhile before I've got the presence of mind to write a coherent chunk of AF. Eheh.

On another note... this is the last time I leave home without either a copy of The Prisoner of Azkaban or several Oh My Goddess! graphic novels. The former for its endless re-readability, the latter for--well, for the same, and the fact that nothing de-stresses me faster than some good ol' Fujishima humor. I mean, when a guy is obviously that enthusiastic about the cars and gadgets and circuitry and /everything else/ he draws, you can't help but be enthusiastic right along with him. Besides, it's the only manga I've ever come across that takes well to being flipped, thanks to his wonderful style and his straightforward linear layouts.

Now I'm just babbling. XD Diana and I watched Castle of Cagliostro tonight... neither of us had ever seen it before, and we fell head-over-heels in love with it. We laughed almost non-stop, and generally had a hell of a lot of fun all the way through (and came to the conclusion that Spike really IS Lupin). I don't care who you are... THAT MOVIE IS A BLAST. I now intend to acquire a copy and politely force everyone I know to watch it.

Oi, Sephie... how'd you like a Rabid Puppy layout? I can see it now... dark green background, silver-grey type... Tom-in-a-Box... yeah, that's right. Guess what I drew today. ^______^ And my photos from Chicago developed well! I only lost part of one; it was sacrificed to the noble cause of giving the cartridge something to clamp onto. Now I've just gotta go back on Sunday and develop...every...single...one... ::keels over:: I am soooo taking the camera along next weekend. Fabulous.

Monday, February 25, 2002,10:06 p.m.

Kristin of Sekai Seifuku just summed up all that is wonderful about Sen to Chihiro. :)~ Indeed, who could possibly resist a bishie dragon?! (Not me, that's certain.) Oh, how I would love to see that movie again....

It's been a long day. I missed a meeting for a scholarship recognition thingie because I was in the Photo lab, developing my negatives ::prays she isn't forced to reshoot the assignments:: BUT! My brain spewed forth about four pages of Weiss characterization 'n' crap earlier this morning, so I do have something good to show for today. :) It's totally pointless, but it was fun and really relaxing to write. I think that's why I don't usually bother with plots; they require too much energy and characterization is just plain fun!

Now I'm off to scrounge some dinner. I think my tummy deserves something decent after the travesty that was Chick-Fil-A at lunchtime. >_< Ickness. ...And I'm still listening to the live recording of 'Cube'. This has now surpassed my /other/ singular song addiction, and I'm not even plowing my way through a 700-page book in the meantime. o.O; It's a good thing I taped it... on a crappy old tape. I have a feeling I'm gonna wear a hole in it soon.

L'Arc~en~Ciel
Saturday, February 23, 2002,02:52 a.m.

Ah yes... L'Arc. I do like Japanese artists /other/ than Gackt... ;p I rediscovered this official site today, and it is pure fun to play with.

Well, I've got the song that makes me want to dance and sing-- I suppose it was only a matter of time before I found the one that makes me tear up like a sentimental moron. >_< 'December Love Song' hit the street in Japan on 12-16, the day before we left-- I saw a poster for it in a music store window in Shijo-dori in Kyoto, and Steph had to literally yank me back from the door. I hadn't managed to get my greasy mitts on a file of the song until today... which is probably a good thing, because if I had actually bought it right then, it would have had me in tears all the way to the airport. (Which was enough of a problem already, really.) It's such a short, simple song... and it's perfect. It really does feel like the end of a snowy day.

I also managed to stumble across 'eX-->dream', the X OAV opening song, completely by accident while link-surfing. Oh, what a happy ED that made! I blanked out for a full five minutes just so I could replay the opening in my head. Pretty, pretty. Funny thing is, watching anime on the television in the dorm was synonymous with eating dinner... so it made me hungry. o_O

Now. In other news, I got a lovely envelope (not letter... there was no writing inside...MOM) in the mail today, containing some funnies and a phone card. Sixty minutes, which translates into twenty international-to-Japan minutes. :) So guess who got calls on their cell phones-- it was noon Saturday when I called Naini and Suchinda. Soooo weird to be on this end of the time difference in a conversation; it was like my body was here, but my brain was instantly back in Nara. Naini asked me if I was going to come back soon to visit, and I wanted to cry! Because I do. I will. I just have to find a ticket that's less than a thousand dollars....

But I needed those conversations. I feel much more, well, whole after talking to them. Like they're not so very far away. Doesn't mean I don't still miss everyone like crazy, though....

I'm gonna stop now, before this turns into two pages of moping. X/ And I'm really glad Dad's home.

Thursday, February 21, 2002,02:32 a.m.

I have it. The best song I've ever heard, the one that makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs and dance till my legs fall off-- the live version of 'Cube'. (Closely followed by the live version of Kimi no tame ni dekiru koto... of course.) You have to listen to the album versions of each... then watch the concert. ::big, intoxicated grin::

I just finished my design project-- and only one part of it bites! Go me! (The other three parts kick butt, so it's okay. I'm tired anyway and I'm going to BED.) Diana was a goddess and kept me company while I lurched my way through the assignment, to the tune of the RR video and lots of silliness. :) I feel sane now.

Tuesday, February 19, 2002,03:24 a.m.

I was meant to be a member of Pierrot! I'm not too wild, but not too bland, either -- just the right mix of both, and a well-kept secret.

Take the "Which J-Rock Band Should You Be a Member Of?" quiz by malloreigh

Gee, I suppose I ought to start looking for some Pierrot mp3s... ^_~ Nice. Hey N, you ought to make a quiz like this for The Flannel-- you know, sarcastic descriptions and all that. Choices may include Koyasu (the poser?), Gackt, Mana, Kyo, Hyde, etc... *beats brain back in line*

Currently playing: the radio-- that dratted Alanis tune that's really quite nice, except for the fact that this is the TENTH TIME I've heard it tonight. Now I remember why I haven't listened to the radio since high school. ::sigh:: This leaves me but one choice: *opens CD tray and drops in a Slayers soundtrack*

...What, you were expecting maybe something in English?

Sunday, February 17, 2002,11:34 p.m.

From AnimeNation: ..."With its concept of stealthy teen assassins, rockin' J-pop score and impressive opening animation, Weiss Kreuz had a virtually paint-by-numbers formula for success that managed to implode itself due to horrendously poor animation quality, at times stunningly bad art design, contrived and unoriginal writing and painfully clichéd characterizations that relied on tired stereotypes rather than individuality and personality."

::grins:: Sorry, Steph sent that to me (I leave it up to her to keep me posted on all the breaking news in anime-dom--she always finds the good stuff) and I couldn't resist. Yes, I adore Weiss Kreuz-- THE COMIC. I love Kyoko Tsuchiya's art, I love her character designs, and I think that An Assassin and White Shaman could have been absolutely amazing if it had run longer than it did. The television show... eek. It fasinates me in a train-wreck kind of way; every time I see a clip, or think about the storyline, I inevitably think about how it could have been /good/. Because really, it could have been. My current mental chewtoy, in fact, is of the what-if variety: What if WK could be animated (on a /large/ budget) and aired as one-hour weekly episodes-- kinda like Buffy or the X-Files? In fact, very much like the X-Files. I just see it as having that kind of potential... you know, if you take it in the /opposite/ direction of Koyasu Takehito and his genius multimedia formula for merchandising and fangirl appeal. ^_~

This is the point where Steph kicks me and tells me to go back to something that I CAN actually do... like write more of AF.

I had a blast in Chicago this weekend! I got to see Dad, and eat /fantastic/ food (best Italian I've had since Nara!) and check out the Institute of Art. They have a small but wonderful collection of Japanese art and sculpture-- I nearly squealed like an idiot when I saw a statue that is the only object from the Todai-ji workshop to exist outside of Japan. For a few minutes it was like being in the Byodo-in museum or the Nara National museum. Lovely. :) The Chinese gallery, filled with porcelain and ivory and a few temple artifacts, was droolworthy. /Beautiful/ porcelain. Then we went on to find the room filled with armor and weapons, and that pretty much kept us busy till we had to leave. It's kinda scary, really... show me a wall filled with wicked sharp metal objects and I just space out and drool over the placards. I nearly tripped over the guardrope, trying to make out the heraldic shields engraved into the ceremonial halberds.

The plane ride(s) was fun too-- window seats every time, baby! I'm such a little kid-- staring out the window at the sky /never/ gets old, after all, it's never the same twice. I saw the most beautiful sunset ever, as we came in to land at Charlotte. No wonder blue is my favorite color.

Well, I better stop somewhere, so I'll stop now. ::goes back to listening to L'Arc~en~Ciel::

Thursday, February 14, 2002,02:49 p.m.

Current music: Gackt's MARS album/Ryuichi Kawamura singles

::spins:: I've got to dash back to the dorm before Design class... I was productive today! Looked at courses for Manchester Met, and to my unending delight they have one called Illustration and Animation! ::squeels:: Wow. And I get to go see Dad in Chicago tomorrow! :) Awesome, awesome. Life is improving.

Some AF brainstorming was accomplished last night on IM... I really hope I have time to write a bit tonight. Steph said she hoped no one was waiting eagerly for me to post more on FF.net, because they'd be waiting for eternity! ...Well, she's right, really... But I do have more, it just sucks dead bunnies and I'm not letting anyone see it until it ceases to do so.

Can't help but be horribly curious as to how V-day is going over in Nara right now. :) Me, I'd rather get a box of manju than chocolate. More proof of my weirdness. But then, I'd like to get a valentine, period. (Packages from parents don't count-- but mine sent a really fabulous one! Why ask for candy when you can have The Silmarillion and Goudge's The Little White Horse, instead?) ^_^

Wednesday, February 13, 2002,03:22 a.m.

In the disc drive: Sophie B Hawkins, 'Timbre' ::shrugs:: New link to your left there. I just rediscovered this site... and I'll be damned if I didn't spot the name 'Elise' under the title 'Lead Assassin'. Right after Moira's, even. It was officially freaky.

...Sadly, the link to her page wouldn't load. Sucks, because I'm dying of curiosity-- after all, that's my girl! Not like I'm all territorial over the name or anything-- I used to think I was cool for making it up outta scratch-- SEVEN YEARS AGO. I am now well aware that it's just the French version of 'Elizabeth'. And after all the trouble I took, making sure she couldn't be mistaken for a Mary Sue, too... ::bangs head on desk:: Just my dumb luck. But that's her name now, and it's the only one she'll let me call her.

Anyway. I was just intrigued. Thought about asking to join just so I could wreak a little havoc with my characterization, but the place looks kinda dead now. Too bad. >:D I already have an ID tag and everything.

This has been going on for what... four years now? Good lord. I need to write faster.

Local meanings in global space:

Friday, February 8, 2002,02:59 a.m.

I just finished reading the above article (Local meanings in global space: a case study of women's 'Boy love' web sites in Japanese and English)... definitely an interesting piece, although I'm not sure how much of it I agree with. I think the author under-emphasized a point or two (such as the ability of the Japanese to totally separate fantasy from reality). Still, quite thought-provoking. And N was featured! ::grins::

Speaking of-- go check out Japanese Flannel, for it has been updated in a most marvelous manner. J-rock Deathmatch, anyone? *cackles* Me, I want a giant pin of the Koyasu Unsightly Teeth Attack (TM) to sport on my bookbag.

...It also made me think... hide should have his own home-decorating show. 'House by hide!' o.O;

Urgh. I just frightened myself. Bed now.

Thursday, February 7, 2002,03:34 a.m.

::looks at previous entry:: Wow. As if I needed further proof that my brain cells are prematurely dying off at an alarming rate.

*dashes off to bed*

Story (A Gackt fansite)Thursday, February 7, 2002,03:22 a.m.

...Just in case anyone is actually /curious/ about my teensy obsession. ^^; I just spent an hour on this page, reading and whatnot. Lots of it was news to me... subsequently, I have been laughing rather hard. Vampire Gackt... *giggle*

I ought to post a link to some translated lyrics. After all, it's nice to feel justified in thinking 'Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto' is the sweetest song ever written... in Japanese. ;p

Just finished watching Dragonheart with some friends, upon finding out that Michael had /never seen it/. *gasp* ^^ yeah, yeah, I know... but this is /Michael/, so we had the right to be shocked. Cheese that movie may be, but there's a gorgeous dragon all over it that /speaks with the voice of Sean Connery/, dangit, and for that I will love it forever.

Then Michael had to go and say something to the effect of "Draco? As in, little-bratty-blond-and-greeneyed-Malfoy?" Suffice to say, this set a rather irreverent tone for the rest of the viewing. ^_~

Now. Off to bed. Life is getting far too messy for this.

...Seb and Ryan were soooo right. There is NOTHING TO DO HERE.

Gackt Lyric TranslationsTuesday, February 5, 2002,02:27 a.m.

Current music: 'My Lover's Box', Garbage

::points up:: Go. Read the English translation of 'Vanilla', and then read 'Kimi no tame ni dekiru koto'. ::laughs and sobs at the same time::

...Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm weird, blah blah blah.

I'm now down to five classes! (Thirteen credit hours... stupid art department...) And I have to remember to toss together some kind of coherent overview of my semester abroad for the meeting on Wednesday... crap. And I have to watch the tape I borrowed from Takagi-sensei... eeeek! ::spins::

On the up side, I now have a spectacular collection of new wallpapers and Harry Potter fanart. (Japanese HP fanart is /amazing/, folks. Too cute and awesome for words.) If you have a Mac, go to www.hari-pota.com and download a Harry Potter desktop clock! I have a little pissed-off Draco on my screen now, telling me that it's past my bedtime. ^_^ Wai!

I really, really want to see Brotherhood of the Wolf. And The Count of Monte Cristo, of course. ::pouts:: Where did everyone go? After all, the only thing to do in this town for fun is go to the theater... And I haven't been in /weeks/. I'm being tortured by the early previews for MIB II-- it's the worst kind of taunting: Lookie lookie! We made this kick-ass sequel and it's not coming out for another SIX MONTHS! It's like having my TV blow me a raspberry.

Must go now... illustration board must be chopped, video must be watched.

Friday, February 1, 2002,03:29 p.m.

It's warm and WINDY outside, and humid... the clouds are that dark late-afternoon blue-grey underneath and covering the whole sky, all lumpy and there's that dull peach color on the horizon that makes me think of dead pastures in winter, and dinner parties in big houses. I'm drinking Orange Cranberry Twister, which is weird because it's what I always drink in summer so my brain is going 'poolside' and my poor imagination is having a hard time keeping up.

Friday, February 1, 2002,04:31 a.m.

You're a sullen, quiet kind of guy, until someone annoys you then there goes your short fuse! You're ruggedly good-looking and talented (at music, particularly), so you're virtually an idol and popular with the opposite sex, but you probably couldn't care less about that now, could you? Which Insane Bishounen are YOU? brought to you by angel rising

Wheeeee! Lookit, Steph, you gotta try this! (Too bad there's no Ish or Shuten to choose from, though...)

In Passing
Thursday, January 31, 2002,01:49 a.m.

::points up:: This is one of my favorite spots on the web-- new quotes appear almost daily, and they're /always/ worth reading.

Currently on permanent repeat in the disc drive: 'The Boxer', Simon and Garfunkel (Remember this one, Jamie? LOL)

I have been glutting myself on IC Subaru and Seishirou fanfics. While scarce, the ones I /have/ found are LONG. And damned cool. The best one gave me a new sig for my email; it was the last line in the fic and it was perfect, just like the rest of the story. :)~ I wonder what they'll write after the most recent developments become more widely known....

In other news, it seems I've finally bitten off more than I can chew. I am looking into dropping a class, in the interest of keeping my sanity and mental health(?) intact for the rest of the semester-- after all, things only get busier from here on in, and if THIS week was hell on wheels, I'd rather not think about the rest of the term if I keep up this schedule. So. Besides... I want some time to keep up my dabbling in translations (and, y'know, SLEEP)... 's fun, dangit.

How does one seriously contemplate the possibility of having children in the future when one has not even been called 'pretty' or the like by a member of the opposite sex in four years?

...Just some food for thought, there.

Live the excitement! ...yeah.Sunday, January 27, 2002,07:59 p.m.

::snigger:: Wow. It's kinda sad, how many ever-optimistic CLAMP fans there are out there. I guess reading MKR led them to believe that other series might possibly have happy endings too.

NOT! >:p

Oh, I feel so evil right now. I have finally accepted the fact that no matter what, no matter how cute the relationship or how wonderful the story (or maybe because of it...) CLAMP does not DO happy endings. Just... give it up. Kamui and Subaru are not gonna live happily ever after. I wonder if I should be frightened, feeling such evil glee at this statement. o.O; It sucks to be Kamui, it sucks to be Subaru, and it will continue to suck, right to the end. (Which I have a lot of damn good predictions about now, but I'll do the world a favor and keep my mouth shut. No one reads this mess anyway, so I don't feel too silly running my mouth here...)

So, having viciously squished the last vestiges of hope under my own proverbial heel (and a sharp and spiky heel, it is) I have decided to enjoy what comes with my usual morbid and disgustingly dark sense of humor. ^_^ Go on, Subaru, paint the town red!

::cackles::

Friday, January 25, 2002,05:17 a.m.

I've been up far too long, and listened to far too much Chihiro Onitsuka for any good to come of it.

I'll just say... boy, is X vol. 18 gonna hurt. ::twisted macabre grin::

Friday, January 18, 2002,03:36 a.m.

Melllll! I just read your blog--*dies of envy* My god, I miss Kyoto so much it hurts. I could /see/ everything you described! I am so glad you got to visit all those places. :) And gods, am I ever homesick now.

Yeah, homesick.

Friday, January 18, 2002,02:26 a.m.

Good lord, what a week. Hell on wheels is an understatement of great magnitude.

But it will be over after tomorrow morning... until Tuesday, that is. And I still have to buy film and paint and a book or two... ::stares at bank book in growing despair:: So much for 'living off of' all that money.

In other news-- wait, there is no other news. Oh well. Goodnight.

Tuesday, January 15, 2002,04:38 p.m.

It seems I have outdone myself. Six classes (which once upon a time would be worth 18 hours at least) for a total of 15 hours this semester. And I'm in class wall to wall four days straight! ::spins::

On the up side, Tuesdays and Thursdays are looking pretty cool. No class till eleven AM, and it's all kinda laid-back, ending with Design from four till six. I LOVE that I can take an art class that involves just sitting in front of a G4 for four hours a week, diddling with Photoshop and Illustrator. :)

It's Monday and Wednesday that're gonna kick my butt. Religion at ten, then Color Theory (which still isn't too bad... I just hate paint) and THEN once we're all tired and ready to go eat dinner, we get to trudge down to the foundry for two hours of hard, messy Sculpture class. I know, I know, I'll be glad I took the class... once it's OVER!

And now I have to run and buy books and do a million other things my professors seem to think we can all get done in 48 hours in the first half of the first week. Har har har. ::shuffles off to spend copious amounts of money in the bookstore::

...And ya know, I still haven't gotten my TV or my computer hooked up yet. I think there's a time sthna around here somewhere, N!

Thursday, January 10, 2002,01:39 p.m.

Currently Being Piped Into ED's Brain: 'Another World', Gackt

Yeah, I'm stuck back at school... early, this time. It's weird... like when I first got to NWU, the dorms are DESERTED, but this time around I know exactly what's going on and there's NOWHERE TO GO! ::shriek::

Welcome to Life Without Trains.

On the other hand, I finally shall have my beloved TV and Monster Mac back and up and running! Let the multimedia-fest BEGIN! ::cackles::

....But until Saturday, when the 'rents show up with my supplies in tow, I am sitting here in the Student Union on a mutant lil' iMac. Hellspawn, these are. ::makes a face at the computer:: I don't trust them even as far as I can throw them (and they're easy to throw...eheh) and my hand keeps losing the little spore-mouse on the table. Yeesh. Really, I have plenty of other things to do... done lots of them already, in fact. Got the ball rolling on a job in the library (my bank account is gasping its last breath after the Not-Working holiday break) and set up my phone, arranged the furniture (and rearranged it, and arranged it again...) and even got some much-needed stuff at le Target (I LOVE le Target!) So. Maybe I will be semi-ready when Monday comes after all.

I really am spoiled... I think the main reason I am not having much in the way of 'reverse culture shock' (besides the obvious lack of trains and non-greasy food) is that my best friend was WITH me. I still have someone to talk to who understands! Once again, I am incredibly lucky. :) Here's to ya, Sephie! ::pops a few balloons::