Incline: 8.0, speed: 2.4 (avg), calories burned: 250, calorites gained w/ 8 oz. frozen yogurt: 100 (I think...)
Ummm yes, this site is cool, and yes they will be at Comiket. Kekekekeke.
Off to sleep I need to wake up super early tomorrow to go to the orthodontist to have them do something about the inch of wire that extends beyond the back leftmost brace. x_x I'm getting tired more often too. I'm kind of worried but then again I'm sleeping weird hours lately. I nap more often. Maybe I'm getting old.
Kristina - Isn't Lawful Drug wonderful? ^_- I picked up the first two chapters of Lawful Drug when Kino still had Mystery DX regularly. Either way I love it since its a Mick Nekoi manga, but the story is just wacked and its just great. Its definitely one of the manga I will pick up just to see how much weirder it gets. ^^
Hmmm, went to the post office today and then went to the gym. I don't think I enjoy going to the gym in the morning, I think I like it better in the afternoon. ^^;; Anyways I did a lot of walking and stepping. I figured the kind of work out I want to do is something geared towards lots of walking. So I pretty much told the treadmill to give me their worst incline program and started walking. =P Highest incline today: 7.8 walking speed 2.2 miles per hour (avg). Calories burned: 380, calories gained with bagel: 230 (-_-)
I went to Borders today and picked up some books. One of them was Kyoto by Lonely Planet (which I may get used now that I see it being sold used...) and Japanese at a Glance (which has wonderful phrases like the one above.) I can't speak Japanese well so I figured I should pick up the guide and the phrase book so I won't look completely clueless. ^^;;
However they will be promptly returned since Amazon has free shipping and I want a Kyoto/Osaka map. (We are, yes, going to take a Kamikaze trip to Osaka for reasons that I will not say because I may have many people after my hide. =P). But I will run around Kyoto and absorb the cool history of Kyoto. =D
[Edited 1:31 am]
SF Gumi - Kerochan Kooldown is 7/14 (Saturday), please let me know so I have enough cups and foodage for all. Bring yourself, a towel, and some random food item to share. Water guns are optional. ^_- Please rsvp somehow (if you don't want to join evite ^^;). Let me know if you need a bart pick up or a ride (which can be arranged with those who have space and drive from that general direction.)This is also to celebrate Tanzy's birthday. Map and directions can be provided upon request. ^^
I was waiting for Pete (the secret Triad member) to appear at Borders yesterday when I picked up American Gods and sat down to read it (on the only couch at borders no less, which is a rarity for 2 pm on a Sunday at Borders.) I'll admit to peer pressure/ranting about Neil Gainman and say that its not bad (from the 9 pages I read of it). ^^ Though I have a fine appreciation for being able to recognize the traveler's note about the House on the Rock (which has a very neat Endless Room).
Yesterday was Kero-chan approved (tm). Especially when it was day filled with sleep, virtual-pod racing, old-school tetris, Para Para Paradise (which is the good game for people with no rhtyhm like me ^^;;) and chocolate keeki. Not to mention that I got to ride in Pack's explorer XD and try but still fail at Keyboard mania (where's violin mania darnit! I can do that!)
I'd like to note how much I adore Kristin Olson because I saw how her page will eventually have Shin Shukaden translations. *^_^* / I love this manga because it had so much potential as a series but somehow got cut short. The characters seemed like the kind that would grow to love each other (in all senses) and the story it was based on was very interesting. I liked how Clamp would refer (albiet very loosely sometimes) to folk tales/legends/myths of other countries.
Megly- I loved Icebreakers, well written and very in character. (I read more for character ^^; since I can't critique grammer when I suck at it =P). I think somehow my mental image of Eriol will never be the same after reading Icebreakers. I think of your idea of Eriol as "true" eriol (as opposed to Clamp's eriol) so much that that's how I think of him when I write sometimes. Now take that thought and multiply it by 7 and that's what I think of Nakuru when I write. ^_^;;;
Gomen TamaTama - I still have the cds but I will make a post office run (or have my dad send it with his stuff...) sometime this week so it should be at your door when you come back from vacation. ^^ Note: Pretear ep 10 ends in a "bad place" to quote Emi. (Who should blog by the way @_@)
Listening to: Thank You - Dido (I wonder where that CD is... prolly where my Sgt. Pepper's cd is...)
I may not be master builder but logically if you turn off the water to put water taps on you put those on first right? Not wait 4 hours and make poor Steph not get her shower. (I don't take long ;_;) It just irks me b/c its taking them four hours to work on water fixtures. >_< I want my showerrrrrr. RAR.
I wrote a 1 hr fic to a fic challenge. It is a ChiharuxYamazaki piece of fluff. ^^ It can be found here.
That is a picture of my goddaughter the cutest and the sneakies 5 year old in the world. ^^;; She uses her cutness to get things and asks the right people to get the right answers to things like "Can I have more cake?"
Pretear episode summaries for ep 8 is up. In the process of breaking up 4 and 5 and updating the anime section of the site.
Tanzy - isn't it cute? XD I had to stop a few times while coloring the images b/c it was so cute. XD Sheep are always cute. (well okay mostly cute...)
Tin - I definitely agree he should be with Mawata. ^^ Looking at the fanart section of the official page I'm guessing that fans also really like Goth-Sasame, there are some beautiful pieces of fan art floating around that page. I wonder how they're going to squeeze the end in with 3 eps to go. (Its possible but kind of short? esp with all this climactic build up with Takako and Goth Sasame... etc.) Oh well there's always the manga. ^_^
I found Kanata Kara vol 8 floating around the house here at my parents house. I forgot how cute this story is. Noriko and Izak are so cute when they are around each other. I just wish it ran more frequently in LaLa. ^^;
Listening to: Crazy - Kci & Jojo (This song is really cool)
Pretear Episode summaries/observations for 6 and 7 are up. Please don't post, they are very rough and need some much editing and correcting but its mostly minor things. For eps 4 and 5 its here. Enjoy. Off to bed to dream of sheep! XD
For the record, I still don't like Kei's design but I do like Kei's character in the anime. He's much more defiant in the anime than in the manga. Although both Kei's are willing to stand up to Hayate. ^^ I have a higher appreciation for Kei as I (re)watch these eps.
Oh in other Pretear news: Pretear vol 4 is released in July (either the 5th or the 15th I forget which).
And yes today is the day that Pretear OST 1 is released, that includes both versions of the OP, White Destiny, and the ED, tv size and full size. The CD can be ordered thru CDJapan. (I'm not sure about the url ^^;;)
From Michi's blog. ^^ I'm a bit bored so I will answer these too. ^^;;
1. LIVING ARRANGEMENT?
I have all my stuff in SF but I live in SF or San Ramon (SR). Depends, ask me. ^^;; I prefer to live in my bed in SF. (Shiawase~~~)
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
48 Laws of Power (I have been working on this book for 3 years x_X) Unless you count the July issues of Asuka and LaLa as "reading"
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
manga, my mouse (or my mouse over a pile of phonebooks ^^;;)
4. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly, Axes and Allies
5. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
Wired, The Economist
6. FAVORITE SMELLS?
The smell of freshly baked goods, the smell of rain on hot pavement, the smell of gas stations, the smell of pine sol (I'm so weird...)
6b. LEAST FAVORITE SMELLS?
Too many bodies packed together, drunk-guy smell (gek Muni), the smell of garbage
7. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
rain, laughter, a really good violin piece, silence
9. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE
UP IN THE MORNING?
Ummm well... if I'm lucky and I wake up in the morning I'd say "whoa! Its _:__ am! I woke up naturally! Sweet!" normally I am forced awake, slap the snooze button and go back to sleep thinking, "Sleeeeep goooooood."
10. FAVORITE COLOR/s?
blue, black, white
11. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?
I let the answering machine do it ^^;; or caller ID. I'd say 2-3?
12. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
Janelle (girl), not sure about a boy's name
13. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN LIFE
1) sharing is the best way to diet
2) always live life to the fullest
3) be true to yourself even if it means reinventing yourself in the process
4) there is always a second chance
5) always forgive and have a kind heart
15. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA?
< Chibi Signal > Choco kudasai~! (what Michi said)
16. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST?
My parents claim I drive fast. =D
17. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
Several, Cubby a bear I got when I was 16 (it hugs you back), Dolly a rag doll that is older than me (and the most precious thing to me in the world), my talking Kerochan ^^;;
18. STORMS - COOL OR SCARY?
Cool, I love rain, bring it on! XD
19. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
next question
20. IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE
Alan Greenspan (he's my idol *_*)
21. Favorite Alcohol
Vodka, preferably with fruit, preferably cranberry juice (I answered that in a nano-second, I am so scary @_@)
22. WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?
Picies: a pair of indecisive fish (that's so me)
23. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?
You mean you're not supposed to? o_o
24. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED WHAT WOULD IT
BE?
I'd take Madeline Albright's job or I'd be a lawyer. I want to save the world or save someone's ass.
25. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR WHAT WOULD IT
BE?
dark-purply-auburn or black
26. EVER BEEN IN LOVE?
Yes any more and I need you to sign release forms.
27. IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
Full half way (kekeke)
28. FAVORITE MOVIES:
Beauty and the Beast, Sleepless in Seattle, Stargate, Gigi, CCS Movie 2 (Wahhhhh T_T)
29. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?
yes (90% of the time).
30. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Lots of boxes of stuff, a power strip, probably a manga or two.
31. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
13
32. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?
Hockey, its so entertaining
33. FAVORITE TAPE OR CD FOR ROAD TRIPS?
Depends on the trip, what's in my cd case right now: KareKano OST 1, Mayonaka wa Junketsu (Shiina Ringo), Shiina Ringo best collection, Mono, Garbage, Cardigans, L'arc en Ciel (Ray). I usually listen to the driver's stuff.
This is random but: I wub my dad. XD
Listening to: There will be love there - The Brilliant Green
Pretear summaries for eps 6-10 will go up they may not be as detailed as 4 and 5 since I saw them sort of in lumps and therefore will get things mixed up. I have notes so I won't veer too far from the episodes. I'd like to note that in eps 8-10 the story veers way off the manga (or at least I think so).
*spoiler skip this for those who don't want to know* The manga doesn't really cover things like: [spoiler: Sasame's undying love for Takako and his hidden jealousy over Hayate who had takako's love from the start.] If you have the manga and you know who Takako is look at the opening credits of the anime. Bonus points to those who can find the similarities that I am talking about. The mangaka makes a comment about the character designs in vol 3 of the manga but since I my reading comprehension is 50/50 I just sort of glossed over that part. (Aka I'm not sure I'm only guessing ^^;;). If anybody can give me a rough summary of what really happens in vol 2 of the manga series I'd wub you forever. I think volume 2 is a very crucial story point in the Pretear Plot(s). My only guess is that Hayate could not honestly return his feelings to Takako, he may care for her enough to angst over it and chop his beautiful hair off for her (Steph: moment of silence ;_;) but I don't know where the "weak Sasame" part comes in. ^^;; Usually out of the process of deduction I can guess the plot fairly well. However I will say one thing, Hayate's rejection of Takako in the manga is softer than Hayate's rejection in the anime. (which made me go O_O because it seemed very cold of Hayate to do that. Then again Hayate can be pig headed -_-). Oh I'd like to comment that in the Takako flashbacks, all the knights were full sized. (7 bishies o_o) I hope they explain this part in the anime and why they are small in the present storyline. Erp okay that's it.
Bunnies Multiply
Duet - the ExT fic (aka Eriol's Turn) is up at ff.net of course I can't see it on my author page, but there's a review for it already. o_o (*Steph bows humbly at the said reviwer*) ^^;; To be honest I know my writing is not exactly grammatically correct. (I am bad at grammer no matter what language it is. @_@) But there is one thing I do strive for in every fic I write and that is writing as close to the character as I can and to write for entertainment. ^^ I'm a stickler for ooc-ness in fics so I write using that kind of scrutiny on my fics ten times as much. On an ExT related note, I got this idea to have a painting done of Tomoyo and Eriol. ^^ I haven't painted in about 2 years (the last painting I did was Shaoran and Sakura). This is hard X_x. I can't get past preliminary sketches.
I'm getting random hits from various other blogs. (esp Davezilla.com? Nice site ^^;;).
I may need to redo the html for the tracker. I was digging around my room here at my parents house (or as my parents joke, 'Steph's country house') and I found my box of things from Summer School Politics and Media (SSPM) which was a journalism/poli sci program I went to 5 years ago. It was the first program I went to that forced me to cut off all ties to the world I grew up in and to transplant myself in a new place (UCSD Warren Apts) and meet new people. I haven't read the letters yet but I skimmed through my pictures and I laugh over the great memories that program gave me. Consequently it was very theraputic. To put it this way, as my TechComm professor said about elements of translplantation and reinvention, going to a place and cutting off ties to the world you're familiar with forces you to re-evaluate yourself and create a new you. (whether or not that is the genuine you that depends on the situation) However I will say that to this day those four weeks where the happiest four weeks of my life. ^^;; Anyways... I look back at that me back then and look at the me now and I don't think I've done such a bad job so far. Okay so I didn't exactly go to the colleges I thought I'd go or do the things I thought I'd do but it changed me for the better.
Errr yeah I wanted to make a point about that but I forgot, I remembered thinking to myself as I put those things back into the box, "Maybe I need to go away again to find myself again." I feel as if I am wandering aimlessly with out a real focus. Sure I want to go to law school and graduate but there is no "yeah yeah let's graduate now!" drive I used to have when I was in HS. I think moving will change that and I think that means moving out of the Bay Area.
Which I will aim to do when I graduate from SFSU as soon as I can.
Hmmmm must burn copies of both miles davis cds (kekekeke great father's day gift!).
Just watched Pretear 4-6. Writing this down fresh from memory. Summaries (or random observations) here. Major Spoilers.
If you read the manga, there are similarities and differences especially in the way that they design characters and the direction of the story. I'd almost hedge to say that Pretear anime is not related to Pretear manga but in a way it is because it takes elements from the manga and makes it a new story. ^_^;;;
I also put some things up on ebay. Go take a look. =D I wanted to put more up but my scanner went ka-put. Hopefully the problem is fixed when I get home. I love it when the computer thinks things aren't working when they are. =P
Listening to: I won't last a day with out you - Shiina Ringo and Utada Hikaru
All in all not bad, I hug the center pretty closely. I'm in the same region as Ghandi. ^^ Five years ago I would have been on the right side hugging the center. (Things change don't they ^_^;;)
On an off note, its hard to draw after years of not drawing. x_x
[edited 5:50 pm]
I will be at my parents house in the east bay, I probaly won't be online for a few days, I may be on at night for a few hours.
In channel today Emi suggested that someone write a MKR/CCD crossover. Needless to say this bunny whaped me upside the head pretty hard. It was a very scary fusion of the series and very slashy. It started with a conversation about MKR manga and then I wanted to find pictures of Eagle and I made a comment about how Eagle and Yukito looked very similar (in terms of looks, they could look like brothers). Which made Thea go: XD and me ph34r the idea of writing a CCS/MKR fic where Eagle turns out to be Yukito's younger and thus explains his past. (I stopped there because the story was just wrong and weird). Emi then made the CCD/MKR suggestion which prompted a very interesting conversation and placing the CCD-tachi in MKR-verse.
It pretty much came down to Suoh as Umi (for obvious reasons), Akira as Fuu (for reasons that went unexplained but seemed right), and Nokoru as Hikaru (for very obvious slashy reasons). It was set in the MKR2 time line and instead of Mokona, Puugu-san was Mokona! Ph34r me.
This new layout was too cute not to pass up. Becca convinced me to use it since I had gone with the Mayonaka layout for 2 weeks now. (I'm a blog layout nut x_x) The one on the left with the fish is Shuri, a very surly, lone wolf type of character. The one on the right (drooling) is Jin, a very genki Japanese boy that latches onto Shuri. Jin and Shuri are students at a private school called Diamond century (which happens to be the title of the manga) Diamond Century is a really cute manga series that runs in the magazine South and is published by Wings. And true to form, this series is very slashy! Jin and Shuri become friends and try to help keep each other out of harms way. ^^ I'd like to note why I love this manga, its the randomly bad engrish that flies around this story. If it weren't for the engrish it wouldn't be as entertaining. XD
Listening to: Hybrid Rainbow - The Pillows (I love this song)
