Through the Looking Glass

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:17:26 GMT

Blade of the Immortal anime!

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:16:47 GMT

Episodes one and two now available for download on AnimeSuki. Let's hope it's good as the manga.
(Now that I got Camren's attention, he should check out my previous journal entry as well.)

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time ~

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:05:53 GMT

~hits the Varsity theater August 29 through September 4. Both dubs and subs.
Should be good stuff.

More new gamestuffs:
God of War
The World Ends With You

PS
for Cam:

"... Aaaaaaaaaaaand I came in my pants." (first reply to link)

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:43:56 GMT

*:+=~~~*-> http://kotaku.com/5021353/is-chrono-trigger-ds-coming-to-america <-*~~~=+:*
(For those who live in a slightly larger cave than I.)

Things I want to buy:
Eureka Seven Vol. 1: The New Wave (Game). I just got the "sequel" (what? sale. cheap.) and it's fun enough thus far. (Also Metal Slug anthology! w007!)
Renji "Range" Murata manga, artbooks and other cool stuffs ~ Soltry Rei / Last Exile... (this avatar)
Die Sterne, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto / NGE artbook. (I just got Der Mond - English, hardback)
"The World Ends With You" seems to come highly recommended by allot of folk. Any other recommendations?

FFVII PS2 (*sigh* ...I know.)

Again, Happy Birthday Geoff!

Still working for my dad. Still in school. Get out at noon. call me. (Must get real job and place to live)

Fencing Blogging!
(It's NEW and about time!)
Lots of sinctures, expulsions and working in punta-reversa and variations on the move itself. Like with the subjugation. Must work on new plays.
CECILSAYSRELAX! CECILSAYSSTOPWASTETIMEJUSTKILLHIM! (But don't rush. In other words take a few risks when given an opening.) Need to work on forum (elbow?) and footwork on un-even terrain. We've been inside too much.
Time to drill whilst waiting for the buss. Lifting weights and actually working out might not a be bad idea either. :P
5 years of madness and counting!

Need a new dagger blade (too short) and maybe it's time for a new guard on the old girl for (yes, even more) weight reduction. I've had that thing ground down so many times I feel like a pansy asking folks to do it again. Oh well, better than severe tendonitis as Jen says.
That's about it.
There is no bota secreta but practice.
PS
New guy's name is Owen. He juggles and has a good sense of humor as far as I can tell.
Congrats to Camren, Peter and Morgan on making it to scholar! (even if you guys are still backswordies.)
PPS Cecil still owes me another private lesson. I should set that up while he still remembers I paid him for it.

Ja ne.

Tomodachi

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:23:50 GMT

About four days ago a friend of the family, Lourie, gave me a call informing me that she was hosting a Japanese exchange student and was wondering if I could show her around Seattle. I was intimidated, but told her that I'd love to do it. I wasn't going to pass up the chance to meet someone from a country I always wanted to go to.

On Sunday at about 11:45 I hit the Burke-Gilman Trail on my new longboard http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/d-a-n-e/2000/?action=view¤t=002-4.jpg from my house towards the U district. I got into the U district at about 12:30 and realized that maybe being covered in sweat wouldn't be the best way to make introductions.
I think we all forget that even Seattle has a summer.
I found [a] Kaplan U building location. Got on my cell, explained to Lourie that it wasn't the address she had given me. there are two. crap. I tried looking for the second location but returned to the first as it hit my scheduled meeting time. Overheard two hilarious cellphone conversations. "...So yeah, with this girl, you might as well saw your d*** off, put it in a jar and save it for a rainy day..." and "...So we perfected the ultimate Orgasmo drinking game." I love the U district.
1:00- I sat and waited for a while and then thought "Well, if the second location truley exists.." and got my out my cell phone again and was about to call when a lovely (God I hope she doesn’t find this LJ post for at least a month or two) young lady, who seemed barley over five-foot asked my name in English with all the thickly-accented confidence she could muster.

It's one thing to hear it in film, music or anime, another using just afew words of phrases jokingly amongst friends- But when you find yourself speaking Japanese, it becomes completely alien very quickly.
1:10 -Oh joy, my first full sestance in a forging langue I don't even know how to speak. "H-Hai, W-Wa- Watashi-wa Hen-du-rehk-son Dane desu." She smiled. (I'm sure she thought it was cute.)
"Minami." (literally: “Little Wave”) I thought it was strange she didn't give her last name.
I quickly followed up with "Hajimemashite" and she smiled again. Of course, now I was screwed. I just uttered the only sentice in Japanese that I felt relatively comfortable next to "The fallowing has been brought to by these, our grand sponsors" (You know the one. Useful, huh?)

It wouldn't be a problem. Thankfully, Lourie sort of exaggerated Minami's unfamiliarity with the English language. I apologized for meeting her at the wrong building. No worries.

I asked her she had anything to eat and made sort of a eating pantomime- a bowl and chopstick sort of motion. "Nah, I'm good." I felt like a duchebag.

She kept commenting on how hot it was here and I told her that us Seattle folk aren’t used to this sort of weather. She likes the rain.

We started walking north up the ave when I spotted the ice cream shop. Cutest "Oooh! Haagen Daz!" ever.
I got mint chip in a waffle cone and she went for the green tea in a tiny little cup. It was so hot out I barely made it without wearing my treat. No napkins. I was immediately written off as being funny. On to simple conversation.

21. looks more like 18. (kinda like me, huh?)
Seems to live with her family. Will confirm later.
Chiba prefecture near Tokyo right on the water. Nice.
Plays Soccer.
Likes to hang out with friends, read manga and watch anime. Excellent.
We both like Fullmetal Alchemist and The Pillows. Allot.

At the Bus stop- Now the sun wasn't blaring in my eyes, I finally got to study her.
Short, shoulder-length hair, reddish-brown. Wore a cute little sapphire blue bungee hair-tie thing which just sort of shot her hair off in one direction downward at an angle. Long bangs to the left. Very cute in that Japanese trendy sort of way.
Round face.
Chestnut-brown eyes.
White t-shirt and vest w/blue stripes in which she only buttons the top button.
Tight, dark blue levi jeans, a little stressed, boot-cut.
Stylish brown western belt with a simple silver buckle.
Very cute navy-blue sneaker-style heals.
Gold, hert-shaped pendent.
Cute factor? Well, you get the idea.

We took the 47 downtown. Crazy lady on the bus. We laughed when she got off. Lady with a dog gets on. Minami is happy that dogs can ride the bus in America. looks outside and her face lights up as we watch south lake union go by. We talk about Hayao Miyazaki (she loves Porco Rosso most it seems) Tokyo tower, the space needle.
So far, so good.

We get out at third. She points out Macys. We walk to Benaroya Hall to catch the 7. It's about this time we have a conversation about sakura-con, Japanese fashion and lolitas. Some people with cat-eared hats walk by wearing gay pride beads. Nice timing.

2:00ish I take her to Uwajimaya and she makes a B-line to Kinokuniya and goes straight for the anime art books. she likes ghost in the shell the most. Also likes Appleseed, Evangellion. (Into the sci-fi/mecha much?) Tries on a Totoro hat. Upstairs to CDs points out Dragon Ash, Pheniox, L'Arc-en-Ciel and a bunch of other cool stuff. Some I know, some are new. We scoff at prices. "I could get this for $10 back home!" That sort of thing. Another lolita conversation, I find a copy of kamikaze girls. Yay! Should have bought it.
We find a T-shirt that says "moe," hilarity ensues.

Shopping: Green tea (expensive) Ramune and coconut Pokey. (Hey, Geoff, what are those chewy candy square things you keep on getting? I forgot the name and wanted some really bad.)

We find Yukata (summer kimono) and I explain to her if I ever go to Japan I would like to do it in the summer for the festivals and fireworks or spring for the sakura. She didn't really comment on whether or not she was into traditional clothing, but she didn't seem unenthusiastic either. It was like a normal thing. She did however express her desire for traditional cooking wear and pottery.
Overall very impressed with Uwajimaya.

Pink Godzilla. Check.
International model toys. Major cool points.
Video store Japanese Restaurant above and Karaoke bar in back? Score, but we didn't go in.

Catch the buss back downtown 4:00ish. Take her to Westlake Center. Apparently Lush is big in Japan, who knew? Walked into Fireworks. Finds a tea cup that explains chopstick use and etiquette and another with cartoon faces of famous Sumo Wrestlers. I ask and she explains to me exactly why it is rude to stick your chopsticks up in rice. She whips out her little electronic Japanese to English pocket dictionary for the first time (pretty good this far in, huh?) My suspicions were correct- resembles Buddhist headstone, good to know for those who don't. She appoints me "Head of chopstick etiquette for Americans." (So yeah, I'm watching you.)

We leave Fireworks go past Hot topic, EB, Plush and FYE. She wants a bean-bag chair. Don't we all?
Upstairs I show her the most expensive place to by bubble tea in Seattle and tell her to back to the u district if she wants some, it's the best and cheapist there. she gets it. Back downstars and out the door we notice pride flags, more people wearing beads, rainbows, streamers in front of Lush, etc. I explain to her what pride is about. she looked confused at first and then I said something about Califorina and she broke out in applause like a true pflag-er. As we leave some guy is playing electric guitar in front of Starbucks. Not bad.

Pointed out Gameworks. Not a gamer but thought it was cool nonetheless. Saw the ninja in the window and asked me about any ninja manga I knew. Can't remember what I said. nothing to do with Naruto, that's for sure.

Pointed out the convention center and said that's where we hold Sakura-con. Thoroughly impressed with the glass arched walkway.

4:50
To the Library! She starts taking pictures. I remember her pointing out a magazine in Kinokuniya on architecture. Tells me her mom is an architectural consultant and explains to me that's what she's in college for. Smart girl. Well-to-do family.
She took my photo near the Fifth Avenue entrance.
The Library was a big hit. she kept saying "wow" about every fifteen feet. we find the comics. We both like Emma. My fanboy side comes out. oops. still not labeled "otaku" just yet.

We covered just about every inch of the building and almost went into a restricted, employees only area, all the while taking pictures. She thought the floor with the word "welcome" in all the different languages was wonderful. Irashaimasu!
We found the Japanese books. Turns out they have Osamu Tezuka manga first editions in Japanese.
We get out of the library and Minami is beaming with joy. I figure now, if any would be a good time to get a photo of her. She was shy at first but agreed to it. She took my picture again this time with the whole library in the background.

About this time I take out my "Japanese in thirty hours" pocket dictionary that Terrance gave me before I graduated. She grabs it. Reads a few lines and laughs then flips to the back. "Nobody talks like this in Japan anymore! Where did you get this!?" Turns out the book was printed in 1949. She told me that it was precious and that I should still use it and hold onto it. "Good for formal speach" was the verduct.

It was time to head back to Lourie's and start thinking about dinner. Minami invited me over for yakisoba. We take the 2 into the CD and walk by Nova. She likes old buildings too.

We head to the Red Apple and pick up some tupperware for her homework project. She was told to bring in some "traditional" food from her home country for sort of a potlatch. Translation: More Yakisoba.

Grab some Boylan soda- I got cola while she got ginger ale. Out the door.

I found a hill and give her a longboarding demo. Got going a little faster than I would have liked. Must ride that hill in front of Lorie's again sometime. Gnarly.

6:30
We arrive at Lourie's house but she isn't home. We have an adventure getting in through the garage door. We are greeted by Lourie's dog, Sara and a few cats. Minami brings up her flat-black Japanese Macbook with a cute little portable mouse that looks like red pressed leather. (The Japanese get all the best tech-y stuff.) She puts it on the counter. Something about computers in different languages are awesome. No Wi-Fi, so she starts a slide-show of her bother's wedding in Okinawa. Her family is full of beautiful people.
Minami starts making Yakisoba after and I sort of watch. She complains about having to use a dull knife to cut the cabbage. Food's done.
Lourie's house has an awesome view overlooking lake Washington and the Murrow floating bridge, so we got first-class seats watching the lightning storm over the hills. We bring the computer outside and I play around in her iTunes. She has good taste.

Lourie made it home at about 8:45. We were still eating on the front porch.
By this time the lightning storm was in full swing. No thunder, No rain, just fireworks. As if today wasn't surreal enough.
I asked Minami how long she would be staying in the states. Six months? Wow.

We got Wi-Fi in the living room of Lourie's. I show Minami my artwork, some fencing photos and some pictures of sakura-con (mostly pictures of animation cells.) lol'd at the cosplay.

10:30 time to go home. Minami handed me four DVD-Rs (Of mostly music I'm guessing. I've yet to see what's on them.) We exchanged emails, as we figured it would probably be tricky to talk over our phones. (It was cute watching her struggle her way through her new American cell-phone.)

She then said something that nearly made me cry-
She expressed how much she appreciated my showing her around and that she was truly happy to make a new friend. And that if I should ever want to visit her in Chiba I would be more than accommodated for and welcome. She walked me out the door and to the gate. We didn’t hug, but we bowed when we said goodbye. It felt just as good. I finnaly have a friend outside of America and Canada.
Sayonara, Oyasuminasai, Yoi yume o... et al.

NANNNIIII!?

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:27:29 GMT

yellowvespa04: you'll never guess what i'm doing on sunday.
neoweezel: what?
yellowvespa04: leading a japanese exchange student around seattle.
neoweezel: awww
yellowvespa04: all i know is that she's 21, her name is Minami, she's been in the states for four days now, her english is kinda poor, she likes anime (to what extent i don't know).
yellowvespa04: should be crazy fun.
neoweezel: oh my lord your head is going to explode.
yellowvespa04: indeed.

Japanese speaking friends, I could use your help right about now.

Looking for work.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:46:43 GMT

Anybody got any leads on some summer jobs I might be good at?

I'm Bussy with classes in the morning Monday-Thursday 9:40-12:50 and Fencing is 7:00-9:00 Wednesday and Friday evenings.

Thanks.

Degas! Raphael! Monet! Manet! Rubens! El Greco! C'ezanne! Dumas! INSPIRATION OH MY!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:27:01 GMT

Inspiring Impressionism comes to the Seattle Art Museum June 19th. Ohboyohboyohboy!

Blade of the Immortal Anime! (Plus awesome MS paint Alfons Mucha wallpaper bonus!)

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:38:45 GMT

OMFGYAY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7WpUQG_cws

My awesome Mucha wallpaper I made while i was board procrastinating homework:

Major Pumping Required.

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:57:08 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXC7qZ_iWgM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR6xmHNJfUo&feature=related

It's the new broomstick.

Fri, 23 May 2008 03:15:36 GMT

http://garfieldminusgarfield.net/

Sat, 17 May 2008 11:09:46 GMT

4am post.
cheers.

Discoveries

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:37:58 GMT

Must have.

Also, mass-awesome web comic:
http://dresdencodak.com/

Sun, 11 May 2008 22:01:28 GMT

nearly two weeks late, but what the hey.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gRhPeJ3uzOc&feature=related

Speed Racer!

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:35:50 GMT

For those of you, like me, who are foolish enough to go see the all new Matrix-ifyed Speed Racer movie just for nostalgic hell of it, here's a little something to somewhat reimburse that $9.50 ticket fee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScF_ZGdg6ik&watch_response

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:44:58 GMT

If you haven't seen Makoto Shinkai's [She and Her Cat, Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days] 5 Centimeters Per Second, I highly recommend that you do.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:40:28 GMT

My most truest feelings about the internet:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/GardenED.jpg

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:51:12 GMT

*glances at calender* Holy shit! In four days and I can do this legally!

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:59:03 GMT

http://www.strindbergandhelium.com/

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 05:09:29 GMT

You can't Always get what you want.

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:26:49 GMT

I can't believe I'm missing a Pillows concert. Oh well, there's always next year.

Just in case you were wondering what it is I do with this "sword fetish" of mine.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:12:05 GMT

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-11-western-martial-arts_N.htm

I have a better hobby than you do.

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:40:04 GMT

THE PILLOWS IN SEATTLE 3/19

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:16:30 GMT

http://scmb.sakuracon.org/viewtopic.php?p=495321#495321

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:09:39 GMT

What The Hell Happened Last Night?
LJ Username
What did you drink?
You wake up in the morning next to:	takeshi_kovacs_
...who is wearing:	a Star Trek VI Captain's Starfleet uniform
...and rolls over to you to say:	Wanna do that thing with the broccolli again?
...and then:	zaps you with an electric cattle prod

This quiz by joneccleston - Taken 1030 Times. </a>