Bridge to the Imagination

I never read Katherine Paterson's 1977 Newberry Award-winning young adult novel, Bridge to Terabithia, but after watching the movie I wish I would have (and maybe I still will...?). I never watched the 1985 cinematic version either (in all fairness, I was only four at the time!). Truth is, I never even heard of it until...

Gregory wanted to see this movie like years ago--well, okay, it seems like years since it was out in theaters but I know it wasn't really. Anyway, we tried once or twice but it was always sold out or crowded; we never ended up seeing it. Trusty Netflix to save the day again! We watched it tonight and--even though I read quite a few reviews which all claimed in unison that there were more adult themes and that it wasn't a stereotypical kid's movie--well, I just had to see what they were talking about for myself. Equipped with our usual "movie night" trusty slice of pizza (or two--or three), Gregory, Drew, and I ventured into the world of Terabithia (via our DVD-player "bridge"). I quickly understood. I was very impressed by the content was expressed and "solved"--of how it the every day tragedies of growing up and just--well, existing... Truth is, there was no real solution for the circumstances; the solution is an inward one. Perspective; creativity... I loved the artists' reality of needing to paint or write a world in which you can understand and have meaning--for through the gift comes the need to express and verify our own existence and viewpoint... something rather hard to do when you are young (or even not so young).

Truth is, there are no "happily ever afters" or perfect endings. There's no sugar-coating or mystical retribution. Rather, reality is surprisingly given most ineptly through the instrument of the majestic and magical--but almost like a sweet illusion, an illusion or a personal secret that only select are privy to. A four-dimensional story that speaks more in its parallels and imageries than in its actual words. In brief: I love this snippet from Boston Globe: "Very Sad Things prompt Very Big Questions, and this movie is smart enough to avoid Very Easy Answers."

It's encouraging not only as a fellow author, dreamer, and illusionist, but also as a human being. If you haven't seen this one, I recommend it... Just remember to keep your mind wide open.

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind. You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

She Is Finished!

BoM? I wish. No, I did it though... After ten years of detours, confusions, and setbacks, I finally applied to the school of my choice. If my application is accepted, I will be entering UC Davis as a Junior transfer this January. If not, I will have to wait for Fall 2008 for a guaranteed transfer. But who wants to wait a year? Not I. Especially when this is the first time in years they've decided to open the winter quarter for new students--and the English department just happens to be open, while so many others remain closed. Yes, it may indeed be time. Well, that is if I can pass my Math Theory class starting next month. I really have no idea what to expect from the class; I guess it can go either way. I've wanted to go there for years--ever since I learned they had an Equestrian team and the best English department around. Very fitting for a horse-back riding writer and editorial-wannabe, right?

With all that said, Drew and I know we will have to move sometime this Fall--it's a little scary. We both love this house, it's been good to us and the boys. But... with me not working and being a full-time college student for the first time--we just can't afford this place. Plus, we want to move closer to the campus but not too far from the rest of our lives here. So, there's a lot up in the air right now that God's going to have to direct. Plus, I got this really big novel over here that still isn't finished! I am excited because I drafted a nifty outline of the story's sequences which really helped put stuff in order.

I held a mini book-reading night over here Monday. My best friend was there but her hubby was sick in bed so he missed out. They've been among my biggest book-supporters. So, even though they read the part themselves that I read, they still gave me all their support! Our other friend Nathan was there, listening for the first time. But the first chapter is always the most challenging and I'm not sure it was the most dynamic thing to listen to--despite their pleas to the contrary. There are several other friends who have wanted to listen but the day we set wasn't the best because most of them were out of town. Guess we'll have to try again. It keeps me movin', keeps me inspired. I have a lot in my head but sometimes I get dry and bored with it all, feeling like perhaps I am my only audience (besides Drew, of course).

So, other than that my days have been a collection of the mundane. The climax of my birthday festivities have subsided, giving way to lost job opportunities and hormonal tirades. This morning, in my haste to fly out the door to work, I was boiling my water for my loose-leaf popcorn green tea, when, to my great and utter dismay, I poured a good deal of the cursed water onto my hand in place of the kettle--but I was so late that I didn't have time to run my injured fingers under the faucet. No time for medical attention! Must be on time or else! They're doing okay now; no boiling blisters or scalded flesh. Just a little pink and irritated; I'll survive.

Gregory's coming Friday for the whole week and I'm so excited. I took the week of work and we have some plans like going to the beach, boat-rides, BBQ's, movies, camping... lots of fun stuff. Oh, that and my mom is flying in on Saturday! It hasn't been that long since her visit but I'm totally excited to see her again. She's staying for three weeks this time which will be amazing. I miss her so much.

Anyway, that is me for now. I'm cramping right now and I'm getting cranky so I'm going to head on out! Besides, the silence in the other room can only mean one thing: Niko's either on the kitchen counter or the kitchen table. Both will result in a major aqua whooping. But... he still won't learn anything by it. Oh, well!

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Oscar the cat predicts patients' deaths

By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer Wed Jul 25, 7:25 PM ET

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.

"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.

The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.

After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.

Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.

Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill

She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.

Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.

Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advanced warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.

No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.

Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.

If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.

Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.

Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

If She Ain't Got A Chance...

Austen scam exposes publishers' pride and prejudice

Thu Jul 19, 7:59 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - A string of publishers failed to spot blatant plagiarism of one of English literature's most famous authors, in a cheeky test to see if she would have secured a book deal today, a report said Thursday.

David Lassman, head of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, sent manuscripts to 18 editors seeking a publishing contract, using only slightly disguised versions of chapters from the iconic novelist's most famous works.

But only one publisher spotted the fakes, which included perhaps the most famous line in all English literature, the opening sentence of her 1813 work "Pride and Prejudice".

"I was staggered. Here is one of the greatest writers that has lived, with her oeuvre securely fixed in the canon and yet only one recipient recognised them as Austen's work," Lassman told The Guardian newspaper.

Making only minor changes, he sent off sample chapters from three of her best known books: "Northanger Abbey"; "Persuasion", and finally "Pride and Prejudice" which he renamed "First Impressions".

For the latter, he made no changes to the opening line: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

But all he got was a series of rejection slips, including from major publishing houses.

"Thank you for your recent letter and chapters from your book 'First Impressions'. It seems like a really original and interesting read," wrote Penguin. Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's agents Christopher Little said they were "not confident" of being able to place the work.

The only editor to spot the ruse was apparently Alex Bowler of Jonathan Cape.

"Thank-you for sending us the first two chapters of 'First Impressions'; my first impression on reading these were ones of disbelief and mild annoyance, along, of course, with a moment's laughter," he wrote back.

"I suggest you reach for your copy of 'Pride and Prejudice', which I'd guess lives in close proximity to your typewriter, and make sure that your opening pages don't too closely mimic that book's opening."

The publishing houses scrambled to explain their failure to spot what are some of the well-known passages in the English literary canon.

"Our letter was a polite note declining representation and provided a standard response," said a spokesman for Christopher Little cited by The Guardian.

"Our internal notes did recognise similarities with existing published works and indeed there were even discussions about possible plagiarism."

A spokeswoman for Penguin noted that its rejection letter had said only that it "seemed" original and interesting. "It would not have been read," she insisted.

O, The Throes of the Aged!

Well, I survived... 2-6...
I am now officially one more year away from "young."

Ce la vi.

Thanks to all who made the day ultra-special
(and giving me lots of neat gifts to keep my mind off
my rapidly encroaching antiquity... "Valkyrie Profile" & "Harry Potter" will keep me busy for awhile).

A Wellspring of Nothingness

Hi! Hello! Konichiwa! Dang, it seems like it's been awhile again. I guess my blog-obsession has somehow taken a backseat to reality and all her time constraints.
So, anyway, I was going to write about my recent trip to Japantown last weekend because... I saw my first official cosplayer! We're still totally planning on going to the Cherry Blossom Festival next spring (where all the cosplayers unite for a day to play fantastical dress-up); I just had to take a picture--but was truly bummed to see that the dang girl (channeling her best Rikku impersonation) had thrown a jacket on due to the chilly San Francisco weather. Bummer!
Anyway, ironically, she's white. If you that was a random comment, you obviously didn't read my previous post, "My Alter-Ego is Multi-Faceted." So, I had seen her walking around while we were shopping for wind chimes and pickled radishes--but by the time I was equipped with my Kodak, she had thrown on the huge trench coat. She actually did a pretty good job; had everything down to the single braid in the hair and the feathers on the socks (she's the blond with the blue scarf hanging down over the steps. I'm guessing the dudes in uniforms standing next to her are either bonafide Bart drivers or they are recalling an anime character that I do not know). Too bad you can't really tell by these pix!

Look at this second picture--is she looking straight at me? Probably. Oops! Funny.

Drew tried to play it off by standing in front of her so it wouldn't look like I was taking a picture of her (but the Pagoda monument that she's sitting on).
Anyway, the funny (funnier) thing is that some three hours or so later, while I was waiting in the car for Drew to come back for paying for our parking, the dang girl walked right behind our car without the jacket on and everything. Clumsily I reached for the camera in the backseat--but only in my mind. Come on now... I'm not throwing myself in stalker-status. What if she would have turned around? How would I have explained my unrelenting photo-show of her?

While not among my fave of FF chicas, here's what she was going for:

So, beyond the anime realm. Why, yes, I did finish Pretear and moving very steadily as we're now on disc three of Full Metal Alchemist--thanks for asking! Thanks to the wonderful storyline, Sasame is still my favorite. We held a honorary "Pretear Party" last night at our house--Nathan, April, Sarah, Caleb, Drew, Jacob (and Niko)--you're all Leafe troopers--salud! ...oh, but enough of that! My dear blogger-friend Marjie has upped and moved, "marjienalizing" her "silence" in search for a new change. And what do you know--her first post in her new home was one of mimetic meme quality... and I was tagged. Thank you, girly! It's been awhile since I've done one of these--they can be so frustratingly fun. I don't think that I'm offering too much new knowledge, but here you go nevertheless:

The Rules: "Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples' sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do."

Let the idiosyncrasies begin...

1. I hate when people whistle out loud. Well, I guess you can't really whistle inwardly, so it has to be out loud. Okay, so I hate whistling. Does that scare you? Does that make me a jerk? I don't know why I do. "Sugar & Spice" have never been among the ingredients of my make up. I'm not a girly girl--and I don't like whistling. I used to hate it when my brother whistled--which was all the time; I hate it even more when complete strangers feel compelled to release the song of their head that no one else can recognize by their lousy whistling abilities. It's just strange (especially on elevators). The lady who has the cubicle across from me loves to listen to Mexican party music on her headphones all day--and whistle along. It always sounds like a fiesta over there. Very annoying. Guess there goes my Disney career. Tons of whistling.

2. Speaking of Disney... yuk. I hate Disneyland. Yet, even though I hate Disneyland, I have always liked Disney shows. *shrug* For awhile I raised myself on the 90's version of The Mickey Mouse Club (mostly because I had a crush on J.C. and Matt Morris, and I wanted to be Keri Russell--the gal who later was the star of Felicity). Now, as you know, I have my Saturday morning routine consisting of Raven, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and--if they ever bring it back, Phil of the Future. As for Disneyland--the supposed "happiest place on earth" (even though every time I've been there I've met plenty of grumpy, pissy people), I must be counter-American. Maybe I just didn't go early enough in childhood. I went for the first time when I was thirteen, then yet again when I was fifteen because our band played there (which was kinda neat), and then lastly for a trip for Greg when he was five (my mom's idea, not mine). It must run in the family because he had the same amount of enthusiasm at five that I have at twenty-five. When asked if he wanted to go to Mickey's house, the replied, "Why? It's just a man in a costume."

3. My biggest pet-peeves are misspelling, slang, and improper grammar. It all drives me crazy! Spell-check, no matter how inaccurate at times, is a fabulous but under-appreciated invention. Well, unless it's intentional, like Faulkner, Dickinson, or James Joyce. If it's for some esoteric literary point, well, I guess it's okay then. I don't mind vernacular (the "rhetoric of the times") should it be used for the gain of a good novel... but random bits of cliche words thrown about are just plain boring. Which is really ironic because you could say I'm a recovering Southern Belle. Born in Texas; raised in Arkansas. Do I qualify? I lost my true Southern accent when I was thirteen... after I said the word "bowl" in my geography class and received a room full of thunderous laughter at my apparent ignorance. I soon dropped my customary words like "ya'll" and inherited the new verbiage consisting of words like "hella" and "hecka" (though I still have a strange and annoying inability to pronounce words like "library" and "museum"). Viva la California.

4. I used to collect bees and locusts, torture spiders, and farm toads, crawdads, and cicada shells as a child. Now I'm a recovering arachno- and bug-aphobe. This includes silly, non-terrifying things like butterflies and ladybugs. If I go into a "butterfly habitat," they flock to me and start perching on my shoulders like overgrown parrots. Nasty. Really freaks me out (this has happened to me several times). They just look at me with their grotesque worm-like faces and smile sardonically. Payback's a punk.

5. My mom asked me when I was nine if I wanted to play softball. I was so excited, I couldn't contain my joy through the weeks of waiting for the team to meet for the first time, and well into the first couple of practices. Finally, I got anxious over the fact that I still hadn't, two weeks into it, actually handled a softball. They kept having us practice with these tiny little balls that hurt when you got hit by them. What was deal with that? Pissed me off. First game: we're still using those little stinking balls! And now we're supposed to hit them with a bat? Isn't this called baseball? I had only conceded to leaving my comfy room full of books, writings, and drawings because I thought I was going to be hitting a ball over a net with my wrist! What the crap was this?! Totally confused, weeks went by until I realized that softball and volleyball were two totally different sports. When I finally figured it out, I beseeched my mother to let me quit (because, needless to say, I sucked at softball; the ironic thing is that later in life I would come to find that I suck at volleyball, too), but she made me stick it out. So, the whole season I got nothing but balls and never saw the glorious welcoming of home-plate. My final attempt I actually hit the ball--with my thumb. No matter how I pleaded to run the bases, they benched me for liability purposes. Sucky story, huh? With the exception of equestrian and archery, no wonder I hate sports.
   
   
6. My goal up to about two years ago was to watch every movie ever made. I had to soon clarify this goal by stating that porn does not count as eligible candidates for my cinematic escapade. I found the easiest way to achieve this goal (not that I have) was to start with one actor and begin to watch everything they ever did and move out from that point to watch everything their main leading actors/actresses did. My other grandiose life-goals which have long-past fizzled were: reach child-prodigy level status before the age of 20 (uh, yeah, I'm like six years too late now), tour the world (hey, three countries down--almost there, right?), get my Master's degree (wow, it only took me ten years to get to a University in pursuit of my Bachelor's; talk to me in two more years to see if I finally have it!); become either a zoologist or a paleontologist (and this was before all the Jurassic Park madness!); win an Oscar and the Pulitzer... wow, I had high standards any way. What, no "menial civil servant job" on the menu?
   
   
7. Cows are God's greatest invention. Think about it: milk, cheese, hamburger, steak, ice cream, leather... all from one creature. Cheesecake: Need I say more? Mushrooms, on the other hand...
   
   
   
8. My mom claims she will be Queen of the Rabbits in heaven (self-titled). I think I am turning into Queen of the Cats. Before I met Drew, I had destined myself to be the "old crazy cat lady" of whatever forsaken suburb I ended up in... having two hundred kitties roaming around sounds like a nightmare now, but I actually considered adopting all the cats I could find. For some reason I have this strange, uncanny ability to call
   any stray or cat hanging out on the street and they will come to me. Do I smell like tuna or something? We even have a neighboring cat who seems to have been orphaned here some time ago--we named her Sanche; she thinks we are one of her many peoples. She is very docile with us--until she sees the massiveness that is Thomas. Then she runs away (too much man for her). Well, as long as I get my big fluffy Aslan-lion in heaven--I'm okay with accepting the monarchical office. But... dragons are still my favorite animal. ;)

• PS: I will give you $5,000,000 (five million dollars) if you can guess what movie the quote in the cat picture is from. It will be in Monopoly though. Well, wait, I don't even have any of *that* kind of money. I will give you a big honkin' thumbs up. Isn't that reward enough?
  

Now to keep the tagging going (do I know eight people...?), let's get Christine, Rebecca, Drew, Eugene, Goldy, Bowrag, and Helen in on the action. Sorry, that's all I got. Go!

Hooray For Warm, Happy, Fuzzy Feelings!

Hey, I rock!!! Well, at least that's what Christine says, anyway. Here's my fancy hot-pink kuddos to prove it. I'm not really a pink-gal, but it matches today's post so it's "aight." Much obliged! Glad to see I'm rockin' someone's world out there--in a completely non-sexual way. If my BFF had a blog, I would totally nominate her just because she rocks so much without even trying!
You know who you are. ^_^

I have now officially seen at least two animes with GOOD, HAPPY endings! Hooray for the unconventional happiness! It is so rare to end an anime without feeling slaughtered emotionally. My generated non-existent award goes to both Pretear and Fushigi Yugi for their agreeable and heart-warming endings. Thank you for restoring my sense of romantic redemption! Okay, there's been way too much coverage on Pretear, and I won't give away the ending for anyone interested in watching it. But I will say that Sasame ROCKS! ^_^ (can I give him the rockin' blogger girl award??? He kinda looks like a girl...).

Onward, ho: So, it took me nearly two and a half years to complete Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play--and I'm so glad I did. It's an older anime; around the early 90's, I think (think Outlaw Star). I bought if for my brother a few Christmases ago (our only real bond involves anime and RPG video games... sad, really) but then decided to check it out for myself via nifty Netflix. I had been waiting for the last disc initially and then just kinda never went back to it. But I have--I've conquered the 52-episode series and rekindled my love for the story. It's amazing. The idea of a living book--a living story in which the ones who read it are absorbed into the world and war in which they are destined to change. Okay, peoples, were not talking The Neverending Story, here. Think a little above the 80's prepubescent box. Not that I'm anti-The Neverending Story (oh, how I love to sing the theme song!)--it's just, well, we all understand the target audience and how they differ dramatically between the two.

Now, no matter how annoying the English dub for Miaka's voice is (yet still not as annoying as the English voice actor who did Nakago's voice!)--there is no anime couple like her and her beloved. Miaka, legendary Priestess of Suzaku and the most precious of her seven celestial knights, Tamahome... so sweet. Here's an anime where the two main love interests actually get married somewhere in the middle of the series--and the romance and love never fizzles into the ordinary at all. They do not lose their passion for one another. How refreshing to see. A true love story that doesn't end with the wedding! (uh, reality here). They wear their rings as a sign of their ceaseless devotion, even though they are separated by worlds, and eventually life (but it's alright!!! If you want to know why, you're just going to have to watch it yourself!).

Want a good epic love story that's non-cheesy? Check out Fushigi Yugi; it will not disappoint. I'm not even into romance or "chick-flicks"--but this one anime really caught me off guard and struck a chord with me (even got me a little girly--yes, I cried!).

Check out this kick-butt award-winning FY video by Dark Moon studios.
Watch it NOW!!! Hooray for 'true love'!

Mucho Mas Memoirs

Before you're distracted by yet another anime entry--let me elaborate before you turn away. Sure, this is going to discuss anime but in a different way: a historical & cultural topic. I am always interested in public opinion. So, come on in and stay awhile. Maybe you'll even learn something new. ^_^

Upon finishing Samurai Deeper: Kyo last night in celebrations of the fabulousness that is Independence Day, Drew and I were initially quite confused with the ending, being that the majority of characters and storyline were actual in fact and history. [side note: wow, what a long and syntax-confusing sentence!]. Yet after doing some research--that is, reading through some true Japanese history--things became much clearer. Enter the world in time: The Battle of Sekigahra.

• Sanada Yukimura
  
• Oda Nobunaga
• Ieyasu Tokugawa
• Tokugawa "Benitora" Hidetada
• Sarutobi Sasuke
• Kirigakure Saizo

Though I had heard some of these names before, I had no idea while watching the 30-episode anime who these people really were (with the exception of Sasuke and Saizo; there have been debates on their legitimate existence. Still, their legends are over one hundred years old). One thing incredibly cool about Sanada Yukimora--the "Crimson Demon of War," as he was said to be called--who was my favorite in the show, along with Sasuke, is that they gave him a quote towards the end of the show which resonated very similar to what he is believed to have truly said moments before his death.

And could the true existence of the "Five Elders" be the basis of the Mibu clan and their "Red King"? Of course, no there is no mention of a real-life Kyo (Kyoshiro Mibu)--but we have wondered if the red-haired legendary warrior was based on a real man who likewise inspired Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni Kenshin who gave his main character, Himura Kenshin, quite similar appearance and characteristics. The real-life Uesugi Kenshin was known as "the god of war" as well as "The Dragon of Echigo." Could he be an inspiration to the creators of Kyoshiro/Kyo and Kenshin alike? Just a thought... I am no expert.

What's really my point in all this? Well, my hubby and I had been talking even before we finished this series (and even more so afterward) about how cool it is that animes like SD:K and RK, as well as many others, actually are rooted in so much history, using real places, people, events, and places to make an otherwise long-past and dormant world come to life. Not only that, but the characters and the time-period seem showcased in a way that makes ordinary men and women appear to be heroes. Superheroes, even. They don't need Superman and Batman to save the day, they have the wandering Samurai Battosai. Integrity is the key--one's own self worth is often translated through an inward moral compass of compassion, love, honor, and dignity. How neat for the kids of the country to learn about their culture and ancestry in such a fun, creative way. So, the real question is: why don't we have anything like that here? Is it because Paul Revere and Daniel Boone don't translate well as animated superheros? Or is it that our stories and our history are so much an assimilation of countless others that our identity is opaquely absorbed by the very freedoms which were fought for? Truthfully, we just don't have, as Americans, the rich culture and history to lay claim to. Our nation is but a baby compared to so many civilizations in the world. I really felt the humble evidence of that when I went to Italy last year. We are the metaphorical melting-pot, after all. And maybe melting-pots just don't equate as cartoon-material.

For those of you who don't understand or recognize the difference between anime and western animation, the specific distinction lies not only in the amazing graphics, music, and story-lines but there is a feeling of pride and rich ancestral understanding. From a people who knew where they came from--who they are because of where they were as a culture: they make superheroes of their ancestors and immortalize the ages within in lyrical and poetic understanding. Of course, not each series falls under this category. There are always exceptions either way. I'm not talking about the floofy, goofy shows which have no real evident point other than to amuse or arouse the mind. Yet even nearing the end of Pretear, an anime which starts out in complete and utter silliness, something childish in the story subsided and entered into a new realm altogether. The dramatic realm; the realm where certain eternal elements are spoken silently to hit the human core. Perhaps one has to tune their ears to hear such silent voices all the more, but they are there just the same.

All this to say, it would be refreshing to see a reflection of these elements--this civil pride, of sorts, in American entertainment. Something more than cars blowing up and G-stringed ladies. Can we discover our past and our ancestral beginnings in a new way that has meaning and influence to the younger generations?

Well, thanks for listening. I hoped you learned a thing or two. If nothing more, I had a good time writing it. On the dawn of a new show's end, we move hastily to embrace something new.
Onward we march to the first disc of Full Metal Alchemist!

Memoirs of a Media-Junkie

Oh, my--July is here. Julio! Crazy and amazing. Depressing and disturbing. All at once these things flooded over me today. I would say that they flooded over me yesterday (as it was the 1st of the month), but I am rarely disturbed by such trivialities on the weekend. On the weekend I am immortal. Though my immortality did falter a bit--being that I had a migraine all day yesterday.

Anyhoo... In between six-mile bike rides, Final Fantasy obsessions, two crazy kitties, and BoM writings, I've been engrossing myself in anime, of course! Drew and I are tossing back and forth between Pretear and Samurai Deeper: Kyo, two massively different animes of different tastes. While Samurai Deeper Kyo is more Drew's brand of tea (though he doesn't really like tea... hmm...), I like the cutesy semi-above PG, quirky animes. I get that in Pretear. Allow me to elaborate:

Pretear reminds me of Chobits just a little--maybe a very, very watered down and storyline-packed Excel Saga. Maybe Sailor Moon meets Love Hina. Yeah, we'll go with that... since you all have no idea what I'm talking about anyway. Well, tough. You're still reading. So, it's supposed to be like an off version of Snow White, or something. I haven't even gotten to the second disc yet so I can't fill you in much on the story. But, well, it's interesting... especially the concept of "preeting." Interesting... yeah. I like the characters. Himeno Awayuki is funny and not overly-annoying like "Excel, Excel." Sasame reminds me of someone... but I haven't figured out who yet. I think he's my favorite Knight. Well, but I like Hayate, too; he reminds me of Inuyasha a little because he's such a jerk. haha. I love anime jerks. That always means they're in love with the main female character! Every anime's got a juicy love-story. They're like little animated soaps. I get all caught up in it and before I know it, I'm jealous that I don't live in the world I'm so engrossed in. I guess that's why I write. ^_^

As for Samurai Deeper: Kyo, this one's like a cross between Inuyasha, Rurouni Kenshin, and Samurai X. It's good--other than slight annoyances like the repetitive use of the word affiliated with a beaver's past-time, and that the bad guy of every episode has the same voice as the one before (are we to believe that it's just the same dude over and over again?). And so Kyo, this man with "demon-eyes" (they're red), who killed 1,000 men in the Battle of Sekigahara, was killed but came back in the body of the man who killed him, Mibu Kyoshiro. Hey, they got the same name! Kyo and Kyoshiro... hmm... think that's important? Nah... ;) Anyway, my favorite character in this one so far is Sanada Yukimura and his little-person henchman whose name escapes me at the moment. He's a muramasa-wielding cutie! ^_^ Shiina Yuya would get her but kicked by Kaoru, but she's still less annoying to listen to (and really, what could possibly beat Kenshin in terms of quality?).

Alright, that's enough for now. I have a night left of writing and biking left. Oh, and a little Hell's Kitchen for desert. Alas, I feel like such a media-junkie today. But, well I'll leave you with a movie-goodie. It's the intro to Pretear. Enjoy and sorry about the lousy quality. It's the best that I could find.

Okay, now that I'm nearing the end (this is an update, duh) of Pretear, let me say that my feelings for Sasame have gone through a radical change... though I still like him. I now know who he reminds me of--Kuzuki Kakyou from X, which is ironic because I found the same music theme "Angels" by Within Temptation to an X interpretation (which, in my mind was better; if you're interested, check it out here). One can only hope that he will find redemption and return to the "good side." But knowing anime endings... Poor Sasame... I miss him. :(