Tuesday, April 26, 2005

   Oy
If you didn't see yesterday's post, please check it out. It looks like only one person saw it, or at least only one person commented. I spent a good while typing it.

Tomorrow I get to watch the educational film "Red Asphalt" in Health class. That sounds SOOOO fun to watch. -_-' Yes that WAS sarcasm. It's going to be so frikken' gross. I've heard about that film (and its sequel). >_< Like the guy on the motor-cycle that crashed, landed head-first and skidded across the road, smearing his brain for 30 yd.s. XP Nasty. We just finished a Dr. Phil on Anorexia and Bulimia, and before that we watched the movie "Super Size Me". I've got to say, it was a GOOD movie. For those who don't know, Super Size Me is a Shock-umentary about just how bad fast-food is for you. It's a really interesting expose', much better then F 9/11 in my opinion. Not only because it was based on fact, not political opinion, but also because the main guy was trying to get fat, not already fat. XD Sorry, but you can't complain about capitalism if weigh 400 lbs. Silly Mr. Moore! XP

Well, there are 2 people that need our help. Miyoko-chan is really feeling down. She's feeling a bit better, but she could still probably use some of our help. More info on her site, so please check out her posts.

But that's not even the most urgent case. I'm seriously worried about Vankalla 86. She seems really, REALLY down. Please, please, please visit her site and talk to her. She really needs our help.

I'm not feeling that good myself. I've felt just a tad on the low side of the emotional spectrum, but that was made worse by how I felt all morning. Though (hopefully) only the guys out there can relate to this, I felt like someone had kicked me in the crotch. That dull pain you feel after something like that happens just lingered all day long, and I couldn't bend over. I know that that should probably be filed under "TMI" (Too Much Information), but we can be honest here, can't we? Sorry. >///<

Any who, here's the Prayer List:

My Pastor
Lindsey (ElvesAteMyRamen) (Her end of the year work)
MichaelsGirl91 and her friend Sandy
The Victims of the Christmas Day Tsunami
Akane the Fox, her friend, and her friend's boyfriend in Re-hab
Miyoko-chan's car and her brother Scott’s car
Mikoko-chan
Vankalla 86
SILVER TIGER
Honoto
jennifer92
My Grandmother
And Mark
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Monday, April 25, 2005

   One Report: FINISHED!!!






I am many things, but a Michael Moore fan is not one of them. XD Hence why I made this.

So how are you guys doing? I’m doing fine, because, I TURNED IN MY HISTORY REPORT!!! I no longer have that hanging over my head, and I can finally have time to draw now! I now have some art trades to get working on! For those who don't know, an art trade off is sort of like a two-way request, but it's not just for fun, it's for art study and practice. What I'm doing is finding artists that are working on original manga just like I am. I draw their characters in my style, and they draw my characters in their style. Thus we each learn from each other! (Isn't TheOtaku great? <:') Sorry, something in my eye, *sniff*). I currently am doing an art trade-off with both Akane the Fox and Miyoko-chan, and I need to get crackin'! First I need to submit updated concept art of Josh, and then I need to do character art for both those artists! This'll be tough, but fun! \m/^_^\m/ I'd like to apologize to both those artists for the delay due to my history report.

If you didn't see yesterday's post, please check it out. I spent a good long while on it.

So are you guys likin' the new "Cosplay" section on TheOtaku? I think it's a segment to add! Maybe this will promote more cosplayers (which I respect as a fun, difficult and artistic form of expression and enjoy seeing) as well as get more cosplay costumes from our veterans here on TheOtaku. Maybe even more work from my favorite cosplay artist! Hint hint:

I can't take it! She's too cute! (And please don't think I'm a perv for saying that. I mean cute as in huggable and snuggleable, like Kirby or Kilala, not cute as in "hot". I don't use the internet to hit on young women, so don't think I'm some elderly net-perv, OK?)

I'm pretty impressed with the results of my first weekly poll. The indomitable "Prince Yuki" has received but one vote. I thought he was going to be on top, no doubts at all. But Kurama is on top, with 5 votes, and Kyo at 3rd place with 3. If you haven't voted yet, please do (it's at the top of my page). Anybody willing to spill the beans on whom they voted for and why?

But what surprised me the most is who is in 2nd place. '///' That's me in second place! ^///^ Aww, that's awesome! I wish I knew who voted that way, or at least know if the people who voted for me were just crack-pots. -///- I certainly hope not! >///<

OK, everybody, have a nice day and I'll see you tomorrow!
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Sunday, April 24, 2005

   Does anybody know how to get an animated gif onto my Otaku page? Will Photobucket.com allow something that's animated? I've some really cool gifs that made that I want to show you.

Sorry for not updating yesterday, guys. I was feeling all anxious and stressed, and I couldn't figure out why. Probably because my history report is due tomorrow. @_@ I'm screwed. It's already 3 PM and it feels like 11 AM. X_x Of course, my family wakes me up early on every day except the one I really need them to do so. ^_^;

Anyway, did any of you see Full Metal Alchemist last night? (If you haven't, and you plan to catch the encore on Thursday or later, and you don't like spoilers, please skip this next paragraph! That means you, Lindsey! XD)

Any who, that was a pretty serious twist with the whole locket/medallion thing. I love how FMA takes a page out of the Twilight Zone (another show I love) by giving you an awesome surprise ending you never see coming. The best one was in the fourth or fifth episode, I believe, which was entitled "A Forger's Love". Anyway, what was up with that bizarre woman affiliated with the military? You know, the one with the brownish, long hair that we never got to see a full facial profile of (her face was always shadowed)? Her voice sounded EXACTLY like Lust's voice. But she didn't look like a homunculi at all. Did Lust become human? What about Gluttony and Envy? But that woman couldn't have been human. At the end of the ep, she turned her hand into that odd purple plasma thing (when she was sipping tea in front of the window and getting chewed out by the general). I don't know how or why she did that, all I know is that it looked freakin' cool. I wish I could do that. Anybody want to share their thoughts on this?

Something I'm really surprised with is the lack of AMV's that use good heavy metal. Call me obsessive, but Metallica is perfect for many animes. Here are some examples:

-"Of Wolf and Man" would be perfect for an AMV that's generally about the Wolf's Reign series.

-I can see "The Frayed Ends of Sanity" used to show the mental stress of the characters of Evangelion, or used in a comic sense for an AMV using clips from FLCL.

-"Disposable Heroes" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" both hold true messages about war, and would both be great for an AMV about the Gundam series.

-I would love to see an AMV completely comprised of fight scenes and explosions from Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, FMA, the Tenchi series', Yu Yu Hakusho, and maybe even Love Hina and FLCL, using the song "Battery".

-"Am I Evil?" would be perfect for a Witch Hunter Robin AMV.

-"Nothing Else Matters" sounds like incorporates all the feelings of the Fruits Basket series, and would make for a divine combination of emotional scenes and the softer side of Metallica.

-"Metal Militia" would be frikken' awesome to see on an AMV that focuses on the exploits of the two Elric brothers.

-"Harvester of Sorrow" would go great with any extremely dark character, particularly one from Evangelion.

-"Fade to Black" is a massively appropriate song to surround any angsty anime character that has to deal with the possibilities of death and perpetual unhappiness.

-And finally, I'll show you that Metallica is good for ANY anime, by showing you that Metallica can work well even with its complete opposite: Sailor Moon.
There are supposedly 3 or 4 movies surrounding that series, one of which is about some sort of evil chick's plan to freeze the planet or whatnot. Sounds like "Trapped Under Ice" to me.

See what I mean? And that's just Metallica. There's also AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, CKY, Flogging Molly, and so on.

Thanks for your time guys, but I have to go finish my project. -_-'
This'll suck big time.
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Friday, April 22, 2005

Hi everybody. Have any of you heard of a film entitled "Johnny Got his Gun"? I ask because it's involved in an artistic project I'd like to do with my manga as soon as I finish the one that involves "The Garden of Earthly Delights". If you have seen the movie, or even if you've heard about it, please tell me all that you know about it. I need to gauge how informed you are on that piece of media.

If you haven't noticed already, the Song of the Week is on a bit of a hiatus. -_-' I have to get my e-mail working before its back up and running.
But in light of this event, I have started a new weekly event! ^_^ I will now have a small Poll of the Week up every week! If you haven't already, please take that poll. It's up at the top of my page.

Have any of you heard of the "Two Cow" philosophy of simplifying examples of how certain governments work. Here is the original list of analogies:

Socialism

You give one cow to your neighbor and keep the other.

Communism

The government takes the cows and gives you the milk.

Fascism

The government takes the cows and sells you the milk.

Nazism

The government shoots you and keeps the cows.

Bureaucracy

The government takes the cows, shoots one, milks the other, then pours the milk down the drain.

Capitalism

You sell one cow and buy a bull.

Our assignment in history was to think up some more analogies for other political systems. Would you be at all interested in hearing some of them? But please, don't tell me any of yours until after Monday, because if you do, people will call me a plagiarist.

Thanks everybody, and I'll see you tomorrow!
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Thursday, April 21, 2005

Hey everybody. How's it going? Thanks for taking the poll I posted yesterday. You guys rock!

I don't have much to post about today, except that my dear friend Naru's (celestialessence) birthday was yesterday! Happy birthday, Naru! \^o^/

From now on I'll do a little poll of the week, which are smaller and simpler then my regular polls. There's a new one up at my intro right now! Please answer it!

Ugh. My report is due on Monday. I need to finish! Please pray for me!

If you didn't see yesterday's post already, please take a look. I need as many poll results as possible.

Anywho, since I got nothing else to report, I'll give you my answers for yesterdays poll, excluding the imagination questions. Instead I'll just answer the opinion and information questions.

1. What is your hair color (your natural color)?

My hair is a thick, deep mahogany brown.

2. Do you like your hair color? If not, what color would you like to dye it?

Yes, very much. But if I dyed it, it would be jet-black for a natural color, but for an unnatural color, I'd go with cobalt blue or toxic green.

3. What hair color do you prefer for members of the opposite sex that you find attractive? (Can be natural or unnatural colors)

Well, personally I really like red hair. I just think that red hair is so pretty. -///-

4. How long is your hair? (Ear length, shoulder length, back length, etc.)

I just got a hair cut, so it's short and fuzzy rather then soft and spiky. I like it at the longer length.

8. Are you happier more often then you are sad, or vice versa?

That's a toughie. I'd have to say it's either split even or just a little more on the sad side.

9. Do you sometimes (or even always) feel that you are deeper or think deeper then the people around you?

Yes, all the time. The people at school and sometimes even my close friends seem so shallow. I don't judge people by their looks or clothes, and unlike most young men my age, I put more value in a relationship then just a way to get sexual intercourse. I think about important issues, and most of the kids at my school just think of drugs and porn.

10. Are the people around you quick to notice when you aren't happy?

Sometimes. My dad's pretty good with that.

11. Who do you go to when you need someone to talk to?

It may sound pathetic to some of you, but I come here. You guys are the people that really understand me, and you always make me feel better. <:)

Thanks guys, and I'll see you tomorrow!
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Wednesday, April 20, 2005

   Poll, Baby!
Hey everybody! How's it going? If you didn't see yesterday's post, please check it out.

First up, Miyoko-chan submitted a piece of artwork that I made a suggestion for! ^///^ She drew a wicked awesome Naga for me! For those of you who don't know, Nagas are girls that have the upper body of a human and the tail of a snake for a lower body (usually the snake part is a boa constrictor or a python). Check it out! :



For anyone who doesn't know, I'm a big fan of mermaid and naga pics (I know that sounds weird coming from a dude, but it's true). Doesn't that pic look cool?! Thank you so much, Erin-chan! I'll have a pic for you just as soon as I get my history report out of the way! (Sorry! It's eating up all my free time!)
Please visit, vote and comment on this piece, pleeeeeeeeeeease? ^_^

In other news, I've got a poll for you! Like I've said a bunch before, these really help me out, and they're an interesting read. Please write as much or as little as you like, but please include as much detail as possible. Feel free to skip a question if you feel it's too personal. I know I've asked some of these questions before, but I ask them again because of current circumstances.

1. What is your hair color (your natural color)?

2. Do you like your hair color? If not, what color would you like to dye it?

3. What hair color do you prefer for members of the opposite sex that you find attractive? (Can be natural or unnatural colors)

4. How long is your hair? (Ear length, shoulder length, back length, etc.)

5. What hair length do you personally think looks coolest on a male anime character?

6. What clothing items, colors and accessories do you associate with someone who has the "punk" look?

7. What clothing items, colors and accessories do you associate with someone who has the "goth" look?

8. Are you happier more often then you are sad, or vice versa?

9. Do you sometimes (or even always) feel that you are deeper or think deeper then the people around you?

10. Are the people around you quick to notice when you aren't happy?

11. Who do you go to when you need someone to talk to?

Thanks for taking my poll, and I'll see you guys tomorrow! And please keep me as I do my report in your prayers!
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Tuesday, April 19, 2005

   The Best Day since Yesterday!
Hey everybody. Thanks for your comments on yesterday's post. I'm sorry if it seems like I come here to piss and moan every time the tiniest thing goes wrong. Please tell me if I start to or if I already am doing that. But anyway, thanks for your support. But it's true, my brother will get what's coming to him, weather by hand of God, or by man. (Ooh, dramatic)

Vankalla 86 submitted a SWEET new pic of Ed recently. Check it out!



Pretty frikken' sweet, eh? ^_^d Please visit her drawing and vote.
And speaking of drawings, I made yet another bit of progress on my Garden of Earthly Delights/Metallica project last night, but I'm sort of disappointed with the outcome. Maybe I should do that one specific part over again.
And speaking of my drawings, please check my new work if you haven't seen it already.

And I almost forgot to get you that info on those other cities that were cameod in my manga. Pretty much everyone knew that Raccoon City was from Resident Evil, but here are the others (which nobody even tried to guess. :'( )

Hellview-
Hellview is a city that becomes the site of a massive zombie incident (much like Resident Evil) in the song "Escape from Hellview" by CKY.
Vangor-
Vangor is actually a real town (in Vermont I believe). So what's so special about it? It's a small, snowy, quiet town, that was the birth place of, well, Steven King! Still not scary? Nearly all of King's stories take place in or around Vangor. Now things are scary. >:D
Innsmouth-
Anybody familiar with H.P. Lovecraft (the horror writer that wrote "The Call of the Ktulu") would have heard of a story called "The Shadow over Innsmouth". Innsmouth is a dank and murky town, with salty sea adjacent and an almost perpetually gray sky above it. There's something odd about the residents of Innsmouth. They have a very...aquatic appearance. And why are there fires atop the fearsome mountain the shadows the city as if by part of a satanic ritual? You'll just have to wait and see. ~_^
Dunwitch-
Another city from the pages of Lovecraft, Dunwitch is the setting for the story "The Dunwitch Horror". A story of a satanic disciple in search of the Necoromicon, with which he hopes to use it's witchcraft to give Satan a physical body. Let's hope he doesn't succeed.

Before I go, I have another optical illusion for you!
This one is self-explanatory, and was made with Photo-shop.



I'll see you guys tomorrow! And keep me as I work on my report in your prayers!
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Monday, April 18, 2005

   Hi everybody. How's it going? I'm OK. Have to get that report on communist China done by Monday, or it's lights out for me. '_';
Keep me in your prayers about that whole thing.

If you didn't see yesterday's post, please take a look. And if you haven't seen my new art, please check it out.

I hate my stupid brother. I just had a massive fight with him. I'm babysitting him, and I caught him watching something he wasn't supposed to, and then he lies about it. Then when I catch him in his lie and he finally admits to lying, I send him to his room for a measly 20 minutes. He should have been in there for a week for blatant dishonesty (he does this on an almost daily basis). But I had to physically drag him to his room and scream at him for 20 minutes in the first place to even get him in there. Then I had to stop him from calling 911 for what he thinks is "child abuse". What the crap? "Child abuse"? Then he started jumping on his bed threatening to throw a lunch-box at me. I hold out my hand and he chucks it into my fingers at point-blank range. That frikken' hurt. He won't even listen to me when I ask him why he did it. He's an amoral, sub-intelligent little animalistic savage. I wanted to frikken' stab him or something. All he does is whine, piss, moan, be obnoxious, lie, cheat and stress me out every waking moment. My throat hurts from yelling at him. If he were anybody on the planet except for my only brother, I wouldn't think twice about never seeing him again. Just wait, he'll get the living crap beaten out of him sooner or later, by me or someone else (I would have already done it except for he would have brought my parents into it rather then fight like a man). He's a wussy, a pervert, a moron, an animal, a headache with legs and a freakin' menace to the family. He's going to give my dad a stroke. I can feel it. My dad already has high blood-pressure. It's just a matter of time.

Not feeling real good right now, in case you didn't notice.
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Sunday, April 17, 2005

   Remember when I asked if any of you had seen/heard of The Garden of Earthly delights? Well, I made some progress on the project I mentioned that involved that painting. Pretty soon I'll be completely done and be able to show you! You're probably wondering what that could possibly have to do with my manga. Well, there is one common link between that painting and my manga. What is it? I'll give you a hint: Metallica. What on earth could the world's best heavy metal band have to do with my manga and a creepy old gothic painting? You'll just have to wait and see! ^_^ (Hint: "So tell me why you've chosen me")

In other news, Lindsey completed a new drawing! Check check it, G:



That be's Yuki and Haru. Lindsey did an awesome job of capturing Yuki in his...um, rat form? Or is he a mouse? A hamster? Whatever. Anime animals are so ambiguous.
Just look at all the texture on Haru's jacket and hair. And then there are all the highlights and shadows. I'd say more, but I'm starting to sound like a broken record.
All in all, it's an ElvesAteMyRamen original masterpiece! I just love her artwork, it's really hard to pick a favorite piece. On second thought, I think you may already know which of her pieces is my favorite. Hint hint. ;)



Anywho, remember that Rei Plug-suit that Living Doll (Karen) was working on? Well, it’s finished! \^o^/ Woo-hoo! Here are some pics of the awesome finished product!




To quote Karen, she said that this is the "quintessential 'saucy Rei' pose".





Is that not just so cute!? I just want to hug her! ^///^
There is more info on her site about her Plug-suit, as well as a link to her cosplay site with more images, including the production of this costume as well as her other cosplays. I can tell Karen has a MASSIVE knack not only for art, but for characterization/cosplay design as well! \m/^_^\m/ Rock on, Karen!

Before I go, please check out the 2 new pieces of artwork I submitted. They're concept art of 2 of the main characters of my manga. My scanner KILLED their skin-tones though. -_-' Please vote and comment on what you think of each piece and how you feel I can improve.

Thanks guys, and I'll see you tomorrow!
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Saturday, April 16, 2005

   Siiiiiiiiiiiiiick -_-'
Yo everybody. Sorry for not updating yesterday, but I was sick as a dog. I had to miss school and everything. Am I one of the few who actually doesn't like missing school? I HATE all of the make-up work. But at least I was sick on the day we were going to dissect pigs! :D I'm so glad I missed that! But I was to sick to draw or work on my report yesterday. -_-' Now I'm behind. Greeeeaaaaat. Oh well, whatever.

Anyway, how are you all doing? Lindsey (our ever-so-loveable ElvesAteMyRamen) just saw the remake of The Amityville Horror. Anyone here planning to see it? Haunted houses are frikken' awesome! As a part of my manga, I was going to homage that movie with a passing reference by having my characters make a quick stop in a town called Amityville, as well as Hellview, Vangor, Innsmouth, Raccoon City, Dunwitch, and other such places (20 bucks to whoever can tell me where any of those other cities I mentioned are from).

Anybody with more info on "The Garden of earthly Delights", or other such work? If you do, please tell me.

Anyway, I have more optical illusions for you! I hope you find these cool!

I'm particularly fond of impossible figures, which Escher was famous for. This piece was done as an homage to him by another famous artist. Tell me, what's wrong with this piece?


Follow the staircases. They continuously go either up or down with no end. To make it easier to see, I plotted out the ever-ascending pathway here.


These work on the same principle as this illusion:


This should be easy. Now, just tell me where the highest point on this staircase is. ~_'

I'll see you all tomorrow! Oh, and if you sent me a PM, please be patient. I'll reply ASAP, OK?
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