Listening to: "Ain't Afraid to Die" - Dir en GreyKaori Yuki strikes again w/ her twisted characters and suspenseful plot that's punctuated w/ some dark humor. Ludwig Kakumei actually resembles Count Cain in some ways (IMO, there's a lot less angst in Prince Lui which makes me favor Cain more). I will never look at fairy tales the same way, especially Snow White who is portrayed as the wicked vixen I have ever encountered in manga. Of course, she gets what she deserves in the end. If you thought Yuki-sensei's former works were controversial w/ their references to homosexuality and incest, this one tops it all w/ medieval torture, an Electra complex (the female version of the Oedipus complex), necrophelia, and sadistic children. I predict that Prince Lui will wind up w/ his attendant Wilhem b/c the homoerotic tension is too great (and it seems like his obsession w/ boobs and dead women are a cover for his real feelings). Who knows though. Yuki-sensei always surprises us w/ the end.
My brother probably has already gloated about his new Ayumi Hamasaki DVD (a gift from his Japanese friend who's visiting). Apparently, Ayumi has gotten so much plastic surgery that you can see the bones in her face when she doesn't have make-up. The past and present pictures are so drastic. It seems that BoA has also gotten plastic surgery. I've realized that it only seems like Americans get more cosmetic surgery b/c it's so publicized and often over-the-top (can we say Pam Anderson?). A TON of Asian pop stars and actresses have gotten work done, and it's accepted. I mean, my own mother has recommended that I get the infamous double eyelid surgery to make my eyes look bigger. It's so common that even my aunt's gotten it. Double eyelid surgery is not like breast implants here; people don't make a big deal about it. Now I feel like Asians are more obsessed w/ beauty b/c practically all the female celebrities have tiny figures and flawless faces. We just don't notice it as much b/c their make-up and plastic surgery isn't done to make them look fake.
Sometimes I wonder how far I'll go to achieve the perfect look. I'm always getting heckled by my mom about my eyes, crooked teeth, and weight/lack of a waist. It's like the book by supermodel Janice Dickinson, Everything About Me Is Fake...and I'm Perfect. However, I have to ask myself: would I suddenly be satisfied w/ myself w/ just a physical change?
Random quote of the day: "I can't believe you! Lech! Pervert! You're a walking sexual harassment case!" - (I just had to include the entire speech bubble ^_~) Idike to Prince Lui in Ludwig Kakumei by Kaori Yuki
fairy tales and plastic surgery