Birthday 1987-12-15 Gender
Female Location Wouldn't you like to know Member Since 2004-04-12 Occupation College student by day and by night, well, I'll just leave you guessing Real Name Mindy
Personal
Achievements Staying at least partially sane, and I'm a top ten Greetizer. whoo hoo Anime Fan Since 1999 Favorite Anime Gundam Wing, Wolfs Rain, Gundam Seed, Fruits Basket, Vampire Game, Full Metal Alchemists, Slayers, Getbackers, Tsubasa, Death Note and more than likly several more I have forgotten. Goals To make it thourgh college without a major breakdown, and to become fluent in the Japanese language. Hobbies Reading, Anime(of course), and hanging out with my human and animal sidekicks. Talents Confusing myself along with other people
myOtaku.com: mitzy
Welcome to my site archives. 10 posts are listed per page.
Ohayoo everyone, i just wanted to check in. I don't really have that much to say but i did successfully survive my first week of classes, so thats good. I really like my Japanease class, i really feel like i'm learning somthing, and teacher is really patient. Other than that i'm just bidding my time until somthing exciting happens. Although me and ceekari are already planning are return to Kajonk-A-Con(which is more or less a definte) and are return to Anime Expo(which is a strong hopeful). Well that's about it, I hope everyone is doing well. n_n
Well I can honestly say that it's been a hectic first day back. To start off this morning my alarm clock didn't go off, but somehow I managed to wake up only 15 minutes or so later than i had intended. Then while i was getting ready and trying to pack my backpack with all the books i would need today i realized that i couldn't find my calc book, anywhere. I swear the thing is not in my room and I have to find it, the costs like a hundred and sixty dollars I cannot afford to replace it. Especially since it's looking like i have to buy tennis racket, and a new chem lab book. I am so SCREWED! Other than that things haven't been going to badly I suppose, right now i've got about a two hour or so break in between classes, thats why i have time to post. So far I've had Biology, Tennis, and Chemistry. I have to go to Calculus at 2:45 and then I have to go to work until 10. Then I think I'll go home and die. I hope everyone is doing okay, I try to post again soon.
Well I'm keeping my promise to post more, for today anyway(by the way when i went to type anyway my fingers automatically typed anime, i find that slightly funny). Well it's about 11:30 pm here and two of roommates just headed out to a party and the other i haven't seen all day, so i have the place to myself. I mostly ran errands today, bought my books, went to Wal-Mart for food and other such medicore tasks. I also attempted to play a little Shadow Hearts today, good game, but I played about three-quarters of the way through last then tried to pick up today and i didn't remember what was going on at all. Also my only ps2 romote is on the frits it only works when i'm sitting on the floor and then only when i wrap the cord around my hand a few times. I know it makes no sense, the thing must have gotten damaged in the move or somthing. Other than that about the most event thing to happen to me was CeeKari calling and telling me about an incident that happened at her work the yesterday, ths story is a secret tho, lol, all i'm going to say is that i was simultanesly laughing, crying, and feeling slightly pissed. Well that's all I have for you today, See Ya. n_n
Well as you know the last time i posted i was boasting about completeing my first year at college, however this post starts with me beginning my second year. (That otta tell you just how long it's been). So um..yeah today i moved into the apartment i will be living in for the duration of this year. I must say it didn't suit me at all at first, however after six straight hours of hard work, years worth of collecting anime/manga, and little help from anime expo the place feels alot like home. I'm pretty happy with my collection and this is my first chance to show it off, even if it's really just being shown off to myself. Lol, makes me sound kinda proud huh. As far as college goes my classes start on bright and early monday morning, 8:15 to be exact, and trust me when i say i am not a morning person. I'm taking Bio III and lab, Chem II and lab, Calc II, Tennis (you'd had better keep your fingers crossed for me on that one), and last but certainly not least (nice cliche sayings you can tell i'm tired) Japanese I for begginners, hopefully to be followed by many more Japanese classes and eventually a trip to Japan itself.
But enough about college, this is an anime site after all, lets talk about anime expo. First of all if you ever get the chance to go, GO, GO NOW! Because it's abosolutly amazing, IT IS AN OTAKU'S PARADISE! And it goes so much farther than just great shoping ( and i mean great shopping, anything and everything you could want, and many things you didn't know you wanted, and many many bargins) it's amazing to be surrounded by so many people who have similar hobbies, especially if your from a small town. The cosplayers were amazing you could spend hours sitting on the sidewalk watching them go by. Also the main events are to die for, for me they including a S.K.I.N concert(for my first concert ever i don't think i could have done better), the AX Idol ( it was like watching talent get discovered, singing and especially voice acting). Another thing i wouldn't trade for anything was the live-action Death Note movies, which all by themselves were completly awesome but getting to watch them with so many other fans, the atomosphere was unreal. I really hope i get the oppurtunity to go again. Well that's all i have for you guys today, and i apolgize for the long break between posts, and i promise to try to start posting much more regulary. To anyone who takes the time to read this thanks for sticking with me. n_n
So this will be my first post in 2007. *sigh* Yes I know that sucks i don't know what came over me, but it proably still me with i don't think i'll make a habit of posting now either. I just wanted to let anyone who still cares know that i'm still alive. Well lets see i finished my first year of college without to much hassle and now i'm back home. I'm attempting to work alot b/c me and Ceekari are going to AnimeExpo in CA this summer and we'll need all the money we can get our hands on. other than that not much going on what little time i spend on the internet mostly goes to gaiaonline these days, I'm known as tsubayami there. Yep thats about all i've got for you. See ya
I actually have a lot I could say now, but I'm so busy I don't really have the time. I've got so many tests to study for and a paper to write. So for now I will say sorry for not posting in so long I got sick and I will leave you the paper on manga I wrote for my english class. I made an A- on it so tell me what you guys think. Keep in mind that I had a lot of help from Ceekari on this one(really she helps me with almost of my papers I don't know what I would do without her.)
Mindy Scott
English 1010
Onstott
9-25-06
Essay #2 Final Copy
Manga: Comic Books that Lack Heroes in Spandex
Manga (pronounced 'mahn-gah') is a Japanese word that literally translates to cartoon or comic strip. However manga has become so much more than just comic books, both in Japan and around the world. It has become a common ground shared by people who may live just down the street as well as those who live hundreds of miles away.
In my opinion, one of the things that separates manga from American comics is the unusual heroes and villains. Very rarely in these 'graphic novels' are lines between 'good' or 'evil' or 'right' and 'wrong' clearly drawn. Often the hero will have unpleasant traits- possibly a nicotine addiction or violent tendencies. Similarly, villains often have redeeming qualities, such as extreme loyalty or a sense of honor. Most importantly the characters are almost never portrayed as perfect and the heroes themselves often have to make tough choices, not only on the battlefield but in everyday life as well. These are usually choices that the reader can relate to and learn from, even if the reader has never had to make such a choice himself/herself.
Another difference is the many genres of manga. Almost all American comics would fall into the action/adventure category, but a manga's storyline might contain any number of elements, ranging from comedy to horror, romance to science fiction, inspirational (often called Christian) to gothic, and everywhere in between. There are even some that combine the genres, such as comedy and horror, which is quite an accomplishment to my mind.
Another important aspect of manga is that there are series made for all age groups and the age recommendation is clearly stated on most every volume. The situations, lessons and morals, language used, and events discussed are all age-differentiated. It is my opinion that manga may hold the key to helping youth learn to enjoy reading.
In this year alone manga has seen crucial changes, both in image and popularity. Fewer people see manga as simple comics for children. The increasing number and size of anime(animated shows or movies usually based of a manga) and manga conventions, where fans gather to discuss series, buy and sell merchandise, and even dress up as their favorite characters, are further proof of the growing popularity. Some forty-two thousand people attended the fifteenth anniversary of Anime Expo in Anaheim, California, this year. In addition to all of the fun and games, Anime Expo 2006 teamed up with the Red Cross to encourage attendees to donate blood for such disasters as Hurricane Katrina.
This growing popularity was seen most easily last year by simply walking down the halls of my high school. In my first three years of high school, I would have about been willing to bet that only my friends and I knew what manga even was. In fact, whenever I was asked what I was reading, I often had to explain the entire concept. It became a rather practiced speech. My senior year, however, was different. I often saw people I didn’t know walking down the hall with manga mixed in with their books or the all-telling binder covered in anime pictures. I would like to say that this increase in the interest of my peers had something to do with my and my friend’s monthly manga reviews in the school newspaper, but I honestly believe that my hobby simply grew in popularity as more people discovered it. If high school wasn’t enough to prove an increase in popularity, then the site TheOtaku.com- named from the Japanese word ‘otaku’, basically meaning ‘a fan of anime’- would definitely be proof enough that others were beginning to take an interest. Indeed this site is now the MySpace of anime, and has over 431,000 members from all over the world. When I joined just three years ago, there were only 10,000 or so. Along with allowing each member to make his/her own site, add friends to a friendslist, TheOtaku allows and encourages members to submit fan art- works based on a particular series of anime or manga-, wallpapers, quizzes, and e-cards. The site also provides daily news on the latest manga/anime releases as well as sales rankings, trailers and reviews of new anime and manga, and the schedules of anime that will be appearing on television.
Anime is even considered a separate category in many entertainment stores such as FYE, both in music soundtracks and DVDs. There used to be only a select few titles, usually tossed in with the science fiction DVDs, but now there are shelves upon shelves of anime, and people have realized that it is not all science fiction. The same can be said for manga in bookstores such as Books a Million that now contain hundreds of volumes for the customer to choose from.
Perhaps the most important aspect of manga, besides the entertainment of course, is what it can teach us. Manga like novels tend highly diverse and it is this diversity that allows manga to be such a great teacher. Manga, like all graphic novels, have a lot of pictures in a wide variety of styles. The writers and artists, who are usually the same person, though not always, are called ‘manga-ka’ and they have inspired people of all ages to pursue art both as a hobby and sometimes a career. Likewise, fanfiction, stories written by a fan using the characters, ideas, ect. of an author/creator, have inspired many people to become authors themselves. I have met or talked to people online who have achieved both, and I myself draw a little every now or then. At the very least these hobbies are healthy and can benefit you in later life whether they stay as hobbies or become a career.
The fact that manga deals with a wide range of cultures and ideas means that there is a lot to be learned about other cultures. Anything from customs and dress, to history and language can be learned. Admittedly, since manga comes from Japan it is the country most often represented. However, I have encountered German cultures, Russian customs, plenty of Chinese language. When America is mentioned, one can see how other countries and cultures view us. Science and mythology also figure in many manga and I can honestly say that I have answered questions on tests or understood discussion topics in class better because it related to something I had learned in a manga or seen in a anime. In fact, I recognized one of the things we discussed in my biology and was able to understand it better because I had seen it in an anime. One can also learn pieces of a new language as well, such as the honorifics used in Japan- the suffixes added to a name to denote respect or sometimes affection- and I myself am studying Japanese as a result of manga/anime.
Manga/Anime may primarily be entertainment but when looked at with an open mind, it is easy to see the benefits, and I am glad to see that both have taken root in our society.
Hiya everyone, I really don't have much to say, but I did make a 100 on my Anthropolgy test, it's about time that I did somthing right. I also have to work on another paper tonight. Other than that I have a nifty quiz I took on Shadowtiger69's site.
Well lets see my day was so incredably busy that I couldn't be bothered to care much once I got out of bed at like 7:30 this morning. I didn't get to sleep properly until around 4:30 b/c my roomate is sick, she thinks she has mono, she better not give it to me. I do feel sorry for her but I simply can't afford to get somthing like that. Other than that for those of you who read my last post you know the basic layout for my day so lets see I think I did really well on my Anthropolgy test I may have even made a 103 tho I'm most likely jinxing myself by saying that. My Biology Lab Midterm did not go as well however, let me put it this way I will be extremly happy if I came out of it with a C. Other than that I finished my unexpected English paper and sent of to my proofreader, who is properably about to kill me. My chemistry's homework due date got pushed back to tommarrow night tho I hope I will get around to doing it tonight anyway since I have to work tommarrow. But mainly I'm just in a good mood today not really sure why but i just feel good. Well that's all I got I'll leave with this Pyscho Eva Video. It's Pyscho in a non-eva kinda of way which is hard to do So watch it. n_n
So yeah lets see I'm in a much better mood this post than the previous ones even tho nothing much has changed. Tommarrow I have a biology lab midterm, an Anthropolgy test, and chemisty homework due. Plus I've still not managed to rescheldule my Biology library. Plus I have a speaker I want to go listen to b/c I'll get extra credit if I do in my Anthro class. Then today my English teacher went all freaky b/c nobody would speak up about what they thought about the reading assignment so he threw us out of class 40 mins. early (note class is only 55 mins long anyway and he spent the first 10 talking about some guy that was in the newspaper) and is making us write a two paged paper one what we thought due weds. Work Work work. On the bright side Fall break is coming up for me and I get next monday and Tuesday off no class. If i can mangage sunday and monday off of work than there is a Anime Convention in knoxville me and a bunch of friends all fellow otakus might go to. Right now were having trouble getting directions tho. Other than that I saw the first two eps. of Mahro matic or somthing like that at cee's and we were a little overwhelmed by the amount of er...fan service especially in the first ep. We're holding out hope for the plotline, but we also seem to have bought the second season. So after the Hentai, I went home and my mom made me awesome homecooked food steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, and rolls it was awesome. We watched some of Gilmore Girls, I bought the first season at EB, and I took a long bath and read about the first half of Howls moving castle, I've seen the movie but never read the book, Ceekari bought it for me. I also picked up the 5th volume of Saiyuki Reload. So it was a pretty good weekend even tho it didn't really start till around midnight saturday. So anyway I really should get some work done so I'll leave you with this amv Ceekari made me watch. Now I make you watch vicious cycle, no.
P.S. Everyone go to Darkeangel's site and tell him congrats, he passed his driving test. So next time you pass a wreck we know Phil did it. n_n
yeah the title pretty much says it all. All I do is study and I still get bad grades. First off I spent like four day studing for my makeup history exam and still only got a 68, granted the class average was like a 54 or somthing but that doesn't really make me feel much better. I don't think I have ever studied that much for anything and I use to getting a least B's on my test. Then right after that I went to English and finally got to turn in my Essay on manga which I have been carrying around for like a week(it was the first enlish class since the friday before last, b/c fist I missed that Friday, monday and Wednseday b/c I was in Flordia for my Grandmothers Furneal, then he missed that Same wedensday plus the the next monday b/c he had to go to nashville for his grandmothers furneal. Did you get all that?) and he's all like yeah half credit for it being late. I'm like no i didn't just decide to turn in late My granmother died, it not like i woke up one morning and thought gee I don't want to turn in my paper I hope my grandmtoher dies, and he's like you could have turned it in early and I'm no I couldn't of these things aren't planned you know, plus I did try to e-mail him it's not my fault his e-mail address doesn't work. So yeah long rant over I'll let you know what my grade actually is when I get it back. Other than that I got midterms this month so lots more studing. Other than that I'm being evil to my roomate who is still driving me up the wall, but now she has a habit of proclaiming her love for her Chaddy Daddy all over our front door, I left it there for over a week and finally erased it I mean it's mine and her room not her and his room after all. So she rewrote it(she doesn't know I'm the one who erased it the first time) then somehow it got erase again. Don't look at me I didn't do it this time I was thinking about how mad it made me but that was it, I'm blaming in on the ghosts of my last post. So then she got really mad and rewrote it plus some other really nasty stuff about whoever is erasing (i.e me and the ghost but she doesn't know that) and I can have the rest of the hall think were B***** now can I so I erased it again(really they can think she a b***** all they want just not me) and i'm sure your seeing the pattern. If it gets to nasty I think I'll just steal the board I mean I payed for it, and let her think someone else did it. So yeah I'm being mean and childish but a girl can have some fun right. Feel free to tell just how childish i'm being. Have a nice day. n_n