Wednesday, August 17, 2005

   [FANGIRL// love for all the wrong reasons...]

hIyAs everyone~ hope you're all doing well & are enjoying these last few weeks of summer vacation! i guess some of you are going back to school soon, right? i know my brother's high school starts next week, so now he's frantically trying to finish his summer reading book. my other brother tho doesn't head back to college till mid september, lucky him. ^_^; for the second post in a row, i've to apologize for not being on MyO as often as i should be. *bows deeply* it's hard to get rid of the summer lethargy in my systems; and i haven't been doing much other than downloading scans & reading manga like crazy. about that, i want to thank GRAYUNDERPANTS for kindly sharing with me your list of scans sites. even tho i got your PM weeks ago and didn't get to thank you properly, please know that i absolutely appreciate your help and LOVE the list you sent me! :) consequently, downloading scans has taken a huge chunk out of my already-snailish internet connection; and i haven't been doing much of anything else online. idiot me. ^_^;; just a friendly warning: the remaining of this post is a rambling fangirl rant! ^o^ 1. have you taken advantage of the "BUY 4 GET 5TH FREE" sales at Waldenbooks lately? i haven't bought a lotta books from there ever since my Preferred Reader membership expired. (because my state has too hefty a level of sales tax, without the discounts, it's really much more economical to purchase manga online than in the store. u_u) this month tho, i can proudly say that i bought each & every book of my "monthly manga wishlist" there. ^^ YAY manga! 2. but then i found some disturbing news about the release schedules of 2 of my wishlisted TokyoPop mangas. both Samurai Deeper Kyo & Saiyuki used to be bimonthly releases. after their publication this month, however, the next volume of SDK won't be out until November & the next Saiyuki Reload not until December!! :0 what's with that??! *tears* these are gonna be some cold, lonely months... 3. i've been on a heavily-shoujo manga diet lately, what with reading Girl Got Game, Hot Gimmick, Full Moon, and Koi Kaze & gobbling down with pleasure every last drop of angst, drama, and romance without giving it much thought. my (nonexistent) view of shoujo manga has changed, however, after reading the article "She Was Asking For It", by Lianne and NotHayama from the anime/manga reviews site SleepIsForTheWeak.org, which discusses the DANGERS of certain risqué shoujo manga. the basic point of the article is that, in the name of love and romance, CERTAIN SHOUJO MANGAS ENCOURAGE GIRLS TO BE SUBMISSIVE EVEN WHEN IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. among the examples of problematic titles given are: Fushigi Yugi, Hot Gimmick, Boys Over Flowers, S+M, Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura... each posing various levels of problem. after reading the article, my initial response was: "AS IF we aren't old enough to be able to tell between fiction & reality or to know what a real relationship is! why make a big fuss at all?? unless you want to alert the PTA to get on the case of shoujo manga and start a BAN list or something. people are already looking into the relationship between video games & violence, do we really want to make a connection between shoujo manga & abusive relaionships too?? geez!" seriously, that was what i first thought. it was irresponsible & insenitive and i feel really ashamed about it afterward. in all honesty, if the list of my fave bishies is any tell-tale sign of what my romantic inclinations are, then i'm truely & surely a person with many, MANY problems. (Aside from those who are relatively normal, among the bishies i worship are...) Marik and Bakura who are a couple of sadistic maniacs; Seto a selfish & heartless bastard; Sanzo an abusive monk (i'd be hit with his paper-fan or be threatened at gunpoint everyday!); Sesshoumaru & the Hitokiri Battousai? they KILL in cold blood for crying out loud (we can argue about their hidden hearts-of-gold of course! and the later Kenshin is all right); Shinogu who constantly has to fight back urges to commit "incest" (in "quotes" because the siblings in question aren't really biologically related); Yukimura who can't seem to live without alcohol & who's a player... when he made his manga debute appearance with one hand on his signature sake bottle & the other reaching in, groping down some girl's kimono, did i find that offensive, or heavens forbid, attractive??!!! honestly now. >.< ...and i still love every single one of them. possibly for all the wrong reasons. CAPTION: a YGO doujinshi cover featuring Seto & Shizuka and the ch.23 cover of Hot Gimmick featuring Hatsumi & Ryouki. possessive. submissive. seemingly unconsenual. this is love, guys. just goes to show, what we love to read/see is not always right. and you ask: what's your point? i think i've long lost mine since ranting for so long. ^_^; except that i'd recommend you to read the article if you've the chance. it's well-written, brings up many good points & arguments, and is definitely food-for-thought. i've nothing against shoujo, but just, yeah, we've gotta keep our heads on when we read & don't let the themes of "female escapist fantasies" indoctrinate our thoughts! lastly, i hope you like my new Hot Gimmick theme! i'm currently working on a RuroKen wallpaper, so, yeah, ANGIEANIME, RuroKen will definitely be my next theme! ^^ i'll try to visit most of you as soon as i can. till next time, have a good one, everyone! :D

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Tuesday, July 12, 2005

   [LIFE // it's gonna rain~]

HELLO!! how are things going for everyone?? :D i'm very sorry that i haven't been around for forever, gomen!! u_u *bows deeply* there just have been too many distractions & things i'm into right now, i find myself spending less time online everyday -- which is ultimately a good thing, since the amount of time i spent sitting in front of my compy was getting out of hand! ^_^; still, i've undoubtedly missed out on a lot of happenings in your lives, so i'll try my best to go around to everyone's sites & catch up with you all this week. ^^ oh~ i hope you like my new Hikaru no Go theme! when it *finally* dawned on me that the "Samurai Deeper Kyo - Sanada Yukimura" bg has been up for more than 2 months, i was SHOCKED. 0.o that really goes to show my dedication to Yukimura-sama (or maybe just my plain laziness), huh? lol. *sweatdrops* well, in searching for a new theme, Chocolate Cheese suggested Hikaru no Go in the comments last time, so HikaGo it is! ^_^ i know this is the 2nd time a HikaGo theme is featured within a 6-mos period, but since i have this nice summer pic of Hikaru & co. on hand (which i probably won't get to use once summer is over), i decided to let the rules slip and do it anyways. besides, i really like this series! ^^ btw, if you'd like to leave a suggestion on what my next theme should be, feel free to drop me a line in the comments! :) in the next order of business: buttons! i've finally put up my button & added a spot to display these neat little graphics in my intro. if you like, you're welcomed to take my button & link me back from your site either by saving my button to your server or by hotlinking it directly using the code below: (yeah, it's OK to hotlink my button! ^^) <a href=http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/nausicaa0.gif" border="0" alt="nausicaa0"></a></font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=479973','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (5)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/479973">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Wednesday, June 22, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/cool.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [LIFE // back from vacation: pictures! pictures!] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">hello there, it has been a while since i updated, how's everyone doing?? ^^ i've returned from my vacation and should have promptly removed myself from the "en hiatus" status on monday, but i felt kinda lazy and so decided to slack off for two more days. :P <br /> <br /> my family vacation in New York had been a good one (tho i somewhat regretted not being able to go to Canada instead. from where i live, it takes less time going north across the border than driving ALL the way to NY ^_^). the weather had been really nice (on the hot & muggy side), tho it did rain on one of the days we were there. just when we were at Ground Zero i think. we stayed with our grandparents and got to visit some relatives. overall, the "family" thing wasn't as unbearable as i thought it'd be, so that was good. ^_^; i was happiest visiting my third aunt & my little niece whom i haven't seen since she was born. Kristen is now 2 yrs old and has a younger sister, little Lauren, who's 14 mos old. they're both so adorable, i love them to pieces!! ^o^ i really wish i could have more time to play with and get to know them better... anyways, let's get back on track. this was not the first time i've been to NY, but i discover something new everytime i go there. you can never really finish sightseeing in the Big Apple! and behaving like a real tourist (or the country bumpkin that i'm, lol), i took lots of pictures and will share some with you guys. hope you'll enjoy them (even tho they aren't that good)! ^_^;;<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic1.jpg" alt="the Bronx Whitestone Bridge"><br /> after passing the George Washington Bridge, the second bridge we drove pass was the Bronx Whitestone Bridge.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic3.jpg" alt="a view of the UN building"><br /> during our stay, we focused on touring around the (Lower) Manhattan area. i had already been to Central Park, Times Square & Broadway last year with my friends (we even got to see a play there!), so i didn't go to those places again this year. instead, my family & i visited the United Nations building, pictured above.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic4.jpg" alt="wall at UN Plaza"><br /> a quote encraved onto a memorial wall at UN Plaza. this wasn't a good shot, but the entire quote goes like this: "they shall not beat their swords into plowshares. and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation. neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah."<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic2.jpg" alt="Grand Central Station"><br /> taken at the beautiful Grand Central Station. the architecture there was simply gorgeous. ^^<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic5.jpg" alt="Ground Zero"><br /> the site of Ground Zero, under reconstruction. it angered & saddened me at the same time to see people trying to make a profit right on the site by selling former WTC souvenirs. >_<<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic6.jpg" alt="Manhattan!"><br /> here's the official "Welcome to Manhattan" sign. ;)<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic7.jpg" alt="Chinatown"><br /> a street scene in Chinatown. it was a bit crowded, a bit stinky, uh, and VERY interesting. ^_^; we stopped by Little Italy too.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic8.jpg" alt="Money!"><br /> awww~ here's Money, my second aunt's pup! she's only 2 mos old and so very curious about everything. ^o^ in fact, she can have tons of fun just by chasing her own tail or pouncing on stones (thinking they're edible ^_^). i think she was somewhat exhausted in this pic.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/pic9.jpg" alt="stuck in traffic"><br /> on the way home, we were held in a monstrous traffic standstill on the highway outside of PA. after being stuck for about half an hour, people were becoming rather impatient so some got out of their cars to videocam or take photos of this ridiculous situation. i even saw people strolling along, stretching, doing exercises, and kids playing balls there on the road! 0_o; hey, it's a rare opportunity to actually be able to do that --in traffic-- on a highway! you gotta make the most of it, right? ^_^;<br /> <br /> and so i've come home after spending a week in the big city. i was actually very happy to set foot back in the good ol' Midwest, not having to worry about all those crowds, air pollution, and, most of all, crazy drivers ((speechless at the skill & recklessness lots of people had to change lanes in a split second or speed down a 35 mph road or...all that honking & cussing, nooooo~)) ^__^ well, now it's back to the rather uneventful summer rountine. well, except looking forward to my shipment of manga to arrive...or new manga releases in July...or maybe actually working on some new wallpapers & a new theme for my MyO site (!!). *sweatdrops* well, i better get going to visiting your sites now. so have a nice day & see you later! ^^</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=455981','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (7)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/455981">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Monday, June 13, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/love.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [FANGIRL // my infinite (fickle) loyalty] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">hiyas folks, hope you all had a great weekend! ^^ mine was OK, tho it was very disappointing that i had to work and miss the graduation ceremony of the Saturday School where i had been a volunteer teaching assistant this year. i got presents for everyone in my class, but it's sad that i couldn't hand them to the kids myself and watch the bright smiles on their faces, you know? ^_^; they're good kids...maybe i'll get to see them next year?<br /> <br /> oh, before i forget, big thanks to hiei_teddy_bear for looking up & posting the street dates for the release of <i>Saiyuki Reload</i> on her site! knowing that the 1st volume to this highly anticipated <i>Saiyuki</i> sequel will be due out this August (YAY!!), i can now rest assured! :D<br /> <br /> ...and now it's time for another [FANGIRL] post!<br /> <br /> the other day, while reading v.12 of <i>Samurai Deeper Kyo</i>, i found something very interesting in one of the many bonus pages. it's a nifty little chart detailing the names the various characters used to call each other. this goes beyond the "<i>-san</i> = mr., mrs., or miss" explanation, since, as we know, how we address someone in fact reveals our closeness or relationship with that person. what caught my eyes in the chart is what Okuni (a female character) said. she claims that "Kyo (the main male lead) is the <u>only</u> -SAMA for me."<br /> <br /> i was immediately put to shame, because as a (possessive/obsessive?) fangirl, i've been falling in & out of love with bishies left & right. *sweatdrops* so i'm, by no means, as faithful as Okuni in her dedication to just one person. u_u still, it's not that easy to attain -SAMA status. in my opinion, the -SAMA character has to be one who commands fear & respect, who has such outstanding qualities that he/she demands to be worshipped, and who (tho not 100% necessary) has looks hot enough to die for. XD now that i think about it, there's actually only a handful of -SAMA's in my book; and these are, in no particular order (except the order in which they happen to come to mind): ^^<br /> <br /> 1) SESSHOUMARU-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/sesshoumaru.jpg" alt="Sesshy-sama! X3"><br /> [from <i>InuYasha</i>] elder son of the Ino no Taisho. he can make anyone tremble with his evil sword Tokijin...or just with his cool, aloof sexiness!<br /> <br /> 2) KIKYOU-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/kikyou.jpg" alt="Kikyou-sama! *bows down* u.u"><br /> [from <i>InuYasha</i>] i think (at least in the manga), her red eyeliner & lipstick make her incredibly youkai-like & incredibly attractive. besides that, she's just an awesome character! i respect the burden she has been carrying and how she tries to stay true to herself. :)<br /> <br /> 3) AOSHI-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/aoshi.jpg" alt="Aoshi-sama! X3"><br /> [from <i>RuroKen</i>] silent & formidable (former) Okashira of the Oniwanbanshu. obsessed with winning the title of the "strongest of the Bakumatsu" for his men... ok. ok. i just have a thing for characters who use double-handed weapons, kodachi's in this case. XD<br /> <br /> 4) YUKIMURA-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/yukimura.jpg" alt="Sanada Yukimura-sama! X3"><br /> [from <i>Samurai Deeper Kyo</i>] heir of the Sanada clan, forever striving to become shogan and to bring his clan back to power after losing the Battle of Sekigahara. is it just me, or do his side-long glance and every pose he strikes say "come hither. now."?? ^///^<br /> <br /> 5) MARIK-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/marik.jpg" alt="Marik-sama! X3"><br /> [from <i>YGO</i>] oooh~ this one you definitely should address as -SAMA. *maniac split personality alert!!* we don't want to cross him now, do we?<br /> <br /> 6) IL PALAZZO-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/ilpalazzo.jpg" alt="Il Palazzo-sama! *bows* u_u"><br /> [from <i>Excel Saga</i>] "Lord" Il Palazzo, simply because he IS the leader of ACROSS, future conquerer of F City. (whoa~ in this pic, he, especially the hair, looks awfully similar to Sesshy-sama!) :D<br /> <br /> 7) KOUGAIJI-SAMA:<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/kougaiji.jpg" alt="Kougaiji-sama! X3"><br /> [from <i>Saiyuki</i>] how can i forget our prince from <i>Saiyuki</i>? he oozes "-sama-ness". nuff said. *drools* XD<br /> <br /> that's the end of the list! ^o^ and if you're thinking why my all-time, favorite character, Kenshin [from <i>Rurouni Kenshin</i> of course!] isn't on there, that's because the post-Battousai Kenshin is too "boy-next-door" to be registered as a -SAMA. in my heart, he'd always be the endearing "Ken-kun." ^///^ similarly, Seto [from <i>YGO</i>] & Ed [from <i>FMA</i>] are "-kun-class" bishies as well. on the other hand, Kakashi [from <i>Naruto</i>] is cool, but he's just too "sensei", you know? for me to address him as -SAMA would be...WRONG on so many levels. -_-; <br /> <br /> whoa~ i think i've just posted up more pictures in one post than i've ever done before, hope you guys enjoy them! i know i did, lol. *wipes drool from keyboard & snaps back to reality* so, lemme ask you, who, in all animanga, is the -SAMA for you?? ^o^<br /> <br /> lastly, an annoucement! starting tomorrow, i won't be here for a week since i'll be going on a family vacation. ^^ i know it hardly matters since i don't usually update that often anyways (and that's not something to be proud of...u_u), but this is just in case you wonder why i won't be dropping by your sites. ^_^; so, have a nice week, everyone, and see you all next week! :D </font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=444301','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (5)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/444301">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Wednesday, June 8, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [FANGIRL // ...uh, can't think of a subject] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">hello! how's everyone doing? i hope your week has been coming along nicely so far! ^^ sorry that i didn't get to post earlier! originally, i was going to update last weekend, but since my shipment of animanga goods had arrived, all of my free time has been sucked into anime-watching & doing nothing else. ^_^; and since the weather is so hot & sunny, with temperatures close to 90°F (or 32°C), frankly, i just don't want to be doing anything else except slouching on the sofa in a nice, cool, air-conditioned room, watching anime or reading manga, with a cold drink in one hand & a bowl of snacks in the other, until my otaku fix is fully satisflied. lol. XD anyhow, now that you've a clear mental picture of what i've been up to, i'll move on to some random fangirl rants.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/thanks.jpg" alt="doomo arigatoo!!"><br /> <br /> before i actually move on tho, let me say *THANKS* again to everyone who has commented on my last two posts and has shown me so much encouragement & love! *bows head* i know that i can get really crazy and feel very alone & frustrated at times, but your words have really pulled me back up from the dumps. i'm so grateful to have met sweet friends like you all here. ^///^ *huge hugs for everyone* special thanks goes to sitarose, Chocolate cheese, setolover1213 & Yaoishoujo, you guys deserve special loving! (no no! not in that sense!!) -- especially Sita. you know, i'm never bothered by the length of your comments or posts, buddy, you always have enlightening things to say. ^^<br /> <br /> ok, and back we go to regular, scheduled programming: ^.~<br /> <br /> after checking my manga collection, i'm really excited to find out that several series i've been following are only one volume away from conclusion!! ^o^ these series include: <i>Saiyuki, Girl Got Game, Lament of the Lamb,</i> and <i>Kill Me, Kiss Me</i>. hm, all of them happen to be TokyoPop titles too, i just realize. 0.o i can't imagine the story in <i>Saiyuki</i> to end in just one volume, so i hope that TP will soon be able to pick up and publish <i>Saiyuki Reload</i>!! well, aside from that, i've nothing to complain about with the first three series since their final volumes will be released shortly some time this summer. that leaves me with the Korean manhwa <i>Kill Me, Kiss Me</i> (or "K2") by Lee Young You. here's the situation: the most current volume of "K2" released is vol.4 back in november, 2004; and you know what, vol.5, the final volume, won't be released until november, 2005!! that's like a gap of an entire year!! 0_o; since this series was originally finalized & published in Korea in 2002, it's not like TP has to wait to catch up with publication or anything. now, now, i understand that publishing companies have their difficulties & reasons & what-not, but a YEAR's gap between the publication of two manga's? that's just crazy!! and here i thought VIZ was doing bad with <i>Naruto</i>, sheeeesh. >_<<br /> <br /> <br /> hm. maybe TP felt compelled to put "K2" on the back-burner because it's not a really popular or well-known series; and, as everyone knows, publishing priorities are always given to the popular, money-making titles. but that's just it, with so many shoujo titles swarming the market, it's hard to decide which one to pick up and which one to forego. mob phenomenon creates astounding popularity for certain -- possibly less worthy -- series, while the real gems remain hidden and undiscovered on the bookshelves. take <i>Boys Over Flowers</i> (<i>Hana Yori Dango</i>) for example. i've never really understand why that series is so popular... (sorry to any HYD fans! ^_^;)<br /> <br /> crap. where was i? oh right. back to how we decide to pick shoujo titles (or manga in general) worthy of our money. so how do you guys decide? as for me, i usually go by: <br /> 1) the reviews & recommendations in animanga magazines or websites.<br /> 2) the ever-so-wonderful scanlations! <br /> 3) hands-on sampling, either by borrowing from a friend or a library, or if you're willing to brave getting kicked out by store employees, reading the manga first in a bookstore! ^_^;;<br /> 4) if i've seen the anime, i'm more likely to consider picking up the manga on which it's based. this is not always the case, but.<br /> and the last reason, more relevant to me now than ever... <br /> 5) the length of the series. =_=;<br /> <br /> since i usually prefer shounen or "action/adventure" manga, a.k.a. the genre that can spawn endless volumes just on a couple drawn-out battles etc., i've already dug myself (& my wallet u_u;) in a deep hole following several beloved, yet horrendously long series, such as <i>Rurouni Kenshin, InuYasha, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist,</i> and <i>Saiyuki</i>. (thank goodness my bro has opted for <i>Prince of Tennis</i> as one of the series under his responsibility! think of one collection, owned & managed separately by two persons. perhaps like a limited partnership? ^_^;;) anyways, with all these long shounen series already chipping away at my wallet, what shoujo series i can afford has got to be short & sweet. like <i>Chobits, GGG, K2,</i> and <i>Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne</i>.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/fullmoon.jpg" alt="the manga <i>Full Moon wo Sagashite</i>"><br /> <br /> speaking of which, i'm extremely excited that <i>Full Moon wo Sagashite</i> (pictured above) by Tanemura Arina, also author of <i>Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne</i> & <i>Time Stranger Kyoko</i>, will be published by VIZ (bummer!) next month!! :D i've already watched the sub and read the scanslations of this series some time ago, but i'm still looking forward to finally having the manga (7 volumes tops!) in my hands. yup, it's THAT good. =>.<= definitely a title i'd recommend everyone! (hey, even my bro fell in love with it, haha ^_^) hm, maybe i'll write more about <i>Full Moon</i> some time in the future.<br /> <br /> well, that's it for my rant for today. whoa, i didn't even get to what i was originally planning to rant/rave about. that just shows you how good i'm at getting sidetracked, ne? oh well, more [FANGIRL] stuff coming next time. till then, have a nice day! and don't forget to keep yourself hydrated in this blazing sun! ^_^;;</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=438470','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (4)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/438470">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Friday, June 3, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/puzzled.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [LIFE // </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">whoa~ is it june already?! hello and how's everyone? first of all, *CONGRATS* to those who have finished your school year or have/are soon going to graduate!! have a happy summer holiday, folks! and to those who still have final exams looming over the horizon, hang in there and good luck!! :D<br /> <br /> sorry for my long absense from MyO. as noted in my last post, i've been having a rough time in my relationships, mostly the result of not handling some situations as well as i would have liked. on top of that, i find myself going through quite a bit of moodswings, methinks unduly affected by "spring madness". ((lol, blame it on the weather, why don't you?)) anyway, the roller-coaster ride is over and, at this moment, i feel pretty calm, neither happy nor sad, in a kind of an equilibrium. now, now, i don't want to tip either way, since i don't want to fall in the wrong direction -- even tho i can still feel the urge to do so. the thought of "to heck with it!" and just break down and cry and throw things and bawl on the floor and slam my head and punch the wall... gee, i miss my punching-bag, uh, i mean, bf. no. *shakes head* i shouldn't keep depending on others so much. if i don't remember, that was how all this trouble started in the first place...<br /> <br /> where was i? darnit. this was going to be a short [LIFE] update, but there i go again dwelling on a single subject. blah blah blah. >_<;<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/calvin.jpg" alt="Calvin & Hobbes"><br /> lol, that'd be me. *sweatdrops* i really should stop doing this, right?<br /> <br /> ok. let's move on. despite all the emotional stuff, my life is pretty much back to normal. my part-time waitressing job has started for two weeks already, i'm actually earning some money now. yay for that. ^^ since i've gotten the hang of the job, the people at work are pretty nice, and i haven't met any rude, unreasonable customers yet (except for the kids who give me trouble by constantly spilling drinks and making a mess of the place ^_^;), i'd say everything is going relatively well. the only thing i've to complain about is the long hours. i work 17 hrs, total, over the weekend, 9 hrs straight on saturday's (including lunch break). that's very exhausting! aside from the fact that my feet positively ache after standing and walking about for so long, it's also bothering me that i've to stay on the restaurant's premises for what feels like the entire day. for someone who's slightly claustrophobic, staying indoors, in the same place, for SO long, it can really drive a person crazy. ^_^;<br /> <br /> and if you remember how i was shutting off contact with the outside world in my last post, well, i've gotten back to being in touch with most (of the important) people now. (but not with a particular someone who has been trying to find me for the past several weeks. we did manage to set up a time to talk last weekend, but at the last minute, i suddenly got cold feet and bailed out of the meeting. =_= i did think of things to say, but i wasn't sure if i could really say them. i feel like i need an alibi for all these times when i should have been there but am not.) tho i wanted some time alone, i can't help feeling guilty of behaving so selfishly, hiding away and making everyone worry. i apologize to my friends, and to you guys too. i realize that everybody has their own problems, so i shouldn't keep imposing my depressing thoughts on you. i probably don't deserve it, but i sincerely appreciate the kind words & concerns everyone has given me. thanks! ^^<br /> <br /> ok, to wrap things up. i've been bad about making my rounds to everyone's sites (gomen nasai!!), so i'll -somehow- try to catch up with you soon! ^^ and since i haven't done a [FANGIRL] post in a while and you're probably tired of hearing me moan & groan about life, i'll post up something animanga-related this weekend. hm, i guess my "Sanada Yukimura" theme will be sticking around for a couple more posts till i can get a new theme ready, so hope you wouldn't mind terribly! ^_^; that's it, have a good rest-of-the-week, ttyl!<br /> <br /> PS: oh, please say "hello" to Pete, my new pup & bundle of sunshine, up in the intro! ^o^ you know, i adore my neighbor's dogs (well, minus the shoulder-pouncing & feet-licking parts) and playing with animals always makes me feel better. since it stinks that i can't have a dog, or a cat, in real life and i love the pets some of you have on your sites, i decided to adopt a pet of my own too. ^^ here's to wishing you'll be feeling genki everyday! most of the time, at least. ^0^</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=432664','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (7)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/432664">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Thursday, May 19, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/neutral.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [LIFE // give me a cave & i'll hiberate] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">hiyas~ it has been a while, everyone, how are y'all doing? hope things are going well in your lives! ^_^ <br /> <br /> i'm doing Ok, well, maybe less than Ok, but i'm still hanging in there, surviving, kinda. you know, going through one of those spells where i turn on the answering machine, turn off my cellphone, and don't respond to any emails or voice messages in order to avoid being bothered by people. in truth, there's someone who has been trying to find me for the past two weeks; and it's ironic that the more i try to avoid human contact, the more i end up drawing everybody's attention. hm, looks like my plan backfired. oh well. yes, avoiding that person is not the best solution (or "optimal" solution, since a "best" solution does not exist -- learned that in class), but i just don't want to face him right now. i apologize if i'm behaving like a moronic lunatic, but i've been stuck in a freaking limbo since the Ice Ages and i'm getting tired. there are times when you're so exhausted you just want to be left alone, right? yeah, i can't run & hide forever, but right now, i just want to take refuge in this complete darkness for a while longer...until i can come to terms with some things. hm, resting in this eye of the storm and its eerie calmness. either i hold myself back in this subdued, half drunkenly mellow & half depressed state or i leash out in a violent, bawling bitch form. from where i stand, it seems things are whizzing by at 10,000 mph towards destination destruction. nope, definitely not a pretty sight. <br /> <br /> you're probably getting lost reading this, but that's all right, i'm pretty lost & incoherent myself. i'll be Ok.<br /> <br /> and i sure need to be Ok since my new part-time job starts this friday! from now on, i'll be waitressing at this restaurant at the mall on the weekends. now, anyone who knows me would say i'm probably too shy (& moody?) to be in customer service -- and they're right -- but i'll try to do my best. *puts on happy, perky face* it has been a while since i have a waitressing job, but at the moment, i'm in dire need to save up some money, plus it was really kind of the manager-owner to hire me right away despite my lack of experience (it was a "we're in an emergency, we need people, start a.s.a.p." type of thing), so i'm willing to give it a go. hm, don't know how long this gig will last... *rolls eyes* now, that is really optimistic.<br /> <br /> well, this is about it. i'll save ranting about some new manga i've been reading for next time, since i don't really feel like talking today. sorry for the depressing post, i'll get better next time. promise. ^^ and so i'll leave you with some morbidly funny stickman animations. credits credits. *searches through compy* uh, i forgot where these came from, think i found them on an online BBS some time ago. but if you'd like to see more of stickman in action, you can find a bunch of them on Spacefem's <a href=http://www.spacefem.com/death/ target=new>"Stick Death"</a> page (or Google "stickman + animations"). Spacefem is in short a fun-to-browse site filled with ubber cool but useless things, highly recommended if you've some time to waste on your hands or just want to slack off at school/work and don't mind a little feminism here & there. well, enjoy! XD<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> scroll down!<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/s-jump1.gif" alt="hop"><br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> keep scrolling (i've always wanted to do this XD)<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/s-jump2.gif" alt="keep hopping"><br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> keep scrolling. ooh~ this one is my favorite yet. ^_^;<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/s-jump3.gif" alt="<br /> no more"><br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> .<br /> ta da. THE END. ja ne~</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=416485','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (8)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/416485">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Tuesday, May 10, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/mad.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [LIFE // THAT was uncalled for] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">what's up, everyone? hope y'all had a great weekend and had a nice time with your families on Mother's Day! ^^<br /> <br /> let's see. on sunday, we all went shopping with my mom to stores of her choice (which were Home Depot, Gale's garden center & the likes), spent time helping out with yardwork, and watched some movies together. then at night, i was in charge of cooking dinner while my brother prepared the salad & other stuff. it wasn't anything extravagent, but my mom was nonetheless happy that she could just sit back & wait to be served. ^^ <br /> <br /> what did i cook? my one and only specialty: pasta! XD from the Kraft website, i found a new & simpler recipe for (one of) my fave dish, tuna casserole, so i was dying to try it out. and it was during its preparation that i accidentally sliced my left wrist. o_0 it happened after i had just opened the can of tuna, and lost in thought (as usual), i didn't pay attention to the lid (which was still attached to the can in a 90°angle) and mindlessly reached over with my left hand to grab the spatula. my wrist was dragged & sliced across the lid, and blood began to gush out. it hurted A LOT. i treated the wound right away, but it took a while to stop the bleeding. *tears* tho it has healed almost completely now, a suspicious pink scar is left on my wrist... *sighs* well, the good thing was i got out of doing dishes (ha!) & the casserole turned out pretty well! :D ...in spite of the fact that i went crazy on the amount of shredded chedder & monterey jack cheeses added; and my bro complained it tasted more like "macaroni & cheese with tuna" than "tuna casserole". but... *sniffs* i love cheese!! (*smacks his head with spatula* BAKA! eat up & stop complaining!)<br /> <br /> that's about it of my semi-eventful weekend. the weather was perfect: sunny, breezy, temps in the mid to upper 70s°F, and rain delayed to later this week. all was very peachy. :)<br /> <br /> monday was uneventful. then this morning *anger sipping in*, i checked my school mailbox and found a 'threat' from this girl i don't even know. apparently, she had received an email attached with a virus from me. i don't know if it had infected her email account or crashed her system or what not, because she didn't say, but she was EXTREMELY angry in the email. after a bunch of *beep* *beep* & *beep*, she ended by saying that i should stop sending out viruses or she would report me to the school authorities. *rolls eyes*<br /> <br /> WTF was that???! >_< apparently, someone or something has gotten hold of my email address and is sending out crap in my name. it isn't very hard to do, considering that every student's official email address (the one assigned by the school) is listed in the school's directory, whether in print or online, for all public to see. this isn't the first time malware ("malicious software") has broken loose & circulated in the school's email system either. i've received bugs from my fellow classmates before. every time, i'd simply delete the emails without raising havoc, as long as i believe there's no malicious intent behind the incident. <br /> <br /> think about it now, if i really want to maliciously spread viruses & worms around, would i be stupid enough to start it with my own real email address, with my real name slapped right across it?? NO. would anyone with an ounze of common sense open an email from a complete stranger with the subject reading an enthusiastic "HEY! CHECK THIS OUT!!!" (or those "Re:[4]" which i'm getting a lot of lately)??? NO. hello??? doesn't that look fishy?? what do they expect to see if they open it?? whose fault is it if their computer gets infected after opening a suspcious email?? sheeeesh. *very bitter & sacrastic*<br /> <br /> yeah, i'm sorry that girl received a virus from "me", but why the heck did she have to flame me?? all that rudeness & profanity was uncalled for. it was an unfortunate incident, a case of bad luck, simple as that. i drafted a reply immediately after reading all that b.s., but then i decided to cancel it and just ignore her. i shouldn't have to indulge her in her stupidity, right? uuurrgh. >_<<br /> <br /> *takes a breath* ok. that got it out of my system. ^_^<br /> <br /> oh, and while we're on the subject of computers, i discovered over the weekend that 18 students had been caught & charged with downloading copyrighted materials at my school. 0.o that is definitely alarming. with highspeed, broadband internet at your fingertips, it's easy to be tempted to download things at your heart's content and to forget that the school actually keeps a log on how much bandwidth every internet connection uses, along with every little detail on what that has been down or uploaded at that connection. yup, this is tested & true. i know a person (well, a friend of a friend of a friend ^_^) who received a warning letter from the technolgoy dept charing him with excessive bandwidth used, along with a printed list of everything he has downloaded! *total dread* of course i'm not accusing everyone who's reading this of downloading stuff they shouldn't have, but with the gov't cracking down on illegal file sharing (especially in schools & universities, as reported in <a href=http://www.nineronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/27/426eabbe50946 target=new>this</a> April 27 news article on "Fighting copyright law: students who download are putting their colleges through national lawsuits"), let's just say we should spread the word and be responsible of our actions. ^_^;;<br /> <br /> ok. time for a confession. most of the time, i picked the bg just to indulge in my own bishie fantasies (i.e. in a very undemocratic manner), so i'm very happy to know y'all also like my new layout & bg of Yukimura-sama, even tho you might not have read <i>Samurai Deeper Kyo</i> before. :) and GrayUndies, glad you like that manga scan of Yukimura & Benitora! ^///^ now, now, as evidenced by the story in vol.11 about his past, i think Yukimura-sama is pretty straight, even if he does behave a bit wayward at times. still, seeing that manga frame was enough to make me squeal. ^^; there's something about Yukimura-sama & Kyo (based on official artwork) that makes me wonder, but more on that later.<br /> <br /> here's a screencap of Yukimura-sama, looking unusually sober & genki: *melting in his smile*<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/GenkiYukimura.jpg" alt="sober for once XD"><br /> <br /> lastly, in the event that i don't have a wp update, i finished three more pieces of fanart of my fave IY chara's:<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=76074>Sesshoumaru: As If I Cared</a> (i love drawing his hair & puffy tail...*rubs rubs*)<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=76075>Kagura: Shadow on My Heart</a> (i was shakier than usual drawing kagura & probably didn't portray the spider accurately...so, um, oopsie ^_^;)<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=76076>Kikyo: A Wound That Won't Heal</a> (finally, my fave female chara! the splattering blood was fun to draw... ^_^)<br /> <br /> this time the motif (yeah i always work better with a set theme...i'm such a dork ^_^) is: loose clothing. ^.~ i'll work on trying to draw them looking more like grown-up's, since, for some reason, every chara i draw ends up (chubby &) teen-ish. well, hope you guys like the pics! and till next time, ja ne! :D</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=406736','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (6)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/406736">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Saturday, May 7, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/blush.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [FANGIRL // may 7, 1615] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">YAY~ finally, a change in theme! ^o^ i hope you like the new layout and that adding the post bg will make the posts easier to read. and since i couldn't find any good, 100x100 Yukimura avatars on the web, this is the first time i made one myself. it's kinda blurry, but guess it'll have to do for now. :) this time, instead of making an elaborate wp (because none of my ideas seemed to work like i wanted them to... *frustrated*), i opted for putting together something simpler using a manga scan. it isn't too plain, is it? (after all, it IS very monochromatic...) <br /> <br /> anyways, the pic, featuring the chara Sanada Yukimura, is taken from the bonus story "Souten no ryuu" from v.11 of <i>Samurai Deeper Kyo</i>. yup, this theme is dedicated to Yukimura-sama, who in history gave his life in the Battle of Tennôji, in the defense of Osaka Castle against Tokugawa Ieyasu's troops, on this day in the year 1615 (exactly 390 years ago!).<br /> <br /> known for his military tactics, resourcefulness, and bravery, Sanada Yukimura (1567 to May 7, 1615) was one of the most noted warriors of the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States) period. for years, Yukimura, along with his father Masayuki & their small army, fought bravely against Tokugawa & his legions, instilling fear in all warriors, including Tokugawa himself. earning his fame & glory in the Battle of Sekigahara and in the defense of Hideyori's Osaka Castle, Yukimura is definitely one of the most revered warriors from Japanese history. <br /> <br /> ok ok, i won't bore you with all the details (and in truth, i don't feel like writing a mini research paper on the spot either... *NOOO~ no more papers!!*). if you like tho, you can Google "Sanada Yukimura" and i bet you can come up with tons of interesting results. i primarily got my info from <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanada_Yukimura target=new>this</a> Wikipedia entry, <a href=http://www.shaolin-society.co.uk/shaolin_legacy/history.php?history=13 target=new>this</a> article on "The Rise of Early Japan", and, to a much lesser extent (limited by my half-witted knowledge of Japanese), <a href=http://tikugo.cool.ne.jp/osaka/busho/sanada/b-sanada-yuki.html target=new>this</a> page on Sanada Yukimura.<br /> <br /> of course, you can also bask in all of Yukimura-sama's charm & glory by picking up the manga/anime <i>Samurai Deeper Kyo</i> by Akimine Kamijyo...or even by playing "Samurai Warriors" (a.k.a. "Sengoku Musou" in Japanese) on the PS2. ;) <br /> <br /> lol, if you haven't figured out already, i'm a sucker for historical fiction. ^///^ history is one of my fave subjects in school; and i mainly studied Western European history (because it seemed to be the easiest at the time?). honestly tho, that was a decision i regret now. since then, manga & other things have aroused my interest in Japanese culture, and i realize i should've branched out and studied more about East Asian history as well. >_< oh well, there's nothing like a little independent studying, huh? *sighs* oh, in related news, after a little over 3 weeks' time, i finished reading all 25 volumes (well, 24, since one of the books was, umm, unreadable) of the historical fiction novel i was talking about last time! that was certainly a satisfying fill on history, court intrigues, politics, battles, tactics, and, of course, smut. XD<br /> <br /> well, enough about the geeky me and back to Yukimura-sama from SDK! ^^ come to think of it, for some reason, i find myself continually attracted to this type of male (and probably female as well) chara's. you know, people who appear to be so happy & carefree that outsiders can't even guess at the great burden weighing down on their minds, whose smiles are a facade to hide an immense sadness, a painful past, memories of lost love, or a dedication to a secret cause. Kenshin is like that, so is Seta Sohjiro, InuYasha somewhat...and Yukimura, definitely. maybe it's because i identify with them so much. i feel like we all have to keep smiling & living, no matter how hurted we're, how lonely we feel, or how heavy the burden we carry upon our shoulders... <br /> <br /> then again, i just love Sanada Yukimura because he's simply so damn HOT!! X3 you know, the way he's always coming on to & teasing people (albeit a little perverted at times ^_^;) is just irresistible! witness him blowing onto Benitora's neck:<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/FlirtyYukimura.jpg" alt="getting personal?"><br /> <br /> lol, that certainly got a huge response out of Benitora! (along the lines of "What the hell are you doing, you freak?!!") hahaha, how can you not love him? XD<br /> <br /> well, i'll end it here for today. think i thought up more things to share than this, but since i typed a lot already, i'll wrap it up short(?!). if you've read/skimmed through all of this mumble jumble, wow, i sincerely thank you (& apologize for taking up your time)!! okies dokies, stay out of the rain & have a nice weekend, folks! :D<br /> <br /> PS: Have a *Happy Mother's Day* with your folks tomorrow! ^^</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=402808','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (9)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/402808">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><br /><br /><p align="left" class="datetime">Thursday, April 28, 2005<hr size="1" class="hr"><blockquote> <p><img src="http://www.myotaku.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif">  <font color="#990000" face="Courier" size="3"><strong> [LIFE // whatever...it's all beans to me] </strong></font><br /> <font size="2"> <div style = "width: 580px; height: 500px; overflow: auto;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" width="100%" bgcolor="#000000" background="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif" border="1" bordercolor="#990000"><tr><td><font color="#666666" face="Verdana" size="1">GOMEN-NASAI!! *bows deeply* i'm sorry that i haven't updated in like forever, i hope everyone's doing well. and best wishes to those who are taking exams this week! ^^<br /> <br /> life has been busy & boring (as usual...) at the same time, and i was so stressed out that i didn't feel like updating last week. u_u i'm all right now, but last week, it was like being pushed to beyond the point of exhaustion that i just didn't care about anything any more. my current favorite catch-phrases are: "just screw it", "i'm so DONE with this", and "it's all beans to me!" (i've something about <i>beans</i>...) people started to tell me that i was losing it, but that's only because i was talking in a whinny, nasel drawl (an indication of extreme fatique or irritation). no no. there's a fine line between <i>doing voices</i> and <i>hearing voices</i>, right? besides, imitating voices is a good & healthy vocal exercise! so far, i can do the voices of the Wicked Witch of the West (or any other scary old hags XD), preppy school-girls, and Pikachu; and right now i'm practicing how to lower my voice like a guy's. ^^; hahaha, it's funny when i run up to my family & friends offering to show them new voice tricks i learned, but they look at me like "uh...oookay, i don't want to hear it." ^_^;;<br /> <br /> ok, let's see what else is there to share with you all...<br /> <br /> oh right. i borrowed a set of storybooks from the library recently. i had just begun reading vol.11 when i noticed short pieces of hair stuck in between the pages of the whole book! it was really gross, like someone shaved their legs into the book or something! 0_o; after getting over the shock, i tried to get them out by flipping through the pages or cleaning them off with tissues, but it didn't work, the hair still stick to the page as if it were glued on. at the end, i had no other choice except putting the book aside and moving on to vol.12, relying on the short summary in the beginning to fill me in on what happened in vol.11. >_< the librarians must have not inspected the books when patrons return them. i love books; and i can't imagine why people want to deliberately damage books, especially when they are public property. this incident reminds me of the time when, working at my university library, a girl found a book in the book stacks covered with some sort of sticky substance. the book was immediately sent over to the maintenance department; and it was discovered the substance is actually a male, body fluid(!!). total gross-out, ne? just what exactly are people doing in the library these days?!! *extreme anger* lesson of the day: take caution when buying used books or borrowing books from the library! <br /> <br /> well, enough of the weird & gross stuff, to clear your mind of any unpleasant thoughts, here's a very cute fanart of Sanzo & Gojyo, chibi-sized! awww~ isn't it adorable how Gojyo is teasing Sanzo?? ...tho i can imagine Sanzo pulling out his gun and threatening Gojyo with "Hands off or DIE!" in the next frame, lol. XD<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/friends.jpg" alt="What's a little hug Sanzo?!"><br /> ...you know they're still good friends underneath it all. :)<br /> <br /> and before i go, a fanart update! it has been a while since i've done any fanart; and i realize i've yet to finish the "YGO alterate couples" pics from February. *sweatdrops* but here are three new pics from IY & RuroKen:<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=73864>InuYasha & Kagome: Flying High!</a> (done for setolover1213's contest ^^)<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=73866>Sesshoumaru & Rin: Yay~ It's bathtime!</a> (no~ it's not what you think!!)<br /> <a href=http://fanart.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=73869>Tomoe: a quick sketch</a> (...definitely my fave female chara after Kikyo! ^///^ umm, why am i blushing??!)<br /> <br /> well, please take a look if you want! i wasn't in a very meticulous mood, so i apologize if some of the details in the pics are off & inaccurate. still, i hope you'd like them! ^^; lol, i think RuroKen is becoming my "default fanart theme." if i don't watch it and deliberately set a theme for myself, all of the fanart & wallpapers i do will revert back to that series! ^_^ well, that's it! take care, and have a good remaining week, guys!</font></td></tr></table></div> <style type="text/css"><!--body{background-image:url("http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v511/natsunara/twinkling.gif"); background-attachment:fixed}--></style></font><br /> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_openBrWindow(theURL,winName,features) { //v2.0 window.open(theURL,winName,features); } //--> </script> <font size="1"><a href="#" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/comments/?piece_id=392754','','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=500')">Comments (8)</a> | </font> <font size="1"><A href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/posts/392754">Permalink</A></font> </p></blockquote><font face="verdana" size="2">Pages (7): </font> <font size="2" face="verdana">1</font> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/2"><font size="2" face="verdana">2</font></a> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/3"><font size="2" face="verdana">3</font></a> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/4"><font size="2" face="verdana">4</font></a> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/5"><font size="2" face="verdana">5</font></a> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/6"><font size="2" face="verdana">6</font></a> <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/7"><font size="2" face="verdana">7</font></a> <font size="1" face="verdana">[ <font size="1" face="verdana"><a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/2">Next</a></font> ] [ <a href="http://www.myotaku.com/users/nausicaa0/life/7">Last</a> ]</font></font><br> <br> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </div> <!-- /content area table --> </td> </tr> <tr class="tborder"> <td colspan="2">  <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom;" class="footer_bottom"> <td> <div align="left"> <a href="http://www.theotaku.com" title="Anime">Anime</a> | <a href="http://www.artofotaku.com" title="How to Draw Anime">How to Draw Anime</a> | <a href="http://www.theotaku.com/wallpapers/" title="Anime">Anime Wallpapers</a></div> </td> <td> <div align="right"> <a href="#">Top of Page</a> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <font size="1"> </font> </div><br /> </body> </html>