Look, I'm shopping for doujinshi in Hawaii! Why? Because I got a go man en bonus before I left, baby!
This one screams to be purchased, ne? And I wish I knew the plot of this one... I have a sinking suspicion it is not gag, but dang it! Tashigi looks so cool on the back cover!
Look at this! I am the saddest person I know! I'm in Hawaii and what am I doing? BLOGGING? Geez...I really need to ween my ass off the computer.
No, I have an excuse. It's raining. I got to Hawaii and it rained. So I hit the used book store (BOOKS IN ENGLISH!) and ducked into this homey little Internet cafe. And blogged. Because I'm sad. But not as sad as her. Joke, joke! I knew introducing you to Celga was a bad idea. Now Stacey has to go iron her hands.
Yeah, I spent the flight writing Watermark. Because what else is there to do on a plane? NADA. At least I had an aisle seat this time - I hate being in the middle of the four seaters.
:: 9:07 PM
[+] ::
:: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 ::
Byebye, baby.
That's right. Sayanora, Nihon. I'm off from Dec. 18 - Jan. 10. That means radio silence. You will not hear from me for almost a month.
HA! Yeah right. LIke I would ever be able to stay away from a computer for that long. But there will be precious little blogging and zero updating for a while. I will lurk in your comment sections and whatnot, but don't expect much more than that...unless I get a serious sunburn or something and have to stay indoors. Chotto jalousie? (smirk) Oh wait, you don't know where I'm going... well, that's because if I told you I'd have to kill you.
Nami: (off screen) Oi! You coming or what?
Almost finished! (pshaw, I wish I was cruising on the GMG...)
But before I go, I am leaving you an update. A badly needed updating of the links, a new section for the masses where I can write down all the stupid OP otaku facts I know and more smut. You may blame her for Interlude Part 4. It's similar to the 'magic gyoza' situation...ask and ye shall receive. In spades and spam and [Sanji's...] Oops. Almost gave away the joke! Oh, and fumbum? I mentioned 'concealing shadows.' Hope you don't mind. You know, between the group of us, jokes just get repeated over and over and over again...
Actually, it isn't Sylph's fault. Let's blame it on the lateness...or the coffee...or something that doesn't involve me and my sanity or lack thereof. And seriously, Sylph, never worry about being thought of as weird. There's me and this one to be fangrrls.
I also wrote a really serious essay on tattoos. Tattoos are a subject close to my...skin, I guess. Not my heart. That would hurt - getting tattooed on your heart.
Anyway, it's based on a seminar on the 'body politic' that I took my senior year. I took an eclectic liberal college course load to say the least. Check it out - it's got a lot of sociology behind it but it's an interesting theme that Oda-sensee uses in the manga. (shrugs) What can I say? I like picking things to pieces.
Oh and reins I uploaded another chapter of Watermark, but not on the website - up on ff.net. I don't know which site you use, but I just wanted you to know. I'll get the new chapters of WAM, OAG, and TRTRW up on ST after break. (I love acronyms, don't you?)
I too have yet to pack, so I will be leaving you all. I hope you think the smut is as funny as I did while writing it. I had a giggle fit in the middle of it and scared everyone. I really should not work on smut in the office during lunch. It brings up questions I can't and don't want to answer...
:: 6:59 AM
[+] ::
:: Monday, December 16, 2002 ::
I love you all. I love everyone. I think my love encompasses the universe.
Yes, i am in a wonderful mood because I have fulfilled the reason for the season - I have consumed. But what have I consumed? DAN MADOKA`S SNOW SLIP! (x`s and x`s and x`s - muwahahahahaha) I`ve wanted it forever because it`s a het book. I like my boys in compromising positions - but I do like to see them with girls sometimes as well. This one is san x na, zo x vi, and ta x smo. I love Dan`s work, when he isn`t pushing the limits of freakiness. Nami and Chopper, Dan? Ugh. Concentrate on other stuff, onegai shimasu! I can`t find any Kohza doujinshi, so I guess I have to take his clone.
Zoro: HE`S THE CLONE!
Lordy, the het or gag only books are hard to find. Out of 27 pages of One Piece doujinshi on Yahoo!Japan, I would say that maybe five percent is non hentai het or gag. A bundle of them are Hachi Maru too and the price on those - sheesh! People must be selling their kidneys to get Hachi! I understand though. Not only is the artwork almost an exact replica of Oda-sensee's, but the stories are too. Most of the time - a few Zo x San scenes get thrown in there, but nothing outrageous and trust me...there is nothing like a Hachi Maru shonen ai scene. I'm not a big fan of the san/zo myself, but darn, I was almost converted with the one I saw. Plus I saw the CUTEST Zoro - he had such a cheesy grin, but it was like Oda drew Zoro with a cheesy grin! Ugh. Too much talent! I am so jealous! If I can scan that picture of Zoro in, I will because you all have got to see it...
And of the het couples I find, Nami and Zoro are by far the greatest. I wonder why that is. Maybe doujinshika think it's too easy to do a Sanji and Nami one? Nami and Luffy even top the list there. Poor Sanji...always stuck with Zoro.
Sanji: Kuso doujinshika! Don't they even read the manga?
Stacey (perusing site): Looks like you lucked out in Alabasta here.
Sanji (peering over shoulder): With Nami-san? Vivi-chan?
Stacey: Ace.
Sanji: KUSO! Ace and his kuso extended appearance in the anime!
Stacey (shruggin): More fodder for the doujinshika...
Am I being too candid? I hope no one`s uncomfortable or feels that they need to flame me (scorpio_kaur@yahoo.com). I would hate for anyone to flame me. (hint, hint, fire, burning, hint, hint!)
Um, yeah, yesterday's ep - goats. I'm sorry, there's more, but I haven't had enough to drink yet, so I can't do the review. But as for the manga... I think I am really shaping up to like this arc. I know I was PC wary about the Native American likeness but it's moving away from that. The guerillas have more of a Mad Max/Rollerball edge now. It's very cool how they use the technology to make rollerblades to surf the cloud sea. Anywho, all hell's breaking lose near in Eneru's domain. The priests are out to kill the guerillas and Luffy-tachi are in the middle since they aren't looked kindly on by either side. After the group who was looking for the gold got split up, they all went in whatever direction they felt was right - Nico was the only one on target. Poor Chopper is frightened out of his mind and running like mad, Luffy just met up with the head of the guerillas and is shaping up to have a rumble, Nico took care of the random priest obstacle in her way, and Zoro is going to have a fight with one of the priests. Zoro got knocked around a bit and the chapter ended with him challenging the priest...and licking the blood away from his upper lip. (swoon) I do so love boys and blood. ;9
You know those chara cans that I was bemoaning about the other day? I found out the two 'secret' cans. The first is Bon Clay as Luffy. (facefaults) People want that? I must be in a minority then. The second is SANJI IN HIS APRON! (cue bad porn music) Oh wait. He's wearing his suit too. (Somewhere else, Sylph swears loudly.)
But where is Kohza? WHERE IS MY KOHZA? DAMN YOU BANDAI!
(takes deep calming breaths) I'm okay, I'm okay. Really.
:: 7:38 AM
[+] ::
:: Friday, December 13, 2002 ::
Phew. What a really, really intense post last time! Well, no worries everyone - my personal Going Merry Go is three sheets into the wind. There ain't nothing like an enkai/karaoke part with a bunch of Japanese women. I just got back from "taking" requests, ie being ordered by my sempais (they are ALL my sempais or so I was told. By them.) to sing Madonna's 'Like a Virgin.' Or what-his-name. Dude that sings 'Country Road.' Or the Carpenters. My gawd I hate the Carpenters so much.
On that note - now that we all know I am absolutely pissed - it's time for me to RECAP LAST WEEK'S EP OF OP!
Fun with Goats!
Once upon a time there was a highly successful manga about pirates. The mangaka couldn't draw fast enough for the animators of this series that was based on the manga, so they were forced to make stuff up. One of these highly motivated animators had this brilliant idea...
(scene: the local karaoke box. The animators just had their year-end enkai party and are absolutely GONE. This is not unusual though as the animators make up reasons to have parties all the time and they have enkais for things like 'Koizumi reshuffles the Cabinet. Again.')
Sloshed Animator: There aren't enough goats in this anime!
Other Animators: HELL YEAH!
Sloshed Animator: And who doesn't like goats?
Other Animators: ...
Sloshed Animator: Not like that you, you ero animators!
Another Not-So-Sloshed Animator: You know what the doujinshi-ka are gonna do with it.
Also Another Not-So-Sloshed Animator: With Chopper. You know it's gonna be with Chopper.
Another Not-So-Sloshed Animator: Or Usopp. (shudders) I never got over that one with Carue...
Sloshed Animator: But goats! (gives a rousing influential speech about goats that convinces his fellow artists to do this) So what do you say guys?
Other Animators: GOATS! GOATS! GOATS!
===============
End backstory.
Luffy-tachi get spotted by some Marines. The Marines give chase. A convenient deus ex machina fog comes in and conceals the GMG and even more convenient deus ex machina dangerous rocks stop the Marines. The fog lifts just a big, the pirates see an island, and they land there. Guess what? There are goats on the island. The pirates give chase (the hungry ones do in any case.) Nami stops the guys and says they can't eat a poor defenseless baby goat. Zoro mentions that he doesn't think this goat is so defenseless. Yes, the cunning goats have surrounded the pirates and are about to attack! It is a fearsome battle that could swing either way - there's suspense and courage and bravery. Friends are made and lost. Just as the pirates are about to be overwhelmed by the goat forces, a convenient deus ex machina Yoda shows up with a clone army. The day is saved.
Okay, here's what happens. Chopper negotiates a truce of sorts with the goats and an old guy falls out of a tree.
The old guy is sick (he lives on an island, alone, with goats. How could he not be?) as in ill. Chopper takes care of the old guy (Chopper, is this going to be a life theme? Ugh.) while the rest of the pirates help around the house i.e., Nami tells them what to do.
Blah, blah, blah, stuff happens. The pirates figure out that the old guy was a pirate too. Nami smells treasure. And probably just a bit of a whiff of goat poo.
Back on the dangerous rocks, the evil Marine leader makes a decision.
Evil Marine: We go to the island of the goats! Where all our dreams will come true! (cackles maniacally)
Marine: You think there'll be treasure, sir?
Evil Marine: ... er...yes. Treasure.
I will get stronger.
I am going to be the greatest swordsman in the world.
I will become the pirate king...
Sometimes it seems like 'dream' is a dirty word and when you talk of dreams, people get a glazed look in their eyes or smile politely and try to change the topic or, worst of all, think you are joking.
I wonder if it is because they're weak. It takes will and strength of spirit and a backbone of steel to have a dream. Or is it that no one believes anymore?
I don't have dreams. I have yet unrealized future facts. I have points in the future that shall be willed into being by my actions now. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.
No matter what.
Do others have those ambitions as well - ambitions that burn so hotly that to ignore them would set off a chain reaction of the soul whose meltdown would take out the surrounding populace, ambitions that if ignored would mean that you have become something less than what you are? Ambitions that you would gladly lay down everything for - home, recogniton by friends and family, all worldly possessions, love, your life?
MLK said, "You aren't truly living if you haven't found something you would die for."
I'm not saying that a dream has to have those components to considered a 'dream,' because that would be counter-productive and dreams are ultimately creations and creative forces in the world. But still; do people have those types of ambitions and dreams? The kind where you would give it all up - if you had to?
I ask these rhetorical questions because I don't know others' minds. What is it that people aspire to these days? Personal happiness? The fulfillment of basic needs and wants? A wife, 2.4 kids, a dog and a house with a white picket fence? None of this appeals to me in the least - in the sense that once achieving any of those in the list above that I would be content with my life. Something would be missing - a greater purpose.
I get the impression that to have a purpose is 'wrong'. Not morally wrong, just that others look at you in that way I described above. I get a sense of: Why make the effort? Are you naive enough to think you can accomplish that? What's the point?
What is their problem? Is it ennui? Is it boredom? Is it all a mask to hide the fear of failure, that perhaps they may not measure up to their dreams? Is this the 21st century Earth version of Krieg and Arlong escaping the Grandline because they couldn't take the pressure anymore?
And my thoughts loop around and around. Dreams are will - will be, will power. Am power. Are power. And all the shoulda, coulda, wouldas melt away.
I look to the future and I see concrete. This is right. Will others understand this passion? I don’t know many who feel like this and if they do, I can’t understand why they would ever feel this way about something else.
This is Bhakti, love without reason. This is St. Michael’s passion, smiting the devil.
This is a boy with a straw hat sitting on the prow of his ship as he sails the Grandline.
I will become.
Her hair is up right now,
but has been in braids
and down, brushing her shoulders,
which are almost bare
except for the cloth
from her sleeveless shirt. Her jeans are torn and dirty,
ripped at the knees, and
her jacket has seen better days. So has her soul.
It is raw and chapped
like her lips.
But given all choices
and all lives
and every point on a spiral
she'd choose this one-day
in this one life
every single time.
:: 8:36 AM
[+] ::
I came *thisclose* to getting fired today because one should not be looking at a friend's website and cackling uncontrollably in the teacher's room during lunch. Or so I found out. Luckily no one quite got the joke...or recognized what Y x Z is all about. Thank god my fellow co-workers are unhip. Now if a student had been in there...
The Arlong one got me all natsukashii! Believe it or not, that was one of the first pairings I ever read. And quick, tell me which Neighbours chara Ace is supposed to be - another person to throw in the OP Live Action Movie! I hope you enjoy the sick twistedness I sent along via the inbox. What can I say? You inspire me.
But that's not all? A banner, too?! (snuggles the banner, realizes that's OOC for a fangrrl, so she puts slave bracelets on the banner and pushes it into a cage) I LUV my banner and will be indebted to you always.
Reins, where do you find this stuff? Ain't nothing like clone humor to brighten my day! And I think non-bishie dreams are the curse of all fangrrls. It's really not fair, is it?
Afuji is having fun in Tokyo. (pouts) I wish I was in Tokyo.
Finally, everyone, a round of applause to Sylph, Mistress of Beta, for perusing my first drafts. It is a long, time consuming task, so please give her much thanks and praise because without her you wouldn't have the vunderbar grammar mistake free copy that you see when I post on ff.net.
I GOT MY OPTV! And that's not fair leaving us hanging like that. I thought we were supposed to find out who followed Sanko home in this chapter. I have to wait? That isn't right! You're mean.
Okay - assuming I recover from the Onnadaiko bonenkai we're having tomorrow - I'll try and get a summary of the OP ep up. Yeah, it's a week late. Leave me alone.
And just so you are all aware - Dec. 18, I leave. No computer. This might be tough. So I'll be lurking on your comments pages and whatnot, but don't expect a lot of blogging. And there will be no SaDIstiC updates. (waits for reaction. Cicadas buzz. Crickets chirp.) You'll all cope, I'm sure.
:: 6:33 AM
[+] ::
:: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 ::
I love enkais. I need more of them. Why are they all crammed together at the end of the year so the recovery time is shorter? Ah well -so is life. I`ll get over it.
Mumsy told me I got Kiki! I am SO excited. POING! Ferret SHOCK!
But not OP. Back to the topic at hand. Pairings? Oh what fun! We can put names in a bag and pull them out at random - just like the doujinshi-ka!
Here are some yaoi ones, because those are the most fun to mock. Kuro and Jango of course (ew. I have yet to see that work in any convincing way. I suffer through it because of Kuro.) I saw Mihawk and Croc once. It made me laugh because I like to see Croc in pain - even if it`s angsty emotional OOC kind of pain. Also I saw Jango and Fullbody, which makes no sense because they are mooning after Hina, right? Right. Once again, fun to make fun of.
Oh ho! Smoker kun and Tashigi could be an item - as I `proved` to myself when I did the OP timeline to figure out his age. He`s probably no older than 33. And Tashigi`s 21 so it could happen. Especially here in Japan. (shakes head at what she`s seen) I would rather see some adversial Smoker and Hina action though.
YEAH - Vivi with oodles of people! But really I think Nico could handle everybody - seriously. All at the same time even. Look, I`m not being sick, just truthful!
I don`t really want Zoro and Kohza together... because my circuits would fry. And I don`t like to share.
OP Dreams - It`s good to know I am not the only one with OP dreams out there. Yours was hilarious and I don`t think you`re crazy. Dreams that make sense are few and far between. (PS I have the same lucid dreaming thing - such a bonus when I usually can`t sleep as it is.) And yours are nice. I envy the peaceful quality of your sleep. You have yet to post your dreams at this point - I am wary of what the fangrrl might have concocted in her twisted little mind. Jodan. Jodan yo! Which reminds me. What`s pausa? (I think I spelled it wrong.) You mentioned in a few entries back that you were fasting and someone said you didn`t look Chinese enough? Enlighten me - I like learning new things.
:: 7:38 PM
[+] ::
:: Monday, December 09, 2002 ::
The deadly Kohza whooping virus has yet to permeate my tissue and take over my brain like a body snatcher, but I will remember your advice and make certain to get myself to the hospital if my condition continues to deteriorate.
When I eventually fell asleep I had my first ever OP dream, so I guess insomnia isn`t all bad. No Ace or Kohza, but it was pleasantly distracting. What about you all? Ever had an OP dream before?
Why aren`t you working on fic, writing up synopses, or talking about OP? says the voice in my head.
Because I spent all my insomnia filled night signing up for cliques is why.
Ahem, says the voice in my head. Why in the world do you think you`re cool enough to be Tashigi?
Er. Kendo? And we both wear glasses and have a tendency to fall over electrons lying on the sidewalk. And isn`t it true that to an extent all young women have a bit of Tashigi in them? (certainly) I think so.
Or maybe you`re trying to justify your over-inflated ego. (glances over the other cliques) Everything else seems to be in order. You`ve sucessfully convinced everyone that you are an OP weirdo. Seriously, Nico and Ace? Like that will ever happen.
Reads Sylph's post. Re-reads last post. Blinks. Blinks again.
Ahem. Ignore what I said. I have a cold and my coughs are weird like this...cough, cough, kohza, cough. It just happens.
You believe me right?
YAY! She's back! And with a Kuina inspired layout! Yes, let the Kuina worship begin!
And other than stating totally obvious things that can be read in other places, I will bid everyone adieu and get my things sorted for work tomorrow.
:: 5:15 AM
[+] ::
:: Sunday, December 08, 2002 ::
Okay - time to spread the word. This is the place. Your mission: if you have a site, is to sign yourself up (cough, cough SYLPH cough, cough). Or if you know of someone's awesome site that is not currently listed on the page, please submit it or ask the creator to submit it. Then vote. That's you all's OP mission for the month.
:: 6:01 AM
[+] ::
:: Saturday, December 07, 2002 ::
Updated this about a week ago, actually, but forgot to tell anyone. Check me out (adopts fake accent) - I'm being wrassled into a kimoner!
Why am I all non-posty this weekend? Where are the promised fanfics? Oh the drama! I had kendo all morning and then was kidnapped by my kendo partner and we HAD to go to Matsue and check out the castle just for the hell out it and wouldn't you know that we were stopped in our tracks on the way by the ugliest building ever created and being that we are foreigners, we knew that even if it was a maximum security penitentary for the criminally insane we would get a free guided tour. And we did. But it was a culture center so not that interesting that all really. Then we went to Mosburger.
In any case, this is boring and has nothing to do with OP or Kohza, who is going to STAR in the next chapter of OPTV!
Sylphiel (looks up from keyboard): Excuse me?
(pouts) Well he should. In any case, I have been lax in my fangrrliness and had to make it up with the latest chapters of the Smut Garden which I hoped would have pushed the boundaries of good taste but have appeared only to have amused the public at large.
Sanji (who's still dumping Evian on his pointer finger): ...
Why won't anyone flame me? I have this wonderful idea for a section for SaDIstiC TaNUki which would be called Ace's Dance Dance Fiesta Del Flames where Ace would answer flames and make fun of them. (pouts) But no one flames me.
I updated SaDIstiC TaNUki. Smut and movie stars and drinking games - oh my!
You can look forward to...well, perhaps look forward to - I make no promises...Smoker torture (another chapter). Maybe tomorrow. Just something to think about and anticipate and whatnot.
Sylph - OPTV; where is it? MUST HAVE NEW CHAPTER! (cracks out whip - wapow!) Er... i mean, onegai shimasu~~~~~~~~~~!
Afuji - hope your blog stops giving you problems! That sucks; it's happened to me - I feel your pain.
Skippy: It`s a subject I hold dear to my heart, since the Proprietor WON`T SHUT UP ABOUT ACE!
The Proprietor: I can`t help it. He`s too sexy.
Ace: I am. I am too sexy.
The Proprietor: Much too sexy.
Ace: Much, much too sexy.
Skippy: SHUT UP! (to everyone else) So take the quiz. Print out the results. Give them to your friends and family. Warn your loved ones in other words. They`ll appreciate it.
The Proprietor: Appreciation is sexy.
Ace: No! It`s too sexy!
Skippy: SHUT UP! By the way, Ace, my sister scored `fangrrl` on the quiz.
(Ace looks at the Proprietor.)
The Proprietor (licks lips): Oh yeah.
(Ace slowly backs away...)
:: 8:22 PM
[+] ::
:: Monday, December 02, 2002 ::
If you are an OP fan and you are not reading OPTV then you are WRONG!
Argh this is YOUR fault. I should be working! I have a presentation to do! But NO! You HAD to post another chapter. And I have no will-power so I HAD to read it.
Evil, evil Sylph. The Obsession video... god, that cracked me up. Smoker blushing - is disturbing. Ben and his...? The Salmon King! Oh my lawd! That was hilarious! Make it stop...mustn`t giggle in front of my co-workers. Mustn`t...too late!
Everyone, what would YOU do for a Klondike bar?
:: 8:57 PM
[+] ::
Hah! I probably got lost right around your house. I had to drag a friend there who was deathly obsessed with the movie. Being a fangirl is okay, but not when I have to be the tour guide for it. (grumbles about being stared at while the locals watched her friend take a whole roll of film of the neighborhood...)
Ah - the mention of the bricks makes me all natsukashii. The bricks, the scallies, the random fires in the post office boxes, the gangs, the stabbings, the all-night parties in the compound, the watered down beer, the clubs - (sniffles) oh the CLUBS! How I miss them! (looks out the window to the rice paddies and mountains) Yeah, no clubs here. No scallies either, so I can`t complain. Hmm, I think tonight I`ll watch East is East to get this natsukashii feeling out of my head. (hums) moving, just keep moving...
Speaking of picking up bits of language and culture and whatnot, I agree with everything you have to say. Except (you knew there would be one) that there are times when it`s best that a person stick to what culture they`re from. I sound like an idiot when I say `bloody` and my Ozzie friends just make me giggle insanely when they try and break out a Jerry Springer `Whatever.` Yes, sometimes slang should be kept in the country where it belongs...
Paul (in his Ozzie accent): Whatever. Major loser alert!
Me: bwahahahahaha!
Whoops! Forgot to gush about the doujin! Hilarious! I think Zoro got the best lines - "So that`s a no then..." "We`d have to ant-elope". And poor Usopp. Well, we all know what they say about noses (wink, wink)
Usopp: Damn straight.
Oh - you asked. I`m off to Hawaii. Must unfreeze.
Sylph makes a good point. Remember, everyone, write what YOU want to write. The world is a better place for variety. And there is a difference between fan Japanese used by a person who has absolutely no idea how to use the language in proper context and appears to be just throwing in random phrases they know versus the purposeful use of Japanese in order to enlighten a reader on one of the more difficult points of Japanese culture and language. So far, all OP fanfics I`ve read are of the later category, probably because OP hasn`t been snapped up and dubbed and shown on WB. I share your pain on CCS, Sylph.
(addendum on "write what YOU want to write" rule: Stories full of spelling and grammar mistakes are just laziness. Take pride in your work and get a beta-reader!)
Yes, Afuji, I am one of them. Your sister must have loved it if she stayed three years! Does this mean you may considering becoming one of us? But remember, it`s only the second easiest money in Japan! PS I love this guy`s stuff and it`s dead on...(supervisor stands over Stacey`s desk with a whip) er totally inaccurate. Yes. This is not at all what the JET Programme is like! It is full of upstanding individuals! Yes. Like me!
Every Monday we start class off with - What did you do this weekend?
There's the usual hemming and hawing and "I don't remember" "I didn't do anything" blah blah blah. I got to Mayumi Shoji, homestay particpant and general excellent English student. Today, she too said, "I didn't do anything."
"Nothing?" I asked. "You didn't sleep or eat or watch tv - "
"TV! I watched ZORO! Zoro is soooooo cool," she cried as stars appeared in her eyes. Mayumi is a rabid Zoro fan.
And that's my segue into the OP episode that should be entitled "Zoro has a long extended flashback dream."
Once upon a time Johnny and Yosaku had no fashion sense...well, worse fashion sense than they did when we met them during the Baraties Arc. Johnny was a little punk wanna-be. Yup, Johnny sported a di-colored mohawk and had no face tattoo. Yosaku had chin-length wavy blond hair.
Ahem. Moving on. This ep was devoted to Johnny and Yosaku's first meeting with Zoro. It happened so - Zoro stalks into the same tavern that J and Y happen to be eating in. Zoro doesn't have any money to pay for his food, but he just announces that he's a bounty hunter and lo and behold, pisses off enough guys to have plenty to eat - once he defeats them that is. J and Y ask what Zoro's doing on 'their' turf and he tells them that he's hunting for Mihawk, is going to become the greatest swordsman, etc. Zoro tells them to take the villains to the Marines, collect the bounty, pay for his food and they can keep the rest. He leaves. (Oh and a kind of big point, throughout this exchange, Zoro has only one sword and it's not the Wadou. He also isn't wearing his trademark haramaki either.)
J and Y get their money. Johnny has a flashback of when he was a kid and saw this awesome bounty hunter who saved his village; that's why Johnny is a bounty hunter. But then there's trouble in the village! The townspeople watch as bandits raid the town. J and Y watch too, unsure if they can take this new threat. A plucky little kid tries to stop the bandits, but gets beat up, like little kids are wont to do when taking on bandits. (ahem, luffy)
Outside of town, Zoro visits a swordsmith. Now I'm a little fuzzy on this part - but I think the swordsmith was trying to make two companion swords that were comparable to the Wadou so Zoro would have a complete set. The swordsmith failed miserably, so Zoro takes the Wadou back. Cue Kuina flashback - could it be that Kuina's spirit is the unattainable element of the sword that could not be replicated? Perhaps. The swordsmith takes the loaner sword back and finds that it's broken. He wants payment and Zoro has none, but large explosions indicate that there's money to be had back in the village.
Johnny and Yosaku watch the little kid take a beating and then Johnny jumps in because he wants to live up to the memory of that bounty hunter of old. Plus this new menace is none other than the same guy his hero was fighting years ago. The bandit gets pissed when he finds out J and Y were the ones who turned his brother in (the guy Zoro defeated.) They get royally thrashed, but continue to fight. Just when they are about to be killed - Zoro to the rescue! And everyone recognizes that it is Zoro because he picks up J and Y's swords, breaks out the bandana, and yeah - bandits are scared shiteless. Short fight - little kid redeems himself by saving Zoro from being blown up - and tada! One bad guy down. J and Y manage to stand up and invite Zoro to join them. He agrees and the dream ends with the cry of ANIKI!
Back to the future and the Going Merry Go - Luffy and Usopp are playing with the cannon again. Nico comes up to the fore of the boat and as she approaches the sleeping Zoro, he reaches out for the Wadou. Come on, Zoro, where's the love? Nico looks a little hurt. She tries to make small talk and asks him where he got the name Pirate Hunter Zoro. He says he doesn't know and doesn't care. With that little conversation killer, Nico goes to the other side of the deck where her chair is set up. The ep ends with a happy smile from Nico. Not even Zoro can put her in a bad mood.
Zoro: Someone's not partial.
Me: Play nice with Nico, Zoro! She's vulnerable and whatnot.
Zoro: (laughs so hard he snorts) Yeah right.
I'll try and be chatty tomorrow! Got work to do.
:: 7:19 AM
[+] ::
:: Sunday, December 01, 2002 ::
I'm bad. I've had Jump in my room for a week and haven't written about the newest chapter - my life interfered. Maybe next week's; right now I am just too busy to sit down and translate it. And translate it I would have to; the Sky Knight gets into the history and motivations and whatnot of himself and all the bad guys. Can't just skim over the important stuff. What I did manage to pick up was that Nico, Luffy, Chopper and Zoro set out for the treasure, got attacked by a giant snake and are now separated and lost. Well, Chopper, Zoro, and Luffy are lost. Luffy ends the chapter by saying - I'll head south; that's the direction that's the warmest. (remember when he was hunting for north in Usopp's village?)
I'm breaking my rule and talking about non OP stuff, but it's still fangirly so it counts. I saw the Chamber of Secrets yesterday - wow! There wasn't enough time devoted to Oliver - I mean quidditch. There should be about three quidditch games per movie so that I can see Oliver - I mean quidditch.
Ahem. Anyway. I love how the movie takes what my imagination has made up and then totally blows it out of the water. Like the Weasley's house. It was so cool and homey and gave off the perfect "Weasley-ness" and yet it was a billion and one times better than the picture in my mind. Snape was Snape and not in the movie long enough. Neither was nancy-boy Gil. Hehe. Kenneth did an excellent job at that part. His smile was pure smarm. The only bad thing was that there was a lot of Harry and Hermione stuff. I mean, if you are going to be completely faithful to the book - be faithful. Don't be putting Hermione making doe-eyes at Harry. On another note, I spent a lot of the movie wanting to put Lucius Malfoy's hair into braids. I don't know why. I just did.
Me (braiding): lalalalala
Lucius: Get off of me!
(Stacey jgives his hair a good jerk - because he is one.)
Lucius: Ow!
Me (braiding): lalalalala
My big shopping spree into Hiroshima yielded many things but it did not yield a replacement for my lost Luffy pin. (sniffles) I consoled myself by buying a Love Rocks watch because I am a boutique whore. Also stopped by the toy store to see if the OP can characters were in - they were but ALAS! It's a trick, a horrible trick. You can buy the cans, but the characters inside are secret until you open it! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Yes. So I tried my luck and got Chopper and Shanks. Good. Now I only have three more characters to collect (out of 24). My chances suck. I might as well buy the frickin' crate and then sell off the ones I don't want. Oh - but there are two 'himitsu' characters. My fingers are crossed that one of them is Kohza! PUH-LEASE Bandai, let one be Kohza!
Website, fanfic, yes, all were passed up this weekend in order to go to Hiroshima and watch HP and to clean the house today. I know I'll be forgiven because you all are great people.
Hey you - you live in London, but where? My aunt used to live in Richmond, Surrey and a few years ago, I called Salford home. (pause) Don't laugh. It's not funny.
I hope all you American types had a lovely time during the holidays. I hope the rest of you had a wonderful weekend.
:: 4:10 AM
[+] ::
:: Friday, November 29, 2002 ::
Hey one and all. First off - wanna hear the scoop on kendo? Second off - wanna see pictures of the place I live? Of course you do! The URL is a little nod to the intense scarred man with eye problems. ;9 But no one else is gonna know that except you all. Cool, huh?
Muwahahaha! One-armed men are sugoi yo. Don't worry, Fumbum, I'm not asking you to declare undying loyalty to anyone in particular - just needed to know the name of one chara in the harem! Here's someone for your one-armed man shrine - Folken of Escaflowne.
Bwahahahahahaha! (hums to herself) - I've been a bad bad girl...
I forgot to mention the funniest part of Usopp's ep! Before they get to the island, the gang are chillin' in the kitchen and Luffy is so booooooorrrrrrreeeeeeeeddddddd. Nico and Nami are reading at the table, Sanji is cookin', Usopp is concocting and Chopper is messing around with doctor-y stuff (I think.) Luffy turns around and says to Robin, "So watcha readin? Can I see?"
Everyone sweatbeads and thinks - WHAT? Nico hands the book over to Luffy and just as he's about to open it...Zoro comes into the kitchen to tell everyone that there's an island up ahead. Luffy races out the door and everyone in the kitchen kinda slumps over. Zoro asks, "What?" "Nothing," they all sigh.
Kendo - yeah. I'm sure you're all eager to hear about it (crickets chirp, cicadas drone). Tomorrow? Tomorrow.
:: 6:23 AM
[+] ::
:: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 ::
Let's try that again. Yummy. Mail order crack. Must have pictures of pretty pretty boys in compromising positions...
(shrug) You gotta be kinda seme to put pirates in cages. I'd hardly call myself a 'power mad Nazi' though. I prefer the term 'evil overlord of the universe.' Hey, I dream the impossible dream.
Speaking of...Anime spoilers ahead.
This week's OP anime ep lesson o' the day is = Kids, don't play with fireworks!
Usopp's filler ep was SO darn cute. Usopp helped a little orphan girl achieve her parents dream of setting off the most hugest firework EVAH! And why, you ask, couldn't the girl's parents do it themselves? Because their last firework kinda blew them to kingdom come.
Parents, don't play with fireworks!
So everyone tells the little girl to cut the crap and get on with her job of helping out with the normal, slightly less dangerous fireworks. Usopp realizes how important the dream is to the little girl and manages to work out a way to set off the firework (a huge round ball o' firework-ness). Ta-da! Happiness and fire and explosions all around!
Poor Sanji-kun. Nami went crazy over the idea that she could see fireworks and he all smarmed up next to her and asked if she wanted an escort and she didn't bat an eyelash while saying - Iranai. You're crushing Sanji-kun's heart, Nami!
Speaking of Sanji - you hadn't seen the movie before? Oh, man, the fan-service in that movie was like...yeah. (drool) I like that movie. There needs to be less clothing in OP. As for Zoro, if you can stop your player at the right time during ze dance carnivale...he's a ballerina. Very manly of you, Zoro.
I'll write about kendo tomorrow. I've posted way too much today as it is.
:: 7:23 AM
[+] ::
:: Tuesday, November 26, 2002 ::
I feel better. I caught up on Sluggy. Look - Kuro has cousins..
I used to think that being called `kitten` implied weakness. I guess not if the kittens grow bat wings and take out helicopters, huh? Oh - Halloween costume idea for next year! Satanic kitty with bat wings! Fun!
:: 11:09 PM
[+] ::
Somedays I hate my stupid need for details. If I weren`t so obsessed with `rightness` then I wouldn`t have gone around making up a frickin` OP timeline. I wouldn`t have totally proven to myself that Smoker is a)younger than Bellemere and b) couldn`t possibly have been a high ranking Marine when she joined up. I wouldn`t have totally RUINED the next four or five chapters of my fic and I wouldn`t have had to stare at a blank computer screen going, `What happens next?`
That`s why TRTRW has been on hiatus for awhile. However, I got a glimmer of inspiration the other day so I may be able to post something soon. I really, really, really want to. I like TRTRW and Bellemere has to go and have cool little adventures. I can`t wait til she gets to the island with the dire budgies. That is going to be weird and fun. And violent and bloody.
Have I mentioned that I hate Arlong? Oh yes I do.
I would like to post a list of hottie anime people, but I think my list would be a) really short and b) really weird. And honestly, I don`t get too excited over many anime guys. To butcher a quote - Anime guys are like tissues; to be used and thrown away.
Oh, Sylph, I wanted to do kyudo too, but they don`t offer it around here. My part of Japan is most well known for taiko drumming and kagura, a type of Shinto dance/play performance piece. I would also do the naginata in a heartbeat if I could. It is such a rockin` weapon of doom.
As for sho-do... my sho-do calligraphy tends to mirror a really early work of Jackson Pollock`s. I`ve participated in the tea ceremony, but once again, there are no lessons in the village. (matcha - cheaper than crack and tastes better too!) Taiko and kendo will keep me busy though, I`m sure.
Yeah - work - better go do that.
:: 9:12 PM
[+] ::
I still haven't figured out what Kohza girls are like either...serious? Intense? Revolutionary?
===============
(The Scene: An exclusive private school that reminds one of Neil Gaiman on pink drugs. A young woman prepares to defend her 'bride' against the forces of Lucifer who is disguised as a bishonen.)
Revolutionary Intense Girl Stacey: For the revolution of fandom (yanks sword out of Zoro's chest and poses dramatically!)
=============
Yeah. Maybe not.
Speaking of revolution, I've been listening to Aimee Allen's song "Revolution" recently. The lyric, "Four, five, six a.m. - I'm up all night again" is particularly applicable. I've got insomnia like you wouldn't believe. This is good for my productivity but bad for things like my sanity. I'm living on koohi. Not good for the health or the mind or the job.
Sylph's page is awesome! Not that it wasn't before - but it is highlighting that couple of couples Usopp and Kaya! Oh the wintery-ness of it all is so fitting - we all know that the Snow Queen was Kaya.
I had a horrible thought for an excellent fic featuring Usopp and Kaya. Right - so at the end of the series, Usopp's going to become a valiant warrior of the sea, meet up with his dad, and then head back to Syrup to see Kaya. And...yeah, they'll get married. It just has to be like this. But what if Kuro comes back to seek his revenge?! And Kuro would do it too. He was patient enough to wait three years before - a few more isn't gonna bother him. Plus I'm reminded of that song, "The Cat Came Back." You know the lyrics of that one - "The cat came back the very next day. The cat came back, they thought he was a goner, but the cat came back - he just wouldn't stay away..." Oh, the angst and the drama and the action possibilities! I'm sorry, Usopp! I promise I won't write it! You and Kaya deserve to be happy! It's all that mean old Kuro's fault.
Kuro: That'll teach you to torture me in the Smut Garden!
Afuji - lucky dog. Tokyo's the place to be for all the anime/manga goods buying. That reminds me - I have to make a pilgrimmage up to Mandarake again. Promise me you'll check out the OP only store (wherever that may be). And there's a stall near Senso-ji in Akakusa that sells OP omiyage in awesome tins. Not that you probably care about that - but it's there!
:: 5:00 AM
[+] ::
:: Monday, November 25, 2002 ::
This Wednesday I start kendo! Go me! Ben, the JET north of me in Kimita, invited me to come along. From now on every Wednesday and Saturday I'll be beating the crap out of people with wooden swords. Since I'm already known as budo girl in the village, I figured picking up one more un-feminine hobby would be par for the course. I'll be exactly like Tashigi then!
Aren't you forgetting the main swordsperson in One Piece?
Oops! Gomen! I 'll also be exactly like reverent whisper: kohza.
(beat)
What? He had a sword.
I had to put off watching the OP episode because my GTO tape has to go back to the store. Good old Onizuka - he's a man to emulate when it comes to teaching! :P
:: 7:40 AM
[+] ::
:: Sunday, November 24, 2002 ::
I'm a little late with it, but I managed to get this done.
Oh! Bespectacled-ness! The link opened fine for me. Thanks Reins! As soon as I get a Kohza spirte, I'll be sure to join. I found a pretty pic for you too.
Normally I am just fan-gurly over the Zoro-meister - not like
reverent whisper: kohza
but today I was struck with an idea. Struck in the knocked over with a nose aneurysm way.
Zoro + kilt = me with massive blood loss.
I think Zoro is the only OP member who could pull it off. And then there's the fun game of wondering what Zoro would wear under his kilt.
This was all inspired by last night's partying - copious amount of alcohol + a lad named McGregor = weird thoughts. I'll get around to Jump and the newest ep tomorrow. I heard rumors of a Johnny and Yosaku reunion for next week's ep, so I'll have to check out the credits. Here's hoping!
:: 9:30 AM
[+] ::
:: Friday, November 22, 2002 ::
Reins: Which part is kowai? The inflammatory phrasing of that thought - or the fact I'm allowed to warp...I mean shape the future leaders of Japan? :P Thanks for the link-up BTW and I am anxiously awaiting the tears inducing fanfic link. Ain't nothing like a little angst to make the weekend go by faster.
I really need to stop 'gathering ideas' for the Smut Garden. It's warping my thought processes. Like today, instead of coming up with a lesson plan for next week, I played the "What cliques need to be invented" game. These are the ones I came up with:
I want "fav chara" under my Christmas tree. (that only works if you celebrate Christmas)
"Fav chara" - serve me some of that for breakfast!
"Fav chara" is hiding under my bed.
"Fav chara" has sexy glasses (a clique for glasses-wearing charas...like Kohza! Or Kuro! Or both!)
I had more but I forgot. I need to stop drinking so much coffee.
Only two more days until the next OP episode - four months and some odd days until the next OP movie - and one day until the next big S. Tanuki update! Wahoo!
Oh well now I`m not only battle-weary and jaded but I am also depressed. I am going to miss the Hell City Tattoo Fest in Columbus. It`s next year in June - when I`m still in Japan. How come all the cool fiestas and cons and whatnot are in the summer when I am not in America? Why? WHY?
Settle down, says a voice. You`re in Japan getting paid obscene amounts of money to play with children.
Yeah! Children that frighten Chucky! I should be getting hazard pay too!
Well, I`ll just have to make myself feel all better by writing about tattoos in One Piece and putting it up on the website. Nemeth - you insinuated your gypsy-lovin` Chinese taking-out, pierced post modern philosophy into my subconscious and I will never get it out.
Someone asked me why I was worried about Eneru. Let me repeat myself - a group of fans that spawns serious Croc x Lu, Chopper x Sanji, and Usopp x KARUE doujinshi (just don`t ask) is not going to leave Eneru alone. This `god` situation bodes. Eneru`s a self-righteous guy who runs around without a shirt on and has eyelashes - shades of SKU all the way. And we all know what the guys in Utena are like!
'If you don't have your bird, then what's left to do but pick a fight with some bloke?' - a British mate describing how his countrymen approach the clubbing experience
Does this remind you of anyone? Anyone? Curly eyebrow?
And now for something completely different...
=================
People I have met that remind or have the same name as an anime/manga character: I like playing this game - if you go to the website you know this fact already.
First off - my students.
Nami Omae is in my first year class. [OP] She is not at all like the Nami we know and love - she's cute as a button and sweet as sugar. And she means it.
Haruka Koguri is in my third year class. [Sailor Moon] She is not like Haruka either - though they both do enjoy 'manly' sports. She's captain of the basketball team.
Kimihide Omae (Nami's brother) acts so much like Miki Kaoru from Utena that I have actually called him Miki-kun instead of Kimi-kun.
Other people that remind me....
Jon's younger brother - It took me about two hours of staring at him but I finally figured out who he was reminding me of...dead ringer for Ace. Same dark hair (dyed), same length, and same nose. It was the nose that did it really. He's got tattoos but they're all spelled right. He's from New Zealand by the way. And no, I didn't jump him or anything - he just looked like Ace. I know the difference. I'm a fangrrl, not a fangurl - the extra 'r' means I still have brain cells left.
Shut up - I know I drooled over the Kohza pick on rein's site. First time I've ever wanted to glomp on a cosplayer... miaow.
I never talk about the current manga do I? I mean to, it`s just usually I analyze it with Sharnice and by the time we`re done with it, I feel like typing up my opinions would be like having the same conversation again.
I`ll break that rule and discuss how freakin` cute Nami was in last week`s ish - AH! Pigtails AND Glasses! Suteki naaaaaa! Nami, everyday you become my hero more and more.
The last ish kind of disturbed me though. The gang had a celebration in the middle of a scary forest surrounded by their enemies - because Luffy wanted a campfire. So they break out the food and the beer and start dancing around the fire. Non dancers were Zoro and Robin. The disturbing part was how much of a cariacture it was of a Native American pow wow (complete with Southwestern howling coyotes). In fact, the Skypeia arc has a lot of Native American influences and it`s giving me a bit of the prickles. I know - it`s only a frickin` shonen manga. I know - cut the PC shite. That`s all well and good, but I still felt uncomfortable about it. I live in Japan and I know how kids are going to take that representation. It`s just going to be thrown onto the pile of stereotypes that they are exposed to by the media and their parents (some of their parents anyways.) I`m not saying that the adults who read Shonen Jump are going to buy it all...but you`d be surprised what kind of stereotypes live and thrive and are perpetuated by the media here. It makes me sad and I hate to see that happen in OP.
But Lucky rocks and she`s not much of a stereotypical `squaw` that most manga-ka would throw into the mix, so like all things, this too will pass and I`ll get over my little PC bump in the road. Plus it`s not like Oda hasn`t spammed a number of other things (but it`s different spamming your own culture and pop culture, says a little voice in my head.)
OKAY! Enough with the philosophy. Moving on to this weeks ish - I haven`t had a lot of time to peruse it, but I did notice the COLORSPREAD BABY! And what a color spread; there ain`t nothing like the OP group in BDUs. Excuse me baby, no parking on the battleground! Indeed!
Plus we meet the god Eneru for the first time - aka the god who is probably going to feature heavily in the next bout of yaoi doujinshi. He`s got eyelashes, he`s built, and he`s sitting around being served by a bunch of beautiful women. I fear for the safety of my boys - I fear about their first encounter with the god and how it`s all going to be warped and twisted in the doujinshi. I know it will be - after all, any group of fans that can spawn Chu x Nojiko fan art (WTF?) can twist anything to their perverted desires.
Random militant slashing should be done ONLY in Harry Potter.
Forgot to mention this little anecdote. One of the boys in the sixth grade class was wearing glasses and he kept pushing them back on his nose with his middle finger - normal enough since the middle finger doesn`t have the same connotation as it does in the States. I explained to him what it meant at home and all the kids laughed (cuz that`s what kids do.)
Then another kid with glasses asked, `Sensee, does _this_ mean anything bad?` Then he pushed the edge of his glasses up with the palm of his hand. You know. A la Kuro.
All the kids giggled at the Kuro no mane. I laughed and said no and we got on with class.
Just wanted to share another example of how OP brightens my life.
:: 10:48 PM
[+] ::
This weeks ep - we are in filler land right now, sailing the Grandline and having inconsequential adventures while reminding everyone what our life`s dream is. This week`s reminder was - Sanji is looking for All-Blue. It wasn`t a very amusing episode at all - Sanji helps a little Marine chef-kid make the famous Marine Curry (supposedly the best in the world; obviously Sanji hasn`t had a go at it yet!)
The only really good thing about this episode (oh, other than gratituous Sanji shots) was a new ending! Thank goodness. I really did not like the last ending song and animation at all. I like the song a little better but the animation - YEAH NICO ROBIN!
I`ll describe it, because it rocks hard. Nico`s in the crow`s nest while everyone is sleeping. There`s a little flashback to Chibi Nico - she`s standing off to the side of a street and watching people walk by, she`s sleeping on the edge of a huge bed curled into the fetal position. I`m getting a little sad for Chibi Nico but then it flashes back to adult Nico. She`s watching shooting stars and she looks happy!
Cut to below decks - Nami is sleeping at her desk, a hand blooms from the wood and gently shakes her awake. Cut to the boys side - the guys are smacked around, thrown out of their hammocks, beaten awake! (muwahahahaha!) Everyone comes out to see Nico standing in the crow`s nest watching the shooting stars - Luffy and Chopper start dancing on the deck...the end.
I looked at her over the counter - she was slightly obscured by the towering pile of purchases before her. The items themselves covered the gamut from H-doujinshi to keychains to posters but there was a common theme.
I grinned. "Yeah, just a little."
===============
This is the story of my foray into Mandarake aka Shangri-La of Used Anime Goods.
Last night, as I was walking around Fukuoka with a group of friends, searching for a bar called "Happy Cock," (long story that one) I looked up into the skyline of the city and saw, in bright red lights, Ma-N-Da-Ra-Ke.
Today I made excuses from my friends and while they went to HMV and Tower Records, I snuck off to spend all my money.
The Mandarake building is four stories and basically windowless. I was one of the first people inside when it opened at 12:00 - and I didn't stop getting stared at by the other customers. I guess a single white female customer is a pretty rare experience for the store; sheesh, I can't imagine why!
I took the escalator all the way to the top and worked my way down through the toys and doujinshi and cells to the bottom level with the used manga. At one point I was so overwhelmed I almost burst into tears - there was so much to see and I didn't know where to start!
An interesting feature of the store is the karaoke stage on the toy floor - one of the employees sang "Run Run Run" while I searched the aisles for OP keychains (found and bought = Mr.Prince, kicking Sanji, Alabasta Vivi, Pell, and the bathing duo of Sanji and Nami.)
I also picked up two Duobrand doujinshi (both all chara), one T-Cell (Lu x Zo, Na x Vi) and one all chara Wasab'z. No RSK or Hachi Maru but I think I made out like a bandit. I killed one and half hours in that building and could easily have gone for another one and a half.
The best purchase is my Nami statue. She's in her dress from the third movie. She looks AWESOME! You look awesome, Nami Onee-san!
Nami: I know it.
Sanji: I know it too!
I tried to get the Kohza keychain from the toy machine, but nine tries later I had run out of hyake-en coins. I think that was kami's way of saying - give it up, girlfriend!
I am very, very, very, very glad that the nearest Mandarake is four hours away or I would be in much worse trouble than I am currently (opens wallet; little gnats fly out).
Oh, I saw sumo too, but that is on my other blog.
:: 9:09 AM
[+] ::
:: Friday, November 15, 2002 ::
So now I know I have seriously crossed the line in terms of OP. I was discussing the sumo trip with a friend and she said - `the sumo will be great! And can you imagine the shopping?`
Visions of Hachi Maru and T-Cell doujinshi danced in my head. `Oh yes indeed,` I replied. `I cannot wait.`
`Me neither,` she said. `Think of all the candy there will be!`
Eye candy... saliva suddenly flooded my mouth as I pondered the pictorials I would soon be exposed to - must have more R S K for my collection...
`I haven`t had a Butterfinger in ages. And maybe they`ll have root beer and I hope my favorite cereal and - `
At which point, I realized we weren`t talking about a hedonistic doujinshi shopping spree. Fukuoka has one of the biggest foreign food stores in the south of Japan, I guess. Well I`m taking a miss on that. Mandarake calls; but it just goes to show how much of a fangrrl I`ve become.
:: 1:06 AM
[+] ::
:: Thursday, November 14, 2002 ::
For all of you who check this blog (all one of you), I won`t be updating this weekend because I will be watching sumo in Fukuoka. Oh and visiting the Mandarake used doujinshi store.
Isn't it funny how you think you're in control and then you turn around and find that the hand that holds the rudder isn't yours?
The other day I was going to write angst - just for the heck out it. So I thought I'd put some angst music on to get me in the mood - a little LotR soundtrack, near the middle, when Gandalf kicks it.
So I put in my MD, hit play and hear...
"I LIKE TURKEY!"
yes, I had mistakenly picked up the Space Ghost Musical Barbeque MD.
And that was it - my concentration was shot. No angst for me; and I was immediately inspired to write a humor fic. Ha, how could I not be after hearing Brak's heartfelt rendition of "Don't Touch Me"?
Don't touch me. Don't touch ME! Don't TOUCH me!
So blame all the insanity on Space Ghost; him and Pocky are smut-inducing.
:: 8:45 AM
[+] ::
:: Sunday, November 10, 2002 ::
Last night`s episode had me in stitches for a full fifteen minutes. It was the first episode where I wondered when the first commerical break was going to be - I needed time to recover!
So Luffy catches this, well, basically a ship to ship salesman and the guy is pushing off all these interesting sometimes useless always expensive gadgets on the crew. Sanji considers an awesome knife set...but then Nami wants paper - good paper, so that she can draw her map of the world. Once the salesman figures out that he`s on Luffy`s ship, he leaves so fast that he leaves the paper.
Well Nami`s a happy camper. While the guys are cleaning the ship (not Robin coz she`s a lady), Nami works. But of course, the idea of `do not disturb` doesn`t get across to the boys. Sanji and Zoro get into a fight (big surprise) and Nami`s map gets screwed up. She tries again; Luffy and Usopp fool around and end up ruining the second map. Third times the charm - and Nami warns that if anyone disturbs her, they have to pay an outrageous fine.
Wouldn`t you know it - the gang falls asleep and a huge storm brews up. Chopper wakes up, can`t wake up any of the guys and runs to Nami`s door - but stops and cries `The fine!` It is the most PRECIOUS THING IN THE WORLD! Yes, Chopper is cute - insanely cute.
Bellemere flashback - Nami finishes the map, gets outside in time to wake everyone up and gives out orders. The ship makes it through and tada! Happy ending. It was a good ep!
:: 11:59 PM
[+] ::
Well I am chugging right along with 'An Officer and Some Gentlemen.' There was serious writer's brick going when it came to that story - I had an ending and a beginning, but no middle. Plus Smoker is a hard guy to write in character. He's very serious and has a dry sense of humor and I'll be the first to admit that character type is not my forte. It's also hard to write him interacting with Tashigi without it sounding like he hates her and it's hard to write Tashigi without making her a big old wussy. Hey you two - stay in character or pay the price.
Luckily I got over that little hurdle this week and have managed to get started again - only now some of the secondary characters are hijacking the plot! How dare they! In fact, how dare this story have a plot at all! It was originally supposed to be a 'Smoker payback' torture fluff piece. It was my apology to Tashigi for the Jill Came Tumbling story. I figured Smoker had it coming. Anyway, it managed to get a plot and tell a story. And now something that was supposed to be about six pages max is at ten and still growing.
When did I lose control, I ask? I hope everyone enjoys it when I put it out there in the vast coldness of cyberspace.
:: 2:31 AM
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:: Thursday, November 07, 2002 ::
Just for everyone`s information - today I was feeling pirate-y so I am wearing my glow in the dark jolly roger bandeau bra.
Because you KNOW you wanted to know that.
:: 8:27 PM
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Repugs everywhere. I am going back to bed.
Just kidding! Today`s song is...
Goodbye Arlong (a scorpio_kaur parody of Goodbye Earl)
Right away Monkey D. sailed from Baraties
To help his navigator
He stopped Nami`s hand
and they worked out a plan.
It didn`t take `em long to decide
THAT ARLONG HAD TO DIE!
(nah, nah, nah, nah, nah)
GOODBYE ARLONG!
Fanfic status - Chapters 1-3 of Watermark will be up on my website and so will that third chapter of TRTRW, just because I am lazy. I`m working on a list of OP seiyuus and other roles they have done as well as a timeline of OP events.
I`m in a quandary (can you be IN a quandary? Or do you just have one? Should I be typing when I have so many drugs in my system? Probably not.) The quandary is that I am such a stupid nitpicker that I can`t continue my frickin` fanfics until I get DETAILS sorted out. Stupid, stupid details. So TRTRW is on hold and so is Watermark (the vi/ko thing for want of a better title.) And Fiddle Dee Dee is on hold too - I can`t understand why writing a humor fic is so HARD! Stupid Smoker; stay in character!
I just bought a Duobrand doujinshi. Fruit baskets have taken on a whole new meaning now - before they meant painful paper cut frozen fingers and now they mean that AND something entirely different. Damn the duo of Duobrand. Strawberries are ruined I tell you - ruined!
OP the anime is okay right now. Filler eps bore me. I WANT ACTION! No more flashbacks. Plus I am still mourning the loss of Vivi. No more slightly confused, worried Vivi to play off of; the cool counterpoint of Nico makes up for that kind of but it`s not the same. I consoled myself at these turn of events by buying a Sanji notepad the other day.
Don`t you all wish you lived in Japan? Muwahahahaha!
G`night. Hopefully when I wake up the US will be a democracy again.
:: 11:32 PM
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:: Friday, October 25, 2002 ::
Back to a subject dear to my heart - songs that inspire me while writing fics.
Currently I am writing an adventure-y little angst drama thing featuring Kohza and Vivi. Why? Because they are destined to be together. (glares at anyone who tries to say otherwise.) Good I'm glad we all agree they are destined to be with each other.
So I happened to come across some kick ass fanart by at Cartoon Heroes. It's a picture of Kohza in the desert and there's Vivi, kind of transparent, in the upper left corner (like he's thinking of her) and in the upper right corner are these lyrics to Sting's song, Desert Rose. Let me fill you in on them.
I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in pain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand
I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire
This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
And as she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realize that nothing's as it seems
I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes, this rare perfume
Is the sweet intoxication of her love
Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower, this rare perfume
Is the sweet intoxication of the fall
The reason these lyrics are perfect for Kohza is because of the juxtaposition of the ideas of rain, dreams, gardens, Eden, and empty skies mixed with the longing of love. It's the Alabasta Arc in a nutshell (turning Yuba into an oasis, the drought, etc.) plus Vivi! Yeah! And I suck at explaining why this inspires me, but it does beyond belief. This is a song that drives me on to write - no sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this song.
Yet I have to be careful because the song is so appropriate for the story that I find myself stealing words and phrases; I can't do that. I have to maintain control of the story. It's very difficult to do that though in a sweeping desert epic - a person tends to get lost beyond the horizon or the bazaars of the dusty trading cities - must maintain self-discipline...
:: 9:37 AM
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:: Thursday, October 24, 2002 ::
WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! OPIATE ROCKS HARD!
First off, people actually read my shite. That is amazing because...it`s usually insane. Especially Smut Garden. But I have fan-art now! That is freakin` awesome. I am reverting to high school language here! This is great!
OKAY! LET'S STAND UP! Under the weight of all this One Piece swag I bought.
Yes, there are perks to living in a rice field and one perk would be that I can go to Hiroshima and buy out Animate. Happy Un-B-Day to me, my friends! I have picked up some lovely doujinshi - RSK is the circle to read if you are a Vivi obsessed girl, which I am right now due to the Alabasta Arc (I gots sand in my pants again!.) There was this horrible little teaser at the back - a what happens next if you will - where Mr. 9 shows up on the doorstep of the palace. And Kohza ain't none too pleased with that! So now I have to track down more RSK and order it from the bastards. Jerks - making me fork out money for my OP crack.
Moving on - picked up some used OP DVDs and can watch Shanks lose his arm over and over and over again. 'The men standing before you are pirates!' And the fangirl standing before you is drooling...
But I was good - I bypassed the Luffy and Chopper pillow; the billion and one keitai attachies, the stickers, the stationary, argh, but the calendar got me. It has some scrumdiddlyumptious pics. I needed to have a lie down after looking at it - which is difficult to do in a crowded store.
Oh and I picked up some other manga (Nana and Gokusen), but no one would care here because it is not OP.
As for the anime, yesterday was 'Vivi makes a decision' episode. The episode was AMAZING! First off, Bon-chan rocked hard. He was seriously kicking tail there and the slow-mo meeting of him and Hina was awesome! No fight to see because there has to be mystery, but just the potential - the potential was there. Then Vivi made her decision and we all know how that ends. So the crew are standing there, arms raised, and then the Marines start firing cannons and the cannonballs are making huge splashes in the water, drenching everyone, but they stand there and stand there! I can't explain it; you have to see it! Then the music picked up and that vicious hated TO BE CONTINUED red death's head screencap came up! What a way to say goodbye!
sniffles...
I'm gonna go have a good cry and comfort myself with my doujinshi and dreams of a desert rose...
Damn you Cartoon Heroes for your awesome fanart.
:: 6:24 AM
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:: Thursday, October 17, 2002 ::
No posting because a) I am in the midst of about four OP fan fics now and they are taking up my time, b)work but that is boring and not OP, c) lack of new OP eps to go on about, d) haven`t gotten the new Shonen Jump because I am lazy, e) work, did I mention I have a job, and f) I wanted to update interesting parts of my websites because I seriously doubt that anyone really reads this drivel except Skippy aka `I wish I was as much as an arrogant snob as Mr. Darcy` Boy.
Hopefully Sunday won`t be pre-empted for a damn comedy special retrospective. Un-nan Comedy Hour is amusing but it is not OP.
Oh, the one hour special was fabulous. There was nekkidness, there was Hina, there was the touching `Tell them to `eat shit`` comment from Smoker (he is SO da man), there was the craziness at the special dinner, there was Bon-chan, there was Jango and Fullbody. There was a new ending song called Family and sung by the VA cast. There was a retrospective of all the events concerning Vivi since entering the Grandline. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! next week`s ep is going to be SO SAD!
And then the real party begins. Muwahahahaha.
My ONLY disappointment was Fullbody and Jango - we need Jango`s Dance Heaven Arc explained. Buggy got his - Coby got his - where is Jango and Fullbody? Huh? People who don`t read the manga and don`t know about the splash page adventure are going to be very confused. That must be explained! It must! I really, really, really hope they do that for the show, but I may be disappointed.
Then again, Nami got to use her special attack - the Pleasure Punch, so I may be alright after all.
Today I was thisclose to cos-playing Vivi. Okay, I wasn't. But I had her tight ass white shorts from the Whiskey Peak Arc. I hate those shorts. Why are we required to wear them for festivals?
Anyway, it is a mere five minutes until the new one hour special for One Piece! YAH! But from what I'm seeing it will be seriously lacking the nekkidness for which I have been anticipating since...when did that come out in WSJ...about six months now. That would be sad, but guess what? It isn't really. Not to me at least.
Hmm, I am way plastered. I think I'm going to stop typing now. Kimochi iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.........
:: 6:45 AM
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:: Friday, October 04, 2002 ::
I work very hard to keep work and my personal hobbies (aka OP) very separate. People take issue with a grown adult (yeah, I wish) having an interest in a child's show, even if said child's show spurred me to take my Japanese studies very seriously. Whatever.
Anyway, today, one of the kids decided that when we were doing the letter 'M' and drawing pictures of money, she would draw berii, which I found amazingly cute.
I now am the keeper of Nami's Mad Navigation Skills. HOOAH!
:: 7:40 AM
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:: Monday, September 30, 2002 ::
Well in case anyone cares, the reason why this blog has been less than interesting lately is because Fuji TV is evil and refuses to do things like SHOW NEW EPISODES OF OP! Why? Because they are evil. In fact, I don't even get a new issue of OP in Shonen Jump because Oda needs a vacation or some weak excuse like that. Just kidding, Odacchi! Jodan desu!
It's not fair. Not that the final 'Croc gets his ass kicked' ep wasn't good. It was great - but this whole "I'll be waiting in antici-....say it, say it!...pation!" thing is driving me nuts.
Anyway I am stuck, waiting in anticipation for the next episodes which will feature - Cobra's speech to the dumb subjects, Tashigi and Smoker finally meet again, the first appearance of [Love] Hina, and the long awaited Happy Naked Time Onsen Scene. Because we all want to see naked pirates. Yeah? Hell yeah.
I only hope that TV has relaxed its morals enough to let the full scene play. Not that the scene in the manga shows anything - but still. I would hate for it to be editted - or even worse - for it to be omitted altogether! Oh gawd no please anything but that! And they have to do something to explain the sudden reappearance of Jango and Fullbody and why they are friends. That is very important!
Oh, the loose ends are killing me here. I'm going to make myself a drink to calm my nerves.
:: 6:27 AM
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:: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 ::
When I think of Sanji, and I`m not saying that I go around thinking of Sanji all day or anything, I think of music. I think of a couple of types in fact. First off I think of swing, jazz, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, big bands with a crap load of brass, and a smokey cocktail lounge where the decor is decidedly retro and the drinks are all martinis. That is what I think about first.
And inexorably my mind is then drawn to Nelly`s "Hot in Here." I can`t help it! It just is!
I`m going to go hae a lie down now.
:: 12:09 AM
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:: Thursday, September 19, 2002 ::
Avast Mateys - 'tis 'Talk like a Pirate Day!' Are you man enough to talk like a corsair - or shall you be walkin' the plank like the others?
Argh, but the scurvy dogs at the BOE said I couldn't be talkin' like meself today! Them landlubbers wanted 'proper' English - pirate talk ain't good enough for 'em! But I hoodwinked those bloodless jellyfish. When me laddies studied pronunciation, I slipped in a few piratey 'Arrrr!'s in there. "'Ha-aaaaarrrrrr-d!' Say it like you got a cutlass clamped in your mouth, laddies! 'Ha-aaaarrrrrrrr-d!" Ha, them fancy pants gentleman at the BOE can't keep me from being a pirate! ARRRRGHHHH!
So, mates and scurvy dogs alike, shiver your timbers and keel your hauls! Talk like a Pirate Day! Don't forget it - or you'll be sleepin' in Davey Jones' locker - with the rest of the Monkees!
:: 9:57 AM
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:: Monday, September 16, 2002 ::
Amor mio,
amor mio, por favor,
Tu no te vas.
Yo contraria las horas, yabena bayo.
No quieres recordar.
No quieres recordar.
Volverei.
(No volverei no volverei no volverei)
No quereis recordar.
No quieres recordar. I have a long involved theory on the ancestory of Zoro concerning what nationality would he be were he living on our world. Even though Oda has said that there it no correlation between nationalities on our world and the OP world, I must say that I believe Zoro is Spanish gypsy.
And this song fits perfectly in the Zoro/Kuina/Tashigi story. It is sung by the Gipsy Kings about love lost, love that will not return, and the pain of remembering.
Oh my love
Oh my love, please,
Don’t leave me.
I will count the hours until you return.
Return to me.
(I will not return. I will not return.)
I don’t want to remember.
I don’t want to remember.
The singer cannot help but remember the happiness he had with his love but the pain that awaits him when he must return to the present is unbearable. Return to me, he begs of his love, but her spirit answers, I will not return. He says softly, I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to remember.
I have a habit of watching OP and playing CDs at the same time. Whether by chance or serendipity (or the fact I had this CD in my player for weeks), I was listening to it during the fateful ep. when Tashigi and Zoro first met. And the line played…I don’t want to remember…as Zoro crushed Tashigi’s glasses. And ever since then, when I think of angst and OP, I think of this song and the plaintive gypsy voice that begs the memory of his love to leave him be, to stop forcing him to remember the good times, and how those good times will never be again, in the same way that Zoro can’t stand Tashigi for having the face of his friend and reminding him of times that cannot be.
I want a girl who uses a machete to cut through red tape,
with fingernails that shine like justice,
and a voice that is dark like tinted glass.
She is fast, thorough, and sharp as a tack.
She is touring the facility and picking up slack.
I want a girl with a short skirt and looooooooooong jacket. I live in a world of music, image, and words – I cannot separate the three. I have a song for every mood, every person I know, and of course, for almost every OP character. It may be the music, the words, the band’s off stage hijinks, or the mood the song conveys that strikes me and reminds me of a character. If I am inspired with an idea for a character or arc video while listening to the music, then that is the signal that the song will be a ‘theme.’ I know that many people would disagree with my choices – but this is all about personal feeling, so they are entitled to their opinions.
I’ve worshipped OP for a year and have one and million ideas for videos – unfortunately I don’t have the one and million dollars needed for the equipment to make the said videos. Instead I will post my ideas, notes and general song ramblings here.
The lyrics are from ‘Short Skirt, Long Jacket’ by Cake. The music is smooth, the lyrics are all compliments and the chorus…the chorus screams of Nico Robin. Though in recent chapters she hasn’t been wearing her Miss All Sunday get up, I will always associate her with long jackets and short skirts (with fringe!)
This blog is only about One Piece. It will be fan grrl ravings, comments on the anime and manga, which means spoilers, and general comments and opinions. This is meant for enjoyment - mostly mine, but others have my permission to enjoy it if they wish.
However, I am breaking my first rule immediately. Today is not the day to discuss pirates. The first entry will be about something more serious.
I am alone in my house now. It is almost ten o clock. At nine thirty I was looking through my music for a song that was a fitting tribute to the occurrences of last year; something that truly expressed my feelings at this time. :46 Japan Standard Time to those that died and those that lived.
Seasons of Love
from the musical RENT
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure - measure a year?
In daylights - in sunsets
In midnights - in cups of coffee
In inches - in miles
In laughter - in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned
or in times that he cried?
In bridges he burned
or the way that she died?
It's time now - to sing out
tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love...
Seasons of love.
===============
I chose this song for many reasons; the feeling of hope and rememberance, the fact that it is from a musical based in New York, the fact that its writer died early in life, but accomplished so many things before he passed on...
This song, these words, the adominition to measure a life in love, is what 9/11 is about. Let us mourn our loss, but let us also remember those that passed before us with fond words and good deeds. Let us remember that their legacy is love and that we have a duty to carry that torch, before any other, in the years to come.
