Ramblings of a Crowe

A lesson on Narutards

This is the funniest damn thing: Narutard Help Here

Also, for those that need a definition of what exactly a "Narutard" is, go HERE!

BTW: I'm a Naruto fan. It's one of my favorite shows.

And.....

FMA is down to one episode left (this Saturday), and what an episode it shall be...I'm still reeling from the last one...

Even better, everyone remember that Bleach will be making it's first appearence as a cartoon next week! Yeah! The rumor mill is that IYForever will be releasing it via fan sub. But for those interested, keep an eye on the listings at animesuki.com. I'm sure there'll be more than one group picking this series up!

Yami no Matsuei is availible in English now. Viz kept the title "Decendants of Darkness" for the manga, which is fine by me. It's a great series. Very, very funny and beautifully drawn.

The mountain is still rumbling. Earthquakes are getting more frequent....but we're all still waiting to see what will happen. So exciting! It's doubtful the eruption will be like the one in 1980, but still, mother nature is fasinating, isn't she?

Are we going to die this time?

Firstly, I would like to say J, I love you man! You don't take shit from anyone and that's fantastic. Keep your chin up my friend and get your ass over here Sunday so we can hang out! That's not a request, that's an order! ;-)

The big buzz around here lately is Mt. Saint Helens...apparently, there's a good possibility she'll blow sometime soon. Everyone is talking about it, waiting, watching. You see, there's not a lot of natural disasters here in WA State. Nope. Oh, a couple earthquakes here and there on the west side and a couple small twisters in the east, but that's about it. Sometimes we forget about the small chain of volcano's sleeping quietly nearby.

St. Helens is the most vocal. In 1980, she blew her top big time. An earthquake of 5.1 rocked the area and the entire north face of the mountain blew away, clearing almost 230 miles of forest. It was just laid over like toothpicks. Seriously. I saw it with my own eyes when my family paid a visit to the National Park to take it all in.

I'm glad people are actually paying attention now. Before the last eruption, no one took reports or scientific observation too seriously, but luckly most people were cautious and evacuated when told. A few didn't, and I'll give you one guess where they are now...Actually, only 57 people died in that eruption, thanks to the remote location of the mountain.

I think we've learned now the appearence of a large, rapidly growing buldge in the side of a rocky mountain is something to be concerned about. No one is cracking jokes and laughing about crazy scientists and government conspiracies.

No, we're just waiting...

I wonder if I'll see the cloud this time? The black cloud of ash that rained down on us despite being hundreds of miles away. I was only four, but I do remember my mom calling my cousin and I into the house because the sky got black. I wonder if we'll hear the crack as it tears apart? Or if there'll even be one loud enough for us to hear all the way over here?

It's kind of exciting. Kind of scary. Very much amazing.

St. Helens photos

However impressive St. Helens is when erupting, I'm more worried about this one:

Most Dangerous Volcano in the Cascades Thankfully, she's been pretty quiet.

I'm a PS2 widow twice removed...

....or something like that! Ha! Ha! Jay paints a beautiful picture of my life with my PS2 over on his site. I laughed so hard when I read his entry because I kept thinking, "It's true!" Heh, you know me all too well, my friend! Hope you enjoy the PS2 you have, and I'm glad it's working okay for you! (I was worried it would dud out on your game!)

So yes, as you can all see, I finally bought a new PS2. It's nice and shiny. It doesn't make noises. It plays my games without freezing. I'm very happy. So happy I bought two new games to go with it! I thought of holding out for the "new and improved" PS2, but figured screw it. If I can get two years out of this one, the PS3 will be out soon and I'll have to upgrade anyway.

On another note, what the hell is up with all the crime going on over here in TC? Sheesh. My city is fairly safe, it always has been, but as of late, people are killing each other right and left! Is there some sort of foul oder in the air? Has Simplot's feedlot and Boise Cascade's paper mill finally driven us all to madness (you wouldn't believe the stench those two can create on a still night). Several months ago, some man was stabbled like 17 times RIGHT NEXT DOOR to my work! That didn't go over well with me, since I'm usually the last one to leave...ever since then, I'm always considering what items I have on my person could be used as a fatal weapon if I'm attacked. Disturbing but true. It's me or them...I do have a rather large, metal baseball bat in my car, but it's in the trunk...

Anyway, a few weeks ago, a highschool teacher was found dead on school property. He too, was stabbed. Apparently it was a gang initiation...Nice. Gangs are stupid. Dumbass stupid low life fuck ups who are to friggin lazy to try and make themselves better. Cowards...all of them. To the very core. Oh, they're all scary and crap in a group, a few by themselves, but deep down, they're all just scared little boys and girls, running away from the bumps life has thrown at them. Too afraid to tackle their problems like real human beings. Too afraid to be productive. Too afraid to be truely strong... It's pathetic how weak they really are. How naive and ignorant to think that "street smarts" makes you completely tough...

That's not how it works...strong people over come their problems. They see their weaknesses and the conquer them while becoming better people. They don't point fingers at society...they know the world is evil and hard, but that's their problem, no one elses. They don't delude themselves that they are "owed" anything...The world doesn't owe any of us jack shit. We're born and it's up to us to make our way...If anything, weak people like these gang thugs owe society something...because back in the day when we carried clubs and couldn't talk with words, people like them just died. There was no time or patience for useless beings who couldn't hack a hard world...A terrible, but true, reality.

However, now, we support criminals like them...we offer them "rehabilitation" and "choices". They have chances and choices, something I support up to a point. Some take them and go on to succeed, which is fantastic! But most don't, because at heart, they are too weak to try...to lazy because we enable them to be...and in turn, they prey upon our society, spreading their filth...taking the lives of innocent people and parading about like they are "tough and powerful". How sad...

I think what set me off so bad was the graffiti that has spread about town and the graffiti they found at the crime scene. The letters MP something (I can't remember for sure) were everywhere, and we later found out it was from a gang called "Mexican Pride *something". OMG! I'm not Mexican, and I was out raged. I know many, many Mexicans, all of who are some of the most amazing, caring, hardworking, funny people. The sheer audacity that these no good, moronic jackasses would attach "Mexcian Pride" to brutally murdering another human being just pisses me off to no end. Where is the pride in killing someone? Do they honestly thing "their people" will think they've done something worth commending? Do they think that going around killing people will make non Mexican's respect their race more? Are they that stupid and deluded?

They have no clue what they've done. They probably don't care. But if anything, they've shit on true Mexican Pride. These idiots aren't Mexican...they're just low rent thugs who happen to have Mexican genes. If they were true Mexican's they would be like the people I know...people who smile easily, tell wonderful stories, work hard, throw incredible feistas, make some of the best damn food I've ever eaten, respect and honor the importance of family and friends, and hold an general love of life, regardless of the hardships and struggles. Those are true Mexicans people.

One of my best friends told me once that inside the hispanic community here, there is a distinct line between what a Mexican is and what a "wet back" is. I was a bit surprised to hear the deragatory term come from him, since is, infact, hispanic. I thought it was a racist term used by us "gringos" to put down the Mexican people. I was shocked to find out that inside our little community, the term "wet back" has an even harsher meaning between the very same race of people. He said to me, "There are Mexcians, like me and my mom, and then there are 'wetbacks', the kind that don't care where their kids are or hang out on street corners drinking beer. They aren't Mexican."

Later, I was talking with another friend of mine during the graveyard shift at an old job. Her name was Guadalupe, but we called her Lupe for short. She sat at the desk across from me and watched as a few workers shuffled in. When they entered the cafeteria, she looked at me and said in heavily accented English, "Those people are the biggest fuckin wet backs." I nearly spit my soda at her, because I'd always thought that the term wet back meant a Mexcian person....end of story. It was a racial slur used by white people, black people, asian people, and other Hispanics who weren't quite "hispanic" anymore, meaning the spoke no other language than English, their parents had high paying jobs, and they lived in nice houses with a picket fence (yes, this is a hugely racist sterotype). Lupe wasn't one of those Mexican's, I knew that for a fact. In the circle of non-hispanics, she would be considered a "wet back" just because of her job, economic status, her house, the way she looked, etc. I never condemed her for those things. Stuff like that doesn't matter to me, but I honestly had no clearer meaning of the term, other than how it was used among us "gringos". After I managed to compose myself, I asked her what the difference was, and she told me. She talked to me about how within the hispanic community, there was a clear division between them. Mexican people who contributed to the community by working hard, educating themselves and their kids, caring for their familes, being legal in the states, working hard to make their lives better...those were true Mexicans. The people who came to the US to find a safer and better place to live. Wetbacks were the ones who took it all for granted. They came to the US still behaving like it was Mexico, like our rules and laws didn't apply. They were the people who got into trouble and gave everyone else a bad name. She got angrier the more she talked to me, and I could see exactly how divided their community was.

It was an eye opener for me. Before then, I never worked with people who couldn't speak my language well. I had to learn a bit of theirs to communicate, and sometimes I was disliked because I wasn't fluent. My boss, who was from Ecuador set those people straight by telling them that they were in "my" country and I didn't have to learn to talk to them in spanish. I learned a little bit anyway, mainly for myself, and because some of the friends I made there got the biggest kick out of my bad spanish...it was good for a few laughs. Even more so, once I got over the "Me and them" fear and became more curious about their culture, I found myself eating lunch with a table full of people who spoke about as much English as I did Spanish. Somehow, we all understood each other and those are some of my best memories. Soon, some of the older ladies and a few of the men were bringing me home made Tamales and Flauta's. (YUM) When I was sick with a cold, they would find someone to translate for them while they gave away special home remedies to cure flu, pnuemonia, brochitis, etc. Then they'd tell me to go home and go to bed. It was an order. *laughs* When I think about it now, back then, I was surrounded by the most caring, compassionate, and friendly people I've ever met. I miss them all very, very much. Occasionally I'll see someone in the store, and they remember me. I quickly find myself in a eager handshake or hug, while they should "Hola! Como estas!" at me. It makes me smile. It makes me laugh. And I always reply "Bein! Bein! Etu?"

Esa gente representa el orgullo mexicano verdadero.

Summary III

Pg's 51-73

Geo starts off by complaining about the upcoming trip to find the Ogawas and decides to pay a visit to the old man who gave the boys some meat the previous day. Geo finds the sickly old man sitting in the sun, watching over some shriveled up saplings. Old man Hide (Hee-day) tells Geo that nothing will grow and that the ground is dead. He tells him at one time, the young trees would grow tall and big, but that's not likely to happen again soon. Geo listens to the man babble on about the dates and the emporer, and thanks him for the meat. He builds Hide a small tent from debris laying about, and as he's leaving, Hide tells him to search Shinjuku for a way underground. Geo is a bit startled, but thanks the old man anyway and runs off to find the others.

Back at base, the other three boys are talking amongst each other. Agi is sharing some gossip he heard about Geo being "feminine" in his youth, but Batsu can't believe it. Agi tells Batsu that Geo was a real beauty and Batsu whines that he wished he could see. Geo busts in the door, worried because no one answered the radio when he called and only catches the end of the converstation. He's excited about seeing a beautiful girl and asks where they all saw her. The other three turn and tell him what they were talking about. Geo gets super pissed and starts to leave them all behind, while Zatto tells Agi he really made Geo mad this time and Agi says it was just a bunch of gossip. Agi apologizes to Geo, and Geo tells him if he pulls that crap again, he'll kick his ass...hard. He then tells everyone that they're leaving and to follow him...Batsu is the only person brave enough to question him, but Geo's foul mood even quiets him for a brief while.

As the boys trek through the desert, Batsu complains to Geo that he didn't remember their last trip being so hard. Geo reminds him that it was, and that now they know more about surviving in the heat with little food or water. Agi and Zatto aren't faring so well, and when Agi trips over a human skeleton, he flips out. He freaks even more when Batsu marches up and tears the skeletons clothes off then starts taking the belongings. Geo tells Batsu to knock it off and leave the dead guy alone, but Batsu explains that the man is dead and there is no use in wasting good supplies. He intimidates Agi into agreeing with him and Geo gets ticked off. Batsu then turns his aggression on Geo, and starts ridiculing him about his concious and morals. Geo keeps his cool until Batsu calls him "Missy" and he takes Batsu aside (roughly) and tells him he doesn't want to hear anymore references to the "Chuusei" (people with no gender) issue. Batsu smirks at him and makes a snide joke about not knowing what Geo is talking about, which just completely sets Geo off. A full out brawl starts between the two and the fists and insults fly. Agi and Zatto decided to sit it out, but then they hear a helicopter and somehow manage to get the other two to stop fighting and hide. After the helicopter leaves, Agi tells them to finish it up and Zatto scolds them for not picking a better place or time to fight. Badly batter and bleeding, Batsu and Geo say the know that, but it can't be helped.

Inside Admiral Batsu's train, a group of militants break in demanding that Won Min is handed over to them. The gaurds are confused, wondering if it's the US military or terrorist, but the quickly try to get Admiral Batsu to the back car for saftey. Julia, who was with him, sees an opening in the confusion and makes a run for it, with the Admiral yelling her name after her.

Back at headquarters, the Admiral is having a converstation about the next drug shipment. He says he wants it canceled and it's best to lay low for a while. Eddie Stewart then shows up, offering his apologies. The Admiral isn't happy about the situation and tells Stewart that he wants more guards and that all insurgents should be dealt with a harsh sentence. If they have to start killing them, so be it. He also tells Stewart he want's Juila found in 3 days. The Admiral isn't happy about Julia running away.

Stewart listens and Admiral Batsu ponders Julia's punishment. A disturbing converstaion about the Admirals homeland begins and Stewart begins to get ill from listening to the sociopaths rantings. Outside the office, Stewart thinks to himself what a savage the Admiral is, and inside, the Admiral laughs at Stewarts quick retreat.

Meanwhile, Julia is still running, but makes a wrong turn into the home of some local thugs. Since women are a rarity, Julia is a treat for them and the snatch her up quickly, then prepare to gang rape her. Julia manages to get a knife out of one of the man's pocket and then stabs him in the neck. She flees as he and his friends are stunned and confused, but it doesn't take long for them to come after her. Julia hides for a bit, thinking over the worlds they said to her...She seems most distraught over being compared to a woman and a slave. It's like she doesn't understand what they were saying to her. As one of the men closes in on her hiding spot, he stumbles on a pile of long hair. We then see Julia, minus her long tresses, running off into the desert alone.

Next time: Geo makes an exciting discovery and the boys learn that the eye is not always right. Lt. Minerva goes through some of Geo's dad's medical history and research papers (Geo's dad was a doctor, remember) and finds out some interesting and disturbing information. Julia is finding out the desert isn't the best place to be all alone and unprepared....

****************

As I think I've said before, Book 2 is a bit slow. Things really don't pick up until the end, action wise, but there's a lot of important information in between. I just get the biggest kick out of the boys. Batsu is my favorite. He seems like such a jerk, but out of all of the boys, I feel the worst for him. As you already know, he's grand-dad isn't the most loving family member in the world...but there's more to the story (No, I won't spoil it). Despite his tough, nonchaulaunt attitude, he's actually very intellegent as well as very needy. My second favorite character won't show up until Book 3. Geo comes in third, and only loses points because he whines so much and is such a goody goody...but pay attention to him, because later, there will be some drastic changes in his attitude and morals. His story and Batsu's makes my heart wrench...

Zero is truely a story based on mystery, but it's also incredibly sad. I can't imagine what it would be like to grow up in a world wraught with disease, death, and little to no moral sense of humanity. When I read it, I often find myself wondering why they even bother trying to live, but the boys hope of something better reminds me that giving up just because things are tough is cowerdly. Yeah, that sounded sappy, but keep reading and you'll see what I mean. I apologize again for crappy scans, some bad translating, and my lateness....but I am one person, who is still learning Japanese on their own, with a nine year old son, full time job, and other things to do as well. I'm not sure when the next update will be, probably in a couple weeks, but if I'm ambitous or bored of my new PS2, it could be as soon as next weekend!

Thanks again everyone! Take care!

Customer Service

You know, whoever came up with the saying "The customer is always right" should be beaten with a shovel, salt rubbed in the wounds, and then hung over a fire ant hill while dripping with honey.

The public has taken this statment and ran with it, using it for the sole reason to swindle, lie and cheat businesses out of money and behave like poorly trained baboons to fellow human beings. They use the excuse that businesses have been duping them for years, so of course this gives the customer a free "hypocrite" pass. It's okay for a customer to lie about costs and prices, but if a business does it, the world has come to and end and then the BBB must rear it's ugly head.

I'm confused. When did it become okay for ANYONE to lie or cheat other people? When did it become okay to be rude and discourteous to other people?

Thanks to the press and various organizations trying to stomp out poor customer service and dishonest businesses, the world of customer service has become a huge, hellish lake of putrid fire. Suddenly, all of us customer service reps and company employee's have become incompetant and uncaring. The minute we don't know an answer for something, or refuse to let the lying, cheating customers who don't want to pay their bill to have their way, the start asking for a manager, threaten to have us fired, call us nasty names, etc. They're the customer dammit! They're always right!

NO. You're not.

I've been in the service industry for seven years. I have a whole new perspective on customers and businesses. Customers are NOT always right. Often times, customers create the majority of their problems by NOT listening or even trying to understand what's being said to them. In their little heads, the mantra is playing over and over again, "I'm the customer. I'm always right. I'm the customer. I'm always right," so they miss over half of what they're being told. Just because you believe something should be one way, doesn't make it so. That's just a fact of life. I could hold dog crap in my hand for a year and wish with all my might that it was god, but that ain't gonna happen. Get the point?

Of course, there's no excuse for bad customer service. I can't stand customer service reps who treat customers badly. It pisses me off to no end. And they're out there, those cranky, uncaring jerks who are just trying to get a paycheck. I apologize for them, but customers need to stop thinking that everyone in the service industry is like that. We're not. I, for one, take my customers problems seriously. If someone has a problem with our service, I want to try and make it better. I want them to be happy. I don't like nasty phone calls, and the more happy customers we have, the less of those calls I have to take. However, no matter how honest and concerned I am, I'm constantly faced with "The customer is always right and you are WRONG." My trees are dead because of you. My lawn is brown because of you. I have bugs in my house because of you. My plants shouldn't have a disease, that's why we hired you. <---(I love this one. I see a doctor each year to make sure I'm healthy, but I don't call him bitching when I catch a cold) All of these are common example of customers not wanting to understand how a service works, nor even bothering to try. The call, angry and screaming. When I try to help, I'm the one who is an idiot. (Yes, I wasted all those years in college getting three degrees in Agriculture for nothing) They demand I do what THEY think should be done, though I tell them it won't solve the problem. Of course, the customer is always right, so I go along with them and then several weeks later, they're calling again, even more pissed their grass is still brown or trees is still dying. Then, the demand their money back.

You see, customers are like children. Not all of them. I love so many of my customers. A few have become friends. But many of them only make matters worse for themselves, but not letting us educate and help them. If they'd let go of the mantra, things would be much easier for all of us.

PS2 #3

Well, at lunch today I went and bought myself another PS2. My third one to be exact. I'm looking forward to starting Star Ocean again. I've decided to just start from the beginning and take my time. Now that I'm familar with the battle system and tricks, I should have no problem when I reach the end. I often do this with RPG's. I start them, get near the end, then start them over. I did this with FF7 and FF10. I'm also thinking of replaying Tales of Symphonia to see the various endings...but I'll wait until I'm done with SO first. Also, I might buy Viewtiful Joe today. I hear it's a great game...plus I want to see "evil chibi Dante". I love Dante. He's so cool!

I've been under fire from spammers lately. It makes me laugh. I love the IP ban option. Sorry Jen, or what ever the hell your name is...I don't take kindly to Triple X Hentai sites trying to link to me. And all those "G ambling" sites? *laughs* Leaving serious posts on various entries that have nothing to do with the topic? I HATE spammers. Hate them. Loath them. So, I just delete and ban, delete and ban, delete and ban. It's fun! I get a kick out of it...in a sick, twisted sort of way. Market your crap on your own site, not mine.

Anyway...J...I still haven't found Frontpage. I'll look for it some more this weekend. I can't wait to see the "topic seceret" operation when it's done!

Well, back to work!

Some one PLEASE TELL ME!

What the hell is the trick? There's got to be some sort of pattern...but for the life of me I can't figure it out! I've done this stupid thing like 25 times and EVERY FRIGGIN TIME it knows what symbol I've picked....

Super Creepy Psychic Thingy

Where is J?

He seems to have disappeared...The last I heard he had some master project that was so top seceret if he told me what he was doing, he'd have to kill me...So, I left it at that...It makes me wonder...and I bit worried...

What sort of deviant scheme are you cooking up now? Hmmm?

And J...did you make all the "c's" to "k's" on purpose? That's been bothering me for awhile... ;-)

Alas, once again we missed our next year of FCC...Piggy used the excuse he had to do house work...but I really know it was his fear Yekene's (or whatever the hell his name is) new dress...

Heh...

Anyway...You know, after all my complaining about bad drivers, I nearly got hit THREE times today. Three...At least I was in my car, but still...people just not paying attention. One woman, who's stupidity prompted me to give her the "You're number one, Ace" signal, pulled her big ass suburban into my lane, forcing me off the road. Why? Because she didn't have the forsight to see the turn lane she needed so badly up ahead. So, it was then a legit excuse for her to run me into a lane of oncoming traffic, forcing me to a full stop. I wish my horn wasn't so wimpy...but I laid on it like you wouldn't believe, calling her every name in the book...I guess people call it road rage...*sigh* But who came blame us these days...I had half the mind to let her hit me...but then I remembered it was the only car I had...and it's only two years old...

Another thing that pisses me off (while I'm on a roll)...People who talk loud on their cell phones in public places....

Why....................................................................?

Why must they do this? Do they think everyone around them wants to hear their converstation about how Billy needs a ride from soccar and the laundry is in the wash ready to be taken out, and Aunt Mable got lost in Walmart again...silly woman...she should be in a home?

I mean, people talking on their cell phones doesn't piss me off...but when they feel the need to SHOUT their private converstaions in a place that isn't really all that noisy bugs the hell out of me. For example....I'm at the gym, ridind the exercise bike and listening to the radio while this woman behind me on the tredmill fires up her cell phone then proceeds to practically scream her evening plans into her phone...I learned all about how she doesn't like her boyfriends friends and how badly she hates the new bar "Chicas Locas" or whatever it's called...I even learned that she was working major overtime and wouldn't be able to get free until seven pm....I wonder how many good songs I missed on the radio while listening to her drivel. Another example...Sunday, when I was at the theater to see Resident Evil, there was about 12 people including me and my friend. Not exactly brimming with noise and excitment. Many of us were talking quietly with each other before the movie began, when this 12 or 13 year old girl whips out her mom's cell phone and starts shouting at her sister or brother (some sibling). She talked so loud I couldn't stop looking at her...at first, I chalked it up to pre-teen hormones and the need to look "cool". You know, the whole "Look at me on a cell phone. I look grown up." deal that little girls and boys feel sometimes....But after about FIVE MINUTES of it, I got really irritated. I finally looked at my friend and stated in a normal, but easily heard voice (since they were sitting about five seats from us) that "You know, people who talk unnecessarily loud on their cell phones in public places just pisses the hell out of me. Can't the do that crap outside? Or talk quieter? I don't want to hear their converstation..." My friend just chuckled...and the girl looked at me, then ended her phone call shortly after.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE FOLKS! If you just HAVE to shout into your cell phone for no reason, do it somewhere else! No one wants to hear your stupid converstations. No one thinks you look cool with a cell phone. Practically EVERYONE has one these days anyway...there's nothing special about it.

*fumes*

Is there anyone left in this world who understands the word "manners"? It's all about me, me, me, me, me, these days. Have a little respect for the people around you for crying out loud. And use some damn common sense....

I had to do what again?

You know you're getting old when you have to write yourself notes to remember even the smallest things. This is a HUGE problem for me...and I'm not adapting well. You see, I use to have a great memory...I mean, I could remember the names people I went to school with in 1st grade with no problem...Now I have a hard time just remembering if I ate lunch or not...It's only started over the past year or so, this poor memory recall...but it seems to be getting worse and worse. I wonder if I have a brain tumor or something...Does senility run in my family? I'm only 28 for crying out loud!!! *laughs*

Today I reached an all time low...I had to write a note to remind myself to go pick my friend up at 8am and take him to the doctor...That's kinda important, but some how, I knew I'd forget it I didn't make myself remember. I mean, even after talking with him on the phone and then talking with my boss about coming in late, I still felt I wouldn't remember come morning and forget about him totally! I feel horrible and guilty even though I haven't done anything wrong! *laughs* I can handle forgetting little things, but major things, like taking someone to the doctor, picking my son up from tennis after work, wether it's Saturday or Sunday...that kinda worries me...Is my brain rotting? Maybe I should see a doctor? But I don't like giving money to those greedy physicians unless I'm sure there's something wrong with me, and there's no cure for old age...

Anyway, as for my friend (the one who got hit by a truck a week or so ago), he's doing okay. Two vertebrae in his neck have hair line fractures, which really drives home how badly he COULD have been injured. Infact, if he hadn't been wearing a bicycle helmet, he probably would have died. His helmet was crushed...literally. And may I remind you it was actually him who hit the side of a pickup that decided to make a quick turn into a drive-way in front of him. A good thing for all us motorists to know is that not all bicyclists on the road are piddling around. Serious riders can go pretty fast on a bike...and my friend hit the truck going about 25 to 30 Mph...People who bitch about cyclists not riding on the sidewalk are morons...in most places IT'S ILLEGAL! That's why they aren't on the side walk. Give them room. Give them time. They have every right to be on the road. And for the love of God, check your mirrors when they are around! This accident would have been avoided if that stupid woman had just checked her rear-view mirror before turning into her drive-way. She gave my friend no time to stop OR get out of the way, and her excuse was "I didn't see him. I thought he had pleanty of time." Don't be a jackass, okay folks.

At anyrate, he seems to be doing well. I brought him to work today for a few hours (we work at the same place). He can't drive his car, due to the neck brace, and not to mention that he's still in quite a bit of pain. Even his lungs were bruised from the accident! His stitches came out, but there are all sorts of other aches and pains popping up. I'm just happy he's alive and walking. I can't explain how terrifying it is to actually see one of your closest friends so hurt...Please, everyone, be careful of others when you're behind the wheel of a car. Please...

Other than that, not much is going on.

I saw Resident Evil 2 on Sunday. It's a great flick, for those who enjoy action films. I'm a big fan of the first movie too. I'd do a review of it, but I don't feel like it right now. There are a few other movies I'm looking foward to seeing. "The Grudge" looks terrifying and "Flight of the Pheonix" looks awesome! I'll probably go see both of those when they come out. I hear "Flight of the Pheonix" is a remake of an old Jimmy Stewart movie. Everyone says the orginal was really good, so I'll have to watch it to find out. I like old movies. I also like Japanese films and action movies. I'm not much into romance or comedy...though there have been a few shows of those genre I've enjoyed...Drama can be cool too, if it's not over played...Green Mile springs to mind as one of the best movies I've ever seen, and it's a drama film. If you haven't seen it, do. I mean it. Right now. GO!

I worked on Zero some more...tore my hair out for a few hours with some particularly tricky wording...then went and studied more. What a great motivator. *laughs* I should have the next few pages up by the end of the week. Book 2 is a bit slow in most aspects, but I think it sets the foundation for events to come. Especially pertaining to Batsu and Julia. Book 3 will introduce another important character...one of my favorites. I love the artwork of Zero. It's not the typical manga style we are all so familar with. It's a bit rough, but beautiful as well. The story is incredible (and complicated...).

I bought some more manga from Kinokuniya too. Volumes 7 and 8 of Kare First Love. (^-^) Yes, it's licensed by Viz and I'll buy the English volumes as they come out, but I don't want to wait to read the story! Silly me! Volume 9 will be out in November, for those interested. Volume 8 of Zero will be out next month.

Well, I've rambled on and on today...next time I should have something more interesting to talk about...I'll think of something...(I'll write myself a note...heh).

カタカナ：Ｋａｔａｋａｎａ (Revisited)

Like I said, I would talk about my arch nemisis, Katakana if I had the time. Well, I have a bit of time, so I'll go over a bit of it for those who are curious.

Firstly, there are three 'systems' for writing in Japan:

ひらがな　（Ｈｉｒａｇａｎａ）
カタカナ　（Ｋａｔａｋａｎａ）
漢字　（Ｋａｎｊｉ）

Hiragana are used usually for particals and word endings (such as for verbs and adjectives). Katakana, as I said before used for "borrowed words or foreign words" or to add emphasis to something. However, I've been told by a friend in Japan, that katakana is becoming more popular and it's not uncommon for younger people to use it for all kinds of words, Japanese and foriegn. Kanji are the complicated characters that most people assosicate with Japanese writing. Kanji were borrowed from China incooporated into their writing system. Kanji make up the "body" of the word, as I like to think. Each kanji has a particular meaning or meanings and when combined with other kanji creates new words.

Kanji usually have two different "readings" the KUN reading, which is used for the Japanese meaning(s) and the ON reading with is the Chinese "sound" of the kanji. It sounds complicated, but it's not.

For example, lets look at the Kanji for "person": 人

Alone, this character reads "hito" (ひと）; that would be the "KUN" reading for this particular Kanji. The "ON" readings (the readings based on the Chinese sounds) are "jin" (ジン) and "nin"(ニン). This readings are used to create "compound" words (or kanji) such as:
人間(ningen) "man/human/people"
日本人(nihonjin) Person from Japan
遊び人 (asobinin) playboy

A sentance would look like this:
KUN reading: あの人は誰ですか?　(Ano hito wa dare desu ka?) Who is that person?
ON Reading: 人間は奇妙な創造物です。 (Ningen wa kimyou souzoubutsu desu.) Humans are strange creatures.

I happen to like kanji. Most people are terrified of them, but the only thing that makes them scary are the number of readings possible and the number of Kanji in use. That's why god made dictionaries...and Kanji cards...

Hiragana is fairly easy to memorize. If you remember from above, hiragana is used primarily for word endings and particals. Common particals found in Japanese are as such は(wa)、の(no)、と(to)、か(ka)、を(wo)、え(e)、に(ni)、で(de)、etc. These are written in hiragana. Some examples of endings in hiragana are:
開けましょう (akemashou) shall I open...
答えなさい (kotaenasai) please answer...

In bold are the verb endings written in hiragana.

Katakana is very similar to hiragana, which would make it appear to be easy to use them. They are basically the same "sounds" written with a different kana (symbol). Example:

と (to) in hiragana
ト (to) in katakana

つ (tsu) in hiragana　
ツ (tsu) in katakana

However, I personally find Katakana to be the most daunting of all the kana. Many of them look so much a like, it's very hard to remeber which is which.
Examples:　(katakana is written first/ hiragana is last)

ソ（Ｓｏ） in hiragana (そ）
ノ（Ｎｏ）　in hiragana （の）
ン（Ｎ） in hiragana （ん）
シ（Ｓｈｉ） in hiragana (し）
ツ（Ｔｓｕ） in hiragana (つ）
ジ（Ｊｉ）　in hiragana (じ）
ジ（Ｚｉ） in hiragana （じ）
ケ（Ｋｅ） in hiragana （け）
ク（Ｋｕ）　in hiragana （く）
タ（Ｔａ）　in hiragana （た）
ネ（Ｎｅ）　in hiragana （ね）
ラ（Ｒａ） in hiragana （ら）
ワ（Ｗａ） in hiragana　（わ）
フ（Ｆｕ） in hiragana （ふ）
ヲ（Ｗｏ）　in hiragana （を）
ウ（Ｕ） in hiragana （う）

There are more, but those are the ones that give me the most trouble. As you can see, many of them are practically identical, which makes them a major pain in the ass to memorize. There are 46 basic kana to memorize in both hiragana and katakana. These kana are then combined to create words, word endings, particals, or more complicated kana such as みょ (myo)、びゅ(byo)、しゃ(sha)、しょ(sho)、ちゅ(chu) etc. Katakana takes things a bit further, since they are used mostly for loan words from other countries and we see combinations of ファ（Ｆａ），フィ（Ｆｉ），ヴァ（Ｖａ），ヴィ（Ｖｉ），フォ（Ｆｏ），ヴォ（Ｖｏ）、ティ（Ｔｉ）、トゥ（Ｔｕ）、フェ（Ｆｅ），ヴェ（Ｖｅ），etc. Long vowels in Katakana are written as such:
アー(aa)
エー(ee)
イー(ii)
オー(oo)
ウー(uu)

In hiragana they often look like this:
ああ(aa)
ええ(ee)
いい(ii)
おお(oo)
うう(uu)

Now lets take a look at some words written in Katakana. There are all sorts of words borrowed from different countries lurking in the Japanese language! This is the fun part of Katakana, though it can be a bit tedious if you happen upon a buggar of a word. Remember, there is no "L" sound in Japanese. Often times, the "R" sound will sound like and "L". If you say the word out loud or write it down in "Romanji" (roman letters used to write the kana sounds), you should be able to figure it out (Unless you are an otaku who takes everything and face value and has no clue about the Japanese language other than a few catchy words you've picked up from watching cartoons.)

Words in Katakana:

フライト　（Ｆｕｒａｉｔｏ）: Flight
プレーボーイー　（Ｐｕｒｅｂｏｉ）: Playboy
プレーグールー　（Ｐｕｒｅｇｕｒｕ）: Playgirl
ニュースフラツシュ（Ｎｙｕｓｕ　Ｆｕｒａｓｓｈｕ）: News Flash
クロロホルム　（Ｋｕｒｏｒｏｈｏｒｕｍｕ）: Chlorophorm
フェテイツシュ　（Ｆｅｔｉｓｓｈｕ）: Fetish
ライタ　（Ｒａｉｔａ）: Lighter
アルベル　（Ａｒｕｂｅｒｕ）: Albel
フェイト　（Ｆｅｉｔｏ）：　Ｆａｔｅ　（Ｆａｙｔ）
プルトニウム　（Ｐｕｒｕｔｏｎｉｕｍｕ）：　Ｐｌｕｔｏｎｉｕｍ
ラブ　（Ｒａｂｕ）：　Ｌｏｖｅ
ローラーコースター　（Ｒｏｒａｋｏｓｕｔａ）：Ｒｏｌｌｅｒｃｏａｓｔｅｒ
スキムミルク（Ｓｕｋｉｍｕ　ｍｉｒｕｋｕ）：　Ｓｋｉｍ　Ｍｉｌｋ
アンパイア　（Ａｎｐａｉａ）：　Ｕｍｐｉｒｅ
エスニック　（Ｅｓｕｎｉｋｋｕ）：　Ｅｔｈｎｉｃ
ホモ　（Ｈｏｍｏ）：　Ｇａｙ
デリカテッセン　（Ｄｅｒｉｋａｔｅｓｓｅｎ）：　Ｄｅｌｉｃａｔｅｓｓｉｏｎ
ヘリ　（Ｈｅｒｉ）：　Ｈｅｌｉｃｏｐｔｏｒ
ヘルメット　（Ｈｅｒｕｍｅｔｔｏ）：　Ｈｅｌｍｅｔ
フォア　（Ｆｏａ）：Ｆｌｏｏｒ

And the list goes on...and on...and on...

I'm hardly fluent in Japanese...far, far from it. I make a gazillion mistakes, but that's part of the learning process. I was happy when Ayaka told me the other day that my Japanese has gotten better...though I still see myself as struggling. *shrug* At anyrate, I'll continue to study and learn from those who are willing to help and from my books, tapes, and internet. The point is, at least I'm taking the time to try and understand the language. Unlike these silly otaku who think thier tiny vocabluaries are "cool" and make them "important", I love the Japanese language. I find it beautiful and very interesting. My friends in Japan are fun and caring people, who I adore talking to, and I want nothing more than to be able to communicate with them in their own language and help them learn mine.

I just don't understand the logic behind not translating names in video games, cartoons or comics. Sure, I don't agree with totally changing Francois to Bob, but I mean, leaving Aruberu is just stupid. I wonder if these elitists run around saying things like "Oh I got a chiketto for the shi-a-ta- for my detto with Jimu Sumisu tonight! I really rabu him!" How rediculous...a name is just another word...don't treat it any differently...Doing so makes you appear pertentious and ....well...stupid...

ゲロゲロおたくだねぇよ。。。

There are TONS of online dictionaries and learning tools for those who REALLY want to learn Japanese. Get some work books, text books, Tuttle Kanji cards, computer software and listening tapes/cd's. Study, study study...find a penpal who's learning English...help each other. Have fun...Learning a new language...and I mean TRUELY learning is an eye opening and wonderful expirenece.

じゃまたね！　ばいばい！

(apologizes for all the spelling errors...I've been up since 1am and I think I've reached the end of my rope...)
おやすみなさい

Time for another Otaku rant

Yes...it's been awhile since I had a good one of these, and alas, my time is short since work is ending soon, but that's okay. I have a bit of time to kill.

Otaku are everywhere...They're stupid. They're annoying. They're...well, you get the idea. I don't like them.

So, today, while I was wasting time at work, I went to Gamefaqs.com to check out the Star Ocean board to see if I could find some links for screen caps of Albel Nox. Anyway I ran across THIS thread. It's a full blown elitist war...Honestly, I've seen some dumb arguments breakout among anime fans and gamers, but this one takes the cake. I'll admit, I got about six or seven pages into it and stopped reading, but I really didn't need to go much further. People crying over name changes in the NA release vs JP release is what it boils down to. Of course, what got me irked was the stupid otaku who insist on bitching about Albel's name not being Arberu and Fayt's not being Feito and so on.

And of course you have the genius who comes in and tries to explain the katakana spelling and translation. Firstly, since I've been translating, I'll give credit where it's due...the changes from R-L can be tricky...but if you say the word outloud and use a bit of common sense, it becomes fairly easy...Aruberu...OMG...sounds like Albel ( if you're saying it correctly)...Holy crap, could they be the same name? Kirara (from Inu Yasha or Samurai 7) sounds like...Kilala...You know what my name is in romanji? Shareni...guess what, it sounds like Shalaney! I don't spell it Shareni either...just for you otaku who are wondering...Wow, what a friggen concept. As for Fayt...it's just a "cooler" spelling than Fate...Feito looks dumb to me (Looks fine in Katakana, but dumb in romanji). Katakana words are usually used for "loan words", which means words you don't find naturally in the Japanese language. They can also be used for emphasis of certain word as well...Zero uses TONS of katakana, and it gives me friggin fits...some are loan words others are emphasised words...*tears hair out*

Let's look at some more romanji words...

Gurasu: Glass
Sumisu: Smith
purojekuto: Project
deta: data
deto: date
uon pisu: one piece (dress)
uon puro: word processor
terebi: TV
heri: helicoptor
shimyurashon: simulation
konkurito: concrete ( I love this one for some reason)

(I've left out long sound indications, since I'm not at home. I'd give the kakataka spellings so everyone could see them)

So, as you can see, just because something reads Feito or Aruberu in katakana, doesn't mean that's the spelling you should go with. Of course, otaku have it in their heads that it MUST be that way since it translates to romanji as such. If you think that, your fooling yourself. Pick up some books on Japanese and learn something before you run around telling everyone else they suck...

Katakana is hard, at least for me. I much prefer kanji over katakana, but not because translation is tricky (it can be, believe me), but memorizing the stupid kana is damn near impossible. They all look alike! Shi, tsu, ji, zi are a nightmare...so are so, no, and n. If I remember, I'll post some examples when I get home just to illustrate my point...(If I remember...I've been up since 1am and I'm pretty damn tired...)

Who...or What am I?

Nothing irritates me more than people from other countries or even here at home in the good ole US of A that belittle those of us who actually know who our ancestors are.

I imagine everyone here who lives in the US has heard someone say, "Oh, I'm Russian and Polish" or "I'm Chinese and French". Of course, if you take this literally, that's your own fault, since what these people MEAN is that's where their ancestors came from. They aren't trying to imply they're not American, and you shouldn't get your panties in a wad over the vagueness of our English. Obviously, it's YOU who isn't understanding...

For those in other countries that don't have a clue about American culture, other than what you read or see on TV and in movies, part of being an American is being from other nationalities. All of us born here have ancestors from all corners of the world and we find it interesting. Some more than others...Like my mother, who can tell you our family tree clear back to the the 1500's or something like that...But that's another story...Why do so many people have a problem with this? I don't get it...As I read on a forum today, one person, who spoke very poor English said "Americans just love to be from other places." That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard...and if I use that logic, I suppose I can assume everyone else in the world is as ignorant as that fool...

Though I don't feel the need to explain myself to people who obviously don't try to think beyond their own noses, I'll say that firstly, I am an American. I was born here and I'm proud of it. I wouldn't want to live or be anywhere else. I'll also say that my family tree is primarily French (which would explain my obviously french last name) as well as British. There's some Polish and German as well, though most of our "bloodlines" are with the former mentioned. So, when the topic arises about ancestorial histories, I might just say, "Oh, I'm French and British," but what I mean is that's where my ancestory lies. I'm not confused, you are. I know I'm an American who doesn't want to be anything but an American...but it's nice to know where my family came from.

Is that so hard to grasp?

I think people are constantly looking for ways to make Americans look bad. We can do that on our own just fine. I've heard pleanty of "ugly American" stories about travelers overseas and it's enough to make you cringe. On the other hand, I've heard a lot of "ugly French" and "Ugly Japanese" stories as well. Apparently, those three nationalities have the worst reputations for behaving properly while travleing.

Still, I don't understand why some people feel the need to reach for stereotypes and assumptions to put down a certain group of people. It's rediculous.

*sigh*

I need a new PS2.

I'm really bummed that this one is starting to give up the ghost on me...it's incredibly irritating when the load times take forever and a day, and when my game freezes in the middle of a battle or just switching to open a menu. I have several games I need to finish, but my annoyance has grown to the point where I don't want to play if I can't have a PS2 that works.

Yes, I'm throwing a fit. Laugh all you want.

If I buy a new one...okay, scratch that....WHEN I buy a new one, it'll be my third console. Yup, count'em. THREE... My first one didn't last even a whole year. This one has been in the family for maybe two...I can't remember. I must be hard on them...or maybe they're just made crappy. I really don't care, since I love the PS2 so much, and I'll keep buying them as I need them. Thank God they aren't 300 bucks anymore...

I suppose I should edit my gaming habits somewhat. When I sit down to play a game, I make a day of it. Or sometimes a couple days...it depends on what I have going on at the time. During layoff season, when it's cold and icey out, I'll play from the time I get up until supper...if not more. Not good for the ole PS2...even if I don't need a break, it probably does....Then again, I don't play everyday or even all the time. I wait for particular games to come out, such as FF, Xenosaga, Star Ocean, Dark Cloud, Devil May Cry, etc...I'm not the kind of person who plays a multitude of different games on and off all week.

I suppose I wouldn't be so annoyed at this whole ordeal, but I made it to the final boss of Star Ocean and got my ass kicked. I need more levels and to learn some new tricks, which means I have to back track some...and I don't want to do that with my PS2 crapping out on me all the time...

Sooo...where does that leave me...

150 bucks poorer...that's where....

J...when are you going to come over so we can play FFCC? Piggy, that sawed off little maniac, and Yekene, the dress wearing, blue haired transvestite are probably bored as hell...Not to mention I've probably forgotten how to play, but I HAVEN'T forgotten that I finally got my brand new weapon! We quit playing right after....YOU KNOW how long it took me to find it! *frowns* Piggy must be afraid Yekene will show him up now....*heh* (that was a juvenile taunt, if you didn't know) Don't want to be shown up by a man in a dress, eh? *ROTF*

Okay, enough picking on J. FFCC is so much fun. For those of you who don't know, FFCC is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals. It's a beautiful game (I haven't talked about it, have I? Shame on me!) and a ton of fun. However, it's more fun playing with someone else than single player. Actually, the game is more designed for multiplayers, and playing as one person can really piss you off later in the game (IE: some of the puzzels don't change for single player mode...hence you spend hours trying to undo booby traps that NEED two people to complete the task). Released for the Gamecube, the only thing I hate about this game is that multiplayer mode requires connection through the gameboy.

Why?

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

I don't see the point, other than Nintendo can make some serious cash selling the link cables and Gameboys. A good reason if you're a business, I suppose. But as a consumer, I'd be hard pressed to buy another game with this sort of requirement. First of all, it's stupid. Everything you do with the Gameboy you can do by manuvering through menus with a normal controller. There's nothing special about the Gameboy link-up. Oh...except the map that shows monsters and treasures that NIETHER of us knew about until a week ago (we've been playing this game for like 6 weeks. A year a weekend.) And that's stupid too, if you ask me. Why the hell would I want to be looking at my Gameboy screen instead of the TV? I wouldn't be able to see where I'm going! And flipping through the menu is a nightmare with the Gameboy. Especially if your like me and get to moving through fast through the buttons and accidently pause the game...No big deal with regular controllers, but with the set up they have here, doing this messes up not only you, but also your partner and you have to start everything all over again...*sigh*

And try casting magic together...

Sheesh...talk about a pain in the ass. The only way to create more powerful spells is for the party to cast different magic at the same exact time. Just what I want to do in a real time battle system...But it's good for a few laughs.

Don't get me wrong...I actually LOVE this game. It's a blast! The graphics are amazingly beautiful, the story is simple but fun, and the battle system isn't all that shabby (Just the magic part). It's certainly not and epic game, but if played with the right person/people (up to four can play), it's a TON of fun...I look forward to every Friday when we hook up the GC and sit down for an hour or two of good laughs as we torment our characters and each other.

I have to work on Saturday morning...*sigh* So we probably won't get to play again this weekend...but FFCC isn't going anywhere...and it'll still be as much fun as before when we can both find the time to play another year. (FFCC is played in increments of "years". To finish a "year" you have to fill your crystal chalice by completing three dungeons)

Okay, I'm done complaining...I think...

Update on my friend and the crazy man in my neighborhood:

First of all, Mikey is doing well. He's at his brother's house, still doped up and in pain, but he's able to talk coherently. He goes to the doctor on Friday. I'll probably give him a call later this week. I'm so glad he's okay. I'd like to wring the neck of that stupid woman... As for the weirdo I talked about earlier, apparently I don't know everyone in my neighborhood...*laughs* The guy is brother of one of the neighbors that lives behind us. Another neighbor that lives next door to them told us about him. From what I understand, he's living with his sister...He's not "right in the head"....though I'm not sure what that means. Is he mentally disabled? Is he a sociopath? Kinda makes me even more nervous not knowing...We haven't seen him before because it sounds like he doesn't leave the house much...though the other neighbor said they've found him rummaging around in their garage a few times, or just standing in their yard doing nothing. She says he's really weird. I'll agree. Having seen him once, he's definitly "not right" somewhere...

ALSO:
Those who have come here looking for stories (fanfiction and other) you won't find any here! Sorry! If you've come here from FF.net, then you've seen everything I've written at that site. If I decide to finish writing, the only place I'll update is at that site. I apologize for the lack of updates, but I'm still on haitus! *laughs* Thanks for reading though! You people have been great! ;-)

Summary Part II

New update Pgs 27-50

The military is mobilizing and expanding it's search for Batsu. They've called in specialists to hunt him down via the Amiral's orders. Lt. Minerva Jouneau and Sgt. Melkris have been ordered to find Eshi Batsu and bring him back alive. Minerva and Colonel Stewart seem to have a friendly relationship, but when she asks him about his young daughter,he quickly changes the subject to the task at hand. Minerva and Melkris are a bit stunned when they read the report, and are even more surprised to see that Batsu is caucasion. Stewart explains that Batsu wasn't born in Japan, but instead his father (Akifumi) was half Japanese and his mother was from Germany. After his mother died, Batsu was brought to the Zoo to live by his grandfather, Admiral Batsu. Stewart also warns them of a chinese spy, Won Ming, who is posing as an abassador for the US Military. They suspect he still has ties to the chinese mafia...Minerva seems a bit interested in this spy, but doesn't discuss much more. Stewart explains that the other boys with Batsu escaped with him, but are not the objective. They are wanted for drug possession, but if things become complicated, the military has permission to eliminate them. Minerva asks for the keys to the records room so she can research the situation even more and takes her leave.

Stewart is visited by Sgt. Major Fred Skyhawk, and old friend. They joke with one another, and Stewart hands Skyhawk the files of the boys, asking him if he's seen them roaming about the slums (since that's where he's stationed). Skyhawk is surprised to see Izaya among them (remember, Izaya is at Skyhawk's place, being his play toy...ehem), and he asks Stewart if he can keep the files for reference.

Later, back at his place, Izaya tries to stab Skyhawk in the back with a knife, but Skyhawk pulls a gun on him. He asks Izaya about the papers and Izaya goes into a demented rant about how he has to settle things with Geo and how Geo is a very bad person. Skyhawk asks Izaya what was done to him, and Izaya replies, "Nothing...they did nothing to me" and then says it's too soon to kill Geo.

Meanwhile, the boys are discussing things over dinner and Zatto is worried if Koka (who is in a coma at the Zoo) is eating well. Geo tells him Koka probably has an IV, and it's Izaya they should be worried about.

That night, Batsu tries to sneak up on Geo, but Geo hears him. Geo says it's hard to fall asleep without drugs, and Batsu asks him if reality is really that bad. Batsu then tells Geo that he thinks a strong mind is one that thinks for itself and though the old days might be interesting, it's the "now" that is more important. Geo ponders the reason behind the importance of the chip he wears, and Batsu suggests they throw it away. Geo calls him a dumbass, and tells him they can't do that because it's a keepsake from Akifumi. He's then struck with an idea to search out Akifumi (not even bothering to wonder if he's alive or not), and ask him about the chip. This pisses Batsu off and he quickly nips the idea in the bud. Geo can't understand why Batsu wouldn't want to meet his dad, and Batsu replies that it was his mother who gave birth to him and he has no desire to meet the man who threw them away. This irks Geo and he makes a comment about Batsu being a mama's boy and how his mom is probably all comfy in Germany. Batsu frowns and starts to say something about his mother, but then goes into a fit of coughing and wretching. Alarmed, Geo asks him what's wrong, and Batsu tells him that he always gets sick when he starts to remember his mother...Geo reassures Batsu, telling him that it's his body protecting him from itself and he shouldn't bother trying to remember. Batsu seems surprised and then decideds it's okay to look for his dad. He mentions how his grandfather showed up on day and took him away, so he's kind of curious what the truth is. Geo gets up to leave, stating he's going to bed and that they'd start their journey to the new city the next day.

We then see a flash back to the past. Tomoya has overslept and missed morning practice and his friends are giving him crap about it. The dream suddenly fast forwards, showing clips of various scenese. There's a strange conversation between Akifumi and Yokota and a young girl who looks a lot like Izaya confesses her love to Tomoya. There's some more fast forwarding and an angry boy throws a punch and declairs himself and Tomoya mortal enemies because of Tomoya's refusal of the previous girls confession. We then see Rikako trying to find a "sexy" dress to wear to show off to Tomoya, but her mother hands her her school uniform instead. Suddenly, we see Julia, lying in bed when she's up by the cawing of her pet crow. She talks to the bird then sings a song (the popular song mentioned in book 1). We then see Rikako confessing her feelings to Tomoya, but all the flesh is seared from her body before she can finish, leaving nothing but a skeleton.

Geo screams in woke his sleep, leaping from bed and giving Batsu a mighty scare. Geo says he had a nightmare, but is thinking in his head how he hadn't taken any Zero before falling asleep...so how could he possibly dream of Tomoya, Akifumi, and Rikako?

Next time:

The boys begin their trek to the new city, but run into some trouble. An assult on Admiral Batsu's train gives Julia a chance to escape the cold-blooded sadists clutches, but will she get away? And if she does, how will she manage to survive in the desert alone?

What an interesting Friday...

Well, have you even had one of those days where the wierdest crap happens and you're just to perplexed to be upset over it?

I spent part of my morning over at the hospital in the ICU ward, checking in on a friend who was hit by a truck last night. Well, actually, he hit the truck while riding his bike. How does that happen, you may ask? It happens because drivers are assholes when it comes to cyclists. My friend is a serious cyclist (racing and such). He follows the rules of the road and rides defensivley. He has to, because people like the woman who decide to make a turn in front of on coming cyclists without giving them enough time to slow down or move could potentially kill people like him. Folks, I know that roads are designed for cars, trucks and the like, but they are also designed for cyclists. They have every right to be on the road. And technically, since those of us in cars could seriously injure someone on a bike, these riders have the right of way, just like pedestrians. So, if you happen to be behind some people on bikes, don't swerve at them, don't blow your horn, and for the love of God, check your rear-view mirror before you turn in front of them...Don't be a jackass. Go around them. Give them some space. Think of it this way, doesn't it piss you off when those semi's cut you off, pull out in front of you, or stop so suddenly you just know your going to be embedded under their bumper? Not much you can do about them, since they are so much bigger and more dangerous than your little car or truck, right? It's the same for cyclists...DON'T BE A BASTARD.

Luckily, my friend will be okay. Nothing was broken, but he's incredibly cut up and bruised. He has some stitches, and his neck is strained. He's do doped up on meds right now, he's barely coherent. His family will be taking care of him for awhile once he's released form the hospital, but I don't expect him to be up and around for at least two weeks if not more. All I can say at this point is, thank God he's alive.

Also...the sheriff paid a visit to my house last night. Yup. A rare treat. I was talking with my mom and she mentioned how one of our neighbor's were robbed a few days ago. Apparently someone stole their American and Mexican flags, some beef from their out door freezer, some beer from a cooler, and....a chicken. Yes, a live chicken. Okay...I started thinking who in the hell would steal a chicken? Or flags? Then my mom mentioned another neighbor who recalled seeing a strange man wandering through our neighborhood. Now, you all must note that I live in the country, about 10 to 15 miles from the city. Our street sits up on a hill, surrounded by apple orchards and a large game refuge. We know everyone on our street, since it's just a big loop connected to a highway that heads out of town. We know the people who walk about in the mornings and evenings. We recongize the cars that drive up and down the street. We see the same faces day in and out. So a stranger would be noticed immediatly.

Anyway, as my mom got to talking, saying how our other neighbor had seen this certain individual on a couple occasions, I remembered an odd incident that happened on Wednesday. My mom and I were taking Hunter to his Tennis lessons around 4pm. When we got to the stop sign, there was a man in a torn up blue t-shirt, white shorts, and a strange "beach comber" type hat. He had a scruffy beard...the kind that looks like he hasn't been able to shave in several weeks. Normally, I would shrug this off, since there's not law about people walking through neighborhoods or down the highway. But what caught my attention was he was circling a white mini-van someone had sat on the corner in hopes to sell. But he kept about three feet between himself and the van, not looking in the windows like he was interested in buying it. When we got to the stop sign, my mom waved him across the street, thinking he wanted to go to the other side. He wouldn't look at us, keeping his head tucked to his chin and shaking it slightly. It bothered me, how he NEVER ONCE made eye contact or attempted to...regardless of what you may think, it is natural for people to make eye contact when communicating. It just happens. Don't believe me, pick up some books on human pysche. He was up to something and us watching him made him uncomfortable.

It was all too creepy for me. And too much of a coincidence as well. Mom said that our other neighbor planned on calling the cops, but I told her I was going to call as well. If more people report this guy, the more likely the cops are going to take notice and patrol the area. There are so many kids in our neighborhood, and people let them run wild. Having some peculiar stranger wandering about makes me incredibly nervous...espeically after a theft in the area (which is extreamly rare for where we live). The sheriff showed up, and we told him about the man, gave him a description, and told him that other people had noticed him as well. They've been patrolling the area since last night, and we have instructions to contact them immediatly if we see this person again, so they can question him.

So, now people are sort of on edge...We've been keeping things locked up tight, though I doubt someone would try to go in our backyard with the big ass dog we have. I don't think he'd hurt anyone, but anytime someone other than us has been in back, we've been there as well. I'm not sure what he'd do if he was alone with someone one he didn't know...*shrug* Dogs are funny that way...

Drama, drama, drama...It's pointless to get all worked up over it. I mean, what's happened has happened, so I guess when major things like this occur, you just gotta shake your head and move on the best you can.

New October Anime: BLEACH

すげぇ！！！やった！ o(^_^)o

It's finally happened folks! And I can't tell you how totally excitied I am for this! Studio Peirrot has taken on the task of bringing the amazing comic Bleach to animation! On October 5th, at 6:30 Ichigo and his wiley crew will hit the airwaves!

It's about damn time! I can't wait to see it!

Congrats to J!!!

Congrats to J on his 100th entry! His blog is one of the most informative and interesting blogs out there. I particularly enjoy his insight into the tech world of computers and gaming. I can trust him to dig up the facts about the newest most high tech equpt. out there! Also, the interesting facts column is a fun read (those who didn't read the Ding Dong history are really missing out). As for the movie reviews he writes, they are always informative...but J and I often disagree on which films are good films and which ones suck. *laughs*

My most favorite entry so far is this one, regarding technology in Japan vs the US ( part of a series of blogs regarding this topic). Thanks for the heads up J! I'd love to get my hands on one of those PSX! And the PS3 and E3 info is great! Keep it up! ;-)

Kill Bill 2 and Texas Chainsaw Massacre revisited

Well, I finally watched Kill Bill 2.

Either you like these movies or you hate them. I happened to enjoy them both very much. I liked the second one even better than the first, probably because it wasn't as far over the top as the first episode. Still, it was absurd enough, but that's what makes it an interesting film to watch. Kill Bill was never meant to be taken seriously, and if viewers try to rationalize it, they'll more than likely hate the show.

In truth, I can't stand shows that try to be realisitc, but fail miserably. A good example is "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"...I left the theater angry after watching that stupid movie...It tried to be scary and serious, but ended up only appearing completely rediculous. All they did was run around screaming and hyperventalating, when they should have been hiding or massing a counter attack on the sole freak with the chainsaw. It wasn't like he was some sort of alien or demon from hell. He was a human...he could die too...And seriously...a chainsaw as a weapon? Give me a break...he might have been a big guy, but he was slow and stupid...If those people had used even half their brains, they could have taken him out right at the beginning...Now his chainsaw seemed to have superpowers...Anyone who has used a chainsaw knows they aren't the most cooperative pieces of equpitment and if you treat them too rough (IE:cutting through metal, hardwood, steel, humanbones) over and over again two things will happen. 1.) The motor will burn up 2.) The chain will break (this is a given) Also, chainsaws run on gas...and I hardly doubt our freakazoid killer was running around with an electric chainsaw...

Perhaps it's just me and my personality that makes me get pissed watching shows like "TCM". Being a person who somehow manages to keep cool in dangerous situations (not that I've had someone chase me with a chainsaw, but I have had a shotgun leveled at me and I didn't start crying and screaming), my mind automatically goes into "survival mode". I'd have no problem ambushing someone entering my house if I thought they'd hurt me or my family...there are all kinds of things in a person's home that can be used to take out an intruder...And as I was watching TCM, I kept thinking of all the things those dumb kids could do to survive (my first choice would have been to NOT go wandering around that screwy town...duh). They had so many tools at their fingertips, but they chose to run around like village idiots instead...

*sigh*

I guess I'm just weird that way. Movies that scare me are ones that don't try to mirror reality. Pet Semetary scared the hell out of me. The Ring left me terrified of the television for a week. St. John's Wort creeped me out...Those shows didn't try to be "realistic" in the sense that TCM did. They played off the human fear of the unknown and superstition. Ghost stories scare me. Movies regarding Hell and Heaven give me the willies...But slasher flicks just plain piss me off...

Maybe if I had some fear of other human beings, slasher flicks would scare me...but I don't. People are people and they bleed the same as me...so I don't find them scary. Not that I don't think that evil, dangerous people exist in the world, I know they are all around us...Look no further than Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer, even Hilter and Saddam Hussein...they were/are all terrifying humans. But still, they are only human...the kind that look for those who make the perfect victims. So perhaps if I had a more "victim" personality, movies like TCM, Scream, etc would frighten me? I dunno. I also have little sympathy for people who put themselves in dangerous situations willingly. Common sense tells me to avoid places where there could be dangerous people or events, and if danger does arise, leave immediatly if possible...but in TCM those idiots dive right in and then freak out about it...*shakes head*

Anyway, enough about that. I also bought Resident Evil yesterday and got a free movie pass to the new movie that comes out next friday. I can't wait to see it! I loved the first movie and this second one looks even better! I love action films. The more stuff that blows up, the better...and from what I've seen of the trailers and clips from this second movie, it looks like I won't be disappointed in RE2! I'm glad to see more kick ass chicks in action films these days. Alice is at the top of my list of most favorite heros...with Laura Croft a close second. I'm curious to see if RE2 will become my favorite action flick over I, Robot. Everyone should see I, Robot. It's a GREAT show (though those that have read the books might not appriciate it much).

Well, I should get to work...

Square does it again

Square Enix never ceases to amaze me with the quality of games they manage to put out. Of course, one can easily see that Final Fantasy holds all the cards when it comes to development and so forth, but that doesn mean the rest of the games they create are lacking. Still many people over look games made by Square that do not have the FF lable, which is sad, actually.

For those that didn't know, Square played a role in the first half of Xenogears, but late ebandonded development late in the game. One can definitley see the difference in the first half of the game vs the last half. Star Ocean II was another amazing game created by Square Enix. A PS1 game, it's probably one of the most involved and entertaining games I've played. The characters (sprite version) were all charismatic and likable (Especially Claude and Ashton). Which brings me to the topic of this blog, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, Square's newest game on the stands.

One word sums this one up:Amazing.

I've had this game since Wendesday and cannot put it down. The graphics are incredible, though it miffs me a bit that Square seems to jip their other games in this area when compared to their FF series. Still, Star Oceans graphics are great, and the cut scenes are fabulous!

As for the characters, they're likable and unique, with various personalities with few cliches. The main character, Fayt (Fate) is a normal college student worried about his future. He's a typical boy, spending most of his time on games, much to the jargon of his childhood friend, Sophia. Sophia is the only character I disliked in this game. Why are all heroine's either meek or just plain stupid? Her chipper, happy go lucky attitude bugged the hell out of me, as did her lack of grasping reality. I didn't use her much in the game...if fact, I haven't even bothered to level her up...Anyway, later in the game Fayt teams up with Cliff, another fun character to have around. At first he appears like a muscle bound thug, but looks can be very decieving. As the game progresses, even more characters turn up, such as Nell and Albel. Nell is another female character, much more useful than Sophia, but even her skills were lacking a bit. Still, she was an intesting character and important to the storyline. Albel is a particulary fun character to have around too (you can choose if you want him to join you or not). He adds a dark and slightly wicked flavor to the party, which is nice considering everyone else is "normal" compared to him. Not to mention, Albel is an awesome fighter to have on your side.

As a returning feature, you can manipulate your party's emotions to one another to receive various endings. This is done by triggering certain events outside the story of the game. So far, I've done my best to make Sophia hate me (Fayt), but she's pretty persistant. Another fun feature carrying over from the last game is the ability to customize equiptment and items via "Creation". They've made it more interesting this time around, with having teams of inventors (most of which you have to round up from all over the world) create things for you. The entire process is complicated, not to mention time consuming. Some special items are only achievable through Item Creation, which can be a pain, but it makes the game more interesting.

The Battle system is very similar to the first game as well. It's been improved, making items easier to use an magic simpler to cast. The special attack commands are different, and difficult at first (J can vouch for this one), but after getting use to the, fighting is great fun. Even more interesting, the characters lives are not just based on HP, but also MP, meaning, if you run out of either, you die. This makes certain fights aggervating, but it takes the easiness out of the game. I tend to level up my characters to the max, but since MP levels up slower than HP, it sort of ticks me off...none the less, it's still fun and challenging. Skills are another important aspect of the battle program. Skills are learned as the characters level up, but it's up to you to choose which skills they'll use. This includes battle skills (for fighting) and support skills (for healing and defense). Most importantly is the "fury" gauge, which determines character manuverabilty and defense. At 100 percent fury, a normal enemy attack will do nothing, plus you can set "Anti-Aura" to return a weak attack or stun an enemy. The AI is decent as well, as you can trust your AI controlled characters to take care of themselves on the field...or at least tell you when they need to be taken care of. Albel, the most reserved fighter of the bunch is quick to snap at you when he's running low on HP. It's kind of comical to hear his gruff, sacastic voice yell at you from somewhere off screen "Need a little help here!" It startled me the first time. I assume this is because Albel can't heal himself unless you equipt him with support spells, but with his MP it's best to leave him as a melee fighter. Not to mention his personality isn't really geared to taking care of others in the middle of a fight. Cliff makes a much better healer, but he's also the best fighter in the game, along with Albel. So, tying him up with healing isn't a great idea either...

The story is excellent. Something I've never seen before, actually. Oh, it's got the entire "save the world" twist going on, but what RPG doesn't? However, they've thrown in an interesting twist and the entire story is full of surprises. Star Ocean takes place far in the future. The solar system is governed by a untied Federation, but there are still planets that refuse to join. There is tension in the galaxies as several rouge planets create trouble. Fayt is on vacation with his family and Sophia when the resort comes under seige and Fayt is forced to flee on an escape pod to an underdeveloped planet. Alone, unsure of where he is, if his family and Sophia are alive, and uncertain of where he is, Fayt's journey to get home begins. However, if things aren't complicated enough, Fayt's fate seems to have other plans for him, and a series of events launches him into the center of a catastrophe that transends even time itself.

If you play this game, and I highly recommend it to every RPG fan (especially FF lovers), expect to put in some serious hours. I don't think it's as long as Tales of Symphonia, though I suppose that depends on the amount of effort you put into it. Despite being in the future, Fayt is on a "third world" planet with primitive transportation (horses and wagons people). There's a lot of time spent running between various cities completing tasks to further the game, and hunting down Private Actions to manipulate your characters...and all this running is done on foot. Maps and city laysouts are easy to read, but it becomes difficult to remember which exit leads where, even after running around a bazillion times. There's also a lot of revisiting previous cleared dungeons to move the story along. It's important to remember how to get there and how to manuver though them. Plus, Item Creation is important and it's easy to spend an hour just trying to create one item, as well as gather the materials needed to create it.

So, overall, Star Ocean is an involved game that will consume a lot of time. It's not nearly as side quest heavy as Tales or some FF games. I do wish they'd expanded more on some of the characters stories, such as Albel and Nell. They are both very interesting party memebers and there could have been a bit more back ground behind them. Then again, things like that would have only made an already in depth game even more lengthy, so it's to be expected.

It's a great game, so go check it out!

*********

Oh! What's this I hear about FF12 not being released until next Summer? They've got to be kidding!!!! *sigh* I've also heard Xenosaga II is getting some poor reviews (from those who have played the Japanese version). I hope the game isn't as bad as they're saying it is.

Also, my vacation is over....I'm sort of sad about that. I had a lot of fun NOT working...but I suppose I should just count my blessings to be employed. I do love the people I work with, despite the job itself being tedious, stressful, and dull all rolled into one. In about 2-3 months I'll be laid off, so I'll have all the vacation I want then...*laughs*

Naruto vs Sasuke cont.

As I said last week, many of you know that I'm a big fan of Naruto. So, once again, I bring spoilers from the latest chapter, since I believe it's worth mentioning it.

Now, watch as Sasuke gets his ass kicked! Enjoy!
(Ohhh...btw...these are by no means direct translations, or ever translations period, if you can't figure that out by yourself)

(You're my friend wether you like it or not, Sasuke!)

(Oh no...is Naruto on crack? Who's his dealer? *I could use some amps like that right about now...*)

(THIS is for being such an arrogant dumbass!)

(and THIS is for being so much cooler than me...)

(Now how many times did we tell you turning to the dark side is bad...bad, bad, BAD, Sasuke...)

(Being the spoiled brat he is, Sasuke tries to call a time out...)

(I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I think I'll put my forehead protector back on and then maybe something special will happen...)

(...see! It's all about the forehead protector!)

*laughs*

Actually, this was a fantastic chapter. Firstly, in the first picture Naruto tells Sasuke that they are friends. In the scene where Sasuke flips out and yells at Naruto, he's acting like an insensitive little twit. He's screaming at Naruto asking him how the hell Naruto can possibly know what it feels like to lose a family, when Naruto never had a family to lose...so the panels go, anyway. (Naruto was orphaned from birth...Sasuke's brother killed his mother, father, and everyone else in their clan) Finally, there is big significance in Sasuke putting on his forehead protector. He took it off when he decided to join the bad guys (Orochimaru) and hasn't worn it since. His taking it back out could possibly mean that he's coming back to Konoha. The dots in the eyes (Sharingan) are very significant too. It means Sasuke's Sharingan powers have leveled up, so to speak. I'm not sure if this means he'll be able to do the same techniques as his insanly powerful brother, but it's a big step.

Still, at the end of this chapter, Sasuke taunts Naruto and says somthing about breaking bonds...then urges him to fight...*Shrug* I'd like to mention that Naruto has been in Kyuubi mode (giant fox) the entire time...and I'd honestly like to know how Sasuke is still standing after Naruto threw him around so badly...Oh well...Until next chapter....

Import Gaming

J wrote a great blog yesterday about video game representation in the US vs JapanHERE.

Honest, I agree with him, a sad truth I've resigned myself to. Sports games and first person shooters are popular here in the US. So are action adventure games that INVOLVE the military or car racing games. I find all these particularly boring. Especially sports game (except video golf. I LOVE videogame golf, but I can't stand the real thing.)

I'm mainly an RPG'er. I love them. I can't get enough of them. However, I've also come to enjoy action adventure games (that don't involve the military). I suppose some examples of the games genres I enjoy would be things like Final Fantasy, Xenosaga, Tales of Symphonia, Star Ocean, Dark Cloud, Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, 7 Samurai, Spyro, Crash Banadacoot, Kingdom Hearts , Harvest Moon, etc...Those are some of my favorite games and series. I'm starting to get a bit more interested in horror games though....but I'm still pretty chicken. I'm thinking of getting my hands on Resident Evil 4. It looks really good.

Anyway, J and I have talked about this quite a bit. Discussing games that bomb here in the US but do well in Japan. Or even those that get an intitial release here, but then we never see the sequals again...J and I have discussed differences in the Animal Crossing releases, and he sums up the Xenosaga situation quite nicely. I doubt Xenosaga will finish it's story on US soil, despite the fact that it is indeed, an amazing game (which rivals any Final Fantasy I've seen so far).

I don't forsee anything changing much among American gamers. Rpg fans will remain the minority (though it's grown somewhat), while the rest of the game world enjoys shooting up various militaries, playing the sports they can watch on TV, or racing around town in stolen cars....Hence, I've been thinking a bit...to solve my troubles, I've been thinking of turning to a mod-chip or perhaps a slide card...though I will admit, I haven't done much research yet on these things, and am not exactly sure how they work or what they do. I'm in no hurry, but importing games would be fun...and though I'm not fluent in Japanese, I'm fairly certain I can understand enough to know what's going on (especially if there are subtitles, since I read Japanese better that I hear it). Cost is a concern, but maybe it would be better to have two PS2's if you plan on importing? Are these "pre-modded" consoles legit? Is it better to do it yourself? There's no way I'd drop 400 bucks on something that "might" work. *laughs*

I'm in no hurry. It's not that big of a deal to me, but something I might consider in the near future, once I find some decent information.

Well, I'm off to play Star Ocean! It's a great game so far, once you figure out the battle system...*laughs*

(Oh, Jay, I made a mistake, Baten Kaitos comes out in November here in the US. We'll see how it does then, but it is a cardgame, turn based RPG, and I'm skeptical how that will fly. This has perked my interest even more, since I've never played a cardgame RPG before...not to mention the Graphics are amazing...(Watch out Square, Namco is on a roll of late). .)

Did anyone else see this coming?

Or was it just me? I've been reading the news online and etc for awhile now, and it surprises me how we are hearing about more and more "non-arab" terrorist uprisings. I mean, just look at those loonies with the school full of kids over in Russia...

Could it be, that with all the "we have to play nice so absolutly no one gets hurt" games the rest of the world has been playing, that more terrorists are crawling out of the wood work? Is this the message those peace lovers wanted to get across? That we'll bind the hands of the people that protect us and let terrorists of all sorts kill our families and children with very little or no conciquence? I'm not just talking about those of us in the US, I'm talking about people all over the world. Iraq is sending a HUGE message to terrorists all over, if you ask me. It's saying, if we push hard enough, we'll get what we want...Is this what the world needs? Not all terrorists are Arab Islamic Fantatics folks...so, in this age of political correctness, does the world treat non-arab terrorists the same way, by giving in to them? Or do they just go in and blow them to Hell? I guess we'll have to see...

I'm all for option #2. Sounds barbaric, doesn't it? Honestly, think about it though...In WWII the atomic bombs ended the war with Japan, killing a lot of people (I don't quite remember the numbers but it was about 75,000 in Hiroshima and another 70,000 in Nagasaki. More died from Radiation later). Even to me, someone who supports this decision, the pictures are appaling. However, if stepping back to take in the entirety of the situation, it was necessary. At the time, Japan had 2 million soliders ready to fight and another 30 million civilians just ready to give up their lives for "death over dishounor". Back then, in Japan, death in war wasn't to be avoided, in fact, it was to be searched out. Dying in battle was glorious (you can trace this belief through out all of Japan's history, actually). Shintoisim preached radical self sacrifice, incouraging the people to give themselves to the war at any cost and that surrender was so dishounorable, that it wasn't even a possibility. In fact, it was in Saipan that Japanese civilians actually jumped from cliffs in order to avoid surrender. Even the Japanese slogan at the time was "the hounrable death of 100 million".

Before the bombings, the Japanese military had a force of 700,000 in Kyushu waiting to continue the fight. The Americans has lost 75,000 troops seizing Okinawa, and it was estimated that if the war with Japan continued, another 500, 000 Americans would be lost, and nearly 5 million Japanese would die as well. So the decision was to drop the bombs as a way to deter the Japanese, and put and end to the fighting.

It worked, but only after we dropped the second bomb. After the first initial bombing, Japan still refused to surrender. It was only after the second bombing that the country finally dropped it's weapons and ended the war.

So, looking back on that bit of history, we know that hundreds of thousands of innocent people died. A shame as well as horrific. But would it have been even more horrific if we let the fighting go on and instead millions more died in a needless battle? All war is needless, but human nature makes us violent. A sad, but accurate truth.

Of course, time are different now. Everyone has weapons of mass destruction...and many, many innocent people will die if they are used (even American citizens). No one uses these weapons, knowing that other countries would be quick to utilize theirs as well, so the world is held at bay against itself in some odd, shakey truce. However, I'm not saying drop a bomb on all terrorist factions. I'm saying stop hiding behind the cries of ignorant peace mongers who are to afraid to look deep within the human mind...People kill each other. That won't ever change, no matter how hard you wish for it. Humans were made for violence, it's part of our strange, twisted nature.

To save lives from these terrorists, we need to set an example as a world. Go in and take them out...at any cost. If a mosque in the middle east needs to come down, so be it. If the pope's house has to be blown up...fine. If the pentagon is over run with bomb toting thugs, by all means, take it out. Don't give terrorists a reason it exist. Send them a message loud and clear. You can't hide behind those protest loving, ignorant love and peace idiots anymore. They don't love life. They are so in love with their ideals that they are willing to sacrifice even more innocent people for it's cause. So now, who are the hypocrits?

Honestly, I too would like humans to live together peacefully...but I've resigned myself to understand that a Utopia like that isn't possible. There will aways be people who crave power. There will always be people who enjoy killing. There will always be people who hate other people for stupid reasons. Humans are sick animals...not to mention very sad. So instead of hiding from the truth, why not face it instead. Perhaps we can change things that way?

Anway...I'll get off my soapbox now. Here's a small picture that I believe emulates the feelings I have about electronics these days...

(Batsu gives his walkman some lovin)