Ramblings of a Crowe

More Sucky Icons

Here are some more icons. You can find the rest over at the photobucket site (link in the sidebar). I rearranged the files there, so if anyone had a broken link, I'm sorry.

Uh....This kid's future doesn't look promising...

Radiata Stories

You are Jack Russell, a young boy with a dream of becoming a famous Knight like his father. But being a knight isn't easy, nor is it all it's cracked up to be, as Jack soon learns after joining the Radiata Knights. Castle life is stuffy, the people snooty, and practices often unfair. Perhaps life as a knight isn't exactly Jack's cup of tea?

After an unfortunate accident, Jack finds himself working elsewhere, as does his captain, Ganz. At first Jack is bummed, but eventually life as guild member grows on him. Until, of course, that little incident that got him fired from the knights comes back to haunt him, and Jack finds himself pulled into a war based on conspiracy, hate, and ignorance. What side does he choose? Who does he help?

Radiata Stories is a light hearted RPG. Unlike Final Fantasy or Star Ocean, Radiata is full of humor, corny lines, and jokes so stupid you have to laugh. Jack has a unique personality, one I can only describe as a compassionate smartass. Don't let the silliness of the game turn you off--it's all in good fun and the game play is invigorating.

In Radiata, every character has a schedule. They go about their lives, doing different things at different times of the day. It's Jack's job to find out where they are and when, and talk to them. Making friends is important. Friends go with you on missions, offer advice and info. Make as many friends as you can. There are 175 recuitable characters (so far I have 55). All the characters have unique personalities, which makes interacting with them a ton of fun.

Time moves like a regular 24 hour day. Days turns to night and so on. The shops and offices are availible at different times of the day, just like in the real world. It's easy to get sidetracked from the main storyline and wander all over the city and surrounding areas, talking to people and doing odd jobs for them. Often, the game won't progress unless you go to bed and sleep.

The design of this game is typical of Square Enix. Beautifully done, rich with colors and artful landscapes. Each area has a different tone, from the different guild districts in the city, to the various territories around the castle. Animals can be seen grazing or wandering about in the back ground, leaves and insects fly about, huge tornadoes whirl omiously, etc. Even better, the background is interactive, allow Jack to do the most important aspect of the game...kicking. Yes, kicking. You can kick practically anything. From chairs and tables, to animals and people. It's a blast and sometimes you get an item (like opening a chest in other RPG's). KICK EVERYTHING! But be careful, if you kick an animal sleeping on the road, it might bite you. Or if you kick a person too many times, they'll try to kick your ass.

Music and voice wise, this game is great. There are a few annoying voices, but nothing that jumps out and grabs me as down right irritating. The acting is good, the punchlines well given. I love the music--there's all sorts of various themes you can collect and put in a phonograph. Sometimes you can even give them to more musically inclined NPC's and see what they come up with later. Very cool.

The battle system is similar to Star Ocean 3. Actually, it's a lot like it, which is nice. Hopefully, Square continues this trend of active battle systems and does away with the turn based fighting (boring). Unlike SO3, I found Radiata's battle system to be simpler--and maybe a bit less thought out. You have the item list, of course, and a command list to order your friends around. However, the command list is kind of a pain in the ass. Commands are given during battle, not set before hand like in SO3. You also have a link list, where you can link up with your friends in different formations. I'm not sure how this is useful yet, but I tend to be more of a melee fighter anyway. Everyone for themselves!!! AI is fairly intellegent--I don't have to many complaints. You can only control Jack in battle, which sucks, especially when he gets hit with a debilitating status effect.

Over all, this game is a ton of fun. Not a serious, thought provoking game, but entertaining enough in its own right. Actually, it's refreshing to have such a light hearted, no pressure RPG show up. It's worth a go in my book!

I'm a Rocker...

You Are an Indie Rocker!

You are in it for the love of the music... And you couldn't care less about being signed by a big label. You're all about loving and supporting music - not commercial success. You may not have the fame and glory, but you have complete control of your career.

I have no clue what indie rock is...

Thanks to J for posting this little test.

I'm Wounded For Life...

Today was a fairly normal day. At work, we spend most of the day cleaning, preparing for a visit from a corporate official. No big deal. My boss even went out and bought a new vacuum cleaner--apparently for me. Granted, the thought was nice, since I killed the old one with my super special skills of distruction (only works on electronics and motor vehicles). But I *hate* vacuuming. It's as bad as doing laundry...no worse...because it requires me to plug something in and actually watch what I'm doing. You can't just go around sucking up everything in a vacuum, you know.

And that's where I go wrong. You see, if it's on the floor, I'm gonna suck it up. Paper clips, money, carpet, nails, small pets, telephone cords, grandma...you name it, if it's in the way, it's goin' down that long tube to hell.

I've been told that's bad for the vacuum cleaner. Maybe so. The last one we had at work lived not even a year. Over that year we had a love hate relationship. It loved to spark and smoke and I hated to pull it out of the closet. I wasn't sad to see it go. It was probably glad to die. In the end, I think we both ended up happy.

This new one seems to be made of tougher stuff. I mean, I actually had to put the stupid thing together! With a screw driver! It took me an hour too, no thanks the instructions that appeared to be written in English but kept coming out in Chinese. What an ominous omen.

I have faith in my skills to destroy all appliances and things mechanical. The count down had begun and we'll see who laughs last--this new vacuum or me.

But enough about the vacuum cleaner. What I really wanted to talk about was my horrible experience--a life altering, mind damaging sight that will haunt me until the end of my days.

I rarely go into the men's restroom at work. For those of you thinking, "Well, no shit, dumbass," I should point out that we don't have 'normal' restrooms. They're just a single room, one labled 'men' and the other labeled 'women'. No stalls, no urinals, nothing fancy like that. Just think of the bathroom you have at home, minus the shower/bathtub...or whatever.

I digress...

Anyway, since it was a cleaning day, I decided to mop the floor in the women's room. My boss returned, saw me, and asked me to do the men's room too. Normally, I don't do any cleaning in there. Walking into the men's restroom is like entering a dungeon of pestilence. I don't know why I agreed to it. I think an evil spirit entered me and took over all common sense and rational thought.

I found myself in the men's room, mop in hand. I began mopping, but it wasn't long until I felt a chill run up my spine. You know that feeling you get when you're being watched and whatever is watching you isn't up to any good? That blood chilling, tingly feeling, followed by this emptiness in your gut--that feeling. So I looked up, worried and nervous, and find myself staring at 'it'--the source of my unease.

The men's toilet loomed in the corner, a creamic off-white, with these big green stickers on the tank lid stating "1-800-Please Aim". Ironically enough, the bowl has streams of yellow grime running down it and there were stains all around the floor. Inside, a grey-black scum was forming along the water line.

I actually gagged. I gagged so hard I thought I was going to puke. How could --anyone-- stand to be within ten feet of that thing? Let alone piss in it? How could they sit their ass down on that thing to do #2, knowing that grotesque, disease ridden scum is just inches from their butt? Hello, flesh eating virus anyone? From what I saw, that looked like a prime place for it to lay in wait, and I don't know about you, but the last place I'd want to get infected with a flesh eating disease is on my ass!

I backpedaled out of there, yanking my bucket and broom with me, only to realize I'd already mopped around the floor near the toilet. That thought in mind, I tossed the mop and its germs to the floor, dropped the bucket of water and started yelling for my boss. He kinda looked at me like I was a silly, hysterical woman. I think if I wasn't so mad, he'd have gave me a pat on the head and told me to go play outside. Finally he said he'd make sure it got cleaned up and went back to whatever it was he was doing.

I still don't feel good about this. I mean, what if *my* bathroom breaks? I'm sure as hell not using that one, EVER. I'll drive myself to the store down the street before I set foot in there again. Even more, none of these guys I work with are 'messy'. If anything, they're all tidy people; at least two of them obessively so. So what the HELL is up with the bathroom? Does cleanliness stop at the bathroom door for guys? Please explain this to me! I know you all have to aim, but Jesus, the target isn't exactly small. And how hard is it to clean up if you dribble a bit. That's what toilet paper and paper towels are for!

No bathroom should look like it came right out of Silent Hill. That's just wrong. I'm shocked my boss never said a word about it, since he's such a neat freak. I mean, dust sends this guy into fits. How is piss not as bad a dust?

I'm not a neat freak--far from it. I'm not easily squicked by stuff either, but I draw the line at bodily fluids. Clean it up! It's not that hard. Sheesh...

Final Fantasy VII: Last Order

So, today I watched FFVII: Last Order. It was okay, considering it was an OVA made to go along with FFVII: Advent Children. Basically, it's the story about Zack, Cloud, and Tifa, and the incident that went down at the village and reactor. It's been a *long* time since I played the game, so my memory isn't very good, and I got a bit confused watching it. *weak laugh*

I know Zack was actually the man who came with Sephiroth to the village, and Cloud was one of the soldiers. I'm a bit confused as to why Zack is dragging a weirded out Cloud all over the place (I'll have to watch it again). Or the scene at the end of this show, with Zack and Cloud in the back of a truck running from ShinRa. Did that happen in the game? I thought there was a scene with Zack, Sephiroth, and Cloud in a truck...?

Damn, I've forgotten a ton of stuff. I'll have to replay just to slake my curiousity.

At anyrate, the animation is awesome. The fight scenes are a bit fast, but it adds a Matrixesque feel to the whole thing. There isn't a lot of music with this show, but I really don't care too much about that. My main complaint was it just sort of--ended. Bam, the end! And of course I'm sitting there going, WTF?

You Ever Wonder....

What happened to that guitar player from Korn?

What happened to the missing Ronald McDonald?

Or how anyone deemed 'intellegent and talented' could do something this stupid?

...if you dug a really deep hole through the earth where you'd end up?

...where you could get a bull scrotum basket or a Mystery Ugly Pot that Causes Fire(TM)?

...if Klingons would be better off following Jesus?

...what you would do if men could get pregnant?

...when the last time food made you cry?

Yes. I was bored. Don't ask me where I found these links. All I can say is google is a wonderful thing. If any of you have weird links to share, let me know. I'll look at them and post them if they're weird enough.

Narutard Rant

Thanks to gamma for sharing this with me! A couple deviants over on DA give their thoughts on the whining of Narutards and the English dub. Friggen SWEET!

*oh, turn down the volume on your PC first. I got the crap scared out of me when it started*

Zoso's Bad Day

Stupid people piss me off.

Everyday, I have to deal with at least 1.5 stupid people. The .5 comes in because one of these people is only stupid half the time. So now that that is cleared up, the 'other' person is an idiot 100% of the time. I've tried to be patient. I've tried ignoring this person's idiocy. I've tried blunt irritation. Now I'm heading straight for Bitch on a Flaming Ferris Wheel Furious.

WHY?

Why are some people born with the intelligence of granite? Or peat moss. You choose.

Unfortunatly, I can't discuss why I'm so pissed off here--so you will all remain confused and think I'm utterly spastic. However, I will tell you it has to do with the colors green and blue, time managment, and the acronym S.A.G.

While I'm on a roll, I want to know why people in low rider trucks drive so frickin slow? Does going 15 miles under the speed limit somehow increase the 'cool' factor? If that's the case, why are 'hot rods' so popular? I thought it was because they were fast? Make up your damn minds people! Oh, and drive the goddamn speed limit!

AND...

And what is up with people who use a copy machine to make like 50 copies, then leave 49 of them sitting in the copy tray? How can they not get the hint when I throw the copies on their desk? For the love of god, I swear this is true, but the mad copier came up and asked me why the copies they made were on their desk. I played dumb, since that seems to be the only language they understand, and said, "Why? I have no idea!" They wandered off, copies in hand, with a puzzeled look on their face. Which is funny since there are only five us in our office--and I'm the only one who is in the office 90% of the day.

Do I look like a maid? Do I look like I work at Kinkos? Do I look like their mom (god, I hope not)?

Then there are the people who Just Don't Get It. Of course, these same people are the same ones who Are Masters of Everything Logical. Like the doofus today who complained he couldn't understand the pesticide label I sent him--then bitched about it to me like it was my fault it was written in legaleeze. Call the EPA. They're the ones who write the damn things. And I really don't care if you used to read MSDS sheets at your work. MSDS and Labels are DIFFERENT! *gasp* There is a reason the EPA and USDA require people like me to take tests and get licenses, shithead.

To everyone else who thinks they're Oh So Smart. You're not, so STFU.

Netspeak is annoying. Stop it. Sign on names like 692h0t4U are so 1990's. Not cool. Stupid. If you have that name, I don't want to talk to you. Don't PM me--ever.

Shit. I'm gonna go take a nap. I need one.

Shadow Hearts 3 Coming to the US

YA!!!

Picked up by the new publisher Xseed, SH3 is set to be released in the first quarter of 2006! What awesome news! Now, if only someone would pick up Grandia 3, all would be right with the world.

Search Bars!!!

You know, I'm always amazed at the things people type into my search bar. Sometimes they're odd and other times they're just down right bizarre. I've had everything from searches looking for r4pe (wtf), to people looking for my real name (duh), email addy (duh), college finals (I haven't been in college for at least four years folks), p0rn (uhh, no), odd scientific terminology (which I sadly understand), to words that I have no f'n clue what they mean (madarame???).

I've decided that search bars are a great thing. They provide the user information--and the site owner entertainment. Does this mean I sit and laugh at you guys? Yeah. I do. But it's all in good fun! I fully expect people to mock me too (take cracks at my careless and downright AWFUL spelling!). Laughing at yourself (and others) is an important tool in our growth as humans! Right!? *sigh*

I'm delusional. I think I'm getting sick. Lord only knows if feels like someone has stepped on my head and tied lead bars to my eye lids. But I can't go to bed yet. "House" is on tonight.

I'm super pissed today isn't Wednesday. Why? Because all day yesterday I thought it was Tuesday. Do you know what a friggen bummer it is when someone finally tells you, "No, it's only Monday. You've got the whole week in front of you." I think part of me died a little then.

I also wonder how many more Saturdays I'm going to have to work. Working Saturday sucks. One day off a week sucks. Not getting overtime sucks...well, I can't complain about that yet, since no one seems to be willing to cut my hours so I won't get overtime on Saturday (read: no one else wants to stay at the office until 5pm). *shrug* Today I actually asked if I could take a half day on Friday, since I have to work Saturday, but the boss just laughed at me. Okie dokie. More money in my pocket book.

****EDIT****

You guys are so funny! The comments (read: sekeret messegez) in the search bar log are hysterical!

Important Notice!

Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Arrr...

Bleach and Naruto

My summaries have been pretty sporadic. They'll probably continue to be so until work calms down. Usually things are really laid back this time of year, but...not this year--50 hours a week gets old real fast.

Anyway, a brief run down of Bleach and Naruto manga (no anime this time).

Naruto:

Last week, Sasori (aka: The Terminator), finally went down. All I could say was, "It's about damn time." That guy was a freak. This week, the story picks up with Naruto and Kakashi chasing down Deidara (yeah).

Naruto and Kakashi are talking, Naruto notices Kakashi's sharingen. Somehow, Kakashi has managed to learn the Mangekyou Sharingen...for those following along, that's Itachi's special technique, supposed to be resevered for elite sharingen users. I'll reserve my opinions about this new insertion.

Kakashi uses the mangekyou on Deidara. Deidara goes into some acid trip like thing and freaks out a bit. Kakashi isn't used to using the Mangekyou and has to release the jutsu. Still, Deidara loses an arm.

Naruto jumps Deidara when he's looking at Kakashi and still bewildered over the effects of the Mangekyou, and hits him with a rasengan. Deidara manages to get out of the way and Naruto hits that bird thing he's flying around on instead.

Using kagebushin, Naruto gathers up the bird's head and opens it up to find Gaara (his body at least). Kakashi is having trouble from using the Mangekyou.

Deidara ponders the loss of his arm and the fact that, "he never expected to meet someone at Itachi's level." Naruto has had a long look at Gaara's body and he's pissed off. He tells Deidara he's going to kick his ass and Deidara says, "No problem, next time."

However, Naruto isn't having any of this 'next time' shit, leaps on Deidara, and beats the hell out of him.

Lots of 'wtfs' going on here. Isn't Deidara a member of the Akatsuki for a reason? I'm worried that Kishimoto is having trouble pacing this story again...first we have "Lazarus Sasori Puppet Guy", and now we have "Dead Beat Deidara". I'm hoping I'm wrong, 'cause I'd like to see a good fight between Naruto and the Akatsuki. I imagine Deidara has something up his sleeve (the one that's left anyway), or another member will step in soon.

Bleach

Yoruichi is lounging around in her underware, eating like a pig when Urahara comes home. She seems to be doing okay, after her battle with the Arankaru. She and Urahara talk a bit about how they never expected the Arankaru to be so strong. The both seem worried.

Meanwhile, at school, Orihime is laughing and making excuses for her injuries. Ichigo tries to apologize, but can't even look her in the eye. He's having some serious self loathing issues at the moment.

Suddenly, Ichigo notices a spiritual pressure (a big one). A group of people are walking down the hallway, arguing and bickering. They start making quite the commotion and everyone in the classroom is staring at the door.

Enter Renji, Hitsugaya, Rangiku, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. They're all wearing school uniforms, looking a bit out of place and uncomfortable (except Renji...he's like a bull in a china shop).

Ichigo freaks out, wanting to know what they're all doing there. He's told they were ordered to work with other active shinigami...and to prepare for war against the Arankaru. Ichigo doesn't know what the Arankaru are, and Renji 'kindly' informs him, "Those guys you fought yesterday, dumbass!"

Ichigo notices something behind him, coming through the window. It's Rukia. She's dressed in uniform too. She smiles and greets Ichigo. The chapter ends there.

The banter between the shinigami while looking for Ichigo is pretty funny. I didn't expect them to go to the school--and I'm wondering how that's going to work out. Hitsugaya can pass for a kid, so can Rukia...but the others? I'm sensing all kinds of halarity about to happen. Another thought...are they all going to live in Ichigo's closet? *laughs*

FMA and Hitsugaya icons

Well, it took me awhile, but I finally got to it. Not that these are any good, but I made an effort. I don't have many pictures of Hitsugaya, so sorry for the small number of icons with him in the them.

FMA

Hitsugaya

Feel free to steal if you want. More HERE.

Sheee's Baaack...

Well, I got my car back yesterday. Apparently it was done on Wednesday, but they couldn't find my work phone number, so I missed their call to my house.

The car finally showed her true colors and they discovered that the sensor for the throttle was messed up. So they fixed it. All under warranty.

Thank God.

Anyway, so far so good. It's running great for now. I'm always a bit gun shy once I get a car back from the shop. It's sort of like computer trouble, your always waiting for the shit to hit the fan again...

I hope this is the end of this. I'd like to wash my hands of the stress and focus on my other gripes and bitches. *laughs*

Toodling around on the net the other day, I found a thread full of Japanophile wankiness. I'm a lurker by nature. I don't participate in online forums often--online drama is pretty stupid. But, it can be pretty entertaining to watch. Sometimes I wonder if turning on the net automatically makes people drop IQ points?

Anyway, like overzealous anime and manga fans, I can't stand elitist Japanophiles either. I want to roll them up in nori, pour wasabi in their eyes, and toss them down a deep hole to rot.

You know, it's cool to have interests--even passionate interests. It's not cool to be a flapping, piss headed know it all. People like might as well take a branding iron and burn "jackass' in their forehead. The rest of us will pray it gets infected with the flesh eating virus or gangegreen.

If you happen to be knowledgeable about something, why not "share" it with others? Will someone tell me the point of hording information? Do people get a hard on over knowing stuff other people don't?

Nothing shouts 'hypocrite' more than some asshole strutting around, belittling people for being wrong about something said asshole happens to know a lot about. Wouldn't it behoove a person to educate instead of ridicule? Walking around going "Nah nah nah nah, your a stoopy-head" is...stupid.

I mean, tell me if I'm wrong, but usually when people are passionate about something, they want to share it with other people, right? Maybe this just applies to normal people--or people who have decent self-esteem. I dunno...

Stress

Stress is taking its toll on me I think. Lately, I've been so tired I just retreat to bed shortly after I get home from work--and actually sleep through the night. Usually, if I'm in bed before 11pm, I'm awake in the wee hours of the morning, ready to start my day.

But not lately. I'm out at 8 or 9pm. And I stay out until my alarm goes off at 6am.

It's kind of disturbing.

This entire car thing has me wiped out. I'm still waiting, btw. I haven't heard from them yet, which makes me wonder if they're just sitting the car in their lot, pretending to be concerned about it. *sigh*

Of course, my main concern is money. I've been told the car is under warrenty, but I'm not too certain if this problem is part of the warrenty (I'm thinking it's not a transmition problem). If that's the case, I'm going to have to shell out serious cash on this one. And I already dropped 400 bucks on their stupid service that was suppose to fix the problem. That's 400 bucks I could have used to fix what was wrong with it...

So much for my layoff/Christmas fund...I might be looking for a job during layoff this year.

Not knowing is the worst. Honestly, if I knew what was wrong and how much it would cost, I would feel more at ease. I could plan and prepare myself. I hate this limbo I'm in.

I suppose, if push comes to shove, I can just take the car back and park it until I save the money to fix it. Big blue isn't so bad, but the gas prices might just kill me. *laughs--weakly* Still, it pisses me off I have a relativly new car and it's useless...

Ah well~ I'll survive this somehow. I've had stupid shit happen in the past...and I've eeked my way through.

Now excuse me while I go re-join my pity party. ;P

Blue Thunder

So, my car is back in the shop. Three times in little over a week. Impressive, isn't it?

Yesterday, on my way back from lunch, I was sitting at a stop sign, clutch pushed in, waiting for a car to pass. The RPM's went into rocket launching mode, scaring the holy bejeezus out of me, and set me into a frantic attempt not to take a one way ticket to the moon.

Can't find nothing wrong with my car, my ass.

So, I managed to get back to the shop, and immediatly called the dealer ship (who have been 'handling' the problem). Of course, I'm in super bitch mode, but I somehow managed to say, "You fix my fucking car.Now," nicely. They told me to bring it back in, which I did. By this time, I'm just pissed, irritated, and flat out upset.

The mechanic took a ride with me, he drove, and nothing went wrong. However, I kept telling him, come to a complete stop, leave the clutch in like you're just waiting for a car to pass, and watch what it does.

He didn't. He also seemed to ignore me when I told him my fuel injected car is coughing and sputtering when I start it in the morning--something it never did when before I had it serviced the first time.

You know, I don't make this shit up. I need my car. I don't have a spare. Not to mention I still owe three grand on it. Why the hell would I pretend to have car trouble--which are the bane of my exisitance? I just want my car fixed. I want it to run. I want to be able to go to work, run my errands, pick my kid up from tennis lessons, and get home safely.

At this point, I'm not sure what to do. If they still can't find anything wrong with it, I have no idea what the hell to do next. There *is* something wrong with my car. I'm not sure if they're just unwilling to fix it because it's under warrenty--but they're a dealership--that's what they're suppose to do.

I'm half tempted to ask my dad to drive it for a few days if it comes back. I don't know if he would, but maybe he'd have better luck than me.

As for transportation, I've borrowed the 'blue beast'. What's that, you ask? Why a 1967 Ford F250--or something like that. At anyrate, it looks like shit (shows it's age), but I friggen love this truck! Seriously, it's awesome! I mean, it's how old and runs like a champ? No one has driven it in like a year and it just starts up, like it was used yesterday. It took me awhile to get used to the clutch again--it's hard to steer too (no power steering), but a car is a car is a car. Just keep the rubber side down and all is right with the world.

My only beef is gas. Guess how much I spent in gas to fill up both tanks today?

$87.00

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gas prices piss me off. I read an interview with one of the oil tycoon people and he had this smirk on his face--I wanted to kick him in the head. Their stocks have gone through the roof, they're making money, and we're all suffering. We should just go on strike. All of us. Fuck you government. What's the point of working when all your money goes to gas? Can't pay bills, can't eat, can't spend--bye bye economy. Fix this problem! NOW!

Of course, we don't matter. As long as the pockets of some rich jackass are getting lined, why should Bush and his cronies care about the rest of us.

Not much I can do about it though. Writing letters and protesting never gets much done--not for stuff like this. I bet government offices have a big bin in the mail room designated for just dumping letters from pissed off Americans. Maybe they have a good laugh around the water cooler at the more elaborate and interesting ones. Nice to see our tax dollars to go work...

Back to the Grindstone

Well, tomorrow I return to work after a week long vacation. Not a very eventful vacation, except the Black Crowes concert and the fact that my car made it into the shop twice within a week--only to be sent home with a clean bill of health.

What a crock. I started it in the lot and it coughed and sputtered. They can't find the problem--or so they say. I'm wondering if they're reluctant to fix it, since it's under warrenty. At this point, I'm not sure what to do. They did the 35,000 mile service, charged me 400 bucks, and now it runs worse. I took it back in, they kept it for two days...and it still runs like shit. *does anyone else sense a scam?*

At this point, I'm stuck, since now I have to time to take it back in. I'll have to wait--and hope I don't get stranded on the highway somewhere.

As for work...looks like I'll be working every Saturday until I die. Or that was the word before I left for vacation. Oh joy. Even better, they're going to cut my weekday hours so they don't have to pay me overtime--but other employees get compensated for *working harder* these next couple months.

*heavy sigh*

I'm already missing my vacation. When will I get laid off? *laughs* Apparently not until December, though that's always up in the air. As far as I know, I could go to work tomorrow morning and find out I don't have a job. Sadly, part of me wouldn't be surprised. *shrugs*

Oh well~

I think I'll go find that blank, quiet place in my head. You know, the place we all go when shit starts getting...well...shitty...

Ta ta!

****

Oh...and I thought I'd mention:

I'm impressed that the Naruto fandom hasn't "assploded" after the premiere last night of the English dub. I thought it was so so, but have been sadly disapointed in the lack of OOOONOeZZZ!!!11one1!! :(

# 8, Maybe?

"I'm thinking it's the best way," to anger the French, he told the newspaper. "I'm exercising every day."
(Lance Armstrong on possible comeback in lue of droping allegations.)

I wondered if he would do something like this. It's a very Lance-ish thing to do...and I find it hysterically funny. Go Lance!

So what is it?

Today, my sister and I were chatting online and got to discussing the entertainment industry and sexiness. What is sexy, exactly? In this day and age, physical attractivness is something people immediatly associate with being sexy. But is that really true? Does a person have to be a knock-out to be 'sexy'?

Hmmm...I don't think so. But then again--what is sexy? Is it just looking good? Is it a state of mind? Is it both? Or is it none of the above?

In my life, I've known some pretty hot people. Some were definitly sexy, but others---well, a pint of Ben and Jerry's was more appealing than they could ever hope to be; good looks and all. Then, on the other hand, I've known some rather physically unattractive individuals too--and despite their looks (which ranged from awful to so so), they were sexy. People would gravitate to them, like flies to honey.

So--what is sexy? I think it has a lot to do with individual taste. So, I won't be surprised if more than a few people disagree with my choices I've decided to discuss here today. Remember, this is based off of my opinion. You might find these people drop dead knock-outs--and that's okay--because in the end, isn't that the question we're trying to answer: What is sexy?

Let's face it; not everyone can look like Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Kate Hudson, Travis Fimmel, or Angelina Jolie. The world would be a pretty boring place if everyone just walked around with dazzeling smiles and pretty hair anyway. Variety is the spice of life, as they so often say. And granted, these people are very attractive, I think they have a little more than just flashy smiles and pretty faces--they've got charisma too. And that, my friends, is important. If you don't have a personality, you're just another pretty face--end of story.

These people have both looks, an interesting personality, and talent. Doubly blessed, so to speak. Among their ranks are people like Sean Connery, Robert Redford, Frank Sinatra, Brandon Lee, Cindy Crawford, Madonna, Kurt Cobain, etc. (Sorry Britany. You might be pretty, but that's all you are)

So, what about the people who don't have the looks, but just exude sensuality and sexuality? What is it that makes them so alluring? Why do we fall over ourselves when we see them on the screen, listen to them speak, or watch them on stage?

Just look at Trent Reznor. He's not really that attractive--not when you compare him to people like Denzale Washington, Matt Damon, or Alec Baldwin. Next to them, he kinda reminds you of the guy you'd see down town on the subway or hanging out on a corner in the park. But DAMN--the guy is sexy as hell! But what makes him so appealing? Is it the fact he's famous? His music? The way he carries himself? The way he moves? The fact he's incredibly smart? I'm not sure. I think it's a little bit of all of it.

Or how about Steven Tyler, frontman for Aerosmith? I've seen this guy in action up close. Several years ago I had third row tickets to a concert and h o l y s h i t. Tyler is hot. Hands down. He's old;and he's got a mug only a mother could love--but all that is blinded out by this guy's magnetism--oodles of it. He's like a predator on stage--totally confident, totally sure of himself; he's good at what he does and loves it. He knows why people love him. And *THAT* is super sexy.
(go see an Aerosmith concert if you get the chance--they're incredible)

How about Billy Bob Thornton? Face it, they man looks like he belongs in a trailer park, surrounded by eight cars up on blocks and a pack of junk-yard dogs. But he landed Angelina Jolie--for awhile anyway. That's hella better than most frat boys can contest to. So why is he so hot? What makes the ladies love him so much? Maybe it has something to do with his quirky personality. Or maybe it's the adorable, goofy smile. Or the fact that he's irresistably interesting?

Let's not leave out the ladies. Uma Thurman anyone? She's not exactly beautiful, but a lot of men would disagree. Anyone took a long look at her face? Something is just...off about it. Like a puzzel piece has been put in the wrong place. But she's beautiful, and I think the fact that she isn't perfect is what makes her so intreaguing.

And Nicholas Cage. When I see him, I always wonder why he looks so sad. Then I remember he was probably born looking like that. But he's still hot, despite his constantly depressed face. His got a great voice, and he's a suberb actor. Not to mention he seems to have this "take care of me" feel about him that a lot of us chicks just adore.

Chris Robinson has come under fire again and again for looking like a doped up hippy. Wait! He is a doped up hippy! Well, he was...He's still sexy as hell though--even when he's doing the "homeless person" look. Robinson has an amazing voice--the kind of rock and roll voice that just makes a person shiver. He moves like a tiger and has the attitude to match. His fans adore his honesty--and his volitility. He loves music, and it shows--just go watch a concert and you'll see. Apparently he's got something--cause Kate Hudson is madly in love with him. (saw her at the concert last weekend! She's so cute!)

And Alanis Morissette isn't exactly eye candy either. Other than her great body, she's actually pretty bland and homely. But she has attitude. She has confidence. She's a fantastic singer. And men fall over themselves for her. Or maybe it's just that she digs being naked...I dunno... :P

And what about these other ladies? They certainly aren't Cindy Crawford of Shania Twain, but they're considered some of the most sexiest women in show-biz.

Sarah Jessica Parker:

Drew Barrymore (Hollywood's 'cutie'):

Dave Navarro is married to Carmen Electra. They have a show on MTV--or they used to; I'm not sure if it's still going on or not. The girls just love this guy, though he has more peircings than a pin cushion and has eye brows like Dracula. Like Reznor, he looks a lot like someone you'd see down town on the corner. However, I personally think Navarro is friggen sexy as all hell. He's got a great body--a fabulous body. He's funny too. And I just love his speaking voice! The guy has it goin' on!

And just for more food for thought, here's a couple more men that are super sexy, but not just on looks alone:

(David Bowie, Dustin Hoffman, Kid Rock, Mick Jagger,Marshal Mathers)

So, while these people aren't exactly the glimmering, shining few in the entertainment world, they do sexy better than a lot of their peers. It just goes to show, you can have a really pretty package, but if it's empty on the inside, it's just a box with nothing. I'd rather have a brown paperbag with 12 gold bars any day.

I Saw the Black Crowes!

I saw them! I fucking saw the Black Crowes!

God, I'm so happy! I couldn't stop smiling during the concert. I was estatic! I saw my most f a v o r i t e band ever...EVER! After they'd broken up and I thought I'd never see them perform.

*dies*

I have no complaints. The concert was great. I wish I would have spent money on the floor seating, but I wasn't sure about the car issues at the time and how much *that* would cost me. Still, I got to see them. I still can't believe it. Fuck'in SWEET! *squeals*

(Maynard~I wish you could have been there for this joyous occasion. I thought about you! *heart* I SAW THE BLACK CROWES!You should be proud!)

Black Crowes Homepage
Columbia Records
Music Clips(Thorn in Pride is my favorite song!)
New Earth Mud (Chris Robinson's band)

SO3 Book Six

I finally got book six in the mail today. Odd, they didn't send me a confirmation notice. Oh well. Anyway, great book. A bit different than the game, things are moving faster and they've left some stuff out from what I've seen. Albel shows up to fight Crosell, instead of them going to find him back in Aryglyph. Been awhile since I played the game though, so some of the events get jumbled in my head. Anyway, did some scans of the end of the book. The interaction between Albel, Cliff, and Nel is hysterical.

I've decided that out of the three of them, Nel is by far the most dangerous...

(Once more, I'm hardly fluent in Japanese. I've done my best. Feel free to correct mistakes, but play nice. And I have no idea why one scan is so much larger than the other. I tried to fix it...but alas...today is not my day to fix things.)

And then, of course I couldn't pass this one up: Nel at her finest.

****Squee!!!!!****

～One more day!

Why Didn't They Just Leave?

A well written perspective on "how come". I suggest people read it.

The situation in New Orleans is dire. It's saddening. It's angering. As always, the media is down there, putting their own spin on what's going on. People are pointing fingers. People are scared. People are pissed.

Though I can't relate to what's happening to those people, I do feel for them. The things I've seen on TV, read on the internet or in the papers just break my heart.

The best I can do is donate something small, seemingly insignificant. And I think a big thank you is in order to the countries who have stepped forward to offer help and support:

"Offers have been received from Russia, Japan, Canada, France, Honduras, Germany, Venezuela, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Hungary, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, China, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, NATO and the Organization of American States..." Full Story Here.

Hellsing OVA

It's coming...and soon!

Also, Aishiteruze Baby Manga will be released in English in April. Shojo fans, go check this one out. It's a great story!

Black Cat volume 1 will be availible in March. Another one, as I said earlier, to go check out.

******

A note to people waiting for TMTB on FF Net. I'll work on it next week. It's not been abandoned.