Ramblings of a Crowe

日本語はいいですか？

So today I got my over all grade for my Japanese class. To tell the truth, I wasn't too worried about it, but still seeing it made me feel better. I've always been happy with just getting by, but now the stakes are higher. I really want to ace this class--badly.

My score is perfect. Yes, absolutly perfect.

This is the first time in my life that I've had a A in a class with all availible points accounted for. And I haven't even been trying too hard. I want to keep it that way.

Things will get harder from here on out, as my nemisis, Katakana, has appeared. *laughs* I'm acutally surprised at how well I've done with them. I always get them mixed up because they all look so much alike. *sigh* Kanji has come into play too, but the ones we use now are ones I know mostly. Besides, I've always liked Kanji and never felt scared by them. They're interesting. Katakana, however...grrr...

Wish me luck! I'll wrap up this class summer of next year!

Book Reviews

Seduced by Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Don't let the cover fool you. It says "Bestselling Author", but this book is nothing but disgusting tripe. I couldn't even finish it.

First, let me say I've seen fanfiction written better than this book. Bland, horrible, juvenile, unbelievable--and those only begin a long list of adjectives I thought up while I tried to read this story.

The characters were uninteresting. I really didn't give a damn about them and half the time I didn't understand what the hell was going on. Some witch got stuck in some bubble thing by an evil wizard and all she thinks about is getting laid. WTFing Hell? If it were me, the ONLY thing on my mind would be getting out of there. But all this woman thinks about is fucking. And worse, she's pretty damn stupid too. I kept hoping the evil elves would eat her.

Then we have the hero, some sort of winged fae guy who is about as articulate and interesting as a cardboard box in a UPS warehouse. He's 'betrothed' cheated on him and got knocked up--then he gets sucked into the vortex thingy with this stupid witch. And guess what, they end up fucking...a lot.

*headdesk*

And I thought LKH had gone over the top. At least her characters are interesting, even if her storytelling has become as shaky as ground zero.

Don't misunderstand, there's nothing wrong with hanky panky in books, but for the love of Christ, at least make it believable. And by that I mean, let the characters do it when it's appropriate. Having them dropping trow and hiking up skirts anytime, any place, is just insulting--and ridiculous.

I won't know how this story ends. In fact, if I was stranded on an island and this was my only book, I'd toss this garbage out to sea. Rest assured, I won't be reading any more of Ms. McCray's stories any time soon.

Book Reviews

I've been meaning to do this for awhile, but haven't had the time. I love reading, not having a book in my purse or next to my bed drives me nuts. If the books is particularly good, I'll re-read it again and again, because we always miss something. There are some books I've read four or five times and I still find something new each time I open them.

So, without further ado...

Melusine by Sarah Monette

Felix Harrowgate is a wizard. He resides inside the Mirador, the city of Melusine's citadel of power where he is respected and wanted for his charm and wits. Within the Mirador, he is free of his abusive master, the one who saved him from his life of prostitution, enslaved him for other purposes, and taught him to behave like a nobleman instead of the gutter trash he was born as.

Mildmay the Fox is a thief. A cat-burglar, assassin for hire, whatever pays the bills type of guy. He's grown up in Melusine's lowest levels of society, being hunted and doing some hunting of his own.

The cogs of fate start to turn when Felix meets his old master inside the Mirador. Old magic, old habits, and old wounds start Felix on a downward spiral which ends with a violent rape and the shattering of the Virtu, the magical device that is the support of the Mirador's magic. With his mind shattered, drifting in and out of insanity, Felix is condemned to die by the Cabal--as soon as they figure out how to undo the magic he'd done.

Mildmay's life is looking pretty good for someone living in the grim bowels of Melusine. He's got himself a girlfriend, a place of his own, etc. Things are as peachy as they can be for a dour pessimist like Mildmay. Until his woman gets tangled up in some wicked Blood Magic and gets killed. Then he meets up with a mysterious wizard--one who insists that he is the key to finding Felix Harrowgate. Things go down hill from there.

The story of Melusine is seen through the eyes of both Felix and Mildmay. Felix narrates his perspective with an articulate pretentiousness fitting of a nobleman, with the occasional lapse into the gutter vernacular befitting of the street whore he really is--or was. Through most of the book he is stark raving mad, with moments of lucidity where his true character shines through--a self seeking, high-brow, catty snot.

When they're forced to flee Melusine, Mildmay and Felix find themselves alone in an unfriendly landscape, their only destination the broken dream of a mad man. Mildmay, a man with more patience that quite possibly God, leads them through the surrounding countryside. Starving, scared, and confused, they make their way away from the Mirador and around the Bastion, Mildmay the ever stoic protector and Felix the terrified seer of men with animal heads.

Melusine is a beautiful book. The words are elegantly crafted, each page is a turner. The voice of both Felix and Mildmay brings the story alive--so different, but so similar. Mildmay is easier to sympathize with, as he drags Felix across the countryside, often having to chase down the crazy wizard and rescue him from his own nightmares. But Felix's insanity is intriguing, as it slowly spirals to new lows with sudden moments of clarity, all triggered by events, words, or things he remembers.

This book is not your typical fantasy. There are no dragons, seekrit princes or kings masquerading as peasants. Melusine is more of a historical fantasy, rich in the culture of the world Ms. Monette has created. It is a story about people--Felix and Mildmay--and their problems, their fears, their relationship to each other.

I can't recommend this book enough. I'm always on the search for the story that will grab me and steal me away. Books like that are rare, and lucky for me, Melusine happens to be one of them.

A word of warning though, if you are looking for the typical fantasy story, this book probably won't be for you. It breaks rules for such a set genre. Also, this is the first book of a series--there are a lot of loose ends. Don't let that discourage you.

Well, I've just debunked this. The US census is WRONG! I know of at least 3 people who have the same first name as me.

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

And that, folks, is the title for the show "Perfect Girl Evolution" (aka The Wallflower) if you are looking. Also, otaku, please stop comparing this show to Ouran. Scratch that, please just stop making comparisons in general--about everything. *sigh*

On another note, for us DMC fans. Looks like Dante is coming to television next year. Just a short show, thirteen episodes, but a fitting number, don't you think?

Posted by Zoso at 08:59 AM | Comments (2)

It's friday....

but it's not over yet...

Some One Call Hogworts!

As taken from this hideous review of Sarah Monette's "Melusine".

More research on sex work and the real-world theories of magic would have done a tremendous amount to ground the fantasy world Sarah Monette tries to create in Melusine.

I must have laughed my ass off for 15 minutes after reading this. Real world magical theories? I wasn't aware such things exist. And here, all this time, I was thinking fantasy was just...make believe.

Did she even READ the book. I wonder. Because this review sounds nothing like the Melusine I read. Filled with fanatasy tropes? Where? There were no dragons, unicorns, talking animals, or seekrit kings disguised as peasant boys (or girls). Is she talking about the wizards and magic? If you take all those things away, what do you have left?

Not a fantasy novel, at any rate.

My only conclusion is the author of this review was having a serious case of PMS, she's a homophobe, or she's completely delusional. Maybe all three. I dunno, I'm just speculating based on her critique and the words she chose to write it--not that any of it made much sense.

You Ready to Rock?

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

MEME!

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...

Here we go!

Opening Credits
Hero by Mariah Carey

Indeed, a hero lies in me. We all knew this, moving on.

Waking Up
Only a Fool by the Black Crowes

I never wake up this cheerful...

And after that, and after that
And over and over and over again

Now that part I can agree with.

First Day of School
Houki Boshi by Younha

How quickly my life becomes science fiction.

Moshi atashi ga houkiboshi ni nareta naraba
Sora kakenuke tonde iku

(If I could become a comet, I would fly through the sky)

Falling in Love
When a Cold Wind Blows at the Dark End of Night by Chris Robinson and New Mud Earth

Hahaha hahahahahahahahaha hahahah ha hahaha-HA!

Fight Song
Larger than Life by Gov't Mule

Mmmm, interesting, like a bar room brawl in some dirty hole on the wrong side of town. Me likes.

You think you know something but you don't know nothing
Everybody knows that death is larger than life

Breaking Up
Twice as Hard by the Black Crowes

No, Love ain't funny, dear Mr. Robinson. A million little broken memories and a crime in the wink of an eye.

Prom
One Step, Two Step by Ciara

Goodies make the boys jump on it. Retarded. Why do I like this song again?

Life is Good
Sweet Sacrifice by Evanescence

If my life is so good it's like an Evanescence song, I'm gonna go cut myself--right now.

Mental Breakdown
Sukki Yanen MYV by Miyavi

A little crazy, and little loud. I could live with this sound in my head and a guitar hero by my side.

Dare ga yonde ka MYV, indeed.

Driving
Home Sweet Home by Yui

And here I was expecting something like "Bodies Hit the Floor". The iTunes Gods have an interesting sense of humor.

Flashback
Gravity of Love by Enigma

"O Fortuna velut Luna"

Getting Back Together
Have a Nice Day by Bon Jovi

With a smile on my face and a one finger salute, I bid you good-day, fine sir.

Take a look around you, nothing´s what it seems
We're living in a broken home of hopes and dreams

Wedding
Kekkon Shiki no Uta by Miyavi

Just...ouch. iTunes, you are a cynical, devious, evil thing, aren't you?

Omedetou kimi ni okuru tabidachi no uta sa
Arigatou aishita kimi e no owakare no utasa
Bai Bai
(Congratulations! A song for you starting aknew!
Thank you! A farewell song to you, the one I loved!
Bye bye!)

Paying Dues
I Stand Alone by Godsmack

I'll never rest until I can make my own way
I'm not afraid of fading
I stand alone

Night Before the War
Let's Go by Trick Daddy

I think Trick Daddy has been invading my dreams. *sobs*

If you want some, come get some,
cuz where I'm from we tote big guns

Final Battle
I Believe by Ayaka

Any final battle fought to this song will be tragic.

Moment of Triumph
Until it Sleeps by Metallica

A lesson: Fighting never solves any thing.

Just like a curse, just like a stray,
You feed it once and now it stays,

Death Scene
Maybe I'm a Lion by the Black Mages

Hear me roar! Not gonna go down without a fight! Yeah!

Funeral Song
My Morning Song by the Black Crowes

Bury me with a Ruby Ring, but on a Sunday is optional. By the sea would be nice, but ashes on the wind in the desert is better.

I hide I seek and I find
Truth in a fable faith in a rhyme

End Credits
Bokutachi Dake no Faitingu Songu by Miyavi

It's my fighting song. It's your fighting song. It's our fighting song. Buchikomashitare! Nebagiba de IKOU!!!

IKOU!!!!!

*****

Intersting. So who's next? NO CHEATING either!

I finally saw them...

Fangirls.

In my Japanese class.

A whole hoard of them in front of my desk.

I never thought I'd see them in real life, nor did I expect them to really act the same was in person as they do on the internet. How naive I am in my old age. They stood there, signaling their meeting with a cry of "Kawaiiiiii desu"(no, I'm not kidding). I've decided this must be their mating call, a sad, lonley, desperate sound because the males they long for will never answer.

There must have been at least six of them, of various shapes and forms. I couldn't make out all the gibberish being thrown around, but I sat there, too mesmerized to be disgusted. They really do act like that in public. Anthony san, the girl who sits next to me, shared a look with myself and hid a fit of giggles in her sleeve. I just smiled a bewildered smile.

Wow...

Monday under my belt

So yesterday wasn't too bad. The only thing worth noting was someone at work backed into a Meals on Wheels car. Other than that...

Friday I have to go have blood drawn. Apparently, my blood pressure is high and stuff. *sigh* Figures. I got a lecture on taking better care of myself from the doctor, and I'm seriously making an effort. It's difficult, when I hate cooking and grocery shopping with a buring passion of fire and flames. What do I eat? Everything these days kills you or is bad for you. I've considered become a vegetarian, but eating animals gives me too much pleasure. That, and I don't think meat is my problem, since I don't eat a lot of it anyway. No, I have to give up bread...WTF? And potatoes. Two of my most favorite foods ever.

Guess I'll have to find different favorite foods.

Asuma..Nooooooo!

Been awhile since I posted any Manga stuff...but this is worth noting...

Dammit, Kishimoto! You can't leave cliffhangers like this!!!!!

(I really hope that fool kills only himself...I'll be pissed off is Asuma dies too...)

The Cosmos Works in Mysterious Ways...

Today my boss and I were driving back from the Auto glass repair place after dropping off a truck which had its back window shattered on Friday. As we were going over the bridge, I was pondering how tired I was while looking out over the river. Off to the side, my boss shouts, "Hey! Look! They have pies!" Of course, I looked because I had no idea WTF he was talking about, but just as I turned my head forward, the biggest splooge of bird shit landed on the windshield. I mean, it must have come from a pteradactyl. Anyway, my boss and I were quiet a moment, then just lost it. I laughed so hard I thought I'd puke on my shoes.

Even funnier, the Cyrus O'Leary truck my boss had been talking about passed us as we were dying of laugher.

There is no reset button on life.