More time-consuming stuff first- music:
( Waiting For The One )

Movin' on, I've seen two movies in these last two days, very different, both with some amazing stories to tell. The first was Public Enemies. In an odd way, this film reminded me of There Will Be Blood. Both told the story of a man apart from society, with very specific ideas on the world, and they were shunned by it in certain ways because of those views. Granted, this film doesn't have the same epic feel of TWBB, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Tonight I saw Departures, the Academy Award winner for best foreign film. It's a tale of an organization that prepares the dead for their final journey away from this world, and how those in the business can be ostracized. One of the best points the films make is that, while death is something ever-present in our lives- whether we read about it, live with it or are affected by it in many of the ways it can touch us- the dead are still looked upon as something odd, to be feared. But sooner or later, in one way or another, death finds us. Getting past the mysteries, the inscrutability of death makes life easier in many ways. There was a great deal to like about this film, and I am so glad I saw it. Lord knows how many theaters it's in, but if you see it at one near you in the days to come, check it out, it's a gem.

No music tonight- trying to get in as much animu as possible since I have to call it an early night due to work. So here's an image-based meme I done stoled from sacredmonster, which I encourage any of y'all to steal in turn:

→ Post ten of any pictures currently on your hard drive that you think are self-expressive.
→ NO CAPTIONS!!! It must be like we're speaking with images and we have to interpret your visual language just like we have to interpret your words.
→ They must ALREADY be on your hard drive - no googling or flickr! They have to have been saved to your folders sometime in the past. They must be something you've saved there because it resonated with you for some reason.
→ You do NOT have to answer any questions about any of your pictures if you don't want to. You can make them as mysterious as you like. Or you can explain them away as much as you like.

( I'd be a billionaire if I got paid for collecting these. )

Uneventful week was uneventful. Most stuff happened near the end- My best friend's bro Zander got back from his yearlong European tryst, and my brother came back for the weekend from LA to greet him. Not much happened, even after the influx of people- little Wii, went to House of Curries, celebrated my granddad's birthday. In that same evening, we went out to the Pool Hall, where we... well, take a wild guess. Dragged around town by Sean after that, as he insisted it was paramount to smoke weed with his friends followed by a piping-hot donut at Kingpin.

As usual, various circumstances prevented me from getting the music to your ears, but I'm never away from it for too long. This post has a theme I quite identify with- awkwardness and love. Two things which were never nearer and dearer to my heart:
( Makin' It Cool to Rap About Love )

So, yeah, AX... Pretty good time was had, did my Soul Eater and Gokudera cosplay, AMVs and Masq were pretty awesome, had some decent random encounters with folks on buses and benches, and bought the following:

( Pylons are so 2008 )

And after quickly determining that dealer's hall prices for DVDs were way too fuckin' expensive, I went online immediately after I got home and found both (released) seasons of Black Lagoon, the complete Law of Ueki set and Sword of the Stranger Blu-Ray for the lowest non-used prices I could find.

And here are the pics, meshed in with my Fanime pics, since I decided to do a dump of pics on my camera today:
( KHAAAA- I mean, COOOON! )

Oh, yeah, there was an awesome Hard Gay at Masquerade that won an award. Wish I'd snapped a pic.

Been an eventful weekend on some levels, and a somewhat quiet one on others.

After the lovely romp that was my cousin's birthday on Saturday, which is to say Up followed by Fenton's, there was a bit of downtime. Sunday I saw two movies, one with my parents. It's not rare for me to see a movie with my mother, but my dad actually came along too, which happens roughly once in a blue moon. I also saw a movie today. My thoughts on all three:

( Cheri )

( Whatever Works )

( Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen )

Movin' on, I got this cool meme from trenchkamen:
1. Reply to this post and I'll assign you a letter. (If you want a letter, just say so)
2. List (and upload) 5-10 songs that begin with that letter.
3. Post them to your journal with these instructions.

She gave me an S, and screw the rules, I have 14:
"Seven Nation Army" -- The White Stripes Jack White may be pretentious and a bit of an asshole, but those tend to be the most interestin' folks.
"Seventeen Years" -- Ratatat One of the most energetic guitar pieces you will ever listen to. The musical equivalent of an eight-ball.
"Science Vs. Romance" -- Rilo Kiley Rilo Kiley has a thing for lyrics that are open to interpretation- I take this one to mean that even if we can quantify love with chemicals and numbers, that there is more to it than we know.
"Sheila Take A Bow" -- The Smiths Don't go home tonight/Go out and find the one that you love and who loves you.
"Save Yourself" -- Aesop Rock Some find his voice dissonant, but his lyrical acrobatics never fail to enthrall me.
"Sawdust & Diamonds" -- Joanna Newsom Pure fairytale magic.
"She's White" -- Electric Six I do so enjoy their utterly un-PC jaunts.
"Saint John" -- Cold War Kids Death row should always be this bluesy.
"Same Ghost Every Night" -- Wolf Parade A hauntingly beautiful 5-minute rock orgasm.
"Shampoo Suicide" -- Broken Social Scene I seem to have a lot of instrumentals here. I do love me a good guitar riff.
"Shoot Me Down" -- Lil' Wayne Weezy's lyrical stunting never fails to make me smile.
"Sierra" -- Cursive One of the few emo groups that have made music that will stay with me for years and years to come
"Schlachtschiff" -- Taku Iwasaki From the Soul Eater soundtrack. I love pieces that are orchestrated like this- building and building, sometimes to something, but sometimes the build is the payoff.
"shadow's masquerade -- Sagisu Shiro- From the Bleach soundtrack. Similar to my last comment, though this one has a little more epic to it.

• 21:16 Good day overall, but attempts at social activities this evening: abject failure. Prototype and animy will have to suffice. #
• 21:20 Also, screening of Serenity + Dr. Horrible in SF Tuesday evening: Details/tickets here: tinyurl.com/ll36xv (scroll down a bit) #
• 21:47 Prototype is one of the most ridiculously awesome things I have played in a while- emphasis on both ridiculous and awesome. #

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Today has been a day for wrapping things up, on multiple fronts, as only a sick day can provide.

Going in order, I finished Dead Space today. I'm not much for shooters or survival horror, but this game was just fun on a bun. It helped that it was well-written, the missions were just difficult enough that, even though it got nerve-wrackingly challending at times, it was so insanely worth it because you felt like the king of the world for having gotten through something so hard (I shudder to think how hard it would be on impossible mode). I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel, and, if they get a decent writer/director, the movie. Though given how rare it is for a vidya game to get a decent film, I'm not holding my breath. WHICH WOULDN'T DO ME MUCH GOOD IN SPACE ANYWAY, HURR HURR

Next, I finished the first season of Bones, whose season finale had a metaplot heavy episode, but with many well thought-out twists and turns that I thought were executed masterfully. This kind of show tends to get better with age I think. My favorite episode from season one was the one where they're in the desert, but I love pretty much anything set in a desert or snow-covered town... I have a weird thing for wastelands, I guess.

And tonight, finished the second season of Gundam 00 with sleepfighter and lichifruit While there were many ridiculous moments throughout (though most were SCIENCE!-related) and the fact that the ending was a series of Deus Ex Machina, I loved it to death. I never thought I'd actually enjoy something with Gundam in the name, but this has a lot of things going for it- it's really pretty, has some great characters, and just leaves you wanting more on so many levels. Check it out if you get a chance.

Later today, going to see Up again, then going to Fenton's, all in honor of my little cousin Darya's birthday. Should be good times.

Once again, another 'I'm alive' post, even if I'm halfway so at the moment, i.e., I'm a bit sick- though I don't expect to be for much longer, as it mercifully feels like a 24-hour thing. I kind of wanted to wait until trenchkamen tagged me back on this meme of hers I responded to, but I find that I have enough to talk about right now without relying on a mimetic to take up space.

This past Sunday, I went to see a film I'd only become aware of about a week before I actually saw it- a film by the name of 'Moon', which stars Sam Rockwell as both of the lead characters. It's a tale set in the near future, when most of the Earth's fuel is taken from Helium-3, harvested from the side of the moon facing the sun. Sam Bell is lone man working the Sarang station, nearing the end of his three-year contract, when he discovers that he is not alone, so to speak. As I'm sure most of you haven't even seen a trailer, to say any more ould spoil it, so I'll just say that it's a very well-written film, made on a low-budget, though you can't tell, and it harkens back to some of the first science fiction films most of us saw when we were young... the kind of thing that could terrify you, fill you wih a sense of wonder, or maybe even both, depending on your disposition. I'd be surprised if there was one among you that wouldn't find this to be right up your alley, so if you see it's playing in a theater near you, check it out. Send a message to the studios that it's worth their time to finance original stuff like this.

In other movie-related news, I keep seeing awesome trailers for movies I didn't have any clue existed, or just didn't know were coming out in my area. Three of those movies are vampire-related. Seems to be a hot topic these days- I'm sure some of you have heard the producers of the original Buffy movie are trying to do a reboot, True Blood's back on TV, and of course the worldwide obsession with Twilight shows no signs of ever slowing. In any case, all of these films look like they're all going to be immensely entertaining, so hit play and see if any look good to you:
( You have to invite me in )

I guess a proper update is warranted after that twitter-filled silence...

My best bud Jordan was about in the bay for a coupla days this past week. He'd popped in before heading back to Bos-town for his final two months completing his studies at Harvard, after which he moves back here permanently, which I'm supremely excited about. His visit was mostly mellow, highlights included the two of us going to a bar where I drank more beer than I've ever had in my life (i.e., two bottles) along with five other stiff drinks, and just generally hangin' with the man.

Also attended/kind of bartended a fundraiser at my uncle's. Ridiculous amounts of food+booze plus my brother was even there, which is unusual in a number of ways, though quite entertaining, especially when watching him attempt to hit on girls.

Other than that, not a lot goin' on here in Berktown. AX is coming up shortly, where I'll be cosplaying as Soul Eater (in his suit) and Gokudera Hayato (also, conveniently, in a suit). That's right, two white-haired dudes in suits. Pimped out like no other otaku.

• 23:55 Show support for democracy in Iran add green overlay to your Twitter avatar with 1-click - helpiranelection.com/ #
• 23:58 @jephjacques, If you think PPD is nuts, check out the director's other work. Most are just as, if not more insane: tinyurl.com/m8nkxy #
• 22:19 "He's just dipped in Mac Dre's ashes right now."- Phil, referring to my Dad. #

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• 10:15 Yet more impossible visions in the night... YOU HAVE FAILED ME AGAIN, BRAIN! #
• 10:23 Probably why I'm feeling especially aggravated toward humanity in general. <3 #
• 19:20 Just saw Prius w/license plate 'CATBUS1'. Fucking awesome. #

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• 01:21 A sublime mist hovers over the bay as I type this... #
• 14:01 Why it is that the brain must taunt us with dreams of impossible things is something I shall never understand. #

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HURFDURF, I completely forgot that I had two album's worth of stuff from my previous batch of records to go through:

( You're A Liar and That's the Truth )

My best bud Jordan has made a surprise visit to the East Bay, from his exceedingly stressful life in Boston. God willing I'll see him at least once during his brief stay.

• 02:33 Everybody's stalking. #
• 02:34 I know I'm being judged. I must simply learn to not fear the bang of the gavel. #

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Though not a fully awesome weekend, it's been fun and engaging on a lot of levels.

Friday, I was expecting to be hanging with Kei, show him some more Dollhouse, but sadly he was distracted by a nest of spiders behind his couch which his OCD demanded he destroy. So I went out by my lonesome to see 'Drag Me To Hell', the latest horror offering from 'The Evil Dead' mastermind Sam Raimi. Only he can put together a film which is both terrifying and pokes fun at the genre since he's left it. Wouldn't see it again, but it's nice to know he's gotten his groove back after slipping a bit with Spider-Man 3.

Saturday was mellow to start out. In the evening, I went to a BBQ at the Bices, which was fun, however, it was but a prelude to another BBQ deepinaharta Oakland. This BBQ had an absinthe bar and was filled with people I'd never met, save one, and it was quite possibly the best social event I'd been to in God knows how long. I can't quantify what it was that made it so enjoyable... all I know is getting to know so many new faces was wonderful. Plus absinthe is always great.

Today's been alright. The plan was for lichifruit and I to finish Gundam 00 Second Season at sleepfighter's place, but sadly she forgot, though understandably since she hadn't been reminded since we made the plans a week ago. So Izzy and I headed back here, where we've been watching all kinds of random stuff, and I've finally bought Noby Noby Boy, which is downloading as we soeak. Exciting times.

Finally, as promised, here's a pic of me in that awesome shirt I told y'all about a little while back (note that this is a BIG FUCKIN' PICTURE):
( Solid Gold )

• 23:36 Sadly, Stephen Colbert cannot work the Widow's Peak with a shaved head. #thecolbertreport #
• 21:57 "Sweet wine is a headache in a bottle."- Mom #

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My internship at the Cartoon Art Museum continues to bring great wonders into my life. I get to special order any comics, American or Japanese I want, and then when they come in, I get a neat little discount. Today it was the new volume of Black Jack, and Thursday I'm told my order of the first volume of Deadpool Classic will be arriving. If the opportunity ever presents itself, given how well my work there has been going, rest assured I will eagerly pursue a permanent position at the establishment.

( The Final Daisy Pushed Up )

Speaking of revivals, Futurama is returning to us! The good people at Comedy Central have seen the blue light of the opening sequence and have ordered two 13-episode seasons of one of the best sci-fi/comedy animated programs out there. Odd, in a way, how I can go on for as long as I did about injustice, failure of the industry and am just generally more verbose when the wrong decisions are made, but when things go this right, I don't feel the need to ramble on. Hm. :)

And now more music:
( Ironically Hip in Some Flip Universe )

My but it's been a while since I've had a free moment in an afternoon where I felt like posting...

To begin, I finished the four volumes of Air Gear I picked up at Fanime, and I'm enjoying it immensely. Oh!great has sharpened his shonen knife since I tried and failed a number of times to get into Tenjo Tenge- although part of that failure could easily be attributed to my dislike of reading things from a computer screen for long periods of time, and it's a shame that CMX made a ridiculous choice to censor their release of it. But AG is sufficiently insane and badass to bury myself in, and I look forward to picking up the rest of what's come out in the states at AX. It's a shame stuff like this and Tsukihime never had an anime made.

Movin' on, more music:

( In The Highest Blackened Moon )

It has been too long friends of mine. Many obstacles came between me and the music, but in the end, that's always what it comes back to:

( Man Comes on the Radio )

While this is mainly a music post, I do want to say that it's feeling like a season of new beginnings. There are things I know I no longer need, but there's so much new coming in, it'll be like it was never gone. It's like the new car smell, but in every part of my life.

• 23:39 This opening is great. Anyone know what this song playing over the opening is? #thetonightshow #
• 23:55 @edcool1 ED AINTITCOOL LIED, THE TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW #
• 13:45 Just had piece of garlic cheese bread. Can't remember last time I had something that had no redeeming qualities; it was wonderful. #
• 17:32 SF sidewalk (in Mission district, anyway) smells like someone dumped a Coke slurpee on it and let it fester. #

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