on the way to Cassadaga to commune with the dead

kuuriku @ 2007-10-28T15:54:00

2007-10-28T20:03:59Z

After four fantastic years (and two days) at kuuriku, I've decided to switch journals. What can I say, I have issues with commitment. ^^

Friend me? And feel free to remove this journal from your flist as it will no longer be updated.

8/18 - 8/22

2007-09-07T01:23:06Z

This should have been posted about two weeks ago, but better late than never, right?

Friday I had lunch at Panda Heaven with Steph. We spent the evening at the park (Corsonia?) with Steph's five year-old niece, Jasmine. I hadn't been to a playground in years, so I might have had more fun than them both of them combined. I beat Steph through the tubes (I still fit! XD), down the slide, and on the tic-tac-toe board.

After a walk around the lake and being stalked by man-eating ducks, we drove up to the Pagoda. Partly because Steph's car needed oil and partly to enjoy the view and plan shots for wedding photos.

I hung around Steph's house for a while and played games with her and Jasmine. Then I went home. And did it all over again the next day with the addition of another niece, Becky, and Steph's fiance Scot. XD

We loved this tree. It's covered in ivy.

Jasmine playing on the spider web.

The Peace Sign. When we got to the Pagoda, they hadn't turned the lights on yet, so we decided to hike to the Peace Sign. I stayed on the ground with the girls, but Steph (in heeled boots no less!) and Scot made the final climb to the Peace Sign with my camera.

The Pagoda.

The view. These pictures betray how much of a slumbucket the city of Reading really is. But I guess everything looks beautiful from far away. I love cities - and I want to live in one again someday - just not this one.

Monday night I went to The Works for Amanda's 21st birthday party.

The first few people there grabbed a table in the dining area and waited for other people to arrive. The end result was: me, Vero, Cat, Christine, John, Ian, Amanda, Amanda's boyfriend, a couple of Amanda's friends from school (I'm bad with names, can you tell?), Bryan (I know his name, but as for how he spells it, I know not...), Mal, and Marc.

Most people migrated up to the bar after dinner, but Vero and I played some games in the arcade. I finally got to play on a DDR machine. Vero ended the night with more tickets than me, but I beat both her and Cat at the taiko drumming game.

Of course, when I woke up the next morning my first thought was something like, "Why are my hands so sore...? *flexes hands*

Oh. Stupid drums."

After Vero left, Cat and I rejoined everyone at the bar. Some pictures from the entire evening:

Malory, Marc, and their soon-to-be daughter.

Vero and Cat

Amanda, her bf, two Alabama Slammers...

...and a really long straw. And Cat's hand while photographing the same straw. XD

A brightly coloured appletini and the remnants of car bombs, which I passed on given that I rarely drink beer let alone drink it quickly.

Amanda, Christine, and Cat at the end of the night.

Tuesday night I went to Cat's house and watched Serial Experiments Lain with her and Christine. Cat had the coolest imported organic beer. I love the bottles. I should have followed Cat's suggestion and taken one home to make into a candle stick holder.

Can anyone believe I'm going to be 21 and 12 months old in just three days? I think I've reached the limit on how far I'm willing to go with this whole "aging thing". I've already got voting, porn buying, and drinking (heck, I can even do all three at once!), so there's not much benefit to getting any older. In fact, I think I'm going to give it up altogether and spend the rest of my life at 21.

If only LJ could be made into a Horcrux...

Nihao~!

2007-08-29T01:53:04Z

By the grace of God, Penn State admitted me to their Berks campus. Guess who will learning Chinese starting Thursday?

ME!

I guess saying that I was going to PSU kinda gave it away, right?

If only I could post the hyper, ecstatic message I left on Steph's phone after they told me to stop by the registrar's office to schedule. Oh, man. Even after shelling out the money for textbooks, I'm still giddy. And so relieved that I won't have to spend another useless year at RACC.

Arabic was full, or I would have scheduled for that as well. However, the lady who handled my schedule gave me the prof's email address and told me to try talking her into letting me attend anyway.

My job will not like this, of course. But as I told Steph, "Wouldn't it be weird if they fired me and I was happy?" If they fire me tomorrow I might just have to hug them and hum a little tune on my way out the door.

My apologies to those who have been waiting for last week's post, I was highly unmotivated.

kuuriku @ 2007-08-18T23:34:00

2007-08-19T03:50:45Z

What is a Jagermeister?

A. A German beer

B. A German sausage

C. A German beer sausage

D. It makes a good cake better

As I discovered Tuesday when I attended a Jagermeister (slash) Tupperware party, D.

Saying "Tupperware party" makes me feel very 50s housewife, but their products are actually quite handy. And indestructible. We made a buttered vanilla cake using a tupperware dish and topped it with Jagermeister icing. It's a lot tastier than it sounds, I promise.

For the oven-less 50s housewife who finds herself with cake mix, a cabinet full of German booze, and no time to spare: an easy to bake cake recipe!

The Cake
Take one of these containers (or a similar dish).

Pour in one box of cake mix and one can of soda. We used a generic vanilla cake mix and a can of Sprite.

Stir. Close lid. Microwave for about 8-10 minutes. And that's it.

The Icing
Jagermeister + powdered sugar. Mix the two until you have less than a thick syrup but more than a uber runny soup.

You should be able to turn the bowl over and drop the cake onto a plate. Then you drizzle on the icing (think: bunt cake) and serve.

I didn't get to stay long and I was late because of work (plus the ten minutes I wasted outside because I was anxious about seeing people I hadn't seen in years), but I had a lot of fun.

Not everyone, but the people who matter most:

Amanda, Christine, Cat, and Veronica

I got invited to go to The Works Monday night for Amanda's 21st birthday celebration (and I'm going if work permits), and if I can get a ticket, I was invited to attend a con in Oregon with Cat and her friend. It may not be within my income, but I'd love to see Oregon. I miss the western half of the US.

I'm a little behind in updating as you'll soon see. Yesterday and today's activities deserve a post but I'm exhausted and sore in multiple places, so I'm going to take out my contacts and sleep.

low expectations = satisfaction

2007-07-14T01:36:37Z

As per tradition, Steph and I went to see the Harry Potter movie together. Also seeming to stay with tradition was our inherent ability to sit near the most annoying person in the theatre. The woman and son seated behind us had the most hideous, jarring laughs and a habit of loudly stating the obvious. It was still fun, though. And we were blessed with good seats despite getting in after the giant line of movie-goers.

Oh, and the girl at the snack stand could neither speak English nor do math. She charged us for the wrong items, then wanted me to pay the difference. That would have been fine, except she didn't know what the difference was. Her math would have had me paying 12 dollars for a popcorn. Umm, no. >>

The theatre aside, the movie was awesome. Sure, it left out more than I would have liked and reduced some character's parts to nil. But the girl cast as Luna was so cute. And the special effects were rather good. I absolutely loved the Ministry of Magic.

In short: I want to see it again!

kuuriku @ 2007-07-13T13:25:00

2007-07-13T18:06:54Z

Cat came to see me a couple weeks ago, after she returned from England, and invited me to a party. I ended up getting sick (and still am -_-) and didn't go. But I'm so touched that she found me at OM just to invite me!

Cat had given me her email address and I accidentally washed it in the pants I had left it in. I started to think, "Oh well, just being invited is enough! ^_^" This is what I always told myself in high school. I'd get excited, I'd tell people I was going, and then I'd never show up.

But there was a time I thought just being invited was enough and I tossed the invitation away. After the party should have started, I got a phone call from a couple people, and they said if I couldn't get there, they'd come pick me up. And they did. I have to stop thinking I was only invited out of "we're within the same crowd of friends" obligation. That never existed, and if it did, it certainly doesn't now. Cat didn't have to drive out to OM to find me. I didn't tell any of them I was working there.

Sometimes my low self-esteem annoys even me.

Anyway, I found her address online and I'll have to contact her about getting together before she returns to school.

Since I already knew I wouldn't be going, despite feeling exhausted, I stayed up way too late streaming Live Earth concerts. I think Live Earth was an awesome idea: promoting environmental awareness and getting to see a ton of different artists having simultaneous concerts in different places all over the world. It was so neat being able to flip between Sarah Brightman singing in China to ayaka performing in Japan, then watch Snow Patrol in the UK before switching back to Kuu in Tokyo. All the countries offered both native and foreign performers and all the shows were fantastic. ♥

I am leaving for Baltimore in less than a week! This is the point where I feel anxious, unprepared, and like I don't own enough shoes. XD But isn't the harbor beautiful in the evening?

No offense to Liz or Otakon, but I wish I were going for a date. Walking along the harbor on a warm night, holding hands, a gentle breeze, pausing for a kiss with that skyline behind us... Forgive my maudlin romanticism, the possibilities for romantic daydreaming are just too much too resist. ^^

I got so excited when I heard the first notes of ayaka's "Real Voice" at Live Earth. Being elated over an internet feed, I don't think there's much hope for me when AAA takes the stage at Otakon.

Me: Nissy!大好き♪! <(^o^)>

I know I was indifferent about them coming at first, but I really do like AAA. It was just hard to be animate when everyone was talking about AX having Gackt and Miyavi. But from what I read, AX wasn't so great this year.

I'm off to make myself gorgeous for Steph. XD We're going to see the Harry Potter movie. With the last book on the horizon and having watched a lovely documentary on A&E last night, I'm actually looking forward to the movie despite my averse feelings towards the last two. I'm ready for some "ninja wandage" as one interviewee put it.

kuuriku @ 2007-06-25T16:24:00

2007-06-25T20:51:48Z

I haven't had much time for posting. Here's a quick retrospect of the past week+, starting from this weekend.

Saturday I went to the salon. I didn't realize how long my hair had become until the stylist combed it out and the longest layer reached the bottom of my back. So, I let her cut it all off. I have short hair and I love it! It's not short short, but it's shorter than anyone has seen it in a while.

I was supposed to go a picnic full of Synder family and their friends and watch Faith be showered with expensive things she doesn't deserve, like a laptop. I managed to get out it. I'm still pissed about her comment to me two weeks ago where she whined about all her furniture being hand-me-downs. Not only is this not true, but don't come to me and bitch when you have no idea what being poor and having nothing is really like.

Friday was hectic. Though I trained with Steph and had fun using the different equipment and the new computer system, someone (possibly one of the supervisors) left her register in training. Not realizing this, we sent out a bunch of completed projects, including one totaling over $180, that weren't really charged to the client's credit card. Neither of us were at fault, but it was mentally draining trying to figure out which transactions really took place and which didn't. Poor Steph didn't even get lunch.

When we finally were able to leave work, we grabbed some coffee and she drove me home. I left her with some brownies I had made for the PIF Pot Luck and she gave me fudge (ahaha, finally! ♥). I spent the rest of the night watching Maroon 5 make an ass of themselves on Music Station.

To Maroon 5: Hey guys, just because the artists and Mariko (female host) cannot see you mocking them, does not mean the camera can't. And plz to be not talking when Kuu-chan is. GTFO. And because I must fangirl: Kuu was so cute! Her current hair style is hot and her performance had a fun energy. She also confessed her love to Namie and got giddy over Gackt. XD

For those not aware, I will be cosplaying as Amane Misa from the series Death Note for Otakon 2007.

Thursday my boots arrived.

I love them! Someone needs to take me out so I can wear them. :D Walking is surprisingly easy. Only going downstairs makes me nervous, and that's only because I fear tumbling to my death. Once I get past that hurdle, I'll be ready for cosplaying! XD

The previous Friday Steph and I went out for dinner and stopped at the jewelry store so I could get my fingers sized for rings.

The previous Thursday I went to the mall and picked up a couple pins for Misa's jacket. I also found Naruto gum! Of course I had to get the one with Sasuke on the lid for teasing purposes. I love the facial expression.

Oddly, the gum inside is orange. Symbolizing Sasuke's love for Naurto...? Perhaps!

And in case it's not obvious, I finally have a digital camera of my very own. I was not going to Baltimore next month without one. I haven't had much time to use it yet, but hopefully I'll be able to post more (interesting) pictures in the future.

lighting a fuse may result in a BANG

2007-06-12T00:53:07Z

Last week had been rather draining. I had to return to the eye doctor, even though I had gotten over the fact that the secretary had bent my frames, the new lenses they used gave me terrible eye pains and headaches. Plus, I couldn't see out of the damn things. You'd think the secretary would care enough to squeeze my appointment in somewhere, but no, I had to wait over a week just for the stupid secretary to go and chip my frames and ruin one of the screws. She didn't even bother to tell me she had done these things, just handed over my glasses and sent me on my way. If I didn't love my doctor, I would never go there again. Maybe no one else will even notice, maybe no one else cares, but having worn glasses for most of my life, I'll notice every time I look in the mirror and it pisses me off. Just an apology would have been appreciated.

Then I got paid Friday and wanted to stop by the bank, which resulted in a chorus of "What are you buying us for dinner?" from my mother and Marty. I was really tired and hungry, so I thought buying a pizza might not be a bad idea. Oh, but it was. All I heard was "I don't want pizza from there, I don't want that kind of pizza, I don't want that kind of crust, I want this topping, I don't want to take it home, I want to eat there etc." Every. Possible. Complaint. And if it weren't frustrating enough, they messed up my order and I ended up with a pizza I didn't want.

And, in general, it's just not cool to make someone feel bad over a meal you're being treated to.

Steph transferred to my office, only she's at Impress, so we don't really get to talk (making faces and signs seems to be working well though XD). We did get go out for dinner at Panda Heaven on Thursday. It was fun, even the wobbly table and the nice Asian waiter who didn't believe I could be served alcohol. Since she paid and I owe her a meal, we're going to Old Country Buffet on Friday. ♥ I think I've also managed to convince her to make fudge for Friday's PIF Pot Luck. This is for my own selfish fudge-y gain, of course.

I spent last night unwinding with the manga Homunculus. Having read the first volume, I have no idea where the story is supposed to go. The plot thus far is a newly-homeless man, Susumu Nakoshi, is propositioned by a rich effeminate medical student, Manabu Ito, to undergo a small operation for a sum of money. In denial of his homeless status, Nakoshi only agrees to be Ito's guinea pig after his car and comfort zone is towed away. He undergoes a procedure known as Trepanation, that is a small hole drilled into the skull for the purpose of developing a sixth sense. Obviously something results from the surgery, otherwise there wouldn't be much of a plot development, but saying anything more would require a spoiler cut. The manga is a little graphic, but the art and story are really interesting.

Help! Help! I'm being oppressed!

2007-05-31T03:04:16Z

Yesterday on the bus, the girl in the next seat forward randomly turned around and petted me. Definitely one of my Weirdest Experiences Ever.

An unnerving amount of customers had caused me to reconsider my ethnicity. It started with a regular client who felt obligated to add something extra to his order and spend more because, he said, he felt sorry for me that my mother had given me a Spanish name. I wrote him off as a remotely pleasant ass and thought nothing of it until a young hispanic couple asked me in a rapid Spanish if I was Spanish. Then, yesterday two men approached me:

Man A: Spanish?
Me: No.
Man A: Oh.
Man B: *sighs* *proceeds to question me in English*

This gave me cause to wonder, Do I really look Spanish? I do enjoy their food quite a bit! But this morning as I tried to hide my pasty face under some makeup, I thought Definitely not. I'd be lucky to have that kind of tanned complexion. XD

My best friend, Steph, had been in negotiations with my manager regarding a position at our office, and I'm pleased to announce that in the next week or two I'll be seeing her on a regular basis. No more straining to find mutual off-days just to see each other. This should improve my morale greatly. Maybe.

Now she'll be able to ring up Creepy McWeirdo's order. Creepy likes to come in on a weekly basis and make indecent gloss prints of himself, sometimes spending over $200. When I think of him, I picture the actor from Silence of the Lambs, sewing a dress from women's flesh and posing in feminine attire before a video camera. Although, Creepy McWeirdo is older, fatter, and in general, uglier.

And no, I haven't seen the pictures myself. I can't even look the guy in the face without feeling violated. I thought we had a rule against handling questionable material such as his, but since our company also has a "sell this" "push that" "add-on" mentality, I guess they enjoy the revenue too much to refuse.

If "Warriors For Innocence" weren't so busy suspending innocent journal communities, maybe they'd investigate our real creep. If WFI isn't all over your flist (like mine) and you need more drama in your life, follow one of the following links for further information: here here here here here here and soon to be on the main page.

kuuriku @ 2007-05-17T21:18:00

2007-05-18T01:42:48Z

Liz and I officially registered for Otakon. Kyaa~aah! I'm so excited!

I was at Liz's house for most of the day, and though we didn't get much costume related accomplished, we did discuss what events we might attend and the possibility of joining the 21+ meet-up on Thursday, after we pick up our badges. I wish I could have stayed longer (and had a banana split! :O ), but I have work tomorrow and Saturday and I need some sleep. I hope I get to see Liz again soon, and Steph as well. It's great having such good friends. <3

kuuriku @ 2007-05-10T19:35:00

2007-05-11T00:11:11Z

Somebody must see Muse with me in August. I emphasize the must because it's MUSE and they're only playing the Festival Pier (Philly)(I almost died in a mosh pit at this venue last July, but I'm ready to go back and KICK SOME ASS) and Madison Square Garden (NYC). Cold War Kids are going to be at ~~the NYC~~ both! show, as if Muse didn't already guarantee a night of rock awesomeness. <3

Tuesday I mailed out my six-page appeal of DOOM. It's a week late, but hopefully they haven't made a decision about me yet and they'll understand that it was difficult to write what I did. *crosses fingers* I didn't have anyone help me edit this time around, thinking that might have changed what I wrote and I wanted to be one hundred percent open this time around. I think I really shocked Ms. Cooper when I talked to her. I think she was put-off in knowing that she hardly knew me at all. I feel bad, but what can I do?

I still have to re-write my mission statement for PSU and then all this application business will be over. Hmm, I hope I'll be somewhere nice in the fall. The future is a little scary, isn't it?

Over the weekend I was catching up on new music videos I haven't had time for since I started working at OM. I know they're a half-baked idol group made by wota for wota, and really, there are too damn many of them (54 members, WTF?), but I'm really loving AKB48. I posted (twice) on their PV for Seifuku ga jama wo suru and how surprised I was to see a PV touching upon compensated dating/prostitution (enjo kousai). The song itself bluntly expressed a desire to have sex, which is also surprising. Anyway, their latest PV, Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou, tackles teenage suicide. The video, especially the ending, are great in an unsettling kind of way.

kuuriku @ 2007-05-05T20:00:00

2007-05-06T00:17:02Z

Mamiko Noto and Tomokazu Seki are going to be guests at Otakon! I get to meet Enma Ai from Jigoku Shoujo. <3 And Tomokazu Seki has done way too many shows for me to even try and list who I get to meet with him. XD

There's also a Guess the Musical Guest Giveaway. I hope this is still available whenever I register. I want those reserved seats. :D

another Fabulous Day brought to you by the proud creators of Your Life

2007-05-03T01:28:01Z

I finally got in touch with Ms. Cooper yesterday and she said she'd email her recommendation if I needed her to. So yay, Celeste got her teacher recommendations AT THE LAST POSSIBLE SECOND. But she got them. ^^

I don't get my first check for another week. To people I owe money, the school which I owe money to, and my own bills, please be patient with me. Whatever cash I did have, has already been invested in bus fares and coffee (so I can stay awake during my State of Perpetual Boredom AKA my job). I'm deeply sorry. At least my check will be large and awesome. Complete with some kickbacks, which will hopefully at least cover the bus fare it takes to get to work.

Yesterday I was balancing my drawer so I could leave, when Carl came in and asked me why returns were so high. He reminds me very much of my old manager Jim in that he might be manager, but he's not the person you want when you have a problem. I didn't get the point of our conversation at all. He asked me why my two return receipts for large amounts weren't signed by a manager; I asked him if they were supposed to be. He doesn't say anything. Then I say, for returns so large, doesn't the computer automatically demand a manager's override anyway? He says "they should". He says returns were too high. Sooo... I'm supposed to tell customers they can't return anything because he doesn't like it? GAAAAH!

So, it makes sense that Melissa would think I quit when I didn't show up this morning (the stupid bus made me an hour late). They even called Stephany at her store to see if anything happened to me. XD I wasn't fired for being late; they were actually really nice about it. Other than that and being able to talk to Steph, today couldn't have been worse if I actually made a conscious effort.

I'm not going to give up yet, though.

Everything else I should be doing or writing will have to wait until tomorrow; I need sleep.

my body is 61.8 percent coffee

2007-04-25T23:26:30Z

I'm so exhausted. For the past three days I've been drinking lattes as if they were the Exilar of Life (or the Hi-Potion after a Critical Hit XD). It wasn't so bad today; I'm starting to get used to getting up early. Honestly, it must have been a year since I've gotten up before 8am, and not since winter term ended have I bothered to get up before 10. Nothing good happens before 10am anyway. Unless you like Early Bird Specials and Saved By The Bell re-runs. (Zack Morris = my first childhood TV crush that wasn't a ninja turtle.)

I started work at OM Monday, hence the getting up before the break of day bit. My job in as few words as possible: I forgot how much it sucks to be the newbie who doesn't know where anything is, as I spent the last year being the person everyone calls for help. My co-workers are all nice, though I'm not too fond the manager Carl. Only because I don't need someone standing one centimeter away from me like some old, scary vulture. I already had all the basics down the first day and I like when things are busy, thanks.

Which brings me to the summation of my job in one word: Boring! Super Boring. Hella Boring. Uber Boring. "Yesterday a customer expressed pity for me" Boring. I'm used to having an overwhelming pile of work to do. I never thought I'd miss such a thing. So, I front things, arrange things, take phone calls, and dust things. Today I asked another girl what she did to pass time when it wasn't busy and she said, "Uh... I really just stand here." Screw that! Friday I am buying a book on origami and folding the left-over pages that people who make copies and send faxes leave behind.

I got half of my "short-term goals" list completed. I spent nearly five hours last Saturday writing and editing a six page letter to ask Mrs. Schaeffer, one of my HS English teachers, to write a letter for me. I was worried I said too much and all my work wouldn't pay off, but I got a reply today saying nothing but nice things. She said she'd even call the school on my behalf. I'm so happy. She's a classy lady and a great teacher, so I'm glad I have her support.

I had to write a second letter, but it only took about an hour as I had the first to use as a template. I'm not sure if I sent it to the correct address, but fortunately I was able to get Ms. Cooper's California phone number, so I'll try calling tomorrow. I'll also be writing my own letter tomorrow. Less than a week until the deadline; I certainly like cutting things close!

Last weekend I also tried to do something nice for my mother since her birthday is the 30th, but it all turned into wasted effort. 21 years of being treated like I might as well be a ghost and I still feel inferior when she brushes me off, or cancels our plans, or rushes me because she doesn't want her boyfriend to wait. Oh well. There are bigger things to worry about and I got her a present anyway, because that's how I do.

classical music and fine literature

2007-04-17T04:57:05Z

There have been many times I wished I lived on the west coast (or midwest, Chicago, Canada...), but this time I really wish I at least knew someone in Cali I could crash with for a couple days.

JROCK REVOLUTION in LA, USA. May 25 and 26.
The performing artists include: Merry, MUCC, alice nine, Vidoll, Duel Jewel, Girugamesh, Kagrra, Miyavi and D'espairs Ray.

How amazing is that? It seems that Yoshiki is one of the people behind the event, so I'm assuming he'll be there as well.

Oh, well. I do have one thing to look forward to. Fred Gallagher is going to be at Otakon. Maybe he'll sign my book. <3

Speaking of books, I was playing Final Fantasy III after a slight hiatus. Sometimes the storyline embarrasses me. It reminds me of the fantasy novel I tried writing in 9th grade. It's all the cliched, obvious, and plot hole-ish coincidences mostly. Although, the mysteriously orphaned main character, the best friends and red-haired girl (who I gave the job of mage, which just makes it worse), as well as the blind people who can see the future, kill me too. At least the main character doesn't fall in love with the princess. (Yet.) But I like them. Both the game and my story.

At least I know Square gets better with its story-telling skills. I, on the other hand, probably haven't improved at all. XD

Oh, and the concert dates for a-nation 07 were also released. But Japan is even farther away than Cali, so yeah, not going. :P

Neil <3

2007-04-16T19:30:37Z

I got the job at OM. I kind of don't want it and I'm slightly annoyed by the manager who doesn't believe I can get there on time, but whatever. When you've got bills it's hard to be picky. And how many people really like their part-time jobs anyway? Thursday I'm going to fill out paper work and set a starting date. I guess it is just my fate to always work within the same company as Steph.

Movie-related: If cessyangel hadn't pointed it out, I might have been the last to know. Which would have made me the most pathetic "Neil Gaiman's #1 fan!" ever.

Stardust has been made into a movie! I'm spamming you with the trailer, so watch it!

I'm going to see this opening day, definitely. :D I also want to see Harry Potter even though I hated the last two movies.

kuuriku @ 2007-04-14T00:37:00

2007-04-14T04:47:57Z

Is anyone else looking forward to 28 Weeks Later? I loved 28 Days Later. Definitely my favourite zombie movie ever.

I won't set my hopes too high though; sequels are rarely as good as the original. Plus, this particular sequel has a different director (I think) and is ripe with Americans. I liked the Brits. D:

And sort of related, Shaun of the Dead is on TV right now. The Queen-inspired zombie battle scene is hilarious.

kuuriku @ 2007-04-13T20:32:00

2007-04-14T00:41:20Z

Goals for the coming days: The Short List. Not in any specific order.

~~1. Get hair cut before my bangs eat my face~~
~~2. Get contact information for former teachers~~
~~3. Write said teachers about writing a letter on my behalf~~
~~4. Write my own essay~~
5. Re-write my personal statement for PSU
6. Get together with Steph and set up ticker
~~7. Start new job~~
8. Pay off debts (RACC and Liz)
9. Compose a Summer Reading List
~~10. Have lenses replaced and buy a box of contacts (which will probably require the purchase of new contact solution as well)~~

Random bits:
Crocs are the ugliest shoes ever. And for being such a good designer, Michael Kors makes some gross shoes as well. I want to find a nice pair of wedges and ballet flats.

I've fallen behind on my Ayu Asia Tour news, but I wanted to say her tattoo has finally been confirmed by a Hong Kong magazine as being real. Steph, we were right! It is the A ^^

Oh, and, very sad about Kurt Vonnegut.

I am honorary president of the American Humanist Association, having succeeded the late, great, spectacularly prolific writer and scientist Dr. Isaac Asimov in that essentially functionless capacity. At an AHA memorial service for my predecessor I said, "Isaac is up in Heaven now." That was the funniest thing I could have said to an audience of humanists. It rolled them in the aisles. Mirth! Several minutes had to pass before something resembling solemnity could be restored.

I made that joke, of course, before my first near-death experience-the accidental one.

So when my own time comes to join the choir invisible or whatever, God forbid, I hope someone will say, "He's up in Heaven now." Who really knows? I could have dreamed all this. My epitaph in any case? "Everything was beautiful. Nothing hurt." I will have gotten off so light, whatever the heck it is that was going on. - Kurt Vonnegut

loveloveayu

2007-04-04T01:47:55Z

Ayu is in May's Shoujo Beat!

For those who don't know, Shoujo Beat is Viz's teenage-girl-targeting American manga publication. So now even if my book store interview goes to hell, I have glimpsing at Ayu being advertised in an English language magazine to look forward to.

[EDIT] Ugh. I dun wanna go to school tomorrow. *pout* My journals STILL aren't done, but if I have to read A Rose for Emily or The Yellow Wallpaper one more time before I'm 50, I'm going to vomit yellow wallpaper. Dear RACC, thanks for making me hate serious literature. Kthxbai~

Glee~

2007-04-02T22:46:07Z

I got an interview at Borders for Thursday! I am so excited; I would go right now if I could. Book store is my dream job (we're talking part-time job, not career). I hope Office Max doesn't get back to me before Thursday, because I'd feel obligated to accept their offer (if they make one, don't want to get ahead of myself here) since I was interviewed there first. I'd like to at least find out what the job, hours, and pay would be like. And if there's an employee discount. *squees* Aahah, knowing my luck the hours will probably be like 3-9p. >>

Why did no one tell me that Mamoru voiced Riku? I was watching the RE:COM clips and was like, "I know that voice!" I had to trudge through the mess of information that is the IMDB to find that it's only Mamo-chan. XD He does Light in Death Note and Tamaki in Ouran Koukou. I love his voice and he's so cute. I would walk to Japan to marry him.

a little late, but...

2007-04-02T02:47:51Z

Happy April Fools Day! I'd like to think of this as Naruto's favourite holiday. And though in the past I've been fooled, this year I was fully aware of what day it was and on the lookout for websites and forums trying to make me feel foolish with fake news and updates. The only one that worried me was LJ's homepage and that's only because I'm the oddball who reads the last paragraph before the rest of the article. If you're not aware of the past drama over Six Apart and changes to LJ, then none of this will make sense to you. It was worth my worry just to read the comments from other people. That's why you're my favourite, LJ. ^^

It must take a special kind of fear of commitment or fear of success/failure to not even be able to finish video games. Playing Final Fantasy III I realized I still have to finish:

1. Final Fantasy X-2 (my party is ready to win the game, I just need to get them to the final boss!)

2. Xenosaga (see above)

3. Final Fantasy VI (above, again. And this one is good because I borrowed it from Stephany 3 years ago. And she can have it back when I finish it or she finishes X and X-2 :P)

4. Kingdom Hearts II (We'll chat more about this one below.)

5. Final Fantasy XII (I have the excuse of "My PS2 isn't working at the moment.")

6. Final Fantasy: Dirge of Cerberus (I don't even have a save file made. >>)

I know, I'm a disappointment to gamers everywhere. I've managed to get by so far without having anything FFXII-related spoiled for me (and I even belong to the XII LJ comm!), but recently I ruined part of Kingdom Hearts II and the Final Mix+ for myself. It was worth it though; I love the people in the KH thread at AHS. <3

The following links will contain spoilers for Kingdom Hearts II, KHII FM+ and RE:Chain Of Memories (which is the + part of the Final Mix). You have been warned~

First, floor seven of Castle Oblivion should be watched with the sole purpose of watching Vexen's facial expressions. They can only be described as "o0" and "0o".

Being a Axel/Roxas fan, my favourite addition is the new scene between Axel and Roxas after the Sora vs. Roxas boss fight. The new scenes aren't voiced; I heard it was intentional, but who knows. Axel and Roxas' "またな" (mata na) made me tear up.

The song playing in the background is "The Other Promise" which is one of four songs that can be found in the newly released Kingdom Hearts Complete OST. There are also extended versions of songs that Yoko Shimomura originally was forced to edit. And you can have it all, including gorgeous packaging, for the low, low price of $120. I'll add it to my Birthday List, maybe. ^^;

You can stream/download the secret ending here. Without a doubt, I am looking forward to KHIII.

Since I love it so much, I uploaded The Other Promise. It's a pretty download, even if you don't follow the game.

kuuriku @ 2007-03-30T20:12:00

2007-03-31T00:34:09Z

It occurred to me that I have a lot of unfinished entries that never get posted. Once the auto-save kicks in I think, "Meh, I'll come back to this later." and a couple days later, "This is old news! *delete*". The only things that have been posted publicly lately have been music-related. Sorry about that. Especially since my music interests don't always seem to be flist-compatible.

Today I watched the Koda Kumi LIVE TOUR ~SECOND SESSION~ DVD. Compared to her First Things tour, Kuu's singing, energy, audience interaction, and the overall quality of the tour were much improved. Also, more than being impressed with Kumi, I was impressed with her audience. They were so positive and lively! My favourite performance was of Ima Sugu Hoshii. They altered the music to give it a jazz feel and Kumi donned a frilly can-can sort of skirt. One of her dancers chose a girl from the audience and she got to sit on stage with him until Kumi came over and molested her. Ahaha. I'm not even joking. Nobody seemed to mind though as all the girls in the audience were screaming, crying, and bouncing around so much that they moved me to tears.

Others things worth mentioning were her dancers introduction, the beginning of Ningyohime and Kumi's scary ribbon stunt, her fabulous performance of Love goes like... and 1000 no kotoba, and the end of the show where Kumi took off her clothes (with her back to the audience, of course! XD) and dove below the stage to reemerge on the stage screen where she changes into a mermaid and swims away.

I still have to watch the bonus DVD, but I'd really like to purchase this concert in the future. I wanted to post screencaps, but oddly, the only one I've seen so far is not even of Kumi, but some girls in the audience who took off their shirts during With your smile. XD!! Nobody wants to see that, right? :D

[EDIT] I figured out what Kuu's tour shirt all by myself. （あたまがいいね？）＾＿＾

I have an interview at Office Max tomorrow morning. (The one in Wyomissing, sorry Steph!!)

kuuriku @ 2007-03-25T13:51:00

2007-03-25T18:36:48Z

I think the job interview went well. The woman didn't ask me a lot of questions, but I took a drug test and a multiple choice test of sorts. I should know by Monday or Tuesday if I'm hired. It's second shift, which I really don't want, but I'll suck it up because I have way too many expenses to be picky. ~~And YA's website won't let me cancel my Otsuka Ai CD, darn it!~~ *crosses fingers*

I'm also wait listed for Earlham. I'm sort of at the bottom, but at least I'm there. I won't know the outcome of that until sometime in May, so I get to spend a couple months terribly worried instead of horribly depressed.

Ayu in Taiwan Part 1
I was expecting Ayu to get a good reception, but Taiwan welcomed Ayu in the craziest of places.

Cab drivers decorated their cars:

Even their convenience stores were decorated and selling Ayu merchandise. Haagen-Dazs and Ayu in the same store? Obviously I'm living in the wrong country.

Ayu sprained her knee during morning rehearsal, but the show went on without a hitch.

Outside the Taipei Dome:

Inside the dome, some celebrities (including Jolin Tsai) watched from the VIP box. Apparently she (Jolin) had to sneak in so the press wouldn't question her about being an "Ayu copycat", but whatever, I like her. Inside the sold out Taipei Dome:

The fans surprised Ayu by asking to perform part of "Who..." for her and she surprised her fans by performing parts of "Who..." in English and Chinese.

Ayu's concert graced the cover of many newspapers the next morning. On this cover it looks like they're comparing Ayu's cross with Madonna's Confessions tour cross.

After 5 days in Taiwan and her concert over, Ayu left to return to Japan and prepare for her Hong Kong show. A huge mob of fans who had been waiting since morning to see Ayu off, followed her to departure calling her name. Part of "Who..." in Chinese and Japanese, as well as Ayu's farewell at the airport, can be streamed here.

photo source: AU, AHS

You see, what I really want to be is a music journalist. XD

kuuriku @ 2007-03-22T18:57:00

2007-03-22T23:17:58Z

Yesterday afternoon I emailed the representative for my area concerning my appeal. Even though Steph said she would proof read my email right away, and I really appreciated the support Steph and Liz gave me while I originally applied, I decided I really wanted to do this myself. If I fail, if I'm not allowed to even try appealing, then I want it to be one hundred percent my failure.

I haven't heard anything yet, but I'd like to think that's a good thing. If I got a "No" immediately, it'd seem pretty thoughtless wouldn't it? Besides, it's a Quaker school and aren't Quakers all vote-y and 'no decision is made without the consent of everyone'? I just hope I don't have to wait too long; checking my email makes my heart go *jump*.

Ayu's arrival in Taiwan made the BREAKING NEWS. Slow day in Taiwan, right? XD You can stream her arrival at the airport. Around 1:10 some dude drops his camera and Ayu turns around to see what happened. When someone asks her if she's alright, she says, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine." in English. The mob around her car was scary, but Ayu is really calm about the whole thing. Some cute fans:

There were also pictures in various newspapers of her first day in Taiwan:
(This lucky person not only got their hand touched, but got their hand in the newspaper! XD)

(Obviously if Ayu wasn't a singer she'd be a member of the paparazzi herself.)

That same night she went shopping in the Taipei Night Market. (Shoes!)

Ayu's facial expressions are the cutest.

She surprised everyone by arriving a day early so that she could put extra effort into her rehearsal while still having time for a press conference. Ayu at the conference:

There were also some behind the scenes photos revealed and the set looks very much like BEST of CDL and not as intense as her normal Arena Tour stages. Which is understandable since she's dragging most of the set with her from Japan, including a staff of 300.

photo source: AHS

I still need to make a post about how Kishimoto has turned Naruto into a shounen-ai manga. Srsly.

kuuriku @ 2007-03-20T20:31:00

2007-03-21T00:37:36Z

How did I end up with so much work at the very end of the term? It wouldn't so bad if some moron hadn't created MLA and citing. I hate citing within the essay. In high school I just randomly inserted numbers. XD Stupid college, making me learn things properly. *grumble*

And I am very very annoyed with myself for having 5 absences. Look at my grades so far:

Poetry Journals A
Quiz I 100
Quiz II 100
Essay 1 A
Essay 2 A

I still have to finish the short story journals (by next Wednesday) and write the third essay (by the Wednesday after that), but I'll be lucky if she gives me a B with 5 absences. *sob*