+ So, in America, I watch TV.
The Jonas Brothers episode of South Park amused me a great deal.
In general, South Park doesn't do much for me, but this ep made me laugh out loud multiple times. Having heard tales of folks who had to deal with Disney probably helped. If you only want to watch one clip, watch this one:


+ Tom DeLay, ex-House of Representatives majority leader indicted on criminal charges, is on Dancing With the Stars. Read: dorky older whitebread doing dirty dancing. Call me crazy, but I find it hilarious. ABC's website region locks me out so have a brief clip from Countdown. (Don't worry, Olbermann was out that day so you don't have to deal with his Keith-ness)


+ Three Word Phrase is a really random comic recommended by nedroidcomics. It is really random!

+ Also, Mom and Lucy got a baby.
-> Mom's Facebook album

Amy told them to get her one of these.

Now I'm going to Vegas! See you on the flipside.

hey guys did I mention I was back in the States?
I am! To live! Forever now!

Anyway, running out the door to Boston, but wanted to check in~ Will try and return to LJ-checking next week!

xoxo me

Hey guys. As you may or may not know, I am not really an animal person, and tend to refer to them as "it," like a pokemon... That said, Mom and Lucy are fostering this dog, which is apparently quite nice, but is not liked by Sammy and Daisy, Mom's two other dogs. So they are really looking hard to figure out what to do with the new dog (Jack), since it's hard to have three big dogs that don't get along. Jack is apparently a 1 year old boxer/german shephard mix, and is pretty cute. Only 3 of its legs work right; Mom thinks it was hit by a car or something and was never set properly. However, he uses it to stand and hop around and dig, apparently. I haven't seen the dog yet, but apparently he is friendly and smart. Mom said she'd happily trade him in for Daisy...

Pix at Mom's Facebook!

If you or someone you know might want a dog, just let me (or Mom, if you PMed through Facebook) know! You'd have to get the dog from Trenton, New Jersey (but not the scary part of Trenton).

Thanks...

In other news, packing...goes. I am running out of furniture (though the guy who wanted my TV seems to have dropped off the face of the earth...)

Hey guys. As you may or may not know, in under a month I will be leaving Japan. That means that the majority of my stuff must go as well. So you should buy it, especially if you live in Japan, or if you know someone who lives in Japan. It is all well-used, but pretty well taken care of. (The stuff that doesn't work, I'm not selling--unless someone just happens to be in the mood for a non-working laptop--I have two). Eventually I'll throw this up on Craigslist or something but I figured I would shoot it past people I knew or six degrees-knew first...

+ + +

SAYONARA SALE

Leaving Japan at the beginning of August, so everything must go! All prices negotiable! Buyer pays for shipping (I'll arrange for Kuroneko delivery, or you pick up from Suginami-ku). Delivery preferably at the end of July.

Images here -> photo gallery
Mail Erin or comment below for details.もちろん、日本人の友達に見せたら、日本語も大丈夫です。

( THINGS THAT COULD BE YOURS: )

* Once, at karaoke, I said I would give you this song, so have the album
m-flo : astromantic

* Soviet Russia album covers, countered with Museum of Bad Album Covers

* GN-Pretty Pretty Princess

+ Now that Michael Jackson's gone, who's going to make the music for the next Sonic game?

+ M. Night Shamayalan's doing an Avatar: the Last Airbender movie??? What the hell "twist" is he gonna put on that one?

...that's all for now. Gonna either go jogging or turn on the AC...probably the latter.

Got back from Tohoku with Rachel the other day; it was nice, if tiring. I got (had) to drive for the first time in a really long time. I don't think I was behind the wheel last winter (despite having promised myself to learn to drive stick). Pictures are forthcoming--before Golden Week is out, anyway!

The new laptop has decided it wants to check for errors; it has been doing this since around midnight. It is now pushing 4am and it is only at 79%. The old laptop has been hanging in there, but for how the cable to the monitor part is shot, and everything looks dithered into 256 colors except when everything is red. Funnn...

Here is how I spent most of the day (the part that didn't involve bugs, anyway):


ahahah it's so obvious when they stop spending money on the animation


Actually, the ShamWow/SlapChop guy got busted for prostitution. "You're gonna love my nuts" indeed...

There was to be something else but I forgot...

So, I actually sat and watched the ending of Gundam 00 on my TV (instead of being lazy and downloading it later). I can't help but be a little disappointed... I dunno what I was expecting, but I was kinda hoping it would be a little more...Geass epic. But it wasn't bad, and there were some neat little touches I only understood because I was bored and lurking /m/, and there's to be a movie in 2010, uncertain what that's supposed to be about (whatever happened to the Seed movie??)

(Also, I left the house and (eventually) finally found Wadabori Park! After failing to find it for 5 years...)

Ahhh, the English keyboard has the parentheses 1 key over than the Japanese keyboard, and that is proving the most difficult thing of all to get used to.

...I think this is the first Saturday I haven't had anything at all to do in the better part of a year.

I slept for 12 hours, then woke to find double packages--both the nice skincare stuff I had ordered and a plurality of the stuff I'd left at Mom's house for Christmas, which she spent a fortune sending off (instead of the prunes she sent fancy popcorn (she probably didn't like it) and protein drinks...), so it was like a double bonus! I even went to the store and succeeded at both not buying a bunch of crap I didn't need AND getting a new shower curtain, since the old one was grody and had a big rip in it. Then I watched the Dog Whisperer and vegged out. Later I get to go back to bed. ...I'm torn between finding it a lonely waste and incredibly calming. Wish the douche next door would turn down his music, though.

I also need to figure out what to say to the people I've been helping out make a textbook; it is based on US TV shows and thus involves some cursing and references to sexual content; it was meant to go to the printers next week but instead the other teacher consultant guy is like "oh, we need to take out this bad language" and they're pushing the print date back to Septemberish. Now, the fact that I was planning on not being here in September notwithstanding, I don't like the idea of whitewashing adult themes out of a textbook made for adults--especially since the book requires you to watch shows that are just as bad. Maybe it's American of me, but I don't want some other person telling me I can't hear or see or read certain things, no matter the reason. Now, I wrote all this back on Friday, but I was busy and am just checking the reply now--'oh, sorry, we are just changing a few references, it's nothing major, blah blah blah.' When it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter--it's not like it's going to teach anyone English, no onr here will ever learn English because they're hoodwinked by society to think that the language is to difficult (though NOT to think that they're too dumb...it is a subtle but important difference). It just irks me, because it's stupid and I cannot agree with it. Maybe that's what I should say?

Being angry in Japanese is hard...

Spent the weekend at Hakone with Janet and Rachel. This involved mountains and sulfur pits and onsens and a hotel room literally twice as big as my apartment (okay, a little bigger). Also, the Romance Car, which mainly induced the desire for a close personal relationship between us and the toilet, mm, nausea. At least the squalling baby stopped doing so a few minutes after we left Hakone station. Pictures (from my criminally cute new pink camera) forthcoming..........someday. >>

Anyway, as has become common, I'm here pimping Dad--his podcast has gone videopodcast.
--> http://is.gd/oklc
Watch him look terribly falsely animated while talking about the mire the economy's fallen into! ...Seriously, he needs the hits. He did better last Sunday on George Stephanopolis, talking about AIG and the Jon Stewart/Jim Cramer "feud," but I guess there's always time for improvement, right?

Protips: the sakura tart at the place beneath the Odakyu is not particularly sakura-y or good. However, the bagels from the Kinokuniya that's not a bookstore are almost bagel-tasting! Like, maybe 90% real!

Now, off to bed--gotta spring my bike from jail in the morning to give/sell to Jamie; most conveniently, bike jail is not only 30 minutes walk from home but doesn't open until work starts...lovely.

So I finally met the new guy at work. I am vaguely disappointed that he isn't hot. Am slightly more disappointed that instead he's some young hipster who needs a damned haircut. Seriously, they make razors for gamers now, there's no more excuse. Gah, I feel so old! But I still wanna break out the "GET OFF MY LAWN YOU HIPPIE!" or possibly some comment implying he is in possession of scooby snacks. It is possible that the constant 26C temperature the office is kept is what makes me so irritable (or at least the constant sweating that goes along with that), or it could be that I am old and crotchety before even reaching 30. Perhaps both!

*Okay, I am sure he is a nice guy. And he is good at his job, though he would be better if he read some Japanese. But--come on, there're some decent-looking girls in the department, but for men its like the loser parade (HI COLIN HI). I mean, just like--one guy? one piece of eye candy in the company? is that too much to ask? How can it be that a company making geeky crap for geeks is staffed by geeks???

...Okay, that's enough bitching for now! Gonna try to hit up Ome for plummy goodness tomorrow, so I had better hit the sack, since Eda has a tendency to get up in the mornings and I...do not. Hopefully my camera will decide it wants to work again...

I am trying very hard not to think about how I've felt vaguely (and sometimes not-so-vaguely) ill for a couple days, as well as the fact that most of my muscles hurt for some reason. It is working for the most part! It stopped raining (unfortunately after I left work--and the bike I rode to work a few days ago), and I'll be done with translation tomorrow! Whee.

Amusingly, it seems like Stephen Colbert (or at least part of his staff) checks fandomsecrets, as today he referenced "rumors" connecting him and DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton...as seen here (scroll down to #133). There is also porn of this... Oh, fandom.
...Personally, I think Eleanor Holmes Norton is kind of awesome. I love how worked up she gets. She kind of reminds me of a funnier version of my grandmother.

Plus, f my life (from dilettantka, via lechaco (or vice versa, whatever)) is just too amusing. My current favorite woes:

Today, I was going down on a girl. When I looked up she was texting. FML

also

Today, my guy friend and I were in his dorm room watching a movie when he started kissing me. Things heated up so we moved things over to his bed. He was on me when a hand shoots down from his top bunk. His roommate had been up there the whole time and he wanted a high-five. So they high-fived. FML

Okay, one last link for the road: Why do legos cost a ridiculous amount now?

Urg, I am sooo not used to using an American keyboard...
Also, Mom has more Facebook friends than I do... orz

My mother just friended me on Facebook.
Not only that, but she has like five bazillion more pictures and almost as many friends as me.

What's up with that? The internet is supposed to be for old people like ME, not old people like HER! Get off my lawn series of tubes! *shakes cane impotently*

ALSO
VIDEOS

Jizz In My Pants (which made me think of Eda, though not for the reasons one would think)

Dad on Charlie Rose talking about Obama's speech the other day

...a third goes here when I can think of something sufficiently interesting
Here's a three: Obama at the Bulls game. He's courtside, like a normal star/rich person--not hanging out in the VIP lounge or anything. It's just kinda neat and normal and accessible. ...I wanna go to a Bulls game... (Also have a dog like the giant poodle we saw in Shibuya today, it was massive

...i really don't want one that big)

I've been unexpectedly productive at work...it seems that when I'm in the zone--something that seems to be happening more often lately--I can translate a lot faster than I thought possible. On the one hand I'm vaguely impressed with myself; on the other I'm certain that everything I've written is utter shit because it's going so fast and am deathly afraid no one will catch it in time. I wish there was something I could do to give myself more confidence on things I (translate) write...how else will I find my ultimate career translating shitty Japanese romance novels??? *my backup plan if becoming Starbucks Barrista or Idle Rich doesn't work out*

That said, I'm totally behind on everything that doesn't happen within SQEX walls. Ughhh, book. And I miss art...a lot. Plus, that gross feeling of Unpleasant Things Looming Ahead. As usual, I'm wasting too much time on inconsequential things (like this, hurr) or nothing instead of doing worthwhile things while I can. Talked to Amy and Lucy though, I'd forgotten how much I missed their voices. And I might even have pictures of BATTLE TENNIS (which is what happened instead of looking at ume, oops). And I surprised Janet, which I don't think I've ever done before.

I don't think any of this makes any sense because I always leave out the important parts, but anyway, it's time for bed so I can be good and get up and jog and be less gross, if at all possible. (it's been four three days straight! geh, I've been thinking it's tomorrow all week long) Maybe I should get a new DDR pad, Mom did and I am jealous. >>

The flowers Ami gave me aren't dead (yet)! I put them in the window so they'd get morning sun and they do! Hopefully I'll remember to water them...

I suppose this is my triumphant(?) return(?) to Livejournal. Woo woo.
What'd I miss?



Today I watched a documentary on Canadian speaking patterns, Talking Canadian. It was interesting (if overpriced--hope James's mom got it on sale, yipes), but I couldn't help but think "ahahah you wacky Canucks with your wacky speaking patterns, eh." Of course, that is my job and duty as an American and thus I must face it with pride.

Despite being called out on places like GameFAQs boards (okay, okay, I realize my first mistake is going to GameFAQs boards) it seems that Jager (from Remnant) has escaped being named as too stereotypical by Edge magazine. I dunno if this is because Remnant is just too dull of a game (and Jager too minor of a character) to stack up to the likes of FF7's Barret or 12's Fran (who frankly I think women get to bitch about much more than brown folks), but... I do not talk much about race and feel particularly ill-equipped to talk about it now, but I do wonder, with a black president and all, if some of the stereotypes are going to be joined by new and different stereotypes. Because that would be good...or at least, different. (Personally I always valued playing as a girl over playing as a black guy--sorry Adam and Skate, it's Blaze all the way, even if she does look like a streetwalker.)

or, RUSH-Hashanna, as James quipped this morning...
yes, The Last Remnant is in stores now, for better or for worse. In celebration, we went to Coldstone & surprisingly spicy korean in Lumine EST.

As you may know, yesterday was my birthday. I got taken out to both lunch AND dinner, and even the girls at the coffee shop at work gave me little gifts. It was all really sweet, I just wish I hadn't felt so sick the whole time. I was like a total drag the whole day (and today as well, for that matter), have come down with something. I am pretty sure its not a sinus infection or at least its one that's leaving, but it's still far from comfortable, with the intermittently clogged and runny nose, pounding headache and popping ears and sore throat. maybe I'll go to bed early (unless Dad calls at 3am again, like last night... I've lived here how long and he still can't figure the timechange out?)

me and my coworkers and a cake! ( we gave the rest to the coffee girls )

Ahh... I am a couple weeks behind on LJ again... Just the thought of trying to catch up makes me want to hide in a closet somewhere... As a child, my books and my barbies were in my closet, so it was always a nice and cozy place to be. Warm and cozy would be a nice change of pace from my house... Urg, unexpected winter

Tried catching up on flist, but it will only let me go 300 back. :< I know I am further behind on LJ and email but I just can't be bothered to check it yet. Ughhh, so tired.

( obligatory obama crap )

So, Rachel and I are going to make a doujinshi for Super Comic City Osaka in January. I have no idea when or how since I have been having troubles even picking up a pencil much less drawing something vaguely shaped like anything real with it, but that is the plan... It will be quite ridiculous and that at least makes me feel better about it. I am just having trouble being excited because...tired.

Tomorrow, going with Ami to see a bellydancing show and then to onsen~ My aching muscles crave being boiled alive /old person ...Of course, this means I should probably get some rest and all, I think I am coming down with something...urgh.

nedroidcomics is one of the best things ever.

Anyway, back to work...

ETA: My favorite take on the reaction to the election (by shichimaru on the hetalia comm, of all places):
"IT'S LIKE AMERICA HASN'T SHOWERED IN YEARS
AND THEN
AND THEN
HE FINALLY TOOK A SHOWER"

...Since David's "Vote You Pussies" campaign could not be up on his site this year.

to: non-Americans: Don't worry, it'll all be over soon.

ETA: from /a/:

so, against rachel's best attempts at disabling, i ended up doing some retail therapy, which involved a bunch of things that will go to the store, and this glorious footwear:
( glorious, I tell you )

BAGEL GET

Wow, every time I almost convince myself I am not unhappy, I am proven wrong.

So, could I make it through two or three months of unemployment without getting too lonely and depressed or would it be like last time just probably without the welfare checks?

Unrelatedly, I woke up this morning after dreaming of making fun of Rush with friends when [his voice actor] Johnny Yong Bosch swims up. (It was okay, he didn't mind.)

...I need to get out of here.