Woo, the CBA convention today went WONDERFULLY! We even got pictures of Jay Adams and Hal Lindsey. ^___^ Very nice. Ooh, and tonight is choir practice; I have GOT to get hold of Dr. Shockey - everything he taught me is coming SO in handy (you know what I mean, Dave? ~_^) However, that means I'll be gone until about 9:30. Bleh.

Thanks Leareth. ^_^ If that CD thing happens - knowing my mother - we'll have about 300 copies in this house ANYWAY, and I know she won't miss a few if I ship them off to other continents. ~_^

*laughs* You are SO not goth, Julie. ^_^ That just figures. And I'm so glad about the Renfest coming up - you and Matt, no family... *sigh of relief* That'll be VERY nice.

*whew* Glad she didn't fight with you on your birthday, April-chan - and gah. You just... deleted... the site? *twitch* I couldn't do that, but then, I think I'm more addicted to this stuff than you. ~_^ I even keep backups of versions of sites I never USE... -_- Oi.

You got Utena, Gwen? That ROCKS! A successfully strong female who still retains her girl-ness. ~_^ (female, not feminine. There's a HUGE difference.) And how did I decide? Eep - well... I knew I had talent for music. And had talent for writing; and a few other things. But you know, oddly - by the time I got to college (I was just 17), the music career had sort of been decided for me. It was one of the last decisions made FOR me that I never really thought about.

Now, don't get me wrong; I don't regret it. In fact, I love the direction my career is taking now. However - I would have definitely - DEFINITELY - taken a broader class program and studied things other than music. I might have even moved on to studying writing instead of music (yes, I know, it's the unachievable dream, etc. ~_^ Don't tawk to ME. ).

The key thing is this: you need to find (1) what you're good at, which can include a myriad of things; (2) what you'd ENJOY doing for the rest of your life - this means 9-5, mon-fri. If it's something you'd hate - something you can only imagine doing once every couple of months, you'd better forget about it. And finally, importantly: (3) make sure it's practical.

I.e., try not to go for something that's a one in a thousand shot. Or at the very least, if you DO, make sure you also have a marketable skill. Example: I want to be a published author. Reality: that usually doesn't work for a career unless you're Neil Gaiman, so I have skills I can use and jobs I can keep to put food on my table while I try.

Oh hey - just getting to bed, but I thought I'd mention:

Going to that convention thingy in the morning tomorrow, so I won't be around until around 2-ish my time, should anyone be looking for me. Just so's ya know. ^_^

And no, Vega - I had no idea. *chuckles* I haven't glomped MOST of them - seeing as I'm actually not *looks around* fond of yaoi itself.

You may throw your boots at me now. ~_^

It's the CHARACTERS I love - i.e., Subaru and Seishirou. Because they rock.

Go me.

Ooh, okay - I figured out what it is. I'll admit this much:

Akito is NOT irredeemable.

That makes a huge difference to many people I know, and I'll acknowledge that; however, it rather doesn't take away from the fact that this soon-to-die-beastie goes driving, sneaking, and crawling THROUGH the woods just to tell Tooru things to make her cry. And then goes and stakes out Shigure's house - in the rain, mind you - to see if Tooru and Kyou come back.

Dude is PSYCHO, my friends. And even if Tooru got to him a little bit, psycho he would remain.

Mmmkay. Here I am, awake because I'm ill, and I just finished watching the last episode of Fruits Basket. First of all, I'd like to say this:

I absolutely. Unequivocably. Adore. This series. Now, Secondly -

I absolutely. Unequivocably. Dislike Akito.

It's true that I don't hate him QUITE as much as I thought I was going to because of his personal angst factor; I can pity him a little bit. HOWEVER.

The fact is, he's horrible. A sadistic, cheap, bitter person - and yes, I know he's going to die and all that. But there's no excuse for him to actually SEEK other people's suffering because he has his own. I mean, come on - "OH no, I'm not letting you go now; I'm going to make you suffer and suffer until you wish you'd never met this family..." GAH. @_@

Holy... gah.

.......So.

Hiro says he loves his sister.

And becsae of THAT akito beats on said sister.

Okay. ooooooookay.

I reaaaaaaaaaaaally have a hard time seeing why any of that has any kind of excuse.

I think you're right, Lilack; I'm trying SO FREAKING HARD to remain objective, and I've heard repeatedly that Akito is the biggest victim of them all.

Oh, crap. Funimation got Fruits Basket.

You have to understand - I have issues with Funimation. My reasons are very simple - and most easily explained here. Go on and take a look. You'll see just what I mean.

Well, you know... as near as I can figure, the marks disappeared because the one who made them is gone. And all that stuff about him "being alive in the eye?" That's just (pardon my French, but it's a perfect phrase) mental/emotional fuckwittage on Fuuma's part. In case you didn't notice, he's really good at that. >_<

I don't know what they're going to do with Subaru. It honestly makes me heart-sick thinking about it. *sniffle* Gaah... Subaru is honestly the reason I keep going BACK to X. ;_;

In more personal news, my brother's back from jury duty. He didn't get in trouble - and as it turns out, they didn't even NEED him. They had the jurors sit around for hours, and then finally said, "okay. if you haven't been called to sit in a trial yet, you're free to go." So THERE goes half a day of wasted time...

Eeeee... My brother has jury duty today. Okay, fine; I'm gonna drive him, right?

Well, he's supposed to be there at 7:40 am. I set my alarm. He sets his alarm. And what happens? We both sleep through the alarms and wake up at 7:35.

Can we say panicked rushing? We got out the door in under eight minutes, but then we hit LA traffic... *groan* Long story short, I got him there an hour late. >_< Um... we haven't gotten any phone calls, or anything, so I guess he's not in jail? ....eh, heh....

In other news - something REALLY cool happened last night.

Every monday night, we have a apologetics class; it's really good stuff - philosophy, logic, you name it, it's in there. However, before the class, we always sing as a group - hymns and things. It's a great way to focus people and get us all in the right mood for study. Well, I usually lead the singing, which means I get a mic stuck in my face as I try to show people how to do it.

Well, last night, after class, these two women came up to me. They start by saying, "you have a lovely voice," so of course I'm doing the "thank you so much!" thing, but then they go, "no. wait. you're not LISTENING."

They proceed to tell me about themselves; one of them is an opera singer from England, the other is also heavily into music and the daughter of an opera singer. They explain to me clearly that they KNOW what they're talking about musically -

And then, they tell me that my talent is, to quote them, "rare." REALLY rare. As in, could-study-and-perform-opera rare.

Those of you who've been following this for a while might recall that several of my professors at university told me the same thing. o.o What they said was that I can do choral conducting or whatever I want for a degree - but that I'd BETTER study voice or I was wasting a talent that was absolutely just about unknown, especially in this area. And then the one - the current singer in England - told me that if her recording contract in LA comes through, she'll want me to sing with her on the CD.

@___@ So. Um... quite an evening, huh. I'm still stunned-and-thinking now, so in the meantime, I'm moving on to social blogging...

DIES laughing* Okay. YnM charas cosplaying as X? GAAAHAHAHA!!! *can't stop laughing at the comments and the overwhelming cuteness* You are a GENIUS...

Oh, TOO COOL! Hey, Isa - we met her at AX! That rocks. ^___^ Nice ta meetcha again, Naoko. ~_^ That's quite the stash you got from AX, too - gooood haul. ^_^

*weird look at Manzai* You know, I STILL don't get the Jesse Ventura thing...

Meep - erm... Happy birthday? >_< Tell me she didn't fight with you ON your birthday... *crosses fingers*

AAACK TRIGUN SPOILER! *holds fingers up at Gwen in shape of cross* Back! BACK! ~_^

Oooh, You're on livejournal now, Kunika? Woo! Everybody seems to be going over there. ~_^ I'd love the url.... *hint hint*

*laughs* Okay, that's just weird. *goes to find August 4th and remove it from the scope of reality*

Wooo, New images! Gah, I LIKE that one - who's the happy psycho on the top of the page? ^_^ And friday, hmmmm? Okay - lemme try to figure out what's going on and then get back to you....

Yes,, Becky. YOU DO love them. *cries for Subaru*

Grah - I hate to say it, Lilack, but I think I'm agreeing with you. I'm trying VERY hard to remain objective, but AKITO NEEDS TO DIE IN MANY PAINFUL BLOODY WAYS. *pant pant pant* There. I said it.

Yay! Thank you, RubyD! ^_^

Woooo... really true about the phoenix, April... *hugs* Gah... I hope things are getting better for you...

I STILL say Evil Kotori hurts my brain in places things just shouldn't hurt. *terrified look*

And I know just what you're feeling, Gwen - my brother goes through it more than I do, however. HIS response is just to shout like mad over everybody. Erm... I don't recommend that. ~_^

Ya know, Chaos, I'm still not sure what you mean by August 4.. o_O

Saaa, In My Line of Work... not working? >_< I know that feeling, GODS I know that feeling... eee... Erm - chocolate. Oooh, and angsty music. ^_^ My muse likes those things, anyway. ~_^

*snickers* I should meet Merka, Pisces? I think I... SORTA have... via this and this - but I really haven't gotten to speak to her directly. Muah - perhaps I shall. ^_^

Meep? No job, Lilack Aargh... you need to get out of the house. >_< Kiyaaah... I know all about being stuck in the house. Guh...

*chuckles* And you know, Whitecat, after I finished blogging the other day, I realized we probably meant the same thing. And then I read your blog - and yes, we meant the same thing. Bwah - great minds! Or... something! ~_^

Ooh, and I SO don't blame you for not taking math any more, Liz. *shudders* *sorry, Manzai - math and I do NOT get alone...*

Oh, and I know I said this already, Isa, but I DO love your blog. ^_^ "LOVE ME!" Hee hee hee...

Eeeg, K... I know about the pastor's kid life thing, too. *hugs* And .. okay. This consultant seems to be a little out of touch. o_O Is he helping or NOT? Gaaah... hug your mama for me!!

Hmmmm... anything new since your lack of pine nuts, Julie? *pokes*

And you're welcome. ^_^ I'm just glad you're able to twist your schedule to meet my weird one these days... I NEVER get to see Vega now. *cries*

*pokes Tigger, too* *just because* ^_^

(*insert reminder to scroll down because I did a HUGE blog and responded to almost everybody*)

Hm. I own the Fruits Bakset manga, but I haven't finished reading it yet; at present, I'm watching the anime. I'm on episode 8 -

And can I just say to the world that I REALLY think I'm beginning to hate Akito?

Now, a friend of mine says that he has good reason, and that in fact, he should be pitied, not hated. Well... okay. For that reason alone, I'm doing my best not to loathe the disgusting little shrimp. At the moment, however, he's done nothing to endear himself to anyone, so....

SOCIAL BLOGGING TIIIME! ^_^

Woo... a job? Go you. ^^ You'll be fine, I just know it. ^_^ And I'm sorry I haven't been able to email you - I'm only just now catching up with all the emails that were left over these last couple of weeks. D'oh!

*laughs* your Winamp skin is pink? Ya, you've out-cheered me. ~_^ Congratulations! ^_^ *chuckles* And I don't have more free-time in the summer... maybe it's just me... >_<

Oh, and yes, Juunigou is gone. And yes, she's all right. She just - *gasp* - outGREW this blogging stuff. So she says. Me, I'll never... no never... no NEVER forsake...

*eyes random hymn quote* I really hope that wasn't blasphemous.

And Congratulations to your mom, Chaos! That's SO awesome - what's her degree in? Oooh, and college is coming up for you... that is just SUCH fun. ^_^ College remains one of the favorite times of my life - weird evil profs aside. ~_^ Oh, and thanks for the compliments re: previous layouts. ~_^ It's always encouraging when folks mention such things... And you went to an Incubus concert besides? Bwah - jealous! ;_; (oh, and I agree with you about MIBII - it was... eh. so-so.)

Mou, get better soon, Leareth! And hitting Christine's top note? Gah - I'm impressed. @_@ Of course, I'm a mezzo-soprano, so hitting that top note for me would shatter glass. ~_^

BTW - what IS Helsing about? Anybody?

And holy WOW - You're getting MARRIED? DAMN I've missed so MUCH... I have GOT to get hold of you online...

*snickers* I can SO understand your sister's feelings re: the X tv series. Just remember: it has (a) nothing to do with the manga (not after ep... oh, 18 or so), and (b) nothing to do with the movie. I think CLAMP is just living out all their Alternate Universe fantasies. Because they're CLAMP. And they can. -_-;

SHE ASKED IF YOU WERE STILL RULED BY FRANCE?!? Oh dear crap. We're not all that bad. I PROMISE you we're not all that bad - then again, I got a homeschool education, which means I was actually EDUCATED. You DO know that homeschooled kids in America score - on average - three to five grades HIGHER than their public school comrades? Just a thought. -_-;; *is ashamed that that woman who went through your drive through even exists*

And You've probably had it up for a while, and I just didn't see it, but I LOVE that pic on your blog. Meeep... what's that quote FROM, anyway? It's SO them, you're right; I could never fall out of love with those two. ("More Than a Mystery" - I should know what that's from, I REALLY should...)

Meep - no more unmei.nu? Well... it's your domain. ^^;; Sigh. Oh, and that is one severely depressing list... >_<

Oooh, I LIKE your new layout, Lilack! It's very cool - the whole black-lines thing appeals to me these days. ^_^ (erm... present foofy blog excepted)

*snickers* You and me both - stupid comments script... ~_^ And congratulations on your tests! That's just great - and I hope you don't think me ignorant for asking what all those scores mean, exactly. ~_^ I've been out of it for a while...

Wah, You were at Anime Expo and I missed you? Feeeeeeeh... Well, you probably didn't miss me, if you were at the fanfic panel. I was the girl with the freaking huge butterfly wings who sat in the aisle rather than blind people. Eh, heh...

EVIL KOTORI?!? *proceeds to die* Oh... oh, that hurts my brain... OOOOH but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the WATARI AND BOB pic! YAAAY! ^___^ And no need to worry about subtle, my dear- time has been the only issue around THESE here parts. ~_^ Yay!

Woo, you know - Interesting point, Whitecat; although I have to say that I think CONTENTMENT is the most important thing. If you're content - it doesn't matter what's going on. It's better than just plain "happy" because it's more reliable. Kinda like that song - "It's not having what you want; it's wanting what you have." ^_^ Muaha. Deep thoughts on a Saturday afternoon. I SO need therapy...

Meep - HEY! Which con did you go to? AX 2002, Kunika? Don't tell me I missed you TOO.. ;_; Did you go in costume? ^_^ I wonder if I SAW you... (btw - I actually still have that manga. >_< I haven't made it to the post office YET - the thing's always closed when I have free time. Erm.. do you still want it? *ueber-guilty look*)

Oooh, Thanks for your email, Icegaze! ^_^ I'm still WAY behind answering these things, so I haven't gotten to it yet - but I will, I will... *pant pant pant*

Oh, good heavens; V5 moved AGAIN - honey, you've GOT to leave me a forwarding address. ~_^