Of Gorillaz and iPods

For someone that people might consider somewhat technologically inclined, it was only until yesterday that I started listening to podcasts. I don't have a definitive set of music to listen to, but all the different podcasts can probably help me with that. I can get tech news, indie music, decent talk radio. But I do not condone use of an iPod, in fact I try to dissuade it to give other companies a shot. But with the release of iTunes version 4.9, Apple has brought podcasting into the mainstream and now has unspeakable amounts of free marketing just from the word "podcast" which by no means needs an iPod (any mp3 player will do). And now I am partly dissapointed with myself for being part of the majority and how I have the "most popular" mp3 player and the "most popular" mp3 managment/podcasting software. Popularity doesn't mean sh!t to me, if the product is effective I'll use it.

As for the Gorillaz, well I'm short on time so all I can say is:

[Pick up "Demon Days"]

I've got nothing to do.

Yeah Yeah, It's my second post within the same hour. But it was these past 53 or so minutes that I realised that I should post a entry that somebody would actually read, be it about news, music, art, summer, I'm really not sure. But in writing this, I'm not sure if I can do that, I'm too preoccupied by one thing. That thing being an empty schedule. I have no job, no girlfriend, no future planned vacation, no volunteering at any place (which I really should be doing). It's giving me an insignificant feeling which I can only stop though creation, I have to write, draw, just make something, which I'm doing now. I have a few new sketches which I am proud of but I have no damn scanner to show you them. I'm sure that tomorrow I'll have an idea which will withstand the test of review by an Iron Pirate.

[Aye]

This is the post where I should post my musings on my rafting trip to West Virginia, but frankly I'm too tired and, after thinking, all I can really say is "Go rafting in West Virginia". Plan your vacation now. More musings on a different day, I have work to do and I need a while to get back into the swing of things.

Well, I'm finally back from West Virginia (the only planned event of my summer) I should have pictures up soon and my own commentary on the trip. But for now, I'm just letting you know that I am back. (to summer reading *sigh*)

I've decided to add another function to my blog. That function is a review for just about anything. More often than not I will review and recommend Anime and Manga, Japanese cartoons and comics. [If you don't like it, piss off]. I used my xanga for the same purpose, but I found that too many of the other bloggers were anime fanboys. Blogger dot com seems to be a more remote and unbiased center where the other bloggers are open to new and/or different ideas. I begin this process with a review of Fullmetal Alchemist.

Fullmetal Alchemist is the almost mythical story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who are young alchemists who are punished for attempting to use alchemy to ressurect their dead mother. They are eleven and twelve at the time. Alphonse, the younger brother, loses his body, while Edward loses his left leg. [I know it sounds pretty rough, but stay with me] Acting quickly, Ed seals his brother's soul to a nearby suit of armor. For this, Edward loses his right arm. Ed has his arm and leg replaced with [very cool] metal prosthetics. Although they give up their initial dream of ressurecting their mother, they set out to become "State Alchemists" and create the the Philosopher's Stone and regain Ed's missing limbs and Al's body. Little do they know, but they will embark on a journey that will surpass their already difficult expectations.

I need a scanner, plain and simple. I was intending this blog to not only be a journal, but a sketch journal. I keep asking my Dad, who keep saying how we really don't need one. I am lucky enough to have friends with scanners who don't mind my mooching so I take advantage of that when I go over. [I'm not saying I'm a bad friend, my friends can vouch for that.] Here's a sample of "my work" feel, free to criticize just be gentle.

It's a video game character, so sue me. =P I'm rather proud of it though.

[Editing Note: Click the picture for full size. The size above doesn't do it justice.]

I teach and take lessons in the Martial Arts at a dojo which happened to have my last name in the title. I found out after I joined that it is owned by a distant relative. This was about 5 or 6 years ago. I still attend the school, even after shaky times when I really wanted to leave. Now I'm actually starting to develop a sense of family, now that my Sensei's daughters are helping at the dojo. [Two of them anyway, One is out pursuing her own ventures while the other, less reputable is "staying out of trouble"] We will have to see just how long this bond can hold up.


I hope it does. More musings later.

Ahah. I love the shore. For all who don't know, I have a house down here [I am at the shore as I write] which is part-owned by my grandparents. Although I find myself inside more than I should, the change in atmospshere is great. Also, I enjoy company because it's ten times more fun with the beach, boat and boardwalk. ["BBB", I love acronyms!] Not to mention that my house is only 3 miles from an actual Krispy Kreme Donut Shop [Best Donuts Ever!] So if you're a personal friend and you're reading this, feel free to give me a call and invite yourself down. Summer has finally started. =D