So far so good. Keeping right on track with everything.
Jo lay on her bed, her eyes locked on the ceiling. Hiroshi's revelation about her grandparents to her during her study hour with Mel had absolutely confounded Jo, and she found herself needing to be alone so she could think.
At first, when Hiroshi had said Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell woul be the people to fund his research, Jo had instantly thought of her grandparents. The older woman was certainly daring enough to loan or donate money to a cause like Hiroshi's, and Ryan was definitely back his wife when it came right down to it. Then Jo had quickly dismissed the idea. Her grandmother was a science fiction and fantasy author, and her grandfather was an artist. Torie had never dabbled in true science, like bio-engineering. Torie Cronkhite had studied the creative aspect of English, much in the same way Jo was currently doing, and Ryan O'Connell had graduated college with a degree in art history and appreciation. There was no way Hiroshi was talking about her grandparents.
Mel had been thinking along the same lines as Jo had been, only she'd actually voiced her opinion. Of course, Mel had asked Hiroshi if he meant the famous science fiction and fantasty duo. He had confirmed he meant the very same people. It was then Mel had said what she thought. Torie Cronkhite the novelist and Ryan O'Connell the artist did not really fund scientific research. There wasn't any way. The two had to be very busy people, unable to take the time to listen to a grant proposal. Hiroshi had to be thinking of another Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell who would fund his research.
Though he'd been a little shocked to hear Mel say such a thing, Hiroshi had informed them he was talking about the right people. He did concede that Torie Cronkhite was not a scientist, but she had studied biology while she'd been attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It had been a minor study, something to help her with her writing, but she'd done it all the same. Torie Cronkhite also founded several research facilities throughout the United States, and Ryan O'Connell helped her. It had been on one of the research facilities webpage, explaining who the founders were and why they had established the facilities. Hiroshi had confessed he'd stumbled across the webpage quite by accident, but he was ultimately glad he had found it. Reading the website's information page had only increased his respect and admiration for Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell.
The information Hiroshi had given her and Mel had thrown Jo for a loop. She had never known that about her grandparents. Granted, Jo knew the older couple had always been financially sound and then some. The two had built various businesses around the city of Philadelphia, and the businesses had expanded to places like Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Salem, Atlanta, and San Francisco. They even owned a great deal of real estate, though how they had managed, Jo never found out. Then to learn they founded their own research facilities? It was unbelievable!
Though, the more she thought about Hiroshi's revelation about her grandparents, the more Jo realized that it was entirely possible for them to have gone to such lengths. Her grandparents had always felt scientists, and inventors, should be able to pursue their dreams and not have money be an obstable or a hinderance. Such people needed the freedom, too, to run their experiments. There were many things out there to be discovered. People just needed to be enabled to find them, and Torie had often said she'd rather see tax dollars go to some place like the now defunct NASA than a war in which no one could have a breath of hope of winning.
Those beliefs were probably why her grandparents had founded their own research facilities in the first place.
'And they probably figure my moms told me about them,' she mused. 'That would explain why they've never said anything about the facilities to me. Or they don't feel it's something worth mentioning. They get enough accolades as it is, but that would be something Grandma would be very proud about. I know her. She'd let the world know. I don't know anymore. It's just so weird.'
A light knock on her door brought Jo out of her musings, and she sat up on her bed and looked at the door, frowning. It was rather early for Hiroshi to be showing up at her room, and they had agreed to meet at a coffee shop. He was also still in class anyway so Jo knew for a fact it wasn't him at her door. That left one other person or group of people, and she wondered what they wanted.
"Who is it?" she called out. Though she had an idea as to who was at her door, Jo wanted to be sure. RoseLynn had been becoming persistent again.
"Santa Claus and his elves," Madison's voice replied back in a positively cheerful tone. "We've come to see if you've been naughty or nice."
Jo laughed as she got up to answer the door and let her friends in. Madison always seemed to know what to say to make someone burst into a fit of giggles. It didn't matter what the other person's mood happened to be, either. Jo found it to be an annoying ability at times, but she otherwise loved that about her friend. She reached the door and opened it, revealing Madison, Mel, and Aimee. The three of them were smiling at her.
"Hi!" they chirruped at the same time.
"You guys are crazy," Jo murmured, shaking her head. She stepped to one side so they could enter her room. "You know that, right? And you're the sorriest looking Santa Claus and elves lot I've ever seen!"
"Of course we know we're crazy!" Madison declared in mock exasperation.
"You love us for it," Aimee chimed in, a smirk on her face.
"And you know you do," Mel finished, closing the door behind her. "You just don't want to admit it."
"Snarky bitches."
"Yep. So what's the scoop on this Miyamoto guy, huh?" Aimee inquired as she sat down on the bed. Madison took the desk chair and Mel remained by the door. "Mel says he's really, really cute!"
"He is!" Mel proclaimed, her cheeks becoming a light shade of pink. "At least, I think he's cute. I don't know about Jo thinking that."
"She also says he's very polite," Madison added. "Beyond typical Japanese polite, too."
"He is very polite! He was very nice to both of us at lunch." Mel's cheeks turned a slightly darker shade of pink.
"Hiroshi Miyamoto is also very charming," Aimee said.
"And he has the most amazing violet-coloured eyes she's ever seen," Madison said with a bit of flourish, apparently finishing up with everything Mel had told them about Jo's new found friend. Their friend's cheeks, and her forehead, were flushed a bright yet dark shade of pink from embarrassment at their teasing.
"Is he?" they inquired at the same time.
Aimee and Madison turned their gazes to Jo, their expressions full of curiosity and expectation. It was a slightly startling contrast from how they normally behaved, especially since they were discussing a boy. Boys did not excite the members of the Science Fiction Project. Dragons, elves, wizards, and other mythical creatures were what caused their blood to pump faster in elation, as did the latest science fiction and fantasy book releases.
Hiroshi Miyamoto, however, was not just any ordinary boy. He had admitted to Jo during their first encounter that he was a science fiction enthusiast, much to his father's dismay. He also had a quality about him that was at once disarming and alluring, and Jo liked that about him. Mel must have liked it about him as well so it was no wonder she had gushed about Hiroshi Miyamoto to Aimee and Madison. Hiroshi would undoubtedly fit in with their little group and perfectly so. Jo knew he would, felt it in her blood. A connection had been made between Jo and Hiroshi, and it was a connection she did not want to lose.
A small smile appeared on Jo's lips, and she nodded her head. Her confirmation of Mel's words further increased the older girl's pinkened state.
"Yep. Everything she said is true. He's all that and a bag of chips."
Madison and Aimee cheered.
--
"I don't like you. I never have and I never will. What do you think about that?" -- Val O'Hurley to Torie Cronkhite (the response will come with the next character quote)
--
favourite food: barbecue chicken done on the grill
--
And now . . . for the final book in the Chronicles trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Dragons of Spring Dawning.
This is the book where realizations are made by everyone all around. Bonds are forged, bonds are shattered . . . you get the idea. With that in mind, I'll get right to it.
The Goddess of Evil, the Queen Takhisis, wants back into the world of Krynn. She needs one particular person to do so and eventually he falls within her grasp. The only ones who can stop her return are the remaining Companions, and one is treading very close to losing himself, torn between two women. (Don't you just adore love triangles? ^_^)
There is another character death, but this one happens towards the middle of the book. Age, it seems, has finally caught up with Flint Fireforge, and the old dwarf goes thanks to a heart attack. He's overexerted himself in trying to catch up with the one person the dark forces of Krynn are trying to get their hands on. (And the poor guy can't die, either. He's lived for a hundred years or more, I believe, and he can't be killed. Tanis forgets that when he stabs the guy. He thinks the man is guilty of killing Flint, and gets rather caught up in his emotions.)
Flint's death rattles Tasselhoff. The two were close, in spite of their constant bickering and picking on each other. And it isn't easy to rattle a kender. By nature, their inquisitive and natural thieves. (They get offended if you call them that, though.) They know no fear. So to rattle a kender is quite an accomplishment.
Anyway, things come to a head and reach the final conclusions. Raistlin, the human wizard of the group, has made a life altering decision, one that befits him. He goes from wearing the red robes of neutrality (in the Dragonlance series, wizards wear one of three colours. White for good, red for neutrality, and black for evil) to wearing the black robes of darkness. The decision breaks the heart of his twin brother, Caramon, but the guy does try to get over it. (More on the twins in another book.) This is one bond that isn't broken but it isn't reforged, either. It's more like it's fractured.
As I said, in this book, bonds are broken and bonds are forged. Tanis realizes he can no longer be with Kitiara, and chooses to be with another female, an elf-maiden he grew up with. (She also happened to become a member of the party in the first book.) Takhisis is prevented from re-entering Krynn, and Tasselhoff is reassured that he will one day see Flint once more.
It may seem like the ending is rather anti-climatic, but it isn't. It's actually set itself up for a sequel trilogy, one that focuses on the twins, Caramon and Raistlin Majere. That will be left for another time. ;)
I do like this series. It was fun to read, gripping, and vastly entertaining. I hope someone someday decides to turn them into a movie, like Peter Jackson did with The Lord of the Rings. It'd be interesting to see how well it would turn out. ^_^
Yes. I'm a science fiction and fantasy nut!
Whew! Four books down! Who knows how many more to go! LOL
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favourite book: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Again, for some music! ^_^
Quick note before the song review: I've always loved music. I was listening to music before I was born (and it is possible!). I don't always have music running in my head, but I do love it so!
On with the review.
I can say without any doubt or hesitation, Manic Monday is the first song I'd ever heard by the Bangles and the one song that hooked me into the Bangles. I remember the first time I'd heard the song. It was May of 1985, and I was over at a friend's house. She'd had a slumber party the night before, and I was simply hanging around until it was time for my parents to come and pick me up. We were listening to the radio, and Manic Monday came on.
I was entranced! I loved the leading vocalist, I loved how the backing vocals had harmonized together . . . It was simply awesome, and I'd wanted to hear the song again. Once I'd discovered who sang the song, I began my collection of Bangles music and collectibles since, though the desire for photos and other paraphenalia started at a much later age. In 1985, I was seven, going on eight. Young children do not have any concept of what things bands produce to keep their pockets lined and their fans happy. ;)
Manic Monday was penned by Prince under the name of Christopher, and he wrote the song specifically for the Bangles. This is something I later learned, and so is everything that follows. He had caught the Bangles performing live somewhere in 1984 and had become hooked with their song, Hero Takes A Fall. Manic Monday was the first song by the Bangles to reach the Top Forty.
Anyway, to this day, this particular song remains a favourite of mine. I love listening to the studio version and to the various live versions that exist. It's the harmonies, man. It's the harmonies!
--
favourite anime: Inuyasha
--
Another game review for you peeps. ^_^
Oh, btw . . . I've not played one hundred video games. The game reviews will not last long.
Out of all of the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games, Dragon Warrior II is one that I like the least. Not because it lacks in storyline -- it has a good one -- but because of how long it takes to level up.
One thing I have learned with the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games is this: Aside from how leveling up takes time, one cannot go and fight the stronger enemies with more experience points. They are stronger for a reason, and that's to keep the player (supposedly) from going somewhere where the game is not ready for the player to be. One has to fight the weaker enemies to get to the levels needed to fight stronger enemies. Which stinks, especially when you have 10,000+ experience points to go before you hit your next level. And eventually you run out of stronger enemies to fight.
Otherwise, the game is a good one to play. It's set in the future of the history of Erdrick and this time you have three people you can control. That helps greatly. One can focus on casting spells, the other on healing, and the third on fighting. However, there is no romantic interlude between the characters. The members of the party are cousins to the hero of the game. They're the descendants of the first game's hero and the princess. (Yes, they get married and boink each other, having a few children.) The female character of the game gets turned into a dog and the two male characters have to find something that changes her back. Once she's back in her true form, the goal is to set her home kingdom free from a curse.
I don't remember how the game ends. The sad thing about the Nintendo system was progress was saved on the cartridges themselves, and it was easy for games to be erased. Sadly, my first round on DWII was erased. I'd gotten as far as confronting the final boss, and getting my ass kicked the first time. Before I could try again, all three logs on the cartridge had been erased. It is the one Dragon Warrior game to this day that I have not beaten. Maybe I can talk my brother into bringing the system back so I can try for a third time . . .
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favourite beverage: Coca-Cola
--
Still in the holiday spirit for movies! This one is definitely a classic!
I know that there are quite a few versions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol out there. There's the original 1934 feature, one that stars Patrick Stewart, an animated one with Tim Curry as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and a modern take called Scrooged with Bill Murray. Oh, and let's not forget Disney's or the Muppets' version of the story, either! However, the definitive version of this particular story to me is the one that stars George C. Scott as Mr. Scrooge.
Why is this particular take the definitive one for me? The answer lies within the actor for Ebeneezer Scrooge. Yep. That's right. George C. Scott.
Now I'm sure Patrict Stewart did a wonderful job as Mr. Scrooge in A Christmas Carol just as I'm sure Tim Curry did an excellent vocal job for the animated movie. I've not seen either of them so I can't say for sure, but I'm also very biased. George C. Scott practically claimed the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
For the movie: The story Charles Dickens wrote is definitely a favourite at this time of year, and has been for many years. Old, wicked Ebeneezer Scrooge has pretty much turned his back on humanity and bottled off a good deal of his emotions. Not all emotions, mind you. He is a greedy, selfish, unsympathetic bastard, and cares only for the amount of money he can earn in a day. He does not like to squander money on "unnecessary" things. As I'm sure most everyone on my f-list knows, he's treading dangerously close to having a very miserable afterlife, and he is warned by his friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Later that night, he's visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. What he sees changes his life, and he becomes a better man at the end.
I remember reading once in a screenwriting book that everyone likes to see redemption stories such as A Christmas Carol. Though we know the outcome, we're still riveted. It's in our nature, and I'm certainly no exception.
As I said, George C. Scott has claimed the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge in this movie. He gives the role the surliness it needs and the right amount of tenderness at the right time. This is one Christmas movie that will always remain in my collection! ^_^ Gods bless George C. Scott, wherever he is!
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favourite movie: Annie (with Carol Burnett and Tim Curry)
--
Okay, I'm a bit of a sucker for certain kinds of anime. The kind where the hero is a bit on the reluctant side and has something of a badass attitude. Setting doesn't really matter. It's the characters! And Rurouni Kenshin has some very interesting characters.
Quick note before I continue . . . I own all three box sets for the series . . . I've only gotten through set one and set two. Set three remains unwatched as of this moment.
I think the most interesting character is definitely the main one, Kenshin Himura. He reminds me of Vash from Trigun and Master Yoda from Star Wars. Kenshin has a bumbling, talking backwards aspect that is quite endearing, but it can all disappear within a heartbeat if he feels those close to him are being threatened. I love it.
The anime itself is set at the beginning of the Meiji era of Japan. Since I don't know much about the history behind the reconstruction (I know it was still bloody and samurai were frowned upon), I'm guessing the creator of Rurouni Kenshin did more than just his/her homework for the setting. You can tell people are having a rough time and are doing the best they can to survive.
I love the lighthearted moments the best. Kenshin himself is sweet and very endearing, and he'll do whatever he can to protect those he cares about, even if it means leaving them so they'll be safe.
I recommend it. ^_^
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favourite fanfiction couple: Ironhide and Chromia from the original Transformers series
--
And now for something a little different . . . a manga review. LOL
I don't know what inspired me to pick up this series. Maybe it was because the one character had long, pretty blond hair. I don't really recall.
I just know I picked up the first volume to the series, read it, and liked it. The main character, Rain, reminds me a little of Vash from Trigun (yes, another one. Seems to be a very big factor), and he's someone who can't die. He's been blessed/cursed with the gift of immortality thanks to someone he had called a friend.
The beginning of the manga starts out with Rain being hunted by a girl known as the Grim Reaper. It's actually a hereditary position, and said person has always hunted Methusala (Rain).
I'm not going to say too much more about the manga. ;) My goal is to encourage people to read it if they haven't so . . . there we go.
Yes. I like this manga. I like Rain. He's one of those sad, tormented souls that draw me like a moth to a flame. And he has long, pretty hair! XD How can I not like that?
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favourite candy: Skittles
--
"Are you going to? Go to your apartment, that is," Eiri said, his fingers idly caressing swirls on Shuichi's arms. He couldn't help himself, really. Shuichi had an irresistable charm about him, something that made Eiri want to touch the singer. "Or have you already been there?"
"Already been," Shuichi replied, sighing a little. "Like I said, I made some decisions, some very important ones, and a lot of people are going to be really pissed off at me."
"They'll get over it."
"Eventually, yeah," the singer agreed. "At least, I hope they will. And I hope they'll understand, too. I can't keep living like this. It wears me out."
"I know," Eiri murmured. "I know."
They fell silent for a few moments, and Eiri listened to the sound of Shuichi breathing. The singer had calmed considerably since crying himself out. It wasn't like how things used to be. Before, the moment Shuichi stopped crying, he would be all smiles and bounce around the apartment in a gleeful, manic mood. He'd always had a zeal for life, and it had gotten the singer, and Eiri, through many dark moments in their lives. Now, Shuichi's manic behaviour had been tempered, thanks to a number of disappointments and Shuichi blaming himself for whatever happened to have gone wrong. This time around appeared to be no different.
"What is your decision, Shuichi?"
"Are you sure you want to know this, Eiri? I haven't told anyone else yet, not even Tohma."
He almost hesitated. He knew what the repurcussions would be for Shuichi if anyone found out the novelist had learned of a major decision before anyone else learned. It would also fuel the belief the two had reunited, and the media would have a field day.
However, Eiri hadn't hesitated. He didn't care if people thought he and Shuichi were back together. They were still morons in his mind.
"Yes, I do. You said that's why you were here. Facing a cold, bitter truth. So you might as well spill it. I'm going to hear about it anyway."
"True," Shuichi conceded, his tone becoming impossibly quiet. "So very true."
"So what is it? What have you decided that's going to piss off so many people?"
The vocalist drew a deep breath then spoke in that some impossibly quiet tone.
"I'm disbanding Bad Luck."
--
Whew! And that's it for this entry! Let's see . . . what's coming up for the next one . . .
Chapter Ten of the Science Fiction Project
Book Review: The Diamond Throne by David Eddings
Game Review: Dragon Warrior III (Nintendo)
Song Review: As Good As I Once Was by Toby Keith
Movie Review: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Anime Review: Ranma 1/2 (Season One)
Black and White -- Reading Between Blurred Lines, Part 6
Manga Review: Angel Sanctuary
Character Quote
Drabble type piece from 500th post drabble request: Some Fatherly Advice
and more random things! ^_^
Oh, and a fanfic dump is coming up soon! Keep your eyes peeled open, kids!
At first, when Hiroshi had said Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell woul be the people to fund his research, Jo had instantly thought of her grandparents. The older woman was certainly daring enough to loan or donate money to a cause like Hiroshi's, and Ryan was definitely back his wife when it came right down to it. Then Jo had quickly dismissed the idea. Her grandmother was a science fiction and fantasy author, and her grandfather was an artist. Torie had never dabbled in true science, like bio-engineering. Torie Cronkhite had studied the creative aspect of English, much in the same way Jo was currently doing, and Ryan O'Connell had graduated college with a degree in art history and appreciation. There was no way Hiroshi was talking about her grandparents.
Mel had been thinking along the same lines as Jo had been, only she'd actually voiced her opinion. Of course, Mel had asked Hiroshi if he meant the famous science fiction and fantasty duo. He had confirmed he meant the very same people. It was then Mel had said what she thought. Torie Cronkhite the novelist and Ryan O'Connell the artist did not really fund scientific research. There wasn't any way. The two had to be very busy people, unable to take the time to listen to a grant proposal. Hiroshi had to be thinking of another Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell who would fund his research.
Though he'd been a little shocked to hear Mel say such a thing, Hiroshi had informed them he was talking about the right people. He did concede that Torie Cronkhite was not a scientist, but she had studied biology while she'd been attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It had been a minor study, something to help her with her writing, but she'd done it all the same. Torie Cronkhite also founded several research facilities throughout the United States, and Ryan O'Connell helped her. It had been on one of the research facilities webpage, explaining who the founders were and why they had established the facilities. Hiroshi had confessed he'd stumbled across the webpage quite by accident, but he was ultimately glad he had found it. Reading the website's information page had only increased his respect and admiration for Torie Cronkhite and Ryan O'Connell.
The information Hiroshi had given her and Mel had thrown Jo for a loop. She had never known that about her grandparents. Granted, Jo knew the older couple had always been financially sound and then some. The two had built various businesses around the city of Philadelphia, and the businesses had expanded to places like Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Salem, Atlanta, and San Francisco. They even owned a great deal of real estate, though how they had managed, Jo never found out. Then to learn they founded their own research facilities? It was unbelievable!
Though, the more she thought about Hiroshi's revelation about her grandparents, the more Jo realized that it was entirely possible for them to have gone to such lengths. Her grandparents had always felt scientists, and inventors, should be able to pursue their dreams and not have money be an obstable or a hinderance. Such people needed the freedom, too, to run their experiments. There were many things out there to be discovered. People just needed to be enabled to find them, and Torie had often said she'd rather see tax dollars go to some place like the now defunct NASA than a war in which no one could have a breath of hope of winning.
Those beliefs were probably why her grandparents had founded their own research facilities in the first place.
'And they probably figure my moms told me about them,' she mused. 'That would explain why they've never said anything about the facilities to me. Or they don't feel it's something worth mentioning. They get enough accolades as it is, but that would be something Grandma would be very proud about. I know her. She'd let the world know. I don't know anymore. It's just so weird.'
A light knock on her door brought Jo out of her musings, and she sat up on her bed and looked at the door, frowning. It was rather early for Hiroshi to be showing up at her room, and they had agreed to meet at a coffee shop. He was also still in class anyway so Jo knew for a fact it wasn't him at her door. That left one other person or group of people, and she wondered what they wanted.
"Who is it?" she called out. Though she had an idea as to who was at her door, Jo wanted to be sure. RoseLynn had been becoming persistent again.
"Santa Claus and his elves," Madison's voice replied back in a positively cheerful tone. "We've come to see if you've been naughty or nice."
Jo laughed as she got up to answer the door and let her friends in. Madison always seemed to know what to say to make someone burst into a fit of giggles. It didn't matter what the other person's mood happened to be, either. Jo found it to be an annoying ability at times, but she otherwise loved that about her friend. She reached the door and opened it, revealing Madison, Mel, and Aimee. The three of them were smiling at her.
"Hi!" they chirruped at the same time.
"You guys are crazy," Jo murmured, shaking her head. She stepped to one side so they could enter her room. "You know that, right? And you're the sorriest looking Santa Claus and elves lot I've ever seen!"
"Of course we know we're crazy!" Madison declared in mock exasperation.
"You love us for it," Aimee chimed in, a smirk on her face.
"And you know you do," Mel finished, closing the door behind her. "You just don't want to admit it."
"Snarky bitches."
"Yep. So what's the scoop on this Miyamoto guy, huh?" Aimee inquired as she sat down on the bed. Madison took the desk chair and Mel remained by the door. "Mel says he's really, really cute!"
"He is!" Mel proclaimed, her cheeks becoming a light shade of pink. "At least, I think he's cute. I don't know about Jo thinking that."
"She also says he's very polite," Madison added. "Beyond typical Japanese polite, too."
"He is very polite! He was very nice to both of us at lunch." Mel's cheeks turned a slightly darker shade of pink.
"Hiroshi Miyamoto is also very charming," Aimee said.
"And he has the most amazing violet-coloured eyes she's ever seen," Madison said with a bit of flourish, apparently finishing up with everything Mel had told them about Jo's new found friend. Their friend's cheeks, and her forehead, were flushed a bright yet dark shade of pink from embarrassment at their teasing.
"Is he?" they inquired at the same time.
Aimee and Madison turned their gazes to Jo, their expressions full of curiosity and expectation. It was a slightly startling contrast from how they normally behaved, especially since they were discussing a boy. Boys did not excite the members of the Science Fiction Project. Dragons, elves, wizards, and other mythical creatures were what caused their blood to pump faster in elation, as did the latest science fiction and fantasy book releases.
Hiroshi Miyamoto, however, was not just any ordinary boy. He had admitted to Jo during their first encounter that he was a science fiction enthusiast, much to his father's dismay. He also had a quality about him that was at once disarming and alluring, and Jo liked that about him. Mel must have liked it about him as well so it was no wonder she had gushed about Hiroshi Miyamoto to Aimee and Madison. Hiroshi would undoubtedly fit in with their little group and perfectly so. Jo knew he would, felt it in her blood. A connection had been made between Jo and Hiroshi, and it was a connection she did not want to lose.
A small smile appeared on Jo's lips, and she nodded her head. Her confirmation of Mel's words further increased the older girl's pinkened state.
"Yep. Everything she said is true. He's all that and a bag of chips."
Madison and Aimee cheered.
--
"I don't like you. I never have and I never will. What do you think about that?" -- Val O'Hurley to Torie Cronkhite (the response will come with the next character quote)
--
favourite food: barbecue chicken done on the grill
--
And now . . . for the final book in the Chronicles trilogy by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Dragons of Spring Dawning.
This is the book where realizations are made by everyone all around. Bonds are forged, bonds are shattered . . . you get the idea. With that in mind, I'll get right to it.
The Goddess of Evil, the Queen Takhisis, wants back into the world of Krynn. She needs one particular person to do so and eventually he falls within her grasp. The only ones who can stop her return are the remaining Companions, and one is treading very close to losing himself, torn between two women. (Don't you just adore love triangles? ^_^)
There is another character death, but this one happens towards the middle of the book. Age, it seems, has finally caught up with Flint Fireforge, and the old dwarf goes thanks to a heart attack. He's overexerted himself in trying to catch up with the one person the dark forces of Krynn are trying to get their hands on. (And the poor guy can't die, either. He's lived for a hundred years or more, I believe, and he can't be killed. Tanis forgets that when he stabs the guy. He thinks the man is guilty of killing Flint, and gets rather caught up in his emotions.)
Flint's death rattles Tasselhoff. The two were close, in spite of their constant bickering and picking on each other. And it isn't easy to rattle a kender. By nature, their inquisitive and natural thieves. (They get offended if you call them that, though.) They know no fear. So to rattle a kender is quite an accomplishment.
Anyway, things come to a head and reach the final conclusions. Raistlin, the human wizard of the group, has made a life altering decision, one that befits him. He goes from wearing the red robes of neutrality (in the Dragonlance series, wizards wear one of three colours. White for good, red for neutrality, and black for evil) to wearing the black robes of darkness. The decision breaks the heart of his twin brother, Caramon, but the guy does try to get over it. (More on the twins in another book.) This is one bond that isn't broken but it isn't reforged, either. It's more like it's fractured.
As I said, in this book, bonds are broken and bonds are forged. Tanis realizes he can no longer be with Kitiara, and chooses to be with another female, an elf-maiden he grew up with. (She also happened to become a member of the party in the first book.) Takhisis is prevented from re-entering Krynn, and Tasselhoff is reassured that he will one day see Flint once more.
It may seem like the ending is rather anti-climatic, but it isn't. It's actually set itself up for a sequel trilogy, one that focuses on the twins, Caramon and Raistlin Majere. That will be left for another time. ;)
I do like this series. It was fun to read, gripping, and vastly entertaining. I hope someone someday decides to turn them into a movie, like Peter Jackson did with The Lord of the Rings. It'd be interesting to see how well it would turn out. ^_^
Yes. I'm a science fiction and fantasy nut!
Whew! Four books down! Who knows how many more to go! LOL
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favourite book: The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Again, for some music! ^_^
Quick note before the song review: I've always loved music. I was listening to music before I was born (and it is possible!). I don't always have music running in my head, but I do love it so!
On with the review.
I can say without any doubt or hesitation, Manic Monday is the first song I'd ever heard by the Bangles and the one song that hooked me into the Bangles. I remember the first time I'd heard the song. It was May of 1985, and I was over at a friend's house. She'd had a slumber party the night before, and I was simply hanging around until it was time for my parents to come and pick me up. We were listening to the radio, and Manic Monday came on.
I was entranced! I loved the leading vocalist, I loved how the backing vocals had harmonized together . . . It was simply awesome, and I'd wanted to hear the song again. Once I'd discovered who sang the song, I began my collection of Bangles music and collectibles since, though the desire for photos and other paraphenalia started at a much later age. In 1985, I was seven, going on eight. Young children do not have any concept of what things bands produce to keep their pockets lined and their fans happy. ;)
Manic Monday was penned by Prince under the name of Christopher, and he wrote the song specifically for the Bangles. This is something I later learned, and so is everything that follows. He had caught the Bangles performing live somewhere in 1984 and had become hooked with their song, Hero Takes A Fall. Manic Monday was the first song by the Bangles to reach the Top Forty.
Anyway, to this day, this particular song remains a favourite of mine. I love listening to the studio version and to the various live versions that exist. It's the harmonies, man. It's the harmonies!
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favourite anime: Inuyasha
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Another game review for you peeps. ^_^
Oh, btw . . . I've not played one hundred video games. The game reviews will not last long.
Out of all of the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games, Dragon Warrior II is one that I like the least. Not because it lacks in storyline -- it has a good one -- but because of how long it takes to level up.
One thing I have learned with the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games is this: Aside from how leveling up takes time, one cannot go and fight the stronger enemies with more experience points. They are stronger for a reason, and that's to keep the player (supposedly) from going somewhere where the game is not ready for the player to be. One has to fight the weaker enemies to get to the levels needed to fight stronger enemies. Which stinks, especially when you have 10,000+ experience points to go before you hit your next level. And eventually you run out of stronger enemies to fight.
Otherwise, the game is a good one to play. It's set in the future of the history of Erdrick and this time you have three people you can control. That helps greatly. One can focus on casting spells, the other on healing, and the third on fighting. However, there is no romantic interlude between the characters. The members of the party are cousins to the hero of the game. They're the descendants of the first game's hero and the princess. (Yes, they get married and boink each other, having a few children.) The female character of the game gets turned into a dog and the two male characters have to find something that changes her back. Once she's back in her true form, the goal is to set her home kingdom free from a curse.
I don't remember how the game ends. The sad thing about the Nintendo system was progress was saved on the cartridges themselves, and it was easy for games to be erased. Sadly, my first round on DWII was erased. I'd gotten as far as confronting the final boss, and getting my ass kicked the first time. Before I could try again, all three logs on the cartridge had been erased. It is the one Dragon Warrior game to this day that I have not beaten. Maybe I can talk my brother into bringing the system back so I can try for a third time . . .
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favourite beverage: Coca-Cola
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Still in the holiday spirit for movies! This one is definitely a classic!
I know that there are quite a few versions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol out there. There's the original 1934 feature, one that stars Patrick Stewart, an animated one with Tim Curry as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and a modern take called Scrooged with Bill Murray. Oh, and let's not forget Disney's or the Muppets' version of the story, either! However, the definitive version of this particular story to me is the one that stars George C. Scott as Mr. Scrooge.
Why is this particular take the definitive one for me? The answer lies within the actor for Ebeneezer Scrooge. Yep. That's right. George C. Scott.
Now I'm sure Patrict Stewart did a wonderful job as Mr. Scrooge in A Christmas Carol just as I'm sure Tim Curry did an excellent vocal job for the animated movie. I've not seen either of them so I can't say for sure, but I'm also very biased. George C. Scott practically claimed the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
For the movie: The story Charles Dickens wrote is definitely a favourite at this time of year, and has been for many years. Old, wicked Ebeneezer Scrooge has pretty much turned his back on humanity and bottled off a good deal of his emotions. Not all emotions, mind you. He is a greedy, selfish, unsympathetic bastard, and cares only for the amount of money he can earn in a day. He does not like to squander money on "unnecessary" things. As I'm sure most everyone on my f-list knows, he's treading dangerously close to having a very miserable afterlife, and he is warned by his friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Later that night, he's visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come. What he sees changes his life, and he becomes a better man at the end.
I remember reading once in a screenwriting book that everyone likes to see redemption stories such as A Christmas Carol. Though we know the outcome, we're still riveted. It's in our nature, and I'm certainly no exception.
As I said, George C. Scott has claimed the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge in this movie. He gives the role the surliness it needs and the right amount of tenderness at the right time. This is one Christmas movie that will always remain in my collection! ^_^ Gods bless George C. Scott, wherever he is!
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favourite movie: Annie (with Carol Burnett and Tim Curry)
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Okay, I'm a bit of a sucker for certain kinds of anime. The kind where the hero is a bit on the reluctant side and has something of a badass attitude. Setting doesn't really matter. It's the characters! And Rurouni Kenshin has some very interesting characters.
Quick note before I continue . . . I own all three box sets for the series . . . I've only gotten through set one and set two. Set three remains unwatched as of this moment.
I think the most interesting character is definitely the main one, Kenshin Himura. He reminds me of Vash from Trigun and Master Yoda from Star Wars. Kenshin has a bumbling, talking backwards aspect that is quite endearing, but it can all disappear within a heartbeat if he feels those close to him are being threatened. I love it.
The anime itself is set at the beginning of the Meiji era of Japan. Since I don't know much about the history behind the reconstruction (I know it was still bloody and samurai were frowned upon), I'm guessing the creator of Rurouni Kenshin did more than just his/her homework for the setting. You can tell people are having a rough time and are doing the best they can to survive.
I love the lighthearted moments the best. Kenshin himself is sweet and very endearing, and he'll do whatever he can to protect those he cares about, even if it means leaving them so they'll be safe.
I recommend it. ^_^
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favourite fanfiction couple: Ironhide and Chromia from the original Transformers series
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And now for something a little different . . . a manga review. LOL
I don't know what inspired me to pick up this series. Maybe it was because the one character had long, pretty blond hair. I don't really recall.
I just know I picked up the first volume to the series, read it, and liked it. The main character, Rain, reminds me a little of Vash from Trigun (yes, another one. Seems to be a very big factor), and he's someone who can't die. He's been blessed/cursed with the gift of immortality thanks to someone he had called a friend.
The beginning of the manga starts out with Rain being hunted by a girl known as the Grim Reaper. It's actually a hereditary position, and said person has always hunted Methusala (Rain).
I'm not going to say too much more about the manga. ;) My goal is to encourage people to read it if they haven't so . . . there we go.
Yes. I like this manga. I like Rain. He's one of those sad, tormented souls that draw me like a moth to a flame. And he has long, pretty hair! XD How can I not like that?
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favourite candy: Skittles
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"Are you going to? Go to your apartment, that is," Eiri said, his fingers idly caressing swirls on Shuichi's arms. He couldn't help himself, really. Shuichi had an irresistable charm about him, something that made Eiri want to touch the singer. "Or have you already been there?"
"Already been," Shuichi replied, sighing a little. "Like I said, I made some decisions, some very important ones, and a lot of people are going to be really pissed off at me."
"They'll get over it."
"Eventually, yeah," the singer agreed. "At least, I hope they will. And I hope they'll understand, too. I can't keep living like this. It wears me out."
"I know," Eiri murmured. "I know."
They fell silent for a few moments, and Eiri listened to the sound of Shuichi breathing. The singer had calmed considerably since crying himself out. It wasn't like how things used to be. Before, the moment Shuichi stopped crying, he would be all smiles and bounce around the apartment in a gleeful, manic mood. He'd always had a zeal for life, and it had gotten the singer, and Eiri, through many dark moments in their lives. Now, Shuichi's manic behaviour had been tempered, thanks to a number of disappointments and Shuichi blaming himself for whatever happened to have gone wrong. This time around appeared to be no different.
"What is your decision, Shuichi?"
"Are you sure you want to know this, Eiri? I haven't told anyone else yet, not even Tohma."
He almost hesitated. He knew what the repurcussions would be for Shuichi if anyone found out the novelist had learned of a major decision before anyone else learned. It would also fuel the belief the two had reunited, and the media would have a field day.
However, Eiri hadn't hesitated. He didn't care if people thought he and Shuichi were back together. They were still morons in his mind.
"Yes, I do. You said that's why you were here. Facing a cold, bitter truth. So you might as well spill it. I'm going to hear about it anyway."
"True," Shuichi conceded, his tone becoming impossibly quiet. "So very true."
"So what is it? What have you decided that's going to piss off so many people?"
The vocalist drew a deep breath then spoke in that some impossibly quiet tone.
"I'm disbanding Bad Luck."
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Whew! And that's it for this entry! Let's see . . . what's coming up for the next one . . .
Chapter Ten of the Science Fiction Project
Book Review: The Diamond Throne by David Eddings
Game Review: Dragon Warrior III (Nintendo)
Song Review: As Good As I Once Was by Toby Keith
Movie Review: Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
Anime Review: Ranma 1/2 (Season One)
Black and White -- Reading Between Blurred Lines, Part 6
Manga Review: Angel Sanctuary
Character Quote
Drabble type piece from 500th post drabble request: Some Fatherly Advice
and more random things! ^_^
Oh, and a fanfic dump is coming up soon! Keep your eyes peeled open, kids!