...catching up
Wow, it's been waaaay too long since I last posted! I dunno what I've been doing lately that's taken up so much of my time, but I've somehow been unable to write anything.
Two Saturdays ago I was working at the store with Angelica 'cause we got in a huge shipment of stuff and we took the slow-day opportunity to get rid of our winter/sale stock and put out all the new spring/summer stock. It was a fun day (considering that we worked like dogs for 9 hours straight) especially 'cause we listened to the SDK Kyousouka album for a few hours. ^^ Oooh, it was sooo good! It was the first time I'd had a chance to really hear it all the way through, and it really got to me; every time Kyou's song (Koran) came on, I would start giggling and hide my face behind the invoice that I was pricing the inventory from. ^^;
The next day I went with my parents & sister to Chinatown. Of course, I'd completely forgotten that it was Chinese New Year. When we got to Chinatown, most of the streets were blocked off; we double-parked down a sidestreet and Liz and I walked to the restaurants we usually get food from to take food back to the car. But the streets were packed even worse than a subway train at rush hour; I think it took us half-an-hour to get down one block. Although that wasn't a bad thing 'cause the only holiday I've ever really liked/enjoyed has been Chinese New Year. (We've celebrated it informally and inconsistently over the years because my father's a confused Chinese-Indonesian who can't figure out exactly what he believes in.) But I've always enjoyed Chinese New Year! The dancing dragons, and the drumming... ::happy sigh:: Although the setting out food for dead relatives/ancestors was fine, the praying part always made me a bit nervous. I always figured, if somehow they're conscious after death and can hear the good thoughts we send their way when we pray, then they can figure out that we think that way for them anyway, even if we don't pray in a ceremony. I mean, they weren't dimwits while alive. Why would they be any different after death? (This, of course, assumes that they actually are conscious after death, which is completely debatable.)
In any case, I was very disappointed that I'd forgotten about it 'cause it meant I hadn't thought to bring my camera to take pics of the kakkoii dragons. It's funny -- Chinese New Year celebrations make me more excited/happy/giddy than any other "normal" celebration.
Anyway, the next week progressed as usual, with the exception of Angelica coming and sleeping over. She hasn't done that in quite a while, so it's definitely noteworthy. We went on a Prince of Tennis marathon; we've seen quite a bit of it, although we still have at least 10 episodes left until we reach the end of what I have. Meanwhile, I've been completely rebelling against watching Gundam SEED, which Angelica really wants me to watch. But I just haven't been in the mood, even though I do want to watch it. Instead, I've been watching lots of other stuff: SaiKano (short for Saishuuheiki Kanojo, translated as "She, the Ultimate Weapon"), which is a bit slow, but seems intriguing.
I've been unable to watch some of the anime I do want to watch, like Saiyuki, Azumanga Daiou, etc. because they have low subs, and the 21" TV in my room isn't large enough to be able to see the subs clearly. Which means I have to wait for the living room TV (32") to be free before I can watch anything there. Which really sucks, and makes me wish for the days of the old fansubbing, none of this newfangled digisubbing crap.
I've become more and more obsessed with Samurai Deeper KYO. I saw the 2003 calendar (with clear folder) up for auction on ebay, and I want it sooo bad, but I can't afford $50 for it right now, I'm so desperate for money. Not to mention, I have to get started on our cosplay costumes soon, otherwise they won't be done before June, which is pretty much our trial-run deadline. We're definitely going as an Utena group, and a Schwarz group. The third costume is up in the air right now, but I'm hoping we can go as an SDK group! Ooooh~ I get wiggly just thinking about it! It's been a long time since I've gotten this happy/obsessed over an anime, and it feels good!!!
Well. Just this past Saturday, we went to Chinatown again. And I hadn't realized the celebrations would still be going, so I was yet again disappointed that I hadn't brought my camera. So I promised myself that if we went again the next day, I'd remember to bring the camera. And we did! And I didn't forget! So I have some happy pics of adorable dancing dragons!
Looking down Mott St.
Traditional dragon in front of "Maria's" Bakery.
Dragon at the door.
More of the dragon on Mott St.
Red & Yellow traditional dancing dragons on Bayard St.
Jeez, I get all excited just remembering.
I don't know why I find these dragons so beautiful.
Slimmer dragon -- water, I'm guessing.
Look at its head; what a beauty.
From farther away it looked like it was swimming in the crowd; predatory, but sooo beautiful.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good shot from farther away.
Two more traditional dragons dancing down Canal St.
One of the dragons stops at the Vietnamese place where I get deliciously-bad-for-you sweet fried dumplings.
Two Saturdays ago I was working at the store with Angelica 'cause we got in a huge shipment of stuff and we took the slow-day opportunity to get rid of our winter/sale stock and put out all the new spring/summer stock. It was a fun day (considering that we worked like dogs for 9 hours straight) especially 'cause we listened to the SDK Kyousouka album for a few hours. ^^ Oooh, it was sooo good! It was the first time I'd had a chance to really hear it all the way through, and it really got to me; every time Kyou's song (Koran) came on, I would start giggling and hide my face behind the invoice that I was pricing the inventory from. ^^;
The next day I went with my parents & sister to Chinatown. Of course, I'd completely forgotten that it was Chinese New Year. When we got to Chinatown, most of the streets were blocked off; we double-parked down a sidestreet and Liz and I walked to the restaurants we usually get food from to take food back to the car. But the streets were packed even worse than a subway train at rush hour; I think it took us half-an-hour to get down one block. Although that wasn't a bad thing 'cause the only holiday I've ever really liked/enjoyed has been Chinese New Year. (We've celebrated it informally and inconsistently over the years because my father's a confused Chinese-Indonesian who can't figure out exactly what he believes in.) But I've always enjoyed Chinese New Year! The dancing dragons, and the drumming... ::happy sigh:: Although the setting out food for dead relatives/ancestors was fine, the praying part always made me a bit nervous. I always figured, if somehow they're conscious after death and can hear the good thoughts we send their way when we pray, then they can figure out that we think that way for them anyway, even if we don't pray in a ceremony. I mean, they weren't dimwits while alive. Why would they be any different after death? (This, of course, assumes that they actually are conscious after death, which is completely debatable.)
In any case, I was very disappointed that I'd forgotten about it 'cause it meant I hadn't thought to bring my camera to take pics of the kakkoii dragons. It's funny -- Chinese New Year celebrations make me more excited/happy/giddy than any other "normal" celebration.
Anyway, the next week progressed as usual, with the exception of Angelica coming and sleeping over. She hasn't done that in quite a while, so it's definitely noteworthy. We went on a Prince of Tennis marathon; we've seen quite a bit of it, although we still have at least 10 episodes left until we reach the end of what I have. Meanwhile, I've been completely rebelling against watching Gundam SEED, which Angelica really wants me to watch. But I just haven't been in the mood, even though I do want to watch it. Instead, I've been watching lots of other stuff: SaiKano (short for Saishuuheiki Kanojo, translated as "She, the Ultimate Weapon"), which is a bit slow, but seems intriguing.
I've been unable to watch some of the anime I do want to watch, like Saiyuki, Azumanga Daiou, etc. because they have low subs, and the 21" TV in my room isn't large enough to be able to see the subs clearly. Which means I have to wait for the living room TV (32") to be free before I can watch anything there. Which really sucks, and makes me wish for the days of the old fansubbing, none of this newfangled digisubbing crap.
I've become more and more obsessed with Samurai Deeper KYO. I saw the 2003 calendar (with clear folder) up for auction on ebay, and I want it sooo bad, but I can't afford $50 for it right now, I'm so desperate for money. Not to mention, I have to get started on our cosplay costumes soon, otherwise they won't be done before June, which is pretty much our trial-run deadline. We're definitely going as an Utena group, and a Schwarz group. The third costume is up in the air right now, but I'm hoping we can go as an SDK group! Ooooh~ I get wiggly just thinking about it! It's been a long time since I've gotten this happy/obsessed over an anime, and it feels good!!!
Well. Just this past Saturday, we went to Chinatown again. And I hadn't realized the celebrations would still be going, so I was yet again disappointed that I hadn't brought my camera. So I promised myself that if we went again the next day, I'd remember to bring the camera. And we did! And I didn't forget! So I have some happy pics of adorable dancing dragons!
Looking down Mott St.
Traditional dragon in front of "Maria's" Bakery.
Dragon at the door.
More of the dragon on Mott St.
Red & Yellow traditional dancing dragons on Bayard St.
Jeez, I get all excited just remembering.
I don't know why I find these dragons so beautiful.
Slimmer dragon -- water, I'm guessing.
Look at its head; what a beauty.
From farther away it looked like it was swimming in the crowd; predatory, but sooo beautiful.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good shot from farther away.
Two more traditional dragons dancing down Canal St.
One of the dragons stops at the Vietnamese place where I get deliciously-bad-for-you sweet fried dumplings.
