[04-30-02] 11:06 PM Just a little something to pass the time... taking hints from Ling...     Which Sluggy Freelance Character Are You? Whoo-hoo! And in reference to THAT, I just have to say... wait, let me check my notes...     Now, why would I be like Xelloss, you ask? Well my friend, THAT would be a secret! ^-^     Yup. That's me, alright. 'Cept that I don't watch Star Trek... ^^;     Talk later. - JR

[04-30-02] 11:06 PM  Listening to: "Right Now" by Van Halen, "Mary Jane's Last Dance" by Tom Petty, "Istanbul" by They Might Be Giants, "I Would Walk 500 Miles" by the Proclaimers, and "Golden Brown" by the Stranglers. Last blog this month. I apologize for being 'out to lunch,' so to speak, though there's not a great deal of information I'll need to chatter on about. So I'll give you the highlights. Last Wednesday, I trekked to a friend's house (who happens to be a girl, and has a female roommate), toting the first DVDs for each of the following series: Ranma, Slayers, Nadesico, Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Oh My Goddess. And I managed to introduce my friend to each of those series excepting Cowboy Bebop (she liked Ranma, Eva, and OMG so much as to watch more than the first episode.) Thus, I'm really excited about all this. For one thing, it gives me another chance to enjoy the Ranma episodes. It's not that I don't enjoy watching Ranma, it's that I enjoy watching Ranma when I'm 'breaking in' another budding anime fan. Actually, I prefer watching all my anime in groups, or at least with one other good friend. But anyway, I'm excited, because we're all planning (my friend, her roommate, and her roommate's boyfriend who, incidently, is also named John) to splurge on anime right after finals. And they'd better be ready, because I've got anime watching stamina from hell. I swear, I can stay rivited on a series for as long as there are episodes to watch, especially if I'm watching with a bunch of friends. The only thing keeping my long attention span in check is my physical body, which seems to need sleep and sustenance after so many hours. Stupid body. Anyway, that's something awesome to look forward to. Speaking of upcoming events, A-kon will be rolling around in a month. My friends and I have already planned our meeting and whatnot, and I'm also gladdened by the fact that my good buddy Jon Carlson will be joining Adam, the gang, and I on our pilgrimage. That gives us a party of eleven. Whoo! And I think I'm getting reinterested in the idea of cosplaying. I'm talking my mom into finding the materials and helping me create a replica of Mousse's outfit. C'mon, I could play a blind, lovesick master of hidden weaponry! I'll even carry around a training potty and a duck (just in case I get splashed during the interim.) And I would have an excellent excuse to run around, grab women, and yell, "SHAMPOO!!!" Well, that last might earn me more bodily harm than I can repair by the next 'scene,' so I'll have to just stick with being blind and accusing people of being Saotome. ^-^ Bleech! I need to wash my hands, hadn't yet since work. Ah, much better. Hmm... what next? I remember having something to report as of a couple days ago... but I guess I've forgotten. Oh well. Anyway, I've already gotten my final grade in Engineering Graphics: 103%! Whoo! There's one final I get to skip, too, so I'm effectively finished with that class. Well, as soon as I turn in my notebook (all the assignments I've done this semester; required for all Engineering classes.) Speaking of which, I'll need to finish my notebook for Intro to Engineering too. *sigh* Well, next week is finals week, and then the summer work schedules can start. On May the 9th, I'll be inducted as a First Degree Knight of Columbus alongside my brother. It'll be the first big official organization outside of school that I've enlisted in for life, barring bad conduct or unforseen trajedy. It'll be an experience. On May the 18th, my brother Jason will be graduating from high school. I don't know if he gets to speak though, he's right at the 5th highest mark, battling it out with 4th place. If he gets to speak, I'll be really proud of him. And then there's A-kon from May the 31st to June the 2nd. And that'll be the most of my summer experiences. I'll be working at K-Mart, chatting with friends, and working on many of my projects which have gone untouched for a while now. Maybe I'll even try to get in shape! Ling says I've got a nice ass, maybe I should try to get reality to match the fantasy! *snicker* Really, I need to reposition some of the pounds as shoulder and stomach muscles, 'cause I really don't want to grow up and look like some of my elders... no offense guys. Luckily, I don't think my uncles will be reading this. :P And that's the past week +3days in a nutshell. Not a great deal of excitement, but sometimes it's nice to have a breather. Of course, I'm ALWAYS having a breather. *sigh* Eh, if I got a more interesting and tremulous life, then I probably wouldn't like it. "Grass is greener, yadda yadda." Well, I guess the only other things to report are that A) I'm currently working on a new fanfiction idea, might be ready for posting in a week or two; and B) I've signed up to take Japanese next semester. Whoo! I think that'll be a lot of fun, and if it isn't (yeah right!), then I'll stubbornly stick through, simply because of my anime interest. Heh. Ah well. I'll see you all again next month! Ja ne! - JR

[04-21-02] 10:48 PM  Listening to: "Give a Reason [Remix]" by Megumi Hayashibara, "Fins" by Jimmy Buffett, "Panama" by Van Halen, "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen, "Everlong" by the Foo Fighters, "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton, "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles. What a weekend. Since Friday was boring as all hell, I'll skip that part and move onto Saturday. First item of note: I woke up at eight o'clock. Second item of note: my work shift was supposed to begin at seven thirty. Third item of note: I was an entire hour late beginning my shift, and my managers made only a minor comment regarding that. Perhaps it's because this is the first time in six months of employment that I've been noticeably late (i.e., longer than 10 minutes.) Or maybe it's because my shift was the morning shift, in which few people show up to shop electronics anyway. Regardless, I got minimal comments regarding my tardiness, so that smoothed over much better than it could have. Also, I noted before coming in to work that a large M&M's trailer was parked near the edge of the Big K parking lot. Inquiring later as to the exact purpose of this vehicular placement, I found out that the M&M peeps were driving this thing around, offering free driving simulations to anyone who wanted to participate. Also discovering that they were leaving at four (the same time I got off work,) I decided to blow some of my lunchbreak and test my might against racing AIs. First trial -- placed 26th out of 28, due to a really nasty crash'n'twirl during the second or third lap. Second trial -- placed 3rd out of 28, after nudging another car and causing a major pileup about a minute into the race. Third and last trial -- placed 1st out of 28, after 2 self-induced collisions and overtaking the lead car during the final 20 seconds. Also picked up a couple free posters before marching down to Hardee's and munching down another Frisco combo (I eat there too often to complain about the food; if only something else opened up near the Valley Park Centre... other than McDonalds... Bleech!) Then, managed to catch "Panama" by Van Halen on the short drive back, so I was in a very good mood heading into the last two hours of my shift. More good news after getting home; my AnimeNation merchandise had finally arrived! (Actually, the Trigun wallscroll had arrived Friday during my morning classes.) So, after settling down into my room, I popped in my new Love Hina DVD 1 and decided to check this series out. I'm actually sorry to say that I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd expected to. I think that's somewhat because of the "Star Wars Episode One" effect, in which the series was kinda hyped up by friends and online people so much that I really anticipated this series to blow away any other comedic anime I've seen thus far. I'm sorry to say that, while the show was quite amusing, I didn't become quite as attached to the characters as I usually do. Perhaps this effect might be tied in with the music. Normally, I enjoy practically every opening theme to every anime I've ever seen. (Ending themes are iffy.) However, despite that Megumi Hayashibara sang the opening theme to Love Hina, I don't really like the song. Not much at all. Thus, my mind was already leaning against the series before starting in. And after watching the first four episodes, I'm also kinda sad to say that, while I've enjoyed the ride thus far, it's definitely not close to being a favorite. Hell, I enjoy watching Chobits much more than Love Hina, and that's only being released this year. Oh, and Adam, before you can tear into me being down on the series because I was probably watching it dubbed... I admit, I started watching the series dubbed, but after not growing attached to any of the characters, I decided to switch to subtitles shortly after Keitaro apologized to Naru's breasts (I think he was under tank fire at the moment.) Thus, I watched the rest of the four episodes in Japanese and subtitles. And I still didn't feel any different about it. As a matter of fact, I didn't mind it either way. Yeah, it's probably a bit early to judge the series, being that there's still twenty-one episodes to look for, but still. The dialogue seemes somewhat spastic, as did some of the character actions. The series hardly moves slowly, though some of the situations and foreshadowing got on my nerves occasionally in the first episode (a couple of flashbacks, the old men, and the dream during the second episode.) While I applaud their use of the fourth wall, "old film" style at the beginning of the third episode, and the beautifully drawn characters, I feel that more could have been done with the soundtrack to make some of the scenes more enjoyable. Not a lot is explained, a lot of craziness happens without a good deal of logical explanation (probably not as bad as Excel Saga, though that's supposed to be a satire), and Keitaro's interactions with the girls and his wishy-washy dreaming nature makes me frown and pull at my hair. Why him, I wonder? And not any of the other wishy-washy pull-at-hair characters there are in the anime universe? After all, Ranma's the kinda guy you could kick in the pants, just to get him to wise up about his relationships. I guess it's because he's got a bit more backbone, kicks peoples' asses for fun, and has a mindset that's almost wholly practical in nature. After all, if it's got nothing to do with martial arts, what good is it? Here's something telling: after watching the Love Hina episodes, I went back and watched season 1 Ranma episodes, about 85% of the material (skipping some of the longer pauses, episodes 5 & 6, and the flashbacks in episode 18.) I would have watched season 2, since that's my favorite season, but seeing as how all I have is taped copies and not the next DVD box set (yet), I decided I'd go back and watch some original Ranma. At the moment, I was thinking about how the storyline here was more interesting than Love Hina's, even if the artwork isn't as great. That's why I love Slayers so much; the storyline kicks ass, even though the artwork isn't as refined as Tenchi Muyo!, Oh! My Goddess, Goldenboy, Cowboy Bebop, etc. Granted, the first three are best as OAVs, and Cowboy Bebop came much later than the Slayers, but still! I say that a really good storyline is more important than high quality animation. That'll be why I'll always love Evangelion over anything that comes out, not matter how advanced animation becomes. Heh. Enough ranting. Well, Love Hina has interestingly become the first series I've watched in Japanese despite having the opportinity to watch in English. Oh, and also on the English/Japanese note, I watched various portions of Ranma episodes in Japanese, just to tell the difference. For one thing, I'll *NEVER* think that the Japanese voices for Soun and Genma will ever make me laugh as hard as the English ones do. For one thing, the Japanese voice actor for Soun sounds too young and isn't nearly animated enough when the guy starts yelling and/or bawling. The Japanese voice actor for Genma is alright, I suppose, but he just sounds more into the role when dubbed. Male Ranma is fine either way, and I really love both seiyuu for female Ranma (the English dub, after episode 6, is actually really good.) The second dubber for male Ranma isn't as good as the first (who's a girl, actually), but it's still good. Akane sounds fine either way, same for Nabiki, and there's very little difference between English and Japanese Kasumi. Ryoga sounds fine both ways, but I just love Kuno's pompous English voice. He's not the same without the English voice inflections. Kodachi sounds crazy either way, so that's fine. And Shampoo doesn't sound much different either. I haven't gotten to later voices just yet, being that I don't have the second season on DVD yet, but I really doubt I'd ever prefer the Japanese vocals of Happosai ("SWEETO!") or Cologne to the English counterparts. Mousse... I dunno. He sounds kinda... goobery, would be the word I'd use, in English, but he just sounds too harsh in Japanese. Maybe the goobery part fits, since Mousse is a wishy-washy pathetic loser. (Sorry to all you Mousse fans, I actually do like the guy. He just doesn't think straight. Come to think of it, most Ranma � characters don't think straight.) Well, now that's enough ranting and anime chat for today. Besides that, watched some Slayers Next this morning before going to my other work shift today. It wasn't very busy, and I actually got to perform stock-work as opposed to lurking around the Electronics department all evening. And I'm still putting off any type of work in particular. I should be studying for my upcoming Chemistry exam, my Philosophy exam, and my Biology CLEP test, but I really don't want to (much less have the energy; I'm tired...) I'll worry about them later. Oh, and tomorrow evening, a member of the Knights of Columbus is coming over to discuss my younger brother's and my new life insurance plans. As of a couple weeks ago, my dad signed both Jason and I to enlist into the Knights of Columbus, a male Catholic organization which provides community service and assistance to numerous needy families, especially those including a single mother. We'll only be level one Knights (my dad's a level four, entitling him to a really awesome tux, an engraved sword, and some other really nifty items!), but it's really good to start now, because if we start this early, we'll get a REALLY good deal on life insurance. I can pay $90 a year for ten years, and get a full and complete $10,000 life insurance plan from now until the day I die. All it'll cost me will be about $900 or so, and my payments will stop after I turn 27-29, so says my dad. That's kick ass, you know that? Sometimes it helps to be on the inside of a good organization (besides the fact that the KoC is an awesome organization to begin with.) In the meantime, I think all creative energy is drying up. I haven't started a new sketch yet, and my recent writing attempt hit a brick wall. Maybe that's a sign I should study these last few weeks, and try again during the summer. Sounds like a good idea at any rate. If I don't update much in the next three weeks, it'll be because of A) unforseen circumstances, or B) because I'm actually studying. Chat with y'all later. It's time for me to kill the lights. Ja ne! - JR

[04-16-02] 3:04 PM  Listening to: "Blue Funk" from the Trigun First Donuts soundtrack. Woo! Pretty picture! You can find a shot of Lorelei if ya click on the link. Be sure to let me know what you think! And now, onto another sketch... ^-^ Later! - JR

[04-15-02] 7:57 PM  Listening to: "N.Y. Rush" from the Cowboy Bebop OST 3. I just had the most bizarre dream last night. Apart from the extremely shocking fact that I never remember any of my dreams, the subject matter alone was enough to get me wondering. First and foremost, the first portion of the dream I recall... I was wandering down through some type of slightly underground mine or tunnel of some sort. I was dressed in typical adventure realm garb... a dark cloak, a few weapons about my person, hood, buff looking scars and tears, what have you. I couldn't tell time of day, or location... all I got as I wandered through that cramped torch-lit hallway was a strange sense of deja vu, as if I'd performed this mission before. That feeling intensified immensely once I hopped down through a small hole and into a jagged edged cavern slightly filled with some sort of brown goo at one end. And at that end was a little person (perhaps a Hobbit or something?) fiddling with a small metallic grating at one point on the floor. He started chattering about what was buried beneath these chambers, how long he'd been waiting for me, and various precautions I should be taking. However, I remained nonplussed for some odd reason, as if I'd done this before in a past life or another world, and I knew exactly what I was getting into and how to go about my business down below. After a bit of conversation and a brief scare involving some large sound further up in the tunnel (I, again, remained unfazed), the little guy opened up the hatch and down I went, into some sort of "Dungeons and Dragons"/"Lord of the Rings" type dungeon adventure. Actually, the entire theme of the dream reeked of a fantasy swords & sorcery adventure (which again startled me, since I never dream in this kind of material.) After entering the dungeon, I found many many large empty rooms, lots of corpses and skeletons, and zero enemies. I wandered through the giant silent chambers for a while, climbing down thin passageways and metal support beams while avoiding the writing masses on the floor (for whatever reason... all I knew was that contact with the floor should be absolutely avoided. How I knew, I have no idea.) I wandered through the hall for a short time, before I took a turn to the right, pulled out some kind of hookshot/very-long-cable and slungshot myself into the air via a levitating brick lassoed by my wire. Then, oddly enough, I began floating... in a manner very similar to how Wing Cap Mario flies through the air in Super Mario 64, only that I could actually gain altitude if I concentrated hard enough (thus, breaking a number of physical laws, being that I was providing no physical effort to stay afloat and there was no wind in the dungeon.) I was apparently trying to fly up and over a large partition, barring off one corner of the room from grounded access. I started hearing voices in my head then, and I turned to look across the large room. There, floating behind another high-rise partition in the other direction... was a floating translucent chibi-Rei Ayanami, complete with wings (think the 14th episode of Evangelion, when Shinji and Rei are performing compatability tests in the Evas, and Shinji starts receiving images of Rei in his mind; the one of the young Rei floating towards the screen before Eva 00 went berserk was exactly what I saw.) I glanced for only a moment, then turned back towards my goal... a different translucent flying angel, only this one really resembled an angel. And then energy blasts started flaring about me, as some sort of demon was trying to prevent me from attaining this holy power. But I was too swift for him, and evaded all his attacks before getting the powers... and then I absorbed the demon as well, recreating the neutral balance of alignment inherent in my person, although my magical prowess was already magnified about five-fold. And then... I woke up. ... I don't know what the hell brought that dream on, or why I chose to remember it tonight, but it made for some sort of edgy/adventure-y entertainment. Maybe I shoudn't drink Dr. Peppers and watch Chobits before going to bed anymore... Nah......... So anyway, got another sketch incoming. It should be finished in the next couple of days. For those of you who desire to see my first (sans the actual keys on the keyboard; they were added after I scanned the picture), go here. I would very much appreciate if you respect my work (however sparce it is) and not reproduce it on any webpage or solid material object without my permission. Thank you very much. Oh, and the other sketch is looking mighty spiffy right now. I love pencil sketches; probably why I'd prefer to draw manga as opposed to actually coloring images. I could draw cels, too, but I wouldn't be the one painting 'em. Catch you later. Keep in touch, if you're one of those people who like emailing. - JR

[04-14-02] 6:35 PM  Listening to: the opening theme to Those Who Hunt Elves 2 ("Round 11"), the opening theme to Chobits ("Let Me Be With You"), the opening theme to El Hazard: the Magnificent World, the ending theme to Goldenboy ("Study a Go Go"), and the opening theme to Trigun. My brain feels like semi-slush right now. Reasons for this state of being: spent Friday night at a friend's house playing Magic: the Gathering and watching either "Ed, Edd, 'n Eddy" (totally bizarre, stupid, and idiotic -- reminds me of Southpark... and neither show can live up to the greatness that was "Ren & Stimpy" -- bah, modern American cartoons...) or The Mask (mmm, Cameron Diaz... and it's been a long time since I watched a good Jim Carrey movie -- yeah, I'm a Carrey fan, which I suppose is somewhat telling about my weirdness factor.) Oh, and the gang and I kept the card playing and TV watching up until four in the morning. Then, after driving home and acquiring about seven hours of restless sleep, I awoke to a meager lunch, battled the internet for a couple hours, and then left for my 6.5 hour work shift. After only an hour and a half, I was already starting to drag, mostly due to the lack of food consumption in the past 24 hours. The large Frisco combo from Hardee's only helped for a little while. And then, like an idiot, I came home and watched the last 5 episodes of Cowboy Bebop plus 3 episodes of Trigun before going to bed at one in the morning. Then, I woke up again at six, showered, grabbed some Pop-Tarts, and left to reopen the Electronics register after closing it merely nine hours earlier. I wasn't dragging as much this morning compared to yesterday, but by then, most of the external signals seemed to meld into some sort of gelatinous goo in my mind, and I might have blanked out for a moment had I not been running stock throughout the store and covering a slightly busy Elec department. Moreover, my lunch break came about an hour or two late, though I luckily got to spend the remaining hour stocking CDs back in my department, where I could watch the movies under the pretense that I was actually working. I actually collapsed after coming home this afternoon, and I never crawl into bed and do nothing during the day unless I'm sick or wasted (this refers to gross negligence of sleep or daylight, not drug or alcohol overdose.) My mom even fixed tacos and I told the parental units that I'd be up in a few minutes, even though tacos is one of my favorite meals that my mom fixes around here. Of course, that might also due to the fact that my family was eating at five, and I'd only finished lunch around two. But I still snuck upstairs and crammed down three tacos and a can of Coca-Cola. Then, after meditating in front of the Cubs game before rain delays forced a program swap, I'm back downstairs, trying to finish downloading the second episode of Chobits while I try to wake up and prepare for church. Oh, and remind myself that there is homework that I actually could be doing tonight, provided I cared enough to spend time on some differential equations or chemistry. Bah, I'd rather work on my sketches. ... I think I should have taken a breath in there, somewhere... Not too late to correct, but I don't really care about it right now. *yawn* Yeah, I think I'm waking up again... fine time for it, too... it's about a quarter past seven. Well, I don't always regulate my schedules with much efficiency. I got to thinking about something... something I saw while wandering around outside THE CORPORATION yesterday afternoon snagging about ten to fifteen carts. There was a young boy, yelling and laughing and downright enjoying his smart little tush as he bounced up and down and up and down on an electric horse outside the store. You know what I'm talking about, even though I can't exactly think up a name for the darn thing right now. I remember back when I had that kind of imagination, that an act so trivial could be enhanced so much by a bright and untainted mind. Heaven knows, had I been sitting on that horse, I'd have an incredible urge to slit my eyes and act more bored than anything else on the planet. Maybe, had no one been around and I'd been drinking A&W Root Beer for a while, I might have actually "gotten into it" and let loose the weird, childlike aspect of my personna who prefers to interact with a real world enhanced by imaginatory elements. I never had an imaginary friend; I had an imaginary plane of existance. Sometimes, I actually let myself loosen up like that again and simply just play around with what can't be seen. Yeah, childish, I know... but I like it anyway. You could say I've got a pretty fantasy-oriented imagination... that's gotta be why I still enjoy anime and cartoons. There's more you can do with a piece of artwork than existing objects and people. You're simply functioning under a seperate medium, that's all. If I could ever get enough interest in drawing for long periods of time, and learn how to draw with the same personal expectation of quality in a much shorter span of time, then I'd absolutely love to be an illustrator for a cartoon, movie, or comic strip. I would have added anime to the list, but I doubt Japanese companies would hire a gaijin for some of their work... but I can still dream, right? ^-^ How cool would that be, being able to draw for an anime company? Anyway, I was chattering about imagination, and how it's typically associated with being young and able to freely dabble with fantasy and the intangible. After all, I'd get more than an odd stare had I been wandering through the Tech campus, arms fixed, pivoting slowly about the torso and marching smartly on stiff chicken-legs... blowing up students and buildings with the lasers and missile launchers on my arms like a chasis from the Mechwarrior videogames. *sigh* I'd actually do that too, provided that not many people were around. (Come to think of it, a few years ago, I did. While humming the Mechwarrior 3 background music out loud. No one seemed to care, I don't think... ^^;) And that imagination landed me the title of "Noisemaker" during my grade school years. Ah, to be remembered for the broad range of vocal capabilities... Oh, and I don't really need a much better processor anymore. Luckily, a friend of mine showed me a way to stop my movie files on my computer from catching; simply lower the quality rate of the Divx codec. The episode played out perfectly this time, and the shift in quality was surprisingly minimal (for a degredation from a max rating of '4' to a '0.') Thus, now all I need is faster access. I hope Cox can rout a cable down to my room, despite all the concrete blocks surrounding this "storm shelter" of a bedroom... And when's the guy gonna come in and build my closet? I'm tired of pulling my shirts from the dresser, and stuff lying around on the floor. I need some closet space! And while I'm on the subject of late, AnimeNation needs to hurry up and send me my order from about four months ago. I might attribute it to lack of merchandise, since I did order the Love Hina collecter's box with the first DVD, but still! Four months is a long wait! Most of my other orders went through just fine... here's another black mark on the tab, I suppose. I'm trying hard to be patient (the End of Evangelion DVDs are the highest sellers as of a couple weeks ago, and the darn things don't even come out until July or August! That's only PREORDERS! Sheesh! Are there that many anime fans out there? Or is it simply because of Evangelion? I hope for a bit of both. ^-^) Anyway, I need to send another email soon and find out what's up. I need my other wallscroll, anyway. I'm not covering enough wall space in here... Hmm... I've got a few contacts to hit up. Some people whom I haven't heard from in a little while. I guess while I'm sending an e-query to AnimeNation, I'll let some other people know I'm curious about their goings on. You've been forewarned, provided that one of you whom I haven't chatted with in the past couple weeks is reading this... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really should be a college instructor. I'd make life hell for my students. ^-^ Well, gotta run. See you next time! - JR

[04-10-02] 11:17 PM  Listening to: the opening theme to Trigun. Expenses just keep racking up. Or, perceived expenses at least... *sigh* I've decided it's about time to upgrade my PC's processing speed, since mine is currently about three years old at at most one fifth the processing power of the best processors on the market. I'm not going to buy the best right now, because I don't have that kind of funding, but I'd love to triple or quadruple my speed while spending less than $200 for the componants. Luckily, I don't need anything else for my computer. My sound system is great, the monitor is holding out fine, I don't need any more HD space, since my CD burner is still working great (even though it's only 4x... yeah, old sucker...) Since I don't play any computer games anymore, I don't even need a better videocard, since mine can manage 3D rendering if the need should arise. I don't think that'll be necessary, since the only things I do is multitask and watch videos. Theoretically, I don't need an Athlon XP 1800 processor just for what I plan to do with my system, but I'd go ahead and shell out $20 extra dollars for 25-50% more processing power. Couldn't hurt, right? I'll only miss out on 3-4 meals out... I also have to look into cable service too, since I've decided I'm fed up with working on POS dial-up. That'll be more money each month. I suppose I'll either need to ask for a raise (fat chance) or else cut down on the amount of miscellaneous spending I do (such as new anime DVDs, wallscrolls, manga, take-out about twice or thrice a week...) *sigh, again* Though I should be happy I at least have a source of income, not to mention that my college tuition is less than $1500/semester (not counting books.) But still... Patience, young lad. Temper thy wants, and await that which you desire most instead... Thanks alternate-John. I needed a little kick in the seat to set priorities straight again. Well, I've started another sketch. I've decided to let my artistic muse take the reigns for a while, since I feel better about drawing right now than writing. Besides, these pics are starting to come out good, perhaps I'll write up a story about the characters I'm drawing. There's inspiration in alternate muses, you know... Well, my little bro's birthday is tomorrow. He'll be up to 14, and I'll be there to wish him a big ole happy birthday. I hope he picks out someplace good to snack for din-din, I'll be hungry after Chem lab and Intro to Engineering... I still need to get him something, though... Hmm... getting an idea, actually... heh heh heh... (All please fear the horrible power and fiendish mind of John Rossmaier right this minute. Then carry on with your lives as it probably doesn't concern you anyway...) Oh, and I baked a cake tonight. It wasn't lemon, though, so it's not my favorite. And it wasn't white either. Jack wanted a marble cake, so I did the deed and vwala! Instant layer cake! Though, considering the fact that we'll be eating out tomorrow, I doubt I'll have room for it after dinner... ^-^ Whoo!!! Pete's back from vacation! I can't wait to see what's gonna happen with Torg and the gang now! I'd have to admit that Sluggy Freelance was my first webcomic, and is still my favorite. Thank goodness for my emergency pants! Do you have yours ready? ^-^ I don't know why I'm so hyper. No one's been emailing me, which is unfortunately less than usual. I guess the end of the semester is coming up fast for some, and they have little time to keep in touch. Kudos to Adam for meeting me frequently online. I don't know what I'd do without someone keeping in touch regularly. I admit that conversation sometimes grows stagnant and repetitive, but I'm always glad to talk with a friend online, 'cause I have very few people nearby who I really feel like I'm close to. I mean, I might share my interest with a few guys around here, and they might be old friends of mine, but I can't connect with them emotionally. I've never really tried, and they're not the kind of buddies I'd typically chat with like that. Unfortunately, my other close friends are all up in Fayetteville, or elsewhere depending on the person. Double unfortunately, the last time such friends came down, I became too engrossed with anime than to simply hang out and chat, or go hiking, or bowling, and screw around with something for a long while. I would have gone to the Math Club bowling shindig tonight, but I'm out of money (due to the timely exhaustion of my gasoline supplies) and I needed to prepare my bro's cake anyway. Besides that, I need to do something that'll regularly get me out of the house and around peers and the like. I really wish they had an anime club around here. Maybe I should join the band again... Feeling tired, finally. And I'm running out of sporadic topics to hurl to the void, so I'm gonna shut down for the night. Well... maybe just another bit of sketching... and another Trigun episode... Somebody stop me. I really need a nice warm hug right now... G'night. Hope you're all feeling warm (whenever you read this), and I'm not talking about internal/external temperature... - JR

[04-09-02] 10:45 AM  Listening to: "Right Now" by Van Halen. Just pausing briefly to reiterate... I HATE dial-up right now. That's all. - JR

[04-08-02] 7:35 PM  Listening to: "Secret ~ Somebody's Message" by Akira Ishida, "A Game Without Lies ~ Set Me Free" by Yasunori Matsumoto, and "Give a Reason [Remix]" by Megumi Hayashibara, all from the Slayers Next soundtracks. Ah, that's better. There's something liberating about getting twelve hours of sleep and thus missing Cultural Anthropology and Chemistry classes. Don't worry, I won't make a habit of it. But I didn't need to go to those classes anyway. Well, I checked about CLEPing the Biology class I'm gonna take, and the first time I'll be able to sign up for the test will be next week. I think that's long enough to get a brief refresher of the information, though I don't think I'll have forgotten much aside from nitpicky details since 10th and 11th grades. A lot of science and math is almost common sense, anyway. That's how I eventually understand the material; not through memorization, but because the knowledge simply explains certain things in the best possible manner. That's how science generally is, though -- reductionistic. Down to the least complicated answer. That's why science will never be able to explain love and emotion, because that's too *damn* impossible. That's also why machines thinking in any way other than a simple animalistic "provide for own survival" mentality will never happen. Besides that, I don't think I'll have any trouble with the General Biology exam. I mean, I'm studying NOTHING in my Chem class, and yet, I'm scoring the highest in the class? What's up with that?! I got to thinking about my blog a couple rounds back, and wondering why most of the material concerned the physical body and not a great number of alternate characteristics that also accompanies any given female. I think I should state first and foremost that detailing the less substantial physical properties is the easiest part in looking for what we want. After all, this is what we *see*, what we can *witness*, quantify, and directly experience via all five senses. The personality is much more nebulous, and similar people having similar characterisms can act that way for vastly different reasons. I can state what I would generally like about a person's personality, but there's so much more causing those feelings that I can track or limit. There are more submerged mannerisms beneath those easily displayed on the surface. Listing the "perfect" personality and mental bearing would take more time than I'd bother on this little blog. That's why I don't go in depth about what I would like about someone's personality and mannerisms. It's not something I can easily explain. 'Course, that doesn't mean I look for the physical characteristics first. Had that been the case, I would be chasing a number of women right now, and possessing a much longer "list" of regular Janes and celebs that I'd like ta boff. It's more like I make a casual note about her dimensions while assessing her personality. If the two start to match up, then we've got some interest bubbling. Oh, and I'll have to agree with my buddy Adam about one of the most attractive parts of the feminine anatomy. (My recent email to a number of people is in error -- the neck is nice, but I was trying to estrange my hormones from making the decision, and in doing so, completely eliminated the littler John's vote. After an appeal to the mental Senate, my boys were finally able to access the poll booths, and after a vote recount...) It seems that the breasts have taken the lead. Now, since this is an online blog, and I seldom give out the address, I don't mind as much who reads this. Readers would either be wandering folks on the vast network, whom I wouldn't know and wouldn't worry about, and friends to whom I've given this address and who I hope would understand me anyway. Otherwise, they wouldn't be good friends now, would they? (C'mon, Adam! The internet's the place to state stuff you can't state out loud! You shouldn't be embarrassed about your libido... though you still shouldn't talk in public about stuff like that... I don't consider my personal page as being public, considering the pitiful amount of traffic I get. Anyway...) Where was I again? Oh yeah. Breasts. My preference... large, but not out of proportion to the rest of the body. I don't know my sizes, though, since I've never had a good opportunity to see exactly what measurement translates to what physical attribute (I'm very focused on images and statistics, and a number of procedures, numbers, and descriptions make much more sense and are more memorable for me if I can see a picture or representation.) I'd probably bet on a 36C, though perhaps larger, judging from some peoples' personal data (*cough* Ling *cough*) and from various pictures I've found around the internet. Yeah, yeah, I had a streak of perversion back in the 10th grade when I discovered the internet and what exactly the internet had to offer. Unfortunately, this streak hasn't completely died out (maybe that means my sex drive is still functioning? I dunno.) There's a back and forth battle of hormones, ethics, and the American moral system that keeps me in conflict over the issue. And before anyone might get any truly bad and incorrect ideas, I've NEVER looked for images actually involving sex. Bleech... who'd want to see a hot chick doing it with some other guy? That just makes me sick... And the viewers proceed to tick me down a couple points on their "Holiness Meter" charts. *sigh* Anyway, large breasts. Very full, more perky than saggy. I'd be lying if I said I had no interest in touching or caressing them, so the sensory characteristics plays a major factor. Soft texture, though that might apply to the entire body, and if so, even better. Heh. This is probably already more information than some people might want to know, in which case, I'd welcome any mail stating as such (mail is good, talking to people is good, unless you're going to be entirely critical. I don't get enough mail involving personal conversations.) Maybe next time, I'll post a warning stating... "Raging hormones present! All those uninterested might want to skip down to *here*!" Or something like that. Anyway, there's the physical argument. Besides that, I'm more or less fascinated with the breasts as an organ itself. Speaking scientifically, these two orbs are completely responsible for nurishing an infant for the first number of months, before they're capable of digesting more complicated materials (provided you aren't bottle feeding the child. I worry not about the issue, since it'll be resolved with two opinions, not just one.) Thus, large breasts would translate to a greater food supply for offspring (generally) and a greater probability in rearing healthy children. And there's the scientific argument (anyone, correct me if I'm wrong. I'll need to see valid scientific proof otherwise, though.) As for the moral... well, since we're debating about morals, then technically, no body part should be favored, since the body won't be kept once we move on to the afterlife. The only moral argument might be lusting for such figures and features simply for the purpose of sexual arousal and entertainment. Seeing as how fetishes can apply to any organ and any body part, the question about morals then instead applies to your manner of thinking, not which part you favor. (Here falls the personal dilemma I touched upon earlier.) So thus, the moral argument doesn't quite apply under these circumstances. Neither does the emotional, since emotions only extend to the body after connecting with another's soul. Emotions about body parts translates roughly to lust (when combined with the physical attraction.) Under these circumstances, emotions don't play a factor either. So, judging from my scientific curiosity and the physical attractiveness, I'd have to state that the breasts would be my favored portion of the feminine anatomy. But of course, the whole arrangement (face, hair, skin, breasts, waist, hips, legs) plays a part in "John's Attractiveness Factor," and you'd be entirely incorrect in assuming that "perfect" breasts would make me fall in love with any girl. I'm just stating that, considering the feminine body, the breasts seem to attract my eyes and my hormones first. Or else, after scanning the face and figure, they linger on the breasts last. That's just the way it goes, I suppose. "Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will!" True, true... ^-^ And fine with me! Now, new topic. Well, I've finished my sketch, but I'm not going to post it to the site just yet. If anyone would like to receive a scanned copy of the sketch, I'd be more than happy to oblige them. (Consider this a test to see who's actually interested, and who checks the blog.) At any rate, I'm going to harnass the powers of my Adobe Photoshop 5.5 and see if I can actually color this image. It'll be my first attempt at this concerning anime-ish images I've scanned, and I'll be using a technique I borrowed from somewhere on the internet. I just hope I have enough patience to pull the whole thing off, since I believe I can. I need another project, anyway. ^-^ But for those wondering, I started this sketch sometime last Wednesday and completed it today. It seems I'm getting quicker in finishing some pictures, although the fact that this sketch involved only one character might play a factor here as well. Well, this is a sketch of an animated form of myself, and I think I improved on the older "model" (for those who've seen my "John and his Girlz" sketch. Speaking of which, if you'd like to see that one, email me about it.) Once I color my sketch, I'll post it online, so I'll be able to guide viewers around! Cool, ne? Plus, other viewers might get an actual glimpse on what the "John" from our (Jon's and mine) story "Ah! ASMS Muyo! �" looks like. Well, that's all for today. Is it just me, or have my latest blogs involved more 'sex/female body' type material than usual? Well, considering that the usual is zilch... Besides, you gotta release the feelings every once in a while. ^-^ Ja ne. - JR

[04-07-02] 5:57 PM  Listening to: "The Phantom Train" from the FF6 soundtrack. Quote for the day: "Oohhhh... *groan* ...my ovaries..." - Bart Simpson I'm so damn tired right now... Here's the main cause for this problem: bad time management. Well, coupled with crappy work scheduling, but that's the gist of it all. Yesterday and this morning, I had to pull a 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM work shift. Now, I am not a morning person. I hate waking up before I'm ready. However, I probably might have actually gotten a decent amount of sleep, provided I hadn't spent Friday and Saturday nights hanging out at a few friends' house, watching anime (esp. Goldenboy -- I've converted four new avid fans! STUDY!!!), blasting each other in Unreal Tournament, and generally wiling away the weekend with pointless, trivial activity that somehow manages to entertain. It was awesome, since I hadn't done that in a while (since spring break, anyway. That's long enough!) So, we've established that I had to work both mornings, and I stayed up too late both nights. Now, factor in the stupid "Spring Forward" crap, I lose another hour of sleep, and this morning I feel completely shitty while trying to perform my job. Not only that, I wake up too late for breakfast, and there's no one to really cover for me long enough for me to get a sufficient lunch break. So, I've been tired, hungry, and got a headache with magnitude equal to seventeen 747s taking off above twelve herds of stampeding elephants all during a 9.8 level earthquake. And my throat's scratchy. Damn, I feel awful. I'm gonna collapse into bed at 10 and sleep through all my classes tomorrow. Maybe that's why I treated myself tonight, to sooth the awful feeling. I actually bought my first manga volume this afternoon. It's called "Chobit," odd name, but still pretty cool. Also, it reads right to left, like an original Japanese manga would. That's quite interesting if I say so myself. But I won't talk about the volume because I don't feel like it. As for future manga purchases (since I've been initiated, and thus, must continue to buy), I think I'm gonna first concentrate on series that I *haven't* seen before elsewhere (such series being Tenchi, Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Slayers, etc.) I would consider buying Ranma though, since the manga series is much longer, and Ah! My Goddess, for the same reason. Oh, and I rented the first volume of Trigun. Pretty damn spiffy. Not one of my favorites (yet) but I've only seen the first four episodes. Also, the damn DVD screwed up in my drive again (I really need a new player.) So I probably didn't enjoy the fourth episode as much as I might have. I've also been piddling around with artwork. If I get to feeling better and get to work on it tonight, maybe I'll soon have an "animated" form of me to post here. I'm quite proud of this one, too. That's it. Show's over. Go home. Ja ne. - JR

[04-03-02] 11:20 PM  Listening to: "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen. Crazy song, man, crazy song. But I think it's cool (gotta love oldies rock), and I've got it runnin' through my mind right now. Queue music, maestro! Lyrics, if you please! Are you gonna take me home tonight? Ah down beside that red firelight Are you gonna let it all hang out? Fat bottomed girls You make the rockin' world go round! (Hey!) I was just a skinny lad Never knew no good from bad But I knew life before I left my nursery! (Huh...) Left alone with big fat Fanny She was such a naughty nanny Heap big woman, you made a bad boy out of me! (Hey hey!) (Wooh!) I've been singing with my band Across the wire across the land I seen every blue eyed floozy on the way! (Hey!) But their beauty and their style Went kind of smooth after a while Take me to them dirty ladies everytime! (C'mon!) Oh won't you take me home tonight? Oh down beside your red firelight Oh and you give it all you got Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round! Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round! (Hey listen here!) Now I got mortgages on homes I got stiffness in ma' bones Ain't no beauty queens in this locality! (I tell you...) Oh but I still get my pleasure Still get my greatest treasure Heap big woman you gonna make a big man out of me! (Now get this!) Oh (I know!) you gonna take me home tonight? (Please?) Oh down beside that red firelight Are you gonna let it all hang out? Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round! (Yeah!) Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round! Get on your bikes and ride! Ooh yeah, oh yeah, them fat bottomed girls Fat bottomed girls Yeah yeah yeah Alright, ride 'em, c'mon Fat bottomed girls - yes yes! - "Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen, first released in 1978 Just thought I'd share something odd, as well as a thought or two. Now, I've recently decided that I don't really care for petite women. I'm not saying I like BIG women, but I like girls who have a little more than meat and skin on their bones. 'Course, I think I'd fall into a similar "slightly pudgy" category. (Most of you might not think so, given my photographs. It's all in the gut, trust me. And maybe some other areas as well, but mostly the gut.) At any rate, I go for that traditional hourglass figure, I suppose. Skinny ain't gonna provide enough hips or bust to take care of my four kids, you get my drift? Or take care of ME for that matter... heh heh heh... More woman ta love, ya'understand? Heh. Lettin' homones do the talkin' tonight. Since hardly anyone reads this, I don't think it'll matter. Well, since I'm going for it already, might as well set out some parameters. You all know I'm about 6' tall (give or take an inch -- some days I feel shorter, but maybe that's because I'm walking behind my 6'5" younger brother... ^^;;) Ideally, I think I'd like a girl whose height is roughly 5'4" to 5'8" or so. Yeah, such a height mismatch might play hell on her neck (provided she liked looking at me up close), but I'd like the feeling I'd get wrapping my arms around her and kinda "safeguarding" her from the world, protecting her and surrounding her with myself as best I could. I think I would be slightly uncomfortable if my wife was as tall as me (I dunno why, just feel that way.) Next, the infamous "three numbers." I have no specifics here, as they might change given the height. I know the general figure I like, though. Hips and bust, roughly the same measurement, and waist being less than both of the other two. And I'd like a moderately filled figure, nothing like Kate Moss. You're makin' love to a freakin' toothpick with a gal like her. I'm not saying I don't think she's attractive, but she hasn't got enough... "tracts of land" to suit my fancy. ;) Give me a traditional 36-24-36 hourglass figure anyday (give or take some leeway in the numerical figures, adjusting to height -- like I said, it's not an exact science. That would probably spoil the whole "fall in love" thing anyway.) But I think there is some inherent planning interest in my mindset which gears my attentions towards non-toothpick-figured women. Birthing potential. That's what some of us guys are interested in, right? (Discounting those who believe sex is the only purpose for marriage, or for women in general.) After all, we've been charged by God to "go forth and multiply." I'm only interested in carrying out one of the Almighty's first orders to mankind. That having been stated, I'm not lying when I say I want four children. No child of mine shall have to grow up without brothers or sisters. I would not have developed into a well-rounded individual (I think I am, at least) had it not been for the experiences and close ties I developed with my family. I will admit that I would prefer three boys and one girl, just like in my family (not because girls are notoriously harder to raise than boys, nope, nope, not that at all... and I have my sources, too, to verify my claims), but whatever happens happens. I'd just better give my boys a pep talk before they go swimming in, 'cause it's them who'll be deciding gender-genetic fate. Anyways, I know that sounds scientific again, and I'm afraid that's simply a part of my rationale. Full breasts and hips, as far as I'm concerned, should entail a healthier wife and children. Makes me seem like I'm looking over women as if they're horses, examining physical potential, healthiness, whatnot. I hope I don't, I mean, I'm looking at the person underneath first and foremost. These are simply the figures I like, and why I think I like them. 'Course, I'd like full breasts and hips anyway... ^^;; I prefer dark hair, very long and straight. Black or brunette would be perfectly fine. The eyes don't matter a great deal, although I would be partial to either blue or green. Glasses aren't an issue at all (since I've got 'em too.) I prefer light, mostly uniform colored, skin -- pale to light peach is perfect. I'm not a big fan of freckles, though. And finally, I'd love some sort of mildly tangible sensation, a feeling that subdued energy simply radiates from this figure, shown most explicitly through the energetic hand motions, lilt in her gait, and sparkling eyes and smile. *sigh* I can dream, can't I? And that's not even considering the personality... Now I know why "true love" is always such a big deal in movies and stories. Oh well. Personality-wise, I'd like someone who knows when to be serious, and when to be laidback. Sometimes, my siblings are too much the latter. But I'd still like her to be a jokester, able to take and receive some verbal (and slight physical) abuse (read: physical means tickling, etc.) Considering how much I love both the emotional and the logical (the dual-brained portion of my personality), I think I would prefer someone who enjoys both the arts and the sciences as much as I do, though a relationship need not hinge wholly on this issue. If she despises math, I'll love her anyway (so long as she doesn't try to rid Pythagoras's theorems and teachings from every text book in the world.) Well, my train of thought derailed about 10 minutes ago when I stopped writing and started chatting to a friend while watching an anime music video. Oh well. I think I'd covered most of the bases anyway. Personality is something of a nebulous area to condense, too. It all depends on the person. And I'm spent. Ja ne. - JR

[04-02-02] 10:45 PM  Listening to: "Cheeseburger in Paradise," "Fins," and "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett. Chowing down on: four tacos, leftover Easter candy (Snickers and Starburst), and a Sprite. Mmm... tacos... And so begins the next monthly circle. I hadn't updated lately since I'd helped out at a Lincoln Republican Luncheon yesterday evening. What was billed as a two hour meal/presentation including 20 minutes of volunteer service somehow transmogrified into a four hour course(+entertainment) and at least 1.5 hours of waitressing (or, waitering, for us guys. If that's even a word.) But that's alright. I got to hear my state Senator offer a wonderful speech regarding President Bush's performance thus far in office. I'll have to admit, it makes me feel bad that I didn't vote last time, or else I'd have been patting myself on the back for having elected the man. Maybe... gradually... I'm finally warming up to the prospect of participating in our national governmental system. In the meantime, I don't have a great deal to chat about. Last weekend was busy with a lot of K-Martsy type work. I'm learning that while they often schedule me on specific jobs each week, oftentimes I'll be working in a different department entirely. I guess I'm either variable in my mode of operation (and they appreciate that), or else they think I'm good for any department. Either way, I'm kinda glad that I can be used in more locations than one. That way, I'll be of better use (and thus be more valuable) to the company. And the electronics department isn't bad at all. I'd been worrying for nothing. And all my complaints about bad customers are kinda unfounded. I was looking at the worst possible scenario, and most customers I've gotten thus far have been quite amiable. You simply have to zip your lips and smile for the less good-natured ones... Oftentimes, they're either complaining about practices involving biased opinions or policies which are completely out of your hands anyway. I find that there are some people who simply think they have all the answers, and expect a certain degree of perfectness no matter where they shop, be it a five-story mini-mall or a respectable hole-in-the-wall. They should come to realize that we're all human, we all make mistakes, and oftentimes, nature impedes our planning no matter how often we prepare for the unforseen. THAT'S why we don't have certain flowering plants yet. The cold from a couple weeks ago kinda waylaid our preparations a bit, and some of our managers prolonged ordering merchandise which might freeze. Of course, people might not take that into consideration, but not everyone tries to take an objective look at both (or more) sides of an issue. I guess that's just a common practice of mine. I was somewhat grouchy though, since I had to work Sunday morning. Normally, this in and of itself wouldn't be that intolerable. However, Sunday was Easter, and moreover, my family and relatives decided to meet together that morning and stay for lunch. Naturally, I missed most of the family gettogether. At least I made it down in time for cake and two rounds of "Weakest Link: the Game." I really despise the show, but playing with your family is sheer hilarity. It's like playing "Beyond Balderdash." My mother, unfortunately, got the worst spotlight (but I don't blame everyone else for laughing at her.) I mean, who in their right mind would respond to the question... "Which US president, during the 1930s and 40s, gave a number of radio broadcasts called Fireside Chats?" ...with "Herbert Hoover"? >_< Poor Marmie. She got voted off that round, all because history was her weak point. Still... >_< I've got my next semester's scheduling straightened out. Three engineering courses (Digital Logic, Electrical Circuits I, and Statics), Economics, and General Biology (which I think I'll try to CLEP out of. I should already know all that stuff, anyway...) I'll have Thursdays off, and that'll be more than wonderful. I've been considering getting back into a concert or marching band of some sort, but I'm afraid that with my job and current choice of major (plus my pastimes) that I won't have time for band. But I don't know. I'm kinda missing making music in my spare time. I always enjoyed playing. Maybe I should pressure mom into fixing our piano again... Well, that's more or less what's going on. I've been kinda thinking about my ideal of woman, and that thought in turn suggested the idea that I really don't want to be attached right now (again.) Too many responsibilities tied to a commitment, not to mention the uncertainty, weighing against the supposed pros. Still biding my time, waiting patiently... I really wish they had an anime club here at Tech. Oh, and also interesting to note, this Thursday, MTV will take over our campus. Isn't that rockin'?! My sister has tickets to attend the concert in Tucker Coliseum, which has been sold out for a time now. I don't mind missing the concert, though. I don't think anyone I like would be playing. I'd rather sit in on a Chicago concert, or listen to Jimmy Buffett or "Weird Al" Yankovic play live. Or even Megumi Hayashibara (but that would be EXTREMELY unlikely, given my current budget and lack of knowledge concerning the Japanese language.) Speaking of which, that's also offered here at Tech. Hmm... *mental cogs are turning, shockingly enough* Well, I think I've babbled on enough. Hope you're a bit up to date on what's goin' on. I've also learned that I don't need to purge my system a lot, so I'll only try to stick to a one blog a week minimum to keep anyone who cares informed. Ja ne. - JR

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