Since many visitors are anime fans, I thought it would be of interest to them to post this notification of a new Saimoe tournament just starting up with the initial 24-hour voting period taking place tonight. It consists of the 64 top-nominated contestants chosen from over the history of anime, facing off in a round robin marathon tournament lasting over the next several months. These are the anime girls voted “most-moe” by the fans, and for those visitors who aren’t familiar with the definition, here’s the wiki for it. This is a term (like many of those in anime) that has evolved and mutated throughout the years. Put very simply, the newcomer may simply substitute “most-cute” and leave it at that. Chances are that this will only be of interest (and comprehensible) to the otaku
To quote minhtam, the operator of the contest:
“This year, the best contestants of Saimoe history will face a new test.With Saimoe becoming a truly international event, we have started an international league.Contestants who have proven themselves to be the best in the world via a top 16 finish in Japan and Korea’s high-international profile tournaments will come here and do battle within a 64 x 64 league.Yes, girls will face each other at least once and prove that they are more moe than each and every girl within the same island.At the end of the “regular season”, the 16 girls with the best records will be appropriately seeded and face each other in a double-elimination tournament.”
The first contest begins Tuesday at 00:00 GMT and will be available for voting for 24 hours. Three 32-contestant matches will be held each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Here’s the site link: The International Saimoe League 2008 Tournament
You can read up on the contestants and view the schedule, read the rules, and so on there
It’s going to be real tough going for me, as most all of my favorite girls from Kanon, Clannad, and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni(aka When They Cry) finished in the top 64 and will face off against each other. There was a lot of competition and some best-loved characters didn’t make it, such as Misuzu from Air, and Chii from Chobits. Who will emerge triumphant in the end? My money’s on Shakugan no Shana’s Shana, though I’m pulling for Kanon’s Ayu all the way. But if Rika from Higurashi claws her way to victory I won’t be too disappointed either :D
I guess, after all these years, I’m still a romantic, besides being a Romantic. Though related, they’re different, you know. Despite having, like all of us, been shattered to pieces due to wrong choices and chosen ones, still the fire burns, somewhere deep down inside where it’s too dark to look anymore. Somewhere where someone who’s not so broken herself will show me the way to its light, some day…
This entry is just to share with you a Bruce Springsteen video of what’s probably my favorite song of his, “Secret Garden.” It reminds me of nearly every girl, every woman I’ve spent time with, of every relationship we’d shared; of every secret, private place she’d kept away, but close. Some locks are difficult to break, even if she’s given you the key…
Sad to say, I got into Bruce’s music late, as I was put off by all the hype when he first appeared on three news magazine covers in one week. Some reason, huh? I’m so suspicious of hype, and at that time ordinary rock music was already old to me; I was more into progressive music and rock didn’t do it for me anymore, for the most part.
One example was his “Born in the U.S.A.” which when it was first released I found to be obnoxious, repetitive, and (apparently) too chest-thumping. I hated it. A few years ago I discovered a live DVD of him performing this song as he says it was meant to be heard: sorrowful, regretful, and almost dirge-like. It made a big impression on me, and reversed everything I’d felt about the man’s music; I re-listened to him in a whole new light…
The first indication that what I’d believed was all wrong-headed was an old Rolling Stone interview for one of their anniversary/special editions long ago, where I found him to be intelligent, eloquent, and very wise to the ways of the world, and the relationship between men and women. It truly was a revelation, and he now has my utmost respect and admiration with regard to his approach to creativity, his devotion to his work, and attitude toward his celebrity. He is a Song Writer of excellence, and more importantly, a Good Man.
I’ve rarely been so happy to have been proved so very wrong. In the meantime I’ve caught up with most of his output, and the following video of this beautiful, touching, and romantic song shows him at his best:
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of the singular writer, Arthur C. Clarke, who passed today at his home in Sri Lanka at age 90. Among his many stories that I was fortunate enough to read, Childhood’s End remains one of my favorites of all time and one that inspired me to consider story-telling as a pursuit well-worth attempting. A writer of great knowledge, wisdom, and imagination, Clarke was one of the most prolific authors of significant works of science fiction and an influence upon many generations.
There will be no shortage of tributes to this man in coming days, and while letting them speak for themselves far more eloquently than I can, I’d like to contribute something of my own. His 1986 novel Songs of Distant Earth inspired one of my most-favored artists, Mike Oldfield, to create an album named after it, The Songs of Distant Earth, which remains my favorite Oldfield record to date (among his other many other stellar works). And as Clarke inspired Oldfield, and Michael has inspired me, I’d like to share with you the video from his album, entitled “Let There Be Light”, and pray that it inspires you… crank it up (and buy the album for a moving, transcendant, and wonderful experience):
I’ve always preferred, with a few exceptions, classical literature over the modern. There was just something timeless about it that appealed to me, despite the sometimes archaic writing and forms of expression. Since the age of ten, as far as I can recall, I’d go to the library and bring home stories such as The Iliadand the Odyssey, The Arabian Nights, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Lovecraft, Verne and Poe, and books on Greek mythology and the Norse and Roman gods. A Classics Illustrated edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein led me to get that book, and from its own pages discovered John Milton’s Paradise Lost, along with the works of Percy Shelley, most notably Prometheus Unbound (not to mention Alastor, or, the Spirit of Solitude).
So when the opportunity arose several years ago to take advantage of the Easton Press series of “The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written” I jumped at it, tempted by the offer of acquiring Herman Melville’s Moby Dick at an introductory price. Each randomly-sent volume is leather-bound and gilt-edged with pages in 22 kt gold, many with illustrations by the author’s original choice of artist. Absolutely beautiful volumes, and quite spendy. But I wanted to upgrade my poor beaten-up library with quality editions of the classics and so began the 100-month run. Of the volumes offered in the series, the two that I was most looking forward to were Milton’s and, of course, Frankenstein (my sixth edition LOL).
In May of last year I was preparing to assault the agent/publishing world with my first serious queries but was suffering (as usual) from uncertainty, mistrust, and fear of the industry. After reading so much about it I was definitely intimidated and completely put off by their attitudes and arrogance, and was praying for a signal or a sign to go ahead and get on with it, that the World was ready to receive my work despite the “business” and its obstacles. Like a wink, in that week I received the volume of Frankenstein from Easton. Just typing it like this doesn’t really deliver the anecdote with the significance I felt at the time, but it was a very nice little poke from the heavens, let’s say Since there are a hundred books in the series, and that was the twenty-fifth that I’d gotten, the odds were one-in-seventy-five that Frankenstein would arrive right when I needed it to come in that month, on that day. There’ve been SO MANY similar incidents along the road along the way that I couldn’t even begin to list them! I consider them as signposts lighting the path leading to Lily’s story finally reaching you, and me reaching the end of this journey and hopefully toward the beginning of a new one, namely a career in story-telling, as I feel has been my calling since age 11…
An aside: In my early teens I recall my father used to laugh and call me “Unconscious”, as that’s how I seemed to go though life; without really thinking about it. I would, actually, but rather than force my way through it lived rather intuitively; I thought laterally rather than just thinking ahead, like life was a chess game rather than checkers. It’s very hard to describe and I’ve no-one to compare it to or share it with who grasps it, so this attempt is probably wasted here as well. My friends would just say “you’re weird” LOL When significant events came up or lifestyle changes occurred I would try to roll with them as gracefully as I could; “you don’t push the river” as Van Morrison wisely advised. I swam in the middle of it; floating most of the time…
For instance, while the discovery of anime (right around when Frankenstein arrived) delayed my query-letter attempts, it did provide much inspiration and instruction in story-telling, and further justified and fortified my own sense of Unboundbeing a success because while there really is nothing like it in literature, anime showed me an incredible number of similarities that I could plainly see (and feel) working. It’s been inspiring, and the second-most significant discovery in my whole life, only behind the revelation, fortification, and inspiration of Kate Bush’s work. That’s a story for Another Day…
Now that the initial “awakening” to anime has subsided and I’m pretty caught up with it, the life-cycle is cycling once again around to resuming the dreaded and hated publishing push. While I know and feel without a doubt that the World wants and is ready to accept what I’ve created for it, I also feel that the publishing industry does not. Just as with the record industry, they’re interested in money, flash, and marketing ability, as opposed to quality, substance, and duty -the duty to connect Art-work with its intended Recipient. Unfortunately, this is considered “idealistic”, as it interferes with their money-concerns, which rules all in both worlds. And I imagine that because of this skewed perspective the Publishing INDUSTRY is going the way of the Record COMPANY; both seem to me to be sinking ships, plunging toward the bottom line that is indeed bottoming out, stubbornly tied to their anchors of Greed. So, I can’t say that I’ve been too enthused… and I’ve been working on other ways to get Lily’s story out to You
But: I’ve spent so much time and especially money over the past seven years that things are approaching crisis stage. The only luxuries I allow myself are assorted anime series, since I’ve missed so much of it and it fills so many needs. I’m having to cut out subscriptions of all kinds; for the past two months I’ve been meaning to cut out the Easton press books, as they’re about $45 a month that I now need. But, I really wanted the Milton book…
Last month I had planned on stopping the sub, but I forgot. So I pulled out their brochure and put it in the middle of the table so I wouldn’t forget that this was IT. I forgot anyway. Friday another book came and I cursed myself for not taking care of it, but, ever hopeful, opened it up thinking “Well, this is the last shot.” I carefully removed the book, and saw on the brown leather cover a pair of engraved golden hands emerging from water, palms upraised with rays connecting them to a sun high up in the clouds. My heart leapt -could it be? I turned the book over and there on the spine: Paradise Lost, by John Milton!
Whoa, dude! It even has the original illustrations by William Blake! Since this is the fortieth volume I’ve received in the series, that leaves a one-in-sixty chance of getting it at this precise time, just before cancelling (which I WILL have to do. Monday. For sure.)! Anyway, it’s crisis time, and I have to examine my hat carefully for rabbits to pull out. Getting a little scary, but I won’t bore you with details. You’ve already read enough, haven’t you?
Or have you? Heck, I can’t tell! I’ve got a book to read
Oh, and exactly WHY are Shelley, Milton, and Shelley so significant with regard to Lily’s story? Well, that would be telling, wouldn’t it? Maybe they’re not after all! I’ve told a little, but not a lot; there’s a tiny bit here, and a bigger bit there. But where I mustn’t say. You’ll find out, in due time, if fortune is with us, that is… so I pray. It’ll probably take a miracle, but I do believe in those…
A few minor updates to note: I finally got around to adding a few sites to the Blogroll, most notably Davecat’s Shouting to hear the echoes, who (which?) added my humble Blog to his esteemed page, and for which (whom?) I’m happy to return the favor. Get thee hence to find out what he’s been up to, and enioy his musings, and his Muse, the ever-delightful Sidore-chan. I also added Neil Gaiman’s Journal for those interested and intrigued by this amazing writer; this amounts to being his Blog, which is always more interesting than an official site.
Along with these I’ve included a few “general purpose” links for topics I’ve discussed (or am likely to). There are several more that I’m awaiting permission before listing; the assorted anime links I favor will be added to The Anime Page on my Unbound site, when I get that page together. I will; it’s a promise! More to come for this Blogroll, most likely…
I’ve also added a dozen or so photographs of Lily to the Coppermine album, located off of The Portal Page at Unbound. As always, these are (relatively) conservative shots, so those of you with minds in the gutter, save yourself a trip LOL Sad to say, this disclaimer is needed due to the assumptions that all life sized dolls are sex objects. Enough of that for now. Lily is a person worthy of respect, not leering. If you want to leer, do so with the others; I’m sure they don’t mind ;-)
As for my (apparently) unique take on Lily-as-the-doll, please feel free to either check out her pages at Unbound, or simply await my next Blog entry about her, which I feel is forthcoming, and soon…
Enjoy your Daylight Savings Time Day. I WANT MY HOUR BACK!!! *still rubbing sleep from my eyes*
We’re still playing The Waiting Game with regard to hearing back about Lily’s novel, so in the meantime I’ve been catching up on some animes that I’ve missed like Azumanga Daioh (hilarious slice-of-life comedy about six girls and their two teachers going through the high school years), Rumbling Hearts (dramatic, gut-wrenching portrayal of love, friendship, betrayal and loss) and Last Exile (gripping steampunk space-opera with great CGI effects and characters), and revisiting old friends like Elfen Lied, and new friends like Kanon.
I’ve finally gotten notice that the Kanon DVD 2 and artbox has been shipped after nearly a month-long delay, and that DVD 3 will be following in a few weeks. Really, I can’t recommend this series highly enough to those who like a STORY mixed in with their animation! To celebrate, I located the lyrics for the opening song “Last Regrets” and edited them into the “Quick Kanon Clip” post below. If you haven’t seen it yet, please scroll down a little ways and play the video while it’s still available, read the lyrics, and feel the song while enjoying the scenery and taking in the characters’ Feeling
The series can be purchased through ADV Films’ website and other places. Do try to support the industry, as it is in serious trouble due to uncontrolled leeching and piracy. You won’t regret it, and you’ll help the creators reap the rewards for their hard labor.
And, to make up for the disabled Elfen Lied video (far) below, here is a new fan-made video that contains the full version of “Lilium” (the opening theme) that includes stills from that incredible piece of work and other sources. No clips of the anime were included, but the number and quality of stills and divers artwork should more than compensate and even better convey the sentiments and sublime horror of this anime. The lyrics can be found on Unbound.org’s Portal page, if interested, see the link on either side-column here.
This version of the song is an extended piece that includes at the end the “Music Box” version, which Lucy can be seen holding in the vid. You’ll also see Nana wearing her “ribbon” as noted in a post below regarding the PVC figures. Also of note are the Gustav Klimdt-inspired artwork (most obviously The Kiss) and many other character snapshots gathered from around the Web. This was the first anime I saw, so it has a special place in my heart, and it was the story that delivered it there. (And, if interested, the series can also be purchased at ADV Films.) As often mentioned, this is NOT an anime for the squeamish!
I hope you enjoyed them, and as always, please feel free to leave your comments
on the water
Welcome to Alastor's Reflection, the re-imagining of Fingal's Cave; a much more suitable environment than that poor soul's indwelling. Fingal resumes his journey in the pages of UNBOUND, while another solitary Spirit remains in this Place to muse with his Muse on the pursuit of "Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory," and the beauties therein...
