blacklipswhitefly

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Revolution

blacklipswhitefly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Matters of fact:

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Revolution is an anime series under the Sunrise production and directed by Goro Taniguchi and written by Ichiro Okouchi with characters designed by Clamp. It first aired on October 05, 2006 and ran until July 28, 2007 for the first season and resumed on April 06, 2008 for the airing of the second season which ended just last September 28, 2008. Tha manga adaptations, which carry alternating interpretations started serializing in October of 2006.

It started out with a person having no special intricacies in life except for his finesse in chess. Other than that, he was just a rich brat with time to waste. Then he met C.C., the shady chic with green hair and everything became anything but normal. With a two-season installment and once-in-a-while dragging episodes, it ended with a very superb ending - something that you thought you expected but would never be able to pull off.

Something about the characterizations of the people in the episode makes you love them and hate them and wonder about them at the same time. The line between protagonists and antagonists becomes almost invisible, leaving you to wonder and ask, “Who’s the main character here again?”

Exposure wise, Lelouch is the protagonist. Usual plot wise, you would think it’s Suzaku. Power wise, you would think it’s anybody’s ball game.

Here are some of the things that I would never forget about the series:

never ever get lost in the shifting of the personalities you are trying to live - if you are not as good as Lelouch, you will definitely lose yourself in the middle
the most effective way to bring a high-ranking official down, no matte how prestigious they are, is to call them using a name of a fruit. (Orange-kun)
underlying relationship between Lelouch and close male characters - Suzaku and Rolo - everybodywho has watched the movie and do not have the kinks of doing it with the same sex may find this idea perverse but I swear on my dead lesbian escapades, Lelouch is a potential ya-oi superstar.
one lesson learned: If you have this magnanimous dream to make the world a “better place”, don’t have kids - they will ruin your plan for you especially if they are as good as you are.
with all the men in Britannia, only Suzaku can match the amazon of the black nights - Karen. And considering that Suzaku was working under Lelouch’s geass to survive. It only shows that the only man who has balls big enough to carry Lelouch to victory is a woman.
balls-cracking quotes:
- All hail Britannia!
- Those who are allowed to shoot are those who are prepared to be shot.
- Inequality is not an evil. Equality itself is evil.
- The world won’t change with pretty words alone.
- Princess Euphemia: Everyone who calls themselves Japanese. I have a request. Can you all die? Erm…I hoped that you would all commit suicide, but is that impossible? Then can all the soldiers please annihilate them? It’s a massacre! (After killing someone) Now, will all the soldiers please hurry
- C.C: Within the endless flow of time,l i am alone
- Lelouch: Terrorism is nothing more than childish harassment.
- You’ve had only two choices ever since you joined the Order of the Black Knights. Either live with me, or die with me!
- The world will change. I’ll change it.
For those people who haven’t seen the series yet, I hope this article would make you want to see it. It’s a nice change from this era of predictable plots. (Really!) For those who have seen the series, let’s congratulate ourseleves for being so damned lucky for having done so!

2009: Year of the Ox

blacklipswhitefly — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:29:00 +0000

It has always been my fascination - really, really close to obsession - to check the year-to-come's chinese horoscope forecast. This year it's the year of the Ox. So, here is a sidebit of what kind of people are born in the year of the Ox.

http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.ht

Those born under the influence of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task or an objective. As we used this great creature long ago to plow the soil day after day, so do Ox people labor through their daily responsibilities either at work or at home without complaint or gripe. Oxen know they will succeed through hard work and sustained effort and find no truth or benefit in concocting get-rich-quick schemes.

Years of the Ox

Ox years are second in sequence and recur every twelve years. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Ox year actually begins.

THE SIGN OF THE OX

Pragmatic and down-to-earth, Ox people are motivated to work hard and have no respect for lazy or careless people. Although they can be easily trusted and find it easy to put trust in others, they are not dependent on friends and family and would rather find an answer or a solution themselves than to ask these people for help or guidance. However, others can, without a doubt rely on Oxen, who are always honest and meticulous about their responsibilities. While they do not feel the need for many distant or acquaintance-oriented friendships, they value the strong bonds they share with their partners and families, and make close friends that last a lifetime.

Though they are quite open-minded, once Ox people have made a decision about something, they rarely change it. This is a defining characteristic that can be seen as obstinacy, but it is actually the way an Ox learns to be strong, brave and straightforward. It is the way the Ox learned to take on tasks and responsibilities and how he learns to be reliable for others. Oxen are more comfortable with the well-known as opposed to the unfamiliar. Yet, beneath their unpretentious, tranquil exterior lies a heart of gold and a motivation to prosper.

OXEN FACTS:

People born in the Year of the Ox share certain characteristics. The Ox sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual’s personality. Following are features associated with the sign of the Ox.

Second in order, Chinese name—NIU, sign of industry

Hour—1am-2:59am Month—January

Western Counterpart—Capricorn

CHARACTERISTICS

Obstinate, Pouty, Truthful, Motivated, Friendly, Apathetic, Genuine, Quick-tempered

IN YOUR ELEMENT

The characteristics of the Ox sign are tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth overlaying a 5-year cycle of characteristics on the original 12-year cycle.

THE METAL OX 1901 AND 1961

Metal Ox people work harder and more scrupulously than most people, including other Oxen. They always show a boldness and drive and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Like all Oxen, they are completely trustworthy and dependable, but they are not ones to display their emotions freely or openly. These Oxen have the strength of steel, with a will to match. Often, this strength and ruthless will make it difficult for them to identify with the feelings of others around them. However, an Ox is always willing to defend what he knows to be true and won’t give up until he has proven what he knows to be true.

THE WATER OX 1913 AND 1973

The Water element gives the Ox a flexibility and liberty. Water Oxen are as hard-working as anyone, and particularly systematic, and are probably the quickest-thinking of the other elemental Oxen. They are much more prepared than the other Oxen to recognize the pints of view of others and to think about their ideas and suggestions, making them easy to work with in a business environment. They generally consider the feelings of others which makes them good roommates or partners. In addition, their sincerity and patience ensures their popularity with friends, peers and family.

THE WOOD OX 192S AND 1985

Understanding and fair, these are the least unyielding of the Oxen and the most apt to change and accept new ideas. A more liberal attitude gives them the ability to appreciate the value of being a part of a team, and other members of the team respect the high principles of the Wood Ox. They are particularly self-confident giving them an air of unspoken authority. This characteristic means that Wood Oxen are often chosen as leaders or spokespeople. They also have a shorter fuse than other Ox people, and are more likely to be outspoken or to stand up in a crowd to be heard. These Oxen are quite devoted to those they love and make strong and affectionate friends and relations.

THE FIRE OX 1937 AND 1997

Being born under the fire sign gives these Oxen dynamic qualities. Their leadership capabilities are tremendous, and they have to desire to be in charge so they generally hold positions of status and importance at work and in the community. They are capable of being extremely objective, but these Oxen can display hot tempers, throw temper-tantrums or be unusually impulsive in their decision-making. This can be dangerous because it may cause them to brush aside valuable ideas, discarding them before actually considering the implications associated with doing so. Even so, they tend to be loyal people. Devoutly dedicated to their family.

THE EARTH OX 1949 AND 2009

The most reliable and diligent Oxen belong to this collection of Oxen. The Earth element balances many of their negative characteristics. These Oxen are show good judgement, a good characteristic for successful financial dealings. Other people tend to look up to Earth Oxen because of their reliability, sincerity and their modest ambitions. They are willing to tackle the workload when it become overbearing for others and are loyal and compassionate with family and friends.

HEALTH AND HOME

HEALTH

People born under the sign of the Ox usually have strong codes and work ethics. This can lead to a tendency to be a workaholic, and they should make an effort to relax more. Many Oxen work in relatively stationary occupations, and would benefit from squeezing a little exercise into their routines. They are prone to bone and joint problems - especially the knees - and must pay special attention to these areas. However, Ox people are usually strong and robust, and, according to ancient wisdom, should be blessed with long lives.

AT HOME WITH THE OX

The Ox’s home is his castle, a place where he finds relaxation and peace from the everyday hustle and bustle of his career or responsibilities. This is where he spends time with his friends and loved ones. The Ox person doesn’t put a lot of effort into making his house stylish, for he would much rather be comfortable while reading the newspaper or watching television. He doesn’t spend much time indoors anyway—he wants to be outside, smelling the air, planting gardens and trees, which will usually be evidenced by the botanical literature you will find on his bookshelf or on his coffee table. Ox people prefer to live in the country. The Ox generally prefers to decorate his home with nature’s colors, i.e. golds, greens and oranges. However, since the Ox is associated with January, winter colors might be more appealing.

CAREER AND FINANCE

THE OX ON THE JOB

Able, ethical and aware, colleagues of the Ox will marvel at their methodical approach and will depend on their eyes for detail. Oxen are not phased by routines, probably because they are so well-organized. They are better-suited for specialized positions and prefer to work in large companies. They do, however, work best when they work alone since they can be unhappy when participating in a large group.

MONEY AND THE OX

Oxen believe in security, and thus don’t usually take wild risks or financial gambles. They are meticulous about spending money and work hard to ensure they will be able to retire comfortably.

OX CAREERS

Those born in the Year of the Ox share the same kinds of goals and objectives in life. The occupations best suited for the Ox are listed below:

OX MAKE EXCELLENT:

Painters

Interior designers

Carpenters

Mechanics

Horticulturists

Engineers

Draftsmen

Architects

Army Officers

Managers

Quarry Workers

Academics

Archeologists

Osteopaths

Physioherapists

Bankers

Investment brokers

Real estate agents

CONGENIAL BUSINESS PARTNERS

Whether Oxen are compatible with their business partners depends on whether their signs are harmonious or antagonistic to those of their business partners. Considering the congruity of their own characters and the characters of their business partners can also be very useful.

Rats Ruled By Benefit From Are Antagonistic to

Metal Earth Roosters Fire Tigers

Water Metal Rats Earth Horses

Wood Water Pigs Metal Sheep

Fire Wood Oxen Water Dogs

Earth Fire Snakes Wood Monkeys

Leisurely activities and pleasures

LIKES AND DISLIKES

The Ox is a lover of stability, a great traditionalist and a homemaker. Rarely would you expect an Ox person to be an extrovert pleasure-seeker. They are happiest in the peace of their own home territory.

Oxen Like:

Color Preference: Violet

Gems and Stones: Jade, Emerald, Moss-Agate, Lapis-Lazuli

Suitable Gifts: Kitchen accessories, gardening and planting books, cookbooks, bonsai trees

Hobbies and Pastimes: Body-Building, Baking, Gardening, Listening to music, Sewing

Oxen Dislike: Making small talk, foolish games, feeling insecure

THE OX VACATION

Actually, Oxen are homebodies, preferring the lure of the sofa or the garden to extravagant vacations far away from home. They are very happy just staying at home, spending their summer vacations catching up with the hobbies and pastimes that their workloads have prevented them from taking on previously. Whether they are planting flower beds, or enjoying a sunset on their newly-built front porch, it is all quite satisfying to them. If they do decide to take a trip, you can bet they’ll head for the hills to do some hiking or rock climbing.

FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

Oxen are not the most sociable people and tend not to mix easily in social gatherings. Instead, they would rather be at home, enjoying their privacy and anonymity. Unlike the Rat, the Monkey, or the Rooster, the Oxen tend not to have a little black book, preferring a few very loyal friends to a large network of acquaintances. Oxen do know how to shine at social occasions, but more often than not they dislike small talk. These are wary people, unlikely to ignite friendships on the spur of the moment. They like to take their time and get to know people before disclosing themselves fully. A happy, solid relationship with their partner and children is the most satisfying goal they could accomplish.

OX PARENTS AND CHILDREN

Oxen make very protective parents. People born under this sign will unselfishly work their fingers to the bone to provide a thriving, happy and secure home where their children feel safe. In return, however, the Ox mother and father demand that their youngsters be courteous, respectful and polite. In comparison to other parents, Oxen can seem a bit authoritarian but they are conventional and believe in instilling within their children a belief system. A good education is especially important and by utilizing their educational opportunities, Oxen children can make their lives and relationships with their parents a lot easier. Ox parents expect their children to listen, behave and be attentive while they are at school. Showing rebellion is the fastest way to be punished in the Oxen household.

Oxen, especially female Oxen, tend to start their families early on and completely immerse themselves in caring for and parenting their children. This can lead to dependent children and can pose a problem for parents who are trying to teach their children to become self-reliant.

THE OX INFANT AND CHILD

Children born under the sign of the Ox are quiet and amenable. They develop into solid, independent,

resourceful children, and are happiest when left to entertain themselves. If interrupted, provoked or forced

to do something against their will, they are likely to pout or show themselves, despite their audience.

Generally, Ox-born children are shy, and for many, childhood is quite lonely partly due to them liking to be

alone and partly because their siblings are usually much older or younger than they.

At school, subjects with a constructive appeal will be of the most interest to them. They like art and music as well. They are creative children who enjoy sports too. They are respectful, polite, hard-working, children…something their parents take very seriously.

OXEN PARENT/CHILD KINSHIPS

Some parents click immediately with their children and some find they will never have a close relationship no matter how hard they try to make it happen. Following are the compatibility ratings between Oxen parents and their children.

Oxen with Under the same roof Compatibility Rating

Rat noble parent, respectable child ****

Ox pretty much equal ***

Tiger not much understanding *

Rabbit happy at home ***

Dragon some problems to sort out **

Snake on similar planes ***

Horse little compromise *

Sheep too sensitive *

Monkey a lot of fun together ****

Rooster solid relationship ****

Dog not much interaction *

Pig essentially harmonious ***

COMPATIBILITY RATINGS:

*uphill struggle **some complications ***easy bonding ****on the same wavelength

Lovers and spouses

THE OX LOVER

Oxen dislike chit-chat. They don't have fun at parties and as aforementioned, don’t have a ton of friends. They are not very sociable and would rather be spending their time at home with their families. When the Ox is in love, he does not confirm his feelings verbally, preferring to show you how he feels rather than tell you. An Ox will take a long time to decide if you are the right match for him because Oxen hate change, and want to find someone who is ready to embark upon a stable marriage. Oxen never rush into anything and are not flirtatious people. Once they have committed to you they will usually be faithful and expect reciprocation of their honorable actions.

MARRIAGE

Unfortunately, many Ox marriages do fall apart after a couple of years, possibly because the Ox is too dominant or inflexible. Perhaps it's because, Oxen tend to place blame on everyone but themselves. But if an Ox fortunate, and has chosen wisely, the couple can build and maintain a close-knit family to which the Ox will completely devote himself.

THE OX LOVE PARTNER

Oxen are strong, silent, reliable people who sometimes take for granted that their relationship is a partnership and that they make not always be the dominant figure. Other Animals may find them quite stubborn and overbearing. Chinese horoscopes are very specific about which partnerships have the potential to be successful in love and in business. Yet, though destiny can point us in the right direction, we must still make all efforts to maintain loving relationships. Following is a brief description of how an Ox will affect a relationship with other Animal signs.

PARTNERS IN LOVE

Ox*Rat

Really good sex, but you’ll better serve each other as an affair. Marriage isn’t a good idea.

Ox*Ox

A solid partnership, but a wee bit boring.

Ox*Tiger

You are completely drawn to each other but headed for a dead end.

Ox*Rabbit

As lovers you’ll have a solid, content marriage.

Ox*Dragon

Give-and-take is not your forte and you are both more stubborn than the other.

Ox*Snake

You are headed for happiness!

Ox*Horse

Better in business than in bed.

Ox*Sheep

You may be phyiscally attracted to each other, but there’s not much substance here.

Ox*Monkey

If you can make it work, you’re destined for happiness and a lot of fun!

Ox*Rooster

Sexually stimulating, passionate and spontaneous…this should be a good fit.

Ox*Dog

You probably aren’t truly comfortable with each other…there’s a reason for that. Not much in common.

Ox*Pig

Passion and similar opinions destine you for a successful marriage.

Love Partners at a Glance

Oxen with Tips on Togetherness Compatibility

Rat similar appreciation ***

Ox strong, but apathetic **

Tiger completely different attitudes *

Rabbit delicate and loving ***

Dragon love at first sight, then stalemate *

Snake Majestic ****

Horse too argumentative *

Sheep No way *

Monkey okay, but no spark **

Rooster Wonderful ****

Dog Doubtful, but there’s hope **

Pig worth trying **

COMPATIBILITY RATINGS:

*dispute **keep working at it ***intense sexual attraction ****angelic

EAST MEETS WEST

ARIES OX

Aries Oxen are goal-oriented and attain success by persevering. They charge through life and do not let opposition slow them down. In love they are not subtle and like to be the dominant figure in the relationship. Only a strong, trustworthy partner will make this a lasting partnership.

LIBRAN OX

These Oxen are good employers and employees because they are easy to get along with and listen to what you have to say. They like to keep the peace and don’t like to rock the boat. They are always trying to achieve perfection personally and romantically.

TAUREAN OX

Solid, yet flexible, Taurean Oxen are probably the most steady and most laid-back of all the Oxen. Obstinate and persistent, they get what they want by plodding on.

SCORPIO OX

Determination and strong will characterize the Scorpio Ox. These Oxen will strive and do whatever they must in order to reach their goal. They are intense lovers, but you’ll never be able to read their emotions because they keep them tucked away.

GEMINI OX

These Oxen have strength of purpose. They are outgoing and like to be around other people. They are funny and sociable, use these traits to excel in business.

SAGITTARIAN OX

These Oxen have Sagittarian vision. They are born with luck and are prone to take unnecessary risks. They are quick to read a situation and use their talents to accumulate great wealth and status.

CANCERIAN OX

Sensitivity and motivation ensure that Cancerian Oxen develop highly-creative skills. At home their family are essential to their happiness and well-being.

CAPRICORN OX

Capricornian Oxen are made of true resolute. A sustained effort allows them to achieve a very comfortable way of life. They are conservative and responsible and will work long hours to provide their loved ones with security and comfort.

LEONINE OX

This combination produces leaders who feel the need to be in control. They also take themselves seriously and throw themselves into any project they under take. They are happiest with an adoring partner who will love them completely.

AQUARIAN OX

This duality combines a light spirituality with a predictability quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen. They contradict each other in a way, but value free-thinking and intelligence.

VIRGO OX

These individuals are practical but they can lose sight of what’s important and can fuss over small details. Unmatched in honesty and ethics, they are responsible and respected.

PISCEAN OX

Sensitivity influences the toughness of the Ox to produce a delicate personality, with unlimited creativity and perspicacity. Piscean Oxen are artistic and would rather work behind the scenes than be a visible member of the team.

- damn it!

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:33:00 +0000

i had this idea before about blogging - do not ever post the most hidden ideas that you have because other people might use them one day

but now...

what the fuck! nobody's even checking out this blog anyway and i do not have any time to write stuffs on paper and pen anymore.

anyway...

ces't la vie..

i have been trying to sell myself lately looking for some decent online writing jobs - part time or full time, whichever as long as they accept me. I NEED the money (notice the all caps) and i need something to help me get away from my job.

although the selling one's self is actually difficult - the number of hours i spent trying to look for job postings, the meeting-the-expectations part is actally more difficult (as if i had just given you a new idea to ponder on, tsk tsk tsk). but anyway, life sucks and here i was thinking that i could actually manage to fit everything into their places - one box for my kid,one box for my work, one box for my life and all the other boxes that i need for all the things rammed in my almost-nothing existence...hahahahaha

so much for trying to lure people in this blog...one prospect client actually told me that a lot of people usually write about bas stuffs - but he wants to have something positive because it creates positive aura that is good for business...positive aura my ass...hahahahha..in this world nowadays, if you are really happy with your life, why would you still write about it. i meanm happiness is something you experience, savor because it doesn't happen much often. you don't say, "oh i'm so happy, i'm gonna write about it!" instead you say "i'm happy, period."

also, if you are happy, the feeling is always momentary and never long-lasting. so when you already have the necessities to write about something, the feeling is not there anymore.

duh! whatever. other people, if ever they would have the chance of clicking this site, much more finish reading this article, and much more comment on it, might just berate every little thing i said about this stuff. see - people are not happy so they try to toss their agression on other people. hahahahahhahaha!

San Pedro City: A Small Haven of Tourism and Culture in Costa Rica

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:17:00 +0000

San Pedro City, also known today as San Jose City, lies in the province of San Jose in Costa Rica. Over hundreds of years ago, San Pedro was just some muddy streets lined with rickety buildings –the last place you would want to visit here on Earth. Fast forward to the present, the wasteland transformed into this place full of tropical escapades and a city brimming with rich culture.

When many of the city’s finest buildings were destroyed during the postwar years, modern architecture took over the place. Like any regular cities and being the most cosmopolitan city in Central America, San Jose offers many points of destinations: malls, parks, among others. One of the intriguing things about the city is that it offers a wide array of international cuisine: Italian, Chinese, Bistros, American and more. The nightlife of the city is very alive. San Jose bars give fun and excitement to tourists who want to party the night away.

However, amidst the city life of San Jose, tourists would still feel the exotic feeling of the city. When staying in a hotel in San Jose, despite the crowded streets, one would still have the “small town” feel of the place, giving a taste of the average Latin urban population. Moravia, one of the hotels, is well known not only for its accommodation but also for its art and craft. There are also museums, art galleries, elegant buildings, cafes, and landscaped parks. To name a few, the city boasts of the Parisian influences National Theatre, the Gold Museum’s pre-Columbian exhibits, the National Museum’s display of colonial artifacts, the Jade Museum’s largest collection of jade pieces, the Museum of Costa Rican Art, the Museum of Entomology, the Natural Science Museum and the Children’s Museum. A major attraction is Pueblo Antiguo. It is famous for its architectural design that is the same with the style that majority of Costa Rica’s towns had in the 19^th century.

Though Costa Rica is really known for its beaches and rainforests that are in the outskirts of the country, San Pedro offers something that is beyond thrill – a chance to live life in a city that was able to preserve its roots.

San Jose City has a moderate climate – a dry season from mid-November until mid-May and a wet season throughout the rest of the year.

What Makes a Song Emo? (A Comparative Analysis)

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:17:00 +0000

So much has been said about emo music. It has become a fad and is currently invading everybody’s closet, mp4s, and even lifestyle. But what really is Emo? Is it a kind of music that bored suicidal kids love to drown in?

Emo is actually a slang term derived from the word emotional. Quite recently, it has been increasingly used to refer to a fashion style. However, before it became a fashion statement, emo was actually a shortened term for emocore (emotional hardcore), a subgenre of hardcore punk that emerged in the middle of 1980s where some members of the band became unusually too emotional during performance. In the early 1990s, the first wave of the genre began to fade when bands started to disband. However, in mid-1990, it began to reflect the indie scene. But as these independent bands started to go mainstream, new bands reflecting the emo style also started to emerge in the popular music scene.

The genre has been criticized not only for its popularity but also for its misconceptions and credibility as a subgenre of music. Quite interestingly, if you examine the set of lyrics below, you wouldn’t really know if both are emo music or not. The song, Poetic Tragedy by The Used is characterized as an emo song but the one, The Beast In Me is a song made by Johnny Cash. Content wise, the two songs share the same concept. So, does this mean that emo already existed in Cash’s time?

"Poetic Tragedy"

The cup is not half empty as pessimists say

As far as he's sees, nothing's left in the cup

A whole cup full of nothing for him to indulge

Since the voice of ambition has long since been shut up

A singer, a writer, he's not dreaming now of going nowhere

He gave heed to nothing, and all that he was....

Is just a tragedy

So he voyages in circles

Succeeds getting nowhere

And submits to the substance

That first got him there

Then in violent, frustration, he cries out to God or just no one

Is there a point to this madness and all that he was....

Is just a tragedy

He feels alone

His heart in his hand

He's alone

He feels alone

I feel....

Then on that last day he breaks

And he stood tall

And he yelled... and he takes his life

"The Beast In Me"

The beast in me Is caged by frail and fragile bars Restless by day

And by night rants and rages at the stars God help the beast in me

The beast in me Has had to learn to live with pain

And how to shelter from the rain

And in the twinkling of an eye Might have to be restrained God help the beast in me

Sometimes it tries to kid me That it's just a teddy bear

And even somehow manage to vanish in the air

And that is when I must beware

Of the beast in me that everybody knows

They've seen him out dressed in my clothes

Patently unclear It it's New York or New Year God help the beast in me

The beast in me

Now, this leads us to the question, what makes a song emo?

Answer # 1: The Lyrics and Performance

Lyrics of emotional songs depict extreme pessimism about anything in the world. Usually, this pessimism is effectively shown through the singer’s choice of style in singing – screaming their throats out while being extremely emotional. If lyrics and performance really are the gauge of emotional music, then more than half of the songs in the world, if sung in a screaming and emotional fashion, qualify to become emotional music.

Answer #2: The Artist

In this case, if The Used, which is now carrying the flag of divine “emoness”, sing a Britney Spears song, then that Britney Spears song can already be considered emo?

Answer #3: The Audience

The mass has a strong power to dictate the gauge of anything in this world. Ask anybody who has been to high school and they would agree. So, if one day, the mass decides that Kenny Rogers is emo, then his song would also then become emo?

No matter how we see it, emo music has become very popular among teenagers. Its misconceptions actually cause some of these kids to go astray and see depression and suicide as something hip. The questions really here is not about Emo being a credible music genre or not, rather, it is more on whether or not Emo actually help teenagers counter the turbulent period they are in.

Of Devouring the Uncanny

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:15:00 +0000

How does one eat a sea slug? A cockroach?

Surely not all have the appetite for such cuisines. What if you were invited to indulge in a sumptuous dish of fried cockroaches out of courtesy, what would you do? Maybe you would just directly stuff the thing in your mouth and swallow it even without chewing. Then, you would end up vomiting all over the place – so much for courtesy!

Each country has its own delicacy that foreigners of that country find impossible to swallow, much more chew. Let us take a short whirlwind trip and let us scan the menu of weird foods found in some countries.

In Indonesia, they eat monkey toes off the bone. Surely, they have never heard of the rumors of the EBOLA originating from our primate friends. Well, if ever they have had, the toes might be just too delicious to put off.

If you have always been fascinated by Dracula and have fancied of becoming a vampire but the only thing that stops you from doing so is that you could not swallow blood, try living in Hungary. They slit pig’s throats there, collect its blood in a frying pan and fry the blood with scrambled eggs. If you prefer to eat blood raw, try living with the Masai in Africa. They thrive on milk and fresh blood from their livestock.

If you think mothers’ milk is only best for babies until two to three years old, chefs in Changsha of the southern Hunan province in China would strongly oppose to that. There, they serve dishes cooked with human breast milk. Eating while experiencing the unconditional love of mothers (not yours, of course) is definitely something to think about.

In some places in the southern part of the USA in Georgia and in Alabama, “kaolin” (clay) has become a specialty, especially among pregnant women. In Africa, clay is also dug and sold in the market-place and is believed to be very rich in minerals.

Though these things might be foreign to some people who do not live in the places where these foods are served, there are also those who find the delicacies very normal even if they too are foreigners of the places serving those meals.

No matter how we put it or in whatever angle we see it, though these kinds of food may not be something that tempts everybody’s palate, they still serve the purpose of ingestion – they give the stomach the feeling of fullness and provide (whether you believe it or not) nutrition. Put that scowl from your face away for a while and put your salivary glands into use. Devour the world’s weirdest meals, put your guts to the test, and with every spoonful of monkey toes, blood or mother’s-milk-laced dish you ingest, remember that one’s concept of the inedible might be another man’s dish of delight or, in some cases, survival.

Encounter in the Office

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:14:00 +0000

i was about to write something about one of the issues facing my country today when i noticed an officemate's desktop background - a topless fairy, in thongs, lewdly posed to expose her crotch.
a typical titillating image, something that i have outgrown years ago (i go for the wilder pictures now)

and something which should not bother me...

well that's if the computer was not in a school where students as young as EIGHT study.

it was lunch time and most of the people were still out for lunch. but the monitor was turned on for all to see and the little kids were scurrying off anywhere, as what they are supposed to do. an lo and behold, there the fairy sits in her lecherous pose. i did of course, as a social responsibility and knowing how to keep my own lustful ideas well-kept inside my computer, tried to put some sense into him..

ME: "Excuse me, Teacher @#*&#$, what were you thinking when you chose that picture as your desktop background?"

THE #$#@: "Oh, you mean the fairy?"

NOTE: if you were so innocent then why do you already know i was talking about that god damned fairy?!!!

ME:Yes

THE #$#@: It was for a friend. i downloaded it for him.

ANOTHER NOTE: Do you need to post it as a desktop background after downloading it if you just intended to give it to a friend?!!!! What were you doing? Trying it out to see if it looks fucking good?!

THE #$#@: Yeah, yeah I should change it.

To add insult to injury, he called me and asked...

T HE #$#@: Was this the picture that you saw, heek, heek (snicker)?

(by that time he already changed the picture into this green, stupid-looking dinosaur)

i do not know what he was thinking about the situation and what he took me for but he should be thankful for the language barrier...

A Nostalgic Experience Which is Quite Not

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:13:00 +0000

while we were already enjoying a more casual ambiance after the wedding, one of my ex-classmates commented that all of us had gone to attend a wedding (well, i, technically, had gone to a reception - i didn't go to the church ceremony anymore) and ended up discussing a classmates' finale of her disastrous marriage - an annulment - more of an impending finale really because she hasn't gone through the whole process yet...
but as we have gone on our separate ways, i at the back of a taxi with my tummy due in two months, and my classmates in their respective houses or taxis (those who had gone home the same time that i did), as anybody would do on that occasion, i could not help myself from falling asleep. it was already 3 am and i had a long day.

that night, we talked about everything we could think of - especially how the theories we learned in college, theories that we were so definite of, have become less and less probable and more complicated.

we imagine how we used feminism, post-structuralism, structuralism, marxism, and all the other isms to explain almost everything that we believe in. oh, that night, i could again the fiery and intoxicating blissfulness of idealism. our ideas were so raw, so innocent and hopelessly, for my case, stupid.

the lives that we lived then were so different from what we have now - of course, we are not students anymore. but aside from that, new ties were made, new fuck bodies are being continuously discovered, new lives were given to, allegiance to different theories have changed, new norms that have been broken and followed and all of the thinkable and unthinkable that could ever happen to us.

oh, i wish i could write what has happened to our lives - each of our lives - for me to trace the change and see how much of these changes have done us good or bad. but i couldn't. i have secluded myself from that i hardly know what they were like in college and i do not have any idea how they are living their lives now.

but still i kept on nodding every time they talk about the changes that we have all undergone. i kept on muttering weird. i can't count anymore how many times i had said the word weird that night - seeing one of our classmates getting married and entering the homicidal word of the domesticated life, hearing one of our classmates recounting every painful detail of her bitter marriage, seeing myself having a baby months from now and worrying about the expenses, finally getting the confirmation straight from a classmate who has finally come out of the closet....

weird because at the end of it all, when i look back, i really do not know who they are and who they were. and if i think of being nostalgic, to explain that what i felt that night and while i am writing this entry. but nostalgia is rooted from something that you have been acquainted to or you have experienced sometime in the past - and what i have now and that night was just the present...so there is nothing to be nostalgic about...

Akira Toriyami

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Back in the days when children-friendly shows (meaning: those that children can enjoy) were scarce in the Philippines and the limited number of channels are still difficult to tune in to, my friends and I would huddle around our 14 or so inches black and white television and take turns holding the television antenna just to view the Dragon Ball animation series, shown every weekend in channel 9 (yes, there was still a local channel 9 then).

For most Filipinos my age, may it be the first or not, the animation became part of our weekly lives. It became a sort of reward after a week-long of grueling nights of homework and ear-shattering nagging of our mothers.

Needless to say, if not for Akira Toriyama, life then would have been unbearable.

Akira Toriyama, though his name escaped most of us while we were watching Goku doing his Kamehame Wave moments, is the one we should be thankful for. His craft and imagination brought Dragon Ball to life.

Akira Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955 in Kiyosu, Aichi, Japan. Because of the phenomenal effect of the animation Dragon Ball, not just in Asia but also in Americas (both north and south), he has become an acclaimed and world-known Japanese manga artist. He is the one responsible for both the manga and the media franchise of the said animation.

Toriyama’s fame already started way before Dragon Ball became known world-wide. Owing to his influences, Osama Tezuka’s Astro Boy, and Walt Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Toriyama was able to come up with 20 or more mangas, contributed character designs for five video games, and even came up with a children’s book.

Much Ado Over Nothing

blacklipswhitefly — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:10:00 +0000

One of the problems that students from state universities encounter when they graduate is the concept of having to wear a uniform in the workplace. Most of them have been used to the idea of having the freedom to choose what to wear to school that requiring them to wear a homogenous piece of clothing when they work becomes absurd. Most of them would reason that they are being hired for their skills and not their looks. However, since they are too worried about the idea of being hired or not, they usually put their problems about wearing uniforms aside. Some try to make a compromise and look for employment that does not require their employees to wear uniforms, yet in most cases this is very rare.

Much of the hesitation that people who do not like uniforms have is due to their stubborn childish clinging of their golden days of freedom in college. Wearing of uniforms signals the end of the carefree days – it is like being in prison, in bright orange jumpsuits and coded existence. Their hesitation might also root from their juvenile arrogance. They usually think that their skills are enough to survive in the competitive world of the workplace.

Wearing of uniforms exceed beyond the physical vanity that most people think it is. Uniforms create an image, an identity. Like an actor who wears a costume for a role he needs to portray, so does a worker in his uniform. The workplace sets standard uniforms that fit the job one has to do. In a food factory, for example, the laborers wear the standard hair net, gloves, prescribed shirt, jeans and shoes – nothing fancy because they intend to do manual jobs. However, for those in the managerial departments, executive positions or clerical jobs, credibility is very important because they have to establish links, meet clients. Credibility is achieved using the professional experience one has acquired in his career. However, in most cases, establishing credibility between you and the customers start with each other’s first impression. Though discriminatory as it may sound, usually, first impressions are gauged by the way one looks. Yes, one can alter first impressions through one’s skills. However, in the workplace, sometimes, business transactions can be made or broken by first impressions.

Attitude really has a lot to do in motivating a person, but only the right attitude can bring a person to success. Wearing of uniforms is just a petty issue that needs not too much fretting. If one only needs skills to succeed, then what would the wearing of uniform do?