Amazon is currently giving free 1 year memberships to Amazon Prime (free 2 day shipping, $3.99 overnight shipping) to current students with a .edu email address: http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info I'm not sure how long they're offering this (it doesn't say on the site).

Just thought i'd give fellow students the heads up on this in case you haven't heard about it yet. This is going to save me a ton on shipping textbooks this year!

I don't normally like taking digital photographs. But I was trying out my new Nikon and I am in love with it. :P I'm still trying to deal with the whole "clean looking" photographs though. My vivitar and holga produce photos that get irregularly blurry or grainy and I love those imperfections. I need to find a way to "ruin" my clear digi photos. Heh.

I just wasted a lot of hours on a layout that won't even work, not too happy about it, I'm off to play some xbox.

WTF is up with facebook, its being weird again.

n.n

03. your favorite work by your favorite mangaka


Koi ja Nai Nedo by Sakuraga Mei
Download manga: here.
Download Drama Cd: here and booklet here.
So this was an easy one to come to. Shinonome and Yuki are my favorite couple written about by Sakuraga Mei and Koi ja nai Kedo is easily my favorite. This is the second volume focusing on them and in this one they have already established (sort of) their relationship. ^^ So cute.




I think what I love most about these guys are their adorable characters. Yuki, the once-rebel-turned-student-VP, has this cool, calm exterior, in which I think he would totally be the seme to anyone else. But, because he was really a rebellious hot-head, he is constantly freaking out to Shinonome. And Shinonome, who plays the role of the calm, smiley, big fellow is really quite alluring and certainly has a leadership air about him. But, he is younger than Yuki, and calls Yuki "Yuki-chan" in a boyish way. I think he plays the part of a boy to appease Yuki, but he is very much a Man in every sense.

What I especially liked about this storyline is the possibility of drama that didn't spin out of control. Because Yuki can never admit his feelings to himself, he can't quite handle the attraction he has to Shinonome. So at one point he yells at Shinonome to stay away from him and that he isn't interested. Now I though there was going to be a whole debacle of Shinonome leaving him and Yuki getting mentally tortured and blahblahblah before they get back together. Shinonome's only response is to get some rather sexy shifty eyes and say that such attitudes only spur him on more. I think I might have cheered. XD

A rather comedic part occurs after Yuki catches Shinonome sleeping in bed with a bunch of girls. He flips out about it but won't tell Shinonome why. Anyway, that afternoon in class he is asked to read a paragraph outloud, one which has the word "shinonome" (meaning "east cloud"). Needless to say, Yuki does not react well.



XD Oh, so priceless. I especially love Mikado's expression, which doesn't have one really but he totally knows what's going on. Hee. There are a lot of cute, endearing moments in here that shows the developement of Yuki's growth and his relationship with Shinonome. I especially like the stalker's kiss or when Shinonome ties Yuki up in his room. Hee. Or the phone bit. ;)

There are also some interesting sexual scenes in here -- which I stupidly wrote as a separate thing and then got too long and now have to include cause it took me forever to write-up. -_- I'm not a sex addict, honestly. They were just on my mind for a separate subject. There were two that shocked me at first and almost turned me off to Sakuraga's style.

The first is a masturbation scene. Now, I have nothing against masturbation or it being in a yaoi (although it is kinda embarrassing at times). But in this one, Shinonome does it in front of Yuki! lol. I was sooooo shocked when he did so. Yuki and Shinonome are sitting alone in one of the classrooms, and Yuki can't help but get certain thoughts about Shinonome.

But, because Yuki is in his stubborn stage and can't ever admit his feelings, he refuses to let Shinonome know of such things. Yuki decides to take matters in his own hands (and that is a very embarrassing and unintentional pun.) :X



I honestly did not know what was more embarrassing in the scene. Shinonome doing it in front of Yuki so boldly or Yuki seeing Shinonome do it at him. -cough- It's pretty fantastic though. Shinonome grabs Yuki and makes him stroke him and then does it to Yukimura. Oh, and then we have another hand-in-mouth scenes that you know I love so much.


I think what I like best about this whole debacle is what happens afterwards. Yuki gets this soft vulnerable look on his face and slumps against Shinonome's chest. I like the awkwardness of the hug at first, with Shinonome's large hands and long arms.I'm not usually attracted to blonds but there is this strong, unyielding presence about Shinonome -- who likes to laugh and call Yuki "Yuki-chan" and is actually quite lanky for all his seemingly large body. He also has a very seductive gaze about him too. He squints his eyes a lot and his hair is always falling in front of them. Honestly, I do not know how Yuki can control himself when he has Shinonome looking at his in such a hungry, perverted way. lol. I've also come to realize that Shinonome really isn't a large guy at all. He's quite slender. But he is always wearing this same large sweater, which hangs in big drooping wrinkles at his elbows and sags past his hips. It really looks much too big for him.

Another sexual scene was when Shinonome asks Yukimura to "service" him. When I read that I became a bit uneasy because forced oral sex is something I really do not like. I know that in yaoi rape scenes occur a lot, but most often the uke, although he protests, gets turned on or forgives the seme almost right after the act. I think this is the mangaka's way of trying to discredit the severity of what rape actually is. Anyway, when this appearingly forced fellatio command occurred I became concerned with Sakuraga's writing. Oh me of little faith. :P


Instead of making this a Cruel Seme and Trembling Uke scene, she uses her wonderful Sakuraga narrative to make this actual a very tender and loving scene. First, after Shinonome asks, Yukimura tells Shinonome to turn off the lights and sit on the bed on the far side of the room. Taking command. And then, what touched me the most, was that Shinonome tells Yuki that he (Yuki) doesn't have to do it if he doesn't want to. I really appreciated that and re-fell in love with Shinonome. The scene changes from a potential cruel Seme moment, with Yuki saying that he does want to and getting turned on himself.

And then there is a very lovely smex scene. Which you're just going to have to see for yourself. ;)

Anyways ... this was a big useless post. lol. I'm totally going to burn myself out. Not going to do a long post like this again! lol.

02. your favorite BL mangaka

Sakuraga Mei
Well, this was gosh darn difficult to choose! I really only have three favorite mangaka, but I felt like such a betrayer to choose. At first I thought I was going to pick Nakamura Asumiko, but I think because I have been spending so much time on her manga that I found myself missing Sakuraga Mei. lol. So, ah well, this post will be about her. ^^

I feel kind of redundant to write about her again since I already did so, but whatever. lol. So, as I stated before ... I love Sakuraga's art style, especially the way she draws clothing and the way it hangs and pulls on different parts of a male's body (hips, shoulders, the bend in the elbow). She portrays her figures as thin and lanky and I personally have such a love of how loose and crinkled her clothes appear. I think it makes her figures look more alluring and tangible.

But what is probably the BEST and by that I mean the most delicious are her megane characters -- her boys in glasses. Oh lordy, she really has made me into a megane addict. lol. They are just too delicious and I almost can't handle it. She also has a special tick in her art -- an infatuation with tongues and saliva in her kisses. It's pretty amazing, in an odd way. She's also really precise with the cartilage in the ears too (can you tell i'm an art major yet? :P) Also very fantastic about her is that she has this tendency to do series, in which she will link the same four characters in different spin-offs and such. I love when you read about a couple, and you love them, and then you see them again! Or, when you see a side couple and you think, 'oooh, I really want to see more of them ...' and she grants your wish! So wonderful. ^^

She also has pretty good plotlines, I think. Her characters are not empty, they don't just stay stuck in their stereotypical roles. Her seme's tend to be cool and confident, but her uke's are not usually weak. They are usually wild and out of control (Towa Aikawa from the Warui series), or just on the same even ground as their seme (Shuuji Yukimori from Kirei). There is also a nice amount of comedy, which makes her manga not drama-intense and enjoyable reads. ^^ I find myself laughing quite a bit.

Preview:



Now if you haven't already, go here for my huge write-up of her work, along with downloads and drama cds! :D

01. your favorite BL manga.

I actually hate this question because I can't really choose. I have my favorite group of manga and then rotate how much I love them. -_- So whatever, I just had to (obviously) pick one. Meh.

Seito kaichou ne Chukoko by Monchi Kaori

Surprise, surprise, ne? I really couldn't choose between Nakamura and Sakuraga and after looking at the other 34 questions, I'll have plenty of time to showcase them. ^^ Anyways, yes, I am currently addicted to this series. It is like, the only licensed BL out there and I have the first two volumes and always end up reading at least one chapter from them every night. :P

High-strung Chiga finds himself questioning the results when his judo team partner, Kokusai, is elected class president of their all-boys school. A president, of course, needs a running mate - and just like that, Kokusai appoints Chiga to be his vice-president! How did a slowpoke like Kokusai win an election, anyway?! It quickly becomes clear that Chiga's major vice-presidential duty will be to keep Kokusai out of harm's way, but is he up to the task?

I love this series so much. The art, first of all, is sinfully gorgeous. I love the sketchy quality and how alluring she makes the hands, eyes and mouth appear. Gyah. I plan on making an actual review of this manga, which is why I will not get too much into detail. But I enjoy this series very much. It's very steamy without actually being hard yaoi, because the majority of Monchi's scenes are all about touching and kissing and goodness, it is so tastefully done. You will hardly ever see actual male ahemness.

The characters are great too. Kokusai is not the typical weak uke. Although he is always getting molested it's not in your typical weak, someone-please-help-me way. He kind of just blushes and says that it's not big deal, while Chiga freaks out and does his best to protect the utterly naive Kokusai. Of course Chiga ends up falling for Kokusai and struggles to keep his own hands off of the president -- but Kokusai is such an adorable slut that he actually ends up pursuing Chiga. XD It is so hysterical. Kokusai is always mentally freaking out over what a perv he is. I love it. And Chiga is so good with his hands -- or should I say that Monchi is so good at drawing them. :P

One thing I really like about Chiga is that he isn't the typical seme either. Both of these boys, although they play the uke and seme roles, are really on even ground with one another. Chiga likes being the one initiating things but Kokusai likes to as well. Both of these boys wrestle with their intense emotions of love and how to vocalize such emotions and Chiga gets quite flustered himself at times.

And did I mention he is a megane character?!?!?! :D :D :D

Oh, and he has the most awesome hair ever. XD I love how he can wear a headband and still look so manly. I don't think I've ever seen a seme wear a headband before. Hee.

I don't normally post steamy scenes and all but what the hey -- I'm trying to entice you guys to read it after all! :P And I want you to see how insane her ahem moments are. She literally spends pages on pure kissing.




I do believe this scene lasts about ... five-six pages? ;)


I can't even tell you how hot I think this scene is. I really think this is the most erotic thing I have ever seen. Between his fingers, and Kokusai's open mouth, and dazed eyes and the fact that Chiga isn't forcing Kokusai ... gyah. I can't handle it.


There is much fondling to be had. ^^ But you never really see the male anatomy, which is quite cool. ^^ And of course Kokusai doesn't really want Chiga to stop.


Kokusai freaking out once again after catching himself thinking dirty thoughts about Chiga. Hee.


There are a lot of comedic moments like this between these two. Chiga and Kokusai and discussing with a friend a guy who could pass as a girl (to lure an alleged stalker) and Chiga not so subtly points out that Kokusai is quite the "girl." Hee.

At the moment only the first two volumes are published in the U.S. Which means that you can't find the english volumes online -- or more so, they shouldn't be posted online. Ahem. But because I am the Thief of Yaoi I have found the first two in English and will give them to you if you so desire. ^^ Just don't report me, onegai shimasu.

If you want the Japanese volumes, you can get them here as well.

30 июля 2010 г., июльское обновление информационных материалов  сайта Исследовательского Центра Виктора Воксанаева

So. Today I woke up with the intention of spending the day sitting in on my professor's drawing class. Before going, however, I thought I'd start my write-up of the rest of Nakamura's manga that I had collected. I started at 10:30am? It's 11pm now. I've been at this all day because I am that much of an ocd loser. -_-

Anyways, here you go. I have scoured every inch of the Web and have found every piece of manga by Nakamura that can be found (personally, i'd like to be wrong and hopefully there are a bunch more that you guys have and can give me. ^^). But anyways, there are a lot of one-shots, unfinished works, BL cds, manga in english-japanese-chinese -- everything. I've uploaded all of these links, as well as the images, so if any of you hotlink my files I may have to come after you. Which we don't want. :)

Along with these downloads are included reviews, images and summaries.

I have officially condensed both Part 1 and Part 2 of my Nakamura posts into one. Includes:
Long Along Alonging, BnW, Oeufs D'ange, The Bedroom Girl, The Sculpture Room Girl, The Girl in the Diary of Unrequited Love, The Teddy Bear Murder Case, Nokemono to Hanayome, Til Dawn, I Am A Piano, Looks Like a Teaspoon, Perfect World, Barairo no Hoho no Koro, J no Subete, Sora to Hora, Magarikado no Bokura, Minna Kirakira, 2 Shuukan no Adventure, Double Mints, Coponicus no Kokyuu, Non-Non and Non-non no Nochi and Anata no Tame nara doko Made mo, Doukyuusei, Sotsugyousei and Kuroi Ryuu wa nido chikau.

Long Along Alonging Scanlated by: Bliss Scanlations. Download: here. Hm, not so much a fan of this one. Basically this vampire is awoken by a young girl who asks him to make her his apprentice. The ending has a twist which I don't quite understand. lol. I'd like some one to explain it to me if possible.

BnW Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. Oh my gosh, I looooove this one so much. It is supremely awesome. This short story opens with a young boy sitting on a chair, watched by two fellows in a tree. One of the fellows asks the boy why he is sitting on the bench and the boy replies that he is waiting for his brother. Just who are these two young men and what is their interest in this boy? So yes, I adore it. I think probably because the characters are male and I love the way Nakamura draws male characters. Plus, the storyline is a personal favorite of mine -- one I used to write about all the time. I won't give it away. But it has some beautiful drawing moments. The last page is my favorite! :D

Snippets

The boy's description of his sister is especially beautiful. I can only imagine how lovely that was in japanese. :)

	Oeufs D'ange Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. A very sweet and tender story about an artist and her portrait model. I guess the silly artist in me sympathizes with this story but I love it very much. The interaction between the artist and her model is lovely, and as usual, I very much like the way the portrait model is drawn. Snippet
	The Bedroom Girl, The Sculpture Room Girl Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. A very touching yet bittersweet story about a dollmaker and his doll. Ironically, this was the first Nakamura story I ever downloaded, yet only read it now. I liked this one a lot. I wasn't expecting the ending at all and when it happened, it made me feel a tinge of sadness. But it is a lovely story. Do read.
	The Girl in the Diary of Unrequited Love Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. A boy stumbles upon his deceased father's diary. The diary reads of a young girl with a green flower pin in her hair - the boy's father was secretly in love with this girl. The boy sets out to find her. Wow, what an incredible story. I did not expect myself to like this one as much as I did. I thought it was going to be another six-page story, wistful and sad but not at all! The cover is quite deceiving. It's actually quite comedic, very much like Anata no Tame nara doko Made mo although not with the same characters. But Takashi, the main character, is really kind of funny and the girl turns out to have quite a surprising personality! A definite read. :)

Snippets

	The Teddy Bear Murder Case Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. Hm, nothing very special about this one for me. A fancy detective and his young boy apprentice are asked to solve a murder mystery at an all girl's school. It's short, more like a fleeting thought jotted down. The detective is exquisitely drawn though.
	Nokemono to Hanayome Scanlated by: Transcendence. Download: Ch1 and ch2. This series weaves a strange, surreal, and often dark comedy respendent with ruffles and lace. It is on the surface a farce about a young girl traveling with her lover, some sort of bear-type creature, but as to be expected of Nakamura it's multi-layered. The series is being endorsed by Baby the Stars Shine Bright, the leading name in Japanese lolita fashion, and the characters often wear clothes based off of those from the company. I honestly have no idea what I think about this one. It was kind of out of control and my eyes hurt too much so I read through it fast and left it at that. lol.
	Til Dawn Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. When I downloaded it I heard that a tissue box would be needed. They were right. :\ I can't really describe it to you. It's a very short story about a girl locked in a cage who is chanced upon by a man who says he is a murderer. The man is beautifully drawn, as usual of Nakamura -- with wild black hair and sickly weary eyes. It's a beautiful read. Please download it.
	I Am A Piano Scanlated by: Pinklotus89@lj. Download: here. This is my favorite one-shot of Nakamura's. It is the story of a young piano, in the form of a girl, who tells the story of her life. It is so beautiful. I love the way no one is thought of as a "bad guy" to the piano, even though they may seem uncouth to us, the readers. It is absolutely endearing. I love the way Nakamura portrays inanimate things as people -- it is just beautiful. I think one of the loveliest male characters Nakamura has ever drawn is in this very short one-shot.
	Looks Like a Teaspoon Scanlated by: Unknown. Download: here. A boy named Allistaire is often teased at his all-boys school. One night he dresses like a girl and stumbles upon the boy who often bullies him, Simon. Allistaire runs off into a tower and as Simon runs after him, we see the sign "Welcome to Wonderland" hanging by the tower's door ... This one looks to be interesting! I have only been able to find chapter one and I am wondering if it was ever continued by Nakamura. But I am really curious.
	Perfect World Scanlated by: unknown. Download: here or view online here. The story of a young wife whose husband is infected with a fatal disease called Flower-Blossomitis. Gyahhh, this one is so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, it has not exactly been "scanned." Rather, it looks like the story was photographed by a camera and therefore is a bit blurry in spots and is not featured in pages. I think the whole story is here though. I found it on crunchyroll when I googled it and then zipped the captures myself. I think this is a very special story.
	Magarikado no Bokura Not Scanlated. Chinese RAWS. Download: here. A collection of short stories. I looked through it and it looks like it has some cute stories but other than that, I don't know. There are some shoujo but I do not know if there is shounen ai/yaoi. Probably. I hope it gets scanlated one day though. :\
	Minna Kirakira Scanlated: DRAT Download: here. Daddy, Mommy, and Mika make up the perfect modern family. Mika is Daddy's little princess, and he won't hand her over to any one. But when handsome Atsushi-sensei at the daycare center becomes Mika's perfect prince, sparks fly. What ever will Daddy do? A one-shot from Magarikado no Bokura that HAS been scanlated! So very exciting.
	Kuroi Ryuu wa nido chikau by Aida Saki Not Scanlated. Japanese RAWS. Uploaded by: Okaeshi@lj. Download: here. Drama CD: Graciously uploaded by tsukimori_yuki here. So first of all, a tremendous thanks to okaeshi because she is the only person I know on the entire web that knows anything about this, let alone provides dl link. Seriously -- myanimelist and bakaupdates both do not mention this. Anyways, this is a BL novel by Aida Saki, illustrated by Nakamura Asumiko. I just downloaded it to see her illustrations and they are quite beautiful. The image included here for example (click for larger non work-safe image) features a beautiful scene which I will let you click to see. ;) I WISH I knew Japanese. It looks like a very imploring and maybe painful story. I can't tell how it ends though. :\ Since I do not know anything about this novel though, I will just cite what okaeshi wrote about it. :) The third Prince of a weak country is a politcal hostage held in a strong country. Because he looks so much like his mother = beautiful, the old king of the strong country makes him his sex slave, which the prince has to endure in order to protect his own country. One day the prince meets a gladiator who has lost his memory and he takes him in as his servant, the two grow close, but there is a secret behind this man...
	Barairo no Hoho no Koro Scanlated by: Terribletrio & Okaeshi Download: ch1. Paul, a serious honor student, meets the violent and rebellious Morgan in their all-boys school. What follows is a story of the struggles of youth and painful but powerful self-discovery. Wow, I like this one so, so much. This is a prequel to the series J no Subete. Anyways, yes, I really like it. The characters are dark and broody yet wildly out of control. Nakamura has this way of making a person appear so nakedly vulnerable in his or her tantrum of emotions, and it is absolutely riveting.
	J no Subete Scanlated by: T3rribletrio Download: ch1 and ch2. Chinese RAWS: Vol1, Vol2, Vol3. The story of J, a beautiful teenager with a twisted past and the face of Marilyn Monroe. I cannot tell you how much I do not like this story. Which is weird because I usually like disturbing, twisted story (aka Double Mints). But there's something about this one I really do not like. I mean, I am totally going to read every chapter and see how it progresses, but it leaves me feeling kind of sick in my stomach. It really is something.
	2 Shuukan no Adventure Not Scanlated. Chinese & Japanese RAWS. Random Information: Will have several chapters scanlated by t3rribletrio. Download: Nowhere as of yet. verellie informed me that: 2 Shuukan no Adventure book includes 2 stories related to J no subete and Barairo. The first one is the drama love story of adult Gerardson and Eugene from Barairo(They were Morgan's underclassmen). The second one is the story of Morgan and his father. I also read that the character of Eugune is described as: At 13, Eugene was pretty enough to pass off as a girl; at 26, he’s fatal. I was only able to find a few images online but I have no idea where to possibly get this. If anyone has any information, do let me know! Click below for larger images.

Coponicus no Kokyuu Scanlated: Hotcakes Activity: On-going. Download: ch0, ch1, ch2 and ch3, ch4. This one is so disturbing it makes me want to cry. -sigh- It is very twisted, and I feel very bad for the main character and others but again, it is executed with such beauty -- the drawing, the voices, the storytelling -- that I cannot help but find it all so compelling and alluring. From baka-updates: The story happens in a circus in Paris in the 1970's. Much is made of the romance of the circus atmosphere, of flying through the air on a trapeze, etc. We're doing Old World riffs on the romance and tawdriness of the ring. There are no elephants in tutus walking on their hind legs; it's slit-eyed jugglers and daring death-loving trapeze artists and sad Pierrot clowns. And there's decadence - ghosts who wander into the action and abandoned neurotic women with a thing for inflicting pain. :\ Pretty much. The main character, called Bird's Nest, because of his mop of frizzy black curly hair, is a sad clown (who was not always such a clown). The Ring Master sleeps with him and "pimps" him out to the highest paying custumer, as he does with all his performers. Bird's Nest endures it all, with his dead brother's ghost floating by his side at all times, talking to him. I really cannot wait to see where this story goes. The art is just really brilliant -- she goes all out and adds these lines and details that adds to the disturbing. Especially the eyes. And I've never seen anyone detail a mouth like she does. Here are more "dramatic" moments.

	Double Mints Scanlated: DP Scanlations Activity: On-going. Download: ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4 (mini chapter 4 write-up here). "I've killed a woman." The domineering voice on the phone was that of a high school classmate, Mitsuo Ichikawa. Buried memories from the past resurface in the heart of a man with the same name, Mitsuo Ichikawa. It drags him right back into the passions of the past. They reunite as accomplices, yet their relationship as master and servant slowly changes into something new... Ohhh, I love this manga so much. Which is going to make you all think I am seriously disturbed because there are so many things wrong with this one. It was the first of Nakamura-san's that I read, so I think it has a special place for me because of that. Or other reasons. :P Anyways, it has this twisted servant-master thing going on, which is not at all comprised of a "seme and uke." Actually, none of Nakamura's work follows that vein which I think separates her yaoi from the general field. The Servant, by making sure his Master controls him, ends up being the one in control really and becomes the more twisted of the two. The apathetic control that Blond Ichigawa possesses over his "Master" Dark Mitsuo is just incredible and really seems to come out even more in this newest chapter. It's so psychologically tormenting to see how weak and vulnerable Mitsuo is. Ichigawa controls Mitsuo's authority over himself, and although Ichigawa seems to be the one who directs their odd relationship, he is the Servant in how much he needs Mitsuo to control and hurt him.
	Non-Non and Non-non no Nochi Scanlated: t3rribletrio Download: Here and here. Chinese RAW Extra: here. Aw, so very cute two one-shot stories! Very sweet and kawaii and once again the art is so different that brings Nakamura's stories to a whole new height. ^^ I love it because she creates these expressions with slitted-eyes and dark hair and straight bodies -- that contrasts amusingly to the animated, gumby-like bodies of their counterparts. It just brings such a smile to my face. I actually love these two and am very tempted to print them out so I can have them. XD Oh, anyways, it is about these two boys who are best friends and realize that they like each other. Sounds typical? Yah. If you know anything about Nakamura-san by now, you know none of her work is "typical" at all. You will very much enjoy this. In addition, there is a five-page extra that was created as a part of Non-non. It has not yet been scanlated by t3rribletrio said they plan on finishing it. :)
	Anata no Tame nara doko Made mo Scanlated: t3rribletrio Download: ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4, ch5, ch6 Download Chinese RAW Extra: here. My faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavorite. Like, seriously. lol. Love this one so much. Now I normally do not like comedy, but, once again, Nakamura-san has this way of storytelling and arranging her panels and drawing her figures that adds such comedy without being overt comedic. I just love it so much. I kinda can't handle it. :P Shrewd criminal and clumsy detective! Detective Takachiho had finally caught the elusive criminal Nanami Yoichi after chasing him all the way to a remote island. But what will happen to the pair of them when they accidentally miss the ferry home? Basically: Mr. Shrewd Criminal gives Clumsy Detective a blow-job in the bathroom stall, while they are waiting for the ferry, therefore causing them to miss their ferry. So, as I said, Nakamura-san has a style to her drawing that lends to making the actions and facial expressions of her figures absolutely hysterical. What I love so much is that her comedic parts comes in waves. One moment it feels soft and romantic and then you look down and something has happened and then (usually Detective Takachiho), realizes what's actually occurring and he flips out. XD Such love. It's pretty much grand, as I said before. We have moments of absolute hysteria, such as our two companions stuck in a typhoon with Nanami screaming that his "undies" are wet while Takachiho desperately tries to engage in a phone call with his chief. But we are also not without Nakamura-san's unique ahem moments either. ^^

	Doukyuusei Scanlated: Nakama Download: Here. A boy met a boy. They were in the flush of youth. They were in love that felt like a dream, like a sparkling soda pop. I like this one a lot. This is one of those special stories that can't quite be compared to the rest. It's a really sweet story about these two boys that fall for one another. But it's not your typical love story, which is, quite frankly, because there is nothing "typical" about Nakamura-san. I love the different characters -- the way those personalities are reflected in their dress, physical attire, texture and movement of hair. Nakamura-san has such an incredible artistic style and it lends so much to story telling and characters. I really like this manga because it doesn't have too much drama -- it is a "slice of life" story without getting too crazy and I love the way you get to know these characters more and more. They are so cute together too. I can't wait for the sequel Soutsugyousei to be scanlated. Gyuhhhh.
	Sotsugyousei - Winter 2nd Season Scanlation in-process.. Uploaded by: Shinra_bansho@lj. Download: Here. Download Chinese RAWS: Here. Download English: Ch1. Sotsugyousei, which encompasses two volumes, is the sequel to Nakamura's Doukyuusei. The only place where it has been uploaded, and I mean this literally, is by the gracious shinra_bansho. She has asked for the links to not be distributed so as to not anger her, the link above leads to her journal. :) The chinese RAWS were found online and have direct links to them, and it is currently being scanlated by nakamanga \
	Sotsugyousei - Spring 3rd Season Not Scanlated. Japanese & Chinese RAWS. Uploaded by: Shinra_bansho@lj. Download Japanese RAWS: Here. Download Chinese RAWS: Here. The third and final volume of the Doukyuusei series. -sniff- My lovely boys. But this is where I have a little treat for you all! During my epic, all day long search, I stumbled upon a journal entry where a girl had translated her favorite part from this volume. So, if there is anyone who can't handle waiting for this to be scanlated, you can skip to the part she translated. Which is, quite frankly, a beautiful scene. It starts on page 155 (pg 80).
	Sora to Hara Scanned by: Bldevotee and midori87. Download Chinese Raws: ch1, ch2, and ch3. Being scanlated by: sookybabi ENGLISH DOWNLOAD: Ch1, ch2. I am very excited about this for a number of reasons. The first, and most importantly, sookybabi has decided to graciously translate this for us, and I am lucky enough to be her partner in crime (aka cleaner)! She has requested that for those who download her scanlated chapters, to please not share outside of lj. Now for the story! This is a spin-off of Nakamura's wonderful Doukyuusei, in which our favorite brooding sensei Hara-sen has his own story. :) It is set after the Doukyuusei and Soutsugyousei series. Harasen a single, lonely 37 year old highschool teacher is unable to cope the departure of a student, who is also his subject of unrequited love. Faced with a love sickness, he returns to the clubbing scene to start a fresh where he tangles up with a very troublesome guy... I've gleaned through the first three chapters and I am totally ecstatic about this story. A MUST READ!

Doukyuusei Drama BLCD Japanese. Download: Here and here. Sotsugyousei Drama BLCD Japanese. Download: Here. :D You know life is good when drama BL cds are produced. There's a booklet included as well for both. I have only listened to Doukyuusei and it is such a beautiful drama cd. The seiyuu are absolutely perfect and I love the way they lift these characters and bring them to life from the pages of Nakamura's work. I do have one problem with this cd: a big scene appears to be missing from chapter 4 and I do not understand as to why. Does anyone know? When you listen to it you will know what I mean. Regardless, it is a beautiful drama cd and the same cast is used in Sotsugyousei.

AGAJHSKJAHGSKAGH, DP Scanlations finished chapter 4 of Double Mints!!! :D :D :D




Oh my gosh, what an incredible chapter. The level of disturbing has of course upped itself. I really think Nakamura is out doing herself with her level of amazing in storyline and character development. Just incredible.

The apathetic control that Blond Ichigawa possesses over his "Master" Dark Mitsuo is just incredible and really seems to come out even more in this newest chapter. It's so psychologically tormenting to see how weak and vulnerable Mitsuo is. Ichigawa controls Mitsuo's authority over himself, and although Ichigawa seems to be the one who directs their odd relationship, he is the Servant in how much he needs Mitsuo to control and hurt him.

But really, what Mitsuo goes through in this chapter is very disturbing. :\ I love these two so much though.



First of all, beautiful color insert. Click for larger.


Scene edited.


Beautiful apathetic Ichigawa in blocker glasses. ^^


Mitsuo's very disturbing back story. Love the long, scraggly black hair.




I really consider Mitsuo as this wild, hurt, finger-to-the-world kind of individual while Ichigawa is the cruel adult whose fragile youth damaged him into this twisted person aware of his actions.


And yet their roles keep fluctuating so much. They are so dependent on each other. I think their bodies will die if one leaves the other.



I will die waiting for the next chapter. >_<


Aaaaaaaand, here is the Chapter 4. My Nakamura Asumiko post has been updated with it as well. :)

Share your thoughts, peoples! :D

Very cool here. This artist that I really like, Yoskay Yamamoto was captured in a short documentary film by Jeremy Asher Lynch. It's short but I really like the allusiveness of it. The track in it is really nice too, I just really like it. And it is of Yoskay Yamamoto, which is a super plus right there. ^^

Here are a few of my favorite pieces. The titles are especially beautiful about his pieces, I love how the art transforms to new heights just by reading the title.



"as much as i should."


"do you mind if i stay a bit?"
I think this is such an imploring piece. There is something vulnerably and wistful about the figure --
the slumped shoulders and tiny hand, the way his head is tilted up, and I think the anthropomorphic
fish head adds to this endearing creature.


"sunny day with a chance of the rain,
rainy day with a chance of the sun"

Ajhgdjhgkag is he paying an ode to Magritte???? :D Love this work so much -- and not just for the Magritte bit.
This is such a lovely little diptych. And the title! ^^ Love.

Anyways, here is the vid. It's short, so give it a watch! You will like it. :)

This is freaking unbelievable. Has anyone else heard about this more recently than I??? My goodness! I seriously hope some action is taken here because it is like a freaking copy.

Guh. Ok, so what am I talking about for people who do not know? There is this issue with Nick Simmons, son of Gene Simmons, for ripping off Bleach in his American comic Incarnate. It's freaking insane.

Side by side from cuddl.


Many more examples provided here.

Ok, so today I opened my inbox and was shocked at the overflow of comments and most especially, Friends Requests. O.o I expected comments because of my Sakuraga Mei and Nakamura Asumiko posts but friends requests?. Dear Lordy. lol. There were like, ten or eleven people! And because I am nice like that I had to accept everyone but I think I should lay day a few bits of info first.


Now I am sure the majority of you friended me because you want to be kept in the loop of more BL manga. And that's totally fine, I friend people for that reason too. However, a lot of you asked if I could friend you back. Now here's were it gets kinda detailed.

The majority of my yaoi dump posts will be made public. So if that is all you are interested then you don't need to be friended back.

I have two friends filters: Default and Close-friends.

Default people are friended just because we both need or want access to each other's ljs. I don't read those entries and I do not receive comments from those people. I talk about daily nonsense, post art, pictures, manga, etc. But I do not read anyone's posts in this category.

Close-friends are the people I like, regardless of whether we frequently comment to each other, I get comments from them or if they even care about me. lol. This just means that I get updated on their posts. But more importantly, if these people so choose, they will be reading my personal posts. Now let me warn you: I post every thing. Personal issues, manga, art, random facts, babbling, anything.

I'm kinda a messed up individual too and I may mention things you do not like.

My main point is this: after reading this entry, please tell me which category you would like to be in. I looked at everyone's journals who friended me and some people I am really excited about - they post, have info, etc. Other people's journals are just for yaoi, some don't even post. So I don't particularly want everyone on my Close Friends list.

If you don't reply to this post and tell me where you would like to be, I'm gonna put you on Default. That means you'll see the manga, regular daily entries and misc, but I won't be commenting on your journals.


No hard feelings to anyone! You're all welcome. I just want to give you guys the option of how involved you'll be in my life. :) Whatever choice you want, I'll be fine with it. Even if you just want to see my Public posts and nothing else.

This post doesn't go for people who are already my steady friends. :) But if after reading this you would like to be modified into a certain group, you can always tell me too. No hurt feelings here!

So, I do not know how coherent this entry will be because I am currently battling a fuzzy head and the reckless built up of mucus in my sinuses. -_- Aka "i have a cold." lol. But I really want to get started on this, so here we go! A post to my adored mangaka Sakuraga Mei.

Now I have to say that she is probably my favorite mangaka. I can't compare her to Nakamura because they are so incredibly different it doesn't even make sense to do so. I love Sakuraga's art style, especially the way she draws clothing and the way it hangs and pulls on different parts of a male's body (hips, shoulders, the bend in the elbow). I'll show you picture examples later on. ;)

But what is probably the BEST and by that I mean the most delicious are her megane characters -- her boys in glasses. They are just too delicious and I almost can't handle it. She also has a special tick in her art -- an infatuation with tongues and saliva in her kisses. It's pretty amazing, in an odd way. She's also really precise with the cartilage in the ears too (can you tell i'm an art major yet? :P) Also very fantastic about her is that she has this tendency to do series, in which she will link the same four characters in different spin-offs and such.

Now let me just warn you that this is a freaking HUGE write-up. I've included every one (excluding one) of her scanlated works and anyone who knows Sakuraga Mei, knows that's a lot. I would reccomend you read it in parts: The series manga, one-shots, drama cds. Cause I can't imagine anyone in their right mind reading all of this. I would not advise it.

Warui Koto Shitai
This was the first of Sakuraga's work that I read. It's not an entire volume -- it spans the first three chapters and an extra, and the other three are one-shots.
The Student Council has their eye on Towa Aikawa the school delinquent. He hides out on the rooftop, it's his special illegal place. He finds Mikado Shirahane on the roof one day. He's the hottest, smartest guy in school, and now he's in Towa's Xanadu...why would Towa find himself falling for him? Perhaps it's the passionate kisses and longing looks...!? -- Baka-updates.

This is a cute, fun story. Towa is kinda brainless which makes him endearing, because he has quite a bit of spunk to him. And Mikado is just gorgeous, with these dark eyes and tall slender build. I like how complex his character is and how comfortable and straight forward he is about it. It's quite fun. ^^

Download complete (with one-shots) >here.

Now I should let you know that Sakuraga, because she is fabulous and apparently loves these two boys, has written two sequels Waruiko Demo Ii? and Warui Yatsu Demo Ii . She is also currently releasing a (i think) third sequel called Warui Koibito Ja Dame.

Waruiko Demo Ii? is currently being scanlated by Liquid Passion and the first chapter is available here.
It's pretty yummy and I thoroughly enjoyed it.



--------------------------------------------------------------------

Kirai ja na Kedo
Scanlated by Fantasy Shrine.
Download full volume here.

Ahem. So this is where I start getting very excited. In Warui we catch a glimpse of Mikado's student council friend Yukimura (megane character!) and Towa's fellow delinquent buddy Shinonome. Although it is subtle, there is an odd interaction between Shinonome and Yukimura whenever they are in the same room together. In this spin-off, Sakuraga writes their own delicious story!

Yukimura is the formidable VP of the student body. However, he has a past which he doesn't want to be discovered. The only person who knows about his secret is his childhood friend, Shinonome, the number-one problem student in the school! How far would Yukimura go to silence Shinonome!? - Baka-updates.

As I said before, I really like this one a lot. I love Shinonome's character very much -- he has this very cool and calm and unfazed air about him, which is really neat since he is the "bad boy" apparently. The way he is drawn is also really interesting. He looks like this big guy but there is nothing bulky about him. He's long limbs without being gangly, and wears this huge sweater that gives him the appearance of being a fellow of large stature -- but he is just as wonderfully slender as his companion. Yukimura is also a lovely sight. He tries to be all cool and "i am better than you" but whenever he's around Shinonome he gets all flustered. It's awesome.

This one is also a lot smexier in my opinion. ^^

Snippets:


Observe, if you can, the way the shirt rumples at Yuki's waist, showing without actual visibility the tight slenderness of his waist. Gosh, I adore those artistic subtleties so much. And like I said before, Sakuraga has a knack for drawing open-mouth kisses in a way that really shows the tongue and especially saliva. ;)

There is also there very sweet scene with the most tender kiss I have ever seen before. Which I of course am not going to show you -- you need to read it to find out. ;)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Koi ja nai Kedo
Scanlated by Fantasy Shrine.
Download full volume here.

Ever since he had sex with his childhood friend, Shinonome, the uptight Student Body VP, Yukimura, felt he was caught in a whirlwind. He found himself invaded by Shinonome in his own bedroom, in the library,everywhere…! Out of desperation, he found his only defense was to treat Shinonome coldly so he could keep his sanity intact. However, it only pushed Shinonome to go to the extreme…!! Will the head-strong, stubborn VP finally come to terms with his feelings…!? -- Baka-updates

So, as if Kirai ja nai Kedo wasn't enough, Sakuraga gives us a freaking SEQUEL to it!!! :D I just about died when I saw this because I didn't even know about it! I just saw it posted one day. XD Anyways, yes. As you can see from the cover Yuki's hair is much redder than before, I don't know why. The style is the same though except for Shinonome, who is drawn with slightly squintier eyes and fuzzier hair, but it's all good and really does not matter.

As the summary says, Yuki is painfully aware of his relationship with Shinonome and is stressed about it. But what I love about Shinonome's character is that he doesn't get bent out of shape about it. This reaction lessons the drama a lot and allows the story to be an enjoyable read rather than a Grey's Anatomy soap opera. Yuki's actions only entices Shinonome and I love how sly he gets.

Yukimura is so cute -- I love how flustered he gets at feeling love towards Shinonome. But he isn't the typical uke either -- which I love. He's the uke only by being the bottom but he is a very strong individual and doesn't like to yield to Shinonome's advances. I think the only time he shows uke expressions may be during sex in the first volume.

This book also has a little more yummines in the sex department. To me personally, there is one of the best sex scenes in this volume. I think Sakuraga draws these kinds of scenes rather tastefully, to be honest. They are incredibly hot and and there is detail but not enough to be pornish hard yaoi. What I really like, and may be very silly of me, is that Yuki's hair get all out of place and his glasses disarrayed during sex - which I think adds a realistic touch to it.

I obviously cannot say enough about this one so I will shut up now. READ IT!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Warui Koto Bakkashite Gomennasai
Scanlated by Parallels.
Complete here.

Absolute hilarity is all I can say. Two short extras of what occurs when boys get drunk. In Mikado x Towa's story, Mikado comes home to find that his older brother Nanao has gotten Towa drunk - which turns the usually ditzy boy into a seductive "rider."

With Shinonome and Yuki, getting Yuki drunks turns him into this docile uke which Shinonome plans to take full advantage of. Botth stories are quite amusing and definitely worth the read. :)

There is also a short extra with Towa and his brothers, which is always cute to see.






--------------------------------------------------------------------

Mujihi na Otoko
Scanlated by Parallels.
Ongoing. Chapters 1-4 here.

Nanao Shirahane is notorious for being a male siren, able to lure in and 'slay' any man simply upon his will. And while these rumors hold no truth, Kuon Aikawa, a fellow student attending the same university, still can’t help believing them and despising Nanao along with it. Can they both survive this disastrous misunderstanding or will Kuon’s hate and Nanao’s unrequited love continue unresolved? -- Baka-updates

Ok, so this woman is seriously out to give me a squee!gasm. I almost can't handle it. So, one of the most hilarious aspects of Warui Koto Shitai is Towa's two older brothers. In the extra featured in Kirai ja Naikedo, we catch a glimpse of Mikado's older brother Nanao coming on to Towa's older brother Kuon. It's quite enticing. But anyway, Sakuraga has given them their own story!

Unlike the previous books (or just about any of her work), this one is not as comedic. It has this heavy undertone to it, especially with the presence of Nanao -- who, like Mikado, has a bit of an AB personality. At home he walks around with a rumpled shirt and mused hair, smoking a cigarette and spouting lewd things to Mikado or Towa (when he's around). At school he is different -- quiet, reclusive, his clothes are more in order and he dones glasses. There is so much mystery to his character. He is constantly making mention of how he was "back then;" there is a sad smile that tinges in his eyes; and his weird sensei is I am sure some kind of culprit with the horrible rumours circulating around Nanao.

Kuon pretty much spends the majority of the time with his stern scowl face. I think out of all of Sakuraga's characters he is the most unique in appearance. The shape of his eyes, his jawline, hairstyle -- but I appreciate it. He's probably the smartest character as well, along with Mikado, and I think he will play really well into Nanao's twisted issues. ^^

Now the only downfall I will say of this manga is that the translating is a bit difficult to understand. It sounds like some one either translated it one for word or that the translator is mainly a Japanese speaker. What I mean is, the diction is very formal and almost does that run-around grammar that Japanese has. I didn't really understand what was happening the first time I read it, but I was able to grasp it the second time around. :)

I can understand if you're apprehensive about reading this since it is on-going. I just couldn't help it. I've been wanting to read about these two for like a year. ^^




--------------------------------------------------------------------
One-shots!

Sakuraga Mei writes a lot of one-shots in addition to her million other mangas. lol. Busy girl. It's fun and refreshing and although I am not a fan of all of them, she still has some good ones. I won't get too in-depth with these because, as I said, not a huge fan of them all.

The following one-shots are included in Warui Koto Shitai. Download here.



The following are one-shots from the Asobi ja Nai no collection. Chapters 5 and 6 have not been scanlated yet. There are individual chapter names but I can't read kanji and no one has bothered to translate them. -_-



The following are from Zenbu Ore No Mono! and can all be downloaded here.





--------------------------------------------------------------------
Drama-cds

Yes, there is more!!! Why the hell can I not do anything half-heartedly?!?! This is like a freaking SCHOOL ESSAY FOR GOODNESS SAKE. >_<

Ok, I will tell you firstly that I didn't listen to all of these. I just found them and previewed them and even though it was not my intention to include these, I was like, hells i went this far. -_-




-cries- I am officially done. Are you worn out yet? I am. Ugh. My head is all fuzzy and my nose won't stop doing annoying things. -_- But anyways, I hope you all enjoy. God, this took so much work. lol.

its monoxide...uhh I changed LJs, I still have the same AIM sns,
I dont know how many people still use this
you can find me on facebook, hating those rainbow hair colored scene faggots.
That is all.

May I just say that last tonight's episode of House blew my mind?


So many things that I did not expect. The ending made me weep with happiness. But seriously, if it had not happened I would have truly hated the writers of House. Because it was getting to the point where I just couldn't handle it.




I love House's transformation over the season. He truly wanted to be a better person and often did so even while keeping his same character -- which I worried would not happen and I would get all fussy. lol. But yes, still sarcastic but ... able to show a softer side as well.

I loved his friendship with Wilson. There were so many squee! episodes that I thought I would combust. Then this thign with Sam happened. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal so I was like, I'll just wait it out. But then it started becoming serious, and more and more House started getting left aside.And then Cuddy. Good God, I have ALWAYS hated Lucus. And I kept thinking, That'll end soon too, but it just DIDN'T. And House just kept getting more and more alone ... and I kept hoping thinking things would get better for him. They had too. He was changing. He was being the better person. But nothing was going right for him.

Last week's episode killed me. I nearly broke when he left the Doctor's office, completely discouraged and defeated. Then tonight's episode. Oh gosh. The open pain he showed when Cuddy ripped him apart with her words. He really tried to be the better person by giving her that gift. And then she told him she was engaged and the utter shock just rendered him unable to respond. Gosh.

What really killed me was when the girl died. And Forman tried to comfort him, telling House that House did everything right and that was really just the last straw. House had been doing everything right the entire year and things just got WORSE. Worse than when he was a drug addict. Wilson, Cuddy, now this patient ...

I didn't realize it at first with the scene of him in the bathroom with the pills ... but that was exactly how last season's episode ended. I actually FF'd through it because I was like "oh, i know how this will end. he'll stare at the pills and then the episode will end and i will have to wait ALL summer to see what happens." And then Cuddy showed. :) He was just so open and honest with his words; his eyes tear filled and red. Gosh. And then she said it. And I nearly BAWLED. I loved the way his whole face registered shock, almost fear when she told him that she had broken off her engagement. THANK YOU CUDDY FOR FINALLY ADMITTING IT. And really, the timing was so perfect. For both her and House. Because I don't think House could ever e able to honestly share his feelings to her in return, except for now. Gossshhhhhh.

When House asked her if this was a hallucination, I thought the same thing. I actually had to FF past it to see if suddenly reality would appear. I loved the way she replied "... Then we're okay." Because she wasn't just saying "we're okay" because he hadn't taken the pills. She meant it as we -- House & Cuddy -- are fine. And that just made me smile so much.

The writers just did a beautiful ending. Not simply because they gave House some relief, after all the torment he endured while trying to be good. But because it was just a brilliant "full circle." Last season ended with him in the bathroom, with his pills, with him thinking that he had FINALLY confessed to Cuddy and she to him, only to find out he had hallucinated the whole thing. And then here we are, 21 episodes later. In the same situation. Only -- he didn't take the pills. And Cuddy, and he, were real. :)


































Great job, writers.
Now don't fudge it up for us next season. ;)

Who writes the assessments you use in your classes?

How is validity and reliability ensured (whether you write them or someone else does)?

What kind of quantitative analysis is done with any classroom performance statistics from classes you teach?

::cross-posted in other teaching groups::

Posting my paintings as I said I would. Like I told yamakasi I photo document all of my work. For me personally, I like the WIPS better than the actual art the majority of the time. XD And that goes for other peoples' art as well. I just find the process of an image coming to life to be fascinating. ^^

Lots of images! I do apologize.


WIP of:
Skeleton Key. Oil and graphite on wood. 2010.



After I do the rough draft on newsprint, I transfer the drawing to wood. Graphite on wood right now.


Detail of before and after shading. For me personally, I love this stage the best. If I didn't have the intent on painting, I would simply make drawings on wood. lol. I love it so much.


After the shading is complete, the drawing is sealed with fixative, then given two coats of acrylic medium and one coat of gesso. The kind of gesso I have has a gritty texture once dry and I like that because it gives the oil a very fine tooth to grip onto when painting. Anyways, these images show the beginning stages of a thin wash of oil paint. I use painting medium to thin it out.


Detail image of the finished stages. I did a very subtle underpainting and left it at that.



WIP of:
Come: let us show them your beautiful lies, the marks you make so cruelly.
Oil and graphite on wood. 2010.



I actually took a photo of this stage! I can't even BEGIN to tell you how horrible the drawing was for me. I started it in the last two weeks of school; I had multiple mental breakdowns where I was crying against my bed, eating massive amounts of chocolate, crying more ... a mess. I had a COMPLETELY different idea and this piece refused to listen. It did its own thing and I am actually very happy that it controlled me. Much better than my influenced idea.


This transfer was a lot easier than skeleton girl. The wood was beautifully smooth and it was just a delight to shade. I love it.


If it were up to me, I would have kept it like this. BUT, I had to do a painting, and the gesso spots to smooth over the scars on the wood made it impossible to keep as is. Graphite on wood.


Gesso has been applied and a thin oil wash. I wiped away the paint from the figures to give it that haunting look.


Before and after of the underpainting. I was going to do the girl's hand but after I looked at it I liked the effect it gave of being lighter than the silenced girl. So I kept it as is.


I really need to get a better picture. Finished product. The shadowing came out much better than I had expected on the center girl and I am grateful for that. lol.



WIP of:
And how I will Long for It ... To Have Them Take Me Away.
Oil and graphite on wood. 2010.



This was the first painting I started, before the other two. I didn't really photo document it from the beginning because I didn't think much of it. lol. Anyway, this was started as the other two. Transfer of drawing, etc. Right now this has the underpainting in burnt umber, a thin wash of green in the background and the beginning of the wet-into-wet process.


I didn't lay any paint into the hair. Burnt sepia was used as the base for the wet-into-wet for her skin. I used a combination of white and burnt sepia for her skin. And I started putting a bit of black-white mixture for around her eye. For some reason it came out looking blue grey instead, which peeved me greatly. lol.


I added another thin wash for the background. Painted her eye, continued with the wet-into-wet for her skin and around her eye. I also added a subtle glaze of burnt umber and sepia for strands in her hair.


Detail of the above image. I was really nervous about doing her eye. Eyes are my main concentration in my drawings, but I was faced with the conundrum of 1. painting layers and details and 2. doing this in color. I have never drawn or painted in color before. Anyways, I used the same process I did for drawing an eye and followed a photoshop tutorial for coloring an eye. XD Worked pretty well for such unorthodox techniques, I suppose. lol.


The background was glazed more but oh my goodness, too bright! I hated how pretty it looked. I do not do pretty or colorful or anything like that. I like black and white. I like dark. So, I left this alone for a while and worked on the other two paintings.


Quite a few changes, which I basically did the day before Final Crit. lol. I added the text with a rubber stamp. Added a much darker green glaze for the background. Multiple glazes on her skin to make it darker, more shadow around her eye and finally on her forehead. The hands have a slight burnt sepia to them but other than that were never touched. I wanted the wood grain to show through to keep that organic, raw feel.

So I was gonna make a comment reply to yamakasi about Asumiko Nakamura but I'm just gonna make a whole separate post because I've been meaning too and Asumiko is that wonderful that she deserves it. ^^ So. This is a mammoth epic post in which I spent ALL DAY writing it up, editing images, etc. I used f*cking Rich Text so I could arrange the images the way I wanted and this format bleeds butt hole. Went through so much aggravation. -_-

There are a bunch of other mangas behind the cut with lots of yummy images, so check it all out PLEASE! lol.
Part two of Nakamura's manga can be found here.

Doukyuusei
Hee. I like this one a lot. It's a really sweet story about these two boys that fall for one another. But it's not your typical love story, which is, quite frankly, because there is nothing "typical" about Nakamura-san. I love the different characters -- the way those personalities are reflected in their dress, physical attire, texture and movement of hair. Nakamura-san has such an incredible artistic style and it lends so much to story telling and characters.

I really like this manga because it doesn't have too much drama -- it is a "slice of life" story without getting too crazy and I love the way you get to know these characters more and more. They are so cute together too. I can't wait for the sequel Soutsugyousei to be scanlated. Gyuhhhh.

Download here.







Coponicus no Kokyuu
>_< This one is so disturbing it makes me want to cry. -sigh- It is very twisted, and I feel very bad for the main character and others but again, it is executed with such beauty -- the drawing, the voices, the storytelling -- that I cannot help but find it all so compelling and alluring. From baka-updates:

The story happens in a circus in Paris in the 1970's. Much is made of the romance of the circus atmosphere, of flying through the air on a trapeze, etc. We're doing Old World riffs on the romance and tawdriness of the ring. There are no elephants in tutus walking on their hind legs; it's slit-eyed jugglers and daring death-loving trapeze artists and sad Pierrot clowns. And there's decadence - ghosts who wander into the action and abandoned neurotic women with a thing for inflicting pain.

:\ Pretty much. The main character, called Bird's Nest, because of his mop of frizzy black curly hair, is a sad clown (who was not always such a clown). The Ring Master sleeps with him and "pimps" him out to the highest paying custumer, as he does with all his performers. Bird's Nest endures it all, with his dead brother's ghost floating by his side at all times, talking to him.

Download ch0, ch1, ch2 and ch3.

I really cannot wait to see where this story goes. The art is just really brilliant -- she goes all out and adds these lines and details that adds to the disturbing. Especially the eyes. And I've never seen anyone detail a mouth like she does. Here are more "dramatic" moments.

    

Of course there are subtle moments. But these really struck me.



Double Mints
"I've killed a woman." The domineering voice on the phone was that of a high school classmate, Mitsuo Ichikawa. Buried memories from the past resurface in the heart of a man with the same name, Mitsuo Ichikawa. It drags him right back into the passions of the past. They reunite as accomplices, yet their relationship as master and servant slowly changes into something new...

Ohhh, I love this manga so much. Which is going to make you all think I am seriously disturbed because there are so many things wrong with this one. It was the first of Nakamura-san's that I read, so I think it has a special place for me because of that. Or other reasons. :P Anyways, it has this twisted servant-master thing going on, which is not at all comprised of a "seme and uke." Actually, none of Nakamura's work follows that vein which I think separates her yaoi from the general field. The Servant, by making sure his Master controls him, ends up being the one in control really and becomes the more twisted of the two.

The apathetic control that Blond Ichigawa possesses over his "Master" Dark Mitsuo is just incredible and really seems to come out even more in this newest chapter. It's so psychologically tormenting to see how weak and vulnerable Mitsuo is. Ichigawa controls Mitsuo's authority over himself, and although Ichigawa seems to be the one who directs their odd relationship, he is the Servant in how much he needs Mitsuo to control and hurt him.

Mini chapter 4 write-up here.

Download ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4.





Non-Non and Non-non no Nochi
Aw, so very cute two one-shot stories! Very sweet and kawaii and once again the art is so different that brings Nakamura's stories to a whole new height. ^^ I love it because she creates these expressions with slitted-eyes and dark hair and straight bodies -- that contrasts amusingly to the animated, gumby-like bodies of their counterparts. It just brings such a smile to my face. I actually love these two and am very tempted to print them out so I can have them. XD

Oh, anyways, it is about these two boys who are best friends and realize that they like each other. Sounds typical? Yah. If you know anything about Nakamura-san by now, you know none of her work is "typical" at all. You will enjoy this muchly.

Download Non-non and Non-non no Nochi.

Some snippets! Because I told you this was going to be a huge post. ^^

   

Does anyone have the Tokio Hotel Humanoid album that I could download?
Much thanks!

After much waiting and some missed connections while trying to plan a schedule, I finally have a rough idea of when I'll be going to the family's home to teach the boys. Tomorrow will be my first visit. The excitement I felt before has been more or less completely replaced by nervousness.

Less than a week ago, Sistine stopped by the school I work at to have a meeting with the teachers I work with, whom we'll call Christine and Gizelle. This was Sistine's second meeting with Christine in a few days. At the first meeting, Sistine had gone over some in-class observation notes with Christine, and as I happened to be helping out in Christine's room at the time of the observation, Sistine made some notes about me, as well. The expectations for ed. techs. are really pretty low, but I must have handled a situation well when Sistine was observing me, because she mentioned to Christine that I was one of the smarter ed. techs. she had hired; which made me feel pretty good. It's always great to hear something like that from your boss. The downside of that was that at the second meeting, Sistine dropped off the materials I'll be using to teach the boys and gave me no tips, pointers, advice, or general help. She said simply "Here are the materials you'll need. I have the utmost confidence that you'll be able to figure this out."

I'm flattered that she has a high opinion of my intellect, but I'm not sure that Sistine realizes how nervous I am about this responsibility. Luckily there will be a translator available for at least 15 minutes tomorrow, so I can introduce myself and explain to the boys what I hope to accomplish. I'm also thinking about letting them know that this is my first time teaching non-English speakers.

The simplest-looking material in the box is a set of 26 cards, one for each letter of the alphabet and a picture of something that begins with that letter (an apple, for example, with "A a" beneath it). I figured that I would start with these cards to establish the sounds the letters make, then I thought it would be best to point to things in their home and name them, having the boys repeat what I say. I figured it would also be helpful to write out the names for items we identify and tape these labels to the items, then leave the labels up after I leave for the boys to practice.

I have a feeling that this will all be much easier and make much more sense after I've had my first session with the boys tomorrow, but for now I'm having trouble remembering to think positive. What if I take the wrong track? What if I fail to teach these boys any English? What if I do such a terrible job that I get fired from my ed. tech. job? I'm also nervous about the neighborhood. What if I get mugged walking to the apartment? (given the location, this fear is not completely unfounded). 

Maybe I'm being stupid. I know that this is an awesome opportunity...I'm just really nervous. I feel like I have a lot of people to let down here: the boys and Sistine are big ones, but I'm mostly worried about letting myself down. What if I'm not actually good enough to navigate this situation successfully? What if I end up an ed. tech. (or worse) for the rest of my life?

I suppose that tests and challenges like this are necessary to show us what we are capable of and to help us to grow. Is it wrong of me to wish I didn't have to face these tests and challenges in favor of comfortable stasis?

This is so many levels of awesome. I personally stay away from any speech obama has to say but ohmygosh, I am looking forward to the next one now! :D BS BINGO HERE I COME!

via google reader naked capitalism.


1. Before Barrack Obama’s next televised speech, prepare your “Bullshit Bingo” card by drawing a square. I find that 5″ x 5″ is a good size — and dividing it into columns –five across and five down. That will give you 25 1-inch blocks.

2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:

Restored our reputation
Strategic fit
Let me be clear
Make no mistake
Back from the brink
Signs of recovery
Out of the loop
Benchmark
Job creation
Fiscal restraint
Win-win
Affordable health care
Previous Administration
At the end of the day
Empower (or empowerment)
Touch base
Mindset
Bipartisan
Trust
Inherited as in “I inherited this mess”
Relief for working families
Unprecedented
Accountable (or held to account)
Free market
Reform

Players can make substitutions to this list, but only one phrase can be used in any one block. Alternatives include:

Change (as in “change you can believe in)
Universal health care
Brought the economy back from the brink

3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.

4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout ”BULLSHIT!”

Testimonials from past satisfied “Bullshit Bingo” players:

”I had been listening to the speech for only five minutes when I won.” - Jack W., Boston

”My attention span during speeches has improved dramatically.” – David D., Florida

”What a gas! Speeches will never be the same for me after my first win.” - Bill R., New York City

“The atmosphere was tense in the last speech as 14 of us waited for the fifth box.” – Ben G., Denver

“The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed “BULLSHIT!” for the third time in two hours.” – Harry A. Chantilly



:) epic win.

Dear Colleagues

Bring to your attention the monthly newsletter of the Research Center Viktor Voksanaeva with various information materials.

Viktor Voksanaeva Research Center specializes in research in the area for signs of crisis situations that arise in business and public arenas of society.

Our capabilities include:
- Detection of vulnerabilities of business development,
- Information about potential threats
- Evaluation and analysis of publicly available information.



Contents of the newsletter of the Research Center Viktor Voksanaeva (February 2010)
1. On the strategic assessment of the consequences of climate change in the next 10-20 years for the environment and the economy of the Union State
2. Brief Annual Review of the radiation situation in Russia in 2009
3. Modernization of Russia's economy: a new course (materials meetings of the Scientific Expert Council on anti-crisis policy in the Analytical Department of the State Duma on 30 November 2009)
4. Economists theorists "slept" crisis ((material discussions from 9 to 30 December 2009).
5. Russia conservatism - an ideology, politics, economics (discussion materials from 6 to 30 December 2009).
6. New course: the modernization of Russia's economy (material discussions from 9 to 30 December 2009. Part Two)
7. Counterfeit Medicines, Drugs: corruption in the pharmaceutical industry, the harm of tobacco, UV radiation and human health.
8. Briefly: review of the information materials of the world of think tanks and international organizations.
9. Competitive intelligence: monitoring social networking

:) Feels good to be drawing again. It's been almost a month and a half since I've drawn? O.o Yeah, I stopped after school ended because I mentally psyched myself out. Whatever. I was at Ashley's yesterday and she couldn't draw eyelashes so I gave it a try and I fell in love with her 4B graphite pencil and I immediately had a thirst to draw again. So I opened up my fresh tin of woodless graphite pencils that my thesis advisor had given me for christmas. I am in love.

The photo is crap. And I didn't blend any of my shading but it's one in the morning and I don't care right now. lol. It's amazing, but when I draw I lose ALL sense of time. I cannot believe I am even awake right now. It's my first time drawing an eye that doesn't have prominent eye-lids. lol. Very uncharacteristic for me. Something I want to work on because I would love to be able to draw Qi Lou from Mars or Ahmon from Devil Beside You. lol. Ok. Bed.

Greetings, loyal LiveJournal fans,

It's been six long months, but GameCola's new website has finally launched. 

We've completely overhauled our format---instead of being a monthly newsletter, with monthly issues, and new content only once a month, we've become a live-updating website, meaning that, at any minute, a new review, column, podcast, comic, or whatever can go up. AT ANY MINUTE. Look! Right there! You just missed one.

To visit the new site, please visit http://www.gamecola.net. The address hasn't changed, but everything else has.

Thanks for being fans,

Paul Franzen
editor in chief
GameCola.net

Don't know what happened.  I was on a great schedule with lifting and being on top of everything.  I got a little sick, maybe I lost my energy with it.   Definitely played too many games today.

Need to wake up tomorrow and own. 

It's really time to discover my calling.  I'm getting hung up. 

So . . . my new obsession is Devil Beside You. And I say obsession because literally it's become the new thing in which it is all I think about. XD lol. I love this show sooooooooooooooooooo much I can't even BEGIN to say. Ahmon is just . . . gyuh, gorgeousness. And I think he is genuinely gorgeous, other than most asian actors who are kinda just meh or cute for their character. No, Ahmon, or Mike He the actor, is just awesome. lol. He actually pulls off the brooding or hungry-eyes looks really well, other than a real life person trying to look like a manga character. Haha. Yah, I really love his character Ahmon. -sappy sigh-

Has anyone seen this show? If not, please watch because I need fellow obsessors direly. And if you have already seen it, gyah, let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yamakasi -- what about you? We never did find anything after Last Friends -- this would be perfect! I really think you'd like Ahmon too. Or maybe that's just me. -cough-

Pictures must be shown to prove the epicness. Which they will. In like . . . tens mins when I fix their coloring. lol.

I'm actually gonna make myself a crappy wallpaper because they need to be on my desktop and the only wallpapers out there are these super cheesy ones with hearts. O.o Uhm, no thank you. No hearts, please.


I don't remember if I posted this or not but I got accepted into the Master of Fine Arts program at my university. :D :D :D :D :D :D. My life has just reached LEVELS of epicness. If you had told me five years ago when I first started the Liberal Arts program in my community college that I would eventually go for my Masters in FINE ARTS I would have thought you were crazy. :P Took me a while but I finally figured it out. First I went for Liberal Arts Associates degree. Then a BA for Psychology, changed to Art History after the first semester, wrote an 81 page thesis on Caravaggio, graduated and am now going into the Masters of Fine Arts program. :) I can't wait.


Oh, and my silly friend Ashley made me do a Renji & Rukia from Bleach cosplay shoot with her. :p It's actually really stupid and embaressing but it was also silly and fun. And I did kinda look like a feminine version of Renji . . . lol. She put these "tats" on my eyes and I have red hair like he does . . . so yeah. When I start working on those I will post a few. Maybe in my next post. It will just be a picture post. Heh.


On a last note, I am like .5 from being at my short-term goal weight. O.o I weighed myself today and was like ohc'mon!. lol. Aaaaand, mom made me this protein shake and although it made me as full as hell, my intestines are now protesting. O.o

Center for Population Research in LGBT Health Seeking Applicants

The Center for Population Research in LGBT Health is seeking applications from pre-doctoral and advanced masters’ students interested in careers in LGBT health research. The program connects students with expert faculty mentors from the national network of faculty of the Center. Mentors are closely matched to students’ research interests and will assist students who are developing or working on a research project in the study of LGBT health or same-sex families/households. An ideal candidate will have an interest in working with a mentor to better incorporate population health research methods and/or concerns in their projects.

Applications for pre-doctoral mentoring are accepted on a rolling basis until February 15. For more information, please click here. Interested students are encouraged to contact Aimee Van Wagenen, Program Manager of the Center for Population Research in LGBT with questions about the program. Her email is: mentoring ATT lgbtpopcenter DOT org

I think I've eaten my weight in home-popped popcorn. I had a smoothie this morning and when I got back from the stables at two I made some popcorn with the popcorn maker and have been editing photos for the past three hours eating popcorn and icecubes. O.o

Anyways, as I said before, I went to the stables. At my school. My parents went with me because we were going to talk to the riding center there but they were closed. So we just wandered around, taking pictures and petting the horses.

I have photographic evidence as proof. I will warn you that the photos are quite big. ^^ So, yeah.

Enjoy!





Sweet little guy is blind. :(
















Dad and Sprinkles, aka The Horse That Threw Me Twice Last Semester.