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July 9th, 2008
08:25 pm - it's hard to argue when / you won't stop making sense;;
Oman, I am so not feeling the update right now, but we leave for Wuxi tomorrow...or is it the day after tomorrow? I forget. ANYWAY. There's really nothing going on here at the moment. My mom has no idea where we are ever, which means we have to rely on relatives to show us around. I still think we should just grab a subway map and take our chances, but whatever. We've mostly been chilling--I've actually gotten fic done! Feel proud of me.
There are a lot more cars here than when I was here last. Just goes to show how much can change in three years :) It's--really surprising, now just about everyone has their own car, whereas back then it was something of a rarity. You see a comparatively smaller number of bikes and motorcycles, too. It's kind of created a problem in some of the older apartment complexes, like the one we're living in right now with my aunt and uncle: the developers didn't plan for this number of automobiles when they built the place, so now it's hell trying to find parking. :/
( Crazy traffic laws and Nanjing Road under the cut. )
My little brother is clamoring for use of the computer, so I'll stop now. Next time: Wuxi! And more on Chinese food, because that is seriously like my favorite part of this trip. Mmm and also bizarre. Stay tuned for my ramblings on hot pot and mango Pocky and blueberry chips (I am not shitting you.) Er, not that anyone's actually going to see this until I get back. But details!
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June 26th, 2008
07:41 am - I can't stop staring at this icon.
It's pretty egotistical of me to keep talking even when I know no one is listening, but here goes.
We took a direct flight to Shanghai this time. \o/ It used to be that we'd have to stop once in San Fran and once in Tokyo. Which I hate. But no more of that! I still hate airplanes, though. Even now, I can't look at the cups of water the airline gives out with a meal without wanting to throw up. Bad memories there. I didn't actually throw up, though, so I suppose it's all good.
There's not much going on here at the moment. We're staying with relatives and trying to get over the jet lag--well. Everyone else is, at least. I think I've mostly acclimated by now--so there hasn't been that much touristing as of yet. We have been shopping a couple times, though! There are tons of little shops near where we're staying, mostly clothing stores. I bought a dress! It's a very pretty dress, although I don't know how often I'll be able to wear it. (For those of you playing along at home, this brings my "total dresses owned" count to 2.)
( More under the cut )
( Fandoms. Yes, fandoms. )
More later; I have to draw up the rules for the (potential) next round of tales_ficathon. It's the Christmas season, so things are a little more tricky.
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May 2nd, 2008
12:39 pm - "When I Was One-and-Twenty" - A.E. Housman
For my own reference.
When I was one and twenty
I heard a wise man say,
"Give crowns and pounds and guineas
But not your heart away;
Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free."
But I was one and twenty,
No use to talk to me.
When I was one and twenty
I heard him say again,
"The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain;
'Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue."
And I am two and twenty,
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.
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April 21st, 2008
08:24 am - crypticpost
Dear subconscious:
I get it, okay?! You can stop beating me over the head with it now. Really.
...okay, I didn't mind, per se, but it's the principle of the thing!
Love,
Me.
PS: What was it with the bra samples?
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April 4th, 2008
09:21 am - So I was lying when I said I'd never use this.
I'm just that bored, I expect.
"Let me go, you stupid bandit."
Moses pulls his arms tighter around Jay's body. "Don't think I will, thanks."
"I'm fine. I don't need you to cling to me like some enormous leech."
"Uh-huh. If you're gonna lie like that, at least make it sound convincin'."
"Hmph." Jay sighs. "I can take care of things myself, bandit."
Moses brushes his fingers across the dark circles underlining Jay's eyes. "Maybe if you did that a little less, I wouldn't worry so much."
I couldn't get his voice this time. >: Moses, I mean. I never have a problem with Jay--not saying his voice is perfect, but it's consistent for me, at least.
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March 31st, 2008
04:22 pm
They did not just block LJ.
Stupid school district.
ETA -
Monday:
- Half script (Bio)
- Notes for 21, 22 (World)
Tuesday:
- Rest script (Bio)
- Notes for 23-25 (World)
Wednesday/Thursday:
- Questions and notes (Bio)
Reproductive parts of a plant
- anther -> pollen sacs
- carpel -> ovary -> ovules, style -> stigma
- sporangia; pollen grains/embryo sacs
Flower examples
- complete vs. incomplete, bisexual vs. unisexual, monoecious vs. dioecious
- a) through f)
Picture of a pollen grain
- microsprocytes -> 4 microspores -> generative and tube cell
- tube cell -> pollen tube; generative cell - > 2 sperm cells
- cell wall + two cells = pollen grain
Diagram of a pollen grain
Self-inhibition
- S-genes – plants w/ same allele at s-locus are rejected
- Diff. mechanisms for self-inhibition
- Pollen produces signal > binds to membrane’s kinase -> signal-transduction pathway > proteins activated > tube formation blocked
Path of pollen tube
- Grain lands on stigma, germinates
- Into ovary: through micropyle and into embryo sac
Germination (monocot, bean, pea)
-
Shoot emergence
Embryo – early and late
Ovule
Diagram of seed
Diagram of protoplast
Grafting
Vegetative reproduction
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March 18th, 2008
07:04 pm - Tales of Legendia art rec post thing.
Art-rec post! Following in the vein of the fic-rec post which is locked which will be unlocked as soon as I get it cleaned up a bit! S-sadly I have not combed the fanart world as extensively as I have the fic one, nor is this all I've found, but it's a start, at least?
E-fandom:
dryderin @ deviantart (there's more stuff on her eljay, if you care to look for it)
Noirrac @ deviantart
ludeshka @ deviantart (style is a bit odd, but interesting)
Isolated pics in my favorites.
J-fandom:
( Cut for banners? )
Aand that's it! For now, at least. 8D I did have a J-art finding guide here before, but I think everyone knows how to do it? If I'm wrong, though, I can produce it upon request? (N-not that my process is terribly refined.) Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed what little I have to offer--these sites are stellar.
Oh, also! The site this was on went down a while ago, and this made me sad (>:), so have some fanart. Yeah, I dunno.
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March 14th, 2008
07:27 pm - More crazy.
Relationship table for the lulz?
| |
Explicit Canon |
REALLY Heavy Subtext |
You Could Argue It |
| Senel |
Chloe, Shirley, Stella |
Norma?** |
JAY?? Yeah I dunno |
| Shirley |
Senel |
Walter, Fenimore, Thyra |
Chloe |
| Chloe |
Elsa |
Shirley, Norma, Senel?* |
|
| Will |
Amelia |
|
Senel, Norma? |
| Norma |
|
Sven** |
|
| Moses |
|
Jay, Csaba |
M-mimi? |
| Jay |
Solon |
Okay, now Solon. |
Moses |
| Grune |
Moses, Norma |
Senel** |
God, like everyone. D: |
* Because of this one scene I remember existing but...don't quote me on this. My memory is known to be faulty.
** Downgraded one level because of--not because I doubt sexual overtones, but because the amount of actual interest is, IMO, ambiguous.
I have a memory like a leaky bucket, and thus have probably omitted/downgraded relationships because of this! Feel free to dispute.
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04:44 am - Testament to my insanity, right here.
Yes, I do, in fact, have better things to do than sit here thinking up Legendia journal names. That's why I'm doing it in the first place. :/
( Usernames for Jay (14) )
( Shirley (12) )
( Moses (9) )
( Chloe (10) )
( Norma (10) )
( Grune (8) )
( Senel (10) )
( Will (8) )
( Other (4) )
BONUS: ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) uglydentist ???
Yes, I know I forgot Will. Also half of these are utterly horrible, but I need sleep badly. >:
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March 8th, 2008
February 23rd, 2008
10:25 pm - Tales of Legendia - False Ending through Hidden Fortress
And we're back! The usual warnings apply, copious bias more than usual, as this is a Shirley section. ♥
( In this segment: Shirley does not, in fact, ditch Senel for Fenimore! Even though that would be the smart thing to do. )
I wonder how long this thing is. ...it's 2000 words.
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February 18th, 2008
12:02 pm - Tales of Legendia - Bridge
The Youtube replay of Legendia leaves off...coincidentally, right where I left off! So from here on out I'll be giving a more complete recap of events.
( Warnings for length, possible spoilers, and copious bias. )
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December 2nd, 2007
04:54 pm - Don't ask me what these have to do with the prompts.
'Cause I could explain it to you, but it'd take a while.
( three - sky - Aang/Katara )
( four - lost scene - Senel, Stella, Shirley )
( five - degrees - Jay )
( six - seize the day - Zuko/Mai )
AND THEN THEY MADE OUT--I mean.
Also, do this meme. Please?
Also also, request a fic for tales_ficathon! Seriously, I've got like three people so far. And it doesn't cost you anything.
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December 1st, 2007
10:03 pm - Ahahaha.
More drabblethings, shut up. Jay/Moses, this time, because I was in the mood for effortless and fun. Prompts from 64damn_prompts.
( one - 2 a.m. )
( two - metaphor )
Well, that was really dramatic. 8D Oh, well.
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05:26 pm - I made it somehow.
Survived the Secret Santa fic thing \o/ Though I, uh. Ended up being a few hours late! I absolutely hate my fic now, but what can you do. I kind of think I wasn't made for longer stuff. >_>
Anyway, after I finished that thing (and the tales_ficathon pimping! Speaking of which , you should all go submit prompts right now. Seriously. /shameless) I wrote two drabbles and did two memes for catharsis! It worked all right. The memes will be up tomorrow and Monday, respectively, since they're kind of long.
But enough about that. Fic! The first one's the drabble I did for a_white_rain and asdjfkl; I'm really sorry for the lateness and suckiness D: Evidently, I need more practice writing these two.
( Aang, on Katara - PG )
Aand now, more lovequotes! Gosh, I haven't worked on those in such a long time XD I should really start again. Anyway, these were far more fun, and are far better than that fic I slaved over for a week. >_> It always ends up that way.
( 20 - elsa and chloe - sometimes, goodbyes make you realize what you've gained, what you've felt, and what you've taken for granted )
( 29 - will and amelia - nothing is more beautiful than a love that has survived the weathered journey of life )
Also, a meme.
1. Post a list of 10 6 of your favourite fandoms.
2. Have your friends list guess your (current) favorite character(s) (and pairings!) from each fandom.
3. When guessed bold the line and write a sentence about why you like that character.
( Legendia, Avatar, Abyss, Eyeshield, Negima, Holes/Small Steps under the cut )
No prizes for the absolute favorites in Legendia. Or the threesomes. :P (That's three characters/six ships TOTAL, by the way.) And I totally had more favorites for Avatar--it's just that I would have ended up listing most of the class.
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July 13th, 2007
09:48 pm - On character love, and its nature
1) So I was browsing the Legendia forum (which was a bad idea, by the way, the stupid makes my head hurt) when I came across this Jay discussion thread. One of the posters said something to the effect of, "I like Jay because he's such a strong person. He's gone through a lot of hardship in his life, but he still manages to overcome it."
( Which absolutely floored me, because it's so contrary to how I see Jay. )
2) Which, uh, brings me to my next point. Jay is probably my favorite fictional character ever (yes, I am aware I have no taste. And possibly projection issues, but that's beside the point), but he is the one whose flaws stick out the most for me, in my mind. And that got me to thinking about different characters, and what attracts me to them.
There are a lot of characters that stick out for me on my first reading/watching of a series (usually Kickass Girls and Shouta Boys >_>), but I really only end up loving a few. Sometimes these two categories coincide, but a lot of the time, they don't. (I hated Jay on my first playthough.) And if I really look at it, what makes me go from "hey, that's cool" to "a;dlskfj; ♥♥♥", or take a second look at a character I'd previously dismissed, are flaws, real, human weaknesses.
I don't even know why I bothered to type that last paragraph--it pretty much states the obvious. But anyway! Yeah, flaws are what make me fall in love with a character, but it kind of...goes beyond that? The more I love a character, the more I tend to focus on their weaknesses, whereas with characters I like, but don't really love, I tend to think more about their strengths.
And I think this is true of a lot of people. You see people going on about how such-and-such character is "AWESOME" and capslock about it all over the place. But how many people list that character on their top-ten lists? The thing I find is that characters on those lists tend to be called "retarded" (in a completely affectionate way, of course) than "awesome". And similarly, fandom's favorites tend to be the ones abused most, in the sense of "put into horribly angst situations" AND the sense of "drawn in horribly humiliating outfits". I could cite plenty more examples.
I'm kind of running out of stem here, but my point is, people tend to like the characters who are kickass. But they tend to love the ones that are fallible.
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