Manga Beat to Move to front page of Way of the Geek. October 30, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Comics, Manga Beat, Way of the Geek , add a comment
So it would seem, that I’ve been given the all clear. Manga Beat as we know it, after just two test posts here will be moving to the main site of Way of the Geek. Migo and I decided this would be cool, and that I’d start out with the bottem of the collection I happen to currently have. This way I have these to fall back on, and when I get a new one with the funds, those will go up. Looks like things are starting to run smoothly, and I’ve found a Gimmik.
Go me.
Caldi’s Manga Beat 02: What’s new in the Manga Pile. October 29, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Comics, Manga Beat , add a comment
After a weekend of disapointment, and volunteer work at a local anime clubs dace at the UOW. I bring a new manga for Manga Beat. Today’s Manga is Halloween themed. Fitting since Halloween is just around the corner. Today’s music just so happens to be Complicated by Avril, as it seems everythings just been very complicated, including in this manga.
Today we have Dark Moon Diary. A Manga brought to you by Tokyo Pop, and the combined efforts of writer Che Gilson, and artist Brett Uher.
Story/Plot:
It starts with some wonderful art of 15 year old Priscilla at the funeral of her parents. Which later evolves into a dream/nightmare of her seeing her parents and leaving her behind. Cue a well timed scene switch to her on a plane headed to the European town of Natchwald, so she can live with her “last living” realitives.
Low and behold she learns that her aunt Lillith, Uncle Wolfgar, and their daughter Kitty are in fact Vampires. Which at first seemed very impossible until her aunt reveals that Priscilla’s mother was a vampire too.
Resorting to her Diary she soon begins to write about her adventures and musing over the fact that the whole town of Natchwald seems to thrive with not only Vampires that eat “freak food”, but also plays host to an assorted cast of characters including Zombies, Werewolves, Ghosts, Witches, and the occasional Human/Entree.
Granted, living with her realitives isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. The food is not fit for humans, and she has been forced to eat Black Berries -found outside her new school on the school grounds- and drink Goats Milk for lunches.
Luckily she manages to make some friends, and even catches the eye of the vampire Prince Balthazar Sabinov, which makes Kitty pop a veign of jealosey.
So while Priscilla gets used to a school of strange lunches, being called “Berry Girl”, a nice timid Boogie Monster that lives under her bed named Broonie, making new friends, and feeling miserable. Kitty becomes the aparent villan of the comic, with her two friends Diamante, and Lamia.
Which isn’t suprising. Considering that Kitty, along with the rest of the school seems to think Balthazar is the coolest thing since Blood and Moose Heart Icecream. -page 105-
Art:
The art is well done, in the Manga style format that people are used to from Tokyo Pop. It’s a suitable style, to express the various thoughts and feelings of the characters. The first thing I noticed to tell the truth, is the detail that went into the clothing for the characters. Followed by the facial expressions, and the zany and unexpected times where the “food” suddenly came alive freaking Priscilla out.
Genra:
The Genra is the typical Fantsay, given the story and theme. It also reads left to right like any American Comic, even if Tokyo Pop has declared it as a Manga. Which when one thinks about it, Manga imports that have been translated usually read from Right to left.
Then again, a common theme I’ve found, is that any Manga made and published in the dead tree format by Canadians and Americans usually read from Left to Right Regardless. So this doesn’t really bother me at all.
While I did enjoy the book, it wasn’t as amusing to me as “Fall in Love Like a Comic”, however, I did like it. There’s no question about it. It just makes me wonder.
If Priscilla’s mother was a Vampire, and she married a Human Man. What does that make Priscilla? Is she half vampire? Is she adopted? Inquiring minds want to know! Looks like I should look into volume two when it comes out. Will things be revealed? We’ll just have to wait and see.
For those interested, Dark Moon Diary is also viewable online at Tokyo Pop in Chapters. I belive it’s one chapter per volume to give you a sneak peak to see if you’d like to buy it. I’m not sure, my computer is old and doesn’t support their viewer.
Due to bodily functions: Manitoba Comic Con was a no go. October 27, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Uncategorized, general musings, parents , add a commentYeah my partner in convention crime got sick friday, and then when we thought we could go for at least a few hours, his dad was late, today.
There was talk about going to it before, the JAAW dance, but honestly?
I’m not up for that. Going to Comic Con, when the good stuff is bound to be gone. So it’s just a halloween dance which I was signed up for, without really being *asked*.
I will however, exercize my right to leave early and go to moms if I so please.
This weekend was a bust.
Next Monday will have a new Manga Beat.
Caldi’s Manga Beat: What’s new in the Manga Pile. October 25, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Comics, Manga Beat, general musings , add a comment
So it would seem I’ve been struck with the idea of writing once in a while, a segment called “Manga Beat” here on my blog. I think we can attribute it to the fact that I listen to music, and read manga quite a bit. In fact I even have to have music on while I write my Way of the Geek articles. (Which aren’t as poorly written as the stuff in here is -I hope-) So it’s hitting two birds with one stone here. Listening to music, reading a new Manga, and then writing about it. So lets get cracking.
First up we have Fall in Love like a Comic by Chitose Yagami.
It’s your typical Shojo Manga put out by Viz Media in the Shojo Beat section. Now normally I don’t read Shojo - anything, except for maybe Sailor Moon. Regardless the summary on the back, got my attention.
Basically Rena Sakura is your typical High School Student in Japan. Nothing unusual there. However, she’s not your typical student. On the side she is secretly a professional Mangaka. In fact with most of the young girls in her class, her Manga Cha♥mi is quite popular. This is most likely attributed to the fact that Rena writes “Manga that’s a little risque.” -Page Six- However and here’s the Ironic part, she has never been on a date before.
My first thoughts, when I finally opened this little gem was that the art style was akin to Clamps in the facial features. In fact Rena looks a little bit like Sakura from Card Captor Sakura. This includes some of her antics, however that’s where the similarities end, but then I got a glimpse of the male lead, Tomoya Okita. My first thought’s strange as they were, was that this character was the love child between Toya and Yukito. -Again Card Captor Sakura- If that were ever possible.
Regardless I moved on and read the book, having several laugh out loud moments when Rena decides to ask this main bishi lead out to “study” relationships so that her Manga could have more depth and realisim. However she really had no idea what she was getting herself into when she runs the risk of falling in love.
The irony of the situation here, is that while she writes Shojo, she’s never had a boyfriend before, and has never experianced a single thing she’s ever written about. That is till she’s met Tomoya. Hilarious, laugh out loud and gut bursting antics are to be had within these pages.
It really puts a perspective on why some comics seem to have more depth while others don’t.
Perhaps Chitose is on the right track, to have your comic or Manga to feel even more real, it would be a good idea to *know* what it’s really like, and to draw upon those feelings.
I found this Manga to be a rather good read. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Volume two! In fact I better put this series on my discount List at IrBen Entertainment.
Something amusing. October 21, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : On blogging , add a commentCaldi-Chan: http://wayofthegeek.org/blogs/caldi-chan/
Baka-Busy: What? Stupid YAhoo
Sirrush: oh God
Sirrush: Im actually reading a blog
Sirrush: o.o
Caldi-Chan: lol
Caldi-Chan: there’s not many entries your torture will end soon.
Sirrush> Hehe
Yahoo decides to close down podcast subscriptions. October 20, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : podcasts, yahoo , add a commentI found myself surfing the great interweb today. I eventually found myself at PC Gamer’s Pod cast page: http://www.pcgamerpodcast.com/ from there I wandered to the yahoo subscription page where all my other listed podcasts I listen to are readily avalible.
That’s when I saw the huge bold and underlined message at the top of the page. While sorry, Yahoo has decided to cut out this feature for podcasts. Which will start Oct. 31’st. After that Yahoo.com will no longer support the subscriptions to podcasts.
Pity that.
Today in games. October 20, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Gaming , add a commentFound myself replaying FFX-2. I guess you can attribute it to the Way of the Geek Pod cast “Week in Geek.” They mentioned that very game, and I ended up having quite the urge to play it. Luckily for me, I had a file saved of the loading screen with save plus data. So it’s been a breeze.
Right now I’m trying to beat Shinra in the Sphere Break tournament. It’s somewhat fustrating, considering he utalizes a core sphere that spits out ones. Damn it all. I’ve restarted my save at least three times now.
I’ve only ever beat him once, and that was during my third play through. Though as luck would have it the save plus data with that sphere which was the prize for the tournament was lost. The one I have now, was a fresh restart game, where I didn’t even try. Just goes to show that on some days I’m determined, and others I just don’t care. Amusing that.
Played WOW friday as well, when I went to Shawn’s place for dinner. Of course since it’s halloween, theres a few halloween themed quests, and the one I did do… left me feeling disapointed. Also, if I ever have to hear the headless horseman rhyme about his defeat one more time I’m going to bang my head against a wall.
I’m also looking at Playing Makai kingdom, which is a side story to the games Disgaia and Disgaia 2. So far I am highly amused with the voice acting. “Micky” is now by far the more amusing of the characters.
Yet the other characters also have their own charms. Though I must admit, an overlord that is so confident that he has to say “I’m a freakin overlord.” every time, does get a bit tiresome. That’s about the only downfall.
I’ve also come to realize that after beating Valkrye Profile II: Silmeria, I’ve not really found a game to beat it out. So VP2 is sitting at the top of my list, it has replayabillity, however, considering I’m not too keen on replaying it so soon after finally beating it. I’m left with not very many options.
I find myself getting easily distracted and my attention on games isn’t as focused. Oh well, that’s the breaks. I’ll find something eventually.
My Daughter is a Digimon Tamers Fan. October 18, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Kids TV shows, parents , 3comments
So it would seem that after watching all the episodes of Digimon Tamers, Tia has found a new show she likes.
We had taken the chance to borrow a lap top, with said Series on it. It only took about two days before my daughter was hooked. So now while working on various projects, and the usual motherhood gig, my daughter has imagined she has one of her own digimon, and a divice with digimon cards.
In fact quite often she can be heard saying “Digi Modify! Speed Activate!” and then pretending to beat up on the bad guys. At one point, when the school teacher of the school that Jerri, Takato, Kenta, and Kazu attend went running onto a field with the class saying ”You can to it Takato.” My daughter cheerfuly joined in on the spectacle.
I imagine that a few years from now, she will not only own several Digimon related items, she’ll know more about the entire franchise then even myself. I recall fondly before I was even pregnant watching the first two season and enjoying myself quite a bit. It wasn’t anything like pokemon, and the idea was an interesting concept.
It seems now, my daughter is infatuated with the idea.
Yep it seems I have a mini didgimon fan on my hands now.
So any ideas on where to get the season on dvd?
Happy Birthday. October 10, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : Birthdays, Comics , 2commentsToday just so happens to be the Birthday of one of Lynn’s comic Characters from “For better or For Worse.” Turning Five she’s Micheal and Denana’s first daughter. Blonde, cute, and whimsical. It’s Meredith.
However on today of most note worthy days, it’s also my daughters birthday. Also turning five and getting ready for school. When I was first told these two cute daughters, of the real world and fictional were born on the same day. I was happily amused.
So Happy Birthday to Meredith, and Tia. Both turning five today.
Aparently my child’s “below the expected grade level.” October 4, 2007
Posted by caldi-chan in : parents, schools , add a commentShe’s four, she’s cute, she can do a puzzle faster then I can write a blog entry. She can sing along with her prefered songs, identify all the parts of her body and has almost learned grannys phone number in case of emergencies.
Yet now keep this in mind, the following she CAN’T do, means she’s not up to snuff.
She cannot recognize dot formation numbers on Dice and Dominos. -That’s a given we don’t own any dominos and the dice I do have are the actual numbers. Numbers not dots. In this day and age of everything being digital I think dots are phased out.-
She can’t count to ten in the right order. I have no reason to explain this, I have been teaching her her numbers since she was three and a half. It could be mild dyslexia for all I know.
And for some reason, she doesn’t know gray, black, or white. I have no idea what that means. But in grand total, these reasons are …. call me an idiot if you like, but I honestly think they are stupid. She’s only four damn it.
She’s been watching educational tv shows since birth, and god knows how many times we have sat down and practiced out letters and numbers.
Where did I as a parent go wrong?
Also she needs a speech therapist.
ummm… ok. THAT I expected.
Even I have a lisp, and I remember how *stupid* I felt when I had the first session. I remember telling the guidance teacher, “The lady made me feel dumb.” After one session, I never saw her again.
What am I going on about?
Well it seems that elementary schools now have something called “Strong Beginings.”
Each student is watched, and assigned tasks to see how smart they are. That’s the lazy mans terms. Also parents are told at the start of school, not to feel discouraged at results. It won’t effect their childs grades or anything.
I never had this when I was a kid.
However..
I can’t help but feel like a stupid moron now, because I am incapable of teaching my daughter the basics.
Thanks so much educational system.
You just made 23 parents give or take a few dads or moms, feel like idiots.
Because what their children do not know reflects on them and their abillity to teach.
Thanks so much.
Addendum: Found this in my daughters school PDF of their first News Letter.
While the tasks are not considered tests, there are “results” sent home to the parents. It is these results that makes it seem and feel more like a test. Even on my daughters sheet of paper had a value of ten, and each grade was 7 or less.
If these were not tests, why the grading like system?