It’s as Orochimaru said – everyone wants one.  And it appears everyone has one

Japanese lesson was at an internet cafe – noisy but okay. It is at the bottom of the hill though…

A lot of time can be wasted when searching websites for information.  I’m currently looking for age exemption forms but all I ever come across is matric excemption forms – it has not been a total waste as I’ve come across some modules I would like to do.  Some of them sound rather nice, my problem now is that I can only do four non-degree purpose modules.  Choices choices… But I have been sitting here for more than three hours o_O

It suddenly occurred to me while doing this searching that I sent off paperwork [and cash] for a matric exemption.  I’m a RPL student that some how became an Access student and while that has been fixed [or so I'm told], what about all the paperwork I sent in?  There were forms, letters and major stress and now nothing.  So there is an application form just… drifting into nothing.  I do think this is a problem that affects many, many organisations in the world but it just makes you think – where did it end?  On who’s desk is it sitting? 

The Lost Documents.

I am -

The Citizen

61% Elegant, 48% Technological, 67% Historical, 36% Adventurous and 14% Playful!

Take the test.

A bit like thumb wars but not at all.

There is a medium sized rain spider living in the music room and there is the huge-ass spider living in the curtains – the curtain spider.  Some nights the rain spider advances on the curtain spider and a couple of days later, both spiders are gone.  But they return and the whole thing starts again.  It is very odd.  And it the curtains weren’t sheer, I would think the rain spider very strange. 

I’m off to Knysna for the weekend.  I hope it doesn’t rain, I want to explore a bit.

At long last, the Visored have appeared – I’ve been waiting so long.

I’ve decided to post some of my better ST articles – no reason really… 

ものがたり

Monogatari

 Monogatari is a style of storytelling developed during the Heian period which continued through the following centuries.  Monogatari were mostly written prose but prose and poetry were often written together; the poetry either captured a moment or was used for dialogue.  Monogatari covered a range of genres but most were fiction or used historical facts as a basis for the story.  So using the ‘historical facts’ and poetry [vaguely tanka using English syllabary] I’m attempting a retelling of the tournament held at the Japanese Valentine Picnic.

I’ve Japanised, and shortened, the names – Sir Ulf Bloodfoot Fallgrson becomes Arufu (アルフ), Dominyk of Adamastor becomes Domoniku (ドモニク), Lord Rannulf Sweartfaxe becomes Ranarufu (ラナルフ), Máel Dúin mac Rogellaig becomes Maruduin (マルヅイン) and al-Sayyid Garsiyya ibn Ibrahim ibn Sulaiman al-Qurtubi becomes, simply, Garushia (ガルシア).  The fighter’s names have become clan names rather than individual’s names and shinpan Garsiyya has become emperor.  I’ve tried to keep it as close as possible to actual events but poetic license and all that…

THE VALENTINE WARS

 There was a time long ago when the gods walked with men and they shaped each other’s destinies.  During that time there were many battles of strength between the four greatest clans; Arufu, Domoniku, Ranarufu and Maruduin.  The Emperor Garushia had seen enough of his people dying but the great clans would not heed his word.  One council when the day was clouded and rain threaten, Garushia said:

The heaven today

Brings sadness to my heart

Would the wind blow

Peaceful sky and sweet blossoms

Calm many fearful hearts 1

The great clan leaders heard these words and were thoughtful.  The Ranarufu clan leader spoke:

Thunderstorms

Are troublesome but pass

Gods watch over

Peaceful sky and sweet blossoms

Calm many fearful hearts 2

Emperor Garushia nodded but said:

The sun climbs

And the moon falls

Everyday

Nature does not change

With just willing it 3

The Ranarufu clan leader knew how but he was worried.  The emperor spoke true about the nature of men.  To make it law was not the way to win over the other great clans.  Time was short and the other great clan leaders were waiting on him.  He said:

Test of men

Storm of the season

Follow the sun

Nature does not change

Willing it shall be so 4

The emperor looked at the other great clan leaders.  The leader of the greatest clan, Arufu, said:

Test of men

Storm of the season

Follow the sun

Peaceful sky and sweet blossoms

Calm many fearful hearts 5

The Domoniku clan leader and the Maruduin clan leader agreed.  There would be one final battle between the great clans and the winner would be declared the strongest clan.  With pleasantries and beautiful faces the council came to an end. 

Emperor Garushia stood by his window and watched the great clan leaders leave; he knew there would be more bloodshed. 

The sky will darken

Thunderstorms will rain

The heartache

Longing for spring sunshine

Blossoms of the aching 6

The roads were stained with blood as the great clan leaders returned to their homes.  Ranarufu tried to waylay Domoniku as Maruduin stood before Arufu.  Best by Arufu, Maruduin turned to Domoniku and blades clashed between Arufu and Ranarufu.  Clan Domoniku being the smallest clan turned to clan Arufu, the biggest and said:

Friend or foe

Blades alone cut cleanly

Lonely hilts fail

Domoniku is a hilt

Arufu is a blade 7

Clan Arufu considered what clan Domoniku had to say and saw wisdom in their words.  The banners of Arufu and Domoniku were lowered and those of Arudomo were raised.  Maruduin saw the banners and spoke with Ranarufu, they said:

New Arudomo

New swords have new strength

Outnumbered alone

Strength and strength

Overcome all together

And the two clans lowered their banners to raise those of Ranamaru.  The newly formed clans of Arudomo and Ranamaru stood before Emperor Garushia.  They said:

Sing sweet song

Bird of new dawn

Follow the sun

Final thunderstorms

Bring in the new day 9

Emperor Garushia said:

New spring dawning

The storm clouds deepen

Thunderstorm breaks

Bringing in the new morning

Leave behind the night clash 10

And they fought.

Ranamaru bows

The storm has passed

Follow the sun

The spring sun shines

Bring in the new day 11

Owari (おわり)

End

Poetry explained:

1.  Stop fighting people.

2.  I agree.  You should stop the fighting. 

3.  How?  Men fight.

4.  Yes, men fight.  One final fight could end it.

5.  Yeah, okay, one final fight.

6.  They never listen.

7.  Let’s join up.

8.  Let’s join up as well.

9.  Let us fight.

10.  Fight.

11.  Arudomo wins.

みどり　かえで

Midori Kaede

Sources: 

Early Voice Recordings of Japanese Storytelling by J. Scott Miller

Literary History by Anders Pettersson

And the fighters’ sketchy memories

Some awesome music, some pretty music and some music that I don’t want to hear while fighting a boss - scary; it’s like trying to beat Sephiroth with One Winged Angel playing. You’re just going to die.

I really don’t like it when characters die and then come back to life – if you die, you have to stay dead.  However, I am very fond of Jason [Batman - Under the Hood] but he died but he is so awesome.  Plus, I was secretly pleased certain ninja didn’t stay dead in Naruto.  I just don’t know where I stand anymore.

The first half of this year was truly a mess – moving, study overload, pain, loneliness but I am feeling quite positive for the second half of the year.  If things go according to plan, I should be driving by October.  In a car.  With me behind the wheel.  I am feeling quite… sick at the thought.

I have a collection of Hello Kitty items – I don’t actually buy the stuff for myself; it gets given to me but I love it.  I especially love my new Full Metal Alchemist Hello Kitty Cellphone Charm. 

Yes, I possess this…

It’s so COOL!  You actually get to see some robot fighting action -  it made me happy.  And I’m going to see it again this evening   I saw a preview for GI Joe – I know nothing about GI Joe but I’m assuming it’s army stuff and boys loved it when I was a kid but the trailer looked so awesome.  And I want to see the new Terminator movie. 

I don’t think there is a character more manipulated then Sasuke… poor guy.

It looks so cool…

Going to be in CT for the weekend.