Greg

"I AM GIDDY WITH LOVEY-DOVEY JOY !! I AM SO LOST IN LOVEY-DOVEY HAPPINESS"

-Young Couple Emy and Alek

This is a painting by Gustav Klimt that I haven't seen until today. It looks very surreal and a bit disturbing, but has that same haunting quality that attracts me to his works.

( What music means to me )

This is another work of Hans Bellmer. I like the way that it's sort of on display. It was a bit grotesque to me when I first say it, but I've really come to like it now.

I have the National Latin Exam tomorrow, and I really don't want to take it anymore. Above all else, I'm afraid of embarassing myself and recieving a much poorer than I could hope for. I was eager to pay for it when I first realized it was coming up, but in hindsight I regret it as I don't feel up to taking the test anymore.

That being said, Latin is one of my favorite classes right now. Besides the fact that the language itself is much more intriging than one would imagine, the activities that Mr. Gunn has set up for us to do are pretty exciting. Our assasin game has already become intense even it just started today, and I'm enjoying to pretend to be stealthy as I sneak around the school trying to catch my target. I definitely want to play the game with some of my other classes in the future.

To sort of contradict my first paragraph, I've been feeling a lot more relaxed about upcoming events. Right now, I feel as though as long as I put in some sort of effort I'll do decently enough, and there's no point in getting too caught up worrying about things because doing that ultimately hinders me above all else. This especially applies to track, in which, through my callousness and half-assed approach to participating as of late I have been able to actually greatly improve, and have gotten my greatest time this week on both the mile (5:17) and half-mile (2:20).

Through this sudden realization I've gain a bit of confidence, and now I feel eager to try my luck at new things that could potentially lead me to having an even fuller understanding of my ability. I'm very excited about taking my academy music composition class, and hope that I am able to really use my creative skills to make a tangible work of art.

Inspired by Ellie's song postings I've decided that I should do the same with some of my own favorites of the moment:

Honey and Clover: Fugainaiya (piano version) - Yes, it is some anime song, but it's really worth your time to listen to. It's one of the most soothing songs I've ever heard, and it's great to listen to when feeling particularly stressed. In the show, one of the main characters overcame a great physical obsticle (had a glass sheet toppled onto her body) in order to paint again. The song sort of reminds me of that strength that she showed.

Smetana : Die Moldau - This is sort of my childhood song. From the time I was about 5 on I was always fascinated by a melody with an origin that I could not quite pin down. It was the first thing I ever really played lucidly on the piano, and mystified me with its potency. I discovered its name in 8th grade, and since then it's been one of my favorite songs.

Yoko Kanno: Shadow of Doubt - I don't have much to say about this besides that it's a pretty awesome string octet (I think) piece. Even if you aren't really into that sort of thing I'd definitely reccomend downloading it as its so dynamic and will draw you in so quickly.

I found this image while searching for information on Bjork's All is Full of Love video. I don't know if this is a sketch for the video or just something illustrated by the the creator of the site for decoration, but I think it's really interesting.

( My jadedness, Mr. Madison, and Orchestrian Angst )

I've discovered the sculptural works of Hans Bellmer about 15 minutes ago and I'd already pin him as being my second favorite artist only to Gustav Klimt. Here's my favorite work of Bellmer's from what I've seen so far:



It's disturbing and provocative, which I guess is right up my alley artistically speaking.
( Mostly school related issues )

I've been offered to switch from regular chorus into Madrigals. I'm conflicted about it; I really want to do it, yet I don't want to leave Karla all alone in her period. I know what I'm probably going to end up doing but I know that I'm going to feel really bad about doing this. The only reason that I'm posting here is because I want encouragement and sympathy and don't have the time to talk to anyone else about it.

Both Ellie and Christina have updated their journal during summer school, so I suppose it's par for the course. I don't really have much to say outside of the fact that I've recently found my self obsessed with older, "classic" music, particularly classic folk music. I'm listening to Leonard Cohen right now, whom I've become completely obsessed with. Awesome stuff.

I just experienced one of the greatest films ever, for a second time. I don't care if Angel's Egg is overdone, or if it makes no sense to me whatsoever, I still immensely enjoyed my second viewing, and feel even more affected by it than I did the first time. If anyone owns the film in a fansub form, I strongly suggest watching it while playing your own music. Even if you didn't enjoy it the first time, you will probably find it to be much better with your music in the background. It took me three hours or so just to set the film up with my music playing in the correct spot in Windows Movie Maker, but it was definitely worth it. Watching the movie I was awed by how the pieces I had chosen fit each scene perfectly, and how it made more noticable the subtle beauty of many parts. By the end of the film when my faux credits started playing I realized I don't think that I could watch the film in its original form again. My soundtrack simply was much more suitable than that of the movie. I wish that there were more films like these, that I could practically orchestrate myself. I love movies that may not make any sense but leave you astounded by just the fact that they're so wildly different from the norm.

I love me some Radio Blog Club. And some Radiohead covered by the Brown Derbies a cappella group.

Watching Speed Grapher's opening theme has caused me to suddenly be incredibly excited about the first DVD's Summer release, which is strange because up until this point I haven't really cared too much about Speed Grapher other than the fact that Yukawa Shione sang the ending theme song. I think it's the inclusion of "Girls on Film" by Duran Duran (which I first type Durna Durna. Weird, huh?). I mean, it's Durna Duran. What makes a satisfactory anime great if not the use of an 80s song by a once huge British band.

I'm actually sort of glad that the Neopets card game wasn't the hip and happening thing among friends. Judging by this card the only thing that it would lead to is disturbing declarations. It would be cool to be able to get free promotional cards in cereal boxes though. It's too bad that the makers of the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG weren't that desperate to promote the game (though I'm sure they will be soon enough).

And, to copy Ellie, upload the exact song as you're listening to while reading this entry via YouSendIt or any other music uploading site and post it in a comment.

Also: listen to Kate Ryan and tell me if you actually know who she is (I somehow feel as though no one has a clue).

Donnie Darko is a magnificent movie. I feel thoroughly moved by it, despite the fact that I could barely piece together the theme of the movie and what it was about. I'm sure that with multiple viewings I could harness more of an understanding. Until then I'll just bask in the profoundness of it all.

PS: That bunny, Frank, is the creepiest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.

I'm so tired of the weather being so bloody cold!

YouTube is the greatest thing to happen to the internet since the creation of the world wide web itself. Whether it be used for watching ancient, though still 100% hilarious Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers episodes, or for marathoning various anime series, YouTube is definitely proving itself to be a website of almost holy proportions, thou Mallary hasn't had much luck with it. I'm definitely going to utilize YouTube as much as possible before it's put down for being so utterly illegal.

As mentioned in my paragraph about YouTube, I'm planning on marathoning Rahxephon this weekend. I'm hoping that it'll bring me out of the slump I've been in regarding anime lately, though I'm a bit worried that I will not be able to find it as magnificent as I'm sure it truly is because I literally have what could probably be considered three of the most important aspects of the story spoiled to me already.

Kent may just become my new favorite band if I am able to find another song equal to or greater than En Himmelsk Drog.

Somehow I could tell before even going to Kyle's party that we weren't going to be able to stay calm and quiet during two band's preformances. Nonetheless, I still had fun at the Jammin' Java despite this fact, and even misheard something that became two of the best words ever put together:

I think that "Supple Tangerine" may just be not only the funniest thing said all day, but also the greatest song name in the history of great song names. I'm not sure what the lead band member said the actual song name was, but I heard "Supple Tangerine," and find that to be hilarious. It should definitely be made into a song by Sever the Dream.

I felt stupid for thinking supple meant "abundant". Later, however, I asked Mallary and she thought it meant the same thing, so I felt a bit better. It's because Mallary is SMART!

I think that at Kyle's house tonight I may have just proven myself to indeed be the dominate male owl. Possibly Maybe?

Judging by just one song, I think Kent may just join in my entourage of favorite musical artists. Seriously, "En Himmelsk Drog" is without a doubt the greatest Swedish song I've heard, and maybe even one of the greatest foreign songs I've heard. Ellie, I would like to hear their other songs, even if they are kind of boring, just to develop a more formal opinion. Right now I also like Enya, because of two songs I randomly decided to download. her music sounds like it should be part of some epic anime soundtrack, or at least in a quirky Steve Martin romance comedy taking place in LA(Haha LA Story! I'm so witty.) Also, the band Spitz who make random songs played in Honey and Clover are pretty awesome. My favorite song is Yoru no Kakeru. In short, having good music constanly at my disposal makes me happy.

This and this are interesting. Please, if you know me well enough, do it. I want to see what people think of me.

Conversate is not a word. Converse, however, is.

Goddammit, I hate being proven wrong. I especially hate it when in doing so I reveal my own ultimate stupidity.

In other news: Yuki Kajiura is an incredibly charming woman. While watching a downloaded version of her AnimeExpo 2003 concert, I've realized that I find it strange seeing what my favorite artists(or in this case, my actual favorite artist) look like in real life. I think that I prefer not knowing though, because that way I can focus on the music that they make rather then the way they look. In this way I am supporting the idea that no matter how good or bad a musician looks, as long as his or her(or their) song sounds good he or she(or they) can achieve popularity.

Also:

- My Otome episodes 17 and 18 are magnificent, the latter being slightly better than the former. If the show keeps up the quality it may just become better than My-HiME
- Saw is an awesome movie, and I really want to see Saw II.
- I also really want to see Final Destination 3 in theatres(I deserve to go. I've been waiting for this movie since around or before last spring).
- Iflurtz is hilarious.

Edit: Get my favorite song, Grace~Jin Roh~Omega(surprisingly not made by Kajiura) here!

Ellie, you might want to look at this.

tortestrane's Word Usage

1. i (356) 26. as (47) 51. just (25) 76. say (18) 2. the (309) 27. one (46) 52. out (25) 77. new (18) 3. to (305) 28. think (45) 53. went (24) 78. day (18) 4. a (261) 29. but (45) 54. are (23) 79. didn't (18) 5. of (170) 30. with (43) 55. from (23) 80. when (18) 6. and (166) 31. or (42) 56. their (23) 81. while (18) 7. that (133) 32. not (42) 57. ellie (22) 82. back (17) 8. it (125) 33. do (41) 58. want (22) 83. probably (17) 9. my (122) 34. up (40) 59. were (22) 84. them (17) 10. in (100) 35. no (39) 60. after (22) 85. which (17) 11. is (91) 36. so (39) 61. your (22) 86. too (17) 12. for (81) 37. about (36) 62. now (22) 87. house (16) 13. you (76) 38. i'm (35) 63. by (21) 88. go (16) 14. was (71) 39. they (31) 64. movie (21) 89. love (16) 15. me (66) 40. don't (30) 65. got (21) 90. pretty (16) 16. on (65) 41. more (30) 66. thing (21) 91. her (16) 17. be (58) 42. could (29) 67. some (20) 92. i'd (16) 18. we (57) 43. all (29) 68. other (20) 93. i've (16) 19. really (55) 44. had (29) 69. because (20) 94. know (16) 20. this (54) 45. get (28) 70. how (20) 95. ever (16) 21. at (50) 46. much (27) 71. can (19) 96. being (16) 22. if (49) 47. what (26) 72. she (19) 97. over (16) 23. like (49) 48. would (26) 73. an (19) 98. been (16) 24. have (48) 49. though (26) 74. here (19) 99. things (15) 25. it's (48) 50. people (25) 75. first (19) 100. 1 (15)

Username: Word Count by Hutta.

This is cool, but I'm a bit disappointed in myself. The only word that seems to deviate from the norm and actually show a bit about me is "movie". Where's "anime"?

...is a phrase that apparently should be taken lightly, since it is constantly subject to change, as evidenced by the fact that I have to go to track for the next two days to prepare for the districts on Friday. Though I ultimately do not wish to go, I am a sympathic person and feel sorry for our track team because the member who was actually going to partake in the race hurt his quad muscles, and the other replacement refuses to participate. So apparently last Friday was not the technical last day for track, and I also have to go tomorrow. But, I suppose that there is some plus sides to this situation because now at least I can say I made districts.

( Be prepared for something seriously hilarious. )