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How swift thy sword.
Thursday, August 4, 2005
Ok, one reason why I was gone was this crazy speech class that was starting to take over. It was probably my hardest COD class so far, mostly because I just hate giving speeches and procrastinated like crazy. However, I loved it! I met some of the most intriguing people I've ever known—I think the speeches really bring it out. Also, the class discussions were awesome. Some quotes:
(After I picked anti-euthanasia as the topic for my persuasive speech) "You want to ban euthanasia? But then how will they ever grow up to be adult Asians?"
(About this doodle) "Is he passing gas?"
(About this doodle) "Horizontal and vertical stripes? That's like a fashion no-no!"
I watched Hero the other night. It is definitely the best movie I have seen this year, and even more beautiful and meaningful than Kill Bill 2 or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. All the color symbolism, sword play/choreography, and the way the story unfolded—everything was just perfect :D.
And, I love the movie's message. Here's a quote which captures the spirit of it:
"Swordsmanship's first achievement is the unity of man and sword. Once this unity is attained, even a blade of grass can be a weapon.
"The second achievement is when the sword exists in one's heart when absent from one's hand. One can strike an enemy at 100 paces, even with bare hands.
"Swordsmanship's ultimate achievement is the absence of the sword in both hand and heart. The swordsman is at peace with the rest of the world. He vows not to kill and to bring peace to mankind."
Can you see why I love it =)? *sigh* I recommend this movie to ALL OF YOU.
Speaking of things that I love, I am now a Rurouni Kenshin fanatic thanks to Tara lending us her manga (yay, thank you :D!). I think all of this is sending me back into my medieval warfare craze, except that before it was more of a Byzantine/English/Roman soldier thing, and now it is Asian warrior. Kenshin is such an awesome character, and when matched with Kaoru (also awesome), I think I am just... set for the day ^__^. Also, the story is deep and has several clear messages, some of which are similar to that of Hero. Quotes:
(Kenshin, on Kaoru's fighting style which is based on preserving life with the sword) "Kaoru-dono maintains a sweet, naive lie. But in the face of such awful truth, the naive lie she tells is so much better. If this one had a wish, it would only be that her lie would become the truth of the world."
Sanosuke: "I like you. Might you want to buy a fight from me? I think it would be a good one."
Speaking of warfare, the last great book I read was Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. What a genius and gratifying book, with such sweet insights into war and gender roles, and such an amazing ending! (Gratifying, as in I think there is finally a British fantasy author who understands me ^^.) Quotes:
"I want to eat chocolates in a great big room where the world is a different place."
"The sun had boiled away some of the clouds, and, for a moment at least, summer was back—moist and sticky and mildly unpleasant, like a party guest who won't go home."
"The pencil was hovering. Around it, the world turned. It wrote things down, and then they got everywhere. The pen might not be mightier than the sword, but maybe the printing press was heavier than the siege weapon. Just a few words can change everything..."
Speaking of various violent things :D, here's my latest digital painting which I did for 4-H. Pretty fun, yet painful since it's been a long while since I spent quality time on a drawing, and I'd forgotten all the angst that would be involved. Oh, something good is happening to me, I think. I'm starting to see huge flaws in every single picture I've ever drawn; even in this one as I was drawing it -.-;, and also in the art of others whom I had always revered. I'm not sure why my eyes are changing, but part of it may be the fact that I lurk the CG Talk forums all the time these days (good place to find professional-level computer generated art). I think I'm starting to fancy realism :).
Argh, besides drawing, I have no outlet for my renewed ancient warfare and sword fighting craze now that I've stopped taking karate. Maybe I will have to figure out how to fit that back in my schedule (which will be insane in the fall :P).
Some of these comments are from three months ago! *WONDERS WHY XD* heeh, ok...
Unfair, greymatter is my current blogging software which I hope to move out of soon. Not good enuff anymore -.-;.
Weien, hehe, I think I will have to avoid the layering on more COD pics and Messiah music idea for the next layout. I will start to get that feeling you get when you walk past the painted plywood nailed over the mold growing along your basement wall. We need something new here, methinks :D.
Diedre, good to hear from you! I'd love to know how you've been doing lately and how the fair went for you ^^.
Paula, yes I totally knew you were about to complain lol. Is this update good enough? XD HEEEH!
David, thanks. Your layouts are cool too!!~
Cynthia, I appreciate the encouragement ^_^. *hugs* I really miss those days. And oh~ *checks your blog, hehe* welcome back from China! YAY!!!!
Christina, ahh, thank you, it means much coming from someone who's actually done lots of comics :D.
Kash—right, BATTLESONG! I killed it again T_T... many apologies. I will bring it back, yes I will! (I have some inspiration at least ^^;;.)
August will be a sad month. So many of my friends are leaving me for college :(... and I'll be in Indiana and Virginia the second and third week of the month, so I won't be able to say many goodbyes in person if I haven't said them already. I want all of your addresses!
