Cartoon Sunday: Tokyo Majin

How's it going lurkers? I meant to share this 2 weeks ago but as usual, a lot has been happening both on and offline. Once our Dish Network boxes and satellite dish were upgraded, I discovered that Chiller TV began re-airing Horror and Supernatural Action Anime.

If you have either Direct TV, or Dish Network as your provider, Chiller TV now has the Anime Wednesday block. The network is premiering English Dubbed Anime from Funimation Entertainment.  

Anime News Network and Chiller TV both published their articles about the schedule.

Anime News Network: U.S. TV Channel Chiller Runs Anime Block On Wednesdays

Out of Chiller TV's current Anime Wednesday block, I watched Black Blood Brothers, Devil May Cry, and Is This A Zombie? online years ago. However, Tokyo Majin was an Anime I never had the chance to watch, until recently.

Over the last 2 years on Xanga 1.0 and It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns, I mentioned that Adult Swim should have acquired Devil May Cry. It appears that Chiller TV beat Adult Swim to the punch. The network's Anime Wednesday block appears to be a hot topic on Adult Swim.

Some Adult Swim posters are currently insulting Chiller TV's block. Their criticism is somewhat necessary. I have to agree with some posters. 

Because Devil May Cry is the most popular Anime out of the 4, it SHOULD be the opening Anime Wednesday series. At the same time, I'm somewhat annoyed with them complaining about Black Blood Brothers and Is This A Zombie? being aired. 

Granted, Is This A Zombie? is more of a Supernatural Comedy, but at least Chiller TV is trying to expose Horror fans to other Anime genres and sub-genres. 

Most people lack knowledge about Anime. There is much more to Japanese animation than Shonen Jump Action Anime. Everybody doesn't know about Anime except for most casual Cartoon Network and Adult Swim viewers from over the last 10-20 years. However, Anime Otakus know more than casual viewers hands down.

Anime existed before, during, and after Cartoon Network, Toonami, and Adult Swim were launched. Younger Gen Xers and older Millennials were watching Anime long before the existence of most of today's cable and satellite networks.

I cannot help feeling annoyed, whenever I have to deal with Anime fans, who consider Cartoon Network's Toonami and Adult Swim to be their so-called "Gateway To Anime."  

Younger Millennial and Gen Z viewers act as if Cartoon Network and Adult Swim are their Bibles and believe they know everything about Japanese animation.

Yes, the Toonami block on Cartoon Network helped "pave the way" for most American Anime viewers years ago. At the same time, those same viewers were only exposed to Action Anime. There is more to Anime than Action yet Action Anime is supposedly what sells better to the male American Anime demographics.

Within the last decade, younger Anime fans had and still have access to more Anime genres and sub-genres streaming online than us older Anime fans ever had growing up.

During the '80s and '90s, us 30 and 40-something-year-olds rented and bought Anime from local video stores like Blockbuster Video. Otherwise, we shopped at Japanese stores that sold imported products or got bootleg versions of Anime.

I hate sounding like an old lady, but today's younger generations have it made.

Since today's blog is mostly about Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block and because everyone does NOT  have Chiller TV, it is only fair to share at least 1 of its shows. Here is Tokyo Majin for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Tokyo Majin Episode 1: "Moment Of The Demonic Encounter" English Dub (2007)

Song Saturday: Lords Of Acid Block

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, LURKERS!!! Judging by the above banner and songs for today's Song Saturday, they may appear unpatriotic but I am ALWAYS patriotic.

I'm a daughter of a military brat, was born on Flag Day, and will break out red, white, and blue attire for every patriotic holiday.

More than anything, I am celebrating freedom of speech with uncensored music by the Belgian Acid House band, Lords Of Acid.

Hell, I was PRESIDENT  in both 8th and 11 grade for History and American Government classes. As an adult, I remain to be anti-censorship.

Yesterday I dreamt that I was hosting my own radio show again like I did in college.

Before, during, and after being forced to attend my 10-year high school reunion several years ago, I was frequently asked, "Does it pay well?"

When it comes to being a Radio DJ/Hostess, you are not guaranteed to be highly paid; You are NOT guaranteed to be making lots of money like Howard Stern or Rush Limbaugh.

I don't have an exact estimate regarding how much the average Radio DJ/Hostess makes. However, you must really enjoy doing the job. Club DJ's can make more money than a local Radio DJ/Hostess.

In 2002, I became a College Radio DJ/Hostess at UW-Parkside. At the time, it was only considered "voluntary work," even though we had to worry about FCC regulations and being fined 25 grand for having dead air and lack of censorship.

College students, who worked in the Food Services around Parkside's campus, made minimum wage whereas hosting a radio show 13 years ago was considered a "hobby."

Before my college sophomore year ended, every person involved with 101.7 WIPZ had to stand united by meeting with UW-Parkside's higher ups. 

We really tried our hardest to persuade them into making our campus radio station go full power. We could have and should have been paid. Years ago, our shows were only heard locally in Kenosha, WI and online. 

Since WIPZ had an online radio broadcast, our content had to be censored. This was unless our show aired during "Safe Harbor."

Safe Harbor began at 10pm and we as disk jockeys were allowed to air uncensored music. Sometimes I was lucky to host DJ Madness, which was during Safe Harbor.

During DJ Madness, I aired and sometimes premiered uncensored albums. Most of the time, I censored songs live, if there wasn't a pre-censored single for the explicit song.

If I ever became a DJ again, I definitely want to air more Lords of Acid. 

Like I said earlier, Lords Of Acid is a Belgian Acid House group, which has been around since the late 1980's and early '90s. Their original name was "Digital Orgasm."

At UW-Parkside, we usually played "The Power Is Mine." Most of the group's music is almost impossible to air because of the raunchy lyrical content and drug references.

Lords Of Acid always had an underground cult following. People in their teens and 20's today mostly know about the group because "The Crabulouse" was featured in the teaser trailer for Sucker Punch whereas people my age and older knew about Lords Of Acid 15-20 or so years ago.

Rather than explaining more into detail about Lords Of Acid, I have a block of their songs from their uncensored albums Lust, Voodoo-U, and Our Little Secret.

Whenever Lords Of Acid released an album, they followed it up with "Stript" songs. 

"Stript" songs were instrumental versions of songs from their previous albums, which did not require any censorship.

Anyway, here is Lords Of Acid for today's Song Saturday.

1) Lords Of Acid "Let's Get High" Lust (1991)

2) Lords Of Acid "Mr. Machoman" Voodoo-U (1994)

3) Lords Of Acid "Special Moments" Voodoo-U (1994)

4) Lords Of Acid "LSD=Truth" Our Little Secret (1997)

5) Lords Of Acid "[Concerto For] Me and Myself" Our Little Secret (1997)

6) Lords Of Acid "The Power Is Mine [Coda]" Our Little Secret (1997)

Have You Ever Killed Gremlins In Your Dreams?

How's it going lurkers? The other day, I had this really odd dream. Considering the timing, it was a bit strange. 

Those, who have been subscribed to me for the last 2 years already know, that I published a blog about Gremlins and its audiobooks.

As I was saying, I had descended our basement stairs (I haven't visited our basement, since the last days of The Bush Administration). 

A shadow of strange-looking ears flopped around with highly pitched cackling. I peeped around the corner of our basement and noticed there were Gremlins. They turned our basement into a recreational lounge!

Staring with both eyes, I did a double-take, while asking myself, "What the hell? Am I hallucinating or something?!" 

This led to yours truly grabbing 1 of our many brooms. My family will tell you, that I am always killing bugs (mostly spiders) with a broom. 

LOTS of damage can be done with a thick piece of wood and twigs, when you put enough force into it.

After putting on my gym shoes and grabbing a broom, I ran downstairs yelling, "GET UP! GET YOUR UGLY ASS UP, RIGHT NOW!!!" There was 1 Gremlin lounging on his bean bag, while giving me a cocky look.

"Don't give me that look. You know what I said just now. Get up or I'll make you."  Because he wanted to be a defiant demon, I whacked him upside the head with my broom.

Out of nowhere, another Gremlin threw a knife at me from the side. He didn't stab me. However, he did graze the side of my face. 

"This is the part where you start running. That knife just costed you your life."  That smug, piece of shit Gremlin, that was lounging on his bean bag finally got up and wanted to fight me.

"Oh, now you wanna do somethin', huh?" I took the end of the broomstick and jabbed him in the eyes with it, as he squealed.

Next thing I knew, the knife throwing Gremlin jumped on my back. I bit his slimy hand so hard, that he bled profusely. 

Then, I crushed it and began using him as a shield for the other Gremlin, that wanted to fight me.

The pompous lounger ended up killing his jumping friend. When he killed the jumper by accident, I chased that lounger around the house, until I was finally able to break my broom in 1/2, stake him, and force the broom through his throat.

Finally, I woke up that afternoon (The daytime's my Vampire Sleeping Hours) and asked myself, "What the fuck was that all about?"  I soon remembered that it is June.

June 8, 2015, will officially be 31 years, since the release of the movie, Gremlins. 6 days later, I will be turning 33.

Talk about strange! I'll leave you with these interesting facts:

Mogwai is an ambiguous word. In Cantonese, it can mean "monster," "evil spirit," "devil," or "demon." 

According to what I recently learned on Wikipedia, Mogwais [魔怪] exist in Chinese folklores. 

Supposedly, they are harm-inflicting demons, that reproduce during the mating seasons.

A Mogwai's reproduction is normally triggered by rain. The rain is suppose to denote "rich and full times ahead." 

Mogwais can also personify ghosts of unrelated family members, that swear vengeance on mortals, who caused them anguish when they were still alive. 

Learning can sometimes be so very interesting. It's amazing what we learn.

So, have you ever killed Gremlins in your dreams? What are your thoughts about this?

Song Saturday: Trippy The Clown's Shut Up

How's it going lurkers? Last week, Lord Marquis DeBlood shared some music videos on Stalk Facebook. 

They were highly visible in my news feed. In case you forgot, Marquis DeBlood is the website owner of Horror-Punks.com.

There was another music video I saw, that I liked. However, I can't remember the name of the band or the music video. 

Last week, I spent 2 hours hunting for it on his wall and Horror-Punks' page. There was no such luck of finding it.

Although, Marquis DID share another music video within those last few days, which I love. It is Trippy The Clown's music video for his song called, "Shut Up."

Once I heard "Shut Up," I said to myself, "I know this would be perfect for Song Saturday." If you want to learn more about Trippy The Clown, simply click HERE. Anyway, here is Trippy The Clown's "Shut Up" for today's Song Saturday.

Trippy The Clown "Shut Up" (2015)

 

Cartoon Sunday: The Original Fruits Basket Pilot

How's it going lurkers? I'm sure that most of you are really busy, since today is Mother's Day. My presents for Mother's Day and my uncle's birthday are all wrapped.

Because my mother said she needed more containers, I bought her 2. She doesn't really care about what people buy her. If I had more money, I would've bought my mother some clothes.

Then again, her bedroom is overrun with clothes, which was why she wanted more containers.

Since my grandmother loves wearing hats, I bought her a white hat to wear to her church. I am sure you are wondering about my uncle's birthday present. He is so picky about what everyone (including me) buys him.

My uncle has an ear wax cleaner for his birthday present. The man should like his present, since he always loved cleaning his ears with Qtips and dropping them on the floor. As if everyone wanted to stare at his dirty Qtips, when he lived with us years ago.

Considering that today being Mother's Day, I thought about sharing a Shojo Anime, which happens to be a Funimation Entertainment cult classic. Some of you are familiar with Fruits Basket. It has been years, since the time I last watched it.

Years ago, I did my senior thesis at Carthage College on Chinese Fortune Telling. It was mostly about comparing Chinese and Western Astrology.

During my research, Chinese Astrology seemed more complex than Western Astrology. I don't have my senior thesis in front of me. However, I remember reading about the different Chinese Folklores and the zodiac signs.

In 1 of the research books I had, it explained how all 12 animals had their own zodiac signs. The Buddha, who was originally a sage from India, roamed around Asia. I can't remember everything about his destinations.

Although, I do remember that Buddha was about to die and he called all the animals to meet with him, including the cat.

There is 1 folklore, that said the rat was supposed to wake up the cat because he was going to take a nap. By the rat forgetting to wake him up, the cat missed his chance at having a zodiac named after him.

As all 12 animals ran to meet with Buddha, the rat said he was tired and didn't feel like running as far. This led to him riding on the ox's back.

After all 12 animals made it to Buddha's house, the rat jumped off the ox's back and ran ahead of him.

If the ox didn't allow him to ride on his back the entire way, the ox would've been granted the 1st sign of the Chinese Zodiac rather than the 2nd. The rat is typically considered to be a cunning animal and zodiac sign.

When you really think about it, the rat screwed over both the ox and the cat.

The main difference between Chinese and Western Astrology is that Chinese Astrology is based on people's birth years, whereas Western Astrology is based on the month and day we were all born. Chinese Astrology also has different elements depending on the year that person was born.

Below is the order of each Chinese zodiac sign:

Chinese Zodiac Signs:

1) Rat

2) Ox

3) Tiger

4) Rabbit

5) Dragon

6) Snake

7) Horse

8) Goat

9) Monkey

10) Rooster

11) Dog

12) Pig

13) Cat

I was born on June 14, 1982. Based on both Chinese and Western Astrology, I am an Aquarian Gemini and a Water Dog. In Western Astrology, my element is mostly air. Because I am an Aquarian Gemini, I am double air. 

Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius all share AIR as our element in Western Astrology.

In Chinese Astrology, my element is water. Isn't that interesting?

I only wanted to give you all a somewhat brief explanation about about Chinese Astrology and how it was developed based on 1 of the Chinese Folklores.

If you continue to watch the entire Fruits Basket series independently, you will have a better understanding about each character and his/her zodiac sign.

As for the Shojo Anime, Fruits Basket, it begins with the protagonist, Tohru Honda. Tohru is a high school orphan girl.

Her mother was recently killed in a car accident and her father died, when she was a little girl. Tohru was living with her grandfather. Because his house was being renovated, she moved out and chose to live in a tent on The Sohmas land.

In this beginning episode, she happens to meet 3 of The Sohmas, Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo. Shigure is a dog, Yuki is a rat, and Kyo is a cat.

In case you do not watch this entire series, I want you all to know, that I chose to share it because it shows how much Tohru Honda really loves her recently deceased mother. Anyway, here is Fruits Basket for today's Cartoon Sunday. 

Click on the following video link:

Fruits Basket: Pilot (2001)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS!!!

Cartoon Sunday: Deadtime Stories Pilot

How's it going lurkers? Today, I have a creepy, skin-crawling cartoon for you all. 

Just a quick reminder, if you're an arachnophobic like I am, you will freak out watching this animated short. It's called Deadtime Stories.

Deadtime Stories was a rejected Horror Pilot by MTV. It was written by Breehn Burns and Michael Dougherty. Deadtime Stories was ~ 8-minute pilot about a girl named, Ebola.

Ebola was recently released from an insane asylum for being plagued with visions of monsters. She begins questioning if her visions are real. Ebola talks to her reflection in the mirror and learns, that her neighbors across the street are abusive to their daughter.

The protagonist's parents are dismissive of whatever she tells them because they believe she is insane. 

Eventually, her mother gives her a Gingerbread Cookie and sends her to their neighbor's house to meet them. After watching Deadtime Stories, I am reeling!

I CANNOT  believe that I have NEVER seen this pilot, until this morning! The fact that MTV premiered this Horror Animated Short and knew NOTHING about it is mind-blowing! I was still watching MTV in 2007. 

Then again, I was also recovering from my own health scare, shortly after graduating from Carthage College in 2006.

Those, who are currently in charge of MTV, are complete dumb asses for letting go of artistic content. Had Deadtime Stories been created during the '90s, it surely would've had an audience, unlike today's era of stupidity.

When MTV is not cramming stupid, spoiled whores, that don't know anything about how to use birth control on reality shows down our throats, it's airing low browed, frat boy tomfoolery. MTV becomes a bigger disgrace by the seconds! Anyway, here is Deadtime Stories.

Deadtime Stories Pilot (2007)

Song Saturday: Danzig's Cantspeak

How's it going lurkers? Hopefully all is well on your ends. This past week was a little better than the last 3 weeks. However, it wasn't fantastic. I'm still being more reclusive on and offline. Just the other day, I began brainstorming a list to publish in a new blog. It's something I plan on sharing here.

Luckily, I have been in a more "zen" mood before the start of this week. I didn't have a chance to listen to any more Enya. Although, listening to Tool's albums Undertow, Aenima, and Lateralus put me more at ease.

Before I forget, if you're in the mood to listen to bands fronted by Maynard James Keenan check out the link below:

Song Saturday: Maynard James Keenan (2014)

To be honest, I am more of A Perfect Cicle fan than I am of Tool. Regardless, listening to Tool put me at ease. This was partly because I was checking out something, that a Xangan friend and subscriber shared on her Facebook wall. Talk about '90s nostalgia.

Honestly, I don't care what people say. The '80s and '90s had much better music than these last 10 years. Every music genre was heard on local radio stations and everything in music wasn't about pushing a political agenda.

During the mid-90's, I liked listening to Green Day. That was until they suddenly became a self-righteous, politically divisive, sellout, Pop-Punk band in 2004.

Speaking of '90s music and radio stations, I always hated that radio stations contributed to making bands 1-Hit Wonders. Take Danzig, for example.

Within the last 2 decades, the man has released 9 albums YET all the Rock stations only want to play is "Mother!" Like seriously? C'mon! As much as I liked listening to "Mother," it's NOT  the only Danzig song in existence.

It was not until I started hosting my own radio show during college, that more local listeners began hearing other Danzig songs like "Wicked Pussycat" and "Angel Blake" from Glenn Dazig's 2002 album, I Luciferi. Both MTV and Fuse TV use to air Danzig's music videos. This cannot be said about local Rock stations here in WI.

During 1995, I used to stay up until midnight to see the music video for "Cantspeak" on MTV. Until this very day, "Cantspeak" is STILL my favorite song from Danzig. The music video was directed by Fred Stuhr. Stuhr is mostly known for directing Tool's music videos. 

Supposedly, when Fred Stuhr was in the process of shooting Danzig's music video for "Cantspeak," Stuhr"wanted to create a sense of someone being trapped, someone who can't speak. He's not alive or dead. He's just an ideal, a soul, an existence floating in and out of this time, this reality."

Anyway, here is Danzig's "Cantspeak" for today's Song Saturday.

Danzig "Cantspeak" Danzig 4 (1995)

Cartoon Sunday: Devil May Cry (Anime)

How's it going lurkers? You may recall that I mentioned publishing a lengthy blog on JournalHome, last week.

In case you missed it last Tuesday, I published a JournalHome blog about a rabid One Piece zealot, who posted death and rape threats on Adult Swim's Toonami sub-forum. There were 2 other Toonami posters he called out, that I had personal conflicts with in the past both on Adult Swim's forum and on Facebook.

Moose Goes Beserk On Adult Swim's Toonami Sub-forum (2015)

That Moose poster's rant was hilarious. In that same blog above, I addressed specific problems with Toonami sycophants, Weeaboos, and Anime Otakus. 

If you have not already, I encourage you to read that blog, whenever you the chance.

Considering that I am already on the topic of this psychopath, he would be labeled a One Piece Tard. I was on YouTube earlier, and stumbled upon a video by YouTube vlogger, ForneverWorld. ForneverWorld gave an explanation about the differences between Anime tards and fanboys.

ForneverWorld Defines Anime Tards & Fanboys (2013)

After watching this YouTube vlog, I would consider myself to be an Anime fan. I never thought I was a fangirl or a tard. Since the time of watching Robotech as a toddler, during the mid-80's, I have always loved watching Japanese animation.

However, I DON'T  live and breathe Anime to the extent of committing murder, rape, or suicide over it unlike that Moose poster on the Toonami sub-forum. It seems like more people today have lost a grip on reality.

Originally, entertainment was meant to be "Escapism." Today's entertainment is mostly political propaganda. We can't enjoy anything for the sake of enjoying it. Political activists, media critics, watchdog groups, and even some educators are mostly to blame for ruining entertainment.

Their need to nitpick, politicize, and psychoanalyze everything to death is highly repulsive.

Yes, we SHOULD be able to analyze and comprehend what we are reading, watching, and listening to. At the same time, we should STILL be able to enjoy books, movies, shows, and music. They are called "entertainment" for a reason!

Sometimes I ask myself, "Was joining ____ forum a good idea?" 

Within the last 1-6 years, I have only joined 2 entertainment forums. I always believed it would be great to socialize with people online, who supposedly shared the same interests and views as mine about favorite shows. So far, it hasn't been that great of an experience.

Don't get wrong, I really do enjoy talking to other fans and I especially miss some of my old friends from the last forum we joined, before it shut down.

All the while, certain fandoms CAN be insufferable tards about certain characters, shows, actors, voice actors, etc. It makes some of us fans of a certain genre(s) feel ashamed to be fans of them. That is the major problem. This especially applies to being an Anime fan.

Much like it was to be a Horror fan decades ago, being an Anime fan is frowned upon. Anime and Horror have been demonized for decades because people outside of both genres were brainwashed into believing we are sociopathic extremists.

I am both an Anime and Horror fan. Therefore, I have the worst of both worlds. Some will assume I'm a homicidal maniac over my Anime and Horror. That's not including a "devil worshiper." Gotta love it.

Because I am already on the topics of both Anime and Horror, I have the Seinen Horror Action Anime, Devil May Cry for today. Devil May Cry is based on the Capcom Video Game. I have never played any of the video games because I'm not a gamer.

Despite that, I remember watching a YouTube vlog 3 years ago and learned that the creator of the video games changed Dante's physical appearance. He used to have white hair. Now, his hair's black.

In the Devil May Cry Anime, Dante is a part demon and human mercenary. He is also a struggling business owner, who specializes in hunting demons.

Based on what I learned, when I originally watched Devil May Cry years ago, the series had introduced 2 newer characters (J.D. Morrison and Patty Lowell). J.D. Morrison is Dante's agent, who finds Dante jobs and Patty Lowell is the orphaned heiress, that Dante saves. Anyway, here is Devil May Cry.

Devil May Cry Pilot (2007)

Song Saturday: Bauhaus' Peter Murphy

How's it going lurkers? You may recall that I published another Bauhaus Song Saturday blog, last year. For today's Song Saturday, there are 2 music videos from Bauhaus' Peter Murphy.

Last year, the Goth Rock vocalist released his album, Lion. I haven't made any time to listen to it, this week. However, I DO remember YouTubing Murphy's concert collaborations with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and the band, TV On The Radio in 2006. Check it out on YouTube, when you have the chance.

Since today's blog is about Bauhaus' Peter Murphy, I am sharing 2 rare music videos. In addition, here is his live collaboration with Trent Reznor and Jeordie White (a.k.a. "Twiggy Ramirez") covering Nine Inch Nails' "Reptile."

1) Peter Murphy "All Night Long" Love Hysteria (1988)

 

2) Peter Murphy "Cuts You Up" Deep (1990)

3) Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor [Featuring Bauhaus' Peter Murphy and Twiggy Ramirez] "Reptile" The Downward Spiral (1994); (2006)

Cartoon Sunday: Black Lagoon Pilot Episode

How's it going lurkers? Yesterday, I mentioned sharing a link to 1 of the ending theme songs to Black Lagoon in a Metal thread on Adult Swim's forum. 

"Preach Headz Addiction" by Breath Frequency was used as the ending theme song for Black Lagoon's series finale. Today I want to explain more about this Seinen Action Anime.

Last week, I talked to an Adult Swim Helper about Black Lagoon. He posted a thread in the Black Lagoon sub-forum asking:

"If you were kidnapped and your boss didn't pay to get you back would you join with your kidnappers rather than go home? I think the fact that Revy was there had something to do with it. I think if it were just Benny and Dutch, Rock would have been long gone."

I repiled to the Adult Swim Helper:

"I would've rather gone home. Rock claims to suffer from 'Stockholm Syndrome,' but he really wanted belong to a group. I personally can't stand Revy. I'm Team Roberta. Watching Roberta kick her ass was fantastic because Revy met her match."

As a Black Lagoon fan, I can't stand Revy. I have always found Revy to be sickening. She is that eternal victim, who had such a HARD life and overcompensates for it by acting like a sociopathic misanthrope and begrudges everyone. Revy also loves denying her feelings for Rock.

Meanwhile, Roberta actually resonates with me a lot better than Revy. I may not have lied, backstabbed, and killed people but I can definitely identify with people underestimating me because of my physical appearance, living a double life, and having physical strength. 

Roberta tries to be polite. However, she is NOT opposed to using brute force. 

As I maintained a conversation with the Adult Swim Helper, I automatically noticed his justifications for Revy acting like a misanthropic, bipolar bitch to the protagonist, Rock. 

Supposedly, he has friends EXACTLY like her and being a rape survivor is an excuse to act like a bitch to everyone. I explained to the Adult Swim Helper:

"Being raped most definitely will harden anyone and make it difficult to maintain relationships with people whether it's a friendship, or a romantic relationship. Revy has streets smarts but at the same time, she spends more time trying to act tough and being a bitch to everyone. Dutch and Benny don't treat everyone the way Revy treats people. Every rape victim doesn't treat everyone horribly because of it. She may be physically strong, but she's emotionally weak and commitment phobic. Revy begrudges anyone, who lives and has lived a much better life than she did. She falls under the category of what would be considered the stereotypical 'low class lowlife' because she doesn't come from living a wealthy lifestyle and acts classless."

I am NOT  in the slightest trying to minimize sexual abuse. It is a horrible experience to endure. 

Sexual abuse is something extremely difficult to recover from physically, emotionally, psychologically, and sexually. 

Not knowing who to trust, after a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse is much harder. 

Although, NOT  every rape victim becomes a paid criminal and believes, that he/she can abuse others. Therefore, I believe that Adult Swim Helper's statements are mostly B.S.

Reading his justifications constantly made me roll my eyes behind the screen. Even though he has a right to like whichever character(s) he wants, I refuse to validate his bullshit logic.

Since we are on the topic of Black Lagoon, it is best to give a recap summary. Black Lagoon was actually based on piracy cases in the East China Sea, during the mid to late 1990's. 

The Mangaka, Rei Hiroe was inspired by the works of James Ellroy, John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, and Stephen King.

Black Lagoon opens with the protagonist, Rokuro Okajima (a.k.a. "Rock"). The protagonist is a businessman (who would also be considered a "salary man" in Japan) for Asahi Industries in Tokyo. Rock is sent by his company to deliver a disk in the East China Sea. 

In the process, his boat gets hijacked by pirates/mercenaries known as the Lagoon Company, who were hired to steal it. Revy (the only Chinese American female mercenary in Lagoon Company) chooses to hold Rock hostage, hoping he will be ransom worthy. 

Eventually, the disk becomes useless to them. In order to hide the smuggling operation, Rock's department chief, Kageyama, declares Rock as "dead" and abandons him.

Because Rock no longer works for Asahi Industries, he chooses to work for the Lagoon Company as their negotiator/translator, while supposedly suffering from "Stockholm Syndrome." Gotta love the smell of bullshit in the morning.

If you have never watched Black Lagoon, you can try watching it in the following link:

Black Lagoon Season 1: Episode 1 [English Dub] (2006)

Song Saturday: Missy Elliott Block

How's it going lurkers? Today's Song Saturday block has been long overdue. 

Last Sunday, Missy Elliott was a featured performer at the Super Bowl with Katy Perry. Because I am NOT  a Sports fan (unless it's Boxing, Martial Arts, and Mixed Martial Arts) and was shoveling snow, I didn't watch the Super Bowl.

Recently, I discovered that Missy Elliott released more new music. I didn't know that she released anything new within the last several years. Because MTV no longer airs music videos, throughout the day and night and because I no longer listen to traditional radio stations, I was unaware of Missy releasing a more recent album. 

Surely, you're asking yourselves:

"What does Anna mean that she doesn't listen to radio stations anymore? I thought she was a DJ. If Anna doesn't listen to radio anymore, how does she know about the latest music?"

I quit hosting my radio show in 2003 and began limiting myself to traditional radio stations in 2004. 

Besides having to endure 2 creeps stalking me and having racist apartment housemates, the overall entertainment industry started to become political. I was already coping with post 9/11 racism on/off campus, during The Bush Administration. 

Being forced to listen to and watch entertainers, our Baby Boomer professors, and some college friends act self-righteous and patronize everyone with their political views was sickening. 

2004 was when entertainment really became political. Because of those pseudo-intellectual political "activists," I stopped going to movie theaters, watching most cable networks, and I quit hosting my radio show.

During The Bush Administration, most people wouldn't shut the fuck up about their political views. 

I never Majored or Minored in Political Science. I especially didn't become a Radio DJ/Hostess to listen to mostly hardcore drug addicts try to brainwash and oppress everyone about their political views. 

It wouldn't have been so terrible, if those of said ilk were actually politicians. However, it suddenly felt like everyone became a "political activist." 

While battling a severe bleeding disorder, I was relieved to be graduating from Carthage College in 2006. 

In fact, after graduating, I grew more interested in international entertainment. That's another story for another time.

As I was saying earlier, I didn't know that Missy Elliott released any new music within these last several years. The last time I heard about Missy, she was battling Graves' Disease. 

It's fantastic knowing that she released more music, during these more recent years. Missy debuted as a rapper, during my high school freshman year in '97 and I loved listening to her. 

I always enjoyed watching Missy Elliott's music videos and listening to her songs because it felt like the old days, when rappers had fun and danced. 

My college friends ONLY  liked listening to The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back." Otherwise, they hate Rap and Hip-Hop. Meanwhile, I have always been more cultured and open-minded about music, since I am a music lover. 

Even though EBM, EDM, and Metal, including Industrial Metal are my favorite music genres and sub-genres, I still enjoy other music genres and sub-genres. Anyway, here's Missy Elliott for today's Song Saturday.

1) Missy Elliott [Featuring Da Brat] "Sock It 2 Me" Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

2) Missy Elliott [Featuring Nas, Lil' Mo, & Eve] "Hot Boyz" Da Real World (1999)

3) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, Master P, Lil' Romeo, Eve, Ja Rule, Timbalind, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, & Nicole Wray] "Get Ur Freak On" Miss E... So Addictive (2001) 

4) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ludacris, Tweet, Trina, Ms. Jade, Eve, DMC, & Director Dave Meyers] "Gossip Folks"/"Funky Fresh Dressed" Under Construction (2002) 

5) Missy Elliott [Featuring Director Dave Meyers, 106 & Park's Free, & Lil' Brianna] "Pass That Dutch"/"Wake Up" This Is Not A Test! (2003)

6) Missy Elliott [Featuring Ciara, Fatman Scoop, & Motley Crue's Tommy Lee] "Lose Control"/"On & On" The Cookbook (2005) 

Cartoon Sunday: Brandon Lee's 50th Birthday Tribute

How's it going lurkers? Today would've been Brandon Lee's 50th birthday. Had the creators of Robot Chicken not mocked The Crow in such a distasteful manner, I would've shared their short for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Over the last 2 decades, I have noticed The Crow fans being taunted much like Anime fans and other fandoms. I'm a fan of Robot Chicken, The Crow, and Anime. However, I only turn into a fangirl, when it comes to The Crow and Brandon Lee in general. Otherwise, I couldn't care less.

Rather than sharing a cartoon, I'm sharing another blog from Blogster. It was originally an Art Sunday blog on Blogster. 

When I published it 2 Julys ago, a certain nitpicky, Baby Boomer/drag queen used "her" so-called "short attention span" as a scapegoat for her personal disinterest.

Since I no longer participate in her Song Saturday and Art Sunday Tours, I'm re-sharing this blog I published about James O'Barr's The Crow on here.

In addition to this Art Sunday blog, I have 2 other blogs dedicated to Brandon Lee.

Happy 48th Birthday To The Late Brandon Lee!

Song Saturday Special: Happy 49th To The Late Brandon Lee

Anyway, here's my Brandon Lee (and I suppose you can still say James O'Barr's) tribute.

This blog was originally published on Blogster July 27, 2013.

How's it going Xangans and Blogsterians? I hope you're all enjoying your hot and sunny weather this weekend. Ours disappeared in WI. Yesterday and today, we only reached 65 degrees. It feels like it is early spring because it is cold for late July.

Aside from that, I've been meaning to do an Art Sunday blog, but I usually forget about it. I believe my last Art Sunday blog was my Short Horror Story, Across The Street. Most people don't view writing as an art form because it is written rather than drawn. I have not done any physical art work, since my high school senior year. Ceramics was the last physical art class I took.

Now, that I have come up with something for another Art Sunday, I decided to share this James O'Barr interview. I YouTubed it last year. Apparently, this video is on the re-release of The Crow. 

I have The Crow on the original VHS. I really should buy an updated version because James O'Barr's documentary is NOT  on the VHS for The Crow.

When I originally watched this interview last year, I couldn't help empathizing with O'Barr. He mentioned, that his work was a form of catharsis for him. 

Not only is James O'Barr's work cathartic for him, but also listening to the author explain in detail about his previous fiancee being killed by a drunk driver made me sympathize and empathize with him.

Luckily, none of my immediate family, friends, or exes were killed by drunk drivers. Although, some college peers of mine were killed by drunk drivers.

As far as love goes, being unable to be with that 1 person, who I loved the most really hit close to home for me, after watching and listening to James O'Barr's documentary. 

The man I really wanted to be with the most is not dead. He became a drug addict, who refuses to acknowledge me anymore. This is especially after he recently learned that his so-called "friend" was behind my abuse, years ago.

Sometimes, I emotionally torture myself and regret ever telling him about what happened to me. He probably wouldn't have turned so cold and rebuked me had I stayed quiet.

Anyway, here is James O'Barr's documented interview about his comic book, The Crow.

1) Comic Book Author James O'Barr Shares His Life & Inspiration For The Crow (1994)

2) James O'Barr Shares His Personal Catharsis (1994)

3) James O'Barr Explains His Art Techniques & Work History (1994)

4) James O'Barr Shares Alex Proyas & Brandon Lee's Admiration (1994)