Hey, peeps. Affiliation's still open. More details at outshore. Don't be fooled by its simplicity. I killed my brain and back over this.

Set that up tonight, but will probably not use it for some time *looks up at mostly-PS2 backlog*

Anyway, I'm "R Kasahara" on Live (without the quotes, obviously). Feel free to add me :P

Title: Here (Cloud Edition)
Characters: Cloud Strife
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Partial nudity, NSFW
Description: Cloud is one hot, hot bastard XD

...memory to ZacK is awfully touchy about the game's retcons, don't you think? XD

(Warning: link contains huge ginormous spoilers for Crisis Core)

Yesterday was Jeff's birthday. I got him the first Twelve Kingdoms novel (translated), Okami Official Complete Works (translated), and a Code Geass illustration book (recently released in Japanese). About the latter: as part of his recent bingeing on anime, he watched the whole first season not too long ago and became a fan of the series.

After work (his, of course; I'm still looking), we went out to dinner and then saw The Dark Knight. It was excellent, and unlike most all other comic book movies, felt real—and not "comic book real", but real real. Certainly, the use of real-life locations as backdrops coupled with real stunts and effects lent itself to this. There was also Heath Ledger's performance—no, interpretation—of the Joker, which was incredible. I don't generally follow actors' work, and I'm not all that familiar with his, but his Joker left an impression.

My one gripe about the film was the pacing and how the (complex) story was handled. It seemed like as soon as you figure out what's going on in one scene and how it ties in to the previous one, it cuts to the next, and the process starts again. On a related note, there was also the matter of some of the action setpieces (a certain one in particular), which was staged in a way that was a little confusing. Director Christopher Nolan handles Batman much like Paul Pope does: wonderful characterization and world-building, but the storytelling mechanics need a little work.

Also, the trailer for Watchmen was one of several that played beforehand. The imagery looks amazing and faithful to the graphic novel, but two things worry me: it's by the director of 300 (which I haven't seen but what I've heard about that film makes me wonder if he could handle something like Watchmen), and Alan Moore wants nothing to do with it. Also, whether or not Rorschach's mask will be properly handled (and it looks like it just might be), but that's less of a concern...

Another trailer that played (the first one of the evening, IIRC), was for The Day the Earth Stood Still. Doesn't look too shabby, plus it's good to see ol' Keanu back in high, deadpan form XD

Title: Ghost Stories
Chapter: 6 - Interlude at Seventh Heaven
Fandom: FFVII: Advent Children
Characters: All major ones, plus some OCs
Pairings: Reeve/Reno
Rating: R

Summary: The sequel to Loveless. As Meteor falls and the Lifestream rises to meet it, the fates of the Planet's inhabitants are anything but sealed. Those still alive when all is said and done count their blessings, but the past—and the dead—linger on and manifest themselves when least expected.
Chapter Summary: Cloud's reunion takes place, where the silver-haired men are discussed.
Warnings: Language, violence, mature situations, death.
Author's notes: Here. Includes a synopsis covering major events from Loveless. Regarding this chapter in particular - a certain character really surprised me while I was writing this. I won't say who this character is, lest I spoil any surprises...

Previous chapters: One . Two . Three . Four . Five

(x-posted to a few places)

New chapters will now be posted approximately once every two weeks. I also updated the Shopping Guide and (in the process of doing so) made a Google Maps banner. Oh, and I didn't play through Nibelheim yesterday because I hadn't gotten any sleep and was tired. I did start Space Invaders Extreme, though—it is really, really good, and has some of the most kickass sound design I've ever heard in a video game :O

A classic of American gastronomic culture as a Parisian trend.

Warning: do not read while hungry. Also, the bit about adding thyme to burgers was kind of funny to me, as I mix thyme in ground beef all the time (pun not intended). Not fresh thyme, though... that sounds delicious ^_^

Just left Cosmo Canyon. The bit with Seto after the Gi Nattak battle* almost made me cry.

Nibelheim tomorrow. Sephiroth Clones! The Shinra Mansion! Lost Number! Vincent! Mt. Nibel! Materia Keeper! Can't wait ^_^

*No, I didn't use the Phoenix Down shortcut... I never use it :P

AC on the Wii finally, officially confirmed! And it's out this year!

This is THE best news to come out of E3 so far. All I need now is a confirmed StarCraft II release date, and I'm set :D

( Winter Sonata anime trailer )
I already knew this, but after seeing this, I still can't help but feel shocked! Especially about Bae Young Joon voicing too. What a attention hog he is for all the series he does. He gets to take part in the Winter Sonata anime as he got to have a role in the Japanese version of Hotelier! @_@

I... think I want to see how the anime is when it comes out, but then I always did have mixed feelings about the drama. lol

Update's at outshore. BUT IN SHORT:



THAT'S RIGHT. AHAHAHAAAA.