Ask Zulehan stuff

[brownboy102]

You are an architect?

THAT'S MY DREAM JOB XD

 

[Zulehan]

Spent my day sleeping; fell asleep at 6am, got up at 10am because I had stuff to do, so I took a nap during the whole afternoon. Not very recommended but...

I am sure your mind and body thank you for the rest. There is something melancholy but pleasant about waking up in the evening after taking an afternoon nap, I suppose.

Oh Tak is cool! I wish we could've seen her more often, though.

Yes, if memory serves, Jhonen Vasquez planned another episode with her, the synopsis having something to do with her sabotaging a plan by Zim on the Irken homeworld. Sadly, it would not come to pass since the series was canceled (how boo-boo is that?*).

My favorite is Zim, I just adore his dubber! And as you said, Zim without Gir is like peas without carrots, so I really like him too.

I'm gonna sing the doom song now!
Doom doom, doom doom doom, doooom doom doom...

Yes, I love his voice actor.

And as for Gir, still the first scene to come to mind:

* I am thinking about your English topic and the talk about English idioms, slang, etc., when saying this: In case you are not already aware, 'that is boo boo' or 'how boo boo is that' would in this context be slang meaning 'that is silly; I do not approve.'

You are an architect?

THAT'S MY DREAM JOB XD

I love architecture, but I am not an architect.

And I hope you are pursuing architecture as a career, then.

Thank you for the question.

 

[brownboy102]

I am. Instead of using jenga blocks for jenga, I build towers and houses.

 

[Zulehan]

I am. Instead of using jenga blocks for jenga, I build towers and houses.

Ah, you are already an architect, then? If yes, wonderful! If not but pursuing it, still wonderful!

 

[brownboy102]

I used to draw houses, but they were always really bad XD

I am better with building diagrams then blueprinting.

 

[Delphine]

I am sure your mind and body thank you for the rest. There is something melancholy but pleasant about waking up in the evening after taking an afternoon nap, I suppose.

True. This long nap was confusing though, I couldn't remember if I had already woken (waken? awaken? no, woken, right?) earlier that day, and I confounded dreams and real life (a state I really enjoy being in to be honest).

* I am thinking about your English topic and the talk about English idioms, slang, etc., when saying this: In case you are not already aware, 'that is boo boo' or 'how boo boo is that' would in this context be slang meaning 'that is silly; I do not approve.'

Oh. I love this idiom. I'm gonna use it all the time! Though it first reminded me of the movie The World's End (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are my heroes), when they say 'Let's boo-boo' as a way to say 'Let's get out of here!'.

Isn't there also a fat little girl on a TV show or something, who's name is BooBoo? *quickly googles* Oh right, Honey Boo Boo.

And now, back to you! Are you interested in Egyptian history, and/or in Greek mythology?

 

[Zulehan]

True. This long nap was confusing though, I couldn't remember if I had already woken (waken? awaken? no, woken, right?) earlier that day, and I confounded dreams and real life (a state I really enjoy being in to be honest).

Ah, but this is part of its charm to me; I like being caught in that state. Odd, I know.

Also, for some reason I cannot help remembering a statement attributed to American actor Johnny Depp:

I pretty much try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it leaves on my face.

Oh. I love this idiom. I'm gonna use it all the time! Though it first reminded me of the movie The World's End (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are my heroes), when they say 'Let's boo-boo' as a way to say 'Let's get out of here!'.

That is perhaps the last movie I saw in the theater, heh; liked it. Also like the usage you mention.

Isn't there also a fat little girl on a TV show or something, who's name is BooBoo? *quickly googles* Oh right, Honey Boo Boo.

That would be news to me, or to use yet another idiom: does not ring a bell.

And now, back to you! Are you interested in Egyptian history, and/or in Greek mythology?

Oh, God, I would not be sure where to start. It was not long ago when I read historian Anthony Everitt's Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor, which showed how intimately Egypt was tied to Europe even after the decline of the ancient Greek city states.

Although Greek mythology interests me a lot, I am more generally fascinated by the ancient polytheism of the Greeks and Romans and other nearby cultures of that time, though specifically in the transition period between a crumbling polytheistic Rome and the rise of Christianity. It is for that reason I am able to slog through historian Robin Lane Fox's Pagans and Christians: In the Mediterranean World From the Second Century AD to the Conversion of Constantine despite being drier than the Atacama Desert.

After all, polytheism did not just disappear one day suddenly replaced by Christianity: there was slow churning, but growing anxieties, animosities, supersedings, and symbioses.

Thank you for the question.

 

[brownboy102]

Shall I make you review songs? X3

 

[Zulehan]

Shall I make you review songs? X3

Without intent to be rude, please no.

 

[brownboy102]

Lol okay X3...

DX

 

[Zulehan]

I am bumping this topic with a heads up to check out this beach party collectible set giveaway.

 

[Delphine]

Do you consider yourself to be a big manga reader? Do you have any interest in comics in general?

 

[Zulehan]

Do you consider yourself to be a big manga reader? Do you have any interest in comics in general?

A friend got me into Batman comics, though unfortunately I have not gotten any recently. However, I do have Batman: The Long Halloween. And though not a Batman comic, the following is a 'Western' comic: Watchman, which I liked because it featured a smart villain. I also liked that Rorschach was so ridiculously uncompromising and disagreeable, yet struck a sympathetic chord with me.

As for Japanese comics, I religiously kept up with Full Metal Alchemist, but it ended (fortunately with a proper ending). I once loved Bleach and Naruto but now do not care for either. That leaves the following comics I now keep up with, as mentioned in 'What manga are you currently reading?:

One Piece.

Shingeki no Kyojin, aka Attack on Titan. Plenty of political intrigue, an interesting premise about a society predicated on eternal peace but plagued by a cycle of death, and a critical or refreshing perspective on such issues as gender and the military, the perceived dilemma between activism and patriotism in regards to loyalty to state, 'normalcy' versus 'eccentricity' in human behavior, etc. http://mangasee.me/manga/?series=ShingekiNoKyojin

Kingdom, a period piece based on the Warring States period of China, and focuses on the rise of the Qin state and its imperial designs. Despite the historical backdrop, this is clearly a fantasy, not to its detriment: characters take heavy injuries but the risk of death actually exists, even for the most God-like among them. Battle scenes last several chapters and go into great detail about tactics and strategy. There is plenty of character development for protagonist and antagonist alike, and there is an ensemble cast for both. Relatedly, the author even casts a critical eye on the Qin state, as to whether it is really just, and like Attack on Titan features women playing a prominent role in the military and state. http://mangasee.me/manga/?series=Kingdom

Shokugeki no Soma. A comic about students training to become master chefs. Filled with silliness, exaggeration, some fan service (but for both sexes), and plenty of epicness for something that takes place in the kitchen. Cooking battles last numerous chapters and go into great detail about food preparation in a high-octane style much like Iron Chef and Beat Bobby Flay. http://mangasee.me/manga/?series=ShokugekiNoSoma

So yeah, I am a comic reader, though I am not as big a fan of American comics.

Thank you for the question!

P.S. — I should add that I despise fan service, and in fact it is responsible for me dropping Fairy Tale only a few chapters in.

 

[Swiftstream]

Do you like Pippy?

 

[Zulehan]

Do you like Pippy?

You have a most discerning eye.

Thank you for the question.

 

[Delphine]

A friend got me into Batman comics, though unfortunately I have not gotten any recently. However, I do have Batman: The Long Halloween. And though not a Batman comic, the following is a 'Western' comic: Watchman, which I liked because it featured a smart villain. I also liked that Rorschach was so ridiculously uncompromising and disagreeable, yet struck a sympathetic chord with me.

Batman is my hero. The Dark Knight is probably the movie I've watched the most. I know it by heart (for real). And I adored the Watchmen movie, Rorschach is such a cool character (if we're talking about the same guy here, and I think we are).

As for Japanese comics, I religiously kept up with Full Metal Alchemist, but it ended (fortunately with a proper ending). I once loved Bleach and Naruto but now do not care for either. That leaves the following comics I now keep up with, as mentioned in 'What manga are you currently reading?

FMA is by far my favorite manga. I admire the mangaka so much. It always makes me so happy to think that a woman was able to write such a well thought and constructed scenario for her manga... it's impressive - I don't mean that women are not good at that but it's rarer to see female mangakas writing this kind of things.

As for Bleach, I never cared for it. Naruto bored me after all my favorite characters died (first, Deidara, then, Jiraya, it was too much for me to handle). Used to read One Piece but lost interest in it... found it too repetitive. Also got pissed after my favorite character died (Ace), although his death was useful and interesting and added something to the story, it killed me to admit it. I actually cried when he died... And to finish, I have to start Attack On Titans.

So yeah, I am a comic reader, though I am not as big a fan of American comics.

And do you care for Franco-Belgian comics? I have no idea if they're famours overseas... I mean, expect The Smurfs...

Thank you for the question!

My pleasure, thanks for answering!

P.S. — I should add that I despise fan service, and in fact it is responsible for me dropping Fairy Tale only a few chapters in.

THIS! So much. And people still believe it's an ecchi manga - it's not! Just... gross.
Although I have to admit and be honest here!
...
It is nice to get to see muscles for us hetero ladies, and not just boobs everywhere. But of course, it doesn't add anything to the manga.

 

[Zulehan]

FMA is by far my favorite manga. I admire the mangaka so much. It always makes me so happy to think that a woman was able to write such a well thought and constructed scenario for her manga... it's impressive - I don't mean that women are not good at that but it's rarer to see female mangakas writing this kind of things.

It certainly is good to see, though it is also good to see male authors writing more sympathetic female characters. For instance, the new Disney show Girl Meets World is written by a man, but features sympathetic, fully realized female characters who do not just exist to prop up the male characters, and who do not simply spend each scene talking to each other about boys even when they are not talking to boys. Even more, it is a show meant to appeal to both genders, rather than reinforce the stereotypical 'chick flick' mentality that some audience members and movie developers have about female leads and strong supporting female characters.

Relatedly, I like seeing female authors writing about male characters. Full Metal Alchemist is a good example. But I am also thinking of the American novelist Jhumpa Lahiri (The Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies, and Unaccustomed Earth) and American writer Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe). Miss Sugar is the first woman to have her own show on the television channel Cartoon Network. Steven, the title character, was modeled after her brother, who she always wanted to write about: she presents a heartening, funny, and fully-realized male and child character.

And while I am talking about American writers or directors, there is Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Breaking the notion that male audience members would never want to watch female characters for long unless they were highly sexualized and primarily in sexual situations (as any movie otherwise is held to be a 'chick flick,' or solely of interest to women), with top-notch character development the first half of the movie presents you with a group of ladies just hanging out and talking. And I loved every second of it.

As for Bleach, I never cared for it. Naruto bored me after all my favorite characters died (first, Deidara, then, Jiraya, it was too much for me to handle).

Ironically, one of my bigger problems with Naruto was that people of consequence seldom died, and when someone finally did the character development up to that point was so shoddy I did not care.

Jiraiya was that rare exception, but his fight seemed so inconsequential that it disappointed me: i.e., he existed in that moment to show how strong the newly revealed villain was, and his death held little lasting repercussion for anyone else involved. Even more, Jiraiya had this fight after a long hiatus or little involvement in the ongoing story, a point which seems reinforced by the fact that the author had to squeeze in numerous chapters of flashback as if in a desperate effort to make the audience care all at once rather than through gradual and deliberate effort.

Now if Jiraiya remained more prominently involved in the chapters leading up to that point, showed a drive such as to preserve the peace through efforts in the village (such as in heated debates with the leaders), and maybe even got involved in a mission where he saves the lives of fellow ninjas and nearly dies for it (i.e., in the present rather than in flashbacks with other characters that also did not have much development yet), I can see such efforts to inject more involvement by Jiraiya making his eventual death much more of a heavy hit.

And do you care for Franco-Belgian comics?

This question is part of the reason I asked a similar question about comics in your topic: I am hoping for such recommendations. I do not believe I even have an inkling in my mind for any Franco-Belgian comics. There is a Belgian person whose blog I keep up with, but she seems far more interested in Japanese literature than in Belgian literature, heh.

It is nice to get to see muscles for us hetero ladies, and not just boobs everywhere. But of course, it doesn't add anything to the manga.

For muscles and character development in a female character, Legend of Korra is a better bet.

 

[Delphine]

It certainly is good to see, though it is also good to see male authors writing more sympathetic female characters. For instance, the new Disney show Girl Meets World is written by a man, but features sympathetic, fully realized female characters who do not just exist to prop up the male characters, and who do not simply spend each scene talking to each other about boys even when they are not talking to boys. Even more, it is a show meant to appeal to both genders, rather than reinforce the stereotypical 'chick flick' mentality that some audience members and movie developers have about female leads and strong supporting female characters.

Relatedly, I like seeing female authors writing about male characters. Full Metal Alchemist is a good example. But I am also thinking of the American novelist Jhumpa Lahiri (The Namesake, Interpreter of Maladies, and Unaccustomed Earth) and American writer Rebecca Sugar (Steven Universe). Miss Sugar is the first woman to have her own show on the television channel Cartoon Network. Steven, the title character, was modeled after her brother, who she always wanted to write about: she presents a heartening, funny, and fully-realized male and child character.

I don't know about these shows and authors, but I get your point and totally agree with you.

And while I am talking about American writers or directors, there is Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Breaking the notion that male audience members would never want to watch female characters for long unless they were highly sexualized and primarily in sexual situations (as any movie otherwise is held to be a 'chick flick,' or solely of interest to women), with top-notch character development the first half of the movie presents you with a group of ladies just hanging out and talking. And I loved every second of it.

All the words I put in bold are ones I had never heard of, so I had to look at the translation for them. You enriched my vocabulary, yay!

Ironically, one of my bigger problems with Naruto was that people of consequence seldom died, and when someone finally did the character development up to that point was so shoddy I did not care.

Jiraiya was that rare exception, but his fight seemed so inconsequential that it disappointed me: i.e., he existed in that moment to show how strong the newly revealed villain was, and his death held little lasting repercussion for anyone else involved. Even more, Jiraiya had this fight after a long hiatus or little involvement in the ongoing story, a point which seems reinforced by the fact that the author had to squeeze in numerous chapters of flashback as if in a desperate effort to make the audience care all at once rather than through gradual and deliberate effort.

Now if Jiraiya remained more prominently involved in the chapters leading up to that point, showed a drive such as to preserve the peace through efforts in the village (such as in heated debates with the leaders), and maybe even got involved in a mission where he saves the lives of fellow ninjas and nearly dies for it (i.e., in the present rather than in flashbacks with other characters that also did not have much development yet), I can see such efforts to inject more involvement by Jiraiya making his eventual death much more of a heavy hit.

Agree with that too, and don't know what to add, haha. It just seems to me that the author already got his point, said everything he had to say, and is just extending his work for $ purposes, which is why I find it to be boring and repetitive. One might think that FMA ended too early, but the mangaka had the decency not to make it last too long and gave us an amazing ending.

This question is part of the reason I asked a similar question about comics in your topic: I am hoping for such recommendations. I do not believe I even have an inkling in my mind for any Franco-Belgian comics. There is a Belgian person whose blog I keep up with, but she seems far more interested in Japanese literature than in Belgian literature, heh.

Surely you must know The Smurfs, Tintin (Spielberg's movie was cool), and Spirou, at the very least! n_n

For muscles and character development in a female character, Legend of Korra is a better bet.

(In all honesty I meant that Grey's muscles are nice to look at )
Don't know about Legend of Korra, I'll have to check it out!

 

[Zulehan]

All the words I put in bold are ones I had never heard of, so I had to look at the translation for them. You enriched my vocabulary, yay!

On the one hand, I am more than happy to learn new words, and to encourage others to learn new words. But on the other I feel insecure as a writer whenever my readers have to look stuff up. Heh.

Agree with that too, and don't know what to add, haha. It just seems to me that the author already got his point, said everything he had to say, and is just extending his work for $ purposes, which is why I find it to be boring and repetitive. One might think that FMA ended too early, but the mangaka had the decency not to make it last too long and gave us an amazing ending.

Ah, I much prefer the painfully early but intended ending to the dragged-out-oh-my-God-are-we-there-yet ending. In regards to the early ending, it seems to feed into that sense of melancholy, as if here was this high-octane ride that lasted only for a few seconds but left us blown away versus okay we were blown away but please, please let us call it a day.

In regards to Naruto, yeah, I stopped caring a long time ago. I believe the last time I felt truly engrossed by the story was when Third Hokage was ambushed by his peer Orochimaru, yet nearly won. Unfortunately, his sacrifice felt undermined by Orochimaru having a way to 'fix' what the Hokage did to him: it would have been far more interesting to see Orochimaru resign to and make the best out of his new, disabled situation.

Surely you must know The Smurfs, Tintin (Spielberg's movie was cool), and Spirou, at the very least! n_n

The Smurfs are pop culture/pervasive here in the States, and I heard of Tintin. However, this is my first time hearing of Spirou, which I assume you mean Spirou et Fantasio.

(In all honesty I meant that Grey's muscles are nice to look at )

I would not know about that.

Don't know about Legend of Korra, I'll have to check it out!

Although I encourage you to check it out, I think it better to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender first, as Legend of Korra proceeds from it (i.e., it is a stand-alone series, yet is very much enriched by familiarity with its predecessor).

 

[brownboy102]

Favorite books, book series, movies, movie series, ETC.?