Aleph Ersatz

After two and a half straight days of playing it, I have to say that Demigod is a fantastic LAN party game.  I wish we’d found it sooner!

Easy to pick up, easy to challenge oneself, easy to strategize and perfect.  Damnably entertaining in large groups or small.

Updated the Otaku List again.  Been far too long, had tons to add.

Found one of the best metal music videos ever.  Meshuggah is this really talented experimental metal band, with crazy math-metal esque licks, and they made the following their OFFICIAL video for their song.

Yes that is the real band in the video.

So I didn’t even hold out six months before I’m back on the “no-posting” wagon.  For a while there, I actually contemplated switching to Twitter, but really, I don’t want to be a twit.  And the concept is stupid.  I hope it dies, just like that stupid AYBABTU.  That didn’t last long, right?  I mean, who even remebers it?

I have been up to alot, actually.  Working, tons, been doing 200+ hours a month again.  Reading tons and tons of manga.  The otaku list needs a major update as I’ve read at least 10 - 15 different books and novels in the last while.  Found a bunch of new good stuff, and some of the worst mangas in existence!

I’ve begun the long and arduous process of learing Japanese.  Not only am I horrible with spoken languages, but this one also involves re-learing how to read.  However, I’ve managed to nail down most of the Hiragana table, so all I need to do is learn Katakana, practice, and start learning the grammar structures.  Sounds so easy doesn’t it?  Been practicing my reading on vaious things around - maily mangas - and actually I’m doing pretty well.  Plus I’ve found a variety of very useful and informative websites.

• Grammar and Langauge: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/index.html
• Writing and tidbits: http://japanese.about.com/
• Writing: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/7047/
• Hiragana Pracice: http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/HiraganaDrill.html
• Katakana Practice: http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/KatakanaDrill.html

I’m actually really enjoying being able to read it.  It seems like such a huge feat, but I know there is much more to come.

Lastly, I wrote a letter to a newspaper and got it printed.  While not hugely exciting, I’m kinda happy.  It’s in today’s Now Newspaper.  If you can read it.  I’m not readily posting a link because it lists my name on the letter.  But if you know me, send me an IM or email and I’ll send you a link.