Ok, I can't decide whether to put this in the Discussion or Spam zone, so I'm just putting it here and if it needs to be moved go ahead. This is about the absolutely insane, and teeth grinding article, Tiger Mom. A lady named Amy Chua wrote a novel called Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and wrote in it how Chinese parents are better than Western parents. Here's the article. What do you guys think? I want to run screaming for all of this ludicrusy. Help me, my dear friends. Help me from insanity.
Well, today's my birthday and it's going to be another interesting day. Me and my mom usually go out and do things, and we always end up doing something interesting. Today we're going to see Green Lanturn, getting lunch and dinner, buying things at Barnes & Nobles, and a few other things. I hope we don't end up doing anything really strange.
Just watched Thor. I have to say, the movie was epic. I love how they designed everything, and the fights were pretty good as well. I'm not going to give any spoilers, but what do you guys think of it, if you've seen it? (Oh, and did I mention I'm seeing Green Lanturn tomorrow too? I'm so lucky)
I was wondering. How do you put those light or dark flashes in AMVs? I'm not sure how to do it, but I really want to try it. Using WLMM that is
Ok, so I've been thinking, in a fight between Sephiroth and Xehanort, who would win? I would personally root for Sephiroth just because he's a really strong character and the strongest boss next to the mysterious figure. What do you guys think?
Ok, so I just bought Pokemon White, and I saved 7 dollars by trading in Digimon Dawn(thank god that game is gone. It was horrible) but while at the Gamestop I noticed a walet that was modeled after Twilight Princess. It was $14.99, and I was wondering if I should buy it. I've got 20 dollars in cash, $25 still in a check, and probably 5 or 10 coming from my aunt. And on my birthday, the 17th, I was going to pay for lunch since my family is having some money problems. It's probably going to cost me about as much as the walet. I'm still planning on buying the guide for Pokemon White, but what do you guys think? Should I buy the epic Twlight Princess Walet or just wait and keep my boring one? (I have never seen myself rant on like this...daaang)
[video=youtube;8jlLUbKzoUo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jlLUbKzoUo&list=PLA6BF934D1F434EAC[/video] Need I say more?
I'm trying to decide whether to buy Re:coded or Pokemon black right now, since I unfortunately know I can't get anything else. (So long Megaman ZX Advent) and I'm thinking, would it be cheaper to buy one off ebay or amazon and get the other at a gamestop?
Ok, I just finished watching a move called Vexille that is animated just like Spirits Within, and now I feel the need to watch it. What's your guy's take on the movie? Do you think it fits the role of Final Fantasy all right?
in 24 hours, literally, I am having my 3rd piano recital. And I'm playing One-Winged Angel. I need help. I don't really have stage fright, it's more that I worry about messing up, and then I might. I know I shouldn't think that, but with a bunch of eyes starring at me, I can't help it. The song isn't even really all that hard. Funky, yes, but not hard. Think I can get a little support?
I'm watching this movie on Netflix, and I completely forgot how funny it is. What do you guys think about it?
Ok, I'm getting sick and tired of WLMM. First it decides to not save anything, then it decides to save videos that wouldn't save, and now it won't save again. I really want Sony Vegas, but do you guys know how much it is? I really would like to buy a game for my DS with my birthday money, but the way things are going, I need Vegas. If you guys know how much it is and what version, please help. Because this is seriously starting to chap my hide (all rights belong to Rikku of the Gullwings for what I just said) I'm not kidding when this is my reaction to this problem. [video=youtube;LTNP792ykYM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTNP792ykYM&list=PLA6BF934D1F434EAC[/video]
Here's a story I'm working on. I haven't actually worked on it in a long time, so I've only got 4 chapters done so far, but you can read the rest on my deviantart page. I'm hoping to publish this, but I need to make it better. What do you guys think? I know it needs work, and actually I have someone who's helping me, but I haven't gotten to revision yet. I'm still working out the kinks with my characters. _______________________________________________________________________________ Spoiler: chatper 1 The Brightest Light Chapter 1 Prologue Hello, my name is Akarui Mizuiro. To whomever discovers this letter, brace yourself about what you are about to read. Much of this story may seem impossible, yet it is all true. Do not think this is a silly prank letter, because the world needs to know about the events that occurred. While your world may seem calm, you must prepare for the worst. If you are not able to, I pray we will be able to come to your aid, just as I did for my home. I will explain in as much detail as possible up to this point. This story begins on that fateful day, the day I turned sixteen and discovered the world of Heiwa. * * * Flames were everywhere. The castle was destroyed. Civilians and Soldiers alike scrambled about in a panic. There was no surviving. The only hope now was the queen of the country. "Where is her highness!?" "I thought you were watching her!" "I only took my eyes of for a moment, we were overrun!" "We must search, we can't lose her during this dark hour...AHHH!!" "Aaahhh!!" Walls collapsing. Soldiers crushed. Women and children scrambling for some sort of false safety. Men trying to save those already lost. The queen still missing. So many hoping it was all a dream. A lone woman coming onto a balcony of the ruined castle. Holding her hands up, calming the people even for a second. "The Queen!" cheers from the people. "Your Highness!" Soldiers rallying for a counterattack. "Her most Holiness!" Women, children, and priestesses thanking their shining star. "My most beloved people!" The queen lowered her hands. One look at her face and everyone knew their hope had dimmed. The people began to bow their heads in acceptance, allowing their final time with their loved ones. "I, Fortuna, beg your forgiveness. I have done a most selfish act. I have sent my daughter, our brightest star, to Earth. I only have one more act to do. I ask all of you to please bear with me. I must protect the sacred weapons, and the only way to do that is for us to be stopped in time. While we may lose our lives, we will not die fully. I ask that you watch over the objects, guarding them until the time has come that they may once again be used. Will you help me!?" The queen rose her arms for an answer. In unison, every citizen answered at once, "Yes my queen!! We will guard them even after death!! We won't let him beat us! This is our home, and he has no right to take it from us!" The people rose their arms, cheering. From behind the queen, five soldiers appeared above the rest. "The Five Sacred Warriors", the queens oldest friends and personal guards. Meteor the Knight, Shadow the Ninja, Kaze the Dragoon, Tambourine the Black Mage, and Blaze the Pyromancer all assembled beside their queen. Each raised their weapons: a sword, a katana, a lance, a scythe, and a double-bladed sword, each customized specifically for their owners. The queen then raised her staff, Nirvana. Each weapon began to shine and then flew to six spots in the sky. Everyone witnessed as the weapons scattered. Out of nowhere, the sky began to grow darker and darker, with an ominous shape forming. The queen rose her arms and gazed upward. "You will not achieve your plans! There will come a time when hope will reappear!" Light then shot from each weapon, creating a six-pointed star in the sky. Out of the darkness came a deep voice. "Hahaha, you think you will stop me? You are only a bug through my eyes. With this power, I will control both this world and the next." The dark shape flew toward the castle. The queen grinned and spoke softly. "You don't know a thing. While you may have acquired that monster, you will meet your end soon enough." The queen looked up at the darkness. "You will be destroyed! I made the mistake of teaching you, but our light with destroy my mistake!" The star began to shine brighter and created a light around the castle. "Enjoy your victory Resheim!" The six weapons shot across the horizon. The castle began to shine brighter and brighter, eventually so bright that the darkness dispersed. When the light vanished, the castle was gone. Around the area the castle once stood the land had become beautiful. Flowers of many different colors, grass so fresh it looked unreal, and six trees, white, black, red, blue, yellow, and green. Out of the emptiness, the voice spoke again. "My name is no longer Resheim. From now on I will be known by another name, one that will strike fear into the hearts of men. From now on, I will be known as Xeshirem. You many have achieved your goal Queen Fotuna, but I will destroy that light. This world will soon be mine, and your light will dim. Hahaha, Mwhahahha, HAHAHAHA!!" In another world, a young boy carried a child to a large school surrounded by a giant wall. A sign on the wall read YUKAI SCHOOL GROUNDS. "Don't worry Akarui, we'll be safe. I'll look after you till the time is right." The boy entered the building, clutching the baby tightly. * * * "Akarui! Akarui, time to get up!" I grabbed my clocked and looked at the time. It was already 9:23 am. I had plans to go to the museum with my friends later. I got out of bed and yawned. "Man, that was a weird dream. Seemed almost like it really happened. I wonder why that boy called that child my name? Oh well, I don't need to worry about it." I got out of bed and dressed myself. I could feel today was certainly going to be a of special day. Why wouldn't it be? After all, it was my sixteenth birthday. Spoiler: chapter 2 The Brightest Light Chapter 2 The Start of My Journey Before I continue, I should explain what happened to me before my birthday. When I was just a baby, my older brother took me to a place called Yukai. There he found a school that took us in. I don't know how it happened, but my brother made a deal with the Dean of the Yukai school and we were allowed to stay. Luckily for us, the school had its own little living quarters, probably made just for children like us who had no home. I don't see the Dean too much, since he's always in over his head in work, but he's taken good care of us, and I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him enough for taking us in. During the time I lived at the school, I met up with two girls who were to later become my friends, Umi and Sakura. Umi is 16 years old with short black hair, only reaching her neck, and her eyes are the brightest blue I have ever seen. She began to live at the school after her mother abandoned her when Umi was only four years old. Umi has always said that she wants to be a nurse to help people, and she's never given up on that. Right now she is the highest scoring person in any science class, as well as an A+ student in Health. Sakura is nearly the exact opposite from Umi in almost every way. She is 17 with her hair shoulder length, and it's always wavy for some reason. With her hair color being all the colors of fire, it seems like her entire head is on fire. Sakura is quite the tomboy, completely different from a cherry blossom, which her name comes from. She came to Yukai shortly after Umi arrived. She and my brother always took care of me when I got in trouble. After my brother left, Sakura became my self-proclaimed bodyguard. She eventually became the "pillar of flame" in our school, and even the strongest boys kept away from her. It does get a bit crazy at times when she gets in fights, but she has a soft side for young kids and friends and always seems to comprehend more things than most people, which lands her the title of "Blue Flame" as well. While I'm sharing my childhood I supposed I should talk about my brother as well. My brother's name is Lloyd and he is my influence. I suppose you could say that the years I spent with my brother was the best time of my childhood. My brother and I look nearly the same, with both of us having platinum hair and silver eyes. The one unusual feature about him is that his eyes look like they have stars in them. My brother was always protective of me, and kept telling me stories about a mystical land where magic was real. In this world, there was a monster called the Darkness, and it was so powerful it had could only be sealed away. He kept talking about it like it was real, and I could never figure out why, even to this day. My brother taught me things like "always place your trust in your friends", "never try to take the weight of the world's problems alone", "only do what you can do, and let someone else do what's impossible for you", and "never let go of the light inside of you". Even to this day, I still follow those rules, although the last one still confuses me. The worst part about having a brother as great as him is when he vanishes from your life, even if only to protect you. One day he came into my room and put his hand on my head and said only a few things. I still remember it like he was right in front of me, "I need you to stay here for just a while longer. I've done all I can to prepare you for what's to come. Remember to take care of yourself, as well as Umi and Sakura. You'll have to go through hardships, but I'm sure you of all people will make it through them. Just remember what I've taught you, and I'll meet you again soon. I'm sorry for putting you through all of this, but I will make it up to you. I promise." After that, he left and I never saw him again. I still believe one day I'll meet him again, and I will never stop praying to see him soon. * * * While I got dressed, I couldn't contain my excitement for what I had planned for the day. Most girls on their sixteenth birthday would try to have a huge party, but I didn't enjoy parties all that much. Ever since I was a young girl, I was always scared of parties. There was just something about all of the noise that reminded me of a town or city screaming in fear from some sort of danger. I blame my brother for putting those images in my head from his crazy stories. So, I decided to go out with my friends to the museum, since they were holding a brand new exhibit on the lost culture of Majicks. As long as I've known, I've always been interested in ancient cultures, or magic. When I heard that this new exhibit would feature artifacts that were used for magic, I couldn't hold myself back. The first chance I had, I bought tickets for Umi, Sakura, and myself. We all decided that we would visit the museum then do some karaoke and finally get some dinner. Just as I finished straightening my hair, Umi came through the door. She had on her favorite "Let's go or blow" T-shirt, with her scenic sea-lookout skirt(don't ask me why she has a sea on them). "What's taking so long? I was ready two hours ago." She scanned me, taking a look at what I had on. Of course, she had to make her famous "you're too good for those clothes" look. Umi has always had this weird notion that I shouldn't wear common clothes, but I have no idea why. I was wearing a t-shirt with a magic wand and sword making an X and a spell book in the middle with magic blasts of earth, fire, water, wind, light, and dark across the front and converging on the back making a six-pointed star. I don't know why, but this shirt always calmed me down. Besides my shirt, I was wearing a long skirt which had six sections, each symbolizing the elements. Umi sighed and waved her finger, "How is it that on your birthday you wear that shirt and skirt?" "What?" I had a puzzled look carved on my face, "I thought it worked since I enjoy this sort of stuff, and it's my sixteenth birthday." I walked to the door and we went into the hallway. While I may have lived in the school for my whole life, the hallway never seemed real to me. Try to think of the West Wing in Beauty and the Beast and you'll understand. We headed down the hallway chatting about what we hoped to see at the museum. "You know," Umi started. "What are you going to do if this new exhibit isn't what you expected?" She looked at me, waiting for an answer. "Well, maybe I'll just go to another museum, since there's plenty of them around." And that wasn't a joke either. Here in Yukai, Japan, there's more museums than you could think of. I've always enjoyed it because of that, and also because everyone here speaks English for some reason. "It's not like we haven't done that before, remember?" "Yeah, I remember." She put her finger to her head, remembering all those other times we've been disappointed with these kind of exhibits. "Oh yeah, Sakura says that she's waiting outside for us, so maybe we should run." Without giving me a chance to reply, she took off, "You don't want to make her wait do you?" She laughed at her joke, since we both know that Sakura always makes us do some kind of crazy act to make up for making her wait. Last time I made her wait, she had me try to juggle in front of a huge crowd with bowling pins, when I'd never juggled before in my life. With that thought, I took off as fast as I could. After a few sneaky tricks from Umi, and me sliding down the rails of the steps, we finally got to the front door. We noticed Sakura standing against the wall next to the door. She looked up and we could tell we had made her wait too long. She walked over to me and put her hand on my shoulder. "You do realize that I've been waiting two minutes longer then I should have?" She grinned at me with a face that says she's hiding something. "Ah well, I-" before I could finish she put her arm around my neck and kept me in her arm lock. Before I could get away, she put her fist on my head. "Now now, let's not try to get away. After all, you've kept me waiting." Then before I could do anything, she gave me a noogie harder than any I've ever gotten before. "Haha, who told you to keep me waiting?" She glanced over to Umi with a evil grin. Umi froze in place. "Uh, hold on. I didn't do-ah!" Before she could say anything else she was caught too. I don't know how she did it, but she managed to give up both noogie's so bad it made my hair stand up a tiny bit. After a few minutes, she let up. I managed to pat my hair down, with extreme difficulty. Sakura looked at me and grinned. "Well, happy birthday our little angel." She held out her hand and in her palm was a gift. "From Umi and me." I grabbed it and teared up. "Now now, none of that." She wiped the tear from my cheek. "You deserve something great, so we got you this. Now open it up." I did as she said, before I got another punishment, and was shocked by what was inside. There was a dog tag(of course that's something Sakura would get) and on it there was a six-pointed star. In the middle of the star there was my name. I looked at them both and hugged them as tight as I could. "You guys are the greatest. I couldn't have asked for anything more." I gave the widest grin I could possibly make and hung it around my neck. "I'll cherish this for the rest of my life." I let them go and teared up even more. "If I could have asked for anything more, it would be to see my brother again." Umi and Sakura looked at each other and then put a hand on my shoulders. "Don't worry about it, Akarui, you'll meet him again soon." She took her hand off and walked down the stairs to the street. "Umi's right, Akarui," Sakura comforted me as best as she could. "You'll see him soon enough, don't worry. After all, he's already in for it for making you cry on your birthday." Then she walked down the steps after Umi. "Come on, let's get to the museum. Maybe some of that old junk will make you feel better." She laughed and ran off to the street. "Hey!" I chased after her, yelling. "It's not junk, it's priceless artifacts!" I caught up them and they turned around. "Of course it isn't," both said at the same time. We all laughed and headed towards the museum. I didn't know it then, but it would be the last time we all laughed like that for a long while.
I may be looking before I leap, but why is it that the graphics on the Zelda: Skyward Sword are worse than those for Twilight Princess? Shouldn't they be just as fine? If not better?
Has anyone watched this anime? It's really good, and if you're into fighting or even comedy this is definately the show for you. Story: Kenichi is a coward who can't get anything done. He is bullied all the time, and the only thing that makes him feel better are his "How to" books. One day he meets Miu Furinji, who happens to be a martial artist. She recommends that if Kenichi wants to get stronger, he should go to a martial arts school. She gives him a map and he heads to the school. When he arrives, he learns he his in for the training of his lifetime. Not the best Synopsis, but it's the best I can come up with without giving away the whole story. Have any of you seen or read it?
The Critic has spoken [video=youtube;HB58XowBGYc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB58XowBGYc&feature=related[/video]
There are plenty of War of the World Movies out there, but only 2 of them have been made within these past recent years, War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise and H. G. Well's War of the Worlds. Which do you guys think is the better one? I personally perfer the plain War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise. It's got a lot of slow parts, but the suspense is really good. That's all it takes to make me interested in a movie. Good suspense and a great way to end that suspense only to make even more suspense
I've been thinking about this for a while. We've seen Riku use portals of darkness to travel between worlds, but what does mickey use? We see him in many different worlds and yet never see how he travles. Does he use some kind of light to travel or does he have his own Gummi ship somewhere? Y'now, maybe he is using the star shard. I mean, didn't Merlin give it to him?
Ok, so my Grandma is coming on the 9th, oddly enough, and if she decides to hand me my birthday money early, what game do you guys think I should buy? I'm trying to decide between Pokemon White, Megaman Battle Network Double Team, or Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded. I usually get 50 from her, so I can't decide. Or maybe some other game you guys might like to suggest? Usually my grandma sends my birthday money like 2 weeks late, so I'm really hoping I don't get that this year
Ok, I've watched the first 10 minutes of Kick-***(Sorry, but that's what it's called) and if anyone has seen it before, please tell me it gets better. It's supposed to be really good, but so far, I feel like never watching it again
