Let Dai

Manhwa: Woon Soo-yeon
Volume(s): 15
Genre: Drama, Mature, Psychological, Romance, Shounen-Ai, Tragedy
License: NetComics
Summary: Set in a soulless neo-Seoul ruled by young punks and pleasure seekers, an amoral teenager named Dai is the living embodiment of the city's beauty and cruelty.
As the leader of the vicious Furies gang, Dai seduces everyone who lays eyes on him, only to blind them to his own barbaric nature. When an honest schoolboy named Jaehee rescues a beautiful girl from being mugged by the Furies, he can't possibly realize how this brief encounter will plunge him into a downward spiral of unbridled passion and unfathomable pain.
From his brutal gang initiation to an unspeakable act committed against his girlfriend, Jaehee wavers uncomfortably between revulsion and fascination. And in Dai he finds a tender, caring friend one moment and a heartless sociopath the next, awakening strange and unhealthy desires in Jaehee that he could never before have imagined.

You already know I like manga. I like Shoujo but equally Yaoi, as well. Until recently, my only contact with manga was through internet and the various scanlations I would come across. But now, all that has changed. Thanks to a lovely group in my country who went through the trouble of finding suppliers, arranging an online shop, I can now call myself the proud owner of a few manga :D

And you`d think that would be end of my problems. But alas, those never go away. Now I face something even more dramatic... which manga to choose and buy first? LOL There are so many I`m interested in that I`m having a hard time deciding.

I did manage to settle on a few titles, ordered them, waited about a month or so to be delivered and since yesterday, I can call the following volumes as being mine, all mine *insert evil laughter* :

(Immortal Rain - volumes 2, 3, 5 and 7; Mars - volume 1; Freefall Romance; Sunflower - volume 1; Rin! - volume 1)

*Note: the books supporting the manga left and right are dictionaries... LOL

One of life`s little pleasures XD

Who would have thought my town would actually get another chance to see snow? And in large quantities too. When I woke up this morning I thought I had landed in Paradise (well, my paradise anyway ) Snow everywhere, covering cars, the road, the trees. Everything white and shiny! And it wasn`t your average snowflake here and there but snow, real snow, fluffy and cold, white, beautiful, squeaky under your shoes! I couldn`t be happier!

The minute I went out, I felt like I had crossed into a different century. Snow was knee high, with a small path carved by the dozens of people that had dared venture outside before me, hardly any cars on the road, people walking in the middle of the road since the sidewalk was covered in mountain of snow! Silence all around, with only the sound of your feet crushing the snow underneath you and your soft breath forming vapors as you let out the air in your lungs. Feeling the blood rush through your veins as you made your way through the snow and tensed the muscles of your legs to get across a pile of snow... How can you not love this?

This Christmas present came in a bit late. But I don`t mind. At least I got what I wanted. The snow that was rightfully due and then some

And for those interested, or slightly curious, here are some shots of the sight that greeted me this morning:


  



Winter finally came! Let It Snow!!!

"Your gaze makes my heart beat faster

Your touch sets me on fire

Your sadness makes my soul cry out in pain

Your presence makes me shiver in despair

Your strength keeps me moving on!"


Note:
The lyrics are mine (nothing fancy, since they don`t even rhyme, as you can see). It was just something I had to post since the image made such an impression on me! <3
The wallpaper belongs to Nat ( http://ningen.nattoli.net/ ). All credits go to him / her!

"... the feeling, the wind, the air, the power, the respect, the adrenaline... for speed... the sun, you and the metal beneath you, within you... the road stretching before you... the instant passing you by... the orgasm... the tension... boiling blood... the risk... the passion, the love... the image... your life flashing before your eyes... straight line, the highway, 300km/h... curves, you touch the asphalt with your bare hands... the smell of gas and burnt tire... the roar of 130 horse power on 200 kg of metal and 80kg of life, 16000 revolutions per minute... weeks of hard labor in the garage unscrewing every bolt, adjustments, trials, custom made, enhancements... rain, ditches, sand, wet tram tracks, falls, nerves, tears, torn blue jeans and skinned palms... sweat... pride... ego... responsibility = the bike in just a few words"

Author: Sheryfelu

*Note:
I do NOT own this quote. The author is Sheryfelu and I have his approval to post it.
This is a translation of the actual quote so some of the feeling, the sensation, the impression, the effect might have faded in the process.

How could I have passed through the first 4 series and not comment here about this magnificent work of art???

Queer as Folk (the American version)

Haven`t heard of it yet? Hard to believe. But if you haven`t so far, you will now. Queer as Folk is based on the British version which had only one series (of about 9 or 10 episodes, if I`m not mistaken). Both versions (the British and American) tale the tale of five gay friends, their lifestyle, joys, sorrows, successes and mishaps. The series has also come to been known as the gay version of "Sex and the City". A straightforward, objective, real depiction of gay life. Along the five series, you are gradually sucked into the plot, you come to care for every character and sit anxiously awaiting the next episode. It is not a publicity stunt to put the gay community in the spot light but merely a presentation of it for better understanding.

Characters (and cast): <-- contains Spoilers (so read at your own risk)
Brian Kinney (my all time favorite) - played by Gale Harold. He is the ruthless bastard who does whatever he wants and whomever he wants. One of his famous quotes (and that best describes him) is: " I don`t believe in love. I believe in fucking. It`s honest, it`s efficient. You get in and out with a maximum of pleasure and a minimum of bullshit."
Michael Charles Novotny - played by Hal Sparks. He is the sweet next door neighbor, out to save the world and be the good guy at the same time. He is Brian`s best friend and always stands by him. He is somewhat indecisive and very attached to his mother, despite his claims that she should mind her own business and let him live his life.
Theodore 'Ted' Schmidt - played by Scott Lowell. He is you average accountant who doesn`t have that much success when it comes to men and has his heart easily broken. However, with the help of his friends, he always manages to get back on his feet and overpass any failure, be it love or professional life.
Emmett Honeycutt - played by Peter Paige. He`s what you`d call the drag queen of the group. Always perky and cheery. Always trying new outrageous clothes and styles, not afraid to experiment and always there whenever his friends need him. Despite the brave way he acts, he too seeks love and understanding in a long lasting relationship.
Justin Taylor - played by Randy Harrison. He is the innocent 17 year old teenager who goes out one night looking for a one night stand and falls under Brian`s spells. After that, his life changes as he tries to adapt to his new found reality, feelings and wishes. Despite the hardship along the way, he fights to have his way and be "the best gay man" he could be and stand up for what be believes in.

The show is that much more complex as it presents all the intricate relationships of these men, their friends and the life they lead, their mistakes, their successes, their attempts at having a normal life, their way of dealing with those that hate them, the fight against AIDS. It is a show that tries to encompass a little bit of what it means to be gay in a society that still has a long way to go before it can accept them. Not for the weak of heart. But if you have an open mind, it is a truly impressive performance.

Yes, the city of lights, of love... of whatever you want it to be. Been there, done that! I won`t bore you with praises about it because as beautiful as it may be, it didn`t seem quite that eye-dazzling as it may appear. Of course I was impressed by it, who wouldn`t be? It was designed to take your breath away. I am just saying that it is not only a place filled with monuments and old history and the Eiffel Tour. It is also a crowded city, a working city... a city. It has its good and bad sides. And I think the most important thing to remember when going to visit it is not how magical it can be but that it can both charm you and not faze you.

What did catch my eye (and half the digital camera`s memory) was the architecture, statues, details of the buildings. They do have the patience and skill to enrich the facade of a building, and monuments, and bridges and... so on and so forth.

Maybe I am not as sophisticated as one should be to observe all the beauty such a city has to offer but frankly, I like myself more like this. Knowing that, even in Paris, at the end of a busy day, there are everywhere around you tired people coming home from work, wanting nothing else than a cold drink and the comfort of one`s home. And that makes all the grandeur of the city fade a bit and make it...more human. Which is something to be wanted, isn`t it?

A little demonstration of Paris:
( See more )

Now this is one hot video!!! No matter how you look at it!

Destination Unknown

Some screenshots:
( See more )

Birthday (Shounen-Ai)

Mangaka: Sugimoto Ami
Summary: Koyama is a troubled young boy who decides one day to commit suicide. He survives and is admitted to a hospital where most of the patients are people twice his age. Refusing his parent`s visits he spends his time counting the hours between blood tests. Until one day, when he meets a most unusual patient in the hospital whom he befriends.
Scanlator: Doki-Doki ( http://www.aragami.org/doki.php )

Links:
zShare
Sendmefile
Rapidshare
(If you are from Doki-Doki or know that the group does not wish for me to post these host links, please let me know and I will remove them immediately)

This manga does not belong to me, nor was I the one to translate it or scan it. Please give credit to the mangaka and scanlation group that gave us this interesting manga.

And I managed to finish the series. It was... and wasn`t... as I expected.

This was a series I truly enjoyed and I hope I can survive the three to four month the wait till I can indulge myself with new episodes. My only concern is that they don`t change the cast. I don`t know how interested I will be for a show without Peter LOL

And now, more goodies in the delicious form of Milo Ventimiglia:

( Click to see )

And a wonderful video I found with images from Heroes. All credits goes to HyPa666 who made and shared this video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiA9bh8DA44

(Thank you irrion for the tips. I managed to apply them and got this better looking entry in my journal. But how do I insert spoilers and hide the pictures, like you have links for your chapters?)

Note: Some of the pictures are from pheebe so thank you for letting me use them!

I just can`t get enough of him. And as I suspected after learning his full name, Milo Ventimiglia is Italian. Men, they can sure sweep a girl off her feet. Wouldn`t it be nice to get a date with him? *snickers* Alright, the joke and daydreaming are over.

Milo Ventimiglia

Born: July 8th, 1977 (I swear I can`t believe he`s 30 years old. I would have given him 20 tops)
Father: Peter Ventimiglia (what a surprise, he has the same name in "Heroes" as his father does)
Italian Ancestry

The only movies/series I`ve seen him in were Gilmore Girls and now Heroes. What a hunk!!! And the part he plays in Heroes is so touching. He`s so caring and heart-warming. Just makes you want to sigh after him!! I thought since he got me so interested in the show, he at least deserves a little space in my Journal. Enjoy everyone!

http://xs215.xs.to/xs215/07221/milo-ventimiglia.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/427/00000352002006102106160hd3.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2397/miloventimigliatx1.jpg

(now if I only knew how to post the pictures directly, without just showing the links...)

I declare myself hooked to a new series. Totally in love with the plot, the music, the action, the cast. Can you guess the title? For those that aren`t so quick on their toes, it`s "Heroes". Again, I turn to my friend irrion who guided me to find this series. I owe her a big thanks. I was mildly interested in this show for some time but after hearing her opinion and finding myself quite bored with the shows I was watching at the time, I gave Heroes a chance.

After only 20 minutes I realized what a mistake I would have made if I had not watched this. Being a devoted fan of the supernatural and fantastic, Heroes was everything I could ever ask for. Now, Being the lazy that I am, I`m going to just insert the presentation that NBC has for this show:

SPOILER
As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor in India is led by father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer tries to convince his politician brother he can fly. A high school cheerleader learns that she is totally indestructible. A Las Vegas stripper, struggling to make ends meet to support her young son, discovers that her mirror image has a secret. A fugitive from justice continues to baffle authorities who twice have been unable to contain him. A gifted artist, whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend, can paint the future. A down-on-his-luck Los Angeles beat cop can hear people's thoughts, which puts him on the trail of an elusive serial killer. In Japan, a young man develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world…
END SPOILER

You can find out more about it following this link: http://www.nbc.com/Heroes/

What else is there to say? This has got me so wrapped up in it, I almost forgot everything around me, work, sleep... So my advice is this: You don`t have to watch it all. But trust me, if you are at least curious to try the first episode you`ll want to see the rest as well. Enjoy the show! Drop by if you have the time and tell me if you like Heroes, just as much as I do! ^_^

You know that expression, when it rains, it pours?

That`s how I feel right now. No, scratch that, not right now. I`ve been feeling like that for the past week or so, with forecast for another month of so to continue in the same rhythm of even worsen.

And what`s worse is that I have this crappy attitude and state if mind too. If at least I would have been more happy... perky... cheerful... hopeful. Something. But I have this apathetic reaction to everything around me, which of course only makes things worse. Because they keep piling up and worrying me to death and still, I do nothing. Oh, except wallow in self pity (example, the current entry in the journal).

I postpone matters till the last second (I`m an example of procrastination), I do things half-way through. No wonder I`m not satisfied with how things are going in my life. What is there to be happy about? Advices, suggestions... they don`t do shit. Not unless I try to put them to practice... and can you guess what? Yup, I don`t. I just go my own way. At least I know I`ll have no one to blame but me when everything crumbles and I finally reach bottom. In some ways, this is bottom. This condition, this situation, these problems... they all count to a very gloom phase which I must survive.

I wonder how will this affect me? You know, the saying that the present you is what you are taught and what you experience... Couldn`t there be a way for me to not go through this but still learn that so called valuable lesson?

Shit! I wish it were tomorrow. I know these moments only last till my head touches the pillow and I fall asleep. I don`t even want to know what Monday will bring. I hate Mondays!

I stumbled upon something that caught my eye, namely A sex difference in features that elicit genital response. I don’t know where the study was made... but it does make for interesting reading.  Of course I haven’t read the whole thing but there were a few things worth mentioning. This is just a small aftershock of my previous entry (but a very tiny one... and not much related). But I think everyone should know more facts and a lot less fiction when it comes to how things really are.

"Now in this article an equally large group of hetero men and women were to watch different types of films. A nautral one (nature), lesbian, hetero and gay porn. After the film they were to fill out a questionnaire to respond on which movie was most appealing. In addition, electrodes were attached to the genitals of the participants to measure the real physiological responses.

According to the questionnaire the women rated the movies accordingly (and keep in mind that these people were chosen on the prerequisite that they were straight):
Nature: 0% aroused
Lesbian: 30% aroused
Hetero: 100% aroused
Gay: 5% aroused

The men answered:
Nature: 0% aroused
Lesbian: 100% aroused
Hetero: 90% aroused
Gay: 10% aroused

The real physiological measurement showed:
Women:
Nature: 0% aroused
Lesbian: above 95% aroused
Hetero: above 95% aroused
Gay: above 95% aroused

Men:
Nature: 0% aroused
Lesbian: above 95% aroused
Hetero: 70% aroused
Gay: 40% aroused"

Well, don’t that beat it all! Guess us women are shyer than men are. When it comes to facing up to what turns us on. A lot more shy...

Anyone care to give me their opinion on this?

Well, as I was "walking" around this place I came upon a really good manga: Negai Kanae Tamae (Grant my Wish) by Nishida Higashi (Yaoi - for those that don`t know what the term means, look it up and only after, click on the link) and can be found here: volyund

As soon as I found it, I started reading and didn`t stop until I had read the latest chapter released. A very interesting story with clearly portrayed characters and stimulating action which even if it`s not overly original, does keep you interested and makes a nice background for the main story to develop. Yuusuke is a second rate pianist (as he himself admits it) playing in some unknown bar. it is there that he meets Fukami. Fukami works for the Yakuza and is the ruthless, careless, at times violent guy that perfectly fits the Yakuza group. The two meet and unexpectedly Fukami asks Yuusuke to teach him piano. From there, their relationship evolves and they eventually end up having sex.  But all is not what it seems. Fukami is a hardened guy with a lot of problems and psychological trauma and there is also the Yakuza to consider.

Find out whether the two will actually have a chance at happiness and can possibly have a happy ever after by reading the manga till the end. :)

So... I found one friend here which definitely makes it worth my while irrion. More to come in the future, I`m sure *smiles gently* I just hope she`ll help me with learning more about this place, the communities, the tricks I can use for the Journal...etc.

Anyway, I couldn`t have wished for a better day than this one! I celebrated my name day and boy, did I ever! XD

I got the best present ever. What could that be you might wonder! Well, I had been nagging my sister for ages about how I had taken a fancy to motorcycles. And so... *rolls drums* She talked to a friends of hers (a really hot one at that, too *wipes drool* ) and I got my present. A little ride on an awesome motorcycle!!!!!

Isn`t she the best? And they say dreams never come true?!

I finally decided to get a bit more serious around here, since I see this place has so much potential and so many things to offer.

As for me... I don`t know what I can offer... maybe links to the original stories I`m working right now LOL I`m not even sure how everything works, still lurking around, getting the feel of things. But what matters is that I try, right?

More to come in my next entry. Once I get the mood right and I get an idea of what I want to say (don`t like to babble to much...only sometimes *sticks tongue out* )

Matta ne!