The Cookie Jar

So, I enjoy browsing deal a day sites similar to woot and the website DealSucker has a big self-updating list of such sites. Even though I never buy anything, I always cruise through just to see what's going on. Today, a new site has been added to the list. I feel a bit floored by it actually. What is it? Foreclosure of the Day! Like, house foreclosures! They have a price tag of $4 for today's house in Gilroy, California, home of the Garlic Festival! How exciting! Only, once you get over being dazzled by the low low price, you read on to see that they're offering you only A) Information on the house and B) Special software so you can become a 1337 property investor/house flipper like they are. Oh boy oh boy! I can't wait!

I know there was a lot of bitching when Crunchyroll went from a den of illicit fansubs to a legal streaming anime site with little or no fan uploads. But I have to say I think the new product is much improved from what it was! I signed up for CR ages ago, but I never watched anything there because I hated the layout and the search and just a bunch of things. I could get my anime fix elsewhere with less frustration. The few times I did watch something on CR, I found the sub quality to be shitty. It was like just anyone would stumble through and post their sub for recognition points. No thanks.

I ended up wandering onto CR aimlessly the other night and I haven't left since. I like the new layout and how the videos are showed. I watched some Skip Beat and then took a browse through what else they have up. I randomly started watching Kaleido Star and I just zoomed through 8 episodes! I'm such a junkie! But it's a pretty fun shoujo. And there's a cute little seal mascot!

So, if you want to stream anime, I am recommending Crunchroll. Legal streaming is not a bad thing. Heck, if I had money at the moment, I'd give them a bit because I am behind this idea 100%! How can anyone hate quick access to legal quality content? Brats, that's who. And since I don't know any brats (other than myself) go forth I say! Go forth and consume more anime!

And now, do I go for episode 9 or go to bed? Decisions decisions ^_^;

So, there's this anime about a guy who can see microbes called Moyashimon or Tales of Agriculture. It's adorable. I highly recommend it because it's cute and has a nice story. It's quite short though ;_; But there is manga, over five volumes and climbing. Unfortunately, only one group is scanlating it and they've only put out two chapters -_- BUT, if you want to page through the manga, I just stole some links to Raws off one of the manga sharing comms I'm on. So yeah, check out Moyashimon!

[Title]: Moyashimon
[Manga-ka]: Masayuki Ishikawa
[Genre]: Seinen
[Status]: Series incomplete // RAW
[File Content]: Vol 1-6 (up to chapter 71)
[Summary]: (From ANN) -- "College student Tadayasu Sawaki has a unique ability. He can see and communicate with bacteria and other microorganisms. Hijinks ensue."

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Chapter 61-71

This is mostly for you Dark, since you were sad that it ended so soon. Dae too if you haven't gotten your greedy little hands on it yet. For everyone else, go get hooked! You won't regret it! And if you need a little extra push, here it is: crossdressing, yuriness, adorable microbes!

I ended up reading an agony aunt column and found this question...which just amuses me terribly:

Prejudice Against Cartoons?

DEAR MARGO: I am a 20-year-old college student and an anime fan in a relatively conservative household. My family is intolerant of other cultures. Here's how my family sees my hobby: "Japanese b.s." Here is the crux of my problem: I had decided to save money for some anime that was only available online. I had the money in my hand, which was a gift from this Christmas. When my parents found out, they refused to allow me to purchase the products because I am "becoming un-American." (I should note at this point that I am a dependent because I am a full-time student.) I would like to know what I should do to let them know I am not un-American.

--- TRYING FOR REALISM HERE

DEAR TRY: Try making your case this way: The word "anime" comes from animation, which was, of course, perfected by ... Walt Disney, great American! Though anime was popularized in Japan, computerization is key, not Japanese culture. As for your parents' bias, you might tell them your interest in this is no more disloyal to America than driving a Toyota, eating French cheese or wearing Italian shoes. Tell them you are in favor of a global economy and they should applaud your embracing all of mankind. (I don't know that you can re-educate them, but I gave it my best shot.)

--- MARGO, CONVINCINGLY?

...

Dude! You have to write in to a newspaper column to figure out how to put your big kid pants on and buy some anime? *shakes head* So sad, so sad, no wonder otaku are always given a bad name.

Dark and I were discussing the Scientology protests yesterday and she asked what Scientology's deal was with their war on Psychiatryy. In a Time article I read, it says that psychiatry is one of Scientology's biggest competitors and they've set up a front group to go to war with psychiatry and discredit various psychiatrists and drug makers who produce anti-depressants. They call themselves "psychbusters" and they're actually responsible for hurting the sales of Prozac at some point in the late 80s/early 90s. Essentially, they're trying to replace medicine with their googly moogly. After all, why let their members pay a doctor for treatment when they can siphon off that money into their own pockets?

Now, it's not enough that I just say this and quote a Times article. Let's hear it from the horse's mouth: Scientology Leader David Miscavige Explains COS Plans To “Obliterate” Psychiatry. Here we have the head of Scientology spewing out his plans of war with Psychiatrists and an auditorium full of people cheering and eating it up. The speech is littered with Scientology speak and at first I wondered if I was even listening to English. I have to wonder how anyone can keep a straight face while going on about "LRH Technologies". It really is crazy talk on the grandest of scales. Ah Scientology, how you never cease to bring the WTF.

I made a city! Come visit Yaoi Ville. The more people visit, the more the city grows ^_^

Ever wonder how many calories are in semen? Yeah, neither did I, but this video will tell you the answer.

So, here's how my procrastination has paid off....Which one of you was I trying to show the picture of the mermaid pooping? XD Yeah, I found it! I bet your lives are complete now. I'm gonna go take a little nap before I shower and head off for lunch.