I May Have Lost My Touch

I really want to write a post tonight... er, this morning. Whatever. I seem to have lost sight of what I wanted to do with my blog. I look back, and I see a ton of movie reviews, and not a whole lot else. And yeah, a lot of my summer has involved going to the movies. I think I've gone at least a dozen times. Spock and I just saw Iron Man 2 last weekend. It was the second time I'd seen it, since the whole family went on Independence Day. But anyway, I feel sort of bad about just writing about movies. And then there was that post that was just a rant about my ex, Nietzsche. It just hasn't been a note-worthy summer, for the most part. Possibly, I just don't have a note-worthy life. But, I keep on truckin', or I guess Trekkin', being an unholy nerd and all.
I used to truly fancy myself a writer. It was my dream to be published, but until that day came, I knew I would write and write, and write some more. Until something stuck, you know? Until I actually found something worth writing an entire novel, or short story, or even poem about. And now, well, I think my brain may be deteriorating. I can barely go a day without forgetting how to spell a word, or not being able to articulate what the word even means. This, from the girl who was dubbed all throughout school as 'The Human Dictionary'. Now, I sit around every day, wondering what to write about, and almost nothing comes anymore. It's extremely frustrating, and I think that it may be contributing to my current bout of depression. I had originally worked this blog out. I was going to write, and have lists, and people would be intrigued by what I had to say. Instead, I have seven followers on the actual blog, and twelve on Facebook. And I'm related to three of them. So much for intriguing the masses. And it's not like I don't try to put the word out; I back-link all over the place. Any comment section that asks for a website, there's a link here. Any status message on any gaming site I use links here. I feel really naive about the whole thing.
And don't think that I'm quitting. No, I'm not giving up. I'm just not going to care as much, I suppose. And certainly not set my standards so high.
~Sushi

Stuff You Didn't Know

I am super bored right now. I saw Shrek 4 today, and that was awesome, but other than that... bored bored boredy bored bored. Cracked can't keep me interested tonight. Even the sweet new Lady Gaga song was only enough to hold me for five-ish minutes. And yes, I just posted about a minute ago, but that was purely to invoke the wrath of the Biebertards. Free publicity, you know. So, being completely bored, I've borrowed a post from one of my DA friend's blog, in order to thoroughly immerse myself with nonsense. Or something like that.

STEP ONE:

Spell your [real] name out in [Rush] songs.

E - Earthshine
R - Roll the Bones
I - I Think I'm Going Bald
N - Natural Science

STEP TWO:

– Name: Erin [You would have found out eventually.]
– Birth date: September 13, Nineteen Aught Eleventy-Twelve
– Nickname: Top 3 - Sushi, Teddy Bear, Cook
– Eye Color: Green
– Hair Color: Dyed red; unsure of natural color
– Zodiac Sign: Virgo

STEP THREE:

– The shoes you wore today: Black lace flats
– Your weakness(es): Short temper
– Your fear(s): Loss
– Your perfect pizza: Soooo much cheese
– Goal you’d like to achieve: Doctoral degree

STEP FOUR:

– Your best physical feature? My eyes. They won't ever get fat.
– Your bedtime? 2 AM, on a good night
– Most missed memory? I miss hanging out with my Grandma Jean

STEP FIVE:

This Or That...
– Pepsi or Coke?: Pepsi
– McDonald’s or Burger King: Steak 'N' Shake
– Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton.
– Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla.
– Cappuccino or coffee: Coffee

STEP SIX:

Do You...
– Curse: Shit no. What the hell are you talking about, you fucking asshole? [Don't be sad; I'd never call you that for real.]
– Sing: Yes, and I'm pretty good from what I hear
– Dance: Not near other people
– Take a shower everyday: Uh, no.
– Have a crush: Hmmm... Yes.
– Do you think you’ve been in love? A couple times
– Want to go to college: Well, I did already. How about university?
– Like(d) high school: Sometimes
– Want to get married: I surely do
– Get motion sickness: Only when I walk on glass floors
– Think you’re attractive: Depends on the day
– Think you’re a health freak: In some ways
– Get along with your parents: Mostly

STEP SEVEN:

In the past month...
– Gone to the mall: No, amazingly
– Eaten an entire box of Oreos: No
– Eaten Sushi: YESSSSSSS; and no, that's not cannibalism
– Been on stage: I don't recall
– Gone skating: No, but I went on bike rides
– Made homemade cookies: No
– Gone skinny dipping: Not yet
– Stolen anything: No

STEP EIGHT:

Ever...
– Played a game that required removal of clothing: Strip poker!
– If so, was it mixed company: Yes!
- Flashed anyone: Also yes!
– Been beaten up: Nope
– Shoplifted: Only at the flea market

STEP NINE:

– Age you hope to be married: 26
– Number of Children: 2
– Describe your Dream Wedding: Outside. Lots of Rush. Marrying my best friend. Rainbow bridesmaids!

STEP TEN:

In a boyfriend/girlfriend...
– Best eye color?: Doesn't matter, as long as I can lose myself in their eyes
– Best hair color?: Also doesn't matter, as long as they let me play with it
– Short hair or long hair? Preferably long, though short haircuts are fun, too, sometimes
– Height: Taller than me


STEP ELEVEN:

– Number of people I could trust with my life: One
– Number of CDs that I own: Legitimate or burned? Either way, it's a lot.
– Number of tattoos: Zero
– Number of piercings: Seven

PERSONAL QUIZ:

Who were you with yesterday? Severe, Mama Bear, Ladybug, and Sunshine - aka my family
What woke you up this morning? My mom, to get me to fix the pool
Is tomorrow going to be a good day? Hell yes; Beatles Rock Band ALL DAY!
Do you like anybody? No, I hate everything. Just kidding.

THE PAST:

Ever thrown up in public? A couple times
What’s on your mind RIGHT NOW? FREAKIN' ROCK BAND! Oh, and my new Etsy account. BUY MY SHIT!

THE FUTURE:

What kind of home would you like? One that's not overwhelming
What do you want to be when you grow up? A marriage and family therapist
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Almost married, and almost done with school

IN GENERAL:

Do you like candy necklaces? They hurt my teeth
When was the last time you fell over or ran into something? Recently
Do you still go trick or treating? Yes! Younger siblings mean I can trick-or-treat for years!
What was the last thing you ate? Melty ice cream
What's your favorite type of soda? Pepsi
Have you ever moved? Three times
Have you ever won an award? Bunches. I'm not even showing off; I have no idea how many.
Are you listening to music right now? No, iTunes is being a bitch
How long til your birthday? Lesseee..... 77
When were you the saddest in your whole life? Wow, that's a tough one. I don't think I want to talk about that.
What time is it? 12:17 AM
Do you use ebay to buy or sell? Both
Ever heard a song written about you? No
Something you want to happen in 2010? I'm finally going to university, after waiting two more years than I should have had to.
Honestly, do you miss 2008? A little bit; I graduated then, so I have a few found memories.

HONESTY SECTION:

1. Honestly, what color is your underwear? Black
2. Honestly, what's on your mind? iTunes, and it's suckishness
3. Honestly, what are you doing right now? Doing this so I can read the six Cracked articles I have tabbed
4. Honestly, have you done something bad today? I wasn't very nice today.
5. Honestly, who is the last person you talked to on the phone? Freak
6. Honestly, are you jealous of someone right now? Not especially
7. Honestly, what makes you mad most of the time? Family
8. Honestly, do you bite your nails? All the time
9. Honestly, have you had an eating disorder? I BEAT ANOREXIA. Not really, though.
10. Honestly, do you want to see someone this very moment? This moment, and the next one, and the one after that...
11. Honestly, are you keeping a big secret now? Nah.
12. Honestly, do you have a friend you don’t actually like? I try not to bother with people I don't actually like
13. Honestly, what was the last text message you received? It was too long ago to remember
14. Honestly, are you in denial? About what?
15. Honestly, do you get up in the middle of the night? I'm already up in the middle of the night
16. Honestly, do you like anyone? Yes
17. Honestly, does anyone like you? Maybe

RAGE SECTION:

1. What do you do when you’re mad? Freak the hell out
2. What’s the worst thing you’ve done when you were mad? Throw one of my sisters at a wall
3. Ever made anyone cry when you were mad? Yes
4. Do you swear when you’re mad? I just swear in general

CRYING SECTION:

1. When was the last time you actually cried? During Toy Story 3
2. Ever cried yourself to sleep? Many, many times
3. Do certain songs make you cry? Yes
4. What usually makes you cry? Pretty much anything

HAPPY SECTION:

1. Are you usually a happy person? That depends on who you ask. I don't think I am, but Spock begs to differ.
2. What makes you the happiest? Things going the way they should
3. What song makes you always happy? Hope, by Rush - it's our song
4. Do you believe in yourself? How corny. But yeah, I do.
5. When people say they think you are good looking/pretty, do you get happy? No, I generally don't believe them.

That's all for now, folks.
~Sushi

I stealz the basis of this blog post from

It Is Hard to Fill a Cup That is Already Full

It was a dull day until about three hours ago, when we popped in the newly-released DVD of Avatar. Despite all the bad press I had read about it, I absolutely adored the film. The effects are stunning, the all-star cast was believable, and, most importantly, the transition between Pandora and our bases there were seamless. I especially like that Zoe Saldana was involved; I enjoy her increased presence in Hollywood since Star Trek came out. I think one of the only things that bothers me is that the movie rips off the plotlines of so many films that came before, among them Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, Pocahontas, and Braveheart. I can't complain too much, though; after all, Hollywood hasn't come up with an original idea in years. Another issue is the improbability of the creatures that live on Pandora> Why does everything except the Na'vi have six legs and four eyes, or two sets of wings and multiple breathing holes? The only added appendage the Na'va have is a tail, and an interface cable that looks like a braid with a squid coming out of it. And I'm not the only person who wonders about the inexplicable nature of Pandora's fauna. But enough about complaints. What I want to do with this blog is round up some of the best resources the internet has to offer in terms of learning more about the movie Avatar and the Na'vi, who are the humanoid beings who reside on Pandora, which basically looks like Jupiter Photoshopped blue. So, I give you:
15 Incredible Avatar Links
1. Official Website
2. Avatar Wiki
3. Na'vi Translator
4. Official Facebook Page
5. Avatar Forum
6. Wikipedia article
7. Encyclopedia Dramatica article: contains a LOT of foul language
8. Rotten Tomatoes review
9. Hate By Numbers review
10. Unhealthy side-effects of watching Avatar
11. Create a Na'vi Avatar Maker
12. Cracked.com's hilarious overview of Avatar: more loads of swearing
13. Avatar fansite
14. Avatarize Yourself
15. Jake Sully's Facebook profile

I hope you have fun with all the links. Until next time, Oel ngati kameie.
~Sushi

Holy Swearing Cuss!

Many movies have their own vernacular. It's a way to set apart the world of that particular film from the plane of existence that the viewers inhabit. The movie adaptation of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox is no different, but the jargon of that particular movie might not sit well with some parents. The film is rated PG, interestingly enough, for "slang," a reasoning that I had never seen before, but makes perfect sense once you watch the film. There is absolutely no swearing, but "cuss"-ing abounds. In the world of Mr. Fox, there is one universal swear word, and that is the word "cuss." For example:

Badger: The cuss you are.
Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?
Badger: No, you cussing with me?
Mr. Fox: Don't cussing point at me!
Badger: If you're gonna cuss with somebody, you're not gonna cuss with me, you little cuss!
Mr. Fox: You're not gonna cuss with me!

And also:

Ash: I'm not gonna eat mud!
Beaver's Son: Cuss yeah you are.

I don't know about you, but if I was a small, impressionable child, I would think that this is the best loophole ever for getting out of punishments for swearing. In our world, cuss is a verb, not a noun; it describes the action of saying a foul word, rather then being the ultimate embodiment of one. While it may not be best for children to start "cuss"-ing, I think it would be great for adults. Imagine how much cleaner shows like Jerry Springer would be if the many wild and colorfully-tongued guests "cuss"-ed instead of swearing up a storm. I could watch the show without my ears ringing for an hour afterward from all the mandatory censorship that must take place at present. Personally, I am completely against censorship. But, discretion and censorship are not the same. I think that the way swearing is handled in Fantastic Mr. Fox is honorable, and the movie practically deserves a G rating for being more sensible in the language department than most movies I have seen over the past decade. After all, Snow White is rated G, and a woman is thrown off a cliff at the end. Think about that.
~Sushi

We Started this Op'ra Shit

Early this morning, Spock, myself, and two of our friends went to yet another Repo! shadowcast. This one was special, though. In addition to the standard shenanigans of a midnight show-- yelling, swearing, singing, jumping up and down waving glowsticks-- we were also treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As you may know, the movie Repo Men came out yesterday; it's a movie so nauseating and unapologetic in its similarity to Repo! that RtGO fans chose to boycott it. The movie also caught the attention of Terrance Zdunich; he was really pissed. As faithful portrayers of Repo!, each shadowcasting troupe was sent a special DVD to show at the end of the movie. It was about seven minutes long, and showed the evolution of Repo, as well as cut scenes that were not available on the DVD. I felt special just for being there.
Despite mine and Spock's prediction that the footage would leak online, people seem to have heeded the DVD's menu and credits specifically asking not to distribute or duplicate its contents. I haven't found any of the footage yet. Could it be that some people still harbor common decency?
~Sushi

We Will Fight in the Shade

The first time Spock watched 300 was at a military base in Spain. The first time I watched it was in my living room, with Spock and Severe. Either way, and in either place, it was fucking amazing. There is no other way to describe it. There was so much blood, and so much yelling, and stabbing, and piercings, and pert naked breasts... so much of everything that is awesome in life. I know I'm behind in watching 300, seeing as it came out almost four years ago, but the hype was definitely true to the movie. Few hyped-up movies can live up to expectations, but this one has. And, so that you can enjoy it further, I present...
Top Ten 300 Spoofs and Parodies
^{...and my favorite line from each}
1. 300 - PG Version
^{This is delicious!}
2. 300 Trailer - Second Best Parody Ever
^{He's always kicking Persians}
3. This is Sparta! Last techno remix
^{I'm gonna die!!!!!}
4. The Latino Comedy Project's "300"
^{*Mexicans roaring*}
5. The Spartan 300 Workout Program
^{Learn how to kill walls with your bare hands.}
6. It's Raining 300 Men
^{It's raining men! *Persians fall off of cliff*}
7. Failed "300" Auditions
^{Yes, we are looking for big nipples.}
8. 300 Parody - Where's My Cat?
^{FIND MR. SCUFFLES!}
9. Sparta Remix - Chocolaaate!
^{This! Is! CHOCOLATE!}
10. 300 LEGO Trailer
^{We're in for one wild night..}
Even a god-king can bleed.
~Sushi

Different Ending, Same Reaction

I don't remember the last time I read a book that made me cry. However, I often cry during movies. I think it's because of the added visual element; rather than merely reading about someone's pain, you see their faces twisted with grief or disgust, families ripped apart, people's brains blown out. Today, though, I finished a book that made me cry, and is still forcing tears to my eyes.
The first time I read My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult, I didn't even know what medical emancipation was. I was simply reading it for the book club I belonged to at the time. While it may have sparked some passion--though I don't know how much passion I could honestly muster up when I was fourteen--it was just another sob story in a long line of books to read and discuss. But, then the movie adaptation came out last year. I recalled reading the book, as did my mother, so we borrowed the DVD from the library. Now, there are films that have been described as tear-jerkers, or three-hanky movies; this movie came closer to ten hankies. Upon finishing the movie, I had this nagging in the back of my head that all was not well on-screen. A couple days ago, I picked My Sister's Keeper up from the library (yes, the same library; we really only go to one), and from the moment I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I finished it about five minutes ago, and the same tears I had throughout the movie are coming back to haunt me. All this, despite the book and movie having drastically different endings.
From what I read on her site, Jodi Picoult is none too happy with the way her story was adapted. Certainly the original ending was sad, but so is the ending of the movie. The only difference is that a different person dies. But that makes all the difference. I encourage you, my readership, to experience both the book and movie for yourselves. As far as the order is concerned, I tend to read the book first, but that's just because it's what I know best.
~Sushi
P.S. Thank you, Faythe, for giving me a bit of steam back.

Hamlet Goes to Hollywood

Spock and I are taking an Introduction to Shakespeare class, and one of the requirements is that we read one play a week. Last week, we read Hamlet, which I thoroughly enjoyed, because one of my favorite movies is The Lion King, which is based upon that particular play. I was reading Hamlet's soliloquy, and I noticed that there are an awful lot of movie titles within the text. So, I've decided to do a bit of research, and find every single movie title within his famous monologue. And, as usual, I will be using the Internet Movie Database extensively.


To be, or not to be--that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep--
No more--and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep--
To sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. There's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly/ to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprise of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action. -- Soft you now,
The fair Ophelia! -- Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my sins remembered.

Wow... Just... wow.
~Sushi

There Can Be Only One

For years, I've said that my favorite movie is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've held to it, despite the fact that I watch it maybe twice a year. So, I propose that I have a new favorite movie, that I've watched at least ten times over the past year alone-- Highlander. I am a Highlander freak; just ask Spock. I will pester him constantly to come over and watch Highlander in my basement. And not on DVD, either. I have it on Laserdisc (LD). I'm also very big on obsolete technology. I have an LD player with about a dozen discs, most of them equally obscure. I own records, but no record player; this would make me sad if my friend Freak didn't have a record player to play them on. So, today, when I was in my basement, watching Highlander on LD, on our ancient projection TV, I thought about it, and decided that Highlander would have to be my favorite movie. I love watching Rocky Horror, and I adore The Nightmare Before Christmas, but they get old after a while. I like Repo!: The Genetic Opera, but I haven't seen it that much, and even that gets tiresome. But Highlander is wicked awesome, and it has Christopher Lambert, who also played Raiden in the original Mortal Kombat movie. You just can't go wrong there.
What do for a list, though...
Twelve Epic Highlander Posters
_{And not just the original movie, either}
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
You over-dressed haggis, you.
~Sushi
P.S. Happy New Year's, everyone!
Remember to vote on your favorite name for my WeeBeast by midnight, Central Standard Time!

Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting

Spock and I went on a date today, an actual date. He took me to see Ninja Assassin, which was much better than I thought it would be. For example, it actually had a plot, instead of ninjas just mindlessly appearing and kicking the shit out of people. They did some major damage, but the movie explained why. And I'm not going to tell you, because you have to go see it yourself. The main protagonist, Raizo, is played by a Korean actor named Rain. He's a pop star in real life, and has a very unique and unforgettable face. In other words, a total babe. So, check out this video of one of his songs, Nappun Namja. As you can see, Michael Jackson is a big influence.

_{He sure cleans up well}
So, fittingly, we will have Seven Sweet Little Ninjas!!!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Stay out of the shadows, or the ninjas will get you. Sleep well!
~Sushi

Scriptophilia NOS

Tomorrow, my Abnormal Psych partner and I will be presenting our amazing slideshow about paraphilias. For those of you who don't know, a paraphilia is a sexual deviance. Among the common paraphilias are pedophilia, voyeurism, and transvestism, among others. A -philia qualifies as a paraphilia when it is required for the sexual enjoyment of the individual. Our slideshow is at least 65 slides long; I have no doubt that we'll get an A. In fact, this is one of the few times that I'm not nervous the night before a presentation; I'm that confident about this.
However....

In honor of the release of the new Star Trek movie [which was actually yesterday], I present this list:


9 Hilarious Star Trek Products!
1. Star Trek Eggo Waffles

2. Spock Barbie: They also made Uhura and Kirk, but you know me; I love me some Spock!

3. Star Trek iPod

4. Red Shirt Cologne

5. ST:TNG Personal Log

6. The Star Trek Cookbook, by Ethan Philips et al.

7. Spock USB Drive

8. Star Trek Scrabble

9. Interactive Tribble



May the economy live long and prosper.
~Sushi

Nonexistent Existence

There's a handy little option on Facebook that allows users to block people they don't care to acknowledge. I mention it because I've been doing a lot of blocking lately, because of a little scuffle I got into with my ex-boyfriend and his toadies. Facebook's block option is great because once you block someone, you don't exist to them, nor do they exist to you, at least on the site. If they search your name, it won't come up. If there are links to your profile on theirs, the links lead to nowhere. It's a wonderful thing. After I broke up with my most recent ex- not the one I'm having issues with- I blocked him, so that even if I wanted to stalk his profile, I wouldn't have the option. And that's because the block works both ways. Not only do you not exist to them, they also don't exist to you. Your links to them lead nowhere as well. I enjoy it, and have blocked at least eight people so far. People I don't know why I added on my friends list in the first place.

Today's list is borrowed from the book The von Hoffmann Bros.' Big Damner Book of Sheer Manliness, by Todd von Hoffman and some other manly fellows.
Top 25 [Plus 10] Greatest Guy Movies of All Time


Spartacus [1960]
The Quiet Man [1952]
Apocalypse Now [1979]
The Godfather, Part I [1972]
The Godfather, Part II [1974]
Braveheart [1995]
Ben Hur [1959]
The Bridge on the River Kwai [1957]
M^cLintock! [1963]
The Road Warrior (Mad Max 2) [1982]
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, or How I Flew from London to Paris is 25 Hours, 11 Minutes [1965]
The Adventures of Robin Hood [1938]
The Flight of the Phoenix [1965]
Monty Python and the Holy Grail [1975]
Captains Courageous [1937]
S.O.B. [1981]
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon [1949]
The Mark of Zorro [1940]
The Outlaw Josey Wales [1976]
Aliens [1986]
Patton [1970]
The Man Who Would Be King [1975]
Gunga Din [1939]
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir [1947]
North Dallas Forty [1979]
Captain Horatio Hornblower [1951]


Plus 10
The Wild Bunch [1969]
Casino Royale [2006]
O Brother, Where Art Thou? [2000]
Lonesome Dove [1989]
Gladiator [2000]
The World's Fastest Indian [2005]
Team America: World Police [2004]
Saving Private Ryan [1998]
Sexy Beast [2000]
Master and Commander [2003]
I feel manlier just making this list.
~Sushi

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Finishing Watchmen for the second time, I certainly understand it a great deal more than the first go-round. Though I still don't see why people thought Rorschach was a homophobe; it must have been something that was implied in that second-rate movie that came out earlier this year. I went to the midnight show with a friend of mine, and every time Doc Manhattan came on screen, someone behind us shouted, "Blue wang!" Imbeciles. Rorschach is still my favorite character; he was the only one to remain himself despite all that happened. He was only warped because of the massacre that his childhood was, because of his mother, his peers. He never had a chance for a normal life, in my opinion. For a psychology student, he is the perfect anti-hero.



What do you see?
Thirteen Rorschach ink blots...

























Who are you kidding? All I see is a pretty butterfly, and some nice flowers.
~Sushi