where i go
where i work
where i went
who pays
my life and the amusing little misadventures that come with it. please enjoy delicious baked me, now with semi-phenomenal cosmic powers!
dix007n@hotmail.com
Sites I Frequent
AintItCool
Buffy DOT Nu
TV Torrents
Boils&Blinding
WorkInCulture
TIFF
Media Jobs Canada
TV Without Pity
Blogs I Read
KT(sidekick)
Erin(rockets)
Emily(oz)
Adam(doyles)
Aaron(undefeated)
Matt(goyer)
Jeff(piano)
Elyse(model)
Laura(bristow)
![[Powered by Blogger]](http://buttons.blogger.com/bloggerbutton1.gif){kind=small}
Thursday, September 01, 2005
I have much more relevant things to blog about, but this is just too rich to pass up. The only thing I love more than sublebrity blogs (like my pal, former Next Top Model contestant Elyse) are fake blogs. I'm gonna go with "shblogs" on this one.
And with that, I give you Maddox and Zahara Jolie. I'm oddly amused by them, and find it interesting that the two most beautiful people in the world have pretty much the two cutest babies in the world. We have this theory that Angelina gives off good-lookingness pheramones that have affected M & Z's development...
And with that, I give you Maddox and Zahara Jolie. I'm oddly amused by them, and find it interesting that the two most beautiful people in the world have pretty much the two cutest babies in the world. We have this theory that Angelina gives off good-lookingness pheramones that have affected M & Z's development...
Thursday, August 25, 2005
I'm so excited. I love convention weekend!
I thought I would quickly blog about my research project, since a few people have been asking questions and wondering about it. Basically, I'm doing an ethnographic investigation into media fandom and the fan communities that emerge surrounding cult media texts. I'll be looking at the consumption of and appropriation from a very specific genre: anime-manga. There's this entire anime-manga subculture in North America that is devoted to Japanese pop culture. Sometimes people call it otaku culture - we're talking big geeks who watch anime, read manga, buy related merchandise, etc. Think Trekkies, but with all things Japanese.
I chose this group for some very specific reasons. First, in all the research on fandom no one has really written about them before, mostly because no one in North America really knew what anime was until the mid 1990s. So they might have different practices, a different demographic, and different structures than previously studied fan groups. They're also especially interesting because their obsession is based around (what I'm calling) a non-native popular culture artifact. So one thing I'll be looking at is how do North American fans make meaning of Japanese culture through anime and manga, and how the representation of Western culture in these texts is perceived. But mostly, otaku are really the epitomy of lame-slash-cool. Seriously, like, they dress up in ridiculous costumes for sport, and sometimes enjoy reading hot sweaty man sex stories for fun.
It's so awesome! And interesting, to me anyway. I started to learn about anime and manga when I met Joel, who's dangerously obsessive interest in Sailor Moon opened a few doors for me. Then came the Sailor Moon Live Action show, which I totally fell for, along with enough related merch to keep me buying presents for two years worth of milestones and no end in sight. Then last year, at this very convention in fact, Erin and I went to the Masquerade and it was SO FUNNY. Not that we understood any of the costumes or anything, but I realized there were all these kids who lived and breathed this stuff. They dress up as cartoon heroes in cat suits! They love homo smut! Hence, my research.
Actually I'll be using those two practices in particular, cosplay and yaoi fandom, as case stories to look into otaku culture. I don't have any specific hypothesis as such, since my study is intended to be exploratory. I'm just seeing what's out there. It's kind of crazy to think that I'm being given money from the government (enough to live on for sure) to talk to teenage girls who make anime costumes and read illustrated gay love stories. Really.
Anyway, that's my little summary for the world to ponder. Bring on the 'con!!
I thought I would quickly blog about my research project, since a few people have been asking questions and wondering about it. Basically, I'm doing an ethnographic investigation into media fandom and the fan communities that emerge surrounding cult media texts. I'll be looking at the consumption of and appropriation from a very specific genre: anime-manga. There's this entire anime-manga subculture in North America that is devoted to Japanese pop culture. Sometimes people call it otaku culture - we're talking big geeks who watch anime, read manga, buy related merchandise, etc. Think Trekkies, but with all things Japanese.
I chose this group for some very specific reasons. First, in all the research on fandom no one has really written about them before, mostly because no one in North America really knew what anime was until the mid 1990s. So they might have different practices, a different demographic, and different structures than previously studied fan groups. They're also especially interesting because their obsession is based around (what I'm calling) a non-native popular culture artifact. So one thing I'll be looking at is how do North American fans make meaning of Japanese culture through anime and manga, and how the representation of Western culture in these texts is perceived. But mostly, otaku are really the epitomy of lame-slash-cool. Seriously, like, they dress up in ridiculous costumes for sport, and sometimes enjoy reading hot sweaty man sex stories for fun.
It's so awesome! And interesting, to me anyway. I started to learn about anime and manga when I met Joel, who's dangerously obsessive interest in Sailor Moon opened a few doors for me. Then came the Sailor Moon Live Action show, which I totally fell for, along with enough related merch to keep me buying presents for two years worth of milestones and no end in sight. Then last year, at this very convention in fact, Erin and I went to the Masquerade and it was SO FUNNY. Not that we understood any of the costumes or anything, but I realized there were all these kids who lived and breathed this stuff. They dress up as cartoon heroes in cat suits! They love homo smut! Hence, my research.
Actually I'll be using those two practices in particular, cosplay and yaoi fandom, as case stories to look into otaku culture. I don't have any specific hypothesis as such, since my study is intended to be exploratory. I'm just seeing what's out there. It's kind of crazy to think that I'm being given money from the government (enough to live on for sure) to talk to teenage girls who make anime costumes and read illustrated gay love stories. Really.
Anyway, that's my little summary for the world to ponder. Bring on the 'con!!
Stop reading this post if you haven't seen the series finale of Six Feet Under. You are forewarned.
When I first started watching 6FU about three years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I actually remember watching the Emmys that year and being pissed that some HBO show I had never heard of was stealing everything away. But the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to see it. With the power of the magical internet, that was made possible as I downloaded the first season onto my computer. Right off the bat, with the pilot episode, it was one of the best things I've ever seen. The Nate and Brenda storyline just hit home for me, I fell in love with Claire, I was fascinated by Ruth, and David mostly irritated me a little (a trend which would grow more feverent as the seasons progressed).
Alan Ball, you're my hero. The finale this week, 6FU's 63rd episode, was just so good. I loved it, dudes, I really did. And considering the past two years' worth of shows was pure crap, it took some skill to pull it off. Seriously, it all started going downhill in Season 4 when David got abducted by that damn Jimmy Felon, smoked crack, and was almost burned to death (writing that now it has become so clear as to why things started sucking...). In Season 5, it lost its way again. But HOLY DAMN I can't stop thinking about the finale. It's exactly what they needed and exactly what I wanted, given the circumstances.
If you saw it, check out the Obituaries section of the HBO website for some tidbits of fun. Alan Ball has (almost) redeemed himself and frankly, Joss could learn a thing or two. Also try downloading a song called "Breathe Me" by Sia (but not the crappass Four Tet remix or whatever), which plays as Claire drives off... and all the main characters pass on.
When I first started watching 6FU about three years ago, I had no idea what to expect. I actually remember watching the Emmys that year and being pissed that some HBO show I had never heard of was stealing everything away. But the more I learned about it, the more I wanted to see it. With the power of the magical internet, that was made possible as I downloaded the first season onto my computer. Right off the bat, with the pilot episode, it was one of the best things I've ever seen. The Nate and Brenda storyline just hit home for me, I fell in love with Claire, I was fascinated by Ruth, and David mostly irritated me a little (a trend which would grow more feverent as the seasons progressed).
Alan Ball, you're my hero. The finale this week, 6FU's 63rd episode, was just so good. I loved it, dudes, I really did. And considering the past two years' worth of shows was pure crap, it took some skill to pull it off. Seriously, it all started going downhill in Season 4 when David got abducted by that damn Jimmy Felon, smoked crack, and was almost burned to death (writing that now it has become so clear as to why things started sucking...). In Season 5, it lost its way again. But HOLY DAMN I can't stop thinking about the finale. It's exactly what they needed and exactly what I wanted, given the circumstances.
If you saw it, check out the Obituaries section of the HBO website for some tidbits of fun. Alan Ball has (almost) redeemed himself and frankly, Joss could learn a thing or two. Also try downloading a song called "Breathe Me" by Sia (but not the crappass Four Tet remix or whatever), which plays as Claire drives off... and all the main characters pass on.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
This weekend I had two goodbye parties.
On Saturday afternoon my parents had people over to wish them good luck on their sabbatical to California. They're driving across the States - twice - across to Portland to visit family, then down to the lovely community of Seal Beach. Did I mention they're taking the dog with them? Diego has mad whining skills when going for car rides, but apparently he's sleeping a lot on the way. I'll be going down to see them for Thanksgiving in six weeks. It was uberstrange, though, leaving my house Sunday morning for the last time... they're gone for A YEAR.
And on Sunday night, we threw a surprise party for Travis - who is leaving to China (also FOR A YEAR). It's not like I see Travis very often or anything, but it'll be wierd to have him be in Asia for so long... Now the party, that was super wierd. It was full of all these people from my Grebel past, and had a very "2nd year university" feel to it. Things have changed to much for me since then. Nice to visit the days of yore, but thank you I'll take neoDavid any day.
On Saturday afternoon my parents had people over to wish them good luck on their sabbatical to California. They're driving across the States - twice - across to Portland to visit family, then down to the lovely community of Seal Beach. Did I mention they're taking the dog with them? Diego has mad whining skills when going for car rides, but apparently he's sleeping a lot on the way. I'll be going down to see them for Thanksgiving in six weeks. It was uberstrange, though, leaving my house Sunday morning for the last time... they're gone for A YEAR.
And on Sunday night, we threw a surprise party for Travis - who is leaving to China (also FOR A YEAR). It's not like I see Travis very often or anything, but it'll be wierd to have him be in Asia for so long... Now the party, that was super wierd. It was full of all these people from my Grebel past, and had a very "2nd year university" feel to it. Things have changed to much for me since then. Nice to visit the days of yore, but thank you I'll take neoDavid any day.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Bloglets:
1) An amazing trip to Buddies on Saturday with Doyle and his posse. There was, unfortunately, a bit too much vodka and far too much New Zealand, which is a whole other issue altogether. In general there needs to be more dancing in my life...
2) Visited with Andrea and the baby Monday morning. Kyla is ever still cute and sleepy. Uncle David babysat for the first time while mommy went to the bank and had a nap. Apparently the whole "sleeping at night time" thing hasn't really caught on so much?
3) The parentoids leave for California in TWO DAYS. Like, for a year. They're renting out their house while they're away to some random university family, meaning I won't have a home in Guelph FOR A YEAR.
4) Film Festival, volunteering ---> Film Festival, job opportunities.
5) I'm getting lazy in my time off. Not enough research work, exercise, pilates, general productivity, and actual employment. Today is the first day of the rest of my blah blah bitty blah.
1) An amazing trip to Buddies on Saturday with Doyle and his posse. There was, unfortunately, a bit too much vodka and far too much New Zealand, which is a whole other issue altogether. In general there needs to be more dancing in my life...
2) Visited with Andrea and the baby Monday morning. Kyla is ever still cute and sleepy. Uncle David babysat for the first time while mommy went to the bank and had a nap. Apparently the whole "sleeping at night time" thing hasn't really caught on so much?
3) The parentoids leave for California in TWO DAYS. Like, for a year. They're renting out their house while they're away to some random university family, meaning I won't have a home in Guelph FOR A YEAR.
4) Film Festival, volunteering ---> Film Festival, job opportunities.
5) I'm getting lazy in my time off. Not enough research work, exercise, pilates, general productivity, and actual employment. Today is the first day of the rest of my blah blah bitty blah.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Baby Kyla is just the cutest thing. We've spent many hours just passing her around so that everyone (including her two aunts and uncles, and I guess plus various significant others) gets a chance to hold her. And then, this one time, she tried to climb up my chest. The first day I met Kyla she was all sleeps, just various positions of rest. The second day, she was wide awake - but thankfully not crying. I have yet to truly witness the wrath of our latest addition.... There are a bunch (really an excessive number) of pics posted on Graham's Yahoo Photos, including these two really cool ones where Kyla yawns and I pretend my niece is a football. That last one being all the more funny when you try to picture me carrying an actual football.
I've been balancing my few weeks off with some volunteer shifts at the Film Festival. It looks like that might possibly turn into a (poorly) paid position during the fest itself. Both Kyla and volunteering are proving to be sufficiently distracting from my research work. I still haven't entered all the survey data from the St. Catherine's convention.
AND the convention is in like two weeks.
I've been balancing my few weeks off with some volunteer shifts at the Film Festival. It looks like that might possibly turn into a (poorly) paid position during the fest itself. Both Kyla and volunteering are proving to be sufficiently distracting from my research work. I still haven't entered all the survey data from the St. Catherine's convention.
AND the convention is in like two weeks.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Welcome to the world Kyla! My sister had her baby Wednesday morning at 6:35AM via c-section. Kyla Anne Carey Lewis weighed in at 7lbs 12 ounces. More in depth coverage (and probably like a bazillion photos) to follow, but here's a sneak peek:
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Are you there God? It's me. Jim Verraros.
Holy mother. Looks like someone is spending a bit too much time chillin' with Ryan Starr... Note the wristwear, leather collar, and cut up clothes? Total sexpot rock whore. And he's not just a little gay folks, Jimmy's all the way out. I read somewhere he has a song about anal sex. This from the former fat kid with deaf parents who seriously, seriously, can't sing at all.
I love former reality television contestants and their zany antics (slash penetratively themed music stylings). Discuss.
Holy mother. Looks like someone is spending a bit too much time chillin' with Ryan Starr... Note the wristwear, leather collar, and cut up clothes? Total sexpot rock whore. And he's not just a little gay folks, Jimmy's all the way out. I read somewhere he has a song about anal sex. This from the former fat kid with deaf parents who seriously, seriously, can't sing at all.
I love former reality television contestants and their zany antics (slash penetratively themed music stylings). Discuss.