Fiction writing, anyone?

I was inspired to reformat my blog thanks to buddy Lex's (relatively) new blog The Construct. I don't know if he knows that I read his blog since he posted that he's leaving Tabulas for a new kind of blogging experience. Just follow the link somewhere in this post and see for yourself.

Anyway, the real hero of this post is about Dean Francis Alfar's call for the submission of entries for the new volume of Philipphine Speculative Fiction (Vol. 3). I am posting since I have a soft spot for aspiring writers, fictionist, novelists or anyone with interest in writing, since I am one of them and not because I know Mr. Alfar personally or Budz said so. Also, Mr. Alfar told his blog readers to spread the word.

Uh no, I'm not trying out for this one. I still need to hone my creative writing skills to my satisfaction since I stopped fanfiction writing two years ago. The only kind of writing of which I have expertise right now are emails to shipping line brokers and clients.

Tachikoma or Acguy?

While I was browsing the net for new pictures to use for my wallpaper, I came across this picture of my two (current) favorite robots: Tachikoma and Acguy (from left to right), and thought, what the heck I wanna post this!

A Tachikoma is a fictional AI walker/roller tankette in the Ghost in the Shell universe, appearing in the series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and S.A.C 2nd GIG. Mainly used in Section 9's (a special police unit) chase missions, each Tachikoma (I think there were eight) was created with distinct personalities although they need to synchronize regularly as a protocol in compliance with the main objective of Section 9 to have Tachikomas act as if a singular unit. They are also curious, playful and opinionated.

I like Tachikoma(s) because their individuality was guided by their sense of justice and selflessness. One example was when they sacrified the satellite containing their AIs to prevent a nuclear explosion that might trigger further casualties during the government-refugee war. Of couse, Tachikoma provides the comic relief for the series.

On the other hand, Acguy (or MSM-04 Acguy) is an amphibious (toad-like?) mobile suit/Gundam suited for covert operations due to its ability sneak into bases undetected by enemy forces with the help of its twin reactors that emits only trace heat signature.

Although I'm not too familiar with its importance on the Gundam universe due to the fact that the only Gundam series I've ever watched is Gundam Wing (and I was mostly ogling the pilots not the Gundam), I liked it mainly because it was cute (rounded, burger-shaped and amphibious? hehe). Besides, it is the first Gundam model I received as a gift, so why not love your own?

So there goes my rant of admiration to the most adorable machines ever to walk on anime world.

(References courtesy of Wikipedia)

Of fanservice and others

Let's start off this blog with something I'm really familiar with: anime and manga!

I've been downloading the most recent manga chapters of Naruto from NarutoFan and noticed that Masashi Kishimoto-san has been generous lately when it comes to fanservice.

Specimen #1 CH 347, page 010

On the previous page in this chapter, Konohamaru was showing off to Kakashi and Team 7 his ultimate version of Oiroke no Jutsu by transforming into two naked girls hugging each other. Much to Sakura's dismay, she said that was just immature of them (the boys) to fall for a stupid jutsu. So Konohamaru transformed into his ultimate version of Oiroke no Jutsu - yaoi style. Although I doubt Konohamaru's learning of Oiroke no Jutsu is relevant to the "Sasuke-already-killed-Orochimaru-arc", it gives a sort of comic relief for the series. And even if my inner-fangirl squealed in yaoi-delight, I am very much a SasuNaru shipper still. But note Naruto's expression of "horror". Teehee.

Specimen #2 CH248, pages 012-013

Honestly, I don't know what kind of squeal my inner-fangirl did when I saw this. Either I wanted to rip Karin (the girl character) apart (no touching Sasuke!) or be confused if this is Kishimoto-san's way of telling us that Sasuke is indeed not interested in the female species. Not that I mind much, but just think of all the threats Karin must be getting from the all yaoi shippers.

Well, I can't wait for the update of the new chapters. I want to look for more fanservice moments, and even if it might be a late update, it's still better than nothing, ne?