Ramblings and Musings of the Insane, Philosophical Ladybug

And now Alan Young is dead, as of Thursday. I just learned this past day. He was 96 (!!) and still doing some acting and voice-work.

I think this death hits me the hardest this year. Such a good, full life, but he was so much a part of my childhood with DuckTales. I loved Scrooge McDuck so much. I wanted a plushie, but wasn't able to get one. I doubt I'll do much, if anything, with the reboot, but I'm really hoping it causes new plushies to be made so I can get one. I do have a couple of figures, a tiny one from Kellogg's mail-in thing and a bendable one.

Alan Young was also in The Cat From Outer Space as a veterinarian. That was probably the first time I ever saw what he looked like. It's a hilarious movie filled with wonderful character actors and an adorable cat. (And you get Harry Morgan and McLean Stevenson in the same place. It's a must for M*A*S*H fans!)

And then I discovered a whole new side of Alan Young several years ago when I watched Mister Ed. I honestly thought the horse was pretty mean sometimes, but I did love it whenever he showed that he really cared about Alan Young's character. And I totally ate it up when Alan played Wilbur's father in one episode and used his Scrooge McDuck voice. Epic.

I watched a couple of my favorite DuckTales episodes tonight in tribute. I don't think I've ever actually crushed on Alan Young or his characters, but I loved him and Scrooge McDuck about as much as I can love actors and characters without actually crushing on them, and that's a lot.

So I had a dream where one part of it involved Ecks and Wye trying to trip up some bad guys. Ecks pretended to be stabbed (he was wearing heavy protection under his coat or something and got fixed up with blood so it would look authentic) and Wye pretended to flip out on the one "responsible." I believe the idea was that when the bad guys were occupied with Wye, Ecks would spring into action and join the battle and catch the bad guys off-guard. But something went wrong and Wye ended up hurt and missing. Ecks was panicking and trying to figure out how to find him. I don't think the dream ever did reach a solution. It seems like most dreams don't. Man, I have such weird ones. And when they're like that, I wanna write fics of them.

And ... help, I think I might be getting interested/intrigued again by the Thomas franchise.... When I was at Toys R Us earlier this month, I saw an entire blue aisle devoted to the franchise, but I didn't pause to examine it; I never have. I grew up on Shining Time Station and loved it, but didn't have any exposure to the franchise beyond that. I felt like it just wouldn't feel right to me to not have Shining Time Station characters around. However, I was curious as to what the franchise was like beyond that and how it was still going strong, so the other day I finally took time to look it up and read about it. I'm curious enough now that I'd like to see what some of the new episodes are like. I'm wondering about the female engine they've introduced; I hope she's awesome!

I always like to watch the Shining Time Station Christmas special each year, even moreso now that I know Lloyd Bridges plays the Santa character. I did that the other day, lapped it up, kind of want to watch it again, and maybe look at some other old episodes. I remember one time as a kid, I got on a kick where I watched the Christmas special every night for a while. That's one thing I still have my VHS copy of, recorded on TV the last year I remember them rebroadcasting the special (1994). I have happy memories of watching it with Mom while recording it and how that was one of the last times I was small enough to fit in the big chair with her.

I remember when they came out with that Thomas movie in 2000. I was curious, and somewhat surprised, but didn't make any effort to look up more information on it. I figured it was strictly train-world-only, and I liked both worlds. Now I've learned the movie brought in Shining Time Station elements, particularly Stacy and Mr. Conductor. Tasha and Billy Twofeathers, too (albeit played by different people, as is Mr. Conductor again). I must see that movie now. The train-world adventures sound pretty intense, too. The movie is generally disliked, and maybe I wouldn't like it either, but I'd like to give it a chance.

Also, I don't know whether to laugh or be very, very disturbed by the thought of Susan Roman voicing James. Susan was one of the original Sailor Moon dub voice actresses. I want to say she was Jupiter, but she might have been Mars. Either way, she was really good, one of the best in that cast, but I'm not sure what to think of her playing the male engine who was, as I remember him, rather conceited/boastful and kind of a jerk sometimes. It's a source of aggravation among fans that she played him; they felt she made him sound too young and feminine. I'll withhold judgment until I hear it for myself.

And I knew nothing of the details of this Ant-Man thing until I was reading that part of the climax is fought on a toy Thomas. Um, LOL. Also, apparently the toy Thomas grows huge at one point. **snarks.** But shrinking to the size of an ant, whether that's the character's superpower in general or whether it was just something weird done solely for the climatic battle ... I think I'll pass, thanks.

Me Singing Santa Baby by Meromeroyui on DeviantArt

A couple of weeks ago I recorded this song in my femme fatale OC Vivalene's voice. If anyone has ever been curious as to what she sounds like, this is pretty much it.

And apparently you have to click the picture/link to get to the MP3. I was hoping it would embed the music here, but no dice.

Note that I do not sound like this in general; I'm voice-acting. :)

Sometimes I think the main reason people don't like The Batman cartoon is because they insist on comparing it to Batman: The Animated Series. That is a really pointless thing to do, because honestly, of course nothing is going to be on par with that series! Each one has to be appreciated for its own merits.

The Batman was, I think, created for a younger audience, and that should be taken into account too. I think it's a great way to get kids familiar with the Batman mythos, by having a show that's not anywhere as dark as Batman: The Animated Series, but that's still fun and very Batman.

After being familiar with several branches of the franchise, I think I have to conclude that there is no Joker as shamelessly nuts as The Batman version. LOL. All the other Jokers I've seen somehow seem either more sane or more quietly nuts or more complete psycho freak. The Batman's Joker is very dangerous, but somehow he genuinely is funny, even maybe over-the-top, and I find myself laughing with him much more than with any other Joker. I think that is something that younger kids would enjoy, whereas some of the other Jokers are downright scary sometimes.

Actually, a lot of the villains on The Batman aren't anywhere as dark as other versions. Their Penguin is crude and rude, which I don't always like, but he does give me the giggles sometimes and I totally love that he can break out the martial arts. One wouldn't really expect that of someone with Penguin's ... physique. And I adore that voice actor Tom Kenny (yes, Spongebob) does an exaggerated version of Burgess Meredith's laugh from the 1960s show.

The season 1 set has a bunch of interesting special features, leaving me longing all the more that the other season sets had been that way too. But they mentioned that they didn't even want to mess with the popular and heartbreaking Mr. Freeze backstory from The Animated Series, so that's why they went in a completely different direction with him on The Batman. I do wish they would have made that character deeper on The Batman version; they could have done a different tragic backstory, but if I'm right that the show is streamlined more for the younger set, then it makes sense that they decided not to go that route and instead made him a common diamond thief instead.

That, however, makes it all the more intriguing that out of all the villains on The Batman incarnation, their Riddler is serious instead of giggling and he does have a deep and sad backstory. I think he and the first Clayface are the only two really "dark" recurring antagonists on the series (albeit there are some dark oneshot villains, too). Lovers of season 4 could argue that the Riddler might not have been allowed to have a dark backstory in earlier seasons, but I would doubt that, because Clayface #1 is introduced at the end of season 1.

Ethan Bennett is a police detective and Bruce Wayne's best friend. While trying to stop the Joker, he ends up abducted and psychologically tortured. The Joker even says his famous line from the comics that "one bad day" can turn someone into a criminal. Later he tries to experiment on Ethan with a chemical device he created called Joker Putty. Detective Yin arrives and stops him, but Ethan is still exposed to the fumes from the stuff.

Later on, at home, his body reacts to the chemicals and he morphs into the Clayface creature. At first, shocked and scared and horrified, he isn't able to control the form or even his voice, and the scene where he goes outside and tries to get the police to listen to him and realize it's him is absolutely heartbreaking. Later, he's able to get some control over it and can change back to look like Ethan Bennett, but his body is still comprised of the clay substance and he really can't live a normal life. After flipping out and abducting Chief Rojas, who really is a jerk with his zero tolerance for freaks policy, he escapes capture and season 1 ends with his partner Yin and Batman forming an alliance and wondering where Ethan is now.

Season 2 has an episode where he's caught and Wayne Industries has developed some kind of antidote that brings Ethan back to being a normal human and puts the Clayface cells into remission. But Ethan can't seem to adjust to being human again and he isn't treated very kindly by most people, and he flips out again while trying to stop the Joker after running into him. Up until season 4, he stays Clayface, whereupon his human side finally gets the upper hand and a real cure is found.

I'm really happy they allowed him to have a happy ending and not to just remain Clayface forever. That would have been way too sad. The two-parter that introduces him as Clayface, and the season 2 episode where he fails to integrate back into society, are just heartbreaking.

Meanwhile, the Riddler's backstory is revealed in season 4. He didn't have a happy home life. They don't include the thing from the comics where his father actually beat him, but the man was a jerk and would break his stuff. Later, he got into safe-cracking because he liked challenges, but then he tried to go straight at the university. He developed a cool invention and worked with a girl he came to love. A businessman wanted the invention and tried to cut a deal, but he wasn't interested. The girl was upset he wasn't. When it came time to demonstrate the invention, it suddenly and inexplicably malfunctioned and harmed the president of the university, who was testing it. The Riddler believed the businessman did it to discredit him and get hold of the invention himself. The incident ruined him and his reputation and the university made him leave. Batman, to whom the story is being told, realizes that the businessman wouldn't know how to sabotage the disc and that the culprit would have to be the girl the Riddler trusts. The Riddler goes to confront her and she smirks and admits what she did and says it was because she knew the Riddler would ruin any chance of success, so she wanted to get rid of him. He flips out in heartbroken anguish and tries to kill her, but Batman and Robin stop him. Batman stops Robin from untying the girl and says they'll let the police free her. He then asks Robin, "When is a villain not THE villain?" and glowers at the girl. She shrinks back under his glare, knowing she did wrong, and looks down at the Riddler, lying unconscious on the floor. A tear slips from his eye.

So no one can say that The Batman isn't capable of doing dark and deep things. And not just in season 4, either.

And the first couple of seasons have lots of interaction between Batman and Alfred and Alfred is really shown to be an important character. I miss that so much in the later seasons. I'd rather see interaction between Batman and Alfred instead of Batman and the kids, because Alfred generally seems to be an unsung hero and once the kids come in, we don't see much of him. Plus, both of the kids can be obnoxious, in this verse, at least. Batgirl is basically Jade at first (but thankfully she does mature, unlike Jade) and Robin is otherwise smarmy, although sometimes I get a laugh from his comments.

The Batman is what really made me a fan of the franchise in general, even though I always kind of "grew up" with it due to a big coloring book my brother gave me with two Batman stories in it and some Batman activities, and a Penguin figure he gave me. I was skeptical of watching The Batman when it was first coming out, but I decided to give it a chance and I've never regretted it. Because of The Batman, I wanted to see the movies (I still need to see all of the 1980s/1990s ones), and then I got into The Animated Series and the 1960s show. I still want to read some of the comic arcs (the main comics, that is, not the tie-in comics with The Batman that I've mentioned before). I remember wanting The Long Halloween and its follow-up story. I still want to get those eventually. I'm also curious about the Hush arc and would like to read that, although I'm not sure I like the Riddler being behind such a large-scale scheme to torture Batman over a long period of time and even taunting him with his failure to save the second Robin, Jason Todd. They were actually going to make a Hush movie in The Batman verse, and I'm really not sure the Riddler of that verse, at least, would be that dark and that cruel. I'm kind of glad the project was not green-lit, although I curiously wonder if they could have tweaked it and pulled it off without the Riddler seeming OOC.

But so anyway, The Batman has to be given credit for really interesting me in the whole franchise. And I love all the assorted branches I've really gotten into, especially The Batman, The Animated Series, and the 1960s show. And Gotham. I appreciate each for what they have to offer, instead of being upset that they're all different.

My The Batman fic is breezing right along, just like the other one did six years ago. It's so fun to write the character interaction scenes, and intersperse them with the mystery. I'm moving towards the climax now. Robin is in it and Batgirl is mentioned, but I'm also trying to have Alfred interaction like there was earlier on. My Batman fics take place in season 4 out of necessity, since they rely heavily on characters and information gleaned from the Riddler's backstory. But I don't acknowledge The Joining or the season 5 stuff with the other superheroes coming in.

I was disappointed that The Batman went that route, honestly. Since Batman relies on logic and skill and not supernatural powers, it seems better to me to not have him interact with supernatural superheroes. That said, I still like the Justice League series. Of course, I'll always adore George Newbern.

And I am absolutely ecstatic that he's joining the cast of the series Granite Flats for season 3! I am annoyed that Granite Flats only does eight episodes and calls that a season, but eight episodes of George ... still paradise! I hope he'll play a (relative) good guy.

There are so many wonderful men on Perry Mason. While I was fiddling around looking through Dead Ringer pictures to make a Steve icon, I saw so many adorable shots of Hamilton that I wanted to stop and icon too. Which makes me wish again that we were allowed more than 15 icons for free. Or to wish that Insanejournal, which gives you 100 free, was a more active place.

I've been teetering back and forth between fangirling Steve here, Andy and Amory, and Hamilton for the past couple of weeks. And by extension, their actors. And let's not forget William Boyett. (I just bought the trading card they made of his Star Trek character with the fedora. And we're on season 4 of Highway Patrol again, so it's William B. every night/morning! YES!) It's all rather confusing and overwhelming. I'm a bundle of squeeing, adoring nerves.

Wednesday I was talking to Dad about Richard Anderson and he told me he thinks Richard is the guy who leads the crowd in singing the drinking song in the movie The Student Prince. That amuses me to no end. I didn't even remember Richard sang. I already knew he was in the movie, so now I wanna see it again all the more. I keep picturing Steve singing that song and then cracking up at the thought.

And I've started my Wild Wild West story that's a follow-up to Richard's episode. It's based around my theory that his character had an evil double, because otherwise some things just don't add up. I'm a lot better with writing for Jim and Arte than I was before. I was delving more into their thoughts and personalities and I felt very comfortable with it. It's a very satisfying feeling.

Wednesday I also saw a new Superman movie at Wal-Mart. And they brought George Newbern back! I was so excited I exclaimed right in the store. Seriously, I thought they'd moved on to other actors. It seems like they never keep one for long. And I thought Tim Daly was the fan-favorite Superman voice. But on these recent direct-to-video movies they've been making, it seems like they alternate between using Tim's voice, George's, and one or two various other actors. I wish they had used George for the Doomsday one.

I've gotta get me all the George ones.

So many men, so little time.

I should not have wasted time taking this. But it was interesting. One selects five TV shows and then answers the questions.


1. Princess Tutu
2. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
3. The Patty Duke Show
4. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
5. The Monkees

Who’s your favorite character in 2?
In YGO ... I'm not sure. The first one who popped into my head was Alister, and he's certainly still one of my favorites. He's serious, blunt, and is really good at disguises. And he's devoted to his younger brother. I think Seto is right; deep down Alister blamed himself for Miruko's death, but it hurt too much so he shifted the blame to Gozaburo Kaiba. He's a fascinating character to pick apart.

Who’s your least favorite character in 1?
In Princess Tutu ... Lilie, of course. I'll never like her, but I have started to wonder if her denseness is an act. There's a scene in Akt 11 where she's exclaiming about Ahiru being sad and Pike flatly says, "You seem happy." Lilie blushes and holds a hand to her mouth like "Oh my" and says "No way!" She looks and sounds like she knows she's been caught in the act. I would actually find her marginally interesting if she knows she has a problem, rather than for her to be empty-headed as she comes across.

What’s your favorite season of 5?
In The Monkees ... season 1, hands-down. The characterization was a thousand times better than season 2. So often in season 2, I want to slap Micky. This makes me sad, since in season 1 he's my favorite character. In season 1 he's intelligent, hilarious, sarcastic, and brave. In season 2 he's been degraded to a whiny, hysterical, random coward most of the time.

What’s your favorite ship in 3?
In The Patty Duke Show ... I think George Tutwiler/Cathy Lane would be an adorable couple if the problems concerning Cousin Betsy were resolved. If I remember right, they seemed to be studying together when Betsy stumbled upon them, so they might have a love of learning in common. And George is a sweet, innocent boy; he just had a very thoughtless moment when Betsy charmed him. But he could change; Patty's boyfriend Richard has certainly had moments of weakness too.

Ted Browning/Cathy Lane is a more canon couple and a lovely one. Ted seems intelligent and level-headed, and he's crazy about Cathy. She thinks highly of him also. Their personalities mesh very well.

Who is your anti-ship in 2?
In YGO ... I'm not sure. Seto/Serenity, perhaps. I understand the basis for it, but it seems too syrupy sweet and cliche. I also don't like Alister/Valon. If they're going to interact and come to like each other more, I'd prefer seeing them as friends/surrogate brothers.

How long have you watched 1?
Princess Tutu ... since June of 2006.

How did you become interested in 3?
The Patty Duke Show.... It's on late-night/early morning on THIS TV network. Mom watches the oldies block and I started seeing it with her sometimes. The Patty Duke Show attracted me because it's more of a domestic comedy than a sitcom and the characters are amazing and well-rounded. And most episodes have a moral point, but it's not annoyingly drilled into you. It's got so much more meat to it than say, Mr. Ed (which is also on the block). Mr. Ed is just a silly sitcom, but that's a rant for another time.

Who’s your favorite actor in 4?
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon ... is an anime. I'm not sure who my favorite voice actor is. Maybe Emi Shinohara, who plays Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter. She is incredible and her singing is powerful. When Jupiter isn't being boy-crazy, she's really a superb character. She's strong and determined and justice-driven, and always puts boys aside to fight for the greater good. She also has a wonderful relationship with a childhood friend and fiercely believes in Sailor Moon. Emi Shinohara portrays all of Jupiter's emotions flawlessly. Jupiter has really become one of my favorite characters. Even her English dub actress, Susan Roman, is really good. I think Jupiter had just about the best voice in the dub.

Which show do you prefer: 1, 2, or 5?
Princess Tutu, YGO, or The Monkees.... Well, as much as I love them all, I still think YGO will always hold the #1 spot for favorite show. I shared adventures with the characters for so many years and I learned so much about writing while doing stories about them and I met so many people I likely never would have otherwise. I think YGO has had the greatest and most long-lasting impact on me of any show I've ever watched. I really think of the characters as friends (albeit I feel the same about the characters on any show I love).

Which show have you seen more episodes of: 1 or 3?
Princess Tutu or The Patty Duke Show.... Well, Tutu only has 26 episodes while Patty has 104. There's only a handful of Patty episodes I haven't seen now.

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be?
I don't want to be anyone from any show. I like my life.

Give a random quote from 1.
Princess Tutu....

Autor: You're late.
Fakir: What are you talking about?
Autor: It took you eighteen days, seven hours, and twenty-four minutes from the time you started researching your power to when you noticed me.

Would a 3/4 crossover work?
The Patty Duke Show and Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.... Um, I don't think so. However, if the girls just all met and could hang out without all the magic and bad guys, I think that would work. Ami and Cathy would get along well with their love of studying, and Patty could introduce Minako and Makoto to all the cute guys in school.

Pair two characters in 1 that would make an unlikely, but strangely okay couple.
Princess Tutu.... Autor and Ahiru. There's not much canon evidence in their interaction to support it, it's true. Well, other than Autor's friendly behavior in the follow-up, which may or may not be canon. (But it's squeeful in any case.) It's in their personalities that the evidence comes. Autor is a kind person underneath the arrogant facade and Ahiru is someone who accepts and cares about anyone shown to be good. I think if they got to know each other more, they could become very close. And from there, who knows?

Has 5 inspired you in any way?
The Monkees.... I'm not sure what kind of context "inspired" is being used in, but offhand I don't think that it has. Unless it was that I think the little teddy bears cosplaying The Monkees were my first "big" purchase and I had to work really hard to earn the money to buy them. And the show certainly gave me lots of laughs. It's a joy to watch.

Overall, which show has a better cast: 2 or 4?
YGO or Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.... Oh gosh. Well, one problem with Sailor Moon is that a lot of the good guys are better in the manga, but the villains are better in the anime. In YGO, the characters are pretty much all awesome in the anime. They only made a couple of slip-ups (Duke's intro ... ugh), but overall I prefer YGO characterization in the anime to the manga. So YGO would probably get my vote.

Which has better theme music: 3 or 5?
The Patty Duke Show or The Monkees.... I love them both. I was originally going to say The Monkees, since it's so catchy and I've loved it for a longer period of time, but I also really love The Patty Duke Show theme. All the horns are awesome and the vocals are great. The lyrics of both amuse me. Patty is more my obsession at the moment. In the end, for me, it might be a draw.

Though I suppose nothing could really top the utter silliness of the antics in The Monkees' theme.

**has been feeling very discouraged the last few days and it came to a head a while ago.** Now I'm in a mood where I don't feel like writing anything, even though I've got plenty to write. I feel like I'd like to do some pointless hurt/comfort. Hurt/comfort and the character relations of such can go a long way in making me perk up. But if I try to write some, I'll probably feel blah about that too, like I did a few days ago.

Right now I honestly don't know if I want to bother posting that ficlit with the minor students at all. I've started adding on to it, and will finish it for myself, but I've never been quite sure what to think of it and I don't know if I want to share it.

I thought I had the Springheel Jack fic almost done too, save the last scene, but something felt really wrong. I finally realized what it was; the climax was all incorrect. What I had as the climax should have been a second encounter. So I changed that. Now I need a new climax. The story will get so long I'll end up wondering if I should post it in chapters.

And does anyone who has seen the Princess Tutu dub or at least the etudes feel like the dub staff just does not really like Autor's character? The voice actor was directed to make him sound snobbish and stuck-up in a way the Japanese VA just didn't. The lines were usually the same, but the delivery was vastly different.

And in the etudes (which explain some of the music on the show), Autor is only mentioned pretty much to be mocked. Dark Mytho comments on the fifth one, "I was considering having Autor co-host this etude, but he's quite the egotist, don't you think?" However, I do think that one was meant as a pot calling the kettle black joke, as Dark Mytho is very much an egotist. Fakir didn't even comment; he just said "Moving along." LOL.

It's the etude on the sixth DVD that really kind of bugs me. For one thing, Neko-Sensei hosts (which is fine) and has some of the oneshot students as co-hosts (also fine). But for some reason, Autor is also present, even though he's not even in the ballet division. He doesn't get any lines, however, which is another thing that irritates me about the etudes. Why won't they let him speak? The only time he's mentioned is when Neko-Sensei asks for someone to answer a question and then sighs and says, "Someone besides you, Mr. Autor." Making it sound like Autor's around all the time in the ballet class being a know-it-all. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if he's that way in the *music* class, where he actually *goes*, but just ... aurgh. Why mention him as being present for a *ballet students'* lesson in music if they aren't even going to let him talk?! If he's there, it would be more likely that it's specifically to offer some of his knowledge.

And then there's the dub staff's commentary on Autor during episode #24, which I've already talked about a couple of times. They do cover his insecurities, which I was happy about, but I simply cannot agree with the musings that since Autor is more interested in the power aspect, he's someone whom Drosselmeyer would prefer having as a direct descendent. Why does Drosselmeyer ignore him completely if that's the case? And the more I watch Autor's episodes, the more I really am convinced that he's an innocent boy, unaware of the immense evils Drosselmeyer is capable of (despite being aware that Story-Spinning powers can be drastically misused and in spite of believing that they are being controlled by Drosselmeyer's Story). Drosselmeyer, I think, would only be interested in him to manipulate him, knowing of his innocence and idolization of Drosselmeyer. But Drosselmeyer didn't find him worth acknowledging even once. The closest he came was mocking Autor's replica of Drosselmeyer's study, though he never spoke of Autor. He just froze Autor in time and walked past him as if he was nothing.

I dunno, between the way the English VA was directed and the etudes and the staff commentary, I really think that the dub staff largely has a surface and shallow view of Autor. Otherwise, for instance, why would the etudes only mock him and never even let him speak?

... And heh. Ranting on that actually felt pretty good. Maybe I'll feel like working on a story now.

**squees!** The Princess Tutu boxset came last night! And it's just as addictive as it ever was; I marathoned 10 out of 26 episodes already, including while trying to revive a passed-out computer. It's just almost impossible to put down, especially when it starts getting so intense with episode 6. I love the series so much. And Mytho is just too adorable. ( Minor series spoilers )

And I am amused that even though no one in the show is even Japanese, I'm listening to the Japanese track. Of course, no one would be speaking English, either, but eh. The first time I saw it, I think I only saw one episode (or even just part of one) in English. The dub cast just didn't strike me. XD; I do plan to try it again in English, though. But I really really loved when Takahiro Sakurai (Cloud's Japanese VA) spoke/read a few lines of German in episode 8. X3 It sounded so good in his voice.

Speaking of Ryou Bakura, I have a fanfic dilemma. I have a blurby thing done for a prompt at 30_quests, if I could just find out if they even accept platonic couples as well as romantic ones. But now I'm wondering if instead of posting the blurb, I should just write the fic, and if I'm allowed, post each chapter there instead of blurbs. I've decided the thing in the blurb is going to be a major plot point in the fic.

Basically, Bakura, Yami Bakura, Yami Marik, and Bakura's father have landed in a fantasy world ruled by a dictator. Somehow Yami Marik ends up working for him as the head torturer and executioner. And through a horrifying series of events, Bakura's father ends up killed (along with an entire rebel village) and Bakura, like Quatre on Gundam Wing, completely loses it. ;___; So a large part of the fic deals with trying to save him from his hatred and madness so he won't follow Yami Bakura on the path he took three thousand years ago.

So. Should I post the blurb, or should I wait and start writing out the full fic instead?

... My brain is strange.

This becomes very obvious when it gives me dreams of Carface from All Dogs Go to Heaven (the more humorous Ernest Borgnine Carface, not the menacing and downright frightening Vic Tayback Carface) being upset because he's a criminal. So upset that he decides to go kill himself by laying in the snow until he freezes to death. .___.; Killer and some other dogs (apparently Carface's gang, even though one of them oddly looked like Sasha) find him in time and the Sasha-lookalike chews him out. And they start building a casino-thingie that they say will be legit. **BLINK.**

WEIRD.

There was also an intense dream involving the guys, and I can't remember if it came before or after. But Scott was in trouble and was in some van fleeing down the road, and Sean was coming in another van to help him, but there was a terrible accident. Sean walked away from it, but he was badly hurt. And he had to confront some gang members who were waiting for him on the road.

Back on the subject of ADGTH, I still want a Killer plushie. XD; One of these days, I may try requesting one from Setsuna. **is really ticked off that there wasn't even a PVC figure made of him.** They made one of the *crocodile*, for crying out loud! Killer gets no love from the marketing people. I'm surprised he made it into the TV series, but I'm glad he did. X3

I confess, about twelve years ago, I had a crush on the character. XD; I don't think I still do, but he is still my favorite character from that fandom. And I was very sad when Charles Nelson Reilly passed away a year or two ago. ;___; And this year Dom DeLuise died.... **can't imagine a revival of ADGTH without those two.** Sure, you can change the VAs for Charlie and Carface and Anabelle, but Killer and Itchy? I just can't picture anyone else playing them. Well ... Ted Lewis does do a very good impression of a voice similar to Charles Nelson Reilly's, but I've never heard anyone imitate a voice anywhere close to Dom DeLuise's.... And of course, in any case it just wouldn't be the same.

I also had a crush on the English Cat from Scat Cat's band in The Aristocats. I saw a beanie set of the five of them on eBay once, but it was too much. ;__; I keep hoping one will turn up again, but I haven't seen one yet....

Priceless crack. XD KH Cloud and Sephiroth being dorky and singing the Witch Doctor song. From Aerith's stance, she doesn't know what to think. LOL. This person doesn't like embedding, so a link will have to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b20nbU8cqY

I was laughing about this with Kaze a bit earlier and we started imagining a crackish scene of FF7 Cloud having a dorky moment and singing along with the song on the radio when he thinks no one's looking. Of course, Sephiroth would have to come in and hear him. X3 And Cloud would promptly turn red and deny that he was singing.

Found a neat Genesis AMV using a song called Imperfection. It does have some CC spoilers, though (that I already knew about), so I won't link it. One thing I'll say: CC FMVs are AMAZING. Such beautiful graphics!

Also finally found the scene where Zack fights the hologram Seph. Hologram Seph is indeed creepy. XD And suddenly I remember a crack idea of what Seph would think of the hologram.

And I watched a bunch of FFX-2 this past night. It's brilliant! Love the characters. X3 I'm seriously starting to relate to Yuna. And Rikku is wonderful! She's got the hyperness and mischievous of Yuffie without the brattiness Yuffie sometimes displays. XD; Paine is just cool, too.

The reason why I was watching it was on Lisa's suggestion, to investigate Rick Gomez's voice-acting work for Gippal. I ... am frankly a little worried, if that's how he's going to play Zack. And it may be, because Kenichi plays Gippal almost exactly like he plays Zack. Yes, Gippal actually has both of Zack's voices. LOL.

George Newbern plays a character, too, and I was enjoying watching some stuff with him. The voice he used for that character may be the way he'll play a sane protagonist Seph, albeit with a slightly deeper voice. I like that character, but I won't discuss him here because of some heavy spoilers involving him. XD