Spacehamster’s Blog

Up til’ about a year ago, my only exposureto anime had been via latenight showings on SBS. I thought Akira was the most pessimistic, dystopian and violent animated film I’d ever seen. And the glut of ultra-violent anime that flooded the Australian market afterwards (not to mention the sociopathic fan mindset that went with it) didn’t help matters any.

Evangelion was a huge improvement. And I liked Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex even better. GITS:SAC was the first anime series that I’d genuinely loved. It wasn’t as violent or dystopian as Akira, and didn’t have the “Darkfic” feel of Evangelion. But like the previous two, it did have some important observations about human existence, modern society and where technology would eventually lead us. But it was still rooted in the “grim and gritty” atmosphere that Western anime distributors thought that the fans would like. It certainly didn’t give me an incentive to explore other anime series - not if they were all as violent as Akira.

About a year ago, a friend of mine introduced me to the genre of anime. I asked him whether any anime had been produced that would appeal to my optimistically eclectic and odd tastes. Much to my shock and surprise, there were an awful lot of them. Here’s a list of what I’ve seen thus far -

• Azumanga Daioh: A slice-of-life High School series, with some charming but bizarre characters. The opening theme has the weirdest lyrics I’ve ever heard (ie. they make no sense at all). Nevertheless, a really enjoyable series.
• Macross Frontier: The far more mature and original Macross was the series on which the Saturday morning cartoon Robotech was based. Macross Frontier is a direct sequel to the original, but doesn’t require any knowledge of its predecessor in order to enjoy it. It started off promisingly enough, but the series is rapidly approaching its end and has still left many questions unresolved. They’ve also gone “a little emo” (as my friend has put it), and started killing off characters. A change in tone which I didn’t enjoy in Evangelion, and I’m not enjoying here either.
• Planetes: A very mature but entertaining series about Space Exploration, with some really charming characters and realistic storylines. Although it’s set in space, everything is based on real physics rather than rocketship fantasy. I’d strongly recommend this one if you enjoyed Apollo 13 or BSG.
• Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu: Hilarious! It’s a direct sequel to a far more serious anime series (Full Metal Panic). The situations are completely insane, but somehow this series manages to pull it off. It also has a very funny and daring ending, with a great closing line. If you want a laugh, this is definitely recommended.
• You’re Under Arrest: If I were to describe this to a Hollywood Studio Producer, it’d be “Cagney and Lacey done in Japan”. The show centres around two female police officers at the fictional Bokuto Police Station. Its greatest strength are its charming and likeable characters, and its slice-of-life perspective on policework. Please note that this is not a grim and gritty cop show like The Wire or The Shield. OTOH it’s got a combination of action and great comedy that charmed me within minutes of seeing it. I hope that ADV eventually releases series 2 eventually - it’s an absolute scandal that they can sit on a series for so long. Definitely my favourite of the ones I’ve watched thus far.
• Suzumiya Haruhi: This is easily the best of the bunch. I love You’re Under Arrest more, but in terms of animation, storyline and characterization it stands heads and shoulders above all of them. It also has a great End Credits dance sequence. As for the tone, it’s slice-of-life High School drama that also sends up a lot of anime cliches. I’m delighted to watch a series that isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at its more serious-minded contemporaries. I loved it so much, I’ve got it on order from Amazon.com!

Even if I had not met the man himself, I would still love reading Neil Gaiman’s work. I loved Sandman - if I had read that when I was 16, I’m fairly certain things at that point in my life would’ve taken a turn for the better. Of course, not everyone loves Neil Gaiman’s work. And why should they? I just wish they wouldn’t express their dislike so disrespectfully -

I hope this reaches neil himself. Never have i ever known of anyone as full of himself as well as ****, than you. Now another milestone in your over-hyped career, Writing Batman. Not only are you under the impression you can write, but write batman? **** You. You Tried before and it sucked. It was just gaiman… With Batman in it. **** You.

I’ve met Neil during a reading and autograph signing session in Tasmania. And even though he must’ve been very tired after a long trip, he still struck me as being an incredibly nice (and talented) man. So it upsets me when people (if you can call them people) send such foul-mouthed letters. I’m pretty certain Neil doesn’t mind it if someone doesn’t like his work - although I suspect it might bother him even more if the person didn’t even read any books at all. Like this idiot probably does.

The Gruen Transfer is one of those shows that I missed on its initial run. And now that it’s in its final week, I wish I hadn’t. Essentially the show is an ABC version of the ‘World’s Greatest Commercials’ specials that they used to run on Nine. Except they have a panel of people from the Advertising industry analysing the many different aspects of Advertising on commercial television.

If you’re a serious-minded student of media, then this program definitely won’t be very satisfying. Thanks to having Wil Anderson as host, there’s plenty of one-liners (whether you think they’re funny depends on what you think of Wil). He gives a far more restrained performance here than he did when he was hosting the Glass House, however.

OTOH, the show does raise some issues that don’t get any airplay on the Tabloid-style current affairs shows. Like focusing on telecommunications advertising, or the beauty industry. One of my favourite segments is ‘The Pitch’, where advertisers try and spruik unpopular causes - like Whale Hunting, or invading New Zealand. It’s a fantastic opportunity for talented Advertising Agencies to show their cheeky and/or sardonic side.

So I’d definitely recommend it. It doesn’t have any truly serious in-depth analysis, but it is an entertaining half-hour.

I was quite shocked and surprised that Chris Carter and co. would even consider making another X-Files movie, after the indifferent response to the previous one. I’m of the opinion that unless you have a film director that understands the original premise, adapting TV series to the screen is a very bad idea. This review from Latauro does not bode well.

After the events of 9/11, it seemed like the popularity of The X-Files waned considerably after that point. I suspect it was due to the fact that reality was so much more horrifying than fantasy. How can Alien Colonization compete with the traumatic impact of real-world terrorism?

And so we arrive at the X-Files film. A great many people are looking forward to it - I’m not one of them, even before Latauro’s negative review. Firstly, I think the X-Files was a great series, but it’s no longer relevant in a post-9/11 world. Secondly, the new film doesn’t follow-up on the cliffhanger ending to the series, with our heroes on the run from the law. I can’t understand the reasoning behind such a decision, but I think it’s one that the filmmakers will come to regret.

I think the X-Files was a great TV series, one that I’m more than happy to watch again. But it’s themes of alien conspiracies are laughably naive compared to the real-world threats we know face. A 24 big-budget motion picture? Yes. An X-Files movie? No.

I was really looking forward to the PC port of Mass Effect. I played this game on a friend’s XBox360, and remarked at the time that this game was meant for the PC. So I was disappointed to discover that EA had implemented a strict Copy-protection scheme for the PC game. According to the Wikipedia entry -

In addition, only three activations will be allowed per CD key[80]. Reinstalling Windows or upgrading certain parts of a computer the game is installed on will use up an additional activation. Bioware employees have repeatedly stated that they do not have any information on what parts can be upgraded without triggering a new activation. [81]

As far as I’m aware, it hasn’t been made clear by either EA or Bioware under what circumstances an activation is required. Is it on re-installing the game? Or when Windows is re-installed (which is patently ridiculous)? And gamers have to regularly upgrade their videocards and soundcards for the best gaming experience. I was forced to re-install my Windows installation from a Norton Ghost image only just last week.

EA and Bioware have the right to protect their property from software piracy. But I do feel that the activation scheme unfairly punishes people who legally purchase the game.
UPDATE: Kotaku have reported that Bioware and EA have changed the schema to a once-only online activation, although the 3-times only limit still applies.

I first heard about Neil Gaiman about 5 or 6 years ago. The first book of his I ever bought and read was Death: The High Cost of Living. After that I plowed through the entire Sandman collection. To this day, it is still my favourite comic. Heck, the scope is so epic I’m not sure if it even qualifies as a comic anymore!

So imagine my surprise when I heard that Neil Gaiman - the writer of huge movies like Mirrormask, Stardust and Beowulf - was coming to Tasmania. Unfortunately, it appears that many other people were just as surprised as I was and the tickets sold out within a few short days. One day before the actual event, I received a clandestine offer from the organisers to attend the event - naturally I accepted.

And here is Neil’s recap of hsi trip! And I have no idea why the car would be called Darlene either. Just a few more things to add to Neil’s recap:

Neil said that it’s the first time he’s ever read these works in public before. But what the heck, it’s Tasmania! If it doesn’t work, who’s going to know? He’d never read the Bad Fairy Godmother poem before, apparently because it contains the word “Unmannerliness”. Several times, as I vaguely recall. And from Neil’s blog, here’s the background for the poem “Before You Read”:

I’m slowly catching up with things I’ve promised people, one thing at a time. Todd Klein asked if I would do the signed Todd-lettered print after the Alan Moore one, and there was no way I could say no. Then I kept him waiting on tenterhooks until I had an idea, and then I made him tenterhook longer while I worked on it, but eventually I finished something called Before You Read This, which begins

Before you read this familiarize yourself
with the text. Note the position of the escape hatches,
the candles that will light in the event of a forced landing
to show you the way out.

Neil told us how he came up with the idea for the Graveyard Book: Many years ago, he used to live in a Spindly house with many stairs . As he couldn’t take his son (in the pram) around the house, he took him to the graveyard instead. Because he feels his talent isn’t going to get any better than it is right now, he decided to write it. If Chapter 4 is any indication, this book could be fantastic.

He also took some questions from the audience:
Why do you write so much about death?
He had been told there were only two great themes to write about: love and death. Since he was terrible at writing about love, he writes an awful lot about death.

Does his children like his books?
Sometimes. Maddy loves Coraline. Thought Anasi Boys was “weird”. Mike is 24 and works for Google in California, and has read all of them. Which is ironic because when he was 13 he thought daddy wasn’t cool for not writing Spiderman. Neil said “Wait until you’re 15, then I’ll be cool.”.

How did you feel about the success of Stardust.
Publicists lectured them about The Princess bride publicity strategy - and then proceeded to copy that strategy precisely. Told Matthew he thought this was a film that people would pull from the shelf (on video) and show their children in fifteen years(sic?), rather than a film that was important for its opening weekend.

What’s it like to collaborate with people?
Neil used to be nocturnal (which he rather liked and missed sometimes). Terry Pratchett would wake him up on his answering machine with “Wake up you lazy bastard! I’ve written another good bit!”. That’s what Good Omens was - just the two of them trying to make each other laugh. Crowley threatening pot plants might’ve been his idea but was written by Terry (sic?). When he was at the Publisher’s basement reading the “trial run”? He thought a line was funny. Terry said “I didn’t write it.”. Both of them privately thought the book might’ve been quietly writing itself.

What’s his philosophy on life?
He rather likes it! He liked music, and dancing, and food and sushi. He then wondered why he listed food and sushi as separate things)?

What’s the craziest thing you’ve been asked to autograph by a fan?
Mentioned when Jason wanted Neil to sign Maya’s book “Neil says Jason would like you to marry him.”. It might’ve been a disaster because what if there was more than one Maya in the line? “I’ve never heard of this Jason before.”. When Neil autographed Maya’s book she stammered “Thank you so much!” and was about to close the book and walk away. Neil said (playfully) “Just fucking read it!”. Maya read it. Maya looked at Jason. Jason looked at Maya. And 200 people pulled out their cameras and videos to probably put the whole thing up on youtube.

I was only allowed 3 books to sign, due to Neil having jet lag.
The autograph line doubled back on itself through the entire room. I was lucky enough to be among the first 20-30 people in the line, and got there within half-an-hour. One of the girls told another (who was shepherding the line) that Neil prefers to autograph the books directly rather than copy the post-it-notes.

Neil: This is for David?
Me: Yes, thank you. This is my first autograph signing.
Neil: And this as well?
Me: Yes thank you. (Points to Death: High Cost of Living). That was the first book of yours that I ever bought. Thank you for writing it.
Neil: You’re very welcome.

And then I walked out of the hotel, floating on cloud nine. I think there are writers, and authors, and there are people I call storytellers who have the ability to weave worlds from prose. Alan Moore has done it. I think Terry Pratchett can do it. And for one glorious evening, I was privileged and honored to hear a Master of his craft do just that. I will never forget it.

After taking art classes for the last 4 months, I’d like to think I have a smidgen of insight into what “art” means to me. It can mean different things to different people. For some, it seems to mean calling attention to themselves with controversial actions, like this one -

PRIZE-winning German artist Gregor Schneider has caused an uproar by launching a search for a volunteer willing to die for art. The enfant terrible of the German cultural scene is looking for someone whose dying hours will be spent in an art gallery with the public admiring the way the light plays on the flesh of a person gasping for the last breath.

What can I say? Weird guy.

To me, art isn’t about extroverts like Schneider. It’s a deeply personal act of self-expression. Whether it’s through painting, drawing, acting or writing. Schneider’s actions aren’t my idea of art - that’s just attention seeking. Whenever I watch a great well written TV show like The West Wing, or admire a beautiful painting, that (to me) is art.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything on this blog. Mostly because I’ve actually been living a life rather than just writing about having one. Blu-Ray won the Hi-Def format wars, which means HD-DVD movie titles were sold for bargain basement prices. I bought myself an XBox 360 HD-DVD drive for only ~$50. As my PC was able to play Hi-Def films, I got a low-budget introduction to the wonders of HD movie viewing.

My mum and I took a trip to Canberra to visit my brother Mark. He seems to be enjoying life in Canberra. I’ve advised him to try and make new friends while he’s there. Something that’s hard to do for a young professional who’s just starting out in a new and busy career. Fortunately Mark has done just that: He’s been going to an amateur orchestra once every week. And this Sunday he played paintball with a few friends. I’m really happy to see that he’s doing so well - not just profesionally but socially too.

The Australian and US economies seen to be on the brink of a global recession. The result of far too much borrowing and not enough prudent and responsible investment. We’re seeing the result of 11 years of John Howard-style “greed is good” philosophy.
I took into account future interest rate rises when I was calculating my deposit for my beloved house. My father scoffed at my precautions. Fortunately my cautious planning has paid off. I’ve calculated that interest rates would have to rise to 15% before I would have to look at divesting my assets. So I’m feeling insufferably smug right now.

My own social life is more active than ever. I’m seeing my cousin Giap on weekends on a regular basis. I’m going to attend an Adult Ed art class, starting this week, in an attempt to expand my creative horizons. I don’t expect to be Van Goth by the time this is over, but I expect to have a better appreciation for art.

This can either be seen as a mark of maturity…or a sign that I’m becoming an old fogey. I can’t remember the last time I heard any truly decent music on mainstream FM radio. So nowadays I listen to ABC AM Radio (936) in the morning. It’s funny, I get plenty of news via the Teh Interweb(sic). But it’s still reassuring to hear the news read by a real person, rather than being displayed on a computer screen.

By all rights I shouldn’t love this show as much as I do. Unlike the three hosts, I’m Left-wing and I believe in Climate Change. But I resent being patronised and lectured on what I should believe, which is what most political commentators on the Left and Right do quite often nowadays. So I enjoy seeing these three hoon about in cars. Watching it is a sheer act of joyous rebellion against the thin-lipped humourless political commentators that dominate both sides of politics.

I also learned quite a bit about what makes a good car. Until I watched Top Gear I didn’t even know what Torque Steer was. Or that the Bugatti Veyron and the Aero TT were the world’s fastest cars (250mph). It’s a public service, don’t y’know.

And it’s also unashamedly fun. Over the past few years they’ve performed stunts like building amphibious cars across the English Channel, been chased by racist rednecks in Alabama, driven across the African desert, and raced by car and dogsled to the North Pole. And that was only in the last 12 months. My only complaint is that the BBC hasn’t released a Complete Boxset for each season. The current DVD’s are only badly edited compilations, and they just don’t compare to the full episodes.

This show isn’t for everyone. If you’re an environmentalist that thinks the Car is the enemy of humanity, then avoid this show like the plague. But oddly enough, I love it.