Japan

[COLOR="DarkRed"]This type of thing is what advertisers, companies, and economists study for a living pretty much. Take a mass media class and you will see. There are certain factors or rather theories that advertisers made up to describe such things that you are thinking about. Such things like the band wagon theory, and I think subtismal theory? If you watch the sprite commercials I think it is. Where they say lemon lime really fast and have really odd commercials. That is a type of advertising. I lost my mass media text book otherwise I would go into more detail about the various details of advertising theories. Basically, companies and advertisers keep these theories in mind when they make shows and commercials so that they can sell ratings and sell their product. They also used these kind of things in the propoganda films during the cold war and brainwash the German children to believe in a pure Germanic bloodline and to scorn the Jews. All it comes down to for what you are saying are these theories. Which I think are called mind control theories. They give an understanding of why we feel the way we feel and so on. Hope this helped.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]If it is with people I do not know at all or very little, none. I IM only my friends that I met from here or Achaea if any. Everyone else, I block or ignore. My family and real life friends, it depends on the situation. For some friends, phone is the best I can get so that I can at least hear their voice. With my closest friends I prefer face to face because we are usually doing something fun like video games, a movie, or going out to eat. So basically, I love IM the best. I am very shy and hate talking to people I do not know well or at all. I speak on the phone with friends who do not live in the same town as I (panda, charlie, syk3, and my best friend who lives in Japan). I like face to face with my closest friends. So it is a mix of things. ^_^;[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I first read the manga for this which is ten volumes long. Now I am working on the anime and I am on the fifth disc and episode 40. So far I love the manga better. Anyways... This anime is about a female actress in the sixth grade named Sana Kurata. She deals with various issues like boys raising havoc on the girls in class to girls not being happy with her being working with a male actor that they are obsessed about. I can't wait to get to the second box set so that I can see the main part of the storyline and not all these filler episodes. What do you guys think of the anime or manga?[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]World music plays an important part in everyone's culture. From past, present, and future, it holds the key to keep these cultures alive. There is a wide range from Aboriginal music with their digeridoos to Native Americans to their pow wows. I love world music and I try to listen to it a lot. Currently, I have music from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Japan, China, Aboriginal, Indian and Native American. Most of the cds are those rough guide cds thtat have a selection of music from the genre. But I also have cds from 12 Girls Band and Kodou. 12 Girls Band is a music group that plays music with Chinese instruments. Kodou is a traditional Japanese band that plays taiko drums. Also, I try to go to pow-wows as much as possible so that I can see the Native American culture. I really like Chinese, Aboriginal, Native American, Indian and Japanese. I hate Hawaiian music. I do not know why. Probably because it is so slow. Not too fond of music from Afghanistan either. When Osakan students came to my school last quarter, they taught my Japanese class and I a festival song and dance that they do every year. I also love those type of things. Dancing in circles with a few simple moves, singing along. I want to learn more festival songs like that so when I go to Osaka, I can join in. [B]So what about you? What cds do you own and what music genres do you love to listen to? What ones do you hate?[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]1. Do you have any birthday traditions? The night before, I stay up and watch the night sky and wait till midnight. Then I go to bed. (July 3 is my birthday) I used to go to my dad's friend's parents house for a July 4th party on the 3rd. We'd BBQ, shoot off fireworks, and play with sparklers. Now we just go out to dinner and friends give me presents before or after my actual birthday since everyone is busy celebrating Independence Day. 2. What was your best birthday present ever? (if you say 'life' I'll slap you!) Life, yeah, that is the best present. Seriously, probably going to California to see my aunt. I had Mongolian grill, Greek food, and Indian food. Yum! 3. Has knowing your age ever given you a certain midnset? Did you ever feel like you'd passed a certain rung or like you had to change? I am in denile the day before and then when it happens I just shrug it off 4. What was your favorite birthday? Probably turning my backyard into a water park with a slip and slide, water balloons, squirt guns, water frisbees, etc[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Laura looked towards the direction of where Grape Ape was thrusted. A look of concern and worry overcame her as a shiver ran down her spine. Turns out that James was slightly trailing the back of her neck with his pointer finger as he circled her. A slight grin of amusement flashed across his face. "Yes?" Laura asked sternly. "My dear, you do look lovely." "Glad I please you" Laura replied sarcastically. "What do you want of me? Why did you just thrust Shy out and not me as well?" "Shy was getting on my nerves, as usual. I want to make it clear that I found his ranting very disagreeable, so henceforth it never happened." "Bu-bu-but," Lara said. "You on the other hand," James interrupted, "I have a great interest in you." "Oh?" "Yes, how would you like to reside with me and the others in the staff forum? Do you hear it, Laura? The Anime Lounge is calling your name. [i]Laura....Laura.....[/i]" Laura quickly beamed before she realized what she was doing. She looked down to hide it as she started to turn red. "Don't tell me you do not want it. It's obvious you want it." Laura shook her head vigerously. [I]This is not the time for this![/I] she thought to herself. [I]No! I...I shouldn't even be thinking of this! Charlie? Wait, he doesn't even care for me. He told me to leave him alone! Laura, why are you even thinking of this? He is just stressed. He loves you.[/I] "UGHHH!" Laura screamed as tears started to poor down her face. "Lovely? Do you want this awesome mod rod?" Laura pushed James onto the bed. He landed with a pretty hard thump. He growled at her with a smile. "THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THIS! While we are standing here, you in your own little world, Gavin and the beast are LOOSE! They want to destroy this place that many hold dear and you are infatuated with my body? Some site director. Pfft! How much of an ass can you be?" At this point, Laura was seething with anger. After yelling that out she was out of breath and breathing heavily. "Oh Laura," James said flatly, "You and your band of drama queens have far too much time on your hands. Now I suggest that you contribute to the forum in a constructive manner. We don't always have to press the nuclear button every time you get your panties in a bunch. Although, I myself would like to get your panties in a bunch--" "That's enough!" Laura shouted, "If you won't help us then I'm going to demand help from the entire community!" "Oh, you're perfectly right. I have had enough. The Suggestions & Feedback forum is no place for feedback. We have discussed the matter privately and I have given you my decision. From here on out, I will be cracking down on any unnecessary drama that I see. Your problem is just a minor quip on OtakuBoards. I assure you that fun and happiness are flourishing around the site. The drama that you and your friends are creating is only a microcosm of what goes on here. Now get out of my sight. This discussion is closed. " Laura rolled her eyes in disgust. "We are in trouble and we need your help! Or it is the end of site as we know it. Please help us defeat them." James frowned and shook his head. He turned his back to her. "I said [i]closed,[/i]" he hissed with his arms folded. He turned to face her again with an icy stare and extended his arm to point to the doorway. Laura glared at him for a moment and slapped him hard across the face. "Cowardly Bastard!" she yelled as she ran out of the bedroom in tears. [/color]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Laura peered at Grape Ape. "Wear something...that shows off my attributes that only Charlie has seen?" Laura sighed. With that she finally nodded and left for a nearby store. The nearest store was Hot Topic. It was locked but she didn't care. She disarmed the alarm and broke into the store by shoving her elbow into the glass door. Once inside, she found a crimson tank top that showed off her cleavage and bust. Her tanned skin glistened some in the dim light of the emergency exit signs because of doing so much running. After the tank top, she found a denim mini skirt that came with a silver belt chain accessory. Throughout the belt, there were various quartz crystals. Looking at herself in the mirror, she nodded in approval. [I]Now shoes...[/I] She thought to herself. Over in the corner she found some leather boots that tied with laces on the front. "Woot!" She grinned as she walked over to the other accessories. She grabbed a black leather cord that had a silver heart charm and a black head band. Looking at the mirror one more time, she twirled around admiring her outfit. She left a hundred dollar bill on the counter near the cash register and left for the hospital. When she returned, she ran up to Grape Ape and posed. His jaw dropped. Quickly recovering from the shock, he nodded and beckoned her to follow him.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]SuperGALS - Stupid but hilarious. One of my favorites about a GAL patroling the streets in Shibuya. Bleach- This is a good series about shinigami and dealing with lost souls. It is fun to watch Ichigo's bad attitude. Naruto Time Skip- I think that this is better than Naruto in a way. For one, every is older. Two.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Laura wandered aimlessly in the slums of Otaku City. The bright neon lights flashed on various signs, welcoming strangers into bars and prostitute houses. It started to downpour hard. Laura just let the rain soak her clothes. She didn't care anymore. Hearing trance music from one of the bars, she walks in, wanting to drink away her sorrows. As she stepped in, she noticed many eyeing her. Laura sat down on the nearest bar stool. A tall guy with a deep voice leaned down from the otherside of the counter. "What can I do for ya, miss?" Laura glanced up and her jaw dropped in surprise. G'GREG???" "Laura?" "Where the hell have you been?" "I retired to this bar. Such as life when you are no longer a moderator. What do ya want?" "Mango flavored rum mixed with sprite please." Greg quickly grabbed a beer mug, mixed the drink and gave it to Laura. After a few sips, Laura glanced down at concoction, her frown returning. "What's wrong girl?" "I left the Counter Terrorism Unit for the Terrorists because I wanted to be with Charlie, but ever since that havoc of Gavin and the beast, Charlie's been really cold and moody to me. It makes me feel like he doesn't love me anymore." "You've got to be kidding me. You two have been close since the day you've met. Quit being all mopey. He cares for you it's obvious." Laura sighed. Greg smacked her with his towl. "Ow!" "Don't be such a worrywart" "Okaaay. I better go check on the others. They might need me. Oh, here is the money to pay." "It is on the house now get out of here." Laura nodded and rushed out the door to the hospital.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Laura walked alongside Charlie as they fell back a bit from Grape Ape and the others. Laura stole a glance into Charlie's eyes. His eyes seemed emotionless from their lack of twinkling that she always saw when looking at them. Their gazes met and Laura quickly turned her head away. All that she saw from his stare were anger and hatred. Braving another look, she saw his hair flow about his face and his hands clench into fists. "...Hun?" No answer. Thinking that he didn't hear her, she playfully latched onto his arm to try to cheer him up. At full force, he thrusted her off of him. Laura fell backwards with a thud. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Sweetie, talk to me. Please. I can only help if you talk to me." "Don't bother me!" he barked in reply. Stunned, Laura ran up ahead to the others, trying to wipe away her tears with her sleeve.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Thank you Sara! Here is another captured moment that I took while I was at the lake. [/COLOR]

[IMG]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=26346&stc=1&d=1185899431[/IMG] [COLOR="DarkRed"] Title: Ray Of Light Connection: Music Took this when I was in the car driving down one of the busy retail streets of Spokane, Washington. I was passing regal cinemas when a motorcyle sped past. Use the night scene setting in my camera to give the ray of light effect.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]The most embaressing things that I do are childish or surprising. One thing that I almost always do is take a camera with me every where and when I see something when I walk down the street, I take a picture of it and see if I can take it in any cool angles or whatever. Another thing that I do that is embaressing is getting hyper with my friends. Like, I tickle my friends who are ticklish. I also play with people's hair and hats. I start dancing because I feel like it, do random things for the heck of it and for the reaction I get from others. I love to tease.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I also nominate Shy. Not only is he a hard worker and his contributions to this site and to many others are endless. He takes care of every one and everything. So, I nominate Shy, he is one special guy.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]The worst I've done in the ways of self harm was no eating or drinking for two days and grabbing onto my arms and let my nails sink in till they leave very deep imprints. After almost fainting in the shower, I will never do that again and there are better ways to relieve stress by thinking of the ones I love and playing Devil May Cry and DDR than digging my nails into my skin or starving myself. I also promised many never to starve myself like that again. As for other people, I see where they are coming from, however, I try to act silly around them to cheer them up and to get them to do something physical...like pool or bowling.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]The fourth book is still my favorite. That aside... [spoiler] It seemed to be a lot more interesting than the 6th book. It was an improvement, but not quite. I felt like I had to breathe deep and hold my breath the entire end of the book. There was not enough time to cope for the deaths like for Sirius or Dumbledore. I do put in account how Harry was on a time schedule. However, it sucked that Lupin, Tonks, and Fred died. I did like the final stand off with Harry and Voldemort. It sucked how she did not go into detail about the after. I want to know the after! Ginny and Harry kissing was my other favorite part in the book.[/spoiler][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I had it done, so it is too late for that. I had my breasts done just a month ago today. I am still recovering but I'm feeling awesome. Now, before you call me vain, I had them [I]reduced.[/I]Yes, reduced. Why? It was scarring my shoulders, hurting my back, putting stress on my knees, making my posture horrible, and on top of that, a big chest and cerebral palsey does NOT mix. My posture is bad enough without the extra weight. I am really happy that I got it done because my back hasn't been bothering me, my knee joints do not crack as much, and my posture has greatly improved. Plus, now I can play DDR more efficiently and without males starring at a bouncing chest.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]All but the last one were taken in Seattle and in Everett which is like a suburb of Seattle. The last one was taken in Spokane. All of these photos were taken by my Casio Exilim 7.2 Mega pixel digital camera. [B][I][U]Boeing Dreamliner Hanger:[/U][/I][/B] The first photo was taken when my family and I were driving around the Boeing company. This is the hanger where they hold the new Dreamliner that was just finished. [B][I][U]Life:[/U][/I][/B] The second picture was taken outside a home near my brother's house that just burned down a few days earlier of my arrival. It is a sad picture. This couple just moved in and then their house burned down. This picture is a reminder that life goes on. This rose bloomed the day after the fire. There's burnt debris surrounding the rose on the ground. [B][I][U]Safeco Field:[/U][/I][/B] I went to my very first Mariner's game and this is the view from sitting in the higher levels of the right field. You get a spectacular view of downtown Seattle and you can see the Space Needle. [B][I][U]Seattle:[/U][/I][/B] This is a view that you get when you make your way to the upper right field sitting area. Safeco Field which is the baseball stadium in Seattle, is right next to several train tracks. Those trains import goods from the ports of Puguet Sound to various companies and warehouses. [B][I][U]Potrait:[/U][/I][/B]This last one is of my friend. It looks good doesn't it. This was random because I love taking pictures. She and I were walking back from the park and when I saw that place in front of my friend's yard, I had her sit there so I could take her picture.[/COLOR]

[quote name='Raiyuu']@Tombstone: the part of your original post I have a problem with is this. It just feels like an oxymoron to me. I can't fathom how you could be against homosexuality as a concept but still consider yourself to be accepting of people who are homosexual. Homosexual people come part and parcel of the homosexuality package - without homosexual people, homosexuality as a concept wouldn't exist. So you're either prejudiced against homosexuality, and by extension homosexual people, or you aren't. You can't split the noun from the adjective and say "I disagree with this concept but if you actually apply it to a person then I'm okay with it," because if you claim to disagree with it in the first place then you clearly [b]aren't[/b] okay with it, whether it's abstract or concrete. The stuff I threw in about the Bible was a general point, not aimed specifically at you. I get hacked off with the amount of selectivity people apply to the Bible to make it fit their anti-gay arguments.[/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkRed"]I think what Tombstone is trying to get across is this wise old saying: Love the sinner, hate the sin[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I do not want to have an introduction forum. The signiture is the best place for the hi's, bye's, and whatever. I've been to other forums and I purposely avoid them because they are littered with spam and take too much of my time to bother with it.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I get bad interactions at McDonalds everytime I work almost but I laugh about it later. 1. I was doing the front booth of drive thru and my friend was in back booth. There is a thing out there that shows what people are ordering before they come up to back booth to pay. Anyways, this lady orders three happy meals. (The computers back there sometimes mess up) When she came up to the window, I only gave her two. She started to yell at me like I was an idiot because she did not pay for the third one. I told her, sorry, our computers are being moody lately. I need some money if I am to give you the third happy meal. My manager told me to tell her that. She was so mad. After paying and getting her happy meal, she was even more mad and was yelling at me. I told her to try looking at what she orders on the screen next time and to have a nice day. 2. This was on New Year's Eve. I was working graveyard that night because they needed one extra person. There were these drunk girls who had their radio up full blast. They pushed on their gas pedal a few times while being in park. They asked for a BLT five minutes after getting there because they were too drunk to decide what else they wanted. My poor co worker was sitting in a ball near tears. 3. My best friend who got me the job there works graveyard at Mcdonalds. One time, a really drunk man came by. All he ordered was some water. As soon as he received it, he threw the water cup at my friend, spilling water all over his shirt. I'll post more when I get them.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I guess I post because I am bored? To me, my philosophy makes perfect sense. The Bible says to not accept homosexuality and I don't. But, regardless what life choices that people make, I'm still their friend and care for them. I do not accept what they do, but I love them anyways. And, how can I be homophobic if I have friends who are homosexual?[/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I hate thread repeats. For me, I am against homosexuality and I am not afraid to express those feelings. But I still care for my friends who are. Heck, one of my best friends is gay. I do not shun him because of that. It's what's inside that counts, you know?[/COLOR]

[quote name='Retribution'][size=1]Yeah, but I find it odd/disturbing/sadly predictable we've totally forgot about such a greater tragedy [i]that still causes human suffering[/i] and some earthquake that's taken relatively few lives is getting this press. Sort of like Katrina. When's the last you read a story on New Orleans?[/size][/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkRed"]So you think that since it doesn't concern you, who cares? You are selfish. Bad things happen yes, but I have a right to hear when something happens to my friends. I'm sure that is the case for everyone. [/COLOR]

[URL="http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/412418"]http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/412418[/URL] [COLOR="DarkRed"]Here is a link to the news story. When I heard this from my Japanese friend, I panicked. I hope that his family is alright. At least it seems to only have 2 deaths total. [/COLOR]