Report bystrouska's Profile

Thanks, glad to hear that.

Hello Bystrouska, glad to hear from you again!

So even though we didn't manage to meet up in Paris, I have to say I was rather taken with the place. It is an absolutely beautiful city and one I will undoubtedly return to in the future. In fact, were it not for my fears that the actual experience of living in Paris itself would be far less romantic than the impression you get as a tourist then I would perhaps move there permanently.

I was there with my father and we spent a lot of time just walking around numerous districts of the city. We didn't really do anything very touristy apart from eating at restaurants. We went to the foot of the Eiffel Tower for example but since the queue to get on was about four hours long we decided it wasn't worth it. Our favourite attraction was probably the Arc de Triomphe actually, not for its architecture but for the chaos that unfolds in the roundabout circling it. We spent no less than twenty minutes simply watching the traffic go by.

We also went to La Defense, and around large parts of the Metro network. Which is the best I have ever used, by the way. Nine times out of ten the train was already on the platform and the longest we ever had to wait was five minutes. Having said that, I'd hate to have use it as an elderly or disabled person. That would be terrifying.

After I returned to the UK, I moved briefly to Newcastle upon Tyne for about two months, which was more than enough. Then I moved to Prague in the Czech Republic for what was probably the best two years of my life. First I was studying, then I worked as a teacher, I found a girl and fell in love... it was a constant adventure and I adored it. I was very sorry to have to move back to the UK, which was necessary for finishing my degree, but at that point our relationship fell apart. I was the one who left her but the experience took a lot out of me, but I think I have healed for the most part. Now I'm feeling a bit frustrated about having to stay in the UK (which I consider to be beyond saving at this point), missing Prague and the friends I made there a lot and waiting for the opportunity to return. Meanwhile my parents have started the process of abandoning my hometown and moving to the north of England, which they like a lot but which I find rather tedious and isolated.

So that is about everything, ha. How have the past few years been for you?

Je suis desole.

Oh my goodness, you were online only a few hours ago... I suppose it may be a long time until you see this, but whenever you end up reading it make sure to say hello.

Oh, regarding my message earlier; don't bother trying to call me, as I left my mobile at home.

Hmm, I don't know. I think she's there for dual purposes. One to show that people's businesses are never really private and to show a growing normalcy of same-sex attraction and relationships. Younger generations are more tolerant and accepting than the older ones. I think she may be there to provide some external commentary. Maybe she'll be in a Little Women segment, though it's been literal ages since I saw a Little Women segment.

Hey, it's been a really, really long time!

Yeah, that Aoi Hana was... something else. Shimura knows where to hit you, brains and body.

Happy Hogmanay!

Spoiler'd for size:

I never thought that combination could ever work!

Haha, I think this made my day so far!

Ahh, sorry~! I saw your response a while back, but I’m so lazzzy.

I’m sorta dealing with the same problems, as far as responding goes. I haven’t done much on MAL recently. Right now, I’m searching for a full-time job, on top of holding a part-time one at a local tourist attraction (that I’ve had since ’07) and doing “free” work for a design firm in town, as well as some misc. freelance. I’ve had a few (4) interviews tho’ I didn’t land any of them. Was second choice for one! I just gotta keep working at it, though.

What I’m actually watching isn’t fully reflected on my list. I’m watching way less than you’d think! ;)

My real list is terribly organized ‘cuz I’m lazy. Watching an average of 10 (more/less) shows at a time, depending on what’s good this season. I’ve got about 11 of ‘em ready to go from the summer season, but I won’t start a single episode till I finish all of ‘em from the previous season. There’s too much I wanna watch, though I really know I shouldn’t!

Hourou Musuko was pretty good imo, albeit I haven’t read the manga (yet). I’ve heard otherwise from people who are familiar with the original, even though to me it was pretty darn amazing. And, yes, I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy Gosick. It’s a pleasantly-paced mystery series that takes place somewhere between WWI and II (though an alternate universe).

Mawaru Penguindrum, definitely! I’ve heard so-so things about Dantalian no Shoka, since although it’s a Gainax show it apparently feels more like a Bones one. Bones is a great studio, but they do tend to play it safe. Still gonna give it a try. Right now, I have those as well as Bunny Drop, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée (similar to Gosick), Kamisama Dolls, Kamisama Memo-chou, No. 6, Yuruyuri, and even THE iDOLM@STER (because it’s by A-1 Pictures). I’m looking into Blood-C as well, since it’s been designed by CLAMP and is based on the Blood/Blood+ series. Heard some blah things about it, just like Dantalian.

I also wanna read Amachu (I probably already said this) very badly, and I even tried starting it, but was once again TOO LAZY. Reading manga on the computer is not preferable… Same thing happened to me when I was trying to start Gate 7, the new CLAMP series. Looks good. So does A Bride’s Story, if only for the amazing artwork. I need to read this, plus Emma and others. I’m so behind on my manga reading! The only series I can think to recommend off the top of my head is Gate 7, though I obviously haven’t read it myself and am not fully familiar with whatever it’s about. Looks similar to xxxHOLiC. Otherwise, I have a friend on here named Bonham who I usually get manga recs from. He’s got good taste, so whenever you get the time I’d suggest taking a peek – haha!

Alrighty~ I finally responded, so yay! Hopefully I will pick it up better next time.

Seems we have both been away for quite some time. The club isn't what it used to be I guess and I have been a bit busy with university and things.

Good to know you're back though! What have you been busy with for this past while?

Haha, thanks. It's been a long, long time!

I think Penguindrum is wonderfully Utena-esque and nothing like it at all which makes it enjoyable.

What DID you think of the latest Aoi Hana?

The Takarazuka scenes are just so good in episode 4. Ikuhara will never forget his love for the Takarazuka theater and old school shoujo, heh. I especially like how the scenes were used more then once, so it was basically the theme of the episode. Seeing such scenes so early on in this show has raised my hopes for this series. I don't want Ikuhara to hold back at all.

The curry episode of Utena and Penguindrum did fall on the same week for me :3. I had plenty of fun making the connections on a few forums.