Difference between revisions of "2003-2004 Emails"

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(added fall 2003 emails)
 
(added winter 2004 emails)
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-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
== Winter 2004 ==
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Jan 10 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan  8 11:29:04 2004)
 +
Hi, and stuff.
 +
 +
So, no newsletter has been sent yet and I don't even know if Jamshid is
 +
still alive. Because of this, I am sending the newsletter. Don't be
 +
alarmed, I'll try not to say anything too insulting.
 +
 +
Im poretant news: I can neither spell nor type! (keep this in mind)
 +
 +
More important news:
 +
 +
All you artistic-type people out there have only one week left to finish
 +
your t-shirt designs. In otherwords: it's time to get started! Keep in
 +
mind that if you design is selected you will be required to create
 +
seperations and you will only have two weeks to do so (not that it's very
 +
hard, just tedious). So if you think your design is particularly hot
 +
and/or complex, you may want to start working on seperations as soon as
 +
you complete your design. If you do win and need help with seperations,
 +
Ben has said that he will help you (the sucker). One last important bit of
 +
information to keep in mind as well: if you win and seperations do not get
 +
completed in the two weeks allotted, not only will a runner-up be chosen,
 +
but I will also punch Ben in the face.
 +
 +
Next week! We will be re-starting Minna no Manga. Come, there will be
 +
manga to read/look at/drool over. Bring something from your collection if
 +
you like. There is no specific agenda. As I have said on the web page,
 +
we've been know to do everything from translate manga, and doing homework
 +
to watching strage Japanese gameshows and playing video games. It's big
 +
fun for the whole family. We haven't got the room nailed down yet but it
 +
will likely be in the computer science building (building 14) and it will
 +
be on Thursday nights from 6pm - 10pm. You don't need to stay the whole
 +
time obviously.
 +
 +
Ok, now the schedule (I don't have titles because titles I do not have,
 +
and stuff):
 +
 +
 +
 +
Schedule for 1/10:
 +
--------------
 +
5:00 - TBD ep #1
 +
 +
5:25 - Hana Yori Dango ep #34
 +
 +
5:55 - Patlabor ep #8
 +
 +
6:20 - Nadia ep #34
 +
 +
6:50 - Inuyasha ep #58
 +
 +
7:15 - Haibane Renmei ep #9
 +
 +
7:45 - Big-Ass Break ep #GGX
 +
 +
8:15 - Azumanga Daioh ep #9
 +
 +
8:40 - Noir ep #9
 +
 +
9:10 - Hellsing ep #9
 +
 +
9:35 - Crest of the Stars ep #9
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
No real rant, I just want to say that my break was much better than yours.
 +
I moved boxes and was shot in the knee by my cousin with an MP5 airsoft
 +
gun from one foot away. Beat that!
 +
 +
-Nur
 +
http://www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub/
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===Room Change for this week===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan  8 20:08:38 2004)
 +
Hi everybody, this is Nik.
 +
 +
An important fact was left off of the newsletter this week and so I am
 +
sending this to all of you to make sure you know.
 +
 +
We're going to have the first 2 hours of the meeting in a different room
 +
this week (114 I believe).  So we'll start off in one of the side rooms we
 +
used for halloween.  It does suck, but ASI is god here at Poly so there's
 +
not much we can do about it.
 +
 +
See you allt Saturday!
 +
-Nik
 +
President, Minna No Anime
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===Minna No Manga 01/15/04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Tue Jan 13 18:13:03 2004)
 +
Just wanted to let you all know that our first official meeting for MNM
 +
will be this thursday.
 +
 +
Where?  Computer Science building, room 252 (14-252)
 +
 +
When? 7-10 pm (or until they kick us out)
 +
 +
Hope to see you all there.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Jan 10 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Fri Jan 16 17:24:11 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san!
 +
 +
Okay, sorry for being late. Absolutely-friggen-late. We wont get into that
 +
here, suffice it to say if you ask me next week why I was late I'll tell
 +
you an amazing (and completely false) story.
 +
 +
NEWS:
 +
 +
T-shirt contest! Yes, we've heard about it over and over, but why are you
 +
hearing it again? Because it's important. We're not very stylish people
 +
for the most part, and we trade style for devotion to our favorite
 +
shows/clubs. So, it's important for one of us to design a shirt that all
 +
the rest of us will vote on and make our club T-shirt for the year. The
 +
rules are on the Web Site (www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub) and please be there
 +
tomorrow w/ your design.
 +
 +
Uhm... other news... I'm looking for cosplayers for this years AX so we
 +
can go as a cosplay troupe. I'm thinking like, Azumanga or Haibane or
 +
maybe even Nadia-although I'd really prefer Macross (like that'll ever
 +
happen).
 +
 +
The Schedule!
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub O' The Week : I heard a rumor about ninjas, but I doubt it.
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 35 : Doumyouji! Sex Change!
 +
 +
5 min Break : Ahhh... episode titles rock.
 +
 +
5:55 Patlabor - Ep 09 : The Demon of Atama Yama!
 +
6:20 Nadia - Ep 35 : I promise you that Jean wont sing again.
 +
 +
5 min break : Naaaaadia... Naaaaaadia... la la la la la la...
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 59 : Sango's Young Apprentices
 +
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 09 : Well - Rebirth - Pose A Riddle
 +
 +
5 min break : Anyone know how to fix a PS2 that was kicked across the room
 +
by a 13-year old having a tantrum?
 +
 +
30 Min Break : You could either a) get food or b) beat all of Megaman 2
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 10 : Draft Names - Class Change - Wolf - Putting
 +
On Airs - Marco
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 10 : La Fin Du Monde
 +
 +
5 min break : Actually, that last one is a Canadian beverage that ain't
 +
half bad.
 +
 +
9:10 Hellsing p Ep 10 : Master Of Monster
 +
9:35 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 10 : Just The Two Of Us
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
No really, that is all this week. I'll attempt to send a rant out this
 +
weekend from Reno. And if it's a good weekend, then I wont even remember
 +
having ever sent it out.
 +
 +
Good luck with those T-shirt designs!
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===Minna No Manga 01/22/04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Jan 21 21:16:23 2004)
 +
Just another reminder to you all that we will have another MNM meeting
 +
tomorrow (thursday) night in building 14 room 252 from 7-10 pm.
 +
 +
If you're interested in learning Japanese, reading manga, becoming an
 +
officer, or just want to hang out with us cool people, then head on over.
 +
If you're a little timid and prefer a smaller more casual setting to talk
 +
to us please do stop by, it's a great way to relax after a long day of
 +
school.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
President, Minna No Anime & Minna No Manga
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Jan 24 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan 22 17:24:37 2004)
 +
Alooooooha? Er, Konnichiwa.
 +
 +
Wish I had some new news for you, but I can't think of much you don't
 +
already know. A quick plug though, check out the website for any info
 +
including e-mail addresses for the librarian (you could get tapes/dvds of
 +
old shows you've always wanted to see but never found at best buy!) and
 +
extra news that doesn't get posted here.
 +
 +
OH. Yes, the winning T-shirt will be on the website sometime... uhm...
 +
well, I can't read the future but sometime soon-to-not-so-soon.
 +
 +
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE:
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub O': Unknown as of this point, but I promise no more
 +
Kaliedostar.
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 36 : Tsukaka's Mother's Secret Plan
 +
 +
5 min. break : Looking to sell/buy used DVDs? We should hold a MnA swap
 +
meet-any feedback?
 +
 +
5:55 Patlabor - Ep 10 : Eve's Trap
 +
6:20 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 36 : The All-Purpose Battleship
 +
- New Nautilus
 +
 +
5 min. break : Ah, if only the all-purpose battleship came with a
 +
all-purpose cat-girl.
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 60 : The Dark-Miko - A Fifty-year Curse
 +
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 10 : Kuramori - Haibane of the Abandoned Factory
 +
- Rakka's Job
 +
 +
30 Minute Break : GGX? WTF? It promises to be fun.
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 11 : Cosmopolitan City - Confrontation - Don't
 +
Hit It - Covered In Cats - Don't Run Away
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 11 : Tea In The Moonlight
 +
 +
5 min. break : I don't think the U.S. will ever catch up with Japan when
 +
it comes to Inuyasha
 +
 +
9:10 Hellsing - Ep 11 : Transcend Force
 +
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 11 : Sufugnoff Gateway Battle
 +
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
First of all, some of you might think that MnA is like a two-, nay-three
 +
headed monster which pulls in multiple directions. For those of you who
 +
wish to be officers, think of it more as a pack of wolves where every now
 +
and then one of us :: cough cough me cough :: will completely zone out and
 +
just go wander off in some direction without having a damn clue as to
 +
what everyone else is doing. Also, there's a complete loss of time thanks
 +
to a messed up schedule and the occasional Blue Sparks.
 +
 +
On another note, you played Prince of Persia? I checked it out and damn is
 +
it fun. I could loan it to you if you can find me and get me to remember
 +
you, but I guess the hard part of that might actually be the finding me
 +
part. Viewtiful Joe, Mario Kart (should we play this in the Silo? ^_^),
 +
and a few other Cube games are also pretty damn good. Perhaps worth your
 +
investment of time and money, although time is money so it's really just
 +
an investment of money. And I must admit, there are a few X-Box games
 +
that're pretty great, too-but they shall remain nameless until I can
 +
remember which ones they are.
 +
 +
The funny thing about me typing my stream of conscious is that either a) I
 +
can't keep up with my thoughts and forget what I was trying to type about
 +
or b) I get distracted whenever some pretty girl walks by (I'm in the
 +
reserve room).
 +
 +
So yeah, I had something to say but forgot it again. Okay, focus. Focus.
 +
Oh-I got a copy of Battle Royale on DVD that's really nice and has subs. I
 +
think it's R2 from europe, but that whole PAL/NTSC is easily overcome
 +
nowadays-I think?
 +
 +
Anyone wanna get together and have a big-ol' BR movie night? Perhaps we
 +
could snatch a copy of BR2 and leave with a will to go shoot each other
 +
and then pine about our lost high-school loves, before shooting/stabbing
 +
each other some more? Nah, probably not gonna be that fun.
 +
 +
You like bagels? With the
 +
creamy-creamy-cheese-cream-cheesey-creamy-cheese? Yes, I have been
 +
infected by illwillpress.com, sorry. Someone was telling me that the
 +
squirrel on that website and I had lots in common, to which I replied with
 +
a loud and hearty "WTF?" I checked it out, and I guess that's... uhm...
 +
yeah, I dunno. I'm either cool with the whole thing 'cause me and that
 +
squirrel share similar senses of humor or I'm annoyed 'cause I'm damn sure
 +
my voice doesn't sound like that.
 +
 +
Rest assured, I know what I my voice doesn't sound like-although it's hard
 +
to tell what it does sound like. I've spent enough time on-air at KCPR to
 +
know that my voice is, well-not that squirrels.
 +
 +
Hey-I nearly forgot. Or maybe I didn't? Perhaps you've heard my problems
 +
with Mikado up in JapanTown S.F.? I'm thinking of never shopping there
 +
again due to their CD return policy. I stopped by there during a Friday
 +
and picked up 3 cds ('bout $100 worth, ouch) and when I got home I
 +
realized that my hand-eye coordination is complete crap and that I grabbed
 +
a CD which I really didn't want. Of course, I realized this after putting
 +
it in my CD player.
 +
 +
So, I bring it back exactly a week later and ask for some store credit or
 +
something, and all I get is some fat store-clerk telling me they can buy
 +
it back. But get this, not for like 50% or something decent-no. We're
 +
talking 20%. That's $6. Yeah, he'll give me $6 for a CD I bought a week
 +
ago and realized was my complete fault. I even asked him why the CD policy
 +
if I hadn't scratched the CD and even kept all the packaging. Why? Because
 +
he flat out told me that he doesn't know if I'm a theif or not. Maybe I
 +
burned the CD and sold 100 copies, he doesn't know me so maybe I'm a
 +
theif. Of course, since then I've subsequently found a few places that
 +
share this same "you bought it, you're a theif, you can't return it"
 +
policy."
 +
 +
Borders is another one. This time I was purchasing an Opera CD. Yes, I
 +
listen to Opera, Metal, J-pop/J-rock, OSTs, Classical, and allll sorts of
 +
Big Band and Jazz music. Oh, and a small dab of indie rock.
 +
 +
So anyway, the problem with buying Opera CDs is that you never know if
 +
it's a good analog-to-digital transfer. I'm not talking about the original
 +
quality of the recording, I'm talking about tracks that are cut off early
 +
and start late. Ever listen to a CD where two songs are supposed to track
 +
into each other? Yeah-well, I can guarantee you there are no Operas where
 +
one song ends in the middle of a phrase and the next one begins on the
 +
second note. So, I'm talking to the manager at Borders and I guess it
 +
sorta went like this:
 +
 +
 +
Me : Okay, so I need to know your CD return policy.
 +
 +
Cashier : Only if it's unopened.
 +
 +
Me : So, how would I know if it's any good or not? This is like $15 bucks
 +
that I'm giving you guys.
 +
 +
Cashier : Oh, if it's opened than only if it's defective. And then we'll
 +
replace your CD with a new one.
 +
 +
Me : No, I mean-what if this CD sucks? I pick up Opera CDs and I know that
 +
there can be shitty analog-to-digital transfers. What if EMI classics
 +
really sucks at this? I've never picked anything up by this label before.
 +
Also, this "made in holland" sticker is not very confidence inducing.
 +
 +
Cashier : Well, sometimes old recording aren't recorded with the higest
 +
qualit--
 +
 +
Me : No. I mean, I've picked up CDs before and the end of one song doesn't
 +
quite track into the beginning of the next song. What if EMI produced a
 +
not-so-steller CD?
 +
 +
Cashier : Let me get my manager.
 +
 +
:: wait for 5 minutes as she explains whatever the hell she explains to
 +
him::
 +
 +
Manager : Hello. So, you're wondering about our CD return policy if the CD
 +
is opened?
 +
 +
Me : Yes. I need to know that if I buy this CD and it's got this
 +
horrendesly crappy sound and production value that I can return it and
 +
spend my money instead on a quality product.
 +
 +
Manager : Well, as long as you don't open the CD you can return it at
 +
anytime.
 +
 +
Me : So, how would I listen to it?
 +
 +
Manager : Yeah, that's a problem.
 +
 +
Me : **silence**
 +
 +
Manager : **silence-but he is smiling ^_^**
 +
 +
Me : So if I open it and the CD has horrible production and sound?
 +
 +
Manager : Well, alot of old recording were made on less than modern-day
 +
quality equipment.
 +
 +
Me : Yes, that's true but not what I'm talking about. I buy records and I
 +
know what old recordings sound like. I also know that on my records the
 +
tracks have never been cut-off. I've got a CD where the tracks sort of
 +
cut-off early and the next one starts late. It sounds like the CD is
 +
skipping, but it's really just the production value is absolute crap.
 +
 +
Manager : Well, if the CD is defective we'll take it back and trade it for
 +
a brand new one.
 +
 +
Me : And if it's not defective? What if the CD simply has poor production
 +
value? What if I don't like it? I can't return it and get another?
 +
 +
Manager : No, sorry. We can't do anything about that.
 +
 +
Me : So... I'm buying this CD for $15 as a complete gamble. I mean, this
 +
could be a poorly produced CD with shitty sound and I'd just be screwed
 +
out of $15?
 +
 +
Manager : Yes.
 +
 +
Me : Uhm... okay. I'll take it I guess?
 +
 +
 +
 +
Damn music industry is on it's ass. No, maybe it's on it's head, sitting
 +
on it's head. With it's ass in the air. Perhaps everytime we talk to one
 +
of those music reps at a music store we're really talking to the ASS of
 +
the RIAA or something? That might explain the bad breath of the sales reps
 +
at Best Buy and our inability to buy something and return it upon
 +
realizing that we'd rather spend our money on heroin for the poor than the
 +
p.o.s. disc in our hands.
 +
 +
Derf over at derfcity has a comic strip about this, but I think he's taken
 +
it down already. Another of his true-stories that either he-or one of his
 +
readers witnessed. Some big guy walks into a record store to return some
 +
CDs that he thinks are crap and the record clerks can't do a damn thing
 +
unless the CDs are defective. The big guy, in frustration, breaks the CDs
 +
and leaves the shards on the counter before leaving the store mumbling
 +
something about them being defective now. Funny? Only if you've ever had
 +
to sit there talking to some clerk-monkey about how you'd like to return
 +
something that damn well should be returnable-in fact, music should be the
 +
MOST returnable item. Tastes change and a CDs suck. I'm sure just about
 +
everyone reading this has at one point or another purchased a CD and
 +
realized that they made a stupid/embarrassing choice later.
 +
 +
After all, it's not like you can bump the blue danube from your honda when
 +
you're driving downtown, but it does sound great on Vinyl on your home
 +
system. Whereas, that new Nas record is alright at home, even with having
 +
to switch sides every 2-3 songs-but that CD would be pretty sweet when
 +
you're driving down the strip trying to yell out the window at your
 +
friends. Either way, the CD isn't returnable and I don't think BooBoo's
 +
(the only place in town that sells records besides CheapThrills/Nemo's and
 +
who shops there?) takes back Vinyl either. Of course, you could always
 +
sell it back (in brand new condition I might add) and get between 20-40%
 +
for it. This, in my damn pissed-off opinion, is absolute crap.
 +
 +
That's it. From now on I'm not buying music from places I can't return it.
 +
In fact, perhaps this whole anti-RIAA music thing that I've been hearing
 +
word about on slashdot.org and other places is catching on with me? Maybe
 +
I should start being a bit more vocal about this? yeah... a letter to the
 +
editor here... some airtime on KCPR there... aggrivate the anime community
 +
with stories (true and falsified) of geek injustices... egg-selent... soon
 +
the mighty pig-dog music overlords will be dropping to their knees to beg
 +
us to buy the next Madonna cd! We'll show them just how much the next
 +
3Doors Down album means to us when we can't return it after realizing just
 +
how mediocre their rock really is!
 +
 +
Ahh... who am I kidding? As soon as I walk by Boo's again I'll probably
 +
walk into the Jazz section and pick up the newest craziest remastered
 +
version of Duke Ellington at Fargo in 1940... at least I KNOW that CD is
 +
worth my money.
 +
 +
Ever stuck your fingers together with superglue? I just did that last
 +
Tuesday with 20 minute epoxy. Yeah. Lots of fun. I get to do it again
 +
tonight as I go into the composites lab and do what was originally MY SOLO
 +
project with 3 guys who are all making senior projects out of the work
 +
that I am doing. I'm gonna work those kids like sleigh-dogs. Hya! Hya!
 +
Does that whipping noise I type turn you on? Goodnight folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna no Anime Secretary (and mega-flake)
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
 +
 +
-(I sure hope it doesn't.)
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===Minna No Manga 1/29/04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Jan 28 18:34:51 2004)
 +
Again we're having our weekly MNM meeting in 14-252.
 +
Wanna know what we're gonna do?  Then show up and find out.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Jan 31 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan 29 16:22:17 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna!
 +
 +
You have been selected for this weekends Battle Royale! Well, not
 +
really-but if we were to have one you'd be in.
 +
 +
News? Yeah, something like that. There's rumors of an AX CosPlay troupe.
 +
It appears as though PatLabor mechanics is the costume of choice so far,
 +
but if you're going to AX and want to hang out with us/CosPlay with us
 +
then drop an e-mail or speak up at any meeting.
 +
 +
T-shirt design is up on the web page, or so I hear. Check out the
 +
decidedly Canadian drawing that will be our rockin' t-shirt for the coming
 +
year, or this year... I never really remember how that works.
 +
 +
Oh-and really important-Officer Elections are coming up! I don't think
 +
they are this weekend, but if you're planning on running then ask any
 +
officer about what is required, expected, and what you'll probably end up
 +
really doing (like sitting a room 'talking' about how Princess Nine is way
 +
better than Hyper Police). It's fun to be an officer! No, really-it is.
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE!
 +
 +
5:00 Bobobobo Bobobo - Ep 1 : WTF is up with that Afro?
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 38 : I Will Train You!
 +
 +
5 min. break : What happened to HYD ep 36? We... uhm... accidentally
 +
skipped it, sorry.
 +
 +
 +
5:55 Patlabor - Ep 11 : Eve's Shudder
 +
6:20 Nadia: Secret of Blue Water - Ep 37 : Emperor Neo
 +
 +
5 min. break : We're right in the final story arc for a few shows: Nadia,
 +
Hellsing, & Haibane. Don't miss out!
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 61 : Kikyo Appears, The Use of Shikigami
 +
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 11 : Parting - Darkness in the Heart - An
 +
Irreplacable Thing
 +
 +
30 Min. Break: Yoshitoshi ABe, who's amazing art is behind Haibane, also
 +
worked on Lain, Niea_7, and Technolyze.
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 12 : Chiyo-chan's Day - High School Friends -
 +
Lunch - Afternoon - Skipping Rope
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 12 : Assassin Training
 +
 +
5 min. break : I'd love to see a Noir/Azumanga crossover. Chiyo-chaaaaan!
 +
Watch out!
 +
 +
9:10 Hellsing - Ep 12 : Total Destruction
 +
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 12 : Lady of Chaos
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
Surprised? You should be. Worried? Perhaps not so much. Confused as to
 +
what the hell I'm writing about? Good, let me fill you in.
 +
 +
It appears that WETA (the badasses who brought us the LOTR graphics) is
 +
working in conjunction with GAINAX (the badasses who brought us Nadia,
 +
FLCL, EVA, Abeno, KareKano, Honneamise...) to bring us a live-action EVA
 +
movie.
 +
 +
Happy? Sad? Ecstatic? Fearful of complete corruption of something good?
 +
Whatever you're feeling, don't worry-we'll hold you and then let you
 +
borrow our old EVA vhs copies if it'll make you feel better. It might even
 +
clear up some of that stuffy-headed congestion you've been feeling lately.
 +
EVA's good for that sorta thing, you know-clearing your head.
 +
 +
Evangelion live action, wow. What an idea. It, of course, brings back the
 +
question of what anime would you like to see made into a full-blown
 +
American big-budget film? And the follow up question, yeah-but could they
 +
do it right?
 +
 +
Instead of giving you my spiel on whether this is good idea or not-let me
 +
instead digress into the depths of video game hell.
 +
 +
Yes, Video Games die and I believe they have a Hell. While some may argue
 +
on the specifics of what is required to pass the entrance exams to VGHell
 +
(tactics had shitty long menus, persia was too short, onimusha f'd your
 +
grandmother) I think it's really easier than we all think.
 +
 +
After all, the distinction between VG Heaven and VG Hell is probably the
 +
difference in whether some kid had fun w/ it or if he used it to beat his
 +
little brother into submission (me, my brother, 1989, and Q-Bert is all I
 +
gotta say about that).
 +
 +
Let's start with a game that walks the thin blood red line between fond
 +
memories of time well spent and time well spent wishing you'd purchased
 +
$50 of pudding instead a piece of plastic crap. Skate Or Die! (or for that
 +
matter, Skate Or Die 2!) seems to fit this mold perfectly.
 +
 +
Sure, when you're 9 years old and have no idea the future of video games
 +
involves anything more than 16-bit this game is amazing! There's like-this
 +
place you can skate in a pool that's like a half-pipe, then there's this
 +
actual half-pipe, and this other thing which resembles-but isn't quite...
 +
a half-pipe. At least in SOD2 you can throw tacos at each other. Or at
 +
least, that's what I remember about it. Was the game fun? Sure, for about
 +
2 days. Then it just got put on the shelf next to Q-Bert and the Barbie
 +
Mall Shopping Game where it would stay until sold at your next garage
 +
sale. SOD and SOD2 make it to VG Hell.
 +
 +
And to top it all off, where are the hot, 2-D imaginary non-real
 +
completely fictitious in their measurements girls?
 +
 +
Ahh, but for that we'll need Dating Sims! No, not the Sims with their
 +
stupid garbled language. I'm talking dating simulators. Yeah, so maybe we
 +
all play these in secret, late at night with the bedroom door locked and
 +
the music turned up so no one knows what we're doing, but who will admit
 +
to it? Not I. Ahem.
 +
 +
So, a quick google search of what is available online and in English
 +
(lemme tell you, those Japanese babes don't understand a damn word typed
 +
to them in English) gives the page:
 +
http://www.newgrounds.com/collections/datingsims.html
 +
Now, just because I typed the address does NOT mean you should go there
 +
(esp. if you're under 18). With "dating sims" like "the lusty bar fly" and
 +
"maid of horror" I think we've found a genre of game that can either
 +
appeal to the lonely fanboy or to the lonely fanboy. Depending on whether
 +
you're all about the Hentai action or the "i'm actually being social with
 +
a girl!" action. And yes, I've heard it a thousand time "the art is
 +
beautiful!" Finals comments? Here's a piece from the page: "Frank's
 +
Adventure 2:Another magazine needs nude photos! You are called in to do
 +
what you do best!"
 +
 +
Ahh, a game that goes traight to hell, does not pass go, and sure as hell
 +
didn't collect my $200 : Dark Angel. I think this was a PS2 release that
 +
was originally made for the PS1. I'm sure when it was originally made the
 +
quality control division at Sony decided to burn the CDs, burn the
 +
computers they were programmed on, and then burn the programmers just to
 +
make sure the virus was contained.
 +
 +
It wasn't. Sometime after the release of the PS2 we received a copy of
 +
Dark Angel... and about 4 hours later (I played it for 4 solid hours help
 +
me god i want those moments back to live differently!) I stood up and I
 +
was physically hurt by the game. My ass, which has taken all sorts of
 +
punishment over the years, was physically beat. I was walking funny and
 +
swearing at the PS2 for the rest of the night and early into the next
 +
morning.
 +
 +
The story of Dark Angel? Well-the game starts up, some text flashes on
 +
screen about how some terrrrrible evil is going to kill all human kind in
 +
like, three years, and then the game starts with you, a sword, and a
 +
shitload of guys around you who are there to kill you. From here you find
 +
out that you're some not-quite-3D girl with a sword, some magic, and a
 +
willingness to hack-and-slash for longer periods of time then it would
 +
take to code Diablo III. My sister loaned me this game saying "this isn't
 +
very good" whereas if I had understood double speak I would've heard her
 +
say "I place a gypsy curse upon your ass! Pain! Pain for all eternity!"
 +
Yeah, go sis.
 +
 +
What makes this game go straight to hell? Well, besides the
 +
not-fun-in-any-way-gameplay, not-so-great-graphics, and
 +
complete-lack-of-story? How about the not-fun-control system,
 +
huge-ass-pains that come about from even viewing footage of gameply, or
 +
lack of purpose to what you do in the game? You go to town. You leave
 +
town. You fight. Days pass. Evil isn't here yet! Go back to town. Leave
 +
town. Figh. Days pass... evil still not ready... lather, rinse, repeat for
 +
as many times as you can stand to do so.
 +
 +
Honestly, Barbie Mall Shopping might even be more fun than that one. Not
 +
like I ever played or owned the Barbie mall shopping game, I'm just
 +
saying. You know. It might be more fun.
 +
 +
But this is an anime club newsletter, right? Where are all the anime-based
 +
games? Well. For the most part they suck, I'm sorry. Robotech came out a
 +
bit ago and while it's fun, if you're not hardcore Macross fan then you
 +
probably wont get a big kick out of it. The .Hack games? Well-I hear those
 +
are actually beyond decent and in the land of "good," but what do I know
 +
about a game I haven't even played yet? ArctheLad is well... yeah,
 +
nevermind it. The Gundam games looked cool, but I didn't see the point
 +
to running around a desert with what seemed infinite ammo and countless
 +
targets.
 +
 +
Oh my god, I'm late for a class that was cancelled! Ahhh, back to the
 +
point of this newsletter.
 +
 +
**SHAMELESS PLUG**
 +
(i hope you enjoy this as much as i do)
 +
 +
Like anime/video game soundtracks? J-pop? J-rock? Weeeelllll, KCPR 91.3FM
 +
has a show for you! Arigato Tokyo! Tuesdays, 5-6pm. Anime & Videogame
 +
Soundtracks, Japanese pop and allll sorts of things from the island that
 +
brought you your favorite addiction-anime.
 +
 +
**END OF SHAMELESS PLUG**
 +
 +
Ooh, that felt good. I'm not even hosting it this quarter and I figured
 +
I'd let you all know about it. Listen next Tuesday and give Cowboy Andy a
 +
call (or two). I'm sure he'd appreciate it for about 15 minutes.
 +
 +
See you all in club this Saturday! Avoid the Noid!
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Feb 7 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb  6 01:25:23 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san!
 +
 +
Another week... another 168 hours lost to a)sleeping b)gaming c)anime
 +
d)schoolwork e)eating f)classes. Yes, in that order. Although, sometimes
 +
gaming outdoes sleeping, but that's rare.
 +
 +
NEWS:
 +
 +
I'm going to announce this again, because it was so cool. We have a
 +
winning T-shirt design for the year, and if you want one I think we'll be
 +
researching prices sooooon... and taking orders VERY soon after that. So
 +
check out the website www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub for the design.
 +
 +
Library is still open! I think most of you don't realize the treasure
 +
chest this club has, in terms of what is in the library. Check out the
 +
website for info on what we have (3000 miles in search of mother!!! and
 +
Black Heaven!!!) and send a letter to the librarian if you need anything
 +
from that list.
 +
 +
Officer Elections are around the corner. Yep, it's that time of year
 +
again. The current officers are planning on moving on, graduating,
 +
leaving, or perhaps just taking some time to ourselves so we can drink
 +
more. It's really just that if a club doesn't have new leadership cycle
 +
through then it becomes stagnant and we rrreally don't want that.
 +
 +
We, the current officers, really do love this club (for various reasons
 +
I'm sure) and we want some people who think they can run this club to step
 +
up to the plate. Sure, maybe you've never been VP for a club before, but
 +
this isn't a management position at a big-time store, this is just a club.
 +
Remember that you're doing this because you want to do this, and if you've
 +
got even a little amount of spare time during the week you'll be great in
 +
this position. The only time that things get crazy is when you're at a
 +
pictionary party and up being forced to draw Conneticut blindfolded.
 +
Otherwise, it's a blast.
 +
 +
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE:
 +
 +
5:00 Yamamoto Yohko TV - Ep 1 : Okay, "...exceptional physical prowess and
 +
videogaming skills." 'Nuff said?
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 39 : Devil's Triangle
 +
 +
5 min. break : One of these days we're just gonna HAVE to show an ep. of
 +
Golden Boy for FansubO' again.
 +
 +
5:55 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 37 : Emperor Neo
 +
6:20 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 38 : ... To Space
 +
 +
5 min. break : Despite the website's ominous fortelling, Nadia will end
 +
NEXT WEEK. A final, last, and kinda sad (but fulfilling!) episode.
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 62 :
 +
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 12 :
 +
 +
30 Minute Break : Probably not this week, but maybe next week it looks
 +
like we'll have some AMV's from a former club member.
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 13 : No Guard Strategy - S - Midterm Test -
 +
Formation - Ability
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 13 : Season of Hell
 +
 +
5 min. break : What the hell do the lyrics to Noir's opening theme mean?
 +
Then again, what the hell do the lyrics to Berserk mean?
 +
 +
9:10 Hellsing - Ep 13 : Hellfire
 +
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 13 : Trouble Soaring Through Heaven
 +
 +
That's all folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
So earlier today I was hopped up on caffeine. You should've been there - I
 +
headbutted a concrete wall, a soda can (it was empty, don't worry), and
 +
realized how cool I look when I pose in the mirror.
 +
 +
Ever had that feeling of utter and complete doom? I felt that last night.
 +
I was in the lab (like most nights, actually) getting work done-or-trying
 +
to get work done. It was a bit rowdy in there, and so I pull out my
 +
handy-dandy-super-trusty MiniDisc player. And then I dropped it.
 +
 +
Yep. My only savior in the island of chaos, and I betrayed it to the
 +
forces of gravity. I plugged in my headphones, hit play, and then silently
 +
cried the tears of a broken and utterly defeated man. I nearly walked out
 +
to the balcony (we're on the 3rd floor) and threw that piece of very
 +
expensive electronics very, very far.
 +
 +
Instead I decided to bite my lip, pour one for my fallen comrade, and move
 +
on with my life. It also helps that Sony is coming out with a new MiniDisc
 +
format that is no less amazing then the rumors of your mother's
 +
performance in bed (if those rumors are true then I don't feel so bad for
 +
laughing).
 +
 +
Sorry, I'm not supposed to be mean. It just sorta slipped. Sigh...
 +
mantra... "I don't need this anger... I don't need this anger..."
 +
 +
Okay, all better.
 +
 +
I think we'll be able to throw on some AMV's by an old club alumnus either
 +
this week or next. I have no idea if he/she's got any skills, but either
 +
way you gotta support your comrades-in-arms, especially when your option
 +
is yet ANOTHER GuiltyGear tournament video.
 +
 +
Of course, I'd still love to see how they got those monkeys to fly in the
 +
Wizard of Oz. I mean, wow-have you seen that film? Or more importantly,
 +
have you seen that film while listening to the dark side of the moon (Pink
 +
Floyd)? Or even MORE importantly, have you seen that film, with the Pink
 +
Floyd album playing, while "relaxed"? Well, yeah... okay, I can't claim to
 +
be that cool either, but having done all three separately I think it'd be
 +
pretty cool to combine them. You know, like that time when I was a kid and
 +
I combined a Chocolate Chip Cookie, Mustard, Wheat Bread, Mayonaise,
 +
Lettuce, Swiss Cheese and made the sandwhich to whoop all other
 +
sandwhiches.
 +
 +
The first bite tasted pretty good actually, but I think that was just my
 +
body attempting to rationalize the flavor in my mouth. The second bite...
 +
yeah. I immediately went to the trash can and vowed never to play God
 +
again, lest I vomit mustard and chocolate all over my pants a second time.
 +
There's really just no explanation you can give people for brown and
 +
mustard-colored stains. I mean... you try, but they really don't believe
 +
you.
 +
 +
And for the last fucking time:
 +
 +
HERE IS THE STORY OF HOW I GOT MY SUPER-MYSTICAL NICKNAME "K"
 +
 +
Freshman year. Fall quarter, 1998. I am living in Sierra Madre (on-campus
 +
housing). I write a quote on the whiteboard on my door, "yadda yadda yadda
 +
Lord Of Chaos." This of course, causes all the people on my floor to begin
 +
calling me the Lord Of Chaos.
 +
 +
Now, don't get me wrong-that's a fucking cool name when you're 18 and a
 +
freshman in college. My friend, however, thought it was too long to use in
 +
casual conversation (at least he didn't start calling me the Warthog) and
 +
began to call me "K" as in the first syllable of "chaos."
 +
 +
Pretty damn simple, eh? I SHALL NEVER UTTER THIS STORY AGAIN.
 +
 +
Thank god, it's finally over. Five years... or is it six now? Anyway, many
 +
many many retellings of the story later, I'm fed up with it.
 +
 +
I'd love to have a new nickname, but it's hard to stop the inertia of a
 +
name.
 +
 +
Also, to set the record straight-despite rumors to the contrary, I never
 +
owned that damned-straight-to-hell Barbie Mall Shopping game.
 +
 +
Although I do own a nintendo, with a bunch of games, and some were my
 +
sisters... ahem...
 +
 +
What was my point?
 +
 +
Oh yeah, the damn cat pee'd on the thing! He's neutered now. Fucker. I
 +
mean, he can still pee I guess, but not on my classic NES system! Not
 +
again, anyhow. So... I guess I'll pay someone to comeover and clean it and
 +
the games? And... uh... for the slave labor I might even pay you in
 +
something worthwhile, like food or drinks... probably not cash though,
 +
I've got about $5 to last me (and my anime/manga addictions) for another
 +
week or two.
 +
 +
And if you do find that Barbie Mall Shopping game in the bag full of
 +
cat-smelling old-school games, uhm... just lemme know and I'll go hide it
 +
somewhere deep in my room and promise me you wont tell anyone 'bout it.
 +
Thanks.
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===Minna No Manga Feb. 12===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 11 22:54:01 2004)
 +
Hi everybody!
 +
Sorry about the lack of an e-mail last week, I was about to then that
 +
silly little thing called sleep stopped me.  Anyway MNM will always be run
 +
even when I forget to do the e-mail.  If for some reason MNM is cancelled,
 +
I would write an e-mail saying so.
 +
 +
Anyway, Nur and U are still hunting for the big surpruse video we're
 +
saving for MNM, if we find it, we'll be sure to bring it.  Or else we can
 +
just watch another ep of Futurama off of Josho's laptop.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Feb 14 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb 13 00:14:15 2004)
 +
Okay. If you're at this weekends meeting you're as big a dork as we are.
 +
That, or your girl/boy friend is really, really cool.
 +
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-San!
 +
 +
News! Alcohal. For thsoe ofyou at Tsurugi's tonight-you understand that
 +
statement. Let me tell you, 11:49PM AND IT'S STILL GOIN STROING! Yes. Oh
 +
yes.
 +
 +
Officer elections are coming up. If you thought VP was easy wait 'till you
 +
hear about secretary! Except they'll probably expect you to doooo work,
 +
unlike lazy-ass me. Those fliers were pretty cool though. You gotta admit
 +
that, and the weekly newsletter has come out pretty much, well... weekly.
 +
I try to get it out by Wed., but I had a take-home midterm that has been
 +
kicking my ass for the past 48 hours. Otherwise, some subtitling (we'll
 +
show you how-it's real easy) and an hour/two to write the weekly
 +
newsletter each week and you're done. A flier at the beginning of the
 +
quarter can always be pawned off on your photoshop friend, if need be.
 +
 +
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE!!
 +
(no ep titles this week, must write letter then go save save Neverwinter!)
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub O': I really, really liked last week's Yamamoto Yohko.
 +
5:25 HanaYori Dango - Ep 40
 +
 +
5 min. break : So... I skipped class today at 4pm so I could go make
 +
myself into the literary genius I am right now.
 +
 +
5:55 Nadia : Secret of Blue Water - Ep 39 : The grand finale. No really,
 +
it's the ending and there's no more. It's pretty daaaamn sweet also.
 +
6:20 Kokoro Library - Ep 1 : What the hell is this? I don't know either,
 +
but it's pretty 'king sweet.
 +
 +
5 min break : Kokoro is talked about by EVERYONE. Well, everyone who's
 +
anyone. Maybe you dont' know anyone who's anyone? Hmmm....
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 63 : Goddamn kick that things all already!
 +
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 13 : Another ending series. You may need to bring
 +
tissues.
 +
 +
30 Min. Break! Yeah, yeah yeah. Time to get food, right? Maybe we should
 +
tell you about the officer positions, or mabye just waste your time
 +
watching more megamanII videos?
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 14 : Shopping - Meeting - The Beach! - Capturing
 +
Operation - An Adult's World
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 14 : Girls, guns, now all we're missing are Zombies!
 +
 +
5 min. break : Seriously, that's the holy triad-of movies. Girls, Guns,
 +
and Zombies. Resident Evil had it all!
 +
 +
9:10 SaiKano - ep 1 : This is called "She, The Ultimate Weapon" or "The
 +
last love story on this little planet" or something like that.
 +
9:35 Banner of the Stars - Ep 1 : Staring after Crest ended, this
 +
amazing story continues. Well, I think- I haven't seen this...
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
Okay-so tonight at Tsurugi (for those of you on the other mailing list,
 +
the minnanomembers@<removed for spam reasons> you knew all about this meeting!!) we
 +
had a dinner get-together.
 +
 +
A good amount of people showed up, including me! Unfortunately, as I
 +
realized pretty quickly-I was the only one who was so amazingly shitfaced
 +
when he showed up that i can't even remember half the dinner.
 +
 +
I have vague recollections of leaning on a freshman and pointing and
 +
laughing at TomDave, but besides that I think Imight have made an ass out
 +
of myself in front of Rebeca. Damn. Not cool, right? Exacly-except that
 +
tomorrow is the big naughty-gothic-schoolchildren party!
 +
 +
Don't ask. If you're not invited, you're probably not welcome. Of course,
 +
would you want to be invited to the naughty-gothic-schoolchildren party
 +
anyway? I'm going 'cause of a girl.
 +
 +
A fiiiiine girl.
 +
 +
We're not talking the kind of girl who makes your head turn when she walks
 +
by, we're talking the kind of girl who makes your jaw drop and your heart
 +
stop and your brain stop working regularly. Stupind things come out of my
 +
mouth when she's around, and I can feel my face contort into some sort of
 +
"smile" type facsimile when she looks at me. I need to get over this
 +
retardedness otherwise I'll never lure her close enough to get to know me
 +
and my amazingly smoooooth self.
 +
 +
So yeah, party tomorrow night. I'm kinda stoked I might see this girl
 +
again.
 +
 +
Problem? Yeah, of course there's a problem. She's a bit younger age-wise.
 +
Not too much, but enough for me to say that I've been out of the dorms for
 +
many years and she's just finishing up her 2nd year in them.
 +
 +
So what to do? Continue along and hope for a romance that will make me the
 +
laughing stock of all my friends or do I give up and remain the laughing
 +
stock of all my friends (yeah, they're really not all that nice).
 +
 +
I say... go for it! I think I might actually be able to have a
 +
"valentine's day" for the first time in years in which I actually had a
 +
valentine on said day!
 +
 +
Of course, if you show up on Saturday and I'm looking pretty bummed that
 +
means nothing happened and I maybe prone to hugging you during the break
 +
and asking for your hand in marriage (don't worry, it happens alot, it
 +
passess pretty quickly).
 +
 +
Problem is I don't know your ring size, so I guess I'll just have to
 +
propose half-assed when I ask you for your hand in marriage.
 +
 +
Ouch my throat hurts.
 +
 +
I think I might have caught something? Or maybe I shouldn't have drank all
 +
those drinks followed by all those other drinks... really, shots followed
 +
by Martini Chasers. Yeah, smart idea. Real smart.
 +
 +
Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty okay right now. I wish I was saving
 +
Neverwinter, but sleep may be calling me right now. I do, after all, have
 +
to make it to all of my ZERO Friday classes. ^_^ Woo-hoo! Oh yeah, 4 day
 +
weekend for me.
 +
 +
If noone hadmentioned that this Saturday was Valentine's day I wouldn't
 +
have notic4ed-at all.. Instead, someone had to mention it and now I am
 +
wishing I wasn't such a damn loser! Perhaps next year I'll rock out with
 +
two girls on my arm to make up for this year? Or maybe I'll be working
 +
next year's Valentine day early-getting ready for rejection 365 days
 +
early.
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna no Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
-woo I'm tired, I'm seeping triple! This is amazing!yy
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===MNM, FF Crystal Chronicles, Pictionary===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 18 20:33:07 2004)
 +
Here, three, three, three announcements in one.
 +
 +
As usual MNM will be meeting this week in 14-252, what's special about
 +
this week's meeting is that we will (hopefully) be playing Final Fantasy
 +
Crystal Chronicles in the room a couple of doors down.  If you have a GBA
 +
and a link cable come join the caravan!
 +
 +
Also, this is kinda short notice, but pictionary is on at Ben's place this
 +
FRIDAY (2/20/04), there's no definate start time, but I guess people
 +
should be there by say...6 PM
 +
 +
If there are any questions shoot an e-mail to the member's list on
 +
yahoogroups.
 +
 +
Hope to see you there!
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Feb 21 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Feb 19 14:11:09 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san!
 +
 +
Ahhh... a week of exceptional midterms, exams, presentations, papers, and
 +
the occasional Pint Night. I hope school isn't getting you down, and if
 +
you're out of school well, I'm sorry-really I am.
 +
 +
THE NEWS:
 +
(all the news that's print to fit? I'm not a witty person, d'oh!)
 +
 +
Pictionary Party! Yeah, I'm guessing you already got that message, but
 +
I'll repeat it because as they told me over and over, "Repetition is Key!"
 +
So if you don't know where Ben's place is then e-mail around (either us
 +
here or the Minna-no-members list that you should be on!!) and get
 +
directions. It's really deceptively simple, except for actually finding
 +
his house behind this gigantic hedge-maze thing. I swear, I rolled up to
 +
his house and spent half-an-hour walking up and down the street looking
 +
for his house, only to realize it was behind what I thought was some sort
 +
of cancerous-green-growth.
 +
 +
Officer Elections! I, uh, think they're this week. No, wait-I'm SURE they
 +
are this week! Come, stand in front of everyone and let them know exactly
 +
how much better than me you can write! Trust me... I really, really would
 +
love to see one of you doing this job instead of me. I'm sure some of you
 +
feel the same way.
 +
 +
As far as I know, all the officer positions are up for grabs! So, if
 +
you're a Poly student and you've never held a position in a club then this
 +
is a great place to cut your chops. Learn what it means to have SAY in
 +
something as awesome as this club.
 +
 +
That's right, Officers pick shows. (did you like the capital "O") You like
 +
KittyGrade? MasterCookingBoy? FullMetalPanicFumoffu? Mahoro Season 2
 +
(pleeeeaaasseeee!!)? Technolyze? PrincessNine (f**k yeah!)? Anyway-this
 +
list goes on a while. Just remember, it'll be up to YOU to decide what
 +
gets shown on our THEATER size screen. It's kinda like being king-geek,
 +
without being a geek... so it's really like being king! Or, you know-queen
 +
if you're not a kingly type.
 +
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE:
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub O: (hopefully) the Return of Kaliedostar!
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 41 : The Beginning of New Ways
 +
 +
5 min. break : I'll admit it... i like soap operas... involving Hanawaza
 +
Rui...
 +
 +
5:55 Kokoro Library - Ep 1 :
 +
6:20 Patlabor - Ep 14 : You win!
 +
 +
5 min. break : Although, I've never seen Meteor Garden (friend has like, a
 +
bunch of these Taiwanese live-action HYDango VCDs)
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 64 : Tahoutou's Huge Demon (heeheehe....)
 +
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 1 : The Visitor
 +
 +
30 Minute Break : Officer Elections! You know you want the power of
 +
holding the gray cash-box. Or you could be El Presidente!
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 15 : Kimura's Family - Did You See That? - The
 +
Unconfirmed Wife - Frozen Solid - Results Announcement
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 15 : Heartless Assassin Act I
 +
 +
5 min. break : I say we toast our new officers! And then wish them all the
 +
luck in the world in attempting to figure out a schedule before August,
 +
suckers.
 +
 +
9:10 Saikano - Ep 2 : I'm growing...
 +
9:35 Crest of the Stars 2 : Operation Phantom Flame
 +
 +
That's All Folks!!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
Sniff... sniff... did you SEE Saikano last week? You ever gotten ahold of
 +
that manga? Damn that's the saddest last love song on this little planet.
 +
Anyway, moving on past my sensitive side-and on to the "i can't feel my
 +
face" side of things.
 +
 +
Pictionary this Friday? Perhaps you've heard legends tell of this mighty
 +
game capable of bringing people together in less than a weeks notice. I've
 +
seen gigantic block parties in full swing which are less energetic then a
 +
bunch of people yelling at someone "it's a goddamn frog! you're drawing a
 +
frog! what the hell is it!? It's a froooog!" As if by merely yelling at
 +
them that what you see is a frog shall make it so, even if what you're
 +
really drawing is a rifle.
 +
 +
Added bonus to Friday's Pictionary Party? Well, besides the fact that
 +
yours truly shall make a much needed (and sober) appearance, is that
 +
you'll be there also. The more people actually decide to show up the more
 +
fun things become! So don't be that person who thinks "well... no one's
 +
gonna be there..." because last time we had upwards of nearly 2-dozen
 +
people. That's right. And not all of them are your usual Club members. We
 +
had people who were like "yeah, i like anime, but i don't go to club.
 +
However, I Luuuuv Pictionary!" And if you're old enough we'll let you into
 +
the "good" fridge. Otherwise, well... I guess we'll let you into the good
 +
fridge anyway, we're kinda relaxed like that. And like last time, I will
 +
gladly exchange rides for physical contact (massages, headbutts, hits on
 +
people, embarrising loss of thumb-war to a 5'1" 95 lb. girlie-girl) or
 +
whatnot.
 +
 +
Hey-okay... now we're getting serious here. After sending out the invite
 +
we got invited ourselves into someone else's Caravan-which we're very cool
 +
with. In fact, we're thinking of joining, but it looks like we're pretty
 +
much only free on Wednesdays from about 7-11(maybe midnight). So, if
 +
anyone else out there wants to join us in our merger of caravans let us
 +
know! We could use someone to carry the chalice for us, after all.
 +
 +
Ahem... time for my improvised State of the Consumer Address.
 +
 +
This is a great time for buyers of anime, such as you and me. However, we
 +
must still be wary of where our hard-earned money is headed. Perhaps you
 +
realize too late that you like the manga for KareKano more than you like
 +
the anime or vice-versa? Where does that leave you? Or even worse, a deal
 +
so good on that Bebop soundtrack that it's too good to be true? Probably
 +
is, unfortunately.
 +
 +
For quite some time the older anime crowd has been using the wonders of
 +
the internet to purchase anything we needed, since that used to be the
 +
only way to get anything (besides SailorMoon and DBZ). Now? Well, now you
 +
can head down to Suncoast in your local mall and peruse their GIGANTIC
 +
anime collection. The amount of titles coming out in America is amazing.
 +
It used to be you'd only dream of a show like FMP ever making it
 +
mainstream enough to be released in the states, and now shows like R.O.D.
 +
the TV are licensed before they even air in Japan.
 +
 +
This is good for the consumer. We have access to more shows at a cheaper
 +
rate. After all, Region 2 DVDs imported from Japan are about 2-to-1 in
 +
price compared to their American counterparts (if not more). Sometimes
 +
there is quality with that increase in price, and rarely will you feel you
 +
got the shaft.
 +
 +
This is also a problem. With an increased market size and value, anime has
 +
seen more and more bootleg videos appear in more commercial stores.
 +
Previous to this gigantic explosion of popularity one could head to
 +
Chinatown (SF) and find what they were looking for on VCD if they were
 +
lucky. It was a bootleg and it was accepted as such, no disclaimers
 +
otherwise. Today though, fancier packaging and "complete ultra!" box-sets
 +
featuring entire 26 episode shows (which are normally on 3 DVDs or
 +
something just as insane) can be found at local mom-'n-pop stores and
 +
sometimes in the non-chain stores in your local mall.
 +
 +
But it's cheaper, so it's better for you, right? Well, what you're
 +
effectively doing by spending your money on a bootleg is telling the
 +
company that produced, marketed, licensed, and distributed the official
 +
product that you don't want their item while at the same time informing
 +
bootleggers that you agree with their cheaper, non-licensed way of doing
 +
business. I really don't want to get into intellectual property rights,
 +
copyright law, or paying the creater arguments. I just want to lay it out
 +
for you what is happening.
 +
 +
Sometimes its hard to tell between the official and bootleg version, and
 +
a lot of people don't even know what's going on with respect to this. A
 +
quick way to check is inspect the box for copyright markings by the
 +
company that produced the show (Bandai, Sunrise, Pioneer, etc.) or a known
 +
bootlegger (SonMay-although I think they only do music, etc.). Chinese
 +
subtitles are also pretty common among bootleg discs, as most bootlegs
 +
originate in Taiwan (they have the weirdest copyright laws).
 +
 +
So, for us poor college students this puts us in an odd place. On one hand
 +
most of us feel fine downloading songs to our hearts content, after all
 +
music is over-priced and the record industry is corrupt. Sure, the artist
 +
in that case makes even less money off of CD-sales since people normally
 +
download and then burn the album without giving it a second thought. Okay,
 +
now movies are similar, right? After all, if $16 a CD is too much to pay,
 +
$26 is too much for a DVD, right? If $16 is too much to pay for a CD which
 +
I will listen to over and over again, then $26 is definitely too much to
 +
pay for a Movie/Show I will watch a few times every few months.
 +
 +
At the same time, however, you're avoiding the fact that someone (a lot of
 +
someones, actually) had to create the entertainment you're enjoying. A CD
 +
is created by a lot of people, not just the artist. At least the studio
 +
techs, marketing people, talent scout (to find the artist in the first
 +
place), business people, etc. A lot of people worked to bring you that
 +
product. Now think about that DVD you just got bootleg. You bypassed all
 +
those people who worked on mastering that disc. Instead your money is
 +
being routed to someone who took a finished product (without making any
 +
investment into it) and sold it as their own. If you don't find this
 +
morally wrong then I have no other argument you will likely listen to.
 +
 +
The issues of quality control and bonus extras also come to the front when
 +
discussing bootleg discs. However, most people are willing to sacrifice
 +
these in order to save the price of a meal or two at a fast food
 +
restaurant.
 +
 +
Okay, sorry-didn't mean to rant about bootlegs. I just saw some
 +
less-than-legit discs the other day and got a little annoyed. I had to
 +
slap one of my roomate's hands to keep her away from the bebop discs she
 +
was eyeing.
 +
 +
Anyway, here's a joke to loosen things up. If you're not an Aero engineer
 +
you might not get it, and even if you did you'd probably throw a tomatoe
 +
at me for good measure.
 +
 +
So, flow walks into a difuser and starts looking around. The diffuser
 +
walls yell at it, "Hey! Stop stalling!" [insert nerdy laugh]
 +
 +
Goodnight folks!
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
 +
 +
-p.s. my bad cookie fortune was "Your heart is impure, and your mind
 +
clouded, and your soul evil." Upon opening another fortune cookie I
 +
received "it may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a
 +
warning to others."
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Pictionary Friday===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb 20 03:41:06 2004)
 +
Minna-san,
 +
 +
Because none of the officers seem to remember where I live, and I
 +
apparently have nothing better to do at 3:30 in the morning (*sigh*), I'm
 +
going to make sure that everybody knows my email address so that they can
 +
contact me for directions:
 +
 +
benl@<removed for spam reasons>
 +
 +
I'd say not to give it out to spammers, but judging by the amount of spam
 +
that I already get, I don't think that's really an issue anymore.  Thank
 +
God for spam filters that actually work!
 +
 +
-Ben
 +
-MNA Pictionary Party Host
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===MNM 02-25-04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 25 23:23:07 2004)
 +
I'll keep this one short and sweet (mostly because I have a big, nasty
 +
midterm tomorrow)...
 +
 +
Thursday 7-10
 +
Building 14 room 252
 +
 +
We'll do stuff...cool stuff.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Feb. 28 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Feb 26 22:08:49 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san
 +
 +
Not much pre-letter stuff to say. Check the rant for the, uh, rant.
 +
 +
NEWS:
 +
 +
Officers have been elected! Yes, a democracy at work elected new officers
 +
for all positions.
 +
 +
El Presidente : Mike "kinda-reminds-us-of-Santa"
 +
Vice Presidente : Annaliese "Sonya-Blade-For-Those-In-The-Know"
 +
Treasurer : Ashlee
 +
"I-Don't-Know-This-Person-Enough-To-Be-In-The-Least-Witty"
 +
Secretary : David "Mr. Opinion" Bathe
 +
Librarian : Rob "With-That-Hat-Used-To-Have-That-Hair"
 +
Webmaster : Stephen
 +
"Real-Quiet-But-I-Still-Wouldn't-Get-In-A-Fight-With-Him"
 +
 +
Phew. Okay, sorry-had to give you an idea of just exactly which "stephen"
 +
or "ashlee" I was talking about since the club is filled with these people
 +
of regular/common names. I mean, just last week I ran across 17 stephens
 +
sitting on the right side of the silo alone. Keeping their names straight
 +
was hard when I found out one was lying to me and in fact, her name was
 +
really Stephanie. That just blew my mind.
 +
 +
Ahh... the end of the quarter is soon upon us! Yep, with spring break
 +
arriving we'll be showing you guys an amazing movie at our last meeting!
 +
We're still deliberating the finer points of our possible choices, but by
 +
next week we should have a decision hammered out.
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE:
 +
(sorry, super busy this week-no ep titles, ask me on Sat. and I'll tell
 +
you about my depression/counselor meeting thingies! Oh yeah... manic baby!
 +
Manic!)
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub O': Something you know is gonna be good
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 42 : Doumyouji does something stupid again
 +
 +
5 min. break : On Friday afternoon I'll be playing baseball if anyone
 +
wants to join
 +
 +
5:55 Kokoro Library - Ep 2 : Why Kokoro, you look good enough to eat!
 +
6:20 Patlabor - Ep 15 : Damn those mecha are cool
 +
 +
5 min. break : And I need an x-acto knife. These damn models aren't coming
 +
off the plastic as well as they could be... sandpaper too...
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 65 : About time for another comical episode, I think?
 +
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 2 : If you missed last weeks episode, I'm really
 +
sorry. It was cool.
 +
 +
30 Minute Break : I wonder how many members in club own airsoft guns? We
 +
should get together, form a club/league, and then go shoot each other
 +
until our friends think we're all idiots.
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 16 : Combination - Advent - Cute - Order -
 +
Advertising Impact
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 16 : Duuude-that guy/girl thing with the knives was pretty
 +
cool
 +
 +
5 min. break : Ahh... my third of being in the caravan. Diary Entry #
 +
3572.b - Today I met a caravan from place X. They were in need of item Y.
 +
I gave them the finger. I hope to meet them again.
 +
 +
9:10 Saikano - Ep 3 : If you can find the manga for this show, do it!
 +
9:35 Crest of the Stars 2 - Ep 3 : I'm still in the air about what to call
 +
this show. Amazing or really amazing?
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
No time for a rant! I must get back to work! Yes... Thursday night... and
 +
I'm still working. I bet you're wondering "But... how can a slacker like
 +
you actually DO anything?"
 +
 +
Well, it's not easy. First you've gotta actually have something to do.
 +
After that, well-it all sorta falls into line. You set aside some time for
 +
whatever you have priorities set for, and then when that time comes you
 +
simply begin what you need to do.
 +
 +
Example: showering. Now, I know that I don't put a high priority on this
 +
and I really don't care much how I smell or how clean my flesh is. Truth
 +
is, this is lower on the priority scale than playing just about any video
 +
game (except for Barbie Mall Shopping...), and it will probably stay that
 +
way until a lot of people yell at me for smelling like cat-urine or
 +
something equally despicable. But-in the morning when I think about it
 +
sometimes, the priority level of showering rises enough to warrent time
 +
before video games. So-I put the controller down, turn off the Cube, and
 +
proceed immediately to the closest bathing-station. As for how long I take
 +
in the shower and how it is unrelated to how clean I come out, well-like I
 +
said-it's still low on my priority list.
 +
 +
Another example: Retaining my sanity and keeping out of manic-depressive
 +
curves which I am currently in. Okay, so-you'd think you'd want to keep
 +
your mind nice and clean if you don't keep your body clean, right? RIGHT.
 +
This is high on my priority list, hence-the associated video games and
 +
anime high priorities, but it doesn't mean I'll always get it done! It is
 +
high on the list and so I try to set aside a lot of time making sure I
 +
stay happy and noone gets killed or nothing. Sometimes, however, it just
 +
doesn't work out that way. I end up moving the base-priorities of this
 +
(anime, vid games, movies, music, sleep, food, etc.) lower and lower on
 +
the list as I end up doing more and more work, nothing, coughing, feeling
 +
like I have mono, etc.
 +
 +
Hmm... okay, nevermind. I think I just ran out of time for my writing this
 +
letter. I have to get food and then back to work...
 +
 +
Just wanted to say one last thing which you all had better understand, and
 +
if not-then go out and figure it out immediately-it's really funny. "Touch
 +
my TV and your 'king dead!"
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary (not for much longer...)
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===MNM 3/4/04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Mar  3 19:23:29 2004)
 +
Again Minna no Manga meets in CSC bulding (14) room 252 from 7-10 pm
 +
 +
Perhaps we may watch more Japanese TV shows
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Mar. 7 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Mar  4 00:19:29 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san
 +
 +
1)news
 +
2)schedule
 +
3)rant(?)
 +
 +
 +
THE NEWS:
 +
 +
Uhm... well... it's been a slow week. But next week we're done for the
 +
quarter. There will be a 2 week break during March 20 and 27 Saturdays,
 +
and we'll be back April 3 or something. Expect a badass movie on the 27th
 +
for our final meeting of Winter Quarter. I hope to see you all there this
 +
weekend or next!
 +
 +
Also-Tsurugi's Dinner Outing! Yes, it's that time again. Come, sign up for
 +
our quarterly dinner outing to Tsurugi-the badass Japanese food place in
 +
town. I think we'll be reserving the Tatami room (sweeeeeeet!) for Mar.
 +
14, but you need to sign up with us or we're booting you out of that room
 +
when we run out of room (and I promise you-we always do).
 +
 +
Come this Saturday to club and signup to come eat with us. Eat,
 +
Drink, And Be Merry... (for tomorrow we die-is the rest of the quote, I
 +
think-but it didn't seem appropriate)
 +
 +
 +
THE SCHEDULE:
 +
 +
5:00 Fansub Of The Week : I rrrreally liked Stellvia last week. If you did
 +
too then let the officers (new or old) know!
 +
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 43 : Kokoro no Kizu wa Fukakute Omoi
 +
 +
5 min. break : I'll try to implant Japanese titles this week if I can find
 +
them.
 +
 +
5:55 Patlabor - Ep 16 : The Unit Crosses The Sea
 +
6:20 Kokoro Library - Ep 3 : The Secret Miss Kirin
 +
 +
5 min. break : I swear, if Kokoro doesn't hole up in a clock-tower with a
 +
sniper rifle then this show is NOT going the direction I was hoping it
 +
would.
 +
 +
6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 66 : Naraku no Kekkai  Kagura no Kesshin
 +
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 3 : Fireworks
 +
 +
30 Minute Break : Okay, finding Japanese titles wasn't as easy as I
 +
thought... or, finding them and figuring out how to navigate sites wasn't
 +
as I thought.
 +
 +
8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 17 : Osaka's Scary Story - Something about
 +
Pandas? and some Karaoke and Santa Claus. I think.
 +
8:40 Noir - Ep 17 : Return to Corsica
 +
 +
5 min. break : Azumanga Daioh is one of the purest forms of crack
 +
available on the black market, did you know that?
 +
 +
9:10 Saikano - Ep 4 : (okay... there was no title for this ep on the pages
 +
I found and I'm tired...)
 +
9:35 "I'm-Sick-And-Ben-Is-An-Idiot Of The Stars" - Ep 4 : The First
 +
Campaign
 +
 +
 +
That's All Folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
Yeah, sometimes you do a search for a show and find that despite the net
 +
being "vast" and "full of information" you can not find what you're
 +
looking for.
 +
 +
Of course, do a search for KillBill and you find that Amazon is announcing
 +
April 16th as the release date for Volume 2. Yes... finally... my prayers
 +
have been answered and the world is good again.
 +
 +
For those of you who didn't see KillBill Vol.1 and have no idea what I'm
 +
talking about, let me try to be as concise as possible in educating you.
 +
KillBill kicks ass. If you like Tarantino and you like movies, and you
 +
don't have a problem with movies that are about revenge of the very human
 +
sort, then... well... yeah, this is gonna be one of your favorite films.
 +
 +
If you're David though, then you'll fail to see the badass-ness of this
 +
film and continue to berate me about how Pulp Fiction was about the
 +
violence and the "cool" while this film was not. Mr. Bathe, you are
 +
incorrect. Pulp Fiction was extremely well done violence in the fact that
 +
very little violence was actually on screen and a good portion of it was
 +
alluded to very, very well. Maybe, 5 scenes in the film show some
 +
violence, while Kill Bill is in fact-much bloodier and sadder. I'm all
 +
about the blood and the sad and the fact that Production I.G. did a scene
 +
in the film. Will they return in Volume 2? Fuck if I know, but I'm sure
 +
Tarantino would rather have us wowed by something new.
 +
 +
Now, perhaps some of you might vie me as being "mental" or in more
 +
clinically used terms "fucked up in the head." But, how many of you know
 +
that in fact-I truly AM mental? Well, today I got a call from the Cal Poly
 +
Health Center. They're in charge of their Mental Health Services and
 +
apparently they treat these "visits" (if you will) as appointments of a
 +
sort, reminiscent of your dentist.
 +
 +
"Hello, is Ahmad there? Yes, well-we just wanted to remind you that you
 +
have a dent-er, mental-health counseling appointment tomorrow at 1:45pm."
 +
 +
My reply, of course was, "umm... thanks. Bye."
 +
 +
I mean, what do you say to the person who is neither your doctor, nor your
 +
friend about your tendancies to... well, I'd better not tell you guys
 +
either; however, this phone jockey was a bit disturbing. I mean, do I say
 +
"why thank you! I'll inform myself later after I've finished the chicken
 +
sacrifice!" or do I simply reply with "Jamshid no home! jamshid lie in
 +
hole... afraid of boogey-man-sun-goober-popcorn!"
 +
 +
Truly, perhaps between the combined mental-ness of everyone on this
 +
mailing list we can come up with something really, really memorable to say
 +
to this person-NAY-ALL PHONE JOCKEYS!! Yes, I say we come up with a list,
 +
and whenever anyone of us gets a call we reply to these telemarketers and
 +
secretaries with something insanely witty. Something they'll be telling
 +
their children that night over dinner it'll be so amazing the stuff we
 +
come up with.
 +
 +
"Actually, no... I'm sorry, he can't make his mental health exam this
 +
week. No, you see he's left for the Hoover Dam. Something about
 +
cliff-diving, I think?"
 +
 +
"Dentist appointment? Shiiiiit, that would've been great a week ago before
 +
he got those fucking molars knocked out. Yeah, this car was backing up and
 +
he didn't see it..."
 +
 +
"Long distance companies? No, I'm sorry-I actualy PREFER your competitor
 +
because they're more expensive. You see, it's like this-you guys are
 +
fucking bastards. They, however-are nice guys. I know them, they're
 +
cool-we play poker sometimes. You are like the kid down the street who
 +
harrasses me 'cause of my funny hair, and now that I've grown up and am
 +
dating your sister I can walk into your room and piss on your bed."
 +
 +
I dunno... those are off the top of my head, so maybe they'll be alright.
 +
Rating system anyone? 1=shit. 2=uhm, no. 3=okay, maybe if you said it
 +
correctly. 4=that's pretty good. 5=that's really good-I'm stealing that as
 +
my own next time I'm around that cute guy/girl.
 +
 +
You know what I would love to see on the Silo's screen? Beach Spikers
 +
Volleyball! Yeah. That would rock. Rocketh. That would rocketh. Sega makes
 +
some amazing games, and the best part is you can pick it up and within
 +
five minutes know all the controls-considering there's only one button to
 +
press-two if it's really complicated.
 +
 +
None of this tap punch, forward, forward, half-circle back, kick,
 +
punch+kick+double-forward dash crap. No, I'm talking Monkey Ball here
 +
people! Simple, pleasureable, fun. Of course, I'm not bad-mouthing complex
 +
games or nothing. It's just that Bible Adventures was stupid. Sorry,
 +
tangent-but I had to get it off my chest-that game sucked.
 +
 +
Hey-who wants to learn Japanese? I've let my studies rrrreally fall behind
 +
and I was thinking about how much fun I had when I went to the Land Of The
 +
Rising Sun last summer and how I love run-on sentances. So yeah, anyone
 +
want to get together and study/learn Japanese? I can teach you
 +
basic-basics. But other than that, I can just tell you stupid stories of
 +
how we took body-shots off of cute japanese girls and then got laughed at
 +
by other cute japanese girls, oh-and apparently the words "fuck this
 +
underwear is riding my ass" are universal. That or their high-school
 +
English teachers are a lot cooler than ours.
 +
 +
So yeah, if anyone wants to get togehter-like... during Minna No Manga or
 +
something and actually learn some foreign language skills (I can,
 +
however-teach you how to hit on girls in Japan. It's even easier if they
 +
speak English!) like how to hold your own in Japan at all sorts of things
 +
ranging from food & drink to beating up old ladies who steal your luck
 +
while playing Pachinco (or whatever that stupid game is called).
 +
 +
Oh-and of course, there are a few key phrases you neeeed to know to
 +
absolutely, positively impress any and all Japanese folk. If you can blurt
 +
these things out and say them with a good accent or even sound like you're
 +
remotely attempting an accent-then like yeah... you're in the club, man.
 +
Or woman, sorry for being so gender biased. Hmm... okay, to un-gender-bias
 +
myself I guess I should start saying things like, "Guys or girls I shall
 +
teach you how to hit on guys or girls."
 +
 +
Oh, and if I've never mentioned their fireworks before-dude... Japan has
 +
fireworks. What we've got here in the states? No, we've got bottle
 +
rockets. I'm just saying, it may be time to repeat my fireworks/sex
 +
analogy. Ever notice how with fireworks things sorta just start? You're
 +
hanging out, knowing it's gonna happen, but not sure when. And then...
 +
poof. The first one flies through the sky. From there it's just natural
 +
progression into the next ones and eventually you have this rythm going
 +
on. Everything's good and it's going along just fine, and then it picks
 +
up. And it picks up some more and then we're approaching the climactic end
 +
of the night and it's just going crazy and we're there and the sky is lit
 +
up like crazy for just a brief few seconds. And then we're spent. In the
 +
states this is about a 30-minute cycle on the 4th, maybe 45 minutes if
 +
you're somewhere really nice. In Japan, this is like-1 hours and 45
 +
minutes. There are intermissions-it's fucking crazy.
 +
 +
Anyone been to Germany? I was thinking about that country the other day.
 +
It seems like a cool place to go, although-most of Europe sounds fun when
 +
you're in SLO and you hate everything around you. Except for Taj
 +
Palace-those guys/girls rock. Best damn Indian food for at least 250 miles
 +
(or however far Cerritos is).
 +
 +
Whoa-I better keep this short. Don't forget the dinner at Tsurugi's-you
 +
need to sign up!! And the movie-it'll rock! I guarantee a rockin' movie!
 +
 +
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-Minna No Anime Secretary
 +
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===MNM 03-11-04===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Wed Mar 10 22:54:39 2004)
 +
Meeting...7-10 pm...14-252
 +
 +
That is all.
 +
 +
-Nik
 +
</pre>
 +
 +
===[MnA] Sat, Mar 13 Meeting===
 +
<pre>
 +
(Minna No Anime, Thu Mar 11 14:06:45 2004)
 +
Konnichiwa Minna-san
 +
 +
It's our last week of the quarter, so it's movie time! Since we're
 +
currently showing Patlabor we decided to show the first Patlabor
 +
film-which is amazing. Even if you're only sorta-into the tv-series you'll
 +
probably love this precious gem of animation and story. So, check out our
 +
altered movie-schedule and enjoy this weeks super cool meeting.
 +
 +
 +
NEWS:
 +
 +
We're still taking T-shirt sizes, I believe, so we can get a rough
 +
estimate of how many shirts we need of each size. If you're thinking of
 +
getting a shirt then let us know your size on the sign-up sheet! You can
 +
also check the design on the web-page, www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub if you
 +
haven't done that yet.
 +
 +
Movie this week. Patlabor first movie! It's really great. I can tell you
 +
that for a fact you will probably love this film. Other then that, don't
 +
forget our schedule is mixed up because of the movie. We'll be showing an
 +
altered version of our schedule up until around 8pm, at which time we'll
 +
throw on the movie. In fact, here's the schedule.
 +
 +
 +
SCHEDULE:
 +
 +
5:00 Kokoro Library - Ep 4
 +
5:25 Gunparade March - Ep 4
 +
 +
5 min. break : Kokoro March? Hmm... librarians who fight to save the
 +
world? Or Gunparade Library-soldiers who double as cute librarians?
 +
 +
5:55 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 18
 +
6:20 Noir - Ep 18
 +
 +
5 min. break : I'll pistol whip the next person who says shenanigans!
 +
 +
6:50 Saikano - Ep 4
 +
7:15 Banner of the Stars - Ep 4
 +
 +
7:40 - 30 Minute Break! Yep. Time to get some food, heat up some pop-corn,
 +
and drop another 50cents into the soda fund. Kick your feet up, relax, and
 +
enjoy the film.
 +
 +
8:10 - Patlabor 1 - Movie
 +
 +
 +
That's all folks!
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
So, it's dead week. Right? Next week is finals. And the week after that is
 +
spring break. This leaves us with only this to say - wooooohhoooooo!!!
 +
Break time! Finally! We'd better enjoy it while we can. I mean, after
 +
graduation what are the odds you'll find yourself in a job where your boss
 +
tells you, "hey-why don't we just take a week off and go hang out in TJ?"
 +
It ain't gonna happen, buddy.
 +
 +
I think we all need to realize just how coo' that is. I mean, breaks. You
 +
know-like spring break or summer break or winter break. As much as some of
 +
us hate (and I do mean hate) school, these breaks are the best. What are
 +
yooouuuu gonna do with your free time? Havasu? Tahoe? The beach? Or...
 +
like me-nothing. Absolutely, positively nothing. Just laze around the
 +
house, maybe finish some gaming, maybe do some cleaning, maybe get around
 +
to washing my clothes for the first time in 6 weeks. You know-nothing.
 +
 +
Not to change the subject, but let's change the subject. Who else is going
 +
to AX this year? We're thinking of going as a CosPlay troupe. Yep, the
 +
mechanics from Patlabor. Who else would like to support Special Vehicles
 +
Section 2? I do! I do! Yeah, I'm a dork-but I'm only a dork inspired by
 +
the collective geekiness of the club. Otherwise I'd probably be working
 +
harder on my Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles CosPlay idea. You know, the
 +
one were I get to dress as my character from the caravan and be all "cool"
 +
and "hip" and whatnot. Of course, It'd also give me a weapon to beat
 +
anyone who decided to start feeling me up (I have a female character).
 +
 +
Speaking of feeling up and beatdowns, we're gonna be at Tsurugi on the
 +
14th. I think? Yeah-there was signups last weekend for it, but there might
 +
still be a seat or two available. Check it out this week in club. I mean,
 +
it's one of our few social events outside of club meetings and it's a
 +
blast. You actually get to MEET other club members! Go figure! Despite our
 +
meetings lengthy hours and really good turnout, no one really goes up to
 +
anyone else and meets them. I don't think this happens, anyway. How many
 +
times have YOU walked up to another member and just asked them "hey, so...
 +
come here often?" or even just a simple "hi. my name is _____. what's
 +
yours?"
 +
 +
Clubs are about people who enjoy similar activities getting together and
 +
meeting each other. So-our outside of club activites are aimed at doing
 +
just that. Like, how many of you know Nur? Our resident A.I.C. would be
 +
super-pleased to meet you. Despite his quiet demeanor and constant
 +
glare-of-hatrid he's really a sweet guy who likes to receive hugs and get
 +
to meet new people. Of course he'll deny this as soon as you walk up and
 +
try to talk to him-but try harder! Then there's Erin. She's really quiet
 +
also-but compliment her on her costume from last halloween and BAM-instant
 +
conversation! El Presidente? He is a lonely, lonely man in need of
 +
companionship. Hang out with him during the big 30 minute break and you
 +
can learn all sorts of wisdomy type stuff. Ben? He's probably approached
 +
you already-he's pretty outgoing like that. Oh-and of course, David. He'll
 +
talk to you about anything as long as you're not a rock. And even then, I
 +
think I've seen him befriend rocks before. Just don't walk up and try to
 +
talk to me-I'll probably head-butt you or something. I've been known to do
 +
so during new encounters with people who scare me. That's just most of the
 +
officers-there are still more of us elderly types around (mike for example
 +
is really friendly if you offer him money) and lots of club members who I
 +
still do not know. Like-that girl who sits on the far-back-right side with
 +
the hammer. She scares me.
 +
 +
Anyone listen to opera? Or is that just me? Anyway, whatever.
 +
 +
Yeah, this is a short rant this week. I'm on meds and I have a lot of work
 +
to do-neither of which allows me the mental-state or time to sit back and
 +
let you guys know my feelings on politics, philosophy, favorite cheese and
 +
why, or love. Yes-I have a heart! It's mostly cold and made of iron-but
 +
it's all mechanical in it's pumping of blood-except when cute lil'
 +
coke-head girls are around. What? You don't have that problem? Okay -
 +
maybe I'm mental.
 +
 +
-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
 +
-minna no anime secretary (not for much longer, sniff)
 
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
 
</pre>
 
</pre>

Revision as of 20:41, 27 December 2007

Email announcements from school year 2003-2004.

Fall 2003

[MnA] Sat, Sept 27 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Sep 24 13:18:01 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

 I know, I know. It's another newsletter by that guy, isn't it? Well-have
no fear! I promise 137.4% more enjoyment from this year's newsletters over
last years.

First, the news!

First meeting of the quarter is THIS Saturday, September 27. Come back to
the Silo for what may just be one of the most ass-kicking years we've had
in a while.

I don't know how, but someone (I think Nik) sold his soul to the devil to
get us Patlabor for the year. Also, Inuyasha continues with another year
of amazingness (as it will for forever). And finishing up this year is
Hana Yori Dango, the best show no one's ever seen.

If it wasn't for Nadia you wouldn't get your Gainax fix. And of course,
the man-Yoshitoshi ABe with Haibane Renmei, the most beautiful show in the
world.

Rounding out our later hours we've got the unbelievable Azumanga Daioh,
followed by Noir (girls, guns, no zombies-but two for three ain't bad).
And finally some Hellsing and Crest of the Stars.

Halloween decorations already? Yes, I was walking through Wal-Mart (evil
den of commercialism and well-priced nerf guns) and saw the Halloween
decorations and was suddenly reminded that we're having another huge
Halloween bash. Start making your costumes today before midterms kick in!

Okay, time for the Schedule:

5:00 Fansub O' : Read Or Die the TV - ep 1
5:30 Hana Yori Dango - ep 26 : The Couple's Sleepless Night!

Break : How long has it been since you heard "ten minute break?"

6:00 Patlabor - ep 1 : Second Unit, Move Out!
6:30 Nadia : The Secret of Blue Water - ep 26 : King's On His Own

Break : I went to Japan this summer and all I got was this lousy scar.

7:00 Inuyasha - ep 51 : Inuyasha Who Lost His Heart
7:30 Haibane Renmei - ep 1 : Dream Of Falling From The Sky

Break : My new school year resolution is to be less angry (note last
message about scar).

8:00 Azumanga Daioh - ep 1 : Child High School Student - She's A Genius -
Frightening Isn't It? (phew!)
8:30 Noir - ep 1 : The Maidens With Black Hands

Break : I'm a little too excited about Azumanga and Patlabor and Haibane
and...

9:00 Hellsing - ep 1 : The Undead
9:30 Crest of the Stars - ep 1 : Invasion


That's all folks!














Here now, you didn't think I'd forget to rant my insanity to you, did you?
Well, as I sit here repeating my new mantra "i don't need this anger"
repeatedly to myself, I realize-maybe I doooo need this anger.

Sure my Jamba juice tastes great, but damn that guy took like 25 minutes
making it. I could've planted my own damn apple tree in that time and
crushed the ice by foot in time to receive my now ripened apples.

So yes, what's new in the news that you guys need to hear? First-Japan is
expensive. Let no one tell you otherwise. I mean, sure-I voted to sleep in
parks but the guys I was travelling with were all about 'beds' and stuff.
Damn princesses, I tell you.

Second, and possibly more imporant than the money issue-the Japanese
Toilet is a complete mystery. I tried more than thirty positions, none of
which seemed to work. I'm beginning to think they really keep western
toilets around the corner behind signs that foreigners can't read, and
that the Japanese toilets they lead you to are all a big practical joke
against westerners. Either that or I just can't figure out how to use
them.

Finally-has anyone seen Lee around? I've got something for him (not like
how a puppy leaves you a present-but how someone who went to Japan got
something) and I have no idea where to find him.

Okay, onto the stuff on the web I need to show you. I've had three months
off from this gig, and I've been thinking-there is a lot of f***ed up
stuff on the web that I could easily subject you all to, so why haven't I
thought of this sooner?

Besides the club webpage (which you should all visit now and bookmark)
there are a lot of things out there that maybe, just maybe you would all
find interesting.

I think I found out about this through either Megatokyo or Penny-Arcade
(both of which you should probably hit up also), but it's the National
Geographic Picture Of The Day. There are some pretty damn amazing pictures
in there among all the crap with sunsets and oceans or old wrinkly people
who are rrrreally wrinkly.

http://lava.nationalgeographic.com/pod/

Second, The Parking Lot Is Full web-comic. Sure they stopped making new
ones, but that doesn't mean you can't go through the 5 or 6 years of
archives and have a good (if not great) laugh. If there is anything more
twisted and sick than this, then please let me know.

http://www.plif.com

Of course, there's always Redmeat by Max Cannon, and Derfcity by a close
friend of Dahmer, and the Boondocks (best comic being published daily) by
Aaron Macgreuger (sp?).

Hmm... that was a lot of comic talk, wasn't it? I guess I should talk
about something more manly or macho here.

So uhh... oh yeah! Our out-of-club social event this quarter/year!

A Catapult! How about it minna? A Minna No Anime Catapult!! I think we'll
be a smash hit at Open House. Just imagine it; we think a show sucks-we
put it, along with a few pounds of mild explosive, into the bucket and
them BAM! Somewhere kinda far from where we are standing it goes boom.
Perfect, no?

Just, think about it for now. I think you'll come around to my side.

Anywhoo-I guess I should get back to class now. Graduate level math bites
my undercarriage. Well, not literally-'cause that would hurt, but you get
the idea. I sure hope this 'way of the semi-pissed off peaceful warrior'
thing works out for me.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna no Anime Secretary (the other officers make fun of me... sniff...)
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat, Oct 4 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Oct  1 15:09:28 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san,


First, the news. Then, the schedule. Lastly, information worth dying for.



News:

 Our schedule has been rearranged a bit this week. We're trying
something out, that we think will work-and hope you all accept. We're
shortening our breaks down to 5 minutes between hours so we can supply a
half-hour break right in the middle of club.

 Yep, we gave you dinner time. Now you don't have to choose a show to miss
so you can go eat. Also, we hope that with the lights on for a whole
thirty minutes maybe you'll mingle among each other and figure out a plan
to overthrow our current elected officials (El Presidente and me among
other) come spring time and elections and whatnot.

 Who has costumes ready? Who has costume ideas ready? 'Cause there's no
way we're gonna let Josh beat us up in the CosPlay contest AGAIN. Spike
Spiegal, Gatts from Berserk, who knows what he's gonna be this year.
However, if anyone wants to team up on a costume, or get some help making
one I'm down. Just e-mail back and we'll put up a fight against the man of
a thousand costumes. Otherwise, the rest of us should get cracking on our
costumes right away (you will love my magical girl transformation,
especially when you see my cute, furry little sidekick).

 Oh, and the CosPlay contest is held during our
mega-halloween-bash-meeting. You'll be hearing all about that every week
as it draws closer. Also, if I can, I'll try and leak some of our secret
prize info your way.


And now, the Schedule!

5:00 Fansub O' : You'll have to come to find out! Actually, it just hasn't
been decided yet.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 27 : Doumyouji Goes To New York!

Break: Maybe I'll cosplay as Doumyouji? Mess up my hair and get a red
sweater that says "Pris"

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 2 : Kanuka Has Arrived
6:20 Nadia:The Secret Of Blue Water - Ep 27 : Island Of The Witch

Break : Captain Nemo, that would be a good costume. Everyone would think I
was captain Global, though. I could go as King? But I'd have to wear
pants.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 52 : Irresistable! The Youkai's True Nature!
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 2 : Streets & Walls - Touga - Haibane Renmei

7:45 BIG BREAK: Get some food. Find out who sits behind you and munches on
snacks during your favorite shows. Hug an officer!

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 2 : Today With Osaka - PE & Volleyball - Hiccups
- Her Brain - Newbie (phew!)
8:40 Noir - Ep 2 : Our Daily Bread

Break : Maybe I can come as one of the girls from Noir? You guys think my
hairy legs would look good in a miniskirt w/ a Beretta in one of those
stocking-holsters?

8:45 Hellsing - Ep 2 : Club M
9:10 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 2 : Kin Of The Stars

That's All Folks!























Man, I hope I did all the math correctly when putting those shows in those
time slots. I got a memo with times from El Presidente, but apparantly
they don't teach mathematics over in the computer science department or
something. Wow, I just alienated most of the readership of this newsletter
with that comment, didn't I?

Okay-THANK YOU to everyone for showing me the proper usage of a Japanese
Toilet. E-mails and links on the club webpage have not gone unnoticed. And
it is true, the "cool graffiti" is not cool in anyway what-so-ever. That
aside, please don't help me with that anymore. I think I understand how to
use one, thanks.

Last week I sent you guys links to some excellent web-comics. I don't know
if you checked them out or not, I hope you did, but either way I'm going
to link-ify this rant again this week. First thing, and this one really is
so simple that it's forgotten over and over again that many people never
go to this website :

www.animeondvd.com

Really, check that one out. I had a nightmare involving the Navy and thus
my thoughts turned to Dylan out in the 3rd level of hell learning how to
be a seaman or something, and thus I was reminded of informing all of you
about this website of wonders.

Okay, here's something more serious. This last summer I went to Japan (as
you all know from having read my book "The Wacky Mis-Adventures Of Gaijin
Jimmy in Tokyo" or my weblog on blogspot) and a mere two and a half weeks
before my departure date someone asked me one of thse most important
questions in the world.

You see, I consider myself smart, but not smart. I think of things like,
"I'll need socks. Yeah, those ones," and, "I wonder if I should take my
GBA for those long train trips?" However, until my friend asked me "hey,
where's your passport?" I had completely forgotten that such ill-begotten
slips of paper existed. Needless to say, I paid a hefty fee to the US
gov't so they could get off their lazy asses and process my paperwork in
record time. So, here is vital information for all of YOU who want to
leave the country sometime in the next ten years.

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

Also, if you look around a little on google or whatever you can find a
place in NY that gets you passports in ONE DAY-no questions asked, cash up
front. That place worries the fuck out of me. Big Tony can apparantly
leave the country any day of the week, but us mere mortals must apply
weeks ahead of time. Many weeks, actually.

Okay, here's a question. Is it just me and my friends that do this, or
perhaps do you also participate in this age-old practice of odd
friendship?

Do you also keep around a friend who you all make fun of, but are never
really mean to? I mean, we've got a friend (two actually, each in a
different circle of friends) who we make fun of because he's one step shy
of being the stupidest man alive.

We were discussing keeping him around when we all realized that he was OUR
idiot, and not anyone else's. We protect the little gimp from other fishes
swimming by who want to bite off his empty head, ya' know? An example of
his foolishness (for he is both foolish and stupid), we are watching
"Terror Toons"-the most god-awful movie ever created by man or satan. One
guy gets a 9" needle to the head and "W" (we shall call him) turns away
from the screen and squirms.

Me: What are you doing?
W: I hate needles, ewwwwww!
My Brother : Aren't you a paramedic? EMT or something?
W: No, I'm a fruit juice blender!

::pause for 2.87 seconds::

Me: What the f*** did you just say? You're a FRUIT JUICE BLENDER?!
W: No, I said I'm a first responder.
Tony (also there) : I heard fruit juice blender.
W: Dude!
Nick (also, also there) : Yeah, I didn't understand what you said but it
really did sound like you said fruit juice blender.
My Brother : Yeah, fruit juice blender.

::laughter at our friend, the fruit juice blender::

W: I said first responder!
Me: Yeah, whatever fruit juice.


So, yes. If you have this friend, treat them well. Well, I mean-as well as
you can stand to treat him/her. We realied these people are worth keeping
around for the comical value if nothing else, oh-and there's the whole
"friendship" thing too, I guess. Oh, and yes-"W" picked the movie of the
night - "Terror Toons." If you want to see a bad, bad movie that's so bad
it's bad and not good because it's bad, really really bad mind you (you
have been warned this movie is bad) then this is the movie for you.
It's... probably for rent at Hollywood video. That's where we found this
bad movie up north in the Bay Area anyway, but of course that was the
Hollywood with the largest adult film selection in the Bay Area.


Needless to say, all of us who own cellphones have him listed under "fruit
juice blender." And yes, we are currently trying to convince him that our
local junior college can't give him a Masters degree in engineering. You'd
be amazed at how true this all is, if you ever met him.

Well, I think we've covered all the bases. Anime website,
how-to-leave-the-country website, and a bit of my friend "W" for humor.
Next week I guess I'll tell you about the worst (or best?) drinking game
ever. Hint : It involves LOTR:Fellowship of the Ring and drinking when the
word "RING" is said, or in print on screen. Needless to say, three of us
nearly died that night. And we still haven't found the cat. Poor Gizmo.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat, Oct 11 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Oct  8 14:12:21 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Things are in full swing now that we're heading into the third week of
Fall quarter. For those of you new to the mailing list, welcome and I'm
sorry, I'm so sorry.

NEWS:

Well, our schedule is still in that experimental range where we somehow
allocate 5 minutes to show 25 minute shows. I've got an updated version
for this Saturday that checks out and damn there is some good stuff coming
your way this weekend.

The half-our dinner break seems to be a great success, but we're still
hoping for feedback from your end of things. Come up to one of us during
any break and let us know what you think about the shorter breaks in
exchange for a dinner break.

Also, I keep plugging this because it's important! The Halloween
Mega-Party-Thingie! Yes, when else do you get to see us officers dress up
like our favorite anime characters? And don't forget to find a costume for
yourself-how else can you win our grand prize if you don't at least enter
into the CosPlay contest?

And if you doooo win, don't pull a Gendo. Don't leave early, the results
get tallied later and your overall score is what determines your ranking
(and officers can't win so you have a damn good chance) and then we have
to hunt you down and let you know that you're going to AX this year on us.

Enough news.

THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Kaleidostar - Ep 1 : I have no idea, but I hope it doesn't involve
those little girls with the big heads and the sand in their brains.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 28 : Tsukushi Goes To Canada!

5 Minute Break : Just enough time to spray febreeze on that guy next to
you who kinda smells like octopus.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 3 : We're Special Vehicles, Section 2
6:20 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 28 : The Floating Islan

5 Minute Break : Does anyone remember last years trivia question about
King's most prominent feature?

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 53 : Father's Mortal Enemy! Ryuukoytsusei!
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 3 : The Temple - Lecture - Pancakes

7:45 BIG BREAK : Go get some food or hang out and get to know your
neighbors, or both? I'm thinking of starting a food run to Kona's or
something, anyone interested? Preferably someone with a car?

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 3 : Nyamo - Factional Rivalry - Yukari Showed Up
- It's Not My Problem - Through Thick And Thin
8:40 Noir - Ep 3 : Assassin's Game

5 Minute Break : I never knew the story of high school girls in Japan was
so... cracked out.

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 3 : Sword Dancer
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 3 : Daughter of Love

That's All Folks!















Let's talk about something real, shall we? Like the worm in my roomates
head that we named Roy Allen. Here we go!

It's hard to determine what this thing is in my roomates head, but I'll
give it a shot. Well, I'll try to keep this description timid, but be
warned that the reality hiding behind these soft words is so horrid, that
one would shriek in terror at the very memory of such a sight. Ahem. Let
us begin.

My roomate (of which there are many and have been many over the years)
came to me with a large towel folded and held against this forehead. Not
taking any particular attention to it I continued to fix his computer (god
I hate my life) and attempted small talk. Eventually I had to ask about
what was underneath the towel, a move I would later regret as I would be
unable to sleep soundly for a week.

I was asked not to overeact or scream and then the towel was removed. In
plain sight, just left of the center of his forehead was an object. There
is hardly sufficient time to describe the sheer terror of this white,
solid, multi-faceted horn protruding from his temple. My mouth agape I
slowly shifted positions to better view it from multiple angles.

"I'm going to die, aren't I?"

Well, I did want to say yes, but then what would have happened if he did
perish? I would have to do something.

"Pull it out. I'll get a wrench."

"No! I'm not pulling it out, are you crazy? There's a hole in my head!"

"Well, there's actually something sticking out of the hole in your head.
Pull it out, it'll heal."

"No. You were bit by a spider once, right? Did this happen to you?"

I shouldn't have laughed, but I couldn't help it as I replied.

"Fuck no. I was bit by a black widow on my shin and that messed me up, but
not like that."

"What should I do?"

"Pull it out. I mean, it might hurt a bit but it's better then letting it
grow."

I cannot recall what happened immediately after that, however, he did go
see a doctor. Two, in fact. First he waiting 24 hours and went to the
Health Center here on campus where a doctor told him he had very little
time left and that there was nothing he could do to stop his immediate
shuffling off of this mortal coil (I kid you not. The doctor was the same
one I had when I got bit by a spider and he's a complete f***).

The doctor then recommended he visit an emergency room, which my roomate
did after much woe and sorrow given to him by his current predicament of
brain tumor/worm/fever and/or alien implant. Upon arriving at a REAL
hospital, the doctors grabbed his head, leaned him back and with tweazers
performed a "plucking" motion which resulted in a most interesting "pop"
sound being heard within his head. A band-aid was applied, then they asked
if he had his Tetris shot. He said, what? Oh, sorry-Tetanus.

The nurse, playful with her patient threw him stomach first on a
table, and skillfully produced a medium-sized needle attached to near
half-a-liter of fluid, all of which was injected in my roomate's rear end.
They then asked him to leave and not return unless more worms were
growing, in which case they planned to gather their silk and start a
company.

Okay, I hope that distracted you long enough so that you wouldn't realize
I'm in a most delirious state of hunger right now. I could really, really
go for one of those "lunch" things.

You guys ever use this website? It's pretty bad-ass, especially since I'm
an engineer (no ability to spell):

www.dictionary.com

Hmm... well. Yeah, I've got a few links here I'd like to show you guys but
I don't feel like explaining any of them this week so expect some good
stuff in the next newsletter.

Also, expect a lot less story in the next newsletter. I just wanted to try
changing it up and felt like being creative 'n stuff. Not creative like "I
like to break pottery then color it pretty colors!" but creative like "how
many ways can I throw this pencil at my monitor and have it bounce back to
me?" As Cobain once sang, "maybe I'm dumb."

Here is where I whore out my own agenda:
Here's a casting call for anyone out there with a GBA/GBASP or
will have one by the beginning of next year. I'm looking to gather a party
of rough adventurers for RPG'ing weekly in Crystal Chronicles. Also,
you'll need to own a TV and a house. I don't have either. I do, however,
have a GC and will be in possession of... wait a second.

Why don't we just make a club and play in the Silo or something? Hell
yeah!

Ten foot tall monsters sucking on a fireball, ahhh... nothing could be
sweeter, except maybe sugar. Lots of sugar.

How long has this letter become? Oh-one last note! If you're still reading
this then good for you, I'm impressed. I'd be bored by the end of the
story and just give up. However, someone asked me about my 'blog. I
mentioned it last week and forgot to include a link (perhaps forget is a
lie, but still-I didn't think anyone would actually ask for it). Here it
is, in all it's glory.

sloaero.blogspot.com

That covers my trip to Japan, my ability to see
demon-nightmare-type-horses, some sherpa's on Everast (or it will when I
get my next post on there up), and all sorts of just stupid stuff that
happens in my life. Interesting? Funny? Romantic? Well, definitely not
romantic. As Cage once said, "...because I am lonely. So very lonely." But
hopefully funny/interesting and informative about Japan and all the pretty
sights and all the things your friends could possibly to do you so that
you are stranded 5000 miles from home, in a completely foreign culture,
without the knowledge of the usage of their facilities.

Okay, time to end this letter. My fingers are tired. Well, actually I need
to go solve the pressure distribution over a Tangent-Ogive section
nosecone at multiple Mach #s with various calibers and for slightly
modified geometry.

OH! Yes, one last link then I will leave you alone for a week, I swear.

www.bubbahotep.com

I love Bruce Cambell, and this... this is genius! The Oscars must finally
recognize one of the greatest unknown actors of our time. I recommend the
"king size" trailor, by the way.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna no Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat, Oct 18 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Oct 15 14:02:41 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!



Of course-the news, the schedule, and the rant, right? Of course, unless I
made some stupid choices about time management and only have time right
now for the News and the Schedule? Perhaps some guest commentary?

But, and here's the but-if one of my fellow officers sends me their rant
I'll have to ship to all of you as a second newsletter. I hope you don't
mind receiving two times the mail from us this week as you normally do,
but on the bright side you get to hear someone other than me talk. And I
guarantee you that I'm a lot more vulgar than my counterparts-meaning the
guest rant/commentary would probably have nothing at all to do with the
worms coming out of my roomates head, or how to use a Japanese toilet, or
even the logistics of building the MnA catapult to launch rival club
members at Open House.

So without further ado, lets talk news.

NEWS:

As far as I know, we're still trying our 'experimental' schedule. People
are enjoying the 30 minute break for dinner and we feel that once we all
get accustomed to a 5 minute break things will just feel right. We hope so
anyway, and if you don't like the way things are then let us know soon.

Halloween? Yes, our super-dooper, Mega-big, Gianto-strongu Halloween
Meeting is slowly approaching. In case you haven't heard, there will be a
Trivia contest (jeopardy style this year! Wao!), GuiltyGearX2 tournie, DDR
room, viewing room, CosPlay contest, and of course-prizes for competing in
these fun contest.

Weird aspect to the halloween meeting this year? I believe homecoming is
kicking us out of the Silo on Nov. 1 (the perfect day for our meeting!
Nooo!), and letting us back in on November 8.

Good aspects of that? You get one more week to make a costume! And if you
need the help I need the friends... sniff snif... so lonely...

Another good aspect? I think we're currently the holders of one
reservation of a tatami room in the back of Tsurugis for a Minna No Anime
Tsurugi-dinner/lunch trip. We've traditionally been able to fit around 16
people in that room, I think. It get crowded the more people just crash
our dinner party, so please sign up early and get yourself a seat!! And,
if you're new to the club this is a great way to get to know some of us
who have been around and spent more money on anime VHS then you will spend
on your entire college tuition.

And my favorite part of the Tsurugi dinner... THE WASABI CHALLENGE. Is it
wrong? Yeah. Does it burn like no other? Yeah. Did I cry? Like a baby. I
walked away the proud winner, holding two wind-up things (one shaped like
a monkey that flipped and the other moving sushi which I almost ate one
night). The Wasabi challenge, mind you, is not for the faint of heart. It
involves ordering Wasabi rolls, and placing Wasabi ON the wasabi rolls.
Then, without the aid of anything other than your sheer will power you
must eat them. Sure, it may sound painful. Sure, maybe you've had wasabi
on your sushi before, or maybe you thought it was green tea ice cream, but
this is the extract of the extract of pure nostril-burning pain. It has
been diluted and purified for your un-enjoyment. So, those looking to
de-throne me, come. I accept all challengers except Paul. Paul's not
human.



THE SCHEDULE:


5:00 Fansub O': I think I smell Macross on the wind. No, wait-that's F3.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 29 : His Warmth

5 Minute Break : Enjoy the last minutes of autumn sunlight.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 4 : Head To The Evil Mountain!
6:20 Nadia : The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 29 : King Vs. King

5 Minute Break : Did you remember to wear deoderant?

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 54 : Tessaiga's Ultimate
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 4 : Garbage Day - Clock Tower - Birds That Fly
Over The Wall

7:45 BIG BREAK : Get dinner, meet people (it is a club after all), enjoy
some music vids or redvsblue. We'll try to find at least one thing to
entertain you.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 4 : A Fun Job - Pool Pool Pool - Ribbon - Just
The Two Of Us - A Good Person?
8:40 Noir - Ep 4 : Sound Of The Waves

5 Minute Break : Oh, in case you are all wondering. My roomate is fine.
The worm was removed from his skull (worm? Well, it was something) and
he's healing pretty well.

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 4 : Innocent as a Human
9:35 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 4 : Surprise Attack


That's All Folks!!!



















(There will either be a rant arriving later this week, or perhaps I should
just double up on the rant next week and really let you guys know who I
think needs their head chopped off by Ninjas.

Mind you, these would be really cool ninjas.)

[MnA] Sat, Oct 25 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Oct 22 14:47:31 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san,

As usual, the news is followed by the schedule. This week, however, we are
returning to our usual "news/schedule/rant" where I get to talk you people
about whatever is crossing my mind. OOh, this week is a special treat
because I've been pretty high on cough syrup. Well then, let's get
started.


NEWS:

On November 8, we will be hosting our big-ass Halloween party-meeting
thing. We expect some support from and members to show up from the
Atascadero Japanese Animation Society (despite the fancy name I think
there are only like 5 guys in it-at least that's all I've ever seen).
They'll be around doing the contests just like everyone else, and you'll
recognize them because you'll never have seen them before and they'll have
some pretty good costumes.

The contests that we're holding are going to be a GuiltyGearXX tournament,
a Trivia Contest, there's going to be some rounds of Lee's Anime Eyes
contest, I'm not sure if the DDR room is holding a contest, and of course
our big one-the CosPlay Contest. Yes, oh yes. You need to participate in a
few (3 I think?) in order to win our "GRAND PRIZE" which is always
something really nice. Previous years have had prizes such as tickets to a
convention and some spending cash when you're there. Pretty good for
dressing up like Kenshin, huh?

The week before our big halloween party, during halloween weekend we're
going out to Tsurugi as a club. That's right, we've reserved the back room
(the tatami room with rice-paper sliding walls 'n everything!) for up to
16 people. If there's still room on the signup sheet this Saturday then
get your name on there! You can't miss one of our few out-of-club
activities, and you especially can't miss the WASABI CHALLENGE. That is, I
think, my favorite part of the Tsurugi outings.

Uf.. even more news! This is more current than both of those.

Minna No Anime Members Mailing List? Yes, that's right. We've sold out and
made a yahoogroups mailing list for all you lovely people. Please, please
sign up so I have someone to talk to via e-mail besides the MnA officers
(dreadfully boring conversations about sandwhiches).

So, if you want to join in on our conversation and whatnot here's the
address to send a letter to:

MNAMembers-subscribe@<removed for spam reasons>

Okay, and the final, final last finally last piece of news.

We, the officers, are either a) dumb or b) too smart. We've got some
trivia questions (by some I mean we've got more than you could shake a
stick at) and are looking for more. So, we're offering YOU the chance to
make trivia questions. How does this benefit you? Well--you make a trivia
question - you send it to us - we like it - we use it - you sign up for
the trivia contest - your question comes up - you just earned 100 points
or more. Yes, is it cheating? No. The odds of your question coming up
while you're on the board are very small. And if everyone sent in a
question on two then the playing field would be even.

Oh, and some people seem intimidated by our bad-ass trivia contest. Let me
tell you right now, and this is from personal experience having hosted
this before: The person sitting next to you is not smarter than you are,
unless it is Dylan or I. Dylan is off learning how to be a Navy Nuclear
Engineer or something, and I'm hosting this. Therefore-the person sitting
next to you is not, and I'll repeat this because I don't think you
understand me yet-NOT smarter than you.

Example? Sure-here are some questions I remember being answer incorrectly
last year:

In Macross/Robotech who did Hikaru/Rick Hunter look up and call his
sempai/older brother?
Correct Answer: Roy Fokker
Answer given by Contestant: Minmei?

In Trigun, what is the bounty on Vash?
Correct Answer : $$ 60,000,000,000
Answer given by contestant: The Humanoid Typhoon! Wait... no!

See what I mean? The person sitting next to you is not smarter than you,
and they never will be. Now send me some questions you'd like put into
this years contest (nothing is too simple and nothing is too hard). Either
respond to this and e-mail me here or find me on Saturday and hand me your
questions in person. Remember, your questions may be altered since we're
trying to do a Jeopardy style game this year-and that means your answer
must be in the form of a question.

The Schedule!

5:00 Fansub O' : You know. I never really have a clue as to what we're
showing in this time slot. I only wish to see that Trava Fist Planet of
Doom thing again.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 30 : Wanna Be Friends?

5 minute Break : Should I put the HYD titles in english or nihongo? Either
way they never make sense to me.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 5 : Rampaging Labor X-10
6:20 Nadia : The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 30 : The Underground Labyrinth

5 minute Break : The wacky-silly part of Nadia is nearly over. Sniff. Good
times, good times.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 55 : Flower Stones and Shippo's First Love
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 5 : Library - Abandoned Plant - The Beginning of
the World

7:45 BIG BREAK : Get some dinner. Get something to drink. Get some fresh
air. Sign up for contests, and think of a winning costume (Senorita
Grandis would get my vote and my unwanted affection-of course, so would
Nausicaa).

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 5 : Summer Holidays - Welcome to Chiyo's Room -
Invitation - An Experienced Person's Tales - It's All Too Much (phew!)
8:40 Noir - Ep 5 : Les Soldats

5 minute Break : I swear, Azumanga is some sort of illegal crack.

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 5 : Brotherhood
9:35 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 5 : The Battle of Gosroth

That's all folks!


















Ouch. I'm sick. Not just sick like, "oh jeez, poor baby." No, I'm sick
like "Zombie! Run!!" Yes, perhaps the T-virus vaccination shots I took are
taking effect? Who knows.

Either way, I ache. I've got a fever. My chest hurts from coughing so
much, and so does my back. I pray that none of you picked this up from me
last saturday. Of course, that's not help for this Saturday when I'll be
in the Silo with all of you again. At least on the bright side as of today
I'm kicking this things ass. I'm nearly over it from what I can tell.
These have got to be the last 24 hours that I'll be sick. Yeah! That puts
me in slightly under a week. Ugghh.

You listen to Radiohead much? No? Oh, well-check them out sometime. Just
not Kid A. That's just a weird album concept.

So it has recently come to my attention that people are beginning to doubt
my encounter with the undead over by the house of Josho. I tell you this
now, and I tell you this in earnest-if she was not undead then she was
soon to become a ghoul. I had no choice but to dispatch her to the best of
my abilities. It was messy, sure. And maybe the cleanup sucked. But when
you're dealing with the undead, nothing's ever easy.

Switching gears.

Anyone seen the second Battle Royal yet? I was in Japan and was planning
on watching it but stuff came up and I didn't get a chance to see it.
Actually, the truth is I got lost in the neighborhood around my hotel and
walked around in circles for 2 hours before finally finding my way back
via underground passages and subways.

The first Battle Royal(e?) was just amazing. I loooved it. There's all
this stuff going on and underneath there is this sort of message to the
entire film of "if you think you're worth it then go for it." Of course,
most people can't get past the violence (and there is a lot of) in this
film, but if you can then you've got a chance of seeing what is really
underneath it.

So yeah. I've seen trailers for the second BR movie. WOW. So I guess
instead of losing army guys they're taking the classes now and sending
them out after Shuya and his magnificent 7 or something. The little girl
with the teddy bear is back in the sequel (the one who was there right in
the beginning of the first film) and there are some other people of
interest. Most importantly-I didn't see what's-her-name in the trailer for
the sequel (Nanahara? No, that's Nanahara Shuya... what's that girl's
name-No.. Nobuu... something). Second, Kitano's daughter is in this years
class. Weird? Yes, but she's apparently bad-ass. I mean, she is Kitano's
daughter after all. Oh, and there's this really hot chic with a sniper
rifle. Or maybe it was a guy, but he looked like a hot chic in the few
seconds of trailer footage. So... I'm just going to keep my hopes up for
that one.

Moving on. You have free time, don't you? You're very, very lucky. I
remember free time. I even seem to have some on weekends every now and
again. Mostly I'm studying or something. Late and night into the early
morning I'm working and working.. and then-BLAM. It's saturday. I take the
day off and enjoy minna. And then, just like a dream-it's over and back I
go to the slave-mines of Grad School. Or at least, trying to be grad
school. I realized pretty much everything depends on how well I do in
classes this quarter. Wow. That's a lot of responsability on my shoulders
considering I'm taking 18 units, 8 of which are in two classes that
probably two of the most difficult I've ever taken.

Math 501: Overview of what we've learned so far. Fourier Series (review
for me) with applications. Fourier Integral and Transform with
applications. Sterm-Liouville Problems in solutions for PDEs. Galerkin's
method for approximating flutter solutions to PDEs of aircraft skins in
flow. Yes, 5 feeks are down... five to go. Midterm next week, another
project soon to hit the table. And of course, more topics to learn.
Oh-wait, forgot the separation of variables techniques (multiple) that we
learned. So yeah, it's been a pretty hectic class.

Aero 521: Missile and Reentry Vehicle Aerodynamics. Need I say more?
Well-if you know nothing of aerodynamics know this--it's not easy. If you
do know something of aerodynamics know this -- it's not easy. Yes. That's
about all I can say about that.

Am I done bitching about my life yet? No. I have one last, final thing to
say about the crappiness of existance for people such as me : The job
market sucks right now. Even if I did graduate I'd have to fight for a job
only to be fired in a few months anyway. Maybe I should just start a
clothing line inspired by the fact that college students don't change
their clothes very often?

Yeah, that'd be great. Except that the entire line would be nothing more
thant white t-shirts and pants. And nothing would make them special to
wear for three days. Maybe built-in deoderant? But that would eventually
run out, I guess.

Hey-I've got it. I'll sell my kidney. Then clone myself. Then do it again,
and again, and again! Yes-I'm sure people need kidneys! Is cloning
illegal? Can I clone myself in Canada or Mexico? Maybe Russia. But I don't
speak Russian. I'd like to learn, but I'd have to learn how to speak Mat
also. Mat is the russian language of swearing, in case you didn't know
(don't I sound all intellectual-really I'm just high on cough syrup and
don't know what to talk about and my fingers wont stop hitting keys).

Hey, so-if a million monkeys were on a million typewriters and they were
typing for all time, wouldn't one eventually type out Hamlet? And wouldn't
one eventually type out the series of events known to us as reality? I
mean, a script for reality. Not improbable, right? So-somewhere right now,
in our infinite universe of infinite possibility, there is a monkey-on a
typewriter, writing down that I'm writing this down. It kinda blows your
mind. Well, after you've had as much dextromethorphan hydrobromide as I
have in the last 24 hours... well... woo!

Yes. Woo. Hey you think John Woo introduces himself as, "Woo. John Woo?"
Okay, I think its time to bust out the AirSoft gun and start shooting at
things. No, not the cat. I'm afraid of it's owner, my roomate, the scary
one... she'll kick my ass. No, I think I'll shoot things like this old
Pac-Man tin or maybe some empty soda cans or... old manga I don't want
anymore? Nah. I think I'll just give those away sometime. Do a mini-raffle
or something. OOh, that actually sounds like a good idea. Door prizes via
a raffle at the Halloeen Party? Yeah-I think I'll ask the other officers
about that.

Because I know that while many of you will CosPlay I know that even more
of you will not (because you are laaame!!! or busy?) and I feel sad
letting you leave without a chance at winning something. Well, it'll be
more than just stuff we dont' want anymore. If we do the raffle/door-prize
thing then it will probably be new stuff-but Manga does sound like a good
idea for raffle prizes. Maybe even give away a DVD or two. Hmm... perhaps
this is a good idea, and perhaps the other officers will beat me down for
mentioning this in public w/o consulting them first.. hmm... Yes. Well,
we'll just have to wait and see, wont we?

Oh-and I forgot to give everyone a great link to go check out this week.
Hmm... something, related to anime this week?

www.anipike.com

It's been around a while, it's been down-but not out, and it's really,
really... well. It's just anipike.com. I've found it to be useful somedays
and I've found it to be the biggest pile of shit ever produced by the web
on other days. I recommend checking it out, though, if you've never heard
of it. It's a great way to find fansites for your favorite shows. Also, it
looks like they finally (sometime in the last two/three years?) updated
their site. But, yeah-the anipike is still the anipike. I just wish it was
a little better, more like google-but with only anime. Except that google
already returns good anime searches... hmm...



-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna no Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat, Nov 8 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Fri Nov  7 12:58:16 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Okay, everything is falling into place, like a giant Tetris game. We're
near the dead line, and we Finally got that long piece that will destroy
four lines worth of blocks. Yes, oh yes. Can you hear the happy russian
music playing?

Well, as usual-the news is first. The schedule is special this week, but
you already knew that. There might be rant/more news space after I explain
to you how we're going to rock out this weekend. Or there might not, I
still have to a) think up a costume b) create this costume c) realize that
my costume sucks and think up an entirely new and 'badass' costume d)
create that costume e) realize my new 'badass' costume looks like a giant
penis and place it in my closet never to be seen by human eyes again f)
grab some duct tape, paint, electrical tape, a laser, and then make a 2.5
hour costume that everyone thinks is pretty spiffy. Phew. Okay, here we
go!

NEWS:

Okay. It's here. Finally, November 8. Our Halloween meeting!! Yeah!! We
have our Jeopardy-style trivia set up and ready to run, we have our DDR
room, our Game-contest room, and of course-the big prize--the CosPlay
contest w/ Awards being handed out immediately afterward.

Now, quite story here. I'll tell you the moral first, then the story.
Moral : DO NOT LEAVE AFTER THE COSPLAY CONTEST IF YOU ENTERED IT. The
story? Our first place "gendo" walked off because he's Gendo or something,
you know-all moody and isht. Or maybe he just thought he didn't do well?
Well, we found him next week and yeah. So, since repitition is key, Do Not
Leave After The Cosplay Contest If You Entered It.

Oh, and if you show up for the Cosplay contest in Cosplay, at least enter
the damn contest! Last year? Two years ago? I think I saw a Deedlet show
up, and then she disappeared into the wind, much like the real, er,
animated one.

So, I think this is where I plug our rooms.

We have a DDR room! Yes, I believe this is a contest, but don't quote me
on that. Either way, I will attempt to bust my mad-suckage-moves on their
DDR systems, so be there. You'll never see me do anything like this again.
Ever. Well, unless you manage to make to AX and we find a place with
Guiness.

GGXX? Why... GuiltyGearXX? Spawn of spawn of the badass fighter? Of
course, did I mention this is also a contest? Yes, and after watching
everyone's fighter game skills last weekend (pretty fighter, sailor moon
fighter) I think that anyone, literally anyone, has a decent chance of
making it to the finals. Also, maybe El Presidente will honor us and step
down from his throne to show us how the game should be played. If I
remember correctly, last time I played him at this game he kicked my ass
with one hand, on an upside down turned around controller.

Of course, there's still rumor of Lee's eyes game, but I'm not sure where
this has started? So, we may have this and if we do let me explain it to
you. First off, its one of the most fun contests we have. Second off,
everyone is in the same handbasket when it comes to this game. The game
runs like this, Lee comes to the front of the room, points at all of you
and laughs at your pity human brains, then the game begins. An eye is
projected on the screen, or normally 2 actually. Everyone sits at their
buzzers stupified. The picture widens a little, and now you can see some
cheek or eyebrow, or maybe a fluff of hair. Still confusion. Finally the
picture widens enough to give the answer away to anyone who has ever seen
this character. People buzz in. Sometimes, and this is rare-people buzz in
on the first picture. Sometimes wrong, but mostly right when they do. I
mean, c'mon-how hard was it to guess that eye belonged to Sharon Apple? Of
course, that one guy from Gekiganger was pretty hard.

Oh yeah, there's a trivia room. Is it badass? Yeah. Is it too late to sign
up? Probably not. This years trivia will involve a jeopardy style
video-gameboard with buzzers (oooh, we're almost professional) and of
course-lots and lots of anime questions. We've gotten a good response of
questions from members, so expect to see one/two of your questions or
maybe more depending on how many you sent in. Also, as I mentioned
previously-the person sitting next to you is not very smart.

So, if you like direct competition then the GGXX and DDR rooms are going
to be where its at for you, otherwise our multi-player (up to 12? Probably
only accept 8-10 a round) Eyes/Trivia games are going to rock your world.

Okay, and finally. The Cosplay and Pumpkin contest! Yes, we will judge
you. No, we're not mean little schoolyard kids. Well, El Vice Presidente
is, sorta, but the rest of us are pretty nice guys/girls. Mind you-one or
the other, not both. Back to the topic? Pumpkin carving contest! Yes,
never too late to sign up for that either. If suddenly inspiration strikes
you at 3am tonight and you run out to a local pumpkin patch and return
with a pumpkin and some barb-wire scars, then feel free to carve the
coolest design (anime related?) ever and bring it in! I'm carving Gema, or
was it Black Gema Gema? I can never tell.

Okay. Uf. Finally the CosPlay contest? Yes. It will, as tradition
mandates, take place in the Silo-where we normally have our meetings.
Also, during all the other contests the Silo will be hosting spooky, scary
anime! Or something like that, we hope.

So there is your explanation of the night. In brief. A very large brief
actually. Man, that reminds me of this time in Ross that we found this
giant pair of boxers and then started laughing 'cause we were just talking
about windsocks. Then we realized that, like an iceberg, we'd only found
the tip of the shorts-there was an entire other leg waiting to be
discovered. Cavernous I tell you, cavernous.

So, yes-here is our basic schedule of the night (so you know when to show
up!!):

THE SCHEDULE:

~3:00pm - DDR Mania begins. Why early in the night? So you're not tired
from carrying around that damn 10' sword of yours that is part of your
costume. Lasting an hour and a half, think you can last a few round and
make it to the finals? Think you can still stand by the time the finals
roll around?

~4:30pm - The Trivia Preliminaries. Yes, a few rounds of jeopardy between
friends? We'll get the finalists from the rounds we play here.

~6:00pm - We're thinking Eyes Preliminaries. If you can make it through
here, then you're gonna have a lot of fun/anguish in the finals (but
aren't fun and anguish the same thing Gendo?).

~7:00pm - GGXX. The one. The only. The game tournament. Is it going to
kick ass? Hell yeah. Is it going to kick your ass? Only time will tell...
only time will tell.

~8:30pm - Trivia Finals. If you've made this far then obviously the guy
next to you wasn't smarter than you. However, now you're in finals-where
only the knowledge gained from eating the brain of someone smart can help
you.

~9:30pm - Eyes Finals. Oh boy are you gonna stumped. If its half as
obscure as it was last year only one man I know could recognize these
eyes-and that's the guy who made the contest.

10:00pm - Judging for Costumes and Pumpkins!! Finally. The grand finale of
the night. We line you up, we vote, we find our finalists, you three take
it outside and duke it out while we vote for you, then we call you back in
and have everyone sit around remembering good times while we tally votes
and scores in the contests and find our grand-prize winner.

Grand prize this year? I think, and I'm sorry for not being sure right at
this moment-but I am pretty sure we're looking at one, maybe two tickets
to Anime Expo or FAnime. ::insert wicked laugh:: You have no idea what we
had to do to people to get those.

Of course, the fine print: You have to be a club member to win the grand
prize ($2/quarter, $5/year). You have to enter at least 2 other contests
beside the CosPlay contest. No, you don't have to kick major ass in
everything you enter (I think that's a bit impossible to DDR in a gundam
cardboard outfit), but think of this as the beauty contest among
anime-fans. There's the swimsuit competition, the talent competition, the
BS competition, only here its the CosPlay, GGXX, and Trivia contests.

If anyone has questions regarding this Saturday's mega-meeting go ahead
and shoot and e-mail right back here and I'll try and respond as I finish
making gameboards for the uber-badass trivia contest.

Oh-yes.


Prizes? Besides grand prize there will be a prize for each respective
contest, and a few more here and there. You'll just have to show up to
find out what you can win. ^_^


-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat. Nov 8 Extra Notes

(Minna No Anime, Fri Nov  7 13:04:49 2003)
Okay, I forgot a few things.

Food:

We have cheap, CHEAP prices on some pizza. ASI decided they'd help fund us
for some food and we figured we'd count their cash as your cash and that
way you'd bring less cash and use less cash for the same thing which costs
the ... The pizza is cheap. We're looking about $1/slice or $2 for 2
slices and a drink! Best deal in town? Hell yeah it is.

Viewing room:

In case you're in some downtime, or just not feeling up to posing for more
pictures in your costume then have a seat in the Silo. We'll be in the
rooms surrounding the Silo for all the contests, leaving the Silo free to
be showing spooky, scary anime the entire night!!

I think we've made a tradition of showing that one movie.. uhm... uh...
vampire girl... sword... killings... Uhm... !!!! Blade? Something like
that. Blood! Not blade, that's Wesley Snipes. Ha ha... ooh. Was I wrong.

Okay, that is all. Enjoy the meeting this Saturday! And enter the
contests, you will enjoy them-trust me. I know from personal experience,
and from watching the laughter of someone who sucks at DDR slowly fall
onto their opponent, thereby destroying both their scores.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

Halloween, one last thing (really this is the last one...)

(Minna No Anime, Fri Nov  7 16:41:26 2003)
Hey everyone,

Jamshid forgot to mention one small thig in his last two e-mails...

We'll start the party at 2:00
Again, we start at 2, even though the first competition
is at 3:00.

We want you all to show up a little early so that I can fill you in on all
the rules and what-not.

If you plan on participating in ANYTHING, please show up around 2:00 or
2:30.

-Nik
President, Minna No Anime

MNA 11/15/03

(Minna No Anime, Fri Nov 14 22:39:42 2003)
Hey MNA members!

Our secretary K has been late with the e-mail this week so I'm gonna do it
(even though it's friday night).

First, if you're interested in joining our MNA members mailing list send
an e-mail to...MNAMembers-subscribe@<removed for spam reasons>

We have interesting anime related conversations via this mailing list, so
if you feel like discussing stuff along with us and other ex-members like
the notorious Dylan Hall, then join the list.

Now for the schedule...

5:00- Sakigake Cromartie Highschool (Eps 1 & 2)
5:25- Hana Yori Dango ep.31

5 min break

5:55- Patlabor ep.6
6:20- Nadia ep. 31

5 min break

6:50- Inuyasha ep.56
7:15- Haibane Renmei ep. 5

Big-Ass 30 minute break

8:15 Azumanga Daioh ep. 6
8:40 Noir ep. 6

5 min break

9:10 Hellsing ep. 6
9:35 Crest of the Stars ep. 6

Normally K would insert a random rant here, but since boring old me is
doing the mail, there will be no rant this week.

-Nik
President, Minna No Anime

P.S. Check out the website (www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub) for pictures from
halloween!

[MnA] Sat, Nov. 22 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Wed Nov 19 15:58:31 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Ah yes, the "weekly" newsletter. Well, mostly. Here we go with the
standard format; news, followed by the schedule, followed once again by a
blurb-of-somewhat-unbelievable-length.

The NEWS:

Room Change? No, not permanent-or even for the entire night. The first 1-2
hours of club we may be in room 112, right around the corner from where we
normally meet. I believe, room 112 was either the Trivia room or the
Gaming room for our Halloween contest, so if you were there for halloween
you know where to look. If not, then come up to the Silo from the bottom
doors and then turn toward the bathrooms and walk past them. I'm sure
you'll hear/see us.

The library! Yes, our librarian has an e-mail address in case you need to
get ahold of some tapes for the upcoming thanksgiving break, or winter
break. Just shoot a letter over to:

mnalibrary@<removed for spam reasons>

And you can check the website for what is in the library currently, and
feel free to make suggustions for what you might want in the library (any
suggustions for MKR and I will personally hunt you down atomic-elbow your
head so far into your chest that...)

Okay, but what about before Saturday? You can't wait that long to see my
pictio-master-nary-ing? Then have we got something for you, a Pictionary
Party at Ben's place. Will it be tame? Sure. Will it be wild? Once I get
my head-butt rampage going, sure. Will it so damn fun we'll be talking
about it on Saturday? Yes, for weeks.

So don't miss out, come and join us for some Pictionary and some chill
hang-out time. Drinks/Snacks will be provided by both those of us over and
underage for those both over and underage, so we're definitely not
pressuring anyone into anything (except for drawing silly pictures on
paper). Oh yeah, it's at Ben's place.

Directions? They are on the club webpage : www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
But if you don't trust them I guess you could use rand-mcnally or
yahoomaps or whatever, here's his actual address:

2374 Flora St.
San Luis Obispo

Mind you, I think his directions are a little whack. Not like
whack-a-mole, but like whack-on-crack.

Oh jeez, how could I forget this 'till last? T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST!! I
believe on the web page there are rules for the contest, but in brief we
generally want something that looks bad-ass, doesn't break any copyright
rules, and is original artwork. I think there are some rules for color
limitations and the date all designs will be put in front of the club and
voted on by everyone.

Also, the winner gets something nice every year. You get a free T-shirt,
and the respect of your fellow club members.


THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Fansub O' : If I had my way we'd be watching Blizzard cutscenes.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 32 : Doumyouji... don't come?

5 Min. Break : Laugh, it's good for you. Too bad it's not good for that
guy you're laughing at.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 7 : Model 97's New Replacement
6:20 Nadia : The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 32 : Nadia's Lover

5 Min. Break : This one time... at band camp... I smoked opium while
watching GITS, and it all made sense.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 57 : Everything about the night at the Dougenkyo - Part
1
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 6 : End of summer - Rain - Loss

30 Min. Break : Get some dinner. Enjoy some company. Say hi to your
teammates from Pictionary, and laugh at the losing team again.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 7 : Fairy Class - Man Of Character - Let's Go! -
Mascot Rival
8:40 Noir - Ep 7 : Black Thread Of Fate

5 Min. Break : I wonder if I'll get to draw a catapult in Pictionary.

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 7 : Duel
9:35 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 7 : Fortunate Revolt

That's All Folks!















Not much rantage this week. I'm helping my roomie and some others with
various engineering crap this week. They have a presentation at Boeing
this Friday and I hope they pull together and do well.

Otherwise, I'm just trying to finish my damn Math work so I can enjoy
Friday night without feeling guilty for taking the night off. It looks
like I've been added to the MnAmembers list, which is a good thing-I was
planning on signing up for it eventually but kept forgetting.

Hey, any of you listen to KCPR? We're having an Auction right now. Just
tune into 91.3 between 9am-5pm. I just won a Tattoo. ^_^ Maybe I should
let the future of a small patch of my skin rest in the hands of Minna?
Yeah, that doesn't sound like a bad idea... no wait, it sounds like a
horrible idea. But that's never stopped me before.

Okay. Well, if I get the resolve to do this, then it will probably break
down like this : You give me a design, I put said design on my body, I
show said design to parents (who currently have no idea I'm even thinking
of getting a tattoo), and then I save the world from the evil machines who
came back in time from the future (thanks to your tattoo design).

Of course, maybe I'll just figure out my own design. I mean, if you said I
should put a spider on my face and I did... well, that would suck.

Well, I guess I'll see you all down at Ben's place on Friday night for
some Pictionary? Check the news up at the beginning for his address, or
just visit the web page and get directions.

You know what? Recently I started reading "A Heartbreaking Work Of
Staggering Genius," and all I can say is that it is exactly what the title
says it is. This may be one of the only books I've ever bought a spare
copy of just so that I could loan it to friends and force them to read it.

So what's the book about? Well, I haven't finished it yet but I can give
you a brief overview. It's amazing how this guy writes, and how his
emotions are directly translated into you. He's going through this period
in his life where both his parents have died of cancer five months apart
and he is no in charge of raising his little brother. This isn't some
"chicken soup" story or anything, there is a lot of pain and very little
of 'moral of the story' type feeling when you're reading this. I mean,
he's just a twenty-something who comes out to Berkeley to try and raise
his kid brother, and his digressings and musings and ability to write to
anyone who's ever felt any sort of helplessness or joy or any sort of
extreme emotion.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. But if I were you I'd check it out. It made
it to the Pulitzer finals, but someone else walked away with the big prize
that year.

Well then. I must be going now, I believe there are locusts invading our
backyard. I've got quite a bug-crushing job ahead of me. Oh, no... nooo!
Its the earwigs! Fuck! Did we tell you about the grandiose war between the
five of us (the Atomic Penta-Circle Of Power And Doom!) and the EARWIGS
(death and decay in bug form) last winter?

Damn... I thought we'd wiped them out. Okay, well-think of it this way.
What are the odds, the statistical odds of finding an Albino Earwig? Okay,
well we saw two last year within two weeks of each other. Of course, there
were earwigs everywhere, everywhere, everywhere you could think of. Wake
up in the morning, they fall out of your alarm clock. Turn on your
computer, they fetched your keyboard. Cook dinner, set the table for
five-million.

Only this year... they have those damn roly-poly things with them. It's an
alliance. An eeeevil alliance. I'll keep you guys updated weekly on this
conflict here on Tassajara. Hopefully we'll be able to throw them out
again. Remember the Alamo!!

Oh, and yes-December 17th. Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King is
out. It is also the centennial of flight, 100 years exactly to the day
when man first displayed powered flight. So you have 2 reasons to party,
which are both less than a month away!

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-MnA Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MNA] Fri, Nov 20 Pictionary Event

(Minna No Anime, Thu Nov 20 21:45:22 2003)
Minna,

I wanted to give everybody one last reminder about the Pictionary Event to
be held at my house tomorrow evening.

We at Minna no Anime like to think of this club as a social club; a good
place to meet some great friends with the same interests as yourself.  And
that is what tomorrow night is all about.

So come on by and join us for a good game of Pictionary and get to know
the other members in the club!  Help out by bringing a snackfood or two,
and we'll see what we can do about getting pizza.  I was talking with Mike
today about getting one of those 30" pizzas from the new place that just
opened up.  Heck, it's worth it just to see how huge this thing is if you
haven't seen one yet!

People will start showing up at 6 and hopefully the game will start by 7.
Instructions on how to get to my place are on the website:
http://www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub  .  If you need a ride or something, I
suggest sending an email to the member's list.  I'm sure we can
accomodate.

Hope see you all tomorrow!

-Ben

[MnA] Sat, Dec. 6 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Dec  4 04:06:02 2003)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

I hope you all enjoyed thanksgiving, whether it was time spent with family
or time off from work/school. Hell, even if you worked that night I hope
you at least enjoyed that much.

NEWS:

Last meeting of the quarter is this saturday. I guess that's the most
important piece of news, really. As is our tradition, we will have a movie
in our schedule so we have to bump a few shows. There was nearly
some violent bloodshed over this, but we eventually worked out what is
going to stay on the schedule this week and what is merely going to take a
breather for a week (and the resulting four weeks of vacation immediately
thereafter).

Also, the pictionary party was a success. Of course, any party I can walk
away from I consider a success, but the fact is we had a nice turnout at
Ben's place of about... uhm... well, we had two teams of about 7 or 8
each? So something like 16 people, I guess the math works. And damn, with
that many people there I still managed to kill half that 12 pack and
coerce Rebecca into giving me a ride so we could get more. And for those
of you who didn't show up, you missed a lot of circles with squiggly lines
attached to them. More on this in the rambling/rant/review section below.

And although I don't know what the official policy is, I'm just taking a
guess that you should probably return any tapes to the library that are
currently in your possession so you can borrow the next ones over the
verrrry long break.

And there's an ONLINE TREASURE HUNT THING! On our website! Find all the
answers and one of us will reward you with a shower of anime presents! A
very short, and dry shower of anime presents. Of course, I wonder what
we'll do if you find all the wrong (really wrong) answers... I guess we
didn't think about that. Maybe we'll just corner you in an alley and
throw our old fansub tapes at you or something.

THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 33 : Makino Still Can't Decide!
5:25 Nadia : The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 33 : Jean writes a song. A
really, really bad song.

5 Min Break: Come as me about the pictionary party, I have gossip.

5:55 Haibane Renmei - Ep 7 : I really hope you didn't miss last weeks
episode.
6:20 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 8 : More pigtail dreams, Lupin cameo, Chiyo's
father isn't human, Sakaki riding a white horse to the rescue. No,
really-I'm not kidding with this title.

5 Min Break : Does anyone like the musical, RENT? We're thinking of going
to Vegas to see it again...

6:50 Noir - Ep 8 : Much blood was spilt to bring you this week's episode.
7:15 Hellsing - Ep 7 : Much blood was spilt in this week's episode.

30 Min Break : Dinnertime. Maybe we should organize getting a pizza or one
of those 7-footlong sandwhich things that come with steak knives so you
can eat your coffee?

8:15 Crest of the Stars - Ep 8 : No other show is this good.
8:40 Millenium Actress - Beautiful. Simply beautiful, read review below.

That's all folks!













There are two parts to this rant today. 1) the story of how I found love,
and then god laughed at me. 2) Millenium Actress 3am Review!


1) the story of how i found love, and then god laughed at me.

First off, I think I need to ask you about your Thanksgiving
day/weekend/extended weekend. So, how was it? Mmm-hmm. Oh, that's nice.
Really? I'm happy she didn't pull that trigger, then.

Well, my break? Oh, how kind of you to ask. I fell in love. Yep. Totally,
completely, head-over-heels, first-sight-at-love. Er, love-at-first-sight.
Does this mean I'm getting soft? No, it means I've found the woman I want
to spend the rest of my life with.

If perfect were a person, she would be it. Except that people can't be
perfect, such is the nature of man. And how is she not pefect? Well... I
have to somehow get past the fact that she's got a kid. And is married.

Now, I haven't met the husband. So he might be a really big guy, but I'm
assuming that you have my back if we were to get into a rumble. I mean,
who is this random guy to just step back in my timeline, find the woman
that he knows I'm going to love one day, and then marry her? The audacity
of this little-punk infuriates me.

Of course, like any good recon scout I have returned mostly-verified
information. The kid? Probably hers. Well, okay-98% chance it's hers. But
he's ugly. And not just like, "your kid looks like a fish"-ugly, but "is
that your... kid?"-ugly. Like a chihuahua on two legs, I kid you not.

And the husband thing? Well, I'm of that retarded age where I need to
start checking left hands and ring fingers when I meet women whom I might
have to lay the "anime-geek-charm" on. Guys, mind you-said "charm" has no
effect I've noted so far.

Oh yeah, so the husband thing. I didn't seeee a ring on her ring finger,
but then again-I didn't see any jewelry on her at all now that I think
about it. And as my roomate pointed out, no-I wasn't undressing her
mentally and yes-I played it cool when the kid walked up next to her and
that whole thing went down.

Now, I think the situation is almost clear enough for you to understand
how crappy this whole thing was. Now that you've got those details, let me
give you the backdrop to this whole fiasco.

This is a woman who I haven't seen in ten years, and back in the day we
used to hang out a decent amount. So, I see her at a big family
thanksgiving dinner party (no she's not my cousin, although I did have to
think about that for a while before convincing myself) and I'm just
stunned by how gorgeous she is now.

Time to move in, slowly say hi to people until I'm near her. We're like,
hey-I haven't seen you in ten years, I'm very happy to see you again. Mind
you, our dialogue is much more full of wit than this. So we're talking,
sorta (I think I was drooling, but I might have just been staring at her
open-mouthed like a moron) when this kid walks up and she calls him by his
name and picks him up. I'm like, "okay. she's holding someone else's kid.
I wonder who's kid? I know every family here except hers. well, her
parents haven't had a kid since her brother, and he's my age almost. he's
not married at all. shit. isn't not hers, is it? damn-i can't ask, that'd
be too obvious. play it cool, ask her brother."

So we kinda split, grab drinks, food, talk to other people-party stuff.
I'm hanging out with her brother and I sorta ask him, 'who's kid is that
over there?' Like you know, so it's all covert 'n shit. CIA type stuff.
His response, "well, I am an uncle ya' know."

Perhaps you've seen the Princess Bride? Remember that scene when Cary
Elwes is screaming in true pain? That's the sound of a breaking heart. Not
just one that was broken in two, or five, or a million pieces, but one
that was vaporized by the heat of an atomic bomb that exploded over the
sanctity of your happy place.

Okay. So. Well, it wasn't until after the party was over and I was still
stuck thinking about my uber-woman (she's got two eyebrows this time! I'm
so happy!) when I realized... she's got an older brother. No, I wasn't
thinking that, perverts. Maybe... just maybe, she took care of this kid
all night, nurtured it like a mother, watched over him, and ... and... and
maybe it's not hers! Maybe it's her brothers! Who didn't show up! But left
his kid with his sister who was going out to a party to look after!

Right? 'Cause then the younger brother would still be an uncle, and ...
and... I can feel hope dying as I type this.




2) Millenium Actress 3am Review!

Satoshi Kon, ever heard of him? Yeah-well you probably know his work, but
not the name. It's kinda how things are here in the states. If your name
isn't Miyazaki or Hayao then most fans don't really recognize your work.
Satoshi Kon directed an amazing psychological thriller a few years ago
known as Perfect Blue.

I know you've heard of it, or probably seen it. Well-needless to say, that
movie was excellent in its animation and use of non-linear time. Other
good examples of non-linear time in movies bring Pulp Fiction and Memento
to mind right away. Now, Satoshi Kon can work time as well as anyone on
this planet. Perfect Blue showed us this, and Millenium Actress (his
sophmore work in feature films, I believe) takes us beyond what we expect
in style, emotion, and execution.

Beyond how story is told we have all the other features of this beautiful
movie. Acting, animation, music, and an unfolding plot all come across
together and blend perfectly. The movie slips from scene to scene and
sometimes you don't even notice how seamless the integration of the entire
film is.



But you want some of the story and plot, right? Well-I will attempt to
leave spoilers out, but be warned-there may be some semi-spoilers.

About thirty years ago Japan's most famous actress disappeared and went
into hiding for unknown reasons. A reporter finally tracks her down and
secures an interview with her about her past. The movie follows her
recounting her history from why she became an actress to why she
mysteriously left one day. As the story is told we follow through
flashbacks that are woven into, with, and around her life on and off the
screen. Her on-screen flashbacks into movies she starred in begin to
reflect her real life and very quickly you'll notice that it is all one
long narrative between her reality and her films (which reflect her
reality so much that despite the changing time periods of her films the
narrative is coherant and told linearly through the periods of her life).

Okay, I think I said the same thing twice there, but I think you'll
understand it. How does the movie end? Well-I hate spoilers, but I'll try
to explain at least a little to you.

This is the same explanation I had to give my 11 year old cousin (who
didn't quite understand why time periods were shifting throughout the
film) : No, she didn't die in space you idiot.

So, if anyone thinks that anyone in this film dies in space I hereby
deputize you with the ability to smack that person. I mean, really. Once
you see the film you'll completely understand what I mean by that, and
just how confused this kid must have been to ask me that question.





Phew. Okay. Another 3am movie review under my belt! I love writing these
things instead of my lab reports; although, my lab partner is probably
going to kill me tomorrow.

Have a nice break if I don't see you this saturday! And if you're one of
those lucky enough to be an engineering student-I feel your pain. Or, more
acurately you feel my pain-a small, small tiny portion of it.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

Winter 2004

[MnA] Sat, Jan 10 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan  8 11:29:04 2004)
Hi, and stuff.

So, no newsletter has been sent yet and I don't even know if Jamshid is
still alive. Because of this, I am sending the newsletter. Don't be
alarmed, I'll try not to say anything too insulting.

Im poretant news: I can neither spell nor type! (keep this in mind)

More important news:

All you artistic-type people out there have only one week left to finish
your t-shirt designs. In otherwords: it's time to get started! Keep in
mind that if you design is selected you will be required to create
seperations and you will only have two weeks to do so (not that it's very
hard, just tedious). So if you think your design is particularly hot
and/or complex, you may want to start working on seperations as soon as
you complete your design. If you do win and need help with seperations,
Ben has said that he will help you (the sucker). One last important bit of
information to keep in mind as well: if you win and seperations do not get
completed in the two weeks allotted, not only will a runner-up be chosen,
but I will also punch Ben in the face.

Next week! We will be re-starting Minna no Manga. Come, there will be
manga to read/look at/drool over. Bring something from your collection if
you like. There is no specific agenda. As I have said on the web page,
we've been know to do everything from translate manga, and doing homework
to watching strage Japanese gameshows and playing video games. It's big
fun for the whole family. We haven't got the room nailed down yet but it
will likely be in the computer science building (building 14) and it will
be on Thursday nights from 6pm - 10pm. You don't need to stay the whole
time obviously.

Ok, now the schedule (I don't have titles because titles I do not have,
and stuff):



Schedule for 1/10:
--------------
5:00 - TBD ep #1

5:25 - Hana Yori Dango ep #34

5:55 - Patlabor ep #8

6:20 - Nadia ep #34

6:50 - Inuyasha ep #58

7:15 - Haibane Renmei ep #9

7:45 - Big-Ass Break ep #GGX

8:15 - Azumanga Daioh ep #9

8:40 - Noir ep #9

9:10 - Hellsing ep #9

9:35 - Crest of the Stars ep #9








No real rant, I just want to say that my break was much better than yours.
I moved boxes and was shot in the knee by my cousin with an MP5 airsoft
gun from one foot away. Beat that!

-Nur
http://www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub/

Room Change for this week

(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan  8 20:08:38 2004)
Hi everybody, this is Nik.

An important fact was left off of the newsletter this week and so I am
sending this to all of you to make sure you know.

We're going to have the first 2 hours of the meeting in a different room
this week (114 I believe).  So we'll start off in one of the side rooms we
used for halloween.  It does suck, but ASI is god here at Poly so there's
not much we can do about it.

See you allt Saturday!
-Nik
President, Minna No Anime

Minna No Manga 01/15/04

(Minna No Anime, Tue Jan 13 18:13:03 2004)
Just wanted to let you all know that our first official meeting for MNM
will be this thursday.

Where?  Computer Science building, room 252 (14-252)

When? 7-10 pm (or until they kick us out)

Hope to see you all there.

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Jan 10 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Fri Jan 16 17:24:11 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Okay, sorry for being late. Absolutely-friggen-late. We wont get into that
here, suffice it to say if you ask me next week why I was late I'll tell
you an amazing (and completely false) story.

NEWS:

T-shirt contest! Yes, we've heard about it over and over, but why are you
hearing it again? Because it's important. We're not very stylish people
for the most part, and we trade style for devotion to our favorite
shows/clubs. So, it's important for one of us to design a shirt that all
the rest of us will vote on and make our club T-shirt for the year. The
rules are on the Web Site (www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub) and please be there
tomorrow w/ your design.

Uhm... other news... I'm looking for cosplayers for this years AX so we
can go as a cosplay troupe. I'm thinking like, Azumanga or Haibane or
maybe even Nadia-although I'd really prefer Macross (like that'll ever
happen).

The Schedule!

5:00 Fansub O' The Week : I heard a rumor about ninjas, but I doubt it.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 35 : Doumyouji! Sex Change!

5 min Break : Ahhh... episode titles rock.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 09 : The Demon of Atama Yama!
6:20 Nadia - Ep 35 : I promise you that Jean wont sing again.

5 min break : Naaaaadia... Naaaaaadia... la la la la la la...

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 59 : Sango's Young Apprentices
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 09 : Well - Rebirth - Pose A Riddle

5 min break : Anyone know how to fix a PS2 that was kicked across the room
by a 13-year old having a tantrum?

30 Min Break : You could either a) get food or b) beat all of Megaman 2

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 10 : Draft Names - Class Change - Wolf - Putting
On Airs - Marco
8:40 Noir - Ep 10 : La Fin Du Monde

5 min break : Actually, that last one is a Canadian beverage that ain't
half bad.

9:10 Hellsing p Ep 10 : Master Of Monster
9:35 Crest Of The Stars - Ep 10 : Just The Two Of Us

That's All Folks!
















No really, that is all this week. I'll attempt to send a rant out this
weekend from Reno. And if it's a good weekend, then I wont even remember
having ever sent it out.

Good luck with those T-shirt designs!

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

Minna No Manga 01/22/04

(Minna No Anime, Wed Jan 21 21:16:23 2004)
Just another reminder to you all that we will have another MNM meeting
tomorrow (thursday) night in building 14 room 252 from 7-10 pm.

If you're interested in learning Japanese, reading manga, becoming an
officer, or just want to hang out with us cool people, then head on over.
If you're a little timid and prefer a smaller more casual setting to talk
to us please do stop by, it's a great way to relax after a long day of
school.

-Nik
President, Minna No Anime & Minna No Manga

[MnA] Sat, Jan 24 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan 22 17:24:37 2004)
Alooooooha? Er, Konnichiwa.

Wish I had some new news for you, but I can't think of much you don't
already know. A quick plug though, check out the website for any info
including e-mail addresses for the librarian (you could get tapes/dvds of
old shows you've always wanted to see but never found at best buy!) and
extra news that doesn't get posted here.

OH. Yes, the winning T-shirt will be on the website sometime... uhm...
well, I can't read the future but sometime soon-to-not-so-soon.



THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Fansub O': Unknown as of this point, but I promise no more
Kaliedostar.
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 36 : Tsukaka's Mother's Secret Plan

5 min. break : Looking to sell/buy used DVDs? We should hold a MnA swap
meet-any feedback?

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 10 : Eve's Trap
6:20 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 36 : The All-Purpose Battleship
- New Nautilus

5 min. break : Ah, if only the all-purpose battleship came with a
all-purpose cat-girl.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 60 : The Dark-Miko - A Fifty-year Curse
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 10 : Kuramori - Haibane of the Abandoned Factory
- Rakka's Job

30 Minute Break : GGX? WTF? It promises to be fun.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 11 : Cosmopolitan City - Confrontation - Don't
Hit It - Covered In Cats - Don't Run Away
8:40 Noir - Ep 11 : Tea In The Moonlight

5 min. break : I don't think the U.S. will ever catch up with Japan when
it comes to Inuyasha

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 11 : Transcend Force
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 11 : Sufugnoff Gateway Battle


That's All Folks!






















First of all, some of you might think that MnA is like a two-, nay-three
headed monster which pulls in multiple directions. For those of you who
wish to be officers, think of it more as a pack of wolves where every now
and then one of us :: cough cough me cough :: will completely zone out and
just go wander off in some direction without having a damn clue as to
what everyone else is doing. Also, there's a complete loss of time thanks
to a messed up schedule and the occasional Blue Sparks.

On another note, you played Prince of Persia? I checked it out and damn is
it fun. I could loan it to you if you can find me and get me to remember
you, but I guess the hard part of that might actually be the finding me
part. Viewtiful Joe, Mario Kart (should we play this in the Silo? ^_^),
and a few other Cube games are also pretty damn good. Perhaps worth your
investment of time and money, although time is money so it's really just
an investment of money. And I must admit, there are a few X-Box games
that're pretty great, too-but they shall remain nameless until I can
remember which ones they are.

The funny thing about me typing my stream of conscious is that either a) I
can't keep up with my thoughts and forget what I was trying to type about
or b) I get distracted whenever some pretty girl walks by (I'm in the
reserve room).

So yeah, I had something to say but forgot it again. Okay, focus. Focus.
Oh-I got a copy of Battle Royale on DVD that's really nice and has subs. I
think it's R2 from europe, but that whole PAL/NTSC is easily overcome
nowadays-I think?

Anyone wanna get together and have a big-ol' BR movie night? Perhaps we
could snatch a copy of BR2 and leave with a will to go shoot each other
and then pine about our lost high-school loves, before shooting/stabbing
each other some more? Nah, probably not gonna be that fun.

You like bagels? With the
creamy-creamy-cheese-cream-cheesey-creamy-cheese? Yes, I have been
infected by illwillpress.com, sorry. Someone was telling me that the
squirrel on that website and I had lots in common, to which I replied with
a loud and hearty "WTF?" I checked it out, and I guess that's... uhm...
yeah, I dunno. I'm either cool with the whole thing 'cause me and that
squirrel share similar senses of humor or I'm annoyed 'cause I'm damn sure
my voice doesn't sound like that.

Rest assured, I know what I my voice doesn't sound like-although it's hard
to tell what it does sound like. I've spent enough time on-air at KCPR to
know that my voice is, well-not that squirrels.

Hey-I nearly forgot. Or maybe I didn't? Perhaps you've heard my problems
with Mikado up in JapanTown S.F.? I'm thinking of never shopping there
again due to their CD return policy. I stopped by there during a Friday
and picked up 3 cds ('bout $100 worth, ouch) and when I got home I
realized that my hand-eye coordination is complete crap and that I grabbed
a CD which I really didn't want. Of course, I realized this after putting
it in my CD player.

So, I bring it back exactly a week later and ask for some store credit or
something, and all I get is some fat store-clerk telling me they can buy
it back. But get this, not for like 50% or something decent-no. We're
talking 20%. That's $6. Yeah, he'll give me $6 for a CD I bought a week
ago and realized was my complete fault. I even asked him why the CD policy
if I hadn't scratched the CD and even kept all the packaging. Why? Because
he flat out told me that he doesn't know if I'm a theif or not. Maybe I
burned the CD and sold 100 copies, he doesn't know me so maybe I'm a
theif. Of course, since then I've subsequently found a few places that
share this same "you bought it, you're a theif, you can't return it"
policy."

Borders is another one. This time I was purchasing an Opera CD. Yes, I
listen to Opera, Metal, J-pop/J-rock, OSTs, Classical, and allll sorts of
Big Band and Jazz music. Oh, and a small dab of indie rock.

So anyway, the problem with buying Opera CDs is that you never know if
it's a good analog-to-digital transfer. I'm not talking about the original
quality of the recording, I'm talking about tracks that are cut off early
and start late. Ever listen to a CD where two songs are supposed to track
into each other? Yeah-well, I can guarantee you there are no Operas where
one song ends in the middle of a phrase and the next one begins on the
second note. So, I'm talking to the manager at Borders and I guess it
sorta went like this:


Me : Okay, so I need to know your CD return policy.

Cashier : Only if it's unopened.

Me : So, how would I know if it's any good or not? This is like $15 bucks
that I'm giving you guys.

Cashier : Oh, if it's opened than only if it's defective. And then we'll
replace your CD with a new one.

Me : No, I mean-what if this CD sucks? I pick up Opera CDs and I know that
there can be shitty analog-to-digital transfers. What if EMI classics
really sucks at this? I've never picked anything up by this label before.
Also, this "made in holland" sticker is not very confidence inducing.

Cashier : Well, sometimes old recording aren't recorded with the higest
qualit--

Me : No. I mean, I've picked up CDs before and the end of one song doesn't
quite track into the beginning of the next song. What if EMI produced a
not-so-steller CD?

Cashier : Let me get my manager.

:: wait for 5 minutes as she explains whatever the hell she explains to
him::

Manager : Hello. So, you're wondering about our CD return policy if the CD
is opened?

Me : Yes. I need to know that if I buy this CD and it's got this
horrendesly crappy sound and production value that I can return it and
spend my money instead on a quality product.

Manager : Well, as long as you don't open the CD you can return it at
anytime.

Me : So, how would I listen to it?

Manager : Yeah, that's a problem.

Me : **silence**

Manager : **silence-but he is smiling ^_^**

Me : So if I open it and the CD has horrible production and sound?

Manager : Well, alot of old recording were made on less than modern-day
quality equipment.

Me : Yes, that's true but not what I'm talking about. I buy records and I
know what old recordings sound like. I also know that on my records the
tracks have never been cut-off. I've got a CD where the tracks sort of
cut-off early and the next one starts late. It sounds like the CD is
skipping, but it's really just the production value is absolute crap.

Manager : Well, if the CD is defective we'll take it back and trade it for
a brand new one.

Me : And if it's not defective? What if the CD simply has poor production
value? What if I don't like it? I can't return it and get another?

Manager : No, sorry. We can't do anything about that.

Me : So... I'm buying this CD for $15 as a complete gamble. I mean, this
could be a poorly produced CD with shitty sound and I'd just be screwed
out of $15?

Manager : Yes.

Me : Uhm... okay. I'll take it I guess?



Damn music industry is on it's ass. No, maybe it's on it's head, sitting
on it's head. With it's ass in the air. Perhaps everytime we talk to one
of those music reps at a music store we're really talking to the ASS of
the RIAA or something? That might explain the bad breath of the sales reps
at Best Buy and our inability to buy something and return it upon
realizing that we'd rather spend our money on heroin for the poor than the
p.o.s. disc in our hands.

Derf over at derfcity has a comic strip about this, but I think he's taken
it down already. Another of his true-stories that either he-or one of his
readers witnessed. Some big guy walks into a record store to return some
CDs that he thinks are crap and the record clerks can't do a damn thing
unless the CDs are defective. The big guy, in frustration, breaks the CDs
and leaves the shards on the counter before leaving the store mumbling
something about them being defective now. Funny? Only if you've ever had
to sit there talking to some clerk-monkey about how you'd like to return
something that damn well should be returnable-in fact, music should be the
MOST returnable item. Tastes change and a CDs suck. I'm sure just about
everyone reading this has at one point or another purchased a CD and
realized that they made a stupid/embarrassing choice later.

After all, it's not like you can bump the blue danube from your honda when
you're driving downtown, but it does sound great on Vinyl on your home
system. Whereas, that new Nas record is alright at home, even with having
to switch sides every 2-3 songs-but that CD would be pretty sweet when
you're driving down the strip trying to yell out the window at your
friends. Either way, the CD isn't returnable and I don't think BooBoo's
(the only place in town that sells records besides CheapThrills/Nemo's and
who shops there?) takes back Vinyl either. Of course, you could always
sell it back (in brand new condition I might add) and get between 20-40%
for it. This, in my damn pissed-off opinion, is absolute crap.

That's it. From now on I'm not buying music from places I can't return it.
In fact, perhaps this whole anti-RIAA music thing that I've been hearing
word about on slashdot.org and other places is catching on with me? Maybe
I should start being a bit more vocal about this? yeah... a letter to the
editor here... some airtime on KCPR there... aggrivate the anime community
with stories (true and falsified) of geek injustices... egg-selent... soon
the mighty pig-dog music overlords will be dropping to their knees to beg
us to buy the next Madonna cd! We'll show them just how much the next
3Doors Down album means to us when we can't return it after realizing just
how mediocre their rock really is!

Ahh... who am I kidding? As soon as I walk by Boo's again I'll probably
walk into the Jazz section and pick up the newest craziest remastered
version of Duke Ellington at Fargo in 1940... at least I KNOW that CD is
worth my money.

Ever stuck your fingers together with superglue? I just did that last
Tuesday with 20 minute epoxy. Yeah. Lots of fun. I get to do it again
tonight as I go into the composites lab and do what was originally MY SOLO
project with 3 guys who are all making senior projects out of the work
that I am doing. I'm gonna work those kids like sleigh-dogs. Hya! Hya!
Does that whipping noise I type turn you on? Goodnight folks!



-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna no Anime Secretary (and mega-flake)
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub


-(I sure hope it doesn't.)

Minna No Manga 1/29/04

(Minna No Anime, Wed Jan 28 18:34:51 2004)
Again we're having our weekly MNM meeting in 14-252.
Wanna know what we're gonna do?  Then show up and find out.

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Jan 31 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Jan 29 16:22:17 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna!

You have been selected for this weekends Battle Royale! Well, not
really-but if we were to have one you'd be in.

News? Yeah, something like that. There's rumors of an AX CosPlay troupe.
It appears as though PatLabor mechanics is the costume of choice so far,
but if you're going to AX and want to hang out with us/CosPlay with us
then drop an e-mail or speak up at any meeting.

T-shirt design is up on the web page, or so I hear. Check out the
decidedly Canadian drawing that will be our rockin' t-shirt for the coming
year, or this year... I never really remember how that works.

Oh-and really important-Officer Elections are coming up! I don't think
they are this weekend, but if you're planning on running then ask any
officer about what is required, expected, and what you'll probably end up
really doing (like sitting a room 'talking' about how Princess Nine is way
better than Hyper Police). It's fun to be an officer! No, really-it is.

THE SCHEDULE!

5:00 Bobobobo Bobobo - Ep 1 : WTF is up with that Afro?
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 38 : I Will Train You!

5 min. break : What happened to HYD ep 36? We... uhm... accidentally
skipped it, sorry.


5:55 Patlabor - Ep 11 : Eve's Shudder
6:20 Nadia: Secret of Blue Water - Ep 37 : Emperor Neo

5 min. break : We're right in the final story arc for a few shows: Nadia,
Hellsing, & Haibane. Don't miss out!

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 61 : Kikyo Appears, The Use of Shikigami
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 11 : Parting - Darkness in the Heart - An
Irreplacable Thing

30 Min. Break: Yoshitoshi ABe, who's amazing art is behind Haibane, also
worked on Lain, Niea_7, and Technolyze.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 12 : Chiyo-chan's Day - High School Friends -
Lunch - Afternoon - Skipping Rope
8:40 Noir - Ep 12 : Assassin Training

5 min. break : I'd love to see a Noir/Azumanga crossover. Chiyo-chaaaaan!
Watch out!

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 12 : Total Destruction
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 12 : Lady of Chaos

That's All Folks!









Surprised? You should be. Worried? Perhaps not so much. Confused as to
what the hell I'm writing about? Good, let me fill you in.

It appears that WETA (the badasses who brought us the LOTR graphics) is
working in conjunction with GAINAX (the badasses who brought us Nadia,
FLCL, EVA, Abeno, KareKano, Honneamise...) to bring us a live-action EVA
movie.

Happy? Sad? Ecstatic? Fearful of complete corruption of something good?
Whatever you're feeling, don't worry-we'll hold you and then let you
borrow our old EVA vhs copies if it'll make you feel better. It might even
clear up some of that stuffy-headed congestion you've been feeling lately.
EVA's good for that sorta thing, you know-clearing your head.

Evangelion live action, wow. What an idea. It, of course, brings back the
question of what anime would you like to see made into a full-blown
American big-budget film? And the follow up question, yeah-but could they
do it right?

Instead of giving you my spiel on whether this is good idea or not-let me
instead digress into the depths of video game hell.

Yes, Video Games die and I believe they have a Hell. While some may argue
on the specifics of what is required to pass the entrance exams to VGHell
(tactics had shitty long menus, persia was too short, onimusha f'd your
grandmother) I think it's really easier than we all think.

After all, the distinction between VG Heaven and VG Hell is probably the
difference in whether some kid had fun w/ it or if he used it to beat his
little brother into submission (me, my brother, 1989, and Q-Bert is all I
gotta say about that).

Let's start with a game that walks the thin blood red line between fond
memories of time well spent and time well spent wishing you'd purchased
$50 of pudding instead a piece of plastic crap. Skate Or Die! (or for that
matter, Skate Or Die 2!) seems to fit this mold perfectly.

Sure, when you're 9 years old and have no idea the future of video games
involves anything more than 16-bit this game is amazing! There's like-this
place you can skate in a pool that's like a half-pipe, then there's this
actual half-pipe, and this other thing which resembles-but isn't quite...
a half-pipe. At least in SOD2 you can throw tacos at each other. Or at
least, that's what I remember about it. Was the game fun? Sure, for about
2 days. Then it just got put on the shelf next to Q-Bert and the Barbie
Mall Shopping Game where it would stay until sold at your next garage
sale. SOD and SOD2 make it to VG Hell.

And to top it all off, where are the hot, 2-D imaginary non-real
completely fictitious in their measurements girls?

Ahh, but for that we'll need Dating Sims! No, not the Sims with their
stupid garbled language. I'm talking dating simulators. Yeah, so maybe we
all play these in secret, late at night with the bedroom door locked and
the music turned up so no one knows what we're doing, but who will admit
to it? Not I. Ahem.

So, a quick google search of what is available online and in English
(lemme tell you, those Japanese babes don't understand a damn word typed
to them in English) gives the page:
http://www.newgrounds.com/collections/datingsims.html
Now, just because I typed the address does NOT mean you should go there
(esp. if you're under 18). With "dating sims" like "the lusty bar fly" and
"maid of horror" I think we've found a genre of game that can either
appeal to the lonely fanboy or to the lonely fanboy. Depending on whether
you're all about the Hentai action or the "i'm actually being social with
a girl!" action. And yes, I've heard it a thousand time "the art is
beautiful!" Finals comments? Here's a piece from the page: "Frank's
Adventure 2:Another magazine needs nude photos! You are called in to do
what you do best!"

Ahh, a game that goes traight to hell, does not pass go, and sure as hell
didn't collect my $200 : Dark Angel. I think this was a PS2 release that
was originally made for the PS1. I'm sure when it was originally made the
quality control division at Sony decided to burn the CDs, burn the
computers they were programmed on, and then burn the programmers just to
make sure the virus was contained.

It wasn't. Sometime after the release of the PS2 we received a copy of
Dark Angel... and about 4 hours later (I played it for 4 solid hours help
me god i want those moments back to live differently!) I stood up and I
was physically hurt by the game. My ass, which has taken all sorts of
punishment over the years, was physically beat. I was walking funny and
swearing at the PS2 for the rest of the night and early into the next
morning.

The story of Dark Angel? Well-the game starts up, some text flashes on
screen about how some terrrrrible evil is going to kill all human kind in
like, three years, and then the game starts with you, a sword, and a
shitload of guys around you who are there to kill you. From here you find
out that you're some not-quite-3D girl with a sword, some magic, and a
willingness to hack-and-slash for longer periods of time then it would
take to code Diablo III. My sister loaned me this game saying "this isn't
very good" whereas if I had understood double speak I would've heard her
say "I place a gypsy curse upon your ass! Pain! Pain for all eternity!"
Yeah, go sis.

What makes this game go straight to hell? Well, besides the
not-fun-in-any-way-gameplay, not-so-great-graphics, and
complete-lack-of-story? How about the not-fun-control system,
huge-ass-pains that come about from even viewing footage of gameply, or
lack of purpose to what you do in the game? You go to town. You leave
town. You fight. Days pass. Evil isn't here yet! Go back to town. Leave
town. Figh. Days pass... evil still not ready... lather, rinse, repeat for
as many times as you can stand to do so.

Honestly, Barbie Mall Shopping might even be more fun than that one. Not
like I ever played or owned the Barbie mall shopping game, I'm just
saying. You know. It might be more fun.

But this is an anime club newsletter, right? Where are all the anime-based
games? Well. For the most part they suck, I'm sorry. Robotech came out a
bit ago and while it's fun, if you're not hardcore Macross fan then you
probably wont get a big kick out of it. The .Hack games? Well-I hear those
are actually beyond decent and in the land of "good," but what do I know
about a game I haven't even played yet? ArctheLad is well... yeah,
nevermind it. The Gundam games looked cool, but I didn't see the point
to running around a desert with what seemed infinite ammo and countless
targets.

Oh my god, I'm late for a class that was cancelled! Ahhh, back to the
point of this newsletter.

**SHAMELESS PLUG**
(i hope you enjoy this as much as i do)

Like anime/video game soundtracks? J-pop? J-rock? Weeeelllll, KCPR 91.3FM
has a show for you! Arigato Tokyo! Tuesdays, 5-6pm. Anime & Videogame
Soundtracks, Japanese pop and allll sorts of things from the island that
brought you your favorite addiction-anime.

**END OF SHAMELESS PLUG**

Ooh, that felt good. I'm not even hosting it this quarter and I figured
I'd let you all know about it. Listen next Tuesday and give Cowboy Andy a
call (or two). I'm sure he'd appreciate it for about 15 minutes.

See you all in club this Saturday! Avoid the Noid!

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

[MnA] Sat, Feb 7 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb  6 01:25:23 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Another week... another 168 hours lost to a)sleeping b)gaming c)anime
d)schoolwork e)eating f)classes. Yes, in that order. Although, sometimes
gaming outdoes sleeping, but that's rare.

NEWS:

I'm going to announce this again, because it was so cool. We have a
winning T-shirt design for the year, and if you want one I think we'll be
researching prices sooooon... and taking orders VERY soon after that. So
check out the website www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub for the design.

Library is still open! I think most of you don't realize the treasure
chest this club has, in terms of what is in the library. Check out the
website for info on what we have (3000 miles in search of mother!!! and
Black Heaven!!!) and send a letter to the librarian if you need anything
from that list.

Officer Elections are around the corner. Yep, it's that time of year
again. The current officers are planning on moving on, graduating,
leaving, or perhaps just taking some time to ourselves so we can drink
more. It's really just that if a club doesn't have new leadership cycle
through then it becomes stagnant and we rrreally don't want that.

We, the current officers, really do love this club (for various reasons
I'm sure) and we want some people who think they can run this club to step
up to the plate. Sure, maybe you've never been VP for a club before, but
this isn't a management position at a big-time store, this is just a club.
Remember that you're doing this because you want to do this, and if you've
got even a little amount of spare time during the week you'll be great in
this position. The only time that things get crazy is when you're at a
pictionary party and up being forced to draw Conneticut blindfolded.
Otherwise, it's a blast.



THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Yamamoto Yohko TV - Ep 1 : Okay, "...exceptional physical prowess and
videogaming skills." 'Nuff said?
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 39 : Devil's Triangle

5 min. break : One of these days we're just gonna HAVE to show an ep. of
Golden Boy for FansubO' again.

5:55 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 37 : Emperor Neo
6:20 Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Ep 38 : ... To Space

5 min. break : Despite the website's ominous fortelling, Nadia will end
NEXT WEEK. A final, last, and kinda sad (but fulfilling!) episode.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 62 :
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 12 :

30 Minute Break : Probably not this week, but maybe next week it looks
like we'll have some AMV's from a former club member.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 13 : No Guard Strategy - S - Midterm Test -
Formation - Ability
8:40 Noir - Ep 13 : Season of Hell

5 min. break : What the hell do the lyrics to Noir's opening theme mean?
Then again, what the hell do the lyrics to Berserk mean?

9:10 Hellsing - Ep 13 : Hellfire
9:35 Crest of the Stars - Ep 13 : Trouble Soaring Through Heaven

That's all folks!















So earlier today I was hopped up on caffeine. You should've been there - I
headbutted a concrete wall, a soda can (it was empty, don't worry), and
realized how cool I look when I pose in the mirror.

Ever had that feeling of utter and complete doom? I felt that last night.
I was in the lab (like most nights, actually) getting work done-or-trying
to get work done. It was a bit rowdy in there, and so I pull out my
handy-dandy-super-trusty MiniDisc player. And then I dropped it.

Yep. My only savior in the island of chaos, and I betrayed it to the
forces of gravity. I plugged in my headphones, hit play, and then silently
cried the tears of a broken and utterly defeated man. I nearly walked out
to the balcony (we're on the 3rd floor) and threw that piece of very
expensive electronics very, very far.

Instead I decided to bite my lip, pour one for my fallen comrade, and move
on with my life. It also helps that Sony is coming out with a new MiniDisc
format that is no less amazing then the rumors of your mother's
performance in bed (if those rumors are true then I don't feel so bad for
laughing).

Sorry, I'm not supposed to be mean. It just sorta slipped. Sigh...
mantra... "I don't need this anger... I don't need this anger..."

Okay, all better.

I think we'll be able to throw on some AMV's by an old club alumnus either
this week or next. I have no idea if he/she's got any skills, but either
way you gotta support your comrades-in-arms, especially when your option
is yet ANOTHER GuiltyGear tournament video.

Of course, I'd still love to see how they got those monkeys to fly in the
Wizard of Oz. I mean, wow-have you seen that film? Or more importantly,
have you seen that film while listening to the dark side of the moon (Pink
Floyd)? Or even MORE importantly, have you seen that film, with the Pink
Floyd album playing, while "relaxed"? Well, yeah... okay, I can't claim to
be that cool either, but having done all three separately I think it'd be
pretty cool to combine them. You know, like that time when I was a kid and
I combined a Chocolate Chip Cookie, Mustard, Wheat Bread, Mayonaise,
Lettuce, Swiss Cheese and made the sandwhich to whoop all other
sandwhiches.

The first bite tasted pretty good actually, but I think that was just my
body attempting to rationalize the flavor in my mouth. The second bite...
yeah. I immediately went to the trash can and vowed never to play God
again, lest I vomit mustard and chocolate all over my pants a second time.
There's really just no explanation you can give people for brown and
mustard-colored stains. I mean... you try, but they really don't believe
you.

And for the last fucking time:

HERE IS THE STORY OF HOW I GOT MY SUPER-MYSTICAL NICKNAME "K"

Freshman year. Fall quarter, 1998. I am living in Sierra Madre (on-campus
housing). I write a quote on the whiteboard on my door, "yadda yadda yadda
Lord Of Chaos." This of course, causes all the people on my floor to begin
calling me the Lord Of Chaos.

Now, don't get me wrong-that's a fucking cool name when you're 18 and a
freshman in college. My friend, however, thought it was too long to use in
casual conversation (at least he didn't start calling me the Warthog) and
began to call me "K" as in the first syllable of "chaos."

Pretty damn simple, eh? I SHALL NEVER UTTER THIS STORY AGAIN.

Thank god, it's finally over. Five years... or is it six now? Anyway, many
many many retellings of the story later, I'm fed up with it.

I'd love to have a new nickname, but it's hard to stop the inertia of a
name.

Also, to set the record straight-despite rumors to the contrary, I never
owned that damned-straight-to-hell Barbie Mall Shopping game.

Although I do own a nintendo, with a bunch of games, and some were my
sisters... ahem...

What was my point?

Oh yeah, the damn cat pee'd on the thing! He's neutered now. Fucker. I
mean, he can still pee I guess, but not on my classic NES system! Not
again, anyhow. So... I guess I'll pay someone to comeover and clean it and
the games? And... uh... for the slave labor I might even pay you in
something worthwhile, like food or drinks... probably not cash though,
I've got about $5 to last me (and my anime/manga addictions) for another
week or two.

And if you do find that Barbie Mall Shopping game in the bag full of
cat-smelling old-school games, uhm... just lemme know and I'll go hide it
somewhere deep in my room and promise me you wont tell anyone 'bout it.
Thanks.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

Minna No Manga Feb. 12

(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 11 22:54:01 2004)
Hi everybody!
Sorry about the lack of an e-mail last week, I was about to then that
silly little thing called sleep stopped me.  Anyway MNM will always be run
even when I forget to do the e-mail.  If for some reason MNM is cancelled,
I would write an e-mail saying so.

Anyway, Nur and U are still hunting for the big surpruse video we're
saving for MNM, if we find it, we'll be sure to bring it.  Or else we can
just watch another ep of Futurama off of Josho's laptop.

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Feb 14 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb 13 00:14:15 2004)
Okay. If you're at this weekends meeting you're as big a dork as we are.
That, or your girl/boy friend is really, really cool.

Konnichiwa Minna-San!

News! Alcohal. For thsoe ofyou at Tsurugi's tonight-you understand that
statement. Let me tell you, 11:49PM AND IT'S STILL GOIN STROING! Yes. Oh
yes.

Officer elections are coming up. If you thought VP was easy wait 'till you
hear about secretary! Except they'll probably expect you to doooo work,
unlike lazy-ass me. Those fliers were pretty cool though. You gotta admit
that, and the weekly newsletter has come out pretty much, well... weekly.
I try to get it out by Wed., but I had a take-home midterm that has been
kicking my ass for the past 48 hours. Otherwise, some subtitling (we'll
show you how-it's real easy) and an hour/two to write the weekly
newsletter each week and you're done. A flier at the beginning of the
quarter can always be pawned off on your photoshop friend, if need be.



THE SCHEDULE!!
(no ep titles this week, must write letter then go save save Neverwinter!)

5:00 Fansub O': I really, really liked last week's Yamamoto Yohko.
5:25 HanaYori Dango - Ep 40

5 min. break : So... I skipped class today at 4pm so I could go make
myself into the literary genius I am right now.

5:55 Nadia : Secret of Blue Water - Ep 39 : The grand finale. No really,
it's the ending and there's no more. It's pretty daaaamn sweet also.
6:20 Kokoro Library - Ep 1 : What the hell is this? I don't know either,
but it's pretty 'king sweet.

5 min break : Kokoro is talked about by EVERYONE. Well, everyone who's
anyone. Maybe you dont' know anyone who's anyone? Hmmm....

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 63 : Goddamn kick that things all already!
7:15 Haibane Renmei - Ep 13 : Another ending series. You may need to bring
tissues.

30 Min. Break! Yeah, yeah yeah. Time to get food, right? Maybe we should
tell you about the officer positions, or mabye just waste your time
watching more megamanII videos?

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 14 : Shopping - Meeting - The Beach! - Capturing
Operation - An Adult's World
8:40 Noir - Ep 14 : Girls, guns, now all we're missing are Zombies!

5 min. break : Seriously, that's the holy triad-of movies. Girls, Guns,
and Zombies. Resident Evil had it all!

9:10 SaiKano - ep 1 : This is called "She, The Ultimate Weapon" or "The
last love story on this little planet" or something like that.
9:35 Banner of the Stars - Ep 1 : Staring after Crest ended, this
amazing story continues. Well, I think- I haven't seen this...

That's All Folks!

















Okay-so tonight at Tsurugi (for those of you on the other mailing list,
the minnanomembers@<removed for spam reasons> you knew all about this meeting!!) we
had a dinner get-together.

A good amount of people showed up, including me! Unfortunately, as I
realized pretty quickly-I was the only one who was so amazingly shitfaced
when he showed up that i can't even remember half the dinner.

I have vague recollections of leaning on a freshman and pointing and
laughing at TomDave, but besides that I think Imight have made an ass out
of myself in front of Rebeca. Damn. Not cool, right? Exacly-except that
tomorrow is the big naughty-gothic-schoolchildren party!

Don't ask. If you're not invited, you're probably not welcome. Of course,
would you want to be invited to the naughty-gothic-schoolchildren party
anyway? I'm going 'cause of a girl.

A fiiiiine girl.

We're not talking the kind of girl who makes your head turn when she walks
by, we're talking the kind of girl who makes your jaw drop and your heart
stop and your brain stop working regularly. Stupind things come out of my
mouth when she's around, and I can feel my face contort into some sort of
"smile" type facsimile when she looks at me. I need to get over this
retardedness otherwise I'll never lure her close enough to get to know me
and my amazingly smoooooth self.

So yeah, party tomorrow night. I'm kinda stoked I might see this girl
again.

Problem? Yeah, of course there's a problem. She's a bit younger age-wise.
Not too much, but enough for me to say that I've been out of the dorms for
many years and she's just finishing up her 2nd year in them.

So what to do? Continue along and hope for a romance that will make me the
laughing stock of all my friends or do I give up and remain the laughing
stock of all my friends (yeah, they're really not all that nice).

I say... go for it! I think I might actually be able to have a
"valentine's day" for the first time in years in which I actually had a
valentine on said day!

Of course, if you show up on Saturday and I'm looking pretty bummed that
means nothing happened and I maybe prone to hugging you during the break
and asking for your hand in marriage (don't worry, it happens alot, it
passess pretty quickly).

Problem is I don't know your ring size, so I guess I'll just have to
propose half-assed when I ask you for your hand in marriage.

Ouch my throat hurts.

I think I might have caught something? Or maybe I shouldn't have drank all
those drinks followed by all those other drinks... really, shots followed
by Martini Chasers. Yeah, smart idea. Real smart.

Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty okay right now. I wish I was saving
Neverwinter, but sleep may be calling me right now. I do, after all, have
to make it to all of my ZERO Friday classes. ^_^ Woo-hoo! Oh yeah, 4 day
weekend for me.

If noone hadmentioned that this Saturday was Valentine's day I wouldn't
have notic4ed-at all.. Instead, someone had to mention it and now I am
wishing I wasn't such a damn loser! Perhaps next year I'll rock out with
two girls on my arm to make up for this year? Or maybe I'll be working
next year's Valentine day early-getting ready for rejection 365 days
early.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna no Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
-woo I'm tired, I'm seeping triple! This is amazing!yy

MNM, FF Crystal Chronicles, Pictionary

(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 18 20:33:07 2004)
Here, three, three, three announcements in one.

As usual MNM will be meeting this week in 14-252, what's special about
this week's meeting is that we will (hopefully) be playing Final Fantasy
Crystal Chronicles in the room a couple of doors down.  If you have a GBA
and a link cable come join the caravan!

Also, this is kinda short notice, but pictionary is on at Ben's place this
FRIDAY (2/20/04), there's no definate start time, but I guess people
should be there by say...6 PM

If there are any questions shoot an e-mail to the member's list on
yahoogroups.

Hope to see you there!

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Feb 21 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Feb 19 14:11:09 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san!

Ahhh... a week of exceptional midterms, exams, presentations, papers, and
the occasional Pint Night. I hope school isn't getting you down, and if
you're out of school well, I'm sorry-really I am.

THE NEWS:
(all the news that's print to fit? I'm not a witty person, d'oh!)

Pictionary Party! Yeah, I'm guessing you already got that message, but
I'll repeat it because as they told me over and over, "Repetition is Key!"
So if you don't know where Ben's place is then e-mail around (either us
here or the Minna-no-members list that you should be on!!) and get
directions. It's really deceptively simple, except for actually finding
his house behind this gigantic hedge-maze thing. I swear, I rolled up to
his house and spent half-an-hour walking up and down the street looking
for his house, only to realize it was behind what I thought was some sort
of cancerous-green-growth.

Officer Elections! I, uh, think they're this week. No, wait-I'm SURE they
are this week! Come, stand in front of everyone and let them know exactly
how much better than me you can write! Trust me... I really, really would
love to see one of you doing this job instead of me. I'm sure some of you
feel the same way.

As far as I know, all the officer positions are up for grabs! So, if
you're a Poly student and you've never held a position in a club then this
is a great place to cut your chops. Learn what it means to have SAY in
something as awesome as this club.

That's right, Officers pick shows. (did you like the capital "O") You like
KittyGrade? MasterCookingBoy? FullMetalPanicFumoffu? Mahoro Season 2
(pleeeeaaasseeee!!)? Technolyze? PrincessNine (f**k yeah!)? Anyway-this
list goes on a while. Just remember, it'll be up to YOU to decide what
gets shown on our THEATER size screen. It's kinda like being king-geek,
without being a geek... so it's really like being king! Or, you know-queen
if you're not a kingly type.


THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Fansub O: (hopefully) the Return of Kaliedostar!
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 41 : The Beginning of New Ways

5 min. break : I'll admit it... i like soap operas... involving Hanawaza
Rui...

5:55 Kokoro Library - Ep 1 :
6:20 Patlabor - Ep 14 : You win!

5 min. break : Although, I've never seen Meteor Garden (friend has like, a
bunch of these Taiwanese live-action HYDango VCDs)

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 64 : Tahoutou's Huge Demon (heeheehe....)
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 1 : The Visitor

30 Minute Break : Officer Elections! You know you want the power of
holding the gray cash-box. Or you could be El Presidente!

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 15 : Kimura's Family - Did You See That? - The
Unconfirmed Wife - Frozen Solid - Results Announcement
8:40 Noir - Ep 15 : Heartless Assassin Act I

5 min. break : I say we toast our new officers! And then wish them all the
luck in the world in attempting to figure out a schedule before August,
suckers.

9:10 Saikano - Ep 2 : I'm growing...
9:35 Crest of the Stars 2 : Operation Phantom Flame

That's All Folks!!

























Sniff... sniff... did you SEE Saikano last week? You ever gotten ahold of
that manga? Damn that's the saddest last love song on this little planet.
Anyway, moving on past my sensitive side-and on to the "i can't feel my
face" side of things.

Pictionary this Friday? Perhaps you've heard legends tell of this mighty
game capable of bringing people together in less than a weeks notice. I've
seen gigantic block parties in full swing which are less energetic then a
bunch of people yelling at someone "it's a goddamn frog! you're drawing a
frog! what the hell is it!? It's a froooog!" As if by merely yelling at
them that what you see is a frog shall make it so, even if what you're
really drawing is a rifle.

Added bonus to Friday's Pictionary Party? Well, besides the fact that
yours truly shall make a much needed (and sober) appearance, is that
you'll be there also. The more people actually decide to show up the more
fun things become! So don't be that person who thinks "well... no one's
gonna be there..." because last time we had upwards of nearly 2-dozen
people. That's right. And not all of them are your usual Club members. We
had people who were like "yeah, i like anime, but i don't go to club.
However, I Luuuuv Pictionary!" And if you're old enough we'll let you into
the "good" fridge. Otherwise, well... I guess we'll let you into the good
fridge anyway, we're kinda relaxed like that. And like last time, I will
gladly exchange rides for physical contact (massages, headbutts, hits on
people, embarrising loss of thumb-war to a 5'1" 95 lb. girlie-girl) or
whatnot.

Hey-okay... now we're getting serious here. After sending out the invite
we got invited ourselves into someone else's Caravan-which we're very cool
with. In fact, we're thinking of joining, but it looks like we're pretty
much only free on Wednesdays from about 7-11(maybe midnight). So, if
anyone else out there wants to join us in our merger of caravans let us
know! We could use someone to carry the chalice for us, after all.

Ahem... time for my improvised State of the Consumer Address.

This is a great time for buyers of anime, such as you and me. However, we
must still be wary of where our hard-earned money is headed. Perhaps you
realize too late that you like the manga for KareKano more than you like
the anime or vice-versa? Where does that leave you? Or even worse, a deal
so good on that Bebop soundtrack that it's too good to be true? Probably
is, unfortunately.

For quite some time the older anime crowd has been using the wonders of
the internet to purchase anything we needed, since that used to be the
only way to get anything (besides SailorMoon and DBZ). Now? Well, now you
can head down to Suncoast in your local mall and peruse their GIGANTIC
anime collection. The amount of titles coming out in America is amazing.
It used to be you'd only dream of a show like FMP ever making it
mainstream enough to be released in the states, and now shows like R.O.D.
the TV are licensed before they even air in Japan.

This is good for the consumer. We have access to more shows at a cheaper
rate. After all, Region 2 DVDs imported from Japan are about 2-to-1 in
price compared to their American counterparts (if not more). Sometimes
there is quality with that increase in price, and rarely will you feel you
got the shaft.

This is also a problem. With an increased market size and value, anime has
seen more and more bootleg videos appear in more commercial stores.
Previous to this gigantic explosion of popularity one could head to
Chinatown (SF) and find what they were looking for on VCD if they were
lucky. It was a bootleg and it was accepted as such, no disclaimers
otherwise. Today though, fancier packaging and "complete ultra!" box-sets
featuring entire 26 episode shows (which are normally on 3 DVDs or
something just as insane) can be found at local mom-'n-pop stores and
sometimes in the non-chain stores in your local mall.

But it's cheaper, so it's better for you, right? Well, what you're
effectively doing by spending your money on a bootleg is telling the
company that produced, marketed, licensed, and distributed the official
product that you don't want their item while at the same time informing
bootleggers that you agree with their cheaper, non-licensed way of doing
business. I really don't want to get into intellectual property rights,
copyright law, or paying the creater arguments. I just want to lay it out
for you what is happening.

Sometimes its hard to tell between the official and bootleg version, and
a lot of people don't even know what's going on with respect to this. A
quick way to check is inspect the box for copyright markings by the
company that produced the show (Bandai, Sunrise, Pioneer, etc.) or a known
bootlegger (SonMay-although I think they only do music, etc.). Chinese
subtitles are also pretty common among bootleg discs, as most bootlegs
originate in Taiwan (they have the weirdest copyright laws).

So, for us poor college students this puts us in an odd place. On one hand
most of us feel fine downloading songs to our hearts content, after all
music is over-priced and the record industry is corrupt. Sure, the artist
in that case makes even less money off of CD-sales since people normally
download and then burn the album without giving it a second thought. Okay,
now movies are similar, right? After all, if $16 a CD is too much to pay,
$26 is too much for a DVD, right? If $16 is too much to pay for a CD which
I will listen to over and over again, then $26 is definitely too much to
pay for a Movie/Show I will watch a few times every few months.

At the same time, however, you're avoiding the fact that someone (a lot of
someones, actually) had to create the entertainment you're enjoying. A CD
is created by a lot of people, not just the artist. At least the studio
techs, marketing people, talent scout (to find the artist in the first
place), business people, etc. A lot of people worked to bring you that
product. Now think about that DVD you just got bootleg. You bypassed all
those people who worked on mastering that disc. Instead your money is
being routed to someone who took a finished product (without making any
investment into it) and sold it as their own. If you don't find this
morally wrong then I have no other argument you will likely listen to.

The issues of quality control and bonus extras also come to the front when
discussing bootleg discs. However, most people are willing to sacrifice
these in order to save the price of a meal or two at a fast food
restaurant.

Okay, sorry-didn't mean to rant about bootlegs. I just saw some
less-than-legit discs the other day and got a little annoyed. I had to
slap one of my roomate's hands to keep her away from the bebop discs she
was eyeing.

Anyway, here's a joke to loosen things up. If you're not an Aero engineer
you might not get it, and even if you did you'd probably throw a tomatoe
at me for good measure.

So, flow walks into a difuser and starts looking around. The diffuser
walls yell at it, "Hey! Stop stalling!" [insert nerdy laugh]

Goodnight folks!

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub


-p.s. my bad cookie fortune was "Your heart is impure, and your mind
clouded, and your soul evil." Upon opening another fortune cookie I
received "it may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a
warning to others."

[MnA] Pictionary Friday

(Minna No Anime, Fri Feb 20 03:41:06 2004)
Minna-san,

Because none of the officers seem to remember where I live, and I
apparently have nothing better to do at 3:30 in the morning (*sigh*), I'm
going to make sure that everybody knows my email address so that they can
contact me for directions:

benl@<removed for spam reasons>

I'd say not to give it out to spammers, but judging by the amount of spam
that I already get, I don't think that's really an issue anymore.  Thank
God for spam filters that actually work!

-Ben
-MNA Pictionary Party Host

MNM 02-25-04

(Minna No Anime, Wed Feb 25 23:23:07 2004)
I'll keep this one short and sweet (mostly because I have a big, nasty
midterm tomorrow)...

Thursday 7-10
Building 14 room 252

We'll do stuff...cool stuff.

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Feb. 28 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Feb 26 22:08:49 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san

Not much pre-letter stuff to say. Check the rant for the, uh, rant.

NEWS:

Officers have been elected! Yes, a democracy at work elected new officers
for all positions.

El Presidente : Mike "kinda-reminds-us-of-Santa"
Vice Presidente : Annaliese "Sonya-Blade-For-Those-In-The-Know"
Treasurer : Ashlee
"I-Don't-Know-This-Person-Enough-To-Be-In-The-Least-Witty"
Secretary : David "Mr. Opinion" Bathe
Librarian : Rob "With-That-Hat-Used-To-Have-That-Hair"
Webmaster : Stephen
"Real-Quiet-But-I-Still-Wouldn't-Get-In-A-Fight-With-Him"

Phew. Okay, sorry-had to give you an idea of just exactly which "stephen"
or "ashlee" I was talking about since the club is filled with these people
of regular/common names. I mean, just last week I ran across 17 stephens
sitting on the right side of the silo alone. Keeping their names straight
was hard when I found out one was lying to me and in fact, her name was
really Stephanie. That just blew my mind.

Ahh... the end of the quarter is soon upon us! Yep, with spring break
arriving we'll be showing you guys an amazing movie at our last meeting!
We're still deliberating the finer points of our possible choices, but by
next week we should have a decision hammered out.

THE SCHEDULE:
(sorry, super busy this week-no ep titles, ask me on Sat. and I'll tell
you about my depression/counselor meeting thingies! Oh yeah... manic baby!
Manic!)

5:00 Fansub O': Something you know is gonna be good
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 42 : Doumyouji does something stupid again

5 min. break : On Friday afternoon I'll be playing baseball if anyone
wants to join

5:55 Kokoro Library - Ep 2 : Why Kokoro, you look good enough to eat!
6:20 Patlabor - Ep 15 : Damn those mecha are cool

5 min. break : And I need an x-acto knife. These damn models aren't coming
off the plastic as well as they could be... sandpaper too...

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 65 : About time for another comical episode, I think?
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 2 : If you missed last weeks episode, I'm really
sorry. It was cool.

30 Minute Break : I wonder how many members in club own airsoft guns? We
should get together, form a club/league, and then go shoot each other
until our friends think we're all idiots.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 16 : Combination - Advent - Cute - Order -
Advertising Impact
8:40 Noir - Ep 16 : Duuude-that guy/girl thing with the knives was pretty
cool

5 min. break : Ahh... my third of being in the caravan. Diary Entry #
3572.b - Today I met a caravan from place X. They were in need of item Y.
I gave them the finger. I hope to meet them again.

9:10 Saikano - Ep 3 : If you can find the manga for this show, do it!
9:35 Crest of the Stars 2 - Ep 3 : I'm still in the air about what to call
this show. Amazing or really amazing?

That's All Folks!























No time for a rant! I must get back to work! Yes... Thursday night... and
I'm still working. I bet you're wondering "But... how can a slacker like
you actually DO anything?"

Well, it's not easy. First you've gotta actually have something to do.
After that, well-it all sorta falls into line. You set aside some time for
whatever you have priorities set for, and then when that time comes you
simply begin what you need to do.

Example: showering. Now, I know that I don't put a high priority on this
and I really don't care much how I smell or how clean my flesh is. Truth
is, this is lower on the priority scale than playing just about any video
game (except for Barbie Mall Shopping...), and it will probably stay that
way until a lot of people yell at me for smelling like cat-urine or
something equally despicable. But-in the morning when I think about it
sometimes, the priority level of showering rises enough to warrent time
before video games. So-I put the controller down, turn off the Cube, and
proceed immediately to the closest bathing-station. As for how long I take
in the shower and how it is unrelated to how clean I come out, well-like I
said-it's still low on my priority list.

Another example: Retaining my sanity and keeping out of manic-depressive
curves which I am currently in. Okay, so-you'd think you'd want to keep
your mind nice and clean if you don't keep your body clean, right? RIGHT.
This is high on my priority list, hence-the associated video games and
anime high priorities, but it doesn't mean I'll always get it done! It is
high on the list and so I try to set aside a lot of time making sure I
stay happy and noone gets killed or nothing. Sometimes, however, it just
doesn't work out that way. I end up moving the base-priorities of this
(anime, vid games, movies, music, sleep, food, etc.) lower and lower on
the list as I end up doing more and more work, nothing, coughing, feeling
like I have mono, etc.

Hmm... okay, nevermind. I think I just ran out of time for my writing this
letter. I have to get food and then back to work...

Just wanted to say one last thing which you all had better understand, and
if not-then go out and figure it out immediately-it's really funny. "Touch
my TV and your 'king dead!"

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary (not for much longer...)
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

MNM 3/4/04

(Minna No Anime, Wed Mar  3 19:23:29 2004)
Again Minna no Manga meets in CSC bulding (14) room 252 from 7-10 pm

Perhaps we may watch more Japanese TV shows

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Mar. 7 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Mar  4 00:19:29 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san

1)news
2)schedule
3)rant(?)


THE NEWS:

Uhm... well... it's been a slow week. But next week we're done for the
quarter. There will be a 2 week break during March 20 and 27 Saturdays,
and we'll be back April 3 or something. Expect a badass movie on the 27th
for our final meeting of Winter Quarter. I hope to see you all there this
weekend or next!

Also-Tsurugi's Dinner Outing! Yes, it's that time again. Come, sign up for
our quarterly dinner outing to Tsurugi-the badass Japanese food place in
town. I think we'll be reserving the Tatami room (sweeeeeeet!) for Mar.
14, but you need to sign up with us or we're booting you out of that room
when we run out of room (and I promise you-we always do).

Come this Saturday to club and signup to come eat with us. Eat,
Drink, And Be Merry... (for tomorrow we die-is the rest of the quote, I
think-but it didn't seem appropriate)


THE SCHEDULE:

5:00 Fansub Of The Week : I rrrreally liked Stellvia last week. If you did
too then let the officers (new or old) know!
5:25 Hana Yori Dango - Ep 43 : Kokoro no Kizu wa Fukakute Omoi

5 min. break : I'll try to implant Japanese titles this week if I can find
them.

5:55 Patlabor - Ep 16 : The Unit Crosses The Sea
6:20 Kokoro Library - Ep 3 : The Secret Miss Kirin

5 min. break : I swear, if Kokoro doesn't hole up in a clock-tower with a
sniper rifle then this show is NOT going the direction I was hoping it
would.

6:50 Inuyasha - Ep 66 : Naraku no Kekkai   Kagura no Kesshin
7:15 Gunparade March - Ep 3 : Fireworks

30 Minute Break : Okay, finding Japanese titles wasn't as easy as I
thought... or, finding them and figuring out how to navigate sites wasn't
as I thought.

8:15 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 17 : Osaka's Scary Story - Something about
Pandas? and some Karaoke and Santa Claus. I think.
8:40 Noir - Ep 17 : Return to Corsica

5 min. break : Azumanga Daioh is one of the purest forms of crack
available on the black market, did you know that?

9:10 Saikano - Ep 4 : (okay... there was no title for this ep on the pages
I found and I'm tired...)
9:35 "I'm-Sick-And-Ben-Is-An-Idiot Of The Stars" - Ep 4 : The First
Campaign


That's All Folks!























Yeah, sometimes you do a search for a show and find that despite the net
being "vast" and "full of information" you can not find what you're
looking for.

Of course, do a search for KillBill and you find that Amazon is announcing
April 16th as the release date for Volume 2. Yes... finally... my prayers
have been answered and the world is good again.

For those of you who didn't see KillBill Vol.1 and have no idea what I'm
talking about, let me try to be as concise as possible in educating you.
KillBill kicks ass. If you like Tarantino and you like movies, and you
don't have a problem with movies that are about revenge of the very human
sort, then... well... yeah, this is gonna be one of your favorite films.

If you're David though, then you'll fail to see the badass-ness of this
film and continue to berate me about how Pulp Fiction was about the
violence and the "cool" while this film was not. Mr. Bathe, you are
incorrect. Pulp Fiction was extremely well done violence in the fact that
very little violence was actually on screen and a good portion of it was
alluded to very, very well. Maybe, 5 scenes in the film show some
violence, while Kill Bill is in fact-much bloodier and sadder. I'm all
about the blood and the sad and the fact that Production I.G. did a scene
in the film. Will they return in Volume 2? Fuck if I know, but I'm sure
Tarantino would rather have us wowed by something new.

Now, perhaps some of you might vie me as being "mental" or in more
clinically used terms "fucked up in the head." But, how many of you know
that in fact-I truly AM mental? Well, today I got a call from the Cal Poly
Health Center. They're in charge of their Mental Health Services and
apparently they treat these "visits" (if you will) as appointments of a
sort, reminiscent of your dentist.

"Hello, is Ahmad there? Yes, well-we just wanted to remind you that you
have a dent-er, mental-health counseling appointment tomorrow at 1:45pm."

My reply, of course was, "umm... thanks. Bye."

I mean, what do you say to the person who is neither your doctor, nor your
friend about your tendancies to... well, I'd better not tell you guys
either; however, this phone jockey was a bit disturbing. I mean, do I say
"why thank you! I'll inform myself later after I've finished the chicken
sacrifice!" or do I simply reply with "Jamshid no home! jamshid lie in
hole... afraid of boogey-man-sun-goober-popcorn!"

Truly, perhaps between the combined mental-ness of everyone on this
mailing list we can come up with something really, really memorable to say
to this person-NAY-ALL PHONE JOCKEYS!! Yes, I say we come up with a list,
and whenever anyone of us gets a call we reply to these telemarketers and
secretaries with something insanely witty. Something they'll be telling
their children that night over dinner it'll be so amazing the stuff we
come up with.

"Actually, no... I'm sorry, he can't make his mental health exam this
week. No, you see he's left for the Hoover Dam. Something about
cliff-diving, I think?"

"Dentist appointment? Shiiiiit, that would've been great a week ago before
he got those fucking molars knocked out. Yeah, this car was backing up and
he didn't see it..."

"Long distance companies? No, I'm sorry-I actualy PREFER your competitor
because they're more expensive. You see, it's like this-you guys are
fucking bastards. They, however-are nice guys. I know them, they're
cool-we play poker sometimes. You are like the kid down the street who
harrasses me 'cause of my funny hair, and now that I've grown up and am
dating your sister I can walk into your room and piss on your bed."

I dunno... those are off the top of my head, so maybe they'll be alright.
Rating system anyone? 1=shit. 2=uhm, no. 3=okay, maybe if you said it
correctly. 4=that's pretty good. 5=that's really good-I'm stealing that as
my own next time I'm around that cute guy/girl.

You know what I would love to see on the Silo's screen? Beach Spikers
Volleyball! Yeah. That would rock. Rocketh. That would rocketh. Sega makes
some amazing games, and the best part is you can pick it up and within
five minutes know all the controls-considering there's only one button to
press-two if it's really complicated.

None of this tap punch, forward, forward, half-circle back, kick,
punch+kick+double-forward dash crap. No, I'm talking Monkey Ball here
people! Simple, pleasureable, fun. Of course, I'm not bad-mouthing complex
games or nothing. It's just that Bible Adventures was stupid. Sorry,
tangent-but I had to get it off my chest-that game sucked.

Hey-who wants to learn Japanese? I've let my studies rrrreally fall behind
and I was thinking about how much fun I had when I went to the Land Of The
Rising Sun last summer and how I love run-on sentances. So yeah, anyone
want to get together and study/learn Japanese? I can teach you
basic-basics. But other than that, I can just tell you stupid stories of
how we took body-shots off of cute japanese girls and then got laughed at
by other cute japanese girls, oh-and apparently the words "fuck this
underwear is riding my ass" are universal. That or their high-school
English teachers are a lot cooler than ours.

So yeah, if anyone wants to get togehter-like... during Minna No Manga or
something and actually learn some foreign language skills (I can,
however-teach you how to hit on girls in Japan. It's even easier if they
speak English!) like how to hold your own in Japan at all sorts of things
ranging from food & drink to beating up old ladies who steal your luck
while playing Pachinco (or whatever that stupid game is called).

Oh-and of course, there are a few key phrases you neeeed to know to
absolutely, positively impress any and all Japanese folk. If you can blurt
these things out and say them with a good accent or even sound like you're
remotely attempting an accent-then like yeah... you're in the club, man.
Or woman, sorry for being so gender biased. Hmm... okay, to un-gender-bias
myself I guess I should start saying things like, "Guys or girls I shall
teach you how to hit on guys or girls."

Oh, and if I've never mentioned their fireworks before-dude... Japan has
fireworks. What we've got here in the states? No, we've got bottle
rockets. I'm just saying, it may be time to repeat my fireworks/sex
analogy. Ever notice how with fireworks things sorta just start? You're
hanging out, knowing it's gonna happen, but not sure when. And then...
poof. The first one flies through the sky. From there it's just natural
progression into the next ones and eventually you have this rythm going
on. Everything's good and it's going along just fine, and then it picks
up. And it picks up some more and then we're approaching the climactic end
of the night and it's just going crazy and we're there and the sky is lit
up like crazy for just a brief few seconds. And then we're spent. In the
states this is about a 30-minute cycle on the 4th, maybe 45 minutes if
you're somewhere really nice. In Japan, this is like-1 hours and 45
minutes. There are intermissions-it's fucking crazy.

Anyone been to Germany? I was thinking about that country the other day.
It seems like a cool place to go, although-most of Europe sounds fun when
you're in SLO and you hate everything around you. Except for Taj
Palace-those guys/girls rock. Best damn Indian food for at least 250 miles
(or however far Cerritos is).

Whoa-I better keep this short. Don't forget the dinner at Tsurugi's-you
need to sign up!! And the movie-it'll rock! I guarantee a rockin' movie!



-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-Minna No Anime Secretary
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub

MNM 03-11-04

(Minna No Anime, Wed Mar 10 22:54:39 2004)
Meeting...7-10 pm...14-252

That is all.

-Nik

[MnA] Sat, Mar 13 Meeting

(Minna No Anime, Thu Mar 11 14:06:45 2004)
Konnichiwa Minna-san

It's our last week of the quarter, so it's movie time! Since we're
currently showing Patlabor we decided to show the first Patlabor
film-which is amazing. Even if you're only sorta-into the tv-series you'll
probably love this precious gem of animation and story. So, check out our
altered movie-schedule and enjoy this weeks super cool meeting.


NEWS:

We're still taking T-shirt sizes, I believe, so we can get a rough
estimate of how many shirts we need of each size. If you're thinking of
getting a shirt then let us know your size on the sign-up sheet! You can
also check the design on the web-page, www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub if you
haven't done that yet.

Movie this week. Patlabor first movie! It's really great. I can tell you
that for a fact you will probably love this film. Other then that, don't
forget our schedule is mixed up because of the movie. We'll be showing an
altered version of our schedule up until around 8pm, at which time we'll
throw on the movie. In fact, here's the schedule.


SCHEDULE:

5:00 Kokoro Library - Ep 4
5:25 Gunparade March - Ep 4

5 min. break : Kokoro March? Hmm... librarians who fight to save the
world? Or Gunparade Library-soldiers who double as cute librarians?

5:55 Azumanga Daioh - Ep 18
6:20 Noir - Ep 18

5 min. break : I'll pistol whip the next person who says shenanigans!

6:50 Saikano - Ep 4
7:15 Banner of the Stars - Ep 4

7:40 - 30 Minute Break! Yep. Time to get some food, heat up some pop-corn,
and drop another 50cents into the soda fund. Kick your feet up, relax, and
enjoy the film.

8:10 - Patlabor 1 - Movie


That's all folks!























So, it's dead week. Right? Next week is finals. And the week after that is
spring break. This leaves us with only this to say - wooooohhoooooo!!!
Break time! Finally! We'd better enjoy it while we can. I mean, after
graduation what are the odds you'll find yourself in a job where your boss
tells you, "hey-why don't we just take a week off and go hang out in TJ?"
It ain't gonna happen, buddy.

I think we all need to realize just how coo' that is. I mean, breaks. You
know-like spring break or summer break or winter break. As much as some of
us hate (and I do mean hate) school, these breaks are the best. What are
yooouuuu gonna do with your free time? Havasu? Tahoe? The beach? Or...
like me-nothing. Absolutely, positively nothing. Just laze around the
house, maybe finish some gaming, maybe do some cleaning, maybe get around
to washing my clothes for the first time in 6 weeks. You know-nothing.

Not to change the subject, but let's change the subject. Who else is going
to AX this year? We're thinking of going as a CosPlay troupe. Yep, the
mechanics from Patlabor. Who else would like to support Special Vehicles
Section 2? I do! I do! Yeah, I'm a dork-but I'm only a dork inspired by
the collective geekiness of the club. Otherwise I'd probably be working
harder on my Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles CosPlay idea. You know, the
one were I get to dress as my character from the caravan and be all "cool"
and "hip" and whatnot. Of course, It'd also give me a weapon to beat
anyone who decided to start feeling me up (I have a female character).

Speaking of feeling up and beatdowns, we're gonna be at Tsurugi on the
14th. I think? Yeah-there was signups last weekend for it, but there might
still be a seat or two available. Check it out this week in club. I mean,
it's one of our few social events outside of club meetings and it's a
blast. You actually get to MEET other club members! Go figure! Despite our
meetings lengthy hours and really good turnout, no one really goes up to
anyone else and meets them. I don't think this happens, anyway. How many
times have YOU walked up to another member and just asked them "hey, so...
come here often?" or even just a simple "hi. my name is _____. what's
yours?"

Clubs are about people who enjoy similar activities getting together and
meeting each other. So-our outside of club activites are aimed at doing
just that. Like, how many of you know Nur? Our resident A.I.C. would be
super-pleased to meet you. Despite his quiet demeanor and constant
glare-of-hatrid he's really a sweet guy who likes to receive hugs and get
to meet new people. Of course he'll deny this as soon as you walk up and
try to talk to him-but try harder! Then there's Erin. She's really quiet
also-but compliment her on her costume from last halloween and BAM-instant
conversation! El Presidente? He is a lonely, lonely man in need of
companionship. Hang out with him during the big 30 minute break and you
can learn all sorts of wisdomy type stuff. Ben? He's probably approached
you already-he's pretty outgoing like that. Oh-and of course, David. He'll
talk to you about anything as long as you're not a rock. And even then, I
think I've seen him befriend rocks before. Just don't walk up and try to
talk to me-I'll probably head-butt you or something. I've been known to do
so during new encounters with people who scare me. That's just most of the
officers-there are still more of us elderly types around (mike for example
is really friendly if you offer him money) and lots of club members who I
still do not know. Like-that girl who sits on the far-back-right side with
the hammer. She scares me.

Anyone listen to opera? Or is that just me? Anyway, whatever.

Yeah, this is a short rant this week. I'm on meds and I have a lot of work
to do-neither of which allows me the mental-state or time to sit back and
let you guys know my feelings on politics, philosophy, favorite cheese and
why, or love. Yes-I have a heart! It's mostly cold and made of iron-but
it's all mechanical in it's pumping of blood-except when cute lil'
coke-head girls are around. What? You don't have that problem? Okay -
maybe I'm mental.

-Ahmad Jamshid "K" Amini
-minna no anime secretary (not for much longer, sniff)
-www.calpoly.edu/~minnclub
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