When I first started my vacation, I didn’t have any clear idea when I’d be coming back. So, I proposed two conditions: I’d start blogging again once either the post announcing my vacation slipped off the front page or I drafted a sincere “screw it, I’m outta here,” post, whichever came first. Well, if you scroll down, you’ll see that that the post announcing my vacation is hanging from the edge of a cliff. And I recently drafted that “screw it, I’m outta here,” post. So, I guess I don’t have much choice but to get back to work, now do I?
First, though, a few notes on what I’ve been up to this past month…
I’ve recently started catching up on all of the currently airing shows I’ve claimed to be following, but haven’t. Macross Frontier has matured into a fine show, evidenced by my devouring two months worth of episodes in a single evening this past week. Itazura na Kiss continues to meet expectations, as does Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu. Not so much the case for Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora, which has been a bit of a disappointment. Telepathy Shoujo Ran and Natsume Yuujin-Chou are on my list; I never got far enough in to feel like I’ve fallen behind, so there’s no reason to rush. No comment on the third season of Zero no Tsukaima. Seriously. Don’t ask.
Following up on last month’s release of the Clannad OAV episode, I chose to rewatch the first season in its entirety. I’m now firmly of the opinion that Clannad is the most well-rounded of the Key anime adaptations. It’s almost exceptional. No doubt, I’m excited about the second season - especially so, now that an October broadcast date has finally been set.
Another recent rewatch was Kare Kano, which is remarkable for being one of only a few shows I own on DVD and consider a favorite, yet have only watched from start to finish a single time. Until now, of course. Given how the show aimlessly meanders to an indefinite ending in its second half, rewatching it is kind of like backing away from the table only five bites into a gourmet meal, stomach growling. Perhaps that’s why I hadn’t bothered all these years. It was plenty enjoyable, however, and it reminded me of how talented (and tormented) a director Hideaki Anno was back in his prime. I should rewatch Evangelion or something.
Just last night, I started my second attempt at watching ef - a tale of memories. If you’ve been visiting for awhile, you know that my first attempt ended in failure. I’m still guarded, of course, but I can honestly say that I find the show far more engrossing now that I’m watching the episodes in batches. I still feel that SHAFT’s characteristic style is better suited to lighter fare like Hidamari Sketch and Tsukuyomi Moon Phase, though. Anyway, I’m fairly certain I’ll finish the show this time around, and if I have any thoughts upon its conclusion, I’ll be sure to share them.
And that’s pretty much it. My apologies for the dry writing. It looks like I’m out of practice. That, and I’ve been awake since before sunrise. COFFEE GET. Still, it’s good to be back.
I’ve actually been enjoying ZnT3 so far, but my standards have been lowered so much (especially after season 2).
I know exactly what you mean about Kare Kano. I also own the DVDs yet I can never sit through a full rewatch.
Welcome back, Jeff. :) The upcoming season is quite promising, especially with Kannagi around.
Cheers.
Long live the French press, :) COFFEE GET wins. Good to see you post again. I think Haruka’s Secret is the only one on that Summer list that I’ve glimpsed, though I stalled because its overwhelmingly sweet, but it’s still in the rounds.
Cheers
You better finish ef before the sequel comes out…
Good to have you back, I was almost tempted to do a “if Lawson was blogging, he would…” kind of a post.
I can’t objectively tell whether or not Natsu no Sora is “bad” or not though I am again hesitant to call it a disappointment having not seen the first series, the prequel, or what have you. No mention of Xam’d, neither?
“Good to have you back, I was almost tempted to do a “if Lawson was blogging, he would…” kind of a post. ”
It hasn’t even been that long though, has it? :P
Sounds like the vacation has done you a world of good though. :3
Welcome back as previously said,
An offtopic question but curious nonetheless: What kind of laptop is that and why do you use the noteblock program, I always figured you used Word or something.
Cheers
urgh… ef was such a bore (about only 3 minutes was worth watching throughout the whole thing) - don’t know what’s wrong with animators these days… how can anyone screw up such a bittersweet story? It’s like Disney all over again.
Kare kano was a joke.
What you said about Kare Kano, etc.
Jasper Arts, it’s a Gateway 7426GX. Given its size, it makes for a good desktop replacement. As for drafting my posts in Notepad, a full blown word processor seems a little like overkill for plain text. Even at the office, I use Notepad for drafting long e-mails, letters, etc. It gets the job done.
It’s good to have you back.
And just to push buttons, though Kabitzin has already gone there, this is me asking about the third season of Zero no Tsukaima.
With regard to the third season of Zero no Tsukaima, it seems I gave up on the show about half way through an episode. Hit the eyecatch, got interrupted, went to do something else, and never finished. That was awhile back. I don’t think I’ve ever done something like that before.
There’s nothing all that objectionable about the third season, really - it just wasn’t doing anything for me. I figure I’ll go back and catch up at some point, but at the moment, it’s not even on my plate.
Yeah, I was a little surprised that you use Notepad but hey, if it works for you, it works. I’m so clumsy I prefer to use Word (or more recently, OO Writer) to flag up the typos before c/ping it into Wordpress. It’s always interesting to see how other bloggers go about writing though!
I’ve got seriously behind in recent weeks too but Frontier is proving to be awesome in ways I’m finding increasingly difficult to describe. I hope to make a start on Hidamari Sketch x365 but aside from Xam’d and Eve No Jikan there isn’t any new summer stuff that’s caught my attention yet.
Kare Kano is, and probably will be, one of my all time faves but that ending has pushed me onto the manga in the hope that someday I’ll experience the story in its complete, beautiful entirety. Good to see you back, anyways. I could really do with a holiday of my own actually…
Look! Look! Jeff’s back! “…and there was much rejoicing!” “yay.”
Glad you couldn’t stay away, my friend.
Yeah!! Good to know Jeff is Back!!!
Wow, sure it was a lonnnnng vacations… lol.
Be careful Jeff with that coffee cup… (Its a little too close your laptop…) Lol.
Im as glad as Wonderduck of having you back, man!!.
I’m enjoying Sora-Mahou, but its lack of budget is obvious.
Nice to see you back, Jeff. As a serious KareKano fan, I recommend you read the manga starting from where the show leaves off. It drags a bit thru the Dark Arima arc, but still well worth it. Besides, we have to keep Masami Tsuda in all-natural-fiber sleepwear and imported teas (I like her bio bits in the manga).