The song, "Gekai no Merry-Go-Round," is lively, upbeat, fast, and insane!! I LOVE IT!! The music video is VERY well done, and colourful, as are most of their videos since they are a Cosplay band... If you can find it, I seriously recommend downloading it!! Now, to finish off this entry, here are the lyrics! ENJOY!!

Alrighty, today is the first day of the teacher's strike here in BC... Should be interesting at work in any case. We also have so many friggin' birthdays to deal with this weekend, AND it's Thanksgiving... lol. Oh well, it's what pays the bills! I guess I should mention that I'm out of Hellvergys now, and I'm working at an arcade... It's a whole HELL of a lot better than that damn call centre!!

So, Utada has release "Exodus" in the UK as of September 26th, 2005. Naturally, she chose to debut there with a different song than the one she chose for her North American Debut, "Easy Breezy." But, on the same note, she AGAIN chose to debut with a generally WEIRD song to boot. "You Make Me Want To Be  A Man" is by FAR the weirdest song on the album, but it is a satire on the role of women and the way men act. Perhaps she chose it because the UK is really big on Techno-y type songs, and this one has a feel of it. Then again, the song does sound somewhat east indian like with the resounding 'sitar-like' beat playing throughout the course of the song.

For those who haven't had the...uh...pleasure of hearing this song before, the lyrics are below. I HIGHLY suggest purchasing Utada's english album "Exodus," because of the vast array of different songs and upbeat sounds. Plus, it's UTADA!!!!!!!!!

You Make Me Want to Be a Man ~Utada Hikaru~
EXODUS

~Jeremy~

Today was definately a lesson in ironicism... You see, it was my last day at Hellvergys, a place I have dispised for who knows how long. You've read it here before, I'm sure, the hell that we endure there...people calling in and screaming, threatening, and being utterly abusive in any way, shape or form that they can. Today started off as usual, with me getting ready for the hell I was going to endure on the final day...and wondering if, like many before me on their last day, I would pull a few pranks on customers... Inevitably, and much to my usual nature, I didn't. HOWEVER, I didn't take many calls, and happened to log off a few times to visit with people. Hell, it was my last day, what were they going to do, FIRE ME? LOL!! In any case, I get to work, and JUST as I walk in the door, THE MAIN SYSTEM WE USE CRASHES, AND IT'S NOT JUST OUR SYSTEM EITHER...ALL OF FEDEX'S MAINFRAME DIED. Leave it to irony...lol

So fine, I figured it was only to be expected. Surprisingly, the customers I DID talk to today were very nice people...the majority of them anyways. I had a sense of tearful longing towards the end that I REALLY can't explain, other than to say I would HORRIBLY miss EVERYONE!! I had actually stayed up until 2 AM last night writing each and everyone of the people I knew there a specific goodbye, tailored to our relationship...it was hard to leave, SURPRISINGLY hard to leave. I will miss everyone so much, but you know, I'm heading over to a much better and fun job at the Fun Factor, and everyone said they'll visit!! It's an arcade afterall!! So, another chapter closes in my life, and yet another opens...we'll see where this leads. At this point, I feel strangely calm...almost like a weight is gone from my shoulders, but now I need to learn a new job...not too hard I imagine!! I'm looking forward to it actually!

Throughout the day, I had many people coming up to me and hugging me, kissing me goodbye and the like. It honestly was very humbling, and I never realized how many lives I've 'touched' so to speak. lol. It makes me feel really happy to have made even the smallest difference, by making it possible for people to smile in such an otherwise dismal environment! I will miss each and everyone of them all, but I can't say I'll miss FEDEX or CONVERGYS very much... CHAPTER CLOSED!!

So, what do you think of the new layout!? I figured I might as well try something new, since a new chapter is beginning in my life. Some fantastic news to share with you, dear readers!! Our anime club went to Anime Evolution in Burnaby BC the weekend of August 19th-21st, and entered the Cosplay Contest!! I'm VERY happy to report that our group skit {A dance routine to Pucchimoni's "Baby! Koi ni Knockout!!"} won us "BEST MASTER SKIT!" We got a beautiful glass plaque and everything! I'm SO proud of everyone who put the effort into pulling this off! Visit our website at http://www.geocities.com/kamloopsanimeclub for more convention pics!! Now, we're focusing on our OWN convention plans for June 2006!! If you take a look at the pic above, I'm the one dressed as Eternal Sailor Moon...my brother Daniel is Yuna...lol!!

Well, today I was back in the radio booth! I've been gone from it for two weeks {see previous blog entry for the reason} but everything resumed as abnormally as usual again today!! The show was done by Lee and myself, and despite a few minor pinches, it went of well! We even taped it! So, in my usual fashion, and as I said before in order to make an effort to at least post SOMETHING on here often, here is the playlist for today:

1. Opening "Sailor Stars Overture" - Sera Myu
2. Ai no Uta - Psycho Le Cému
3. Neuromancer - Glay
4. Hotel Lobby - Utada Hikaru
5. N.p.s. N.g.s. [N-Type] - Malice Mizer
6. No! Virtual - Kotani Kinya
7. Real Me - Hamasaki Ayumi
8. Commercial Break "Slayers Eye Catch" {x2}
9. Wind - Akeboshi - Naruto
10. Be The Man - Céline Dion {CANADIAN CONTENT}
11. Every Heart - BoA - Inuyasha
12. Aitsu wa Son Goku - Kageyama Hironobu & Waffle - Dragonball Z
13. Sailor Moon's Welt  {German} - Super Moonies - Sailor Moon
14. Space Lonely Soldier - Hayashibara Megumi - Tekkaman Blade


Not a bad line up of music if I do say so myself, and believe me, I do! LOL!! Well, so what's new in my world? Just last night I was offered a job at the Fun Factor {our local arcade} which most of you who read this regularily will remember me making reference to! It's where my beloved Samurai Showdown is located!! I was so surprised, but excited at the same time! At last, a chance to leave Hellvergy's, and the possibility of moving in with my boyfriend Lee!! I'm really happy. I sort of mentioned it to mom and dad who aren't too impressed as it's about the same hours as I'm at now, but with minimum wage which is slightly less than I'm making now...BUT:

a) I'll have more time to work on getting my manga going, which is WAYYYY overdue as it is!!
b) No more dealing with assholes on the phones!

Sunday July 10th, I listened to the radio show, and it was alright for Kelly and Travis' first time on the air...luckily they had Anika there to help! I remember our first time on the air...BY OUR SELVES!! LOL!! I'll be back on the air this Sunday though! I'm looking forward to it, especially since I have new CD's!! Should be fun! In any case, Dad, Steven and Daniel ended up coming to Kamloops and were here by late afternoon. Took care of some last minute stuff...

Monday July 11th, Got up, and ended up leaving around 11ish...I think. Dad and Steven went to deliver a trailer somewhere, and Dan and I hung around doing some last minute packing and shit. I called Lee, and he confirmed he'd be here to look after the house and the cat {thankfully!} So, we basically travelled most of the day, and ended up spending a few hours in Kelowna {oh joy of joys} as dad visited a doctor there...dealt with the LOVELY people at a Tim Hortons there...oh how nice it must be to be able to chat with your friends at work when customers are awaiting thier sandwiches...lol. Dad seemed to appreciate it enough to make wise cracks...I suppose they were warranted though... We left Kelowna around 3 or 4ish, and stopped in Grand Forks, where we met our dad's Aunt Pauline and Uncle Larry. They invited us in for tea, which turned into Borcht, cucumbers, tomatos, and everything else you can imagine, in typical Russian Style...lol. Arrived in Salmo late and briefly visited with my aunt Caroline and cousin Marlena...went to bed...again LATE!

Tuesday July 12th, Got up, went to see a newborn baby minature horse...he was adorable! Then we headed to Nelson for a short day of shopping. The city is beautiful! Ate a Quizno's for the first time, and wasn't too impressed. I STILL prefer Subway! Got to listen to our cousin bitch about Walmart...that was a joy...Went to a beautiful park, and various other stores. Did the shopping for my aunt's bar. Left my cousin and her friend in Nelson, went back to Salmo. We went to the riverside, and Dad, Daniel and Steven went in the water...I bravely fought off bees and wasps with my umbrella, using the famed "Hisame Shizumaru" technique from Samurai Spirits... Went back, and vegged out for the day, until supper. We also watched May, a delightfully insane movie that was REALLY cheesy, but the acting was good, and it made you really identify with the main character... Made Pushkye and it was SSOOOOOOO good, I haven't had it in forever! Later on, Dad, Daniel, Caroline and I went to the bar...I of course didn't drink, but they did, and we all played pull tabs.  Went home later to find my cousin Marlena {yes she was named after Marlena from Days of our Lives} had come home, and we talked and got pics, and went to bed.

Wednesday July 13th, We ended up leaving around noonish or so. Drove all day and went through Sparwood where we got pics of the world's biggest truck...god it's huge! My brother's were sitting in the tires! The gas tank is the same width as my arms stretched out both ways... From there we went onward into Alberta, and went through the Frankslide, which has to be one of the most eerie places in Alberta...talk about your ghost town! The story goes: 'Frank was a little mining town in 1903, when turtle mountain turned the town into a tragedy. On the morning of April 29th, huge rocks came tumbling down, crushing homes and businesses on the edge of town. 70 people died, beneath the crushing tide, tens of thousands cried, "The Frankslide!"' One little girl survived it and was found laying on the rubble...the WHOLE town was basically covered... The slide is still very much visible, and they carved enough room for a road and train track to go through, and left the rest...it's...it's incomprehensable unless you've been through it... I wish I would have thought to take pics... The only surviving building was a hotel, which now stands in Vulcan, Alberta... Leaving the Frankslide, we moved onwards towards Calgary, and came across a pilot project in Alberta harnessing wind power via million dollar windmill-like structures...it was weird seeing them all... Passing them, dad decided I should drive the lincoln, and I first thought he was joking until he pulled over...so, I practically shat myself for about half an hour as I drove along the roads of Alberta with people WAYYY behind me because I was speeding, though I really didn't mean too...I was so scared. Then Daniel took over, and the car began smoking...turns out we blew the airconditioning system...heh. Oh well, so we pulled over, dad and Dan pulled it out, and we continued on in tornado-like weather, though none actually touched down {which sucked!}. Stopped in a little town, and finally got to Calgary. I felt SO sick, it may have been from the milk shake I got in the small town. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in the Eau Claire Market area, meeting up with dad's cousin Lawrence, and I ordered a salad. I took two bites, and ran to the bathroom and got sick...it was NOT fun. After dinner {or lack there of} we got to my mom's house, where we unpacked, and she came home after a party. Got some pics with her and our friend Lissy, and then stayed in, and went to bed...

Thursday July 14th, we spent the morning in China Town while Dad and Mom ACTUALLY GOT ALONG!! They took Steven to get his learner's licence {which he passed and received!!}, and I bought posters and stuff at the Cultural Centre! We got lots of pics there too, including some of Daniel being a retard as usual!! LOL!! I found a store that was having a sale on anime DVD's!! $3.99 per disc!! I nearly shat myself, and bought Oz no Mahou Tsukai {the very first anime series I EVER saw, and it was on YTV, Family Channel and then Showcase!}, One Piece, Gate Keepers, and Groove Adventure Rave! I was SO stoked, and decided I needed more...eventually...lol. Got back to Dan's truck, and he had received a parking ticket...it said OPTIONAL PAYMENT of $20.00 and we figure that since he's got a BC plate in Alberta, he doesn't HAVE to pay it...I don't know if he will or not, but it was funny anyways... We went to the oldest truck stop in Calgary for lunch and then headed to the CALGARY STAMPEDE!! See the pic above!! It was one of the many taken that day! We went on the Big Ferris Wheel which scared the HELL out of me, so it was Daniel who took that picture you see above! We went on a lot of rides, because thankfully, they had a deal for weekdays only where it was $35.00 for a bracelet and unlimited rides!! We also saw the Eukanuba Super Dogs, who were AWESOME as always!! Walked around the Round up Centre, and toured the Dream Home! I won a bear for Lee! It had angel wings and was cute! We went through the 'Freak show trailer' too for the first time, and I have an eerie pic of a 'posessed dummy.' It was kind of creepy, but fun at the same time! We went on the rollercoaster so many times, the tilt-a-whirl, 1001 Nauchts, Giant Wheel, Log Ride, and so much more!! It was a blast! The fireworks were SO LATE this year! We thought they were over, and just as we got back to the midway around midnight, they started up again, and we missed out on the finale...BUT we got to go on a lot more rides as the lines had pretty much dwindled down by now... We left around 1:00 AM and went to mom's and went straight to bed!

Friday July 15th, We had a pretty uneventful morning, and helped mom a bit with some packing as it's nearing the time she moves to Ohio... Dad came to pick us up and we went to Lawrence's house around 11ish, and then went to Subway for lunch. This particular Subway still gave away the stamps!! I was shocked shitless! In any case, we then headed out to the farm for the day where we saw my grandfather {dad's dad} and he was looking so frail...of course, after surgery, I'm sure anyone would. He still has to get surgery on his hip. We met his new neighbours who are REALLY nice, and there will little kids and two puppies there too. I also saw 2 llamas for the first time up close...it was weird! We went into Vulcan {the nearest town, and yes, there really IS a place called Vulcan} and did the whole tourist thing, and shopping for my grandfather. We stopped and got pics of the HUGE Enterprise they have at the opening of the town. Went into the travel centre and got pics with the Star Trek cardboard cut-outs, and bought a shirt for Lee!! We left, and headed back to the farm. Lawrence really drives like a maniac...he is also a huge pig, and makes my dad look like a saint...which is REALLY hard to do... Get back to the farm, and play with the kids and the dogs, and then we had to go. Got back to mom's an hour later, and Diane and Pete were there. Mom AGAIN was civil to dad, and invited him in too. We had a bit of a party and lots of conversation. Mom and Diane got drunk, and went outside for a long talk. Diane was really upset by night's end that mom was leaving... But it's good she got it out of her system. Before that though, I showed them the tape of us at Otafest!! It was fun! Everyone loved gawking at Daniel dressed as Yuna!! Then, we went to bed...

It amazes me the stupidity of some people... Working at a call centre, and especially for FedEx, you come across all kinds of REALLY stupid people!! It's mind numbing actually, at how stupid these people are! They call in with the dumbest questions, and unfortunately, I can't discuss TOO much more or I could get in trouble...EVILNESS!! Meh, oh well, at least today's hell is over with!!

There are a few things that keep me at this job...well, that HAVE kept me at this job for so long. I kind of already gave a pseudo 2 months notice the other day... It actually took a load off of my shoulders too! In any case, the benefits of working at Hellvergy's are few and far between, but they have EXCELLENT health and dental...none that I've really taken advantage of...much. Medical maybe, but then again, that's because a lot of my problems, I'm sure, are Hellvergy's related! The place is like a sess-pool of nasty... Don't tell anyone, but our centre had a little infestation of spider mites...lovely huh? Above the benefits though, lies the people...my co-workers. Everyone there is in the same boat, and I love every one of them! We get along fantastically...well most of us anyways. There are the odd few who don't seem to like me for some reason, but to each their own right? Maybe it's because I'm obsessed with anime and my cubicle is ALWAYS decorated to reflect as such... I don't know... Maybe it's the mini library of manga I keep on my desk "just in case..." again, I don't know... But I have a lot of friends there, and I will miss EVERY ONE of them when I leave... But, life goes on right? I most DEFINATELY WILL NOT miss the calls!!

But, above all, and this is where my title comes into play, I cherish one person in particular there. His presence livens up my day, even if I'm feeling really ill, or sad, or angry, he's always there to cheer me up. He is my boyfriend Lee. He is a force at work who manages to overcome the evil that is Convergy's and brings light into my life through the dark abyss of the hell hole...I mean call centre... {Silly me, did I say hell hole?} He is ALWAYS worried about my well being too... Like when I get Heart palputations, he's always begging me to go home and take care of myself...I should listen I suppose, but I'm a stubborn prick... He's so sweet. He's constantly sending me e-mails, and raves endlessly about me in his own blog. I'm extremely flattered by his devotion, and I love him very much. And you know something, all you homophobes, if this bothers you, then why the hell are you reading my blog? I bet some moron is going to leave me some nasty message in my tag board, not that I give a damn really... in fact, BRING IT ON!! LOL!! Of course, that's assuming anyone actually READS my insanity... But seriously folks... Lee is adorable. He HATES it when I say that, and that's cute too! He and I can be so naive at times it's fantastically delicious!

I just wish that he wouldn't be so hard on himself. He is constantly using his blog to beat himself up mentally, and it really bothers me, as there is absolutely no reason for it! He is a fantastic person who is afraid that no one likes him. He almost quit duty with that being one of the reasons. He tries so hard to fit in, and it makes me so sad that he feels no one notices...

I notice...

If he reads this, he'll probably be thinking to himself  "What the HELL is that idiot saying?" I just hope he realizes that no matter what happens, I'm here for the long run. I won't leave... Nothing he can do will piss me off such that I'd leave over a piddly-assed little arguement here and there... That's life, and that's what makes it interesting... We can make our own Soap Opera!! LOL!! Our own "Days of our Lives!!" But I digress, I'm not sure if this is all coming out as just rambling, but meh...whatever. I'm used to just writing whatever comes to mind, and if it doesn't make sense to you, dear readers, remember, it probably doesn't make sense to me either, but it's what I feel...

Oh the life of a Pisces...

On a final note, anime related and all that jazz, not only does One Piece and Transformers: Cybertron begin this Friday on YTV, and Shaman King and Sonic X this Saturday on YTV, but is seems YTV is also getting Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Zatch Bell, D.I.C.E, Mew Mew Power {formerly Tokyo Mew Mew} and {Shudders} Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi this fall! I'm sure Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist bastardizations {er...I mean dubs} will follow suit... Plus, my CD's for the radio show FINALLY came in yesterday! Yes, I now have Ayumi Hamasaki: Rainbow, Dir en Grey: GAUZE, Luna Sea, Gackt & Malice Mizer Complete Singles, Glay Singles Volume II, Morning Musume Singles Collection Volume #1, and Dance Dance Revolution 200 Solo!! Should make for some interesting listening material in future! Speaking of the radio show, I will be gone from the airwaves for 2 weeks, but please, still listen to Ani-made in Japan, Sundays 3-4 PM Pacific Time 92.5 FM The'X' in Kamloops, or streamline us online at www.thex.ca !!

And to my dearest Lee, please always remember, I LOVE YOU DEARLY!

~Jeremy~

Alrighty, today was Episode 3 of our radio show, Ani-Made in Japan "Insanity on the Radio." I will be away from the radio waves for about 2 weeks, so it'll be up to Anika, Kelly, Lee and Kyo to run things how they see fit! In any case, here was our play list for THIS week...and, we even taped it! I'm hoping to get it up online sometime soon...


1. Opening "Kakemeguru Ougon PEA" - Ranma 1/2
2. Grip! - Every Little Thing - Inuyasha
3. Reflection - Hayashibara Megumi - Slayers Great
4. Heat of the Night - Aikawa Nanase
5. Aquaria - Psycho Le Cému