WGA Strike

I was kind of confused about the WGA strike, but didn't bother to learn more because I...don't really watch TV. ^^; But once I read one post that was not only informative but managed to make me feel horrible for the writers, I did some searching for more insightful and/or entertaining stuff. Here's a mini round-up:

A view from a WGA writer

A view from a comic writer

Personal testimony from a cartoon writer

The LA Times

A view from someone who critiques the publishing industry (I think)

Some very well done vids explaining the WGA's position:

Voices of Uncertainty

Why We Fight

Some other vids satirizing studio execs/producers:

The Office is Closed

Writers Strike! A Response from the Studios

S N L Sums Up Writers Strike 2007

some blathering on things I've read/seen/listened to; also, a poll

My impression of the long-awaited G Senjou no neko III by Miyagi Tooko after a fairly quick skim? Disappointment. First, the art...It is different. I can't put my finger on it, but it just doesn't make me sigh with its beauty like the first two volumes did. I guess I'll have to stare at the art longer to see if my first impression is unfounded. Second, the story kind of takes a wacky turn. Yes, the premise was already kind of extreme, but then it...fell off a cliff and went into free-fall or something. And the end! The end! GAH! Did she just want to finish the thing off and provide a "satisfying" ending?? I think I'll put this aside and let my disappointment cool before picking it up and giving it another chance.

Another disappointment is the Hakkenden drama CD. My fears regarding Paku Romi were realized. She's talented, yes, but (at least for me) ALL WRONG! I just kept thinking, "Ed! It's Ed!" because she voiced Shino just like Ed...It doesn't help that the characters are kind of similar. Toshiyuki Morikawa obviously fits like a glove into the role of Sousuke...but perhaps too well? I dunno, he fell a bit flat for me. The only one I really liked was Hamaji...But then, I only managed to listen to about two tracks before giving up. Besides my problems with the casting, the story was waaaay too choppy for me. I hate it when they edit manga/novels into tiny bits and pieces that only really make sense when you have already read the original work. I want my drama cds to stand on their own. I guess I'll eventually give this one another go after a while...a long while.

I was amused to see scans of Ari no mama no kimi ga suki by Kifu Kaname online. It must have been because the illustrations were done by Yukifuna Kaoru, but I have to admit this particular novel doesn't have anything near the prettiest Yukifuna illustrations I've ever seen. The story, on the other hand, is novel and amusing. Basically it's about a character who is ugly and fat, stupid, gullible, and cowardly. But he has a naive personality that (while probably irritating to 99% of the population) is appealing to his father (who dotes on him) as well as the guy who turns into his suitor. Kind of reminded me of Don't Worry Mama by Konohara Narise, but without the cop-out ending with the fat bastard turning into a skinny guy with a decent personality. In this one the guy actually does try to lose weight because he thought he should try to look better to be with his hot and sexy lover--only to be told by his father and his lover to not bother. Even if he lost weight he'd still be ugly and hulking, and to deny his love of eating is just foolish and tortuous. The novel was at times a bit tedius (Kifu-sensei likes to get a bit too simplistic at times), but overall pretty fun (even the sex, in a rather disturbing way). I think I read on her website that Kifu-sensei will be writing a sequel, which I look forward to reading.

Speaking of sequels, I was thinking of some of the books I've summarized that have sequels/are in series. I don't know if anyone cared enough to read summaries of the others, so I figured I'd do another poll (my second poll ever!).

[Poll #1087769]