http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Electric-Raichu&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Electric-Raichu en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:07:25 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/28759369/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/28759369/ Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:05:08 PST
Trouble is, I only have a week to do it in and things are pretty tough at home with my wife very sick, so just wish me luck...

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18375692/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18375692/ Sun, 18 May 2008 01:17:00 PDT
[link]

It's pretty old now and you might have seen it before, but if you haven't, it's a fun article to read.


I haven't done much on dA lately because I'm spending most of my free time learning Japanese. I'm also doing a fanfic beta and writing some software for spaced repetition learning to help me learn kanji.

Speaking of kanji, I have a few more ideas for artwork so I'll try to take a break from studying to do that.

If you are learning Japanese and you haven't heard of spaced repetition, then send me a note and I'll explain it to you.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18081440/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18081440/ Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:24:14 PDT
Let me tell you I found it so hard, stopping and stammering several times a sentence. I have no idea what she thought of me. And she had to repeat herself slowly several times for me to understand her.

We get Japanese visitors at work and we have to speak English to them slowly and carefully. Now that the boot was on the other foot, I can understand what they must be going through.

The two languages really are very different. Japanese has a few English borrowings but that's about it. The word order, sentence structure, and verb tenses are all different to European languages. Adjectives are really verbs, adverbs are really nouns, numbers are more often adverbs than adjectives, there are no articles.

Hopefully we'll have another round next week...



I am currently a member of one club:

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18008662/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/18008662/ Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:36:38 PDT Shonen Jump, April 2008 has a "sneak preview" of a new manga to be released, Gun Blaze West.

An American Western, produced by the Japanese. Yeah right. I mean even the British tried doing a Western episode of Doctor Who once (many decades ago, with the first Doctor, the late William Hartnell) and although I have never seen it, I've heard that I wouldn't want to see it. Apparently the main gunslinger was an Oxford graduate--how's that for a British twist!

But back to Gun Blaze West. As soon as I saw it, I had my doubts, but I thought I'd give the preview chapter the benefit of the doubt.


The Good

Great artwork. Plot's entertaining. Characters are interersting and do have some depth. Good mixture of fun and drama. All the things you've come to expect from Shonen Jump.


The Bad

The main character's name is "Viu Bannes".

Come again?

No, it's not "Butch Banner" or "Grant Gunner" or something with even the remotest connotation about the character (unless I'm missing something).

He has a name that I'm not even sure I know how to pronounce.

OK, "a rose by any other name" and stuff like that... So what's he like? The first thing you encounter about him is a short blurb:

Our young hero, who is determined to become stronger.

What the?

Hold on, is this about Ash Ketchum? Or even Uchiha Sasuke? No, it's definitely right under the name "Viu Bannes".

OK, maybe neither the author nor the editor could think of something better to say. Let's get into the story.


The Ugly

Viu, who apparently helped capture some crooks, is in school. Class is interrupted by some loser called Marcus Homer (at least he has a plausible name) who takes Viu out of the classroom and heads out of town for some training.

Viu's all excited, ready for some gunslinging fun, but instead is disappointed when his mentor tells him, "Listen friend, the basics of strength are stamina and inner strength."

Now I've heard everything. Come on, I could imagine Iruka or Kakashi saing this, possibly even one of the Elite Four, but guys, this is a Western.


Conclusion

Maybe it should be called an Eastern...



I am currently a member of one club:

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17915314/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17915314/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:54:27 PDT Whisper of the Heart. Lovely movie, slow moving but a captivating romance encompassing feelings, aspirations and the realities of growing up.

I saw it in English and in Japanese with English subtitles. Usually I understand about half the Japanese but this time I could understand little apart from common words. Oh well.

Two huge differences I noticed between the Japanese and English versions.

(1) Most people would not regard this as huge, but many of you will agree that a passing reference to Naruto should preserved in the translation. In the original Japanese, one boy asks his classmates if they watched Sasuke on TV last night. I have no recollection of that from the English version. Of course it might be a different Sasuke, but given that it's schoolboys talking about TV, it's very llikely to be a reference to Naruto.

(2) There was a significant difference in the ending. I can't explain without giving away any spoilers.



I am currently a member of one club:

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17655644/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17655644/ Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:29:09 PDT
That's one thing about the internet, especially "Web 2.0" as they call it. It's brought so many people together, people from all over the world who would otherwise never have known or apreciated each other, and I think that's a good thing.

Before I started reading Pokemon fan fiction, I had no idea the extent of people's creativity. And that's a fraction of fan fiction/fan art that's out there. Having had a look at all this stuff that even kids have been able to produce, some of it even more enjoyable than professionally produced material, I now have a much greater respect for people all over the world, and a deeper appreciation of what people can achieve.

Even from when I was still at school, I thought, why do we need to bother with art at school. They should teach only subjects with practical applications such as language, maths, science, etc. When I met me wife, she told me off and said that it's art that makes life worthwhile. Then I started noticing how nothing around us is plain. There is art everywhere, whether the pattern on the floor of your living room or the logo of your school/employer. Art is what makes the difference between a mundane life and an enjoyable one.

Which is why sites like this are so significant to many people.

Oh dear, I've rambled on. I actually typed this to let people know (perchance they don't already) that *MiyaToriaka has put together an awesome collection of AAML art: [link]


Have a nice day. (I'm sick at home with this post-viral problem. Gosh I miss karate.)


I am currently a member of one club:

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17357135/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17357135/ Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:53:28 PDT
Two and a half weeks ago, I suddenly felt weak and shakey during karate class and had to come home. I haven't recovered. If I do as little as going for a walk, I get all weak and tired and sore.

Kids ask me to do stuff with them but I can't. I'm having to go late to work each day. I really miss karate.

The doctor says it's a virus. I hope he's right and I get better soon.


I've found some great kanji art. ~KisaragiChiyo has just joined dA and has some great calligraphy. I've added other stuff to my favs, which I've organized by topic now, so feel free to have a look at my kanji favs.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17018976/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/17018976/ Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:45:21 PST vaporotem who took it from someone else who took it...

1) Answer the questions below
2) Take each answer and type it into dA search box
3) Take a deviation from the first page of results (may use ' popular' or 'newest' and post thumb (for subscribers) or link (non-subscribers)
4) You can't copy the persons answers who posted this before you

1. The age you will be on your next birthday: 50

2. A place you'd like to travel: Greece

3. Your favourite place: beach

4. Favourite object: GBASP

5. Favourite food: spaghetti bolognese

6. Favourite animal: cat

7. Favourite colour: yellow

8. The town/state/etc.: Sydney Australia

9. Name of past pet: Smooch

10. A dream come true: ???

11. Your nickname/screenname: Raichu

12. Your middle name: don't have one

13. Favourite smell: Raisin toast

14. Bad habit of yours: Biting my nails

15. First job: tutor

16. Favourite movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back

17. What are you doing right now? writing this

18. What's the weather like? warm

19. Favourite sport: soccer

20. Favourite Music/Style/Band: Abba

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16806877/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16806877/ Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:20:32 PST Shonen Jump January 2008.

I was surprised to see that Sasuke (6647 votes) beat Naruto (5614) by quite a margin. Kakashi (5430) was a close third.

The farings of my personal favourites were the troubled Gaara (10th), the honorable Fourth Hokage (23rd) and pervy sage Jiraiya (24th).

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16516029/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16516029/ Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:49:44 PST
It does seem a bit odd, though, that when I did a search for "boy" to get ideas for illustrating a fanfic about a Pokemon trainer, dA search found me photos of stark naked teenagers. So apparently that's not violating guidelines, but a drawing of an imaginary animal pooping is worse than photos naked boys. Hmmm...

Anyway, the pic is available at the Pokemon tower if you really want to see it, but knowing most people you probably don't want to.

In the mean time, I'm terribly depressed. Circumstances at home are very unfortunate and what depresses me is that there are no answers. At least it's better than a couple of weeks ago when I was ready to walk out on everyone.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16234221/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16234221/ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:18:10 PST
We saw the view from Echo Point and other lookouts, The Three Sisters, and for the first time I got to see Katoomba Falls. We saw the waterfall from below where you could see mist swirling away from the rockface, from halfway up the cliff which gave us a more complete view, and near the top where we could actually touch the water.

Heaps of tourists from all over the world. I even asked some of them for directions.

Heaps of steps hewn into solid rock.

My 6 year old managed the four hour walk remarkably well. My left knee did not. Not sure yet if I'll make karate tomorrow...

Absolutely no way not even if you paid me was I going in that cable car. I am so scared of heights.

I'll upload a silhouette of The Three Sisters shortly. Nothing as spectacular as it looks in real life, or indeed as you'll get from Google images.

If you ever come to Sydney Australia, and you like bushwalking, I can recommend this place.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16100607/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16100607/ Tue, 25 Dec 2007 20:36:29 PST
I had a good time with family, in spite of my teenage daughter's violent tantrums. I have no idea what to do with her. Everyone would be better off if she had never been born.

I got a shirt that was too small from my sister and a shirt that was too big from my wife. I'll have to try and exchange them.

My wife is still in hospital.

Life still sucks big time.

In all this, the true meaning of Christmas has not escaped me. I took my two boys to church and had a fun time singing the carols and hearing about our Lord's birth. At least that's one ray of hope in this miserable world.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16033678/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/16033678/ Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:21:45 PST
I went shopping and I was sneezing and blowing my nose all the way up and down the supermarket aisles. Thankfully no one complained and a few people showed some sympathy.

Anyway, I've been struggling with my "lung" kanji for days now. Finally decided to finish it off even if it's not perfect. Just as well it wasn't the kanji for "nose"...

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15926241/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15926241/ Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:57:30 PST
Today I've submitted a kanji art for 偽 in response to a challenge. If anyone else has any suggestions or ideas, please drop me a note. I might get some inspiration...

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15897872/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15897872/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:01:10 PST
My best ideas for kanji are running out. I've got some more planned, but they're not as interesting. But that's my opinion... it's up to the viewers to decide really.

Oh, thanks for the favs! One small token of pleasure in my miserable world.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15873167/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15873167/ Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:05:59 PST
Three hours later I woke up feeling sick. I've spent an hour on the computer doing up a couple more kanji art. At least it's something to take my mind off my stomach. I'm debating whether to ride it out or to go and spew.

Oh, I hope I can get to sleep soon...

]]> ~Electric-Raichu http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15829012/ http://Electric-Raichu.deviantart.com/journal/15829012/ Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:13:33 PST
FYI kanji are Chinese characters. They are also used in Japanese, a language I have been trying to keep up in my copious spare time (that's an attempt at satire...). In fact, "kanji" is the Japanese word for Chinese characters.

I'm hopeless at natural forms, but IMHO I'm OK at geometric shapes. So I got the idea, why not create art based on kanji?

Well, the idea isn't completely original. Chinese and Japanese calligraphers have been doing it for centuries. The ideas I've been trying out are:

~ designing abstract and geometric designs inspired by kanji

~ drawing kanji using Western-style calligraphy

~ designing kanji that are "outside the box", either literally (having artistic strokes that go outside the square that kanji are supposed to fit in) or based on other shapes like circles

Anyway, that's all for now.

]]> ~Electric-Raichu