Thursday, July 31

For me, living in the early years of the 21st century, it is an age of manga, an age of thoughtfulness, an age of (relative) silence. Of course, it's really not a sweeping generalization, not at all. If I look into a manga review book, they're the Same as a North American cartoon review book, a movie review book, a novel or novella review book - they're all pretty much the same. A few stellar pieces, the bulk; good to mediocre, and the rest would howl at the moon in pain. But still...

The manga - the best, that is - will bring us to a situation, from the same distance, but from a decidedly different angle. Also, the angle is from a kaleidoscopic view. (At least from an American looking at a Japanese work.) Osamu Tezuka's work, in particular Buddha, cannot help but be in a Japanese-Buddhist viewpoint. Siddartha, later the Buddha, knew that he would not realize the monks' efforts for eons. Tezuka, born in the early 1900s, realized this most painfully with Japan showing forth a most fierce face. But after just two bombs in 1945, the harshest of reality was put forth: Hiroshima and Nagasaki were both reduced to nothingness, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive were indeed among the walking dead.

Tezuka was brave enough to call to conscience two nations: the Americans, who obliterated not only an army, but elderly men, women, children, and infants; and the Japanese, whose worldview was clouded by pure insanity.

It is indeed rare for any man to show such bravery. Osamu Tezuka was such a man.

Friday, July 25

To Homeschooled Students

Hello, students. I hope your year is going well. First of all, I'd like to say that your parents have only the best for you. I'd like to say that, but I wonder if it is indeed the truth. You see, the world is indeed a puzzling, sometimes scary place. For a very long time - thousands upon thousands of years, in fact - parents have tried to shield their children from what is going on in the world. So far, it hasn't worked.

For me and others like me of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, it's a difficult road.

Friday, July 18

Hello, Maplewood, New Jersey!!!

Tuesday, July 15

Hello...

Norcross, Georgia...

Celje,Slovenia...

Davograd, Slovenia...

Ljubjana, Slovenia!!!

Hello, Mexico City!!!

Thursday, July 10

Hello...
Stein,Germany...
Melaka, Indonesia
Yorkshire Dales, UK...
Nottingham, UK...
Waterloo (section of London)...
Copenhagen, Denmark
Lingen, Germany!!!
Hello everyone--well, the best thing finally happened. I'm finally getting multiple hits, all around the world. It's definitely a relief from the days when I would see one hit a week.

Since I must The Fall tonight, here's a little something for to think about in the the meantime. Ah, yes, money. Filthy lucre. What have you. As It happens, it's something we need; many desperately. (Even in these desperate straits, think of our African friends who try to subsist on fifteen dollars a month.)

Whenever we want to look at the big picture, we would be shown a picture which would make
Wheel of Fortune positively blush. The hard facts, the brutal facts, is that although there is a slim tendency for the good to do better, our neighbor's keeper is that much more urgent.

Peace.

Wednesday, July 2

Hello, Miltonvale, Kansas!!!