Sorry it’s been so long since my last craft piece. It’s a little hard to explain, so it took me a while to figure out how.

Difficulty: Basic

You Will Need:

1 Roll of duct tape (any color)

A flat, clean workspace

Scissors

Decorating tools (I recommend sharpies and clear packing tape)

Sticky-back Velcro

Instructions:

1. Make an approximately 10×8 inch rectangle of duct tape fabric (DTF), or size to suit your needs. I usually eyeball it.

2. Fold it in half so it looks like, well, an open wallet.

3. Tape the ends shut.

4. To make credit card slots, make small pieces of DTF and tape them to the inside cover of the wallet.

5. To make an id slot, measure a piece of DTF a little larger than your id, cut out the middle a little smaller than your id, and tape it to the inside cover as well.

6. Put velcro strips on it to hold the wallet shut when not in use.

7. Decorate as desired. I recommend drawing designs in permanent marker and protecting them with packing tape.

Happy taping!

-DTA

Left to Lose: 40

So I found a recent list of the top 200 anime, and wondered how many I’d seen. Here is the result. Bolded I’ve finished. Italics I’ve seen at least one episode. Apparently there’s a lot I haven’t seen yet.

Finished: 33

Started: 43

All others that I’m interested in will be added to my “Anime to Watch” list, to be marked off when I have finished them.

1	Rurouni Kenshin – Reminiscence (1999)	8.869	9.6	226
2	Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)	8.615	9.2	246
3	Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien (2003)	8.600	9.2	227
4	Full Moon wo Sagashite (2002)	8.532	9.2	213
5	Elfen Lied (2004)	8.507	9.1	254
6	Cowboy Bebop (1998)	8.506	9.0	276
7	Hikaru no Go (2001)	8.446	9.2	181
8	One Piece (1999)	8.363	9.4	127
9	Berserk (1997)	8.347	9.0	216
10	Gundam SEED (2002)	8.247	9.0	175
11	12 Kokuki (2002)	8.196	9.0	152
12	Hunter X Hunter (1999)	8.183	9.4	109
13	Last EXILE (2003)	8.170	8.8	217
14	Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu! (2003)	8.136	8.9	157
15	Hajime no Ippo (2000)	8.118	9.2	112
16	Scrapped Princess (2003)	8.109	8.8	186
17	Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)	8.082	9.1	127
18	Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)	8.082	8.5	294
19	GunGrave (2003)	8.064	9.0	138
20	Rahxephon (2002)	8.059	8.7	188
21	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (2006)	8.010	9.0	123
22	DEATH NOTE (2006)	8.007	9.3	96
23	Grave of the Fireflies (1988)	8.001	8.9	133
24	Haibane Renmei (2002)	7.981	9.0	120
25	Monster (2004)	7.979	9.3	88
26	Planet ES (2003)	7.945	9.1	102
27	Furi Kuri (2000)	7.931	8.5	198
28	Onegai Teacher (2002)	7.906	8.6	173
29	AIR TV (2005)	7.884	8.9	110
30	Samurai Champloo (2004)	7.872	8.6	161
31	Fruits Basket (2001)	7.872	8.5	176
32	Mai HiME (2004)	7.858	8.8	122
33	Naruto (2002)	7.854	8.2	372
34	Shingetsutan Tsukihime (2003)	7.852	8.5	188
35	BECK (2004)	7.842	8.9	107
36	Rurouni Kenshin (1996)	7.822	8.7	132
37	Azumanga Daioh (2002)	7.813	8.5	170
38	Spirited Away (2001)	7.794	8.9	97
39	X TV (2001)	7.785	8.8	111
40	Trigun (1998)	7.776	8.4	171
41	Vision of Escaflowne (1996)	7.774	8.7	121
42	Bleach (2004)	7.770	8.4	176
43	Ima, Sokoni Iru Boku (1999)	7.728	8.8	101
44	Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (2005)	7.695	9.1	76
45	GetBackers (2002)	7.681	8.6	121
46	Full Metal Panic! (2002)	7.663	8.3	170
47	Princess Mononoke (1997)	7.654	8.8	89
48	Gunslinger Girl (2003)	7.643	8.4	132
49	Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 1st GIG (2002)	7.637	8.8	89
50	Uchuu no Stellvia (2003)	7.628	8.4	141
51	Hoshi no Koe (2002)	7.626	8.3	149
52	Wolf’s Rain (2003)	7.618	8.3	159
53	Chrno Crusade (2003)	7.617	8.4	142
54	Read or Die (2001)	7.606	8.6	110
55	Cowboy Bebop – Knockin’ on heaven’s door (2001)	7.583	8.8	87
56	Gankutsuoh (2004)	7.573	9.2	65
57	Scryed (2001)	7.538	8.4	112
58	Serial Experiments Lain (1998)	7.513	8.1	167
59	Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (1998)	7.508	8.2	137
60	School Rumble (2004)	7.497	8.7	85
61	Princess Tutu (2002)	7.478	9.2	57
62	Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2001)	7.469	8.5	93
63	Jungle wa itsumo Hare nochi Guu (2001)	7.459	8.9	68
64	Vandread 2 (2001)	7.452	8.8	73
65	Noir (2001)	7.437	8.1	148
66	Boogiepop Phantom (2000)	7.432	8.6	82
67	Chobits (2002)	7.428	7.9	224
68	Eureka Seven (2005)	7.425	9.0	63
69	Kino no tabi ~the Beautiful World~ (2003)	7.413	8.9	66
70	Seikai no Monshou (1999)	7.404	8.9	65
71	Infinite Ryvius (1999)	7.398	8.7	71
72	Saikano (2002)	7.383	7.9	198
73	Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984)	7.369	8.9	62
74	Genshiken (2004)	7.367	8.5	81
75	Maison Ikkoku (1986)	7.362	9.1	55
76	Hachimitsu to Clover (2005)	7.337	8.7	69
77	Witch Hunter Robin (2002)	7.311	7.9	145
78	R.O.D -THE TV- (2003)	7.310	8.4	82
79	Hellsing (2001)	7.293	7.8	188
80	Ghost in the Shell (1995)	7.270	8.4	84
81	Midori no Hibi (2004)	7.269	8.1	109
82	Ai Yori Aoshi (2002)	7.266	8.0	123
83	Initial D – First Stage (1998)	7.259	8.4	78
84	Seikai no Senki (2000)	7.256	8.9	54
85	Vandread (2000)	7.252	8.1	111
86	Kiddy Grade (2002)	7.248	8.1	103
87	Card Captor Sakura (1998)	7.241	8.4	79
88	Whisper of the heart (1995)	7.229	9.0	50
89	Koi Kaze (2004)	7.211	8.6	64
90	Golden Boy (1995)	7.210	8.3	81
91	Paranoia Agent (2004)	7.208	8.5	71
92	Rurouni Kenshin – Seisouhen (2001)	7.206	8.1	102
93	Inuyasha (2000)	7.206	7.8	148
94	Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986)	7.201	8.7	57
95	Kodomo no Omocha (1996)	7.190	9.1	47
96	Akira (1988)	7.188	7.8	142
97	Tennis no Ohjisama (2001)	7.188	8.3	80
98	Kannazuki no Miko (2004)	7.188	8.3	77
99	Kanon (2002)	7.151	8.1	88
100	Gravitation TV (2000)	7.108	8.5	59
101	Maria-sama ga Miteru (2004)	7.101	8.6	56
102	Fushigi Yuugi (1995)	7.094	8.0	92
103	Maho Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto (2003)	7.080	8.5	58
104	D.C ~Da Capo~ (2003)	7.078	7.9	98
105	Mahoromatic (2001)	7.068	8.1	82
106	Kaleido Star (2003)	7.062	9.1	40
107	Outlaw Star (1998)	7.040	8.2	69
108	Evangelion: End of Evangelion (1997)	7.035	8.0	81
109	.hack//SIGN (2002)	7.020	7.4	194
110	Ergo Proxy (2006)	7.016	8.8	46
111	Ohran Koko Host Club (2006)	7.000	8.7	47
112	Aishiteruze Baby (2004)	6.987	8.2	65
113	Samurai 7 (2004)	6.962	8.2	64
114	CODE GEASS Hangyaku no Lelouch (2006)	6.955	8.9	41
115	Hana Yori Dango (1996)	6.951	8.8	42
116	Yakitate!! Japan (2004)	6.947	8.6	46
117	Martian Successor Nadesico (1996)	6.939	8.0	76
118	Excel Saga (1999)	6.938	7.9	82
119	Ranma 1/2 (1989)	6.929	8.3	55
120	Ai Mai Mi ! Strawberry Egg (2001)	6.928	8.0	69
121	Slam Dunk (1993)	6.926	8.5	49
122	Ayashi no Ceres (2000)	6.923	8.0	73
123	Kumo no Muko, Yakusoku no basho (2004)	6.918	8.2	58
124	Tenshi na Konamaiki (2002)	6.915	8.3	55
125	Kimagure Orange Road TV (1987)	6.902	8.6	45
126	Mahoromatic TV 2 (2002)	6.892	7.9	72
127	Paradise Kiss (2005)	6.886	8.7	42
128	Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer (2001)	6.883	8.2	56
129	Ultra Maniac TV (2003)	6.883	8.5	48
130	Onegai Twins (2003)	6.881	7.4	140
131	Millennium Actress (2001)	6.870	8.6	44
132	Pita Ten (2002)	6.867	8.4	49
133	Love Hina (2000)	6.862	7.4	135
134	Yu Yu Hakusho (1992)	6.853	8.5	45
135	CLAYMORE (2007)	6.843	8.4	46
136	TEXHNOLYZE (2003)	6.833	8.4	46
137	Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997)	6.829	8.3	49
138	Jin-Roh, The Wolf Brigade (2000)	6.821	8.4	47
139	Slayers, The (1995)	6.814	8.2	51
140	AA! Megami Sama (1993)	6.798	7.9	68
141	Shaman King (2001)	6.786	8.5	42
142	D.N Angel (2003)	6.780	7.7	75
143	Matantei Loki – Ragnarok (2003)	6.754	8.3	44
144	Abenobashi Mahou Shotengai (2002)	6.750	7.8	67
145	GANTZ (2004)	6.748	7.8	68
146	Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)	6.748	8.3	44
147	Final Fantasy VII Advent Children (2005)	6.736	7.6	83
148	Suzuka (2005)	6.725	7.9	59
149	AA! Megami Sama: The Movie (2000)	6.716	8.3	43
150	.hack//Legend of Twilight Bracelet (2003)	6.701	7.6	72
151	Tokyo Underground (2002)	6.677	7.5	81
152	MADLAX (2004)	6.671	8.1	47
153	Trinity Blood (2005)	6.659	7.9	54
154	Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)	6.654	8.0	50
155	Peace Maker Kurogane (2003)	6.653	7.8	56
156	Sokyu No Fafner (2004)	6.644	8.2	41
157	Gundam Wing (1995)	6.635	7.6	65
158	Howl no Ugoku Shiro (2004)	6.623	8.1	44
159	REC (2006)	6.608	8.1	43
160	Rozen Maiden (2004)	6.594	8.1	41
161	Tsubasa Chronicle (2005)	6.591	7.8	51
162	Piano (2002)	6.589	8.0	44
163	Yami no Matsuei (2000)	6.573	8.0	45
164	Gundam SEED Destiny (2004)	6.564	7.6	63
165	DearS (2004)	6.552	7.6	62
166	Shakugan no Shana (2005)	6.548	7.9	46
167	Gunparade March – Arata Naru Ko Gunka (2003)	6.530	7.9	46
168	NARUTARU (2003)	6.527	7.5	60
169	Green Green TV (2003)	6.525	7.3	74
170	Love Hina Christmas Special (2000)	6.519	8.0	40
171	SHUFFLE! (2005)	6.493	7.6	56
172	Ninja Scroll (1993)	6.489	7.6	56
173	Appleseed Movie (2004)	6.485	7.5	56
174	Happy Lesson TV (2002)	6.480	7.6	54
175	Record of Lodoss War OVA (1990)	6.459	7.5	58
176	Escaflowne – The Movie (2000)	6.455	7.3	70
177	Perfect Blue (1997)	6.454	7.7	47
178	To Heart (1999)	6.434	7.5	53
179	Fate/stay night (2006)	6.404	7.7	44
180	Tenjou Tenge (2004)	6.390	7.2	68
181	Chikyu Shojo Arjuna (2001)	6.385	7.8	40
182	Boys Be (2000)	6.375	7.7	42
183	Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)	6.361	6.9	106
184	Ai Yori Aoshi ~Enishi~ (2003)	6.292	7.3	53
185	Alien Nine (2001)	6.240	7.4	44
186	Grenadier – Hohoemi no Senshi - (2004)	6.156	7.1	47
187	Dragon Ball (1986)	6.138	7.2	44
188	E’s Otherwise (2003)	6.132	7.2	42
189	Love Hina OVA (2002)	6.079	6.8	62
190	Prince of Darkness (1998)	6.023	7.0	40
191	Dragon Ball Z (1989)	5.995	6.2	180
192	Ichigo 100% (2005)	5.992	6.8	48
193	Kono Minikuku Mo Utsukushii Sekai (2004)	5.989	6.6	68
194	Samurai Deeper Kyo (2002)	5.984	6.5	79
195	Flame of Recca (1997)	5.978	6.9	43
196	Ikkitousen (2003)	5.965	6.6	57
197	Kite (1998)	5.955	6.5	70
198	Girls Bravo First Season (2004)	5.929	6.9	40
199	Maburaho (2003)	5.806	6.5	45
200	Final Fantasy Unlimited (2001) -DTA Left to Lose: 45

Well, it’s been a really busy week here in TC, so I haven’t been as able to blog as I thought at first. But that’s all gonna change today. Because I’m writing a blog. Obviously.

I’ve begun the simplification process as far as my worldly possessions are concerned, which is a lot easier than I thought it would be. I may have a lot of stuff, but I don’t actually need or even really want a lot of it.

I’ve begun working on myself as well. I was admittedly quite lax health-wise this semester, which is one of the reasons why I was sick all the freaking time. To put it bluntly, I got fat.

Now, as a woman, I refuse to tell you how much I weigh now, but I will tell you that I came home needing to lose about 50 pounds. Some of that was already there when I started school, but most of it wasn’t. And I’m taking it off.

Already since I got back, I’ve lost four pounds, because I’ve been working out like a madwoman and eating healthy stuff. I put myself back on South Beach, and before all you people comment on how dieting isn’t healthy, I’d like to point out that the reason why I gained so much weight was because I was eating a rice-based diet. I’m carnivorous by nature, and I run best on a high-protein diet.

Also, I’ve given up eating after 8 PM. This is going to be really hard, because I’m nocturnal and normally have breakfast at 1 PM, lunch at 5 PM, and dinner at 2 or 3 AM. But since I actually have a morning class this spring (9 AM, of all ungodly hours), I need to change my sleep cycle anyway.

At any rate, I’ll be keeping a weight countdown at the bottom of each post to keep you all informed of how I’m doing. And, as a special bonus, when I’m lean again, I’ll upload some fanservice for you all. So, if you want to see a pretty geek girl in a bikini, you’d better cheer me on.

Besides, it’s important. How else am I gonna be able to cosplay? That school girl uniform won’t wear itself. . .

-DTA

Left to Lose: 46

This is the last part I’m done with. I’m on my way back to TC tomorrow, so I’ll be posting more often after that. -DTA

THE CLUSTER of red balloons tied to the mailbox shone brightly in the sun. She cried out as her mother yanked a bit too hard on her hair.

“Hey,” she said, her brilliant green eyes shining with mirth, “stop squirming, Mar. You’re the one who wanted your hair braided.” She huffed, crossed her arms, and pouted indignantly. Her mother chuckled at the girl’s futile attempt to look angry. Soon, she was laughing as well.

The guests arrived, carrying brightly wrapped packages, their eyes longing for the sweets piled on one table: gummi bears of every flavor, chocolates, mint patties, even sugared fruit. But best of all, a dark chocolate cake covered in vanilla frosting. And it was time. . .

She grinned happily, her cheeks stuffed with white cake frosting.

“Oh, how attractive,” the handsome young man behind her crooned. He wrapped his arms around her neck. “I want a picture of this.” He leaned in close and kissed the nape of her neck, his warm breath tickling the sensitive hairs there. She shivered with glee, her heart full of love for him.

“Don’t be a brat, Devon.” He let go of her, pretending to be offended.

“A brat? Me?”

The little boy stared up at her with innocently impish eyes, his appalled expression made that much sillier by his half-finished set of teeth. She smiled, trying not to laugh at the serious lad, rumpling his dark hair with one hand.

“You’re so much like your father.”

She put one hand to her stinging cheek, willing herself not to cry. He grabbed her wrists, pulling her arms down to her sides. “So stubborn. So foolish.” He chuckled maliciously, leaning over her. His rough, disgusting tongue met her jaw, licked up and down her jaw line. Still, she did not cry out. She knew what he would do if she cried out.

“Help me.”

Her roommate glanced over at her as she struggled with the food bin over her head, noodles and cookies threatening her with bodily harm as she tried to slide it unto the shelf.

“How did you do that, Mar?” She grinned at her, then lifted one side of the bin. “This thing probably weighs more than you, what with all the canned goods.”

“I’m Awesome Girl!” She laughed, her wispy brown hair floating as she shook. Her roommate gave her a glare, then began laughing as well.

“It never gets old, does it?”

She sighed in satisfaction, resting her head on his shoulder. The night was cold, and the snow around them had only gotten higher since they’d stopped in the little hollow. He placed his head on top of hers. “I wish I could kiss you every day like that.” Se turned, staring into his vibrant blue eyes, a smile playing across her lips.

“Why not?”

Her father looked down at her, harshness and pity swirling in his eyes.

“Because, Marina, no one can know what you really are.”

THE TEARS on her cheeks were not nearly as salty as the seawater she had once been dared to drink. And yet, even that brackish water as not as bitter as those drops which sticky-wet rolled down her pale face. Lying on the floor of the basement, the dirt clinging to her torn dress, coating the dark wet blood spots with an unwholesome crust, she could hear the battle raging within the kitchen. Shouts. Cries of pain and rage. Anguished screams. A sickening, final thud.

And then NOTHING.

She was careful to keep her sobs internalized, knowing that even a whisper could give her away.

Grasping blindly with one hand, she winced as she pulled the stinger from her neck. How foolish of her to try and hide in a cluster of magnolia bushes! She really should have seen this coming, she thought to herself. It was painful to turn her head, so she couldn’t even look to see if the children were sneaking up on her. Why had she decided that hide and seek was such a good idea?

“Gotcha!”

She squealed in startled pleasure-pain as she felt his strong fingers against her kidneys. She turned in his arms to face him, and he smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling with mirth. She kicked him, grinning as he glared in mock indignation.

“What’d you do that for?” She smiled, and grabbed his neck fiercely, locking their lips together in a deep and passionate kiss.

“Because I love you.”

Her mother smiled down at her, taking the piece of paper from her tiny hands. She looked at it for a long time, nodding with appreciation at each nuance of crayon.

“Thank you, darling.”

His eyes glowed with an unnatural light as he licked the blood off his lips. “I’ll treasure you forever, now your parents are out of the way.” His hand was gripping her arm so tightly that she was sure her arm would break. She wanted to cry out with pain, but she refused to give him the satisfaction. After all, she knew things would only get worse for her is she tried. For the millionth time, in her mind, his fingers toyed with the crucifix around her neck, his malicious, mocking smile feeding off of her fear.

“Do you really think that your God will be able to save you, you worthless little whore?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes, Devon, I will marry you.” He swept her up in his arms and twirled her about the room, laughing with glee. Lowering her gently to the ground, he captured her gaze with his eyes, smiling happily.

“I love you, Marina.”

She sobbed, wrapping her arms around her father’s body, not caring that his blood was soaking into her dress.

“Daddy,” she cried, “don’t. . .”

“Marina,” he sighed, his eyes wide. “. . .get out of here. . . run!” She kissed him on the forehead, and ran for the basement steps.

This is a short bit of drabble I’ve been throwing around for a few years. Not sure if I’ll ever finish it, but I hope to make progress on it someday. The next few parts will be added over the next week or so, since I don’t have time to write a real blog due to finals. Enjoy! -DTA

THE LIGHT under the door flickered erratically as soft but sinister footfalls echoed in the empty space beyond the oaken barrier. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth they sounded. Her eyes grew wide as the sound grew louder, each rotation bringing those ominous feet closer, closer to the basement door and the protecting darkness beyond. She closed her eyes, praying against the dust which leaked from the ceiling boards above her, against the fistfuls of dank sawdust in her torn hands, against the night-blacked blood on the hem of her baby blue cotton dress that he would just . . .

SILENCE.

“Do you love me?” she whispered to the darkness surrounding her. His hand caught her white-gloved arm, and she gazed up into his arctic blue eyes, transfixed. The string quartet on the other side of the gilded ballroom had broken into a Venetian waltz, and the babbling brook of music enveloped her with heady exhilaration. He smiled softly into her love-glazed eyes, tossing his head slightly to knock a few strands of jet black hair out of his face. He knelt down beside her chair, pressing a pale finger to her eager lips.

“Of course I love you, silly girl. Why else would I be here?” He held out his hand to her. “Come.” He led her on to the glittering dance floor and draped his arm gracefully about her waist. “Happy birthday, Marina.”

Her father smiled down at her, holding out a small velvet box. She looked at him questioningly, taking it with care. “Your grandmother wanted me to give this to you when you became a woman,” he said, tears in his eyes. “It has been in our family for generations, and she thought it was right for you to have it.”

She opened the box and gasped with wonder. Inside was a silver ring, shaped like the northern star. Inscribed within it were four triangles like the points of a compass, with a single oval-shaped diamond in the center. The whole ring blazed with a powerful internal fire, so that she was nearly forced to look away as she withdrew it from the box. She placed it gingerly on her right ring finger. It was a perfect fit.

“Do you like it?” She smiled, her eyes filled with tears.

“Yes, Devon. It’s beautiful.” The handsome young man stroked her hair as she lay with her head in his lap, looking at the ceiling of their bedroom. He had painstakingly painted the night sky in vibrant silver and midnight blue, even taking the time to craft a realistic full moon in one corner. It seemed to glow with life, and she gasped as she noticed the dark clouds he had painted, eclipsing patches of the sky. “I love it.”

“I’m glad,” he whispered, leaning over to gaze into her eyes. “I want our life together to be perfect.”

AND IT WAS, for a little while.

It’s amazing how so many things that were once optional and fun have become manditory parts of my life. The weight of all that I once enjoyed is crushing me, and I need to let it go.

With this in mind, I have decided to take up the Sanzo Party motto and “Embrace Nothing.” I will no longer let myself grow so attached to something that I cannot bear to lose it. This means that I’m no longer going to read ANY webcomics. Nor am I going to use any stupid Facebook applications. Nor am I going to read Lols of any type. It’s back to basics. The internet is for functionality, and nothing more.

Of course, the internet is not the only place I’ll be employing this. I’m through with having so much freaking junk. I’m gonna have a yard sale this summer, I think. Time to finally let go of all this crap and all the memories that go with it. I’m too old to hold on to something just because it used to please me. All my clutter is just slowing me down.

Also, forget me eating for pleasure any more. I’m not a gourmet. I’m just a freaking glutton with a good palate. So enough of that. Back to the basics with food too. Just what I need to live, and nothing more. Life’s too short to waste on meaningless pleasure.

That said, I’m not going to get rid of all my vices. I mean, I’d be no fun without at least one, right? So I’m going to keep my geeky delights. But I’ll be sacrificing the rest to make it actually mean something.

What does this mean for my blogging? Nothing, except that I’ll have a ton more time to do it now that most of my distractions are out of the way. After all, blogging is what I do. Next to being awesome, of course.

-DTA

Hey, everybody! Happy Thanksgiving!

You know what that means. . . I’ve been blogging as the Duct Tape Alchemist for a whole freaking year now! Isn’t that incredible? And, man, a lot has happened since that first post:

• I wrote 67,795 words of fanfiction
• I lived in Europe for 4 months
• I founded an anime club with over 30 registered members
• I sold out and joined Twitter
• I nearly was killed by 4 animals and a flipping jetski
• I went to my first anime convention. And my second.
• I wore my hair both longer and shorter than ever before

And that’s just me. the world itself has changed a lot since last year. But I won’t get in to all that. Instead, I’m going to revisit my very first (real) post. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Well, you could be a touch more enthusiastic. This is my special day, ok?

The Top Ten Sexiest Anime Men: 2009 Edition

1. Cho Hakkai from Saiyuki: Clearly the winner this year, Hakkai is everything a woman like me could want in a bishie. He’s tall, smart, tortured, scarred, and really flipping hot! Not to mention the fact that he has a dragon that transforms into a jeep. . .

2. Roy Mustang from FullMetal Alchemist: Still in second place from last year, Roy’s manipulative nature and undeniable charm make him a strong competitor this year as well. Not to mention the fact that he is my Anime Club designation. . .

3. Seto Kaiba from Yu-Gi-Oh: A dark horse this year, Kaiba has emerged near the top in spite of his being a complete jerk. I can’t help it. I love him in all his pouty, rich-boy glory. Not to mention his dragon fetish. . .

4. Ginko from Mushi-Shi: Down in popularity from last year, Ginko just slides into the top few slots by virtue of his indifferent attitude, passion for the supernatural, and pretty green eyes.

5. Asato Tzusuki from Descendants of Darkness: Another return canditate from last year, this bisexual bishie continues to pull out the stops with his kind violet eyes and incredible power.

6. Kyoya Ootori from Ouran High School Host Club: Still a handsome manipulator with a kind heart, just like most of the men on this list, Kyoya is still one of my favorite for his complexity.

7. Seiji Mido from Moonphase: A new face this year, he’s a psychic with incredible spiritual powers and shiny long hair. Not to mention, he’s really cool. . . <sigh>

8. Keisei Tagami from Shikabane Hime: A contracted priest, loyal older brother, caring friend, and barely-closet pervert, Keisei is a man’s man and a woman’s bishie.

 

9.Sesshomaru from Inuyasha: Barely missing out on the list last year, this is one demon who belongs among the hottest bishies. His indifference and mad fighting skills (not to mention his fluffy) are the stuff of introverted fangirls’ dreams.

10. L from Death Note: Again, he’s not really a bishie, but there’s just something about him that just makes me go crazy. Probably because he’s a genius.

Well, that’s it for today, y’all. I’m gonna go eat some dumplings now, so have a happy thanksgiving break and I’ll post again soon.

-DTA

Breathe in the final kiss of yesterday –
I watch as my hands play across your skin
Each touch a lingering pantomime of sin
As daydreams rock the churning of decay –
Don’t claim that I am lacking in my soul
That promised destinies can fight for free
While every breath brings reborn apathy
Each lonely-rippled pool of passion full
Of naught but tasteless cries to piece the moon.
You call me fickle, a vixen in disguise
You claim I tear the wings off human flies
With cries of forever and a player’s swoon:
But what is forever when the truth holds sway?
Ask for my life? No. I die every day.

I, the Duct Tape Alchemist, have decided to work on something new this summer: a fan-webcomic. It’s like fanfiction, but in manga form. I think my story lends itself very nicely to the manga format. The only problem, of course is that my art skills are seriously lacking in this department. I can draw large single-frame pictures pretty well, but the actual manga format is a bit beyond my skill level.

Therefore, I will be auditioning a partner-in-crime to illustrate my great epic for me. Interested parties should hop over to my fanfiction, pick a scene from Mushi-Hime they like, and draw it out for me. I’d especially like to see your take on Akira Satomi, my main character.

I won’t be able to pay you anything, which I suppose will discourage a few people. But you will be rewarded with the great honor of working on the first DTA web series, as well as the potential for donations when we get popular.

For those who are not familiar with the story, the comic will follow the storyline for Destination:Elric. Essentially, Akira is being sent through a series of gates trying to find misplaced characters and restoring them to their home world. It will, completed, encompass at least 26 anime, becoming one of the largest crossovers ever attempted. Sound interesting?

Email all submissions to dtabox@yahoo.com along with your name. I’ll keep accepting entries until I find the right fit, so keep them coming!

Good luck, and thank you.

-DTA