Cowboy Bebop

My number one obsession, was, for a long time Cowboy Bebop. Now it has become more like an antique for me, something very valuable. I keep it close to my heart.

I don’t have anything more to say about this anime, which is, and will always be the #1 anime of all times. Well, O.K…. so I can’t really say that it will be the number one ALWAYS. But I can say that it was and it has been for quite some time now, #1 anime, and not rated by me but by the people who actually know detail by detail what makes an anime good, no matter what your preferences are. I have talked about this anime a lot in other blogs, so, I will only re-post here what I wrote years ago.

You see, I always wanted to have a blog where I could just brag about how great this anime is, but there are just so many out there that I felt it would be a waste of my time. Who was going to read my blog about some anime? Who was going to pay attention to what I had to say about it? Now that I have actually decided to start my blog -and not particularly about Bebop- I don’t feel inspired enough to start writing something new about Bebop. However, it is such a good anime, and my obsession for it -although it has subsided- is still there, so it deserves to be on my blog. So much for an original idea huh? Well it might not be a new entry really, but it was written by me and so it is original.

Okay so here it is, hope you like it:

I am so overwhelmed to the point of tears, that is truly making me lose control over my mind, and I don’t know how to start this damn entry. However, I feel that I must force myself and write about the only thing that has brought light into my soul this very morning. So, with heart in hand, and to the tunes of Steve Contes, Kanno Yoko and The Seatbelts, and lots, and lots of bebopperal inspiration (Bebopperal: word I have just made up, and added to my singular yet not very vast vocabulary) I am going to delight you with the most anticipated, and welcomed news of the year.

It has been two days since I received the magazine Anime Insider to which I am subscribed and, read with the utmost devotion every month. I hadn’t had any time (please, note that the word “time” in Laura’s vocabulary really means, lacking desire)… Did I write something about “read with the utmost devotion”? Hmmm, why do I get into this anyway? Truthfully, when I get a magazine, first I read through it superficially so I can get an idea of what the context is. Second, I go straight to the most interesting articles and read them fully; and then after I am done analyzing the whole context of the article, I browse the magazine two or three times more, and just like that I end my reading. Same thing I do with books, what can I say? I suffer from a deficiency very common in most Capricorns: lack of patients (yes Johan, now you know the secret behind all those books I have managed to read -_-) Of course that some books you just can’t read like that. Take for instance; if you were reading a story, you wouldn’t be able to read the more interesting parts before reading the entire book. Simply because you don’t know which part are those. The same reason why I just go straight to the last page, find out how it ends, if I like it, I read it. Now, going back to my madly fanatical story; I browsed the magazine as soon as I got it in the mail, but I put it aside right away so I could read it today during my lunch hour. Savor the moment, page by page, become one with the context. Why did I break up my unusual reading habit? Well, only, because in very big and shiny letters that took most of the cover’s left side these words were written: “BEST ANIME EVER!” What was the first thing that popped into my head? Hahaha… yeah, that’s right XD

It was at 11:30 in the morning, with much expectation and plenty of determination to not spoiled the surprised that I started reading my magazine like a normal person should. Two seconds later I jumped 46 pages, and went ahead to read the article “Simply the Best”. The only thing I feel truly proud of –when it comes to the matter of my deficiency- is of being able to read the entire article from beginning to end without reading the last page first. And this, is what I found out:

The article is about the 50 best anime shows ever. Of course, only one got to be the number one on the list, but we have plenty of time to talk about that later. First, I would like to tell you about those animes that form a part of my enormous collection, and were proudly and well deserving included in the 50 best. Just one more thing before I start listing them. It is with little joy, and somewhat tears in my eyes that I say Berserk didn’t make it to the first five. However, I’m glad is part of the 50, at least. Berserk has been a very precious treasure for me. It was the first anime I watched; the first anime to captivate me; the first to inspired me; and more importantly, the one anime that opened the doors to the most marvelous and magical world I have seen yet….

–Berserk; 48.

–The Twelve kingdoms; 42.

–Vampire Hunter D: Blood Lust; 38.

–Trigun; 34.

–Princess Mononoke; 32… Your favorite Johan ^_^

–Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal; 30.

–Samurai Champloo; 27.

–My Neighbor Totoro; 19.

I must make a pause right here, and say that from this page on my heartbeat incremented considerably. What a dork… -_-

–Grave of the Fireflies; 16.

–Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind; 13.

-Akira; 9.

Now that I have finished listing those anime I posses and love, which made it to the best 50 but didn’t make it to the first 5 (Places from 8 to 5 didn’t hold any meaning for me.) I have to say, I was amazed to see that after getting places 32, 19 and, 13, Hayao Miyazaki still got even closer to being number one. Porco Rosso got second place, and let me tell you, even when it is definitely not my favorite from the Master of creation, it was very well deserved.

I think it is unnecessary at this point to say what happened next…. Yeah I had a stroke and now I’m at the hospital writing about this idiotic incident. Of course NOT!!! But, I was very close to collapsing. Cowboy Bebop, Watanabe’s best work of art was, is, and always will be the number one best anime in the world.

Obviously, CBB takes a whole page, and representing it are: my favorite anti-hero Spike together with the always sexy, infamous Faye, and a smaller picture of Ed and Ein… what happened to Jet? The article is about what makes CBB the best anime ever. About everything that forms part of its grandeur, and some facts, like how it was serialized for four consecutive years on Adult Swim. SUGOI >_<

I wish I could describe one by one, the things I consider the ones that make this anime so remarkable. However, I think I have done this in so many ways already, and so many people (not to say all of them) that watch this anime end up agreeing with us when it comes to its greatness, that I will only be repeating myself and what others have said about it. I think that won’t be a very original idea! So, I would limit myself to only give you a little bit of bebopperal flavor.

Why is it such an incredible anime? We can –with complete confidence- compare its magnificence with Hollywood’s greatest films ever, like for example: The Godfather. Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail says: “The Godfather is the answer to all your questions”. Well, I say CBB is not just the answer to all of your questions: “What are the first rules of combat?  Shoot them, before they shoot you” (Faye) “Who the hell is this?  Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky the 4th” (Faye and Ed) “Three things that I hate: Kids… animals… and, women with attitude” (Spike) “How long have you been listening for?  Too long. Your story needs editing” (Faye and Spike) “Why do you have to go? Where are you going? I’m not going there to die. I’m going to find out if I’m really alive” (Faye and Spike) but also it has become a form of living:

FASHION

ACTION/MUSIC: Kanno Yoko, The Seatbelts

ART

LESSONS IN ECONOMY
Spike: “Uh, listen Jet. You said bell peppers and beef. There’s no beef in here. So you wouldn’t really call it bell peppers and beef, now would you?”
Jet: “Yes, I would.”
Spike: “Well, it’s NOT!”
Jet: “It is when you’re broke!”
PHILOSOPHY
Bull: “Do not fear death. Death is always at your side. When you show fear, it will spring at you faster than light. If you do not show fear, it will only gently look over you…”
DRAMA, LOVE

HOPE
Vicious: “There’s nothing in this world to believe in.” (Of course he was only being sarcastic kids)
IMAGINATION
Spike: “Hunger is the best spice they say.”
KNOWLEDGE
Jet: “Everything has a beginning and an end. Life is just a cycle of starts and stops. There are ends we don’t desire, but they’re inevitable, we have to face them. It’s what being human is all about.”
BEAUTY AND WIT

Also it has fundamental values like, honesty, loyalty, friendship, etc. CBB has a great sense of humor, and lots, lots of trumpet. Therefore I urge you to rent…No! Not to rent, but to buy Cowboy Bebop. Watch it superficially a first time, like if you were just browsing; then a second time, but just your favorite episodes; and last, watch it again two or three more times, so you can fuse with all that JAZZ, which is the aphrodisiac of the soul. Simply watch it, just like if you were reading a magazine Laura style. <—- (Oh! That’s right… Laura is me, hehe)

It has been a long time since I watched it last, and just by adding this entry to my blog I miss the crew and feel all nostalgic again… awww so many good and sad memories! Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed my old post of CBB.

Modern Gardening Can Save You A Penny Or Two

Ok, unless you have been living under a rock for the past 2 years, it is very clear that a once innocent trip to the supermarket has now become a rather unpleasant experience for your wallet. Prices in food (Specially Organic and Low Carb.) have been raised sky high while salaries have been sliced right down to the bone…and then you wonder why the fast food chains are making billions now at days and obesity has become a way of life for the masses.

Well many think that having a garden is too much work and not worth the time…WRONG! In the last couple of years I have saved tons of money in food, I cook more often and healthier thanks to my own private mini farm…oh and the best part is that I don’t live in a house, that’s right people I live in modern high rise with a glass balcony slammed in the urban noise of the downtown Miami area.

Aha here are some ideas and costs:

Take a trip to Home Depot or Wal-Mart and buy a few essential potted herbs like; Basil, Culantro, Cilantro, Mint, Oregano, and Rosemary (these are like $3 or $4 bucks a pot)

Get a bag of soil (any kind really for about $6-$8) and one of those long square pots so that you can fit 4 or 5 herb plants nicely.

In Addition to the herbs “Pepper Plants” or “Onion Plants” are very cheap and make a great investment in the long run.  Choose an area of your patio or balcony that receives a lot of sunlight and place your plants. Water every other day and BOOM!!! In less than a month you will have your mini-Publix…lol    Here some photos from I started my garden…enjoy;

Sozinho

Sozinho is a song by Caetano Veloso. I think he is extraordinary, but particularly while singing this one. Maybe is just that I like the song very much…no, imperative, he is extraordinary.

LYRICS

Sometimes, in the silence of the night,
I sit and imagine us two
I sit here, daydreaming
Joining the before, the now, and the after
Why do you leave me so free?
Why don’t you stick with me?
I’m feeling so alone
I’m not and I don’t want to be your owner
But sometimes your love feels so good
I have my desires and secret plans
I only open to you, to no one else
Why do you forget me and disappear?
And if I become interested in someone?
And if she suddenly wins me?
When people like each other
It’s clear that they care for each other
You say that you love me
But you don’t mean it
Or you mess with me
Or you aren’t ready
Where are you now?
When people like each other
It’s clear that they care for each other
You tell me that you love me
But you don’t mean it
Or you mess with me
Or you aren’t ready
Iê iê iê iê iê
Where are you now?

0

From: http://lyricstranslate.com

Without Wax

The phrase “Without Wax” means “Sincere” which it comes from the Latin words “sine” and “cera”. At least that is what most believe, there are others who give it another meaning but the main idea of the meaning remains the same; that something without the wax, comes without impurities.

As we all know, Spanish comes from Latin and thus the word “sincera” actually comes from the two Latin words previously mentioned. Even though I’m Hispanic, and Spanish is my first language, I  never thought about it that way.  All of those time I said something had no wax; “Eso esta sin cera” I never realized that the word I used to described honesty sounded exactly the same as the two words “sin” “cera”. That was until I read Dan Brown’s Digital Fortress and I loved it. This is where I first learned of the believed origins of the word “sincere”. It is said that in ancient Rome, craftsmen would use wax to cover imperfections in their marble sculptures, and that “sine cera” was a phrase commonly used by those presenting the sculptures.

Sine cera= without wax=sincere