Rena McGee
Rena McGee has been writing about books, manga and anime and other topics since 2002.
Associate of Applied Science, Web Graphic Design
She has also taken classes related to criminal investigation and psychology.
She has been previously employed in retail support, market research and office work/quality control at an electronic parts shop.
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Associate of Applied Science, Web Graphic Design
She has also taken classes related to criminal investigation and psychology.
She has been previously employed in retail support, market research and office work/quality control at an electronic parts shop.
...
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- 27,472
- Content
- 403
- Fans
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- Contributor since
- 4/9/2009
Education/Experience
Currently a student at DeVry.Interests
writing, books, reading, fantasy, science fiction, feminism, racism, world building, imagination, gender issues, manga, anime, web graphic design, cooking, fiction, poetry, paranormal, esoteric, mythology, humor, snark,Affiliations
A Wicked Convergence of Circumstances (Reviews and Essays), Rena on Facebook, Rena on Twitter, Near Life ExperiencesFavorites
Fans
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Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 403) for All Content
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Book Reveiw: The King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen TurnerEugenides has to deal with being king when all he wanted was to marry the queen. Meanwhile, a young guardsman gets in way over his head.
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Book Review: A Conspiracy of Kings, by Megan Whalen TurnerIn which a young king attempts to take back his throne, with a little help from his friends.
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Book Review: The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillipA mysterious bell is linked to a house where a woman is dying. A house with doors that occasionally open into another world ruled by a mysterious ritual.
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Book Review: Intruder by C.J. CherryhBren continues his efforts to settle a major political dispute. Meanwhile, Cajeiri finds himself in the middle of a domestic dispute as his parents hit a rough spot in their marriage.
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Book Review: Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuireThe first in a new series by Seanan McGuire. Our Heroine attempts to combine monster hunting with ballroom dancing, with limited success.
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Skip Beat! Episode One “And Then the Box was Opened” --RecapWe are introduced to Our Heroine, a sweet kid in love named Kyoko. Unfortunately, her "prince" is a complete jerk.
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Moribito Episode Fifteen “Premature Death”--ReviewShuga continues his research despite being trapped. The crown prince accepts increased responsibilities despite being sick and Torogai further explains what she learned at the Knot.
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Toradora! Episode Six: “True Colors”--RecapKitamura asks Taiga and Ryuji to overlook Ami's two-faced behavior and be her friend. We also discover the reason Ami transferred to a different school.
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Movie Review: John CarterOur Hero is a former Confederate cavalry officer who accidentally finds himself on a strange and alien world called Barsoom. A planet also known as Mars.
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Movie Review: How to Train Your DragonHiccup is a kid too smart for his own good, living in a remote Viking village that is nightly besieged by dragons. So of course Our Hero befriends one.
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Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland (2010)Alice is now 19 and not very interested in growing up the way people want her to. When she spies the white rabbit again she decides to follow him down the rabbit hole and back to Underland.
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Book Review: The Queen of Attolia, by Megan Whalen TurnerThe Queen of Attolia seeks and gets revenge. Eugenides struggles to cope with the aftermath and his feelings.
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Book Review: Second Grave on the Left by Darynda JonesOur Heroine does not like being kept in the dark. Friend and family continue to do so, much to her annoyance in this sequel to First Grave on the Right.
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Moribito Episode Fourteen “Knot”--ReviewTorogai and Shuga both come to the same conclusions using different resources. Both also get in over their head.
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I Don’t See a Hood when I See a HoodieA sarcastic reaction to Geraldo Rivera's "Trayvon Martin Would Be Alive But For His Hoodie" article.
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The Alternate Universes of Police Chief Bill LeeIn another universe, Trayvon Martin is not dead. This is not one of them, but Bill Lee feels that things would have gone differently if different choices had been made.
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Book Review: Dark Inside by Jeyn RobertsIn this young adult apocalyptic thriller, a group of young people are gradually drawn together as society falls apart. Fair warning: I did not like this book.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Ten “Phantom Score”--RecapHuey and Dalian encounter a famous violinist and two musical scores with mysterious powers.
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Book Review: Honor’s Paradox, by P.C. HodgellJame completes her training at Tentir despite active opposition to her presence, and the usual disasters that tend to follow her around like puppies.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Twelve “Song for the Unwritten Future”--RecapHuey and Dalian encounter a dangerous Phantom Book that has been deliberately weaponized by the mysterious Professor. Huey may not get out of this episode alive.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Eleven “Bibliotheca Razielis Archangeli”--RecapIn this flash back episode, we meet Huey back when he was a pilot during the Great War. We also discover more about the creation Phantom Books.
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Requite the CrushDave has a crush on a girl he's never spoken to. Today is the day he's going to. Really. Really, really.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Eight “Book of Equivalence/Book of Relationship”--RecapIn which Camilla goes looking for the best possible present to give Dalian and Armand turns up in need of rescue from his latest romantic disaster.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Seven “The Perfumer”--RecapIn this episode, Dalian and Huey run into a young woman with an unusually keen sense of smell.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Nine “Book of Twilight”--RecapDalian and Huey journey into another world and enter the story of a young apprentice shaman named Ira.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twenty Five “Time, Stop”--ReviewIn the final battle, Yukio, Rin and their friends work together to defeat Satan. The epilog hints at new adventures in the future.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twenty Three “Truth”--ReviewIn this episode discovers the exact extent to which his grandfather has been lying to him.
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Blue Exorcist Episode 24 “Satan’s Spawn” --ReviewIn this episode, Rin and Shura attempt to get the drop on Satan, and rescue Yukio. They are mostly successful, but the battle isn't over yet.
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Book Review: The Thief by Megan Whalen TurnerA thief is recruited to steal a magical artifact. If you think you've heard this story before, you probably haven't.
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Book Review: After the Golden Age by Carrie VaughnOur heroine is a forensic accountant. Her parents are famous superheroes. Family stress hits an all time high when she works on a case involving her parents' arch-nemesis.
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Book Review: The Snow Queen’s Shadow, by Jim C. HinesIn this book, Snow accidentally frees a demon and goes on a rampage. Can Danielle and Talia stop her in time?
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Book Review: First Grave on the Right by Darynda JonesOur Heroine is a private detective who is also literally the angel of death. An entertaining if shallow paranormal romance.
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Book Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom RiggsA boy learns that his grandfather's fanciful tales are possibly not fanciful at all. An interesting novel based around surreal trick photographs.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twenty Two “Demon Hunting”--ReviewIn this episode, Yukio's grandfather puts his plans for all out war against Gehenna into motion. The price however may be too high to pay.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Six “Libricide”--RecapIn this episode we meet a mysterious "Libricide Officer" and his strange companion, Flamberge, the Silver Biblioprincess.
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Moribito Episode Thirteen “Neither Human nor Tiger”--ReviewIn this episode, Balsa is pushed by an enemy into breaking her oath to refrain from killing.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twenty One “The Secret Garden”--ReviewRin demands explanations, Shiemi makes a friend, and Yukio meets his grandfather.
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Moribito Episode Twelve “Summer Solstice Festival”--ReviewChagum is challenged to a fight by the son of a merchant, a fight to take place during the Summer Solstice Festival, which he is not allowed to attend.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Five “The Magician’s Daughter”--RecapAfter receiving several requests for Phantom Books, Dalian and Huey seek out the person responsible--a mysterious young woman with no past.
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Moribito Episode Eleven “Flower Wine for Tanda”--ReviewTanda attempts a dangerous spell in order to save Saya's life.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twenty “Mask”--ReviewRin and Yukio rush to the rescue when they hear that the monastery where they grew up has been attacked.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Four “Book of Soul Exchange”--RecapIn this episode Huey receives a letter from a writer asking for his help. The problem is, the writer is supposedly dead.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Nineteen "An Ordinary Day"--ReviewShiemi and the class decide to arrange a surprise birthday party for Izumo. In classic sitcom style, Izumo jumps to the wrong conclusion.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Eighteen "Friends"--ReviewKonekomaru succumbs to his fear of Rin while under a demon's influence. Rin meanwhile, has a hard time convincing his classmates of his good intentions.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Seventeen "Temptation"--ReviewIn the aftermath of the trial and the revelations about his background, Rin has to face his friends, who are now afraid of him.
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Moribito Episode Ten "Soil and Heroes"--ReviewToya is recruited by Balsa to give Chagum lessons on how to fit in as a commoner.
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Book Review: Wraith by Phaedra WeldonIn Wraith Our Heroine, a tragically inept investigator stumbles across a murder in progress during an investigation. Things go downhill from there.
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Book Review: War for the Oaks, by Emma BullIn which our Heroine is a singer drawn into a deadly war between the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
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Book Review: Snuff, by Terry PratchettIn which Vimes is forced to go on vacation, and stumbles into a murder mystery.
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Moribito Episode Nine "Shuga’s Thirst"--ReviewShuga conducts experiments and does research in an effort to discover why the drought sign hasn't disappeared. Meanwhile, Balsa and Tanda discuss parenthood.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Sixteen "The Wager"--ReviewRin is out of control, and certain secrets are revealed. Rin is put on trial, and his friends attempt to save him before it's too late.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Three “Book of Wisdom”--RecapDalian and Huey's encounter with some eerie children in possession of a Phantom Book that confers ultimate knowledge to the reader is somewhat anticlimactic. Things get more dangerous later when thieves come looking for a rare book.
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Book Review: The Demon’s Covenant, by Sarah Rees BrennanIn this book, Mae has to try to deal with her very complicated life, a life made complicated by not only teen romance but by magicians.
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Book Review: The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees BrennanAlan and Nick Ryves have been on the run from magicians for as long as Nick can remember. When he and his brother find themselves helping two siblings with a similar problem, Nick discovers that his brother has been lying about their past.
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Moribito Episode Eight “The Swordsmith”--ReviewIn this episode, Balsa goes to get her spear repaired. The swordsmith however, won't do a thing until he hears both sides of the story.
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Book Review: Changes, by Mercedes LackeyIn the third book of the Collegium Chronicles, Mags continues to be stalked by enemy agents navigates through his friend's family problems.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Fifteen “Act of Kindness”--ReviewThe camping trip continues as the kids find themselves facing off against Amaimon who is extremely interested in another match with Rin.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode Two “Book of Fetus”--RecapIn this episode, Huey attempts to assess the value of a book collection for a young woman who lives on an isolated estate, a woman whose family has been "cursed" by a series of murders.
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Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor--Book ReviewIn this young adult fantasy, American-born Sunny is living in Nigeria and having trouble fitting in. She makes friends with children with magical abilities and discovers that she has abilities of her own.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Fourteen "A Fun Camping Trip"--ReviewThe kids go on a field trip to the woods. Rin is warned not to reveal his powers by Shura. Will he succeed? Most likely not.
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Gosick Episode Twenty Four, "Looking at Infinity Over the Reaper’s Shoulder"--ReviewA recap of the final episode, where Kuji and Victorique try to find their way to the happy ending of this convoluted fairy tale.
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One Salt Sea by Seanan McGuire--Book ReviewToby has to try to stop a war between the Land and the Sea while attempting to settle into her new role as the Countess of Goldengreen. Things happen.
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Spirits Who Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman--Book ReviewJaimie Locke is going to college to learn about the world outside her insular (and magical) community. Kim is going to college in an attempt to escape from her depression which has been caused by a supernatural entity--Jamie decides to help.
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The Mystic Archives of Dantalian Episode One "Turn-up Book"--RecapSet post World War One, a young man inherits his grandfather's estate, a key to a supernatural library, and a responsibility.
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Ghost Story by Jim Butcher--Book ReviewIn which Harry finds himself in a metaphysical situation that involves finding his own murderer before something horrible happens to his friends.
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Dead Heartsrecently discovered this song, and I have been playing it over and over again. It's sweet, nostalgic and a little spooky, and this video made me all misty eyed, which doesn't happen that often for music videos.
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Gosick Episode Twenty Three "Announcing Checkmate at Dyed-Gray Chess" --ReviewVictorique's father puts his plans into motion. What he doesn't realize is that Cordelia is also putting plans into motion.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Thirteen "Proof"--ReviewWhen a slacker classmate turns out to be an investigator and a former student of his adoptive father, Rin finds that he may be in some very hot water.
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Moribito Episode Seven "Chagum’s Determination"--ReviewChagum makes some important discoveries about the value of money, Shuga makes a more disturbing discovery and Balsa demonstrates "hiding in plain sight."
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The Silent Strength of Stones by Nina Kiriki HoffmanIn which a young man runs into a family of magic users who are less than pleased by his Peeping Tom habits.
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Library Haul for 10-19-11The Demon's Lexicon and The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan I'm about a quarter of the way through The Demon's Lexicon. It has some very interesting world building and has a more "fantasy" feel to the urban fantasy than some of the other urban fantasy I've been reading. (This is to say, ther
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Moribito Episode Six "Perish in Aogiri Mountains" --ReviewIn this episode, Balsa's complete strategy is revealed. Meanwhile, Tanda would like everyone to know that he is not in fact Balsa's wife.
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Gosick Episode Twenty Two "A Christmas Carol Decorates the Windowsill’s Happiness"--ReviewA Christmas carnival at the school reveals yet another fairytale that Victorique is connected to. A fairytale with dangerous repercussions for both Kujo and Victorique.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Twelve "A Game of Tag"--ReviewThe class investigates a haunting at a theme park. Rin meanwhile finally meets up with Amaimon.
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Scaredy CatI have on occasion managed to accidentally scare the crap out of my cat. The apartment is small, and she is not used to me doing things like screaming like an idiot when I see a bug or something. (My most severe reaction is reserved for the occasional roach, though I've also freaked out about sudden
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Gosick Episode Twenty One "The Bells of Christmas Eve Toll at the Heels of Time"--ReviewVictorique continues to investigate Coco Rose's murder. Meanwhile, Victorique's father continues to be deeply sinister.
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Moribito Episode Five "Secret Plan, the Blue Hand"--ReviewIn this episode, Balsa makes a dangerous business transaction in order to create a diversion so she can escape her pursuers.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Eleven “Demon of the Deep”--ReviewRin, Renzo and Izumo encounter a sea monster that periodically attacks a small fishing village. Meanwhile, Izumo has a series of confusing encounters with a boy.
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Naamah’s Blessing, by Jacqueline CareyIn Naamah's Blessing, Moirin travels to the new world to rescue a prince and to make friends and influence people in her own special way.
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I Wish You Were Joking: "Jesus Ween"This is a strictly off the cuff etymology of "Halloween."Eve of All-Saints= The evening before All Saints Day (Which may or may not be a holiday for you if you are Protestant.)
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Finally It's Fall, the Cat Don't Like it at AllI live in Phoenix, which is incredibly hot for most of the year until October when it starts getting a little cooler. (Occasionally, we've had hot weather well into October.) We've just hit the point to where we're in the 70s, so it's with great relief that I've started to leave the windows open, an
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Moribito Episode Four "Torogai’s Letter"--ReviewTanda takes the severely injured Balsa home. Meanwhile, the magic weaver Torogai continues her investigation concerning the spirit possessing Chagum.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Ten “Black Cat”--ReviewRin is lectured in responsibility, and attempts to assist Yukio on a mission. Rin reveals an unexpected talent for talking down emotionally distraught felines.
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Gosick Episode Twenty "Led by the Phantom of a Phantom"--ReviewVictorique's father puts a great deal of pressure on Victorique to solve the case. With the trail long gone cold, she'll need Kujo's help to investigate.
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Kingyo Used Books Volume One by Seimu Yoshizaki--ReviewVolume one of a nostalgic, warm-hearted series centered around a used manga book shop.
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Animation is HardWe have to do a thirty second animation illustrating a section from our course project in Instructional Design. The tutorial I'm doing is "coloring and editing an image in Adobe Photoshop CS4" and the section I'm trying to animate is "cropping your image."And I am having a hard time of figuring out
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Random SongImogen Heap: Hide and Seek. This is a pretty cool song.
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School Update and Reading ListI am now in my fifth week in Instructional Design. I'm getting good grades for the most part, though I completely skunked the third week quiz. Also despite getting relatively good grades, I'm still pretty worried because I don't think I'm really getting a good grasp of the subject matter.My reading
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My Girlfriend is a Geek Volume Two by Rize Shinba and Pentabu --ReviewIn volume two, Our Hero continues to suffer at the hands of his geeky girlfriend. (It's a good thing he doesn't seem to mind!)
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Blue Exorcist Episode Nine "Memories" --ReviewRin and Yukio must deal with a teacher who blames Rin for the events of the Blue Night.
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Gosick Episode Nineteen "The Rose Colored Life is Buried Under Fresh Snow"--ReviewIn this episode, we learn some disturbing secrets involving Victorique's father and the crimes he committed against her mother.
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Have a Couple Manga Reviews: "A Bride's Story" and "My Girlfriend is a Geek"I like to read manga, (which is what comic books are called in Japan). There are many genres from contemporary romance, to westerns, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction. Here are two reviews I did recently.
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Welcome to Bordertown, Edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner--ReviewThe return of one of an extremely formative (and hard to find) urban fantasy anthology series.
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Gosick Episode Eighteen "The Jet Black Train Carries Many Lies" --ReviewIn this episode it seems as if Kujo and Victorique are surrounded by the feuding agents of the Science Academy and the Ministry of the Occult.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Eight "Now a Certain Man was Sick" --ReviewAs the "boot camp" continues, Izumo works through her issues, and Yukio tries to get everyone to work together.
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The Thread that Binds the Bones, by Nina Kiriki Hoffman--ReviewIn this book, two people are drawn together and end up dealing with an extremely dysfunctional community of magic users. For one it's a family reunion. For the other it's a journey of self discovery.
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Unnatural Issue by Mercedes Lackey is Unnaturally Stiff--ReviewThis part of the Elemental Master's series borrows from the Allerleiruah fairytale, but the darkness of this fairy tale falls flat in this rendition.
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Travel Horror Story: Unexpected Trip to the Grand CanyonA short story about a spontaneous trip to the Grand Canyon.
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Another Favorite Writer: Steven BrustA short article about another favorite writer, Steven Brust.
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Morning LightHave a haiku.
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Recipe: Savory Egg Toast With Mushrooms and Green PeppersThis recipe is a savory variation of French Toast. It's great for dinner or brunch. The recipe slide show for this dish is at Associated Content
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My Girlfriend is a Geek Volume One, by Rize Shinba and Pentabu--ReviewOrdinary Boy meets Geek Girl and is utterly confused. Can love get around the culture clash?
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A Bride's Story Volume One, by Kaoru Mori--ReviewA Bride's Story is a historical romance manga set in Central Asia during the early nineteenth century. Our heroine is a young woman named Amir Halgal who has recently married.
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Pig Bride by KookHwa Huh and SuJin Kim--ReviewPig Bride is a five volume Korean comic with a fairytale plot and a rich kid high school setting. The plot is encumbered by cliches, but over all this is a sweet, comic fantasy romance.
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Moribito Episode Three "Fight to the Death"--ReviewIn this episode Balsa fights off imperial agents, and is severely wounded. We also discover a little of her backstory.
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Salmon CakesThis is a modified recipe I came up with because the recipe on the package involved mayo, which I don't like very much. -
Egg Toast with MushroomsThis is a variation on French toast which is savory instead of sweet. -
A Somewhat Random UpdateCurrently some kind of repair work is going on outside my apartment. Probably more roof repairs. My cat Kali is predictably, hiding somewhere. You'd think she would be used to repair work noises since a couple months or so ago when they were doing roof repairs, but no.I am nearing the end of my Adva
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Blue Exorcist Episode Seven "A Flock of Plovers" --ReviewShiemi tries to make friends, unfortunately she ends up being a stooge for one of her classmates: Rin is not pleased.
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Gosick Episode Seventeen "The Box Lies in the Spiral Labyrinth"--ReviewVictorique and Kujo must find a way to escape, but are trapped in a conflict between the agents of two feuding organizations.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Six "The Phantom Chef" --ReviewRin makes an unexpected friend when he accidentally insults the dorm cook by invading his territory.
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Moribito Episode Two "The Hunters and the Hunted"--ReviewIn this episode, Balsa takes steps to protect her charge. Meanwhile, a star reader named Shuga tries to get some answers concerning princes and politics.
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Gosick Episode Sixteen "The Felling Maria Has a Fly's Head"--ReviewWhen Victoria's father sends her off to a very strange psychic fair being held at a convent, Kujo rushes off to the rescue.
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Ten Reasons I Despise Working in GroupsCross-posted from Near Life Experiences. Our current class project is a group project.What's interesting about this particular group project is that somehow I have become the leader/organizer of the group, which is something I have never done before. (I do not have mad leadership skills and people t
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Cicadas in SummerNo, serious, you can't hear that metallic buzzing noise coming from that bush?
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My Cat Thinks Books Are PillowsWhat it says on the tin. A Tanka. -
Shell Pasta With PeasThis is a really simple, really tasty recipe. The slide show for it is here on Associated Content.
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Moribito Episode One "Balsa the Female Body Guard"--ReviewBalsa returns to the place she grew up, and immediately gets into trouble over her head when she rescues a young prince.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Five "A Boy from the Cursed Temple"--ReviewIn this episode, Rin locks horns with a boy who is a lot like him, only a better student.
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Gosick Episode Fifteen "Two Monsters See Eye to Eye"--ReviewVictorique solves Leviathan's mystery. Kujo tries to get answers out of Brian Roscoe, but this doesn't go nearly as well.
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Recipe: Cashew Tea EggsCashew Tea Eggs with a side of medium grain rice. The recipe slide show for this dish is here on Associated Content.
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Recipe: Tea EggsThese are tea eggs, which I made earlier this week. (You can also get a pretty good idea about my reading habits.) Tea eggs are great as snacks or as part of a lunch or main course. My slide show for the recipe is here.
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Shell Pasta with PeasA super simple and tasty recipe! Great as a side dish or a main course. -
Recipe: Cashew Tea EggsA vegetable stirfry featuring tea eggs vegetables and cashews. -
Recipe: Tea EggsTea eggs are extremely tasty and easy to make. -
Three Recipes!Okay, I am not good a creating recipes, which is to say, my ingredients and amounts are mostly to taste and don't follow any strict format. (I am somewhat better at following them, though I have been known to make Huge Messes, especially when I was younger.)That said, I have a few recipe slide shows
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From Outlines to Mind Maps: Finding the Right Note Taking Style for YouThis is a description of a few note-taking methods. -
Research Tips and StrategiesA few suggestions and tips for doing research. -
Recipe: Twice Baked Potato with BroccoliA short slideshow presentation on making tasty calorie boats. -
Recipe: Mushrooms and PastaThis recipe barely qualifies as a recipe. Tasty, though! -
A Few Notes on Taking NotesA few tips on taking notes for school or for a specific research project.
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Recipe: Vegetable CurryI made some vegetable curry and thought I'd share. -
Godstalk, by P.C. Hodgell, One of My Long Time FavoritesGodstalk has been one of my favorite fantasy novels for years. It's a funny, slightly sideways sort of epic fantasy.
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MockingbirdA haiku for a mockingbird. -
Variable Star, by Spider Robinson and Robert a Heinlein--ReviewA young musician narrowly escapes a matrimonial fate worse than death by joining a colony ship. This somehow fails to solve most of his other problems.
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Black Swan Rising, by Lee Carroll--ReviewAn artist discovers that she's one in a long line of magic users. Unfortunately for our heroine, she is not genre savvy.
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Dark Descendant, by Jenna Black--ReviewA P.I. discovers she's descended from Artemis, goddess of the hunt. She also discovers she's caught between two rival groups of god-children.
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Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow--ReviewSaintcrow should probably stick to urban fantasy. This Sword and Sorcery novel puts the hack in hack and slash.
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FaceBook Games...I am terminally bad at playing any kind of computer or video game. I am a very slow learner who ends up figuring out how to do things, but doing them bass-ackward. I also get horribly frustrated do to all the things you apparently need to do and pay attention to: I am not always great at multitaskin
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Phoenix in the SummerA poem about summer, and the monsoon. -
Diane Duane: One of My Favorite NovelistsTrying to pick just one novelist I like is not easy. I chose Diane Duane because I've liked her writing the longest.
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Gosick Episode Fourteen "A Malicious Frill Denounces a Farting Newt" --ReviewKujo is less than happy that Avril and Victorique can't seem to get along.
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Gosick Episode Thirteen "The Fool Designates His Own Mouthpiece" --ReviewVictorique is challenged by the memoir of a dead alchemist to become the representative of a fool.
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Gosick Episode Twelve "The Cicadas Are Heard on Summer Afternoons" --ReviewIt's summer break and Victorique is preemptively grumpy at the thought that Kujo might have other plans for the summer.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Four "The Garden of Amahara"--ReviewRin meets Shiemi, a young girl haunted by the death of her grandmother.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Three "Brothers" --ReviewRin and Yukio arrive at True Cross Academy. Unfortunately, Yukio is unhappy about something, and refuses to talk about it to Rin.
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Blue Exorcist Episode Two "Gehenna Gate" --ReviewRin learns more about his parentage than any kid should have to deal with in one night.
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His Controlling Interest: Don't Stay with Someone Who Doesn't Support Your GoalsA great deal of this article is subjective and based on anecdotal evidence. While attending college I often overhear other women talk about their husbands or boyfriends. (It is not eavesdropping when someone is having a conversation directly behind you or on either side of you. It is especially not
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Making OnigiriOnigiri Are tasty rice balls wrapped in nori which may or may not have fillings or toppings. They can be used in lunches, or as snacks. They are easy to make but hard for me to make photogenic (which is why I have not taken any pictures of my onigiri attempts yet.Your basic ingredients/tools are:
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Dealing with Dysfunction in Your FamilyWhile it is very true that no family is perfect and there will always be problems of one kind or another, it is also true that some families are even less perfect. The hardest part of dealing with dysfunctional situations is first handling your own reactions to that situation and the various issues
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Dealing with Dysfunction in Your FamilyThe focus should be on working on your own problems first, and limiting your stress.
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Depression is in Your HeadDepression is all in your head; that would be why it is a problem.Imagine that you are feeling a continuous formless sadness that continuously pulled down at your motivation. You cannot start any of the many chores and projects that you want to, and you can't finish the ones already begun. You might
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Work Story: Raining IndoorsI worked at the clearance center of a department store chain for eight years or so. When I started there, they were I think, just beginning to make the transition to a clearance center. The building we were in was fairly old, and for whatever reason, the company did not seem willing to repair the ro
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Five Ways to Annoy Me When I'm ReadingInterrupt Me While I am ReadingI have had guys decide it would be incredibly funny to startle me by slamming down on the table or desk I was reading at. I have had people decide that I must be desperately lonely and I must really want to talk to them about the weather. I have had people try to get m
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Maybe You Should Just Chillax: Reasons Not to Call Him BackIt can be difficult to choose the right time to call, or knowing when you should not call someone at all. There is a lot of advice on both of these subjects. Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. All you can do is sort through it, and find out what works and what doesn't for each individual per
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Book Review: The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, by Ree DrummondThe origin of Black Heels and Tractor Wheels is that food and home blogger Ree Drummond started posting the story of how she met and married her husband on her blog The Pioneer Woman in installments. After receiving many positive comments, she decided to turn the entire story into a book, with some
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Get Your Cat into a Carrier Without BloodshedYou need to take your cat to the vet or for an overnight stay somewhere because you're heading out of town. You want to get your cat into a carrier and from there into the car but your cat has an uncanny ability to hide just as you're about to dig the carrier out of the closet. When it comes time to
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Book Review: How to be an American Housewife, by Margaret DillowayThis novel is the story of two very different women who have trouble understanding each other. One is a Japanese woman who had married an American and had come to America shortly after World War II, the other is an American single mother and divorcee who had lived in America her entire life. The rea
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Pondering "Your Guy Has a Female Friend."So, there was this post here, and I am attempting to assess or reassess my general position on this topic. Or wondering if I need to bother reassessing my position. As background: I have had more boy acquaintances than girl acquaintances because as a general rule there are often more boy geeks than
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How to Tell When it's Time to QuitDeciding to leave a job can be a lot like deciding whether to leave a relationship. You will have worries about what you are going to do next, and you might be afraid you will regret your decision later. Like leaving a relationship, you might be leaving your job because you are not satisfied with yo
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Book Review: Dharma Punx, by Noah LevineIt would be easy to say that Dharma Punx is Noah Levine's memoir of how he turned his life around. Like life itself, it's a little more complicated than that. Levine does turn his life around, but without rejecting the basic philosophy and ideology that led him to become interested in punk music. Th
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Against the Stream by Noah Levine--ReviewA basic no nonsense guide to Buddhism by Buddhist writer and counselor, Noah Levine. My review.
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Kings of the North, by Elizabeth Moon--ReviewIn this sequel to Oath of Fealty, Dorrin continues to find literal skeletons in her closet while, Kieri continues to straighten things out in his kingdom.
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Late Eclipses, by Seanan McGuire--ReviewToby needs to find a murderer. The problem is, the queen and the daughter of her boss have already decided she's guilty.
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Blue Exorcist Episode One "The Devil Resides in Human Souls"--ReviewA slightly disreputable but good at heart boy discovers that a)there really are demons and b) He's the son of their king.
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Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Episode Twelve "My Best Friend"--ReviewMadoka makes a wish and becomes a magical girl. Can she avoid the inevitable fate of a magical girl?
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Recursive Second Blog Post is Also RecursiveRecently I've created an additional Blogger plat form blog. This blog is meant to partially echo some of the "ordinary every day" blog posts of my original live journal blog, while also featuring some of the articles and book reviews I've written for my main content site.Earlier also created a blog
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Recursive First Blog Post is RecursiveSo, my first online blog was with Livejournal, back in 2002. Back then, you needed a code given to you by a friend or other acquaintance in order to sign on. It has since moved to a combination free journals plus paid journals that have additional features. It is the blogging platform I am the most
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Gosick Episode Eleven, "That Drill Speaks Eloquently of Love"--ReviewKujo learns the story behind Grevil's pompadour and Grevil takes his angst and low self esteem out on his half sister Victorique.
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Tiassa by Steven Brust--ReviewIn which Vlad meets a man with a tape recorder, and various parties encounter the figurine of a tiassa, a magical object with an agenda of its own.
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Betrayer, by C.J. Cherryh--ReviewBren latest mission lands him in a lot of hot water, his ex manages to be somewhat helpful, and Cajeiri resolves some of his difficulties from the previous book.
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Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Episode Eleven "The Only Path Remaining"--ReviewHomura gets ready to battle Walpurgis Night while Kyuube helpfully explains the situation to Madoka.
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1636: The Saxon Uprising, by Eric Flint--ReviewGustav's cousin quietly investigates the circumstances of Oxenstierna's power grab while everyone else braces for war.
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Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Episode Ten "I Won't Depend on Anyone Anymore"--ReviewIn this episode, we learn how and why Homura became a magical girl.
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Gosick Episode Ten, "Girl with a Cold Dreams of Her Stubborn Friend"--ReviewKujo's telephone conference with Victorique is rudely interrupted by the hysterical girl from the previous episode. Can he solve this one on his own? With a little help, definitely.
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Shiki, "The Final Hunt" --ReviewIn the last episode, the villagers defeat the shiki, but at the cost of losing their entire village to a forest fire.
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Shiki, "Twenty First Slaughter" --ReviewThe vampire hunt turns into a massacre as the villagers get the upper hand against the shiki.
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Gosick Episode Nine, "Blue Roses Bloom in the Cannibal Department Store"--ReviewKujo learns of a strange urban legend that might just have some truth in it when he goes on a shopping trip to the capital. Meanwhile, Victorique has a cold.
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Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Episode Nine "I'll Never Allow That"--ReviewSayaka undergoes a terrifying transformation, and Kyoko comes up with a reckless plan to save her.
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Shiki, "Twentieth Mourning" --ReviewThe villagers begin to hunt down the vampires and Sunako begins to get worried about the current situation.
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Godless, by Dan BarkerReview of Godless, by Dan Barker, a former Evangelical minister and atheist.
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Shiki, "Nineteenth Coffin" --ReviewThe villagers are motivated by Toshio into hunting down the vampires. The vampires prepare for a siege.
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Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Episode Eight "I'm Such a Fool"--ReviewSayaka continues her downward spiral. Both Homura and Kyoko attempt to intervene but it may be too late.
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Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler Episode Twenty-FourIn the final episode, Sebastian faces down the last of Ciel's enemies.
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Shiki, "Eighteenth Death" --ReviewRitsuko wakes up after having been turned into a vampire. She turns out to be a conscientious objector, to Toru's dismay. Meanwhile, Tatsumi has a friendly chat.
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Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler Episode Twenty Three "His Butler, Ablaze"--ReviewCiel tries to get back to London--which is burning. Meanwhile, an angel has a proposal for a devil.
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Gosick Episode Eight, "Howling Echoes from the Kingdom of the Past"--ReviewIn this episode, Victorique manages to solve the mystery behind the mysterious deaths at the festival and the murder case that resulted in her mother's exile from the Village of Gray Wolves.
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Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler Episode Twenty Two "His Butler, Terminates"--ReviewIn this episode, Ciel goes to the Paris Exhibition where a number of strange encounters causes him to lose sight of his goals. What Sebastian does in retaliation may change everything.
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Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony BourdainA review of Kitchen Confidential, a memoir of Bourdain's experiences as a chef. (I finally get around to reading it after having it recommended by just about everyone.
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Dharma Punx, by Noah LevineA review of Noah Levine's memoir Dharma Punx, which tells the story of his recovery from drug abuse and his spiritual journey as a Buddhist.
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Sigyn's BowlSigyn arrives at the scene, and she's not happy. The aftermath of the Lokasenna from Sigyn's viewpoint. This poem is not following any rules in particular.
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I'd Rather Be Sleeping InA Fibonacci sequence poem about a rainy day.
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Gosick Episode Seven, "A Divine Revelation is Given at the Summer Solstice Festival"--ReviewVictorique begins her investigation behind the events that led to her mother being exiled from the village. The investigation is sidetracked however when harmless pranks turn fatal.
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Shiki, "Seventeenth Killing Spirit" --ReviewSeishin attempts to reach out to people and vampires alike, but realizes that he's not able to connect. Meanwhile, Toshio carves stakes.
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Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler Episode Twenty One "His Butler, Hires"--ReviewIn this episode, we learn that Bardroy, Maylene and Finnie were not hired because of their skills as servants. Which is a good thing when a gangster sends hitmen to the Phantomhive manor.
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Get Your Cat into a Carrier Without BloodshedWith a little patience, you can convince your cat to like her carrier.
