Writer's Block: What's under Snape's cape?

[tabular_rasa]

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I would pat down Remus Lupin, because 1) in my head he's hot (less so in the movie, but eh) and 2) at the very least I'd get some chocolate out of it, since he apparently carries it on his person at all times . . .

This question is awesome.

However, the new TSA sexual assault pat downs and THE BAN ON SENDING PACKAGES OVER 1LB INTO THE US FROM ABROAD AND THUS PREVENTING ME FROM SENDING THE CHRISTMAS PACKAGES I WAS GOING TO SEND THIS WEEKEND are decidedly not awesome.

Edit (9:55): Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I comes out tonight and guess who has no idea when she'll be seeing it or if she'll be seeing it? )-:

Edit (10:11): Japanese 3D singing hologram Hatsune Miku becomes nation's strangest pop star:

"2018 12 28 Scuol Neil POV 1" (Watch on YouTube)

So, um Japan can do this, but no one has central heat or a clothes dryer?

Nevertheless, I predict her career lasts about as long as any other Japanese idol's, which is about nine months before they find someone younger and more currently trendy.

Comments

[tabular-rasa.livejournal.com]

The Vocaloid sound itself doesn't really bother me; it's not even so different from the autotuned human voices on Top 40 radio these days. (And I think it actually offends me less because it makes no pretensions of being anything other than electronic! XD).

I do like that Japan does have a strong fantasy culture, it's just disappointing it comes at the cost of a rather bleak reality.

I also think that's what makes so much of Japanese culture fascinating to those across the ocean: the power of a really over the top, indulgent fantasy is strong.
Oh, definitely. Japan does fantasy (as both a genre and in the general sense of "illusion") very well, and so I think anyone who's seeking that sort of no holds barred escape and knows where to look for it often ends up in Japanese media. Unfortunately-- and this could be its own rant entirely-- but it can make for some terrible stereotyped images for those who then never spend much time in Japan, or disillusionment for those who do. Traveling in Japan is not representative of Japan, because travel is part of fantasy in the culture here, so no expense is spared on beautiful hotels and hot springs, heated rooms, amazing food, and servant-like service that makes you feel like a celebrity even if you're staying in the budget accommodation. And while some foreign residents manage to keep one foot elsewhere so Japan still feels like a fantasy playground, I've invested in myself enough here and have enough empathy for the people who have made their entire lives in Japan to realize that the reality of daily life here is quite bleak. And so it starts to annoy me when I encounter American high schoolers who intend to move to Japan and live this amazing fantasy life as a manga artist and marry a Japanese sex god(dess). Real Japan just doesn't work like that. All you can hope for is to read about it in a manga or watch it in a drama like all the Japanese people themselves do.