Not a Big Fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion

Let me make one thing clear. I really don't like Neon Genesis Evangelion. I think it's the original series, not the reboot or whatever you call it.


It's probably because I'm too old, but I really think it's an annoying, pretentious anime.


Oh, spoiler alert. I will be mentioning reasons why I don't like Eva (as it is sometimes called) and I will be using examples that can be found in later episodes of the series.


Why do I find it annoying? Let me count the ways.

• Ikari Shinji is an emo kid. He lacks confidence and stays inside his own shell due to some issues he has in life.
• Asuka Langley. When I was in high school, my classmates used to fawn over her. I find her an annoying bitch. Overconfident, cocky, trying to act too mature for her age. Yet when things don't go her way she starts losing her confidence and acting like Shinji. Then near the end you find out the reason why she was acting that way.
• Rei Ayanami. No problems with her, surprisingly. EXCEPT SHE'S A F*CKING CLONE OF SHINJI'S MOM (I did say I'd be giving away some spoilers).
• Shinji's dad. I forgot his name. What a jackass. Abandoning his kid because his wife dies? Yeesh.

Now why do I find it pretentious?

• Well they do use a lot of Christianity based names. I have no idea why. Maybe they thought it would sound cool, the same way Western shows use Japanese terms to make the show sound cool.
• They seem to be trying to put a lot of hidden meanings in the show. Just keep it simple, like Getter Robot or Mazinger Z. Aliens attack and giant robots fight it. It could've gone this way - an alien attacks, the Evas fight it. Along the way they discover the enemy adapts to their attacks and so they have to adapt too.
• The whole "humanity has to evolve" bit.

Maybe I'm just too old. The theme and the side stories didn't suit me well. But I can imagine enjoying this anime had I seen this when I was in high school.

Out.

Territory

Recently I had to move to my in-laws' with my wife and daughter because my room at home was being renovated. The old cabinets were being torn down and new ones were going to be built. We needed more space, the old cabinets weren't big enough. Plus the fact that two more people now use the cabinets instead of me alone, it was definitely time for some renovations.


So right now I'm in my in-laws' house. Been here since last Saturday. We're sleeping over at the extra room they have (it used to be my wife's room when she was still single) and now I realize why my wife was acting the way she was at my house.


You do get uncomfortable in places which aren't your "territory."


I can't move freely here, I can't do what I usually do at home. It's not that they're strict here. It's just that I don't feel comfortable doing the things I usually do at home here. In Filipino we call it nahihiya. Literally translated that means getting shy. But I'm sure you get my drift.


I'm a guest here, no matter what people say. Yes, I'm they're son-in-law, but I'm still a guest. I still have to abide by their rules and I still have to get along with them. It's still their house.


And that's exactly how my wife feels when we're at home. I guess I have to do something about that when we get back home. Make her feel more at home and less like a "guest."


I can't wait to get home. This Sunday at the latest. Maybe Friday night at the earliest. Ideally Saturday, so that my daughter doesn't have to get stressed during the travel at night. She's still a week shy of being two months old.


Out.

Anime

Its only just recently that I started watching Neon Genesis Evangelion.


I've got to say, it's pretty interesting. There are times that it does get boring, and there are times when I think it's trying way too hard to be deep and to have some sort of hidden meaning. But overall it's not a bad cartoon.


Here are some observations I do have about anime in general. These things usually are present in almost all anime series I've seen.

• There's the emo character (In Eva's case, and in my opinion, Shinji). Someone who's quiet, detached, and always standing in the background. Usually that emo character eventually becomes friends with someone and opens up.
• There's the arrogant one (Asuka - annoying bitch if you ask me). Always super confident in one's own abilities and always trying to be the boss of the group.
• There's conflict between teammates. Always. And something always happens where they end up working well together and achieving their goal. Afterwards they return to their petty conflict.
• There's someone looking for approval (Eva = Shinji, Naruto = Naruto). Whether it be from a parent, a superior, or a crush, someone is always looking for approval.
• There's usually a hidden message in the series. Like environmentalism or conservatism. But you always have to look deep to find it. It seems pretentious to me, if you ask me.

And that's it so far. Those are the things I usually see in almost any anime.

Out.

Remember the Rav4

There is this forum I frequently visit online. Rav4World is the site I'm talking about. And I love reading their threads. I can get so much information about different Rav 4's and I can also see what mods people have done with their Ravs.


It's a very interesting site, and I would really love to become a member. However since I don't own any car I don't want to become a "poser member" even if I do get to drive my folks' Ravs.


There are two nice threads detailing the replacing of the stock headlights with newer headlights for Rav 4.3 (2006 - 2011 models) both make the car look better, improve the lighting, and make the car look unique. The first one (from the Philippines, no less!) installed quad HID projector headlamps. Very nice, plus he had it installed by a professional and even followed US / Europe regulations regarding HID's. That's something not too many Filipinos care too much about, they just want the super bright white lights that blind all incoming traffic. But I digress. The second article replaces the headlamps with "meaner" looking headlamps. The "moulding" is black, and he uses angel eyes for his parking lights. Very nice.


These are just two examples of the things I read on the forum, and the things I hope to one day be able to do to either one of the Ravs of my folks, or a Rav of my own.


Out.

The Adventures of Carlos Pena

Carlos Pena is a 6' 8" 225lbs PF from the Philippines who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.


At least, that's what's going on in my NBA 2K11 My Player Mode.


I created Carlos Pena one day to use as a character in My Player, having grown insanely frustrated playing Association Mode. Just a quick side trip, no matter how I adjusted the sliders for Association mode it always ended up either being a win so lopsided in my favor it got boring, or the computer would pull out with a big lead, let me work my way until it was just 2 points, then pull out again. Lather, rinse, repeat. And I got so pissed off at the game I almost snapped the blu-ray disc in half. Although I have realized that I set the difficulty too high (superstar) when in reality I guess I just suck at 2K11 so it's now at All-Star difficulty. I just think it's insulting that I actually suck at a basketball game considering I've been playing basketball games since NBA Live 97 for the PC came out. But my issues with NBA 2K11 are for another post, if ever I decide to rant on that.


So I decided to give My Player mode a shot.


First off, the new 2K11 My Player is infinitely better than the previous My Player. It's not as stupid as the old one. Now, your defensive assignment switches depending on the situation.


It's actually quite engrossing, this new My Player. Now you actually feel like you have a shot at making it to the NBA. I know I did, because Carlos Pena got drafted 18th (I think) in the first round by the Thunder.


Not only that, but he cracked the rotation and moved up from being the 7th man to the 6th man.


And my rating started out at 45. Cool.


So how'd I do that? Carlos Pena's play style (player role or whatever) is rebounding. And that's exactly what he does. Off the bench he's in the league's top 5 in offensive rebounds per game. The entire league, not just rookies.


What's even better about My Player is that there are interviews at the end of the game that you can choose how to answer and it affects team chemistry and your league and local popularity.


Bottom line, I might be requesting a trade soon as I think I ticked off the team and the local fans with some of my answers. Hahaha.


Out.