Heroes Con Appearance!

Hey everyone!

I'll be appearing at Heroes Con 22-24 June in Charlotte, NC so please come out and support me! I'll be happy to talk with you all, happy to see you, happy that you came to say hello, and I'll also be debuting not one, not two, but three new prints there!

I look forward to seeing you!

Hushicho at Outlantacon!

Greetings to one and all!

In case you didn't know, I will actually be a VIP guest at this year's Outlantacon! The website is here:

http://www.outlantacon.org

I will be there from the Friday opening until the closing on Sunday, all for you! For your convenience, I have collected here all of the things I'll be doing:

Friday 4 May 2012

Artists' Workshop: Male Anatomy
9 PM - 11 PM

I'll be doing my famous male anatomy workshop! Come join me to learn about the male anatomy and how best to apply it in terms of art. For all experience levels!

Saturday 5 May 2012

Gay Romance vs. M/M - What's the Difference?
11 AM - 12 PM

Addressing a variety of questions, including the fine line between these terms. And what a fine line it is! With all the panelists involved, this is sure to be great fun!

Vampires: The Ultimate Others
12 PM - 1 PM

A discussion about one of my favourite topics: vampires! I'll undoubtedly touch upon Le Fanu's 'Carmilla', but then longtime fans of mine will probably have expected that. Come by and join the discussion!

Writing Workshop
1 PM - 6 PM

That's right! It's a 5-hour marathon. I may duck in and out with certain parts of the panel...a guy's got to eat sometimes! But anyone looking to do any sort of creative work in storytelling should stop by. It's going to be fun!

"BroHoof!" - The Bronies Phenomenon
6 PM - 7 PM

That's right: My Little Pony! Stop by and talk about the new sensation that seems to have swept the online world. Marvel at how I keep thinking back to the original film and how scary it was, and how I always thought Megan would be a good friend.

Sunday 6 May 2012

Webcomics
10 AM - 11 AM

Join me and Joe Phillips for a lively discussion of webcomics, their nature, and the market!

The Manga Culture
11 AM - 12 PM

Stop by and talk about manga, doujinshi, and the state of the Japanese comics world from someone who has actual experience working in it! Marvel at me casually dating myself by talking about how much I loved Saint Seiya, back in the day, and how I always had a crush on Captain Harlock.


And that's it! Check the full schedule here.

The convention continues until 5 PM, with the closing starting at 4. I will probably be there the whole time, but I may have to go a little early. Three hours is a while to drive, and it seems even longer if it's dark. If you want to be sure to catch me, be sure to catch me before noon!

I am also heading to karaoke on Saturday night, hoping to be there around 8 PM. If you'd like to come along, it's $6 per person per hour, with a 2-drink minimum (non-alcoholic is fine!). I'll be happy to take you along, and you can listen to me sing my enka classic, 'Tsugaru Kaikyou ~ Fuyugeshiki ~'. I will be staying for three hours, until 11 PM!

I will also be running a table all the time that I'm not doing panels, so come by if you'd like to grab a poster or a book -- I'll have everything there, including 'I for Incubus'!

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Update!

Hello everyone!

I usually post updates on my tumblr and facebook, but I realised I was neglecting my blog here!

To let you all know what's coming up:

- I'll be appearing at the Kaleidoscope Kon on April 20-21 at Green Acres Flea Market. It's on Alcoa Highway, exit 11-B from Knoxville on Pellissippi Parkway. Head down and it will be on your right after a couple of miles. I'll be there from 10 AM to 4 PM both days with all of my usual gear!

- I will be a guest of honour at Outlantacon (http://www.outlantacon.org), which is 4-6 May. I'll be arriving on 4 May and even doing a panel that very night! I'll be doing workshops and panels throughout the weekend, including my famous male anatomy panel. I will have selected prints and books with me, so please do stop by even if you just want to pick up a book or a poster! I'll be giving out free bracelets with every purchase, and for everyone who mentions their favourite character of mine!

- I will also have a table at Heroes Con and several more shows in the coming months. Keep checking back to see more details!

Be well!

Show Appearance!

Hey everyone!

I'll be doing a comics and collectibles show in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, 5 November. It's at the Days Inn on Merchants Drive. Here's the address if you're in the area and need directions:

5335 Central Ave. Pike
Knoxville, TN 37912

The show will be from 10 AM to 4 PM, so come by and see me! I'll also have my exciting 'impurity bracelets' for $1 each...although if you mention that you're a fan of Incubus Tales or Lamia, I might just toss you one for free. And of course you get one free with every purchase!

I will also be running a second table called Utakata Books, which will sell very inexpensive copies of assorted Japanese-language manga, including Nakayoshi, Trigun, Dragon Ball, and more! Stop by!
I hope to see you there!

Incutales Special!

Everyone! Incutales Special will be starting on 9 October, this Sunday! Be sure to stop by. I've made this special promotional image just for you, in the style of my favourite classic books from my younger days. I hope you like it!

Incutales Special will feature mainly short and self-contained episodes, only a few pages at most, but typically single-page and able to be enjoyed by themselves. Incutales Special will appear every Sunday! It will show the breadth and variety of the Incuverse, the omniverse in which Incubus Tales takes place.


Incubus Tales, the original comic, chronicles the satirical and sexy adventures of Dhiar, an Incubus who owns a shop called Phantasies. It is located at http://www.incubustales.com and updates Tuesday and Friday weekly.

Tumblr and More

Hey everyone!

I do still update this blog, but not as often as my tumblr, which has sort of become my official place for saying things. In any case, please do check my tumblr...it'll be sure to keep you updated! It's at:

http://hushicho.tumblr.com (naturally!)

A new video has been completed, one months in the making, for Incubus Tales. You can take a look here:

http://hushicho.tumblr.com/post/9668386614/if-youve-been-wondering-where-chanas-been-and

I hope you'll enjoy this!

Appearing at Comic Show!

Just to let all of you know, I'll be appearing at the Knoxville Comic and Anime Show on 18 and 19 June, Saturday and Sunday respectively. You can find out more about the show here:

http://www.comiccitytn.com/Convention_Listings.html

As always, I will be doing sketches for you, and naturally I will have all of my art print posters and comics with me! Stop by and say hello!

June Commission Special!

As summer begins, I am still catching up on my rest from all my travel this past month. I'm not that fond of summer altogether, because I can't stand heat.

But my complaints about the heat pale in comparison to my dear friend Hawkye's pain.

Right now, he is suffering from an oral infection that will kill him if it is not treated. He is looking into treatment options, but like many people in this country, he cannot afford insurance, so his options are severely limited.

He has always been a supporter of my work, and always a regular reader of and commenter on Incubus Tales, and so for this month, I decided to do a special!

Any sexy commission order will receive a discount! And what's great is, even if you just get a sexy sketch along with a more involved, formal commission, you get a discount on the whole order. It doesn't have to be outrageous, just...sexy!

My rates start at around $10-15 for the least and quickest thing I can do, which is still lots of fun. Think of it...one less game on Steam, one single time eating out...and someone who needs help will get it. Because I am donating as much of my profits as I can to Hawkye, so that he can have help with his dental issues.

I don't want to lose one of my dearest friends. I love him like a brother. Please help me with this. I'm not asking for handouts, though I always appreciate donations and tips.

But I am suggesting, why not heat up the summer early? Let's do some sexy art! Of course I am also available for non-sexy commissions too, don't worry!

You can contact me at hushicho@gmail.com or send me a message through tumblr. I'm very fast, very professional, and you've seen my quality if you're a regular reader of my tumblr or of Incubus Tales.

I'm happy to provide references and pleased clients if you need any such thing. Just let me know.

Outlantacon!

I’ll be appearing at Outlantacon on 13-15 May. Come see me!

I’ll have books and posters with me, including the fabulous new The Incubus, the omnibus edition first volume of Incubus Tales!

If you’re going to come, though, please don’t fly. Don’t fly to the United States, don’t fly from the United States, don’t fly with a stop in the United States. I will not have my friends, fans, and readers raped and molested by creeps and scum such as are currently employed in US airports and defying our fundamental rights every day.

You can still order my work online, and I’m happy to communicate with all of you through the wonderful medium of the internet! I might be fun to hang out with in person, but no-one is fun enough to justify the degradation currently perpetrated upon people in US airports.

I hope to see some of you at Outlantacon, though! It’ll be a great GLBT-oriented show, and there will be a lot of fun to be had! It’s also in Atlanta, so there’s plenty to do even when you’re not at the show! I intend to party hard!

See you there! I’ll be in the dealers’ room!

Haters Gonna Hate

I don’t want to get very political, but I have something to say regarding the recent controversy over attempting to extend the so-called ‘Defence of Marriage Act’.

Basically this is an act of war. It’s a war declared on citizens who depend on these people for government and protection, for rights afforded to arbitrarily-chosen other citizens, but not them. It is an act of discrimination. It is an act of evil.

Does that sound too extreme? Maybe it does. But have you ever lived somewhere you were regarded as less than human? If not, try it sometime and see how you like it.

Spoiler: you won’t.

To all of you politicians trying to defend it, trying to extend and promote it:

You are no representative of the people. You are distracting from the real issues and solving no problems. In this time of economic crisis, you are doing nothing to remedy the problems and, instead, are focussing your efforts on denying American citizens rights.

That’s what this is all about: denying Americans rights and freedoms that are afforded to other Americans. It is an inalienable right that all are created equal under the law. That isn’t something you can just cherry-pick out of the history of this country. Admittedly, the United States has had plenty of time to be unfair to social groups. It’s called bigotry, and it’s ugly no matter who is the target.

It also doesn’t belong in politics. Especially when politics are being mixed with religion, which seems to happen far too often these days. Church and State are legally separated in the US.

To you politicians attempting to keep things unequal, to waste our time and money with furthering inequality for citizens who pay your exorbitant salary, I have this to say: you will be defeated. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not the next election, but you will lose your jobs. It won’t be a costumed hero who punches you out, even though you’re an over-the-top villain who is difficult to take seriously. It will be the ballot. The voice of the American people who, last I checked, were all entitled to representation and basic rights…not just the rich, or the light of skin, or the heterosexual.

You will be remembered in history as relics, frauds, and charlatans, obsolete and outdated, tools of hate and tools of bigotry and intolerance. People will look back, in history classes, and wonder how it could be possible for some people to hate other people so much, and for something so ridiculous. And they will laugh at you. Some of them will hate you. And that is how you will live in history, if anyone even remembers your name.

You are not martyrs, or heroes, or champions of any people. You are just sad individuals who prosper from the suffering of others. And you do so out of fear. And you should be afraid, because time marches on and waits for no man. Time marches on, societies and cultures evolve and mature, and people move past their differences because they have to, in order to prosper.

Non-heterosexuals have had extensive rights in many societies long before the United States, and they will continue to have them long after. It’s not even a matter of stepping into the twenty-first century. It’s a matter of stepping into the real world and seeing the real people around you, not some sort of twisted caricature of humanity that merely echoes your own intolerance. Ancient Egypt had prominent status for gay couples. Even the Norse, widely thought to be the epitome of masculinity, also did the same. The Celts were, likewise, what would be thought today to be ‘progressive’ in their lifestyles. Because you know what?

A person’s sexuality doesn’t have any bearing on whether they can contribute to society. If they could see this thousands of years ago, why is that so difficult to see to people now? We have the internet, for god’s sake. You can learn anything you want to with five seconds of typing and a click.

To the citizens who are so sadly deluded as to think that this act is worth defending: you are ignorant. You are misguided. It will not impact your life even slightly if you don’t personally know anyone who is not heterosexual. And if you do, it’s not your life to begin with. It’s not your choice to make, who someone else marries. And if it bothers you that much to see your acquaintances being able to be joined in a union, if you are convinced that it will affect your life and your relationship that much, then I think it’s time you look at this life and this relationship and understand that something is wrong.

Time to be an adult and face the fact that if there is a problem with your relationship, it isn’t because of someone else’s relationship. However much you might like this to be true, it isn’t; if there is a problem in a relationship between two people, the problem lies with them, not with two people who aren’t in a relationship with them.

At least fifty per cent of all marriages end in divorce. And this is heterosexual marriage I’m talking about, heterosexual unions recognised under the law. There are ‘reality’ shows and contests to marry people. Las Vegas has drive-through chapels where people can get married, with no fuss and no reverence whatsoever.

Taking a step towards equality by getting rid of an act that should never have been passed in the first place is not going to harm marriage.

I would say that the statistics fairly clearly show that the largest harm to marriage has been done. The sanctity of this union has long been absent. There is no need to defend it.

There are people I know who have been together for decades, heterosexual couples. It can work. But you know…the overwhelming majority clearly cannot handle marriage. Why are they still allowed it?

To them, it is something they take for granted. To non-heterosexuals, it is almost a luxury. It is something some people would give everything they have, to be able to do. And people have cheapened it, made it worthless, so that it has become a cheap trinket to auction off on a game show.

Why are we wasting time with this act? Why are we wasting money defending this act? Why is attention being taken from examining the economic problems of the country, and the world, and perhaps putting some of the corporate ‘masters’ in their places, taking away their monopolies and their other evil little toys, and actually fixing things for the people who are suffering, while politicians sit in their mansions, well-paid and supplemented by the people who hire them out like hookers.

There are more problems in the world than we could ever hope to solve. However, trying to deny citizens the rights they deserve and promoting laws that deny people rights they would otherwise have is not helping anyone. It isn’t solving any problems. It isn’t protecting anything. It isn’t helping marriage, it isn’t helping the economy, and most of all, it isn’t doing jack squat for America.

So I guess I just want to say…fuck DOMA. And fuck the idiots who think it’s a good thing. Fuck the people who made it happen, and fuck the ones who want it to keep going.

And if you think that’s too harsh language, you haven’t lived as less than human. What I’ve said was mild and gentle. And it was moreso than this joke of legislative idiocy deserves.

tumblr!

I have a tumblr now! I'm very new to all this, but it's located here:

http://hushicho.tumblr.com

Enjoy! :)

Heroes

This is a bit of a personal post, so I don't blame you if you become disinterested and opt to read something else. But I thought it would be interesting, at least, to write about this, and I thought it was something that needed to be expressed.

When I was quite young, barely 7 years old, I remember meeting a hero of mine. He was an actor named Jon Pertwee. For those of you who don't know him, he was an incredibly popular actor, and one of his best-known roles was as the Doctor, the third one, in Doctor Who. He was renowned, and appropriately, for being larger than life in his appearances.

I remember being a bit starstruck by just seeing him. There he was, the magnificent man who was a hero of mine, a childhood hero, right there before me. When I met him, he was just as heroic and magnificent as I had seen him be on the screen. In retrospect, I realise now that it could have easily turned out differently. He could have just been presenting a certain facade on-screen that he wasn't able to maintain in person. He could have been terribly rude and disappointing in person. But he was none of those things; he was magnificent and magnanimous, and he maintained my image of him as an amazing superhero. I will never forget meeting him.

The opposite experience was when I contacted Dynamic Pro, the studio founded by Nagai Gou, who was one of my inspirations when I started making comics. Nagai Gou was responsible for pioneering series, controversial series such as Harenchi Gakuen, Devilman, and Mazinger Z. But in recent years, basically since 1990, his work has been far out of the popular eye. Most of the work he's done in the past 20 years has been short bursts, flashes in the pan, and although his work has its fans, most of the time it's under the radar of the mainstream. The manga never last too long. The anime based off them tend to operate on the premise that once upon a time, the title or character was popular. It's sad, but I started to understand when I contacted them.

Ishikawa Ken, Nagai sensei's partner in Dynamic Pro, passed away a few years ago. Since then, Nagai himself has been more or less retired, barely doing any real manga work. I don't blame him. After contacting Dynamic Pro, I can understand why; I contacted them after doing some very strong comic work in Japan and thought that, since internet-based work was gaining popularity at the time, perhaps I could speak to someone and do something for them with some minor characters that were scarcely used even in their own series, and never appeared since. It wouldn't be a great amount of extra work for me, and it would bring Dynamic Pro more acclaim and attention, even if only because it would be an international collaboration. Those are always good for attention.

The response I got was unbelievably rude. I don't remember the man's name who replied to me, although I feel sure I've seen his name somewhere or another. He was incredibly rude and could barely communicate in English, but insisted upon writing in it, despite the fact that I had written him in Japanese. I'm sure he probably thought I didn't understand how rude he was being, since he assumed I hadn't had much experience in communicating in Japanese due to my American email address, but he was very wrong.

It was humiliating and depressing, chiefly because he seemed to think that Dynamic Pro were on a level with Disney, and apparently he had no idea that Dynamic Pro had barely any output to speak of in the past entire decade. As a former fan, it made me feel embarrassed and ashamed for the studio that Nagai Gou had founded, because that was his name, and it was being dragged through the dirt in this way.

Even a cursory flick through web searches makes it perfectly clear how outre Dynamic Pro has become in the Japanese mind, to say nothing of the rest of the world; other than Italy, Nagai sensei's work is all but unknown, and even there it is only embraced in the form of the 70s. I used to wonder why this was so, but now I think I understand: it is the incredible arrogance and egotism of Dynamic Pro's dealing with people. Now that Nagai sensei is mostly retired, Dynamic Pro mainly rides on his coattails. Ishikawa sensei passed away with a respectable following and series of successes, but that and Nagai sensei's past work cannot sustain a studio that feels no need to continue or to innovate.

I used to be an avid fan of Nagai sensei's, but I see no reason to support Dynamic Pro further. They are not Nagai sensei, merely his assistants and embellishers, and it's also clear that they have never really applied their abilities in order to uphold his good name. Is there any reason to maintain a studio if they fail to produce anything at all, and above all that they fail to maintain the respectability of the name of their founder?

So there you have it, my two widely varying experiences with childhood heroes. Jon Pertwee will forever remain a godlike figure amongst men, an unforgettable encounter with stars in my eyes that stayed there, affixed like a cosmic firmament. Dynamic Pro will forever be a disappointment, tinting my respect for Nagai Gou, who formerly occupied a position of great respect and heroism, and who now merely maintains one of pity.

There are many different ways to address fans, whether in a professional capacity or otherwise. And it makes all the difference in the world.

I just thought I might share this with you, as it's important to me and something that tends to come to mind. I'm sure many have had similar experiences. Above all, I hope that it can be informative and interesting to you, and perhaps educational too, in the way you comport yourself when dealing with your own fans and those who regard you highly.

Guruguru GRAVITY Lyrics and English Translation

Another translation of lyrics from the wonderful game Beautiful Katamari.

This was a quick translation, but I tried to get the sentiment across. I hope you'll enjoy the song, and I'm sure you'll be able to sing along better now!

As always, I would appreciate a link back if you use these lyrics.

Enjoy!

ぐるぐるグラビティ


何か足りない気分
ありふれた色だよ

もしキミといるなら
We can roll it up!
いますぐに

いつもと同じ空
たいくつな色だよ

もしキミとみるなら
Gonna make a star!
ふたりきり

ねぇ今日もまた逢えないのかな
七色の奇跡探しに行こう

世界中で僕らは笑う ah
ミラーボールは僕らをてらす
今、回りだしたら
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
届くかもね

ステキなキミのGRAVITY

何かに追われてる
落ち着かないセカイ

キミと一緒なら
make the Katamari
思い切り

ねぇ今日はどこで逢えるのかな
足りてない欠片(ピース)
探しに行こう Let's Go!

世界中で僕らは回る ah
エイトビートは僕らのリズム
今、踊りだしたら
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
届くかもね

不思議なキミのGRAVITY

ねぇ今日もまた逢えないのかな
七色の奇跡探しに行こう

(行こう!)
世界中で僕らは笑う ah
ミラーボールは僕らをてらす
今、回りだしたら
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
届くかもね

ステキなキミのGRAVITY


Guruguru GRAVITY

Nani ka tarinai kibun
Arifureta iro da yo

Moshi KIMI to iru nara
We can roll it up!
Ima sugu ni

Itsumo to onaji sora
Taikutsu na iro da yo

Moshi KIMI to miru nara
Gonna make a star!
Futarikiri

Nee kyou mo mata aenai no ka na
Nanairo no kiseki sagashi ni yukou

Sekaijuu de bokura wa warau ah
MIRAABOORU wa bokura wo terasu
Ima, mawari dashitara
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. Ah
SHOOTING STAR
I'll take you to the milky way
Todoku kamo ne

SUTEKI na KIMI no GRAVITY

Nani ka ni owareteru
Ochitsukanai SEKAI

KIMI to issho nara
Make the Katamari
Omoikiri

Nee kyou wa doko de aeru no ka na
Taritenai kakera (PIISU)
Sagashi ni yukou Let's Go!

Sekaijuu de bokura wa mawaru ah
EITOBIITO wa bokura no RIZUMU
Ima, odoridashitara
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. Ah
SHOOTING STAR
I'll take you to the milky way
Todoku kamo ne

Fushigi na KIMI no GRAVITY

Nee kyou mo mata aenai no ka na
Nanairo no kiseki sagashi ni yukou

(Yukou!)
Sekaijuu de bokura wa warau ah
MIRAABOORU wa bokura wo terasu
Ima, mawari dashitara
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. Ah
SHOOTING STAR
I'll take you to the milky way
Todoku kamo ne

SUTEKI na KIMI no GRAVITY


Guruguru GRAVITY
GRAVITY Turning Round and Round

Feeling like nothing is good enough
It's a plain colour

But if you're here
We can roll it up!
Right away

The same old sky
It's a boring colour

But if I see you
Gonna make a star!
Just the two of us

So can't we meet again today, eh?
Let's go searching for a rainbow-coloured miracle

We laugh all over the world ah
The mirrorball shines on us
Now, spin it around
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
I think we're gonna make it

Your awesome GRAVITY

Running after something
A world that never settles down

If I'm with you
make the Katamari
With all my heart

Hey, why don't we meet somewhere today?
Not enough pieces
Let's go searching Let's Go!

Spinning all over the world ah
Eight beat is our rhythm
Now, let's go out dancing
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
I think we're gonna make it

Your wonderful GRAVITY

So can't we meet again today, eh?
Let's go searching for a rainbow-coloured miracle

(Let's go!)
We laugh all over the world ah
The mirrorball shines on us
Now, spin it around
HEAVENLY.
I wish I were a witch tonight. ah
SHOOTING STAR.
I'll take you to the milky way
I think we're gonna make it

Your awesome GRAVITY

New Sketch Blog!

I opened a new sketch blog a few days ago. I hope you'll stop by and enjoy what I have to show!

It is located at:

http://hushisketch.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

INTO THE SKY and BOYFRIEND A GOGO Lyrics and English Translation

This time I have two of them! I apologise if they're not the best, but as always I try hard. I'm a little tired from New Year's anticipation, but I'm excited too. I want to share the excitement with you, so please enjoy these lyrics and translations! I've tried to get the essence of the song and its tone.

I hope you will enjoy my work!
As always, a link is appreciated if you want to post my translations elsewhere.

INTO THE SKY

目覚めていつもの朝がきた
隣の君は変わらずオヤスミ
たまには朝食いい匂い
おはようキスとか夢膨らむ

理想・現実、かなり違う
ホントの答え何処?

(Into the sky) ほら、
知らない街にとびだして
(Into the sky) ねえ、
見つけたのは君が1番だってこと

春夏秋冬恋の予感
トキメキ感じる旅にでようか
ホントの答えは見つかるの?
小さな夢のツボミ膨らむ

運命の人あなたですか?
一年中恋曜日

(Into the sky) 今、
自分に問い掛けた
(Into the sky) ほら、
わかるのは君が1番だってこと

忘れないで、大事なこと
小春日和、君の隣、優しく包んで
夢をみよう、君の夢を、ぬくもりを感じてる

(Into the sky) ほら、
知らない街に飛びだして
(Into the sky) ねえ、
見つけたのは君が1番だってこと


INTO THE SKY

Mezamete itsumo no asa ga kita
Tonari no kimi wa kawarazu OYASUMI
Tama ni wa choushoku ii nioi
Ohayou KISU to ka yume fukuramu

Risou - genjitsu, kanari chigau
HONTO no kotai doko?

(Into the sky) hora,
Shiranai machi ni tobidashite
(Into the sky) nee,
Mitsuketa no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto

Haru natsu aki fuyu koi no yokan
TOKIMEKI kanjiru tobi ni deyou ka
HONTO no kotae wa mitsukaru no?
Chiisai na yume no TSUBOMI fukuramu

Unmei no hito anata desu ka?
Ichinenjyuu koiyoubi

(Into the sky) ima,
Jibun ni toikaketa
(Into the sky) hora,
Wakaru no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto

Wasurenaide, daiji na koto
Koharu biyori, kimi no tonari, yasashiku tsutsunde
Yume wo miyou, kimi no yume wo, nukumori wo kanjiteru

(Into the sky) hora,
Shiranai machi ni tobidashite
(Into the sky) nee,
Mitsuketa no wa kimi ga ichiban datte koto


INTO THE SKY

I wake up as usual, like every morning
And you, right next to me, haven't changed, sleep well
And sometimes the good smell of breakfast
Good morning kiss while still full of dreams

Ideal -- reality is quite different
Where is the real answer?

(Into the sky) Look,
Let's take off to an unknown town
(Into the sky) Hey,
Being found by you is the best

Spring summer fall winter premonition of love
My heart's thumping shall we take a trip
Can we find that real answer?
Our little dream is blooming

My soulmate -- is that you?
All year long, days of love

(Into the sky) Now,
I've asked myself a question
(Into the sky) Look,
Being understood by you is the best

Never forget, the important things
Indian summer weather, you beside me, gently covering me up
Dreaming, your dream, I can feel its warmth

(Into the sky) Look,
Let's take off to an unknown town
(Into the sky) Hey,
Being found by you is the best



BOYFRIEND A GOGO

朝から dance dance
ドレスを選んだら
土曜は go go
キミに会いにゆくの

きもちはもう high high
答えも決まってる
でも今夜は night night
プロポーズは早い

Baby きまぐれなオトコノコ
予想なら意味ないわ
いくじなしオトコノコ
かっこつけてばかりBOYFRIEND

きっと雲の上
天使が笑ってる
そんな不器用な恋だから
バラの花束に
驚いたふりして
瞳 見つめるわ
チャンスを逃さないで

二人は done done
離れられなくなる
ひとりじゃ so so
涙がこぼれそう

無口なのもキュート
悪くはないけれど
ハートは say say
スッキリするんじゃない?

Baby よくばりなオンナノコ
ヒミツさえ知りたいわ
さみしがりオンナノコ
だって わたしきみのGIRLFRIEND

いつか神様に
望みを聞かれたら
言っていいかしら ひとつだけ
ダイヤのリングも
お屋敷もいらない
明日もあさっても
キッスで目覚めたいの

Baby きまぐれなオトコノコ
予想なら意味ないわ
いくじなしオトコノコ
かっこつけてばかりBOYFRIEND BOYFRIEND

きっと雲の上
天使が笑ってる
そんな不器用な恋だから
バラの花束に
驚いたふりして
瞳 見つめるわ
チャンスを逃さないで


BOYFRIEND A GOGO

Asa kara dance dance
DORESU wo erandara
Doyou wa go go
KIMI ni ai ni yuki no

Kimochi wa mou high high
Kotae mo kimatteru
Demo konya wa night night
PUROPOOZU wa hayai

Baby kimagure na OTOKO NO KO
Yosou nara imi nai wa
Ikuji nashi OTOKO NO KO
Kakko tsukete bakari BOYFRIEND

Kitto kumo no ue
Tenshi ga waratteru
Sonna bukiyou na koi dakara
BARA no hanataba ni
Odoroita furishite
Hitomi mitsumeru wa
CHANSU wo no nogasanaide

Futari wa done done
Hanarerare nakunaru
Hitori ja so so
Namida ga koboresou

Mukuchi na no mo KYUUTO
Waruku wa nai keredo
HAATO wa say say
SUKKIRI surun janai?

Baby yokubari na ONNA NO KO
HIMITSU sae shiritai wa
Samishigari ONNA NO KO
Datte watashi kimi no GIRLFRIEND

Itsuka kamisama ni
Nozomi wo kikaretara
Itte ii kashira hitotsu dake
DAIYA no RINGU mo
Oyashiki mo iranai
Asu mo asatte mo
KISU de mezametai no

Baby kimagure na OTOKO NO KO
Yosou nara imi nai wa
Ikuji nashi OTOKO NO KO
Kakko tsukete bakari BOYFRIEND BOYFRIEND

Kitto kumo no ue
Tenshi ga waratteru
Sonna bukiyou na koi dakara
BARA no hanataba ni
Odoroita furishite
Hitomi mitsumeru wa
CHANSU wo no nogasanaide


BOYFRIEND A GOGO

Since this morning dance dance
I've already picked out my dress
Saturday is go go
It's a date, then?

Feeling high high
The answer is yes
But tonight is night night
It's too fast for a proposal

Baby fickle boys
Don't mean it if you expect it
Boys without self-confidence
Are all such cool BOYFRIENDS

Surely, atop a cloud
An angel is smiling
Because this love is so clumsy
Pretending to be surprised
At a bouquet of roses
Look into my eyes
I won't let this chance escape

When a couple is done done
But they just can't separate
Being alone is so so
It always feels like you're going to cry

Being tight-lipped is cute
It's not bad, but
My heart is say say
Isn't that clearer?

Baby greedy girls
Want to know even your secrets
Lonely girls
Because I am your GIRLFRIEND

Someday the gods
Will listen to my prayers
I think, just one:
I don't need a diamond ring
Or a mansion
I just want to be awakened with a kiss
Tomorrow and the next day on

Baby fickle boys
Don't mean it if you expect it
Boys without self-confidence
Are all such cool BOYFRIENDS

Surely, atop a cloud
An angel is smiling
Because this love is so clumsy
Pretending to be surprised
At a bouquet of roses
Look into my eyes
I won't let this chance escape

Colorful Heart Lyrics and English Translation

I've done it again! I'm on a roll today. Some days I cannot function in two languages effectively, but today I've been in the mood, and I was inspired. The song got into my head, and it is so beautiful, so I went ahead and transcribed and translated 'Colorful Heart'.

Just a few brief notes for this one: 'iroaseru' means 'to fade', but it has a connotation of colour, so 'iroasenaide' means 'don't fade', with the context being for one's colours not to fade.

As usual, the same things apply to this translation as to all of my others. I don't claim to be perfect at conveying meaning to others, even though I can understand the meaning. Japanese, as a language, is extremely context-heavy and also tends to love double-meanings and wordplay, so I've taken some poetic touches, here and there.

As always, please give me a link if you use my translation. Thanks, and keep rolling!

カラフルハート

沢山のモノを拾い集めてる
こぼれてしまった大事なことが
モノクロのように横たわって待っている

優しさ達 夢のカケラ
手にとってみよう また輝くさ

なくならないで あの日の永遠
やわらかな毛布の雲で泳ぐときを
色あせないで あの日の永遠
カラフルなハートをもう一度

掴めずに落ちた愛しい言葉が
星の砂かぶって見えない だけど
月明かりの下 反射してる 素敵だね

尖ってると傷つけあう

でも本当はまんまるだから

なくならないで あの日の永遠
流星のそよ風に髪なびく夜を
色あせないで あの日の永遠
カラフルなハートをもう一度

キラキラした私色の塊
いつか全部わたせるように Ah

抱きしめたいなあなたの永遠
星空のまなざしで包みこむように
守っていたいなあなたの永遠
カラフルなハートになって

あなたの永遠 Ah
祈っていたいなあなたの永遠
つながっていきますように・・・


Colorful Heart

Takusan no mono wo hiroiatsumeteru
Koborete shimatta daiji na koto ga
MONOKURO no you ni yokotawatte matteiru

Yasashisatachi yume no KAKERA
Te ni totte miyou mata kagayakusa

Nakunaranaide ano hi no eien
Yawaraka na moufu no kumo de oyogu toki wo
Iroasenaide ano hi no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO wo mou ichido

Tsukamezu ni ochita itoshii kotoba ga
Hoshi no suna kabutte mienai dakedo
Tsukiakari no shita hansha shiteru suteki da ne

Togatteru to kizu tsukeau

Demo hontou wa manmaru dakara

Nakunaranaide ano hi no eien
Ryuusei no soyokaze ni kaminabiku yoru wo
Iroasenaide ano hi no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO wo mou ichido

KIRAKIRA shita watashi iro no katamari
Itsuka zenbu wataseru you ni Ah

Dakishimetai na anata no eien
Hoshizora no manazashi de tsutsumikomu you ni
Mamotte itai na anata no eien
KARAFURU na HAATO ni natte

Anata no eien Ah
Inotteitai na anata no eien
Tsunagatte ikimasu you ni...


Colorful Heart

Collecting so many things
The overflowing things, so important
Lie in wait like monochrome

Warm kindnesses
Pieces of dreams
Take them in our hands, still full of radiance

Don't disappear
The eternity of that day
That time swimming in the gentle blanket of clouds
Don't fade
The eternity of that day
Colourful heart, once more

The precious words I couldn't hold onto, which fell
Couldn't put on the sand of stars, but
Under the moonlight
Reflecting
It's breathtaking

You can hurt yourself on a sharp point

But that's why it is really a perfect circle

Don't disappear
The eternity of that day
That night where your hair fluttered
In the gentle breeze of a shooting star
Don't fade
The eternity of that day
Colourful heart, once more

The me-coloured katamari sparkled
One day to be passed on Ah

I want to hold you
Your eternity Ah
To wrap you up in a look of the starry sky
I want to protect you
Your eternity
For our hearts to become colourful

Your eternity Ah
I want to pray for you
Your eternity
So we can be connected...

Harvest of Love Lyrics and English Translation

By popular request, I am doing more songs from the Beautiful Katamari soundtrack! This one is called 'Harvesting Rice of Love' or 'Harvest of Love'.

I left in something that some might be confused by, and that is the 'lovery'. I think this is a word pun, something that is very common in Japanese. Because there is effectively no difference between the 'l' and 'r' sound in Japanese, the word 'lovery' is a word that has a double-meaning. It refers to the lovers of the song -- a lovery day, as a descriptive word -- and also means lovely, which is of course what English speakers will understand from the word.

Madder is a colour of red, and 'akane iro' means 'madder-coloured'.

The rice shower she mentions is from a wedding, where rice is thrown to symbolise prosperity. I know some people won't get that immediately.

The Kobe line is a bit rambly and it's poetic licence that I put what I did, but it's essentially what the line means. I hope you don't mind.

Please do give me a link if you use my translation!

Enjoy, and keep rolling!

恋の稲刈り

金色の田んぼの中で
稲刈りに励んでるあなた
放課後のクラブを(野球)休んで
汗水流してる

駆け寄ってあいさつしたら
驚いて すぐにうつむいた
照れないで 頭の(真っ白)タオル
まぶしく輝いて 素敵(見とれちゃう)

知っていたよ 私への熱き恋は
もぅ少しだけ 強気で来ればいいのに
明日の休み 手作りのクッキーもって
わら集めの応援するね
Lovery harvest day

稲刈りに追い立てられて
ぴょんぴょんぴょんと逃げるカエルたち
かわいくて 後ろから(一緒に)ジャンプ
あなたがほほえんだ

「交替!」と呼ばれたあなた
コンバイン すぐに飛び乗った
真剣な顔して(両手の)レバー
華麗に操作する 素敵(見とれちゃう)

吹き出される お米の流れを見たら
ライスシャワー 思い浮かんでドキドキ
うちの嫁に 来てくれだなんて おばあちゃん
早すぎるよ 恋はこれから
Lovery harvest day

あかね色に空が(そっと)
染まる
染まる
染まる
明日も晴れる
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

いわし雲が拡がる果てない空に
飛び立ちそう 私のこころ軽くて
きっといつか二人で育てた苗が
実を結んでコウベを垂れる
Lovery harvest day

知っていたよ 私への熱き恋は
もぅ少しだけ 強気で来ればいいのに
明日の休み 手作りのクッキーもって
わら集めの応援するね
大好きよ!


Koi no Inekari

Kin'iro no tanbo no naka de
Inekari ni hagenderu anata
Houkago no KURABU wo (yakyuu) yasunde
Asemizu nagashiteru

Kakeyotte aisatsu shitara
Odorite sugu ni utsumuita
Terenaide atama no (masshiroi) TAORU
Mabushiku kagayaite suteki (mitorechau)

Shitteita yo watashi e no atsuki koi wa
Mou sukoshi dake tsuyoki de kureba ii no ni
Ashita no yasumi tedzukuri no KUKKII motte
Waraatsume no ouen suru ne
Lovery harvest day

Inekari ni oitaterarete
Pyonpyonpyon to nigeru KAERUtachi
Kawaikute ushiro kara (isshou ni) JUMP
Anata ga hohoenda

'Koutai' to yobareta anata
KONBAIN sugu ni tobiotta
Shinken na kao shite (ryoute no) LEVAA
Kirei ni sousa suru suteki (mitorechau)

Fukidasareru okome no nagare wo mitara
RAISU SHAWAA omoi yonde DOKIDOKI
Uchi no yome ni kitekure da nante obaachan
Hayasugiru yo koi wa kore kara
Lovery harvest day

Akane iro ni sora ga (sotta)
Somaru
Somaru
Somaru
Asu mo hareru
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

Iwashigumo ga hirogaru hatenai sora ni
Tobitachisou watashi no kokoro karukute
Kitto itsuka futari de sodateta nae ga
Mino wo masunde KOUBE wo tareru

Shitteita yo watashi e no atsuki koi wa
Mou sukoshi dake tsuyoki de kureba ii no ni
Ashita no yasumi tedzukuri no KUKKII motte
Waraatsume no ouen suru ne
Daisuki yo!


Harvest of Love

Amid the gold-coloured field
Working hard in the rice harvest, it's you
You took the day off from your after-school club (baseball)
Sweat is flowing

Rushing over with a greeting
You're surprised by me and hang your head
Don't be bashful
The towel on your head (pure white) is shining -- beautiful (I'm enchanted)

I knew it -- just a little more before you send your heated love my way
It's okay to keep coming on strong
On tomorrow's break I'll bring you homemade cookies
Straw-collecting cheer
Lovery harvest day

Ejected from the rice harvest
The frogs run saying pyonpyonpyon
So cute -- from behind (along with them) jump!
You were laughing

'Shift change!' you called
You jumped right on the combine
You put on a serious face (with both hands on) the levers
Operating it so beautifully -- beautiful (I'm enchanted)

Gushing out -- look at the rice!
It makes me think of a rice shower, my heart pounding
I must become your bride...and grow old with you
All too fast! Love is from here onward
Lovery harvest day

The sky has (softly) become
Tinted
Tinted
Tinted
Madder
Tomorrow will be beautiful too
(Bright shiny tomorrow)

Cirrocumulus clouds stretch into the endless sky
My heart is so light I feel like I might fly away
Surely one day we'll raise seedlings together
We'll make it happen in Kobe
Lovery harvest day

I knew it -- just a little more before you send your heated love my way
It's okay to keep coming on strong
On tomorrow's break I'll bring you homemade cookies
Straw-collecting cheer
I love you!

Sayonara Rolling Star Japanese Lyrics and Translation into English

A little gift for everyone, even those who may not know me or my work, or what I do.

I am a huge Katamari fan. I should probably explain, Katamari Damacy is a series of games where the object is very simple: roll a ball, called a katamari (it means 'mass' or 'lump' in Japanese) and collect things on it to make stars and planets. It sounds silly and odd, but it's actually one of the greatest game series ever made. The music always complements the unique visuals perfectly.

It's also a very special game to me, because webbychan -- my mate who passed away in 2007 -- suggested I get the first game when it was released. I will always associate him with 'Sakurairo no Kisetsu', or 'Cherry Blossom Times' as the title was translated.

Many of the songs have a certain 'mono-no-aware', which if you don't know what that is, is a kind of sadness. But it's a very Japanese concept that permeates Japanese culture: it is a sense of sadness of the impermanence of things, but a happiness as well that they were able to be experienced at all. It's often called the 'ah'-ness of things, because it reminds one of sighing in a mixture of happiness and sadness.

Anyway, the third console game, Beautiful Katamari, is one of the funnest of the series, and I dearly love the soundtrack. Pretty much every song on it is brilliant. It also features Matsumoto Iyo, a very famous idol from the 80s, doing a delightful song called 'Boyfriend a Go Go' which is one of my favourites.

But my absolute favourite is 'Sayonara Rolling Star', and recently I was trying to find a translation to show to a friend of mine who didn't speak Japanese but really loved the sound of the song.

The problem is, there isn't one that I could find. It was quite a challenge even to find the lyrics.

And so, even though my talent at translation is lacking, I thought I would supply them to you based on both my own hearing and what I confirmed at the handful of lyrics sites I managed to find with the song on them. I'm fine at understanding Japanese, it's just very difficult to convey that meaning to others, especially when so many things in Japanese have many levels of meaning, and sometimes double meanings that are necessary to understand the full meaning. But I did my best. I've included Japanese, Japanese transliterated, and English lyrics.

I did a few little inside jokes in translation that fans of the series should get, like the Eternal reference and some other things that are in the spirit of the lyrics, since there are references all over them about the game. It's such a beautiful song. Such a beautiful, beautiful song. I hope I have managed to convey its beauty.

I hope you'll all enjoy this. Please do give me a link if you're using these anywhere.

And keep rolling!


サヨナラ ROLLING STAR

どこに転がるか分からない
でも私たち 幸せだった
傷つけてはすりへるような感じ
わだかまり の かたまりね

どうして このまま
進んで いけないんだろう
不思議だね

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
強く まわり 続けよう
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
綺麗な○(まる) にしようね

気持ちが高ぶっては消える
打ち上げ花火のような せつな
毛糸球がほどけていくように
小さくなる この気持ち

いつまで いられる？
つないだ 手が 少しずつ 離れてく

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
それぞれ大きくなって
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
○く転がっていこうね

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
さよならは つらい けど
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
前を 向いて 生きていこう

さみしいよ 改札で 手を振って笑い合う
こらえきれない前に 後ろ 振り向いて 涙

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
小さな○をかいたら
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
大きな○で支えてあげて

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
一番大好きだった
Good to see you. あなたのこと
忘れないよ 絶対に

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
いいかな？
いいよね？
またどこかで...


SAYONARA ROLLING STAR

Doko ni korogaru ka wakaranai
Demo watashitachi shiawase datta
Kizu tsukete wa suriheru you na kanji
Wadakamari no katamari ne

Doushite kono mama
Susunde ikenaindarou fushigi da ne

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Tsuyoku mawari tsudzukeyou
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Kirei na maru ni shiyou ne

Kimochi ga takabutte wa kieru
Uchiage hanabi no you na setsuna
Keitodama ga hodoketeiku you ni
Chiisaku naru kono kimochi

Itsumade irareru?
Tsunaida te ga sukoshizutsu hanareteku

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Sorezore ookiku natte
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Maruku korogatteikou ne

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Sayonara wa tsurai kedo
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Mae wo muite ikiteikou

Samishii yo kaisatsu de te wo futte waraiau
Koraekirenai mae ni ushiro furimuite namida

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Chiisa na maru wo kaitara
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ooki na maru de sasaete agete

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ichiban daisuki datta
Good to see you. Anata no koto
Wasurenai yo zettai ni

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Ii ka na?
Ii yo ne?
Mata dokoka de...


SAYONARA ROLLING STAR

I don't know where we're rolling to
But we were happy
This feeling like injuries wearing us down
It's a mass of ill feeling

Why is it this time
We can't seem to keep going
It's so strange

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Keep rolling strongly
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Make a beautiful ball

All that self-confidence vanished
Like fireworks, in a twinkling
Came unwound like a ball of yarn
Feeling smaller

Can you do it eternally?
Our joined hands are little by little coming apart

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Every time you're becoming bigger
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Let's roll

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Goodbye is painful, but
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Live your life looking forward

So lonely at the ticket taker
Waving and smiling
I couldn't stand it
Before I got there, I turned around and cried

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
If you take care of that little ball
Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
You can make it into a big ball

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
I loved you the most
Good to see you.
I will never, ever forget you.

Good to see you. You are my rolling star.
Okay?
Is that okay?
Until we meet again, somewhere...

be

I know most all of my readers are aware of these things, but to those who may not be, I'd like to offer a gesture of tolerance, understanding, and acceptance this holiday season. If more people would take these things to heart, so much suffering in the world could disappear.

Sexism is discrimination against anyone because of gender or gender identity. 'Reverse sexism' is itself a sexist term, because it presumes that the person being discriminated against is always necessarily sexist and already discriminated against the other person. Sexism is discrimination due to gender or gender identity against anyone, male, female, hermaphrodite, transsexual -- anyone. And it is wrong.

Racism is discrimination against anyone because of race. In the modern world, most people have mixed and rich heritage of many races of people. Racism is ludicrous to begin with, but especially today. Most distinguishing by race is merely cataloguing by physical characteristics.

Ageism is discrimination against anyone because of age. In a world where life expectancies are longer than ever, and medical technology is more advanced than ever, people are more capable for longer. Yet attitudes persist that after 50, a person's worth is lessened. Similarly, people under certain ages are also discriminated against by others and sometimes even denied fundamental human rights.

Discrimination and intolerance know no bounds. You can be racist against your own race. You can be sexist against your own gender. In short, a person can be discriminatory against his or her own social groups.

Discrimination exists against sexual preference. This essentially makes any non-heterosexuals into second-class citizens, unable to enjoy fundamental rights that are afforded to heterosexuals. It can lead to abuse, attacks, and hate crimes, and it is every bit as wrong as racism, sexism, or ageism. Non-heterosexuals are often completely and unfairly disregarded in casually discriminatory statements, practices, or laws.

But I would like to give you a little reminder. You can download the images below (please do not link them directly from here) and upload them to your own blogs, comics, webspace, and whatever else you want.

The message is a simple one: be.

Be who you are, and allow others to be who they are. Help to stand against intolerance, injustice, and all other forms of detrimental discrimination in the world. Don't be afraid to say 'I don't agree with this' or 'this makes me uncomfortable', regardless of who is doing it. Intolerance is intolerance, regardless of its source.

The road to ruin is paved with good intentions, as the old adage goes. Even charities and non-profit groups may promote intolerance without understanding why. If more people contacted them and let them know this, they may be more willing to change, to be more inclusive.

Before you support any group, ask yourself the following questions:

Are they helping one group by discriminating against another? This is not uncommon, especially in today's world. For example, in many communities, men -- and most especially heterosexual men -- are not supported in any way if they are victims of sexual abuse or rape. Similarly, specific men's health issues are often overlooked or downplayed, and male sufferers of diseases commonly associated with women -- such as breast cancer -- are significantly overlooked because of promotion, publicity, and popular misconception. Beneficial groups can help those suffering from a common condition without being exclusionary or promoting misinformation that in turn causes others to be exclusionary. In a world of dwindling attention spans, it is important to present a balanced view concisely. If more people speak up and contact these groups, it may be possible to help them and, by so doing, help others.

Are they actually helping people? For example, there are plenty of shelters and similar places run by religious-affiliated groups who help the less fortunate and victims of abuse and other crimes. However, some of these have been shown to use the opportunity to force their views on those they help, which can lead to other problems and can be very harmful to a delicate emotional state. In some cases, if these victims do not agree, they are denied any help. It is one thing to have the religious information available to those who are interested, but a very different thing to impose these beliefs upon those who have no other choice.

Are they addressing an actual problem? People have only limited funds and other material support to dedicate to problems that affect them. Several groups exist to combat the adult entertainment industry, for example -- an industry more heavily regulated than virtually any other industry in the world, made up of adult professionals who are paid for their work, like any other job. It is common for these groups to misrepresent the industry as abusing and exploiting women and children (overlooking the facts that abuse is illegal, men also work in the industry, that all-male adult videos exist, and that children are not allowed in adult film because it is illegal), but what are they doing to actually help those they claim are victims? Often, nothing. It may be better to find a group who actually works with legitimate abuse victims and helps them to repair their lives and heal, or a group who works to stop illegal exploitation.

Does their approach make you uncomfortable? If so, you may want to look for another cause to support, or contact them and let them know why you feel uncomfortable. If anyone attempts to judge you for choosing not to support any group, you can remind them that it is your choice in the first place. If you feel that a group is presenting itself in a way that makes you feel excluded, weigh the positive and negative and ask yourself: are they being tolerant? Are they letting others be who they are, or are they promoting discrimination against others, implicitly or explicitly?

Above all, the most important thing is to be who you are, to allow others to be who they are, and to consider the people and causes that you support. It is your choice, to weigh the benefit and detriment of each and every group, cause, and person. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is tell them if you have a problem with a part of their approach, because they might not even realise that it is offensive or objectionable to someone, or that it is misrepresenting facts.

If you support being yourself and letting others be themselves, please feel free to add one of the following images to your internet presence. Remember to download them from here, don't directly link them, and upload them to your own space on the web. If you'd be so kind, please do make the buttons link back here (http://hushicho.blogspot.com/2010/12/be.html), so people can read and find out about be.

Urgent Petitions

For all of you regular readers, you know how important it is to me that these petitions be signed as quickly as possible. They do make a difference.

If you can't sign them yourself, at least spread the word and try to reach those who can. These are all issues that affect the world at large, not just the US, but some petitions are restricted by geographical area. Nonetheless, you can still do an immense amount of good by telling others who might be able to sign, or who might know people who can.

Save Wolves - This petition is to stop a very rash move by a very foolish man, who may endanger the lives of thousands of endangered animals if he does what he intends to do. If he is allowed to do as he pleases, protection for all endangered species will be compromised by his actions. This administration has allowed more than enough destruction of nature and wildlife. It should not be permitted to do any further.

Clicking the link will take you to Defenders of Wildlife, one of the foremost wildlife protection charitable organisations that exists in the world.

Protect Human Rights - The recent wikileaks debacle has polarised people. However, things have -- as usual -- gone much too far. And, as usual, the strongest supporter of insanity is Joe Lieberman, a politician whose disturbingly extreme policies have caused him to be rejected by both major parties in the United States.

Please sign this petition, which aims to stop proposals by Lieberman and his supporters to implement laws that would be retroactive in nature. If they are allowed to do this, it's over. The justice system, the Constitution...I'm not exaggerating when I say that will all be in danger. If they're allowed to implement laws that are retroactive, it would be like outlawing potato chips tomorrow and then punishing everyone who ever bought, owned, or ate potato chips then, despite them not having been illegal before then.

You can see where this is a worrying issue. So whatever your thoughts on wikileaks, this goes far beyond that. This is undermining the very nature of law, and it must not be allowed to happen.

Honestly, if these politicians had either maturely owned up to their actions or let it blow over, it would not be such a huge disaster. But they have made a huge fuss over it, which says nothing so much as 'we know what we did was wrong and we did it anyway', even if they actually didn't. Since there are no longer legal protections for government whistle-blowers (thanks, Supreme Court, for protecting politicians from being responsible!) -- people who can point out wrongdoing in government -- this country and indeed the world needs an anonymous place in which to do that.

Governments must be made accountable to their people. They cannot be allowed to make decisions the people overwhelmingly oppose, cannot be allowed to oppress their people, and above all cannot be allowed to imagine that they are above the system of checks and balances that are supposed to restrict them and make them accountable. The United States government especially has been guilty of this very 'teenager-ish' behaviour, and it must stop. It is time for politicians to think about the people that they have wronged and understand that politicians are held accountable by the very people whom they have shamed by their actions.

It is not wikileaks or any other third party who should be held accountable here. It is the government and specifically the people who committed these disgraceful acts that have been revealed to the public. They are embarrassing to the American people, they are in violation of international law, and they are unethical and unscrupulous. These people have brought shame on an entire country of people.

Don't be angry at wikileaks or the person who revealed it. That's just silly. That's as stupid as getting angry at a waiter because your food was bad. He didn't cook it. That's a 'kill the messenger' mentality, which is a mistake.

Be angry at the people who did these things. These same people are trying right now to ride roughshod over the law so that they can punish someone who did nothing wrong, simply because he enabled their own indiscretions to be revealed.

Each and every politician who was and is a part of this should be forced to apologise to the American people on national television and resign his or her post. There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. None.

So please consider that when you are considering whether or not to sign this petition. You need to sign it. If you have read this far, you know you need to sign it too. So please do, and please spread the word. Tomorrow will be too late.