Testing for real otaku

Popular and/or long-running manga spawn pocket encyclopaedias crammed with synopses, cast profiles, timelines, creator interviews, bonus strips and sketches, etc., etc. These things are dense! Try to go cover to cover in a sitting and your brain might implode. I'm currently working through "Genshiken - Official Book" (2004, translation 2008) by Kio Shimoku, which is a regular Dan Brown page-turner compared to the "Bleach" and "Death Note" equivalents.


Appreciating: "UFC Fight Night 18" and the series "Ultimate Fighter 9" on FUEL TV. The second's a contest between mixed martial arts teams from the US and UK. My heart's with Pomgolia, but my head knows Seppoland has the deeper talent pool.

Cheering: Swans! Waratahs! Reds! Knights! (No-one mention the Greens - Galloping or Baggy.)

Playing once for Ms Silverman's cameo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5tl2_K-d-g
Playing repeatedly for the harmonies: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yE7QSFrdRQ

Listening: "Slanted And Enchanted" (1992) by Pavement. Reminds me of living in Darwin, taking "Alternative Press" mag rather seriously and frequenting an indie record store whose designation has been erased from my memory, chasing discs such as this.