Ask-an-Ash

[Ashley]

What a cruel twist of fate that my bio thread has turned to a discussion of a studio I intensely dislike. XD

[Yahshua]

Let see any good question I can think of oh ok let try this one for fun Ashley if you were to step into another world another difference universe and find yourself the other you the another universe of you is not a Christian or saves and she is totally opposite of your personality and totally evil and runs a site call Anti Christian Anime Alliance what would you say to her?

[bigsleepj]

What a cruel twist of fate that my bio thread has turned to a discussion of a studio I intensely dislike. XD

Okay, I'll get this back on track soon, just after a few comments on Studio Ghibli. I tend to like Studio Ghibli movies because they have a slow, thoughtful pace instead of trying to bludgeon the viewer over the head with action (though Miyazaki's later movies tend to bludgeon you over the head with wall to wall weirdess). My favourite Ghibli movie would be Castle in the Sky because it comes across to me as being a the best kind of adventure movie]Actually, I wouldn't say Grave of the Fireflies was all that great. It's moving, sure, but what's really going on here? It's sucking my will to live while telling me that war is bad. It doesn't entertain me and it doesn't give me a new perspective, so I would have trouble attributing any great value to it. [/QUOTE]

No offense, but if an anti-war movie is entertaining it tends to cancel itself out. It's not a rule, really, but how can you get an audience to agree with you on something you depict as exhilerating or fun? Grave of the Fireflies is one of the best movies I've seen, but it's not about being entertained for me, but just about being a moving cinematic experience. One thing that struck me about it is that, unlike other anti-war movies, it focuses on the people in the cities rather than those fighting the war.
[spoiler]Also it fascinates me on how it seems to subtly condemn the Japanese (and certain aspects of Japanese society) rather than the Americans. Off course it is bad that Americans are bombing Japan, but the two protagonist suffer more at the hands of their countrymen whom seem more concerned with caring for themselves. The resources of Japan is already stretched thin, but many people are depicted having at least something to eat while the children fish for frogs. Also it lays some of the blame of the tragedy on Seita, the older brother, whom seem overly reluctant to spend the money they had to procure the food needed to survive This may be because of some aspect of Japanese society the movie critiques or it could just be the character. I just know that the director did not really want the Setsuo character to be entirely sympathetic. It may be that he represents in a sense maybe the Japanese who seemed to really believe that somehow they were going to win the war despite the dark turn it took towards the end. Or I could be totally wrong in these assessments. [/spoiler]

And now back to our scheduled nonsense.

Ashley, what of the following would you choose to be, and why you would you not want to be any of the other?
(a) princess of a medieval kingdom
(b) heir to Bill Gates' fortune
(c) the author of Lord of the Flies
(d) a Wii game designer
(e) a tourist in London
(f) a waiter in France

What country would you love to visit (except Japan) if you had a large chunk of money to spend carelessly.

Trampolines, or not?

Favourite PC game?

[Ashley]

if you were to step into another world another difference universe and find yourself the other you the another universe of you is not a Christian or saves and she is totally opposite of your personality and totally evil and runs a site call Anti Christian Anime Alliance what would you say to her?
What did you do to my hair?!?!

No, kidding, kidding. I'd probably just try to talk to her for a bit, see if we could hang out or whatever without being too judgmental. I've found the best way to win people over is in love and relationship, not outright condemnation.

Ashley, what of the following would you choose to be, and why you would you not want to be any of the other?
(a) princess of a medieval kingdom
(b) heir to Bill Gates' fortune
(c) the author of Lord of the Flies
(d) a Wii game designer
(e) a tourist in London
(f) a waiter in France

What a fun question! My answer is E. A sounds fun, until you get married off to be a breeding sow at age 2. B means I'd be rich, but Apple fans would constantly be trying to kill me. C means I couldn't sleep at night (I disliked that book immensely). D would send me to an insane asylum trying to think of new things to do with the Wii-mote. F was out automatically because I detested France when I went there. I did enjoy London quite a bit, however, so I wouldn't mind going back.

What country would you love to visit (except Japan) if you had a large chunk of money to spend carelessly.
I think either Greece (for its beautiful landscapes) or Italy (for its rich culture). I'd love to go back to Germany, too; it was absolutely gorgeous there.

For those curious, here are all the foreign countries I've been to, starting with the most recent:
Taiwan
Mexico
Canada x8
England
France
Switzerland
Luxemborg
Austria
Germany

Trampolines, or not?
I was never allowed on one as a child, so probably not. I'm not very skilled at them.

Favourite PC game?
Hmm, I really don't play PC games that much. But if I had to pick, hmmm....maybe Reversi?

[rocklobster]

Who is your favorite Biblical figure, other than Jesus, and why?

[bigsleepj]

What would you say is the strangest song you've heard?

What would you say is the strangest (non-anime) movie you've seen?

You wake up one morning to find you've been transported into a Franz Kafka novel. What work of what author would you rather have woken up in?

Time-Travel Question: If you could visit any specific era in the past of the world which would you visit?

[Ashley]

Who is your favorite Biblical figure, other than Jesus, and why?
I really, really like Peter. I feel very much like him: so eager to do the right thing, but so brash sometimes. I dig myself holes to jump in all the time, and my faith has its moments of faltering. Peter, however, gives me hope...look at how the Lord transformed him from a brash, pigheaded disciple into a faithful, dedicated Apostle. I also love 1 and 2 Peter.

What would you say is the strangest song you've heard?
*looks at Nick* probably a remix of Queen + 50 Cent.

What would you say is the strangest (non-anime) movie you've seen?
Either Memento ( you know, that crazy one where everything was backwards) or a modern version of Hamlet (all the original lines set in a modern day atmosphere...I remember specifically that Hamlet made an indie movie rather than a play).

Too bad you said "non-anime"--I know a few Miyazaki titles worthy of that honor.

You wake up one morning to find you've been transported into a Franz Kafka novel. What work of what author would you rather have woken up in?
First off, I've never heard of Franz Kafka, so I don't know if I got this right or not.

I think I'd want to be in a Jane Austen book. Sure, it would be a lot to get used to with the vastly different culture and all, but at least in her works, smart women get results. XD

Time-Travel Question: If you could visit any specific era in the past of the world which would you visit?
I'm tempted to say France in the 15th century so I could bust Joan of Arc out of her stake. XD The turn of the last century would be fun, as would the Renaissance. But really, I'm fairly happy with my own time.

[bigsleepj]

Too bad you said "non-anime"--I know a few Miyazaki titles worthy of that honor.

But that would have been too easy!

First off, I've never heard of Franz Kafka, so I don't know if I got this right or not.

You got the answer right. Basically the works of Franz Kafka is characterized by surrealism, absurdity, paranoia, existential despair and psychological horror. Not very pleasant reads, and he's one of those authors I just never could get into. His most famous novel The Metamorphoses begins with the famous line "Gregor Samsa awoke one morning to find he has been transformed into a giant cockroach". So yes, any author's work (except maybe Clive Barker's) would be preferable to Kafka's.

Back to the questions:

Favourite Pizza Toppings (if any)?

Books: paperback, hardback or cloth-bound?

You get stuck in an elevator in a burning building and James Cameron comes to rescue you. What would you say to him when he pries open the doors of the elevator?

Through a bizarre twist of fate you win the Oscar for Best Actress. What would you say?

[WrestlingOtaku]

Here's a few for ya....

If you could choose to have one super-power what would it be and why?

If you could change one thing about your favorite manga, what would it be?

[Ashley]

Favourite Pizza Toppings (if any)?
Cheese! I <3 Cheese pizza and will do almost anything to get it on a thick pan style crust. Pepperoni is also acceptable, and I like canadian bacon with pineapple, too.

Books: paperback, hardback or cloth-bound?
Paperback, only because they're cheaper. I have a hard time justifying hardcover, even if they do last longer, and cloth-bound is too hard to find.

You get stuck in an elevator in a burning building and James Cameron comes to rescue you. What would you say to him when he pries open the doors of the elevator?
"Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"

Through a bizarre twist of fate you win the Oscar for Best Actress. What would you say?
"To my high school theater teacher, who never cast me for anything no matter how hard I tried: this goes to show that good theater isn't always with the popular kids. I'd say thanks for believing in me, but you never did."

If you could choose to have one super-power what would it be and why?
The ability to judge whether a movie was going to be good or not before I paid for it.

If you could change one thing about your favorite manga, what would it be?
I wish it didn't have so much "bad theology" that would make me hesitant to recommend it out.

[Fiore teh Duck]

What would you say the greatest joy of being the administrator of a Christian forum is?

and What's your favorite type of ethnic food? (Italian, Chinese...etc)

[Mithrandir]

I'd say thanks for believing in me, but you never did."

...Not that I'm bitter...


If you could pick one day out of the year to have "perfect weather," what day and weather would you pick?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

If you could choose to have one super-power what would it be and why?

The ability to judge whether a movie was going to be good or not before I paid for it.

That simply wins, lol.

[Omega Amen]

Since I am one of the active hosts, have you listened to any of the CAA podcasts? I am curious.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

Have you ever had a moment since you created the forum that you said to yourself "Man, these guys are kooks?"

What's your favorite food to eat while surfing the forums?

[Ashley]

What would you say the greatest joy of being the administrator of a Christian forum is?
When people PM me and tell me how much they love the site, or the friendships they've made because of it, or how grateful they are. Basically, I love hearing that I've positively affected someone's life.

What's your favorite type of ethnic food? (Italian, Chinese...etc)
Mexican for the win!

...Not that I'm bitter...

Guess I didn't realize how much it came off that way.

If you could pick one day out of the year to have "perfect weather," what day and weather would you pick?
Hmmmm.....probably the day I graduate college: December 16th, 2008. I would want the weather to be crisp, like the first day of November...with that charcoal-kind of smell that lets you know winter is here. Overcast, but not raining or snowing. That's my idea of perfect weather.

[Warrior4Christ]

Pepperoni is also acceptable, and I like canadian bacon with pineapple, too.

How does that differ from standard bacon?

I vaguely remember you saying a while ago that you used to play bass guitar. What type was it, when did you stop, and why did you stop?

[rocklobster]

Who do you want to meet in Heaven, besides God?

[Ashley]

How does that differ from standard bacon?
Well, Canadian bacon is more like thinly sliced pieces of ham, and with the pineapple it's just really, really good.

I vaguely remember you saying a while ago that you used to play bass guitar. What type was it, when did you stop, and why did you stop?
I used to play a black fender let's see....3 years ago. I stopped a few months later, because it was a friend's guitar and he needed it back. I wasn't enamored with the instrument (I have absolutely NO music talent) and I wasn't willing to invest in buying my own, so I gave it back.

Who do you want to meet in Heaven, besides God?
Athanasius and C. S. Lewis.

[rocklobster]

What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?

[Ashley]

What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
Heidelburg, German. A quaint, small German village nestled in the shadow of an ancient castle and beautiful forested mountains. Here in the states, that honor goes to Bar Harbor, Maine, which is completely different than any coastline I've been to prior.

[bigsleepj]

If you could choose a personal slogan, what would you choose?

You get a mysterious phone call: someone on the other end of the phone says "George Bernard Shaw will dance on your grave!" and hangs up. After the moment of "huh?", what would you interpret it to mean?

What (dead) American president would you like to have tea / dinner with?

[USSRGirl]

What (dead) historical evil tyrant would you like to have tea/dinner with?

[Ashley]

You get a mysterious phone call: someone on the other end of the phone says "George Bernard Shaw will dance on your grave!" and hangs up. After the moment of "huh?", what would you interpret it to mean?
I would assume it would mean those that like George Bernard Shaw will hate my novel so much they will take it upon themselves to descrate my grave. Which is fine. I'm not staying there anyway. =3

What (dead) American president would you like to have tea / dinner with?
Andrew Jackson. He sounds like he was a hoot.

What (dead) historical evil tyrant would you like to have tea/dinner with?
Hmm. Czar Nicholas Romanov, to ask him why he was so retarded.

[rocklobster]

Who are your favorite painters?

[Ashley]

Who are your favorite painters?
Oh yay, an easy one! Sandro Botticelli, Georgia O'Keefe.

[WrestlingOtaku]

What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
Heidelburg, German. A quaint, small German village nestled in the shadow of an ancient castle and beautiful forested mountains. Here in the states, that honor goes to Bar Harbor, Maine, which is completely different than any coastline I've been to prior.

Woot!! Props to my home state!

Anyways....

If you could own one sports team, what would it be?

What's your favorite NFL team?

What's your favorite non-anime cartoon?

[bigsleepj]

Favourite style of architecture?

You find yourself trapped in dark French castle, locked in a dungeon by the evil Count Du Tennes and have ten minutes to do something before he forces you watch Manos: The Hands of Fate for 20 hours straight as part of an illegal psychology experiment. You are guarded by two fellow psychologists who happen to be a teetotaler and the other a French wine-expert. With you have (a) a bottle of Green Chartreuse liqueur that was a gift to you from a Carthusian monk whom you saved from a swarm of bees, (b) some very strong acid, copper wires and insulated tubes found in the corner of your cell, (c) a powerless jack-hammer, (d) an unplugged nailgun, (e) a smashed cell-phone (the Count was not kind towards communication devices) (f) the telephone numbers of your most loyal CAA members (all equipped with teleportation devices), (g) the New York Phone directory (h) some old knee-high socks and (i) an American Espresso credit card.

How would you use these items to launch your escape from Insanity Inducing Cinema?

[Ashley]

[I forgot one of J's questions! Ack!]
If you could choose a personal slogan, what would you choose?
Live a life of love where words are optional.

If you could own one sports team, what would it be?
Andre Agassi. The man's a machine! But if someone refuses to accept this answer because tennis isn't technically a team sport, then my choice is:

What's your favorite NFL team?
The Houston Texans. I used to be a huge Raiders fan, but I gotta stick to my roots and cheer for the hometown heroes. Even if they do break my heart and Carr gets sacked more times than most potatoes I know...

What's your favorite non-anime cartoon?
Samurai Jack, easily. It's got a wonderfully well-designed feel to it, the music is spectacular, and it's completely unlike anything else I've ever seen. I absolutely adored the series and can't wait to complete my collection with season 4 this month.

Favourite style of architecture?
Oddly enough, I never got into architecture. I got distracted with all the plans I had to memorize in art history of famous cathedrals because to me they looked like really weird snowflakes. But if I had to pick, I think I like that Mediterranean-fresco style-whose-name-escapes-me.

J, your next question is so elaborate it will need extra time to respond. I shall return with a fitting reply shortly.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

and have ten minutes to do something before he forces you watch Manos: The Hands of Fate for 20 hours straight as part of an illegal psychology experiment.

I'd rather undergo The Ludovico Technique then watch that....

Then again... imagine The Ludovico Technique with Manos... good lord. I'd rather commit suicide.