Heartcatch PreCure! Episode 01 Review

“私、変わります！変わって見せます！！” (“I’m Gonna Change! Count on the Change!”)

Heartcatch PreCure adalah season ketujuh serial anime Jepang bergaya Mahou Shojo “PreCure!” yang melanjutkan ketenaran Sailor Moon pada jamannya. Dalam season terbaru ini, kisah akan difokuskan pada dua orang PreCure (singkatan dari Pretty Cure – nama kesatria legenda dalam seri ini) baru yang harus menyelamatkan dunia peri dari sasaran Profesor Sabaku.

Adegan dibuka dengan pertarungan antara Cure Moonlight dan Dark PreCure yang berlokasi di dunia peri, setelah bertarung sengit, Cure Moonlight berhasil dikalahkan, namun sebelumnya dia telah berpesan pada Shypre dan Coffret untuk menyerahkan Kokoro Parfume pada orang yang tepat dan jangan sampai jatuh ke tangan anak buah Profesor Sabaku.

Ternyata adegan awal itu adalah sebuah mimpi yang dialami oleh Tsubomi ( tokoh utama pertama Heartcatch PreCure!) yang sedang menuju ke kota baru dimana neneknya tinggal.

OPENING SONG Alright! Heartcatch PreCure!

Tsubomi terlihat berjalan menyusuri jalan menuju sekolahnya yang baru dan sepertinya dia ingin menjadi pribadi baru yang lebih baik! “私、堪忍袋の緒が切れました！” (I can’t stand it anymore)

Namun saat memasuki kelas barunya, tetap saja Tsubomi menjadi pribadi yang pemalu, bahkan teman sekelasnya Erika (tokoh utama kedua HeartCatch PreCure) menggodanya karena Tsubomi menuliskan nama panjangnya dipapan tulis dengan huruf yang sangat kecil dan bersuara pelan.

Tsubomi tampaknya tidak begitu menyukai pribadi Erika yang blak-blakan dan SKSD (Sok Kenal Sok Dekat) serta bego, sampai-sampai Erika menyelonong mengambil salah satu lauk Tsubomi saat makan siang dan membuat Tsubomi sedikit terkejut + ilfeel. Tapi siapa menyangka bahwa Tsubomi dan Erika memiliki rumah yang bersebelahan. Tsubomi tinggal di sebuah toko bunga bernama Hanasaki Flower Shop, sedang disebelahnya adalah rumah modiste Fairy Drop. Erika yang begitu gembira mengajak Tsubomi ke rumahnya dan langsung me-make over Tsubomi, walau Tsubomi langsung pulang karena merasa kurang pede dengan penampilan barunya.

Tsubomi akhirnya memberanikan diri berjalan-jalan ke sebuah taman dengan penampilan barunya, dan disana ia kembali memikirkan tentang Cure Moonlight yang muncul di dalam mimpinya. Tiba-tiba Shypre dan Coffret jatuh dari langit dan menghantam wajah Tsubomi, tanpa panjang lebar berbicara Shypre dan Coffret bersembunyi di dalam kaos Tsubomi *dan membuatnya nampak berdada besar. Tak berselang lama, tiba-tiba muncul seorang wanita (Sasorina) berpenampilan aneh yang sepertinya menanyakan keberadaan Shypre dan Coffret. Karena tidak menemukan yang ia cari, ia lantas pergi begitu saja.

Sasorina kemudian bertemu dengan Erika dan langsung merampas Kokoro no Hana milik Erika. Dengan informasi dari Shypre dan Coffret, Tsubomi berniat mengambil kembali Kokoro no Hana milik Erika dari tangan Sasorina, namun Sasorina malah menemukan sebuah boneka dan menggabungkan Kokoro no Hana milik Erika dengan boneka itu sehingga boneka itu menjadi sebuah boneka monster raksasa! Saat bersembunyi menghindari serangan monster yang memiliki Kokoro no Hana milik Erika, Tsubomi bercerita tentang mimpinya pada Shypre dan Coffret! Tsubomi yang bertekad kuat untuk menyelamatkan Erika membuat Kokoro Parfume yang bersemayam pada liontin Shypre bereaksi. Shypre dan Coffret pun segera menyuruh Tsubomi untuk berubah wujud menjadi PreCure dengan meneriakkan PreCure! Open My Heart!

Dengan Kokoro Seed yang diberikan oleh Shypre, Tsubomi berubah wujud menjadi Cure Blossom menggunakan Kokoro Parfume!

Bersambung…

ENDING SONG Heartcatch⋆Paradise

Preview Episode 02 “私って史上最弱のプリキュアですか？？”

(“Am I the Weakest Pretty Cure Ever??”)

Coupe-sama ada di dalam Botanical Garden milik nenek Tsubomi!? Apa-apaan ini?! Disaat Cure Blossom yang masih amatir berusaha menyelamatkan Erika, muncul seorang pemuda misterius!! Siapakah dia?! *Adegan seperti itu mengundang memori nostalgia akan Sailor Moon dan Tuxedo Mask… Nantikan Heartcatch PreCure! Episode 02! (14 februari 2010)

[Via http://thecnove.wordpress.com]

On Brain Transplants

Usually I can go a long and happy time without needing to think about the hypothetical “cure” question. But I’ve had a few disparate thoughts lately, probably because I’ve been taking a class in the history & philosophy of psychology, so I’ll relate them here.

There are two basic conceptions of “cure”. One sees a cure as essentially a brain transplant, the other sees cure as about improving independent functioning, removing impairments. You cannot easily divide up who supports or attacks which cure into strict camps of “NDs” and “Curebies”, and I will not attempt to. Nor will I talk, so much, in this post about whether or not various views come from a deeper-seated fear and hatred of Autism. I believe it is possible to hold either conception of a cure while either accepting or attempting to eradicate autism although obviously it will have some influence on what course of action towards a cure you advocate.

To be honest, I don’t even like using the word “cure”, as though Autism is cancer–which is simply not medically true. But I think there may be some be common ground between the various factions in the Autism community.  For example, if “cure” is defined as “improvement in independent functioning” and evidenced by the gradual acquisition of, for example, the ability to communicate in complete sentences, generate original content, or converse? Then I, for one, would be considered “pro-cure”, as would a great many of my also incidentally pro-neurodiversity friends. Not, perhaps, “Autism is the devil” or “Autism is to blame for everything” or “Autism HAS my child” or “Cure at any cost”. But pro-cure nonetheless.

It can be hard, however, to separate a pro-cure stance focusing on functioning with one which demonizes Autism and calls for, essentially, brain-transplants.  In addition, there is a great deal of disagreement about what, exactly, constitutes a “brain transplant”, as it were. And–here it gets a bit wonky–this disagreement seems to stem from two basic issues.

1. Is it desirable to want your Autistic child to become Neurotypical?

2. Is there a difference between mind/personhood/personality/self and the brain?

If you believe that there is your child and then there is his brain, and the two are separate, then it makes sense to consider making his brain as typical as possible because you don’t believe you are changing who your child fundamentally is. But if you don’t share that belief, you will probably be adamantly anti-cure in this sense.

Personally, I prefer not to think about cures, and just focus on improving functioning and celebrating the person they are and letting them be a child. Working towards autonomy, not neurotyplicity. I am, in a sense, pro-cure.

I’d just like to see more people acknowledging the common ground.

[Via http://almandite.wordpress.com]

Purpose

        Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, or Progeria, is a rare, genetic condition that appears in children as the effects of accelerated aging. Progeria is caused by a mutation of the gene LMNA.  Prior to April, 2003, the cause of Progeria was unknown. Children with Progeria die at an average age of thirteen to heart disease.  Progeria was first described in the late 1800’s by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson and Dr. Hastings Gilford.

       A cure for any ailment can only come about through extensive efforts and studies.  Funding for these studies is extremely costly.  For this reason, education is key to finding a cure for these children.  A cure for Progeria will likely also help millions of adults who suffer from heart disease and stroke as part of a natural aging process. 

       The Progeria Research Foundation is located in Peabody, MA.  They have now located 54 children in 30 countries living with Progeria.   However, researchers believe there are statistically another 150 children living undiagnosed, or not identified by the Foundation, with Progeria in the world.  I have seen their volunteers work first hand at raising money and spending their time working to raise money to cure Progeria.  Please give to the Progeria Research Foundation.

 

[Via http://ensurecure.wordpress.com]

Homeopathy: Belly Flop to a Cure!

Homeopathy says essentially this: Something that causes disease can be made to cure that same ailment if the something is diluted into water so much that it is no longer present. For example, if you were to take one molecule of cyanide and dilute it into a swimming pool, then drink some pool water, you would be cured of cyanide poisoning! Sound too simple to be true? Well, that’s because you must first release the Energy of the cyanide. Personally, I do this via belly-flopping into the swimming pool, though any kind of concussion of the water will do. Punching the water is also a pretty good way to do it.

Another example: it is clear that humans are basically a disease of the earth. We’re polluting the crap out of it, killing all the wildlife, etc. Now, this should be easy to fix with homeopathy. Since people are causing these bad things on Earth, all we need to do is have someone go swim in the ocean, concuss the ocean, and then distribute ocean water all over the world. In the same way that you can dilute a cyanide molecule into a pool, you can dilute one person into the ocean. You still need to release the Energy of that person, though. I would suggest the concussion be from underground faults leading to earthquakes and tsunamis, though enough belly flops would likely also do the trick. I feel quite certain that there have been a few people in the various oceans when these kinds of concussive events have occurred, therefore it is clear that Sea Water can already fix global warming!

And while we’re thinking about it, just imagine how many things have been diluted into the oceans: people, animals, plants, drugs, chemicals, pesticides, fish nets, volcanoes, tsunamis, airplanes, boats, etc, etc, ETC! This means that sea water can stop volcanoes from erupting, release fish from nets, repair damaged boats and aircraft, fix broken bones caused by tsunamis and downed aircraft, release the hallucinogenic hold of LSD, cure various cancers, and so on. In fact, if you have a disease, all you have to do is jump into the ocean, and then you will be diluted to homeopathic levels, meaning your disease will be diluted to homeopathic levels.

Belly flop into the ocean. Then drink up. Any disease you have will be cured!

[Via http://adamcoster.com]

"There is no Neutral Territory." C.S. Lewis

The warrior recognizes the truth of the C.S. Lewis’ words, “There is no neutral territory.” 

Most of the citizenry wants to believe that life is lived primarily on neutral territory where they can escape the battle.  There is no such place in the spirit or in the body.  We choose to fight, or we choose to aid and abet the enemy by not fighting.  These are our only two choices.

The general attitude toward training is that it is a hobby we do when we can get around to it.  Or even if we exercise regularly, we half-ass it by giving our attention to other things while we lope on the treadmill or go through the motions with the machines.  How much time and energy has been wasted in gyms by people who didn’t engage fully during exercise?

We are born on a battlefield.  Spiritually and physically, our choices are victory or decline.   I read some great advice the other day on bodybuilding.com: “…to ‘train like a barbarian‘: Treat every single set like it is your last set.  Treat every single rep like your life depends on it.”   Truthfully, your life does depend on it.

On the battlefield, I am being attacked.  Regardless of how I feel about it, or how tired I am, or how much I may want to be doing something else, or how shaky my arms or legs are, I am still being attacked.  Either I fight as if my life depends on it, or I resign myself to decline and defeat.  Oh, how bitter it would be to stand in defeat knowing victory had been only moments away if I had just fought with passion till the end.

When we train, let’s train as if our lives depend on it…because they do.

King Leonidas: “This is where we fight. This is where they die!”

[Via http://godandkettlebells.wordpress.com]

Fibromyalgia and Neck Posture

I recently stumbled upon this video that seems to explain a great deal of my own Fibromyalgia story.  My very first complaints were that of neck pain.  My physical therapist said I had forward head posture more than likely worsened by soft tissue damage from an auto accident.  It makes complete sense that if your spine is not aligned correctly, it forces more pressure on certain nerves.  This may be why our limbs are always going numb and we get pain surges up and down our bodies.

The doctor also speaks about the over medication of most Fibromyalgia sufferers and I totally agree.  We are given more and more prescription drugs and all they do is end up treating the side effects of each new drug.

I am going to do a little more research on the subject and report back on the validity of this argument, but I may have just found someone who truly can cure my Fibromyalgia.  Please feel free to add your thoughts and/or experiences with new treatments…I am grasping at straws because this is no way to live and I just cannot accept it today!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

[Via http://thefibrolife.wordpress.com]

Beethoven

Chapter 1 – Fate, For Elise

He hurried past the front door in the morning,

A letter in his hand, for Elise.

What is to happen of her, poor thing?

Of all the kids she hated him least.

The typewriter keys were like Piano keys;

Heavy and reluctant to submit.

A letter had to be typed, for the sake of Elise;

And in the morning he had to go post it.

Last night he’d typed, “It’s the brain, sorry.”

Apologising for his own disease.

In the morning he left in a hurry.

In his hand, a letter to Elise.

Spring was to bring with it song and dance.

So much for leaving things to chance.

Chapter 2 – Tempest

Of all the Elders she loved him the most.

Elise’s love for him was deep.

So, that day what came in through the post

Made Elise sit down and weep.

“Remember what it means to grieve”, he said.

“Rememeber whatever I’ve taught.”

“Remember that you too will one day be dead.”

“And that day be turned to naught.”

“There is, though, one thing left for me to give you.”

“Your inheritance, if you may.”

“Or maybe a lasting link between us two.”

“A sovereign o’er which to pray.”

Spring brought with it fear and pain.

And floating faces in the rain.

Chapter 3 – Kreutzer

Birds chirped joyously outside the window,

It’s hard to die in Spring,

When sunshine has replaced the cold, cruel snow,

It’s scary, the prospect of dying.

Elaborate Visions plagued Elise’s mind,

And made her tremble with fear.

It was insanity of the uterine kind

That made these demons appear.

Physicians found it hard to digest,

That the Elder’s health was at it’s best.

Physicians found it rather hazy

That Elise had been driven crazy.

The Elder couldn’t understand why,

Elise hadn’t sent a reply.

Elise drowned deeper into the abyss.

The Elder suspected that something was amiss.

(Perhaps it was the sovereign?)

The Elder thought it’d be wise to investigate.

Death appeared to be in Elise’s fate.

(Perhaps it was the coin?)

He arrived a day too late.

Perhaps it was the Kreutzer.

Spring was to signal the end of strife.

Instead it signalled the end of a life.

(It’s hard to die in spring.)

Chapter 4 – Moonlight

The coin rested on the Elder’s mantelpiece

As his health started to deteriorate.

A week after claiming Elise.

The coin sealed the Elder’s fate.

Spring was to bring with it song and dance.

So much for leaving things to chance.

[Via http://basedonanuntruestory.wordpress.com]