Here’s a chance for you to delve into the depths of my puny brain, as I unleash my thoughts and run them all over the place. You can say that I’m sort of writing an annotated blogroll (but not really, because this post focuses more on my realizations). Anyhow, to be quite frank with you, dear reader, I have no idea where to start. I love organization, because it’s beautiful when everything makes sense and comes together as a whole at the end, but I have no idea how to use this element in my post.
I’m also aware that by the end of this, I run the risk of being called a n00b, but hell – that’s okay with me – seeing that I have only around two months or so of veteran experience. Hopefully the “n00b” status will change to “newb”.
The Past
Half a year ago, if you had asked me for reference to an anime blog, I would have given you a link to Random Curiosity. (And I’m still giving you a link 
) Because back then, it was the only blog that I knew and treasured for it’s episodic summaries. I still treasure it – when I’m too excited to wait for subs and when I want summaries that give everything from overall plot down to specific details.
By some mystical power (because I do not recall how I ended up there), I started lurking around at THAT Animeblog. i was amazed at the contents of what each writer wrote. Thus, their writing drew me in deeper into the blogosphere. Crazy to think back about it, yes, because I can still pinpoint the exact time I ended up there and what I wrote, to my dismay. It’s in the archives on THAT, unfortunately. On “Nabari no Ou 02: Raimei Arrives” by the lucky guy who received my comment Riex, I wrote:
yayyyy thanks for blogging!!
Yoite next ep! Can’t wait. =]
Hoshi added these pithy words on Apr 19 08 at 8:23 pm
Whoa, my god, stone me. That, or seppuku. And yet, even though it feels so long ago, take a look at the date – it’s only been around THREE months since then. Shocking revelations.
I ended up stalking following Riex all the way over to his blog Tyrannosaurus Riex, or what was then known as typeZERO. (And meeting my fellow co-worker Sakura on his site, but at the time I didn’t know it.) So there I was, happily commenting around, before another event hit the streets of the blogosphere – the all-girls round robin.
Started by the lovely Itsubun (who’s writing I adore the most), I thought it was a great idea. However, even though I wanted to join, I did not have a blog. Well, not having a blog thus leads me to the present, and the main gist of this post.
The Present
First and foremost, you may thank blissmo, because her post on Yukan’s annotated blogroll influenced me to write this post.
Anyhow, continuing on – Calamitous Intent was started by us girls – all having the intention to write in the Round Robin. We have, and as you can see, we also have started blogging on other things like Macross Frontier, visual novels, Nabari no Ou, and Gintama.
But where does this all come in? Sorry, continue with my rambling a little more.. In the past, the only blogs I thought existed were THAT, Random Curiosity, and Riex’s blog. Calamitous Intent, this blog we created, has lead me to visit and read various other blogs. And, as the title suggests, I am constantly being blown away by the contents that these other blogs have to offer. Whether it’s just from music at “Lelangiric”, down to just plain manners offered by The Animanachronism, to food from Incredible Nothing!, then to the collective writers at Yukan Blog! (who’s theme/layout I love), back to the fastest poster (imo) at Anime Chatter, and to the funniest I’ve seen since at Baka-Raptor – they’ve all “wow-ed” me.
The Future (And) My Realizations
Wow. It’s like Evolution. I’m wondering even now as I’m rambling, do I realize what I’m writing? No. Maybe this is just a “praise” post where I realize how much I’ve been influenced by these people.
Anyhow – remember Yukan’s annotated blogroll? Yeah, there are a couple hundred blogs out there that I still haven’t visited. The blogosphere is still continuing to blow me away, but heck, it’s a good thing – all these blogs, in their own way, have influenced me. Believe it or not, being on teh interwebz and scouring around can teach you something. (Since WHEN do I use “LOL” while talking to someone else in RL? And why do I use variations of 1337 speak? My god, the realizations…)
And although right now the blogroll on Calamitous is small, I know that we will expand the list in the future – when we get around to reading/frequenting all the other blogs out there. We’re probably still in the baby/toddler stages compared to other blogs, but we hope (I think it’s not just me?) to influence other people as other bloggers influence us. Continue to dazzle us, Blogosphere~ (Perhaps it is only me…)
It’s a mutual thing. Keep dazzling everyone else as well.
I think it’s impossible for me to make an annotated blogroll. I know which posts I like, but I keep forgetting who writes them. I’m like this in all walks of life. I know which anime series I like, but I don’t know which studio produces them. I know which manga I like but I forget who draws them. I know which songs I like but I forget who signs them. Why am I so lazy…
…but I remember your blog because every time I come here I’m greeted by a pissed off Natsuki.
* stabs a random Baka-Raptor*
The Anime blogosphere is getting bigger and bigger each day. luckly, I use a RSS reader so I can easily browse the new content of the blogs in my list. I lulz each time I check it, since I’ve asked Owen (from Cruel Angel Thesis) for his list.
I’m sick as a dog and seeing all spinning, so if my comment doesn’t make sense, I blame it on the drugs.
I hope you can complete it soon, lovely! And I’m glad you like my theme as well — I spent ages looking for it. I remember that Random Curiosity was the only blog I was obsessed with, but it was Subculture Anime Blog that came next, followed by THAT. Soon, I came to know the bloggers instead of just reading what they write and be gone with it lols. And good luck in blogging in the future as well; it’s still so updated that I have trouble keeping up with!
Hmm I think I first got into THAT because of Ghost Hunt, I loved Impz’s blogs on it and he’s a riot on Messenger. They have such great writers over there! Crusader you are awesome!
Which led to Riex’s stuff (Hey Riex NYAH!) and then came the round robin and you, the wonderful Hoshi!
I’m really happy it came along and that you asked if I would join you and the other girls in blogging.
I have to admit I was a bit intimidated but I have fun (even though I feel like I don’t do much) and you girls are all great.
I try to check out other blogs as much as I can, but there are so many good ones out there!!!!!
@TheBigN: Thank you sir. :] Expect me to do more than lurk around your site now.
@Baka-Raptor: haha. Sorry if she bothers you, cause the pissed Natsuki will stay for a little while longer, until we decide to change? :] and I don’t know if that is categorized as laziness? perhaps…
@Extrange: that’s okay, I can sort of understand you. Hope you feel better! And you’re a THAT writer, no? ah yeah. I’ve lurked around your posts too
@blissmo: Thanks! It means a lot, coming from you, cause your blog is one of the most-read team blogs out there. :]] Hopefully, in the future, Calamitous will be as good as Yukan is.
@Sakura: Well, you have older experience than me then! They do have really good writers, I’ve always been amazed at the things THAT can churn out. :] I’m glad we did this. A little weird to be writing about it now, cause it seems like something you’d write in the beginning as an intro, but I’ve only just realized all this…
Woops. Seems like the more and more I talk to bloggers via IMing I seem to realize that people actually enjoyed those random music posts. So maybe I shouldn’t have deleted them all? Haha…haha…eh.
W00T FASTEST POSTER AWARD GET!
But seriously, I still haven’t even begun to examine the depths of the blogosphere. Even with all the blogs I know and love there are still others with an unwarranted lack of attention from me. This must be rectified!
Don’t misunderstand, I love Natsuki! She should stay up there forever, perhaps with a Shizuru to keep her company?
Oh god, am I the only one who uses ‘LOL’ in RL-speak? Looks like my status is lower than n00b now…
@lelangir: DELETED?! Nooo. Why? Those were awesome posts. I even remember listening to Avec Ma Soeur and wanting to learn how to play it..
@omisyth: yessirrrr. Glad you agree. That’s why I’m trying to frequent YOURS a little less, and others more. Lol, but no worries. I’ll always lurk around your blog somehow… blissmo is right.
@Baka-Raptor: HAHA. I’ll have to request Choux for that, I didn’t make that header. I am truly a n00b when it comes to photoshop. PAINT RULZ.
@issa-sa: Ah no.
Not in my book. But I’m glad we have something in common now~
@DJ: Hahaha, I am not a riot on IM. I am just pretty much random, and you always catch me when I am reading shoujo manga. I turn to a total crazy fanboy when I read shoujo manga. Yes, queer for a GUY to be so happy and fuzzy over shoujo manga, but it’s not my fault I like warm loving romance.
It’s definitely glad that you realize about THAT. It makes me feel good, Hoshi. Ho ho ho, I got to visit more blogs. I am in a period of inertia where I just get extremely lazy. ^^
Well . . . keep up the good work, I suppose! The otakusphere’s an ever-expanding place – as soon as I think I’ve reached its edge, I find there’s actually some unexplored niche. Which is both frustrating and exciting – much like the experience of trying to write in English about anime in the first place.
Also, I find that .gif at the beginning oddly fascinating – which show does it come from, if any?
On the other hand, you’re like, two or so weeks older than me in aniblogosphere age. I registered for a wordpress account on April 22nd and made a first post on the 29th after lurking a few blogs.
Well at least you’re getting familiar with the blogosphere. I didn’t venture out of my own until way later.
@Impz: Haha, no offense, but that “ho ho ho” makes you seem like Santy Claws. :] And your love for shoujo manga? It’s probably okay, since the line between what’s queer and what’s not has definitely been blurred in this day and age, imo.
@The Animanachronism: <.< If feels weird to write that. Like I’m talking to your blog directly. Haha, I’d have to agree. I don’t think I’ll actually visit even half of all the blogs out there, it’s crazy! Ah, the gif isn’t from anime. It’s an MSN onionhead emoticon. :] I have a bunch just sitting around on my desktop.
@lelangir: uh, no matter. you’re like, ancient, in terms of writing level. Always bamboozling me with whatever you’re writing… :]
@Shin: Good or bad thing? Oh well, thanks anyway!
I started a blog out of nowhere without even realizing that a million and one people already had anime blogs, but if total ignorance can’t get you somewhere, what can? Turns out the otakusphere’s full of fun people and (as far as I’ve noticed) only isolated incidents of high drama. But so much to read, my RSS feeds are getting hard to keep up with these days…
Haha, like me!! But yea, people here are very nice. And I’ve only seen a little drama – hopefully I won’t run into it ever, but who knows. O_O And I’ve got RSS feeds on Anime Nano, and it’s crazy how fast new things are churned out…
Ummmm…I cut my foot!
Anyway, I feel like a piece of shit for not having you on my blogroll yet. But let’s face it, that thing is broken right now anyway. I phail at life, and I phail @ rocking the site of some of my best supporters. But I’m grabbing your RSS feed before I leave…so let the harassment begin!
Riexxxx :]
You don’t at all. Just bring us some more of your blurbs! We all <3 you and your writing anyway.
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