On the Verge of Lunacy

I've been practicing in the past several months. Here are some pencil sketches of portrait exercises my younger sister provided me. She's in a special program for the arts in high school, an opportunity I was never given when I was younger. Ever the opportunist, I thought this might be a good time to start with the basics. Note: I copied the portraits from my sister's portfolio. We both aren't the original artists. Unfortunately we do not have the name of the author of the workbook.

The events here in A Dance With Dragons, the fifth installment of A Song of Ice and Fire series, run parallel to A Feast for Crows .  Readers can follow Jon, Tyrion, Daenerys, Davos, and Brandon once again after the events in  A Clash of Kings . Halfway through this book, some of the characters from A Feast for Crows reappear indicating that the split of narratives from two locations have merged. Tyrion Lannister is a renegade fleeing King's Landing and the wrath of his sister. While Jon Snow, the new lord commander of the Night's Watch, has to deal with brothers constantly questioning his decisions, a demanding Stannis Baratheon, the Wildlings they have defeated, and the looming threat beyond the Wall. Daenerys is torn between her desire to go home and her duty to the people she freed. Her rule in Meereen is challenged and rumors of forces gathering to oust her only made her position vulnerable. What's more, she seems to have lost control of her dragons. Davos o...

Set a thousand years after the the now tyrant Lord Ruler saved the world, Mistborn introduces a dark dystopian world where the Final Empire rules unchallenged, the society clearly delineated by the classes of the nobility and the skaa, and where ash covers everything. This immortal Lord Ruler has managed to repel uprisings from the oppressed skaa for so long that everyone thinks he cannot be overthrown. But conspiracies of another uprising are being planned somewhere. The new rebellion found an unlikely hero in a thief gang leader and an escaped prisoner sent by the Lord Ruler himself to a notorious prison camp. Kelsier believes that the uprising will succeed this time, especially after meeting another Mistborn like himself, the street urchin Vin. But it will take more than two Mistborn and an experienced thief crew to pull it off. Not only do they have to face an overwhelming opposition in the Lord Ruler's minions, but they also need the help of disheartened skaa to succeed...

There have been several publications of studies of Egypt but none as organized as The Egyptians by Cyril Aldred. The third edition also has several helpful additions and revisions such as a list of kings of Egypt. The book includes a survey of Egypt's geography and natural resources, the archaeological and anthropological sites, and an introduction of its art, architecture, science, literature and religion. The chapters on prehistory and history are in chronological order and there are plenty of illustrations and photos as well. Students and enthusiasts of Egyptian history will find the book informative and detailed but still reader-friendly. Those who are looking for an in-depth study of Egyptian religion or mythology however might find this book lacking. Most of the details are on architecture and art, and some explanation on how the excavations and studies have pieced together Egypt's history. I recommend the book to those already familiar with some studie...

In this first installment of The Kingkiller Chronicle, the protagonist Kvothe is introduced. Kvothe's past adventures are rumored to have led to the ongoing war. He is currently hiding in a town as the innkeeper Kote with his assistant Bast. The story is divided into two timelines, the present and the past which is narrated by the main character himself to Chronicler. Kvothe met the scribe Chronicler when he saved the latter from an attack of the creatures called Scrael. Kvothe agreed in a later meeting to tell his story. The novel is recollection of Kvothe's early life,  a refreshing approach to an epic tale of a hero. The series is not without some cliche. Like most heroes in epic myths, the young Kvothe had a knack for many things usually only adults with vast experience and education are capable of understanding. He also had to undergo severe psychological and physical trauma, a bitter-sweet first encounter at romance, and has a talent for getting into troubl...

Mogami Kyouko works hard to support her childhood friend and romantic interest Fuwa Shoutarou, Fuwa Sho to his fans, and has forsaken her education and personal needs. Sho had earlier asked Kyouko to run away with him to Tokyo so he could pursue a music career instead of inheriting the family business. Kyouko was more than willing to support Sho in his dreams, but one day she overhears Sho complaining about her to his manager. He claims she's a boring and gullible woman; someone he had only used as a willing housekeeper. Instead of crying, Kyouko vowed to make Sho regret using her and playing with her feelings. Sho responds by telling her the only way he could be defeated is for Kyouko to become a bigger star than him. Thus began Kyouko's entry into the show business. But it seems her path to vengeance won't be easy. Sho's star rival Tsuruga Ren despises Kyouko's reasons for entering showbiz. His treatment on Kyouko will change however when he sees her po...

The captain of the spaceship Aloha Oe, Dandy, and his buddies QT and Meow are on a mission to hunt rare aliens from across the universe. Once they spot one, they bring these aliens to the space alien registration center and they're rewarded for the effort. Unfortunately, the trio are so unlucky and they get into trouble almost every time.  This 13-episode first installment of the series introduces the easygoing and cool Dandy, the outdated but resourceful robot QT, and the gullible and lazy Meow. Unknown to the trio are the agents of the Gogol empire who are in active pursuit of them. But for a guy like Dandy, disposing of these pursuers is as easy as getting into trouble. Dandy, Meow and QT Dandy with the ladies from Boobies Dr. Gel and Bea talking to Admiral Perry of the Gogol empire If you're looking for a break from all the serious and mind-numbing series, Dandy is your guy. He's cool, funny, and has a nice pompadour. I love the animat...

Kaneki Ken finally accepted that he is both a ghoul and a human after being kidnapped and tortured in the first season of the series. But even though he stood at the crossroads and has an advantage of being able to understand both sides, it seems it isn't enough. For Kaneki, the only way to gain even greater strength and to protect those who are important to him is to follow a dark path. To do so, he would have to distance himself from those who have helped and accepted him in his painful transition from a human to a ghoul, the people at Anteiku.    Kaneki transforms Suzuya Juuzou, Yoshimura, and Shinohara Yukinori Amon Koutarou and Mado Akira One of my complaints in the first season are the censored bloody scenes. I don't have problems of the idea of trying to keep the series dark but still classy by minimizing the show of blood, but it was done distastefully. Tokyo Ghoul √A still has a few of such scenes but are done much better. That alone is an i...

Ginko is back in the second installment of Mushishi Zoku Shou and is the third of one of the best supernatural series ever made. The series has 10 episodes of beautifully animated, though-provoking encounters with the mushi. By now most viewers who have followed Ginko in his stories see a certain pattern in each of the episodes, but there are still some surprises around the corner. No matter how much mushi that mushi masters encounter, there's still a lot to know about them. One thing I have been looking for are episodes that shed a light on Ginko's past, and probably his fate in the future. But what little we know about Ginko, like the mushi, may be one of the factors that makes the series so exciting to watch. Well, exciting doesn't really fit the pace of Mushishi, but you know what I mean. If you have been enchanted by Mushishi so far, there's no reason to skip this one. Rating: 10 out of 10

After the incident with  Noah's Ark Circus , Ciel Phantomhive's ability to serve the Queen came into question. The Queen's butlers posed that challenge to Ciel and Sebastian. Thus the head of the Phantomhive household decides to host a banquet and invite distinguished guests.  Ciel was a gracious and polite host and the party was going well until a storm forced the guests to stay at the mansion. The situation worsened when they found a murdered guest. But that was only the start. Once again, Ciel and Sebastian will have to prove their mettle... before someone decides to get rid of one of them. Arthur, an author and one of the guests This two-episode special follows events, but is not a direct sequel, of Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus. If you have been enjoying Ciel and Sebastian's adventures, you should not miss this. Ciel's cunning here is especially noteworthy. Rating: 8 out of 10

More than a year after the events  between Kogane and Makishima, season two of Psycho-pass follows Tsunemori Akane's stint as inspector at Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division. In the last season Akane chose to obey and work with the Sybil System, an omnipresent sensor which monitors the mental state of the people. Akane has gained an understanding of the system which some from the bureau do not fully grasp. Her unconventional ways of apprehending instead of executing criminals with only slightly higher Crime Coefficients has been looked down by some. Despite Akane's abilities and understanding of how the system works, a new nemesis is working elaborate schemes to challenge Sybil once again. He leaves behind the message "WC?" written in blood. What's more, the man does not register on the Dominators, leaving the inspectors and enforcers at a loss as to what they're supposed to do. This 11-episode series is a direct sequel of th...

Chiyo Sakura decides to confess to her crush Umetaro Nozaki, but when she blurted out that she has always been his fan he gives her his autograph. In an attempt to salvage her embarrassment, she adds that she has always wanted to be with him. To which Nozaki responded by asking her over to his house so she can help in his drawings. Sakura discovers that Nozaki writes for a shoujo magazine under the pen name Yumeno Sakiko and is actually famous. Seizing the opportunity to get even closer to him, Sakura falls even more in love with the manly, kind and talented Nozaki. This encounter also gave Sakura a chance to get to know his friends who serve as inspiration to make characters for his manga.  Sakura and Nozaki trying out a romantic scene for his manga From left Wakamatsu Hirotaka, Hori Masayuki, Kashima Yuu, Chiyo Sakura, Umetaro Nozaki, Seo Yuzuki, and Mikoshiba Mikoto Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is one of the most fun romance series I've watched. Sakura isn...

Yoshioka Futaba and Tanaka Kou once had a blooming romance in junior high. However Futaba is self-conscious about her image to her fellow girls and one statement Kou overheard one day turned him away from her. Kou and Futaba planned to meet at a summer festival but he never showed up. Now that Futaba is in high school, she's more determined to change her image so she won't be left out and bullied by girls jealous of the attention she used to get from the boys. But as fate would have it, she meets Tanaka-kun again, who now goes by the name of Mabuchi Kou and tells her he felt the same way years before, but claims it is no longer possible to be lovers. This only adds fuel to her curiosity and soon she feels that the new Kou, cold and cruel, is as attractive as the gentle and timid Kou from years before. Kou and Futaba in one of their encounters in junior high Futaba and Kou Ao Haru Ride is not without similarities to most romance series --- the settin...

Ichimatsu Kohina wanted answers and so she summoned a spirit through the Kokkuri game. When the fox spirit Kokkuri-san did not satisfy her, she sent him away. But seeing her unhealthy lifestyle, Kokkuri-san decided he would haunt Kohina and make meals for her. Kohina is fond of instant noodles, considers herself a doll, has no friends and doesn't like to do stuff normal little girls do. She has attracted notice from spirits however. Besides Kokkuri-san, the dog spirit Inugami is greatly attached to her and the lazy tanuki spirit Shigaraki adores her. Not only do the trio try to make Kohina's life easier, but they also want to show her that life can be fun. Ichimatsu Kohina and Kokkuri-san From left: Tengu, Jimeko-san, Shigaraki, Kokkuri-san, Inugami, and Tama  This 12-episode series is hilarious. Kohina is an unusual kid and is likable because of her habits. It's also fun to see a fox, a dog, and a raccoon dog take main roles in a series for a ch...

In a time when the bonds between gods and humans are weakening, one of the most powerful beings devises a plan to teach young gods the meaning of love and restore that connection. Kusanagi Yui was born and raised near a Shinto shrine. By all standards she's a normal girl with a normal life. One day on her way home from school, she discovers a sword which transports her to a sanctuary created by Zeus. She is given the task to act as the human representative in Zeus' school to teach young gods from different countries the meaning of love. If they succeed, it will prevent the destruction of the school and release the gods trapped in the realm. But every time there is a complication, the force holding the place together will weaken. Kusanagi Yui (center) with the gods Yui is hardworking and persuasive and manages to befriend the young gods with the help of her new friend Melissa, a doll sent to look after her. She meets the Greek gods Apollon, Hades and Diony...

Years after the accident at the hysperspace gateway to Earth, most of the humans have moved into the planets and moons in the solar system. Despite advancement in technology, humans haven't lost their habit of preying on each other for survival. These criminals need to be brought to justice but the enforcers are having a hard time. That's where bounty hunters known as Cowboys come into the picture. Jet, Spike and Faye The duo of the spaceship Bebop are among these bounty hunters. They are having a hard time apprehending criminals however. Empty stomachs and lack of funds bring Spike Spiegel and Jet Black to various adventures and introduce them to vain but impoverished Faye Valentine, intelligent but troublesome dog Ein, and an elite hacker named  Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV. This 26-episode critically acclaimed series isn't just about half-starved desperate companions out for criminals, there is an overarching story involving Spike a...