Hackhackhack

If you're in the market for a new, inexpensive easily region-hackable DVD player, the Philips DVP642 is about as good as it gets. I got mine yesterday, and it's fantastic. And when I say easily region-hackable, I mean it - open the tray, press "7, 8, 9, OK, 0" on the remote, and you're done.

I'm happy, because I can watch my R2s in my living room, Erik's happy because he has a DVD player for "his" room that works considerably better than the PS2, and at $65 shipped...it just doesn't get any better than this.

Now I just need my Oniisama E R2 box sets to get here....

Minor Annoyances

I was all set to have an Infinite Ryvius marathon this weekend - on Wednesday, Netflix shipped out 2-4, 5 on Thursday, and 6 yesterday. Discs 3-5 were in my mailbox yesterday, 6 arrived today, and 2 is nowhere to be found. Bastards.

Also, Gmail is refusing to load via HTTP for whatever reason today - I can't get my email unless I use HTTPS, which is much slower over dial-up. Bastards.

I think my dog has somehow managed to damage herself as well - she's having trouble sitting, and she randomly starts limping. I've checked it out, but haven't found anything, or even gotten a reaction. I can't tell if this is one of her drama queen acts, or if she's really hurt. Freak dog...

At least it stopped raining.

[EDIT] Actually, looking at my Netflix queue, I'm wrong - 2-5 shipped out Wednesday, but while 2-5 have estimated arrival times of 4/2, disc 2 has an estimated arrival date of 4/5. The hell? (Wait, maybe it shipped from another distribution center. That would make sense.) And Saint Tail 5, Orphen II 6 and Boys Over Flowers (the discs that have been at the top of my queue for weeks) are all available now, or so they claim. I'd like to finish at least one series at some point in my life.

Speaking of Boys Over Flowers - I adore the manga, I adore the anime, but I have no idea why. Tsukasa is probably the least sympathetic male lead ever (and that's saying something). Violent, selfish, clingy, and neurotically posessive guys just don't do it for me. The streak of sadistic cruelty is a nice touch, too. As for Tsukushi...refusing to make a decision and merely going along with things does not excuse you from dealing with the consequences. Inaction is still a decision, and you, my dear, need to learn that "But...but...I didn't do anything!" isn't an excuse. Also, all these great guys who are hanging on your every word? They're all better than Tsukasa. At least they're less likely to kill you in a fit of rage. Tsukasa is so the poster child for crimes of passion.

Still - I adore both the anime and the manga. I think there's something badly wrong with me.