woot_cosmos

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accomplished

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... I know you're probably going to want to shoot me... Here's the story.

School has been absolutely insane this semester, and I'm glad that my exams are at the end of next month so I can finally breathe. However, that's no excuse for why the site was not up in the summer, now is it?

The reason? I was unmotivated, and I didn't think I wanted to review anymore. I kept reassuring myself (and others) that I still wanted to do it, but at that point I didn't. It was a mix of a few events with WPR friends and the recent death of about every one of my favourite WPRs. Not only that, but as much as I liked the idea of Etoiles, it got less and less appealing as time went on. By the time strange-candy went down and everything was deleted... I gave up.

Recently I was reading over at wpr_bitches... A post Chii made recently about the good old days. It really got me thinking, and I did realize something. I never really did stop reviewing (I've been rating at icon communities and giving tips over email and such) and I did indeed miss it.

However, the only way I was going to get to doing it was to start from scratch. Meaning... A complete change. I decided no theme, no characters, no articles, at least not for now. Just reviews. I just wanted to let you guys know about this... I hope you don't hate me for it. I just wouldn't have been able to keep myself motivated if I had even managed to complete Etoiles.

I'm not accepting any new reviewers unless they are friends... So naturally, you guys are welcome :D It's completely up to you though. Things change, and I'm sure a lot has happened since we were last in touch. Anyway, in case you wanted to take a look at the new site... I'm hoping to get it hosted within the next few days; we'll see.

woot_cosmos

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bored

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Next week I'm going to get the ball rolling. (seriously this time...) I have exams this week, but as of Thursday I'm free for two months. As I'm jobless, there will be tons of time to dedicate to my sites. As it is, the FTP isn't working properly, but I'll talk to our hostess again some time around Thursday after my last exam.

Wish me luck, and hopefully things will get back on track!

woot_cosmos

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busy

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I was also considering instating due dates... I know that they can be hard to follow, but it seems that the reviews don't get done unless boundaries are set. That's what happened before and how the queue got as big as it did *_* Maybe we can set a due date that's 10 days away from the submission date... Then you've got fair warning, and you can also give me fair warning that you can't finish the review on time. Maybe a three strike system as well... Three late/unfinished reviews without good reason... Then you're in trouble. I don't want to do that, but it may be the only way to keep us on track.

woot_cosmos

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mood

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busy

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Did you guys get my email? If not, I'd be happy to send it again, just let me know. I need to hear from you girls ASAP, as I would really like to get the site back up. I'm about 75% done, believe it or not, and I could probably get it up tomorrow if I had the reviews I needed. I still need two from Crystal, and one from Kassie. If you can't do them, let me know and I'll do them... However, I need to know now if you're not going to have the time to review when we open up the submission form again.

Iceika, I need to know what manga character you want to represent you. Soon.

Anyways, here's the outline of the profile, most of the info you've already entered, just let me know if you need it updated.

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Stats:
Name:
Email:
Age:
Manga Character:
Screen Size:
Browser:
Connection: (dialup, highspeed, whatever)
Reviewing for: (how long?)
Worked at: (other WPRs you've worked at...)
# of Reviews Done: (approximate, not just at RR but anywhere)
Other Sites: (URLs and names please!)

Bio:
Why did you choose ______ to represent you?: A basic outline about how you're alike and why you chose that character to represent you.
A bit about you: Include a bit about your mannerisms, as well as the kind of reviewer you are.

Will Review (already have MOST of this info from Crystal and Kassie)
Sites: (WPRs, graphics sites, etc)
Anime: (ones you're familiar with)
Manga: (ditto)
Video Games: (ditto again)
Other: (Crystal, Kassie, you guys haven't submitted this yet, please do... by other I mean Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and anything else you want to review that doesn't fall under the aforementioned subjects)

Won't Review
Just basically outline what you don't want to review here

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*sigh* Lots of work. It's all coming together though. I hope to have it up by next weekend at the latest, but if that's going to happen I'm going to need your help. Also, I need to get your favourite manga picture of the character you've chosen to represent you so that I can make a banner for you.

Thanks girls!

woot_cosmos

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mood

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awake

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So... Where are we now?

Have we settled on the name Étoiles?

I have a four day weekend coming up, so I'm thinking that maybe I can get everything up again by then.

Does it matter what manga we have on the layout? I was originally going to use an Ayashi no Ceres one I had... But I don't like the layout anymore XD Maybe an Angel Sanctuary one? We'll see. Suggestions are good.

Also,Iceika... I need to know what manga character you want to represent you. Right now I have:

Crystal - Umi
Kassie - Daisuke

Any changes, girls? I still have to figure out who represents me >.>;; I may choose a male character as well, because a lot of the female characters I know are nothing like me. We'll see...

kasandara_yuy

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contemplative

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Alright everyone I finally got on this live journal thing x.x course I've never been good about keeping a blog u.u....Anywho to catch up on current affairs I'll post my info real quick like...

Sites: WPRs, graphics sites, TCGs, cliques, fanlistings, fansites, shrines, etc. I don't really want to deal with personal sites, blogs or collectives, usually they have no content and just want to be told they have a pretty layout...what's the point...x.x.


Anime: DN Angel, Chobits, Chrno Crusade, Gundam Wing, Inuyasha (up to the most recent episodes in Japan x.x), Gravitation, Yami no Matsuei, Hikaru No Go, Naruto...and a ton of others...lets just say I'm well rounded?

Manga: Er...Shoujo Manga in general.... I read ALOT of manga.

Video Games: Anything Final Fantasy up to FFXI I'm also boycotting ... I don't believe Square should have made FF an online RPG >.<. Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger, Legend of Mana, blah blah...a ton of RPG's...Does Mario count in this too?

Other: I'll review pretty much anything...but Sailor Moon >.< sorry but I burnt myself out on SailorMoon sites a LONG time ago...I've seen the series all the way through Stars, I'll review it if everyone else is full up x.x...

Manga Character :: I don't want a female manga character to represent me. I don't relate to them very much simply because most of the manga I read is all shoujo manga and most of the females are ... well not me ^^. My manga character should be (if I may) Niwa Daisuke from DN Angel. He's the character I relate to the most in anything I've read. Compassionate and kind yet dealing with more trauma than he should.

Plus this way when the layout for him comes around I can just drool >.>...yes I am shameless...that and I get to imagine myself having Dark on the inside and Satoshi chasing after me *grins*

Anywho...as for the name...the french theme sounds very pretty ^^.

Well I think I'll go check out my queue now ... do I have a queue >.>? hmmm *walks off pondering*

Oh!! Before I forget you all can contact me via AIM at Kasandara Yuy or on MSN via karaoke_kards@hotmail.com I'd love to chat anytime!!

purple_lizard

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sick

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Hey, just wondering, when are we going to re-open? Soon, I hope ^-^ Oh, and did we ever decide on a new name?

woot_cosmos

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geeky

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The Kishuku review is going to be loooooong XD I'm not even finished reviewing the layouts and the miscellaneous section and the review is already 8 pages long and 4000 words. I'm expecting another 1000 at the least *_* I can't do anymore tonight... 5 hours is enough on a review for one day. Not to mention the fact that the layout pages aren't working right now for some strange reason anyway.

On a side note... How are you girls coming along with your reviews?

senshi_crystal

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distressed

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Cosmos, have we decided on a final name yet? And im stil trying to find time to do those reviews. School doesnt like me at the moment >_<. Sorry, im in a bad mlood after our hockey game this afternoon in utah. ugh.

senshi_crystal

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Just a few things i wanted to comment on. First of all, Cosmos, I think Opinionated would be a great title for the new layout. Second of all, Sixteen Stars would be a great site name. I came up with another, Onegai Kiss, though I know it doesnt exactly make sense when directly tranlated. It seemed to fit, though, with the idea of Ceres etc etc. Anyway, I think that was about it. I'm really busy at the moment, but I think I might be able to get another review done in a couple of weekends.

*Crystal*

woot_cosmos

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OK girls, if we want to get this ball rolling... I think we need to try and decide on a site name. That way I can start getting everything suited... I have the layout finished, but I just need to get the title on there. I was thinking the word 'opinionated' would be suitable, but I think that might be a bit too negative XD Here's the definition...

o·pin·ion·at·ed [ ə pínnyə nàytəd ]

adjective

unwilling to change strongly held opinions: always ready to express opinions and tending to hold to them stubbornly, unreasonably dismissing other people’s views

Maybe we could try to think of something completely unrelated to WPRs. People might not be able to figure out what the site is by its name, but other people have done it before. Look at Bebop Brigade, Fishbowl, hide Your Face, and the Otaku Project... None of those name have to do with reviewing, but they're all great WPRs ^^

Perhaps something to do with manga, that would be a good name? I don't know... I like 'Sixteen Stars' from Ayashi no Ceres 'On the day the sixteenth star and moon aligns...' but that was the name of my collective XD It took a dirt nap though, so I suppose that's open. I really have no idea... Suggestions people ^___^;;

BTW, so far, my new semester bites. More homework than I've ever had, easy courses though.

woot_cosmos

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sleepy

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Just so you girls know, I've put the site on hiatus so that we can make any changes that we want. Just so people know that RR will be updated again... Even if it's not RR anymore.

I know you guys still need access to the queue, so here's the link:

http://reviews.strange-candy.net/queue.php

Bye for now XD I start my new semester tomorrow. Ho-hum.

--edit--

Crystal was right, I should post the link to the about section too XD Here's the link:

http://reviews.strange-candy.net/about.php

woot_cosmos

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All right girls... So what are all of you interested in reviewing? Like what kind of sites/anime/manga/video games do you know a lot about? These are mine:

Sites: WPRs, graphics sites, TCGs, cliques, fanlistings, fansites, listings, humour sites, and writing sites.

Anime: Ayashi no Ceres, Sailormoon, Dragon Ball Z, Inuyasha, Escaflowne, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Escaflowne, Magic Knights Rayearth (somewhat), Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin (somewhat), .hack//SIGN, Vampire Princess Miyu, Chobits, Dragon Ball, Angel Sanctuary, Card Captor Sakura, Full Metal Panic, Gundam Wing, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen, and X/1999.

Manga: Ayashi no Ceres, Marmalade Boy, Clover, Kare Kano, Sailormoon, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, Peach Girl, and Full Metal Panic.

Video Games: Final Fantasy Series (each one, on every console XD except 11 *boycotting*), Kingdom Hearts, Unlimited SaGa, The Lord of the Rings games, Wild ARMs 3, Koudelka, Parasite Eve, Onimusha 2, Mario XD, Zelda (all), Tsunagai, .hack series, Chrono series, Legend of Dragoon, and Orphen.

Wow, my lists are kind of lacking *_* Unfortunately, they've stoped selling both manga and anime DVDs here, so I am completely and utterly screwed. My parents don't like ordering off the internet, so I have to keep myself happy by renting the odd DVD that I find. Blah.

I also know about Pokemon, Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh, but I'm sure as hell not going to review anything about them XD No offense to anyone who likes them of course, they just drive me nuts *_* That's all I can think of right now. There are a few I know bits and pieces about, but not enough. I'll have to look over my manga collection. I also have to watch my 3x3 Eyes VHS I bought last summer. Then I'll know a little something about it XD Anyways...

So, what manga should we put on the new layout? So far it's three out of four for the manga idea, and I'm pretty sure Kassie will like the idea. We'll see :) I was thinking Ayashi no Ceres... It might have something to do with the fact that I'm obsessed with it all over again. Remind me never again to stay up until 3 in the morning to read 5 volumes of manga. Fun XD

Also, we have to start brainstorming a name. Any suggestions? I was thinking something about a Phoenix, because RR is being reborn from the ashes... But that's kind of lame *_* Suggest XD I have the creativity of a brick, so you guys would be better at this ^^;;

Crystal also mentioned something about choosing a manga character to represent you as a reviewer, with the reviewer of the month thing. I like that idea ^___^ What character would you guys be, and why? I'm not 100% sure. Waaaaay too muany choices. I'd probably be Aya or Ceres. Either way I would have Yuuhi coming after me XXXD Yes girls, I'm delusional. That and I <3 Yuuhi. I'd have to think about it.

Well, I've rambled enough. It's amazing how much I can ramble on about small things. Well... Just comment, or make a new post, whatever.

purple_lizard

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chipper

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I luff the manga theme idea, Crystal! Good thinking! :) We should definatelt keep the non-site reviews. I've been wanting to try my hand at them for a while. I dunno. I like the way we review. I think it's complete and informative, especially compared to rubric reviews. The originality section is fine, in my opinion. We may be able to combine originality with Audience Appeal so it's one section one presentation, ya know? And, I agree. NO MORE BLOGS!!! :)

senshi_crystal

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Ok, just a few ideas I had about stuff we had talked about

- Iceika, if you feel we need to clear the queue that's fine. I think when we revamp the site we should keep the old reviews in the archive. Also, I think reviews in the archive should be organized with a header for each month and then the reviews for that month below it,

- I think we should continue to do book and movie reviews. When reviwers read or watch something that they really want to voice their opinion on, its fun to write a review that other people can read. It is something that isn't secessary for the WPR, so if everyone wants to get rid of that, it wont be a big loss

- NO MORE BLOGS! Blogs should not eb something we decide to review, and I think Cosmos' ideas of people not choosing their reviewer is good. We can list what subjects each reviewer is into, and people can view that before they submit. Then, when they submit to Cosmos, she can give them to the reviewer who she thinks knows the most about the topic. If it's a general site, then she can give it to the people who dont have much on their list (or do that anyway if we're swamped)

- New name. Reality reviews is known out in the WPR for what is WAS, not what it is going to be. So, I think we should come up with something.

- A theme, at least for our layouts. Then we can use the same anime, or at least the same genre of anime for all of our site layouts. Once we do that, a name should come easily (i would guess @_@)

Also, i think changes to the way we review might be a good idea. I'm not exactly what they should be, though...

Anyway, thats my opinion on a few of those subjects. Enough for people to read over, anyway. I'm about to get started on clearing out the queue. Bye!

*Crystal*

senshi_crystal

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tired

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Hey hey! I'm here, and I finally got my journal looking the way I wanted it. Arent I smart? ^_^ Lol. So, I guess we should probably begin to brainstorm ideas for the WPR...whatever it will be XD.

*Crystal*