Now on Blog Engine.  After working for a month trying to get subtext to look they way I want I discovered blog engine, which has a much nicer Text editor and actually uses Master Pages.  :)  So I've now switched bloggin platforms.  I'd like to write more, and perhapse on the marrow I'll elaborate on this post, but sadly I need to turn in for the night.  Hopefully over the next week or so I'll have transfered my old posts, so this blog will have some actual content.

In .Net 2.0 your supposed to use the Configuration manager instead of the old depreciated ConfigSettings class.  However, your code if you only add a using statement to the System.Configuration namespace you will only have access to the deprecated ConfigSettings class. When I was studying for my MCTS, the core book really pushed using the Configuration Manager, but when I actually try and apply it on the job, I couldn't get it to work. Thanks to Kieran Lynam I finally figured out why I can never find the ConfiurationManager class.

What you need to do is actually add (not just a using/imports statement) a reference to the System.Configuration dll to your project and then you'll magically have access to all the new features of .Net 2.0 configuration.

I have no idea why they make you go through this extra step, unless it was for backwards compatibility. You'd think that without the reference you wouldn't get access to anything in the Configuration namespace, but for some strange reason Microsoft has not chosen this all or nothing approach. In fact you'd expect that they'd want you to use the new versions and include that by default and make you hunt for the old depreciated versions, but then we'd live in a world that makes sense.

I went to my first anime convention over the weekend in Beautiful rainy Columbus, Ohio. I managed to convince my friend Nicolas in Columbus to join me for some anime fun and so we braved the elements, Columbus battery of One way roads and hidden parking lots.

The good:

We managed to catch a talk by some of the 501st Legion regarding the manufacture of stormtrooper arms and equipments which was rather cool. They discussed how to create their props and armor from everyday goods such as pvc pipe, bando and cardboard.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Dub. We caught episode three and I was impressed with the quality of the Dub. The voices were excellent, and I enjoyed the added scenes on the DVD. I really need to re-watch this series before the next season arrives in the spring. Sadly we didn't see anymore due to getting sidetracked by the people selling anime paraphernalia.

We also saw some Burn up Excess which was entertaining and funny and some Xenosaga which seems interesting, but it seems you'd need to play the games to know what is going on.

I also got a decent amount of exercise wandering through the Convention Center/Hayatt which is always a good thing since I spend far too much time in front of a desk.

The Bad:

Finding anything was quite difficult since the Hyatt Hotel didn't have very good signage. We must have spent an hour wandering around trying to find the anime Video editing basics.

Prices: $30 entry fee, as well the overpriced coffee shop at the convention center. I had a good time but I don't really think it was worth $30. Luckily for me Nick covered the registration fee as a late Christmas present. (I gave him anime for Christmas so it the least he could do.) Also the coffee shop at the Convention center was far to overpriced. I wasted to get a mocha but was frietened away by the five dollar price tag for a medium mocha. wtf

The website. They didn't post the itinerary of events until two days before the con and then they never updated the interior pages such as main events. So should you miss the pdf on the index page and click on main events you would never no what was planned at the con.

The Odd:

All the strange cosplayers who would randomly sit just about everywhere in the halls. I guess it was one way to while away the day and be seen, but you'd think they'd have been a little more interest in the various happenings at the con. Is this because many people just came for the costuming and social activities (raving?). This would also explain the rather large proporation of non-men, which normally would be unexpected at a convention associated with nerdy activities.

Conclusion:

I had a good time, but if feel that I spent far too much time wondering around the Hyatt/convention center in search of con events. For the most part I was impressed with the costumes and it was defiantly a good experience.

One does not simply rock their way past June of 1983

With title as ominous as Massacre chapter it highly unlikely that we'll see a happy ending for the Hinamizawa gang. We begin with a small discussion of the obstacles to Rika quest. Although not named as such we're given the rules X,Y and Z (not to be mistaken with the XYZ affair) along with a definite debunking of the Sonozaki Conspiracy.

• Rule X: Madness: Someone will become delusional and all hell will break loose.
  • Onikakushi-hen: Keichi kills Mion and Rena
  • Watanagashi-hen and Meakeshi-hen: Shion goes on the war path and kills Oryo Sonozaki, Kiichirō Kimiyoshi,Rika, Satoko, Mion, and indirectly Keichi
  • 
    
  • Tatarigoroshi-hen: Keichi killed Teppei Hojo and wanted most everyone else to be killed by Oyashiro-sama. Also Satoko was irrational and shoved Keichi(Not necessarily a bad idea since Keichi wasn't exactly sane) off a bridge
  • Tsumihoroboshi-hen: Rena murdered Rina and Teppei Hojo, then went terrorist and held the school hostage
  • Yakusamashi-hen Satoko had some (justifiable) paranoia issues
  In general Rika's friends are good folk, but when (im)properly stimulated they can do horrible things.
• Rule Y - Three Murders and the Great Hinamizawa disaster: Without fail Takano and Tomitake are murdered on the Watanagashi festival night in every arc. Then soon afterwards Rika is sacrificed at the shine and the disaster strikes the village; unless Rule X kills Rika first . Then there is no disaster and Hinamizawa is not destroyed. This mystery and blows yet another large whole through the governments lame volcanic gas explanation for the disaster.
• Rule Z - The Sonozaki Reputation: Simply put the Sonazaki have used the chain of murders to enhance their standing. Even though they weren't behind them, having people think they were gives them more standing and power in the village. Unfortunately this also fuels Rule X, giving Shion,Keichi and Rena a visible evil villain to construct their delusions around.

If Rika can just defeat Rules X,Y and X she could live happily past June of 1983 with all her friends. Soon after explaining that Rika is constantly being returned to June of 1983 we see Rika land after falling from a cliff and her friends hurry down and were introduced to Hanyu. Hanyu is Oyashiro-sama and she a rather timid being that only Rika can see. She is the one enabling Rika to keep seeking a happy ending, but her powers are weakening and they have only a little under two weeks till the festival.

As if Rules X,Y and Z weren't enough, in this arc an added problem arises. Satoko's uncle Teppei returns and begins abusing her. Several times before this senario appeared, most notably Tatarigoroshi-hen, Never before has this world remotely turned out well. Either Keichi or Shion goes berserk and/or Satoko is completely destroyed by Teppei. Rika just about gives up hope, but Keichi finds the strength the change fate and save Satoko without failing victim to rule X.

Unfortunately even though Rule X was Defeated, Rika and co. unprepared for Rule Y. Tomitaki was murdered on cue and the evil villain was revealed.o be Takano and her mercenary henchmen: the Yamainu

Defeated the villain strong will takes more preparation and assets than the Rika's group possess, but they put up a valiant effort, they are taken out one by one. At the very end they realize they needed Hanyu's aid to overcome fate and she agreed no longer be just a spectator but to join in as an active participate.

Thoughts:

Rika learns several important lessons in this arc. The was that with a strong will fate can be changed and of almost equally importance, she finally learned who her true friends and enemies are. Seeing Keichi unite the whole town in order to save Satoko was touching and showed the that working together Rika's friends could change fate. It was very enjoyable to see my suspicions proven as fact as well as to get incite into why Rika death triggers the Disaster. We also learn that a parasitic disease has infected the residents of Hinamizawa, leaving the residents more susceptible to delusions than normal which is the likely source of Rule X.

Links

• My review of the first season of Higurashi no naku kor ni
• Yakusamashi-hen - Disaster Awakening Chapter
• Future review of Matsuribashi-hen - Festival Accompanying Chapter