On another note, I agree with Mentar and say “DON’T SPOIL IT FOR YOURSELF!” You can only experience the story for the first time once (and knowing what happens, I almost envy that you will get to have that experience . . . “almost” ^_~).

Yes I know ^^ I already planned doing alt-titling as soon as I can get to upload things at home and get the thumbnail plugin working. Might definitely be a nice thing. As well as other plugins… I’ll try to get back home tomorrow so I can undertake those changes.

About your friends/competitors point… I wouldn’t put it like that. Indeed, what you say is partially true, and I reckon that I should tone down my jealousy (although it’s hard to keep a smiling face when noone looks at you… sellers can do that). However, for some of them, I can’t really call them friends. Let’s say, I try to become their friend but it seems like it’s not really reciprocal, and I’d like to refer to your example of IRC.

There, I often get ignored a lot during convos. Why, because I’m new, because I don’t seem to know much, because I’m not a friend, I don’t seem to fit in that frame… Granted, it’s impossible for me to be there most of the time since I can’t access IRCHighway here at dorm. Yet, the first time I joined was early January, and I really tried to be there whenever possible. Then, when I come back from dorm, barely noone remembers me (except the few people I use to play Pangya with). I also tried pasting links quite a few times there, but most kept ignoring it. (it was during such an ‘accident’ that Impz even noticed my rant post of mine, lol…)
I do try to follow any of the links they paste though, and often give my opinion on that… And lol, once I voice my frustration in the channel that I feel ignored, everyone’s bad conscience kicks in and they go “aww sorry here’s your attention”. Some, not all of them. I hate people who do that, because it’s always like that. But all I do is complain, once again, so yeah my word doesn’t count.

Anyway, thank you ^^ I already felt much better in the afternoon, I guess I can go back to school tomorrow… heh, makes it sound like I was needing a pretense to stay in bed this morning :P

Be strong and stay away from the manga. Don’t spoil yourself. I did it consciously during the pre-selection phase when we decided which show to pick, and after a rocky start I got drawn in during the Teresa arc and finished the last raw chapter at 4am in the morning.

If you don’t know anything, the story will have SO much more effect. Especially since storywise the gloves come off now. The punches will have much more impact when you don’t see them coming, and the show is great at blindsiding you.

Towards your expectations: You’re partially right and partially wrong ;)

About the blog: If you want to do smart aleck comments, how about alt-titling the thumbnails? That’s something several popular blogs do, gets people who watched the show to pay closer attention. Finally, I don’t quite understand why you don’t consider your fellow bloggers more as friends than competitors. Look around on #animeblogger on IRC. I see no reason not to exchange thoughts, notes AND comments on each others’ blogs.

Anyway, get well!