Things Various

[jedishampoo]

Question: What do you do if you have a fansubbed .avi burned onto DVD (of a non-Region-1-available-anime, I'm a good fan) that shoves all the subtitles down to the bottom of the TV screen and half off the screen when you play it? I really want to watch Gintama but I can't read the fansubs because they are cut off. We've tried changing the ratio aspect on the DVD player but it did not help. Gintama has not been released in the US, has it?

Ahhhh! Holy Moley, I have 3,000 words on my 7thnight_smut story done. And it's barely started. Yeeks, I fear it shall be a long one-- I'm not usually one for writing the over-10,000-word fic, though there are exceptions. Perhaps I shall cheat on the plotty bits. "A few days later, after these paraphrased things happened, Character A said this." Fear my sloppiness and laziness, O Recipient! Heehee. I'm kidding. Mostly. ;)

I have a strange ear thing going on. For a couple of weeks now I've felt like something was tickling the inside of my right ear. And I've been especially deaf, lately, driving sharpeslass nuts saying "What? WHUT?" after every phrase she utters. Last night it was driving me particularly insane, tickling and making thumping noises twice as fast as my pulse (else I would have thought it was my own pulse). It doesn't hurt. Any ideas? I suppose I should go to the doctor. :(

Happy Sunday, y'all!

Comments

[econopodder.livejournal.com]

On your ear: it could well be a blockage caused by ear wax buildup. (One time my dad went nearly deaf in one ear overnight.)

You might try this: go to the drugstore & ask for Debrox or non-branded equivalent & an ear-washing rubber bulb. It's a (cheap) bottle of drops that softens up wax. Put a couple in your ear, stick a cotton ball to hold it in, & either go to bed or wait a good ten min or so. Then fill your sink w/some tepid water, suck some into the bulb, and blast in your ear. Don't worry, you won't hurt yourself; the bulb doesn't generate enough pressure. Be sure to stay leaning over the sink. You'll need to do it several times. Don't be surprised if a shockingly large chunk of ear wax comes out!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Ooh, really? I shall try it then! It sounds gross but better than driving to the doctor. Thank you!

[kansouame.livejournal.com]

Spiders.. they crawl in your ear at night and lay eggs and then the babies hatch and well.... there ya go.

oh wait, that was a Night Gallery episode I saw one late night

*snorts - flails - and runs away*

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaahhh you are so horrible I KEEEELL YOUUUU!!

::snorts and chases you::

[kansouame.livejournal.com]

*runs faster laughing and chanting "Spiders in your ear... babies everywhere"*

You know you really love me. *Grin*

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I'm trying the ear-wax kit in the hope that it is indeed NOT SPIDERS YOU WENCH. ;)

[caeseria.livejournal.com]

Did you also know that on average an adult swallows four spiders a year while sleeping?

*walks off whistling*

[kansouame.livejournal.com]

and that little bit of information is one of the reason's I love and adore you!!

*whispers* COCK

[caeseria.livejournal.com]

I knew you loved me, but I have many more useless facts that will keep you coming back for more! :)

COCK!

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE BOTH SO BAD!

[error256.livejournal.com]

Arthropoda are very nutritious.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I'm a vegetarian so my eating of spiders distresses me. ;)

(No, actually, I'm just grossed out.)

[caeseria.livejournal.com]

Pff good luck on the fansubs issue. I wish someone had an answer. This is why I had to watch Ouran, Death Note and Weiss Kreuz on the computer, because of the fansubs.

I think the issue is the fansubs are not thought out properly as far as placement goes. I never had this problem with the stuff from sbk subs or the ones done on Junjou - but then those people do a lot of hard work as you know to make sure everything is perfect. I guess the rest are just whacked on any old how and even changing the tv ratio aspect doesn't work (I tried too). Oh well, I guess I'm buying WK then, aren't I? LOL

Are you sure you don't have an inner ear infection? Are you dizzy or feeling nauseous or anything?

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Ack, the same thing happened with the fansub of Ouran I had a few months ago-- before I just bought them. That and Gintama are the only times I've had this problem. Argh. I'm fearing that I will need to just wait.

I don't feel sick. But I'll probably go to the doc anyway, 'cause it's starting to drive me nuts with the ear-tickling.

[whymzycal.livejournal.com]

I've never had that problem with fansubs because I've only ever watched them on my computer. I have no idea how to fix the sub problem. :( I'm sorry. Useless Whym is useless!

As for the ear thing, OH MY GOD, A TINY ALIEN HAS STARTED A COLONY IN YOUR EAR!

Or not.

And aiee, epic!fic! So exciting! I'm sure that everyone's going to write some seriously awesome stuff. Now if only I could make headway on mine, ahahaha.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I was actually thinking insects and aliens and ear-cancer and whatnot but shall try the eardrops and hope that helps. :)

Oh, I hate watching on the computer. I want the couch and the bowl of (low-calorie, now) snacks.

Hee, epic!fic! I'm just whining because I fear writing it, for fear that I won't be able to sustain it long enough to tell the whole story. Especially in the time we have left. D'oh! I got 3000+ words done yesterday, but what about the remaining weekends and OMG? And I said my prompt was easy. ;)

[ladylotusmoon.livejournal.com]

I have similar symptoms when I get ear infections. It starts off tickling/itching, then starts throbbing and hurting. And it gets difficult to hear and becomes painful to lay down pushing on the ear. If it's early enough, I can make it go away by using over the counter ear drops at the drugstore, but if I wait too long I have to get antibiotics. When I get too much wax in my ear, it doesn't tickle, but it makes a creaking/squeaking noise. :/

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Well, I've never had that before, though other people seem to have that problem, like you!

I tried the ear drops and nothing yet. I figured I'll go to the doc, anyway, and if she tells me to use ear-drops, well, I'll already have them. :)

Thanks for your thoughts!

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

I would suggest watching the fansubs on the computer to see if it fixes the subs being cut off.

Before Ouran was for sale in the US I tried burning onto DVD. The subs were cut off when trying to view on the TV but were just fine playing on the computer. I had to change the viewing area ratio but it made the video and all smaller. It fit onto the TV screen but then there was a black box around everything.

I just purchased the boxed sets for Ouran & Love Hina and my hubby and I have been watching it and Love Hina the last couple of weeks. Ouran for me and Love Hina for him (he is a lurking fan for Love Hina).

Try Debrox for the ear. If that does not help call the DR. Try a ENT doctor.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I haaaaate watching on the computer (whines). We use the TV, sit on the couch and stretch out and have a handy remote and everything. I guess I can wait for an official release if no other solution presents itself.

YES, Ouran in fansub gave me the same problem. That's why I gave up after a couple of episodes and then just bought the DVDs when they were released (cause it looked cute, except for the annoying fansubs).

Is Love Hina a shoujo, and that's why he's lurking? :) What's it about?

[minidrag33.livejournal.com]

There is a Wiki article if you want to see the whole thing. Here is part of it:

The story is a shōnen comedy that takes place in the Kanagawa Prefecture, and centers on Keitaro Urashima and his attempts to fulfill a childhood promise that he made with a girl to enter Tokyo University together. However, he has forgotten the name of the girl he made the promise to and hopes to be accepted into Tokyo university in order to find her.

Despite failing the entrance exam twice, he becomes manager of the family owned girls dorm Hinata House (日向荘, Hinata Sō?, also known as Hinata Apartments) and must balance his new responsibilities with his attempts to pass the university entrance exam. At Hinata House, Keitaro meets Naru Narusegawa, who is also studying to enter Tokyo university.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, sounds different from its name! Actually, sounds a bit like Maison Ikkoku!

Thanks, you. :)

[anirt.livejournal.com]

I vote for earwax at home therapy as described by econopodder. If that doesn't work -- or if you get partial success i.e. chunks and modest improvement -- go to the doctor. But see if you could just see the nurse or PA and have them do their professional irrigation.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Well, I tried it last night and nothing... I'd hoped the tickling would stop, if nothing else.

I made a doctor appointment just to be thorough. And while I'm there I'll get the overdue referral for a mammogram. (Ick.)

[theskywasblue.livejournal.com]

From all I've been hearing from fellow writers, almost no one is writing short fic for this one! Mine topped out at 10K, but I already know some people's are twice that.

I hope the ear thing clears up for you...sadly caeseria is right about the spider-swallowing thing. That knowledge haunts me every day of my life....

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

caeseria needs to keep her trivia to herself, IMHO. ;)

Ohh, in the meantime I've decided this story is rather fun, and can only hope that others like it and are not bored by its length. :) (Well, the beta-- i.e., sharpeslass, has given her stamp of approval to the first third, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can pull it off.)

[the-rotten1.livejournal.com]

I've got about 2700-ish done on my 7thnight and I just started on the porn, so length should be no problem... I'm kinda worried that it's not actually going to be very AU-ish though. I followed the prompt, but it wasn't very specific to begin with. If there's too much cannon in it, is that bad?

As for the ear thing, I would definitely say go to a doctor. Hopefully it's nothing serious.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, sounds like you're keeping it at the right length! I need to make sure I'm staying as concise as I need to be. (I realized I wrote 4200 words yesterday. When I get going, I get going.)

And I have an appointment with my doc today! It's been driving me nuts long enough.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Oh, and you have me marked as your beta, right? So you wouldn't have my prompt? You can send me an e-mail with your prompt and your story idea and I can give you advance thoughts, if you like. :)

[the-rotten1.livejournal.com]

I never did ask her about it... do you still think I should? I am new to this after all, so I don't want to make any mistakes. Like I said earlier, I listed you and one other person originally, and she didn't say anything after that. So I'm assuming that the prompt wouldn't be either of yours. It doesn't really sound like something I think you would request either, but I guess I could be wrong.

[rosiewook.livejournal.com]

If your heading is affected, I would suggest you need to see a doctor to have it cleaned out. (It's most likely wax build-up). Then use the Debrox to maintain it.

If you have exceedingly large amounts of wax, the Debrox could just make it more complicated. Plus, if it's a lot of wax, there might be an underlying infection that needs to be treated.

I am SO not even pondering that whole spider discussion. ::eeuw::

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

I tried the ear stuff (Murine, same ingredients as the Debrox) but there was no change. So I'll see the doc today. :) I've never had wax problems before, but we'll see!

I know, the spider discussion was pretty bad. They're nice women, usually, but I think I'll need to smack them, anyway. :)

[error256.livejournal.com]

I suck at solving health-care problems, so I won't advice you anything. *pets your right ear*

"A few days later, after these paraphrased things happened, Character A said this." is pretty fine if written nicely. At least it's much better than having too many unnecessary descriptions.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Heh! The paraphrasing will have some part, else I'd be writing a novel. I guess it's just a case of angsting over whether or not I'm balancing it with actual, uh, story. And yes, you're right about unnecessary descriptions-- sometimes I read other people's stuff and think "PARAPHRASE, PLEASE GOD!" ;)

[seshats-prodigy.livejournal.com]

Aww, whatever you write for 7thnight_smut will be amazing - I've yet to read something of yours that hasn't been well done! I just need to boot my lazy muse in the arse. It's being very non-cooperative and I want to light it (and my story) on fire. :P

Sorry to hear about your ear! I hope it feels better soon. Other than that, I have nothing of value to offer you... Though the fast pulsing, the clawing - perhaps it's your unborn twin trying to escape! ~_^

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Yay, thank you for your vote of 7thnight_smut support! ;) I've had the first 4000 words cleared by my handy-dandy-live-in beta (sharpeslass) so I'll just hope I can pull the rest off as I see it in my head.

Ack! First aliens, bugs, and now an unborn twin??!? Like Rusty Venture? Argh! I'll keep on thinking it's allergies or just earwax or something, thanks! ;)

[seshats-prodigy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it'll be brilliant! And you've still got a few weeks left. Ack...must get my butt toiling harder. I like my prompt, but my muses are jerks. :P

Hee! Aww, I'm sorry, I saw some of those suggestions and I just couldn't resist! (It's my sadistic evil inner Hakkai voice) **hugs** I'm sure it's just allergies or a bit of a sinus infection or something. ♥

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

My ears, particularly the right one, have been clogged for months. I've been using flonase (prescription) and claritin to clear it up. I'm not sure if what your describing could be from fluid, but allergies/ear infection might be the culprit.

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

You know, it could be an allergy thing, 'cause I definitely have those. I think I just started to panic as I started to realize all the really serious things that could be causing it (i.e., bugs, ear cancer, aliens, blood-pressure, etc.).

And just so's ya know, I'm having so much fun with my prompt.

[rroselavy.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you are having fun with it! I know a lot of participants are struggling, so it's good to hear that someone is finding the exercise enjoyable. ^_____^

Yeah, it was driving me bonkers, and then we had the swine flu scare so I finally went to my MD. For me, it's either allergies or a persistent low level infection. I'm still feeling pressure, but not the clogged sensation. I hope you get to the MD so you can allay your worries.

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I've had this trouble before too. I tried resizing the window slightly by pulling the lower bit down just a little way, and that righted the subs (you might have already fixed the problem by now; this comment is so late!). Hope that helps anyway. :)

[jedishampoo.livejournal.com]

Well, we actually want to watch it on the TV... though it sounds like that is not a real option and that computer will have to be it or nothing! Darnit. :)

Thank you, though! ::BIG HUGS::

[moshesque.livejournal.com]

Ohh, I see! Hm, is there a button or option on your TV for the aspect ratio? I can change mine to widescreen, normal screen, or a letterbox style screen, but I don't know if all TVs have this capability. If you have the manual, maybe see if there's anything in there about the aspect ratio.

[clytemnaestra.livejournal.com]

I've had this same problem with fansubs, actually ... but never really fixed it. My tv will let you change the ratio settings, and I can usually get it to watchable level. I want to say that the Rumbel subs were more readable, but they start off at episode 25. And definitely don't hold your breath waiting for a US release of Gintama! It ain't gonna happen, no matter how hard I kick and scream and yell and pimp out the Gintama-ness! :(