I love Batman Beyond so much.

It totally cracked me up how Robin is a girl in this musical. I think I would die of happiness if Batman: The Musical ever happened.

Terry: C'mon, it took me weeks to get tickets for this show. It's schway!
Bruce: It's schwarbage.

I love cranky old Bruce. I love Terry! I just really love this show. Its badass intro. And its villains (Okay, so they weren't the original Batman villains. They were still pretty good.). And Terry's supporting cast. ♥


1. Would you ever want to visit Iran, or have you already visited? If you have, how did you find it, considering its rather painful place in your family's memories? If that question is too personal (and I'm sorry if it is), substitute this one: where does your LJ name ("the very butcher of a silk button") come from?
I've never visited Iran but all my family members there want me to. My parents can't go back, which is why I've never gone before because I'd always stick with my parents but the family in Iran thinks I'm old enough to go on my own. I'd really like to go, but I admit I would be scared. In a way Iran is so incredibly important to me and who I am, but I don't know the place all that well. My parents have seen that place in more than two decades. The country from their stories isn't the same as Iran is now. There is this huge gap between me and Iranian teenagers. I also don't want to know what people there will say about my Farsi. But still, I feel like I should go.

As for my LJ name, the explanation is here. :)

2. For one week, you are only allowed to do ONE of the following for entertainment: read books, listen to music, or attend social events with friends. Which do you pick?
Haha, ouch. I think I'd go with the last option, simply because I should do more of that. Not reading any books isn't that difficult but not listening to any music? Man, that would be ridiculously hard.

3. Do you think the Dutch monarchy should be abolished?
Theoretically I'm a republican. But the Dutch monarchy doesn't seem worth the trouble of abolishing it. I do think that the last vestiges of power left to the queen should be removed. And I'm very petty about this but I'd wish people would stop gushing about the Oranjes. They don't deserve it and it makes my skin crawl. But I know that most Dutch people love the royal family, so I don't think they're ever going to go away. The only Oranje I've ever remotely liked is Prince Claus (and perhaps Juliana. And maybe Constantijn, but that's mostly his name and that one interpretation in that one tv series where he was a secret republican).

4. Martin vs. Pratchett vs. LeGuin: which is the best, and why? (Saying "They are all special in their own way" may be true, but is still cheating and therefore not allowed).
You are so mean. But okay, I'm going to say Pratchett. His output (I mean, over forty Discworld books. That's crazy!) combined with the high quality makes him the winner for me. ASOIAF is way more epic, but Discworld just has so much brilliant humor, and it's amazing how pterry touches upon certain universal themes (just look at Small Gods). And personally I think that Pratchett is also the best when it comes to his own image. He is just made of class and awesome. Le Guin is great but her books aren't as close to my heart as ASOIAF and Discworld.

5. Why the viola and not, say, the cello or the bassoon or the ocarina?
Well, I started out as a violinist, but came to the horrific conclusion that high notes weren't really my thing. In which case the viola is the best, because the sound is lower and warmer (so much warmer, just lovely). I like the cello just fine, but I don't think I'd play it. And the harp is amazing but let me tell you, it's so incredibly difficult, you really have to have talent for that one, and the harp isn't as much of a teamplayer.
The sucky part is that the violas get shafted a lot in the orchestra because the middle tone is always the hardest to hear. We depend a lot of composers who love the viola on their own to get good parts. That and we're the butt monkeys of the orchestra. Well. It depends, in quite a few orchestras the second violins have that honour.
Here is a viola solo, in case you're wondering.


Which File Extension are You?


I'm so tired. But pleased! I handed in my scientific review and did the presentation and they got a 8,5 and 9 respectively (and got a prize for it!). I handed in my interview with a geriatric patient. I did my body examination test today (had to show all the ways you check the head and neck) and got an Outstanding (I also had to go to the library and copy all the bowing directions for the symphony we're going to do next, which took way too long). Now I just have to wait for my exam grade. Tomorrow is my day off but I know I have to do so much homework. I just can't afford to get behind, now that our new semester started (Infections and Immune diseases, which started off with HIV week). Boo.

Also, I've been giggling over this sporking of Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin (the source of the "I'm the Goddamn Batman" panel). I'd read the original in the bookshop and was baffled about how bad it was (and sad because Jim Lee is a good comics artist) but this just makes it all better. Part One, Part Two and Part Three (contains the most WTF image in comics ever). You don't have to read the comic to read the sporkings. They're understandable (with pictures!) and the guy who did the mocking did it in a brilliant way.

ETA: OMG, Young Justice Animated Series?! \o/