FISH OUT OF WATER

Sunday, August 16. 2009

Reading Ms. Aura’s twitter postings, I see that she and Nigel seem to be adjusting to human life. In the end, whatever role she has in monitoring two dimensions and the connections and balance between them, she’s basically a mom who wants the best for her child. She’s actually nervous about sending Nigel off to kindergarden for the first time, despite having spent the previous years in an environment stocked with sharks! (As we all know, Nigel won’t encounter sharks until middle school.)
From my brief sojourn into the human world I imagine that she’s facing some unique challenges. Our two worlds are so similar in many ways, which lulls one into a comfort zone until some jarring exception is encountered. Danielle tells me she still experiences this even after all these years.
Having an interim period as dolphins in the ocean was probably a wise, albeit apparently unplanned decision. The human realm will be more like their previous life in Domain in comparison to the aquatic environment.
Speaking of fish out of water, Fenton and I saw the new Miyazaki film “Ponyo” last night. It’s absolutely magical, more in the vein of his “My Neighbor Totoro” rather than the intense “Princess Mononoke” or his masterwork “Spirited Away.” Still, my favorite film of his is still “Kiki’s Delivery Service.”
Today’s question: Guess why!

Posted by Lindesfarne at 11:56 | Comments (19) | Trackbacks (0)

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she flies(on broomstick). you fly(with fenton). thus you feel a conection.

#1 asdf on 2009-08-16 12:53 (Reply)

Uhh...because Kiki is the only witch in town, just like your position in your society is so unique?

#2 Thomas Mazanec (Link) on 2009-08-16 12:55 (Reply)

No sharks until middle school?! I guess that depends on how you define 'sharks.' If you're talking about bullies, they occur at all levels. If you mean vicious, malign predators (which sharks aren't, over here), from what I see on the news daily they can be encountered at any age... even before you go to school. (Over here, sharks are merely well adapted predators who kill to eat. On the rare occasion they attack a human, it's almost always mistaken identity.)

I don't what species Kiki is over there, but I'll guess the obvious: She's of a non-flying species... and she flies. Now, who does that remind me of of?

I'd think Porco Rosso and Laputa (excuse me: Castle in the Sky) would be high on the list as well, if that's the reason.

#3 CharlieG on 2009-08-16 13:20 (Reply)

It is easy to guess why you like Kiki's Delivery Service. The ability to soar is one of your greatest joys. Well, second greatest, now that I think about it. Your greatest would most likely be a certain fellow who allows you to soar. I am sure your readers on both sides will post how their local version of the film is different from the one one on the other side of the portal (no matter which side that is!)

Must dash. I just stop by home to pick up a few things and I have a cab waiting.

#4 Patch O'Black on 2009-08-16 14:01 (Reply)

It couldn't possibly be because of the huge flying element, could it?

Spirited Away is my favorite, with Totoro a close second.

#5 Nicky Firenight on 2009-08-16 14:42 (Reply)

Those who guessed the flying angle get a gold star.

For the uninitiated, Kiki is a 13-year-old who loses confidence in her ability to fly.
And yes, I meant the non-aquatic sharks.

#6 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-08-16 15:18 (Reply)

I saw Ponyo last year in the origional Japanese with subtitles (got to love anime clubs). In it, she's not actualy a fish but a sea spirit that looks like a fish. I have no idea if they call her a sea-spirit in the American version or not, could sombody tell me?

Also, Kiki's is my favorite too, just for the lighthearted nature of the film.

#7 Bioman on 2009-08-16 17:33 (Reply)

In the U.S. version Ponyo is referred to as a fish; specifically, a goldfish.

#8 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-08-16 17:42 (Reply)

Spirited Away is by far my favorite of all times. Just... the magic of the story is so beautiful, the message is sound, and the caracters seem real! Kiki's Delivery service take a close second, my reasons being the same as yours Lindesfarne. I've always wanted to fly...

Speaking of flying, no love for Porcco Rosso or The Cat Returns? -Blinks- Thats... intresting.

Ponyo looks good, I'm hopeing to see it soon. Speaking of movies, does your side have a version of District 9? I saw it a little while ago and it was fantastic. The story and Sci-Fi elements blended well.

#9 Adam on 2009-08-17 00:48 (Reply)

I've seen every film Miyazaki has made since "Nausicaa"... except for "Porcco Rosso." I'll have to rectify that.
"The Cat Returns" is a Studio Ghibli film, but not directed by the master (although he was involved in its production).
"District 9" opened this weekend, too. A film about outcasts? Yeah, I'll be seeing it.

#10 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-08-17 01:35 (Reply)

Whooops. My mistake on "The Cat Returns" ^-^;

So far, I've only been hearing good things about District 9, and I can't wait to see it myself.

#10.1 Adam on 2009-08-17 10:39 (Reply)

I haven't seen Ponyo yet, it hasn't been released in my language yet.
I loved every other movie of Studio Ghibli and the Period before the formation of it by the "team".
Only Nausicaä gave me an arkward feeling, since I made the mistake to watch "Warriors Of The Wind".
From the pre-Ghibli time, I liked "The Castle of Cagliostro" most, maybe because I read "The Countess of Cagliostro" first.
Question to the "other side":
What species are Arsène Lupin and Arsène Lupin III in your world?

#10.2 Mike O'Hare on 2009-08-17 15:21 (Reply)

If I understand things right, he's obviously a squirrel.

#10.2.1 Nw on 2009-08-18 03:29 (Reply)

Actually, there are two possibilities, one of which is a joke. Lupine (with an e) means "like or resembling a wolf." Some of the early translated Lupin III episodes referred to him as "Wolf."

The other (joke) definition is that Lupin III is a French cat burglar...

#11 CharlieG on 2009-08-18 11:01 (Reply)

I've been reading Ms. Aura’s tweets too. What are these fascinating creatures called humans?

Also I started my own twitter as well.

#12 Purple Small (Link) on 2009-08-19 18:34 (Reply)

RUn a google image search on them, there's plenty of drawings and 3D modles and cosplay of them. I would recomend useing safe search though, as some images can get disturbing. Aparently some people treat it as a fetish.

#12.1 Bioman on 2009-08-20 22:59 (Reply)

Just remember: Skinny = Okay, Blah = Yuck!

#12.1.1 Mike O'Hare on 2009-08-23 08:13 (Reply)

Query about Kiki's Delivery Service.

In the human version, Kiki realized her powers were fading when she could no longer communicate with the cat Jiji. What was the matching moment in the Domain version?

#13 Bookkeeper-At-Arms on 2009-08-22 20:04 (Reply)

In our version of "Kiki," Jiji was a talking cattail plant.

#14 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-08-23 11:58 (Reply)

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