the cat's namesake, and a lottery prize

Instead of just a picture of the original Ryuzaki, I thought I'd post a video. You can skip the intro song if it annoys you as much as it annoys me, having heard it a thousand times. This is when the police are getting introduced to L, the world's greatest detective, who's never revealed his face before. I think you will see my cat in him.

And second, Mom, this is Fanatica, my all-time favorite Pullip. I think she is perfect. Honestly, I do not anyone I know to pay that much for a plastic doll. But I just had to show off what I believe is the pinnacle of Pullips.


SWEETEST FACE OF ALL TIME. In five years they have yet to come up with a prettier smile. Even if she didn't come in a red and black punk-Lolita outfit, I'd be in love. That's all just a plus.

END OF DORKFEST FOR THE NIGHT I PROMISE.

Attn: North Pole

Dear Santa,

Clarity is back in stock at Pullipstyle, and she's even on sale!

Just sayin'.

Best,
Erica

Dear Santa:

I have been a very good girl this year, much better than any recent years. I overcame my extreme fears and went back to school, and am doing very well there so far. I rescued a stray and became a cat mommy. I hope it's not too early for you to receive gift lists. My requests this year are a little unusual, so I thought I'd give your elves ample notice.

The most important thing I want is a new digital camera, since mine has started to fail. Not a large or expensive one, just a basic Canon Elph like before. However, I expect my parents might get this for me, since I've told them about it several times.

This is where you come in. I know it's been awhile since I've asked this of you, but I find myself once again in need of your services.

I want a doll.

My parents will not get me dolls, I'm fairly sure. But you might. You used to.

These Japanese dolls, called Pullips, are about the same price as American Girl dolls, but they're really not for kids. They're delicate things, made for photography and display more than play. They are also customizable and extremely addictive. It's hard to explain unless you immerse yourself in the community.

This one, Clarity, is my favorite. I absolutely want her, so even if I don't get her for Chistmas I'll buy her anyway once I've sold enough old things of mine. She has the most beautiful face, and she's so sophisticated, even my mom might like her. At the main site she's currently restocking, but she is available at this alternate site. I adore her so much. I will name her Margot.

Rida is another of my favorites, Clarity's polar opposite. I would name her Sako, after Haru's high school best friend. I love her style, and she's quite cheap because some problems have been reported (which I know how to fix). But because of the price, I could maybe even save for her myself. There are a couple other dolls (eg. My Melody and Marianne) whose faces I love and for whom I have character ideas, but whose stock outfits aren't really for me. It makes more sense for me to get those ones second hand, where they are often sold cheaper without their original outfits.

I have two dolls now: Haru, who was Horizon, and Jenna Celeste, who was Celsiy. It's Haru's fault I got into this hobby in the first place. He was a gift from friends. Jenna I got second hand for a good price.


They are cute together aren't they? They're college buddies.

Finally, I have also fallen madly in love with the November boy release, Richt, who has the most beautiful face of any of the boys yet. He's going to be Haru's boyfriend Liam. Haru is going to steal his flamboyant outfit, while Liam adopts a more conservative style. ;) Yeah, I preordered him. He'll be arriving in early December. He was my early Christmas present to myself. So even if you don't want to grant my wish for Clarity, or anyone else, a retroactive cash donation to assuage the guilt of buying Richt early would be a nice consolation prize.

Pullips are The Thing I'm into right now. I think about them a lot and talk to other collectors and take pictures and dream. I know it's an expensive obsession, but the online buying/selling/trading market is huge and a major part of the hobby, so it's not like I'll regret having them or won't be able to sell them one day if I need to. If I got gift money from my parents, this is where it would go. But even if I explained that to them, I really don't know if they'd be okay with buying me a doll for Christmas, or that matter, for my 25th birthday. So that's why I'm asking you, Santa Claus. Because Christmas hasn't been the same without you. <3

There's really nothing else I want. I don't need a phone, an iPod, or a laptop. I still have more clothes than I can wear and too little time to read non-school books. I don't buy CDs much these days and listen to everything online. So I don't know what to tell you, Santa. Maybe I'm regressing, but in the words of Sheryl Crow, if it makes you happy it can't be that bad.

Hope the economy's not hitting you too hard up there. If you ask me, you should have gotten the Peace Prize.

Sincerely,
Erica