About Me: I axed this section when I last updated my profile, but if anyone out there actually wants to know a little bit about me, I'd feel bad for denying you that. So I'll bring this bit back. I'm a recent college graduate. Don't really have anything else interesting to add beyond that, apart from my crazy interest in classical history and Italian. So don't be surprised if one or either of those things winds up influencing my stories where applicable.

Favorite Books: The A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin, Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield, The Iliad and Odyssey by Homer and La Divina Commedia by Dante Alighieri.

Favorite Movies: Inception, Red Cliff, Pan's Labyrinth, The Usual Suspects, WALL-E

Favorite Music: I'm just going to do this by genre, as a list of artists individually would be too long. Film Scores of varying genres, experimental instrumental music, hip-hop, classic rock, techno.

The Bumps for my Buddies:

So, Anonymous and Heroes If you enjoyed my story 'Torn', which, judging by its reception, I assume a fair number of you did, I have a recommendation for you. Even if you didn't enjoy Torn, though, the recommendation still holds. No excuses; play like a champion. The stories are "So", "Anonymous" and "Heroes". It's an amazing trilogy by the awesome JasoTheArtisan, and it's better than 'Torn'. So much better, in fact, that it makes my head hurt just thinking about it. So read it, review it and love it; you won't regret taking the time to do so. HOWEVER, it's rated 'M', so if you're offended by course language, violence or sex, then consider yourself warned. This trilogy is on a short list of fanfiction I've read multiple times, and with very good reason.

Declaration: An awesome Vizard-focused story written by F1yMordecai. Set shortly after World War 2, it's a great look at the Vizards trying to make do living in the Human World as their lives get more and more complicated. Also featuring some other familiar faces as well, it's a very solid execution of a very original premise. Definitely worth a look, and don't forget to leave feedback! This story's rated 'M' as well.

Nebula: Great Urahara/Yoruichi story by MatsuMama, charting the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of the ambitious scientist and special forces captain. Criss-crossing back and forth between the days immediately following their exile from Soul Society and the days before Urahara was even a Captain, it's a very engrossing look at the history between the two of them-- especially in how it explores the beginning of their relationship. The tone never strays too far into sentimentality, creating a nice balance between drama and warm-and-fuzzy payoff moments.

ALSO: Jaso and I have turned one of my stories, 'The Guns of Karakura', into a collaboration. Early reviews of the finalized plot have hailed it as "The Best f&ing fanfic ever". I, for one, am inclined to agree. Check it out.

And Last But Certainly Not Least: Big ups and even bigger thanks (along with a healthy dose of awe at the sheer awesomeness of her mad skillz) go out to F1yMordecai, for cranking out an absolutely kick-ass piece of UlquiNel art based on a scene from my story 'Torn'. Check it out here: http://f1ymordecai .deviantart. com/art/I-m-glad-you-re-here-131873250 (remove the spaces before and after .deviantart.)

In other news: So apparently, one of my stories (my Full Metal Panic one-shot 'Restless') was nominated for the "Dotmoon UFO Awards", which is a sort of reader's choice shortlist for the best fanfiction on the 'net within a given year. This really surprised me, since I had no idea these Awards even existed, but some of my readers enjoyed my story enough to nominate me for one. And all I can say to that is thank you all very much; it really makes me glad to know people out there enjoy reading the things I write. You guys are awesome.

Update: Results are in, and I got First Place in the category, and Member's Choice for best in the category. Which is pretty freaking awesome. So gargantuan thanks once again to those who got 'Restless' nominated, and thanks also to everyone who voted for it-- you all rock!!

All the best, and happy reading!

Jazzpha.