Great thread with informative and civil discussion for the most part. Have been lurking for some time and wanted to get some clarification on something I have been wondering about if anyone can answer:

Based on the discussion that has been going on so far, it seems like most of us feel that gender, sex, and sexual preference are all fluid but separate things. My understanding of gender is that it is the state of possessing traits typically attributed (seemingly arbitrarily) to one sex or the other and that it is basically a cultural and social construct. Given these assumptions, for those of us who feel that they may have the mind of someone of the other gender, how does this in some cases lead to wanting to alter one's sex? Is there a direct connection between feminine and masculine character traits and female and male anatomy?

I am genuinely curious and would like to hear about your experiences with this. I have been considered non gender conforming for most of my life but have never really felt any desire to change my body based on what our culture sees as man or woman. Obviously I can understand wanting to have a different body if one prefers the physical features of the other sex or simply wants to be seen as a certain sex by others but I guess the connection to a masculine or feminine personality isn't exactly clear to me. If gender is a spectrum, shouldn't any combination of behaviors and traits be acceptable for female or male?

Sorry if this seems like an ignorant question. I recognize that the gender binary is deeply entrenched and can't just be ignored but I am curious about the emotional aspect of this.

@Mr.:

Eclipse tease. Perfect hiatus bait.

Don't know why everyone is so surprised that Guts just wanted to cut to the chase. The only reason they set out for this island in the first place was to heal Casca, knowing full well that "Elf Hell" awaited Guts' addled mind.

That's not really true though. Initially they decided to go there because the cave at Godo's place was destroyed and Guts wanted somewhere else safe for Casca to live. He didn't learn until much later that the elf king might be able to heal her and seemed conflicted about it until this point.

I am interested in whether Casca will remember the events that occurred during her lost state of mind, especially her child.

Interesting chapter but I'm sort of surprised that Gut's didn't hesitate more about healing Casca considering the Skull Knight's comment and that obviously remembering herself from before isn't going to make her the happiest… I also feel like it's strange for him to be left out of the process but I guess it will serve as a way for the rest of the cast to learn more about Guts and Casca. Man, this is going to be a rough hiatus.

LOVE Kubo's, and Kishimoto's is pretty awesome and original too. They may not be able to keep my attention with their stories but boy can they art.

Toriyama's little comic page is great, his personality never changes. Also feel somewhat validated in ignoring super after the first few episodes if he's complaining about it too.

Nice work CaptainAppleJack! I particularly like the Corazon cosplay.

Here's a pic of me being a forest person. And clearly in need of proper sleep.

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Well I've watched the series in Japanese primarily and I still think this is a crappy soundtrack. Also, there's too much of it. It seems like the Japanese are now just as afraid of silence as we Americans are.

You know, as horrible a character as Rebecca has been and as bland as I find Kyros, I did actually feel happy for them in their reunion this chapter. Yeah, given the flashback with Scarlet, it was a very predictable outcome but after all they've been through it was nice to finally get this closure.

I also kind of like that Luffy and co are being seen off as villains due to this misunderstanding since they are pirates after all, but it makes the citizens of Dressrosa look like unbelievable jerks.

@taboo:

Cafe Du Monde for beignets and coffee in the morning

That's actually one of the only things on our list so far. Good to know it's the right choice.

@Jazzy:

Oh yeah, things have definitely changed a lot since then. Katrina completely changed the landscape of certain areas and tons of businesses have shut down and opened up in their place. But dang, Tulane? Your parents are really impressive, that school is arguably the best one in Louisiana. Are they in the medical field by any chance?

Ha, my parents never went on to do anything important but I think while they were there my father studied engineering and my mother studied fine arts.

Wow, do I want to try fried alligator? I have been conditioned to enjoy a lot of cajun food like jambalaya and red beans and rice and to use generous amounts of Tobasco sauce, but whole pigs and squirrel pie? hrmm.

@Jazzy:

I actually live in New Orleans. Most people I know like to go to Bourbon Street for bars and such though that's mostly younger people. I admittedly don't know too many other bars since I prefer to stay home and drink. There's a lot of cool stuff and restaurants, including a muffulata place, around the French Quarter. While you're there you guys should definitely try our po-boys out. Denny's is a good restaurant for that one (and no, not the franchise).

When I found out po-boys were practically a Louisiana exclusive I felt really bad for the rest of the world. Regular sandwiches don't hold a candle to them. =P

Any other questions just shoot me a PM. I can obviously ask my friends and family if I don't have one of your answers off the top of my head.

Thanks for the suggestions! I never realized po-boys were just a Louisiana thing, so I guess any sandwiches by that name that I've had up to this point were probably not very authentic. My friends and I are really into good food and we will be staying a few blocks from the French Quarter so I will definitely look into it.

Both of my parents actually went to Tulane so I feel stupid for not asking them but I imagine things were a bit different 30 years ago. My father has brought up the muffalettas a lot though.

So, I'm trying to help plan this bachelorette party in New Orleans for my friend but I've never been there before. I can think of a bunch of architecture nerd stuff I would do if I were there on my own but I figured I would ask about any fun bars/restaurants/attractions that anyone here might be familiar with. Ideas?