Star Trek from different points of view

(tags academic, culture, criticism, remake, CG)

Someone with rock-solid attention span seriously studied Star Trek. Dr. Djoymi Baker's 90,000 word dissertation on Star Trek, called "Broadcast Space: TV Culture, Myth and Star Trek" won the University of Melbourne’s Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in the PhD, presumably in the Humanities and Creative Arts area. She studied the source material, a whopping 624 hours, to draw insights on how we create and continue our myths. (Thanks Slashdot, U. Melbourne PR, The Age)

I too have studied about 90% of the source material, over dinner, on lazy Saturday afternoons, channel surfing in the middle of the night, etc, multiple times. I'm definately not alone in this respect. Only Enterprise and The Animated Series has escaped my review. I systematically re-watched The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager on DVD. I wish I had the foresight to review (or at least rank) each episode, though.

But to study it with a critical eye on the "myths" takes academic stamina. One example is the link between the series and the space race, and how one promoted the other, and vice versa. I'm pretty sure she touches on race diversity and gender relations. What other myths and mores underlay this series? This dissertation sounds very interesting and I want to read it. How many pages is 90,000 words? Can you download this? Is this going to go in some book somewhere? Do I have to go to a Star Trek convention to get it?

Then the wire puts out another Star Trek rumbling: The CG remake of The Original Series (TOS) on High-Definition format (thanks again Slashdot, The Digital Bits). Ugh, go ahead with your money-grabbing conversion, but you don't have to make me watch it. Wait, I don't want it to be converted at all. Showing the outmoded space scenes intensifies the idealism and vision. I want newer viewers who have never witnessed a transporter scene to feel the jarring that comes from the reminder of yesteryear's special effects. You're not watching a product, you're watching history.

Well, luckily (!) I already secured my own canonical copy of TOS on DVD. Heh. I wonder if the Animated Series on DVD will ever reach Japanese shores (it was released on LaserDisc with only Japanese voices)? Should I fire off a query email to U.S.S. Kyushuu?

Still on a mission: Tobi D+vine Artworks by Naoki Honda, Yano in French, Tobi Tsukihime

(tags over-18, doujin, doujinshi, artist, illustrator, music)

I found one blogger (猫鯖のパテ缶) who was boasting his Comic Market 70 haul, which included 3 copies of Tobi D+vine Art Works and Tobitsuki Illustration Note, each. Ah, jealous. Hopefully when I go to Osaka ("on a mission", ha ha) there will be a used, hopefully mint copies at K-Books or Books Lashinbang.

I also found through the Internet search a works biography for Masashi Yano in French, on the Square Music fan site. It's like I can understand what they're saying, not. All the nouns are Proper. Heh, they use the same dark glasses bust post of him, very funny. Turns out he worked on some Square-Enix PS2 game called Itadaki Street Special. Nice.

I can't close the topic on Yano without mentioning that he quit his work association with Super Sweep due to health problems last month. This is sad and I suppose the only thing I can do (other than thank him on his blog) is buy his OSTs. All in good time.

One last thing I forgot to mention last time was that Tobi Tsukihime makers 01 step posted a demo movie of their Super Play Hell DVD sold only at Comic Market 70. Shoot man, why do you have to tease me with this 100 MB+ trailer? How is this different from that DVD pack-in in the final store version (とびつきひめショップ版について)? Well for one thing, it's a super play on "Hell" difficulty. Plus the score is wicked sick: 370 million plus. I hope they consider selling it through doujin shops.

Ruby documents to your local drive

(tags ruby, programming, documentation, install)

On Windows I've standardized on Ruby One-Click Installer 1.8.4-20 stable. (1.8.5-21 just showed up yesterday but this package takes a bit of time to stablize, eh?)

Then I start downloading documentation from ruby-doc.org, collected into convenient packages:

• Core API
• Standard API
• "Document Bundle":  A grab bag of interesting but somewhat out of date info.

I place these directories into my installed directory, for example: C:\App\ruby\doc\ruby. I then make a HTML file that points to the index.html inside of those local copies.

Other interesting docs:

• Rake: Using the Rake Build Language
• WxRuby

Then I start installing Gems:

• Rails
• SNMP
• Tar2RubyScript and RubyScript2Exe: Distributing Ruby Applications: Theory and Practice of Building, Packing and Distributing Ruby Applications

Then I make sure to run the RubyGems Rdoc server then edit that HTML file previously in order to navigate to it.

ri and fxri bomb on "Test::Unit", go figure.

The real Ichigo Mashimaro

(tags candy)

Fluffy pink on the outside, with strawberry jam in the middle. These are pretty tasty. No nutritional value, of course. I never even imagined "Strawberry Marshmellow", but this is nice, chewy and sweet. It sure beats anpan (sweet bean cake), ugh I dislike anpan immensely.

On a mission: Tobitsuki Hime, Tobi D+vine, Naoki Honda, Masashi Yano

(tags game, Windows, doujin, artist, illustrator, music, over-18)

That doujin game Tobitsuki Hime by 01 Step blew me away on three fronts, gameplay, illustration graphics, and music. I still listen to Masashi Yano (矢野雅士) tracks because they are so rockin' up beat. iTunes tells me that I've played the tracks from the OST album an average of 20 times. It's just simply excellent stuff.

It seems I didn't do my homework though. While checking up illustrator Naoki Honda (本田直樹) hanamaru channel site (over-18 tendancies), I started digging up some information about (at least one) previous collaboration between him and Masashi Yano on a commercial 18-only PC shmup called Tobi D+vine (とびでばいん). Not only that, Tobitsuki Hime's stylings are seemingly grounded from Tobi D+vine. This is the point when I went crazy. WTF?! I missed this 2001 PC shmup?! Why? It's ironic that these two artists first worked on a commercial offering, then worked together on a doujin "successor". Just swap the programmers out, huh.

And what's this, it comes with an original soundtrack for two previous Abogado Powers games Shuumatsu no Sugoshikata (終末の過ごし方) and D+VINE[LUV] with music from Masashi Yano!?! Now this is the point where I was fit to be tied. Gotta have it, gotta have it.

I had to verify most information on the official homepage. Wow, look at all the goodies. Honda illustrations FTW! Actually I got the impression that this was a all-ages PC game, since none of the pages seemed 18-older. But I overlooked the biggest clue: panty shot on the package itself. I must be desensitized to these things.

I then looked on the Yahoo Auctions to see the price and rarity. At the time, there was two TC cards out for less than 1000 yen used individually and a used first edition PC version, no picture. Hm, about 3000 yen with the OST CD. Great.

I kinda have given up on Kobe stores for anything used. Though Sofmap seems to have their used prices shared between stores, I doubted that I'd find this 2001 PC game. And indeed I didn't. But I did luck out at a mom and pop used game store in Sannomiya Center-gai. So here's the haul, though it's only one package:

We have the PC game package with the front covered. The top left is the Insanity Abogado Powers OST CD. The right is the Tobitsuki Hime OST, which I purchased previously. Notice the logos are stylized the same way. When I looked at the back of the box, there was no doubt that this was an 18-only game. Ha ha. I just ripped the CD for right now, comments on the game later if I ever get to it. As for the music itself, hmm, it doesn't rock out like I want it to, but it's fun.

So illustrator Naoki Honda has had on-off commercial career. But I like his style of drawing with the Tobitsuki Hime. On his home page, he announced that he attended Comic Market 70 with a Tobitsuki Hime full color illustration booklet and stuff he wasn't able to sell out last year, a Tobi D+vine illustration booklet. Wonderful eyes. It seems he changed his drawing style over the years. This is the first thing that made me wish I went to Comic Market 70, since there's no announcement for shop selling (委託販売).

Also music artist Masashi Yano hasn't been idling at all. I checked out his works page and he's been very busy. To top it off, he has background music credits on that new Xbox 360 game, Bullet Witch. Excellent! He's linked up with Super Sweep, and I saw that there's a Tobi D+vine original soundtrack and The Nightmare of Druaga original soundtrack also to his credit. OMG, will I go crazy again? You bettcha!

Considering a new hobby: music artist Live Events

(tags anime, video, artist, music, promotion)

There are some more interesting Joshin/Disc Pier Nipponbashi Live Events scheduled, such as the Sachi Tainaka (タイナカ サチ) event on 2006/09/09 as well as the Aya Hirano (平野綾) on 2006/09/24.

I want to hear Aya Hirano in person because her voice has range, but the default setting is too high. Check out the Hey! Hey! Hey! host on this swiped video, he's clutching his throat because he can't believe Hirano's default voice is that high.

I also want to hear Sachi Tainaka because her B-side song on her single of the 2006 anime Fate/Stay Night OP, "Wasure kakete ita no kana" (忘れかけていたのかな) is powerfully emotional and beautifully executed. I haven't bought her second single yet though. I don't like that song that much. The song that will be on sale 8/30 is "Saikou no kata omoi" (最高の片想い) which is the ED song from anime Saiunkoku Monogatari (彩雲国物語). Both this song and my favorite song showcase what I like about her voice. You can hear the former on her official web page.

Hikaru Utada rocks 32 people in Tetris DS

(tags game, Tetris, DualScreen, Nintendo, event, advertisement, convention)

Held at the same time as Comic Market 70 on 2006/08/12 but definately not at the same place, J-pop queen and Nintendo DualScreen front-line spokeswoman Hikaru Utada (宇多田ヒカル) took on all Tetris DS comers in a Nintendo sponsored event, according to Kotaku. The previous link has an official video, and she is fast! She beat 26 out of 30 guests who were winners of the Tetris DS contest, and 1 of 2 Tetris DS software developers. I think I would lose to her because I don't play Tetris that fast.

I remember the first time the official DS website opened almost two years ago with commericials of Utada. Here was my attempt at humor with her song titles... Yeah I said attempt, not success.

Kashimashi: towel blemished, send it back; Raving about Yukimaru Katsura

(tags anime, character goods, failure, ECsite, purchase)

Two weeks ago I got what I ordered from Megami Magazine July 2006 and Dengeki Daioh Magazine July 2006 (ordered around 5/24). It's the Kashimashi telephone card sets (from the former) and a micro-fiber towel (from the latter)!

I was happy. Then I looked at Hazumu's face on the towel and saw that there was blemish. If you though my camera was crap (as in too dark), wait till you see me try to make it zoom:

Can you see the blue blemish between Hazumu's left eye and nonexistent nose? Can you see it now?

It looks bad enough to my eyes, but the previous photos don't illustrate the flaw too well.

Satisfaction guaranteed? I took up the Dengeki mail order service on this support issue. I did send the towel back to see if I could get a replacement. Still waiting...

In other Kashimashi related activities, I did get the fifth DVD for this anime. The covers of the DVD are stunningly beautiful. It is illustrated by the original manga series illustrator Yukimaru Katsura (桂遊生丸). He has an official page as well as sparse Wikipedia entry. I was surprised to learn that he also did some work with Air (manga) and Yumeria (manga)! Thinking about it some more, it is evident that the above micro-fiber towel is his work as well!

I need to confirm if the PlayStation 2 game used Yukimaru Katsura for the in-game illustrations. I raved about it previously (on 2006-04-04 and 2006-06-16), right?

Everybody must comment on Kanon Prelude DVD

(tags anime, purchase, DVD)

Except me, even though I bought it. I just haven't watched it yet. Here's a picture of the DVD along with another haul.

Well I got two sources on my blogroll talking about Kanon: Prelude DVD already, Mr. Alvin and Matthew's Anime Blog.

Mr. Alvin watches everything (anime) on his HD (High Definition) television from the original sources. He's not impressed with the DVD and the Kyoto Animation studio. He blames the DVD's SD (Standard Defintion) for lack of impact because the winter isn't expressed as vividly as well as the summer in Air. He says the quality of the animation hasn't fallen in comparison to Air, but it just doesn't evoke more staying power than a "consistent quality, beautifully render". This echos his sentiments on Haruhi (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱) as well. He is looking forward to the HD version of Kanon. I find his assessment harsh and probably clouded, but then again, I don't watch the tons of anime he does (up to 30 programs every season?!), nor have I played the original game like he has, so I give his assessment ample weight. I get the feeling that he won't ever consider purchasing an anime DVD set ever again, instead he's already moved onto HD-DVD or Blu-Ray. I, on the other hand, love the DVD format as it is enough quality for me, and I dread this HD-DVD/Blu-Ray war, begun it has.

Matthew's Anime Blog on the other hand, hails from the USA. I don't know how he got his copy, but I don't think it's from the DVD. His review has pictures and compares the Kyoto Animation to the the previous Toei release. In any case, he's my thermometer on the fandom in the US. He gives this work a thumbs up and does not find fault with any of the animation. I find the contrast of opinion striking, because as a college student, he's probably watching Internet rips and DVD quality video and has little or no experience with HD. (Same as me.) But then again, his focus is on the content and not the animation and techical itself. (Same as me.) I definately share the same interests as Matthew. Anime is (must be) cute.

As for me, this is my first foray into Kanon canon, despite all the Kanon-based doujin games and manga that have crept into my collection (example: the doujin shmup Hishou Ayu 飛翔鮎). I even have the PlayStation 2 game, somewhere in my stack (but none of the PC 18-older or general audience versions). Based on Mr. Alvin's enthusiasm I decided to get this Prelude DVD, but my mind is still not made up on Key (Wikipedia page), the original makers of Kanon (in 1999?!). That's why I'm watching Air DVD right now, it's another of their works that I must finish.

Diminishing returns on Final Fantasy 12

(tags game, Final Fantasy, PlayStation 2, spoiler)

Spoiler! This whole post is a spoiler! You have been warned.

At 10% life left, that boss did not give up without a fight. He raised his own level and smothered my characters with 1 hit death attacks. I went 13 rounds with this guy, perhaps 300 or 400 Phoenix Downs, probably 8 to 10 hours. I gave up on status improving spells such as Haste, Protect because my party spent most of its precious attack time on these secondary spells. It was either resurrect or fight for the last 1 or 2 hours. At the end I fumbled my camera and I could only enjoy this one picture.

The name of this boss is Yazumatto (or also Yazmat), which is a nod to the original producer, Yasumi Matsuno (松野泰己). He is renown for making critically acclaimed console RPGs, such has the Orge Battle series, Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and finally Final Fantasy XII. It is notable that both Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy XII garnered perfect Famitsu scores of 40/40 score.

Okay, according to the FAQ-support, there's only one extra boss left. I dread this boss. Heck I want to quit now. Also I just started the fishing game which is interesting.

175+ hours. And maybe if I don't get frustrated with 1 hit kills, I will get that last boss.

Roast 'em alive: George Takei does William Shatner, FTW!

(tags humor, vulgar, gay, homosexual, video, television)

George Takei, the Asian face of the original Star Trek, came out of the closet and publicized his homosexuality when it was already passe to do so, at least, I felt it was muted (It was not muted but politically timed). Then this awesome swiped video comes out: Comedy Central's The Roast of William Shatner, monologue from George Takei (thanks The Malcontent, via GayGamer, via Kotaku). Where there was muted openness is now flamin' turn it up gayness. I was shocked, seriously, mouth dropped instead of "he said gay, haha" laughing. Such brilliant comedic timing, too. Still, it was refreshing and exhilarating to hear Takei cut down Shatner's acting and high-horse aloofness with simple, direct, emotionally charged profanity, even losing control over his normally silky, radio-perfect voice. "<bleep> you and the horse you rode in on!"

I am searching for Shatner's final words from this roast, because it seems that Shatner has a good rebuttle. But I haven't seen it yet.

I suppose it was humor, but it was more mean-spirited zingers, crudity and straw-man arguments. That's a roast, alright. I think the medium destroyed the message for me, because the context was lost, the build up from stale roast monologue from the others was cut. In retrospect, I had to remember that Takei was cutting himself down at the same time ("Your acting is the only thing that makes me want to gag") and propping up some of his achievements. Takei starts off by saying "The first..." in reference to Shatner and Star Trek co-star Nichelle Nichols first ever interracial kiss on TV, but he was interrupted with a homoerotic kiss from ... who? Some other guy?

In any case, when you think of good male voices, don't you think of James Earl Jones ("sow his royal oats") and George Takei (now a fixture for Howard Stern radio show)? Takei is re-igniting his entertainment vitality and I hope we see more of him, but not pigeon-holed into the cranky old self-derisive gay man.

Keep asking the big questions: Uta Kata, Transcendent

(tags review, book, science fiction, anime, spoiler)

I finally finished watching my copy of the 12+1 episode Uta Kata (うた∽かた), an anime series from late 2004. I forgot that I didn't watch the last two episodes, because I wanted the magic to continue. That's a stupid reason. But really, I like this anime because I like how Masumi "Masumin" Asano (浅野真澄) is playful with her character. Other than that, this anime asks the questions, if you had (or borrowed) the power of gods, what would you do with the power? Would you be remorseful? Would you do things over? I liked how this series asked the questions through the trials of a coming-of-age girl, a girl who asks her mom not to call her "Ichika-chan" but "Ichika" like a full grown adult. The parents even have their scene where they question themselves, shouldn't the parents be there to hear the selfish tantrums of their children?

Unfortunately (but I don't mind that much, haha), this anime has panty shot/fan-service-like angles and pretty girl costume transformation scenes which detracts from the message. In other points, the DVDs have a commentary track with voice goddess Masumin just having rapid-fire tougue-twisting fun. Also there's a DVD extra Kamakura sight-seeing trip to explain the scenic areas used in anime. Masumin makes some insightful comments ("I'm impressed because this is the first time I've seen a flying bird's back" when at the observation tower in Kamakura) and does a good job introducing the tourist spots with information. Unfortunately Masumin doesn't seem to harmonize well with her co-star Yoko Honda (本多陽子). Maybe they should have made more takes?

When I had Uta-Kata fever, I did buy the Comic Market released setting books (原画集) by the director Keiji Gouto (後藤圭二), too. Actually I'm not very fond of his drawing style because the eyes look messy. Here's one of the setting books:

This post is a double-feature. Switching gears...

I also finished the book Transcendent (Wikipedia link, be careful of spoilers) by Stephen Baxter, one of my favorite science fiction writers. I was feeling in the mood for something in English, but I should be studying Japanese more, so with some guilt I picked it up at my favorite foreign bookstore Random Walk (ランダムウォーク 神戸元町店). Anyway, the book is the third in the Destiny's Children series and I have read the first two. This book also asks the question about if you had (or borrowed) the power of gods, what would you do with the power? Would you be remorseful? Would you do things over? Ultimately it reached a similiar conclusion to Uta-Kata, which is grand coincidence. I liked how Baxter uses (recycles?) the big ideas that he introduced in the first two Destiny's Children books and bases more intriguing ideas onto them. One of his themes is it's all about brains and how we might evolve to lose them. He also used one big idea from one of his other books in collobration with Arthur C. Clarke, namely The Light of Other Days (Wikipedia link, be careful of spoilers). How can humans transcend their own existance without remembering their former selves? Let us "Witness".

Unfortunately even I could not suspend my disbelief with some of the plot. How can a group of 21 century people imagine what our descendants half a million years in the future want? There's a little deus ex machina and characters making the startlingly correct leaps of logic, as if the author himself was leading them along. Heh. Well, let's celebrate the inquisitive and insightful human nature. Science fiction is partly salve anyway.

I can't wait till the 4th book in the Destiny's Children series, Resplendent, comes out (in paperback). It's not another big novel, but a collection of short stories. I didn't mention it clearly before, but Baxter really has a cohesive universe that spans his books. The stories he wrote in the 1990 link up in the books that he writes in the present. Or, maybe this small series is just part of his overarcing series Xeelee Sequence. Sweet genius!

At least Baxter doesn't succumb to gaming pleasure, like that other guy Iain Banks, according to Joystiq. He's another British science fiction writer that some mention breathlessly with Baxter, so... Imagine breaking your copy of a game because you were so obsessed with it. That hasn't happened to me, yet.

No sexy anime pictures about this one, har har!

Rhythm Tengoku finally reviewed: 9, 7, 9, 9

(tags game, Gameboy Advance, review, Famitsu, failure)

I trust the Weekly Famitsu 4 number rating system. If that doesn't tell you how (un-)informed I am, so be it. Famitsu issue 925 gave a very tardy review of Rhythm Tengoku and awarded it 9, 7, 9, 9 (out of 10). Everybody start buying it now! Why the good score? Because it is good, trust me. Why was the review 3 weeks late? Um, GameBoy Advance is dying? I don't really know.

Anyway I was pretty satisfied with it. It's definately a good game to give to even non-gamers. Thanks Chris Kohler, you were really right on this one.

Checkpoint (Final Fantasy XII, Rhythm Tengoku) and Xbox 360 demo Lost Planet"

(tags game, PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy, console RPG, GameBoy Advance, demo)

Final Fantasy XII is winding down for me at 160+ hours. I've got three more sub-bosses before I called it done. I'm still working on that other boss. It's like chipping rock face with toothpick awl.

I completed the Rhythm Tengoku credit finish (6th mix). Getting the medals isn't as tough as I thought, but when I achieve the perfects, I pump my fist like I'm in the end zone, yeah baby. This game is great for just picking up while on the go. But I lack the patience to go though the drum drill game. OMG, are you going to make me a drummer? I'm definately not worthy, geez I can't even complete the second level. Oh yeah it said in the credits that Tsunku♂ was one of the producers. Wow, he's into games too?

I keep on checking out the Xbox 360 to see if its really for buying. I've totally ignored Senko no Ronde even though I made my mind up to buy it months before. Many copies of that software available everywhere. The demo unit I played had Power Smash 2 and while it was fun behind the player, playing from the opposite side was turn it off not fun. But the Lost Planet demo (E3 version) was wicked sick. It made me feel like picking up Halo 2 again. This is definately a game to watch. A Xbox 360 friend said many people are expecting good things from this game, come 2007 first quarter. If I ever pick up a HD TV, then I suppose I will be picking up a Xbox 360 soon thereafter.

Everything is missing

(tags game, doujin, shmup, Ikaruga)

I purchased the game from last post. It's eXceed2nd -VAMPIRE- 属性シールド弾幕シューティング Ver 0.01. No it wasn't even 2100 yen, but 1500 yen. It's no Ikaruga. The subtitle is "attribute-shield" danmaku shooting, and it does deliver that, that is, bullet absorption of light or dark bullets. That's where the similarities end. There's no homing bullets, no three same-color take-down combo system, no high scoring, no inspired enemy movement, no bonus enemies from fast takedown.

The bullet patterns are mundane and reminiscent of some Ikaruga movements, but really its closer to most Cave shmups. One thing that's interesting is that the normal enemies send homicide bullets even if you are the opposite color. This is because the emphasis is on filling up your meter to let loose your forward bomb.

There's also a bonus point system where you get +100 points for downing ememies. You earn extras pretty early.

I can get to level 5 after some practice. The difficulty doesn't ramp up in a smooth climb, rather bosses have out-of-place difficulty. Sometimes the final form of a boss is a push over while its second form is killer hurt me.

Can I just get this off my chest? The bullets are ugly. I suppose we have been spoiled by the eye-candy bullets from Ikaruga, but this one is blocky upscaled crude sprite belching. Oh sure, some of the bullets are glowing, okay those are fine. Its the other 90% of the bullets that have got to be remade for the 21st century.

There are voice actresses acting out the story. One name caught my eye: "ひと美" (Hitomi). As we all know that's actually 北都南 (Minami Hokuto), one of my favorite doujin/ecchi seiyuu voice actresses. She's usually moe moe voice, but this time she's oneesan (older sister) voice here. Not that it adds much to this shmup.

This is a quick, intermediate difficulty shmup. Try the demo for yourself, but I don't think it's worth more than a week's play, even though it's novel.

Send in the Ikaruga clones

(tags game, PC, doujin, Ikaruga, Comic Market, online, Macromedia Flash)

I am totally out of the Comic Market nowadays, but what I saw at the shop was frankly grand. There's a Ikaruga-like doujin shmup that was sold at Comic Market 70 (2006/08/13) and will be sold at Tora No Ana tomorrow (2006/08/24). I saw it on a demo unit. It looks great with vertical orientation (tate), white and purple bullets, absorption and meter. I don't know if there are homing beams, that would really be cool. I really want to skip work to buy it, haha. I don't have any details other than the 2100 yen price, and it's not on the Tora no Ana STG (shmup/shooting) page (this page is not 18-only, but the rest of the site is!). If I get it, I'll be sure to post some more info.

Speaking of which, there's an Ikaruga clone made from Macromedia Flash, according to Kotaku. I don't need to try it myself, do I? I want to level up my FF XII characters, m'kay?

Expanding horizons (Yodobashi Camera)

(tags purchase, ECsite)

Last week I went to Yodobashi Camera in Umeda. I don't normally make my rounds there, I'm a Sofmap fanatic. But I went to the hobby floor basement 2 and I was amazed at the selection. There were obscure things like Duel Savior Justice Character Voice Mascot set (both links for 18-over), loads of figures (including lots of unsold Ichigo Mashimaro figures, sad), train sets in glass cases. Wow, it truly is a sanitized version of Akihabara or Nipponbashi/Den Den Town. I suppose the stuff that is left on the floor really doesn't sell.

Their game selection and pricing is so so. Their game accessory section is good but there isn't much GBA Micro stuff. At least that was what I was looking for. Last time I was there I bought a GBA Micro brown leather case. I was looking for another one (because I bought another GBA Micro, but that's another post) and the only case (same model) they had was an almost florescent orange leather case. Sure they had regular nylon and cloth cases, but only the best for my baby.

Also, I picked up what appeared to be Hudson's take on the whole "Famicom Mini" GameBoy Advance repackage our 80's memories push, Set 3 (ハドソンベストコレクション Vol.3 アクションコレクション「チャレンジャー」 「迷宮組曲」) which includes Milton's Secret Castle. I have fond memories of never getting past level 1 of this NES game. I haven't seen this GBA repackaging even at Sofmap, so Yodobashi FTW.

I also picked up a  Toki wo Kakeru Shojo related item, the "Notebook". More on this one later. First time I saw it anywhere. Dang Yodobashi Camera, your coffers are deep, at least for brick and mortar store 20th century sticks in the mud like me.

Yodobashi Camera goes on my list of stores to canvass, if I ever feel like stopping in Osaka on the way to Nipponbashi.

The hottest thing to come to your PC

(tags hardware, review)

Coding Horror makes the stand-up-and-take-notice post about how video cards will be most power-hungry part in even in your non-gaming PC. It's all Vista's fault, or rather, the steady march of progress. Frankly I don't believe that Windows XP or any current desktop is the best metaphor for computer interaction, so I welcome more eye candy if I can get it for "free", eg. it doesn't slow down my computer or make it hotter or louder.

I tried looking for my main computer's CPU power consumption in the official documents but I don't know the vocabulary to get the info. I think the wattage is 150 W! though I haven't verfied it. It's way more that 80W, I can be sure of that. Ack, I'm surprised it survived the Japan summer!

Hands in the air, YES! Wha... There's more?

(tags game, PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy, spoiler)

That boss in the last post, I defeated. Yes! (insert the video from that "Nintendo 64 Kid" on Christmas day, remixed yeah thanks Kotaku). The overall strategy I got from FAQ-support but they can't tell you exactly when to input your menu commands, so I can say I defeated it, yeah right. I toppled this boss like that last straw on the proverbial camel's back, not with a bang but with a whimper. It actually doesn't make a difference that my characters are at level 93 or so. (I don't know what minimum level you can be to beat the story mode, but isn't it less than 50?)

Now I'm working on another side-boss, and this is going to be slow-going. I mean, it lets you run away with the HP whittled down and when you come back to it, the progress is kept but it the words "Round <N>" shows up. When I go back it will be "Round 4". Oh gee. How many real days is this going to take?

Levelling up won't do any good

(tags game, PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy, spoiler, failure)

I just got my a$$ handed to me with one of the side-quest bosses in Final Fantasy XII. There goes 2 hours of leveling up just to reach the boss. Acutally this is the second time I died in the game. I'm not so sure if any furthur levelling up will improve my chances with this boss, HP doesn't even come into play here. Guess I'm going bone up on that FAQ-support again.

Ack two hours gone, but I threw away two hours to make sure I got the Genji Gloves, so I suppose it's alright. No emotional outbursts, even. Just a whiny blog post.

Got it (Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan!)

(tags purchase, game, DualScreen, sale)

It pays to go to Toys 'R Us, sometimes. We have one here in Kobe and the atmosphere is almost the same as the San Diego stores, kids playing in the aisle, video games are handed to you after you turn in your receipt, the color scheme, etc. I wouldn't go there for price breaks on new games, but for clearance, it's like a (undiscovered?) gold mine. I was able to find Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! "on sale" for 2900 yen, after trying to find it somewhere, anywhere in the Osaka area without much success. Not much of discount, (wait it's originally 3900 yen?) but compared to the prices of the other games at Toys 'R Us (4500 yen for new games?!), it was good enough.

For right now I'm stackin' it.

Movie magic? (Doubutsu no Mori)

(tags movie, annoucement, character goods)

At the same 109 HAT Kobe theater, I lost my cell phone. I suppose I was so moved and my eyes were so cloudy that I didn't notice my turned-off cell phone no longer in my pocket. So when I went back to retrieve it on Monday, I saw something new that put a smile on my face, the uchiwa annoucement for the Animal Crossing movie (どうぶつの森), which is another soon-to-be major mascot for Nintendo. It will be coming out at the end of this year.

An annoucement ain't real until you can fan yourself with it.

Movie magic (Toki wo kakeru shojo)

(tags movie, theater, Kobe, anime)

Rarely do I get emotional with a movie as I did with this one: Toki wo Kakeru Shojo (時をかける少女, my trans: Time-leap Girl) is truly a masterpiece, right up there with any Miyazaki anime, or dare I say, surpasses them. At the end I was in joyful tears, just like those other middle age guys.

Here's a "time travelling" story that does its format and its genre justice. I love the theme that timeless messages can be erased so easily, while by-chance life changing events are in fact inevitable. The story itself was not predictable at all. A minor point but I think its worth mentioning is that it abstracts the usual time travel requires device theme. If you love anime, this is for you. Heck if you love a human experience story this is for you. If you are a total sci-fi pedant like me, you will try to ignore the minor holes that fly in the face of accepted "time-travel" theory as posited by Back to The Future, Star Trek, etc.

It turns out that this movie is the first (anime) adaptation of the 1965 novel by Yoshitaka Tsutsui (筒井康隆). Kadokawa Publishing did a reprint in 1976, but its of course out of stock. The movie has a new heroine, but the original heroine from the novel lends her charm as her aunt. My favorite line from her? (paraphrased) "Good thing you're not using it for something important."

So moved by the story I was about to order the following framed replicated portrait (時をかける少女 貞本義行複製原画), going for about 16000 yen. It was a limited edition deal with only 200 copies (at least from Chara-Ani, because actually you could have ordered it from Lawson or other convenience stores like that, last month, ouch). But as it shows, it's sold out already. That's what I get for watching the movie 3 weeks after release, heh.

Where are the goods for this movie? Are they sold out? According to the official blog, they had lots of stuff beforehand. But they weren't at 109 HAT Theaters at Kobe, dagnabit. I suppose I need to visit another movie theater. I'm on my way to Osaka to check out the goods. Heh.

I'll be watching for the DVD version, but according to Mr. Alvin, this movie was HD ready. Ugh, will I have to actually get with the HD DVD/Blueray wars?

Final Fantasy actually gets me excited

(tags game, PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy, obesession, spoiler)

I don't want to give away too much, but I just finished a Final Fantasy XII side-quest boss battle that took about 1 hour, wall-clock time. Whoa.

At the beginning I though hey, well, let's see if we can steal something before we die. Hey isn't that nice, the boss life bar is shown. What is that second line doing there? No that couldn't be a life bar?

At 90% boss health I think yeah maybe I can last this battle, if I can just anticipate the casted spells. Equipment changes occur with more frequency.

At 50% boss health, I've got the adjustments to the Gambit (not Gunbit) system down pat, these are dynamic rules not static. I now change equipment to regnerate magic from fighting hits and rejuggle the curer and fighter roles. I'm sure glad I got those Genji Gloves.

At 10% boss health, I pray that there isn't going to be a major change to the boss' fighting style that my Gambit rules can't anticipate.

At about 1% I get frantic about checking the boss' health and active status. No Haste, right? No Barrier (Protect, Shell), right?

After finishing the battle (with no classic FF fanfare, WTF?) I pray that there's no power outage. I swat the regenerated exit-dungeon monsters off like flies, though.

Wow, that boss was long (and it's not even the final one!), but since I'm on FAQ-support now some off the tension and excitement is gone. But so is the dread and misery from not knowing.

Tetris with comic Tomonori Jinnai

(tags video, game, Tetris, humor)

Joystiq links to a swiped video of Japanese comic Tomonori Jinnai (陣内智則) making fun of Tetris. This looks like the GBC version, though, on the face of it.

Ugh. The Internet is now a blogging with video mess. (Which is different from a video-blogging mess, mind you.) I suppose a text-only blog is no longer interesting?

posting from Windows Live Writer (beta)

(tags Windows, freeware, beta, blog, editor)

So what can you get for free? Namely, a "Windows Live Writer", which in old terms is a front-end desktop application to interface with your online blogging service. I'm typing and uploading with this right now.

But does let me edit the way I want to? Do I get the italic or bold in the preferred tag <em> and <strong>? (Yes) Is this better than Nvu, which seems stuck at 1.00 from last year? (Jury is still out)

How about if I stick a picture like I usually do, in the middle of the post?

It's not bad at all. Let's see what happens when we post.

(edit: reread and testing edit feature.)

Rhythm like a geiger counter

(tags game, GameBoy Advance, rhythm, music, spoiler)

("Hey Baby, how's it going?") I did go buy that Rhythm Tengoku (リズム天国) game for the GameBoy Advance. ("This beat is non-stop (oh yeah)") It was fun until I got to the second stage, then it was like sweet and sour at the same time. ("Hey Baby, listen to my bass" (?)) But I kept on going since it was letting me get by with horrible performance. ("I can give you the sense of rhythm.") Ah ha the lyrics distract me.

I've got 6 medals out of the 16 unlocked stages (there are lots more), only 1 perfect... But this I am definately "not with it". The first time I did that rhythm test, I got only 7 out of 100! I'm way lame. But after a day of playing, I'm up to 70. This may explain while I "pull up" and get only 2000 points on the flags in Super Mario Bros. It may also explain why I'm not good at (ballroom) dancing and clapping in time at concerts.

There are a couple of songs with lyrics. I like that O-bon Odori (o-bon dance). The third "remix" stage music is sung by Ami Tokito (時東ぁみ) of megane-spectacle swimsuit fetish and School Rumble anime singer fame. Yet another Tsunku (つんく♂) product, but I enjoy the contrast of the music and the bunny jumping in time over ocean creatures. Crazy.

The GBA Micro's headphone out is noisy, I've noticed. Ugh.

My Mario-retro: A cross cultural exchange (Super Mario Bros and Classic NES GBASP)

(tags game, Mario, GameBoy Advance, hardware, nostalgia, USA, purchase, Nipponbashi)

After picking up the Halko Momoi CD and live event tickets, I made my usual rounds around Nipponbashi / Den Den Town. I purchased a number of rare thingies, but this bunch of stuff takes the cake:

"Ah", indeed. At Mandarake, I found the Classic NES design GameBoy Advance, which was released in the USA, along with a copy of Super Mario Bros. The two together was going for about 5000 total. Not a bad deal at all. A copy of Super Mario Bros right now is close to 2000 yen. Buying this means the game hardware itself is only 3000 yen. But then again the GBASP is all scratched up. It seems somebody used this as their main gaming system, because it comes complete with scratches and scrapes. At least the previous owner had the wisdom to put a screen protector.

Why buy Super Mario Bros now? My recent forays into Super Mario Bros 2 Japan keep kicking me down, so I want to play this game to make me feel good.

Pictured along side is Azumanga Daioh game for the GBA (she says "ah!"), which had a used price drop from 4000 to 2000. Why? I don't know, but the anime has been long gone, right? Finally the Clu-Clu-Land mentioned a couple of posts back, photo-graces my collection.

I took out the GBASP and game and did a little cross cultural setup.

I like this juxtaposition of a NES-stylized GBASP handling a port of a Nintendo Disc System exclusive game. And vice versa. Notice how bright the GBA Micro is. Can you believe the GBASP's front light is actually on?

My type of retro is close to the games themselves. No quilting or wall taggin' for me. Just play the games, don't even try to get the loot and goodies. Although I have been looking for a guide book for Super Mario Bros 2. One I found was already 1500 yen, complete with cheezy cartoony back and front covers. Never mind that. I actually owned an original cartridge and box for Super Mario Bros, but in my wisdom I decided to staple the box to my bedroom wall. It's no longer with me, of course.

I'm not a total Mario fan, but it's been a fun 20 years. I hope for more.

Halko Momoi live event at Nipponbashi next month, time two

(tags music, anime, live, purchase, Nipponbashi)

I was able to secure a free ticket to the Halko Momoi (桃井はるこ) live event. It will be held on 2006-09-09 Saturday, at that same live event space in Joshin/Disc Pier Nipponbashi for the previous Savage Genius live.

I bought two CDs and received two tickets and posters. The other set is for a friend who wants to attend but can't get off his butt to go to the store, ha. We're 127 and 128 out of 150 people allowed. I was worried I wouldn't be able to attend. This is Halko Momoi, you know, and she already has a concert DVD and fan-favorite live events under her belt. Unfortunately, we won't be able to get a signature, but we will get some other treat for free. Judging from the Savage Genius treat, it will probably be a rinky dink can badge with her name on it. Big woop, not.

Actually, I'm not much of a Halko Momoi fan, though I did pick up her CD when she was part of the group Under 17. She's got this really cute, crazy distinctive moe voice, even when singing, and her anime (Popotan) and game (she was in a PS2 game... Tales of Symposia?) roles are really cute as well. I didn't recognize her though, she must have had an image change. Before she was very close to decorer, but now she's sexy cosplay. Nice.

So, my homework: I gotta memorize this CD so I'll have more fun at the live event.

When will games disturb us?

(tags game, criticism, culture)

Look to disturbing games in order to legitimize "games as art" argument. Great quote here: "Using art as a salve alone is foolish - and a one-dimensional way to experience humanity". I think Water Cooler Games and Game Girl Advance is doing a fine job advancing game culture critique.

I think though, the title is "When will (mainstream) games disturb us?". There are plenty of examples of thought-provoking non-mainstream games, that Food Force game, that cancer shmup, that victim-created Columbine game, etc. I'm not sure I want to go down that "despicable choice" entertainment, though. I don't want to decide (moral) compromises, like "kill a few" to achieve a greater good.

To me, games are a salve (especially gal-get games, yeah). Sure I also would like to rally on the "games as art" argument, but at the end of the day, I don't look to games to push my mental boundaries and tolerance, but to reassure and coddle (and also reflex-test my sorry self). Seemly at odds with that is the desire to play "worthwhile" games, whatever they are.

My hero: Tsutomu "Idol chaser" Nakamura

(tags otaku, culture, Japan, Akihabara, fanatic, idol)

Kotaku's post "Meet the Super Otaku" points to a swiped video documentary of Tsutomu "Idol Chaser" Nakamura (中村勉) in his native element, Akihabara. This 40-year-old has sweet technique that puts other Idol Otaku to shame. He buys two copies of swimsuit idol DVDs to meet and snap pictures with them at their live introduction events, but not only that, he has trademark dance and greet moves.

My hobbies and interests are different (I'm definately 2-D instead of 3-D). My budget is vastly more amateur than his, but I'd like to say I wish I could be like him, completely and seriously devoted to my hobby. He's my hero! Ha! On the other hand I think he's a total freak-a-noid and I don't ever want reach his level. Ha!

Related to the Savage Genius post, the Joshin/Disc Pier in Nipponbashi uses the same live concert event space for idol events as well. I wasn't really aware of Nipponbashi idol events, though, but I'm not going to be looking out for it, no no.

Savage Genius live at Nipponbashi

(tags music, anime, Savage Genius, concert, live, sign)

I was able to see the music group Savage Genius at a Joshin/Disc Pier live and sign event in Nipponbashi last weekend. It was a sweltering 35 C Osaka but luckily I didn't pass out. They will probably have a picture of it on their blog.

Joshin first makes you buy the CD in order to get the live ticket.

Then they make you trade it in for a seating ticket. I didn't get there in time, so I got ticket number 34, but I was in row 4 so I didn't have a problem with the view. "Aa" (ああ, vocalist) and "Takumi" (たくみ, guitar) timely entered the stage and quickly began their set. Most of the songs were the frantic dance songs. Too bad they didn't do a ballad to showcase Aa's lovely voice.

Track Name	From Album	Track	My Rating	Comment
想いを奏でて	風の結晶	2	5	the opening song for the anime Uta Kata (う た∽かた) (2004)
butterfly	風の結晶	7	5	New song. Nice country-western feel, something from Nashville recording?
into the Sky ～風の結晶～	風の結晶	1	5	New song. "Thanks to the fans."
Take a chance.	風の結晶	11	5	The main song for PS2 game ガ ンダム トゥルーオデッセイ～失われしＧの伝説 (Gundam)
Forever ...	風の結晶	13	5	Previously released single

According to their talk this was their second time in the Joshin Nipponbashi event space, which means the last time was the promotion for the single "Take a chance." I remember they had a Famitsu interview as well.

The signing part was orderly, something straight out of communion offering at church. I had Aa and Takumi sign the inside shot of the booklet. I didn't have much to say to them, and they both didn't say much to me except for "please continue to support us". I suppose I didn't do my homework, but I didn't have any burning questions at the time. Takumi shook my hand, thanks.

The event ended within an hour. The Joshin staff encouraged us to buy another copy of their CD, but only one out of the 50 people attending did so.

They also passed out anime related flyers about the upcoming in-store live events. Sachi Tainaka (タイナカ サチ) and Haruko Momoi (桃井はるこ) will be having an live and talk (Tainaka will be also be signing) in the next month. Gotta go back, this stuff is fun.

SMB2 flag is not just for points

(tags game, Mario, rare, spoiler)

I didn't know you could do that!?

Rhythm Tengoku fuels my GBA Micro satisfaction

(tags game, GameBoy Advance, rhythm, demo)

They had a GBA Micro kiosk with the newly-released Rhythm Tengoku (リズム天国) and I tried it out. How could anybody resist playing a karate-type dude punching flying pots and bowling balls to a beat?!? I had a lot of fun just trying to go through the tutorial. The price of the game kept on showing up in the background while playing, har har. It was a noisy environment, though, and to the store's credit they added external speakers. I'd like to get this game so I'm going to put it on my todo list.

I was intent on ignoring Chris Kohler's buy recomendation on Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (押忍! 闘え! 応援団, going to America as Elite Beat Agents). But playing this demo made me remember that I sometimes irrepressibly tap in time to music. I must like rhythm games. I suppose Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan is also going on my todo list, huh.

Rhythm Tengoku also has the added bonus of improving your rhythm skill, according to his review. As someone who messes up clapping in an audience, I need all the help I can get.

I can say I forgotten how much fun a GBA Micro can be. It's so portable and light. After that intense gaming with the DS for a couple of months, I'm having a ball of a time, despite the small screen. I've even started looking for that Pokemon Pikachu version of the GBA Micro. It's no longer available new, so I'm searching for it used.

Using W3m with Emacs 22.0.55 on Windows, quick install guide

(tags Emacs, Meadow, browser, Windows, Cygwin)

1. Install Cygwin w3m.
2. Install Meadow 3 and Emacs-w3m module.
3. Start Meadow 3.
4. Check exec-path if w3m is reachable from there.
5. Make a ~/.w3m/config with the following:

accept_bad_cookie 1
accept_cookie 1
use_cookie 1
ftp_proxy http://myproxy:portnum/
http_proxy http://myproxy:portnum/
(how can I generate this automatically?)

6. M-x customize-apropos RET w3m-use-cookies RET, toggle to "on" and save.
7. M-x w3m-browse-url. Enter any URL but try a local one first.

Quick guide to keys:
Start w3m: M-x w3m-browse-url, C-q w g (customized)
Open URL, reuse current window and tab: g
Open URL in new tab (at point or type in): G
Back: h
Forward: l, RET
Halt loading: C-c C-k
Next tab: C-c C-n
Close tab: C-c C-w

Kinda buggy when doing process interruption.

I typed this post mainly using Emacs, and none of that copy-and-paste stuff, w00t.

(edit: added the screen shot)

A novelty in modern times: The DS-enabling Wii

(tags game, hardware, Nintendo, Wii, DualScreen, speculation)

The Wii will come with WiFi so that your DS can connect to the Internet. But not only that, you'll be able to download demos and retro games to your DS in the comfort of your own space. Your DS will also let you sample that "20-year backlog" of games. However, to curb piracy, just like previous entries into nostalgia (think E-Reader cards or that Gamecube puzzle collection), Nintendo will not let you power off your DS if you want retain the downloaded game. Further restrictions like the number of DSs that can connected to the Wii, and/or not allow sync-saves (saving a game save back onto the Wii from the DS) from non-registered DSs, will be in effect.

But think of it. You can play the Wii version of Chrono Trigger (SNES-US) till the wee hours of the morning on your TV, then load your DS up with the same exact save point and continue your adventures while commuting, etc. Then when you get back home, sync-save and play it again on your TV.

How about being able to emulate mouse-enabled games? Imagine saving your Mario Paint (SNES-US) creations? Hahaha. The Super NES Mouse has two buttons though, doh!

How about Bonk (TurboGrafx16-US) on the DS? Delicious irony coincidence, bonk bonk?

Today I had one of those neuron mis-fires and I imagined the above scenarios. The above is total speculation, though. I suppose this idea is not original (can you do it now with DS emulators and ROM rips?), but I suppose I'm pretty slow at creativity thingies. I checked one of those unofficial Wii FAQs and indeed it is a possibility, but not officially confirmed or denied.

Though I suppose it would undermine the purpose of those in-shop DS kiosks, so perhaps it may not be possible to sample DS demos through the Wii.

So, how much would you pay for a "backlog" game for the DS? If a NES/Famicom game for the Wii goes for 500 JPY, I would not be willing to pay the same for the DS version, maybe just 350 to 400 JPY. Then again, I would demand that purchasing a game gives me both version (for Wii, for DS).

Imagine doing more than just gaming with the Wii-Enabled DS. Check and schedule your calendar? (You can do that now with DS Browser and Google Calendar, etc.). Um... I think I'm losing the creative spark.

Death of a novelty: SMB2 fans who cheat

(tags game, Super Mario Bros, nostalgia, cheat)

I mentioned I was playing Super Mario Bros. 2 Japanese on the GBA (Famicom Mini) to a co-worker, and he surprised me when he told me that he had a Famicom Disc System and he actually owned and played the original back in the day. He shocked me when he said he always played Luigi (exasperated: "He slides a lot"), never Mario, and that he couldn't get past World 8-3. Then during lunch, I showed him my GBA Micro with the cart plugged in and he proceeded to show me his finger technique, which was also shocking, because it was totally newbie. He used his thumb, not his pointing and middle fingers, for the A and B buttons!??! Can he even attempt a running jump?

But actually, before I whipped out the GBA Micro, he told me where to get endless 1ups. The term in Japanese is mugen zoushoku (無限増殖), I think but I'm not sure. Another older co-worker (actually, a boss) spotted us playing around and I think he said something like zoushokuchi wo sagashiteru no ka? (増殖地を探してるのか？ You looking for the 1up spot?). I was amazed again, but then again the other guy was in his teens when he had his Famicom Disk System. Except he didn't have SMB2, and he thought we were talking about SMB. Hah ha, step off, newbie.

So that tense feeling while playing SMB2 is gone now, because I have the vulgarity to rack up the lives using this cheat. The whole feeling of being not worth to play this game is replaced by the cheating guilt x 255+. It's the death of a novelty. It's like finding a cheat that gives you auto-bombs (if there was such a feature) in Ikaruga. It totally kills the atmosphere. I suppose my previous post about SMB2 will be the only time I will mention my true score.

Come to think of it, that first co-worker said he couldn't beat World 8-3 even with that endless 1up cheat. Oh boy, we're in dire straits.

The world's most beautiful poster (世界で一番美しい」ポスター)

(tags game, poster, Dead or Alive, Xbox 360, free)

Super Mario Bros 2. Japan progress

(tags game, Super Mario Bros, Game Boy Advance, side-scroll, progress)

Well I can't seem to get past SMB2 World 2-4 from the World 1-1, but I am slowly memorizing my way through the levels. My best score is somewhere around 190000 points. Wow, I'm worried about points in a Super Mario Bros. game, isn't that rare?! Who was the dumb guy who made the high score save a manual option? Idiotic. I keep thinking it would be better if they added 1 point for each continue like shmups do so you know if your score is pure 1CC or not.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is the pace I should attack each sub-area. Maybe I'm rushing myself into making mistakes. Hello again, bottomless pit of death.

Or maybe it's the fault of the controller. My optional GBA Micro "condom" skin suit is interfering with my rightward movement. Hello again, pirana plant.

Oh and I can't really do the hard exploratory stuff on the bus or train, it just takes too much concentration.

Cutting back (Final Fantasy XII)

(tags game, Final Fantasy, PlayStation 2)

I used to do 2+ hour (or much more) stints with Final Fantasy XII but since my attention is waning, I am just doing one or two clan quests per day, which should be 20 minutes. I'm reading a couple of FAQs so that I don't waste too much time trying to find the actual battles. At this rate maybe I can find all the good stuff in a couple of months?

I blame the format: Honey And Clover live movie

(tags movie, live-action, anime, review, spoiler)

I went to the cinema to watch Honey and Clover (ハチミツとクローバ) "live-action" movie that opened two weeks ago. No coupon, full price 1800 yen. No popcorn. Surrounded by high school and college girls. No loner guys like myself, ick.

All of the essential Honey and Clover themes and scenes are here, but there seems less of a camaraderie between the guys, which I blame on the 2 hour movie format. They don't look like they do stuff together. Sure the trust is there (go ahead and drive my car), but the face time between the guys was absent.

I was not satisfied with this movie because I kept on comparing it to the season one of the anime. The movie is purely the anime rehashed with no resolution!?! Can't these actors act?!? Hagu gave me the impression that she was an idiot-savant because she doesn't speak, but when she opens her mouth, the whole sweet girl image breaks up for some reason. Not as bad as Lina Lamont, though. What they were producing in art school wasn't art on a canvas, just people slapping paint around, though I have no sense about "art" so what do I know?

At least they tapped the talents of music groups Spitz (スピッツ) and Suga Shikao (スガシカオ), who were also present in the season one anime. Their songs really fulfill the atmosphere. Thankfully there's no Yuki or The Band Has No Name, ugh, grating. But I was disappointed because Suneohair (スネオヘアー) wasn't invited at all. Come on, that ending song was really grand! Lastly, Yoko Kanno (菅野よう子), that multi-talented multi-format often-anime composer, lends her hand with the soundtrack, ho hum.

I bought the clear files and the pamplet to get just a bit more background. I can't believe Ryo Kase (加瀬亮) acting out Mayama was born in 1974 (playing a college senior!!, isn't he 10 years too old for the role?) Rika-san's actress, Naomi Nishida (西田尚美), was born in 1972! Well, I don't know any of these actors, anyway. The last thing I learned from the pamphlet was that season two of the anime (Honey and Clover II) is only going to be on 4 DVDs (12 or 13 eps?)! Yeah hurray my wallet!

Sure, watch the movie if you want the quick summary. But for the real magic (like spinning clovers and spinning ferris wheels and spinning bike wheels), stick with the anime. Thumbs up.

Card Captor Sakura Cel

(tags anime, kawaii, goods, DVD, reminder)

Over the weekend, I got a Card Captor Sakura animation cel at Mandarake for about 7000 yen. Now I have (must!) watch CCS to figure out where this cel comes from. It's my homework. I've been putting off watching it for some dumb reasons. Can you believe I bought it to remind myself to watch the series? BTW, it is the same costume and color as that figure I got buying the DVD set. Very nice.

No pictures now because I'll probably blog it when I figure it out.

Virtual PC 2004 is free! VmWare Server is free! The OS is not.

(tags virtualization, hardware, software, Windows, Linux, free)

Previously it was Virtual Server 2005 R2 that was crashing my computer. Now will that free version of Virtual PC 2004 do the same thing? I hope not! And wow, VMWare Server has made it out of beta. 1.0, yeah.

I'd like to get into optimizing that "base virtual machine image" creation. Luckily Coding Horror in "Creating Smaller Virtual Machines" has already attempted it and has gotten a less than 650 MB Windows XP SP2 install image, and documented it. Very nice, I just have to follow his directions.

I'm more interested in making small Linux virtual machines or testing out Windows command line tools sets like Interix and Cygwin, though.