きっと、十月が来た！

Finally, September is almost over. The peak period of work has passed, and I can finally return to work nolmacy. Well, sort of. There's a new set of challenges to be met at work, but at least I can say I'm looking forward to it. The past few weeks have really been hectic, hence the lack of any updates. Even the weekends were pretty packed, with me and Mabel rushing all over the department stores trying to find the best bargains for baby products. We've also attended a few seminars and workshops regarding parenting and having a baby. The most recent one was today, where we attended one in town organised by Mediacorp.

The event was hosted by local celebrity Evelyn Tan, with 4 or 5 sessions of talks given by subject matter experts in their own respective fields, such as breast feeding, looking good for mothers, baby geniuses, and even how to take the best shots of your baby. Upon entry, we were given 2 huge bags of freebies, mainly sample products from the event organisers. There was also a tea break catered where a buffet style spread was waiting for us. Not too bad for just $10 per person.

However, the finale was the best. Along with Evelyn, other celebs such as Chew Chor Meng, Wong Li Lin, May Phua, and Huang Biren were invited as guests to share their personal experiences as a parent. The sharing session was as humourous as it was sponteneous, and was really enjoyable. We approached Evelyn during the break, had some small talk and even got a picture with her. She commented that Mabel's tummy was really compact and that she would return to her normal figure real soon after delivery. After the show, we got to share the same lift with Evelyn and Huang Biren too, and even engaged in some small talk. Before leaving, she asked us whether we were having a boy or a girl, and even touched Mabel's tummy to see if her prediction was correct. Though she guessed wrongly, we still managed to have our photo taken with her. :)

More Den-O figures have been confirmed, such as Kamen Rider Zeronos and even the imagins Kintaros and Urataros, which were previously left out of the series. Of course, this spells good news and that I'll have to put aside some money from now till the release date. Thankfully I didn't really spend much the past few weeks and can afford some of these indulgences....

Morning Musume's 37th single have just been released in Japan this week. Titled "Pepper Keibu" (ペッパー警部 lit. Sergeant Pepper), it was originally a song by the Japanese hit duo Pink Lady. The single was released on August 25, 1976 under the Victor label, making it their first single ever released. The single reached a peak chart position of #4, with a total of 1,050,000 sales. PV attached here for your listening pleasure.

I wasn't too enthusiastic about the single because I thought it was pretty week, compared to the last few releases which I really enjoyed, such as "Resonant Blue". It has a really retro vibe to it, which might not be too bad but it certainly needs a few more listens before it starts to sink in. The PV and dance also pales in comparison to "Resonant Blue", but then again it was one of my favourite tracks in recent years so it's not too fair to compare this way.Finally, the trailer for the upcoming Dragonball live action movie will be released next month. Until then, here are some of the pics found on the net a few weeks ago. Justin Chatwin looks good as Goku. Granted, there are changes to the original manga and we won't see him go Super Saiyan, but plans have already been revealed for 2 more movies after this.

We see Piccolo for the first time too. Fans are really divided on this, seeing that Piccolo isn't really the shade of green we've all come to love, and that he's lost his antenne. Ears need to be sharper too, but I'm still pretty glad isn't really all that different. Chow Yun Fatt as Kame Sennin might be a good choice, although you and me know that he costs too much and is there to be catalyst for the asian (or China) market who wants some one familiar. More changes to the character this time, but hopefully he'll retain his hentai side.

End of the day, I'm a big fan and want to see the movie succeed. That's a tall order, as demonstrated by so many other video game/manga to movie translations which have failed badly. Still, things are looking good! Check out a fan made trailer which I thought was pretty well done here:

Kamen Rider Agito (仮面ライダーアギト usually spelt Masked Rider ΑGITΩ in the official merchandises), is the eleventh installment in the popular Kamen Rider tokusatsu franchise. The series repesented the 30th Anniversary of the Kamen Rider Series. The series was also a joint collaboration between Ishimori Productions and Toei and was shown on TV Asahi from January 28, 2001 to January 27, 2002. Agito is the first Kamen Rider series to feature the three main types of Riders: a mystical Rider (one that draws power from ancient technology or mystical methods), an organic Rider (one whose anatomy changes to become a Rider), and a high-technology Rider (one who is either a cyborg or uses advanced technology to fight).

Though a little dated as it was first shown in Japan over 6 years ago, I finally found a subbed version and began watching the series, usually though the media sharing function on the PS3 so that I can watch the show on TV. To my pleasant surprise, the show was absolutely fantastic and was far better than the current Kiva series showing in Japan right now. Old school rocks. The series has a fairly sombre mood where characters die all the time, and that the plot revolves around murder cases usually caused by supernatural reasons. This series is now my second fave, still behind last year's Den-O. Hopefully I'll get to watch Kuuga and Ryuki soon to complete all the Heisei rider series.

The song Lion by Nakajima Megumi (中島愛) and May'n, who play Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome in the show, was used starting from episode 18 onwards. I like it a lot, and think it's one of the best songs among the rest of the other great songs by the 2 singers. Initially, I did't really understand what I liked about the show. I mean, I don't really like the new Valkryie designs, and the actions were too "CG" for me. However, it dawned upon me that it was really the characters as well as the songs which truly captivated me. Check out a video of the song:

菅野よう子星を廻せ　世界のまんなかで

くしゃみすればどこかの森で蝶が乱舞

君が守るドアのかぎ　デタラメ恥ずかしい物語

舐め合っても　ライオンは強い

Go around the stars, right in the middle of the world

When I sneeze, butterflies flutter wildly in a forest somewhere

It’s not certain for you to protect the key to the door

Even if he tastes an embarrassing story

The lion is strong

生き残りたい生き残りたい

まだ生きていたくなる

星座の導きでいま、見つめ合った

I want to survive　I want to survive

I feel like I still want to live

By the guidance of the constellations, we gazed at each other just now

生き残りたい途方にくれて

キラリ枯れてゆく

本気の身体　見せつけるまで私　眠らない

I want to survive　I become at lost at what to do

And wither away in a sparkle

Until I show off my serious self I won’t sleep

風はやがて東へ向かうだろう

高気圧この星の氷河を襲う

さそい水を飲んだ胸がつらい

遠まきな物語

かじり合う　骨の奥まで

The wind will head toward the East before long, right?

The high atmospheric pressure attacks the glaciers of this planet

My chest that drank the priming water feels painful

A story closes in from afar

And gnaws on you, deep into your bones

生き残りたい生き残りたい

まだ生きていたくなる

星座の導きでいま、見つめ合った

I want to survive I want to survive

I feel like I still want to live

By the guidance of the constellations, we gazed at each other just now

生き残りたい途方にくれて

キラリ枯れてゆく

本気の身体　見せつけるまで私　眠らない

I want to survive I become at lost at what to do

And wither away in a sparkle

Until I show off my serious self I won’t sleep

何しに生まれたの何しにここにいる

What was I born to do? What am I to do here?

生き残りたい埋まらない傷光

恐れてた許されたい生命がいま、引かれ合った

さまよい果てて 君のとなりでほてり鎮めたい

本気の身体　見せつけるまで私　眠らない

I want to survive My unburied wounds
Feared the light Our lives, which want to be allowed, attracted each other just now

My wandering is over I’m next to you and I want to quell my blushing

Until I show off my serious self I won’t sleep

生き残りたいがけっぷちでいい

君を愛してる目覚めたい生命がいま、惹かれ合った

狂気に代えて祈り捧ぐよ
君を愛してる星座の導きで…

I want to survive I’m fine with being on the edge of a cliff

I love youOur lives, which want to awaken, enticed each other just now

Instead of madness I offer a prayer

I love you By the guidance of the constellations…

生き残りたいまだ生きてたい

君を愛してる本気のココロ見せつけるまで私　眠らない

I want to survive I still want to live

I love you Until I show off my serious heart I won’t sleep

Haven't been watching too much anime these days, since the focus of my time is still really on Tokusatsu most of the time, with the ongoing Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series still taking up my weekends, and the spare time watching the older shows such as Agito and also Ryuki. So far, the only anime I still watch is Macross Frontier, with manga only from the Naruto, Bleach, and Claymore series. At least the next season of Gundam 00 is almost here.

Other than here, I also post other random stuff on FaceBook, which has so far connected me to a lot of long lost classmates and friends. It's a great networking tool, and also connects me to my friends met through courses and work too. I'm really surprised by the abundance of higher ranking officers from work who have found their way to FaceBook too. If you haven't already added me, please do so. You can either search for my name or just key in my email: psyke0808@yahoo.com.sg. Hopefully, the routine of my posts will return to at least once a week from now on. Until the countdown till Dec, ja!

21km と10km が走ったばかりです～

Phew, the lack of updates recently speaks volume for how busy I've become the past few weeks. Above you see me and Mabel, just after I completed my 10km run in the Nike+ Human race. There were altogether around 11 thousand participants in Singapore, and I was lost in a sea of red at the starting point. There was hardly any space to warm up at all, and being squeezed together with so many people was rather uncomfortable. Boy was I relieved when the race was finally flagged off. 10km was rather short compared to the half marathon which I just completed the week before. I've been running quite a bit lately, and was rather happy to have clocked one of my best timings in the Army Half Marathon in recent years. Sure it's not my best timing, but I've been really lousy the past few years and being able to cut nearly an hour was really satisfying.

The pictures that you see here are from the yet to be released 1/60 Fully Transformable VF-1J (Piloted by Hikaru Ichijyo) with Super Parts (1/60 完全変形 VF-1J 一条輝機 with スーパーパーツ). It costs around 13440 yen, and will be released this October. Compared to the 1/48 version, this is of course smaller and doesn't pack as much intricate details or the smaller moving parts such as the wing flaps. Having said that, the model still looks very detailed and special attention is put in for the transformation, which sets it apart from its predecessors.

The optional super parts can be removed if you'd very much just prefer the normal version like me. I'm very tempted to take out my air brush and redo the entire paint job, but that is only if I'm confident of making it better. I'd at least try and do some modifications using paint markers to make it more realistic. There is a stand available too, and most probably I'll be using it as a display in the shelf and not touch it very often. I wonder when I'll get myself one of those 1/48 versions....

Buono! (ボーノ) Italian language adjective for 'good', more specifically when used to imply food possesses a pleasant palate, is a Hello! Project unit consisting of three Hello! Project members: Momoko Tsugunaga and Miyabi Natsuyaki from Berryz Kobo, and Airi Suzuki from °C-ute. I've been listening to their new single called "Gachinko de Ikou!" (ガチンコでいこう!), and can't get the part about "Don't mind don't mind!" out of my head. Nice melody, so do take a look at their PV here:

Received my bandai figures of Ultra Seven and Ultraman Leo recently, and will be following up with the rest of the series pretty soon. Finally made some space on my self for this incoming series which is rather big compared to the rest of my collection. Haven't been buying too much Ultraman stuff lately so this will be a welcomed addition. On the other side of the collection, I'd welcome a new S.I.C series from Kamen Rider Den-O. Just the first of a series which I'm sure will include the rest of the forms as well as Zeronos, I will have to make more space at least within my Den-O section for them. I love the S.I.C series and will definately be keeping my eyes out for the rest of the series. Lastly, I've also added another item to my Kamen Rider Head displays. Kamen Rider X is the latest to be released, and I believe Kiva will be the next one. Not too soon, I hope. Thank god they're cheap though.

Kamen Rider Ixa from the Kiva series recently received a form upgrade. Since I talked about Kiva's upgrade in a previous blog post, I'll also link the video of his first appearance here. The Climax Deka movie has also been released recently. I thought it was ok, but the lack of punch of the show is made up for with the imagins back together and creating chaos like before on the Den Liner.

On the topic of the imagins and Den-O, the success and popularity of the series has prompted the creators to make yet another movie based on the characters. This is the 3rd movie of the franchise, and the most any rider series has been based on. And of course I'm thrilled. Den-O is my fave series of all. It's popularity in Japan speaks volume for its success, which Kiva can only hope to emulate. I thought the plot in Den-O, while lacking in some areas and raised plot holes, showed growth of the characters, from Ryoutaro to all of the imagins. Something which the other riders lacked in the other series. The story was more or less complete, although I will have to admit Kai was irritating and served only to conclude the series on a high for the imagins to form Den-O's strongest form.

Still, the memorable characters does it for me, and of course, I understand that everyone has different tastes and likings. However, I don't really like Kiva due to the lead character. Never would I thought that he would be wimpier and weaker than even Ryoutaro. That puts me off a little. The story however, keeps things fresh with the events from 86. I'd agree whole heartedly that Otoya is the best thing in Kiva.

On more tokusatsu related stuff, you would never have guessed who added me on Facebook last week. It's none other than Mark Musashi! Mark is a Wushu martial artist and a stuntman/actor, having major roles in a few Japanese Tokusatsu series. Best known for his role as the mysterious murderer named Piece in the live-action drama Sh15uya, Mark was most recently seen in Cutie Honey The Live as Duke Seiya Anthony Watari IV, a bilingual gentleman in the service of the organization Panther Claw. He was Kodama in the cult hit series Garo, and was the suit actor for Zero too. He was also the suit actor for Kamen Rider 2 in Kamen Rider: The First. He has participated in several Wushu competition championships and he has done motion capture for several video games, such as Dino Crisis 3, Resident Evil Outbreak, Metal Gear Solid 3 and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. I loved his role in Garo and Cutey Honey, so I was really happy to be able to speak to him on Facebook. Hopefully we'll be able to see Mark in another kick ass show from Japan or America soon! Check out a clip featuring Mark here:

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed tells the story of Darth Vader's secret apprentice, code-named "Starkiller" but born Galen Marek, as he hunts down the Jedi remaining after Emperor Palpatine orders them killed. Set between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the story explores the aftermath of the Great Jedi Purge as well as the rise of Darth Vader. The events of The Force Unleashed are "pivotal" in Darth Vader's history and development as a character, and offer illumination into other characters from A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. I've played the demo a few times and it seems to have potential. Not totally sold on getting the game yet, but I'm keeping tabs on this one.
That's all for this update. September's not a very free month for me so I'm not sure when would be the next time I'll update. I really wanna say wake me up when September ends, but I guess any sleep at all would be very much appreciated. Still, you gotta make the best out of life, even during such low spirited periods. Until then, cya on Facebook. Ja!

四年の結婚記念日

It's been 8 years since we first met, on the eve of National Day. I booked out as a recruit, with no hair and pride to speak of. However, it was a fateful meeting on that day when I first met her. Never would I have expected on that day that 8 years after, I would be a father-to-be with her. To celebrate the event, Mabel told me that she would plan the day's activities. I promised her to take a day's off to accompany her, so off we went according to her schedule. To kick start the day, we went over to Shangri La hotel for a fantastic buffet lunch over at The Line. It was quite costly, and Mabel was upset by my constant whining about how expensive it was. Yes, I agree that money is spent to be spent, but when a glass of orange juice costs over $17 it's a bit hard to swallow, especially when I think of how many new games I can buy with that money. Well, we ate to our hearts' content, and then made our way to Marina Square for a short shopping session, followed by our first ever visit to The Singapore Flyer. It was a interesting ride, but nothing much to shout about as the surrounding scenery was pretty much full of construction sites at this point in time. We helped a Japanese couple to take a few pictures, and they returned the favour by doing the same. It seems that we are the last few people to take the Singapore Flyer which rotated facing the original way, as it was reported in the papers that they changed the direction of the rotation, after some advisors from expert Feng Shui masters. Well, whatever.

We were pretty much exhausted with all the walking around, and decided to head home for dinner instead of watching a movie. It was a long day, but one which we will remember for at least the next year, where I'm gonna have to think of how to top this year's anniversary celebrations.... Somewhere overseas perhaps?

The video I posted last week seems to have received some good feedback, so I decided to send it to Stomp. I'm not exactly a fan of Stomp due to the fact that I hated some of the articles and how they promote some negativity between Singaporeans and other close to the heart issues, but I see it as a good portal to share media and news around. I uploaded the movie onto the DIY Video segment, and hopefully I can win some thing there. :)

I haven't been buying much stuff lately, namely collecting on the Rider and Sentai hero box sets, along with smaller stuff like the candy toys or perhaps the miniture keychains. I'm also still collecting the Kamen Rider head displays, and got 4 of them last week when I visited Chinatown Square Central. Didn't plan to buy so much (actually I didn't know so many were released), but in the end decided to get them all just in case they get sold out before my next visit. So, on top of my previous collections which I imported or bought from Japan, I got Kamen Rider Stronger, Kuuga, Hibiki, and Super-1 this time. Had to clear some space for them, but they look great on my room TV console now. I just need to figure out how to make more space for the next series now.....

Some of the other hero series boxes were also released when I was there, but I didn't have enough cash at the point to get them. Thus, I decided to get the Go-on Wings figures instead: Go-on Gold and Go-on Silver, the pair of siblings from Engine Sentai Go-Onger. The rest of the figures I failed to get are from the Kiva series, which are more likely to make their way to other department stores, so I have a good chance of getting them from some other places instead. On the Go-onger series, the plot has been going downhill these weeks, with the emphasis based on comedy instead of the main storyline. Well, good thing is that it's still pretty entertaining. 2 episodes ago they were haunted by one of the main villians which they killed. There were some creepy scenes which I thought might make some Japanese babies lose their sleep, such as eyes in the forest, people with no faces, etc. Haha, and what a coincidence that it was shown during the Hungry Ghost Festival here. Wouldn't want Mabel watching this though (never thought I'd say that).Pic above: the main 4 guys get spooked by ghosts. Sousuke's (far left) expression is simply priceless. Check out the clip here too.

I posted the PV clip from High King with their single Cinderella Complex a few weeks ago. The song has really grown on me, and I've downloaded some of the other versions of the PV as well as the live performances too. I realised that Takahashi Ai (second from left) has really become a great dancer. Reina and her were awesome in the video, but I thought Ai stole the PV with her hat, although the spot light was mainly on Reina. The dance was awesome too, and hopefully we get more PVs from this particular choreographer. Do check out their dance shot PV:

Another new Jpop group has risen: The Possible (THE ポッシボー). I'm not too sure of this group's background, but I've seen their new PV from the single Ijiwaru Crazy Love (いじわる Crazy love). Sure the girls are not as pretty as the ones from Morning Musume or other H!P acts, but I thought the song was really catchy. Seems this single is being used as the opening theme for a current Japanese Drama. From the official site: "つんく♂が発足させたNICE GIRLプロジェクト!所属の岡田ロビン翔子、秋山ゆりか、橋本愛奈、諸塚香奈実、大瀬楓、後藤夕貴の6人組THE ポッシボー。08年4月発売の「家族への手紙」に続くメジャー第2弾シングル。" Hopefully we're learn more about this group soon, along with more great songs.

Yes, I've been really lazy with the updates lately. Work is going to get tougher till the end of the year, and I still have my JLPT 2 to worry about. I also just bought a book on 3D modelling which I hope to pick up, so there goes more of my personal time. Not forgetting that I'm still playing the PS3 late into the night and waking up with dark circles on certain days. Good thing is that Mabel's health has been great lately, and hopefully it will remain that way. Will leave you with a hillarious clip of the Imagins from last season's Kamen Rider Den-O, doing the poses from this season's sentai team. Back to my reading now, ja!

The original from Engine Sentai Go-onger:

The Imagin (from Kamen Rider Den-O) version: