Reverting back.

Now that the serious stuff is over, I'll be acting like a total bratty idiot again!

Well, first, my dad got us a brand new wide screen TV (I think it was 39 inches.). But I hardly watch TV these days anyway, so who cares?

The big deal is that I get the old TV!! A huge TV just for my PS2!

Yay! I no longer have to put up with the discoloured small screen. But it does feel weird to suddenly see everything so big. Oh well, I'll get used to it in a few hours. Actually, I already have. If possible, I'd like to try another all-nighter with my new (old) TV.

And a message to Hime-sama:

Get your money ready 'cause we'll be headed to Midlands soon to get a DS. Hopefully this weekend if my mom is free.

Followed by a message to the others:

Any of you otakus who can't make it back for Ichibanzai 2009 will be operated on without anaesthetic if you ever end up in my office, regardless of illness.

Time to get it together

This'll probably be the first time I've typed a blog post in a serious tone for quite some time.

Well, Winger's leaving for KL soon, so that just leaves me and Youngblood left on this island. And in 3 months, that number will decrease to only one. In 6, there'll be none.

I've gotten my offer from PMC, so y'all know what that means. I won't be joining y'all in KL. Instead, I'll be flying solo to Ireland. Hopefully, I'll meet or make friends there soon. But, then again, it's only going to be for 2 1/2 years, so I'll be back in 2012. I wonder what I'll be like by then. My parent s doubt I'll be able to keep my otaku-ness, but I seriously doubt being overseas will change much of my likes. Besides, I expect a number of anime conventions in Europe, mainly the UK and France. That'll probably take up the bulk of my summer holidays. I wonder if I can bring my cosplay along. Of course, the scythe and broadsword won't be following me. But maybe I can bring the dual guns and the dual swords.

Lastly, Ichibanzai 2009 is in 2 months. I've got little time left to spare. I've completed none of the weapons so far. But at least I'm almost finished with the dual guns and have gotten started with the outline for the broadsword. I'll make out the details this week. I'll then start making the dual swords next sunday and finally start working on my scythe. It seems I'll be making frequent trips to the hardware store opposite my working place for metal wires and wooden poles. My shop's gonna make some money from me too since I'll be spending quite a sum on stationery. I've already bought my glass paper, a silver pen and a penknife. I'll probably need some paint too.

But I doubt listing out my schedule won't be helping me one bit. Well, tally-ho, I'm off to bed for the night. It looks like a busy April and May for me.

I'm an otaku, people! YEAH!!!

I think I've pretty much lost it. I had this dream last night which pretty much consisted of characters from every anime and game (and some from books, movies and cartoons) I know. I told Winger and Youngblood about it this morning, but I couldn't remember much of the details, only who we were and who I fought. Well, cutting those blasted sales dockets gave me time to remember and you'll be amazed how much I did (and I finished 5 rolls today! New record!).

First of all, there was no story. It was just more or less total war between two forces. Everything was just battle after battle. The names of each force weren't stated, so I'll just name my side 'Friend', and the enemy 'Foe'.

Second, it was almost completely first person, so I did not see everyone. I only knew some people were there through dialogue. And some people I just knew were there.

Third, don't ask me why the characters that appeared like this. It's a dream. I had no control.

Friend Team
Supreme commander: Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
Chief Advisor: Zhuge Liang (Dynasty Warriors series)
Other advisors: Sakai Yuuji (Shakugan no Shana), Jiang Wei (Dynasty Warriors), Xing-Ke (Code Geass)

Infantry and sniper division:
Leader: Winger (He carries a gun the size of a SMG with the power of a shotgun, firing rate of a minigun and range of a sniper rifle.... with one hand)
Units (I remember a few faces): Irvine Kinneas (Final Fantasy VIII), Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII), Golgo 13 (Golgo 13), Train Heartnet (Black Cat), Rosette Christopher (Chrono Crusade)

Left flank (Everyone pilots robots):
Leader: Youngblood (He pilots a Lancelot lookalike)
Units: Karen Stadtfeld (Code Geass)

Right Flank (Same as above):
Leader: Cubix (Another Lancelot lookalike)
Units: The three E.S. from the Xenosaga series

Vanguard Unit (Warriors capable of magic):
Leader: Yours truly (I wield dual blades most of the time and am capable of Emiya Shirou's Tracing magic. And I break a lot of swords...)
Units: Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII), Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX), Saber, Lancer and Archer (Fate/Stay Night), Tidus (Final Fantasy X), Croix Bartel (Ar Tonelico 2), Shana (Shakugan no Shana),

Air Strike Division:
Leader: Suzaku (Code Geass)

Reconaissance Division:
Leader: Uhh...well... Krystle

Spy Division (from what I heard): Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid series), Sam Fisher (Splinter Cell series. Funny, I've never played the game.)

Magician Division:
Leaders: Cloche and Luca Trulyworth (Ar Tonelico 2)
Units: Atoli and Shino (.hack//G.U.), Honami Takase Ambler (Rental Magica), Ceres (Ayashi no Ceres)

Summoners Division (Would you believe these people are defense for the main camp?!):
Units: Yuna (Final Fantasy X), Garnet til Alexendros (Final Fantasy IX), Yugi Mutou, Seto Kaiba and Joey Wheeler (Yu-Gi-Oh!... We have freaking Blue Eyes White Dragon towering above our main camp), the party from Persona 3 and Persona 4

Cheerleader Division:
Mascot: The three agents from Elite Beat Agents
Cheerleaders: Kafuka Fuura and the other girls from Zetsubou Sensei (DO NOT ASK)

Assassins Division (I SAW them, which is weird. When do assassins ever show themselves?):
Leader: Himura Kenshin (Samurai X)
Units: Tear Grants (Tales of the Abyss), Kou (Shin Hakkenden), Toya (Ayashi no Ceres), Yoide (Nabari no Ou)

Torture and Executions Department (Hoho... You'll love this):
Leader: Akira (Lucky Star... at least I think so. I only knew the name.)
Members: The cheerleaders (Okay, joking. No, they weren't.), Haruhi (I think, or was she in discipline?)

Artillery and Tanks Division (They all looked like the vehicle units from Advance Wars)

Miscellaneous (People I knew were there but not sure from what division):
Tamahome (Fushigi Yuugi), Sanosuke Sagara (Samurai X)

Foe Team:
Admin (I didn't know the ranking. I only knew the names):
Light Yagami and L (Death Note), Akiyama Shinichi (Liar Game), Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan)

Frontlines:
Elephant seal (He fights like Xu Zhu from Dynasty Warriors and has a body that feels like thick rubber filled with air), Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII), Haseo in Flick Reaper form (.hack//G.U.), Night Class students (Vampire Knight), Kurogane (Tsubasa Chronicles), Kuja (Final Fantasy IX), Seymour Guado (Final Fantasy X), Haru Glory and King (Rave)

Robot pilots:
Lu Bu (Dynasty Warriors. WTF?! Right?), Van (Gun X Sword)

Magicians:
Fye D. Flourite (Tsubasa Chronicles) (I saw something similar to his magic symbol, so I'll assume he's there), Ultimecia (Final Fantasy VIII), Enma Ai (Jigoku Shojo)

Bomb Division (Now this was just weird):
The Shohoku team and Sendou (Slam Dunk), Kyosuke (Hungry Heart)
(Every football and basketball they threw at us exploded)

Monsters:
Various Pokemon, Various Digimon (It was cruel of me to kill Pikachu), Sin (Final Fantasy X)

Overlimit Squad (This was the only squad whose name I heard being shouted. Basically, they're people who spam power without control):
Rokujou Miharu (Nabari no Ou), KOS-MOS (Xenosaga series), Megumi (Special A), Son Goku and Piccolo (Dragon Ball), Fayt Leingod (Star Ocean 3)

---
Okay, there has been a huge increase compared to what i told Winger and Youngblood. Either I fell asleep and remade those scenes while I was cutting those dockets or I seriously forgot that much after waking up.

Next up, scenes I remember:

Winger: *Speaking through commlink* What the **** is this intel!? It's completely inaccurate! Who the hell was recon?!
Lelouch: I believe that would be Krystle.
Winger: ..............................We're dead.
Kafuka: No, we aren't. I'm sure it was because they changed their plans just seconds after recon left.
Winger: ................. We're still dead.
Kafuka: Don't worry. We have Lelouch and Zhuge Liang here!
Lelouch: And they have Light and L. We shouldn't underestimate them.
Winger: Which is why I'm saying we're dead.
Kafuka: Girls!
*Cheerleaders start cheering chains of positive nonsense about Winger and his team*
Winger: .........

---
Later, on the frontlines,

Winger: Fire!

Snipers fired. Many people were shot down but Elephant Seal (ES for short) remained standing. In fact, his body was deflecting bullets! ES charged forward without stopping and crushed vanguard unit with his giant hammer.

Winger: Damn, this fatass is hard to kill!

Winger jumped off the ledge and raced off towards ES. ES swung his hammer at Winger. Winger bent down to dodge. Winger fired his gun at close-range but only managed to push ES back a few steps without leaving even a scratch.

Winger: Die! Die! Die, you fatass!

ES regained his balanced and ran towards Winger. The ground shook as ES stepped hard on the dirt. ES let out a battle cry. Winger ran forward, stuck his gun into ES's mouth and pulled the trigger.

Winger: I said, shut up and die!

ES's head increased in size as bullets continued to fill the empty space inside him. Finally, his head could not expand anymore and exploded.

(You should be very very happy, Winger. If only you could have seen it yourself.)

---
Meanwhile, my unit was marching forth in an area surrounded by tall ledges. A unit from recon approached us.

Recon: Sir, the enemy ahead has balls.
Me: Yes, I'm sure they're very brave, but don't go demoralising us before we've even fought.
Recon: No, I mean...

A shower of basketballs and footballs rained down on us. What's more, they exploded upon contact with any surface.

Sakuragi: Hahaha! Look at me! The genius Sakuragi sending you losers back home!
Rokawa: Idiot.
Sakuragi: What!? *Throws basketball at Rokawa* *Rokawa throws back*

---
Later, me and Sephiroth were engaged in combat. Being faster, stronger and more skilled than me, he was almost always on the offensive.

He slashed at my chest. I quickly jumped and landed behind him. Switching my twin blades for a single, larger one, I slashed at his back. He turned and parried the move, breaking my sword in the process. I recreated the twin blades I used earlier and launched myself forward to stab him. His palm suddenly appeared in front of me and crimson flames immediately engulfed me.

I rolled back and quickly took a defensive stance. But Sephiroth was faster and he delivered a blow on my abdomen with his knee and, while my defense was down, grabbed me by the collar. He raised his sword and delivered the tip towards my heart.

A gunshot sounded and struck Sephiroth on the wrist. He threw me aside and aimed for the shooter. He spied Winger some distance away and rushed for him. Surprised, Winger hastily prepared for close combat. But he wasn't fast enough as Sephiroth's figure suddenly appeared before him and slashed at him.

The blade was stopped as I appeared and blocked with one sword. I then swung the other at Sephiroth and managed to rip open a wound at his waist. Winger quickly jumped above my head and emptied his gun barrels onto Sephiroth's body. Cursing, Sephiroth unleashed a wall of flame and retreated.

Sephiroth: Overlimit! Now!

Miharu appeared before us. Ancient text started appearing on his face and we were engulfed in a huge, bright explosion. I lost consciousness.

---
I moaned and grunted as I regained consciousness. I was instantly greeted with the tip of a scythe blade stabbing the ground before me.

Haseo: Heh? You're not dead. But I'll change that soon enough.
Me: Trace on! *Summons dual swords*

I swung my sword at Haseo and he hopped back, switching his scythe for dual swords. We immediately crossed swords. The clanking of metal blades clashing continued for several hundred times.

Aside from the wounds obtained from the fight with Sephiroth and from the explosion, I was also still pretty groggy after waking up. So, it wasn't much of a surprise that I was losing the advantage bit by bit.

I then slashed desperately at Haseo. He leaped backwards and sheathed his dual swords. The handle of a large sword appeared behind him and he grasped it. Pulling it out forcefully, he dealt forward a shockwave so powerful my dual swords shattered. I quickly materialised a single sword but had little time working out the details. Another slash from Haseo shattered that sword, breaking my right arm in the process, and also inflicted multiple wounds all over me. I flew back from the impact and landed on my back. I tried to get up again but that proved futile.

At that instant, a familiar figure appeared and grabbed me. Haseo quickly slashed at the figure but the weight had slowed down Haseo's movements. The figure managed to avoid direct contact with Haseo's broadsword and also dodged the shockwave produced.

Shana: Cloud, get him out of here. We'll take on Haseo.

The figure nodded and quickly ran off.

Haseo: Oh no you don't!
Saber: Excalibur!! *Pillar of light blasts Haseo into a wall*
Cloud: I'm counting on you two.

I was swiftly led away from the battlefield. I really wanted to see how that fight ended though.

---
The view then switched to two giant robots fighting. One of them was sustaining heavy damages while the other was still operating at maximum efficiency. The view swtiched to the pilots and I saw Youngblood in the damaged one and Lu Bu in the fine one.

Youngblood: Why he so strong one?

Youngblood fires at Lu Bu but misses. Lu Bu then deals another slash onto Youngblood with his halberd. Warning signals flash in Youngblood's Knightmare Frame.

Youngblood: Lelouch! I cannot fight ade. He hit me again, I die d.
Lelouch: Follow my instructions and I'll guide you to victory.
Youngblood: Okay.
Lelouch: 400 meters to your right. Swing your blade at him and then retreat 20 meters. Fire your gun at him and then retreat slowly. Keep your defense up as you move backwards and you'll live. He's hot-tempered, so throw him a few taunts, but don't overdo it.

Youngblood followed Lelouch's instructions. Lu Bu did not let up at all. Although Youngblood focused entirely on defense, he was still taking damage. Suddenly, the commlink was cut.

Youngblood: Lelouch! Oh shit!

Lu Bu leaped and drove the halberd into Youngblood's Knightmare Frame. The robot fell to the ground as the system shut down from excessive damage.

Lu Bu laughed at his fallen opponent and continued to stomp on the robot, hoping to crush Youngblood inside. He was so intently focused on it that he did not notice a red Knightmare Frame appearing behind him. The Knightmare Frame drove a claw into Lu Bu's robot and discharged an energy wave into it. Shocked, Lu Bu jumped backwards to defend himself from further damage. However, the intended goal had been fulfilled. His robot swelled and soon blew up, destroying both machine and pilot.

Karen rushed forward and shielded Youngblood from the radiation.

Lelouch: Nice job, Karen and Youngblood.
Youngblood: Why so late?!
Lelouch: I expected you to last longer.

---
At the same time, Cubix was dueling with Van. Both were on par with each other as they threw everything they had at each other.

Sadly, this fight had no ending. They just kept fighting and the entire scene I saw only showed both fighters exchanging blows with fists and swords. Of course, they were both fighting in their robots. I wonder who would have won.

---
My alarm rang half way through the fight, so don't blame me for not finishing your story, Cubix. And I guess that also meant that I didn't get to know if Retarded Bunny or Carol were in there. I mean, Krys was.

Wow, this post was long. Took me 4 hours to type. Phew... But it sure was nice to dream of something like this. I bet Dissidia influenced a large part of this dream. But I still wnat Dissidia! DISSIDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A List

• 6 hotdogs
• 2 apples
• 4 chicken egs
• 9 dragon tails
• Odyssey (yes, the book)
  
• Japan
• 6 old men
• Kick 4 anthills
• The Aztec civilisation
• Medal of Honor (yes, the game)
  
• 426 litres of 1.0M sulphuric acid
• 8 prostitutes
• 56 monkeys
• 2 tons of frog legs
• Polyphonica (it's an anime if you didn't know)
• Cendoh
• 83 cents
• 2 meter long bamboo pole
• Shotgun with a sniper scope and a "self-disintegration" button
• Maple Bandana
• Caladbolg (Tidus' ultimate weapon for those who didn't know)
  
• Tri-Ace
• Coffin with devil horns and tail
• Pineapple with orange leaf
• 2 zebras with six legs
• Saddam Hussein's beard dipped in molten peanut butter
  
• Brick from Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Hawaiian Chicken without guava toppings
• Rabbit with half a mailbox sticking out of an ear
• M16 with 1mm bullet
• Half-written book written in half Spanish, half Czech
  
• Shelf with adamantium body and 1 meter-long antenna behind it
• Wine made of vinegar, sugar and asparagus
• Skipping rope on a sled to Mt. Rushmore
• Mountain 6m taller than Mt. Everest and 2m shorter than Penang Hill
  
• 123,595
• Sad look with happy expression
  
• Nabi Isa's credit card with my name written on it
• This list with 60 brands of peanuts and 80 kilograms of elephant trunks.
  

It's just a list.

Dango Daikazoku - Chata (from Clannad)

Romanji version:

Dango dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku
Dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku

Yancha na yaki dango yasashii an dango
Sukoshi yumemigachi na tsukimi dango
Osumashi goma dango yotsu ko kushi dango
Minna minna awasete hyakunin kazoku

Akachan dango wa itsumo shiawase no naka de
Toshiyori dango wa me o hosometeru

Nakayoshi dango te o tsunagi ooki na marui wa ni naru yo
Machi o tsukuri dango boshi no ue minna de waraiau yo
Usagi mo sora de te o futte miteru dekkai otsuki-sama
Ureshii koto kanashii koto mo zenbu marumete

~La la la~ (tune of previous verse)

Nakayoshi dango te o tsunagi ooki na marui wa ni naru yo
Machi o tsukuri dango boshi no ue minna de waraiau yo
Usagi mo sora de te o futte miteru dekkai otsuki-sama
Ureshii koto kanashii koto mo zenbu marumete

Dango dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku
Dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku

Dango dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku
Dango dango dango dango dango daikazoku

---
漢字版：

だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　大家族
だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　大家族

やんちゃな焼きだんご　やさしいあんだんご
すこし夢見がちな　月見だんご
おすましごまだんご　四つ子串だんご
みんなみんなあわせて　100人家族

赤ちゃんだんごはいつも幸せの中で
年寄りだんごは目を細めてる

なかよしだんご　手をつなぎ　大きなまるい輪になるよ
町をつくり　だんご星の上　みんなで笑いあうよ
うさぎもそらで手をふってみてる　でっかいおつきさま
うれしいこと　悲しいことも　全部まるめて

~La la la~ （前のヴァースのメロディ）

なかよしだんご　手をつなぎ　大きなまるい輪になるよ
町をつくり　だんご星の上　みんなで笑いあうよ
うさぎもそらで手をふってみてる　でっかいおつきさま
うれしいこと　悲しいことも　全部まるめて

だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　大家族
だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　大家族

だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご 大家族
だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　だんご　大家族

---

Winger'll love this.

My quotes of the week (although I hardly change it weekly) will now be the quotes shown in Call of Duty 4.

Yes, the are shown, not said. How do you see them, you say? Just stand out in the open and throw away all your munitions in the middle of a shootout. You'll be seeing plenty.

I find some of them witty, some informative and some just plain weird AND true. Like the one for this week.

Allow me to continue

I'm just gonna keep throwing out these quizzes until I get sick of them.

Question 1

"This may sound like an anime from a century ago, but this is a real story."

---
The "a century" part is what makes this different from other anime.

Question 2

A: Let me show you my new super ultimate move! Super Grapefruit Cannon!
*Nothing happens*
B: If I may interrupt, might I point out that grapefruits ARE NOT GRAPES!
A: NO WAY!!!

---
A can only use powers that involves grapes, so go figure. This is pretty easy.

Question 3

*Explosion and bridge breaks*
A: What!? We've already lost!?
B: Don't we usually last at least until the end of the episode?!
*A, B and C gets swept away by river current*

---
Another easy point. Trust me. Almost anyone who come to this blog should know the title of the series.

Question 4

A: I'm going in to find C.
B: To save him?
A: To fight alongside him.
*A runs off.*
B: *in thought* Even if it was for only a moment, I felt like I just lost to A.

---
Yeah, well. No comment here.

*Private thoughts* Where and when will I find my Konata?

HEY! I SAID THOSE WERE PRIVATE THOUGHTS!!

Question 5

A: Can you teach me how to use a sword?
B: To become stronger?
A: To do the things I must do, I must live, and so, I need to become stronger. Can you teach me?
B: Yeah.

---
I think I got the dialogue wrong here but I don't remember it well, but the main content is there, so get guessing. It should be easy for Cubix and Retarded Bunny and maybe Winger...maybe.

Reminiscence

Well, only two things actually came to mind today.

The first would be the cup noodles I had for my 5 o' clock meal. Watching the cup of noodles while waiting for the noodles to soften, I couldn't help remembering how me and Winger used to skip part of Bio class to eat noodles. Youngblood tags along sometimes too, I reckon. That felt like such a long time ago now. When the noodles were ready, I took a bite and noticed how different it tasted compared to when I ate it with Winger. That's when I thought, "Damn! I forgot to put in the seasoning.

The second would be more significant to me than anyone else. I watched an episode of Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles before I went to work this morning. I could almost laugh, and cry, and sigh, perhaps all at the same time, which was probably why none of them were performed. Why? Well, since I read the manga, I noted the huge significance between the atmosphere. The anime only showed tales of action, adventure and a little romance. Everyone was so innocent, completely oblivious (acting or not) to the threads that were being spun, or rather, had been spun around them. Looking back to ther early chapters of the story, I can't help but feel amazed again at how the Tokyo arc completely changed everything in the series.

We thought, or rather, we expected Tsubasa Chronicles to be a simple story of people with different goals travelling together, but hell were we wrong. Every world they visited, every person they met were just a way of putting pieces in place. Once they arrived in Tokyo, that's when the pieces linked and the real battles began. To tell you the truth, I still can't believe it happened. It's like the ending to Code Geass R2. They smack you in the face and you still aren't even sure if they did it.

I'm tearing...

I can't believe it... I'm tearing. I haven't done it since the 1000 Words scene from FFX-2.

What am I doing? I'm listening to Ana from the Clannad OST... Huh... It's so peaceful...

Now, it's Nagisa ~Farewell at the Foot of a Hill~. More peace...

Ah... today is gonna be a nice day, I think.

Yay! Clannad was extended!

Clannad ~After Story~ has finally reached its conclusion with the release of episode 22. A wonderful ending, it was. I usually don't like miraculous happy endings, but I enjoyed the series so much as a whole that it hardly mattered. After all, the whole series was supposed to have a fairy-tale feel.

Besides, Nagisa's and Ushio's deaths were way too sad. I'm glad the ending changed from that of the movie version. It was also very nice to see everyone living their dreams (though I'm still not sure what Sakagami Tomoyo's dream was) or having a good life. I never thought I'd see the old principal again after Nagisa's graduation.

Unlike Winger, I don't need drugs (or helium) to relieve stress and feel paradise. I just watch Clannad. Safer, healthier, legal and just as effective. I'll be sure to bring along this series when studying abroad.

The series also allowed me to find my song of Metafalica. Dango, dango, dango, dango, dango, dango daikazoku. Dango, dango, dango, dango, dango daikazoku. I found it annoying in the first season, but Clannad ~AS~ changed that. Such a happy (happy isn't exact enough, but a more accurate word ain't available in the English language) melody.

Heck, I love almost the entire OST. (Clannad ~AS~ ending theme wasn't nice enough)

Oh right. Title. Uhh... it seems there'll be an episode 23. It'll be an extra depicting a story(s) from 1 year ago, during Clannad's time. Yay!

Songs y'all should know on Taiko 9-in-1 (part 2)

1. Sobakasu (why'd they list this under J-Pop and not anime?)
2. Hitomi wo Tojite (this bloody song is so slow, it makes me miss beats!)
3. Rinda Rinda
4. Here I Am (Dr. Black Jack 2nd opening)
5. Zankoku na Tenshi no Teze (Evangelion)
6. Cha-la Head Cha-la (DBZ)
7. Makenaide (ZARD)

I got offer of admission from IMU!!

But I want PMC... :(

Please hurry with that reply, PMC!!

Note: I met and had a chat with one of PMC's best students. That person has even written a book about the life of a medical student that was highly recommended by the legendary lecturer of PMC, Prof. Peter Lee.

I met the guy at work when he wanted to fax something. I noticed his name on one of the documents and went "The hell!?" in my head. I haven't even found the book and I've already met the author in person. And got his signature... on a cash bill.

Damn, the military is calm...or not.

At least the guys from Crysis are.

First, they don't seem to find it very strange that the tropical island they were on suddenly turned into an icy wasteland with freaks that aren't even from our planet.

Second, if they were freaked out when they saw that colossal hunk of metal towering above them, they surely didn't show it. This is a recorded conversation from the game:

TAYLOR: I'm getting something on the radar that you might want to check out.
BANDIT: Positive contact! *Military jeep comes flying out from behind the mountains and a giant alien crawls out*
CUPCAKE: That can't be real! (<-only sign of freaking out)
TAYLOR: Alright, boys. This son of a bitch is what stands between us and the tunnel entrance. So let's take it down!
BANDIT/CUPCAKE (I'm not sure who): WOOO!!!!!

I swear I was the only one with my jaw gaping open. And I ain't even in the situation.

Third, The US military seem to not care that the aliens are beating the crap out of the KPA and the same goes for the KPA. I got freaking shot by a KPA for helping the bastard take down an alien!

Well, there was one time in the game that the military did freak out.

O'neill: I'm down. Send me a pickup.
EMERSON: Negative. Proceed course as planned.
O'neill: Look, I'm a man with one pistol against the entire f****** KPA. Now, send me a damn pickup!

...Well, I guess that was more of a burst of rage than freaking out...

I've died many times (more than 20 times) in the game FYI. Which shows how much I suck at FPS. The good thing is that I'm getting better. I'm hoping for a Crysis competition anytime soon. And can somebody lend me COD4?

Songs y'all should know on Taiko 9-in-1

1. Dramatic (Hachimitsu to Kuroba)
2. Gekkouka (Dr. Black Jack)
3. Glamorous Sky (Mika Nakashima)
4. Comet Cloud (Pantasia)
5. Toxic (Britney Spears, I think) (Yeah,creepy, but not hard)
6. YMCA (JP version) (English is better)
7. Material Girl (Madonna, was it?)
8. ...Okay, I can't remember. I'll have to play again later today.

The first one attracted y'all to this post, didn't it?

Bombs away!

Here are the answers to Round 4.

1. ef - A Tale of Melodies
2. Neon Genesis Evangelion
3. Claymore (the most recent chapter of the manga. Isley died...)
4. Fushigi Yuugi (I still can't believe Yuu Watase decided to kill off Nuriko! The same goes for Hotohori!)
5. Ayashi no Ceres (Tatoe tooku demo kitto tadoritsukeru, tsuyoku shinjiteta. Ano hi no watashiga imamo kokorode nemutte iru... The lyrics to "Scarlet". Gahaha!)

Here are my answers, Cubes!

I'm a sore loser:

1. Nabari no Ou
2. Shakugan no Shana
3. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
4. Special A
5. Clannad ~After Story~ (It's amazing how I can keep killing y'all with this)

Round 3:

1. Death Note
2. .hack//SIGN (song lyrics is part of the anime)
3. Koihime Musou
4. Chrome Shelled Regios
5. Bleach (Chapter titles are also part of the anime)

I'll give y'all some more time for Round 4.

Word of the Day: Effendi

The first word I saw on the newspaper today when I flipped open the first page was "Effendi". That's gonna be stuck in my head for today, effendi.

Anyone here play Ar Tonelico?

Pippens are penguin-like creatures that live in the world of Ar Tonelico, effendi. They're about the size of a normal teddy bear and the always wear blue-coloured eskimo suits, effendi. They can speak human language but they're pretty much treated as domestic animals, effendi. Although they do have rights under law because they are so DAMN cute, effendi!

Anyway, almost everytime they speak, they will end their sentence with "effendi", like "Our Holy Maiden is awesome, effendi."

Yeah, that's pretty much the reason that word is gonna be in my head today, effendi. Have I been doing that a lot, effendi?

Oh and Crysis rocks, effendi. It's the first FPS I bought for my computer since 1999. The graphics are as insane as I've heard. Even at the lowest settings, the graphics are comparable to that of Metal Gear Solid 3. Imagine with maximum.

But my computer can't handle maximum. It can't even handle half of maximum. But I did try to see what it looks like. Damn did the graphics improve, but the lag makes lagging on MapleStory feel non-existent. And after I returned to the menu screen, everything turned bright orange instead of the initial dark reddish orange. *Whistles*

The gameplay will require some time for me to get used to. I haven't played an FPS on the computer in nearly 10 years after all, except Call of Duty 4 during ACGC Gurney.

The keyboard controls are all within reach and it'll be just a few more times of playing before it becomes muscle memory for me. Shooting, weapon changing and toggling the target window are all done with the mouse. Nanosuit adjustments and weapons modifications are also done with the mouse.

Oh yeah, I haven't explained the nanosuit yet. Crysis introduces a nanosuit system that improves your stats. There are 4 types. Maximum strength, maximum speed, maximum armor, and overcloak.

Strength increases jumping height by a lot, improves accuracy (recoil is reduced), increases throwing range and increases melee attack power. It's very fun to see people flying some 20 meters before they land. Trust me, it is THAT powerful. But pretty much everything of the above consumes nanosuit power, but only a little. Jumping consumes the most.

Speed increases walking and sprinting speed. You consume the nanosuit power when you sprint but it's really worth it if you're trying to get close to enemies quickly for close range combat.

Armor makes you invincible. Everytime you get shot, nanosuit power decreases instead of health. But, no, it is not imbalanced because about 3 shots from a submachine gun is enough to deplete the entire bar.

Cloaking does what it says. But it consumes nanosuit power for every step you take. And if you shoot, cloaking is immediately disabled. When you're not moving, the power drops 1% about every 3-5 seconds. So, this doesn't make you all-powerful either. And most tanks and APCs can still see you.

I'll tell y'all more when I get more access to stuff. Right, off to work.

Round 4!!!

Bring it on, cube boy! Here's round 4!

Question 1

A: Do you love me?
B: Yes.
A: Do you really love me?
B: Yes.
A: Why?
B: "Why?"
A: Why are you there? Why do you stand there so boldly? Why do you look into my eyes? Why do you listen to my voice? Why are you before me? Why do you talk to me? Why do you follow me around? Why do you meddle in my affairs? Why won't you leave me alone? Why did you and I meet? Why did you get to know me? Why did you appear before me? Why are you so attached to me? Why do you laugh? Why are you so meddlesome? Why are you in such a good mood? Why are you so cheerful? Why don't you cry? Why are you so bright? Why do you seem to have fun? Why do you look at everything? Why do you know everything? Why do you forgive everything? Why are you happy about everything? Why do you make me worry? Why do you shake me? Why do you make me lost? Why are you interested in me? Why do you make me suffer? Why do you condemn me? Why do you make fun of me? Why do you trample over me? Why do you taunt me? Why do you break me apart? Why do you tear me apart? Why do you beat me up? Why can't you forgive me? Why can't you understand me? Why do you make me cry? Why do you give me hope? Why do you bring me to despair? Why do you pressure me? Why do you trap me? Why do you disturb my soul? Why? Why? Why? WHY?!

---
Phew... I could only remember some of the things he said, so I had to rewatch. And it's still one of the most epic scenes I've watched. Watching it still gives me goosebumps. And it's perhaps the most memorable scene in the whole series.

Question 2

A: You've abandoned me all these years! Why do you want me now!?
B: Because you're needed now. But if you don't want to help, just leave and go back home!

---
Damn did I hate B, but I do admire his straightforward reply in that scene.

Question 3

"Watching B grow, I suddenly realised that I felt satisfied if I just had a little food to eat. I really don't want to die. Even if this momentary family is a dream that will one day disappear, I still wish we could be together more often... even if it is only for a moment."

---
A great scene. One of the most fearsome monsters you've ever seen in anime history shares his thoughts with us moments before his demise. To think such sentimentality could be found in a beast who once lusted for nothing but destruction. I may have once hated him, but now I salute him and mourn his death.

Question 4

"Come see her one last time. I've cleaned her body and patched her wounds. She looks beautiful now."

---
The first protagonist death scene in a great series. It came so unexpectedly and happened to a character with such presence in the series, I could almost cry with the rest of them. Too bad I don't (not didn't).

Question 5

"I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were. But that me from then now sleeps inside my heart."

---
Ah, a random line from a great series. I'll give y'all a hint if nobody can guess this series or any of the above.

If you conquer this one again, I shall raise the difficulty further and probably max it.

Let's see how much more you can take!

Oh yeah, Cubix?! Is that a challenge!? Here's round 3!

Question 1

"Sakujou! *Man dies* Sakujou! *Another man dies* Sakujou!Sakujou!Sakujou!Sakujou! Sakujou!Sakujou!SAKUJOU!"

---
I'll start off with a catchphrase again. "Sakujou" means delete or erase. It's easy because you can just deduce from the words and the scene I described.

Question 2

"Do you call it solitude? Do you call it liberty? When the world turns away to leave you lonely."

---
Heh...heh...heh... try and get this one.

Question 3

A: What beautiful hair. I hope to possesss it one day.
B: No no. It's not that great...
C: B is pretty hairy down there too!
B: C, what are you saying!?
A: Oh? I would surely like to see that someday.

---
No comment but a grin at your shocked or red expression.

Question 4

"I've been trained to fight solo, but you're a team player. So, I'm counting on you, captain."

---
This'll be painful to anyone because it's way too vague to even guess the title.

Question 5

"Turn back the pendulum."

---
The epic question 5 kill will probably not work so well this time, because it's just so easy... Right?

Beat that, Cubix!

I'm a sore loser!

Since I couldn't guess all of the anime on Cubix's list of questions, I'll just come up with another list and make y'all suffer!

Anyway, the prize is still up for grabs. He...he...heh...

Question 1

*B leaves to avoid the topic A and B had been discussing*
A: Wait a minute! *Grabs B's arm*
B: *Turns red and looks at A with pitiful eyes* Teacher... It hurts...
*A drops his jaw and lets go*

---
An easy one for starters.

Question 2

"Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!"

---
I don't need to translate, right? It's someone's catchphrase and the character always says it in such a manner. Youngblood should know this.

Question 3

"Now then, the opponent has only 24 choices. Oh, he chose the worst possible one. With that, it's checkmate!"

---
Still really easy.

Question 4

*The whole group are in a race. A is restrained with a straitjacket with metal chains and locks and is confined to a wheelchair.*
B: Isn't that a little too much?
C: A is a monster. We have to give him some sort of handicap.

---
Cubix! You'd better get this right!

Question 5

A: I came expecting to get a scolding.
B: Everybody makes mistakes. What's important is to know your mistakes and learn from them... and also LOVE!!
C: The last part wasn't necessary.

---
I intend to kill y'all off with the 5th question, as before.

Good luck.

Time's Up!

Nobody even tried #5. That is so disappointing.

Answers:
#1 Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
#2 Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (Eng. Version)
#3 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX (Eng. Version) (You got really, really close, Cubix)
#4 Hetalia - Axis Powers (Damn nice 5-minute shorts!)
#5 Clannad ~After Story~

Haha... Two of them were from the english versions, so it was harder... kind of.

And now, a random dialogue from last week's anime.

I pick Clannad ~After Story~.

Tomoya: We're having lunch now? Do you want to join us?
Fuuko: *shocked* Are you trying to win Fuuko over?
Tomoya: No way!
Fuuko: I heard you lost your wife, Okazaki-san.
Tomoya: So?
Fuuko: It's no surprise you see a sliver of her in Fuuko.
Tomoya: Let me tell you something.
Fuuko: *wearing a giant bean bag with eyes on her head* Go ahead.
Tomoya: Nagisa does not resemble you at all; almost like a seperate species.
Fuuko: *utterly shocked* You had an alien as your wife!?
Tomoya: I'm saying you are!
Fuuko: I'm not an alien!
Tomoya: I can't follow your thought process!
Fuuko: Fuuko has an average Earthling's thought process. Neighbours often say that Fuuko is a very average Earthling.
Tomoya: What kind of neighbours do you have!?
Fuuko: *grabs Tomoya's daughter* Anyway, let's go home together!
Tomoya: That does not follow at all!

Later...

Tomoya: Besides, if you represent the average Earthling's thought process, the world would be gone in three days.
Fuuko: Fuuko does not understand your statement.
Tomoya: What would you do if there's a button that says "Don't Press" in front of you?
Fuuko: I'll hide and press it secretly.
Tomoya: That was a launch button for a nuke.
Fuuko: No fair! You tricked me!
Tomoya: The Earth would be gone in less than three days...

Later again...

Fuuko: It may be too late to ask. Did you put in any sleeping pills in Fuuko's food?
Tomoya: Even if you were sleeping your butt off, I wouldn't touch you with a six-foot pole, so don't worry.
Fuuko: D-Does that mean you care about Fuuko that much?
Tomoya: Hell no!

---

I always love how these two interact in the series. Fuuko was the reason I continued watching Clannad until After Story.

Another reason would be Akio. His rivalry with Tomoya has always been entertaining. I don't think I've seen a father-in-law ever being so competitive with his son-in-law.

But... the series is coming to an end soon. Only 4 more episodes and it's goodbye Clannad. Aw... and it was such a great series too. Oh well, hopefully this'll pave way for more great Key Animation productions.

Gah! I'm still frustrated! I want to see the Clannad series' ending, but I don't want to see the series end! Argh!!!!!!
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA
DISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIADISSIDIA