Yee ‘O Lost Souls

I’m updating my blog constantly because I know there are people out there who are interested in my life and its not my fault you guys are here right? I blame it on my own popularity (and vanity). Hehehehe.

Wow today is like, well, its normal to start with. I finished three reading materials today. One is the One Piece manga I found at msn. They have it up to volume 40! Whereas I only have up to volume 29. Who could resist instant gratification?! Well anyway, I finished reading that and I thought that was the last of it, but as I looked around there seems to be more coming. I guess its only up to 40 in Japan too (or possibly more but its on going, and that’s the whole point).

Okay other than that manga, I finished reading Can you keep a secret by Sophie Kinsella, the author of the Shopaholic series. Well, it was a good read, but I guess the Shopaholic series was better. And lastly, I finished writing the story I did back in school. Well, finished writing in that book anyway but the story’s not done yet. It goes on as long as I like. I got some fresh ideas for the story ahead. Besides, to me, my stories are like my own abstract diaries. When I read back on them I can remember all the thoughts and my feelings back when I thought them up and really envoked some memories and ideas I had that could be recycled. So its always fun to read them even if I cant show them off to anyone else hehehe.

Although…that is part of the fun too…but these are private thoughts so…hmm yeah..well

Moving on.

I think I have a thing for going to game stores and just, accumulating games but not really playing them. That’s why you should really buy only one game at a time. So you could concentrate on it. But I don’t know! I just like hanging out at the video game store and just, stand there, taking everything in. The boxes of PS2, XBOX, the shiny PSP and other handhelds, the game posters, the games, the figurines! I just love the whole ambience! It makes me feel good. Is that so wrong? O_O

But its hard going in there without buying anything. But lately it doesnt really matter. Because instead of buying any games that looks good I already know what game I’m looking for so that’s one problem solved. Because during my long PS2 sabbatical, I found myself ending up with a whole cd album of PS2 games and more than half I havent played (or touched!) and that’s scary. I recently bought a new one because my current case is overloaded. So now I have two! Kyaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!(its the screaming sound effect you normally found in comics)

Anyway. I’m considering playing two games at once here. Namely Magna Carta which I have started on and Phantom Brave which I have finally found! Whew. I’ve never played two RPG games at once because I want to be really engrossed in them. When I play two, I will probably end up discarding one and then forgot to pick up where I left off when I’m done with the other one. I wonder how other people do it. I know Scott Ransoomair, the author of VGcats (www.vgcats.com) plays about a hundred games at a time and still enjoyed them. That’s insane. If I played two games at once…I feel like a…traitor. To the other game. Weird huh? O.o But right now I have to do some stuff before I can immerse myself in games again.

And I dont feel like studying for exam. No. None of that.

That’s all for today I guess. Bye bye.

I want AAPL TO GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWN!!!

Anyway. After going through several profiles, I just found some of them to be well…for starters, the wallpapers are too bright that they literally consume everything in the profile. Not to mention terrible color tones. You can’t read the profile at all! What the hell is up with that? I thought that was the whole point, isn’t it?

I just don’t understand some people. Although some profiles are pretty. Applause to these people.

I thought when you exercise you get more energy. But why do I feel tired and sleepy afterwards then? I went to the gym at noon today (I blame it to boredom). There was no one there and I had fun working out while watching MTV, until this old guy showed up and asked it to be switched to Star Sports! Grrrr. I’ve had about enough of the Australian Open. I probably watched all the games from the qualifying rounds to the semi-finals in the gym (due to there’s nothing else better to watch). And I hated it.

I think tomorrow I shall go to the library if my mandarin class is canceled. I need to do that assignment. I hate going there. Its so cold…including the staff. I still hate you nenek blond.

So like, what else? I’m out so if you guys are going to bed, good night, if you just woke up from bed (regardless what time of day it is) good morning, and if you’re heading to some boring class or test and such, good luck. And lastly, enjoy your day or…whatever.

Ta’ra!

I seriously think I should start trading now. I saw AAPL and I think I saw the signal. mwahahahaha! Finally! But you must tread carefully. *sage nods*

Anyway its late night and I’m hungry. I watched a Chinese movie just now and they were eating instant noodles from bowls. Yum yum. Now I want one too!!! But no, I’ll go to sleep. No more midnight snacking. *sighs*

Hmmm when I opened the fridge I saw three types of milk. We are each dedicated drinker of one type of milk. Like myself, I drink only the low-fat kind and the other two, Fresh Milk and Full Cream I don’t touch. And so are the others. My bro drink only Fresh Milk and my lil sis drink only Full cream. If there’s less than three types of milk in the fridge…be careful. When they stock up on that type of milk, the others get neglected and soemtimes I am forced to drink other types. But I just stay away from Full cream. Too much…cream. But it tastes good though.

Obviously I ran out of stuff to talk about. Oh and get used to the new template. Its the only un-cliche one I could find.

Ta’ra!

We’re finally here. Post #100! I can’t believe it myself really. Starting from my 101’s post I’ll change the layout. Haven’t decided which one yet though. (They are all the same anyway)

But anyway!

I turned on the TV after I got back from class just now and saw a documentary about sharks. Trust me, its more interesting that Ruffedge’s Zoom In show in TV2. I only turned on the Ruffedge’s show because I needed some background music while Yahoo! LaunchCAST loads the songs.

Sharks are interesting animals, no? Don’t you know that only the Great White would poke its head out of the water for no reason? Kinda explains why you only see pictures of leaping Great Whites, but no hammer heads or any other types. Nobody knows why the Great White leaps out of the water though. But it looks cool doesn’t it? hehehe. Oh by the way, the pic is actually fake. Some of you guys are probably familiar with it. Its actually two pictures merged into one. Obviously the shark was taken out of its original pic into this one (I think) because I have seen the original picture. Poor thing hehehe. I’m talking about the shark, of course!

About the body’s internal protection mechanism, sometimes I think its doing too much, really. I mean, if you drink even 5% less than what the body requires, which is around 8-10 glasses a day, it will instantly turn to its ‘famine reaction’ and stocks up water in your body. Resulting in unwanted bulges. Like I said, sometimes its doing too much.

8 glasses a day sounds a lot if you try to gulp them all down at once. But if you take two glasses for each breakfast, lunch and dinner, that’s 6. The other two is your evening (and night) tea. or somewhere in between. But I find taking in the last glass is hardest if you had just one evening tea. I mean, I’m lazy to go down and make another glass of tea. I make them by the glass now. Even then I still wish the glass was bigger. So I dont have to go back and make another one.

And man, I’m so bombarded with assignments to complete this week. I’m so not enjoying this.

Anyway, later.

You know, I almost read that post about Geisha. Im talking about you, btw Tin Tin. I’m so jealous of people who go out watching movies. Yes I really do. Why? Because I’m lazy to drive myself to the movies. For, well, a variety of reasons. But tomorrow! I will go to the movies and watch Geisha! Yes! I will go and watch that movie tomorrow.

Oh and CHECK THIS OUT!!!

I never thought Heaven existed in Malaysia!! (Stuff what the tourism people say!). YES, I’M NOT LYING!! These are pictures from a resort in Malaysia itself!!! (just goes to show just how ignorant I am towards Malaysian resorts).

Actually I’ll just take away the suspense from you all. Its the Four Seasons Langkawi. As I heard in the news, it belongs to Malaysia Airlines and doesn’t seem very profitable (prices are in USD and lowest rate per room is 400 USD). Although I’m already aware of this hotel long before MAS goes bankcrupt (not yet anyway). But one day, one day. I will go there!

I heard MAS is going to it sell for someone who offered a high price. Well, as long as they don’t change anything for the worse and lower the price a little, I’m unperturbed.

Oh and check out those abs! My fitness Goddess - Denise Austin! :’D~ *drools*

credits to www.peterkrogh.com for this picture. So people won’t say I’m plagiarizing. and the four seasons hotel pics from the photo gallery at www.fourseasons.com/langkawi 

Today I went to the shortest tute ever! Lasted no more than 10 minutes max! lol. Its like this, I didn’t attend the previous two classes because well, no particular reason. I was just lazy ^_^. So anyway I owed the tutor two essays (even when Im absent I made sure I submit my essays. Its a matter of reputation!) so I asked other classes whats the essay questions were and did them. Funnily enough I made three essays. Apparently the third one was today’s (ok so I intentionally did it beforehand so what?) so I submit them, took my attendance and toodle away! Just like that! Hah! I’m so proud of myself. And I even did all three essays in less than one hour. And I did it by forsaking Whose LIne Is It Anyway (it was a repeat anyway)

Since I actually have about…2 hours more to spend, I went to the triangle to continue my hunt for the two elusive games: Phantom Brave and Disgaea. But I didn’t found them! D’: Both shops were out of them. But I bought a game that I’ve watched the anime of. Its supposed to be of another series but from the same maker and the same setting with pretty much same everything but different characters (but still delicious pretty boys). BUT! It was that anime I watched! Its a different one as what the cover said. Damn! I wasted 5 ringgit on nothing! And what’s more, its not even English! About the only English words in it is ‘Ruby Star Presents’ and ‘Press start button’. And yeah, they are both at the opening scene.I contemplated going back to get a refund or an exchange, but when I think about it, its a pretty rare game. And I have seen the anime and loved it, and wouldnt mind playing the game (although I wouldnt understand more than half of what they say). Since this game is like a romance anime game where you hit on one of the pretty boys and see at the end of the game which one you ‘won’. Its very popular in Japan and doesnt involve a lot of fighting (if at all!). Games like this dont usually make it outside Japan. Only the occasional lucky ones or they just come in anime form (with all the good bits cut out no doubt!).

So instead of perusing that game I decided to start playing Magna Carta. To start off, the lead character, Callintz, didnt actually have long hair. I thought his hair was tied up with a pin kinda like Quistis in FF8, only the edges were wilder. But as I got a closer look, they are actually feathers. Can you believe it? Feathers! sticking to his hair! Thats so weird. Yet so sexy! Damn he’s so hot.

But one flaw is that, the battle system is so complicated. I was just wandering in the battlefield trying to make the characters attack. So I just jabbed at any button and when the command comes up, messed it up!! Aaaargghh!! Why must good games screw themselves up with complicated battle systems?!!? I swear, I only survived my first two boss battles through sheer luck! But that’s acceptable I guess, especially at this stage of the game. Even hardcore gamers have their day (not that I am one).

So anyway I’m too lazy to type anything anymore. That’s all for now. Ciao.

I am slowly waiting for my 100th post so I can finally change the layout. Three more posts to go and I’m there! Hahaha!

Anyway recently after finishing Suikoden Tactics (aka Rhapsodia) I suddenly have a yearning to play more games. There’s two games I’ve been wanting to buy. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and Phantom Brave. Both of these games supposedly belong to a series called Marl Kingdom. I havent heard of a series by that name but I have played one of the games in this series and that is Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. Its very cute and girlish although its a strategy RPG. This is the first and only game I played without going into a single game over! Yeah its that easy. Rhapsody was set in the eraly times of Marl Kingdom, as in, when there was still charming princes for our little hero to rescue. Anyway, Phantom Brave and Disgae are nowhere near as cute and sugary as Rhapsody although the description said they come from the same background. So as long as its in the same series, I wanna try it!!

Yeah I have a thing for games in a series. Like Suikoden (if its not obvious already) and Final Fantasy. Although I stopped following the game at FFX. I didnt even finish FFX. And the succeeding games are all online!! Pfff! I dont like online games. Prefer them on console (ps2 to be precise).

Games to look forward to in 2006: 1) Valkyrie Profile Silmeria 2) Suikoden V (obviously)

That’s all I can think about for now. Oh I just bought two games from Hopoh. Can you believe it?!?! They didn’t have Phantom Brave and Disgaea!! And obviously they lack a whole lot of games. I guess they thought its good since the games are selling. Don’t they know that it doesnt matter how many games you are selling, its about how many titles you have! Of course any sane person would go to palces with the biggest selection! Only the latest games are mostly available. So I bought two that I’ve been wanting anyway and gave them the ‘you’re-not-the-only-gaming-store-around’ look. The sale assistants were dull and boring!! GOD! If they don’t like their jobs, then for God’s sake, quit! I couldn’t stand looking at them just like how they look at me all suspiciously. You know, the stereotype sales person who assumed you’re just here to look around and not buying anything even when you are really intending to buy something. But I’m sure msot of us are turned off by that look. I’m with you.

The games I bought are Magna Carta: I really thought the hero was a girl, and Tales of Legendia: The two previous games I played but didnt get to complete (dont ask. its too painful for words). I contemplated buying Tekken 5 but then I’d probably be buying them just for collection. I didn’t exactly finish Tekken 4 (completed only one arcade battle and thats it), Tekken Tag and various other fighting games I have. I was once very fixated on Tekken 3 (and the record stands, no one has beaten me yet when I’m using Xiaoyu mwahahaha). It was actually the game that brought me to get my own PS. And Suikoden 3 got me to get Kujong (my ps2) hehehehehe.

So anyway I finally get my butt to the gym. And I thought I hated the treadmill, but I went on one and managed to run on it for almost twenty minutes!!! W00t~! a record for me! The staff are actually quite friendly once you get to know them. Very helpful, yes. I am so far enjoying my time. And I spent almost 2 hours at the gym at a time. Well, they have MTV there hehehe. When you insert 20 minutes into the treadmill’s computer, its equivalent to about 5 video clips right? Like today, I ‘treadmilled’ away to about 5-6 video clips of Westlife. I’m not a big fan but I guess they were being especially featured so heck - the songs are not bad.

Now my body is aching again. Shouldnt have taken too long of a break from exercising I guess.

So I guess that’s all for now. Ta’ra!

For the first time in my life I went to an actual funeral. To be honest I’ve never actually been to an actual funeral (you know, the praying, the wrapping, the digging and lowering into the grave and stuff) because since I was small my parents were keen to keep me away from funerals. Said children should stay away from this. So this became a habit. I avoided funerals and my parents never bothered to bring me. But just dragged me when we have to attend the prayer at their houses at night. But most of the time I don’t even know the dead very personally. Always someone else’s grandma or grandpa or uncle or auntie. Its quite different if it was someone I know personally. Or immediately family members.

And I had planned to go off to the gym at midday but I canceled it because I was engrossed in this book I borrowed from my sis. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic. Uh huh. That’s it. Something we could all relate to. well, women, actually. Its a good read and I found myself reading the whole thing today. If it was turned into a TV series it would be a real hit! or a movie at that. My sis has all the subsequent series of this book and I’ll be getting my hands on those soon (so get ready ok?) hehehehe.

Today I did a little essential purchase. I was meant to buy this face wash that I always buy but my sis said it doesnt work for most people and they had to remade it and change the formula a bit that’s why I dont see them in stores anymore. WhAT THE HELL!! The formula freaking works for me like I care if anyone else is not satisfied with it! I should maybe just order mine straight from the US. I love that stuff and here they go, the ministry of health, changing a winning formula just because a bunch of bimbos couldn’t use it!! I even went online and checked the website. They didnt have any new products. obviously the shops have all stopped ordering them for some reason and ordered something else in its place and I doubt they are the remade version of the actual one. I’ve seen it before they replace it anyway. It was a totally different  product. Not even from the same manufacturer. The tagline for this stuff contains the name of the previous one. SO pfff.

Now I’m looking for more stuff to read. And I know I have homework. It doesnt make any difference if I do it the day before the actual due date because I’m free almost everyday. Yeah I’m procrastinating to the max here. So what? I’m just bored.

Anyway I’m done babbling. Good day and ta’ra by the way.

Today started off pretty uneventfully. I slept, by the way. After I spent the whole night reading a Vandal Hearts game script. Someone actually type down every conversation in the game. But it was only three quarter finished. Although the author said to be continued, I’m not counting on it. The last update was June 2005. So go figure. But I wanted to know about the ending and I don’t care less for spoilers because I don’t plan to play that game anyway. The character art is terrible but the game and storyline itself are great. But with the state of the PS game discs on the stores now, you’re lucky just to get a decent one that will last throughout the game. My PS also isn’t in quite top condition. I think I mentioned it before when I was playing FF Tactics on it, the console screwed up the game and I was able to buy items and armors that are not yet available at the current level of the game, and with no charge at all!! Freaky really. I’m glad that happened but what if it had turned out bad like corrupt my memory card instead? *screams* The horror!

So anyway. We went to a little gathering at my uncle’s house and stayed for lunch. Kinda like celebrating his new house. And then went back and I immediately went out again to send in my gym application. So that’s finalized today. I’m so glad. I found some lemang and curry at home and satay with the gravy and stuff. Its not like we have any gathering or have people over for meals even though its eidil adha and all. But when its raya, you can’t help but just had  to have these food around just because! It gives you the feel I guess. I’m not complaining hehehe. I enjoy the lemang with curry. I’m not much of a rendang person anyway. Curry is like, a must-have, a catalyst for this sort of day. Long live the curry!!

I need to start shceduling time to go to the gym. I’m excited with the prospect. The gym has aerobics class too but both sessions are when I have class. Damn.

I wonder if I should sleep early tonight then? I barely had 5 hours of sleep last night. Anyway, later.

So finally! Suikoden Tactics is finally done! Well, not completely, no. I lost two characters in that first run. The game has a permanent death kind of thing going on. If a character that doesnt belong to the main storyline die in battle, it could die permanently. And damn! One of them was my freqent character! But oh well. Sacrifices must be made in order to get through the ruins (lest I have to reset and start again from level 1!!). The terrible dungeon I have been talking about is namely the Ruins Of Obel. It has five levels and 5 different kinds of base 6th level. But in order to unlock level six you have to go through the ruins first and then go through them again to reach the sixth level. What’s so terrible about this dungeon is that, if your party gets annihilated, the battle wont repeat, but it will bring you back to the surface where you reset the ruins. and dead characters remain dead. It sucks really. But like all games, the hardest dungeons bear the sweetest fruits. like better equipments and rare items. Stuff like that. The only reason I completed the ruins is because there was an essential item for a side story quest in one of the five chambers in the sixth floor. Now that I know what happens after I finished that quest, Im not going there in my second run through.

Yep, I’m starting again with the New Game+. There’s one character you can recruit only in the New Game+. Not an overly awesome character. Just something new for a change. The Suikoden Series have always been about recruiting a large number of characters.

Okay I’m done talking about the game for now. Next I’m going to concentrate on my fics. I stretched my writing story so far that I’m always done with my second foolscape book! Also I think my typing story (the one Im doing on the PC) needs a rewriting on the plot. I found out a lot of useless stops that further delays the story and doesn’t serve any purpose other than to lenghten it. Hey, if even I found myself yawning and skipping that part, what more can I expect from the readers huh?

Its been a while since I do much drawing. Recently I found a sudden interest in that Nescafe Kick Start Live Up Your Dreams show or something (although I have never actually seen an episode). You know, that reality show where people present their dream jobs and stuff. One of the 4 finalists, the only female, is actually a cartoonist for Gempak Starz. Her pen name is Xanasaviera (or however you spell it). Her works are anime styled and stories always included a lot of pretty boys. And needless to say her dream job is to be the first Manga artist in Malaysia or somehwhat. To be honest, I don’t really care. I just thought it’d be nice to actually see the person behind the comic you know. Although I’m not a fan of her, I found her works amusing. She’s the only one other than Kaoru who does anime/manga styled comics that features a lot of pretty boys. I have respect for Kaoru but not much for Xana (let’s just call her Xana ok?). Kaoru already established herself and her characters. You can still see the influence from various animes and mangas, but you can still discern her personality shining through her work. Xana, well, she’s just your regular fangirl. She still has a long ways to go. Good luck to her. She needs it.

One thing that bothers me when I saw her on TV was how well cartoonists take care of their bodies. Tyra Banks said when you complain about somebody you’re actually talking about your own insecurity. Like say "She’s beautiful and that’s exactly why I hate her" most likely the person saying it is insecure about herself. You can watch the ads fo that show and see Xana for yourself. A lot of cartoonists I saw published a good picture of themselves, but when you actually see them in person, they usually appear…well…let’s just say larger than life? I’m not really complaining or insulting, but I notice them to be well, fat and unhealthy. (to be blunt). To be honest I almost went into that state. I was so glad I took the detour from excessive gaming, drawing and fic writing.

Okay I admit I admire her drawing skills. But what’s the use of drawing so much beautiful people? Its more worthy to work on your own body that the body of a fictional character that only comes alive on paper. You should read one of her works. It will definitely feature at least one pretty boy. And the works speak for itself: She admires beautiful people and works hard to draw even more beautiful characters to keep herself level.

Well okay you guys can always argue that I am wrong and she probably just likes drawing beautiful boys and girls and is totally content with herself. I accept that. But seriously, at one moment in time, she must be thinking about it too, right? She wants to appear as beautiful as the people in her comics. To put off her insecurity, she kept on drawing more and more beautiful people. We can all look forward to prettier boys and girls gracing her works in the future. But I’ll hold my ground and said, unconsciously she wants to look like those characters too. How do I know? Well, let’s just say a person’s work says a lot about the artist.

Tomorrow is raya haji (eidil adha) so happy raya haji to everyone. There’s no particular plan for raya haji. Unless you’re in Mecca. A lot of activities there. I wonder what’s going on tomorrow. Will there be a family gathering? Ample food? Or should I go to the gym and send in the damn application already?

Yeah well I’m supposed to submit it today but well, I overslept. I had class at 8:30-9:30 this morning and when I came back it was some time after ten. I took a nap and woke up at 3:30. There goes all of my day. So now I can’t sleep.

I know, I know, I can still make it if I leave immediately even if I said I’m going there at 3:30. But Whose Line Is It Anyway is at 4:30 and I don’t like to rush back. So I just let it go. *looks at gym operating hours* Tomorrow is a public holiday…the gym opens at 9 am. Hmmmmmmmm.

Whose Line is wikked. hehehehe. Where else can you find superheroes like Captain Dandruff, Disco Boy, Break Up and Make Up Boy hmmm? Your daily dose of laughter hehehe.

Anyway, before the line goes snap, I might as well wrap up here. Ta’ra!

p/s let’s hope I can wake up tomorrow if I sleep at all tonight.