Veryl

Sayonara Memories - supercell

Hello again! Its finally summer! (for Uni students ;D), this edition's song is "Sayonara Memories" another supercell classic :). ryo says that this is a song about spring, graduation, and moving on in life.
Oddly appropriate.



1 - School

Its finally over! \(^0^)/, still trying to process the fact that its over, Im getting stressed that I have something due or whatnot...lol. Will take a bit of time to unwind, then Im in for a busy summer.

My first year of University...hm...it wasn't anything like I expected. Not nearly as exciting for starters. I suppose I didnt do my part in getting involved, but...it felt just like highschool...only more segregated. I did like the scheduling, no more rigid 9-3 schedules, but they help and hinder you (morning and evening classes T_T). All part of the adjustment.

I never really adjusted...Midway through first semester I was working hard and then I burned out. I just couldn't take anymore, and it was a really tough time for me. It was more managable the more I didn't "care" leaving stuff last minute and taking it at a procastinors pace...winter break didnt help as much as Id hoped. The same pattern repeated in winter term...and here we are. Quite a school year. Classes...were pretty iffy as well. Its the same ridiculous system as highschool, where you take a ton of electives first year. I didn't like most of my classes by the end of it all.

I met a few people, but the majority of time out of class, was sitting in a corner of the caf, with a few friends often, but on my laptop...never joined any clubs or anything. It was a wakeup call, and I wish I could say something like, oh I learned and did better! but I didn't. I hated University. Will things change? we'll see. This 4 month break will give me alot of time to relieve the stress built up, so hope things are better. Next year there's more specific tech courses...should peak my interest.



2 - Summer

Summer Plans!

Work: find a job, nothing too glamarous, just...a regular store job. A skeleton shift would be amazing :( (night shift) but we'll see...

Game: continue to play BW, and SC2 with my friends. Aim to improve. Also finish off Nocturne and start Digital Devil Saga 1+2, and also finish the other games I have :) probably replay Persona again as well. Oh and pick up Persona 4:Arena this summer :D!

Studies: Japanese, Programming, Drawing, Piano, PC related skills

Events: Anime North (Anime Convention), NASL (SC2 tournie), Camping

Music: Asian Kung-Fu Generation new album, Bloc Party album (comeback), supercell music(?)

Try to balance relaxing with getting meaningful work done. 4 months is plenty to make some real progress :) provided work isn't too bad :/. First? get some darn sleep, glorious, glorious sleep. Should probably see a doctor about that...lol, feeling really fatigued, think its just stress though.



3 - Extra

Extra stuff hmm...in the future Ill probably do a couple blogs on things that are important to me :o, like Persona 3 and supercell. Will take time to prep them, but please look forwad to them if your interested :)

For now, Im just gonna take some time to myself then...get my immediate affairs out of the way, and then just...take it easy for a while. Its odd that most of my blogs say the same things again and again with variation...and end with "Ill change :D" Ill save my breath. I dunno whats going to happen now, 2011 was an awful year, and 2012 hasnt been any better. My hobbies and events are whats kept me sane and things interesting, things to look forward too...etc. I learned about my breaking point, and experienced it multiple times, In more ways than one, Ill need time to just...recover really...and time away from school, stress and responsibilities will be good for me.

It'll be my birthday in a couple months...Ive almost been an "adult" for a year. I suppose Uni is part of the process, its a huge jump, one that your forced to take from a kid to an "adult". I don't feel like Ive become one, or societies definition of one...age is just a number...but Ive had to adjust and take these new responsibilities, which were part of the stress. It really does sound like Im whining about something that comes naturally to many, fair enough. But to sum it up, Im just confused...lol, a confused and lonely kid in the world of adults...I do understand their's no rush though, these are things Ill take at my own pace, and I think thats fine too. Take responsibility when your ready for it. Doesen't sound too bad :)



And so I leave you with a picture of chibi miku dressed as a maid with cat ears.

...HNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG OMG SOOOOOOO CUTEEEEE, the epitimization of cuteness ;o; MIKU~~~~~!!!! absolutely adorable T_T.

Oh, I should really explain my normal obsession with Miku as well, will be a good topic for a future blog :). Till then! I probably wont have anything interesting to blog...so, unless something interesting comes up, or I decide to do one of the themed blogs, this is farewell! back to my bunker of anime and games ;D.

Kokuhaku - supercell

Hello again. Im right in the middle of exams right now, but I had the sudden urge to blog lol. So here we go! This edition's song is "Kokuhaku" (Confession) by supercell feat. Koeda! its also the 2nd Ending to the anime Guilty Crown. Great song, but it really picks up 2nd half :) that piano solo ;o; ryo I love you you musical god.



Some really nice Miku pics today, so look forward to them :).

School

Like I said earlier, were currently in exam period. Ive finished one (sociology, ridiculous -_-) and have 3 more in the next 2 weeks. But after that. I am free! I just hope I do well :( oh well, deal with that when it happens right? ^^;;?

I cant stand anymore school so Im not gonna bother with summer school at all. Instead, try to get a job, even though Im not good with people. Have to work to survive :X. Hope that goes well. I don't have any lofty expectations but something fairly interesting would be nice. Earn money for things I need, plus my tuition. Should be a good experience.

Sorta relating to sociology. I had a 4 hour conversation lasting all night with a friend of mine last night (we finished at like 6:30am). About the concept that were all sheep under a facade of freedom, and the future of the human race. Personally, Im content with being a sheep. We have differing beliefs. He believes we should dedicate ourselves to bettering humanity (in extreme ways even, revoluton and whatnot). Me? Im content living happily by myself. I think every human has that right. Thats the basis of my philosophy. Mind your own business, live the best you can, be responsible for your actions. There's alot of unpleasent and difficult things in this world, but we all have to deal with them, of course Im not saying to ignore our problems or others. But the thought of us all being humanitarian workers is bizzare and doesen't fit human nature. We can wish for something greater, something more (revolution in his case) but Im a pessimist in that sense. (Oh the irony, the otaku who escapes reality, acknowledges it the most) Id rather live out my own life in peace. Selfish of me, but I believe everyone has that right.

Just an interesting conversation I had.



Anime

After a slow start, Spring anime is in full session!

This season Im watching:
Accel World
Acchi Kocchi
Eureka Seven AO
Fate/Zero 2nd Season
Jormungand
Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? of the Dead
Sankarea
Shining Hearts: Shiawase no Pan
Tsuritama
Upotte!!

There all entertaining and many have suprised me. Its hard to pick a favourite since there all so good. But something that caught me by suprise was Tsuritama its this bizzare anime about 3 boys who fish together. I checked it out because my favourite artist (Uki Atsuya) did the characters, but wow. It was really colourful and entertaining. The rest were all exciting and fun to watch as well. I highly recommend you check out a few from the list :). I have varied tastes lol, Im neither Type-A (moe onry) or Type-B (quarity onry).

I think the industry is getting better and better with each season. Past few seasons have been spectacular. Anime is dead? yeah right.

Also, Im in love ;o;. Of course my #1 shall always be Miku. ALWAYS. I randomly read this new manga, and I instantly fell for one of the characters lol.
Bottom, Glasses, Short Hair

so cute ;o;, my ideal anime girl. Just needs headphones and maybe dye her hair teal or something :3. Anyway, enough about me and my obsession with 2d characters.



As I post more pictures of 2d characters :p lol.

Extra

SKPlanet Proleague Finals Season 1: The grand finals of Starcraft: Brood War Proleague. Had to wake up at 5am to watch, and it was so worth it. Greatest final I have ever seen. The result saddened me (darn SKT fans, darn Bisu fans) but it was an appropriate end, if this is an end. Brood War may be dying, and it might phase out for the shell of a sequel called Star2, but Ill always love and suck at Brood War. There's nothing wrong with a small dedicated community. The end of the TV era for Brood War does not mean it will die. Lets enjoy what the community has created for a few years. I think we can all be content with that :)

I said in earlier blogs I was trying to get in shape. Well its working...although very slowly...lol. Ive been at it for a couple months now. Not hardcore but not light either. Mainly for my health. Lost about...10 pounds past 6 months? lol. I dont really care for muscles or getting ripped. Slim fits my body type better. But its a pain sometimes lol, you really gotta watch what you eat as well. I sympathize with you all trying to get in shape.

Got my new glasses in the mail as well. Sorta look like the P4 protagonists so Im pleased with them lol. Dunno if they fit me, but if I can pretend to be a badass like Souji/Yu, Im good ;D.

I also keep realizing how inspiring people like ryo and shigenori soejima are to me. The more I learn about them, the more I read past interviews, the more inspired I get. Really motivates me to be like them. There amazing people, and to even achieve half of what they have would be a dream. Got a busy summer ahead, alot to learn, alot to do. And of course, relax and have fun. Its been a long year physically.



Well, thats all for this edition. Thank you for reading. Good luck in your endevours and lets all work hard so we can enjoy the summer!

empty - kz(livetune)

Hello again everyone, its been quite the week for me. A long post coming up hehe. This edition's song is "empty" a track on the innaugural TamStar records label album. This track's done by one of my favourite composers kz from Livetune, featuring Yanagi Nagi.

Breakdown:
01 - School
02 - Anime
03 - Revelations



01 - School

For better or for worse I have one week left of school ^o^/. Regular classes end next week, and then we enter exam period for the month of April. Im scraping by :X more or less. Gotta make sure I do well on exams and end the year on a highnote.

I said in my previous blog how I was debating what to do next year. Well I talked it over with my dad and it went really well. He acknowledged I gave it a shot, tried academia and let me choose my own path. My own path at this point means me just picking my own courses with no outside influence, I still need to attend Uni. But this is huge for me. I can center my learning around practical courses and things Im interested in freely.

He had some good advice for me that this is a long term preperation for the future, and I shouldn't be in such a hurry to regret it in the future.

This was a bit of a shock to me. My dad's always been very stubborn about education, as most Asian parents are. So for him to be so understanding and let me do what I want...I feel sorta empty now. My misery was centered around pressure from my parents and school. Now that I have control of that, its liberating but it makes me reflect on the hard times I had to go through to get here. It may seem strange that Im getting so emotional about picking my own courses (lol), but to be given this freedom of choice and acknowledgement as an adult is the greatest gift he could have given. It'll take a while to sink in, not quite sure what else to make of it at the moment.

Ill think about my course selections very carefully next year. Pick the option I think is best for me. People survive on compromises, and this means the world to me.

In alot of ways this week was a sense of closure on many aspects.



02-Anime

This week also marked the end of several winter anime. I greatly enjoyed Winter 2012 as a whole, but I have mixed feelings in general. In this way too it was also a sense of closure as some of my favourite series came to a close.

Guilty Crown: My beloved GC, likeable characters, fantastic music, great animation, interesting plot. What more could I want? well...a good ending :/ Guilty Crown had one of the most dissapointing endings I have ever seen. It completely changed my opinion of the anime. I cant even bring up the effort to defend any semblance of it apart from the music. There are alot of people with double standards throwing around "Deus Ex Machina" (the most standard plot device) like they've hit a revelation. GC is harshly looked upon, but even as a fan I can agree that it was an incredibly dissapointing ending. Im just glad redjuice and ryo did some fantastic work! well done my heroes! and ofc chelly and koeda (chelly why u no return my tweet T_T?)

Black Rock Shooter(TV): In the beginning it was an absolute mess but slowly redeemed itself as it wore on. It was pretty cheesy overall and the plot was nonsensical, but we watched it for BRS herself and those parts were really enjoyable. Didn't have incredible depth, but was an entertaining watch. Huke finally gets his anime, so gj to huke and ryo!(note everyone Ive thanked is a supercell member lol)

Rinne no Lagrange: This seasons sleeper hit. Absolutely fantastic anime, really underrated. It had loveable characters, amazing animation (best Ive seen) great sound and a pretty cool plot, although the meat is saved for S2. It doesen't need an incredibly deep, dark plot to be successful, nor does it need to be overbearingly moe. Lagrange was one of those loveable SOL shows you immerse yourself into and enjoy every step of the way. Its a plus that it was a pretty cool mecha as well. Maru! Wan~

Shakugan no Shana III Final: Ah, Shana :) my first foray into anime. As a kid I did watch stuff like Digimon, CCS etc but in 2009, Shana awakened my passion for anime. It was amazing, so much fun to watch the adventures of a boy and this mysterious red headed girl. Its been 3 years since I discovered Shana, and anime. Ive come a long way, and my anime obsession is the result of alot of things. But Shana will always have a special place in my heart for awakening that spirit. I really liked this final season, the sense of scale was broadened, new characters added and we had a satisfiying ending. Not what I expecting but it finished really well! I cried when they kissed T_T so much pent up emotion over the years.



03-Revelations

Its been quite a week. Plenty of ups and downs. At the end of the day...I just feel empty. My long running fight with my Dad is basically over, so is my beloved anime series that made me an otaku. There's so many other things happening as well, too many to mention. This really does feel like a transition period. Really. Ive said before how Id change etc etc etc, but now...I just feel free. Its fitting that what helped me deal with those hardships (anime, beginning with Shana) ends with my long running feud.

What now? well :) Ill just let it sink in...my life will remain the same, school may suck and it'll still be hard. But this peace of mind Ive gotten this week is more than I could have ever asked for. Now if only I didn't have to write a goddamn paper :P. Guess some things never change.

Happy (belated) Hatsune Miku day!

It was March 9th yesterday! (3, 9) which spells out to be "Ssan, Kyuu" in Japanese (Thank You) it can also be read as Miku apparently. So March 9th has been dubbed as Miku day :D

Theme Music:
Street of Masks - Sakanaction

Trying to expand my horizons a bit, listening to different bands, Im still searching but I really like this track :), really upbeat and great to listen to. I really like bands that blend synthesizers/pop or classical elements with rock. Something unique, which is why Im a big fan of Alternative rock. Any suggestions?

School = meh, that is all. Not feeling very enthusiastic about it. Ill have to talk to some people, but Im thinking of dropping out. Maybe transfer to another program, but just thinking about it. I just don't seem to be making any progress, even if I study hard I dont feel like Ive gotten any closer to my goal, the programs not like that. But it was the best one I could pick out of my limited options :/



Going through that Sakanaction album (Documentaly) wow these guys are pretty good :D.

Hmm what else to talk about :X there's been a variety of interesting game, music, anime news etc ^^, alot happened.

Recap!

New information about Persona 4: The Golden and Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (P4: Arena in US). New features and characters!

Persona 4: The Golden (Trailer)

OH MY GAWD. WANT. WANT. WANT.

News that two of my favourite bands, Asian Kung-Fu Generation and Bloc Party (After a long hiatus) are releasing albums this summer! HELL YES!

supercell released two new singles on the 7th, and I absolutely love them. Hope they do more work soon.

Winter anime season is ending soon, alot of exciting develops in the shows. Sad that some are ending :'( (Guilty Crown, Shana, P4) and others...at least it'll be an excellent year for anime :)



On a moar srs note ;o;

Procastinating on work right now -_-;;; lol. But yeah, Ill think about it some more, but Im thinking of what to do next year. To be honest, rather than grind out 3 more years of my life, and learn nothing particularly useful. (Theory has no meaning if u cant apply it practically in media. I want to create, be a button pusher AND a thinker).

Ideally do a year web design certificate, learn programming and animation on the side...do some freelance work here and there. I don't really care what society thinks of me tbh. Can't really get any worse, not like its mind blowing news either. Don't see the necessity of a piece of paper to back up my credentials. It should always be on practical work. I get the vibe that some of the faculty are...well...lets say I dont agree with them. Prof's can use their classes to try to shift your thinking :/

Ill probably chicken out :/, but I haven't made any progress this year. Its been pretty dissapointing. Ill finish off the year and make my final decision. But Im just dragging myself through the days wasting time. The only obstacle are my parents, the only reason I went to Uni really. I always wanted to go to a practical program at a college, but my parents refused to budge. Ive given it a year...and it really isn't for me. Don't wanna half-ass it and ride my way through, while some poor kid studies like crazy and I do better out of luck. Thats selfish and cruel of me. Worlds already tough enough. No need to drag down others with me.

Well, I have 2 months left. Ill do what I can, but as an adult I can't just submit to my parents wishes now. Im grateful for what they've done. But Im 18, I shouldn't rush, but this experience has seemed alot more harmful than helpful.



Bit of a sour note to end it on. Have some more FISH ACTION.

Identity - Sakanaction
Monochrome Tokyo - Sakanaction

Awww yeah :D, hope everyone finishes the school year off well.

Summer isn't far away (^o^)/ lets all do our best~!

Hello again ^^. Its finally Reading week!

Essentially its a one week break for post-secondary students right after midterms.

So happy to finally get a rest :( midterms were tough ;o;, but enough about school.

Theme Music: 40mP - Avenue feat. Chano

Recently started to listen to more of 40mP and he's really good! addicting rhythms that flow really nicely. Its great to listen too. This particular song is to celebrate him marrying Chano, who's a nico nico douga singer. Lucky guy, living the otaku dream. Wish them the best in the future (They recently had a kid I heard :O).

Speaking of which it was Valentine's Forever Alone day a couple days ago. Its sorta amusing how semi-/seriously some people take Forever Alone. If you were pushing 30 or something, maybe you should start worrying lol. Otherwise, its not that big a deal imo. It was fun seeing the fanart, and the annual "Desktop Valentine's" thing, its like a big event for everyone. Basically, just have fun on days like these, whether you care for them or not. Any excuse for that, is a good excuse.

"Well, you have your 2D Miku -_-..."

...point taken.


MIKUUUUUUUUU \(;o;)/

Reading Week Plans

Get some work done, Im currently trying to write a short story. It's about two childhoods friends who are seperated by war. And their only connection is a scarecrow that the two made together as kids to protect their farm. Im new to this, but I found it really fun and fluid to write the concept. Its supposed to be sorta tragic though :S. Trying to think of a writing style that would fit, have a pretty good idea how to make it work though ^^. Hopefully upload it in a future blog!

The daunting task of learning Japanese/Drawing T_T

And Im starting piano! learning the basic keys and playing beginner workbooks.

"So much work..."

Welp, when Im not working...

Playing Starcraft2. I know I know, Ive never been a fan of Star2, but a friend lent me his account so Im trying it out. So far? it has its merits, but Brood War's alot more charming to me, something magical about everything in the Brood War package.

Playing those RPG's Ive left, Nocturne and then my 2nd playthrough of P4 when Im bored.

And ofc, starting two visual novels Ive been anticipating! Steins;Gate and Little Busters!

Otherwise, watching anime really ^^.



Have I ever mentioned I have a thing for headphones? lol.

May seem sorta odd. But I think its really cute and stylish. I love images that emphasize the headphones (See my Avatar to the right, or the first pic in this blog).

They're "tools" that let us listen to music on the go, and in a way they help connect us to our own worlds. Not to mention they look great, especially on cute anime girls. Miku(and all vocaloids) traditionally have had headphones so thats part of it ^^. Oh and ofc Arisato Minato from Persona 3:FES. My mancrush virtual hero. Aigis as well! Headphones are so awesome <3

I really wanted Minato's headphones from P3, but they're discontinued :( I can get a newer pair of clip on headphones at least :D



The special edition P3 headphones from Audio-Technica.





So, So hawt T_T. Wish I knew about it 5 years ago...lol.

Something I didn't miss out on though!



Nenderoid Snow Miku: Fluffy Coat Ver.

Just placed my preorder today! $75 US in total, with express shipping!

Thank you GoodSmile Company! Its a special edition Miku Nendoroid to celebrate the annual winter festival in Sapporo (The birthplace of Miku).

Im usually hesitant about buying these things. But this is the most adorable thing I have ever seen. At that price. I HAVE TO BUY IT.

I mean LOOK at dat face ;o;



*melts*

She comes with a variety of accessories and 3 different facial expressions. And the thing that sealed it for me is a bonus snow sculpture, and an LED light stage!



It ships in Late June :( gonna be a while. But its going to be so worth the wait. Ridiculously cute.

The deadline was today for preorders :( this is a limited edition, so hope noone misses out!

more pics: click me

Well, all in all I plan on having a relaxing reading week. Hope school, or work, or whatever obligations you all have go well. Just remember to have fun whenever you can. Life's too short to not enjoy it. Let loose once in a while :), whatever that may be ^^.



So cute ;o;...