It’s scary what UGC modules can do to one’s mind and body. So I had my final UGC (which actually is the code for World Civilizations, I wonder why…) exam, and I didn’t have a good feeling about my results.
I got a C, by the way. I suck at history.
Outside the exam hall, my good friend Lester suggested going for blood donation, as there was a drive going on right at campus. And so, under the influence of post-UGC trauma and other enthusiastic comrades, there you have it: my first blood donation.

Hell, I wouldn’t say I wasn’t scared, though not terrified, but IT IS as what every blood donor has said, and I’m going to say it myself this time: IT REALLY IS PAINLESS (surprisingly)!
The only sensation of pain you would is only when the anesthetic  jab pricks the skin, but maybe it’s just me, ’cause although I’m fine with jabs, I really dislike this moment.

And oh, the entire process was really short, like 5-7 minutes for me. The nurse told me the duration differs from person to person though. It’s just the post-donation rest that’s rather long, ’cause they don’t wanna have anyone fainting all around the place from overexertion, do they?

And there you have it! I’m only allowed to donate again after February, and I’ll say I’m definitely going to donate again.

Meanwhile, it seems that O type blood (yay, my type) is actually running at critical levels in Singapore, so I’ve unknowingly done my part. Have a heart and spare some blood, ya?

See the full set of pictures here.

AFA2011 was indeed bigger and somewhat better than before, showcasing many more big anime titles. Having said that, it was also rather disappointing to see that the Artists Alley (hope I got that right) was reduced to a mere corner area. It didn’t facilitate a better flow of human traffic, and on a more practical note, it didn’t garner much attention, at least from me, than previous settings.

Another thing which I thought should have been improved after 2 years of the event is that, why yellow/orange lights? Are they cheaper than white lights (sorry, I really do not know)? The entire Artists Alley was illuminated with orange lights, so you get the warm fuzzy feeling, but it also hindered the perception of the many fabulous artwork on display and sale. It’s like the same thing with apparel stores and boutiques which use warm lighting; you love how the color of the apparel you’re buying, until you bring them home and find them to be of a different hue than what you saw in the shop.

Same thing goes for the figures on display, almost all of them look off-color. :S

I caught on Steins;Gate too late to appreciate this

Filming for Culture Japan

I have had the privilege to participate in the setting up of Danny Choo’s booth for the event, much thanks to Kodomut for providing the opportunity. Kudos to Kodo, Alvin, Danny, and his wife for their hard work on making their booth a success. *salute*

BANG

Well, I had to because my mother had fallen ill pretty badly and had to be hospitalized. So during her stay at the hospital, it was daily visits to the hospital for me, and of course, household chores awaiting. So other than culinary skills, I think I’ve pretty cut out to be a house-husband. (Plus points to my eligibility? ^^)

The good thing is, she has been discharged, and now I’m trying to get her to laze around less at home in order to recover her strength.

I had only told a few close friends about this, and I am grateful that they are very trustworthy and did not make mountains out of a molehill.
And thus! The crazy, LAZY ol’ me is back, and I’m definitely going to write about this lovely movie I had watched twice recently, eventually.

Buy this at Play-Asia!

Switch On!
Performed by: 土屋 アンナ (Tsuchiya Anna)
Opening Theme of: 仮面ライダーフォーゼ
(Kamen Rider Fourze)

Wow wow wow（フォーゼ！）　Wow wow wow（行こうぜ！）
Wow wow wow (Fourze!)　Wow wow wow (ikouze!)
Wow wow wow（フォーゼ！）　Wow wow wow（OH YEAH！）
Wow wow wow (Fourze!)　Wow wow wow (OH YEAH!)

High！School から放送中　バーガー片手　ハングリなエブリディ
High! School kara housouchuu baagaa (burger) katate hanguri (hungry) na eburidi (everyday)
まだまだ足りない　夢はラージサイズ
mada mada tarinai yume wa large size
Come On　スイッチ On
Come On　suicchi (Switch On)

レトロフューチャー　そんなのは不採用！
retoro fyuuchaa (retro-future) sonna no wa fusaiyou!
思いつき　イメージ　未来へ　Blast Off
omoitsuki imeeji (image) mirai e Blast Off
公式なんか意味がない。
koushiki nanka imi ga nai.

人の話だけで　知った気にならないで
hito no hanashi dake de shitta ki ni naranai de
果敢にタフにチャレンジ
kakan ni tafu (tough) ni charenji (challenge)

限界なんて　ぶっ壊してやれ　自分の手で  （Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
genkai nante bukkowashite yare jibun no te de (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
昨日より　ステップアップ
kinou yori suteppu appu (step up)
Go-Win！ Go-Win！　マイフレンズ
Go-Win! Go-Win! mai furenzu (my friends)
大気圏だって突破して（Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
taikiken datte toppa shite (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
旅立ちのカウントダウン
tabidachi no kauntodaun (countdown)
止まらない　Growing　超刺激的スクールデイズ！
tomaranai Growing chou-shigekiteki sukuuru deizu (school days!)

Wow wow wow（フォーゼ！）
Wow wow wow (Fourze!)
Wow wow wow（OH YEAH！）

Yes！　青い春 I-N-G 怖い物ナシ　それが My エンジン
Yes! aoi haru I-N-G kowai-mono nashi sore ga My enjin (engine)
No one 止められない　空気は読まない
No one tomerarenai kuuki wa yomanai
Come On　スイッチ On
Come On　Switch On

未知って　So Good　キモチ高ぶる
michitte So Good kimochi takaburu
アポロ　スペースシャトル　はやぶさ　ハッブル
aporo (Appollo)　supeesu shatoru (space shuttle)　Hayabusa　habburu (Hubble)
教科書　落書きの Rocket
kyoukasho rakugaki no Rocket

見てるだけじゃなくて　参加型アトラクション
miteru dake ja nakute sankagata atorakushon (attraction)
付いて来な Boys ＆ Girls
tsuite ki na Boys & Girls

常識なんて　誰かが勝手に　決めたこと（Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
joushiki nante dareka ga katte ni kimeta koto (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
はみ出して　ランクアップ
hamidashite ranku appu (rank up)
Go-Win！ Go-Win！　マイフレンズ
Go-Win! Go-Win! my friends
キミと言う　オンリーワンと　つながって（Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
kimi to iu onrii wan (only one) to tsunagatte (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
自由への　カウントダウン
jiyuu e no countdown
日々悩み　Growing　超シビれる　スクールデイズ！
hibi nayami Growing chou-shibireru school days!

始まったもの　いつか終わりが来るから
hajimatta mono itsuka owari ga kuru kara
限られた「今」という　月日　全力で…　Run Up
kagirareta “ima” to iu tsukihi zenryoku de… Run Up

限界なんて　ぶっ壊してやれ　自分の手で  （Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
genkai nante bukkowashite yare jibun no te de (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
昨日より　ステップアップ
kinou yori suteppu appu (step up)
Go-Win！ Go-Win！　マイフレンズ
Go-Win! Go-Win! my friends
大気圏だって突破して（Wow wow wow　スイッチ ON）
taikiken datte toppa shite (Wow wow wow Switch ON)
旅立ちのカウントダウン
tabidachi no countdown
止まらない　Growing　超刺激的
tomaranai Growing chou-shigekiteki
日々悩み　Growing　超スバラシき　スクールデイズ！
hibi nayami Growing chou-subarashiki school days!

Wow wow wow（フォーゼ！）　Wow wow wow（行こうぜ！）
Wow wow wow (Fourze!)　Wow wow wow (ikouze!)
Wow wow wow（フォーゼ！）　Wow wow wow（FOURZE YEAH！）
Wow wow wow (Fourze!)　Wow wow wow (FOURZE YEAH!)

I’ve had a conversation with a very interesting individual. but before I share the story, I find it necessary to elaborate on the term “interesting”.

When I say someone’s “interesting”, it doesn’t mean that I’m describing that particular person as undesirable, in a better way. He/she is just really interesting. But many people I know like to think beyond the literal sense.

Now anyways, this person is someone whom I have never spoken to prior to the conversation. He/she began by a flattering comment about me (superficial or not, who’s complaining?), and then the rest of the exchanges in the conversation, I knew they were his/her true feelings about things.

How did I know? Negative remarks were everywhere, about everything.

Now, remarks can be negative, but I do not find the act of sharing negative remarks to be something one should avoid. In fact, many a times, I always encourage friends who are having relationship problems with their peers to “confront” them about any misgivings these people might have about themselves. Then, one can take the chance to engage self-improvement.

Sadly, too many people only wish to hear the good things, and retaliate strongly against the slightest hush of negativity about themselves. As for me, I am no saint. I also do have a tolerance cap for negative comments regarding myself, but constructive comments are also welcomed.

Few people are willing to engage in discourse like this individual I met. Their minds too shut-in, their viewpoints too narrow. I wish I could speak my mind like that, but social protocol often restricts my deepest desires for expressions. Nevertheless, I enjoy participating in discourse. Contrary views are by far the most entertaining, for they really present fresh viewpoints of what you would like to think you already know.

Sadly, not everyone enjoy this. Any contrary viewpoints to theirs = falsehood, and any engagement in such conversations equate to arguments and disputes.

Buy this at Play-Asia!

Extreme Dream
Performed by: Labor Day
8th Ending Theme of: 仮面ライダーW（ダブル）
(Kamen Rider W/Double)

君となら叶う気がする
kimi to nara kanau ki ga suru
負ける気がしない It’s breaking through
makeru ki ga shinai It’s breaking through

自信をなくして　過ごした時　それは Past…forget my brave
jishin o nakushite sugoshita toki sore wa Past…forget my brave
この流れに乗って　行けるとこまで行こう
kono nagare ni notte ikeru toko made ikou
新しい記憶（メモリ）　手に入れよう
atarashii memori (memory) te ni ireyou

君が心のすべてを　受け入れたら
kimi ga kokoro no subete o uke-iretara
もう怖い物はないさ Nobody’s perfect
mou kowai mono wa nai sa Nobody’s perfect
右と左　究極の　バランスで魅せる
migi to hidari kyuukyoku no baransu (balance) de miseru
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams

信じ合えるのは世界中
shinji aeru no wa sekaichuu
探したみたって　Just only you
sagashita mitatte Just only you

勝手に落ち込んで　逃げようとして　みても won’t let you go
katte ni ochikonde nigeyou toshite mite mo won’t let you go
風 が巻き起こって　２人包んで　瞬間
kaze ga maki-okotte futari tsutsunde shunkan
新しい記憶（メモリ）　始まるんだ
atarashii memory hajimarunda

誰かを信じる前に　信じられた
dare ka o shinjiru mae ni shinjirareta
自分であり続けよう Nobody’s perfect
jibun de ari tsuzukeyou Nobody’s perfect
右と左　完璧な　バランスで Progress
migi to hidari kanpeki na balance de Progress
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams

終わらない夢を　見続けていこう　キミと Stay…stay this way
owaranai yume o mitsuzukete ikou kimi to Stay…stay this way
新しい力　感じているなら　きっと
atarashii chikara kanjite iru nara kitto
本当の奇跡は　ここからだ
hontou no kiseki wa koko kara da

君が心のすべてを　受け入れたら
kimi ga kokoro no subete o uke-iretara
もう怖い物はないさ Nobody’s perfect
mou kowai mono wa nai sa Nobody’s perfect
右と左　究極の　バランスで魅せる
migi to hidari kyuukyoku no balance de miseru
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams
誰かを信じる前に　信じられた
dare ka o shinjiru mae ni shinjirareta
自分であり続けよう Nobody’s perfect
jibun de ari tsuzukeyou Nobody’s perfect
右と左　完璧な　バランスで Progress
migi to hidari kanpeki na balance de Progress
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams
That’s so Extreme! Extreme Dreams

Buy this at Play-Asia!

ミッシングリンク (Missing Link)
Performed by: NOVELS
2nd Opening Theme of: TIGER＆BUNNY

破れたページは奪われたんだよ
yabureta peeji (page) wa ubawaretanda yo
何処かで落とした覚えはないから
doko ka de otoshita oboe wa nai kara
違和感もないほど綺麗にないそこには
iwakan mo nai hodo kirei ni nai soko ni wa
夢という名の章が確かにあった
yume to iu na no shou ga tashika ni atta

「誰に奪われたの?大事にしないから」
“dare ni ubawareta no? daiji ni shinai kara”
うるさい 他人事みたいに言いやがって
urusai hitogoto mitai ni ii yagatte
でも 何を憎めばいい?過去か自分自身か
de mo nani o nikumeba ii? kako ka jibun jishin ka
出来れば他の誰かであれ
dekireba hoka no dare ka de are

物語の僕らが その未来想うのは
monogatari no bokura ga sono mirai omou no wa
つじつま合わせのエンディングなんて見たくないから
tsujitsuma awase no endingu (ending) nante mitaku nai kara

今はないページは丈夫に出来ていた
ima wa nai page wa joubu ni dekite ita
ちょっとやそっとじゃ破れたりなんかしない
chotto yasotto ja yaburetari nanka shinai
その 笑われたページは涙で滲んでいた
sono arawareta page wa namida de nijinde ita
だから本当は少しホッともしたんだろう
dakara hontou wa sukoshi hotto mo shitandarou

誰に奪われたか そんなのどうでもいい
dare ni ubawareta ka sonna no dou de mo ii
どうせ世界には影響なんてない
douse sekai ni wa eikyou nante nai
当然のことなのに寂しいのは
touzen no koto na no ni sabishii no wa
自分を信じきれなかった自分自身
jibun o shinji kirenakatta  jibun jishin

物語の僕らが その未来想うのは
monogatari no bokura ga sono mirai omou no wa
ありふれてなんかいない 特別なことなんだ
arifurete nanka inai tokubetsu na koto nanda

破れてしまっても 終わらなかったんだ
yaburete shimatte mo owaranakattanda
破れたままでも ほら 守るべき何かは増えていくんだろう
yabureta mama de mo hora mamoru beki nani ka wa fuete ikundarou

物語の僕らが その未来想うのは
monogatari no bokura ga sono mirai omou no wa
失くした後でも主役は変われないから
ushinakushita ato de mo shuyaku wa kawarenai kara

賞賛なんてされなくたって 確かな今日があるなら
shousan nante sarenaku tatte tashika na kyou ga aru nara
夢なんて名前の章はいくらでも創れるんだ
yume nante namae no shou wa ikura de mo tsukurerunda