March ’07 Archive (from my spaces.com blog)

March 31

Now watching… Nodame Cantabile Ep.11

Nodame Cantabile Ep.11

< ![endif]–><!–[if !vml]–>Continue from Ep.10, this time they play quite a long Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2. It’s almost the first half of the episode. I hope non-classical listener will enjoy this score because the melody is so moving and pleasant. And oh my gosh, is that Nodame?

On a side note, I listen to many different type of music: pop, jazz, rap, blues, rock, etc. But only classical music can move me to tears and give me goosebumps. Rachmaninoff is one of my favorite composers and who won’t like this Concerto No.2? I bet most of us will go ”oh, so this is Rachmaninoff, I heard it before”. I am not sure who’s the artists in this episode, but I have the CD with the master (Rachmaninoff is also a pianist) plays his own Concerto. This is not an easy piece, Rachmaninoff has long fingers and his music are less a torture for long-fingers pianist. I hope this music will be your first stepping stone to classical music.

11:58 PM

Now watching… Music Station Ep.4

Music Station Ep.4

This episode features many artists that I am unfamiliar with. I only recognize one, Every Little Thing. The show starts off with Koike Teppei, a member of WaT who goes solo. Well, for a man, he sounds like he hasn’t reached puberty. Then Endlicheri * Endlicher who has a funny taste of clothing and funky movement sings. Follows by Kato Miliyah who is only in her last senior year, but looks much much older. Next is Teshima Aoi who is from Fukuoka and afraid of the big city, Tokyo. HOME MADE Kazoku comes next and finally Every Little Thing. This episode is by far my least favorite (even though only 4 episodes so far).

11:49 PM

March 30

Why is there no urgency in the word “Extinct”?

Did you know in 30 years if human don’t do something, the four great apes (Orangutan, Chimpanzee, Gorrila & Bonobo) will extinct? Do we know what the word extinct mean? This is a very serious matter. Extinct doesn’t mean it’s ok if you don’t finish your work today because you can finish it tomorrow. It means there is NO tomorrow. Let me rephrase, what if I say if apes don’t do something, human will extinct in 30 years? Will you do something? Of course, you are. In short, majority of human are selfish, they think of themselves and tend to forget about other living creatures. I am grateful for many who try so hard to save the minority species who share this small planet with us. I bow to people like Jane Goodall. Please help in any way you can, or just simply spread the word like I am doing here. Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth. Please realize that this only apply to the apes, the same situation also applies to the tiger, polar bear, and I believe there are more than I am still not aware of.

8:54 PM

Now watching… Nodame Cantabile Ep.10

Nodame Cantabile Ep.10

This episode features Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto teaser. As usual, a lot of “Gyabu”, “Mukya” from Nodame

8:19 PM

Now watching… One Piece Ep.219

One Piece Ep.219

This episode concludes the Foxy pirate story. The Luffygumi now move on to another adventure. The next encounter may be the characters shown in the opening scene. Can’t wait, cause even the bad guys look cool.

8:58 AM

Now watching… Music Station’s Spring Special

Music Station’s Spring Special

This is a spring special episode with longer showtime and even greater singers: Mr. Children (*Yes!*), Koda Kumi, Exile, Kobukuro, Nakashima Mika, News, Hamasaki Ayumi, and more. It also shows major debut clips from over the years. It’s funny to watch Mika’s reaction when they show her debut. What’s wrong Mika? It’s not that bad. Overall, it’s a good show with excellent performances. And the side-effect of good show is me spending money to “try out” those singers that they showed, like, Zard, K, Bonnie Pink, and few more. Ah, what have you done to me?

8:55 AM

March 29

Now watching… The Ellen DeGeneres Show: DVD-licious

The Ellen DeGeneres Show: DVD-licious (2 Disc Set)

Ellen DeGeneres is one funny lady. Her jokes are usually impromptu and non vulgar. This DVD is something like “the best of” her talkshow. I rewatched this because I want to watch the clip of her visiting Lens Crafter. Bwha ha ha ha…. The driving school one also funny. Oh yeah, and not to mention her out of this world “journey” with Gwyneth Paltrow. Ha ha ha… I can’t get enough of them together.

If you ask me, I’ll say: Get it!

12:53 PM

March 28

Now reading… Bernard Cornwell’s “Enemy of God”

Bernard Cornwell’s “Enemy of God” – Second book of the Warlord Chronicles Trilogy

I finished the first book a while ago. Decided to put Murakami’s book aside (again) and continue the book two before I forget the storyline. This is a fictional/historical book about the legend/myth of King Arthur. It has all the famous characters like Merlin, Lancelot, Galahad, Guinevere and of course the mystical Arthur. It also depicted the grand battle among Britons and with the Saxon. It has massive battle scenes and keep reminding me of the LotR’s battles. The book is captivating and engaging. I give it a

3:40 PM

March 27

Just acquired… Suara’s “Hikari no Kisetsu”

Suara’s “Hikari no Kisetsu” (Asatte no Houkou OP)

I haven’t watched the anime yet, but the opening (OP) theme is very nice. I like it a lot and decided to buy the single for the anime. Suara also sings the opening theme for Utawarerumono anime.

I get this CD from Yesasia.com. I highly recommend this CD.

9:48 AM

March 24

About… Suga Shikao

Suga Shikao on “Music Station”

The most anticipated TV program for me now is “Music Station” on Animax (Ch.84). Music Station gives pop-charts, interviews, and live performances from both new and veteran J-pop artists. The show is host by Tamori and Mariko DOU and runs for 1 hour.

Current episode 3 features no other than Suga Shikao as one of the performers, among Gackt, V6, Yuna Ito, Aqua Timez, Morning Musume & Funky Monkey Babys. Suga sings his newest single, first time I hear it. Too bad it’s a short version, just like everyone’s. Gackt’s performance is also good, he is actually quite good looking, especially the “blue eyes”. Frankly, I never see a guy’s face as smooth as his (*jealous*). Yuna Ito sings her debut single “Endless Story” from Nana’s movie, which she acts as Reira. It is also quite good. For Aqua Timez, good performance, but not my type of music. The bad ones (for my taste) are the rest. I never like a group of more than 2 people who sing in unison. (hint: V6 & Morning Musume). Morning Musume’s performance is the worst, out of tunes! The Monkey, I means FMB, well, one of them really does act like one. Their music is not my type, sorry.

11:04 PM

March 23

Now playing… Crackdown

XBOX360′s Crackdown

At first I am a bit unsure about this game. But after getting used with the copntroller, I can finally enjoy the game. This time, the hero, ehem…. me, is a genetically enhanced supercop. Jumping across rooftops is fun, it feels a bit like cross of matrix and spiderman (minus the web). Of course, the gameplay is similar to Grand Theft Auto series (who’s not copying this GTA game nowadays anyway….). The hero runs, shoots, kicks, drives, jumps and most of time shooting off those gangster nutcase (since they are laughing insanely most of the time). This is a third person game with 3 cities to explore. I’m still early in the game and only covers one city now. Later, maybe after upgrading my “gene”, I’ll be able to jump over the bridge to next city .

Overall I give this game a

9:22 AM

March 22

Just acquire… Chage & Aska’s Double

Chage & Aska’s Double [CD]

CMin, my buddy, loan me the CD the other day and I like it, so decided to get one myself. I like their different “sound progression”. It’s unique and that’s enough for me.

Read more about this duo here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chage_%26_Aska

9:22 AM

March 20

Now watching… Ice Age 2

Is this suppose to be a comedy? Because I don’t find it funny at all! Not even the “squirrel” parts. Not engaging at all. I’ll give it a

2:13 PM

Now listening… Hiro

Hiro’s Brilliant

Hiro is ex-SPEED member. This album of her is not bad. More on the fast-beat song but not dance (thank goodness!). I’ll give it a

1:47 PM

Now playing… God of War 2

PS2′s God of War 2

What can I say, it’s a continuation from the first one with different weapons, enemies and gory-er type of killing. I started the game yesterday and currently stuck at the “high chance of broken thumb from fanatically spinning the 3 collosal wheels” area. Yeah, I need to give my left thumb one day rest. Will continue today with my right awkward right thumb if possible. With broken thumb, I still say this is a very good game. I give it a

1:45 PM

Now listening… Suga Shikao

Suga Shikao’s “Parade” [CD]

Since I am totally a Suga-san’s fan, I try to fool myself to deeply love this album by keep listening to it many many times. It actually is not that bad, I like more than half but I really don’t like track #2,3,7 that it becomes my least favorite album of his.

FYI:
Track 1 = from xxxHolic movie
Track 9 = from Death Note movie

Watch track #11 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4gEbWiuBw (love that funky dance).

1:43 PM

Now listening… Angela Aki

Angela Aki’s Home

The reason I bought this album is because of track 1, which is the theme song from Final Fantasy XII. As a h@rdcore gamer and J-Pop fan, getting her CD is unavoidable.  The album is ok and more on the slow side. I like her newest singles “Sakurairo” but too bad it’s not in this album. But don’t worry, will order it soon enough.

Watch Aki-san performs Track 1 “Kiss Me Good-Bye” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOyBNv6T7Ss

1:42 PM

Now reading… books on photography

Heavy-heartedly, I have to put my new Haruki book aside and read books on photography. Just got Canon 400D, so need to learn the basic of photography. Now, I think I somehow get the theory and all I need to do is go for a field trip and take lots of photo.

1:39 PM

Now watching… Monster House

Not especially for children, because some scenes may be too much for their tiny hearts. Overall, I’ll give it a

1:38 PM