Sentience Fragment

This hOLiday Season...

2008-11-29T18:25:00.007+08:00

Something Advent-urous.

I've done an Xmas card every year since 2005. The same Xmas card I send to friends for the year's Xmas (except more personalised for my own use). This year, I'm planning something different. I've noticed I've slacked out of drawing Hopeless Optimism (*insert excuse here*), so I'll make it up. Starting December 1st, I'm doing up an Advent Calendar. The Hopeless Optimism Advent Calendar. 25 days of new holiday-type themed strips consecutively, with the Strip on December 25th to be some sort of a card. I'm throwing things into this idea, so I hope I can do it all. Fun Time!

In other news, Cartoon Network served up the Powerpuff Girls 10th Anniversary Episode Special. This episode is, surprisingly, not shown in the States yet because they're showing it on the 20th of January together with the release of the All-episode DVD Box set. This entire episode is done in Flash and the Girls do look better in Flash. The episode's kinda cool. The animation? Wow.

Liberty City Minute

2008-11-25T17:34:00.003+08:00

GTAIV: Completed Game Story in less than 30 hours.
I got my trophy! I did the same things I did during my first run. I killed Dimitri, Kate Dies. I spared Darko. Killed Francis and wasted Playboy X. I also went ahead and got my One Man Army trophy shortly after. My total Story time was about 18 hours and 30 minutes, a sharp difference from my 2 days-something during my first run. I aced some missions I used to fail all the time and spent no time hunting for weapons.

Now, some people say getting the Liberty City Minute trophy/achievement is tough. I thought so too, until I tried it for myself. Attempting to finish the game in 30 hours or less will be tough if you're playing the game for the first time. This would be my 3rd run and first since the 1.04 +Trophies update. You can manage to finish the story in 30 hours or less if you:

• Skip all cutscenes and know your next move by heart
• Cancel all plans to hang out with Roman, Jacob, Dwayne etc
• Make no dates with girlfriends
• Drive and dodge cars like a maniac, like ALL the time
• Overlook all flying rats, stunt jumps and other non-storyline missions.
• Save only when you think you may fail the next mission

Do all that and you should be on your way to your goal. I did. I took the guys out for a short while, to do short things, not like playing pool, which takes forever. I also tried to not save all the time like I did on my first run, that will cost you some game time while you watch Niko slowly lay himself down on the bed. You shouldn't worry about obtaining ammo and weapons because the game provides you with enough firepower you can grab from downed enemies.

And because you probably will overlook stunts jumps and flying rats, it'll be easier to get your 100% because you can (ahem) Gamefaqs your way to track them down one by one. That's my plan, anyway. For now, I shall take my life back.

2008-11-23T19:11:00.002+08:00

Doing GTAIV in under 30 hours has given me a bit of an adrenaline rush here and there. I'm not saving my game as and when I see that a mission is "survivable". But "Hostile Negotiation" gave me no time to save substantially, so I had to go in and blast my way in and save Roman. I managed to plug the guy threatening me with a gun at Roman's head. This used to take 5 attempts before I got it right at the first try. Have I grown more guts with more GTAIV? Hey, I'm in 9+ hours at 34%. I'm on track.

2008-11-21T23:25:00.004+08:00

iPhone 2.2'd!
It always gotta happen to me. Bringing my iPhone for 2.2's software update, when a Apple logo and a full bar stares back at me for an hour. I pulled the plug, corrupting the thing and panicked. ACK! What did I do?!
So the ordeal is over. I stink of panic sweat. I got 2.2 but I lost my music, videos and everything else. Good thing I backed up. Always back your crap up before you do diabolical updates, people. I'm getting my stuff back on as I type. Sure hope my Super Monkey Ball and MotionX Poker game data will be there. I'm not going back there again. Still irritated by the fact I had to crash the update to get the update. Why, Apple. Why?

In other news, I'm attempting GTAIV Story missions clearance in under 30 hours to get my Gold PS3 Trophy. I did in 4 hours what took me 13 days to do (well, not exactly 13 days. The delay between, more like). I'm slowly on my way.

2008-11-20T18:14:00.002+08:00

My days in LittleBigPlanet continues.
Second Level Creation "Urban Endurance" Complete and Published!
Search jengajam on LBP Cool Levels and give it a whirl.

Meet the New Flash Drive.

2008-11-20T18:12:00.006+08:00

Same as the Old Flash Drive.
Well, not exactly the same. One's a 4GB Sandisk Cruzer out of commission with a circuit breaking gap at the USB head and the other's a new Cruzer at 8GB. I tried to fix my old one (oh, how I did try) but it could only be read if I held it at a curved angle while inserted. Plus, the crack probably tuned its transfer speeds wayyy down, so its a good thing I backed up my files on Friday.

My old Cruzer died Monday morning, months after I wanged* it by reckless force. So now (ie. before it died), the USB head is slanted to one side and probably lost its contact with the rest of the drive over the weekend. Oh well. Now I have "Criskun Mk.II" with double storage capacity. Joy.

*Wanged, you know. As in hit something so hard it forms a dent. I dunno. It seems only I use that word that way.

Attack of the Four-Patty Burgers!

2008-11-13T21:12:00.006+08:00

Challenge your Heart!
As much as I like burgers from McDonalds and Burger King, I think this is taking it too far. Today, the local McDonalds officially announced their 4-patty Mega Mac. Last Week, BK announced the BK Stacker, including the 4-patty Quad Stacker. This morning, we have front page ads slapping our Top Story and Home news segments. No. No! This is not direct competition from stupid local franchises. These burgers have appeared in several other countries already, with the Mega Mac fading away in the USA.

Who in the right mind, would order a 4-patty Burger? That's really creepy, unless you're a bodybuilder or some seriously depressed, "comfort food" person. I already found the Quarter Pounder heavy. These burgers reminds me of burgers from fictitious sources. Burgers like GTAIV's "Heart Stopper" from Burger Shot and "The Clogger" from the Simpsons Movie. Yes, the reality burgers don't come laden with fat (maybe they do, I don't care) but that's a hella lotta meat. I'd rather challenge myself on a Carls Jr. Burger, because it's already sized like that. Pass.

PS. If I had to choose, the Mega Mac looks better. It has lettuce. Though they keep saying you can "Have it Your Way". And, hey, will KFC do something?

2008-11-11T21:37:00.003+08:00

experiments with alcohol
1tbsp Smirnoff Triple Distilled Vodka (Don't know if that matters)
1tbsp Malibu Coconut Rum
275ml 7up Raspberry-type Soda

Verdict: Mix it all in a nice Glass. Sweet. Has the warmth any vodka would provide. Mmm...

I ♥ LBP.

2008-11-10T16:47:00.003+08:00

PlayStation Network ID: jengajam
I mentioned last week, during our run for Rock Band Hall of Fame, that I got into LittleBigPlanet and got to know what it was all about. So... I did. There's me on my first level I made about two-fifths through the game. The level of creativity in the game in at an insane level. Stick this to that and that to this and soon you'll have something new to play with. Playing LBP alone isn't as fun as having 4 controllers and a party of 4 players, but you can find groups of people to play multiplayer online. I like the level of player customisation and the emotions you can make, the head and body movements you can do with SIXAXIS, and the booming voice of Stephen Fry, too. Good times.

2008-11-05T15:49:00.002+08:00

Remember, remember. This Fifth of November.
The Change we needed and sought.
Now, we have a new leader. A great Overseer.
He'll never be forgot.

LittleBigPewpew!

2008-11-04T09:27:00.002+08:00

Yet, it's still cute.

We have LBP. But I didn't think/know/comprehend that such a level can be created like this.
Some Japanese Sackperson went ahead and made this recreation of Gradius. Yes. The Shooter.
THIS IS INSANE!! YET TOTALLY AWESOME!!

"We're Rock Band Hallafamers!!"

2008-11-02T11:26:00.002+08:00

We were like "meet the new boss" and then it ended so quickly.
We went in with 666,000 fans and came out Hall of Famers. It's not the one in Ohio, but we'll take it. Which marks the ending of our run on Rock Band, unless we feel the need to become Legendaries and play that 58-song setlist. We (ie. Death By Yoghurt) took a shot at the Hall of Fame event in Rock Band as Vocals, Bass and Drums. We scraped through unknown (unpractised) songs such as Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" (failed twice), Molly Hatchet's "Flirtin' with Disaster" (4 runs) and the final song spectacular, The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" (barely missed). Then the fireworks began as quickly as it started and the credits ran. Oh, my. We did it. And we're still in one piece!

In related news, we got a copy of LittleBigPlanet. Then I realised what the hype was all about. The game is an adorable platformer! Plus, you can make your own levels! We'll need more time with it. I downloaded the Mirror's Edge PS3 demo, too. Hand down, that's going to be a game I'm gonna buy. The Graphics and gameplay are excellent in ways only truly appreciated in HD. Fly across rooftops Parkour-style and get the goods delivered while on the run from the Bad Government. Get the HD trailer here, and get the Demo yourself.

Opinion: "Another Way to Die"

2008-11-01T10:02:00.002+08:00

"Another Way to Die" by Jack White and Alicia Keys

Here be the new title song for the next Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" and I say it's not that good. Maybe it's not my kind of music, but I feel it doesn't have the kick of Chris Cornell's "You Know my Name", you know, that "Bond" feel. The one that "Goldfinger", "Live and Let Die" and perhaps "Die Another Day" has. Let's hope the actual movie isn't "not that good" too.

Yes! These Still Exist!

2008-10-28T18:40:00.002+08:00

It's Combos cracker pretzel snacks! From the days when KMart was in Singapore.
Contrary to the attitude on Wikipedia article, THESE STILL EXIST!
They have these at the TP bookstore for $1.25 a pack. Not just recently, too.
Man, I love these.

"Free for Limited Time"

2008-10-22T19:54:00.005+08:00

Cheap as Free.
I frequent the App Store. I usually get things that cost nothing, with the occasional Paid Apps game purchases. What I usually look out for, however, are free apps that are free for a limited time. Those are awesome, because you still get any and all updates for free.

Here's the free apps that now cost money that I scored (links open to iTunes App Store):
Air Sharing - Makes a wireless hard drive out of your iPhone. 2 Week Introductory Offer. Now costs $6.99.
Aqua Forest - Liquid simulator. Free during this year's TGS as a promotion. Now costs $7.99.
MotionX Poker - Poker Dice Game. Best App Ever. Was $4.99, bought at $0.99. Now costs $1.99.
Scoops - Tilt-motion Game. Free as promotion. Ended yesterday. Now costs $0.99.
Space Monkey - Collect Space Junk. Now costs $0.99.

Round it all up, and that's about $17.96 in savings. Neat!

2008-10-17T14:39:00.002+08:00

a call just came in
I just might be taking the subjects I'm supposed to take after all, assuming the workload doesn't kill me first. It all comes down to what I can deal with and a discussion on Monday. I look forward to the new semester.

2008-10-17T13:45:00.002+08:00

I have realised the stop-motion potential of collecting all 5 character figures from the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya figma collection. The Itsuki Koizumi figma comes with the backdrop of the classroom the five hangs out in. But I already have the title character, and I'd be INSANE to get the rest of the figurines and NO I AM NOT INSANE. But a guy can dream, no? A Guy can dream.

GoodSmile/figma Haruhi Collection: Here.

Bummer.

2008-10-16T18:23:00.002+08:00

The Lessons I Missed have come back to Haunt me.
I'm totally bummed. I'll be filling in my curriculum with the stack of lessons I missed when I was out of school for about 6 months last year. Now I gotta do them all in the upcoming, many, many weeks to come. Which means I'll totally be away from my chums, which means I'll have some new friends to make.
I always thought that these lessons will come after my 3rd year in TP, but I guess these subjects need to be done first. I have no idea yet what I'm actually supposed to take had I not missed these modules, but I'll bet it's some cool Flash course thing. Seems I'll be going back to basics. It's like missing school, but you're in school. Sadness.

See you in 22 weeks, guys.

Haruhi in the Palm of your Hand.

2008-10-12T17:00:00.007+08:00

It's the most awesome figurine I have ever seen.

I'll have to thank my sister here, for scoring this from Japan. I've always wanted one of these. It's a figma Haruhi Suzumiya action figurine. It's fully posable! And the paint job is swell. It includes 3 facial expressions, 11 hands, 2 shoes and a million poses limited only by my imagination.
I'm not really otaku'd over Haruhi. In fact I only saw 5 episodes of the anime. I just liked the dance and the character design. For real. Best. Figurine. Ever.

Update: I've gone over. I have over 60 photos now. 21 are on a Picasa album

2008-10-11T11:05:00.002+08:00

Me Dad's in Cebu. My Sister's in Japan. Gosh, what I would give to be in Tokyo this week. Tokyo Game Show is on. Or rather, Damn, what I would give to be in Japan at all!!
There's something wrong with my typing this week. I see myself missing letters or adding them onto words and make them illegible.

The DS Games of the Season!

2008-10-09T11:41:00.000+08:00

Sonic Chronicles and Kirby Super Star Ultra
It's my pick of the Fall Season. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, an RPG I'm having trouble with. I'm not very good at Final Fantasy-type RPGs, I'm more of a Pokemon gameplay type. I'm sorta taking my time, but I like the game. A different touch for a Sonic game. Then there's Kirby Super Star Ultra. I put in an accumulated 15 hours of gameplay, and I'm almost done with it. Kirby is one of my favourite franchises. It's a light adventure game that I can probably finish in a short period of time, but I can't resist such nice graphics and annoying soundtrack. Not featured is N+. I guess the store didn't have it, even though Sonic and Kirby came out much later than this nice, freeware-to-payware ninja game. Limited audience, I think. I also game Time Hollow a run. It's about some kid with a mysterious pen that can sear through the fabric of time to change things in the past. It's kinda cool, but at times confusing and the story is really, really short, say, about 8 hours.

Opinion: The Nintendo DSi

2008-10-03T09:58:00.010+08:00

Nah. Don't need it.
Well, I think you've all heard. If not, then Nintendo announced their new DS iteration yesterday. The Nintendo DSi. It's a DS plus camera and music playback, minus the GBA Slot-2.

This means I can no longer:

Play GBA titles (I don't have many)

Transfer Pokémon over from cart to card (not that I ever did)

Play Guitar Hero: On Tour with the Guitar Grip (not that I'll ever feel the urge to)

Play Taito games that use the paddle controller (import-only...)

Enable vibration in games with the Rumble Pak (can't find it in stores...)

Now. This new device has a whole bunch of new software to go with it. Including the addition of something called DSiWare, downloadable games and/or applications that will run on the DS. This puts it on par with the PSP's PSP Store and the iPhone's App Store. I was interested in that. Having a camera sounds good too and it has music playback and bigger screens. But! The thing that lost my vote was the lack of a GBA slot.

The above are 5 good reasons why the DS may still surpass the DSi. Oh, and the DS Lite still has a better battery life. So. I think I'll hold on to my DSes for now. I'm sure Mario and Luigi RPG 3 and the new WarioWare will be made for all DS types anyway. My DS and my DS Lite are still in good working condition. Well, my DS Lite's R button's a bit wonky, but it's still good nonetheless.

(The picture is just my DS Lite with a bunch of stickers I drew and pasted on.)

2008-09-30T11:17:00.003+08:00

Random thought #29F06
I'd still say, from the first time I listened to Madonna (and Justin)'s 4 Minutes, that it'll be my desert island music, hands down. I'll never get sick of it. iTunes records 41 plays and that's just on my Mac alone.
Oh, and I changed the hOP strip navigator from a flash one to a simple drop-down menu. So it works swell on my iPhone and other non-flash browsers.

His Name is Gai.

2008-09-24T11:27:00.004+08:00

Laments of my war against IE.

Those on Safari (and FF) see left. Those with IE see right.

A while back, I recoded my CSS and blog template so the whole world was happy. My blog was finally comprehensible on 'most all browsers, most importantly on IE. And before IE 8 is released, my, and probably THE war against IE will still go on with most of the world looking at broken CSS and tattered PNGs on IE6. I made a change yesterday (something I do rather often), and placed the blog off-center and put Gai in. It looked terrible on IE so I recoded and now IE loads the old CSS coding while everything else loads the new design. IE will be seeing the old design for a while. Nothin' I can do about that, or that I'm not bothered by allegedly inferior web browsers. (devilish laugh)

I'd like to add that the GEOTEK IE netrenderer is a great tool to see site designs on IE with a Mac. I use that rather often.

Dokutsu Medley!

2008-09-22T18:41:00.003+08:00

If there's one thing I like, it's Game soundtracks that go classical music.
This 23-minute medley comprises much of the soundtrack from the freeware game, Dokutsu Monogatari, better known in English as Cave Story.
The game is still free, and I guess you'll need to play the game to get the feeling I'm having when I watched this.