The Mortal Symphony

elaboration @ 2011-08-03T18:44:00

2011-08-03T22:44:23Z

Is LJ actually working again?

elaboration @ 2011-07-07T13:19:00

2011-07-07T17:19:25Z

LOLing way too much at this image

elaboration @ 2011-07-06T18:38:00

2011-07-06T22:38:36Z

Haven't done an actual entry in awhile so

...less than two months until I head over to England to visit Angela and family. It'll be the first time I ever meet my little niece too. She won't remember it, but I will. I know it's still far away but I am starting to pack little things here and there. Like what Angela wants me to bring over or what everyone ELSE wants me to bring over. Better to have that out of the way so I can know how little luggage I actually get to use on my own lol.

Still exercising everyday. I'm not bothering to pay attention to my weight anymore. What I lose or do not lose doesn't matter to me. My clothes are beginning to feel a little loose though, so I think that shows progress. I can also climb more stairs without getting winded than before. So that means definite improvement.

Not much else to say, I guess. I never really have much to say.

To Live the Dream

2011-06-21T01:01:36Z

Faith in Humanity Shattered Once Again

2011-06-17T18:29:47Z

http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=farmville+for+dummies&x=0&y=0&sprefix=farmville+for+dummies

Farmville for Dummies

Farmville for Dummies

Farmville for Dummies

WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHY?!

Weekly Entry?

2011-06-13T16:24:52Z

Trying to make more than entry per week, but I really don't have much to talk about. Today too I have nothing to really speak about, but here I am attempting an entry anyway.

Exercising is going ok. I'm going to try to speed up this week.

And I'm happy that the weather is staying mild. Do not like warm, humid summers.

Progress: The Greatest Motivator

2011-06-05T17:32:28Z

A few days ago, I made an entry about finding the motivation to continue exercising and the diet/health plan I've created for myself.

It's really hard to find it, especially in the beginning. You wonder if it's really working. You see temptations everywhere, you might not have the support from family and friends, and your mind keeps telling you that you NEED such and such food that you really shouldn't have because it's so delicious.

It's been hard for me, no lies. For the past few weeks I've been wondering "What's the point?" Yes, I've been waking up an hour earlier and nowhere near as groggy as I used to, yes I'm eating better and nowhere near as much as I used to, yes I don't gross myself out with what I'm eating anymore. But that one question kept nagging at me. "What's the point?"

I have a goal in mind. I want to eat better to feel better about myself, mind and body. I don't care how much weight in total I lose, I have no real 'end goal' other than to change how I view food and exercise. I do want to lose weight though.

Well, imagine my delight when yesterday marked the two and a half week mark of my attempt at living better. I decided to weigh myself and: happy day! I've lost 6lbs so far! Now that is progress, and to me, probably the best motivator.

Now I know that I am doing something right. I never feel hungry, I feel more energetic and I don't feel all gross and super full after eating a meal anymore and I'm losing weight! To me, this is great news.

I hope to lose 20lbs by August 15th, which is around the date I'll be going to England to visit my sister for a couple of months. While I'm there I want to lose another 10lbs at least. Obviously, these are small goals and I would like to exceed them, but if I only meet these goals I'll still feel very proud of myself!

This week's goal: Get up to 40 minutes of exercise a day without taking breaks, possibly 45 minutes.

I won't weigh myself again until another two weeks, I think. Personally, I think only weighing myself every two weeks is probably best versus every day or every week. The impact will be much better, at least for me.

Decisions, Decisions...

2011-06-01T21:35:39Z

So past two weeks I've been trying to eat healthier and exercise. I want to try to lose some weight and keep it off.

Eating healthier is already troublesome as it is because it's hard to not just want to go with the quick meals that are bad for you but I think I've been doing well enough.

The biggest problem is getting the motivation to exercise. With all the rainy weather we've had in Toronto, it's been hard to get up and say "Ok, going to do 30min - 1hour of exercise now!" However, I am really making an earnest effort on it now. I plan to do it every morning. Notice how I did not say "try". I WILL exercise everyday that's what I plan. I feel like once I start really forcing myself to do it it'll become a habit of mine. Hopefully.

Also thinking of getting a new layout for LJ. Can't decide what theme I want though...must make up and maybe try and make one.

elaboration @ 2011-05-31T17:07:00

2011-05-31T21:07:04Z

Argh, past few days Firefox 4 has been chewing up my memory like it's no one's business and slowing down my computer to a halt.

So I think I'm permanently stuck on Chrome now. Just gotta figure out how to move my bookmarks to Chrome...

elaboration @ 2011-04-29T11:14:00

2011-04-29T15:15:07Z

Dear People Who Watched/Care(d) About the Royal Wedding,

You woke up at the ungodly hour to watch it unfold? Wonderful for you. I never gave a damn about it, ever, but I won't judge you for watching it. Your choice, whatever.

But for the love that is all holy don't you ever, ever, EVER wake me up in the middle of the night to ask me if I'm watching it and/or if I can record it for you.

THE ANSWER TO BOTH QUESTIONS IS FUCKING NO

elaboration @ 2011-04-10T15:50:00

2011-04-10T19:50:48Z

Yesterday felt so damn long, like it was never going to end, even though that's what I wanted to happen more than anything.

Now today is here and it's going by twice as quickly as I feel like it should and I have accomplished nothing. WTF

I need to finish up this thing I've been working on but I feel stuck in a rut ~.~

Oh yeah, Prishe in Dissidia is AWESOME. Oh man, she's completely monk class from FFXI, skillchains by herself and the skillchains are WORTH it unlike in the actual FFXI and she's like a mnk with capped haste on acid. She makes me want to level that class lawl. It seems I'm used to Shantotto's voice now, and I kinda like Prishe's voice too.

I like how you can play the final cycle on 012 too but THE BAD VOICE ACTING IS BACK ; ; Nooo I WAS JUST COMPLIMENTING YOU.

Yuna in Dissidia

2011-03-31T19:14:01Z

She's not a very quick fighter, but her attacks are quite strong. In fact, sometimes she doesn't feel as slow as she actually is.

But...for the love of all that is holy, why, oh why did they have her victory pose include her summons?

Now, you're probably wondering "What's the big deal, elaboration? Her summons do most of the work, what's wrong with joining in on the victory pose?" Well, let me tell you.

Yuna really only summons the front half of her summon (probably to cut down on slowdown and/or PSP limitations). To make up for this, the other half of the summon is replaced with a large glowing insignia/design. Since that's the only information they have in Dissidia for the summons, that's what shows up in the victory pose.

The summons look lifeless and the half-bodies are creepy. CREEPY.

Yuna: I won this fight...because of all of you. (paraphrased)

But Yuna, you won by cutting their bodies in half, you monster.

"Look the Faeries Are Here!" - Early Impressions: Dissidia 012

2011-03-29T20:49:45Z

I had considered doing an early impressions of Dissidia 012 for a few days now, but just as I encountered "Look the faeries are here!" while starting Laguna's ExMode, the need was cemented.

First off, a disclaimer. I've only been playing this game on and off for a few days now and I'm only on chapter 2. Hence why it's an 'early impressions'. However, the difference between the original Dissidia and this second game is great enough that I feel like I can at least give players who are at least semi on the fence a nudge in either direction of purchase or avoid.

Graphics

As usual, Square Enix shows off their ability to make things pretty on any console. Just like its predecessor, Dissidia 012 is a pretty little thing with top notch graphics. I feel like they've pushed the PSP system just a tad bit more than they did the original (and that's saying something!) but it's not a huge difference. If you're liked the original look of Dissidia, you'll like 012's.

Gameplay

Like many enjoyable fighter games, 012's gameplay is simple to learn but difficult to master. Like the original, you have your Bravery and HP attacks as well as your ExModes and your summons. Each ExMode is specialized to the character you're in control of with the little added flair of character personality showing through. Which I'm aware is something that most players probably don't care a lick for or against, but I feel like it's a nice added touch.

New to the action is Bravery and HP Assists. With enough attacks, a gauge below your HP bar rises to 50% and eventually to 100%. A 50% gauge use results in a bravery attack from a second character (known as the assist) who will appear in a flashy glow of purple and black! and attack the enemy. 100% useage results in the HP attack. These attacks are pretty hit and miss, the AI is an instant attack and I've noticed the assists don't always use the best attack for the situation. This results in a miss and a wasted attack. Of course, this could be my own fault due to lack of judgement but the gauge drops so quickly if you're not full-force attacking, that waiting to use your assist attack results in no attack anyway. Perhaps the best counter to this would've been SE allowing players to hold their gauge and not lose a bar once filled up until it's used, but for whatever reason, they decided against this. Of course, they may have an accessory available the lowers the drop in the gauge but really, is that the best use of an accessory slot?

Characters

This really could be the longest part of this whole entry, but since the original characters pretty much play the same (from what I've seen, anyway), I'm just going to focus on the newest additions and my experiences with the few I've touched so far.

Lightning: As like Lightning as a character in the much-debated FFXIII, so I was really excited to play as her. Allowing the player to play through with her three main roles from her origin game in 012 was also a bit of a treat. However, I did have to wonder how they'd incorporate the Medic role into the game. My experiences with the different roles

The Commando role plays as you'd expect: the usual hack and slash from a speedy character results in fun times for anyone who likes to be up close and personal with the enemy. Personally, this is my favourite use of Lightning, since I've always enjoyed the speedy characters the best. Since the character herself is a bit of an acrobatic fighter, I expect her to receive quite a few aerial attacks, which suits me just fine, as I'm usually fighting in the air anyway.

The Ravager role focuses on her magic attacks, Fire, Watera, etc, etc. This role is best played at a distance and against slower characters. Unfortunately, I find very little use with this version but I can see the advantages and uses for a more advanced player than I.

The Medic role is quite simple. Just stand on the ground, away from the opponent and just use cure over and over. Each cure gives the player Bravery and can be used as much as you'd like provided you don't get attacked. Played while the opponent is at a distance, this is a great option to players like myself who don't want to use Ravager as much. It's also handy as a tool to get out of Break status. But there are downfalls. You will lose any and all progress in your assist bars and it can be quite slow. But if you're out of range of the opponent and plan to stay out of range anyway, might as well use it a bit.

Vaan: Vaan initially reminded me of Firion but just a tad slower. (Or was Firion slower, I don't know, I had too much fun playing him). He has access to multiple weapons and likes to dance around. My favourite attack happens to be his crossbow attack which comes with quite a long duration and the additional effect of Wall Rush. It's quite a bit of fun. His HP and ExMode attacks set him apart from Firion however, and I quite like this difference. Not to mention how much flashier they are. (Blood Weapon is still superior in my book, though).

Laguna: Oh, Laguna. I'm enjoying Laguna, but it did take me a little while to get used to his gameplay. Laguna is, by far, a long distance fighter. Do you enjoy close combat? Do you enjoy aerial combat? Then Laguna is not for you. Best utilized on the ground and at a distance, Laguna isn't quite my favourite character to play, but he does have quite an amusing arsenal. I literally laughed out loud when I first activated ExMode with him and saw "Look the faeries are here!" and upon achieving perfect during an ExBurst: "This is the greatest attack ever!". Oh Laguna. I'm not too much of a fan of your playstyle, but your amusing anecdotes will keep me coming back.

Dubbing

This is a biggie for me, personally. In the original game, SE hired a lot of highly qualified professionals, who, for the most part, fit the characters wonderfully. (A few exceptions remained). The quality should've been fantastic! But no, unfortunately the dubbing was badly stunted due to syncing issues. Overexerted effort to keep dialogue lipsychned to animation resulted in a horrible outcome. An outcome that should've been foreseeable since people have been complaining about that issue for YEARS.

If real life people spoke the way they did in Dissidia:

Person 1: I hope you understand that we don't...have enough money.
Person 2: It's...okay. I brought my credit...card.
Person 3: Oh thank you. I guess you're treating then. You have no...idea how much I appreciate...this.

How annoying would that be if people spoke like that in real life? That is what it was like during the original game. Voice acting that would normally be considered fantastic, ruined.

Thankfully in 012, only wonderfulness reigns. Disregarding the strange voice selection for Laguna (I know he's technically young but it still not what I would've expected from him), the voice acting is mostly on the wonderful side. The brilliance of Dave Wittenberg's Kefka is allowed full reign whereas in the first game it felt caged. Gone is the stunted dialogue and in place is what I consider far more natural. This improvement is by far my favourite so far.

Oh god this has turned out longer than I originally expected.

Extras

Skills that I considered a bit useless and limited has been giving a facelift. You're actually encouraged to use your skills on the player 'gameboard' instead of conserving them for some unknown time that may or may not prove useful when you finally get there. Many of these skills encourage large chains that multiple your KP (Kupo Points) per battle.

Gone is the annoying and punishing points on the gameboard, where a stop and go movement is punished with the lose in points leading to lower rewards. You're allowed free reign at all times and won't experience any penalties because you wanted to go retrieve that treasure over there.

Movement on land! In between gateways you're on land moving about the world map collecting new skills and battling random opponents. It's a nice little extra. And hearing the instrumental version of Eyes on Me during Laguna's gameplay just adds a sweet little touch of how much work they put into this game. It reminded me of how much I like that song.

Bottom Line: I still fail at fighter games. I fail at them, I admit it. I'll never be a master but I can still appreciate them. Either way, Dissidia 012 is just as enjoyable and even moreso than the first game and is definitely worth a purchase. Buy it, enjoy it, gush at the nostalgia you'll receive when you hear the varius games music and the interaction between characters.

Just a forewarning: Laguna is teased a lot. (He brings it on himself, though).

Joke Tiem

2011-03-25T01:11:59Z

Dave was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them."

Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "OK, Dave, how about Tom Cruise?"

"No dramas boss, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it."

So Dave and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and Tom Cruise shouts, "Dave! What's happening? Great to see you! Come on in for a beer!"

Although impressed, Dave's boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he tells Dave that he thinks him knowing Cruise was just lucky.

"No, no, just name anyone else," Dave says.

"President Bush," his boss quickly retorts. "Yup," Dave say's, "Old buddies, let's fly out to Washington and off they go. At the White House, Bush spots Dave on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, "Dave, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up."

Well, the boss is very shaken by now but still not totally convinced. After they leave the White House grounds he expresses his doubts to Dave, who again implores him to name anyone else.

"The Pope," his boss replies.

"Sure!" says Dave. "I've known the Pope for years." So off they fly to Rome.

Dave and his boss are assembled with the masses at the Vatican's St. Peter's Square when Dave says, "This will never work. I can't catch the Pope's eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the Pope."

He disappears into the crowd headed towards the Vatican.

Sure enough, half an hour later Dave emerges with the Pope on the balcony, but by the time Dave returns, he finds that his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics.

Making his way to his boss' side, Dave asks him, "What happened?"

His boss looks up and says, "It was the final straw ... you and the Pope came out on to the balcony and the man next to me said, 'Who the f*k is that on the balcony with Dave?

elaboration @ 2011-03-23T15:30:00

2011-03-23T19:30:56Z

This morning I woke up to two shockers:

1. Elizabeth Taylor passing away. When I recognize a celebrity name, that usually means they're pretty damn famous. So this shocked me.

2. THERE IS A BLIZZARD OUTSIDE.

Second day of Spring (harharhar) and we have a huge turn around on the weather. It's been mostly very pleasant these past week or so and yesterday it was actually kinda warm. But no, today it decided to do a 180 and drop about 15 degrees and add some snowy precipitation. We've already received about 5cm and it's just getting worse. There are no snow plows out yet despite it snowing all day already.

It's hilarious in a "Oh thank goodness I don't drive" sort of way.

elaboration @ 2011-03-15T16:34:00

2011-03-15T20:34:19Z

I'm sick.

Which really sucks, because I was sick just a mere two weeks ago, became well for a week and then got sick again! But this time I'm getting better much quicker than last time because I remembered this time I have Nyquil so I've been taking that. But it leaves me really woozy for an entire day after taking it just ONCE at night to sleep. I feel like I want to sleep more but I really can't.

The news about Japan just seems to get worse and worse. I'm really worried about the people there. :( I hope things get better and stabilized soon.

It took me twenty minutes to type this all up because I kept typing up mistakes that really shouldn't be there. Nyquil is really, really strong.

elaboration @ 2011-03-10T18:03:00

2011-03-10T23:03:13Z

I am back after almost a year. Holy crap.

-_-

2010-06-28T15:51:34Z

Laptop fan just broke and now I get to bring it in to Future Shop and hope they honour my warranty.

uuugh can this summer get any worse?

Alive...Kinda

2010-06-01T21:21:54Z

I know I've pretty much poofed for a while (okay, like a month).

Right now I'm trying to make this entry while not being defeated by a monstrous headache that won't go away.

Anyways, I've been on a job hunt to get some kind of job. Hope I get something soon...

elaboration @ 2010-04-22T16:12:00

2010-04-22T20:12:33Z

Just started watching the first episode of Arakawa Under the Bridge and I'm already laughing my ass off.

The Phoenix Wright parody made me die laughing.

elaboration @ 2010-04-21T12:32:00

2010-04-21T16:32:39Z

elaboration @ 2010-04-19T14:59:00

2010-04-19T18:59:31Z

Dear Superintendent,

Please give this entire building back our fucking hot water. These are the following things I need/would like to do but cannot until we have our water back:

1. Take a shower
2. At this rate, also a bath, I would like to use some bath salts to destress from this annoyance
3. Clean the bathroom entirely
4. Wash dishes.
5. Clean the kitchen
6. Clean the fridge
7. Clean out the kitty litter box

Now granted, you can technically do all these things with cold water. However, at the very least I'd like to use lukewarm water since dipping your hands in ice-cold water isn't very pleasant.

Also, it'd be nice if you gave a slight advance warning on this instead of springing it by surprised sometime last night. You're an idiot and I hope you get fired one day.

Signed,

Someone pissed

P.S. Fuck you.

P.P.S. I shouldn't even have to do all this shit since I need my ankle to actually rest but yeah fuck you lazy assholes, I'm taking my cookies.

Porn Name Creation

2010-04-12T17:36:11Z

AIM conversation:
Erinyes Set:
BUT THE ROCKS MIGHT HAVE MILK
Namisati 1:21 pm
ROCK MILK. oh bby
Erinyes Set 1:22 pm
Sounds like a rock band
Namisati 1:22 pm
XD
Erinyes Set 1:22 pm
"ROCK MILK"
Namisati 1:22 pm
Sounds like rock porn to me >_>
Erinyes Set 1:22 pm
Their slogan can be all "DRINK MILK LOVE LIFE ROCK IT YAAAAALL"
lmaooooooooo
man AND woman can both take that name
We should totally submit it to some porn company. WE CAN MAKE MILLIONS FROM THE NAME
Oh so I thought about it
Porn Star Name: Rock Milk
Namisati 1:30 pm
Rocky Milk ;o
Erinyes Set 1:30 pm
Body: Breasts of a Woman, But on the body of a man
Namisati 1:30 pm
lulz
XDDD
Erinyes Set 1:30 pm
His catchphrase: Bow down and say "Moo"
I think this can be a very good market for pron
porn*
Namisati 1:31 pm
XDD
Erinyes Set 1:31 pm
Just think, the vegans would be all "Oh this is awesome, the cow in in control"
And the wtf fetish market is reached as well
Namisati 1:31 pm
Ahahahahaha XDDD
Erinyes Set 1:32 pm
I need to post this on LJ
THE WORLD MUST SEE
Erinyes Set 1:32 pm
and it'll stake our claim on getting money should a porn star ever try to steal it
Namisati 1:32 pm
XD

Don't steal the name guys. I CLAIM IT HERE FIRST FOR MONEY*

* Not my porn name, this'll be a name for the future perfect applicant! D:

Trying!

2010-04-12T17:03:09Z

Totally making more entries now, or am attempting to.

I expect you all to put down the red carpet for me, for I am truly amazing.

I <3 Youtube

2010-04-07T13:25:27Z

Youtube brings me game show bloopers by the dozen and they're always super entertaining to watch over and over again.

There was this really good stupid game show answer video clip that I wanted to post but lost it in the midst of all my youtube surfing ; ; It was a Newlywed Game show clip where the question was something along the lines of "If your husband left you would he look for a woman who is smarter or more beautiful than you?" This one guy answers and...well there's just no right answer for him and sadly he stumbles even more.