chibiforte

Since I made some money from tutoring (and a $20 for no reason from my Uncle), I'm going to be ordering up at least two new CDs, surprise-surprise.

The first one will be the "Destiny's Play" single, which is the ED to Kamen Rider Kiva.  I didn't expect to actually enjoy the song the first time I heard it in the show, but it's grown on me since then.  And the PV was simply awesome.  I wish I wasn't so cheap as to not buy the DVD with it, but eh, it's more expensive and Region 2, so it wouldn't work on my computer anyway.  Not a big deal, really.  I'll just have to grab the lyrics from the video and not watch it again.

The second one will be, interestingly enough, the "Double-Action Climax Form" Movie ED theme song from Kamen Rider Den-O.  Now, I never watched that season, but at the end of Kiva episodes, you keep seeing these previews for the Kiva/Den-O team-up movie, and this song is playing in the background.  I also watched the PV for it, and I actually want the DVD to this one more, but again, unless I want to shell out another $6 each and try to get it to work somehow on this computer, it ain't gonna happen.  It's an interesting song, and is some kind of weird mixture of J-Pop, J-Rap, and other styles I don't know the name of but sound really interesting.

...You know what?  Maybe I will just grab the DVD versions... I do have some extra cash, so I'll just drop it all and hope for the best.  At the very least, I can snag the VOB off the disc and convert it to MP4 format and place it on my PSP.  Or just download the files, seeing as I will own the actual product.

I'll decide later.

...Why does it seem that all of my posts are about music these days?

Oh, I'm also watching Boukenger and Gekiranger, and making a steady run through them, I do say.  And I'm thinking of watching Den-O, but that remains to be seen.  And I'm going through Digimon Adventure as fast as I can.

Wii Fit's out next week.  On a Wednesday, strangely.  Oh well, at least there's no need to fight children off at GameStop, and there won't be large lines.

I finally finished Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII earlier today.  I put about... 30 hours into it?  Almost there, at least.  I think I finished it at about 29 hours and 45 minutes or so.  And this is only the FIRST time I have to beat it.  I have to go through it again and unlock all of the crazy missions and the DMW stuff and whatnot.

Let me tell you, this game was absolutely fantastic.  Sure, there were some flaws in it, like the loading times and the somewhat tiring missions you have to finish, but all in all, it was a solid game that was made even better because of the Final Fantasy VII label.  This really helped reinvigorate my interest in the FF7 series.  I actually feel like going back to beat the original PS1 game now, just so I can relive the original story.  I didn't really care for the game the first time I played it, but I actually really like the series now that I can see how all the entries relate to each other.

This game, in and of itself, is a great game.  The graphics are top-notch for a PSP game... the gameplay, while being repetitive at times, is engaging... the story is original on its own but still connects nicely with the main FF7 story... the main character, Zack, is such a funny and well-rounded and well-developed main character... man, I just can't say enough good things about this game.  Anybody with a PSP does themself a disservice if they don't pick this game up, even if they don't know the FF7 story.

I'm hoping that they remake FF7, now.  If they can fix the glaring graphical flaws and glitches that the original had (and the horrendous translation), I could see myself dedicating dozens of hours into it.  And even buying a PS3 just so I can play it.

I'm thinking of starting Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology, now.  Or maybe I'll go back and play Final Fantasy VII as soon as possible.  Or Final Fantasy VIII.  Or Chrono Cross.  Or Chrono Trigger.  Or Xenogears.  Or Breath of Fire III.  Or Brave Fencer Musashi.  Or Yu-Gi-Oh Forbidden Memories.

...Wow, I really am going to have to bring that Playstation with me to college...

Tales of The World: Radiant Mythology was purchased, today.  I have never played through a Tales game in my life, I just heard that they were fantastic.  Hopefully I'll enjoy it, seeing as how you have to put in... 60+ hours just to finish it once through?  Somewhere around that amount.  This will help me decide if I really want to get into this series.  I'll need something to do in the off-hours at college.  And I just wanted to find what is considered a really good PSP RPG.

Man, I've been buying games left and right for that system... I have, what, six games for it, now?  Crisis Core, Harvest Moon, Patapon, MegaMan Powered Up, Maverick Hunter X, Jeanne d'Arc... yep, that's six.  My poor DS has been neglected, but if the touch screen wasn't so terribly calibrated and messed up, I might actually put some time into some games, but alas, I need to buy a new one if I plan on playing regularly.  I still need to finish Phoenix Wright 3...

And... I can't think of anything else to say.

Oh yeah, the first Eyeshine album came out just the other day.  I bought that, as well.  I have to support the awesomeness of Johnny Yong Bosch and his cohorts, obviously.  Indie-music isn't really my thing (if it can be called that), but I've enjoyed the few songs I've heard of theirs.  If I had iTunes, I'd buy their EP, but it doesn't seem to want to install on this computer (plus, I don't have an iPod to put it on).  Oh well.

I received the two CD singles for my favorite Tokusatsu programs, today.  Yep, I got the CD single to Kamen Rider Kiva, which is called "Break the Chain", and the opening and ending theme single for Engine Sentai Go-onger.  I even got a neat poster and a single trading card for the "Break the Chain" CD, both of which feature Kiva in all his Fangire awesomeness.  I'm wondering as to whether or not I should hang the poster up now, or wait until I move so it's in pristine condition (and so my roommates can get a good laugh).

I also watched a new Toku last night, called Tomica Hero Rescue Force.  It's basically a Super Sentai-esque show, but it revolves more around actually saving people from natural disasters instead of fighting a rubber monster that can grow to gigantic sizes.  It was interesting, and while the budget for the show is obviously more than most Tokusatsu programs, something about it felt... strange.  I think it was the framerate that the show is broadcast in, as the camera seemed to look more like it was filmed by college students than professionals.  But that's just a minor gripe, because the special effects are fantastic.  I loved the police car's look, and I wouldn't mind having one, myself.

I think I understand my recent uncertainties about this whole novel deal.  I feel as if I need to know absolutely everything about the world in which these characters interact, and that I have to disclose so many unnecessary details about the characters and their families and school.  But I know that this isn't necessary, since even Haruhi Suzumiya didn't even name the teachers, or the main character's families, or even what they learn, really.  And look how great that series is doing in commercialization.  Surely nobody expects much from a random guy on the internet, right?

And yes, I still have writer's block, although the ideas are slowly coming together, piece by piece...

Also, does anybody have any ideas for new names?  I'm not sure if "Law/Grace" is going to cut it, given its source material... I mean, it's not copyrighted or anything, but I don't want the companies to be unknowingly affiliated with me because I use their terminology or anything.

I've been downloading sooo many Overclocked Remixes, lately.  I literally have about 1,139 remixes from their website, give or take.  I'm pretty sure this is legal, since they've become such a huge site and Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft would have shut them down a long time ago if this was illegal.  It's nice to hear all of those old songs I listened to in chiptune format as a child reimagined in ways I never thought possible.  It just gives me such a sense of nostalgia that's been unrivaled for years, now...

I've been playing Crisis Core, since I bought it the other day.  A very, very engaging game.  Makes me appreciate the FF7 series a bit more, since I didn't really care for it originally.  Hopefully I'll be able to actually finish it, given that I haven't been very dedicated to RPGs, as of late.

I'm not feeling very well, at the moment.  Kinda feeling... sickish...

Kamen Rider Kiva is getting so good, lately.  With the introduction of IXA, I'm sure we'll be getting some great story arcs from Nago pretty soon.

And the opening theme to the show is fantastic.  I ordered the CD, but it probably won't be here for some weeks, due to the fact that I ordered cheap-o shipping.  It's coming along with the CD single to Go-Onger, which includes the fantastic opening theme and the very strange techno ending theme.  They are both fantastic. :3

Oh, oh, and I get TRADING CARDS with the Kiva CD single!  And a POSTER, as well!! Absolutely fantastic, my world is complete. :D

Did I mention that I purchased Patapon when we went to... wherever that place was that we went to?  It seems like a fun game.  I haven't put much time into it, but I will... eventually.

And... uh... I'm still having writer's block.  To the point where I can't even work on the pre-planning because it bothers me so much.  Why can't I just figure out a little bit of filler material in order to make the transition between storylines make sense?

I bought Parappa the Rapper for the PSP, today (or rather, Ted bought it in Lancaster with my money). I don't know what to think of it, though... it's not as fun as I remembered, and it's really, really short. I probably shouldn't have spent $30 on it, but eh, what are you gonna do? It's one of the original rhythm games, though, so it's nice to own, if for no other reason than to say that I own it. I should have bought the Harvest Moon game for the PSP, instead, but I'll get that next time.

And this is about the coolest video ever made, period.

I finally got my hands on Jeanne d'Arc, yesterday.  It's definitely a fun game, no question about it.  It supposedly follows the actual events related to Joan of Arc, minus the fantasy elements added in so it would be... funner?  I guess?  I would think that playing the actual historical narrative would be more interesting, but I guess the addition of monsters and magical affinity does help it... for those who like that sort of stuff.  Not me, frankly, but the developers aren't really developing their games for my constituency.

Turns out that Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Obama took Iowa.  Not who I expected to win, but hey, I'm not a political genius or anything of that sort.  

I guess it would be prudent for me to address this fact now:  I am a Conservative.  And when I say that, I do seriously mean that I AM a Conservative, and a Republican; probably as much as you can be, to be honest.  I do take this seriously, so that is why I will be endorsing any Republican candidate that matches my views (and who does not make obviously vague statements about their faith as a whole, a la Mr. Romney).

However, this does not mean that I'm one of those types of people who are directly insulting to the other side.  I do not insult those with differing political views than mine, and I find it incredibly tacky when others directly insult political candidates.  I do not agree with most of what Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama say, but they are still fellow human beings, and I will respect them as individuals.  I wish most people would have this attitude...

But anyway, I do like Mr. Huckabee.  He seems like an interesting man, and while I don't agree with a certain thing he did at an event, he does agree with my views, and that's the type of candidate I'd support.

And besides... with an advertising campaign with Chuck Norris, how could you not like him? xD

I totally love my PSP.  It's a glossy white color, and it has Darth Vader on the back.  Here's a stock picture of it, since I don't feel like getting out the camera and snapping a shot of it.

 

Fantastic. :3

I also got MegaMan: Powered Up for it.  It's such a great trip down memory lane... since it's a remake of the first MegaMan game, it holds so many memories for me.  And it's such an appropriate, clean game, it's just awesome.  It's just so hard to play the game without saving, though, since the Memory Stick my parents ordered for me didn't arrive yet in the mail. xD

I don't know what I'm going to do with Star Wars: Renegade Squadron, though... it's really not that fun, and I'm not a shooter-fan, nor am I a war game-fan.  I'm thinking about trading it in, but everybody else seems to like playing it, so I don't know what to do.

I also got a good bunch of clothes, as well.  Two coats, which are just great-looking.  The button-up shirt and it's companion T-Shirt are green, too, so that's another color I can add to my wardrobe.  And some socks, underwear, and various other T-Shirts were given to me, in addition to some audio books from my Grandma.  She's also buying me another actual book, or so my Mom tells me.  Hopefully it's the Randy Alcorn book ("Heaven"), because I was seriously wanting that book above all the other books.

And my brother received an Xbox 360.  Which rocks.  And he has a bunch of free trial games from yesteryear, like Pac-Man, Galaga, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Street Fighter: Hyper Fighting, and various others.  This is going to be a fantastic video game system.

Wow... it's really strange how it's already Christmas Eve.  Seems like just yesterday that I bought the Wii, and that was over a year ago... this month just flew by like no other December before it.  But, now that I mentioned how it's already Christmas Eve, this day will go by really... really... slooooooow...

Okay, so, we're going to the Candlelight service tonight, and then we're going to head over to my Aunt's house for dinner.  She's baking my favorite kind of cake, too, so this will be a great dinner, let me tell ya! <3

And tomorrow... I don't know what we're doing tomorrow.   Probably just chilling around, using our new presents, all that good stuff.  I'm pretty sure that I'm getting that redesigned, limited edition Star Wars PSP, but I'm not completely sure, yet.  While I do not care for Star Wars that much, you gotta admit that having a white PSP with Darth Vader's head on the back is pretty neat.  Hopefully they get that new video output cord, since that's one of the main features of the redesigned PSP's (being able to play games and movies on an actual TV using an adaptor).

And... I'm still thinking with an Indian accent.  It's all that Ravi Zacharias I listen to, it seems.  He has such a great voice that it's hard not to get it stuck in your head. xD

I love this message. <3

I'm trying to finish off as much as I can of Rune Factory before Christmas vacation starts, so I can move on to other games and not have to spend hours on a single week in the game.  I started Luminous Arc even though I wasn't finished with the previously mentioned game, and it's okay, but kinda difficult.  I also have to play Hoshigami Remix and Phantom Hourglass... x_x;

I gotta start applying for colleges and financial aid and scholarships and all that, soon.  Pastor Miles bought me a college magazine, which kinda surprised me because I completely forgot that I talked to him about colleges and theology and the like.  He's such a nice guy. :3

I also have to retake the SAT sometime this year or next.  I received a fairly decent score the first time around last year (1640), but my parents believe it'd be in my best interests to try for a higher score now that I understand a few more things (like Geometry stuff).  I'm okay with it, but I have to find out when I need to sign up for it...

I'm going to try to purchase Pokemon Snap for the Virtual Console sometime this week.  I could probably trade in a game or two at GameStop when we go out of town for our monthly meeting, and I could buy a 1000 Wii Points Card then.  I'm really looking forward to replaying that game. n_n

I might be getting a PSP for Christmas.  Ever since the Xbox 360 debacle and the fact that we're certainly not going to be getting one anytime soon, my parents have been kinda skirting the issue and not giving me a direct answer about the PSP.  That'll be cool.  I just don't know how I'm going to purchase Suzumiya Haruhi no Yakusoku for it, or whether I should at all (text adventure + only Japanese text = not understandable at all).  But it'll be fun to play games like Jeanne d'Arc, Parappa the Rappa, MegaMan: Powered Up, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, etc.

I'm going to clean off my shelf in the room and put all of my theology-based books on a single shelf.  I'll call it the "Shelf of Theology".  Yes, that's totally clever, and completely awesome.  Maybe I'll take pictures of it.

My face still hurts from my accident, yesterday... x_x