>>> A new anime: Kara no Kyōkai

Kara no Kyōkai (空の境界? lit. Edge of Emptiness) is a Japanese novel series, authored by Kinoko Nasu and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi. It is also known under the name Rakkyo (らっきょ?), and its tagline the Garden of sinners.
The series originally begun from October 1998 as a series of five chapters released online on Nasu and Takeuchi's dōjin-based website, Takebōki (竹箒?), with its final two chapters being released at Comiket 56 in August 1999. Nasu and Takeuchi were later to form Type-Moon, and in 2001, featured a portion of the book in its 2001 Tsukihime fandisk, Tsukihime PLUS-DISC, which saw it gain significant popularity, leading it to be released as a dōjinshi publication at Comiket 61 on December 30, 2001.

On September 2002, a drama CD based on the series was released, and on August 6, 2004, noted publisher Kodansha released the series as a commercial publication, which enjoyed immense popularity, with 5000 limited-edition versions of the novel being sold almost immediately upon release. Both editions of Kara no Kyōkai altogether sold more than 500,000 copies.[1] The series is regarded as being set in the same world as another Type-Moon series, Tsukihime, with the protagonist of the series, Shiki Ryōgi, possessing similar abilities as Tsukihime's protagonist, Shiki Tohno, and another Tsukihime character, Aoko Aozaki's sister, Tōko Aozaki (who was briefly mentioned in Tsukihime), also being featured.

The series is being adapted into an ongoing anime movie series, divided into seven chapters, which are animated by the studio ufotable. The first chapter, titled Overlooking View (俯瞰風景 Fukan Fūkei?), premiered across Japanese theaters on December 1, 2007, with the second,third and fourth chapters, A Study in Murder (Part 1) (殺人考察(前) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Zen)?), Remaining Sense of Pain (痛覚残留 Tsūkaku Zanryū?) and Void Shrine (伽藍の洞 Garan no Hor?), being released soon after on December 29, 2007, followed by January 26, 2008 and May 24, 2008, respectively. In connection with the movie's release, the novels are once again being reprinted, as three volumes with new illustrations.[2] It is expected for the fifth movie to premier in Japanese cinemas on July 26, 2008.

So far, this anime looks pretty damn good. And the preview video [PV] has me really interested in watching. So, I'm gonna troll the 'net looking for English subbed 'chapters' later.

And I'd like to thank Elsevilla for sharing this new anime series in his dA journal.

And now I'll leave you with a li'l more action cuts from the anime itself.

Peace!

NOTE: Entire description of Kara no Kyōkai was taken from Wikipedia.

>>> Fatigued but satisfied

Why?

It's because, somehow, regardless of the high probabilities for complete and utter SNAFUBARs, I've been able to get quite a few things done.

Like what?

Well, like...

... last Monday's expedition with Cho'bitz and Ferret to find odds and ends for customizing clothes. We trekked all the way from City Hall [Peninsula Plaza/Hotel & Suntec] to Beach Road [Army Market] to Bedok [by train, not by foot!] to Siglap [by bus and a short way by legging it; Siglap Center] and then to Bishan [by bus, again] which is when we legged it all the way to Upper Thompson and ViD. :) It was a pretty damn good day, with getting Subway sandwiches, a few [badge] patches, and meeting Raven at her workplace in Siglap to order some cloth patches done. Oh, and I got my jersey from her. Cool, non?

Only killer thing is the fact that the patch templates would murder our noggins a few days later... OWCH.

... last Wednesday's outing with Cho'bitz and Raven to find stuff to custom a tie, which we did. You'd be surprised what you can find at Mini-Toons and 77th Street. It really is bloody amazing. Left the stuff for sewing at a tailor's in Khatib [which was collected on Sunday]... and it didn't look too shabby in the end.

The best part of the day? MY GODSON WAS BORN IN THE MORNING AT 0700 AND WEIGHED IN AT A LITTLE OVER 2 LBS!

AND I GOT TO HOLD HIM, TOO!!! Putera Nicholas Adam Fernandez, born on the 18th of June, in the two thousand and eighth year of our Lord.

My first godson.

*dreamy sigh*

... the insane BYOB gathering of people at my crib last Friday to celebrate the return of Plasticated from Kiwi-Land and birthday of my eldest godsister, Lastride. Unfortunately, Lastride couldn't make it 'coz she was sick... the cake Raven brought for her was devoured by my parents and brothers when the parentals returned on Sunday. [List of gatecrashers: Cho'bitz, Ero-Otaku, Ferret, Ghoul, Keijiro, OMGNoob, Pervalidus, Plasticated, Project:K, and Raven.]

... the dinner at Mrs H's - which is when I always get a decent three course meal- with Ferret, Ghoul, Pervalidus, Plasticated and Project:K. I provided the chicken that was turned into roast, Ferret brought the salad ingredients [which made a heaping pile on the plate which couldn't be tossed] and Plasticated brought chips for the extra bit of saltiness. And Mrs H made a wonderful apple pie - which I swear is still the bloody best in the world - which Project:K loved to bits. *grin*

... sending Project:K off at the airport with Plasticated and Ferret, which was rather tearful and sad. WE MISS YOU, PROJECT:K!!!!

Which was after crashing at Ferret's place to scan my pictures, which was preceded by me missing the stop, because I was playing on my 'new' NDS [a gift from Raven], and walking back to his place which took about 30+ minutes.

And after all this, we headed to ViD and played BF2142... and KICKED ASS!!! :D

... the craziness of getting to work late on Monday and then leaving after an hour to head for the United Square store to help out. Plasticated, I am so damn sorry for making you wait five hours for me to get off work, but thank you for waiting!!!

And, yeah, that's about it.

I'm still feeling exhausted and would love to do nothing more but to crawl into bed and curl up under the blanket.

But, I have things to do, so that's gonna have to wait till later.

"No rest for the wicked, no respite for the righteous and no peace for the dead."

>>> What's big, green and sits in the corner?

THE INCREDIBLE SULK!!!

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's uber lame. But it should've gotten your attention. Non?

Anyways, looks like the best laid plans often go awry. How and what do I mean? Let's just say instead of watching something black, white and furry, Pervalidus, Ferret and myself ended up watching something huge, green and angry.

Yeap, that's right we watched The Incredible Hulk.

And damn it rocked!!! ^^

_{Warning: Spoilers may be ahead, for those who do not wish their viewing pleasure destroyed by knowing what happens in the end, please avert your eyes and/or go somewhere else.}

I have no definite favourite moments, but the parkour-like chase scene in the Brazilian city, the way he makes his way back up to Culver, his fight with the Abomination and, the ultimate pinnacle, the Big Green roaring "HULK SMASH!".

Oh, hell yeah, this movie rocked on so many levels. It had a plausible storyline, Edward Norton as Bruce Banner was a wonderful choice, the redesign of the Abomination was fantastic [and a helluva lot better than the original reptilian design from the comics], the obligatory sex scene was hilarious [I blame the Brucester's need to not have his heart race beyond 200bpm as the main issue! LOL.] and overall, it just flowed rather well.

And let's face it, Bruce Banner's rather sinister smile as his eyes turn such a wonderful shade of green - of his own volition - at the end of the movie was so satisfying.

That, and having Tony Stark appear towards the end was quite gratifying. The Hulkbuster Program and the Avengers, anyone? *evil laugh*

However, this movie did not score full marks because even though a lot of people love Liv Tyler, I find that she's rather like a porcelain doll. That and the quick devolving spiral of Blonsky in drug addiction like fashion was rather disappointing.

Therefore, in conclusion, this movie obtains...

... a mighty NINE out of ten!!!

For those who haven't watched this yet, go watch it...

... NOW!!!

>>> Who says that the Reds aren't hot?

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

If there is just one reason alone to play this game on the Soviet's side of the line, Gina Carrano as Natasha is probably that lone reason. She's fit, has a cool attitude, looks great and has a fantastic bod... what's there not to like!? Crikey, now I have to wonder whether Tanya's gonna to 'reprazent' for the Allies.

Coz, if not, I think the Soviets just won.

And if that isn't enough, my God, check out the benefits of being a Ruskie soldier!

Lol!

See you lot the next time round the Steppes.

_{Yes, this is just filler till the next proper update.}

>>> INDIAN JONES STRIKES AGAIN!

Hey, waitaminit, ain't that s'posed to be Indiana Jones!?

Hahaha.

Ask Kenneth from SBTH, he'll tell you exactly who and what Indian Jones is.

However, moooving ooon...

Yet another epic Indiana Jones film. It was good, if a bit far-fetched. And, guys, c'mon, wasn't the number 51 on the hangar door enough of a hint to make you guys suspect the [remote possibility] of extraterrestrial involvement? Like, hello, BIG spoiler giveaway right within the first few moments of the movie! But, it does keep a body guessing what'll happen next, tho' it often seems pretty obvious.

I really liked the idea, even if it was really unbelievable and probably damn nigh impossible at that, behind the hiding-in-lead-lined-fridge-and-surviving-a-nuclear-blast scene. Like the rest of the movie. Far-fetched, but c'mon, it's a trademark of most Indiana Jones movies; pulp-fiction-like action mixed with wise guy & dry wit banter.

The only issue I had was that certain things seemed too pat [like the instant acceptance of Mutt's story about Oxley and his mom, and Marion & Indy rekindling their love on the run] and it seemed a tad bit rushed. BUT...

IT WAS STILL A GREAT MOVIE, I LOVED IT!!!

I really don't get what all the fuss is about with the "OMG, it'll rape your childhood memories" and "it was unbelievably unrealistic" and what-not.

Christ. Almighty. On. A. Crutch.
_{No offence, JC, seriously.}

PEOPLE, take a chill pill, it's a bloody pulp fiction action film, it's not s'posed to be realistic!

But right about now, all that matters is that I enjoyed the film. And I had the good company of Pervalidus to enjoy it with. So, chaps, all you really need to enjoy a movie is to go in with no expectations [whatsoever] and a friend or three.

But, then again, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. *shrug*

Overall rating for this movie?

A great, big, whopping EIGHT (8) out of ten (10).

There, done.

Next film: KUNG-FU PANDA!

Now to do a Panda...

... eats, shoots and leaves.

*grin*

TCHAO!!!

>>> At work...

... and at play at work! :D

Told you lot that I'd eventually upload the photos that I've taken so far. This series is from the pieces taken at work while on the job and off. My fellow SB partners who are featured here (in alphabetical order): Alfons, Ann [from Suntec], Hann, Huda, Joseph, Julian, Katie, Nas, Nizam, Riyah, Ryan and Xiu Qing. Guess who's who! :D

21 photographs taken by yours truly on a Sony Cybershot camera, model currently unknown. There should be more uploads of different photo 'series' as the weeks, and my moods, go by.

Until then, live LARGE and carry a damn good digicam!

CHEERS!!!

>>> The boredom of routine...

... and the perception of the passage of time are somewhat interlinked.

Don't you think so?

I mean, like when you're working somewhere droll, boring and/or with the same group of people, doesn't it feel time crawls?

And conversely, when you're doing something that you enjoy, that it practically speeds by, leaving you in the dust?

Therefore, in conclusion, the more boring and routine a certain situation or occurence is, the slower that time passes by in the context of one's perceptions.

*screens winks into life with a young dark-skinned man in a black suit on display*

Now, with that done, let's move on to a short report, shall we?

PROJECT:SELF-EXPLANATORY has managed to get itself stalled in the mud at the moment, but we're trying to dig it out as quick as we can. How? By holding the group's secret meeting at the mysterious and rather enigmatic Ferret's classified hideaway somewhere in the urban landscapes of Northern SG at an undisclosed date and time; well, undisclosed to you lot, at any rate.

And now that you know of the existence of this Top Secret project, I am afraid that you will have to die now... *looks off-screen* What? I can't kill them? But, where's the fun in that? *slit-eyed, unhappy look* You guys never let me have any fun, dammit all.

*puts on a pair of wraparound sunglasses and then pulls out a slim, cyclindrical object that has its top extend with a pop*

Ladies and germs, - and yes, that includes you guys, too - please focus on the flashing, little red light... *sudden bright flash*

... you people have not seen anyone except Safety Inspectors from Division 6 of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and have not heard anything about any secret projects or meetings. That is all, you can all continue on with your pathetic existences now. Thank you, and do try to have a nice day.

*muttering is heard as the screens winks out with a hiss of static*

YES, I am that bored that I just had to rip the MIB off.

Feh.

In other news:

I've been on attachment to two Starbucks stores: Bugis Junction and Suntec Tower Four. It was a helluva lot of fun and I hope that I get attached out more in the future, tho' that'd be quite doubtful. Why? Let's just say that it's a gut feeling.

I need to reclaim a sense of urgency with some things in the store. I appreciate the straightforwardness of my SM; thankfully he's not afraid to tell me the negative. Though I wish that he'd tell me something positive, too!!

And we might have a new partner in our store @ TP soon. No, it's not Jeffrey from PS [but he'll be there after the 15th] or a partner from the closing NP store [and s/he'll only be with us in or after July]. It's a 29 year old babe named Christine who looks pretty decent with interesting, erm, assets, for lack of better, more politically correct terms. *goofy grin* Oh, well, even if my job is in trouble, at least I'll still be a willing customer! XD But my main question is this: WHY is she joining Starbucks at the age of 29? Is she studying, bored or wot? Oh, well, we'll find out eventually.

On a side note, why is it that Singaporeans, when they head overseas to study, work and/or live, have a tendency to clump together and try to ostracize & then miserablize at least ONE other SGean? Especially if that certain individual gets along better with the locals than the group of SGeans? Cripes. We're all humans, or at least some of us are, so why can't we all just bloody get along!? Plasticated, whoop their asses, you know you want to!!! WITH C7!!!

Anyways, I'm hungry and I have a craving for pizza; plus, I want sex.

Fuggit, I'll just make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and write a triple-x story later for the hell of it.

Which I probably won't get past the first two pages without giving up in disgust.

BLEAH.

Laters, peoples, the food calls to me...

>>> What the hell?

It's already JUNE!?

Crap.

There go my plans for May.

Hahahahaha!

Anyways, it's a new month and it kicked off on a good footing. How so? Well, I spent the first working day of the month at my own store with almost NO mistakes. And then had my second attachment to Bugis on Monday where I met Kenneth and Hairul from Tan Tock Seng who are my kind of 'nuts' as well as Jason, Abang Zee and 'Kak Yul, who are the true Bugisians. :D

That, and we met a Partner from the US, Sarah Ann Lawson [I think that's what her last name is]. Her partner card was tres cool. I HAVE HER E-MAIL ADDRESS!!! *grins*

And I'm not giving it out except to Kenneth, Hairul, Yul and Zee. :)

Just because I'm tired and in need of a back massage, I don't really feel like blogging very much. Therefore, I'm leaving. For now. To spare you the agony of having to read more. So self-sacrificing, aren't I? I should get a bloody medal. *laughs*

Anyways, you guys and gals have fun. And remember...

... life can only get better!