the super moon & kajiura yuki's fiction II

Hahahaha... okay, the super moon phenomenon occurred two saturday's ago. I shot a photo but never posted it. So here it is. :)

And I know it has no relation to the super moon. But, my shipping status for Kajiura Yuki's second solo album, Fiction II, says in shipping process. Yay!! :)

Yeah, that's it from me. Been very busy lately. Bye for now. :)

Mahou Shoujo Madoka & Android Froyo for Motorola Milestone

Before I go to sleep, i just wanted to do a quick update to the blog.

The new release dates for the blu-rays and dvds have been announced.  Basically, they are pushing the release dates of all volumes back by a month.  Here is the link to the announce on the official website.

Basically, here are the dates:

第1巻：3月30日→4月27日

第2巻：4月27日→5月25日

第3巻：5月25日→6月22日

第4巻：6月22日→7月27日

第5巻：7月27日→8月24日

They have yet to announce the availability of the 6th volume, but that will be a certainty and will probably be in the following month after the 5th volume is released.

This means that OST Vol. 1 by Kajiura Yuki will also be delayed by a month.  The cd will be packed with Vol.2 of the special editions and was scheduled for a April release.  We'll now have to wait to the end of May for this cd. 

The delay of Vol.1 is kind of expected, but I must say, I was a little surprised that all volumes were pushed back by a month.  :(  Ah well... although I am a little disappointed that even vol.2 has been delayed, still, given the circumstances, I'm not really that bothered by it. :)

Also, episode 11 and 12 of the anime will be postponed due to the recent events in Japan.  Although there has been no confirmed dates, according to the latest twitter message from the official website, the last episode will air in April.

From the tweet:

madoka_magica 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ

レギュラー放送とは形態が変わりますが、4月中を目途に最終話までをお届けできるように調整を進めてまいります。ご理解、ご了承のほど、よろしくお願いいたします。 #madoka_magica

It's a good thing for me actually, although other fans may be disappointed.  I'm really busy at work lately.  And had to put in some serious overtime tonight.  I'm also behind on my Japanese homework.  So a delay in the broadcast of these last two eps means less distraction for me. :D

Next.... FINALLY Android 2.2 (Froyo) is available for the Motorola Milestone.  It's not available in all regions yet but it is available in most of South East Asia.  I just upgraded my Milestone from Eclair to Froyo. Yay. :)  I've been waiting for this.  The biggest reason why I wanted it was so that I could move applications to SD card.  :)  I've not actually played with it too much yet.  Too tired.  :(

Anyway, strangely, I could not download the upgrade from Motorola's website.  BUT, you can still upgrade.  You just need to install the "Motorola Software Update" software on you computer and use that to update.  Just install the software and follow the instructions... it's pretty simple.

K... need sleep.  The shot I'm working on is really killing me.  A lot of work remains to be done and I need to deliver by end of today if possible.  So good night everyone. :) 

Mahou Shoujo Madoka - bluray / dvd Vol. 1 release delayed

Before I left on my cruise, I read from the official Mahou Shoujo Madoka website that Vol. 1's release has been delayed.  The dvd / blu-ray was scheduled to be released at the end of this month on the 30th.  The announcement of its delay was made on 15th Mar, just 4 days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan's North Eastern region.  Given the circumstances, it's understandable that the release would be delayed.

From what I can understand with my still limited ability to read Japanese, the release was delayed due to the shortage of power and disruption to delivery services in Japan after the disaster.  They have not announced a new release date yet.  But I'm in no hurry to get these discs and I doubt if anyone who likes anime enough to order these discs would care that they are not getting Vol.1 on time.

I must say that Japan has coped with this disaster remarkably well given the scope of the devastation.  I was assured by CDJapan that my orders will be shipped as timely as possible.  I was in no hurry to get any of the items I had ordered from them and totally expected delays but was quite surprise that one of my orders actually shipped on time.  You really have to admire the Japanese.

It's my first anime related post since 11th Mar and hopefully there will be more.  :)

Oh... also, a friend's 6 year old daughter donated her "ang bao" money of SGD200 to the Red Cross for the Japan relief fund.  That's really cool. :)  Maybe I should donate more... how can I lose to a 6 year old? :)

K... off to rest.... it's been a very busy weekend and I'm really pooped.  I also hope to go to work early tomorrow to try and get a head start on work.  I'm in the middle of a difficult shot and I'm worried that I can't meet the deadline... so I should just call it an early night.  Ja... matta ne. :)

cruise trip day 3

A little late, considering I disembarked at approximately 2pm friday afternoon. :)

Yes, tadaima. I am home after my short cruise trip. :) We woke up really early this morning to catch the sunrise and I have several shots of it in various cameras. :)



This is just one of the many I shot.

The photo at the top of this post was shot on thursday morning, after breakfast. I was trying quite unsuccessfully to do my nihongo shukudai on the ship. :) In the end, after we reached home and rested, we headed out again to my favourite cafe to do my homework. I continued to do it at home after dinner. It is still not complete but I am making good progress. :)

K, need to sleep. Will try and post up some photos after I have developed the film and sorted out all the photos. Oyasumi. :)

cruise trip day two part 2

Hi hi. I'm back from the swim. It was very enjoyable. I've not gone swimming for months, the new work schedule makes it hard. :(

We awoke to a not dramatically beautiful day. No deep blue skies, no flying fish in the distance, nothing to make you go "wow". But still, I was happy. It is good to be alive and to be able to spend time with those whom you love. The recent troubles in the world has made me more acutely aware of this fact.

The sky this morning was a dull, pale blue and white but with the help of software filters I managed to make it more colourful, dramatic and interesting. The older I get, the more I'm aware of the fact that being "emo" and moody about everything changes nothing and just leaves me feeling like crap. Hence, I just want to live this life that I have been given the best that I can. And although I have not made my mark on the world, nor do I think I ever will or want to, I know that my life so far has been good and interesting and I am happy and grateful. :)

My Japanese friends in Japan are doing fine. They are getting on with life and doing the best they can. So it would be disrespectful of me to be all "emo" about it, I who live 5000 miles away. That is not to say I am not concern for them or those who lost so much. But the Japanese are really すごい. And I admire their spirit and and strength and I too would like to have a little bit of that in me. :)

K, I need to go rest a bit. That vigorous swim has tired me out a little. Ja matta ne. :)

cruise trip day 2

We've docked at the Port Klang Cruise Centre in Malaysia. After a late dinner and a magic show last night, the Super Star Virgo departed Singapore for Malaysia.

I've never been on a cruise before so I was quite interested to experience it. ...

I'll continue in a bit. We're going swimming. :)

cruise trip day 1

Am now on a cruise ship. This was a planned family trip with my parents, brother, sister in law and niece.

I have never been on a cruise before. So I hope it is interesting.

Am not sure if I have internet connectivity the further we head out. So will just post this short post and if I can't write more on the trip, will write more when I get back.

Take care everyone. :)