For a while now, I've been thinking about how my book, that I'm currently working on, would be like if it was an anime series. At the moment, I'm still determining where the start of the book is really at. It current starts at Arya's Freshman year but nothing interesting really happens until much later in her Sophomore year which she, along with her Irish drummer friend, Gwen, and two other girls, April and Reggie, get a record deal and work on their first album. This band could be like a mish-mash blend of Sum 41, Blink 182, and New Found Glory (I guess it wouldn't make much difference since all three of them are punk bands of some form). Arya plays bass, Gwen plays drums, Reggie plays lead, and April sings. However, instead of lyrics about teen angst, they actually sing about different stuff ... perhaps down the lines of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.

The lead singer sings down the lines of Avril Lavigne while the background music is a bit more punkish than poppish. Additionally, they get to do a cover of Metallica's Fuel at some point, which, for the record, Avril did in the MTV Icon show last year when MTV deemed Metallica as an MTV icon ... which will leads down to the point of this entry.

I picture Fuel to be the opening theme of the first 13 episodes of this series. However, instead of the original version from Metallica's Reload album, I would think this one should be sung by a female since the lead singer of Arya's band is a female, preferably sung by the same voice actress. That way, there is a 90 second version of the song in the opening and the full 4:30 minute version stuck somewhere in the 13th episode during one of the band's big concerts. The opening theme would show Arya on her hover-bike cruising around while showing her fighting/gun scenes in the background. Additionally, it would also show other supporting characters in the story as well as the band that Arya is in... although, I can't quite hear a Japanese version of Fuel in my head just yet. Maybe it could be sung by someone like Nana Kitade or BoA (along with a Korean version of Fuel (O_O)) or the ELT band or ... Utada Hikaru, which leads to the ending theme -->

For the ending theme, I picture a song down the lines of Utada Hikaru's Wait and See ~リスク~ [~Risk~] as the ending. That, and every time I think of the ending of the series, I think of the Wait and See music video. Probably because Arya's football jersey is also 9, the same number on Hikaru's shirt in the end of the video, and Hikaru also rides a hover-bike ... but Arya's bike is more silver-ish and has LIT'NING on her license plate. (Named after Metallica's Ride The Lightning. After all, Arya is a big Metallica fan, considering the time-frame the story takes place.) However, that would have to be remixed in some way so it sounds more metal-ish or maybe an ending extension to Fuel. A bit like how some albums are set up so that it sounds like one really long song instead of a bunch of small ones.

On a side note, Avril Lavigne's new album will be out next month so I'll be looking for that. However, I figured I should buy the CD instead of downloading it from the iTunes Music Store. KoЯn's latest album didn't had their version of Metallica's One in the iTMS (unlike the CD version which had it) so I'm guessing Avril's version of Fuel wouldn't be in that download either. That, and I like to read the liner notes, and sing-along to the songs of the album as I listen to them.

I guess it comes down to this:
white-hair chicks that don't talk much but kick butt == really cool
futuristic hover-bikes == neato
Avril Lavigne == rock-on girl!
Utada Hikaru == Hikaru Utada ... uh ... yay!
hover-boards, the future of skateboarding == if the demand is worthy
a Metallica song in a foreign language == questionable [I did heard of the existence of Metallica songs sung in different styles, eg. bluegrass, strings ... but never actually heard them ... I'm afraid I could be scarred for life for listening to such a creation. O.o ... as with Metallica songs in a different language, I don't think I could ever recall one ... there might be one, I just never heard of it.]

During last month's MUG meeting, there was a raffle for OS X Panther, Halo, iLife, and two discs with drum loops in them. I won one of these items however, I already had Panther and played Halo on the Xbox so I decided to get myself the iLife package instead. I bought five raffle tickets for five bucks but I didn't win anything else. Instead, the drum loops and Halo were won by a teenager whose mother had purchased 20 raffle tickets!

Anyway, I bought myself a used USB iMic real cheap and found myself a decent microphone in my storage bag the other day and then started learning how to use GarageBand today. It looks like a fun program to fiddle around with. It already came with a bunch of different loops to play around with so I decided to start with that and see if I could come up with something. So far, I managed to compose a short piece with 4 tracks, mostly consisted of the drums and violin synths but I'll continue experimenting and hopefully I'll get something down and then I can start jamming with a decent rhyme or two. Maybe I could get a deal with Shady, So Def, or Def Jam or something if I get real good at it ... but then again ... do I really want to be a rapper? O_o I swear! I might look weird as a gangsta rapper ... but then again, I could join a group of kids and start another Linkin Park band. I could be the next Mike Shinoda if I try really hard.

Now that's an interesting anime to write about ... an anime of a native Asian kid trying to be a rapper in the USA. I'd like to see that! ^_^

Now, I don't really mind listening to the likes of 50 Cent, D12, and Snoop Dogg (in fact, I was listening to some just now since I need an idea running around for a certain event in my book) but when I'm trying to go to sleep, I'd appreciate it if the music would stop when I'm about to go to bed.

Right now, I can hear 50 Cent blaring out of my window. I guess this is what happens when I live only two blocks away from a night club ... ugh ...

On a lighter note, My Band has to be one of the funnier rap songs out there ... I swear!

Anyway, I'm off to bed ...

I guess I should have made note that my birthday was two days ago. I just turned 23 ... and now I'm tired ...

I guess the reason why I was a little depressed that day was because Japanese class was cancelled and some of us wondered what happened to sensei. Some of us had a sense of concern or worry that something bad may have happened to her. I guess I won't know until later this morning when we usually have class. Japanese is usually my favourite class since a majority of my friends are in that class.

Next to that would be Ceramics because I like the teacher; he's a really cool Korean guy and has an interesting sense of humour. Just the other day, he was criticizing about Korean rap music. He said that they should give it up because it doesn't work. I suppose the reason would be the phonic structures are a little different compared to English. Maybe it's a little bit like Japanese but I'm not sure since I can't read Korean.

Insomnia kicked in tonight and figured I check my mail. I got a belated birthday card from my friend, Kiwa. I've known her since the 8th grade and we make contact every now-and-then ... although, problem is that I'm usually asleep when she's online, even though we're only two hours apart, time-zone wise. I guess she's more of a night person. Additionally, her blog had this test up: here

I spent a good ten minutes to take it and this is what I got: here

" The Boy Next Door
Random Gentle Love Dreamer (RGLDm)

Kind, yearning, playful, you are The Boy Next Door. You're looking for real Love, a lot like girls do. It might not be manly, but it's sweet.

We think the next three years will be very exciting and fruitful ones for you. Your spontaneous, creative side makes you a charming date, and we think you have a horny side just waiting to shine. Or glisten, rather. You enter new relationships unusually hopeful, and the first moments are especially glorious. If you've had some things not work out before, so what.

On paper, most girls would name the Boy Next Door as their ideal mate. In the real world, however, you're often passed over for more dangerous or masculine men. You're the typical "nice guy:" without just a touch of cockiness, you're doomed with girls. A shoulder to cry on? Okay, sure. But never a penis to hold.

More than any other type, Boys Next Door evolve as they get older. As we said, many find true love, but some fail miserably in the search. These tarnished few grow up to be The Men Next Door, who are creepy as hell, offering backrubs to kids and what not.

ALWAYS AVOID: The Nymph

CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor, The Peach"

Some of that scares me ... especially the "Men Next Door." Offering backrubs to kids ... man ... I'd probably be arrested if things gone worse. Some might even see me as a pediophile if I evolve into a Man Next Door. Now that would be bad. On the other hand, I was always a bit nervous when talking to girls around campus. I wasn't really too good with girls or maybe the ones that I run into are sensitive, get offended too easily, or just a little of both. It just makes me wonder too much.

I doubt this will be the only one Insomnia session this month.

Coming the next weeks, I'll be really busy and I know for sure that I'll have to pull some all-nighters just to make ends meet.

I was looking up on Amazon for some books on Ninjas and ran into this:

Real Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book

If I'm not mistaken, it references this website, which is a more humorous take on what ninjas are.

Now I'm worried ... I guess if you take ninjas seriously and believe in 'code of honour' and all that stuff, then you could be offended by this book and would rather prefer a book like this one. However, if you frequent that website and wonder about ninjas vs. pirates and how ninjas have sex and all that strange stuff, then I suppose a book like this might humour you.

I, for one, would keep an eye on this one and see how this book would turn out. The scary part would be hearing an audiobook version of this book. O_o

Not-so-Good Friday.

I guess I woke up to a shoddy start. I haven't ate breakfast today.

When I went to the wood shop, I almost cut myself with the automatic jig-saw. That, and I forgot my t-square. Additionally, I some-what botched up in my project since I miscalculated the position where the iPod dock should be, therefore, the hole was off-centered. Luckily, it didn't appear to be a big deal. I needed to make the hole bigger anyway since the line-out and firewire dock connectors need some room.

In Japanese class, it looks like I wasn't the only person that felt a little discombobulated. There were a set of drills that I forgot to study and my mind went off-key. However, almost the whole class seemed to have forgotten to study or only studied a certain portion of the material. It felt everything went downhill. I study but it makes me wonder about the condition of this class sometimes. I was told that the teaching method used in the books are better for a small class, like 4 or 5, instead of a class of 12 people. My classmates, however, complain about the quality of the textbooks, which I agree to an extent but I guess that's how things are. After I graduate, I'm going to buy a better Japanese text book so I can study more and perhaps work with sensei a little more as she returns back to Japan.

As I got set up at work, I forgot my AC adapter for my iBook. So right now, I'm running on a battery and it looks like there's around two hours of power left so I have to conserve a bit so I can at least type for the next class.

Well ... in a little more than 1 and a half hours, I'll be at my advanced composition class. This doesn't seem to bad, except I now I'm feeling a little sick, angry, and really tired. I don't really know if I could make it to class, but I'll try. That, and I need to reorganize my papers and check what I need to do for my portfolio in that class, which is due in around two or three weeks.

I guess this is supposed to be a post-April Fool's Day joke or something. If it is, then it looks like I fell for it. (~_~)

A really short entry but ...

Man! As I got home last night from that P2P sharing discussion meeting, I ran into my dorm-neighbor. He was playing Mike Tyson's Punch Out for the NES! It was no rom-and-emulator deal but the actual NES console on a 22 in' TV! I almost forgot what Tyson looked like in 8-bit! I swear! Games back then rocked!

I never did see the ending to Mike Tyson's Punch Out though ... but I don't think Little Mac got his ear bit off like Tyson's match against Evander Holyfield almost seven years ago.

Sometimes, I think about the money I spend vs. money that is demanded by direct and indirect business ties that I have or may have. I don't know why, but sometimes, there are companies that want money from me. Beats me why. There are some I can understand, like MBNA, the one that offered me that Apple Loan. But there's a few others ... maybe it's identity theft. It's been a big deal as of late. You seen stuff on TV about a guy walking in the street picking up stuff from someone's trash can while talking about how identity thieves work, at the same time, he advertises a paper shredder. Who knows. I'll probably check that out but usually, I shred stuff up that has my address and important numbers before they go in the Pitt County Landfill.

Although, there are times that I forget I'm in debt and when I think of an art project that looks like a cool thing to pursue in and/or that has to be done for a grade, I keep forgetting about this thing called a "budget."

I figured that after my wood project is done, I'll stick to digital stuff until I get myself financially stabilized. At least for that one, I don't have to spend so much, if not any money, to do non-game Photoshop work. Usually time's worth. The previous Photoshop-related work that I have done were skins for Unreal Tournament 2003 (and 2004, seeing that there's a backwards compatibility for most skin content for both games, even though I don't own UT2004). I thought about doing some CD covers or other designs... Something small before I try something larger. Right now, I have to finish colouring that picture of Arya. I plan on making that into some kind of desktop wallpaper. I'll also rebuild my art portfolio. It might be a good idea if a company wants to look at the work I have done before they say, "Damn! This shit's phat! You're hired!" or "Shit! That's whack! I ain't hirin' you!"

On a related gaming note, I don't plan on buying any more games, in general, until I get myself a dual processor G5 (or G6 or G7, whichever is newer at the time of purchase) or build a decent gaming rig, which won't be until a bunch of years. When that happens, Doom]|[ would be playable on a computer that could be considered "grandma's box."

Usually, I have a tendency to skip generations when it comes to buying computer hardware. For instance, when I was on a PC, I jumped from a 3dfx Voodoo 2 to a Voodoo 5 in one box (for those who remember the Voodoo 5, that thing is very long!); then when 3dfx went out of business I got a nVidia GeForce 2 MX then went to GeForce 4 Ti 4600 (just as long as the Voodoo 5); and in another computer that had an ATI Radeon 7500, that was upgraded to a Radeon 9700 PRO (a lot shorter than the GF4 Ti 4600 and the Voodoo5, but packs more power!). Although that's just graphics cards. On the CPU end, I jumped from an AMD K6-2 400 Mhz to an AthlonXP 2100 ... a big step there, but I had to replace the motherboard and everything else to take advantage of the processor. Right now, I have a G4 iBook ... the way how I see my upgrading trends, I'll wait until the G5 is a thing of the past and get the G6 when that hits the shelves ... but I'll get a desktop machine instead of a laptop. I'm happy with this iBook right now, although, I miss playing some high-end games but it's not the end of the world, so I'm not worried about it. I guess gaming will have to wait until my life is a little bit more stable.

At the moment, the bank says my financial outcome for the future is "uncertain." I guess the spending pattern of a college student is well ... just weird. Well, this college student anyway. But if I look up to the internet and expand my art services to the people of the web, I might generate more revenue instead of sticking around town.

Maybe I should go back to skinning but I don't know yet ... I kind of lost interest in playing UT2003 since no one in the campus LAN plays UT2003 (well, they didn't at the time I owned it)... that, and I don't think MacSoft hasn't ported UnrealEd to a Mac yet. I don't have the Mac version of UT2003 and haven't purchased UT2004 so I can't say for certain. If not, they should; it would open up more developers that do their art work on a Mac. Otherwise, I would have to stick to doing command-line compiling. That ain't hard to do; I've compiled UT1 skins the same way on a PC. I think it's something like "ucc make" in the command-line terminal after making the appropriate edits to the System.ini file as well as making the appropriate .uc scripting files. (or "./ucc-bin make" on Linux but I haven't tested that since, for me, Linux is like the wiener of a dude in a porn video ... I find it very hard to use but if I had the free time in the world, I'll probably give Linux another run-down.)

After all this talk about trying to get money, it makes me wonder why some college students resort to downloading music off Kazaa and them places. I guess it's economical in a way ... well, until you get a friendly love letter from the RIAA asking for a hefty sum of money. I guess that's where programs like PeerGuardian come in but if the RIAA has ways around PeeGuardian, then it doesn't do any good ... if that's the case, then it's an endless war between the PG developers and RIAA, or at least until someone gives up ... or maybe the RIAA will send people to raid the homes of programmers that made PeerGuardian. After all those lawsuits and stuff, I'm sure they got some money out of that to hire a hitman or some secret agent or something. Or then again, they'd probably blow it all off on more lawsuits and stuff, hoping they would get more. Beats me how the law system works. In the end, I'm interested in how much the artist gets out of all of this. With the sudden increase of CD prices, it makes me wonder.

Tomorrow, there's going to be a discussion in one of the meeting halls in Mendenhall about downloading music, according to this email I received today:

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Downloading Music and Movies from the
Internet (Peer-to-Peer File Sharing)

Napster opened Pandora's Box when it first introduced free file sharing. The resulting ripple effect from the entertainment industry has wreaked havoc on college campuses across the country. Students question "What's the big deal?" while university administrators are forced to deal with the
ramifications of illegal file sharing activities. Plan to join this lively discussion on the realities of file sharing.

Panelists:
David Harrison, Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs, UNC Office of the President
Mary Lou Antieau, Office of Student Conflict Resolution
Jack McCoy, ITCS Security
Elliott Frank, School of Music
Ben Wyche, SGA

Tuesday March 30, 2004
7:00 - 8:00 pm
221 Mendenhall Student Center

I might head down there tomorrow, just to see what they're talking about. I'll also bring my Belkin Voice Recorder with me, too. It might actually have some good uses.

Well ... I guess I talk too much inside ... then again, I don't say much in the classroom. I'm usually the quiet type since I'm more comfortable typing out my responses than vocally responding to things.

I finally got this in disc in the mail yesterday. The CD case is made of something like cardboard. The outside of the cover is colourful with neon colours over a gold matte with the addition of a silver reflective snake over it. However, the inside is mostly black with these weird flower designs and the booklet folds out to display a serpent on one side and the liner notes on the other. I thought it was pretty weird and different compared to the standard jewel-case-and-book deal.

It's quite an interesting album with some wild harmonics in some of the tracks as well as a few light headed tracks. I eventually picked out a few favourites from it for reference use, although, they're the heavier ones　which were: EROTIC&HERETIC, 赤と黒 [Aka to Kuro / Red and Black], and 戦争と平和 [Sensou to Heiwa / War and Peace], although that particular track reminds me of heavy fast paced carnival music. I also liked 時の森のソワレ [Toki no Mori no Soware / Soware of the Forest of Time], 熱帯性植物園 [Nettaisei Shokubutsuen / Sexual(?) Tropical Botanical Garden], and Nostalgia which were a bit lighter and relaxing. Arabesque Romanesque is another nice one, which is the only instrumental track. Schism, however, sounds a bit freaky. Other tracks also included 遊月恋歌 [Yu Tsuki Koiuta / Play a Moon Love Song], Lolita In The Garret, and 夢魔の夜、あなたを迎える者がある [Yume mano yoru, anata o mukaeru mano ga aru / dream an evil spirit's night, for you go out to meet someone who has it]. Overall, I think it's a pretty interesting album. I rate that 8.5 of 10. I might go out and get either Nobelrot or Aristocracy in a month or so ... it all depends on who'll be asking for my money next month. Although, I might try Amazon.co.jp this time ... from experience, they usually have everyday discounts on some of their stuff. However, I have other expenses to worry about such as little Mecha Tin Can dude that I'm building for my wood shop class.

NOTE: My translations are not 100% accurate. Some of it is based on cliche-ique interpretations.