Spark Of Genius

Frankly, I don't know which spark of my geniuses that made me started this blog in the first place and then abandoned it after a year. I have lost interest in games since I last posted, I have lost interest in writing long reviewing crap for you guys to read coz I have to be REALLY careful of what I write, wait.. That's not true. I don't care what you guyz think of what I write, I just have to be really careful of my language.

No fuck, no shit, no damnation, no cultural and religion reference, no snide remarks to political parties (granted its hard to do it in a gaming blog) and no colorful language.

I think I am going to break that rule.

-Because I Can-

Rest In Peace Micheal Jackson with this video

 Today at 5:31AM Malaysian time, the King Of Pop has turned into a Legend.

No amount of crying or screaming shall flatter him. But immitation is the greatest form of flattery. I present to you

Thriller by inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Cebu





-Because I Can-

On tonight's Education: FUBAR

The things that one should know yet not know about. I have been reading on some Dresden files and the expression FUBAR popped up. A simple google found me a list of acronym within the same family of FUBAR.

For the uninititaed. FUBAR means "Fucked up beyond all repair & Fucked up beyond all recognition"

There are a list of other interesting acronym available in Wikipedia here.

Below are a list of military term when all hell break loose.

• BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again
• BOHIC - Bend Over Here It Comes
• DILLIGAS - Do I Look Like I Give A Shit
• DILLIGAFF - Do I Look Like I Give A Flying Fuck
• FIDO - Fuck It-Drive On
• FISHDO - Fuck It, Shit Happens - Drive On
• FIFI - Fuck It-Fly It
• FUBAB - Fucked Up Beyond All Belief
• FUBB - Fucked Up Beyond Belief
• FUBISO - Fuck You Buddy, I'm Shipping Out
• FUMTU - Fucked Up More Than Usual
• JAFO-Just Another Fucking Observer (guy who sits in the back of the vehicle)
• JANFU - Joint Army-Navy Fuck Up
• KMACYOYO - Kiss My Ass Colonel, You're On Your Own
• LLMF - Lost Like a Mother Fucker
• SNAFU - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up
• SNAFUBAR - Situation Normal: All Fucked Up Beyond All Repair/Recognition/Reason
• SOL - Shit Out of Luck
• FUUSAB - Fucked Up Until Space And Beyond
• SRDH - Shit Rolls Down Hill
• SSDD - Same Shit, Different Day
• SUSFU - Situation Unchanged, Still Fucked Up
• TARFU - Things Are Really Fucked Up, or Totally and Royally Fucked Up
• TAUFU - Totally And Utterly Fucked Up
• Charlie Foxtrot - From the phonetic alphabet letters C and F, meaning Cluster Fuck

Class Dismissed. 

-Because I Can-

What Type of Game Pirateer Are You?

There are 4 types of Game Pirateer, the first type goes like this:

Paladin Pirateer

They are the self-righteous pirateer. They condemn people on the net, hammer of justice anyone that smells remotely like a pirateer and with but a hint or a whiff of the fact that the game can,will, has or had been pirated, they will go berserk, hammer of justice anyone that smells even slightly undea.. i mean smells like a pirateer .

They are unforgiving, unforgetful, and at all times feels that they are doing the right thing. Yet they themselves know every single sites where the said pirated game can be purchased, downloaded or torrent. They are God's Men but for all we know, they themselves are a pirateer.

Assasin Pirateer

The silent one, the lonely one. The one that strikes in the darkness, the first to get a game when is out yet does nto boost about it. The one that sees no ethical boundary in pirating their games and justify it with their need to "test" the game before purchasing it. Yet when the game has been fully tested, they most probably will not buy the game

Magician Pirateer

They read, they study and then they read more on the game that they wanted to play. After all that is said and done, they will pirate the game to test it out. Followed by a huge maybe that they will buy the game, but more or less, they will be consumed by reading and knowing about other games first before coming up with the decision to buy or not to buy the game.

Warrior Pirateer

The warrior, the one that boost about the fact they pirated their game and shamelessly wear the badge of honor. They will fight anyone that even remotely condem them for their ability to pirate. The vanguard of pirateers!


There might be more to this... hmm...

-Because I Can-

Misery Loves Sherman & Other Webcomics

Misery Loves Sherman. A very nice webcomic which I am now following among other notable webcomic such as:

Pvponline
Looking For Group
Least I Could Do
Ctrl+Alt+Del

p/s: Click on the name above to go to the notable webcomics mentioned.

I am highlighting this particular strip due to the fact that it defines us Malaysian truly. Have you encounter situation or people doing such things as before?

http://www.miserylovessherman.com/2008/05/21/052108/ 

Read more from Misery Loves Shermant at http://www.miserylovessherman.com



-Because I Can-

NDSi - Built-in Anti-Piracy? Region Locked Game Cart?

 The DSi doesn't just include some hardware upgrades and the ability to download games directly to the system, it might also include more robust anti-piracy software as well.
Reports of some DS games, perhaps bootlegged copies of these games, not working on the DSi have started to show up in our mailbox and on several forums including GameSpot, IGN, Yahoo and CheapAssGamer.

Read the full article at kotaku.com


Excerpt from Kotaku, its an interesting thought on how NDSi can have built-in anti-piracy. I was just discussing with a fellow blogger the other day tokyo_nights in regard about the region locking thingy machingy on an NDSi. He noted the fact that the region lock only works for online shop and a few others and not on cartridge game.

I then questioned what's to stop a certain cart game from being played on the new NDSi via region lock? Eg: Japanese game not working on US DSi. This of course might not be done on all games but then, its a sobering thought that if they wanted to earn more money. They can easily just region lock a game, then make a statement saying that the game will be launched in the states. Hence the japanese version is region locked. Or a game is exclusive for Japan hence its region locked.

Dragon quest or Square Enix immediately comes to mind.


-Because I Can-

Geek or Nerd?

Geek

As defined by http://dictionary.reference.com/dic?q=geek&search=search, the term Geek means

1. A peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp. one who is perceived to be overly intellectual
2. A computer expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often considered offensive when used by outsiders.)
3. A carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.

What the fuck?

I like Nerd better, they are less offensive & better refined.

Nerd
As defined by http://dictionary.reference.com/dic?q=Nerd&search=search

1. A stupid, irritating ineffectual or unattractive person.
   
2. An intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.

Now you may ask, why the sudden interest in wondering if I am a Geek or a Nerd.
The thing is, I was asked by my colleague on another term for the word: "Weird"

to be used as a term where its a sort of feeling that something is going to happen, not necessarily bad but not sure its good either.

Yeah I know, It sounds a bit "weird" but thats what my colleague asked for. The first thing that popped into my head is the term

Spider Sense, Tingling

Erk?

That triggered the question of How Geeky Nerdy Am I? Considering the fact that there are other terms that can be used for what my colleague asked. I gave her a few selection and now is on a quest to discover my nerdiness. So I took the Geek Test!

Test 1 - www.matthewbarr.co.uk

http://www.matthewbarr.co.uk/geek/index.php

Geek Test Results

You are 50% geeky.

Not bad. Maybe you spend a little too much time with your computer, but at least you have friends. You do have friends, right?

The current average score is: 32.27%

Fact: 8.89% of people who took this test wear a bum-bag on holiday.

Test 2 - NerdTests.com

http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nq.php

Overall, you scored as follows:

47% scored higher (more nerdy),
1% scored the same, and
52% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

Somewhat nerdy. I mean face it, you are nerdier than about half the test takers.

Righto.... I guess I am not that nerdy. Phew?

How nerdy/geeky are you? Take the test and find out!

-Because I Can-

Seiko Watch Bought From City Chain - Fixed

Yesh! It is fixed!! It took up to 10 minute for the VERY VERY NICE GUY at City Chain to help me do a bit of his voodoo magic.

The thing is this, normally it will take 3 months for a watch to be fixed. In accordance to their Standard Operating Procedure. A watch will first be given to the dealer, which will then be sent to the distributor which will then be determined is what kind of problem and then called back to inform the dealer which will then call the buyer (thats us) about the problem and whether we want to fix it or how much it might cost. Then the call will go back to the distributor which will then "order" the parts and then fix it.

This back and fro will take up to 3 months to get it over and done with. What the guyat the City Chain did was. He took a new watch, took out the whole mechanics inside and then swap it with my watch's mechanic. He will then claim that the new watch broke down for no reason.

This is of course illegal like hell and he will get into one heck of a hot pot water if he was found out. But he did it and I am forever in his debt. To keep him out of hot soup, I am not going to reveal the location of the shop.

But a BIG THANK YOU to YOU!



-Because I Can-

Seiko watches bought from City Chain Malaysia went Haywire after 2 month

Oh yeah, thats basically it.

2 month ago, my lovely gf bought me a Seiko watch as part of our anniversary + valentine gift. The watch is anything BUT cheap. It is expensive, so lets leave it at that. So now its 2 month later and guess what happened?

The damn watch brokedown. I swear to god, it did not bang it, scratch it or drop it or does anything to warrant getting it broken but there it is, it refuse to work. This is what happened.

The watch will stop whenever the second timer reaches 40 seconds. Shake the watch vigorously when you are wearing it or turn the watch knob a bit and the watch will resume normal operation. Move around while wearing the watch and it will get stuck again. Leave it alone at the altar or table and it will also get stuck and stop again.

Pink Circle: Thats the Second timer which stopped every time it reach 41 sec

Blue Circle: see that circle? thats the alarm circle. It still moves perfectly fine

See the whole watch? Yeah, it stopped at 2. If its working well, its supposed to be in sync with the alarm timer. Which is to meanm its supposed to be 4:15 not 2:00

The battery is perfectly fine, the alarm clock which is another 3rd smaller timer inside the watch which moves in synch with the time also works well. Its just the second timer which counts the second (duh?) that fucks up. I am giving a hell of hurt tonight to the City Chain salesman if he aint polite. Granted the bugger is innocent. I still feel like venting on him. Mr. Nice Guy I am not tonight

-Because I Can-

Blog post

 Huh.... I just realized why I haven't be able to blog lately. Well... not lately but more like for the past one year.The thing is, I am trying too hard to be a gaming blog. I figured that gaming blogs need only talk about games. Hence the lack of post due to the fact that review are not fun to write and sounds too much like a job. I want to write whatever crap I like without the need to answer to people.

Meh, that is also one of the reason for this post I guess... The uselessness of this post is beyond even my explanations. There is no reason for me to post this blog post at all but reason seems to have taken a leave of absent so expect me to rant. A lot. Which reminds me, I have another thing to rant about Seiko watches.

-Because I Can-

Define Valentine

 My colleague asked me to define Valentine. The spur of the moment made me create a short definition of Valentine.Read on!

A moment where couples express their love by buying each other gifts more expensive than the other in an act to proclaim their love and willingness to spend money on them while inciting their partner to stay on with them till the next valentine in hope of getting a more expensive gifts.

Valentine is also a moment for none couple to buy the intended person an expensive gift while trying to impress them with extravaganza offer on a night that can never be forgiven in the hope of snagging them in a web of deceit and love. It is also a moment where they will try their best to impress them over other rivals while taking advantage of the situation to hold the counterpart hand in an act that can be deemed as scandalous or "pok mong"

Valentine for couples that are trying to bypass the whole awkward situation call it quits by promising each other that they shall not buy any gifts for each other in an act to show that they do not care for valentine because they celebrate valentine everyday. It is also an unashamed way to get out of buying each other gifts and save on money that can be spent on other things. For example, that new console they have been eyeing.

-Because I Can-

Last Post of 2008

Well, Last post of 2008, its been a fun year. I have no idea why its fun, but it's what I should say right? Look fondly to the last years and bravely to the front? Ah well...

Buh Bye 2008. Its been a good year. But we got to part! I shall never see you again but remember fondly of the time we had together!

-Because I Can-

Play-Asia Bad Customer Service

So I placed an order over a week or so ago on Play-Asia for a One-Piece Flash Keychain, a very nice piece of addition to my collections of assorted toys and what not. Mind you, the One-Piece Flash Keychain is anything BUT cheap, I also bought a PSP USB cable. Anyway, I received the package last weekend and the package was opened to reveal... only one item, Yeap. Its NOT the Keychain. So I mailed Play-Asia enquiring about my purchase and this is what they replied:

Dear (removed),

Thank you for contacting Play-Asia.com.

I am very sorry about this it must have been forgotten to be included in
the parcel accidently. Please accept our apology as we were really busy
around this busy X'mas time so it might have been missed out by mistake.

As the key chain is out of stock now would you like us to refund it as
store credit for you?

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.


Best regards,

(removed)
Play-Asia.com

What the hell? FORGOTTEN?MISSED OUT BY MISTAKE? I was pissed and I got to admit, I was not gentle when I replied them:
 

 Out of stock? I am disappointed. I ordered the keychain on the day it was
launched at Play-Asia and I was looking forward to receving it. And now
you are telling me that the item was accidently 'forgotten' to put in?

I understand that considering now is the busy session due to christmas but I
still feel that this mistake is unwaranted.

And the fellow cooly replied me this:

Thank you for contacting Play-Asia.com.

We are very sorry for the mistake. However, the keychain is no longer
available from our supplier, we cannot get any extra stock for you. Would
you like to refund the product price in form of our store credit?

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

The person in charged ask me Would I like to refund the product price in form of our store credit after telling me that the keychain is no longer available. Making it sound as if I have another choice! What the hell! I fired off another reply:

Would I like to refund the product price in form of your store credit?

Are you saying I have another choice?

This is the part where Play-Asia become rude. Personally I felt it is rude, don't know bout you guys

Thank you for contacting Play-Asia.com.

We have sent you a store credit of $6.49 for the missed order.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

What the... This is the second time that I encountered a problem with my product purchased, the first problem was resolved with much help from them but as for this encounter, it leaves a really bad taste on my tongue. Have you guys ever encounter something like this?

-Because I Can-

Bye bye (Old)Aww Snapped

No, no. Aww Snapped is not going to retire, as a matter of fact. The old Aww Snapped template is taking an early retirement plan. So! How do you guys like it? Clean and simple! None of the fancy colorful panels, no more hotlinks from here to there, not many ads, in fact. The search button is gone. (I am trying to get it back in though)

Aww Snapped is now more clean & simple. I have been having a few complains from my friends a few weeks ago. Although Initially I thought its only my slow internet connection. But later on I realize that Aww Snapped has not been loading fully on others also. And the loading can really drag on and on.

That prompted me to take a look into my designs. Granted, when I asked for opinion from nineoverten about the loading, he said something about the html code running rogue. I had no idea what the hell he is talking bout. But I assume that it has something to do with the fact of me messing around with the template code when I know close to zero about html codings. Cool eh? I live dangerously :D

Anyway, I hope this template will actually be nicer and better. I will try to improve on it further in the near future. Untill then, any suggestions is appreciated.

-Because I Can-

Maxis Wireless Broadband

So I had some slight problem with my Maxis wireless broadband for the past week. and after some "voicing" of concern for Maxis Customer Service which handled it well, they sent a technician over. Lo and behold, it seems that at that point of time, my internet was so good it hit 800++ kbps for upload!

The Technician was shocked and keep repeating that I have good internet lines and all that crap. Not believing my crappy luck, I tried again in 30 minutes before he leaves and got a drop of over 500++ kbps. Hitting only 370++ kbps. The technician was against shocked and had nothing to say. Eventually he promised to forward this "rare" case to his superior and will personally follow up on it.

Interesting technician to say the least. I am looking forward to see how Maxis is going to handle this huge fluctuation of speeds.

Get your own internet speed test at http://www.speedtest.net/

-Because I Can-

Back to back!

No no no, there won’t be a back to back review or back to back whatever. It’s me being back! Hopefully... Anyway I first would have to apologize for the lack of posting from my side (or rather, no posting) but no, no! I have a good reason for that. I didn’t have internet at home and my office internet has been, for the lack of better term. Playing tantrum. Logging on to hotmail requires several tries at least. This of course impacted on my desire to blog.

Anyway, now I have Maxis Wireless Broadband. Interesting little gadget and I will review it in a few days time. I will also be reviewing certain other games. Namely Warrior Orochi by PSP, a childlike giddiness for Macross Ace Frontier an upcoming PSP game and anime, some tarot card power (and lack of understanding), a review of Final Fantasy Tactic, trauma center (if I can get to it) and lastly more thoughts on other random things.

Yeah. I know. I have been busy while not blogging. But you won’t know the extent of it. Anyway, look out for this. I will be back soon enough!

-Because I Can-

Sick

 Ever had those really really sick moment? Not sick of life those kind of thing. But sick in general. I have been having the 4 heavenly king sickness for the past week. Fever, Cold, Flu & Sore Throat. And it shows no sign of abetting. Not that this has got to do with me not posting anything on the blog. Well, I haven't been posting much coz there is nothing much to post. Lame, I know. But heck, a man can just buy that much stuff from Play-Asia, review it and post it up there untill he run out of funds!

That said, there will be some movie review coming up now and then. What with my latest form of entertainment is watching movies. Or maybe some game review. But those are just too long and lengthy.

Before that, let me heal first. Pray for me.

-Because I Can-

Originarer VS Flash Carter

No,no,no. It's not a new boy band or Nick Carter's long lost brother. Its the long war between the fanatic of original games and the pirateS of gameS (Emphasis on the S). Its a long war that will not be coming to any end anytime soon but the fanatics of original games (FOG) is determined to condemn anyone which they know, remotely hint of or blame everything (regardless of the game not releasing in the states or the world coming to an end) on Pirates of Games (POG).

How much is this true? And how many of their blame is justified? Here are some of the usual blames that I have read

1. The game won’t be released here.

2. The game will not be translated.

3. The game’s sale is low making the next instalment not being able to be released here

4. There is no online server due to pirates!

5. Pirate gamer is making the industry losing money

6. Pirate gamer is corrupting the industry

7. Downloading game is stealing!

Here are some of the usual reasons that I have read from pirates

1. The game is expensive

2. I am using it as demo

3. I was testing the game to see if its viable for me to buy

4. I can’t wait for the game to be shipped here

5. I am too poor to buy the game

6. The game is not justified for the price of (insert number here)

7. I have too many games that I want

Its an age old argument. Chicken and Egg kind of thing and for me, I prefer to stand on the middle. I do not condone piracy nor do I condone you going bankrupt to buy a game. I also do not condone POG to flaunt the whole piracy idea around as if it is their god given rights, nor do I condone the FOG from going fanatic and wielding a machete against any pirate or hint of piracy they stumble, dig up or being confessed upon.

If you have the money, support the industry. Buy the original game. If you do not have the money, wait for the game to go cheaper and buy it. In the meantime, get creative. Being able to buy original game does not give you the rights to KOS anybody that hints of piracy. Its tiring, its stupid and its downright idiotic. Going into a tyrant about piracy just because a slight hint of it gets you off but not the others.

Pirates? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Fine, you can pirate anything you want. Its your right. In fact, no one can control you. But think of it this way. What if your proposal, or your hard earned 100% mark in exam is being stolen and lauded in front of a meeting or assembly by others that has stolen your work? Obviously enough you are going to get angry. Think of those FOG, think of those developer the next time you want to show off your piracy.

-Because I Can-

The amount of books I have

Is staggering! In a month I can purchase up to 3 books at least! One way or another, I will find a book to read just to past my time. this is especially more evident since my GF has move back to Johor Bahru. I have more free time in my hand and more boredom to deal with.

What do I do then? I read! and may god, my family member, my gf and my bank accountant be my witness. I purchase lots and lots of books and thank god I am running out of books to read. I have already devoured all books by Richard A Knaak, John Grisham, R. A Salvatore and Micheal Crichton. Right now, I am in the midst of carnage reading through Jim Butcher's novel.

To get an idea of what book I own or going to own, check out the new widget I implemented today on my side bar. If you guys have a suggestions of what books/author that is good. Do leave a note. I might need a new source of entertainment to go for.

P/S: I don't really do anything except games & books. Movies are kind of hard. Don't like to watch em alone. So I need recommendation on books!

-Because I Can-

Singapore - The Uniquely Other Side

Over the weekend I went to Johor Bahru and visited my GF, together we went to Singapore and I was struck with a few things when I reached Singapore. The contrast of the people there, the cleanliness, the amount of open spaces for people to jog around and play, the walkway for cyclist, the amount of public amenities available and the contrast between rich people and those that are struggling to get a living.

Yes, among the vast and lush living in Singapore where everyone is dressed in branded clothes, one hand holding the latest cell phone and another playing PSP or anything of that sort, there are people that are struggling to make a living. On my walk at Orchard Road, in front of Takashimaya an old lady at the age of 70 + stood there peddling anything from stationary to instant noodle and everyone is walking pass with no care or regard of her. This makes me question the fact that among the prosperity of Singapore, there are still those that struggles.

What strike me as totally heart wrenching is that she is trying to sell instant noodle. Food that she can eat, yet she stood there peddling those items for something more, why? Then there are a few of those that sat there playing musical instrument hoping someone would stop and notice them. Yet among the throng of people that shopped around Orchard Road, each holding paper bags from Esprit, Google, Isetan, Kinokuniya & various other branded items. None stopped and paid attention to those peddling items.

Then there is the sense of unreal that I get while strolling in Singapore. Men & Women walking around are both holding their cell phone or handheld console game and playing with it while shopping. Is it the kia-sunes where they want to show that they too are rich or they get bored really fast? Kind of surreal, I can relate to it if you are waiting for MRT and playing it. But while shopping? What for?

I like Singapore, I really do. The cleanliness, the amount of stuffs there and the fashion there. But there is a stifling pressure there which makes me question the whole idea.

-Because I Can-