Takara Cool Girl CATWOMAN

On July 06, 2006, Takara, or rather, TakaraTomy will release a Cool Girl version of Catwoman. I am not too sure which version is this based on, but it looks like the recent Jim Lee Hush version.
Suggested retail price is 6,999yen.




On a side note, a first for CG series, a male figure from Batman Begins, the Batz himself. Same date, SRP is a whopping 12,999yen.

Happy Chinese New Year 2006

A few more hours, and it's goodbye Year of the Chicken, and welcome Year of the Dog. I hope the coming year will be better for everyone.
Just got a brand new haircut yesterday, and against what I have previously thought I would never do, I changed my hair colour. (",) Anyways, hopefully with this new style comes a new attitude. :P

Oh, and the stylist would did the job is a friend I met while hanging out at Falcon's Hangar. After seeing my hair style (I kept it long and combed it in a geeky way), he was so eager to change it. I guess it was really that bad.
So here's a plug for him. Thanks pal ! I really like the new look.

Lawrence, at
It's Hairy
Far East Plaza
#04-100 (just across Falcon)
(+65) 6733 0976

Takara BEST OF COOL GIRLS EX 科學忍者隊

Takara is releasing a line of reissues of its Cool Girl 12inch doll series. They are not just straight reissue, but with some changes in the colours. It's been announced that G3 Jun from the Gatchaman series will be part of this release. And along with this release, a DARK version will also be introduced. Now, I am not too sure if Jun was ever in this costume, but it sure looks cool. Scheduled release date is Mar 2006, with a suggested retail price of 9975yen.

Here's a rundown of the releases:
Vol 1: CG-12 Ruby
Vol 2: CG-07 Harley
Vol 3: CG-EX3 Ash
Vol 4: Cutie Honey
Vol 5: G3

AVATAR The Last Airbender

I accidentally stumbled onto this animated series when I visited a website looking for some anime information. The information listed indicated that it was already half way through the series. So I did a search for more information on the net and found that it was not an anime. I decided not to pursue the series further.

Then while channel surfing on a fine weekend some months ago, I saw the show being broadcast on Nickelodeon (which is where the show was created for in the first place). I decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, it was very good.

The story is simple: This kid called Aang, destined to be the next Avatar, master of air, water, earth and fire bending (which means controlling), gets trapped in a block of ice, and released some 100 years later (ala Captain America), by 2 kids from the water tribe. During his absence, the Fire nation started a war to rule the 4 nations (world was divided then into Fire, Water, Earth, Air, all skilled in the art of their respective element bending). Now back to the present, he must master all the elements, defeat the Fire nation and being peace to the world. Quite a hugh undertaking for a 12 year old, who has only knolwdge in air bending.

What captivated me to this series are the animation and style. It is sometimes wacky, and the animation is smooth and consistent throughout. On one episode, a sequence of animation was done similar to the style of the Japanese anime DeadLeaves. But I do find the used of a singular colour tone and anime influence too dull. But that does not make the show any much less enjoyable.

The DVD will be out in Jan 2006. Sadly, when I heard the news, I thought it was for the complete 1st season. It turns out that it is only Vol 1 of the first season, comprising of 4 episodes only. At this rate, I am not sure when the whole 1st season will be completely released, before a boxset (hopefully) will be released.

Anyway, Happy New Year !

Move DVD releases: Justice League Animated

Finally....
Warner Home Video has announced March 21 release date for Justice League: Season 1 on DVD.
The Justice League collection will be four discs, including 26 episodes, and will retail for US$44.98.





Episodes include:
* Disc 1: "Secret Origins, Pts. 1-3," "In Blackest Night, Pts. 1-2" and "The Enemy Belows, Pts. 1-2."
* Disc 2: "Injustice for All, Pts. 1-2," "Paradise Lost, Pts. 1-2" and "War World, Pts. 1-2."
* Disc 3: "The Brave and the Bold, Pts. 1-2," "Fury, Pts. 1-2" and "Legends, Pts. 1-2."
* Disc 4: "A Knight with Shadows, Pts. 1-2," "Metamorphosis, Pts. 1-2" and "The Savage Times, Pts. 1-3.

DVD bonuses include:
* Audio Commentary: "The Enemy Below, Pt.2" with producers Bruce Timm, James Tucker, Glenn Murakami and Rich Fogel and director Dan Riba. "Legends, Pt.2," with Timm, Tucker, Fogel, Murakami and Riba. "The Savage Time, Pt. 2" with Timm, Tucker, Murakami, Fogel and Riba.
* Interviews: Inside Justice League: A private panel discussion takes place between Timm and his team of creators about Justice League with some special surprises
* The Look of The League: Timm explains character design of Justice League
* Storyboards: The Blueprint For Justice: The creative team of Justice League discuss storyboarding process
* Justice League: The First Mission: A never-seen-before promo that helped Justice League leap into action. - Comics Continuum

周杰伦 Latest Album <十一月的萧邦 >

Jay Chou has released his latest album in Mid November. It's another hit for the talented song writer/artist. These are the songs that I recommend, in order of preference:
发如雪
一路向北(电影《头文字D》主题曲)
夜曲
珊瑚海(与南拳妈妈Lara合唱)
浪漫手机
枫

The first song's music video is directed by jay Chou himself. The lyrics are penned by 方文山, which I gathered from my colleague (who is a great lady who helped me gain greater appreciation of songs, among other things) is a fantastic lyricist. His lyrics are used in some schools locally to teach Chinese language. It's quite powerful as it conveys a lot. Not surprising the first, third and fourth songs above are penned by him are high in the charts.

The BATMAN DVD

Happy happy. Release date 2006 Feb 06.

Discovery Channel DEADLIEST CATCH

The next time you feast on these Alaskan craps, remember to think about the people who risks their lives to make it possible.

Every October, 250 boats gathering in Alaska’s Dutch Harbour, waiting for a radio announcement that can seal their fate. These are crab fishermen, and they’re chasing one of the ocean’s great prizes – the king crab, one of North America’s most popular delicacies. The rewards for a successful season can be immense. In 2004, the Alaskan boats caught 15.4 million pounds (6.8 million kilograms) of crab worth US$65.8 million. On a really successful boat, one fisherman might earn as much as US$100,000 for only five days work.

But the risks are enormous too. Fishermen everywhere have the most dangerous jobs on the planet. In Europe, fishermen are fifty times more likely to die while working than any other profession – a statistic which is mirrored in every country where boats take to the high seas in search of food for their populations. Extreme weather at sea puts these men in almost constant peril from drowning, hypothermia and severe injuries from nets, ropes and heavy equipment. And as fish and shellfish populations decline, they are forced to travel further from home in the hope of filling their freezers, often exposing themselves to the planet’s harshest weather for weeks at a time.

Alaska’s crab fishermen are among the most endangered of their kind. Their fishing season is short – perhaps as short as four days, and rarely more than twelve days. But in those few frantic days, they may have to endure forty-foot (12 metre) waves, 80mph (128kph) winds and the constant risk of being slammed by a swinging 700lb (318kg) steel crab trap. 20-hour shifts are common, usually in sub-zero temperatures and on slippery decks that are constantly pitching at perilous angles. Nearly every Alaskan crab fisherman returns to shore with some kind of injury: crushed hands and fingers, broken ribs and limbs. And in the worst accidents, people die: over 80% of them from drowning as a result of being washed overboard by the impossibly fierce seas.

These stories are by no means unique to Alaska. Everywhere in the world’s cold oceans, fishermen withstand these unimaginably difficult working conditions, or worse. And for the skippers of these boats, these risks live alongside a constant economic threat to their livelihoods. Boats capable of withstanding conditions in the wild, freezing open oceans cost millions of dollars to build and many thousands of dollars a year to maintain. Before any fishing boat makes a profit, it has to pay for repairs, spare parts, fuel, food, bait and ice to freeze the catch. Nets and traps, the basic tools of the fishing trade, can cost thousands of dollars alone, and are often lost at sea. - Discovery Channel Asia

BLEACH Ending Theme One

Life is like a Boat - Rei Fu
Nobody knows who I really am
I never felt this empty before
And if I ever need someone to come along
Who’s gonna comfort me and keep me strong?

We are all rowing the boat of fate
The waves keep on coming and we can’t escape
But if we ever get lost on our way
The waves will guide you through another day

Tooku de iki o shiteru
(I know we have so far to go)
Toome ni natta mitai
(Within the connections I see)
Kurayami ni omoeta kedo
(Thoughts of darkness, and so)
Mekaku shisareteta dake
(I adjust my mask of serenity)

Inori o sasagete
(I offer up a prayer)
Atarashii hi o matsu
(And wait for a new day)
Asayaka ni hikaru umi
(In the brilliance of the shining sea)
Sono hate made e
(Until there is a shore)

Nobody knows who I really am
Maybe they just don’t give a damn
But if I ever need someone to come along
I know you will follow me and keep me strong

Hito no kokoro wa utsuri yuku
(People go fishing in their hearts)
Mukedashitaku naru
(And have become deceitful)
Tsuki wa mata atarashii shuuki de
(Again a new cycle of the moon)
Fune o tsureteku
(Brings someone into my heart)

And every time I see your face
The oceans heave up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars
And soon I can see the shore

Ah, I can see the shore? When will I see the shore?

I want you to know who I really am
I never thought I’d feel this way towards you
And if you ever need someone to come along
I will follow you and keep you strong

Tabi wa mada tsuzuiteku
(Still, the journey continues on)
Odayaka na hi mo
(Even on a gentle day)
Tsuki wa mata atarashii shuuki de
(Again a new cycle of the moon)
Fune o terashiasu
(Sends a shine into my heart)

Inori o sasagete
(I offer up a prayer)
Atarashii hi o matsu
(And wait for a new day)
Asayaka ni hikaru umi
(In the brilliance of the shining sea)
Sono hate made e
(Until there is a shore)

And every time I see your face
The oceans heave up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars
And soon I can see the shore

Unmei no mune o kogi
(To the uncertain fate of the heart)
Nami wa tsuki kara tsugi e to
(The waves are stages of the moon)
Watashitachi o osou kedo
(To us it seems as if)
Sore mo suteki na tabi ne
(It’s a wonderful journey)
Dore mo suteki na tabi ne
(What a wonderful journey)

Great Singapore Sale

The Great Singapore Sale (or affectedly called GSS), an annual islandwide sale, has started.


It will run from 27 May 2005 to 24 Jul 2005.

Just got myself a Kaman Rider figure (50% discount), which luckily I held back buying, knowing it will be dumped sometime in the near future, Justice League Unlimited Green Arrow and Atom figures for my nephew (if I was a day or so earlier, would have gotten the clear Martian Manhunter as well), and the Collector's Edition Batman Begins figure.

Wanted to get a 800+200 pieces LEGO builder set for my niece and nephews as well, but could not locate them at Toys R Us. But found a 1000 piece set at Metro Paragon, going for the same price as the 800+200 pieces. I guess same content, different packaging. Anyway, no rush.

Also wanted to get for myself the LEGO Star Wars Cantina set (50% discount), which had the exclusive Sandtrooper figure at Metro, but could not find any as well !!!

To fullfil my unsuccessful buying spree, I got myself a MaxFactory Guyver I figure.

Bliss

Friend of mine just got married on 20 May 2005, ie 20052005.

Holy Bat Signal, Send in the Clones

Thanks to Biggus Dickus, who helped to secure a set of 4 Clone Commanders and a Clone Pilot from the Revenge of the Sith, and a7man for the Batman Bat Signal figure, which is so freakin' hard to find.

Thanks a lot guys !!!!

Music Recommendations Part 2

Opening theme from Trinity Blood anime by Buck Tick

Music Recommendations

Home by Michael Buble
Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz (Jamie Hewlett Rockz !! Checkout the video.)