So I waited an additional few days after last Thursday's message. I sent the guy another message today using no uncertain terms that I was leaving for vacation and if I didn't hear from him by the time I got back (or found something in the mailbox waiting for me), a negative feedback was on its way. Plain and simple.
Well, the guy responded less than half and hour later.
Says he sent it out last Monday (for the sake of argument, let's say I believe him; then it should arrive this coming Thursday). Also says his post office refused to let him pre-pay an international mailer... so he'd send cash(!) OK fine... Whatever.
I'll bring this up again when I get back, I'm sure.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
noodle review: "beef"
If only because I have a packet just about to expire, I've decided my next review should be the classic "beef" flavour ramen by Nissin.
As you can see here it looks like any other regular Nissin branded instant ramen. It comes with a "beef" soup base and a disgusting-looking foil-pack of "seasoning" which when still cold looks like a cross between Brylcream hair product and refried bean. I don't know what it is, and I usually just discard it. But for the purposes of this review, I decided to use it anyway since I wanted to be as close to the intended mode of consumption as possible.
Looks alright - the slimey "seasoning" desolves nicely and doesn't appear to make the soup particularly oily as I might have expected.
It tasted okay but I was still able to detect the subtle effects added by that "seasoning"; it did two things. First, it actually did add some sort of authentic beef taste into it (maybe the fatty substance probably has some real beef-fat extract in it). Secondly, because of it's pure fattiness, it left a sort of waxy feeling on my teeth and was somewhat uncomfortable - like if you were to have a plate of pasta with a pesto sauce ...but there wasn't enough of anything in the pesto so it was too oily. Surpisingly enough, it other than the strange sensation on my teeth, it didn't feel oily otherwise.
As a final note: the "beef" flavour is the old stand-by and in general, when I hear "instant ramen," this is the version that comes to mind. As mentioned earlier, I usually forget the additional "seasoning" and instead will usually simply add a teaspoon or so of Thai "sriracha" chili sauce. Of course, at that point, I don't really notice the difference between the "beef" flavour or the "original" flavour anyway.
As you can see here it looks like any other regular Nissin branded instant ramen. It comes with a "beef" soup base and a disgusting-looking foil-pack of "seasoning" which when still cold looks like a cross between Brylcream hair product and refried bean. I don't know what it is, and I usually just discard it. But for the purposes of this review, I decided to use it anyway since I wanted to be as close to the intended mode of consumption as possible.
Looks alright - the slimey "seasoning" desolves nicely and doesn't appear to make the soup particularly oily as I might have expected.
It tasted okay but I was still able to detect the subtle effects added by that "seasoning"; it did two things. First, it actually did add some sort of authentic beef taste into it (maybe the fatty substance probably has some real beef-fat extract in it). Secondly, because of it's pure fattiness, it left a sort of waxy feeling on my teeth and was somewhat uncomfortable - like if you were to have a plate of pasta with a pesto sauce ...but there wasn't enough of anything in the pesto so it was too oily. Surpisingly enough, it other than the strange sensation on my teeth, it didn't feel oily otherwise.
As a final note: the "beef" flavour is the old stand-by and in general, when I hear "instant ramen," this is the version that comes to mind. As mentioned earlier, I usually forget the additional "seasoning" and instead will usually simply add a teaspoon or so of Thai "sriracha" chili sauce. Of course, at that point, I don't really notice the difference between the "beef" flavour or the "original" flavour anyway.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
eBay Saga 4: empty mailbox
Alright, so I got home and it's Thursday (that's small-packet delivery day hereabouts). And my mailbox is still empty. I fired off a message to the seller just to prod him a bit. I must say, I've had a pretty lousy time of my eBay experiences this past year or so. Okay, actually it's a bit 50/50... But still... it's enough to get me off the friggin thing for a little while.
I fully understand that for most people it's not a "business." In fact, early on eBay was billed as "the world's largest garage sale." So basically you're trading with private folks who just want to get rid of stuff while making a quick buck. That's all fine. But if people would just be a little more careful - like maybe packing the right DVD into the right mailer - I wouldn't be so annoyed every few months.
I'm just amazed it's been two weeks already.
I fully understand that for most people it's not a "business." In fact, early on eBay was billed as "the world's largest garage sale." So basically you're trading with private folks who just want to get rid of stuff while making a quick buck. That's all fine. But if people would just be a little more careful - like maybe packing the right DVD into the right mailer - I wouldn't be so annoyed every few months.
I'm just amazed it's been two weeks already.
I'm a Marvel Zombie relapse
Labels:
reading
Right up until this month I had sworn my DC comics. But quite frankly they've just overdone it with the recent Crisis event. There are so many relaunches leaving more questions than answers that it's no longer funny.
Marvel on the other hand managed to snag my attention even tho I had originally passed on both Avengers Disassembled and House of M. I've been reading the trade-paperback collections as they come out (released about a year after their original individual publications) and I'm having a blast with Decimation.
In the aftermath of the House of M incident, the Marvel world changed dramatically when nearly all mutants on the planet lost their powers and became normal humans (including several of the outlaw heroes, the X-Men). The Decimation line-up follows how the X-Men dealt with their losses, reveals how the public at large reacted, and why the government saw fit to restart the Sentinel program (this time as a group of elite soldiers who pilot the giant Sentinel machines). And what I love about it all - each trade has been fairly self-contained with a consistent theme and plot (editorial choices on Captain America notwithstanding).
Last week I read all about the desperate gambit Pietro, brother of Scarlett Witch and son of Magneto, attempts in the face of a life unbearably slow now that he's lost his super-speed powers. It was both frightening and sad... and who could blame him.
I'm back to being a Marvel Zombie ...good to be home! ^_^;
Marvel on the other hand managed to snag my attention even tho I had originally passed on both Avengers Disassembled and House of M. I've been reading the trade-paperback collections as they come out (released about a year after their original individual publications) and I'm having a blast with Decimation.
In the aftermath of the House of M incident, the Marvel world changed dramatically when nearly all mutants on the planet lost their powers and became normal humans (including several of the outlaw heroes, the X-Men). The Decimation line-up follows how the X-Men dealt with their losses, reveals how the public at large reacted, and why the government saw fit to restart the Sentinel program (this time as a group of elite soldiers who pilot the giant Sentinel machines). And what I love about it all - each trade has been fairly self-contained with a consistent theme and plot (editorial choices on Captain America notwithstanding).
Last week I read all about the desperate gambit Pietro, brother of Scarlett Witch and son of Magneto, attempts in the face of a life unbearably slow now that he's lost his super-speed powers. It was both frightening and sad... and who could blame him.
I'm back to being a Marvel Zombie ...good to be home! ^_^;
Sunday, August 20, 2006
D.O.M. 8 ...twice
Labels:
Idol
If I ever felt "uncomfortable" with being a drooling fan-boy, it's now... but then I remember that this is some kind of engineered marketting going on and that Japan has a bizarre morality to its entertainment industry in the first place.
Like America's recent super-hero film franchises taking off, Japan has also had several comics adaptations hit the big screen. This year's was "Yo-yo girl-cop" Sukeban Deka (the fourth in a series dating back almost 20 years)... starring none other than idol cutie Matsuura Aya (a fellow Hello!Project talent with Morning Musume).
And in a cross-promoting effort, H!P producer Tsunku paired her up with current MoMusu member Fujimoto Miki forming a new act "G.A.M." to perform the theme song to the movie. Anyway, here's miss Matsuura on the left (my, how she's grown!) and "MiKitty" on the right:
And believe me the double-entendre in the name is not lost on me. This feels wrong some how... um, yeah - this is the only decent resoluction pic I could find after scouring the web. That's definitely wrong.
Like America's recent super-hero film franchises taking off, Japan has also had several comics adaptations hit the big screen. This year's was "Yo-yo girl-cop" Sukeban Deka (the fourth in a series dating back almost 20 years)... starring none other than idol cutie Matsuura Aya (a fellow Hello!Project talent with Morning Musume).
And in a cross-promoting effort, H!P producer Tsunku paired her up with current MoMusu member Fujimoto Miki forming a new act "G.A.M." to perform the theme song to the movie. Anyway, here's miss Matsuura on the left (my, how she's grown!) and "MiKitty" on the right:
Thursday, August 17, 2006
4
Labels:
meme
Was tagged... I'm bored - you lucked out.
4 jobs I've had:
1. fast food cook
2. waiter
3. computer lab technician
4. programmer/analyst
4 movies I could watch over and over:
1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. The Wrath of Kahn
3. Patlabor The Movie
4. Macross: "Love; Do You Remember?"
4 places I have lived:
1.Sherbrooke, Quebec
2.Gatineau, Quebec
3.Ottawa, Ontario (any time now)
4....ok, so I haven't moved much
4 TV shows I love to watch:
1. Holmes on Homes
2. Hockey Night In Canada
3. Family Guy
4. Hell's Kitchen
4 places I have been on vacation:
1. Toronto, Ontario (including Waterloo & Sarnia; it's a long story)
2.Montreal, Quebec
3. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
4.Hong Kong
4 websites I visit daily:
1. other peoples' blogs
2. Canoe.ca
3. several enthusiast BBS's
4. Weathernetwork
4 fave foods
1. pasta (with pretty much anything on it)
2. Vietnamese "pho" soup-noodle
3. Japanese sushi and sashimi (except tuna; I hate the texture)
4. (and ironically) tuna sandwiches (it's a world of difference cooked).
4 places I'd like to be right now:
1. with my folks
2. hanging out with EvilTwin
3. having a coffee break somewhere in town
4. Hong Kong...
4 people I am tagging:
...nobody; I'm lazy (besides, the guy who tagged me stole the list from somebody else and was NOT tagged, so I figure this is cosmic justice). ^_^;
4 jobs I've had:
1. fast food cook
2. waiter
3. computer lab technician
4. programmer/analyst
4 movies I could watch over and over:
1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. The Wrath of Kahn
3. Patlabor The Movie
4. Macross: "Love; Do You Remember?"
4 places I have lived:
1.
2.
3.
4.
4 TV shows I love to watch:
1. Holmes on Homes
2. Hockey Night In Canada
3. Family Guy
4. Hell's Kitchen
4 places I have been on vacation:
1. Toronto, Ontario (including Waterloo & Sarnia; it's a long story)
2.
3. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
4.
4 websites I visit daily:
1. other peoples' blogs
2. Canoe.ca
3. several enthusiast BBS's
4. Weathernetwork
4 fave foods
1. pasta (with pretty much anything on it)
2. Vietnamese "pho" soup-noodle
3. Japanese sushi and sashimi (except tuna; I hate the texture)
4. (and ironically) tuna sandwiches (it's a world of difference cooked).
4 places I'd like to be right now:
1. with my folks
2. hanging out with EvilTwin
3. having a coffee break somewhere in town
4. Hong Kong...
4 people I am tagging:
...nobody; I'm lazy (besides, the guy who tagged me stole the list from somebody else and was NOT tagged, so I figure this is cosmic justice). ^_^;
Thursday morning notes
It occurs to me that I haven't added a new favourite web page to my links listing - check it out: every day "Daily POWERS" posts a new page from the cult favourite murder-mystery comic POWERS. Makes me want to run out and buy that beautiful hardcover I saw a little while back. Hmm...
Running42k's post from this weekend reminded me that I hadn't watched Ultimate Avengers 2 yet - so I remedied that last night. Cool movie (excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 track!). Review will be posted a little later.
Went to a community BBQ last night. Hosted by Enbridge - may as well get what I can out of them - I figure they'll owe me by the time I move into the new house and I'll start paying for my own heating. Met some of my future neighbours. I think I'll like it there - particular that cute redhead... ^_^;;
Before anybody else complains - I've learned that from time to time Blogger doesn't update the "Comments" counter beneath each post. No worries - your comment is there... But for whatever reason it doesn't always show up on the main post until I republish the blog. Weird.
And finally, no, I haven't heard back from that eBay guy. But it's Thursday today, so there might be something in my mailbox tonight. We shall see.
Running42k's post from this weekend reminded me that I hadn't watched Ultimate Avengers 2 yet - so I remedied that last night. Cool movie (excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 track!). Review will be posted a little later.
Went to a community BBQ last night. Hosted by Enbridge - may as well get what I can out of them - I figure they'll owe me by the time I move into the new house and I'll start paying for my own heating. Met some of my future neighbours. I think I'll like it there - particular that cute redhead... ^_^;;
Before anybody else complains - I've learned that from time to time Blogger doesn't update the "Comments" counter beneath each post. No worries - your comment is there... But for whatever reason it doesn't always show up on the main post until I republish the blog. Weird.
And finally, no, I haven't heard back from that eBay guy. But it's Thursday today, so there might be something in my mailbox tonight. We shall see.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Things I'm reading
Labels:
reading
A week or two ago I wandered into a bookstore (something I rarely do ever since I discovered Baen's freebies on-line). But I did pick up the .hack tie-in novel "Ai-Buster." It's funny - you can tell even without the author's note that it was written while the .hack project was still in the works - perhaps even before the .hack//infection game was finished and published because there are a few things the narrative describes that don't sound quite as they appear in other .hack material (such as the games and the anime). Anyway, having been a long-time fan of the project I thought was interesting that an English translation of the novel is finally available ...several years later.
Finished Avengers Disassembled: Captain America last night. Yes, it's a tie-in to the Avengers Disassembled storyline from a few years ago... but not a cross-over - which is something I must continuously remind myself. And that's also something of a disappointment because while it references several plot-points from the disbanding of the original Avengers team, the rest of it reads like you walked into a movie after missing the first 15 minutes ...and you got up to leave 15 minutes before the end. On the bright side though, this one did tie-in much better than the other collected editions and include bits like Captain America having weird dreams about Scarlett Witch (a plot point later explained in big reveal at the end of the Disassembled story) and also explores Steve Rogers' life in the aftermath of the disbanding.
I'm STILL reading that anthology about Honor Harrington... I'm into a section written by David Weber himself - pretty much a text-book on the universe of the Harrington series. Delves into the history of the fictional worlds featured prominently in those books.... but ultimately a fairly dull read (no wonder I'm taking my time with it). That's a shame because the rest of the collection was really good and offers a chance to see what the universe is about without having to follow our single heroine's narrative. But I need to get through this because IIRC, the previous full length Harrington book ended on a cliff-hanger...
Finished Avengers Disassembled: Captain America last night. Yes, it's a tie-in to the Avengers Disassembled storyline from a few years ago... but not a cross-over - which is something I must continuously remind myself. And that's also something of a disappointment because while it references several plot-points from the disbanding of the original Avengers team, the rest of it reads like you walked into a movie after missing the first 15 minutes ...and you got up to leave 15 minutes before the end. On the bright side though, this one did tie-in much better than the other collected editions and include bits like Captain America having weird dreams about Scarlett Witch (a plot point later explained in big reveal at the end of the Disassembled story) and also explores Steve Rogers' life in the aftermath of the disbanding.
I'm STILL reading that anthology about Honor Harrington... I'm into a section written by David Weber himself - pretty much a text-book on the universe of the Harrington series. Delves into the history of the fictional worlds featured prominently in those books.... but ultimately a fairly dull read (no wonder I'm taking my time with it). That's a shame because the rest of the collection was really good and offers a chance to see what the universe is about without having to follow our single heroine's narrative. But I need to get through this because IIRC, the previous full length Harrington book ended on a cliff-hanger...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
eBay Saga 3: contact (finally)
Well, the seller contacted me last night ...finally. He probably checks his eBay inbox more often than his own email account (says he never got Thursday's message). He also claims that sending me a fullscreen version of Attack of the Clones was an honest mistake and that he'd send me a widescreen one right away (plus a SASE for me to send the other one back).
The mommybabou tells me that it can be done - that it does cost a little more for an international SASE but that I shouldn't worry too much. Personally I think I'll stay worried until my correct winnings are in my hands. Still holding off on the feedback... Stay tuned for more of the eBay Saga...
The mommybabou tells me that it can be done - that it does cost a little more for an international SASE but that I shouldn't worry too much. Personally I think I'll stay worried until my correct winnings are in my hands. Still holding off on the feedback... Stay tuned for more of the eBay Saga...
Thursday, August 10, 2006
eBay Saga 2: screw-up - just great...
I don't know whether to be relieved or happy or pissed off right now.
Well it turns out that eBay seller pulled a ninja-sell on me and shipped my stuff within a day or so without telling me. I'm happy to report that I received package in the mail today (just as I suspected last night: Thursday is small-packet-day for Canada Post around here). But the problem is that I thought I was bidding on widescreen DVDs!
So when I open my package and find a WS edition of Revenge of the Sith but a familiar blue-stripe of a Full-Screen edition of Attack of the Clones... I was a little deflated. Then I questioned myself, "didn't I think to check that before bidding?" So back I go to the auction page and sure enough, the photo (which certainly appeared legit and not some store's stock image) showed a pair of DVDs both with the WS gold-strip-packaging... hmm... anyway, I fired off an email to the seller asking if he did have a WS edition to sell me so that I could trade this one back.
I'm kind of annoyed at the whole thing but at the same time, sort of glad it was just Episode 2. After all, it was a unilingual packaged WS edition of Episode 3 I was after... just I could have easily won a cheaper auction if I'd bid elsewhere for just one movie instead of both.
Worst case scenario: the guy doesn't respond or confesses that he actually just stole the photo from elsewhere and doesn't have a WS set to trade me... I risk a negative feedback and take this FS Episode 2 and sell it to EB Games or something for a couple of bucks. I mean, in the end, I got a reasonable price on this whole deal to begin with. Swallowing the loss on Episode 2 would be minor setback.
I'll keep you updated on my adventures in on-line shopping.
Well it turns out that eBay seller pulled a ninja-sell on me and shipped my stuff within a day or so without telling me. I'm happy to report that I received package in the mail today (just as I suspected last night: Thursday is small-packet-day for Canada Post around here). But the problem is that I thought I was bidding on widescreen DVDs!
So when I open my package and find a WS edition of Revenge of the Sith but a familiar blue-stripe of a Full-Screen edition of Attack of the Clones... I was a little deflated. Then I questioned myself, "didn't I think to check that before bidding?" So back I go to the auction page and sure enough, the photo (which certainly appeared legit and not some store's stock image) showed a pair of DVDs both with the WS gold-strip-packaging... hmm... anyway, I fired off an email to the seller asking if he did have a WS edition to sell me so that I could trade this one back.
I'm kind of annoyed at the whole thing but at the same time, sort of glad it was just Episode 2. After all, it was a unilingual packaged WS edition of Episode 3 I was after... just I could have easily won a cheaper auction if I'd bid elsewhere for just one movie instead of both.
Worst case scenario: the guy doesn't respond or confesses that he actually just stole the photo from elsewhere and doesn't have a WS set to trade me... I risk a negative feedback and take this FS Episode 2 and sell it to EB Games or something for a couple of bucks. I mean, in the end, I got a reasonable price on this whole deal to begin with. Swallowing the loss on Episode 2 would be minor setback.
I'll keep you updated on my adventures in on-line shopping.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
...and now for something completely different
Labels:
life
yes yes, it's a life-blog. looks like ebloggy is at it again (who knows how long they'll be out this time).
Updates since ...Tuesday morning, I guess.
After unloading the tension, it occured to me I hadn't really talked about anything that happened to me in the last little while (not since Friday anyway). So here goes:
I made a mad dash home to Sherbrooke on Friday after work for the long weekend. Beat the cross-Montreal traffic too despite it still being early evening.
Extended family visited - very exciting change of pace. Not that much happened. Although, we broke out the mahjong kit and got busy (I'm not a huge fan of the game but I played a few rounds with my uncle looking over my shoulder to coach me with the moves).
I hadn't planned on spending pocket cash but did. Got some of those new sculpts of the Tau Stealth armour for my WH40K game. Also got the recent volume of Ghost in the Shell (I almost forgot that was out). Other than that, I tried to keep the petty spending to a minimum... mostly keeping in mind that I'm saving up for Fan-Expo at the end of the month (among other obvious things).
Car is due for an oil change - I plan on taking it to the dealership this time because the manual recommends an inspection service at this particular mileage. I sent in an ebooking, but I haven't received any confirmation.
Got an invite to a "community BBQ" - nice to know that my builder is not just putting up houses but a "community." I think I'll go - it's next Wednesday. That reminds me that I should RSVP too.
My acting-supervisory role is almost done. I haven't heard from my manager yet, but IIRC, my supervisor is supposed to be back on the job on Monday. If I'm lucky my bonus will arrive in time for Christmas... :P
In turn, the "free" parking will end soon too. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
Still nothing in my mailbox - but tomorrow is Thursday. And in my experience most small packets arrive on Thursdays around here (don't know why). So maybe my eBay winnings may suddenly appear tomorrow. [crosses fingers]
I hope ebloggy comes back soon - I feel so out of place posting this sort of thing on blogspot.
Updates since ...Tuesday morning, I guess.
After unloading the tension, it occured to me I hadn't really talked about anything that happened to me in the last little while (not since Friday anyway). So here goes:
I made a mad dash home to Sherbrooke on Friday after work for the long weekend. Beat the cross-Montreal traffic too despite it still being early evening.
Extended family visited - very exciting change of pace. Not that much happened. Although, we broke out the mahjong kit and got busy (I'm not a huge fan of the game but I played a few rounds with my uncle looking over my shoulder to coach me with the moves).
I hadn't planned on spending pocket cash but did. Got some of those new sculpts of the Tau Stealth armour for my WH40K game. Also got the recent volume of Ghost in the Shell (I almost forgot that was out). Other than that, I tried to keep the petty spending to a minimum... mostly keeping in mind that I'm saving up for Fan-Expo at the end of the month (among other obvious things).
Car is due for an oil change - I plan on taking it to the dealership this time because the manual recommends an inspection service at this particular mileage. I sent in an ebooking, but I haven't received any confirmation.
Got an invite to a "community BBQ" - nice to know that my builder is not just putting up houses but a "community." I think I'll go - it's next Wednesday. That reminds me that I should RSVP too.
My acting-supervisory role is almost done. I haven't heard from my manager yet, but IIRC, my supervisor is supposed to be back on the job on Monday. If I'm lucky my bonus will arrive in time for Christmas... :P
In turn, the "free" parking will end soon too. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
Still nothing in my mailbox - but tomorrow is Thursday. And in my experience most small packets arrive on Thursdays around here (don't know why). So maybe my eBay winnings may suddenly appear tomorrow. [crosses fingers]
I hope ebloggy comes back soon - I feel so out of place posting this sort of thing on blogspot.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Lumines and Radio One
Labels:
gaming
I just had a really weird experience... entirely unplanned.
Last night while driving from visiting my folks, I decided I was tired of the MP3 I had loaded into my on-board RAM and wasn't too happy with the mix in the drive either... so CBC talk radio it was for the evening. The documentary show "Ideas" was on and this night was part 1 of a report about a guy who was researching sleep - the report was actually rather fascinating and kept me entertained for the whole hour it was on (9pm to 10pm EST). In fact, I liked it so much that I made it a point to remember to listen to the second half of the report tonight (something I never do in the evening).
Well, being that I didn't think I'd have it in me to actually sit and listen to a radio show for all of an hour, I pulled out my PSP while waiting for the show to start... I set Lumines to continuous mode and started manipulating falling bricks (if you didn't know, Lumines is a puzzle game similar to that old classic every 30-something remembers: Tetris). Anyway, most often I don't keep track of how long I play because quite simply, after a time, the bricks are falling at such a rate that I can't keep up... except for tonight.
In fact, I played right through the entire show, listening to scientific interviews presenting theories on REM sleep, the purpose of dreaming, and the physiological effects it may or may not have on our waking lives. And when the show as over, my fingers were aching from holding that tiny game device... with the bricks still falling. I had to hit Pause and turn off the PSP to give me a break. This is most definitely the longest I've played Lumines as a continuous game ever.
Last night while driving from visiting my folks, I decided I was tired of the MP3 I had loaded into my on-board RAM and wasn't too happy with the mix in the drive either... so CBC talk radio it was for the evening. The documentary show "Ideas" was on and this night was part 1 of a report about a guy who was researching sleep - the report was actually rather fascinating and kept me entertained for the whole hour it was on (9pm to 10pm EST). In fact, I liked it so much that I made it a point to remember to listen to the second half of the report tonight (something I never do in the evening).
Well, being that I didn't think I'd have it in me to actually sit and listen to a radio show for all of an hour, I pulled out my PSP while waiting for the show to start... I set Lumines to continuous mode and started manipulating falling bricks (if you didn't know, Lumines is a puzzle game similar to that old classic every 30-something remembers: Tetris). Anyway, most often I don't keep track of how long I play because quite simply, after a time, the bricks are falling at such a rate that I can't keep up... except for tonight.
In fact, I played right through the entire show, listening to scientific interviews presenting theories on REM sleep, the purpose of dreaming, and the physiological effects it may or may not have on our waking lives. And when the show as over, my fingers were aching from holding that tiny game device... with the bricks still falling. I had to hit Pause and turn off the PSP to give me a break. This is most definitely the longest I've played Lumines as a continuous game ever.
eBay Saga 1: Where's my DVD?
I'm crossing my fingers that this guy is one of those ninja eBayers who don't say anything but ship out your stuff anyway. But it's been a week since this and I haven't heard anything (I sent my Paypal exactly a week ago this morning). So where's my stuff and why haven't I heard anything? I mean, doesn't take much to click a few times and type "hi - your stuff's been sent."
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Surreal fireworks night
It could be said that Germany got the shaft at this year's competition because they got the one night that there was a thunderstorm in this area. Last night was just a weird sight: on one side you would look out at the casino's hotel on the horizon - a cloud of smoke hanging over everything. Look the other way and you'd see bright sky - an illusion of all the light-polution from the city at night. And everywhere lightning turning the clouds into a white fury... and somewhere under all that, a shower of sparks were emerge from the fog....
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
noodle review: "miso"
As promised here's what I have to say about the "miso" flavoured instant ramen by Nissin...
Well ...there you have it - argueably the most uninspiring variation of the famous "Take-Out" brand instant ramen by Nissin. I mean, look at it, it's pretty much identical to the plain ones but with a big white text balloon pasted over the image!! And below is the actual content ...which besides the "seasoning powder" looks remarkably like the plain version.
Perhaps the reason the outside is so boring is because the finished product after the usual 5-minute boil and the powder mixing also appears just as boring... It has ZERO-texture! Even the plain version comes with a packet of sesame oil to give it a little zing. But let's wait for the taste...
First of all, I should mention that I have very little real life experience with Japanese food to begin with. I mean, I've sampled some stuff here and there - even had several sushi meals. My aunt (who is Japanese, by the way) has even prepared some authentic dishes for me over the years... But I think I've only had miso soup once. All the rest has been instant miso (just add hot water!).
Well, if you don't know - miso is kinda like a Japanese bean soup. It has a slightly salty taste and is typically garnished with bits of tofu and seaweed. And well, actually, that's the only thing this variant of instant noodle has going for it: it actually does taste like miso soup (or at least, tastes like the miso I'm accostumed to). In fact, I liked it so much that after gobbling down the ramen noodle, I actually lifted the bowl to my face and drank the rest of the soup! And surprisingly, it didn't leave me with that MSG-filled after-taste usually associated with instant ramen soup mix.
Would I get this again? Seriously? No. I mean, the noodle itself was pretty boring and tasted like any other instant ramen Nissin produces. And if I really wanted some miso soup, I wouldn't be making instant ramen, would I? I'd probably make instant miso instead. ^_^;
Well ...there you have it - argueably the most uninspiring variation of the famous "Take-Out" brand instant ramen by Nissin. I mean, look at it, it's pretty much identical to the plain ones but with a big white text balloon pasted over the image!! And below is the actual content ...which besides the "seasoning powder" looks remarkably like the plain version.
Perhaps the reason the outside is so boring is because the finished product after the usual 5-minute boil and the powder mixing also appears just as boring... It has ZERO-texture! Even the plain version comes with a packet of sesame oil to give it a little zing. But let's wait for the taste...
First of all, I should mention that I have very little real life experience with Japanese food to begin with. I mean, I've sampled some stuff here and there - even had several sushi meals. My aunt (who is Japanese, by the way) has even prepared some authentic dishes for me over the years... But I think I've only had miso soup once. All the rest has been instant miso (just add hot water!).
Well, if you don't know - miso is kinda like a Japanese bean soup. It has a slightly salty taste and is typically garnished with bits of tofu and seaweed. And well, actually, that's the only thing this variant of instant noodle has going for it: it actually does taste like miso soup (or at least, tastes like the miso I'm accostumed to). In fact, I liked it so much that after gobbling down the ramen noodle, I actually lifted the bowl to my face and drank the rest of the soup! And surprisingly, it didn't leave me with that MSG-filled after-taste usually associated with instant ramen soup mix.
Would I get this again? Seriously? No. I mean, the noodle itself was pretty boring and tasted like any other instant ramen Nissin produces. And if I really wanted some miso soup, I wouldn't be making instant ramen, would I? I'd probably make instant miso instead. ^_^;
Score: Revenge of the DVD
This'll sound like I'm being anal, but I think it's fair-game to ask that my favourite films series be packed consistently. Last year when the final movie in the blockbuster franchise hit DVD, Canadian fans (like myself) were dismayed that for some odd reason, after waiting years, suddenly Lucasfilm decided to release bilingual packaging.
Now as a proud Canadian (and a Quebecer at that) I have no problem with catering to the second of two official languages. What I have a problem with is that you wind up with a complaint like this! Simply put, the series packaging has been in the works for 5 years when Phantom Menace (after much delay) came out on DVD... and all the releases since were similarly packed... Then suddenly out of the blue, the font size is changed to accomodate a second translated title for the final DVD. WTF?
After much waiting for a boxed set (since I foresaw this possible dilemma) I've decided on my least-favourite option: the American Solution. That's right, I eBay'ed Episode 3 last night to get an English-only package from the US. But I got a pretty sweet deal too since the auction was for Episode 2 as well. I even had a pleasant surprise this morning to know that I happened to have some unclaimed bonus sitting in my Paypal account (about 2 bucks). That's sweet.
Now as a proud Canadian (and a Quebecer at that) I have no problem with catering to the second of two official languages. What I have a problem with is that you wind up with a complaint like this! Simply put, the series packaging has been in the works for 5 years when Phantom Menace (after much delay) came out on DVD... and all the releases since were similarly packed... Then suddenly out of the blue, the font size is changed to accomodate a second translated title for the final DVD. WTF?
After much waiting for a boxed set (since I foresaw this possible dilemma) I've decided on my least-favourite option: the American Solution. That's right, I eBay'ed Episode 3 last night to get an English-only package from the US. But I got a pretty sweet deal too since the auction was for Episode 2 as well. I even had a pleasant surprise this morning to know that I happened to have some unclaimed bonus sitting in my Paypal account (about 2 bucks). That's sweet.
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