durendal

New Year New Lesson. This week, I'd like to introduce the verb "Enryo (Suru)" 遠慮(する) [えんりょ(する)] The root word Enryo means to hesitate or be restrained. This is most commonly used when being offered something by the host. You may use "Enryo Shimasu" or meaning "I prefer not", or "no thank you". However, the host may also use this verb as well. He/she may say "Enryoshinai de kudasai" [遠慮しないでください], or "please do not hesitate" or "by all means". 何かが必要があれば、遠慮しないでください、ね? "Nani ka ga hitsuyo ga areba, enryo shinai de kudasai ne?" If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask, okay?

Well, this is proof that at least someone reads the Guyver wiki. Makes all the effort we put into it very worthwhile.

No worries. I found out that my drive is failing. Installed Seatools and checked that my HDD failed both the short and long DST test. I've checked seagates website and I found out that I still have warranty on the drive up until 2012 (5 years warranty). That means I only used it for 4 years. I swear, hardware these days are made to last shorter. I remember my 120MB hard drive lasting 10 years. I would still be using it today if it weren't for compatibility issues. Now, if only I can figure out how to ghost my drive so I don't need to reinstall every damn software.

Soaring up to the skies like a dragon dancing in the heavens. Shou Ryuki?

I also remembered another series that I watched. Although it is not Jdrama, it's still drama. It's the Kdrama titled "Lovers". Summary from d-addicts: Kang Jae is a wealthy businessman and gangster and Mi Joo is a plastic surgeon. These two meet after Mi Joo mistakens Kang Jae as being her sleazy brother-in-law. Kang Jae just happens to be the boyfriend of Mi Joo's pregnant neighbor, Yoo Jin. Sae-yeon meets Mi-Joo and falls in love with her feisty attitude. Kang-Jae works for the father of Sae-Yeon who is a gangster. Mi-Joo and Kang-Jae fall in love. I seem to have this knack of watching love stories.

I'm depressed. I woke up this morning to find out that my PC had a blue screen of death. First it had a stop code of 7A, then when I tried to reboot it gave me a 4F. I'm inclined to think that my Drive is already giving way. I hope that's not the case.

I've seen the plant hulk on video and I didn't quite feel the adrenaline rush as compared to when I read it. I felt the story was too rushed in the animated version. Also, it did not flesh out the story of the spikes and how he brought peace to the wildebots and the spikes. They cut out a lot of significant stuff that defines the trails of Hulk in Sakaar. But still it was a good time spender for me. Too bad they couldn't use the Silver Surfer.

Since the new year is just around the corner, let's learn how to greet the new years in Japanese. 明けましておめでとうございます Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu. Happy New Year

I'm currently reading 100 bullets. Another vertigo title. The premise of the series is about Agent graves giving a random person an attache containing a gun, 100 rounds of untraceable bullets and irefutable evideces of the person who ruined the recipients life. It is up to the recipient to decide whether he/she will use the attache to exact revenge. Kinda interesting, and the story unravels a much deeper plot. I guess this is where the minutemen scanners got their name from.

I certainly hope so. it's rather silly that Sanji would get anemic due to his nose bleeds. But then again, silliness is something we expect from One Piece. I'm curious as to what Jinbei's message is. Could it be trouble looming or something much milder? I guess our answers about Jinbei's absence in fishmen island is about to be answered. Perhaps this has something to do with the Tenryubito? I mean the last thing they were talking about was the relationship of man and fishmen, given the events that Luffy previously hit a tenryubito because of Keimi can't be ignored.

You guys are aware that Google has this option wherein you can translate the whole web page right? Well, out of curiousity, I tried doing that with the Japanese wiki of OOO. The results isn't really very pretty.

All I got for Christmas that is hardly worth mentioning was a Nami figure from One piece, and 2 Gundam Figures (Turn A & Strike Freedom). All this just came from one person, and I got this mainly because I specified that I wanted them. This was a company exchange gift where you randomly pick who you will give a gift and specify in your wish list what you want and the gift you give should be a minimum of $6. *phew* That was long. All the other gifts that I recieved were either clothes or food. Mostly food. Pokemon. That's something that didn't appeal to me much. Sure, I tried the game, watched the show. But nothing. After all this time, you have to wonder why Pikachu won't evolve into Raichu. Pikachu is like a level 99 noob. And by the way, I'm 8 hours ahead of you guys (GMT that is). And based on the time of BK's post, I'm 13 hours ahead of him. When you guys are counting down to the new year, it's already 2011 here.

I'm really disappointed with Sanji. Instead of him getting stronger, I see him as gaining a bigger weakness. I really hope that he won't continue to get nosebleeds everytime he sees a voluptous female.

Blimey! The names of OOO's combo change is so freaking hard to pronounce.

You know, I think the robot designs were too difficult. I don't understand why they have to make the transformation too difficult, like using very, very small pieces, it's just too complex. Why didn't they just design them with a more systematic way, like how the toys transform. Let's just say that the designs were too crude and lacks finesse. And it seems like they took away or downplayed the trademark "transforming sound" that we all loved. it's just isn't the same without the "transformation sound". Well, at least they got Peter Cullen to reprise his role as Prime.

I've checked the Japanese wiki for Otomen, and surprisingly, the average rating was 8.1%. I guess for modern day drama, it's difficult to get higher ratings due to the intense competition coming from other shows. Even the all star Atashinchi no Danshi only garnered an average rating of 10.9%. Just to give comparisons to shows that I think we both have seen, these shows have the average ratings: Densha Otoko got 21.0%. Yama onna Kabe onna got 12.2%. Binbo Danshi got 11.6% Hero, if you still haven't seen it, has the highest rating of 34.2%. The theme song was also sung by Utada Hikaru, can you keep a secret. She also cameod as a waitress in the series.

Well, no new chapter this week so we'll have to wait until next week to find out who the boss is. I am intrigued about the theory of Law and Kidd being the other counter parts of Luffy to Rogers. It might also be possible that these supernovas would become the successor of the Yonkou, given enough time and opportunity. On a side note, I find the apperance of White Beard and Turn A Gundam having an uncanny resemblance.

Well, I can't find part 2, but here's part 3 which is one of my favorites:

Here's some seriously cool stick fighting. This is actually part of many series of the xiao xiao movies. Here's the first incarnation:

Speaking of Evanescence, this is one of my favorite songs from them: My Immortal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5LJWG-sQys

JENNY CRAIG FOR MEN A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.. The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, 'If you can catch me, you can have me.' Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up.. The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens. On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised. He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program. The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning, beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, 'If you catch me you can have me'. Well, he's out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck. So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape. Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised. He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program 'Are you sure?' asks the representative on the phone. 'This is our most rigorous program.' 'Absolutely,' he replies, 'I haven't felt this good in years.' The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, 'If I catch you, you're mine.' He lost 63 pounds that week.

I read your long post Larz. Now If only I understood even half of it. All I know is that somewhere in there, somebody got his butt shot at. Also BK, it's the holidays, expect the airlines to be pretty bitchy this time of the year.

Finished reading Wanted, which was the basis for the Movie of the same name staring Angelina Jolie. i prefer the comic, and the main protagonists attitude as compared to the movie version. Although the comic is portrayed as a world used to be filled with super heroes, it's a world where organized crime thrives. Of course the action of the movie was more badass compared to the comic, but the comic had a much more interesting plot concept. So far I've liked the works by Mark Millar. He uses the F- word a little too much.

Jinbei may be looked upon as the leader, but he was imprisoned in Impel down. Who is to say that during his absence, there were already struggle of power. Besides, no matter how strong we think a character is, there is bound to be someone much more powerful. Who knows, that during the past years, Jinbei was officially taken down by the new mysterious leader. Why then wasn't he as well as hachi been able to meet the strawhats in Shabondy?

I don't think those who sided with Whitebeard would have any animosity against Luffy, since one Whitebeard considered Ace as his son, and Ace being the brother of Luffy, Whitebeard could consider him as a semi-step-son. Also, given the short time that they fought together in Marineford, it was witnessed that Whitebeard took an instant liking to Luffy. Everybody was even surprised how casual Luffy interacted with Whitebeard. I think it is most likely an uprising in fishmen island. Without a strong leader to keep the people in check, someone is bound to take up arms and conquer everything.