Those Costco Snacks

I sometimes buy those big bags of snack from Costco to munch on at work. I usually alternate between the mixed nuts, rice cracker mix, and tropical dried fruit and nuts mix. But damn, there is always one part of the mix that is so lame, and I end up eating them all the time. For instance, there are too many goddamn raisins in the fruit mix, and in the rice cracker mix, there is some kind of sesame cracker, but it’s kind of soft. The mixed nut jar is the best, since I pretty much like all the nuts in there. But it gets your fingers really dirty. I guess you can’t have it all.

Love Story by Sala (1996)

From the album Vocaland

This is a song that I really like from Toshiki Kadomatsu’s Vocaland compilation. He doesn’t sing on this cd, but instead has guest singers. The songs are pretty good, I think Sala’s voice sounds really cool. Anyways, it’s over 10 years old, but hey, I like the oldies! He also did a Vocaland2 CD, which is not quite as good, but still has some nice tunes on it.


Friday’s Feast

Appetizer
Where on your body do you have a scar, and what caused it?

On the bottom of my chin I have a 1″ scar. I was going down someone’s stairs in their front yard on my tricycle, and did a faceplant.

Soup
What is something that has happened to you that you would consider a miracle?

Well, the fact that my wife and I met and have a happy life is a miracle to me.

Salad
Name a television personality who really gets on your nerves.

Emeril Lagasse

Main Course
What was a funny word you said as a child (such as “pasketti” for “spaghetti”)?

I used to (and still do sometimes) say Missus (Mrs.) like Mishus.

Dessert
Fill in the blank:

I have always thought [u>Fruit & Chocolate[/u> was [u>not such a good-tasting combination[/u>.

[Meme via Friday’s Feast>

Kirakira Kenshui (きらきら研修医)


Yes, I am watching too many doramas right now! Kirakira Kenshui (きらきら研修医) is the story of a medical intern, and her experiences at the hospital. It’s loosely based on a blog, apparently, and after watching two episodes, I’d have to give it a 6 of 10. I like the actors, especially Dr. Kirai, who was the head teacher in the Gokusen doramas. He’s pretty funny in this one too. The main character, Usako (Konishi Manami), is cute, but a little annoying in that she is too kawaisoo and constantly saying “sumimasen”. But she’s nice to look at, that’s for sure. The situations are over-the-top, so if you are looking for a serious drama, this won’t be for you. But for some lighthearted terebi, this one’s ok. It’s kind of strange that a flamenco scene pops up in episode 2, and there is also a flamenco theme in Haken no Hinkaku.

Anticipating SSX Blur


SSX Blur is scheduled to be released on Feb 27. This is a definite buy for me! In fact, I have it pre-ordered since there is a $5 discount off the regular price. Bay and I love SSX Tricky and SSX3 for the Gamecube, and this Wii-exclusive version looks like it is going to be awesome. Bay and I were checking out the in-game movies on the SSX Blur website, and we are both excited about playing it. The graphics look great, and this time the riders have a more cartoon-like look to them. I think it looks amazing. Also, some of the riders will use skis, which is something new for me.

The control scheme looks good, with the nunchuk being used to carve (just tilt it left or right). I am using that same control scheme in Need For Speed: Carbon, and it works well. Very intuitive. This time, in order to complete an Uber Trick, you will draw in the air with the Wiimote. Kinda strange, but apparently it works nicely.

The only think that I am a little bummed about is that Eddy is not in this one… I missed him in SSX3 also, although he did sometimes appear as a computer-controlled rider.

Himitsu no Hanazono (ヒミツの花園)


I finished episode 3 of Himitsu no Hanazono (ヒミツの花園), and it is getting good. Each of the characters is pretty interesting, especially the oldest brother, Kataoka Wataru, who is the most mature, but seems to have some kind of internal struggle since he is the father figure of the family (their parents died early) and gave up part of his dreams in order to raise the family. He is the quietest and most thoughtful of the four, and the one you would trust most. Plus there is a love interest between him and the main character, Tsukiyama Kayo, but I am not sure how far that will go. It’s just too perfect. There are also a few wildcard characters thrown into the mix, like the youngest brother’s rival, and his friend, who is attracted to the oldest brother. It sounds confusing, and might get pretty complicated later, which is great since previous dorama I have seen recently were pretty flat plotwise.

On another note, the theme song “Baby Don’t Cry” by Amuro Namie is fantastic. It’s nice when a good dorama has a good theme song, and even nice when a bad dorama has a good theme song, such was the case of Sapuri. The other dorama I am watching with great interest is Hana Yori Dango 2, and the insert song is super as well: “Flavor of Life” by Utada Hikaru.