Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts

J's Chimes: Spice Up Your Facebook...


Got a little bored with your Facebook profile picture? How about making a continuous banner of your photos that runs onto into the status bar on your profile page? Experimented it a little when I stumbled upon Youtube clip by accident that gives a tutorial on how to make these... Below is a short clip in which you can view and learn how to make this...


However if you do not have the photoshop software to make this, there are many other ways to make this too. All you need is MS paint and that's about it. (I did it using MS paint so you don't actually need something so sophisticated for your artistic work...)

J's Chimes: Meanwhile Back In Singapore...


Been posting a lot of things about Japan lately... But seriously what's happening in Singapore now? Fellow friends from other countries, if you think you'd find anime and stuff in Singapore, am really sorry to say that you'd probably be disappointed with the passion and exposure which is more or less pretty minimal unless there's a anime convention and sorts. But fear not, this hobby is certainly increasing between younger teenagers and audiences in Singapore. So probably let's say that anime would be popular in the future ahead, provided that nothing bad should happen to the industry given the fact that anime will be following the rules and regulations of the law in coming July...

J's Chimes: Retired Figures


Sometimes you just have to make way for your hobby collections by disposing of the older models. Though it may be painful to do so, but its necessary to so as to make way for the new. I have little intention to keep Gashapons now due to the fact that will only be concentrating on scale models soon. So what do you do to your retired models too?

J's Chimes: Happy 2011


J's Chimes wishes all a very happy new year! Time flies and its already 2011... New Year resolutions anyone? Hopefully this would be a good year for me as there are plenty of happenings that seriously rocked my life last year that wasn't really pleasant to begin with. Wished everything will go smoothly this year just as the horoscopes have mention...lol. Anyway, have a good day ahead of you...

J's Chimes: Cleaning Clearing Models....


It's the time of year once again and had decided to do a major spring cleaning of my cabinets that houses my scale models and figures. It is wise to check your models and clean them occasionally because it might be stained or dirtied after exposing to the environment, which is especially so in Singapore because of its wet and humid weather.


I just had to take out and clean every single one of the models, figures and Gashapons that I had. Just as mentioned before about how PVCs may melt overtime, it is wise to clean it so that further damage would not occur to your hard earned models... This is especially so to gashapons as they are made of poor quality plastic materials that may melt overtime when exposed to the environment...


After which, I would rearrange the placement of the Gashapons at the bottom of the display cabinet. I absolutely adore the Mecha Musume series which look similar to Sky Girls or the anime Strike Witches. However, the materials melt and thus would have to do a really thorough cleaning to wipe off the stickiness of the melted plastic that covers the figure.


The second level displays my classic anime figures that I collect from years ago till now. The arrangement is kinda bad though because of the mixture of small to medium sized figures... Well, due to space constraints it is inevitable to place it properly though...


The 3rd level contains mostly the BOME series from Kaiyodo and some miscellaneous models from Evangelion to The Revoltech figure boxes behind... I love BOME series models because its rather detail and nice. However, it seems that the series had stopped somehow...


My favorite models are placed on the 4th level within eye level. Scale models include Pixie Hoyori, Nagato, Mina, etc. My figmas are also placed behind in boxes... One of the problems with figma figures is that I just do not know where to find a place to store their additional parts. And I just couldn't make a wonderful pose for the figures to display, and thus they stay in the box for safe keeping... Occasionally took them out to play for a bit...


The 5th level also displays some of the few models that I loved too. Also making way for this shelf space for the newer models am getting next year... Yup... Some of my scale models are still inside the box. Sometimes I just couldn't bare to expose them into the environment. And the box looks so cool too that its unbearable to throw them away...


The highest level sits a couple of models which also may be retired soon enough as newer models are being bought next year. Behind sits 2 figures of Mikuru which is wrapped in plastic. The top of the cabinet is considered as the blind spot of my collections as you'd rarely paid attention to it because its so darn high... Ya can't put Gashapons there and would seem to be the most neglected corner of all...

J's Chimes: TA-Q-BIN


TA-Q-BIN is a courier service based in Japan but had recently establish itself in the Singapore market. I only got to know of this company back when they had displayed their services at the Anime Festival Asia X (AFAX) back in November 2010. A survey was done to allow more people to get to know about TA-Q-BIN and a gift will be sent to them upon completion of the survey. Well it had finally arrived at my doorstep yesterday and am eager to open up the contents...


Was rather happy with the service as they would message you about the product date of arrival and will call you on that day of delivery. Rather smooth transaction which is similar to Speedpost in Singapore. But sad to say I would rarely use this service because ain't really got anything bulky to send or received in Singapore, not to mention overseas... (Unless... J's Chimes could have a contest and would use TA-Q-BIN to deliver the goods to those lucky winners...lol)


The contents include a TA-Q-BIN mascot plushy, a 'manual' fan and a letter of gratification. Not much for a surprise but its the thought that counts. Imagine having to deliver the same stuff round Singapore for those who take the survey and got the freebies... Anyway, now the Cat is displayed on my computer desktop... (Because it looks like Fenix the Cat from a classic cartoon...)


For more information about TA-Q-BIN, you might wanna visit their main website for Singapore residents at http://sg.ta-q-bin.com/. Perhaps you have some stuff to deliver so a best time to find a courier would be now...

J's Chimes: Time For A Drive...


Late posts nowadays? That's probably because am learning to drive now starting this month at the Bukit Batok Driving Center in Singapore. Too much Itasha influence too also resulted in me wanting to get a license too so that I could one day own a car and start scribbling it too with some anime characters... Well perhaps it's still too early to say since there's a sudden increase in car taxes and expenses in Singapore. Even so it's still vital for me to get a license so that it would be beneficial i future and when I wanna get my car to have a complete makeover... lol. Danny Choo here I come!

J's Chimes: Happay Christmas Eve Greetings


Today's Christmas Eve, so have you bought your presents yet or prepare to have a sumptuous meal and party all night long till tomorrow? 2010 is ending real soon and looking back, one could only wonder what the future might hold. Anyway let's keep our heads up high and look forward to celebrating and wishing all the best for the days ahead... And more good animes to be aired real soon...

J's Chimes: The Difference between 2D And 3D...


Unless you are born rich, charismatic, good-looking or masculine, you would probably be able to get a beautiful girl on the left. But mostly, this isn't the case with people like us. And as such, 2D anime would be the only option for a girlfriend that could accompany you at home. Much of these examples could well be seen in love simulation games in the market. So what exactly are the differences between 2D and 3D girls?

1.) Proportions - You could probably get the right 3 sizes of your favorite girl with little flaws...
2.) Personality - From Tsundere to Yandere, Cute to Bossy types, you could get your favorite in these games...
3.) Money & Dating - Ya don't need to spend a single cent on dates and stuff. (Except the price of your game and electricity bills)
4.) Feelings - Somehow or rather, 2D doesn't betray you. (Unless you got a bad ending) Nevertheless, they won't cheat you of your feelings.

However so, there are certainly some things you couldn't do without a 3D girlfriend as feelings in real time are different in comparison with something out of your monitor screen. But points 1 - 4 will probably be something to toggle with...

J's Chimes: Console Gaming


It's been a long time since I've touch my game consoles and would probably be spending some time playing my xbox 360 these days. Bought Final Fantasy 13 just recently so thought of trying it out. Yup, regardless of many bad reviews and stuff, I'd still bought it due to the fact that Final Fantasy had been with me for a long time since childhood. Hopefully it doesn't turn out just as bad as the reviews...

J's Chimes: STGCC Photographs


And so the Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention had come to a close yesterday. Finally here are the photographs that I've taken in the convention and they can be viewed by clicking on the links given below... Or you can also simply find the link located on the right taskbar labeled photographs and video clips.

Photograph links:
General Event
Cosplays

Unfortunately the End Of Year Cosplay Event 2010 clashes with the STGCC. Hopefully some passionate photographers will be able to post for us some photos online so that we could take a little peak at what's going on there...

J's Chimes: STGCC Day 2


And so today would be Day 2 of the Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention. This time the convention starts at 11am and I would believe that there would definitely be a bigger crowd today because of the weekends. Having said that, the STGCC 2010 has been quite overly hyped up with its publicity and advertisements. However in my opinion, there weren't really much to see than last year. Hopefully I'm wrong as the major events will be held this weekend that will boost back my morale again soon... More info on STGCC coming soon.

J's Chimes: Preview Of STGCC


A little sneak peek at the layout of the Singapore Toys, Games and Comics Convention. The convention will be opened today at 12nn so by the time you see this post, I should be there lining up for the entry... In any case, the location seems bigger than before but only time will tell once we reached there... (Click on pics to enlarge)


And here are the stage performances for the convention... Does seem nothing of interest though until I've seen it. This is for day 1 and there certainly are a lot of programmes going on on Friday. Guess it's bad luck for those who are working that day...


There are also a couple of freebies up for grabs in the STGCC so you might wanna take a look at the main website for more of these details by clicking here. Hopefully its enough to satisfy your entrance fees though...


For those still interested to go, I suggest you'd leave your house now and go line up for the tickets at Suntec City Convention Center. Might be a big crowd lining up for it. It would cost a bit more than expected thus be prepared with some extra bucks for your shopping too...

J's Chimes: Countdown To STGCC 2010


It's finally coming!! The Singapore Toy, Games and Comics Convention will be opened tomorrow at 12nn which is approximately 26hrs left... Still yet to buy your tickets? Then this is seriously your last chance,else it would tough getting one and then lining up again just to enter the convention. Hopefully this year would be a better one and more stuff to see too... And to all my friends out there, see you at the convention!

J's Chimes: 10 Emotional Anime Ending Themes


Sometimes anime songs touches your hearts too. There are animes that have a wacky and comical opening and end themes but amidst them all lies some of the best songs around in which you would replay over and over. Some of my favorites are listed below. Somehow it get you all emotional just hearing these songs and makes your heart all fuzzy like...

1.) Fortune Arterial Akai Yakusoku - I Miss You

One of my favorite songs this season. Perhaps you should try letting your loved ones hear it too because it's just so... ermm.. emotional... I loved how they make the background though... those pictures speak a thousand words...

2.) Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt - Fallen Angel

I don't really know why but this song gets me all the time and every time I watched this anime, I wouldn't skip this end theme. Sometimes, theme songs need to be this nice so that people would tend to appreciate it... Even though the anime might be criticized a lot for its artwork and stuff...

3.) Darker Than Black - Tsuki Akari

Soothing and nice song to end an incredibly action-packed anime. Though the background maybe a bit simple, it brings forth the calmness and ever so soft side of this anime.

4.) Angel Beats - Brave Song

Perhaps one of the best emotional songs last season is Angel Beats Brave Song. Every time it does make you feel like you gonna cry after hearing it... The song lyrics depicts a person braving through all odds while walking his path alone and he has to stay strong and move towards his destination. Very suitable for an anime like Angel Beats...

5.) Blassreiter - Sad Rain

Sad Rain has accompanied me through the tough times when I was feeling down during those days and it has always been a nice song for me. Sometimes it's weird to be hearing sad sounds when you're down but it really helps to get up up again and move on in life... Though the background animation wasn't as expected, otherwise this would be a nice emotional song...

6.) Fate Stay Night - Anata Ga Ita Mori

Goes without saying... Perhaps one of the best emotional songs in popular animes like Fate Stay Night. Keep your replay button going and you would get a little addicted to it... Suits for a sad ending for Saber...

7.) Kekkaishi - Akai Ito

Slow beat music couldn't get any better than this as it slowly picks up the pace... Especially the strumming of the guitar which makes it so irresistable to hear, not to mention the emotions the singer put into this song...

8.) Kimi Ni Todoke - Kataomoi

Can't find the ending theme video because of copyright infringements... In any case, Kataomoi is probably one of the best songs for an anime like Kimi Ni Todoke... I recommend anyone to watch this anime because it shows the slice of life of a girl who is all alone but slowly picked up the courage and pace to be accepted by others, with the help of a boy she so loves dearly.

9.) Maburaho - We'll Get There Someday

Quite an old anime but still brings back fond memories with this tune... Was serving the anime back then and began hearing these just about every night before bedtime... Reason being I'll really like to get there someday... and that 'there' refers to out of National Service...

10.) Shuffle! - Innocence

Sad anime + Sad song = Win. But perhaps it's still better to play this game instead of watching the anime which only tells a part of the entire story... And with a few twists here and there...

And of course there are still plenty of other amazingly nice end themes out there. J's Chimes will bring you more of the best anime end themes on later posts, along with some popular opening themes to current date so stay tune...

J's Chimes: Have You Bought Your Tickets Yet?


The Singapore Toys, Games And Comics Convention is drawing near and will start on the 10 - 12 Dec 2010. You can get those tickets online at Gatecrash or call their hotline number to order one. Also, you can actually purchase them at AXS or SAM machines located around Singapore. Had mine purchased yesterday and it cost a whooping $25 for 3 days entry. Well, this event only happens yearly so I guess we do not really have a choice... Buy now to avoid disappointment and lining up over at the convention area just to get the tickets for entry...

J's Chimes: Steam Hijack


My Steam account for gaming was hijacked by some hackers yesterday and could not login to it with my password. There have been some circulation of mails in which prompts you to join a Russian group which makes you login to your account upon joining. Surprisingly, you will be directed to a duplicated or mirrored Steam website to cover their tracks. Lesson learnt? If you do have a Steam account, please check with your friends about it and also accept any invitations unless you've confirm their authenticity. This problem is spreading like wildfire in this recent weeks so gamers please be aware of such scams.

J's Chimes: Anime Music On The Yamaha Stagea Electone


What better is it to play the anime music that we so loved on the Yamaha Stagea Electone. This first video shows a musician playing the all so famous music we all know in Macross Frontier Lion. One of the most amazing performance ever heard...


Perhaps one of my favorites would be Clannad After Story's Toki Wo Kizamu Uta played on the Electone. Well... that is if you could afford one of these at a whooping price of at least SGD$15,000. A mini version of the Yamaha Stagea Electone costs about SGD$3000 and similarly boost the same functions of the original.


One of the best ever music I heard would definitely be Lupin The 3rd. Looks difficult to master though... However with only the electone, you could become a one man orchestra right at the comfort of your own home... The fact that this instrument could actually play almost all sounds made by theoretically all instruments you could find...

J's Chimes: Tech Is Moe Too!


Putting animes aside, sometimes technological machinery are moe too. Somehow such has also brought about different groups of otaku with different interest in stuff. For example those who like trains and keep them as hobbies are probably called Densha Otaku and those who like anime are called anime otaku, etc. However it might be, strangely they are able to click together discussing about such hobbies rather than those who doesn't have one. War weapons are really nice because of their hardcore design and cool look to it which makes it renegade. If you do play games like Metal Gear Solid or even Call of Duty, you'd truly appreciate what these techs could awe you in many ways than 1.

J's Chimes: To Be Good At Cosplaying


Cosplays are slowly getting the hypes in Singapore and so does the demand for higher quality and details for the costumes. Well of course we can't compare cosplays with Japan because there are may professional cosplayers around that treat these very seriously. And thus these are the 10 factors to consider and ensure your cosplay is a success and worth of praise to audiences around.

1.) Your Passion For Cosplay
- Your interest in Cosplaying is perhaps the most important factors to note of. Without passion, all these will not be as truly enjoyable as you're doing it for the sake of it.

2.) Display Your Creativity And Skills
- Costumes aren't easy to make than you think it is. Especially when it comes to the details and such which make it time consuming to complete. Not only that, you'd need lots of creativity to make certain elements of the costume which aren't sold anywhere in the market.

3.) Know Where To Get The Right Materials
- It is important to know what material suits best for your costume so that it would turn out exactly as you want it to be. Different materials have different textures, feel, design, etc to it and thus it may affect your overall look of your entire costume if it fails to meet the standards.

4.) Know Which Character Suits You
- In layman terms, cosplay a character who has about the same built as you. For example, it would be weird to cosplay a well-built character when you are thin and so forth. The audiences prefer closer resemblance of your cosplay to the character rather than someone who forces himself to cosplay someone they can't.

5.) Learn The Basics Of Makeup
- Makeup plays an important role in any cosplays and could even change your looks to that desired. It does also gives you the confidence you need and cover up spots in which you do not want people to pry on.

6.) Allow Yourself Ample Time
- Give yourself ample amount of time to work on your costumes and not rush, only to realize that you didn't want it to be this way. Plan and schedule your time; from searching your materials, designing and making the costumes and to trial and errors needed. Only then will you be able to display yourself with confidence of your work without scrutiny.

7.) Acquire Feedback And Consult Your Friends

- Have your friends look at your cosplay and be the judge. If they like it, there wouldn't be much of a problem in events would it? At least your friends could give you some tips, ideas and valuable feedback about it so that you could improve.

8.) Gather Information To Spark Ideas
- Sometimes you'd run into road blocks and thus it is wise to gather some information thru websites and other materials to get new ideas for your work. Take a scroll in the arcade, maybe you'd find some interesting materials which could proved to be useful for your costumes.

9.) Motivate Yourself
- Low on morale or no motivation to do it? One way is to immerse yourself with much of cosplay events and stuff related to it. Only then will make you burn with enthusiasm to want to make a costume. Buy your materials, plan or sketch your costume, prepare something and place them in front of your work desk to make you feel motivated to do it.

10.) Enjoy And Express Yourself
- Enjoy your planning, making stages of your costumes. Enjoy them even more when displaying your finished product in cosplay events. Your hard work is finally paying off and believe that you've done a good job.


For more stuffs in relation to what constitutes a good cosplay, you can view it by clicking here.