Hatsune Miku the Vocaloid

Who exactly is Hatsune Miku? Why she is so popular? Every single figures, toys, poster, fan arts and cosplay growing like no tomorrow. I have no idea who she really was until i start listening to some of the strange robotic like music in some of the bloggers and Youtube site and there was where I learned about her. She is surely the most perfect vocaloid character I have ever seen.

It was really interesting after seeing continuously popularity in Japan. She even slowly walks into the western markets with more than nine albums I believe. Not to mention, people (not just Otaku) really loves her. One more unbelievable singing voice about her are generate from the computer! Impressive isn’t it and which is why they call it vocaloid (official site for more information).

There was a YouTube video interview the producers and the information about beginning making of Hatsune Miku becomes so popular by Asahicom. You guys should watch the video below as it has a subtitles. I also includes the best Hatsune Miku songs for you guys to listen and gives you an idea why she able successfully enter to Oricon Japan music chart.

The Best Recommendation Online Toy Merchants

One reader drops me a message last week asking me for opinions about which online store is the most recommendation to shop with. It’s quite a tricky question and it’s hard for answering. It took me a few days to come up with better answer. Not really a good one but hopefully not confusing for you all.

HW Japan was my current favorite of choice when it’s come to Gundam pre-ordering and hunting for bargain price at their online stores. Tons of things I can’t really describe about this merchant. They might not have much stuff you may find in their store. You just can’t go wrong with their discount price starting 6-20% (50% for offer price). If you could spare your time, read the latest updated review I wrote here for more information.

The second favor merchant is Hobby Link Japan (HLJ). They got bunch of stuffs selling over there and also the sales sections are always update twice or so a month so you can’t really missed it. Yes, they don’t have any point systems and I never received any single discount coupons from them for three years. However, their customer’s service is pretty great. I remember when one of the Revoltech toys they shipped to me has a missing stand. They will immediately send out one without any charges on the shipping and even question me about it. Nice isn’t it? If you are plastic kits modeler, HLJ is the only place you can find tons of the stuffs you need especially when you are looking for HiQ Parts.

Hobby Search (1999?) is not a bad place to get your stuffs. But I only target this place looking for bargain stuffs and sometimes the monthly magazines that cannot be found the other two stores only. This store got pretty a lot of stuffs. It just that I dislike their ordering system and shipping rules as it wasn’t that friendly as the two above. Also the point you received from the items you purchase, it must be used within one year (read their FAQ).

There are many recommendation online toy stores in my current list. It just depending on what I am planning to pre-order or buy especially when it comes for limited release items. I know shipping from Japan is always expensive because Brunei does not have SAL or standard shipping option. But paying a bit more on EMS shipping is worth, cheaper (than FedEX/UPS/DHL) and guarantee safer as you can track your items easily online. Of course, every one of us always hopes for free shipping. It just that the risk of getting missing is higher and damn I ever experience that moment two years back. I hope not for my manga books next month.

Last June Online Order 2009

This is why having a credit card is bad and lost control of myself consume by the dark evil. After the free US$5.00 coupon landed on my mail the other days, I can’t hold myself with thousand strengths ‘NO!’ ordering Mobile Suit Gundam Ecole du Ciel (volume 1 to 5) at YesAsia.com that kept in the shopping cart for too long before someone else stole it.

You can’t let that happen, right? And so, since my other pre-order item have no news yet before coming end of June. I probably just go ahead with it first because those books are scatter around the world and it requires at least three to four weeks being delivery to me according to my invoice. Yikes!

Another worst thing yet happens today. I just made another orders from iShop2Go.com after I saw Gundam Astray Red Frame (Clear version) offer by half price in the promotion lists. As far I remember, they did offer it in the weekly promotion in the past, but not in half price. I think this is a great deal getting 50% off from them.

To keep my shipping cost lower, I decided to add my third copy for Dengeki Hobby February with GN Sefer to accompany with it as I have a project in mind building modification on Gundam O with its GN Sefer equipment for Form 3. As for Gundam Astray Red Frame, this is limited clear version release item from Bandai. It’s really hard to find it in other Japanese store and also weird that this can only be found in Hong Kong merchant (in korea too) even if it’s an old product five years ago. If you want to know how this clear version looks like, check the photos at Dalong review (in Korean).

Christian Bale Plays Metal Gear Solid?

This is surprising news coming from Kotaku today. The detail is short over at MTV interview so no one knows if he going to be Snake or may involved in other characters in the MGS movie. I hope it wasn’t because he suck in Terminator Salvation as John Connor character. Not sure if you guys notice his acting, he simply looks too cool even when he is sad from start until end just like he did on Dark Knight. Which is why I believe the movie doesn’t get a good rating.

It’s still early to say, for the time being, just finger cross for Christian Bale. Ah! Da! La! Da! La!

The Last Airbender

It’s Not Like You Think is True

Damn my life all this year. Can’t really seem to find a good job to keep me company and make my life better. I don’t usually write ranting post or jealousy about others able to work at Shell or LNG something. But it just happens when my friend came over brought this discussion and sudden remembering back which I am pissed at it.

When people found good job with a nice pay out, most of them started talking nonsense especially when they are travelling or taking courses in other countries. One of my friends who work at well-known offshore company mentions some kind silly statement that we all Bruneian are so lucky compare to other country. If you understand your own country system today, one day you definitely find the answer is not entirely true.

I never agree when people make that kind of statement because he never realizes that was offensive (for me) things to say. When I started asking him a question if he knows what is the different between “Advance Economics” and “Non-Advance Economics” are about. He had no idea what I am trying to asked him. The answer is simple. HE IS FUCKING STUPID   who already living with a good comfortable life.

If you see other countries experience high taxes, poverty, high crimes rate, huge unemployment and others sort of shit everyday that is because they had already advance their economics that becoming a lot of problem and starting out of control.

Just think about it why Brunei stays as non-Advance Economics country and decided to improve steps by steps to ensure the stability of the country? This is to prevent poverty and increasing poor people occur in the country. Well, even if we don’t have heavy tax systems. Do you think no one or companies are going to abuse it? Think again, no tax, low salaries which are why locals prefer landing themselves in government jobs and hoping for Shell Oil and Gas industries. Not to mention I didn’t even had a “Tap” paid for four years. HA! I even providing transportation for delivery, parking tickets and my phone credit for the company for FREE! Not a single pay back from them! You called that lucky?

However, life in Brunei is not a perfect or considers lucky country no matter how you look at it. Quitting my job is anytime. But my mom depends on me and you need money to survive next days. There is always half lucky and unlucky person born in this world. Don’t simply make that kind of statement and convince that everyone born from wealthy family. You know it’s not like you think is true.

Flash Back at Shopping.com.bn

It been a while I haven’t look at the local online for more than one year when last introduced Shopping.com.bn on my blog on April last year. Nope, I haven’t made any order from them yet until now, so no review entry. But continue on findings the errors or flaw were part of my habits and for a person who had nothing to do sitting in front on the PC.

Looking at the past entry I wrote, it was a bit terrible when Shopping.com.bn first launched its online store. The electronic warranties are not impressive and I found the cameras they selling only provide two weeks warranty. The funnier even it requires us to pay extra for getting one year warranty. That was worst impression for me turning away as a customer and I’m sure the rival was laughing hard when they see it.

According to the source I received, QQeStore and Shopping.com.bn are not related. I’m sure that many locals may mistake thinking they are, too bad it’s not true. But it’s good for us, more price competition between them.

The question here is, did they learn the mistakes commit in the past? Yes, and this time much clever and better. I do not want to point out which parts, but I am glad the warranty for the camera is back with one year cover instead of two weeks. Other I do not find much change over the year especially their website.

I want to hear and learn more from the local’s opinions about their customer services rating because this year is still not a green light to go for a new digital camera yet. If I am rich, maybe it’s different story. I’m not intending to go back to QQeStore anymore so I like to know from experience buyer at Shopping.com.bn for opinions.