Archive for November, 2009

PRECAUTION NOTICE:

Please see the previous precaution notice. It’s pretty much the same except with a few additions.

In case you are wondering, I have never done any fansubbing work or anything to do with media files. The only “media” that I have done is audio files. I thought of streaming edited audio files on a streaming mp3 player at AMNOSnet as part of our promotional system to get the fans to purchase the CDs. Anyway, that’s just a sidenote.

Here’s Part 2. This would probably be more of a Q&A format rather than a standard article/blog entry.

As fans, sharing is (probably) the prior factor in a general fanbase of something or someone. Otherwise, no fan would ever appreciate their love and devotion to their favorite idol or group. Obviously, if they are foreign, you pine for any subtitled clips that feature your favorite idol or group. Sadly, the only thing that anyone can rely on at this point is clips subtitled by fellow fans who have the skill, equipment, and time to do so.

In the case of J-idols, or to be more specific, Arashi, nowadays it’s pretty easy to gain access to these fansubbed clips, be it via downloads or (yes…) streamlined media. Though it is considered easy, there are also restrictions that fansubbers enforced on fellow fans and users regarding downloads and usage. As a user, you would think that this is all ridiculous and what not and may be thinking that the fansubbers were just being elitist over their projects.

So, I compiled up some possible Frequently Asked Questions for an easier explanation and to have everyone aware as to why fansubbers and fansubbing groups enforce their regulations to the general fanbase.

[More... »]

• Current Location: Home
• Mood: Sleepy *yawn*

First up to the peeps of the U.S. of A, I want to wish all of you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Second, to the peeps of the AMNOS tribe, let’s all greet the O a (belated) Happy 29th Birthday!

Third, Monday is the last day of NaNoWriMo! Though I already won the challenge, my story is not yet finished! I hoped to finish everything by that day so I can finally rest and move on.

Fourth, TFL approved my application for the Samurai High School Fanlisting! Once after my novel is done I am seriously gonna get down and dirty in building this site. I may make it in to a mini-informational site, so watch out! The more I’m seeing this series episode by episode, the more I feel like I’m getting PWNED. It’s not because of the SURF DUDE or the Senorito, but the overall storyline is really well worth watching. I love the characters— all of them— including the self-centered cop and the bitchy principal.

Fifth, the menu for our Thanksgiving Dinner would be the gobble-gobble bird, stuffing, mashed potatoes, daing na bangus, pancit, lumpia, sinigang, pinakbet, rice, and pumpkin pie and more various Filipino desserts for dessert. Now that’s what I call Filipino-fusion style Thanksgiving!

Sixth, the folks are here. Time for me to sign off.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU’VE GOT and not moan in sadness for what you don’t have.

• Current Location: Home
• Currently Drinking: Iced Mandarin Red Tea
• Mood: Thankful ^_^

I don’t normally talk about the events happening in the Philippines simply because I’m not very up to date with the latest current events over there unlike my dad (who is still an avid loyal Filipino who still continues to keep in touch with the politics and the social problems going on over there until today). I’m not saying that I’m not proud or don’t want to be aware of the country where I was born and lived my childhood at, but most of the news I’ve read and watched coming from the Philippines were pretty much as similar as the ones I read and watched when I was still living there.

As you know, there was a massacre that occured in Mindanao, the southern island region of the Philippines. For those who are familiar with the country itself, Mindanao is predominantly Muslim, and there had been several decades that the Moros (the more appropriate/correct term for the Filipino Muslims?) were in a civil war with the Philippine government (and for those who know, the Philippines is predominantly Christian, to be more specific Roman Catholic) in order to gain independence as its own nation.

So, I stopped by CNN website to read some news and learned about a massacre that occured in Mindanao (Maguindanao province, to be more specific). From my understanding, this is primarily a political issue between two well-known Moro clans in Maguindanao running for the next governor of the province, the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus, so technically, this isn’t even exactly a religious war.

Here’s another thing I learned about the Philippines whenever a major political election is about to come. Violent massacres, assassinations, and all other types of deadly brutal crimes occur at that particular time period. All the corruption and the backstabbing and then blaming outside parties for all these unforgivable events, blackmailing, etc. etc. And then after elections, there’s going to be protests, more violence, corruption, and the usual accusations from the opposing party (this and that candidate must have rigged the elections, we request a recount!!)

One way or the other, elections period in the Philippines was hardly a positive one. It’s like nothing good comes out of these elections, then again, hardly anything good comes out from Philippine politics in general.

When I read the article on CNN.com, I just laughed at majority of the comments left by users regarding the situation. Most of them are spewing hatred and prejudice against the Muslims and the Islamic religion, comparing them to the likes of al Qaeda and such when obviously most of them have been one or the other of the following:

• Never been to the Philippines or read/researched Philippine history in general. (Get over it, people! The Moros and the Christians in the Philippines have been in decades of civil war way before 9/11, so stop making assumptions, seriously…)
• Radical non-Islamic religious people who think that Christianity is the best religion around ever (though I’m Roman Catholic myself, Christianity doesn’t exactly have a “perfectly clean” history either. What the heck is the IRS then? Or maybe those fanatical wackos from the Westboro Baptist Church (though non-violent, they do incite a lot of discrimination, most notably towards the LBGT community).
• Radical atheists who, despite their non-beliefs to a supreme being, also believe that religions in general are the most evil thing in the world.
• Racists. Period.

Well, you get the picture. I will admit that I felt offended by the comments these ignorant users have been posting on. It’s like here in the U.S. where several skeptics are accusing the new president of being a Muslim (just because his (late) father was a Muslim?) or that his birth certificate is fake and that he was actually born outside the U.S. Get a grip, people, you’re all inciting hate regardless of how much you say that you are not racist. You weren’t like that when all the past presidents (which were all Caucasian) were overseeing our country, even when Dubya was in office, so please stop denying yourselves because you know it’s true.

I don’t know what on earth is wrong with the world today. It’s like we’re heading back to ancient history again with the ancient ways of thinking and philosophy.

• Current Location: Home
• Mood: Contemplative
• Currently Drinking: Green Tea Latte

It’s been a long while since I’ve written in here. What can I say. NaNoWriMo owns me.

This is just a quickie entry just to let you all know that hey— I’m still alive.

• As of today, I am close to 39,000 Word Count. I may even get up to 40,000 tonight too, but we’ll see how inspired or tired I am before it gets to midnight.
• The boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto was definitely the best match I’ve ever watched since I began watching PPV boxing with the PACMAN versus all other formidable fighters. Though it’s no longer news that the PACMAN has made history by receiving his 7th title and still retaining his pound-for-pound champion legacy, this was probably the first time that a Pacquiao match actually went all the way to the final round. The PACMAN still had his speed and his clever defenses, while Cotto had true heart. He requested to go all the way, even if his side wanted him to stop and end the fight. There were no trash talks between the two fighters or any one of their people against each other. Nothing but a good, solid, clean, and fair fight. No nonsense whatsover. Cotto was indeed a very worthy opponent and I also praise him along with the winner. Congratulations to the both of you.
• Gift cards for EVERYONE this Christmas!
  Because I am currently the poorest in my family. Blame this damn economy and my unemployment for practically more than half of this year. 2009 SUCKED big time. My one and only Christmas wish is for all my loved ones to give me money instead of tangible things like clothes or something.
• Unknown Plans for Thanksgiving
  Up to now we still don’t know who’s going to hold the Thanksgiving Dinner or not. Parents don’t wanna be hosts for Thanksgiving again. We should go out of town or something. Hmm…
• Working hard on sites!
  I’ll have to seriously work hard… work hard… and really clean up my portfolio site. I’ve been getting spam entries from my old contact form over there.
• Samurai High School PWNS!
  Due to my J-pop/idols hiatus, the only fall drama I’m able to watch during my spare time and get current with it is none other than Samurai High School. Really hilarious series. I need to laugh for the fall and winter season because laughs and smiles can make hearts warmer on a cold and frigid season. Even my homies at home recommend it.
• Choir Rehearsals for Christmas Midnight Mass Every Wednesday!
  Well, every Wednesday until the 23rd December. We even have to sing two Simbang Gabi masses too, one on the 16th and one on the 21st. That would be on a Wednesday and a Monday. Dangit, why did it have to be work days?

November is still young. Actually we’re in the middle of the month now. Our end of the fiscal year at work is on the 20th so we have to submit all of our expense reports and payment requests before the 20th. My department will be completely caught and close the fiscal year of 2009. Just you wait and see!

• Current Location: Home
• Currently Drinking: AriZona Pomegranate Green Tea
• Currently Eating: Pan de Bonette. Mabuhay ang Afritada! :D
• Currently Playing: MySims Agents (DS)
• Currently Reading: Tales from 1,001 Nights (translated from Arabic by Sir Richard Burton)
• Currently Watching: Dancing with the Stars
• Mood: Literary Inspired