Hasty Thanksgiving's Resolution at 3 AM

*Lift this blog off the ground and get it running again.

There are too many things that are distracting, destroying, demoralizing, and depressing me that I need an outlet. Kendo works well but I need something else. I've been reading less, and it's significantly noticeable that my vocabulary and mastery of english grammar is beginning to deteriorate.

I enjoy writing and even if it is only for myself again, so be it. I must clear my head so I can focus better on the things that need focus.

www.sketchpad.tv - Live streaming site for artists by artists

First off. I'd like to shift everyone's attention over to sketchpad.tv. ATK decided to go out on a limb and try something new: utilize live streaming and pool viewers together. This way, artists can get more attention and more exposure. We're still looking for artists to stream in certain timeblocks for now we're just hoping that we can garner enough attention.



Secondly. I've decided to start writing for a site called Moar Powah! It's like an "everything" blog but it's made by a college friend of mine. Hopefully, if he starts pushing me with deadlines then I'll be more willing to write stuff on both there and here.

Life Update -ATK collaboration: Visual Novel

Normally I would be increasing my posts every week but I've been busier with a major project that I'm now working on.

I won't tell you specifics, but ATK and I will be working on a self published (doujin) visual novel written in Flash I believe (I can't find the engine that the japanese circles use). I'm his writer and we'll be aiming for releasing it by NYAF. It'll come in two languages, English and Korean, which means I need to work my ass off in writing the chapters up as fast as possible. I never expected this to happen....

Somewhat new Layout

I've extended the layout so that the site is best viewed 1080x768 resolutions. I'll probably increase it later on. I've also put the stream on the top of the page and posts bottom. Bear with me, this design is still a test. I may keep it or change it later.

I'M NOT DEAD YET

Just give me a little more time. Once finals/major projects are over and I'm through with this year's school work. I'll be able to post up some news. In the meantime, I gotta figure out how to get my old reader base back.... again....

In other news, for some odd reason, my PC seems to pick up something on the hacker radar for Neople so I have to play DNF on my laptop which means my stream is dead for a while. I've bought a video capture card to hopefully record my PS3.

New Poll

I'm changing polls. The new poll will be about your monitor size. I need to figure out a good size that would accommodate all and make the stream better. Currently it's at 600 X 375 (16:10 HD ratio) and I'd like to increase it but i'm not sure as to how what the max resolution is for everyone. I can't accommodate everyone, but worse comes to worst i may need to do Lowest common denominator.

By the way, I only posted 16:10 resolutions so pick the closest one to your monitor.

Additional Features

I'm contemplating whether to add a streaming broadcast onto the blog. Mildly insignificant but it could show you guys what I'm up to and what anime I'm watching. It would also probably violate multiple copyright laws now that I think about it.
Regardless, just a random thought out there, just to show you guys i'm not simply lying around doing nothing. (Though most of the time I would be in school. A laptop will fix that.)

Just some random thoughts after looking at atk's blog.

This week's post should be amusing. It's something that will most likely end up being a work in progress due to the nature of the post though.

Some Thoughts on Myself

This is actually me stalling for time but in another sense I need this some where to look back on to improve my own writing.


As a casual writer, I try to make my reviews "good." I admit, this doesn't always happen, and occasionally I miss points that I originally meant to mention but forgot. Perhaps its because I'm starting to rush more often, which is usually a bad thing. I need to start dedicating time in my schedule that's purely dedicated to thinking reviews out and writing them.


I have this notion of attempting to avoid as many spoilers as possible making the review not spoiler-free but good enough that it won't reveal too much. The main problem with that however (and I've been seeing this in my reviews) is that I make these super broad sweeping statements that make my reviews look terrible. Game wise, I feel that I can be more specific on certain things that would allow me to personalize it a bit (such as gameplay). But for anime that don't really have anything unique about it or don't' make it to my absolute top or bottom. I noticed I've often just ended up writing such broad statements that when I try to look back on it, I make this mental note of "oh, that was some time ago, I shouldn't worry about that anymore."

I know I shouldn't distance myself from my writing and I know I have to take this head on but goddamn... Some reviews just suck. It's so stagnant and void of any character that I'm mildly ashamed I wrote such filth. I frequent the Anime News Network and I often read Theron Martin's and Carl Kimlinger's work. They refer to key characters and explain certain points that make a show strong or poor. They get very specific into the details of some characters to explain why they think that concept works.

I think that I may have to change up how I write and take a look at this from a different approach. Maybe I have to work on applying a little more focus and spoiling a bit more than what I usually do. The main thing that holds me back from doing that is my "philosophy." Because of how story driven anime is (supposed to be). I believe that minor spoilers in conjunction with a higher frequency of them are just as bad as major spoilers because it's these small tidbits that give3 you the small bit of insight that makes you go "oooooooooh." Figuring something out? Yeah, that's a good feeling.

So I'm a little bit at a loss here because I'm somewhat unsure how to approach this. Do I spoil more to give more character (no pun intended) to my reviews? or do I potentially screw up my own reviews and make them sound pathetically generic and lifeless with no specific key points?


I have an agenda when I write a review. It's quite easy to see that. But just exactly how far to I have to stick to it to get the kind of review I want?



In other news. I'm going to add CD Japan's links to the board. I've been accepted into their affiliate program. It's a really great site. You can get Japanese soundtracks for retail price in Japan. All you really do is play EMS shipping (which is cheap) and the standard conversion rate.

Happy New Year!

New Year's resolution:
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Get back on schedule
Find other material to fill up space for lost schedule

Update!

I've got one more final to complete before I'm officially free. I've quit DFO for K Dnf. DnF has recently had a new update which allows players to get one free level 40 character (what to choose). I've finished watching Baccano! (and have an urge to review it), and any other free time is spent either studying or staring in awe at just how much more awesome the korean version is compared to the american version....

Just a little while longer......

I've got this one paper left. And once I'm done with that I can get posting again. I REALLY wish professors wouldn't assign everything at once and have it due all on the same day..... Anyways. I'm going off schedule and I need to get back. I've actually got some new material and I'm prepping some as I write this. So check frequently.


Things to do:
Borderlands review
(maybe) buy Romeo x Juliet DVDs by Gonzo and compare the english dubs to the Japanese dubs.
Preorder Final Fantasy XIII DONE.
Finish up drafts of reviews that I've started but never completed....

Playing Borderlands

Rather.... I started yesterday and I won't be able to post for a while again.....
Midterm japanese project + 10 page research paper + computer science project = absolute mayhem until thanksgiving break.

To top it all off, thanksgiving break is the first break my college has had in this school year. Sonova.....

New Domain

I recently bought thesecondopinion.info to link to this site. So no longer would you have to type in zerreth.blogspot.com or refer your friends to a combination of words that they may or may not remember. The .com domain was like... you know hundreds of dollars so I wasn't able to register any common domains but it's a start.

So yeah. Spread the word, thesecondopinion.info will now be under my control and easier to spread through hearsay than the blogspot reference. Now to wait for the update to take effect.....



edit 16:07 :
I just noticed that there are fewer votes than before. Does everyone's vote on the poll have a shelf life of a year or something?

Edit: 16:11 :
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I broke it. Poll needs to be reset. Goddamnit.

Edit: 16:22
Polls are broke dude.....

Edit: 16:32 :
Temporary fix involves 2 polls at one. I can't remove the broken one and relocated it. Sorry.

Edit: 16:51 :
Fixed.... finally....

DFO Early Beta Key results

Considering only one person commented. MrLucky77 will get two keys.

That means that I still have 5 remaining. If anyone else wishes to get a key at some point between early beta and open beta. Comment and I'll see what i can do.


In other news. I've pre-ordered Wet which looks like it's going to be that game that I wish was made already. Can't be sure though, and DFO begins tomorrow. Luckily, college hasn't roundhouse kicked me in the face yet.

DFO Beta Key Giveaway Contest

Gamespot has "only" 50,000 keys available, and 1up.com apparently has now stopped releasing keys.

Considering that there were keys distributed at PAX, I find it hard to believe that anyone WOULDN'T have a key if they wanted. Regardless, I have 7 keys at my disposal to distribute. So I decided to host a contest to distribute keys. Here's how it works.


Simply post a comment with your e-mail address. There are restrictions however:

1. When you post a comment you are not allowed to choose anonymous. Anonymous

2. If you choose Name, you MUST type your email address or blog site as the URL.
2a. Name must be appropriate. You don't have to type your actual name, screen names are fine. I will completely disregard nonsense. You know who you are. I have some tolerance, but I still can't stand stupid.

3. No repeat entries. I understand that there are trolls and griefers, so it's best to use either an Open ID account (Live Journal, Word Press, Type Pad, AIM) or a gmail/blogger account. Because this is more easily traceable, it will guarantee you a slot.



Results will be revealed on the 14th where you can then download immediately and wait the next day.



Good Luck to you all.

Current Status

Watching:
Baccano!
Romeo X Juliet
Canaan
Valkyria Chronicles

Playing:
Disgaea 3 (still)

To do:
Second run of Persona 4 (complete all links)
Finish Stella Deus
Finish Ar Tonelico II
Disgaea 3 (I'm never gonna finish this......)
Wait for DFO Open Beta/Full release
Clean my Room
Finish Catalog for my Camp Director
Complete Kendo Club Website
Watch Higashi no Eden in preparation for the 2 Full length feature films.
Prep the second PS3 for reselling (CECHE01 Model)


Finished:
Lucky Star (Didn't watch OVA)
Frekazoid (again..... though I don't think that counts....)


There's only one month left and so much to do.....
That's life.

25,000 Hits Celebration.

Since I didn't do much for 20k hits, ATK decided to draw an exclusive banner for 25k hits.




Speedpaint.

Just a little bit more....

Yesterday was my sister's birthday party which was something I have no control over and I've got my hands on Need For Speed Undercover. Just give me a little more time. I'm a good ways in but just want to confirm some things.

I know the ads are getting annoying

But to be honest, there's a surprising amount of "stuff" "out there" that I don't cover. I'm trying to make all the ads relevant so that if there's anything interesting, you guys can check it out. It's always a work in progress so thanks for your patience.


On another note, for US residents: I'm gonna start modifying and adding my posts so that there's a way for you guys to buy the game or anime (even if I suggest against it)so that you can see for yourselves. Remember, I've created The Second Opinion so that I could bring you guys another voice, one that's not tied to corporate sponsorships (as nice as it would be) and give you my honest opinion.

In return, I ask that you guys argue with me if you think otherwise and maybe try it out for yourselves. This may be a blog but I'm also trying to build up a community.


Edit: If you look to the right side, next to the first post.You'll see something that says "The Second Opinion Store" It's a personalized store that carries all (or at least tries to) the titles I've mentioned. The main problem is, I get Japanese stuff directly so there may be instances where I've mentioned (let's say) a second season to something, but it hasn't been licensed yet in the U.S.

Explanation

I need to apologize for the last three weeks. I'm fully aware that I haven't posted within that time frame, and I'm sorry. These last three weeks I've been busy each day with finals, essays and job hunting. I understand that as a blogger I need to also have this blog as a priority and I haven't been fair to you guys at all (To be honest, even the priority that I set for playing my games and watching anime is a bit off).

I won't ask you to simply forget that this didn't happen. That would be irresponsible of me. I also won't ask you to give me a another chance. I've asked that too many times, and so I'm fully aware that I've lost your trust. I'm sorry.