TinyShaz

Look I'm waiting for a kinect version of Street Fighter / Tekken / Soul Calibur / etc etc...

2010-07-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Ah yeah they've announced the cross up of Street Fighter and Tekken. Two versions apparently and no doubt I'll give both a try. Right now I'm kinda still in a questionable mood, I'm not entirely sure but I'm not going to brush it off either.

Heck, I guess for a laugh I'd say wait for some crazy kinect version of any of those fighting franchises. I've always been fascinated to play games that are operated by something other than a generic 6 button control pad. I'm a sucker for music and rhythm gaming especially - not long ago was I rinsing out DJ Hero for the first time on HARD/EXPERT, I'm plaguing my boyfriends old PSP with DJ Max Black Square Edition. Last but not least Pump It Up takes my gold coins first at an arcade.

Coming back on track though, here's something I remember stumbling over years ago. Now I've come a long way with fighting games and don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, meeting people through it and letting it take me to places. I still contemplate over modding/skinning my stick to represent my username. However if the Finnish guys ever brought this back into exhibition, MAN! Bun the arcade sticks for good while, I'd love to break some sweat with this.

Race For Life Sponsorship: TinyShaz seeks your support!

2010-07-05T14:14:00.001-07:00

I'm pleased to blog that within my close family, one young, gorgeous and courageous lady is going to run 5K in aid of charity for Cancer. I've donated money in support of both her and Cancer Research UK - click the link and you'll find me under 'Shaz (TinyShaz)'.

I'm all for a bit of giving, I'm sure some of you can spare a minimum of £2 towards helping someone's life. Believe me, I've done a few charity gigs here and there myself and every donation counts. So as a personal request to all my friends/ family/ gamers / readers, let's put together a list of names who can be proud in bringing a positive change.

You can donate with your credit/debit card or even your paypal account to my cousin, Joyee Wong. A personal thanks from myself (TinyShaz) and on her behalf :) So Miss Joyee, all the best my dear and go for it!

Where did the Language lessons go?

2010-07-05T03:36:00.000-07:00

Oh dear yes it's true, all the Hakka and Cantonese lessons have been deleted! Why? Because I'm going to redo the series in a new fashion. I think it's easier to have a podcast style audio layered with visual text and phonetics - which hopefully will enable better learning quality.

Don't worry folks, they're coming back bigger and better. Just watch this space! :)

The Simpsons Sing The Blues - Deep Deep Trouble

2010-07-03T02:24:00.000-07:00

You're definitely a 90's kid if you remember this one. I happened to stumble over the actual Simpsons Sing the Blues album which I'll be putting up on Ebay sometime later.
Some people might remember these from the really old 'Top of the Pops' show. I'm unsure how much broadcast the Simpsons got for their music video. In any case here's two of the most memorable tracks for you! ~ (Unfortunately I can't find the official music video for 'Do the Bartman' on youtube).

Game Review: Bioshock 2 (Xbox 360)

2010-07-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

*SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW* Don't read this if you want the Bioshock game series to be fresh for you!

You know... the first Bioshock was what made me buy the Xbox 360 console. As with my theory on anyone who has next generation consoles, it's because they don't have powerful geared gaming desktops or laptops. I don't have Alienware or a fortune to spend on overwhelming PC hardwares. So with that in mind, back to the land of hassle free - a console, a game disc and a HDTV. Returning to the depths of the murky deep sea, into the run down ruins of a once sophisticated utopia, Rapture. Ladies and Gentlemen here's a trailer for Bioshock 2:

As usual the settings are stunning, the feel of isolation, dark corners, it's all there and nice settings for events in the game. Although I feel there's quite a bit going on, sometimes I miss out on the dialogue of the characters or the diaries I find lying around.

So what is new and what could be more exciting from when we left off the first game becoming the oh-so-awesome 'Big Daddy'? More toys of war and super powers, a new plotline and enemies... sums up perhaps an additional 30% new feel to the game? I still only found myself using perhaps three at most of the many varieties of Plasmids (godly powers where you can throw lightning shocks, burn people, telekenetic, etc). The weapons I personally used ranged from around four different types too. I rinsed out the game with mostly:

PLASMIDS -
Winter Blast (great for cheap killing!)
Hypnotize (especially during ADAM gathering with the little ones)
Bolt (Stopping the plonkers from running around too much)

WEAPONS -
Rivet Gun (seemed to be the one most common for ammo pick ups. The trap rivets I used A LOT to save myself hassle during ADAM gathering)
Mini Turrets (ADAM gathering purpose)
Auto-Hack darts ('nuff said)
Machine Gun (seemed to be the best for on the move while wanting to keep people at more than arm's length from me)

Sure the massive harpoon gun was fun for like ... 20 mins. Felt like effort really unless you were enjoying torturing an enemy close up and picking up the spears straight from their body there and then!

Flying bots and auto defence systems were always my way to go. I'm lazy, they get the job done and I don't have to be colliding endlessly into enemies when I'm trying to get to somewhere.

*Small note* I miss the announcement you used to hear when you shop at the Circus of Value machine. :(

New enemies that teleport and throw fireballs were just annoying rather than scary. The big brutes running around were diet versions of big daddy's, those gorillas too became annoying rather than scary to deal with. Not to mention the awful screeching of the 'Big Sisters' - man I had to keep getting the TV remote and turning the volume down. It gave me more incentive to kill those gits to stop hearing them! Perhaps I've gotten so used to the atmosphere that I'm finding enemies annoying? Or is it a sign that there were too many enemies placed around?

Maybe I didn't go out of my way to try out everything new, would I really want to if I'm already given access to things that I've relied on the first time? Admittedly perhaps in the whole game I was more entertained from the new playing perspective of a small sister. Running around with a brainwashed vision of everything golden and puffy, the contrasting scene cuttings, I wish I could have been able to ride on a Big Daddy's shoulder and stab one a random goon with my needle (yes, I know it's just for ADAM but still they're evil little sh*tes), why not?!

In a way, I found myself feeling like I'm just playing the first game. The ending was similar (if you rescue small children instead of harvesting them) - I'd rather name 'Bioshock 2' as 'Bioshock (alternative)'.

The game is okay but only play it if you've had a long break from the predecessor. I'm disappointed I didn't get to play as a Big Sister, it would have brought the next level of excitement for Bioshock 2.

Catch up with TinyShaz Super Street Fighter IV

2010-06-25T02:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I wrote about fighting gaming and I guess... to be honest it's been a long time since I've actually been playing them seriously. Backtracking through my blog catagory 'TinyShaz Beat's-em-up', I've come a way since first beginning to play at a tournament level. It started from the days of Stunfest 2009, (I was hanging out with some of the US, UK, JP & FR players after having met Justin Wong at Battle of Destiny 2008)... Ryan Hart sat me up late into the night to teach me Ken's kara throw. The dire move that got me a head start on when SFIV first hit the scene.

Ryan has given me the most in teaching, throwing me small pointers to get me going, writing me a variation of 20hit plus combo list (which I still have in my e-mails ~ ha ha I'll have to send it back to him for kicks!), above all checking in on me from time to time to review on how I felt as I grew with the tournament gaming. Nowadays it's once in a blue moon in communication, we've become so busy in our own ways - but now I carry on as Sakura would to keep fighting until she one day gets to fight Ryu again :)

Believe me it was a rocky road and there's a lot of losing before you start getting somewhere! Later I got thrown into a deep end, moving into London - learning how to use an arcade stick (because I use to be hands down on Sony/Snes pad in the golden'olden days!) - as well as becoming friends with strong players in London... As time went by, I met more players in the UK and overseas, my friends from France to Italy to Japan too, slowly but surely the cogs where turning in my mind whilst learning how to play - going to numerous events, arcade sessions, house sessions and online play.

It meant A LOT OF LOSING, random spurts of scrubby victory (ask Femy/F-Word, Shane/S2K on either the Sagat reaction ultra on Ken's near fullscreen fireball at Casino, or the 3 v 3 3rd Strike side tourney...), I even had to go through a lot of mentality meltdowns... Sometimes I really enjoyed the games, I was really inspired, I found new things, I found broken things, sometimes I really hated the game, I really disliked people's gameplay, I really felt angry and upset. I went through a few small periods of having a break from the game and then a massive break (after being endorsed into freestyling on Pump It Up). Now, I play a whole lot better than I used to and still learning.

So here are some videos I filmed and edited about over a month ago - Strangely I'm playing well giving that I'm going through carpal tunnel syndrome with my left arm/hand. It's reduced over time but it's still with me at the moment and has left three of my fingers numb yet highly sensitive!

Here's one of the latest but also very outdated 3rd Strike gameplays over 2DF or now known as Supercade.

and to round up, here's another 3rd Strike gameplay over the net against Vince/Rakurai (UK). A very scrubby victory LOL!

Sakura Kasugano fo' life!

Today I'm still playing, kinda stepped down from serious to playing more casually. If I'm all honest I put down the arcade stick to spend time with my boyfriend over any video game. Still you never know when I'm out and about, I've wanted to go attend EVO (crash over with J4yx2) or SVB (which makes a great excuse for a trip to Japan), one day... The French are crazy at Stunfest - I recommend that too! If you see the name 'TinyShaz' floating about on Xbox live... that's me :) - Maybe I'll fix up a PSN account whenever I get myself a PS3.

Audacity (Free Audio Editor and Recorder)

2010-06-12T02:49:00.000-07:00

This is credit to my friend, a composer and sound designer, also I'll never forget that he's quite Sonic the Hedgehog obsessed ;) Mike Taylor. He showed me this freeware a long long time ago. You may have come across some of his works in several games across the Xbox, PC, Ipad and Iphone.

Audacity, it's basic but it does the job pretty well for if you're into making podcasts, audio editing, music, radio, whatever takes your fancy and... IT'S FREE!

There's only been one minor problem I've had with it and that's to download some small file to enable exporting my work into .MP3 format. Seriously it's just a five minute job of a quick google search and download. After that is sorted, the rest is a smooth ride. I've mostly used this software for podcasting, so I'll bring you an example here's an old podcast from the grave (May 2009) that is still floating in my youtube archive:

Pretty simple really, just get a decent microphone for around £10, download Audacity and you're all set to go!

Music and Rhythm gaming

2010-06-10T02:44:00.000-07:00

To avoid writing a blog that would take 2 days to read, this is more of a list of reminders on the things that I want to reminisce and venture into. Music and Rhythm gaming played a huge part of my life. As I sit back to recall memories the list keeps getting bigger and bigger the more I remember:

* EJay
* Guitar Freaks
* Bust A Groove
* Lumines
* DJ Max
* Um Jammer Lammy
* Parappa the Rappa
* Pump It Up (MY FAVOURITE GAMING SERIES OF THE WHOLE LOT!)
* Dance Dance Revolution
* ParaPara Paradise
* Guitaroo Man
* Patapon
* Guitar Hero
* Rock Band
* Singstar
* Elite Beat Agents
* Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
* Taiko no Tatsujin
* .... and probably a whole lot more that I'll think of later!

Today I want to remind myself that I'd like to get my hands on the PSP versions of DJ Max. I think there's about 6 or 7 releases so far - Im'a get them all eventually! Think I'd most like the clazziquai edition due to my first playing on DJ MAX TECHNIKA in London Trocadero.

Here's a gameplay of 'Clear Blue Sky' on DJ Max Clazziquai PSP.

The best ever wrestler was LA PARKA!

2010-06-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

A short blog before I hop off to work in a minute. I just want to show you this fantastic tribute video to La Parka, in my opinion the best awful but entertaining wrestler in WF/WWF or whatever it was back at the time I was watching wrestling repeats on Sundays.

This guy never won matches but he won my amusement. Sure, The Rock was a favourite too but nobody beats La Parka and his struts! Enjoy the video!

Game Review: Alan Wake (Xbox 360)

2010-06-04T02:33:00.000-07:00

Ok for once I'll answer the 'should I get this?' question first. *Pauses and makes a Winnie The Pooh thinking pose* Yes you should. In the same way that I think Mirrors Edge is one of a kind video game piece, I'll add Alan Wake alongside it too.

Here's a trailer:

I'll give it to you straight, the combat system is at few times a bit dodgy and frustrating but let's face it - the protagonist is not a beefed up soldier or superhuman. He's just a regular guy, he can't do acrobatics and he doesn't p*ss about with a gun, flinging it in the air, spinning it or anything - NO! This guy is just a normal guy who is going to hold firmly to a gun, feet on the ground and be sure he will shoot the sh*t out of what's coming at him.

You may struggle at first as it does take a bit of time to get used to how he moves and what you see in relation to the actual playing screen. You've got to be more wary about incoming attacks, Alan is going to get killed pretty quickly if you're prone to letting him get stabbed, hacked or chainsawed! SO GET MOVING, DON'T STAND STILL - RUN TO THE LIGHT! SHINE THE TORCH IN THAT B*ST*RDS FACE!

So in short, Alan Wake (a writer) falls into a nightmare manipulated by his own writing - so why would he write up such a sh*tstorm to get himself killed?! - He doesn't remember writing them, he's finding the pages to find the answers. His wife is missing, she's in great danger - aww cue the Enrique Iglesias song singing 'I can be your hero baby' and slow mo Alan in his running. It's not just that either, a powerful evil ugly hag is spinning up cruel intentions too. She scared me a few times in the game - aaaaaaaargh! Wish there was a reaction button at the bottom or something 'press A to punch her in the face and get her to leave you alone!' Then we've also got lots of posessed lumberjacks and chav's chasing you with blades, axes, chainsaws, throwing things at you - Mother nature's dangerous hurricanes coming after you, possessed ploughing tractors, massive pieces of concrete construction pieces or steel works of a bridge flung into your direction! God the mix-ups! RUN RUN RUN!

The nice touch of the game is it's play on the atmosphere, contrast of the light and dark, safety with danger. Probably the first time I'd made effort to read up on extracts featured in a game - reading on the missing pages that I found along the way and actually wondering about the feelings and what other characters of the game were up to. In a way, those pages not only gave you clues to excite you in what was going to happen but also the insights of other people, just like reading an actual novel you're building the world of Alan Wake in your head in small ways too.

You know what, I'm just going to be abrupt, get the game if you want to soak into something a little different a'ight!

Picnik (Online Image Editor)

2010-05-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

Bumping another catagory into my website, I'm going to bring to you the very same free resource tools that I use throughout my blogging. I'm sure I've said it before but if you look around on our glorious world wide web, there's plenty of things you can use/learn/attain for free (and I'm not talking about the pirates way either!)

So the first tool I'm giving you today is an online image editor called, "Picnik"

I've just discovered it and it's pretty slick for easy small adjustment jobs. I usually only need to resize or crop pictures. It's got a friendly interface and it's hassle free, there's no forcing of a long ass registration process - pretty nice, visit the site, get started straight off, upload a picture, do your thing and save it as a file on your desktop.

It looks like there are extra features if you register but personally I find the free options good enough for what I need done :) Enjoy!

Learn Miscellaneous #4: How to open a banana

2010-05-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

Time for another miscellaneous lesson. Today my friends I'm going to at least teach somebody out there how to open a banana properly. Some people might still do it by bending the stem and 90% of the time it'll split open. Those same people will surely have had times when doing it that way, that the body of the banana bends along with the stem and after 5 mins of trying, they'll have to cut it open, bite it and inside it's gone mushy.

So girls and boys, here's a GUARANTEED way to open a banana. I learnt this perhaps two years ago and it's worked fine ever since. Enjoy the video!

Getting older but I'm still a kid at heart ~ Universal Studios Orlando

2010-05-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'll be turning 23 this year but you know even as I grow older, wiser and more experienced, I can still count on my young spirit at heart. I'm still a lil' curious monkey poking my fingers around the worlds nooks and crannys.

Constantly I'm reminded that we're all suppose to look out for our futures, building our career aspects, secure foundations in finance, etc etc. While I am aware of looking at these tasks to be sure that I'm not going downhill in the path of life, I'm quite glad for the cultural insights, imaginations brought to us by entertainment, stories and moment with companions, beautiful scenary - this world has so much to offer.

I clearly remember being with my cousin in my aunt's garden, looking up at a crystal clear night sky decorated with millions of dazzling stars. One of life's most amazing moments. Too bad my short sight has developed for the worse but that memory sticks in my head - I also saw and made a wish on a shooting star that night :)

But anyway, the main thing about today's blog is I want to pin this down on my life's wish-list.

Ever since I learnt of this place from watching Blue Peter back in the late 90's, I've always dreamt of going to the Universal Studios Orlando Theme Park. It's just truly astonishing, I really get hyped when I see some of the rides in action on youtube. The same inspired, magical, awed sensations overwhelm me, just like when I've come out of seeing good theatrical productions like 'Avenue Q', 'The Lion King' or 'Monty Python's - Spamalot' - just... WOW!

Maybe those similar sensations drew me to previous activities, earning a BND Drama, singing in a band at gigs, karaoke sessions and freestyle dance. Not necessarily escapism, however I sometimes feel like I'm reminding people of the fun things to explore in life when recalling this particular wishful thing to do. I think that this just shows my spirit of fun, something that I'll be happy to pass down to the lives in my future. 'All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy', right?

Seriously, anyone who has been there - I will gladly sit down with milk and cookies to listen to your stories. I love roller coasters, I love adventures, I love being immersed into a whole new world, I love the spirit of cosplay and bright, enthusiastic people. I would LOVE to visit this place!

Game Review: Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360)

2010-05-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Final Fantasy, a brand name that I came to trust after adventures with VII (everybody's favourite) and IX in the series, plus the Gameboy's Tactic Advance, the fighting features of Ehrgiez and the geeks dream cross-over with Dissidia.

The long awaited addition of XIII and I truly had not done any research on it, keeping everything as a sweet surprise and totally clueless of the game structure. As usual I'm more reviewing as a gamer to gamers. So let's begin:

As expected all games are now heavy on movies, may I remind you that this is Final Fantasy we're talking about - it'll bring you back to the old home comfort like being a kid with a bedtime story.

* You've got beautiful designed worlds. Though sometimes I think they perhaps got a bit carried away with making upmost fine details of the environment, causing performance slow downs. Otherwise yes it is quite astonishing to see so much detail. It's kinda FMV heavy so if you like watching fantasy before your eyes, you'll love this like a kid with Disney movies.

* You've got a variety of characters you love and hate. A duo who were just designed to steal your sympathy, Sazh and the pet Chocobo (a small yellow chick that hides within Sazh's afro hair!). Unfortunate for the actress, I'm afraid the entire character of Vanille was just too much to bear that you just wanted Sephiroth (FFVII) to just come soaring downwards with a sword through her back!
Fang is my favourite character - end of!

* The menu, combat and Crystarium (a.k.a levelling up grid). Well well, it's actually a new turn that I like. All so efficient and less running around shop malarky and entering menu systems to rummage around inventories healing up the members of your party. All your potions and weapon purchasings take place at the save point on online shopping channels.

Combat system is pretty tricky to describe. We're all familiar with Final Fantasy's turn based time bar but this time it has kind of stepped up to somewhat Real Time Strategy elements. It's quite a learning curve when you begin but I'd say within an hour and a half you'll be like a super computer! Like one of those lieutenants on a Starship Enterprise, or the Alien switchboard controllers from Men In Black, co-ordinated and pressing buttons so fast like it's your everyday job!

Yes the game is pretty linear up til later on where you will finally feel your freedom. If you can stick to your guns and get yourself to thar point, whew there are quite a few parts where you'll need to run trials and errors. Believe me, you'll come to LOVE particular boss fights (Mutley husky chuckle).

~ At the end of this, I think it's something you should try - whether you're veteran or new to Role Playing Games. There's new elements for the experienced and for newbies, well it's a whole bag of Disneyland / Lord of the Rings and Star Wars magic.
There's been a few times I wanted to chuck the controller but it only takes five to ten minutes to retry and alter your attempts for results. Seriously, stick with it and the hard work pays off at the end, we all know there's tasty and beautiful endings to every final fantasy story. :)

TinyShaz revisits: Star Control (SEGA Megadrive)

2010-04-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

So here's a trip down SEGA's memory lane, I a.k.a TinyShaz revisit 'Star Control' on the SEGA Megadrive. It's one of many golden oldies where I'd usually get battered in versus games by my older brother of 8 years. Scheming brother must have had fun tormenting me back in the day!

Enjoy the video, it's a quick gameplay of 'melee' mode where I play as the Alliance team against the CPU. The rule is to just basically elimate the opponents team one by one. I just about made it!

Working in a Chinese Take-Away

2010-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

This goes out to my Chinese friends who've been in family or working environments involving a Chinese Take-Away. The Chinese used in the video is Cantonese but don't worry the creator added in subs, so anyone can watch it.

It's just a small spurt of amusing skits, produced by a lovely little lady 'Bubbiosity' and it bumped a few memories for me too. Enjoy!

~ Closure

2010-04-19T21:31:00.000-07:00

As humans, we live and we learn things everyday. Now there's things we enjoy or don't enjoy learning but all the while it's what makes us grow stronger. Unfortunately yesterday was an end to a near 8 month relationship. Mutually agreed and so we can now heal up as individuals. Thankfully we're both friends.

So as well as my own closure and just something I want to put out there for others, 'cuz I know we've all had to go through something like this.

In time fo' sure we heal and hold our heads high once more. Life is too short, keep smiling - (it's infectious!) and look up to the sky, love is not the only companionship to treasure, friends are there too and to remember having laughs with your friends, it all comes back to you - and you become invincible again, personal ambitions come to light, maybe you discover new things too but all in all, life is what you make it :)

'I never regret my life because everything leading up until now is what makes me who I am today' ~ TinyShaz

Various Chinese nostalgia overload!

2010-04-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago I drew up a picture in remembrance of something from my childhood. This will probably relate more to the Canto-kids of the 90's. Hands up for those who remember this furry fella:

I scooped up the 1996 - Cantonese karaoke of the show 'Xi You Ji' a.k.a Journey to the West, which TVB aired starring Dicky Cheung. Such a shame I never got to finish watching this, I only was able to see this when visiting my cousin. He recorded the episodes on video tapes (wow remember VHS days huh?!) - So sing along if you remember the tune!

Journey to the West - Cantonese 1996 (starring Dicky Cheung)

For the gamers, I stumbled over a video of an old Playstation One game that I used to play heavily:

Shaolin - PSX

I wish they could remake this! Perhaps one of the best role-playing fighting games that I've enjoyed over Street Fighter, Tekken, Soul Cali, etc etc. I'm tired of seeing the same old Jeet Kun Do generic Bruce Lee looking characters being used in fighting games - Believe me there's more interesting and diverse styles!

Now you all may like your Ong Bak but I'm still sticking with Wong Fei Hung and Fong Sai Yuk. I'm still branched with parts of the Chinese culture I grew up with, so yeah Kung Fu all the way. Check out this video, Shaolin Kung Fu vs Tae Kwon Do and you'll see how efficient Kung Fu is:

Shaolin Kung Fu vs Tae Kwon Do

Some days I wish my mom wasn't against me learning martial arts when I was young. I would like to see what's available in Birmingham or summer courses abroad in China because I'd always been fascinated. If I knew some form of martial art, I would have a better chance of fighting back on Zak when he pins me down - (Hmmm... or maybe that just means I need to learn more about submission techniques and manoeuvrings.)

Lastly I'll leave you with the Cantonese version of the song 'I'll make a man out of you' from Mulan. I first watched Mulan dubbed in Chinese - Cantonese so this is how I remember it. By the way it's sung by Jackie Chan and he did a lot of Canto and Mando singing before the whole US Hollywood shebang. So here's for the Disney-Canto lovers:

I'll Make A Man Out Of You - Cantonese Version sung by Jackie Chan

~ Yes I'm also a first generation BBC - British Born Chinese

TinyShaz @ her first Pump It Up Freestyle Tournament

2010-04-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

Whew this is quite a rocky ride, originally I entered the UK Pump It Up Freestyle tournament while I was living in London. Then, when plans changed and I moved back to my hometown in Birmingham, the lifestyle alternation meant I couldn't do the tournament, so then I was sad to withdraw myself from the tournament.

Another month later and the tournament day was approaching, I was more than happy to take one day and travel South to revisit friends of the dance scene - all whom I owe a great kick-start to 2010 :)

Compared to all other games I've played in my life, real-time strategies, first and third person shooters, fighting games - Dance gaming is probably the fastest I've developed on, most of the guys from the scene can vouch on it too.

Back to the tournament, it turned out that when I arrived into Central London and got stuck into the hype, I was entered into the Freestyle tournament at the last minute and for the sake of what makes us play games in the first place - FOR FUN!

The competitors and the judges

So here's a fresh edit of the tournament (thanks to Toby) starring yours truly, TinyShaz and many of my great freestyle companions. It would be nice to see a few UK representatives enter world-wide competitions ~ freestyle or speeding :) All you have to do is pluck up some energy, carefree attitude and a spirit of fun!

Pump It Up NXA - Freestyle Tournament - March 2010

I decide to let loose and go for it

Personally I'd like to thank ALL of my friends for giving me a warm welcoming return and pushing my points up with their crowd noise ~ or I wouldn't have got 3rd place in my first ever tournament!

1st place - Franz & Renz, 2nd place - Shane & 3rd Place - Shaz

Followed by a great day out with everyone to Nando's and to Trafalgar Square, where we encountered dance battling with the French!

Warcraft (The Original) ~ The first step of RTS immersion when I was younger

2010-04-11T05:40:00.000-07:00

I don't give much to World of Warcraft, what happened Blizzard?! Well actually, fair enough you're rolling around in tidal waves of money now... I just miss the good old real time strategy days.

A large chunk of PC gaming in my early years revolved around a lot of RTS, Point & Clicks, Sandbox/civilization, 3D Movie Maker (lol) and even all the Microsoft / Dorling Kindersley / etc education softwares. However before I get carried away on the overwhelming nostalgia, today it's about:

* WARCRAFT *

The first one before I indulged into the likes of Age of Empires, Beasts and Bumpkins, Dungeon Keeper and I could make an endless list of titles and their on-going series. Just take a look at the back catalogues and sold out brands in PC gaming sections; although they're kind of disappearing now aren't they? Everyone's trying to get in with the whole digital storage, so this whole downloading previous titles through on-line shop channels (Microsoft you made me sad that you couldn't support my copy of 'Project Zero' (XBOX) for my 360), what an upsetting idea. Guaranteed that there's many rare titles that some of us will remember but will never see on the face of Earth again (unless you're an avid collector or willing to pay ridiculous money for on Ebay).

Yes, I think I remember being a young little soul that whilst my brother bought the old 90's game magazines on various formats - I'd dive head first into all those demo discs playing game trials of all sorts. I even remember the 'Emergency' real time strategy ha ha! 'Quick call the ambulance' *click click* 'Get the police man to border off the road so nobody else gets hurt' *click click*

So back to Warcraft, what a great game it was back then! It's even funny that when I stumbled on this video and showed my brother, he told me that when I was playing it on his PC in those days, I'd keep replaying the DEMO version that we had installed far too many times!

I swear I remember an Orc Peon/peasant voice FX going 'What is it?!' - but I can't pinpoint which Warcraft series it was in. Still a lot of good memories just from watching this, I don't know if I ever did get to play Warcraft (full version) back then. Don't try running it now folks, that stuff will run TOO FAST on your PC's now!

Here's a video of someone playing a mission under the Orc Campaign. Watch the whole thing because it's just funny, the poor guy got raped but it's all the small things that happen in this gameplay that makes you remember what it's like when you first indulge in RTS. Enjoy, I laughed a lot at this!

Only a handful of dancers outside of London

2010-04-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

A few weeks after I returned home to Birmingham from London, I immediately went scouting for what was left for dance gaming outside of London's Trocadero. So having signed up on the DDR:UK forums, I came into contact with an individual who had bought a Pump It Up machine from Coventry.

Currently the desire for the machine is planned for placing it in Stafford, but nothing is confirmed right now. Until then it's kept in a private garage which only a few handfuls are invited over to play.

So taking a handful of dance gaming enthusiasts, we all came together to enjoy the rarity of Andamiro's Pump It Up. Scenes start somewhere, small at first but hopefully bigger in the future...

While this is only an occasion that happens once in a blue moon, it's down to players to bring themselves out to scenes of any kind. Personally I try to save up some change to visit my first love (PIU NXA) over in London when I can. It'd also be ace to one day take the freestyle overseas and see the World Pump It Up Festival Tournaments!

Gaming Nostalgia: Skitchin

2010-03-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

I just got swept over by the memories of the dear old SEGA Megadrive, seriously the intensity could almost make my eyeballs explode out of my head. All from stumbling over a youtube video of someone's cover to Skitchin's 'Cheese Grater' (level one) track.

Oh wow, it just makes me think of all sorts from Road Rash, Micro Machines, Rock'n'Roll Racing to Chase HQ and loads more! Those were the days eh? :)

Game Review: Saboteur (Xbox 360)

2010-03-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Coming back to the quieter life of the midlands rejuvinated my old past time hobby of console gaming. So after seeing this particular game from an old work-colleagues apartment, I picked it up from the local GAME store.

I've got a feeling that this game has been totally underrated and probably labelled as Grand Theft Auto with a modded skin of an Irishman and Nazi's. Well I can't deny that that would be the easiest way for me to describe it to other gamers, however I give kudos to Pandemic because this game has quite good to play on my regular evening basis. Here's a trailer to give you a taste of the game:

I liked the fact that you could literally go anywhere you wanted. Climb anywhere, run anywhere, there's a mass amount of land and sea to explore which just makes the world of Saboteur a great French playground. It's nice that if you see the Eiffle Tower far away that you can actually head to it's direction to see the real thing!

I even swam to the edges of the sea (to see how far I could get - I was actually curious to see if there'd be any French coastal sharks waiting to chomp my leg off), eventually swimming past sea mines they will kill your main character - but that's okay, curiosity killed the cat after all. There's plenty of activity, people to harass and things to blow up inland before you'll even think about wanting to take a swim.

Here's a little justification the games design team, I more often did choose to jack cars, drive straight in the direction of the arrow (usually in the center of my screen), knock down fences, dump cars where I couldn't get past stone walls, climb the walls, run across fields, swim, etc etc. There's a lot of scenary, hidden mini games and just running through cities, country sides, heavily armed forts, railroads, wilderness to empty roads. Along the way there were a lot of nice scenary to be seen (which I know won't ever be seen unless players go outside the box once in a while).

The characters, the setting, the dialogue, it's all put together nicely. Sean Devlin (our Irishman protagonist) carries a lot of funny little speeches, you'd warm up to this character pretty quickly. Drastic colour-scheme changes between Nazi and Resistance influenced territory capture the atmosphere of the oppressed and the happier worked well. Having the power of the red colours highlighted in the black and white morbid areas really gave me a sense of warning and awareness of the Nazi Regime.

I feel the story cut-short at the end but then I guess, what is there left to tell? Maybe my attachment to Sean wanted me to see one of those '10 years later' kind of FMV endings. Still the main plot of the story - divided up in portions that you can choose to play whenever you wanted - were good enough for keeping me excited and gripped. Yes there's nice freedom to the game, although the story is underlying in a good side - you can run around with your own fancy of good or bad morals. It was pretty interesting to see how much havoc you can wreak in a town, how aggressive can you get the army to be when you start gunning people, blowing tanks up, shooting down airships and so on!

TinyShaz recommends the gamers to play Saboteur and it feels a little sad to hear some people got this and never finished it or got bored. It's well put together and deserves credit to bring gamers a new fictional historic theme - I'd say at least 8.5/10.

Lastly I'm going to leave you with a bundle of video recorded amusements, these are the things that I managed to find during my gameplay. Some people will think I've carried my previous work at SEGA into my personal gaming - It's just my natural gaming habits, I've always been a curious kid. So here are the funny sides to Saboteur (obviously some that they wouldn't want you to see) - Pandemic needed me in their QA Team! Hehe - give me a job!

Okay this first one isn't a bug - more of just amusement at how Cows are pieced together and my sense of gaming cruelty. Come get me virtual RSPCA!

Poor lady hangs herself from the ceiling, she's not proud of her job.

I wanted Sean to set a bomb on a tower but he kept jittering on the spot, looking like he was having a ...

I kept dropping my phone at this point (sorry!) but you can see glimpses of a soldier running in the air!

* One of the best random bunch of bugs in one video! - A.I stuck inside a pillar, Nazi soldiers spawning on a road before me, wierd teleportation when entering and exiting a car!

* SPOILER ALERT* Don't watch this last one if you intend to finish the game or want to play it!

I am the new hero!

2010-03-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

So the passing few weeks have been really busy. Lots of job applications, looking at Uni / language / some form of credited course and slowly clearing my room through selling it off on Ebay!

I was clearing through my e-mails and stumbled over something a good sushi-loving friend of mine (thanks Ashar!) sent me a while ago. It's not the first time I've been set up like this, suddenly my face appearing in some epic movie or a well known TV show and you're left wondering... oh my gawwwd why am I there?! *Burst into laughter*

This one is a really impressive stunt and I'd rather not ruin what happens in it (it's pretty funky!)

Did I ever tell you I was a hero to the people? Click HERE to see the epic video and be prepared for smiles and laughter!

Yours truly,
Shaz a.k.a TinyShaz :)

Gaki No Tsukai - Matsumoto Hitoshi Batsu Game in a haunted hotel

2010-03-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

Gaki No Tsukai is a popular Japanese comedy show that I stumbled over a few years ago when browsing youtube. Normally featuring a cast of five members, there's all sorts of games, sketches and pranks that they've created - it's one of the funniest shows I've seen in a while, perhaps the last relative thing I've seen like this is Chinese channel TVB's Super Trio Show.

Gaki is probably more famous for the Batsu games - which are punishments games for when the five members bet each other in a small challenge beforehand. The losers then have to face a punishment game that can last for 24 hours, those who are familiar with Gaki No Tsukai have probably seen the 'No Laughing' School, Gym and Hospital punishment games. I still need to see the journalist batsu game!

So here's one installment of a Batsu game involving Matsumoto (one of the oldest members of the show) who has to stay in a haunted hotel. Poor guy gets spooked out so much from all the traps that the production team set up and it's just all too funny!

I'm just posting the first part of the episode so when the video finishes, I'm pretty sure there'll be a link to the next part of the episode within the youtube video box. Enjoy!

Kinder Surprise

2010-03-04T07:21:00.000-08:00

Okay so it's a nostalgic trip really, I spotted these while doing some food shopping in ASDA and I thought, "ah why not eh?"

So what comes to mind when you combine a hollow milk chocolate egg and a toy inside a yellow capsule? That's right girls and boys, it's the classic, 'Kinder Surprise'. (Now wiggle your arms in the air and cheer!)

Ever since my childhood years with a Cabbage-Patch-Kid face, grubby fingers and of course the endless curiosity sense, my cousin Eva once challenged me to open up a Kinder Egg without tearing the wrapper. It's become something I always try to achieve every time (or anytime in this case) to fulfill that challenge. So I tried...

... and failed ha ha.
As usual it's hard to find a Kinder Egg that isn't already broken from it's transits across warehouses to shopping centres:

Well after enjoying the tasty milk chocolate and my undertoned belly feeling content, it's now down to tackling with the yellow capsule. What is today's surprise? Is it something I get to build? Or one of those stupid Alligator models?

Okay it turned out to be one of those 'oh that's quite handy' but also a 'I don't really have a need for a green-caped Squirrel with a magnifying glass (or plastic) tool'

Among the usual mini pamphlets it's a little shocking to see that they still have a website running, so you know what? Yup I checked it out:

Well that's a small amusement for the day. I wonder if these will still be around for generations to come, my poor future child will be annoyed when I reminisce if they get their hands on a Kinder Egg Surprise :)

Heavy Rain

2010-02-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

Well the majority of my blogs have been things I've seen and done. Now having been back in the family home in Birmingham, things have become quieter and calmer in my life at the moment. Lately I've been job hunting, putting more into self studies and generally putting my feet up to take things easy in comparison to how I've had to be when living away from home.

So I'm adding a new subject catagory to http://tinyshaz.tk. My 'wish-list of things to see and do' because while I'm sitting here now, there's still millions of things I know that I've yet wanted to experience varying from gaming, cultures, food, movies, destinations, hobbies, etc. Perhaps this wish-list can help me keep track and remind me to try them out when the opportunity arises.

As I list them out in upcoming blogs, they're not necessarily in order but more like 'one of many' things I'd like to do.

Okay here we have the first to the list: Heavy Rain (PS3) Here's a video trailer:

Loved 'Fahrenheit' back in the day (although it did get quite 'Matrix-y' near the end). I remember seeing the woman's audition trailer years ago when they rumoured makings of 'Heavy Rain'. Finally it's here and unfortunately I've no PS3 to play it. However I'll be glad to get around to it in the far future, after I'm satisfied with my level of self study first! (Makes my reward much sweeter)

Here's a new breakfast tune for you

2010-02-22T16:28:00.000-08:00

Despite all the infamous youtube videos and internet gags I can't believe the majority have not come across this one. I guess at least we can show each other new things.

It's a video from long, long ago during the whole phase of Asians miming to Backstreet Boy songs and uploading them. I'll warn you now, the tune is incredibly catchy and comes with a smile. Admit it, it's just too much of a happy song!
So girls and boys, watch this, enjoy it and sing this when you next make a breakfast cereal :)

Follow your inspirations

2010-02-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

It's still a wierd experience when people approach me to ask for a photo, to hang out, to ask me questions on how I've lead my life and the things I pursued to do.

As like many of you sitting reading this, I am a individual with many dreams and aspirations that want to explode from the inside of my head. Believe me nothing is impossible to achieve as long as you have the 'will' and 'passion'. My facebook photo albums display a range of memories that I'm happy to carry today. They remind me that anyone (not just me) has the potential to do what they want.

Meanwhile as me moving back to my parents in Birmingham can make an impression that I'm taking a back seat, this is far from true. I've never known how my life would turn out back then, I certainly never expected to have done the things I've done up til this day. I still don't know how things will go from here, even while my boyfriend reminds me to start thinking about laying the stepping stones now.

I do know for sure that my heart desires socialbility, expression, communication and connection. So no matter what I do, you will still see the growth of my life's journal on my website (http;//tinyshaz.tk) - for those reading this blog post on facebook. I'm just going back to a preparation phase and who knows what I'll be up to in my life. There's so many people I've reached out to now and I have particular friends that I will definitely revisit in the future :)
For now I know I still want to enrich my life with experiences, I'm going to get a job to pay my bills and contribute to the household. I hardly play video games now, my eyes opened out to a lot more of the world that I want to taste yet. I'll still be self-studying in the meantime to give me skills in reaching out further cultures and experiences.

Finally I want to leave you all with a video of inspiration, to help encourage yourselves to not sit down and talk about dreams, I want you guys to wake up and be like this man here, get up and start doing something about it. Who knows what opportunities you can make for yourself!

For him

2010-02-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

It's 4am, I'm uploading this... I feel I should try. I'm kind of tired and sad, please don't bring him up in future conversations, it only makes me miss him more than I do already.

I wrote this song today for him ~ excuse the rough recording of the audio (used my mobile phone to record sound).

There's a story to the jam shortbread you see in the video. I basically bought that for him when I thought I was going to meet up with him before I had to go to work. Turned out I misread the text and so I ended up having to eat it myself (giving another to a work colleague). Guess it was cute that I tried to make a small gesture.

- LYRICS -

holding out your hand for mine
looking back into your eyes
i wonder what it is you want to say to me
but we stay staring

does the distance make it all so sweeter
are you thinking about me

I'll never let you go
I'll never say I'll leave
I feel so complete
Thank you for being with me

sometimes it can be hard
when nothings being said
but no matter where we are or what we do
i'm holding on for you

How long have I been waiting to see you again
are you thinking about me

I'll never let you go
I'll never say I'll leave
I feel so complete
Thank you for being with me

I'll never let you go
I'll never say I'll leave
I feel so complete
Thank you for being with me

Dance discovery

2010-02-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here's the music video to the song that I'll be entering with for the Super Beat Unity Tournament in London, Trocadero 28th March 2010. I'm going to be training hard and developing my routine for a long while yet. For now, you may see me being really boring with it and trying to remember the steps looking away from the screen.

COMPUNCTION by May

I started immersing myself into the Pump It Up scene in Trocadero just a few days before New Years. This was back when I was having a Christmas week off work and I didn't really have many friends outside of work. The first people to see me start from scratch would be Michelle, Ishi, Omar and this guy whose name I forget:

This was when Pump It Up NXA used to be on the first floor of Troc. Due to these guys keeping me encouraged, I kept coming back for more dancing. You can ask them how fast I developed to the standard I'm at today (which I still strive to improve on).

Now it's been about a month that I've been playing this game, kinda sad to be leaving something I enjoy a lot - as well as leaving all the faces I see there. Through this scene I've found really good friends (Team UnitE) who I've spent a lot of my weekends with dancing, singing karaoke, watching films, eating in Chinatown ~ generally socialising which I'd never been able to back when I was living in Birmingham.

Today one of my friends who I had met previously when I was working with CAPCOM, Charles Temowo invited me to try out a Beginners & Intermediate dance class over at UAL Hip Hop Dance Society. I've yet to upload a video portion that I took while he ran through the choreography with the class (watch the facebook space!)
It's the first time I've ever been to a dance class, I really enjoyed it and Nick was a warm-welcoming beginners tutor. Anyone who's interested, need not feel intimidated at all for my buddy Charles is one of the most friendliest people around. Ha ha, I mean he was even laughing about making Arnold Schwarchenegger voices while teaching us his choreography.
Seriously though, it's worth a go and it only costs you £2 for a class (you can't go wrong there!) or £4 for both Beginners & Intermediate. Each class is 1 hour long, the dance studio just located right next to Bond Street Underground Station.

I've now come away with more inspiration and realising how much I enjoy dancing in general, let alone on the Pump It Up game. It use to be an old childhood wish which I guess is finally getting fulfilled now and I'll keep dancing when I move to Birmingham. Have to keep up the exercise and practise hard to make a returning impact (hopefully) at the tournament in March, plus I want to come back in a fitter form and make my boyfriend fall to his knees while his nose bleeds anime style ha ha.
(Let alone I told him that I want to make him cry when my piano skills get better too.) Yeah, my cute devotion huh :)

I've only met a handful of Pump Freestylers and one who I've known since Street Fighter days, Shane Henry. Only just recently have I gotten to talk to Franz Sindac, met Francis and hear about more freestylers from abroad who are yet to make an appearance in the tournament. It's quite exciting, they're all great movers - Shane has shown me a youtube clip of a female freestyler with a fantastic dance routine. I've got these people to aspire to, after the tournament they may not appear as much as even myself. Old skool heads moving on with life, I may not be able to come to Trocadero as much as I'd like to but I'm definitely not gone forever!
Who knows, maybe you'll catch me at Trocadero - maybe I'll go to Taiwan or Korea.

Finishing off this blog, here's two videos to inspire my freestyle.

Eat You Up - BoA

MICHAEL JACKSON

From one chapter to another

2010-02-09T02:58:00.000-08:00

I'm going to leave London and things start over when I return to Birmingham (land of the ugly accent ha ha). Now that I think about it, it's not that I've taken steps back. Life continually goes forward no matter where I am and so I revisit my original hometown but as a new person. I'm definitely different compared to my old self five years ago.

I'm sure by now, my parents will have come to learn not to be so restricting over what I choose to do with myself and my time. I've a feeling that some of the old biting will come back to light, but I think I can handle this with a new temperament. Perhaps hoping to influence a new calming aura that I've developed since living out there and dealing with life by myself. In any case, it's still my life so if things get cloudy or depressive again, I'm promising to keep my head high, stay out of the families problems and get on with building foundations I'm still laying before me.

So it's going from one chapter to another, from being away and now returning to my old home. Apparently 'home is where the heart is', admittedly that's not really been something I've agreed to. This time I want to try and mend a few things while I'm there as I'm quite suprised at the impact I've had on everyone.

I've not expected to reach over 550+ friends on facebook who want to keep an eye on what I do. Whether you've added me because you know me, or through my work / events I am grateful to know you (unless you're one of those old high school people - I'm now starting to delete you - sorry I don't forgive ex-Park Hall pupils who were horrible and I wish I wasn't so scared to stand up to punch them in the face back then.)

Very positive that I will see the majority of you again - I like to travel, I like events and I like learning new things. Obviously the ones I plan to meet again are already linked to me through my MSN / SKYPE / FACEBOOK and even a few digits on my mobile phone (wow that's one step closer to talking to the real 'Shaz' or 'TinyShaz' or 'Sakura' - however you know me)

Here's a bundle of photos (in no particular order) help to reflect on previous chapters I've encountered and to remember that I don't stop here. Life is what you make it! :)

There are a lot more photos out there that I'd wish to be on this blog post but while I can't locate them, I'm happy to know they exist and happy to know lots more faces beyond who I've shown here.

Thank you London

2010-02-05T01:45:00.000-08:00

Another faaaaat blog of what's recently going on in the life of Sharon Tang. New chapter for the new year I guess, coming into February and today is the last day of working at SEGA Europe Ltd. This means it's the last time I'll be seeing an office full of perhaps 100+ lovely personalities. I'm going to miss the environment, retail certainly doesn't give you this much variety.

It now makes me reflect on what I've done, in terms of work, hobbies, etc: (This is going to be a blog of messy thoughts)

* The promotional work with CAPCOM was amazing and I miss the monster hunter community who came together to the huge lounge area in Charing Cross Road. Taking that work to MCM Expo last year October was exciting, in fact that was the first time I'd seen a cosplay / anime / gaming convention and interacted with other enthusiastic minds.

* Ready Up who I started with back in November 2007, I know that I won't be where I am today if I hadn't been part of that gaming website. The website and the people behind it, I owe them so much for what I have today and the people I have around me. Also for now holding a Guinness Record and my name being published online / offline in various articles. It's at Fragdoll Forums & Ready Up where my name sprang to light from the multiple things I've written, reviewed, ranted, set up social meetings, online gaming, etc etc. I had left in December 2009 but I left with a smile, knowing that not only did the site give me opportunities for work in the gaming industry and meeting people, but also that it helped me grow as a person.

* Of course back last year my income came from a lot of the standard retail work while Ready Up was somewhere to feed my gaming passion to the masses. I know the 9-5 life all too well, I also know that it's the reason why I strove for better things but when all things come to an end, retail is somewhat a safety net. I started out in it when I was studying Drama in college, whooosh I was well on the ball for money!

* How many times did I move in my life?!
From Birmingham to Canterbury,
from one area of Canterbury to another area of Canterbury,
from Canterbury to Harrow (thanks to Oly Wilmot for helping me),
a week in Harrow to Elephant & Castle (thanks to Cem Yatak for helping me),
during that 2 months Cem put me up for, I stayed at the impressive Marble Arch foundation (thanks to Jamar for letting me in),
somewhere along the line I also stayed at Caledonian Road (domo arigatou Ramzi Ramzi),
then being taken care of by my cousin (dor jer sai Eva Wong),
and finally finding my own place here in Brixton, lol which now after 3 months I have to leave...

This part in life, I've yet to sort out. I'm back to basics again, find shelter, find a job, get that money rolling in and get back out there on my own two feet. I'm deeply thankful for Ryan King, Elmer Lin, Melissa Chin, Phil Achille and Marc Robinson for putting their hands out in offer.

I have come to accept that I am being helped by so many of my friends despite how much of a modest, noble, independent image I keep myself in. I'm learning to say 'yes' and be aware that it's just as horrible for someone to feel that they can't help, same way as I would feel when I try to help someone and they turn my offer down. It hurts to feel you can't help make a difference.

I owe so many people for helping me (now and before), London was definitely a big step for me and I'm doing everything I can to stay, I'm thanking you all for the support, the comfort chats, giving me shoulders and hugs to cry on, linking me to work vacancies, advice, being there for me...

Most importantly I want to thank everyone for making me feel alive and helping me grow as a person. I shouldn't fear if I am left to the last resort to return to Birmingham, the memories, the stories and how I'm shaped as a person now is evidence of how you've all played a part in my life.

This is just a sentimental reflection, don't worry, you've all shown that you've not given up on me and I have not given up yet! *start playing some epic music now*

Stepping up

2010-01-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

Three weeks into the new year and here's a new video (18th Jan 08) to show my level of progression with freestyling.

I'm slowly realising new things about movement each time I play. I'm told that I have a funny looking serious face when I'm dancing. Thank god the camera is behind me then ha ha.

New friends found in the Pump scene has really lifted my spirits up for 2010.

I'm glad to be in London :)

Star Trek vs Star Wars

2010-01-17T05:48:00.000-08:00

In most cases you were either one or the other, unless you thought it was 'geeky' and you're beyond it, it's Star Trek or Star Wars. For those who don't like either, I can only say that'd be a shame as Sci-Fi was just as entertaining as Fantasy. The best of both worlds in my opinion, I'm allured by the glowing aura of the Elves in Lord of the Rings and wishful for the impossibility of a Star Trek holodeck.

Back on track I've stumbled across yet another quick youtube entertainment. I remember my brother showing me this ages ago... (I wish they put the Borg in)

Learn Miscellaneous # 3 - How to punch

2010-01-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

I've never had the chance to study martial arts, it's something that my mother would never really approve of me doing. I do believe that it would be quite useful for some to learn a bit of self-defence or effective ways to attack, especially as I'm quite a small frame and the news can only portray how the world becomes a more dangerous place... (or we can be becoming more paranoid)

It's just a start but a lot of people cannot throw a good punch. So here's a mini video to show you how (if you've had no previous study what-so-ever):

Inspirational Friends - Part One

2010-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

A big reason for me to keep up with my blog here, is to archive my experiences and achievements to look back to. Only last night did I browse through my youtube channel to find many old videos and reminisce. I hope that what I store on my site can help inspire for yourselves to try new things, as well as keep in touch with me and what I get up to, sharing a laugh with/at me.

There's tons of people that I've met along the way since my journal ventures of years ago. Perhaps even meeting amazing people from beyond my pursuit of writing / presenting / various work in the video games industry and for personal blogging.

Today I want to showcase a few talents of people that I know personally - these people are the types that I admire and keep me inspired.

~ Richard Cutayar ~
A chap I've known since we first met because we got lost on our first day starting an acting course. Sutton Coldfield 6th Form college and since BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts Acting, I've finally caught up with him and have been impressed to find a strong-willed, creative writer and actor who I have every faith in making an impression in the acting industry. Here's his showreel and I wish him all the best and hope to see him go far in theatre or tv.

~ Tee-J ~
A DJ whom I've met through work, kind of like a big brother and always wears a smile at work :) A great friend who's given me a lift from the fatal snow trapping days at work. Here I present to you some of his mixes and would tell you to keep an eye out for him in the music scene!

Latest tracks by Tee-J

~ Phil Achille ~
A new-found friend and already one who I've connected well with. It's one of those when you can tell you click with the other person through a five minute conversation. Only recently I had found out about his performances to thousands and am glad to have met someone who is sane in the Pump It Up scene. A mentor and a great guy of intellect.

~ Ready Up ~
I owe so much to my family of gamers who have gotten me far in my life. Sadly I have left the boat and am proud of what Ready Up (http://ready-up.net) have achieved since the start. Here's one of many cool things I've achieved along the road.

NOTE: E-mail me at Shaz.Tang@googlemail.com for interest to contact / sponsor

TinyShaz became a dancer

2010-01-05T05:14:00.000-08:00

I've been getting small words here and there about my leave of fighting games. Yes, I'm just taking a break from playing them as I'm relieving myself from unnecessary stress and competitive upset. I still play the occasional 3rd Strike (Elena) once in a while when there's a free credit roaming in Trocadero (or if I'm ever at all found at Casino by Goodge Street).

Last week I've stepped into a new scene all-together, London's dance community, where I've already met lots of lovely, friendly faces :) Recently I've become a Pump It Up player and trying to develop my freestyle. Apparently there's not many girls who do freestyle ... at all, so that makes me stand out as the current clown trying to learn.

For all who've asked me, 'Are you a dancer?'
No, I'm definitely not a dancer, this is the first time anyone has seen me dance (or try to!) and I need to watch more music videos to learn how to move!

I've been invited to play for a tournament 'Super Beat Unity 2010' sometime later in the first half of the year. So hopefully I'll be able to use the bar and do handstands by then.

For now, it's all fun and games and a good work out - damn, it does take a lot of energy to freestyle on Pump It Up than to do stepping!

(Stepping - is the term used for players who play hard modes on dance games, the kinds you see holding onto the bar and tapping their feet like crazy!)

I'm still getting use to the step charts and discovering how to move to the songs. For now here's two of my most played and ones that I can freestyle to with ease. Basic freestyle that is! I've only been playing for a week.

I'd like to thank Cero Mercer for first introducing me to the game back in CAPCOM Monster Hunter Gathering Hall days, I first played Pump at Play 2 Win in Soho. I'd also like to thank Shane Henry (first known from Street Fighter before discovering he's a freestyle king!), Michelle and Phil Achilles for encouraging me to keep playing.

Bulldog puppy stuck on it's back

2009-11-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

This was too amazingly cute so I'm bringing it to you lot. Prepare for a heart melt. It's a young Bulldog puppy who's been put into this situation by the mother or owner. The reason is that the puppy needs to learn how to get up from it's back. This is for incase it happens in future as it grows up. I believe it'll add a small smile to your day. Enjoy! :)

Learn Miscellaneous # 2 - T-Shirt folding in 2 seconds

2009-11-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this on youtube about two or three years ago and actually use this technique today. Pretty good habit to get into really and believe me it really cuts down the time consumption!

Ladies and Gentlemen, here's something to help for the holidays and general clothes washing/drying routines:

Something for my cousin

2009-11-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

Recently digging through my belongings (or what little I carry of these days) I still keep a copy of my dreadful but fun-memories of music production. So I got out the guitar tonight to jam around for a bit and practice more of a particular song that my cousin really enjoys.

I have the complete song with simple chords to go with. Unfortunately I'm not belting it out (thank god :P) because it's really late and the neighbours are sleeping in the flat block. So just a small podcast here:

Hopefully next time I show this again, it'll be a proper heart-felt performance. Full on screeching like a banshee but all the while enjoying singing to my hearts content hehe.

Sweet and Simple

2009-10-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

This goes out to someone special to me ~ xxx

Beats-a-beats-a-beats, Beats in my head!

2009-10-29T04:18:00.000-07:00

About a month and a half ago, I introduced myself to Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. After going to Casino (arcade in London) on a regular basis, I soon veered from queing up to play Street Fighter IV and getting more action from SF3. It was the first time I'd seen smoother, more life to a 2D Street Fighter gaming series. Intrigued by it I slowly accustomed myself to getting to know the game. I took a lot of beatings and more advice than my brain can swallow (just yet). I'm a fresh face to the game but I've grown more attached to it than I am to SFIV.

With beginners luck and a few basics taught by S2K (many thanks), I somehow held myself to almost achieving an OCV (one character victory) in the 3 versus 3 team tournament at Super Versus Battle 2009. Unfortunately that tournament cut short due to tournament schedules.

Unfortunately the UK lacks in the scene for SF3 but this has become my new favourite. I've got a few people to take down in my list so if you spot me, challenge me and I hope you don't lose your touch hehe. If there are future tournaments in this, I'm stepping in.

Lastly I'll leave you with a remix track that I can't get enough of!
~Elena - Beats in my head (Love Mix) by SkullKidMusic~ <3

Goat wearing a halloween mask

2009-10-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

It's cruel but you can't help giggling either. Poor little goat can't understand what's going on, aww.

I used to be a Def Jam violent little Missy

2009-10-06T04:10:00.001-07:00

Phwoar didn't that short video just take you down memory lane? I always remember the big boss husky speech from the trailer of the first game, 'but nobody ever beats me!' *bites fingers* aaarh I miss playing Def Jam Vendetta!

Personally for me it's one of PS2's great highlights. Come into a tough, gritty, sinister underworld of the urban lands where you start as a nobody fighting your way to the top. Digging up fight money, attracting the ladies, you're fearless and with or without back-up you'll step up face to face with the big dogs in the scene. Prove to everyone and anyone that you're not to be messed with.

Welcome to Def Jam Vendetta, a gaming series which really did well to capture the feel of powerful punch-blows and bone crunching violence. You're more looking at comical animated violence not the kind like UFC but the exaggerance you find in Def Jam Vendetta is really fun! The character of Manny is a friend you couldn't live without and having Method Man at your side isn't pretty bad either. There's that bit of specialty having the presence and voice-overs of actual Rappers appear and play roles in the game.

After completing the first Def Jam Vendetta, I instantly hopped onto the bandwagon when Def Jam Vendetta: Fight for NY came out. The second title was just as hot and tasty as the first with a good extra pinch of salt to it. Unfortunately I can't say the follow up on Xbox 360 did any justice at all. If anything the 360 version felt like they took ten steps back, the changes in that just didn't feel right at all, if anything they took away the elements that made Def Jam Vendetta.

Seriously don't think about Def Jam Icon, the impact is not the same as it's predecessors. The change from fighting in an arena to some Street Fighter'esq 2D space and the unexplainable DJ attack system - OH MY GOD IT'S AWFUL! The game does kind of have a musical focus to it, they decided to add this bizarre special attack where during the fight you can do some air-turntable DJ'ing, fiddling with the analogue sticks (although that was tricky in itself) if successful you'd change the music that represented your character/rapper, causing the background to alter which damages your opponent and I think makes your character stronger for the time being.

I hate it when that happens, a gaming series you loved which makes a lame come back. Some things are better left alone, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins and Tenchu: Birth of the Stealth Assassins were fantastic but I've not enjoyed the series since the drop in story-telling on the PS2 series, DON'T EVEN MENTION TENCHU-Z!

Back on track, I think I'll have to get myself a PS2 slim again, or hunt for a 60gb PS3 when I've sorted myself out in London. I want to play Def Jam Vendetta again! There's a few legends on the Sony side which I've still got to witness and things I want to live again. Like Shadow of the Colossus, Project Zero series, Beyond Good and Evil (don't forget the upcoming next gen sequel!) and lots of others.

So in celebration and memories of Def Jam Vendetta gaming, here's a playlist of my favourites from the games to set you in the nostalgic mood. More love for the soundtrack to the first Def Jam game than the second. Well here's from yours truly, tiny gamer Shaz.
*IMPORTANT NOTE - EXPLICIT LYRICS

Game Review: Patapon 2 (PSP)

2009-10-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

Hoorah for the return of the Patapons, I was more than happy to see a copy of the sequel and didn't need to think twice to reach my little mitts out for it! For the gamers who've played the first Patapon, there's no need for me to say more - the sequel came out a while ago, so go continue the adorable story.

This here is mainly for those who haven't come across the Patapon series before. Let TinyShaz here give you a quick run down of what it's about.
*Additionally I reviewed the first Patapon game on Ready Up HERE.

Long ago the Patapon tribe were driven out of their homelands by the evil Zigatons. As the Patapons were slowly dying out and all hope was lost, this is the moment you step in. Arriving in the knick of time, an almighty god who will restore the tribe in it's former glory, overcoming the threat of the Zigatons, slaying the beasts of the land and returning to land known as, "Earthend" where a sacred item referred to as "It" is kept.

Okay now I'll give you a little insight to the world of Patapon. I remember this being a little infectious when I saw it so be aware you could fall for a catchy tune.

Patapon, a musical, strategic, side-scrolling game. Alongside a 4/4 beat you take control with four unique sacred drums. As you observe the scene you use the drums to plan your strategy, sending your commands to the Patapon to march, attack, defend, run away, summon a miracle and so on.

Throughout the journey where you'll be hunting and fighting epic battles, you'll collect a lot of materials along the way. These allow you to create different types of Patapon with various status effects and abilities, for an example you can create Patapon who have great resistance against fire. There's also items that you can pick up to upgrade your troops equipment and unlocking mini-games can benefit with more resources.

--- Now you've got the gist of it, here's what Patapon 2 brings ---
Well I don't want to give too much away about the Patapon series. I definitely recommend starting from the first before you go grabbing Patapon 2. You'll come to appreciate the extra features that comes in the second edition better.

Patapon 2 brings a new system in the troop creation. Starting from the left where you would spawn a normal Patapon soldier, you are free to follow paths to unlock different soldier classes and you can also level up the strength of those classes. There's more mini-games added to Patapon 2 which add more depth to the resource items and thus giving you more options to create your Patapon army.

Patapon 2 introduces the 'hero' Patapon, who you find along the journey. The hero has special abilities beyond the normal Patapon. Depending on what strategy you want to go for with the hero, as a Yaripon (a spear wielding unit) they have a powerful spear that can cause damage on a wide scale area, as a Tatepon (an axe and shield unit) the hero can pretty much protect the whole army from incoming attack, there's plenty of hero classes to explore with great abilities and further your strategy plans.

Essentially the main spice to a Patapon sequel, there's been a bit more music production, the level background music, normal chants to varied fever chants (according to the level) just raised the bars of charm even higher.

--- How I've taken to it ---
Honestly? Even though I've been going to bed 'to sleep' I've actually been slipping into bed and sneakily putting on headphones, playing the game up until 3am. Until I physically feel myself nodding off, then I'll flick the PSP to go to sleep too. I'm a big fan for music and rhythem games so if you've enjoyed playing things like 'Elite Beat Agents', 'Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan', Guitarooman, Um Jammer Lammy, Parappa the Rappa - then by all means you must play Patapon!

Patapon 2 is just as remarkable and reminded me why I loved the first one so much. The game sucks you in and it's just a goddamn cute epic adventure! A simple structured game yet it has so much going on - going through the ups and downs in the Patapon's quest for EarthEnd, it's a heartwarming and significant tale that can only be lived on the PSP. Plus it was about time the PSP had some special gaming gems of it's own that weren't part of the collection of 'hand me down' title copies of the next gen consoles. The sequel has really expanded the horizons of the Patapon series. The game has introduced a good amount of fresh ideas and feeling to it. I've not yet completed it (thinking I'm almost there though), I can gurantee that it's pure satisfaction for fans of the previous game. Not too little and not too much either. If that's the chunk it can bring each time, I won't argue with a 3rd title.

One thing I must mention is that the game is highly underrated. I enjoy showing Patapon to people and it's a great feeling when you've opened up a new light to a gamer's eye. Unfortunately the game is also a rarity in the UK so if you happen to catch a glimpse of it in store, your chance is pretty much there and then!

Finally I'll leave you with a taste of Patapon 2. I hope you get to experience the game at least once in your gaming lives!

Self-studying Shaz - plus Learn Miscellaneous # 1 - Pencil Spinning

2009-09-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

I've always been curious to learn all sorts of things so I do self-study in my own time. Come to think of it I've learnt quite a bit using textbooks and online resources. At the moment I still self-study at a casual pace and it's pretty sporadic should I decide to dedicate a full week to something.

You can learn things outside of the academics too. In fact, should you follow your passions fully you'd learn as much as you would on a paid course/Degree/recognised certificates. Believe me, knowledge can come for free if you are willing to learn and know how.

The kinds of things I've learnt have been through research, videos and just general practice. Summing up a list I've self studied (and still continue to learn)
* Music ~ Playing/reading/tabbing : Guitar, Piano & Vocals
* Web ~ HTML/CSS/BBCODE/File Hosting/Embedding/etc etc
* Languages ~ Mostly concentrating on expanding my ethnic tongues (Cantonese 廣東話 and Hakka 客家話) and beginning to learn Japanese 日本語
* Miscellaneous stuff ~ Learning to fold a t-shirt in only two folds, Sign language, heck I'll even add Street Fighter (combo videos and stuff) to this bit, lol and lots of other things.

So after a bit of self study session today, I figured it'd be nice to share and teach you guys a few new things too. Look out for new catagories on the site and I'll be bringing you short video/audio tutorials which I'll arrange under catagories 'Learn (insert subject)' for example: 'Learn Cantonese', 'Learn Miscellaneous', etc.

Anything you've got for me in terms of FREE LEARNING MATERIALS regarding my topics please by all means drop a comment, write it in the website chat-box, post it on my facebook wall or e-mail me.

So as a mini present to make you learn something new. Suiting the return of term time here's something for you to practice with your pen and pencils while you're in the lectures/classrooms :) Plus you could impress the person sitting next to you if you master it. Enjoy!

Muka Muka Paradise

2009-09-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

Back as a kid I grew up watching loooooads of Animes dubbed in Cantonese. This was way before the time they first aired Pokemon on TV or Dragon Ball Z/Sailormoon on Cartoon Network!

At this time it was all about VHS rentals or videotaped TVB (Chinese Channel) passed around in the Chinese family. I remember my parents buying me video episodes of Ranma 1/2 on the occassions that we visited Wing Yip in Birmingham. I think that the first Anime I watched was a TV recorded VHS of Studio Ghibli's - My Neighbour Totoro which was a gift from my Aunt, which then my Mom bought me Studio Ghibli's - Kiki's Delivery Service (which I can still clearly remember the VHS being kept inside a white printed slip case) *Eyes twinkle with memories* (*.*)

But oh my god! Tonight I was up, down and around the good ol' YouTube site and I happened to stumble over an old anime that I loved watching as a kid. Immediately alerting my cousin in the living room who's probably using the stumble web-feature on her Mac, she gives me the lazy but satisfactory nod to confirm she heard me while I knelt on the floor on my laptop in awe of an old time favourite...

Ladies and Gents, meet Muka Muka Paradise (Goddamn, better than your Scooby Doo)...

EDIT : 23rd Sept 09

- I found a link HERE where you can watch the first two episodes but two things:
* It's dubbed in Cantonese and there's no subtitles (sorry guys! lol at least I can watch it hehehe!)
* If it says 'bandwith limit exceeded' it means you'll have to sign up to a free membership account to watch the episodes

Game Review: Robot Dinosaurs That Shoot Beams When They Roar

2009-09-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

A while back my friend Chris a.k.a Phire linked me to this flash game and I just couldn't stop laughing. You just need your mouse and it's a shoot-em-up involving a dinosaur (like the title says) shooting beams while it roars.

The whole thing is ridiculously funny, the dinosaurs roar in the opening dialogue, they roar when you play the game, it is an entire roar fest and I can't help but give in to giggling while playing it. There's even more roars when you get to the credits.

I guess that's me though, I do find silly things like this funny and I'm one of those who'll laugh at things like youtubes' Dramatic Priarie Dog and Nintendo 64 kid.

So go clicky HERE and play this amazingly ridiculous game, The tiny one recommends it!

ROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! \(^.^)/

TinyShaz still fighting in the scene

2009-09-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hey I know i know, I've been really lame at keeping up to date with the blog lately... STILL settling myself in London!

But as a quickie here's some fight videos recorded at Casino where I've been playing for practice/fun as well as enjoy being in the company of friends. :)

These are very old videos by the way.. think they were back in July.

Await the Tiny return...

2009-08-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Maaaaaaan the last post was back in June! Oh mah gawd >.<
I'm going to try and give a quick sum of what's been happening because the internet at work is really crappy. So bullet point time pow pow pow!

* I've been living in London since the start of July
* Meeting lots of new friends and still meeting more!
* I'm lucky in love <3
* The theatre version of Lion King is AMAZING!
* Walking along Waterloo bridge at night is lovely
* Had experienced having my backpack stolen which had my wallet, keys, cards, laptop, ipod, etc etc - But don't worry I'm okay :) I was bought a Blue PSP as a gift!
* Working in London has kept me really busy - so that's the reason why I've not been able to keep in touch properly
* As expected I had been dropping in the arcades of London when I have time off
* Continually learning Japanese and talking Cantonese to my cousin
* Spotted and bought on the spot, Me & My Katamari (PSP) It's too damn rare!
* Experienced the luxury of staying at a friends place in Marble Arch, London as well as really enjoy the company of several others too. Kinda almost like a little family :)

So never fear, the tiny one is still here (trot trot trot) - more postings coming soon!

Wong Fei Hung

2009-06-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here is something that I've grown up with, a legendary martial artist in Chinese history known as Wong Fei Hung. This guy is a childhood hero to me and I still think the choreography beats a lot of fight scenes we see in today's films.

Thinking back to my younger years I would like to have gone down the martial arts as a hobby; I find inspiration in the disclipine of martial arts and all the many variety of martial art forms.

You could probably find a lot of old 'Hong Kong legend' film collections in HMV or play.com - However I truly recommend 'Once Upon A Time In China' series. I've also enjoyed 'Iron Monkey'.

Here's to one of many in the Chinese legends. I'd so playfight Jet Li if I met the guy!

Upset WOW kid

2009-06-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

My friend Ryan showed me this over msn and it had me laughing. A mom shuts down her kids' World of Warcraft account and he goes mental - Fo' real? I don't know but hey it's funny. ^^

Why does he shove a remote up his bum though?! :S

SFIV UK Championships ~ 7th June

2009-06-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

*Cracks knuckles* Damn this is going to be a loooong one. *Props feet up and snacks on a bag of fruit while typing this*

The tiny one luckily put together travel funds from selling like mad on Ebay (cue Homer's Woohoo!) and dashed straight into London for Neo Empire's Street Fighter IV UK Championships.

Sure I play fighting games all the time and I suppose it's more noticeable that I've been going to more fighting events/tournaments now. Why is this?

Sorry if this is the same old story to some. I'll try to keep it snappy.
* Last year I discovered the fighting community.
* Came March I was no longer a virgin to the arcade stick peripheral and Capcom was back on the attack with the winning franchise.
* Stunfest (May) had inspired me more and made me hungry to fight after hanging out with John Choi, Laugh, Buktooth, NKI, Justin Wong, Marn, etc. One night Ryan Hart sat down with me at our hosts house to show me Ken.
* MAY/JUNE is the start of the road and I had massively changed my gameplay from randomness to prepping up with the basics of poker play (jabs and kicks) - now I train willingly for tournament play under guidance of mainly Ryan Hart and others showing me things here and there.

And this leads to SFIV UK Championships that took place Sunday. My first test. How did I do?

I was pretty pleased - only in a months burst of online, training and challenge mode playing - I was able to give at least 70% of my matches a good fight.
Of course I've now adopted Ken (if that's not news already) - he's definitely changed my style and trained my mind to stand back until unleashing punishment. To actually observe my opponents behaviour and understand the basics of naked punches and kicks. The use of their spacing and what their strengths are.

Basics people, BASICS. They are the fundamentals to cutting someone short of their long la-di-dah combos. I've definitely learnt that now. Still needs perfection but that will come in time.

I use to fear the opponents but nowadays I find myself sitting comfortable and calm. In fact I step in on anyone in casual - even to my own Sifu Ryan Hart for games. Maybe because I've not got better inklings of the game, fear is the things you don't know. Ryan King's crazy Cammy is not so scary anymore, just a nippy annoying dodger! I ALMOST had that guy in my round robin but what pleased me most was defeating a pad-playing Akuma. Man, Akuma is a pet hate for me (downward fireballs from afar) but lucky for me he kept teleporting towards me.

My round robins were crazy, people gathered and watched so that experience was surreal for me. I attracted cheers and support alongside the reactions to the intensity of how close my games were. I'm very thankful and more for the criticism and tips that came afterwards. Unfortunately I drew on a tie in the first groups and by 'Inti's Law' (made because without it, the day would not have ended with the huge amount of players signed up) my battle with the fellow tie-breaker earlier found him the victor from our earlier match. A Ken mirror match.

Being out of the tourney was no major for me, I was more than happy to dip into plenty of casuals.

A funny moment:
I popped in to the venue while the boys were setting up the day before the event for some free play practice. Chunkis gave me games and advice, told me to 'relax' with my fightstick. I am a little aggressive with input. I've noticed him and Ryan King, holding their arcade sticks as delicately as a Ferrero Roche chocolate and tapping buttons so softly. Minutes later when Richard (Shin Dragon) was giving me a mini tutorial session, he's ripping his arms and wrists all over the place like Taz Mania.

... Oh yeah and Chunkis came back after Richard saying, 'Forget everything he just showed you' LOL!

Wrapping this up, I shocked a few this weekend so now that charming line I use when first sitting next to an opponent, 'oh this is my first day playing SFIV' - yeah it's not going to work anymore. I got hit back with a 'No I don't think so, I saw you with that 10 win streak at Casino the other day' - Damn ha ha

People are becoming more aware that I'm getting more serious. September may be the next big test but that one is definitely a TOUGH GOAL. I've got videos to watch back from Sunday and plenty of TRAINING MODE practice ahead of me.

TinyShaz on the attack. I've got a lot to iron out with Ken but I'm also gearing up my alternative (who will remain a surprise until the day I hit Semi's with alternative rules). Just stroking the bottom lines of tournament play but I will climb the ranks, slowly but surely.

Tiny out...

P.S - Yeah the Makoto cosplay was fun to wear :)

Almost at the £500 mark

2009-06-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

Hey just a quick one to say we're almost at the £500 mark with Ready Up's GamesAid fund-raising. Ha ha I'd hope that the odd numbers would compel an OCD person to chip in :P. Please donate if you can and I will forever be grateful, thank you!

Japanese have good sense of humour

2009-05-30T01:01:00.000-07:00

My friend Phire a.k.a Chocolate showed me this the other day. Damn this music video just makes me laugh every time but you know what I like about it the most? It's that these guys have such a great spirits. They aren't afriad to cross dress and act silly to make a hilarious video. I admire that kind of courage and fun in people. :)

Here it is and just to note, it's all about 'Strawberry'! *cackle cackle*

Music to sit back and relax to

2009-05-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

I like the variety in life, not only do my eyes widen to the neon lights of Tokyo, or does my heart pound happily to the video game arcades; I can appreciate the peaceful getaway of a private, clean sandy beach or a playground all to myself, although an empty playground is near impossible these days, plus I hate it that I'm 21 and the little ones have more of an innocent excuse.

I'm quite an active person but I'm not always running around, jumping on people's backs and play fighting all the time.

An ideal place which for now resides in my imagination, maybe in years to come I can achieve the modern studio apartment I've always wanted. Somebody give me that winning lottery scratch-card please? :)
A dream setting which I'd like to be putting my feet up across the sofa, bathing in the sunlight through the open balcony with a glass of fruit juice and chillout music.

Burnin' rubber for good!

2009-04-13T10:12:00.001-07:00

Hey y'all, this is a big call for support. Some of you may know, some of you will 'now' know that me and my peers of Ready Up are going for a world record attempt this weekend.

We're going to be burning rubber in paradise for 24hrs in ESC, Glasgow! It's gonna be tough but I'm willing to challenge 'cuz Tiny is on a mission in this life to do whatever she can do. ^^

The record attempt is not only for me to get in the next edition for the Gamer's Guiness Records but it is also a deed for good. We're supporting GamesAid charity so I'm asking you for help, if you can spare at least a £1 ('cuz it all adds up ya know!) please CLICK HERE and you know me, the difference we make to the world around us is down to us.

Thanks and if you fancy joining in while we're playing Burnout Paradise in the attempt, you can find out how HERE. (^^)/

Dogs For The Win

2009-03-30T02:53:00.001-07:00

Dog or cat? I always choose the dog. Don't get me wrong cats are cool too, there's just no way you can't have your heart melted by the munchkin breed.

However I find the dogs are more entertaining and they are more fun spirited. One day I'd like to have one of my own, I've always said I want a Siberian Husky. As sad as it is, I already know the name I'd have for her/him. She would be called 'Miko' or he would be called 'Kenji'. So I guess we'll see how that pans out in the future.
The idea of having a dog appeals to me, taking it out for a run around and playing in the park. Loyal companionship and the small moments you can have.

Out there on youtube is all the great videos and so I bring you two cute canines:

I'm afriad it's an external click for the first one because the person who uploaded it disabled embedding. An owner is trying to get their Shiba Inu to roll over but the dog just tries to repeat what the owner is saying.

The second is kinda cruel but you can't help laughing too. I think it's the music that does it, poor confused pug and the mischievous laugh of the owner.

The good old British music scene

2009-03-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Now this one is quite a compilation and it goddamn took me a while to link up decent quality tracks. I once mentioned before that my friends call me a jukebox and the songs I randomly blurt are the early influences from being a kid of the 90's. The time of the Pogs, Tamagotchis, skipping ropes, Sony Walkmans and Mini Disc's, Rollerblades, Tying your hoodie and sweaters around your waist, wearing baseball caps backwards... yeah is it all coming back to you now?

So here's a long-ass trip down memory lane. I've always been an open-minded kid and still am today so there's going to be a lot of stuff you to make you smile or cringe. Oh yeah just as a note I liked BOTH Blur and Oasis! :P
Music played a bit part of everyone's lives and this is how it was for Britain back in the day. The majority are 90's but there's two exceptions from Overseer and David Bowie with Queen. I stuck those two in 'cuz they're FAB!

When we wanted to be skaters

2009-03-17T00:49:00.000-07:00

Phwoar this is like blast of the past, I swear the best playlist was right back with Tony Hawks 1 & 2 and maybe perhaps WWE Smackdown vs Raw 07 had a good few tracks too. So to cutting to the chase, let's reminisce and bring back the good old feel of summer gaming in the 90's. Here is a picking of my old favourites (mostly off the TH2)

So turn your volume up, start hopping and bopping! \(^^)/

Every little helps

2009-03-16T03:59:00.000-07:00

Okay I've literally just paid in the donations to Comic Relief a.k.a Red Nose Day this second. Good news is I miscalculated the other day, I missed out the extra £ somewhere. So here goes £28.15 to helping out the poor/sick in Africa and the UK.

Thanks for the donations! I've put it through Paypal. Let's help out our world once in a while. ^^

The total raised so far is:

Red Nose Day!

2009-03-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well guys today I decided that I will do something for Red Nose Day - 13th March 09! I've always been keen to promote gamers doing stuff for charity, it also gives me an excuse to go 'running around screaming shoryken in Sakura Kasugano cosplay'. ^^
So today the hair was chopped and tomorrow begins the parade. If you see me around and you wanna do a bit of good deed for the day, come on over and sponsor me! It's all for a good cause. :)

Fan Jam

2009-02-26T15:31:00.001-08:00

I'm one of those people who enjoy singing once in a while,
my friends call me 'little jukebox' because often I can
burst out into random medleys of songs, mostly from the
90's. I don't know why I have the knack for remembering
them but hey here's a bit of nostalgia for ya!

* Boom Boom Boom - Outhere Brothers
* A Little Bit Of Luck - DJ Luck & MC Neat
* Sweet Light Chocolate - Shanks & Bigfoot
* Cosmic Girl - Jamiroquai *etc... etc

Lately I got back into chilling out with the guitar. In
the past I was pretty heavy into the music, doing the
bands, doing the solo projects with Fruity Loops and
Cubase. These days it's just about jamming and a bit of
fun, kinda relaxing really. I'd love to be Sheryl Crow
in Soak Up The Sun right now, warm sun on the beach
sitting next to a tree, singing and playing. *sigh*
It will be done one day but right now the situation is,
I'm in my room, in dull and wet England. Damn I really
want to get out of this country after University is over.

Tonight I've been trying to find Video Game/Anime
openings and ending tabs. I wish to play a bit of
Gitarooman, Bust A Groove, Um Jammer Lammy, the 'Wind'
ending song from the first season of Naruto, maybe some
of the Bleach stuff too. Singing Kiri from Ergo Proxy
was a bit difficult but it was nice to reminisce with it.
:) Somebody out there needs to tab up Shiki No Uta
(Song of the Seasons) from Samurai Champloo.

If you know any good places that do chords and lyrics
please drop me a comment/tag. I like to play songs with
vocals. VideoGameJam.com wasn't really what I expected,
so don't link me to places where folks have only put in
effort to play a melody on one of the six strings! >.<

Well loving you and leaving you with a small recording
of a nightmare. Tiny the guitar heroine with an squeaky,
whiny voice trying to do Utada Hikaru's - Simple and
Clean song. Can you guess what PS2 game features that
particular song hmm? hehe