Re-evaluation

Things aren't turning out as I had hoped....

I really hope that it will get better soon....

In the mean time... here's my current ear worm:

And I'm looking forward to getting a new haircut, hairdye and perm since my hairdresser just came back from her trip back to Japan.

Baby Metal's Concert

Hey guys! I am so so very sorry about how waaay behind I am with my posts!! I have a tonne of things to write about as I've been keeping myself rather busy lately. 

Work's been rather tiring and to destress I end up packing my weekends with activities and despite recovering mentally, I wind up physically exhausted to do much else and the cycle continues. So kinda realised that I need to scale back abit and take some time off.

Anyway, I'll be writing bout the Baby Metal concert I attended late last year!

The band consists of 3 young girls who head bang to metal despite their outwardly cute appearance

At the concert venue. I hardly ever attend concerts but Steph managed to score free tickets so I figured why not?

The stage light show were pretty amazing that night

Video they showed midway through the concert. If you look closely, it's actually Singapore's Merlion and Marina Bay Sands structures hahahaah!! Steph and I were incredibly amused by it.

The concert was pretty short and I understand why, because the girl are fairly young so they don't necessarily have the energy and stamina to head bang and dance and jump around non stop, though they did give it their all during their performances. Their energy really roused the crowd and I quite admire them for being so into their performance. 

It was generally an interesting concert. I hardly listen to metal but my dad does so I knew what to expect, however I found it kinda jarring to listen to the metal music only to suddenly hear screams of "aishiteru" and "kawaii" in the typical cutesy Japanese manner. It was quite unnerving for me, maybe because I'm not used to their style. 

I was also quite upset with this group that started to violently mosh, I mean I understand the whole moshing thing at concerts, but these were the kinds of people who didn't do it with respect and just randomly hurled themselves at others. It was especially dangerous considering one guy had on a vest with at least two dozen or so metal studs and they were the sharp not rounded kinds of studs. I wanted to punch them when they kept banging into me and laughing at me, though luckily Steph quickly stepped in and dragged me to safety. Wouldn't have been cool if I did aim a punch at them.

Selca with my sister from another mother

Finally got to dress up Rokku gyaru style after so long! I was fretting bout how I was gonna style my hair, so the goggles came to the rescue!!

Outfit: 

Inner Zip Camisole: Tutuha

Red off shoulder top: Tutuha

Ripped jeans: GoJane

Tattoo choker: Taobao

Spiked bracelet: Forever21

Rose chain link bracelet: Thrift store

Boots: Git from Blacklash

I really have so many things to update you guys about, so I hope I can finish writing my posts soon! In the mean time, hope you're enjoying 2014 and perhaps consider giving Baby Metal's music a whirl.

Attack on Piano Concert

Lots of things happened last weekend so I haven't had the time to actually sit down and blog till now. I first attended the Attack on Piano concert last Friday, the concert featured Animenz and Thelshter, who flew from Germany and Canada specially for the concert.

The ticket for the concert. I find it cute that the logo was influenced by the latest hit anime, Shingeki no Kyojin aka Attack on Titan.

 



With Mini and Selicia. Esther sat at a different row from us because....

We were all decked out in the Shingeki Jacket! The entire row of us wore the jacket and did the salute to show our appreciation for the two amazingly talented painists.

 



My jacket was an actual COSPA issued jacket that my colleague kindly loaned to me for the event.

 



Animenz playing a solo beautifully

 



TheIshter probably playing All alone with You by Egoist as my friend, Skye sings along

 



Skye later changed to this costume of Reira from Nana as she sang along with Animenz

 



I can't recall the singer's name or the pianists but they did an amazing job especially with the singer's amazing operatic style

 

They performed quite a number of songs either solo, with other singers or sometimes, together. It was also amazing to watch them perform all the songs from memory!

 

It's hard to describe just how good they are so just look them up on youtube and be awed at their amazing talent. You can also find a number of videos of the concert, so check out my friend, Skye singing along with them.

 



Managed to find a video of them performing All Alone With You, so enjoy

 

And you can't miss this video of them performing Jiyuu no Tsubasa, the 2nd opening song of Shingeki no Kyojin aka Attack on Titan.

 

 

The videos are alittle shaky and the sound isn't perfect, but if you really wanna listen to them just search for their recorded home videos, the sound quality is so much better.

Music & Friends for the Weary Soul

Had a minor breakdown at work last week due to the built-up stress from having to manage so many things. Looking back now, I probably made a mountain out of a molehill but at that moment, I felt a huge weight pressing upon me.

Met up with darling Steph again to watch her performing with her band. Her band, Zefyr, was the only non-Japanese band among the line-up and the bar was packed with mostly Japanese people supporting their friends. It felt like an escape of sort, to hear an unfamiliar tongue rolling about as people laughed & chatted with each other.

The amazing Zefyr!! From left: Peter the guitarist, Alvin the drummer , Izu the vocalist, Steph as bassist and Si Wei as the other guitarist.

Zefyr performing on stage, too bad Peter isn't in this pic, he's probably at the other end of the stage

Other friends that day, Jared and Mio

Steph made a new friend, think his name is Masaki, quite a funny dude and his pictures are amazing!

Picture of all the other bands, at least the ones that stayed till the end. Was surprised to watch a high school band performing songs from English bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, they also had quite a few fangirls, probably schoolmates of theirs, watching them perform

Of course, I had to put in a picture of Steph performing

Camwhore while having a smoke break and waiting for her turn to perform, no idea what am I looking at LOL

Tried out a different style of makeup that day, I elongated instead of widening my eyes, also placed blush just on the top of my cheekbones and used a stronger coloured lipstick. Love my short wig, I'm always tempted to chop my hair short everytime I wear this wig, but it'll be a pain to style it the same way.

Super simple outfit:

Leopard beret: Accessorize

Shirt: Forever 21

Ripped Jeans: GoJane

Creepers: Taobao

Cross necklace: Taobao

Spiked bracelet: Bought in KL

Chain & leather bracelet: Taobao

There was free flow of food and drinks for the remaining people, didn't really eat much but I had a few glasses of beer and enjoyed this amazing whisky, paired it mostly with coke. Most of the guys were surprised that I enjoyed it :/ I do have quite a high tolerance for alcohol

The weekends fly by too fast now, and I need to get stuff prepared for my cosplay event in July, luckily it's just a simple headband hat should be ready within a few days

Personal Outfit (Wicked)

Last week, the bf gave me one of the best gifts ever! 2 tickets to see the musical Wicked!!



He even got front row view from the dress circle! So we had a totally unobstructed view of the entire musical.

I've wanted to watch this musical for the longest time but most of the time, the entire act is based in Broadway or in London so for them to come to Singapore is an amazing feat all on its own.

The play was amazing, I hung to every note and word during the entire play. I was completely riveted with their performance and felt kindda sad when the play ended, I could sit there all night and watch them if possible. I'm just alittle sad that I never got the chance to watch the original Glinda and Elphaba actresses, Kristin Chenoweth and Indina Menzel, singing on stage. However, to be able to watch this play is already one thing off my bucket list.

It was also my first time watching a play at the lovely Marina Bay Sands. I've been to a few plays at the Esplanande but the stage and theatres there are alot smaller with more seats crammed in. Not a very pleasant experience if you are unlucky and get horrible people seated next to you throughout a play.

It's always fun to dress up abit for the theatre. Sorry for the blurry pic, I was rushing to take it before the doors closed after intermission.
Dress: Spiral Girl

Stockings: Can't remember

Black floral pumps: Prada

Bag: Mety Darmali

Necklace (not seen): Vivienne Westwood

A closer look at the Mety Darmali bag with its signature corset-style ribbon detailing and whimsical 3D appliques. I love her bags so much however, they are quite pricey but its understandable since everything is stitched by hand.

The Bf also dressed up for the evening in his suit. Looking spiffy!

Bought the musical's program and a shirt as souvenirs from the musical. My mom has a different shirt that she got when she watched the musical with her best friend, so we can easily swap with each other.

Here's a video of the amazing original actresses for the 2 main characters in the show. Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and Indina Menzel as Elphaba performing for the 2004 Tony Awards. If you're wondering why they look so familiar, Kristin and Indina have both appeared in the TV show, Glee. Indina is Rachel Berry's mom, Shelby while Kristin acted as a temporary instructor but she's also well-known for the black comedy, Pushing Daisies.

I'm actually rather lucky that my mom instilled a love for musicals and stage plays in me from a young age. I've been lucky enough to watch Miss Saigon twice, Cats before they retired, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and his Technicolor Dream Coat and Oliver. I'm just waiting for a chance to catch Les Miserable as well as The Lion King.

I guess stage performances will always be a lifelong passion of mine and I'll never stop wanting to watch them.

Personal Outfit 74 (Music to Sooth the Soul)

Ah! I have assignments to finish and an exam to prepare for, but I can't seem to get round to doing either one of them. Procrastination at its finest I guess....

Haven't had the chance to dress up lately due to school, plus I haven't gotten anything new for awhile so I often end up staring blankly at my bursting wardrobe and still can't find anything to wear. I should probably get some new clothes soon I guess. Anyway, the Bf took my camera with him to his holiday so no pictures till he returns but I managed to take a quick but blurry picture with my iphone of my last outfit when I was out shopping for Steph's birthday gift.

Top: Glad News

Shorts (hidden): Can't remember

Over-knee socks: Cosmode

Shoes: Gal Star

Bag: Taobao

I haven't been sleeping well lately, I tend to sleep for abit and then wake up with a jolt and it'll be a couple hours before I manage to roll myself back to sleep. Not quite sure why its happening but I find listening to the opening song of this anime, Dantalian No Shoka aka Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian helps me relax and get back to sleep alot faster.

Its sung in a mixture of Latin, Italian and French and I love the lyrics to bits. Its also rather interesting that Gainax worked with lolita giants Baby, The Stars Shine Bright and Alice and the Pirates, for wardrobe designs for the characters in the anime. Too bad the anime had a rushed ending, perhaps to poor reviews since its not really something the mass audience would appreciate I guess.

Cras Numquam Scire (Tomorrow is Never to Know)

The moon speaks faintly
In a voice unheard by all
of the ever-repeating rise of the tide
are the sights of the moon's vanishing memory

The stars record arcanely
in letters known by none
of infinite, swirling words
that birth books beyond count

The sky is too vast for one such as me
and the pace of time is far too swift
Forever lost
the words gathered for naught
will simply rot away inside the earth

Yet still, I will clamor.
I will raise my voice, not knowing why
May my echoes reach the heavens
And before long, a new sun will rise

The moon speaks faintly
In a voice unheard by all
of the ever-repeating rise of the tides
are the sights of the moon's vanishing memory

The stars record arcanely
in letters known by none
of infinite, swirling words
that birth books beyond count

The sky is too vast for one such as me
and the pace of time is far too swift
Forever lost
the words gathered for naught
will simply rot away inside the earth

Yet still, I will clamor
I will riase my voice, not knowing why
May my echoes reach the heavens
And before long, a new sun will ris

The despicable darkness answered me,
saying none has ever seen the future.
I reach my hands into the empty sky,
and grasp the cold wind.

Oh, despair, blow through me!
All dreams and agonies shall be left in the past.
In the faint twilight above the sleeping earth,
I will walk forward
towards the tomorrow that is yet unseen.

My Current Favourite Songs 13

This month's selection:


It Hurts (2NE1): As everybody probably knows, I'm not a fan of K-pop. But this music video really grabbed my attention, with the amazing set, costumes and wigs. The drama student in me was squealing in glee at this visual porn, I always sit in awe at just how amazing this whole video is and my heart yearns to be able to work with a set like this someday.


Universal Bunny (sung by the character Sheryl Nome, whose actual singer is May'n): I haven't watched this anime yet, because I'm afraid of getting too obssessed with Sheryl Nome and start having delusions of cosplaying her. Alot of cosplayers have fallen into that trap and I've seen a local cosplayer who seems hellbent on cosplaying her and no one else. But after a friend showed me this video, I couldn't get the amazing concert scene out of my head. Perhaps I'll start on the anime after all...


Theme for Scanty & Kneesocks (DJ: Teddyloid): I kept listening to this song when I was studying. The constant heavy beat kept me awake and the lack of lyrics helped me focus my attention on my work instead of attemtping to sing-along to the song. I love this song alot and its really awesome to listen to when I'm getting ready to go out, because I find it really sexy and helps to boost my confidence.


Rolling in The Deep (Adele): Is it just me or what, but lately I've found most Western pop to have gone quite stale in terms of creativity, I keep hearing remixes and such a la Jennifer Lopez and Black eyed peas. So I was very relieved and excited when I came across this song, it was the palate cleanser I needed and a very much sought after breathe of fresh air in terms of talent and creative direction. I hope this girl goes far though her kind of music may probably only reach a niche audience.


Kare Uta (the Gazette): My favourite song from them, I love the poetic lyrics and the way Ruki's tongue rolls over the words. All the better to hear his incredibly sexy deep voice, hahah its the fangirl in me calling out! I doubt I'll ever stop loving Gazette.

My Current Favourite Songs 12

My list of songs for the month: Pledge (The Gazette): Been looking forward to this PV since Shiver was out, and I love that its kindda reminiscent of their older music videos, with the black and white colours and playing the instruments/singing in a seemingly abandoned house. Stargazer(Alice Nine): I'm still getting adjusted to Alice Nine's new songs, somehow I just don't warm up immediately to their stuff lately. This video is amazing with the desert foreground and amazing scenery of the changing sky in the background. Though the washed/bleached out effect of the video was kindda irritating, because I couldn't see them in their full good-looking glory. Complication (ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D): Another song from the anime Durarara! Its catchy and interesting but I still prefer the other 2 featured before this. Though it does perk me up whenever I listen to it. Love is War (Vocaloids: Hatsune Miku): I'm using this song to get me all pumped up for the upcoming SOYC event, since I'll be cosplaying the Eager Love Revenge version of Miku, though some people also call it Love is War. I always assumed Love is War Miku wore her standard outfit and just added a megaphone, oh well. The Ballad of Mona Lisa (Panic! At The Disco): Love the steampunk theme!!! Its another subculture style that I adore, though I don't think its that well-known/big in Singapore, the only time I ever saw it was when a cosplay team did an original cosplay of Alice in Wonderland Steapunk version. The song is pretty catchy and keeps reeling round and round in my head now

My Current Favourite Songs 11

This month really flew by so fast, and now its time once again for the next 5 songs selection:


butterfly (On/Off): Another song from the anime Durarara! I quite like the beat of this song and its a definite improvement from this group's first single (Vampire Knight first ending song, if you're curious). However i think they could definitely improve themselves and maybe get a new stylist. Their outfits in this video makes them look like a host or something.


dress (Buck-Tick): This is the opening song of one of my favourite anime, Trinity Blood. It was also my first introduction to this group. I haven't fully explored their works yet but I have to admit their stuff are good.


Senkou (Alice Nine): Woohoo!! Alice Nine's new single!!! I love it alot and my sis is such a fan that she's started buying all the first copies of their newly released stuffs. Haha, but she's pretty protective over her possessions because she likes to keep them in as good condition as she possibly can so I'm the evil one who downloads their stuff.


Resuscitated Hope (Lisa Komine): Another anime song. This is a fairly new anime that was just released with the new batch of animes, I'm usually not interested in animes that have prepubescent girls as the main character a la Rozen Maiden. But this story with its crime solving intrigues and Victorique's (the main girl) secret past hooked me real good. I'm impatiently waiting for the next episode to be released.


Blind Justice ~Torn Souls, Hurt Faiths~ (Zektbach, Pop n Music): I got addicted to this song after my friend roped me in for yet another cosplay and sent me this link. Its a really great piece to listen too whilst studying, because it doesn't make me listen too much to the lyrics but yet not sleep inducing at the same time. Its actually from the game Pop n Music, somewhat like a predecessor to the Vocaloids game. This composer has me highly addicted to his works. And if you're wondering, I'll be cosplaying the girl in this video, her name is Matin.

My Current Favourite Songs 10

This month's selection is bit more anime inspired, because I've finally managed to catch up on my backlog of anime. But of course, I can't leave out my favourite J-rock groups. Not especially when they've recently released new singles and videos to enjoy.


Red (The Gazette): I love this new single alot more then Shiver, I find this is truer to their orginal style. And it's been awhile since I've seen Ruki drawing the stripes down his neck.


Senkou (Alice Nine): I'm not so much of a fan of their new look, bit too colourful and reminds me too much of An Cafe. Good thing, their music is just as good as before though I have one thing to say, "OMG!!! Saga, who permed your hair? Please sue the person for giving you such an awful head of bad curls, please please please not have this hairstyle again in your next look okays?"



Trust Me (Yuya Matsushita): I got addicted to this song after going on a Durarara!!! anime marathon. I actually prefer the song more then this video and the singer, he just looks bit too much like those K-pop kindda hip-hop singer, and I'm not really a fan of K-pop. Plus, it doesn't help that I find the bridge kindda weird, the sudden addition of the zither just seems so out of place. But other then that, this song is seriously addictive.



Regret Message (Vocaloids, Kagamine Rin): This song always tugs at my heart strings whenever I listen to it. Full of the shadow of regret yet it fades away with the glimmer of hope at the end, this song is both heart-wrenching and yet leaves me hopeful for the future. The song is part of the Servant of Evil series and according to the timeline, it happens after the events of both the Daugther and Servant of Evil songs.


Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa (Kalafina): An insert song for Kuroshisuji II (aka Monoshitsuji), the style is reminiscent to another song that I had highlighted before in this column called Everytime You Kiss Me. If you compard the two songs, there are many similarities from the use of the violin and flute to the indecipeherable words that the singers mumble halfway through the song. So I highly suspect that the arranger or music writer could be the same person, perhaps Yoko Kanno? But the lyrics are really nice and suit the sombre mood of the song.

I'll be MIA-ing abit because of Chinese New Year celebrations and taking the time to finish up some assignments that are due soon, but I'll try to post pictures of my new year outfits once I get the time to do so.

Have a Happy Chinese New Year people! May the year of the Rabbit bring you some luck!

My Current Favourite Songs 9

Its the end of the month again, and technically the last day of the year. So wish you guys a new year and welcome to this month's selection of my current favourite songs.

This month's selection is slower paced with 2 of them being new age songs because I just came down with a bout of stomach flu, so I'm been doing nothing but sleeping and vomitting for the past 2 days. So I've dug up and dusted my collection of new age songs to calm me down and relax to at least get some sleep. I've forgotten just how much I loved them...



Re_birthday (Kagamine Len) : The final song to the Daughter of Evil series. Someone really ought to make an anime series of it instead of the total failure of the incredibly confusing Black Rock Shooter series. Royalty? Check. Deception? Check. Love story? Check! So please can an anime studio make this a series already?


Calendula Requiem (Kanon Wakeshima X Kanon of An Cafe) : A nice departure of Kanon Wakeshima from the predictable and somewhat boring, saccharine sweet lolita look of hers. She still looks sweet but in a different way and the music is still in her usual style. So hopefully, there'll be other music videos that will take her to different directions instead of sticking her in the same path.



Turning (Suzanne Ciani & Yu Chiyi) : I bought her CD some years back and after listening to it a number of times, I stuffed it into the back of my cupboard and totally forgot about it. But after listening to this track again, I'm falling in love with it all over again. Her music soothes me and makes me think of afternoon teas in a sunny garden with a good book...



May It Be (Enya): The theme song for Lord of The Rings. I love all the movies in the series and I really hope it'll be considered as a great a classic like Star Wars and Star Trek. I rememember having a friend once who was so into LOTR that she taught herself the Elfish language to the point she could not only speak it, but read and write it too!


Kanon D-Dur (Evangelion Death & Rebirth, Shinji: Cello, Asuka : Violin, Rei: Viola, Kaoru: Second Violin): Its really nice to see the four children all playing this piece together, and for once you get a sense of peace from them despite the constant bickering and death all around them. Evangelion definitely helps one to appreciate classical music in a different light, such as Beethoven's 9th Symphony that is often used in the battle scenes

Okay, I feel my stomach acting up again so wish my dear readers a happy new year once again! And hopefully have a better start then I do...

My Current Favourite Songs 8

It's the end of yet another month, and I'm really quite surprised at how the year has gone flying by. Soon, I'll be busy rushing around making last minute preparations for my 2 upcoming cosplay events, then preparing for my family's annual Christmas celebration and then unwinding with a short staycation that the Bf and I will be having to celebrate our anniversary.

But until then, lets unwind with some songs that's currently on a loop in my Mp3 list:

Paradise of Light & Shadow~Synchronicity (Vocaloids, Kagamine Rin & Len): A beatiful song by the Vocaloids again. It's pretty interesting how many stories that have been created with songs revolving aorund them. This one's no different and I love how they emphasised the paralell oppsites between Rin & Len. I'm still impatiently waiting for the third part of this series (This is the second part, there is a prequel to this video)

1000 no Kotoba (Koda Kumi): The song for Final Fantasy X-2 and probably one of the last few better games in the Final Fantasy franchise. It's a really emotional song which is sung beautifully by Koda Kumi, I'm not a real fan of her work, but I do admire both of her song contributions to the series.

Rain (SID): One of the opening songs for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. Love the anime to bits and I'm left with an empty hole now, while waiting for a decent anime to take its place. It's pretty interesting how the lead singer wears a yukata as a jacket to his otherwise boring outfit. It'll be so nice if other traditional costumes could be worn just as fashionably on normal days (do observe carefully how he matched his eyeshadow to his yukata's lining!).

To the Moon & Back (Savage Garden): An oldie but a goodie, this song is always on my list no matter the situation or mood. Somehow, whnever I listen to this song I always envision a girl in some post-apocalyptic world that's under some kindda totalitarian-like control (Think the government in V for Vendetta? Gotta love that movie!). But there she is looking to the moon and skies, wishing for love to be free from this dreary and dark world....

Beautiful World (Utada Hikaru): The closing theme used in the Evangelion movie, You Are [Not] Alone 2.0. This is truly my favourite anime of all time, and no other anime has been able to skillfully capture the twisted complexities and beauty of the human psyche into a show. You love and yet you loathe the characters all at once with their never-ending battle within themselves and the intersting yet eerily similar way of how close to reality these characters are. The song caught the thoughts that were racing through my mind at the end of the movie without being too dark so it's a rwally refreshing balance. I can't wait for the latest Evangelion movie to come out, You Will [Not] Understand/ Quickening.

Ugh gotta meet a buyer for my Imitation Black costume. I'm so glad to be able to be rid of it, since it's just taking up space in my room at the time-being so its a real chance for me to try and recoup some money for new costumes...

My Current Favourite Songs 7

Its the end of the month, and once again time for my current favourite songs! This time, the selection is pretty varied as my hormones have been kindda crazy lately, so I've been jumping between alot of different styles. I could be listening to jazz one minute and then Visual kei the next... hence explains my crazy list this time.

Lolita Libretto ~Storytelling by Solita~ (Singer: Kanon Wakeshima): Beautiful song and PV and I love how they twisted the french words so gracefully into the song. This PV is too beautiful to be wasted on a small screen, so max it out and let the gorgeous artwork entrance you. My favourite song from her so far.

Aristocrat's Symphony (Versailles): Beautiful, rich textures and fabrics adorn this band as they guide me into a totally different world with their awesome music. Its bit long but it gives me more time to appreciate how wonderfully complex they are individually whilst being able to mesh together so perfectly at the same time. Its sad that one of them died suddenly though... Elegant Jasmine You will not be forgotten...

Tsuki no Curse (Okina Reika): Translated as "The Moon's Revenge", it's the opening theme for the anime Loveless. The anime that introduced me to Bishounens and Yaoi and fueled my inspiration to get a butterfly tattoo, though I may give up the idea of doing a blue butterfly as it seems to be a pretty common colour choice for tattoo butterflies. I never get sick of this anime and song and often return back to it from time to time.

Silky Heart (Yui Horie): The opening song for Toradora, its a great energy starter for slow mornings! I find this PV bit of a snooze actually because Yui is sitting down or slowly walking half the time and I think she can't dance for nuts considering how much they try to avoid showing her actually dancing. Still, the music is nice... thats all that matters to me.

Ask DNA (Singer: The Seatbelts Writer: Yoko Kanno): Of course, I had to add in a song from my favourite songwirter, Yoko Kanno. This is the theme song for Cowboy Bebop The Movie, and I love the smooth jazz vibe this song has which totally complements the style of the movie. Cowboy Bebop is an absolute classic anime and in a league of its own, there's no anime that has ever been able to mimic the style of this series. I tend to listen to Yoko Kanno's works when I'm winding down or whenever I space out, which happens pretty frequently...

My Current Favourite Songs 6

This month's selection of songs:

Shiver (The Gazette): The opening song for Monoshitsuji (or Kuroshitsuji II as it's more commonly known). Didn't really appreciate or get it at first, but after giving it a few more tries, I'm quite liking this song now. Though Ruki should get his hair deep condtioned ASAP, his hair looks practically deep-fried.


Last Song (Gackt): The first song from him that i ever listened to and still my favourite song from him. Plus I like the fact that he wasn't so "plastic" looking as compared to now. Dude seriously needs to layoff the plastic sugeries, he's starting to resemble Micheal Jackson now.


On Melancholy Hill (Gorillaz): Their latest MV after their hiatus awhile back. I still prefer their older album but I'll still give this new one a go since I still deeply love Gorillaz! I'm so glad the whole team's gonna be back, their previous MV only had 2-D, Murdoc and a robot Noodle. I'm guessing this MV is signalling a reunion of the group, and hopefully they'll have more fun, wacky songs like before.


Pretending that Nothing Happened (Vocaloids: Kagamine Rin): One of the lesser known songs by the Vocaloids, I love the soothing melody of the song plus if you check out the lyrics, it's a kindda sweet breakup song. I think out of all the Vocaloids, the Kagamines are my favourite.


Servant of Evil (Vocaloids: Kagamine Len): This song is really sweet and shows the depth of sibling love the Kagamines have for each other. There's actually quite a few versions of this story told from each character's points of view. Now I'm really hoping to get a chance to recreate this video just like the Korean cosplayers did, it's such an amazing story with such beautiful costumes and the Len here shows such deep emotions in every single frame. Ugh too bad, my cosplay buddies and I are bogged down by other plans, so I guess I'll put this on hold until I can convince them to get it done.

One more month down and another to go, I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. I haven't really achieved much, but I really happy that I'm so into cosplay now (despite it constantly draining me of money), because it's a hobby that I've always wanted to get back into and now that I am in it, I seem to be having more fun and developed great friendships along the way. It's a hobby I can't stay with for long, but I'll just have as much fun as I can along its journey.

Note to self: Mixing Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood with Ilaria Graziano's songs would induce periods of simply staring out the window and zoning out, long walks to nowhere in particular, wondering about life in general and the drinking of copious amounts of coffee.

Not that it's bad, really....

My Current Favourite Songs 5

It's the end of the month once again, so here's the latest 5 songs:


Melt (Vocaloids: Hatsune Miku): This song is really cheerful and sweet, so it's been playing in my head from the very first moment I heard it. Not to mention, I assisted in a photoshoot for my friend who was attempting to recreate a different version of the video for this song (note, the cosplayers here aren't people I know personally).


Butterfly (G-Dragon): Not actually interested in the singer or the song, but I thoroughly enjoy this Alice in Wonderland-inspired video alot. The artist who did the illustrations really took my breath away...


Cross Game (Alice Nine): My sis and I are big fans of this group (she's more obssessed with them then I am...), they're music are really creative and they fall between the crack of being labelled as a rock/pop group.


If (Kana Nishino): Really beautiful set for this video and she appears so tall in the video! She has really blossomed from her earlier days where she was styled to look kindda like Koda Kumi with the tan, dark eyes and half braids *shudder*, not to mention, she was made to dance when it was so painfully obvious that it wasn't her best talent. Now after better management, sweeter songs and a new image she seems set to conquer the charts of Japanese pop.


Kimi Ni Negai Wo (Miyavi): An oldie but a goodie, gotta love Miyavi's eccentricity, awesome guitar skills and wearing enough colours on his clothes to rival a girl decked out in decora. This song is cute despite him singing in pajyamas to a cut-out paper star hahaahahah

Till next month then... bye....

My Current Favourite Songs 4

Once again, It's the end of the month, which means one thing, and one thing only...... My latest list of current favourite songs!!!

So here are this month's selection:


Everytime You Kissed Me (Singer: Emily Bindiger/ Composer: Yoko Kanno)
Despite the sad undertones of the lyrics, I love this song to bits and is one of my favourite pieces from my favourite composer, Yoko Kanno.


Just Be Friends (Vocaloids: Luka)
Yet another song from Vocaloids, this is the only song that I truly love from the character, Luka. It is actually a breakup song, but do note that despite the fact that it's Luka singing it, the song is actually the guy's view of the breakup. I wish and hope and pray that I'll be able to do a photoshoot for this MV....
*edit* I just had a discussion with my cosplay buddies and it seems that the idea has gone down pretty well, so well, that we may just make a video out of it! Think a real life ver of this MV and you get the idea.... now to save money for the numerous costumes used.....


Mutaku to Mutaku to (Kra)
I am not a fan of this group, most of their songs bore me, to be honest, but I find the style of this video pretty cute


Filth in the Beauty (The Gazette)
Lots of head banging/rotating/rolling(???) in this video. One of my favourite songs from them and Ruki is rocking the dreadlocks!!!


Kuroi Namida by Anna Tsuchiya inspired as Nana
I find Anna Tsuchiya's songs better during this period where she was under the alias, ANNA inspi' Nana. Her songs were more gritty and darker, but oh well, plenty of singers have changed their styles over the years....

My Current Favourite Songs 3

I just totally realised that it has been the end of a month and the beginning of a new month! So I actually missed out on uploading some of my current favourite songs....

Anyway, so here they are, a few days delayed... Hahaha.... Enjoy!



Kodou (Dir En Grey) - This is one of my favourite songs from them, but I'm not say a major fan of them especially after they changed their style to try and become more mainstream...



Hitohira no Habira (Stereopony) - I'm slowly starting to like the songs from this group more and more, though I've only listened to the songs that have appeared on anime, so I guess it could be bit biased since the better ones would naturally get more publicity



Don't Say "lazy" (theme song of K-On!) - This song is really addictive and fun but after hearing it constantly being played by local bands, it's become somewhat of a cliche in my opinion. But it's still a great song...



[Eager Love Revenge] Love is War (Hatsune Miku) - I'll be cosplaying this version of Miku on the 10th of July, which is bout 2 weeks from now. So I've put this song on a loop to get myself into character and brace myself... it's so stressful to be the lead character in a huge team...





Tzigane (Tsukimori Len in La Corda d'oro) - I do listen to classicla music at times, and contrary to popular belief, not all are slow, boring pieces. My 2 favourite violin pieces are Tzigane and The Devil's Trill, both of which are very fast-paced musical pieces with lots of emotions running through them.

My Current Favourite Songs 2

Since it's coming to the end of the month and I totally forgot to do last month's list of favourite songs, might as well post it first before the end of the month comes and goes once again.

So here's this month's current 5 favourite songs:



Meltdown (Hatsune Miku Remix Ver.) - I like the updated beat of this song and how the MV ties both Meltdown videos together, but I do have to admit that Miku certainly can't reach the high notes as well as Rin can.


Private Emotion by Ricky Martin - The P.A. system at my workplace keeps playing a few songs in a loop but I'm often half-ignorant of the music until this song comes on. I usually end up humming along to the music subconciously, but I've loved this song from the beginning anyway.


Be Human (written by Yoko Kanno, not sure who the singer is...) - Rarely in this day and age do I hear a song that moves me and makes me think as much as this song has. It was written for the anime Ghost in the Shell and it sums up quite abit of the entire plot of the show.



Gravity (written by Yoko Kanno, performed by Maaya Sakamoto) - I love listening to this song to unwind after a long day, Maaya's voice somehow always soothes and relaxes me. Some of you may know Maaya as the voice actress of Haruhi from Ouran High School Host Club and many other various anime. This is also the ending song of one of my favourite animes ever, Wolf's Rain. Its animes like this that prove that anime isn't simply a japanese form of cartoons for kids.


Tatta Hitotsu no Omoi by KOKIA - This song is definitely on of my all-time favourites. I often listen to a few songs repeatedly for a certain time frame before moving onto new ones and hardly ever touching the old songs again, but this song is one that I always listen to. It's the opening song to the anime Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino, another favourite anime of mine and another anime that makes you think. I like the MV alot and been wanting to get a camera that can produce the same effect in photographs, I can just never get what is this effect called. Damn...

Andrea Boccelli Concert

The view from my spot, despite it being so packed, there was enough space for every inidividual to have some personal space and no one was blocking anyone's view of the screen.

A great many things have happened since the last time I blogged, one of which was having the opportunity to actually watch Andrea Boccelli perform "live".



The sad thing was that I could only watch his performance via huge screens whilst sitting down on wet grass as the performance area was reserved for the VIPs and such. But hey, since its free and technically he was performing as I watching, it wasn't too bad.



The organisation that brought him in was also pretty considerate, I was simply expecting some people to shove us into the allocated areas in front of the screens, but they actually provided us with goodie bags loaded with useful things such as bottled water, snacks and even a mosquito repellant patch, which was a great lifesaver.



Despite, the heat, humidity, soggy wet grass and such, I was glad to have been able to watch the performance. All the more so when they announced that it was the last Asian performance that Andrea Boccelli was ever gonna have.




It was one unforgettable night....