It’s that time of year again where we all start to get the Christmas feeling, and Nintendo Japan is as early as the rest of them with their latest batch of lovely members-only gifts. Last year included a Platinum Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack, a Super Famicom-shaped Wii controller and a calendar. This year sees a Golden Wii wheel, a Super Mario hat (the real deal!) and…a calendar. Check out the Japanese page here or more of my thoughts on how to cash in on similar goodies below!

Youtube videostars - Nyoki Nyoki, Mydodolook and Magibon. This is the new form of entertainment, apparently. These sort of popular “vloggers” are sweeping in viewers from all over. And how? Through tactical kawaii (cute) façades and mind-bogglingly teasing gimmicks! How can a pair of girls who merely squeal ‘Nyoki Nyoki’ (’to grow up big’) and do callisthenics on camera be so captivating? What about Magibon, famous for simply staring at the camera with those big, anime-esque eyes and eating giant slices of pizza? She gets millions of views to her …

今日から日本語能力試験の聴解科目にも集中し始める。普段の僕はリスニングがまあまあできてるけど、この間久しぶりにJLPT１級の模擬試験を受けてみて、不合格だったんだ。うわあぁぁぁ・・・ショックだ！マジで。今までは自分の弱点の文法と語彙に全力尽くしてて、ほとんど聴解問題が練習しなかった。そういえば読解問題もちゃんとやっていない、今まで・・・語彙だけに集中すれば読解はうまく行けるかなってずっと思ってたんだ。大丈夫かな・・？まあ、当然少しくらい読解問題はやるけどな、試験前。

Another deep sea creature-related post that vaguely sings of bioluminescence. Just about, anyway. Behold! No longer is your USB key bound to those boring plastic cases! Accessorise your keys with a bit of squid. And not just any squid - a Firefly Squid, at that. I wonder if it glows blue when you plug in its tentacles?

Back to School! I’ve entered my final year at University and am taking 3 modules: ‘Metaethics’ and ‘Kant’s Critical Philosophy’ this semester and next semester will be the Philosophy of Sex! This year could well be the last time I post seriously about philosophically-related things, but I will always try to keep that ‘breath of philosophy’ about my journal even when the hardcore posts stop. Once a philosopher, always a philosopher, right? My friends and family never fail to remind me of my argumentative nature… ^_^;
(P.S. Skip to the bottom …