Bangai-O Spirits box-art defiled by USK

If you have been following my Twitter blog, you would know that I've been raving about Bangai-O Spirits. The game is awesome I give you that, but the one thing that irked me about the title is the box-art, or to be more precise, the manner in how the German software regulator Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) ruined it.


Oh yes, if the yellow colour isn't loud enough USK is very keen to point out that the title is only suitable for those aged six and above. Never mind that the classification symbol sucked in the first place (notice how PEGI ratings uses a larger font while retaining a much smaller footprint), but what is a German software rating classification, which isn't a sticker, doing on my copy of Bangai-O Spirits in the first place? Reminds me of the Dawn of Sorrow's boxart. And it isn't like the DS box has much real estate with that hideous white large Nintendo DS logo...

I probably sound like a whiny bitch, so I will shut up now and continue playing Bangai-O Spirits. Ruined box-art or not (or just get the US version) would not stop me from having a blast (Treasure you rock!).

Apologies for the crappy image, my camera's broken.

J. K. Rowling

... please please please stop acting like a neurotic idiot. Seriously, go to Portugal and find Madeleine McCann instead of trying to court sympathy here like the raving lunatic you are trying to portray yourself as. Your books are fine, but to think that by breaking down in court because you may lose sales is absurd. May I suggest a visit to the library or book store, where you will find countless of fair use books on other books and other third party derivatives of other books. If other authors (who are probably not as successful as you are) don't bitch about it (in fact most authors would be delighted if the same attention is given to them), I can't see why you should. Or is being richer than the Queen not enough?

I don't deny it. I enjoy Harry Potter books, but I classify them in the same section as Da Vince Code. They are entertaining, but as far as literary skills goes - are pretty damn poor. It's not like Harry Potter was an original concept anyway. The next time I read Harry Potter again, I will try to imagine it was written by a well behaved, respected and likeable literacy genius. Like Terry Pratchett, but that would be too insulting to Mr. Pratchett. Hell, I think I am going to celebrate this blog article by re-reading The Colour of Magic. Who's with me?

House cleaning dood!

After much internal debating I finally halved my games and DVD film collection. As many collectors would attest, it is nice having a huge collection but sometimes these can get out of hand. I just thought that there ought to be a boundary somewhere on whether one should keep their collection for the sake of keeping. Kudos to people with huge dens where they have thousands of games and films but unfortunately I do not have the space, nor the money and patience to keep up. So I learn to let go.

It is nice having the extra space for other shits. You know, like more games and DVDs... ;)

Been replaying Disgaea much lately thanks to the Etna mode on the PSP version. Wonderful port BTW with Japanese voice acting FTW. Expect a glowing review in the near future. Speaking of Disgaea, check out the intro from Disgaea 3:



Sweet Laharl, Etna and Flonne making cameos here. I feel so justified clearing out the games that I hardly ever touched anyway, making way for a future copy of Disgaea 3. Come on SCEE, with the dollar getting hammered do you still think it is okay we pay near double the Americans do???

Christmas pudding

So what is the best out there? Can't be arsed to make one even if I knew how (plus I am a couple of months late). Candidate: Sainsbury's, Waitrose, M&S, Co-Op or Tesco (not if I can help it). Asda (Walmart UK edition) is too far and too unethical for me to consider anyway.

I enjoyed Waitrose last year but its a posh place for groceries.

Oh and here is a teaser from Duke Nukem Forever.


Does anyone seriously care about this vaporware anymore?

Mother dies because of religion

Via BBC News, a 22 year old mother died after refusing to be given blood after the birth of her twins because of her religion.

Doctors, faced with a moral dilemma, apparently begged Emma Gough's husband and family to overrule her insistent not to have blood transfusion; but the family stood their ground and rather see a love one die because of their beliefs. And this is in a country where euthanasia on the terminally ill is illegal and sinful (which is utter tosh).

The family are now grieving because of their own stupidity. The stupidity to risk a person's healthy life because of a religion - a skewed interpretation of a rule in a thousand year old best seller. The mind boggles on why human beings willingly surrender to faith and are are unable to think for themselves.

And now her twins will have to grow up without a mother. The silly selfish woman who deserves a Darwin award but disqualified.

Product Review: John Lewis clear glass clip 24 x 32 inches frame

This clear glass clip frame has been mounted on the wall empty for the past two weeks. Why? Because a poster art that was sent two weeks ago has not arrived. Why? Because Royal Mail and CWU are still screwing with us. They have even announced two more official strikes to go with their illegal unofficial ones. Friends has almost even come to accept that this was a mysterious poem by someone called "John Lewis" (until they read it).

So here it is, a very very short review. It is glass frame which is far sturdier than those tacky plastic frame that you get from discount art stores. The frame can be hung vertically or horizontally and directly onto wall fittings. The glass (and poster) is mounted to the frame with ten metal safety clips. I give this a 8/10 score. Right now it just needs a bleedin' content. Argh!