Third Match Loss

The title says as much; we lost the third match of Ballista Royale, against the very, and I mean VERY experienced and skilled players from the team, Darkside.

Well, here I have a screenshot of our team members, which I think is the best taken yet.



The final score was 6-25. And wow, I didn't at all get a chance to score any petras. They were able to suppress us so well that even when I managed to approach the rook, the "event skipped" occurred due to them hitting me. I was bound countless times, one shoted by Guillotine. The dark knight came after me more often than not. Lullaby, of course, didn't work well enough.

Well, we lost, but at least it's good to see that at least such a strong team exists on Lakshmi. We're all on the same server after all, so all I can say is good luck to them. Lakshmi for the win!

After the match, and after we settled down from the loss, attempted to help Steini with his rank 6-2 mission, which had a rather hilarious result. Turned out that only Windurstians could enter the Burning Circle, and thus only him and Jakal managed to get in. As like anyone else would do, they escaped the place, of course. Death is not an option, with such unfair conditions.

Then, we set up a Promyvion-Dem party, for all those who hadn't completed it. I, of course had done it months back, but I offered to help anyway. It's really fun. After what seemed like a million hours, due to me being unable to teleport, and Jakal falling asleep, we finally got going in the promyvion. First time I ever entered without a summoner. But we didn't really need it anyway.

So we proceeded, only to die on the third floor, due to a stupid aggro from an incredibly tough mob, and a link by another Weeper. The tanks fell fast, and us mages bolted for the exit zone. None of us made it, all except for Tarfur.



You see, the zone is that glowing circle thing, and we died right on it. Duh.

We regrouped in Jeuno, got back to the promyvion, and this time we were lucky to meet another party doing it as well, so we formed an alliance for the way up to the boss fight. Everything went smoothly then. So was the boss fight. We were slow and steady in taking it down. Didn't have to use Bendiction, which was lucky, considering we didn't have a paladin. Now I see why some parties bring along paladins.

Much fun indeed, but very drained for the entire day, lasting from morning to late afternoon. Thank you everyone.

Bite Me

Today was the first time I ever bowled. And I can be quite sure, I'm not good at it either. Still, it was fun.

My mom's over-reacting over my younger brother. She's keeping a close watch on every of the maid's actions to make sure he's not being treated in a way he should not. I mean, come on! Of all times, now? Just because the maid pulled his ears the other day, she's now completely switched to alert mode.

Had sort of an argument with my dad upon his return from his business trip. I shall not go into details, but you can see how... how fucked up my family is. Yes, I can't believe I'm saying this, but there's no better way to put it.

The sky is falling. Turmoil, catastrophe, chaos, calamity, whatever words, they all fit.

Well, this is me. And there's no getting off this train I'm on.

Full Metal Panic!

Finally done watching Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid.



With just 13 episodes, the ending seems to be too rushed. Yet somehow everything falls into place nicely in the end, or at least that's what I think.

So in the end, Amalgam was destroyed, when Sousuke made a surprise comeback in the Arbalest after Chidori made him return to his senses. Both the twins and their sensei died, with one being killed by Leonard's A.S., and the other losing her life in the battle with Mr Gates. As for Gaulun, Sousuke shot him to death. Sousuke, of course, got rid of Mr Gates by use of the Lambda Driver.

Sousuke finally realized what was most important to him. He didn't recognize himself as a sergeant anymore, but rather, a mercenery. He requested for him to be posted back to the school with Chidori. So basically it's a happy ending, but Chidori did not manage to express her love for Sousuke even at the end of the episode.

As for my exam results, I've nothing much to say. So far I've failed A Math and Social Studies, which is well, expected. Heh.

Whence Blows the Wind

Congratulations to Heavensfury! We've won the second match of the Ballista Royale, meaning that 2 more victories and we'll be representing Lakshmi!

The match didn't start out quite well, considering that I was the first to die (sob), and the opposing team scored 8 petras right at the start. But, the tide of battle changed, and we were almost always in the lead for the remaining of the match.

Really good teamwork, and according to Sotori, we didn't even have to communicate much. That can't be more true. Later we came up with a tactic, for the white mage to cast invisible on himself and stealthily sneak up to the rook to score once we obtained gate breach status. That worked perfectly. In fact, Raskin, our white mage was the high scorer! Cool stuff.

When I saw that there was 1 minute remaining to the end of the match, I knew that we were going to win for sure. Final score was 35-17. Haha, totally owned, all thanks to our wonderful teamwork, and skill this time round.

At least the opposing team members were sporting losers. So unlike the previous match's losers, where they continued ranting on about how we had won because of luck. Sure, it may be luck, but that just means we were luckier. Hah.

I couldn't help smiling when the match ended. Was in really high spirits, and lost for words. Didn't care that I was going to miss lunch. Our victory ceased my hunger.

I helped out a friend after that for his paladin AF2, which, at first, he died miserably from the pugil's Screwdriver attack. So he zoned back to Jeuno, called for additional help, a 75 thief, and we proceed to whoop the mob easily.

Ligerzero, or Willis, for that matter, has gotten back to play FFXI once again. Full of surprises. He's now an Elvaan warrior. I'm not used to see him as that. Ah, but it's good to have someone that I know play the game. At least, it feels different.

Let's win again next week. Although Raskin said he couldn't make it, we do hope that he could take a half day leave or something. He's the best white mage one could ever meet. And so is everyone else in the team, including the backups for giving their fullest support, heh.

Tomorrow, some concert performance we have to watch, as part of our school's post exams activities. Doesn't seem appealing, but honestly, anywhere outside the school is fine with me.

Guess I'm done with my rants. Until then... see ya.

Rank 5 - Have Wings, Will Fly

When I logged on to FFXI, it felt like I had just started all over again. I didn't know anyone, and I didn't know why I was there. Didn't know the people in the Linkshell, and when I made an attempt in making a remark, there wasn't any response. Friends on my friend list weren't in there, and at least more than half are "dead".

I unequipped it, as I ran around Jeuno, wandering aimlessly. I received plenty of invites, all of which I turned down. I had no mood.

Logged and returned in an hour or so. As I was farming a little with my NPC, Tarfur asked me to go meet him at Windurst. So, after my NPC took his leave, I boarded the airship, forgetting the fact that he could have easily warped to Jeuno.

He traded to me the pearl for Orestia's LS, which is the one almost everyone else I know have been in, since the "conflict". With nothing else to do, we sat around the fountain in Windurst Woods, and just chatted. Here's a screenshot.



After my quick lunch, I hinted to him about rank 5. I told him that I knew the way, and thus we set off to do it. That really killed my boredom. I never get more joy from doing anything else other than helping people. Rank 5, genkai 3, PLing, you know.

Everything went smoothly. After all, I've done these countless number of times. Maybe I should start working as a guide, lol. But then again, no, I don't want gil involved. It's free! Rid me of my boredom and I offer you any help you need. Within my abilities, of course.

When we finished everything it was like 4:30 A.M. for him. I honestly wouldn't stay up till that time if I have school that morning. But, rank 5, pretty exciting, eh? An airship pass! Who would resist?

Ah, really looking forward to all the new games. Shadow Hearts: From the New World, Grandia 3, Tales of the Abyss, Kingdom Hearts II, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, just to name a few. And also, Final Fantasy IV, V and VI for the GameBoy Advance. Can't wait to see how's Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid is going to end, too.

Oh, and I received the codex for Ballista Royale from the NPC. Next scheduled match is on 22 December, 21:00 PDT. Should be correct, considering it appeared as 23 December, 12 noon, Singapore time.

Over and Done With

End of year exams finally ended today. And to think that I wished it never came. At least, it's over now. But the holidays doesn't really start until all the extra lessons are done with. Sigh.

What can I say... Time to kick back, relax and probably return to FFXI full time, if there's even anything to do. Just so happens that the track from Chains of Promathia OST, "Faded Memories-Promyvion" is playing right now. And that reminds me, I've yet to beat the boss in Promyvion-Holla. Four losses so far; kinda gave up already.

I'm tired, but I dont want to sleep. Ah, the irony. Considering how there's no school tomorrow, I might just end up not sleeping... Well, you never know.

Ballista Royale - First Match

For anyone who still doesn't know what this event is about, learn more about it here.

Well, our team, Heavensfury was up against Koden for the very first match. As luck would have it, we won. Barely, I might add. Thanks to Raskin's final petra right at the last second, making us beat them by 1 point. Other than that, it was a fine display of skill from the other usual "ballista"ers. Me? I don't take part in these often.

Felt kind of useless in there without a sub job. Being a bard, I couldn't heal, stoneskin, blink and all that. But I guess that made me realize that ultimately I'm just casting Lullaby over and over. And I scored 4 petras. Not too bad, I guess. Highest scorer was Eneco, with 7 petras. Woot.

And here's a screenshot taken before the match started. Don't blame me for cutting out the other members; I wasn't standing in the centre of the lot and therefore couldn't get everyone in view.



Only managed to take one, as during the match it was so hectic I couldn't afford to direct my attention somewhere else.

Died twice, the second highest number of deaths next to Raskin. They always go for us mages first. Sigh. I was "Dancing Edge"d, and "Penta Trust"ed if I remember correctly.

Still, we won. And that, is of course a good thing. Oh, and did I mention that I was only a backup team member, only replacing Rick because, because... I don't know. Whatever the reason is. The others weren't too happy about it, of course.

Next week would be the 2nd match, since all the first rounds finishes today. Let's hope we make it all the way to represent Lakshmi server. Tough, but we rock. =P

Peace out.

Midst of Exams

Ah, finally. More than a third of the examintion is over. Just three more subjects, two more days. I can't wait.

Watched Final Fantasy VII: Last Order, the video animation which came with the boxed set of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children released only in Japan, and is also part of the Complilation of FFVII.

Basically it's about the flashbacks of the events with Sephiroth in Nibelheim and also about Zack's and Cloud escape from Shinra. If you played the game, you'll already know the gist of it.
You don't get to see Zack being shot to death, though. It's the final scene where the screen goes black and all you hear is a gunshot. Bang.

And, Ballista Royale. 18:00 PDT, 15 October. Finally got the time right, I guess, after some calculations.

Gonna go sleep, soon.

Accident Aftermath

My younger brother hit his head while running too fast just awhile back. His forehead is so damn swollen. This is the second time this has happened. The last time, an arguement broke out between my parents. A long one, at that. It lasted all the way to the hospital.

And me? I'm stuck in between.

My father kept asking how he had knocked his head. My mother didn't really see what happened then, as she was behind him while my brother ran into my room. Picture this: someone who keeps asking someone about something she doesn't exactly know. You get a never-ending chain of arguements.

I really don't understand them. Then they're ranting about how they want to leave the house. My father mumbling about how he wants to go on business trips and not be in this house. My mother, has always been saying how she can't take it anymore and wants to leave the house. By this time, I knew I had to do something.

I shouted, in chinese, "Won't you two stop it already! Don't keep pushing the blame all over, the child belongs to both of you!"

That shut them up. And mind you, I was having my dinner at that time. Now I'm drowning myself in music, to get them out of my mind.

Sick, Tired, Dying

I can't find a better day to be sick.

My nose was twitchy this morning. I knew it was acting up, so I brought extra tissue, lol. So there you have it, down with cold the whole day, with a slight fever towards noon. And I couldn't think. My mind was blank one moment, then filled with wierd thoughts the next. Still, really glad that I had anticipated it and got prepared. Well, in a way. There's nothing I can do to stop it anyway. Sigh.

After lunch, I was just too tired. Fell asleep with heaps of tissue at my feet. I wonder where the hell my dustbin went! It isn't there when I need it most.

Well I just woke up, and I don't know whether I even have the appetite for dinner. And there's still my chinese composition and math papers to do by tomorrow. How can I... possibly finish them all in my current state?

Ugh. Feel my pain.

Hmph

Awoke at 7:30 A.M., but turned out that there wasn't any ballista practice. So me sleeping early had all come down to nothing. Well I ended up PLing Raskin's party at Yuhtunga Jungle. Besides the usual healing, I saved lots of lives from a large number of Goblin Smithys being zoned. Heh.

Math tuition prevented me from staying longer, though. Argh, that's why I hate it, my Sundays are entirely occupied by tuition. I'm glad this year is coming to an end.

Exams in a week. Yikes.

Just finished dinner(yes, at 11:30P.M.) and I'm about to turn in for the night.

Later.

Ballista Royale? Warau

So, in preperation for the upcoming Ballista Royale, our LS is holding practices in Diorama Abdhaljs-Ghelsba. But me, being here in Singapore, and them in America, the timing doesn't ever work out. It's either too late or too early. And that's also the reason I'm unable to join any HNM LS. What I can join are the Japanese ones, but then, I don't understand Japanese well enough.

Did I piss someone off when I said "Don't care about me, you all go on ahead"? Because my name is on the team list, I'm being treated with importance as much as everyone else. But no, I don't want to affect everyone else and delay the practices to a time which becomes inconvenient for them instead. Besides, I only signed up to be a backup. I was on the verge of saying "well then, kick me out". Then again, we don't even know if we're chosen yet, why worry so much?

As much as I know I'm not going to make it though, I'm going to try. I always have problems waking up early. Two, or even three alarm clocks won't work. Which is why, I'm going to bed extremely early tonight, or at least it's early for me. I'm aiming for 9:30 P.M.

Heh. And I haven't even bathed or taken dinner yet. Better get on to it.

Tired

I want to watch D.N.Angel, especially after listening to the opening theme. What a great song. I don't have enough money to buy the anime, but I guess I'll get the chance to watch it soon, hopefully. A friend's friend has it, so maybe she could borrow it for me.

Really having very little sleep this week, or so I consider it to be. I seem to be suffering from insomnia or something. Total number of hours of sleep so far this week is 10 hours. Meh. That's quite a lot actually. It could be much much lesser than that.

Havent studied Chemistry. I don't really know. I keep telling myself to turn in early and I might just end up staying up till 1 or 2. No, I can't let it happen today. I'll just glance through the main points and study the rest tomorrow. Besides, Mrs. Tan did say she was going to give us 1 period to study anyway.

And A Math Trigonometry is driving me crazy. I'd better go for the consultation tomorrow. I don't want to fail the next test. I can't.

Oh, and here's a small screenshot of FFXI, for anyone who have not seen it before. Though if you like FF, I certainly doubt so.


I'm none other than the one playing music. =P

Stop Dreaming Already

I don't really know what to say, but since I'm so bored at this hour. Guess I shall recall how I had met friends on FFXI.

Idontknow, the male Tarutaru I met the very first day I started playing, at South Gustaberg. I had chosen Bastok because I liked the music there, heh. Really grateful to him for teaching me all the basics I needed to know, and for leveling with me up till about level 10 or so. Found out that he had one other character called Dikar, a hume male. Sometime later on, he "disappeared". Only upon his return about 2 months later did we find out that his house had been destroyed a tornado, in Florida. He then stopped playing as Idontknow as we were all so high levels then.

Axl, the hume male I first saw at Danguf Wadi when I was playing as thief. The second time I went in there with Idontknow, spotted him again. I said hi, and he told us he was apparantly lost. So we worked our way out together. We ventured out to Konshtat Highlands, the first time I had ever been that far. He introduced to me a group called The Pillows, which well, I'm a fan of them now, and really grateful to him. He's also the first person to tell me that my character name, Usagimaru, actually means male rabbit, or could also mean rabbit tail or meatballs, haha. He said once that his father knows the people of SquareEnix, and may work there sometime. Born in Japan, and currently living in the USA, I think. Well, now he doesn't play anymore. Good luck to him.

Finnh, male hume, whom I first met in Valkurm Dunes, at level 13. The first we just happened to be in the same party. Didn't really talk much at that time. The second time was different though, as we had more chance to converse within a party which lasted extremely long. Turned out that he was rather friendly, and we became friends just like that. Really nice guy, living in New York. Never really managed to party with him again at higher levels, but we managed to get Mission 2-3 done together. Seldom see him these days, but he does come on once in a while.

Sotori, a fellow hume male thief, ahah. First met him at Valkurm Dunes. He never talked much to begin with, but we added each other to our friend lists anyway. We got our Palborough Mines keys for Kazham Airship Pass at the same time. Kinda lost contact with him later on, but somehow got back through the LS, TheFatedOnes, which was created by Dikar. I think, somehow, all my friends were revolved around this LS.

Martind, hume male, playing as red mage when I first met him at Kazham. He lives in Holland but isn't Dutch, actually. Born in Africa, north or south, I forgot. Real name is Martin. XD Well, I was waiting for a party, which was really rare at that time of the day. He happened to be doing the same thing. We were both standing at the exit to Kazham, as bored as can be. This caused us to kill time by talking to the ony other person around, I guess. We played "Hide and Seek" inside Kazham, lol. Became friends after that. Somehow, he also got into the same LS, TheFatedOnes. What a coincidence.

Steini, hume male. Only got to know him through the LS. Always calling people "Jew", heh. Only later when we all switched to the LS, Genocyde did we get to know him better. Well, he being the leader, of course. Still remember the time when Martin and I said that "Steini's actually a nice guy, if u know him well enough". Ahah. He quit in May this year, but as his friend wanted someone to play with, offered to pay for his bills, thus he returned in July. Always longing that I can fly to America sometime, lol. I wonder?

Well, I guess that pretty much sums up all the main peeps I know. Of course there are more, but I havent really gotten to know them much and anyway, if I listed them all there would be too many. =P

Nice Time To Be Sick

Got a cold, again. Damn sinus.

I couldn't concentrate on doing the tests today. My mind completely blanked out during the chinese test as I used pieces of tissue paper one after another. Forty pieces barely managed to last me through the hour and a half.

Biology test was slightly better, as I had spent the previous night doing notes. Turns out that writing the points out is indeed quite effective. But some facts did slip off my mind though. Then again, maybe I just didn't know.

I don't care if I flunk them. I was sick. SICK.

You Know Who You Are

Why must you be so unreasonable,
at very little thing.
Doesn't matter if it's right or wrong
as long as you don't like it.
You don't even find out the truth.

You're pessimistic.
You don't take what others say into consideration.
Complainin' all day, about how unfair life is.
You think you're the only one!?
Have you ever thought about
how the others around you are feeling?

You don't listen to others.
You expect others to listen to you?
And you blame them for not helping you
in any way,
when you don't even let them in the first place?
And not showing any gratitude?

Why?
You're... different.
You've changed, and you know it.
And I...

I hate you for that.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Well, I bought Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Cost me $79, damn expensive.

But it was totally awesome. Really, what an amazing animated movie. Ah, good work, SquareEnix. Keep 'em games comin'.

As much as it was good though, I couldn't really understand what they were saying. they spoke in Japanese, and there were no English subtitles. Heh, but who needs subtitles when you have the amazing graphics and action packed scenes to keep you drawn in anyway. Gotta love Tifa and Cloud. Oh, and everyone else. Heh heh.

And I changed blogskin again... didn't quite like the second one I had chosen. Everything here's revolving around Final Fantasy VII, eh?

Well anyway, look at the time, argh. I must be off.

Depression

Just tell me what the hell is going on.

Why do people try to kill themselves...
Think they can just slit their wrists and die?
Or better still just jump down,
or the painless method,
excessive consumption of pills.

What are you trying to do here?
There's no logic behind all this.

Think about it.
We are dying from the moment we are born.
If we know that we're going to die in the end anyways,
why are we still here?

Did you ever truly live?
Or are you just here because you are... just here?

Sure there are reasons behind all these...
Just because of a setback,
goals failed in life,
lost love...
We see no point in carrying on.
Just end it.

And we continue living on beacuse it's good?
Having a good life?
Or that our life is just ups,
and no downs?

You honestly think so?

It's just complicated...
You might understand,
you might not.
But I know for sure.

I don't.

Maat Masher

Finally got hold of Good News For People Who Love Bad News by Modest Mouse.

Looked around the store for any The Pillows albums. Search results - Negative. =(

And woot, defeated Maat for genkai 5. Ahahaha. Thanks to those who lent me their equipment.

It wasn't that bad actually. Not as bad as I thought it to be. Maat was hitting me for close to 100 and i was dealing about 30 damage on average and 40+ for criticals. The only WS Maat used against me was One-Inch Punch, which missed. Heh heh. With Soul Voice and double Paeon, keeping HP high wasn't much of a problem.

Basically just finalled Maat's Minne, Cyclone, used an Icarus Wing followed by another Cyclone. Skillchain: Detonation. Then just whacked all the way till the end.

And ugh... school reopens on next Monday. Gonna be bored to death by it, or get stressed until I just blow up. Either way, not fun. =(

Holidays...

Went to watch "One More Chance", the new Jack Neo film, with Willis, Guang Sheng, Clarence, Mao Kun and Aloysius Yuen at Jubilee.

Haha. More like a 6B gathering with 2 extra people.

The movie was not bad. Funny, and touching at certain parts. It's mainly about giving ex-convicts a second chance. Yeah, totally. People need to be more understanding, damn it. Don't discriminate them, like people always do.

We went to the arcade before and after the movie. I mean, where else could we possibly go to?

And the game I always play is Guilty Gear XX2 Reloaded. I'm not exactly pro at it, but whatever. It's fun, and that's all I care.

Had dinner, and went home.

Almost died of boredom. Man, there's nothing to do. I'm tired yet I don't want to sleep, and I'm too lazy to get up from my chair. The most I do is walk around the house, and it doesn't give me much space anyway.

Well, at least listening to Mikuni Shimokawa keeps me sane. Yes, the wonderful singer who performed all opening and ending themes for the 3 current Full Metal Panic series.

Well, itte kimasu... ja ne.