Friday, July 25, 2014

Homework, Exams, Recaps, and Food. Yep...I'm hungry..

This could have been breakfast
So so so lazy. I know you are wondering what the heck was up with that recap of Trot Lovers. The truth is, it was so good, I chugged the show and sat aside my computer. I'm going to finish it, I swear! But....not right now. Between my off campus proctor and the one that I'll be taking in two hours, my time would be better served studying than writing on my blog right now. Heck, I should even be doing back homework. But I am not :( I am killing time surfing while thinking of the food that I did not have time to prepare this morning and imaging my teeth sinking through juicy meat, whose fluids flow-----okay! Stop it, mind. Stop it! You'll only make yourself hungrier (knew I should have at least put those cherries and grapes in some plain yogurt and mixed granola on my way out!!!WHY!!!).

But I did finish Me Too, Flower last week. It was all in all, pretty good. I was actually kind of confused by the last three episodes. The second female lead lost her mind, the pyshologist and the sister got suddenly love pangs(which I expected, but this was just too abrupt and too short), and the main couple wasted time with needless, stupid drama. I am going to rewatch those epiosdes, though. I was doing double duty at the time so maybe I missed something.

I also need to play catch up with Fated To Love You and jump onboard Married, Not Dating, which I hear has a similar premise.

I am probably more suited to overview drama recaps. But...I don't mind trying again for full drama recaps. Maybe I can do a drama that no one is reviewing one day. Cause for now, my entire watchlist is being written by some other blogger in blogosphere.

PS. I've recently started cooking my own full meals and I have found that the end result of these recipes are so beautiful, I want to take a picture of it everytime I eat.

Update: 8/28/14

I've started school again on the 22nd. It's now the Fall Semester, I've dropped FTLY Korean, picked up Night Watchman(hanging onto drop thread), blown through the awesome Bridal Mask, lightly dropped Josean Gunman when it was not as good, Surplus Princess and old dramas like Time Slip Doctor Jin are picked up. Overall, I'd say that the anime is now giving the dramas a run for their money.

Summer Anime was pitiful, so I am glad it is gone.

Kamigami no Asobi is based on a dating sim game in Japan and while it started out interesting, those cheesy shojo themes made me drop this junk. I came back for the end but seeing some of the events change from the game to suit the happy shojo like heroine made me grim all over again.
Seikoku no Dragonar was one of the few best of the season. Too bad I dropped everything in the summer b/c the lineup was sooo bad.
No Game No Life was #1 as the best anime in the summer. Sadly, the last episode was like a 24 page  manga chapter with a ripped 12th page and nothing visible after it. I was just on the edge of my seat in that last episode! Why you turn my tv off, Japan!?!
Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushi is still waiting to be unwrapped from my queue. It could be good but for now, Dr. Jin is waiting for me. Sorry anime romance -_-'

Another I have that I can't bring myself to watch is Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. The manga is slow and not quite interesting but has potential. Light novel bored me until I quit, and that wasn't very long. And the anime, well, I suspect I will suffer the same. Why go through that? At least, if I do decide to, I won't do so eagerly.

I failed to stomach more than an episode of Majin Bone and Mushishi Zoku Shou.  It was just two more not-good Summer shows. Blade and Soul seemed to lack the substance I wanted so this was also dropped at episode 1. Black Bullet only looked sleek and was dropped at episode 1 too. Akuma no Riddle seemed cool and the manga name was familiar. But like everytime I am drawn to the Akuma no Riddle manga, I forgot too that the genre is yuri. I already knew Soul Eater Not was not Soul Eater by having seen the manga already. I did not anticipate this anime and didn't even know it would be animated but I dropped it as a vicim of overall dismal summer showing. I did pipe up when Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches look like it was becomin an anime but a few minutes of an ONA left me miserable all over again.

In contract, the previous Spring Season was quite tasty. Strange Plus, which is currently airing another season, was a nice refresh between 30 minute episodes of heavier drama. The mangaka illustrations at the end were especially cool. It was cool immediately identifying my fav artists like Naked Ape and Toya Mikanagi. Hamatora was a weak link that season but I loved me some Art, was interested in Hamatora, hated Moral, and was annoyed by Nice-Kuuuunn :( That guy...Buddy Complex started slow and came out strong toward the end. Still waiting the second season so I can hear the aged Bizon say, "HIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNAAAAAAA!!!!" and destroy our buddy, Aoba. Inari Konkon Koi Iroha was good. I dropped it than picked it back up a few weeks ago. I may even read the manga now.
After the gunning down of history and historical figures by that other Nobunaga anime(yep, I mean, the Fool) I dropped that
anime in the first episode. I had never seen Joan as pathetic and useless in a portrayal as a character. Tokyo Ravens felt just like the source material. A light novel series should not feel like a written light novel in a visual adaption. What I mean is, pacing. It was good for what ut was though :) Same as Kyoukai no Kanata, but it beat out Ravens by alot. In the middle it became exciting, shocking, and made you care about your characters while you may have still had reservations towards Bakatora and his cousin, Natsume.

That's true.
For the crime of being ridiculously shounen and lacking common sense characters, Strike the Blood was dropped after 6 episodes. Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio did not follow the manga at all. So maybe it was good that I never read it. The anime was very straight forward yet unique. But sometimes when all the female ships fawned over Gunzou, I felt that it would be nice to see them shut up if he were beaten to death. And then there is Pupa. 5 minutes is not even worth it. Read the detailed manga and horrified and confused, like the anime should have done, is my advice to readers.

Blood Lad was at 100% for me. Whether you read the manga or watch the anime, it is all the same. This is rare and golden, indeed. It deserved a second season but all the studio gave it was an OVA to cover the few chapters following the original story. Makai Ouji: Devils ad Realist is much the same and for god sakes, it is not yaoi. If you read yaoi, you'd know the difference. Ignorance is truly prickling when it is treated as fact :( So was Free! though I am skipping the second season.

Nice trick promo! My sly & handsome Ryouma-GONE!
Nisekoi was not nearly as bad as fans claimed and to be honest, the manga is not all that great either. It was okay. But I am a barely harem fan. Stay interesting and don't the females get too infatuated and annoying with more than women going on and you got me. Dropped. Then BlueBlaze Alter Memory tricked me into anticipating a few tricks in it's plot, but all it turned out to be was a simple hat trick without a single blaze.

Only Izumi has a god awful pose in this poster -_-

Now for what I am watching now. Starting with the one I anticiapted most, Love Stage. Love Stage is now disappointing but it is Love Stage, so I am still watching. Waiting for that hanging cliff hanger in the manga to be released. Anime----ehhhh, no longer anticipating, just watching. Hate filler Lala Lulu.


Re:Hamatora, aka Hamatora the second season is still on my list. Still love Art but the story is getting far more interesting than that unlikable nonsense from season 1.

Nobunaga Concerto is the standout anime for me, but I wish it would get a break from the whining about the animation style. The story is amazing but the subs drag until  new episode and the animators gloss over all the MC's battles. As always, the manga is better but the anime is a close second. Somebody needs to pick this project up and speed up those translations. Also, I look forward to the drama adaption soon :)
This is how it's done, the Fool!
Persona 4 The Golden Animation is a reworking of the original and one I intended to rewatch for the heck of it, but...a few minutes in of watching the same settings, characters, and lines of the original and I was out. Dropped!

Sword Art Online Season 2! Says it all. I am expecting great things and sadly, waiting forever...and forever....and- darn it, the pacing is just sooo.....!! But I saw an ad on the Crunchyroll Channel of Roku and it was about a new SAO game that was free online. Well, I went online to get the game and got the ultimate troll. It wasn't even available yet and when I looked for reviews, there were very few. One of them was some douche talking about how much he hates SAO anime and used his angry ammo to review the game in as much negative light as he can. The hell? I will just watch the anime and wait to play the game myself.

I have heard that Kamisama Hajimemashita will have a second season. I am anticipating the return and hope that I will not have to drop it b/c once again, they have changed all the great atmospheres and behavior that made me mesmerized by the manga. But if that makes it meet the same fate as Nurarihyon no Mago by appeasing disgruntled manga fans, ignore me by all means. Kamisama .H should be ending soon. Usually when you and many others can see the end approaching, the manga is likely heading that way. I just found out that The World God Only Knows ended tonight. I'll be reading the last chapter after this.

RIP, Beelzebub, Rosario Vampire II, and (about time! and thank you, September Scans!)Michiru Heya. And now, I guess it is Fin for TWGOK.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Looking Back @ Her Legend


Randoming thing about drama. Specifically, Her Legend. I watched that instead of Master's Sun because kept sending me emails trying to shove Sun up my ass. I was thinkng how I really wanted to like that drama, the sloppy kiss, the actor playing the male mc and the female's horrific play for emotion. I thought, it wasn't that the crying was excessive and emotions were too much. Then I thought of the ending. Mi Rae's Choice and Marry Me Mary! endings floated through my head. Neither were perfect, they were nowhere near the best dramas, yet the endings felt fine, maybe even right.

Her Legend tried something similar but somehow, I feel it failed and fell flat. I've mostly forgotten the last episode. I wish I could forget the whole drama, but even so, I didn't and I guess that says something. But that nostalgic feel-good feeling I get thinking about those other dramas simply just don't come.

PS. I watched this as it aired and despite the bad reviews for the male mc as well, I felt that any male mc who had to cry in nearly every episode like a wuse would look bad. He may have overacted but the script was just bad and the female lead always had that painted, emotionally bankcrupt facial expression. It justmade the flaws so much worse. I'll always remember the second lead as perfect. What I mean by that is not that I shipped him with the candy. He just played his part like he was in a different, better drama. How is that for memory.

http://www.dramafever.com/drama/4308/Her_Legend/
Recaps are here: kimjeonghoonnews.blogspot.com

Currently Watching:
The King of High School

Me too, Flower (this is not simulcasted. Yeah, I'm late)
Fated to Love You- remake Korean
Hotel King

Just Closed the doors on:           -----------------------------------------
Angel's Revenge

Big Man

Emergency Couple
Cunning Single Lady


2014 Best Drama Pick so Far:
Bride of The Century

Looking forward to Nodame Cantabile remake
Still haven't watched Secret Love Affair and Golden Cross
Just finished Scent of A Woman
Planning to re-acquaintence myself with Taiwanese drama
Planning to bandwagon Runnng Man

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Call me a Cynic, That new Listian smell

But after getting the kick from sellers, particularly new ones, I no longer trust new Listians who sell high end electronics. I was finally reinburst this morning for a seller who disappeared after I suggested using flat rate. It is $7 and much cheaper. I would have paid the $30 standard fee she originally requested if she disagreed but that was fine. What wasn't fine was logging in the day I suggested flat rate and never returning. Flate rate, by the way, would have included tracking and 2 day arrival. She was new and maybe she did not know about the 7 day ship rule and correspond dates. Either way, zero correspondence for over a week is unacceptable  no matter where you are selling.

Listias rules are pretty simple and easy to follow. Unlike other sites, it does not come with a million and one lines of terms and conditions. It is unacceptable that people won't take the time to read it. Their app, in this aspect, is lacking though. I understand quite a few new users visit through the app. But for anyone who uses the pc to do Listia activities, we know it is just complimentary. Full experience and understanding doesn't happen until you visit the website.

Even so, that is no excuse. I have noticed brand spanking new users using the same rules as other, more experience Listians and I have more confidence in them. The 3 or 4 auctions that they have completed have positive feedback and their products range from high to low end. I have more confidence in them because you can tell they have looked around, probably read the rules, and thought about what they wanted to sell. No one is immune to slip ups. Lord nows, I am not. That doesn't mean it is okay dropping the ball on your first job. It comes off as you weren't willing to do the work(packaging winning item, applying postage and shipping it at post office).

If she had read the rules she wouldn't need to ask about who pays shipping and when she gets her credits. I want a tablet but not in this environment. 1-0 feedback, 0-2 verification, electronics for sale with 0-3 photos with no name attached, little to no information about product either is all forboding to me. Start small, if you are new. Get a few completed auctions in before throwing tablets and smartphones for auction without knowing Listia is legit. It is legit, by the way, but does this even make sense to do as a consumer. My first auction was a studded, graphic tattoo bangle. 5 auctions later, I started seling jewelry, makeup, and clothing.

I also got hit with my first negative feedback as a new seller too. It is still annoying to remember and it is also the reason I hold off on feedback for a few days now. I wish I had the sense to explain my reasoning for the neutral feedback because when people look at it all they will see is the other person saying, "seller NEVER shipped (11 days later) and then left ME neutral feedback????" I had a bill that week and didn't realize it, so instead of shipping the friday I orginally said, I emailed to say I will ship the next Friday. Seller did not email back to say they had an issue with it. Well, that Friday came and just as I was going out the door with my packages, I decided to double check my addresses. Imagine my surprise when I logged in and saw "Action Required: The winner on the following auction is disputing the transaction." in my inbox.

I was on my way out the door with this user's package on the day I said I was shipping it and she disputes it the same day. I was pissed but replied, "I've had a few financial restraints in the last two weeks. I was going to ship it soon but If you want a refund, I will gladly do so. Best of luck to you. Wish you luck in the future."

In hindsight, I should not have put soon since it was the morning of shipping. Because she was about to put me in a cruch by shipping off something she had declared (the day I was sending it) that she no longer wanted, I gave her neutral feedback. Plus, I had already packaged, bubbled, addressed, and tapped her item. Had I not logged in at the last minute, her package would've been headed to Wisconson.

Ever helpful, I gave her a refund because that is just my m.o. Afterall, I did try to ship it off a week late. But the me today knows better. She would have not gotten that refund today. It was my first time and I had no idea I could take pictures of reciepts, etc and upload them in a dispute. She also never sent a single email except the day she won and that was to clarify her address. I was the one emailing her. I sent four emails in all. 11 days after the auction ended and her first email, I got a dispute notice. But I sent an email 6 days after the auction ended to say I will ship the following friday. Today is Friday, here is the reciept picture, as you can see she isn't giving me tie to ship, and that would have been a rejected dispute.

Instead, I said yes, she gave me her bitchy feedback(because she can correspond now, her keyboard works) and I was pissed all over again. An hour did not pass between the time she disputed and the time I accepted but she still lost her mind??!?? Oh.hell. no....

I sent her an email from the auction link and personal contact link and this is the last thing I said:

"It would appear that you are angry because I gave you neutral feedback. Against what you probably have assumed, it was not payback, as, I daresay, based on YOUR feedback, yours was motivated by. I actually don't mind giving refunds. Assuming me and the buyer have an understanding, I'll immediately do a refund (which you cannot claimed you have not experienced yourself). You were given neutral feedback because you waited the day I said I was going to ship it to complain. Sometimes I do confirmation, sometimes I don't. If I had shipped it today, I would not have been able to successfully contest your claims. Especially since I had already previously promised to ship it. I would have given you positive feedback if it was contested before Thursday afternoon or after today if I had emailed you with another excuse.

I apologize if this has made you angry but I am not sorry about my rating. I firmly believe that when selling, personal feeling have no place in business. And personal feelings didn't have a thing to do with my rating. It was all about timing and correspondence. If you choose to still be spiteful over something so small, it is your prerogative. Understanding is appreciated, but not necessary. Thank you and better luck to you in the future."

She never replied despite her fake outrage in the feedback. I think her keyboard broke again. After 3 years, it may be time to buy a new one-_-. In another life, I would have been her patron, but we were both new sellers and that interaction definitely left something to be desired. New sellers are not going to be perfect. But as I said already, doesn't mean we cannot try.
In retrospect, I may not be that cynical.


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Drama on My Tv

It's Thursday Night and I haven't checked my homework schedule.
With a fearful heart, I login in the next tab.
My heart thuds and I breathe a sigh of relief.
10 days until my management project is due and 20 days for the proctored exam *wipes sweat from neck with cold rag* whew!
Economics project and discussion quiz due in 3 days *sweat drips*
Cartoon paper....10 days *looks down at wet shirt*
I got about 10 past due assignments in computer too :(

*Shrugs* I guess I will watch drama. All this typing got me looking at different websites. I just ran into SOAW, which I've been postponing, on dramabeans and after seeing the sexy mc from Hotel King in one of the photos, I think I'm going to drop myself on the couch and turn on my roku. It's time to watch k-drama. Scent of A Woman here I come!

http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/07/scent-of-a-woman-episode-2/

quick facts:

My favorite asian actor just may be
Mike He

This list of favorites may include
Kang Ji-hwan
 also,
whom I may or may not serial stalk all drama he is in

.....

....I also may think he is too good for those dramas


After Marry Him if You Dare, I became a fan of
Lee Dong-gun
 too
But had no idea that the female lead was from Coffee Prince

죄송합니다

You looked much older, but then,
I didn't become a drama fan until 2010. STILL! So different....

PS. I may or may not love my kdramas more than my tdramas or jdramas, even chinese dramas cannot compare.....I mean, may

Also,
This room is hot, my laptop battery is overcharging and the korean version of Fated To Love You is sitting in my queue. Why am I still writing this?

Enjoy the eye candy and beat it!




PSS. You're Beautiful is still overrated

Places you can find me: Asian drama community hangouts galore! (2)

As I mentioned, there is zero interaction going on at my go to drama streaming website, dramacool. So, where do I go? The blogosphere!

I love me some recaps. The first blog I ever found for recaps was several years ago, when I had just started reading the One Piece manga, never watched anime and drama anywhere but the Crazy websites, had just graduated and never heard of Bleach as anything other than a cleaning agent.

It was Koala's Playground. It came from an utterly random search but the name and image heading stuck.
Second is Dramabeans. Prone to working my nerves in what I sometimes view as a negative prospective, dramabeans can always be counted on for blunt recaps. As a note, dramabeans has multiple bloggers. But they all seem to form a single personaity so I will descriminate.
Then, there is AAA. That is, Asian Addicts Anonymous. I found this lady when I was looking for a recap of Ando Llyod. Since then, I can't stay out of AAA. But like dramacool, she is ridiculously underrated.
My newest find is my new persona. Yep, no caps in the title. Persona is the only blog I've seen recapping Hotel King, which is just crazy. Following persona is just a matter of good taste. I can't pass that up.

Here are a few dramas and movies I've finished. And yes, I mean, just a few. Also, these are based on my opinion and enjoyment. It is NO reflection on how good it is. But then, "good" itself is just another way to characterize an opinion.

Dramaland is filled with many a different dramas!

49 Days *gasp* yes, it was actually the first time I sought out a recaps on KP. And the second time I visited.
**** 4 stars

Big- I love it and I don't care who naysays me ;)
**** 4 stars

Protect the Boss
**** 4 stars

Sword and Flower
** 2 Stars Dropped

Who Are You  (the dad ghost, rom; not the other one)
*** 3 Stars

The Legend of Seven Cutter -Korea-
***** 5 Stars

Playful Kiss
0 Dropped

My Love. Madame Butterfly
*** 3 Stars

Bad Boys J
**** 4 Stars

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
** 2 Stars- Incomplete/ Dropped

Marry Him If You Dare
*** 3 Stars

Boys Over Flowers -Japan-
**** 4 Stars

Boys Over Flowers S2 -Japan-
*** 3 Stars

Lie to Me
*** 3 Stars

Inspiring Generation
** 2 Stars

Big Man
*** 3 Stars

Flames of Ambition
***** 5 Stars

You're Beautiful
*** 3 Stars

Pretty Man
*** 3 Stars

My Love From Another Star
***** 5 Stars

Queen's Classroom
*** 3 Stars -Korea-

Spring Love
**** 4 Stars   (Mike He is the only reason...only)

Secret Garden
***** 5 Stars

Heirs
* 1 Stars Dropped

Master's Sun
***** 5 Stars

Shut Up Flower Boy Band
***** 5 Stars

First Class
*** 3 Stars

Angel's Revenge
** 2 Stars

Hakuba no Oujisama
** 2 Stars

King Flower
**** 4 Stars   (Teeerrrrry!)

Faith
**** 4 Stars

Bride of the Century
***** 5 Stars

Emergency Couple
** 2 Stars

The Greatest Love
**** 4 Stars

Cruel City
*** 3 Stars

Last Cinderella
**** 4 Stars

The Pursuit of Happiness
** 2 Stars

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
**** 4 Stars

Ando Lloyd
** 2 Stars

Empress Ki
*** 3 Stars

Cunning Single Woman
*** 3 Stars

Coffee Prince
**** 4 Stars

Rich Man, Poor Woman
*** 3 Stars- Incomplete

Flower Boy Next Door
**** 4 Stars

Mary Stayed Out All Night
*** 3 Stars

The Moon Embraces The Sun
*** 3 Stars- Incomplete

Dal Ja's Spring
***** 5 Stars

200 Pound Beauty Movie
**** 4 Stars

Drunken to Love You
*** 3 Stars

Fated to Love You
**** 4 Stars -Taiwan version-

My Sassy Girl Movie
*** 3 Stars

Skip Beat
**** 4 Stars

Basketball
** 2 Stars Dropped

Incarnation of Money
** 2 Stars

Secret
*** 3 Stars -Incomplete

Last Scandal
***** 5 Stars



Places you can find me: Asian drama community hangouts galore!

Where there is asian drama, there is me. I haven't watched much anime b/c of how much drama (and homework -_-) I have been watching.

I previously used Gooddrama to stream my favorite and new shows after dramacrazy.com kicked the bucket, but after seein the low level of maturity and annoying link+video format, I jumped shipped and found another vassal to get my fix on.

Dramacool has it's videos in one file. No more jumping about 4-5 parts to watch a single episode. They have a comments section but it is mostly empty. That is the only thing I miss. The human interaction, because this website is too underrated. But the real problem is that the series list is sloppy since it doesn't list all their dramas. I remmember passing it by when DC first closed. Thank you, search box and sidelong quick links :D
The list does not properly represent a perfectly good website and for that, nobody has noticed it. The layout is lovely and web design is to die for though. Sad, but I love it anyways. So we have the good, the bad, and ....   .... It's not worth mentioning :(

The Good

The bad (or just weak)

And the not worth mentioning, not pale but bleached, ugly replica

Places you can find me: Listia

Yep, I love me some free auctions. I love to do and browse them. So much so, my bff starting saying I was addicted to it.
My user name is Constance25, profile 1208727
As of 7/3/2014, this is my profile -_-