Yummy donuts I had with friends while in Vancouver.
(REVIEW) New Year's Resolutions for 2017
- Spend at least 100 hours on learning Python -- NOPE (I didn't spend any time on this =_=)
- Spend at least 100 hours on learning Japanese -- NOPE (I didn't spend any time on this =_=)
- Create a text-based game -- NOPE (I was hoping to work on this in December *sigh*)
- Create at least 1 story (short story, play, whatever) -- NOPE (Ditto with this one *sigh*)
- Watch a minimum of 400 episodes' worth of anime I haven't watched that are in my collection (movies count as 1 episode per 30 minutes runtime, rounded down) -- DONE (GetBackers | Persona 4 Animation | Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles (Season 1 & 2) | Danganronpa: The Animation | Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei | K-On (Season 2) | Saiyuki | Spice & Wolf | Kanon | Dragon Ball Z Kai (Season 1 - 4) | K-On! The Movie | Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 | Angel Beats! | Angel Beats! OVA | xxxHolic: The Movie - A Midsummer Night's Dream | Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles: The Movie - The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom | The Girl Who Leapt Through Time | The Boy and the Beast | Persona 4 the Golden Animation)
- Read a minimum of 1000 pages' worth of books I haven't read that are in my collection (manga and comics included) -- DONE (The Neverending Story by Michael Ende | Gravitation: The Novel by Jun Lennon | Gravitation: Voice of Temptation by Jun Lennon | Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Promise by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Gene Luen Yang, Gurihiru || + 1 more book)
- Listen to at least 10 (or ALL) music CDs I haven't listened to that are in my collection -- DONE (I did the former. Janne Da Arc: Joker || Paradise Lunch: Gun's & Roses | Criminal Girls Invitation -Oshioki Voice CD | Uura Saeka: Sha La La -Ayakashi NIGHT | Eufonius: Anemoi | Ali Project: Waga Routashi Aku no Hana | Rina Aiuchi & U-ka saegusa: 100 mono tobira | Nana Mizuki: Kindan no Resistance | Shin Sekaiju no MeiQ: Rough Sketch ver + Live Recording ver. | Persona 4: B Side || + 1 more CD)
- Watch at least 20 (or ALL) movies / TV shows I haven't watched that are in my collection (TV shows will be counted by season) -- DONE (I did the former. Mud | X-Files (Season 3) | The Strain (Season 1) | Piranha | Piranha DD | Phonebooth | Veronica Mars Movie | Outbreak | X-Files (Season 4) | X-Files (Season 5) | The X-Files: Fight the Future | Tooken | X-Files (Season 6) | X-Files (Season 7) | Criminal Minds (Season 10) | Maze Runner: Scorch Trials | Machete | X-Files (Season 8) | Hot Tub Time Machine | X-Files (Season 9) || + 1 more movie / TV show)
- Watch through all the seasons and movies of X-Files -- DONE (Going from Season 3 to the end of Season 10 in the span of one year -- I consider this a proud accomplishment!)
- Expose myself to at least 5 games that I physically own -- DONE (Onimusha Blade Warriors | Danganronpa 1-2 Reload | Super Mario 3D Land | Persona 5 | Avatar: The Last Airbender || + 8 more games)
- Expose myself to at least 5 games that I digitally own -- DONE (Caladrius Blaze | Adventure Bar Story | Letter Quest Remastered | The Deadly Tower of Monsters | Lovers in a Dangerous Time Space || + 14 more games)
- Find 500 hours and put that towards catching up on either the Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, or Persona series -- DONE (Due to this resolution, I beat Persona 4: Dancing All Night, Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV, and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. I also spent a lot of time on Persona Q. Fun times, for the most part ^-^)
- Beat at least 10 games that I physically own -- DONE (Akiba's Trip | Persona 4: Dancing All Night | Atelier Iris 2: Azoth of Destiny | Fantasy Life | Hatsune MIku: Project Diva X | Persona 5 | Akai Katana | Otomedius Excellent | Fable II | Danganronpa 1-2 Reload)
- Beat at least 10 games that I digitally own -- HALF (I beat 6 games. Caladrius Blaze | Letter Quest Remastered | Shantae | Final Fantasy XV | Hatsune Miku: Future Tone | Final Fantasy Type-0 HD)
- Reduce my overall collection! This would be my collection for books, video games, music, movies, TV shows, figures -- DONE (I reduced my overall collection by 95 items. Sadly my room still feels full of stuffs, but I'm sure there'd be more space if I re-organized my shelves)
To sum up: Out of my 15 resolutions, I completed 10.5. *sigh* I'm slacking =_='' On top of the two resolutions that keep evading me over the years (learning Japanese and Python), I'm very disappointed in not being able to create a text-based game. Creating one is hard work, but I always enjoy it. It's one of the few times I get to create and experiment and feel proud if I do things right.
*sigh* I didn't go to Japan this year and my blogging was nearly non-existent and I still couldn't finish all my resolutions? I wouldn't say all my free time went towards my resolutions, but I think it's a sign I need to give myself a small break... in order to challenge myself, but still "live".
Below are my resolutions for 2018:
New Year's Resolutions for 2018
- Spend at least 100 hours on learning Python
- Spend at least 100 hours on learning Japanese
- Create 2 text-based games
- Create at least 1 story (short story, play, fanfiction, whatever)
- Watch a minimum of 300 episodes' worth of anime I haven't watched that are in my collection (movies count as 1 episode per 30 minutes runtime, rounded down)
- Read a minimum of 800 pages' worth of books I haven't read that are in my collection (manga and comics included)
- Listen to at least 10 (or ALL) music CDs I haven't listened to that are in my collection
- Watch at least 10 (or ALL) movies / TV shows I haven't watched that are in my collection (TV shows will be counted by season)
- Expose myself to at least 5 games that I physically own
- Expose myself to at least 5 games that I digitally own
- Find 500 hours and put that towards catching up on either the Atelier, Ys, or Shin Megami Tensei (SMT includes Persona, DDS, Devil Summoner, etc) series
- Beat at least 10 games that I physically own
- Beat at least 5 games that I digitally own
- Reduce my overall collection! This would be my collection for books, video games, music, movies, TV shows, figures.
It's not much of a break, but it's a bit, and every little bit helps. Maybe I'm generally really tough on myself? I can't let go that I couldn't do a text-based game last year, so I'm going to make it up by doing 2 this year.
I changed up my series for the "Find 500 hours" resolution this year. I'm still really behind in Dragon Quest, and Final Fantasy, but I wanted to shift my focus a bit. I'm still quite miffed that the controls for Dragon Quest III was so... not responsive on my phone. Do I need to find another way to play it?
Like in past years, my main goal is still going through my media collection. There are a couple things I'd really like for myself this year:
1. Subscribe to either Crunchyroll or Netflix
2. Clean up my room so I'd have enough space to "prance around" and not knock over / step on my stuff
For the first point, I just won't subscribe to Crunchyroll or Netflix until I've gone through all my anime and movies / TV series. It just wouldn't feel like I'd be making the most of the subscription if I still have new things to watch in my physical collection. For the second point, I wouldn't have to go through everything in my collection, but enough so that I have space to move around.
I'll tell you an embarrassing secret: back when I did have adequate space in my room, every now and then I would try to learn dance routines for certain songs from Idolm@ster and Hatsune Miku. Even though I can't dance for beans, I had lots of fun trying to learn and I wanna try doing it again.
If you were curious at all, the dance routines I tried learning back then were "Kosmos, Cosmos" and "Little Match Girl" from Idolm@ster and "World is Mine" by Hatsune Miku. I was also trying to learn "Yellow" by Hatsune Miku, but I kept messing up on the fancy footwork, haha.
Okay, I filled my embarrassing secret quota for the year. Moving on, lol.
2017 in Review
I think in terms of movies and video games, 2017 was a great year. There was a lot of good stuff to experience.
For me personally, 2017 was kinda tough. There were some good times, but also a lot of hard times. It got me thinking about the "hard" questions on Life more often than usual. Sorry, I can't share the questions, but you can probably imagine what they are. I think after my experiences in 2017, my outlook on Life has adjusted slightly.
Back then I used to think a lot about the future and wonder if I'm prepping myself properly for it, whatever that future may be. Now I don't think I should worry too much about it anymore. It's still important to prep for the future, but it's also important to take some time for yourself and just "Live" -- whatever it means to "Live" for you.
I don't want to think about this but -- for example, what if I'm prepping for 10 years from now but in actuality I don't have 10 years? What if I have less? A person's lifespan... ideally it'd be a long time, but it's just hard to predict. That's why I think it's important to "Live" now while also thinking about the future.
I think my new personal motto in 2018 will be something like "Live, but Live smartly".
"My theme song" this year: Audition from La La Land. The first time I listened to this all the way back in January, I knew it was going to be my theme song. It really speaks to me, as I consider myself a dreamer.
Audition from La La Land.
Emma Stone does a great job singing this.
HMV closing down in Toronto: Thank you for all the deals and fun memories *tips hat*.
Travelled to Vancouver to visit my friends: It was only for a couple days, but they are days that I will cherish always. x3 <3 <3
Attended mass for the first time: It was an interesting experience.
Attended Fan Expo 2017: This will always be mentioned.
Getting that weirdo message from a stranger on PSN: This was just bad, lol. I still remember this from time to time, though I wish I could just forget it.
Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius: Well, considering that I'm at rank 137 and I started playing this year... I totally spent a lot of time on this game -- and money. I need to put a cap on myself next year, lol.
Switching to a different department at work: Aside from the long hours, I enjoy the work and team a lot more.
Eating at Kaiju one last time: I wish I dined more often at this place. Hopefully they find a new home soon! :3
Waiting for 3.5 hours to be seated at the Cheesecake Factory: Never again, lol. I'm not even willing to wait 1 hour -- I have other things to do, lol.
Spending time with my friends: This is always going to be mentioned here. I wish I could have more time to spend with them.
Top Whatevers in 2017
This is my top list of what was released in 2017 that I experienced. There won't be much here since I rarely experience anything current.
(Movie): Logan
For anybody who watched the first two Wolverine movies: don't let those deter you from watching this! This movie -- as much as I'd like to criticize it by saying "It's way too grim" ('cuz I generally like happier movies), I can't, because it works. Technically, story-wise, performance, atmosphere -- it's near-perfect and just well done. Not at all your typical Superhero Marvel movie. I highly recommend!
(Board Game): Heart of Crown
I backed this game on Kickstarter, and it turned out to be a really fun game. Out of all board games I've played with my friends, this lasted the longest. I'll have to get the Steam version sometime.
(Video Game): Persona 5 [PS4]
I'd say this was a given, considering how much I loved Persona 4 Golden. Persona 5 is not perfect, but it's darn close. I love almost everything about it, especially its core theme. Bravo, Atlus -- you did it again! *clap clap clap*
(Song): Tie between Rivers in the Desert and Life Will Change from Persona 5
If I could, I'd list the whole soundtrack from Persona 5. But since I have to choose a top song -- Rivers in the Desert and Life Will Change pop out the most.
"Rivers in the Desert" from Persona 5. I actually listened to this track for the
first time outisde of the game, and I was super excited to see where this
track would play in-game.
"Life Will Change" from Persona 5. I get so revved up when I hear this,
and I can listen to this fine without the lyrics.
Top Exposures in 2017
This is my top list of what I was exposed to this year, regardless of what year it really came out in. Any titles with two years indicate the original release date, then the English release date. If I list here the same thing from my "Top Whatevers", I will also mention a runner-up.
(Anime): Saiyuki (2000/2004)
For a series that's kinda old now (if you consider 17 years old), it holds up well. The stylistic choices for some of the episodes were interesting and experimental, and I can appreciate their attempts. The music is also quite nice.
(Movie): Logan
Runner-up would be John Wick (2014). Before watching it, I heard that John Wick was awesome. And it was! If you've already watched John Wick, the "HONEST REACTIONS: John Wick Directors React to the Honest Trailer" YouTube video is amusing and informative.
(Video Game): Persona 5 [PS4]
Runner-up would be a tie between Danganronpa 1-2 Reload [PS4] (2017) and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD [PS4] (2015). I almost feel these two are a given -- well, I guess if you know me personally. Danganronpa is a great series -- really twisted, but great. I'm looking forward to experiencing Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony after beating (and platinuming) Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls.
And Final Fantasy Type-0 HD... it's simply enjoyable. I like that not all secrets are told outright. I like that sometimes random "nobody" NPCs have quests that aren't obvious until you speak with them. I like that the game throws curveballs every now and then, dropping a crazy-high level boss on a mission, but still giving a way to continue if you can't beat it. And the story -- I want to understand the story. For a game to make me want to know more about its world, it must be doing something right.
(Song - Japanese): Mind Voice by Samfree featuring IA (2015)
For this song, the context and translated lyrics really grab me. Samfree passed away two years ago due to an illness and this was his last song. I think it expresses some things that I think are truthful. The lyrics that especially stand out to me are:
There's no such thing as "freedom", so why bother searching for it?
You're at the whim of your heart's desires
"Mind Voice" by Samfree featuring IA.
I love the lyrics.
I love the lyrics.
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And that's that for my review of 2017.
For 2018, below are some things I'd like to do:
-Karaoke more often
-Have more space in my room (please please please let this one happen! lol)
-Blog more (I think this is a given)
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! Below is a % breakdown of my spending in 2017. I broke out some of the categories so they can't be compared to previous years. It doesn't show here, but I did a decent job saving my money. This excludes necessities like my cell phone plan, transportation expenses, etc. Click on the image to enlarge it.
Thanks again for reading! I hope 2018 will be a wonderful year for you all. Be healthy, stay safe, and keep on "living". :)
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