A Touch of Sadness

Siu Pak Pak

Strays are supposed to be tough, right? So it came as a surprise that Siu Pak Pak, our block's feline mascot, is very sick. He's lost so much weight the past couple of months I don't think he will survive this Summer. Which is kinda sad. Of all the strays (and there are many around where we live, some are real pests) why has it got to be the one we really like that gets struck down by serious illness? So unfair...

PS Just found out that he has feline aids ... *sob*

Deep Breathing

Sometimes, when Life takes an unexpected swerve, you are left wondering whether you could handle it in a calm, rational manner anymore. Last night I managed to work myself into such a (terrifying) state over some major changes in work that left me paralysed (emotionally/intellectually). There was this huge fear/sense of failure and helplessness that swept over me, even though much of which was just perceived and imagined. But  the fact that all this could turn into reality is absolutely frightening. Now I know how people in desperate situations must feel. But how to combat that? Is there a way to fight this (esp I'm currently in such a negative state of mind that I find my jaws constantly locked?)

I've been thinking how maybe my yoga practice can come into this. Other than practising asanas, yoga is also about reflection and acceptance. Maybe I should come up with a mantra that helps to calm the mind and nerves. Then breathe, breathe and breathe ... Also, at the end of the day, there is always a way out so why not just experience those sensations (unpleasant they may be) and see if they could be turned into positive energy?

Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention

I may finally have found a game that will help me move on from Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (!) The Disgaea series is, in a way very similar to TO; that it's Japanese, also a turn-based strategy role play game and (I've read) pretty harcore/grindy. However, judging from the couple of hours I've spent on it already, the game system/ gameplay is very different from TO. The story is not as strong (there is a lot of tongue in cheek humour) and there is A LOT to do/fiddle around with before going into, and during, a battle. It kinda reminds me of the trading card games; i.e. even the way you position your characters has an effect on the battle. The animation/graphics is great/ stunning (esp on Vita). The only thing that puts me off slightly is the English voice acting, which I had to turn off in favour for the original Japanese (which is fine cos there is English subtitling).

I'll see how this goes but so far it's promising and fun: there is NO hacking and slashing and there is so much to explore. 

La Vita Loca

Those following this blog -- me -- would have noticed that I've tweeting about my PSP Vita lately. Though I actually bought the latest handheld console awhile ago, it wasn't until this weekend when I realised I could migrate games from my old PSP to Vita. Yes, I can now play Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (or The 3rd Birthday) on a bigger screen!!! You can imagine the excitement that shot through my entire system. However, for some reason, the file transfer process is a bit user-unfriendly and I reckon you probably need a PhD (which I don't have) to understand how to move files around using its "Content Manger Assistant". Don't be fooled by the name, it does NOT assist in any way, at all. 

You see, the (flash) memory card for the Vita is apparently so new that there is no card reader for it; meaning, you cannot just cut and paste files onto the memory card. Instead, you need to link the console up with the PC via a USB, using CMA,  in order to move files around between computer and Vita. Great. NOT. To make matter worse, the memory card that came with the machine is only 4GB and I have so many games I need a 16GB card (which costs a bomb, btw ... don't even think about getting the 32GB). So, in order to move games from old PSP to Vita, I had to go through this rather elaborate process of:

1) buying a 16GB card (dent in the wallet);

2) downloading all the SAVEDATA files from old PSP onto computer;

3) downloading GAME files from the 4GB memory card (in Vita) onto computer using CMA;

4) copying/transferring SAVEDATA files AND GAME files (now all in my computer) onto 16GB (in Vita) card using CMA;

5) re-downloading Vita-compatible PSP games that I bought via PSN onto the Vita.

Steps 3 and 4 were rather tricky because CMA is so user-unfriendly it took me awhile to figure out how to use it ... even after I successfully made all the file transfers, I still didn't quite understand how it works, cos I managed to accidentally DELETE a whole lot of game files on the Vita and I had to REPEAT steps 4 and 5 ... It was crazy.

Anyway, ALL is fine now and the only consolation is that it was WORTH all the trouble. The 3rd Birthday (Aya Brea) simply looks STUNNING on the Vita screen. Think will replay it ...very soon.

Meanwhile, I did manage to squeeze in another yoga (teaching) class today amid all this file transferring, and it was great. I've decided to go down the Yin Yang than just Yin path. I think it's good to inject a bit of energy into these sessions.

OMG! I'm seeing double!!!

And finally, Animal is here ... as Hysterical (and Pink) as ever ... 

 

A Hip Opening Practice

Despite -- and because -- I've been practising yoga for five years, I attended a beginners' class today so I could: 1) remind myself of the basics and 2) get some tips on teaching. While I was sharing my practice with some friends yesterday, I noticed how poses that I thought were simple and straightforward could, in fact, be quite challenging for beginners. That's the thing, after I've been practising for awhile, I begin to go auto pilot and forget that my body today is very different from that, say, five years ago. I think to be a good teacher, one has to approach the practice from the beginner's pov, or else s/he won't be able to relate to their students.In fact, after the workshop I realised how long the yoga journey is ... there are poses that I thought I had mastered but I hadn't ... my hips can still open up a lot more ... am now wondering whether I should take another Ashtanga intensive...

Separately, am back Tactics Ogre-ing ... I'm just very curious as to what the Neutral route is like (I've done the Chaos and, especially, Law routes many times) and have started a new game. If I play Neutral in my old file, I will lose Arycelle (my fav archer) because of Loyalty issues. Anyway, starting from scratch has been both interesting and frustrating. Interesting because I now know the system inside out and that, all in all, enriches the gaming experience. Frustrating because everything is back at Level 1 and gameplay is kinda dull without all the super duper weapons that I can OHKO enemies with. The rescue missions are by far the toughest and call for some strategic planning; all that goes out of the window once you are over-powered of course. Some gamers have criticised the game's AI but I think it's not bad.

I'm enjoying the latest one and am debating whether I should play beyond Chapter 3 (when the Neutral route ends) ... but I really cannot BEAR going down Palace of the Dead again, or farming for Wicce Deneb; those almost killed me in my last playthru! 

Intense Button Smashing

We are all talented in one way or another -- I just wish my talent lies in video gaming. Itching for some prime/quality time with my PSP Vita this weekend, I dug up Gravity Rush, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom and Dynasty Warriors Next, all of which I'd put aside for awhile. Why? Well, as I found out, once again this morning, I am just not very good at it. Yes, I actually CAN beat the game, I just don't ENJOY the process, which kinda defeats the point of playing video games. With Gravity Rush, I really love the amazing graphics and flying/anti-gravity game feature but when it comes to beating the bosses, it's just horrible because it requires a lot of button smashing; same with Marvel vs Capcom, only this is worse cos it's simply a combat/fight game and has no story line. Zzzzz. I like the "Edit Mode" in Dynasty Warriors Next as you can create your own character and take him/her to battle but, again, the emphasis here is hack and slash. All of this makes me totally tense up and I don't wanna end up with a pinch nerve again (the last one I had one was cos I spent too many hours playing The 3rd Birthday.

This is kinda sad cos it may mean I have to sell my PSP Vita cos I simply cannot play games that are gonna give me a heart attack. Now, I understand why I like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together so much because it's a strategy game and there is no need to button smash. So, back to that it is. This time will play through with just the three protagonists Denam, Vyce and Catiua.

Oh, went to a hot yoga class today ... sweated out all the toxins. Feeling great on this beautiful day.

The Avengers

!!! OMG !!! Cannot wait to see this!