How do they promote TV shows in Japan?

Forget US late night talk shows hosted by the likes of Letterman and Conan (OK, even Leno)... how about a chimp? Then how about a chimp named Gomes Chenbalin?

In my ongoing quest to find out as much as I can about the stars of Nodame Cantabile (ok, mostly about Hiroshi Tamaki), I stumbled upon this clip of him promoting Nodame in this talk show hosted by Gomes Chenbalin, a suit-wearing chimp who apparently speaks very good Japanese. I'm talking about a talk show where the guest is challenged by the host to an obstacle course... a freaking obstacle course! Complete with timer and matching track suits for both guest and host. Totes Brill Paxton.

I think Tamaki got robbed, he clocked in at 1m30s while they stopped the clock for Gomes under 1m even if he was still eating his yogurt (?). Then again, who would like to point this out to a chimp who hosts his own show? Yeah, I don't think so.

Gyabo!!!

"Gyabo" is just one of my two new favorite words, the other being "mukya". I don't exactly know what the hell they mean, still they're fun to say. Of course, these words I picked up from watching my new favorite J-dorama, "Nodame Cantabile". As an avid viewer I should know which came first, the anime or the live-action series... but at the same time, as an avid viewer, I could care less since I enjoyed both versions very much.

I finished watching the live action series, plus the two-episode special this weekend. My verdict: LOVED IT! Can't get enough of it! I heart Nodame and Chiaki Senpai! Mukya!!! (sorry, had to throw that in there). The series was so funny, very cartoony, and the music was great. It just made me want to start learning Japanese again (I already have one and a half classes under my belt)... and playing the piano... or not (on the latter).

This show is HIGHLY recommended... to girls 12-17, otaku's, or single ladies who still get a kick out of a good rom-com [like me].

How Asian Am I?

The result is in:

I guess I'm not THAT Asian as I thought I am. Maybe because I said no on the question on "Slurping"... I'm sorry, but in the very-Asian home I grew up in, we were taught that slurping is bad manners. I guess learning better table manners makes me less Asian.

Let me see, if I have to place a bet on it, my friend Joe would probably score between 20% to 40%.

Honey and Clover

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been busy in my spare time traversing* the internets watching my "Honey and Clover". Yes, it is an anime, a [sigh] beautiful anime. Its setting is an art school in Tokyo... the opening credits are very creative and fun, and it weren't only the illustrations that were attractive and well-drawn, the characters and the story affected me the same way. So what if it follows the young-adult drama formula of: close friends+love triangles+struggles in life, it is still WAY better than any Dawson's Creek or One Tree Hill** or Saved By the Bell (oh wait, not that).

Anyway, I'd like to thank for anime-addicted sis for the heads-up on this show, she knows me too well.

*They use this word a lot in the English-subbed versions.

** I have never seen this show. I know a young adult-type melodrama... I just can't come up with this type shows that I actually watched... oh wait, Felicity... but I liked Felicity.

Turtle-mania...

My co-worker said that I probably looked like this after my fall last night:

But I disagree, this was more like it:

My backpack... my HERO!

I moved out of my sis' place almost a year now, but I still stay with them over the weekends. This means that on Monday nights, after I come home from school, I have to unload bags and bags of stuff from my weekend sleepover. Last night was not an exception... up until the moment I realized that I could have died! Or suffered a head injury... whatever it is, I'll never find out.

To illustrate (in three doodlistic frames):

So with that, I thank my backpack for saving my life OR keeping my head free from any injuries. I loved you at first sight, I will love you more (if that is even possible). Also, thank you Listi for not laughing at me, but then again, you wouldn't have known about my fall if I didn't tell you about it.

Ed's note: Yup, I fell backwards. I made a few steps back because I was clearing some space so I can push my car door with my body. Also, I had more bags on me. The doodles above are just a simple representation of what happened. I also have a face, hair and wear clothes (and glasses).

Doodle of the Day

This is kinda stealing a concept from someone else's blog... but I did say that I like to doodle, and what better way to display my doodling talents than to post my doodles here.

Doodles from the past to follow.

Ed's note: One of my greatest doodling weaknesses is the hand-doodling... those hands are supposed to be "jazzy" not little person-ish and thuggish. Just had to clarify.

The lights are still on...

A couple of weeks ago, my fave blog Best Week Ever asked all its readers to sign a petition to keep Friday Night Lights on air (there was even an issue about it). To be honest, I have never seen the show, but I have heard so many great things about it (Jenna Fischer loves it!); in the future, I'm sure I'll watch it on DVD. And it doesn't hurt that Kyle Chandler is in it, I lurvd him in Homefront (I still think he was too cute for Ginger).

The good news is, it's back on. So, I'm taking this out, no need to have this around (not like anyone clicked on it):

Happy Birthday Mommy!

It's my mommy's 61st birthday today, yay! She's in the Philippines, so it already concluded for her about five hours ago.

Oh Sappy Day!

The last couple of days were just a myriad events. So many things to talk about: there's my family, burying another beloved family member; a day in the city, concluded with a nice lunch at the Ferry Building; the extra day we had this month (February 29th!); new Bleach episodes, etc. Also, there's the Super Tuesday Jr. happening today which is touted as the make or break deal for Hillary. I mean, I could talk about politics, but it isn't my strong suit (do I have one?) so I won't even bother. I could talk about how much crab legs I had last Saturday, but I called-in sick to work that day, and me having the time of my life gorging myself with sweet, succulent crab meat won't be interpreted as being sick at all (for the record, I was already recovering when said crab-fest commenced). I could talk about my new crush, this cute guy in class --- and how I won't be surprised to find out that he's actually gay (it won't be the first time). But in the end, I decided to pay special tribute to Solomon, who was killed off in last Saturday's episode of Blood+. I was devastated to say the least. I shed no tears, which came as a surprise to my sister, because she knows how I can be overly emotional. Call me sappy (and I am), but my heart broke for Solomon. [Sob]

I was going to do a an elaborate recap which will include screen caps, but that would be too much work (I won't work THAT hard, even for Solomon). Anyway, I'll miss Solomon. I know Saya liked him too, and I wish they showed him dying in her arms or something --- now that's sappy.

Ed's note: I just realized, I'm writing about a freaking anime. Yup, I'm a loser, I'm sure you've picked up on that. Also, my tribute to Solomon is by no means disrespecting the recent passing my grand-uncle, I merely want to lighten things up a bit. No one wants to hear another lamentation.