Surprise from Victor Entertainment!!!

In my long history of purchasing CDs from Japan, never have I received such a wonderful surprise from the label.

"

Dear Kenneth Lim,
 
Hello,
We are sending you this email to inform you who placed order any of them below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
25th Nov release
VTCL-60177
Sheryl Nome starring May'n / Universal Bunny
VTZL-11
May'n / Styles [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]
VTCL-60190
May'n / Styles
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The label has just informed us that these items will be included the bonus 
item if you purchase VTCL-60177 and any of VTZL-11 or VTCL-60190.
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/rcms/anime/mayn_sheryl.html
 
If you have already placed order at least 2 items VTCL-60177 and any of 
VTZL-11 or VTCL-60190, the bonus will be included."

It is a pendant for the first 50 customers who have ordered the 'Universal Bunny' and 'Styles' albums slated release later this month. Which means in short, I got the pendant! ! !

I thought Friday the 13th was a bad day, but this instance, it turns up pretty fine. . .

Aww, why Victor Entertainment had to release these 2 albums after May'n left Singapore. . .

Freedom of speech or gentlemen text?

Just curious, ever seen a news announcement posted in such manner before?

'Back to you with a Titling System that doesn't suck: One that doesn't start with unnecessary crap; Is another bit of good news for those who bought tickets to the I Love Anisong event that will take place during Anime Festival Asia 2009 (AFA09).

There will be a Lucky Draw that will entitle 20 lucky Winners to get a complimentary CD from the artistes themselves, and signed right on stage.

Well, it's definitely miles better than the white boards those shotgun May'N fanboys got last year. I'm not participating even though I got a ticket, though.

I don't want something that valuable to be wasted on me. I'm just that much of a loser that I don't even want to win at my own hobby.'

or you will prefer to see this?

'Good news for those who purchased AFA 2009's 'I Love Anisong' concert tickets! Now, you stand a chance to win a lucky draw with good prizes!

20 winners will be picked and they will get not only a complimentary CD from the artiste, plus, here comes the main draw, the CD will be SIGNED on the stage!!!

So, just to get you excited, let's see what will the lucky winners get.

For those who chose Aniki, Yoshiki Fukuyama & May'n, you will win a CD plus their autograph on the stage for you!

For those who chose Shoko-tan, you will also win a CD, but the AFA staff will hand you the CD signed by her.

Excited?

What are you waiting for?

Click here for your chance to win!'

Personally, the first post is so inappropriate to be posted as a news announcement. Yes, some as say its 'interesting', but as a announcement, is there a need to apply such descriptive words?

So, what is wrong by using a simple and clear news announcement to the general viewers out there?

Boring? Too simple?

Save it, there are thousands of news site that still attract readers daily without using such descriptives.

If you have any comment on this view, please voice out.

AFA 2009 updates!

My friends from splifearts.com has updates from AFA 2009 to share!

First up, as I have mentioned in my events page earlier, there are already 4 singers for the 'I Love Anisong' concert. But our friends from AFA committee had something up their sleeves.

Introducing the 5th performer,

*Drum rolls. . .

None other than Hatsune Miku! ! !

For the first time, she will be performing here in Singapore! Expect something special from the much loved vocaloid!

Regarding the concert also, this time round, there will be a 4 metre wall erected, separating the concert hall from the main exhibition hall. This setup will promise a better sounds for this anisong concert.

Also, K-On fans, wished to see the wonderful seiyus for Mio, Yui, Mugi and Ritsu 'Live' here in Singapore? Wait no further! They will be making a appearance in this year's AFA09 and the ladies will also be doing a live dubbing from a scene in the show here!

The most important thing that most fans are eagerly waiting for. . .

Pricing of the 'I Love Anisong' concerts.

For those who wished to enjoy the FULL package of hearing 5 singers for this mega event, the ticket will be at S$188 each.

What does this $188 ticket fetch you:

2 day entry pass to the AFA halls,

2 day entry pass to concert hall,

2 light sticks.

Also, there is a S$108 pass for sale. But this is for 1 day use only, you can use it either on the 21st or 22nd.

What does this $108 fetch you:

1 day entry pass to the AFA halls,

1 day entry pass to concert hall,

1 light stick.

Those who purchased the concert passes will also enter the AFA halls through a special entrance.

The $188 concert pass will go on sale from 19 October onwards, and the $108 will be on sale from $108. The passes can be purchased through Sistec website or outlets.

For the general entry pass details, for a single day entry, it will be at S$15 each, and for the 2 day entry pass, it will be at S$25. For students, there will be a special pricing. Single day pass will be S$12 and the 2 day entry pass will be S$20.

The offical AFA website will be releasing details for the ticketing of these entry pass soon, so stay tuned for it.

The nearest comparison to hear May'n singing live.

The story is simple, ever since getting a 24" in the light of shifting my main PC usage for photos editing and viewing of HD videos, I have also targeted a new speakers to replace my trusty Altec Lansing 4.1 of 5 years. Thanks to some 'unexpected' expenses in the recent months, my original target of Creative G500 became the Logitech G51 eventually. But to be honest, the G51 DOES a superb job of producing solid sounds and music. Furthermore, with the X-Fi 5.1 card attached, WOW! Crisp and crystal clear. Playing "射手座☆午後九時Don't be late (Sheryl On Stage)" is almost similar to hear May'n singing live again. Now only if I can add in the X-Fi Titanium card. . .

1 year with Alpha. . .

Get ready for a wall of photos, chiu hash been warned. . .

1 year ago, on this very day, I became a proud owner of a Sony A200! My very first DSLR! And hence, it marked the start of a unforgettable, enjoyable journey so far.

What originally supposed to be a simple tool for taking images of my toys slowly evolved into a strong interest in going deeper into this field.

Taken with Sony T20 @ 2008 CNY Fireworks.

Well, guess people will ask why Sony?

Simple, given their ease of use from their Cybershot era, moving on to handle the A200 wasn't that much of a issue. I do remember the 'discouragement' given to me while I was deciding on the A200, EOS 450D and D60 then. But frankly, tell you what, the user UN-friendly Cs & Ns camera bodies don't really help my cause, plus I did done my homework already. Still very well on course for the A200.

And bang! On last year's April Fool, I finally got myself a A200 of my own!

My first noob shots with A200, yes this is the chance for you to laugh at me. . .
First few attempts at macro, using Sigma 70-300mm @ 300mm focal length.

First few attempts at night photograpghy, interestingly, it was shot handheld. :D

Given that I was still doing my NS, (those who know me very well shall understand where the heck I get so much time to play with my Alpha.) then, time is not a issue! So, began to do some random walk about in the little red dot of Singapore.

Wee, nice candid moment that I caught.

Wee, Lambo!

And of course, joined up with fellow Alpha bros in Formula Drift. What a hot hot day it was, and man, brought home tons and tons of photos and fun memories along with a very bad tanning.

Honda s2000 drifting through.

Bang!

And of course, showgirls. . .

Alphadslr + SDW members.

Following that, decided to do a 'little' hike throughout the Southern Ridges before it became overly packed with eager visitors.

View from the top of henderson Wave.

:D

Even the kit lens do produce such bokeh!

Hort Park

Following that, I began to take photos from various events here, and next up was the opening of Arts Festival 2008 @ Singapore River.

Lonely out in the dark waters.

Fireworks finale @ the opening of Arts Festival 2008.

Following that, random shoots around the island. And decided to try some HDR.

Laugh if you want to, haha, very noob in this field still. . .

Cosfest 2008! She's my favourte cosplayer!

Autobots! Roll out!

Few weeks later, another SDW + Alphadslr event came along, outing to Singapore Garden Festival 2008.

Welcome to SGF 2008.

Untitled, simply because I have no idea what this flower is. . .

Then came along my first chance of a proper portrait shoot.

Felice TFCD @ SGF.

Nallur TFCD @ National Museum.

Lee Jia TFCD @ Chijmes.

Cheryl TFCD @ Chijmes.

And of course, not to forget Singapore fireworks festival 2008.


Another event came along, Coscon @ Games Convention Asia 2008.

Jesslin TFCD @ former Supreme Court premises.

Tiffany TFCD @ Supreme Court premises.

Was given a chance to help out at a cosplay shoot also.


Of course, not forgetting the biggest event I have been to in 2008, Anime Festival Asia 2008.


But since this year, after a drought of outings, I decided to venture out. Signed up for shoots, expanded my contacts, learning from fellow photographers as well.

Miko @ Chinese Garden.
Amaryllis @ Chinese Garden.

Celestina.

Janice.

Samantha.

Serene.

Aki.

Raychell.

Miyake.

Sarah.

Huiyi.

Celestina.

Yup, that's the pictorial post of my first year with Alpha so far. Looking on towards the future, there is more shoots to go for, places to visit, bringing back interesting, memorable photos to share with everyone. 1 year on, the 'poison' will only gets deeper and stronger.

Quoting from a fellow Alpha photographer "See, Shoot, Share"

Cheers.