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2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 5:14 am
by takenoko
So what kind of loot did people get for Christmas?

2011 was a pretty decent year for me. It was pretty good overall, nothing too terrible happened, although that harddrive failure in November was an annoying setback. I also feel like I had hardware troubles at the beginning of the year that forced me to move some stuff around.

I really liked some of the specials that came out this year, like the Accel movie and Kiba, as well as the second Garo season. Sure, so far it's not as good as the first one, but it's still Garo. Gokaigers is amazing as far as a Sentai anniversary series goes. I kind of wish Toei took what they learned making Gokaiger and applied it to Decade.

I saw a lot of movies this year too. I spent a good part of it getting through the Mel Brooks collection. I loved his movies Spaceballs and History of the World as a kid, but really hadn't seen his other works. And they're pretty amazing. I also watched the old Batman and Superman movies, which was a fun nostalgic trip to when I was a kid. I just really like old movies in general since they capture something that you just don't see in modern cinema anymore. Whether it's the lack of CGI, the tangible feeling of old-style effects, the way people thought and acted, or just the way the world looked decades ago, there's just something amazing about it.

The manga series that stood out to me was Death Note. Man, I really tore through that series. And the first half was good.

Didn't really watch that much anime, but I still like Oreimo.

Projectwise, I really wanted to get some more series finished. It's looking like Dai will be the next series that we complete. I really don't feel like I can work on new GCCX till some of the old series are bumped off the active list. Put in game terms, it's like facing an enemy with a specific amount of HP versus an enemy that is invincible unless you do some very specific things. I can probably get through 50 episodes of a series if I'm in a good place in my life. 100 and something hour-long ones, that'll always be there. Besides, I've got zeta and Luna to help me with Kuuga and GCCX respectively.

Edit: Oh yeah, and video games. What a great year that was. The slowpoke that I am, I finally played Bioshock 1-2 and Assassin's Creed 2-Revelations. Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Portal 2. Batman Arkham City. Limbo. All great games and well worth recommending to people.

Anyway, how was your year?

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 5:44 am
by XIII
Its been a fairly good year for me as well, noting major to speak of going wrong,

I think the biggest plus is that I finished off the Den-O HD Revisit, which was the biggest pain in the neck project I have ever done, it was one of the biggest problem child shows to work on, heck there was problems with them even after releasing them for the first time and had to rerelease some things. I have enjoyed being able to run a few projects that would normally be stuck lumbering in limbo, I guess taking a back seat from the main projects has allowed me the time to do this. The stand out project from them is the Hibiki Movie, mostly cause I got a dose of editing the DC script back to the TC script, but it was also my first proper dabble in the karaoke templating world, and its no where near easy, maybe I will look at doing more of them in the future, depends on how much free time I end up with.

Accel and Kiba movies have been the two stand out movies of the year for me as well, I didnt have high hopes for Accel, but it actually surprised me in being a good movie to watch, shame I didnt pick that up on Blu-Ray now, maybe I will next year when its abit cheaper. Not much else has really stood out to me much this year in terms of toku stuff, Gokaiger has been hit n miss for me, Fourze doesnt interest me and OOO was kinda meh for the most part, while the Garo film was kinda meh, it was still better than most Rider movies of the hear and now

I do wish that Mel Brooks set is avaliable over here cause he has done some really good movies, always make you laugh when you need it, plus you can always freak people out who have never seen a Mel Brooks film with this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc1am3KyYgA

Aside from that I have done the usual round of loads of movies, not many stand out movies this year, Thor, Cap America and Fast Five be the ones that stand out the most at the moment.

Games wise, I have played a lot of games, some I've like and others I have hated, two standout games of the year for me have been Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and L.A. Noire, but have been fantastic to play and kept me engrossed right to the end, Oh and War for Cybertron, a great shoot em up with Transformers, still really need to complete the 2nd run through of the game before the new game next year.

Next year should be fun, lots of small projects to work on as well as moving into a new house to finally gain more space over the small flat I currently live in, should hopefully be a good year all round.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 8:38 am
by zeta_gundam
I got nothing for Christmas. =(

2011 has been a year of ups-and-downs in terms of my tech and equipment. For one, my hard disk failed on me and my laptop starting giving so many troubles. My external hard disk wasn't even a year old when it started giving trouble. My laptop, however, has been around for 4 years now. (I'll be reformatting it before I enter university.) The good thing though, is that I got a new desktop and a new hard disk to store all my stuff. Oh yeah, and a new cellphone - HTC Sensation.

Shows that I liked this year? Gokaiger is one. It's fantastic as an anniversary series so far, much more enjoyable than what the Riders have for their anniversary in my opinion. But hey, Fourze is still airing, and maybe things will get more interesting later. On a side note, the 1000th episode of Kamen Rider was... a let-down. I guess the writers wanted something light-hearted, but I would have preferred a more serious take on the 1000th episode. I mean, Kamen Rider did start off as a pretty kick-ass and serious show. Besides Riders and Sentai, we have GARO: Makai Senki. Anything GARO is awesome. (Don't you dare argue against this!) I loved the Red Requiem ending song, the Red Requiem version of Savior in the Dark.

Movies I've watched this year... Hmm, I've watched a few movies this year, both in theaters and from home. A few stand out - Captain America, The Illusionist and Confessions (a Japanese film; wiki link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessions_(film) for those interested). Confessions is worth checking out if you haven't watched it and you have the time. Oh yeah, let's not forget Space Battleship Yamato the movie. I really watched it only because of Kimura Takuya. ><

Besides movies, I've went back to watch a few other animated cartoons, films and shows. Digimon Xros Wars ended its first season this year, and I had to say it was a whole lot better than the previous season of Digimon (Savers). The second season though seems to be heading in the direction of failure again. I also went backwards a little and watched some cartoons, like Batman Beyond and Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. I've also watched some of DC's original animated movies - Batman: Gotham Knight, JL: The New Frontier, Green Lantern: First Flight, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Batman: Year One are a few to name. I highly recommend "Gotham Knight" for fans of the Bat, if you haven't watched it yet. It's a movie with 6 short stories, animated in Japanese anime style. Some of the stories are related to each other. It's kind of a standalone movie that can fall into any Bat-verse. Oh yeah, another reason to watch it would be that Kevin Conroy voices the Batman. XD

Games, haven't played much this year. I played Prototype (slow, I know) and Arkham City for PC. Everything else wasn't very interesting. As for my PSP, I have Climax Heroes OOO and Fourze, and YGO: Tag Force 6. Nothing much. Then again, I'm not much of a gamer. Arkham City's my only recommendation.

My figure collection has been expanding. As usual, I've been getting Figuarts, Ultra Acts and various other figures over the year. Though next year, I'll be slowing things down a little. I'll be focusing on my 'first love', Gunpla. I've made good friends with a hobby shop owner, and it's always nice to make conversation and exchange ideas with people who share the same passion. Besides, without an income in a few more days, I have to recheck my spending habits. I will be finding a part time job to pay for my stuff (food and transport fees). Heading to university in August, and I foresee myself getting busy.

Music this year... I haven't listened to much this year. Besides the Gundam Unicorn OST 2, and the Transformers: Prime OST, I don't have much to recommend. Well, if you're a fan of Digimon, maybe Wada Kouji's songs for Digimon Xros Wars. XD

I'm a slow worker for the team. Maybe because I'm a little lazy and mostly busy. Like take said, I'm helping on Kuuga, but I kinda take my time on it. Hopefully I can get more work done over the next few months, since I'm supposed to be freer. But if I do get a job and all, I don't know how things will turn out. Also, if you have noticed, Mebius has been moved into the active projects forum again. I'm working on it as well with ookami and SWD's help, but stuff got in the way. We'll get stuff out, eventually. I hope to learn more stuff next year, maybe playing more with typesetting and karaoke.

Next year sounds fun. I am starting university in August after all.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 11:51 am
by Catastrophe
I got a 3DS. Was holding out to buy the inevitable smaller model revision with better battery life, but if I don't have to pay, it's all good.

2011 has been pretty swell for me research wise. I am lucky to have heaps of cool people in the lab that are producing excellent results, which keeps the funding coming and the bills payed. Still no luck discovering any novel signalling proteins, which I fully intend to name after a Kamen Rider when found.

Probably the biggest thing for me this year was discovering the Super Robot Taisen series again. Having played it when I went to Japan when I was 14 and then forgetting it, finding the games again took up a lot of my time. Not only that, but I have discovered a lot more robot anime that I have invested my time in, even bothering to watch Gurren Lagann despite being a hardcore old school Getter fan. OGS 2 will probably end up making me buy a PS3.

Next year will probably be the same, my life is fairly routine at the moment. One thing I am really looking forward to is the continuation of Fourze. I have really been digging this series.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:22 am
by neonblue2
Hello all, I come from the future year of 2012. :D

For me, 2011 wasn't a bad year. My second year of university took up most of my time. Unlike 2010 though I didn't spend two hours a day on a bus so I had a lot more free time, especially to watch more TV-Nihon subs. In 2010 all I watched was W, OOO, and the first few episodes of Goseiger. Last year I watched Dekaranger, Magiranger, Goseiger, Ryuki, Faiz, Blade, Hibiki, and Garo. Yeah... I kinda got sucked in...

I'm with takenoko, game-wise. I've only just started playing Mass Effect and Portal 2 on my new computer that I got for Christmas. I thought I was spoiled last year. I was wrong.

Nothing really note-worthy movie-wise. Saw some but it wasn't a regular occurrence.

Probably the oddest part about 2011 for me was the difference between the first and second semesters of uni. Except for one topic in the eight I did in 2010, I was always with my close friends. First semester last year I only had two of four topics with my friends. The other two was more specialised for my course. Then this last semester I had no topics with any of my friends. Sure, I made more friends but it was big change, particularly because I was only able to see the friends I made in 2010 only two hours a week. Hopefully our timetables better match this year.

I also did some tutoring of a high school student in maths. It was fun and interesting since I'd never been exposed to the IB course. I wish I hadn't have been so tired some days when I did it. The last session we had it was in the middle of the exam period but I still hadn't had an exam by that point so I was going crazy trying to retain everything. My first exam was just over two weeks after the study period started (and after my second cousin's wedding). It was painful.

So... This year I have university-scheduled work experience, my 21st birthday, and yet another change of residence for the year. I spent 2010 with my nanna, 2011 with some family friends (at the foot at the university!), and will now spend 2012 with my aunt and her family. Yet another bus trip but at least I don't have to go through the city.

Welp, the 2012 apocalypse is at my door so I'd better go. I thought that was supposed to be in December but what are you going do, eh?

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:08 am
by Battra
My Years been all right, despite still being jobless. Been revisiting the Golden Sun Franchise, one of my favorite rpg series, really hope they do a game for the 3DS.
I managed to score an iPad 2 for my birthday from my parents, also big surprise for X-Mas they got me a share of Green Bay Packer's stock, so now i'm a very small owner of the Packers. I saw all the superhero movies that came out this year, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Muppets, & Hugo (which was surprisingly good).

Managed to finish Goseiger, Hibiki, Sazer-X, Kuuga, Pretty Cure, & Max Heart.

Here's to next year & hoping I can get a job before the apocalypse.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 11:10 am
by KivaWataru
Hey guys! I know it's been a long while since the last time you've seen me around (say March/April-ish) but that's because 2011 had taken me on a bit of a ride.

Now as far as presents go, I did okay. Hell, I finally got the sewing machine I've wanted and an external harddrive (of which I named GokaiGalleon). I also got some Black Butler manga and some really nice jewelry and stuff from Bath and Body.

Probably the biggest thing for me was getting back into the convention circuit here in Texas after a year hiatus. I even met some cool people who are fans of Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. I was even part of a Super Sentai photoshoot where they had a Dragon Ranger from ZyuuRanger and not a Green Ranger from Mighty Morphin' (seriously, his belt said ZyuuRanger not Mighty Morphin'). I learned how to play Cosplay Chess and can't wait until the next one that I'm in!

Movies that I've seen this year... Well to be honest I've only seen two in theaters this year because - and I know I'll get a lot of flack for this - nothing really interested me this year. The movies that I did see were Harry Potter 7 pt 2 and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Absolutely thrilling and wonderful. I see why the seventh movie was split into two parts. And Sherlock was just as amazing and the effects and camera usage was astounding (but this is just coming from a Film and TV Production major). Anything else I've seen has been in my "Intro to Film" class (which hey, I needed something to kill time) since we watched a movie every week and probably one of the best movies I saw in there was RAN (a Japanese adaptation of King Lear). Good movie, very intense.

As far as cartoons and anime and stuff, I somehow got back into Bleach (yeah yeah I know, laugh it up). I had been into a few years ago but lost touch with the fanbase and the show as a whole, but I got back into it again. I suppose part of it has to do with the show that follows it on CN, Durarara! - which I have also fallen in love with. I'll certainly say that DRRR! has very interesting storylines and at times they're hard to follow but I usually get the hang of it, even if I do miss an episode or two here and there. I even finally jumped onto the Black Butler bandwagon, but only after I was told what I needed to do to actually stay on with the series - and now I find myself expecting the next chapter on a manga translator sight.

I've been watching Power Rangers Samurai and while I'm impressed, I'm also disappointed with it. They've done both good and bad things with the Shinkenger series. If I got into it this would become a tl;dr and we don't need that here.

I'm not sure what 2012 will bring for me. I hope a job anyway. I'm getting sick and tired of mother yelling at me. I'm also probably going to go for a masters in business management or something and will probably do that online. I can't wait to see what happens with Gokaiger and how the world will take on the future team - of which I both like and don't like the outfit designs but I suppose I'll have to see it in action.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 2:42 pm
by gmottl
for me the biggest thing by far is finally moving out of my parents place and into my apartment not to mention my little feline roommate. i've actually been able to find power ranger stuff so i have more samurai stuff then shinkenger. finding a job is alot harder than i thought i've been looking for 5 months and nothing. not to mention until i get a job i cant order anything form japan because it's too damn expensive for me right now. my cousin got married and my sister in law had a son, those were big too. as for as bad things. my first kitten died within 30 hours of getting him. little dude was the runt and the mother died before she could wean the little so he didn't have much of a chance. he didn't even have a name. but i got his sister who is now the lone survivor of her litter so i'm raising her in honour of her brothera and mother. i got an xbox for signing up for telus tv and internet and just bought a kinect for it. i'm loving disneyland adventures and i'm not ashamed to admit it. i know 2012 is going to be a good year for me, regardless of what happens and december 21. that sums up 2011 for me.

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:47 pm
by Lunagel
Well, my major achievement this year was beating all of takenoko's high scores in the AC:Brotherhood Virtual Training. Oh and graduating college with a B.A. in Japanese. But the first one was more fun.

It's been a long year, and made moreso by my inability to get a job despite applying again and again. However, good news came just a couple days ago when I was offered a position in Japan as an English teacher, so I'll very soon be back in the land of toku, hopefully within a few months. Horray!

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 5:51 pm
by takenoko
Nooo, my high scores.

I don't it's very surprising for people to have trouble finding work the first year after they graduate. Congrats on the job position. Horray for Japan!

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:22 pm
by zeta_gundam
Woah, luna will be teaching in Japan? Now i have someone to buy stuff for me... right? *puppy eyes*

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 8:33 pm
by Lunagel
Why did I know that would be your reaction? XD

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:29 pm
by lonegamer7
Hm. Christmas would be FINALLY getting a smartphone (even if it came after Christmas).

Getting a paying job after a rather zany time through San Diego Comic-Con (OMG, I have GOT to reserve a hotel - not sure I can handle the 4-6/hr-per-day commute again), which I attended after my second BotCon. Woo~

Was disappointed that I fell through on QCing several eps here, but I'm hoping to improve my focus, provided I don't become too exhausted.

Happy New Year to those of you already past midnight in your respective time zones! :)

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:46 pm
by zeta_gundam
Lunagel wrote:Why did I know that would be your reaction? XD
Truthfully, even if you offered, with no income next year, i can't buy much. =(

So let me change my statement instead. Now i have someone in Japan to give me free stuff! XD

Re: 2011 a year in reflection

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 9:52 pm
by Catastrophe
Congrats Luna. This means more Ganbaride Videos. yes? :D

Nah, I'm actually going there for sabbatical for a few months later this year, so will be able to satisfy my long standing urge to play it for hours on end, and blow the rest of my money on Toku and Chogokin.

And do research of course (pfft).