Well, Utada Hikaru's latest single got released pretty recently, and I've had a chance to listen to the actual original version of Flavor of Life, as well as the Antidote remix. Truth be said, it's a little weird to be listening to it after having heard the ballad version over and over. Feels as though the ballad version is the original and the original original version is a spinoff, kind of like how a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.
I still prefer the slower ballad version, however. Nothing beats a solid voice backed by orchestra instruments leading the music into a soulful mood.
I remember back when I was in sec 3, a friend and I were at a CD shop, browsing for a Jpop CD to buy. In the end, I settled for Ayumi's A-BEST, while he bought Utada's Distance album. We both mocked each others choice like some kids jealous of each other's posessions after that, and it was kinda funny, now that I think about it. Ironically, I've come to like Utada's music more than Ayumi's now. Tastes change, I guess.
Recently I've been listening to some videogame music, in particular, the Main Theme of Final Fantasy 7 and Valley of the Fallen Star from the same game. Nobuo Uematsu is good. I dunno why, but I just felt like listening to those 2 pieces. I like the tribal feel of the 2nd song, and how it builds to a climax, only to repeat in a loop that never seems to get too boring. The Main Theme sounds... Pretty unique to me. It sounds like a slow, peaceful melody at some parts, and some creepy horror background music in others. I've a few versions of these 2 pieces, like a piano version, which makes them really mellow and easy to listen to, as well as an orchestra version for the Main Theme, which brings it to full acoustic glory. I downloaded some mixes originating from these 2 pieces from OverClocked ReMix as well, and they're good. There are some really talented people there, and if you're interested you should take a look and have a listen.
Onto my current life... I haven't been doing much these weeks, save for finishing off 2 games (KH2 & FF12) which I had wanted to finish for quite some time, and finally piecing together Angela's blog template. Just today I started reading up on programming, on the Java language to kick it off, since it's kinda similar to the JavaScript I'm somewhat familiar with already. And well, I haven't decided on my course for university. You can read my description on the left, and it summarises my dilemma pretty well.
A) I stick with Computing (Computer Engineering)
I go with the (hasty?) choice I made 2 years ago. My whole family seems bent on me NOT taking this course, because they say I'm gonna have to continually upgrade myself and go for courses even after I graduate and blahblahblah... In my mind I'm thinking, "That's ok, right?" But I'm not that sure.
B) I change to Computing (Communications & Media)
I'm kinda tempted to change to this, really, but I don't know if I can cut it, because it's a course that's gonna involve design of interactive media and such, while I'm a deeply-rooted science guy. I even have a lofty idea of enrolling for the Concurrent Programme in Interactive Digital Media, but I'm hesitant, because I'd have to compete with those coming from design backgrounds in polytechnics, and also because it needs me to send in a portfolio, which I obviously lack, having had little opportunity or need to create stuff of this nature. Well, I have done this page's design, and I have done some other miscellaneous stuff as well, but I'm unsure if that's nearly enough or not.
As you can see, I'm totally undecided and remaining indecisive. Perhaps, all I need is a little pushing from somewhere, but it better come soon, because time is running out...
I still prefer the slower ballad version, however. Nothing beats a solid voice backed by orchestra instruments leading the music into a soulful mood.
I remember back when I was in sec 3, a friend and I were at a CD shop, browsing for a Jpop CD to buy. In the end, I settled for Ayumi's A-BEST, while he bought Utada's Distance album. We both mocked each others choice like some kids jealous of each other's posessions after that, and it was kinda funny, now that I think about it. Ironically, I've come to like Utada's music more than Ayumi's now. Tastes change, I guess.
Recently I've been listening to some videogame music, in particular, the Main Theme of Final Fantasy 7 and Valley of the Fallen Star from the same game. Nobuo Uematsu is good. I dunno why, but I just felt like listening to those 2 pieces. I like the tribal feel of the 2nd song, and how it builds to a climax, only to repeat in a loop that never seems to get too boring. The Main Theme sounds... Pretty unique to me. It sounds like a slow, peaceful melody at some parts, and some creepy horror background music in others. I've a few versions of these 2 pieces, like a piano version, which makes them really mellow and easy to listen to, as well as an orchestra version for the Main Theme, which brings it to full acoustic glory. I downloaded some mixes originating from these 2 pieces from OverClocked ReMix as well, and they're good. There are some really talented people there, and if you're interested you should take a look and have a listen.
Onto my current life... I haven't been doing much these weeks, save for finishing off 2 games (KH2 & FF12) which I had wanted to finish for quite some time, and finally piecing together Angela's blog template. Just today I started reading up on programming, on the Java language to kick it off, since it's kinda similar to the JavaScript I'm somewhat familiar with already. And well, I haven't decided on my course for university. You can read my description on the left, and it summarises my dilemma pretty well.
A) I stick with Computing (Computer Engineering)
I go with the (hasty?) choice I made 2 years ago. My whole family seems bent on me NOT taking this course, because they say I'm gonna have to continually upgrade myself and go for courses even after I graduate and blahblahblah... In my mind I'm thinking, "That's ok, right?" But I'm not that sure.
B) I change to Computing (Communications & Media)
I'm kinda tempted to change to this, really, but I don't know if I can cut it, because it's a course that's gonna involve design of interactive media and such, while I'm a deeply-rooted science guy. I even have a lofty idea of enrolling for the Concurrent Programme in Interactive Digital Media, but I'm hesitant, because I'd have to compete with those coming from design backgrounds in polytechnics, and also because it needs me to send in a portfolio, which I obviously lack, having had little opportunity or need to create stuff of this nature. Well, I have done this page's design, and I have done some other miscellaneous stuff as well, but I'm unsure if that's nearly enough or not.
As you can see, I'm totally undecided and remaining indecisive. Perhaps, all I need is a little pushing from somewhere, but it better come soon, because time is running out...