The End. For Real.

OK, no more false starts & stops like it’s been here these last 6 months. This is it for real-the end. I will no longer be so much as touching this blog. I just have no more interest in it plus I’m too busy with my other blogs including my newest one-The Retro Arcade Diaries, which will touch on my latest time consumer: Arcade gaming on my PC via the world of ROMs & emulators. You can find it here:
http://retroarcadediaries.wordpress.com/
Nothing really there yet, it was just created and I’m still setting it up. My other 2 blogs will still be around as well, they are going nowhere and are both alive and strong. I don’t think I’ll delete this blog, but I won’t be doing any more with it. You’ll just have to go to Japanese AV & Gravure Idols for the girls and Puroresu Representin’ for the stuff there, as well as The Retro Arcade Diaries for what I’m doing when I’m not working on the other blogs…or working for real.
Thanks for the 18 months I was around here (although this blog just did pass 2 years), it was fun while it lasted. See you on my other sites, I hope!

Coming Soon: Revival!

After 4 long months and with some changes in my lifestyle coming, I’ve finally decided that it’s time to revive this blog from the dead. It won’t happen right away but I anticipate getting it going again hopefully around the end of September once things settle down a bit. When I do get it going I’m going and focus more on sports and MMA-especially with football season underway I’ll start those up again, as well as more MMA-related event predictions and the like. I also want to focus a little more on pop culture, got some more CDs to review (especially J-Pop music, went on a bit of a binge before I became unemployed). Yeah, yeah, I’ll still post some pics of girls now & then but I’m not going to further update the galleries. I have the other site for that (Japanese AV & Gravure Idols). And maybe a random rant or two.

So if all goes as planned, I’ll be back in a couple weeks!

Gone For A While…

Should’ve done this earlier, but I recently decided to take an indefinite hiatus from this site effective immediately. There are a number of reasons for this: I’m more focused on working on my other sites right now (Puroresu Representin’ and Japanese AV & Gravure Idols), I’m dealing with some ongoing family emergencies, I have other issues to deal with (unemployment is less than 3 months away among other things), and honestly I’m kinda burned out with regards to this blog. Just tired of doing it and can’t get around to keeping it going. I’ll leave everything up that’s already up (the galleries won’t be deleted but they won’t be updated, go to the idols blog if you want more) and will update the MMA Roll Call Of Champions as needed, but that’s it. Hopefully I’ll be back someday, but I can’t say when but the other sites aren’t going anywhere so go keep checking those out.

Until we (maybe) meet again…

The Strasburg Watch: 5/19/10

A new feature I’ll be doing this baseball season, regularly tracking the hopefully fast track to fame-and the majors-of Washington’s future baseball savior, 2009 #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, as he begins his career in the Nationals system and hopefully works his way up to starting this season at Nationals Park and elsewhere.

5/19: 8th Minor League Start, 3rd At AAA Syracuse:
The Line: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K, Win
The Highlights: Longest start yet, fastball consistently in upper 90s.
The Lowlights: Allowed baserunners in 4 of the first 5 innings, although a couple were due to errors and not his fault.
My Take: For the first time he got into the 7th, he continued to pitch very well. It should also be noted he was to have started Tuesday but that game was rained out, the teams and Nationals agreed to let him play the night game of a day-night doubleheader yesterday. Although the fastball was in the upper 90s, the curve looked good which makes him less a one-dimensional pitcher. The biggest news though is a rumor that The Call is less than 2 weeks away-he could make his Nationals debut on June 4. That would be a home game against Cincinnati.
Season Line: 40.1 IP, 17 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 10 BB, 49 K, 6-1, 0.89 ERA, 3-8 4 RBI
Next Scheduled Start: Monday vs. Toledo. It’s in Syracuse so if you’re in the area, get out there because you may have only 2 more chances to see him there, if even that. If not, you can listen to the game via Minor League Baseball Gameday Audio and may be able to watch live video via the Chiefs’ official website, Syracusechiefs.com.

Another Year Come And Gone…

For me, anyway. Today is May 18…meaning it’s my birthday. Another year older. Don’t ask. I will only say “old”, haha. I celebrated over the past weekend, figured since I have a very uncertain year ahead of me I’d get in one last hurrah-I’m looking at unemployment in 3 months if a miracle doesn’t happen. Hopefully it will be temporary, I will at least have a chance to keep or re-obtain my current job, which might be permanent this time. It’s been a term position and my 2nd term is almost up, waiting to hear on another job I interviewed for months ago-that’s government for you. And the usual other personal issues I’m dealing with, plus I’ve pretty much severed all ties with one of my closest friends after nearly 4 years. So hopefully things will turn around soon and I’ll finally be set and feeling better. I just keep reminding myself of a quote from a famous MMA personality:

“Be better than you think you can be. Don’t quit two minutes before the miracle. Believe.”-Charles “Mask” Lewis

But I’m still going to enjoy today even though I’m at work and treat myself to a nice dessert at the end of the day…
Ah, such sweet treats indeed. See, I didn’t forget you all! I just have been busy with other things. Anyway, I’ve got another birthday to survive, so I’m out. (Desserts courtesy of the “cosplay cutie of the day”, Rio Natsume)

The Strasburg Watch: 5/12/10

A new feature I’ll be doing this baseball season, regularly tracking the hopefully fast track to fame-and the majors-of Washington’s future baseball savior, 2009 #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, as he begins his career in the Nationals system and hopefully works his way up to starting this season at Nationals Park and elsewhere.

5/12: 7th Minor League Start, 2nd at AAA Syracuse:
The Line: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K, Win
The Highlights: Everything was working this time on a borderline cold night. Only faced one batter over the minimum. Sat down the last 12 he faced. Fastball topped out at 98.
The Lowlights: None. OK, maybe he didn’t get an at-bat, I believe the DH rule was in use at this ballpark.
My Take: As good as his last start was, this was even better.What also may have affected him a little bit was a long time on the bench in the 5th as the Chiefs scored him 4 runs to allow Strasburg to be win-eligible. He wasn’t on a strict pitch count but they pulled him after 80 pitches through 6. Considering how long the Nats likely will wait to call him up, I’d say that if the schedule holds he’s looking at 3 more AAA starts. And to make it even better, the popular Racing Presidents, one of the most fun things about a Nationals home game, were in attendance.
Season Line: 34 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 8 BB, 40 K, 5-1, 1.06 ERA, 3-8, 4 RBI
Next Scheduled Start: TBA, but if schedule holds it should be Monday at Pawtucket Red Sox. You can listen to the game live for FREE via Minor League Baseball Gameday Audio through the Chiefs’ official website, Syracusechiefs.com. First pitch is at 12:05 PM.

The Strasburg Watch: 5/7/10

A new feature I’ll be doing this baseball season, regularly tracking the hopefully fast track to fame-and the majors-of Washington’s future baseball savior, 2009 #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, as he begins his career in the Nationals system and hopefully works his way up to starting this season at Nationals Park and elsewhere.

5/7: 6th Minor League Start, first at AAA Syracuse:
The Line: 6 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 6 K, 1-1, Sac Bunt, 2 RBI, Win
The Highlights: No first-start jitters this time. Established the fastball and control early. Needed only 65 pitches to finish 6 innings, which was his limit for the night (or 85-90 pitches). Had 2 more RBI.
The Lowlights: None.
My Take: What a way to bounceback from the loss in his last start. The fastball topped out at 98 and was sustained all game, not really dropping lower than 96. The curve was woking well too. He also no-hit the opposing batters through 3 innings and even contribued 2 RBI on a single and a sac bunt. Now the question seems to be not just when he might start again at Syracuse, but possibly if. The question still is when the call will come-general consensus now seems to be no later than early June.
Season line (AA/AAA): 28 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 7 BB, 33 K, 4-1, 1.29 ERA, 3-8, 4 RBI
Next scheduled start: TBA, but if not called up before then it’s projected to be Wednesday vs. Norfolk Tides. If you happen to be in/near Syracuse get there and check it out but buy tickets in advance-last night’s game sold out in advance and this one could as well. Otherwise you can listen to the game live for FREE via Minor League Baseball Gameday Audio through the Chiefs’ official website, Syracusechiefs.com.

Confuseyus: UFC 113 Predictions

Confuseyus

It’s once again time for our usually-twice-yearly dose of MM-Eh as UFC is headed to Canada this weekend for the first of 2 Canada events this summer-in fact, 2 of the next 3 UFCs are up north. This weekend’s UFC 113 actually was planned for this past Saturday (May 1), but when boxing interfered in the form of Mayweather-Mosley on PPV UFC decided to move their event back a week to avoid going head-to-head. As usual 113 will be Canada-heavy even though Canadian posterboy Georges St. Pierre won’t be in action (you know he’ll be cage-side though) and will be headlined by the rematch of Ryoto (Lyoto) Machida vs. Mauricio Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. When it comes to UFC the prognosticator has been hot & cold these last few PPVs (he’d rather forget the abomination that was a 2-9 WEC 48), he’ll try to get back to hot with this event. Click below for the picks.

The Strasburg Watch: 5/2/10

A new feature I’ll be doing this baseball season, regularly tracking the hopefully fast track to fame-and the majors-of Washington’s future baseball savior, 2009 #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, as he begins his career in the Nationals system and hopefully works his way up to starting this season at Nationals Park and elsewhere.

5/2: 5th Minor League Start
The Line: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 0-1, Loss
The Highlights: None really.
The Lowlights: Worst start yet, and it came at perhaps a bad time-theis could be his final start at AA.
My Take: It appears there was a roughly 35 minute rain delay at some point, so that could have factored into his worst start yet, or perhaps anticipation of a potential impending promotion to AAA right after this start. Or maybe he just had to come back down to earth eventually. No matter what, this was easily his worst start yet. Perhaps this one could be written off due to hype or weather. Either way he went about as far as he was going to be allowed to, which was 5 IP or 85 pitches. The 3 ER also more than tripled his season’s ERA to a still-outstanding 1.64. It also doubled his walk total to a still-outstanding 6.
Season Line: 22 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 27 K, 3-1, 1.64 ERA, 2-7, 2 RBI.
Next Scheduled Start: TBA. If he still gets promoted despite today’s outing it could be as soon as Friday against Gwinnett (GA), the AAA affiliate of Atlanta.

5/4 UPDATE: He has been promoted to AAA. Next start will be Friday at 7 PM ET vs. Gwinnett Braves. You can now follow Strasburg at AAA and listen live to his start and other games for FREE via Minor League Baseball Gameday Audio through the Syracuse Chiefs’ official website, syracusechiefs.com.

The Strasburg Watch: 4/27/10

A new feature I’ll be doing this baseball season, regularly tracking the hopefully fast track to fame-and the majors-of Washington’s future baseball savior, 2009 #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg, as he begins his career in the Nationals system and hopefully works his way up to starting this season at Nationals Park and elsewhere.

4/27: 4th Minor League Start
The Line: 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 1-2, RBI
The Highlights: Very effective, needing just 64 pitches to get through 5 innings. Only allowed one baserunner on a passed ball. Drove in what proved to be the game-winning run.
The Lowlights: None.
My Take: This was the closest to a complete game for him yet, the game was only 7 innings (his scheduled Tuesday start was rained out so they played 2 on Wednesday; In some minor leagues doubleheaders are 7 inning games, not 9) and driving in the only run was just icing on the cake. He retired the first 13 batters he faced, the batter who advanced on a passed ball had otherwise whiffed.
Season Line: 17.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 23 K, 3-0, 0.52 ERA, 2-6, 2 RBI
Next Scheduled Start: TBA. The rainout may affect the plans but depending on the rotation plans now it likely will be either Saturday night or Sunday afternoon vs. Altoona Curve. Whenever he does pitch again, if you’re in Harrisburg get down to Metro Bank Park to see him in action or you can also listen to the game LIVE via Minor League Baseball Gameday Audio via the Senators’ official website, Senatorsbaseball.com.

Funny MMA Video Of The Day: Weakest KO Ever?

Those who claim MMA is fixed might have some ammo thanks to this GIF. On Friday in Russia, Aleksander Emelianenko, the brother of that Fedor guy, faced Eddy Bengtsson in Moscow and won by KO in 40 seconds. Apparently without even landing a punch! WTF, you say?!? Click below for a GIF and draw your own conclusions, but it appears Bengtsson flopped! See for yourself after the jump. It is kinda funny too.

Confuseyus: WEC 48 Results

Confuseyus

Click the link below for ongoing quick results from tonight’s WEC 48 event in Sacramento, CA. Refresh your browser often for the latest updates.

Music Review: Sakura

If you looked at my Sakura Matsuri Festival post a couple weeks back, you may have noticed I managed to get a picture of a “cosplay cutie” at a booth in an area of the festival near some J-Pop performances. Some post-festival research I did revealed this cute girl to be J-Pop/cosplay artist Reni, who also had her first US release on sale. I didn’t pick it up at the festival but got it soon after I got home, and having listened to it here’s a brief review of what appears to be her US debut album, “Sakura”.

Music Review: Ongaku

OK, now that I’m just about over my post-Cherry Blossom case of DEADLY MAN FLU!! (OK, more like a bad cold), it’s time to start catching up on some of the albums I purchased post-Sakura Matsuri (and given I’ll be doing J-pop I might even do some oldies!). The first one here is by a group that performed at the festival, I missed their performance but decided to check them out anyway. They’re a band called Uzuhi, they have released 2 albums so far in the US. This review is for the second of the 2: “Ongaku”. I’ll review the first one later.

Confuseyus: WEC 48 Predictions

Confuseyus

The long-rumored debut of WEC on PPV finally happens this Saturday night, and WEC & Zuffa are pulling out all the stops for the big premiere. The UFC commentating crew of Mike Goldberg & Joe Rogan and cage announcer Bruce Buffer will work the event, the fight card is loaded as usual and headlined by WEC poster boy Urijah Faber, and it’s in one of the WEC hotbeds-Faber’s backyard of Sacramento, CA. And Spike is even helping out by airing 2 of the prelims right before the PPV like they do with UFC. All that’s missing is our resident prognosticator’s predictions…until now. Click below.