BBC previews Top Gear India Special

Top Gear India Special

Those Top Gear wazzocks are back for their holiday special, to be aired this December 28 on BBC Two, 20:00 (8:00 PM) GMT!

For this year's Christmas special, Jezza, Hamster, and Captain Slow are headed to India and let's just hope they don't screw up ever since last year's Middle East special, where the public sparked fury about "Boys in Burkas" and "Baby Stig".

Scoop: http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2011/11/30/andy-wilman-on-top-gears-india-special-wednesday-28-december-8pm-bbc2/

Photo: BBC

How come there are two Edisons?

That seems strange...

An ABS-CBN drama titled "My Binondo Girl" has a character named Edison, while another ABS-CBN drama titled "Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig" has a character named Edison. How come there are two Edisons?

That Edison from "My Binondo Girl" was played by Ricardo Cepeda, who was the father of Andy, played by Xian Lim. 

On "Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig", a character named Edison was the orphan played by Louise Abuel (you probably remember him from being Kevin from 100 Days To Heaven). Edison was one of the orphans who are going around the streets to find baby Rafa's real parents while encountering different people.

If an annoying neighbor came to my house, he or she may ask that how come there are two dramas featuring one name that is Edison from My Binondo Girl and Edison from Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig.

You know what, I couldn't work it out at all...

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: About the Rum Raisin-flavored Ice Cream

Rum Raisin

Since the Summer of 2011, my little sister Cecille, bought some unfamiliar kind of ice cream flavor whom to believed that it was another one of their fancy Haagen-Dazs flavor. This flavor in question is believed to be "Rum Raisin".

Rum Raisin? What's that? At first, I thought this was some kind of an ice cream mixed with alcoholic content and yes, I misheard the word "Rum" to "Rhum". You know, the liquor kind of Rhum. I was trying to find out why my little sister bought this kind of ice cream flavor and how did my big sis, Elise, hated this flavor so much because she claimed that this flavor's rubbish.

When I first tasted this Rum Raisin Ice Cream, I never say that this was so delicious. Despite the tasting, I braved my way to saying that this was the best Haagen-Dazs flavor ever made. As time progresses, I finally found my answer. Rum Raisin was actually just "as seen on" Yuru Yuri. All thanks to this character who loves Rum Raisin, Kyoko Toshino.

Kyoko Toshino

Yes, you got me. The reason why a certain anime otaku's on a hunt for the "Rum Raisin" ice cream is because of the obsession of Yuru Yuri's Kyoko, which of course, she loves to eat an ice cream which flavor was Rum Raisin.

Rum Raisin

Sadly for me, I checked most stores in Seattle and most of the Rum Raisin flavored Haagen-Dazs are gone and I don't know when are these kind of flavors coming back. Pretty soon, I will find one store which has one of these but that takes time. Realizing that I'm the Asian in Seattle who was grown to have developing obsession with a certain ice cream flavor thanks to the influence of anime, it's hard to say that when will I find one again. It wasn't easy finding one but soon, I will find one and experience heaven to a whole new level.

K-ON! MOVIE ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK

K-ON! MOVIE ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK

With the success of the K-ON movie, premiered in theaters since December 3, 2011, Pony Canyon was pleased to announce the launch of the original soundtrack based on the K-ON movie.

With original music score by Hajime Hyakkoku, who was behind the BGM from the two seasons, and with a total of 40 in-movie BGMs, they'll be sure enough for fans to relive the moments of Hokago Tea Time in London!

TRACK LIST:

01 Have some tea?（MOVIE Mix）
02 白銀の朝
03 干し芋の季節
04 こなゆき
05 ごり押しの理由（ルビ：わけ）
06 茶箪笥のかほり
07 二人の世界（MOVIE Mix）
08 茶柱運勢研究会
09 Bossaでコーヒーを
10 お化けの同窓会
11 ガラスの向こう側
12 正直者が考えた嘘
13 その笑顔が好き
14 海に行こうよ！
15 水浴び大好きあひるちゃん
16 地中海楽団
17 Spilled tea
18 Traditional tea
19 Air of northern countries
20 London E
21 Yearning for the Far East
22 Pleasant despair
23 Train-D
24 私のきもち
25 かりんとう男爵の一週間
26 Fairies’ Party
27 退屈な時間
28 結局今日も遅刻じゃないですか！
29 そんな訳でタクシーで…、
30 げげっ！大渋滞！！
31 お日様キラキラ散歩道
32 Artificial Candy
33 ごり押しの言い訳
34 女子の集中力
35 Red jacket
36 Stylish mistake
37 Winter night in a warm room
38 一等賞
39 Far distant past
40 しあわせのかけら

The World God Only Knows Character Cover Album

The World God Only Knows Character Cover Album

The cast of The World God Only Knows (日本名: 神のみぞ知るセカイ) and The World God Only Knows II (日本名: 神のみぞ知るセカイII) are coming together for an all-star tribute to the best songs heard from anime and games in The World God Only Knows Character Cover Album. With ten tracks made courtesy by yours truly, Chihiro Kosaka (Kana Asumi), Elsie (Kanae Ito), Ayumi Takahara (Ayana Taketatsu), Mio Aoyama (Aoi Yuki), Kanon Nakagawa (Nao Toyama), Haqua (Saori Hayami), Kusunoki Kasuga (Ami Koshimizu), Shiori Shiomiya (Kana Hanazawa), Jun Nagase (Aki Toyosaki), Yuri Nikaido (Atsuko Tanaka), and the star of the show, Keima Katsuragi (Hiro Shimono).

This would be the best Kris Kringle gift for "something sweet" and yes, if you got one from one of your Monito Monita, you're in luck for listening the Kaminomi cast's all-star anime and game music tribute. This would be more better than Hayate the Combat Butler Character Cover Album! If only Richard Hammond and James May would listen to this...

LIMITED EDITION:
The limited edition packaging includes a different front cover, and a bonus CD aside from the standard CD. Act now because supplies are limited.

TRACK LIST:

01 「すいみん不足」小阪ちひろ starring 阿澄佳奈 ※オリジナル「キテレツ大百科」オープニングテーマ
02 「Dancing Star」エルシィ starring 伊藤かな恵 ※オリジナル「うる星やつら」オープニングテーマ
03 「笑顔に会いたい」高原歩美 starring 竹達彩奈 ※オリジナル「ママレード・ボーイ」オープニングテーマ
04 「プラチナ」青山美生 starring 悠木 碧 ※オリジナル「カードキャプターさくら」オープニングテーマ
05 「愛・おぼえていますか」中川かのん starring 東山奈央 ※オリジナル　映画「超時空要塞マクロス　愛・おぼえていますか」主題歌
06 「ANGEL NIGHT　~天使のいる場所~」ハクア starring 早見沙織 ※オリジナル「シティハンター２」オープニングテーマ
07 「輪舞 - revolution」春日 楠 starring 小清水亜美 ※オリジナル「少女革命ウテナ」オープニングテーマ
08 「トゥインクル☆スター」汐宮 栞 starring 花澤香菜 ※オリジナル「Cosmic Baton Girl コメットさん☆」エンディングテーマ
09 「Dearest」長瀬 純＆二階堂由梨 starring 豊崎愛生＆田中敦子 ※オリジナル　映画「機動戦艦ナデシコ - The prince of darkness
10 「もっと!モット!ときめき」桂木桂馬 starring 下野 紘 ※オリジナル「もっと!モット!ときめきメモリアル」オープニングテーマ

HiNA2 Spring has come！！

HINA2 Spring has come!!

Hinagiku Katsura is back on her all new second album that exceeds expectations since her first full album since 2009. Titled HiNA2 Spring has come！！, Shizuka Ito spices up the role as Hayate no Gotoku's fan favorite, Hinagiku Katsura and she's locked and loaded with 11 tracks that is going to be a must have for someone who is a big fan of Hinagiku Katsura, president of student government!

LIMITED EDITION:
The fun doesn't stop here because the LIMITED EDITION packaging includes not just the music CD but also a very special CD containing Hinagiku Katsura's new song titled "Christmas No Shonen". Consider this your holiday gift!

TRACK LIST:

01 Spring has come!! 4:13
02 本日、満開ワタシ色！HiNA-GIG ver. 3:48
03 Teenage Diary 4:23
04 sotto voce 3:48
05 決心 3:26
06 メリーゴーランドメロウ 4:40
07 キミに「好き」と言えたら 4:23
08 Fly High↑↑ 4:15
09 TOMORROWスケッチ 5:00
10 Tiny Star 4:50
11 本日、満開ワタシ色！ 3:43

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Volume 21

As Christmas is coming, seems that most car enthusiasts who loved car commercial songs are initiating more HOT PURSUITS. If I meant to say HOT PURSUIT, well yes. The hunt for more car commercial songs on the net continues. Recently, my blog's been attacked by an unknown hacker who left messages like "alpheon commercial music" or "alpheon luxury for professional commercial music". Those car enthusiasts came back then and shot myself!

Photograph this! ANOTHER SET OF FIVE DRIVING MUSICS (CAR COMMERCIAL SONGS)! ARE YOU READY?!

5) Ouverture de Restaurant de Roi (from Restaurant de Roi Original Soundtrack) - as heard from Toyota Reborn Channel Japanese TV Commercial starring Yukari Nishio

4) Kiseki by GReeeeN - as heard from Toyota Reborn Doraemon Japanese TV Commercial starring Satoshi Tsumabuki, Naoya Ogawa, Tomohisa Yamashita, Asami Mizukawa, and Jean Reno

3) Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters -  as heard from Chrysler 300 "See It Through" American TV Commercial

2) Always on the Run by Yuksek - as heard from Peugeot 207 Urban Move French TV commercial

1) Amorosso by Kristina & Laura - as heard from GM Korea Company Alpheon "Luxury for Professional" Korean TV Commercial.

Well, here you go. Hope this helps!

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Original Soundtrack

Boku Wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai
Original Soundtrack

The year 2011 now had traditions for TBS to air an anime based on a light novel serialized from Media Factory's Bunko J. From winter 2011, they have Infinite Stratos. From spring 2011, they have Aria the Scarlet Ammo. And from summer 2011, they have Mayo Chiki. Now, there's a new one aired since autumn 2011 and it's titled Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (日本名：僕は友達が少ない). Haganai for short.

Haganai centers on the life of a transfer student at St. Chronica Academy named Kodaka Hasegawa (played by Ryohei Kimura) who really DON'T HAVE MANY FRIENDS until his encounter with Yozora Mikazuki (played by Marina Inoue) who talks to her imaginary friend and founded the school's Neighbor Club to solve his "loner" problems, which later joined by a bunch of mishaps like Sena Kashiwazaki (played by Kanae Ito), Yukimuya Kusunoki (Nozomi Yamamoto), Rika Shiguma (played by Misato Fukuen), Maria Takayama (Yuka Iguchi) and Kobato (played by Kana Hanazawa).

This is an anime with Tourette's and treading on its storyline is like wiring it up to a nuclear bomb. It makes more noise than other Media Factory-related titles and hopefully, this pass the Apple of the Apex, Apple of the Exit test, we think.

So now, the original soundtrack for Haganai is now here and you can relive the storyline that explodes more at the blink of the eye. Most of the BGMs were composed by Tom-H@ck and it includes TV-size versions of Zannenkei Rinjinbu★★☆ and Watashi no Kimochi. Overall, it packs a grand total of 37 tracks. For an added treat, there's a Data CD part where you can hear various instrumental versions of the opening and closing theme songs.

It's cool if you don't have many friends...

TRACK LISTINGS:
１． 隣人部かつどう中
２． 隣人部きゅうけい中
３． 隣人部こんらん中
４． だめだこいつ　はやくなんとかしないと
５． 女狐ＶＳ肉
６． 理科×夜空
７． 変態乳牛
８． あぁ～ん
９． 何か裏があるですね
１０．結局こんな感じになりました
１１．ふぁんきーあこーすてっく
１２．ゲーム「モンスター狩人」よりFinal Battle
１３．ゲーム「モンスター狩人」よりStage
１４．のんびーり
１５．おもちゃっぽいファンキー
１６．映画なはがない
１７．リア充の気分
１８．くらしっくピアノな感じ
１９．野生の変拍子
２０．小鷹はトモちゃんが見えない
２１．うれしはずかし
２２．ゆにばぁぁあああ～～～～～す！！！！
２３．リア充の妄想
２４．あいきゃっちその１
２５．あいきゃっちその２
２６．はがないバック
２７．聖クロニカ学園
２８．うんこ幼女シスター
２９．おどろおどろ
３０．小鷹ＶＳ不良
３１．俺は不良なんかじゃない
３２．エロゲの朗読
３３．隣人部しっと中
３４．純粋なる恋心
３５．小鷹は気がつかない、けど
３６．私のキ・モ・チ（ＴＶサイズ）　　
３７．残念系隣人部★★☆（星二つ半）（ＴＶサイズ）

A very special, STIG APPROVED, GT5 Christmas Gift for all - the 2013 Toyota 86

Song played in my Personal BGM: あ~よかった (Version Iori) by Iori Minase (CV: Rie Kugiymiya)

From the album: THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 2 -SECOND SEASON- 01 Iori Minase

Testing the 86 at its home ground.
That is, Fuji Speedway.

This is a very special Christmas Present from Gran Turismo 5 for those who've updated to Version 2.02 and the new Toyota 86 (Hachi-Roku), or what GT5 calls it Toyota 86 GT '12, would be the best gift we've ever opened to experience the first bite before the actual model goes on sale in Japan next year. Now, we have the chance to sample Toyota's first boxer-engine sports car that was been a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of Subaru.

The Stig meets the new Hachi-Roku

Now, for my very first impressions about the new Toyota 86 is that the handling is very great for an FR sports car. What bothers me is when is flicked the view to "Normal View". Seems that the camera angle is gone at the wrong side of the screen and all I can see is some minor rumblings every time I corner the Toyota 86. Upon setting it on Interior View, seems that the new Toyota 86 has a good looking instrumental cluster and the steering wheel looks cool when it has something red on it. It's just one of the many reasons why the Toyota 86 is made to be somewhat special for the player. In fact, this car is a Gran Turismo 5 exclusive. I kinda love the sound of the 86's engine start though and I can almost hear the noise of the Boxer engine.

The 86 logo looks great with some pistons on it!

Glad to know that the Toyota GT 86 is a Premium Tier car so it can be essentially great to go out for some Photo Travel with this sports car. Also, if you're dressing as The Stig (or as the Ghost of Black Stig), you're welcome because we can expect seeing The Stig meets the new Toyota 86 face to face, which unfortunately I did.

The Stig happily drives the new Toyota 86
at the Top Gear Test Track!!!

The Toyota 86 is the best GT5 Christmas present we ever had because we've updated the game to Version 2.02 and once you tried it, forever smitten...

Saab bids Farväl because of bankruptcy filing

2011 Saab 9-5

So, guess this marks the end of Saab...

Numerous attempts to save the troubled Swedish car maker, especially with help from Chinese carmaker Youngman, have gone dodo and this means trouble. And if by trouble, Swedish Automotive N.V. announced that Saab Automobile, Saab Automobile Tools, and Saab Powertrain filed for bankruptcy with the District Court in Vanersborg, Sweden.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/saab-files-for-bankruptcy-after-all.html

Verdict: After all, after years of survival for this Swedish brand, it's sad to say that Saab is dead. Bankrupt...

Now what will exactly happened to the new generation Saab 9-5? Guess it would go to waste...

Also bidding farewell is an utterly old company that claimed to be "Old GM", that is, Motors Liquidation Co. After being their for a record-breaking 103 years, it seems that the death of the Old GM, thanks to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerbert. Seems that splitting the two GM companies had caused a major toll on the company and yes, the "New GM" is somewhat an exact opposite. The "New GM" did better than the Old GM and yes, it was too pity about the Old GM's death.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/company-formerly-known-as-old-gm-is.html

2012 Bentley Continental GT tuning by Mansory

2012 Mansory Bentley Continental GT

Mansory tunes the 2012 Bentley Continental GT to be somewhat extraordinary and somewhat intimidating. On the outside, you should expect carbon fiber applied on the hood, front spoiler, and rear spoiler. Also, it is mated with a set of 22-inch rims plated in black to make it more cool. On the inside, two-tone upholstery and carbon fiber trimming takes place. What's good is that they beefed up the performance with an improved ECU, high performance air filters, and exhausts, capable of releasing 672HP of power and 780Nm of torque. That modified Continental GT looks perfect to stand out...

Scoop: http://www.motorward.com/2011/12/mansory-kit-for-new-bentley-continental-gt/

This is how they Sonic - 2013 Sonic RS

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

The 2013 Sonic RS enhances the styling of Chevrolet's wild compact and yes, it doesn't get any wilder than this because of its even more aggressive front face, 17-inch rims, lowered suspension, standard MyLink infotainment system, sports seats, and much more. Seems that it will go on sale late next year but it will make a premiere at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit!

Further reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2013-sonic_rs/