Torchwood: Exodus Code

Torchwood: Exodus Code

It seems that the whole Torchwood legacy lives on in forms of novelization but despite this kind of shift, fans of the venerable Doctor Who spin-off about a secret organization investigating alien activities at the expensive of a Torchwood operative's life. That show appeared on BBC since 2006, with a second chapter unfold in 2008, 5-part Children of Earth mini-series in 2009, and then USA's Starz aired the Miracle Day arc in 2011 because the American Whovians think that Torchwood is cool because it's like CSI and The X Files combined.

This is the latest Torchwood novel and at last, actor John Barrowman and his sister Carole managed to tame this latest Torchwood mission (via novelization) with some thrills about earthquakes and a mass hysteria happening to the world's female population. In Exodus Code, the world's been battered down by super strong earthquakes and then the world's female population gone mass hysteria, resulting to a twitter trending topic worldwide; #realfemmefatales. The key to salvation against this impending doom caused by these series of unfortunate events is a secret organization known as Torchwood but sadly, there isn't enough Torchwood left because the last two surviving members; Gwen Cooper who was investigating an alien activity somewhere in Cardiff, and Captain Jack Harkness, who was in Peru in search for the source of this mass hysteria.

To save the world, Gwen has to warn Jack about this but she became a victim to this mass hysteria, now what twist involved in this novel here. It seems that the Exodus Code novel really does pack twisted plots that really made readers sweating with tense. If I read one of these, all those thick plots delving somewhere in this book really gave me the anxiety. I may never know what comes next because by the next time I've read a suprisingly mental plot, it really gives me a painful aftertaste. So painful, I can't even describe a word about this whole Exodus Code story but still this is a good book for the Whovians who became fans of Torchwood. I just can't find any book that is as scary and as tense as this.

Order at: http://www.bbcshop.com/science-fiction/torchwood-exodus-code-hardback/invt/9781846079078/

Tuner BLITZ preps something for 2013 TAS

BLITZ for 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon

Japanese tuning company, BLITZ, are prepping up something big at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon this January. What we heard that BLITZ got plans to show their modified versions of the Subaru BRZ, Toyota 86, Honda N ONE, Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB), and the Mini Coupe. Also, new BLITZ parts are going to be featured on that venue such as a racing meter for the 86/BRZ, suction kit for 86/BRZ, DSC-Four, and E-ESC.

URL: http://www.blitz.co.jp/event/tas2013.html

Christmas with the Bulilits

On the December 23, 2012 episode of Goin Bulilit...

- The Bulilits are ringing the bells with a song just in time for Christmas! Kampana ng Simbahan!

- Simbang Gabi gags

- Christmas Wish for the jobless and homeless man.

- Christmas Reunion gags

- The Christmas Rappers

- Christmas Wish for the husband who wants his wife to be even more younger

- More corny jokes on I'M CORNY!

- Christmas Wish for the short basketball player

- Ready Get Set Goin in Silent Night...oh Hilo Night

Let's Do The News! (December 23, 2012)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

Look what I got!!!







A couple of days ago, I got my Ferrari Dino unicorn car at Forza Horizon for my Ferrari F12berlinetta story for December's FYI About DLC, where Forza players share their stories about the cars from the December IGN Car Pack for a chance to win unicorns. Then moments later, another two cars arrived from my Horzion inbox. It's those specially designed Ford Fiesta and RUF Yellowbird made by the producers in the spirit of Christmas. Thank you very much for these gifts and Merry Christmas to all! Now to put these three on a leisure cruise...




Veloster recalled for Panoramic Sunroof and E-Brake mishaps

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

It's official, ladies and gents. The Hyundai Veloster has been recalled due to problems at the panoramic sunroof and the parking brake. As you may recall, most Veloster owners are complaining about their panoramic sunroofs that may shatter when moved. Hyundai says that the sunroof assembly may have been weakened during installation at the factory. As for the parking brake, it's because of the moisture and grime build-up.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/hyundai-recalling-2012-veloster-because.html

Kahn Design RS250

Kahn Design RS250

The folks from Kahn Design really taking the Range Rover Evoque very seriously, so seriously, they decided to modify it with ease. Aside from its attractive green paint with the black hood, Kahn Design's RS250 wouldn't be without their handcrafted body kit and 22-inch RS-XF alloy wheels wrapped in very low profile performance tires. On the inside, it's a match from the outside with a combination of black leather and Alcantara and green leather accents, diamond-quilted patterns on the seats, dashboard and center consoles with contrast stitching, a diamond gear selector with a piano black surround and machined aluminium trim.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/kahn-design-lamborghini-green-pearl.html

Motor Trend: ZR1 Corvette is better than SRT Viper

Motor Trend compares the SRT Viper against
the Corvette ZR1

And so it begins, a proper face-off between the all new 2013 SRT Viper against the soon-to-be-outgoing Chevrolet Corvette ZR! (C6) provided by Motor Trend stirs a bigger twist in a war between Vipers and Corvettes. I'm kinda disappointed to the next guy who thinks Vipers are better than Corvettes and then he tried convincing to the very end. Anyway, on that Motor Trend comparison between the SRT Viper GTS and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, it seems that the newcomer was beaten by a veteran. What I mean is that the SRT Viper was humiliatingly defeated by the Corvette ZR1 round the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Motor Trend often using Laguna Seca as their test track for the high-performance cars they're reviewing and in terms of such loss, the Viper’s 1:35.77 lap time was 2.1 seconds slower than the ZR1 Corvette when given at the hands of racing driver Randy Pobst.

If that wasn't enough, gets worse, MT's Jonny Lieberman, along with the rest of the MT crew, said that the Corvette ZR1 is better than the SRT Viper in every respect, including the interior! With such fuss, SRT boss Ralph Gilles backlashed that statement via Twitter, saying that the whole Motor Trend staff and racing driver Pobst were not brave enough for the Viper.

Story: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1212_2013_chevrolet_corvette_zr1_srt_viper_gts/viewall.html

SIDE NOTE: I need to find a GIF of David Tennant angry when saying "Barrowman" from an episode of Buzzcocks just so to describe this humiliation...

...speaking of humiliation

DLC Catalog 15 for the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2

DLC Catalog 15 for the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2

The Playsation3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 still continues to have some PS3-exclusive DLC costumes as well as carry-overs from the XBOX 360 version of the same game. Out since Friday, December 21, the 15th DLC Catalog was out and it features the costume as seen from the 7th Anniversary Concert. It's called Prima Concerto♪ and that's not all, costumes derived from the XBOX 360 version includes Elegant IVY, Highness Rouge, and Next Orbiter. One DLC song you can't find on the XBOX 360 version is titled 私はアイドル.



URL: http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/dlc/catalog15.php

Doctor Who Ultimate List of Lists

On that same date, BBC America aired The Brit List special where the best of Doctor Who, voted by the fans at BBC America's Anglophenia, were featured and it was pretty much to learn after watching the whole special that...

1) Donna Noble (played by Catherine Tate) is the best Doctor Who female companion

2) The scariest moment of Doctor Who is...the first time you saw the episode BLINK

3) Weeping Angels are the scariest monsters of Doctor Who

4) Andrew Garfield from The Amazing Spider-Man is the best Doctor Who guest star because of his appearance in a two-part episode where The Doctor and Martha Jones went to New York on the brink of The Great Depression, which then invaded by Daleks.

5) The TARDIS is the best thing you can only see on Doctor Who

...I kinda disagree on the first part about who's the best Doctor Who female companion. Ahem...Donna Noble? Eeewww...I never really liked that character at all. I really never liked the actress who played Donna Noble, who is a comedian named Catherine Tate, and that's it. But still, I'd respected her for such a genuine character trait. Donna Noble...Props to Catherine Tate for partnered with an alien boy since the 2006 XMAS Special and then Series 4 in 2008. Guess she's still ain't even BOVVERED...E he he...


Message from Houki Shinonono...

Dear (name withheld),

You were right, there's a brand new IS waiting for me. Come on down at the American Lexus Facebook Page at January 15, 2013, at 6:30am in PST to see the new IS.

All-New 2014 Lexus IS - Global Unveiling LIVE on Facebook

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 6:30am in PST

Houki♡

What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 23, 2012)

2011 Fisker Karma

Fisker Automotive is an American carmaker based in Anaheim, California, founded in 2007. The maiden car for the brand is a plug-in hybrid sports saloon car known as Karma. As a pure series hybrid car, it was powered by a pair of 120 kW (161 hp) electric motors that get their power from a 20 kWh lithium ion battery supplied by A123 Systems. If the driver engages Sport mode or if the battery's out of charge, the 2.0L petrol engine kicks in, generating 260HP of power.

2011 Fisker Karma

2011 Nissan Juke

With a name so awkwardly weird, Nissan seems to be quite so serious when it comes to making this ROCK 'N SMALL compact crossover, which was designed in Britain and produced at its Oppama plant in Japan. It was the first model in the lineup to come with their newly developed 1.6 L MR16DDT Turbo I4 engine that churns out 190PS of power, mated to an XTRONIC CVT.

2011 Nissan Juke

2011 BMW Z4

"Actually it doesn't feel like a pair of turbos at all. This is like a pair of testes! Big, meaty ones!" Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear explains how the twin turbos on the E89 BMW Z4 feels like and it is...sort of. It maybe more of a civilized hardtop roadster that was now made even more comfortable but don't be fooled by how it feels because on the road, the Z4 E89 really likes to take things very seriously.

2011 BMW Z4

Some Say: Next Mazda Axela/3 may come end of next year, diesel engine possible?

2012 Mazda Axela

Fresh off the rumormill, or what in some issue of MagX said, seems that the Mazda Axela (known in the world market as the Mazda 3) is going for a full change at the end of 2013 or first half of 2014 and some say, this will be the third car to be fully integrated with SKYACTIV Technology since the CX-5 and the third-generation Atenza (Mazda 6). They are speculating that the next model will be fresh with Mazda's new signature design philosophy, KODO -Soul in Motion- and it may come with either a 2.0L petrol or a 2.2L diesel engine, again all SKYACTIV stuff here.

Here's an excerpt:


フルスカイアクティブ第3弾として登場
トヨタやホンダのハイブリッド攻勢に危機感をもったマツダが、限られた経営資源をエンジンやトランスミッションの効率向上に注ぎ込み、その成果を「スカイアクティブ」として発表したことはご存じだろう。

スカイアクティブ技術を投入したクリーンディーゼル搭載のCX-5は、国内で高い人気を獲得。続くフルスカイアクティブ搭載モデルのアテンザ（写真右上）が2012年11月に正式発表されたことも記憶に新しい。

次に登場するモデルは、より量販が見込めるデミオとアクセラ（写真右下）。アクセラは2011年秋の一部改良でエンジン（ガソリン2L直噴）とATがスカイアクティブに切り替わったが、次期モデルでは前述の2モデル同様、シャーシやボディも含めフルスカイアクティブへと進化する。

パワートレインは、アテンザの販売動向次第で、同車に用いられる2.2Lディーゼルターボが採用される可能性もある。ガソリンエンジンでは、国内仕様のアクセラで販売量の多い1.5Lユニットも、スカイアクティブGになる公算が大きい。これでスカイアクティブガソリンユニットは、1.3L、1.5L、2L、2.5Lが揃うことになる。

エクステリアは、アテンザと同様にマツダの新デザインテーマ「魂動（こどう）」に沿ったものが採用される。曲面が多用される流れるようなデザインや、切り立った5角形グリルと切れ長のヘッドランプが印象的なフロントマスクなど、アテンザ譲りの遠くからでもひと目でマツダ車とわかる意匠が与えられるに違いない。登場は2013年冬、遅くても14年前半になる見通しだ。

Scoop: http://www.carsensor.net/contents/newmodel/_21163.html

"#1 WALA NANG IBA"

On the December 21 episode of Bubble Gang

- Christmas shopping gags

- Customer Service made even more complicating even in person

- You want to take a picture with Santa Claus? Or you're just doing something else?

- Susi Problems. Girls just wanna have fun.

- Anong gagawin para makakain ng Lucky Vi Pancit Canton? Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Pancit Canton by spoofing it as LUCKY VI PANCIT CANTON. #1 WALA NANG IBA.

- Who rules? Men or women? DEDEBATIHIN KITA!

- ANG BAGONG DATING DOON with Brod Pete and friends. You got complicating questions, they got answers.

- How does people shortening their sentences to make it sound fancy?

- IyoTube in Feliz Navidad

- Ang cute cute mo!

2013 Subaru Stella

2013 Subaru Stella

In response to Daihatsu released the facelifted 2013 Move lineup complete with improved e:S technology that propelled them to 29kmpl of fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards and a new safety system called "Smart Assist" which also comes with an auto-braking feature similar to Volvo's and Subaru's, it seems that here comes an "emergency facelift" for the Subaru Stella twin, therefore, all the technology and the impressive fuel saver gizmo applied on the 2013 Move are bolted in the Subaru Stella compact kei car, which is essentially a rebadged Daihatsu Move when it was launched in May 2011.

Although, the Stella and its Stella Custom stablemate has a very different face than the 2013 Daihatsu Move, it still comes with the newly improved e:S Technology with CVT Thermo Controller that helps get their fuel economy up to 29kmpl and also the SMART ASSIST system that comes with the auto-stop feature that can automatically brake the car in a near-collision scenario.

Sales start at January 2013 across Japan.

URL: http://www.subaru.jp/stella/stella/

A NEW TARDIS?!

A couple of weeks ago, BBC showcased a teaser photo for what some say this could be the new look inside the TARDIS.

???????

We were confused about this and we kept asking "Is this the new look inside the TARDIS?". We also heard that prior to the DW 2012 Christmas Special, there's going to be a brand new version of the Doctor Who theme song. Puzzling, isn't it? Now, BBC revealed another photo of the NEW TARDIS as well as the Eleventh Doctor's new (and questionable) costume...

New TARDIS interior and Eleventh Doctor's new costume

What's so cool that the console's now revamped, bringing it back to its roots. The new Eleventh Doctor costume is kinda puzzling. It becomes more classical, more vintage, but still more Who factor for our time lord hero.

See the full view on the Doctor Who Christmas Special "The Snowmen", Christmas Day at these times:

UK - 5:15pm on BBC One

US - 9/8 central on BBC America (U.S.)

Canada - 9E/6P on Space (Canada)

Australia - Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 December 2012 at 7.30pm on ABC1.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/12/so-this-is-what-the-tardis-looks-like-now/

Image: BBC Worldwide

Miss USA is 2012's Miss Universe

Miss USA is 2012's Miss Universe
Image: Reuters

Does everyone watched this year's Miss Universe? If you did, you might heard that USA's Olivia Culpo took home the crown and glory as Miss Universe 2012 while our very own Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon is 2nd place while Miss Venezuela Irene Sofia Esser Quintero placed 3rd, Miss Australia Renae Ayris placed 4th, and Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus placed 5th.

Seems that these beauty queens got the looks, the finesse, the moves and the guts to answer questions the Miss Universe committee can throw at them. To those who made it to the top spot, I just wanna say congratulations. As for you, Miss Philippines, even though you were placed 2nd, I'd expect great things coming for you. Great things...

Scoop: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/miss-usa-wins-miss-universe-2012--miss-philippines-takes-first-runner-up-031507480.html

Daihatsu Move Fifth-Generation Minor Change

A couple of months ago, Suzuki Motor Corporation just launched their most fuel efficient Wagon R ever complete with new fuel-efficient features that propelled its fuel economy to 28.8kmpl. Some people say that this fuel economy is sure enough to outwit the Daihatsu Move's 27kmpl fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards. In such response, Suzuki vs. Daihatsu, the battle for fuel economy supremacy, rages on because in response to the new Suzuki Wagon R's antics, Daihatsu waged everything they've got to make something even more fuel efficient than the new Wagon R.

2013 Daihatsu Move

2013 Daihatsu Move Custom

I mean yes, this is the Daihatsu Move. It's still the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move, the kei car that set a benchmark for fuel economy figures and the car that staged a fight against Suzuki in a war of fuel economy. However, this is no ordinary Move because this is the minor change model for the fifth-generation Move. Even though it's a facelifted model, Daihatsu added some new features, something that no other kei car in Japan comes close. What I heard is that this facelifted version of the Move now comes with SMART ASSIST. My thoughts exactly, folks. This is the first time a kei car has applied this; a braking system similar to Volvo's City Safety and Subaru's Eyesight Ver. 2. Meaning that the facelifted version of the Move can now brake by itself in a near-collision scenario. Don't ask how...

Forgive me, ladies and gentlemen, because this is a very serious first look to this new version of the Move and you know me, I'm wasn't quite serious enough getting to know new cars but for this new Move, things are going to be wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey for now.

Where was I? Oh yeah! You know that in the previous fifth-generation Move, it bears the TNP27 slogan because of its 27kmpl fuel economy thanks to its idling stop feature and CVT. For this updated version can you guess what is the fuel consumption of the 2013 Daihatsu Move? Who says 27? Wrong. 28? Nope. 28.8 like the Suzuki Wagon R? Wrong again, you're getting warmer. It's now 29kmpl! The 2013 Daihatsu Move now returns up to 29kmpl based on JC08 Mode standards! How's that possible?

To tell you why, that's because Daihatsu implemented an updated version of e:S Technology first applied on the Mira e:S. I said it "updated" because they've added CVT Thermo Controller for the first time in a kei car. I have no idea how does the new CVT Thermo Controller works in the 2013 Move but what I heard that this new feature maintains the engine temperature. That's it. Don't tell me how it works...again. That's not my responsibility.

However, with their newly improved idling stop system and newly improved e:S Technology implemented so successful, they've even placed it on the turbocharged Move Custom RS version. In a turbocharged version available only on the Move Custom, this gives about 25.2kmpl of fuel economy.

2013 Daihatsu Move interior

2013 Daihatsu Move Custom interior

So far, so good but we're not out in the woods yet. In terms of pricing, the 2013 Move starts at 1,070,000 Japanese Yen for the X model up to 1,591,000 Japanese Yen for the Move Custom X "Limited SA" model with 4WD powertrain on it. Better take note, idiot boys; IT'S AVAILABLE ONLY IN JAPAN. That's it.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Horizon: Let the rally commence!

Eat dirt!

Today is the day the RALLY EXPANSION pack on Forza Horizon is out. With this pack, the whole Colorado gets down and dirty, transforming the Horiozn Festival into a rally driver's dream come true. On this expansion, this will test the mettle of your rally instincts, showing everyone who's got the skills to rule the dirtier side of the festival. On this pack, you'll expect five new cars that are brave enough to rally;

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti

1982 Lancia 037 Stradale

1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR

This pack costs 1600 MSP but if you're a season pass holder, it's free and not just that, you'll also receive this month's Season Pass bonus car; the 2003 Ford SVT Focus. That's Ford's rally-bred monster that's sure in handy later.

By the time you have the Rally Expansion and if you're tuning your car at the garage, you'll now have new rally-oriented tuning kits available such as the Rally Tires, rally suspension, and a short-gear ratio gearbox which is a necessity in the world of rallying. Almost all of the cars are welcomed to use such rally-oriented tuning kits and if you have the rally parts, you are cleared to rally. Happily however, these rally-oriented parts are usable in any mode, meaning that these kinds should be put to good use if you're in a game of KING at the Carson Golf Course. There are new rivals mode, online matches, and new achievements to see in the Horizon Rally Expansion.

In the world of rallying, time is your only enemy. Make sure you master the dirt very well and aim for the fastest time. If you mess it up, your rankings will suffer. Make sure you don't mess it up and concentrate on the road ahead in order to master the art of rallying. Oh, and don't be distracted by the beautiful scenery around you. Each event consists of four stages and if you set an overall fastest after four stages, you can advance to the next event and if you cleared all seven events, you've done it. That means you've conquered dirt and rallying.

You may clear it but did your progress fared well against your rivals from across the globe? Take them on the Rivals Mode and aim to be the fastest.

Well folks, hope you're enjoying some good time shoveling dirt on your opponents' front windows and rule the dirt in the world of rallying.