Goodbye.

That's the end of this blog. 

I've found a new place. For gaming. For me. For more. 

This holds too many memories. Or rather, it's a reminder of a person I once was. A person I once thought I would like to be, thought I would be happy to be. 

But it's all a lie, now I see. Now I know. 

Thank you for the lessons I've learnt. I won't make the same mistakes again. I allowed you to fool me too many times, over and over again. 

I wish you well. 

Just don't come back into my life again. 

#PCGAME: Hidden Object Fun

On a hidden object game streak. Big Fish Games has been my best friend the past couple of days. I think I've cleared about 20 games already.

But like every other game I play, I can be very picky and thus have found a couple of my favorites that have kept me relatively happy. Then there are the ones which were simply a waste of time. 

Hurricxne's to a hidden object game that isn't a waste of time (or one that doesn't cheat you of your feelings):

1. Storyline

This is important. What I've noticed is that some of these games have really amazing storylines. Sure some of them are fairytale spin-offs (meaning the main premise was based on a fairytale) but oh my the way they twist the tale and the cliffhangers and plot turns are truly amazing. I was hooked on a fairytale series that combined Snow White and the Snow Queen and I was enthralled. Of course there are others that just fell short and the plot is just too straightforward and predictable. But I continued anyway for reasons that I will explain in awhile.

2. Graphics

SO PRETTY! I know I feel like my sister here when I just say that it's so pretty. I am absolutely AMAZED by some of the artwork. It's really like... wow. I would expect the artwork in a children's book or some other high-end game but this was really one of the main selling points for majority of the games that I chose to play till the end. Absolutely gorgeous! I'll upload a couple of screenshots in later posts just to show you what I mean.

3. Puzzles

Apart from finding things, puzzles are the main framework for any HO game. Be it matching things together or arranging things according to the instructions. Some of them really really test your analytic skills because they can be quite challenging. My favourites are the kinds whereby I'm supposed to untangle a knot or solve an animated sequence. I know I use the word 'amazed' so liberally (or just a little too much) in this entry but I swear it's true. Of course when I've been stuck at a puzzle for more than 15 minutes I can just press skip and move ahead. I can always go back to them at the end of the game because by then I'd have unlocked all the bonus content allowing for me to re-play any of the puzzles that I enjoyed. The puzzles are a reason why even if the storyline for the game is thin and lacking, I'll still persevere because I just like playing the puzzles.

4. Bonus Content

Not all of these games will have bonus content. I find that those by Blue Tea Games will offer you an additional bonus game that is sometimes related to the current game or a prelude to another game that they've released. They're a lot shorter and easier to complete (puzzle-wise) but still fun to play.

You can find these games on the Apple Store and they can range from USD5 to USD7 (that's like almost SGD13 for me). They have those for PC as well. I got a lot of it from my sister who is a huge HO buff. At first I faced a brickwall because they don't run on OSX but then realised that I could actually play these games on Parallel. Absolute win!

#POKER: Premium hands don't always win

In the months that I've been playing poker, I've learnt a lot. Especially after going through various threads on CardsChat. I know, even from experience, that premium hands don't always guarantee a win. And Aces, do get cracked.

I used to play recklessly. Because I was always enrolled in freerolls and that means no money involved in entering the tournaments. Slowly I upgraded to playing micro stakes games, $0.50 buy-ins or even lower. Hahah, I can say that I've learnt a lot and playing on two different sites also gave me greater insight and lessons on how I need to switch my play.

I was more of a passive player. I get bullied and intimidated really easily, always thinking that my opponent had better cards than I did or they flopped a better set or a straight or even a house. This was till I realized that I was being bluffed, a lot. I got pissed and played recklessly and lost before I even made it to the middle of the tournament.

I don't ITM, well, not a lot. Maybe a really small percentage. But each time when I get past the bubble stage and even min cash, I'm happy and proud of myself. Because I've really come far from the timid player I was before.

I don't look to these sites to earn or generate an income. I like watching people play, I like watching how the pros play. It's recreational and makes my brain work harder thinking about odds and probabilities and equities and the like.

Alright, my 4 min break is over and I have to plan out what to cook for dinner tonight.

#TEEVEE: The Heirs - Korean Drama

In my family, the ones who are watching Korean dramas isn't me. It's my parents. I came home one day to hear "Omma! Oppa!" and was wondering just what the heck was going on. They're hooked. I tried to understand the allure, tried to find appreciation but I remembered my first encounter with a Korean drama that left me quite emotionally crippled - Moonlight Sonata. Granted, that one was just one tear fest after another.

Heard about The Heirs from a girlfriend and she was saying that it was pretty good. I'm on to episode 4 and so far, I find it a lot more entertaining than The Carrie Diaries. Although it leaves me to question why must the rich girls always be so bratty and have such a laser mouth? It's as if nothing that comes out, is ever pleasant or nice. Specially when it's with regards to the lower class.

I don't know if the class system is really that big and important in Korea. On second thoughts, even in the real world it's the truth. So no happy lala ideal land here.

Is it just me that the men have really really deep voices? From what I remember watching on Western TV, the guys don't have such deep voices. If so, very rare or just very old. I doubt the actors are anywhere near the age of 30 (even as they play the role of high schoolers).

The girls do have great fashion sense. Quite envious. And the pale flawless skin. Makes me wonder why, when I am Asian, I ain't blessed with that. One does have to note that Korea is popular for quick-fix plastic surgery, so I'm not too sure how many of the actors and actresses actually look natural (in the way that God gifted them).

Is it just me or does Lee Min Ho (who plays Kim Tan) and Ikuta Touma (Nakatsu from Hanazakari, and is Japanese) look alike?

I think it's the nose.

#TEEVEE: The Carrie Diaries - Verdict

I'm like any other girl who likes watching chick flicks. I like Designs by Jane, thought it had a really good plot. Occasionally there was some cheesy dialogue (well... name one tv show that doesn't) and some of the stuff didn't seem to believable but I guess in Hollywood land, everything is possible.

Came across The Carrie Diaries. I didn't even know it was about Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) and her childhood and the woes of growing up. I had the whole season waiting for me but 15 minutes into the first episode, I trashed everything.

Too predictable. Too... trite and cliched. I know I know that it's catered towards teenagers but really, you want to start off the series talking about sex and losing your virginity? Very good way of educating other girls out there that as a rite of passage into womanhood, you're expected to lose your virginity when still in high school.

Yeck.

That's all I can sum up. Maybe I should have given it more time, maybe eventually I might come to grow and like it. Nope. No way. Nada zilch. It's not about the sex bit, hell so many other shows that I have watched and liked and I did enjoy probably talked about sex quite a fair bit (but it is NOT the reason why I watch the shows). It's just that the series appears to be lacking in substance.

Yeah, I expect too much, have unrealistic expectations etc.

But I guess if you loved Sex in the City and it was like your go-to series when growing up etc, it might be for you. Just doesn't cut it for me.

The actress playing the lead reminds me of a younger Lindsay Lohan pre-drug abuse and alcohol. She does have unnaturally big eyes. Genetics or make-up?