[23] star*days ~ your summer doesn't end here

THU. 19/08/2004 - 1.35 AM * HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, TOMATOE DIARY!

Happy Anniversary, Tomatoe Diary!

Yep, it was exactly this day, August 19th, that Tomatoe Diary was first created, back in Pitas. So it's been two years since I first started blogging. I've come a long way now. So yay to Tomatoe Diary!

I finished the anniversary layout already but I haven't got time to HTML-ize it and upload it, because unfortunately I am still sick. It's got so much worse in the past 24 hours. @_@ I guess what I need is proper rest, but even after one whole day spent almost entirely in bed, I'm not getting any better. >.< Hiks.

Anyway, as you can see, I've joined the Olympics fanlisting. Hehehe, can't help it. :D Why didn't I join in any sooner?! Damn. But anyway, the most important thing is joining!

Speaking of which, today Hoogie of Holland finally won gold, in the men's 100m freestyle event. Thorpey was third, and the South African Schoeman was second. Hoogie looked soooooooo happy and pleased. I'm pleased too. His performance was amazing!
And now, I have a new swimming idol: KOSUKE KITAJIMA! He won gold *again*, this time in men's 200m breastroke. Of all the swimming styles, breaststroke is my least favorite, because it's not as dynamic as the butterfly or the freestyle, and the swimmers all look like they're trying TOO HARD to go their distance. But, Kitajima swims so beautifully; his strokes are neat, coordinated and powerful. That's what I call a solid swimmer. He makes breaststroke enjoyable to watch! Besides, once again, it's REFRESHING to see a non-American and/or a non-Australian win in swimming, because they usually dominate the event in the Olympics, have been for so many years now. Now it's time for other countries to show what they got!

*sneeze*

Gah, my nose........ >.< I better get off the computer now. Because I need to rest my throat, and nose, and eyes! I hate being sick. *sob*

And one last goodbye to Daigo-sama! ^-^
See you again in another layout!!!

WED. 18/08/2004 - 1.36 AM * NATATION!

Olympics swimming is great!!!

I just saw a great race of the 4x200 freestyle relay men -- the USA won it but with good challenge from Australia, and Italy also won the bronze. Too bad about Italy; they could've won silver because Rosolino did great in keeping up with Klim but in the end, they couldn't beat Thorpey. IT'S FUN, FUN, FUN watching it!!!
I am also amazed and awed by the fact that unseeded swimmers winning the races. They're usually from the outer lanes. Brilliant stuff they've got in this Olympic Games for swimming. I love it because all the countries get a chance to win and not just the countries that usually win the races, like the USA, Australia, Italy and Canada.

It would be great to see the 50m freestyle because that's the biggest, most exciting actions are going to happen. It'll happen on Friday and Saturday. Too bad I'm working. I should record the games if not I would miss the heats.

Damn, I'd actually give ANYTHING to go to Athens and watch the Olympics right now. >_< I wanna go, I wanna go...

HOLD UP!!! MEDAL CEREMONY FOR THE 4x200 FREESTYLE IS STARTING!!!

.........................

Aww, the Italians look good.
I mean, they look good.
Italians, no matter what sport they play, look good period.

Hahaha. Anyway. The ceremony was really good. What's not good? Even the former twerp, Michael Phelps, is starting to get to me now. Wheee. He's kinda cute when he's out of his swimsuit. XD But I'm so happy for the winners. They all deserve it. Because they performed great.

Phew! What a session!
There's artistic gymnastics now. But I think I'm going to bed instead. I need sleep. Plus, I'm still sick. *sob* But at least I'll have something to dream about. That is, dreaming about going to Athens and watch swimming matches. So... addio, buona notte e sogni d'oro!

TUE. 17/08/2004 - 11.00 PM * ATTENTION!

I might be changing my layout as fast as tomorrow! So enjoy Daigo while he lasts. Of course, he'll be back. ;) --> though, I still don't know what's going to be the next one... ^^;;;

TUE. 17/08/2004 - 10.00 PM * ON THE INDEPENDENCE DAY

Sick again. Flu. Couhing. Sneezing. Runny nose.

But that still doesn't affect my current passion for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. In fact, I'm more addicted to it than before. It's up to the point that I'm making slash partnership among male swimmers. >.> I guess I really need to get my head checked.

Today's Independence Day. *clap hands*

... or whatever.

I finally watched [VELVET GOLDMINE]. ... BRILLIANT FILM!!! I love the songs and the fashion and the colors and the actors and everything. It's hard to believe that the film was made in 1998. It could have easily been made in the 70s. Because everything looks so real and convincing. It's also so colorful that I felt like I could fall in love with it just for the colors alone. Then, there's the music. Fantastic sounds of the glam rock era. And don't mind me if I wish to copy their costumes in a cosplay one day. I am completely taken by the whole visual aspects of this film. Beautiful narration, monologues, dialogues, lyrics and ... oh, the accent! I am seriously in love with this film!

Now, since I discovered this film through Daigo, in a way, I'd just like to mention a bit about my favorite musician with reference to the film. I can see why Daigo loves the film. I can imagine that this would be his ULTIMATE favorite film.It's SO HIM! And I am convinced now that Daigo has excellent taste. I should really keep following his recommendation because it's bound to be good anyway.

So it's entered my FAVORITE FILMS OF ALL TIME list. Is there a fanlisting? ........ THERE IS!!! ........... I'm joining.

JOINED. ^^

On to another topic...
I bought the Olympic 2004 albums: UNITY and HARMONY. Of course, initially it's just because of Tiziano Ferro's UNIVERSAL PRAYER with Jamelia (which is on NON-STOP play mode on my Windows Media Player since I got it from Ters a couple of days ago). But I discovered that some of my favorite international artists like Sting, Les Nubians, Cheb Mami and Utada are in it as well, so I think the album is going to be very interesting. I haven't listened past UNIVERSAL PRAYER, though, so I can't tell yet. ^^;; See how this Olympic thing is affecting me greatly? ^^;;

Yesterday night while I was watching the swimming semifinals and finals, my dad called from Houston and told me about his findings of the objects in my omiyage list. He's been successful with the sweater vest but not so with the DVDs. He also hasn't got the books yet, I guess, but... *bawl* THE DVDs!!! >_< Those are HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Daigo's other fave film) and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Colin Firth :3) we're talking about!!! Oh, please, oh, please let him find the DVDs. *cry* ... he's supposed to call us again tonight, but so far, the phone is not ringing yet. Argh.

While I wait for my dad to call, I'll just go and figure out what layout I can make for Tomatoe Diary's 2nd Anniversary. ... BY GOLLY, IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS!!! Wah. Celebration coming soon... ^-^ happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

SUN. 15/08/2004 - 12.09 PM * YAAAAY!

SUNDAY! That means rest. I'm contemplating whether I should just skip going to work tomorrow. I am feeling a little bit sick. I think a bout of flu is coming my way, now that I'm coughing and getting runny nose almost everyday. >.< No, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to use my sickness as an excuse to escape from work, but if this sickness is going to stay, I might as well stay at home and rest because I need a lot of energy and to be in perfect health to face all the trials and tribulations at my work place.

Oh, gee, since when did I start sounding so dramatic? ^^;;;

Anyway, I went with my mom and sis to watch THE VILLAGE yesterday. My mom went because it's a film by M. Night Shyamalan, and my sis went because there's Adrien Brody and I went, part because of Joaquin Phoenix and part because of ... I didn't want to be left home alone while they both watch films. ^^;;
Personally, I liked SIGNS better (and best of all his films). But this film managed to dupe me thoroughly. Damn it. Haha. :P Another reason why I preferred SIGNS was M. Night didn't make Joaquin Phoenix's character stay in bed for the whole second half of the film, meaning I actually got to see more of him in SIGNS than in THE VILLAGE. However, I still admire the way M. Night managed to insert some little, unexpected comedic moments in moments of high tension. And his camera works... lives up to his reputation! Love it. Still, SIGNS is better. ... I think I'm going to watch SIGNS on DVD again tonight.

I completely missed all the Olympic matches I had wanted to watch yesterday! I knew there was swimming and gymnastics but I totally missed them! Today I shan't miss the sports! I also haven't read the papers about how the teams are doing. Indonesia, Italy... how are they doing kana~?

Now, off to reply some of the comments from the Tagboard:

K4R-KUN:

I'm not exactly sure what edition I bought... normal or regular... ^^;;; Besides, I also didn't buy the original Japanese one (I think I've run out of it and I'm too impatient to wait for the replenishment stocks). I bought the English version one, published by Del Rey Manga (by Ballantine Books - same publisher for my copies of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit!) I like English translations better because, although it's ten times more expensive, the English version mangas are bigger in dimension (same as the Japanese ones) and it's made to be read from the back (just like the Japanese ones).

I've probably read it like a thousand times already. It's sooooooo good. Honestly, I'm not a major CLAMP fan. However, ever since CHOBITS, I can't resist then. The English version Vol. 02 by Del Rey is coming out on September 2004. I think I'm going to be able to have it by October 2004. It seems like a long way from now, but I'm willing to wait, just because I love it so much and I intend to collect all the volumes! ... and sure, we can discuss about it! Just don't expect me to be blabbing so fluently about it because I do think you're the bigger CLAMP fan and a better CLAMP expert than I am! XD

SHOUJO:
I'm not sure if this Tsubasa is the one in X. Err, to be honest, I didn't read X. Hahaha. The only CLAMP I've ever read seriously was MAGIC NIGHT RAYEARTH. LOL! So I don't know... *sigh*
I haven't watched VELVET GOLDMINE. Eeep! I know, I know, I should watch it ASAP but I haven't really got time to sit down and watch it. That, or I'm just scared of the visions I'm going to see in the film (thanks to my friend Fi who gave me some "warnings" about it). Hahaha. No lah... I'll watch it soon! Oh and yep, Christian Bale is in it, along with Ewan McGregor.
Sou desu ne~ when you were here, Tsubasa (Imai)'s hair in the magz are still long-ish. Now it's really cropped short. Which makes him look HOT. ROWRR.

I'm going to scan my magazines now. 'Til the next rambling...

SAT. 14/08/2004 - 1.35 PM * YAAAAY!

Yay #1! --> I watched the Opening Ceremony of the 28th Olympic Games, live from Athens, Greece. Yes, I managed to watch it. It's not as spectacular as Sydney 2000, but I loved the art of the ceremony. I mean, the costumes, the presentation of the Greek culture... it's like, all of them are what you can expect from a country where almost all philosophical ideas were born. The performers were brilliant.
Not so Yay! --> Thanks to the ceremony, now I'm dead sleepy. @_@

Yay #2! --> CLAMP's [TSUBASA: RESERVOIR CHRONICLES VOL. 1] Bought this yesterday in Kino, along with Kazuya Minekura's [Gensomaden Saiyuki: BACKGAMMON REMIX]. What can I say... everything that includes the name "TSUBASA" in it, I gotta love. Haha. XD Okay, I'm biased. But TSUBASA by CLAMP is amazing. I love, love, love it! ♥♥♥ At first, I thought, "Is Clamp running out of character design so that they need to use their previous characters in their new manga?" But who cares about that now! In a way, it's so nice to see all these characters that we've come to be fond of, but playing a different role. Just like actors and actresses playing in a film/drama. The same actor, with the same face, but playing a hundred different roles!
Oh yeah, BACKGAMMON REMIX also rocks! ♥♥♥
Not so Yay! --> I SPENT ALL MY MONEY FOR THEM. T_T Especially because TSUBASA is an unprecedented purchase! Never planned on buying it, but when the new batch of comics came yesterday, I went ga-ga and bought it on impulse.

Yay #3! --> Got September WU, POTATO and DUET. Lovely Junnooooo.... JUNNO + SHORT HAIR = SEXXXY. Oh, and, Tsubasa in WU is... *drool* SO OTOKOPPOI!!! Short, black hair. I think the next move I'm going to do is dye my hair black... just because that man is now endorsing black hair. LOL. Oh and I also have to cut my hair... 'cause, Junno and Tsubasa both cut their hair. ^o^ Fufufu. Anyway, scans coming up later for Milk White.
Not so Yay! --> SEE THE PREVIOUS NOT-SO-YAY. ^^;;;;

Okay, gotta go now. Need to have French Manicure. My nails are awful now. >.< And I have to spend more money ... since I also need a new glitter blush on. @_@ ...... btw, Dad has gone to the US. Have a safe trip, Dad! (And don't forget my omiyage! XD Hahaha...) ... JYA, CIAO!

FRI. 13/08/2004 - 11.45 PM * FRIDAY THE 13TH

I'm not superstitious but this Friday, which happens to be the 13th of August, has been pretty much hellish for me. Starting from all the problems at work, to my recent argument with my sister... nothing that happens today is good. I HATE TODAY.

Right now, I'm just killing time while waiting for the Olympic broadcast of the Opening Ceremony. The stupid thing is, I have to tune into the my cable TV provider and NOT to any of the local channels for the broadcast because none of the local TV stations would buy the Olympic broadcasting rights. Reason? Not commercial enough; they prefer to spend money on broadcasting the football tournaments. .......... IGNORANT PEOPLE. @_@ Whatever. Hopefully, my cable TV provider really fulfills its promises to broadcast the Olympics. It's practically my -and all other Indonesian people's- hope to watch the Olympics!

These days my colleagues and I -- well, those who speak good English anyway -- like to play a game called "Let's Speak the Wrong English!" LOL. Basically, what we have to do is speak in sentences that have serious grammatical errors and make the error sound as silly as possible.
E.g. 1: "I IS DOESN'T KNOWS WHERE THE BOOK ARE."
E.g. 2: "BUT YOU GOTS TO KNOWS WHERE THE BOOKS IS."
The inspiration comes from my experiences interviewing people who can't speak English properly at all when the come to apply for a job at my place. Hahaha. It's quite fun. Of course, i can't do it with just about anyone. Only a few people understand where the joke is. *sigh* Oh well. :D

TSUBASAIKOU, the 20% discount is mainly for books. Magazines are not included, neither are newspapers and stationery items. So much for "storewide", huh? @_@ *blame whoever comes up with the 'storewide' idea*

RINNA, it's great to hear from you again! So sorry for not replying to you any sooner! Where did you spend your summer vacation? In France, or abroad? Daigo Stardust is a J-rock glam. He's lovely. His music is lovely. I recommend it to you!

SHOUJO, SMAP's MIJ CON VCD has 6 discs in total. The actualy concert itself lasted for about 3 hours, I heard. It's a very long concert. LOL. But I'm enjoying it. SMAP is amazing. At least, they're wearing better costumes than V6. ^^;;; And the stage set is usually spectacular. ... erm, I guess I should stop. Otherwise, I'd be raving about SMAP all over again. FYI, my SMAP MANIA is still going on. It's lasting longer than I expected. :D

Well, my eyes are droopy. I need to get some caffeine to keep me awake. Ergh. I hate time zones. T_T Must. stay. awake. for. Opening. Ceremony. I gots to. T_T

THU. 12/08/2004 - 11.20 PM * MIGRAINES

Just came back from work approximately one hour and twenty minutes ago. Needless to say I am exhausted and I have a splitting headache. It's more of a migraine, actually, and I have been having this for the past couple of days. @_@

But after a long discussion that occurred between my friend and I today I felt compelled to write about our discussion in one of my journals and that's the reason I'm online. After writing it, I thought, "Might as well continue blogging at Tomatoe Diary." Besides, I had to renew my domain and server as the date of expiration is approaching. I'm planning to renew them for one more year. Next year, though, I'm planning to change my server. :3

That's that. I have no more interesting stories to tell. I still have to sort out my wishlist that I will give to my dad as he's going again to the US on Saturday. This time, I am asking him to buy me so many books, most of them are the ones I can't find over here even in my biggie bookstore. @_@ Only two DVDs this time, and probably no CD at all. Instead, I'll be asking him to find me a preppy sweater vest and I also want a pair of scrunched socks. Now that'll give him something to do during shopping day. Nyahaha. :D

Now, before my migraine gets worse, I think I'm going to go to bed and hope that this illness will go away tomorrow morning because the 5-Day Special // 20% discount storewide starts tomorrow and I need to be fully prepared to handle troublesome and problematic customers who might come and invade our store. Nyah. Night!