x3magic novelties

For many centuries, the people of Japan have been performing rituals with the purpose of chasing away evil spirits at the start of spring.

Spring Setsubun(節分) or seasonal division is traditionally celebrated one day before the start of spring according to the Japanese lunar calendar, which is on February 3rd this year.

Even though this is still the coldest period of winter, there is the ritual of opening the doors and windows of houses and the head of the household will toss beans outside to expel bad luck and evil demons while chanting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (鬼は外! 福は内!) which means “Get out Demons! Come in Fortune!” . In addition to the soybeans thrown out the door, (more…)

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Usually a DVD is much more than just “the movie”. Subtitles & multiple Audio tracks with the original 5.1 channel, Multiple video angles, Menus & Navigations, Making of, Cut scenes, Trailers, Cast&Crew, bonus materials etc. This is what you usually don’t get with linear formats (like XviD, DivX, WMV, H264).

The solution is simple! Use ratDVD (more…)

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Have you ever consider the possibilities to…

Carry your web browser with all your bookmarks
Carry your calendar with all your appointments
Carry your email client with all your contacts and settings
Carry your instant messenger and buddy list
Carry your whole office suite along with your documents and presentations
Carry all your important passwords and account information securely

in your iPod, USB thumbdrive, portable hard drive or MP3 player? (more…)

ipod, Linux, MP3 player, portable, USB  

Conan is now celebrating his 10th anniversary on his detective career. Still, he never grew taller, nor his friends even graduated from school. What’s even amazing, Japan seems to have so many murder cases with usually complicated reasons & motives. Proof that criminals are getting smarter everyday. Glad to have Conan on our side! Happy 10th Anniversary!! (more…)

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Happy New Year, everyone! no, I’m not being late for one whole month.
The time has come to welcome a new Hijri year 1427 (31 Jan 2006)

May this door always be open to the sincere;
May it always be open to friends and closed to enemies.
May it also open the doors to happiness deep down within.
Serenity with each sunrise.
Success in each days of our lives.
Love that never ends.
Peace within our hearts.
Love from family and friends.
Faith to guide our way.
Sunshine to light the day.
Heavenly stars to wish upon.
Beautiful rainbows after every storms.
Special memories of all the yesterdays.
A bright today with much to be thankful for.
A path that leads to the better tomorrows.
Plenty of dreams that do their best to come true.

owh, and for those using the Lunar year (30 Jan 2006),
I’m wishing a Happy Chinese New Year too. =)

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This poster wrote: “There are times when your (worried) feelings becomes better when you speak to someone”



Well, it’s always nice to have someone to pour our hearts into when we have problems. I love cats! because they’re always a good listener…

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Japan is famous for its punctilious observance of formality, and the sushi shop is no exception.
Even if you’re not traveling, this kind of stuff’s always interesting.
To appreciate the differences among cultures is truly to appreciate the richness of the human spirit.
And you’ll find that their tradition in sushi shop is very interesting indeed… heheh (more…)

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The blooming of cherry blossoms signifies not only the arrival of spring but the beginning of the new academic year for schools (as Japanese school year starts in April) and of the new fiscal year for businesses. So for students, when the cherry blooms at the school opening ceremonies, it symbolize the new semester. Meanwhile for adults, cherry blossoms symbolize the blossoms of their youth. (more…)

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www.flickr.com
Today we went to Mizonokuchi to visit a friend who was hospitalized for having swollen appendices. She can’t consume anything but water, and was so delighted when she got ice-cream. Poor girl. I hope she gets better soon…These are some photos I snapped along the way

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these bento set my senpai made for her kids look so irresistably delicious! damn cute as well! LOL

from fendi.jugem.jp

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