So yeah, I ended up buying a PS3 and Rock Band post-CFA (i.e. 3 weeks ago). Then today, Harmonix announced Rock Band 2… slated for September 2008 for the Xbox 360 but “later this year” for the PS3. By all accounts game development for the PS3 is a b*tch, and in all likelihood they wanted to one-up Activision’s October 2008 release of Guitar Hero World Tour. But STILL.

Anyhow, IGN has a short write-up on the announcement, as well as an interview with the lead designer, Dan Teasdale.

I must confess I don’t quite get this song, but I love it nonetheless. It starts out a little eccentric and ends in a fashion I found completely, insanely, mind-blowingly excellent. Highly recommended. Check out their website too, some of the pictures are real trippy.

I have been blessed with a reasonable amount of aptitude, but I wonder if that has made it harder for me to attain the other (and arguably more important) ‘A’ — attitude. Are some people just born with it? Or do those who have it consciously make the decision at some point to endeavour towards it? Whatever the case, it’s clear at me that my only option is to take the latter path (or forever remain angry and mediocre).

The recent slog that was studying for the CFA Level 2 exam drove home the point that life isn’t mainly about brains. It’s about putting in the effort to make the grade, whatever in life that grade might be. I’ve had several older people try to convey that lesson to me over the years, but I think it’s finally seeped through. Perhaps I just wasn’t mature enough to take it from them at the time. And some lessons have to be learnt the hard way — when you realise what your attitude (problem) has cost you. Like my not making the MA scheme in the civil service for example. I don’t think my aptitude was ever in question, but my attitude must have raised a few red flags. It also nearly meant that I didn’t get my current job; I was a borderline case, by all accounts. And the few altercations I had at work in 2007 must have only reinforced that impression.

But I’m capable of being better than that. I know it, but I need to show it. Of course, I don’t expect people’s impressions of me to change overnight just because I’m trying to change. It’ll be an uphill battle, and it’s only fair that I take responsibility for what I’ve said and done. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. This is a valuable lesson to learn, so I’d better learn it well. Good things come to those who work their asses off for them.

1. Get professional advice on managing my money. (Target: January 2008) Done.
2. Learn golf. (Target: January to February 2008) Done.
3. Go to a country that I haven’t been to before. (Target: February to March 2008) Done.
4. Pass CFA Level 2. (Exam Date: 8 June 2008) Awaiting results.
5. Pass JLPT Level 1. (Exam Date: 7 December 2008) Ongoing, started classes 5 Apr 08.
6. Translate 5 volumes of manga. (Target: December 2008) 1 volume done.
7. Exercise regularly — hit the weights and go running at least twice a week each. (Ongoing) Still ongoing.
8. Grow up. Work on that attitude. (Ongoing) Still ongoing.

Wow. Really… wow. Catchy tunes and biting lyrics. Like, what more can you ask for? (Well, having the CFA over and done with would be huge… soooo close to the end now.)

Took a not-so-short break from the CFA grind (onedayleftzomgpanic!) to do a little catching up on my favourite dance show. The final audition was absolutely hilarious… I won’t spoil it, save to say that some might recognise a familiar face from Season 2.

Screenshot: So You Think You Can Dance, Episode 4-4 (2008)