FISH HAS MIGRATED.

I've moved all my posts and stuff to http://furryfish.me
Drop by and take a look around! My interests are varied, so I'm pretty sure you'll find something you like.

I'll still be leaving this site here in its full glory because I'm sentimental, but I won't be updating here any more (unless I one day have a very good reason to move back)

Alienware 18 - Unboxing and first impressions

I just picked up the new Alienware 18 today. It is a pre production unit, and I'll be testing it out for a couple of days or so. Already I've installed the games I'm currently playing, and some other essential programs. BUT, let's start with the unboxing...

Here is the beauty in the box. The weight is not funny to lug around by public transport, but if I managed, you'll be just fine.
I do suggest getting a really good carrying bag for this fella though. Something that will distribute the weight on both shoulders.
I like my equipment sturdy and knock-around-able, and this laptop definitely feels like it can take some of my abuse. It's not recommended that you abuse it though!

The box is well padded, and the compartment on the left contains the power adaptor.
First look at the laptop and all I could say was "wah...." I was so busy ogling at it that I almost forgot to touch it.
The laptop is now made of magnesium alloy, and the LCD is housed in an anodized aluminum shell, which promises to be lighter and hardier than its predecessors.

Speaking of adaptors, here's a comparison picture for you. The m17x adapter on the left and the Alienware 18 on the right.
For the long time followers of Alienware, the Alienware 18's power adapter size is closer to their original range of Area 51 laptops.

Another change I discovered is that the power plugs into the left hand side of the laptop. Good for people dealing with shallow table spaces, because now you can push it right back to the wall.

Here's another comparison pic between the m17x (left) and the Alienware 18 (right)
the look is definitely sleeker, and reminds me of my Area 51 m9750.

Here's a comparison of the thickness of the laptops. m17x on the left.
I also definitely liked that they changed the angle of the front edge, even though some people might complain that the edge now digs into their wrists. It's fine for me because there's a large area to rest on to type.

And a final pic with both laptops on, open and side by side.
The Alienware 18 really makes the m17x look tiny!

***
This is just an initial impressions post about the laptop, I haven't tested the performance yet, but will be doing so as soon as I sign off here...
I CAN'T WAIT!!!

[EVENT UPDATE] New Giveaway launched! SteelSeries Flux In Ear Pro, closes 16 June 2013.

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5968119#editor/target=page;pageID=7332035354585414829

Spring/summer make up - the I'm not wearing any make up look.

I know that half of you will probably not be interested in what I'm going to write about today... Because it's for girls!
BUT maybe some of you guys might be curious about what we do in the dressing room...

I just want to share my new make up regimen for the spring /summer. It's a clean, natural look which doesn't compromise on the protection.

I was inspired to come up with this look because of my recent trip to Boracay. I got a nice healthy tan which I want to show off, not hide. I'm glad I used plenty of sunscreen on my face there, so I didn't peel much and my colour is even, which helps create the effect of having a clear, glowing complexion.

 If you're not interested in a play by play, here's the long and short of it :

TLDR
Make up base : Stila one step correcteur
Tinted Moisturiser : Laura Mercier original SPF 20 in Porcelain
Powder : Stila brightening powder
Concealer : Za perfect fit 01
Highlighter : YSL Radiant Touch
Mascara : Chanel INIMITABLE
Pencil Eye liner : Prestige total Intensity (Black)
Liquid Eye liner : Maybeline Hypersharp
Blush : Averine (I use the 3 colour compact, the darkest colour lets me define and the lightest goes nicely on the apples of my cheeks)

Stila one step correcteur.
Skin tone correcting and brightening serum

So.  After cleansing, exfoliating, toning, hydrating (I don't put cream moisturisers because they tend to clog my pores. I was also advised that my skin lacks 'water' not oil), I swipe on a make up base.
I normally choose one of two that I like - shu uemura's uv base which is tinted and has spf, or stila's.
I've been favoring stila's recently because I feel that it's lighter on my skin, I think it's water based, and it lacks the spf which generally makes makeup feel thicker.

Over this I apply Laura Mercier's tinted moisturiser with spf 20. I use the original in porcelain. Since this tinted moisturiser already has spf, it's another reason why I chose stila's base. I've tried the oil free version and it goes on a little cakey on me, probably because I have somewhat dry skin. I'm aiming for the dewy effect anyway, so a little extra shine doesn't bother me. Applying it this way seems pretty pore friendly so far, I tend to think it's because of the base I chose which creates a barrier between the moisturiser and my skin.

The coverage from this isn't much, but it seems to bring out a really nice glow. If you need to hide some redness or black eye rings, you can try the concealer from Za, or Yves Saint Laurent's fond de teint.
 

Za perfect fit concealer in no. 01

the new packaging is pink. I also have the one in older packaging which is dark blue.

the much raved about Touche Eclat Radiant Touch highlighter by Yves Saint Laurent.

When I'm pleased with the colour, I put some translucent powder on. Currently I'm using stila, because it goes on sheer-er than my shu uemura's translucent powder does. Go easy on the powder, it's not meant to provide coverage, but just to set and even out a little, and provide some mattifying texture. (I say texture because products with spf tend to feel a little tacky to me, which I don't like. So the powder takes away some or most of that feel.)

stila compact. There's a mirror on the underside of the cap

Like the make up base, the powder has pink, blue and green in it to brighten the complexion.

I follow with some light blush or shimmery bronzer on the apples of my cheeks, depending on whether I want to look sun kissed or sun pinked.

For eyes, I've always favoured a dramatic, dark lined goth look, but since it's spring and everything is gentle and in pastel hues, I've lightened up a little. Literally.
Curl your lashes, if you need to. I normally don't because I have super curly lashes, and small eyes that don't fit very well into curlers. Add about 4 coats of mascara. I'm using Chanel's.
Coat the lower lashes as well.

This might be out of production already, but I use INIMITABLE, the waterproof one, without lengthening.

I might have decided to lighten up, but I can't do without my eyeliner yet. I tried this look with no eyeliner and i feel that it looks a little too bare. Even if you have thick lashes, I do suggest lining the lower lid on the inner eye corners for some definition.
For myself, I line very closely to the upper lashes and i end the line on the outer corner where my lashes end. I don't extend it up or out and I don't thicken the line. For the bottom, I line from the inner eye to the outer side of my iris, practically drawing on my lashes. I don't line the waterline.
I'm currently using prestige black waterproof pencil eyeliner and maybeline's hypersharp liquid liner for this.

Prestige total intensity pencil liner
I also use the YSL waterproof pencil liner which I find creamier and softer to apply, but I feel that this one has better staying power on the lower lash line.

Maybeline's hypersharp liner

You can tidy up your brows a little, but I don't color mine in because I want to avoid harsh colors and lines.

I find that some people might need to blot their oily zones a little after wearing this for a few hours, but since I'm trying to get the dewy look, and I'm not a very oily person, it lasts me the day fine.

I like this look because it makes me look like I'm not wearing any make up at all. It's quite different from my normal defined eyes and cheekbones preference. It goes well with a cute frock or a bright top, enhancing it all without fighting for attention with your outfit.

[Travel] Quezon City - NCCL, PGF - 10-13 May 2013

It was our first visit to the city and we arrived very early in the morning...
The Terminal 1 is confusing in that, the public isn't allowed into the building at all, and the arrival reception is outside the terminal, across 2 streets. So it took us a while to get there. Or maybe it was just that particular terminal.
When we finally met up with the RGN representative, we had an incident free trip to our hotel - Eurotel, which is conveniently right opposite the SM Mall.

This trip marked the first time meeting Tarn aka GREENBEAN*. That's her on the left, and pinkle* on the right. They're our Thai teammates and we've been playing with them regularly online. We've known pinkle* for quite a few years, but we don't see each other very often.  So it was great to finally meet up IRL!

 Our first meal was at Jollibee, the famous fast food chain. This is apparently one of the dishes they are famous for... pasta and fried chicken.

The trip also marked huayan's return to the active roster. That's her on the left!

The showmatch game took pretty long to start... I suspect its partly my fault for messing with the com -.-
DotA 2 was taking very long to update, and I was meddling with wtfast... when... the whole com rolled back. We spent the time being interviewed by the Emcee with the crowd looking on.

 One of the messages on my steam friends list! Much loveeeee =D

 And this was our first draft... (ours on the right)

 After our day's duties, which included a meet and greet session with the fans, we had an really nice dinner! I loved the adobo squid (on top of the grilled seafood and meat platter).
Best thing was, it was a treat from our lovely NCCL host!

If you're interested in looking at the photos from the meet and greet session... GO TO THIS LINK!
There's over 500 photos of the final day of NCCL there for you to see. Here's an example!

And that more or less concludes our Day 1.

***

Day 2 - PGF and it's the start of our matches.
I remember waiting around, watching lots of games... not just DotA2 but StarCraft 2 and Crossfire too.
Tried more food from Adobo House and Mang Inasal (hope I got all the spelling right) and I decided that the longanisa from Adobo House and the bbq chicken from Mang Inasal are my favourite foods. =p
Our group had Orange, Gangsters and Mineski. Didn't win, but I hope and think we put up an ok fight. Except against Orange I guess... But seeing as they are a TI team... I don't feel THAT bad.

Some random photos from PGF now!

me and my gamer tag!

the PGF stage

stuck my SteelSeries Flux in ear pros into my ears cos the stage was SO VERY LOUD. used them as ear plugs!

our new gear bags!!

Eliza and I. watching SC2 i think.

PKing Orange.........

THIS ORANGE!

Stage match against Gangsters

game against Mineski

Adobo House! was so hungry I forgot to take a pic until i almost finished... There's always lots of rice... it's almost always free flow!

***
The trip was great... the fans were totally overwhelming us with numerous requests for photos. I was quite touched to realise that we had so many fans there.
The games were shaky... that comes with having a changing roster and well... we're getting back on our feet!
I've tasted better food, but well, it's a shopping mall, so I guess if I want the real local food, I need to travel somewhere to get a good taste.
Would I go back for NCCL or PGF? DEFINITELY.