I cannot wait for my return to Japan this winter. Having made my first trip there last year, I feel a familiarity with the country now that this second trip, much like viewing a movie for a second time, will reveal the details I missed last time around. However, travelling with my girlfriend this time around will definitely make this trip very different from the first trip.

I hate the fact that I have to get past four law school finals before I can rush off to the airport. December 19th cannot come soon enough! Thinking about the trip every day is driving me crazy!!

The trip will last a total of twelve nights and thirteen days with the first four being in Tokyo, the next four in Osaka/Kyoto/Hiroshima, and the final four back in Tokyo. Since the last trip was the inagural visit, I got to see most of the touristy places and of course Akihabara, but this time I want to see some facets of Japan that people don't normally see. Perhaps some people who know the place...

Finally got my last trophy in Super Stardust HD today. The frustratingly difficult "Late Boomer" trophy eluded me for the longest time until early this morning.

Logging onto my PS3 every day and seeing "93%" at SSHD Trophies screen taunted me to the point where I could play no other games until I completed the dastardly accomplishment. Today's achievement effectively emancipates me from the prison that is Super Stardust HD as I can now reintegrate myself back into a society where games that require more than two sticks and shoulder buttons exist... at least until next month when trophies are implemented for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.

For people who are still having trouble with this trophy, I have just one tip. At the beginning where the ring of blue rocks descends, instead of flying out of it and following the bomb ship, stay inside the ring. Try your very best to dodge the 3 waves of meteors and allow the spiky bombs to destroy them. By...