OH MY FREAKING GRR

Sigh. Like, minutes after I did that whole iTunes extravaganza, I caught up on the latest Soshi Vlog and discovered that....

SNSD's Paparazzi is now available on iTunes!

After ALL THAT calculations. This totally screws the tables.

Luckily, it's $1.29. So I probably wouldn't have bought it today anyways.

I've decided I want to buy it on iTunes. Even though it's a priority on my album wishlist. The sucky thing is that it's the ONLY song in the Paparazzi package, so I can't really justify buying it. But does it come with music videos? It might.
Anyways, I'm going to maintain its place on my wishlist because it's amazing. I'm also going to move it to the top of the iTunes budget. That's just how I roll ;)

(The cover of the iTunes edition is lame. It's like them, sitting in a room. No awesome paparazzi getup or anything like the physical album.)

In related impulsive decisions, I screwed my planning and bought my two songs on iTunes.

They were the songs I had planned, though. No craziness there. I'm seeing how long I can hold out before prompting dad.

Thing was, I told him at dinner that I was at my last song, and that I planned to get it next week. Good news is he seemed perfectly fine with my current conservative rate of spending, so if I explain that I was reckless for one last song, he probably won't hold out on me. Maybe tuesday? We'll see.

How much shall I ask for?
Well, I think it comes in increments of 10, but I'm not sure if that goes 10, 20, 30, or 10, 20, 50. Maybe I can check really quickly....
Okay, all measures of 10 from ten to fifty.
I'm thinking of asking for... forty?
Last time I asked for twenty, because the time before that I got fifty and snapped it up in about a month. Twenty is a lot more reasonable, and forty is much closer to fifty... but maybe I've proven I'm more responsible? Or maybe I should just settle and ask for thirty... but the thing is, I really don't want to be plunged back into the crazy cycle of avoiding spending for weeks on end once I hit twenty.
I really want to ask for forty.
I guess I will. If dad gets skeptical, I will immediately backtrack to thirty.
But seriously, 40 is a better idea.

iTunes Wishlist

To get money on my iTunes account, I have to petition dad.
...
FOR MY OWN MONEY. :(
He uses his credit card account or something to send me an iTunes gift card digitally, then deduces that amount from my bat mitzvah account.

This sucks, because it makes me feel guilty about using my own money. Some time it's hard to slow down.

In August I asked Dad for $20. I spent 10 of that rather quickly, within the first month, then coveted the remainder. If I want a song, I will reflect on that for at least three weeks before I allow myself to buy it.

I have $2.26 left.

That's enough for one $1.29 song and one $.99 song, or two $.99 songs.

BUT WHICH SHALL THEY BE? The nervousness that goes along with buying up a new song is quite agitating. I find myself being in the state of mind of planning to beg dad for permission before my money is even used up. I should go like this.

This week: buy song
Next week: buy second song
Week after that: freak out
Week after that: ask for money

That's another month of responsible saving and conserving right there.

Part of the freaking out ness is because I don't know which song I want to buy. I have a large number of songs that I want. But which are the most important?
Here's my iTunes list so far. Some of the kpop songs would be great to reserve for the purchase of a whole album, but for some it's just one song that stands out and my album list is already so long... Some songs, like from AOA and the SNSD Japanese singles aren't available on iTunes at all, which really sucks. Anyways, list:

-Night and Day (T-ara)

-We are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)

-Why are you being like this? (T-ara)

-Like the First Time (T-ara)

-I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor Swift)

-Flashback (Afterschool)

-Lipstick (Orange Caramel)

-I Don't Need a Man (Miss A)

-Love Alone (Miss A)

-Time's Up (Miss A)

-I Will Show You (Ailee)

-Go Away (2NE1)

-Blue Jeans (Lana Del Rey)

-Summer Sadness (Lana Del Rey)

-Loving U(Sistar)

It's a pretty substantial list. I'll give little commentaries now. 

-Night and Day (T-ara)

This is a GREAT song. It's not actually by T-ara, but it's labeled as such because it stars member Areum along with two other singers. This group doesn't have a name. It's just them. This song was used in T-ara's Sexy Love drama music video with the sword fighting and stuff. I hesitate about this one, because although it's a great song, it's more of a sad and slow song. While I know I'd value this a lot, I'm just not sure how much I'd actually listen to it once I get it.

-We are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)

This song has received a lot of criticism from Taylor fans for being poppy and untrue to Taylor's nature or something. I'm like, chill out people. She can write music however she wants. Don't hate on it because the awesome pop tunes come from a country artist rather than some other star. Not CRAZY about this song, but it's good. 

-Why are you being like this? (T-ara)

From the Roly Poly album... tis a catchy song. Yay.

-Like the First Time (T-ara)

This is a great song - not that fast paced, but still very poppy and addictive. I think I'll wait for the album Breaking Heart on this one, since it is at the top of my album list.

-I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor Swift)

Yay, more pop-like Taylor Swift! Taylor released this HUGE album which has been a big deal on iTunes called Red. iTunes has been releasing a ton of teaser singles. I don't know most of the songs, so I can't really judge how much I want them. Not a huge priority.

-Flashback (Afterschool)

This song is really catchy and cool and dramatic, but should I wait for the album? That's really the main reason I want that album, but it's sort of low on my priority list anyways... awesome song though. I'll dwell on it. Because I'm uncertain, it's probably not a priority.

-Lipstick (Orange Caramel)

Sort of the same situation as their other song Flashback... awesome song, but maybe worth the rest of the album?

-I Don't Need a Man (Miss A)

Not my favorite song by them, but it's a really good song. Sort of hip-hoppy. Although the album is all epic, I think it's worth just getting the main song first. Priority.

-Love Alone (Miss A)

This is a song by Miss A... in ENGLISH. It's awesome. They are great singers. Plus Min is like fluent. Not a huge priority right now though, just cuz there are a bunch of other songs floating around that I care more about at the moment.

-Time's Up (Miss A)

One of the best songs on their new album. Totally rocks, but maybe not a current first priority?

-I Will Show You (Ailee)

Really want this song. Ailee is amazing! Priority.

-Go Away (2NE1)

... Yeah, whatever... cool...

-Blue Jeans (Lana Del Rey)

I think I like this more than her other songs... she's an amazing singer. Priority.

-Summer Sadness (Lana Del Rey)

Hmm... this is still amazing, but not as much a priority as Blue Jeans right now.

-Loving U(Sistar)

I have this as a podcast, but the audio is terrible. I want to buy the song, but I think all things considered it's worth it to me just to wait for the album.

Alright, got that worked out. I can keep a fluid list of iTunes songs and purchases (starting now) on a sidebar. Meanwhile, let's use the notes above to create our priority list:

-Why are you being like this?

-I Will Show You

-Blue Jeans

-I Don't Need a Man

-Time's Up

Plan: 

This week (aka Today cuz I'm reckless like that) - I Will Show You

Next week - Blue Jeans

Let me see if the prices fit for those.

Okay, Ailee's is $.99, so that works!

$1.29

+$.99

iiiiiiiiis...

O.O

$2.28!

...

TWO CENTS AWAY!

Sigh. In a way this makes my job much easier. Two .99 songs it is.

1) I Will Show You

2) ...

Time's Up or I Don't Need a Man? I MUST CHOOSE.

OMG, they're not even the right price. Crap. Well, this is really working out well. Let me check the T-ara song... 

OK, that works. Before I decide on that, let me just sort all the prices...

Actually, I think I want to get Flashback. 

So there.

I'm reckless like that. DONE!

I WILL SHOW YOU AND FLASHBACK ARE MY FINAL DECISION.

BLAAAARGH.

Technology

I have an iPod nano, 8G. It's just this tiny thing with a touch screen, but it's super useful. Emma had one like it. It was orange, mine is blue. Then Emma's dad lost hers and replaced it with this super cool new thing - much taller and spiffier. It can play and upload videos. Hers is now this sort of turquoise-y blue. Anyways, mine can create playlists (but not name them) and upload pictures. It has a radio and a fitness app. You can change the wallpaper from 9 selections.
It's really awesome, and it gives me a bunch of music, but I wish it had slightly more space. They also come in 16G. Also, music videos would be cool.

Okay, so here are pictures of my type of nano:

Then here's Emma's: (She has the weird blue one in the front of this first picture)

These new iPods being released now come with the weirdest earbuds ever. They're really effective, though.

Then while picture surfing, I came across these other "nanos" that would be unbelievably awesome as well.

So that's that. One day I'll own them all. Every one of them. One day I'll have them.
God, I'm so greedy.

Moving on...

Benjamin and I share a desktop. It's a samsung monitor, but the console is a mac. I don't know how it works exactly. Benj is always on my neck about spending too much time there (partly just to get me in trouble), and I feel self conscious back to back with mom.

At school, I'm using Dad's old lap top from like 2002. It's clunky and big and slow. I can't watch videos on it. Safari crashes. Downloads don't work. iTunes can't connect. For some reason iPhoto can't open, yet is in the applications folder. It didn't come with word. The scanner and printer drivers don't work.
Blech.

That said, I know how lucky I am, and how rich my life is. I'm not taking this for granted (well maybe a little bit). This is a place for me to be selfish. I am perfectly aware of my benefits.

Technology I want:

iPod 6:
The iPod 6 is a bigger rectangle, like Dad's, only slim and white. It has music, pictures, camera, video, iMovie, and skype, plus more memory. Kind of a non-trashy iPhone without the phone. No stupid games either. Thumbs up! Mainly I would want it for iMovie on the go. $166, I think.

iPod nano 5th generation:
Like the kind Emma has - really cool. I don't feel any particular need to get this, and if I had the iPod6 I wouldn't, but it's smaller and portable with video. Thumbs up in general. (Although, it has been previously noted there are like a bazillion awesome nanos out there. Any one of those would be dreamy.)

 

Nexus 7:
Unbelievably cool tablet thing! Better than an iPad, because it's smaller. Not sure how that would compare to mini ipad though :). It's just the right size, and it feels cool and private. Many neat apps, and it runs smoothly. Way awesome! Only $200.
(NOTE: Drawback - no front camera, unlike iPad. Good for taking self-pictures, not so good for documenting others)

Lap top:
My ideal lap top would be a MacBook pro. 13 inch I would think, except maybe 15 inch runs faster and has more space? Casey uses a 13 inch, so I'm sure it would be fine. Super epic screen quality, way fast, and newest iMovie and iPhoto and Word. It's primed to use these way epic new picture and video editing programs - Aperture and Final Cut Pro - but you have to pay like $70 to download them. At my level of expertise; not worth it. It's fast, light, and snazzy. I could carry it back and forth and use it for school and home!

 

Winter Wishlist

All the holiday goodies I'm too abashed to ask. Perhaps I'll update with a more realistic less-dreamy list below (perhaps of things I might actually ask for).

-Breaking Heart
-Black Eyes
-So Cool
-T-ara Free Time Photobook
-T-ara Sparkle Photobook
-iPod6
-New iPod nano?
-Nexus 7
-MacBook Pro
-Aperture and Final Cut Pro for my macbook
-Pretty Little Liars season 1 and 2 on DVD
-Community seasons 1-3 on DVD
-Colored gel pens
-New journal
-greenscreen
-Pretty Little Liars box set paperback
-Uglies box set (new edition)
-Night gown
-sony camcorder
-eyeliner, eyeshadow, etc.
-clear mascara
-Any other album from my album priority list

The Album Dilema

Albums I want:

Sistar:
-So Cool
-Loving U
-Alone

Miss A:
-A Class
-Bad but Good
-Touch
-Independent Women

T-ara:
-Breaking Heart
-Black Eyes
-Sexy Love
-Lovey Dovey
-Temptastic

SNSD:
-Paparazzi
-Hoot
-Mr. Taxi
-Run Devil Run
-Time Machine
-Twinkle

Ace of Angels:
-Elvis (Angels' Story)
-Get Out

After School:
-Flashback
-Orange Caramel


Photobooks and Extras:
-T-ara Photobook - Sparkle
-T-ara Free Time Photobook - Limited Edition
-T-ara MV collection(s)
-SNSD 1st Photobook
-SNSD Paradise in Phuket
-SNSD Holiday Photobook
-SNSD Music Video Collection

Priority List:
1. Breaking Heart
2. Black Eyes
3. So Cool
4. Loving U
5. A Class
6. Paparazzi
7. Alone
8. Touch
9. Sexy Love
10. Mr. Taxi

Stupid Core Contents Media

T-ARA's releasing a new photobook. Of them. In Europe. Being awesome. 500 photos. 15 dollars. It's possibly the most amazing thing in the universe. EVER. Like, pictures. Of. T-ara. What more do you need really? Even though T-ara isn't my favorite group, their products make me spazz.

It's unbelievable that it's about to come out.

With 7,000 copies.
Only.
Ever.
To be distributed between 65,00 rabid fans.
Fans who are much more prepared financially for this sort of thing.

WHAT THE FREAKING HECK.

The good news is that I can't find anywhere to preorder it, despite the published rumors of mass reservations. I'm hoping that means that when CCM postponed the release to October, they decided to print a crapload more copies. Or keep producing them. Or SOMETHING.

I hope they'll realize that they'll get just as much money making enough copies for eveyone. I want it so badly. I'll do whatever it takes to get it. Maybe with gift money this december? Surely there'll be some good prices on eBay when it comes out?

I don't want Mom and Dad to think I'm spending too fast.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RECONSIDER CCM!
PLEEEEEEAAAAASE!!!
So depressing :(



UPDATE: Okay, online it says there will be only copies of "the limited edition". Does this mean that they will later release more copies? Will they have less pictures? Different format? This is driving me insane.


UPDATE: Soooo.... CCM announced that they will be releasing 7,000 more copies of the photobook.
...
Mom says that means it's just a ploy and there's a ton of them in stock somewhere to be sneakily fed to the rising bids in prices.

But their old photobook, Sparkle, costs like $80 on eBay right now. On EBAY. I'm just like please pease please PLEASE stay reasonable till December, so I can buy you! The pre-order price is currently around $30.

I'm willing to pay that much.
I'm worried prices will spike once it's available...


Meanwhile, T-ara is also releasing this "compilation" of stuff from 209-2012. There are three different editions you can buy:

Music CD + Music Video DVD + Photobook = $70
Music CD + Music Video DVD = $50
Music CD = $30

The covers are all group pictures of them from their Europe tour. Like the Free Time photobook. I don't know if the photobook is, includes, or is part of their other photobook... but I must find out! The music video and songs don't include Day by Day or Sexy Love or anything. Honestly I wouldn't want it without the photobook.
Besides, apparently the other photobook comes with a compilation disk too...
I've only found one place to order it, so no other price estimates thus far...


UPDATE: Okay, Compilation Thing is NOT the Free Time photobook. It has like 70 pictures from the tour, which I believe are included in the other book. I've seen some sneak peak music videos from the Free Time and it looks SO AWESOME.
But anyways, conclusion is that Compilation Thing is not worth buying without their most recent releases.