Showing posts with label Catero. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catero. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

So long, farewell

Sєxqυιѕιтє threw a party for Picostyle writers

One year ago today I decided to start a blog about Pico for my own enjoyment. Little did I know that many months later - no doubt due to Peggy's social nature - that Picostyle would grow to be the voice of 7 writers that caught the attention of many Pico players.


To the writers, you grew this blog beyond my expectations and really churned out fun and exciting content that, I believe, set a standard. Whatever you choose to do in Pico beyond this, I hope it's exciting and that you use your talents to their maximum.

A special thanks to Peggy, who really became the heart and soul of the blog and drew the interest of writers and readers. You're a force to be reckoned with.

To our readers, I think I speak on behalf of Ayuhime, Gem Rock, Ora18, Peggy, Pinkerton, and sweet_mom (who left and started her own blog many months ago) when I say we hope we inspired you to see Pico from another perspective - funny, ranty, thoughtful, loving, criticial ... but always enjoyable to read. We appreciate you.

You ring our rooms, bring us food, leave us friendly messages and letters, feed our pets, and say "hi" when you see us out and about in Pico. You are super friendly and supportive, and you have made it all worthwhile. You even put our blog URL in your profiles! Words can't express the gratitude.

This past weekend on March 19, 2011 @ 10PM EST, Zye (Pico ID: Sєxqυιѕιтє) even threw a party for Picostyle writers! That was very generous. Thanks for that.

We'll still be around in Pico ... and this blog may very well alert you to other projects that Ayuhime, Gem Rock, Ora18, Peggy, and Pinkerton may be starting up in the near future.

And with that, we pass you on to the current generation of Pico blogs.



Other Pico Blogs
Updated as of January 1, 2011 · Bold = good reads

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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Profiles #32

This is a momentous day for Profiles. Yes, it's the last one you're going to see here on Picostyle.

Profiles has always been a forum for us to poke fun at the quirky, cute and sometimes offensive things that people place in their profile space for all of the Pico world to see. We've loved every moment of it! Your eccentricities have fuelled our creative fires, allowing us to bring you week after week of sarcastic thoughts.

Thank you to everyone who read, laughed and sent in profiles from around Pico (FYI, to those who sent in their own profiles expecting to see them posted: no, we don't roll like that). Picos who sent in profiles and captions include サミ☆, ☮♥Sammi♥☮, ~*Peachie*~, Allieeee, Bow-, butthead ☆, Cristina♫Apple, Dorphi, Єlena Gilbert, ♥Ericaxx, GracieGracie, Мαгϊε Jапз εїз, Meskhene, pineepineapple, ѕαмαηтнα ♡ and Zonna.

Going out, we had to stick with our people, the weirdos. The oddballs who spice up our lives. In small doses, of course. Over exposure to their personalities can cause unpleasant headaches.

It's been a blast, ya'll!

(You'll see that we've provided the URLs to some of the images. Click 'em and check out the sites.)



Madame Butterfly, your mood doesn't match with your bright, cheery outfit. Nevertheless, Peggy seems to feel your pain. Not me so much.

Peggy's message to you is: know that life does not get any easier either.

My message to you is: it's the 21st century. You're supposed to be Miss Independent. Buy yourself a puppy for companionship and forget about that guy or girl who has toyed with your emotions.

Spanish to English translation: "I'm cool and I do not like rude people"

Bella, at first we thought that you didn't like people with bad educations ("educadas" threw us off until we consulted Google Translate). It's cool we get, we watch Reading Rainbow too ... but then I actually realised that you don't like rude people, still cool. But why don't you like to speak English? We find this to be no bueno.

I guess now you will consider us to be rude English speakers, which puts two strikes against us. It's okay. We can live with it. We walk on the wild side and live la vida loca.


Oolon, how exactly do you "beat rude ppl on pico"? There is no actual physical contact, just words when you are interacting online

Peggy is very curious to know which kung fu action(s) you use and what is the most efficient way to combat rudeness?

She asks, "Is there like a secret action combination sequence? I am glad you want to take on this great fight but sometimes it's better to just say, 'Hey stop being a butt head, you're rude!'"

Remember, Oolon, there are always consequences to your actions. Take a lesson from Casey Haynes's book. Casey is the Aussie kid who laid the smack down on his bully last week and got suspended from school.

Let this be a lesson to you. Use your words to stop conflict.

Whoa! Serious case of rage-a-holism on the loose! She looks so cute that you want to pinch her cheeks ... but watch out, sister, she'll cut you like a summer ham!

Just remember, it's better to remain zen about life's troubles. Don't be impulsive and act out your anger, let it pass because it's totally not worth it. At the end of the day, you know you're way cooler than this person.

When your panties are getting bunched over something that someone has said or done, remember this Taoist saying: "Anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die".


We're guessing that the "wrong person" you're referring to is you. So, what's the deal? What did she do to wrong you?

Wait. Never mind. We looked at her blog. We find her whole color scheme and the neon highlighting to be agitating.

Where's she at?! She's goin' doooooown!



♥

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Hangover starring Peggy

The Hangover 01

This past weekend Peggy went on a bender (drinking binge) of epic proportions.

After stumbling into starvingartist's room in Pigg Peggy passed out in our warm host's room, mumbling about frat boys, sangria and HBO. Totally undistinguishable stuff.

The Hangover 02Peggy hunkered down shirtless in starvingartist's hot tub wearing only her underwear over her pants and a pink beanie. Her little baby hands were tightly clasped around a smiley lollipop.

Occasionally, Peggy would interrupt the chat that starvingartist and I were having about our favourite animated television shows. Without warning she'd twitch and blurt out something incoherent.

Eventually, we had to wrap her up in a blanket and send her home in a cab.

What was she celebrating? I'm not sure, but I think it was less of a celebration and more of a drowning of her sorrows after watching the American version of the popular British series Being Human. It's a complete and utter travesty.

Peggy, I hear your cry for help!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Pico in Color

Spring Fashion.

Does anyone remember the Colorful Series clothing, Ameba Pico's answer to the simplicity and affordability of American Apparel-style clothing essentials?

Each month in Beginner's Park and the World Community Parks, the orange RO80: Type G robot vending machine was stocked with an array of clothing item sets that were available for purchase in 2 colors for a limited time:
  • Tanks
  • V-neck t-shirts
  • U-neck t-shirts
  • Newsboy caps
  • Headbands
  • Simple pants
  • Short pants
  • Simple skirts
  • Camis
  • Sneakers
  • Low-heeled pumps
Items were priced from 500 to 1,800 Gummies each. Picos who had saved up could easily afford them - even very new players could snag a few items if they had completed 30 or so of the easy Star Book challenges. Otherwise, accumulating Gummies through the daily clothing change, props, rings, and sharing/eating food was a simple enough task to accomplish in month's time to afford a few items.

I always felt that the unisex Sneakers and the Headbands for girls were the most practical and good-looking items. The Newsboy caps just never seemed to fit on the head quite the way I like it.

I have to admit, I didn't catch on the the usefulness of Colorful Series (I just ignored the information posts on the official Pico blog) until Peggy snowed off her Sneakers and admonished me to buy some. I missed some great colors because of my ignorance. :-(



The Colorful Series campaign ran from April (pink and sky blue), May (red and blue), June (orange and yellow), July (white and gray) and  August (purple and dark gray) of 2010.

Colorful Series items have not been available since the end of August 2010 - 5 months and 29 days ago from today's date (that's 15,724,800 seconds, or 262,080 minutes, or 4368 hours, or 26 weeks)! For now, Pico players are resigned to receive Colorful Series items randomly through regular Gacha as well as through Mystery Box gifts (typically the "Alice" boxes) which are now available through the Ameba Gift, Chocolate Pico and other blogs that use an exploit in the gift-giving system designed for Facebook users to provide gift links.

Fashion.

Will the Colorful Series ever return? Perhaps in April - just over a month away - to mark a year since the campaign began.

It would be nice to have Colorful Series items available the whole year through.

Ameba, can you: (A) add 12 more colors to the Colorful Series palette or (B) offer 1 color each month with your existing color options so that the options run year-long? I've still got some colors that I need to collect.

More info about past Colorful Series':

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Meeting fov in Pigg

Grapheme and fov 02

Yesterday I was in Pigg (my Pico ID is grapheme) trying out my new pink space suit (are you jealous, Peggy? I know you are) in the new spaceship room when I noticed that MissLindaK was online. Since I hadn't given her a ring for the day, I went to her room and found that she had company over. She was having a friendly chat with several English-speaking Pigg players who were attracted to a room event she had started.

While I was teasing Linda a little about the difference between Americans and Canadians fov (Pigg ID: fov1984) entered the room wearing his very trendy murse. Little did I know he would be one of the most awesome people I would meet in Pigg.

It turns out that fov is from Hokkaido, Japan, has played the drums for 10 years, and works in a supermarket as well as organizing music events; specializing in traditional enka music and J-pop.

Grapheme and fov 01

Why, fov has even been to Toronto - my beloved city! - and he is dying to get back because Japanese restaurants in Toronto have shrimp rolls, something that is not typicallya part of authentic Japanese cuisine. He really likes those shrimp rolls! Yum yum.

fov loved Toronto so much that his initial visit turned into a 2-year working vacation (with the proper documentation needed, of course). I'm sure it was not just our shrimp rolls that kept him here ... although he did say talking about it brought back good memories.

fov and I talked about lots of things. I wondered what he thought of our primitive North American toilets, since toilets in Japan are very technologically advanced. He said our urinals are high on the wall and our toilets have low water pressure. Good to know. Cultural considerations are important.

I would love to visit Hokkaido. After all, it is the birthplace of Sapporo beer, home of the Sapporo Beer Museum and a brewery still operates here. It already sounds like I would have a lot of fun in Hokkaido.



Looking up the city online, I found that Hokkaido has many leisure activities during the year as well as theme/amusement parks, zoos and aquariums, museums and more. Not to mention the beautiful Sōunkyō gorge and many hot springs for relaxation. There would be lots to do and see besides enjoying much Sapporo. I envy fov a little.

So, while fov dreams of shrimp rolls and I dream of Japanese-style inns with hot springs ... hopefully fov will convince a savvy Hokkaido restauranteur to make the seafood roll he loves, I will enjoy a tall glass of Sapporo at the all-you-can-eat Japanese place across from where I live, and you can visit fov in Pigg, give his rooom and ring to thank him for his kindness and hospitality.

I hope to introduce my English-speaking friends in Pigg to fov soon so they can enjoy his great personality and conversation too.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cookin' with The Black Eyed Peas in Pigg



This week - for those who follow what's going on in Pigg (Pico's older Japanese-language brother) - The Black Eyed Peas made an appearance. Yes, the real Black Eyed Peas.

The event was scheduled when most of the rest of the world outside of Asia was sleeping. Altough, if you are like ♥DQ姫系♥ you would have set your alarm clock, rubbed the sleep out of your eyes and logged in nonetheless.

In speaking to Rex_A yesterday, she said she attended the event and took video! So, for those who missed the event, here's a brief snapshot of will.i.am and apl.d.ap flirting with the girls in Pigg while getting direct help at their laptops to navigate Pigg. Thanks, Rex_A!

You can read some of the chat transcript provided by ten.ten. here.

The Black Eyed Peas in Pigg
Image copyright © CyberAgent, Inc.

Pigg frequently has musicians appear on the site to promote their projects (album/single releases, tours, etc.) to Pigg's audience of Japanese users. Players are encouraged to send in questions for the musicians in advance, which are then answered during the special event.

In fact, Avril Lavigne will make an appearance in Pigg on February 28 (info in English | info in Japanese).

More info:

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Happy 1st Picoversary!

Picoversary boogie

There are times when squireling away your Gummies really pays off. Of course, sometimes you may work towards saving up for specific planned goals, like affording that much-desired room expansion. Then there are times when planning ahead to have something in the piggy bank for the unexpected comes in handy.

For those Picos who like having shiny new things, today is definite one of those days; Ameba rolls out with the first wave of Pico's 1st anniversary celebrations.

Starting today, Gacha is filled with festive green, orange, yellow and pink items to help you celebrate this momentous occasion. Party hats, ribbons and badges, and cookies are amongst the available loot. Even more exciting is the fact that this anniversary edition Gacha will have special Daily Gacha items (available for 24 hours only) - like the novelty glasses framed with cake candles and the yummy tiered cake!

Don't have enough Gummies to play Gacha? Get out there and get propped!

More good news! If you take a spin at Gacha and get double, triple or more of the same item - never fear! Ameba has relaunched the popular 50 Gummies Recycling campaign. From now until March 3 you will get 50 Gummies instead of the usual 10 when getting rid of unwanted clothing or furniture items. This may afford you a chance to have another try at Gacha without emptying your pockets too much.

For the duration of the celebrations a 1st Anniversary Park has been created complete with candied trimmings - cupcake bushes, cherry-topped trees, biscuit benches and candlestick streetlamps. Park your keister in the candy wonderland or take a photo to remember the special day in front of the picture wall.



However you choose to commemorate the event, have fun ... and do it with your gang of friends.

Are you as excited as I am to see what else is in store? This is surely just the tip of the iceberg.

Stay tuned to the official blog for more goodies information.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Countdown to closing on March 23, 2011

Dear Readers,

I’d like to think that Picostyle was the first Pico blog, though I’m not sure if this fact is 100% true.

Back in March 2010, Picostyle was created as a fun way to journal my fun and outlandish explorations of Ameba Pico. I thought that this relatively new online social game would hold lots of humor and adventures … and I was right!

Since that first post, I dragged my good friend Peggy Hill into Pico and she began blogging on Picostyle with me as well. The blog grew as more writers came along - Gem Rock, sweet_mom, Ayuhime and Pinkerton - who provided us with really quality writing on subjects like fashion, events, new rooms, interiors. Most importantly you came along for the ride. Yes, all of you have given us lots of reasons to post about the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things that are (officially and unofficially) being done and said in Pico.

Over the many months, we’ve garnered many fans ... and some haters. And whether through praises or criticism, our readers have been the motivation to keep us sharing our stories, perspectives and opinions.

All good things must come to an end, my friends. And as of March 23, 2011 - exactly one year from the date that Picostyle started - the blog will produce it’s final post and power down.

Whether this will be the end or just an extremely long hiatus, I'm unsure at this point.

Until then, we will continue to give you the same quality of writing that you have come to expect from us.

Sincerely,
Catero
Picostyle Founder

Meeting MissLindaK

Pico-D.M.C.

It's not tricky to rock a rhyme (get it?) with <MissLindaK>. This former feature of Profiles #25 is and 80s rap aficionado. Who'da thunk it? We should have known from the Ice Cube lyrics in her profile at the time.

We all know that rap is no longer just a boys game and Pico-D.M.C. (aka MissLindaK) is making sure everyone knows it. She spit out lyrics like ... like ... a cobra; deadly and hypnotic.

I met Linda not long after we found her profile and posted it. sweet_mom and I saw her in one of the Japan Parks and I ran up to her and said, "OMG! I SAW YOU ON A BLOG!".

Linda invited us over to her room where she was a gracious host and provided us with yummy foods an interesting conversation.

Since that time, we've also met Linda's partner in crime, Chayannie (who I, unfortunately, do not have a photo of at this time). Linda always entertains a room with great conversation about music.

If you see her in Pico (she likes to hang around the Casino and Japanese Parks), try to stump her with some rare or little-known 80s rap lyrics. She might surprise you.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Pigglish: Help for English-speaking Pigg players

ten.ten. / ☜ღαηgєℓღ☞

Written by:


The topic of Pigg (Pico's older Japanese-language brother) has come up a lot in the past little while. There's a lot of cross-over, what, with Pico being derived from Pigg as well as the many people who play around in both communities. Learn your history ...
Inside Social Games > CyberAgent’s Ameba Pigg Virtual World Comes to Facebook as Ameba Pico: Japanese internet company CyberAgent is bringing its popular virtual world, Ameba Pigg, to the U.S. market, and to Facebook, as Ameba Pico. (Read more ...)
The mucho mentions probably have a lot to do with the anniversary festivities going on in Pigg right now. There's are many new rooms and features being rolled out that has players excited.

English-speaking and reading players like me sometimes fumble around as we try to find our way around in a Japanese language environment. In my early days playing Pigg, I remember wandering from one Hawaii room to another for quite some time, asking if anyone spoke English so I could figure out how to swim (this was long before Hawaii came to Pico).

Well, fumble no more! Pico user, ten.ten. (Pigg ID: hapibirthdaytomi) has started an invaluable resource for those wanting to know about what's going on in Pigg.

To keep you informed, ten.ten. has taken on the task of translating the official Pigg blog entries from Japanese to English at:
Ameba Pigg blog translations

The blog includes FAQ from the Pigg blog as well.

We've added ten.ten.'s Ameba Pigg blog translations feed to our sidebar so that English-speaking Pigg players can keep up to date. Subscribe to it, bookmark it, do whatever you've got to do to keep up-to-date with happenings in Pigg.

I know I'll never forgive myself for missing last year's Ne-Yo event (I missed out on getting his trademark fedora!), but, hopefully, with this new translation service it will never happen again for me.

Thanks, ten.ten.!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Profiles #29 & #30

Themes, themes, themes and more themes! It's impossible for us to not notice trends these days as we click on the cute little Picos we encounter on our travels. Enjoy!

#29
Theme: Japanese Typonese

We've grouped these typonese profiles together because they're all absolutely adorable. C'mon! How can you not get all kawaii fuzzy inside when you read them. Regardless of how inadvertently crude and offensive they may be ("plops"? "cocking"?), they're undeniably cute.

We also think they may have coined some new combination words:
  • Japanease: (noun) the state of being easily Japanese
  • Japabese: (adjecive): the state of being Japanese and obese
Profiles #29


#30
Theme: The Crazies


(1) Are you saying that you're so magnanimous that you'll charm the hair right off of our scalps? Or are you threatening that a conversation with you will make us want to pull out hair out?

Either way, Locks of Love will help us out in the end.
Profiles #30

(2) Seeing things that don't exists, paranoia and being punished with bodily fluids, huh? This is an equation that would give Freud and Jung volumes to write about.

You're far too young to be plagued with such fictional candy-related problems.

Peggy and Catero say, take 2 jellybeans and call us in the morning.

(3) The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks.

We're on to you.

  1. You've chosen "killer" as your name
  2. You refer to women as "babes"
  3. You're wearing pink shoes

You're a player! You're just not doing a very good job of hiding what you truly are.

(4) This little comedienne working her way through the funeral circuit is a bit macabre.

Honestly, who are you kidding? Funerals haven't been any fun since the time Dana Carvey's Hollywood career was buried by The Master of Disguise.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Love Week: Strolling in the Park



Catero Loves The Fresh Air 01

There are many things I love about Pico. Some of those things have already been mentioned by our resident and guest writers - like friends, fun, and photography.

One thing that really stands out in my mind these days is a particular World Community Park.

Catero Loves The Fresh Air 02

Though Peggy dragged me to Japanese Park on a few occasions, it never really clicked to me how unique these parks are. Maybe it was because I was multi-tasking and was distracted by other things.

BFF =D I didn’t truly take in the atmosphere of the parks until the turn of the New Year. I began spending more and more time in Japanese Parks; probably hanging out there 3 or 4 times a week.

Other parks are great, but there’s something unmistakable about the one created to attract Japanese-speakers.

In Japanese Parks ...
  • Native Japanese speakers put "Sorry, I don't speak English" (or some other variation) in their profiles as a courtesy message. How polite!
  • There is usually a generous Pico who will graciously share their yummy foods - regardless of whether they speak your language or not. So hospitable!
  • You barely have to enter the room before you start receiving props. I can feel the love!
  • Many of the people who prop you will then ring your room. It's amazing!

How great it that?!

Two Cuties ;)Of course, I could not forget the social factor. I often bump into people I know there. I see Happy Clover, that devilishly handsome dude, there all the time ... but he's usually AFK. What a tease. I have also come across Peggy there, and @nom2, chikemuri, Cholo, Gem Rock, Pinkerton, Rayna Skye, sweet_mom, ten.ten. and others. Come to think of it, why haven't I seen Ayuhime there yet? It's always nice to bump into someone you know.

I may even end up talking to new people and making a new friend. Fortunately, I've met some really cool people in Japanese Park too, including [aNm]*Shamps™ and Rex_A who I recently wrote about.

Sometimes, after I have gone on a hunting expedition for Profiles I will see someone that we featured (and poked a little fun at) in a Japanese Park! Always at a Japanese Park. Then, I "fan" them; I run up to them and say "OMG! I saw you on a blog!". It's a good conversation starter. That's how I met the funky fresh <MissLindaK>, the jovial aleちゃん and the genteel MissSovereign. All of them were very good sports when I teased them about their quirky profiles.

Of course, naughty Picos do visit Japanese Parks. But people just seems to ignore them. 'Aint it grand?

The Kiss

The bottom line is ... I love the atmosphere of these Parks. Thank you to those who hang around and keep this good natured spirit going.

There's fun to be had at Japanese Parks. Why not visit? Bring a friend. I'm sure you'll love it.

Photo Credits: Photographers - Catero (#1, #2), sweet_mom (#3, #4, #5)

Guess what? We want to hear from you, our faithful readers. That's right! Send us a short description* (250 word maximum) and send a photo that illustrates what you love the most about your Pico life and we'll post all of the Love Notes we receive at the close of our Love Week festivities - giving you full credit as writer and photographer, of course.

Send your Love Notes with your Pico ID (name) to picostylers@gmail.com by Thursday, February 10, 2011 by 11:59PM PST.

* Submissions may be edited for content.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Introducing Love Week!



The Picostyle team is pleased to announce a long overdue follow-up to October 2010's Rant Week. Love Week!

This week, from February 6 to 12, instead of ranting about all that peeves us, we'll be raving about the things that we absolutely adore about Ameba Pico.

Leading up to Valentine's Day next week Ayuhime, Catero and Peggy Hill will be sharing the things that are most loved about spending time in Pico. Commentary and stories from guest writers @nom2 and @[[ChOl0][FGO], aleちゃん, Berrylicious, ten.ten. and sweet_mom about what they love the most.

Guess what? We also want to hear from you, our faithful readers. That's right! Send us a short description* (250 word maximum) and send a photo that illustrates what you love the most about your Pico life and we'll post all of the Love Notes we receive at the close of our Love Week festivities - giving you full credit as writer and photographer, of course.

Send your Love Notes with your Pico ID (name) to picostylers@gmail.com by Thursday, February 10, 2011 by 11:59PM PST.

* Submissions may be edited for content.

Happy Valentine sign
Pictured: Left-to-right: akosiDIONY, Unknown Girl, and akosi.DIONY

Friday, February 4, 2011

Profiles #27 and 28

Giving you 2-for-1 as far as Profiles continues this week with girls, girls, girls. Good girls and bad girls, that is.

Will the trend continue into next week? We're unsure. Just sit back, enjoy the ride and live in the moment.

#27
Theme: Good Girls


(1) We can understand that people who want to keep a low profile want to avoid drama, live peacefully and not get caught up in frivolous socialization. We commend you for that.

But, honey, you can't go anywhere in that outfit and keep a low profile.
Profiles #27 - Good Girls

(2) Hey, Anslee Jane, we both enjoy a Big Mac every now and again. Peggy says, don't overdo it on McDonald's if you ever hope to find your true Mac Daddy some day.

(3) We love Canadians. So polite and unassuming with their down-homey accents and love of ice sports and coffee franchises named after hockey players (Tim Hortons).

(4) Peggy is asounded by the wisdom in these 4 little (English) words in your profile. She gives you kudos.

This personal motto will save you many days and nights of personal frustration. Save your sanity!



#28
Theme: Bad Girls


(1) Photo submitted by ☮♥Sammi♥☮.

This makes me feel like she's a 15 year old who wants to be in the band when her parents want her to study and become a doctor. And she got signed, ran away on tour and her parents just found out. It's the perfect storyline for a Disney made-for-TV movie ... starring Sammy, of course.

Love, Peggy
Profiles #28 - Bad Girls

(2) You thought that it was only Cobra Starship that could make "Good Girls Go Bad". Apparently, in Pico Gacha has this ability as well ... Peggy should know.

(3) It's Ameba Pico ... not Second Life. Go shake your money maker over there, party girl (that is, if you're over over 18). You'll find what you're lookin' for.

(4) Photo and caption submitted by Cristina♫Apple: "Excuse me, Madam. But I think you got drunk with the wrong liquor."

Peggy and Catero say: We can't figure out if she's trying to say she's a "sexy chick" or that she's "sexy thick" the "t" is throwing it all off for us.


Either way, her bad spelling of a naughty sentence has landed her here at the back of the class with all the bad students.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Meeting Cici A.r

Meeting Cici A.r

Last night I was sitting in the corner of one of the casino rooms playing slots with sweet_mom when a girl in her undies came up to me. Cici A.r!

(23:38) Cici A.r: catero
(23:38) Catero: yes?
(23:39) Cici A.r: i like ur blog
(23:39) Cici A.r: i fllw u
(23:39) Cici A.r: nice
(23:40) Catero: thanks

I followed her blog to and we ended up sending a few letters back and forth. She wished me a Happy Chinese New Year with a very gracious "Gōng xǐ fā cái" (even though neither of us celebrate it!), which was very polite of her.

Cici A.r is from Indonesia and she has her own blog in Indonesian and English, Cici Pico. Lately, she seems to be ranting A LOT about how much she hates slots .... but I met her playing slots. She's a conflicted woman right now, admitting that she has a love/hate relationship with the slot machine lately. Don't we all? I think if I get another "0" as the fourth number in Bonus Time I am going to scream.

Cici, I feel your pain!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

News: Clearing RhenJhennel's Name

The Body Snatcher

This is a story of body snatching.

About 2 weeks ago we received an email open that blew the lid off of he whole "Haters" post. In a plot twist like none of us expected, it was a little like an M. Night Shaymalan movie (before he created The Village, Lady in the Water and all his films that have come after); everything we had been led to believe was simply untrue.

Several of us received hateful room posts from a Pico named RhenJhennel ... and Ayuhime was upset enough to post about it.

News got around pretty quickly and RhenJhennel* himself contacted us - not with the same hate-filled rants on the room posts with his name, as one would expect. Instead, he replied to the whole situation calmly:
January 1, 2011 – 7:43AM
rhenjhennel* said ... hello owner sorry for that happen im rhenjhennel original rhenjhennel* in pico i didnt remember isend bad message against your blogs can you check correct spelling of rhenjhennel* Many rhenjhennel in pico using my character. I show your blogs when i search my name. I apology let me investigate this person. thanks and more power. sincerly rhenjhennel* Proud to be Pinoy Hotel2 Ps. to all follower of this blogs sorry for what happen.
He has very similarly named Pico accounts - RhenJhennel and RhenJhennel* are just two of the many. RhenJhennel, who left many mean-spirited messages in rooms of Picostyle writers, is a shared Pico account that many other people use. Bad, bad, bad idea.

In the email we received, a person who had the login email and password to the RhenJhennel account confessed to logging into it, and leaving the messages in order to discredit the guy behind the Pico and have people dislike him. We'll call this person "The Confessor".

The Confessor knew that rooms of Picostyle blog writers probably get a lot of visitors who read and leave messages on their room boards and that these visitors would notice mean-spirited messages ... and likely get uspet. The Confessor did not expect the incident to be published on the blog, gain more attention, and get a little out of control. But ... who ever does when they get caught up in a trail of lies?

Let this be a cautionary tale of what can happen when you share your account information with another person. Not only your account and all its clothing, furniture, and Ameba Gold get stolen, but your reputation can be trashed as well.

Do not give the email address and password of your Pico account to anyone.

Now, The Confessor contacted the team by email to confess. As a team, we have decided to publish this information, not only to follow-up to the whole incident, but to clear the name of RhenJhennel*.

We will publish the email from and the parts of the chat conversation with The Confessor. We have gotten permission from The Confessor to do this.

The Confessor's name and parts that they mention their identity have been removed to protect their anonymity. This person has sincerely apologized - not only by email to the team, but in a Pico-to-Pico conversation with Peggy Hill and Catero as well. This person has also said they will confess directly to RhenJhennel*. It takes a lot of guts to own up to wrongdoing.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Profiles #25 and #26

You get "more bang for your buck" with this week's Profiles - 2 in 1. We've got lots and lots of quirky profiles to publish and in an effort to get them off our desks we're giving you more.

We've grouped this week's collection into two themes for your enjoyment.

#25
Theme: Quotes


(1) This well-read  and soulful Pico pairs a quote from the great playwright George Bernard Shaw  with sentiments mirrored from the late music legend Bob Marley (No Woman No Cry). Two of the great minds of the 20th century!

How did she come up with this correlation, we don't know but we think you're a winner.
Profiles #25

(2) You are like Peggy, chen. I consider you to be a victim of the boy band era, brainwashed by songs like Get Down, I Want It That Way, and Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely.

It's profoundly strange and sad that this wise quote comes from a song crooned by the Backstreet Boys ... but you get a big thumbs up for targeting in and quoting the only deep and meaningful thing that any of them will say or sing. –Catero

(3) This quote is undoubtedly an invention of this slightly disturbed little Pico's mind. A million tiny insects caged in your body?

Sounds like you need Billy the Exterminator. Also ... it sounds like it would be really itchy in there and unsanitary with all those bugs writhing about. We hope there are no roaches! Yuck!

Regardless, some eugenol oils should help alleviate that bug problem.

(4) MissLindaK has been pondering the lyrics of rapper-turned-actor and screenwriter, Ice Cube ... though Peggy feels she looks like a young Madonna. She's sassy and adorable in a Raven-Symoné on The Cosby Show sorta way.



#26
Theme: Oddities


(1) It might help if you get out of the house every now and then to make real social connections. Meeting people on the internet is no way to go about feeling "less alone", as you desire. Take the bus to the library, the museum, the art gallery, wherever you feel comfortable spending your time in a public space. Don't look emo (frowny and sullen). Try to remain open to meeting people ... and give yourself a decent chance to get to know them.

If all else fails, get a dog like this one.
Profiles #26

(2) We're not even gonna touch this one. Karma will handle it in time.

(3) Disturbing. Peggy wants to report you.

(4) Is there some Korean cultural nuance that we're missing? Do Korean 20-somethings share their astrological sign, blood pressure and body temperature as a turn-on? Is this desirable? We get that most will want someone who has a normal body temperature, that's a given; it means the person is still alive.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Meeting Rex_A

Rex_A

When I click on someone's profile to  Prop  them I usually click on their URL if the address leads to a blog.

This weekend I saw a very festive-looking  Pico and clicked on her URL to visit her Pigg blog. Though, I don't read Japanese, I was instantly impressed by the layout graphics and the design of the blog. The "Comment" button for the posts made me giggle. I tried to leave a comment, but for some reason it wouldn't let me. I kept getting an error message in red ... but I don't know what it means (全角文字を含まないコメントは投稿できません。 ), so I gave up.

The effervescent Rex_A has dedicated her Pigg blog to journaling her Pico life and new developments to the game for those who read Japanese.

When I saw Rex_A again on Tuesday I ran up to her to tell her how much I admire her blog layout. I buttered her up with some food so she wouldn't think I was too strange. She said she has created all her blog graphics herself and that she loves making custom graphics for her layout.

I must say I am very impressed by - and a little jealous of - how the edges of her custom graphics look. She took a photo of us with the green grass as the background ... and when she posted it on her blog, the green was completely and perfectly removed. I don't know how she does it and keeps the edges looking so clean. One day, I will ask her what her trick is.

To my surprise, Rex_A said she knew of Picostyle and follows this blog. It was mutual blog appreciation.

I was very honoured that she asked if I would take a photo with her ... and then she posted about our meeting on her blog.

When asked whether she liked Pico or Pigg better, Rex_A replied that she likes both, but loves Pico more, since there are more things you can buy with Gummies. I imagine that the deeply tanned skin also has something to do with it. Snooki would be jealous, Rex_A.

If you happen to see Rex_A in your Pico travels, please be sure to say a very kind hello, give her Props and maybe even share some food (she has a healthy appetite). She is very nice and friendly.


Photo Credits: #2 (Coment image), :# (Catero and Rex_A) from http://ameblo.jp/ameba-pico-blog/

Monday, January 24, 2011

Meeting [aNm]Shamps™

meeting [aNm]Shamps™

Last night I was hanging out in Japanese Park (again) and doing some people watching when I saw the familiar face of Pico blogger [aNm]*Shamps™.

Before I knew of Shamps' blog I had seen him in the Parks, and he was very friendly and polite. So, I decided to go over and say hello. :-)

(00:08) [aNm]*Shamps™: wow
(00:08) Catero: shamps
(00:08) Catero: i read your blog
(00:08) [aNm]*Shamps™: you
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: from
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: picostyle
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: wow
(00:09) Catero: nice to meet you
(00:09) [aNm]*Shamps™: nice to meet you
(00:09) Catero: your blog is goofy. i like it :-)
(00:10) [aNm]*Shamps™: imma post picostyle on my URL
(00:10) Catero: thanks :-)
(00:11) Catero: i have your blog on our blogroll
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: Yeey
(00:11) Catero: i will let you get back to your goofing around
(00:11) Catero: keep blogging, shamps :-)
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: Let's Pic
(00:11) Catero: you want a pic?
(00:11) [aNm]*Shamps™: For Blog
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: OK
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: Done
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: :)
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: Thanks
(00:12) [aNm]*Shamps™: again
(00:12) Catero: yw. i got one too
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: ok
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: DONE
(00:13) [aNm]*Shamps™: : )
(00:13) Catero: cool
(00:14) Catero: bye shamps :-)
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: say hello to pinkerton
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: from shamps
(00:14) Catero: i will :-D
(00:14) [aNm]*Shamps™: bye

[aNm]*Shamps™ also posted the photo he took of our meeting.

Check out [aNm]*Shamps™ blog if you'd like a good giggle or chuckle.

Friday, January 21, 2011

A case of content theft: cute_pauline

Sometimes wolves come in sheep's clothing. Young or old, age is not an excuse.

Very recently I became aware of posts from Pico Perfect and Picostyle that are being re-posted on cute_pauline's blog. Since credit has not been given to the original authors, cute_pauline is claiming the posts as her own - whether she realizes it or not. This is plagiarism.

In talking about the situation with sweet_mom, she asked that I write a post about intellectual property for those who read the Pico Perfect blog to make them aware of the issue (See: Ahoy, mateys. Beware of internet piracy.).

At this point I am posting my view of the situation because cute_pauline doesn't seem to take it seriously. I tried to talk to her in a civil way about it, so she would hopefully come to understand why it's not acceptable.

I was hoping she would change the posts she has re-published to include links to the original posts. cute_pauline chose to not listen. I even asked her to email us at picostylers@gmail.com so I could discuss it with her (her Pico profile did not allow me to send her a letter). cute_pauline said she would right away, but has chosen not to communicate (a week later ... I'm still waiting).

I have no patience for lies and theft since my bullsh*t tolerance level dropped, so, I'm calling her out on her theft of content from other blogs.

There's nothing "cute" about stealing other people's content.

As of last Friday I filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) against cute_pauline by clicking the Report Abuse button on the top bar of her Blogger.com blog. As part of the DMCA process, a copy of the DMCA claim was automatically forwarded to cute_pauline at the email address she registered her blog with. Since she probably chose to ignore it ... this is what happened:



This is what you'll see now if you visit her blog.

Posts that cute_pauline stole:
Better info menu and more Gachas
How-to: Report Abuse in Ameba Pico (click to see image of stolen post)
How-to: prevent your Pico from being hacked (click to see image of stolen post)
How-to: Make Elevator Stairs (click to see image of stolen post)

Conversation with cute_pauline:
On January 14, 2011, I left a room post in cute_pauline's room, since I am not able to send her a letter or contact her in any other way. Not long after, I received a notification that cute_pauline was in my room, so, I went there to talk to her. She seemed more concerned with getting my room guest (whose name hasbeen removed to protect anonymity) and I to follow her blog and drum up traffic.

--- You have moved to Catero | The C@ House
(19:05) cute_pauline: hi
(19:05) Catero: pauline
(19:05) Catero: hey
(19:05) Catero: we need to talk
(19:05) cute_pauline: plz follow my blo
(19:05) cute_pauline: blog*
(19:05) Catero: i do
(19:05) cute_pauline: w8
(19:05) cute_pauline: hayley's online
(19:05) Catero: ok
(19:06) Catero: hey [Another Pico (name removed)]
(19:06) Another Pico (name removed); : hey
(19:06) Catero: every time i see you, you look different
(19:06) cute_pauline: yes
(19:06) Another Pico (name removed); : i know
(19:06) Another Pico (name removed); : wait
(19:06) cute_pauline: 2 guys
(19:06) cute_pauline: plz follow my blog
(19:06) Catero: i do, pauline
(19:06) cute_pauline: k
(19:07) Catero: i need to talk to ou
(19:07) cute_pauline: [Another Pico (name removed)] follow my blog too
(19:07) Another Pico (name removed); : me too
(19:07) Catero: you
(19:07) Catero: about your blog
(19:07) Another Pico (name removed); : i did
(19:07) Catero: can you email picostylers@gmail.com, plz, pauline?
(19:07) Catero: can i can talk to you thru email
(19:08) cute_pauline: plz take a picture
(19:08) cute_pauline: and add my blog
(19:08) cute_pauline: to picostyle
(19:08) Catero: isn't it already added to picostyle?
(19:08) cute_pauline: take a pic
(19:09) Catero: do ... you say please often?
(19:09) cute_pauline: yes
(19:09) Catero: when you ask someone to do something you should say it with a please
(19:09) cute_pauline: u'll post the picture
(19:09) Catero: no
(19:09) cute_pauline: in the new post
(19:09) cute_pauline: [Another Pico (name removed)]?
(19:09) cute_pauline: gtg
(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : huh
(19:10) cute_pauline: bye!
(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : sorry afk
(19:10) Catero: pauline
(19:10) Catero: email us
(19:10) Catero: UGH

cute_pauline leaves my room.

(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : why?
(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : whats wrong?

Seconds later, cute_pauline comes back to my room, says for a couple of minutes, then leaves when I ask her about the posts on her blog.

(19:10) Catero: [Another Pico (name removed)], can you plz give me a minute
(19:10) Catero: to talk to pauline?
(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : k
(19:10) Catero: thx
(19:10) Another Pico (name removed); : i'll be afk
(19:10) Catero: lol ok
(19:11) Catero: pauline, do you have a few minutes to talk?
(19:11) cute_pauline: yes
(19:11) Catero: i noticed that on your blog ...
(19:11) Catero: there are some posts that you have taken from other blogs
(19:11) cute_pauline: changed the name
(19:11) Catero: like picostyle
(19:11) Catero: yes?
(19:11) cute_pauline: w8
(19:11) cute_pauline: bye!
(19:12) cute_pauline: gtg
(19:12) Catero: i am reporting you

Poof! cute_pauline was gone again.