This month, I decided to jump on the bandwagon of having a new theme (see Double's, Yumeno's and Fariz's blogs) for my blog. The theme itself of course is not extensively to the point of changing even the colors to fit the theme and all, but I do have a few changes up which you probably already spotted.This month, the blog's theme is Shinrabanshou (which is how you pronounce the Kanji in the title). Shinrabanshou stands for "universe" or, as Kuonji Shinra-sama in Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Oure de suggests, "everything in the universe". As you might have guessed, the blog's theme actually refers to Shinra-sama herself.The anime, shortened to Kimiaru, was originally adapted from the eroge of the same title released last year, and aired this year from January to April. It just so happens that this month, Shinra-sama was first selected to be the Anime Girl of the Month, and last month, I received her figure. I only finally decided to make her the Figure of the Month after confirming the theme for our outdoor figures photoshoot outing, and thus, since she is the main event, why not make a blog theme based on her?The second blog header image I made for Shinrabanshou. This one was to be used as the background image to the header text and title, hence the transparency. Those who saw it being used before I finally got the original header to work, was it nice? Click for original image size.I never really felt the need for a header image, but since I was doing a blog theme, I figured that I might as well go the whole hog and make one. The unfortunate thing is how pissed I was at Blogger for refusing, after 6 hours of futile attempts and research, to get the image actually showing up instead of the header title and text. Well done, team. Seriously, I did everything I could, and it still refuses to show up.So how then, can you see the original (I made 2 more, thanks to Blogger's incompetence, one as a background image to the original text and header description, another as a random rotation which I never pulled off by the way, it worked for the header but not for the widget which I will now explain) header banner I made for the blog, right at the top?Blogger at least works on XML templates, and in my search for an attempt to place the image on top of the header text, I did find an alternative solution, that of editing the template so that I can actually add widgets on top at the header area. So that was what I did, adding a HTML widget and then inputting the HTML codes (complete with link back to main blog index when you click on the banner) so that the header actually shows.The third header image I did, it was meant to rotate with the original. I know my selection of colors is bad.This was after two hours of having to edit Shinra-sama's pictures from the eroge and her figure review. The original figure review and picture was much thanks to AkibaHobby (just finally added to my blogroll, AH is too good), one of whose pictures I edited to make the second image banner. If anyone knows how to tweak the image widget in HTML and Java to make it randomly rotate between the two, do tell me so I can make it work. The random rotation only occurs each time you refresh the page as opposed to being a slideshow (which means it rotates on fixed times, I do not want that). So if you do know, leave me a comment or tell me on MSN or something.As for the banner itself, I know, not too good a job, but I got it working at least. I hope you guys will like it, though it is almost certain if Itou Shizuka saw it she will knee-strike me...when drunk that is. The other header was done using the edited PSD file which I originally planned only for the blog banners.The original image from AkibaHobby that I used as the basis for my banners and headers for Shinra-sama's figure. Image thanks to AH of course.Some confusion here. Blog headers and banners to me are different. Blog headers are the images I talked about on top up till now. You can also, however, call them a banner. The real banners, for my blog, are now at the right sidebar, you can probably see them without even scrolling down on the index. Feel free to use whichever you prefer, there are only 3 right now, the first was easiest to make, the second was easy compared to the third. Obviously, the first is the original logo, while the second is one of Shigyoku (see here if you missed my post on her), and the third rightly shows the theme for this month, just that I never put the words "Shinrabanshou" into it.You can still use text links, or you can change to either of these banners if you so prefer, for putting my link in your blog or website. Feel free, Photobucket is hosting them anyway. More banners are in the planning, particularly Yoruichi's (if I ever get down to editing that calendar picture of her as well as vectoring one of her screenshots), and Elwing's (most likely one each of her two figures, and one taken from a Taka Tony illustration). Yes I know, someone very important is missing here, but there is a reason why. Knee-strikes if you try asking.Now as to whether I will make the blog theme a monthly thing, I have to wait and see. As anyone acquainted with Photoshop well knows, quick selection cropping and then cleaning the figure up close as a rasterized image and trying to make the final look good is a very tedious task. Why not use color range selection, you might ask. Well I did...and the results were almost exactly the same as the original quick selection. Some photos or pictures also have a white or light background, which means selecting anything white in the picture instantly gets you the background as well. Quick selection annoys me though, whenever it tries to anticipate what I want and end up selecting the background when I try to add one tiny little bit of figure to the selection.I have a definite big blog theme planned for October, the idea has been in my mind even before Shinrabanshou got in. Preparations for it will be huge I guess. The blog may even change font colors and stuff to reflect that month's theme. Asking me why right now is going to get you a knee-strike in the face. That is all I have to say.Itou Shizuka-sama, image thanks to j1m0ne's blog.Aside from this, the other major update is the addition of a Recent Comments (Afterthoughts) widget. Well screw you Blogger, I had to look for a custom widget, and I found it by accident too while searching for solutions. At least I have one now, so I am not going to miss any comments folks make. If you are interested in getting it for your Blogger blog, just check my widget, there is a link to its widget and it is very easy to add it to your blog (they do it for you).My blogroll is getting huge and long, disorganized shit is bad for readers' health. I am going to split it up again, this time using certain categories, like news, Team Blue, figures, etc.Lastly, stay tuned for a post on Team Blue. Yep, only those who chat with me on MSN so far have an idea what Team Blue is. Team Blue FTW. For those who know, I will likely try and do the logo this week, and probably a banner you can put in signatures and at the bottom of blogs. This "banner" will be more like a footer image, or a header image if you want one, not those small-sized ones with links since we have no official website anyway. Other than that, I guess I will help team members make custom banners for their blog, as in, small ones that people can use to link to your blogs.森羅万象,Panther
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