Saturday, December 30, 2006
Some maintenance
Some unhappy posts have been deleted. No more postings about it in future if I can help it...
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Recovery of item
Before my ORD, I lost my helmet.
Acting on advice, I searched my juniors' room, found it, felt a little betrayed at the identity and took it back in the presence of others.
He asked if I took his helmet and I showed him the mark I made. My name had been crossed out and replaced with his. He said sorry and explained that he lost his and he was in a hurry to mount duty.
Today, I spotted two lost items of mine.
Acting on advice, I searched my juniors' room, found it, felt a little betrayed at the identity and took it back in the presence of others.
He asked if I took his helmet and I showed him the mark I made. My name had been crossed out and replaced with his. He said sorry and explained that he lost his and he was in a hurry to mount duty.
Today, I spotted two lost items of mine.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Xmas dream
Dreams as they go don't make sense. I just thought that it's amusing to log them and read at a future date. Readers might want to skip this entry.
[continued dream]
-setting
2 group of young women were standing close but apart. Group A had an arrogant leader, surrounded by 5 cronies. Group B had a plain looking gal on crutches, with 3 friends. Only 3 of them talked, let's called them Tarragon, Mate Best and Lucid Ride. Lucid Ride had unequal bones(??) and recently fitted herself with prosthetic limbs so that she would be able to look and appear normal. This has been what Tarragon had tormented her for most of their relationship.
-act1:
Lucid Ride: But I want to be your best maid!
Tarragon: Well, I already have Mate Best here [smirks]
Mate Best: Yeah, I'll be a good best maid.
Lucid Ride: All you had to do was that to say that I'm your "sister", then my gown would be $300 cheaper
Tarragon: Well, then I won't do that
Lucid Ride: I'll get the gown [exits, her friends giving silent support]
Tarragon: Are you sure you can walk on that? [cronies laughed]
-act2:
We(??) are in a car. felt like my mother was driving, with brother and Lucid Ride in the car. somehow we were watching "zhen qing" - a Hong Kong serial, with the car windows acting as screens. They appeared to be filming in Singapore then one scene shifted to some place very familiar. A low single storey building with thatched roof. Trees and a circuitous path inside the compound. A long row of 2 storey classroom. A tall 3 storey building which was not accurate but yet I do recognise it. Followed by another 2 storey building. A large pond and a Chinese style building as a backdrop. More trees... "What the hell?...", I exclaimed in surprise., "When was this taken??". Lucid Ride replied, "Maybe they took the footage long ago and superimposed it as a background for their filming". I was stunned. Such dedication, filming a scenery that you might use in the far future. I closed an eye and used a finger to test for the blue screen effect, it was true. "But the canteen was not 3 stories tall!", I complained. "It was", replied my brother. I didn't believe it but watched in silence as the characters walked in a scene that had vanished. Our car drove by the quiet streets of Cassia Crescent, without any of the low houses. A silent dark field as our companion.
-act3
Lucid Ride and me were in a hotel room. She was upset that Tarragon did not want to acknowledge that she's one of her "sisters" so that she could get a discount off her gown. "I can sponsor you, $300", I offered. "Thanks, but I won't accept that". "Then you can pay me in instalments. 2 months, 10 cents per day", I said (apparently my dream self did not pass his Mathematics...). No reply. Brother was smoking on the bed. "Hey careful", I exclaimed, brushing away the ash. I turned back to her, "Come on, $300 only". "Don't be disgusting", she snapped.
[/continued dream]
"Continued dream" means that I have dreamt this character before. However, I wasn't inside the story then.
[Inaccuracies]
We don't have a car anymore. Much less one with futuristic features.
You can't test for the blue screen effect the way I did.
Cassia Crescent is now built up.
My brother doesn't smoke.
[Blog update]
Note that there's a "label" below this post? This is a new feature to sub categorise our posts. So click on Dreams and.. you can guess what happens =D
[continued dream]
-setting
2 group of young women were standing close but apart. Group A had an arrogant leader, surrounded by 5 cronies. Group B had a plain looking gal on crutches, with 3 friends. Only 3 of them talked, let's called them Tarragon, Mate Best and Lucid Ride. Lucid Ride had unequal bones(??) and recently fitted herself with prosthetic limbs so that she would be able to look and appear normal. This has been what Tarragon had tormented her for most of their relationship.
-act1:
Lucid Ride: But I want to be your best maid!
Tarragon: Well, I already have Mate Best here [smirks]
Mate Best: Yeah, I'll be a good best maid.
Lucid Ride: All you had to do was that to say that I'm your "sister", then my gown would be $300 cheaper
Tarragon: Well, then I won't do that
Lucid Ride: I'll get the gown [exits, her friends giving silent support]
Tarragon: Are you sure you can walk on that? [cronies laughed]
-act2:
We(??) are in a car. felt like my mother was driving, with brother and Lucid Ride in the car. somehow we were watching "zhen qing" - a Hong Kong serial, with the car windows acting as screens. They appeared to be filming in Singapore then one scene shifted to some place very familiar. A low single storey building with thatched roof. Trees and a circuitous path inside the compound. A long row of 2 storey classroom. A tall 3 storey building which was not accurate but yet I do recognise it. Followed by another 2 storey building. A large pond and a Chinese style building as a backdrop. More trees... "What the hell?...", I exclaimed in surprise., "When was this taken??". Lucid Ride replied, "Maybe they took the footage long ago and superimposed it as a background for their filming". I was stunned. Such dedication, filming a scenery that you might use in the far future. I closed an eye and used a finger to test for the blue screen effect, it was true. "But the canteen was not 3 stories tall!", I complained. "It was", replied my brother. I didn't believe it but watched in silence as the characters walked in a scene that had vanished. Our car drove by the quiet streets of Cassia Crescent, without any of the low houses. A silent dark field as our companion.
-act3
Lucid Ride and me were in a hotel room. She was upset that Tarragon did not want to acknowledge that she's one of her "sisters" so that she could get a discount off her gown. "I can sponsor you, $300", I offered. "Thanks, but I won't accept that". "Then you can pay me in instalments. 2 months, 10 cents per day", I said (apparently my dream self did not pass his Mathematics...). No reply. Brother was smoking on the bed. "Hey careful", I exclaimed, brushing away the ash. I turned back to her, "Come on, $300 only". "Don't be disgusting", she snapped.
[/continued dream]
"Continued dream" means that I have dreamt this character before. However, I wasn't inside the story then.
[Inaccuracies]
We don't have a car anymore. Much less one with futuristic features.
You can't test for the blue screen effect the way I did.
Cassia Crescent is now built up.
My brother doesn't smoke.
[Blog update]
Note that there's a "label" below this post? This is a new feature to sub categorise our posts. So click on Dreams and.. you can guess what happens =D
Sunday, December 24, 2006
New Blogger 2/2
[This post has been edited]
Ah, new look.
Blogger has merged with Google to deliver us a better service. I picked the same template so you wouldn't really see any difference.
There's two new things:
1. The archives on the right are now expandable and more accessible.
2. There's a photo at the bottom of the blog, breaking my trend of anonymity.
There's simply too many clues to my identity so I guess there's no point hiding anymore.
Ah, new look.
Blogger has merged with Google to deliver us a better service. I picked the same template so you wouldn't really see any difference.
There's two new things:
1. The archives on the right are now expandable and more accessible.
2. There's a photo at the bottom of the blog, breaking my trend of anonymity.
There's simply too many clues to my identity so I guess there's no point hiding anymore.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Ethanol and Me
[Backdated to 17 Dec 2006]
I woke up with a little hangover so I did a bit of research.
Hangovers are multi-causal. Ethanol has a dehydrating effect (such substances are known as diuretics), which causes headaches, dry mouth, and lethargy. Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly.[3]
Wow, doesn't that sound scary?
Alcohol is a laxative.
Boy, I hate this.
Subject may become sleepy
Am I the only person in the world who has trouble sleeping after drinking??
I woke up with a little hangover so I did a bit of research.
Hangovers are multi-causal. Ethanol has a dehydrating effect (such substances are known as diuretics), which causes headaches, dry mouth, and lethargy. Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly.[3]
Wow, doesn't that sound scary?
Alcohol is a laxative.
Boy, I hate this.
Subject may become sleepy
Am I the only person in the world who has trouble sleeping after drinking??
Sunday, December 10, 2006
How F.O.O.F turned out to be
1. No two perspectives. The Jap p.o.v. will be told in the companion film "Letters of Iwo Jima".
2. Very little fighting scenes, only about 10% of the film.
3. Makes you feel for their grief and guilt.
4. More authentic than some "realistic" fiction war movie that everyone has watched.
Quite nice, not for the causal movie fan. I would like to watch "Letters of Iwo Jima" when it's screen.
-1 working day
2. Very little fighting scenes, only about 10% of the film.
3. Makes you feel for their grief and guilt.
4. More authentic than some "realistic" fiction war movie that everyone has watched.
Quite nice, not for the causal movie fan. I would like to watch "Letters of Iwo Jima" when it's screen.
-1 working day
A sport that our country did well despite little funding
For the last 10 years, the president of our country's netball team lamented had that while they consistently get good results, they do not receive the same fundings and attention such as soccer, which gave disappointments year after year.
In today's papers, an unassuming article said that they have won the four nations cup.
"..turn the tables on Papua New Guinea", was the subject.
"..host captured netball's inaugural Four Nations Cup", was the only hint they won.
Who was the host? Us? Does that mean we won the cup? Why can't the writer just say so? So by reading that we won another country is supposed to tell us we won a cup??
Congratulations.
-1 working day
In today's papers, an unassuming article said that they have won the four nations cup.
"..turn the tables on Papua New Guinea", was the subject.
"..host captured netball's inaugural Four Nations Cup", was the only hint they won.
Who was the host? Us? Does that mean we won the cup? Why can't the writer just say so? So by reading that we won another country is supposed to tell us we won a cup??
Congratulations.
-1 working day
Why I would want to watch F.O.O.F
1. cos it stands for Flags of our fathers
2. cos of my Y gene, also known as the stupid gene
3. cause I'm drawn by what seems to promise as an impartial view of the event
4. fulfills my quota of war movies. Alexander was a disappointment
-1 working day
2. cos of my Y gene, also known as the stupid gene
3. cause I'm drawn by what seems to promise as an impartial view of the event
4. fulfills my quota of war movies. Alexander was a disappointment
-1 working day
Friday, December 08, 2006
First week without RT
Ah... So relaxing. I can go out as I like. I can OT when I feel like it. Don't you love working? =p
To prevent complaints about me *always* complaining about work. I've labelled the sections with a description of the topic.
[Work: Overloaded]
Actually, I'm quite stressed. Take away Pat, who's on a trip. Take away Kelvin, who's on reservist. Take away Hui Koon, as she's doing authorisation stuffs. Guess who's left in my sub-track? Kena-ed chased by boss and Dennis but I refrained from complaining I'm overloaded - I'm sure boss will start counting my working hours...
But seriously, can't anyone see that I have a problem? It's really simple. Run the solution manager, put in my name and study the tasks. Hey! JW got some jobs that took him months. Hey look, these new tasks aren't even touched yet!
[Work: Outsourcing]
I've not yet started two tasks which have exceeded their deadlines. Dennis forced me to promise completion dates, which I thought was sort of unrealistic. Well, whatever it takes to pass this day. Boss tried to lighten my load but I'm not highly optimistic about my helper. I spent an hour to teach him how to create the test scenario. I even debugged the program in front of him and give him 3 possible approaches. It's something I could have done myself in 30 min but he spent the next 3 hours getting himself lost.
Don't get me wrong. I'm willing to let him learn at his pace. I need him because getting things tested, signed and transported can take anywhere from 2-7 days. I fully expect Dennis to be after me again.
[Personal: Handphone Loss]
Thank you, Roadster, for sending me a sms when you thought that I had lost my phone. No, it's not me, it's Gaga. You can read his entry on his blog (not listed here).
[Personal: Ankle]
I posted the timing for my laps. It's 99% ok. I'm taking a rest and will start my IPT in Jan.
[Personal: Job hunt]
Er... In case anyone missed the news, I renewed my contract.
-1 working day
To prevent complaints about me *always* complaining about work. I've labelled the sections with a description of the topic.
[Work: Overloaded]
Actually, I'm quite stressed. Take away Pat, who's on a trip. Take away Kelvin, who's on reservist. Take away Hui Koon, as she's doing authorisation stuffs. Guess who's left in my sub-track? Kena-ed chased by boss and Dennis but I refrained from complaining I'm overloaded - I'm sure boss will start counting my working hours...
But seriously, can't anyone see that I have a problem? It's really simple. Run the solution manager, put in my name and study the tasks. Hey! JW got some jobs that took him months. Hey look, these new tasks aren't even touched yet!
[Work: Outsourcing]
I've not yet started two tasks which have exceeded their deadlines. Dennis forced me to promise completion dates, which I thought was sort of unrealistic. Well, whatever it takes to pass this day. Boss tried to lighten my load but I'm not highly optimistic about my helper. I spent an hour to teach him how to create the test scenario. I even debugged the program in front of him and give him 3 possible approaches. It's something I could have done myself in 30 min but he spent the next 3 hours getting himself lost.
Don't get me wrong. I'm willing to let him learn at his pace. I need him because getting things tested, signed and transported can take anywhere from 2-7 days. I fully expect Dennis to be after me again.
[Personal: Handphone Loss]
Thank you, Roadster, for sending me a sms when you thought that I had lost my phone. No, it's not me, it's Gaga. You can read his entry on his blog (not listed here).
[Personal: Ankle]
I posted the timing for my laps. It's 99% ok. I'm taking a rest and will start my IPT in Jan.
[Personal: Job hunt]
Er... In case anyone missed the news, I renewed my contract.
-1 working day
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Exploding phones
Don't you wish you had rigged your phone before it was lost?
Don't you wish you could do it?
Why are my countrymen so cheap?
What happened to moral values?
Even among friends, the belief that you could keep what you find is prevalent. If I share my story (of returning lost items), I won't find praise.
My tally of lost items
===============
Phone1 - Taken together with my bag at the depository section while I was taking a water ride. It was triple-ly painful as the bag was a gift and the loss was no fault of mine.
Phone2 - Left on the table at a wedding. When I discovered my mistake, I ran back up but it was too late.
Wallet1 - Left on the bus. Returned to the police with all cash intact but the farecard was gone. I did not point this out to the police.
Wallet2 - Left on an arcade machine. Recovered by a member of the public in a toilet. All the cash was gone.
Wallet3 - Left in my unlocked locker in my bunk. After I made a police report, it appeared under my pillow.
Watch1 - left on table as we were having turnout drills. I was quite upset as we were supposed to comrades - who shouldn't steal from each other! I did not report this. After this loss, I no longer carry a watch.
What I found
=========
Wallet(i) - Same arcade as where I had lost my wallet. My classmate lost hers this time. A kid whom I was on friendly terms alerted me to where the thieves were hiding. We tracked them down and sorry to say it but we intimidated them (threatened to call their school, not physical violence) to return the wallet by the next day as the mastermind had fled the scene.
Wallet(ii) - Found on the floor at the reception area ofNgee Ann City
Phone(i) - Found on the sofa outside our classrooms. Went into the other class and asked for the owner. Luckily, he turned out to be the true owner as I had forgotten to authenticate him. (He called me back by the number I had given his mother).
Phone(ii) - Found on back of taxi with GaGa. Taxi driver took us to where he dropped off his last passenger and we returned it.
[Conclusion]
No one steals the wallet itself. So build a phone that looks and functions like a wallet. And in the event that it does get kept, it would blow up when the secret cipher is not keyed in daily, costing the thief some fingers.
-4 days
Don't you wish you could do it?
Why are my countrymen so cheap?
What happened to moral values?
Even among friends, the belief that you could keep what you find is prevalent. If I share my story (of returning lost items), I won't find praise.
My tally of lost items
===============
Phone1 - Taken together with my bag at the depository section while I was taking a water ride. It was triple-ly painful as the bag was a gift and the loss was no fault of mine.
Phone2 - Left on the table at a wedding. When I discovered my mistake, I ran back up but it was too late.
Wallet1 - Left on the bus. Returned to the police with all cash intact but the farecard was gone. I did not point this out to the police.
Wallet2 - Left on an arcade machine. Recovered by a member of the public in a toilet. All the cash was gone.
Wallet3 - Left in my unlocked locker in my bunk. After I made a police report, it appeared under my pillow.
Watch1 - left on table as we were having turnout drills. I was quite upset as we were supposed to comrades - who shouldn't steal from each other! I did not report this. After this loss, I no longer carry a watch.
What I found
=========
Wallet(i) - Same arcade as where I had lost my wallet. My classmate lost hers this time. A kid whom I was on friendly terms alerted me to where the thieves were hiding. We tracked them down and sorry to say it but we intimidated them (threatened to call their school, not physical violence) to return the wallet by the next day as the mastermind had fled the scene.
Wallet(ii) - Found on the floor at the reception area of
Phone(i) - Found on the sofa outside our classrooms. Went into the other class and asked for the owner. Luckily, he turned out to be the true owner as I had forgotten to authenticate him. (He called me back by the number I had given his mother).
Phone(ii) - Found on back of taxi with GaGa. Taxi driver took us to where he dropped off his last passenger and we returned it.
[Conclusion]
No one steals the wallet itself. So build a phone that looks and functions like a wallet. And in the event that it does get kept, it would blow up when the secret cipher is not keyed in daily, costing the thief some fingers.
-4 days
Welcome back, JW
9am: Renewed my contract
11am: Checked email, "XX, YY, please extend JW's email validity date.
Checked intranet access, invalid.
4pm: Checked email, "Your email expiriy date has been extended"
Checked intranet access, success.
If this doesn't prove who took away my access, I don't know what will.
-4 days
11am: Checked email, "XX, YY, please extend JW's email validity date.
Checked intranet access, invalid.
4pm: Checked email, "Your email expiriy date has been extended"
Checked intranet access, success.
If this doesn't prove who took away my access, I don't know what will.
-4 days
Service charge strikes again
14 Nov, I deposited $300, balance is now >$500
30 Nov, they charged me $2...
grrr...
-4 days
30 Nov, they charged me $2...
grrr...
-4 days
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Service expectations and behaviour of Singaporeans
[These are my personal opinions and are not based on any official studies. Readers are advised to apply their own judgment on the accuracy of the below statements.]
What Singaporean customers want
1. bend or kneel to their eye level when taking your orders
2. smile and include sir/madam in every sentence
3. no waiting time
4. preferential treatment if they are rich
5. preferential treatment if they buy big items
6. glasses must be always filled
How Singaporean customers act
1. don't respond to greetings
2. gets angry at delays
3. lashes out at fellow staff who happened to be so unfortunately positioned
I should know, as I was once on the receiving end of a scolding
4. act superior when they happened to be rich people
5. think they have a right to leave without paying if they are not attended to
6. leave glasses full of water behind
-6 days
What Singaporean customers want
1. bend or kneel to their eye level when taking your orders
2. smile and include sir/madam in every sentence
3. no waiting time
4. preferential treatment if they are rich
5. preferential treatment if they buy big items
6. glasses must be always filled
How Singaporean customers act
1. don't respond to greetings
2. gets angry at delays
3. lashes out at fellow staff who happened to be so unfortunately positioned
I should know, as I was once on the receiving end of a scolding
4. act superior when they happened to be rich people
5. think they have a right to leave without paying if they are not attended to
6. leave glasses full of water behind
-6 days
Bryan's bday celebrations: No plans survive first contact with the enemy
[Plan A, part 1] Go Sentosa.
[Plan A, part 2] Foot massage for Bryan, watch him squirm and scream.
[Plan A, part 2] Dinner.
[Plan A, part 2] Iguana!
[Reality1] "Oops", said Bryan. "I forgot I got jap class"
[Plan B, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watch him squirm and scream.
[Plan B, part 2] Dinner.
[Plan B, part 3] Kill Bryan with drinks at Iguana.
[Reality2] Foot reflexology hurts me more than it affected him. What was I thinking??
[Reality3] Dinner plans changed. Iguana booking cancelled :_|
[Plan C, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan C, part 2] Dinner at HarbourFront.
[Plan C, part 3] Kill Bryan with drinks at Iguana.
[Reality4] After dinner plans involve karaoke.
[Plan D, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan D, part 2] Dinner without hopes of ice frozen strawberry margarita.
[Plan D, part 3] Karaoke.
[Plan D, part 4] Maybe we could still go Iguana.
[Reality5] Decided to call it a day.
[Plan E, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan E, part 2] Dinner without hopes of ice frozen strawberry margarita.
[Plan E, part 3] Karaoke.
[Plan E, part 4] :_|
-6 days
[Plan A, part 2] Foot massage for Bryan, watch him squirm and scream.
[Plan A, part 2] Dinner.
[Plan A, part 2] Iguana!
[Reality1] "Oops", said Bryan. "I forgot I got jap class"
[Plan B, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watch him squirm and scream.
[Plan B, part 2] Dinner.
[Plan B, part 3] Kill Bryan with drinks at Iguana.
[Reality2] Foot reflexology hurts me more than it affected him. What was I thinking??
[Reality3] Dinner plans changed. Iguana booking cancelled :_|
[Plan C, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan C, part 2] Dinner at HarbourFront.
[Plan C, part 3] Kill Bryan with drinks at Iguana.
[Reality4] After dinner plans involve karaoke.
[Plan D, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan D, part 2] Dinner without hopes of ice frozen strawberry margarita.
[Plan D, part 3] Karaoke.
[Plan D, part 4] Maybe we could still go Iguana.
[Reality5] Decided to call it a day.
[Plan E, part 1] Foot massage for Bryan, watched JW squirm.
[Plan E, part 2] Dinner without hopes of ice frozen strawberry margarita.
[Plan E, part 3] Karaoke.
[Plan E, part 4] :_|
-6 days
Thursday, November 30, 2006
IPPT test 3
up means improve, down means drop in performance
Shuttle run : down by .1 sec
Sit up : up by 1 count
Stand broad jump: down by 19 cm...
Pull-ups: no variance
2.4 km run : up by 40 sec
-7 days
Shuttle run : down by .1 sec
Sit up : up by 1 count
Stand broad jump: down by 19 cm...
Pull-ups: no variance
2.4 km run : up by 40 sec
-7 days
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Time extension
[background]
Last wed: My immediate supervisor(aka team lead) called me up for a performance review; I went for an interview
Last thu: His boss grabbed me to talk about pay, asked when I can give an answer, I said next wed.
Today I sent this out to my small boss(aka team lead)
"Dear boss, fyi only. I will continue to sell my soul for the next few months to 2 years"
Btw, it appears that our OA dept grants access to the first level of login into the intranet. To access the applications(like Leave status), HR controls the access. So my OA access is valid but HR has removed my access...
-1 session, 8 days
Last wed: My immediate supervisor(aka team lead) called me up for a performance review; I went for an interview
Last thu: His boss grabbed me to talk about pay, asked when I can give an answer, I said next wed.
Today I sent this out to my small boss(aka team lead)
"Dear boss, fyi only. I will continue to sell my soul for the next few months to 2 years"
Btw, it appears that our OA dept grants access to the first level of login into the intranet. To access the applications(like Leave status), HR controls the access. So my OA access is valid but HR has removed my access...
-1 session, 8 days
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
A day after restoring my account
While checking my leave balance, I got this.
"user ID does not exist"
Huh?
-1 session, 9 days
"user ID does not exist"
Huh?
-1 session, 9 days
Monday, November 27, 2006
No longer an illegal
5 months ago, my email account and my OA ID were deleted from my company's network as they supposedly thought that my contract only lasts 6 months. I didn't discover this until the Novation project but when I did, I didn't really care.
Why?
My email account was constantly flooded with emails that does not concern me. Some demanded action from me that I have no part in. Some lost their stuffs and broadcasted to the whole company. Then there were many sales and activities and the main office. Firstly, it made me feel that, as a on-site support employee, I'm a second citizen. Secondly, it's SPAM! As a colleague once watched in horror, I periodically log in and delete everything...
I sort of enjoyed this status as an "illegal". I couldn't update anything by myself and Desiree had to help me. I guess she was a bit annoyed but she's a very nice lady =)
This status ended today. I got 20 warnings to update my time sheet (I don't work at the HQ, so I don't have to); 10 warnings to update my passwords; 20 notices of seminars at the HQ; Queries why I missed them; Some file attachments for me to follow up; I probably have a car that has its alarm triggered off; I might be the owner of some lost keys...
O Joy.
-2 sessions, 12 days
Why?
My email account was constantly flooded with emails that does not concern me. Some demanded action from me that I have no part in. Some lost their stuffs and broadcasted to the whole company. Then there were many sales and activities and the main office. Firstly, it made me feel that, as a on-site support employee, I'm a second citizen. Secondly, it's SPAM! As a colleague once watched in horror, I periodically log in and delete everything...
I sort of enjoyed this status as an "illegal". I couldn't update anything by myself and Desiree had to help me. I guess she was a bit annoyed but she's a very nice lady =)
This status ended today. I got 20 warnings to update my time sheet (I don't work at the HQ, so I don't have to); 10 warnings to update my passwords; 20 notices of seminars at the HQ; Queries why I missed them; Some file attachments for me to follow up; I probably have a car that has its alarm triggered off; I might be the owner of some lost keys...
O Joy.
-2 sessions, 12 days
Sunday, November 26, 2006
A little lazy update
It was a busy week and it will continue to be busy.
I've 2 more RT sessions and just 2 weeks away from my end of contract =)
This Saturday, we will be returning to Sentosa.
For my friends involved, the date is noted in my Yahoo Calender, accessible from my blog.
-2 sessions, 13 days
I've 2 more RT sessions and just 2 weeks away from my end of contract =)
This Saturday, we will be returning to Sentosa.
For my friends involved, the date is noted in my Yahoo Calender, accessible from my blog.
-2 sessions, 13 days
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Apprasial follow up
[happened one day after appraisal by immediate supervisor. Got hauled up by his boss for money matters]
"..I heard that you were helpful in guiding our new staff and you got an interesting method in teaching them"
Hmmm?
"You would teach them halfway and then don't tell them the answer. This is a good way of teaching them"
??!!
"So it's like JW got a different but interesting way of teaching people. I think that's a good thing."
That's so not me but better keep my mouth shut...
-
"..I heard that you were helpful in guiding our new staff and you got an interesting method in teaching them"
Hmmm?
"You would teach them halfway and then don't tell them the answer. This is a good way of teaching them"
??!!
"So it's like JW got a different but interesting way of teaching people. I think that's a good thing."
That's so not me but better keep my mouth shut...
-
Thursday, November 23, 2006
The downs in this job
I'm currently considering a renewal of my contract. This is amusing as I've complained long about the job. Here are the highlights.
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2005/12/your-fault-his-fault.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/01/dreams-and-work.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/03/law-of-nature.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/05/thanks.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/05/sigh.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/06/fizzled-out_06.html deleted
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/06/gathering-heat-and-decision.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/07/irritation-and-satisfaction.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/09/another-career-flip-flop.html
-3 sessions, 13 days
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2005/12/your-fault-his-fault.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/01/dreams-and-work.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/03/law-of-nature.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/05/thanks.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/05/sigh.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/06/fizzled-out_06.html deleted
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/06/gathering-heat-and-decision.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/07/irritation-and-satisfaction.html
http://jwqh.blogspot.com/2006/09/another-career-flip-flop.html
-3 sessions, 13 days
RT performance
Ok.. I got 4 crappy pull-ups now. Just need another non standard one and I'll pass my static stations.
Today we had interval training. It's basically running for a good timing, then rest 3 min between each run.
Lap 1, 1:40 min
Lap 2, 1:20 min
Lap 3, 1:50 min (note the tire punctured after lap 2...)
Lap 4, 2:00 min
Lap 5, 1:40 min
The aftermath of this plus the kind action of lactic acid means I'll feel some pains in the knee and calf muscles tomorrow. Bzzt.
-3 sessions, 13 days
Today we had interval training. It's basically running for a good timing, then rest 3 min between each run.
Lap 1, 1:40 min
Lap 2, 1:20 min
Lap 3, 1:50 min (note the tire punctured after lap 2...)
Lap 4, 2:00 min
Lap 5, 1:40 min
The aftermath of this plus the kind action of lactic acid means I'll feel some pains in the knee and calf muscles tomorrow. Bzzt.
-3 sessions, 13 days
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Crossing paths
[backdated]
The first surprise was recognising the security guard. He was at my old company and now he was stationed here. He can't seem to place me and his eyes went to my bag.
After the interview, I sat down to wait for TimidGal to meet me for a chat. Martin walked by and caught sight of me. "What you doing here?", he asked. Ah, what a coincidence. I want to ask him that question too. Has my old department finally been outsourced? "We're here for a course. Lie noi they all also here". Naturally, I was excited to meet up with them. They were seated at the cateria, chatting over their drinks. I simply sat down beside them and managed to surprise them. When I told them I was there for an interview, ex small boss shook her head and said, "This place not so good". Haha... Is she going to object to every place I go to? "Look at our XXX and YYY, they worked a while and they left", she continued. "But compare this company and my current one. Which is better?, I posed.
TimidGal soon called me and I joined her. We chatted for quite a while and when I left, the security guard finally seemed to recall me and smiled. What a small world!
-4 sessions, 14 days
The first surprise was recognising the security guard. He was at my old company and now he was stationed here. He can't seem to place me and his eyes went to my bag.
After the interview, I sat down to wait for TimidGal to meet me for a chat. Martin walked by and caught sight of me. "What you doing here?", he asked. Ah, what a coincidence. I want to ask him that question too. Has my old department finally been outsourced? "We're here for a course. Lie noi they all also here". Naturally, I was excited to meet up with them. They were seated at the cateria, chatting over their drinks. I simply sat down beside them and managed to surprise them. When I told them I was there for an interview, ex small boss shook her head and said, "This place not so good". Haha... Is she going to object to every place I go to? "Look at our XXX and YYY, they worked a while and they left", she continued. "But compare this company and my current one. Which is better?, I posed.
TimidGal soon called me and I joined her. We chatted for quite a while and when I left, the security guard finally seemed to recall me and smiled. What a small world!
-4 sessions, 14 days
A performance appraisal
"..come to work wise, I think you are a very good worker. We would like to keep you. In fact, I believe you should be going to an interview this afternoon right?"
"Er.. ya"
"No need to hide la. Take afternoon off, no reason, very obvious"
"Got people ask I go loh"
"It's ok. I've nothing against people going for interviews. In fact I think it's a good..."
-4 sessions, 14 days
"Er.. ya"
"No need to hide la. Take afternoon off, no reason, very obvious"
"Got people ask I go loh"
"It's ok. I've nothing against people going for interviews. In fact I think it's a good..."
-4 sessions, 14 days
Monday, November 20, 2006
Dinner and Dance
[backdated]
It was pretty enjoyable. The door gift was a small bottle of red wine and a wine glass. The dinner was better than the last company dinner I had. The DJ was funny without being lame.
The girls in our outfit went out to dress themselves and I think they had fun. Overall, it was a pretty enjoyable night
It was pretty enjoyable. The door gift was a small bottle of red wine and a wine glass. The dinner was better than the last company dinner I had. The DJ was funny without being lame.
The girls in our outfit went out to dress themselves and I think they had fun. Overall, it was a pretty enjoyable night
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Counting down the days
Time passed quickly recently due to too much work and too little time. Coupled with my GuiXT training and my RT sessions, I don't have the energy, time or inclination to do overtime. It's weird cause I'm sort of stressed but I'm not putting in too much time to resolve it.
Never mind that, two dates are coming close and I'm very much looking forward to it.
At the office, another of my lunch kaki is leaving us. Good luck :_|
And to my two colleagues who will be on long absence, have fun!
-5H2U
Never mind that, two dates are coming close and I'm very much looking forward to it.
At the office, another of my lunch kaki is leaving us. Good luck :_|
And to my two colleagues who will be on long absence, have fun!
-5H2U
Thursday, November 16, 2006
IPPT test 2
up means improve, down means drop in performance
Shuttle run : down by .1 sec
Sit up : down by 2 counts
Stand broad jump: no variance
Pull-ups : up by 2 counts
2.4 km run : up by 12 sec
-3H3U
Shuttle run : down by .1 sec
Sit up : down by 2 counts
Stand broad jump: no variance
Pull-ups : up by 2 counts
2.4 km run : up by 12 sec
-3H3U
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
A little update
Lazy to blog and don't want to make it another complaint.
[work] stressed!
[rt: pull ups] improving
[rt: standing broad jump] grrr...
[dota] playing, haha
[talk to cousin] er....
[ankle] after RT ba.
[money] when's payday?
[books] Chronicles of Narnia next?
-1H2U
[work] stressed!
[rt: pull ups] improving
[rt: standing broad jump] grrr...
[dota] playing, haha
[talk to cousin] er....
[ankle] after RT ba.
[money] when's payday?
[books] Chronicles of Narnia next?
-1H2U
Monday, November 13, 2006
DotA noob
Purple, deny the creeps!
What's deny?
Oh, what a noob! Don't you know what deny is?
Nope.
From then on, they kept picking on my play and calling me a noob, even when I played pretty fine!
Here it is, the mysterious deny - for my DotA playing friends.
-2H3U
What's deny?
Oh, what a noob! Don't you know what deny is?
Nope.
From then on, they kept picking on my play and calling me a noob, even when I played pretty fine!
Here it is, the mysterious deny - for my DotA playing friends.
-2H3U
Forums: Pregnant worker gets sacked for no reason
article here
Disgusting! She was 6 months pregnant. Just one month shy of 7 months and she would have been protected by the employment act!
-1H2U
Disgusting! She was 6 months pregnant. Just one month shy of 7 months and she would have been protected by the employment act!
-1H2U
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Guidance?
"JW (not my real name), Junhan listens to you. You must tell him to concentrate on his studies and not play so many games"
I started laughing.
"Remember ah! Must tell him!", my aunt charged me.
The scions of my father's father are not a studious lot. The male grandchildren share a passion for games. Me, ranking 3rd in the line of succession, loves it. At least I have my craving for reading material to split my time. My little cousins literally wallow in computer games.
I was discussing DotA with them when my aunt came over. "Remember ah! Must talk to him!". I started laughing again. Yes it's rude in a way but not if you know what I know. It was I who passed them their first Gameboy emulator. Irked them by beating them at Little Fighter 2. Passed them GunBound while getting their modem up. If Aunt knows, I would have an earful...
When I got home, my mother asked me, "Did wu(3) sheng(3) ask you to talk to Junhan? Must tell him to study hard". Ok, ok... It's a multi-pronged attack. I'll pick a time of my choosing. But how could I? Grandparents and elder cousins are meant to spoil the young ones...
wu(3) sheng(3) - [Chinese form of addressing]
1. wu(3) - five or fifth.
2. sheng(3) - Wife of father's brother - who is relatively younger than your father.
combined: Wife of my father's brother - who ranks fifth in seniority.
-2H2U
I started laughing.
"Remember ah! Must tell him!", my aunt charged me.
The scions of my father's father are not a studious lot. The male grandchildren share a passion for games. Me, ranking 3rd in the line of succession, loves it. At least I have my craving for reading material to split my time. My little cousins literally wallow in computer games.
I was discussing DotA with them when my aunt came over. "Remember ah! Must talk to him!". I started laughing again. Yes it's rude in a way but not if you know what I know. It was I who passed them their first Gameboy emulator. Irked them by beating them at Little Fighter 2. Passed them GunBound while getting their modem up. If Aunt knows, I would have an earful...
When I got home, my mother asked me, "Did wu(3) sheng(3) ask you to talk to Junhan? Must tell him to study hard". Ok, ok... It's a multi-pronged attack. I'll pick a time of my choosing. But how could I? Grandparents and elder cousins are meant to spoil the young ones...
wu(3) sheng(3) - [Chinese form of addressing]
1. wu(3) - five or fifth.
2. sheng(3) - Wife of father's brother - who is relatively younger than your father.
combined: Wife of my father's brother - who ranks fifth in seniority.
-2H2U
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Kan Cheong Spider
Translation: A Spider that is in a panic or a hurry
Anyone ever wondered how such a phrase came about? I uttered the popular local phrase when I saw a scene in the carpark. A driver, apparently excited that another car is going to exit its slot, reversed and passed that parked car a second time, cutting off its exit once again. The driver of the parked car got annoyed and blew the horn and the driver seeking the slot suddenly realised that he needs to move to let the car out first...
Now why can't this apply to train commuters?...
-3H2U
Anyone ever wondered how such a phrase came about? I uttered the popular local phrase when I saw a scene in the carpark. A driver, apparently excited that another car is going to exit its slot, reversed and passed that parked car a second time, cutting off its exit once again. The driver of the parked car got annoyed and blew the horn and the driver seeking the slot suddenly realised that he needs to move to let the car out first...
Now why can't this apply to train commuters?...
-3H2U
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Yishun Wall
3 rows thick, this wall is formidable. It's one of the reasons I want to get off one stop early and take the shortcut.
No, I didn't knock into anyone today. An old couple was shoving their grandson into the best position to block the train doors, not prime material for crash dummies. Behind them were another 2 rows of targets shielded from my petty revenge. What is it about people boarding the train at this stop? There are no free seats, what are they rushing for? Let us out first!
-2H3U
No, I didn't knock into anyone today. An old couple was shoving their grandson into the best position to block the train doors, not prime material for crash dummies. Behind them were another 2 rows of targets shielded from my petty revenge. What is it about people boarding the train at this stop? There are no free seats, what are they rushing for? Let us out first!
-2H3U
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Overload
It's my turn now. Tasks came tumbling out of the mailbox. Did I say I could divorce dissatisfaction with my work? Doesn't work so well on stress...
I'm doing weights again. My preferred method for training my pull-ups. It's improving in stamina but not in strength. Standing broad jump is 230cm, a far cry from my old score. I tried to better it but got a sore belly for my efforts. Ow.
-2H2U
I'm doing weights again. My preferred method for training my pull-ups. It's improving in stamina but not in strength. Standing broad jump is 230cm, a far cry from my old score. I tried to better it but got a sore belly for my efforts. Ow.
-2H2U
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Cat and mouse
Last week, I was taking a shortcut to attend my IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test). This is a service road so I was not trespassing any private properties. With my nose in a book, I started on the path.
Out came a bitch (she-dog) who ran out from the overgrown grasses and stood herself in front of me, barking and snarling. That didn't sound good so I tried to hush her while retreating. I unslung my bag to ready it as a weapon. An answering bark from my 4 o'clock position got me worried. To my 2 o'clock, 2 dogs appeared. I positioned myself such that I faced the two dogs closest to me. The newly arrived male dog took over the task of threatening me. I continued my retreat and when I judged myself out of their territory, I turned and walked. They barked at my back but did not pursue.
That got me late for my test! The shortcut is an all or nothing. If I don't take it, retracing my route and taking the long way would cost 4x as much time. Kind of irritated. I had to take a cab.
For the next RT session, I tempted my fate. I would check the adjoining grass fields before I step onto the road. My book would be kept away to prepare for fight or flight. I was relieved when an Indian worker walked past. I encountered a dog but I was halfway along the road so I was in Man's territory. The dog didn't challenge me.
Today, I did so again. I was apprehensive as I suspected they claim the surrounding lands at night. The grass field was clear, I stepped onto the road. With my eyes on the overgrown grasses to my left, I passed the first farm. A lorry passed me and went into it. A dog started barking, which sort of sounded familiar. Knowing that she's domesticated would help my next attempt...
-3H1U
Release
My fellow mates during my army stint had a lousy vocation. We could be rotated continuously through day and night for a period of 3 weeks. We got so tired that we would fall asleep once we touched a chair, even as we eat.
Yet as we raked up an amazing sleep debt, we found the reserves to horse around. VCD, PlayStation, Nintendo. Sleep got worse but morale went up.
Moral of the story: Play hard =p
To draw a parallel, we are numbed by things we had to endure. Our voices are tiny, willing ears wanting. Jealous mouths would report that we talk during office hours. They made their disapprovals known to our bosses when we left on time. Our friends were few and our enemies unknown.
Talking? Perhaps we were grumbling about the latest reduction in access rights?
We breeched security? Hey, what's that? An unmarked thumb drive hanging by your neck? Nice PDA too.
I'm irresponsible? For helping you out of goodwill?
This post got out of hand; I wanted to say that our rowdiness is a reflection of our stress level.
-3H3U
Monday, November 06, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Medical info
Thank you Anastasia for your info on ligament injuries.
Here's something for a colleague of mine.
[http://www.stressdoc.com/four_stages_burnbout.htm]
"Burnout is the gradual process by which a person, in response to prolonged stress and physical, mental and emotional strain, detaches from work and other meaningful relationships. The result is lowered productivity, cynicism, confusion...a feeling of being drained, having nothing more to give."
[http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm]
What is the difference between stress and burnout?
Burnout is not simply excessive stress. Rather, it is a complex human reaction to ongoing stress, and it relates to feeling that your inner resources are inadequate for managing the tasks and situations presented to you. The signs and symptoms of burnout are similar to those of stress, but burnout includes an emotional exhaustion and an increasingly negative attitude toward your work and, perhaps, your life. For a clear definition of stress, see Helpguide's Signs and Symptoms of Stress.
-3H2U
Here's something for a colleague of mine.
[http://www.stressdoc.com/four_stages_burnbout.htm]
"Burnout is the gradual process by which a person, in response to prolonged stress and physical, mental and emotional strain, detaches from work and other meaningful relationships. The result is lowered productivity, cynicism, confusion...a feeling of being drained, having nothing more to give."
[http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm]
What is the difference between stress and burnout?
Burnout is not simply excessive stress. Rather, it is a complex human reaction to ongoing stress, and it relates to feeling that your inner resources are inadequate for managing the tasks and situations presented to you. The signs and symptoms of burnout are similar to those of stress, but burnout includes an emotional exhaustion and an increasingly negative attitude toward your work and, perhaps, your life. For a clear definition of stress, see Helpguide's Signs and Symptoms of Stress.
-3H2U
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Bonds
The wedding caused me to lose some sleep. I didn't realise how much I missed the time when we still had our gang Big5. Xiaohui in her cubicle, fuming over her missing mouse ball every morning. Doramon disturbing her from behind and me hiding in their cubicles. Bert and the girls in their corner. Muichin to Yuinping's right. The ladies chat in Lienoi's, Lizhen's and Meishan's cubicle. The nonsense as usual with the two brothers. Pangpipi, Cheehui, Zhishen and Adrian with their illegal LAN games beside a very quiet Yiahui. Annie warning me off from loading her
If I go on to list my users, this would be another sleepless night. The names above transcend time and some of them never met each other. Yet, they all mesh together in one long dream. To say I don't wish to return is a lie. But I also know better that I couldn't relive what was no longer there. That too and the money.
-3H2U
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Xiaohui's wedding - 29 Oct
[backdated to 29 Oct]
I had been looking forward to this date. At 6pm, I was lucky to get an early dismissal from RT. I took a cab ride and rushed home. Took a quick shower and waited for Xiaofen's cab. Together, we arrived at
"Hey, there's Bert!"
"Why you call him Bert?"
"Cos there was a time when his hair looked like the
"Hi... Is she your girlfriend?"
"Ya, isn't she pretty?"
[Alarmed look from Xiaofen]
"You are?..."
"Xiaofen la"
Forgot they never met -.-
Disclaimer: She's not my gf. It's a JOKE.
We looked at the photos. If we didn't know better, we would have thought we came to the wrong wedding.
"I rather liked her when she was cute cute"
"Aiyah, a girl can only be the prettiest person, once in her life"
[enter Loo Ping]
[enter Dylan]
[enter Pangpipi]
"JW (not his real name), where are you?"
"Lobby, turn left"
"Turn left? Oh..."
[Escorts Blossom in]
"Gina, don't walk so fast! No one’s forcing you!"
[Blossom grins]
JW, Xiaofen and Gina looked at the photos again.
"Hi everyone, please be seated"
[enter Angela]
[gasp] "She's thinner than before..."
"You got fat!"
"You got thin!"
"Where's your sister?"
"Oh she's not feeling well"
Hmm...
[enter Zhishen]
Waves
[enter Annie]
"
"Ah... we can switch over"
With 20 tables, it was a rather cosy feeling. We actually had time to tease the bride. Elegant as she was, once she laughed, she was our Xiaohui once again.
Looking at our table, it would also be the last time this group would ever form. Though we were all once colleagues, the link was standing there, in her radiance.
-6H3U
Running
[backdated]
Last lap.
I'm terribly short of breath. I can't breathe through my nose anymore. So be it.
The last bend comes.
Fly! No one raced me. I passed perhaps 20 people?
Last 50m.
I walked, spent. I heard the PTI call out. 12 minutes? I'm in good time.
12.18!
What great timing! Air, air! I need air! The guys in front of me started giving high fives. "Good run!", they said.
Wait!
Why is he running another lap? He should have completed it together with me. Could I have ran a lap less? The guys didn't overtake me, I'm sure.
Air, Air! I need air!
Floor, floor! How nice to touch you again.
-2.4km run on Sunday
Last lap.
I'm terribly short of breath. I can't breathe through my nose anymore. So be it.
The last bend comes.
Fly! No one raced me. I passed perhaps 20 people?
Last 50m.
I walked, spent. I heard the PTI call out. 12 minutes? I'm in good time.
12.18!
What great timing! Air, air! I need air! The guys in front of me started giving high fives. "Good run!", they said.
Wait!
Why is he running another lap? He should have completed it together with me. Could I have ran a lap less? The guys didn't overtake me, I'm sure.
Air, Air! I need air!
Floor, floor! How nice to touch you again.
-2.4km run on Sunday
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Lots of lots of legs
No matter how I set my heart, the act of no answering really annoys me. Anyway, for the main story.
I was on leave on Wednesday and I went to the bank. The queue was a single line, which feeds 5 customer service officers. Despite the full turn out, the queue moved slowly. As people are wont to do, they would shuffle a step forward whenever they feel impatient. This act would cascade down the line and repeat again at another random point. When a new customer gets served, the queue would move again. We would probably look like a millipede with rippling segments, except that we aren't moving. I always thought that this constant adjustment in the ranks is a silly act. As before, I stayed put.
Customer got served. I moved.
Someone shuffled forward. I looked at the TV.
Another movement. I looked at the TV.
Next customer got served. I moved.
More shuffling. I looked at the TV.
Shuffle... I looked at the TV.
Uncle behind me moved alongside me to the right. I glanced with amusement and... looked at the TV
Third customer. I moved.
Forward march! I stayed.
Shuffle. Another uncle behind me in the queue but now in opposing view gestured angrily. "Move!", he seemed to say.
I couldn't help smirking.
-?H?U
Friday, October 27, 2006
Nothing to update, so...
Death Note - nice. go watch it.
The Prestige - a bit confusing but the themes are good.
If you want simple entertainment, go for Death Note.
-3H2U
The Prestige - a bit confusing but the themes are good.
If you want simple entertainment, go for Death Note.
-3H2U
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Winning and losing
I don't like losing but I can take it. I'll just plot for another day.
What annoyed me today was the incessant gloating. During the game, fine... standard taunting. After the game, fine. Acceptable to say, "Yes! I have beaten you!" Say it twice, thrice and a fourth time and it starts to get annoying.
I tried to be a good teacher, haven’t I? I beaten him twice and I didn't gloat about it. I won him because of superior crew and I pointed it out to him.
The night followed with some unhappy rounds of DotA.
If I win hands down, I cheat. If I lose, I get taunted to no end. I rather be a cheat and a bully then. Better yet, I’ll be a puppet. Call me if there’s a game. I won’t do the calling anymore.
-3H4U
What annoyed me today was the incessant gloating. During the game, fine... standard taunting. After the game, fine. Acceptable to say, "Yes! I have beaten you!" Say it twice, thrice and a fourth time and it starts to get annoying.
I tried to be a good teacher, haven’t I? I beaten him twice and I didn't gloat about it. I won him because of superior crew and I pointed it out to him.
The night followed with some unhappy rounds of DotA.
If I win hands down, I cheat. If I lose, I get taunted to no end. I rather be a cheat and a bully then. Better yet, I’ll be a puppet. Call me if there’s a game. I won’t do the calling anymore.
-3H4U
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Gaming Saturday
[DotA]
I'm sick of playing on the Bnet, where players just drop when they are losing. No bb. No gg. Just drop and poof! Leave us in the lurch. Kind of like dropping the line when you dialed a wrong number. That's kind of the drawback of playing with a young crowd.
[Pirates]
Out of stock! =(
[Company of Heroes]
Hmm, nice. Today I brought the fight to the AI, normal strength. I kind of prefer being a tank commander now than microing my squads. Tanks are invincible and I like to back them up with a platoon. With mobility comes control and you don't have to play with troops like snipers and mortar teams. Just overrun their positions!
-3H2U
I'm sick of playing on the Bnet, where players just drop when they are losing. No bb. No gg. Just drop and poof! Leave us in the lurch. Kind of like dropping the line when you dialed a wrong number. That's kind of the drawback of playing with a young crowd.
[Pirates]
Out of stock! =(
[Company of Heroes]
Hmm, nice. Today I brought the fight to the AI, normal strength. I kind of prefer being a tank commander now than microing my squads. Tanks are invincible and I like to back them up with a platoon. With mobility comes control and you don't have to play with troops like snipers and mortar teams. Just overrun their positions!
-3H2U
Monday, October 16, 2006
A quick update
Sorry, between a busy schedule and Jumbo fighting for access of my laptop, it's hard to get an update in.
[Ankle]
Almost there... Muscles still abit weak but I can run now.
[DotA]
Got two new coruptees. Zach and Norman.
[Job]
Swamped...
[Pirates]
10 games so far, with La Resolucion becoming my favourite. I can't wait for my payday.
[RT]
Ouch...
-1H1U
[Ankle]
Almost there... Muscles still abit weak but I can run now.
[DotA]
Got two new coruptees. Zach and Norman.
[Job]
Swamped...
[Pirates]
10 games so far, with La Resolucion becoming my favourite. I can't wait for my payday.
[RT]
Ouch...
-1H1U
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
The fat bully
I complained about it for years.
When I'm in my green uniform, no one dared to stand in my way. The only casualty was an old auntie who chose to squeeze her way in. Didn't see her of course.
When I'm not, the crowd would have made a Greek Hoplite proud! If phalanx formations had moved with such vigour and aggression, the east would have had a chapter of history devoted to Alexander.
Today, I had little patience for a 2000 year old military formation and just walked straight. Not turning sideways, not slowing down. I even squared my shoulders. I clipped someone on my left shoulder and checked another on my right. My shoulders won. By social reflexes, we started saying sorry to each other.
I never imagined the day would come when I would be throwing my weight around...
-3H1U
When I'm in my green uniform, no one dared to stand in my way. The only casualty was an old auntie who chose to squeeze her way in. Didn't see her of course.
When I'm not, the crowd would have made a Greek Hoplite proud! If phalanx formations had moved with such vigour and aggression, the east would have had a chapter of history devoted to Alexander.
Today, I had little patience for a 2000 year old military formation and just walked straight. Not turning sideways, not slowing down. I even squared my shoulders. I clipped someone on my left shoulder and checked another on my right. My shoulders won. By social reflexes, we started saying sorry to each other.
I never imagined the day would come when I would be throwing my weight around...
-3H1U
Monday, October 09, 2006
Missing authorisation
** Act 1 **
"Hmm... I need to view the notification"
[tried to display the document]
You are not authorized to view Y6.
"..."
"I'll go by the database then"
[extracts material number from database]
"Heh heh, somebody stop me!"
"Now I need to download the file to check against the template"
[types SE38]
Missing authorization
"grrr..."
[turns to my colleague]
"Help!!"
[was shown backdoor]
"Heh heh"
[runs]
No change allowed
"Bloody!"
[storms out of room in annoyance]
** Act 2 **
"I shall go by the UNIX directory to find the records"
[retrieves data]
"Now I can verify what the user said"
You have no authorization for class objects
"@@%^(%&!@**#!!"
[turns to colleague]
"What's the table name for viewing classification objects?"
"No you can't, you have to use the functions"
"..."
"You want to use my ID?"
[whispers] "No we can't" - in reference to the Imperial edict that banned us from viewing a particular department's data without key users' supervision -.-
"Oh ok..."
** Act 3 **
"Ok, I verified that the user did change the data on our side and the information was sent over to the 3rd party. Did the other party process it correctly?"
[user called me]
"I'll supply her the information she needs. Meanwhile I need to verify that the sequence of changes on our side is correct"
[looked at the UNIX files again, there were no time stamp for the individual items]
"..."
[gave up]
"XXX, can you help me display this material? I can't work like this"
-4H4U
Sunday, October 08, 2006
My first RT
The location sucks but time is of the essence here. It is just across my old "camp". Wow, I'm so trilled.
No pass changing, free lockers were the earlier surprises. The most senior PTI simply couldn't stop talking, as it will be the last RT session he would be taking in a while. Oh, I also discovered a possible conspiracy to kill us off secretly as we were told that the sessions will only be cancelled if the PSI hits 200 points...
The guy briefing us in the gym orientation was pretty nice and not overly built like most gym enthusiasts you know. It was also interesting to note that people realised that body building does not translate into a pass in the IPPT tests. Followed by another warming up orientation, we were dismissed at 6.15pm
-4H3U
No pass changing, free lockers were the earlier surprises. The most senior PTI simply couldn't stop talking, as it will be the last RT session he would be taking in a while. Oh, I also discovered a possible conspiracy to kill us off secretly as we were told that the sessions will only be cancelled if the PSI hits 200 points...
The guy briefing us in the gym orientation was pretty nice and not overly built like most gym enthusiasts you know. It was also interesting to note that people realised that body building does not translate into a pass in the IPPT tests. Followed by another warming up orientation, we were dismissed at 6.15pm
-4H3U
RT, PSI and yesterday
[RT]
Due to accumulated sloth, I will be having my Remedial Trainings on Thursdays and Sundays. Oh well. On a hopeful note, does a high PSI value cancel my sessions?
[PSI]
Pressure per square inch? Weird. Anyway, the population index for our country can be found here http://app.nea.gov.sg/psi/
[Yesterday]
Tried Gaga's Parthenon game. We then met up with Zach for a game pf DotA. He picked it up pretty fast. It was then evening time and we had dinner at
-2H2U
Friday, October 06, 2006
Red orbs and pains
[Red orbs]
Noticed that the days are cooler these days? (Only apply for our region)
Noticed that the sun sets with a red tinge?
Noticed that the moon is red tonight?
The price for this is warmer nights and a lot of environmental damage. I hope the fires die down soon.
[Pains]
I can run again!
Got a pain in the neck!
-4H2U
Noticed that the days are cooler these days? (Only apply for our region)
Noticed that the sun sets with a red tinge?
Noticed that the moon is red tonight?
The price for this is warmer nights and a lot of environmental damage. I hope the fires die down soon.
[Pains]
I can run again!
Got a pain in the neck!
-4H2U
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Catching up
1. Called Ah Bee
2. Had lunch with Yuin Ping, Lie Noi and Mui Chin
3. Called Mrs Goh
4. Shopping and tea with Gaga
5. Chat with Impact team
6. Said hi to Pik May
7. Paid a visit to Borders
8. Called Yuna
9. Got called by Miss Wong
-7H2U
2. Had lunch with Yuin Ping, Lie Noi and Mui Chin
3. Called Mrs Goh
4. Shopping and tea with Gaga
5. Chat with Impact team
6. Said hi to Pik May
7. Paid a visit to Borders
8. Called Yuna
9. Got called by Miss Wong
-7H2U
Turning tables, new construction and a 3 way fight
[for the events on 01 Oct]
After my near defeat at the hands of Admiral Zach(see last post), I tweaked my fleet to include La Resolucion. This time, Granada, hero of the previous night was sank while La Resolucion saved the day. This marks the first time I sank Admiral Gaga's ships rather than the other way round. It was also my sixth game.
Gaga was to meet his friend at Raffles City and we accidentally bought another 5 packs to complement our current 12 packs(Zach has 12 packs). Nothing impressive but I got a duplicated rare ship and a French captain. That unlocks a lot =)
I left Gaga and met Zach at Bedok. We settled at the void deck. Zach cried foul as I unveiled my fleet of Granada, La Resolucion and HMS Alexander. La Resolucion saved the day again!
We had a quick second game and Gaga joined us after 8pm. We ended at 10+ and went for supper.
-5H1U
After my near defeat at the hands of Admiral Zach(see last post), I tweaked my fleet to include La Resolucion. This time, Granada, hero of the previous night was sank while La Resolucion saved the day. This marks the first time I sank Admiral Gaga's ships rather than the other way round. It was also my sixth game.
Gaga was to meet his friend at Raffles City and we accidentally bought another 5 packs to complement our current 12 packs(Zach has 12 packs). Nothing impressive but I got a duplicated rare ship and a French captain. That unlocks a lot =)
I left Gaga and met Zach at Bedok. We settled at the void deck. Zach cried foul as I unveiled my fleet of Granada, La Resolucion and HMS Alexander. La Resolucion saved the day again!
We had a quick second game and Gaga joined us after 8pm. We ended at 10+ and went for supper.
-5H1U
Sunday, October 01, 2006
First Times
[backdated to 01 Oct, for the events on 30 Sep]
I taught Jialiang DotA in the morning.
We shopped for laptops in the afternoon.
I brought Zach to buy Pirates CCG.
I taught him to play Pirates.
-6H1U
I taught Jialiang DotA in the morning.
We shopped for laptops in the afternoon.
I brought Zach to buy Pirates CCG.
I taught him to play Pirates.
-6H1U
Friday, September 29, 2006
Dolphin Olympics
A cute, simple looking game that got me going back. The game will even consider your local time zone and show day and night accordingly!
-3H0U
He loves me. He loves me not.
The age old question. "Does the person of my dreams really love me?"
Does she smile at me?
Does he bother to call me?
Does she touch me when we talk?
Does he talk to other girls?
Is she attached?
Is he married?
I supposed we can always ask.
And once we do, we can only trust.
-2H0U
Does she smile at me?
Does he bother to call me?
Does she touch me when we talk?
Does he talk to other girls?
Is she attached?
Is he married?
I supposed we can always ask.
And once we do, we can only trust.
-2H0U
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Unasked help
Thanks to...
Benjamin for volunteering to take over my cases and helping me when I refused;
Guru for the same issue;
Eric for locating a source code when I refused his help.
-3H1U
Benjamin for volunteering to take over my cases and helping me when I refused;
Guru for the same issue;
Eric for locating a source code when I refused his help.
-3H1U
Monday, September 25, 2006
Last minute
Stupid Kelly. Disappeared for 5 whole years and the first thing he asked was to help his cousin do Java.
"When he wants it?"
"She needs to hand it in tomorrow"
"Tomorrow??!!! I want a finger of yours as payment", I replied grumpily.
I downloaded the code given by the lecturer inside and guess what? It's empty!
"I want two fingers!!"
"Ha ha, I need my fingers to play games"
So he's going to buy me dinner on Saturday. I'm not going let him pay of course but I have my right to grumble and demand fingers :p
Gaga called me out for a game of Pirates. We chose a chess table and set up our game. To counter his fondness for La Furie and large ships, I chose HMS Alexander for her speed and La Resolucion for her power. I filled out HMS Alexander with a captain, a musketeer and an oarsman. For La Resolucion, I gave her a captain. Gaga chose 2 large ships and a small one. Seeing that he has several crewmen, I knew that he must have picked his special crew that allows him to have 4 more point values.
The "local seas" was in the shape of macaroni. Our home bases were at the far ends. 3 wild islands were scattered in between. The island furthest away from us held the most gold. Due to the tight constraints of space, forts were not allowed to be played.
The horn goes off. HMS Alexander sped for the nearest island while La Resolucion sailed gracefully towards the richest one. My plan was a gold grab. It was fortunate that Admiral Gaga picked slow ships. I ended my turn.
To no surprise, Gaga revealed a crew that gave him 4pts. He then revealed a helmsman that gave his flagship greater speed. This won't be a cake walk after all.
HMS Alexander made landfall first but so did Admiral Gaga. He stole the gold under my nose with an explorer, which allowed him to cart off all the treasure. I signalled HMS Alexander to set course for the island furthest away while my flagship went for the island with the largest yield.
Contact! My English captain sailed up to a small enemy ship and revealed the musketeer and himself. Cannons were fired and the opponent was left derelict. While distracted, she was rammed on the port side by an enemy battleship. She was boarded but the attackers were repelled quickly. In the fight, her oarsman was lost. HMS Alexander then fled for land and docked. Meanwhile, my flagship also made landfall.
Pursuit was hot on both my ships. As La Resolucion delivered her booty safely onto the home island, the remaining two enemy battleships bored into HMS Alexander's position. She hopped into safety at the next island but alas, her captain was lost. The two battleships tried to blockade the island but she broke out while Admiral Gaga was on the wrong side of the island. She fled for the home island and was safely escorted into port by myself.
Admiral Gaga called for a return to port and the tattered remains of the combined English and Spanish fleet gave chase. HMS Alexander went ahead in a daring attempt to sneak a broadside attack. Without her captain, her crew were too slow and she was sunk by the enemy flagship. La Resolucion caught up and gave a valiant battle but in the end, the two ships turned on her and all hands were lost.
The gold was tallied and victory went to Spain and England.
Ref:
La Resolucion (SS-009, Spanish, Spanish Main, 12pts, Uncommon)
HMS Alexander (040, English, Crimson Coast, 8pts, Common)
-2H0U
"When he wants it?"
"She needs to hand it in tomorrow"
"Tomorrow??!!! I want a finger of yours as payment", I replied grumpily.
I downloaded the code given by the lecturer inside and guess what? It's empty!
"I want two fingers!!"
"Ha ha, I need my fingers to play games"
So he's going to buy me dinner on Saturday. I'm not going let him pay of course but I have my right to grumble and demand fingers :p
Gaga called me out for a game of Pirates. We chose a chess table and set up our game. To counter his fondness for La Furie and large ships, I chose HMS Alexander for her speed and La Resolucion for her power. I filled out HMS Alexander with a captain, a musketeer and an oarsman. For La Resolucion, I gave her a captain. Gaga chose 2 large ships and a small one. Seeing that he has several crewmen, I knew that he must have picked his special crew that allows him to have 4 more point values.
The "local seas" was in the shape of macaroni. Our home bases were at the far ends. 3 wild islands were scattered in between. The island furthest away from us held the most gold. Due to the tight constraints of space, forts were not allowed to be played.
The horn goes off. HMS Alexander sped for the nearest island while La Resolucion sailed gracefully towards the richest one. My plan was a gold grab. It was fortunate that Admiral Gaga picked slow ships. I ended my turn.
To no surprise, Gaga revealed a crew that gave him 4pts. He then revealed a helmsman that gave his flagship greater speed. This won't be a cake walk after all.
HMS Alexander made landfall first but so did Admiral Gaga. He stole the gold under my nose with an explorer, which allowed him to cart off all the treasure. I signalled HMS Alexander to set course for the island furthest away while my flagship went for the island with the largest yield.
Contact! My English captain sailed up to a small enemy ship and revealed the musketeer and himself. Cannons were fired and the opponent was left derelict. While distracted, she was rammed on the port side by an enemy battleship. She was boarded but the attackers were repelled quickly. In the fight, her oarsman was lost. HMS Alexander then fled for land and docked. Meanwhile, my flagship also made landfall.
Pursuit was hot on both my ships. As La Resolucion delivered her booty safely onto the home island, the remaining two enemy battleships bored into HMS Alexander's position. She hopped into safety at the next island but alas, her captain was lost. The two battleships tried to blockade the island but she broke out while Admiral Gaga was on the wrong side of the island. She fled for the home island and was safely escorted into port by myself.
Admiral Gaga called for a return to port and the tattered remains of the combined English and Spanish fleet gave chase. HMS Alexander went ahead in a daring attempt to sneak a broadside attack. Without her captain, her crew were too slow and she was sunk by the enemy flagship. La Resolucion caught up and gave a valiant battle but in the end, the two ships turned on her and all hands were lost.
The gold was tallied and victory went to Spain and England.
Ref:
La Resolucion (SS-009, Spanish, Spanish Main, 12pts, Uncommon)
HMS Alexander (040, English, Crimson Coast, 8pts, Common)
-2H0U
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Departures and divisions
Yesterday was Debugger and NDrew's last day. Debugger is a nice, helpful guy who just like to disturb me. NDrew is nice too but he won't stop stealing my snacks. Once again, we lost 2 experienced colleagues that will be hard to replace.
I showed my little ships to my colleagues. The range of reactions was interesting.
"You're just like my son" -my shi mei who doesn't have kids and is one year older than me
"You're just like my brother. He's two years older than me and he's younger than you!"
"That's very interesting"
"So cute!"
"My son(me) wants to give this to me" -she's kind of my mentor
"You play this?"
I went off after work and met the others for Chloe's sending off dinner. When I arrived, they were finishing their soup. The place is run by a Hainanese group who cooks with a Russian influence. As usual, we traded news and gossips. I learnt that Biscuit is getting more unpleasant which suited me fine. For desserts, we picked off 3 on whim and they turned out to be their flaming specialty The ice cream cake was set on fire with burning brandy and the taste of it was strong and fragrant. The second was stir-fried cherries in orange liquor served with vanilla. The last was crepes in orange juice and brandy(I think so..). Who wants to go?
I shared a cab ride with Ding Dang and had a long chat with him. He had long been a pacifist and a peacemaker and it was until recently that I realised how in odds our thinking were. Can we really adopt a give and take attitude? What about guys like Biscuit, who take and take?
Finally, I brought out my fishing fleet against Gaga's fully assembled armada. The 30-points game was over quickly but it gave hint to what was to come. I chose speed while Gaga went for power. I went for assets while he worshipped talent. With our respective mistakes in mind, we tweaked the game parameters and had a 40-points game. I used my speed to good effect and so did Gaga with his firepower. When I got 2 ships in close proximity, I rammed his chase ship left and right and that gave my treasure ship a breathing chance. His tiny ship-destroyer La Furia, later crawled in and things got pretty hot. In another sector of the sea, my Fire Dijiin was unmolested throughout the game. She built a fort and carted off some treasure. While the rest of the world was fighting or sinking beneath the waters, she sailed into the home island unchallenged and pushed the gold tally to a win.
-7H3U
I showed my little ships to my colleagues. The range of reactions was interesting.
"You're just like my son" -my shi mei who doesn't have kids and is one year older than me
"You're just like my brother. He's two years older than me and he's younger than you!"
"That's very interesting"
"So cute!"
"My son(me) wants to give this to me" -she's kind of my mentor
"You play this?"
I went off after work and met the others for Chloe's sending off dinner. When I arrived, they were finishing their soup. The place is run by a Hainanese group who cooks with a Russian influence. As usual, we traded news and gossips. I learnt that Biscuit is getting more unpleasant which suited me fine. For desserts, we picked off 3 on whim and they turned out to be their flaming specialty The ice cream cake was set on fire with burning brandy and the taste of it was strong and fragrant. The second was stir-fried cherries in orange liquor served with vanilla. The last was crepes in orange juice and brandy(I think so..). Who wants to go?
I shared a cab ride with Ding Dang and had a long chat with him. He had long been a pacifist and a peacemaker and it was until recently that I realised how in odds our thinking were. Can we really adopt a give and take attitude? What about guys like Biscuit, who take and take?
Finally, I brought out my fishing fleet against Gaga's fully assembled armada. The 30-points game was over quickly but it gave hint to what was to come. I chose speed while Gaga went for power. I went for assets while he worshipped talent. With our respective mistakes in mind, we tweaked the game parameters and had a 40-points game. I used my speed to good effect and so did Gaga with his firepower. When I got 2 ships in close proximity, I rammed his chase ship left and right and that gave my treasure ship a breathing chance. His tiny ship-destroyer La Furia, later crawled in and things got pretty hot. In another sector of the sea, my Fire Dijiin was unmolested throughout the game. She built a fort and carted off some treasure. While the rest of the world was fighting or sinking beneath the waters, she sailed into the home island unchallenged and pushed the gold tally to a win.
-7H3U
Friday, September 22, 2006
Pains
I got a new pain. My left wrist. Ya, I went badminton again :p But I shouldn't play too much as my ankle is not fully recovered yet.
On the issue of pain, it's so tough to build those little ships. My hand trembles whenever the slots for my rare ships are not precisely cut. What about a little precision engineering??
-4H2U
Thursday, September 21, 2006
New member to my fleet
By the way, a friend of mine suffered a fall and couldn't meet me for dinner. Speedy recovery...
-4H2U
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Military takeover
This came as a shocking news today. The government of our closest military ally has been overthrown. Will we move?
-0H0U
-0H0U
Forwarding links
A friend sent me this link
and I wanted to share it with my friends online.
What I got was aggravation.
"What's this?"
"What's tat?"
"Is it the latest porn?"
I must have forgotten that the new hobby of my fellow countrymen is to be BUSY. Pardon me for sharing. It won't happen again.
-5H4U
and I wanted to share it with my friends online.
What I got was aggravation.
"What's this?"
"What's tat?"
"Is it the latest porn?"
I must have forgotten that the new hobby of my fellow countrymen is to be BUSY. Pardon me for sharing. It won't happen again.
-5H4U
Monday, September 18, 2006
The day when we had no cash in our pockets
As arranged, I went to Gaga's house for swim and games. I took a cab and Voila! Where's my wallet? Happily dozing at home, no doubt. This paved the way for an interesting day.
I called Gaga down to pay for my cab fair. After which, we have $9-10. "What? You don't have any cash at home?", I was incredulous. "My clients lor", he replied sourly.
We had lunch at a coffeshop and depleted most of his cash. As we had planned to watch a movie, I did a funds transfer so that we could pay for the tickets. Once done, we allocated an hour to play the Constructible Strategy Game I brought with me. After the game, we were so pleased with it that we checked out the official website. We were so engrossed that we ran into time trouble and had to take a cab. We would pay via Visa and for the tickets as well. Wait a minute, how much cash did you have before I transferred the money? Nothing? Oh great.
After the movie, we used his last $10 in his bank account to top up his EZ-link card. We then used it to purchase our dinner at McDonalds.
As I do not have my EZ-link card with me, we walked up to Leisure Craft and back to Raffles City on foot. There we found that they sell 3 series of the Pirates card that will become our new vice. We promised ourselves to be back after payday and journeyed home. Him on his EZ-link card. Me on $1.80 in coins.
-4H1U
I called Gaga down to pay for my cab fair. After which, we have $9-10. "What? You don't have any cash at home?", I was incredulous. "My clients lor", he replied sourly.
We had lunch at a coffeshop and depleted most of his cash. As we had planned to watch a movie, I did a funds transfer so that we could pay for the tickets. Once done, we allocated an hour to play the Constructible Strategy Game I brought with me. After the game, we were so pleased with it that we checked out the official website. We were so engrossed that we ran into time trouble and had to take a cab. We would pay via Visa and for the tickets as well. Wait a minute, how much cash did you have before I transferred the money? Nothing? Oh great.
After the movie, we used his last $10 in his bank account to top up his EZ-link card. We then used it to purchase our dinner at McDonalds.
As I do not have my EZ-link card with me, we walked up to Leisure Craft and back to Raffles City on foot. There we found that they sell 3 series of the Pirates card that will become our new vice. We promised ourselves to be back after payday and journeyed home. Him on his EZ-link card. Me on $1.80 in coins.
-4H1U
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Yahoo mail
Argh. Finally got it to be able to send out mails again.
I have suspected for some time that the disabling of their ads stopped me from mailing out. Was right.
Irritating...
-1H1U
I have suspected for some time that the disabling of their ads stopped me from mailing out. Was right.
Irritating...
-1H1U
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Java...
Another 1.5hr and I completed it.
Total 3hrs. Oh well, not too bad.
Good thing is he coded or secured a copy before I completed so the last half hour I was just coding for fun.
-1H0U
Total 3hrs. Oh well, not too bad.
Good thing is he coded or secured a copy before I completed so the last half hour I was just coding for fun.
-1H0U
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Quick work
Ok... I created the constructor and the accessor methods. Did a conversion of String to Double. Then tested the methods. 1.5hr, not too bad... (self-flattery)
-1H1U
-1H1U
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Dream: catching up
[Dream state]
Handphone rings.
Me: "Hello? This is JW. How may I help you?"
Caller: "This is Mr Siu. How may you help me??"
Me: "Err.. I'm kind of a helpdesk"
[Ponders]
"Oh! You're Siusian aren't you?"
[Wondering why he told the wrong surname]
Mr Ling: "Yes. My handphone number is xxxx-xxxx"
Me: Oh ok, thanks.
Mr Ling: "I've left my job and is now a team lead. I'm happy to see that you're doing well.
Me: Er ok, thanks.
[/Dream state]
I woke up feeling touched, mixed with a little guilt. He is my character reference and I have not seen him for 4 years.
-3H1U
Handphone rings.
Me: "Hello? This is JW. How may I help you?"
Caller: "This is Mr Siu. How may you help me??"
Me: "Err.. I'm kind of a helpdesk"
[Ponders]
"Oh! You're Siusian aren't you?"
[Wondering why he told the wrong surname]
Mr Ling: "Yes. My handphone number is xxxx-xxxx"
Me: Oh ok, thanks.
Mr Ling: "I've left my job and is now a team lead. I'm happy to see that you're doing well.
Me: Er ok, thanks.
[/Dream state]
I woke up feeling touched, mixed with a little guilt. He is my character reference and I have not seen him for 4 years.
-3H1U
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Break down
I thought I could pride myself on my health as well as my stamina in project work. However, I have also not failed to fall sick after the completion of a tough one. So I woke on a monday morning with a pain in my throat, knowing that it's too late. Rather than let it bloom on Tuesday, I took sick leave.
Under the heavy influence of fatigue and a little bit of the drug, I slept from 10am to 5pm. What good timing!
-?H?U
Under the heavy influence of fatigue and a little bit of the drug, I slept from 10am to 5pm. What good timing!
-?H?U
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Another career flip flop
Oops, guess I did it again.
For those who missed my posts, I have been working overtime on a novation project for the last few days. Thursday was the worst where we worked till 8am. Today (saturday) , we worked till 1am (sunday).
This novation project was my "most urgent task" for the last 4 weeks and was the cause of much of my stress. It wasn't helped by the fact that people who think that their demands on my time is more critical.
Given all the effort I put in, I thought it would be a waste if I left now. So I would probably go for one last interview. If no job offer comes, then I'll wait for my contract to mature, collecting my 13th month.
Till then.
-2H1U
For those who missed my posts, I have been working overtime on a novation project for the last few days. Thursday was the worst where we worked till 8am. Today (saturday) , we worked till 1am (sunday).
This novation project was my "most urgent task" for the last 4 weeks and was the cause of much of my stress. It wasn't helped by the fact that people who think that their demands on my time is more critical.
Given all the effort I put in, I thought it would be a waste if I left now. So I would probably go for one last interview. If no job offer comes, then I'll wait for my contract to mature, collecting my 13th month.
Till then.
-2H1U
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Voting for the cutest baby
Hi, if you have some time. Please vote for the cutest baby/toddler.
If you happen to like my cute friend Prawnkid, please vote for his nephew - contest #12 Davy
http://www.kidscentral.sg/ssi/contest/K242850606.ssi
-2H1U
If you happen to like my cute friend Prawnkid, please vote for his nephew - contest #12 Davy
http://www.kidscentral.sg/ssi/contest/K242850606.ssi
-2H1U
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Winding down 2/2
[edited on 27-Aug-2006, 10:40am]
[Background]
I was stressed for the last two weeks, rushing for a deadline on Friday. I completed the coding and testing on Thursday and was told that the vendor pushed back the launch date.
[Saturday/Today]
Woke up to a sleepy day and played DOTA right in the morning. Then I played again with Gaga when he came online. We tried the two new heroes and just pretty happy exploring the differences.
I went to a Chinese doctor for further torture but the queue moved at a glacier pace. I gave up and went ahead with my appointment with Gaga. A cabby was dropping off a passenger so I took it instead of crossing over to the other side of the road. We travelled straight towards town area for a distance before he declared that he was going to take a U-turn. Now? Why not like 2 junctions back? I was still early so I was agreeable. He took a turn and entered the highway. He had deactivated the voice readout on his satellite linked device so it was beeping like a pager and he responded by pressing buttons for each message. I thought it unsafe but traffic conditions were good. Finally, we popped out intoOrchard Road
"You're going to the Oredian theatre?", he asked.
"No...", I repeated, "I'm going to the oldCathay . The newly re-opened one".
"Oh okay", he said, once again. "Can I drop you off inside?", he asked, meaning the taxi stand at Carrefour.
I agreed, since it can be good for his business. "Sorry ah, I picked up a call here so I have to drop you off here."
Suddenly, everything clicked. I still thanked him but I felt a little disgusted.
We watched "The devil wears Prada". We rather liked it. The audience laughed at every minor thing, even those that appeared in the trailers. I thought that was rather fake of them. However, I'm not complaining. Rather posers than having people who converse loudly. Or irritate others with the light from their mobile phones throughout the movie.
Dinner was sausages, well appreciated, and followed by shopping. Thanks to Gaga, I bought over a hundred dollars in clothes, my single largest fashion purchase ever. Think he felt outraged that the 70% discount I had prevented him from emptying my wallet. Ty...
-5H1U
[Background]
I was stressed for the last two weeks, rushing for a deadline on Friday. I completed the coding and testing on Thursday and was told that the vendor pushed back the launch date.
[Saturday/Today]
Woke up to a sleepy day and played DOTA right in the morning. Then I played again with Gaga when he came online. We tried the two new heroes and just pretty happy exploring the differences.
I went to a Chinese doctor for further torture but the queue moved at a glacier pace. I gave up and went ahead with my appointment with Gaga. A cabby was dropping off a passenger so I took it instead of crossing over to the other side of the road. We travelled straight towards town area for a distance before he declared that he was going to take a U-turn. Now? Why not like 2 junctions back? I was still early so I was agreeable. He took a turn and entered the highway. He had deactivated the voice readout on his satellite linked device so it was beeping like a pager and he responded by pressing buttons for each message. I thought it unsafe but traffic conditions were good. Finally, we popped out into
"You're going to the Oredian theatre?", he asked.
"No...", I repeated, "I'm going to the old
"Oh okay", he said, once again. "Can I drop you off inside?", he asked, meaning the taxi stand at Carrefour.
I agreed, since it can be good for his business. "Sorry ah, I picked up a call here so I have to drop you off here."
Suddenly, everything clicked. I still thanked him but I felt a little disgusted.
We watched "The devil wears Prada". We rather liked it. The audience laughed at every minor thing, even those that appeared in the trailers. I thought that was rather fake of them. However, I'm not complaining. Rather posers than having people who converse loudly. Or irritate others with the light from their mobile phones throughout the movie.
Dinner was sausages, well appreciated, and followed by shopping. Thanks to Gaga, I bought over a hundred dollars in clothes, my single largest fashion purchase ever. Think he felt outraged that the 70% discount I had prevented him from emptying my wallet. Ty...
-5H1U
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Winding down 1/2
[Background]
I was stressed for the last two weeks, rushing for a deadline on Friday. I completed the coding and testing on Thursday and was told that the vendor pushed back the launch date.
[Friday]
After reaching my first milestone, I had no mood to work. Not that I was angry or tired. In fact, I was in a relatively good mood. I tutored our new hire; I helped another colleague with his debugging work; I simply did everything but my own work.
When the sunlight starts to come through the windows at a slanted angle, I started doing investigations seriously. I found more potential problems for project. This will be remedied on Monday.
Our room was to be renovated over the weekend and we gathered and 6pm and started moving things. Some selfish members left for home after they moved their own stuffs. Everyone else (who stayed) was game and co-operative. "It felt like a second ORD!", I declared. I even brought my little friend home for the weekend =)
Night came and I was looking forward to it. We met up with Faith and had dinner together. We talked about job opportunities and mutual friends(the industry is small). Kieran and Belle left us and we proceeded to Loof. The ambience looks nice but the drinks list does not suit me as it consisted mainly of cocktails and wines. The beer list had an impressive selection of 1 type of beer. They even have light and dark versions. Wohoo! As a side note, they mentioned they also have Tiger beer, Corona and something else. I guess they taste terrible since they did not even occupy a proper line in the menu.
When Joseph arrived, Faith made him re-enact his calling of Tommy "You stupid!" - Upon learning that the latter signed a bond with the company. "No, no! You must say it with passion!", cried Derek, which made me chuckle inside. The talk turned quickly about our frustration with work and I was surprised to learn that I was not the only one. Some in turn were shocked to learn of my points of disagreements with my work. To them, I was the most tolerant but those who knew me laughed their heads off. I was pretty surprised too. How did they know? I thought I hid things pretty well. It couldn't have been my attempt to drive my bosses crazy with my constant nagging for more IDs. Or me walking out of the room when boss tried to explain about the ID situation?
No, seriously, I'm surprised they read more that I cared to show. On one hand, I should watch myself. On the other, I don't think I really care.
-7H2U
I was stressed for the last two weeks, rushing for a deadline on Friday. I completed the coding and testing on Thursday and was told that the vendor pushed back the launch date.
[Friday]
After reaching my first milestone, I had no mood to work. Not that I was angry or tired. In fact, I was in a relatively good mood. I tutored our new hire; I helped another colleague with his debugging work; I simply did everything but my own work.
When the sunlight starts to come through the windows at a slanted angle, I started doing investigations seriously. I found more potential problems for project. This will be remedied on Monday.
Our room was to be renovated over the weekend and we gathered and 6pm and started moving things. Some selfish members left for home after they moved their own stuffs. Everyone else (who stayed) was game and co-operative. "It felt like a second ORD!", I declared. I even brought my little friend home for the weekend =)
Night came and I was looking forward to it. We met up with Faith and had dinner together. We talked about job opportunities and mutual friends(the industry is small). Kieran and Belle left us and we proceeded to Loof. The ambience looks nice but the drinks list does not suit me as it consisted mainly of cocktails and wines. The beer list had an impressive selection of 1 type of beer. They even have light and dark versions. Wohoo! As a side note, they mentioned they also have Tiger beer, Corona and something else. I guess they taste terrible since they did not even occupy a proper line in the menu.
When Joseph arrived, Faith made him re-enact his calling of Tommy "You stupid!" - Upon learning that the latter signed a bond with the company. "No, no! You must say it with passion!", cried Derek, which made me chuckle inside. The talk turned quickly about our frustration with work and I was surprised to learn that I was not the only one. Some in turn were shocked to learn of my points of disagreements with my work. To them, I was the most tolerant but those who knew me laughed their heads off. I was pretty surprised too. How did they know? I thought I hid things pretty well. It couldn't have been my attempt to drive my bosses crazy with my constant nagging for more IDs. Or me walking out of the room when boss tried to explain about the ID situation?
No, seriously, I'm surprised they read more that I cared to show. On one hand, I should watch myself. On the other, I don't think I really care.
-7H2U
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Can't get any work done
[work]
There's so much interruptions to my work for the last two days. Other than being chased for existing work, I have to answer queries from colleagues on program logic. I'm not getting anything down.
[social]
Anyway, we got to meet Joseph this afternoon. Tony also contacted me out of the blue. Too bad I didn't have much time.
Btw, happy birthday Bee.
-4H2U
There's so much interruptions to my work for the last two days. Other than being chased for existing work, I have to answer queries from colleagues on program logic. I'm not getting anything down.
[social]
Anyway, we got to meet Joseph this afternoon. Tony also contacted me out of the blue. Too bad I didn't have much time.
Btw, happy birthday Bee.
-4H2U
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Public stand; Private stand
[social]
An informal survey by JW.
Subject: How un-touchable is someone in a relationship?
Lady friends generally open to choosing another guy if a "better" one comes along. Guy friends have little qualms about wooing someone who is attached.
Or so they say.
We claim we believe one thing, but would do another when the situation arrives. I thought I was open to gays, but I retreated when someone made an advance.
When the time comes, would you stand for what you said?
-2H1U
An informal survey by JW.
Subject: How un-touchable is someone in a relationship?
Lady friends generally open to choosing another guy if a "better" one comes along. Guy friends have little qualms about wooing someone who is attached.
Or so they say.
We claim we believe one thing, but would do another when the situation arrives. I thought I was open to gays, but I retreated when someone made an advance.
When the time comes, would you stand for what you said?
-2H1U
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
16 Aug 2006: 5 things
[work]
Without good analytical skills, it means every fault in the program is Joran's fault. Bzzt...
[grace]
People in green uniform disgust me again. They gather; drink; leave their rubbish behind and they break the plastic chairs. For what? Contest of strength?
[social]
Got to know some people better.
[grudge]
I didn't order lunch for boss's boss yesterday. Is she angry with me? I don't think I really care. Not informing me before 10.30am + Me in a bad mood == Me not caring If you had placed your orders.
[food]
We had Waruku in Katong. Nice!
-4H3U
Without good analytical skills, it means every fault in the program is Joran's fault. Bzzt...
[grace]
People in green uniform disgust me again. They gather; drink; leave their rubbish behind and they break the plastic chairs. For what? Contest of strength?
[social]
Got to know some people better.
[grudge]
I didn't order lunch for boss's boss yesterday. Is she angry with me? I don't think I really care. Not informing me before 10.30am + Me in a bad mood == Me not caring If you had placed your orders.
[food]
We had Waruku in Katong. Nice!
-4H3U
Monday, August 14, 2006
Hey! How are you doing?
When I was finally nudged into blogging by friends, I was naturally eager to share it with others. Getting an audience wasn't easy.
My primary targets weren't interested; no excitement; no drama; some complained of lack of content; some say there's too much. One of the stronger attacks - not updated daily.
Everday? Fine. So I did (see my posts during Feb 2006 and Mar 2006). What was the criticism next? Too many complaints. Not exactly a fair one. Be your own judge. There is no pleasing everyone.
"Hey! How are you doing?"
"Oh fine", most would reply. Or, "Busy". I wonder if I buck the trend by saying, "Not good". Like, what else can we say? Our mood swings from day to day. It doesn't fall for eternity in the Wold; neither does it rise constantly like our bus fares. Take it as an update, sharing or cry for help. I'm not exactly sure either. But rather than get a lame answer from a lame question, why not just check the numbers at the bottom of my posts? It was meant to be an Easter egg but too many know the secret now. It'll change very soon.
-1H3U
My primary targets weren't interested; no excitement; no drama; some complained of lack of content; some say there's too much. One of the stronger attacks - not updated daily.
Everday? Fine. So I did (see my posts during Feb 2006 and Mar 2006). What was the criticism next? Too many complaints. Not exactly a fair one. Be your own judge. There is no pleasing everyone.
"Hey! How are you doing?"
"Oh fine", most would reply. Or, "Busy". I wonder if I buck the trend by saying, "Not good". Like, what else can we say? Our mood swings from day to day. It doesn't fall for eternity in the Wold; neither does it rise constantly like our bus fares. Take it as an update, sharing or cry for help. I'm not exactly sure either. But rather than get a lame answer from a lame question, why not just check the numbers at the bottom of my posts? It was meant to be an Easter egg but too many know the secret now. It'll change very soon.
-1H3U
Sunday, August 13, 2006
OT on Sunday
I wanted to clear away the miscellaneous stuff I had so that I could concentrate on my main task. So I decided to return to office on a Sunday.
It rained on me when I went out. There was no bus service. The gate was locked. I should have checked...
-1H2U
It rained on me when I went out. There was no bus service. The gate was locked. I should have checked...
-1H2U
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Next target
Gaga is back from his own trip to Kota Kinabalu. We plan to revisit it one day but for now we are setting our sights on...Source: our classmate's "photo blog"
More reading: 24 views of Mount Fuju
-3H1U
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Interview: unhappiness
You don't believe what I tell you verbally. You don't like what you read. Then why bother calling me up for an interview??
-3H1U
-3H1U
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Kota Kinabalu: Index page
Okay, it's finally written up.
Here are the links:
Climbing again??
Kota Kinabalu: D-2 Flight plans
Kota Kinabalu: D-1 Manukan island
Kota Kinabalu: D-Day
Kota Kinabalu: D+1 The struggle, part 1
Kota Kinabalu: D+1 The struggle, part 2
Kota Kinabalu: D+2 Rest and recreation
The full set of photos are available. Please visit my Friendster profile to retrieve the URL.
-1H1U
Here are the links:
Climbing again??
Kota Kinabalu: D-2 Flight plans
Kota Kinabalu: D-1 Manukan island
Kota Kinabalu: D-Day
Kota Kinabalu: D+1 The struggle, part 1
Kota Kinabalu: D+1 The struggle, part 2
Kota Kinabalu: D+2 Rest and recreation
The full set of photos are available. Please visit my Friendster profile to retrieve the URL.
-1H1U
Dim sum and Majong
Ding Dang has returned for good. Yesterday, we met him with Chloe, Norman and Kat for dim sum at Hong Xing resturant. It wasn't bad but after re-evaluating it with the things I ate, it isn't in my top spot anymore.
Norman and Kat left us for their personal shopping and we left for the residence of Gina and Terry. It was a 10 hour session of Majong that seen some changes in fates. The final winner was Chloe. Oh well.
-4H2U
Norman and Kat left us for their personal shopping and we left for the residence of Gina and Terry. It was a 10 hour session of Majong that seen some changes in fates. The final winner was Chloe. Oh well.
-4H2U
Friday, August 04, 2006
Comment Spam
This site is being targetted by comment spam. Bots search out blogs and add comments to them, advertising their own sites. Regrettfully, I'm adding spam protection to my comments feature.
Please don't let this stop you from comment though.
-4H4U
Please don't let this stop you from comment though.
-4H4U
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A "constructive" and "productive" day
[Job]
The morning started with a constructive meeting. We cried foul about the lack of resources while boss took the role of the bad guy by defending the bad guys. He went further by asking why we can't solve the production issues during working hours and work on our programming requirements after our users have gone home. Nobody gave an answer to this.
After the meeting, we broke into a race for the hotly contested IDs and PCs. I got there first despite my ankle, probably because no one bothered to run. I did some good work finally with full access to an ID, a workstation, a phone and an email account. Wohoo!
Nuts...
I was in a relatively good mood and return to my personal PC to catch up on my programming. A colleague asked me about syntax, another asked me about SAP and I was caught being a busybody when Mdm Foo came into the room. Mdm Foo was one of our key users and she understands the flow of this project like a blood cell knows the body. Somehow, our company struck an undeserving windfall of fortune by pulling her over as an IT consultant. As if disciplining a misbehaving puppy, she called me out of the room for having multiple outstanding issues. Meekly, I followed her back to the production room. In no time, the list was cleared. If left to me alone, I might not have finished it by week's end.
Things look set to get worse for this project but just for today, things look a shade brighter.
-4H3U
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Do not disturb the grouchy bear
I sort of woke up with a few things to be unhappy about. I got irritated a few times and went for a walk more than once to cool off. It's some part issues, some part irritation and a large helping of stress.
Do people who work as programmers really know how to write good codes? Logical errors, lack of comments and difficulty in maintenance seem to be the hallmark of programs here. Do people document for the fun of it? Why not put something useful in it?
I'm ok. Few know that my output goes inversely proportional to the amount of sunlight. I put in some good work and I even fixed an extra bug for the Buggiest program on Earth, introduced by the very first amendment. Wow. How about some professionalism?
-1H4U
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Link to my blog
This is unexpected. I'm breaking the link between my friendster profile and this blog so to restrict the spread of its existance.
For those who prefer to use RSS, here's my feed.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/jwqh
What's a feed? Well, for starters, why not try to paste the URL into a window?
If you like, you can set up a program or a html page which mutliple RSS can give you a summary of "What's new" in friends' blogs or newsletters. For a long time, I had placed it inside my Friendster profile but I'm discontinuing it now.
-3H2U
For those who prefer to use RSS, here's my feed.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/jwqh
What's a feed? Well, for starters, why not try to paste the URL into a window?
If you like, you can set up a program or a html page which mutliple RSS can give you a summary of "What's new" in friends' blogs or newsletters. For a long time, I had placed it inside my Friendster profile but I'm discontinuing it now.
-3H2U
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Light will triumph over Darkness
[DotA: The beginning]
It was a simple practice session that snowballed into a massive match up. Our mutant, Hulk got the itchy fingers and decided to humble us mortals.
The match-up. Me, Joran, the sneaky player in training picked Kardel Sharpeye - the dwarven sniper that can kill people from afar. Woo, the retired pro, picked Aggron Stonebreaker - the Ogre Mage. Let's just say his character set things on fire. Via Spiel, our newbie in training picked Ryai - the Crystal Maiden, who specialise in freezing attacks.
Hulk chose my favourite hero killer - the dreaded Demon witch, whose stun and hex attacks are perfect setups for a team kill. On top of that, the Demon witch has a finger of death which does what its name suggests. An early game powerhouse. Fant chose Lucifer - the Doom bringer. His character is strong in melee attacks and comes with a good finishing move.
[1/6]
We led for the first 15 minutes, gaining levels more rapidly then they did. My longer ranged attacks forced Fant to return to base for healing many times.
Somehow, Hulk got a kill and things went downhill. Our characters were killed in turn and our shopping plans dashed.
[2/6]
Things got badder. I formed Snaga and Yasha - an attack enhancer and together we took down a tower on the left lane. And got killed by the evil Duo.
[3/6]
We probably all died like 7 times each. Strangely, they seemed to be killing our characters in sequence. Frustrated at what appeared to be a losing game, we banded together and charged along the middle lane. After several tries, we broke in, killing Hulk. We got killed afterwards. I started saving up.
[4/6]
Hulk and Fant went out in revenge, killing our characters whenever we tried to take the middle lane. We took the left path while they were busy defending the middle lane. We reached the final tower on the left path and were killed when they ambushed us front and back. I saved up enough for Monkey king bar - an item that can disrupt enemy spells.
[5/6]
We alternate between the left and right lanes. Occasionally we got killed but we made progress. Eventually, we tied down a pattern. Woo would supply the muscle; Via Spiel would freeze them when they charge; and I, who would be hiding in a corner would fire shots that stun them. We began to turn the tables.
[6/6]
We broke into their base in 2 places. Victory!
[Last words, uttered by Joran]
1. Morgaga is reaching home...
2. Via Spiel, these are runes...
3. Via Spiel, run!
4. Hulk is here...
5. They respawned... Woo, out!
-3H0U
It was a simple practice session that snowballed into a massive match up. Our mutant, Hulk got the itchy fingers and decided to humble us mortals.
The match-up. Me, Joran, the sneaky player in training picked Kardel Sharpeye - the dwarven sniper that can kill people from afar. Woo, the retired pro, picked Aggron Stonebreaker - the Ogre Mage. Let's just say his character set things on fire. Via Spiel, our newbie in training picked Ryai - the Crystal Maiden, who specialise in freezing attacks.
Hulk chose my favourite hero killer - the dreaded Demon witch, whose stun and hex attacks are perfect setups for a team kill. On top of that, the Demon witch has a finger of death which does what its name suggests. An early game powerhouse. Fant chose Lucifer - the Doom bringer. His character is strong in melee attacks and comes with a good finishing move.
[1/6]
We led for the first 15 minutes, gaining levels more rapidly then they did. My longer ranged attacks forced Fant to return to base for healing many times.
Somehow, Hulk got a kill and things went downhill. Our characters were killed in turn and our shopping plans dashed.
[2/6]
Things got badder. I formed Snaga and Yasha - an attack enhancer and together we took down a tower on the left lane. And got killed by the evil Duo.
[3/6]
We probably all died like 7 times each. Strangely, they seemed to be killing our characters in sequence. Frustrated at what appeared to be a losing game, we banded together and charged along the middle lane. After several tries, we broke in, killing Hulk. We got killed afterwards. I started saving up.
[4/6]
Hulk and Fant went out in revenge, killing our characters whenever we tried to take the middle lane. We took the left path while they were busy defending the middle lane. We reached the final tower on the left path and were killed when they ambushed us front and back. I saved up enough for Monkey king bar - an item that can disrupt enemy spells.
[5/6]
We alternate between the left and right lanes. Occasionally we got killed but we made progress. Eventually, we tied down a pattern. Woo would supply the muscle; Via Spiel would freeze them when they charge; and I, who would be hiding in a corner would fire shots that stun them. We began to turn the tables.
[6/6]
We broke into their base in 2 places. Victory!
[Last words, uttered by Joran]
1. Morgaga is reaching home...
2. Via Spiel, these are runes...
3. Via Spiel, run!
4. Hulk is here...
5. They respawned... Woo, out!
-3H0U
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
You give so much to your parents?
Ok... I met her again. As my brother forgot my standing order to tell all female callers that I'm not home, she managed to contact me and I continued my lie that I didn't receive her sms all this time...
Long story short, she wanted to review my coverage, so another meeting to set up. She was surprised at the amount I gave my parents, but the true ratio was hidden from her as I did not tell her I have allowance. She suggested that I could reduce what I am currently giving to my parents. I gave the excuse that this could approximate my true expenses in the event I move out.
I give a total of 23% of my gross salary to my parents and grandmother. I wonder how much others give.
-1H1U
Long story short, she wanted to review my coverage, so another meeting to set up. She was surprised at the amount I gave my parents, but the true ratio was hidden from her as I did not tell her I have allowance. She suggested that I could reduce what I am currently giving to my parents. I gave the excuse that this could approximate my true expenses in the event I move out.
I give a total of 23% of my gross salary to my parents and grandmother. I wonder how much others give.
-1H1U
Sorting out photos
I'm the process of sorting out my digitial photos from Kota Kinabalu. While I'm still days away, photos for the white waters rafting are availiable. To protect my identity, I won't be posting the URL here. Please check out my Friendster profile for the link or ask it from me when I'm online.
-0H0U
-0H0U
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Must get that seat...
[Case 1: lunch time]
Train slowed down. Everyone formed a wall outside the train door. Uncle had trouble getting out.
Little girl was having fun going round and round the pole. An auntie in the 50s came in, saw that the only seat unoccupied was next to the mother, moved towards it. Mother scould, "See la, auntie take your seat already la!" Auntie hesitated till a surviving strand of social decorum kicked in. "Oh it's okay, you can seat". Auntie took the seat reluctantly. Girl continues to dance around the pole. Mother assumed a very crossed look and gave her a slap on the butt.
My stop was approaching, I got up early. Auntie shifted to the seat which I occupied. Mother gave another stern meaningful glare at her daughter.
[Case 2: Sojurn]
Train slowed down. Everyone formed a wall outside the train door. Passengers had trouble getting out.
Yuppy couple rushed in, took the seats meant for those who would benefit from the proximity to the doors. When the old folks came in after them, they looked away.
-3H2U
Train slowed down. Everyone formed a wall outside the train door. Uncle had trouble getting out.
Little girl was having fun going round and round the pole. An auntie in the 50s came in, saw that the only seat unoccupied was next to the mother, moved towards it. Mother scould, "See la, auntie take your seat already la!" Auntie hesitated till a surviving strand of social decorum kicked in. "Oh it's okay, you can seat". Auntie took the seat reluctantly. Girl continues to dance around the pole. Mother assumed a very crossed look and gave her a slap on the butt.
My stop was approaching, I got up early. Auntie shifted to the seat which I occupied. Mother gave another stern meaningful glare at her daughter.
[Case 2: Sojurn]
Train slowed down. Everyone formed a wall outside the train door. Passengers had trouble getting out.
Yuppy couple rushed in, took the seats meant for those who would benefit from the proximity to the doors. When the old folks came in after them, they looked away.
-3H2U
That bloody service charge
Every month, I get an average of $0.09 interest from each of my bank accounts, with each having an anverage of $1000 inside. Approximately every 3 months, a situation will arise such that the balance have to go under the $500 mandated by our evil local banks. When this happens, they deduct $2 from me.
I know this is an old tune but I swear I lost more money to this "SC" entry that I have ever gained from them! What about my healthy bank balances before I go on trips? Do they reward loyalty at all??
-0H1U
I know this is an old tune but I swear I lost more money to this "SC" entry that I have ever gained from them! What about my healthy bank balances before I go on trips? Do they reward loyalty at all??
-0H1U
We are the kids
I was out with a friend today to have tea. When we were done, we shopped around for her young nephew's birthday present. "I want to buy him a toy bus with doors that open", she said.
Action City and Lego shop yielded not results. We then visited Centerpoint. The first item I picked up was a bus with a smiley face from the "Thomas and friends" series. My friend wasn't too impressed and we went on to look at other die cast cars. There was only 1 toy bus and it didn't have doors that can open.
We briefly considered toys for toddlers and I was rather fascinated by a crocodile car. I entertained myself with it while TimidGal looked on, amused. I passed her my initial pick of the "Thomas and friends" bus again and said if she doesn't want it, I'll put it back. It was then she thought it cute. -.-
So we went to the shelf and she went, "Cute! Cute!", like some little chirping chick. What began as a simple search for a bus became a half hour ransack of the shelf with the 2 of us getting more excited with each new find. Kids were trying to get around us to look at the trains...
Final choice: A train engine named Mike; A magic cargo car that changes its contents every time you open its doors; A bus named Bulgy
You know what's amazing? Each of them has 1-2 bi-directional magnets that allow the cars (including Bulgy) to be joined!
We are the kids.
Source of pictures:
All Aboard Toys
Toys & Hobbies
More reading:
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends
-4H3U
Thursday, July 20, 2006
When they want to recruit you, you are worthless. When they want to retain you, you are the world
I don't think I'll find employment easy for the moment. With just one sentence, "So you're still doing support?", they compressed all my experience into something simple and brainless. What about my years of experience? My exposure to multiple modules? My cross training? My strong programming orientation?
And this is not coming from the HR department. This came from the agents who approached me, whose role was to put me in the best possible light. Like their HR counterparts, they tried to make me feel lucky that I'm even worth a second of their time. That I'm so useless, I can rot in my current job forever.
I'm not making the same mistakes. I'm not selling myself cheap this time. No surprise pay cuts upon confirmation. No surprise change in working environment when I report to work. Play any tricks and I'll walk. This I promise myself.
-3H2U
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Irritation and Satisfaction
[Work]
Imagine a pride of lions in a Safari park who are very down on their fortunes. They had lost most of the teeth and claws due to old age and accidents so the rangers had supplied that with steel fangs and claws. The design was such that these could be swapped between the lions themselves.
Comes the hunt. Long tails was stalking a zebra and spooked it. The zebra ran right into Swift foot’s ambush and she brought the zebra down by latching her steel claws onto its hinds. However, she could not get an effective kill and in the struggle, the zebra kicked her and got away.
"Why didn't you secure the steel claw and the steel fangs together?", Long tails demanded as she caught up.
"I couldn't. Bright mane is facing a challenge today and he took it".
Such is the problem I face at work and it irritates the hell out of me. There are 20 of us and there are only 7 IDs for our use. 8 terminals with email access are to be fought over by 40 of us. I was moved to pass on the joy to my boss by stating this whenever he ask, "Got problem a not?". I plan to annoy everyone ranked above me till this is resolved.
"We're looking into it", is not enough for me. They are not the ones being stressed. Already, there are signs that tempers are rising as our team got our load doubled and our resources halved. We are going to miss many of our targets this month and if complaints fall on deaf ears, then perhaps their precious statistics might make them sit up.
[Food]
Past experiences of Japanese buffets were not good. The food came deliberately slowly; Orders were "forgotten"; The sashimi was not tasty; You could never catch the eye of anyone.
So it was refreshing to have had something different.
We had our farewell dinner for Conrad at Telok Blangah: Mount Faber SAFRA club's Himawari Japanese restaurant. Everything was the reverse of what I complained. ALL the orders came, well cooked. The staff were all smiles and did not dodge their duties. The sashimi was nice and they gave us more than token pieces. Their tempura actually sticks to the skin of the prawns, rather than floating above it like a disgusting corndog.
Why not give it a try?
-4H2U
Imagine a pride of lions in a Safari park who are very down on their fortunes. They had lost most of the teeth and claws due to old age and accidents so the rangers had supplied that with steel fangs and claws. The design was such that these could be swapped between the lions themselves.
Comes the hunt. Long tails was stalking a zebra and spooked it. The zebra ran right into Swift foot’s ambush and she brought the zebra down by latching her steel claws onto its hinds. However, she could not get an effective kill and in the struggle, the zebra kicked her and got away.
"Why didn't you secure the steel claw and the steel fangs together?", Long tails demanded as she caught up.
"I couldn't. Bright mane is facing a challenge today and he took it".
Such is the problem I face at work and it irritates the hell out of me. There are 20 of us and there are only 7 IDs for our use. 8 terminals with email access are to be fought over by 40 of us. I was moved to pass on the joy to my boss by stating this whenever he ask, "Got problem a not?". I plan to annoy everyone ranked above me till this is resolved.
"We're looking into it", is not enough for me. They are not the ones being stressed. Already, there are signs that tempers are rising as our team got our load doubled and our resources halved. We are going to miss many of our targets this month and if complaints fall on deaf ears, then perhaps their precious statistics might make them sit up.
[Food]
Past experiences of Japanese buffets were not good. The food came deliberately slowly; Orders were "forgotten"; The sashimi was not tasty; You could never catch the eye of anyone.
So it was refreshing to have had something different.
We had our farewell dinner for Conrad at Telok Blangah: Mount Faber SAFRA club's Himawari Japanese restaurant. Everything was the reverse of what I complained. ALL the orders came, well cooked. The staff were all smiles and did not dodge their duties. The sashimi was nice and they gave us more than token pieces. Their tempura actually sticks to the skin of the prawns, rather than floating above it like a disgusting corndog.
Why not give it a try?
-4H2U
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