Back from a short trip

Penang--KL trip
18 Dec 2009 to 21 Dec 2009.

I don't know what's a trip without misadventures.

We weren't given transfer tickets by the Singapore branch.  We won't have a bus fetching us the next day.  The hotel gave our rooms away and it was fully booked.  Shops closed before 6pm in Penang and we missed out the chance to try a local restaurant.  The driver was no where in sight after 15 minutes and we had to resort to getting a taxi at a cut-throat rate of RM$35 for a 5 minutes drive.
In KL, the traffic was horrible, rendering the exorbitant taxis useless.  I encountered a pickpocket who opened my sling bag without my knowledge.  KLCC viewing was closed on Mondays.  The hotel de-activated our pass card despite having requested for a late check-out.

Fortunately, most of the things were simply hiccups.  The hotel somehow coughed up a room in 30 minutes, hastily made.  The driver agreed to fetch us.  We had a panic attack when he didn't turn up as our coach was to depart soon.  Luckily, he was simply late and we did not have to pay for a ride that might be 1400% over-priced.
I didn't lose anything from the pickpocket attempt.  He wasn't too interested in tissue papers and water bottles.  However, discovering the attempt was a kinda kill-joy.

Otherwise, we enjoyed our trip.  Our random tasting of food in Penang was good, even to the hotel dine-in service.  The shopping in KL was an eye-opener, with Times Square and KLCC being very large and comprehensive malls.  We look forward to giving these cities more time in future.

Diner Dash?

Is moving diners in and out of your restaurants in the most efficient way, the direction we should go?

Case 1:
We made a booking for 10 for 7pm.
6.30pm.  Some of us has arrived.  Waitress would not release table as not everyone has arrived.
6.45pm.  8/10 arrived.  Table cannot be released yet as not everyone has arrived.
6.55pm.  All arrived.  Told that it's full house.  Please hold.
7.20pm.  JW was furious, kept suggesting to go Fisherman's Wharf instead.  Group wanted to wait it out.
7.30pm. Manager explained that a particular table was designated for us.  A group had arrived at 6pm and they had not left yet.  Hence we have no tables.
7.31pm.  The group that supposedly held our tables sang "Happy Birthday".
8.00pm.  They collected 10 places for us, as providence provided us with 2 groups departing at the same time.

Case 2:
7.30pm.  3/7 arrived.  Manager would not give seats.
8.00pm.  Still 3/7.  Manager would not give seats.
8.30pm.  5/7.  Manager would not give seats.
8.45pm.  7/7.  Manager had no seats for us.  Told to step out of the queue.  We would be informed if there's a table for our group.
9.00pm.  Ate at Fish n Co instead.

Sianz...

totally no mood at work today.  hope tomorrow will be better.

cos i really love to work

The Princess and the frog

Liked it. Funny and a light moral-of-the-story.

Star Wars - R2-D2 Deluxe Statue

link: http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=859

Spiral UFO puts Norway in a spin

[excerpt]
A MYSTERIOUS giant spiral of light that dominated the sky over Norway this morning has stunned experts — who believe the space spectacle is an entirely new astral phenomenon.
[/excerpt]
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2764647/Spiral-UFO-puts-Norway-in-a-spin.html#ixzz0ZL4dhGRd

[update]
Russia admits missile caused UFO lights
[/update]
read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34362960/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Winter Bells

Guide the rabbit skywards by jumping on a stream of falling winter bells.

play: http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm

All recovered..

but tired tired.
in 2 weeks I shall have a little trip.
yay!

Arctic Mosquitoes

http://www.athropolis.com/arctic-facts/fact-mosquito.htm

Opportunist

When you see cash lying around, do you take it?
When you see a handphone left behind, do you keep it for yourself?

Recovery

Foot recovered.
Now for that frickin cold...

Nov 2009

As Nov ticks down, what has gone past in the meantime?

I just injured my foot, from badminton, nonetheless. Paintball is safer than badminton.

At work, I now putting in OT 2.5 days every week. Nothing new but a drain on my energies. Work-life balance is a lie. That the team is behind you is but a management hogwash. We perserve because we can.

I'm now looking for a flat together with ST. If the government is going to grumble about the low birth rates, they should take at good look at the HDB application process. They sit too long on a case; they don't use brains. Lucky I'm not in Government.

Sick

Haiz...
Hopes my defenses kick in fast.

There's no cure for the common flu, even in the 24th century.

Clash Of The Titans (2010)

Woah, a remake of one of my favourite fantasy movies of my youth. The other being Willow, I think.

read more: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43026

Ronza's Blue Satchel of Surprise...

You open your Ronza's Blue Satchel of Surprise...
...and receive 1 Ronzaburger with Cheese!
...and receive 5 Maki Cheese!
...and receive 30 Swiss Cheese!
...and receive 10 SUPER|brie+ Cheese!
...and receive 10 SUPER|brie+ Cheese!
...and receive 1 Ronzaburger with Cheese!
...and receive 30 Swiss Cheese!
...and receive 1 Satchel of Gold (10000 gold)!
...and receive 2 Gnarled Cheese Curd Potion!
...and receive 1 Ronzaburger with Cheese!
...and receive 30 Swiss Cheese!
...and receive 15 Brie Cheese!
...and receive 15 Brie Cheese!

FREEDOM!!

Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while.
And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take...
OUR FREEDOM!

-BraveHeart movie
source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112573/quotes

Too much...

Grabbing everything at once.
Tasting everything at once.
How come I don't feel fulfilled?

Sweep the blues away

A lovely face. 
2 little kisses.
Swept the blues away.

Cannot post private things

Enough said.

Pustule Gamma and Delta under attack by a Black Hole

Meant to post for Oct 26

At first, there was Pustule Alpha; burning brightly in her sojourn through the Milky Way.  After an attack from the Evil Lords of Digitus, Pustule Alpha fragmented and gave birth to Pustule Beta, Gamma and Delta.
Then a Singularity was created in the vicinity of Pustule Alpha and a Black Hole was born.  Pustule Alpha and Pustule Beta went nova.  Followed by Pustule Gamma and Delta the following day.


references:
1. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33356
2. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/seven/000088739.htm#000088739
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_letters_used_in_mathematics,_science,_and_engineering

MS secretly pushed out FFox plugins

My er... friend Joran posted up a warning for Firefox users. Microsoft has been secretly pushing out plugins into our Firefox. This plugin will enable them to install stuffs without permission.

read here: http://joranatplay.blogspot.com/2009/10/firefox-more-secure-than-ie-but.html

Doing a check on my own Firefox, I found tons of plugins I have no memory of authorising. Bloody hell...

No life at the moment

RT-OT-RT-OT.
*sigh*

but Friday will not fall to them =]

You better buck up...

edited to hide original message. mwhaha.

It sucks when..
you're slaving at the gym and you're told to shape up.

It sucks when..
you're doing OT and you're told to buck up.

It sucks when..
you're doing your part in getting results from colleagues but was told you're too slow.

Work-life balance is?

Prioritising your tasks at work?

Maybe that can help you work faster but I fail to see how that can help one cope with excessive work? Do people think we actually are so engrossed with work that we return on weekends?

Why would anyone wanna drink hot fudge?

Ordered a Iced Chocolate from Coffee Club. The bottom of the glass was filled with hot fudge. I was quite absent minded and drank it instead of the drink more than once. The frustration of drinking hot fudge led me to think why anyone would want to drink to. As soon as that thought surfaced, a very strong memory of me enjoying a simply chocolate hot fudge covered soft ice cream from MacDonalds, bought by my grandfather. It was so near that I could taste it; it was so far that I looked upon myself as a kid. Morosely, I filed the memory away.

I'll be coming to your house soon. - Zombie

Reporter invites kids to his place for an interview on their talents.  Never would they know they would be attacked by a zombie!



view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jSnPaRmD6g

10 Solid Tips to Safeguard Your Facebook Privacy

JW: If you're concerned about Facebook privacy, this bears reading even if you think you know them already.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-complete-guide-to-facebook-privacy/

Orchard library back by 2013

[Excerpt]
The library will now be re-opened by 2013 in a new spot in Specialists' Shopping Centre along Orchard Road, near the Somerset MRT station.
[/Excerpt]

read more: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_379810.html

I dare you

On Monday, I could have broke a leg.
While I was crossing the entrance of a carpark, a on-coming black car swerved in with the exact same speed that it used while it was traversing on the road. I had to take 2 quick steps back for there was no room for I-dare-you games. The driver didn't even bother to look at me; just straight ahead as his car plowed towards its destination...

No turning signals.. Pedestrian (me) was already halfway across.. Didn't bother to slow down..
A pity I was too concerned with glaring rather than noting the car plate number.

No point playing I-dare-you with these drivers. The ultimate loser is you, even with compensation. Can always get even later.

CPF Online Services Error

Error:

Sorry, this service you have just requested is temporarily unavailable. Please try again.

JW: grrr

6 Facebook Easter Eggs & Tips to Show Off

JW: Though the title of the link says "6 Facebook Hack Codes", the author admitted that he did it to grab attention.  So "Easter Eggs & Tips" are a more appropiate description of the contents.
Have fun.

link: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-facebook-hack-codes-and-tips-to-show-off-your-geeky-skills/

Dilbert: Procedures (September 27, 2009)

Click to expand.

Why settle for a shadow?

Regarding food, I have long wondered why people would settle for poorer versions when they could afford the real thing?  Are dried oysters and dried Shiitake mushrooms anything like the real thing?  Are dried durians anything close to the real stuff?  It can be close.  It can be very close.  But it will never be the same.

Were people too poor to afford it in the past?  Were they too used to the flavours and now has a liking for it?  Or perhaps a mere hint of the taste can give them comfort and they can fill in the gaps themselves?

Meetings was one of the evils hiding in Pandora's box, wasn't it?

image source: http://bohemianweasel.deviantart.com/art/Pandora-s-Jar-131430685

Fear...

is paralysing.
It prevents you from taking actions.

Did I see something illegal?

On my way home, I saw a cyclist slowed down and peered at the glass of a park lorry.  I thought he was trying to be a peeping tom but later I realised that he was looking *through* the glass.
There's about 6 men near a parked van.  A tall lady who looked china born was on the floor.  She sounded like she was sobbing.  4 of them lifted her off the road and carried her into the van, closed the door and boarded.
Just like that.
This did not escape the attentions of the patrons of the nearby coffeeshop who were all trying to watch discreetly.  So it looked like an abduction to everyone but no one wanted to get into trouble.  I took a look at the plate - PA 2248 (?)
Is that a local car plate?

9 (2009 film)

9 (2009 film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_%282009_film%29

9 (2005 film) - the original short film that inspired the current one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_%282005_film%29

Zzz

Tired phase again...
coming this weekend, I will be playing Polonium and Paintball :)
~

Powerpuff Gals meeting this Friday

Powerpuff!
Powerpuff!

Blossom, Commander and the leader
Bubbles, She is the joy and the laughter
Buttercup, 'N' She's the toughest fighter

Powerpuffs save the day
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time,

The Powerpuff Girls
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time, the powerpuff girls

Oh no, it's the mad Fuzzy Lumpkins
Watch out, it's the repulsive Roach Coach
Get him, it's evil Mojo jojo

Chasing evil, it won't stop.

Powerpuffs save the day
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time,

The Powerpuff Girls
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time, the powerpuff girls

And they'll be
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time,

The Powerpuff Girls
Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time, the powerpuff girls

Fighting crime, trying to save the world
Here they come just in time,
The Powerpuff Girls

POWERPUFF!

from: http://www.lyricstime.com/bis-powerpuff-girls-closing-theme-lyrics.html

'9' Trailer 2 HD

by Tim Burton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDH0e73_j8M

In my 10th month at this job

Been very tired this week.  Recently recovered from flu, I had to work doubly hard due to missing a day of work.  If not for national emergencies like SARS and H1N1, who would you compassionate towards you for being sick?  Sick doesn't mean your work goes away.  Sick means you got double the work on monday.  Is it so strange to understand why people go to work, sick?

Then there's the mounting frustration over being trapped in a cycle of doing administrative work and yet expected to deliver on project work anyway.  If I don't, I won't appear to have done "work". 

So, I'm very busy doing "nothing" and getting frustrated and drained in the process.  It didn't help that there's ad-hoc requests from management to report on our work.  Report on what?  Report on me doing "nothing"?

This needs a rethink.  Whether I want to move vertically or horizontally.

Are we too slow?

Why is my team putting more hours than others?

Bomb...

Bomb - Anger
Tofu - Happy

Dream: Chalets?

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.

[dream: act 1]
At my dreamworld's Pasir Ris again. This version always had a very remote bus interchange that's always bustling with life and shop. Tonight, we had booked a chalet - a 2 storey apartment unit. What baffled me at the moment was how the swimming pool complex was smack in front of it's doorsteps. Talk about overcrowding!
My family was there and I explained this little quirk has always been this way. In a nod to modernisation, there's a Sakae Sushi restaurant opened in the swimming complex, facing our apartment unit.
[/dream: act 1]

dream2 fled my memory

[dream: act 3]
A family. A stray dog. A family that took in a stray dog. A little girl. A family that gave up the stray dog. The stray dog adopted by a shop owner. On a lease outside the shop. Walked too close. Growled at. Growled back.
In the same setting, I explored the area. Familiar. Streets joined at angles to each other. Little traffic. A lady with her 2 daughters had a makeshift stall in one of the alleys, selling Nonya goodies. Caught the fragrance of steamed cupcakes. Started browsing. Recalled food I had bought earlier and left to waste. "Oh Shit" and knocked over straws and a packet of food. A very wizened old lady said not to mind. Noticed for the first time and realised it's a family of 3 generations tending the stall. Looked at the food again and ordered the steamed cupcakes, explicitly requesting for coconut flesh and coconut sugar. The mother held only coconut sugar in her hands. Noted Otah and was tempted to buy. Thought of ST still sleeping, at this noon hour and intended this to be her breakfast.
[/dream: act 3]

Woke.
Ah Shit. Didn't deliver the food.
Dozed.

End of the day

Things would have gone ahead if you had put a cap on your childishness.

The snatch theft

Ok, here's the long awaited post. 1/2 of the reasons why I moved this blog. And I declare that this post will be uncommentable. Why? I don't want to hear comments like, "It's your fault for being careless". Nobody asked to be targeted; I didn't. So here goes.

I had a paintball competition on 26 Sep - SX 3 on 3 tournament. I wanted ST to accompany me and to allow both of us to get sufficient rest, I decided to book a budget hotel in JB. The cost was only RM$60.

To cut to the chase, we had dinner at Denga Mall and left the building at 8pm. Our hotel was only 10 minutes walk away. We exited into a large open space carpark. Part of me observed that the 2 guys who were washing cars had long knocked off from work. I also noted the sentry post was not manned.

As we were exiting the carpark, I felt increasing discomfort on my neck-shoulder joint. In a daze, I then noted 2 guys on a bike, on my front and right, with the pillion rider grabbing hold of my sling bag. Before I could recover, the strap broke and they started riding away towards the highway. Passport, camera, cash. These items came up in my mind as I uttered an expletive. My legs acted on the quick calculation that I could catch them on foot. Yet, I hardly took a step before I had to turn back towards ST to take the load off my hands. That moment of indecision was enough; I couldn't leave her alone. I watched as they entered the high way.

A Malay lady almost appeared immediately and asked if we're ok. She then offered to take us to the nearby police station. We hardly took a few steps before a white car pulled up beside us. The Chinese couple inside claimed the tried to chase down the thieves but lost them. They offered to give us a ride. I gave the excuse that I need to see ST safely back into the hotel first and declined. Looking ahead, the Malay lady had gone on without us. We proceeded to walk back to the hotel.

Along the way, we avoided proximity with any vehicles and people. As we entered the road that leads to the hotel, we grumbled about the lack of police presence. Just then, a car passed us. Once we realised that it could be a police car, it was to late to stop it. We entered our hotel and asked for help. The staff was sympathetic enough and one of them offered to escort us to the station. We took a 5-10 minutes cab ride for RM$2++, which he paid for the fare. We noted that the pattern of the police car parked that matches the one that passed us as we were walking back to the hotel.

The policeman on duty was professional enough. We gave our statement that we were robbed by 2 young lean looking Chinese men on a motorbike. Not exactly a lot of details to go on. We then had to wait for half an hour to see a lady inspector. After giving us a police report, she assured us that I could cross the borders with that document. All through the 1 hr at the station, our escort was with us. We gave him RM$10 for his troubles.

My hassle of crossing the border was already mentioned in another post. On hindsight, I guess I should have mentioned the Malay lady and the Chinese couple. It's probably "evil" of me to think badly of them when they were trying to be good Samaritans but who knows? I *was* worried about them. First grab the bag. Then offer them a ride and rob them at knife point. Many people have also said I did the right thing in not giving chase. My personal logic then and now also acknowledge that even in my misplaced confidence in my sprinting abilities, they could have simply turned their throttle up and leave me sucking gas.

My damage from the incident was:
My Passport - detailing every trip from my young adult life till now
My Fujifilm camera - damn it
RM$400
Perfume from ST
Important Keys
Nail clipper from Doris
Other minor items like playing cards, insect repellent, Toy R'Us membership card
I also got a cut on my right forearm as the sling broke - no blood drawn though
$30 incurred from roaming calls and SMSs
$70 from replacement of passport

Many people have given their support and assistance in this episode. Even though most of them won't read this, I thank you for your help.

When push come to shove

A typical morning with the train typically packed, I stood in the train, unable to hold on to handrails as I was carrying stuffs.  I was facing the handrail that was between the doors, my back to the boarding side.

Two stops later, 2 passengers boarded the train.  There wasn't enough standing room for them both so 1 of them start to push in, butt first, past the people blocking the doors and managed to reach me.  As mentioned, there wasn't enough room in the first place, so he pushed some more, butting me off balance and tipping me forward.

Pissed, I braced myself and used my back to shove him towards the direction of door.  As it was packed, I only managed to jam him against his friend.  He took a look at me and didn't push back.  Really, what some people would do if you don't stand up to them.

H1N1 updates, or no updates?

Looking at official sources, we're still monitoring H1N1 infections at the various hospitials.
However, the pdf file on the current situation has not been updated since 8 July 2009.
Is this a sign of fatigue from the government bodies as well?

Unhappy but cannot tell anyone

Ever came across the situation when you're very unhappy but you couldn't talk to anyone?

It could be a very bad phase when you are at odds with both your family and your best friend. You need an outlet but none is availiable.
Or it could be that trouble is brewing and you couldn't tell your partner as you don't want her to worry.
Or there's a problem and you couldn't confide in anyone because it's secrecy is of utmost importance, not even in abstract terms.

Who would you turn to?

Chogokin: 1/60 VF-25S Armored Messiah Ozma Cust

source: http://www.collectiondx.com/review/robot_toy/vf_25s_armored_messiah_ozma_custom

Discouraged

Maybe this is a mood swing...

I move from task to task.  Feeling no job satisfaction.  No sense of achievement.  Only pressure and criticism.

District 9

For the most parts, I felt like I was watching Cloverfield.  The story was pretty predictable for most parts, which makes it boring, plot wise.  I liked the imagination that went into the design of the aliens and their thinking.  The tanks and ships were cool.

It's rather enjoyable, more so than Cloverfield but the dumb and predictable plot really spoils it.

Operation Support is not work?

Felt upset today.  Small boss was unhappy I'm spending a lot of time on Ops Support.  Saying if this is so, my grades will be low.
Ops are daily issues and bug reports.  They come to me when they do.  Aren't they work too?

On paper, she's right.  If my workload for Ops Support is so heavy, then I should look at how I can fix it.  However, I'm caught in a cycle of work, moving from task to task.  Who can really spare the time to look into it?

Campaign to stop eating at KFC because their suppliers have cruel practices

Subject: Campaign to stop eating at KFC because their suppliers have cruel practices.

For the records, I love their food and I'm not likely to join the campaign.
But it's only fair that everyone have a well balanced view of the world and here's the source, biased as it is.
http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com/w-whykfc.asp

In defense of KFC, I'm thinking.. "KFC is only a part of the total consumption.  Why single them out?  Why not supermarkets?"
Peta, in the zeal, seems to be targeting high profile targets, fair or not.

So shiok; those dentists

Public sector doctors are known to be overworked.  What about doctors at Polyclinics?

They work X number of hours.  They see Y number of patients.  Even if they are late or do not turn up, I can not see the doctor?
So any free time they have due to no-shows is their *earned* right.
WTH?

If I say I'm in pain, the dentist would make an exception.  I can't bring myself to say it; I'm sure I would be ridiculed by peers for not doing so.

Pissed.

Anyway, found this forum post, questioning if we are served adequately by dentists, followed by MOH's reply.  For your reading pleasure.
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/mediaforums.aspx?id=12428

Is a blog a popularity poll?

I don't get it.  Why write some melodramatic piece that will prompt your friends to comment and you don't even bother to answer?  Is this a popularity poll?
Don't abuse the goodwill granted to you.

Aww crap

I just realised that friends are your weakest link in online privacy protection.
Haha, ok la, nobody's fault but the Internet.  With caching, there's little point in shifting a blog's address.

Still, it'll frustrate many people.  Hee...
With this, I'll turn my RSS feeds back on but only for comments.

H1N1: infection update

from: http://app.crisis.gov.sg/influenzaa/Page.aspx?id=129

Influenza Biosurveillance Report
14 August 2009

Latest data under the influenza biosurveillance programme shows that the proportion of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) detected among patients with influenza-like illness seen at polyclinics, GP clinics and hospitals, in E-week 30 (26 Jul - 1 Aug), continues to remain above 50%.

Blog RSS turned off

RSS feeds have been turned off.
This is to shake off people who are tracking me this way.
In time, I may review this.

Wajong: Biggest win for Gis******

Subject: Biggest win for Gis******
Was playing Wajong at Viwawa with ST.  Link here:  http://www.viwawa.com/en_US/game/Wahjong

Kena a shock from her.  Congrats, ST.  ;)

Swamped by admin work again

Haiz...

[OSS Note 678834] [ME140] After changing a RFQ document, the fax will fail if I set the output message to "Print Immediately", instead of letting it be scheduled.

[OSS Note 678834]
[ME140]

Subject: After changing a RFQ document, the fax will fail if I set the output message to "Print Immediately", instead of letting it be scheduled.

Summary:
According to the OSS Note, PO/RFQ change documents are checked upon printing.  The note claimed that if the change documents are created yet, an error message ME140 will be throw and the job will fail.

read more (requires login): OSS Note 678834

Iron Man Costume

Cool.  Wearable costume.

Read more: http://www.dannychoo.com/detail/mac/eng/image/22596/Iron+Man+Costume.html

Be rude, say NO

[Scenario A]

A telemarketer called you and asked if you have a minute to spare.
Politely, you said yes.
She went on for 3 minutes to explain her product.
You tried to tell her no.
She tried to persuade you.

Total time: 5 to 10 minutes.


[Scenario B]

A telemarketer called you and asked if you have a minute to spare.
Politely you said yes.
She tried to sell her product.
You cut her off and said you're not interested.
She gave a dejected thank you.

Total time: 30 seconds.

~
Save each other's time.

Re-adjustment of URL

I intend to move this blog away from the prying eyes of search engines. The access rights will still be kept public. Meaning, if you have the URL of this blog's new address, you can access it.

I will give it a new URL in 1 week's time. Please contact me via other communication channels to get my new address.

Yamato: 1/24 Mobile Police Patlabor (The Movie) AV-98 1st

Yamato: 1/24 Mobile Police Patlabor (The Movie) AV-98 1st

read more: http://www.collectiondx.com/review/chogokin/1_24_mobile_police_patlabor_the_movie_av_98_1st

Sing your Mac Order

http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=22496932

Laptop

haiz... dying....

I saw that pyscho today. Had not seen him for 8 years. Hope we'll never cross paths again

Let the guy be Peter and my other camp-mate be Ben.

[Act 1]
Ben: Hey Peter, why got a lump on your forehead?
Peter: Don't ask.
Ben: Why like this?  People concerned ma.
Peter: It's ok.  Don't ask.
Me: Looks like the size has gone down.

[Act 2]
Peter: JW, you got a moment?
Me: I'm busy with my duties.  What is it?
Peter: Just come with me.

-moved outside of the restroom and grabbed the front of my vest, shaking me.

Peter: What do you want?  What do you want?

-
He's not a real pyscho, just one who thinks everyone was mocking him.  Though with that threat of physical violence, ended our friendship, if there ever was one.  I saw him today, a much cheerful person.
We did not acknowledge each other.

Will this scare people? - 1st Singaporean death from H1N1 with no underlying cause

[excerpt]
SINGAPORE: Singapore confirmed its sixth H1N1-related death on Sunday.

The 29-year-old woman is the first H1N1 patient in Singapore to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without underlying medical conditions, apart from being overweight.

The Health Ministry said she died Sunday morning from pneumonia with renal failure, with H1N1 infection as a contributing factor. 
[/excerpt]

read here: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/446342/1/.html

Public enemy: review

Johnny Depp was the reason I went for this show.  I went in blind without reading any reviews. 
Guest what?


Warning!  Spoilers!!

[The review]

-Starting scene
ta-ta-tat
ta-ta-tat
ta-ta-tat (firing sound of a repeating gun)

-Most of the story
ta-ta-tat
ta-ta-tat
ta-ta-tat (firing sound of a repeating gun)

-Ending
bang!
bang!

Great movie isn't it?  Hope I didn't spoil the movie too much
 

Loss of passport in Malaysia

In the event that you lost your passport in Malaysia, you should do the following:
1. Make a local (Malaysia) police report. Have the "narration" of the case be written in English.
2. Inform the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur at 0166610400.
3. Go to the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to obtain a temporary passport.
4. Return to Singapore, explaining to each checkpoint that you lost your passport.

That's the by-right path.
I took a by-left, legally.

Yes, I lost my passport but the story won't be told here.

Overall, I was impressed with the Johor police. They were professional and friendly. They don't scare you. They don't ask for coffee money.
The Singapore Police set the bar even higher. While I was kept waiting, I imagined them pulling out my security clearance and all the intelligence on me...
Overactive imagination.


[Time wasted]
Johor police station - 1 hr
Making calls - 2 hr
Johor CIQ - 30 min
Singapore CIQ - 30 min
Singapore police station - 30 min
Singapore ICA - 1 hr
Grumbling about lost passport - XX hr

Total time wasted: 5 hr 30 min + XX hr

Tamago kake gohan

Yummy.

Tamago kake gohan (卵かけご飯, "egg sauce over rice") or Tamago gohan in short is a popular Japanese breakfast food consisting of boiled rice topped or mixed with raw egg and—optionally—soy sauce.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamago_kake_gohan

white eggs are NOT duck eggs! http://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=746

19-21 July

=]

YouTube: 黃義達-那女孩對我說(揚聲)(KTV)

YouTube: 黃義達-那女孩對我說(揚聲)(KTV)

link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhJMmWsFAZM

Panadol and Paracetamol

How much do you know about this common drug?

reading information:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003607.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol

thanks to ST for supplying the info.

Bandai: VB-6 Konig Monster from Macross F

Bandai: VB-6 Konig Monster from Macross F.

Prototype pics shown at Tokyo Toy Show 2009.
Price and release TBD.

http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/07162009/robot_soul_destroid_monster_from_macross_f

Yes is yes; no is no; don't give "See how"

"See how" is a very annoying thing to hear when you're planning stuffs.  So, is that a yes or a no?  Organisers do need to know the headcount; it matters.

I wonder...

What is the legality of SMRT fining passengers for eating?

Why the owner of the school that was accused of pedalling fake degrees, not arrested for fraud?  Instead, the punishment was the closing down of the schools.

Macross Toys from Bandai

Bandai - Macross Frontier DX - Macross Quarter
http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=349

Bandai - The Robot Spirits [Side MS] - VF-25F Super Messiah Alto Custom
http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=355

Bandai - The Robot Spirits [Side VF] - Queadluun Rea (Klan Custom)
http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=356

Microsoft warns of computer security hole

Microsoft warns of computer security hole.
Funny how this article can force a switch to Firefox when I had been highlighting how much of a greater emphasis Mozilla places on security...
Full article here: http://www.avault.com/news/microsoft-warns-computer-security-hole/

A dated but simple breakdown of the various browsers, as at Dec 2008: http://www.obsessable.com/news/2008/12/04/browser-break-down-ie-firefox-safari-chrome-opera/

Vulnerability statistics:
from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefox#Vulnerability_statistics

Firefox security vulnerabilities have been patched relatively quickly. Symantec's Internet Security Threat Report Vol. 10, based on data from the first half of 2006, reported that while Firefox had more vulnerabilities than Internet Explorer during that time period (47 vs. 38), Firefox's vulnerabilities were fixed on average one day after the exploit code was made available, as compared to nine days for Internet Explorer.

[excerpt]
Microsoft has taken the rare step of warning about a serious computer security vulnerability it hasn’t yet fixed. This vulnerability affects Internet Explorer users whose computers run either Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, and can enable hackers to remotely take control of victims’ machines. The victims don’t need to do anything to get infected except visit a Web site that’s been hacked.
.
.
Microsoft has urged vulnerable users to disable the problematic part of its software, which can be done from Microsoft’s Web site, while the company works on a “patch” for the problem.
[/excerpt]

Full article here: http://www.avault.com/news/microsoft-warns-computer-security-hole/

related post: http://jwitworker.blogspot.com/2006/01/1-2-3.html

Thor (Marvel) Movie: Set for 2011 release

I've been grumbling about the lack of news on this movie (yet too lazy to search movie sites :p)
Today I stumbled upon the news of Natalie Portman being cast for the movie, here.

Playing as Jane Foster the nurse?  Why can't she be Sif?  Sif had more "screen time" in the comics...

Anyway, here's some sites with some info on the movie:

http://marvel.com/movies/Thor.Thor

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/

Personal updates, July 2009

[Work]
I'm stuck in a vicious cycle.

I'm required to write reports and plan my work for the entire year.
But these interfere with my work, causing my deadlines to slip.
Then I'll be asked to revise my work plan for the year.
This again will interfere with my work.
Repeat.

What the hell...
Am I in the wrong job or am I too slow?


[Assets]
After 5 years and 2 hospitalisation stays, my laptop is showing her age.  My precious had accompanied me to UK; wrote many a Java program and processed thousands of photos.
You'll be missed when your retirement comes.  :'(

Sadastic inmates in Singapore

Play a game - choose your own torture
http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,207170,00.html?

Aware Saga: Money matters

They made a profit with from the surge in membership, so the extravagant spending is forgiven...
http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,207178,00.html?

Internet censorship in Imperial China

It was reported that Facebook is now inaccessible in China, land of stone walls.
I don't know about the other violation of human rights but I find this quite distasteful.

Why?  The Ürümqi Riots.

[SAP] RFQ printing: No print-relevant changes to document, ME 140, OSS Note 678834

[SAP] RFQ printing: No print-relevant changes to document, ME 140, OSS Note 678834

Scenario: When printing or faxing a PO / RFQ, an error is encountered that says, "No print-relevant changes to document". Message class ME; message number 140.

Solution: Create your new output line instead of using "Repeat Output". Using "Repeat Output" will cause the error to replicate itself.
1. Go to the Message details, accessible via the relevant change document program ( me22n / me42 ) or via the print programs ( me9f / me9a ).
2. Create a new output line.
output type: NEU
medium: 1 (print) / 2 (fax)

source: http://sap.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/sap-log-mm/no-print-preview-143740
more reading, OSS Note 678834 - ME140 with immediate output of change message (login required):

I hate quacks, who copies *wrong* solutions and pass them to others. I found the correct solution here, which nobody seems to notice that it is the *right* one and happily continue to post their wrong answers.

Good one, Patrick Arnoldts

Dolphin drive hunting

First they herd them into the bay.  Then they cut their throats.

wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_drive_hunting
video: http://www.glumbert.com/media/dolphin

glumbert - Dolphin massacre in Japan

2 Rolling Balls of Metal: Part 2

[good]
Action was somewhat better. Now you can see who is fighting who. However, near the very end, it becomes a fight between 2 rolling balls of metal again.
Story was somewhat better; albeit with holes. However, I can't discuss this without giving spoilers.

[bad]
Bad scripting.
Annoying, flat Human characters. With the exception of.. John Turturro.
Annoying, flat Transformers characters. With the exception of Optimus Prime.
Part of the show feels like a porn show, with lame sexual jokes.
Pointless and annoying circling of the subject with the camera. Does it really help build any mood?

[Verdict]
If you enjoy watching a porn movie with 2 hot actresses, with lots of light and smoke. This movie is perfect; the average film goer would love it.
If you are approaching this with a fan boy's loyalist heart; stay far far away.

What is the difference between thrifty and being stingy?

Thrifty: not spending for comfort items.
Stingy: not spending for comfort items.


Thrifty: likes to save.
Stingy: likes to save.

What is the difference then?

p.s.  I believe there's a difference but I hope to get different views then putting my judgement down.

Chinese woman boiled man's head to cure daughter's psychiatric problems

source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/5617094/Chinese-woman-boiled-mans-head-to-cure-daugthers-psychiatric-problems.html

Madness.
Anyway, why is it the helper got death sentence and the mother only charged with assisting murder?  I thought China have a harsh penalty system?  Doesn't look fair to me.

Swim attire sparked row

[excerpt]

TWO lifeguards noticed a woman in wrong attire approaching the pool and tried to pass the buck.
Each told the other to turn her away.
This started them quarrelling and it ended with one attacking the other with a small knife.
[/excerpt]

source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_394275.html?vgnmr=1

Sort lor.. can just don't do it..

RP: Stay away for a week

[excerpt]
ALL first-year students and several staff members of Republic Polytechnic have been told to stay away for seven days from Thursday, after nine cases of H1N1 were confirmed there.

The move affects 4,500 students and 16 teachers and makes the polytechnic the first to adopt Ministry of Education measures aimed at preventing mass local transmission of the flu virus.
[/excerpt]

source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_395065.html

So the Polytechnic won't become a new cluster but the students are now free to roam the streets with *more* time.  Isn't that worse?

Keeping secrets

Disgrunted tongues are loose tongues.

It's loose...

Okay...  no need for me to update le.
There's no point blaming people now because there's probably a 100 imported cases that we know nothing about.
So here's my last update on this new hyped up disease.

As at 21 Jun
source: http://www.crisis.gov.sg/FLU/InfluenzaA/PressReleases/
A) LOCAL CASES
2. Among the seven new local cases include two additional cases from the Riverlife Church cluster, one new cluster linked to Butter Factory at One Fullerton, one case who had contact with an earlier confirmed case, and three unlinked cases who did not have any travel history or known contact with confirmed cases.

3rd time eating at Qun Zhong, Neil Road

edt1: added Tong Lok
edit2: clarify the ranking is on what

Cheryl and Skinny Norman have brought me there on separate occasions. Both times, I was peeved by the unresponsive service and long waiting time to get in. I found the food above average but not top-rate. If an equivalent word could be found in English about their attitude, it's called "stuck-up". I decided not to patronise them again.

Today, for Fathers' Day, we went there again. This time, the waiting was a mere 10 minutes and the food was pretty light and fragrant. The stuck-up-ness was not evident. Maybe times changed and so did my mood. Guess how bad mood can affect the taste-buds, huh?

Anyway, I still prefer my Xiao Long Bao from Ding Tai Fong. The skin is strong yet thin enough. The soup is generous and nice. At Qun Zhong, the skin though stronger than the average fare, can still break. The soup is not enough to my likling. The skin though is soft and taste like those from Shui Jiao.

So my ranking on Xiao Long Bao...
1st Place - Ding Tai Fong
2nd to 4th Place, Crystal Jade or Qun Zhong or Tong Lok, in no special order
Sucky Trophies, all the rest....

Would I go ahead?
Well maybe. It's 2 bad experience to 1 good experience. So maybe I won't suggest that place but I won't protest if someone wants to go there for dim sum.

Local infections detected on 19 Jun

On 19 Jun, there were 4 cases where the patients were believed to have contracted the disease locally.
So there you have it, H1N1 is among us.  In time, we might be listed as an "affected country" too.
There were 103 cases on 19 Jun.
There were 126 cases on 20 Jun.

Country of Origin of Travel of Confirmed Cases (as of 19 June 2009)

Countries	Number of cases
Australia	44
United States	21
Philippines	19
Thailand	4
Canada	2
UK	2
Indonesia	2
Malaysia	1
Chile	1
Cruise#	1
Total	97

Pixar grants girl's dying wish to see 'Up'

source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pixar-up-movie-2468059-home-show

[excerpts]
HUNTINGTON BEACH – Colby Curtin, a 10-year-old with a rare form of cancer, was staying alive for one thing – a movie.
.

On April 28, Colby went to see the Dream Works 3-D movie "Monsters Vs. Aliens" but was impressed by the previews to "Up."
“It was from then on, she said, ‘I have to see that movie. It is so cool,’” Lynch said.
.
By June 9, Colby could no longer be transported to a theater and her family feared she would die without having seen the movie.
.

Pixar has an automated telephone answering system, Orum-Moore said, and unless she had a name of a specific person she wanted to speak to, she could not get through. Orum-Moore guessed a name and the computer system transferred her to someone who could help, she said.
Pixar officials listened to Colby’s story and agreed to send someone to Colby’s house the next day with a DVD of "Up," Orum-Moore recalled.
.

At about 12:30 p.m. the Pixar employee came to the Curtins’ home with the DVD.
He had a bag of stuffed animals of characters in the movie and a movie poster. He shared some quirky background details of the movie and the group settled in to watch Up.
Colby couldn't see the screen because the pain kept her eyes closed so her mother gave her a play-by-play of the film.
At the end of the film, the mother asked if her daughter enjoyed the movie and Colby nodded yes, Lisa Curtin said.
The employee left after the movie, taking the DVD with him, Lynch said.
“He couldn’t have been nicer,” said Lynch who watched the movie with the family. “His eyes were just welled up.”
After the movie, Colby’s dad, Michael Curtin, who is divorced from Lisa Curtin, came to visit.
Colby died with her mom and dad nearby at 9:20 p.m.
[/excerpts]

Read from the link above for the full story.

64 detected cases

More cases.  Again, half of the cases are from people going on holidays or going about their daily routines.  The other half, thanks =]
http://www.crisis.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/D4985A06-E928-4B4E-9A0B-938EDBC88860/24447/H1N1PR17June_rev.pdf

Whether this disease turns out to be harmless or not, we're at Yellow Alert..

49th detected case

http://www.crisis.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/192A0CF6-9715-483D-BADC-18D090AF4A75/24395/H1N1PR16Junrev.pdf

[excerpt]

1. The 49th case is a 26-year-old Indonesian man who works in Singapore. He
2. went to Melbourne with friends for a holiday on 5 June
3. He developed symptoms on 11 June while he was there
4. He was not picked up by the thermal scanner at the airport as he did not have a fever then.
5. On 15 June morning, he sought medical attention at a GP clinic, and was given 2 days of medical leave.
6. Before he took a taxi to TTSH ED, he did some shopping first.
7. Laboratory results confirmed his infection at 2140 hours on 15 June.

[/excerpt]

48 cases of H1N1

Suddenly, we see a huge jump in the imported cases.

I'm not worried about the lethality of the disease but there's something very disturbing about the behaviour of the people who are coming back sick, blatantly violating the travel advisory.

• Continue going to affected areas for holidays
• Does not self quarantine
• Does not seek medical attention even though he clearly caught a flu overseas, in an affected country
  

If the Government enforces a forced confinement period for people caught committing the above, for say 21 days; I'm sure everyone will fall into place.

Haiz...

He killed boy to save licence

SEOUL - A SOUTH Korean motorist who hit and slightly injured an 11-year-old boy has admitted later murdering the child in an attempt to cover up driving offences, reports said on Tuesday...

Full report: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_391004.html

1/6 Kotobukiya Collection Movie Fine Art Statue: Iron Man & Many others

The ironman looks good.
Also includes some from Macross Frontier.
This guy is too rich sia...
http://www.dannychoo.com/adp/eng/1706/Iron+Man.html

Data Centers

Interesting photos and facts
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/06/14/magazine/20090614-search-slideshow_2.html

Slamming for social irresponsibility. Who is right or wrong?

1. University management who said the virus was restricted to the Queens? (an area in New York, about 1/4 of the total area)
2. Suspected case who traveled on public trains to the clinic?
3. Aircrew who went on holidays in infected areas while on stop-overs?
4. Families who went holidaying in infected areas, despite travel advice?

It's hard to say.
Case #1, we didn't know much then.  However, what kind of naive fools in the management believed that the spread of the virus could not cross street boundaries?
Case #2, how was he to travel then?  He was told to go to the clinic.
Case #3, stay in the hotel?

But...
Case #4?..

Lyrics: Let's hear it for the boy

Caught this on radio last night...

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/l/letshearitfortheboy.shtml
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY
Deniece Williams


My baby, he don't talk sweet, he ain't got much to say
But he loves me, loves me, loves me, I know that he loves me anyway
And maybe he don't dress fine but I don't really mind
'Cause every time he pulls me near I just wanna cheer

Let's hear it for the boy, let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby, you know you gotta understand, oh oh oh
Maybe he's no Romeo but he's my loving one-man show, oh woh woh woh
Let's hear it for the boy

My baby may not be rich, he's watching every dime
But he loves me, loves me, loves me, we always have a real good time
And maybe he sings off-key but that's alright by me, yeah
'Cause what he does, he does so well, makes me wanna yell

Let's hear it for the boy, ah, let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby, you know you gotta understand, oh oh oh
Maybe he's no Romeo but he's my loving one-man show, oh woh woh woh
Let's hear it for the boy

Ooh
Ooh ooh ooh, yeah

'Cause every time he pulls me near I just wanna cheer

Let's hear it for the boy, ah, let's give the boy a hand
Let's hear it for my baby, you know you gotta understand
Yeah yeah yeah yeah, woh oh oh
Maybe he's no Romeo but he's my loving one-man show, oh woh woh woh

Let's hear it for the boy (let's hear it for the boy)
Let's hear it for my man (let's hear it for my baby)
Let's hear it for my man (let's hear it for the boy)
(Let's hear it for my baby)
(Let's hear it for the boy)
Let's hear it for my man (let's hear it for my baby), yeah yeah yeah hey
(Let's hear it for the boy)
Put your hands together (let's hear it for my baby)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh (let's hear it for the boy)
Woh, let's hear it for my boy (let's hear it for my baby)
Let's hear it for my man (let's hear it for the boy)
Ooh-ooh ooh-ooh ooh ooh-ooh (let's hear it for my baby)
Let's hear it for my man, yeah

Setting priorities

I need to Set my Workplan.
I need to Archive My Emails according to the request numbers.
I need to solve Operation Issues.
I need to do Feasibility Studies.
I need to create a Documentation for screen procedures.
I need to do Technical Specs.
I need to solve outstanding Defects.
I need to complete my Change Requests.

Which should I do first? Past mentors taught me to always give Operation Issues and Defects the greatest priorites. Yet, the other tasks cannot wait. If too many issues stack up in one category, then that becomes a hot potato.

I need a better system...

Macross Frontier: Bandai (?) 1/72 VF-25F Armored Catherine Decal set

Bandai (?) 1/72 VF-25F Armored Catherine Decal set
http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/05142009/1_72_macross_f_vf_25f_armored_catherine_decal_set

Macross Frontier: Alto Saotome EX-Gear

DX Alto Saotome EX-Gear
Flight mode and cockpit seat.
http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/06032009/dx_alto_saotome_ex_gear

Armor Plus Series Macross Frontier EX Gear Alto Versoion
Posing mode only?
http://www.collectiondx.com/news_item/05142009/armor_plus_series_macross_frontier_ex_gear_alto_versoion

Yamato - Macross 1/60 Perfect Transformation VE-1 Elintseeker

http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=106

Ho Chi Minh City

Q. You went on a trip?!  When was it?
18 May to 22 May.  Missed me? :p

Q. Why?
It was my birthday present, preciousss...  Heh, not really, my current phone is the birthday present.  The trip was co-shared.

Q. ... No, why there?
This destination came about because it was relatively cheap.  The basic tour was only 200+.  Add $60 for extension.  Add $110 for a change in carrier from Garuda to Tiger Airways.
Also, after cleaning out my bank accounts twice on Europe trips, I wish to see something from Asia.

Q. What were the complications?
Switching to a budget carrier means that we get charged from baggage weighing more than 15 kg, which considering it costs $110 more than the default choice of National Carrier, leaves a bad taste in the mouth.  For our return trip, we paid US$20 for excess baggage.

Q. How bad was the traffic?
At first, we expected something like Bali, but worse.  Actually, the traffic in the city was well managed and relaxed.  Jay-walking is the national past-time.  Just make sure you make eye contact with the driver.

Q. Is it true the best way to cross the street is to close your eyes and walk?
Unlike Singaporean drivers, most drivers in Vietnam do not charge at you, to scare you out of their way.  However, bullies exist everywhere.  We met one.

Q. There's nothing to see in Ho Chi Minh!
True.  But are you there to see Zoos and Bird Parks?  Frankly, among all the lame claims to fame that our country tried to make, it's true about our Zoo being world-class.  We went to the standard tourist traps, with hidden costs.  Grrr...  We learnt our lesson from Bali - If you're gonna be a purse-pincher, then you won't get to experience anything!  So spend!  Go to all the silly tourist traps and enjoy yourselves.

Q. Any tourists traps that I should not go?
All of them are pretty enjoyable.  Take note of the hidden costs.  They made their day trips appear very cheap, but they do not include the price of tickets!  Not exactly ethical in my point of view, but everyone does it there, it seems.

Q. Where are your photos?
Ok, here, here.

200905_hcm_vietnam

Sports Sponsership - Which is more deserving?

Soccer?
Table Tennis?
Paintball?
Mountain Climbing?

Someone suggested in the forums that climbing Everest is for personal achievements and not contributing to national pride as there are no medals to be obtained.

Are medals the measure of success?

Blame the cameras

I find it disturbing.
http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,203977,00.html?

I must be right because my opponent is a liar

Recently, a couple made history for being charged for "violating the peace".  They distributed an article which attacked another faith, by discrediting their key figures.  Therefore, they argued that they are the true faith to follow.

These are logical fallacies and no one should be persuaded using such underhanded methods.

First Singapore H1N1 case

We all knew it was a matter of time..
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_382278.html

Blooper: 15 Birds in Five Fir Trees

Oops. Paiseh. Haha.



Fifteen Birds in Five Fir Trees
source: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Pantheon/1868/tolkienpoems.htm#Fifteen_Birds

Fifteen birds in five firtrees,
their feathers were fanned in a fiery breeze!
But, funny little birds, they had no wings!
O what shall we do with the funny little things?
Roast 'em alive, or stew them in a pot;
fry them, boil them and eat them hot?

Burn, burn tree and fern!
Shrivel and scorch! A fizzling torch
To light the night for our delight,
Ya, hey!

Bake and toast 'em, fry and roast 'em!
till beards blaze, and eyes glaze;
till hair smells and skins crack,
fat melts, and bones black
in cinders lie
beneath the sky!
So dwarves shall die,
and light the night for our delight,
Ya hey!
Ya-harri-hey!
Ya hoy!

Back from Ho Chi Minh City

The trip was pretty enjoyable.  I'm still in the processing of uploading my photos and mapping them.  The stories and pictures should be ready in a week.

Dream: spa?

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.

[dream]
With Butters, Ah Yam, GaGa.  Some misunderstanding; unhappiness.  Went to SPA?  Met some minor big shots, everyone pretty excited.  I'm still lost in my own world.

~skip scene
Playing game.  Got to choose 3 heroes; each confers a bonus.  I chose Spiderman for agility, Ironman for skill, Hulk for strength.  One game is to time a torpedo fight with a submarine as it surfaces.  Won.
[/dream]

Not my best recall.  This dream evaporated pretty fast as I didn't stop to recall it.

The Last Leaf

The Last Leaf by O Henry.
http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/1303/

excerpt:
"What is it, dear?" asked Sue.

"Six," said Johnsy, in almost a whisper. "They're falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head ache to count them. But now it's easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now."

"Five what, dear? Tell your Sudie."

"Leaves. On the ivy vine. When the last one falls I must go, too. I've known that for three days. Didn't the doctor tell you?"

Going off to...

Ho Chin Minh =)

This will be my first major excursion into Asia, discounting places like Malaysia and Indonesia, which are culturally similar to our own.  Being unseasoned travellers, we expect many problems but what the heck.

Here's the rough plan:
Day 1. Get lost and frustrated by the traffic
Day 2. Explore the city
Day 3: Explore more
Day 4: Go out of town
Day 5: Wrap up

This will happen next week.  See ya.
~

Nothing like bad times to show you who the bad employers are

The double whammy of 2001 and 2002 have hit us hard. Loyal employees were let go, sometimes with no warning. They claimed it was due to security concerns.

In this current crisis, a public healthcare group have shown their hard hearted ways too. Everyone has been warned against going to infected countries, but does your company have these measures?

1. Initially, at yellow alert
All staff had to wear surgical masks.
Daily temperature monitoring.

2. Reached orange alert
Visitor restriction at hospitals.
All visitors had to be checked for fever.
All staff had to wear N95 masks (later relaxed to surgical masks).
All leave for the next 2 weeks are canceled, subject to fortnightly review.
All new leave applications blocked.
Staff were advised to write a letter, forfeiting their medical coverage in the event that they got infected overseas, regardless of where they caught they infection. Staff will have to take unpaid leave during their quarantine period.

The official explanation? To keep our staff safe.
Fine, they wanted to keep manpower close at hand. I can understand that.
The letter was a weird idea. I felt it made it sound as an "admission-of-guilt" from the staff applying for overseas leave.

3. Relaxed to yellow alert
All staff had to wear surgical masks.
Daily temperature monitoring.
Official memo frowning on all overseas leave.
Staff were required to write a letter, forfeiting their medical coverage in the event that they got infected overseas, regardless of where they caught they infection. Staff will have to take unpaid leave during their quarantine period.

Upper management now requires staff to write the letter, following an official template, in their own handwriting and signed by them. So don't care if you caught it in a ulu place like Siberia; you got infected means you are on your own. Pay your own hospitialisation; go on unpaid leave. Once you've recovered, welcome back to work.

~
Do you need to rethink your loyalty?
Is your employer a good one?
~

No nomination for best coach

Does this mean pettiness rules over meritocracy?

read more: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/318240.asp

Respect other people's time

1. Be punctual for dates, meetings and weddings.
2. Stick to the date which everyone have agreed on.
3. Don't cancel at the last minute.

Science Centre

I have always been fasinated.  Lots of interesting exhibits to play with.

Recently, I took PM leave to accompany ST.  Somehow, they lost their allure.  I can remember more than half the exhibits; I know the science behind almost all of them.  It's like re-watching your facourite cartoon from your childhood.

It's just different.
~

Beggaring; Pride; Lies; Apathy; Miserly

I don't like their methods.
I don't like my reactions.

New phone

nokia 1650
thanks, baby

RIP: You served well...

on Mar 16,

Farewell...

Welcome...

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Cosmic "Question Mark" Honors Hubble

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: Cosmic "Question Mark" Honors Hubble
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090421-hubble-fountain-photo.html
~

Camping in SG

Camping in SG

Excerpt:
A permit is required if you're planning to camp at any of the five parks above. Starting 15 Apr 09, application can be done from any of the 500 over AXS machines island-wide and through the internet at http://www.axs.com.sg. Camping permits will be required on weekdays and weekends, including public and school holidays. A permit is valid for 1 day Each camper will be able to apply for a maximum of 8 days per month.

read more:
http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=activities&id=6&Itemid=81
~

Work life at the moment & reflections

It has been 4 months since I left my last employement and embarked upon this new job.  I've more or less settled down.  Why I didn't blog about it is because...
1. I now have less sleeping time
2. I don't wish to blog about work anymore.  I wish to make my blog safe when it accidentally comes to the attention of my boss
3. Due to my employment restrictions, it is not advisable to blog.  I am working under the assumption that the location of this blog is already being monitored

Some things I can say are...
1. It's a huge change in workload.  I feel overwhelmed
2. It's nice to work with a team again.  Not a place where everyone is an island and they divert whatever they can to you.  Such people exist here, but that's a universal constant.  With a proper team, I can draw on the expertise of others
3. It's nice to have a SAP system where someone have a say on the overall design on the system and with proper ownership
4. No stupid boss patrolling the aisle
4. No stupid boss looking over my back
6. No stupid boss looking through my personal effects when I turn my back
7. The air is more free

Some drawbacks...
1. No off in lieu
2. Restrictive authorisation profiles
3. Restrictive data sharing rules
4. Small team; cannot find people to disturb because everyone is so busy...
5. Meetings!!!  Omg...
~

In terms of culture and benefits, it felt like I have gone full circle; can't help comparing it with my first job.  I've achieved the position I had set out to obtain, when I left for greener pastures in 2005.  If I had stayed on to my first job and if my director then bothered to groom me, I would have reached the same position that I had know, at the same pace.

So was the 4 years of wandering worth it?

Yes.  I realised there's much more technical challenges that I could do with the ABAP language.  I learned to love and hate the different work cultures that I've been exposed to.  Now, with much older eyes, I could appreciate a little of something from every job.  Certainly, each job has helped me build up my skills.

I regret that during this time, I had not build up more on my functional knowledge.  There is no strong guru to guide me; I could teach my mentors as much as they could teach me. Perhaps if I had stayed, this area of mine would have been stronger.  Nevertheless, I believe I made the right moves.

As at now, I'm back in the Materials Module.  Learning the ropes as a Functional Consultant is fun and exciting but daunting as well.  Some days, I seem to be managing mails and attending meetings; that's not so fun.
~

What if: USS Iowa vs IJN Yamato

What if: USS Iowa vs IJN Yamato
This guy doesn't know how to direct a short movie, that's for sure.  A lot of lights and smoke and with little developments.
The game engine looks great though.
from: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=155087