Phew!! Been absolutely hectic these days, running around for Christmas, family functions to attend, meals to eat and times to share with the one i love. Some of the family demonstrated their poerty skills when dedicating their presents, and it was quite impressive, especially those in teochew. LOL. This sporadic update comes from my dad's computer at home (which is a really nice computer btw) and checking my email for the first time in 4 days, I had about 56 emails, which wasn't too bad, though 55 of them were spam and the odd one a file i sent from my home account. Hahahahaha.
Monday, 27 December 2004
Thursday, 23 December 2004
at the airport
i'm finally feeling more human after getting up at 6 this morning to send jeanie off to her holiday resort and am now writing this from a computer terminal that's actually a money eating machine in disguise (and yet here i am writing this blog lol). I'm taking the Christchurch route home, simply because i prefer the garden city (plus the airport at auckland is undergoing renovations of some sort). Why Wellington won't have an international airport of its own is a long story (but what the heck, i'll give it a go). Basically flat land is pretty scarce in the windy city and they can't extend the runway anymore to accomodate international flights. Did i hear someone suggest the favourite solution to Singapore's land scarcity, like reclaiming the land? Well, the local maori have already done that. They have claimed the land in NZ as theirs-that-was-unlawfully-taken-away-from-them, way back when there wasn't much land to begin with. Lately, they've claimed the foreshore and seabed too, which would make visits to the beach really fun. Imagine trying to go for a swim in the sea, without your feet touch the bottom. Egads.
Am looking forward to going back home and will probably have to board my flight in about an hour or so. Times running out so i'll sign off here, and updates will only occur in the next two weeks provided i can be free to do so.
Otherwise, Happy Holidays!!
Am looking forward to going back home and will probably have to board my flight in about an hour or so. Times running out so i'll sign off here, and updates will only occur in the next two weeks provided i can be free to do so.
Otherwise, Happy Holidays!!
Wednesday, 22 December 2004
Christmas greetings
An Engineer's View of Santa Claus
No known species of reindeer can fly, but there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not completely rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.
There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. But since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.
Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house.
Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household, a total trip of 71.604 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.
The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight. On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.
353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecrafts re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy per second each. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force.
In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's been vaporized by now.
No known species of reindeer can fly, but there are 300,000 species of living organisms yet to be classified, and while most of these are insects and germs, this does not completely rule out flying reindeer which only Santa has ever seen.
There are 2 billion children (persons under 18) in the world. But since Santa doesn't (appear) to handle the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Buddhist children, that reduces the workload to 15% of the total - 378 million according to Population Reference Bureau. At an average (census) rate of 3.5 children per household, that's 91.8 million homes. One presumes there's at least one good child in each.
Santa has 31 hours of Christmas to work with, thanks to the different time zones and the rotation of the earth, assuming he travels east to west (which seems logical). This works out to 822.6 visits per second. This is to say that for each Christian household with good children, Santa has 1/1000th of a second to park, hop out of the sleigh, jump down the chimney, fill the stockings, distribute the remaining presents under the tree, eat whatever snacks have been left, get back up the chimney, get back into the sleigh and move on to the next house.
Assuming that each of these 91.8 million stops are evenly distributed around the earth (which, of course, we know to be false but for the purposes of our calculations we will accept), we are now talking about 0.78 miles per household, a total trip of 71.604 million miles, not counting stops to do what most of us must do at least once every 31 hours, plus feeding etc. This means that Santa's sleigh is moving at 650 miles per second, 3,000 times the speed of sound. For purposes of comparison, the fastest man-made vehicle on earth, the Ulysses space probe, moves at a poky 27.4 miles per second - a conventional reindeer can run, tops, 15 miles per hour.
The payload on the sleigh adds another interesting element. Assuming that each child gets nothing more than a medium-sized lego set (2 pounds), the sleigh is carrying 321,300 tons, not counting Santa, who is invariably described as overweight. On land, conventional reindeer can pull no more than 300 pounds. Even granting that "flying reindeer" (see point #1) could pull TEN TIMES the normal amount, we cannot do the job with eight, or even nine. We need 214,200 reindeer. This increases the payload - not even counting the weight of the sleigh - to 353,430 tons. Again, for comparison - this is four times the weight of the Queen Elizabeth.
353,000 tons traveling at 650 miles per second creates enormous air resistance - this will heat the reindeer up in the same fashion as spacecrafts re-entering the earth's atmosphere. The lead pair of reindeer will absorb 14.3 QUINTILLION joules of energy per second each. In short, they will burst into flame almost instantaneously, exposing the reindeer behind them, and create deafening sonic booms in their wake. The entire reindeer team will be vaporized within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Santa, meanwhile, will be subjected to centrifugal forces 17,500.06 times greater than gravity. A 250-pound Santa (which seems ludicrously slim) would be pinned to the back of his sleigh by 4,315,015 pounds of force.
In conclusion - If Santa ever DID deliver presents on Christmas Eve, he's been vaporized by now.
Dove
I was listening to a song a good friend of mine gave me sometime back, and it brought back memories as well as stirred the imagination at upcoming events. =)
I'll open up my heart
I'll be loving you forever and ever
I'll be part of you
In the way i do
Come into my life so i can sing
Ok, so i was singing along in anticipation, but happy and singing nevertheless.
I'll open up my heart
I'll be loving you forever and ever
I'll be part of you
In the way i do
Come into my life so i can sing
Ok, so i was singing along in anticipation, but happy and singing nevertheless.
last minute preparations
Heh, managed to wake up early this morning, my body seems to be on a 28 hr/day cycle. I can wake up early for one day but not the next, on which i am almost invariably late. Sorting out some last minute stuff before i leave, so many things to do, so little composure to go around, because i am going home!! =))
Getting so excited at the prospect of going home again, the suspense is driving me insane! Not that i was very sane to begin with, but i digress. In fact, i've even ordered the shuttle to come earlier, so that i can be on my way quicker, which on an ordinary day would make no sense, but its no ordinary day. Heh. My luggage is packed and ready, everything is booked, and here i am in office for the last day of the year. Good thing nothing much is happening today, 'cos i can't keep my mind (or the rest of me for that matter) still for more than a minute. The second longest day has just begun, with the longest day following. Then a whirlwind two and a half weeks will fly by before i'm back here at this desk in this office pouring my woes out to this blog, but that's for later. For now, we anticipate...
Getting so excited at the prospect of going home again, the suspense is driving me insane! Not that i was very sane to begin with, but i digress. In fact, i've even ordered the shuttle to come earlier, so that i can be on my way quicker, which on an ordinary day would make no sense, but its no ordinary day. Heh. My luggage is packed and ready, everything is booked, and here i am in office for the last day of the year. Good thing nothing much is happening today, 'cos i can't keep my mind (or the rest of me for that matter) still for more than a minute. The second longest day has just begun, with the longest day following. Then a whirlwind two and a half weeks will fly by before i'm back here at this desk in this office pouring my woes out to this blog, but that's for later. For now, we anticipate...
Tuesday, 21 December 2004
arrested development
I read with interest that Arrested Development has started its run on Singapore televisions, its a show that i've been watching here in NZ.
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/hey/story/0,4136,79730,00.html?
Only difference is, I'm watching season 2 already! Slow slow....
Its kinda like malcom in the middle, and it is funny....at times. although it can get quite tiresome eg:
(family is broke. the sane son to his mother)
"Mum, remember that talk i had with you regarding curbing our spending?"
"Why michael, i remember it as if it was yesterday!"
"We had the talk this morning Mum."
I think the funniest episode was the one where his brother was trying to get into prison (so that he can do a "i broke out of prison" show or something or other), while his Dad (in said jail) emoted to his (only) sane son Michael that he was feeling frisky. So Michael tries to get his mum to visit his dad (something she has never done, 'cos its beneath her social status) in a conjugal trailer. His dad was actually lusting after his secretary (whom his brother had to sleep with to get information)(yes, you can tell this is gonna get messy) and it all climaxes (mind the pun again) and the scene of the episode (the series?) occurs when his brother is caught by the guards and they arm lock him against a trailer window, you know, the trailer with his parents having sex inside... hilarious...
Gee, sometimes i know how the dad feels. lol.
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/hey/story/0,4136,79730,00.html?
Only difference is, I'm watching season 2 already! Slow slow....
Its kinda like malcom in the middle, and it is funny....at times. although it can get quite tiresome eg:
(family is broke. the sane son to his mother)
"Mum, remember that talk i had with you regarding curbing our spending?"
"Why michael, i remember it as if it was yesterday!"
"We had the talk this morning Mum."
I think the funniest episode was the one where his brother was trying to get into prison (so that he can do a "i broke out of prison" show or something or other), while his Dad (in said jail) emoted to his (only) sane son Michael that he was feeling frisky. So Michael tries to get his mum to visit his dad (something she has never done, 'cos its beneath her social status) in a conjugal trailer. His dad was actually lusting after his secretary (whom his brother had to sleep with to get information)(yes, you can tell this is gonna get messy) and it all climaxes (mind the pun again) and the scene of the episode (the series?) occurs when his brother is caught by the guards and they arm lock him against a trailer window, you know, the trailer with his parents having sex inside... hilarious...
Gee, sometimes i know how the dad feels. lol.
Monday, 20 December 2004
Re: close-up of my gorgeous jeanie =)
Yes, she really is gorgeous, isn't she? Gazing upon the picture of her sitting so contentedly on the grass on a lovely sunny day, I wonder why I didn't just pack up and take the ten-hour flight to be with the one who captures my heart and his beautiful furry friend.
It's on nights like these, when I'm sitting here at my desk at close to midnight, surrounded by mountains of paper and the cold, incessant tapping of my keyboard, that I start dreaming about summer days not so long ago, when the three of us used to go walking in the park, so happy and content, with not a care in the world, and I feel so tempted to abandon everything else, just to be with him. But then I remember our goals and the life that we are going to build together, and somehow I find the strength to carry on. Ah well, such is human nature, we often focus so intently on the future and the past that we forget the present, and that is what I have done for this brief moment. Well, back to work then...
It's on nights like these, when I'm sitting here at my desk at close to midnight, surrounded by mountains of paper and the cold, incessant tapping of my keyboard, that I start dreaming about summer days not so long ago, when the three of us used to go walking in the park, so happy and content, with not a care in the world, and I feel so tempted to abandon everything else, just to be with him. But then I remember our goals and the life that we are going to build together, and somehow I find the strength to carry on. Ah well, such is human nature, we often focus so intently on the future and the past that we forget the present, and that is what I have done for this brief moment. Well, back to work then...
Border Collies
Reading this article just makes me wanna run home and hug Jeanie and bring her out for a long walkie. http://www.bordercollie.org/getalong.html
It is an insightful look into border collies as 'pets' and why any bc owner will tell you this is one of the (if not the) greatest breeds of dogs. Dogs are known as man's best friend for a reason and Jeanie as a companion is just unsurpassed. Preparing for my upcoming trip home, i feel great pangs of guilt whenever i think of her spending the holiday season away from me, such that i would actually bound out of bed in the middle of the night to look for her, just to hold her and explain that even though i was going away, i'd be back soon. Feel sheepish (must be a bc thing) after that with the "what the hell are you going on about look? of course we'll be together, we're best mates!" look that i get from her.
It is an insightful look into border collies as 'pets' and why any bc owner will tell you this is one of the (if not the) greatest breeds of dogs. Dogs are known as man's best friend for a reason and Jeanie as a companion is just unsurpassed. Preparing for my upcoming trip home, i feel great pangs of guilt whenever i think of her spending the holiday season away from me, such that i would actually bound out of bed in the middle of the night to look for her, just to hold her and explain that even though i was going away, i'd be back soon. Feel sheepish (must be a bc thing) after that with the "what the hell are you going on about look? of course we'll be together, we're best mates!" look that i get from her.
Unncessary effort, laughable outcome
I had a lesson in wasting time and effort today when i went to purchase some CDs as Christmas presents. After carefully selecting a Brooke Fraser special edition, i found that it had a dent in the cardboard cover, so went back to change another one (the queue at the cashier was too long anyways). I rejoined the queue after picking up Emotions 0.2 as well and when it came to my turn, the cashier turned around and grabbed a new copy of Brooke Fraser for me. LOL.
On a related sidenote, apparently i have the Fraser family as a neighbour, but yet to confirm sightings of the famous singer (or her former All Black father). =)
On a related sidenote, apparently i have the Fraser family as a neighbour, but yet to confirm sightings of the famous singer (or her former All Black father). =)
Movie reviews
Well, Muggers wasn't too bad, vaguely captivating, it told a tale of two medical students who robbed people (usually a really mean person in the movie) by stealing one of their kidneys. There were some funny bits (which i can't recall right now), but the storyline wasn't as twisty as Lock Stock. There was another movie on last night by K Reeves, called Sweet November, can't say much about it 'cos i kept flipping to another channel to see if there was anything else i could watch.
I did do something productive though, i packed the stuff i was bringing home. There's this air of anticipation with going home for Christmas, packing this present, making sure that ribbon doesn't get crushed, wondering if this person would like their gift, last minute wrapping (in bubble wrap) gifts for that person, etc...... Can't wait to be home again, both metaphorically and literally. Home is really where the heart is.
I did do something productive though, i packed the stuff i was bringing home. There's this air of anticipation with going home for Christmas, packing this present, making sure that ribbon doesn't get crushed, wondering if this person would like their gift, last minute wrapping (in bubble wrap) gifts for that person, etc...... Can't wait to be home again, both metaphorically and literally. Home is really where the heart is.
Saturday, 18 December 2004
Jaws
Just watched jaws, despite it being an old movie, i feel sufficiently chilled to forswear any dish containing shark's fin, just in case one of the buggers decide to seek revenge. Incidentally, the weather's gone nutz and its freezing cold, and apparently its even snowing in Queenstown! Egads! Hmm, another movie just came on, it kinda reminds me of lock stock and two smoking barrels (only older?), its called Muggers and done in Aussie. i shall stop blogging here to watch this interesting movie by our neighbours from across the ditch.
Friday, 17 December 2004
Tiger Cup!
Something amazing happened last night on the news, I saw the Singapore soccer team on the news! It was highlighting the abysmal goalkeeping of our opponent rather than the potency of our strikers, but it was news nevertheless, and it kinda made my day. The odd thing was that watching late night BBC (i couldn't get to sleep) sports, I got to watch it again! Must be a slow day for news.
Perception
How do we change someone's perception of us? It is such a fickle concept, yet once the impressioned is burned into one's mind, it remains burnt no matter what we do. I suppose we could change our entire outlook and behaviour, until we look like we're preparing for the Hungry Ghosts with all that burning, but life takes a feeling of trying to please everyone (but me). Thankfully, perceptions (like people) evolve and change, and I feel that it is up to us to induce this by being ourselves.
Thursday, 16 December 2004
An introduction
And in the blue corner.....
This is kinda overdue, but i thought i should introduce the latest (and only other) member of this blog.
With the kindest soul and a heart of gold, her wit cannot be matched,
She bears each load and burdens hold, with laughter each woe thatched.
Words cannot say how i feel each day, to have her by my side,
All i know is come what may, no river's too deep, no gulf too wide.
all my love,
-d
This is kinda overdue, but i thought i should introduce the latest (and only other) member of this blog.
With the kindest soul and a heart of gold, her wit cannot be matched,
She bears each load and burdens hold, with laughter each woe thatched.
Words cannot say how i feel each day, to have her by my side,
All i know is come what may, no river's too deep, no gulf too wide.
all my love,
-d
Canterbury
Welcome to the University of Canterbury - Nau mai, haere mai ki te Whare Wananga o Waitaha
The place where i spent 6 years of my life. Scary how time files by that quickly.
The place where i spent 6 years of my life. Scary how time files by that quickly.
Break your engine! (don't)
STUFF : ODDSTUFF - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website
Would have been funnier if this were near the university of the same name. =)
Would have been funnier if this were near the university of the same name. =)
Hardball
Watched a movie last night called Hardball starring Keanu Reeves, it wasn't too painful to watch, although the acting was a little bit wooden at times. Don't really have much more to say about other than it was a show about baseball.
Wednesday, 15 December 2004
Ray Charles
Saw a news item on the movie about the great man. I grew up listening to his music and am always inspired by him and his music, so you can bet i'll be catching this movie. I note with interest that the tv said "Ray Charles saw the film before he died and thought that the director got it down to a pat" errr.... like hello? Maybe someone read out the movie script or something but i'm pretty sure he didn't watch it. Funny as this was, its not as spectacular as a famous president who waved at a charity concert when Stevie Wonder took to the stage. LOL
talk on the net
Attended a talk on the internet and its associated legal issues, specifically dealing with domain names and the dispute resolution process. Quite interesting really and the speaker is one of the 300 odd people appointed by WIPO to be one of a panel of 3 that resolves disputes. Most of his cases involving cyber piracy or cyber squatting usually involves porn and he has to investigate the various pages in order to determine whether the complaint is valid. Basically, he gets to surf porn all day and get paid big bucks to do so. LOL.
The second speaker was really funny too and he was sprouting acronyms like a Singaporean on fire. His background information was really indepth and provided an insightful view on the history of the internet and how it has come to where it is today. It is still evolving, thus committees are still being formed and matters are being discussed and more paper gets shuffled around.
The second speaker was really funny too and he was sprouting acronyms like a Singaporean on fire. His background information was really indepth and provided an insightful view on the history of the internet and how it has come to where it is today. It is still evolving, thus committees are still being formed and matters are being discussed and more paper gets shuffled around.
A conversation.....
It was recently the birthday of my significant other and I sent her a card telling her that her gift was "on its way and will be there by Christmas" (since i'm heading back, thus saving on postage) to which she asked me why i sent it by a method which would take that long (i wonder what her imagination conjured up then). After a period of hmm-ing and ah-ing (had to avoid telling her what it actually was), i replied that it was on its way because i was bringing it back with me, hence its "arriving by Christmas".
My love, being the ever sharped eared one, said "how can it be on the way then?"
"Ahhh," i replied, "that's because everyday before i leave the house, i move an inch closer to the door, so technically, it is on the way (albeit very slowly)". I'm terrible at this matching her wit, but for once i think i came close. LOL.
My love, being the ever sharped eared one, said "how can it be on the way then?"
"Ahhh," i replied, "that's because everyday before i leave the house, i move an inch closer to the door, so technically, it is on the way (albeit very slowly)". I'm terrible at this matching her wit, but for once i think i came close. LOL.
8 days!
No, not the Singapore weekly tv mag (is it still going?), but the amount of time before i return home for the holidays! Woohoo!! And for the first time, i'll be meeting up with a friend from NZ who's passing through on his way to Europe (lucky fella!), so i'll be trying to show him around while taking in the sights at the same time.
I've always wondered, with so many world class attractions in back home, do locals go to them regularly? I was looking for places to visit when i came across the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda street, which i never knew existed. Feels like getting in touch with my roots.
I've always wondered, with so many world class attractions in back home, do locals go to them regularly? I was looking for places to visit when i came across the Chinatown Heritage Centre on Pagoda street, which i never knew existed. Feels like getting in touch with my roots.
Tuesday, 14 December 2004
meeting classmates
Just came back from a dinner with my classmates and was reflecting upon how strange life was sometimes. All of us (or most) graduated from Canterbury in Christchurch, yet here we were in Wellington, which shouldn't be a surprise given the vibrancy of the city. It was good to meet up with friends and have a chat with their friends. The thing i remember most though was the food: great Jap food, my favourite. =)
All this talk reminds me of a group of us guys who were good mates, numbering four. The stories we could tell! Ha! Feels like we're getting old... anyways, here we are, three years out from graduating, and we are all in different cities, which is amazing given how small NZ is in terms of cities and populace. There's Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and yours truly in Wellington, and by some strange coincidence, all of us were in Christchurch once (it wasn't planned, honest!) in Nov 2003. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up soon...
All this talk reminds me of a group of us guys who were good mates, numbering four. The stories we could tell! Ha! Feels like we're getting old... anyways, here we are, three years out from graduating, and we are all in different cities, which is amazing given how small NZ is in terms of cities and populace. There's Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and yours truly in Wellington, and by some strange coincidence, all of us were in Christchurch once (it wasn't planned, honest!) in Nov 2003. Hopefully we'll be able to meet up soon...
Anticipation
It is only 9 more days before i head back home for the holidays. The anticipation is killing me! My brain is only starting to fully awake, sparking the imagination to fly from shore to shore. Can't wait to hold her in my arms again, to feel her soft touch as she smacks me on the arm again, maybe for putting on weight (or as i call it, losing muscle, 'cos seriously, i haven't gained any weight!)...... the memories. It won't be a long trip, just sufficient to spend time with her and family, and i would have hardly settled down (what with the holiday season) before i have to wrench myself from her loving embrace once more. Bittersweet anticipation in a way, but anticipation nevertheless, with a knot forming inside me as we count down the days....
Side note: played chess in the cafe at my lunchtime, which i won, playing black. =)
Side note: played chess in the cafe at my lunchtime, which i won, playing black. =)
Hmmm
The weather has cleared again, looks like a good day for a lunch time walk. Further on the subject of the aim of this blog, i thought i should introduce a day by day account of living with a border collie. Jeanie is a wonderful dog with a great personality, blessed with (of course) intelligence that sometimes lets her outsmart us (mostly me, lol). Sigh, on days of such great weather, i really miss her and wish i could roaming the hills or exploring some nature park with her.
blogging
I find it amazing that there are so many people out there in the world, a portion of which are wired up to this invisible entity and yet, we are interested in the individual stories that are listed within. All these neurons firing were due to the first comment being made on my blog (see the airplane joke).
I must admit, my initial reaction was "what the? how the hell do people know that I've started a blog? since i haven't told all (grand total of 5) of my friends yet?"
Which led me to his blog (woohoo, another engineer http://channesh.blogspot.com/2004/12/welcome.html#comments), which led to the blog of "a mostly anonymous woman with a lot on her mind. Intrigue, lies, sex, drugs, rock & roll and true stories about a fake romance."
Facinating.
I must admit, my initial reaction was "what the? how the hell do people know that I've started a blog? since i haven't told all (grand total of 5) of my friends yet?"
Which led me to his blog (woohoo, another engineer http://channesh.blogspot.com/2004/12/welcome.html#comments), which led to the blog of "a mostly anonymous woman with a lot on her mind. Intrigue, lies, sex, drugs, rock & roll and true stories about a fake romance."
Facinating.
Early morning thoughts
I woke up early today, intending to get to office so as to finish on my work. Sounds geeky, but its actually payback for mucking around yesterday. As a result of this 8am rise, I managed to score free parking (yes, you heard right, the two words that are foreign to those back home in Singapore), and walked that little bit further to work. Had a chance to think and reflect, especially since the weather was great with the sun shining and clear skies, although the fickle Wellington weather has now turned everything into soup (see http://www.huttcity.info/about/neighbourhoods/webcam.html for the latest updates).
I was thinking about what I should blog about, since if this carried on, it would most certainly spiral into a montage of "what zeenie was thinking about at that time" (which ain't a bad thing really)(or is it?) with absolutely no clear indication on what he's going on about (like now). The only conclusion i came to was that this blog would be my mouthpiece to the world, to show i ever existed. Unfortunately, like graffiti that reads "zeenie was here", it only lasts as long as the next clean up crew, and in this transcient environment, who knows when that happens? (6 months after non-usage? lol). So i shall carry on in this vein and blog all i want and imagine the world is actually interested in what i have to say. Bleah, i feel the spinning beginning already.
I was thinking about what I should blog about, since if this carried on, it would most certainly spiral into a montage of "what zeenie was thinking about at that time" (which ain't a bad thing really)(or is it?) with absolutely no clear indication on what he's going on about (like now). The only conclusion i came to was that this blog would be my mouthpiece to the world, to show i ever existed. Unfortunately, like graffiti that reads "zeenie was here", it only lasts as long as the next clean up crew, and in this transcient environment, who knows when that happens? (6 months after non-usage? lol). So i shall carry on in this vein and blog all i want and imagine the world is actually interested in what i have to say. Bleah, i feel the spinning beginning already.
Monday, 13 December 2004
Photos uploaded! =)
I've managed to upload a couple of pictures from the weekend. Yet to figure out how to stuff them into nice albums so that this blog does not get too cluttered.
Just came back from shooting pool at the local hall where i'm a member. Its somehow comforting to have a place to go where everyone knows your name (hmmm, that sounded familiar lol). I'm currently using a Cuetec Maximiser series cue that's made of graphite and signed by Earl Strickland, bought it about 2 years ago, never regretted it. =) Had a chance to practice my strokes (dang, that sounded crude) as well as running out the rack.
Just came back from shooting pool at the local hall where i'm a member. Its somehow comforting to have a place to go where everyone knows your name (hmmm, that sounded familiar lol). I'm currently using a Cuetec Maximiser series cue that's made of graphite and signed by Earl Strickland, bought it about 2 years ago, never regretted it. =) Had a chance to practice my strokes (dang, that sounded crude) as well as running out the rack.
Firebreak
We took a trek up a firebreak in the hills overlooking Lower Hutt. The views were great and the climb a little tiring, but well worth it.
Further blurb on the origin of zeenie
Apparently, it is a pretty well known handle, as a Hindi star from the 1970s and 1980s was nicknamed Zeenie Baby.
Also, from this site: http://www.kabalarians.com/female/zeenie.htm
Description of Your First Name of: Zeenie
The following brief summary describes only a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, business signature, and, very importantly, your inner potential or birthpath as determined from your date of birth) that create and mold your entire personality - and your entire life.
Although the name Zeenie creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.
Your name of Zeenie has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission. You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people. You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain. You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.
Strange but true. =)
Also, from this site: http://www.kabalarians.com/female/zeenie.htm
Description of Your First Name of: Zeenie
The following brief summary describes only a few qualities of your first name. There are many additional factors (legal name, nicknames, family surname, combined names, previous names, business signature, and, very importantly, your inner potential or birthpath as determined from your date of birth) that create and mold your entire personality - and your entire life.
Although the name Zeenie creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a blunt expression that alienates others. This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses through worry, mental tension, and tension or accidents to the head.
Your name of Zeenie has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission. You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people. You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain. You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.
Strange but true. =)
A funny joke
After every flight, pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, which conveys to the mechanics problems encountered with the aircraft during the flight that need repair or correction. The engineers read and correct the problem, and then respond in writing on the lower half of the form what remedial action was taken, and the pilot reviews the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humour.
(P = The problem logged by the pilot) (S = The solution and action taken by the engineers)
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level .
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for.
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.
(P = The problem logged by the pilot) (S = The solution and action taken by the engineers)
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level .
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for.
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.
About
After reading quite a few good blogs, I decided to try my hand at it and create a place i can just kick back, relax and yak my head off.
The origin of my nick came about during primary school, a time when all of us were required to wear name tags and the han yu pin yin version of my name came out to be Li Zeen (they really should have put an apostrophe before the last two letters). This naturally led to people all over calling me "Zeen". Later, while trying to think of a really good handle (you know how hard that is) that is unique yet relevant, i adapted it and "zeenie" was born. I used that for my ICQ (remember those days before messenger?) and i think its still active (UIN 1203272)(yeah, it was that far back).
The origin of my nick came about during primary school, a time when all of us were required to wear name tags and the han yu pin yin version of my name came out to be Li Zeen (they really should have put an apostrophe before the last two letters). This naturally led to people all over calling me "Zeen". Later, while trying to think of a really good handle (you know how hard that is) that is unique yet relevant, i adapted it and "zeenie" was born. I used that for my ICQ (remember those days before messenger?) and i think its still active (UIN 1203272)(yeah, it was that far back).
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