Interesting article on an online phenomenon on stuff today about a youtube based comedienne (is there such a word) with celebrity status. Anthropologically speaking (i make no Bones of this), observation of this is most facinating. Talking to a friend online about this:
J: what? you want to replicate that?
z: nah, it would be fun but i think looks play a part. sexuality, whether overt or not, sells
J: that has been a advocate of sales all this time... sex sells.... period
z: sex dun sell periods. In fact, periods prevent sale of sex! hahahaha
J: i wish i had a baseball bat here
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Insulated from sound
Driver thought cyclist she hit was tree branch
(follow link for more)
I think the sound proofing in Lexus car must be really really good, in order for a driver to hit a cyclist in the middle of the night, then have said cyclist crack the windscreen of the Lexus, and then drag the bicyle aforementioned cyclist was riding on for a distance.
Maybe we should all drive a Lexus (or two), then we can all be insulated from external factors and concentrate on getting home safe and sound at night. Nice to stay with your parents as well, easy access to car(e) and insulated from (trivial) things in life as well, paying and maintaining your own home and car. Urgh.
HER car rammed into a cyclist from the rear so hard that he flew and hit the
front windscreen, cracking part of it, before rolling onto the road. But
Cleopatra Wong Yuin Ping, 30, thought the body that smashed into the windscreen
was a rotten tree branch that had fallen. She did not bother to stop and
continued driving her car along Holland Road. Wong was also unaware that her
victim's bicycle was stuck in the undercarriage of the Lexus ES300 belonging to
her father, despite the noise of the bicycle scraping against the road.
The bicycle was dragged for about 2km before it was dislodged.
(follow link for more)
I think the sound proofing in Lexus car must be really really good, in order for a driver to hit a cyclist in the middle of the night, then have said cyclist crack the windscreen of the Lexus, and then drag the bicyle aforementioned cyclist was riding on for a distance.
Maybe we should all drive a Lexus (or two), then we can all be insulated from external factors and concentrate on getting home safe and sound at night. Nice to stay with your parents as well, easy access to car(e) and insulated from (trivial) things in life as well, paying and maintaining your own home and car. Urgh.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Playing for mass
I think i have settled down at Sacred Heart after moving over after Easter. It has not been an easy process trying to realign my playing style with the existing band, but i think i'm getting there, especially after (what i felt was) a really good mass yesterday.
Good mix of songs that started out mostly in the minor keys before moving on to more funky contemporary tunes and ending with the grand hymn, Majesty. =) Looking ahead, this will be my first Christmas in this church, and the band structure is pretty fluid, so i'm not sure what time mass i'll be playing or whether i'll be playing at all.
I think playing for mass where the lead sheet is quite skimpy (and sometimes all over the place) does improve my playing, provided i put into practice what i've been learning. Lately i've been playing a lot more bossanovas and latin jazz pieces, just because they feel and awesome, and also because the technical (i.e. classical) jazz pieces are quite beyond me right now. Lol. Upwards and onwards!
Good mix of songs that started out mostly in the minor keys before moving on to more funky contemporary tunes and ending with the grand hymn, Majesty. =) Looking ahead, this will be my first Christmas in this church, and the band structure is pretty fluid, so i'm not sure what time mass i'll be playing or whether i'll be playing at all.
I think playing for mass where the lead sheet is quite skimpy (and sometimes all over the place) does improve my playing, provided i put into practice what i've been learning. Lately i've been playing a lot more bossanovas and latin jazz pieces, just because they feel and awesome, and also because the technical (i.e. classical) jazz pieces are quite beyond me right now. Lol. Upwards and onwards!
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Car troubles
After seeing the "Check tranmission" message light up a couple of times over the past month, it has finally caved in. Usually it would go away after awhile, but this time it was serious and needed the tow truck to get it to the workshop. The warranty was still valid after the previous visit to the workshop after my accident.
Thankfully i had parked at a decent lot that allowed the car to be towed and further, the lot next to me was empty, so more space to work with. I think the question of the night came from the uncle driving the tow truck:
"Eh, i can't find the entrance to your car park, can you drive your car out?"
Thankfully i had parked at a decent lot that allowed the car to be towed and further, the lot next to me was empty, so more space to work with. I think the question of the night came from the uncle driving the tow truck:
"Eh, i can't find the entrance to your car park, can you drive your car out?"
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Cloudy with a chance of.....haze
Every year, we have our friendly smiling neighbours polluting the environment, and every year we go through the same process. Monitor PSI, read the news (and be assured everything is ok), and get updated on measures to protect yourself .
Some points of note though:
Some points of note though:
- schools in Muar have been forced to close because the PSI index there hit 415, woah. I'm surprised Malaysia hasn't been making more noise about this as well, given that the safety of Malaysians is at risk (can you imagine if Singapore were the one setting the fires? a certain Dr Magneeeto would be having a field day).
- our own PSI index is only moderate since it is below 100 and it becomes dangerous above 301, yet we have lost sight of our city skyline already so i can't imagine if it hits above 301. Probably won't be able to see further than the next block.
- the advice on how to handle the haze sounds more like advice on healthy living, i.e. eat more green leafy veges, oily fish and nuts and eat less dairy products, sugar and red meat.
I think this has gone on long enough, especially if we are providing aid to prevent the fires that cause the haze. What could we do? One of the more extreme measures suggested by a radio DJ is trade sanctions, but this would be a precursor to an armed conflict. We could protest to the UN, the WHO and anyone who would care to listen (couldn't think of another cool acronym lol), but the sternest level of action these organisations could do is say "look, this is bad, don't do it ok?" which is like slapping them on the wrist with a wet bus ticket. More punitive actions should be taken but what exactly is something our ministers have to figure out, and they have to be seen to be doing something, considering elections are just around the corner.
Oh wait, i just thought of something: we can write and appeal to Dear Leader to have it rain on the fires, since he has a magical ability to control the weather! Brilliant!
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
LOL @ MSK
Just read the article on asiaone regarding the aftermath of Mas Selamat Kastari's escape, and my first reaction to MSK being placed under the "highest-risk" category at the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC) was "No shit!", which made me chuckle at my own humour. Then again when another related article said that MSK's accounts of his escape was unreliable, i mean "No shit Sherlock right?"
So what does highest-risk entail? I think for starters, no more toilet paper for him, but then how? Imagine this scene: MSK visits the toilet to do his business at WRDC for the first time since his return.
"Nothing has changed eh?" He asked the guard conversationally.
"Actually, some this have. Thanks to a WITS project, your new automated system for shit (ASS) has been installed in your personal toilet cubicle made of mirrors (actually one-way glass, but MSK suspects this already). You do your business and then clean up with your finger...."
"Eww."
".....then stick your finger in this hole here where it will be cleaned automatically." explains the guard.
MSK uses the loo, and cleans up after. He hesistates while contemplating about using ASS, but figures why not and sticks his finger into the hole in the wall. Waiting on the other side of the wall is a guard with two bricks, who brings both bricks crashing together, sandwiching MSK's finger. MSK gives an almighty yell and pulls his finger out and sucks on it to ease the pain.
"Tah dah!" says the guard. =)
So what does highest-risk entail? I think for starters, no more toilet paper for him, but then how? Imagine this scene: MSK visits the toilet to do his business at WRDC for the first time since his return.
"Nothing has changed eh?" He asked the guard conversationally.
"Actually, some this have. Thanks to a WITS project, your new automated system for shit (ASS) has been installed in your personal toilet cubicle made of mirrors (actually one-way glass, but MSK suspects this already). You do your business and then clean up with your finger...."
"Eww."
".....then stick your finger in this hole here where it will be cleaned automatically." explains the guard.
MSK uses the loo, and cleans up after. He hesistates while contemplating about using ASS, but figures why not and sticks his finger into the hole in the wall. Waiting on the other side of the wall is a guard with two bricks, who brings both bricks crashing together, sandwiching MSK's finger. MSK gives an almighty yell and pulls his finger out and sucks on it to ease the pain.
"Tah dah!" says the guard. =)
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Wow, Liverpool FC to be Singaporean-owned?
Am still picking up my jaw from the floor after reading this mind-blowing bit of news from the beebs, that
- a Singaporean billionaire would want to buy a football club (doesn't really make monetary sense?);
- the particular Singaporean billionaire with several Manchester United themed bars in Asia would want to buy LFC;
- he can repay all of Royal Bank of Scotland's and Wachovia's £200m of long-term debt, to take on £60m of other debt and to inject £40m of working capital using cold hard cash from his own pocket;
- he should be so naive as to deal only with the LFC board, since they can't even agree with just 5 people on the board. Should have dealt with RBS as well, 'cos RBS can exert more pressure and from a bank's perspective, just wants to either get its money back or make more money with a further loan.
- he will a higher offer than his previous monetarily better offer (so it is not about the money now? My anti-colonial alarm bells are ringing),
- (i just have to say this again) a Singaporean billionaire would want to buy LFC;
Monday, 11 October 2010
Doggy blood bank database
I was touched while reading this article on blood banks for dogs and would like to support this by promoting the doggy blood bank database (http://zeusdoggybloodbank.blogspot.com/) ...... to all 5 people who read this blog regularly (lol).
The website is a good one-stop information shop on blood for dogs and makes me wish i had access to a website like this when Jeanie was ill with tick fever (incidentally the same illness that caused the creation of the doggy blood bank database). We were very fortunate to obtain a matching blood type but before that happened, the feeling of helplessness was really daunting. During that period, i was comforted by the number of responses of people either offering to donate their dog's blood or just some words of encouragement, even advertising on our behalf. Many thanks to all again for helping Jeanie recover.
Here's a recent picture of Jeanie for your enjoyment. =)
The website is a good one-stop information shop on blood for dogs and makes me wish i had access to a website like this when Jeanie was ill with tick fever (incidentally the same illness that caused the creation of the doggy blood bank database). We were very fortunate to obtain a matching blood type but before that happened, the feeling of helplessness was really daunting. During that period, i was comforted by the number of responses of people either offering to donate their dog's blood or just some words of encouragement, even advertising on our behalf. Many thanks to all again for helping Jeanie recover.
Here's a recent picture of Jeanie for your enjoyment. =)
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Ultimate mash-ups
So we're watching quite a bit of tv these days, thanks to our upgraded basic package. Then one day, while watching Bones, i thought it would be really cool if Dr Lightman from Lie to Me helps out with the interviewing of the suspect (although Booth is good at reading people). Which got me thinking of some really funky mash-up i thought would be the ultimate mash-up. One where some major terrorist plot gets NCIS (and NCIS LA) involved in a nationwide hunt, and in the process a very decomposed body was found that needed identification and in steps Dr Brennan (from Bones). Due to the large number of suspects, Dr Lightman interviews and narrows down the list of people to a single suspect, and when further probing and trying to locate him, he turns out to be a serial killer who assumes the identities of his victims and he killed one of the would-be terrorists. So the BAU team from Criminal Minds is called in to profile him so that he can be located. LOL
What ultimate mash-ups would you like to see?
What ultimate mash-ups would you like to see?
Friday, 24 September 2010
Conversations.....
So am chatting with a friend and this is the following line of conversation ensues. Background: my friend N is from Hong Kong and the kiwi definition of root can be found here.
N: actually will be going to HK next year for the actual family trip...should be awesome
z: nice! get in touch with your roots
N: indeed that's what is exciting me
z: indeed
N: I'm kinda like them but 2 sizes largerI fortunately do not have the anorexic HK male look
z: ah
N: haha
z: you'll be surprised at how large they can be
(this line of conversation is soooo bad)
N: actually will be going to HK next year for the actual family trip...should be awesome
z: nice! get in touch with your roots
N: indeed that's what is exciting me
z: indeed
N: I'm kinda like them but 2 sizes largerI fortunately do not have the anorexic HK male look
z: ah
N: haha
z: you'll be surprised at how large they can be
(this line of conversation is soooo bad)
Monday, 6 September 2010
Salaries
So i noticed that starting salaries of graduates have been published. For simplicity, i will reproduce the relevant parts (sans photos) below:
Accountancy: $2,400; ($2,500 for 4 year programme)
Applied Science: $,2,500; ($2,600 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Arts: $2,500; ($2,700-$2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Business Administration: $2,600; ($2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Communication Studies: $2,600 (4 year programme with Honours)
Computing: $2,800; ($2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Dental Surgery: $3,000 (4 year programme with Honours)
Education: $3,000 (4 year programme)
Engineering: $3,000 (4 year programme in Aerospace, Chemical & Biomolecular, or Industrial & Systems )
Engineering: $2,800-$2,900 (4 year programme in Bioengineering, Mechanical, Materials, Computer, Electrical and Electronics)
Engineering: $2,600 to $2,700 (4 year programme in Civil, Environmental)
Fine Arts: $2,300 (4 year programme in Art, Design and Media)
Science: $2,500; ($2,600 for 4 year programme in Maritime Studies, Real Estate or Nursing)
Science: $2,750-$2,950 (4 year programme in Biological, Mathematics, Chemistry & Biological Chemistry or Information Systems Management)
Economics: $3,000 (4 year programme)
NB: all three year programmes unless specified.
So for the extra one year of your life and extra tuition fees, you get $100-300 a month. Fair deal? Many times, employers stress on the need for job experience, and would happily neglect the extra education a candidate has. Excuses that i have heard range from: irrelevant field, too high level to be practical, too academically minded (whatever that means). But at the same time, they fail to recognise that the extra education has also provided more maturity of thought and (sometimes) an ability to provide out-of-the-box solutions. To trade off, I suggest that employers treat the time spent on extra education as job experience and pay their people as such.
Also, i noticed that the starting pay for the legal profession is not listed, which is a pity because i would have like to see how much lawyers get when they first begin. Anyways, my own self-interest would be in salaries of people mid career. =)
In the same breath, i also read about this couple who own two cars but take public transport on the weekends. As civil servants, they earn $9k each? Wow. They work in Serangoon and Ang Mo Kio, but
Which is really a waste of money to me since Serangoon and AMK aren't far apart to me, but then again, i don't earn $9k a month. =)
Accountancy: $2,400; ($2,500 for 4 year programme)
Applied Science: $,2,500; ($2,600 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Arts: $2,500; ($2,700-$2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Business Administration: $2,600; ($2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Communication Studies: $2,600 (4 year programme with Honours)
Computing: $2,800; ($2,900 for 4 year programme with Honours)
Dental Surgery: $3,000 (4 year programme with Honours)
Education: $3,000 (4 year programme)
Engineering: $3,000 (4 year programme in Aerospace, Chemical & Biomolecular, or Industrial & Systems )
Engineering: $2,800-$2,900 (4 year programme in Bioengineering, Mechanical, Materials, Computer, Electrical and Electronics)
Engineering: $2,600 to $2,700 (4 year programme in Civil, Environmental)
Fine Arts: $2,300 (4 year programme in Art, Design and Media)
Science: $2,500; ($2,600 for 4 year programme in Maritime Studies, Real Estate or Nursing)
Science: $2,750-$2,950 (4 year programme in Biological, Mathematics, Chemistry & Biological Chemistry or Information Systems Management)
Economics: $3,000 (4 year programme)
NB: all three year programmes unless specified.
So for the extra one year of your life and extra tuition fees, you get $100-300 a month. Fair deal? Many times, employers stress on the need for job experience, and would happily neglect the extra education a candidate has. Excuses that i have heard range from: irrelevant field, too high level to be practical, too academically minded (whatever that means). But at the same time, they fail to recognise that the extra education has also provided more maturity of thought and (sometimes) an ability to provide out-of-the-box solutions. To trade off, I suggest that employers treat the time spent on extra education as job experience and pay their people as such.
Also, i noticed that the starting pay for the legal profession is not listed, which is a pity because i would have like to see how much lawyers get when they first begin. Anyways, my own self-interest would be in salaries of people mid career. =)
In the same breath, i also read about this couple who own two cars but take public transport on the weekends. As civil servants, they earn $9k each? Wow. They work in Serangoon and Ang Mo Kio, but
To avoid having to ferry each other to their individual workplaces and risk
reaching work late, the couple decided to get a second car.
Which is really a waste of money to me since Serangoon and AMK aren't far apart to me, but then again, i don't earn $9k a month. =)
Earthquake in Christchurch
When i was staying Christchurch some years back, i was always told that Christchurch was overdue for a big earthquake. Because of that, i had always prepared an earthquake kit, one that had plenty of stuff like canned food, a radio, torchlight, candles, matches, and lots and lots of water. The additional water was added after a neighbour had scoffed at my box of stuff, saying that thing will be alright, and if they needed water, they'd know who to look for *facepalm*. =)
Now the big one has really hit and it measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, originating from Darfield, a small town south of Christchurch, where i used to travel out to tutor a kid there. I am hoping and praying for everyone back there, but a selfish part of me is just thankful that i moved from there, especially when i read about pets going missing. Not really sure how would Jeanie react to an earthquake, although we did experience a couple when i was in Wellington. Once, i ran out of the house panicking (not the smartest thing) and found her lying in her doghouse in her usual pose of having her head lean out, giving me a "wassup" look (kinda like this).
Now the big one has really hit and it measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, originating from Darfield, a small town south of Christchurch, where i used to travel out to tutor a kid there. I am hoping and praying for everyone back there, but a selfish part of me is just thankful that i moved from there, especially when i read about pets going missing. Not really sure how would Jeanie react to an earthquake, although we did experience a couple when i was in Wellington. Once, i ran out of the house panicking (not the smartest thing) and found her lying in her doghouse in her usual pose of having her head lean out, giving me a "wassup" look (kinda like this).
Thursday, 2 September 2010
new beginnings
Started at a new job recently which is based some distance away (requires 9.1% of my of day) and it has been interesting so far (as it would be), especially meeting new people. Personally, i like meeting new people, 'cos everyone's my friend, as long as they're friendly. =)
During the course of my conversation with people, i realised that i had been back in Singapore for 6 years now. Wow. Time flies. In 6 years, i have:
During the course of my conversation with people, i realised that i had been back in Singapore for 6 years now. Wow. Time flies. In 6 years, i have:
- bought a car;
- married wibblewamble;
- toured Northen Italy;
- stayed in New York;
- got our flat;
- had a baby girl with ww;
- and now, changed jobs twice. =)
Monday, 30 August 2010
Copping out
Was bored and channel surfing and ended up watching an episode of Cops. Caught 2 main incidents that involved the police in the US of A, and was rather concerned about them.
In the first, a wife had to call in the police after her estranged husband turned up at her place to harass her. There was nothing to aid in his case, as he was loud, rude, very angry and seemed a little slow on the uptake (could be alcohol impairment). However, as loud as he was, he did do as the police officers said, as they had asked him: "do you want to walk away or spend the night in jail?" As he was walking away, the police arrested him, which i thought was a strange time to do so, since they had plenty of opportunity to do so earlier. Not sure why the change in mind, but it seemed like an odd time to do so (television program editing did not help). Funny thing the guy did was after he was arrested and cuffed, he started banging his head on the bonnet of the policecar, saying "why are you hitting me?"
The second incident was more disturbing for me. Basically a bunch of detectives in New Orleans left a bicycle in plain view, unlocked, on a street corner (in front of a church i think). The bike itself belonged to one of the detectives and looked pretty new. I had thought that entrapment was not allowed in the states. The amusing things that the detectives said when questioning the various suspects included "so who gave you permission to touch the bike?", which just reminded me of primary school mentality.
Still, watching the program reminded me of the various procedures that are required (on the part of the police) when trying to detain or arrest a suspect. =)
Thursday, 12 August 2010
car troubles...
So after a long period of repair due to my accident, i was told to pick up my car yesterday. Happy days! Or not.....because driving home from the workshop, i stopped at a traffic light at Fort Road and found that the duologic gearbox was stuck in 4th and wouldn't shift down. Tried switching between "manual" and "auto" modes but it just wouldn't budge. In the end i tried restarting the engine, but it would have none of that as well. Had to call the workshop for a tow back as well as let WW know that she'd had to find her own way home (was gonna pick her up). Bugger!
Overall the repair job looks done well and i'm amazed they managed to make everything look decent. However, i noticed that my seating position, steering wheel and mirror adjustments have all been altered which means someone had been driving it, and probably screwing up the logic in the gearbox. It is a finicky gearbox, granted, that was why i took care of it, but i guess those guys managed to mess it up for me in a short stint. Gargh.
Overall the repair job looks done well and i'm amazed they managed to make everything look decent. However, i noticed that my seating position, steering wheel and mirror adjustments have all been altered which means someone had been driving it, and probably screwing up the logic in the gearbox. It is a finicky gearbox, granted, that was why i took care of it, but i guess those guys managed to mess it up for me in a short stint. Gargh.
Monday, 2 August 2010
music and more
Quite a few things to say about this actually, 'cos we are a musically inclined family. We both play the piano and WW sings as well (i just croak, according to my music teacher lol) and our combined CD collection is the envy of many, although it will be our offspring who inherits this (although CDs will be out of date by whatever time). Actually, we are hoping that she inherits more than just our CD collection and it has been evident lately that she is quite particular about her music.
We were watching Happy Feet one day while she was just lying quietly nearby, and we noticed that she was thumping her feet to the music during the scene when Mumble Happyfeet was leading the penguin mass dance. =)
She is also quite picky about her music as there are certain types of music where she will frown and show her disapproval, then there are others where she'd listen and then fall asleep. So far, she does not like jazz (i assume because of the dissonant chords) but loves pop music. So she'd frown at Michel Camilo, but falls asleep listening to the Eagles. Only exception is Eliane Elias, whom she just listens quietly (yes!) and lately i've been informed that she likes Dave Koz as well. =)
I think the spookiest moment for me was when she started singing along (wordlessly, of course) to one of our recordings we did at Sacred Heart. Could not imagine that she really has a sense of timing and is applying it by using her voice, and she's not even 3 months old?!
Speaking of Sacred Heart, this coming Sunday is going to be a day of music as i have to play for 2 masses and canteen duty at the same time.
We were watching Happy Feet one day while she was just lying quietly nearby, and we noticed that she was thumping her feet to the music during the scene when Mumble Happyfeet was leading the penguin mass dance. =)
She is also quite picky about her music as there are certain types of music where she will frown and show her disapproval, then there are others where she'd listen and then fall asleep. So far, she does not like jazz (i assume because of the dissonant chords) but loves pop music. So she'd frown at Michel Camilo, but falls asleep listening to the Eagles. Only exception is Eliane Elias, whom she just listens quietly (yes!) and lately i've been informed that she likes Dave Koz as well. =)
I think the spookiest moment for me was when she started singing along (wordlessly, of course) to one of our recordings we did at Sacred Heart. Could not imagine that she really has a sense of timing and is applying it by using her voice, and she's not even 3 months old?!
Speaking of Sacred Heart, this coming Sunday is going to be a day of music as i have to play for 2 masses and canteen duty at the same time.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Metalwars review
I thought i'd try something new by writing about some of the iphone apps that i've been using and iphone games that i've been playing and today the topic is Metalwars by Goorusoft.
I had started out playing the lite (i.e. free) version and got so hooked on it that i had to get it (at $0.99, daily discount of the day i think) for the extra levels, although a little disappointed only a total of 18 levels for the full version.
Basically it is based on Mechwarriors (anyone remember that?) where a single human pilot gets into a robot that is armed to the teeth and they battle it out. The graphics is quite impressive with your view a 3D perspective slightly behind your robot. The controls are relatively straightforward with two circles appearing on the bottom corners of your screen (landscape mode). The "left control pad" controls movement while the "right control pad" controls the direction of the turret and fires the weapon at the same time. To point at a direction without firing, just tap the edge of the circle in the required direction. It can be a real challenge at first to master this, but once you get the hang of it, it is quite exciting to be able to run and gun, duck behind cover, change weapons and repeat. Weapons need time to reload, so it's best to have at least 2 so you can rotate while the other is being reloaded. You can't reload midway so you have to expend all your ammo (unlimited reloads i think) before the reloading can begin. You can get caught out and be defenceless at times if your weapons are all reloading, so just have to make like Gump and RUN!
Weapons can be changed via the little button next to the "right control pad" and this cycles through all the weapons you have mounted on your mech. My bugbear with the controls is sometimes this button does not respond when i try to change weapons, not sure why, could be an overlap with the right control pad. You can also give simple orders to your buddy which are self-explanatory: Follow me, Attack, and Hold.
The game offers 3 different slots for you saving progress of your game and offers a total of 18 stages for you to clear. Each stage consists of destroying all enemy mechs with the help of a fellow mech and you actually get graded for this, with the amount of money you earn corresponding to the grade you get. Each subsequent stage has harder (more well armed and well armoured) enemies, and is unlocked only if you get a minimum D grade. Basically this just means you're the last mech standing after everyone else (including your buddy) has been destroyed. The money you make varies from level to level, but generally if you do well, you can get an A grade which gives you 160. And if you really well, an S grade gives you the most money at 200. There is a buddy bonus (of 100) if he survives when you clear the stage, but i don't think this adds to your money, the only catch being that I haven't been able to get an S grade with my buddy dying along the way so i assume he has to survive as well to get that. The stages have different environments from a space-station arena, to a city grid, to a town set in the desert. Unlocking stages also gives you access to buy better weapons at the shop.
The shop is where the money you've been making becomes important as it allows you to upgrade your mech with better parts. These are catergorised into: Lower, Upper, Weapon, Extra, Wingman, Lower Paint and Upper Paint. Parts generally get more expensive as you go on so it's important to save up for them. Sometimes it's worth replaying a level, even though you've already attained 'S' for it, just so you can get more money. This can be such a mismatch at times when need more money and replay stage 1 and utterly pwn the scrawny machine-gun toting mechs.
Lower bodies come in a variety of flavours and vary in AP (hitpoints), speed, acceleration and loadage. Having a larger upper body gives better AP and allows you extra slots for weapons and of course, having more weapons is good in view of the reloading period. The maximum of weapons is 4, using the Guardian, which is interesting because the next (and penultimate) upper body that you unlock is the Impulse, which costs the same, has the same AP but can only carry 3 weapons. LOL
Do be aware that you are restricted by the amount the lower body can carry (i.e. loadage), so while it's nice to have a fast lower body (with corresponding lower loadage) and huge upper body with 4 weapons, this ain't gonna happen, which is cool. One quick tip is that placement of the weapons does matter. For upper bodies with more than 2 weapons, the 3rd (and 4th) weapons are placed on the top, allowing you to fire them at enemies if you're behind a low enough partial cover. Very useful as the computer controlled mechs generally can't get to you when you're behind cover (whether partial or full), but note that this does not work for missile boxes.
Weapons range from your basic MG (you start out with with the 20mm, with 30mm and 40mm later) to cannons of varying sizes to missile boxes (reminds me of the TOW missile on the standard M2 Bradley) to flamethrowers and laser beams. These vary in power, range, cartridge (magazine size), delay and reload time. The MGs are generally good and i can even use them all the way until the later stages when better weapons are unlocked. The cannons are powerful but have really long delays between shots and you're pretty much screwed if you need them to reload quickly, 'cos they take ages to do so. The shotgun is useful if you're a bobo shooter and is useful for close quarter battles (CQB), although not as good as the almighty flamethrower. I don't really like the laser beam but the computer controlled mechs seem to do alright using it. The missile boxes are interesting because the initial box comes with 7 missiles and fires them one at a time, and they will try to home in on the enemy provided you are facing the right direction and within range. Can be frustrating to fire your missiles and see them wander elsewhere, or even worse it hits your buddy (which does them damage so watch what you're shooting!). Later stages unlock spreadmissile boxes which fire in salvoes of 3 missiles for 3 waves which can be quite devastating. There is also a curious missile box called Skybot, which fires a bot that flies around the enemy shooting them with a small beam (a true fire and forget weapon). I usually try to keep the enemy mechs far away from me, using a mixture of skybot/spreadmissiles and MGs (cannons are too slow for me). At the same time, i'd outfit my buddy with a missile box or two and CQB-type weapons (flamethrowers are awesome!) and let him go upfront and attack while i engage from distance (from an angle).
The extras provide either a defensive laser that intercepts incoming missiles with a green beam (note long 'reload' time between shots) "Hard Kill" or extra AP "AP Up", and these come in 2 different levels, 5-10% for the AP. I did not notice any difference between Hard Kill 1 and Hard Kill 2, only that it takes up more loadage (from 5 to 10) so i stuck with Hard Kill 1.
The wingmen don't really matter so you can stick with the present given guy unless you have money to burn. Same thing for the change of paint for your mech, although it's really cheap and only costs 5. You can also rename your mech (for free).
Do remember to assemble your mech after buying your parts from the shop. This is especially useful if you want to do well (not just clear) at the various stages. There are some stages where it would be better to assemble a faster mech with less weapons, and there are some where you can go in armed to the teeth and just blast the enemy away.
My standard mech has the Guardian as the upper body as i prefer to have more weapons. I use a Skybot, a spreadmissile and a pair of 40mm MGs in that order (together with a Hard Kill 1, which gives max loadage of 110). I'd fire the Skybots, followed by all waves of my spreadmissile, then i get behind a low wall (try the wall of the compound that you start out in stage 1) and engage the enemy from safety. By the time i finish through my cycle, the Skybot would typically still be reloading, while my spreadmissile is loaded, so i fire another couple of waves at the enemy, then engage with my (now reloaded) MGs. Then back to Skybot, rinse and repeat. =)
Cover is very important in this game and it pays to use them. Stay away from open areas of the map unless you are heavily armoured and can deal death from afar accurately. Also be careful before letting loose your weapons, least you hit your buddy and try not to engage with your missiles until you have a clear line of sight to the enemy mech. If using your guns, try to park behind a building with just the gun sticking out, so you can engage the buggers at the same time, for this you'd need to be aware which gun you are firing and adjust your cover accordingly. Like i said earlier, if you have more than 2 weapons, make sure your MG/cannon is the 3rd (or 4th weapon) so that you can park behind a lower cover and engage with impunity.
Typically the enemy mechs start out at a position directly opposite you on the other side of the map. They will then make their way down, and usually use the same routes, although i have seen some variation at times. So playing through a stage can give you some idea on which side of a building to walk towards. =)
Also know that some stages pay more money that others, stage 7 for one pays 260 for an S grade, which is the highest i've found so far. The enemy mechs aren't particularly difficult to kill, especially if you use the tips above so that's easy money to be earned. Most stages have only 2 enemy mechs, but stage 6 has 3 and stage 15 has 4(!). Stage 15 is particularly hard as 3 of the mechs are small and quick and carry flamethrowers which can make short work of you if they all close in on you at the same time. One way of clearing this stage (D grade) is to send your buddy up to engage (to his death) while you try to pick them off but this can be difficult. An easier method would be to assemble a light fast mech with a big cannon and subsidiary MG and just run away. They will chase in line with the direction you're running so it's easy to just pick them off like that (try a 100mm cannon hahahaha), provided you are fast enough. This works especially well if your buddy managed to take out the non-flamethower mech early and then joins you for a quick jog around the rather open map. =)
There are still some bugs in the game, like sometimes after a freak shot or something, the mechs run around without an upper body (or weapons), which gives you an easy kill.
Overall, this is a game which can occupy you for some time. It can be frustrating at times, especially if you want to get S grade for all the stages, but the gameplay is good enough to sustain you for some time. Replayability is limited as once you get the set up you are comfortable with, you don't really have much more to fight for aside from more money or bragging rights.
I had started out playing the lite (i.e. free) version and got so hooked on it that i had to get it (at $0.99, daily discount of the day i think) for the extra levels, although a little disappointed only a total of 18 levels for the full version.
Basically it is based on Mechwarriors (anyone remember that?) where a single human pilot gets into a robot that is armed to the teeth and they battle it out. The graphics is quite impressive with your view a 3D perspective slightly behind your robot. The controls are relatively straightforward with two circles appearing on the bottom corners of your screen (landscape mode). The "left control pad" controls movement while the "right control pad" controls the direction of the turret and fires the weapon at the same time. To point at a direction without firing, just tap the edge of the circle in the required direction. It can be a real challenge at first to master this, but once you get the hang of it, it is quite exciting to be able to run and gun, duck behind cover, change weapons and repeat. Weapons need time to reload, so it's best to have at least 2 so you can rotate while the other is being reloaded. You can't reload midway so you have to expend all your ammo (unlimited reloads i think) before the reloading can begin. You can get caught out and be defenceless at times if your weapons are all reloading, so just have to make like Gump and RUN!
Weapons can be changed via the little button next to the "right control pad" and this cycles through all the weapons you have mounted on your mech. My bugbear with the controls is sometimes this button does not respond when i try to change weapons, not sure why, could be an overlap with the right control pad. You can also give simple orders to your buddy which are self-explanatory: Follow me, Attack, and Hold.
The game offers 3 different slots for you saving progress of your game and offers a total of 18 stages for you to clear. Each stage consists of destroying all enemy mechs with the help of a fellow mech and you actually get graded for this, with the amount of money you earn corresponding to the grade you get. Each subsequent stage has harder (more well armed and well armoured) enemies, and is unlocked only if you get a minimum D grade. Basically this just means you're the last mech standing after everyone else (including your buddy) has been destroyed. The money you make varies from level to level, but generally if you do well, you can get an A grade which gives you 160. And if you really well, an S grade gives you the most money at 200. There is a buddy bonus (of 100) if he survives when you clear the stage, but i don't think this adds to your money, the only catch being that I haven't been able to get an S grade with my buddy dying along the way so i assume he has to survive as well to get that. The stages have different environments from a space-station arena, to a city grid, to a town set in the desert. Unlocking stages also gives you access to buy better weapons at the shop.
The shop is where the money you've been making becomes important as it allows you to upgrade your mech with better parts. These are catergorised into: Lower, Upper, Weapon, Extra, Wingman, Lower Paint and Upper Paint. Parts generally get more expensive as you go on so it's important to save up for them. Sometimes it's worth replaying a level, even though you've already attained 'S' for it, just so you can get more money. This can be such a mismatch at times when need more money and replay stage 1 and utterly pwn the scrawny machine-gun toting mechs.
Lower bodies come in a variety of flavours and vary in AP (hitpoints), speed, acceleration and loadage. Having a larger upper body gives better AP and allows you extra slots for weapons and of course, having more weapons is good in view of the reloading period. The maximum of weapons is 4, using the Guardian, which is interesting because the next (and penultimate) upper body that you unlock is the Impulse, which costs the same, has the same AP but can only carry 3 weapons. LOL
Do be aware that you are restricted by the amount the lower body can carry (i.e. loadage), so while it's nice to have a fast lower body (with corresponding lower loadage) and huge upper body with 4 weapons, this ain't gonna happen, which is cool. One quick tip is that placement of the weapons does matter. For upper bodies with more than 2 weapons, the 3rd (and 4th) weapons are placed on the top, allowing you to fire them at enemies if you're behind a low enough partial cover. Very useful as the computer controlled mechs generally can't get to you when you're behind cover (whether partial or full), but note that this does not work for missile boxes.
Weapons range from your basic MG (you start out with with the 20mm, with 30mm and 40mm later) to cannons of varying sizes to missile boxes (reminds me of the TOW missile on the standard M2 Bradley) to flamethrowers and laser beams. These vary in power, range, cartridge (magazine size), delay and reload time. The MGs are generally good and i can even use them all the way until the later stages when better weapons are unlocked. The cannons are powerful but have really long delays between shots and you're pretty much screwed if you need them to reload quickly, 'cos they take ages to do so. The shotgun is useful if you're a bobo shooter and is useful for close quarter battles (CQB), although not as good as the almighty flamethrower. I don't really like the laser beam but the computer controlled mechs seem to do alright using it. The missile boxes are interesting because the initial box comes with 7 missiles and fires them one at a time, and they will try to home in on the enemy provided you are facing the right direction and within range. Can be frustrating to fire your missiles and see them wander elsewhere, or even worse it hits your buddy (which does them damage so watch what you're shooting!). Later stages unlock spreadmissile boxes which fire in salvoes of 3 missiles for 3 waves which can be quite devastating. There is also a curious missile box called Skybot, which fires a bot that flies around the enemy shooting them with a small beam (a true fire and forget weapon). I usually try to keep the enemy mechs far away from me, using a mixture of skybot/spreadmissiles and MGs (cannons are too slow for me). At the same time, i'd outfit my buddy with a missile box or two and CQB-type weapons (flamethrowers are awesome!) and let him go upfront and attack while i engage from distance (from an angle).
The extras provide either a defensive laser that intercepts incoming missiles with a green beam (note long 'reload' time between shots) "Hard Kill" or extra AP "AP Up", and these come in 2 different levels, 5-10% for the AP. I did not notice any difference between Hard Kill 1 and Hard Kill 2, only that it takes up more loadage (from 5 to 10) so i stuck with Hard Kill 1.
The wingmen don't really matter so you can stick with the present given guy unless you have money to burn. Same thing for the change of paint for your mech, although it's really cheap and only costs 5. You can also rename your mech (for free).
Do remember to assemble your mech after buying your parts from the shop. This is especially useful if you want to do well (not just clear) at the various stages. There are some stages where it would be better to assemble a faster mech with less weapons, and there are some where you can go in armed to the teeth and just blast the enemy away.
My standard mech has the Guardian as the upper body as i prefer to have more weapons. I use a Skybot, a spreadmissile and a pair of 40mm MGs in that order (together with a Hard Kill 1, which gives max loadage of 110). I'd fire the Skybots, followed by all waves of my spreadmissile, then i get behind a low wall (try the wall of the compound that you start out in stage 1) and engage the enemy from safety. By the time i finish through my cycle, the Skybot would typically still be reloading, while my spreadmissile is loaded, so i fire another couple of waves at the enemy, then engage with my (now reloaded) MGs. Then back to Skybot, rinse and repeat. =)
Cover is very important in this game and it pays to use them. Stay away from open areas of the map unless you are heavily armoured and can deal death from afar accurately. Also be careful before letting loose your weapons, least you hit your buddy and try not to engage with your missiles until you have a clear line of sight to the enemy mech. If using your guns, try to park behind a building with just the gun sticking out, so you can engage the buggers at the same time, for this you'd need to be aware which gun you are firing and adjust your cover accordingly. Like i said earlier, if you have more than 2 weapons, make sure your MG/cannon is the 3rd (or 4th weapon) so that you can park behind a lower cover and engage with impunity.
Typically the enemy mechs start out at a position directly opposite you on the other side of the map. They will then make their way down, and usually use the same routes, although i have seen some variation at times. So playing through a stage can give you some idea on which side of a building to walk towards. =)
Also know that some stages pay more money that others, stage 7 for one pays 260 for an S grade, which is the highest i've found so far. The enemy mechs aren't particularly difficult to kill, especially if you use the tips above so that's easy money to be earned. Most stages have only 2 enemy mechs, but stage 6 has 3 and stage 15 has 4(!). Stage 15 is particularly hard as 3 of the mechs are small and quick and carry flamethrowers which can make short work of you if they all close in on you at the same time. One way of clearing this stage (D grade) is to send your buddy up to engage (to his death) while you try to pick them off but this can be difficult. An easier method would be to assemble a light fast mech with a big cannon and subsidiary MG and just run away. They will chase in line with the direction you're running so it's easy to just pick them off like that (try a 100mm cannon hahahaha), provided you are fast enough. This works especially well if your buddy managed to take out the non-flamethower mech early and then joins you for a quick jog around the rather open map. =)
There are still some bugs in the game, like sometimes after a freak shot or something, the mechs run around without an upper body (or weapons), which gives you an easy kill.
Overall, this is a game which can occupy you for some time. It can be frustrating at times, especially if you want to get S grade for all the stages, but the gameplay is good enough to sustain you for some time. Replayability is limited as once you get the set up you are comfortable with, you don't really have much more to fight for aside from more money or bragging rights.
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Diary of a reno 3
More updates to our home:
Bought and installed sidetable extension for our study table.
Bought a winefridge and a Philips soundbar.
Installed a custom-made tower-of-power cabinet for our connections to the TV and our CD/DVD collection.
Ikea mirror bought for our bathroom.
Bought and installed sidetable extension for our study table.
Bought a winefridge and a Philips soundbar.
Installed a custom-made tower-of-power cabinet for our connections to the TV and our CD/DVD collection.
Ikea mirror bought for our bathroom.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Movie review: Toy Story 3
I remember when i watched the first toy story back in 1995. I didn't have much expectation of it, given that it was a cartoon-type movie, and boy was i wrong. My first thought at the end of the movie was that it was too short! I wanted more!! Granted that it was a pretty cliched storyline but it still touched me and made me want to return to my childhood. They repeated this formula of relying our good memories of childhood and sentimentality (is that even a word?) for Toy Story 2, and now Toy Story 3 as well.
The natural progression of things meant that Andy is now heading off to college and how this would affect the toys. I'll stop here as i don't want to spoil it for anyone who either hasn't watched it yet or has been living under a rock (we appeared to be the only ones who hadn't watched it!). Of course, the usual mix of gags and laughs were there for the kids, but Pixar managed to reach out to everyone by appealing to the child in us.
For me, the quote of the movie came from Barbie:
which made me want to yell out "or a lawsuit!" LOL
The natural progression of things meant that Andy is now heading off to college and how this would affect the toys. I'll stop here as i don't want to spoil it for anyone who either hasn't watched it yet or has been living under a rock (we appeared to be the only ones who hadn't watched it!). Of course, the usual mix of gags and laughs were there for the kids, but Pixar managed to reach out to everyone by appealing to the child in us.
For me, the quote of the movie came from Barbie:
"Authority should derive from the consent of the governed, not from the threat of force!"
which made me want to yell out "or a lawsuit!" LOL
Updates for the bean bag
I just realised that blogger hadn't been notifying me that i had comments awaiting moderation! Sorry crufty!
Interestingly enough, i see that i have made more posts this month than the entire of 2009. LOL
For our regular readers (all 5 of you), you may notice that we have a new layout! I kinda like this format as it may imply whatever i'm writing is backed up by books *sagely pause* hmmmmm.
Am also in the process using the labelling system, so i'll use that little widget once more posts have been labelled. Updates to follow!
Interestingly enough, i see that i have made more posts this month than the entire of 2009. LOL
For our regular readers (all 5 of you), you may notice that we have a new layout! I kinda like this format as it may imply whatever i'm writing is backed up by books *sagely pause* hmmmmm.
Am also in the process using the labelling system, so i'll use that little widget once more posts have been labelled. Updates to follow!
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
There may be no tomorrow...
The above came to mind when i saw tomorrow.sg still listed in my bloglines feed.
The last post was 31 May and since then, I have submitted a couple of articles relating to Singapore for approval but still no updates.
Either:
Singapore is so exciting that the standard of my articles is not enough to pique the editors' interests (i think there more than 1 editor at large needs to approve each submission);
or
the submission mechanism at tomorrow is spoyr (i.e. not working, for those non-Singlish readers) and no one from the editors has noticed the darth of submissions;
or
tomorrow.sg is dying a slow death. Maybe it can be reborn as a better tomorrow? LOL
The last post was 31 May and since then, I have submitted a couple of articles relating to Singapore for approval but still no updates.
Either:
Singapore is so exciting that the standard of my articles is not enough to pique the editors' interests (i think there more than 1 editor at large needs to approve each submission);
or
the submission mechanism at tomorrow is spoyr (i.e. not working, for those non-Singlish readers) and no one from the editors has noticed the darth of submissions;
or
tomorrow.sg is dying a slow death. Maybe it can be reborn as a better tomorrow? LOL
Airy automobile
As a follow up to my previous post, we are now in the market for a car, as the two scenarios of our present car end with losing it: a) insurer declaring it a total loss and paying us market value (not much) and b) insurer repairing the car then we sell it (for safety reasons).
Option b gets us more money, but entails fighting the insurer from declaring it a total loss. I think i'm going to go through some hair and blood loss in dealing with them, and all the 5 cent 10 cent comments people offer do not really help even though they mean well. Sigh.
So anyways, a friend was selling his 1-series beemer convertible at a reasonable price (wouldn't call it cheap!) in that with the increasing car prices, we wouldn't make much of a loss on it after a year or two. However, price aside, the car would be difficult to use as a daily family car, given that it only has two doors, usable 2 backseats and a tiny boot, which may barely be able to take our pram. The idea of owning a convertible of course appeals but the reality of running it to the mall for groceries and other stuff might derail this thought. Which is a pity, because being rear-wheel driven really gives it beautiful handling, once you get some speed. May explain why ww found it hard to perform a 3-point turn as she struggled to turn the steering. Nice to have a drop top although the guy was saying it was only the second time he's ever lowered it, as weather in SG doesn't really help!
We also visited VW, Volvo and Subaru over the weekend to scope out new car prices, which are steep! Really bad time to buy (although you wouldn't have thunk it with the amount of people in the showrooms!!) with COE prices so high.
Sigh
Option b gets us more money, but entails fighting the insurer from declaring it a total loss. I think i'm going to go through some hair and blood loss in dealing with them, and all the 5 cent 10 cent comments people offer do not really help even though they mean well. Sigh.
So anyways, a friend was selling his 1-series beemer convertible at a reasonable price (wouldn't call it cheap!) in that with the increasing car prices, we wouldn't make much of a loss on it after a year or two. However, price aside, the car would be difficult to use as a daily family car, given that it only has two doors, usable 2 backseats and a tiny boot, which may barely be able to take our pram. The idea of owning a convertible of course appeals but the reality of running it to the mall for groceries and other stuff might derail this thought. Which is a pity, because being rear-wheel driven really gives it beautiful handling, once you get some speed. May explain why ww found it hard to perform a 3-point turn as she struggled to turn the steering. Nice to have a drop top although the guy was saying it was only the second time he's ever lowered it, as weather in SG doesn't really help!
We also visited VW, Volvo and Subaru over the weekend to scope out new car prices, which are steep! Really bad time to buy (although you wouldn't have thunk it with the amount of people in the showrooms!!) with COE prices so high.
Sigh
Monday, 19 July 2010
In His time
Had the joy of playing for mass on Sunday, and with my friends from HT and it still seems as if we have it down tight. LOL. Tom is away healing his back, so Shaun took over stick duty and we had Louis joining us on the guitar.
Good (but long) sermon from Fr Tay as usual and he had to sneak in a mention about the band again. Quite embaressing to be referred to as "these guys are not professional but they play good music just like professionals". Awww....Fr Tay we love you too. =)
One of the songs we played was "In His time" which tied in very nicely with his sermon on living the word of God. My summary was "to turn the other cheek" but he goes one further by saying if we ever have the urge to say something bad or unkind about or to someone, change it to something nice, with feeling. It is a huge change of mindset but helps us love our neighbour. I have been trying but it is of course hard, even though i try to break it into baby steps: instead of saying anything, i try not to keep silent and let the wave of ill feeling pass. I may not be successful all the time, but at least i'm trying. And when it works, i do feel happier inside, although it is also a concious effort not to bottle things up, so must let it go...... LOL
This is song is close to me right now, especially hearing the congregation sing it so beautifully.
In His Time
Am Dm7 G7 C
In His time, in His time,
Dm7 G7 C C7
He makes all things beautiful, in His time,
F G7
Lord, please show me everyday,
Em Am
As You're teaching me Your way,
Dm7 G7 C
That You do just what You say, in Your time.
In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful, in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.
Tried to upload a version that we played (and managed to record) but having some technical issues here. Will sort it out soon
Good (but long) sermon from Fr Tay as usual and he had to sneak in a mention about the band again. Quite embaressing to be referred to as "these guys are not professional but they play good music just like professionals". Awww....Fr Tay we love you too. =)
One of the songs we played was "In His time" which tied in very nicely with his sermon on living the word of God. My summary was "to turn the other cheek" but he goes one further by saying if we ever have the urge to say something bad or unkind about or to someone, change it to something nice, with feeling. It is a huge change of mindset but helps us love our neighbour. I have been trying but it is of course hard, even though i try to break it into baby steps: instead of saying anything, i try not to keep silent and let the wave of ill feeling pass. I may not be successful all the time, but at least i'm trying. And when it works, i do feel happier inside, although it is also a concious effort not to bottle things up, so must let it go...... LOL
This is song is close to me right now, especially hearing the congregation sing it so beautifully.
In His Time
Am Dm7 G7 C
In His time, in His time,
Dm7 G7 C C7
He makes all things beautiful, in His time,
F G7
Lord, please show me everyday,
Em Am
As You're teaching me Your way,
Dm7 G7 C
That You do just what You say, in Your time.
In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful, in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.
Tried to upload a version that we played (and managed to record) but having some technical issues here. Will sort it out soon
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
butterflies and twitters
Maybe it is my preference to be non-confrontational (you can stop snorting) but somehow the idea of handing in my notice this time round seems so difficult and is giving my tummy a bit of a strain with all the stress and anxiety.
Aside from the fact that my boss is extremely busy so it has been difficult to get some facetime, the thought of leaving this place, seems to make me procastinate. Even though i know i will feel better after i do it, i still feel a sense of loss at a place where i have spent a majority of my waking hours for the past years. Promises to keep in touch aside, i also know it will never be the same for some as we are used to just walking over for a yarn and a laugh, while the great unknown is waiting for me on the other side.
Interesting yet strange thoughts on a poignant day. I think a haircut is in order (it always balances me out!). =)
Aside from the fact that my boss is extremely busy so it has been difficult to get some facetime, the thought of leaving this place, seems to make me procastinate. Even though i know i will feel better after i do it, i still feel a sense of loss at a place where i have spent a majority of my waking hours for the past years. Promises to keep in touch aside, i also know it will never be the same for some as we are used to just walking over for a yarn and a laugh, while the great unknown is waiting for me on the other side.
Interesting yet strange thoughts on a poignant day. I think a haircut is in order (it always balances me out!). =)
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Sucky vac saleman
Had an incident that I nearly went librarian poo-poo about.
Someone bought a vacuum cleaner system and saw it fit to recommend this to us, so the appointment was fixed over the weekend. I had to attend mass (was supposed to play but long story) and got a little worried when i got an sms from ww asking about our existing (rather old but still working) vacuum system, the Rainbow, about whether it had a filter. In view of my car-less state, my parents attended mass with me, which was very heart warming, so we all headed home after.
Found that the saleman had displayed his wares all over my bedroom when i got home, and wanted to demonstrate the system to me. He said that it is more than a vacuum, it can also purify the air, clean your mattresses and more. I took one look at it, and noted that it was similar to what we already have (which can do the same lol), but i indulged him and listened to his speel, while ww had her lunch. He tried to head off the fact that we already have a Rainbow by showing us pictures of a Rainbow system with a filter. (ed: i think this is the updated Rainbow with the Hepa filter, ours is older! lol) Strike one.
I guess he thought he was losing me 'cos he said to me (and my mum), "you know, it does not matter because your wife has already ordered it." At this time i paused and got suspicious, because i knew ww wouldn't commit to readily. Walked over and checked with her and she was like "eh?" Strike two.
Then when i went back in, he claimed that my father-in-law (who had brought lunch for ww) approved of the system and said ok to buy, which was strange because the first thing my FIL showed me was that our Rainbow did not have a filter (which i already knew), and he was wondering what the saleman was talking about. Strike three.
So i decided enough was enough, and i said:
"I'm sorry but i just got into a car accident and we don't have the money to plonk down 3.4k for this. Thank you for your time, we are not interested"
and
"I appreciate your time, but we already have a Rainbow which does pretty much the same thing. I know your system is updated and it is a good system, but we don't need it right now."
and
"Look, i don't really need to see your demo, because i know what it can do, since you said for yourself that this was developed by a guy who worked in Rainbow, so i already know what it does. My time is limited (weekends are precious!) and i'm sure yours is as well, so thank you for your time but we are not interested."
Getting nowhere with me, he headed outside to try to convince ww (leaving his junk still all over my bedroom). By which time, i was getting pretty heated up and wanted this guy out of our house. Still he persisted in repeating his speel, broken record style, and i rebutted with the above statements, this time more forcefully, even to the extent of showing him the door. At this point in time, guess who shows up at the door? It's his assistant with.... (wait for it)..... a brand new set in a box! Very close to raising my voice at this point in time (no, not even close to 50% volume for me yet really), but still i managed to remain calm with a cold stare. He got the idea and sent the guy away (quickly) and relented enough (finally!) to go pack up his system.
He did have a few parting shots about how happy he was that we were not buying the system (saves him trouble?) and how the system was not for everybody. He also wasn't talking to me at this point in time but addressing everyone else, which is pretty disrespectful, but no matter, i just wanted him out.
Looking back, i think i was just a few moments short of "you have two ways to leave, either you pack your stuff and leave, or it can follow after you." I don't know why but it got very territorial for me at that point in time, as if responding to some basic primal instinct. I think i had provided sufficient verbal warning to call the cops at least, if not physically restrain him until the cops got here, which would have really turned ugly.
Moral of the story: never invite salepeople into your house, they will basically try not to leave until you buy their product and will do everything short of chaining themselves to your dining table to make you do so.
As an epilogue, he called ww the next day, quite persistently asking whether she was still interested in the vacuum. She said a firm "Thank you, but no, not interested". LOL
Someone bought a vacuum cleaner system and saw it fit to recommend this to us, so the appointment was fixed over the weekend. I had to attend mass (was supposed to play but long story) and got a little worried when i got an sms from ww asking about our existing (rather old but still working) vacuum system, the Rainbow, about whether it had a filter. In view of my car-less state, my parents attended mass with me, which was very heart warming, so we all headed home after.
Found that the saleman had displayed his wares all over my bedroom when i got home, and wanted to demonstrate the system to me. He said that it is more than a vacuum, it can also purify the air, clean your mattresses and more. I took one look at it, and noted that it was similar to what we already have (which can do the same lol), but i indulged him and listened to his speel, while ww had her lunch. He tried to head off the fact that we already have a Rainbow by showing us pictures of a Rainbow system with a filter. (ed: i think this is the updated Rainbow with the Hepa filter, ours is older! lol) Strike one.
I guess he thought he was losing me 'cos he said to me (and my mum), "you know, it does not matter because your wife has already ordered it." At this time i paused and got suspicious, because i knew ww wouldn't commit to readily. Walked over and checked with her and she was like "eh?" Strike two.
Then when i went back in, he claimed that my father-in-law (who had brought lunch for ww) approved of the system and said ok to buy, which was strange because the first thing my FIL showed me was that our Rainbow did not have a filter (which i already knew), and he was wondering what the saleman was talking about. Strike three.
So i decided enough was enough, and i said:
"I'm sorry but i just got into a car accident and we don't have the money to plonk down 3.4k for this. Thank you for your time, we are not interested"
and
"I appreciate your time, but we already have a Rainbow which does pretty much the same thing. I know your system is updated and it is a good system, but we don't need it right now."
and
"Look, i don't really need to see your demo, because i know what it can do, since you said for yourself that this was developed by a guy who worked in Rainbow, so i already know what it does. My time is limited (weekends are precious!) and i'm sure yours is as well, so thank you for your time but we are not interested."
Getting nowhere with me, he headed outside to try to convince ww (leaving his junk still all over my bedroom). By which time, i was getting pretty heated up and wanted this guy out of our house. Still he persisted in repeating his speel, broken record style, and i rebutted with the above statements, this time more forcefully, even to the extent of showing him the door. At this point in time, guess who shows up at the door? It's his assistant with.... (wait for it)..... a brand new set in a box! Very close to raising my voice at this point in time (no, not even close to 50% volume for me yet really), but still i managed to remain calm with a cold stare. He got the idea and sent the guy away (quickly) and relented enough (finally!) to go pack up his system.
He did have a few parting shots about how happy he was that we were not buying the system (saves him trouble?) and how the system was not for everybody. He also wasn't talking to me at this point in time but addressing everyone else, which is pretty disrespectful, but no matter, i just wanted him out.
Looking back, i think i was just a few moments short of "you have two ways to leave, either you pack your stuff and leave, or it can follow after you." I don't know why but it got very territorial for me at that point in time, as if responding to some basic primal instinct. I think i had provided sufficient verbal warning to call the cops at least, if not physically restrain him until the cops got here, which would have really turned ugly.
Moral of the story: never invite salepeople into your house, they will basically try not to leave until you buy their product and will do everything short of chaining themselves to your dining table to make you do so.
As an epilogue, he called ww the next day, quite persistently asking whether she was still interested in the vacuum. She said a firm "Thank you, but no, not interested". LOL
Monday, 12 July 2010
Public transport
So, with the revision of bus and train fares to 'distance-based', i find myself one of those paying more. As stated in this article, i am one of those who take short trip to and from work, so my bus fare has gone up from 68 cents to 71 cents per trip. Am amused with this statement though:
Eh? Let me review my travel pattern weekly then. If i were to take a bus to and from work, that would be 68c*2 = $1.36 per day, which would mean $6.80 per week under the previous 'stage-based' fares. Under the new 'distance-based' fares, i would pay 71c*2 = $1.42 per day, which would mean $7.10 per week. It may only be an increase of 30 cents but it is still an increase. This is one of the reasons why i walk to work even though i have the options of taking a bus (5 bus stops) or train (1 stop). Bleah
FYI, the very enthusiastic folks (ha!) at asiaone forum came up with "A Challange to SMRT CEO, Ms Saw Phaik Hwa".
Acknowledging that this group of commuters (ed: those who take short trips) are not benefiting from the fare revamp, Mrs Lim hoped they would review their travel pattern weekly instead of on a "per trip basis".
Eh? Let me review my travel pattern weekly then. If i were to take a bus to and from work, that would be 68c*2 = $1.36 per day, which would mean $6.80 per week under the previous 'stage-based' fares. Under the new 'distance-based' fares, i would pay 71c*2 = $1.42 per day, which would mean $7.10 per week. It may only be an increase of 30 cents but it is still an increase. This is one of the reasons why i walk to work even though i have the options of taking a bus (5 bus stops) or train (1 stop). Bleah
FYI, the very enthusiastic folks (ha!) at asiaone forum came up with "A Challange to SMRT CEO, Ms Saw Phaik Hwa".
Car sigh...
There is a possibility that we might be changing car sooner than we thought. This is because I managed to prang the car while driving to soccer a couple of Saturdays back. The accident happened at exit 10A of the ECP (going towards Changi) and occurred after rain had been pouring the whole day and was just easing up. I lost traction while heading up the off-ramp and hit the reinforced wall with my front left corner, then managed to limp to the side after.
It didn't look as bad on first glance as it was a low speed impact (none of my 6 airbags deployed), but the damage was more than skin deep. Am looking at a
new: bumper, headlights, engine mounts,
repairing: chassis (cracked), bonnet, left fender, left front rim, front axel
On the upside, I was alone in the car and only came away with a few scrapes and bruises.
Sigh
It didn't look as bad on first glance as it was a low speed impact (none of my 6 airbags deployed), but the damage was more than skin deep. Am looking at a
new: bumper, headlights, engine mounts,
repairing: chassis (cracked), bonnet, left fender, left front rim, front axel
On the upside, I was alone in the car and only came away with a few scrapes and bruises.
Sigh
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Leaders of the fee world
Singapore almost topped the list! Yay!
From the Economist, 5 July 2010
I guess all the numbers reported are in US$, based on the (old) wikipedia reported figure of S$3,091,200 (US$2,037,168) (note, this is pre-pay increment).
Using the figures from the article, our GDP per person (assuming the conservative figure of 40 times our GDP per person) works out to $2,183,516/40 = $54,587, and converting this using today's exchange rate gives S$75,935.94.
If we use the figures from wiki instead, i.e. his pay divided by GDP of (US$37,293), he is paid more that 70 times our GDP per person.
Facinating, yet depressing, 'cos while i'm heading to a new position soon, my pay is nowhere near this......or GDP per person......or even gone up. Sigh
From the Economist, 5 July 2010
"Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister of Singapore, tops our list of selected leaders' salaries. He is paid more than 40 times the city-state’s GDP per person. At the other end of the scale, Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India, reaffirms his reputation for saintliness by taking a modest sum from Indian taxpayers."FYI The reason for the discrepancy between the graph and the above paragraph is because the Kenyan PM rejected his pay increase (while his fellow ministers gave themselves a pay increase as well).
I guess all the numbers reported are in US$, based on the (old) wikipedia reported figure of S$3,091,200 (US$2,037,168) (note, this is pre-pay increment).
Using the figures from the article, our GDP per person (assuming the conservative figure of 40 times our GDP per person) works out to $2,183,516/40 = $54,587, and converting this using today's exchange rate gives S$75,935.94.
If we use the figures from wiki instead, i.e. his pay divided by GDP of (US$37,293), he is paid more that 70 times our GDP per person.
Facinating, yet depressing, 'cos while i'm heading to a new position soon, my pay is nowhere near this......or GDP per person......or even gone up. Sigh
Friday, 2 July 2010
Saab 9-5
I think i found a car to ponder, pictures here. Now looks-wise it does take some lines from popular kimchi cars, but bear with me.
That interior is just beautiful. I must admit abit of gadgetry lust here (was taken by the BMW 335's electronic joystick-type shifter).
On the upside, the 9-3 will be cheaper and hopefully i'll be able to pick one up secondhand on the cheap. =)
That interior is just beautiful. I must admit abit of gadgetry lust here (was taken by the BMW 335's electronic joystick-type shifter).
On the upside, the 9-3 will be cheaper and hopefully i'll be able to pick one up secondhand on the cheap. =)
blogging hiatus
Have been holding off on all posts in memory of a friend who passed away, it may seem like a silly thing, but he had such a huge online presence (at least to me) that i just wanted to maintain silence for a hundred days to remember him.
So lots of things been happening in the meantime of course, so i'll try to catch up on them as we go along.
normal transmission resumes in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1......
So lots of things been happening in the meantime of course, so i'll try to catch up on them as we go along.
normal transmission resumes in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1......
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
-ben: In memoria
A friend was struck down by a drunk driver and he was put on life support in ICU. When i found out, thoughts raced through my head of the times when we met up to watch movies, eat and chat the night away.
Always ready with a smile, he was as passionate about life as he was about cycling. I had always felt the warmth of his friendship, even we only met online through a friend as I was overseas. The long profound chats via online message services made me want to laugh, think, hug someone, at the same time. He touched lives with love in his own special way and when i finally met up with him, he blessed those around him with his presence and infectious laughter.
His online presence was equally large as he maintained several blogs that left me wanting more updates. His own sandbox recorded deep thoughts on religion, alternating with an unmatched sense of humour that left me in stiches at times. His biasedness against mobile phones made me yearn of a time when dates were fixed well in advance, which made people look forward to them and be punctual. The epic online diary of his cycling exploits left me breathless in amazement, both of his skills with the camera and his persistence in recording his trip. It felt as if i was seeing his journey through his eyes.
It feels unreal as i type this, willing it to be untrue, but i just found out he has passed away.
I would rant about the unfairness of it all, or how drunk drivers should be castigated, or even how life is short and should be treasured. But i am left wordless.
In his own words, Requiéscat in pāce.
Update: A website has been set up at http://benmokpedalon.com/
Always ready with a smile, he was as passionate about life as he was about cycling. I had always felt the warmth of his friendship, even we only met online through a friend as I was overseas. The long profound chats via online message services made me want to laugh, think, hug someone, at the same time. He touched lives with love in his own special way and when i finally met up with him, he blessed those around him with his presence and infectious laughter.
His online presence was equally large as he maintained several blogs that left me wanting more updates. His own sandbox recorded deep thoughts on religion, alternating with an unmatched sense of humour that left me in stiches at times. His biasedness against mobile phones made me yearn of a time when dates were fixed well in advance, which made people look forward to them and be punctual. The epic online diary of his cycling exploits left me breathless in amazement, both of his skills with the camera and his persistence in recording his trip. It felt as if i was seeing his journey through his eyes.
It feels unreal as i type this, willing it to be untrue, but i just found out he has passed away.
I would rant about the unfairness of it all, or how drunk drivers should be castigated, or even how life is short and should be treasured. But i am left wordless.
In his own words, Requiéscat in pāce.
Update: A website has been set up at http://benmokpedalon.com/
Sunday, 7 March 2010
parenting
The thought that we are going to be parents scare us sometimes, especially when we meet/see ill-behaved kids. I have noticed that my own outlook on kids has gone through an about-face. Behavior which used to irritate me, I now find amusing, or even cute. There are limits to this, and i regularly reach this line every week with children of my relatives. Yes, i know that that would make them my relatives as well, but wish to dissociate myself from the little pint-sized Machiavellian packages from hell. It's not that their parents don't try, but they are just so hyper and full of evil ideas that it would take an army of people watching their every move in order to prevent the mischief they get up to. Worse still, they egg each other on.
Which brings us to....er....us. I wonder what sort of parents we will be, and refuse to be the parent of an ill-behaved kid. I like to think that every parent started off like this, but somehow some of them lose their way and suddenly they have offspring that are more akin to spitting hissing cats rather than cute adorable kittens. So what do we do?
Which brings us to....er....us. I wonder what sort of parents we will be, and refuse to be the parent of an ill-behaved kid. I like to think that every parent started off like this, but somehow some of them lose their way and suddenly they have offspring that are more akin to spitting hissing cats rather than cute adorable kittens. So what do we do?
Thursday, 25 February 2010
choices
Today's comic at xkcd is quite amusing, especially in the context of a conversation i had yesterday with a colleague.
She was taking her dustbin to the main trashbin to clear it, and jokingly said to me "i've been demoted".
My instant response was "ha, it would have been a promotion for me". I'm sure she didn't get it, but to elaborate: she gets to physically clear the trash and be done (quite cleanly, unless you have a spilled coffeecup in your bin), while i have to deal with trash in the mind, which is more difficult to clear. Or even worse, trash in the form of people which presents itself in the metaphorical chewing gum of trash, sticky, hard to get rid off, and even then there'll be a mark/stain.
It is times like these when one has to deal with garbage everyday that I wonder when i pass by someone doing something with their hands. Less rewarding monetarily, but to see something being completed with your hands and be unburdened from the job at the end of the each day, seems to be more fulfiling overall in life. Are we able to control our mind to such an extent that peace of mind each day is attainable? So many variables every day, so many options.
Ahhh, life's choices.
She was taking her dustbin to the main trashbin to clear it, and jokingly said to me "i've been demoted".
My instant response was "ha, it would have been a promotion for me". I'm sure she didn't get it, but to elaborate: she gets to physically clear the trash and be done (quite cleanly, unless you have a spilled coffeecup in your bin), while i have to deal with trash in the mind, which is more difficult to clear. Or even worse, trash in the form of people which presents itself in the metaphorical chewing gum of trash, sticky, hard to get rid off, and even then there'll be a mark/stain.
It is times like these when one has to deal with garbage everyday that I wonder when i pass by someone doing something with their hands. Less rewarding monetarily, but to see something being completed with your hands and be unburdened from the job at the end of the each day, seems to be more fulfiling overall in life. Are we able to control our mind to such an extent that peace of mind each day is attainable? So many variables every day, so many options.
Ahhh, life's choices.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
blogs in recession
Hmm, this is interesting. The budget for Singapore was announced yesterday, but the blogosphere is eerily silent.
*taps computer*
"is the internet on?"
Usually after an event like this, there will be a flurry of posts as people disect the budget to see how it affects everyone (mainly themselves), so that lazy people like me can read their posts and figure out how it affects me, not that i'm expecting much. LOL
Maybe the recession has hit home for blogs as well.
*taps computer*
"is the internet on?"
Usually after an event like this, there will be a flurry of posts as people disect the budget to see how it affects everyone (mainly themselves), so that lazy people like me can read their posts and figure out how it affects me, not that i'm expecting much. LOL
Maybe the recession has hit home for blogs as well.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Some personality results
I'm always intrigued and amused by personality tests and usually do them with a huge dose of salt and pepper. Some jobs require personality tests as well and the outcomes can 'arranged' to your benefit if you can spot where the questions are leading you, the repetitiveness of the questions, and how they are ordering your answers, in order to give a result that you want. This is especially true when said company uses a free online quiz to do it. LOL
My personality type is apparently "Determined Realist"
Practical, traditional and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. 'Good citizens' who value security and peaceful living.
Careers that could fit you include: Military, business administrators, managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, government workers, insurance agents, underwriters, nursing administrators, trade and technical teachers.
Spotted a more interesting specimen from Insanepoly, which uses colours and it gives the same results that most other quizes give. You can take it here.
My results:
Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.
2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a RESEARCHER
Keywords:
Independent, Self-Motivated, Reserved, Introspective, Analytical, and Curious
These investigative types gather information, analyze and interpret data, and inquire to uncover new facts. They have a strong scientific orientation, enjoy academic or research environments and prefer self-reliant jobs. Dislikes are group projects, selling, and repetitive activities.
My personality type is apparently "Determined Realist"
Practical, traditional and organized. Likely to be athletic. Not interested in theory or abstraction unless they see the practical application. Have clear visions of the way things should be. Loyal and hard-working. Like to be in charge. Exceptionally capable in organizing and running activities. 'Good citizens' who value security and peaceful living.
Careers that could fit you include: Military, business administrators, managers, police/detective work, judges, financial officers, teachers, sales representatives, government workers, insurance agents, underwriters, nursing administrators, trade and technical teachers.
Spotted a more interesting specimen from Insanepoly, which uses colours and it gives the same results that most other quizes give. You can take it here.
My results:
Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Keywords
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.
2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a RESEARCHER
Keywords:
Independent, Self-Motivated, Reserved, Introspective, Analytical, and Curious
These investigative types gather information, analyze and interpret data, and inquire to uncover new facts. They have a strong scientific orientation, enjoy academic or research environments and prefer self-reliant jobs. Dislikes are group projects, selling, and repetitive activities.
Monday, 8 February 2010
jeanie at our place
We hosted a few friends over for a pot luck dinner yesterday, and it happened to be the first time that we brought jeanie over to our place. =) At first she seemed a bit dazed and confused but soon settled into her spot in the yard, looking into the kitchen.
We also brought her around after dinner for her walkies and she seemed to enjoy the surroundings, although she did get in some verbal sparring with a bull terrier and a miniature schnauzer (so cute! pity about the tail (having a waggy tail to greet me is one of those little joys in life)).
Somehow it felt heartening to share the joy of having our new home with our friends and our dog. I must admit that it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, especially when she initially refused to step in and looked abit dazed and confused. Luckily she warmed up to our place and seemed to enjoy the high-rise view from our window. =)
Another milestone in our life, and it is amazing to be able to share it with our friends, family and our dog.
We also brought her around after dinner for her walkies and she seemed to enjoy the surroundings, although she did get in some verbal sparring with a bull terrier and a miniature schnauzer (so cute! pity about the tail (having a waggy tail to greet me is one of those little joys in life)).
Somehow it felt heartening to share the joy of having our new home with our friends and our dog. I must admit that it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster, especially when she initially refused to step in and looked abit dazed and confused. Luckily she warmed up to our place and seemed to enjoy the high-rise view from our window. =)
Another milestone in our life, and it is amazing to be able to share it with our friends, family and our dog.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Dairy of a reno 2
15 Jan - installation of kitchen cupboard skeleton
16 Jan - installation of kitchen cupboard skeleton continues, with top cut out for sink and hob. MBR 'feature wall' wardrobe installed.
The following items were delivered: sink, hood, dish dryer, oven, mattress, bed, sidetable, chest of drawers.
Singtel installed telephone line.
solar film people came to measure and quote.
6 rosewood dining chairs delivered
Boxes from storage facility moved, 3 boxes in wine storage remain.
18 Jan - modification of kitchen cupboards to accomodate dish dryer powerpoint, modification of drawers. Bedroom doors sanded down and revarnished.
19 Jan - kitchen cabinets completed with installation of drawers, doors and under cabinet lights. Kitchen door and bedroom doors revarnished. Installation of masterbedroom wardrobe and study room bookshelves. Masterbedroom feature wall cabinet door fasteners installed. Common toilet cupboard installed.
20 Jan - All carpentry works completed, kitchen cabinet handles installed. Water heater installed.
21 Jan - Moving day with 41 boxes in total moved from 2 homes as well as a safe, an organ, an upright piano, one washing machine and a marble top dining table.
Common toilet shower screen installed.
Study table and chair delivered.
Hitachi fridge delivered.
Samsung LED TV delivered and installed.
22 Jan - curtains installed. Common toilet spotlight replaced. Masterbedroom cabinet fasteners installed, sauce bottle drawer (right of oven) removed to change to swing door. Piano tuner called in for tuning and servicing.
23 Jan - mattress put on bed '安床' and bed sheets fitted. Stoved carried into the house, with provisions and bamboo pole. Provisions include: rice (in rice bin), soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, salt, etc
Granite top fitted for straight side of kitchen, L-shaped side broken on installation, to redo.
Final cupboard door (former sauce bottle drawer) installed.
Dinner with family and our first night in our new home.
25 Jan - installed MBR frameless glass shower stall, MBR toilet roll holder. Bought Ikea stools x 6, stick on toilet roll holder for common toilet, suction towel rail holder for MBR toilet. Bought a small fan, powerboard, and lock for main gate.
26 Jan - installed granite top for L-shape side of kitchen. Minor touch up for MBR wardrobe door (bubble) and kitchen cabinet (sanding down and repainting of pelmet). CD collection combined, sorted and put up, more shelves needed.
28 Jan - plumber came to fix the sink, pipes and fixtures needed so to revisit. Carpenters came to touch up on cabinetry.
Singtel installed Mio Home (TV and internet are up!)
Uncle tidied up the wiring for the undercabinet lights in the kitchen.
Solar film installation failed.
29 Jan - plumber completed installation of the sink and tap (rotated the tap 90 degrees).
30 Jan - sorted out books for bookshelves
And we lived happily ever after. =)
16 Jan - installation of kitchen cupboard skeleton continues, with top cut out for sink and hob. MBR 'feature wall' wardrobe installed.
The following items were delivered: sink, hood, dish dryer, oven, mattress, bed, sidetable, chest of drawers.
Singtel installed telephone line.
solar film people came to measure and quote.
6 rosewood dining chairs delivered
Boxes from storage facility moved, 3 boxes in wine storage remain.
18 Jan - modification of kitchen cupboards to accomodate dish dryer powerpoint, modification of drawers. Bedroom doors sanded down and revarnished.
19 Jan - kitchen cabinets completed with installation of drawers, doors and under cabinet lights. Kitchen door and bedroom doors revarnished. Installation of masterbedroom wardrobe and study room bookshelves. Masterbedroom feature wall cabinet door fasteners installed. Common toilet cupboard installed.
20 Jan - All carpentry works completed, kitchen cabinet handles installed. Water heater installed.
21 Jan - Moving day with 41 boxes in total moved from 2 homes as well as a safe, an organ, an upright piano, one washing machine and a marble top dining table.
Common toilet shower screen installed.
Study table and chair delivered.
Hitachi fridge delivered.
Samsung LED TV delivered and installed.
22 Jan - curtains installed. Common toilet spotlight replaced. Masterbedroom cabinet fasteners installed, sauce bottle drawer (right of oven) removed to change to swing door. Piano tuner called in for tuning and servicing.
23 Jan - mattress put on bed '安床' and bed sheets fitted. Stoved carried into the house, with provisions and bamboo pole. Provisions include: rice (in rice bin), soy sauce, vinegar, pepper, salt, etc
Granite top fitted for straight side of kitchen, L-shaped side broken on installation, to redo.
Final cupboard door (former sauce bottle drawer) installed.
Dinner with family and our first night in our new home.
25 Jan - installed MBR frameless glass shower stall, MBR toilet roll holder. Bought Ikea stools x 6, stick on toilet roll holder for common toilet, suction towel rail holder for MBR toilet. Bought a small fan, powerboard, and lock for main gate.
26 Jan - installed granite top for L-shape side of kitchen. Minor touch up for MBR wardrobe door (bubble) and kitchen cabinet (sanding down and repainting of pelmet). CD collection combined, sorted and put up, more shelves needed.
28 Jan - plumber came to fix the sink, pipes and fixtures needed so to revisit. Carpenters came to touch up on cabinetry.
Singtel installed Mio Home (TV and internet are up!)
Uncle tidied up the wiring for the undercabinet lights in the kitchen.
Solar film installation failed.
29 Jan - plumber completed installation of the sink and tap (rotated the tap 90 degrees).
30 Jan - sorted out books for bookshelves
And we lived happily ever after. =)
Friday, 29 January 2010
feeling lucky
By random clicking, i chanced upon a NYT article on a bachelor's effort to understand love, which stirred some thoughts inside.
I have been blessed in life, or lucky in love, or fortunate in my daily living. I try to recognise this at least once a day, to remind myself how good life is. This can be hard when it feels like nothing is going your way, but one can try. Perhaps this blog is an attempt to 'try'. =)
From all the people i have met and the stories i have heard, it is those regarding relationships that interest me the most. It is not the gossip factor, but more a layman's take on the human psyche and love. I emphatise with the writer of this article, just as i feel for people i know who are still looking for that special someone. Perhaps a cynical person might say this is a form of subtle schadenfreude, or taking joy in the misery of others, but it really does remind me that i'm lucky. =)
There were many factors which led me to ww. Sometimes it does (egotistically) feel like everything conspired to put us together. From friends who knew us but who hardly knew each other but threw us together anyways; to the weather which kept us stranded at a beach pavilion; to our family who are ever so supportive of us; to our buddies who helped in some way or other; our past experiences also shaped our way of thinking; so many more things. That's why i am truly thankful and think that i'm extremely fortunate. I would wish this upon everyone i know, that they would find that special someone as i did, and most of all, to feel lucky.
I have been blessed in life, or lucky in love, or fortunate in my daily living. I try to recognise this at least once a day, to remind myself how good life is. This can be hard when it feels like nothing is going your way, but one can try. Perhaps this blog is an attempt to 'try'. =)
From all the people i have met and the stories i have heard, it is those regarding relationships that interest me the most. It is not the gossip factor, but more a layman's take on the human psyche and love. I emphatise with the writer of this article, just as i feel for people i know who are still looking for that special someone. Perhaps a cynical person might say this is a form of subtle schadenfreude, or taking joy in the misery of others, but it really does remind me that i'm lucky. =)
There were many factors which led me to ww. Sometimes it does (egotistically) feel like everything conspired to put us together. From friends who knew us but who hardly knew each other but threw us together anyways; to the weather which kept us stranded at a beach pavilion; to our family who are ever so supportive of us; to our buddies who helped in some way or other; our past experiences also shaped our way of thinking; so many more things. That's why i am truly thankful and think that i'm extremely fortunate. I would wish this upon everyone i know, that they would find that special someone as i did, and most of all, to feel lucky.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
ipad
So the latest from apple is here, and it's the ipad which some say looks like an oversized iphone.
I say, why stop there? They should make oversized ipods as well, to bring back the halycon days of walking down the street with a boombox on your shoulder. Forget about the ipod, its smaller sibling ipod mini (remember that?) or its dimunitive relative ipod nano. We give you, the ipod mega. Muhahahahaha
It will be packed with features familiar to those who use ipods, and to ensure that it is familiar, no new functions will be added to it. In fact, due to its size, some functions like the click wheel will be removed. Don't forget to plug in your headphones or you won't be able to hear anything.....
I say, why stop there? They should make oversized ipods as well, to bring back the halycon days of walking down the street with a boombox on your shoulder. Forget about the ipod, its smaller sibling ipod mini (remember that?) or its dimunitive relative ipod nano. We give you, the ipod mega. Muhahahahaha
It will be packed with features familiar to those who use ipods, and to ensure that it is familiar, no new functions will be added to it. In fact, due to its size, some functions like the click wheel will be removed. Don't forget to plug in your headphones or you won't be able to hear anything.....
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Service
I chuckled when i saw the various adverts for the new TV reality show: Can you serve. We were at a DIY shop buying stuff to set up our home when i suddenly remembered that we needed to buy a phone, and this was how the conversation went:
z: Hi, I'm looking to buy a phone, do you have any?
smiling salesman: You want what kind? Cordless?
z: Yes, cordless would be great.
smiling salesman: Sorry we don't sell cordless phone.
z: Oh, i need a non-cordless phone as well [non-cordless, ha!!]
smiling saleman: Sorry we don't sell that either.
z: *facepalm*
z: Hi, I'm looking to buy a phone, do you have any?
smiling salesman: You want what kind? Cordless?
z: Yes, cordless would be great.
smiling salesman: Sorry we don't sell cordless phone.
z: Oh, i need a non-cordless phone as well [non-cordless, ha!!]
smiling saleman: Sorry we don't sell that either.
z: *facepalm*
Friday, 15 January 2010
Diary of a reno 1
Been busy like the proverbial b lately, trying to get our new home ready. Thank goodness of the parental support!
Thought i'd chronicle our progress for our records... =)
Diary of reno 2009-2010
22 Dec - Collected keys from HDB. Nice pouch with individual straps for each bunch of keys! Interesting welcome pack with long lists of rules, regs and T&C. LOL
23 Dec - 1pm door opening, flat viewing and defect inspection. Pinapple thrown, oranges rolled, bell rung, announcement (that we are the rightful owners of the place) made, windows opened. Some minor defects found, overall happy. =)
Brought mop, pail and rags.
26 Dec - Renovations being with varnishing of study room floor with Quick-dry varnish.
27 Dec - inspected result of varnish, proceeded to varnish remaining rooms and all skirting around the house. Finished 1 small tin of varnish, no remainder. =)
28 Dec - Defects list submitted, minor defects here and there but major damage is main door and yard wall.
31 Dec - ordered sofa
2 Jan - ordered lights
5 Jan - appointment with painter to select colours and confirm job
6 Jan - Air conditioning installation
Defect inspection and rectification, patched up yard wall, outside corner chip and general patching up, windows and frame cleaned.
7 Jan - defects rectification continued, replaced main door, painted grill, cleaned windows. Windows were steam cleaned by FIL. =)
8 Jan - Using ICI Dulux wash and wear to paint, colours include: sail white, barely grey, latte (looks pink to me), barely purple, apple white, and lilac white.
9 Jan - Painting continued and minor defects corrected by painter: globs of paint on door frames, tears on walls
Layout of cabinetry and electricals confirmed
10 Jan - Further defects corrected by painter: paint droplets from door frame painting day before on parquet floor. Also scratches from air-con people's ladder resulted in much sanding, scraping, swearing, vacuuming and mopping before varnishing of diamond hard varnish. Leftover varnish to be used for another layer of varnish for 2 indentations by air-con people. Gargh!!
Removal of paint stains (old ones) around house and clearing of lift landing, washing of floor. =)
11 Jan - Citygas piping routed to stove's location. To call citygas 3 days before to hook up the gas.
Called Singtel to arrange for new landline to be fixed up.
Steaming of tiled floors by FIL.
Purchased fridge and TV
12 Jan - installation of lights, toilet downlight was damaged. Lotsa cleaning up after (gargh!!), unwrapped toilet bowls, Defects rectification continued with touch up of main grill and main door. Main door damaged in the process of removal, requested for replacement door which will be done when stocks arrive.
Purchased IVAR racks from IKEA
13 Jan - installed 1 IVAR rack in household shelter, corrected lightbulb for living/dining lights, bought a ladder (not neccessarily in that order)
14 Jan - electrical installation of power points, and oven switch. installation of 3 bedroom doors and 1 set of kitchen doors, decided to have glossy finish. 1 more IVAR rack completed.
Thought i'd chronicle our progress for our records... =)
Diary of reno 2009-2010
22 Dec - Collected keys from HDB. Nice pouch with individual straps for each bunch of keys! Interesting welcome pack with long lists of rules, regs and T&C. LOL
23 Dec - 1pm door opening, flat viewing and defect inspection. Pinapple thrown, oranges rolled, bell rung, announcement (that we are the rightful owners of the place) made, windows opened. Some minor defects found, overall happy. =)
Brought mop, pail and rags.
26 Dec - Renovations being with varnishing of study room floor with Quick-dry varnish.
27 Dec - inspected result of varnish, proceeded to varnish remaining rooms and all skirting around the house. Finished 1 small tin of varnish, no remainder. =)
28 Dec - Defects list submitted, minor defects here and there but major damage is main door and yard wall.
31 Dec - ordered sofa
2 Jan - ordered lights
5 Jan - appointment with painter to select colours and confirm job
6 Jan - Air conditioning installation
Defect inspection and rectification, patched up yard wall, outside corner chip and general patching up, windows and frame cleaned.
7 Jan - defects rectification continued, replaced main door, painted grill, cleaned windows. Windows were steam cleaned by FIL. =)
8 Jan - Using ICI Dulux wash and wear to paint, colours include: sail white, barely grey, latte (looks pink to me), barely purple, apple white, and lilac white.
9 Jan - Painting continued and minor defects corrected by painter: globs of paint on door frames, tears on walls
Layout of cabinetry and electricals confirmed
10 Jan - Further defects corrected by painter: paint droplets from door frame painting day before on parquet floor. Also scratches from air-con people's ladder resulted in much sanding, scraping, swearing, vacuuming and mopping before varnishing of diamond hard varnish. Leftover varnish to be used for another layer of varnish for 2 indentations by air-con people. Gargh!!
Removal of paint stains (old ones) around house and clearing of lift landing, washing of floor. =)
11 Jan - Citygas piping routed to stove's location. To call citygas 3 days before to hook up the gas.
Called Singtel to arrange for new landline to be fixed up.
Steaming of tiled floors by FIL.
Purchased fridge and TV
12 Jan - installation of lights, toilet downlight was damaged. Lotsa cleaning up after (gargh!!), unwrapped toilet bowls, Defects rectification continued with touch up of main grill and main door. Main door damaged in the process of removal, requested for replacement door which will be done when stocks arrive.
Purchased IVAR racks from IKEA
13 Jan - installed 1 IVAR rack in household shelter, corrected lightbulb for living/dining lights, bought a ladder (not neccessarily in that order)
14 Jan - electrical installation of power points, and oven switch. installation of 3 bedroom doors and 1 set of kitchen doors, decided to have glossy finish. 1 more IVAR rack completed.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Funds for Bella
The first post of the year and so let's start on a good note! Via Kingsley:
Bella is a 11 month old stray puppy currently being kept Mutts and Mittens in Singapore. She is there after she was knocked down by a car and currently needs funds to repair her 2 broken front legs. We need to raise S$4,000 for her.
You can make a Singapore cheque made out to Mutts and Mittens Foundation and send it to:
Mutts and Mittens
11 Pasir Ris Farmway, Singapore 519326.
Attn: Cohen Ng - Bella’s surgery fund
You can also paypal it to Kingsley and let him know. His hooman will do the necessary then (because they haven't made keyboards for pets just yet)(speciest!!)
Note, Kinglsey is giving a lucky donor free photos of either him or Robin (or both?) or you can get a 4R photo with every 10 dollar donation. Details here.
Bella is a 11 month old stray puppy currently being kept Mutts and Mittens in Singapore. She is there after she was knocked down by a car and currently needs funds to repair her 2 broken front legs. We need to raise S$4,000 for her.
You can make a Singapore cheque made out to Mutts and Mittens Foundation and send it to:
Mutts and Mittens
11 Pasir Ris Farmway, Singapore 519326.
Attn: Cohen Ng - Bella’s surgery fund
You can also paypal it to Kingsley and let him know. His hooman will do the necessary then (because they haven't made keyboards for pets just yet)(speciest!!)
Note, Kinglsey is giving a lucky donor free photos of either him or Robin (or both?) or you can get a 4R photo with every 10 dollar donation. Details here.
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