Bye bye Nokia...

Yes... I collected the Nokia Phone and traded it in almost immediately for the Ericsson K750i. I must say that the Ericsson is sooooo much better in terms of build quality. Rest assured that I'll never EVER get a Nokia again.

Imagine this, a phone with less than 6 months usage, has paintwork on the buttons coming off, been into the service centre twice (alright, first time was idiotic but still...) and has horrible customer support. They need to relook at the way they do things over at Nokia. Sure they're still one of the more popular brands around but with the kinda crap that they're pushing out, I'll be a surprise if they last longer being on top.



Anyway, that's a photo of Jas & Travis (her cousin) taken with the K750i. It's got the 2 Megapixel camera which is quite impressive. Even more impressive is the Auto-Focus and LED "flash". It's freakin' bright!

My car is on the way out. I dropped by Bluwell yesterday to have a look at it. It's pretty impressive. Ah Soon's team really did a bang up job getting it lookin' good again. I also snapped a couple of shots of the car while I was there. Hopefully, I can collect it by today. The piece of junk Nissan Sunny that I got as a loaner is precisely that, a piece of junk. I can hardly begin to understand why it sold so well. Build quality is so-so, noise insulation is CRAP, you can't have a conversation at a normal voice when it's raining, you literally have to shout to hear yourself.



That's the ass end of the car...nice new Aero bumper.



And here's the front end...also Aero bumper but lacking foggies as they haven't arrived at the point in time.

Anyway, I'm toally impressed with the K750i. I love the themes available, I love the outlook of the phone and most of all, I absolutely love its SOLID build quality!

An email to Nokia...

I sent my Nokia 6260 handset in for repair (due to it not being able to past the Nokia Screen) because my phone was unable to boot up. That was on Saturday, 13 August 2005 at 4.23pm.

To date, I have yet to receive an update on the status of the repair.

I called Nokia Care Centre (Wheelock) to check on the status since it has been more than a week since it has been sent in.

The customer service “professional� (as you refer them as) was unable to tell me when my phone can be repaired as she was unable to track the arrival of the necessary spare part. At the same time, I asked to speak with the manager there hoping that he/she would be able to give me a more definitive answer. However, according to the same customer service “professional�, he was not there for the day.

Does that mean that there is no management level staff to help in finding out when the necessary part for my phone will arrive?

Giving up hope with the Nokia Care Centre, I decided to call the head office at Alexandra. I was pleased to be put through to someone named “Jas� who was answering my call on behalf of another person. She PROMISED me that she would return my call on the SAME DAY but till now (7.47pm), I have yet to receive her call. OBVIOSLY, NOKIA does NOT take it’s promises made to customers SERIOUSLY.

I get better customer service from automobile workshops along Ubi Ave 4 than that from NOKIA. Is my phone THAT RARE that you absolutely have NO SPARE PART available for it locally? Do you have to manufacture the said SPARE PART from SCRATCH? Is the SPARE PART coming in from its country of origin by SEA/SURFACE shipping? Is it IMPOSSIBLE just to have my handset replaced with a new one?

Based on this experience, you can count on it that this 6260 will be my ABSOLUTE LAST NOKIA hand phone.

Colorgenics

I got the website from reading Jas' blog and here's my result:

"You are seeking an affectionate relationship, offering fulfillment and happiness. You are capable of powerful emotional enthusiasm. Deep down, you are a kind loving person, always helpful and willing to adapt yourself if necessary to realize the bond of affection that you desire. But you need the same consideration and understanding from others and it is this need that will sometimes hold you back... so let go, trust and you may pleasantly surprised at what happens.

At this time you 'need to be needed' and again you 'need to need'. You have had this feeling for some time now and you are looking for someone who could share a close bond in an atmosphere of shared intimacy. You have the belief that with the right person you could conquer the world.

Circumstances are holding you back, forcing you to back off and to forgo all the pleasures, fun and games for the time being. But this is only a temporary situation and before you even know it the situation could change.

You are presently experiencing excessive stress as a result of self-restraint. You act and think differently from the common herd and you want to be liked and admired for yourself and to associate with people who feel and act as you do. Because of this need to be self-reliant and to break away from mediocrity, you are finding this situation most uncomfortable and you are experiencing considerable anxiety - perhaps even more than you feel the capacity to cope with. You need to find a 'soul mate', someone whose standards are as high as your own - but where? Keep on searching... The situation is uncomfortable and you would like to break away from it, but you refuse to compromise with your opinions. You are unable to resolve the situation because you are continually postponing the making of necessary decisions. You are stubborn but this is no deterrent to a happy life, so why drop your standards. Think positively, everything will work out. It has worked out successfully for you in the past and it will again in the future.

The tensions and stresses that you have experienced of late have been the result of trying to cope with conditions which are really beyond your capabilities. You feel completely inadequate to cope with the situation and you would like nothing better to escape from it all and to be able to relax in a problem and pressure free environment where you can do your thing."

I've also realised something. It's not that the test is accurate but it's so vague that almost everyone can relate to it in one way or another. I read Jas' result and sure, some parts of me feel just like what her result says too. Does it mean anything? It's just different aspects of my life that I'd try to associate with and fit into whatever text the computer churns out. So, to a certain extent, it's accurate but then again, it's just too damn vague.

Absolutely SMASHING

Things were beginning to look up. More meetings coming in, more shoots etc. Jas' agreed to do styling for me on a freelance basis which is good cause she's got experience in the clothing line.

CG's asked me about shooting for the spa she works at and to see if I can provide a pan-asian looking model. Everything's almost fine and dandy.

Have you ever realised that owners of some vehicles tailgate without knowing that the car infront of them can obviously out-brake them? Given the fact that I've got pretty decent front discs plus discs all round, this 40-plus year old guy in a Nissan Sunny (A Sunny for Christ's sake!) still decides to follow that bit just too close behind me. He must've been day-dreaming as well cause when a Cab two cars ahead of me decided to brake, the Altis infront of me couldn't stop in time and hit him. I managed to brake in time without touching the Altis but the Sunny behind me slammed right into the ass of my 6 pushing it forward.

The impact was so hard that even though I was literally standing on my brake padal, the car slid forward (this was about a second AFTER I had come to a complete stop) and tapped the rear end of the Altis. Nothing major to the front of my car. Just a dented licence plate (mine's the metal euro-plate) and a couple of scratches on the Altis' bumper.

Still, looking at my rear end, I was totally pissed off. Here's why:



Upon reflection, I think I was so pissed of (and in such a rush) that even though I had all the photographic gear in my car, I didn't take a single photo. Can you beat that!? Argh!!! I guess it was cause I had to be at TTSH by 7.30am and the accident happened along the PIE at about 7.20am.

Sufficed to say, I was so busy the whole day (it was a whole-day event) that I didn't have time to send the car in for the IDAC assesment. It was only yesterday, after the first meeting with CG on doing the "above-the-line" marketing for her company that I managed to steal some time in to get the thing done.

I'm still supposed to go see a doctor but I absolutely haven't got the time. Whiplash, according to Kenneth takes forever to get well.

Frustrations...

Have you ever stood outside a store, acting like you're not waiting for it to open when you actually are, only to find out that when they do open, they don't have exactly what you wanted (and was waiting for them to open to find out)?

Case in point: I was happily thinking that Spiderman 2 (in Code 3) would be readily available @ Gramophone. Boy was I ever WRONG!. Never mind that the idiot little mind of mine didn't bother to think to call them about their opening hours and was there ½ an hour early. Nevermind that even at 11am (the posted opening time) they were still not open; they didn't have what I wanted!!!

Argh!

So it ended up that I had to walk back to HMV to purchase the damn thing. At least this time, their price was more reasonable but I still didn't bother with their service though the cashier was quite friendly.

Jas called me about the fucked up interview she had. Well honey, it's okay. You've already got 2 in the bag with another one up on friday. I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you.

Narcolepsy

Could I be suffering from narcolepsy? I fall asleep, wake up in strange places, I've no idea how I got there. Ususally, that's the first sign of schizophrenia.
Obviously there's a difference between that and insomnia which I actually do suffer from.

Been picking a couple of add jobs up here n there. Was down @ Orchard to pick up some DVDs and met Jaslyn along the way. I already knew she was there anyway and I didn't bother to call to let her know. Picked up Dodge Ball(from HMV), Meet the Fockers, White Chicks, Ladder 49 & Elektra (from Gramophone). It's a fair bit cheaper at the latter with some DVDs going for S$29 whereas the former's selling them at up to S$35 for the same titles.

So should you decide to buy a DVD or CD, forget about the big players such as HMV and Tower. They overcharge. Go support the underdogs. They're much more willing to help and are more friendly anyways.

I've gotta work on some of my photography. Improve it a little at a time. I can't be taking the same standard all my life can I? I'm still waiting for Jaslyn to have some free time so that we can do some shots. Probably a fashion, lingerie selection. Firstly I've gotta see how comfortable she is with me as well of course.

The third phone bill arrived yesterday. Now I can't make outgoing calls until I pay up. That's fucking irritating but good at the same time cause it then forces me to only accept incoming calls which are free anyways.

I should have call barring activated on the phone. Resists the temptation hah!.

Another one...

"When I die, bury me upside down so the world can KISS MY ASS!"

Star Sign Matches..interesting...

Your Astrological Compatibility -

Pisces
February 19-March 20 Together Pisces find sexual fulfillment and a partner for deep conversations. However, each wants a strong partner which neither can provide for the other.=20

Aquarius
January 21-February 18 Pisces will find worldly Aquarius inspiring-but will begin to wish for someone closer to home. Aquarius's big plans will leave less time for lonely Pisces.

Aries
March 21-April 20 While these two have complimentary personalities in most areas, matters of the heart, especially the sensitive Pisces's heart, can take its toll on this match.

Cancer
June 21-July 21 Sensual and romantic Pisces finds their match in practical, romantic Cancer. You two fit like halves of a whole. Enjoy the bliss you find in each other.

Capricorn
December 21-January 20 Balanced and calm-Pisces finds a partner in stable Capricorn. Sexually comfortable, this union will outlast other, short passionate pairings.

Gemini
May 21-June 20 Pisces will be frustrated with Gemini's need for more-of everything. Sexually, there's heat, but this fades as Gemini searches for a more dominant partner.

Leo
July 22-August 22 Leo purrs with Pisces adoration, but Pisces can feel self conscious under Leo's domineering glare. The dominant Leo can stifle Pisces need to express themselves.

Libra
September 23-October 22 Art and the love of creativity brings these two signs together, but cannot sustain them. Pisces will be frustrated by Libra's free spirited spending and flirtations.

Sagittarius
November 22-December 20 Sag's tactless behavior causes the Fish in this relationship to feel unloved and unnoticed. Bedroom sparks are all that hold this fickle pairing together.

Scorpio
October 23-November 21 Scorpio provides mystery and excitement for emotional Pisces. This union will be a mix of possessiveness, sensual encounters, and a depth of unspoken emotions.

Taurus
April 21-May 20 Artistic tastes match in this creative pairing. Taurus's bold personality provides an anchor for Pisces emotional explorations. A passionate and sensual match.

Virgo
August 23-September 22 Virgo's exacting demands gives Pisces something to strive for. In return, Virgo manages other aspects of life. The sensitive Pisces can lean on the strong Virgo.

Drinks with old buddies

While Sam and me were comparing brain paths, I noticed that women in Singapore were actually getting more and more attractive. It could just be me though. I do find that women lose out when it comes to the choice of men here. No wonder they're looking abroad. Among people I know, how many guys my lady friends would consider cute are there? Well, to be honest, there's practically none. But here's something, at least they've got a good choice when it comes to nice personalities.

Yeah, that's what's always said when someone's not good looking.

Friend : "Is she pretty?"

Me : "She's got a nice personality"

Friend : "Duh"

So there...when someone's not good looking, they're always said to have a nice personality. Here we are, being a so-called mature society, trying to be politically correct. It's like Darren's school. They call it School for Children with 'Special Needs'. But the fact remains that he is suffering from a form of genetic defect. Doesn't matter how politically correct you call it. It's like calling a blind person "visually impaired" or a deaf person "hearing impaired". So what? Fact of the matter is, that person is still either deaf, or blind. Okay, so I'm being totally mean here but hey, I have a mean streak that runs through me once in a while. Who doesn't?

Anyhow, the CNet bunch of ole timers met up over @ Alley Bar last night. It was supposed to be @ Ice Cold Beer but the place was packed full of ang mohs and SPGs hoping to catch a rich expat, get a quick buck and F.O. So we decided to head down to the Alley instead. It's a nice place albeit a little warm since we were sitting outside trying to see if there was any fresh air.

Larry, Sam, Merv, SF and Ariel (SF's missing from the group photo cause he was sitting behind me)...that's the group. Meng couldn't turn up cause he was taking his family to see the fireworks and Kenneth was running a temperature. Jonny got my SMS and replied with a "I'm sorry who is this?" so I guess he's struck off my list Hahaha! LiPing didn't show up either cause she got some big client that wants work done yesterday (as usual). Nick came along but was first to leave cause of a curfew. I hung around for a while, found out that Merv, Larry and me are now all photographers. Man! Talk about competition. Anyhow, maybe I should go talk to Merv a little more see if he's interested in setting up some business partnerships. Afterall, we worked together in CNet so there's no reason we can't work together no more.

I attribute this gathering (after a 5-year haitus) to Yahoo messenger. It's really weird cause if I hadn't installed it, I wouldn't have caught up with my old pals from the good ole days of GSA and CNet. They had the best but they lost it. Well, their loss, not ours. GSA is so crappy now that I don't even bother looking at it anymore.

So it was nice to meet all the folks again. And I also realised that every guy there is over 30. Ariel's the youngest in the group but I won't reveal her age. After the drinks I went on down to QB Qool too look up someone there. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't there but Tin was so I had a drink with her instead. Went driving around and realised that last night must've been the most expensive night for MHA. Police road blocks were all over (I counted 4) from Stevens Rd all the way home to Bt Batok (it's such a crappy name but a nice suburb nonetheless).

Well, this would most likely be one of my longest posts. Guess if you're still reading it, then my writing's got some juice in it. Give some comments...either good or bad...if it's bad, well, I'll still take a look at it nowhow.

Lights, Breakfast and Team Building

Friday was interesting...

Had breakkie with CG over @ ECM and it has been a while (like 3 - 4 months) since we last met up. She looks the same as the last time I saw her...can't say the same for me. Now that I've got this new dorky haircut, everyone's telling me never to do it again. I might consider that.

In any case, after breakkie, I sped back to Mandai for a quick meeting. Since ALC made me "Creative Manager", I've been tasked to come up with team building concepts. At least I lived up to my title and came up with a smack on suggestion. It's got something to do with water balloons and sand castles. I won't elaborate further cause someone might steal this idea.

After the quick 45 minute brain-storming session, I went on downtown to help LP get a digital camera from Andrea over @ Cathay Photo. I must say, he looked pretty sick and had a pretty bad running nose. She bought the Minolta Z30 (or something like that) and got loads of freebies as well as 2 Canon dye sub prints. 512 SD Card is given away free along with a camera case and 2500mAh Sanyo AA rechargables with charger. It was a pretty good deal I must say. That camera is quite feature packed.

Dang..this look like one of my few "today I did this n that" blogs...I've been consciously trying to avoid doing it but somehow or other, if I don't write it down, my mind will be a blank anyway.

Oh well...Spent most of yesterday (saturday) over at HG getting the StreetGlow lightning and undercar kit done up. The trunk of the car looks absolutely smashing now. Was at YD earlier and almost every car that went past mine slowed down to catch a closer look at the trunk. Might post some pictures up here when I'm not so lazy. Was supposed to shoot at KRGH today but those buggers got the wrong month! It's actually scheduled for 6 Sept! Gawd...the difference between 8 and 9 is 1!!! Get it right!

Well, that's about all that happened. Will probably head on to bed now so wish everyone a pleasent morning/evening/day.

Penis Envy & Buttheads

What do those two have in common? They go hand in hand! Buttheads have a penis envy problem. Yes. That's what makes them buttheads in the first place. In any case, I've been bumping into loads of buttheads on the roads these couple of days...2 of them were Volvos too...geez...Anyway, back to the "Penis Envy" bit - I think they feel the need to make up for something which is sorely lacking in size and that would be their over-whelmingly small penises. That's probably why they become buttheads in the first place right?

I guess the marketers at Volvo have done their jobs cause these two morons were decidedly driving as though their Volvos were really high performance cars. C'mon...Just because you've got a 5 pot engine that's blown (light pressure mind you), doesn't mean that you own the FUCKING ROAD!

Well, glad I got that off my hairless (yes you heard right) chest. Unfortunately, SY never wants to hear any stories I have to tell of my experiences on the road. Somehow or other, she suspects that I'd be susceptible to road rage...well, make a wild guess why.

T's been calling me asking me to head down to QB. I'd love to go but to be honest, the place isn't all that fantastic. It's the company of JT and T that makes it at least palatable. There are certain kinds of men that seem to think that women are cheap. Of course there are some that would do whatever's necessary to attain their material 'wants' but honestly, if they keep thinking that, the only chance of them getting laid is if they paid for it. Oh well...the more clueless they are, the more saintly I seem anyways.

But I ain't no saint...that's a fact :P

Somewhere Over The Rainbow...

D's going to attend Rainbow School for Special kids. It's nice to know that there's support out there and not everything is business business more business.

There's another screening to attend in September but most likely, he'll be in the Jan 06 intake. They've also got prep classes for how to handle kids with special needs for parents and their siblings!

In any case, I volunteered to help out with the photography whenever they have outings that they'd like to put photos up. It's the least I can do...afterall, society's giving out a helping hand, I should give something in retrurn. It's only fair.

Had a quick porta session @ Thumper tonight. By the time I was done, I couldn't wait to get out of there. I needed a drive somewhere...anywhere for a quick fix and mind banging. It helped a fair bit that I met 'Precious' as well. She's exactly what I expected...spunky, lively, cool and chic (passe word but I still like it).

We spoke for a good few hours...she insisting on not having supper to maintaint (or reduce) her figure...I don't see anything wrong with it but then again, I've yet to meet a girl who's perfectly happy with her weight.

So it's the beginning of a new day...my new wristwatch just chimed 4am and my eyelids are beginning to feel heavy. Think I might be coming down with something. What, exactly, I do not know but it sure feels like something.

Apology...

I guess I owe the Babs an apology. I've been kinda strong headed about my relationship lately and she's been putting up with all the crap that I've been chucking out.

She is an idealist. Like I used to be. Somehow, somewhere along the line, I lost faith. I hope that she never does. It's quite shattering when it happens. In any case, I'd hate to loose a good friend like the babs over an issue which I'll have to take responsibility and solve myself. I guess it's just part of growing up.

Babs, if you're reading this, I'm sorry. I was in a disturbed mental state. More likely than not, it's temporary insanity brought about by emotional depression. Hah! Like as if this is the first time...yeah right!

So if you'll find a soft-spot in that warm little heart of yours to forgive me, I'd much appreciate it.

Mental Case...

I've dug myself into an emtional pit and I don't think I'm ever getting out. I've wasted my life away. Not achieving anything.

I'm too impulsive some would say. But yet, after being taken for rides yet again and again, I'm still a sucker for it. Why? I guess I have to realise sooner or later that I gotta start living for me. Not according to what someone else perceives how I should be living.

Emotional detachment. Yeah. That'll be the way to go.

Think I'm also mentally unstable at the moment.

Emotional Bank....

Love has deposits and withdrawals...debits and credits. That's what love is like according to someone whom I once thought would think that love is unconditional.

It's interesting to note that both N and I find that in some instances, the libidos tend to reduce with age. Yeah we had a long talk about it last night...and I always thought that women in their 30s were at their sexual peaks...

Aparently not. It's a biological phenomenon I tell ya.

Yeah, of course there are those who will argue that there are marriage vows to be made. But have you ever thought about it? Marriage vows NEVER EVER have this sentence "Will you take this man/woman to be your one and only mate till death do you part?" no. Instead, it goes, "Do you (blah blah name), take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, through good times and bad, till death do you part".

From http://reference.com -

mar·riage
Pronunciation: 'mar-ij
Function: noun
1 : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolvable only by law —see also DIVORCE
2 : the ceremony containing certain legal formalities by which a marriage relationship is created

Wow...it's interesting that Marriage is nothing but a "legal, consensual, and contractual relationship recognized and sanctioned by and dissolvable only by law"

Well, for those to believe that marriage is a sanctity of true love, it's just gonna shatter your thoughts that it's only a legal term and yes, it can be either dissolved or nullified. In all fairness, it takes two hands to clap as they always say.

If one doesn't feel the love, one looks elsewhere for it. Where does the blame lie? Both parties. Plain and simple. It's cause and effect and nobody escapes from it. Why do I say that, if love is felt whenever, whereever, then there is no need to look elsewhere for it.