Went to Swiss Garden this morning for dim sum breakfast...sempena 31st August. lol Anyway...they had some pretty trees there!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
30dPC Day 22: Trees
Went to Swiss Garden this morning for dim sum breakfast...sempena 31st August. lol Anyway...they had some pretty trees there!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Kapal terbang kecil warna merah
Jamie left behind her little red aeroplane when she left IQ.
So one day, Wafu and Pafu had some fun with it...
Wafu sitting on the aeroplane's tail
Pafu sitting in the middle (on the cockpit? lol)
Pafu: Let me take you for a ride!
Wafu: Wheee!
Okay, that's all folks!
(Psst...in case you didn't get it, the title is a play on the children's song "kereta kecil warna merah")
So one day, Wafu and Pafu had some fun with it...
Wafu sitting on the aeroplane's tail
Pafu sitting in the middle (on the cockpit? lol)
Pafu: Let me take you for a ride!
Wafu: Wheee!
Okay, that's all folks!
(Psst...in case you didn't get it, the title is a play on the children's song "kereta kecil warna merah")
30dPC Day 21: Pretty pattern
A quilt with a hexagonal pattern! If I'm not mistaken it was my grandmother who made the little hexagons and my mother who sewed the quilt together. (I didn't do anything :s lol)
Monday, August 29, 2011
30dPC Day 20: What I read
I read this yesterday...in The Star. Haha...hope you enjoy it too!
(Haven't been reading a lot of books lately... :| )
(Haven't been reading a lot of books lately... :| )
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
A healthy bottoms up
One day after lunch Julius went into a mini-market, wanting to buy Brand's essence of chicken, to feel more awake. Jonathan then decided to take one too.
In the car back to the office, they immediately downed their purchase.
Cheers!
Bottoms up!
Jonathan was clueless about the presence of a camera until the very end, when I showed them the photos I had taken. :P Still, the photos came out great (don't you think?). That's my senior, always photogenic... ;) (I have to say something good about him so that he won't give me too much work :P )
(I had my camera with me because I was waiting for a photo opportunity for the day's photo challenge theme)
In the car back to the office, they immediately downed their purchase.
Cheers!
Bottoms up!
Jonathan was clueless about the presence of a camera until the very end, when I showed them the photos I had taken. :P Still, the photos came out great (don't you think?). That's my senior, always photogenic... ;) (I have to say something good about him so that he won't give me too much work :P )
(I had my camera with me because I was waiting for a photo opportunity for the day's photo challenge theme)
30dPC Day 18: In my bag
Since I'm on a roll, here's what's in my badminton bag! Haha... (there are some things I just leave inside all the time)
1. A fan (my mother's, a gift from one of her badminton friendly matches; see the shuttlecock motif on it?)
2. Some shuttlecocks in a cut-off shuttlecock tube (is that what we call it?), in case the person who brings the shuttles arrives late (no, the shuttles aren't Yonex ones...only the tube :P )
3. An S hook...for changing in the toilet (no, I'm not gonna elaborate any further, you either get it or you don't ;P )
4. Some biscuits, in case of emergency hunger pangs
5. A packet of tissues
6. Under the packet of tissues, a spare pair of glasses (I never used to bring those when I play...I leave them at home. But in December or February before I started work, WW smashed a shuttle right into my glasses and made one of the lens fall out (lucky I use plastic lens). So now...I'm playing it safe, especially since I need to drive :P )
7. A small purse for a meal after playing, one in which I can put my phone and my car keys...AND a pack of tissues! So that I only need to carry one thing ;)
Wow...I've never even counted the number of things I have in there. Some of these things I've never even used before...
(When you play badminton twice a week, it's really easy to see something about it that coincides with a photo theme! lol )
1. A fan (my mother's, a gift from one of her badminton friendly matches; see the shuttlecock motif on it?)
2. Some shuttlecocks in a cut-off shuttlecock tube (is that what we call it?), in case the person who brings the shuttles arrives late (no, the shuttles aren't Yonex ones...only the tube :P )
3. An S hook...for changing in the toilet (no, I'm not gonna elaborate any further, you either get it or you don't ;P )
4. Some biscuits, in case of emergency hunger pangs
5. A packet of tissues
6. Under the packet of tissues, a spare pair of glasses (I never used to bring those when I play...I leave them at home. But in December or February before I started work, WW smashed a shuttle right into my glasses and made one of the lens fall out (lucky I use plastic lens). So now...I'm playing it safe, especially since I need to drive :P )
7. A small purse for a meal after playing, one in which I can put my phone and my car keys...AND a pack of tissues! So that I only need to carry one thing ;)
Wow...I've never even counted the number of things I have in there. Some of these things I've never even used before...
(When you play badminton twice a week, it's really easy to see something about it that coincides with a photo theme! lol )
Friday, August 26, 2011
30dPC Day 17: On the shelf
The soy sauce and other stuff are on another rack...since everything can't fit onto the same shelf/rack. :/ Oh well, that's what happens when you have a tiny kitchen.
A fusion birthday dinner
I have so many things to blog about, I don't even know where to start. Let's start with the most recent, because this is one of those things I shouldn't leave, since its relevance will sort of fade with time. And as for the others...please check back next week because I will be scheduling some of them. Already a photo a day and all the rest...this month is a busy month for my blog! :P
On Tuesday we celebrated Pat's (one of my photo challenge mates) birthday. Peter brought us to a Malay western food place. (but there wasn't only western food, as you will be able to see...)
Unfortunately I couldn't move further back...there was a railing there. So some of them got their faces partly cut off :/
But check out all the food! lol We wanted to share everything, so we ordered some local (satay, rendang paha kambing), some western (grilled lamb, ostrich and deer). (anything I missed?) Oh yeah, and a dish of vegetables (just for show :P ).
Okay, correction...the guys ordered :P So if you have any criticism about the mix of dishes, don't bring it to me! lol
The place is in Perai, in Kampung Pelet (not that I would know how to get there again), at the end of a narrow, twisting and turning lorong (path). The tables are all in little "huts" like the one we were in (which is why there was a railing behind me!), which is rather quaint. Some of the huts have low tables so that people can sit on the floor.
The food? Okay...the lamb was good, but the other meats weren't all that special. If you go there, go for the lamb! ;) (not cheap though...about 20 bucks for a dish of lamb, I think...and we ordered two which we transferred onto a single plate)
And at the end of the evening, a little dessert for the birthday girl (which she graciously shared with the rest of us (and some dared decline!! :P ) )
Okay, I shall stop here...and I thought this post would be short because I had only two photos for it!
On Tuesday we celebrated Pat's (one of my photo challenge mates) birthday. Peter brought us to a Malay western food place. (but there wasn't only western food, as you will be able to see...)
Unfortunately I couldn't move further back...there was a railing there. So some of them got their faces partly cut off :/
But check out all the food! lol We wanted to share everything, so we ordered some local (satay, rendang paha kambing), some western (grilled lamb, ostrich and deer). (anything I missed?) Oh yeah, and a dish of vegetables (just for show :P ).
Okay, correction...the guys ordered :P So if you have any criticism about the mix of dishes, don't bring it to me! lol
The place is in Perai, in Kampung Pelet (not that I would know how to get there again), at the end of a narrow, twisting and turning lorong (path). The tables are all in little "huts" like the one we were in (which is why there was a railing behind me!), which is rather quaint. Some of the huts have low tables so that people can sit on the floor.
The food? Okay...the lamb was good, but the other meats weren't all that special. If you go there, go for the lamb! ;) (not cheap though...about 20 bucks for a dish of lamb, I think...and we ordered two which we transferred onto a single plate)
And at the end of the evening, a little dessert for the birthday girl (which she graciously shared with the rest of us (and some dared decline!! :P ) )
Okay, I shall stop here...and I thought this post would be short because I had only two photos for it!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
One strike you're out
The other day I posted this on Facebook:
This trip home, it's gonna be "one strike you're out". If you're not free when I call you, you'll have to be the one to call me back 'cos I'm not trying a second time. Sorry, but I think this is the path of least stress for me ;)
Erin replied to my post:
As someone who travels a lot, props to you for this idea. I always feel bad about not seeing people when I'm home, but I can't spend my whole trip planning and it's impossible to see everyone. This will be my new rule. :)
It's nice to find that someone else feels the same way. It is just too much hassle, and not worth the time wasted to keep contacting people who just refuse to contact you back or refuse to take the time to see you. After all, if something is important enough for you, you would make time for it without being forced to do so.
Maybe I should make this a permanent rule too.
This trip home, it's gonna be "one strike you're out". If you're not free when I call you, you'll have to be the one to call me back 'cos I'm not trying a second time. Sorry, but I think this is the path of least stress for me ;)
Erin replied to my post:
As someone who travels a lot, props to you for this idea. I always feel bad about not seeing people when I'm home, but I can't spend my whole trip planning and it's impossible to see everyone. This will be my new rule. :)
It's nice to find that someone else feels the same way. It is just too much hassle, and not worth the time wasted to keep contacting people who just refuse to contact you back or refuse to take the time to see you. After all, if something is important enough for you, you would make time for it without being forced to do so.
Maybe I should make this a permanent rule too.
30dPC Day 16: What I ate
Here's my dinner!
Fried rice from a nearby stall. Extra chicken wing from another stall, and extra two prawns from WW, who ate the same thing but doesn't like prawns. (It's great eating with him :P )
Fried rice from a nearby stall. Extra chicken wing from another stall, and extra two prawns from WW, who ate the same thing but doesn't like prawns. (It's great eating with him :P )
Of laughter not being always the best medicine
As I discovered at badminton last night. :P
We were playing doubles (as usual :P ), and my partner had just taken a shot near the net. He played it close to the net as well, and our opponent hit it back up, high but not too far back. I was at the back, so I called out to my partner that it was his (since it was likely that he would be able to step back in time). But he had already crouched down to let me take the shot.
Somehow I managed to reach the shuttle in time to hit it across the net. In the meantime, my partner, hearing me say "yours", thought that all was lost and had already started to move away. As the opponent returned my shot, he went "Eh? Are we still in the game?" LOL
But somehow that isn't the worst part. The opponent had returned another high shot. I was actually quite well-positioned to return this shot, but I was cracking up with laughter...what with the misunderstanding, and the lucky fluke that got the first shot over the net...and my partner's reaction. So with a mixture of "no energy to move forward" and "no energy to hit", for this second shot I somehow managed to touch the shuttle but not hard enough, so it went into the net. (whereas it was a convenient one to smash :| )
Oh gosh, laughter definitely killed it this time. Wahahahaha...I still want to laugh when I think of this :D
We were playing doubles (as usual :P ), and my partner had just taken a shot near the net. He played it close to the net as well, and our opponent hit it back up, high but not too far back. I was at the back, so I called out to my partner that it was his (since it was likely that he would be able to step back in time). But he had already crouched down to let me take the shot.
Somehow I managed to reach the shuttle in time to hit it across the net. In the meantime, my partner, hearing me say "yours", thought that all was lost and had already started to move away. As the opponent returned my shot, he went "Eh? Are we still in the game?" LOL
But somehow that isn't the worst part. The opponent had returned another high shot. I was actually quite well-positioned to return this shot, but I was cracking up with laughter...what with the misunderstanding, and the lucky fluke that got the first shot over the net...and my partner's reaction. So with a mixture of "no energy to move forward" and "no energy to hit", for this second shot I somehow managed to touch the shuttle but not hard enough, so it went into the net. (whereas it was a convenient one to smash :| )
Oh gosh, laughter definitely killed it this time. Wahahahaha...I still want to laugh when I think of this :D
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
30dPC Day 15: My shoes
As I mentioned in my previous post, I reached home late last night. And today is badminton day (Wednesday, I mean). Usually I get all my stuff ready the night before, because in the morning I might not have time to gather them up.
Last night I forgot to get my shoes. Luckily I thought of it this morning (or else it would mean a trip home during rush hour), and put them in their box. And seeing today's theme, here you go!
Haha, it looks like you're getting a look at a lot of my badminton apparel :P It's a pity I didn't post up a photo of me in my badminton wear for the "what I wore" theme. (I was going to do that...but found the photo too ugly, about like a headless chicken ('cos I didn't want my face in the photo again :P ) )
Who knows, maybe next time I'll post a photo of my water bottle. (kidding!)
Last night I forgot to get my shoes. Luckily I thought of it this morning (or else it would mean a trip home during rush hour), and put them in their box. And seeing today's theme, here you go!
Haha, it looks like you're getting a look at a lot of my badminton apparel :P It's a pity I didn't post up a photo of me in my badminton wear for the "what I wore" theme. (I was going to do that...but found the photo too ugly, about like a headless chicken ('cos I didn't want my face in the photo again :P ) )
Who knows, maybe next time I'll post a photo of my water bottle. (kidding!)
Old wounds
They say old war wounds can hurt sometimes.
There has been a strange feeling in my finger lately. The healed one. It isn't pain, but maybe an ache. A strange feeling. Sometimes there, sometimes not.
Like this past few days. Could it be the weather, partly? Cold weather making joints stiff? But it isn't stiff, either...
I just hope it's fine.
There has been a strange feeling in my finger lately. The healed one. It isn't pain, but maybe an ache. A strange feeling. Sometimes there, sometimes not.
Like this past few days. Could it be the weather, partly? Cold weather making joints stiff? But it isn't stiff, either...
I just hope it's fine.
30dPC Day 14: Flowers
Hey...I'm late for this one. Because last night we went out to celebrate Pat's birthday, and I didn't reach home till late. But I've got my photo!
Flowers...it's certainly easier than the previous theme. I looked for flowers all day, but I had an "emergency solution" back home, so it wasn't too urgent...
I had almost given up on finding anything outside, but then we went to someone's house to get something...and on the gate...flowers!
What's more, it's a really nice design. ^_^
So that's it! Today's photo will come out sooner, promise! ('cos I'm gonna schedule it right now :P )
Flowers...it's certainly easier than the previous theme. I looked for flowers all day, but I had an "emergency solution" back home, so it wasn't too urgent...
I had almost given up on finding anything outside, but then we went to someone's house to get something...and on the gate...flowers!
What's more, it's a really nice design. ^_^
So that's it! Today's photo will come out sooner, promise! ('cos I'm gonna schedule it right now :P )
Monday, August 22, 2011
30dPC Day 13: From a distance
I can hardly believe what I did for today's theme. I thought about it for the whole day, but didn't get anything. So when I got home, I took a few pictures from my balcony, thinking I would use one of those. But they didn't turn out so good...so I started thinking again...reluctant to post those photos up.
Then I thought I would get a photo of the little lake in my apartment's garden area (in my taman, I mean :P ) But it was already dark by then and the lake wasn't lighted up...so I ended up taking a photo of something that was!
(this is not the view from my balcony...I had to go out to the other side of the building)
Doesn't that look nice? (Please tell me it does, after all the trouble I went through :P )
And it was lucky I went out when I did (and didn't procrastinate any longer), because there were already a few raindrops at the time, and as I am typing this, the rain is already falling quite heavily!
Whew! Tomorrow's will be easier ;)
Then I thought I would get a photo of the little lake in my apartment's garden area (in my taman, I mean :P ) But it was already dark by then and the lake wasn't lighted up...so I ended up taking a photo of something that was!
(this is not the view from my balcony...I had to go out to the other side of the building)
Doesn't that look nice? (Please tell me it does, after all the trouble I went through :P )
And it was lucky I went out when I did (and didn't procrastinate any longer), because there were already a few raindrops at the time, and as I am typing this, the rain is already falling quite heavily!
Whew! Tomorrow's will be easier ;)
Looking for a funny guy?
I saw an article on how to set up the perfect online dating profile. Not that I have any use for that, but in the comments, there was this guy who drafted out a really funny personal profile, and I've just got to share it. What's more, this will give me a few laughs when I need it. :)
And the second one (by the same person):
This guy is really funny...here are some of his replies to other people's comments:
Someone replied to him:
And he wrote back:
And when someone thanked him for the laughs, he replied:
I love puns...and that's a double one! ("sole" instead of "soul", and then the fish reference) :D
So did you enjoy reading those profiles? Or am I the only one with a weird sense of humour? :P
About me:
I like camping and hiking in the nude, uphill skiing, and basejumping, as long as it's not more than 3 feet high. I also like puppies, but only if they aren't rabid.
I drive by the gym at least once a day, and take my cats out for a drag every night. Sometimes, I go strolling alone along the beach and feed the birds....to the sharks. Ocassionally, I'll even kick sand on couples having an afternoon picnic. It's a hoot. Makes me smile. But it would be nice to share those walks with someone though.
A lot of women have told me I look like Brad Pitt....in the dark. Others have said I'm a hunk, but a hunk of what?
About my date:
I'm looking for a woman who appreciates the finer things in life, like sauerkraut, amish quilts, and Aboriginal didjeridu's. A woman that's not afraid to let her hair down.....unless she's wearing a wig.
Someone who like's me for who I am, and not for what I turn into during a full moon. Someone that appreciates my large hands, lazy eye, and big but....I digress....
For fun:
I enjoy having epileptic seizures in public places, especially in clubs. I've started two new dance styles so far. I also like to take long falls down steep hills, especially when there are a plethora of blackberry bushes along the way.
Favorite hot spots:
I usually hang out in hospitals, healing, but when I'm not doing that, I go to the Zoo and visit some of my relatives in the primate exhibits. I'd love to take you there, but they tend to throw things at strangers. Not good things either.
Favorite things:
I like to party like it's 1865, 1901, or even 1968, but not 1999. New Years 1999, All I remember is waking up naked on a pool table with a traffic cone on my head and a couple "professional" ladies old enough to be my grandmother.
Last read:
Last thing I read was a warning on a light socket about not putting your finger inside it. Then I blacked out. Apparently tongues shouldn't be inserted into the sockets either.
Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
My parents are Celtic/Norse, but I was born in East L.A.. Lets just say, I wasn't very popular in my neighborhood.
Faith: Other
God plays a vital role in my life. So far, he's used me as a warning to others. Been struck by lightning t-t-t-twice now. Of course I'm sure it has nothing to do with me standing on hilltops with a steel bat cursing at him during a thunderstorm.
And the second one (by the same person):
About me:
I love walks in the jungle, rabid puppies, Emu and Llama wrestling, and offroad mopeding. I also enjoy running naked through blackberry patches.
A lot of people have told me that I'm "special" or "gifted". I think they're jealous that I can count to 10, or 20 with my shoes off, and even to 22 in the shower. (don't ask)
I like to dance, but the only dances I know are the "Robot" and "Macarena", so I'm always (a) hit on the dance floor....especially at country/western bars. I tried to learn the electric slide, but I slid into a wall and broke my leg.
I was a professional bungee-jumper, but due to my depth perception issues, it didn't last long.
I've got carpal-tunnel in my left big toe, but it doesn't seem to affect my handwriting too much anymore.
My best friend is a Burundian Pygmy. His name is Mbaba-Mwanna-Waresa-Something, but I just call him shorty, it's easier. We hang out all the time. Although when he gets mad at me, he punches me in the kneecaps and shoots me with a poison blowdart. We always laugh about that afterwards while I'm recovering in the hospital.
About my date:
I'm looking for somebody that is breathing, and preferably not in any type of relationship, such as marriage, a cult, or prison. A woman that has a steady head on her shoulders, but not a steady shot when she's mad. As beautiful on the inside, as she is in the dark. She has to have a sense of humor, especially if catching me in a lie, drunk, or out with the guys (or all the above). She MUST know how to bathe, and does it regularly....with or without my assistance. She cannot be a blood relative (note to self: always check this first, not last). And must be of legal age...in Washington, NOT Missouri.
For fun:
I like to take pictures of people taking pictures of things. It really annoys them, especially when I use the strobe lights.
Favorite hot spots:
I like going to fancy restaurants, such as Chez McDonalds, B. King Grill, and Arbysaggio Ristorante.
Favorite things:
To relax, I like unscrewing my favorite bottle of wine, and sitting in front of my neon "fireplace" on my Bare skin rug, listening to the rain falling on the cardboard roof.
Last read:
The last thing I read was a sign that said "One way, do not enter". Then I woke up in the hospital....again. I REALLY need to pay more attention to the road signs.
Job: Self-Employed
Aside from Bungee-jumping, I'm also a belly-button Engineer.
Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
I'm heinz 56-1/2, a little bit of everything, including horse...or at least the back part of one.
Faith: Other
I beleive in Bob. Kind of like God, but he's usually hanging around Pike Place market, talking to himself. Mumbling something about the end of the world, canibal midgets, or some odd Newtonian equations concerning magnetohydrodynamics.
Education: High school, PhD / Post Doctoral
Ph.D. Naval Physics, Umbilicus University.
This guy is really funny...here are some of his replies to other people's comments:
Someone replied to him:
camping and hiking in the nude
As weird as it sounds it apparently is not all that unusual.
And he wrote back:
No kidding. Just last week I was hiking in the woods, and there was a whole family of Yeti, nude, just staring at me, like I was the one wearing no clothes. Jeez.
And when someone thanked him for the laughs, he replied:
Glad I could help. Laughing is good for the sole, and other fish too. =)
I love puns...and that's a double one! ("sole" instead of "soul", and then the fish reference) :D
So did you enjoy reading those profiles? Or am I the only one with a weird sense of humour? :P
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Finally, a cure!
I've been wanting to write this post for some time, but other stuff just got in the way. But now here it is!
I can't even remember when I tried this ulcer remedy, it was so long ago. But thanks to this, I can pinpoint it to a month ago. :P
And it worked, so I shall reveal it here:
Bactidol mouthwash, recommended by Peter, who seems to be as ulcer prone as (or maybe more than) I am
(I am not sponsored by either Bactidol or the store I bought it from)
For all those who are too lazy to read the post I linked above (haha), I have a big problem with ulcers...and I have tried loads of remedies which just never worked (even when it worked for other people). So for some time I had been leaving my ulcers run their course...which usually gets really painful at one point. :( (and I then call them "those monsters in my mouth")
So I was kinda reluctant to try this remedy...but one day, with two ulcers starting in my mouth, I just went "Argh, let's try it!" (inwardly, not out loud :P )
And in just about five days (FIVE DAYS, as opposed to weeks!!), my ulcers were as good as gone (somewhere at the end of "Stage 5"). What's more, they didn't hurt at all since I started using the mouthwash. (they were probably too numb...more on that later)
My friend told me to gargle once every few hours. I didn't, because I couldn't be bothered :P Instead, I gargled each night before bed.
The first time I gargled, my tongue and mouth were numb for hours. After a few times using it, I noticed that the tip of my tongue was the numbest of all...the rest of my mouth would be okay a lot sooner. So the final few times I used the mouthwash, I dipped the tip of my tongue in water after gargling (after all, I was using the mouthwash for my ulcers, not for my tongue...) That sure helped :P
That was also one of the reasons I didn't want to gargle more often than once a day...if I did, I would probably never have any feeling in my mouth at all! lol (at least till my ulcer heals :P )
I haven't had any ulcers since (which is a GOOD thing!), so I can't say whether it was just a lucky fluke that this worked...but I think it does. 'Cos I've never had an ulcer go away so fast. :)
I can't even remember when I tried this ulcer remedy, it was so long ago. But thanks to this, I can pinpoint it to a month ago. :P
And it worked, so I shall reveal it here:
Bactidol mouthwash, recommended by Peter, who seems to be as ulcer prone as (or maybe more than) I am
(I am not sponsored by either Bactidol or the store I bought it from)
For all those who are too lazy to read the post I linked above (haha), I have a big problem with ulcers...and I have tried loads of remedies which just never worked (even when it worked for other people). So for some time I had been leaving my ulcers run their course...which usually gets really painful at one point. :( (and I then call them "those monsters in my mouth")
So I was kinda reluctant to try this remedy...but one day, with two ulcers starting in my mouth, I just went "Argh, let's try it!" (inwardly, not out loud :P )
And in just about five days (FIVE DAYS, as opposed to weeks!!), my ulcers were as good as gone (somewhere at the end of "Stage 5"). What's more, they didn't hurt at all since I started using the mouthwash. (they were probably too numb...more on that later)
My friend told me to gargle once every few hours. I didn't, because I couldn't be bothered :P Instead, I gargled each night before bed.
The first time I gargled, my tongue and mouth were numb for hours. After a few times using it, I noticed that the tip of my tongue was the numbest of all...the rest of my mouth would be okay a lot sooner. So the final few times I used the mouthwash, I dipped the tip of my tongue in water after gargling (after all, I was using the mouthwash for my ulcers, not for my tongue...) That sure helped :P
That was also one of the reasons I didn't want to gargle more often than once a day...if I did, I would probably never have any feeling in my mouth at all! lol (at least till my ulcer heals :P )
I haven't had any ulcers since (which is a GOOD thing!), so I can't say whether it was just a lucky fluke that this worked...but I think it does. 'Cos I've never had an ulcer go away so fast. :)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Merdeka spirit is here
I saw this last night on the road going home (at the traffic light opposite PISA turning into Relau).
As soon as I saw the car, I told WW, "Quick! Take a photo!" When I pointed it out to him, he said, "Is that a car or a hedgehog?" ("car" and "hedgehog" maybe not in that order :P ) I must admit that it does look a bit "hedgehoggy" with all the flags poking out of its back...
Then when the traffic light turned green and we passed the car (it was stopped there), we saw a man wearing a Malaysian flag standing beside the car. The flag was like draped down his front (looked kinda weird...)
I'm not sure where the man walked out from because our view of the car was obstructed for a while by a Matrix (if not for WW complaining that the Matrix was obstructing his view so that he couldn't get another photo, I would have said "big car-van thingy" instead of "Matrix" ;P Or maybe I wouldn't have noticed what obstructed our view at all...haha)
I posted this photo on Facebook a while ago (yeah, Facebook is where the photos go for a short showing, and the story comes here (sometimes... :P ) ), and a friend told me that she saw the same car at Gurney Drive last night. So I guess it did cover some distance!
As soon as I saw the car, I told WW, "Quick! Take a photo!" When I pointed it out to him, he said, "Is that a car or a hedgehog?" ("car" and "hedgehog" maybe not in that order :P ) I must admit that it does look a bit "hedgehoggy" with all the flags poking out of its back...
Then when the traffic light turned green and we passed the car (it was stopped there), we saw a man wearing a Malaysian flag standing beside the car. The flag was like draped down his front (looked kinda weird...)
I'm not sure where the man walked out from because our view of the car was obstructed for a while by a Matrix (if not for WW complaining that the Matrix was obstructing his view so that he couldn't get another photo, I would have said "big car-van thingy" instead of "Matrix" ;P Or maybe I wouldn't have noticed what obstructed our view at all...haha)
I posted this photo on Facebook a while ago (yeah, Facebook is where the photos go for a short showing, and the story comes here (sometimes... :P ) ), and a friend told me that she saw the same car at Gurney Drive last night. So I guess it did cover some distance!
Friday, August 19, 2011
30dPC Day 10: Something I made
Wonder what this is? It's supposed to be a Wi-Fi booster. I say "supposed to be" because I'm not quite sure whether it works. :P
I mentioned some time ago that I just switched to Streamyx. It was right before I got Streamyx, during the time that I didn't have Internet that I saw this article on how to make a Wi-Fi booster. I thought, no harm trying! So I made one after we got our modem, and here's the end result.
(If the link's not working and you still decide to make one based on the photo, don't forget to tape the sharp edges of the can!)
Why we should really, really be careful with pronouns
Article in The Star by the editor, Wong Sai Wan.
At the end, this:
Executive editor Wong Sai Wan was kept awake for three days in Moss Side by Bob Marley's No Women No Cry when he died on May 11, 1981.
When he died?? When who died?? By this sentence alone, the most logical conclusion is when the executive editor died. But...we know that can't be it because he is still writing about the recent riots in London. So I think it was Bob Marley who died in 1981.
(This is not a rant...these mistakes happen. And I know I'm a nitpicker sometimes but I really don't blame anyone for this.)
At the end, this:
Executive editor Wong Sai Wan was kept awake for three days in Moss Side by Bob Marley's No Women No Cry when he died on May 11, 1981.
When he died?? When who died?? By this sentence alone, the most logical conclusion is when the executive editor died. But...we know that can't be it because he is still writing about the recent riots in London. So I think it was Bob Marley who died in 1981.
(This is not a rant...these mistakes happen. And I know I'm a nitpicker sometimes but I really don't blame anyone for this.)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
From technology to art
It all started with technology.
Jonathan (who is not participating in the 30-day photo challenge, by the way) decided to draw us something with the technology theme. And he decided to make it go with the hungry ghost festival as well.
Ghosts shooting out of a pen drive. Or is it being sucked in? Ghostbusters! lol
(Unfortunately the photo is a bit blurred...)
Then a 3D effort!
"Drinking technology makes you strong and healthy!" :P
I really really like this one :D
That was yesterday...towards the end of the day, so most of us didn't see the second sketch till today. And then more people joined in the drawing fad.
"Don't move, this is a robbery!"
(caption provided by Pat, the artist herself)
And a faceless self-portrait by Jamie...which happens to be today's photo challenge theme.
I think I'll stick to photos, myself...my sketches never turn out to be what I intended them to be, anyway. :P
Jonathan (who is not participating in the 30-day photo challenge, by the way) decided to draw us something with the technology theme. And he decided to make it go with the hungry ghost festival as well.
Ghosts shooting out of a pen drive. Or is it being sucked in? Ghostbusters! lol
(Unfortunately the photo is a bit blurred...)
Then a 3D effort!
"Drinking technology makes you strong and healthy!" :P
I really really like this one :D
That was yesterday...towards the end of the day, so most of us didn't see the second sketch till today. And then more people joined in the drawing fad.
"Don't move, this is a robbery!"
(caption provided by Pat, the artist herself)
And a faceless self-portrait by Jamie...which happens to be today's photo challenge theme.
I think I'll stick to photos, myself...my sketches never turn out to be what I intended them to be, anyway. :P
Self doubt
I just received this SMS from Celcom:
"When you receive promotional SMS messages from CELCOM, do you believe that they are genuine? Reply Y for YES or N for NO to 23332."
Just a few minutes earlier, I had received another SMS...a promotional one. I guess that they are doubting the effectiveness of their messages since I never respond to any of them? lol
"When you receive promotional SMS messages from CELCOM, do you believe that they are genuine? Reply Y for YES or N for NO to 23332."
Just a few minutes earlier, I had received another SMS...a promotional one. I guess that they are doubting the effectiveness of their messages since I never respond to any of them? lol
Insight from the guys
A little information garnered from the guys.
A guy's car is like his weapon. He uses it to "shoot" at girls.
Some guys have bazookas, some guys have M-16s, some guys have...well, you get the idea.
Some guys use their weapons on one girl, shooting till they hit. Some guys use their guns on multiple targets, moving on to the next one if they miss.
And girls, beware. If both you and he has a house, some guys' strategy will be to get you to sell yours. Then you will have more money. (but then he might leave you after getting the money) So instead, get him to sell his ;)
(Note: This post is truth: 100%, seriousness: 50%, humour: 100% ;) )
A guy's car is like his weapon. He uses it to "shoot" at girls.
Some guys have bazookas, some guys have M-16s, some guys have...well, you get the idea.
Some guys use their weapons on one girl, shooting till they hit. Some guys use their guns on multiple targets, moving on to the next one if they miss.
And girls, beware. If both you and he has a house, some guys' strategy will be to get you to sell yours. Then you will have more money. (but then he might leave you after getting the money) So instead, get him to sell his ;)
(Note: This post is truth: 100%, seriousness: 50%, humour: 100% ;) )
30dPC Day 9: Faceless self-portrait
Taken this morning, when I was still sleepy, so luckily I didn't have to look at the camera for this theme. (though maybe it's more like, I took this at that time because I didn't have to look at the camera :P )
Thankfully this one was a lot easier to take than the previous photo, it only took three tries ;P
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
30dPC Day 7: Something new
Whoa, this was hard. It isn't finding something new that is difficult; it is making that photo interesting. I was thinking that I would keep an eye out for something new all day, and at worst I would just take a photo of something at home at night.
I didn't find something new, but I did get another idea.
Yesterday a "sample" arrived for us at work (especially for us software people! lol). It was a proximity sensor light. When switched on, the light will change colour according to which side of it you put your hand close to.
all the colours (well, except for the intermediate hues :P )
It certainly drew onlookers as we checked it out...some of whom were very interested to take it home! (not that I would mind having one, either...)
Unfortunately the person who brought it precised that it was only on loan to us. :P
So this is definitely new...at least for us. I took the photos using the "burst" function of my camera, so that it snapped the photos continuously while I moved my hand around the light. I guess it's clear from the photos that the blue/purple side was on my left... (my right hand was holding the camera ;) )
You can click on the picture to enlarge it...unfortunately, to get all the photos in the same picture they had to be small (or else they wouldn't fit on my screen :/ ). Even then there are some photos that didn't get into the picture...but they're repititive anyway.
It was only after taking the photos that I realised that I should have kept it for tomorrow's theme: technology. Oh well, I'll get something else for tomorrow.
Psst...you know what the photos remind me of? Tanglung...
I didn't find something new, but I did get another idea.
Yesterday a "sample" arrived for us at work (especially for us software people! lol). It was a proximity sensor light. When switched on, the light will change colour according to which side of it you put your hand close to.
all the colours (well, except for the intermediate hues :P )
It certainly drew onlookers as we checked it out...some of whom were very interested to take it home! (not that I would mind having one, either...)
Unfortunately the person who brought it precised that it was only on loan to us. :P
So this is definitely new...at least for us. I took the photos using the "burst" function of my camera, so that it snapped the photos continuously while I moved my hand around the light. I guess it's clear from the photos that the blue/purple side was on my left... (my right hand was holding the camera ;) )
You can click on the picture to enlarge it...unfortunately, to get all the photos in the same picture they had to be small (or else they wouldn't fit on my screen :/ ). Even then there are some photos that didn't get into the picture...but they're repititive anyway.
It was only after taking the photos that I realised that I should have kept it for tomorrow's theme: technology. Oh well, I'll get something else for tomorrow.
Psst...you know what the photos remind me of? Tanglung...
Monday, August 15, 2011
30dPC Day 6: Childhood memory
For this theme I initially thought I would go to the park nearby and take a photo of the children's playground. I have been trying to take each photo on its actual day, so I was planning to go there after work on Monday (in hopes that it wouldn't rain). But on Sunday as I walked in the park (I go walking there sometimes, for exercise (I can't jog :P ) ) I had "childhood memories" in my head and I noticed something that certainly evoked a childhood memory...
Wonder what that is? It's grass...like those we find on our school fields. In primary school I used to play with the grass with a few friends. We played "padi"...because what's inside the blade of grass looks like paddy :P We just tore up the grass, "planted" them, and I don't know what else...
(This post is scheduled because I picked the grass on Sunday and I know I won't have much time to write a proper post on Monday. So for the sake of a "quality" post, and because it really won't make much of a difference if I take the photo on Sunday or on Monday, I'm writing this post on Sunday and scheduling it for Monday. And it's not like you would know if I didn't say that it was scheduled...I just like being honest. With my future self, not you. I don't really care what you think about my scheduling. :P )
Wonder what that is? It's grass...like those we find on our school fields. In primary school I used to play with the grass with a few friends. We played "padi"...because what's inside the blade of grass looks like paddy :P We just tore up the grass, "planted" them, and I don't know what else...
(This post is scheduled because I picked the grass on Sunday and I know I won't have much time to write a proper post on Monday. So for the sake of a "quality" post, and because it really won't make much of a difference if I take the photo on Sunday or on Monday, I'm writing this post on Sunday and scheduling it for Monday. And it's not like you would know if I didn't say that it was scheduled...I just like being honest. With my future self, not you. I don't really care what you think about my scheduling. :P )
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Of tournaments and slang
There was an online Minesweeper tournament today. I found out about it on Friday, I think...and I decided I would join in if I was at home at the time.
The tournament was held at 3pm CET (Central European Time), which meant it was at 9pm here in Malaysia. We played for an hour and the final score was the total of our best 10 beginners, 5 intermediates and 3 experts.
There was a program to upload our scores in real time.
Final results:
(click to enlarge)
I guess I have to brush up on my beginner and expert (especially my expert!) My intermediate is still okay...even though it's still bad compared to my best time (see sidebar).
Unfortunately, other than not having played regularly for a while, I've also been out of touch with the Minesweeper community...I didn't know half the people participating in the tournament, and in the chatroom everything was a blur. I sort of drowned in all the chat messages and I didn't feel like joining in the conversation at all. Oh well, time will tell if I can get back into the game. (and the community)
By the way, I discovered a new Internet slang. After the game, several people were writing "wp all" in the chatroom. I checked online, and it turns out that WP means either wrong person or well played. (in the chatroom, it was "well played", of course) And since I use WP as my nickname, if they say WP (as in well played) to someone, I will get pinged. -_-
Still, this makes a pretty good pun. If someone misread the scores and (somehow, somehow...however far-fetched) thought that I had won, they might say "WP, WP!" (or as most people will write with neither capitals nor punctuation, "wp wp") Then I'd have to reply WP (wrong person) :P
This should be a pretty new slang...because I had been on the Minesweeper community for years and I never saw this expression. People are really getting lazier and lazier...
The tournament was held at 3pm CET (Central European Time), which meant it was at 9pm here in Malaysia. We played for an hour and the final score was the total of our best 10 beginners, 5 intermediates and 3 experts.
There was a program to upload our scores in real time.
Final results:
(click to enlarge)
I guess I have to brush up on my beginner and expert (especially my expert!) My intermediate is still okay...even though it's still bad compared to my best time (see sidebar).
Unfortunately, other than not having played regularly for a while, I've also been out of touch with the Minesweeper community...I didn't know half the people participating in the tournament, and in the chatroom everything was a blur. I sort of drowned in all the chat messages and I didn't feel like joining in the conversation at all. Oh well, time will tell if I can get back into the game. (and the community)
By the way, I discovered a new Internet slang. After the game, several people were writing "wp all" in the chatroom. I checked online, and it turns out that WP means either wrong person or well played. (in the chatroom, it was "well played", of course) And since I use WP as my nickname, if they say WP (as in well played) to someone, I will get pinged. -_-
Still, this makes a pretty good pun. If someone misread the scores and (somehow, somehow...however far-fetched) thought that I had won, they might say "WP, WP!" (or as most people will write with neither capitals nor punctuation, "wp wp") Then I'd have to reply WP (wrong person) :P
This should be a pretty new slang...because I had been on the Minesweeper community for years and I never saw this expression. People are really getting lazier and lazier...
The journey: Year 3
It's probably time I dished out the third installment of my "The journey" series. The last post on it was over a month ago!
Though you will find (or might have found) that I haven't been idle...I have just had too many things to blog about, so much so that I didn't find it necessary to have recourse to this :P And this month, with the photo challenge you will already have a post a day, though I believe I will post up some other "usual" things as well!
So here we go.
August 2005: Lyon
My third year in France was my first year in Lyon, where I spent the remaining five years of my stay in France. And August 2005 was when I first set foot in Lyon. Though this photo was taken in my last few months there :P
October 2005: Geneva, Lausanne and Basel (Switzerland)
Geneva, the fountain (or jet d'eau)
Lausanne, the view over Lac Léman (or Lake Geneva)
Basel, where my fondest memory was the dollhouse museum (Puppenhausmuseum (I can't believe I remembered the name, that just shows what furry little things can do to me :P ) )
This isn't the museum, though...it's the town hall.
October 2005: Colmar
Among all the places, this is the easiest photo to decide on! I love the house and its reflection on the water...we were lucky it was such a fine day ^_^
I actually went to Colmar from Basel, and returned to Lyon from Colmar. (It wasn't a separate trip from the one to Switzerland)
During my first year in France (when I was in Angoulême), I had already visited Tours and La Rochelle, the other two towns where we Malaysian students were sent. Colmar is further away (in the east whereas those three other towns are more in the west), so I didn't get to go there until I was in Lyon (which, incidentally, is in the east as well ;) ).
December 2005: Rouen
Le gros horloge (the big clock)
After Angoulême, I went to Lyon...but the others went to other towns. Rouen was one of them.
April 2006: Nice, Monaco and Cannes
We were all over France, but that spring break we managed to get a bunch of us together for a little trip down south. (that is not easy to do...as the future years will tell)
the beach in Nice
ships in Monaco (which is NOT a part of France, but a country in itself, in case you do not know ;) )
a (very!) famous handprint in Cannes
There wasn't really anything to see in Cannes...we heard that it's only lively there during the Cannes film festival. But we did see a whole lot of handprints of stars...and take photos of ourselves in front of the red carpet :P
May 2006: Annecy
A lovely town not far from Lyon, with a lovely (and huge!) lake.
Recap:
Aug 2005: Lyon
Oct 2005: Geneva
Oct 2005: Lausanne
Oct 2005: Basel
Oct 2005: Colmar
Dec 2005: Rouen
April 2006: Nice
April 2006: Monaco
April 2006: Cannes
May 2006: Annecy
Though you will find (or might have found) that I haven't been idle...I have just had too many things to blog about, so much so that I didn't find it necessary to have recourse to this :P And this month, with the photo challenge you will already have a post a day, though I believe I will post up some other "usual" things as well!
So here we go.
August 2005: Lyon
My third year in France was my first year in Lyon, where I spent the remaining five years of my stay in France. And August 2005 was when I first set foot in Lyon. Though this photo was taken in my last few months there :P
October 2005: Geneva, Lausanne and Basel (Switzerland)
Geneva, the fountain (or jet d'eau)
Lausanne, the view over Lac Léman (or Lake Geneva)
Basel, where my fondest memory was the dollhouse museum (Puppenhausmuseum (I can't believe I remembered the name, that just shows what furry little things can do to me :P ) )
This isn't the museum, though...it's the town hall.
October 2005: Colmar
Among all the places, this is the easiest photo to decide on! I love the house and its reflection on the water...we were lucky it was such a fine day ^_^
I actually went to Colmar from Basel, and returned to Lyon from Colmar. (It wasn't a separate trip from the one to Switzerland)
During my first year in France (when I was in Angoulême), I had already visited Tours and La Rochelle, the other two towns where we Malaysian students were sent. Colmar is further away (in the east whereas those three other towns are more in the west), so I didn't get to go there until I was in Lyon (which, incidentally, is in the east as well ;) ).
December 2005: Rouen
Le gros horloge (the big clock)
After Angoulême, I went to Lyon...but the others went to other towns. Rouen was one of them.
April 2006: Nice, Monaco and Cannes
We were all over France, but that spring break we managed to get a bunch of us together for a little trip down south. (that is not easy to do...as the future years will tell)
the beach in Nice
ships in Monaco (which is NOT a part of France, but a country in itself, in case you do not know ;) )
a (very!) famous handprint in Cannes
There wasn't really anything to see in Cannes...we heard that it's only lively there during the Cannes film festival. But we did see a whole lot of handprints of stars...and take photos of ourselves in front of the red carpet :P
May 2006: Annecy
A lovely town not far from Lyon, with a lovely (and huge!) lake.
Recap:
Aug 2005: Lyon
Oct 2005: Geneva
Oct 2005: Lausanne
Oct 2005: Basel
Oct 2005: Colmar
Dec 2005: Rouen
April 2006: Nice
April 2006: Monaco
April 2006: Cannes
May 2006: Annecy
Saturday, August 13, 2011
There is a philosopher at work
He believes in eradicating racism.
He believes in 1World 1Race.
He believes that mixed marriages are the key to solve our problems.
If he were to rule a country, it would be the country of mixed marriages.
Only one thing bothers me: how to make those mixed marriages happen?
The word of law, he says.
Maybe it would be better to make it the country for elopers.
He believes in 1World 1Race.
He believes that mixed marriages are the key to solve our problems.
If he were to rule a country, it would be the country of mixed marriages.
Only one thing bothers me: how to make those mixed marriages happen?
The word of law, he says.
Maybe it would be better to make it the country for elopers.
30dPC Day 4: Favourite colour
This isn't easy... Favourite colour? I don't even know what my favourite colour is. I like lots of colours. I used to love pink, specifically soft pink. But pink comes in so many other shades, some of which are really rather ugly. Or too bright. :s
I like baby blue too. (in fact, I think I like all "soft" colours...there's something peaceful about them) But you can't have soft colours, and only soft colours, around you all the time. You need some bright ones too. Just...not too much.
So, I like loads of colours. Different ones, mixed and matched. But if I had to choose, I'd choose blue. Because, that's the colour which stays "okay" most of the time...it's hard to find a shade that is so bad that I hate it.
Which is why I decided to go with blue.
Three pairs of jeans, flanked by a jacket and a blanket.
And a heart in the middle of it all, for good measure.
Among all the hues, you just can't go wrong with blue. ;)
I like baby blue too. (in fact, I think I like all "soft" colours...there's something peaceful about them) But you can't have soft colours, and only soft colours, around you all the time. You need some bright ones too. Just...not too much.
So, I like loads of colours. Different ones, mixed and matched. But if I had to choose, I'd choose blue. Because, that's the colour which stays "okay" most of the time...it's hard to find a shade that is so bad that I hate it.
Which is why I decided to go with blue.
Three pairs of jeans, flanked by a jacket and a blanket.
And a heart in the middle of it all, for good measure.
Among all the hues, you just can't go wrong with blue. ;)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Marrybrown after...um, a number of years
I wanna blog about so many things, but let's just start with the latest, "time-sensitive" one first :P
We went to Marrybrown for dinner earlier. Kuantan had a Marrybrown when I was small, on an old ship on Kuantan river. Then that closed down...and later another one opened in town. But later that closed down as well. I guess it couldn't compete with the likes of KFC and McDonald's.
In Penang there is a Marrybrown (I don't know whether there are any others) on a road that I use quite often. Now that WW is here, it was only a matter of time before he suggested that we go there for a meal...
my "lucky plate"
(WW ordered something similar which had gravy on it, a choice between mushroom and black pepper. But I prefer my fried chicken crispy ;) )
Good fried chicken, but nothing exceptional (not that I was expecting anything more (and this is not an advertisement)). I don't like the coleslaw (they call it salad, I think) so much; they put green peas in it. :s
And they have rather interesting seats at two of the tables:
Swings! Fancy having a rocking meal?
We didn't sit at one of those :P
Edit: I just noticed, this is my 1001st post!
We went to Marrybrown for dinner earlier. Kuantan had a Marrybrown when I was small, on an old ship on Kuantan river. Then that closed down...and later another one opened in town. But later that closed down as well. I guess it couldn't compete with the likes of KFC and McDonald's.
In Penang there is a Marrybrown (I don't know whether there are any others) on a road that I use quite often. Now that WW is here, it was only a matter of time before he suggested that we go there for a meal...
my "lucky plate"
(WW ordered something similar which had gravy on it, a choice between mushroom and black pepper. But I prefer my fried chicken crispy ;) )
Good fried chicken, but nothing exceptional (not that I was expecting anything more (and this is not an advertisement)). I don't like the coleslaw (they call it salad, I think) so much; they put green peas in it. :s
And they have rather interesting seats at two of the tables:
Swings! Fancy having a rocking meal?
We didn't sit at one of those :P
Edit: I just noticed, this is my 1001st post!
30dPC Day 3: Clouds
Today wasn't a very good day for clouds, because it was, um, well, cloudy. :P I woke up to a dark sky, and it didn't get any better when I got to work. (on the bright side, I didn't have the sun in my eyes on the way there :P )
At lunchtime I took a few photos of the clouds (it was slightly sunnier and we could at least make out that there were clouds in the sky lol), but none of the photos turned out that well (mostly grey all over the photo, if you get what I mean). So I decided to wait and see whether things would get better after work. It didn't get much sunnier, but I was rewarded with a much better photo. So here you go!
At lunchtime I took a few photos of the clouds (it was slightly sunnier and we could at least make out that there were clouds in the sky lol), but none of the photos turned out that well (mostly grey all over the photo, if you get what I mean). So I decided to wait and see whether things would get better after work. It didn't get much sunnier, but I was rewarded with a much better photo. So here you go!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Connected again
And better than before. Now I've got Streamyx at home :)
But this isn't a happy post. I'm actually writing to rant about my previous Internet service.
Before this I was using Maxis Broadband, starting from February when I first came (to settle down) in Penang. I signed up for a mobile broadband because I was first renting a room with a couple before moving into my own place, and if I wanted a fixed Internet service I would have to wait till I moved into my permanent place.
So I went mobile. Since I don't use very much Internet (I mean, I do when I have it, but I can do without :P ), I opted for a 1.5GB/month plan. Everything was just fine...until the beginning of this month.
Just a few days into August, I opened my browser to find that I couldn't access several websites that I use often. Instead, each time I tried to access these websites, I would be directed to the Maxis website that said "Need a top-up?" (or something like that)
Here I should mention that each time I connect to the Internet with Maxis Broadband, they will open up a new tab for me which goes to the Maxis Launchpad page. (the page where I can "supposedly" access my account...though I never managed to sign up...but that's another, very trivial matter) That's not a problem...I can just close that tab and it doesn't affect my Internet use later. And it will go to the top-up page instead if I've exceeded my quota.
But about two months ago (I think) I started having a problem with my home page (which happens to be Google Reader). Each time I clicked on the bookmark, I would instead be sent to the aforementioned "need a top-up?" page. The same thing would happen if I typed in the URL myself. But it worked if I went to my Gmail and then clicked on the link to Reader. (why, I do not know)
That was annoying...but okay, I can live with that.
Back to earlier this month. Now this problem was a lot more serious. There was no way I could access some particular websites. The only way to "get around" the problem was to use a slightly different URL that also brings you to that website. And unfortunately...we can't exactly do that for some websites... (the easy one was Facebook, because with its photos and links and whatnot, just typing Facebook into the address bar allowed me to pick any Facebook page I had previously visited (if you don't understand that, you haven't used Facebook enough and I'm not going to explain :P ) )
Upon calling up Maxis to complain, they told me that I had exceeded my quota and that when that happens, the Internet could be cut off. Now that is where the problem begins. When I signed up for the service, I specifically asked what would happen if the quota was exceeded, because it was extremely important to me that I still have access to the Internet. What they told me was that the connection speed would become slower, but they did not say a thing about it being cut off!
False advertising!!
At that time I was already going to terminate my Maxis Broadband subscription, because my brother was moving in and with the two of us, we would need better Internet (1.5GB a month and having to pass the modem between us was definitely not going to work!) I was going to wait maybe till the end of the month, but this incident annoyed me so much (why have Internet if you can't use it?) that I decided to terminate it as soon as possible (if I'm not mistaken, I did it the next day)
Unfortunately, that's not the end of it. It gets worse.
With Streamyx installed today, I thought I would be free of this problem. But when I used the same browser with my Streamyx connection, two websites in particular still directed to the Maxis top-up page. Two most frequently used websites. Now this is so awful...just think about it: It isn't enough that you block my Internet usage when I'm using your connection, but you have to hijack my browser and leave your ghosts there as well?!
I tried typing the address myself, deleting the bookmarks and retyping the addresses, re-importing the bookmarks, etc etc. Nothing worked. I asked my brother and he said he had that problem as well, when he took his laptop to my grandmother's place and used the Internet there. So now he has to use another browser. (but surprisingly he didn't say a word about it until I asked...I suppose he has more patience than me on this kind of thing)
But I didn't want to use another browser. I want my Firefox! So I uninstalled and reinstalled it. Even then, it didn't work the first time because I tried uninstalling without erasing my preferences (which includes my bookmarks, which is probably why). So I had to uninstall and reinstall for a second time, this time "cleanly" (kill it off 100%, preferences and all, before resurrecting it). And now it works. I re-imported my previous bookmarks (exported with my "ill" version before it was uninstalled) and luckily that didn't bring back the "virus".
So. In conclusion, Maxis Broadband is to be used with care. As long as you keep within the quota, everything will most likely be fine, but if you go too far above quota...just prepare for the beast within to be unleashed!
But this isn't a happy post. I'm actually writing to rant about my previous Internet service.
Before this I was using Maxis Broadband, starting from February when I first came (to settle down) in Penang. I signed up for a mobile broadband because I was first renting a room with a couple before moving into my own place, and if I wanted a fixed Internet service I would have to wait till I moved into my permanent place.
So I went mobile. Since I don't use very much Internet (I mean, I do when I have it, but I can do without :P ), I opted for a 1.5GB/month plan. Everything was just fine...until the beginning of this month.
Just a few days into August, I opened my browser to find that I couldn't access several websites that I use often. Instead, each time I tried to access these websites, I would be directed to the Maxis website that said "Need a top-up?" (or something like that)
Here I should mention that each time I connect to the Internet with Maxis Broadband, they will open up a new tab for me which goes to the Maxis Launchpad page. (the page where I can "supposedly" access my account...though I never managed to sign up...but that's another, very trivial matter) That's not a problem...I can just close that tab and it doesn't affect my Internet use later. And it will go to the top-up page instead if I've exceeded my quota.
But about two months ago (I think) I started having a problem with my home page (which happens to be Google Reader). Each time I clicked on the bookmark, I would instead be sent to the aforementioned "need a top-up?" page. The same thing would happen if I typed in the URL myself. But it worked if I went to my Gmail and then clicked on the link to Reader. (why, I do not know)
That was annoying...but okay, I can live with that.
Back to earlier this month. Now this problem was a lot more serious. There was no way I could access some particular websites. The only way to "get around" the problem was to use a slightly different URL that also brings you to that website. And unfortunately...we can't exactly do that for some websites... (the easy one was Facebook, because with its photos and links and whatnot, just typing Facebook into the address bar allowed me to pick any Facebook page I had previously visited (if you don't understand that, you haven't used Facebook enough and I'm not going to explain :P ) )
Upon calling up Maxis to complain, they told me that I had exceeded my quota and that when that happens, the Internet could be cut off. Now that is where the problem begins. When I signed up for the service, I specifically asked what would happen if the quota was exceeded, because it was extremely important to me that I still have access to the Internet. What they told me was that the connection speed would become slower, but they did not say a thing about it being cut off!
False advertising!!
At that time I was already going to terminate my Maxis Broadband subscription, because my brother was moving in and with the two of us, we would need better Internet (1.5GB a month and having to pass the modem between us was definitely not going to work!) I was going to wait maybe till the end of the month, but this incident annoyed me so much (why have Internet if you can't use it?) that I decided to terminate it as soon as possible (if I'm not mistaken, I did it the next day)
Unfortunately, that's not the end of it. It gets worse.
With Streamyx installed today, I thought I would be free of this problem. But when I used the same browser with my Streamyx connection, two websites in particular still directed to the Maxis top-up page. Two most frequently used websites. Now this is so awful...just think about it: It isn't enough that you block my Internet usage when I'm using your connection, but you have to hijack my browser and leave your ghosts there as well?!
I tried typing the address myself, deleting the bookmarks and retyping the addresses, re-importing the bookmarks, etc etc. Nothing worked. I asked my brother and he said he had that problem as well, when he took his laptop to my grandmother's place and used the Internet there. So now he has to use another browser. (but surprisingly he didn't say a word about it until I asked...I suppose he has more patience than me on this kind of thing)
But I didn't want to use another browser. I want my Firefox! So I uninstalled and reinstalled it. Even then, it didn't work the first time because I tried uninstalling without erasing my preferences (which includes my bookmarks, which is probably why). So I had to uninstall and reinstall for a second time, this time "cleanly" (kill it off 100%, preferences and all, before resurrecting it). And now it works. I re-imported my previous bookmarks (exported with my "ill" version before it was uninstalled) and luckily that didn't bring back the "virus".
So. In conclusion, Maxis Broadband is to be used with care. As long as you keep within the quota, everything will most likely be fine, but if you go too far above quota...just prepare for the beast within to be unleashed!
30dPC Day 2: What I wore
What I wore...what I'm wearing these few days, is actually the same t-shirt you saw in the first photo of the 30-day Photo Challenge (I'm going to use 30dPC for short). So to avoid focusing on the same t-shirt again, here's something else I wore. ;)
It's not often you get to see it in that position, huh? :P
It's not often you get to see it in that position, huh? :P
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Challenge accepted!
There is a photo challenge going on this month. I discovered it a little late, but I managed to rope in three friends (and maybe more?) to join me in taking the challenge, starting today. (instead of 1st August) Since I don't have Internet at home at the moment, some of the photos might have to be posted a few days late. But I'll still try to take a photo each day!
Here are the themes for the 30-day challenge:
I practically never take self-portraits, so this first theme is already a challenge for me. I snapped this in the car on the way to work (while I was waiting at a traffic light).
Okay, the hardest is done! :P
Here are the themes for the 30-day challenge:
I practically never take self-portraits, so this first theme is already a challenge for me. I snapped this in the car on the way to work (while I was waiting at a traffic light).
Okay, the hardest is done! :P
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