Today was shaping up to be a hellishly hot day. When I went out of my room this morning, I was struck by a wall of heat that seemed to emanate from every single object around me. The sun not so much a warm yellow, but a steel-hot white. I had to steel myself and plunge into the boiling sea of air to reach the meagre coolness of the shower. Stepping out of the house, I knew this was going to be a long and arduous day for me.
And then the sky suddenly darkened and a light rain fell like a gentle mist upon the scorched earth.
Thank goodness for little blessings. :)
P.S.: The office was also peacably quiet today. (Especially since that loud, annoying cow is not here today. Let's hope it stays this way for a while). Yet another little blessing. This turned out to be one of the better Mondays, after all.
26.4.04
20.4.04
We live in interesting times
Was at the office earlier when a convoy of fire engines and ambulances screamed past the window. Turns out, that a portion of the highway near my old office collapsed. (My new office is about 15 minutes away from my old office). The first thing that people thought was that it was a terrorist attack. What happened, though, was that a tunnel they were excavating for the new train line collapsed, and the stress proved too much on the surrounding area. The traffic jams are gonna be pretty bad for a while, I guess. There were massive blackouts in the surrounding area, too.
Weird thing is, my ex-colleagues from the old office had no idea what was going on until I told them. Talk about the typical ignorant Singaporean. :P
Another thing, my flat is near yet another construction site for the same tunnel. Woah... that can't be good. :\
Weird thing is, my ex-colleagues from the old office had no idea what was going on until I told them. Talk about the typical ignorant Singaporean. :P
Another thing, my flat is near yet another construction site for the same tunnel. Woah... that can't be good. :\
17.4.04
I feel like I'm back in school again...
So, I went for my Cisco lessons today, and just before we finished, the instructor gave us an assignment to do for next week.
Hoo boy, I feel like I'm back in school again! :P
Hoo boy, I feel like I'm back in school again! :P
15.4.04
Firefox
Finally upgraded to Firefox 0.8 after much procrastination, and it's just getting better and better. (For the uninformed, Firefox used to be Firebird, and before that it was Phoenix. They kept the version ordering though). I didn't see any large improvements on Thunderbird 0.5, though, barring better stability and speed.
Try them out! It'll be the best thing you've ever done for yourself (and your PC).
Try them out! It'll be the best thing you've ever done for yourself (and your PC).
Death to the American infidels!
So, I heard on the news today that a new (purported) Osama tape was aired, where he offered a truce to Europe, provided they stop attacking Muslims. But, naturally, there will be "no truce for the U.S.!". Heh.
Speaking of which, apparently Bush finally admitted that he would've gone into Iraq whether or not there were weapons of mass destruction there. So what I've been telling you guys all this time is true, after all. He just wants to prove that he's a bigger man than his dad and finish the invasion of Iraq. :P
Speaking of which, apparently Bush finally admitted that he would've gone into Iraq whether or not there were weapons of mass destruction there. So what I've been telling you guys all this time is true, after all. He just wants to prove that he's a bigger man than his dad and finish the invasion of Iraq. :P
Resistance is futile
Despite not caring one whit about NKF's annual charity shows, I seem to run into them year after year. Last year, it was the bicycle cage thing in Bugis Junction. This year, it's the bunch of people in orange jumpsuits rappelling up and down a HDB block near my place. I saw them on my way home today, and all I could think was, "Who the heck is gonna wash the windows after they're done?" :P
Never talk to strangers
Went to the NTUC near my place last Friday to get some shampoo and stuff. As I was searching for the stuff that I need, I felt a pair of eyes looking at me. I turned and saw a little girl of about 4 or 5 staring at me. I spotted her mum a little way away looking through the stuff on the shelves as well. So I waved to little girl and said "Hi". Little girl stared for a little longer as I went back to what I was doing, then ran back to her mummy shouting, "Mummy, mummy, stranger talk to me I never talk back!" Mummy looked up, surprised, and smiled drily at me.
Oh-kay....
Oh-kay....
I hate bugs
Not the kind that has more than 4 legs, but the one that creates problems in software (or in Microsoft's case, the one that becomes "features"). I've been fixing bugs for the past few weeks, and they never stop coming! Man, I can't wait for this project to be over....
Jazz and Jesus
OK. This is gonna be a long update, because I have been putting off updating for a really long time.
Last last Thursday (that's 2 weeks ago, just to be clear), I met Len for drinks at Jazz@South Bridge. I'm sorry to say that I've never even heard of the place until Len asked me if I wanted to go there. When we got there, I found out that an old acquaintance of mine is the drummer for the house band! (Talk about a small world, eh?) The music was great, and we really enjoyed it. I haven't been to a Jazz pub ever since Eldee Young last came to Somerset's Bar (which has since been closed down), so it was a real treat.
But that was just the appetizer.
When the band had their break, Boon Gee, my drummer friend, came over to talk with us, and we got to talking about Jeremy Monteiro, who I last saw at Somerset's Bar, having a drink and enjoying Eldee Youngs's music. And who should walk in, but the man himself! He's put on weight since I last saw him. A lot of weight. But the owner of the bar convinced him to play that night and that was a real treat. He played a whole set before the house pianist took over again, and he was awesome. Afterwards, the owner sat down with us and chatted for a bit, before he was accosted by the people from the next table.
Jazz@South Bridge is a real jazz club and I'm definitely going back there one of these days.
The next day, my project team had a buffet dinner at Hotel Plaza Parkroyal to celebrate the completion of the main bulk of coding for the project, and man that was a great buffet. They even had sashimi, which was really, really fresh. I managed to embarass myself by taking pictures using an empty camera, and only realizing it halfway through the dinner. :P
Anyhoo, after that, we went to watch The Passion of the Christ for free, because one of my colleagues has a friend who can get free tickets for the show. I secured 4 tickets for me and some friends, and I met up with them at the cinema. The show itself was really interesting, despite being almost entirely in Aramaic and Latin, that even Esther, who warned us that she might just walk out in the middle of the show if it's too boring stayed on to watch it until the end. (I said "almost", because in the beginning I heard Jesus saying "Not tonight, not tonight". I could be wrong, though).
(Just a bit of trivia. Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in The Passion..., is starring next in a movie called Bobby Jones, about a golfer of the same name who retired at 28. Talk about versatility.).
Of course, the downside was that we had to work on Saturday, and naturally, everyone who watched the show came late. :P
Last week, on the other hand, was a long weekend. On Friday, Len introduced me to Yan, a friend of his from primary school. The three of us went to watch Taking Lives, which, incidentally, was a sucky movie. The ending was stupid, and Kiefer Sutherland was wasted in this movie. Kiefer Sutherland appeared only briefly -- not much more than a cameo, really. But I guess they put his name on the posters to sell the movie. The plot started off showing pretty good promise, but it was thrown away at about the 2/3 point of the show. The ending was absolutely duh and it was a total waste of money.
The next day, I went for my first Cisco certification session. The whole thing lasted from 1.30-9.00 p.m., but it was worth it. I learned a lot of new stuff from just one session and I'm looking forward for more. I just hope I'll pass the exam on the first try, because to have to retake it would be really expensive. Ah well... something to keep me occupied. Plus it looks great on my resume. :P
Last last Thursday (that's 2 weeks ago, just to be clear), I met Len for drinks at Jazz@South Bridge. I'm sorry to say that I've never even heard of the place until Len asked me if I wanted to go there. When we got there, I found out that an old acquaintance of mine is the drummer for the house band! (Talk about a small world, eh?) The music was great, and we really enjoyed it. I haven't been to a Jazz pub ever since Eldee Young last came to Somerset's Bar (which has since been closed down), so it was a real treat.
But that was just the appetizer.
When the band had their break, Boon Gee, my drummer friend, came over to talk with us, and we got to talking about Jeremy Monteiro, who I last saw at Somerset's Bar, having a drink and enjoying Eldee Youngs's music. And who should walk in, but the man himself! He's put on weight since I last saw him. A lot of weight. But the owner of the bar convinced him to play that night and that was a real treat. He played a whole set before the house pianist took over again, and he was awesome. Afterwards, the owner sat down with us and chatted for a bit, before he was accosted by the people from the next table.
Jazz@South Bridge is a real jazz club and I'm definitely going back there one of these days.
The next day, my project team had a buffet dinner at Hotel Plaza Parkroyal to celebrate the completion of the main bulk of coding for the project, and man that was a great buffet. They even had sashimi, which was really, really fresh. I managed to embarass myself by taking pictures using an empty camera, and only realizing it halfway through the dinner. :P
Anyhoo, after that, we went to watch The Passion of the Christ for free, because one of my colleagues has a friend who can get free tickets for the show. I secured 4 tickets for me and some friends, and I met up with them at the cinema. The show itself was really interesting, despite being almost entirely in Aramaic and Latin, that even Esther, who warned us that she might just walk out in the middle of the show if it's too boring stayed on to watch it until the end. (I said "almost", because in the beginning I heard Jesus saying "Not tonight, not tonight". I could be wrong, though).
(Just a bit of trivia. Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in The Passion..., is starring next in a movie called Bobby Jones, about a golfer of the same name who retired at 28. Talk about versatility.).
Of course, the downside was that we had to work on Saturday, and naturally, everyone who watched the show came late. :P
Last week, on the other hand, was a long weekend. On Friday, Len introduced me to Yan, a friend of his from primary school. The three of us went to watch Taking Lives, which, incidentally, was a sucky movie. The ending was stupid, and Kiefer Sutherland was wasted in this movie. Kiefer Sutherland appeared only briefly -- not much more than a cameo, really. But I guess they put his name on the posters to sell the movie. The plot started off showing pretty good promise, but it was thrown away at about the 2/3 point of the show. The ending was absolutely duh and it was a total waste of money.
The next day, I went for my first Cisco certification session. The whole thing lasted from 1.30-9.00 p.m., but it was worth it. I learned a lot of new stuff from just one session and I'm looking forward for more. I just hope I'll pass the exam on the first try, because to have to retake it would be really expensive. Ah well... something to keep me occupied. Plus it looks great on my resume. :P
31.3.04
Going back to basics
Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world. By the time they reach 40 years old, their claws started to age, losing their effectiveness making it hard for them to catch their preys. The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old. But in order to live this long, the eagle must make the toughest decision when its at 40.
Their beaks began to grow long and curvy to the point that it reached its chest. Its wings are extremely heavy due to thickened and long feathers making flying extremely difficult. The eagle is left with 2 choices - Do nothing and await is death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trained itself to fly beyond the high mountains,build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. It then began to knock its beak against granite rocks till its old beak completely removed. When the new beak is grown, it would use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for all new claws to be fully grown.
When new claws are fully grown it would use these to remove all its feathers, one by one 5 months later, when feathers are fully grown, with renewed strength, it began soaring in the sky yet once again and was able to live for the next 30 years. In life, as individual or an organisation, sometimes,we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go of old ways, old habits, old life.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage (past glory or shame, past success or failures), be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potentials and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
Their beaks began to grow long and curvy to the point that it reached its chest. Its wings are extremely heavy due to thickened and long feathers making flying extremely difficult. The eagle is left with 2 choices - Do nothing and await is death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.
For 150 days, it first trained itself to fly beyond the high mountains,build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. It then began to knock its beak against granite rocks till its old beak completely removed. When the new beak is grown, it would use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for all new claws to be fully grown.
When new claws are fully grown it would use these to remove all its feathers, one by one 5 months later, when feathers are fully grown, with renewed strength, it began soaring in the sky yet once again and was able to live for the next 30 years. In life, as individual or an organisation, sometimes,we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go of old ways, old habits, old life.
For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage (past glory or shame, past success or failures), be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potentials and head towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.
I've got so much shit it's fuckin' ridiculous
You know how to realize you have too much stuff? Move into a smaller room.
So, my landlord's decided to move back in and kicked me out of the master bedroom into a smaller room. And after moving over, I realized that I have too much stuff. I literally have to shove things off the bed just to be able to sleep, and then pile them back on in the morning so that I can get to the door. I'll eventually get it all sorted out, but it's gonna take time.
Ah, well, at least I have a place to stay, so I can't complain. Plus, sorting through my stuff now and getting rid of all the shit I don't need will make it easier when I eventually move out.
Aw, hell, who am I kidding? I've always known I had too much shit. But living in a big room meant that I can ignore the issue. So it's time to tell myself: "Buck up, buddy. You have too much shit and it's time to get rid of 'em."
*sigh...* I am so NOT looking forward to this. There goes my weekends.... :(
So, my landlord's decided to move back in and kicked me out of the master bedroom into a smaller room. And after moving over, I realized that I have too much stuff. I literally have to shove things off the bed just to be able to sleep, and then pile them back on in the morning so that I can get to the door. I'll eventually get it all sorted out, but it's gonna take time.
Ah, well, at least I have a place to stay, so I can't complain. Plus, sorting through my stuff now and getting rid of all the shit I don't need will make it easier when I eventually move out.
Aw, hell, who am I kidding? I've always known I had too much shit. But living in a big room meant that I can ignore the issue. So it's time to tell myself: "Buck up, buddy. You have too much shit and it's time to get rid of 'em."
*sigh...* I am so NOT looking forward to this. There goes my weekends.... :(
29.3.04
Learning the lingo
So, I bought a whole bunch of self-study language thingies yesterday. Kinokuniya was having this $10 off language packs promotion thingy, and I just couldn't resist. I got French and German for myself, and Esther asked me to get the Italian pack for her. And after that, I went to Borders to pick up the Spanish pack (which was the one I really wanted, anyway), because Kino ran out of the CD version of it.
So now, I have 4 languages to learn. (If I can somehow find the time to do it. Got a book to finish and return to the library. Plus my friend is plying me with really good books to read; but, hey, I'm nothing if not flexible. I've been known to read up to 4 books at the same time.). Anyhoo, I've already started listening to the Spanish CD yesterday. Kinda hard to follow without the book, so basically I have to sit with my hand on the keyboard, ready to rewind anytime I missed something. But that's ok. It's kinda fun when you think of it.
Plus, hopefully, I'll be able to watch El Mariachi without subtitles soon.
So now, I have 4 languages to learn. (If I can somehow find the time to do it. Got a book to finish and return to the library. Plus my friend is plying me with really good books to read; but, hey, I'm nothing if not flexible. I've been known to read up to 4 books at the same time.). Anyhoo, I've already started listening to the Spanish CD yesterday. Kinda hard to follow without the book, so basically I have to sit with my hand on the keyboard, ready to rewind anytime I missed something. But that's ok. It's kinda fun when you think of it.
Plus, hopefully, I'll be able to watch El Mariachi without subtitles soon.
Women and work: The missing link discovered?
I bumped into several girls that I knew in school over the last few weeks, and one thing that struck me was this: Those that are still in school has maintained their figure and look exactly the way I remembered them. But those who had graduated and are working have put on weight. And I don't mean a pound or two of flesh, I mean really putting in weight.
Please, indulge me. Let me give you one example. One of them is this girl who was a runner and a swimmer. She was a skinny little thing. Now, she's got double chin and an overhang (you know, like when your tummy dribbles over your waistband?)! Is it something that strikes women when they start working? Or is it some chemical thing that happens to them after a certain age and/or milestone has been passed? Or is it just the combination of stress plus ice cream/chocolate/insert-your-favorite-comfort-food-here?
This is a mystery to me and I aim to solve it, dammit!
Ladies, leave your thoughts, please. Tell me why this happens, and if this is a common thing or it just happens to my friends? Guys, does this happen to the girls you knew in school as well? Muchas gracias!
Please, indulge me. Let me give you one example. One of them is this girl who was a runner and a swimmer. She was a skinny little thing. Now, she's got double chin and an overhang (you know, like when your tummy dribbles over your waistband?)! Is it something that strikes women when they start working? Or is it some chemical thing that happens to them after a certain age and/or milestone has been passed? Or is it just the combination of stress plus ice cream/chocolate/insert-your-favorite-comfort-food-here?
This is a mystery to me and I aim to solve it, dammit!
Ladies, leave your thoughts, please. Tell me why this happens, and if this is a common thing or it just happens to my friends? Guys, does this happen to the girls you knew in school as well? Muchas gracias!
21.3.04
In the news...
So, this week's been a pretty busy week for news. First, there's the mobilization of 700 troops (and 12 dogs!) to look for 3 fugitives in a small island off the coast of Singapore. Then, someone in the government decided to play hardball and kick someone they deem as a troublemaker out of the country.
But the most interesting thing this week is the Taiwanese elections.
President Chen Shui Bian was shot while campaigning yesterday (or the day before yesterday, depending on how you look at it). And today (or yesterday) was election day. I'm subscribed to news alerts on my mobile, so first I got an alert saying that Lien Chan (the opposition) is in the lead, then I've got one saying that insider sources in the Lien campaign said that Lien is going to concede the election and admit defeat. Forty minutes later, there was another alert saying that Lien is going to contest the results and move for the votes to be nullified. Twenty minutes after that, it turns out that although Chen won, the majority was not sufficient for a referendum to be passed on Taiwan's secession from China. Talk about drama! And this is the culmination of weeks of mudslinging by both sides.
Politics amuse me. Politicians even more so.
But the most interesting thing this week is the Taiwanese elections.
President Chen Shui Bian was shot while campaigning yesterday (or the day before yesterday, depending on how you look at it). And today (or yesterday) was election day. I'm subscribed to news alerts on my mobile, so first I got an alert saying that Lien Chan (the opposition) is in the lead, then I've got one saying that insider sources in the Lien campaign said that Lien is going to concede the election and admit defeat. Forty minutes later, there was another alert saying that Lien is going to contest the results and move for the votes to be nullified. Twenty minutes after that, it turns out that although Chen won, the majority was not sufficient for a referendum to be passed on Taiwan's secession from China. Talk about drama! And this is the culmination of weeks of mudslinging by both sides.
Politics amuse me. Politicians even more so.
16.3.04
I believe my mouse is possessed
That's right, boys and girls, my mouse is possessed. A few weeks ago, I bought an optical mouse for use at work, because the one that came with my workstation sucks big time.
I have come to rue that decision ever since.
The mouse has a positively disturbing tendency to move the cursor around on its own, especially if you weren't holding it. This has made life very difficult, to say the least.
But then again, I did get the accursed thing for $14. So I guess you get what you pay for, huh?
I think the mouse just winked at me. Oh dear God! It knows! If something happens to me, let this be my explanation of what happened.
I better get back to work and pretend that everything's alright.
It's staring at me through that evil, malicious red eye again....
I have come to rue that decision ever since.
The mouse has a positively disturbing tendency to move the cursor around on its own, especially if you weren't holding it. This has made life very difficult, to say the least.
But then again, I did get the accursed thing for $14. So I guess you get what you pay for, huh?
I think the mouse just winked at me. Oh dear God! It knows! If something happens to me, let this be my explanation of what happened.
I better get back to work and pretend that everything's alright.
It's staring at me through that evil, malicious red eye again....
15.3.04
Angels With Broken Wings...
Your wings are BROKEN and tattered. You are
an angelic spirit who has fallen from grace for
one reason or another - possibly, you made one
tragic mistake that cost you everything. Or
maybe you were blamed for a crime you didn't
commit. In any case, you are faithless and
joyless. You find no happiness, love, or
acceptance in your love or in yourself. Most
days are a burden and you wonder when the
hurting will end. Sweet, beautiful and
sorrowful, you paint a tragic and touching
picture. You are the one that few understand.
Those that do know you are likely to love you
deeply and wish that they could do something to
ease your pain. You are constantly living in
memories of better times and a better world.
You are hard on yourself and self-critical or
self-loathing. Feeling rejected and unloved,
you are sensitive, caring, deep, and despite
your tainted nature, your soul is
breathtakingly beautiful.
Image is a painting by Natalya Nesterova,
source:ca80.lehman.cuny.edu/.../
images/fallen_angel.jpg
*~*~*Claim Your Wings - Pics and Long Answers*~*~*
brought to you by Quizilla
5.3.04
I feel so naked today
I'm experiencing the early stages of mobile phone withdrawal syndrome. I forgot to take my phone with me today and it's shaping out to be a pretty bad day for me.
What's worse is that I'm expecting a couple of phone calls and/or SMSes today.
You know how they say you won't miss it till it's gone? Well, they could easily have been talking about mobile phones.
At least I still have my PDA...
What's worse is that I'm expecting a couple of phone calls and/or SMSes today.
You know how they say you won't miss it till it's gone? Well, they could easily have been talking about mobile phones.
At least I still have my PDA...
15.2.04
Critical Update?
Microsoft announced some time ago that it's providing a removal tool for the Bookshelf Symbol 7 font because it contains 2 swastikas. The odd thing is that it didn't mention that the font also contains the Star of David which is part of the font.
Hmmm...
But the weirdest thing is that now it qualifies as a critical update. I mean, c'mon. Why the need to make it mandatory to remove the whole font? There's more meaning to the swastika than as a symbol for the Nazi movement. And who's supposed to find it offensive? Jews who are pissed off that the swastikas are in the same font with the Star of David? Or skinheads who are pissed off because the Star of David is in the same font as the swastikas?
Makes you think, dunnit?
Hmmm...
But the weirdest thing is that now it qualifies as a critical update. I mean, c'mon. Why the need to make it mandatory to remove the whole font? There's more meaning to the swastika than as a symbol for the Nazi movement. And who's supposed to find it offensive? Jews who are pissed off that the swastikas are in the same font with the Star of David? Or skinheads who are pissed off because the Star of David is in the same font as the swastikas?
Makes you think, dunnit?
14.2.04
Hooray for technology
I am using my PDA to write this. (Notice how it says "write" and not "type"). Avantblog is awesome.
As for why I have a PDA, that's an interesting story. My brother is leaving for Melbourne (Australia, in case you were wondering) to study medicine. He used to own this PDA, but as of 2 nights ago, it's mine. Thing is, he hardly ever used it, other than as an MP3 player, so I finally convinced him to let me have it. (Since he won it in a lucky draw, anyway).
Hopefully, this means I'll be posting more often. But first of all, I need to figure out how to make sure the PDA doesn't get confused between "O" and "G", "E" and "S", "B" and "R", "P" and "D", etc.
(In case you're interested, my PDA is a Sony Cli� PEG-T665C/G running Palm OS(R) 4.1 on a Dragonball(TM) Super VZ 66MHz).
As for why I have a PDA, that's an interesting story. My brother is leaving for Melbourne (Australia, in case you were wondering) to study medicine. He used to own this PDA, but as of 2 nights ago, it's mine. Thing is, he hardly ever used it, other than as an MP3 player, so I finally convinced him to let me have it. (Since he won it in a lucky draw, anyway).
Hopefully, this means I'll be posting more often. But first of all, I need to figure out how to make sure the PDA doesn't get confused between "O" and "G", "E" and "S", "B" and "R", "P" and "D", etc.
(In case you're interested, my PDA is a Sony Cli� PEG-T665C/G running Palm OS(R) 4.1 on a Dragonball(TM) Super VZ 66MHz).
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