Should I return to blogging?

Should I return to blogging? I wonder if I still have the writing passion and skill to make coherent sentences, especially after the Facebook phenomenon of updating status messages.

Lousy Ping (Streamyx)

 

Test

Test

Langkawi...

Day 1:
Arrive at airport
Get rental car
Check in to hotel
Underwater World
Searching for summer palace (tak jumpa)
Lunch at The Loaf
Oriental Village
Cable car
Perdana Gallery
Back to hotel
Searching for dinner place at datai, got lost
Dinner at Thailand Restaurant
End of Day 1

Day 2:
Island hopping
Back to hotel
Skip lunch
Atma batik gallery
Pisang handicraft
Afternoon tea at The Loaf
Book Village but it's so run down..
Dinner at Tulsi Garden
End of Day 2

Day 3:
Breakfast at hotel
Eagle Square
Legend Park but it was closed for renovation
Langkawi Parade but it sucks
Langkawi Fair shopping mall.. It sucks too
Lunch tapau from coffee shop
Back to hotel
Spa and massage
Kuah night market
Dinner at Fish Farm where you can eat what you catch
End of Day 3

Day 4:
Transfer to airport
Return rental car
Coffee at Starbucks

Lunch at Commons cafe

We frequently have lunch at Commons cafe. They serve a large variety of food that tastes pretty decent. Sure, sometimes it takes quite a while for the food to arrive but usually it wouldn't take any longer than 20mins.

But today's experience was terrible. Firstly, the place was exceptionally crowded. Then they screwed up our orders. And when some orders took too long to arrive (more than 45mins) they didn't even bother to check or explain or apologize.

Needless to say, this pissed us off quite bad. They think they can be arrogant just because they have relatively good business? Just wait lah... Keep up this attitude and you might just lose all your loyal customers!

People.... do not fear radiation laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Another bunch of uninformed and miseducated residents complaining about "mushrooming" telco towers, for the fear of health problems caused by "radiation".

Dey.... you watch TV is also radiation

You listen to radio is also radiation

You use CD player also got radiation

You use your wireless LAN is also radiation

You scared of big big antenna located some 100m away from you, but you not scared of the mobile phone that you put right next to your brain

You complain put tower near near but when they dismantle liau you complain no coverage...

MCMC...................................
Do your job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tiring...

The past few days have been extremely tiring... what not with the non stop work, the traveling to-fro Penang, and the back to back recording sessions in the studio.

My body's sore and weak, and my withered face pale with defeat...

What can perk me up?

A nice bowl of tom yam noodles :P:P

3G? WiMAX? WiFi? Confused?

Yesterday the bugs kept pestering me to explain the various types of wireless broadband options currently available in Malaysia. Well, I hope the embedded slideshare will be sufficient :)

What is Broadband?

View more presentations from nskhoo.

PM Najib, Tun Abdullah... Tun Jeanne?

Najib is officially the country's 6th Prime Minister. Congratulations to him.

Abdullah Badawi is now a holder of the highest honour in Malaysia - Tun. Congratulations to him.

Jeanne Abdullah is also now a holder of Tun.

Quiz: which of the above is the odd one out?

Shoes...

Hak Seh Wui?

Refer to this article.

Seriously... territory?! What has become of our nation?

Dedicated to Keng Joon :P

Keng Joon is now in USA living his American Adventure.

Here's a typical photo of KJ and his weird antics. Cheers to you! Have a blast in Hollywood!

What the heck is wrong with the Thai?

Refer to this news article.

Seriously, the entire world is in a massive financial crisis. Jobs are being lost, recession is imminent, entire countries go bankrupt. And yet here you are storming the Government House aiming to oust your incumbent prime minister?

Are you going to cost your country millions of tourist baht? Are you going to cause your international airport to shut down thereby inconveniencing visitors? Are you going to scream and shout without really understanding the issue?

Get real...

Complaining about Maxis coverage? Wait a minute... did you complain about them building tower in the first place?

Refer to this thread.

Apparently a bunch of residents are complaining that their Maxis coverage is going from bad to worst.

Well, the interesting thing is that they are complaining from an area where Maxis had previously built a radio tower there to improve the coverage. Unfortunately, due to "health scares" and residents complaints regarding their own safety, the local council ordered the telco to dismantle the radio tower. Hence, the coverage went down to zero. And now these same residents are complaining that they have no coverage.

MCMC... please, if you are serious in improving the state of mobile coverage and wireless broadband in our country, please get down to the ground and educate people about the truth regarding mobile communications and non-ionizing radiation!

How well known are you?

Stumbled upon this comic strip:


Seriously though... what reputation do you have out there in the job market, or even in any other field?

Mobile Phones in Classrooms

Refer to this news article.

I only have one question regarding this quote:

“Having handphones in classrooms are disruptive because pupils are found to be more intent on sending SMS rather than paying attention to the lessons,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Committee on Controlling Discipli nary Problems in Schools yesterday.

Question: Did the deputy minister conduct any meaningful survey / study on this issue? How did he come to the conclusion that having handphones in classrooms are disruptive? Where did he get his information that pupils are found to be sending SMS rather than paying attention to lessons?

Next he also mentions the following:

“I urge parents not to allow their children to carry mobile phones to schools. In cases of emergency, the school office phone is always available,” he said.

Question: Is the school office phone really available for students use? How can it cater to the hundreds of students when the final bell rings and parents are looking for ways to communicate with their children on where to wait for the car?

Basically, the ministry is still stuck in the 20th century, in the unconnected era. In this age of seamless always-on communication, I would actually encourage the use of any ICT device, and this includes handphones (mobile communication devices) that are able to access the Internet and help students in supplementing their lessons with independent online research. If discipline is such a concern, then the school administrations should think of better ways, such as imposing a "silent mode only" ruling in classrooms, and training teachers to cope with the new generation of connected young leaders.

I've got it!

Enigma's 7th Adventure: Seven Lives Many Faces :D

Am I Making The Right Choice?

Seven Lives... Many Faces !!!

OMG how could I have missed this? Released in September 2008!

OMG I have to go and get it now!!!

OMG OMG OMG!!!

Indefinitely...

The proposed toll hike has been postponed indefinitely (meaning, after the 3 by elections and a certain political party's general assembly)... while the highway users do not have to fork out extra money for traveling on expressways, our taxpayer monies go to compensating the highway concessionaires for "lost profit"... sheesh... with this type of terms in the contract, profits are guaranteed for the concessionaire anyway. It makes me want to start a RM2 company and "bid" for future highway concessions!

Change Your Lifestyle / Ubah Gaya Hidup Anda

Toll rates in Malaysia are scheduled for increase, and will take effect on 1st March. PLUS Highway tolls have been increased by 5%, which means that my KUL-PEN-KUL trips just got more expensive.

Subang-->Jelapang
Old Rate: RM26.50
New Rate: RM27.80

Jelapang-->Juru
Old Rate: RM16.80
New Rate: RM17.60

Penang Bridge
Current Rate: RM7.00

Total Cost
Old Rate: (RM26.50 * 2) + (RM16.80 * 2) + RM7.00 = RM93.60
New Rate: (RM27.80 * 2) + (RM17.60 * 2) + RM7.00 = RM97.80
Total increase: RM4.20

RM4.20 can buy 2 packets of Char Koay Kark from Penang. Crap...

zubedy's message to Malaysian politicians

I know about zubedy because CJ once worked with them, and I think that this company is really unique in their posturing and Malaysian way of life.

In today's The Star, zubedy put out a full page advertisement. However, the message it carries is so much more than self promotion and marketing. You can read the message here. The message is plain and simple: "Please stop the power chase, call for a truce and focus on the economy."

Yes, it's time for Malaysian politicians to stop fighting and start focusing on the economy! We are going to experience a recession soon, if it has not already started. Where is our economic reform committee? Where is our economic stimulus plan? Where is our government in these times of need? Who is running the country?!

McDonald's

The portions at McDonald's have been shrinking consistently recently. A Filet O Fish doesn't look like much nowadays. The Chicken McDeluxe also has shrunk to the size of a normal McChicken. The menu prices have also gone up. The only consolation? They make their burgers fresh, so at least the food is piping hot! Especially good with the melted cheese. But having said that, eating at McDonald's is fast becoming a luxury!

Aseana Cafe KLCC - it sucks!

Some internet reviews of this cafe seemed to suggest good food and great ambiance. Well, my recent visit there proved that both of these attributes do not exist.

Let's start with the ambiance. The entire outside area is so crowded and full of smoking people. The inside was cramped and there were actually flies buzzing around! Jeez...

Moving on to the food. The menu was very limited and super expensive. Malay style prawn noodles cost RM12 and comes with 3 measly medium sized prawns. Nasi Lemak cost RM22 and came with dry beef rendang and the other standard condiments. I asked for extra sambal and unknowingly was charged extra RM4. Craps.

The taste? Nothing to shout about at all, and bordering on bad.

I paid almost RM80 for the crappy food and lousy ambiance. Let this be an advance warning to all prospective diners: do not eat at Aseana Cafe KLCC!

Foie Gras - what it really tastes like?

Referring to this letter from a concerned animal rights activist, the writer is protesting the visit of celebrity chef Bobby Chinn, presumably because the latter often uses foie gras (goose liver) in his cuisine. According to the writer, foie gras is made by force feeding geese to the extent of great suffering and even bleeding and death.

While I do not have the authority to comment on this, a quick check in Wikipedia reveals that several countries have banned production of foie gras by force feeding method, or even enacted a total ban on foie gras production and sales.

Having said that, I believe that there are still those connisuers who believe that true foie gras taste can only come from geese which have been force fed.

Nonetheless, I have not tried foie gras, and I don't think I'll enjoy it (I generally avoid any livers in my diet...)

My Chef Experience...

I played chef on 14th February... spent a morning in Mydin shopping for my ingredients: nicely sized lamb chops, tomatoes and tomato puree, bell pepper, carrots and oranges, bananas, baguettes, spaghetti, chicken ham...

My menu:

Starter

Carrot and Orange Soup served with Garlic Toast

Entree

Moorish Lamb Chops served with Spaghetti Amatriciana

Dessert

Brazilian Coffee Bananas

Surprisingly, my meal turned out quite superb! Hehehe... not bad for a beginner :)

Too bad I didn't take any photos!

PKDK? BBPM?

Refer to this news report.

Who the heck do these organizations represent? Quickly Googling:

http://www.pkdk.org.my --> Error 405
http://bbpm.org.my --> OK, at least it works...

But... who are they really?

Just look at BBPM's charter... it's scary to see what's written on it!

3 parties and one very hot house!

3 house warming parties over the past weekend. 3 separate groups of friends and family. 3 outstanding meals and game sessions. Yes, my house has been very adequately warmed!

Cheers to everyone who was part of it.

Now, time to get a massage...

GONE!

Perak is gone... it's official... the Sultan of Perak has called the PR MB to resign!

This marks a return to tyranny for Perakians...

Highway Ethics

The writer of this letter echoes what I have been thinking while driving the Subang Jaya-Penang route along the North-South Expressway: Why doesn't anyone use the left-most lane for cruising?!

I have noticed it many times. The middle and right lanes are always occupied by cruising vehicles (i.e. they are not overtaking anyone at that time). Some even cruise below the legal speed limit, so if I were to be cruising at 110kph, and they at 100kph, I effectively overtake them from the left!

Why is it so hard to use the left lane? This I believe is due to the misconception of highway lanes and their uses.

Firstly, the left lane is popularly called the "slow" lane. Drivers don't like to be labeled as "slow". Hence they use the middle or right lanes, typically labeled "fast" lanes. Well, this is wrong understanding! The left most lane is actually the "cruising" lane, i.e. if you're not overtaking anyone, stick to this lane. You can be traveling at 110kph (or higher, if you so wish) and still be in the left lane, as long as you are not overtaking anyone. The moment you want to overtake someone, you signal to the middle or right lanes, which are known as "overtaking" lanes. One could be driving at 80kph, but as long as he is overtaking a slow lorry traveling at 60kph, he is legally allowed to occupy the overtaking lane for the duration that he is performing the overtaking maneuver.

I always use the cruising lane. I find it to be so much smoother compared to using the overtaking lanes all the time.

If you need make up services...

If you are looking for professional make up services by a friendly and skilled make up artist, look no further than Elaine Lee. She has services for:

1. Dinner make-up and hairdo
2. Bridal make-up and hairdo(morning and night)
3. Photography
4. Personal Make-up Classes

On top of that, Elaine is also a Certified Image Consultant from SWET Advancement Centre. Hence, she is also able to offer the following services:

1. Personal Image Consultation - New !
2. Image /Grooming/Etiquette Classes - New!

• The Wonders of Colors and U
• Inner and Outer Beauty
• Dine with pride
• Business Etiquette
• Dress to Impress
• Many more...

Elaine is contactable via email: 

elsf AT yahoo DOT com

In support of telco towers?

Something tells me the writer of this article works in the telco industry :D

Wood borers

I have some wood borers in my house... I have no clue what to do except to do some extermination and get rid of the infested portion. 

It requires some minor construction work... I hope everything can be settled quickly!

applying for streamyx

How difficult can it be to apply for Streamyx? Very, as I am now experiencing...

It all started when I went to Carrefour's Streamyx agent to apply for the Streamyx Combo package. All fine and dandy then. I didn't need to pay for anything, just needed to fill in the form and wait. That was in 2008. 

One entire week later with no feedback from either the agent or TM, I decided to call TM's customer service line, and found out that there was some mix up with my records and the application was rejected.

*TULAN fact 1: Why didn't anybody call me!!?!?!?!?!?*

Anyway, I was advised to visit TMPoint center, so I had to sacrifice 2 hours of lunch time to go to the DU center and register myself. OK, all fine here. No issues on the phone line application. Everything went smoothly, and the phone line was setup the next morning. Now, all I needed to do was to wait for the Streamyx.

Here's where the confusion begins. A total of 4 different people called me up asking me if I subscribed to Streamyx. To all 4, I said the same thing. Yes I applied for Streamyx. They all asked me for user name. I gave them all user names. They all said that they will get the application done for me. None of them called me back.

*TULAN fact 2: Why isn't TM and TMNet talking to each other about my application records and status?!?!?!?!!?!*

Anyway, I just called back one of those 4 people and even there the person said they don't know what's happening and have no records of my phone number or my user name. I was advised to wait until later in the day for them to call me back. Yeahh right. As if they will call me back.

*TULAN fact 3: Why no standard operating procedure for these things???!?!! Why do I have to call and chase and find out so many problems?!!??!*

Streamyx... it's the fact that it's the only ADSL provider, so I apply for it. Otherwise, I would have gone with Maxis Broadband instead... KNS!!!

Taxi...

I like this blog posting here because it really touches on an issue that interests me: taxi drivers and their "no meter" charges...

The author seems to think that it is we who shortcharge honest meter-using drivers, instead of those unscrupulous no-meter-drivers who overcharge us.

But I believe the crux of the matter lies in the system, which encourages ali-baba rent seeking middlemen with connections to earn sweatless money while the poor taxi drivers have to resort to penny pinching and deceitful practices just to make a living.

The system has to be revamped. For that to happen, the government agencies and the executive has to change too. There is no short cut.

One method I propose is to continue insisting to pay by the meter. Let the taxi drivers suffer for a while. Soon they will have no choice but to discontinue driving taxis because it actually costs them more money to rent the taxi compared to the amount of money they rake in daily. The taxi transportation system then collapses because there are no longer taxis on the road. The middleman companies go bust because nobody wants to rent taxis from them. Soon the government will realize that this system is no good for anyone at all. They might then get rid of the middleman companies, and legislate reasonable increases in taxi charges.

back to work...

it's certainly difficult getting back to work after the long breaks in December and the excitement of moving and unpacking... and less than 3 weeks from now we will be celebrating CNY :D

you tell me lah, how to work like this?

happy 2009

Yes, the new year has come. 2008 passed by relatively quickly, and 2009 has emerged anew. It's time to seek new opportunities and new options in life.

Here's to a productive new year!