Stuck in Europe

I was to meet her yesterday, but sadly the airlines all around Europe have grounded their fleet, thanks to a sleepy volcano whom had a serious case of diarrhea.

The air smells bad (sulphur dioxide). Its really smells like a baby poops. Before long the whole northern European would smell like each other.

Unlike a certain rich comedian, whom incidentally was suppose to be the new Q in James Bond (till they reboot the franchise), that took a long cab ride home. Most of the regular people are pretty much stranded there.

I do hope the authority checked that the air is safe enough and release the planes so that everyone could fly home. After all, no one wants to be this near to a giant arctic toilet bowl.

Proud of my school

I seldom say this, but I am sure am proud of my Secondary School.

Despite the over the top media coverage and the unfair reporting that has been overshadowing bigger events (ie. the darn volcano that is keeping my girl stranded), I know that our boys are viewed in a bad light.

Its strange to say this, but even the adults are behaving like kids.

But the truth is far from this. If I am to say it out here, I might never get the chance to keep this space around. In any case, in all that is fair and just, I would hope that both parties take a step back from this and look at themselves.

Its no doubt an offense to start a fight. An apology was offered and it seems that no one is keen to move forward with this. So what the next step? Should we start a civil suit and bring this up to the high court? Or should we just let bygones be bygones and let this issue rest?

And I do hope the papers would stop fanning the flame. Tons of worthy news out there and you have to put this on the front page. Shame on you. I am quite sure when the election campaign has started, you would once again up to your old games once more.

The F1 vs the Veyron

Not surprising who wins really.

In any case, I would love to be in the Mclaren F1 any day.

Live to die another day

Once again I did what James Bond has done so many times... NOOO I dont mean bedding women here. Instead, I escape from the put of death and live to die another day. So to speak.

When I was still home, a urgent message from a colleague has warned me about a security check. Once more they are searching for compliance and I know my baby Aiko would be faulted.

As I journey to work, I swapped my sim with an ancient nokia phone. One that is so old that you be amazed that it has color screens.

I hid Aiko in my spectacle case and put on my Clarke Kent disguise. Well if you look decent, they would think you are.

As I pass thru the gantry, I met with several whom were caught off guard by this check. They declared to the security and had their phones taken away. As I walked pass them I let out a grin. Its evil I know.

When my turn arrived, I was asked to empty my pockets. I showed off the nokia and he din pay attention. My bag was search thoroughly and when he found that my spectacle case was heavy, he opened it.

My heart raced as it happened.

I knew that I would be faulted and was prepared for the charges. Goodbye bonus. Its nice meeting you, I thought.

Strangely, he flipped thru and seeing there is no camera lens, he promptly put it back and let me pass. The giant CYBERSHOT embossed wordings was not noticed.

I quickly made my way up. Not wanting to look back. Not giving them a chance to retain me. And live to die another day.

160 greatest quotes from Arnold

He is one funny muscular guy

918 Spyder

I never been a huge fan of the Porche design. But I guess this one blew me away.

Anyway if you wondering on the drop of posts, well its becos I been busy lately. Its very likely I am unable to leave this job I wanted.

Will reveal more in due time

Illustration of web browsers

I kinda find this very true.

Taurus is a segway

This is a wonderful concept, which makes you wonder why did Segway not thought of this first.

It combines the balancing gyro on a segway and merge it with a cool motorbike design.

Now wont this make driving an electric vehicle fun

Gundam 00 movie

My late Gong Gong

My maternal grandfather passed away when I was still in secondary school. And sad to say, I barely know him.

Growing up in an English speaking family, I was unable to comprehend the dialect that my gong gong was speaking. I could only guess its a mix of hainaness and others.

And though I din know him well, he made an effort to know all his grand kids by our names. Even if our names are in English. And yes he did pronounce mine in a funny manner.

What I did know abt my gong gong back then was that he was a Chinese doctor. One that could tell you all your problems just by the feel of your pulses pulsating onto his fingers.

And for this, I find him a great man.

PS. I din know his pic was found on this website, until my cousin pointed it out.

and so the journey begins

if there was a lack of post for the past few weeks, its largely becos I was busy planning and plotting for a big surprise.

The surprise works and well lets just say that things are turning out well.

Very soon my journey would be changing and join by someone dear.

and I guess the ride wont be lonely no more.

The art of sushi

And now you know what to do at a Jap shop

The smokers

My dad has been a heavy smoker even before I was born. He can easily burn up to 1 pack every 2 days, though I suspected this is a conservative guess.

My late grandma was even heavier. When I was a kid, we cousins pool together to buy a carton of cigarettes for her birthday. Well we din know better back then. It was our favorite grandma beloved pastime. And we just want to make her happy. (yeps you can buy a carton of cigarettes even you are 12 years old back then)

Anyway, my grandma suffered from the endless smoking and did pass on from a weaken health. This led me to think that some tough love is needed for my dad.

Getting him to quit is rather impossible, but I have to try. Decided that as a start, I would buy him a pack of lighter cigarettes with longer filters to reduce on his intake.

I ponder on what he would think if I were to buy him a pack. Well I would be finding out soon

To upkeep ones image

Lately I have been wondering, what is the value of Face again.

Came to know of a close friend whom appeared to be earning well but is sadly in the biggest debt.

He dresses well when we meet. Comes zooming down the street in his sporty wheels. And we always seems to find the classy place to go to. It seems like he is in fact earning well and in the capacity of taking off to Europe for a long vacation.

Yet sadly, this is far from the truth.

Sometime back, I blog abt the poverty cycle which one of my dear buddy was going thru. That dude comes from a poor family and without much education, could barely make ends meet.

In no doubt, my buddy is the one whom truly needs the support more.

Whereas my close friend's desire to upkeep his lifestyle and image have cost him dearly. It started from end 2008 when the stock market crashes. The job he was holding has left him with little income. This led him to fall back onto his savings and they didnt last very long. Months later, with savings depleted, the next time is to spend money which you dont have yet.

All credit card company, happily offer a credit line. "Take what you need, they say. Pay them back later, no hurry there." Dont forget about our fine print. So when the times come to pay back, what did he do? Well get from another credit line to pay back this.

The start of a declining spiral grows and the image falls apart. Depression and anxiety sets in. Chances are taken at the lottery, without much result. The free times are spend at home, with the excuse that he is tired and not keen to meet up.

When I found him, his image still shows the confident. However, it didnt take long for me to uncover the massive debts he is in. I ask him to consolidate the massive figures. I have to see what they are. And like the colors of wallstreet in late 2008, the redness of his debts shows.

Looking at him, I reprimanded him that things have to change. He is not a kid and doesnt need a harsh scolding. Still he needs someone to tell him off now, as a reminder for the future.

After which, its to the bank I went.

Happy Founder's day

And also Happy Thinking day.

Boy do I miss the joint activities

The only tank

I have lost the battle and have removed my office tank.

All prawns have been transported back home.

So I thought I should share you what my home tank look like.

Tomcat

Before Tom Cruise became a hardcore Scientologist (frankly I still dun understand this "religion"), he was a pin up icon. A young dashing man whom many girls want to grow up and get married to. Yes including his current wife.

He did starred in this one movie which inspired many to consider a career as a fighter pilot. Yes I am talking about Top Gun. Where he is known by his callsign Maverick and flew the incredible F-14 Tomcat.

Ever since that movie, I was inspired to take up flying and somehow managed to wiggle my way into the airforce. Its there I went for a few short flying lessons and ended up finding the role of an aircraft technician to be a rewarding NS. It was however sad that I never get to be close to the F-14. The bird that was meant to be the F-111 replacement.

It was the aircraft that I would very much like to see in action, but alas the US has taken it out of service and the only remaining country operating it, just happen to be Iran. Strange.... aint it.

Hopefully one day, this aircraft would be on ebay and perhaps by then I could afford to bid for one.

sidenote: Val Kilmer aka sexy lips batman was in the movie as well as Iceman.

quote: "You can be my wingman"

Placebo buttons

The advent of computer-controlled traffic signals make the walk buttons at pedestrian crossings on heavily trafficked streets obsolete. By the late 1980s, most (but not all) walk buttons in New York City have been deactivated yet people push them anyhow, either in ignorance, out of habit, or in the off chance the buttons did work.

Many large office buildings also have dummy thermostats to give office workers the illusion of control. Some even go as far as installing white-noise generators to mimic the hum of fans after the HVAC system is shut off.

The same goes for the close button in elevators. Most elevators built or installed since the early 1990s don’t have close buttons that work, unless you have a fireman’s key. People do push them anyhow, because the fact that the door eventually closes reinforces their belief that the button works.

Vday gift

I have bought and delivered my vday gift. Have you? This is a set of Casio G Shock and Baby G watches. It speaks of simple elegant and touch of trendy colors.

PS. This is the lover 2008 edition. If you wondering why din I get the 2009 edition. Take a closer look at them.

So much to watch, so little time

I am a big fan of Sci-fi and even a bigger fan of comedy. There are just too many things to catch that I am running low on sleep time to complete them all

First up, Comedy. The funny bones that is in all of us. My watchlist are as follows.

1. Simpsons (ever green or yellow)
2. Top gear (Aint they suppose to be a auto show?)
4. Big Bang Theory (Never realise Nerdy comedy can be so fun)
5. Scrubs (I like the old series but this new one seems to capture the style)


Drama/Sci-Fi

1. Lost (Season 6 now. Have been drawn to them since an old fren share with me a disc)
2. V (they seem friendly)


Animes (where man are just boys)

1. Fullmetal Alchemist (brilliant story)
2. Gundam (new series starting)


I wish they bring back these

1. Sarah Connor Chronicles (I miss seeing Cameron)
2. Firefly (I miss seeing River)
3. Futurama (Heard they are coming back)
4. Full Metal Panic!
5. Star Trek (any generations)
6. Stargate (I like Macgyver)

Airshow 2010

Its my fourth airshow and I never seem to get enough of them. Here are some snippets.

The tango between the Apache and F16. I think the Apache would win against the F16 in a dog fight.


All the exhibitors' and visitors' flags are flown here. Kinda cool huh


The US bomber flying real low. Its like its on a bombing run

I flew the Piper warrior 2 before. This brings back memories.


Cute little plane here.


Cuter little bird (with lots of arsenals)


The mighty Hercules


Some dude whom had an even longer lens before he swapped for something he can carry.


This is the cheapest food items I had found.


See you in 2 years time.

are you insure?

I got a ring while at work. It's someone I am not expecting to hear from. He asked if we could meet up once more to sign off an agreement. I did not hesitated for a moment and agreed.

This person is the son of the driver whom had run me down last year. Their family was sorry about what had happen and had see that my medical bills are paid for. From that accident, I had been left with some scarring and the death of Aileen.

Anyway, he explained to me that his dad car insurance has sky rocketed. And is asking if he could get a written agreement from me to state that they had settle the matter with me privately and I would be releasing them of further liability. I am not sure how the insurance company works. Its likely that their fee would not be reduced. Nevertheless I had agreed to it.

Reflecting back, the good thing from that day is that I am able to walk about from it with just bad memories. Had I been abandon and hospitalise, it would be a hefty fee. I had made the mistake of terminating my hospital insurance coverage the year before. Of which , My agent, a close friend who pass away, had advised me against it.

After all, I am young and healthy. And paying 200 per year seemed to be a waste.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I got a call from the insurance coy. Had tot that they wanted to check on my financial health. Instead its merely another agent sent with the intention of getting me into a new policy. I was keen to restart the hospital coverage and she was not showing the necessary concern.

I din follow up from there.

Anyway, I would advise all my readers. Yes all 7 of you guys. To look into a minimum coverage. You never know when such things became... "If only I had...."

I would be meeting up with an old friend tomorrow. She is an agent and would be helping me with my coverage.

Recurrent image of pain

To be honest, there is no real pain. It just my imagination.

Months ago, I was hit by a car. And though I survived from that with nothing more than cuts and bruises, I was nevertheless having an endless phobia when crossing roads.

Strangely, this co-relates to an event that happen to me years ago. Where I was on top of a high platform and was nearly killed by a 2 ton rotating monster.

Though that happen a long while back, but lately the memories of the 2 events are getting to me. I can see myself not escaping my near miss incident and dying just there.

It got me thinking. You can never expect death. It may come any time when you least expect.

I have started to relook into my insurance policies and may invest in more.

I am also hoping that if the worst happen to me, you should know what to do.

PS. I am not sure if I am ever able to rid myself of the recurrent image of pain. Perhaps I need to leave my job to end my nightmare of it.

Sand performance

Blue - Eiffel 65

This was a big hit song in my Poly days. Strangely looking at the MTV, I cant make out what so cool about it. It must be something I have forgotten. Strange is my growing up years.

and to eenki, yes I am rocking to old skool. Very soon this would be retro music

Moodiness

Ever get one of those days where you just stare blank at the screen. Work is sitting beside you and you cant be bothered about it. In fact, you just show the stockpile a little smile and went back to staring blank.

Time slowly began to slip away. Lunch appears out of nowhere and you would countdown for the opportunity for a teabreak session.

Sad to say, this is happening to me far too often. Guess its time I seek a new challenge.

Come baby come

Just needed a song to perk me up. How about you?

Paying it forward

I arrived to work running from the rain. It started out no more than a drizzle before the heavier drops found their momentum. Alas it became impossible for mod king and I to head for our regular kopi fix without an umbrella.

As we chatted online and commented about the big dip in the stock prices today, he suddenly suggested that we should just heck it and go for our drink. Mother Nature is not going to stop us. He did ask me if we should bring a brolly, which I blindly think its not necessary.

And what a bad idea that was.

We ran from our office, crossing the street and arrived drench. Putting on our wet smiles, we ordered our daily fix. The saving grace is that our kopi is at least nice and sweeter than before.

As we stood outside, we saw a lonely brolly. Its probably forgotten by its owner and sadly abandon there. We looked into each other and its mutually agreed that that would be our brolly to bring us back to office.

When we arrived back, we left this brolly there for someone else to use. Its our way of paying it forward. Hopefully this would start a chain of events that no one would ever need to bring a brolly out every again.

PS. the pic above is the ulimate brolly from Blade Runner.

UPDATE: The brolly was gone after lunch the same day. See it works

Miniture V12 engine

I am quite sure my bud would love this video.

awwww so cute

I din know bulldogs cant roll over

Smoking kids

The young are always look upon as naive and innocent. Trouble they create, situations they gotten themselves into are nothing more than a foolish mistake they made. After all they are young and easily influence by others.

Well I do not see things that way. I already know that you can be old and still be foolish. The young just happen to look kiddish enough to be forgiven.

Just yesterday, I parked the car and went back to office. Along the way, I ponder on why its 5pm and I am still heading back to office. I could have headed down town and enjoy a nice cup of coffee.

Just as I am in a midst of my thoughts, I saw a bunch of secondary school kids. There were about 7 of them in their uniform. Among them was a large fatty girl whom seem to be their boss, or their muscle. They were looking suspicious. Kept walking around, spying at the corners and making quick whispers.

Oh I forget to mention, 6 of them are girls. Only 1 guy was among them.

I had the presumption that they are going to beat some nerdy kid up, still her pocket money and throw her things about. As I walked closer they were getting jumpy and avoiding eye contact. But I was being watched closely.

Its then I saw that they were puffing away. Each trying to steal a breathe from a handful of "honkeys".

Looking closely, it seem to me that they are just blowing smoke about. I din notice anyone of them inhaling the smokes. Perhaps holding onto a lit stick is all they need to look kool.

As I cross them, I ponder if I should have some fun by shouting that the they are underage smoking and call their school. But well I not entirely like the thought of being sat on by their muscular boss.

Fish tank != fire hazard

Couple of my colleagues are being forced to remove their fish tank. A report from the fire safety officer stated that this is a potential fire hazard. They are told that they have a week to remove it up before escalating it up to the higher management.

I was lucky for I never gotten a warning from them.... That was until today when I was told to remove my fish tank.

However I decided that I was not going to.

My tank is but a small item on my desk. It holds no more than 1 litre of water. As a comparison my kettle holds 1 ltr too. And thats a kettle which I brought for any oversea trip.

It has a tiny filter pump and a hanging light from Ikea. These 2 items are perhaps the only possible fire safety issue. However I never turn on the light after office hours, though I still leave the pump running.

In any case, I aint going to take this warning blindly.

There is no proof this is a fire hazard. They would have to show me that first. Be it in a report or any studies carried out. A hearsay that my great grand auntie's cousin's son-in-law's dog's pet fish has resulted in a fire, would not be good enough for me.

And if this matter escalate up to my boss's boss's boss, I would sit down and ask the guy whom is also my CHIEF ENGINEERING on how this is in any way a fire safety.

If they were to point out my pump is a danger. No worries, I can remove that DANGEROUS item.

I aint going to sit here and let some silly ruling make me comply. They could try this on some young naive scholar perhaps. But I aint that easy to back down.

Till the day comes when there is a directive saying I could not keep a fish tank in office, I would be happily taking care of my single CPO and multiple cherry.

Perhaps I would keep pet rabbits then or rename my fish tank as a Aquatic plant collection (the prawns are just pests).

Got a cluedo?

Its been some time since I played Cluedo.

Nevertheless my detective abilities are still sound and managed to get close to the answers through reviewing the evidences and other players "statement". I must say the clever deduction of what the other players ask for, beats finding the answers yourself.

Its one of those fun and entertaining game that strangely would have everyone mumbling and would not say much. After all, its not quite a game where you generate plenty of excitement.

Anyhow I am guessing this game would be a regular fixture for weeks to come. Would need to sharpen my listening skills.

PS. It sure beats playing this.

More lock unlocking tactics

Work Stress

Feeling stress at work? Feeling like you would never see the light at the end of the tunnel? Well its probably time for a break or better still, time for a new job.

But more seriously, how does this stress affect you after the end of the work day? Do you indulge in food, be grumpy, curse & swear, drink, smoke, etc?

Do you bring the issues of work into your personal time and space?

I would imagine that is a bad move to make. Your loved ones all around would be suffering and in no part this is their fault.

What you should do when you cap the pen and leave the desk is to drop your troubles there as well. Walk away smiling that you would have a lovely weekend to look forward. Think of the loved ones whom you would be meeting soon.

And perhaps plot some evil schemes you could do to your hateful boss, ugly colleagues or just the balding guy whom did you no harm. Revenge is sweet.

Glow in the dark shrimps

A couple of nights back, I had the trouble sleeping. As I stared at my tank, I noticed a dim light floating around. As I am sure there is nothing there but cherry shrimps, I was enticed to confirm my doubts.

Its no doubt a single cherry shrimp that has been swimming around. No others were found to be lighted. And this little bugger must have been hungry, for its been swimming about the tank in circles.

I couldnt take a pic, even if I wanted to. My camera phone would just shine its mini light in the darkness. Long exposure also doesnt work for something this tiny.

Resign, I tried to find that little creature every night after. I had no luck since.

Looking to google for an answer, I found another whom discover this way before me. His post in the forum was rubbished by the others. I know that he is serious, but there would always be doubters among us.

No further scientific proof can be found. After all, this is but one small and unimportant shrimp. One that I do hope to meet again some day (night)

In other news, one of my CPO has been brought back to my home today. The small tank in my office has resulted them in some minor fights. Better to keep them apart for now.

Daybreakers

I tot that this is an interesting plot. Where almost everyone is a vampire and humans are hunted. Kinda like a role reversal.

What would you do, if you have no education?

Hmm I may have written about this before. And without a doubt, this friend of mine is asking for handouts once more.

Which lead to me to this question, what would you do if you do not have a proper education? For instance, what would you do, if you did not have even a N level cert?

Flipping thru the papers, you would find that there is nothing you could apply there. Every employer placing an advert would like to find a capable person to hire. A lack of a Secondary school education, kinda say that you aint.

Which leaves you only the remaining 2 options of getting hired thru recommendations or knocking on doors of potentials. (I rule out starting a business, for obvious reasons)

Ultimately, the job that would you be given would not pay you well. Just enough to scrap by. With that, savings becomes an issue. Further studies and a better life would not be possible for years to come.

Perhaps what my friend needs is a lifeline. Someone to throw him a rope to help him out of the hole he is in.

Spring cleaning

Every now and then, I got the urge to clean my room. And its not just a simple sweep and wipe, its more of a massive spring cleaning.

Granted that there is no spring where I am staying, its always good to move the furniture and clean up the dust and dirt. You have really no idea how dirty things are at the dark corners until you actually wipe your finger on it.

A good 2 hours of my afternoon was spend moving stuffs about, repacking, dumping, finding lost treasures and hunting unknown creatures. Just is the fun, that I intend to just make this a bi-yearly event. After all, the more you do it, the less the fun this becomes.

In other news, I gotten the sudden urge for spicy buffalo wings once more. Level 5 anyone?

The green screen

With all the state of the art graphical animation, who needs actors any more.

This is how my work feels like

the first white hair

I guess I am considered "lucky". Among my peers whom have strands of whites spread around, I never had a single strand.

That was until yesterday.

My girl, spotted a white image and promptly told me about it. My first reaction? Pluck it out, so that I could see. And true enough, its white without a single black coloration.

I turned 30 this year and at the prime of my life perhaps. I am happy the way things are for now, but perhaps from next year I would be keen on the next step forward.

This little white hair of mine has now pointed out to me that its time for a change.

Christmas reflections

Its after all my 30th Christmas.
30 years have went by and things are different at each year.

Growing up, I looked forward to the tons of Christmas gifts that my parents and relatives have gotten me. Its a time of expectation and joy for me. A time where worries are no more than getting thru the examinations and the hopefully passing my Chinese.

Years later, I became less incline to receive but to give. Went about shopping and hunting to look for the gifts that would made someone happy. I guess the smiles that I get back, is worth more than the cash that was spent.

Looking back, this festive season always is a important period for me. I used to love to join my brothers Scouts and sister Guides in songs of carol and spreading the love to the less fortunate. A time I cherish dearly and looking back never fails to be a little sadness to my heart.

The wonderful period spent in my teens has led me to find great and closed friends with Eejean, Shups!, Inky and so on. You guys are the bestest and I hope to remain close with you guys for eons to come.

As I close of this post, I would dearly hope to once more come together to bring the joy and cheers to the everyone all around.

Smile. and you be sure someone would smile back at you

The 2 lobsters

After several weeks, I began to see that my 2 lobsters dun see eye to eye. They tend to stick out their craws when they are near each other. And its not becos they are looking for a hug.

Apparently I read that they can get quite territorial and would be waiting to kill off their competitors.

However I am guessing that this 2 creatures are either both Females or Males. There is no way they could get along.

I guess I have to move one of them home and keep the other one here.

Google talk

A long while back, my former colleague secretly installed an older copy of messenger and thus allow us to chat with the outside world. Months later he left and strangely, the older copy of messenger was declare obsolete by MS and we were forced to upgrade (which we cant) and thus our connection was lost.

Much later, I have embarked on using web based messenger for chatting. Sad to say, ebuddy tends to disconnect often and iloveim seems to be a few mins laggy. Just then, my former colleague suggested to try google talk.

And guess what, I dun need admin rights to install and use this. GRIN

Topgear driving through a tunnel

And doing a loop in it

The nagging cough

Being sick sux. It sux sooo bad that it keeps me from doing the routine stuff.

And recovering from it, aint exactly better. I am in my cough phase and judging from past experience, you would likely to hear me cough for an entire month (if not more).

Is there a better way to solve this?

Oh and Scrubs is back for Season 9. It looks familiar but feel different somehow.

The 2nd 10 km run

Last year I ran with 2 good runners and they kept me going till I lost them at the 5km mark. Later on, my ankle gave way and I stopped at the 7km mark and walked pretty much on and off from there till the finish line.

This year I ran with this guy. He was a veteran runner whom came in 3rd back when he was in secondary school. My bro was too suppose to run with us today, but I called a frantic call from him this morning. He said that his wife not feeling well, then added her breathing was heavy. It took some time before he actually said that he think his wife is going into labour.

PS. He is a dad of a cute baby girl now :)

Oh and months ago, we actually had this joke that he may have to sprint to the finish line if he knows his baby is coming during the run.

Anyhow, I met M in the dawn of the morning. He complained to me about the lack of sleep, a slight headache and a damaged bonnet which surprisingly din crash his hand. I myself had 4 hrs of sleep, mild flu like symptoms and pretty much lost my voice. We were 2 misfit runners.

We set about to complete the run in the best we can. And as soon as we are line up to start, the kenyans were finishing their 42km stroll in little more than 2 hrs.

I had targeted to run throughout this round without stopping. Also hope to better my mark of 1:13:20 (official) which I did last year. The ran was enjoyable and fun for most part. We ran together right up to the 5km mark (top of ECP bridge). Its there that M spoke to me like a wounded soldier. Go on, he said, dont let me slow you down.

Anyhow I went on my own. My ankles were starting to ache and my throat was killing me. The devil on my left said, its time to take a break. Walk like the rest of them. The angel said, WTF! you ^($^%@#*# better not stop.

So I carried on till the the 9km mark where for no reason at all I stopped. I was just passing Esplanade at that point and within a few short steps, I pushed myself on. Ran to the finish line and cross the counter at 1:13.

M ran pass not too long after at 1:20. He had been thinking of nasi lemak throughout the run and as soon as we were rested, we went for a good meal.

BTW, I am suffering from some dehydration. Gotten a mild fever since I came back. Dun think I would ever try running again when I am not of good health.

The Italian Police

This is what the Italian Police has in its arsenal to combat against the illegal racing speedster and the getaway bank robbers.

Its the Lamborghini Gallardo. Much much more powerful than the Subaru WRX which our local police has.

Unfortunately, one of only two of this beautiful machines had been totaled by a careless driver. You could almost felt the tears in your eyes when you see the picture below.

more info

new plants

The office tank (see earlier post) now has 2 lovely baby lobsters.

Now onto the home tank. I had remove the bottom netting that holds a bundle of moss. It was meant to be a moss flooring but the moss din ended up growing too well. Upon removing it, I shift it to the back of the tank.

this reveals plenty of shit. lots and lots of shit that have been lying underneath the netting. This is where the filter fails to gather the necessary dirt. Having said that, I set the filter on high and immediately the tank was cloudy shit. Everything looks like a dirty washing machine.

I bought 5 plants which were neatly pack in the bag. Having open them, I realise 3 will be all I need to cover the background. I have no idea they could expand so much.

Anyhow, I would pose some pics after the shit settle down. May take a whole day. In any case, I do hope my inhabitants wont mind living in a peculiar condition.

Update: Apparently the renovation is quite stressful to the little creatures. About 5 were spotted dead this morning and 20 more are missing. Sighs

baby lobsters

This is my second attempt at raising lobsters. Previously my $4 crayfish live for a week before laying dead in the tank. I could not find out any reason why.

Now I have spent $14 on 2 smaller lobsters. They seemed to be enjoying the new tank life. One is even feasting on a dead cherry shrimp as I speak.

They are no larger than 50 cents. And I mean the coin, not the rapper.

Long Weekend

I took leave for last Thursday. And with the Public Holiday on Friday, I practically had 4 days of weekend.

And boy was it bad for health. After all, with the thought of 4 days of rest, I spent Wed night out late, and slept at 2-3am throughout.

Only for last night to get used to this "jetlag" mode and slept for only 4 hrs.

Already today I had 2 shots of coffee to keep me going. However the effect is wearing off.

I should have come back to work on Sunday :S

ps. I realise I am talking rubbish throughout

the tea break

It was a pretty quiet day for me today. Seems like the people I am working for are away on leave. Time has been passing by slowly and was contemplating a nice teabreak in the mid afternoon to perk the mood up.

Coincidently, a colleague needed to get some table lights. I pop the suggestion, abt Ikea and in 10 mins we were finding a carpark lot there.

The coffee was good, the chicken wing was tasty and the meatballs were always fabulous. Which also brings to mind, the meatballs are made of pork and beef. Particularly taking away the halal and firm buddhist customers.

Anyhow, every teabreak should be this relaxing.

Behind the scene of Sesame street

Sure seems fun to be a muppeteer

work

If you notice my blog had been quiet for the past couple of weeks. You are not alone.

Aside from posts which I found interesting to copy and paste, the only other post I wrote was about my Maths problem. Well the truth is my Maths problem still exist and I would have to swap the adults and babies soon.

Anyway, I had quietly pass my 4 years of work mark. Interestingly, there were no joy, no sadness. It was simply another day.

What I could not believe is that I had been in the same organisation for 4 years. I recall wanting to leave twice but relented due to various reasons. And well, I planning to leave by early 2010. If only I could find the right place.

Speaking of which, there was a climate survey carried out for all employees. Strangely the level of happiness is as follows

1 year and less - Very satisfy
1 - 3 years - Not satisfy
4 - 5 years - Satisfy
5 years and more - Very satisfy

My director explained this to us that its a general J curve seen everywhere.

When you join a company, the initial excitment carries you on. After the first year, you realise what a mistake you had made. After the 4 years mark, you kinda become accustomed to things and managed to find the joy of work once more. It could also mean you have been promoted to a certain level where you can make the newbies life a living hell :)

Well, I never believe in torturing the newbies. Always enjoy working in a team to get things done. Its the teamwork that helps make the workload feel lighter.

To sum it off, I guess if I failed to leave by early next year, I may never leave. *insert Hotel California*

Maths problem

My fish tank at home is having a healthy population of 30 prawns and a handful of baby prawns

The fish tank in my office is roughly 5 times smaller and its meant for just baby prawns. It has however having a population of 20 teenager prawns reaching adulthood. In fact some teens are pregnant. ---- yes i know.

So I would have to bring the little ones from home to work and bring the bigger ones from work to home. The problems are as follows

1. Its difficult to scoop out the tiny ones from the big tank
2. Its even more difficult to scoop out the big ones from the small tank
3. There has to be a safe way to transport them

I have 5 tetras and I wondered where I should put them.

How to eat a chicken wing

I find this information very useful

Notes for my mom and dad

Elena Desserich was diagnosed with brain cancer at 5 years old. She began to hide hundreds of little notes around the house — in sock drawers, backpacks and tucked between the books on the shelves — for her parents, Brooke and Keith, to find after she was gone. In “Notes Left Behind,” her parents share the journal entries they kept....

Read on

Nessie

This Nessie. She has been with me for abt 1.5 years now. A faithful and dependable worker whom provided me with the valuable cup of coffee.

Due to my work schedule, I could only indulge in the espresso during the weekend. Its not as much as I would have like. So just last week, I brought her to office. Sitting at my desk, she caught the attention of many of my co-workers.

In no time, she was giving out FREE coffees every few hours. After they have their caffeine fix, they came back for more. And soon enough, they gotten paiseh and wanted to pay me for this.

This got me thinking, hey this may make a good small income for me. I would sell the capsules at 90 cents (got them for 60 cents from France) and make a tiny sum to keep up my caffeine addiction.


This is until one of my co-worker decided that she wanted one too and would be importing the machine from US next month. She decided to get the newer machine too.