Vault of Thoughts

The world of Shotguns!

2011-08-10T15:47:00.000+08:00

Shotguns comes in many shapes, material, length and coolness. Tried once and it blew me away luckily not at the receiving end of the shotgun shell so I'm still here typing all the way in the comfort of my room. Not many know about the origins of calling "Shotgun" whenever someone is taking a ride or simillar cases. I read it somewhere about the origins of the "Shotgun" calling. So here goes......

If we go back to the period of the Wild West (yes cowboys, saloons, Indians......you name it), caravans or carriages travel along the road that connects the Eastern Seaboard to the West and thus the long journey, people need to protect their goods so the are armed and yes you named it Shotguns. Not really shotguns all the while but some would trust their rifle to do the same job. So the carriage needs a driver, and to allow the driver to have full concentration on the road, they have another person beside him/her holding a weapon, thus the term shotgun. It's a huge responsibility to protect that particular ride from bandits, raiders, and not to mention some unfriendly Indians at that time. So that's how the term Shotgun came by.

In the modern context where motorized vehicles are common and law and order is more or less in place, calling shotgun is more of a privilege rather than a responsibility. But some ground rules are also in place for calling "shotgun". E.g. the privilege is automatically given to the driver's potential or current significant other (boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse......the list goes on), one can only call shotgun when the ride is in sight and for only one particular trip/ride...... thus the many ground rules to play along.

If you want to know more, you can search on Google with the keyword "Calling Shotgun" should give you tons of info on this little harmless game

Fear the color YELLOW! Just for Laughs!

2011-07-05T19:26:00.001+08:00

I've read through The Star news portal on the web that reports that the police has arrested people whom wear the YELLOW Bersih 2.0 T-shirts have been arrested. So, I read through what are other possibilities that may come up so I read the instructions posted by the Bersih 2.0 on instructions on attending the July 9th rally so I read up what is all about then they also ask people whom do not have the Bersih 2.0 T-shirt can wear anything, so long it is YELLOW!

So, if the government see this, soon many things in Malaysia with the color yellow will be banned. Like when some parts of the USA hated the french so they named their French Fries as Freedom Fries. Here is the list of effects by category if the color YELLOW is banned.

Corporations:

DiGi will be outlawed, delisted from the KLSE, their users will be persecuted for supporting DiGi because the logo of DiGi is YELLOW.
Golden Arches will have to close all their McDonald's fast food chain because the 'M' in the logo is YELLOW!
All Secret Recipe will be ordered to closed until a date will be announced for alleged selling illegal food products (Cheesecake is YELLOW!)
Old Town White Coffee will face permanent closure and their bid to be listed in the KLSE will be rejected for their "Old Town White Coffee" is written in YELLOW!
Maybank's assets and their investments will be seized for public display of their corporate colour YELLOW!

Consumers and Traders:

Traders can only sell unripe bananas and mangoes because such ripe fruits are YELLOW!
Cintan and Maggi instant noodles will be recalled from the shelves. (The packs are YELLOW!)
I wonder if the product VICO (something like MILO) is still available, maybe they have been banned! (Guess what the color of the tin is? YELLOW!)
Public display of ripe durians and selling YELLOW coloured cakes such as butter cake, tapioca cake will require an additional permit.
Mountain Dew, Kickapoo, Red Bull and Livita are considered contraband! (YELLOW colored drinks)
DHL courier company will not be allowed to operate in Malaysia (You guessed it, the YELLOW background!)

Healthcare:

People who are found to have YELLOWISH urine will be caught for not drinking enough water recommended by the Ministry of Health. (WAH! This is too much lar!)
Parents whom have babies with Jaundice (YELLOW liver disease) will be subjected to the act of law (This one even too much!)
Malaria (YELLOW fever) patients will be denied treatment in all hospitals. Private hospitals who treat these patients will have repercussions!
The sale of a particular colour condom will see zero sales in their inventory (Yup YELLOW condoms)
The YELLOW medical lotion (Acriflavin solution) will be removed from First Aid Kits in Malaysia which will be replaced with some other similar product.

Community:

All Engineers registered under the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) will face prosecution for joining a government splinter cell (YELLOW logo!)
Those who work in Jabatan Kerja Raya (Public Works Department) will all be incarcerated, with their pension being suspended for masquerading as civil servants. (JKR logo is YELLOW!)
Some taxi companies will have to shut down due to the seizure and confiscation of their YELLOW taxis!
Road signs around Malaysia has to be removed (some signs are YELLOW if you do notice them), road accidents skyrocketing!

My first science post! I'm such a geek!

2011-06-03T23:18:00.000+08:00

There is more to a reason to be geeky today as the protest in Pahang with regards to Lynas is getting heated up more and more people say rare earth, thorium, radiation, Mount Weld. So I'm going give a decently detail description on some of these keywords and piece them up together. So this post I'm going to include a periodic table of elements for your reference

Keyword 1 - Rare Earth
Rare earth elements belong to the Lathanide series (chemically similar to Lanthanum, La) plus Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y) which comes in the form of ores (oxides, carbonates, all the mixed up stuff in a rock) in the form of monazite and bastnaesite. Generally they are not radioactive by nature except Promethium (Pm) but they have pretty good uses like Neodymium, Nd are made into magnets while Yttrium are components for lasers. Other stuff have their own uses so check on your own.

Keyword 2 - Thorium, Th
This element is named after the Norse God, Thor thus the name. Thorium belongs in the Actinide series (chemically similar to Actinium, Ac) so does the infamous Uranium, U and Plutonium, Pu. Thorium is radioactive by nature. Comes in 4 isotopes (chemically similar but a different number of neutrons) Th-232, Th230, Th-229 and Th-228. The one that occurs more in nature is Th-232 which is still radioactive undergoes alpha decay with a half-life of about 14100000000 years. Thorium was also once being used as nuclear fuel until uranium enrichment makes it obsolete.

Keyword 3 - Radiation
Radiation is a form of heat transfer of one surface to another without a medium (so long it is not absolute zero temperature). For instance we feel hot from a fireplace because of the radiated heat from the flame or we feel terribly hot due to the sun's radiation. This does not sound right because it sounds safe, right? What we are actually worried about is Ionized Radiation, in short radioactivity.

Keyword 4 - Radioactivity
Radioactivity is a process of an unstable atom which is trying to stabilize itself thus they release ionized particles. There are three types of decay, alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha decay emits a positive charge, beta decay produces a negative charge while gamma rays carries no charge. Thorium undergoes alpha decay thus it's positively charged. So from thorium, it undergoes alpha decay on and on until it becomes a stable atom of another element.

Keyword 5 - Mount Weld
Mount Weld in Australia is the biggest rare earth mining facility outside China (China is the leader in rare earth metals production) owned by Lynas Corporation.

So how does all these things piece up together?
First is the ore, rare earth elements come from monazite and bastnaesite. Let us not worry about bastnaesite because the thorium comes mainly from monazite. Transporting of the ore through communities of people, now that's bad enough. Secondly, the processing it requires chemicals depending on the process either acid cracking using sulfuric acid

Or another option is the alkaline cracking using sodium hydroxide

The thing that is common from both processes is the residue which contains thorium thus what we want is the rare earth stuff from the ore. The radioactivity present will be proportional to the amount of thorium waste being produced. For every 1 mol of thorium-232 under alpha decay, there will be one mol of alpha particle being discharged. Sounds small right? 1 mol of thorium-232 is equivalent to 232g worth of the same thing, so imagine that in awesome quantities.

I would still say no to the plant with the following reasons

The people living there have not been well informed about the project until it is going to start soon.
The radioactive waste is going to stay there probably until the Rapture (with a half-life of 14 billion years)
The government gave them a tax exemption for 12 years? They are probably earning tons of money with it and not getting a cent from them for such a long time. I just don't understand the economic sense of it.

Terms used in this writing
Half-life: The time required for a radioactive element to be decayed by half of it's previous mass (e.g. 100g of Th-232 takes 14 billion years to be reduced to 50g of it)
Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with different weights. Chemically behaves the same and may have variations in terms of physical properties.
Absolute zero temperature: 0 Kelvins = -273 Celcius.
One mol: A common unit used in chemistry, approx 6.02214179(30)×1023 particles/mol. Check here to know more about it.

Best deal ever, just for one day

2011-06-01T20:40:00.000+08:00

How much does a dinner for 3 persons will cost you inclusive of drinks/desserts in typical Desa Setapak (and its surrounding areas)? A wild guess would be RM15-RM20. Guess what, I can do it for under RM10, just for today. If you think I'm lying I challenge you to a wager of RM500 and if I lose the money's yours and if I win you pay me RM50.

After a filling and fulfilling Korean lunch in Ampang, towards the end of the day me, Jessie, Tiong Keat and Chuan Yang wanted to have dinner and I have a sudden cravingfor Cendol, while the others wanted desserts so I say "Ok, I don't mind other desserts as long as it's a dessert dish." Thinking of going to our favorite "Tong Sui" shop which ended up closed for the day and we saw THIS!

Snow Blizz in Desa Setapak

The promotional poster! OMG what can go wrong with that!

So I think to myself "What's the catch?". Usually eateries will offer free drinks with purchase of food but this goes the other way round. So we were like since we're here, they serve desserts and they have some sort of promotion, might as well we just waltz in and eat. All we were shown was a big drink/ice blended menu and a small selection of noodles, we ended up ordered Ai Yu Ice, Ais Kacang and Cendol which comes with 1 bowl of noodles that makes up a total of 3 bowls.

Surprise, surprise its only RM9.40, NO TAX! (yay!)

The bill. Notice the 0.00 at the noodles? It's not joke, no Photoshop!

With my 3/4 of a fish in my stomach still swimming, I wolfed down a bowl of mixed up noodles while tasting the desserts. Only one word for the taste "AWESOME!", one word for the value "CHEAP!" and one sentence for the promotion "ONE DAY ONLY AR?"

(From left) Tiong Keat, Jessie and Chuan Yang. All with satisfying faces

And we say, wish you were here on this day! Offer only for 1st June 2011 (that is what the poster says) and also wish that the promotion is a little longer.

Crack a few jokes to brighten up your day/night

2011-05-30T21:37:00.003+08:00

This is one joke I got from a few friends of mine for the past few weeks (and I actually bother to remember the best part of it)

Here goes nothing......
A mother is giving his 6 year old simple instructions for urinating in the toilet. "Ok son remember the numbers and the things you have to do when you are in the toilet." His son agrees to it and this are the instructions she has passed down to his son. "One, take down your pants. Two, take out you penis. Three, pull the foreskin back. Four, aim and shoot the urine into the toilet bowl. Five, push the foreskin forward. Six, dress up."

Her son remembers the instructions well, every time the mother pass by the toilet she can hear his son reciting the numbers "One, two, three, four, five six." She felt so proud of herself for a successful potty training for her son. Throughout the years, reciting the numbers in the toilet has been a regiment the boy to follow.

Years have passed by and the boy grew up to be a teenager. There is this one particular night that the mother pass by the toilet and heard his son recite "Three. Five. Three. Five......"

Meaning of Happiness?

2011-01-14T21:30:00.003+08:00

Suddenly recalled a statement from my colleague, sounds something like "for your own happiness for the rest of your life". I could not comprehend this context of happiness and thus I came up with many conclusions.

1. During our childhood, we are happy when we get toys or nice food. These things became a source of our happiness.
2. When we started schooling, scoring grades was everything. When we score good grades, we are happy. This thing became a source of our happiness.
3. When we are in pursuing higher education, the ultimate goal is to graduate with distinction. When we graduate with distinction, we are happy. Thus this is our source of happiness.
4. After graduation comes employment. Being employed by a company with good income is a happy thing. Landing your self in a good, high paying job is now a source of our happiness.
5. On the side of courtship, having to able to share your life with a life partner brings happiness (like what other people say), thus happiness do come from marriages.
6. Back to work, getting a promotion, big bonus is a happy thing (from the money point of view), thus having such accomplishment defines happiness.
7. Moving on to family, having a child brings happiness (from the social point of view), thus children became the focus of happiness.
8. When the children grow up, growing to your expectations, seeing them accomplish the many things around has become of a "topic" for happiness, thus these things has become a form of happiness.
9. Going on to retirement, seeing your children going through the previous process 1 -7 and it make you happy (because you will be having grandchildren), and the little ones do make you happy. Alas these little ones are now your form of happiness.
10. So when you go to your grave, nobody is happy for it......only the one inside the casket knows.

So what is happiness? Do they come in the forms of 1 -10 mentioned? Is it something external? Do we need something not from within ourselves to gratify our need for happiness? Many people too define happiness in many ways, be it in the form of fame, fortune, accomplishment, recognition, power, sex, partnership, alcohol....... this list can go on and on for all we know.

In this world riddled with materialism, where collection of materials come a source of happiness and true it has become quite the trend by looking at how magazines rank the richest people. Little that we know that there is one thing that we have left out for contemplation, FAITH. Our values of faith has slowly bewilder us from our pursuit for "apparent" happiness which is more absent than ever. I need to renew my faith to my maker......

True meaning of Independence

2010-09-02T14:00:00.003+08:00

Two days has past since independence, and what would everyone thinks of independence?

Independence is free from the bondage of colonialism,
Independence is free from oppression,
Independence is free from unnecessary restrictions,
Independence is free from unwanted transgressions,
Independence is free from prejudice.

Independence is a practice of freedom,
Independence is a practice of equality,
Independence is a practice of unconditional acceptance,
Independence is a practice of unwavering unity,
Independence is a practice of universal tolerance.

Happy 53rd Independence Day, Malaysia
One Malaysia, One Vision

Random quotes that I've made up myself

2010-07-10T19:24:00.002+08:00

Nothing to do, bored, down, emo......whatever so just thought of some funny quotes to share with you peeps out there

Who says there are no second chances? God gave you the first attempt, you create the second but don't expect much for the third.
You can use anything to predict everything, but you can never use everything to predict anything.
Wonderful things and discoveries always comes when you are chilling out, look at Archimedes and Sir Issac Newton!
If you have a problem what would you do? Confront it with an empty heart or evade it with an empty head? Neither way works.
Which one is more dangerous, an unarmed psychopath or a kid with an axe?

Freaking long time......

2010-06-08T19:10:00.003+08:00

Must been too long neglecting my "duty" to actually notice that my blog has been on hiatus for such a long time. Since is just too long I'll just sum up everything that happens in the long gap of time

April - Nothing much happened. A bump in the head, knowing that I'm already one year in KL doing my Masters......
May - Birthday on the 12th, dudes bought me tons of Warhammer 40k books to read. Imperial Guard Omnibus Vol. 1, Last Chancers and Adventures of Ciaphus Cain and what not, bought myself a Catachan Battleforce and now still working on the men.

Summer Movies, HERE I COME!

2010-03-22T21:15:00.005+08:00

It's that time again, the season where tons of movies are coming out back to back. This time good stuff, continue the past and blast from the past.

First one, Clash of the Titans

Remaking of the 1981 movie of the same title (damn, I was not even born yet). If you are a fan of Greek Mythology, it's a must watch movie and it too comes in 3D

Second one, Iron Man 2

Sequel to the previous installment, our hero Tony Stark has new friends, new toys and new bad asses, stay tuned for it

Next up, The Last Airbender (Supposed to be Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Thanks to James Cameron, the word "Avatar" has been removed. Based on the animation of the similar name. Fans of the series will find this interesting, from the trailer......

More in the line, Shrek Forever After

Our happy ogre Shrek is sucked into another dimension, and our few friends are back with erm...... you'll see it for yourself

Finally the end, Toy Story 3

The toys are back, but Andy is going to college, how will the toys cope with the change? Wait until June then

Nerf or Nothing, Nothing but a post

2010-03-16T18:11:00.003+08:00

Nothing but a post after months of absence in the blogging world.

Last week just had a Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) at the Outpost, although my little halfling character died but it does not concern my much, it's just a game. Anyway this is not the highlight of this post.

It was just the first time for my introduced to Nerf. What is Nerf (not nerves) all about? Nerf are pellets or darts made from foam, launched from a spring loaded or air compressed gun such as this

And it comes in various types, it can be in a form of a pistol

A Sniper Rifle

A Tommy Gun like gun with drum feed

Or you can carry the big gun

Very low velocity and soft pellets, no pain, and very minimal injury compared to BBguns and Paintball and you can do it either indoors or outdoors (usually indoors) and is relatively cheaper than Paintball (marker itself is already at least RM500, not including hopper and such) and Nerf guns are totally legal in Malaysia (Paintball markers are after all restricted projectile equipment)

It costs around RM150 for the Sniper Rifle looking gun with some darts (ammunition), darts costs you about RM0.80 per piece and its resusable. The next best thing is that it's totally modular, you can mix and match most parts to personalize your gun (from the barrel, stock, and even the drum)

Not convincing that it can be as fun as paintball, watch this video.

Loneliness......

2010-02-11T07:34:00.005+08:00

Ah, my first blog of year 2010, as since the previous entry is the last entry of 2009.

When loneliness kicks in, all the creative ideas starts to pour in. This one is a modern prose to express my feelings towards someone I missed so much, a crush, a love interest, a potential relationship partner......

This poem is slightly inspired from the Bible. Although I'm not a believer of Christ but I found Genesis is quite interesting (alright I've just started reading it). From this poem, I still do not understand the occurrence of cases of spouse battery (beating up your wife/husband) as Man and Woman are created from the same entity.

God were to create a Woman out from the Man's rib,
And thus asked why the rib of the Man?
So has been answered that,

A Woman not made out of part of Man's head,
Not for Man to worship, being in bond, being led by.
A Woman not made out of part of Man's feet,
Not for Man to trampled upon, dominate upon.
Instead for Woman to be created from Man's rib,
Close to the hand and close to the heart.
Neither higher than Man nor lower than Man,
both were created equal.

Close to the hand, for Man being reminded that
Use the hand to protect the Woman,
Protect the Woman from pain.
Use the hand to shield the Woman,
Shield the Woman from suffering.

Close to the heart, for Man being reminded that
For the heart to care for the Woman,
Care for the Woman's needs for her sustenance.
For the heart to love for the Woman,
Care for the Woman's needs for her emotions.

Once more Man has been reminded,
As the Woman is made from a part of you,
Thou shalt take care of her as you take care of yourself,
Bringing harm to her is equal to bringing harm to yourself,
Bringing love to here is equal to bringing love to yourself,
But not forgetting the love that was brought by Him to both of you.

The Woman asked the Man,
Why was thy created from you,
Thus the Man answered,

I shall be the hand,
To protect you from pain.
To shield you from suffering.
I shalt be the heart,
Care for the your needs of your sustenance.
Care for the your needs of your emotions.

Disclaimer: The author has no intentions what so ever to spread any deviant teachings regards to any religions, beliefs or faiths. As this poem is purely a work of art and inspiration. The author studies writings and teachings of other religions using as enrichment of other religions in conjunction with the 1Malaysia concept of mutual understanding.

Not resolute enough for the resolution

2009-12-30T20:00:00.007+08:00

In another 28 hours from this post, it will be the beginning of 2010.

What have I been doing for this year? Some significant events for the year in every month

Jan 2009 - My resolution is tested once again.
Feb 2009 - Bad economy struck the world, Carsem business affected.
Mar 2009 - Left Carsem for Masters Degree
April 2009 - Joined UTAR for Masters
May 2009 - Celebrated my birthday with fellow colleagues
June 2009 - ITEX 2009
July 2009 - Started Warhammer 40k hobby games
August 2009 - Started cooking a few dishes
September 2009 - Application for masters have been officially accepted.
October 2009 - Brought my colleagues to KLCC skybridge which they have always wanted to go.
November 2009 - Completed my 1750 points of Imperial Guard
December 2009 - Crying out loud, for not doing well in my new year resolution

For all these months of the year, I have been doing some soul searching whenever I'm out of my den, at the same time distract myself from reality with hobbies, sports and stuff like that. I have always wondered why people have to be in a relationship, is it that humans wanted some social status by engaging in relationships, for companionship, out of passion, out of whim, out of responsibility, or even out of lust...... (this one is kind of desperate)

But even having the same resolution every year and after another, I will not be resolute enough to actually even get close to it. Too many uncertainties, too many factors to consider. Even if we are able to simplify it, wait...... is there a way to simplify it? Anyway, I have slowly lost my will to seek for companionship, a soulmate, a girlfriend......whatever term that fits the description.

So I guess I shall be the average dude, doing the same thing as the average dude does. As for a resolution, never be resolute on a resolution, kind of breaks your heart if you do not achieve it...... or even started working on it.

Anyway, Bye-Bye 2009 and Hello 2010 in another 28 hours......

My plans for this lonely Christmas

2009-12-23T21:59:00.002+08:00

Christmas is around the corner and I'm counting down what to do for this coming Christmas, after all I'm going to get stuck here in Kuala Lumpur again probably until mid of January to go back hometown with my brother who is currently in Bangkok.

Listed down some plans, activities for the holidays......

Plan 1: Warhammer 40k in Comics Mart Midvalley Megamall
Yes, the campaign game......after got myself whooped by Tyranids and another Imperial Guard player, I cannot really field anymore units unless fighting against those who have more land than I do. Check more on my Warhammer 40k blog

Plan 2: Go visit some friends
For this one is only upon being invited......hopefully not a last minute one or I can go gate crash a few people from my previous university, maybe they have plans too.

Plan 3: Stay at home
Not all of a bad plan though, with such load of stuff to be done like my Masters project design (almost there already), while staying at home without burning a hole in my wallet. It can also turn out to be outright boring with nothing much to do other than doing what normal net addicts do.

Plan 4: Go around the city aimlessly
In short "LEPAK" or loiter around. This one suck out big time, basically burning holes and nothing gained, not even one bit of satisfaction but still can empty my mind for the holidays though.

Readers are allowed to vote for either one of the plans or recommend me other things to do. Needless to say, Merry Christmas.

Relationships and social status. Any connections?

2009-12-09T18:35:00.007+08:00

Something struck my mind today over a discussion with my colleague about being cared for by someone you can commit your heart with over some random topic which I still cannot get hold of it of me being SaA (Single and Available, and yes I'm still proud of it)

Seeing one by one, my friends either they are beginning to have a relationship or some of them getting married while scrolling through my Facebook (no doubt everybody starts posting pics on it either with their loved ones or some of them are pics of wedding dinners that they attended). As how community perceives it, receive proper education and somewhere in the process you found the person you can be affectionate with, graduate, get a job, get married, yadda yadda yadda...... and the list goes on. Even back in home front 2 weeks ago, my grandma and relatives asked me the same ol' question: "Found a girl already?" and my respond is always a "No......"
The baby-boomer generation (our grandpa and grandma generation) and Gen-X (our parents generation) probably thinks that getting in a relationship and married is some sort of status to the family (I guess so that they can go around the neighbourhood and brag about it). Even the canteen operators asked me this similar question.

Being 2 dozen years old (you do the math) this year which will end in about 3 weeks time makes me feel like a social outcast of some sort. For me I always wanted to have fun of my own like some sports, internet, time for myself...... needless to mention gaming (MtG, WH40k, DnD). My colleague told me that I should go out from my usual group and interact with others and probably you will find someone you can commit your heart with after I said that I really envy her regarding her having someone who cares for.

Not because I don't want to, but I really cannot put myself together for a relationship. After several rejections in my younger years (like what 8 or 9 years ago), I have been in my own "shell" for that period of time. For all these years, I'm still trying hard to break myself out from that "shell" of mine in search of the person I could lay my heart on, but to no avail so I kept myself occupied with activities and such. Until today and this very day, I could break out from this shell, putting my past behind, and now actually laying my eyes on my intended one...... not out of desperation or to please any party or to be in the "community game of social status"

Yes, yes more irony is it? Just read through and forget about it. Gotta go back to my painting...... since talking about painting, it have been quite good in distracting my from matters of my heart for quite a long time. If you want to know more about my new painting hobby check out my Warhammer 40,000 blog

Things that made my way home......

2009-12-01T22:05:00.005+08:00

For the last weekend, I was detached from the PC, Internet, Facebook and needless to say have not blogged for quite a while and have not returned to Ipoh for quite a while since......

Bought the train tickets online but could not get the economical class seats so have to go with the second class seats. It's prime time that KTM actually used the internet for their customers to buy tickets online which is a great convinience to me (travelling all the way to KL Sentral just to buy tickets is plain uncool)

Not much I can do back in Ipoh besides meeting up with family members and resting up my fatigued body after months of slogging in KL, it's a good time to unwind myself. Apart from that my family will be moving into a new residence, now still in the process of cleaning up the place and moving in the furniture and needless to say buying new furniture so I will post up pictures of the new residence once everything is completed.

Oh....... back in KL on the Sunday, boarding the morning train (damn I was late to buy the tickets) and back to business as usual on the following day...... and plan for another trip back to Ipoh once again, either Christmas or New Year

Noobest day of my life

2009-10-24T17:24:00.002+08:00

When you say "good till the last drop" means it must be something good that you have (e.g. soups, drinks, gravy, even water when you start drinking it like a thirsty camel). When your car says "good till the last drop" it's bad news.

On a Friday evening, driving on my way to Bangsar to meet a friend of mine for a hang-out after a long week of research and some this and that, with my low fuel warning blinking since Sunday, and itchy-lar, want to see how much can the car really go with the thing blinking listening to the radio with YAB Najib announcing the Budget 2010.

At the time he announced that the government will encourage business related to Green Technology and Green Builiding Index and my car said "good till the last drop" and I say "I know my car does not run green, you don't have to do this to my car!" But anyway I pushed my car (800+ kgs) for 50 meters, uphill along Jalan Tun Razak near the Titwangsa Monorail single handedly until my muscles starts failing ,OUCH! Good thing is still having my colleague to pass by there, pick me up, go buy some gas despite going to pick up her mom from somewhere. Thanks Chin Hui (did I spell your name wrongly, just a guess but sincere).

Somehow feels like the song by Lobo, Me and You and a dog name Boo! That phrase "Another tank of gas and back on the road again"

Life is ......

2009-10-19T20:58:00.004+08:00

What is life by its own essence? Using the perspective of Theo-centric religions (those religions revolve around the ideas of God, e.g. Islam, Christianity) that God grants you life for a purpose, serve Him as how you serve the yourself and the people on this Earth. While Homo-centric religions (belief systems that begins with Man themselves e.g. Buddhism) that it is up to Man themselves to explore their own purpose.

But as civilization advances, thus the common community belief system changes as well. Probably during the Stone Age humans are so "enslaved" by "Gods" as they do not comprehend nature well enough (I guess), advancing through glorious civilization of the Egyptians, Romans, Greek, Chinese, Indian, Babylonians and Mesopotamian with their own belief system. Birth of Moses, Buddha, Christ, Confucius, Mencius, Lao-Tzu, Prophet Muhammad begin to mold the thoughts of man.

Now with machinery able to make 3200000000 (3.2GHz) calculations per second, everything goes at the speed of light (or at least sound) and the grip of Adam Smith (writer of Wealth of Nations) remains strong in this world, somehow our thoughts are now revolving around a thing called wealth (and its other forms) while our purpose of life remains a question or being more questionable.

Over a sharing by a friend in campus over lunch talked about his experiences from a "greenhorn" into a "seasoned soldier" in the corporate field while juggling other matters such as family, friends...... And needless to say, it revolves around a thing called money. Needless to say our current society molded by capitalism, materialism and super billionaires (e.g. Bill Gates maybe top this list), while money for yourself, for your house (be it rent or purchased), for your car, for your family...... the word is still money.

Man judges the quality of Man by his wealth accumulated on the Kingdom of Earth but God judges the quality of Man by the treasures that Man collected in Kingdom of Heaven. (please correct me if I'm wrong, I remembered I heard something like this before this). I would be in Hell if Man rules the world (or more like being an outcast), while it is up to Him to audit my fortunes in Heaven. We live in a material world with our bodies of flesh and bone, while comprehending life which is inmaterial with our flesh brain filled with thoughts tainted by defilement, clouded by prejudice, directed by perspective, blessed by prayer, enriched by love, guided by compassion.

Oh great, why and what am I ranting about? Must be the headache I had this evening made me write this whole thing out out of impulse. Just treat this post like any other post but please do not dwell into the details so much.

** The writer is a tolerant and accepting Malaysian whom has only basic understanding on the religions practiced in Malaysia, needless to say the writer is not an atheist, a fanatic or even a philosopher but only human who likes to read about religion and understanding them

My own 15Malaysia reviews - Part 1

2009-09-06T23:08:00.008+08:00

Well if you are not that well informed on the 15Malaysia project which is already halfway better check it out otherwise you will miss out all the fun made by our beloved independent filmmakers namely Ho Yuhung, Yasmin Ahmad, Amir Muhammad and many more.......let's get on with the review.......

1. Potong Saga by Ho Yuhung

Synopsis: Namewee was introduced to Islamic banking and its benefits by his friends but being misled on the procedures of applying one which made him circumcised his dick......
Verdict: It's is so good until laughed almost throughout the film. I could watch it several times without getting bored of it. (10/10)

2. Chocolate by The Late Yasmin Ahmad

Synopsis: A son who refuses a scholarship offer being scolded by his mother and constantly being fed with negative statement regarding other races until he met a Malay girl wanted to buy some items from the store but not enough to pay for the piece of chocolate.
Verdict: Hats off for Yasmin Ahmad as states the videos message boldly, clearly and directly (10/10)

3. The Tree by Amir Muhammad feat. Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

Synopsis: A detailed explanation by YAB Nik Aziz about how people can earn a living using righteous while collecting merits means using an Islamic perspective using agriculture as an example
Verdict: This is more like an interview rather than a video, a 4 min sermon but still it is meaningful on how to live a good life using noble means. (6/10)

4. House by Linus Chung

Synopsis: A touching story about an Indian family living in poverty. While the house he built being threaten by bullies in school, the house at home is at the verge of being demolished.
Verdict: Does this sound like High Chapparal in Penang? But still most of us can count our blessings, but too this shows an ugly side on how the rich can drive the poor. (8/10)

5. Halal by Liew Seng Tat feat. Adibah Noor

Synopsis: A simple and concise film on Halal food through comedy using poultry as an example from preparing to slaughter to preparing to cook.
Verdict: Message is there but the part Madam Ong repeatedly saying "Babi, babi, babi, babi, babi, babi......" is a little redundant and distasteful even for me, overall the is still good. (5/10)

6. The Son by Desmond Ng feat. Datuk Zainal Ibrahim

Synopsis: A son being driven to the police station by his father in relation to a racially driven assault case. The son have actually obtained a recording of the incident.
Verdict: The message of the danger of inter communal distrust and conflict can go ugly in many ways unseen and unknown is indirectly expressed through this film. No problem on the message but some may not be able to get the message. (8/10)

7. Lumpur by Kamal Sabran

Synopsis: A ode to our motherland by many different people of ethnicity, occupation and social background. By adding water and soil we get mud (which is how tanah + air = lumpur is made but "tanah air" means nation) by removing the mud (which are the defilements happening in our nation shown at the end), we have clear water and good soil (represents the nation)
Verdict: Very meaningful video which serves as a reminder that our nation is where we are and where we are united for now and forever and the timing is right to be released on our 52nd Independence Day. (9/10)

8. One Future by Tan Chui Mui feat. Tian Chua and Ida Nerina

Synopsis: A sci-fi film using a series of still pictures showing a perfect future of Malaysia where all are united with integration and zero poverty as all are given a house and a job by the government. But all this comes in a price of freedom of speech, literally!
Verdict: Futuristic, YES! Using tons of still pics to portray the "future" so you have to watch it like a "comic" but what is happening in there is kinda scary too. Since is made by a young independent filmmaker I guess it's alright, it's a new concept and I like it, still have room for some improvement. (8/10)

9. Slovak Sling by Woo Ming Jin feat. Harith Iskandar and Patrick Teoh

Synopsis: Another comedy showing how politicians entice the other party to join them while the day is close to the election. Their actions are being watched by a pirated DVD seller while learning a few "tricks" of bribery.
Verdict: LOL! I better keep the best part which is the end to myself. I could get choked just by laughing. (10/10)

More videos coming up with familiar faces such as Khairy Jamaluddin and Dato Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the Health Minister. All you have to do is check out http://www.15malaysia.com

New blogs to release

2009-06-30T22:32:00.003+08:00

Well with so many interests lined up for me I think its time to segregate them in categories rather than lump them all up in my vault, with all the clutter. Here are the proposed blogs which I may make this July.

Title: Fantasy Wizardry
Theme: For all things regarding Magic The Gathering, events, cards, decks......

Title: Imperial Guard Barracks
Theme: For all my Warhammer 40k Imperial Guard Army, regiments, painting and stuff like that

1st Attempt on Painting Warhammer 40k miniatures

2009-06-28T20:51:00.003+08:00

A few one word description. It's "TOUGH" but it's "FUN" and "RELAXING". I've found my own meditation after cooking and archery. Craft is a good form of "meditation". Sorry Alvin, I've started it up without your guiding hand, just that my itchy hands has started to react so I've started up with a Cadian Shock Troops and some paints and washes (incomplete paint jobs, and some crummy appearances).

Cadian Imperial Guard with Lasgun

Imperial Guard with Vox-caster

Guardsman with Flamer

Guardsman with Grenade Launcher

The models are initially assembled and undercoated with black spray paint (acrylic paint), the armor is exactly what I've want (in black), the fatigues are painted in Dark Angels Green washed with Badab Black, while the metallic parts painted with Boltgun Metal, skins are painted with Dwarf Flesh washed with Gryphonne Sephia.

The meaning of a successful life......

2009-06-14T08:38:00.003+08:00

All of a sudden I have been contemplating this matter, I don't know why but anyway such thoughts pops up so kind of want to write about it.

Probably our parents (basically is social mindset) would say the following:
1. Go study, get good grades
2. Go university/college, graduate
3. Work, get promoted, get high salary job
4. Get married, have kids
5. Bringing up the kids (oh wait, and our kids will start begin from step 1)
6. Retire, spend your last few years (maybe our grandchildren will start from step 1)
7. Depart from the Kingdom of Earth

This cyclical notion of life goes on generation after generation feel sort of nothing much to talk about, this path of modern society. Alas, I'm was born and raised in this era. So there are also times I thought of that the life of ancient society was much richer than now although comparatively they are deprived of certain luxuries or some other thing. Society then were probably close to nature but now we are more surrounded by jungles of concrete, steel and glass towering 400+ meters above your head.

Yet able to advance, develop and improve are some traits of humans which we cannot deny, thus that goes to our existence and mindset changing with the times. I wonder what would the readers would think of it?

My new life, new place, new......

2009-04-17T20:00:00.004+08:00

Its already 2 week plus after moving in, here somethings I've did during that period of time.

1. Got the room furnished

Got it all spruced up with some furniture transferred from my UNITEN days plus the curtains bought from Carrefour Wangsa Maju

2. Serviced my car for the 3rd time

That is the kind of distance I've traveled to had my car serviced for 10,000 km and a whooping RM160.00+ for service plus some engine cleaner and injector cleaning

3. Go around some places around Tmn Melati

Some of the places I've went or passed-by, which I had it all pin-pointed (red is where I am now)

4. Get to know UTAR and some funny people in UTAR
UTAR people are people friendly, but with many funny twists and turn here and there.

5. Archery in MSN Taman Keramat with WIRA
I thought is where the nationals train, maybe I wasn't there to if they happen to train during weekdays as I go threre only on weekends. Oh btw, WIRA means Wilayah Red Arrows.

Moving to a new place for a new......

2009-03-29T22:21:00.003+08:00

As of this post, I'll be posting all the way from Taman Melati in a decently furnished condo room about 100 square feet. I'll be starting work on 31 March so I still have to hang around for a while and get used to the environment.

I'll see you in the next few posts......

My last few days in Carsem

2009-03-27T22:28:00.004+08:00

Some crazy pics they took with me on my last few days in Carsem. This means I'm going to start my Research Assistant job in no time and my Masters will commence in no time too followed by my tutorship.

The tallest guy in Carsem compared to an average girl
(Kar Wei wants to know how short she is)

Me and Assistant Engineers
(From left: Tan, Me and Hoong)

The whole team
(The front most guy is a Filipino, dun play play, this industry runs on Filipino brain power in M'sia)

Some poetry upon leaving Carsem

2009-03-18T21:54:00.002+08:00

I was kind of inspired by this poem by Robert Lee Frost titled "The Road Not Taken"

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I could have stayed back and have a good wad of cash every month easily and have a really easy life staying with my folks in Ipoh, but I took the one less traveled by (taking the VSS to study Masters) and that has made all the difference (which is still uncertain of the final result)

What I faced for the past few months is almost 100% what Mr. Frost had when he wrote this poem, making the tough choice.

I'VE GOT IT! I'M OUTTA HERE! But......

2009-03-17T21:17:00.004+08:00

And so such a statement, got my VSS and now preparing my departure on the 28th for my new job as research assistant and my masters and last day is on 27th although officially should be on the 31st.

Having said that way, I have no intentions of bad-mouthing or criticizing Carsem for the whole 8 months for "investing" in the small me to be a part of the huge international business of sub-contracted manufacturing of semiconductors. Being a misfit in the industry (due to my credentials and personal interests), it is sort of a little difficult for me to fully grasp, understand, comprehend the nature of the industry and its twists and turns as they refer everything to 1/1000 of an inch or a milimeter (the few things I still can comprehend are stuff expressed in milimeters or inches).

I felt that I've grown along with Carsem although not much but it was still a good experience for me how capitalism works at the same time understand a bit on the miniscule yet huge world of semiconductors.

Can't wait for my Judgement Day

2009-03-04T22:49:00.002+08:00

The long wait is now shorter by the day, but still can wait for the very "day" for Voluntary Seperation Scheme (VSS) to be announced (ok, my comp use another term for it called the Early Seperation Programme).

Anyhow, by hook or by crook I will be leaving anyway, leaving with the wad is a bonus, while the other end is leaving with my balls in between my legs and leave nothing behind in which I would care less about it. After all I have no intentions of hiding my true intentions from my boss anyway (sounds suicidal to many, sounds stupid to more, sounds like having tons of balls for a handful) for applying it.

The date, March 6th, 2009 and yet I'm still waiting, and waiting, and waiting......

Grand opening of The Archery Range

2009-02-03T22:40:00.006+08:00

After a long thought (as my blog says), it is time for me to have a specialized blog for archery. Since archery is a potential sport to be developed in Malaysia and probably other nations too (except South Korea which has been a powerhouse)

The name Archery Range for everything related to archery is a one free package accessible here or from the Vault Keeper's Choice section includes local scenes, international front, equipment, archery ranges, and some of my journal related archery, as an archer and trainer for high school teams.

So the few next things to do is to string your bows, aim well and shoot nice, make sure the arrows lands on the target and have a peek at the blog.

Contemplation.....

2009-01-21T21:44:00.009+08:00

I haven't been able to gain something from my current job, not much improvement, satisfaction, enrichment, sense of achievement......only to find it repetative, mundane, not being challenged, not solving an open ended problem.

While the people there, those extreme senior staff (worked more than 5 years) in the executive category, have some degree of hostility towards almost everyone they meet who are junior to them (e.g. ME!), throwing tantrums for one tiny misunderstanding...... GEEZ!

Colleagues around me indicated that this is not my kind of job for my kind of personality, the me who likes to solve problems with creativity and innovation, resolve conflicts using diplomatic means, express words in a much proper manner, interact with others with empathy. All these virtues have been suppressed for these 7 months in my current workplace (I do not wish to disclose it publicly)

The job which is suitable for me is probably in the academic line......as a tutor, teacher, trainer, coach, lecturer, probably PROFESSOR? I do thought of quitting my job, pursuing my Masters then a Doctorate, at the same time educating the next generation that will surpass the current and doing research that will improve our livelihood......

There is now this chance for me to do so in UTAR which is now having a research project related to Solar Power Generation. They probably want to develop a solar energy collection system which suits Malaysia where sunshine is bright and long (for more than 8 hours of sunshine a day) and if possible I can make a Masters out of it and probably continue with a PhD. Come and think about it, I do like working in the academic line since I was invited to join the mentor activity by PRS UNITEN few years ago, and being able to make other students understand their subjects better is one great joy to me, really enjoyed it every moment

I'm not implying that I'm not grateful to my current company but I wish that the company will give more than what they have now to keep me challenged and the job not being repetitive like playing a CD player, or probably make me gain something new everyday or something like that. After all times like these, it's still good to have a job.

Well enough rambling for today or maybe this month, or maybe this lunar year. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR. May the the Year of the Ox bring OX-traordinary happiness, OX-traordinary fortune and OX-traordinary health for all the OX-traordinary people who had been visiting this blog to read my rants and grunts......MOOOO!

New Year......just another year, another gadget

2009-01-01T11:14:00.007+08:00

The end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, usual phrase they use is "should all acquaintance be forgot" and how I wish the bank will forget all the "acquaintance" I had with them......especially on loans and credit cards statements :p

Nevertheless the latest addition to my arsenal of survival in the concrete jungle of Malaysia is the HP iPAQ 612c Business Navigator.

This little doohickey PDA phone comes with wi-fi capability (you can use net in wi-fi enabled areas e.g. Starbucks and in Penang Island), 3G (depending on your operator), Bluetooth (standard issue) and the best part is it's GPS enabled for navigation. Runnig using Windows Mobile 6 and comes with the Mobile Office Package so you can take notes almost anytime, anywhere.

How much you asked? RM1800 comes with the HP iPAQ 612c kit (charger, handsfree, screen protector......), GPS car stand, 4GB microSD, extra stylus pen and a pouch from Ipoh PC fair 2 months ago. Also available at PDA expert in the Klang Valley.

The only thing that I've explored the most is the GPS function and the only program recommended is the Garmin Mobile XT, you will need maps to fully make use of the navigation functions (available at http://www.malsingmaps.com, Malaysia and Singapore only) loaded with tons of point of interests.

Convocation

2008-11-17T21:47:00.011+08:00

Yeah, yeah I'm supposed to post this way earlier......like three months ago, just plain being lazy to post it. Since I have all the time to do now, why not? One more thing is Saiful Bukhari is not there cos he is a drop-out! (After all these years I've been deceived by him)

Road to Olympics. You decide

2008-10-30T21:58:00.008+08:00

Sometimes you may ask, how the hell the three Malaysian archers made it to the Olympics below are the videos on how they made it

Meteksan Archery World Cup 2008 Stage 4 - Boe, France.

Meteksan Archery World Cup 2008 Stage 3 - Antalya, Turkey.

Sam Tet Fund Raising Campaign

2008-10-22T20:42:00.006+08:00

I was contacted by staff of my former high school, requested me to help them out in a fund raising campaign for the expansion of the school compound. The project consists of the following:

Expansion of the current staff room
Expansion of the library
Upgrading the basketball court

The whole project will require RM 1 million, thus the school would appreciate the goodwill of the school alumni to support the campaign. By the way, there will also be a charity concert for this fund raising program, details as follows:

Date: 01 November 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Indera Mulia Stadium

Meanwhile another super alumni (probably 60+ years old) will also hold another charity event for the school for those who are around the Klang Valley region. Details as follows:

Date: 08 November 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: The Summit Hotel, USJ
More info contact: Chin Thiam Fook (016-2515539)

So, for the love of your former school and the Chinese education, we hope that you will be able to support the event.

Datuk Shah Rukh Khan?

2008-10-13T20:51:00.006+08:00

NO JOKE! That is how much the title of Datuk is worth. First, they gave it to squash queen, Nicol David (OK, she deserves it after all being world number one is not easy). And then an almost gold medalist in the Olympics, Lee Choong Wei (if he got a gold, then he will be Tun, GREAT!). For promoting Malaysia, you get a Datuk (only applies to Shah Rukh Khan ONLY).

Datuk Shah Rukh Khan (sounds odd)

For you guys out there who are not Malaysians, the title of Datuk is something like a British knightship but even Her Majesty The Queen does not give out knightship to others just like that. This title (Datuk) is conferred by the state rulers during each of their birthday (you will celebrate at least once in each state and only applies in that particular state). Ok you don't really sing Happy Birthday to the ruler anyway. On a side note, Datuk in malay means grandfather, makes you feel kind of old. The origins of the title is not known to me but if anything you know please do share.

Then what about those who had been studying overseas, don't they too deserve to be Datuks? Like Namewee (Ok, not in the way the government wants, sorry Namewee just using you as an example, actually I'm a big fan of your music).

I hope Shah Rukh Khan is not reading this, later he will refuse to accept that he is aging rapidly :P

My recurve kit

2008-09-20T21:47:00.005+08:00

After a long retreat from blogging due to work fatigue, guess I'm back to kickstart this blog once more with some new stuff.

Today just ordered my new recurve bow kit and will be arriving in two weeks. Below is my bow spec

KAP Winstar II Riser
KAP Winstorm Fiber Glass Limbs (68" - 38#)
SHIBUYA Dual Click Sight
SHIBUYA Button Plunger
CARTEL Fast Flight String
CARTEL Super Rest
CARTEL Clicker
EASTON C2 Redline Arrows (600)
EASTON A/C/E SS Stabilizer*
* Items transferred from my compound bow

Not the best bow setup around, but I believe it will be good enough for an enthusiast like me. I will try to produce some pics once the stuff have arrived.

Since I'm going back to recurve, my compound bow kit is now up for grabs at a fantastic RM2000.00 which includes the following:
MERLIN Supernova (40-60#, 27" Draw) - about 5 years (in good condition)
TOXONICS Sight and scope - 4X scope
CARTEL Soft bow case
CARTEL Basic Bow stand
EASTON X7 Eclipse (Size: 2014, Length at 27", 16 arrows)
Peep Sight

Pictures will be produced in later days prior to this post

Potential buyers can leave your contact details at the comments page or email me at blizzard_archmage@yahoo.co.uk

Olympic Update: Archery - 02

2008-08-14T20:41:00.008+08:00

A major setback for the Koreans, although they bagged the team gold medals, they only see a silver at best for the individual rounds.

Zhang Juanjuan despite ranked 27 during the ranking rounds, she beat all the top seeded Koreans for the gold including Park Sung-Hyun, Athens 2004 gold medalist and Yun Ok-Hee, world record holder of 119/120 during the World Cup.

From left: Yun Ok-Hee, Zhang Juanjuan and Park Sung-Hyun

In the men's individual, expecting to win against Malaysian archer Cheng Chu Sian seeded 26th, Lee Chang-Hwan of Korea seeded at 10th had an early exit in the 1/8 Eliminations. At the same time Im Dong-Hyun lost to Victor Wunderle (USA) by 2 points. In the finals, Park Kyung-Mo was denied the gold by Viktor Ruban of Ukraine by a one point margin. While Bair Badenov of Russia won the bronze.

From Left: Park Kyung-Mo, Viktor Ruban and Bair Badenov

Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Olympic Update: Archery - 01

2008-08-10T20:43:00.011+08:00

Yoon Ok-Hee in action, where can I get that chest guard? So cute!!
Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

The center stage is always set on the Women's Team Finals witnessed the match between Korea and China (just like in Athens 2004) minus the thrill. The Korean Team made up of , Park Sung-Hyun, Yun Ok-Hee and Joo Hyun-Jung while Zhang Juanjuan, Chen Ling and Guo Dan made up the Chinese trio.

Right before the finals, the Koreans set a world record of 231/240 in their quarter finals against Italy with only 9 out of 24 shots nailed 9's with the remaining landed on 10's or X's

The Koreans got a very comfortable 8 point lead against the Chinese on their 3rd end and nailed 224/240 with ten 10's and X's while the Chinese team scored 215/240 with seven 10's and X's. The Koreans bagged the gold, silver for the Chinese while the bronze goes to the French team.

Gold Medalists, from left: Joo Hyun-Jung Yun Ok-Hee and Park Sung-Hyun,
Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Silver Medalists, from Left: Zhang Juanjuan, Chen Ling and Guo Dan
Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Now that the team events are over, let us wait for the individual events to kick off (I mean shoot out) for the gold medal in a more personal manner. Talking about personal, I wonder how will the three boys from Malaysia fare in the team events which is on tomorrow.

Let the Games begin! Welcome to Beijing

2008-08-09T08:03:00.009+08:00

Just about 12 hours before this post was made, China has put up a star studded performance in greeting the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. The whole world has set their eyes in watching one of the most dazzling Olympics Opening Ceremony ever in history with extreme stunts, colorful performances and exciting pyrotechnics.

Top: Fireworks on the stroke of 8.08pm
Bottom: A gigantic dome symbolizes the world in on of the performances

Left: Flag Bearer of the Swiss Contingent, Roger Federer (Tennis)
Right: Flag Bearer of the Chinese Contingent, Yao Ming (Basketball)

Big names such as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Yao Ming from basketball, tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi are also present.

The only part that was previously kept as a secret, the part when the stadium cauldron is lighted, one of the flashiest since Barcelona where the cauldron was lighted with a flaming arrow. Li Ning, China gymnastics multi medalist in LA 1984 has the honor of lighting the flame being suspended about a 100 feet above ground to light the Olympic flame in Bird's Nest.

Left: Li Ning lighting the Olympic Cauldron
Right: More fireworks after the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron

Although I'm not reporting directly from China but reading news and updates from time to time, here are some snippets during the Opening Ceremony, to spread the Olympic spirit to whoever reading this post.

Sources of all graphics: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Official Website

Some facts about archery (by the numbers)

2008-08-06T21:18:00.002+08:00

6,000,000 – Number of archers worldwide.

9,216 – Arrows shot in total by the archers in the qualifying round (128 archers * 72 arrows).

4,500 – Seating capacity at the Olympic Green Archery Field Court A.

1972 – The year Archery became permanent in the Olympic program.

684 – Olympic points record in the Men's 72 arrows 70m Round, set by Michele Frangilli (ITA) in Atlanta 1996

673 – Olympic points record in the Women's 72 arrows 70m Round, set by Lina Herasymenko (UKR) in Atlanta 1996.

231 – Men's world record for a 24-arrow Team match.

228 – Women's world record for a 24-arrow Team match.

128 – Archers will compete at Beijing 2008 (64 Men and 64 Women).

52 – Age of Richard Johnson (USA), the oldest athlete to compete in Archery at Beijing 2008.

30 – Seconds an archer has to shoot an arrow in the individual matches.

29 – Medals won by USA since 1900, most of any NOC.

14 – Age of Mariana Avitia (MEX), the youngest archer at Beijing 2008.

11 – Gold medals won by Republic of Korea Women since 1984 (out of a possible 11).

10 – Rings on the target.

4 – Gold medals to be won at Beijing 2008.

0 – Number of Gold medals won by Republic of Korea in the Men's Individual, the only Archery event not dominated by ROK.

Source: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Olympic Preview: Basketball

2008-08-06T20:50:00.008+08:00

The only one thing I could say, it's not who will get the gold but the silver. The American Dream Team dominates the game (OK, I know it didn't happen last year) but it is still an event worth watching. But still the game which is the most worth watching is USA vs. China which is on Aug 10 (Sunday) at 10.15pm local time.

People to watch, needless to say will be the Tower of China, Yao Ming. Standing at a whooping 7'5" (2.26m) the key center of the Chinese Team (needless to say is the tallest player in NBA history) compared to Dwight Howard at 6'11" (2.11m) will have to find a way to seal Yao Ming. (I wonder what kind of stuff they eat to grow that tall)

Another player to watch would be Lebron James. One dangerous man on the court, you let him loose and that's the end of the game. The Chinese guards will have to have him well marked. This Rookie Award (2003-04) recipient with FG% of 46.7%, 3P% of 31.5% and a 27.3 PPG throughout his career.

The favorites are still the Dream Team, needless to say that China is also in a good position for the gold, at least a silver for them.

Olympic Preview: Archery

2008-07-29T22:01:00.013+08:00

Alright, August 9 is the first day for archery for this coming summer Olympics in Beijing. Many consider archery as a very boring sport compared to gymnastics (especially women), athletics, aquatics, badminton and such but thanks to the Malaysian trio, Cheng Chu Sian, Mohd Marbawi Sulaiman and Wan Khalmizam Wan Abdul Aziz.who qualified through the World Cup Series put them right in the limelight along with the badminton and Taekwondo teams.

Malaysian Archery Team (From left: Wan Khalmizam, Muhamad Marbawi and Cheng Chu Sian)
Source: New Straits Times Online

But after all the South Koreans are always the favorites for archery (women event only), reigning supreme since LA became hosts in 1984 these goddesses of archery are considered to be untouchable to others. From the time I started archery, the goddess of archery was then Yu Mi Jin and now having three of them is just too much for others to take. The one to keep an eye out is Yoon Ok-Hee, an Olympic Debutant which packs a big punch in the World Cup with 119 out of 120. How will she fare in the her Olympics debut? Only time will tell......

Not forgetting Park, Athens gold medalist will be on her journey to defend her title in Beijing and show the world that the gold medal was no fluke but pure skill.

The Korean Women Archery Team (From left: Yun Ok-hee, Joo Hyun-Jung and Park Sung-Hyun)
Source: Oman Observer

Here are some videos on the South Korean team in their Olympic Round Finals in Athens 2004

Eventide "Hybrid" Release

2008-07-27T22:33:00.008+08:00

Since Game Vault was closed almost the whole of this month and the pre-release is well over, they made a 2 in 1 release (pre-release + release, not against organization rules anyway). Pre-release promo is a Overbeing of Myth (the walking Aeon Chronicler) while the release promo is Figure of Destiny (the ever growing kithkin, as long as you can pay for it)

Although not being a good player, but is the fun that always count and the fun part is having 2 dual lands in my sealed pack and another one in my prize pack, COOL! (2 Flooded Grove and 1 Twilight Mire)

And these are some of my Eventide rares I've got, some of them are almost crappy rares.

Eventide Official Pre-release

2008-07-12T14:57:00.006+08:00

It's the day again for another Pre-release but is the one that I cannot go because I'm not around the Klang Valley to join. Anyway, Eventide packs some new punches to the game and rock the story out from hell.

Some new mechanics and old ones are up to twist the game:

Enemy Hybrid - By looking back at the color wheel at the back of the card, in contrast to allied hybrid in Shadowmoor which is formed from the adjacent colors from the base color, the hybrids are formed with the colors opposite the base color.
Retrace - Similar to flashback from Odyssey, but discarding a land card in addition to other costs, basically the mana cost itself but with a twist, you can play it over and over again about a zillion times as long as you have land to discard a mana to cast, crazy piece of s*** like Call the Skybreaker
Chroma - Cards with this mechanic will pump up on its own ability based on the total mana of a color in your graveyard. For instance the card below has P/T = All black mana symbols in the mana cost of your graveyard, cool huh when you play a mono black deck

Cards to watch out? Probably are those mana filter lands like Cascade Bluffs and Overbeing of Myth aka the walking Aeon Chronicler.

The power of tea

2008-06-29T18:11:00.004+08:00

You never know what can Chinese tea do to you? I just get to know it......

You can drink it the same tea non-stop despite being all alone.
Kills time, up to 4 hours without realizing that it has passed for so long.
You can chat with you tea partner for super long hours.
Although the tea does not taste like teh tarik, you still can drink it for hours. After all you will walk off after drinking your teh tarik.
People actually get addicted in the process of preparing tea not the drink.

I wonder does it work for people who likes to watch football especially the Euro Finals is just around the corner?

My first weekend......

2008-06-20T21:15:00.003+08:00

There goes my first week of my working life......
Not really the first week working life, orientation, training and stuff like that takes up the whole week. The few extra things is a learning opportunity for me though, nothing to brag about.

This weekend will be just the same, Saturday is recharge and FNM with something extra like go archery shopping which I probably have to forgo FNM. Sunday is Archery day, the day I always look forward to and to test my new gear too.

Archery shopping and arrow setup is the main agenda for this Saturday, and these are the things I'm going to buy:

Easton Black Max stabilizer
Easton X7 Eclipse, Size: 2014 with arrow attachements
Release Aid (Any type goes)
A bow case (Soft bag will do, as long as it fits my bow)

An extra thing is the Ipoh flight of Grand Prix Trials Manila is scheduled on Sunday, 10.30am at Games Vault (Just the row of shops behind Jusco Ipoh), go join the fun while I have to coach my school's archery team.

After all these, it's all back to Monday and work "starts" I mean really start.

End of being a couch potato

2008-06-15T09:06:00.002+08:00

For the whole 2 months being a couch potato, this is my last day as one. Tomorrow I'm going to start up my working life in Ipoh.

With the price hike and all, working in Ipoh itself will be better of financially, after all you eat my parent's food, stay with my parents after so many years being separated from home and only see them like during breaks and all.

What is going to be in the next 6 months training in CARSEM? Only time will tell then.

Ubah cara ______ anda (Fill in the blanks)

2008-06-06T23:47:00.009+08:00

Well, well, well. What do we have here? Pay an extra RM0.78 and you are entitled for a liter liquid contain 97% of octane and the remaining 3% are some stuff unknown to me. Don't know what it is? Ok lah, too scientific for you? Basically is petrol (or gasoline for those from the States). While diesel is going to be RM2.58/liter and 26 million Malaysians cry foul.

Just right on 5/6/2008, DAP reps took it to the streets to protest against the hike in Selangor while some unknown parties followed suit in Kedah the following day while I heard something bigger is brewing next month, hopefully not affecting Eventide Prerelease in Cititel Midvalley.

Having said the increment yet the government still claim that our petrol is the cheapest, well some sources seems to beg to differ as follows:

UAE– RM1.19/litre
Egypt– RM1.03/litre
Bahrain– RM0.87/litre
Qatar– RM0.68/litre
Kuwait– RM0.67/litre
Saudi Arabia– RM0.38/litre
Iran– RM0.35/litre
Nigeria– RM0.32/litre
Turkmenistan– RM0.25/litre
Venezuela– RM0.16/litre
MALAYSIA– RM2.70/litre
Source: Malaysiakini.com

Surprising?

Something I taken from Youth For Change in relation to this

I think is the YB in the video who needs to "ubah cara hidup"

How about reading something on stretching your every drop of petrol here.
With global oil price hitting about USD130/barrel*, everywhere in the world is pinching up everything. What's with the sudden skyrocketing? Not that I know of but surely there is something driving it up.

In arithmetics, 1+1=2 that's what we generally know. In mathematics, 1+1=2 only applies when the unit of numbers are discretized. In economics, 1+1= INFINITE, a slight change in one factor will trigger a chain reaction of events. For example......, do I need an example?

So I guess you know what answer to fill in the blanks now......

*1 barrel = 42 gallons (US) = 158.9873 litres = 34.9723 gallons (UK)

"Alternative" Advice?

2008-06-03T20:15:00.011+08:00

I've spent my weekend in Kota Baru, Kelantan with my family. For all you know Kota Baru is not as developed as Ipoh, Seremban, Penang, not to mention KL and JB but at least they have a Tesco along Sungai Kelantan. The last time I went there was like 5 years ago, whether there is change or not in which I could not recall because of my university years have dull me of my Kelantan sense.

My mission there......go there to "tunjuk muka" when visiting my mother side relatives (the most dull job you ever do). Needless to say that there aren't many tourist attractions like Pantai Cahaya Bulan, Handy Craft Centre, The Sleeping Buddha Temple (forgot what's the name) are a few to mention. So to conclude everything, one hell of a boring place.

So there was this one day my relatives planned to visit some person named "Niu-Niu" (in Hokkien means Goddess or 娘娘, only now I know). For me who knows some nuts about Hokkien, my parents said that to visit a temple, so I thought fine might as well go tag along and what intrigues them to go there.

Once we reached there, I feel deceived by my parents, a temple......CLOSE ENOUGH! It's a house converted into some temple and people congregated there to seek advice from the "Niu-Niu". From what I heard from the locals is that she is quite a well known psychic (or more like a shaman) for her predictions that are accurate and the methods recommended by her to solve some "problems" seems to work for quite a number of people (I see it as mere coincidence) while I'll shall remain a skeptic for what I know is allowing some spirits to "rasuk" and give advice like that is kind of "questionable"?

So the question here is, God created men or men created god? When human civilizations then were unable to comprehend the happenings around them thus linked them to spirits that drives it and named them god like Neptune (Roman God of the Sea), Amon-Ra (Egyptian God of the Sun), Zeus (Greek God of all Gods) and many many other gods, goddesses or deities you can name. While based on Genesis from The Bible says that man was created from a clump of soil, made an image of Him and breathe life into it and the image of Him will pay respect to his Creator. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Which is which?

The Great Wall of Cheras

2008-05-28T14:37:00.012+08:00

The Great Wall of China stands at 10 meters in height and 6500 km in length, indeed a great feat during the Qin Dynasty but the casualties is a whooping 3000 people and most of them are prisoners. Now it is a United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Site and visited by many tourists around the globe.

Great Wall of China
Source: Wikipedia

Another wall in Europe was the Berlin Wall stands at 3.6 meters with a length stretching across East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Constructed by East Germany, 200 people were shot trying to cross the wall into the West. Now, no more wall and Germany is what we can see today.

Malaysia too take pride having a Great Wall stands 10 meters in length and 6 feet high in Cheras, indeed a great feat by the highway concession company Grand Saga (GS), under fire by 300 people of Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC). Now it is a center of attention by the local media. Casualties? None. Leaving one injured after a brutal one by FRU.

Source: Malaysiakini.com

The saga has been really long, I mean what are the courts doing? For Grand Saga, what are you afraid of? Not earning a few thousands of people in Bandar Mahkota's money can cause bankruptcy? I mean like, building that barricade or wall or something isn't it too cost money. You build it, they tear it down. When you try to build it again, they will stop you. You call the police, they make a story out of it and we already have one. Even YB Ronnie Liu had a hard time dealing with the concession company.

Source: The Star, May 28, 2008

This is what we get for politicizing capitalism, I think the next GE will witness a political typhoon or a tornado if this issue is still not yet resolved. Grand Saga can think of opening this road as a donation or something to the people or something after collecting toll for such long years. OK?

A one month Couch Potato

2008-05-27T18:21:00.008+08:00

Studies ended for a month already and it is now time for job hunting which is not made easy by life itself, Star Jobs, JobStreet, JenJobs blah blah blah......I think my dad thinks I'm wasting my time, probably grew up not according to plan. (Sounds like a song from Simple Plan) but anyway I'm still on the road to employment.

The most recent one UNISEM, went to their walk-in and a scheduled interview all within 2 weeks. Some semi-conductor manufacturers operating in too many places one of them is just a 30 minute relaxing drive (Ipoh standards: 50-70 kmh) from the family HQ in Ipoh for the position QA Executive. The scheduled one just ended like this Monday and a 2 weeks for them to decide.

Next will be CARSEM, same venture as UNISEM but just a different location. This one is at the northern part of Ipoh while UNISEM at the southern spot. The position offered......not really a position but a 6 month training program for engineering grads to be utilized in their work force. A relaxing drive (Klang Valley standards 80 - 100 kmh) along the highway will take 20 minutes to reach there. A reply......within this week they say but I would not bet on it too soon.

The final stroll is going back to campus (Ok, boo all you want!) as tutor. People around me commented that my type of disposition should be in the academic workforce. Back to campus is all not bad but just want to see what are your tutors, lecturers doing in campus itself. One year upon employment grants me a Master (yeah but not so soon) with chains attached but anyway is still good life though.

If I happen to work in UNISEM or CARSEM in which both are in Ipoh, its time for me to hang up my fencing suit until time knows when I will pick it up and start poking people again. Magic The Gathering? At least I still have a local store nearby for me to play but no where to trade...... If its UNITEN then I'm back and kicking, probably can help out the Fencing Club once again and playing Magic will never be the same again.

Anyway I'll just leave it to them to decide, then I'll have my options. You can't be too choosy after all, right?

One game, one cup and only one champion

2008-05-22T11:56:00.007+08:00

Source: ESPNsoccernet

That's it! Man United scored another victory against Chelsea once again, after EPL now in Champions League. Chelsea is one tough nut to crack in the first 90 mins when Frank Lampard scored an equalizer after Cristiano Ronaldo scored. None in the extra time and they have to settle it out through penalty shootout and one blunder shot by John Terry, Anelka's shot is saved and a neat one by Ryan Giggs and the cup goes to Man United.

Needless to say that Man United is always the better team for hell knows how long it is. Now sing along with me "Glory, glory Man United......."

Shadowmoor Pre Constructed Decks

2008-05-19T18:15:00.018+08:00

After the release of Shadowmoor itself, its time to talk about some pre-packed products, the Pre-Constructed Decks. Since it's a big set so there are 5 of them with its own distinct tactics in a very sadistic way of doing things. Although I'm no Wizards of the Coast guy or some pro players, I feel that I could give some comments on the pre-constructed decks.

The Aura Mastery deck as it name says it all, using auras to play around to boost your creatures limitlessly and annoy your opponents to no end. The idea of this deck is that you pop in tappers, like Somnomancer, Silkbind Faerie and Thoughtweft Gambit to keep your control on the board while boosting your minions with cards like Armored Ascension and Steel of the God Head. The rares featured in this deck are Twilight Shepard and Thistledown Liege.

My Verdict: This deck have quite a number of decent fast droppers but the control cards are going to be late to come out. Decent deck though but this deck is quite hard to modify for more effective play, for me only.

The Overkill deck really overkills. You pop out damage like nobody's business through mana ramping stuff like Farhaven Elder (although a little slow) and Scuttlemutt (the mana provider and color changer). Pop out the damage as much as you want and as fast as you want and make your opponent suffer using Jaws of Stone or Howl of the Night Pack and combine it with Elsewhere Flask or Prismatic Omen. The rares in this deck are Mossbridge Troll and Prismatic Omen.

My Verdict: Seriously aggro and aggressive but still have some problems with speed, probably still can hold on for the first few turns with some minor blasts against early invaders but towards the end is all purely luck. Can be modified using the Tattermunge Maniac or more of the Scuzzback Scrappers and some extra direct damagers or card drawing stuff like Manamophorse.

I don't know why they call it the Army of Entropy but anyway this is one sadistic deck to play against your opponents and ask them to beg for mercy and the answer is always a big NO! The key of this game is serious board control, put those -1/-1 counters around with your Kulrath Knight in play and that's the end of it. Pop those -1/-1 counters with Scar, Puncture Bolt and withering creatures and pray for Kurlath Knight to come out. The finishing blow would be using Din of the Fireherd for absolute control. The rares in the deck are Din of the Fireherd and Ashenmoor Liege.

My Verdict: Sadistic to the max but this deck is going to take a while to build up the control. The key is pop the -1/-1 counters ASAP to as many creatures possible then the control is there. The key playmaker is the Kulrath Knight and Din of the Fireherd is kinda hard to play. Can be modified using Midnight Banshee against non-black or Everlasting Torment plus direct damaging spells, that's only the few I could think of.

It's recycling time. About 30% of the creatures in this deck always gets a second chance (that's why I say that they recycle). The persist mechanics rule in this deck, they die and they come again scarred but with Leech Bonder and Fate Transfer, it's another story all over, moving away those -1/-1 from those creatures with persist or itself to other people. Putting all shit loads of -1/-1 counters on your opponents and give them the whack of their life. The rares in this deck are Grim Poppet and River Kelpie.

My Verdict: You need to make good decisions on this one, where to put your -1/-1 to and so on. If your brain is the straight face type then forget about playing this deck. Modifications? More Leech Bonders, Fate Transfer and probably some control cards from the previous sets.

Tap is all most decks can do. Turnabout shows the new way of playing Magic, UNTAPPING! Surprise, surprise. Lay down your army of the untapping like Pili-Pala and play crazy auras like Presence of Gond and overrun them with your army of Elves. No untap? Don't worry, Umbra Mantle is there to give them the crazy boost for untapping them and surprise! Rhys the Redeemed and Wilt-Leaf Liege are the rares in this deck.

My Verdict: This one is quite a defensive deck and not much finesse, modification is strongly recommended but as of now I have no idea how to do so.

* Photo of boxes taken from magicthegathering.com

Birthday Post

2008-05-12T21:26:00.006+08:00

Ok, this should be done before the Man Utd post but never mind after all it is still posted on the same day, the order does not matter...... so I'm 23. My birthday, no cakes, no presents, I just want it really plain, I mean REALLY plain. I guess you all out there would had thrown a big ass party or presents piling up your room until probably having a hard time opening all the presents you got on your birthday. But for me I go simple, give me an angpow ($$$$) or a prepaid reload card (I can get 50% birthday bonus for my credit) should suffice, if you want to buy me a meal by all means good enough.

The only thing I would ask for is a birthday job, hehe........ probably Panasonic would call in and say happy birthday and our present is a position in R&D Department (Dream on me lar!), UNISEM call me up for 2nd interview (50-50), JPA will release me from the contract (Can never happen!), get to join Deal or No Deal and hit RM100,000 (don't have such a cool head for that)......

That's all for my birthday, gotta eat much healthier, more greens, fruits and all the fiber so I won't constipate, haha!

Man United are Champs

2008-05-12T11:21:00.005+08:00

Source: ESPNsoccernet.com

Glory, glory Man United...... Man United has once again clinched the league title with a 2-1 win against Wigan while the Blues managed only a 1-1 draw with Bolton, too bad for Avram Grant......
A nice penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo and a finish by Ryan Giggs on the 80th minute.

I didn't get to watch the live telecast but anyways got the final results, good enough for me......

Man United will always have my support.

Rasa Sayang Parody

2008-05-11T15:41:00.006+08:00

Very funny video, but slightly political. Someone made it in conjunction with the 12th General Elections.

The Reanimators from Shadowmoor

2008-05-08T23:10:00.007+08:00

With the persist mechanic linger around Shadowmoor, there are many things you can play around with the cards in Shadowmoor itself. For example, Cauldron of Souls and Tatterkite will be an unlimited recurring Tatterkite

What about those other creatures that is going to have a -1/-1 counter? Try Heartmender, the -1/-1 remover, to ensure that the creatures will really persist on the board itself or just in case someone played Midnight Banshee, at least you have an opposite to something.

While for some decks that puts tokens into play when comes into play like Siege Gang Commander, the persist may prove to be quite annoying to many other players.

So, have fun trying out these combos then......

* All these combos are made out from my own creativity, not referring to any source on the date of publication of the post. If a source is identified it is purely coincidental.

Toll review? Better late than never.....

2008-05-07T22:42:00.008+08:00

During our the time of our great Samy Vellu being the Public Works Minister, the toll went skyrocketing to high heavens, even our Angkasawan Negara can never reach that high. The good thing now is that the toll will be reviewed as discussed in the Parliament today by the current Works Minister, Datuk Ir. Mohd Zain Mohamad. This measure is introduced to reduce the economic pressure on the people, more like want to redeem the support of the people after losing 2/3 majority in the Parliament, in which the review will be done in 3 months time.

I couldn't recall the last review but I can never forget the kind of review was made last time. Imagine the route I'm so familiar with Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP), or better known for its one shot from Kajang to One Utama in 45 mins, provided that the traffic is super smooth increased from RM1.00 to RM1.60, a 60% increase! Outrageous! Traffic is high during rush hours. So hopefully LDP will pop down to RM1.20 is already good enough for me, otherwise I will be evading more tolls leading to Midvalley.

Well it's high time for the toll to be reviewed now after like 3 years ago bearing to travel along the LDP at RM1.60 per toll, forgot the charges/km while PLUS toll rate are at about 7km/RM or RM0.13/km with inflation pumping up a lot of pressure on the people who are constantly traveling such especially in the transportation industry.

The only thing now to do is to wait and see how it goes......

Bored to the bone, jabbing more jobs

2008-05-06T14:33:00.005+08:00

When they behave disorderly, we don't like it. When they behave like gentle people, it goes too boring. What irony can you have?

After watching the 1 hour live telecast on the Q&A session of the Parliament meeting, some how you need some comedy or drama inside. The only few things discussed are pertaining the M'sian Space Program, Financial Plan against rising food prices and Investment and Development plans for states under the People's Alliance.

Basically I'm bored, really bored to the bone for this place is Ipoh with not much I can do, like playing Magic The Gathering, fencing and many other things I like to do in Klang Valley. Ipoh, the only thing you can do in Ipoh is probably, eat, eat and eat until you drop, all cheap and nice food lying around the streets. Hopefully my friend in KL could find me a part time job, any job will do meanwhile searching for more jobs to kick start after graduation...... He got a few from Midvalley IT City, can earn a more than RM500 is good enough for me and meanwhile can play Magic too......

What jobs do I have in mind? Running out of options? Go government...... they are constantly hiring people thru Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA) thru their website, tons of government jobs laying there. Perodua is taking quite long there too. What are they actually doing in there, 3 weeks and I say 3 long weeks yet still no reply yet from them......I guess have to wait until tomorrow. Panasonic will confirm on 15/5 so I think it is still too early to say anything yet.

That's all for today then, I better continue job hunting before my dad sees me blogging......yikes.

More Shadowmoor Killer Combos

2008-05-05T11:31:00.006+08:00

Well, after the last combo on indestructible stuff now we go on to gaining life like nobody's business. It's a one shot thing so probably it will be good.

So basically its a Wrath of God which is slightly slow but it gives you life. Since it's all permanents that changes into enchantments so the Fracturing Gust will destroy everything.

* All these combos are made out from my own creativity, not referring to any source on the date of publication of the post. If a source is identified it is purely coincidental.

Two Zoos in KL, a little crowded

2008-05-04T14:47:00.004+08:00

Everybody knows of Zoo Negara somewhere in Titiwangsa, you will see tigers, elephants, giraffes, lions and other wild animals. Kids like it, parents too make it one of the destination for family outings. There is another zoo in KL not far from Titiwangsa in which I call it the "Monkey and Bigfoot" Zoo a.k.a. the Parliament which is not recommended for families with kids.

It all started when M. Kavyeas (former Taiping MP) brought in the monkeys to the new Zoo last term just for Lim Kit Siang (LKS) while recently Karpal Singh had a new addition to the Zoo, a bigfoot and Bung Mokthar brought a big monkey.

I do not know what happened on the last term as not much is covered on the media on the question time during the parliament session but 30 minutes is way enough to see the true colors of our MP's in the Parliament. The people voted them for a voice, a mandate to represent their constituency to discuss issues faced by the "rakyat" and thus a change that the people expect from the election and what we had is a bunch of bickering and insulting in the parliament, well at least have some entertainment from the parliament is not all bad afterall.

In my opinion that it is not that the people are not matured enough to accept the situation in the parliament but the MP's themselves are not behaving like a typical Malaysian would expect an MP to behave. The first few session are disastrous, with question time only able to cover 1 to 5 questions due to some unwanted disturbances.

So next time, if I had the money and ability I would probably be a candidate in an undisclosed location to regulate the proceedings of the parliament, I would want them to get down to business, not hanging at the edge of something.

Shadowmoor Killer Combos

2008-04-28T13:51:00.007+08:00

One killer combo you can play around with your friends using Shadowmoor cards available in your arsenal. This combo will work well against many targeted spells and abilities which usually appears in red and black decks

One drawback is that you cannot enchant your creatures but what if you played with cards such as these in your play......

You are now quite well defended against "destroy all" to effects eg. Damnation, Wrath of God, Spring Cleaning. Well, if I'm wrong here please correct me at the comments section or shout out box.

* All these combos are made out from my own creativity, not referring to any source on the date of publication of the post. If a source is identified it is purely coincidental.

Parliament Opens Today

2008-04-28T12:10:00.004+08:00

After the 12th GE on March 8, today marks the first parliamentary meeting where 222 members of the house will take oath in front of the Speakers except Karpal Singh who will be doing it at his seat.

This will probably be the first time after 1969 with the People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) denied the Coalition Front (Barisan Nasional) 2/3 majority in the House, and probably having a healthier nation management with a decent opposition presence in our legislative.

Many firsts in the parliament to state, e.g.:

First time to have a 30 minute live telecast on the proceedings.
First woman opposition leader, Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
First time having chief ministers in the House (Lim Guan Eng and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim)
First time MIC and Gerakan are not members of the House
First time high women presence in the house, 24
First time high for Indian representatives in the house, 10
First time members, 99

Some people to watch (My own top 10 list):

Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur)
Karpal Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor)
Teresa Kok (DAP - Seputeh)
Kulasegaran (DAP - Ipoh Barat)
Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah (PKR - Permatang Pauh)
Tian Chua (PKR - Batu)
Azmin Ali (PKR - Gombak)
Datuk Seri Hadi Awang (PAS - Marang)
Datuk Bung Moktar (BN - Kinabatangan)
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN - Rembau)

The next thing to expect is a sizzle in the parliament, not sure where it is going to head to......

At the end of the road?

2008-04-25T18:31:00.004+08:00

So I'm back in Ipoh, there is nothing much left for me to do except looking for jobs, jobs and more jobs. Probably some of you out there laughing at me becoming part of the statistic. Many of us end up with good stuff eg. Schlumberger, Shell and whatsoever while some will go for the simple stuff. There are many opportunities out there to come and think about and thus there are some also can be put into consideration.

Armed Forces in most people minds equals to no money or no life at all (compare it with any other jobs). Government jobs huh, you get peanuts and work like hell and get no promotion, plus in the Armed Forces, dream on you, tough life...... for all that we have been quite comfortable being throughout our life. Well if you want more info on that can check out the Army, Navy or Air Force websites on entry requirements, remuneration scheme and some benefits.

Going academic is all not too bad after all, getting a Masters or PhD, this will take up quite some time to complete though. If you are tired of writing another thesis, this one is not recommended. But wait, if you want to go back to UNITEN (guess not many would want to), there is some program on recruiting tutors, check it out here.

If you got anything to say just pop a comment or two in this blog, kinda boring around here without much comments lying around

Shadowmoor Prerelease

2008-04-24T10:56:00.008+08:00

Ok, so this is not exactly the title of the post mentioned earlier but I'm going to lump it all up in this one post itself.

All three sessions ended up with the same result, only one win (my deck building skill sucks big time and the pool of cards I had is just really bad)

Some of the most sought after cards which I could identify so far are the following

Not forgetting the mana filters such as Graven Cairns, Fire-lit Thicket, Sunken Ruins, Mystic Gate and Wooden Bastion.

My harvest of rares are Reflecting Pool and Prismatic Omen, got back some of the cost only......

The next up is the Shadowmoor Release Parties happening in Manawerx, Comics Corner and CCE on 3 May 2008 and the promo card is Vexing Shusher, yeah no joke.

Time is running short......

2008-04-12T21:38:00.003+08:00

Is that time again, gotta move out from the apartment again......this time I will not be returning for good.

I'm going to get cut off from the world due to unavailability of convenient internet connection, not like what I had now, at the convenience of my own room so expect less new post within this month or so

My next post will probably be on Shadowmoor Pre-release (Preview) - Part 3 will on the day before the event, this will cover a few most sought after cards (high values) and probably some new noted mechanics within the set itself.

The following post will be Shadowmoor Pre-release (Battle Report), showcasing my deck, my match ups, my results and spoils of war on a few days after the event.

Shadowmoor Pre-release (Preview) - Part 2

2008-04-09T18:37:00.007+08:00

Shadowmoor Pre-release in another 10 days, what to expect from the set? More new crazy cards on the list. A few more for you to peek on it.

Source: magicthegathering.com

New mechanics: Conspire (Untap stuff from same color = Extra shot on the spell, crazy stuff)
So, what are you waiting for mark your calender......

Date: 19 April 2008 & 20 April 2008 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 9am - 12pm (1st session), 2pm - 5pm (2nd session)
Venue: 5th Floor, Cititel Hotel, Midvalley Megamall

If you want more info can check out my previous post or Michael Toh @ 012-2608438, Email: ccgorganizer@myjaring.net.

You want more preview cards? Check out magicthegathering.com Shadowmoor Minisite

All in a days work

2008-04-09T17:50:00.004+08:00

Phew, I guess that's the end of this day, so many things done in one shot. I'm getting a little light headed tired from all this I've done......

9am - 11am, that is D-time, FYP Project Presentation. Good thing, the supposedly examiner, a very shrewed, super strict examiner, and will bang, drill, screw the ass out of you during presentation did not make it, if you want to know more about this I think we should talk about it personally. Bad thing, missed out some major details on the slides! (Name and ID) But everything went through like water so there should be no problems in it.

12pm - 4pm, this part of the post goes to the Employment Department. The 2nd stage of Perodua interview with Procurement and Vendor Development. Two managers there, one give you a dull stare another one give you a nicer look while the HR officer is there to supervise a bit. It was fun and easy since me and the managers speak the same language (the procurement language, got some experience back in EPM), I have a feeling that I'm going to get the job but anyway I leave it to their hands to choose out of the 4 candidates for the position.

During the wait for the interview, I don't want to get myself bored to tears so I just flip through the pages of today's The Star and try my hands on the Sudoku, damn fun, damn challenging and finishing it is damn satisfying (finished in about 40 - 50 mins), this is my first sudoku completed in my whole damn life, never used to have that kind of patience to do Sudoku but finally completed one.

Sabre Squad

2008-04-07T17:10:00.006+08:00

Well that's the series of my experimental novel that I'm working on, a sci-fi futuristic military novel something similar to Stargate, Gallactica, Star Wars and such.

The story sets in 2498, when the propaganda of the unification of earth has reached its peak and the Earth Confederation (EACON) was formed in the name of unity, equality and peace for all nations. A threat is brewing at its infancy, that not many can comprehend or get to know of its existence.

This story follows the life of Sgt. Ivor Iverson, an engineer and researcher at the EACON special service called up to join the Sabre Squad, a organization the combination of elites from many divisions of the EACON military ranks to identify and contain the threat.

So just look forward to it, the link will be posted later, I'm now working on the manuscript of the novel.

Of Prodigies and Prostitutes, they just don't fit in the equation

2008-04-06T14:04:00.014+08:00

Source: NST, 6 April 2008, pg 14 - 15

Shocking to know, to read and nonetheless to express how I felt about the recent news about the Oxford genius has now turned into prostitution from today's NST.

Some geniuses born throughout history from what I know has something extra and some parts missing to name a few Beethoven (a music prodigy with hearing difficulties), Thomas Edision (inventor of the light bub minus one ear working), Stephen Hawking (quantum physicist but physically challenged), and your all time favorite Albert Einstein (101% physics, -1% maths).

Even geniuses have their ups and downs but they will still get through with it like a normal person (Albert Einstein had it worse, under persecution of the Nazis during WWII, at least he got out from Germany safely) had would do. As for Sufiah's case, it has been know in previous reports that she had some issues with her family and such and left the family for quite a while until now such saddening report came by, even a downfall of a person does not have to be that low, changing her own name to meet ends meet through prostitution.

Now the Malaysian bodies based in the UK are now trying to help Sufiah in anyway to get out from this mess. Word for word, "HOPE" is always there, "FAITH" will bring put us thorough hardships and "WISDOM" will bring us back to the noble path.

Bad timing, issues and injuries

2008-04-05T18:37:00.008+08:00

What do you get if you have a stiff ankle after sports? Probable ankle injury, a minor one and better not be the Archilles Tendon otherwise is going to be a long term one. Damn it, inflicted during fencing sparring.

With injuries coming about, Perodua 2nd interview, FYP presentation next week and what about my daily life like go makan and walk around, it will be a tough times. Now with my leg bandaged temporarily with some crepe bandages and anagelsic rubs probably will relief the pain a bit.

From some read up and stuff like that things like spurs (Plantar Fasciitis) and Archilles Tendon are quite related. With some pain from the ankle and heels, this sounds kinda bad. Archilles Tendon (named after Archilles from Greek mythology) are like an absorber near the ankle taking most of the load of the body in which the ankle does best. Cases of rupture, inflamation are mainly due to overwork from heavy loads, poor cushioning on shoes and long term walking on hard surfaces.

If anyone's a physiologist or knows a thing or two on physiology or sports science or probably experienced something like that, don't mind drop something in the shoutbox or the pop a comment on the post to help me ease this inconvenience. How about some simple remedies otherwise can recommend surgery (last resort only).

To know more about Archilles Tendon and Plantar Fasciitis can refer the sources I got, nevertheless Wikipedia

Employment Shotgun, it's a blast

2008-04-02T18:04:00.007+08:00

Sending applications like a shotgun blast, now some of them ricocheted on my face and some gone with the wind and strayed away......

Perodua coming in with 2nd interview with department, Procurement and Vendor Development. Procurement again, must be something that they think I can do best. But if I'm to go back to Emerson, probably I'm going to be stuck in Procurement again which I don't mind doing it again just like in my industrial training. If no other companies employ me then this will be my last resort and I'll have to stay in Rawang or Bukit Beruntung (anyone knows of any house to be rented?)

Another one is ON-Semiconductors, not much is known about this one but I just apply anyway. Located somewhere in Seremban (a place which I'm not so familiar with, stepped in there only for a few minutes and I'm out of there). Travelling from Kajang or Serdang to Seremban will be quite a pain, at least I got a few people that I know from there though so not much of a trouble.

Meanwhile Emerson Process Management (EPM) has yet to reply me but kind of lazy to ask them, the HR guy in charge of employment is always not in and things like that, maybe after I finish up my thesis then I try to call them up......if they dump me then I have nothing to say although been there for training. I'm REALLY looking forward working there again!

Other companies applied like SME Ordnance (Munitions factory for The Royal Malaysian Army) in Batu Arang (dunno where it is), Combat Coating (Coating solutions) in Sg. Buloh, Hexagon (Polymers) based in many parts along the West Coast of M'sia and many many others. All these applications are done through Jobstreet or JenJobs, probably you guys can try it out. At least Perodua and ON-Semiconductors called me through Jobstreet.

Shadowmoor Pre-release (Preview) - Part 1

2008-03-31T22:48:00.015+08:00

Another set, another pre-release, COMING SOON. Yeah, grab the cards before the stores have it, this is the fun part of playing Magic The Gathering. Go for the cards, stay for the fun but the community is shrinking overtime. As darkness decends upon the once the bright land of Lorwyn, the new set is going to set its pace on more crazy gameplay and the heat is up for the pre-release soon.

Date: 19 - 20 April 2008
Time: 8.00am - 6.00pm
Venue: 5th Floor, Cititel Hotel, Midvalley Megamall
Things to bring: A pen, some folders or boxes and yourself
DCI Eligibility: Required, you can sign up there if you are new
Price: RM80 for the first session, RM70 for the next.

You would like to know what kind of stuff to expect for paying RM80, right? This is what you will get throughout the event:
Starting kit: 1 Tournament Pack (75 cards), 3 Booster Packs (15 cards/pack)
Prizes: Lucky draws of 1 Booster Pack at the beginning of each round and you will get at least 1 Booster Pack at the end of each session
Additional perks: Parking at Midvalley is RM5 for whole day if you join the event
* All given products will be from the Shadowmoor Block

Here is a sneak peak on some of the cards from Shadowmoor

Some significant new (and old) mechanics are the following:
1. Return of dual cost (Introduced in the Ravnica Block)
2. Untap abilities (This is new)
3. -1/-1 counters (Anti +1/+1 counters)

When it's over......

2008-03-29T19:00:00.004+08:00

Tired and jaded after the last match, this what's left of me right after my last paper. Doesn't it feel great to suddenly have one big pile of shit off your shoulder, no more last minute uneasiness and such. A great relief for now but not when the result comes.

EMS, one is big ass shit sandwich where all the student's have to take a bite, at least many of us has climbed over that one big hell of an obstacle......and the only thing you see is a distant flash which may mean differently for person to person, for me will be some unknown entity or consequences awaits my arrival when the time comes.

Now the only thing left to do is to finish up my thesis, rest and recover at the same time, seriously I'll need all the rest after yesterday's "March of Death".

Double Ownage!

2008-03-28T23:16:00.004+08:00

Not me who scored an ownage, but UNITEN lecturers scored against me.

Economics is one tricky little bastard that can turn you into a total scorer or a total loser, no point study so much on it yet still can tapau this very paper. Although 2 credit hours but I don't want to repeat this paper. More hell break loose with EMS coming up, with not freaking idea what's going to be like. It is like uncharted territory, an unseen enemy.

So still down to one thing, be sniper, rifleman or a machine-gunner? A sniper, can kill one enemy at a time but will miss the others. A rifleman, can kill a small more than a sniper but sometimes wound a few. A machine-gunner, you just spray bullets probably can kill and wound more than a rifleman. Compare it to studying, sniping is like study tips only, but if tips fail then you are dead meat, rifle is like studying more on the tips plus something extra, machine gun is like study a little bit of everything, you cover most of it but not much in detail.

For this final showdown with exam, I'll just pass it of with an overall B or B+ grade, an A or A- in one of the subjects is more than a bonus. This should suffice to maintain my points above 3.33, just good enough for me to obtain a second upper, enough to show to my parents that engineering is not as easy as they think about it, for a normal kid like me.

Two down and more to come!

2008-03-26T19:05:00.004+08:00

With the on going final exams started since 24th March, 2 subjects down, HVAC and Production Planning and Control (PPC), consider it as a warm-up before the real thing but is more like a calm before the storm. The previous 2 subject will expect a better turnout compared to what the lecturer thinks not to say it was easy or what is just well prepared.

The storm will come this Saturday, codename Electro-Mechanical Systems (EMS), one of the subject which has the highest blur rate this semester. Whether the students are blur or the lecturer himself blur, guess I'm not in a position to comment any further, the only thing left for me to do is to keep up the exam momentum.

Before the storm will be a heavy downpour call Engineering Economics. Not much is known about this one, basically is all about how money works and turns you around. Not much attention is paid during the lectures but the assignments are all completed quite easily and smoothly, not expecting textbook questions for finals though.

After the storm ends, a whirlwind called thesis and presentation coming to loom around me, well at least I've finished many parts of it so it should be something that can be handled swiftly.

Relocation......

2008-03-26T18:20:00.002+08:00

Time for a change for me to blog at some better spot and just wanted to poke myself into a new dimension of blogging. Trying out Blogspot as a platform now. Not too shabby though, I guess this will be my permanent blogging space.

If you still want to dig into my previous blog, you don't find much new stuff there left. So shall we start getting along with this new place but with the same name though.