Decision Made

I've been looking for a portable MP3/MP4 player for a while. With so many choices in the market, although I have surveyed and asked around I can't still make up my mind about the kind of player that would suit my needs.

My requirements are :

• small enough to take with me for my running sessions
• could fit my (meagre) MP3 collections
• If possible the memory could be upgraded as I wouldn't want to be stuck with an obsolete product 6 months down the road
• has a 'cool' form factor
  

After searching high & low, I've decided that I would go for an MP4 player rather than an MP3 player just for the fact that I can actually play MP4 on it. I know that it would come in handy when traveling as trying watching it on my Treo would draw a reprimand from the stewardess although the phone is off.

Today I decided to goMP4 player hunting again and then stumbled upon this model. They didn't have one in black, which would be my preference hence I settle for the one in chrome. Granted that it's not branded ala IPOD, but at a fraction of the price, I couldn't care less. Itstill meets ny requirements.

Side by side comparison with Nokia 5330 & Treo 650

So please do not disturb me in the time being whilst I get intimate with my new toy...hehe

Loss of a Confidante

Imagine losing someone who made you feel at ease, never judge at what you do irregardless what you have done or thinking of doing, partner in crime, one you can trust and a confidante. Someone you trust with your life and vice versa. Someone who really knows what you thinking and understand you really well.

Well, I kinda lost someone in that category yesterday. It felt like losing a part of you and the worst part of it is that I don't know when the full impact is going to hit. Now I'm having sort of a withdrawal symptom. No more late night session, skiving & conference chatting thru IM ( maybe ni bleh lagi even though got time difference ) & phone calls & sms at ungodly hours.

To you-know-who-you-are (acheh, macam cite Harry Potter plak), good luck in your future undertaking and thanks for the companionship & experience together, something that I will cherish forever.

Well Laid Plans

Even the best laid and thought after plans could go pear shape due to Murphy's Law. I went on a business trip down south today and have arranged a designated driver for the mrs to get home from work. Plus Jools would be leaving this Friday so we have arranged to paint the town red tonite.

First thing in the morning, I was minding my way down the highway approaching a stretch under road widening project when I saw a figure hunched in the median. Thinking that it was some worker, I didn't slow down until I passed the figure only to realise that it was a speed trap. Smile, you're on my speed camera!

Whilst attending business, received call from the mrs. saying that she's not feeling well and need to have a lie down. Tried calling the designated driver for a change in pick up time, but to no avail. So her colleagues was kind enough to send her home. I managed to wrap up and speed back home.

About half an hour into the journey back up, some kind soul pointed out that something is wrong with my front driver's side tire. I pulled over to check it out and true enough, there was a puncture. Drove on a bit because I don't want to be swiped by an approaching vehicle whilst changing the tyre, I manage to find a layby. The changing of tyre wasn't that hard that I think I can auditioned for a pit crew in F1 next season only to find out that the spare is also flat. Fair enough, serves me right for not checking these out earlier.

Luck was still on my side since I saw there's a R&R with a petrol station about 2 km away. Driving slowly on the emergency lane I manage to reach the petrol kiosk and headed straight to the air & water pump. After setting the required pressure and reaching for the hose, I expected that the tyre would inflate with the familiar ting, ting, ting sound ...BUT it was quiet as a mouse. The pressure gauge did move but I didn't notice any air actually being pumped in...ARGHHHH!!!

Went to the counter and was told to follow some sequence since it was a digital gauge but I still couldn't get it to work. There I was, a grown man so close to tears, just wondering when lightning would come down & strike me to get me out of misery. Then I found out that the compressed air valve was in the off position. A quick turn of the valve sends a blast of air through the hose and boy was I grateful. I quickly inflated all the tyres to the right pressure and had a slow-ish drive back.

I was like being suspended in motion on the whole drive back because I was thinking that this only happens in movies. Anything that could go wrong did go wrong for me then but when I ponder it could have been worse. Like having the tyre blew up, or it was raining cats & dogs during it. I reached home exhausted that even the plan with Jools have to be put on hold. Oh well, might as well catch up with my HP7 then...

Reversal of Situation

There's two extremes at home now, one the mrs couldn't stand the sight and smell of food whilst me on the other hand have an insatiable appetite on anything edible. It used to be the other way around though, but with her being gravida, the situation reverses itself.

Perghhh...if this continue then all my effort to reach my optimum weight might be in vain...

On another note, The Boy had started to read Harry Potter 1, The Sorcerer's Stone, now at chapter 3. If I recall correctly, I wasn't reading anything except Gila-Gila at his age. This was brought on by the fact that everyone s reading something at the moment, maybe he wanted to join the club.

Oh well, if this continues we might have to sent him to Hogwart's soon......

Much ado over Potter

Got the book pre-ordered yesterday from one of the retailers who boycotted selling of the books by undercutting hypermarkets (read here). To me, nothing wrong with competition but Malaysians are so used to the protection of the RRP. Even amazon.com is offering it at $17.99, plus shipping would be lesser than Msian RRP.

The mrs. had finished reading it and wanted to be a spoilsport by giving me spoilers..but I have managed to resist...Now that the books is in my hands, I can take my time reading it...my verdict about the last installment of HP? watch this space...

Seminar in the Sky

Well, literally..had a seminar at the KL Tower for 3 days last week. It was rare that a seminar was organised there where as it would be normally held in hotels or our training institute, but the organisers said they got a deal hence the decision to have it there.

But what peeved me off was the traffic to get into/out of central KL at peak time. Imagine of paying toll to bypass the peak hour traffic through our super Smart Tunnel, only to held at the exit by a very green-horn traffic police officer. I think we were better off utilising the traffic lights...

Being held at above 250m above ground it provided a spectacular view of the capital unless it was hazy. To a certain point it proved very *voyeuristic* - you could observe people down below without them realising it...hehe

The view from the seminar room -
they kept the drapes drawn to keep attention locked onto the seminar

Some of the participant who has acrophobia couldn't handle being that high in the sky, but for me I couldn't handle the revolving restaurant. I meant, I've been there a few times before but I felt that the rotation somehow messed with my balancing circuitry as I felt dizzy after lunch. Or maybe it was the overindulgence during lunch...hehe

Gigi Biru II

Ok! I admit it. I have a tendency of misplacing some personal effects once in a while. It doesn't happen to me a lot, but when it happen to a high ticket item, I felt like slapping myself real hard. Especially when it was a gift from loved ones.

So when one day I lost my gigibiru handsfree headset which by the way was a gift from the mrs, I was expecting the worse. I did told her about it and as usual it made me feel guilty.

After about a month of losing it I decided to get another gigibiru handsfree set as I found out that it is not worth a traffic summons if caught using it during driving. After all the research for alternatives, I finally settle on the same model, albeit with different trimmings and furnishing. The thing is that there was some shortcoming in the performance of the previous headset, eg time lag in between making & receiving, losing battery if left in the car in the hot sun, etc, but the familiarity of operation form factor finally tip the scale towards the same model.

I guess that it's true in real life. Humans are creature of habit. For me, when presented with a new option, the old tried & tested way would always being considered as well. Now I need a way to hold on to this new gigibiru set longer than the previous one.

Now Serving ....

1. Mc'D "plain" Beefburger, no relish, no mustard, no pickle, no ketchup
2. No salt fries
3. A&W rootbeer
   

This is the menu of the week. Last week's was beehon soup, without garlic, onion, veggies, just plain soup and an eggdrop. Previously was plain soto with rice cubes. Gone are the days where spicy and full taste food. I did raised a few eyebrows when ordering these food, surely they were thinking, " If he wanted to be so picky aabout his food then better off cooking for himself". But it wasn't for me...

But whatever it is, as long as the food stayed in, not going down the toilet, it should be ok....

Now Listening ....

Umbrella - Rihana

[Jay-Z]
Ahuh Ahuh (Yea Rihanna)
Ahuh Ahuh (Good girl gone bad)
Ahuh Ahuh (Take three... Action)
Ahuh Ahuh

No clouds in my storms
Let it rain, I hydroplane in the bank
Coming down with the Dow Jones
When the clouds come we gone, we Rocafella
We fly higher than weather
And G5’s are better, You know me,
an anticipation, for precipitation. Stacked chips for the rainy day
Jay, Rain Man is back with little Ms. Sunshine
Rihanna where you at?

[Rihanna]
You have my heart
And we'll never be worlds apart
May be in magazines
But you'll still be my star
Baby cause in the dark
You can't see shiny cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because

[Chorus]
When the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

These fancy things, will never come in between
You're part of my entity, here for Infinity
When the war has took it's part
When the world has dealt it's cards
If the hand is hard, together we'll mend your heart
Because

[Chorus]
When the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

You can run into my arms
It's okay don't be alarmed
Come into me
There's no distance in between our love
So go on and let the rain pour
I'll be all you need and more
Because

[Chorus]
When the sun shines, we’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)

It's raining
Ooh baby it's raining
Baby come into me
Come into me
It's raining
Oh baby it's raining

Happy 3X Birthday Dear!

The mrs. celebrated her 3x birthday in full style today...in the hospital, thankfully not in the hospital gown.....she's suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. Dunno when she'll be cleared for discharge, it has been 3 nights now...

What a year it has been... I've missed the boy's birthday due to my business trip & now we have to celebrate the mrs. birthday in a hospital. Oh well, might as well make the best out of it. Hopefully it will lead to a bundle of joy in pink (crossing fingers) at the start of the new year.

Mind Boggling Puzzle...

Have you ever been stumped? Think that you should know the solution to a problem or puzzle but irregardless of whatever method you use to try and solve it you could never get the correct answer.

At times I try not to think too hard about the solution in hope that it will present itself once my mind has been cleared. At other times I would obsess in thinking about it but despite my best effort and stab at it I would still not get the answer.

I'm on my wits end now as I have spent countless of my waking hours trying to solve it, plus it sometimes got into my dreams as well....



I mean how hard is it to arrange in order 27 cubes to make a 3x3 cube with alternating colours?

The cube at disarranged state

Closest Attempt No 1

Closest Attempt No 2

Any pointers anyone? A fair reward awaits those who could solve the puzzle....

~Yippee --- finally found the solution. Au usual, when you just tinkering about not trying so hard to find it, the solution will present itself to you ~

~ The proof ~

Finland Part 2

Helsinki

After two days at Joenssu, we head back to Helsinki for some leisure time. Helsinki is the capital of Finland, with about 600k population. Getting around Helsinki is quite easy, and for tourist you could opt for the hop-on/hop-off bus or go on the 3T tram. The tram proves to be a more economical choice as a tourist day ticket for all public transport is only €6 whereas the tour would cost 4 times more. Amongst the popular sights of Helsinki are the Market Square, which is located in the harbour, the Senate Square four famous surrounding buildings, namely the Helsinki Cathedral, The University, The Government Palace and the National Library.

The Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral


Helsinki University


Government Palace


They still have the oldskool open flame gas lantern


Cherries & Strawberries anyone?

They are also having sales in Helsinki as per usual summer and most of the shopping places are full. It rained when we were there, hence we could only stay indoors. Prices in Helsinki are a bit higher than the rest of Europe, due to the fact that Finland is high taxed nation, with the tax bracket around 40 – 60 %. But they do put the taxpayers’ money into good use, with free education and free medical for all. With only a population of 5 million, they could utilise the fund efficiently and all the population could benefit from it. Finland is also ranked the highest by Transparency International. Just imagine what we could do with 5 times more population if proper fund management could be implemented.

Another thing that I noticed, the Finns are outdoor people. Even when the weather turn for the worse, they could be seen outdoors either power walking, cross country running, in line roller balding or in the winter skiing. Most of them would bring their gym shoes when they travel and they would hit the gym anywhere in the world they traveled.

Tallin

After Helsinki, we crossed the Gulf of Finland to Tallin, Estonia. Tallin is the capital of Estonia, former Soviet Union. The trip by boat took 1 hr and 40 mins, with about 80km of sea separating them. They managed to claim independence in the 90’s but remnant of the Soviet era could still be seen in the buildings. Tallin is divided into 2 parts, the old (medieval) town and the newer portion. The ambiance in the old town is very rustic, with pebbled roads and limestone buildings. Tallin is on the verge of a big limestone foundation, with 52 known layers of sedimentary limestone could be identified.

Kalev Chocolatiere

Tallin Town Hall

The Round Dome Cathedral

Tallin TV Tower - remnants of Soviet Union. The building was a drab grey concrete structure, with the interior preserved as it was during Soviet's rule.

Tallin to the Finns is like Padang Besar or Bukit Kayu Hitam to us. Everything is cheaper in Tallin due to lower taxation and the exchange rate was about 15 kroner to 1 EURO. So we managed to grab more souvenirs in Tallin more than in Helsinki.

Tallin also has an interesting history, being a seaside resort to the Soviet empire. A lot of spa's and vacation home are located here, with some majestic Russian buildings for the Czar could be found. The older buildings are nice to look at, but you could distinguish the Soviet Builiding, with its grey cooncrete exterior. It's like they dont even consider external paint as an option. To be honest, most of it are plain ugly. But Tallin has decided to keep most of the buildings after independence as it could be preserved as part of the towns unique architecture heritage.



Another thing to note is that we were treated to a private opera session by accident. We were visiting one of the monuments when we noticed there's someone practising and warming up. Once we finish the tour, the performance was about to start and we stayed for the whole duration. Irregardless whether we could understand what they are singing about, but the experience was unforgettable.

Overall I enjoyed the opportunity to visit these unique places. Normally, we would like to visit glamorous places, hence off the beaten path town like Tallin could be a real eye opener. Glad to have experience it.

Tervetuola Finland

Or Welcome to Finland in Finnish.

I was selected for a work related business trip to visit one of our suppliers in Finland. This is to coincide with my company’s policy to introduce the latest product from the supplier as well as a special anniversary for the supplier.

The journey starts from KLIA to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Survanabhumi is the newly launched airport but I wasn’t impressed with what I saw. Granted that minimilasim is IN today but to have a feel that (to quote from a traveling companion) – “It felt that you’re boarding the aircraft from under an expressway flyover”. This is due to the design and finishing of the airport that they utilizes only the concrete rendering without any cladding or wall paints, giving an industrial look to it.

The flight to Finland wasn’t any better. They use the Boeing MD 11 aircraft with no individual entertainment (only communal as per 10 years ago) plus the flight attendants were way past expiration (must have been a looker 30 years ago). The most apt title to them would be “post-menopausal flight attendant”. Some of them were that old!!

At least when we reached Helsinki the sun was out. Being close to the Arctic line, the sun sets until close to midnite and rises again at around 2am. On the northern part of the country above the Arctic line, 24 hrs sunlight are the norm for the duration of the summer. We have to take another connecting flight to get to our destination, Joenssu using a Fokker aircraft ala Firefly. We reached and checked in at around 10 pm, and I managed to hit the sack at 12 am, almost 24hrs since I got up. I forced myself to sleep, managing at least 4 hrs of sleep before waking up in the morning.

We had a full day at our hosts manufacturing facility, plus being treated to dinner at their summer cottage. The summer cottage was set out on a lake, where there were 180,000 of lakes in Finland. It was such a cosy summer cottage, but it rained when we were there. Our hosts insist that we try the sauna, and when in Finland do as the Finn do (apart from being naked in the sauna). From their explanation, the Finn would time sometime in the sauna, say about 15 minutes, then get out and have a dip in the lake, and repeats it a few times. Just to note that it was about 10^oC when we were there (and it was in the middle of summer!!) so the water temperature was a few degrees below that, so no way I’m going to freeze my b**ls in the water. They go to the extreme of sauna & ice swimming or rolling in the snow during winter !!

Lukkoranta Summer Cottage

Lake View

Cosy Living Room

Sauna - The Original Article

The next day, after some program at their facility, we were driven to Savonlinna, where we visited the Olavlinna Castle and the Retretti Art Gallery. The castle is the oldest preserved medieval castle in Finland, with its history changing hands between the Russians and the Swedish. Savonlinna used to be the border town between Russia & Finland when it was under Swedish control. There was an Opera Festival taking place in the courtyard of the castle, hence that part was off limits. But being a remote castle, it was used as a garrison rather than the royalties. It wasn’t as extravagant as most of the castle that I’ve visited.

The art gallery was an eye opener. As Finland is mostly flat with rock foundation, they have actually bored into the rock foundation and made an art gallery underground. It was quite interesting being in an underground gallery. Unfortunately, no cameras is allowed in the gallery.

Savonlinna Castle

Special Chamber in one of the towers - The Thinking Throne

Long way down - for your excrement that is

Receiving Hall of the castle

The Great Hall

View from the castle

Flaming Salmon Floating Restaurant

To Be Continued.....

Spread too thin

Have you felt sometimes like you're spread too thin? I did for this past week. I've got a coming business trip abroad and loads of pending work at the office. Plus the mrs is not feeling in the pink of health at this point of time that I'm having second thoughts about the trip.

My workload has been more than doubled since my colleague resigned and no replacement was in sight till now. Imagine running a section of high profile equipment with load of issues, including failure and operational issues. And sometimes everything under the sun which no one wants to touch with a 10 foot barge pole.

Sometimes I wish I could bend the time-space continuum so that everything can stay still whilst I finishes all the work. Or better still, hire someone who could help. But as it turns out, I'm having Mohinder's power (as per previous post), which amounts to nothing, or work as the most low ranking officer in my department, not much can be done.

Al-Fatihah & Takziah

Al-Fatihah & Condolences to Aza & her family for the loss of her son.

What we gather was that the boy had choked on some bread that he was eating and had difficulty breathing. The maid called her back and by the time she had reached home, her son was already unconscious. She took him to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment and by the time he was medically attended to, the docs couldn't detect any brain activities. He was on life support since the incident on Monday and was called back to the Almighty this morning. He has an older brother an a twin.

I can't imagine what was going on inside Aza's head when the ordeal was going on. We saw her on Thursday at the hospital when we were doing The Boy's 'snip2', and she looked liked she's holding up. I'm hoping that she could be strong in facing this.

Boyz II Men

This post is not about the musical group, but about the transition of leaving behind your childhood and turning into adulthood. Or that was I've been told years ago when I had my circumcision.

The Boy had his today, not by choice as we were planning for it to be held this year end, but a medical condition has warranted that the procedure to be brought forward. So after several consultation along with a few opinions from doctors, we have decided to do it today.

The Boy has to fast due to being put under general anesthetics, so the last meal and fluid was at 9 pm yesterday. We arrived at the hospital at 7.30 am, and once the admission process has been done the doctor said that the procedure was going to take place. Eventually we were called at about 11.15 am, with me accompanying him as he was put under sedation. After about 30minutes, I was called into the recovery section of the OT, with him being brought back to consciousness. He was crying for the mrs. and after some comforting, he was fine and continued with his sleep. After he woke up, we gave him some light lunch and once the doctor given the all clear, we went home. Initially we wanted to get him on a wheel chair, but halfway he decided to walk, almost breaking into a run before parental intervention were called upon.

It goes to show that with the technological advancement in medicine, this procedure is considered minor now, I still remembered during my time that the recovery period is about a week at the least, with not being able to walk for the first 2 days is the norm. The you would have to go on a restricted diet, to prevent anything that could hinder your recovery or 'bentan'. And the pain was unbearable ( the mrs. said to me to try giving birth then only you could talk about pain ). Now The Boy had ran around when his cousins came for a visit, which would have invoked a gravely error if there were elders watching. Now we would have to monitor his progress,with a follow up in a few days. Snip-snip, anyone?

After the procedure - missing something ? (with a blown up glove )

After we got home - ini main game macam budak baru lepas sunat ke?

Heroes Personality Test

Your Score: Mohinder Suresh

You scored 45 Idealism, 41 Nonconformity, 45 Nerdiness

My father spent his life chasing after this insanity. Now I'm wasting mine trying to prove he was sane.
Congratulations, you're Mohinder Suresh! You're a curious, passionate, and intelligent person. You're prone to changing your mind about the important things in life, though. You're interested in doing what you can to help people who are gifted with special abilities.

Your best quality: You're a maverick intellectual
Your worst quality: Your opinions can change rather quickly and suddenly

Link: The Heroes Personality Test written by freedomdegrees

Back From Penang - Again !

The mrs. had a whole week seminar to attend in Penang and me & The Boy managed to join her on Wednesday onwards. As per my previous post, a trip to Penang means that gluttony would set in as you could enjoy the smörgåsbord of food penang has to offer. Often, during trips to Penang, food would have to be categorised into priorities, eg seasonal which have to die-die try, top priorities which must do irregardless or missable.

Seasonal Offering - Durians

Balik Pulau is renowned as one of the best durian producing region in Malaysia, as the PM would attest to. Some of the best varities such as Udang Merah could be obtained here with prices ranging from RM15-20/kg.

Udang Merah - In KL the prices would range from RM 25 onwards / kg

Budak yang tak suka durian - sanggup tahan nafas tu

Ni dua hantu durian- langsung tak ingat dunia kalau dah start makan

Durian bearing tree - some of the prized varieties are even tied with string to prevent from falling to preserve the form

Which one to choose from?

All in all we had about 4 whole durians to ourself per sitting :-0

We also tried someplace new, in Telok Bahang. We had a seafood offering that was not only fresh but cooked to perfection that we were amazed on how did 2 adults + 1 child could finish a set that would feed 4 adults?

The 'dinner' for 2?

Crispy battered calamari (squids) - nicely done not rubbery

Lala with belacan

Our thinking was just to finish the 'high ticket' item but once done we realised that we finished the whole lot. Now dreading to go on the scale to find out how much weight I've gained. The must-do eateries now includes Ikan Bakar in Bayan Baru, Line Clear & Roti Canai Sambal Daging (which has The Mrs. hooked upon). Wondering when the next trip is going to be...

On another note, most holiday trips were centered around what the parents want to do which might exclude kids. The hotel where we stayed had a kid's activity club which has lined up activities for the kids, eg reading, painting and loads more. The Boy did DIY T-Shirt, flower pot painting, key chain & glass art, which I found good for the kids. Now he cant wait to wear it proudly to show off what he made....

Here's one I made earlier.....