Paanjang16 aka LJM's blog

Have thou blog today?

2010-04-20T21:10:00.002+08:00

Seeing how my blog is gathering more and more dust makes me wonder if I should keep this blog. Simply put, posting messages on Facebook is easier.

Does anybody read blogs anymore? Blogging now sounds so outdated.

Toll Valley aka Klang Valley?

2009-10-31T22:13:00.003+08:00

I don't know if anyone has noticed it, but I think the Klang Valley has the highest number of tolls per area in the world. Let's see:-

Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP)
New Pantai Expressway (NPE)
Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas)
New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE)
Kerinchi Link
Penchala Link
Sprint Hwy (Jalan Duta to Uptown Damansara)
SMART
Sg. Besi Hwy
North South Expressway
Federal Hwy (Batu Tiga to Klang)
Guthrie Corridor Expressway
Ampang Elevated Hwy
Duta Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE)
East West Link Hwy (linking Desa Waterpark to Taman Connaught)
Grand "Barrier" Saga Hwy (The famous hwy where ppl where fighting over a barrier)
Kajang SILK Hwy
KL Putrajaya Hwy (Maju)
Kota Kemuning-Federal Hwy Expressway (under construction)

Walau... 19 already!!!

Still got somemore either under construction, under planning stage or I miss out. Issit so hard to build a toll-free dual carriageway?

Pakatan should really come out with a Freeway to counter BN's obsession with Tollways.

Bricksmal: Malaysian Online Lego Community Portal and Forum

2009-10-27T21:27:00.003+08:00

There is a new forum for Malaysian Lego enthusiasts at http://bricksmal.com/index.php

Started about a month already with now 56 members and growing. Got set reviews and discussions about current and upcoming sets.

If you like Lego, pop in and have a look :)

Should I head down south to Singapore?

2009-09-19T23:17:00.004+08:00

I was having this thought for a long time already. From the day I started work here till now, this question always comes out everytime. Unfortunately it came out more frequently as of late.

There is something I am sensing not right here, have to somehow cabut before it is too late. I know some of you already cabut across the causeway, now I am wondering if I should go too.....

Patriotism is something from yesteryear. Gone are the days where you ask yourself what you should do for your country and not what your country should do for you.

Now recently I received 1 e-mail stating that if you have RM 3000 and a family (sole breadwinner) you simply cannot survive in KL. I did a little calculation so to speak, assuming I live in SJ and go to work in KL. Simply put, it is tough!

Petrol
Kilometers to and from work		30
RM per km		0.2
Average working days		21
		126

Kilometers to shopping/lepak		30
RM per km		0.2
Average days to lepak		5
		30

	Total petrol cost	156

LRT cost
LRT ticket (LRT only)		100
LRT station parking (RM 4*21 days, Taman Jaya)		84

Makan
Lunch at work		6
Working days		21
		126

Family cost
Parents and brother (good son)		600
Cost of Makan lunch and dinner weekend		50
No of weekend days		9
		450
	Sub-total family cost	1050

Car Costs
Road Tax (1.5 liter wira, from parents)		7.5
Servicing car (every 5k, 630km a month)		56.7
Insurance (1.5 liter wira, costs 10k, provided the insurance company such as P&O insurance dun hate old cars)		50.25
		114.45

House cost
Internet (RM 88 with line rental)		100
TNB (3 air-con in house, 1 for parents, 1 for bro, 1 for me)		350
Water (free, TQ PAKATAN RAKYAT!!!)		0
		450

	Total cost per month	RM1980.45

Oh dear, that is not even counting the following:-
Entertainment
Daily Newspaper
Insurance (our lives are so worthless)
Dating (you think can be single till die meh?)
Parking at shopping complexes and other locations when you go to site/meetings
Handphone
Toll
Toiletries
Car Loan
House Loan
Breakfast (forget makan roti, minum Milo and the like)

And to have someone saying we should change our lifestyle? Maybe we should change the country we live in or change where we live. Or maybe change the person who said we should change out lifestyle.

Ok, maybe can cut somemore, like not using air-con, not giving parents money and not using my car. But as a consultant which need to go for meetings and site meetings, you NEED a car. How about sales engineer? They too need a car to meet potential clients and bring along the brochures to let their clients see them. Using motor? Imagine how embrassing it is to tell your client "sorry sir, rain too heavy, cannot see you" or "sorry, I got motor only, cannot deliver sample board".

Can someone in Singapore/Korea/US/Australia do a cost calculation like the above to compare?

P.S: Sorry to rant so much on Hari Raya, just need an avenue to release all the negative thing in me.

Something Work related: Can a king size mattress fit into a lift?

2009-08-26T21:14:00.004+08:00

As per the topic, can a king size mattress enter a normal lift? Yes ? No? Apparently this was one question my client asked me last Monday during a meeting.

Well I looked up bed sizes (kingcoil.com.my) and a king size mattress is 1830mm (W) by 1900mm (L). A typical 15 person lift is 1600mm (W) and 1550 (D). Looking at the numbers, 1.6m x 1.5m sure dun fit 1.83m x 1.9m.

However if one were to push the mattress horizontally on its side into the lift and place it across the floor in the lift car, the mattress can barely fit in. It can fit, I have drawn the mattress inside the lift car in autocad, but you do need to "bend" it a bit. If your mattress is thicker than 300mm then maybe it will be a little thougher. The mattress can go through the door because the door is 1m (W) by 2.1m (H), slightly bigger than our normal door. The lift car height is also high, 2.2m, so no problem hitting the roof of the lift car.

Of course the best option is to have a stretcher lift, where a stretcher lift of similar capacity can carry 2 or more mattress without bending the mattress to fit inside. A 15 person stretcher lift is 1.2m (W) and 2.1m (D), so you can just slide in the mattress into the lift on its side without bending.

That is why some condos dun have a stretcher lift, coz technically it is possible to fit a king size mattress into lift car. The questions is, can you actually do it when moving up into your unit?

The number of Legos I have to date

2009-07-31T22:49:00.004+08:00

I did a inventory check with all my Lego parts, trying to sort all the pieces and bricks into their respective sets so that I may reconstruct them back. So far, some of the sets can be reconstructed fully, while others, well how do I put it, is missing a key "backbone" piece and cannot be build at all! not to mention the Lego man which came along with the set is missing.

So just how many sets do I own? After looking through some mysterious part and looking up the part directory Peeron.com to see which sets I have which I dun remember I even have (most probably bought for my brother, and I never saw it), the the total number of sets I have is a staggering 66 sets. Inclusive the latest acquisitions this year and the ones from yesteryear, Duplo, Fabuland, Technic and mostly Town. Even I was shocked to see I got so many :sweat:

But sadly when I was small I am not really that good in taking care of my stuff, so lots and lots of pieces are missing.

Transformers Revenge of the Sith

2009-06-16T20:57:00.002+08:00

The new TF movie is coming up, called Revenge of the Sith...err, Fallen.

Hope that the Decepticons put up a HUGE fight and kill everyone :) Will optimus die? Well optimus die maybe Bumblebee got a change to be a the leader of the Autobots and maybe even better than that useless Rodimus.

As to if I will want to buy any TF figures, well needless to say, I have NOT bought a single TF 2 toy yet. The reason is:-
1) I have other more longer lasting, valueble "toys" to collect
2) My budget CANNOT sustain buying TF2 toys which have increase in price
3) TF toys dun a nostalgia or collectible impact compared to say Lego, where the pieces last a lifetime and my kids' kids can still play with it.
4) My BB08 is broken coz I accidentally push it the wrong way. So now stuck in robot mode lol
5) Running out of space to keep all these figures.
6) Transformers dun really have a big impact to my childhood memories unlike Matchbox Tomica Lego etc
7) Will try to focus on something other like trying to get in a relationship with someone, hopefully.

Majlis Daerah Bentong and Genting Highlands

2009-04-24T23:58:00.004+08:00

As we all know, Genting Highlands is part of the Bentong District in Pahang. It comes under the district office "Majlis Daerah Bentong" located in Bentong town. But what a coincidence that Genting Highlands is directly in front of the Majlis Daerah office?

Picture taken in September last year during a really clear day. Its not everyday that the biggest economic generator in your district is right in front of you :P

Toys? Collectibles? Prefer Girls

2009-04-12T22:26:00.003+08:00

I dunno why, but my interest seems to change from time to time. Started with computer games in secondary school when I got my Pentium 100 back in 96, then:-
1) Mechwarrior collectible minitures game in college and 1st year of uni (2002-2004)
2) Xbox during 2nd year in uni and 1st year of working (2005-2006)
3) Transformers (2007)
4) Matchbox, Hot Wheels and Tomica (2008 to present- cheaper than TFs as TFs are too expensive to buy)
5) Lego (2009 to present, only selected sets)

Would really love to add in "Girls" too, but so far I just don't have the luck finding the right one :(

For no. (1), (3), and (4) somehow somewhat the item I want just magically appear after a short while waiting. Like this weekend found this Blue Hot Wheels 09 Bluebird (looking everywhere, cannot find) in Subang Parade as my parents somehow decided to go to Cold Storage. If only I had that kind of luck when it comes to meeting girls.

Starbucks Malaysia 2009 Bearista Destination Series

2009-03-28T23:07:00.003+08:00

Another cute toy which caught my attention recently, the new Starbucks Coffee Bearista (Bear + Ballista.. err, I mean Barista). It was very very cute, plus it was wearing denim pants, a T-shirt with a Wau and a cool brown cap. Costs RM 53, 10% discount with Jusco card, original price RM 59.00.

Anyway, let the pictures do the talking :P

The front view

The side

The tag: Destination Series Bearista 2009: Malaysia

Isn't he cute? :)

His T-shirt

Great bear to buy since the he has high quality fur which is unlike those cheapo toy bears.

Something Work related: Suspended Lift Pit

2009-03-21T23:42:00.009+08:00

Here's something which usually as a mechanical engineer will definitely face during the design of shopping center or any other building for that matter. Say you have a small lift to serve a small number of floors, so you proceed to place that lift there with all the dimensions requirements. But sometimes you have a lift which does not serve all the floors, such as in a shopping complex, a small lift is placed at the center of the shopping center as part of the facade to serve the retail floors but not serve the basement car park below it. In this case you will definitely have a suspended lift pit since you do not want the whole lift shaft right through your car park as it will eat valuable car park space.

Below is 1 such lift, located at the new wing of IOI mall Puchong.

As you can see, it only serve only 4 floors and does not serve the basement below it. I can see it is a small capacity machine roomless lift since it appears there isn't any machine room at the top. This kind of lift is called a machine roomless lift, whereby all the motors and equipment are located in the shaft. This kind of lift is good for a short building as it does not need a huge room right at the top, but not advisable for tall buildings 12 storeys or more since if anything goes wrong, the poor repair guy have to be suspended up to 60-70 meters at the top of the shaft to get to the motor.

The close-up of the lift car.The counter-weight is at the side of the car. Some lifts have it behind the car, but in this case the counterweight will block the good view out of the lift. It is also why some lift have very long widths or depths to cater for the placement of the counterweight. The car operating panel for this lift is only located on 1 side of the lift car. Ok for a small lift, but if it is a big lift for a office building, it is better to have it on both sides.

To the visitors to this shopping mall, they will not notice all the finer details that went into the placement and installation of this lift. Even during the design stage, we as the mechanical engineer must coordinate with the architect and civil engineer on the placement of the lift so that is does not affect items like headroom, beams, columns, car park etc. It becomes important as we take a look at the lift pit from Basement 1, the floor below.

As you can see, the lift pit is something like a very big concrete box suspended from the ceiling. Lift pits vary in depth depending on the speed of the lift car. Some like in this case maybe 2m deep or less, while high speed lifts may have lift pits up to 4m deep to house the large buffer (something like a spring) to absorb the impact of the lift should the lift free-fall (very very unlikely, since it has a safety governor). But it can be a big issue when you have very little headroom to place the lift pit. As you can see, it is eating up 2 car park lots that might otherwise be available. But this is something like a compromise when you do the lift pit placement; you cannot have it in the driveway, you can't let the lift shaft run all the way down to lowest basement otherwise you would lose 4 car parks.

In a way part and parcel of being an architect is to watch out for stuff like this during the design stage. Sure on the Ground floor and above the placement of the lift is fantastic, but then it will obstruct the drive way or eat into some car parks or worse, fan rooms, electrical rooms, domestic water tanks etc. Always spot these stuff during the design stage because once the pit is casted and the mistake is realized, it will cost ALOT since a suspended lift pit must be able to withstand a lift free-falling onto it and not crack. No way you can hack this if such a mistake is done.

To the consultants and architects doing IOI mall, great work for coordinating this lift pit into a location where it will at most, eat only 2 car parks and not obstruct the driveway.

I'm just a frequent shopper to IOI mall, so this is my first time to the new wing since it was opened.

Lego again, 1980s Duplo

2009-03-14T13:26:00.003+08:00

Here are some of the old Duplo sets which I had from the 1980s. Duplo is like a baby version of Lego, but nonetheless have the same plastic toughness of its more mature brothers. The pieces are large and the pieces are few, but then again how an a baby play with so many pieces?

Anyway, here are some of the stuff which I have:-

2705 Passenger Train. Items missing :( include 1 of the roofs, 1 more dude and a shovel

2632 Duplo Delivery Truck

2619 Duplo Helicopter and propeller plane (dunnot the number)

and my biggest Duplo set, 2655 Farm set. Features include 1 large barnhouse, horse, cow, pig, chicken, tractor, conveyor, table, chair and windmill. The current barn isn't as big as this anymore. Items missing: 2 more chickens and 1 sheep :(

All of them shown in 1 big picture. Got somemore, but the data bout the Duplo sets are very sketchy since there isn't much documentation on the internet bout Duplo. I believe that all these are 100% classic Duplo sets and are fit for a museum. The best part is that it is still playable and looks like new even after a good 20 years. Looks in way better condition than my Tomicas or Matchbox since it is all plastic and not paint nor metal parts. Another plus point: NO STICKERS!!!

Sometimes to escape the realities of life, you dig out some of your childhood memories and look back at how care-free you are during those times.

Year of the Bull

2009-03-07T18:52:00.002+08:00

Its been more than a month since I last blog. CNY passed by and not a blog post to accompany it.

Anyway I have been busy lately with my work so dun have much time to blog. But judging from what is going on in the year of the bull, this is going to be 1 very hectic year. Reading the local newspaper with all the political news is one hint things aren't going smoothly.

They say the economy is slowing down, especially in the States, which I can see it slowly coming down here. I'm a building services engineer, mainly doing mechanical stuff like fire-fighting, air-con, plumbing, lift etc and some of my projects are either Keep-In-Viewed or scrapped. Got 1 semi-conductor factory in Banting which we were supposed to build but since the semi-conductor industry is the hardest it, that is the 1st to go. On the bright side, it has barely moved past the tendering stage and the job was not awarded yet.

Anyway, let's not talk bout the real-life stuff, more on what I have been doing lately.

Recently bought myself a Lego City set. The first set using my own money and the first set in my working life. The last set was during my final year in Aussie back in 2005.

The set is the 7632 Crawler Crane. When I first saw it I was immediately hooked to it coz it looked like the real thing on the construction site.

The front of the box

The back

Overall it was a great set, although the item it lift (the green building panel) is a little out of place and practically useless. Realistic sets like these usually attract my attention.

Currenly planning to buy one Technic set which is coming out later this year. Not a kids set, but more of an adults set since only an adult can afford it. So gotta save up.

CNY coming

2009-01-18T17:18:00.002+08:00

CNY is coming!! Too soon after the 2009 new year somemore. Just when we work and the pace starts to pick-up, then it is CNY!

Errr.. I can't hear the word beer?

2008-12-31T20:13:00.002+08:00

I was listening to the radio as usual, Hitz.fm on my way back from work. So happen the latest hit song "If I were a boy" by Beyonce, that I realized that something was amiss. I heard the song at one time with something "silent" out, and on the second time I heard it it confirmed my suspicion; they silented the word BEER!!!

It was something like " go out drinking ....... with the guys".

Gosh, are the sensors so protective that they assume ppl will drink beer after listening to beer? Its not like she sang that she will go drink Clasberg, Iceberg, Anchor, VB or Budweiser, it is just the word beer!!!

Another reason NOT to buy ORI or local version. Better download at this rate.

Year End Wedding (my cousin's)

2008-12-29T20:53:00.002+08:00

Yesterday was my cousin's wedding whereby my cousin was the bride. So naturally my family was at her house to welcome her future husband when he come to collect her in the morning. The usual procedure is that the groom comes, tips the person to open the door, tip the house (parents, sisters, friends guarding the door), meets up with his bride, offer tea to the bride's relatives (unhygienic as they use the same cup for the tea ceremony, can't they use disposable colored cups), then off they are on their way to the groom's house.

But unfortunately for the groom, the bride's friends has a little bit too much time on their hands. Instead of asking the groom for more money and tips, they made him and his friends so some time wasteful stuff.

Basically it was like this:-
1) Groom arrives, unfortunately due to lack of coordination from the bride's friends, made him wait out in the car for a while so that they can get the stuff awaiting him ready. Booboo 1: They should let the groom in as soon as possible and not wait outside in his car.

2) They want the groom and his friends to do some "chores". They even came out with a list of stuff the groom have to do b4 he can enter. The chores are:-
a) Eating some food blind folded and with hands tied. Very bad since the groom is already dress up nicely and done his hair etc. Also you let him eat some food might cause him to have stomach upsets on his biggest day ever.
b) Brushing teeth with wasabi... which made him cry and his eyes red. YOU WANT HIM TO SEE THE BRIDE LIKE THIS?
c) One guy lie down on the floor, banana in the mouth, and the groom has to eat that banana. AGAIN, THE GROOM HAS DRESSED UP NICELY AND YOU WANT TO RUINED HIS SUIT?
d) Give big fat ang pow to the groom's torturer's, which was ok, till they counted EVERY FRICKING SEN INSIDE THE ANG POW. LADIES, THE ANG POW IS MEANT AS A SYMBOLIC GIFT, NOT YOUR INCOME!!! EVEN THEN IT IS TO THE BRIDE!!! THEY EVEN COMPLAINED IT HAS TOO MANY COINS (which the bridegroom mentioned, want it to be 8.88)

3) They ask him some questions like:-
a) when was their 1st date (wow, can remember, even I dunno when)
b) Time and location where they propose
c) How to write the bride's name in chinese (I will kalah teruk this one, as even I can't write my name in chinese)
d) How many molds does the bride have (errr..... what about areas I can only see AFTER the wedding night?)

So it took 1 hr from the car to the bride's room, at which point the groom is sweating a BIG river in his best suit of his life.

My parents were not amused at the bride's friends antics, as during their time it was short and simple and none of this nonsense, which I think it true since weddings are supposed to be simple and not to squeeze the groom dry. Ladies, the more you go on like this, the more we are reluctant to marry you (well, not that it matter anyway, since this is the age of the Alpha-female). This is one chinese custom I am willing to omit and let go.

It really did not help that during the wedding dinner the bride's friends jokingly said that the ang pow collected is enough to cover the wedding! Again in extremely bad taste. I know they did not count every sen, but certain things are better left not said. Well I guess such things are funny to accountants since my cousin is an accountant and her organizers are from the same university.

So all the guys out there, better negotiate with your future wife on how you gonna pick her up on your wedding day, otherwise you will kena tortured like the above!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-23T21:24:00.002+08:00

Its time of the year again! Where there are Christmas trees decorated and carols blasting from the speakers everywhere!

Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!

Yes, that is Santa sitting next to the Christmas tree!

Arrgh!

2008-12-10T16:48:00.002+08:00

Ever encounter a situation like this?

You spent the entire morning preparing your materials to meet your client, only at the last minute your senior comes in, have a look at have you have prepared, only to say that you should add in this and that or you miss out something?

Well when you are new this always kinda happens since you dun know what is required or simply dun know what you ought to do (which unfortunately this can only be learned by experience lol). However when you realized what's lacking it really makes you wanna scream "AARRRGGHHHHHH~!!!!!"

Other than that, had the usual lazing and digging up the store during Hari Raya Haji weekend. Miss those days where I had more toys in better condition that it is now. Among the toys I used to have:
Lego sets, ranging from Airport to Parking Garage with elevator
Matchbox cars, lots of it with some HoT wheels, Tomicas and Majorettes and Corgis as well as Cap Ayam brands.
Micro Machines playset, got toolbox, carwash, bridge, motel, quarry, train and aircraft carrier

and basically those were the big 3 types of toys which I remembered having the most nostalgic value. They simply DUN MAKE TOYS LIKE THEY USED TO.

Micro machines> small and easily chokable. Lawyers today are too free. Or many too labor intensive.
Lego> Not as detailed as last time, and alot of unique pieces. Look at the airport set of today against the one from the 1980s, the old one is WAY BETTER.
MB> Bought over by MATTEL, heresy to the MB brand

And dun get me started on cartoons (good old days where ppl shoot each other with guns are long gone).

Of course during the whole weekend I was thinking, I really ought to be going out with someone :(

Vintage Tomica Tomy Die-cast car

2008-12-07T21:37:00.003+08:00

Taking advantage of the slightly long holiday, I decided to dig up my store to see my die-cast cars which I used to play years ago (and extinguish the nagging feeling of "where the heck is everything?").

What I found brought back some nostalgia to me, but I was surprised that even back in the 1984-1990, I had a few Tomicas in my collection!

But unfortunately they were bought back then, I used to PLAY with them instead of collecting them. Play = treat them like toys. Collecting = treat them like collectables, keeping the paint mint, the box intact etc.

Anyway, these toys have come a long way since then and somehow it is still playable, although they are paint is worn off and some parts are missing :)

There are 5 tomicas I have here:-

Toyota Celica XX 2800GT
Nissan Caravan Ambulance
Nissan Diesel Truck Crane
Big Rig Racer
Moon Craft Special

Toyota Celica

Nissan Ambulance

Nissan Diesel Crane

Big Rig Racer

Moon Craft Special

So will these toys live up till the day my cucu-cicik be able to play/collect it? Well judging from how intact it is (except the paintwork), I believe it could tahan until then.

The best part was that I DID NOT EVEN KNOW I HAD VINTAGE TOMICAS UNTIL TODAY!! Hey as a kid I only know Matchbox and Hot Wheels, but never in my mind it occur to me it there were Tomicas!!!

BEWARE OF WHEN RECEIVING MSN PMs!

2008-11-15T16:34:00.003+08:00

Was listening to music from my computer when an msn pm arrive from someone in my contact list. Hmmm she rarely MSN me b4. So I decided to have a look at the pm.

Looks like a message from her. But something just isn't right. I know her not that well but I suspect something is not right coz:-
1) I heard she dun like to go clubbing, so its odd for her to have party photos (from her blog somemore she is working her socks off)
2) Even then she is not the type to share photos
3) We are not VERY close friends, not even in her click
4) Why is her photo account using my MSN nick ljm16? Shouldn't it be her msn account?
5) Some really unknown website, unlike photobucket/flicker/imageshack
6) Plus she is offline

I really felt something is not right with this message. This is not the first type of message coming from her account. Previously alot of other similar type of message coming from her, but maybe just the usual spam.

So I decided to click the link mentioned and see what the website show. I was expecting some porn website, since it has such a suggestive message.

You will come to a page asking for your msn nick and password. Which to me is weird coz PHOTOS SITES such as Photobucket/Flicker WILL NEVER ASK FOR YOU MSN account or password to VIEW the stuff. Unless the user set a password, which is 100% not tied to your msn account.

True enough, a simple google of "cefcell.com" reveals this page.

SO please, if you receive any MSN from me, or anyone from that matter, PLS BE ALERT. My MSN nick is quite common and worth alot (ljm16), so there could easily be alot of impostors out there. ALWAYS SPY-CHECK! (like in Team Fortress2)

Red Alert 3

2008-11-14T21:51:00.003+08:00

Been playing the newest Red Alert recently, Red Alert 3. Graphically it is wayy more superior than the previous versions. Since they added more naval warfare into this game, they made the water effects extremely nice to look at, with reflections of the units on the water.

The story is wayy over the top this time around. Red Alert 1has a more serious tone to the units and story took a slightly more realistic path with units based on their real-life counterparts. Red Alert 2 was slightly wacky, with its expansion going wayy over the top with flying saucers, giant brain on treads and mind controlling botak fellas.

Red Alert 3 throws everything out of the window. Its so over the top that EA decided to make it more like Boob/Playboy Alert 3 with the more female characters and cleavage. The hero for Allies, Tanya, is now a blond, which unfortunately as expected from a blond, isn't that very good in the game. Previous Tanyas from RA1 and RA2 can mow down infantry like a giant lawnmover. This Tanya lacks range to kill infantry and can be killed by even a big group of conscripts. Last time Tanya range is wayy more than normal infantry range, hence can mow down infantry which is what she excels at.

Other than that, the units are also bizarre or copied from elsewhere. The developers really took their imagination way ahead than any sane designer would do. The most ridiculous is the Japanese Hero unit which is a ..... school girl. NO JOKE!!! Geezz you think they would think of a more crazier unit.

Anyway:-
Mecha tengu = Macross veritech with gerwalk and jet mode
King Oni = Giant Gundam
Athena cannon = Take the Hammer of Dawn from Gears of War and make it a giant trailer
Mirage Tank = Mirage tank and prism tank in one, but with less range.
Dolphins = Like in RA2
War Bears = War Bears that can attack ppl

Ok, there is alot of units, but if you think EA did a QC check before shipping the game, you are wrong. The game is buggy out of the box. Luckily mine is ori so can patch it up and now it is running ok.

The problem when you play it for the 1st time is that the game will try to access the EA site to check for updates, hence freezing up the main menu. I solve the problem by literally pulling my LAN cable out of my pc, to stop it from connecting to the internet. Makes you think if they did it on purpose....

Anyway the game is quite simply, WHY SO SERIOUS?

Unlike other serious game like World in Conflict, which other game got gerwalks? Might be cartoony to some ppl though, hence it is sometimes called Toy Alert 3.

Some Lego I want

2008-10-27T19:02:00.002+08:00

I always liked Legos. Especially the ones where there are big, complex, expensive and quite unlikely your parents will buy it for you if you ask for it.

So when I saw the latest Clone Wars stuff from Lego, I kinda like the Clone Republic Gunship. Its big, has lots of stuff and unfortunately, overpriced. Here it costs a WHOPPING RM 800 (or 799.9999999999). I could have sworn I saw it costing SING 199.90 when I was in Singapore (or was it? cannot remember). Converted to Ringgit, even if it is SING 1 = RM 2.50 it is still less than RM 500!!! Tempted to get one, but after seeing how overpriced this thing in M'sia (like CBU/CKD/any car here), potong stim to get it. Available funds I have, but too much to buy over a short period of time, so buying one of these will easily blow 2-3 months allocation for "other stuff". And by the time Masterpiece Grimlock arrive which will cost more than this thing I think got no money left :P

Some pictures of it.

The one available is the second version after the Episode 2 version shown below.

The vista isn't fully clear.

2008-10-21T20:37:00.002+08:00

On the online dictionary, vista means:-

–noun

1.	a view or prospect, esp. one seen through a long, narrow avenue or passage, as between rows of trees or houses.

2.	such an avenue or passage, esp. when formally planned.

3.	a far-reaching mental view: vistas of the future.

sauce:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vista

But on my computer, Vista is an operating system from Microsoft which installed when I bought it. Since my pc is a new pc and is capable to run Vista, plus a graphic crad which utilizes Vista's Direct X 10, I decided to install Vista Premium with almost all the fancy bells and whistles. Vista Ultimate was in a way, overpriced.

Anyway, like the title, the vista isn't fully clear.

Some wierd things about Vista:-
1) I have to DISABLE the firewall that it came with so that Windows update can contact its server. You heard it right, I have to off Windows Firewall coz W. Firewall is blocking Windows update and W. Update cannot contact server. To think that both are from the same family....

Oh, apparently Windows firewall doesn't like Windows Defender as well...

2) It will pop up a window asking to continue or not whenever I try to do some things which it thinks is supposed to be the work of the admin.

Like to disable firewall it will ask if I should continue or not.
Like trying to run an install program on an ORI CD game it will ask if I should continue or not.

I have heard that it is good in the sense that if a malware decides to install something, the pop-up will come out, so its a mixed blessing.

3) My computer can start up on its own when there is power connected to it.

No, my house dun have ghosts, but kinda weird when you are half way sleeping and it turns on by its own. I dun remember my XP or windows 98 pc turning itself on when I was in college. I dun remember my parents calling my why my pc suddenly turn on its own.

Could be the "wake up on LAN" is enabled, but I never had a problem with previous pcs. Wierd.

So these are the 3 things which I find it weird on my pc.

2008-10-18T23:03:00.001+08:00

Trying to think of something to post

*** Blogger's block ****

Arrghhhh..

Tomica 2008 Subaru Imprezza WRX STI and EVO X

2008-10-03T10:56:00.004+08:00

Managed to find a car which I really want recently; the 2008 Subaru WRX STI hatchback 4 door tomica car. Bought it from the Litt Tak shop in Sg. Wang 6th floor for RM 12.90. Jusco MV had them at a discount, but yesterday I when I was there, there were NONE. NO Yellow hat GTR, no Subaru.

I saw the real thing when I was in Singapore, ironically looking for the tomica version of the same thing. Up close, it is a car you really want to get if you can afford. Taking styling cues from the Ford Focus, Subaru made its latest Imprezza a hatch instead of a sedan. Better try something different than going against another sedan AWD which is the EVO X. Nonetheless both stand out against each other quite well.

The box for the Subaru and EVO X

A face-off between the 2

Ready to race?

Subaru can open bonnet, EVO X the 2 front doors

Pictures of the real thing

A picture of the Choro-Q WRX with other Choros

Takara Tomy Drift Light Package Nissan Skyline R34

2008-09-09T21:07:00.003+08:00

When I first saw that a small remote control car capable of drifting would be available soon, I immediately thought it was worth checking out. Afterall, it is small, about 1:26 scale and costs less than RM 150.

So recently I bought the Takara Tomy (Takara merged/marry/combine with Tomy) Drift Light Package Nissan Skyline R34. Basically it is the small version of the Drift Package where the car is 1:10 and the budget and track required is much much bigger.

Bought mine from the same place as tkt, Litt Tak shop at Level 6 Sg. Wang.

The car I bought is the Yellow R34 Skyline. There is also red AE86, white with Carbon fibre bonnet RX-7 and blue Nissan 180zx. I would like a Subaru Imprezza, but the next best thing would be a skyline.

In total it needs 5 AAA batteries; 3 for the car and 2 for the controller. I would prefer it uses 2 AAs since AAs are more common and an even number would make buying batteries easier, since batteries always come in even numbers.

The back of the box showing its key feature. Too bad its in Japanese and I got absolutely no clue what it being written

The overall content of the box. There is a manual (100000% in Japanese but with informative pictures), an insert showing the other drift cars, decals for the car, the car body in a protective cardboard compartment, the chassis, the wheels and drivetrain package, the controller and other stuff. Oh, they give you 3 sets of wing mirrors just in case you drift too close to something or crash (where you will for the 1st time). I am impressed by the fact that the packaging is extremely neat and they use minimal plastic bags and cellophane tape to wrap the bags. Like 1 plastic bag can have 2 compartments to store 2 different items and still need 1 cellophane tap to wrap. And they wrap it extremely small too so save space in the box.

The size of the drift light package compared to its bigger brother. As you can see it is wayy smaller than the big one (and waayyyyyyy smaller than the real thing)

If you have assembled a Tamiya 4wd car before, then you know what to kinda expect, simple snap into plastic pieces. However unlike a Tamiya car you will need a philip head screw driver to unscrew the plastic holding the batteries. Also you do need to make sure the contact points of the motors are proper since the first time I played the steering didn't work (motor contact points not properly touching).

Once you get it up and running it can really drift, and best of all, you dun really need a big room. I have seem ppl drifting on a conference table!

I have yet to place the stickers on the car, but the car body even without the decals it looks GOOD. The paintwork is better than my BT-19 (uneven blue) and BT-20 even.

Short trip to Bentong, Pahang

2008-09-02T21:15:00.002+08:00

On the 12th of August made a trip to Kuantan to hand over some a Bomba submission for a project in Pahang. Since the project is quite a large project, a 10 storey condo at the top of Bukit Tinggi, Bentong, Pahang, the Bomba submission is to Bomba HQ in Kuantan. Would prefer it to be in Bentong since it is nearer KL, but oh well.

Getting to Kuantan is easy using the East west tolled Highway, but the sheer distance and length of time needed to get there is too long.

On the way back from Kuantan stopped by the local authority office in Bentong to ask a few questions. Also went around town to see how it has developed since I was last there. You see, my family stayed in Bentong since before I was born and came to Subang Jaya after when I was standard 1. So standard 1 I was in Bentong, SRK Sg. Marong to be exact.

How has it changed?

Alot actually as well as same things remain. The road system in town has changed that some roads are one way. The town padang is still there, the hospital is still there, SM Sulaiman has increased the number of blocks (I used to play in their field since my mom was a teacher there), the Shell and Esso stations are still there, the Majlis Perbandaran Bentong is still there, SRK Sg. Marong is still there in one corner and even the shop which made the upholstery for my Wira 14 years ago is still there (so my Wira DID venture to Bentong last time).

Got more buildings compared to last time, the market is still there but very neglected (no new paint), the cinema is still there but portions of it is for shops now, the 2 doctor clinic's are still there.

So ya, it was a trip down memory lane for me. A good 16-17 years since I left Bentong. Now as an adult I went back to town since I got a project in the area :P

Anyway, I took this picture on the way back.

Along this road there is a Chinese school, and some of the students there use bicycle to get to school. Compared to here we are all so pampared got driver/parents to fetch and send us to school in air-conditioned comfort. Also quite safe to cycle in a small town since not many cars.

Trip to Singapore August 2008

2008-08-23T23:31:00.005+08:00

Last week spend bout 3 days in Singapore to lepak and for shopping. Took the bus there from Sunway Pyramid to Harbourfront in Singapore. The bus we took wasn't the usual express bus where it is driven by Hamilton or trying to break the KL to Singapore record though. The bus we took is the double-decker Aeroline bus. The trip to and fro costs roughly RM 160, or RM 80 per way. Quite steep compared to the regular Bas Express, but then you get comfy seats, an onboard meal and a small lounge to lepak (too small unfortunately). Plus there is a someone like a flight attendent in addition to the driver if you want anything. Oh, got on-board movie too.

The bus before departing Sunway Pyramid at 9.30 am

The onboard meal; Subway with turkey breast and ham

Stayed at the Oxford hotel somewhere near Bugis area. Within walking distance to Orchard Road and the Bugis Junction shopping complex. Our first stop was the Singapore Flyer. This is not some small ferries this is something like the London Eye, only bigger (so they claim).

The Singapore Flyer is located at Marina Bay, near Suntec City and right next to the Singapore GP grandstands and pits. From the Flyer can see the grandstands and pits under construction.

Across the river/sea/creek/bay/whatever can see a golf course

As the canopy/bubble reached the top of the wheel, can see the Singapore skyline

The Pan Pacific hotel can be seen a short distance nearby. We are higher than the penthouse now :P

After the highest point the new Casino development can be seen under construction.

Another picture of the Singapore skyline before my handphone battery went dead. I was busy snapping away when it suddenly died. Must be too much for something like an N95 where I checked my GPS location in the bus on the way down to Singapore and took alot of photos:P

After that not that many pictures coz it was then whole day shopping along Orchard Road :P From one end to the other end:P

The return trip was from Harbourfront back to Pyramid. Depart at around 6.30pm and arrive bout 11.30pm.

Overall it was a pleasant trip, with me bumping into Woon at Bugis since he had a game of Mechwarrior there. But over in Singapore I can't help but marvel just how efficient their transportation and taxis service there. Not to mention it was as clean as Japan. No wonder Singaporeans like their country so much, since their government really take care of them. Compared to here...... dunno where to start.

And things seem to be affordable too. If you earn in Sing (dollar to dollar comparison) the costs of things there are cheap. Again, compared to here... dunno where to start.

Oh, Singapore is also very very liberal. Enter their bookshops and their magazines are different. Example: Compare Singapore version of Stuff to our version, ours seem more covered up :(

Kelana Jaya Putra LRT Station parking Part 2

2008-08-23T15:29:00.003+08:00

This is Part 2 of how its like to park your car at the LRT station and coming back at night. I can't help to wonder if RapidKL or the Gov aka Pak Lah ever care for us. A picture tells a thousand words, so I'll show you who it is like when you come back after a Looong day at work.

There are not much lights for the area right next to the station, except maybe this small illuminated part. That part used to be part of the main parking area. What a great waste of resources.

Now for the view from where my car is. Dark isn't it?

Looking towards the east it is no better

As I sat in my car ready to move out, a train passed by.

Picture taken when i was about to leave. Have not on the headlights yet, but at 8:11 it is VERY dark

Do note I took the photos with my N95 with night mode on and it is still dark!!! If a main station is like this, I wonder how it is like for those smaller lesser known stations.

In fact this week, Pak Lah, as part as the by-election propaganda campaign, decided to take the KTM and Putra LRT to work. He made it as though he finally realized how severe the problem is. Fact is, the problem has been ignored for FAR FAR too long.

Sorry my dear PM, it's a case of "its too late to apologize" by One Republic.

On the good side, atleast someone in RapidKL took the initiative to order more trains for the Putra line. Hope it arrive sooner :(

2008-08-09T23:43:00.002+08:00

Nowadays, I dunno why, dun feel like playing computer anymore. Dun feel like playing my 360 anymore. Even buying TFs no longer give me the satisfaction like last time (maybe the TF movie fad is over).

Maybe I just need to get out more, get out from the nest and be on my own.

Maybe coz of all the needs of a person, I have yet to fulfill one more..

Let's see:-
Car>got
house>got
secure career>got
money>got but not that much, but not too little
club membership > screw it, i'm not a sportsman
powerful computer to boot> got
nice handphone> got
credit card> my own personal one.. yup, got

so what's the missing need? well this is one thing your relatives will bug you left and right every new year, every dinner and so on, so yeah, I hope for the best to fulfill this need....

Kelana Jaya Putra LRT Station parking

2008-08-09T23:11:00.003+08:00

LRT is convenient, fast and ok to the pocket (not cheap, but not too expensive either). But getting to and from the station from the house is another story. Unless you live near one, you need to drive to the station and park you car there.

In the morning it is safe coz there is a lot of ppl coming in at the same time and can park nearer to the station. Going back is another story. If you park some distance away, like underneath the power lines, then going back to your car late is very very dark. also, there is not proper pavement and not even proper road!

Picture shows in the evening as I approach my car. I park here around 11 something since I got a meeting in the morning. usually I tumpang my dad since he work in Kelana Jaya. Dunno how much I have saved in petrol and parking :P

It is possible to extend the parking area even more, since there are ample space beneath the power lines. But is is very very far to walk!!!

If there is any rant, well there is alot actually, is this:-
1) 2 years ago when I started working the area beneath the power lines was FREE after a certain period since there aren't many cars
2) Parking fee went from RM 1 to RM 2 and now RM 2.50
3) Atleast the crusher run is still.. flat. The other area nearer to the station is like the moon. Over-roading goodness? Come here!!
4) No lights, no security (as if anyone cared anyway)
5) Cars parked extremely near to each other, so need good parking skills. Luckily the big boys (aka big S-classes and the like) are not parked here.

2008-08-05T21:57:00.002+08:00

I have been playing around with Facebook for while, adding friends which I have not seen in a loooooonggggg time. Also adding some applications onto my profile page. Some of the apps are.... weird. Got vampire game one, mobster game one, poking your friend type.. Then got some which are to say, more useful. Like the one which tell you where you went to.

One app, called the meaning of my b'day app, kinda tell abit about me.

But some are not so accurate, so here's what I have to say:-
Lucky Color: I prefer light blue actually
Personality strenghts: Am I attractive and have a good charm? If I do have it I won't be single anymore..:P
Personality weakness: Yes... I am very impatient. In games I RARELY play sniper coz I cannot stay still and wait in one spot for long.
Successful career path: fashion.. yeah right, me myself also dun care about fashion (Nike? Adidas? Puma? All overpriced clothing!!)
Sense of humour: Raunchy ... totally opposite!!! I'm more gentlemen-like right?

As for the description? Sometimes my head DO end up in the clouds, dreaming bout non-value added stuff. Dream big and think different is true as well. Also i am laid back and fun-loving at the same time, not really want to push myself too hard just for monetary gains. Have to consider bout quality of life also.

Too bad I can't see what other ppl's b'day mean.

2008-07-26T14:17:00.002+08:00

I now have both a Facebook account and a Friendster account.

The difference between the 2? One has your profile and shows the friends you have, the other shows your profile, the friends you have plus some apps where you can poke/play/bite/fight/tase/race/etc with your friends.

It's like Facebook took the Friendster concept and added in extra stuff to do. The good thing is that both are completely free and to add apps you need not pay a single cent (unlike M$ Xbox Live service, pay for everything!!!!).

One thing I noticed on Facebook, some have their relationship status as 'married'!! So fast???!?! Maybe coz they dun want 'buayas' (male and female) to kacau them, but still, got married already?

Oh ya, gone are the days where ppl use ICQ anymore. Now everyone use MSN.

2008-07-20T23:03:00.002+08:00

This morning I saw bout 5 super/rare cars at ONE intersection. Was at the Tujuan traffic lights, the one where you make a U-turn to go into USJ 3/4 and back to SJ.

First I saw 1 M5 silver color one to my left, waiting for the traffic light to turn green. I also waiting for the traffic light to turn green so that can make U-turn to go to SJ. Then opposite side a Merc CLK 200 turns right to Jalan Jengka. I though, hmm, Sunday morning everyone will bring out their Sunday cars. As the light changed the cars from Jalan Jengka turns right to Jln. Tujuan and lo and behold, a Yellow Porsche zips by me. Thinking there might be more, 2 more EVO 8/9 zips by soon after. Sooo.... everyone bringing out their Sunday cars...

On the way back pass by some of the bungalows in my taman, USJ2. The CLK earlier stopped by one of the bungalows and parked by the side of the road. So as I slowly pass by it, I saw a 350Z decorated with wedding decorations inside the bungalow. The best man in his CLK 200 visiting the groom? This orang kaya really kaya like hell.

Anyway one thing that irks me this morning was something on the radio. Was listening to Hitz.fm playing Rihanna's "I dun wanna do this anymore" when to my great surprise, they censored the word "gun" from the song!!!!! WTF WTF WTF!!!! You know the part she sings that she want to shoot the fella with the gun? well they silenced the word "gun"!!

If RTM I can understand, but this is a private station!!! Watlah this country!! Like mighty morphing power rangers, some idiot think 'morphing' sounds too close to 'morphine' , some drug. Geez, as if kids know wat morphine is.

In fact gone are the good old days when cartoons show ppl holding guns blowing each other up. Example: Transformers Generation 1 has both sides carrying guns and shooting each other to scrap. Now the latest Transformers Animated most of the "good guys" have melee weapons with only the bad guys have guns of some sort. Still they prefer to fight melee.

If that is not enough, I saw a DVD for the cartoon Thundercats with something you would not believe; an 18PL rating!!! Contains scary scenes etc. errr..... did the person who slap on that rating ever saw it as a kid? Or kids these days are too "soft" for big men fighting in their spandex against a very dark evil vampire? I used to see the cartoon as a kid, even have the "ThunderTank", but now cartoons are all.... boring. No gun fighting (the best part), no super cool vehicles, no real evil villains.

Ok, enough rant for today...

Tomica die-cast cars

2008-07-12T21:06:00.002+08:00

My brother collects small Hot Wheels/Matchbox sized cars called Tomicas. These type of die-cast cars are different from the usual HW/MB cars in the sense that they are more detailed and more realistic. Unfortunately it is also double the price! Still I prefer Tomica compared to HW since HW tend to make weird or ridiculous cars. Toilet bowl car? Yup, HWs did make one.

The different between Tomica and HWs is that they are from different regions. Tomica is of course from Japan and is made my Tomy (which has merged with Takara, tainting Takara with its QC problems, but then Takara gains Tomy's distribution network). Hotwheels is from the US. Tomica has a more realistic approach to thier toys whereby their cars are based on real cars (like Toyota Passo, EVO X etc), their playsets on toll plazas in Japan (with no stopping Smart Tag lane to boot!!) and life in Japan.

HWs on the other hand is more the cars which will highly remain in the realm of fantasy of on the race track. Their playsets are all about... CRASHING. Jezz HW cars have such funny paintwork and to play them you crash them... rigghtt..

Anyway bought these cars yesterday from Sg. Wang. The Hummer and EVO X is very hard to find, so I was lucky they had stock that day.

The doors can even open!!

Binaltech BT-19 Bluestreak and BT-20 Argent Meister

2008-07-12T20:52:00.004+08:00

After a few months of waiting, I finally got myself 2 new Transformer Binaltech number 19 and 20. BT-19 is Bluestreak who represents a Blue Subaru Impreza, while BT-20 is Argent Meister (Agent Jazz) who is Silver RX-8 with Mazdaspeed Body kit.

Both come in the usual Takara Tomy Binaltech box but with only the display stand and instruction sheet only. No more instruction booklet and collectible card like last time. The story is printed on the bottom of the box :(

But the instruction sheet is not really as bad as the Hasbro's one with some Nippon words to guide you.

As for the cars themselves.... let's say if you are expecting Takara quality then you'll be disappointed since it is tainted with Tomy quality. For Bluestreak different parts have different shades of dark blue while for Jazz the silver paint is not as perfect as one would expect, but still acceptable.

Bluestreak

Argent Meister

However if you are new to the Binaltech scene, and wish to own atleast 1 binaltech without paying ridiculously for the early Takara version which can go into range of RM 300-500 each, then this is a good buy. Just dun expect the quality of a Takara but not as bad as Hasbro. Atleast they still give you the box to keep you cars safe.

I still have 2 more coming, BT-21 and BT-22. BT-21 is Arcee which comes in a S2000, while BT-22 is Convoy who comes in a Dodge Pickup truck. Both are die-cast, and Bt-22 will surely weigh a ton since the mould is very big (which may explain why BT-22 is currently delayed lol).

After that will get the Nissan GTR transformer. Too bad it is sized to 1:32 instead of 1:24. But still, it is a GTR!

Beijing Trip 3

2008-07-05T15:23:00.002+08:00

Moving on to day 3 of my Beijing trip. Have not been posting for a while, so since I'm free today time to continue!!

So we when to this fresh water pearl factory to see just how many pearls are there in a fresh water oyster. The number of pearls in a fresh water oyster numbers around 20-30 instead of a sea oyster which we all know only has a single oyster. My bro bought a pearl necklace (not so biglah) for his gf. A just opened oyster showing the pearls.

The rest of the day was spend shopping though all the "Sg. Wang" type shopping complexes. Mind you, the level of customer service in M'sia is 1000 times better than in China. Out there, you have to bargain to kingdom come, otherwise you will get rip off. Its bad enough the product is a FAKE, but they still wanna charge a high price. Even worse are those sales person who knows english, since they can counter offer you.

Anyway at one of the places where my bro was shopping for a LV wallet (of course not reallah), the shop sales ppl hold his hand for a while when my bro was walking away from the shop. Btw, there are alot of fake goods such as; fake Ipod with similar packaging and casing (but lacking the signature apple ipod dial), fake nokia N95 (I got the real deal), fake Kingston 32 GB thumbdrive (which some of our members bought for fun, only to KONG when wan to use here), fake TF toys such as ultimate bumblebee, leader class movie prime, copy binaltech and the one I have, a fake alternator. Dun get me started on fake nike/reebok/(insert brand here).

For the taxis here, there is ALOT of Hyundai Elantras and Volkwagens being used. In fact due to the close proximity of South Korea, somehow the local gov bought a very large fleet of Hyundai Elantras to be used as taxis. Make out Saga taxis extremely outdated and lousy. Infact, compared with other countries, we have among the smallest and most outdated taxis. In Europe there are E-class taxis, Thailand Vios taxis, China Volks and Hyundai Elantra, Japan Toyota Crown etc.

Day 4 we visited the Summer Palace, where the Emperor pergi lepak during the summer period. It is like a big man-made lake resort with emperor proportions. One empress (yes, empress) even used money meant for the navy to build/renovate the place (using rakyat's money wrongly again).

The view of the lake and temple on the hill at the summer palace. Extremely hazy though.

The longest corridor in the whole. The pictures painted on the beams are all unique to one another.

The famous marble boat. Looks like in a very bad shape.

Another view of the lake front and the hill

The view of the 17 arches bridge when viewed aboard the dragon board. The lake has a dragon boat which shuttles between various gates in the area.

Later in the day all of us took a trishaw ride though the narrow lanes of a "hutong". Hutong is something like a village with narrow lanes and the houses are extremely near to each in the city. The trishaw have no suspension with some parts of the lanes unpaved and uneven makes the ride very bumpy but fun. Fun to ride in a hude convoy though.

So at the end of the last evening in Beijing, we had another glimpse of the Bird's Nest Stadium. The stadium is not very big when viewed from a far, but I think once you been inside a big stadium, then you will appreciate the sheer size of it. Ever wonder why the price of steel is so expensive? Well I think this is one of the reasons....

Nearby is the new media center in the shape of the Olympic flame and the countdown digital display to the opening ceremony. When we were there the number of days to the Olympics is only 60 days.

So the next day we depart from Beijing from the new Terminal 3 airport. It is VERY BIG. VERY VERY BIG. At the main terminal when you enter the entrance you can't see the other end. Equally amazing is that the roof have openings to allow sunlight in, conserving energy and cutting electricity costs.

So how was the trip? I would say I enjoyed quite well although there were some minor hiccups. In fact the start of the trip was a real eventful one and we thought it was a no-go.

The original plan was to meet up at my dad's office in Kelana Jaya at around 8.30pm, head to KLIA aboard a chartered bus and catch the flight at KLIA. But it didn't went smoothly in the sense that the day we supposed to depart is the eve of the petrol hike, so everywhere is jam like hell coz ppl were trying to pump in at the last minute (dun blame the motorist, blame the person who decided to announce it so suddenly). To cut it short, the bus sesat, arrive slighly late, then had problem getting out of Kelana onto the highway until finally we arrive at KLIA in time.. all coz the flight was delayed (hmm, now maybe we ARE supposed to fly off).

If that is not enough, the plane which was supposed to fly out to Beijing had some problem so the flight was cancelled! Stranded in our very own KLIA, the airline (Air China) put us in the Satellite Building hotel (yes, a hotel INSIDE the satellite building) and sort of upgraded us to the next MAS flight in the morning at 8am. I say upgraded coz the original plane was a smaller plane than the one used by MAS. Not to mention MAS serve better food. So in the end we did depart for Beijing and landed in Terminal 2, not the new T3 that our earlier flight was supposed to go. But hey, in the end we did depart from T3 after all :P

Here's a mural in Terminal 2 showing the sights of China.

Alternator Prowl China Police edition

2008-06-28T22:32:00.003+08:00

One of the souvenirs I brought back from Beijing is a KO (Knock-off) Alternator Prowl in Chinese Police car design. Simply put, it is a copy of an alternator toy with chinese police car decos; and a very good one for a superbly low price of 50 Remembi = Rm 25.

We'll start with the box. The box is using an almost similar box of the Binaltech Prowl, with manual booklet, display cardboard and plastic holder. Upon seeing the box you would not know that is a copy unless you noticed the different logo and the absence of the "TAKARA" and HONDA copyright. Even though it is using the Takara Binaltech box, the car is unfortunately is of Alternator quality.

Underneath the box shows what other alternator prowls are available.

The contents of the box.

The close-up of the car mode. The entire car is white in color with the "great wall" chinese police force logo and decals similar to the police cars in Beijing. The plastic quality is ok and the door, hood and boot fits tightly, unlike some KO alternator where the doors and hood will swing open if you turn the car upside down. Even with the engine inside the hood, the hood remains shut. It's like this company used to make Hasbro's alternators!!! There are no Honda or Type-R logos visible on the car.

The parts which can be opened.

The transformation to the bot mode, for a Knock-off, is similar to that of an alternator. Some of the KO alternator/binaltechs I have can't complete the transformation or their bot mode looks weird because some of the parts are larger than the other etc. This kind of toys have strict tolerances, and any defect can ruin either the bot mode or alt mode. For this particular KO, the transformation was smooth.

The bot mode meanwhile is on par with the alternators. Joints are tight and not too loose, although one of the foot joints was a little too tight. The hood easily locks into the torso. Overall good bot mode.

Heads up!

Front

Side

Back

Comparison with Barricade.

Note: Click on the image to enlarge

Beijing Trip 2

2008-06-22T15:34:00.002+08:00

This is part 2 of my photo post from my Trip to Beijing. Part 1 showing day 1 is below.

So off to the great wall of China! Quite hazy compared to yesterday. Dunno if it is haze or mist or fog, but if you are a pilot it is really hard to see anything.

This photo shows part of the great wall across the valley.

The gate to Beijing from a small city to the left of the photo.

Part of the wall is steep.. very steep with no breaks in between. Uneven steps and the steps has sunk from constant used. So I climbed up to the tower at the top...

Only to see that you can climb even higher to the next tower. Needless to say, we turn around after that and head back down.

Next we head to a cloisonne factory where they make all this fragile pottery china. Can see how these items were made. They create the pots using copper and copper fillings. If in M'sia leaving all the copper stuff outside will result all of them gone overnight.

Then we head to this wax museum showing the periods of the Ming dynasty. The quality of the figures to say the least... China QC. There are limbs in not natural positions and some of the displays are really gathering a thick layer of dust. Then some of the exhibits are either gory and funny. Like one showing the emperor in bed with a common lady while a minister tries to speak to him outside but prevented to do so by his jaga. Then one jaga in a "HURRY UP LAH!!" stance at the door.

This one shows a "spy" in action

One the way back to the city center pass by the water cube and the bird's nest. Cannot really go near as it is still under construction.

Spotted by the "Bukit Bintang" area of Beijing for a while. There we stopped by a Macdonald's to see what they have on offer. There is grilled chicken (something like char siew chicken) burger & egg with ham pie, something different from here in M'sia. Darn, why our mac so lousy wan???

This ends my post showing photos taken on the 2nd day.. more to come !!

2008-06-22T00:03:00.002+08:00

Here are some of the photos taken during my trip to Beijing.

The place shown below is the OCT theater where we saw a theater performance called "Golden Mask Dynasty". This is a relatively new building, with very very advanced stage. There is one scene where water was pouring from the stage to simulate a massive flood.

This is the 1st hotel we stayed in Beijing. The hotel is rated 4-star but the inside like 3-star. The next day the tour leader decided to change to a more "better" hotel. Gald we did as the other hotel was waayy better.

So off to the forbidden city the next day. This is the entrance to the forbidden city that we have just passed called the Meridian Gate.

Next up is the Hall of Supreme Harmony. This place is where the Emperor's speeches are made for everyone to hear. AS you can see it is under renovation for the games.

Before entering the Inner palace where the Emperor's throne is, will passed by these 2 gold lions
The male

and the female

Once inside can see the emperor's throne. As you can see the stuff is very dusty.

We then exit the forbidden city by the Gate of Divine Might. We walked from Tianemen Square>Outer City> Inner City> exit by gate of divine might. There are 9999 and a half rooms so to speak, but of course we din go into every roomlah.

Then afterwards we went to this "tea house" to get to know more of the tea available in China (but can be bought in m'sia, m'sia sell everything). I mention this place coz our tour group consisted of several Malays since it is my father's company trip. So we went with the English speaking group, while the chinese tour mates went with the Mandarin speaking group. The english speaking group majority malays and to be frank, they dun drink much chinese tea. My mom drinks tea, but can buy from Gojo tea shop in Gardens MV, top floor near Borders. So the presenter was quite upset that she could not make any sales from our group. She even said something like ".. do you have a problem with this so and so tea...". Needless to say, we quickly cabut from the room after that.

The mandarin speaking group took longer that our group so we did buy something after that, but not the stuff the presenter was trying to push us. Managed to bargain to get a "pee-pee boy". Basically it is a small sculptor where the boy will "pee" if the water is hot enough for the tea is poured onto him.

So that ends my post for the first day in Beijing.

Here is a photo showing the floor layout of the hotel we were staying. Read the sentences:P

2008-06-18T20:11:00.002+08:00

Take a look at all my souvenirs I brought back from Beijing, China :)

Went to Beijing for holiday from the 4th to the 10th of June 2008. Didn't post anything immediately after the holiday coz too tired after the trip.

The list of souvenirs are:=
1) KO alternator Prowl in China police decals (amazingly accurate and well built)
2) 3 big hand-painted fridge magnets (2 of them has QC problems, haih China makes the worlds magnets and can't even get its own magnets right!!!)
3) Great Wall "hero card"; you buy it when you climb a short (but extremely steep) portion of the great wall at the top
4) OCT theater ticket (some theater performance)
5) Beijing 2008 soft toys
6) Beijing 2008 2-D fridge magnets (this ones work well)
7) Thermo-sensitive Beijing 2008 mug (decal change color when hot water is poured)
8) Forbiddden Palace museum fridge magnets (the one with the red and yellow baju)

and many more souvenirs which my parents bought for themselves. As you can see, i'm more of a fridge magnet/soft toy collector type of tourist.

Anyway the trip to Beijing was great, although it can be a little better. Few things about this Beijing trips:-
1) Tour agency will bring you to some tourist sales place like those selling pearls, tea, herbal medicine etc, bring you into a room (not locked I can assure you) and give some lecture/demo and after that expect you to buy. Can't blame the tourist companies, its their tourist dept. directive. And the prices are not cheap either since you are paying tourist price. One of the places sell burn cream and the demonstrator actually BURN himself with a glowing hot heated chain to show how effective it is. Some can even get upset if they know they will not get the sales.
2) Shopping in their "pasar malam" type of shopping center can make even the BEST bargain hunters KALAH TERUK. Some of the sales ladies/men are well verse in English and know how to bargain to their advantage. Also they will quote a substantially higher price and you need to bargain it down to appropriate levels, though the price of TF there seem like those in toy shops in KL.
3) Beijing has been cleaned up for the 2008 games. No kidding, all the buses are new (including our tour bus), the streets are repaved and alot of places are still under construction (will they make it). But some roads can see 1 storey high walls along the streets to block the view from the main road of the houses/shops behind it. Like DBKL build a huge mural to block the view of some setinggan houses around KL from the road.
4) The new Beijing Terminal 3 airport is BIG. BIIGGGGG.
5) Our flight from KLIA to Beijing was delayed, so had to stay in the KLIA air-port hotel (no not Pan Pacific, the hotel inside the satellite building) for 1 night, depart in the morning.
6) Beijing is hazy.
7) Great wall is STEEP.
8) The birds nest is cool :)
9) There is ALOT of Knock off stuff. Fake Ipod, fake cell phone, fake Ultimate Bumblebee, Fake Leader OP, fake Louise Vutton wallet, Fake ... anything!! Even saw fake X5 and CRV.

2008-05-31T14:40:00.002+08:00

I have shipped my 360 to my friend over in Singapore to get my 360 fixed. The shipping cost roughly RM 145.00 with return by some courier company. Not the usual Fedup though. Anyway it took only 1 day for it to reach its destination in Singapore. Not bad for my first ever stuff sent by courier.

My 360 get to visit Singapore instead of its owner ... rigghtttt.

2008-05-29T21:01:00.003+08:00

Right now I'm on a "puasa" from buying Transformers figures. After the HUGE buying run last month, the only TF purchase I made this month is the RM 211 Bt-06 Corvette Tracks. Other than that no other TF was purchased. It didn't help that my 360 broke down and I have to spend money to repair it.

Maybe next month I'll get 1 or 2 figures, then the following month another 2. Its getting wayyy to expensive to maintain such a hobby.

Another reason why I'm not keen to "invest" in such indulgence is after a msn conversation some time ago. Had a chat with a former school mate of mine and i told her that I spend quite a lot on toys.. i mean TF figures. She was a abit taken aback and said why dun I go out more. Then I pulled her leg by saying why dun she introduced some of her friends to me.

After that she said that i was too obsessed with toys and very unlikely will introduce me to someone since I'm too into toys :P

So I guess from that conversation it proves one thing: Girls dun like boys who are too obsessed with their toys/games/computer/cars/hobby!!!! Note the bold word obsessed. Meaning still can have a toy hobby, but in moderation and have something else to do.

Now I wonder if girls like ppl who are obssessed with girls.....

2008-05-10T23:29:00.003+08:00

I have always believe that PC gaming is better. Cheaper games, availability of mods, tried and true controls for games like First Person Shooters & Real Time Strategy, ability to cheat easily, can put in your friend's save game if you give up (never used, but its nice to know you can do it) and free online gaming. ** Yes, I know PC can play ahem games, but nowadays I buy ori and have so far never bought any pirated game ***

Having an Xbox 360 is great and I can tolerate certain things like have to pay to play online if the service is good, but then things like need to PAY to unlock cheats, need to PAY to unlock stuff on the disk (cough cough EA, Chromehounds), cannot mod the game, need to pay for .. everything, even your DISPLAY PICTURE if you want to customize your looks and use a different display picture than the initial ones provided. Imagine paying MSN to use a different picture provided :P

But since it is working fine I can tolerate the above issues since I can still can play the 360 without certain things.

BUT NOW, my 360 is NOT WORKING ANYMORE!!!!! AARRHHGHH!!

I am now contemplating my options the best method to fix it. If it proves too expensive to claim its official warranty I will fix it cheaply then if it dies again I'll leave it for dead. Cheaper to invest in a PS3 or to keep my PC running.

So for those of you thinking of getting a 360, make sure you are in Singapore or have good contacts there or willing to buy a backup. Wait till M'soft release the newer version which is claimed not to die so fast.

Till then, get a PS3 where you can watch blue-ray discs and still be able to play GTA4.

Or just get a PC.

Halo is overrated anyway (for someone who was spoilt by BF2PC, Unreal tournament PC, DOOM 3 PC (Xbox version was simplified) , Dawn of War, HL2, Crysis)

P.S : Forgot to add, it does not come with a wifi antenna. So if you want to connect your 360 to your wifi router you got to fork out RM 300 the 360 wifi adapter, which is PURE GORENG since I can easily get a usb wifi adapter for less than RM 100 if you buy a generic brand and the 360 is designed to only accept is own kind. Oh, PS3 comes with a wifi antenna in built.

I have been contemplating to get the wireless adapter for some time, but always shoot it down due to the ridiculous inflated high cost of it (like our cars here, TAXED to the maX!!!). Now that my 360 is spoil, good havens I didn't buy it.

2008-04-15T22:25:00.002+08:00

There is a limit on how much one can spam on an internet forum.

Take for example the Transformers thread on Lowyat.net. Its members are ridiculous spammers. They can post until an entire thread is up in less than 1 week. Mostly picture spams of their collections. Of course there are some posts like "Good morning" or "going to so and so place, will check out TF". But from July 2007 to April 2008 they had gone through from V1 (the first thread) to the current V27. That's right, 27 threads of nothing but transformers: pictures, chit chat etc. Then in between got some out of topic stuff as well.

Mind you, a thread need to reach 2500 posts before a new one is needed.

So much so that the moderators decided to put a stop to the practice coz the other threads in the sub-forum like Gundam, hot Wheels, PVC figures have not even reached their 5th thread yet. Though our TF fan base exploded after the transformers movie, recently it there is more spam posts than last time.

That's why now the thread is a little slower now, but more meaningful posts, instead of the usual picture spam.

Can't blame Lowyat.net staff anyway. I would say it is one of the biggest forums in M'sia, with 100k over members. With so many forums and sub-forums thier servers are bound to fill up quick. And server space and power isn't infinite.

2008-04-15T16:14:00.002+08:00

Here's a recap on the amount of Transformers figures I have at the moment:-

Voyager Rescue Ratchet
Deluxe Jazz
Voyager Thundercracker
Deluxe Bonecrusher
Deluxe Brawl,
Takara Voyager Blackout,
LEADER MEGATRON,
LEADER BRAWL ,
Deluxe Barricade,
Takara Deluxe Longarm,
TAKARA LEADER OPTIMUS PRIME,
Deluxe Bumblebee 08,
Deluxe Payload,
Legends Optimus Prime,
Classics Jetfire,
Classics Grimlock,
KO Smokescreen,
KO Grimlock,
KO Dead End,
Alternator Ford GT Mirage,
Legends Ironhide,
Legends Desert Blackout ,
Deluxe Landmine,
Alternator Shockblast,
Alternator Swindle,
Alternator Silverstreak,
Alternator Dead End,
Offroad Ironhide,
Voyager Hasbro Incinerator
Takara Masterpiece Starscream,
Hasbro DVD Masterpiece Optimus Prime (yes, the biggest Optimus Prime there is)
Classics Rodimus (Hot Rod)

Dun ask me how much it all adds up :)

But there is more coming soon:-

Alternator Optimus Prime
Alternator Rumble
Alternator Wheeljack
Binaltech Bluestreak
Binaltech Jazz (movie redeco)

Would be concentrating on Alternators and Binaltechs from now on. The other TF toys are rather... kids toys.

2008-03-31T00:37:00.002+08:00

Saw a link to a website called "what your name means" from Lyn.net.

So i type in my name and the result was:-
You entered: **** ** ****

There are 10 letters in your name.
Those 10 letters total to 56
There are 3 vowels and 7 consonants in your name.

Your number is: 11

The characteristics of #11 are: High spiritual plane, intuitive, illumination, idealist, a dreamer.

The expression or destiny for #11:
Your Expression number is 11. The number 11 is the first of the master numbers. It is associated with idealistic concepts and rather spiritual issues. Accordingly, it is a number with potentials that are somewhat more difficult to live up to. You have the capacity to be inspirational, and the ability to lead merely by your own example. An inborn inner strength and awareness can make you an excellent teacher, social worker, philosopher, or advisor. No matter what area of work you pursue, you are very aware and sensitive to the highest sense of your environment. Your intuition is very strong; in fact, many psychic people and those involved in occult studies have the number 11 expression. You possess a good mind with keen analytical ability. Because of this you can probably succeed in most lines of work, however, you will do better and be happier outside of the business world. Oddly enough, even here you generally succeed, owing to your often original and unusual approach. Nonetheless, you are more content working with your ideals, rather than dollars and cents.

The positive aspect of the number 11 expression is an always idealistic attitude. Your thinking is long term, and you are able to grasp the far-reaching effects of actions and plans. You are disappointed by the shortsighted views of many of your contemporaries. You are deeply concerned and supportive of art, music, or of beauty in any form.

The negative attitudes associated with the number 11 expression include a continuous sense of nervous tension; you may be too sensitive and temperamental. You tend to dream a lot and may be more of a dreamer than a doer (err... I really do tend to dream alot :P). Fantasy and reality sometimes become intermingled and you are sometimes very impractical. You tend to want to spread the illumination of your knowledge to others irrespective of their desire or need.

Your Soul Urge number is: 6

A Soul Urge number of 6 means:
With a number 6 Soul Urge, you would like to be appreciated for your ability to handle responsibility. Your home and family are likely to be a strong focus for you, perhaps the strongest focus of your life (true true) . Friendship, love, and affection are high on your list of priorities for a happy life (really true, need gf :( ). You have a lot of diplomatic tendencies in your makeup, as you a able to rectify and balance situations with an innate skill. You like working with people rather than by yourself. It is extremely important for you to have harmony in your environment at all times.

The positive side of the 6 Soul Urge produces a huge capacity for responsibility; you are always there and ready to assume more than your share of the load. If you possess positive 6 Soul Urges and express them, you are known for your generosity, understanding and deep sympathetic attitude. Strong 6 energy is very giving of love, affection, and emotional support. You may have the inclination to teach or serve your community in other idealistic ways. You have natural abilities to help people. You are also likely to have artistic and creative leanings.

If you have an over-supply of 6 energy in your makeup, you may express some of the negative traits common to this number. With such a strong sympathetic attitude, it is easy to become too emotional. Sometimes the desires to render help can be over done, and it can become interfering and an attitude that is too protective, rather than helpful (too helpful and sometimes like to hear ppl's problems instead of my own). The person with too much 6 energy often finds that people tend to take advantage of this very giving spirit. You may tend to repress your own needs so that you can cater to the demands from others. At times, there may be a tendency in this, for becoming over-loaded with such demands, and as a result become resentful.

Your Inner Dream number is: 5

An Inner Dream number of 5 means:
You dream of being totally free and unrestrained by responsibility (MERDEKA!!!). You see yourself conversing and mingling with the natives in many nations, living for adventure and life experiences. You imagine what you might accomplished (zzz and dreaming once again:P).

So a small bit of it is kinda true in a way. The website is here:-
http://www.paulsadowski.com/Numbers.asp

2008-03-29T23:34:00.004+08:00

On Thursday had to go over to Kuantan to meet the Bomba officer there. Had a project in Bukit Tinggi Pahang which required a little clarification on the fire-fighting system. The plans are submitted to Bomba Pahang, hence the need to drive all the way there.

yup, drove over 600km from SJ to Kuantan and back to SJ in 1 day. So here was the timeline:-
6.00 am left home and refuel car
6.15 left SJ by Kesas, then using MRR2 to go to Karak Highway side
6.45 Karak Hwy, Gombak toll RM 5.00 toll
7.00 Karak Hwy, Genting Sempah tunnel
7.30 East Coast Hwy, Lanchang toilet stop
9.30 Reach the Kuantan interchange, RM 19.20 toll from Karak to Kuantan. almost 10 cent per km!!
10.00 in Kuantan, lepak a bit to 2.00 pm coz the officer is only in afternoon
So 10.00am to 2.00 pm went to Teluk Cempedak, lepak at Kuantan Megamall
2.30 Left Kuantan, heading back to KL
5.00 pm, went up to Bukit Tinggi from Karak Hwy to see my site, located at almost 800 meters above see level. The location of the site on top of the hill will make any structure and infra engineer sweat. Fortunately I'm doing mechanical services :P
6.00 back on Karak Hwy to head back to KL
7.00 back home

So its 300km to get there, 300km to get back. The toll tally is like:-
Kesas Hwy RM 2.20 X 2 = RM 4.40
Karak Hwy MR 5.00 at Gombak toll , RM 3.00 at Bentong (Pahang side)
East Coast Hwy RM 19.20 from Karak to Kuantan
East Coast Hwy RM 19.20 from Kuantan to Karak
Karak Hwy another RM 5.00 and RM 3.00
Kesas Hwy RM 2.20 X2 = another RM 4.40

So total cost for toll only is a whopping RM 63.20 both ways, excluding petrol!!!!

But I must say, the Karak Hwy and East Cost Hwy is very nice to drive and if you are willing to risk saman (I didn't) you can speed all the way to Kuantan, though the Karak Hwy have a lot of sharp corners and the road is very undulating and steep. There were countless times whereby bigger cars (even kancil) overtook me. The speed limit for east coast Hwy is 110 kph.

The East Coast Hwy the transit ticket is very unique whereby it is a card unlike the Plus ticket which looks so outdated (still using magnetic strip!!)

Kuantan is pretty well run and clean I must say. Telok Cempedak, a popular beach spot was very clean and well maintained. Then in Kuantan got no toll road unlike say here there are tolls everywhere!!! No wonder BN still in Pahang, they are doing quite a good job there!

So this is kinda like my first out-station trip on my own using my car. Last time went to JB by bus or tumpang contractor or colleagues. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Then for my car it is the first time it went out-station too. yes, 14 years old and the furthest it has ever been is Nilai. Never been to Pahang, never been to Genting, never been to Perak even. Even though it is 14 years old the ride is smooth at 105 kph and the steering is straight. Of course, I just had it serviced less than 48 hours before, but on such a long trip a service would be necessary.

Oh, I must add that I have upgraded by phone to N95 from N80. Dad got a N95 but the battery life of the N95 couldn't keep up with the amount of calls he makes and receive every day. So I exchanged my phone with his. So far battery life is ok for me since I do not have many calls, but on this trip to Kuantan I only left bout 25% at the end of the day coz I took photos and surf wifi for almost and hour.

2008-03-07T20:56:00.001+08:00

TOMOLO is VOTING DAY!!!

Time to exercise my right as a Malaysian and Vote!!!

and yes, my vote is secret :)

2008-02-26T21:03:00.002+08:00

Got a new Transformer last weekend, and it is not the usual for age 5 and above toy. It is rated 15 and above and very very detailed.

Got myself a Takara Masterpiece Starscream :P

Finally!!!

Very very detailed. cockpit can open, nose cone can open, air brake can open. A true Masterpiece. Now to save up RM 700 for a MP-04 (Optimus Prime Masterpiece with trailer)

2008-01-21T21:40:00.000+08:00

Here's my new soft toy I bought :P

Looks familiar? I bought the Starbucks bear dressed up as a mouse with red shirt and holding some sort of good luck knot. Costs RM 50 though, but have to wait another 12 years b4 he comes out again :P

2008-01-05T00:42:00.000+08:00

I realized that I have TOO many photos :P almost 700 photos all together. The majority of them are family photos, however some I can put here to show a few things.

First up, the part of Tokyo which I stayed on the second day there. Stayed at the Keio Plaza hotel just opposite the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building in the Shinjuku area.

Quite a famous building actually. Raced around it in PGR 3, blew it up a few times in some PS2 game, and when I was there didn't know I will come here although i was thinking will I come to this place or not since I have seen this twin towers before.

Then the 3rd day I was at mount fuji area it snowed heavily the night before. The result: winter wonderland in the morning!!

Taken from the balcony of our hotel. Imagine, almost a palm length thick of snow came the night before.

From my hotel room window, not facing the lake unfortunately

So no choice can only visit mount fuji visitor center. See the thick layer of white snow? It is fresh white snow. The visibility is bad and cannot go up the mountain. Bought my Mount fuji soft toy from here.

See how heavy it snowed last night? :P

Luckily as we went over to the volcanic hot spring area can see the mountain.. although can't see the peak.

But after that we went to a shrine on top of a hill can see the peak finally :)

The 4 sided shrine on top of hill overlooking a city.

Now that mount Fuji is covered, now onto food!!

At the lake side hotel naer mount fuji had crab for dinner

Then on X'mas eve had this steamboat dinner in a typical japanese restaurant in Kyoto. Extremely hard to get up after that.

And the best of all, unlimited sushi!!
Yes, I took a little too much. The colors dun represent any value or type of dishes unlike our sushi king here. At a sushi bar in Osaka. My plates are on the left. The wasabi is very sauce-like, unlike our wasabi powder-rish. Also, I took too much wasabi!!!

... and yes, we were trying to outdo each other

The last day went over to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. The entrance arch at night

There are also lots of Myvis... i mean Passos around too. My bro which has a Myvi was busy snapping away. Like this myvi here.

Or this Myvi inside the Toyota themepark in Odaiba, Tokyo.

or this Daihatsu Boon here, spotted on the 4th day.

And lastly, I mentioned about their hi-tech toilets, well, one hotel had this seat with a heated seat. There is a stop button, front spray button, back spray button and water pressure control. Oh, the water is heated too.

2008-01-02T21:17:00.000+08:00

Let's recap on how much i have spend on Transformers so far

**** looks at total ***

errr nvm.

Now someone mentioned I collect until I can fill an entire shelf full before I get fed-up.

Well judging by the amount in the below picture,

Getting fed-up is loooonnggg overdue :P

2007-12-29T02:03:00.000+08:00

Here is the first photo album of my Japan trip. This one shows photos taken at Tokyo Disneyland. Click the photo to enter.

2007-12-27T16:18:00.000+08:00

Back from Japan already :)

Had a 5-day holiday in Japan, starting from the 20th to the 26th. 20th and 26th is mostly traveling while the days in between is when we were there.

First day: Tokyo Disneyland :P
Very very nice place to be. Too bad have to queue up for almost everything!!! The place was very very clean as well and very very well maintained. My parents went there before i was born, so this is disneyland is quite old, but the stuff inside are all new. Stayed at the Shinjuku area.

Day two: Asakusa, Ginza and Toyota's Megaweb.
Visited the Asakusa temple then proceeded to visit Megaweb, Toyota's theme park where all the toyota models are there. got to Toyota Passo there and managed to obtain the Passo catalouge. Why passo? coz Passo = Myvi with some cosmetic differences and also the passo has a lot more hi-tech stuff that can be installed from Toyota somemore. Makes our myvi like crap and P2 very kedekut. After that went to Lake Kawakuchiku (very very hard to spell) near mount fuji. The best part was that it was beginning to snow heavily as we arrive there.

Day 3: Lake Kawakuchiko, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Shinkenzen
First thing in the morning head over to the visitor centre of Mount fuji to buy some souvenirs and play with snow. Since we arrive early got a foot layer of snow in the adjacent road near the car park to play around with. The snow is still very very fresh after the snowing heavily the night before. But cannot go up mount fuji coz the road is covered in snow and visibility is very very bad. No matter, got snow to play with :P

After that went to the Hakone area to eat the black egg which was cooked hard boiled by a nearby hot spring. The hot spring is located at the top of a hill with an incredible view of mount Fuji in the background. too bad the peak is covered with clouds. Then proceeded to go around lake Ashi for cruise and lunch.

At night sat the Shinkenzen bullet train to our next destination, a small city of Hanabashi (sp correct?). I tell you, when waiting at the station the other bullet trains whiz by VERY VERY fast. No wonder it is called a bullet train.

Day four: Kyoto
Visited a kimono arts center to see a kimonos being made there as well to buy any souvenirs. My bro bought a very nice yukata (summer garment) for his gf; green color with cranes. Costs about RM 100++. Sorry girls, didn't buy any yukata or kimonos :)

Then head over to the Kiyomizu temple to drink its spring water and look at its architecture. Also ate in a small japan restaurant where you have to sit on the floor. The ones you see in japanese restaurants here with the sunken area for your foot is for our convenience, the real thing don't have that luxury. Very hard to get up after that :P

Day five: Kobe, Osaka, USJ, Kanzai
Stayed in Kobe coz no hotel room in Osaka (supposed to be Osaka), but quite near Osaka. In osaka when to the shopping district where there is one sushi bar with the kaitan belt with one special feature, all you can eat sushi. Imagine Sushi king where you pay a flat rate and eat your heart out and the belt is always FULL. All for 890 yen per person. Yes, the plates were piled high:P

After that went to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) to sit a few rides and buy some stuff. Again, long queues are a norm. Luckily got an express ticket which costs 50% extra over the original ticket price. Can get in in under 5 minutes one time :P But Disneyland dun have such a feature, so have to queue the old fashion way.

Then we head to the Nikko hotel Kanzai international airport, located right beside the main terminal coz the next morning we need to fly back in the morning.

Several things I noticed in Japan:
1) The place is clean, very very clean.
2) Safe; almost everyone dun lock their bicycle or moto at train stations or outside shops. Outside the shops no one jaga the goods, they assume you will enter and pay for the item
3) Small: Kelisas, Kancils, Myvis, Kenaris,Jazz type cars thrive here. The number of Camrys on the road can count with 1 hand, Accords... have not seen a single one. Oh, alot of Passos. At Disneyland lots of MPVs like Alphards, Streams etc. The buildings in Tokyo are build soooo close apart. The highways are double decker over roads and several feet from the nearest tall buildings.
4) Courtesy: Everyone greets each other, no one is rude. Everyone queues orderly, even though they may dress like a punk. The bus driver and everyone has pride in thier work (funny thing was, the taxi we took back in M'sia has its speedometer totally broken and was always showing 0 kph)
5) Hi-tech: In all the hotel toilets, got an electronic toilet seat. heated heat? yup Oscillating water jet? Yup. Automatic odour removal? Yup. Press button and it will wash your butt? yup. Flip phones there makes our flip phones a toy. Almost everyone takes photo using a flip phone (making our SLR a big dinosaur from yesteryear). Everyone I see uses a flip phone. Ticketing machine can accept 2 tickets in one go and able to read both of them (1 big, 1 small).

and many many more.

Will soon upload the photos.

in the meantime, meet my new soft toys :P

From the left, Hello Kitty dressed up as the volcanic black egg, cool relax guy and mount fuji.

2007-12-07T23:30:00.000+08:00

I made a simple excel file to keep track of all my transformers. To be frank, I have a lot of transformers, but didn't expect to have SO many transformers till I have spend RM 1700++!!!

That's including a few I have not gotten yet :P

So time to budget I guess.

*** better find something else to craze about otherwise this is getting too expensive ***

EDIT: It's 1700++, not RM 1600++, I missed out 1 :P

2007-12-07T21:10:00.000+08:00

This week alone I saw 3 rear-end accidents, 2 on the LDP, 1 in KL. And the last 2 that happened was very very near me; within 2 cars length.

The first was on Monday, on the LDP in front of the Kelana Giant. was quite near me, but I was on the lane closer to Giant and not on the road from the flyover. 1 green iswara crash into a kembara.

Second one was at the Bank Negara roundabout on Thursday. A van crashed into the back of the Perdana under the flyover.

Then today I was in the middle lane, one Honda Odyssey rear-end into a ford ranger in the inner lane. This time it happened in front of me (about 2 cars length) and if I had not noticed why the honda was accelerating into the ford I would have kena too. Not a simple slight bump; a crash.

Very very weird week indeed. Have one day whereby I had no less than 5 blaring ambulances at different times of the day past by/overtook me.

2007-11-24T22:29:00.000+08:00

Managed to get my Jetfire+Grimlock twin pack at TRU subang Parade for only Rm 134.90. Quite cheap and it is at I believe at the non-goreng price. Grimlock is kinda like a nostalgia TF for me. Recalled seeing him in the Transformers movie when I was a little boy. A big T-rex with very funny lines (his intelligence is rather lacking, so he is a dinosaur of a few words) but big on character. Not to mentioned decepticons are afraid of this guy, except maybe Devastator of course. Little wonder in Beast Wars the Predacon leader wants to be a T-rex.

Oh, Grimlock kick butt too. Grimlock tried to death from above Devastator also (but failed).

Here's Grimlock in dino mode.

Here's Jetfire.

Jetfire has a nice sculpt too. The reason i want him is becoz he is a veritech. Well a not so perfect clone of a veritech but it can have robot mode, gerwalk and jet mode.

Gerwalk mode

Jet mode

Bought a special Gundam stand to make my TF fly :P

2007-11-17T23:22:00.000+08:00

On the 3rd of November, went to another play at the Seafield school hall. This time they were playing the play Ma Ma Mia, How Can I Resist You, a play which uses the ABBA songs. Used to listen to Abba very often since my parents would play the CD very often during weekends.

Of course the storyline is cut to suit the secondary students crowd since there are some parts which make no sense like the girl can't really find out who her real father is (use a DNA test!!!!) or the 3 fathers didn't realized the girls mother is screwing them over since ALL 3 are supporting the girl. Only 1 father and 1 mother right? OK, apparently the scrip isn't meant for this generation. But the students sure can SING. SING very well I might add. At least the Abba songs I have been listening to all this while finally make some sense.

Anyway, I was able to obtain the highly coveted, no.1 scalper target, BB08! Bumblebee 2008. Bought it for Rm 120 and with Payload, a Decepticon armoured truck. Payload is not worth mentioning since his transformation is ok but he could have been better, but BB08 was sound from its construction standpoint. Unfortunately Hasbro's QC has failed in the panting department. You see, I got a 2-face BB08. 2-face = Batman 2-face? Yup, But not as bad as Batman's one, just that some paint wasn't applied properly.

Here's the picture of it.

Oklah, boleh tahan. Atleast its joints are tight and the head is there. i have heard about headless BB08s and Takara BB08s with loose joints. At least this problem can be rectified easily with some paint.

My next target?

TFTM Ironhide and the Grimlock/Jetfire Twin Pack. 1 T-rex and 1 Veritech!

Transformers so far:
1) Voyager Thundercracker
2) Voyager Rescue Ratchet
3) Deluxe Jazz
4) Deluxe Brawl
5) Deluxe Bonecrusher
6) Voyager Blackout
7) Leader Megatron
8) Leader Brawl (ppl think I'm crazy buying 2 versions of Brawl)
9) Deluxe Recon Barricade
10) Deluxe Longarm
11) Leader Optimus Prime
12) Deluxe Bumblebee 08
13) Deluxe Payload
14) Legends Optimus Prime

14 and growing strong!!!

2007-11-08T22:22:00.000+08:00

Yes, my 360 is hates me.

But last weekend I finally bought Halo3 to with play! hooray! the 360 is saved....

anyway, TF2 is not that fun anymore since now everyone knows all the tricks and are skilled already. No more noobs to own :P

Which made me finally getting around to play Episode 1 & 2. I was surprised EP1 was.... short. Hey, what do you expect from an expansion which is cheaper than a full game?

Hope EP2 is longer.

... and my 360 still hates me :(

p.s: coz i never played it everyday and rather be with my 8800 GTS.

2007-11-03T02:33:00.000+08:00

yes, this will be another post about Transformers, but now I practically have almost ALL the available toys I can buy except Bumblebee and Ironhide. Both are in Insane demand now and I'm better off buying one later this year or next year. Which is good news for my pocket.

Oh ya, forgot to mention I already acquired my last (hopefully) leader class transformer toy, Optimus Prime. Bought the Takara version instead of the usual Hasbro version. Cost me RM 245 inclusive of shipping. The most expensive purchase so far.

So let's see what I have:
1) Voyager Thundercracker
2) Voyager Rescue Ratchet
3) Deluxe Jazz
4) Deluxe Brawl
5) Deluxe Bonecrusher
6) Voyager Blackout
7) Leader Megatron
8) Leader Brawl (ppl think I'm crazy buying 2 versions of Brawl)
9) Deluxe Recon Barricade
10) Deluxe Longarm
11) Leader Optimus Prime

Deluxe is small size, Voyager is big size, Leader is well... biiiiggg size.

wow... that's one long list.

On another front been playing Team Fortress 2 ALOT. So alot that I didn't bother to play Half-Life 2 Episode 1 and 2 that has a hot chick called Alyx to guide you along. Must devote time to play everything in the Orange box AND my xbox 360. need Halo3.. need Halo3... oh wait, too busy hunting Transformers and enemies in TF2.

2007-10-27T20:17:00.000+08:00

Have been a very busy past few weeks. Until no time to blog :P

Anyway, on the TF front, obtained Leader Class Brawl during the Raya week. Then this week obtained Deluxe Longarm (the tow truck that towed Bumblebee) and Barricade in different colors.

How I obtained Leader class Brawl is bothering on desperate and giving in to temptation.

It started on Friday when I brought my mom to the Gardens Mid Valley for her Raya Shopping treat. After lunch we parted to look for items which are of interest to each other. So i began my search around the entire Mid vally to look for.... transformers.

I started at Toys'R'us, found nothing there, continued to Jusco, only to have all the leader class toys snapped up when I arrive (ARRGGHH!!!), moved on to Metrojaya, then to Isetan and lastly to Robinsons. All came out fruitless. It is like a marathon mind you since Gardens+ Midvalley = very very long walk.

As I arrive home, Woon called to tell me that there was leader brawl at toy workers, a shop at subang Square. Cost around RM 195. But after the fruitless search at MV, I was too tired to get it.

Then late that night as I was on the Lowyat.net forums, someone posted that there is ALOT of Leader Brawls at Jusco sunway pyramid. He was there around 6pm, and no one seem to know there was a restock there.

Since it is like my second chance to get it, the next morning I went to Sunway pyramid to visit the jusco to buy the brawl.... the only problem was, it is the first day of raya and Jusco only opened at 1pm!!!!

So I balik and have lunch with family and then left the house around 1.30pm to go to pyramid. Parked my car and entered jusco around 2.15pm and lo and behold, there were 2 leader brawls there. It was as if there were waiting for me. I took one and immediately after that a family bought one for their son, less than half my age :P

Desperate? Crazy? Lucky? you decide. But leader brawl is too complex for a 5 year old. So do megatron. But since I bought it from Jusco I only spend RM 189.90. But the double trip to jusco cost me RM 6 = RM 3 * 2 times, so it turns out roughly the same price if I bought it from Toyworkers 24 hours before. Then there was a time so long ago when woon called that there were 6 brawls at Toys'R'us and he was getting one. Didn't buy that time since I wasn't desperate enough :P

2007-10-11T23:48:00.001+08:00

Tried to upgrade my blog to have a better look. Unfortunately I will lose the C-box (the one that you can post messages) as well as the Xbox 360 gamertag thingy. Can't they just let us access the html code like normal instead of making us their customizing software?

Oh well, at least i tried.

Anyway, MANAGE TO BUY LEADER CLASS MEGATRON!!!

ALL HAIL MEGATRON!! Jazz and Ratchet so kesihan now. Bad enough they got no range weapon, but now the deceptercon leader is in the house with the majority of his army. Megatron and Jazz is the right scale though, and if you put them side by side Jazz is very very small.

Besides that bought the Orange box ori. going to try out Team Fortress 2. Atleast got something to keep me busy this long holidays.

2007-10-06T22:12:00.000+08:00

Here are some of my photos of the Deceptercons having some sort of discussion.

Blackout: Take a look at my cool spinner melee weapon!! Can spin really smooth!!
Thundercracker: You have the ability to fly. Why bother with melee combat? You can just fly away! Besides, range combat is better than melee!
Bonecrusher: Not fair, you get cool weapon, you are voyager class, and your alt and robot mode rocks!! I hate you Hasbro! I hate you Michael Bay!! I hate you Blackout!!!!
Brawl: Nice weapon, but better have a large big-oh cannon just in case :)

Frontal view

View from the side

How the blades are positioned on blackout

Scorponok given with blackout. As you can see, it is like an afterthought.

Edit: I have made some photos smaller to fit the blog. You may need to click on it to see it clearly

2007-09-23T17:21:00.000+08:00

Here are the photos which I took for my transformers. Much easier to upload to photobucket than to upload to Blogger. So enjoy :P

Transformers photos

2007-09-18T21:09:00.000+08:00

Supposed to post this on Saturday, but nvm, too lazy during the weekends.

Just happened to be near Subang Parade that day coz my dad brought his car to fix his radio and alarm. So I decided to check out Toys'R'Us to see if there are any Transformer toys. To my expectation, there ain't any. But in Parkson, found something which 1-2 months ago scalpers will LOVE to buy'em all:

Bought myself the G1 redecorated Jazz. You know Jazz from the Transformers the Movie? The small silver car which Megatron tore into 2? Yup, that guy in his original white colors and racing stripes. There was about 10 of them there. So if demand is still good he will vanish by Monday.

Yes, I know this post is useless without pictures, but too lazy (again, haih) to upload them. :P

2007-09-08T01:05:00.000+08:00

Posted some poses on the Lyn.net forum and it'll just use the pictures on photobucket instead of uploading to blogspot.

Thundercracker: Ratchet is sleeping. Time for...

Ultra KICK!!

Battle pose

Ratchet

Thundercracker

Another battle pose

A talk with Philip the penguin.

2007-09-02T13:30:00.000+08:00

Bought something from Jusco IOI mall Puchong :P

Yup, you say that right, it's Thundercracker and Rescue Ratchet Transformer!!! Was very lucky since that was the last ratchet there.

2007-08-31T01:00:00.000+08:00

HAPPY 50th MERDEKA EVERYBODY!

Didn't really do anywhere this merdeka, just stayed at home playing computer :)

2007-08-30T19:28:00.000+08:00

This month has been the month of the sedans. From the start there is the launch other Civic Type R and Civic hybrid. One is a performance sedan upgraded into a sports car. The other is a 'green' car that theoretically gives more mileage. Both are from Japan. Both are sold faster than the Myvi.

Then came another sedan; the Lancer 2.0GT, also from Japan. Think of it as the prequel to the EVO X. Also snapped up like those Transformer toys and I guessed all the stocks for this year is gone.

Launched with much anticipation is the Proton Persona, the much awaited sedan from Proton. Saw it and my verdict: BOUT BLOODY TIME THEY GOT IT RIGHT. Good for you Proton. Need to suffer a bit then only you understand what the market wants.

At the same time the new Kia Optima large size sedan was launched as well, but kinda got HEAVILY overshadowed by the Persona. Note to Naza, pick a better date than too close to something as big as a Proton Persona.

Lastly is the newly launched Aveo sedan. Again, pick a better date to launch your car DRB Hicom. Comparing your car to the Persona, it is grossly overpriced. If you came out earlier you might have a chance.

Anyway, I keep hearing ppl complaining that the Persona is nothing more than a Gen2 with its butt lengthen. Well the following sedan cars are actually from a car with a hatch butt:
1) New Vios = Yaris
2) Aveo sedan = Aveo
3) Honda City = Honda Jazz

Do you see ppl complaining that the new Vios is a copy of the Yaris extended?

What I really want to see is a Myvi sedan. See if P2 is capable of doing what Proton did.

2007-08-19T00:41:00.000+08:00

This is something I posted in a Toyota forum at Lowyat.net

Second Son, still in college: Vios
First Son, working: Corolla
Father: Camry
Grandfather: Lexus 460

First Daughter, working: Wish
Second Daughter, in college: Yaris
Mother: Innova
Grandmother: Alphard

Adventures uncle: Landcruiser
Playboy cousin: Celica
Contractor uncle: Hilux
Rich uncle: Harrier
Adventures cousin : Rav4

Added in for this blog:
Toyota fanatic cousin: AE86
'Green' cousin : Prius
Cute Male Cousin, just got lesen: Passo (Myvi)
Cute Female Cousin, just got lesen: Mira (Viva)
Uncle who runs business: Hiace van w/o windows
Auntie who runs a tuition centre: Hiance van w/ windows

One for every one of the family

2007-08-12T21:59:00.000+08:00

I wonder why do Rolexes or other well known brand watches cost so much. Do ppl feel 'POWER' when they are wearing car priced watched on their hands? It must be the name. Rolex sounds more glamor than swatch or Seiko.

But i find it ridiculous that you must adjust the the date of the watch every now and then simply becoz it can't tell between a 30 day month and 31 day month and a leap year. Pay so much still you need to adjust. Granted you still need to adjust the time when you go overseas, but shouldn't be date changing be automated since it is pretty much predictable; as in once every month.

That's why I will buy a watch with a perpetual calender of some sorts the next time I buy a watch so that I don't need to adjust it at all. Just wear and go!

2007-08-12T00:03:00.000+08:00

Ever wonder how Jazz ended up getting killed in Transformers the Movie 2007?

Well it all went like this:-
OP= Optimus Prime, J= Jazz, I= Ironhide, R= Ratchet, B=Bumblebee

OP: Guys, the director says that one of us must die in this movie, otherwise it is less "cinematic".
J,I,R,B: Oh man!
OP: So who it's going to be? I mustn't die in this movie since I am the heroic Optimus Prime and I have already sacrifice myself in the first movie. The director is trying to avoid the same negative response like what happend during the first movie where I was killed by Megatron.
I: Me neither! I have already been killed in the first movie when Megatron and gang boarded our shuttle last time! All Optimus fault for sending me to earth coz he needs some extra..
OP: Stop passing the blame or I'll choose you to be the one this time. In fact if you had been a little more patient and stop complaining maybe I won't send you anyway. Rachet, what do you think?
R: I'm with Ironhide on this one, I got blown to bits on that shuttle too. Darn barely a few seconds on screen and I'm dead.
OP: OK, ratchet and ironhide is out. Bumblebee?
B: Ohhh noo.... it will be very anti-climax for my character to die. I'm more famous than Opti..
OP: Bumblebee....
B:... Ironhide and gang. Besides, are you going to make the kids sad to lose his friend?
OP: Alright, so that leaves Jazz.
J: errr...look I understand that you and Ironhide and ratchet got killed in the first movie and don't want to be killed again, but can't it be Bumblebee? He got more screen time than me!
B: I repeat again, i am the main character..
J:.. and main characters do die.
OP: Any other reasons compared to screen time? I need to make a decision.
J: Can't you persuade the director to not have someone.. I think any Autobot killed? There is only 5 of us max in the movie!
OP: I have no choice, it's needed.
J,B,I,R: Haih.......
OP: Most likely it will be you Jazz, coz Ironhide will be the pickup truck for the human soldier at the end and he is needed for the next movie to teach the humans 'weapons and tactics'. Ratchet, the directors says he needs you for some 'repairing' scene in the next movie as well. Bumblebee the main human hero needs a ride he knows bests so you are to kept alive. As for Jazz.... so far there is no scene for you in the next movie.
J: haih....
J:If I have looked a little harder into Moon base one's sensors and spot Razor beak on that window...

The End.

Note that you need to watch the original Transformer movie to understand part of it. But still funny nonetheless.

2007-08-11T16:24:00.000+08:00

My 360 is seriously under utilized. Can't blame it though, since Halo 3 isn't out until next month, played Dirt + Overlord and company of Heroes on the pc, so yeah the 360 is not being used.. yet.

Our big LCD tv is now 1 year old already.When we bought it, it was the top of the line tv. Now it is overshadowed by its more advance brother.

Got new projects coming and getting moving at my office, while current (and some headache) projects are drawing to a close and slowly getting CF. Oh, I have been working for 1 and a half years already, and that's 1 and a half years of experience.

I actually wanted to say something, but keep forgetting what I wanted to post...

2007-07-30T19:49:00.000+08:00

I always wonder why ppl are so up to modify their cars. Installing spoilers, bodykits, new rims neons etc. Maybe it's about personality, like customizing your own "personal" computer. Maybe its about boosting your performance, like getting better fc or power.

I saw an ad last time for a bodykit for a Camry that has front, back and side skirting and also a stick-on spoiler. Claims that it can improve fc and reduce drag. It got me thinking, we engineers (well, I'm an engineer anyway, so..) spend billions of $$$$ to make the car aerodynamically clean (as in, reduce drag as much as possible) through wind tunnel testing and then some guy comes up with a plastic add-on that can increase stability and fc. Wow, if only things were that easy. Those things only add weight to the car and who knows what the spoiler will do to the car at high speed. Besides, spoilers only work at 100kph ++ and not very useful at low speeds our toll highways can offer.

2007-07-09T19:20:00.000+08:00

Installed one game recently. It is called...

DOTA!

Thanks to the sound of battle emanating from my brother's room (his computer has it), I was bored so I decided to try it out. Quite fun and not as boring as those Anti-Dota ppl keep saying. But even more fun when type in the money cheat and get all the power items like rapier, mjolnir, butterfly swords, boots of speed etc. Coupled with a high level hero i was beyond godlike.

However i can say it is quite frustrating if you are playing against pros like you guys. Can't do anything but run away. Now if only the attacking creeps from each side are more and the usual catapult, melee unit and ranged unit. Quite boring seeing those guys battle after battle after battle.

2007-07-07T23:05:00.000+08:00

I got theories on how the last Harry Potter book will end.

Here goes (coming from someone who has not read ANY of the potter books):

Ron gets so fed up with being the one sidelined every single time that he decides to form a plan to overthrow Harry and make Hermione his gf. So he frames Harry, gets Harry into an epic fight, killing him off in the process, kills off Dumbledore who realizes what's happening and cast a love spell on Hermione to make her fall in love with him. Then they live happily ever after.
Harry Potter finally faces with his nemesis. As he was about to kill him/her, he finds that they are actually his parents. He can't believe it and kept questioning if it was true. Since his love for his parents is so great, he joins the dark side and kills Dumbledore plus anyone who don't agree with him for keeping this secret away from him for so long.
Harry found out that the dark side isn't so bad afterall. So he organizes a great rebellion to overthrow Hogwarts and place all the teachers which are anti-dark side in prison. His friend Ron and Hermione came to know of his plans and faced him in an epic battle which results in both Ron and Hermione killed.

Cheesy endings I know, but would be funny if were to happen.

2007-07-05T21:01:00.000+08:00

I have already watched Transformers. Excellent movie to watch!

Bumblebee is one transformer everyone loves. Who doesn't want a car which can transform into the latest wheels out there, help you pick up girls, doesn't need you to refuel it (I have yet to know how those bots refuel) and drive on its own? I want!

Used to watch the The Transformers: The Movie when I was small. Will really love the chance to watch it again; hopefully the DVD will come out. Oh wait it was on DVD, but in Aussie. Of course, there were certain things which is impossible to show in a life action movie. Like Megatron transforming into a handheld gun. Devastator appearing inside a small space shuttle (astrotrain). Soundwave having multiple cassettes (those old plastic rectangular thingies with magnetic strips) in its torso.

Still to someone who love transformers, it is a classic.

2007-06-10T00:55:00.000+08:00

Mr bro has a new blog! This is his 3rd blog, since last time he'll decommission some if he becomes too busy. But the first year in college is always very free wan. It's the later years that are killer.

Anyway, here's the link http://mymiraclelov3sm3.blogspot.com/

Work has been catching up with me lately. So much work too little time and energy. Arrgghh i need a hug!

Also missed the time when I have someone to fall in love with :(

2007-05-26T23:14:00.000+08:00

I'm sure all of you have heard about the new courthouse leak. It seems that everything that can go wrong is going wrong. Dun really know bout the construction industry in malaysia, but somehow buildings doesn't seem to be build like they used to. It all started with the landslide in Putrajaya (of all places) and then things went down from there.

Anyway, I feel that the cause of the leak; using PVC end cap to plug an ABS class 15 (to withstand 15 bars of pressure) is just so wrong, it becomes downright insane. There is no way either one of them can go together unless you had a proper adapter. To join ABS you need a special solvent which bonds the joints together. For PVC I think you use those plumbing tape and screw it in as it has grooves to allow it. Oh, did I mentioned the local water authority Syabas doesn't allow PVC pipes anymore? and ABS class 15 can't be installed too tightly otherwise it will break (expansion and contraction and brittle)? or ABS pipe is not recommended to be place in the sun? only licensed plumbers are allowed to carry out plumbing work? All this from a building services engineer whom is tasked to design cold water systems in building. In a perfect building the pipes would be stainless steel, but that would inflate the cost so much.

Anyway, my car had a change of plate recently. My car's cool number is transfered over to my dad's new car upon his request. The number is worth more than my Wira lol with car prices dropping like mad. Anyway the new plate is almost the same as the original plate and it costs cheaper too. I would prefer it to be BJM (JM is my name) but got BJL instead since the new car was expected to arrive from Thailand around the time the number was tendered. Coincidentally Ji Long is what those ang mo calls me when I was in Australia. At the same time my uni's e-mail is ji.long@ so and so. Over there, ppl tend to address a person by their first name and their last name. Oh well.

2007-05-19T10:56:00.000+08:00

Now there is more reason NOT to play the 360 online.

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2007/05/17/xbox-live-security-5-17.aspx

Microsoft has started banning modded 360s in lieu of the launch of the Halo 3 Beta. It is a good thing to drop the hammer to ban modders as I have personally met this idiots online spoiling the game during the Xbox 1 days.

But I'm afraid my 360 ter-ban by Microsoft for some stupid reason and no way to get it fix since M'sia is not an official Xbox 360 supported country. Better safe than sorry.

Besides, our stupidyx is stupidly bad nowdays. We have the best broadband in the world!

2007-05-18T23:01:00.000+08:00

I have been playing with my new rig. So far here is what I got to say; it can run things really really fast. I remember my brother saying to himself at the computer shop," X game, no problem. B game, hmm, no problem". The only game that has slowed it down is supreme commander. Dun ask me why, but this game is a very very CPU intensive. Quad-core is needed to run this game. In fact I believe the bottleneck is not the graphics card, it is the processor!

Also, since it has a 550W power supply unit, my room is warmer now everytime I play it. Last time my centrino laptop with 1 ceiling fan enough already. This machine needs the air-con on to play. There goes the electricity bill.

Oh, I have all 6 Shell Ferraris already. All perfectly lined up in my room and still in their packaging. The packaging is simply toooo nice to open :)

2007-05-06T15:47:00.000+08:00

Finally bought my new rig :)

The specs are :
AMD Athon 64 X2 5200
Asus Geforce 8800 GTS 320mb
Asus M2n32-Su Premiun vista Mobo
Corsair 2Gb DDR2
Seagate 320 Gb HDD
and a very big casing with a glass side to see the inside

and that is excluding speakers, monitor, modem etc.

I finally able to try out Supreme Commander without having the game grinding to a halt. Even in demo form (I have not bought the real game yet) the game rocks! Will try out C&C3 later or maybe even DoW.

If there is one thing I noticed, this computer generates ALOT of heat. My room seems hotter than usual.

I'm still trying to get the msn working though, since this computer is connected online via a cross over cable to the router which is about 8 years old i think and rarely used. Either that the internet has been a little slow lately.

2007-04-24T21:12:00.000+08:00

THIS IS SSSPPPPPAAARRRTTAAAAA!!!!!

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/443733

Some funny photoshop pictures based on the movie 300. Prepare to laugh really really hard. :P

2007-04-17T17:43:00.000+08:00

This is one of the best Dawn of War comics I have ever seen. Credit goes to whoever created this comic. It was taken from the Dawn of War forum on Lowyat.net.

For those who do not know what is going own, Marines goes into battle by drop pods which is launched from their ship in orbit. Somehow their pod is "stuck" halfway.

2007-04-17T17:03:00.000+08:00

Last weekend bought a little toy for myself.

That's right, I bought myself a toy helicopter. But not any helicopter, it is the Picoo Z miniture RC helicopter which only costs RM 99.90. It's movement is not as advanced as a proper RC helicopter with pitch, roll and yaw but it can sstill hover steadily and can fly around in a small room.

One set comes with the helicopter, the remote control with only thrust and to turn right and left. The heli hooks up tho the controller for a 20-30 minute charge and can last bout 5 minutes of less. Currently using 6 Energizers as I dunno how makan minyak these toy is.

All in all, great toy to have if you want something very very different.

Oh, do play it in a big room without a fan or candeliers.

2007-04-06T23:12:00.000+08:00

I have exchanged room with my brother recently. When I was studying at Inti nilai and in Australia, my bro took over my room as mine is bigger and I was away studying; why waste a big room by leaving it empty?.

So now I am back for more than a year already we agreed to exchanged rooms and now I am typing this inside my original room. My brother doesn't mind though, since he had the entire house to himself when I was away.

Also, I saw Happy Feet on DVD. HIGHLY recommended. The graphics when you watched on the LCD and DVD player with composite cables (the 3 colored cables for pictures) is very clear and nice. Plus the music used in the movie can make you dance like Mumble. So good in fact we bought the original soundtrack. *I'm actually listening to it right now* Even without HD or DVD the movie is worth watching.

My bro who last month got his lesen is very happy with his Vivi. Sure it look like a girls car but once you drive it and sit inside it you'll be surprise. Very quite but I feel the engine is underpowered; could be due to the auto gearbox. Then again it is meant to be driven slowly and not for the heavy footed. Fuel consumption wise from what I heard is like my Wira auto, around 17-18 sens per km. But if I off a/c and very light-footed and avoid jams can get 15 sen-16 sen per km.

Talking bout Proton, I think Proton better seek a quick solution very very fast as it is being attacked at all corners by UMW (the company which manages Perodua). Kancil and Kelisa replacement eating Saga, Myvi eating the Savvy, and the soon to be released new Toyota Vios (Belta) to take on the Wiras, Wajas and Gen2s. Perdana is pretty much dead as ppl would rather buy a Camry or Accord or even a Focus, Civic, Sentra, City at its price range. So a temporary solution? a Wira, Waja, Gen2, Savvy sale like the Saga sale?

Actually what Proton needs is a Wira replacement model with Neo looks, Wira versatility, Savvy fuel consumption, Saga price, Waja+Neo handling, Perdana space and comfort and most importantly Toyota's quality. Notice the most important requirement is totally un-Protonish

Remember that Proton in the 1993-97s have very brisk sales of the then very advance Wira. Now it is Perodua's turn with the very advance Myvi.

2007-04-06T22:38:00.000+08:00

I find it funny for the 14.8 km for me to drive back home from the Kelana LRT takes longer than the 13.3+ km for the 20-25 minute ride from Masjid Jamek LRT station.

Here's the latest route I use

Kelana Jaya-LDP-pass by Giant Kelana - up the bridge at Western Digital - up the cable bridge to Bdr. Sunway - cross the bridge over the NPE tunnel - turn left just before the LDP toll to cross to the Suncity side - pass in front of Menara Sunway- get on the NPE and pass in front of Pyramid - continue over the bridge at Kewajipan roundabout - continue over the bridge in front of the Police Station - turn left at the NPE Tujuan intersection and enter USJ.

The key place I avoid is the former KFC/Tujuan entrance from federal highway as the jam there is just horrendous nowadays; the Kewajipan entrance to USJ as it is always jammed no matter when I passed by it. In fact nowadays if I drive I stay back to work a little while longer till maybe 6.45pm before I start my journey home as by then the traffic has died down. But if it rains....... then no matter when I leave also still be late. Worst if the LRT has broken down.

2007-03-16T23:54:00.000+08:00

The year of the fire boar is getting really hot now that the year is progressing. Being a wood rat (like all of us born in 1984), the heat from the pig has started a slow fire on the wood rat... but the rat is smart enough not to panic and roll on the floor to extinguish the flames. After that the rat will be smart enough to keep his distance and the rest of the year will be smooth sailing.

Some big guesswork on the zodiac on my part :)

Anyway I was wondering,

How do one know a girl already has a bf? Nothing beats spending energy trying to kau her only to have her say that she is taken (or her bf moves into the picture). If she's married it's easy, just look for the ring. But if she is single but NOT available?

Shoot and ask questions later? Or look real hard before you leap? How about just charge through with all guns blazing?

2007-03-06T21:45:00.000+08:00

This is the reason why you need anti-virus on your pc and for that matter every pc out there.

Plugged the USB drive into the school computer that is used by everyone and the drive got infected with 160 plus unwanted exe files!!!

2007-03-03T13:55:00.000+08:00

1st March marked the day I started working. So it marks the first anniversary of my working life. Right....

Anyway, if there were any questions on what car I would buy if I got for a certain amount of money, my choice would be:

100k to 150k : Ford Focus 2.0L Sport - Great looking, German engineered, different from the rest.

70-85k: Honda City iDSI - Extremely good fuel consumption, practical on space, great realiability

Less than 50k:... rather keep my present car and save somemore to buy bigger cars

I'll definetely avoid Protons , Perodua, Naza and Korean cars. My family has a Kia Sportage and I can say it has suffered a failed oxygen sensor a few times, a blown radiator valve (too much pressure) and now in hospital coz the radiator dried up and need a top overhaul (the top part of the engine 'burn'). Six years old and only covered 145000 km. Oh, it drinks alot for such a small 4wd. Thankfully it is a company car.

As for the other type of makes and models:-
Proton : We already have one. One is enough. Not bashing though, but would like something different
Perodua : Too small for my liking, good for 'Penyus' though
Naza : Seem to have all the old outdated models from Kia, Peuguet and Hafei Hobo. If Naza bring us NEW and CURRENT models maybe can consider.
Toyota : Two is enough. Too common though.
Honda : Like the Jazz and City. Rather take Focus for the Accords price range
Suzuki: The swift is nice, but too small and thanks to P.... nvm
Hyundai : The new Sonata looks good.. then for that price..
Mazda : If can top-up to 160k, can consider Mazda 6

Totally out of the league unless your company pays for it:-
Mercedes
BMW
Lexus
Volkswagen

2007-02-14T22:29:00.000+08:00

As I walked into my house around 7pm after a days work, I was thinking what my brother is doing to celebrate Valentine's day. Surely he must be somewhere romantic with his gf, in a candlelight setting, exchanging gifts and talking to each other.

After the romantic dinner he'll send her home and drop her off at her house using MY CAR.

Not that I'm jealous or anything, but I always thought I'll get to do that with that Wira of mine after getting the car and lesen. My brother need to wait for less than a WEEK to do that.

Happy Valentine's day !!! Although I am sending this message at 10.39pm :P

2007-02-12T20:27:00.000+08:00

Valentine's day is coming. As always, my brother has some big plans for his love (and want to borrow my car).

As for me, no plans as usual. Will definetely avoid cinemas, restaurants, shopping malls since those places will be pack with couples.

2007-02-10T22:28:00.000+08:00

Part 1: On the Outside
Name : Long Ji Ming
Date of Birth : 20th June 1984
Current Status : Single
Eye Colour : Brown Black
Hair Colour : Black
Righty or Lefty: Righty
Zodiac Sign : Gemini

Part 2: On the Inside
Your Heritage : Chinese, Hainanese
Your Fear : Going to be single forever
Your Weakness : want to sleep.. want to sleep...*** zzzz***
Your Perfect Pizza : Hawaian with chicken and bacon

Part 3: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Your thoughts first waking up : So fast morning oledi :(
Your bedtime : Around 10-12, sometimes later
Your most missed memory : Care-free student life and a powerful computer and internet and LAN to boot and a generous finance minister :)

Part 4: Your Pick
Pepsi or Coke : Pepsi
McDees or Burger King : Mac
Single or Group Dates : Both
Adidas or Nike : None.. prefer Camel Active. Nike overhype, overpriced
Lipton Tea or Nestea : Both
Chocolate or Vanilla : Vanilla
Cappucino or Coffee : Both

Part 5: Do You...
Smoke : Rather waste my money on my 360
Curse : You'll do it alot once you start working (but not in front of ppl)

Part 6: In the Past Month
Drank alcohol : Yup. More coming next week :P
Gone to the mall : Yup
Been on stage : No
Eaten sushi : OMG.. this is a no!
Dyed your hair : pretend to be a blondie? No way

Part 7: Have You Ever?
Played a stripping game : Nope, all my friends are too innocent (Look at what I have missed during my teens lol)
Changed who you were to fit in : Being someone else? No

Part 8 : Marrriage
Age you're hoping to be married : 27-29 (Sees that my current age is only 22 going on 23).. must quickly act now!!
Number of kids: 2 enough

Part 9: In A Guy/Girl
Best Eye colour : doesn't matter
Hair colour : doesn't matter
Short or long hair : doesn't matter

Part 10: What Were You Doing?
1 minute ago : Doing the top part of this questionaire
1 hour ago : Surfing the net on my lappie
4 1/2 hours ago : Eating dinner, watching Astro
1 month ago : working? sleeping? surfing? Nothing worth mentioning
1 year ago : Lepaking to the max since I dun have a job that time

Part 11: Finish The Sentence
I love : to go out with a girl i like
I feel : so lazy at times I just wanna sleep
I hate : idiots who mess up with the projects that I took over before they left the company (Note: if you see anyone in your company like about to leave, better check if thier projects are in order)
I hide : a hidden vault containing an army that can reunite the Imperium under the glory of the Immortal Emperor
I miss : the care-free student life when in Australia
I need : a good life and good fortunes and good luck

Part 12: Tag 5 People
1) i wonder who else has a blog and ALREADY been tagged? hui ling has done it. So does eve (she tagged me). My bro deleted his blog, again. So anyone who has read this questionaire then.
2) My xbox 360, if it can read in the first place.

2007-02-06T23:39:00.000+08:00

Been busy playing a mod for my Dark Crusade rts on my laptop. It is a survival type gameplay where wave after wave will attack you.

http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?t=135406&page=1&pp=15

All I can say it is one very nice mod and it is free :P

The best part has to be massing lots of uber units from capturing a critical location (you get one every few minutes of wave I think) :P

It is things like this that makes pc gaming far better than console gaming. Unlike Xbox Live Marketplace where you need to PAY to use cheats **cough ** NFS Carbon & the Godfather for 360 ***cough ***

2007-01-30T20:15:00.000+08:00

Had to go to JB today coz the local water authority in JB, Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) requires the consultants to be present during the inspection to see the water tanks, meters etc.

Went there in the morning by bus and later car pool back to KL in a contractors car since he too is heading back to KL. The bus trip only took 3 and a half hours from Puduraya bus station to the Larkin bus station in JB. It was a direct journey with no stops whatsoever. Left KL at around 7am and arrive at 10.30am. The fare is cheap too, RM 24 only since it is the off peak season.

2007-01-29T20:34:00.000+08:00

Let my bro installed Half-Life 2 onto my previous Pc which has a 1.4 Gb Intel P4 and a Geforce 4 MX. Needless to say, after a while of playing the some graphics error pop up and took forever to load.

I think after 5 years of using it, since early 2002 after SPM results, it is high time to change pc and to let this pc retire. Have not checked what is the latest processors or grpahics card required but I think I might need dual core and vista now.

2006 year in review

2007-01-14T00:28:00.000+08:00

I have updated my links to include my bro's blog and my ex-classmate's blog. My brother abandoned his previous blog and attain a new web address as his previous one I can pretty much say has been "taken over".

Anyway I was thinking of writing the review of the year 2006, but never got around to it coz there is simple too many things to write about. Then I pop over to Eve's blog and saw her method of reviewing the year 2006 which is in point form instead of paragraph form like what I did last year.

So in a blatant act of copying her method, here was how 2006 was like:

January and February was busy looking for job, sending out resumes and going for interviews.
Started working life on 1st March 2006.
March was quite boring and confusing as still learning to know the ins and outs of what I;m actually supposed to do. Earned first paycheck at the end of that month.
As the months progressed, learned more of the trade and the scope of my job. Getting more and more capable to do things.
Found out that work is tough.. ok enough of it.
Used the LRT to commute everyday and found out just how unrealiable and how crowded it can be. Atleast they already ordered the new trains, but still have to wait.
Bought my Xbox 360 which I was planning to get since last year 2005 with my 1st, 2nd, 3rd and maybe fourth paycheck with 2 games!
Upgraded my handphone from my Nokia 7250 to the Nokia N80. First handphone to be bought by myself (the earlier ones were handed down from my parents), 6th Nokia phone to be used by me and most the expensive one to date (ouch).
Sponsored the new TV table for our new TV to play my 360.
Meet up and getting to know more of ppl from 5B like hui ling, chew, the low brothers and many more.
Got the new Dark Crusade expansion original.
Still no girlfriend and still have not met the special someone :(
Didn't go anywhere for holiday :(
Took only 2 days leave from March 1st to December 31st.
Not a single MWDA game played in 2006.

All in all, 2006 wasn't as memorable as 2005, with the holiday to Uluru, falling in love (and having a girl reject, ouch), graduate from uni and many more. But 2006 was still a good year as the year was prosperous and nothing bad as occured during the year.

Let's hope 2007 will be better as I am hoping that:

I will with someone special and have a girlfriend by the years end. (hopefully)
Maintain the momentum in my career and the ecomony is stable
Meet up with more people
Get a PS3 and a Wii.
Upgrade my desktop to play Supreme Commander

Currently I'm more keen on the first point that anything else.

2007-01-13T16:59:00.000+08:00

I have bought something which is cute and can collect "wealth/requisition points/power/gold/respect/money" and it runs off solar power. May I present you, the solar powered waving cat!

Bought them from 1Utama since.. nvm, forgotten which weekend I bought it. Anyway it needs alot of light for it to work. Flourescent lights doesn't seem to make it work unless you have lots of them per sq meter like in those departmental stores. They also don't seem to work on a cloudy day where there is very little sunlight. Placing them near BRIGHT yellow light (again, like in those shops, haih) is one way to make them move. So much for solar technology.

Oh, the green one is mine, the purple one is my parent's one.

2007-01-08T21:09:00.000+08:00

Yesterday went to Kemuning Utama to check on our second house and to let my bro drive my Wira for a while. Took to it pretty fast and now he know just how easy an auto car is. It was only last Friday that he took his 1st driving lesson. First drive around SS15, then was asked to drive to Kelana Jaya near the Kelana Jaya Giant to learn bout slope and parking. But imagine, first lesson already drive on Federal Highway and LDP on a weekday. And he was going quite fast too.

After that went to Klang for a while coz got 1 road on the way to Kapar, the whole road got used car dealers. Asked around for a 2nd hand kelisa or kenari. Too my big surprise 2nd hand kelisa a rare and far between, more so for an auto model. And the majority of ppl who enquire kept enquiring bout Perodua cars only. Small, cute, K cars are the norm now but I would take my Wira any day coz its bigger. Also, not a single Myvi in sight.