Your #1 Match: ISTJ |
The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. |
Your #2 Match: ESTJ |
The Guardian You're a natural leader and quick, logical decision maker. Goals are important in your life, and you take many steps to acheive them. You enjoy interacting with others, mostly through work related activities. Your high energy level means you are great at getting things done! You would make a great teacher, judge, or police detective. |
Sunday, July 24, 2005
MBIT Test - Is it real?
Retro Games
Taking forever to load this page to start blogging.
Been nagged at by another friend to update my blog. The next person who does that is so going to be... I put it down after I decide what to do with him/her :p
Retro games, that's the in thing in my life nowadays. Stumbled across this website with all these old games for download. So I went on a rampage to relive those old days when the graphics were clunky and the sound was tacky. Wolf3D, Colonisation, Civilisation, Simcity and even UFO Enemy Unknown. *blissful look* Then I was reminded how addictive they were and hence, my current station in life. *haiz*
On that topic, my friend observed that it is interesting that although the graphics and sound was crap, I still went back to play them. He probably would play them too. He concluded by saying that although graphics and sound are important, the critical thing is the gameplay and game concept. That is where they scored well.
Unfortunately, a lot of these games run on DOS mode. That was before the era of Windows in case you are wondering what DOS is :p So some of them have problems in WinXP. I'm still trying to figure them out, but then again I better not lest I get carried away by them again. :)
Been nagged at by another friend to update my blog. The next person who does that is so going to be... I put it down after I decide what to do with him/her :p
Retro games, that's the in thing in my life nowadays. Stumbled across this website with all these old games for download. So I went on a rampage to relive those old days when the graphics were clunky and the sound was tacky. Wolf3D, Colonisation, Civilisation, Simcity and even UFO Enemy Unknown. *blissful look* Then I was reminded how addictive they were and hence, my current station in life. *haiz*
On that topic, my friend observed that it is interesting that although the graphics and sound was crap, I still went back to play them. He probably would play them too. He concluded by saying that although graphics and sound are important, the critical thing is the gameplay and game concept. That is where they scored well.
Unfortunately, a lot of these games run on DOS mode. That was before the era of Windows in case you are wondering what DOS is :p So some of them have problems in WinXP. I'm still trying to figure them out, but then again I better not lest I get carried away by them again. :)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Small World
Got nagged at by a friend to update my blog. And I thought that nagging was a mothers-only domain. *bleah*
You've probably heard this before, but I'm telling you again, it's a small world after all. So far, there were only 2 people who were con... oops, I meant enticed into joining my quaint little workplace. Surprise surprise, both of them ran into a friend of mine who knows them. And one of them was spotted with another girl. Alone. *evil laughter* When grilled, he was just evasive over her identity.
Now there's a thought, would you be embarrassed if you were caught with a member of an opposite sex? Alone ;)
You've probably heard this before, but I'm telling you again, it's a small world after all. So far, there were only 2 people who were con... oops, I meant enticed into joining my quaint little workplace. Surprise surprise, both of them ran into a friend of mine who knows them. And one of them was spotted with another girl. Alone. *evil laughter* When grilled, he was just evasive over her identity.
Now there's a thought, would you be embarrassed if you were caught with a member of an opposite sex? Alone ;)
Friday, July 01, 2005
40 Days
Today went to Expo for a time of prayer after work. It was the beginning of the annual 40 days of prayer and fasting by the churches under the Love Singapore Network.
Truth be told, I wasn't too keen on going. Expo is just at the other side of the world and at the end of nowhere. Also, been running on fumes for this whole week, tired from all the nonsense that go on in work. But I figured, there's no point hanging around in office longer than required, I have nothing to do in the evening, may as well do something productive and pray for the nations. Wasn't as easy as I thought it could be.
To keep it short, my mind wasn't fully focused while prayer, kept thinking about work and was struggling to stay awake. It didn't help much when I heard 'strategising' during one of the speeches by one of the speakers, it just-so-reminded-me-of-work *urrggh*
Then I saw the clip about East Timor. It struck me that the situation there is somewhat like Singapore 40 years back, worse in some ways. But the point is that it could have been us 40 years ago, but we were blessed and Singapore prospered. Now, this is a chance for the Christian Community to influence the destiny of a new-born nation and it is close to us. Basically that got me dusting off the cobwebs of slumber and started praying for real about the nation.
Like I said, may as well do something productive on a Friday evening like this ;)
Truth be told, I wasn't too keen on going. Expo is just at the other side of the world and at the end of nowhere. Also, been running on fumes for this whole week, tired from all the nonsense that go on in work. But I figured, there's no point hanging around in office longer than required, I have nothing to do in the evening, may as well do something productive and pray for the nations. Wasn't as easy as I thought it could be.
To keep it short, my mind wasn't fully focused while prayer, kept thinking about work and was struggling to stay awake. It didn't help much when I heard 'strategising' during one of the speeches by one of the speakers, it just-so-reminded-me-of-work *urrggh*
Then I saw the clip about East Timor. It struck me that the situation there is somewhat like Singapore 40 years back, worse in some ways. But the point is that it could have been us 40 years ago, but we were blessed and Singapore prospered. Now, this is a chance for the Christian Community to influence the destiny of a new-born nation and it is close to us. Basically that got me dusting off the cobwebs of slumber and started praying for real about the nation.
Like I said, may as well do something productive on a Friday evening like this ;)
Initial D
There are 2 main attractions in Initial D.
1. The Cars
2. Anthony Wong
'What? No Jay Chou!' some of you might say. Well, the fact of life is that Jay Chou isn't exactly everything. If you get my drift. (No pun intended) :p
Cars were slurpy I must say. The Toyota AE86 is quite 'misleading'. Of all the cars in that show, it looks the least like a racing car. You would think that it is a normal street car. But in the movie, it just kicks butt. Of course, credit must go to the FC, Skyline and Evo. After all, you need more than one car to have a race :)
Anthony Wong was just fantastic in Initial D. I liked him in the Infernal Affairs trilogy, but now I admire him for his acting after Initial D. He absolutely makes his character stand out in the show with his killer one-liners, dialogue and antics. If anything, you should just marvel at his style when he talks about the potential outcome of the races. I won't say more here, you will just have to watch the movie for yourself.
Watch the show I say. But leave your brain outside the theatre before you go in. After all, you won't be needing it much. And yes, please go watch with your mates. Babes just have no place in the theatre when you're watching the show :)
1. The Cars
2. Anthony Wong
'What? No Jay Chou!' some of you might say. Well, the fact of life is that Jay Chou isn't exactly everything. If you get my drift. (No pun intended) :p
Cars were slurpy I must say. The Toyota AE86 is quite 'misleading'. Of all the cars in that show, it looks the least like a racing car. You would think that it is a normal street car. But in the movie, it just kicks butt. Of course, credit must go to the FC, Skyline and Evo. After all, you need more than one car to have a race :)
Anthony Wong was just fantastic in Initial D. I liked him in the Infernal Affairs trilogy, but now I admire him for his acting after Initial D. He absolutely makes his character stand out in the show with his killer one-liners, dialogue and antics. If anything, you should just marvel at his style when he talks about the potential outcome of the races. I won't say more here, you will just have to watch the movie for yourself.
Watch the show I say. But leave your brain outside the theatre before you go in. After all, you won't be needing it much. And yes, please go watch with your mates. Babes just have no place in the theatre when you're watching the show :)
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Sunrise in Singapore
Never did believe that you could get this kind of Sunrise over Singapore eh? :)
Monday, June 20, 2005
What Star Wars Character Are You?
Figures... I've always liked to play those nausea-inducing star fighter games like Xwing and TIE Fighter
Take the quiz: "What Star Wars Character Are You?"
Wedge Antilles
You are the most famous fighter pilot around
Take the quiz: "What Star Wars Character Are You?"
Wedge Antilles
You are the most famous fighter pilot around
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Funny
Is there a difference between being funny and being crappy?
That thought came to my mind on one of those hot nights (temperature hot, not that kind of *hot*) that has been going on for a while. The answer came almost immediately, of course there is. Otherwise the two words won't exist. Okay, that's besides the point. The point is that you can be funny without being crappy, e.g. Mr Bean is funny but definitely not crappy, and you can be crappy and not funny e.g. refer to the *hot* joke at the beginning of this paragraph. That prompted me to wonder whether I'm more crappy than funny. After all, somehow being funny sounds more 'tasteful' or 'atas' as some of my friends would put it as compared to being crappy. Crap too much and people might take you less seriously.
As you can see at my tagboard, I've been asked to blog about Liverpool's CL Victory over AC Milan and how I feel about it. Well... 'I feel good'! Yea yea yea... but it's time to move on and look to the future. No sense in dwelling in the past right? To Whitemoon -> Satisfied? :p
Summer Blockbusters to watch:
Mr and Mrs Smith -> Good stuff, not much plot but the jokes are funny (not crappy!). Plus the so called hype about their screen chemistry is really true.
Batman Begins -> After the horrigible portrayal of the caped crusader by Val Kilmer and George Clooney (nipple marks on batsuit???), Christian Bale finally shows Batman for who he really is. And the best part is that he signed an option for two more Batman shows after this. One thought, one day, his cape is not going to work and it's going to be a looonnnngggg fall.
Star Wars Episode III -> 'Nuff said. :)
Madagascar -> If you watch this, please enjoy the penguins, they're good stuff. Without them, the show would have absolutely, positive tanked big time. *Those penguins are psychotic!*
Shows not to watch
Elektra -> A show you would recommend to your enemies. Yea, I know that it happened a long time ago, but I'm still scarred. (Refer to January archives)
That thought came to my mind on one of those hot nights (temperature hot, not that kind of *hot*) that has been going on for a while. The answer came almost immediately, of course there is. Otherwise the two words won't exist. Okay, that's besides the point. The point is that you can be funny without being crappy, e.g. Mr Bean is funny but definitely not crappy, and you can be crappy and not funny e.g. refer to the *hot* joke at the beginning of this paragraph. That prompted me to wonder whether I'm more crappy than funny. After all, somehow being funny sounds more 'tasteful' or 'atas' as some of my friends would put it as compared to being crappy. Crap too much and people might take you less seriously.
As you can see at my tagboard, I've been asked to blog about Liverpool's CL Victory over AC Milan and how I feel about it. Well... 'I feel good'! Yea yea yea... but it's time to move on and look to the future. No sense in dwelling in the past right? To Whitemoon -> Satisfied? :p
Summer Blockbusters to watch:
Mr and Mrs Smith -> Good stuff, not much plot but the jokes are funny (not crappy!). Plus the so called hype about their screen chemistry is really true.
Batman Begins -> After the horrigible portrayal of the caped crusader by Val Kilmer and George Clooney (nipple marks on batsuit???), Christian Bale finally shows Batman for who he really is. And the best part is that he signed an option for two more Batman shows after this. One thought, one day, his cape is not going to work and it's going to be a looonnnngggg fall.
Star Wars Episode III -> 'Nuff said. :)
Madagascar -> If you watch this, please enjoy the penguins, they're good stuff. Without them, the show would have absolutely, positive tanked big time. *Those penguins are psychotic!*
Shows not to watch
Elektra -> A show you would recommend to your enemies. Yea, I know that it happened a long time ago, but I'm still scarred. (Refer to January archives)
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Secrets - Something you tell one person at a time
Ambled to town to watch Madagascar with some friends. It's a funny show, with the right company I'd say it will be worth the price of the tickets paid. But not exactly a good idea to watch the show on your own alone.
Star Wars Episode III opened with the heightened fanfare and anticipation. After all, it'll probably be the last time a star wars movie is shown on big screen closing 28 years of history since the release of A New Hope back in 1977. Personally, I felt the best part of the show was at the end where they did the bridging to Episode IV (A New Hope). The soundtrack and the finality of the moment got me moved. Can't remember the last time I was ever that touched in a movie. I shan't reveal more as I understand that there are readers who did not watch the show and I'll just leave it up to them to discover it for themselves.
So onto the title, secrets. Had a little conversation with a friend online and was told that she had two blogs. My first thought, now why would anyone have two blogs? But of course, with some cow sense, that's quite explainable. So then I asked for the URL, you know, normal human curiousity: friend tells you that he/she has a blog (in this case two blogs), you would like to know the URL so you could read it. Then, I was told the other is a top secret blog which no one knows the URL because the stuff there is rather personal. So I'm like, right. Of course, everyone's entitled to their privacy, I'm cool. Then I thought, if there're things you don't want people to read, wouldn't you NOT even put it online/on paper at all? After all, unless technology improves, no one is able to extract information from your head without your knowledge. (There are exceptions to this case, but I'm just generalising here). Which leads to the question, why do people confide their secrets/inner-most thoughts/fetishes(!) to paper/blogs? Or even worse, to fellow humans! From observation, I find the best way to kill a secret is to tell someone 'Hey, I got a secret to share, but you must promise not to tell anyone...' Sounds familar? Been there, on the giving and receiving end.
Well, I'm not saying that my friend is weird/crazy or anything. But if you examine this from a purely logical perspective, then you have to admit that it isn't the best thing to do. After all, the internet is definitely not a safe place to keep secret stuffs. But as we all know, the human being is a strange and mysterious thing. Capable of the greatest good, and yet the utmost evil. Capable of startling insights, and yet the most atrocious mistakes.
There'll be a day when you will wish you had done little evil to do greater good.
- Sybilla, Kingdom of Heaven
Star Wars Episode III opened with the heightened fanfare and anticipation. After all, it'll probably be the last time a star wars movie is shown on big screen closing 28 years of history since the release of A New Hope back in 1977. Personally, I felt the best part of the show was at the end where they did the bridging to Episode IV (A New Hope). The soundtrack and the finality of the moment got me moved. Can't remember the last time I was ever that touched in a movie. I shan't reveal more as I understand that there are readers who did not watch the show and I'll just leave it up to them to discover it for themselves.
So onto the title, secrets. Had a little conversation with a friend online and was told that she had two blogs. My first thought, now why would anyone have two blogs? But of course, with some cow sense, that's quite explainable. So then I asked for the URL, you know, normal human curiousity: friend tells you that he/she has a blog (in this case two blogs), you would like to know the URL so you could read it. Then, I was told the other is a top secret blog which no one knows the URL because the stuff there is rather personal. So I'm like, right. Of course, everyone's entitled to their privacy, I'm cool. Then I thought, if there're things you don't want people to read, wouldn't you NOT even put it online/on paper at all? After all, unless technology improves, no one is able to extract information from your head without your knowledge. (There are exceptions to this case, but I'm just generalising here). Which leads to the question, why do people confide their secrets/inner-most thoughts/fetishes(!) to paper/blogs? Or even worse, to fellow humans! From observation, I find the best way to kill a secret is to tell someone 'Hey, I got a secret to share, but you must promise not to tell anyone...' Sounds familar? Been there, on the giving and receiving end.
Well, I'm not saying that my friend is weird/crazy or anything. But if you examine this from a purely logical perspective, then you have to admit that it isn't the best thing to do. After all, the internet is definitely not a safe place to keep secret stuffs. But as we all know, the human being is a strange and mysterious thing. Capable of the greatest good, and yet the utmost evil. Capable of startling insights, and yet the most atrocious mistakes.
There'll be a day when you will wish you had done little evil to do greater good.
- Sybilla, Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, May 19, 2005
That's my IQ.. right
The Classic IQ Test
Benjamin, your IQ Score is 135
Benjamin, your IQ Score is 135
Benjamin, your IQ score is significantly above average. Congratulations! You have a wide range of exceptional skills which are much stronger than those of the average population. You are also skilled at answering the types of questions that are asked in a classic IQ test. The test analyses your strengths and weaknesses based on your mathematical, linguistic, visual-spatial and logical skills. Even though you have high scores in all of those areas, we are able to analyse your results to discover the areas in which you have the strongest abilities.
You've got a very experiential way of learning and a strong mathematical mind. You're able to whittle even the most complex situation down to comprehensible component parts. In short, you have mastered the art and science of precision. That's what makes you a Precision Processor.
For you, life is a series of equations. Your brain is naturally predisposed to intense mathematical acuity, and your understanding of numerical problems is unparalleled. It's second nature for you to cut to the heart of an issue, so that you can discover quick solutions to problems while others get bogged down in unnecessary details. One precision processor that comes to mind is the Greek philosopher-mathematician, Pythagoras. Pythagoras had a mind for numbers and, as such, could come up with previously unknown theories like his method for calculating the sides of a right triangle (a2+b2=c2). You too, can use numbers to translate aspects of the world around you -- something that doesn't come easily to everyone. Your quick mathematical mind will allow you to communicate a variety of ideas to other people, so don't keep it to yourself.
Pythagoras? Do I feel old or what?
Try the URL at http://uk.tickle.com
Sunday, May 15, 2005
On Course
Off on course next week. Some Six Sigma thingy which was pioneered by GM a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Guess you can tell that the Star Wars fever is really getting to me.
People say that I'm lucky to be on course and all. Away from the the hustle and bustle of office. But where I work... hah! Going on course is like taking a 2nd full time job. Of course, going on course doesn't mean that you do not do any work, but still it can't be that your output has to be the same right? Right... somebody might come and say "Look at the Chinese from China! They're so hardworking and if you don't buck up, they'll come and overtake us." Well fine, so that's what they are. That's your excuse for working me like a slave? I thought 'no one is indispensible' and that 'the office should survive even if you are not around?' Yea right!
Okay, looks like I'm ranting quite a lot. Just blowing off some steam. Perhaps the week might turn out better than expected.
You make your choices, take your chances, prepare for the worst and hope for the best
People say that I'm lucky to be on course and all. Away from the the hustle and bustle of office. But where I work... hah! Going on course is like taking a 2nd full time job. Of course, going on course doesn't mean that you do not do any work, but still it can't be that your output has to be the same right? Right... somebody might come and say "Look at the Chinese from China! They're so hardworking and if you don't buck up, they'll come and overtake us." Well fine, so that's what they are. That's your excuse for working me like a slave? I thought 'no one is indispensible' and that 'the office should survive even if you are not around?' Yea right!
Okay, looks like I'm ranting quite a lot. Just blowing off some steam. Perhaps the week might turn out better than expected.
You make your choices, take your chances, prepare for the worst and hope for the best
Monday, April 25, 2005
What the?
Strolling along the road and this phrase came to my mind
'Realm of Unconscious Incompetence'
Yup, that's how my previous boss described the new officers when they first started work. What does it mean? Basically, it means that you're *dumb*, but you don't know it because you're too new. Hence unconscious incompetence.
Apparently there are four stages to this. The first being unconscious incompetence, which I have explained. The second stage is conscious incompetence. That's when you have been around long enough to know that you are dumb! Probably after countless scoldings and 'counselling' sessions with your boss. Next, you move to conscious competence. This is where you get good, but you have to make an effort to be good. That's conscious. Finally, the nirvana, the enlightenment, the mother of all stages, UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE. This is where you're 'there', the cream of the crop, the best of the best, yadda yadda. You're so good that you don't have to think, you just do good. That's where some people at my work place think they are at when actually, they're just merely unconsciously incompetent ;)
'Realm of Unconscious Incompetence'
Yup, that's how my previous boss described the new officers when they first started work. What does it mean? Basically, it means that you're *dumb*, but you don't know it because you're too new. Hence unconscious incompetence.
Apparently there are four stages to this. The first being unconscious incompetence, which I have explained. The second stage is conscious incompetence. That's when you have been around long enough to know that you are dumb! Probably after countless scoldings and 'counselling' sessions with your boss. Next, you move to conscious competence. This is where you get good, but you have to make an effort to be good. That's conscious. Finally, the nirvana, the enlightenment, the mother of all stages, UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE. This is where you're 'there', the cream of the crop, the best of the best, yadda yadda. You're so good that you don't have to think, you just do good. That's where some people at my work place think they are at when actually, they're just merely unconsciously incompetent ;)
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Civil Service Lingo
Ever wondered about the jargon used in Civil Service? Some of you might know something from your NS Days. Now, there's more to that, but I caution against using them too often. Especially in front of me *frown*
Expedite
- To hurry. Normally used when your boss is not happy at the speed you are doing your work.
- e.g. I need this submission done, could you please expedite?
- Can be used in other forms, e.g. Please proceed in an expeditious manner.
Operationalise
- Just a 'bigger' sounding word for implement
- e.g. Now that you have this framework, could you provide some proposals on how you intend to operationalise it in an expeditious manner?
Dovetail
- To flow into. I can't quite explain this, perhaps if some of you have better ideas, do not hesitate to let me know in an expeditious manner ;)
- e.g. This activity dovetails nicely into our framework that we are currently operationalising as it fits all the objectives, pls proceed in an expeditious manner
Incentivise
- To encourage. You won't find this word in the oxford dictionary, believe me
- e.g. The framework that we are currently operationalising should have the effect of incentivising our target audience to respond in an expeditious manner
Sensitise
- To be made aware of. You won't find this word in the dictionary as well
- e.g. We need to sensitise our subordinates on the urgency of the situation so that they can operationalise the framework in an expeditious manner
The ultimate killer paragraph. I got this from my colleague sometime back. I almost died when I heard this.
>>>
Yoz, our bosses are sensitised to the fact that we're not completing our project in an expeditious manner. Now, they are in the process of operationalising a framework to incentivise us to do so, I heard that it is because this project will dovetail nicely into the current initiatives being undertaken by HQ
>>>
I'll add on more as and when I come across. Perhaps I'll do a Singlish Dictionary equivalent of civil service speak when I have amassed enough of the phrase. Now, to operationalise it to dovetail into...
Expedite
- To hurry. Normally used when your boss is not happy at the speed you are doing your work.
- e.g. I need this submission done, could you please expedite?
- Can be used in other forms, e.g. Please proceed in an expeditious manner.
Operationalise
- Just a 'bigger' sounding word for implement
- e.g. Now that you have this framework, could you provide some proposals on how you intend to operationalise it in an expeditious manner?
Dovetail
- To flow into. I can't quite explain this, perhaps if some of you have better ideas, do not hesitate to let me know in an expeditious manner ;)
- e.g. This activity dovetails nicely into our framework that we are currently operationalising as it fits all the objectives, pls proceed in an expeditious manner
Incentivise
- To encourage. You won't find this word in the oxford dictionary, believe me
- e.g. The framework that we are currently operationalising should have the effect of incentivising our target audience to respond in an expeditious manner
Sensitise
- To be made aware of. You won't find this word in the dictionary as well
- e.g. We need to sensitise our subordinates on the urgency of the situation so that they can operationalise the framework in an expeditious manner
The ultimate killer paragraph. I got this from my colleague sometime back. I almost died when I heard this.
>>>
Yoz, our bosses are sensitised to the fact that we're not completing our project in an expeditious manner. Now, they are in the process of operationalising a framework to incentivise us to do so, I heard that it is because this project will dovetail nicely into the current initiatives being undertaken by HQ
>>>
I'll add on more as and when I come across. Perhaps I'll do a Singlish Dictionary equivalent of civil service speak when I have amassed enough of the phrase. Now, to operationalise it to dovetail into...
Monday, April 18, 2005
Casi-Yes
After all that has been said, after all that has been done and after all that has been promised.
Finally, the dust settled as the year long saga of deciding whether Singapore should build a casino drew to a close. The answer was a resounding NO! After all, since we're already deciding to build one, why not build two at the same time? Save the debate and tons of proposals that have to be put up if we want to build a second one?
Good decision or not, I say you take your pick, live with your choices and hope for the best whilst preparing for the worst
Finally, the dust settled as the year long saga of deciding whether Singapore should build a casino drew to a close. The answer was a resounding NO! After all, since we're already deciding to build one, why not build two at the same time? Save the debate and tons of proposals that have to be put up if we want to build a second one?
Good decision or not, I say you take your pick, live with your choices and hope for the best whilst preparing for the worst
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Shopping
Went with a two friends to shop for dive gear today. Both of them bought the same items: Wetsuit, Booties, Fins and a bag to carry them all. I joined in the spirit of buying by getting myself a dive computer and marine casing for my digicam. Cost me an arm, a leg and a finger thrown in for a good measure. Which is much for than the finger my friends paid for their gear. Looks like it's going to be a steady diet of wheatgrass and sky juice for the next two weeks or so.
Pool drew with Spurs 2-2 and Bolton won their match. For the moment, the table order is 4th - Bolton, 5th Everton, 6th Pool. Another friend and I (both of us Pool fans) were talking that it will be such delicious irony if Pool wins Champions League and Everton finishes 4th, implication being that Everton will not be able to qualify for CL as they would have and go to UEFA Cup instead. Now looking at the table, I wonder whether it'll be the Bolton fans who would have the last laugh. Bolton might end up qualifying for CL if Pool chooses to crash out in the semis and poor old Everton goes into UEFA. Pool? Just another season of inconsistency in the Premier League.
Pool drew with Spurs 2-2 and Bolton won their match. For the moment, the table order is 4th - Bolton, 5th Everton, 6th Pool. Another friend and I (both of us Pool fans) were talking that it will be such delicious irony if Pool wins Champions League and Everton finishes 4th, implication being that Everton will not be able to qualify for CL as they would have and go to UEFA Cup instead. Now looking at the table, I wonder whether it'll be the Bolton fans who would have the last laugh. Bolton might end up qualifying for CL if Pool chooses to crash out in the semis and poor old Everton goes into UEFA. Pool? Just another season of inconsistency in the Premier League.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Motivation
Ever had those times where you don't feel like doing work?
"Haha, of course! How about everytime?"
Seriously, we are not talking about your run of the mill laziness here. It is more than that actually. Where you just sit down, stare at the laptop screen and wonder,"Why do I do this?" And you just don't feel rewarded, appreciated and you wonder whether what you do really adds value to the organisation. Well, I don't have a family to support, my parents are still working, no debts to pay off, 'Praise God' you say. I also say too. But that means that my source of motivation will have to be from elsewhere and not as a result of circumstances. As it should be anyway.
I am hoping that this is a phase that has been brought about by other events. Probably it is. But it does bring to light that I am not an emotionless robot after all and I do have feelings. I bet some of the people who know me would be laughing now. Him? Emotions? Call New Paper, I see a pig flying! Make that a herd of them!
Detractors aside, it's time to dust myself and get cracking. One can only be in this state so long before needing to move on. After all, I have Him who is greater than that's in the world within me, time to be victorious and face the world again :)
"Haha, of course! How about everytime?"
Seriously, we are not talking about your run of the mill laziness here. It is more than that actually. Where you just sit down, stare at the laptop screen and wonder,"Why do I do this?" And you just don't feel rewarded, appreciated and you wonder whether what you do really adds value to the organisation. Well, I don't have a family to support, my parents are still working, no debts to pay off, 'Praise God' you say. I also say too. But that means that my source of motivation will have to be from elsewhere and not as a result of circumstances. As it should be anyway.
I am hoping that this is a phase that has been brought about by other events. Probably it is. But it does bring to light that I am not an emotionless robot after all and I do have feelings. I bet some of the people who know me would be laughing now. Him? Emotions? Call New Paper, I see a pig flying! Make that a herd of them!
Detractors aside, it's time to dust myself and get cracking. One can only be in this state so long before needing to move on. After all, I have Him who is greater than that's in the world within me, time to be victorious and face the world again :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Coffee!!!
One cannot, must not, shall not underestimate the power of a good cup of coffee. (!)
It can make a difference between life and death. Sleepiness and wakefulness. A cup can perk up your day, chase away the cobwebs of a Z-monster, make the air smell fresher, the colours more vibrant, birds sound sweeter... wait, cut the last three, that's when two lovebirds meet.
The Ya Kun branch near my workplace had a change of the kopi uncle. With that, the afternoons at work became slower, draggier and monotonous. The new uncle's kopi just didn't match up to the old one. Where the old one was rich in aroma, taste and texture, the new one was bland, weak and downright watery. 'Give me kopi or give me death!' my mind screamed. Came one day, my heart leapt for joy. My feet became lighter and workdays were meaningful: The Kopi Uncle was back. Never again, will I take the arcane skills of kopi making for granted and will always, and always remember to be thankful that he's around :)
It can make a difference between life and death. Sleepiness and wakefulness. A cup can perk up your day, chase away the cobwebs of a Z-monster, make the air smell fresher, the colours more vibrant, birds sound sweeter... wait, cut the last three, that's when two lovebirds meet.
The Ya Kun branch near my workplace had a change of the kopi uncle. With that, the afternoons at work became slower, draggier and monotonous. The new uncle's kopi just didn't match up to the old one. Where the old one was rich in aroma, taste and texture, the new one was bland, weak and downright watery. 'Give me kopi or give me death!' my mind screamed. Came one day, my heart leapt for joy. My feet became lighter and workdays were meaningful: The Kopi Uncle was back. Never again, will I take the arcane skills of kopi making for granted and will always, and always remember to be thankful that he's around :)
Monday, March 14, 2005
Bashing Through the Crowd
IT fair came and went over the weekend. If you thought that the GSS or Christmas Crowd was bad, you haven't seen the IT fair crowd. It was just totally, utterly, completely out of this world. And I was dumb enough to go there twice in the same day. Guess those curvy gadgets really got to me.
On a related note, I finally bought a digicam. Something which I've been toying about since Jan. Nope, it wasn't from the IT fair, the crowd just put me off. It was the following day when I went to Mustafa to check out ear phones. Then I stumbled across their digicam section. They were selling them at a cheaper price than the IT fair. We're not talking about $5 - 10 differential. Rather to the tune of $50 cheaper! So I found myself sauntering out of the place with a brand new Sony W5. Not a T3, coz I wanted to save the money to get a marine casing. Why do you think I need a digicam for? Take humans on land? You got to be crazy, you leech off other people who do so. Going to take photos of me, myself and I together with the underwater creatures on my next dive trip. At least, now people would see and believe that Great White that got away. Heh heh... kidding ;) Just a tiny reef shark for now.
HP died on me. 2 weeks ago it took a bungee off the table without a rope. Never jio me somemore! Since then, it was never the same again and it succumbed to its internal injuries this afternoon. With TLC, I brought it to the Nokia Care Centre at Wheelock Place where I waited for 1 freaking hour (!) for a 5 min service.
Thankfully, the phone is still under warranty, after the purchase of the digicam, I'll be eating grass for the next month or so. Don't think I can stomach (pardon the pun) the thought of eating grass for another month due to the cost of HP repairs
On a related note, I finally bought a digicam. Something which I've been toying about since Jan. Nope, it wasn't from the IT fair, the crowd just put me off. It was the following day when I went to Mustafa to check out ear phones. Then I stumbled across their digicam section. They were selling them at a cheaper price than the IT fair. We're not talking about $5 - 10 differential. Rather to the tune of $50 cheaper! So I found myself sauntering out of the place with a brand new Sony W5. Not a T3, coz I wanted to save the money to get a marine casing. Why do you think I need a digicam for? Take humans on land? You got to be crazy, you leech off other people who do so. Going to take photos of me, myself and I together with the underwater creatures on my next dive trip. At least, now people would see and believe that Great White that got away. Heh heh... kidding ;) Just a tiny reef shark for now.
HP died on me. 2 weeks ago it took a bungee off the table without a rope. Never jio me somemore! Since then, it was never the same again and it succumbed to its internal injuries this afternoon. With TLC, I brought it to the Nokia Care Centre at Wheelock Place where I waited for 1 freaking hour (!) for a 5 min service.
Thankfully, the phone is still under warranty, after the purchase of the digicam, I'll be eating grass for the next month or so. Don't think I can stomach (pardon the pun) the thought of eating grass for another month due to the cost of HP repairs
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Oscars - Pural of The Grouch in Sesame Street
The Oscars came and went last Monday. Being the movie buff that I am, I do keep track of nominees for the major categories - Best Movie, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress.
Kinda expected Aviator to win the Best Movie and Best Director part. Coz I do seem to notice, normally films of 'epic' portions win these two categories. LOTR readily comes to mind. There is this theory that such films require a huge cast and lots of extras, this generates jobs and lubricates the economy. Therefore, the panel will have to 'thank' them for this good deed and give them the award. Coincidence? I don't know. I would believe that truly good films get rewarded.
Have watched the shows that won awards in the above mentioned categories. I would say that the panels got most of the awards right. (Not like my opinions matter much anyway!) Jamie Foxx truly deserved his award. He played the part of Ray Charles well, right down to the piano skills. This includes the portrayal of the emotions and the bearing of Ray Charles. Looking at the Best Actress Nominees, it would seem that Hillary Swank is the shoo-in for her boxer role in Million Dollar Baby.
Best Supporting Roles by definition, you don't see much of the actors/actress. Kinda hard to figure whether they deserve it. But, you do see a lot of Cate Blanchett in the Aviator and she does remind you straight away of Katherine Hepburn. I suppose that helps a lot if people look at your work and it reminds them of the real (reel?) person that you're doing. For Morgan Freeman's role in Million Dollar Baby, you could say that he did a good job in adding value and depth to the film. I am neutral on that, it could go to anyone.
Now for the Best Movie: 4 out of the 5 nominees are films based on real life events. Significant? Perhaps. After all, movies about people are meaningful, assuming you pull it off. Gives viewers a context to relate to and better appreciate the message in the film. Downside? Perhaps it can get predictable? Given that you know what's going happen. After all, it's history isn't?
Million Dollar Baby won I think because it does not merely narrate history like Aviator. It is commendable in its attempt to breathe life into the book that it was based on. Of course, this is what I think and I'm not always right. :-) But for the best director, I think they got it way off. Clint Eastwood? Hey, he has won a lot and while Million Dollar Baby is a good show, I thought that it was time Martin Scorsese got something. Looking at his history of nominations gives a new meaning to the phrase 'If at first you don't succeed, try and try again'. You would that the award panel has something against him. And it is not like Aviator is a bad attempt at directing.
Having said all that, I must say that the movies this year were quite good. To think that prior to the Incredibles (refer to my earlier blog), I had almost given up on Tinseltown.
"Now that we're here, it's so far away, all the struggle we thought was in vain"
Kinda expected Aviator to win the Best Movie and Best Director part. Coz I do seem to notice, normally films of 'epic' portions win these two categories. LOTR readily comes to mind. There is this theory that such films require a huge cast and lots of extras, this generates jobs and lubricates the economy. Therefore, the panel will have to 'thank' them for this good deed and give them the award. Coincidence? I don't know. I would believe that truly good films get rewarded.
Have watched the shows that won awards in the above mentioned categories. I would say that the panels got most of the awards right. (Not like my opinions matter much anyway!) Jamie Foxx truly deserved his award. He played the part of Ray Charles well, right down to the piano skills. This includes the portrayal of the emotions and the bearing of Ray Charles. Looking at the Best Actress Nominees, it would seem that Hillary Swank is the shoo-in for her boxer role in Million Dollar Baby.
Best Supporting Roles by definition, you don't see much of the actors/actress. Kinda hard to figure whether they deserve it. But, you do see a lot of Cate Blanchett in the Aviator and she does remind you straight away of Katherine Hepburn. I suppose that helps a lot if people look at your work and it reminds them of the real (reel?) person that you're doing. For Morgan Freeman's role in Million Dollar Baby, you could say that he did a good job in adding value and depth to the film. I am neutral on that, it could go to anyone.
Now for the Best Movie: 4 out of the 5 nominees are films based on real life events. Significant? Perhaps. After all, movies about people are meaningful, assuming you pull it off. Gives viewers a context to relate to and better appreciate the message in the film. Downside? Perhaps it can get predictable? Given that you know what's going happen. After all, it's history isn't?
Million Dollar Baby won I think because it does not merely narrate history like Aviator. It is commendable in its attempt to breathe life into the book that it was based on. Of course, this is what I think and I'm not always right. :-) But for the best director, I think they got it way off. Clint Eastwood? Hey, he has won a lot and while Million Dollar Baby is a good show, I thought that it was time Martin Scorsese got something. Looking at his history of nominations gives a new meaning to the phrase 'If at first you don't succeed, try and try again'. You would that the award panel has something against him. And it is not like Aviator is a bad attempt at directing.
Having said all that, I must say that the movies this year were quite good. To think that prior to the Incredibles (refer to my earlier blog), I had almost given up on Tinseltown.
"Now that we're here, it's so far away, all the struggle we thought was in vain"
Saturday, February 26, 2005
It's Been Awhile
It's been awhile since I posted an entry here and so much has happened since. Not that I will blog everything here, but just to let people know that I'm still alive and kicking
CNY was more subdued than usual. Not as rowdy as before. Older cousins having kids, so can't stay up all night like before. Younger ones... let's just say that they are really really really *young* There are some who are overseas pursuing their studies so therefore they are not around adding to the doom and gloom. Okay, just kidding on that doom and gloom part. Wonder if that's what comes with growing up. You get more busy, less time for building up relationships, therefore the contacts fall into disrepair, and you get a subdued new year.
Work is getting insane. Wearing so many different hats that I'm not too sure sometimes what I'm hired for. We're not talking about different projects here, but different portfolios altogether. Tried talking to my predecessor, but unfortunately he had the same problems too. Spoke to my supervisors, they're not too helpful too. So far I'm coping. Barely. But I don't have the time to do my supposed core work effectively. Must bring it up soon before the situation gets untenable.
I've noticed that nowadays I find it difficult to think of topics to talk about. You know, small talk. Inane chit chat. Things you do to pass time between people. The little sentence that breaks the ice. Somehow it just revolves around the same stuff. Work, work, work and more work. Why do people talk about work all the time? Sure, work occupies a large part of our time, but izzit the end? Or the means to an end? I don't watch TV, so can't exchange ideas on the latest shows. Govt stuff? Nah, that's related to my work and I'm not too hot about that. Sports. Well, with Chelsea bulldozing their way through the league what's there to talk about.
Okay. Think I have proven to most people that I'm alive and this blog is still active. Though the condition of the owner isn't too optimal at the moment. Got to do some serious business with Him soon. Like I said, it's been awhile...
CNY was more subdued than usual. Not as rowdy as before. Older cousins having kids, so can't stay up all night like before. Younger ones... let's just say that they are really really really *young* There are some who are overseas pursuing their studies so therefore they are not around adding to the doom and gloom. Okay, just kidding on that doom and gloom part. Wonder if that's what comes with growing up. You get more busy, less time for building up relationships, therefore the contacts fall into disrepair, and you get a subdued new year.
Work is getting insane. Wearing so many different hats that I'm not too sure sometimes what I'm hired for. We're not talking about different projects here, but different portfolios altogether. Tried talking to my predecessor, but unfortunately he had the same problems too. Spoke to my supervisors, they're not too helpful too. So far I'm coping. Barely. But I don't have the time to do my supposed core work effectively. Must bring it up soon before the situation gets untenable.
I've noticed that nowadays I find it difficult to think of topics to talk about. You know, small talk. Inane chit chat. Things you do to pass time between people. The little sentence that breaks the ice. Somehow it just revolves around the same stuff. Work, work, work and more work. Why do people talk about work all the time? Sure, work occupies a large part of our time, but izzit the end? Or the means to an end? I don't watch TV, so can't exchange ideas on the latest shows. Govt stuff? Nah, that's related to my work and I'm not too hot about that. Sports. Well, with Chelsea bulldozing their way through the league what's there to talk about.
Okay. Think I have proven to most people that I'm alive and this blog is still active. Though the condition of the owner isn't too optimal at the moment. Got to do some serious business with Him soon. Like I said, it's been awhile...
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