Goodbye Peter Graves

Goodbye Peter Graves

Peter Graves, best remembered for his role as Jim Phelps in the TV series, Mission Impossible passed away on Sunday 14 March 2010. Peter Graves would have been 84 this week. He died from an apparent heart attack outside his Los Angeles home.

We say a very sad farewell to yet another icon, star, hero that formed the golden tapestry of our growing years.

One of the most famous and best known TV catch phrases came out of Mission Impossible: "Good morning Mr Phelps."

Some things I never Knew about Peter Graves till today

Peter Graves's real name was: Peter Arness. His brother was James Arness, the marshall from the iconic TV series Gunsmoke. And surely a most admirable fact: Peter Graves was married to the same woman for over 60 years.

Gordon Ramsay vs Tracy Grimshaw

Gordon Ramsay vs Tracy Grimshaw

"A new form of low life" says Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Minister, in describing Gordon's latest rant and rave outburst.

Really Gordon, even if one wanted to be on your side, you do make it hard. Kevin Rudd's description, though harsh, is perhaps well deserved for you.

I first saw Tracy Grimshaw's response to Gordon's tirade and now not only has Gordon re-launched an attack in the guise of "victim" but in looking through the news coverage regarding this whole new furore, honestly I can only say that Gordon really asked for this. Is this another of your outrageous, uncivil stunts Mr. Ramsay?

Tracy's response, I must say, seems very civilised to me. Even appropriate and I applaud her for her response. He (Gordon Ramsay) does not deserve one but he required one. I thought Tracy did a good job in her response - not too over the top, but displaying admirable self-control and good sense.

I am not a follower of Gordon Ramsay (nor of Tracy Grimshaw) but I have seen him a few times on telly (and who doesn't know this foul mouthed but talented celebrity?). He did seem like a nice man but with an incorrigible twist to his personality that does not respect, does not want to know, does not recognize where the line is on what he can sprout from his loose mouth.

Good on you Tracy!

If I Cant Have You by Adam Lambert, American Idol

Oh I just can't wait. American Idol on April 21, 2009 with the top 7 contestants still has not shown on Australian telly. It will air this evening for us Aussies.

But I hear good things. One of my favourites, Adam Lambert apparently has wowed everyone again. (Well, okay ... not everyone coz there will always be people with opposing views as evidenced in this instance by this comment "This was the one performance where I didn't agree with the judges so much, since I thought the song was so slow that it lacked much spark..." ~ Claire Zulkey ~ )

I am hanging out just to watch it tonight. Don't anyone dare come visit at the wrong time this evening otherwise I will have to put on my witch's garb and my big and nasty broom to whack unwanted visitors!

Tonight will be "Disco night" on American Idol. Adam Lambert will be singing "If I Can't Have You" by the Bee Gees. And since I am not able to "see" anything yet ... not even on the internet ... here are the lyrics for those of you who want it to sing along tonight ..

If I Can't Have You

(by Bee Gees)

Don’t know why I’m surviving every lonely day
When there’s got to be no chance for me
My life would end and it doesn’t matter how I cry
My tears of love are a waste of time
If I turn away am I strong enough to see it through
Go crazy is what I will do

If I can’t have you, I don’t want nobody baby
If I can’t have you ah ah, I can’t have you
I don’t want nobody baby, if I can’t have you ah ah

Can’t let go and it doesn’t matter how I try
I gave it all so easily to you my love
To dreams that never will come true
Am I strong enough to see it through
Go crazy is what I will do

I do confess it is very biased of me to concentrate solely on Adam but to date, he is my top favourite and has more than wowed me every time. And though I am blown away by Susan Boyle and 12 year old Shaheen Jafargholi from Britain's Got Talent, 2009 ... if they were all in the same contest, I think I would still choose Adam Lambert at this stage.

Unfair as it seems, he does have all the "star-look" but much more than that, he seems to have what critics used to call, the mysterious "it" factor. And maybe it has something too to do with the ghostly experience of seeing Elvis Presley peek out of Adam's persona once in a while.

Memories from Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle with "Memories" and Through Semi-Finals

After the disappointment from seeing Adam Lambert so not-deservedly lose American Idol 2009, I thought I would keep myself away from all these competitions for a while to let my sadden heart revived. But Susan Boyle's news caught my eyes, and my fingers followed suit shortly after.

You can catch the act at this site: Susan Boyle singing Memories in Britain's Got Talent semi-finals.

I know there have been criticisms made already about criticisms already made about Susan Boyle's performance. And I am certainly not on a witch hunt. Because how can one be when the talent is so undoubtedly there.

However I was say, and I do confess it could be my inadequate sound systems, I personally was not as impressed by this her second performance as I was by the first. Especially the first half of the rendition. And I am fully conscious that it could be that the gobsmack factor is less since we now know only too well how well she can sing. But for whatever reasons, I can only confess to lessened degree of enjoyment as compared to the first time.

In my defense, and though I freely admit it could be that I am past the gobsmack factor hence no longer so taken by surprise when she displays her remarkable audio talent, yet I do remember that almost every time I saw Adam Lambert, I could still feel my jaws drop open unbecomingly but definitely in gobsmacked awed admiration.

Have a look yourself and judge for yourself. Judging can be fun. Why just leave it to Simon Cowell to have all the fun?!

Moon - Personal Movie Review

Moon: Personal Movie Review

Was delighted to have seen the movie "Moon" yesterday. My hubby had to drag me out of the house. I was wearing a very bad-tempered, disgruntled, unhappy face as I had to rush and my internet connection had gone down to zero speed. But I am so glad to have been dragged to the movies.

Moon - released 2009
Gengre: Science Fiction (sci-fi)

"Moon" is one of those hard to find films where the story plot is tight and good. It makes you think and it makes you feel with the main character as each personal shock and surprise is revealed.

Original story was written by and movie was directed by Duncan Jones - who also incidentally happens to be the son of David Bowie. As a trivial aside, Duncan Jones was also the best man at the wedding of his dad to Iman.

The main character was Sam Rockwell who did a very good job indeed.

The other main "character" was GERTY the computer. Voice by Kevin Spacey. One could almost see the face of Kevin Spacey when listening to GERTY.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes a strong good story plot. It is not a high-end, gimmicks and Hollywood fancy-gadget movie but that is what makes this movie such a good watch. The scenes, atmosphere, and story-line are the real winners and the acting is impeccable.

Congratulations and thank you to Duncan Jones for a very good thinking yarn. So hard to find these days.

Movie Review: The Road

Movie Review: The Road

Just seen this movie and that is my advice to you moviegoers - hit the road and give this movie the flick.

Or more succinctly, as my partner put it on our grateful exit from the cinema: "Dull and Boring".

Rating: 1 out of 10

The Road the movie, was based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book of the same name (2006) by Cormac McCarthy (author of No Country for Old Men, which incidentally was, unlike The Road, brilliantly adapted for the movies). The movie The Road was directed by John Hillcoat, and features famous names like Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce.

However the lead roles are carried by Viggo Mortensen (father) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (son). Viggo Mortensen was deliciously masterful as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings. Kodi Smit-McPhee is an Australian child actor. John Hillcoat was born in Queensland, Australia. And Guy Pearce (who is virtually impossible to spot in The Road - in large part, due to the small and unimportant part he played in the movie) is also an Australian and normally, a very good actor.

The Story

The story is about the survival journey along an endlessly bleak and dangerous road after an unspecified world-wide apocalypse that has left the world barren of fauna and flora and left in its wake, a diminishing handful of straggling, starving survivors and ruthless, hungry gangs of cannibals. The Road focuses on this father and son team which given their unimaginable but believable plight in a post-apocalyptical world of bleak hopelessness and unremitting funereal landscape, should have been fertile soil for deep pathos, heart wrenching scenes, and copious, uncontrollable tear jerkers. And yet despite the great potential for a bigger-than-life masterpiece in both cinematic and emotional terms, the biggest overriding emotions that the movie could evoke was sheer, unremitting BOREDOM and bone-itching IRRITATION.

In my opinion, the movie was a failure and credit for this is in no small part due to the acting by Kodi Smit-McPhee. Not once is one allowed to be drawn into the scope of the movie and their plight. At no point do you remain unaware that Kodi is acting - and acting very badly. If I had to give him a score between 1 and 10, I would have to say, in fairness and kindness, a negative 5.

As proof of how poorly the movie, and Kodi in particular, managed NOT to connect with the audience - my partner who can tear up over the least emotional tear-jerkers (which he did just watching the trailer of Precious prior to the commencement of this movie), could not even pull out the ghost of tear in the entire movie - not even when the father died.

And despite the good (not great) acting from the other actors, whoever did the casting - especially for Kodi - should be shot. In a world that is more than starving, the kid does not look as if he is particularly hungry. Certainly, definitely not starving. In a scene when he has to take off his shirt (for a bath), at no point do we get a clear shot that shows us that the skinny rib-showing body belongs to the head of Kodi. I think it would be an almost sure bet that the starving body we saw was not his body but that of a (street?) kid who is really starving - or a nameless, non-credited anorexic kid.

Kodi's acting is made much much worse by the fact that, according to the book, his character is supposed to be anywhere between 5-7. On screen, he looks 11 or 12. (In real life, he is 13). But what is grist for additional nausea on top of his overwhelmingly inauthentic performance is that, looking like a 11 or 12 and supposedly a child who has undergone unimaginable horrors and dead bodies and long-term lack of food, he (tried to) act like he is some pampered, girlie, useless, 4-5 year old twat. We ended up rooting for his early and hopefully horrible demise which, having read the book, we knew we would find no such satisfaction.

If you choose to Google some reviews on this movie, you will find a surprisingly number of (overly) good reviews. And I blame the "professional" reviewers (of which my partner is both a fan and part-slave of) that we even went to watch this most disappointing of films. And if not for all the hype around it and the non-secret rumours that this movie is headed for all kinds of nominations and the (surprising) fact that the book on which the movie is based, is a Pulitzer Prize winner - I will have to skeptically say that most people would not bother to waste their time on this movie.

But most people are such suckers for what is supposedly, the learned opinions from people who are "in the know" that at times, I am swear, they abandon their own good sense. If anyone deserves a 10/10 or an Oscar for The Road - it would have to be whoever did the marketing and hype behind this movie.

So if you have a few hours to kill (111 mins) and you don't think life is worthwhile, and you don't mind committing suicide slowly and painfully, then please go and watch the movie. Otherwise if you have a life - even half a life, please don't bother.

Susan Boyle gobsmacks the world with Cry Me A River

Susan Boyle, appearing in the third series of "Britain's Got Talent" on Saturday, 11 April 2009 has gobsmacked the world. The universal reaction to her appearance has ranged from smirking condescension to awed disbelief to almost silent tearful worship. And the word that truly captures it is exactly what Susan herself felt, "Gobsmacked".

Before Susan Boyle sings

47 unemployed never been kissed		wants to be as successful as Elaine Page (often called "The First Lady of British Musical Theatre")

Susan Boyle Gobsmacks the world

		singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables

As Susan Boyle sings!

Bravo! Bravo!

About Susan Boyle

Born in 1961 in Blackburn, West Lothian in Scotland where is still lives she had only performed in local shows, karaoke, and her local church choir. It is reported everywhere that she has never been kissed though there is at least one report that says that Susan did admit that it was only a joke. Drew Barrymore (star of "Never Been Kissed") has even offered advice to Susan Boyle!

There are even reports about Susan being a virgin. The Australian heraldsun.com.au has even labeled her as "Scottish virgin Susan Boyle" .. all of which has nothing to do with her talent but much to do with the additional fuel of gossip that has launched her globe-wide and made her the darling of millions around the world.

Susan is one of nine children and till recently, she has been taking care of her ailing mother who passed away in 2007 at the age of 91. And it is to her mother's encouragement that she attributes her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. It has been stated that Susan Boyle has "learning disabilities" and that she was bullied and tormented with name calling as a youngster. She says that signing for her was an escape from this bullying.

Since her appearance on Britain's Got Talent

• She is now the current hot favourite to win the contest.
• It has been reported that Simon Cowell is lining up a record deal for her and she confirms that she has had a meeting with Sony BMG (Simon's record label), but no further confirmation of details.
• Video clips of her performance on the internet has risen to 18 million and rising rapidly.
• Since her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, she has been a guest on STV's The Five Thirty Show and has been interviewed on CBS's Early Show, NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, had a telephone interview on FOX's America's Newsroom, an appearance on Larry King Live, and an invitation to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. And she has been featured in just about every big news media.
• Of almost equal prominence as her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, is the unearthed Susan Boyle's version of "Cry Me a River", from a charity cd made in 1999 of which only 1000 copies were made.
  

Analysis: Susan Boyle

It has been reported that judges Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden have issued an apology to Susan Boyle for pre-judging her based solely on her appearance. And multiple comments in multiple blogs and news articles have been confessing to and/or criticizing everyone who has judged Susan on her appearance. Personally I think these critical comments and apologies are unnecessary. It is part of our human ability to function that we do have opinions based on a general concept of what something looks like. It is exactly by these means of having generalized concepts that we can navigate our world .. can differentiate a man from a woman (though admittedly, it does get harder these days), a dog from a cat, one's house from a stranger's house. It is precisely because of her appearance and what our initial appearance of her was and the contrast of that to her stupendous talent that has gobsmacked the world, celebrities, the judges, and prestigious TV shows.

For Susan Boyle, right now, her stars must really be in alignment. To have reached her age, to have been using her singing talents all along and yet to have remained undiscovered till now, must surely show that finally her stars (or fate, or destiny or whatever else one might want to call it) is truly in line. Truly, there seems to be a season for everything, and when it is your time, it can truly be remarkable.

I noticed that in the final standing ovation for Susan Boyle, that just about everyone was on their feet ... except for Simon Cowell (which, with regards to Simon, is not unexpected).

This observation is in no way a comment about Simon's obvious appreciation for Susan's talents. Rather it is a plug for Adam Lambert (from American Idol) in his performance of "Mad World" (8 April) where Simon did stand to give a standing ovation for that young star's immense talent.

On a final note on Simon Cowell: Woah, this man must be a flying (as well as flaying) machine. On 8th April, he is seen in American in American Idol offering a most unheard of standing ovation to Adam, and on 11th April, he is being gobsmacked by Susan Boyle in Britain.

Susan Boyle or Shaheen Jafargholi in Britain's Got Talent

Oh me, oh my. The Brits do have talent!! Another sensation has emerged - in the very same Britain's Got Talent contest.

Pundits are saying that the sensational newcomer and angelic charmer, 12 year old Shaheen Jafargholi from Swansea, England is runner-up to Susan Boyle. Some don't agree; of course.

Others are calling Shaheen Jafargholi a "fake" (Shaheen Jafargholi is FAKE! - 12 Year Old Singer - Britain's Got Talent 2009) though personally, I think that is the wrong word. Others have called Susan Boyle the same thing.

Have a look at Shaheen on YouTube at: Shaheen Jafargholi - 12 Year Old Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 Ep 2 and decide for yourself.

I certainly don't discount the fact that the appearance and what went on there might have been "set up". Same with Susan Boyle. Of course, to even be on the stage, as Susan Boyle was, she had already gone through the first rounds of audition and it definitely would not have been the first time the judges, or some of them, had heard her remarkable powers.

The same holds true for Shaheen and Simon's telling him "You've got it all wrong" does indeed seem stagy. Anyone who has seen any part of American Idol or any of the other performances on Britain's' Got Talent would know that it is not at all likely that a judge (not even Simon) would stop a performance when the singing of Amy Winehouse's "Valerie", though not as good Shaheen's second choice of "Who's Loving You", was certainly not bad at all.

But to say either of them were "fakes" ... it is ludicrous to hear either of them sing and think that there is anything fake about their talent.

Set-up or not, it is equally clear that cynicism aside, the reaction, pleasure, and enjoyment from most people and audiences - and even some of the judges at least, are totally congruent and sincere.

A commentator has said "I have a massive problem with that action by Cowell because it creates an uneven playing field for Susan Boyle. No one helped Ms. Boyle at all - not that she needed it - so why help someone else?" (in blog "Susan Boyle v. Shaheen Jafargholi With Simon Cowell's Help") I don't think Simon was helping either. He might have been helping both. It would not at all surprise me that Simon Cowell was "in the know" about these 2 very talented people beforehand. Afterall, he is the creator of the "Got Talent" series that has gone international. And snappy and mouthy he may be, but he is no dumb fool and certainly, there is more business acumen to him than just being a well-known judge on talent contests.

Shaheen Jafargholi - a name that is a bit hard to easily remember - is a beautiful name and rolls off the tongue once the mouth gets used to it. He certainly has made an impact and if you have not watched it, you are missing out on some very pleasurable moments.

Thousands of fans already for both of them and international praise from stars like Demi Moore; it really is a joy to know that these accolades have gone to these two inspirational talents.

Susan Boyles loses to Diversity

Susan Boyle defeated by Diversity

It was certainly a shock defeat. The 11 street dancers that form the troupe Diversity have been declared winners with Susan Boyle as runner up. Diversity did a remarkable performance and you can see Diversity on YouTube.

Given the craziness and heated fanfare over Susan and the inevitable pressure that comes with it, it is with sadness but also with compassion that we hear that Susan Boyle has had an "emotional breakdown" and taken to the Priory clinic. Southgate, North London in an ambulance, accompanied by the police.

Allegations of her having been behaving strangely at her London hotel are just that ~ allegations. But it does make one wonder how many of us could have withstood that amount of intense media frenzy in such a short period of time and been able to remain the same or even sane.

More can be seen here: "Diversity beat Boyle in Talent Show" from Telegraph.co.uk

This is Susan Boyle's performance in the finals. I wonder why she chose to sing the same song as she did that shot her to fame. I must say that Simon Cowell's speech to her did make me think that he was not being quite his harsh truthful self and almost seemed as if he had difficulty in looking her in the eyes while trying hard but uncomfortably to be "kind" yet cautionary. Whatever the reason, I wish her a speedy recovery and return to some clarity and normalcy for the sake of her health. And may her future be bright and melodious for her.

Virtual Assistants and Corey Haim

Oddity of Connections: Virtual Assistants & Corey Haim

I know how strange the juxtaposition of those 2 phrases are. Funny thing about life - it dies and it carries on independently.

I was just having a nosy peek at Google's hot trends and these 2 hotties at the moment caught my attention.

I don't know what sparked the current hotness of "Virtual Assistants" - people who are like personal assistants but via the virtual reality of the internet instead of the traditional face-to-face variety. Apparently these jobs have been around for a long while and thriving. I am quite attracted to it! As one member at the Virtual Assistant Forum said, "I happen to like typing (I'm a bit strange like that!)" ~ I say, "Me too. I am strange that way too."

But apart from finding this little tidbit out, I am still left a-wondering why "Virtual Assistant" was such a hot topic today.

Corey Haim

This being a hot topic I can sadly understand better. Like so many lost souls before him, (and don't most of us know what that feels like), Corey Haim, aged only 38, was found dead on Wednesday, 10 March 2011 from a suspected drug overdose. Despite his fame in the films like "Lost Boys" which he co-starred with Corey Feldman, he is said to have suffered for years with drug abuse and depression.

As a recovering depressive myself, it is always a reminder of how real and close that black hole is and how sad that so many people know it so intimately.

It was strange to find those 2 topics as being the hot items right now - no connection to each other apart from appearing on a Google Hot Trend list. We are connected in this life, this world ... even when it is through the most bizarre of connections, or in the consciousness of the person(s) you least anticipate.

2009-2010 Christmas

Christmas 2009 - New Year 2010

19 December 2009

Left for Geelong from Sydney - left early this year to be in time for Fatty's 50^th birthday bash. 10 hours drive. Pete drove, Klutey stood semi-alert, I chatted. Had simple dinner (or "tea" as they call it) at Joy and Russ's. Karen and Garrie came over.

20 December 2009

Fatty's birthday at his place. Fatty has broken toe, courtesy of son, Sam. Good time but drank too many varieties of alcohol (7 to be exact) and had to "make friends" with the toilet bowl, face to face, at 4am. Overall - was very good time.

Managed to have a chat to Mary Smith and met Marie Clifton - who was a surprise to me. She is quite lovely.

25 Dec 2009

Christmas day. Brekkie at Karen's & Garrie's. Lunch the same. Everything was lovely.

27 Dec 2009

MAS flight to KL. Pete and me. Arrived 8:40pm local time - in time for mum-mum.

28-29 Dec 2009

Got to spend some time with Xav who is leaving shortly for home/JB. However a lot of "down time" for Pete. Luckily he is so adaptable. He has been reading a lots of novels to fill his time.

30 Dec 2009

Xav, Audrey, and 3 kids left for JB.

January 01, 2010

Well, the new year has arrived and I surely hope that things - for one and all - will be on the good and up.

Pete and I are currently in KL, Malaysia. Today, after the normal waiting around according to Malaysian rubber time syndrome (MRT), we played tourist with Christina and Graham Gillett. We spent out afternoon at Putrajaya.

Putrajaya looks amazing. The streets are wide and clean. The fauna is well maintained, lush, and beautiful. And most of all, the architecture is truly amazing. Malaysians have done a superb job in creating such large, well designed, eye-pleasing structures while maintaining a unique Malaysian charm and authenticity. And though the architecture and style are all varied, the overall effect is extremely pleasing and harmonious - hopefully, a symbol and indication of continuing harmony within the multi-cultured nature of the Malaysian society.

Speaking to some of my family later that night - in other words, speaking to some locals who have much better knowledge than us "touristy types" - we were told that the place might look good on the outside ... but such praises cannot be heaped on the interiors where reputedly, leaking/cracking roofs have been sighted many a time and things may not work as they should on the inside.

Nonetheless, I remain surprised, pleased, and in awe for the harmonious splendour of the place. It is unfortunate that, if true, the interior workings of the buildings still leave much to be desired, however the look and the finish on the outside is still a major achievement. Definitely a very pleasing place to visit.

Putrajaya also offers a Tuesday and Friday wet/dry/multi market every week. What can I say but "It is Great!" Prices are great. Everything is local with their inherent local charm. Products on sale range from wet market items (fresh fish, fruits, vegetables, and meats), dry market products (packets of herbs, spices, canned foods) to clothing, shoes, bric-a-bracs, household goods, etc. Wonderful!

Dinner

And of course, there is food, food, food in Malaysia. Food is one of Malaysia's most enduring love and obsession. There is yummy food just about all the time and I suspect food is thought about as much as, if not more, than sex over here!

We had dinner at home - home here being my brother, Alex's place. Mom cooked and prepared just about all day - forgoing the pleasures of an outing just so that she would have prepared yummy delicacies and home-cooked meal for her offsprings. Unfortunately Xavier and family have already gone back to JB. We had Mommy, Graham, Christina, Christopher, Thin Sin, Peter, Syl, Alex, and myself at dinner. The food was very yummy and even better - there was one of my favourite soupies ("Old Cucumber soup"). The company was great. I hope everyone had a good time. I know I did. If I have one regret, it would be that I felt too knackered to take photos of the occasion - which is a shame as it is surely not everyday, and not even every year, that so many of my family members are gathered in one place.

For me, the first day of the new year has been a most satisfying start to 2010.

Tuesday, 5 Jan 2010

Pete left for Melbourne today. Flight at 9:55am so we were all up at about 7am to go to the airport. Alex kindly drove us there which was great as we thought that Pete would have to take a taxi to the airport himself.

Wednesday, 6 January 2010

Pete drove home from Melbourne to Sydney today, with Klutey, who according to Pete, was not overjoyed to see him. Typical!

Thursday, 7 Jan 2010

Sis was my life-saver. Took me and mommy to Seremban. Went to see mommy recommended dentist, Dr. Siva. Extracted my innermost molar (right side) which had become inflamed and impossibly painful.

Unfortunately, after dinner back in Alex's place, sis and Graham discovered they had lost their GPS which to them now is not just "necessary" but "essential".

Friday, 8 Jan 2010

Syl took mommy and me to Tropicana City. Short sit down at Bad Ass cafe. Mom had invited Kai Kei over for dinner here at Sg. Besi. Had dinner with him, mommy, sis, and Graham. Mommy cooked. Tina cooked and brought over fish and meatballs.

Ah Kei brought over a wine which was quite good: "Shelley Beach", a 2007 Cabernot Merlot from Western Australia - smooth and light.

Heard about the burning of one and attacks on 2 other Catholic churches here in Klang Valley. The tinder spark seems to be the current issue about the permissibility over the use of the word "Allah".

9 Jan 2010

Brekkie with Mom & Syl. Lum Mee and Prawn mee. Then over to Syl's Cheras place for short visit to pick up some things. Syl back to his house to do some house-cleaning.

Arvo - Tina and Graham over here to Sg. Besi ..

Sunday, 10 Jan 2010

sis, g, Alex, syl, mom - tropicana city, haus, dinner at sis. Mom stayed over at sis and I went home with Alex. Watched "Vengeance" DVD with Alex

Monday, 11 Jan 2010

Picked up around 9am by Sis to stay over at their place. Putrajaya for breakfast. Then shopped a bit in Mydin. Could not connect to internet due to some network security level issue. Pete was trying much of day to contact me. Watched "Vengeance" DVD again. This time with mom and sis, after dinner. Had dinner at Sri Kembangan with sis and mom.

Graham came home around 1 something a.m. and set up the correct security so I could connect to the internet.

Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010

Gotta go back to Sg. Besi for some more clothes to stay an additional night at Putra Jaya.

Wednesday, 13 Jan 2010

Christina drove mom and me back to Sg Besi. Met up with Syl. All 4 of us to brekkie. Sis went to see doctor after and then she went home to Putrajaya while the 3 of us went on to Subang Jaya for various chores including dealing with the "dexion" bin.

Finally resolved what I thought needed no resolution. Apparently family thought I had left the "dexion bins" for anyone to use, take, sell, whatever. Only a small portion had been thus employed. The rest has been stored in a number of large boxes in Subang Jaya - requiring mom to repack, recover, re stack them over time. My very clear understanding was that Xavier had wanted all of them and I had given ownership totally over to him. However, much to my chagrin and shock, I was the only one who had that particular clear understanding. Seems as if I need to be much clearer and more direct with my family.

Now, after SMS-es with Xav, which was read out to both mom and Syl and later communicated to Alex, the general understanding now is that Xavier is the current owner of those bins and I no longer have anything to do with them. Let's hope this time, what I understand and what they do is in full accord.

Family dinner. Alex's shout. In Puchong Lama - Fish Head curry. Mom, Graham, Christina, Syl, Alex, and myself. Alex bought durian home which was consumed as dessert by the family, bar Graham.

American Idol started today. Was alerted by Pete who has now become quite a good SMS-er as his SMS can be quite long. What a pleasant surprise as he was still unable to SMS at all prior to the start of our holidays.

Poor Petey has also been in the wars after returning home as he came down with tonsillitis which must have been quite bad as he has been to the doctor's twice and had his sleep badly disrupted. Two clear signs that it was quite serious. He is now on the mend.

Thursday, 14 Jan 2010

Had a (relatively) early night last night and was kinna disappointed that I slept so long. Woke up after 12pm. So no Indian town for Sis and me today. Have to try and get some work done.

Was hoping to get started with mom's computer lessons today but cannot view the wireless networks in range on her computer.

Drupal sites updates

Need to do Drupal core updates and Module and Theme updates - both indicating they are not secure.

Sigh. Didn't do the updates. Got to be too much reading for an over-cooked brain and a too-well-fed tummy. Resorted to watching a DVD instead and after that, pretty much the whole day was gone as time just wore on.

Christina cooked some dinner and mommy cooked some dinner, and the Gilletts brought food over so we had a family dinner in Sg. Besi (Mommy, Christina, Graham, Syl, Alex, and myself). Another good-time family session.

Saturday 16 Jan 2010

Went with Gilletts to Chow Kit and Lamar. Bought lining fabric for felt bags and one baju for Christopher's and Jackie's upcoming wedding on 21 February, 2010. Unfortunately as it turned out, the baju was way too large. And it was all my "fault" as I didn't try it on. We bought it from a little hot small shop and I felt I could not bear to put on the new baju to try as I was already over-hot and sweating furiously. Oh well.

Alex took mom and me to Seafood BBQ, next to Tempurau Fish restaurant. The place was great - very reminiscent of the feel of a Bali holiday restaurant. And despite being next to the highway, the restaurant still retained the feel of being away from the hustle and bustle of hectic working life.

Best of all, the food was EXCELLENT at very reasonable prices (Alex paid). Must tell Pete about this place as we are sure he will love it. It even offered Black Pepper crab in two varieties - full black pepper seeds and black pepper paste.

News from Petey in Sydney - he is feeling much better after his bout of tonsillitis and resultant sleepless nights. However he had a shit day on the horses and our loft-stairs fell down. Luckily no one was hurt (he was showing the place to Ferg and Simone) but it did entail him having to climb out of the house via the side.

Sunday 17 Jan 2010

The Gilletts took me to Chow Kit area again (under the kind pretense that Tina wanted to buy some curtain materials) so that I could change my beaded baju what was too large (was XL).

Had lunch near Sri Kota - indian restaurant with Gilletts, Chris and Thin Sin, Mom, Syl, and Alex. Graham shouted.

Came back to Sq. Besi. Gilletts went home. Chris and Thin Sin went home, Alex went into office.

Syl stayed behind as he and mom were going to evening mass. As it turned out, they didn't make it there as he had remembered the time incorrectly. But it was a golden nugget as it gave him and me some quality time to have a good talk.

Monday 18 Jan 2010

Mommy made Mee Siam. I set up mom's new Gmail account and local pc Links page. In the evening, went to Mid-Valley with Syl, Mom, and Sis. Syl had meeting with a lady called Michelle and the rest of us jalan-jalaned in Cold Storage, Carrefour, and Justco. Bought some oxtail from the latter - which was fairly pricey at about RM30. Hope to make some ox tail soup for the family this weekend.

Tues 19 Jan 2010

Started another round of sessions with mom. Had a word with her last night and came to some agreement re. both of us setting aside a specific time in the morning so that the needed lessons can actually be done.

Unfortunately I myself was a bit late getting up this morning (half hour late) and so I was the stumbling block to our new plan. However did get some computer time in and started on email lesson for her; using Gmail. All fingers crossed that by the end of my stay here, she will be much more comfortable with the internet and computer.

Wed 20 Jan 2010

Syl drove us (Mom, Tina, and myself) to Leisure Mall on his way to work and took us home after lunch.

Thu 21 Jan 2010

Went out to brekkie with Syl and mom. Not too good a session. One of the results was the JB trip being totally cancelled after exchange of some emphatic opinions. Also this must be the 4th or 5th time I have offered some time to go through a clarification process with Syl. I must be having slow comprehension coz obviously it is not wanted and I won't be offering again.

Had dinner at some hotpot place. Alex treated mom, Tina, Graham, and myself. Was lovely and also very very HOT! Alex sprouted a fountain at the top of his head, Tina had tears coming out and running mascara. Mom really enjoyed it. And Graham was a stoic sport. He too seemed to enjoy it though the consensus was that maybe next time, they would not ask for "Hot Hot Hot" and will settle for "Hot Hot" only.

Fri 22 Jan 2010

Pete smsed me this morning that Karen and Garrie arrived last evening. They went out for dinner and so he did not get to watch American Idol. Told him he did not miss much. Was not a good episode. AI seems to have changed some of their format this season 9. They have more dramatization which is pretty lousy, unentertaining, and pathetic. They also tend to show more of the interactions amongst the judges, and more general show-the-town-and-crowds kind of shots. All very very unentertaining and boring. What is lacking is showing more of the actual contestants singing, or their attempts thereof. I hope their will not carry on with this boring, failing format for the entire season.

Had a good meditation last night. Have been doing that a bit more regularly. Must honestly say that I am not seeing any truly discernable benefits yet. However I do seem to be sleeping very deeply and for very long hours.

Alex's friend, Sharon, will be coming over tonight to stay. She is flying in from Singapore. Pete and I met her that night when we went out with Alex to the roof top restaurant.

Heard from sis that she is not very well today. Looks like she only woke up late in the afternoon and is now resting again. I hope she is all right.

Set up Twitter and Skype accounts for mom yesterday. Spent hours setting up details, the behind work, and setting up web server space and folders for her. Must admit that this morning again it was partly my fault as I did not get up in time and by the time I did, and got talking with Alex, mom's mood passed. And this whole day is probably another lost computer day as far as her training goes. Oh well. I think I have done the best I could but it is beyond me to generate motivation and interest. Alex and Chris are the only kids who have bothered to write to mom's gmail account so far to give her some practice. Alex is the only one who has willingly agreed to have a Twitter account - which is meant to be a private family account so that it would also be another spot of interest for mom. Tina flatly refused. Syl's mood is too temperamental for me to ask willy-nilly. Have not asked yet asked Chris and Xavier but I must confess to feeling more and more deflated in trying to generate interest - which after all, is to help mom out. Another "Oh well" I guess.

Alex picked Sharon up from the airport. Shortly after, heavy rains set in and we had to wait for it to abate. Consequently late dinner. Went to a Nyonya restaurant in SS2 for dinner (Alex, Sharon, Mom, and myself). Was pretty good.

Was going to the Sky Cafe that Alex and I came across some years ago for yummy Durian puffs and coffee but unfortunately, I think the cafe did not survive the years as it could no longer be found.

Watched the movie "Invictus" with Alex and Sharon at home. Mommy went to bed prior to the movie. Not a bad movie. Personal rating about 6½ out of 10.

The 2009 movie "Invictus" was directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. It tells the story of Nelson Mandela (M.Freeman) while he was president of South Africa after the fall of apartheid and in particular, Mandela's support of the S.African rugby team during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and S.Africa met in the finals, with the latter achieving an unexpected and close victory.

But from the movie, finally found out that "Invictus" is the poem that holds those famous 2 lines:

"invictus" is a Latin word meaning undefeatable or unconquerable. The poem itself was written by Willaim Ernest Henly, an English poet who lived from 1843-1903..

Sat 21 Jan 2010

Alex took Sharon, mom, and myself to Golden Sun club for yum cha. The Golden Sun is a club that kind of stands out like dog's balls in Puchong and on our way to Sg. Besi from the city. Its looks both attracts and repels as we drive by and as a consequence, is always a bit of a must-go kind of curiosity place. As it turned out, the yum cha was pretty good and better yet, better than the road side yum cha we have gone to a number of times which, according to the locals, is kind of "famous" for thier yum cha food.

SMS-ed Pete about it, as it was an unvisited place of curiosity for him as well. He tells me that today, Sydney is a stinker with temperatures at around 39°C.

Alex and Sharon have gone to spend day and stay overnight in the city. He said that they will be staying in Traders, which is a small boutique hotel he once recommended in passing for Pete and me to try out.

Sharon Wong is a lovely person. And very much a people person. So much so that I was awokened this morning by the chatter that was going on in the dining area. I woke to the sounds of, predominantly, my mom's voice telling Sharon story after story about this and that. Sharon certainly has the knack of making people feel comfortable enough to trust her with all kinds of titbits and events.

Syl came over in the evening to take mom out to jalan-jalan. Mom cooked some dinner for him and herself. And then Gilletts rang and came over and mom cooked more dinner for them. So we had a bit of a sit-around chat and no jalan-jalan. Sis was hoping for some yum-cha but home food was better for her as she has just recovered from 1½ days of queasiness.

After they left, mom and I watched Chinese movie "Brothers". Then went to bed.

Sun 22 Jan 2010

Syl and mom went to 11:30am mass. Came back. Some upsets and going-ons about mom's phone not working properly and also not being able to ring to sis's mobile or their landline via any phones. The 2 of them have now gone off to brekkie and peace, work, and I have stayed behind.

Today set up Twitter account for Xav and informed him via email as well as sms. Hope someone actually uses the family twitter group.

Pete sms-ed this morning and said he cooked the best snapper he has ever cooked last night for him and Garrie and Karen. And that Garrie cooked some great mussels. And that he wished I was there and was missing me :)

Biggish blowup with Syl and then with mom. What a day.

Mom cooked dinner for the Gilletts. By 8:30 pm they were still not here and I was very hungry so mom and I ate. By 10:15pm, Alex woke up for dinner and the Gilletts were still not here. He rang. They not coming.

Mon 23 Jan 2010

A stay at home day. Just doing some work on NetWebbing and chatting to mom.

Dinner and Klute

Dinner and Klute, Feb 2010

A good day.

Went to the doctor. Some tests and results from last year. All results good.

Partner cooked yummy dinner. Wiener schnitzel no less. He saw a good angle and took a shot ..

Barbara Ann Brennan and Higher Sense Perception

Barbara Ann Brennan in her book Hands of Light talks about how, when she was very young, she would go into the forest and sit quietly for hours, waiting for small animals to come to her. In those times, she would sit very still and try to blend into her surroundings.

It was not till much later that she came to realize the significance of those times - which essentially is what almost all meditation and the practice of stillness and silence is about - that in those moments, she entered into an expanded state of consciousness where she was able to perceive the energy field around objects. This later became what she called HSP and what she used in her healing practice. She does state that to develop HSP, one has to enter into an expanded state of consciousness.

This practice of silence also ties into Eckhart Tolle's practice of 'becoming conscious and aware of the Now" and Wayne Dwyer's meditation of "going into the gap". Dwyer uses the term "gap" where Tolle prefers the term "space". In either case, they refer to the same thing. Which is all very interesting as once again, it demonstrates the inter-connectedness of so many things.

Feeling Sleepy at work? Watch Cute Things Falling Asleep

Here's a tip for any of you who are right now fighting the pull of sleep and you are at work. You know you have to stay awake because no one would classify that kind of behaviour as "Cute Things Falling Asleep".

This little entertainment will help you stay awake.

And if you need more anti-sleepy therapy, this Cute Things Falling Asleep is a whole website devoted to just showing you all manner of Cute Things Falling Asleep .. which is sure to keep YOU awake!

Last Tip of the Day:
Be sure not to let the boss catch you ... unless he/she too is falling asleep!

Has the Internet gone SEO mad?

I thought the ideal for the Internet was so that we would have a huge library of information, accessible all over the world - like a world unity library. But I have just spent days, no weeks, reading and re-reading up more and more facts about SEO and what you should do and not do.

And as one looks at all the other sites ahead of one's own site in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs), (see! I can't even speak without techno-jabber anymore) not only is one kind of depressed (because those top pages are not always the best pages of information one is searching for) but one has to wonder if all the hard, genuine work one has put into one's own site is ever going to be "up there" .. and equally depressing is the realization that one has to play this SEO-game.

In the real world, the "rich get richer". On the Internet, it has become the SEO-savvy gets higher. And the price of all that? Not only do we have a lot of junk and rubbish on the internet (which is not the fault of the SEO practitioners) but now, one is tweaking and re-tweaking one's own pages so that it has enough keyword density, that the keywords should be the first letter in the title of the article, that we should name our files like our keywords, that we should beg others to link to us for PR (Page Rank) reasons, that we cannot just write naturally anymore if we ever want to be read by anyone! Geez, has the world gone mad?

Those of us who want to get top rankings in the SERPs (and we are in the millions if not billions), we spend our time tweaking our on-page factors, researching the most popular keywords (that hopefully but usually fruitlessly also have low supply) and that have respectable to high KEIs, submitting to search engines and directories, installing gadgets, contributions, add-ons, and tools to improve, measure our link popularity, our competitor's rankings, their linking partners. And this is just the tip of the techno-mad ice berg.

Once I thought it would be wonderful to be able to access relevant information, to contribute well researched data and articles, to provide cogent alternative viewpoints. Now I am wondering, who has time for all this when we need to spend so much time tweaking not our information or the relevance and coherence of what we have to say, but answering the increasingly hard question of "will the search engines (SEs) like my page/site?" So how much of the "useful" information on the net is going to be good anymore. What about all those articles and resources that could have been not just good, but great? Now they are spending so much time and effort to climb the slippery slope of SERPs positioning ladder that surely they can only spend a fraction of their research and writing time on producing illuminating information.

Imagine if Shakespeare or Thoreau had to worry, while they are writing about if they had enough keywords in their pages. And maybe they should not mark their pages as 1,2,3s... but by some keywords that can be found. And do they have enough other authors linking to them so that their books can be found? Just like the advice these days is if you are getting a domain, it is preferable if you could get a domain that has relevant keyword(s) in the domain name. Maybe Shakespeare would have had to spend his time, not writing his brilliant plays but changing his name to some highly sought keyword so that he could be searched and found.

I am not blaming the SEs like the mammoth Google. Of course not. They may be the progenitors of our current SEO madness but their intentions were "pure" - they wanted to produce more relevant results for users like you and me. But as they say, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". We have millions of webmasters, editors, SEO experts, and over-worked stall owners now trying to guess how Google judges sites and their content and then trying to manipulate their sites according to best guess. But of course, the ever helpful caveat also adds spice to the madness: Google changes its rules from time to time!

Fortunately or unfortunately, we have to play by the rules that the big boys lay down coz that is the only game in town. (Not that those rules are all that clear.) It would be wonderful, as a Google-Yahoo-Search Engine user if we could have the ability to just "delete" sites we don't want from our search results. That would be a way of filtering out all those useless gateway, cloaking and spam sites that causes our big gun search engines to work so hard at their algorithms. If we as users could ourselves just click a tickbox or button next to each site we don't ever want to see in our search results, then over time, the results we would get would become more and more relevant for us. Instead of a gazillion useless pages, we could cull some of them for ourselves. It would save the SEs some work and over time, the worldwide democratic process would actually determine which sites are generally considered useless and those would drop down to the bottom SERP pages or hopefully just disappear.

How Little Information There Is

How Little Information There Really Is

It is a strange phenomenon I have encountered over and over. Not always but often enough.

I have a number of web pages that I bookmark for further reading coz when I first come across them, they were either not my primary topic of research or they looked as if they have too much information for me to assimilate at the time.

Eventually when I do find the time to come back and read through the pages carefully, I often find that they don't really contain as much information as they first appeared. Like Etsy pages ... when I was bookmarking some of their pages, it appeared like a gold mine. Now that I have had some time to go through them, the information is really quite scant and not always very useful.

This sad phenomenon is also often true of many blogsite as well. I guess the majority of their readers read not for information but just to pass their time of day?

I don't care about SEO here!

I am glad to have this site. This is my blow-off steam site. My gibberish site. My thoughts-i-need-to-express site. Here on this site, I take a rest. I don't care if no one ever gets to read this. Not that I would not love visitors. But I am not going to worry about it. So here, I don't worry about keywords, meta tags, sitemaps, Alexa ranking, Google PR and blah blah blah. See, I don't even worry about words that are just nonsensical, non-keyword effective. It is just so good to have a sane place for oneself on the net! Everyone should have one :)

Kevin Rudd vs Tony Abbott

Kevin Rudd the clear winner

Today at 12 pm, we had the first debate between Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Liberal Opposition leader, Tony Abbott. And I am happy to report that most of the analysts seem to concur with what I strongly believe - that Kevin Rudd was the winner in this debate. The debate topic was re. Health and Hospital policies for Australia.

Tony was just overly aggressive and definitely negative with no real substance to offer as a viable solutions. In fact, if you took away all the negative things he had to say - he would have very little to say indeed. And even less to offer. Plus it was very annoying and immature to rudely and loudly butt in while Kevin was speaking. Kevin did not do the same to him but rather offered him the courtesy of uninterrupted speech.

And equally annoying and childish was Tony's loud and insincere laughter while Kevin was making a point. Tony so reminded me of aggressive bully behaviour in the school yard. And Tony was forever tying to catch Kevin's eye when he (Tony) was speaking - but not in a deep eye-to-eye contact kind of way. Rather his desperation to catch Kevin's eyes was more in the mode of an aggressor looking for a fight.

But apart from Tony unimpressive and honestly, quite repulsive performance, ... he really had NO SUBSTANCE. Nothing to offer the Australian public apart from "elect me. I can do better than him." Pathetic really.

Multiple Blogs

People with Poor Hearing

As age catches up with me, I am surrounded by more and more people who have bad hearing. Some have even accused me of having poor hearing. However I maintain that those people mumble.

Nonetheless it seems a common characteristic that people with poor hearing expect others to have patience and display consideration when they cannot catch what has been said. The poor hearers, justifiably, want others to understand that they don't choose to have poor hearing and for the rest of us to repeat things clearly and most of all, with patience.

Which is more than fair. However what I have also noticed is that they do not practise the reverse. If they are required to repeat a statement, the poor hearers almost invariably display anger and impatience. How ironical that is. And if one should point out how that is double standards, they get even angrier!!!

Steel Engineering in Malaysia

Hi, my name is Christopher Lim. I noticed that there are hardly any web sites on Steel Engineering in Malaysia. Although steel engineering may not be a cool topic, I do hope this may be of interest to some of you out there.

A little bit about myself. I am an engineer and I have worked 20 years in the engineering line, first 5 years overseas and the last 15 years locally. Although far from being an expert in this line, I do think I am a bit familiar with steel structures.

I run a small company named SteelTech Design and we provide structural steel design and drafting services. We have among our clients architects, C & S engineers and steel contractors. We have designed portal frames, roof trusses (conventional and light-gauge), platforms, pedestrian bridges etc.

As for drafting, we have done construction, shop, detail and connection drawings. We have over the years provided other related engineering services like Method Statements, Quality Control & Material Check List etc. Some of the projects that we were involved in are: • Car Display Showroom, K.L. • Walkway Canopy at Jalan Masjid India • Bungalow, Tropicana • Bungalow, Mutiara Damansara • Hostel Complex / Lecture Hall Sri Lanka

You can read more of my other blogs and about steel engineering, steel structures, and other related engineering discussions at Steel Engineering

Toddlers and Tiara Competitions

Toddlers and Tiaras competition

Er Yucks

I am just watching this show called"Toddlers and Tiaras" on TV. It is definitely a mixed reaction phenomena. The kiddies (invariably girls) in the competition are definitely cute, even beautiful. Yet at the same time there is a definite revulsion in seeing them. Not just coz the parents (almost always moms) are themselves suspect (how far do they push them? are the comps for the mom's or are the kids really into this).

But more than that, the revulsion is also the falseness of all of them despite or in spite of the cute factor. All the kids are like dolls. Some of the older kids .. sorry, but they look like the early stages of being a slut. There is a girl who might only be 8 or 9 and already she looks like17 or 18 after the inevitable makeup and hairdo. And then this particular girl .. her mamma is there and she is carrying her younger child on her hip. The child looks like 3 or 4 and already has makeup on . So yuck IMHO.

Really I have heard all those documentaries where these moms and occasional dads swear that they do these for their kids coz their kids want it. But something is definitely wrong here. The kids have hard eyes and they pout when they lose. Not baby cute natural pout. But adult bitchy I-am-not-happy pout and you-better-watch-out. Awful.

Wishing Speedy Recovery to Stephen Hawking

Wishing a speedy recovery to a great man, Stephen Hawking.

On Monday, 20^th April, 2009, Professor Hawking was rushed to Addenbrook's Hospital, Cambridge, England. He was reported to be very ill.

Professor Stephen Hawking, aged 67, is one of our most brilliant minds. A world-renown mathematician and physicist, he is also known to the general populace for his best selling book, "A Brief History of Time", released in 1988. In that best seller, he discussed complex scientific ideas and theories (like black holes and string theory) and was able to achieve the remarkable feat of conveying those weighty matters in understandable layman's terms. A very enjoyable book and remarkable that he covered so much, so easily, in such a small book.

Stephen Hawking is the current Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and was set to retire at the end of this academic year.

A Short History

ALS is a more common form of motor neuron disease - a progressive, degenerative and incurable weakening of body muscles. Seventy percent of people diagnosed with it die within 5 years of diagnosis. Professor Hawking has survived this disease for over 40 years.

Professor Hawking was first admitted to hospital with this disease when he was just 21 years old. Even though at that time, he did not know what it was, he knew it was incurable.

Despite this debilitating disease, Professor Hawking has lived a full and inspirational life. His accomplishments are awesome for their sheer brilliance alone but taken on top of his life-long ill-health, they amount to nothing less than miraculous.

His first marriage was to Jane Wilde, with whom he has three children.

In 1985, Stephen Hawking contracted pneumonia which required him to have tracheotomy. A hole was made into his windpipe to enable him to breathe. Even though his speech prior to surgery was already difficult, after the operation, he was unable to speak. He had to communicate via raising his eyebrows to choose letters on cards that were held up to him.

It was an American computer expect that developed the Equalizer programme which enabled Prof. Hawking to choose words from a menu, map out what he wanted to say, and which was then sent to an electronic voice synthesizer. This is how he has been "speaking" for years.

Stephen Hawking, apart from his scholarly output, has also penned a number of children books as well as having many speaking engagements. His long-term scientific work has been, in conjunction with other scientists, in search of a "single unified theory" that was hoped to resolve the conflicts between the General Theory of Relativity and Theory of Quantum Mechanics.

Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity deals with the laws of motion governing large objects, like planets. Quantum Mechanics deals in the world of subatomic particles.

I wish Professor Stephen Hawking a full and speedy recovery.

Amazon Kindle - personal review

Amazon Kindle - personal review

Happy Kindle Birthday

This year, my geeky gadgetry nature received a lovely birthday pressie from my equally lovely but not so geeky partner - an Amazon Kindle.

We had looked at this in previous years when we first heard that such a device had appeared on the market. But at that stage, there were many hurdles to combat - especially in the Australian market. For instance, I think we could not even get to buy and download books wireless as it depends on a wireless system called Whispernet which I am not sure was available to us Aussies at the time of release.

Just as well we didn't get one at that stage coz look how Mr Fatty it used to be in comparison to what it is now.

Old Kindle - Mr Fatty

to how good it looks now. This is mine! Woohoo!

My new Kindle

Of course I know that in the blink of a blinkety eye, Amazon (or someone else) will come out with something bigger/smaller, better, faster. And so it goes. But for now, I am content.

Standard Kindle vs Kindle DX

There is another current version of the Amazon Kindle called Kindle DX.
It is larger than the one I have. Mine is the one on the left, the DX is the one on the right. However apart from it being able to hold more books (1,500 vs 3,500 books. Really. I mean do you really need to carry that many books and reading material around?!) and having a larger reading screen (6" vs 9.7"), I cannot see much advantage of having the DX over the standard Kindle.

And if you like reading from a paperback size, then I recommend that you stick with the Kindle standard.

You can read more about both Kindles directly on Amazon.

Amazon Kindle vs Apple's iPad

You cannot fight it - Apple is sexy and so all little offsprings from Apple is the same. Kindle in comparison looks like a frumpy bumpy plain unwanted old Jane.

And if your main aim is to have good looks, sleek gadgets, latest toy, and lots of money to splash around (and you may even be one of those non-readers from the old before-technology days who were seen carry around a book to cultivate an image rather than that they could actually read) - then you have to shove the Kindle to the un-chic corner and go with spinning arms and legs for the iPad.

However if you are into reading, then for my money (or hubby's in this instance), you have to choose Kindle over the newly release iPad. Kindle is easier on the eyes, about half the price of iPad, more dedicated to the needed reading functions, and at the moment, can be easily bought over the Net (which I think, the iPad, cannot).

Pros and Cons of Kindle

Pros

• Love the fact that you can just about be anywhere and still be able to download and or buy books. You don't need to worry about not bringing along books for your holidays - you can buy them while you are relaxing in a spa in the hills of Bali!!
  
  
• Light - or to not have to lug around heavy books just because you can't decide which books you want to read before you leave the house.
  
  
• Feels like a book - well as good as. Not 100% user friendly but darn close so very easy to use.
• Audio - can read out loud to you (for books that have been enabled. E.g. the manual that comes within the Kindle can be read out loud).
• Can change text and image sizes for ease of reading.
• Can make personal notes and highlight points as you read. (I have not used this extensively - just played around with it. It is a cool feature but I suspect it still needs some improvements. I can imagine from what I have seen that one's personal notes can become very messy and hard to find. There does not seem to be any apparent way to organise those notes properly.)
• Easy navigation.
• Lots of free ebooks on the internet which, when downloaded (to your computer) can be easily transferred over to your Kindle.
  You can read more about the free books download sites and the formats required at each at http://www.amazon.com/gp/b/?node=2245146011
• Long battery life - I have not been reading continuously I admit. But I do find it so very annoying when batteries run down even when I am not using them: like mobile phones, and cameras. However since I got this Kindle in mid-April 2010 and now, a month later, I have only charged it once and have not had to do it again.
• Easy to charge - just use the provided USB cable and connect to computer.
• Easy to switch off/on and Kindle will remember which page you were last on (for each book) when you next "open" it.

There are many more goody features but these are the main ones that come to mind.

Cons

• Cannot read in the dark. OK. I understand why this is so at the moment - but it is still a disappointment. Reason: technology.
  Kindle uses the e-ink technology which is what makes it so special. It consumes little power hence longer battery life. And it is easy on the eyes - you can read with glare-strain (which is a problem that iPad has. Being backlit, it also means that prolonged reading produces eye strain.). But because Kindle cannot be back-lit, you need surrounding ambient light to read. Which is a shame coz it would be lovely to be on a plane and be reading your Kindle without having to switch on the overhead. Or be in bed and just read your Kindle without having to switch on and off lights and disturbing sleeping partners.
• It does not come with its own padded safety jacket - which means, I will have to jacket him myself ... soon ... one day ....
• No color choices. No sexy colors.
• pdf files are easily copied-pasted over to the Kindle. However the size of text cannot be changed - so you can end up with very small text.
• Turning off is not always effective. Supposed to hold on-off slide in off position for 5 seconds. A number of times, that does not work. It puts K in a sleep mode (with a static pic still showing on screen) when what you really want is a blank (off) screen. Have to repeat process a number of times. I normally hold 10secs to be sure - which gives surer outcome.

I am sure I can think of more pros and cons. But right now, that's it for me.

Addendum 8 June 2010

Ads on Apple iPad has recently hit our TV screens (Australia) so I am presuming that means that finally, the iPad is commercially available here. It looks darn good. "Sexy" is the word my friend uses and sexy is what it is to be too. But is it all it is touted to be?

Here are some quick links to reviews that might prove useful:

• Apple iPad Review on engadget.com
• IPad review: Is it as magical as Steve Jobs promised? (on news.com.au)
• Top 10 iPad Pros and Cons (on news.com.au)

I only quickly browsed through all the above reviews. Without a doubt, the iPad is either going to kill off Kindle or K will have to really step up to the mark and change quite a number of things. But how can anyone beat the designers from Apple?!

The other things that caught my eye about iPad which are cons for ipad are:
1) its weight - for extended use, it might be a bit on the heavy side
2) the backlit screen - tho looking better than K's eInk screen in the short run, with extended periods of use, it might very well be an eye strain

Movie Review: Star Trek (2009)

Movie Review: Star Trek (2009)

Just watched the latest Star Trek which chronicles the beginning of the legend of Captain James T. (Tiberius) Kirk and his iconic crew. Was not as enthused to go and watch it as I had imagined I would have been. Am glad I did. Was a surprise and much better than expected.

I went with no conception of the story plot and expected to see the "Fat Boy" (aka James T Kirk; less well known as William Shatner) appear. But that was not to be. However his younger version did very well indeed.

Chris Pine, who appeared in the role of the young James T. Kirk did a remarkably good job. As did the rest of the young Star Trek crew. The most outstanding and remarkable part of this show (for me) was that they had new faces appear as substitutes for iconic, beloved faces in the guise of the younger selves of these long-standing icons. I expected at the very least, some derogatory comparison or some faint irritation with the substitutes standing in the shadow of such large shoes. However, the casting crew of this movie Star Trek, did a remarkable job as did the actors.

Without seemingly trying to pander to the tenacious grip of ardent fans, these actors stepped into their roles without overt and often futile mimicry of the original stars. They performed the miracle of being fully assimilatable and acceptable as the younger selves of the legendary stars so much so that one could immerse oneself fully into the story and not into the on-going negative comparison of mis-portrayed characterizations.

What is also remarkable, to a lesser extent and maybe as a result of how full acceptable these young actors moved into the roles of their predecessors, is the fact that despite the license they took in tweaking some (seemingly unnecessary) parts of the Star Trek legend, it did not grate as much as a semi-Trekkie like myself would have expected. One of these tweaks was the where-did-that-come-from romance between the character of Nyota Uhura (played by Zoe Saldana) and the young Spock (played by Zachary Quinto). Why this imaginary romance that was never part of the lore of Star Trek was necessary in this movie is beyond me and all I can say in its defense is that it did not harm the movie itself.

Leonard Nimoy also made an appearance (one would almost call it cameo as it was too brief for true Trekkie fans) but with Mr Nimoy and his unrivalled portrayal of the one-and-only true Vulcan Spock, it is always a pleasure to see him on screen.

Not to end this review on a bad note but rather a cautionary one: one should not dissect the storyline overly much. That the supreme villain of the piece was some disgruntled mining person who then unbelievably managed to build some super-technology and gather a forminable crew and go back in time to destroy Spock's home planet and with further designs and ability to destroy the federation truly begets imagination. If there is one main weak point in the movie, it would be this intellectually big black hole in the storyline. That aside, the time distortions and time overlaps found in the storyline is rather intriguing.

Summary of Star Trek (2009)

Definitely worth a watch. The unexpected smooth blending of the young actors in the roles now solidified by fans, time, and accolades is more than worth the experience.

Review: Cesar Milan Dog Whisperer Live

Review: Cesar Milan, Dog Whisperer - Live in Sydney

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of seeing Cesar Milan live at the Acer Arena, Olympic Stadium, Sydney, Australia. And it was definitely a pleasure.

Cesar Milan is not only THE Dog Whisperer, he is also a man of high and admirable integrity.

The trip to the show started off with a bit of a disappointment. I found out as we were driving to the venue that two of my friends would not be coming and so their tickets were just going to waste. Which is a shame on many levels. As the Cesar Milan seminar was a sell-out event, someone could have benefited from these two wasted tickets if I had known any earlier.

The Acer Arena must hold up to 6,000+ people and it was a sell out. As it should be.

There were Cesar Milan products for sale at the show. Before and after the show, one was offered the opportunity to buy his DVDs, books, Illusion Leash, T-shirts, and caps. What really impressed me about this man is that he did NOT push any of his products. I am sure that he could have easily quadrupled his sales figures if he had. The attendees were all fans and eager I am sure, to take away something that was going to enhance their lives with their pets and that was recommended by the man himself. But no, he was commercial free.

And for a big personality like him, coming from America (the land of the push-push-sales), it was an absolute delight to see him not push his products. For that alone, I would recommend everyone who has a chance to attend his shows and talks. This is a man rare and honest and if nothing else, it restores one's faith in the continued existence of integrity in our times.

I have to note here in passing that I could not help but compare him to another big(ger?) star - Anthony Robbins. Anthony Robbins is without question, the most invigorating motivator around. He is an absolute talent. However the last time I attended his seminar, I left with a most unpleasant taste in my mouth. After paying out a goodly sum for a seminar that covered a few days, Anthony disappeared on the last day without any announcement to us either when we made our bookings or at any time throughout the seminar. And what was worse, almost the entire last day was devoted to selling his other programs, books, DVDs, etc. So disappointing to be left with the bitter disappointment of the brash commercial taste to linger over as the seminar drew to a close. Thank goodness Cesar Milan chose the higher road.

And Cesar is a man of true and sincere emotions.

We have all experienced, even if we have not fully credited out senses with the validity of it, how it is almost impossible not to pick up on the emotions that emanate from a person. We all give out this energy and we all pick it up. It is not without truth when they say that almost 70% of our communications is non-verbal. Sometimes we might dismiss what we are sensing because logically it does not fit or when we don't want to believe what we are picking up. However it is also almost impossible to not be affected by someone who is expressing true, heart felt emotions.

The last thing I expect from a doggie seminar was to be tearing up. But when Cesar stepped on the stage, the applause and appreciation from the audience was such that he was deeply touched. And those heart-felt emotions in him came back clearly to us. Making me tear up. There is no clearer heart and nothing that reaches us more than a heart who is appreciative and sincere in his appreciation.

In comparative terms, this was not a high-priced ticket event. But Cesar made sure that we got value for every penny we spent. We all expected the seminar to last an hour; two hours at the maximum. Cesar, with his boundless joy and energy, kept us going for three and a half hours. Truly well worth every dime we spent and then some!

I have only one suggestion to his format. I noticed in myself and those around me that some eyes were getting sleepy during the show. I think it was partly due to the fact that many of us were already quite familiar with his work and philosophy (either having seen him on telly or DVD, or having read his books) so that quite a bit of what he had to tell us was repetition to us. However I think it was even more due to the fact that so much of his seminar was just talk-talk-talk and not enlivened enough with pictures and/or video clips. If he had had more slide shows, pictures and/or video clips interspersed throughout, I believe it would have been an even better event.

He did have some live demonstrations towards the end of the show. This, unfortunately, was unbeknownst to the attendees as there was no program printout that we could have refer to beforehand. Consequently, during the half hour break before the live demonstration, I noticed a number of people who left the arena and never returned for the last half of the show. Which is a shame because I am sure they would have stayed had they known.

Better yet, in terms of presentation and even format, would have been having life demonstrations inter-spaced throughout the show. That format is always a sure winner and seeing is always a better way of learning than just listening to someone talk.

Conclusion

Go! Go and see Cesar Milan! He is a joy to watch and he is soooooooooooo good.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10