Archive for December, 2007

29
Dec

Recap of Year 2007

I suppose this is the time of year for me to do a recap on the year or shit like that? Sorry that I am not the new year resolution kind of person. I think new year resolution is a bunch of bull crap. When you stop lying to yourself, you will stop writing new year resolution.

So here goes.

In summary, this has been a very shitty year for me. Yes, we all have our ups and downs, but for me, at least, it seemed like there were more downs than ups, and the downs can go much more lower than the highs of the ups. Yes, there are only few more days left in year 2007 and I am still experiencing the downs. Talk about shitty year eh?

For the first 10 months of year 2007, life was okay. I mean, there were quite a number of fucked ups but it was still bearable, and there were some good times as well. On the 11th months onwards, it was like downhill-all-the-fucking-way, emotionally, financially, career-wise, business-wise, physically, psychologically, mentally and anything you can think of. Now, to be honest, I can’t really think of any highlight of 2007, but I can recall all the miseries vividly, especially for the last 2 months.

Career wise, it ain’t going anywhere. It’s not going downhill, but it is not going anywhere as well. So I revamped the strategies and reworked on a few structures, so let’s hope that next year will be a better year career-wise.

Relationship wise.. Erm.. Let’s just say that I find singlehood surprisingly strange after so many years of being together with someone. Right now if someone is asking me how is the relationship, I seriously don’t know how to answer that. We are not 100% separated, but we are not together. I have since moved out from the apartment, and now, I am seriously on the look out to rent a small room or something for temporary. So if you have a spare room that you want to rent out, leave a comment and name a price and location. Best if you can throw in free internet connection.

Health/emotional/psychologically, it wasn’t good for me also. Okay, I am glad that I wasn’t hit by some major illness or cancer, but there were so much stress in life that caused me a lot of problems, health problems, and add the fact that I don’t sleep well, I don’t eat well, and I smoke more and more nowadays, so yes, health is steadily going downhill too. I get stiff neck all the time, and my shoulders are in constant pain because I couldn’t sleep well and all the stress amounting on me. Recently I lost a lot of hair, and sometimes I have a feeling that for the past 2 months, the amount of hair that I lost in one week is more than the total amount of hair lost in year 2006.

But I am grateful for one thing in year 2007; at least I am not dead, even thought sometime I just fucking wished I was and admittedly thinking about it more often than not for the past few months. But at least I am still alive, so there are still hope for me to crawl out from all these fucked ups and be a better man.

I had gone through tough shits for many years, especially in my younger years when I was in the States when I had to work 3 jobs a day to survive and I was backstabbed by my own relatives, so what is another year of tough shit? I am a survival, a warrior of life, so I can do this.

Yes, being 31 (closing on 32 at extreme speed) with not much of a career and just turned single is depressing, but I will come out of all these shits, and I will be better.

Anyway, see you in year 2008.

26
Dec

Service/Product Review: Box.net

NOTE: This is not paid advertorial. There is no incentives or rewards involved in this service review.

The other day Brian from Box sent me an email to invite me to try out their service for iPhone, http://i.box.net, an online storage service targeting individual or business users.

box.net

As you all should know by now, iPhone has a maximum capacity of 8GB internal data storage and it doesn’t offer external storage capabilities. After the OS and all other stuff, you have less than 8GB available in your iPhone. Now, for me, I put a few mp3’s (about 1000 songs), some movie files (compressed movies) and I don’t have much space left for other things. I would normally prefer to store some documents files such as the price list, product information, technical specifications and other things in my phone so if my customer requires it, I can just whip out the phone and email it. So this is where the online storage comes in handy for all of us iPhone users.

First of all, let’s get the most prominent question out of the way. It is FREE, for 1 GB storage. Unfortunately, if you want more, you gotta pay for it. 5GB for USD 79.95 per year, or 15GB for USD 199.95 per year.

Box.net 2

Now why would one use Box.net? Free online storage services are aplenty if you dig deep enough, or if you have a Gmail account, you already have 5GB, and counting, of free storage at your disposal. Furthermore, Box is only offering a measly 1GB for free, and if you want 5GB like Gmail, you got to pay USD 79.95 per annum for it!

Well, let’s just say if you do use Gmail for your online storage, you will probably know that it is sometimes quite troublesome to upload those files, or to download it. And if you use the Gmail interface, you can only upload a limited type of files such as DOC, EXL, and etc. Box, on the other hand, is a dedicated online storage, so uploading and downloading are much easier, offering an almost one-click experience and there is no limit on what kind of file you can upload. If you want to upload mp3’s, go ahead. Documents? No problem as well.

Gmail Documents

Of course, there are other widgets out there that can turn your Gmail into a virtual online HDD. But it requires some hacking and stuff, so let’s not get into that.

Furthermore, sharing is made easier with Box too. If you want to share a file, you can create an URL extension and pass it to the person(s) that you want to share the file with.

Now, about storing my office documents…

iPhone doesn’t have the software for you to edit your documents on the go. Yes, you can view them, but editing them is just not possible, period. But with Box, they have implemented Zoho technology so you can edit your documents on the go. I have tried it, and using EDGE connection, there will be a noticeable lag when inputing the files. But using WiFi connection, the editing part is seamless and fast. So imagine the advantage you have for being able to edit the file before creating a link for all your friends/customers to see it.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that you can edit photo too in Open Box and the eFax application works, as long as you add in 011 prefix for international dialing. Once the fax is done, eFax will email you the status of the fax. Charming!

Conclusion: Well, I think Box has it’s own advantages over using Gmail. I tried editing the Word and Excel documents and it worked like a charm, even though it is a tad slow over EDGE network. The eFax works, but when I faxed a document to myself, it takes 3 times for the fax to come thru. The biggest advantage that Box has over Gmail is that it can take a wide variety of file formats instead of limiting to Excel, Doc, Presentation files like Gmail.

The only thing I don’t like about Box is that sometimes it opens a lot of windows for you, and you need to “right click” to get to editing and eFax and other services. For example, when I want to create a new document, it will pop-up a small window for the file name, and once I input the filename, a new zoho windows comes out. I keyed in something, click save, and have to close the window manually. Now it would be great if there is a “Save and Close” function, and the file will be refreshed automatically in the Document Folder.

Emailing the files is good and bad. First of all, it will email on your behalf to your recipients and it will inform him/her about the links to the file so they can go to Box to view it. Now it would be great if there is an option to email the whole file to that person instead of asking that person to launch their browser and visit the link.

Another thing that I need to test more often is the upload speed. In general, the impression I have is that uploading and editing is much faster on Box. Maybe it is the user load or some other reasons, so more testing is needed.

Anyway, I would recommend this service from Box to my friends and relatives.

24
Dec

Merry F*king Christmas

Here is the entry on my organizer (free from Starbucks).

Nuf said.

Merry F*king Christmas

Here is a picture for you all, and stop complaining that my blog is always dark, or without pictures. I don’t have a camera phone. Anyone thinking of getting me a camera phone this year to cheer me up?

22
Dec

Baby Face

Some one gave me a doodle, some Facebook shit that shows what the other person think of you.

One gave me a doodle named “Workaholic”, which is aptly true and no denial here. If I don’t clock in at least 60 hours a week, I won’t feel comfortable at all. So she got it spot-on.

Another one gave me “Ninja” for no apparent reason. Hmmm…. How I wish I am as über cool as a ninja with the special fighting skill and all that crap. Throw a smoke screen and I disappear into the oblivion and that is so damn cool. Besides, I bet ninjas get laid all the time. Imagine that you walk into a bar, and when the girls ask you what you do, you say, “I’m a professional ninja with license to kill and diu.” (Translation: the word “diu” is actually Cantonese that means “fuck”) and the girls will swamp you like a fly sensing shit bee sensing honey.

Another one gave me “Baby Face”, like the picture shown on the right.
Baby Face

I was like, “WTF? No one calls me baby face since the day I turned 3 years old.”

To illustrate the point, I will have to tell you some real-life stories on people mistaking my age.

What I was in Primary 6 (age 11), people asked me how was my results for SRP (SRP is actually a form of academic examination for pupil in Junior 3, normally age 15, in Malaysia).

When I was in Junior 1 (age 12), people asked me how was my results for SPM (SPM is the form of academic examination for pupil in year Senior 3, normally age 17 or 18, in Malaysia).

When I was in Junior 2, I managed to walk in and out of Genting Casino with the guards standing near by and they didn’t even throw me a look to ask for any form of identification. The Genting Casino has an age limit of 21 years old, by the way. Anyone younger than 21 will not be allowed to go in.

So the point has been made. So, baby face? That will be the first in my life.

20
Dec

How to Reply Your Colleagues Farewell Email(s)

I am such a nice person.

Maybe it is end of year so a lot of people are tendering their resignation letters to their bosses (you know, after the bonus thing) and they want to look for a sample farewell email. Hence I noticed that lately a lot of people are searching for “How to write a farewell email” and sometimes “How to reply farewell emails”.

As you should know, I wrote a sample farewell email to colleague here before, and in response to “How to reply your colleagues farewell email” inquiries, I will post my replies here.

——————————————————-
From: Adrian@xxxx.com
To: xxx@xxxx.com
Subject: RE: Farewell

Dear XXX,

I am really sorry and sad to hear that you are leaving us. You have been a close friend, a reliable colleague, and most importantly, a trusted alliance.

I understand your need to venture into the new world, and I also understand why you made the decision. There is nothing more than for me to wish you the utmost luck for you new venture and may the new venture brings you success in your wildest dream.

Over the years we have grown like a family, so please don’t take it that you left us and you can ignore us. Please keep in touch constantly and share your joy and sorrow with us.

Good luck, and may all your wishes come true.

Best Regards,
Adrian Ang
——————————————————–

There you have it. And say it, say that I am a nice person.

Enjoy :)

19
Dec

Why I Hate Shopping During Christmas

UPDATE: For reasons why I hate Christmas, please refer to here and here.

Normally there is nothing much I can do during Christmas, so I either hang around with friends or just go out, have a coffee or something. But in general, I hate to go to shopping malls during Christmas because its fuck-it-we-don’t-care-about-the-expense Christmas spirits that these mall management have. I mean, they spent millions for a lavish decoration for that one full month (or slightly more, you know, since its already so darn expensive), and the shoppers, for some reasons, are infected with the Christmas spirits that everyone seemed to be in such a good mood.

Case in point, look at the pictures below on the Christmas decoration around the shopping mall in KL/PJ area.

Disclaimer: I am not the person who took these pictures. Someone email it to me and I am using these pictures for my blog

Christmas Decoration @ 1Utama
1Utama Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ 1Utama
1Utama Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ KLCC
KLCC Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ KLCC
KLCC Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ KLCC
KLCC Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ MidValley Mall
MidValley Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ MidValley Mall
MidValley Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ Pavilion Mall
Pavillion Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ The Curve
The Curve Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ Time Square KL
Time Square Christmas Decoration

Christmas Decoration @ Time Square KL
Time Square Christmas Decoration

Actually, after looking at these pictures, I think I will go to Time Square KL. It is the only place that seem less lavish and obviously the mall management does has a conscious about spending on this Christmas season. The space is vast yet the decoration is only just a small portion of the whole area, so it looks depressing, just like my mood.

Time Square KL it is then.

17
Dec

Movie Review: The Heartbreak Kid

The movie The Heartbreak Kid is about 40 years old single, unmarried, sporting goods store owner Eddie Cantrow (Ben Stiller) met Lila (Milan Akerman) on the street mugging, days after being deeply embarrassed during his ex-fiancé’s wedding.

Merely days passed by and they met up again, and they launched into a quick romance. Everything was so fine, so perfect and things went so well that Eddie thinks Lila is The One but he still has reserve as he always has commitment issues.

Then Lila’s company is transferring her to some foreign country because the company’s policy is not to transfer married couple, Eddie made a hasty proposal to Lila,after being pressured by his dad and best friend Mac, so that she could stay in San Francisco and not going oversea for years on business.

Well, they tied the knot and they drove to Capo, Mexico, for their honeymoon. And this is where the disasters begin.

Eddie soon found out the many flaws of Lila, like the way she talks, the way she acts, her irritating behavior of twirling her finger on his nipple, her sordid past, her stubborn I-did-it-because-you-said-otherwise acts and many more.

Well, I don’t want to reveal too much on the hilarious act, so let’s just say that Lila got herself into serious skin problems after her stubbornness so she couldn’t leave the hotel room. Eddie went to the cafe to order food, and that’s where he met Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), a laid-back highschool teacher who is not only pretty but very down to earth, great sense of humor and has the same wavelength as Eddie.

Then Eddie fell in love with Miranda, while he’s on honeymoon with his newly wed wife whom was ill in the hotel honeymoon suite. So he tried to juggle his time around and stuff like that. Of course, a comedy won’t be a great one if the new wife and new girlfriend didn’t find out about the fact that he was cheating on his honeymoon / hitting on the girl on his honeymoon. So all hell broke loose.

Well, I won’t tell you how the movie ends. Let’s just say it is kind of a surprise and the ultra hot Eva Longoria made a special appearance at the end of the movie!

Overall, besides our censorship board constant itchy hands and stuff, this movie is worth your bucks when you are free and got nothing much left to watch (Of course, with I am Legend and Golden Compass out, The Hearbreak Kid won’t be so attracting anymore)

16
Dec

Harajuka Girls

Harajuka girls, or also commonly known as Cosplay girls [wiki definition here], are those girls who like to dress like some of their favorite anime, manga, or video games characters.

Wah so free ah!, you wonder. Wonder why I wrote about Harajuka/Cosplay girls?

The other day while I was walking around 1Utama Shopping Center, I saw one really young girl, probably below 22, and she was wearing like some waitress in an anime. I mean, her skirt looked heavy with all the laces, the black tops got shitload of ribbons, and she was wearing some fluffy hairband or something. She was the instant center of attention to all the shopping crowds, be it young or old, aunties or uncles, men or women, transexuals or mosquitoes. Yup, she grabbed all the attention from every fucking living objects in the mall without even stripping naked.

Yeah, she got me as well. I looked. I turned. I laughed.

Sorry people, but I think the Cosplay shit is just a waste of time. Okay, you may look cute, ONLY IF you do look cute. If you are fat and your face doesn’t even look close to cute, don’t fucking try it, you will most probably scare the kids and drive the men away.

But the boys who like anime a lot will probably dig it. I mean, if you like anime a lot and a lot, imagine your fun and happiness that you are fucking an anime character in real life (no, you sick bastard, I am talking about a person who dresses like an anime character, not an anime doll you sick fuck). Your fantasy becomes real.

But I do have to give them credits. It is not easy to be Cosplay girls. I mean, you have to spend a lot of time, energy and money to get those clothes because it is not available in Parkson or even Disney Stores. Yes, I checked. So credit must be due to these people to try to tailor-made these clothes, and the time and energy to put them on. Taking them off will be easier for them if it is done by the boys. But they are enjoying their few minutes of fame and attention wherever they go.

Anyway, back to the Cosplay girl I saw at 1Utama.

It took me few seconds to finally realize that she was actually holding hand with a boy. The boy was wearing a plain T-shirt and jeans. Sorry dude, all the attention from the people around were glued to your chick so I am really sorry that I almost ran you over.

Too dress down for the occasion, I guess. He should wear a Gundam costume or Transformer outfit. Then they will be match-made in heaven.

13
Dec

Christmas Wishlist

Every year, people will ask me the same question during/before the Christmas season. Every year, without fail, I have the same wishlist, and every year I wrote the same letter, address to Santa, and mail it way before Christmas so that hopefully Santa will receive the letter.

======================================================
Dear Santa,

I have been a very good boy/man this year, the year before, and the years before this. I will continue to be good if you can grant me just one wish.

My wish is extremely simple; Bill Gates will put me as the sole benefiter in his will that I, myself alone, will inherit all his assets, money, properties but none of the debts. And then he die a day after that he signs that will.

Thank you. Love you a million times.

Regards,
Adrian Ang
======================================================

See, short and concise. I don’t think Santa will fail to understand such letter and will have little problem fulfilling my wish.

But every year, Bill Gates is still alive and kicking. So either our fucking Pos Malaysia is not doing a good job for delivering those fucking letters to Santa, or somehow Santa is not answering my letters. Well, Santa most probably received hundreds of millions of letters every year, so maybe he just missed mine by chance.

But I still think that our Pos Malaysia is not doing a good job, so I most probably should just e-mail Santa.

Anyone knows the e-mail address of santa? Is it santa@claus.com?

11
Dec

Comic Strip

My emotion has been down lately hence I have no motivation nor mood to write anything, so I will just post some pictures and hopefully you will have a good laugh.

n68136781_32153057_4795.jpg

n68136781_32153076_4642.jpg

Enjoy.




 

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