Scribbles and ramblings to self...

My Computer's Gone Crazy

2008-11-28T03:13:00.001-08:00

It keeps freezing again. Every time it does, I can't go online. After a few shut downs and restarting my computer, and leaving it alone for a day or two and when it feels like it, I can get online again. This time I'm pretty sure it's got nothing to do with ActiveX. I read somewhere that this freezing problem could due to a number of reasons. Found an article that might explain this but it doesn't solve my problem because I don't know which actually is the direct cause of my computer going crazy.

> Troubleshooting Freeze (Lockup) Problems

Blue Potatoes

2008-11-19T23:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first time I saw blue potatoes. It was on Martha Stewart's show and the potatoes were more purple than blue actually. I believe it was called the Peruvian Blue Potato or Purple Potato. It got me curious, so I searched for blue potato and found out that there are other blue potatoes that are actually more blue than purple! I've seen red potatoes before but now, blue and purple too. I guess we live and learn.

> Some blue, purple, red and yellow potatoes at DeliciousOrganics.com

My Computer Freeze-d!

2008-11-19T04:54:00.000-08:00

I was having some freezing problems with my computer for these last few days. Didn't know what caused it at first. It was so bad that I was having trouble connecting online. It was pretty scary. It was by chance that the computer was able to go online again but still froze for a couple of times. When I wanted to do disk cleanup, it was then I discovered that I unknowingly downloaded ActiveX. I guess it was when I browsed a site with ActiveX or something like that that my computer automatically downloaded the program. I don't know why it caused so much problems. But, I have uninstalled it and now the computer seems OK. Phew!

I don't like receiving e-mail forwards.

2008-11-13T01:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I keep receiving unsolicited e-mail forwards from my friends. These mail forwards are supposedly to serve as an advice or friendly reminder or precautions. I do recognize the kind intentions of my friends but I'd rather they write something about themselves or just have some conversations.

What I don't like about these mail forwards is that most or all of the claims are either false, inconclusive findings that sometimes taken out of context or just plain hoaxes. The original writers of the mails are clearly trying to spread fear mostly regarding health concerns or maybe to sway someone into choosing a particular brand over another. Sometimes the mails end with, I better do something because something bad might happen if I don't or if I love my friends and family I better forward to them as well.

I don't know how to tell my friends that I don't need these mails so I just delete them. So mail forwards end with me.

Rediscovered Strangers Among Us

2008-11-12T04:59:00.000-08:00

This website's been in my bookmark for quite some time. Interesting pictures of people that are strangers to the photographers hence the title. Aargh! I can't wait till I can get my hands on Canon A590 IS. Probably won't be as good as these guys but I just want to happily taking pictures away.

> Strangers Among Us

A Different Kind of Spot the Difference

2008-11-10T01:28:00.000-08:00

Getting addicted with Spot the Difference game. Found another one quite different from what I've found so far.

Some screenshots:

Easy.

Manageable.

(Ever so slightly) harder.

It's difficult when the icons are moving.

> Unique - BigFishGames.com

Canon PowerShot A590 IS - IS on My List

2008-11-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

> I Seriously Need a Digital Camera
> Samsung S850 Doesn't Have Image Stabilization
> A Point Made by PCMag About Buying a Digital Camera

I Want This Camera!!

While doing more digging and searching for digital cameras on CNet and PCMag, one camera kept popping up and got great reviews from both sites. The camera is Canon PowerShot A590 IS. Both sites rave about how great the pictures taken by this camera for its price range. Although both sites mention how relatively bulky the camera is and slow shot-to-shot speed, I can live with that.

AA Batteries - Check
Zoom > 4x - Check
Image Stabilization - Check
Takes good pictures in low lights - Check
MP > 5 - Check (8.0 MP)
SD memory card - Check

Note:

Canon's Website
Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review - CNet.com
Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review - PCMag
Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review - DigitalCameraReview
Canon PowerShot A590 IS Review - PC World

Attitude is Everything

2008-11-08T02:50:00.000-08:00

Funny Things Tennis Players Do

2008-11-07T02:37:00.000-08:00

Haven't been blogging about tennis for quite some time. But I'm still watching it when I have the time. Just thinking about something lately - about how tennis players do, what I consider, silly things when they are playing.

They are particular about how or where or which ball to play as if the ball has anything to do with how good they play. It doesn't stop there, which ballboy or girl they receive the ball from is also crucial and not to mention some other small adjustments. Sometimes they go to great length to make sure everything is 'perfect'.

It's as if they don't have the confidence in their own ability that they have to depend upon a tennis ball to win a match. Here we have a group of people who are supposedly have enormous belief in themselves and sometimes seemingly, from the way they talk, have all the confidence in the world, and yet they put considerable importance on forces that are so minute that might or might not influence the whole match.

Well, I guess they are humans after all.

CrazyMonkeyGames Spot the Difference Game

2008-11-07T01:54:00.000-08:00

Need some distractions but keep the brain running.

Why is it so difficult?

2008-11-06T23:47:00.000-08:00

I find that, once I've decided to do something, things get increasingly difficult by the minute. I thought I had lots of ideas, I end up using none of them. I thought my ideas were brilliant, I end up thinking how silly they are. And then there are those who unintentionally put you down with their own negativity. And then there is this brain of mine that can't stop thinking every little thing. So I end up thinking a lot but doing nothing.

Barack Obama Made History

2008-11-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

I never fully thought it could be made possible but finally it is. Not living in America, so don't really know the real politics except the obvious wars and the slavery history in America which made it seemingly impossible to have a black or African American President. I just wish for world peace. But everything that happens in the US and the effect of its Government's decisions extend out to the world. It seems Obama is facing bumpy road ahead. I just hope this time, no more bloodshed.

Interesting Einstein's Observation on the Attitude of Human Toward God

2008-11-02T04:30:00.000-08:00

"We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many different languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God."

It still is. Much more have been discovered since Einstein allegedly said this but much more questions left unanswered.

Live Beautifully

2008-10-27T23:47:00.001-07:00

A Point Made by PCMag About Buying a Digital Camera

2008-10-26T02:41:00.000-07:00

> I Seriously Need a Digital Camera
> Samsung S850 Doesn't Have Image Stabilization

"If you don't know an f-stop from a white balance, a digital camera that has lots of modes and manual settings will generally be overkill for your needs, as well as being higher in price and more difficult to use."

It just hit me. They are right. I barely know about f-stop, white balance, shutter speed etc. I read all of them on camera reviews and photography sites yet I don't fully understand them. And here I am thinking of getting Canon PowerShot S3 IS or something like that. Maybe I should just be getting a point-and-shoot camera and move on from there.

Note:

Digital Cameras: The Essential Buying Guide - PCMag.com

Samsung S850 Doesn't Have Image Stabilization

2008-10-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

> I Seriously Need a Digital Camera

Apparently the Samsung S850 doesn't have Image Stabilization. According to its website it has Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) which from my search is not the same as Image Stabilization. But the camera does have some other features I'm looking for.

AA Batteries - Check
Zoom > 4x - Check (5x optical zoom)
Image Stabilization - No
Takes good pictures in low lights - Check
MP > 5 - Check (8.1 MP)
SD memory card - Check

The camera looks good though.

Note:

Samsung's website
Samsung S850 Review - CNet.com
Samsung S850 Review - DigitalCameraReview.com
Samsung S850 Review - DPReview.com

Colliding Galaxies

2008-10-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Two Galaxies Unable to Avoid Each Other

It takes hundreds of millions of years for the whole galaxy collision to complete. So, it's not like a car accident or anything of the sort. Phew, guess I wouldn't be moving galaxy anytime soon. Because I saw on the History Channel that our Milky Way is actually on a collision course with a smaller galaxy. Since our galaxy is so big and the process is so slow, our solar system is safe, right? Right?!

Apparently galaxy collision or merging galaxies is not uncommon. It was even more common when the universe was smaller and galaxies were closer together.

More pictures > HubbleSite.org

Saw Something New: Tomato Paste in a Tube

2008-10-24T03:03:00.000-07:00

Well, at least it's new to me. Saw it on Rachael Ray show where she's cooking Power Burger for Donald Trump. The tube looks just like tooth paste tube. Don't use much tomato paste in this part of the world. In fact not even tomato sauce. Love hot and spicy food instead.

Dirty Jobs is My Latest Favourite Show

2008-10-23T02:27:00.000-07:00

When I first saw this show, I was flipping channels and thought it was too gross to watch so I paid no attention to it. I missed most of the first season. Towards the end of the first season, I saw it again and I stayed on because the host was funny.

So Mike Rowe is basically the reason why I'm hooked on Dirty Jobs. He makes those (obviously) dirty, mundane jobs seem interesting and lively. I'm sure those people who have had the pleasure of having him come over and 'help' them with their jobs will miss him even if at some point they must have been glad he is gone because he's just in the way most of the time :D.

OK, did a little search and found out he used to sing professionally with the Baltimore Opera - always thought he had a distinctive voice.

Also, found a website where fans and curious viewers can ask him questions at Dirty jobs: Mike Rowe Answers.

Korea: Taxi Tracking Device Saves Driver

2008-10-23T01:57:00.000-07:00

I saw on TV a few days ago that in Korea, taxis have a device installed that records how fast they are going, whether they are moving and where they stop and for how long they stop. I know it sounds intrusive but the device actually saves a taxi driver that's been wrongly-accused of robbery.

The story goes that two women, from separate occasions, accuse a taxi driver of robbery and positively identified the man from pictures. But the driver maintains that he's innocent and that he was off duty when the incidents happened. Since there should be no one else that drives his taxi, the detective goes on to check the tracking device installed in his taxi and sure enough he was off duty.

The detective goes back to the robbery victims and they maintain that they are not mistaken and they have got the right man. By now, there is another suspect in custody (the real perpetrator) and the police ask the women to take a second look at the police lineup. They are definitely surprised to see the real robber and how similar he looks like the driver they have wrongly accused.

So, the innocent driver is free and gets an apology from the women who put him in jail for a couple of months.

I Seriously Need a Digital Camera

2008-10-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

I've never had a digital camera, my brother does but it's no fun to use his because he's using it for business purposes while I want to use it all the time and experiment on things. I've always loved taking pictures and I can't believe that I haven't bought one digital camera since it's even more easier to delete pictures that I don't want.

Found a buying guide at CNET that answers the question: what kind of digital camera is best for me? According to this guide and from my own intuition since I know what I want, I'm a cross between a 'Serious amateur' and a 'Budget buyer'. I don't need a guide to tell me that I don't have enough money. But the guide is rather useful to find out which features you'll need in a camera when you're looking for one.

Right now, I'm not what is called a serious amateur but I want a camera that does something a little bit more than point-and-shoot, just a tiny bit more.

My checklist is:

AA Batteries
Zoom > 4x
Image Stabilization
Takes good pictures in low lights
MP > 5
SD memory card

Canon PowerShot S3 IS has always been in my mind but with the budget I'm in right now maybe I should consider Canon PowerShot A590 IS which I heard takes good pictures, or something like Samsung S850 which has the features I can work on and the price seems right.

Need to do a bit more digging.

A Tribute to Someone Who Commented on My Blog

2008-10-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

It's unbelievable but someone commented on my blog. I didn't respond though, maybe I should have. She didn't ask a question or anything. Anyway it was over a year ago.

Thanks For Dropping By!

It's Been a Long Time...

2008-10-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I last posted, been more than a year. Sort of lost interest in blogging. Well, it's coming back now. Maybe I can discover new things while writing or unwittingly write something useful. Who knows, weird things have happened.

To mark my 'return', I've changed the header of this blog. Just wanted to add a little bit more colour, the old blog looked rather bland. Just would like to mention here that I did it myself :). Well OK I cheated, I use free graphics and add some text to it. So, it was rather simple, no overhauling the code, just added some graphics.

My Old Blog - Something needs to be done.

My New Blog - Gets a mini facelift

I did make another header (below), couldn't decide at first which one to use but decided on the one on my blog right now.

Another Image Header I Did - Well, maybe next time.

My Brain! My Brain!

2007-09-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

Learned today that even if you're in your 20's and 30's your brains are already degenerating. So what to do? The thing that is thought to be causing this, and to all human organs, is ... (drumroll) oxygen! The term they use is 'oxidative damage' but really it's like a metal rusting from oxygen - slowly but surely. To prevent this, there's nothing we can do. But to slow the process ... (drumroll) take anti-oxidants! Which is an ingredient already famous among age-preventers, people who want to stop from getting old and wrinkly. Let's see, there are supplements with anti-oxidants but I guess the best thing is to go natural; strawberries, blueberries, all the berries, prunes.

It's Singles Week?

2007-09-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

Certainly didn't know there was a thing called singles week. It's called the National Unmarried And Single Americans Week. Apparently it started in 1984 by the Buckeye Singles Council in Ohio. The holiday (?) is held on the third week in September. Too bad it's only in America, I'd have liked to join in. Well, if you're single, everyday is sort of like a holiday.

Sometimes I wonder why people get married. It's like a recurring problem that never gets solved and people fall for it every time :D. The stories I hear about married life.... You just have to take a look at the wife to get a whiff into it. Especially if they have kids ... and many of them. And especially if they are not well-to-do. Sure, husbands say they help out with houseworks but usually from what I see, the whole load is still on the wife. They 'help' out when they feel like it and they choose what they want to do. When the house is a mess, who will people point their fingers to? And don't let me get started with having kids.

But of course, there are lonely moments and sometimes you just need someone by your side. Some men out there are known to do houseworks, sometimes doing even more than their wives. Or maybe we should make a point to marry only those who have a butler or who can afford maid service. But, what about infidelity or just recently I saw a man trying to put a hit on his own wife?

Decisions, decisions.

Fatal Online Dating Errors - Mistakes that Men Make

2007-09-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Yahoo! about top 10 mistakes that men make when responding to online personals or trying to contact women online.

One of them definitely happened to me:
"Don't ask her if she wants to have sex with you on the second email exchange, and don't send her dirty pictures of you. Women are all about connecting with their minds. Just because you're looking for a quick fling, that doesn't mean she's going to respond."

For some reason, (some) guys thought that women would be more interested in them if they sent them pictures of themselves below the waist. What's the logic behind that?

Beauty Is - According to Sophia Loren

2007-09-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of quotes from Sophia Loren:

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."

"Sex appeal is 50% what you've got and 50% what people think you've got."

She's not what I would consider beautiful but she's not ugly either. But I do know men find her very sexy. It just shows how beauty is very much inside your head.

Cute Kittens!

2007-09-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Enough about tennis for a while. I have to calm myself down. These pictures are for Marat Safin as well :D.

Guess Who Won US Open 2007?

2007-09-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Couldn't believe my eyes when I read about it. Didn't watch the match due to time difference. Guess what's the score? 7-6, 7-6, 6-4!!!!! History keeps repeating itself! Someone has to figure this guy out and soon because it's not healthy for the sports to have only one player winning 4 or 5 straight year titles in a row. Don't know why it doesn't happen in women's singles. Heard one of the commentators said that tennis is more of a mental game than physical. I've noticed that Federer is stronger when he's about to lose his service game. He's especially stronger during tiebreaks. How do you become that strong? I certainly would like to know. Is there a pill I can take? :D

US Open 2007 Into the Final

2007-09-09T02:28:00.000-07:00

Missed quite a lot of matches but saw the Andy Roddick - Roger Federer match. It was almost like Wimbledon 2007 final. Andy must have been thinking 'What do I have to do to beat his guy?' as Rafael Nadal must have thought. That definitely was what I was thinking. Just when you think you can break this guy, he comes back with deadly shots. When normally, a tennis player breaks under pressure, Roger seems to excel under pressure. To top it off he does it at the last minute, just when his opponent thinks he can break his serve, he comes up with an ace. Just when his opponent thinks he can win a rally, he comes up with an unbelievable winner. Just look at the score, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 (vs Andy Roddick), 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 (vs Nikolay Davydenko). And don't get me started with the last Wimbledon. Anyway, a huge applause for Andy Roddick for fighting to the end and with a lot of spirit too. If I was him, I would have turned into a Marat Safin and handed Federer with an easy win and a lot of broken racquets. Now, all hopes go to Novak Djokovic, another player on my radar who I think can beat Federer other than my favourite Rafa. Not that I hate Federer but he's sort of THE tennis player to beat right now. Go Novak!

Junk Mails

2007-08-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

Just don't understand why the junk mail business is still thriving. Even with the spam block or whatever you call it, somehow some of them get through. Wonder if it's really that profitable to send junk mails. Who actually buy from these people? Why would people click the links or buy from someone who is doing business in a dubious manner? Why would I buy viagra or any drugs legal or not through someone who send spam?

Just recently I received an offer from someone who claims he works for the Barclays financial institution. He claims he could help me get a large sum of unclaimed money. All I have to do is say I'm the next of kin to whoever left that money. He would get a percentage of that money and then resign from his post and migrate to my country. Yes, why don't I help import a criminal into my own country. Well, down the trash the e-mail goes.

Been Neglecting My Blog

2007-08-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

Didn't have the time to write. Been offline for about a week. Good thing I'm not addicted to the Internet. Nothing much have changed. The world is still here. The war is still going. But good things still happen, even if it's not all the time. Oh yes, the new EPL season has started - can't believe I started my blog writing about tennis instead of my favourite sports.

Global Warming isn't Real?

2007-07-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

I'm not a tree-hugger and I don't religiously recycle but I refuse to believe that all that pollutions and excessive and illegal loggings are not detrimental to the earth well-being. It's like saying drinking rat poison won't kill you.

Some people say that the climate has always been changing and there is nothing to worry about. Well, if it's natural then of course there's nothing to worry about. But this time, it's from our own wrongdoings and that's not natural. In the past, there was no air pollution as massive as we have now. So the change right now is not natural whether or not there were extreme climate changes in the past. Some people even dismiss the fact that we are having a problem, saying that the weather is not too bad ignoring studies that have been made by scientists and extreme weather changes that are happening around the world.

What people have also ignored is that the climate stability that we have experienced for thousands of years contributes to the flourishing of our civilization. Because of the stability, we have shifted from roaming hunter-gatherer to permanent settlers which provide us with more food and economic options and therefore a prosperous culture .

I saw a documentary about how glaciers are melting faster due to global warming and since it's the largest source of freshwater, the release of this water into the sea could disrupt the salinity of sea water. This upsets the normal cycle of hot and cool water in the sea and prevent hot air formation that keeps our climate stable. This, scientists say, could eventually make our climate cooler and could lead us into another ice age.

Harry Potter Naked

2007-07-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well, Daniel Radcliffe to be exact. They are both the same person isn't it? It sort of spoils the image I have of the sweet and innocent Harry Potter. Read that he, Daniel, is doing a play in London called 'Equus' by Peter Shaffer. Not only that he will be naked, the character he plays blinds six horses with a hoof pick. Definitely not my cup of tea. Isn't he only 17 or something?

Save Harry Potter!

2007-07-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter fans around the world are campaigning to persuade JK Rowling to keep Harry Potter books coming. A UK bookstore chain has even set up a website for online petition-signing. They are working to get one million names by July 21st which is the release date of the final Harry Potter book series. I think it's better to end something when it is at its peak. So that people will remember it at its glorious best. Heard the final book is recording the highest pre-order in the history of bookselling.

Trying My Hands at Aloe Vera

2007-07-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

Planting that is. Heard a lot of good things about aloe vera and how easy it is to care for it. My mom, who's actually doing all the work, got a pot from our neighbour. It has since produced offshoots and multiplied into a number of plants. They are doing rather well right now. Especially after re-potting and if they are alone in one pot. There is one pot with two aloe veras and the plants seem skinnier than the one that's on it's own.

It seems that location also plays a part. It needs a lot of sunlight but not at the hottest hours around 11 am - 3 pm or they will get sunburn. Read that the brown spots on the leaves are actually sunburn. Will have to relocate some of them.

Apparently aloe vera is not choosey with the type soil you use but it has to be well-draining so that it doesn't retain too much water. It doesn't need a lot of watering. Some people said watering once a month is enough but some said once every two weeks. But still, will have to experiment a bit.

Wish I had a digital camera so that I could take their pictures and post them here and monitor their progress.

Wimbledon 2007 Gripping Finale

2007-07-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

A rather late entry. But watched the whole 'Live' coverage of the match. Probably the longest few hours of my life. Disappointed that Rafael Nadal didn't win but really proud of him that he fought till the end. And fought fiercely. Roger Federer played really well. Felt he was a bit lucky but he 'up' his game at crucial moments and those moments really paid off. Hopefully Rafa will bounce back like all good players do. Since he's always improving his techniques, I'd like to see him win more than any other players before him.

Vamos Rafa!

Rafa Through to Fourth Round

2007-07-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

Found out a bit late. Thanks to the delay, didn't get to see the remaining match. Heard Nadal was annoyed at Soderling and probably at the whole delay. It isn't like him to get annoyed. Especially speaking out to the press. I guess a lot have been going on, with the pressure and all. But still never heard him get annoyed like that. He's playing Mikhail Youzhny right now. Wish I could watch. Got a feel he could win Wimbledon this year, just believe he could. But maybe that's just me. Anyway Rafa go for it!

Vamos Rafa!

Mozilla Firefox

2007-07-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

Finally got enough of Explorer's endless errors and downloaded Firefox especially after reading a lot of praises on this browser. So far so good. Love the 'Open Link in New Tab' feature. Heard there are a lot more handy features and especially good for developers. Will definitely explore and look around for that.

Wimbledon Under the Weather

2007-07-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

It's starting to frustrate me. Especially when it tampers with my beloved :D Rafael Nadal's play. He was just about to win a tiebreak against Robin Soderling when it started to rain and everything was disrupted. He came back and lost the set and the next one. They are tied 4-4 at fifth set right now. And if Nadal loses this one, I'm going to be reeeeally mad. They say that a retractable roof is coming to centre court in 2009. I say, why hadn't they thought about this? And why only at centre court? If I'm frustrated, think about all those players who have to endure the pressure and the stress of trying to beat the same player over and over again. It's like taking a final exam that doesn't end.

Wimbledon is Back

2007-06-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

It's already into the third round. There's nothing more that can cheer me up than watching a Rafael Nadal match. Someone said that he would win Wimbledon before Roger Federer would win Roland Garros. To my surprise he disagreed. Maybe he knows something that I don't. Of course he knows something that I don't. Anyway, love his tenacity. He fights for every point. Even when it looks impossible, he turns it around. Saw he did a backhand return when the ball was practically behind him and still got it in and won the rally against Werner Eschauer.

Global Warming Could Lead to Ice Age

2007-06-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

Saw something interesting on TV. Scientists say that the global warming that's been going on right now could lead to another ice age. It's got something to do with the melting of the ice on the northern hemisphere that releases a flood of fresh water into the sea. This upsets the normal cycle of hot and cool water in the sea and disrupts hot air formation that's been keeping our climate under control for 10 000 or so years.

Feeling Blah

2007-06-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Feeling really crappy lately. Don't feel like doing anything. Maybe I'm low on bananas. Read that bananas give you a happy feeling. Something about tryptophan or something. Tried carrot juice too, almost the same effect. Maybe that's why bunnies are so alert all the time. Going to get me some bananas and carrots.

Harry Potter Frenzy

2007-06-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

It's Harry Potter season. They've been showing the movies on TV, the earlier ones. The latest movie is coming out on cinema and the final book is coming out on 21st July 2007. There is even a stadium planning for promotion and to celebrate the release of the seventh and last book. The main event is the distribution of the book at midnight. Read the news that big retail booksellers are already slashing the price tag to half annoying some smaller bookstores. Heard JK Rowling is killing off one of the main characters. It couldn't be Harry, could it?

Hello Kitty Turns Into a Panda

2007-06-14T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Kitty got a gig for Beijing Olympic 2008. Should have expected this. What else should this cute cat turns into but a panda - even if it's just a costume. It's hard being a celebrity. You have to reinvent yourself constantly and go with the flow. Sort of like having different faces and different characters all the time to make people stay interested. Wonder if the cat's happy with her life.

Posh Spice Has a Reality TV

2007-06-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

I knew it! Missed the announcement but it's coming up at NBC. Don't know which one came first - David Beckham's decision to move to US or the reality TV. Both ways, I won't be watching. Maybe both the egg and the chicken...

Human Neanderthal Hybrid Update

2007-06-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently the documentary I saw was belated or a rerun. Did a little digging and found out that the bones were found in Portugal near the coast north of Lisbon. It was a skeleton of a four-year-old boy with features of modern human but limbs proportionately Neanderthal. Research from DNA tests found links of modern human with Cro-Magnon but no apparent link with Neanderthal. Don't know if it's possible that their DNA 'disappear' with interbreeding or they just evolved and 'became' modern human hence the lack of trace of DNA. Just my wild imagination.

Sticky Loch Ness Monster

2007-06-12T03:01:00.000-07:00

Saw a documentary at National Geographic channel. They did a simple test. Had a log floating at Loch Ness and asked the tourists what it looked like. Some of them said it could have been Nessie, some of them said it was a stick. Had the same log at another body of water (away from Loch Ness) and then asked around what it was. All of them said a definite 'stick'. Shows that expectations and the mind could play a trick on us.

Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten

2007-06-12T00:09:00.000-07:00

It's a cute name for a clothing line. 'Bitten'. Only noticed the news about it. Seems like all celebrities are launching their clothing lines now. But the Bitten collection is inexpensive - under $20. Like the way she said about 'democratization of fashion' - making fashion accessible to every woman.

Dog Poisoning in Hong Kong

2007-06-11T23:10:00.000-07:00

Don't have a dog. But why would anyone poison dogs is beyond me. Apparently the poisoning started in 1989. Some poisons mixed with meat been placed along Bowen Road, a street popular with dog-walkers and have been killing some dogs and made some ill.

Harry Potter Finale

2007-06-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Read the news that the last book from the Harry Potter series will be out in July. Read none of them. But if I was younger I would have been crazy about him, er... it. Still amazed how something like that could turn into something huge. Heard there will be a Harry Potter theme park. One of those things you'd say, 'why didn't I think of that?'.

David Beckham's Going For Real

2007-06-11T02:32:00.000-07:00

Seems like he's definitely surely going to LA Galaxy. Thought they could stop him from going. Well, it's Real loss in every sense. Still think he's one of the best players Real Madrid has ever had. Maybe he's sensing his form is or will not be as good as before and he won't be able to compete with future Real players or maybe his wife's been bugging him to go to Hollywood to pursue a career she never had. He he just guessing.

F1 Canada Crash

2007-06-11T02:01:00.000-07:00

Turned on another channel after watching Rafa won the French Open. Saw a huge crash at F1 Canada. Apparently the driver was Kubica. He was reportedly fine but the crash was rather huge. Debris everywhere. Don't really follow F1 closely anymore. Everyone's driving for different teams now, mostly. Find that hard to adjust to.

The Mostest at French Open 2007

2007-06-11T00:44:00.000-07:00

Tightest Match - 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 (Roger Federer bt Nikolay Davydenko)

Most techno-hip name - Ignatic (Vladimir Ignatic, Belarus - Winner Boy's Singles)

Most Volatile Firecracker - Marat Safin (make that every tournament - love you Marat :))

My Third IQ Test

2007-06-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Got 122 for the third test. A wee bit in the 'high intelligence' range - whatever that means. Still short two more points to qualify for membership in the International High IQ Society. Oh well, at least I'm making progress. Don't know how credible the tests are. I might as well be retarded as far as I'm concerned.

Fossils at Harrods

2007-06-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

If I ever need to have a 400 million-year-old fossils, I could find it at Harrods. Apparently they have everything under the sun. Wonder if they have a 401 million-year-old fossil instead.

Rafael Nadal Wins French Open 2007!

2007-06-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Had my heart in my mouth most of the time. After a lost to Federer at Hamburg, there was no sign he didn't believe he could win. The commentator said the tournament and the ones before that was taking its toll on him, made me even more nervous. He was not himself on the second set which he lost - the only set he dropped throughout the whole tournament. Federer didn't play that bad either. But anyway, Rafa got a hatrick! Hopefully he will stay injury-free and win more tournaments to come. Love the new Bull logo.

Vamos Rafa!

Honey & Clover

2007-06-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

It's probably my favourite anime right now. Soooo cute. Kawai! And sooooo funny. A mix of quirky characters, sudden seriousness - reflecting on life and stupidly funny scenes out of nowhere - typically Japanese which I love. Wish I had watched it right from the start, so typical of me to miss the start of an anime. Have to limit myself to a few anime at one time.

Rafael Nadal Has OCD

2007-06-09T23:15:00.000-07:00

Thought it was superstition like some other tennis players do. Heard the commentator said it was OCD. I should have known that, I have OCD. People say those who have OCD usually become successful. Darn it! Maybe I should have 'nurtured' my OCD.

Paris Hilton Traumatized

2007-06-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton goes back to jail after having a brief 'prison break' at home. Drink-driving is very dangerous. It could kill people. And when that happens there is no amount of money and prison could bring them back to life. Don't think she understands that. Hopefully she'll get it soon.

Human Neanderthal Hybrid

2007-06-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Saw a documentary at Discovery. They found some bones which they thought was human but later found out that the arms and legs were not proportionately human. It doesn't seem mind boggling for humans to interbreed with Neanderthals. Hopefully they will find out the answer soon. Heard they are doing some DNA tests and researching.

My IQ Test

2007-06-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

Found an IQ test website. Did the test and got 110, a wee above average. Phew, thought I was retarded. Did the second time and got 118. A nice improvement. Need to get 124 to join the group.

Rafa 'The Bull' to play Roger Federer

2007-06-09T00:08:00.000-07:00

Hope he'll win this Sunday. So nervous watching him play Djokovic but never doubted he could make it. He hasn't dropped a set the whole French Open yet. Like Federer, but love Nadal.

Vamos Rafa!

The Future Planet of The Apes

2007-06-08T23:51:00.000-07:00

Saw a documentary, a scientist teaching a Bonobo how to cook instant noodles and other Bonobos some English words that correspond with simple pictures. Seems like The Planet of The Apes could come true in about hundreds years or so from now. Humans are having problems with each other as it is. There will definitely be more issues interspecies-wise.

Paris Hilton Goes to Jail

2007-06-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

Feeling sorry for her somehow. Must be hard for someone like her to go to prison. But if you can’t do the crime don’t do the time. The other way round - just trying to amuse myself. She did spend $200K on a shopping spree - feeling a bit less sorry now. Just hope she’ll get through the whole ordeal unscathed.

Me Learning Some Japanese

2007-06-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

Learned a few Japanese words lately:

Hajimemashite - greeting when you meet people for the first time.

Itadakimas

Dozo yoroshiku - nice to meet you.

Tokyo kara desu - I'm from Tokyo.

Ohyo gozaimasu - good morning.

Konnichi wa - good afternoon.

Kanban wa - good evening.

Some more Japanese words I've learned before:

Domo arigato / arigato gozaimasu - thank you.

Sayonara - good bye.

Gomenasai

Mata ne

Chotto (not sure of the spelling)

Chotto mate

So desu ka?

Kore wa?

Sore wa?

Are wa?

Otosan

Okasan

Obachan

Oishi

Omai (not sure the spelling)

Sugoi (not sure the spelling)

Love Rafael Nadal

2007-06-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

‘Discovered’ him a few months ago. Heard of him longer than that but never really paid attention. Potentially a better player than Roger Federer. A tremendously good learner, has a cool head. Would like to be like him when I ‘grow up’. Just think he needs to change his underwear. Not for a fresh new one, just a new type - keeps tugging at his shorts-pants.