~=arcanedenial=~

Dinner at Wild Rocket

2011-12-05T17:54:00.001+08:00

So I was having dinner with Theresa at Wild Rocket last night and it was amazing. The food was well balanced, and the ambience was nice and cosy, and the service - enthusiastic and prompt. Perfect for a dinner for two.

Granted the long walk, I mean, climb up Emily Hill was somewhat...how you say... Tiring? Lolx~

Anyhow, at the end of the dinner, I started cooking up some story about why the restaurant was called Wild Rocket (the story was about a 'wild' space rocket pilot who has become infamous for flying recklessly) and Theresa actually believed me!!!

She didn't know that rocket was a kind of lettuce!!! For the entire first 95% of my tall tale, she actually bought it!!!

Hilarious lor....

Anyway, here are some photos of what we ate:

The Business Times?

2011-06-30T15:55:00.002+08:00

I am attempting to read the Business Times.

I am FAILING terribly. It's so freaking boring to me!

Boohoo! :(

Print to PR

2011-06-24T17:01:00.000+08:00

This blog post marks the end of my first week of work as an Account Manager at a PR & Marketing Consultancy. It's been an exciting week with many hectic moments, slow moments and weird moments. I think it's difficult to say whether I will be able to get myself confirmed as a member of the company, but things are looking up for now.

There is a lot of freedom involved in the current work, and I get to do things at my own pace (which surprisingly is pretty fast! But I'm sure it's just 'new job' enthusiasm). I also LOVE the location. I have a direct bus to work, and I have the keys to the office, so there's a lot of... I don't know... 'power'?

I have a MacBook Pro to fiddle around with for work, and it's fun talking to my boss. It's not that difficult to connect, but I just have to be wary of her bitchiness (but hey, pot calling the kettle black yeah? =P). I like that I get to wear ALMOST whatever I want to work... (Today, I'm in a black polo, jeans, and my trucker cap.)

I was doing the whole 'put-on-a-business-shirt-and-roll-the-sleeves-up' thing for the first half of the week, and pairing that with a tie (I really like that look... Hehs). I especially liked this look (see below):

Black tie on pink shirt! =) Love it. Oh, this photo was taken with the Photo Booth program on my MBP (that's MacBook Pro for you non-Mac users). I am such a camwhore now... NOT GOOD, I tell you. Lolx!~

Anyway, I think that's all I really wanna say about my first week at work. Now just waiting for time to fade away, and for my work week to end! Pay's coming in next week, so I'm excited! Ka ching! $$$ =)

Pinkdot 2011

2011-05-19T08:42:00.000+08:00

I'm hap 

I'm excited about Pinkdot this year. =)

Pinkdot 2009

2011-05-19T08:41:00.000+08:00

THings

Things that move me... =)

Emo Memo...

2011-04-18T01:29:00.000+08:00

It's been a long while since I've blogged about anything, but tonight seems to be the time to really do some journalling to help clear my mind a little.

I just realised that the current state of my romantic relationships really sucks, and that I feel so stuck. I feel like I've hit a glass ceiling amongst all the potential people I have in my life. I can see the various possibilities ahead, but there is no way I can actually move ahead in anyway. This seriously is the story of my life, and I just feel so trapped.

I feel stupid, dumb, useless and totally not in control. I wish there was a way I could just be able to be happy for once and not have to worry about this or that. Why can't things be easier for me? Why can't I find someone who can really make me happy? Why is it that I STILL have to suffer through all this nonsense despite all the training and 'consciousness' I have? Why do I always build such amazing connections, but they all cease and desist at a certain point?

I still feel like I am still always and only 'the best friend'. I'm quite tired of that. Honestly, but I have no idea how to break free of this trap. It's at time like these when I wish I didn't get so close to certain people. Or that I don't have certain feelings for certain people. I don't get why I have to still be so controlled by these emotions and thoughts.

Aren't I supposed to be the more 'evolved' one? The one who is supposedly more in control? Bullshit sia... Life sucks...

I hope I can get through this. Cos it feels like I'm about to hit a brink of some kind of breakdown again. The pain is building up. I can sense it coming... if it's not already here.

December Project - 3

2010-12-04T12:46:00.001+08:00

Busy-ness at work leaves me with little time to actually get all those postings up.

So, I'm going to post No. 3 first, then tonight I promise I will find the time to complete No. 4 before the day's up.

So yesterday was a crazy-ass, busy day at work. Had to rush all my work because of all the backlog I've accumulated over the week. But also because it was Friday Night Magic night, and I wanted to be sure that I could make it in time for the game!

And I did!

We played 3v3, Team Drafts, and I drafted quite a solid, mono-red, metalcraft deck. A lot of beats and red removal. I went 2-1 though. Lost to this crappy black-red, infect deck. It was the bomb man... poison counters coming out of nowhere to steal games right out from under my nose.... super upsetting sia.

But the highlight for the evening was when I went super-补! (This is slang for, I got my money's worth and more.) What happened was that I got tempted when my friend was opening M11 Core Set boosters and I started buying them as well. At $4 each, it adds up really fast (my friend had already opened 7 packs by the time I started), but still I got tempted and jumped into the fray.

Now, he was looking for this $50 card called Primeval Titan, and I just wanted to open packs for fun. I managed to crack a Primeval Titan on my fourth pack (much to his chagrin, of course)! Sweet! But the shop didn't have change for two 10s, so I went ahead and cracked the fifth pack to round off the amount. Not a bad haul for a $20. =)

Tomorrow I'm going to head down to Suntec tomorrow for the Pro Tour Qualifiers... *excited*

Wish me luck! I'm going to sign off for now!

Ciao!~

Project December - 2

2010-12-03T12:14:00.000+08:00

Damn, I missed yesterday's post! Sometimes, I really wonder why I make myself so damn busy. Anyhow I had an amazing time at a party last night.

To cut a long story short, I won two brand new mobile phones for myself! Pictures coming soon! So watch this space. =)

Project December - 1

2010-12-01T09:49:00.000+08:00

So it begins, my one-post-a-day project for this month of December. I've been on medical leave for the past two days...dastardly cold that I got from goodness knows where. It's been awful. But I did enjoy the quality time I got to spend with my full body length pillow, my blanket, my mattress and all the snuggling in the world. I even got to wake up to a finger on my forehead, at the exact moment that I dreamed it up. Amazing stuff. =)

So here I am again in the office and I just wanted to post a quick one about work. Below is the transcript for a speech by Jason Fried about "Why work doesn't happen at work?" I couldn't get the video to start, so I read the entire transcript instead. Poor me...

You can either click on the transcript to go to the webpage (the entire thing's linked), or you can just pore through the text. Either way's quite informative and interesting.

Have fun!
=================================
So I'm going to talk about work, specifically why people can't seem to get work done at work, which is a problem we all kind of have. But let's sort of start at the beginning. So we have companies and non-profits and charities and all these groups that have employees or volunteers of some sort. And they expect these people who work for them to do great work -- I would hope, at least. At least good work, hopefully, at least, it's good work -- hopefully great work. And so what they typically do is they decide that all these people need to come together in one place to do that work. So a company, or a charity, or an organization of any kind, they typically -- unless you're working in Africa, if you're really lucky to do that -- most people have to go to an office every day. And so these companies, they build offices. They go out and they buy a building, or they rent a building, or they lease some space, and they fill the space with stuff. They fill it with with tables, or desks, chairs, computer equipment, software, internet access, maybe a fridge, maybe a few other things, and they expect their employees, or their volunteers, to come to that location every day to do great work. It seems like it's perfectly reasonable to ask that.

However, if you actually talk to people and even question yourself, and you ask yourself, where do you really want to go when you really need to get something done? you'll find out that people don't say what businesses think they would say. If you ask people the question: where do you really need to go when you need to get something done? Typically you get three different kinds of answers. One is kind of a place or a location or a room. Another one is a moving object. And a third is a time.

So here's some examples. When I ask people -- and I've been asking people this question for about 10 years -- I ask them, "Where do you go when you really need to get something done?" I'll hear things like, the porch, the deck, the kitchen. I'll hear things like like an extra room in the house, the basement, the coffee shop, the library. And then you'll hear things like the train, a plane, a car -- so the commute. And then you'll hear people say, "Well, it doesn't really matter where I am, as long as it's really early in the morning or really late at night or on the weekends." You almost never hear someone say the office. But businesses are spending all this money on this place called the office, and they're making people go to it all the time, yet people don't do work in the office.

What is that about? Why is that? Why is that happening? And what you find out is that, if you dig a little bit deeper, you find out that people -- this is what happens -- people go to work, and they're basically trading in their work day for a series of work moments. That's what happens at the office. You don't have a work day anymore; you have work moments. It's like the front door of the office is like a Cuisinart, and you walk in and your day is shredded to bits, because you have 15 minutes here and 30 minutes there, and then something else happens and you're pulled off your work, and you've got to do something else, then you have 20 minutes, then it's lunch. Then you have something else to do, then you've got 15 minutes, and someone pulls you aside and asks you this question. And before you know it, it's 5:00 pm, and you look back on day, and you realize that you didn't get anything done. I mean, we've all been through this. We probably went through it yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that. You look back on your day, and you're like, I got nothing done today. I was at work. I sat at my desk. I used my expensive computer. I used the software they told my to use. I went to these meetings I was asked to go to. I did these conference calls. I did all this stuff. But I didn't actually do anything. I just did tasks. I didn't actually get meaningful work done.

And what you find is that, especially with creative people -- designers, programmers, writers, engineers, thinkers -- that people really need long stretches of uninterrupted time to get something done. You cannot ask somebody to be creative in 15 minutes and really think about a problem. You might have a quick idea, but to be in deep thought about a problem and really consider a problem carefully, you need long stretches of uninterrupted time. And even though the work day is typically eight hours, how many people here have ever had eight hours to themselves at the office? How about seven hours? Six? Five? Four? When's the last time you had three hours to yourself at the office? Two hours? One, maybe. Very, very few people actually have long stretches of uninterrupted time at an office. And this is why people chose to do work at home, or they might go to the office, but they might go to the office really early in the day, or late at night when no one's around, or they stick around after everyone's left, or they go in on the weekends, or they get work done on the plane, or they get work done in the car or in the train because there are no distractions.

Now there are different kinds of distractions, but there aren't the really bad kinds of distractions that I'll talk about in just a minute. And this sort of whole phenomenon of having short bursts of time to get things done reminds me of another thing that doesn't work when you're interrupted, and that is sleep. I think sleep and work are very closely related. And it's not just that you can work while you're sleeping and you can sleep while you're working. That's not really what I mean. I'm talking specifically about the fact that sleep and work are phased based, or stage based events. So sleep is about sleep phases, or stages -- some people call them different things. There's five of them, and in order to get to the really deep ones, the really meaningful ones, you have to go through the early ones. And if you're interrupted while you're going through the early ones -- if someone bumps you in bed, or if there's a sound, or whatever happens -- you don't just pick up where you left off.

If you're interrupted and woken up, you have to start again. So you have to go back a few phases and start again. And what ends up happening -- sometimes you might have days like this where you wake up at eight in the morning, or seven in the morning, or whenever you get up, and you're like, man, I didn't really sleep very well. I did the sleep thing -- I went to bed, I laid down -- but I didn't really sleep. People say you go to sleep, but you really don't go to sleep, you go towards sleep. It just takes a while; you've got to go through these phases and stuff. And if you're interrupted, you don't sleep well. So how do we expect -- does anyone here expect someone to sleep well if they're interrupted all night? I don't think anyone would say yes. Why do we expect people to work well if they're being interrupted all day at the office? How can we possibly expect people to do their job if they're going to the office to be interrupted? That doesn't really seem like it makes a lot of sense to me.

So what are these interruptions that happen at the office that don't happen at other places? Because in other places, you can have interruptions, like, you can have the TV, or you could go for a walk, or there's a fridge downstairs, or you've got your own couch, or whatever you want to do. And if you talk to certain managers, they'll tell you that they don't want their employees to work at home because of these distractions. They'll also say -- sometimes they'll also say, "Well, if I can't see the person, how do I know they're working?" which is ridiculous of course, but that's one of the excuses that managers give. And I'm one of these managers. I understand; I know how this goes. We all have to improve on this sort of thing. But often times they'll cite distractions. "I can't let someone work at home. They'll watch TV. They'll do this other thing." It turns out that those aren't the things that are really distracting. Because those are voluntary distractions. You decide when you want to be distracted by the TV. You decide when you want to turn something on. You decide when you want to go downstairs or go for a walk. At the office, most of the interruptions and distractions that really cause people not to get work done are involuntary. So let's go through a couple of those.

Now, managers and bosses will often have you think that the real distractions at work are things like Facebook and Twitter and Youtube and other websites. And in fact, they'll go so far as to actually ban these sites at work. Some of you may work at places where you can't get to these certain sites. I mean, is this China? What the hell is going on here? You can't go to a website at work, and that's the problem, that's why people aren't getting work done, because they're going to Facebook and they're going to Twitter? That's kind of ridiculous. It's a total decoy. And today's Facebook and Twitter and Youtube, these things are just modern-day smoke breaks. No one cared about letting people take a smoke break for 15 minutes 10 years ago, so why does everyone care about someone going to Facebook here and there, or Twitter here and there, or Youtube here and there? Those aren't the real problems in the office.
The real problems are what I like to call the M&M's, the managers and the meetings. Those are the real problems in the modern office today. And this is why things don't get done at work, it's because of the M&M's. Now what's interesting is, if you listen to all the places that people talk about doing work -- like at home, or in a car, or on a plane, or late at night, or early in the morning -- you don't find managers and meetings; you find a lot of other distractions, but you don't find managers and meetings. So these are the things that you don't find elsewhere, but you do find at the office. And managers are basically people whose job it is to interrupt people. That's pretty much what managers are for, they're for interrupting people. They don't really do the work, so they have to make sure everyone else is doing the work, which is an interruption. And we have a lot of managers in the world now. And there's a lot of people in the world now. And there's a lot of interruptions in the world now because of these managers. They have to check in: "Hey, how's it going? Show me what's up," and this sort of thing. And they keep interrupting you at the wrong time, while you're actually trying to do something they're paying you to do, they tend to interrupt you.

That's kind of bad. But what's even worse is the thing that managers do most of all, which is call meetings. And meetings are just toxic, terrible, poisonous things during the day at work. We all know this to be true. And you would never see a spontaneous meeting called by employees; it doesn't work that way. The manager calls the meeting, so the employees can all come together, and it's an incredibly disruptive thing to do to people -- is to say, "Hey look, we're going to bring 10 people together right now and have a meeting. I don't care what you're doing. Just, you've got to stop doing what you're doing, so you can have this meeting." I mean, what are the chances that all 10 people are ready to stop? What if they're thinking about something important? What if they're doing important work? All of a sudden you're telling them that they have to stop doing that to do something else. So they go into a meeting room, they get together, and they talk about stuff that doesn't really matter usually. Because meetings aren't work. Meetings are places to go to talk about things you're supposed to be doing later.
But meetings also procreate. So one meeting tends to lead to another meeting and tends to lead to another meeting. There's often too many people in the meetings, and they're very, very expensive to the organization. Companies often think of a one-hour meeting as a one-hour meeting, but that's not true, unless there's only one person in that meeting. If there are 10 people in the meeting, it's a 10-hour meeting, it's not a one-hour meeting. It's 10 hours of productivity taken from the rest of the organization to have this one one-hour meeting, which probably should have been handled by two or three people talking for a few minutes. But instead, there's a long scheduled meeting, because meetings are scheduled the way software works, which is in increments of 15 minutes, or 30 minutes, or an hour. You don't schedule an eight-hour meeting with Outlook. You can't. I don't even know if you can. You can go 15 minutes or 30 minutes or 45 minutes or an hour. And so we tend to fill these times up when things should really go really quickly.

So meetings and managers are two major problems in businesses today, especially to offices. These things don't exist outside of the office. So I have some suggestions to remedy the situation. What can managers do -- enlightened managers, hopefully -- what can they do to make the office a better place for people to work, so it's not the last resort, but it's the first resort? It's that people start to say, "When I really want to get stuff done, I go to the office." Because the offices are well-equipped, everything should be there for them to do their work, but they don't want to go there right now, so how do we change that? I have three suggestions I'll share with you guys. I have about three minutes, so that'll fit perfectly.

We've all heard of the casual Friday thing. I don't know if people still do that. But how about no-talk Thursdays. How about -- pick one Thursday just once a month and cut that day in half and just say the afternoon -- I'll make it really easy for you. So just the afternoon, one Thursday. The first Thursday of the month -- just the afternoon -- nobody in the office can talk to each other. Just silence, that's it. And what you'll find is that a tremendous amount of work actually gets done when nobody talks to each other. This is when people actually get stuff done, is when no one's bothering them, when no one's interrupting them. And you can give someone -- giving someone four hours of uninterrupted time is the best gift you can give anybody at work. It's better than a computer. It's better than a new monitor. It's better than new software, or whatever people typically use. Giving them four hours of quiet time at the office is going to be incredibly valuable. And if you try that, I think you'll find that you agree. And maybe, hopefully you can do it more often. So maybe it's every other week, or every week, once a week, afternoons no one can talk to each other. That's something that you'll find will really, really work.

Another thing you an try is switching from active communication and collaboration, which is like face-to-face stuff, tapping people on the shoulder, saying hi to them, having meetings, and replace that with more passive models of communication using things like email and instant messaging, or collaboration products -- things like that. Now some people might say email is really distracting and I.M. is really distracting, and these other things are really distracting, but they're distracting at a time of your own choice and your own choosing. You can quit the email app, you can't quit your boss. You can quit I.M., you can't hide your manager. You can put these things away, and then you can be interrupted on your own schedule, at your own time, when you're available, when you're ready to go again. Because work, like sleep, happens in phases. So you're going to be kind of going up and doing some work, and then you're going to come down from that work, and then maybe it's time to check that email, or check that I.M. And there are very, very few things that are that urgent that need to happen, that need to be answered right this second. So if your manager, start encouraging people to use more things like I.M. and email and other things that someone else can put away and then get back to you on their own schedule.

And the last suggestion I have is that, if you do have a meeting coming up, if you have the power, just cancel, just cancel that next meeting. Today's Friday -- so Monday, usually people have meetings on Monday. Just don't have it. I don't mean move it, I mean erase it from memory, it's gone. And you'll find out that everything will be just fine. All these discussions and decisions you thought you had to make at this one time at 9:00 am on Monday, just forget about them, and things will be just fine. People have a more open morning, they can actually think, and you'll find out that maybe all these things you thought you had to do, you don't actually have to do.

So those are three quick suggestions I wanted to give you guys to think about this. And I hope that some of these ideas were at least provocative enough for managers and bosses and business owners and organizers and people who are in charge of other people to think about laying off a little bit and giving people some more time to get some work done. And I think it'll all pay off in the end.
So thanks for listening.
(Applause)

Sword of Body & Mind

2010-11-29T12:44:00.000+08:00

This is another attempt to try my mobile blogging feature. *fingers crossed*

Anyway, I'm seriously beginning to think that I have no luck with Planeswalkers... So sad right? Haiz... Just my friggin' luck. I've been getting all the relevant Mythic except those that I really want... i.e. PLANESWALKERS!!!

Alright... End rant...

Thanks for listening. =)

Sent from my Nokia E72.

An Online Project...

2010-11-26T15:11:00.000+08:00

It's been a long while since I've posted anything. And right now, I suddenly have the urge to say 'hi' or make my presence felt again.

I apologise to my aunt especially, because I know she relies on this to really get in touch with what's happening here in Singapore. I think it's time that I re-start this endeavour again. Blogging is something like playing Magic - you can never truly quit it solely because it's so easy to access anytime.

Anyhow, I think I will start on a December project. And that is to blog about something every single day. I will try to make it interesting, but I can't guarantee anything yeah?

So watch this space com 1st December... It's going to be exciting! (I hope.)

Which is more disgusting: picking your nose or coughing out green phlegm?

2010-09-11T15:10:00.001+08:00

Which is more disgusting: picking your nose or coughing out green phlegm?

Answer here

Been Awhile~

2010-09-11T14:53:00.001+08:00

It's been a long while since I posted anything...

I think if I ever were to try to me some kind of social media guru, I would fail terribly. Evidently, it takes a lot of discipline and consistency in order to create any kind of buzz on the web, especially if you're able to create any kind of sensational news on your own.

I think the new phase of my work is going to be exciting, because it's going to take me into a whole new area of work. I guess at the biggest level, I do still want to remain with the company, because it does offer me a certain amount of power and flexibility that I am looking for. Let's see where this all takes me...I do still have a lot more to learn before I can really get to where I truly want to be.

Work aside - Friday Night Magic yesterday was TERRIBLE. I totally bombed in all three of my drafts! Don't know what was wrong with me lah, but I think I need to be more disciplined in terms of drafting more creatures and not giving in to pretty spells and what not. It seriously doesn't work when I have nothing on the board to help me hold down the fort.

However, I did have lot of fun spending time card slinging with the guys. Nerd unite! =) Oh, and I also bought myself a box of Elspeth VS Tezzeret!

Quite excited about it! Only cost me $35 and I now own an Elspeth and a buttload of other cards as well. I think next week, I will go to Games Haven and play in a tournament or something.

Time to head into the tank and think about what to play next week. =)

Understanding and Advice

2010-08-03T11:04:00.000+08:00

From my dearest mentor:

"Patience, my young padawan. Just practice your lightsaber away from the eyes of the Empire. Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing."

If anyone out there truly receives this message in its entirety, you would tear up for certain. I know I did.

Belly Off - Day 7

2010-07-07T20:23:00.000+08:00

Ladies and gents...

It's been a BAD week. This week I struggled a lot with my inner conversations and barriers and didn't get to hit all the actions I was supposed to hit. I realized I still gave in to the voices in my head, and chose to be lazy and not do my work. I even missed my Sunday blogspot... sighz.

Anyway, I'm going to recalibrate my efforts and start anew...it HAS to happen lah...because look the freaking results:

Waistline: NO CHANGE!

Weight: NO CHANGE!

Belly Off - Day 0

2010-06-30T16:55:00.001+08:00

Today was the start of the big project. This project was inspired by all the comments I got when I went back to Reservist. Everyone was talking about how much weight I had gained, and how 'different' I looked. My GFAC could not stop laughing and smiling evilly at me (the shithead). I guess it didn't help that I failed my IPPT as well. *sulks*

So to confront, excite and inspire myself, I've decided take a leaf out of what I've learned at my new workplace, and start on this Belly Off journey, and to motivate myself by going public about it. (You have no idea how strange it was hitting the 'upload' button whilst knowing that my tummy/belly/bulge was going to be on a public arena).

Well, if I'm going to be a Men's Health writer, I better look the part right? =P

Anyway, this morning when I was trying to take a picture of the measuring tape around my waist, it broke! I tell you, it's true when they say that obstacles appear and try to stop you whenever you try to make a change. It felt for a moment, totally sinister when the tape broke...almost as if the universe was trying to stop me. Sheesh~

Anyway, this project is going to be like so: I am going to be exercising and over the course of two months, I will be reducing my belly. I will be judging it by my waistline, measured with a measuring tape from IKEA, and my own body weight, measured with a weighing scale from IKEA as well. (Have to keep all the control elements the same yeah?)

I want to regain some form of my former 'hotness', so wish me luck.

Oh yes, these entries will be photo entries, which means you will have to bear with my super ugly tummy for a few weeks.

I WILL REGAIN MY SHARP CHIN, and I WILL BANISH THE BULGE!

----------------------------------------

Waistline: 38.5 inches (measured around the belly-button)

Weight: 82 kg! (freaking fat sia)

Stay tuned for posts every Wednesday and Sunday! (You have no idea just HOW confronted I am right now, but I want to do this!)

Wish me luck guys! =)

In-Camp Training (21st - 26th June)

2010-06-27T18:07:00.000+08:00

It was an excellent week.

Got loads of ideas for work from all the MEN there, and also reconnected with my army mates (they really are the best buds a guy can ask for.)

I can't wait to get back to work actually..there seems to be quite a lot of exciting things to write about! =)

Mom's Fried Yellow Noodles + Kway Teow

2010-05-26T00:13:00.000+08:00

I loved this dish! =)

Yums~

Pinkdot Caramel Corn

2010-05-16T21:58:00.000+08:00

Cuteness to the MAX! =)

A fully leveled Brimstone Mage (I love this picture!)

2010-05-13T13:42:00.000+08:00

Stole it off the Wizards website. I just love all these quirky images.

Original article: http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ftl/90

Two Girls & A Guy...

2010-05-03T15:38:00.000+08:00

I realized that I have not actually blogged about my two housemates who have moved in (finally) and have added their own specific and magical touch to the house. Both ladies have their merits and I guess you could almost say that I am VERY HAPPY to have them as housemates.

Occasionally, I find myself mentally recalibrating my brain to remind myself that I am now no longer the only occupant in the home and that I will actually need to alter my behaviour slightly e.g. no more walking around the house nude, or strewing my laundry any ol' how. Right now, there is a woman's touch present, and that exact touch does not exactly allow me to be all 'messy' or 'overtly GUY' in the home anymore (which is good thing, I'm sure).

So far, the most 'together' thing we have actually done together, is to head down to IKEA to pick up furniture. We really need to have a 'house-warming' soon; food, booze, music, friends, the works...just need to figure out WHEN is a time we can ALL be under the same roof. ugh~

Sometimes I wonder if I'd miss the times when I came home to an empty house, devoid of energy, and always slightly cold...I think what I have right now is waaaaaay better.

=)

GuildWars 2 ~ Elementalist (Water Trident)

2010-04-30T16:10:00.001+08:00

GuildWars 2 ~ Elementalist (Static Field)

2010-04-30T16:09:00.004+08:00

GuildWars 2 ~ Elementalist (Meteor Shower)

2010-04-30T16:09:00.001+08:00

GuildWars 2 ~ Elementalist (Phoenix)

2010-04-30T16:08:00.002+08:00

GuildWars 2 ~ Elementalist (Churning Earth)

2010-04-30T16:07:00.002+08:00

Say Hello...

2010-04-28T17:42:00.000+08:00

to your new writer on the Men's Health team, at SPH Magazines!

It's my third day at work, and I must say it's been an amazing experience. I haven't met EVERYONE yet, but so far, everyone's been uber nice, and I can see myself getting along with everyone.

I am taking this opportunity to blog a little about my new workplace and some of the things that I really like so far...so here goes:

1. The colleagues here can talk as much shit as I can (I think I can hardly catch up sometimes!), and I love it. Once I get into the groove, I'm gonna show them my brand of crap-talking.. lolx~

2. There's a GYM in this office building! Amazing stuff!

3. I am STILL using an iMac, so I didn't trade down at all! Wootz~

4. There are many perks working here, some of which I will not put here in this public space, but those of you who know me, well, let's just say you'll probably benefit from time to time. =)

5. I have friends here from NUS! Amazing! So happy to see them! Hee~

6. There's a cool shuttle service that takes me in each day, so no need to walk! Shiok~

7. I get a nifty raise, so I'm not complaining.

8. The work's more creative, so I'm definitely happy man.

9. Can't wait to get start on more writing assignments, and seeing myself on the magazine credits page!

Whee!~

I am BLACK...MWAHAAHHA~

2010-04-06T14:52:00.002+08:00

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

Hainanese Rap!

2010-04-06T01:54:00.001+08:00

The Enlightened Friend

2010-03-31T15:33:00.000+08:00

Having a conversation with a friend who finally saw for herself what it meant to truly and fully understand herself is amazing.

The purity, the joy, the simple straightforwardness of everything is just mind-blowing. I am glad I had a part to play in this awakening of a soul once lost and trampled upon. In her words, like a 'phoenix rising from the ashes'. Ah yes, how often do have the opportunity to be that phoenix, or at least to witness such a wondrous moment? Hardly ever, I'd say.

Anyhow, I'm glad she has been 'reborn' and that she is also the proud recipient of the SK-V effect.
(mwahahaha...it's an inside joke, I don't think any of you would understand this. Heehee~)

I look forward to the amazing results that are going to be created! =)

A Magic card for Singaporean males...

2010-03-25T16:42:00.000+08:00

I was checking out the new Rise of the Eldrazi Magic: The Gathering set, and it was inside the Visual Spoiler that I found something quite funny, and close to the heart. This card is something that I think a lot of who have served National Service before would be fondly (or not) familiar with.

Funny right? Imagine this was the 'extra duty' slapped onto you by your Encik back in the day. And you literally took on the role of a 'defender' of your camp, and stood there watching, guarding...GUARD DUTYING...so to speak.

Well, it is a simple and interesting concept. I'm always amazed how the people at WotC churn out new card ideas, time and time again. I wish I knew their secret of how to be so creative, to such a point where they have actually managed to keep the game running since 1993! Pretty amazing stuff man...

Awright, time for bed.
Time to jump ship babes!

Cheerios! =)

Testing Testing...

2010-03-11T12:18:00.000+08:00

I honestly hope this works...always wanted to be able to post on the go. Hehs.

Things We Have to Leave Behind

2010-03-10T18:11:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, it really sucks watching the people you care about continue to suffer while you make plans to move to another, supposedly better place. It truly isn't easy because you constantly have to balance between being happy about the move and the level of sensitivity you accord to your friends.

It's not the best of feelings. It's a little like last year when I went to Denmark. Alas, my FIRST trip up to Europe was for a reason so sad and unhappy.

There are times when life plays this kind of cruel joke on us (in varying degrees of severity, of course) just to test our mettle, grace, compassion, dignity and above all else, knowing what is the RIGHT thing to do at all times.

Knowing what is the 'right' thing to do is something I'd like to think all of humans try to do every single day.

Well, I'm determined to keep figuring out, keep trying, keep persisting in doing the RIGHT thing. =)

Testing Testing...

2010-03-09T15:27:00.001+08:00

I honestly hope this works...always wanted to be able to post on the go. Hehs.

TIME FOR A MOVE...

2010-03-02T13:44:00.001+08:00

Here we go man...

Mwhahahahaa

I'm SOOO SCREWED!!!

2010-03-01T14:42:00.000+08:00

Why? Because my IT lady, Maureen just taught me how to have some fun with my iMac during lunchtime!

She just showed me Photo Booth! (Camwhore alert!) I know I must seem very SUAKU (means very backward and not with the times), but the iMac is really quite exciting for me. I think I may actually contemplating converting to an iMac!

How how how? LOL...

Cover your eyes folks, cos there are some self-pics coming up. Heh.

Alright...that's enough for now...

DEFINITELY getting enrolled into getting a Mac now. Damn it! (it's a good kind of 'damn it' though)

*BEAMS*

On My Way...

2010-02-25T11:28:00.000+08:00

...to being an iMac convert!!!

I know I haven't been blogging often, but that's solely because I have been really busy! (REALLY!)

However, today marks a momentous milestone in my career where I receive for FREE (somewhat for free), a brand new iMac!

It's HUGE, it's SHINY, it's FAST, it's HUGE...wait, I said that already. Well, I'm sure all of you get my drift. =P

Of course, I have... PICTURES!!! Check it out...

The Wireless Keyboard

The Magic Mouse

and let's not forget...the main attraction...

iMac!!!

Alrighty, I'm a happy camper today! Time for me to GET TO WORK! Mwahahahhaa! =)

My First Blog Post off my E72!!!

2010-02-13T11:24:00.000+08:00

Just finished tuition! now time to head and do my cleaning before the big day comes... :)

Here it comes...

2010-02-10T06:59:00.000+08:00

Today is the day!

I can't wait....

(SUPER PSYCHED UP right now!)

*beams*

AirMail from Wizards!

2010-01-29T11:02:00.002+08:00

So I finished leading Coach Training yesterday, and was on my way home. I remembered I had to check my mail, because I had not done so in a long while. The amazing thing, that made my night (or day, since it was already past midnight), was mail...from the US... with a Wizards of the Coast logo in the top left corner of the envelope! Wootz!

*cue feeling of happiness and excitement washing throughout physical and emotional body*

Along with that piece of geeky bliss-dom, were the usual bills too... -_-''' SO, I said to myself that I would pay all my bills first, then treat myself to the opening of THE MAIL FROM WIZARDS. Hee.
And that is exactly what I did this morning.

*DISCLAIMER: You are allowed to skip the next bit, because it's totally self-indulgent, extremely geeky (because of the common interest and/or specialized knowledge required to understand and appreciate my excitement), and to sum it up in a most Singaporean way - 'bo liao'. =)

A preliminary analysis of said envelope

The FRONT and the BACK of the envelope.

Key features of said envelope

Return Address, should the envelope be undelivered

The hallowed Wizards of the Coast logo & address!

Opening of the envelope

I obviously didn't have a letter opener, so a short 15cm plastic ruler had to suffice.

I take a slight (ever so masochistic) peek at the contents, just to make it all the sweeter!

The GOODS

ALL THE GOODS TOGETHER!

Beautiful letterhead, don't you think?

FRONT & BACK of my (at long last) HARD PLASTIC DCI Membership card!

Text-less, full-art cards! *swoons*

Bigger-than-usual WorldWake card!

CHECK OUT the difference in size man...shiok!

I do feel 'rewarded' for playing in all the tourneys and what not. It's pretty damn cool to receive stuff from overseas. Yay for me! =)

I will be there at the Pre-release this weekend. Ciao everyone! =)

PS: All cards have been returned to the envelope and we are pleased to inform you that no animals were hurt or compromised in the construction of the Magic cards, or this blog spot.

(Backdated) GASTRONOMY!

2010-01-26T14:02:00.001+08:00

I LOVE PICTURE BLOGGING!

Mindless, therapeutic uploading of photos! Yay!

Go get HUNGRYYYYYYY! =)

Tears...

2010-01-25T15:50:00.004+08:00

occur for many reasons:

1. Happiness/Joy
2. Sadness
3. Anger
4. Dust in the eyes
5. Onions
6. Pepper spray
7. Regret
8. Frustration
9.

Blah blah blah...you get it...the list is endless.

However, for me right now, the main thing bugging me is this.

BOREDOM.

Tears of boredom...

An experience so vile and disgusting, that it should not be experienced.

(Fuck, I'm obviously don't know what I am talking crap...)

原来。。。

2010-01-22T11:53:00.002+08:00

这是你的真面目。

陶喆-普通朋友

2010-01-21T09:56:00.001+08:00

等待
我随时随地在等待
做你感情上的依赖
我没有任何的疑问
这是爱
我猜
你早就想要说明白
我觉得自己好失败
从天堂掉落到深渊
多无奈
我愿意改变(what can i do?)
重新再来一遍(just give me a chance)
我无法只是普通朋友
感情已那么深
叫我怎么能收手
但你说
i only want to be your friend
做个朋友
我在
你心中只是just a friend
不是情人
我感激你对我这样的坦白
但我给你的爱暂时收不回来
so i
我不能只是be your friend
i just can't be your friend
no,no,no,
我不能只是做你的朋友
不能只是做普通朋友

Lessons of Life

2010-01-21T09:33:00.000+08:00

...come in many forms. Here are some of mine:

1. the lyrics of a song
2. the lyrics of yet another song
3. a great night out on the town
4. the slightly heated debate with another person
5. casting a spell on a horde of enemies inside a video game
6. looking into yourself
7. hugging a person
8. opening my heart to a person
9. smiling at someone
10. reading the thoughts of another
11. anticipating a great weekend ahead
12. listening to another person's story
13. sharing my own story
14. a movie
15. making up with someone
16. making out with someone (this one, I have not done in awhile.)
17. dirty dancing
18. cooking for close friends
19. cooking for someone special

I'm sure there are more lah...but that's all for now...

True Geekiness!

2010-01-15T11:11:00.003+08:00

This is the kind of talk the nerds in the Big Bang Theory engage in. Which would entail that I too am a nerd! All hail Nerd-dom! :)

me: hahaha

yeah, and i say your geeky FB status abt Naruto!

lol

saw*

Karl: YEAH

SO COOL

i wish more people would do stuff like that

i mean tie in their local myths with modern stuff

10:58 AM and actually make it cool

10:59 AM me: but they didnt really tie anything in right?

isnt it just the name?

(or did i miss something?)

11:01 AM Karl: well, the names of the two eye techniques are tsukiyomi and amaterasu right?

11:02 AM they came from both eyes of izanagi

amaterasu is the sun god, which is the unending fire technique

tsukiyomi is for the moon

which kind of ties in with time

11:03 AM and the tsukiyomi is sort of a time technique in that it traps the victim in a illusion where time is not a factor

11:04 AM it's like redefining the local myths for a new generation

geek gush!

me: This gChat conversation deserves to be blogged about

11:05 AM lol

Karl: ahaha

11:06 AM yeah, take a look at final fantasy too

lotsa mythological references

so when you think about it, naruto is really well researched

you can also argue that it's well written!

Inspiring!

2010-01-15T09:39:00.000+08:00

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

The Mystery of the Plastic Ninja Turtle Figurine (Part 2)

2010-01-08T11:52:00.000+08:00

I give up.

I tried my best, and analyzed the situation with my colleagues, but all the probable candidates have been eliminated. I have spoken with them personally, and they have all given me 'NO' as their answer. So, barring that any of them may have lied to me, I am back to square one, with no 'suspect' anymore.

These are the remaining possibilities:

1. I have a secret admirer.
2. I have a stalker.
3. Someone thinks I am a 乌龟王八蛋 (wu gui wang ba dan, meaning jerk/bastard) and has decided on this mode of communication to get that point across.

Sigh, I honestly HATE not knowing...and it's not even funny anymore.

Ah well...Donatello will just have to stay put, on the cubicle wall then.

The Mystery of the Plastic Ninja Turtle Figurine

2010-01-04T16:02:00.001+08:00

Here's something strange.

Today's the first day of work for 2010, and I just arrived in office right?

So I'm on the phone with my colleague, and after we hang up, I notice something really strange on my cubicle wall. There's this plastic figurine of a Ninja Turtle (Yes, I'm talking about the turtles that mutated because of mutagen, and were trained by a similarly mutated rat master to be competent shinobi). It comes complete with a bo staffwhich spins around when you press a button on the back of the figurine.

So now I have this strange figurine on my table, and I have no idea who was the person who placed it there. was it meant as a gift? Was it meant as a warning? Was it meant as a joke? I have NO IDEA.

I DO however, have some suspects. But they aren't around today. So I shall wait till tomorrow. For now, I shall live with this mystery, and ponder upon it. LOL.

Here's the weird part: I'm NOT a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but I did watch their cartoons religiously when I was younger. The funny thing is, my favourite turtle has always been Donatello (A. He's smart. B. His weapon of choice is a bo staff, and staffs are one of my favourite weapons.), and this particular figurine, is a figurine of Donatello. Soooo strange...

*cue Twlight Zone music*

Last Day of 2009

2009-12-31T09:09:00.000+08:00

It's the 31st of December 2009, and I'm sitting at my office cubicle, counting down to the end of the 'half day', that every employee is entitled to here. I have a slight headache, obviously induced by the late night I had, and I'm hoping it will disappear as the day moves along.

I think I should start reflecting on the year, just to give myself some closure, and consolidate the various things I have learned throughout 2009 (I think that will happen after all my guests leave for the night). I think I will make a list, of all the things naughty and nice, and see what happens. There's so much to be thankful for, and there's so much to be unhappy about... and yet, these things don't always matter. I wonder what will I tell myself as I move through the memories of 2009 - to make myself feel better, to make myself understand, to make myself be at peace.

Consolidating, reliving the moments, and appreciating everything/everyone that has made this year amazing, bearable, and just plain fantastic. I guess I owe myself (and them) at least that much. I must say, I am very certain that I have grown in strength and grace over the year, and that is something I have to remember to appreciate.

PS: Damn, I have so many 'backdated' blog entries that need posting! Argh! Looks like it will have to be done in the New Year! :)

Christmas Eve Dinner Line-up

2009-12-24T11:39:00.000+08:00

1. Chicken Pot Pie

2. Bacon Corn Chowder

3. Stewed Pears in Mulled Wine

4. White Hot Chocolate

(Damn, I need to think of a veggie dish...maybe a salad...Heh.)

Last Day

2009-12-20T18:05:00.000+08:00

Today is my last day in Copenhagen.

About 3 more hours before I fly off to the airport. I think I still need to hop over to the Tiger Shop to pick up some stuff for some people.

Dunno lah... I hate shopping, and I have no idea what to buy for people.'

It's one of those, either buy for everyone, or buy for no one, type of situations.

I think I should just shop for myself, OR shop for whatever inspires me to get something for someone i.e. I see something, and in my head I go, 'ah, I think so-and-so would appreciate this' OR 'OH! This is SOOOO so-and-so! I HAVE to get to get it for him/her.'

Yeah, I think that's what I will do. Moreover, this wasn't exactly a shopping trip/holiday, and things here are majorly expensive man... I have no idea how my aunt survives here. Even with a high-paying job, you still pay through the nose, and it ain't funny.

Well, been feeling emo about some things, but I guess, that's how I usually am anyways. I should have ample time on the plane to figure things out in my head, and then things should be alright... I THINK...

For now, farvel!
And I will see you back in that Garden City of a home.

Sighz...

2009-12-20T17:46:00.001+08:00

You have no idea how much I miss you...

Fireplace

2009-12-16T03:36:00.000+08:00

It's so cool to have a fireplace in the house; especially when it's snowing outside.

(Try lighting a fire inside an HDB... LOL)

More from Copenhagen!

2009-12-15T01:13:00.001+08:00

Okay, I promised that I'd blog, so that's what I am doing...

Here are some fun facts about being in Copenhagen during winter, or what I've experienced about this place so far:

1. It's gray all the time...sleet gray.
2. It gets all dark by 3pm.
3. Fingers, necks and other body parts exposed to the cold wind feel like they would break off anytime, so wrap up!
4. The bakeries here are amazing... none of that rubbish you get back in Singapore (save Provence). It's the real stuff; stuff you read about in Enid Blyton books; stuff that comes from fairytales and warm hearth fires.
5. Christmas lights here are done well and proper, nothing too fanciful, but traditional.
6. They have public showers! Cool stuff.
7. Their public transport system is just as (if not more) advanced as Singapore.
8. The pace of life here is S-L-O-W.
9. Work ends on time at 5pm, and ends at 4pm on Fridays, and people get to leave before that anyways, which means as early as 3+pm on Fridays!
10. The people are GOOD LOOKING. VERY good looking. =)
11. Denmark is 7 hrs behind Singapore.

That's all I can think of at the moment...

Anyway, yesterday, I visited Jule Tivoli (pronounce you-leh tee-vo-lee), which is basically Tivoli Gardens done up for the winter i.e. Christmas time. It was pretty spectacular for the world's oldest amusement park. I loved the cold, and I loved the lights. Here are some pictures:

The Main Entrance

One of many random trees littered around the entire park.

Arab/Indian styled building.

Glowing hearts on a tree. =)

Christmas tree... pretty with star on top and 'electronic snow' 'falling' from it.

UFO, spinning, thingy ride.

Chinese Pagoda.

Teddy Bear Shop!!!

Spinning-Flying Chairs Ride

A game stall.

Machine which auto-embroiders caps and others things.

I regret not making one; it would only set me back SGD$23. Ah well...

Funny Warning.

Imagine guards appearing and 'banishing' you from the 'land'.

Hilarious!

I love this snowflake. It's really pretty.

That should do for now. It's dinnertime now! Yeah, it's only 6.13pm here, just in time for dinner!

Farvel!

Emotional

2009-12-11T21:20:00.000+08:00

I don't really know what to feel right now...I just know that it was a difficult choice, and I don't think anyone would every truly understand.

And it really sucks that I have to choose, but sometimes, it really comes down to that. There are times when I wish for so many things, and today I am just suddenly so clear about why certain things are more important than others. I just want to use this lesson to remind me of the bigger reason behind all this shit, and how it's very important for me to use whatever energy I have to drive myself to greater heights.

How to differentiate between the 'self' and everything and everyone else?

Gosh...it's just sooo tough sometimes. It really is.

Right now, I don't even know what I am really feeling, and yet at the same time, I know EXACTLY what I am feeling... not sure if anyone understands what I am talking about, but well, good if you do, and happy waiting, if you don't.

Cute-ness Attack!

2009-12-11T00:34:00.000+08:00

My cousin, Gregers!

Solitude on Flight

2009-12-11T00:24:00.002+08:00

A long flight with one transit in between is the longest I’ve ever been on a plane actually. Fortunately, British Airways is actually quite decent, and I enjoyed most of my flight from Singapore to Heathrow and then from Heathrow to Copenhagen.

The Singapore-Heathrow segment of the journey to go visit my aunt consisted of a full 12-hour flight which meant that my ass would be seated for a very long time. That aside, it also meant I would have a lot of time to kill. As expected, I managed to watch FOUR movies in between napping, going to the toilet, and eating. Strangely enough, the long flight offered me a solitude which I did not know I was longing and the movies that I picked allowed me to catch up on shows that I’ve been saying I wanted to watch, but never got around to. During this time, I reflected on many things, and remembered many things that were important to me.

I remembered the importance of good friends, and the joy of having loved (together with the pain of having lost such love), and the greatness which is family. I remembered compassion and possibility; I remembered happiness and the wonder of clarity of thought. I remembered the beauty of the world and its significance to me, and I remembered the insignificance of man and the boundless struggles we create against the forces around us.

I felt connected, once again, to these things, and was reminded of the things I have learned over the years and the people and things which have made me the person that I am today. Flying alone in a navy blue sky allowed me to truly reflect and experience (again) the wonder of the human spirit, and the things that motivate, inspire and love us.

The strongest, and part of the flight which I remembered the most, was when I was nearing the end of Up, and the protagonist was slowly flipping through a scrapbook which contained memories of his wife and their married life together. For some reason, as he was doing this, I started to cry. I saw how I needed to let go of certain things, and continue to look forward, no matter what. I saw how I was making my memories ‘wrong’ by feeling unhappy about them and longing for them. In the end, it’s really about Tennessee’s famous, “It’s is better to have loved and lost, than never to have love before.”

After crying, I looked out the plane window, and right outside were three things: the wing of the plane, the horizon between the night sky and the white sea of clouds, and the glittering silver of stars encrusted into a navy blue piece of velvet. Then I remembered, and it felt like the stars and the night sky were comforting me. Telling me to be strong and to remember that there are many things ahead and important for me to do, and not let the ‘bad’ things get me down…for those things were not truly ‘bad’, but just lessons to learn and ways to make me stronger and better than before.

It’s time to move on and enjoy my time in Copenhagen, seeing what I need to see, and doing what I need to do. And going back into myself and recreating myself all over again. =)

Flying on a Jetplane...

2009-12-08T22:24:00.000+08:00

Am now waiting for the gate to open...then I will be on my way to Copenhagen...

Gonna be a LONG LONG flight...

Transiting in Heathrow first, then onwards to Copenhagen.

Whew...

Still don't know what to feel....sheesh.

Visiting Copenhagen...

2009-12-07T09:32:00.002+08:00

but for the wrong reason.
Sighz...

Will be gone from Tuesday night to Tuesday evening.

Impressed! (with myself)

2009-12-04T12:11:00.001+08:00

Today's a fairly slow day in the office, so I was taking the time to plan out my leave and offs for the end of the year. It's really quite exciting. Of course I need to run it by my seniors such that they are alright with it, and such that they don't suddenly panic and wonder why I am not around. Anyway, I was feeling nice and all initiative-ish, so I took the liberty to draw up a table to facilitate the viewing of my planning for my seniors.

So here's what I sent to my senior:

Nice right? LOL! My colleagues were quite impressed. Mwahahaha!
Anyway, now I need my senior to give the green light, and I'm all set for the end of the year.

It's either this, OR I continually take long weekends for myself (like Mondays and Fridays off).

Wish me luck! =)

(Backdated) SITEX 2009 & my virgin LAN Gaming Experience

2009-12-03T15:45:00.000+08:00

Last Thursday was great!

I took a day off, and with some of my fellow editors, we planned to head down to SITEX 2009 at EXPO to check it out and see whether there was anything worth buying there. For myself, I was looking forward to finding some good deals for the Playstation 3 that I was intending to purchase as a present to myself. So we all met up early early and made our way to the exhibition hall. There were SOOOOO many people there man. Sadly, SITEX 2009 was a disappointment! There wasn't anything that really stood out and screamed 'BUY ME NOW!'.

There was only ONE vendor selling PS3s, and even the official Sony booth wasn't carrying the console. So we ended up leaving really early after making our rounds. Slightly disappointed, but cheerful nonetheless.

Next on the agenda was lunch and LAN gaming. It was a Japanese affair on the 4th (or was it 5th) floor of Iluma. Nothing too fantastic, but still decent. We had some fun ordering using the RFID pen and RFID enabled menu.

Then the main event began. We went to the 7th floor of Iluma, and booked ourselves for 2 hours of solid LAN gaming (though I am sure in the eyes of seasoned pros that this measly amount is hardly a challenge). We booted up Left 4 Dead 2, but it turned out to be too difficult for us, with two out of the four of us being slightly noob-ish (I was of course one of them, PLUS I don't really like first-person shooters). Anyway, the game was a co-operative first-person shooter where four people need to move through a zombie infested town. We kept dying, so we quit and loaded up the original Left 4 Dead, and had a ball of a time.

There's something extremely therapeutic about blasting zombies left-right-centre, and riddling them full of bullets. My favourite weapons were the uzi and the Molotov cocktails. There's nothing more satisfying than the sound of bullets spraying at a semi-automatic rate into piles and piles of undead bodies hungry for your flesh. And watching the zombies run around like headless chickens as they ignite from the sea of flames caused by the Molotov cocktails is damn shiok (of course at this point, you continue to fill them full of bullets! *beams*)!

Unfortunately, we each had out evening appointments, so the fun had to end. But I definitely enjoyed my time out with my colleagues....I'm glad they're around sia. Helps make life in the office more enjoyable!

=)

(Backdated) Of Sausage Risotto and Stewed Pears...

2009-12-03T11:13:00.000+08:00

Now this was something that happened a while back, and I have been meaning to blog about it for the longest time. So I better do it justice now, since I've nothing to do at work today, and everything's in the 'wait-for-the-senior-to-tell-you-what-to-do-mode'.

Anyway, an unfortunate incident on a Monday led me to share it with the absolute babe from work, Jo-Ann. This amazing woman offered to come by my place on that week's Saturday to cook me a nice dinner and to just chit chat. So that's exactly what we did. We researched and printed out a recipe to prepare for the evening, and we decided on sausage risotto. It was a fairly simple dish, but you have NO IDEA how fucking good it tastes! (Pardon the my 'french'.)

So the dishes for the evening were as follows:

~Fresh Mushroom Soup (from scratch)
~Sausage Risotto
~Stewed Pear in Mulled Wine (the wine is drunk as the last part of the meal)

Here are some pictures of the cooking in progress:

Onions in the pot, sliced mushrooms at the back.

Wine being 'mulled'.

The soup ~ after blending and adding of cream

Jo and the Risotto

Stewed Pears and an over-dramatic me

Ruby-red on the outside, translucent white on the inside.

Well, the cook out was amazing, and we both came to the conclusion that if risotto was how 'angmos' cooked their rice, it's no wonder most of them are fat fat fat! Which unfortunately for us both, exactly who were going to become after that dinner....FAT FAT FAT! =)

Can't wait for the next cookout! Wheeee!

reflect-rant

2009-12-03T10:01:00.001+08:00

Recently I've time to reflect on the company that I keep and the people I truly relate to. It sorta feels like my range is reducing once more, and the general love for people is often confused/conflated/collapsed/tainted by the unhappiness I feel towards certain people.

The thing is, at a level, I guess I already decided in my heart that I don't want to further associate with some people, and maybe I just don't know how to tell them this. Or maybe I'm just confused and frustrated... I guess as much as I know not to be affected by the people around, it's just not easy to just NOT care about the people I love.

Some greater, fiercer, more violent part of me just wants to bash up all the people who are treating the people I care about unfairly. And, I would love to be able to bash up all the intangible things like uncertainty, unhappiness, confusion, frustration, etc. These things always get in the way of people knowing what is best for them, and what they truly want...and seeing that sometimes really pisses me off.

I guess that's why I'm doing what I'm doing...a big part of me still truly believes that I can 'help' the people around by being the way that I am, and by the relationships I build with them. That's why I have resolved to apply the following adage/mantra/advice (whatever else you wanna call it) to my doing of things:

Always make sure you are solving a problem, or making something good even better than it already is.

Try applying this to all aspects of your life - friends, family, work, self...everything. And see how it goes. I guess I'm trying my best to do that everyday, and to myself especially.

Sigh, sorry for that seemingly random post. I just felt like saying those things and clearing my head a little. I think I haven't been speaking that much, or as much as I'd like to. Well, I will try to start blogging retropectively...there are definitely some posts which are long overdue.

Ciao for now peeps!

*hugz*

Friday...but I'm super sleepy now...

2009-11-20T14:53:00.001+08:00

It's that dreaded post-lunch syndrome...

I call it the 'pig-pig' syndrome, where individuals will always feel sleepy and experience this intense desire to rest their heads on their desks and sleep. I am quite traumatized by this because I've been trying to find a way to stay awake so far, and the only way is blogging. At least it forces me to use my brain to think and construct ideas around the English language.

I am seriously dozing off as I write this...I just want to go home. Please......

A Phoenix Down for Me & You

2009-11-18T08:41:00.000+08:00

Last night was great.

I managed to procure and use a phoenix down for myself.

And I think at the same time, you got one for yourself too.

Time to start leveling-up again, and learn new skills, and may we meet again when we've attained our next Limit Breaks/Overdrives attacks.

Cheers babe!

Goodbye

2009-11-17T07:31:00.000+08:00

Sitting together one last time in a place that held so many memories.
Expressing all that needed to be expressed - one with words; one without.
Lingering touches and longing looks.
Whispered thoughts and careful embraces.
Kisses that flowed through trembling lips.
The back of hands, wet from wiping away hot, painful, poignant tears.
The dull thud of a joking sentence, that just wasn't that funny anymore.
The very real fact of farewell sinks into both poor, unfortunate souls.
The closing of one platform makes one wonder if it will ever be revisited.
It feels like a book is being archived, never to be seen again for a long, long time to come.
The cool caress of the night wind makes it that much harder, as the pillows and the bedclothes give up little comfort.

A final kiss of berries and lips oh-so soft.
A final embrace of love disappearing, and yet not.
Such is the torment that was chosen, so many years ago.
Goodbye my love, goodbye.

Pro Tour Qualifier (Singapore) - San Diego (backdated)

2009-11-13T13:35:00.002+08:00

I just managed to rush out this disgusting title that has been plaguing me since the day I stepped into the company. Anyhow, it's on its way to the printers and now everything is (as Jo says) 'sales' problem'. LOL.

As such, I've decided to spent the last few minutes of my time at work blogging about my weekend...I'm already too tired of staring at anything work related. I shall start again tomorrow morning. =)

Disclaimer: The following post is highly technical, and should only be read by fellow Magic: The Gathering players, or individuals are familiar with the game on a fairly technical level. You have been warned, so proceed at your own risk. PS: If you wanna learn to play, contact me ok? :)

So...last Sunday, I spent close to 8 full hours playing Magic! It was a qualifier event, and what was at stake was a return air ticket and invite to Pro Tour - San Diego in 2010! As you all may know, playing professional Magic at a world stage is one of the things on my bucket list, so I was very excited when I chanced about this opportunity over the local MTG forums.

So I made my way down to the venue which was a condominium on Braddell Hill. It's quite remote, or at least I've never been there before, so I was quite amazed to see such a beautiful old estate. It's ALMOST self-contained...I say that because they have everything in the estate EXCEPT a place for food or groceries! Hard to imagine right?

So yesterday, 81 Magic players crammed themselves into this function room to play Zendikar Sealed Deck. It was fun man...my card pool was pretty amazing, although it was 'worth' a lot. In the end, we conducted a deck swap and I had to build a deck from cards of the player opposite me.

Basically, I built the following deck:

9 Swamps

7 Mountains

1 Teetering Peaks

2 Plated Geopede

1 Goblin Guide*

1 Goblin Shortcutter

1 Goblin Ruinblaster

1 Ruinous Minotaur

1 Bladetusk Boar

1 Vampire Lacerator

1 Surrakar Marauder

1 Vampire Hexmage

1 Vampire Nighthawk

1 Gatekeeper of Malakir

1 Hagra Crocodile

1 Heartstabber Mosquito

2 Burst Lightning

1 Magma Rift

1 Zektar Shrine Expedition

1 Hideous End

1 Disfigure

1 Explorer's Scope

1 Adventuring Gear

1 Eldrazi Monument*

*Rares
This R/B deck was quite fun to play, and as you can see, I had tons of creature removal AND burn spells. Sadly, I made some bad plays which resulted in my less than stellar performance. In fact, I think I made too many bad plays, which really cost me...a lot. I have a lot to learn about mulliganing, and deciding what type of hands to keep, both on the play or on the draw.

My Best (and most Risky) Play
I was facing down Sphinx of Jwar Isle (5/5, Flying, Shroud), a Vampire Lacerator (2/2), and an untapped Gatekeeper of Malakir (2/2). My Heartstabber Mosquito had just died from blocking the sphinx, and I had nothing on my board. Here's what I did:

I played the Goblin Ruinblaster without kicker from my hand and attacked. My opponent blocked (to my glee) with his Gatekeeper. I proceeded to burn his Vampire Lacerator with a Burst Lightning, and then cast my own Gatekeeper (KICKED of course) to take out his Sphinx! Wootz! Needless to say, I won that one.

The Best (and most surprising) Play Against Me
I was facing a G/B mid range deck. And I was slowly soaking up damage, but I thought my life total could take it. I was at 15 life, and the current attack would bring me down to 6. I did some math, and decided to take the damage to spare my creatures.

Just when I thought it was safe to untap and start on my turn. My opponent stopped me and announced that he was not done with his combat phase. He tapped two Swamps and showed me two copies of Vampire's Bite for an additional (and lethal) blow to my life points. I was amazed by that play and congratulated him of course. =)

I can't wait for the next event on the 6th of December. I'm definitely going to be there competing again, and this time, I hope I get to build an amazing deck!

Wish me luck!

WORDS I Hate...

2009-11-03T23:14:00.001+08:00

1. Okay.
2. Nevermind.
3. Mm.

Used wrongly, these words can get me SOOOOO fucking mad.

Fucktard.

PS: 'Mm' is technically not a word, but it manages to become one JUST FINE...evidently...

Doodling!

2009-11-03T11:20:00.001+08:00

This week is a week of in-house courses at work where we are learning about the ins and outs of the editorial process and what not. Of course, not ALL the lectures are interesting, and I usually am able to get some doodling time in. Here are two of my sketches:

It started off with me just wanting to draw a pumpkin head (for the Halloween season and what not you know?), but it became this full-fledged 'abomination'. I am quite pleased with it though. Alas, I still suck at drawing hands.

Strange hibiscus-looking flower. Don't ask, I don't know why I drew it also.

Drawing shenanigans aside, I did have quite a good weekend. I went to Sentosa with PY JUST to have lunch at Cafe del Mar. Total waste of money, but the food was good, and I enjoyed myself. That's most important I guess. Here's what I ate:

Somewhere at the beginning of the meal.

AFTER.

Alright, signing off...Time to get back to work.

The Joys of Creative Writing

2009-10-23T11:56:00.004+08:00

Please click on the post's title for a funny read. =)

Breakfast & Dogs

2009-10-21T09:30:00.000+08:00

I KO-ed and woke up at the strange time of 3.44am today. It felt good and yet surreal. I did not really know what to do with myself, so I played Bejeweled Twist, hung up my laundry, and when the sun came out, I made myself some breakfast:

The eggs were my proudest creation I think...I loved how the white was firm and slightly runny, and how I managed to maintain the liquid integrity of the yolks. And they're so pretty too yes? =) The picnic ham was just a must add, if not the plate would have looked too empty. Topped everything off with a light sprinkle of black pepper and the teensi-est bit of salt. I had a good breakfast.

---------------------------------------

On a side note, there was something that I saw on a book in PageOne at Vivocity, that I have been meaning to post up, but keep forgetting to do so. Here it is:

Native American elder:

"Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil.
The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog, all of the
time."
When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied:

"The one I feed the most."

This is one of my favourite parables. And when I saw this on the cover of one of the books in the store, I just HAD to take a photo of it. Something to remind to feed my 'good dog' more and 'bad dog' less.

Time to start work! Meetings to go to today! Wheee.... =)

The Effects of Boredom

2009-10-20T15:12:00.002+08:00

When you're extremely bored at work, this is what happens.

http://christmascarolscootermagic.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-origami.html

A Great Weekend!

2009-10-20T11:00:00.000+08:00

Yesterday had to rush some work the entire day, so it was industrious and somewhat satisfying. Heh. So now, I have some time to blog! Mwahahahaha. Here's what I did over the weekend. I must say it was pretty shiok.

Saturday

Tuition in the morning.
Coaching in the afternoon.
Gaming and dinner in the evening!

I went over to Melvyn's place to play games and have dinner! He made warm tomato salad & chicken stew....very nice. Before that I also pigged out a bit on the homemade hummus and doritos...yummy yummy. Unfortunately, I only took a picture of the stew, but I assure you, everything else was super good and HEARTY! I must remember to get the recipe from him.

Chicken Stew with Foccacia

After dinner, it was a nice evening session of bitching at the VMA '09 show, warm apple pie, and Runebound! It was this role-playing broad game that I've never played before. It was pretty fun, except that I didn't win. I think it's because I picked a character called Sahla the Shaman...confirm lose right?

Sahla the Shaman

Looks complicated huh? It is. But it was quite fun, and I guess my imagination and inclination towards things like these help. Eventually, it was too late, and instead of going ahead with the initial plan of playing GuildWars, we all just went to bed. Oh! I did manage to get a game of BlazBlue on Mel's PS3 in! Shiok also that one. (My English is so terrible...so fun!)

Sunday

Tuition in the morning (different kid).

Drafting Magic with Isaac in the afternoon.

Coaching in the evening.

Dinner with friends!

Drafting was fun. Isaac and I played two-man draft - trust me, it's not as simple as you think it is. There's a different kind of strategy and thinking behind two-man drafting. We drafted both M10 and Zendikar. I won the first draft, but lost the second! Died to Bloodchief Ascension! WTF lor...it's not a card to be underestimated. It can swing games man.

Dinner was DAMN good. First it was Sun & Moon at Wheelock.

Sashimi!

Then we went to Dempsey for dessert! (PS: Paying a PREMIUM for good dessert is both painful and pleasurable at the same time. Ouch - Mmmmm....)

From top:

STICKY DATE PUDDING

APPLE CRUMBLE

STRAWBERRY TWIST - THINGY

YUZU LIGHT CITRON CHEESE CAKE

Of course there were drinks all around and lots of conversation and laughter. I enjoyed myself that night and I'm glad everyone else did too! =)

Now, the next milestone is pay day! Then I can start clearing all the stuff I need to clear! Yay!

Have a great week everyone.

Operation: TWS

2009-10-16T16:02:00.000+08:00

It's not often I get the chance to coordinate an elaborate covert ops exercise from the comfort of an air-conditioned office. It all started when I saw this particular tweet by Vicki, and found out about the TANGS WAREHOUSE MOVING OUT SALE. So I sent the news to some other colleagues of mine via trusty Gmail, and before I knew it, I was coordinate a shopping trip during our Friday lunch hour.

After elaborate correspondence over Gmail chat, we decided that we should have an early lunch in the canteen upstairs. After a quick lunch of highly affordable economic rice, and fruit that tasted vaguely of other fruit (imagine a papaya with a mango aftertaste = mapaya/pango and watermelon with a tinge of pineapple = waterapple? / pinemelon?), we grabbed a cab from the main road and made our way to the sale.

Surprisingly, it wasn't as packed as I expected it to be, and the very friendly orange signs along the way made it easy to identify and locate the 'warehouse' which 'hosted' the sale. In a nutshell, I felt the sale was more suited for aunties and ladies. The selection of things for men just weren't enough. I ended loitering around the super affordable Sanuk racks, and looking at the tiiiiinnnnnnnnyyyyyy Timbuk2 rack. In the end, I DID spend some money on some things (actually, I think I spent the most amongst the girls who went with me...lol). Here's the breakdown of the damage:

The big-ass orange plastic bag all the stuff I bought was placed in. =)

Two pairs of Sanuk slippers: SGD$38.00

(one for me, one for a friend)

Box of Japanese chocolate sandwich biscuits: SGD$4.50

(Birthday present for a colleague)

Nabisco Cream Crackers: SGD$5.90

(For my increasingly frequent 'cracker + something' sessions with Jo-Ann)

Gummibears for a friend: SGD$5.00

(I think I got ripped off on this one)

Timbuk2 Messenger: SGD$89.00

(I'm going to trust that the PINK in this bag is what's going to make me stand out in a crowd. It's just more fun to have a colour combination that I think very few people would actually choose)

GRAND TOTAL: SGD$137.40 + SGD$5.00

(the Gummibears were bought after at a secret location that we did not notice until after we'd all paid for our stuff)

Today's operation was quite fruitful actually. I shall be on the look out for more warehouse sales from now on. Seeing as how my workplace is in such a godforsaken place already, I might as well make the most of it and find excuses to get affordable deals like these during lunch hour. =)

Till the next mission!

Signing off.

I love my brother!

2009-10-13T09:33:00.000+08:00

I was having a conversation with my brother, and it was really funny.

Here's how it went:

Me: Yo, watcha doing?

Bro: Oh, I'm TUMBLR-ing...

Me: Huh? What's that?

Bro: It's like Twitter, but like blogging style.

Me: Oh I see.

Bro: OH! Have you heard about this thing that this guy said about Youtube, Twitter and Facebook?

Me: No. What did he say?

Bro: *announcer type voice* In the near future, users of YouTube, Twitter and Facebook will be able to access all three on a brand new collaborative platform called YouTwitFace.

Me: *laughs like a madman*

That was it...YouTwitFace...Classic man... Damn Funny.

=)

Stupidity

2009-10-08T15:59:00.000+08:00

I was at lunch, and was waiting for the canteen uncle to finish preparing my lunch (I ordered Chicken Cutlet...heehee). So I was standing there, waiting there with the rest of the hungry office workers. It was exceptionally crowded today because it was raining and no one really wanted to head out to eat.

So there was this group of girls who were waiting for their fish and chips, and while doing so, they were trying to prepare chilli sauce for themselves. So they took the dainty little plastic saucers, and began to squeeze the sauce into the dishes. After awhile, the sauce got stuck and refused to come out. Of course any sane, commonsensical person would know that it's because there is a bubble of air stuck between the chilli sauce and the mouth of the bottle. So the most logical thing would be to give the bottle a good hard shake and trying squeezing again after that.

This nincompoop of a girl, kept struggling with the bubble of air, and in the end, she concluded that the bottle was "spoilt". IDIOT. All this while, her friends who witnessed the entire thing, obviously displayed a greater lack of brains as they backed away from her attempts to get the sauce out of the bottle as though they were afraid that the red, plastic squeeze bottle would explode or something.

-- 10 minutes later --

The SAME girl finally got her fish and chips, and asked the uncle for mayonnaise. Now, the uncle does not understand English, and he says so, and asks her again what she wanted. And she replied (adamantly at that) with the SAME request, in English. She did this a total of three times, and if it wasn't for the auntie who came out from the kitchen and happened to notice the self-righteous girl getting slightly irritated at this entire thing, I'm sure the idiot of a girl would continue asking for the mayonnaise and not even care about the obvious communication gap.

Haiz... People really ARE that STUPID.

I need...

2009-10-05T09:29:00.001+08:00

...to be STRONGER.

Exciting Weekend Ahead

2009-10-02T09:39:00.000+08:00

I am excited about the coming weekend.

I am going to be doing SOOOO MANY things. =)

1. Giving intensive GP tuition to my Indian kid from 730am - 11am! Woots!
2. Playing for two events at a Zendikar Launch Party
3. Coaching my client who just arrived in Singapore.
4. Attending a TCC Preview to represent Coaching.
5. Heading home to have celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with my mom.
6. Giving tuition again to my tuition kid from 9am - 1130am! Double Woots!
7. Spending the day tanning/swimming/reading at a pool or a beach.
8. Having dinner at VERVE, which is NEAR my home! Hurhur.
9. Going for an important meeting, that I can't wait to give my input in.
10. Going down to ZIRCA to support my friend who's in Mr Singapore! YAY! So exciting!

*rubs hands together gleefully*

PS: Watch out for my geeky, and totally incomprehensible report on my Magic morning! Yay!

~BORED~

2009-09-25T11:56:00.000+08:00

I am so bored.
I AM SO BORED.
I aM sO bOrEd.
i Am So BoReD.
I Am So Bored.
I aM sO boreD.
I Am So BOREd.

I am so bored that I am trying out other ways to type the same sentence, over and over again.

Life's great.

PS: Miffed that I'm missing the Zendikar pre-release tomorrow. CCB! =(

Wish I had more time with her...

2009-09-24T10:00:00.000+08:00

I was in the middle of a Chain Revolver combo courtesy of my favourite gunner babe from BlazBlue, Noel Vermillion, when my mobile vibrated. I checked it, and it turns out that I actually had tuition in an hour's time. So upsetting can? I thought I could have one more round of combo practice in the arcade before heading off to do my market research. =(

I ended up buying the books before rushing to tuition. So now I have about 5 Primary 1 Grammar Practice/Activity books to look through. Spent $34.57 on them...must claim back from the company.

I am thinking about what to do with that ONE remaining token still sitting snugly in my right pants pocket. I wanna play!

Argh!

Food, just Food...

2009-09-21T16:45:00.000+08:00

Spending the day with L normally equates to the consumption of waistline-unfriendly amounts of food. This happened last Saturday. Here are some pictures:

I just love food. Heehee.

Love this song...

2009-09-17T09:52:00.003+08:00

Watched Sayang Sayang that day on Channel 5. I really like this song....A LOT.

(The video has an annoying Channel 5 advert for 2 secs in the beginning, but overall, the video and sound quality of this video is the best I've found so far.)

It's Time For Sayang Sayang

There seems so many things that lie before us
There's just so many things we want to do
But let's just stop and pause
For just a moment cause
We should do something special...me and you

It's time for sayang sayang
It's time for sayang sayang
Caring for one another
Family and friends
It's time for sayang sayang
It's time for sayang sayang
As we go walking together, hand in hand

The time that we all love is here to treasure
A very special time of the year
These days we're sure to find
These days of yours and mine
We'll share them with the ones we hold so dear
(Hold so dear)

It's time for sayang sayang
It's time for sayang sayang
Caring for one another
Family and friends
It's time for sayang sayang
It's time for sayang sayang
As we go walking together, hand in hand

As we go walking together, hand in hand

I am...

2009-09-14T13:56:00.000+08:00

DAMN SLEEPY!

Fun Weekend!

2009-09-14T09:28:00.000+08:00

I did many a great thing this weekend...

Friday
- went to do market research on competitors and began to marvel at how quickly I was able to identify the problems with the brand i.e. poor product placement which would probably indicate poor marketing relationships, poor on-the-ground awareness which is leading to CONTINUED sales problems.
- met some new coachees, and found them absolutely interesting and cool. *excited*

Saturday
- JB Day!
- Had yummy lunch.
- Had very affordable haircut.
- Shopped for -ahem- certain things related to technology.
- Had yummy seafood dinner!
- Felt fat after that... mwahahaha.
- Grateful for the company though.

Sunday
- MAGIC CUBE DRAFT! :) So many good cards to choose from! Spoiled for choice sia...heh.

-----------------------------

I sense that today is going to be a slow day... I can already feel the drudgery pulling at the edges of my consciousness. *yawnz*

An Inspiration!

2009-09-12T01:46:00.000+08:00

Interesting Stuff at my Workplace.

2009-09-11T13:46:00.000+08:00

Platter of expensive, absolutely amazing roasts. Burned a hole in the pocket, but it was still worth it. =)

Funky taxi. I've never seen one like that before. Maybe I'm just ignorant.

This is the first time I've seen a lucky draw being held in a coffee shop. The prizes (not featured here) were actually below the banner. But some of the prizes looked a little dubious. LOL!

Excited about the weekend + Uber quick rant

2009-09-11T11:00:00.000+08:00

Let's rant first... here goes:

cue rant...

Just because you don't have a life and I seem to be 'happier' does not give you the right to give me stupid ass looks every time you see me do something that jars on YOUR sensibilities. If you are so unhappy about it, either come and confront me about it OR ignore me. So choose one or the other.

Don't stay in some fucked up place where you're OBVIOUSLY unhappy, or you OBVIOUSLY have something you want to say, but you just aren't saying it. It's okay if you want to remain a constipated excuse of a human being for the rest of your miserable life, but not when it makes you sneaky and makes you give off this eternal air of suspicion that projects itself onto just about everyone around you. Sadly, seeing as how that's probably going to be the way things go for like...ETERNITY, I guess I'm just going to have to put up with you. But mark my words...one day...I will snap, and when that happens, it's NOT going to be pretty. Because you WILL lose, in every aspect.

Some people are just so fucking repressed...gosh...and uncertain about themselves. I hate people with no opinion. It's like they don't have a stand about things in life at all. Sheesh... like PLEASE, give me something to respect about you man. I implore you...

*inhale*
*exhale*

end rant...

Now that that's out of the way, it's time to talk about more exciting things!

I will be having a short day trip to the land which is truly Asia tomorrow! Errrr...essentially, yeah. That's all. Loads of shopping and seafood dinner at night. Mwahahahaha!

Vonda Shepard - Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow

2009-09-09T15:59:00.001+08:00

For some strange reason, this song has been stuck in my head since morning.
I just can't seem to stop humming the tune.
Weird.

OMG OMG!

2009-09-09T11:32:00.000+08:00

This is what happens when you don't read to the end of the interview, BEFORE posting something about it.

When I got to the end of the interview between Fantasymundo and Patrick Rothfuss, I discovered that he actually gave a sneak peak into the first six lines of the sequel!

On his first hand he wore rings of stone,
Iron, Amber, Wood and Bone.
There were rings unseen on his second hand,
One blood in a flowing band,
One was air all whisper thin,
And the ring of ice had a flaw within….

Forgive me for being such a fanboy... =)

nods in agreement

2009-09-09T11:26:00.000+08:00

From an interview with Patrick Rothfuss, on his experience with facing pressure on producing an excellent sequel to his novel, The Name of Wind.

About a year ago, Tim Powers said to me, "A book is late once, but it's crap forever."

Nice. I like.

Can't wait for the sequel...

*rubs hands together in anticipation and the cold of the office*

I like cooking.

2009-09-07T09:25:00.001+08:00

It would seem that the only time I get to blog these days is that little bit of free time in the mornings, before everything swings into high-gear. ANYWAY... the past weekend has been fun for me! It was a weekend of creative expression (sorta), and time well-spent for myself.

I cooked a lot this weekend. And I thoroughly enjoyed myself...from the grocery shopping to the food preparation to the actual cooking of the food and serving it, and of course, the EATING! (Unfortunately, no pictures though...no quality camera at the moment, maybe COMEX might come to my rescue? Heh.) I made quite a few dishes over the weekend, and these were mostly recipes I ~~stole~~ liberated off Tastespotting.com. Here's what I cooked:

1. Bacon Corn Chowder

Verdict: VERY GOOD. It's a semi-blended soup, and extremely flavourful, and probably a year's (or two) worth of sodium in a single serving. It was the first time I blended soup! An amazing experience, I tell you. My blender is now my new best friend! Hee.

2. Seafood Baked Rice

Verdict: The seafood wasn't the freshest thing alive...so no-go. BAD...threw it out.

3. Bacon and Pea Soup

Verdict: I prefer the corn version. The peas lend to it a thicker, but more grainy texture, which isn't removed via blending. Plus, it wasn't the bright green I hope it would be. Maybe I need to use FRESH PEAS next time...I wonder where to get those man...

4. Spinach & Cheese Spaghetti

Verdict: Just nice for my tastes, but a little too bland for the common palate. I couldn't find feta cheese in FairPrice, so I use mozzarella instead - NOT flavourful enough. Next time, I shall remember to chop the spinach up better, and use feta instead.

5. Honey Chicken Drumlets

Verdict: Super easy way to cheat with chicken, and especially if you have a sweet tooth (I'm not referring to myself) - just douse the damn meat in the usual marinating stuff: soy sauce, salt, pepper, chinese rice wine, BUT add more honey than is the norm. Voila, you now have a dish that's more like CANDIED DRUMLETS. Lol! But it was still yummy. Hee.

I'm already thinking about what to cook next already....mwahahaha.

Weekend Bliss!

2009-08-31T17:22:00.001+08:00

In order of occurrence...

1. The Proposal - It's so right...things should be like that.

2. Meeting - Productive and quite exciting.

3. Catching up with old friends - Priceless

4. Weston's 1880 Cider - Absolutely HAWT! One of my new favourite drinks!

5. Making up - Always nice. =)

That was my weekend, in a nutshell. Hee! =)

Psyched!

2009-08-28T13:52:00.000+08:00

http://www.comexshow.com.sg/

I should right?

Great Friday Morning!

2009-08-28T09:07:00.002+08:00

Let's see...

1. Woke up on time.
2. Decided to wear a PINK T-SHIRT just for the heck of it to work.
3. Watched animes on the bus ride to work (this was super shiok... i.e. satisfying...mmmmm...)
4. Came to work and greeted all my colleagues happily.
5. Went onto tastespotting.com to get my fix. (I'm an addict, I swear)
6. Logged onto Twitter and saw an important update on GuildWars2 Concept Art! *excited*
7. Spent about 15mins going through the lot and downloading it!
8. Blogging about my wonderful morning!

I'm feeling happy this Friday morning. And love seeing SMSes from important people...mwahahaha.

Ciao!

Blogging

2009-08-27T10:02:00.000+08:00

As you all can see, I have been fiddling with the various features (widgets, template, etc) on Blogger.

It's been quite fun, tedious, but fun.

I have ported most of my old stuff over from my previous layout (links, old significant posts etc.) I just have one gripe left.

I think the blog is a little too 'skinny' with only two columns! Does anyone know to how 'insert' a third one on the left? I'm quite happy with the current skin (albeit one of the ready-made templates on Blogger), but I just want that third column!

I would go online and Google about simple HTML-ing, but I just can't be bothered. (yes yes, lazy me)

On a side note, I really do hope that my application does get through...it would be so exciting if it did!

More challenges, more manoeuvres, more excitement!

Mwahahaha...

An Epiphany...

2009-08-25T09:00:00.003+08:00

I was reading The Name of the Wind on the bus when this hit me:

An excerpt from The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss

~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~

"Master Elodin?"

"Yes?" His eyes followed a squirrel across the road and up a tree.

"I still don't understand about names."

"I will teach you to understand," he said easily. "The nature of names cannot be described, only experienced and understood."

"Why can't it be described?" I asked. "If you understand a thing, you can describe it."

"Can you describe all things you understand?" he looked sideways at me.

"Of course."

Elodin pointed down the street. "What color is that boy's shirt?"

"Blue."

"What do you mean by blue? Describe it."

I struggled for a moment, failed. "So blue is a name?"

"It is a word. Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man's will. But a word is nothing but a painting of a fire. A name is the the fire itself."

My head was swimming at this point. "I still don't understand."

He laid a hand on my shoulder. "Using words to talk of words is like using a pencil to draw a picture of itself, on itself. Impossible. Confusing. Frustrating." He lifted his hands high above his head as if stretching for the sky. "But there are other ways to understanding!" he shouted, laughing like a child. He threw both arms to the cloudless arch of sky above us, still laughing. "Look!" he shouted tilting his head back. "Blue! Blue! Blue!"

~=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=~

This was after the moment young Kvothe came into awareness of his own powers and abilities. A truly amazing moment. Makes me remember and connect back to a time so long ago. It's important to remember certain things...they hold within them endless perspectives and avenues to tap into them time and time again.

Excellent Sunday!

2009-08-24T09:06:00.003+08:00

Let's see...

What did I do yesterday...

9am - 12noon = Tutor-ed the brother & sister in Sembawang

1pm - 4pm = Trained/Coached two people for event preparation

5pm - 6pm = Slack at Raffles City Starbucks

615pm - 815pm = Sat at the Comics Mart on Level 3 and did the following:

1. Dug through the Magic common box. Shiok!
2. Chatted with the guys there about Magic.
3. Made a new friend.
4. Spent $17.50 on 3 packs + 50 protectors to play two-man draft.
5. Won the draft and first-picked a FOIL Empyrial Archangel! Shiokness!
(Here's the picture)

I think it's worth quite a lot...should be enough to cover my costs. But then again...it's so damn pretty! Argh! Pretty pretty pretty!

9pm - 10pm = Dinner with A

Then I head home and that was that....nice nice. =)

Great Day!

GuildWars 2

2009-08-21T12:13:00.000+08:00

Whew...my first ever off day, and I just started my day on the right now. I'm super excited right now.

Information on Guild Wars 2 is finally out! And I just watched the freaking trailer!

Official Website
http://www.guildwars2.com/en/

Official HD Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em0Sd60iI2w

I am so so SO So sO SOOOOO EXCITED! (Argh, I know I've said that a few times already, but I just sorta can't stop)

I'm definitely going to be playing a Sylvari character, and best of all, it's going to be FREE ONLINE PLAY (like the original GuildWars)!

No crappy WoW business model that totally pisses me off! Hahahaha.

Here's the concept art!

Nice right?

Alright, enough of the initial excited energy has been properly channeled into this post. =)

Have fun everyone!

The best things truly are worth waiting for.

The Name of the Wind

2009-08-19T22:43:00.000+08:00

It's been a while since a novel (or any book in fact) had the ability to keep me giggling/laughing for a good whole minute, ALOUD.

=)

On a totally unrelated note, I just want to say that I love the ambiguity of anaphoric referencing. LOL.

Damned it be to meddling strangers! Hah hah!