unfinished business - gravity's pulling me, but heaven's calling me

An unexpected mail

2008-07-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

A yellow envelope was on the dining table. Curious, I picked it up.

"To Gary Chia"

A strangely familliar handwriting from a not so distant past.

"If undelivered, please return to ******* New South Wales"

Hitherto, the content.

A belated birthday card..

From left to right: Miss Ang, Mr Chia, The sender and Miss Chow

Thanks, ee leen. It's always nice to receive something unexpected.

P/S: Apparently rachel the crush's cooking up a new flavor recently. Let's hope it survives her housemanship.

P/S 2: I noticed that my new blog skin does not work well on my computer's display! no wonder I have been getting some weird comments...lol.

Sodomy

2008-07-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

*Warning. NSFW. If your boss is around, close this window asap*

Yeah, an unlikely out-of-the-cave post, I know.

I just thought you guys might wanna know what it is. Especially for the underexposed.

Sodomy, in layman's term, is the insertion of the male genitalia, the penis into the anus (or butthole).Why? Because man is designed to be different from woman anatomically - no vagina.
So a perversion of the plug and socket design of human sexuality would be to insert it into the anus. Gross, I know. What would drive anyone to insert his precious into a cavity where someone lets out his poops, beats me. But I do know that it's got to do with VERY strong motivation.

What happens to the aggressor? If he does it long term, his penis would have a strong faecalith smell (shit smell for layman). It would also be elongated due to the pressure and friction.

What happens to the "receiver"? He might have a bleeding anus. Muscle tear and tissue injury due to the trauma because obviously the anus is NOT designed for sex. Worse, he can suffer faecal incontinence (Can't control his bowel motions).

....

Did I tell you that once in US, a man died due to trauma inflicted by a male horse? But beastiality is another topic for another day.

So what are the samples that you would take to do an investigation on sodomy? Semen, hair, tissue samples can all help in revealing the identity of the "penetrator". Quite clear-cut isn't it? Probably will only take less than 2 weeks to establish ALL the evidence.
Did it happen or not? We'll all be watching won't we?

The one week challenge

2008-06-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Someone handed me this challenge today.

For this one week I resolve to:

not watch tv
not watch movies
not do non-work surfing
not use the pc for non-work purposes
keep off tech sites for 1 month (!)

Should I fail, I would own up and blog about it.

Bye, world.

Pizza and Gym

2008-06-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Today, much to my delight, mum decided to make pizza.
So here's how how you make pizza.

Ingredients and amount:
Flour - A lot
Water - Some
Cheese - A handful
Green pepper - As much as you can chop
Yeast - A bit
Stuff - As much as needed
TLC (Tender loving care) - As much as possible

And this is how you make it:

First you make the dough and then the pizza base.

Then you put stuff on it and you bake it.

There it's done!

Hehe what are you thinking looking at a guy's blog for recipes? Go have a look at Christine's or makanclub's blog if you're a serious foodie. I spell cooking as A-M-A-T-E-U-R so don't trust me with recipes!
My point is the pizza was great. Given that it's my first time, it's beyond expectation that the base went well.
But if you ask me to do it again, I don't know how to. I was like the machine operated by mum. No thoughts and memory processes retained.
So after that, I went to Sue Tine's new home to fix some surround system stuff. Then I got a message from Merv:

'Hie there. We'll be gg gym at 6pm. Do let me know if you can make it. Bring towel and extra clothes for shower and after steaming and sauna.'

Gyming..Haven't done that since last December.

Sounds like a great idea right?
I went. When I took up the first dumbbell I felt really dumb what the feet was I thinking omgoodness this is so heavy.
Then there was some abs stuff and some treadmill run. Not bad at all.
We entered the sauna and re-enacted some of the gangster movies scenes NSFW kesian the scared little boy inside wei.
So after going to gym, I came back home and wallop the pizza which totally cancels out the gyming session.
And now the reality of muscle ache dawns upon me.
I resolve to spend tomorrow morning to not move and to appreciate the beauty of the ceiling.

And can anyone please help me get this song out of my head

Marié Marié

2008-06-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

I used to hate the song Umbrella because it was really really irritating. So one day I heard an acoustic version of Umbrella on the radio and I thought "Not bad... this Rihanna is not bad after all." (It was actually sung by Marie Digby.)
Anyway, my housemate and I saw Marie's youtube video and we ~~salivated over~~
really liked it very much because she ~~was so pretty and so fair and~~ sang so well. My housemate had an unhealthy crush on her.
So when Ashley told me that Marie (pronouned Ma-rii-ae) was coming to Malaysia on the 14th of May, I was determined to go, no matter how busy I am. So come the day, and I was ready to go, the housemate ffk-ed me. Potong steam betul. Yup, I'm still sore about how you dropped on me k you potong fellow :-P
Anyway, shun and meikatsu and sue tine agreed to go so off we went to 1U after class. Mad rush.
I was expecting a huge crowd as I thought I was late but it wasn't that bad. We were among the earlier ones. There was a particularly tall girl in green (TGG) near us and meikatsu whispered that she's pretty. Ok lah, she's ok.

After a half hour wait, she finally appeared! Yay!

Not so fast. There were some other programmes before hand. A guitar give-away singing contest for my.fm listeners and a little girl won it. Marie was being diplomatic about their performances, heaping praises on everyone of them. Maybe a bit too diplomatic, I feel. Then there was another performance by the runner-up of her online contest, acoustiq 39.
At this point, the crowd was pouring in and people from the back were beginning to push and shove their way to the front. Shun was smart enough to go to the upper floor. Smart. At this point Malaysianism 1 happened. Will elaborate more about this later. TGG glared at the shorter girls next to her because they were leaning towards her. Everyone behind could see her expression. I didn't want to be next to TGG.

She began her performance soon enough! She started with "Say It again", her single from her new album, Unfold. Mmm it feels surreal watching her performing without a frame around her, with a YouTube logo and volume controls and pause buttons.
Get used to it, gary.
Malaysianism 2 happened.

At some point, I noted that the Malaysian economy must have been doing very well considering that 1 in 10 in the crowd has a DSLR. Another 7 would be armed with a digital camera while 2 more will use their camera phone. Somehow my camera kept focus-ing on that silver camera on the lower right corner. I couldn't be bothered to set any apertures at that point. Note to self: next time, get a camera with a great auto function and screw the rest.

She's wearing a top and skirt from Gap.

Guy on the right is her guitarist. Forgot his name. They played really well together. I felt that his stage presence was stronger than Marie. She's gotta work on performing live more I guess.

*notice that the silver camera. It is in almost every shot. that's because he didn't stop taking picture. sweat. give people chance la brother. what's the point of coming here if you're not listening?

She went on to perform almost every song from her album. You could see that she was enjoying herself on stage although she was sweating profusely. She sings really well! Wished that she sang Traffic too.

Marie performing "Fool".

Just before the last song ended, we made our way to the Gap store for the autograph session. Guess what, there was already a queue there what the feet is a queue doing there can malaysians not be as kiasu as me i need to rush back to seremban. Malaysianism 3. After a long wait, I finally got my autograph! Ashlee helped me snap a few pictures inside (muahaha FJ Benjamin staff are slam!). You know what's the funniest part?
While I was lining up, I kept thinking of what to say to her when I meet her in person. Most importantly, I must pronounce her name correctly! After I got her autograph, all I could say was,

"Thank you, MEE-RII!"

So embarassed wei. Damn sakai -_-

You could see that she's hot. Literally too.

Lucky Ash.

Lucky girl.

It was really worth going for the mini concert. I wouldn't mind paying for her next concert if she comes to Malaysia!
I think you can find quite a number of videos of the concert on youtube. You can even see some of things some crazy guys do. One malay guy even asked her to marry him! Haha unforgettable.

Now, on Malaysianism:
Malaysianism 1:
So these 2 malay guys, came from behind, and said "Excuse me."
We made way for them, letting them pass through. They didn't pass through.
They stood smack right in front of us.
What the feet?!!
Then one of them pulled out his monstrous DSLR from his bag, lifted it high, and began snapping away, effectively obscuring our view totally.
What the fish?!!
I didn't go all the way there to see your fat-ass camera ok? Go take picture some where else can? Marie's picture is all over the internet already, we don't need your hi-fi shots, THANK YOU.

Malaysianism 2:
So the concert was going on and we moved towards the side away from said malay guys. Then this couple, began to squeeze in from behind. Sue Tine made way for them since they were so desperate. The girl began dancing.
Dancing?
It was a slow song ok.
The girl was not slim.
She was dancing in a crowd.
She was sweaty.
And then, as we were watching Marie performing "Miss Invisible", that girl took out something from her bag, and started spraying at her pits.
The jet of deodorant hit those behind her - our faces.
Pits-face contact. What the fat!?
Sue Tine covered her eyes.
That girl then looked at her, said "F*ck", started dancing again.
....
How not to be pissed I ask you?
Worse part was her bf was fondling her ass and they were doing NSFW stuff as if it's their bedroom.
And because I was pissed I couldn't help making fun of them in my mind. ~~Like for example, I could imagine how much dettol the guy needs to use to sterilize his hands. Who knows if someone that low class wipes after she uses the toilet.~~ Ok I'm bad I know.

Malaysianism 3:
What is it with Malaysians and lining up that is so hard? You see a queue, you join the queue from the back, you get your things done. Easy. I even learned that in Standard 1 when we had to line up outside the class room, hands on your friend's shoulder.
It's always the same old tactic. Cut in the line, look important and busy and start talking to your friends . Yes, it works but we're still watching you, nincompoop.
After the concert, the crowd just walked pass the earlier queue, and charged at the store entrance. Seriously. They charged forward. And acted as if we were Miss invisible (pun intended). Heck, people in the queue started doing the same because they don't see the point in waiting in line anymore.
Someone asked if I should do the same.
I was very hungry and tired after a day in the wards.
I didn't want to stoop to their level. I'm a Malaysian. So I waited.

There were some shouting and quarreling as people in the queue were fed up. It was chaotic. Marie commented on this in her video blog. Her guitarist was right there while people were shouting at each other. At some point, the queue cutters were asked to join the line. The line was very very long by then. ~~Muahahaha.~~ TGG used the f-word when she was forced to line up from the back again. It was ugly, so avoidable. Wrong wrong. Embarassing.
Culture is a condition of your mind.

letum

2008-06-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry to hear about your news today.
Perhaps it's an escape from the lonely debilitated cabin that once contained your breathe.
Where do you belong to after this?

Thank you very much for the wishes.

2008-06-09T10:00:00.001-07:00

Wasei

2008-06-06T07:58:00.001-07:00

Played some basketball today. Sweat like mad.
So to whoever/what that caused water to barely trickle kiamsiap-ly out of the shower,

Thank you!

Thought this was quite funny.
"Slowing down can save fuel, says Road Safety Dept"
....
Wow... I didn't know that. So speeding Malaysians must have thought otherwise all along. No wonder..
On a serious note, I heard somewhere that the optimal speed to drive at is between 90-110 kmh depending on your vehicle size. I heard it's related to a balance between momentum and car drag.

Baffling Rear Seat Belts Media Campaign

2008-06-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

I read about this on The Star the other day (2nd June 08)
"....The ministry kicked off a media campaign yesterday to inform the public on the importance of wearing rear seat belts. It will run for six months.

Ong said the ministry wanted to drive home the message that enforcement of the ruling was “not so much focused on punishment” but for the safety of motorists..."

Naturally I tried to looking for information on the rear seat belts rule at the Transport Ministry's official website.
....

There are moments in life when you don't know whether to laugh or cry. I couldn't find any information on the rear seat belt rule. Not an inkling at all about what I should do, how, where, when...
Maybe it's in the "keratan akhbar" (newspaper cutting sections). But why? Why should I read about 2nd hand information when the ministry can tell me themselves?
Isn't it ironic that after the March election, the internet is still not part of the media campaign?

Can someone please tell me, is it a standard rule that government websites:

Look pre-Windows 98 - the graphic are totally off and dated. Navigations are not immediately obvious or simple. Interface. If they wanna save money, they could have just hired some college kid to improve it for them. Maybe they wanted to keep the graphics simple for dial-up users. In that case why do the others websites have...
Bandwidth-consuming flash animations which serves no purpose at all other than annoying me.. followed by lousy web interface again. You know I really hate it when websites make you endure their flash animations before accessing the actual side. This might have been cool 10 years ago. Come on, I don't need to see your logo flying around and your motto warping in with MIDI playing in the background for 15 seconds every time I visit your website.

I remember how IT was being glorified over and over on tv and newspaper when I was young. After all the hoo-hah of the "Cinta IT" era, the only true benefit we got out of it are sociopolitical blogs and BitTorrent? Where have all the IT knowledge gone to?

9 Ways to Save on Gas This Summer

2008-06-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

Read this on lifehacker. Think this will be useful for those who are affected by the fuel price revision and does not agree with my fuel-free car idea yesterday. Article link here.

WITH GAS PRICES edging ever closer to $4 a gallon, it's little surprise that many would-be vacationers plan to postpone their road trips this summer.

"This is basically a price issue," says Mike Pina, a spokesman for AAA, which predicts that fewer drivers will take to the road throughout the summer months. "Consumers are stuck with high fuel prices, higher airfares — which are due to higher fuel prices — and a softening economy."

For those who still plan on braving the highways, the usual tactics — shopping around for cheaper gas or using a gas rewards credit card — will prove much less effective than in years past. Instead, the only way drivers will see any substantial fuel savings is to stay on top of their car's maintenance and start driving more conscientiously.

"You can't control prices at the pump, but you do have some control over how much fuel you use," says Rozanne Weissman, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. The nonprofit recently launched the Drive Smarter Challenge, a web site that helps consumers figure out how much they can save annually, just by changing their driving habits. "When you add these seemingly small things together, it adds up to hundreds of dollars in savings."

A potential $733 from now until Labor Day, in fact, if you try everything on our list:

(Note: Unless otherwise stated, our calculations for each example assume the car stays true to its advertised average mileage per gallon, will be driven 4,500 miles over the 16-week summer period — mileage amount is calculated based on Edmunds.com estimate that the average person drives roughly 15,000 miles per year — and that the price of gas is $3.80 a gallon. Estimates of fuel economy and savings come from research by the Federal Trade Commission, FuelEconomy.gov, the Alliance to Save Energy and Edmunds.com.)

Prime Your Vehicle

Thanks to normal wear and tear, cars become less fuel-efficient over time. And while it's impossible to alter your car in a way that would increase its fuel economy beyond the manufacturer's estimated mileage per gallon — the Environmental Protection Agency has tested and dismissed hundreds of products that claim to do just that — you can get your car back in top-notch shape and maximize its fuel efficiency. Here's what you can do and how much you can save:

Check your tires: $29
Under- or overinflated tires change the way a car handles, both adding drag and accelerating wear, says Weissman. That, in turn, reduces fuel efficiency by 3.3%, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Look at your driver's side door panel or owner's manual to find out the proper inflation for your tires and make sure to check the pressure at least once a month. Over the course of 4,500 miles of summer driving, a 2008 Acura RL owner could save $29.

Forgo premium fuel: $86
Unless you drive a Dodge Viper or other high-end sports car that lists premium fuel as a requirement in its owner's manual, you should use regular unleaded gas, says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "[Premium fuel] boosts engine performance, but not fuel economy," he says. "The savings in price would be far greater." Someone in California, for example, filling his 2008 Saab 9-3 weekly with $3.98-a-gallon unleaded (87 octane) instead of $4.31 premium (91 octane) would save $86 over the course of the summer.

Get a tune-up: $129
"Maintaining your vehicle is one of the most important things you can do to aid fuel efficiency," says Shruti Vaidyanathan, principle vehicle analyst for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. A faulty engine can reduce fuel economy by 4%, for example, while a clogged air filter knocks off about 10%, according to FuelEconomy.gov, a Department of Energy-sponsored site. Fixing up a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan before driving 4,500 miles over the summer saves $129.

Change Your Behavior

Driving responsibly is the key to reaping some of the fastest and most substantial gas savings, says Reed. But only if you practice these driving behaviors consistently. Here's how:

Slow down: $95
If you speed, you might as well be paying $4 a gallon (or more) for gas. Every five miles per hour you drive above the speed limit adds 20 cents per gallon to your fuel bill, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. A 2008 Mazda CX-7 owner who consistently drives 10 miles above the speed limit over 4,500 miles of summer driving, for example, will pay an extra $95. Don't trust yourself to stay within the limit? Use cruise control.

Combine errands: $107
Cars use much more energy for cold starts (i.e; when the car hasn't been driven in a couple of hours and the engine is cool), says Vaidyanathan. In fact, making several cold-start trips, say, to the store, the dry cleaners and the babysitter, will consume twice as much fuel than if you combine errands and make them all in one run, according to FuelEconomy.gov. An owner of a 2008 Ford (F: 6.46, -0.22, -3.29%) Focus, who combines 10 errands (each requiring 10 miles of driving) into two weekly trips could save $107 over the course of the summer.

Let go of your aggression: $95
Rapid acceleration and hard braking reduce fuel economy by about 10%, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Pushing your car to the limit constantly burns more fuel than maintaining a steady speed. It also adds to wear and tear. A 2008 Jeep Liberty owner who drives 4,500 miles at steady speeds without riding the brakes could save $95 over the course of the summer.

P/S: happy birthday to may chien

Petrol hike

2008-06-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

The phone rang midway through my short nap.

"Hey where are you ah?"
"At home lo.. just home."
"Eh you know ah petrol price gonna hike ah."
"Huh? Sure or not? I thought that day some minister said will be in August? And I heard there's some subsidy plan to decrease the burden of the people?"
"No lah, you don't believe you go check the link i send you later."
"What website? Can trust or not?"
"It's on NST. Go check."
*Strange cursing WTH sound outside of my room*
"Ok ok I check. Thanks, bye."

Wonder how did sis in Singapore know this faster than me in Malaysia. True enough, the news was on NST's website.
All 3 of us rushed to the stations. No surprises for what greeted us there.

To the Malaysian government, thank you. I know you did your best to keep fuel prices down despite world oil price inflation. I just hope you would not say something stupid like it's the lowest in the region....lower compared to other countries etc. It's annoying to use the same excuse every time there's a price hike.
To the 3 cars that tried to cut the queue, I'm sorry. I know how it feels like to be frustrated by an old silver car driven by a babyface driver.
To the big lorry in front, you were such a temptation. You were too kind to the other queue jumpers and I was enticed to overtake you too but my conscience wouldn't allow me to.
To the Indian aunty in the white kancil, it's already bad enough that you tried to jump the queue. Don't blare your horn like that when you're not successful.
To the Toyota that cut in in front of the Indian aunty and got horned at, some people are ironic.
To the little pickup who also tried to cut in in front of me, stepping on the gas does not makes you more frightening. Worse, it wastes petrol.
To the petrol attendants, kudos to you guys.
To the powers that be, thanks for the accurate news. Trust is hard to earn but easy to lose.

To the oil speculators involved in the making of this predicament, I hope you burn your fingers bad.
To the rest of the frustrated Malaysian motorists, we should consider taking public transports. It's so convenient. I mean, when was the last time you heard of train delays, unpunctual buses, potholes and cutthroat taxis? Oh wait a minute...

Anyway, I have a proposal that might revolutionize the automobile industry and give the oil companies a run for their money. Here:

The fuel-free car.

My car featured on gizmodo

2008-06-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today is the day my car got famous (in a weird way).
Click here and here.
Also another unrelated entry here.

Nissan Sunny + iPhone

2008-05-31T03:11:00.000-07:00

Dad suggested that I take our old family car up to Seremban - I need a car to move around there. Initially, I hesitated because the car is well old. You know, I hate it when problems crop up and I have to visit mechanics and stuff because cars are very unlike computers which means it's way out of my expertise to handle. Checking oil, water and gas and changing filters, I still can do.. but if any oil leaks anywhere or creaky noises appear I'll be clueless. Now, I'm glad that I drove this car here because Seremban drivers are maniacs - there's no fear of people bumping into my new shiny car because my car isn't new. It's really doing great here :-P
The car is a Nissan Sunny 1984. They call it the king of cars in those days because it's really durable and economical plus parts are cheap in those days.

Visited the mechanic that day to have realignment done *Darn those potholes!*

Me: Hey Ah Chong, fix my alignment d ah?
Mechanic: Yeah, can liao. Veli cheap oni.
Me: Sure bo? Better don't run off in few weeks ah.
Mechanic: Garenti one... can last few months... Eh you heard of iPhone onot?
Me: Yeah got. Why? You interested meh?
Mechanic: Aiyo... I pro d la. I can pasang one you know.
Me: .... Don't bluff me la dei. You car mechanic. iPhone is phone. Phone.
Mechanic: Really la. I can pasang for you on your car.
Me: Car? Hey what you talking la. Phone and then car.
Mechanic: Aiyo... let me show you la.
*Takes out brochure and demo pictures*
Me: Whoa! So geng one! How come can like that one!
Mechanic: Yeah la cos everyone also want listen music, talk on phone and drive ma. Cool and easy like that. Veli good one.
Me: Really can do for me ah? Sure boh?
Mechanic: Aiya... trust me la. Can one. iPhone and Nissans very compatible..
Me: Ok lo do it..

So that's how I got iPhone on my car too.

*Couldn't believe it when I saw it*
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introducing

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Nissan Sunny iPhone SE
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Hacking Marsha

2008-05-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

Finally managed to implement the iPhone OS on Marsha!
Works for 1st Gen and 2nd Gen ipod nano and video for now.. You'll need the iPhone SDK, ipodwizard and the iPhone mod. And most important of all, you'll need a mac to do the job.
Credits to johnprime for the mod.

Screenshots:

The apps menu

Google maps apps. Unfortunately Asian maps not functioning at the mo.

Calling function demo by another hacker. Of course it's way too troublesome when you can just use a normal handphone. But we're doing it just for fun of it.

*Updated*

On an unrelated hack, I've also managed to implement the iPhone interface on my iPaq.

Hmmm but some of the apps are not working well.. probably because it's a 2004 model. Have some problems with the wireless... couldn't access itunes store.
You can watch the video demo by another guy here:

What not to do in an interview

2008-05-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

Read this on CNN and I thought my graduating friends might wanna take a look. Happy job-hunting!

1. Not keeping track of your accomplishments

When you're happy with your job, it's easy to forget about possible future job hunts. You never know when you'll end up looking for new work, and if you don't keep a running list of awards, promotions and accomplishments, you might not remember them when it's time to update your résumé.

2. Leaving on a bad note

As much fun as it is to fantasize about telling off a bad boss, don't actually do it. Leaving a trail of angry bosses or co-workers will come back to haunt you when you need references.

3. Not networking

If you're silent about your job search, your friends, family and colleagues won't think of you when they hear about job opportunities.

4. Only using the Internet

Online job boards are fantastic resources, but you need to do some footwork if you want to increase your chances of finding a job. Contact companies whom you'd like to work for, even if there are no job listings. Not all companies advertise openings online.

5. Only searching for the perfect job

Yes, your job search should be focused. After all, applying to every job posting that comes your way is a good way to waste time but not an effective way to find a job you want. However, if you approach your job hunt unwilling to accept anything less than the precise job title, pay, vacation time and hours you want, you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

The résumé and cover letter

6. Writing a generic cover letter

If your cover letter looks like it could have come from a word processor template, right down to the "To Whom It May Concern," don't bother sending it. Hiring managers look for a candidate who wants that specific position, not someone who sends out applications en masse. Write a new cover letter for each job application and include details specific to that company.

7. Typos

Sending a cover letter or résumé filled with grammatical mistakes and typographical errors shows hiring managers you don't care about the quality of your work and probably not about the job, either.

8. Including your current work info as the best place to contact you

Making sure employers can get in touch with you is important, but they shouldn't be contacting you at work. "Potential employers are going to question if these people will search for a new job on their time," says Kathy Sweeney, résumé writer for the Write Résumé.

9. Focusing on yourself and not on the company in the cover letter

"When 'I' is the predominant subject -- and there are times when it is the only subject of all the sentences in the cover letter -- it indicates to me that they don't understand my organization and its needs, and, in fact, says they don't care to know," says Dion McInnis, associate vice president for university advancement at University of Houston-Clear Lake. "And therefore, I don't care to know them."

10. Not targeting your résumé to the position

Just like the cover letter, your résumé should build a case for you to be hired for a specific position. If you're applying for a financial analyst position, don't waste space including your teenage stint as a lifeguard.

The interview

11. Showing up late

Nobody likes to be kept waiting, especially hiring managers evaluating whether or not you would make a good employee.

12. Dressing for the wrong job

Your interview attire should match the dress code of the company, or be one step up. If the office dress code is business casual, wearing jeans and a t-shirt won't work in your favor. On the other hand, if you're told dress is casual, you'll stick out if you show up wearing a double-breasted suit.

13. Not asking questions

When the interview comes to a close, the hiring manager will undoubtedly ask if you have any questions for him or her. Not asking anything is the equivalent of saying, "I don't care all that much about the job."

14. Badmouthing a former boss

When you talk to hiring managers about a previous employer, you're also talking about them. The way you talk about a previous employer is how interviewers think you'll talk about them in the future, so keep it civil.

15. Not paying attention

Another way to show you don't care much about the job is to get distracted. Answering your phone, sending texts or digging through your bag tells the interviewer that your focus is anywhere except on the interview.

16. Not researching the position

Your chief objective in an interview is convincing the hiring manager you're the best candidate for the job. How can you prove your qualifications if you don't have an idea of what skills you're expected to have and what your responsibilities will be?

17. Not researching the company

Employers want to know that your motivation for work is more than a paycheck. If you demonstrate that you know something about the company's history, its goals and its culture, you prove you want to be a part of the company.

18. Forgetting common etiquette

Don't cuss, chew gum, burp, take off your shoes, forget to shower or do anything else that's not appropriate in a business setting. Don't give the interviewer a reason not to hire you.

19. Forgetting you're being interviewed from the moment you walk in

Just because you're not sitting down at a desk across from the hiring manager, don't think you're not being evaluated. For example, employers will often ask their receptionists if you were nice them. Even if your interview involves lunch or dinner, you're trying to get a job, not show off your ability to down tequila shots.

20. Bringing up salary too soon

A rule of thumb is that you should never bring up pay; let the hiring manager do it. Of course employers are aware that you want to know about the salary, so they will bring it up when the time is right. Appearing too concerned with money suggests you aren't passionate about the position or the company.

After the interview

21. Not sending a thank-you note

Interview etiquette extends beyond the goodbye hand-shake. Follow up with the interviewer by sending a thank-you note, either by e-mail or in the mail. Not only is it standard business practice, it's also common courtesy.

22. Being over-aggressive in follow-up

Thanking the hiring manager for the interview is acceptable. You can even check in to see if a candidate's been hired if you were given a deadline for the decision. However, calling, e-mail or stopping by the office repeatedly is not persistent; it's annoying.

23. Not learning from your mistakes

Not every interview goes off without a hitch, so don't beat yourself up if you flubbed an answer or two. However, if you don't take the time to review each interview you go on, you're bound to repeat the same mistakes again and again.

24. Forgetting where you've applied and interviewed

After a few weeks, you've applied at more than dozen places and probably interviewed with a few companies. Eventually it's harder to remember where you've sent a résumé or interviewed, and applying to the same place makes you look like an applicant who applies to any posting that pops up, not the best fit.

25. Stopping your job search while you wait for a response

Even if your interview for the job of a lifetime went well, don't freeze your job hunt while you wait to hear back. For a variety of reasons you might not get the job, or you might stumble upon an even better opportunity. You don't have anything to lose by continuing the hunt.

The Ninjas Strike Again

2008-05-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

"Cheers, for your birthday!"

His housemates toasted cans of Beer Bear to celebrate his birthday few days ago. Nothing fancy, not even a cake or any gifts. They chatted and watched videos for a while, laughing away at some Transformers jokes. Megatron has never been funnier. Not long after, everyone was off to bed leaving him alone.
Soon the phone rang. He picked up the phone and started yakking away. Just then, the lights went off.
Feeling a little drunk, he opened his door and made the best out of the little visibility his handphone light could make. He decided that he didn't want to check the fuse ~~which is totally illogical and weird~~ ~~because you never know what might happen or who might be waiting~~ and closed the door to continue his conversation, now that the blackout is another fresh topic to talk about.
Just then the lights went on again. And then it went off again. This went on for a few more times. HE DIDN'T FIND IT WEIRD AT ALL AND CONTINUED CHATTING ~~for what seems like an eternity~~. ~~The heat didn't seem to bother him.~~
Suddenly, there was a knock at his door. And silence.
He opened it but no one was there. Puzzled, he slowly made his way to the hall, still feeling drowsy from the drink. Finally deciding to check out the problem, he walked past the staircase and the dark figure towards the fuse box.

A dark figure...

He looked back and could make out a pair of eyes in the silhouette. By the time he realizes this, he was already surrounded by many dark figures. He freaked out.
....
At least this time they left a birthday cake for him. Weird. He noted that 3 of them seems to be tipsy. Also ,all of them appeared to be soaked in their sweat.

Artist impression of the intruders

Residents of TRJ please take note of aforementioned intruders. They seem to be increasing in numbers.

dilemma

2008-05-21T03:18:00.000-07:00

so the champions league finals is taking place later tonight and i'm in a dilemma.
whenever i watch man utd play a game they usually fail to win.
a classic example: in the last Champion's League final in 99 i watched the entire 90 minutes with them trailing bayern 1-0. then i fell asleep for 5 minutes and solksjaer and sheringham headed 2 goals in.
weird or what?

should I or shouldn't I?

update:
we are the champions!
ronaldo nearly gave me a hernia when he missed the spot. but then JT and anelka made up for it. credo for evds for saving the last shot. and what better way to wrap up the whole thing than with giggs scoring the last one. feels so...good after 9 years.

bad feet days

2008-05-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

inflammation: rubor, dolor, calor, tumor.
plus pruritus, bilaterally
can drive you nuts, i tell you.

iodine and me no good friend.

2-0

2008-05-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

English Premier League champions 2008.
*whistles*

*nah take that chelsea :-P

I miss these

2008-05-06T05:17:00.001-07:00

Suddenly realized today that I miss this so....oo much. *Michael Jackson's voice* Have you seen my childhood?

Unfortunately over the years the series sort of betrayed itself... with several incarnations e.g. ZeoRangers, Power Rangers in Space etc etc.
You should see the Power Rangers: Mystic Forces

Mystic Forces? Since when is the White Ranger a girl? And as if robots and costumes and monsters are not whimsical enough, she has to be a woman sorceress?? The white ranger costume looks like a villain from Final Fantasy... and the golden fellow can fit well in an insect museum lol.

wow phone

2008-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

Why you shouldn't buy a HTC Touch here Touch there Touch here and there (Click here)
(just a disgruntled post because everyone in low yat's been piling up these pda phones.. you can't find just a pda minus phone nowadays~ dah la htc slow and lag teruk... )

new posting

2008-04-29T03:05:00.000-07:00

No air-con
Stuffy clothes
Standing for long hours
But I'm enjoying my new posting so far!

anyway I was just thinking... what if the 666 is actually the WWW
...
we'll all be so mincemeat, already being marked by social networking e.g facebook, friendster, twitter, digg, blogging, msn etc etc.
the web has formed an alter ego of us and it's there to stay (in servers and hard disks). even if you rush off to delete all your profiles and accounts right after this, google's servers and the wayback machine
must have cached and compiled you already.

i should be studying.

the humans are dead

2008-04-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

in the future, in the year 2000, the human race will be poisoned by poisonous gases.

Ninjas in Pop Culture

2008-04-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

Imagine my surprise when I was at the newspaper stall today. The men in black yesterday are on a magazine! Apparently Style is doing a special on martial arts costumes..

10 outfits to flatter any figure? Oh boy..ninjas are complicated.

Ninjas!

2008-04-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

Extricating himself out of his bed, he grumpily opened the door.
Pitch black.
All lights off and an eerie silence.
A high-pitch warcry suddenly pierced the stillness. 3 men in black jumped out of nowhere, charging into the room.
........

It's no longer safe to be at home. Wonder how these people got into the house. Sigh.

He only managed to shoot a few pictures after recovering from his shock.

This was how we they looked like:

3 men in black

Residents of TRJ please be on the look-out for aforementioned ninjas..
~~Life's tough when your housemates are wacky.~~