At some point, I felt somewhat bad for keeping such a small thing from everyone. Even from my parents and closest of friends. But I just don't want the attention. Being me I've never been the type. But then again sooner or later everyone will know anyways, it's better to put out the news first I guess. It was a though choice in life. I've never really done this before and I personally I am somewhat glad that I took the opportunity when it came in front of me.
It took quite a while to come up with the idea. Nevertheless it was a good decision. I spent roughly a month thinking and planning for it. It took me another couple of months to follow through with the plan and make everything work. I had to drop everything I was doing... except for my real job obviously. But finally it is done and I am somewhat proud of it.
The content was a big thing in the planning phase. I had to make sure that it had to be worth the money. Every piece of data should fit inside it somehow. I have to say it is definitely worth the trouble.
The cover was another matter that I had to settle and decide on at the very end. It had to look sleek and catch the attention of every person that sets their eyes on it. Chose a really grainy texture to the surface. Wasn't really bothered with thick covers. But I was somewhat disappointed later on that I chose something that is a little flimsy and thin. But hey, it's whats inside that is important right?
Then finally, today I got my hands on it. It just felt like the moment when a dad first held up his firstborn child with all the light effects and that heavenly effect going on behind them.
Then I realized something. Something was definitely wrong. The title ... the few words that explains what this book is about; the label of the book was all wrong. In fact it's not even close to what I had thought about earlier on! My heart broke as it says "WAT A RIPOFF".
But then everything seemed rather fine. It was a ripoff after all. Where is my freaking missing 70GB of space ? I think the image says it all. For the record its a 1TB hard drive and the display is only showing 930GB. Oh well, 930GB is still more than enough to fill in all the junk I've collected but was somewhat lazy to burn and pretty much too reluctant to delete off from my hard drive that is already gasping for more space.
The Western Digital 1TB 930GB My Book Elite External Hard Drive was a good pick for just RM395 RM380 that I got from some guy in the forum. Although I think I could have gone with the Essential version instead since it is around RM50 cheaper. The only difference between them was the "Smart" display on the case itself. The display doesn't seem to be the typical LED display. By default it seems to be displaying the default text "PICTURE 09" even without being plugged in. By going through the SmartWare, a software that came along inside the hard drive, I was able to change the label (thought somewhat limited in characters, would have preferred a marque) and save it. Its back-lit effect goes off and returns with the new label...might want to dig deeper into what material this is. My guess is some sort of static charge or something ? Besides the custom label, it also states the space in the hard drive (in the form of a bar and numbering) as well as the lock status of the hard drive.
The case is like I said pretty flimsy. Plastic all the way. Somewhat thin plastic. Though I was pretty amazed with how small it is. Besides that there really isn't much to talk about the drive. It auto-runs the SmartWare software by virtual drive. Gives the user the functionality to auto-backup and what not. In fact it syncs with the PC that you connect it to. I heard it is not really that good and I must say that I would not be using it anyways. Meh. I just want to drag everything that is in both my PC right into it. Period. More pics of it later on, when the lighting is better around here tomorrow for my shitty camera phone.
Okay there a couple of things in my mind right now. I guess the whole quiet and dull 3-days holiday is getting to me.
First off, after going through like a couple of weeks of long ... LONG queue. I realize how unfair it is that cinemas don't provide another separate line for non-premier movies. Previously I've gone to the cinemas thinking of watching Bodyguards and Assassins which seemed really good in the trailer. By the time I've decided to watch, it was shown a week or two already. To my disappointment there was a long line waiting for me right in the face. Not only did the line filled up the provided zig-zag mace but it continued on till the escalator area. Sad to say most of them were just there to see Avatar which premiered at that time. And I guess my business is set aside pretty much. Seeing the line I've decided to watch it this week instead.
To my disappointment... AGAIN, the Bodyguards and Assassins now only have 2 sessions which are both too late for me since they are both in the evening and at night. Hey, can't blame me for being a "pirate" LOL. And since I could not watch the show I chose to watch Avatar now since everything has somewhat cool down for it. No more freakishly long line of people who thinks watching it first makes any difference then watching it on the last day. Sad to say I was met with another freaking long line. But luckily this time I went early and the line wasn't as long as the last time. This time the culprit was Alvin and the Chipmunks 2.
This is just basically one of the scenario that kinda troubled me somehow. Another scenario is for example, it's 10.30 and I want to watch an 11.00 show that is shown for a couple of weeks already. Sadly to say, I won't make it due to the line being superbly long. Again this line of people is just there to watch premier shows. So there goes another happy customer.
I think the cinemas should really come up with a non-premier show line. I don't mind lining up in that if I know that I will be in front of more than half the people that went to the cinema. I think it's also a winning situation for the cinema since people are not just rushing for the premier shows but also the normal shows that people usually fail to watch since there is freakishly long queue in front of them.
I think this is getting too long. The last thought in my mind at the moment for now.... is ... gosh darn it, bands consisting of female members are such a turn-on LOL. Just moments ago after looking through Google for some drummer name, I came upon the group Stereopony, a Japanese rock band consisting of a female drummer (the one I was looking for), female bassist and female guitarist/vocalist. Ahhhh... something about them that makes it sound good. Though upon listening further the band is just pretty normal. But who cares...
Sad to say that it is such a dull new year. Barely any noise outside, no count-down, no cheers, nothing except the faint glow of fireworks coming from the horizon. I have to admit, I am not very fond of holidays and celebrations. Something about the cheers and happiness that makes me feel somewhat awkward since I am the only one that usually feels much more comfortable being all alone.
Talking about awkward, remind me never never never to message her again. Everytime I do so it seems so awkward. Everytime I press Send, the next thing in mind is "Crap did I say something wrong just now ? Maybe I shouldn't have sent that". And the night goes all gloomy. I hate the feeling of hating something but at the same time I still like it. I should stop thinking about it. I should stop thinking about her. LOL.
Being a nice person is such a tough thing to do for me. Being a nice friend is even worse. I can never seem to get it right somehow with anyone. I could be having a nice time and treating them really well and all of the sudden I messed up and said something I shouldn't have said. I guess by the time I realize it, it is pretty much too late. All in all after thinking so much about it, isn't it so much easier to be the person who has no connection what so ever and does not need to be nice to everyone.
I am babbling too much... I should get back to the music playing on the background...
Couldn't help but notice the small but noticeable changes in the lifestyle of people from this generation and previous generation.
Food... Past : Every year Muslims around the world will fast during the month of Ramadhan. But it doesn't really apply to younger kids. So technically they still have to eat. Moms (or dads) would be living their lives like normal; cooking all their usual meals, including lunch for the kids. Tough work but hey their kids gotta eat.
Parents used to scare their kids of the dangers of fast food and candy and junk food. It's just plain normal to hear parents go "If you eat that candy your teeth is gonna rot bla bla bla.." or "Do you know what kinda preservatives are in those food?" and kids would actually listen and eat home-cooked meals (I guess not all cases).
Present : Nowadays people rather go out and save the hours of their time sweating in the kitchen preparing food and goes to the first fast food restaurant they see and shove their kids with all kinds of crap. I literally see like probably 80% - 90% of the Muslim families going into a fast food restaurant and buying porridge (you know which fast food is this I think) for their little kids. Fries, soft drinks, etc. at such a young age... that just can't be good for health.
Invasion of strollers Past : As far as I recall when I was young, I've never seen a stroller in my house. Not even one. I guess most parents during those days prefer to be somewhat closer to their kids by carrying their kids. I am just throwing that out but seriously, there was less strollers around shopping complexes last time.
Present : If you don't see strollers around, it's not a shopping complex. Period. Nowadays I just have to avoid them. Babies crying their lungs out and parents and chatting away without noticing them. Kids crying for attention, calling to their parents only to be address by a "Yes dear ?" but none of the eye contact or any further action until probably the kid did something really bad to catch their attention.
It burns... Past : I am not too sure about this but I've rarely seen people running to take cover from the sun that much last time. I mean sure, there is the hot afternoon sun that you might technically want to avoid, but some people might just ignore that. Like me ? I remember playing in the sun a lot. Pretty dark (even though my ex-schoolmate claimed I was fair) to even see clearly the ring of fair skin on my left wrist where I wore my watch. And I didn't carry no water bottle around!
Present : Probably a new trend of some sort. I notice that even guys run for every little shade (tree, leaf, branch, corridor, you name it) their can find when they walk around. And sometimes it's just the nice warm morning sun! Come on, it can't be that bad. I think we were made to be more durable than this. I doubt we can get skin cancer or something that easily. And what is with this new trend of carrying water bottle around ? Nowadays I see lots of people carrying a small bottle of water around and in some serious cases, those huge 1.5 litre bottles or those 8-glass-of-water bottles. Might be wrong again but maybe this came from the Western world? Never seen people done this in the past except in TV once in a while.
The need to be clean... Past : I remember when I was a kid I used to play around with dirt a lot. There was nothing wrong with catching worms from the freshly dug up dirt, touching toads, touching fish, digging up a freaking large hole on the ground that my mom would start scolding me. And except for the occasional yearly flu or fever or cold I rarely was sick. Weird ain't it?
Present : Parents get so upset and panic when their kid even touches dirt or some bugs. I mean come on, its fine as long as you wash their hands afterward and the thing they touch is not poisonous or something. Yet I think I notice more kids are getting sick these days compared to the past. Could be a weird but I think they are starting to lack exposure to small but frequent germs and bacterias that gives them the immunity that they need to not get sick so often.
Or maybe it could just be the media that is freaking everyone out. I remember that we used to have meals where if there is 5 people at the table there would just be 5 sets of fork and spoons. Nowadays my dad is so hyped out about the health issue thing like don't share fork and spoon or bodily fluid thing, our table would be full of spoons ... for the people at the table and EACH dishes. A little annoying but I can live with it. I remember going out to eat with a bunch of colleagues where we would be calling dishes and what not and this particular guy would go through the ritual of cleaning everything with hot water, and when the dishes arrive he would place a spoon and a chopstick for each of the dishes. ANNOYED level MAX!
I guess that is enough ramblings for the day. Caffeine level running low just in time for my sleep.
Note to self; do not consume Redbull like ever! Seriously it's really making go really crazy at the moment. Seriously screw drugs, a can of this is enough to stimulate my mind like crazy. It feels like thoughts are going through my mind like 100 miles an hour or something.
Started off the night feeling really active and started telling childhood stories to someone like for hours literally. After that, when it was time for bed, it started to get really windy. It felt familiar enough and I was smart enough to get up and close the windows tight. Sadly to say it's really building up and it started to rain really heavy. The wind really isn't helping; it's literally blowing rain into my room and my window is not shutting properly.
And I thought it would be a great idea to tape some of the part that is leaking in strong wind. Bad idea; water started flowing in. Well it's not that bad. I mean I did manage to seal it pretty tight. I guess the small is just overflow or something.
Then the whole taping the window incident reminded me of some thriller show. Can't really recall the name of the show. The one where it started of with people to kill themselves. And it turned out like this "ghost" came from the net or something. And in the story people usually get freaked out and it turns out that the only way to "prevent" the ghost from coming in is by sealing the doors and windows with red tapes.
Shuckz now I need to stay awake long enough to see to it that my room and PC don't get soaked. I guess in the end it's a good thing that I drank the Redbull then. Ugh...
It's been a while since I've wrote anything here. Mainly because I am pretty much swarmed by work and also I am pretty much emotionally stable for the past couple of months that it feels like there is just nothing much to rant about.
Of course there are days such as tonight where there are just a million things in my mind that just needs to blurted out. Even though there are minor things of the past, somehow they remained lingering in my mind hoping that one day I would be emotionally unstable again and start pouring them out again.
I think I've talked about this before but then again due to some recent (quite long ago actually) encounter with it I guess it doesn't hurt to use it again to get things started here. There is just something wrong when people somehow shows dislike of something that you do or decide to do. I mean what does it have to do with them in the first place ? It does not even effect them in the first place. If it was a bad choice I doubt I would go complaining to them or anything. Seriously most of the stuff that they show dislike of is quite petty. Why I don't have a car still ? Why am I still at ? The list goes on.
Secondly, it's my choice, something that I've given lots of thought into and I think it is a decision that I am comfortable making and I am pretty sure made me happy. I am not really sure why but somehow some people thinks that the things that they have decided in their lives are correct and anything that is against that is wrong. I mean seriously? If your choices or decisions are correct what makes mine wrong ?
Another thing that has been bothering me is the elevator. The past couple of weeks, on and off, one of the elevator was stuck on the top floor and just don't want to come down. As usual when there is just one elevator, it's pretty darn slow when I need to get back down to the ground floor which is still fine somehow. I mean what you gonna do right? Then comes the culprits who makes it even worse. Those that I have doubts on whether they are just plain stupid or ignorant. It's just those people that when you are going up, there is just one dude from one of the floor that press up but wants to go down. I mean seriously? ( I should stop saying that) The up button means you want to go up and the down button means you want to go down. I mean what is so hard about that? Is pressing both the up and down button making the elevator go any faster? Is it faster being in the elevator going the opposite direction before going the direction they want ? Sheesh...
Been a while since I've rant about something here. No surprise there since everything have been fine so far... till tonight. I think the problem lies in big companies in general. I will get back to that after I've explained the situation. So basically I am avid gamer specifically in Warhammer Online at the moment accessing using Streamyx broadband and those two combos really annoying sometimes. It has its ups and downs but most of the time it just plain piss me off.
So here is the situation. I woke up in the middle of the night thinking I could probably play an hour or two before going back to bad, ASSUMING the connection on Streamyx broadband would be much better around late in the night. Boy, was I wrong. I couldn't even go through the auto patcher (this is the part of the online game experience where you wait for your game to check if there is any updated files or what not before letting you start the game). Constant timeouts.
After a few attempts, I restarted my modem and basically retried. For those who don't know that's the routine of most Streamyx users I know, you have to restart your modems to get "good IPs" which has smoother connection and less lost packets. But when I tried to go into my game server it just timeouts. So what is a customer to do after having this two problems alternately after a few tries? I go for the Customer Support I guess since the funny thing is, I could access other servers. I thought hey maybe it's the game.
Now comes the main part of my rant, Customer Support. Rule of thumb for big companies who want to provide Customer Support; provide them only if you are going to do well with them else don't provide it at all cause people would be so pissed that they wouldn't even be using it at all. Applies for both Streamyx and Warhammer Online.
Streamyx users already knows the usual response from the CS people. First they will ask you to restart modem, yadda yadda yadda and after half an hour nothing was right still and you've wasted a large sum of money calling their 1 300 number which is not free. Warhammer Online being under EA is no better either. Famous for having crappy Customer Support from day 1. I have experience their poor service numerous times in the past.
The thing is, there is one question that keeps popping up in my mind. Why provide the service in the first place? Why? Seriously why get people's attention on the product if you're not going to be providing a good product in the first place.
Customer Support and also complains are almost impossible to reach to the correct people in Malaysia I have to sadly say. There are only three things that will happen when you are using some sort of Customer Complain/Support. It's either a) it's so troublesome that you stop halfway into your effort and you end up not reporting anything b) you've successfully reported something but it just doesn't reach the proper people c) they don't give a crap about your complains cause what is 1 - 2% of complains out of their full range of customers to them? The infamous "You don't like don't use" attitude.
I know this is not reaching out to anything really and this is just nothing more than ranting my frustration to myself. But I really wish there is something that can be done.
