New IT Gadget

15 November 2008 - After a long (a very long) hesitation, I finally decided to purchase a new computer. I went back to shop I went two weeks ago enquiring on the Machine and made a purchase.

This is the third computer which I bought since the first which was somewhere between 1990 and 1994. I really can't remember as that one was for my younger brother. It was a desktop using the DOS operating system. The second one, also a desktop, was purchased somewhere between 1997 and 1998 when I first discovered the Internet. (Can anyone calculate how outdated I was?) This operates with the Windows 98 operating system. I used it until 2006, when I brother gave me his Dell notebook. I have been using this until now.

So this the new gadget which I bought on this fateful night.

However, I only started using this Machine since Monday. This is the first blog entry done using the new Machine. 

Being familiar with Windows, Mac seems quite a hassle. Admittedly, slightly regret. After all, the reason I decided to change was the intention to have desktop with a bigger screen for me to watch movies. I could have easily bought any other brand with a big monitor. That would have been much cheaper. But money is spent, and I have to force myself to use. After five days of using, well got the hang of it and hopefully all is back to normal as far as using a computer is concerned. 

But there are much more to explore and experience in the new Machine.

Some facts about the Machine is here, and the figures are below:

iMac 20" - RM4199 (down RM100 when I first enquired)

Apple care protection for three years - RM599      

Total RM4798

12-months interest free installment plan

3rd UMIC Treasure Hunt

16 November 2008 (Sunday) - Second hunt of the month. My first with the COC - Purple Antz. Team members - WK, Angie and my cousin Jess. Hunting with Jess for the first time.

My turn to drive. The hunt was a disastrous. I don't have our 'official' score yet, but it is definetely one of our worst performance. Out of 28 (or 29) teams, we were not even placed among the top 17. Most of the questions looked foreign to us. We were simply blanked out. We really felt that the questions were either wrongly set or we were directed to the wrong sectors. However, when the answers were revealed, it really make sense. And I believe that are much to be learnt from this hunt. After submitting the answers, most agree that this will be our last hunt with the Antz, but after the answer presentation, I did have a change of mind. I might just be registering (and dragging my kakis along) for their next hunt in December - MIYC, a day before the last Grand Slam of the year, the Mensa Hunt.


Q&A

Q1. India's F1 dream made possible by this airline partnership. What & Where?
A1. Kingfisher @ Restoran Mother & Son

Q2. Ugly ducklings transformation at this beauty centre.
A2. Swans Bridal Studio

Q3. Persian ruby at this short weekend.
A3. Lalsat @ Carier Solutions

Q4. Remarkable wonders at this place.
A4. Miracles Kitchen & Bar

Q5. Sounds like a local sibling in the art business here.
A5. Adek Kraf & Decor

Q6. With an insertion many of these melts in your mouth, not in your hands.
A6. M&M Cash & Carry

Q7. A change of number will reveal an alternative transport.
A7. NGM Mini Market

Q8. Remove the identification will hear mother's own.
A8. Maids @ Global

Q9. Heartless gap? What and Where?
A9. GP @ Genting Perwira S/B

Q10. Include yourself for an edge at where we started today.
A10. LP @ Safety Driving Center

Q11. Next stop analysis. Where?
A11. Permulab Sdn Bhd

Q12. Brief title in part of a confused English radio station.
A12. Zenith @ Sales Engineering Services

Q13. Spot Prince's single next to an automobile.
A13. Space Matrix Interior Consultant

Q14. No Easter at this trial fitness service.
A14. New sound Hearing Healthcare

Q15. An ideal fish alien.
A15. Paragon Carpet

Q16. 24th May 2009 will signify this BPL event.
A16. End of Season

Q17. An unusual sea animal spotted here. What & Where?
A17. Sale @ Fashion Boutique

Q18. Clean sweep at this limited company. What & Where?
A18. Clipsal @ Pros Electrical Enterprise

Q19. Our neighbouring country in the first interactive voice response.
A19. The Four R computer center

Q20. Midway on a leading place.
A20. AP @ Carpark entrance

Q21. Some will do as a Asian does here.
A21. Pejabat urusan OASAA

Q22. E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L
A22. Pejabat urusan E2L

Q23. Endless act here will reveal Rossoneri.
A23. Milan @ Florenza

Q24. A wild horse in silent.
A24. Magnum

Q25. Dirty feet Karmas!
A25. Kafe Stream

Q26. Perintah pihak berkuasa di tanah tumpahnya darahku.
A26. Mandate Malaysia

Q27. The China Syndrome's leading character evident here.
A27. Goddell

Q28. Two articles about and curling here.
A28. ANANDA Hair Dressing Saloon

Q29. Taman-taman emas!!
A29. Goldfields

Q30. Add a channel and tune it for this famous police drama series.
A30. Sip @ Sistem mengoptimumkan potensi minda

Q31. 2nd winning drug perhaps.
A31. Silver Pot

Q32. Ryu's best friend and rival having another business here.
A32. Pejabat urusan Ken Holdings Bhd

Q33. Self proclamation of efficient power.
A33. Ihandal energy

Q34. Could be a policy institute.
A34. Think Tank

Q35. Try Again! Spot her vocally seen here. What and Where?
A35. Alea @ Vintage Bath

Treasures

T1. Bring back this treasure for UMIC "Back To School 2009" Charity Project that fits all the clues:
1. A4 size
2. 80gsm
3. >400 sheets intact
4. Any brand
5. Only white
Answer: A4 80gsm White paper 1 ream

T2. Kareena. Karisma dan Anil mungkin dari keluarga harta ini,
Mesti dalam warna yang bersih lagi suci,
Pastikan ianya lebih dari 400g dalam sekotak yang kami ingini,
Dalam sebarang jenama akan diterima,
Untuk kegunaa sekolah ianya diderma.
Answer: Kapor (chalk) White 400g box

T3. It won't clean you out to buy this treasure,
But that's what it's meant to do,
A confused friend after a local canoe,
Will reveal its brand name to you,
Bring me one box from India will do.
Answer: Kayakalp Soap from India

T4. Yo Hunters! Hear me out,
The likes of Just Ice or Ice Cube will divulge
All I want is an unused roll
Having festive motifs of one said to live in the north pole
Answer: Christmas Wrapper

T5. Bring me a sealed pack of this edible item
Said when you make an accidental mistake
Get me Nicky's dad about around black hat hackers
Make sure it's of the real kind and 6 points are yours to take.
Answer: XXX

Weekend Humour

__________________________________________________________


Look at the picture first, then read below!!!

:
:
:
These are signs from a Japanese metro train.

'Priority seats for ...............'
From left to right:
1. Person with an injured arm
2. Person holding a child
3. Pregnant woman
4. Person with injured leg.

Believe It or NOT!!!

______________________________________________________________


I came across this newspaper cutting from this blog.

Reproduced here for a good laugh.

On the big screen 2

12 November 2008 - It's Wednesday and movie nite.

It was a big rush for me as I have to rushed from the UMIC briefing to Mid-Valley for the movie. The briefing started 30 minutes late due to probably the jam which was probably due to the rain.

I have wanted to try the Tin Tai Fong fried rice and chicken soup. I was listening to the radio (I think it was on Monday about noon), when the chief chef of Tin Tai Fong was on air to introduce their restaurant and he specifically recommended the fried rice, soup and of course their signature dish - Siew Loong Pau. Though it was not the first time to the restaurant, but has never tried the rice and soup. Admittedly, the Pau is ok. Probably better than Dragon-I in Mid-valley. But due to the short time to screen time, will just have to postpone that to next Wednesday.

As someone who catches a movie once a week, it natural that the lastest Bond edition be in the line-up. The 22nd Bond movie - Quantum of Solace.

There was sort of big expectation for this movie. However, it ended with big disappointment as well. Daniel Craig as Bond and Olga Kurylenko as Bond girl are interesting to watch. The biggest disappointment is probably the villian. Not even near the Bond villian that we are known of. And I can't remember when does Bond started to have obsession to kill. He chased a guy around city just to have him killed. Senseless.

Love to see Daniel Craig as Bond again, but hopefully they will have a different production team.

My rating: 2/5

The Sun Motor Hunt 2008 - Q&A

Here are the Q&As for the hunt.

Leg 1

Q1. Jumbo here declares mighty brawn qualities. What and where?
A1. Real strong @ All cosmic Industries Sdn Bhd.

Q2. First of Garfield's kittens?
A2. Glitters Venus Butik

Q3. They invite you to get off your feet for a time and enjoy a drink?
A3. Sit A Spell Cafe

Q4. Set of changes in place here.
A4. Planet Soft

Q5. Local money? I'll drink to that. And gnaw in return you will get.
A5. Cafe Wang

Q6. Vessel for eight need to conclude a familiar structure.
A6. L & M

Q7. I can make them a restroom, But they can make you drapes.
A7. Letto Curtain

Q8. From a starlet today and then blind, such may fall if the answer you don't find.
A8. Letto Curtain

Q9. * ! Mark them.
A9. Footnotes.

Q10. The Lady with the lamp.
A10. Florence Nightingale Sdn. Bhd.

Q11. Could be that which stops. At the mouth of a port perhaps.
A11. Rock Cafe.

Q12. They could be so hairy, And perm it too, surely.
A12. Yashiro Salun Rambut

Q13. It's good without a letter.
A13. Baagus

Q14. Resists awkwardly but relatively to groom you.
A14. Sister's Beauty Gallery.

Q15. Butch's Kid's business?
A15. Sundance Spas

Q16. A number missing in action around here.
A16. MIVA Creations.

Q17. The Pooh's sort of business?
A17. Teoh Shop

Q18. Morning! Morning! I hear loudly this is the original version of the famous frog's tune.
A18. AM AM @ Axxell Marketing

Q19. Soundkit?
A19. Sonic Gear

Q20. A couple of young heavyweights have a business here.
A20. Pejabat Urusan Fat Boys

Leg 2

Q21. They give you a filling based on a local hospital's edict I think.
A21. Klinik Pergigian U H Law

Q22. When you go missing, fans of our paper seem to turn up.
A22. Sun Louvers.

Q23. Turn a page to improve your looks.
A23. Agape music & ballet studio.

Q24. All you need to do to find the answer, "is to observe inside" and it will appear.
A24. I watchs

Q25. Bays?
A25. Vocal Station

Q26. The spot for hint I hear? Like the 35 on the road this year.
A26. Kloo Point Management Services

Q27. Local private limited company initially came in for a financial sponsor.
A27. HC @ HP Canopy.com.my

Q28. With one right this food outlet will make you our "run with the best" sponsor.
A28. Restoran Ten Delicacy

Q29. Love Bug returns.
A29. Raco Sdn. Bhd.

Q30. Worn on the eye by Jack or Bligh, Here it could be for my GTI.
A30. Patch Auto spa

Q31. What a dog and cow have in common?
A31. Center Circle

Q32. Sounds like a website for hawkers?
A32. thepaddlerz.com

Q33. Life is Great people initially with exclamation to an end.
A33. Geohan Sdn. Bhd.

Q34. Hello or goodby it's the same, Man eats mixed meals here every day,
A34. Namaste Indian Restaurant.

Q35. The Sun has a lot of meaningful events initially. Trust you enjoyed this one immensely.
A35. Restoran & Bar Shalome

Treasures

T1. Michael Jackson many of us do enjoy
Inspired by it don't matter if you're black or white
The fairer half should be your aim, boys and girls
Some vitamins and a baby's staple should bring to mind
The product is in an unbroken container that you must find.
Answer: Vita Milk

T2. When you get to Mcdonald's on this hunt,
To get this treasure all of you will get a chance,
Where you hand in Leg 1, beside us to greet you,
Are folks from a Home with what you could use all 09 thru,
Buy 2 packs of them which the children helped make,
Just show us at the finish since it's for your keepsake.
Answer: 2009 Table Calender

T3. From one whose symbol is as Beijing's arena,
Is a drink that hides the niece's face for sure.
This 300ml can, please bring one to the end,
This deep chill sensation I look forward to my friend.
Answer: Nescafe Ice

T4. This drink I want is familiar to all,
A pun the day before, some start to recall,
To renew, it peps one up it's true,
To hand in at the end, just one can will do.
Answer: 7-up Revive

On the Big Screen 1

The first movie that I watched since blogging is this one with quite a good review - Tropic Thunder.

Ben Stiller has never failed to amuse me ever since Meet The Parents. That is why I had big expectation of this guy. And with a relatively good review, I simply must watch this movie.

Last night (5/11/08), after a nice dinner at this newly opened (23/10/08) Chinese food outlet at the Gardens, I prepared myself for a good laugh and be amused. But, I was sadly disappointed. Disappointed with the overall storyline and Ben Stiller acting. In fact, I even find the first half or so to be boring.

Instead, I think the supporting roles such as Jack Black as Jeff "Fats" Portnoy, Tom Cruise as Les Grossman, Jay Baruchel as Kevin Sandusky- a young, unknown actor, Brandon T. Jackson as Alpa Chino - a rapper who is attempting to cross over into acting provide the saving grace for the movie.

My Rating - 2/5

The Sun Motor Hunt - Post Mortem

The Mother of all Hunts was here and gone. This is my third Sun Hunt, but for reasons that are not known to me myself as well, I was actually very excited about the hunt. It was the first hunt since the Bukit Bintang Boys hunt in July.

This year instead of teaming up with my usual 'hunt-kaki', I had two newbies and one regular 'kaki' as team members. Due to them being new, I had to force one of them to be the driver.

The first leg at Kota Damansara was a disaster, as far as I am concerned. Arriving at Kota Damansara, we were very quick to solve Question 5, and then we thought the sector for Questions 1-5 was along the shop for Q5 answer, but it turned out not to be. Due to a miscommunication with the regular 'kaki', I ended up in another wrong location/sector for Q1-5. By then I was completely lost. Throughout the whole time at Kota Damansara, my brain was 'malfunctioned'. And we actually spent the most time here. Lucky, my regular kaki performed here, and he supplied most of the answers. Leaving Kota Damansara to Sunway Damansara was better for me, as I started to pick back pieces of my shattered brains and put it in function mode.

Control point at Sunway toll makes us lost about ten minutes waiting for the McD's to pack our lunch. They should get all these ready, as in the case of last year hunt, where it was all nicely packed and waiting to be collected. After waiting for ten minutes, Joehari (the Sun paper guy) told that if we could not wait, we can come back later to collect. With another 2hours to finish time, we had no choice but to leave the place for the second leg - with a hungry stomach.

Fortunately, Leg 2 was easier for us. We combed this leg and the treasures in the 2hours and 10 minutes. Meaning we reached the finish control 10 minutes past the given 6hours. And we did better in this leg.

Overall, I felt this hunt is tougher than last year, probably due to the 'malfunctioned brain' during Leg 1. But came the surprise during the answers presentation. Our score this year was higher than last year, despite having two newbies on board. I cant remember exactly our position last year but it was between 90-100, but this year we finished at 56 - a quantum leap for us. Hopefully, with more practices, we can break into the top 20 next year. (Keeping our fingers crossed). It was a satisfying hunt. We improved on our position, score and of course the prize. All these despite with 2 freshies.

Lessons learned:

• Time management - Well, this is already an old topic, but we, or rather I, seemed to have forgotten. Leg 1 took us from about 8am-12pm without stopping to get the treasure, while the Leg 2 was done in slightly more than 2hours. If we were to have spend a little more time here, we would have got the two questions we missed out on the sector at TTDI.

• Task assignment - We should have left at two members on the sector at TTDI to try while the rest can leave to submit the answers or get two guys for the question and another two for treasures. That would have also probably gave the two questions at TTDI.

• Treasures cracking - Solving treasure questions remains our weakest link. I, for one, is an idiot when cracking treasures. Need to pay more attention to treasures. Some help from anyone, please..