Johann Low

土曜日, 8月 28, 2004

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The PC and internet is addictive. I can almost feel the "suction" from my chair not letting me go even when I know that time is running is out and I need to do something. The internet though now is almost a must in most people's life seems to be taking most of my time or most of the other people's time. Be it getting involved in forums, chatrooms, games, adult entertainment, the internet is a big part of most people's lives.

There is almost this strong obligation to go online. Especially for me since I am on "broadband - Singapore's standard" There is this Singaporean mentality that I must get the most outta the $58.80 I am paying monthly. One of my friend even chided me for not downloading enough stuff from the net. He said," Then your broadband for what? Get the most out of it.." This friend is an anime freak, so he downloads like 30+GB of anime monthly. With the internet, you can practically find anything you want which you can use with your PC. Games, software, music, movies, news and many more. I was "woken" up by one of my ex colleague when he downloaded a full working version of Win XP Pro with Service Pack 1.

From that point onwards, I know I can find any software I want, be it Photoshop, 3ds6, Maya. and all these are full working versions! Some even do not need a crack for it. I dun think the internet is killing all those "economical PC" shops. HAHAHAazz...Anyway people are turning to "cheaper" alternatives because most simply cannot afford to pay the real sum.

I got my free Limited Edition Crystal XBox today from the recontracting with MOL1500 for another 24 months. Anyway nothing exiciting happened except that the man at handling me over the counter forgot to return me my IC and I happened to forget about it until I boarded the bus. I even went to window shop ard Funan before I boarded the bus. Funan this afternoon was almost like a ghost town..as most of the people were probably at Suntec for the Comex 2004. As for my x box, I got no games...and I wanna get Ninja Gaiden~!

Good news, my dvd writer just got its $199 price tag slashed to $149!!! But no free DVD+R though. Benq and TDK are having a price war. Benq slashed its writer from $169 to $149 with 50 pcs free DVD+R!!!! Initially it was $169 with 25 pcs..now $149 with 50 pcs!!! Burn until you siao!!! 1 DVD is 4.7GB, so 50 X 4.7=235GB of storage!

DVD writers used to be slow and expensive. I am waiting for dvd writers to be sub $200 and with an least a speed of 16X tho there are now no 16X medium but some of the good quality 8X medium can be written at 16X.

I went for an interview with HP last Wednesday. It was not too good. The interviewer asked me why I intended to leave my current job when I am only 1 month+ there. Then there I went abt the underpaid thing, the slightly exploitation I got, my plans for the furture. Then she told me her personal opinion - that I should stay at least 3 months for my current job to further determine my complaints. I thought, oke that's it man. No more chance for me. So I further "argue" my reasons to prove my justification. And she said that the pay offered here is abt 10-20% higher than my current one. I did some caculations on my way back and its not worth the travelling time and expense with that money.

I got a call on Fri from the agency telling me HP is offering the job and they are paying 1.5K! I was - "huh wtf, I remembered I screwed up the interview" I again make some travelling expenses calculation and found out its still manageable with the amt they are offering. But then I got a gut feeling its not going to be some simple adminstrative work. But 1.5K to me is at least what a fresh diploma holder should be getting.

I'll be tendering my resignation on Monday and I not yet spoken to my bosses about it. The one in charge was too stressed up and busy with some projects which he was going to show one of his big clients over a oil trading website. Honestly, we are seriously under staffed. The only one designer has work up to her nose. The senior programmer has over 10000 emails in her Outlook.(I saw it and I was shocked, emails in thousands and thousands)

Wonder how is working going to be like in HP...and also how am I going to tell my bosses that I am leaving? HAHAzz...shld I say I am leaving because I got a better offer or should I say I am leaving for personal reasons?

elow at 11:41 午後 | (0) comments

火曜日, 8月 24, 2004

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There is still a 20% discount for the Top 20 Japanese novels. So I finally bought this novel which i thought was relatively oke for my level of Japanese. Its called High and Dry (はつ恋）by Yoshimoto Banana. The cover of this novel is almost like a child's novel, simple drawings with nice bright colors. I had several Japanese novels at home and...I never finished them !!! HWHAAHAHHA...I simply got the slight kick of buying them, even glancing through the text makes me feel good as Japanese characters are beautiful. Was intending to get Naruto comics..but the 1st volume is outta stock. WTF.

Due to the Japanese summer festival on Saturday, there seemed to be more Japanese at Taka. I wanted to go but I wanted to watch Yi Tian Tu Long Ji. Sat's episode was GREAT. Zhang Wuji defeated all of those so called orthodox sects. His Jiu Yang Sheng Gong plus Qian Kun Da Mo Yi are invincible!!

I wondered if one dressed casually and walked into a high class branded shop like Prada,LV or Tag Heuer, will it make a difference if those sales pple come up to serve you or not? I guessed it does more or less. I think the local peasant aunties are spoiling the image of LV bags with their imitations. Those brown "LV" bags which you can see almost every ah sou on the streets and in the market are holding. When I passed by the authentic LV shop in Taka, I was overwhelmed by how classy and elegant their latest handbag is...I never seen a classier and prestigous handbag!!!! It is shining in its glory like a sparkling diamond with brilliant cuts.

One of my ex-colleague and one online friend have the colorful LV bag. When I 1st saw it, I like the design and how the colors are perfectly matched to bring out livliness and yet keep the elegance and prestige trademark quality of the brand LV - Louis Vutton. No wonder they cost thousands.

But then LV are for ladies..i like LV cos they make such nice handbags and I like anything which is nice n pretty. Its part of the training from poly. HAHAHA...So this is one of the reasons I m interested in make up (not on myself) matters cos they make girls look pretty!!! Maybe pretty is an understatement but rather they can bring out the different beauty of women. I particularly hate people who say things like " If God makes u ugly and fat means you are ugly and fat, no need makeup...makeup for who? Fat means fat lah..go on diet for what?" People who think this way are classified as homo erectus. google it if u dunno the meaning. In layman's term, they r frogs living in a well - peasants. And often such people are obnoxious, they think they seen the world when they know nuts about what's going on.

There is this fcuking cheebye asshole whom I encountered in hardwarezone forums. He kept thinking that the new TDK 16X16X4X DVD writer will arrive at this Thurs Comdex..There was no official news saying the drive will arrive during Comdex and when it was official that it WILL not arrive during the show but sometime in September, he whined and blamed TDK for not fulfiling their promises and making him wait so long. TDK have other models available now. Then he goes telling people not to buy this execellent drive which can write a DVD in 5min45secs + + because TDK makes him "wait" so long for this drive. Who he think he is?

There are really ALL sorts of people in this world...and some are really so.......little,lowly,4th world creatures.

elow at 12:00 午前 | (0) comments

日曜日, 8月 22, 2004

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The truth,often something bad about urself,is certainly unwelcomed. When I was in polytechnic especially during critic sessions. I would offensively defend my work against all kinds of bad critics. I knew there were times when I was simply lazy and not willing to spend a bit more effort in improving, so when someone be it the lecturer or fellow classmates pointed out this error, I would erupt. Fortunately, I got a few real friends who rebuked me on my behaviour. Their rebuke though really did not sound nice but it was simply for my own good. I thus learnt to open my mind to critics taking it down with good will.

Again when I was younger, I felt insulted when people say I am short.

Well now, to me. Its simply open fact that I am not-so-tall,not-so-thin, bad tempered,impatient,rude,direction-idiot,blur,lazy,inconsiderate,blunt,like to ogle at pretty gals,like makeup stuff,indecisive (trying to eradicate this),childish at times,big ego at times,paranoid,low self esteem. I mst be the most unwanted and useless person on Earth! In fact most of these are in my profile! hwhahahaah. But then I openly admit to all these.

Honestly, due to my own experiences. I feel that everyone is selfish or should be selfish. Most Singaporean Chinese families are not really families in my standard. They can share laughter and fun but never woes and sufferings. For example was when my family was in debts, my eldest uncle was not even willing to withdraw a single cent to help us. His reason was he helped my dad enough. But did he consider us? It will make a big difference if he helped! At least my dad might be still alive if he bothered to lend us the money during that period! Fuck the brotherly ties. :/

The more so if one begins to work in the society. Be too nice and soft and everyone will climb on top of you and piss.

The President Charity Show is back!!! More donations Singapore!!! I wonder what new gimmicks they are going to pull up this time.I might give them a few good ideas.

elow at 1:00 午前 | (0) comments

水曜日, 8月 11, 2004

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Why do people have a distinctive liking for old things especially things which trigger back memories of their childhood ? The feeling of nostalgia, how can one explain it ? Old things are always better, the past always seem to be better. Recently when I listen to the radio, I find the songs played from FM958 are nicer than those "yoyoyo,check it out, yo check it out man, yo du teo gui du teo gui" hip hop rap which almost every Taiwanese and HK singer wanna imitate - Think Chen Xiao Chun who went hippy hop, wearing ultra baggy pants singing hiccup hop shit.Some of the mid eighties or early nineties songs really can bring back fond memories or trigger a series of emotions. I could almost felt how it was like when I was in pri sch, doing those revision
workbooks while my dad played the radio.

The touch of quietness, peace while the music played suddenly resurfaced, as if I am brought back to a time of innocence, where my world only revolves homework, grades and probably nothing else. Life was simply and could not be simpler enough. songs of the early nineties brought back memories of my sec sch days.

Days when every Sat I will be going to my grandma's house. Every Sat evening my dad will fetch my cousins home.The trip when I will sit at the front seat, switching radio stations,sometimes while the wind is blowing through the front window and the music playing from the radio. I miss the peace and quiteness - so much. I certainly miss the days when my grandma was still alive,how lively her terrace house would be like
during Chinese New Year, how my cousins and I would be playing together, lighting mini fireworks, laughing,making noise and jolly. I missed the Saturdays afternoon when I will be taking 165 or 166 from AMK interchange to her house in Thomson, how I alighted from that bus stop, how I would cross the over head bridge to the ex Yao Han (Thomson plaza). How I walked up the slope, how I would pass my ex-"neighbours", how I would
walk pass the house where lived a little gal whom I always held her hand when I was in kindergarden when returning to my grandma's house. (I just heard she would be getting engaged this year) How i would walk pass the house where lived a gal whom I always fought with when I was in kindergarden.

How the old rusty gate would sound when I opened the gate. How the little puppy would scurry around me, how I would envy my cousins when they bought new gadgets or new computers. How would I have A Maths tuition from my cousin when I was in Sec 3.I kinda missed my late grandma's dishes,like her dark soy sauced fatty pork, her mian fen guo. Yes my grandma cooked mian fen guo,not sure who invented it but there was virtually no such stalls then.Older things are better and they often last longer. Back in AMK, we were still watching a over 15 year old Sierra color TV,70s cabinet style. TVs of those type were considered the plasma equilevent
today? haha..

My mum's National rice cooker is still working since 1979. My mum's small TDK fan is still churning wind since 1985. My lousy Phillips stand fan could not even last 5 years.I guess some people prefer nostalgic stuff because they bring back fond memories of the good times they once had. Its their feelings they have for such objects, the objects which they associate with since they were young. Its probably is the same for me and maybe for everyone else.

Now are the days of Jay Chou,Sun Yanzi, David Tao, S.H.E, F.I.R, Ayumi Hamasaki,Jolin Tsai. Who still remember the 4 Heavenly Kings,The Grasshoppers,Wu Qi Xian ?

elow at 12:33 午前 | (0) comments

日曜日, 8月 08, 2004

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Had a nice haircut at my fave hair salon Gorgeous Hair Studio @ Far East this afternoon. This time round I was lazy too flip through the hair catalogues magazines. I simply asked my stylist Clara to design a hair style suitable for me. I guess I was confident enough in their skills and I was not wrong. My hair now is shorter than previous times but the back is still a tad bit long. HAHAHAZzz...I also bought a matt gum. One of the salon assistants was applying not the usual Loreal hair mud, then Clara came and did some final touchups and I asked her what was that she was using.She even taught my how to style my hair properly and I realised I have been doing it wrongly for the past 8 months..haha It was a matt gum and I was like "huh, what is a matt gum" Anyway its something similar to hair mud/clay. It costed me $25 but I was told it would last me at least half a year as I would only need a small dab. One of my colleagues also goes to Gorgeous for her haircut..haha.

Recently I am getting a bit fashion concious. My wardrobe needs a complete overhaul - I think. Like for my working clothes for example, I practically will wear the checkered shirt on monday or tues...then the rest for the rest of the week. It was the same when I was with my ex-company. I actually thought that some of my colleagues then will gossip about my almost standard attire for this week. I never bother about clothes and stuff. In fact I only buy new clothes during Chinese New Year ! Or maybe occassionally when I go out with my mum. But then I am not really particular about "dolling" up before going out. The only thing I bother is my hair as clothes to me is secondary. Another thing is I am not all so lean and fit enough to be able to fit into any kind of clothes and I am not too tall neither and I got a short neck so I'll prefer no-collar Tees. In fact those people who tried to grab my neck often have difficulties doing so. HAHAHHWHAHAHAAHHAWHAHAHAHAz

Keep me aside, I am more concious about girls' fashion, hair and makeup. I even joined in some ladies beauty's forum !!! I think most gals will know about Flowerpod. I think pink is a fave colour among most gals..somehow pink is often associated with cuteness, sweetness and now recently there is this very hot pink tee shirt which almost every gal is wearing on the streets. Its a small short sleeved pink tee with a somewhat" glossy" texture. Whilst walking down Orchard Road today which btw was quite packed, I saw countless gals wearing this particular Tee..

Another thing is I keep seeing alot of guys wearing pink, is this an "in" thing ? Does this make the guy "cute" or make him look as if he has an abnormal gender preference ? I think guys wearing pink make them look like strange aliens. Yucks.

My gf's mum think I am abnormal due to the fact that I like stuff like makeups, hairstyles, beauty for ladies. I believe this is the same as like maybe in the 40s or what, men who likes cooking can be seen as abnormal ? Come to think of it, I dun think there is anything wrong with liking makeups and stuff as I am not the one who is applying the makeup on myself and I like gals who can really makeup..I observe gals' makeup - the shape of their eyebrows particularly, the colors of their eyeshadows, their mascara, their blusher..and if possible, if they have their underarms hair removed. I think gals with underarm hair is a Fcuking major turn off. WHAHAHHWHWHAHAAHAH HWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAzzzzz ~~~~ I like pink blusher, eyelash curler, classy executive eyeshadows, eyeliner and eyebrow pencil. If I got the money I think I will go take up makeup lessons. AND doing a good one is not easy.

elow at 12:32 午前 | (0) comments

水曜日, 8月 04, 2004

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I was pretty excited and motivated from what i saw on the news last night. Lucas film will be opening its 1st animation studio in Asia - Singapore !!! Somehow this news brought back the passion for 3D animation and modeling. It broke the crystal of dead slumber which engulfed me since eons ago. Another catlyst is that I will be going to further study my Japanese. Probably at Yano if I can scheduled into its class. My mum seems to be willing to lend me some handy cash for my Japanese studies. :)

I have discussed this with a friend who was intending to further his Jpn studies. But he is now so busy as he is undergoing his uni courses as well. He needs to analyse Yano's textbook which my friend (Xrystal) who is studying there said that its the same as Inoue's and also the lecture's notes. Xrys is too busy to meet up. Rather both are too busy to meet up for whatever which need to be done. I emailed Yano's and I think the pricipal Yano san replied. He reckoned I have JLPT 2 (at least he said) standard...WAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA...happy SIA~~~!!! My level roughly estimated is between JLPT 3 and JLPT 2. Its neither here or there and I dun like the idea of dangling in between 2 levels. My aim if of course to attend JLPT 1 and I truely hope to make good use of this JLPT 1 standard.

I was pretty free since I finished the 16000+ words translation. I somehow got knowledge of the amount which was paid to the Korean translator for the same website. He/She was paid US$1080. My colleague got hold of this info by accident and he showed it to me. I jokingly told him that I will not mind if Im paid for the same amt in Sing dollars. I am quite surprised I was told to do professional level translations when I do not even hold a professional translator cert. My O level Mandarin is only equilavent Pri 2 at most in Taiwan and China. Of course my translation will not be on par !

Its most obvious my boss is trying to cut cost but I think he made a pretty bad choice. Try translating this in Mandarin "

Gigabit Ethernet for superior performance and productivity Single CPU render server configurationsMultiple inferno, flame and flint systems increase per server productivity.Typical SD production deployment (for 1 flame client)Optimal server layout: 2-4 burn nodesHigh performance server layout: 4-8 burn nodesDiminishing ROI: > 8 burn nodesTypical HD/Film production deployment (for 1 flame client)On average, burn system outperforms flame on Octane2 with 2 servers for HD and film resolutions.Optimal server layout: 4-8 render nodesHigh-performance server layout:8-20 render nodesDiminishing ROI: > 20 render nodes " Taken from Discreet.com products.

What the hell is this ??!

Enough said.

elow at 10:54 午後 | (0) comments

火曜日, 8月 03, 2004

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I want to get a nice kitty but my mum does not allow it. I think cats are nice creatures being clean and independent. But the only thing which worries me is that they like to scratch furnitures. The cat displayed in my blog (only) was a cat which came down to my storey to look for place to shit..ahhahahahaha..it climbed onto my neighbour's pots but then later decided to do it on the corridor..eeks stink man. After doing its biz, it lazed itself in the small canel. It allowed me to take its pics and for several times, it tried to wriggle itself into my flat.

I always have an interest in makeup. Not as in doing it on my face (im a guy, not ah gua) but to apply it on women's face and make them look glamourous like those pics you see in fashion mags. I guessed this started out when I was in sec sch, I always bought the I-weekly and often in some fashion section (then) there will be pics with the models looking sooooooooo good. I got to know Celeste Chong, Phillis Quek, Michelle Saram, Lum May Yee, Charleine something..cos these were the few whom caught my eye then. I think gals should know how to make up. This is not just for the sake of making themselves look good but its so much so a part of a woman's life !

Women should pamper themselves for the sake of pampering themselves such as making themselves look good. Often by looking good, they will naturally feel good too. When they feel good then alot of things will come naturally be it boyfriend or career. I do not think now any woman should have a reason for being FAT and UGLY. The only reason being so is only LAZINESS. Like a saying goes, " There is no ugly woman, only a lazy one" No money to go slimming centers ? Then exercise and watch your fcuking diet ! Watch the calories, burn more than you intake. Take up aerobics, yoga, aqua aerobics, sign up for gym sessions, rope skipping, jogging, strict soupy and veg diet with very little carbohydrates. Or better still, go for BMT. SURE THIN.

Still everything is easier said than done.

I think Melody Chen in the Jean Yip sponsored "Mei Li Bai Fen Bai, bao ni kan le hui shuo zhan" is overly exaggerating in her expressions to be oh-so-fun, oh-so-funky. Its not her Mandarin, its not her looks, its about how she...hosts the program. Wu Xu Ma Li is much much better though she could tone up on her arms. whhahahaha...

I wanted to take up Jpn lessons again but no one is going with me. An ex-classmate just started her lesson. A new semester (?) just started out a few days ago and I am wondering I should pop in someday to take a look and also the placment tests. Later, I told myself (again) what's the point of learning Japanese again...you got the money meh, you got the need meh..etc" Then strangely in a drama, someone said, "When you learn things, you have to be independent as it is for the good of yourself. Go and learn the thing which you want to learn by yourself ( as in do not have to have friend to go with you) " Suprise, surprise. Who is intending to knock some sense into me ?

elow at 12:40 午前 | (0) comments