Oh!pEnions

That feeling of Walking in the Air...

This is something unexpected. But I suppose, this is what I get for being a cheapskate: my brand new shoes is kaput. As the weeks wore on, I did not pay much attention to them since they got more and more comfortable to wear. While I was in Rawang, I decided to stop at the Hypermart as the customer was busy. And as I walked around, I wondered why my feet were so cold...

Then I just looked down at my shoes...OMG!!!

The seams or whatever that was holding the rest of the shoes in place has literally torn apart. This explains the reason why I felt as if I was walking on air...

You can see the tear which extends from the middle to the read. The black area inside were my socks while the blue area are the gel filled soles.

With no time nor cash to get another pair, I decided to continue with my appointment for the day and then, just as I was at the customer's place, I felt as if there was something scraping. And so, I looked down on my shoes... OMFG!!!

So, its to the bin now. A RM79.00 pair of shoes with a RM35.00 upgrade... and I was expecting it to last me at least 8 month instead of weeks. Sheesh.

Hello, it has started...

What do you get when you mix with your friends in the class?

What do you get when you get to know them closer?

What do you need to get when you need to know more about your homework?

What do you want to get when you don't want to talk to your sister?

Why, you get your friend's phone number, of course. And then the both of you spend your time on the phone, doing the yakkety-yak...

It was the SIM afterall...

Hokay, this is embarrassing. Wife's problem with the Phone still persist. For a while, everything was fine and then, all of a sudden, the 'INSERT SIM' message flashed again. I would say, this took about three days.

We were very sure it was not the SIM card that was at fault since it was tested from three phones. Sigh.

And so, the other solution is to have the SIM card replace, which the carrier did, without questions asked. And so, we wasted a few hundred ringgit just to find out that it was the SIM card after all. Damn.

Not again....!

I was driving to Rawang when I heard the unmistakable 'crack'. Another stone has hit the windscreen. Damn. This will be the second time it has happened and if I got for another two more, in theory, it would be the same cost of replacing the actual screen. And yes, the only vehicle within the vicinity was... (drum roll, please) a lorry.

I was so pissed, I took the shot there and then

This is a closer shot of the crack. Luckily, is has not spread.

Unluckily, there were two cracks. The first was the actual crack while the second, I guess, could be a ricochet. Or I could be wrong

Customer offered me some tiny cake but I was not feeling that peckish. Throughout the whole time, I was only thinking about the crack and how soon I can repair it.

Indian

While I was at lunch with Bruce today, I decided to buy some Indian Muruku from the Indian guy who has his booth outside the entrance. Bruce mentioned that this guy is great and so, I guess its OK...

This is the type of muruku which I liked

Its, what I think is mixture of spice, flour and some onions. Which tastes great. Rock hard, a bit salty but tastes great. My jaw is still working.

And this one is quite weird. Hang on. This is shit. Yeah, now I remember, this is the end product that was generated from my butt after eating those stuff. This was the first of the four sessions I had to endure throughout the night. From now on, I have to stop buying from that guy.

The 1/32 PLAAF Mig-15 bis Fighter

This model, ah, haih. Everytime I look at it, I know its not going to be completed anytime soon. Its not because of the quality or that its made in China. Its not even about the 1/32 scale which is huge. Its just that its not easy to kitbash it. When I want the tools, its packed away somewhere else, and when I want to glue it, I have forgotten to buy the glue.

But in reality, what is staring at me in the face is indecisiveness; I do not know what is the final outcome of this model, so I cannot shape it nor have any further plans than to stick some random parts for a what-if scenarios. Stupid, right? It also because with the hectic work and family schedule, my brain is really fried.

And so, this is the PLAAF fighter. Sounds like Pilaf (OK, so I am getting hungry)

For this price, the model is generous with parts especially since about 80% will not be used.

The plane actually sits one person but here, they have two pilots (not very detailed) and two sets of seats.

The engine and the exhaust looks quite nice though but its not for this project

See how big a 1/32 model is

And so, for the moment, its into the 'to-do' bin but its the most frequent model to come in and out of the bin, though. Any inspirations for this model, hmmmm?

Farewell to... a house

Today is the last day we will ever visit this house. I kind of miss these type of houses because there were some memories. The first was that one of them belonged to my tuition teacher, Mr. Foo, whom, I think was from some Army. The last I saw him was a decade ago, where he was taking his grandson swimming on the nearby public swimming pool. His rebellious daughter was a real look at that time. But all I could remember was his garden which he also caught snails for cooking, his stacks of comics by the door which I went through while waiting for Dad to pick me up and the toilet. Yep, I always 'hide' in there when the Maths were too tough.

The second was it belonged to an ex-friend whom I unfriended last year when he could not control himself when I made a joke about Barenaked Ladies. So, fuck him.

But the third was the most pleasant as it made us feel very comfortable. Sadly, like all good things, it has come to an end. And so, today, we helped in the process and well, I just breathed in the atmosphere for the last time...

Kaelynn with a book she found

I liked this split level lounge but sometimes, have this fear that the girls will forget about the edge, run over and fall off and hit the furniture.

Birthday Party at the Barbie store

Today is a very nice day for Kaelynn because she was invited to her classmate's Birthday Party. At Mi-Valley. At the Barbie Store. Yeah, Barbie Store. So, since it was a Saturday, we have to make sure that we arrive early to beat the jam. And not only that, the party had to be done within that specified time booked just like the Clownhouse.

And so, Mommy took the two girls to the party. Its actually located at the floor above.

This is one of Kaelynn's classmate, which she easily dwarfs.

After the party, both girls showed off their tatoos. Kristine was not supposed to be in there but she pretend dunno. Mommy offered to pay for the extra pax but the host, I think declined. or maybe it was just my imagination. In my shoes, I would also shrug it off since its my kid's Birthday and all. But inside the heart....

She looks very nice with her hair done up like that

Closer look at the tattoo

Well, someone got a 'free meal' *ahem*

I can tell you, they preferred not to wash their hands for days if they can help it.

After that, it was lunch at the nearby Food Court.

Something new on the left, some Mango shaving thing next to the usual bland ABC

It was delicious and so, I let Kaelynn ate as much as she liked.

Kristine with the new 1.5 MyVi. Nice or not?

Just being plain rude

The plan today was for me to finish up my work and then meet up with my Wife in KK. This was because the electrician will be arriving at 11AM to fix the switch panel which was supposed to be fixed two weeks ago. Unfortunately, due to some unforseen events, I arrived late, about 1230 in the afternoon.

But the electrician did not come.

Luckily, on my way here, I bought a packet of Nasi Ambang for her. Halfway through her meal, he came. And me being not up to date with the Home Ministry, I asked if her was here to fix the Air-con.

What he answered was; "Do I look like the Air-con guy?". I let it go at that, not because he was an unsmiling 6 footer but because he has not fixed the switch yet.

And so, we waited for him to fix the switch, something which should have been done long ago. Why, I do not know. This is the switch we're using to install a water pump and also, another nearby switch for a light-bulb in the attic. My Wife told me he had come before, and was not in a smiling mood either. And after half an hour, with us helping him to switch the supply on and off, he said he will come back later as the switch was faulty. So, when my Wife asks him to commit to a time, he got all defensive and started to go at her.

1. He kept saying that this was my Wife's problem because he showed up at 10-something when clearly, it was 11Am. It did not help when my Wife was late as the girls were sick. (So, if he came and there was no one, why did he not call his Boss and get the matter sorted out with my Wife?)

2. The switch had a problem. Which is OK with us as we would gladly wait for him to come back o n the same day to get it done. But no, he has 100's of other jobs to do and he's alone doing all the crap. Monday is not a good time as my Wife told him she had to work. And we need to get it done before Tuesday before the pump comes. So, after a few to and fro, he lost him temper and started to avoid us. (I mean, why did he not bring two or more switches with him?) This is where I caould not stand it and threw the book I was reading on the table. This incensed him and he started to confront me. Right in my own house. As my Wife was there in between, I just bit my tongue while he ranted on and on, saying it was my Wife's fault and the switch's fault over and over again.

3. As he walked away, he threw the switch onto his van in disgust and I shouted at him which he got pissed off; "I am throwing this rubbish in my car, what's your problem? Tiu Lei Lo Mou!". That's when I was looking for a weapon to rush out, 6 foot or not, but well, Wife was there. So I really had to let it pass for the moment.

Later on, two hours later, he did not return and so we called his Boss, in a very nice but tersed voice saying that the job was not done. The Boss knew what happened even without asking and so, he sent another guy over, who did it in less than 5 minutes, even without having to cut the power supply off. And his PR skills was 1000 time much better.

But the time I came back he was leaving. Yes, I had to leave the place in case he came back and neither of us could not control ourselves. The second guy told us that this guy had problems with his temper. He once ran his own company but because of his temper, it was not successful. So, he now ends up working for other people. And he still has problems in the PR Department.

As for the switch, he is puzzled how it could be faulty. But then, I know the answer because I was like this first guy years ago... Right now, I do not feel any anger towards him anymore, but pity. Pity because Life and the Heavens did not show him how to change his attitude (or maybe he could not see the signs) while I had plenty of second chances...

At the moment, I will not name the shop because well, I just do not want to. Secretly, I am hoping you would be unfortunately enough to engage their services and then we can compare notes.

The kitchen people have completed the kitchen and also polished the tiles. This also means that the whole place is covered with dust.

After all the fiasco, luckily the Nasi Ambang was on the table, which sort of salved the anger a bit.

Man, I really love this Nasi Ambang.

So, while we're cleaning, we just stopped, took a bite and continued. Eventually, we had to sit down to eat it all.

Next problem was the girls's new discovery, which is the tie-wrap cables. Unfortunately, Kristine pulled too hard which tightened Kaelynn's wrist and her hand looks like its loosing colour. While we're panicking, she looked calm and bewildered.

So, while still panicking, and at the same time looking for a pair of scissors which has no sharp corners, does not contain lead, has stainless steel blades, safe for children and is ergonomically designed. Yeah, and the blade was right next to me, which I was so tempted to use it. But knowing my shaking hands under pressure, this act could result in another serious casualty.

Do you see the irony in this picture?

Dinner at the Clownhouse before we call it a night at Grandma's house.

Introducing Sabrina and Barbie...

Grandma bought more fishes for the girls and this time, each has their own mini aquariums. Suffice to say, after a few days of interest, I was the one who made sure they are fed and their tanks cleaned. So, one day, I made sure that these responsibilities are theirs and theirs alone.

Come to think of it, having pets for them is also another way of making sure they understand responsibility and also, the cause & effects of their actions. Way to go, Mum. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Left is Sabrina (Kaelynn's) and right is Barbie (Kristine's)

Seeking shelter the SMART way

Just experienced a very heavy downpour and minutes later, it was all Sun, Sun, Sun. So now, its no Fun.

No image manipulation here, just the effect of rain water coming down the windshield.

iCP07A

I got this from the website called iCircuit Technologies. This, I believe, comes from somewhere in Puchong, which, incidentally, is very close to my office but they do not believe in self-collect. I don't know where I got the info but it could be from their Facebook (no more aledi, la). Anyway, the reason I got this was because I was trying out the PIC12F629 and sometimes, using the prototype board is really demotivating when I want to try out a circuit fast. I do not want to spend what precious time I have, trouble shooting if the circuit or the programming was faulty.

So, the answer comes in this little board which you can plug in straight to your little prototype board.

With features such as 300mA I/O, a voltage regulator plus ICSP connections, it is really difficult for me to say no...

Or maybe their address was from here? Too late. its binned.

I bought two sets and each set comes with the board plus three connectors for you to solder. iCircuit also gives yo the choice of PIC chip when you order; PIC12F615, PIC12F629, PIC12F675, PIC12F683 and PIC12F1840 and the price difference is not much either.

Yes, I could design the board myself and all, but what am I going to do with the rest of the few hundred extra boards? Remember, there is a MOQ when I design PCBs of these qualities. I mean, you cannot ask a bread manufacturer for just one loaf...

[Update: 02052012]
Since they're so 'tiny' I actually misplaced them. But don't fret, once I get them back, I am going to try with ICSP. Heh Heh.

Some eating place in Mid-Valley

We were quite hungry while at Mid-Valley. And the Food Court is a few levels too high for us even by using escalators. The lifts are out as people going in and out of them non-stop as if they live in there. And, so, since the Basement Level Food Court is nearer, we decided to go there. But I have warned the girls ahead that we're not going into the Chicken Rice shop. Because, IMO for such a humble Chinese dish, it is too costly. Every time I was there, I felt as if there was a con going on.

And so, after looking at the other shops, we felt this one needed our attention. The only problem is that I am writing this months later and so, a lot of details have been forgotten; I forgot the name of the shop and what we ate.

There was a lot of waiting, that one I remembered and also, most of the dishes were not compatible with the girls's taste buds

This is what I ordered. And after looking at it, despite its taste which I forgot, I think I liked it. Just that the thing in the middle reminds you of something else.