Loctor's Wedding Part Three - Pandemonium in the Church

By the time everyone has arrived, it was time to get on with the ceremony. We had to make sure that Loctor's suit is alright, guests are fetted, (nice) photos taken and last of all, making sure the DJ (me) plays the right song at the right time. Although Loctor has "hired" a professional photographer, there were a lot of other cameramen running about with real equipment, making my FujiFilm look like small boy in a University. So shameful and no money to buy them too.

Well, introducing Mr. And Mrs. Mayat

Mrs. Mayat and her friends
Notice her bouquet was hand-made from real flowers

Mrs. Mayat's Sister in Law

Group Photo!
(L-R) Will, myself, Mrs. Mayat, Loctor, his friend, Zybisko and GF

Loctor's Wedding Part Two - The Arrival

Loctor's wedding is quite simple. In fact, it was so simple, there were not much ceremonies. Anyway, to cut a long story short (I am not going to talk about the forgotten 'touch&go' card), we arrived at the Church with a lot of time to spare. However, there was a bit if a tradition where Loctor's nephew, Nicholas needs to open the door of the car that Mrs. Mayat would be arriving in. However, things never go as planned........

Loctor briefing his nephew how to demand for more ang-p...er,
open the door for Mrs. Mayat

The one who brought Loctor into the World
which terrorised everyone with his wit

Mrs. Mayat has arrived! And now, its Nicholas's
job to open the door for her

Mrs. Mayat stuck in the car because Nicholas
forgot about Loctor's plan

Loctor's Wedding Part One - The Eve

So, this is Loctor's last time with us as a bachelor before it is announced to the rest of the World tomorrow. Will, Zybisko14 and his GF and myself car-pooled all the way up to Prai on Saturday. Since Zybisko14 and I were working, we really had to rush to the rendezvous point by 2PM in the afternoon so we can arrive by seven in the evening. After a nice dinner with Loctor, we all headed to a DVD shop, then to Starbucks at the new Mall at Sunway. Since this was his stag night we had to call it a day as we could not find any stags. Anyway, since this blog is about him, I will Ultraman everyone in the pictures

This is Starbucks's latest drink:
The Mango Passion, one with whipped cream and one without

On the next morning, we arrived at his place by 930 in the morning just as Loctor was getting ready. I have to hand it to him as he was quite calm and cheery compared to everyone else who are panicking (except us la).

Loctor: Which tie is better? The saxophone or the Grapes?
Zybisko: Did you tell them about the grapes?
Loctor: No.
Me: I'd say, the saxophones looked better
Loctor: Aw, I liked the grapes because I buy one. The saxophone Mrs. buy one
Me: In that case, go for the saxophones
Loctor: Aww.........
Me: Wei, today is her day, la. Not yours.
Loctor: Ok, Ok.

Trust me, the saxophone tie looked much better

While waiting for the time, we clowned around

Loctor with his newly MAT (Mayat's All_Terrain) car, hijacked from some innocent fella
(original term MAT = Monster Attack Team)

Goodbye, Sandisk

It just "died" when I was uploading a lot of MP3s for today's trip up North when the Windows "hang"ed
After 2 hours it cannot be recovered, despite me trying. Haih. RM49 gone just like that.

Tapes

Jason: Here's more stuff for you.
Me: Err......... its cassette tapes.
Jason: Yep. You got a player?
Me: Nope but I'll have to find one
Jason: OK, I think I have one, let me go get it..
[Minutes later]
Jason: Sorry, Bro. Its gone
Me: Never mind, I'll think of something
Jason: Well, if you can, convert it tp MP3 too...........

False sense of security

Tech: Boss, you locked you car?
Me: Yep. Why?
Tech: The alarms still on (Siren sounding)
Me: [Goes to the car door and pulls handle....] Oh-oh. Can open from outside ler
Tech: Oh-oh.
Me: Better go see my friend Ken at Powerpoint Section 17
Tech: Haiya........ you always go fix your car wun. Why not sell it off? So much problems.
Me: Shaddup!
Tech: Yes, Boss. Sorry Boss

Ken: That will be RM25.00 with 3 months warranty
Me: @#*&^% Pokai already

The perks that comes with the job

What are you complaining about?
Didn't I promise you that you'll get a raise soon?

Signing on the dotted line

Jason: OK, this is what you get when you sign up. Bla.. Bla... Bla...
[Half an hour later]
Jason: Bla... Bla... Bla...

[In the background, Kristine was playing with Jason's son, his pet goldfish, turtles, electronic organ, was dancing, peeing, etc]

Me: [Zzzzz.......]
Wife:[Zzzzz.......]
[Still much much later]

Jason: Bla... Bla... Bla...

Me: OK, where do we sign?
Jason: Bla... OK, let me get you some pens.
Me: I.. er...

[Then take out my new pen]

Wife: Wow. Your pen is heavy
Me: Yeah, I just got it today, very expensive summore
Wife: Sure of not? Your definition of expensive is off wun
Me: Yer la. Its expensive. Costs me RM89.00....
[She looks at me with those "What kind of fool waste money like that} look]
Me: ... but the lady see I so hensem, she sold it to me for RM13.00
Wife: But its so big la
Me: I like writing with big heavy pens. Makes me confident in my performance
Wife: ..................

Jason: [Comes back with two pens] OK, guys, sign here and here
.
.[Sign... sign... sign...]
.[Scribble... scribble.. scribble...]
.[Draw circles, etc.]
.
Jason: Welcome to the family! It'll be official by Tuesday.

Kristine and the Durian

We were sitting down for dinner and my Dad reminded me that there was still a pack of durians left. He had bought a pack each for everyone. Since the remaining one was my Wife's, I can still stake a claim! Anyhow, it made my dinner much more enjoyable as I love to mix it with white rice. Still, there is something about the weather this weekend. Although I took some durians, (about three) I did not feel heaty compared to last season. Weird

Anyway, while we're eating, Kristine came up to the table and after some "polite" requests, she got her own durian as well. And within minutes, all that was left was the seed (and no mess). Initially, when she was a year old, I tried feeding her some durian but she did not like it. Now, she takes it when she feels like it.

The durian looked humongous in her hands!

Another victim of neglect

Today, it was my wife's turn. She needed to service her car as the engine oil symbol kept lighting up on the dashboard. Since they're open on Sundays, I decided to bring her car there. Apart from the normal service of changing the engine oil, they had to change the spark plugs, the petrol filter and also the carburetor after they did some preliminary checks around the car. It seemed that the spark plugs were in bad condition and the same goes for the petrol filter which was badly clogged. The brake discs on the outside was fine but the inner side needs to be skimmed. Just looking at the brake pads, we know the surface on the inner side of the disc is in bad condition. This explains the "metal to metal screeching" sounds we heard. If my wife listened to the original mechanic near our house instead, within a few more months, theings would have gone from bad to worse. Yeah, I know, I should have checked them myself but work is really killing me and so many more projects needed to be done for friends.

But since today is the eve of the start of the Hungry Ghost festival, they needed to close early. And this time, there were no Milos for me.

The spark plugs were in a very bad condition and as soon as I
saw them, I immediately asked them to change it.

Imaginations from a handkerchief

Sometimes when I turn my back to her, things can go wrong within less than a minute. And although I make sure I keep my eye on her, it can be really tiring because children at her age tends to be hyperactive and destructive at the same time. You just cannot keep her occupied for long as their attention span is very short. So, while I was tending to Kaelynn, Kristine was runnig around with some black cloth and then disappeared......

In the next minute, she came back with a clothes peg/clip which she tied on to the handkerchief.........

This shot makes her look like some war-torn Russian
old lady.......


Ooooh....... Barney is on!


And what was your response to earlier bedtime hours?

The heat is on

One thing I hated about Saturday is that everyone gets off work at the same time at 1:00PM. So, you can imagine that the whole Klang Valley area is jammed up. Usually, if I took the normal route back to Bangsar, it would not be that bad. But however, since we're not living there anymore, just reaching to Subang is already a nightmare. Anyway, the trip from PJ to Subang is already jammed at the Federal Highway. Not only that, Saturdays are usually hot and just for today, it was extremely hot. My car's "Typre-R" temperature gauge showed a reading of 39ºC which is about right because the car's air-con is just blowing warm air.

And minutes later, I needed to wind down the windows as the air outside was cooler. I looked at other cars who where just inching along the Highway. With nothing else much better to do, I caught a glimpse at my car's water temperature gauge. And there and then, I got a shock. The temperature needle has gone to the halfway mark. And it was the same the night before except it was at the 2/3 mark.

One thing about the problem with cars is that you only notice the faults when you're driving. Since you cannot stop, you promised yourself that you will rectify it once you get home. But when you do get home, you forget about it until you start you car the next day and the problem started halfway through the journey.

Being stuck at the Federal Highway for almost an hour in an overheating car was not a good thing. And despite the heat out there, I was sweating like crazy because I do not want to be the "guy with the car stuck in the middle of the Federal Highway opening his bonnet and blocking traffic". I am not sure that the problem was but last two years ago, it was the water pump. So, when you're stuck in traffic, every time the car moves, the needle would drop slightly. But not this time. But as I veered towards the Subang exit, there were some bumps which made the needle drop significantly.

With the bumps being the clues, I theorised that it might not be water pump anymore. Maybe it was the rust inside there where every bump dislodged the blockage. But then, subsequent bumps did not help. And as I moved, the needle did not go down but rose further. And by the time I was a few kilometers from home, it was already critical. I cruised the car and even lowered the RPM but it did not help the situation. Already, there were premature detonations inside the engine which means the water inside the radiator is gone. I could hear pinging when the car went above 2000RPM. Then it was 1800 RPM.......

Luckily, I saw a service centre nearby and so, with the last remaining momentum, I steered the car towards them. Luckily, there were no other cars so I dod not have to stop much nor strain the engine further. So, by the time they open up the bonnet, there were steam/smoke everywhere. After letting the engine cool for a while only did they start to work on the engine.

Apparently, it seemed that the main radiator fan was gone. That is why it was insufficient to cool the radiator. The damage was done. Oil was leaking from the engine block out due to the boiling engine oil, I suppose. By the time they changed it, there wasn't much left. And I was right about the water being boiled off. It was funny to see the mechanic filling the radiator again and again while his face showed disbelief. But I just do hope the damage stopped at that because if not, the head gasket would have to be replaced, which is not cheap. Since I was there, they did quite a bit of checking for me and also since I forgot when was the last time my car was sent for service (I think it was more than 15,000KM ago) I opted for the oil change, air and oil filters and even flushed the engine.

There was another worrying fact. My lower arms are going and also, we suspected the drive shaft was well since whenever I turned the wheels, there was this rattling sound. So, after a long afternoon and RM382.00 gone, I just hoped nothing else would go wrong. The mechanics also hoped that this (fan) would be the only problem. Continuing on my journey, the temperature gauge was within its normal 1/3 point.....

I am starting to like this shop as they were quite honest in their diagnosis and service. And for my visit, I got a free Milo (powder) pack and a silver windscreen sunshade but the KFC vouchers ran out. I think I'll keep the Milo and give the Shades to my Dad.

Engine oil there......


Are you steamed yet?


There you go


Replacing the culprit

BAths

Last night, I got back early and decided to take the two girls for their baths since my wife was tired out. Its not easy to take them both together as Kristine would be up to her mischiefs again. Still, it was fine until she started to go into Kaelynn's bathtub.....

Ha ha ha ha! I got into Kaelynn's territory!

And so, Kaelynn cried for help

And I reprimanded Kristine but to no avail

But when Mommy comes in with a cane...........

They called it the Jumping Smile Ball

Let me ask you this. How long can a toy last? A day? A week, maybe even years?
Well, when I got this for Kristine, a small cloclkwork toy with flashing electronics (whihc lights up due to the vibration inside the ball) it lasted less than 10 minutes before the Jumping Smile Ball became a Standing smile ball.

Oh well, still, for RM2.00, I get to open it up and get the free batteries and electronics too.

RIP
[17:03 - 17:13]
Jumping smile ball

CSI:Rawang

Some plastic container was mudered........

Another milestone for Kaelynn

Everyone was quite happy last night as Kaelynn stood up all by herself without any help. And our clapping further encouraged her to try a few more times before she got bored and wiped the floor with her blue blankie

Yay! Kristine cheering Kaelynn on

A4tech headphones

My USB cable broke and it really sucks especially when I was in the middle of programming the Panasonic PABX. So, since my customer was located nearby Section 14's Digital Mall, I decided to stop by at All IT Hypermarket. And then I saw those new headphones, the ones that looked like some mini tubes which you plug into the ears. This one was by A4Tech. The last set of headphones I had was from Sony and it was years ago. By now, the sponge has deteriorated, the wires have hardened too. Not only that, years of use has resulted in all the sweat from the ears leaking into the thing itself and I can see a lot of grime and corrosion. I think it was the early 90's Fontopia series which have nice bass. But because the sponge has gone, I have to keep pressing the earphones in order to hear those bass.

So, how does it feel with these new headphones on? Remember the time when you roll up wads of tissue paper, soak it with a bit of water and then plug them into your ears? And then, most of the sound around you disappeared and you're in a World of your own. You cannot hear most of the sound around you but you will notice that your breathing is quite "Heavy". not only that, when you eat/chew, you can hear your jaws too. However, the same goes when you move the heaphone cables about. I you say something, that is your real voice. I realised that when I recorded my own voice and layed it back from the iPaq.

And the sound quality? Well, imagine you're in a rubber room, all deafeningly quiet and then suddenly when the music starts, you feel as if you're standing in front of pair of bass speakers. Sometimes, most of the treble seems to have been absorbed within the rubber room. And of you listen to your favourite songs, you will not notice that you have shut out the World around you. So, its not a good thing when you're driving, at work or even when sleeping (really). But I really could not resist using them when I was driving yesterday. I realised that I tend to cruise more than usual and actually enjoyed the long drive. And when I was working on site, I tend to concentrate more and ignored everyone else there. Ha ha ha ha.But there is one thing that was new to me. The moment I unplug the heaphones from my ears, all the sounds rushed in and my ears actually felt cold (due to the sweat, methingks)

Ultra Light weight! SecureFit stays in ear while Exercising!Powerful Neodymium Magnetic Bass Driven Sound!Constructed with durable metallic materials!Includes three pairs (small, medium, large) of soft sleeves!In other words, this is a sound cancelling metallic heaphones with three ear condomsand various shades of metallics such as red, green, copper blue, etc that is designed tolook like a mini 50's hair dryer

Of the three silicon sleeves, I went for the middle (Top)

And here are the set. I like the design of the stereo jackwhich is straightforward

Firefly Rev-8

Here is a quick glance of the Firefly Rev-8 NERF gun. I had to come early to the office to *ahem* test and photograph it. The N-Strike (Enlist, Engage, Enforce, don't ask me why it did not start with "E") series of the NERF guns are wonderfully designed. It can be painted black (or whatever) and still would not look out of place in a Science Fiction (or real) movie. Of the N-Strike series, so far I have accumulated the knock-off Maverick, now the Firefly and soon, the Scout (on the way). The only NERF series which I did not have was the Longshot Rifle. The Titans and the Hornet was not my cup of tea although the latter has a very nice grip.

Anyway, after a few test rounds, I found out that this Firefly was very weak in shooting out the dart. I have yet to test the other three, but no matter, my plans to convert them does not involve shooting out darts. Hee hee hee

The Firefly is quite hefty and it fits quite comfortably in my hand, with the
butt-end against my biceps.

This is the front end of the rifle and as you can see, it holds eight rounds

I loved the view from here. The orange part is to cock/load the round
You have to hold the rifle with one hand and use the other to slide it
towards your shoulder. You have to do the for every round
But that will change later.....


Oh, this is the reason why the darts are made of glow-in-the-dark
plastics. As you pull the trigger, it will set off a flash unit above the
barrel and make the dart glow. So, its like firing a tracer round. But
if you fire too fast, then there is not enough time to charge the flash
until another round has gone.

Car Interior Courtesy Lights

I was at Pasar road again. Just after my GDL test. This time, it was bulbs for my car. License plate bulbs, in fact. Just the other evening, it blew, no thanks to me. Usually, when that light was not on, I would give it a thump and everything was back to normal. But on that very night, it refused to light anymore.

Then I happen to come across the white LED courtesy light which sells for RM25.00. And for that price which consists of a circuit board, some current limiting resistors and white LEDs, it was a rip-off. But knowing me, if I want to do this myself, the project would see the light of day come 2009.

Anyway, since the courtesy light was easier to install, I did that first. maybe this weekend I would do the license plate lights.

Its a very simple kit. You just replace the old bulb with this
connector. But make sure it is the right way round because
if its not, they would not light up

This is where the normal bulb was used

And this is where the LED was used. At night, it looked weird
but still brighter than the bulb.

Can I kick it?

I got myself a new pair of shoes today, as I had some money left over after some budget calculations. I used to have one in 2003 and it lasted me for about a few years. These industrial safety boots are a lifesaver for me because of the places I go to. Many a times, if I wore normal shoes, my legs would have been badly done in with nails, sharp corners, etc.

I chose the Bluehammer BH-300A black version since the one in brown (BH-6688A) costs RM80.00 more. Its not the price but because of the zippers which I hated as when it comes to tough stuff, zippers just don't cut it at crictical moments. I could have opted for shoelace version but then again, that's just me. The shoes costs me RM118 or so but after looking at the final bill, it was RM108. This was because I was polite to them and they were also nice chaps. They were returning the more expensive brown ones as not much people buy them since the economy is getting slightly bleak. But there is a way you ask for discounts. For me, it was, "Boss, how much is this, ah?" even though the price tag was sticking out like a big poster. And to save face/much haggling, they will tell you the "discounted" price. Yeah, I hate encounters.

However, there is a problem. I was so used to the old pair of shoe which by now, have a very weak sole. So, after wearing it for the first time, I tripped myself at the steps, pressed too much petrol and also, damaged furniture (instead of the other way round)

What is the difference between my "free" boots and the new boots?
Yes, one is breeds fungus and the other one is waterproof

Oh, by the way, I bought this for RM5.00. Its a very
innovative idea for a tool. All the bolt sizes are there.
But i wonder how long it would last as I feel as if it
was made from normal die-cast material unlike those
expensive tough chrome vanadium stuff