Oh!pEnions

The Storm

On the way back to Office, scenes like this means havoc in the City. And boy, when I arrived, I was lucky I was not there. So much debris...

I have yet to 'enjoy' the LCD Projector (loaned from Loo CK of SFTPMS) but there is one thing I must prepare first. This is because in the Workshop, there will be a section where I will be demonstrating how to solder. And so, in the interest of safety and also not burning ICW down, I decided to use a CCTV camera where the participants can observe the demonstration from afar.

Since I had an old CCTV camera lying around, I decided to connect it to the LCD projector...

This is a very nice CCTV camera. But before I
can use it properly, I would have to change the
lens. And by jove, I do have another lens too!
This was the wrong lens I bought when I was
trying out some CCTV theories (from my own
pocket, of course). And now, its needed here.

First test, the camera is working. This model
does not have those IR LEDs which allows it
to see in the dark. Not that I need it as during
close up, they might compromise the image.

Sometimes, changing the lens is very simple
which involves unscrewing the lens itself. But
in some camera models, you would need a
small screwdriver to untighten a retaining
screw. Its a pain but this screw is important
in CCTV application as it makes sure the
lens are never out of focus when some very
clumsy oaf (like me) fiddles around with it.

After the lens change, I got a much better picture.
In actual fact, I do not need to change the lens
at all as the original lens was quite OK. but I just
want to make sure it can do close-ups. So, this is
as close I want it to be and after some focusing.

And this is the distance!

The Workshop PCBs

OK, I finally got the chance to collect the circuit boards today and after some inspection, they look alright (to me, that is). So, the next part is to redo the component list as I missed out the resistor and capacitor values which, the shop could not pack them for me.

And so, the vendor has kindly cut up the circuit boards
for me and they are verynicely done. If these four
boards (a set) are to be sold as electronic kits, I don't
think you could buy them at the price I am making.
Yes, these are industrial grade boards.

Test fit result: All the components fit perfectly
unlike the prototypes weeks ago.

Seaweed Pringles

While I was enjoying my Work (yes, really)today, Kristine called up and told me that Mommy wanted me to get some eggs in the way home. So, I stopped by to get them and on the way, I saw some new Pringles crisps. What the heck, RM3.70 is Ok to me nowadays.

And so, this seaweed flavour is very
Pringles. It tasted more like a Pringles
than seaweed. And it does not even
taste green. And oh, this is how much
crisps it has inside before I took some
for testing. Ahem

1/20 Falke

When I examined the Falke, I did not realise it was that big. I kept forgetting that this was the Lunadiver. However, both are not the same scale. For one, the Falke is 1/20th while the Lunadiver is 1/35th. Anyway you look at it, the Lunadiver is still 'bigger'. One day, I want to get it but right now, the Falke will suffice.

OK, so the box is big. Its about 19 inches or so,
according to my thumb and ring finger, that is.

But once you open the box, the model is roughly
about 40cm. in length.

A nice surprise is that even under the box,
there are some printed fiction.

So, this is a quick look-see of the kit and I am not starting on it yet as I need to have a better look at the instruction kit since my main aim is to light it up (again). So, its over to Bruce's for some clear casting help... stay tuned, folks.

Reading

As I sat there silently, the girls were busy with their books. Here are some shots of them reacting to each page...

Kaelynn looking at Kristine's school books

Kristine looking at her own school books

Kaelynn looking at Kristine's work...

Busy Sunday 17042011

Wife is still sick and so, I have no mood to do anything else other than worry about her. Because I'm a guy and me being me, its hard for me to show my feelings. Still, at the end of the day, I just sit alone and worry. But this is not doing anyone good and so, .... well, nothing.

But in the evening, she did ask me to go to Mid-Valley, to get some things for her, which she needs by Monday. And so, I decided to bring the girls along since there is nothing else to do in the house.

Talk about timing. In just a few minutes, Vincci
started their fashion show and from where we
were, we're literally in the front seat.

One thing is that these models were tall. Very very
tall. Most of them, I think, flew in from somewhere.

And I really liked the background which
is kind of well, nice and also surreal.

The girls having some fun in The Gardens

The gigantic Milleniun Falcon, was right beside
them and all they want to do was stare at some
Transformers. Sheeesh... kids nowadays.

Finally, Kaelynn said she was thirsty and we
had to go down three floors to get their very
favourite "Dragon Eye" drink. And she did
not settle for any other drink.

Once we got all the items Mommy wanted, it was
time for us to go back and I went to Art Friend
one more time to get some balsa wood since it did
not make sense to carry 40 inches of fragile wood
around during shopping.

They're growing up and this time,
they insist of going to the proper
Ladies.

Krsitine took a brochure from Art Friends and
pretended it was a map so she could guide us
all the way back to Vee-chai.

And she thinks it more effective than my
Nokia n8 OVI Maps.

The Gweilo and his Har mee

The gweilo (Cantonese for foreigner and I am not going to tell you the Malay version since its not nice) or, Hom Mo Guai (Red Furred Ghost) is very different from us. This is very apparent when I was growing up. But with the advent of the Internet and Movies, they're so common nowadays and no one, I mean, no one is afraid of them anymore.

But we still treat them as someone superior even though they're not. Just by being there, the can command any situation. Why we gave it to them, I have no idea.

Two Decades ago, if he comes here, he would be
stared at, as if some alien just came down. One
decade ago, he is living among us and we see
them as rich, filthy rich and also, obscenely
powerful. Today, he's just as common as any
one of us.

Machinen Krieger 1/20 Falke

Yep. Got it. Right beside me. I'm trembling
with excitement while driving.

Grading

Today's lesson was a very short one. Before I could warm up with my work, it was finished. At first, when we arrived, we notice there was a lot of cars and it could not be some PTM activity. It was not until Kristine came to me and told me that she had been graded and we can now all go home.

Yes, I was very confused.... I mean, there is so much information you can take in before your brain decided to switch itself off.

This explains why there were so many parents.
All their kids are being graded and I think, some
of them might not be from this school. Then again,
I am never right in this matter. Parents of all races
were anxious while the both of us did not take much
notice all this excitement until too late.

So, just to blend in like any parent,
I decided to take some photos but
come to think of it, I regretted not
having the chance to video Kristine
going through her moves.

In the meantime, Kaelynn was busy too, but with
her own stuff. I like this one, don't you?

Academy

You know, I really have to stop going to Hobby HQ soon. Everytime I go there, 80% of time I leave with something in my hands while my wallet was still screaming in the pockets. But then with a discount close to almost half, who can resist?

This is a 1/48th scale Helicopter and it
has a lot of parts which I can use it to
make things...

...things other than what is shown in the
instruction sheet or on the box, that is.

So, why did I buy it? Well, this kit in particular,
has a lot of spare parts. For instance, you have
a pair of pilots in tan.

And if you don' t like them, there is another
set in gray. Actually, this Helicopter is used
in a lot of roles and so, what this Academy
did was to create a generic model and then
add in the 'extra' parts or sprue for a
particular version. I am just happy that I
have four pilots instead of two.

The next one is a SR-71 Black Bird which, in
real life, has been retired. But because of the
price and tie size of the model, I simply must
have one. Already I have ideas for it and yes,
it has nothing to do with just being a plane.

Just the shape of the model alone, it is
already 50cm!

And the details for this model is quite nice.
Not that I care anyway, when I am done
with it. If it ever gets done....

Busy Saturday 16042011

I know that today is going to be a very busy day since it involves SFTPMS members. But I never realised how busy it was going to be. First of all, it rained the whole morning. OK, so, this is going to put a damper to some of the member's plans and also, my schedule. But first thing first. Wife is sick and still, she wanted to do some errands. Being a very loyal and dutiful husband *ahem*, I drove her around. But I still cannot get her to go see the Doctor. And if I am going to be late, then late it is. Sorry, guys.

First entertainment of the day, watching the Scouts
performed their parade routine in the drizzling rain. I
was secretly hoping there would be some cheerleaders
and fireworks but well, this, after all, is Saturday
morning in a public School.

Then the rain got heavier and everyone went into the
shade. By this time, it was past 1030....

By 1100, my Wife was ready to leave and I was
ready to go... to the Library. Yes, Library.
Never ever make a Librarian go after you for
your overdue books.

Once that is done, I rushed over to Pasar Road as fast as I legally could and well, Viper was already there, with his son. Originally, there was supposed to be only one session but because I was too excited since the PCB boards were ready, I suggested the 10Am instead. Unfortunately, the response from the Forum was not fast enough and so, because of that, I had to conduct two sessions. One is the 10AM and the second one is the 2PM. After showing Viper around the place and helped him get his tools. It was already 1230PM. And so, we bade farewell and after some very deep thinking, I realised that there was something missing....

Yep. Lunch

And it is still raining. I has been raining since 10 in the
morning. And carrying an umbrella all over the place
is not fun for me since I could forget and left it on
some place which I will never find it. And since
its raining, its a very precious commodity.

Ah, lunch. Something simple since I do not want
to eat anything heavy and fall asleep halfway...

And its still only 1315. Boring

The second session had a much better turnout since
the rain has stopped and also, most of the people
would have finished working. And so, on the
second group purchase, we saved a lot of cash.

Unfortunately, I was 10 minutes too late and the shop was closed which means I could not collect the PCBs and have a go at it myself. And now, after speaking with one of the members, I have to go to Hobby HQ to collect the projector. Mr. Loo was kind enough to loan the projector to the club for its functions and so, I need to collect it since I want to test its composite video input.

I am a robot....

What a shocker for me. I dreamt I was some kind of robot or with some mechanical prosthetics. It was a bit fuzzy but there was a robot theme in the dream. Then I had to wake up to take a pee since I drank a lot of water a few hours ago and I saw this....

An opening hatch!

I mean, hey, at three in the morning, anything can happen. It dawned on me that I was sleeping ont he floor so that my Wife who is sick has more space in the bed and my leg somehow pressed against a loose wooden tile. OK, the truth was, I dozed off on the floor while waiting for a certain SMS replay from a certain person whose auto-gate was not working.

Going to LCCT and Kota Kemuning

Would you dare to go to these two places with less than 3 bars left on your fuel tank? If I divide all the 7 bars on the fuel gauge, think its about 3.76 litres per bar on average but this is wrong method. From experience, I think the three bars might be 10 litres. From KL to LCCT, its already 70km and from LCCT to Kota Kemuning, its another 56KM, which makes it 136Km, something which on my Satria, I could be about 30 Km short. But I decided to risk it anyway because there is a Petronas just before the LCCT.