Thursday, July 31, 2008
US Super despite the Travails
US Super despite the TravailsWhilst there is much talk about the upcoming Juggernaut People's Republic of China, and recession and the US currency crunch, the US is still Super despite the travails.
Browsing through an American bookstore does not lift the spirits. Books that chart the end of American supremacy, or which predict wars over finite natural resources, or study the squeezed middle-class, or which describe the catastrophic Bush presidency proliferate. The Unite states is going through a period of introspection, and the bookshelves of Boston, where I spent part of last week, are heaving with the results.
In one respect, it is hardly surprising: Iraq, Afghanistan and the rise of China. The credit crunch. The $140 per barrel oil price. The unbelievable unfairness of Bush’s tax cuts. The racism and violence that still porkmark American life. Yet the pessimism is overdone. The more I visit the US, the more I think the pundits predicting the US’ imminent economical and political decline hugely overstate their case. Rather, the next 50 years will be as dominated by the US as the last 50 have been. The US will widen its technological and scientific dominance, sustain its military hegemony, launch a period of re-industrialization and continue to define modernity both in culture and industry.
The fashionable view is that the American economy is a hollowed-out, de-industrialized shell that delivers McJobs and has only survived because of a ramped-up housing market and the willingness of foreigners to hold trillions of dollars of American depts..
China and India are set to overtake it in the foreseeable future. At best, the US will have to get used to living in a multipolar world it cannot dominate. At worst, it will have to accept, along with the West, that the new economic and political heart of the world is Asia.
The US economy is certainly in transition, made vastly more difficult by the spreading impact of the credit crunch. But the underlying story is much stronger. The country is developing the prototypical knowledge economy of the 21st century, where the division between manufacturing and services becomes less clear cut, in a world where the deployment of knowledge, brain power and problem solving are the sources of wealth generation.
What counts is the strength of a country’s universities, its research base, commitment to information, communications and other technologies along with a network of institutions that support new enterprise. Here, the US is far ahead.
The figures can make your head spin. Of the world’s top 100 universities, 37 are American. The US spends more money by proportion on research, design, universities and software than any other, including Sweden and Japan. Of the world’s top 50 companies ranked by R&D, 20 are American, as are 52 of the worlds’ 100 top brands. Half the world’s new patents are registered by American companies.
This year, American exports have grown by 13 per cent, helped by the falling dollar, so that the US has reclaimed it position as the world’s top exporter. Moreover, and little remarked on, two-thirds of America’s imports come from affiliates of American companies that determinedly keep most of the value added in the US. The US has a trade deficit, but importantly, it is largely with itself.
The US will recover from the credit crunch. Four-fifths of new mortgages are underwritten by public mortgage banks, interest rates have been slashed and a bank bail-out was launched instantly. More activism is planned. There is a dynamic readiness to fix things in a tight economic corner, irrespective of ideal logy, that can only be admired.
It is a dynamism that also infects the political process. I was in the US on the day of the Indiana and North Carolina went to the polls in the Democratic primaries. The conventional wisdom is that Obama and Clinton’s fight is self-defeating and it would be better if Clinton had stood down earlier. I disagree. It has brought politics alive. Democrats are enrolling to vote in their hundreds of thousands because their vote and opinion now count. They will stay enrolled and vote in November.
There is also a great maturity about the process. It is a political argument that necessarily demands respect for your opponent because if you win, you will still need their support in November. Americans do public argument well. And it is a vital underpinning of the American success.
It is this strange cocktail of argument of plural institutions that check and balance, of investing in knowledge and of a belief that no problem can’t be fixed, that underpins American strength. China is the only country in the world with a similar continental-scale economy and a bigger population that conceivably could mount a challenge, but it has none of these institutions and processes. Despite its size, it has only three universities in the top 100, not one brand in the top 100, not one company in the world top 50 ranked by R&D and it registers virtually no patents.
China has no tradition of public argument, nor independent judiciary. Unless and until it’s institutions change, it will always trail the US in the 21st century knowledge based economy and experience upheaval and revolution along the way.
It is the much-maligned European Union that has the institutions and economic prowess to emerge as a genuine knowledge economy counterweight to America.
Sure, the US has problems. It runs its financial system like a casino. It is grossly unfair society. Its road and rail systems have been neglected for decades. University admission is too expensive. It has fetishised deregulation. Money corrupts it political process. But none of those problems can’t be fixed and the US is about to elect a President who will promise to try, in a world in which it remains the indispensable power.
Anybody who would prefer China’s communists needs to see their doctor. The greatest danger is that we start believing the pessimism. The United States is, and remains, formidable. Which is just as well for all of us.
- Written by the Observer, Will Hutton.
Posted by MK at 11:06 PM
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Why must I always find out myself?
Why must I always find out myself?Today I couldn't take it anymore. I had to ask. The feeling was too strong. It kept nagging at the back of my mind. Yet I chose to ignore all the warning signs, I trusted her enough to believe that if it was true, she would have told me herself.
What are all those years for? I trust her. My instinct has always be rather accurate, but it was trust that kept me from asking. I chose to ignore all the klaxons blaring in my head, and all the rumors and gossips. Yet it all turned out to be true...
Actually I probably knew the answer before I even asked. But I had to hear it for myself. Yet my good friend never told me anything, or never even bothered to try!
I suspected something was wrong, yet I decided not to probe. But it just got too glaringly obvious. Just that... They actually thought they could keep something like this away from me? From ME?
It HURTS.
To keep that kind of secret from me, something that I should have been told a long time ago. Yet I have to find it out myself. To think I actually thought otherwise!
Four months!!!
It actually hurts more this way. Had they told me earlier, I would have accepted it, and would have been fine or maybe a little disappointed, but nothing like now.
My point is this, whoever said what you don't know can't hurt you, was a complete and total moron. Because for most people, not knowing is the worst feeling in the world.
It still hurts.
I feel more than a complete and stupid moron now.
I feel like a fool.
But maybe it isn't her, maybe it's because of the good and trusted friend that betrayed my trust. Yes. I am hurt because I feel betrayed. Again.
Posted by MK at 7:32 PM
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
An Open book
My life has been too much of an open book recently.And I have become uncomfortable at the knowledge that others are more aware of my personal activities that I would like others to be aware of. I can't believe it was a full-page spread! Omg, I was in camp and suddenly I receive all manner of wierd sms-es of congratulations. That really got me puzzled.
How did they know? It was like suddenly somebody told the whole world.
Then one sms leaked it out that it was in the papers. That was then did I only know about it myself.
Very interesting, it's nice to have a picture in the papers, I guess the cat's out of the bag...
Nevertheless...
Plus guess what? In camp, I learn't that Desiree is in my course. It's such a coincidence, 6 years ago I was her senior in sec school, and now she's 3 years my senior in university. It's that JC path and the differences in our lives has converged again by fate's own humor. Life has an interesting twist of fate sometimes. =)
6 years ago, would I even have imagined this day?
Des, Ak and I
Posted by MK at 7:16 PM
Monday, July 28, 2008
The different camps in NTU
Today I can really write about the different camps available to freshmen in NTU. For those who didn't go or participate at all, it will be a big loss, because you really get to met a lot of new friends, the activities are fun and extremely value-for-money and each camp will help to lubricate your transition into university life.I went to 2 camps, and even though exhausting, they were memorable activities to be recollected over and over again. UOC wasn't as fun as NUEVE not because it was lousy, but because the games played were milder and gentler. But UOC had it's own unique activities, such as the highlight, the Pageant Nite, Clubbing night, OG dinner and BBQ, the UOC unique SP dating activity, the indoor games at Fico sports club.
Nueve has more packed, more hectic with more activities crammed over the same period of time. But it was very well orchestrated, very well planned, with midnight ice-skating, SP date, fun and extreme beach games. Nueve was more hectic, more packed and more fun. UOC was more mellow, milder and allowed breathing time in-between activities for OG members to interact amongst themselves.
The top 4 camps in NTU are:
1. NTU Sports Camp (undisputed)
2. NBS (Nanyang Business School) Camp
3. Student Union Camp.
4. SCBE's (School of Chemical and Bioengineering) Camp NUEVE and School of Mass Communication camp
Of course after all these, are the various hall camps.
Almost all the camps in NTU follow the same traditional activities. Ice-breakers on the first day, beach games, fright-night, SP night and such. Selection for the hottest camps are largely based on looks.
This is a taboo, but it is a well-known and well-understood fact amongst students. Sports camp receives applications almost FIVE times the number of slots it can accommodate. As a result, the selection committee is very particular, applicants must have shown some sort of sporting background, must be athletic in some way or another, must know how to swim, cycle and be physically fit. And of course, must look good. Yes. Looks are a factor in the selection. The photo that you send in must not be ugly or unglam. Every year, SC, UOC and NBS receive more applications than the camp can accommodate.
So yes, Sports camp is the hottest camp in NTU, because for $50, you can try almost every sporting activity there is available in SG! The activity levels vary from camp to camp, with sports camp being the most strenuous and exhausting, followed by NBS camp, then SCBE and next Student Union.
SCBE and NBS are still one of the undisputed leaders in Fright nights. With really elaborate plots, detailed planning and construction and very realistic acting and execution by the programmers.
Each of the different camps, (UOC, Sports Camp, SCBE's Nueve and NBS) have their own unique SP dating methods. Each with it's own pro's and cons.
The NTU sports camp held this year was concurrent with the Student Union camp 2008 and was aptly named Sports unlimited 13. The Sports Camp is the most popular and most sought after camp in the whole of NTU annually. It boasts a whole host of
superb programs, well-planned and executed events and organization.
Some of the activities include jet skiing, cable skiing, scuba diving, underwater hockey, canoe polo, hand ball, dragon boating just to mention a few.
Over the 7 days of camp, there was night cycling, a sea expedition, a "war" game, and the traditional events like fright night which was held at old Changi hospital, and of course the starry SP night.
One of the highlights of the Sports camp has got to be the Amazing race! This year it's an incredible 2 days 1 night. Though exhausting, it was an entirely enjoyable event for those who went for the camp. The clues were very well planned and designed, and stations in the race included singing a variety of songs at kbox (with specific words in the titles), plus a canopy walk at safra Yishun's adventure centre, and competing in a dragon boat race, finishing one bucket of rice at tiong bahru hawker, cable skiing at east coast park, fishing at qian hu fish farm, bowling at Clementi amongst others.
Talk about physical exhaustion! The finale was a grueling race that lasted over an hour. It was physically strenuous and mentally challenging, there were sweat and tears.. and you can really see each OG becoming united for a common goal, true team spirit. As you can see, all this really bonds an OG that words cannot explain. Thinking about all this really reminds me of my OBS experience, where no matter how tired we were, we still pushed ourselves forward.
If you are planning to come to NTU, DO GO FOR AS MANY CAMPS AS YOU CAN.
It's an unforgettable experience that you will never look back on.
Posted by MK at 9:55 AM
Sunday, July 27, 2008
UOC 2008
I am finally back from the Student Orientation Camp 2008! Overall it had been an enjoyable experience.We first met each other at Tampines during pre-camp and got acquainted during the night in a series of games and interaction. That was when all of us helped to design the OG flag, we are Team Titans.
Day 1 marks the official start of the camp. We headed back to NTU and had a series of games that involved the usual group games and team work. At night we had the blind-date of our SPs for the first time. It was done in a different style compared to NUEVE. You had a choice of whom to choose as your SP date.
After that we had initiation, which was really mild compared to Nueve, none of the dirty food stuffs poured all over you, but just a blindfolded slide down a slope.
Day 2 involved pool games. I must say it wasn't as physically demanding as Nueve, nor as fun, but it had it own unique activities in it's aspect. Nevertheless still fun though.
Day 3 was rather fun, we had beach games, and ended up on a high note with a clubbing night at DXO! Everyone got really high and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
Water-soccer!
All glammed up and ready to go!
OG dinner at New York New York
Day 4 was our SP date and fright night. SP dates were done differently compared to Nueve too, instead of Nueve's mass date dinner and a mass ice-skating event.
This time UOC required the guys to go through a traditional "mamasan" tribulation just to get to their SP, so the seniors could do all manner of tasks and trials for the poor guy to go through. And after the guy gets his SP, they'll go on a date themselves out. Usually for a movie and dinner. To be safe, many went on group dates.
After returning, it was fright night.
Day 5 was the Amazing Race, cheer fight and followed by the OG BBQ at Coasta Sands. The last night! Everyone had fun for the last night! With a traditional senior "interrogation" session for the freshies.
Day 6 – Break camp and prize presentation.
Overall it had been a really enjoyable experience, and of course meeting new friends. Well, school has started and life has become far more hectic again.
Posted by MK at 12:37 AM
Friday, July 25, 2008
FINALLY BACK
I am back from the Student Union camp (UOC 2008)! Yes, I know these entries are very outdated, but I've been writing them anyway, and it's time to post them.I've been very busy with the camps, post-camp OG activities, pre-school preparatory activities and of course the first week of school has been incredibly hectic. and as such I've been neglecting this blog.
I'll be back-dating the entries and summarizing the events as we go along back to the present date. Stay tuned for more entries.
Posted by MK at 11:33 PM
Sunday, July 20, 2008
away for another camp
I'll be away for another camp :)Will be back on the 28th.
Posted by MK at 2:13 PM
News
In the news, apparently, oil prices are determined by the local government policies and not due to shortage in supplies. That's why there is a whole world of difference in oil prices around the world. Like S$0.47 per litre in Tehran, but it's $2.10 here for petrol. Talk about being an expensive country. The price is CONTROLLED by the government here geddit?Next up, the sadistic m********** son******* ass**** Austrian Josef Fritzl (The one who kept his daughter captive and raped her repeatedly in a dungeon/basement and had several of her children) will only be liable for 10 years in prison! Under the Austrian Penal Code, all this crimes are simultaneously served under one sentence and there are other counts against him without sufficient evidence for prosecution.
So a monster like Josef will get away scot-free with only 10 years in jail. I hope he gets screwed in there, rots and dies there... There is so much injustice in this world that we actually know about.
wtf? 10 years for all the trauma and horror he's caused?
He should be publicly castrated, have his eyes and tongue gouged out and all his limbs amputated, THEN serve the 10 year jail sentence.
Posted by MK at 11:56 AM
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The haunting past
It's been so many years, yet the stigma still remains.There were two instances last night that made me wonder if I can ever leave my past behind me.
There was a gathering last night, and the last time I saw most of them was over 10 years ago! However, not everyone has changed, still I couldn't remember some of them. It was a small gathering, considering only 8 of us turned up out of a class of 41. Well the surprising thing is that, some of them couldn't recognize me at all.
Still it's nice to see them again, after all these years. And I'll be looking forward to more frequent future outings with them, hopefully more will turn up in the future.
That wasn't the only thing to return and haunt me.
When I got home, there was a small online chat and I found out that she still hates me? When I mentioned my school, the words the person used are unlike the person that I used to know. They were harsh; swearing and totally reminded me of the cold shoulder I received in a gathering over a year ago.
That wasn't actually surprising, though, I must say it's still somewhat hurting. I guess people change. Well, I have grown out of it, I don't want to be bothered about it anymore. After all, so many years have passed.
The remarks passed might seem superficial to others, but to me it was scathing... A person intimately aware of the entire scenario that happened so many years ago. I guess I've grown more mature than her during all these years that have passed.
Maybe what others say are right. I've changed. Though I am not sure what I've really changed into compared to all those years that have passed.
But the scars till remain.
Posted by MK at 1:42 PM
Friday, July 18, 2008
Several years outdated.
I must probably be the only one in Singapore with a CRT-TV and an Analog Starhub setup box at home...This entry might have sounded like it was meant to be written several years ago!
Today wasn't all rosy and stuff. I went to Starhub to replace my antique analog setup box with a digital one. Okok, I know what you might be saying.
"What? MK still using analog stuff??? I thought he had the whole house wired!"
Okay, I know you guys out there have HUBSTATION or a Slingbox/boombox or even a TIVO, but whatever, still I don't use the TV in the house at all, as you can see it's still CRT. However my family is quite happy with it. But they have no idea of the new capabilities now the analog setup box is gone and with the digital one in place.
Okay, now I have a Samsung 5.1 theatre surround system, a Pioneer 250Gb DVD/Harddrive-recorder that can play mp3/divx/avi and a whole lot of other file formats. With the new digital setup box, I have configured the Pioneer-recorder to recognize the Starhub box, the two devices can be synchronized to record different channels simultaneously and a whole multitude of timer recordings can be programmed into either setup-box for recording.
Well. A whole lotta good that's gonna do when my family ain't as savvy to mess around with all those software settings and on-screen menus. But AT LEAST we have a hard drive-DVD recorder and gone are the dinosaur-VHS days...
Okay, I estimate the home-entertainment system is lacking by the mainstream market by a few years.
We don't have blu-ray, neither do we have a Full-HD 60-inch plasma or LCD TV, no VIIV-compatible Microsoft HDTV computer, neither do we have a fully-integrated network-linked home-entertainment computer with live-movie streaming.
But I don't care. I don't even watch TV anyway.
"Inspired by light... The new Samsung 6-series... Will make you wonder... is it art? Or television..?"
This is good enough.
I can't say the same for my PCs anyway.
Now, those are never enough.
I want my dual-QuadCore QX9775s on a Skulltrail with 8GB of ECC-buffered ram and Triple SLi-ed Geforce GTX280s!!!
Am I even speaking english here?
Posted by MK at 6:19 PM
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Many objectives, many failures
Many objectives, many failuresThough I've been keeping myself busy, running about "getting objectives done", "doing work", but at the end of the day, what the hell have I achieved?
Throughout the week, I've tried to fulfill many objectives, complete tasks that I've set out to do, but they all seem to result in an unsatisfactory result or conclusion.
Nothing. Nothing at all, I've just wasted another day growing older, disillusioning myself that I know what I have to do and how I am going to get about doing it, to "get things done".
wtf... School is drawing nearer, yet I am in this state of blurred-grey limbo. I have many things on my "to-do" list, yet now matter how hard I keep trying, they just don't seem to get done. I seem to be busy running about in a merry-go-round, never ever reaching my intended destination. Just where the hell am I supposed to go to exactly?
For the past few days or so, I feel lost, lonely, clueless, devoid of a solid goal or destination. I am just... Passing time. Eventually reaching no conclusion nor achievement.
Another day roaming the school from destination to destination to "get things done".
I am very happy I managed to get this textbook before school starts. It will be a headstart. Or is it? Does having the book give a false assurance?
I really need to sit down and sort out my thoughts and get myself back together before i break down from imaginary stress.
I just feel... Down. I don't feel like myself. I always seem to know what to do don't I? Now why don't I know what to do next?
With every passing day this week I feel shittier and I don't know why.
Posted by MK at 8:11 AM
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Shitty performance
Today I went down to train, the class barely hit 20, which was understandable considering all those who fought for PA last Sat. There were many Silvers, which is good.Today I had expected a light session of demo training and a little perspiration. But I never expected to get paired up with shifu! This is the first time I am really talking with him face-to-face without anyone else to back me. I am all alone. The class was very small today and we trained at the grandstand area instead.
"Class, black belts in front..."
Okay, so there were only 3 of us in front, the rest of the colour belts were paired behind. Since there were so little of us, when we did pairing, being the only odd one out, Shifu paired with me.
I was a total disgrace in front of Shifu! The first few sets of kicks was fine, but as we progressed further and more kicks were added, I couldn’t match up to his kicks! I just didn’t have the stamina to maintain the quality of my kicks compared with his. I felt like a total noob in front of shi fu, call myself a black belt? I am like total shit when paired with him.
He could maintain high-quality high-level kicks throughout the entire duration, but I was steaming out towards the end.
Don’t get me wrong, I have utmost respect for shifu, but I feel really disgraced I couldn’t produce the expected standard of a black belt in his eyes today, and today’s session wasn’t intensive at all. He was still very nice, saying in a non-condescending tone that even though I have been away from training for some time, I still haven’t really lost my basic skills, just the stamina. F***, I am like a total noob in front of shifu.
At least I didn’t disgrace myself in the circuit sparring session and managed to keep an easy pace for the final 2.4km run.
I was tired before I came, I still feel tired after I left. Post-NS, I have been attempting to regain some of my previous stamina and drive, hoping to slowly but surely build up my stamina again, I went to training today hoping that the exercise and the sweating it out will make me feel better but ended up feeling shittier.
F***... I am such a noob. stupid shit... Call yourself a bb.... How to face shifu?
Posted by MK at 10:59 PM
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Keeping myself busy
Note to my readers: For the last time, please stop talking to me about my blog. There are some out there who are not aware of the existence of this blog. And if you do mention, then they'd know about it to.Anyway, what was said is right. Keeping yourself busy is a form of self-escapism. At least it's temporarily working. Just to contain myself, I am posting this here.
I am working with a friend on a new cooling system for computers. And at least that's one aspect that's keeping myself busy and taking my mind off several other disturbing yet discerning thoughts swimming about in my head.
I bought two Coolermaster Hyper212s CPU coolers. They aren't cheap, but still cheaper than the top-of-the-line Thermalright 120 extremes. Apparently, the Hyper212s performance comes almost on par with the 120 extreme.
Now each of this cooler can handle an overclocked quad-core CPU, and I got 2. So you can imagine the cooling power. (still can't match a water-cooled setup though).
Nevertheless, that's one, next I got a 0.8A 120mm Delta and a 2.5A Minebea 120mm fan! More power than a puny 0.35A coolermaster or 0.16A iCute fan.
These fans are really powerful. The delta can move by itself when it's powered on, and the Minebea totally rattles and propels itself across my table. At 2.5A, it's THREE times power powerful than the Delta. When I switched it on, I didn't dare to touch it lest it chops off my fingers.
This will all go into a project that I am working on and expect to complete in a month or so. Stay tuned!
Posted by MK at 7:06 AM
Monday, July 14, 2008
eye-opener
Today's highlight of the day is the group photo-taking of all the award recipients. It was a very interesting session. The objective was just to take a group photo of all the recipients in a casual interactive manner and a informal group shot for the company's annual report. The whole thing took over an hour and they shot over a hundred photos! We had to keep posing as if naturally chatting, and they didn't even take individual portrait photos.Now I know why models are paid so much and why their faces are always so serious, because it's easier to take a serious shot than to keep smiling and have your face cramp up after a while. Nice to be a model for a day eh?
Still it was an opportunity to get to know the other recipients. I found out there are actually 16 of us, not the 9 that was initially reported. But who am I to complain? It is a good deal! The award wasn't easy to get as well with over two hundred shortlisted.
So almost everyone from my psychometric group got in, and I found out that everyone is from a JC and all seem to be doing a double-degree or double major with impressive accolades on their portfolio, but I don't think I did too shabbily myself. Suddenly there's so much more at stake.
But the photo-taking session was an eye-opener. I finally meet my fellow recipients and we exchanged contact numbers. I don't expect us to be friends immediately after meeting for the first time, and after all that, people just left. We'll be seeing each other again soon for the award ceremony. Now, that will be a far grander event with more fanfare.
Posted by MK at 10:25 PM
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Waraku
Actually despite my outward appearance, I am facing internal turmoil inside. But I try not to let it show, after all, what's the point of adding more grief to this already topsy-turvy world?Tonight's dinner was a refreshing fare at Waraku, Central.
What is more important now? Am I truly missing anything?
Posted by MK at 10:00 PM
Friday, July 11, 2008
Extravagant
Actually depression is a relative state of mind, and is usually caused by an onset of several instances that are usually cumulative in negative emotions. It could be caused by severe levels of sadness, perceived helplessness, disinterest, and other related emotions and behaviors. To what many people would describe as typical "sadness."Well, it could also be caused by seasonal factors and stress. Guess it's just a mood swing. But depression or actual sadness is easy to mask and hide. So I tried a little retail therapy, and spent over $400 today.
I spent $40 on lunch at Spageddies, $69 on a nice pair of G2000 dress pants and $279 on two Timberland Jackets. One as a present, and one for me. I like Timberland, and immediately took a liking to the outer-wear jackets, it's too bad the footwear are still within the $200-$300 region.
Just for effect, I like MUJI, so I went in and bought a few stuff that I didn't really need or particularly want. They were impulse purchases, that was another $40 spent.
It didn't help at all, even though I wasn't alone, the expensive lunch felt lonely in fact, as if I was the only one at the table eating. There didn't seem to be any common conversational topics anymore.
Sometimes, retail therapy doesn't help if the problem still resides on your mind.
The funny thing is, even though I patronized from my favourite stores, this is the first time I bought something from Timberland and MUJI and not feel happy about it...
I am usually rather careful with my money. This counts as a very extravagant expenditure for today. What's wrong with me...?
G2000, MUJI and Timberland...
Posted by MK at 10:54 PM
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
This is damn cool
I tell you, this is damn cool... It will probably be done to my car when I BUY MY OWN CAR. Probably will get you arrested on the roads as well...But nevertheless, still damn cool. Imagine driving this babe into MOS!!! Of course, I'll do it to a Nissan GT-R or EVO-X first... not some crappy eclipse...
Posted by MK at 11:29 PM
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
That's going on?
Actually I am very unhappy. I am unhappy at the way the university applications are going, yeah I may have a course reserved, but the amount of paperwork involved is ludicrous. Isn't everything supposed to be computerized and online? But apparently it isn't, and why is it that I seem to be the only one swimming about all this paperwork? I am unhappy at other issues as well.I am also unhappy at the constant false façade that I have to put up with. I have been deluding myself for the past week or so. Constantly burying myself in work, thinking that I am ahead, yet I really am not. I keep thinking about new projects, thinking about what I have to do, but it's all only a temporary reprieve from that loneliness I am feeling.
That is that all that I am feeling?
I am not really sure what I have to think about anymore. One side keeps thinking about her, another side keeps thinking about the what ifs. Then again, I am not really thinking about what I have to think, or am I just thinking too much again?
I really don't want to think so much anymore. I may think about her, but is she really already taken? Can I really accept that... That they're together...? What a warped up world this is. If she's really taken, then there's no point right? But somehow my 6th sense is tingling at something really very suspicious about the whole scenario.
Why am I feeling this way?
I was also thinking about the award, it's so much more of a bane than a boon right now with all the hassle of an agreement, a deed and such....
Whatever...
Posted by MK at 11:25 PM
The olympics logo!
This is really hilarious!
Posted by MK at 8:05 AM
Monday, July 7, 2008
400GB in a disc!
Pioneer's Blu-ray disc hits 400GB across 16-layers
16-layers -- that's how many layers it takes to the hit the center of a 400GB Blu-ray disc, pops. That's 25GB per layer just like those dual-layer 50GB discs available for retail.
Best of all, the technique used by Pioneer is expected to be backward compatible with existing Blu-ray gear since the specs and lenses required for pickup are identical.
The prototype is read-only for the moment but R&D's on it so let's give them some time to work it out.
If you think your 500Gb Harddrive is large, wait till you get your hands on one of these.
Posted by MK at 8:47 PM
Sunday, July 6, 2008
SCBE's NUEVE camp 2008
I've finally got 5% of the photos of the 1-week orientation camp.I must say it was a very fun and very well organized camp. Here are some of the pictures.
I was from the Hushnom orientation group.
Day 1 - Icebreakers
Day 2 - Pool + field games
Day 3 - Sentosa Beach fun + SP Night
Day 4 - The Amazing Race
Day 5 - Field games + Cheer-a-ton, break camp
