Another weekend...

It's Saturday today. 29th Sept. Another weekend is here!

And it's another Formula 1 GP weekend for me. Me used to enjoy watching each & every race since subscribing to our Astro satellite TV service. However, that Fun & Enjoyment was taken away when Astro kept on increasing its fees. The final straw was when the latest increase was worse for Sports fans. It was just not worth paying that much extra anymore just to follow the F1 races!! I just gave up...

Then my luck changed! As mentioned in an earlier entry. TVU Networks' TVU Player came into my life. Provided just that... a means to watch my fav motor racing event...LIVE! Moreover, it's FREE! Cos I already have a broadband connection. Now, isn't that just wonderful?

The Race this time around is in Japan. At the new Fuji Speedway. Qualifying was just over a short while ago. I watched it Live in the Wheels telecast via TVU Player's streaming. Results have also been posted in My Kopitiam forum at http://mykpt.net . Join us there if friendship is what you need...

Another event worth noting altho not much publicised in the media is how our former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir, is faring after his recent 2nd heart bypass surgery. Surgery was successful but another surgery had to be carried out cos of infection. Now he has to go thru the Ops recovery process all over again. Day 6 now? Dr M has taken Malaysia to heights of progress & achievements never b4 envisaged possible! A great leader. A rare breed. Sincerely hopes he recovers well & soon...I'm sure all peace-loving Malaysians are, too.

However, in Myanmar, situation is not too good. Soldiers are using live ammo at protestors. 9 ppl officially reported killed. But, it is believed, the no. is much higher than that! As always. Tyranny & Dictatorship are out-of-date in this era. Ppl in authority...in power...tend to forget that ppl in captivity will always break free! Only waiting for the right time.

Today's been a rainy...but cool day. Tonight is Cine Nite. At Lot 10. Movie probably would be The Transformers. Finally got a good & supposedly Clear DVD. Dinner would be out. Probably enhanced by my fav sate dish...hehe...

And tomorrow is Race Day. In Japan. Yup, the F1GP @ Fuji Speedway. As a spectator, I am looking forward to an exciting race...you know what I mean, right?

CU there then...bye!

New "Kid" on the Block...

Yup, today was day when one of the 2 marcots made on our ageing guava tree (pls see 19th July entry), was physically "born"...its connection to the parent tree was literally severed! In its new home now. In its own plot. On its own. Now the wait starts. If new leaves/shoots appear in time, then it is a "survivor"...

At the top is the NKOTB, ie new "kid" on the block. In its new home on the ground. The pic just below that shows both kids...the first & earlier marcot planted (pls see August 2nd entry) is the one on the left. Now with fruits...can't see the fruits tho but do you see the paper wrappings? Wrapped to protect them from harm.

If all goes well, our old & ageing guava tree can safely take its well-earned rest...maybe a few more good seasons of fruits b4 that? At least & hopefully it waits for its young ones to mature well & bearing great fruits first.

Well, that's abt it. Nothing much except that the world is as troubled as it always is. Latest being the unrest & demonstrations by monks in Myanmar, oka Burma. Let's see how it develops. However, somehow a feeling of gloom. Lives are gonna be lost cos of some power-hungry leaders.

Mankind never learns from history. Peace.

We are truly pampered....

Yup, we are truly a pampered lot!

Now why is that?

For the past few weeks, our master bedroom split air-con unit appears to be losing its cool. Yup, we were getting warmer. And in spite of setting the thermostat cut off at a very low setting, it took hours to cool the room down. I can frankly say, it was cooler outside the room...

However, I must add here that that aircon unit has served us long & well. It's as old as the house itself! 28 yrs? Yup. A very reliable unit. But now the servicing agent I called had some sad news. Our "fren" is performing at only abt 60% of its capability. And its condition would deteriorate as more time passes by. Recommended a new unit...at least a new compressor. But changing a new compressor (No warranty!) is equivalent to changing to a new unit (5 yrs warranty on compressor)!

Sorry to say so but budget constraints presently do NOT allow such extravagance. So, & fortunately so, there is a good functional unit of the same model in my computer room. Hardly used these days. And so we opted for a swap. Yup, a complete swap. If need be, the failing unit could, at the very least, still cool down the comp. room. Just take a longer time...

A couple of hours later the swap was done. Now the master bedroom should be a cool place to be. No sweat. Ha ha! Me? Just RM150 poorer. Charges were for the swap but incl. minor servicing of the internal condenser/blower units. Maybe when Lady Luck smiles on me in the near future, a new unit might enhance the air in the master bedroom...hehe...

That was the main event today. In the morning, me ran a few errands. Main one being to pay an overdue water bill. Most other bills could be paid online. Just can't understand why this one could not be similarly included in online payments. Esp in this hi-tech age. Inefficiency? Unwillingness to pay for services offered? Distrust of hi-tech/electronic equipment? You tell me.

Latest hot topic is related to the President of Iran's visit to Columbia Uni in USA. In spite of all the protests, the event was held. The Uni Admin was hopeful of getting some answers from the man. However, as it turned out, Ahmadinejad had used it to his advantage. Not anwering questions but again putting forth his message to the world. Playing to his Iranian audience. A smart man.

Finally me updated to a newer version of TVU Player. Ver. 2.3.3 now. Kinda getting ready for the forthcoming weekend F1 GP LIVE!! In Japan @ Fuji Speedway. Since my discovery of this TVU Player, I've been back on track to follow the F1 series...hopefully till the end of this season. Maybe 2008 too...

PEACE.

No choice...

With nothing much happening at the home front, I thought I might as well be philosophical again...hehe...

Yup. How often is it that we keep on hearing ppl say that they had "No Choice..." but to say or do something at a given time?
No choice? Do we really have "No Choice" when we decide to do something? The keyword here is "decide". Cos when we decide on something, there is ALWAYS a choice. Maybe even more than one choice. We picked one. That's abt it. How & why we picked it, that's debatable.

IMHO, when one says he has "No Choice", what he kinda mean is that he had to pick THAT choice...that option...out of all those available to him. Not that he has NO choice...just that his emotions & the strong urge in him that to him then that was the right thing to do. And thus becomes the ONLY thing to do...the "No Choice" Syndrome?

Now what am I really trying to get at? Just simply this. In life, there is NO such thing as "No Choice". That "No Choice" is, in reality, THE Choice we decided to select. To use. To do. So, if we give ourselves the time needed to weigh the pros & cons of all options open to us...to consider various angles one can look at the problem at hand..., we might not have made that choice. And we wouldn't have to end up saying "No Choice" cos we truly had choices and we could have picked a better choice...maybe even the Best Choice!

To some I may be talking in riddles but if...whenever we do have a situation that requires our making a decision, making a choice...if we, at that point in time, hesitate and really consider what other options & choices lay ahead of us, we would NOT have a situation of "No Choice"!!

Don't yu think so...?

Just think back abt those "No Choice" situations that you had undergone before. Now that you can calmly reflect. Did you not have other choices at hand? Other alternatives to pick from? And if so, why did you pick that choice...the one you called "No Choice"? Would you not have made a better decision had you given yrself that little bit of extra time then to make a better decision? To consider. Before deciding. A better choice?

Think abt it...

And, while doing so, it would be most beneficial to tell oneself & to give oneself the opportunity in future to make a better decision, should another "No Choice" scenario arise. Most actions taken on a "No Choice" condition, do not augur well for the decision-maker and those affected by the decision. Think abt it, too.

Words once spoken cannot be withdrawn. Actions once taken cannot be undone. Hurts once inflicted cannot be eradicated. Neither can time once passed be reclaimed. Regretting our actions, as a consequence, would be an action too late. Pls remember that.

Life in this world is truly a very short one. Make yours a happy one. For everyone you interact with. And esp for those you love...and those who love you. Never just think of oneself. Simply cos you are not alone in this world. And all that you say or do to those around you, will always affect them in ways that you might have chosen to close yr eyes, even yr heart, to. When you do realise it ie if you ever do, it would be too late...

For example, one hears or sees ppl, who practise one form or another of taoism, burning items for their departed ones. Items they felt they could hv given when those ppl were alive but somehow, did not? Offering fav foods of those who hv left them. But why didn't they? When those ppl were alive? What's the point of burning those paper models now? Offering foods they nvr can taste. Even saying words their loved ones will nvr hear?

Are they sure their loved ones would ever get them? To eat them. Use them. Enjoy them? Why not do the real thing when they were alive to share their joys with you? Whenever there was any request, excuses were found & given. What's the point of visiting their niches/graves when they are gone? When you couldn't even find the time to do so when they were alive and could enjoy the times they could spend with you? When great feelings could be shared.

Have a good week, everyone! Enjoy the love that IS around you, while that love is still around...and not hv to look back later with sadness or regrets...
Of course, if you are someone with no conscience nor love whatsoever in yr heart, that's another story...

No petrol...how to move...??

A kinda philosophical entry today...

I remember clearly those words spoken during an advert in Astro, our satellite TV provider...shown quite some time ago. " No petrol...how to move? " But somehow, till today, it still rings true. Still as significant as it was years ago. Literally & figuratively, too!

Literally, our bikes, cars & what have you, just won't be able to move without our regular visits to the numerous Service Stations we have in our neighbourhood. Once the tank is dry, the vehicle just stops. And with all the current hoo-ha abt world oil prices climbing, feel it won't be long b4 many tanks would be forced to run dry. But as it is & in keeping with the Govt's "promise" at the last fuel price increase, one can relax till 2008. Time to prepare!! Just wonder how great the increase would be. Gas prices would be up soon tho if press reports are what they are...tales of things to come.

Figuratively? Well, it's the main "fuel" that keeps everyone going. In fact the whole world goes on because of it. What else but simple ole Vitamin M... Money ! Also frequently referred to as "the root of all evil." Frankly, it should be nicknamed "the essence of human survival."

The economy of the world...in fact, every living human being, survives because of Money! Right down to each individual family unit. One of the main, if not the basic cause, of human conflicts. Between countries. Between members of the same family. Unbelievable? Believe it! Yup, it's that bad.

Even for me now, at this point in my life, I'm still finding it almost an impossibility not to see & feel that nagging importance of Money & its effects.

In my younger days, I was one who believed firmly that money should never be the main focus of our daily lives. As the years passed by, and a little bit wiser now, I've been educated & enlightened. Money should still NOT be the main focus of our lives but it plays one very HUGE role in our lives. Have you heard of the saying " No Money No Love? " If you can't provide what your fmly needs, how can you say you love yr fmly? There is NO way that they can live on just love. With no food on the table. Without the necessities in life. When you cannot satisfy their needs?

How can you say you love someone when you are unable to provide for the care he/she needs? Eg the medical care when he/she is suffering & you cannot afford to provide for the treatment to ease the suffering. To stand there and watch in silence the pain & agony in the face of the one you proclaimed so vehemently that you love so much? But incapable of doing anything?

Yes. Money should still NOT be the main focus. Not the one & only. However, it forms a very important & integral part of life's packaging. To enable one to be whole. To be one who not only has love in his heart but to be able to show it. To make that love complete. Not just in heart & soul but in actions when the need arises. To go that extra mile. I've seen families of relatives who practically show they've given up on the one whom they proclaim they loved so much. All because they do not have the MONEY to care anymore!

These words still ring in my ears... " You say you love her but you are not going to give the Money that can help save her life. You are willing to just let her die!" And, as God is my witness, I really didn't have the Money to give...only my love...my willingness to care for her...in my own simple way..." Not in cash but in kind. But that just wasn't enough. In everyone's eyes. Even the person herself! A lesson learnt...the hard way.

Btw, there have been articles written of the minimum savings one must have to continue to live a reasonably comfortable life after retirement. To continue living the way as one did before. RM750k ? As in one article I read. Now, that is impossible for most ppl. Not even practical. Most had just their EPF contributions to rely on after they retire...actually what is left after whatever withdrawals they might have made earlier. Whatever they've got would dwindle & be gone in their first few years of retirement...

A recent survey showed 65% of retirees depended upon support by their children. How degrading it is for parents, who have struggled all their lives to bring up their kids till they are successful in life, to await their children's "contributions". Given willingly & happily, such contributions would be appreciated. But are they so in most cases? And, that is, if those expected contributions do materialise at all. Delays - intentional or otherwise, skipped/forgotten contributions. All too common scenarios. Reasons are aplenty. Did their parents do all that when they raised & cared for them then? Or did they find ways & means to provide the best they could within their means? If they did not, my sincere apologies...yr case is a rarity.

Like a common quotation voiced by many elderly parents...esp those with many children. "Parents can take care of all their children...no matter the number they have. But it's nigh impossible to expect their children (so many of them) to take care of just 2 of them. Even 1 of them. "

I have witnessed so many families, even relatives, go through such painful times. Heard their tales of sorrow, neglect, heartaches. Not forgetting the harsh words & treatment they got from their "successful" children, etc., etc. Words uttered that their children would never use on their own children but could say them so fluently to their parents. Treatment worse than that which they would ever mete out to their own children. Sad. Pitiful. But true.

My other half really opened my eyes when she reminded me of a quote she was once told, " The water in a river ALWAYS flows downstream! Never the other way around... " So true these days. It's a common sight to see mothers holding the tiny hands of their children. Helping them cross the road. Going to board their school buses.
Now how often have you seen these later grown-up children holding the hands of their aged mothers. Helping them cross the road. Mostly one would see the young couples walking ahead of their parents. These old folks had no choice but to trail behind. Ever so often being reminded, " Why are you walking so slowly...? "

Thank God I was a civil servant. And thus I have my pension to lean on. Not much tho but enuf to keep me going. No luxuries. No grand holidays. But I won't starve. Not need to beg. I will still have a shirt on my back & food on the table. With some budgeting, maybe even pamper myself once in a while...hehe...

Can't help wondering where, what or how my life would be if otherwise....I do Thank God for being kind to me...at least till now.
When the time comes when I cannot take care of myself, I leave my fate in God's hands. Of course, as what everyone prays for, I too, hope & pray that day will never come. That I would go b4 I am no longer capable & independent...preferably the first to go. The lucky one.

Lot 10...OFH or Holiday Resort or Both?

Hi...

Lot 10. As we know it or ...? It can be an OFH (Old Folks Home, in case yu not know...). Or a Holiday Resort - for little KL...as it is for her! Or a mixture of both?

Depends on how you are involved with it. Ha ha...

At most times, Lot 10 is in reality our very own OFH. With only 2 inmates. In their "golden" years. Both doing what they enjoy most. Acceptance of what their lives together now means has brought abt a kind of calming realisation of how the years ahead should be...

However, on weekends like the one just passed, Lot 10 was transformed into a "Holiday Resort". For one small but very active kid. Our very own KL. A place for her to throw away all her fears. A place to be the kid she wanna be. Encouraged by her doting grandparents, of course.

Here she is, as snapped while enjoying her 2D1N stint at Lot 10 Holiday Resort...

Well, that was on 15 Sept. With KL @almost 20 mths.

Now Lot 10 is back to its old image...ze ole OFH. Ha ha...

Last night was F1 GP night...again! Guess me can enjoy LIVE coverage of this sports event ever since me got hold of TVU, TVAnts modules. TVU has been by far a better prg for such streaming broadcasts. And this time around, me connected my PC via a long cable to our 29in TV in our lounge area. A better TV. A better view. A clearer one, in fact! However, I had to switch over from Star Sports coverage to Wheels/Speed, mainly due to sound problems. Could hardly hear the commentators above the environment sounds.

The Belgian F1 GP was, however, a kind lame one. IMHO. Why? It was the same 4 drivers ahead of the pack from start to finish. No exciting or heart-stopping incidences. No competition. Can say kinda boring event. Hope the next one...the Japanese F1...would be better.

That would be in two weeks time.

Weather for weekend has been wet & cold. Raining on & off. Heavy. Light. Not really stopping. At least the sun is out for today.

Wonder what is in store for this week...hope nothing that this ole heart can't take. To repeat...each new day the sun rises is a bonus! Gonna be a quiet homestay period for the next week or so. Budgeting constraints. Like in one Astro advert.. "No petrol..how to move..." Ha ha...

CU next time around...

Oh No...Flooding...water, water, everywhere...

Friday 7th Sept 2007 was a day to remember!

Firstly it started "pouring" around 4pm. Then the rain fell heavier. Just b4 6pm the 4ft odd deep drain in front of our house overflowed...

And that started us on a trail of worry...cos the water level rose & rose steadily. By abt 6:05pm, the water started entering our porch area. Pl see pic below :
The rain continued without letting up. The water came in further till it reached our main door edge. Then the rain stopped for a short while. The water receded till our main gate. Then the rain came back on. And so did the water level. It rose & rose...came in further and rose up higher. The highest was when it reached the top of the tile skirting at the outer gate...abt 3-4in high! Luckily the rain stopped and the water receded...slowly....

The pics below show different aspects of the flood waters in our porch during that "worrying" period :

Pic (top left) shows a couple of paper boats that me made (to show there was water there - abt an inch there) floating on the water at our main door edge.
Pic above shows my sandal floating away...notice the ripples on the water surface.

And below...a mini tsunami coming in? Yup...a really mini mini wave coming in caused by a passing car! Phew!

Hopefully a piece of good news tho. Late yesterday morning on our way out to the main road, we noticed an excavator and some men laying some big concrete "V"-shaped drain pieces to form a big drain leading out from our area to the monsoon drain along the main road. On returning home later, it was observed that the water in the drain in front of our house is now flowing smoothly & continuously. However, only the next downpour can confirm that...

Am keeping my fingers tightly crossed for a good outcome then.

Btw, my Nesly Power Saver unit has a new home...hehe...

Yup, made a new connection specially for it to fulfill an important guideline, namely device should be plugged into the NEAREST power point to the circuit breaker/main switch.

Finally, me got to watch the 13th F1 GP at Monza, Italy tonight (090907) LIVE !! First time since I removed my subs to the Sports channel in Astro which is our satellite TV provider. I used the TVU Player of TVU Networks and watched it via Star Sports. Another channel...Wheels...also provided Live coverage in TVU.
The transmission was not perfect but clear enough to enjoy a LIVE event! What's more? It's FREE!!

Will be watching the Belgian F1 GP next weekend. Have a good week ahead!

Today is "His & Hers" Day...

Yup, it feels great to be "young" again! 26 is the age...hehe...

Yup again...it's the time when a couple does the same things together, wears the same things together, etc...etc...

And me & my other half did exactly that today! The arrival of my very own "Rolex" watch made that possible, in its own little way. Now we really have "His" & "Hers" "Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust" watches. Ha ha!

A true pair each there...arms, wrists & watches!

Doing things together? Well, the couples...persons & Rolex-es...went for a long stroll around our local Mall, re-living those times when they were 26!

Remember the "Satellite to TV" software that I bought online...mentioned in earlier entry? A little abt it as promised.

The package consists of 3 different players :

1. a Sat2PC Player for TV channels from different countries;

2. TVU Player - a FREE player for assorted cable & satellite channels;

3. TVants - a Free player via P2P streaming for also assorted cable & satellite channels.

Of the 3, player#1 is an expired version. Executable but updates to newer versions & access to newer channels available are no longer possible. Player#3, provides connectivity to 100+ channels but streaming is mostly not smooth due2 its dependence of no. of peers online. IMO, Player#2 is the BEST! Reliable & smooth viewing of whatever channel is selected due2 very efficient buffering.

A screen capture view of the TVU Player in action :Btw, the viewing screen size can be changed...in 2 steps...the largest is a Full Screen view.

Worth the RM10 that was paid for them? By themselves, frankly...NO! But, considering the avenues that its presence opened up for me, it's a big "YES" !! I was able to check up on Player#1 & #2 and subsequently upgraded the programs to newer & better improved versions.

Personally I'm looking forward to watching the next Formula 1 GP race this coming weekend...on Sunday 9th Sept, to be exact! Hopefully it's on Star Sports channel cos that is available via the TVU Player.

Wish me luck. Tell yu guys more next week...Cheerio!

Lelong...Lelong...Lelong...

Just to share...
Here are a couple of developments related to my recent forays into our local auction or "Lelong" site...

For one, I've been attracted to a Physics-related item. Intriguing. Attractive. But so far expensive!

Then this item cropped up in our local "lelong" site. A Plasma Light Lightning Ball Desk Lamp...and going for a total of only RM26! I was bidder #6. Compared to prices at novelty stores, this was a bargain...IMHO, of course!

I bidded for it and got it. And it came today. Here it is...in still pic mode and below it, in LIVE Action video...turn on yr audio & hear the accompanying tune... :

In the video...Notice the different sticker on the front face of its base? Yes...the head of Elmo...haha!
Something unique, isn't it? Esp for muah...being a former Science teacher, etc., etc....

Item was advertised as being "Sound Activated" but somehow it doesn't appear to be so. One can select to have a tune playing repeatedly but that's abt it. It can't be switched on by any sound nor its intensity be varied according to sounds around it. Maybe.....

Remember my getting a ladies "Rolex" watch for my other half's Bday? Yes? Ok...she has since suggested that I get one to match hers and be a pair again...hehe...

So, yesterday, we searched for the previous supplier and guess what? The same "Rolex" design but one for Gents was available. And it's on its way now...soon we'll have a "His" & "Hers" to sport around each time we go out! Back to the ole courting days...ha ha! Nice to be feeling "young" again, huh?

Update : Just got confirmation my "Rolex" has been sent. Hooray! Will be out sporting it with my other half wearing hers,too... tomorrow...hehe...

Another item that I found to be of benefit is a new drain trap system for sinks. This one uses a flexible bellows-type pipe. Eliminates a no. of potential water leak points and provides easy maintenance. The package that came is with these contents :Sorry but it'll be a while b4 I can actually set up the system. Plan to replace our present pvc straight piping system for our bathroom sink. I need to get a few connecting pvc pcs b4 I can do so. Will post pics when done.

One other item where purchase is confirmed is software related. Supposedly a Satellite to PC capability...claimed to be Free 3000+ Channels Satellite TV Astro Like Channels. Only RM10. Unbelievable? Me, too! But, for Rm10, me willing to take a gamble. Not much to lose. Only RM10, right?

I've been previously introduced to an online streaming site for mainly movies but they were mostly cine version copies. Viewed online in streaming mode. I watched Bourne Ultimatum then. Not bad really. But the streaming program is in Mandarin. A deficiency in me. Also one can't view satellite channels like ESPN, Disney Channels, HBO, etc.

This new one claims to provide that capability. Now all I have to do is wait for the software to be emailed to me and try it out. Will keep you guys informed, ok?

Update : Have just been informed that the s/ware would be sent to me very very soon...hehe...will write abt it in my next entry, ok?

So do pls be patient, ok? DIY for drain trap soon. Bye 4now.