The Engineer in me is in Comatose

Few days ago, my PC went a little crazy.

It refuses to boot. Once.
Then it froze on me after a few minutes.
Then I didn't use it for a day.

The next day, it booted up, but I lost my wireless connection. The USB wireless adapter driver refused to load.
Unplugged and re-plugged it in. Doesn't get recognized.
Tested that the USB port is NOT faulty.
Removed the driver, and reinstalled the software - Still can't work.
So must be my Wireless adapter lah !

Next day, I brought a new one back.
Plugged it in, driver loaded, but just cannot connect to my router.
Did a search and saw many wireless networks around, including my router. Tried all configurations, passwords, encryption. Just refused to connect.
Reinstalled drivers.

Did a scandisk before trying to reinstall Windows XP. Many files with problem.
Installed Windows XP. Some file problems. Nevermind. Booted fine.
Now my anti-virus couldn't run, and I still cannot get my network connection.
My MS Outlook can't start ; MSN needs to be reinstalled.
Then realized I used the wrong version of Windows XP.

Found the right version, reinstalled Windows XP.
Still can't get wireless connected. MS Outlook runs ok, but not my Anti-virus. I was angry and was contemplating between buying a new notebook that I want and reformatting this PC.

Then suddenly, like a huge pair of king-kong hands, it hit me. On my cheeks and my head.
Went into the Router configuration, and updated the MAC Address Filter.
I got my wireless connection back ! *Grrrrrr*

So now everything is ok again.

Why didn't I think about that right at the beginning !?!?!?

Sleeping Pill

2 weeks ago, I went to get some sleeping pills from the doctor for my occasional insomnia. Last night was the first pill. Took it at 1.10am when I realized I don't feel sleepy. Half an about 20 minutes later, I felt a little high.

Yes, high. Similar to having a few drinks. But of course, without the warm feeling and the accelerated heart-rate. Just feeling high on cloud nine...

Had difficulty waking up this morning at 8. Pulled myself to the office at 9am and realized that I had left my notebook and other stuff that I needed to bring to the office back at home. Damn. Another trip back home to get them.

I hope I do not become reliant on the pills.

Coming back home from Jakarta

Early in the morning, we (my colleagues and I) received news that many areas of Jakarta is flooded and that highway to airport is not passable, except for some buses. It had been raining for the past 2 days.

But in the morning, the rain had stopped and we hope that the water level subsided a little. When we finally managed to get a cab at about 10, the streets were quite empty. It is very unlike Jakarta. That was because many people got stuck at home and couldn't get to work.

We went onto the empty highway, and thought the progress was pretty good and smooth sailing. And wondered where the flood might be, and whether we would really get stuck in a flooding cab somewhere.

At the second toll booth, the jam started. Roads were still dry, but the 3 -lane highway was just packed full and I think the average speed would be about 10-15km/hr. We also heard from other taxi drivers who stopped by the roadside, that water level was half the height of the car door. Oh shit...

After about another 30 minutes, we finally came to the test :



The level at the side looked scary. There was this VIP that was trying to get to the airport as well, and he had a police escort trying to expedite the way. But once they reached this flooded area, they had to follow the crowd too.

This VIP's outrider was obviously trying to keep his balance and not get swiped by cars avoiding the water



This was the front view. At least, the right lane wasn't so bad. Some taller vehicles tried to pass on the left, causing waves that shook the taxi I was in.



See the water level. That is an SUV. I can hear water gurgling under the floorboard of our taxi. An inch higher and our taxi would have been flooded.



We passed by a policeman. He was waving for cars to pass. Wonder why. There is only 1 lane and everyone is going through carefully.



When we reached the end of the flooded area, even this vehicle stalled. Luckily our taxi didn't.



We arrived safely at the airport at about 1pm. It took us a total of about 3 hours for a normally 50-minute journey.

We originally had the 7pm flight. Wanted to change to 5pm, but no confirmed seats available. We had wanted to arrive at airport earlier to standby for earlier flight, hoping to come home earlier.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the airport, I guess almost half the passengers missed their 12.30 flight. They are all waiting for empty seats in the next few flights.

2.25pm flight was full. Some people missed their flight too, and about 20 of the earlier passengers got on. Still, that left about 70+ people (who missed their flight) to queue and wait for next few flights.

So our hopes of getting on an earlier flight were dashed. Wasted the whole day at the airport but still reached back Singapore at 10pm. *sigh*

Treasures found in Jakarta

Am in Jakarta for work.

This morning, I saw an advertisement on the papers - Krispy Kreme ! Yeah, finally I have another source for it.

After meetings this morning, went for lunch with colleagues and we had Japanese food at this fusion restaurant. Here are what I saw on the menu :





and they look like this :



Then after dinner, we saw this :



It is a full F&B outlet, serving coffee and other drinks, and chairs and tables. So we walked in and we bought these :



Of course, I just put a cap there for fun. My colleague and I bought a dozen assorted donuts each.

Its much cheaper too.. About S$11 per dozen.

I hope my dozen can make it safely back to Singapore tomorrow...