Some Updates

Work :
Getting rather tired. Don't feel motivated at all. I don't know why. I need to strike TOTO !

Family :
Brother still got married. Without our family's participation though.

Personal :
Feeling lethargic most of the time.

Hobby :
I think I found a suitable casing for my Car-Cam project. Lets see how things go.

New Words Learnt

I learnt a new word today : eproctophiles

That is all I am ever going to say on this topic. Don't ask me anything.

*~*~*~*~*

Another word : Vorarephilia

There is soft vore, and hard vore... hahahaha.

*~*~*~*~*

Troubled Nights

Been having trouble sleeping on and off.

Again it is family issues.

Work, I can handle. No matter how irritating, or how absurd, I can bitch, but it never caused me trouble at night.

Used to, but not now...

I think I should be about having almost my lifetime's worth of sleeplessness in these few weeks. It hurts me to see that my parents are hurting and feeling sad. And this hurt and sadness comes from someone else in the family, and someone else that is almost into the family...

Maybe all these personal pressure is causing me to be more blunt and more daring at work, ticking off anyone who doesn't use their brains to think...

Time to get working on my toy again

Got my PCI riser card, and my M2-ATX power supply recently.

This is where my father's "junkyard" comes in handy. Managed to find a 12V 25A DC power supply. Now I can test my M2-ATX as well as the board. Now if only I can simulate an engine crank here.. hahaha..



And with the PCI riser card, I am able to make the entire thing low profile. I was hoping it would fit into the casing of a 24-port switch :



With a small space that can fit the M2-ATX, I was delighted...






Until I realized, I still need space for the HDD !!!! ARG !!!!

Emotional Baggage

I realized recently that I can deal with depression and sadness better than dealing with apprehension.

I realized that I can handle my own emotional well-being better than my family's emotional state. Somehow, after years of trying to be distant from family and trying to "bo chap", I realized I can't. Just can't ignore.

Somehow, telling myself that whatever happens, it is not my doing, it is not my fault, and nothing I can do about it. But at the back of my mind, it is always "Is that enough ? Can't I do more ?".

I am too responsible for my own good. I cannot be the bo chap , cool , unaffected guy that I want to be.

I wanna buy me one of these...

with all the options too !

http://www.forceprotection.net/models/cougar/

Snippets of Updates

At work

I guess nowadays, work saps most of my energy. It is not the physical work that is tiring. I mean, how tiring can it be, clicking on the mouse the whole day.

It is the thinking part. The part where I have to think about how to train the new guy ; How to do new things that will make my department treasured and valued ; How to bring new concepts to life ; How to deliver stunning results ; How to right what is wrong....

But I am thinking too far ahead. I have to first think of how to get everything organized and have proper tracking. Things in the company is just too messy at the moment. And everyone is just too busy clearing work, there is not time to think and brainstorm.

The only time I can do that, is in the shower.

At Home

Things are going on as usual. My brother's wedding is drawing near, and things are still not that settled. Well, not my problem.

My father is finally going to take up the citizenship, after decades of being a Singapore PR. Digging through old documents, I found out that my maternal grandmother's citizenship was considered "British Subject" when my mum was born.

My Hobby

I needed to buy some stuff off the Internet and out of Singapore. This is where I get to know how famous Singapore has become. I give Singapore another hub-status award. Fraud Hub of Asia. We are among the few countries that are blacklisted together with countries such as Indonesia and Nigeria.

What an accomplishment !

Guess Where ?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calamariforthought/

I Failed !!!!!

Am now in reservist, which started yesterday and will last till mid of next week.

Getting by without air-con is a bitch, I can tell you that. And our bunks are on the top floor - Level 4. Imagine walking those stairs up and down no less than 10 times per day. By the end of the first day, I already can feel my leg muscles screaming.

This morning, I just took my IPPT. I failed my 2.4km run, by a whopping 30 seconds ! (Damn !)

Bought a new pair of Gore-Tex boots. They are very comfortable compared to the regular leather boots. And it looks good enough to wear for hiking or any other outdoor trip.

Hmm... considering that I am already bitching about the 4-storey building, I don't think I will be mountain-climbing anytime soon..

And when my friend saw me carrying my "robinson-sale" purchases back to the room, he said "Oh, you bought the Gore-Tex...". And my reply was "Yeah, having mensus.."

My Brother's Wedding Convesation - 2

Yesterday, was at home to witness the conversation of my brother's wedding preparation again.

Some parts of the conversation that I wanted to highlight :

D=My Father
B= My Brother
M=My Mother
[Note] = My comments, in italics.

(1) About the timetable for the day :

M : So what is the program for the day, April 15th, right ?

B : Yes. The ROM will be at 12.30. Then will be the buffet.

D : Buffet until what time ?

B : They need to re-arrange the place for the wedding dinner at 5pm.

M : So buffet is about 1 to 3 lah.

B : Yeah. Still need to book the registrar. [Note : They wanted the ROM Ceremony to be on location, instead of at the ROM]

M : Haven't confirmed yet, ah ?

B : Not yet [Note : Huh ? Haven't book ? Wait not free, then change everything lah ?]

M : Then morning ? The timing for the ceremony

[Note : My brother was thinking for a full 20 seconds before answering]

B : By 11.30am have to leave the house.

M : How about the morning ?

B : 1 hour for tea ceremony enough ?


[Note : Hmm.. Wonder what has been planned, and what hasn't been ? Does he know which are the "critical paths" and need to book first ? ]



(2) About the Wedding Dinner Tables :

B : Ten table for you all enough ?

D : If you can only give then, then I will adjust my guest list. This one after New Year can think one.

B : I reserve 2 tables for my helpers, the girl's side need 14 table, so 10 for you. If you don't need so many, the remainder will give to the girl's side.

M : You pay for the girl's side ah ?

B : YES. We paying for the whole dinner ourselves.

D : Usually, when giving tables, give the girl's side same or less than the boy's side...

B : My girlfriend already ask her parents to reduce the number of guests. They are big family, what to do ?

D : It is not about the number of guests they have. They are big family, or they have big business, it is their own side to settle. But you do not have to give so many.

B : They actually ask for higher, but we negotiated lower.

M : Also, usually, the girl's side ask for tables, they don't ask for "gifts".

D : Yes, they want higher, but do they have the right to demand for it ? You should know how to talk to them. Normally if you give them what you can, if they want more, can, they just pay for the rest. You just have to help them book the tables.

B : (loudly) YEAH ! IF DON'T GIVE, THEN THEY DON'T MARRY THEIR DAUGHTER TO YOU LAH !

D : If want to say that, then nothing to discuss lor. If it were me, I would have already thought of how to reason with them. What is the point of making their children suffer in debt for the wedding, then no money for house and children ? Is this the way to love their daughter ? Why you never think before hand, how to talk and how to approach ? If it were me, I will have ways to get them to agree to my terms.

B : YEAH LAH ! YOU VERY SMART LAH ! I VERY STUPID LAH !

[Note : And he proceeds to pack his things to leave the house. Say need to go somewhere. It is raining cats and dogs at that time.]

After he left, my parents were then talking to each other.

Commenting that he must have been the girl's side wanted everything and he just agreed. Like he had no choice. Boss's niece lah ! Cannot think for himself one ?

And that why he do or say things, never thought about parents' feelings ah. They demand, must give ? Never consult with own parents ? Must approve one meh ? Both parents can don't agree, then ownself go and elope lah ! Never say that to him only.

Tell him how to deal with people, for his own good, get scolding from him. Happy event like this must turn out this way. Everything give in to the other side. Give suggestions, thinking it is discussion, he blame us for making things difficult for him. Shouting at us everytime.

Then might as well just inform us what to do, don't bother to discuss. But then, himself cannot settle all the things and cannot plan properly. Leave it to him lah.

Long time no see

My work looks to be an uphill tasks. Just got some negative comments from bosses about my past year's work.

Nevertheless, I shall look forward and learn from this episode. Afterall, what is the worst that can happen ? I become bo-chap, and get fired ?

These 2 weeks has been very turbulent for me. Helping my boss take care of a colleague who is "politically" weak. I have almost become a logistic cum warehouse manager.

~*~*~*~*~

My new toy hasn't been giving me a smooth time either. Just realized, stupidly, that my Video capture card doesn't include hardware encoder. So I will have to depend on CPU power to do video compression.

Encoding one channel to mpeg4 using most available codecs occupies the CPU at almost 100% already. And quite a lot of lost frames as well. What more of 4 channels ?

However, there was one that did the job at about 30% CPU utilization and no lost frames - Pegasus. But I will have to pay... (anyone can give me a registered copy for free ?)

Am very tempted to use batch files, and use AmCap to do the capture. Simplest solution of all, and able to capture 4 channels simultaneously. Problem is, it is not able to use any other codecs, and the output is huge AVI files.

Well, maybe just buy a big HDD and just clear out the data every few days of driving.

And now, to find get a casing that can fit under my seat, and a good power supply.

Oh and the PCI riser card is ridiculously expensive !!!!!

My Toy - Updated

My Video Capture Card Arrived !



It now sits on my EPIA :



And I am connecting this to one camera first. This is my first cam :



It can fit into a 1x1x1-inch box. I think it will fit nicely behind my rear-view-mirror.

And now, the most important part is to get the software working. Currently looking for freeware/shareware where I can :
- configure up to 4-views per screen,
- superimpose date/time and other data,
- allows me to configure it for unattended recording


After this is the power supply issue in my car.
Hmm... Ok, baby steps, baby steps.

Me at Work with my New Toy

Ok. So I have gotten my new toy. What do I want to do with it ?





My first requirement is to make it a multi-channel DVR for my car.
I guess this will explain why I want it much smaller than a normal PC. And also why I want a fanless board - to reduce noise.

Still waiting for my Video Capture Card from the supplier.

Will attempt to make the whole thing work on WinXP first. If performance is not good, then I will attempt Linux. Afterall, I am no Linux expert ; Do the easy one first.




Initially, booting up without any software installed takes about 45-50 seconds.
POST - 9 seconds (include auto-detect IDE for CD-ROM. Will be out in actual deployment)
WinXP Splash screen - 10-15 seconds.
Starting of OS till desktop available - 25 seconds.

Not a very good speed for embedded system.

But I am running it off 128MB for now, and have just disabled all useless services. I think upgrading to 512MB will make it load faster.

My New Toy Arrived

Got my EPIA ME6000 VIA Motherboard today !
At least, something to keep me occupied. I can start work on my little project.



On the work front, I see more and more things for me to do, yet, I really do not know where to start. If I just follow my boss's instructions and not take initiative, then I am no better.

Ahggg ! Brain not working ! Really at my wits end, no idea how to do it... But of course, not showing it.

Hopefully my brain can wake up after New Year.


Happy Holidays !

Shell-shocked...

My job (formerly called my career).

It is just confirmed.
I had less than 24 hours to decided.

I will be redesignated.
I will be taking on a new portfolio.
I stood no chance,
I was out-smarted, and out-gunned.
My objections and feelings are irrelevant.
I was just a pawn in this game, in his big scheme of things.

I have been moved from my comfort zone into a war zone.

I have much to plan and do ahead.
Despite the holiday season, my mind will most probably not be peaceful.

So no more nice coffee breaks for me.
No more idling and blogging during office hours.


But...

*starts tune*

I will survive, I will survive !
Hey hey !

Obligatory Remarks about Death

After keeping quiet for so long, I guess I need to just speak up a little now.

I do not agree with the Death Penalty. It serves no rehabilitation purposes, and I believe it doesn't deter much.

Murders are not going to increase/decrease with or without the death penalty. Afterall, most murders took place at the heat of the moment - emotionally charged and no time to think about the death penalty. And mostly they think they can claim emotionally incapacitated by not controlling themselves.

For the premeditated ones, all precautions have been taken to avoid being caught - death or no death. I mean, if I really hate someone and wants to kill him/her, I will try all means to hide my identity - even if it is life imprisonment. Aferall, I hope to get on with my life.

For drugs, I believe many of those mules are forced into it - certain death of family member if they were to reject, or possible death by hanging if caught.

Afterall, how many of those who carry drugs drives BMWs and live in landed property ? Those who are really rich from the drugs, are enjoying themselves in large palaces with private army for security.


*~*~*~*~*

From previous famous cases in the press, it seems that in Singapore, I cannot consult legal advise until the police concludes their investigation. (Remember the recent Filipino maid charged for murder of another maid ?) [read : My opinion is that I cannot see my lawyer until I have confessed to the crimes, either by beating it out of me, or by sleep deprivation.]

I have the rights to remain silent, and I still have my rights to an attorney.. Catch is I need to choose just one.

*~*~*~*~*

And I travel via Changi airport frequently, where my lugguage is out of my supervision. What if one day, someone in the chain uses my luggage to carry the drugs, and somehow, missed a satchet in my luggage.

And then I am caught with it...

*shudder*


*~*~*~*~*

Just heard that our executioner, who was identified by Australian press recently, has been fired.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4477012.stm

Bird vs Plane

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Oh my. Wenzeled...

Charlie Wenzel. That is a name that many will remember. And he became famous for all the wrong reasons. But now, I am sure he can make some money from this notoriety.

Google "Charlie Wenzel" and I am sure you get lots of hits.

Just a quick summary of what happened there, because the original forum was closed :

(Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Wenzel)

It all started on October 10th, 2005 on the Off-Roading Website Pirate4x4.com when Charlie, using the screen name "cdubzon40s", attempted to sell a set of "new" Gears he had purchased for his Chevy truck and "decided against" using. The Ad quickly drew attention from a user going by the name "MochaMike". After accepting and cashing a check for the $115 (the $100 asked for the parts and $15 for shipping) Charlie private messaged MochaMike asking for an additional $25 stating that that was what he had intended to ask. Mike Refused and asserted that since the check had been cashed, Charlie had a legal obligation to send the Parts.

On October 26th, Charlie went back to the website and changed the price of the item from $100 to $125 plus $15 shipping. At this point Mike Went public and pointed out to everyone that Charlie had changed the original post to reflect a higher price AFTER Mike had already paid for the gears. Charlie claimed that this was simply a mistake and that he had meant to charge $125.00 + Shipping, instead of the $100.00 + shipping.

In addition, he repeatedly asserted that the part was new, but was eventually cornered into admitting the part had been previously installed on his own truck. The problem is that the part is not just of a lesser value, but of questionable value entirely. People usually do not buy these gears used, due to wearing patterns being specific to the original vehicle. Therefore it turned out that the attempted fraud was actually for the total amount, not just the $25 extra he asked for.

During the whole process, when Charlie probably should have apologized, admitted his wrong doing and walked away, he instead became rude and indignant, attempting to use empty threats of physical violence and or lawsuits and jail time to get people to stop telling him he had done something wrong. He was repeatedly given chances in the first two days to right his wrong, but instead continued with his arrogance.

Soon Charlie's personal info was made available for the world to see. This included:

* His ip address/addresses
* His home address
* His place of work
* His email addresses
* His phone numbers
* His parents address
* His parents phone numbers
* His parents job descriptions and where they work
* His parents photo
* His parents email addresses
* His photo
* His High School Year Book Photos
* Baby Photos
* Various Pictures of Charlie with his truck broken down in the dunes
* His sisters photo
* His truck photos
* Through another link , his banking details
* His past history on other forums
* His ebay records
* His school history
* His true size and weight (he had said he was much larger than the actual numbers)
* His girlfriends photo

I will cut this short. Amazing what can be found on the Intenet about you.

You can also see his tribute on
http://www.wenzeled.com/

Now, excuse me, while I try to see what kind of sensitive information I can find about myself over the net, publicly.

My future road trip in this ?

Should be available early next year....



[click on the photo to see more !]

My Road Trip - In Singapore

Haha. Just spent some time this afternoon on a short road trip - but in Singapore.

Managed to see some unknown part Singapore that I haven't been to. Seems quite nice too, except for the humid air making me all sticky.

(Check out my Flickr Photos, link on the right)

KOP ! Do you recognize this place ?

Eden ! Have you been here ?