My Daily Dose of Cheerfulness

Looking at this in my rear view mirror always brightens me up.

No matter how upset I get, looking at this fella every 10 seconds or so, while on the road, really keeps me cheerful.

Especially when it seems like this fella is waving at me, or doing some dance.

Now, that is what I call Driving Pleasure.

Fierce Lights

Haha. Today I just noticed that my car lights projected a fierce image, with its 2 front signal lamps.

Doesn't it look like a pair of eyes with very distinct eyebrows ? And a nose ?

Wasn't easy to take this shot, as the lights were the blinking hazard lights.

Photos of my Banyan Tree trip

Ok. Some photos from my free Banyan Tree trip.

This was my room :




This is the restaurant that we are having a function in :

Day Views -





Night Views -






Another Restaurant at Roof Top :

Day View -



Night Views -





Cocktail Place :

As Vertigo is too expensive, this is the alternative -

Snippets of Updates II

Changed my tyres to Dunlop Direzza DZ101. Looks good, though I thought it was a little quieter, I think it is just me.

Didn't want to waste money on the rims though, cos the current one is still good. Not sure that spending money on the new lighter rims will save much on petrol. Anyway, I ahve a long time to find out. Next change of tyres, I will probably change rims. Typical engineer mentality - change one factor at a time. See of tyres and Nitrogen makes a different.

(Ok. So some of you may say I a naive to believe that Nitrogen-filled tyres is going to make a lot of difference, but hey, comes "free" with the tyres, free top-ups of Nitrogen, free tyre rotation every 10kkm, free puncture repair, up to 5 times. Just take it and see if it really affects my FC.)

So problem solved.

*~*~*~*~*

Tomorrow, I will be going to Banyan Tree, Bangkok. Sort of business + leisure trip. So I will be enjoying myself the next few days. Ha !

Car Vibrations

For the whole of last week, I had to endure excessive vibrations in my car. Noticable at speeds of 50km/h and my car becomes a massage chair at > 70km/h.

Sent it for servicing today. Found out the cause : Bad Tyre at the rear left.
(Click on the photo to see details)



Am thinking of whether ot change my rims at the same time. Lightweight, probably look better and save a bit on my fuel consumption.. Petrol very expensive now.. Just went up by another 10cents per litre.

Hmmm. Rims + Tyres probably will cost me another S$1k or so. *sigh*

On the other hand, they changed for me my 2 front suspension stabilizer links. Now the knocking sounds when I go over humps and pot-holes have gone down by 90%. The remaining is either acceptable noise from high-speed-over-relatively-big-holes types, or the rear is starting to show similar symptoms.

Will get them to change it for free the next servicing. Afterall, that is what warranty is about...hahahaha.

EnerNorth

Right. Ok. I am not the first to find out or post about this.
Just interested to see what the verdict is :

Here

Wedding Concepts

My brother has just returned me the money that I had given him last year for his wedding.

When I asked him, his reply is that he feels wedding should be "parents give", not "brother give". My response was simple : It is a family gift. Elder brothers also got give ang pao one ma.


What is with "youngsters" nowadays ?

It is MY wedding. I decide who I want to marry. I want the things to go MY way. But money has to come from parents. Especially the parents of the groom.

What with the reason that "traditionally", Chinese wedding is paid for by the groom's parents.


Oh yeah, talk about tradition ? Traditionally, groom's parents DECIDES who their boy marries and who is good enough for their boy, why don't you follow this tradition as well ? Traditionally, the new family live with the parents and follow the male family rules. What about that ?

You want independence, you want to be modern, what with freedom of love and all. Totally against arranged marriage, believing that it doesn't work. Why not be independent all the way ?

So many couples I know of, they pay for their own wedding, including the dinner. What parents give are just gifts, bonus, extra cash. Yes, they may make concessions to parents when parents give money. But isn't organizing any large event the same ? Make compromises and try to make everyone happy (wedding couple themselves included).

They don't PLAN their wedding based on how much their parents are giving them, nor do they feel that their parents owe them for their own wedding decisions.

Wake up ! Don't expect the world to owe you everything. Want to be traditional, be traditional all the way. Want to be new age, be new age all the way. Don't be half-assed ! Don't choose things that are in your favour only and when you don't get it, blame others !

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.