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Climbing Asian Death Toll Passes 22,500
Monday, December 20, 2004
Tersangat Lebih...
I am doing a course in web design this semester for my masters and it's really strange studying it from a postgraduate academic point of view. There are whole literature on type sizes, spaces between borders, colour schemes, and the like. See whether you can make sense of the following excerpt:
Two visual subsystems work together when viewing dynamic displays to produce a scan path. The peripheral subsystem carries out the initial parallel pro-cessing and determines where the next point of attentional fixation will be placed. The foveal subsystem is then directed to this point and performs more complex operations such as reading and object identification. Visual conspicuity is a factor that influences the selection process executed by the peripheral system. This conspicuity can be defined as a combination of an object’s properties, relative to its background, which attracts attention and is
therefore seen and is based on color, shape, size, orientation, and other properties of the display.
Grr...
I am doing a course in web design this semester for my masters and it's really strange studying it from a postgraduate academic point of view. There are whole literature on type sizes, spaces between borders, colour schemes, and the like. See whether you can make sense of the following excerpt:
Two visual subsystems work together when viewing dynamic displays to produce a scan path. The peripheral subsystem carries out the initial parallel pro-cessing and determines where the next point of attentional fixation will be placed. The foveal subsystem is then directed to this point and performs more complex operations such as reading and object identification. Visual conspicuity is a factor that influences the selection process executed by the peripheral system. This conspicuity can be defined as a combination of an object’s properties, relative to its background, which attracts attention and is
therefore seen and is based on color, shape, size, orientation, and other properties of the display.
Grr...
Sunday, December 19, 2004
The Phantom of the Opera
I caught Phantom on opening day, even though I finished work at 8:30pm and was dreadfully exhausted. When other teenagers grew up with Nirvana, Metallica or other soulful angst ridden music, I had the Phantom. Learning line by line, reliving song after song, so the movie is definitely a must see, especially when I've yet to have the opportunity of seeing the musical on theatre.
The viewing experience is amazing and rich in overtones and lavishness. It is a movie for the fan and for the romantic and it's just so beautiful :) It's been awhile since I've watched any movie with this kind of emotional repercussions and it's just wonderful.
Sigh...
I caught Phantom on opening day, even though I finished work at 8:30pm and was dreadfully exhausted. When other teenagers grew up with Nirvana, Metallica or other soulful angst ridden music, I had the Phantom. Learning line by line, reliving song after song, so the movie is definitely a must see, especially when I've yet to have the opportunity of seeing the musical on theatre.
The viewing experience is amazing and rich in overtones and lavishness. It is a movie for the fan and for the romantic and it's just so beautiful :) It's been awhile since I've watched any movie with this kind of emotional repercussions and it's just wonderful.
Sigh...
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Zap Zap Zap
I thought I would freak out on Thursday but I was surprisingly calm before my scheduled laser eye surgery (surgery is a tad overstating it as it is a quick procedure without pre or post surgery preparations required). Having a partial tear in my retina and needing it sealed, the surgery is somewhat unavoidable but dreaded.
I checked into the crowded clinic at 3:30pm. Got my eyes dilated at about 4:30pm and twice again at 5:15 and 5:30 before the procedure began at 5:35. Insanely long wait because this particular opthamologist seemed to attract patients from the entire state! At least there was some assurance of his skill.
The procedure was nightmarish. Please note that I have an intense aversion to touching your eyeballs so it was doubly horrifying. You get yourself seated into a machine like those that they use to check your vision, except that they strap your head tight and there are warning signs everywhere. Then they place this Borg like eyepiece onto your eyeball which allows the doctor to see into the retina and focus the laser beam.
At this point, all I'm seeing is this intense bright light and am getting superbly uncomfortable with eyes wide open and being unable to blink. Doctor will say things like, 'look left' 'don't move' 'hmm' 'good good' and then all of a sudden, ZAP ZAP ZAP! You see this flashes of green light followed by a burst of red in staccato motion as the doctor clicks on this joystick thingy. You can actually feel some heat but the worst part is the extreme brightness which makes your eyes water (and you can't blink).
It's over in about 5 minutes and it isn't painful but gawd... so uncomfortable. All I can think of is this must be what Borg-to-be must feel like. GAH!
I am just GLAD it's over (woe if it happens again) and will only need to go for another visit (if it stays corrected) in a years time. Thanks guys for the well wishes... I am just so blardy relieved...
I thought I would freak out on Thursday but I was surprisingly calm before my scheduled laser eye surgery (surgery is a tad overstating it as it is a quick procedure without pre or post surgery preparations required). Having a partial tear in my retina and needing it sealed, the surgery is somewhat unavoidable but dreaded.
I checked into the crowded clinic at 3:30pm. Got my eyes dilated at about 4:30pm and twice again at 5:15 and 5:30 before the procedure began at 5:35. Insanely long wait because this particular opthamologist seemed to attract patients from the entire state! At least there was some assurance of his skill.
The procedure was nightmarish. Please note that I have an intense aversion to touching your eyeballs so it was doubly horrifying. You get yourself seated into a machine like those that they use to check your vision, except that they strap your head tight and there are warning signs everywhere. Then they place this Borg like eyepiece onto your eyeball which allows the doctor to see into the retina and focus the laser beam.
At this point, all I'm seeing is this intense bright light and am getting superbly uncomfortable with eyes wide open and being unable to blink. Doctor will say things like, 'look left' 'don't move' 'hmm' 'good good' and then all of a sudden, ZAP ZAP ZAP! You see this flashes of green light followed by a burst of red in staccato motion as the doctor clicks on this joystick thingy. You can actually feel some heat but the worst part is the extreme brightness which makes your eyes water (and you can't blink).
It's over in about 5 minutes and it isn't painful but gawd... so uncomfortable. All I can think of is this must be what Borg-to-be must feel like. GAH!
I am just GLAD it's over (woe if it happens again) and will only need to go for another visit (if it stays corrected) in a years time. Thanks guys for the well wishes... I am just so blardy relieved...
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Away, away, on a holiday!
Will be on leave the entire week coming up. Although there's the slight nervousness (ok, not so slight) about the eye surgery on Thursday, still looking forward to an entire week of doing nothing. No work, no CreativeKids, no assignments, and no studying! Will just lay back, enjoy the close of the year and start cracking with work after :)
Have a good week ahead and a great weekend to come! Dan will be hibernating!
Will be on leave the entire week coming up. Although there's the slight nervousness (ok, not so slight) about the eye surgery on Thursday, still looking forward to an entire week of doing nothing. No work, no CreativeKids, no assignments, and no studying! Will just lay back, enjoy the close of the year and start cracking with work after :)
Have a good week ahead and a great weekend to come! Dan will be hibernating!
Monday, November 29, 2004
I don't mind Mondays... it is Thursdays I don't like.
Yawns... took quite an effort waking up today. Not a good sign for a sleep dependent person like me. Will have to make up for the sleep debt by sleeping early tonight otherwise my whole week will be screwed. When I'm sleepy, I'm:
Yawns... took quite an effort waking up today. Not a good sign for a sleep dependent person like me. Will have to make up for the sleep debt by sleeping early tonight otherwise my whole week will be screwed. When I'm sleepy, I'm:
- Incoherent
- Grumpy
- Prone to sneezes
This week is a busy week for me. I have an assignment due by Friday (which I've yet to really start) and I also have a Virtual Facilitation Exercise. This is rather unique as I'll have to facilitate an online discussion at a topic of my choice for 3 days and at the end of it, I'll be graded based on my ability to facilitate the discussion and arrive at a consensus with everyone being satisfied. It carries 20% so grades are quite hefty. A little nervous but can't wait to get it over with. (I volunteered to go first).
Been having some calls for CreativeKids so that's a good sign. Aiming for 20 kids by February and 30 by June. If that happens, I'll be so so happy. :) I'm also taking a class at The One in January. What with work, CreativeKids, studies and all... I hope I'm not over burdening myself but the money will really be useful.
Am on leave for the entire week next week :) Having a mini family vacation at PD. Looking forward to the break!
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
The Blog Challenge
In a class, for extra credit, I've tasked the students to use all Internet tools at their disposal to do the following:
FIND MY BLOG! :)
Let's see if anyone succeeds. For clues, they get to ask me one question a week. Question this week was, what is your blog colour scheme. Don't know how that will help but that's what they asked.
And the quest begins...
In a class, for extra credit, I've tasked the students to use all Internet tools at their disposal to do the following:
FIND MY BLOG! :)
Let's see if anyone succeeds. For clues, they get to ask me one question a week. Question this week was, what is your blog colour scheme. Don't know how that will help but that's what they asked.
And the quest begins...
Friday, November 19, 2004
Aieee....
I've been having some vision problems, namely floaters (specks floating about in the scope of vision) and tiredness so over the weekend I went to an opthamologist. After a tedious 2 hour wait (even with an appointment), here's a snippet of the dialogue with the doctor:
Doctor: So, how can I help you?
Me: Well... I've been having an increase in floaters in my vision (and I go on at lengths using jargon learned after hours of Internet surfing).
Doctor: I'm guessing you've already been online and did some research.
Me: Err...
Any doctor that recognises the Internet and its use is good in my books! Anyways, he proceeded to fill in the gaps in my knowledge and proceeded to do the test.
Doctor: So, why don't you wear contacts (as he removes my glasses).
Me: I have a phobia about touching my eyeballs, it's gross.
Doctor: I see, then you really will not enjoy what's happening next as that's what we're going to do.
Me: (planning dramatic escape from clinic, except I couldn't because by this time they had dilated my eyes and all I see is swirly lights).
Doctor proceeded to check eyes with this nasty machine, that puts a lens right on your eyeball and magnifies it for his diagnosis. Awful experience, and makes a dental exam a walk in the park. Gawd...
Diagnosis is, (drum roll), I have a thin retina in one eye and need to undergo laser eye surgery (due next month). Woe... more eye exams and surgery to boot... sigh... am such a nervous wreck...
I've been having some vision problems, namely floaters (specks floating about in the scope of vision) and tiredness so over the weekend I went to an opthamologist. After a tedious 2 hour wait (even with an appointment), here's a snippet of the dialogue with the doctor:
Doctor: So, how can I help you?
Me: Well... I've been having an increase in floaters in my vision (and I go on at lengths using jargon learned after hours of Internet surfing).
Doctor: I'm guessing you've already been online and did some research.
Me: Err...
Any doctor that recognises the Internet and its use is good in my books! Anyways, he proceeded to fill in the gaps in my knowledge and proceeded to do the test.
Doctor: So, why don't you wear contacts (as he removes my glasses).
Me: I have a phobia about touching my eyeballs, it's gross.
Doctor: I see, then you really will not enjoy what's happening next as that's what we're going to do.
Me: (planning dramatic escape from clinic, except I couldn't because by this time they had dilated my eyes and all I see is swirly lights).
Doctor proceeded to check eyes with this nasty machine, that puts a lens right on your eyeball and magnifies it for his diagnosis. Awful experience, and makes a dental exam a walk in the park. Gawd...
Diagnosis is, (drum roll), I have a thin retina in one eye and need to undergo laser eye surgery (due next month). Woe... more eye exams and surgery to boot... sigh... am such a nervous wreck...
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Such bliss to live in a country with such diverse celebrations! Looking forward to great food this long weekend :) All hail ketupat and rendang!
MUSIC CONCERT
The college's music department is organising a concert come 27 November (at night). This is the fourth time running and it should be good. A variety of classical and contemporary pieces performed by about 20+ students in a variety of instrument disciplines. Tickets are priced at RM15 and RM20 so if anyone's interested, give me a buzz :)
...................................
Enjoy the weekend everyone! Drive safe, take it easy, and let loose :)
Such bliss to live in a country with such diverse celebrations! Looking forward to great food this long weekend :) All hail ketupat and rendang!
MUSIC CONCERT
The college's music department is organising a concert come 27 November (at night). This is the fourth time running and it should be good. A variety of classical and contemporary pieces performed by about 20+ students in a variety of instrument disciplines. Tickets are priced at RM15 and RM20 so if anyone's interested, give me a buzz :)
...................................
Enjoy the weekend everyone! Drive safe, take it easy, and let loose :)
Monday, November 08, 2004
Sunday, November 07, 2004
The Pyramid Tower
Sunway has a new hotel, the bright orange Pyramid Tower. From the outside, the building is really unremarkable. But in the inside, it's actually quite appealing.
Check out the snazzy restrooms.
And the retro cafe seating.
And if you were wondering what I was doing there, well, met a friend for:
:)
Sunway has a new hotel, the bright orange Pyramid Tower. From the outside, the building is really unremarkable. But in the inside, it's actually quite appealing.
Check out the snazzy restrooms.
And the retro cafe seating.
And if you were wondering what I was doing there, well, met a friend for:
:)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Happy Halloween Everyone!!!
Having Halloween Week at CreativeKids where room is darkened and we share ghost stories. Made the awful mistake of telling a scary one when my housemate was out of town. Spent the night alone with every lights on and TV on full blast. Bluergh... hate being horrified.
Have been incredibly busy but am now incredibly liberated!!! Finished 3 reports amounting to 20,000 words on top of earlier assignments of about 10,000 in all. But it's done and I've finished my first semester in my Masters program!!! HOORAH!!!
Long weekend coming up. All the best everyone and enjoy :)
Having Halloween Week at CreativeKids where room is darkened and we share ghost stories. Made the awful mistake of telling a scary one when my housemate was out of town. Spent the night alone with every lights on and TV on full blast. Bluergh... hate being horrified.
Have been incredibly busy but am now incredibly liberated!!! Finished 3 reports amounting to 20,000 words on top of earlier assignments of about 10,000 in all. But it's done and I've finished my first semester in my Masters program!!! HOORAH!!!
Long weekend coming up. All the best everyone and enjoy :)
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Updates
Phew, had such a hectic past week. LAN visit came and went. Then had workshops at Sekolah Sri Aman for 2 days. Parents came over the weekend. And this week, new semester has started so it's back to full working hours as usual. Exhausting... top off with assignments due for my Masters, of which this is the 2nd last week of my first semester! Will have a glorious one week break before I take on 2 more subjects. Argh...
Meng and HL came by on Sunday for a visit and they dropped a surprise! Thanks guys for the belated birthday gift :)
Phew, had such a hectic past week. LAN visit came and went. Then had workshops at Sekolah Sri Aman for 2 days. Parents came over the weekend. And this week, new semester has started so it's back to full working hours as usual. Exhausting... top off with assignments due for my Masters, of which this is the 2nd last week of my first semester! Will have a glorious one week break before I take on 2 more subjects. Argh...
Meng and HL came by on Sunday for a visit and they dropped a surprise! Thanks guys for the belated birthday gift :)
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Resident Evil Rocks!
After a long hiatus from the cineplexes, decided to give GSC some of my business and watched two movies over the weekend. The first was the sappy but feel good Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. Pretty funny stuff though very light hearted :) Great movie for little girls and princesses wannabe's. Haha...
The one that got me piqued was Resident Evil: Apocalypse! Just watch the trailer, how cool is that? Never a fan of gratuitious violence and gore galore, I am however inclined towards movies/tv shows with macho heroine chicks (eg Charmed, Xena, Lara Croft) and Alice in RE:A is so cool! Forgiving the crappy dialogue and really funny looking zombies (I swear those extras look like they are about to burst into laughter at their silliness in some scenes), the movie overall is fun. Nice pacing, not too overdrawn, and ending hints at a sequel. Fun :)
Now I'm looking forward to Shark's Tale and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow!
After a long hiatus from the cineplexes, decided to give GSC some of my business and watched two movies over the weekend. The first was the sappy but feel good Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement. Pretty funny stuff though very light hearted :) Great movie for little girls and princesses wannabe's. Haha...
The one that got me piqued was Resident Evil: Apocalypse! Just watch the trailer, how cool is that? Never a fan of gratuitious violence and gore galore, I am however inclined towards movies/tv shows with macho heroine chicks (eg Charmed, Xena, Lara Croft) and Alice in RE:A is so cool! Forgiving the crappy dialogue and really funny looking zombies (I swear those extras look like they are about to burst into laughter at their silliness in some scenes), the movie overall is fun. Nice pacing, not too overdrawn, and ending hints at a sequel. Fun :)
Now I'm looking forward to Shark's Tale and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow!
Friday, October 01, 2004
Yawns...
Am so sleepy. Slept late last night because I forgot about an assignment that was due today! Haha... talk about pot calling kettle black. And here I go in class telling students to always do work on time and commit. Then again, students study fulltime... and they don't have work and a house full of kids to reckon with :) Anyways, 4 weeks left in my first semester so crunch time is coming!
..........
Petrol prices went up. I wonder how many people went to queue at petrol stations last night to fill up. 5 cents is almost negligible and considering how countries like the US have their petrol prices almost double, we're pretty lucky to have the government buffering the prices for us. Though as usual, I'm sure there'll be the tirade against 'exorbitant' price increase and blah blah blah. Ah well...
..........
LAN is coming in 2 weeks. Hoorah... bluergh.... Happy Friday everyone!
Am so sleepy. Slept late last night because I forgot about an assignment that was due today! Haha... talk about pot calling kettle black. And here I go in class telling students to always do work on time and commit. Then again, students study fulltime... and they don't have work and a house full of kids to reckon with :) Anyways, 4 weeks left in my first semester so crunch time is coming!
..........
Petrol prices went up. I wonder how many people went to queue at petrol stations last night to fill up. 5 cents is almost negligible and considering how countries like the US have their petrol prices almost double, we're pretty lucky to have the government buffering the prices for us. Though as usual, I'm sure there'll be the tirade against 'exorbitant' price increase and blah blah blah. Ah well...
..........
LAN is coming in 2 weeks. Hoorah... bluergh.... Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Thanks!
My birthday banana says it all! Had a good birthday this year, kicked off with the monthly company birthday makan for all September babies, and then a surprise party at home with family, and then another surprise party at a student's place where they conned me with a mooncake gathering, and finally a surprise cake party by colleagues :) I had a lot of cake, well wishes, and greetings from good friends. Thanks everyone!
My birthday banana says it all! Had a good birthday this year, kicked off with the monthly company birthday makan for all September babies, and then a surprise party at home with family, and then another surprise party at a student's place where they conned me with a mooncake gathering, and finally a surprise cake party by colleagues :) I had a lot of cake, well wishes, and greetings from good friends. Thanks everyone!
Thursday, September 23, 2004
HOT NEWS!!! I am so happy :)
SpongeBob Drips More Episodes
Wed Sep 22, 4:04 PM ET
NEW YORK - Looks like SpongeBob is getting squeezed for more screen time.
AP Photo
Related Links
•
SpongeBob SquarePants (Yahoo! TV)
"SpongeBob SquarePants," the popular animated Nickelodeon show, is returning with 20 all-new episodes, set to premiere on the cable channel sometime in 2005 after the big square sponge and his undersea friends soak on the big screen.
Wed Sep 22, 4:04 PM ET
NEW YORK - Looks like SpongeBob is getting squeezed for more screen time.
AP Photo
Related Links
•
SpongeBob SquarePants (Yahoo! TV)
"SpongeBob SquarePants," the popular animated Nickelodeon show, is returning with 20 all-new episodes, set to premiere on the cable channel sometime in 2005 after the big square sponge and his undersea friends soak on the big screen.
"What could be better than announcing that the world's most beloved and optimistic sea sponge is coming back with 20 new episodes?" asked Nick President Cyma Zarghami Wednesday. "SpongeBob is the most successful property in our 25-year history, and we're thrilled to bring his fans more adventures from Bikini Bottom. And maybe he'll finally get his driver's license."
The series, which follows the absorbent adventures of a talking sponge and his best friend Patrick in the underwater lair of Bikini Bottom, launched in July 1999 and has became a sensation with kids and adults alike. Many fans believed there would be no more "SpongeBob" on the tube after the toon's upcoming film.
Not true, according to show creator and executive producer Stephen Hillenburg.
"While I'm completing the day-to-day production of the SpongeBob feature film," said Hillenburg. "I am also looking forward to overseeing the creation of these new SpongeBob episodes for television."
"The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" hits theaters Nov. 19.