Happy New Year!

As this will be the last post for the year, here's to wishing everyone a very happy new year! Had my fair share of ups and downs this year, but will always have my chin up, thanks to my family and all my friends. Special thanks to DC for the great times and memories, and the reason why this blog was started.

"Should all acquaintance be forgot..."

Quote of The Day

"If you expect to make your game 100% better by introducing one feature, that feature can be copied. But if you improve one hundred features by 1% each, people cannot copy you."

- N. Evan Van Zelfden, in his article on the success of World of Warcraft, Escapist Issue 25

Judging A Book By Its Cover

Having received some vouchers for Christmas, plus 20%-off coupons from the papers, it was time to hit my fav bookstore Kinokuniya again. If you're someone like me who is easily hypnotised by the range available everytime I'm there (and can easily spend hours browsing without making up my mind), it's helpful if you can get recommendations from someone who has the same taste in reading (thanks again Ivan!)

As a nation of imports it's common to see different cover versions of the same books from the UK and US publishers. But it was serendipitous to find both versions of my shortlisted books available in the same store at the same time. Guess the country of origin for the covers:



A Short History of Nearly Everything,
Bill Bryson







Freakonomics,
Steven N. Lewitt and Stephen J. Dubner




and the Dresden Files series, by Jim Butcher -









The UK versions are on the left, and the first series for the Dresden files.
I prefer the design of the UK versions for their cleaner design, against the typically brash and loud US covers. Which would you prefer on your bookshelves?

I'm sure there are many other examples out there, would you base your purchase on the cover in such instances?

Control Freak

A must-read for any gamer, 4cr credits Nintendo for almost every innovation possible (and then some) on the device that links us to our favourite pastime: the humble controller. Without this input device to connect us to our games, gaming- for all the realism that Sony and Microsoft are touting through their next-gen consoles, is no better than watching the latest CGI-laden Hollywood blockbuster on video.

Thanks Nintendo, for the analog joystick that beget my favourite Xbox controller; comfort and intuitiveness for the type of games I like to play.

[pic from 4cr]

You've Got To Try This

Unbelievable, it really does work! Check out the link.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

You do know Christmas means more than just presents right?















Log cake from Jane (not all, just part of it)















How did you know Kristin?

We also had a team lunch at Crustacean at Holland Village (poor waitress). Merry Christmas, here's wishing all good health and good cheer, remember to give thanks and God bless!

One Way

Join us for a family-oriented Christmas musical, playing this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

I'll be on 绝对Superstar!!

...Superstar Virgo lah. Originally planned for next CNY, but since there was a special package offered through my Dad's card, my family will be sailing on a four-day cruise from Sunday.

This is the second time I've been on one; the first when I was very young and with my cousin's family (on QEII Princess Masuri). Weird thing is, my only memory of that cruise was me loaning a Candyland boardgame from the Rec Room (and not playing it anyway). Must be the psychedelic colours.

I hope it will be more fun this time (more food definitely- 6 meals a day!). I'm looking forward to play through my Advance Wars DS, read a book, listen to my collection of podcasts, and catch a sunrise at sea. Have to remember my jade pinky ring, buy choc thins and pack my tux (cue theme).

NNGGGHHH...

I give up, that was such a lame phonetic impression of a motorbike revving sound/whine. I'd do better at the real thing.

[via WMMNA]

Calculator Phone Reviewed

Posted about the Samsung SGH-P300. Mobile-Review has a... uh... review on this extra slim gadget. Will be eager to check it out once it arrives in Singapore. I can imagine this being the hottest gadget for students upon launch. "But 'cher...this one calculator!"

You're Shitting Me

Reading on the can takes on a new meaning.

Why I've Lost All Love for Star Wars

Racing past the line of absurdity.

Most Unexpected Items For Sale

from an online video game and movie store. With free delivery to Singapore!

X'mas Gift Tikam

Is now online through Elfster. Makes it so much easier if you are organising a tikam in your office or among your friends. [via Lifehacker]

Madagascar

The President of Madagascar visited today. Yes it's an actual country folks, I'm surprised by the number of co-workers who thought it was a fictional place in an animated movie with an extremely irritating song. No, I'm not talking about Chicken Little.

Gameboy Micro Officially Launched in Singapore

Bad, Bad! Nintendo for creating another gadget to lust after. Officially launched in Singapore today at $185. Too bad I already have my DS which can already play GBA games, else my eye will be on the Famicom version.

Apologies to Runner 16475

Hard to resist when there're pics like this: You got Pwned!

It's written in the stars...

The Results Are In!

1h:9m:22s. Other cool stats:

My placing in the entire field:
2589th place with 4257 finishers behind. About 38% of finishers ahead.

Placing in Gender (Male):
1810th place with 1915 finishers behind. About 49% of finishers ahead.

Placing in Division (Men/SIN):
1299th place with 1436 finishers behind. About 47% of finishers ahead.

My Split Time: Average km 6min 56s, My Speed: 8.6 km/h

Can go buy 4D this week with my finishing time. Still don't think I'll pass my 2.4 at this speed though. At least I beat Jane and don't have to eat my shorts.

Singapore Quarter Marathon 2005...

...sounds better than 10km event I completed this morning, together with more than 20,000 insomniacs who turned out for this annual event. Other than to have a good time with colleagues/friends, the only other reason was to earn ECA points at work. The pre-race swag was lame compared to this, with only a shoe bag, running top, effervescent "energy drink" tablets, and throwaway brochures from the title sponsor. Post-race, chanced on some freebies which will probably be disposed by the next pre-CNY housecleaning anyway. The full loot:















Clockwise from bottom right: Shoe Bag, Tattoo Transfers, Sports Top, Finisher's Medal, Sport Bands (not free, proceeds to charity), My Race Number, all on a Reusable Plastic Sheet given with black marker to cheer runners.

After our event, my friend and I were at the Finishing Point to wait/cheer his friend for the full marathon. Using our plastic sheets we started with the vanilla "You are already a winner, Brian!" and "Run, Brian, Run!" to ending with "Hurry Up Brian, my arms are ACHING!" and "THE END IS NEAR".

The sweat, sun, time was all worth it...






HELL YEAH!








More pics [here]

My Goth Moment

After collecting my race pack last evening for this Sunday’s run, I accompanied my colleague to check out a new nail spa at the mall. While mulling over why females need “Over 180 Colours!” of nail paint, the friendly staff (closing time and nil customers) asked if I wanted to try any of the colours. Taking it as a veiled challenge of my hetero-metro-uber-sexual manhood, I was game, but only if the colour was Samuel L. Big-Bad-Mofo-Black.

Weird stares and ribbing by colleagues ensued. Children shied away and infants cried.

I Pity The Fool!

It's been a while since I laughed 'till I cried, thanks to Mr. T and Mr. Brown.