Fugly House

You'll probably miss it if you drive, but it stuck out like a sore thumb when I was walking along in the opposite direction. Ouch. What was that about needing a big house again?

安静

It hurts not being able to say the tings you want to say. link

The Evil Empire is Upon Us

Real-life imitating "art"? Begun the clone wars have.

Ep. IV: Animated GIF

Animatics on a budget. Watch it here. I'm hoping for the LOTR version soon.
Via OhGizmo! via Waxy.org.

Thanks Xbox

For keeping me in the gaming scene when my PC could not longer hold up. My next PC will just be a 'net top. It's ridiculous the way gaming rigs are now. It's crazy what they're charging for the latest graphics cards, extra fans to cool fans, water-cooled setups, enough LED lights in casings to guide the space shuttle back to earth. IT's crazy.

Here's a nice ode to the Xbox. Biggest was best, no slimmed-down double-dips was necessary. Of all the games I own/owned, three stand out: Burnout 3:Takedown, Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 and Lego Star Wars were the ones that kept me riveted. At least it's still good as a jukebox for my home theatre.

Quotes

What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute’s mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy?
-William Shakespeare, in The Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake.
Originally from Shakespeare's The Rape of Lucrece

NDS = Now Damn Shiok

I’ve been spending quality time with my new Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) since Tuesday. May seem hard to believe but this is actually my first foray into the world of the big N, the grandfather of videogaming. I’ll admit to being a Damn Suaku.

My history with video-gaming started from a loaned Atari when I was very young (Missile Command left a distinct impression), but went only as far as the several Game & Watches I received later as rewards. The forbidden tree bearing the sweet fruits of video game consoles was surrounded with concertina wire, claymore mines and assorted Vietcong booby-traps by my parents to ensure that I was never distracted from my studies. NES, Megadrive and Playstation could only be my imaginary friends. I’ve only been making up lost time since last December with my Xbox and now the DS.

Although selling by the container loads because of Nintendogs, what hooked me to sink my clams on a DS were the new games Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and Trauma Center: Under the Knife. Which other system will allow you to play as a Lawyer or a Surgeon? I’ll never get tired of shouting “Objection!” into the DS microphone to halt court proceedings, or wielding the stylus as scalpel on the DS touchscreen to operate on my patients! Playing Doctor has never been more fun *wink wink*.

Catching up one year late after launch sucks, especially when you want a DS colour that’s hot (Pearl White & Graphite Black) and out of stock indefinitely islandwide. The hunt took me to game shops everywhere, and gave me a better appreciation of the local videogame distribution and retail scene. Don’t shop at People’s Park or Parkway Parade (you’ll get P-ed on). I finally uncovered the last set at Seow Choon, incidentally one of the pioneers in the trade and one of the best. Friendly over the phone, knowledgeable staff, great prices and a lifetime loyalty program (with a cool membership card). Check out their Jalan Besar main branch (Opposite Sim Lim Tower) for gaming nirvana.

I am a happy camper.

p.s. I'd like to acknowledge the hiccup that was the Neo Geo Pocket Colour I got a few years back. It looked and played better, but fizzled to the better-marketed juggernaut that was the Game Boy. Kinda like Zen vs. iPod.

Big Brother May Be Watching

Noticed these conspicuous black discs outside the lift on the ground floor of my HDB block, affixed on the wall with a single screw. They've also been spotted at other neighbourhoods as well. Are these security markers? Transponders? RFID detectors? or devices attempting to help big brother monitor our movements in and out of blocks? It certainly got me intrigued, but I'm sure there's some banal explanation for it. It's certainly of no value, otherwise vandals would have removed it by now.

Good Luck To You

Count yourself lucky if you happen to get pulled over by this TP.

Maxim Does Physics

Spotted at Popular Bookstore, 'A'-Levels physics study guides for the modern, hormonally-charged student. Browsing the guides saw pictures of the models in various poses next to study notes and formulas.

If only these were available during my time... I would have studied physics; done well for Mechanics, but fail miserably for Waves. Is this innovation or what? How about similar versions for other subjects then eh?

Pure Nosebleed

"Now the good stuff. Welcome to the dimly lit second floor. Yes, your eyes are not lying to you. Those are new, boxed Game and Watch. What is even scarier is the fact that some of those can get up to 50,000 yen. Definetely exotic." - tokyopia.com

Osaka is my Mecca. Octopus is my all-time favourite.

Blast From The Past

My Dad found this among gran's stuff, check out the date on the ticket. It's in mint condition, and should have a place in Singapore Pools' archives. Don't think modern tickets hold up this well.

And no, it has not been a winning number for the family members since it's discovery...so far.

Beeeefffcake!!!

If being buff now means looking like this in future, I'll prefer to stay the same thanks. Then again he probably has this to say.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

The tastiest chicken enchilada ever was eaten here ... ... ...

Mosquito Wars Ep1: The Aedes Menace

Now Showing at a HDB Block Near You! Latest campaign poster by NEA against the evil galactic empire of the aedes mosquito. Will the real evil empire of Lucasfilm licensing issue and cease and desist order? IPOS, where are you?

Uniquely Singaporean Signs

Noticed this while having a drink outside Kembangan MRT. One end of the sign points to the station (duh) and the other points in the direction of the housing estate. Please explain why people need to know the distance from the station to PIE on a footpath.

Josh and the Beanbag

Celebrated my birthday with my closest friends at Kiat's place. Jeremy brought his almost 3-month old boy Josher. He looks so cute and tiny when placed on a beanbag! More pics here. Also learnt about a common infant condition called cradle cap when I saw Josh's scaly scalp. For a moment I thought he was developing some mutant powers.