And yes, Singapore has reached a new era, whereby citizens take action against poor service and quality of food. Not sure what really ticked the unknown hacker off, but it has gotta be linked to KFC
Before the monitors act and all, here is a screenie for the memory. Or head down to the KFC website and check it out yourself =3
And all we know of the unknown person as of yet. Yes, Happy 44th Birthday Singapore. How far we have grown =P
Looked through my playlist for a perk me up song, and came across this old track from 1992. Love the video, how spandex and leather suits were the in thing 15 years ago.
.... Click Here to watch the re-made modern video of Rhythm is a Dancer from 2003 ^^x...
Nick recommended this few days back. Must admit that it is really funny and well-executed. Love the sweet irony. Enjoy ^_^x~!
.... Click Here to watch the original video for Total Eclipse of the Heart ^^x...
Alrighty, the first game to make it to my new games page is a sweet little piece by Armor Games. Fragger may remind some older players of gunbound, worms and other range lobbing games.
But, for those unfamiliar with those, not to worry. Not only are the commands easy to learn, there is no need for mouse dragging and all for power bars. Just a simple move and click is sufficient, taking away much of the difficulty curve.
.... Click Here to read on more about Fragger ^^x...
Much like worms in terms of graphics, the objective is simple, blast the targets with your grenade. Old school? Quite, as one doesn't really have any control over the detonation of the grenade (At least until you completed elite mode =3) No fancy weapons, just a basic fixed time grenade.
The nice part about it is its simplicity. There are no moving targets to chase, but it will take a bit of thinking and at times luck to complete the 30 stages available. And when you are done, you can try it all over again over 3 levels of difficulty. The only down point is that, no new levels are released with increased difficulty, just a decrease in grenades, forcing you to be precise and accurate.
Overall, it is a great time waster. Quick to play, not frustratingly hard to complete and with levels saved upon completion, one can always go back to bomb their favourite stages all over again. A game that you will come back to with time.
There are times, when a local brand really impresses me, and I am proud to go an extra mile to promote them. This is one of those times. Recently, I have been the proud owner of a X-mini 2nd Generation by Singapore's XMI.
(SGD $45 at the smaller shops outside simlim)
.... Click Here to read on more about the X-mini 2nd Gen ^^x...
Unlike its predecessors, the X-mini 2nd Generation comes alone. However, this also makes it extremely compact and portable. Fits nicely in the palm of your hand, and seen here with a regular 50 cent coin.
Like its predecessors, it too has an expandable vacuum tube upon unlocking, but in terms of quality of the bass produced. This version wins it predecessors hands down.
Flipped over reveals a buddy jack that clips nicely in play when not in use. (Note: The jack is exposed here for viewing purposes. When clipped in place, it flushes with the sides of the speaker as seen above.) This version also have a more rounded bottom, for a more compact feel overall.
Sound wise, it is impressive. Much louder than its predecessors despite being just a single unit. Of course, being a single unit, it produces mono music, though when 2 or more are plugged in, you do get a more fuller sound, as seen in the videos below. However, if you are just using the buddy jack, they are a tad short, thus the distance between the speakers is limited as shown in the videos. One can use the cable provide to connect the speaker to a PC or to extend the distance, but the cable is not retractable like previous versions and thus can be alittle clumsy.
Personally, I am impressed with it. At just 83g with a built-in buddy jack, it offers added portability over its predecessor and is sufficient for sharing music on the go with a music player like an Ipod or Zen. The bass is overwhelming to the point that the speaker actually jiggles when played at maximum volume, which normally is not needed. Been testing the battery life and it does seem to last over a full 10 hours on a full charge and at 70% volume, with juice to go.
Am so captivated with it that I'm getting it as presents for some of my friends and this also gave me the opportunity to test out the buddy jack capabilities. Overall, the music was much fuller, though, the buddy jacks are too short for me to judge if the sounds is stereo or mono.
And finally, since photos and words can only say so much, I took this videos to let you judge them for yourself. I'll be bringing mine to hall for use with my laptop and outdoor studies, so those who meet me, just stop me for a demo.
First up is demo, showing how the 3 speakers can be buddy jacked together, and how the music can be heard through-out my house.. a regular 5 room flat.
Next, is a much more complete test on its music capabilities, testing how the trio stand up to different styles like rap, techno, instrumental and R&B. The speakers surpassed expectations with techno, rap and R&B, although it did struggle with instrumental (piano) with the sharper and higher notes, as slight feedback was heard when it was played at above 70%. Below that, it fared great.
Kinda anal when I look for clothes. Firstly, it has to be unique, and next, I got to find it interesting or amusing. That's why I take a really long time to buy new clothes. However, clothes do get worn-out and faded over the years and finally their time is done. So, to remember them when their time is over, I've decided to keep them here as images.
As Tony Parsons once wrote, in Man and Wife, "Plead the fleeting moment to remain."
First up, is my favourite shirt of all time. Love the irony and Banksy feel to it ^^x
.... Click Here to read on more about the other shirts ^^x ...
Simplistic yet deep.
Another one with a Banksy feel.
Retro symbols on happy bright red
Love the serenity.
Finally, got myself a red lumberjack shirt. Love the smooth white buttons. I should really take a photo of my brown tattered shirt before it disappears.
And my first two designer shirts. These are by Dandadan Productions. Bought them from their shop in KL Time Square. The front and back of the first shirt. Love the chibi to serious look and the use of the samurai sword.
And the 2nd is my first black shirt since poly days. Love the bright green prints and the tree is just so Warcraft Tree of life.
My pastel purple block T. Love the font, just that pastel purple is alittle zzz...
And finally, I am having thoughts of converting this image into a shirt. Love how green is used in the circulation rather than red.. a tad of lymphatic-like and alittle we-come-from-Earth feel to it.
And in case you are wondering... this is where it comes from =x
Okay, can't wait for these 2 movies to hit Singapore. And no, I'm not talking about Harry Potter... although similar to Harry Potter, these 2 movies are also film adaptations of 2 best-seller novels.
The first is an adaptation of My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.
.... Click Here to read on more about My Sister's Keeper and The Time Traveler's Wife.
Personally, when I read this novel, it struck me deeply as a bio student... as the author wrote on her website...
# Do you feel that it's ethical to conceive a child that meets specific genetic requirements?
# If not, do you believe that there should be specific exceptions, such as the purpose of saving another person's life, or is this just a "slippery slope?"
And a nice paragraph from the novel... to push you to pick one up =x
There is way too much to explain – my own blood seeping into my sister's veins; the nurses holding me down to stick me for white cells Kate might borrow; the doctor
saying they didn't get enough the first time around. The bruises and the deep bone ache after I gave up my marrow; the shots that sparked more stem cells in me, so that
there'd be extra for my sister. The fact that I'm not sick, but I might as well be. The fact that the only reason I was born was as a harvest crop for Kate. The fact that even now, a major decision about me is being made, and no one's bothered to ask the one person who most deserves it to speak her opinion.
There's way too much to explain, and so I do the best I can."It's not God. Just my parents,"I say."I want to sue them for the rights to my own body."
Finally, the trailer for the movie... yes... it does seem emotional... but like any film adaptations... there are changes from novel as the author commented on her website... lets hope that even though the story might have been changed... the essence and the lessons are still there ^^x
The next film adaptation is the Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
Time travel has always been played as a wonderful thing in Back to the Future, and shown as a fragile and even tragic thing in The Butterfly Effect.
But, all these stories only focused on the time traveler. In this novel, the focus is shifted back and forth through narations, but mainly focusing on Clare, the time traveler's wife, and how it has affected her. And, although time traveling may not really be applicable to us in our daily lives... the lesson is universal. So many times, in our busy work, hectic schedules, we overlook the people around us, people waiting for us. And through the eyes of Clare, we see... what it is to love... someone who is not always around, someone who can't always be there when you need them, someone who can't stay. The truth of having long-distance relationships.
"It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he's okay. It's hard to be the one who stays.
I keep myself busy. Time goes faster that way.
I go to sleep alone, and wake up alone. I take walks. I work until I'm tired. I watch the wind play with the trash that's been under the snow al winter. Everything seems simple until you think about it. Why is love intensified by absence?
Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?"
And yes, the trailer hints of a really emotional experience too ^^x
Been looking around for headphones and stuff over the past few weeks, and I came across the following cute items that the ladies... who are searching for that new pair of earphones/headphones should consider... and best part? They are all below SGD $100 ^^x
First up is the Ear Pump by SonicGear . (about SGD $30)
Normally I am against inner-ears as I feel that they are much closer to your ears and thus, more detrimental than headphones... and you might be thinking... what more if it is a local brand like SonicGear.... But yeah, I have tested SonicGear's inner-ears before, and frankly their noise cancellation is really good, thus a plus point as it helps to lower the high audio levels you play your music at due to audio leakage and noise.
And the major plus point here are the colours. The bright colours were the first thing to catch my eye. And with 12 colours to choose from, there is almost one for everyone.
.... Click Here to read on more about the SonicGear EarPumps, Elecom's Ear Drops, and AudioTechnica's Pottery and Buttons Headphones ^^x ...
Another plus point is the sleek-looking carry case which comes in matching colours... these can act as an accessory and ensure that your earphones are well protected and well kept.
Next up is Elecom. Frankly, I have never tried any Elecom earphones and I only knew about Elecom from the iRiver. But when I came across these earphones the other day, I just felt that I had to mention them. Unlike other brands that try to stylize their earphones through sleekness and finish, Elecom decided to make their earphones into fashion accessories. Taking on the form of a second pair of ear-studs, these "Ear drops" earphones really add that feminine touch. (range from SGD $30-$50)
And finally, Audio Technica. I believe this brand needs no introduction =P
Personally, I have always been a fan of the ATH-ON3 headphones... its so simplistically sleek in a chick way.
Well, now they have 2 more headphones in the same category. First up, is the ATH-FW3 or the "Buttons" series. Weighing 60 grams, it is light, and foldable for easy storage. The thin headband also ensures minimal hair mess-ups with it. (about SGD $65)
And finally is the "Pottery" series by Audio Technica, the ATH-FW5. Its build is similar to that of the "Buttons" series above, though a tad heavier at 80 grams. Love the overall finish, a unique texture with a hint of retro-ness. (about SGD $88)
Okay, been awhile since I blogged, so here goes a series of multiple posts. First up is the guys nights out to The Arena.
As we were all going to be drinking, we all chose to go public... which was a rare scene.
.... Click Here to read on more about the night ^^x ...
Normal entrance fee for guys on a saturday...
But there was an offer for 2 bottles of Macallan 12 yrs at $376 for 5 entries so yeah. Clubbing with higher grade alcohol is a first.
It was a first for many with Macallan... most of the time Chivas is the whiskey of choice at clubs =x.... 2 bottles meant experimentation galore.. on the rock, neat, green tea and coke...
And before we knew it... we had finished a bottle and downed like 1/3 of the 2nd one... all before midnight =O ... the general consensus was that Macallan was smoother and had less of an after taste... we had to ration our remaining bottle consciously... a first at the clubs...
(Post-Night Analysis: It might also be due to the fact that a bottle of Macallan is 700ml while a Chivas is closer to a litre.)
Lesson learnt: Never order finger foodies at Arena. Introducing the most expansive wedges I have had to date... at a staggering $14!!!
Basically, The Arena is a different experience. There is only a small dance floor, with many more tables, and posh sofa VIP seats. Plus points for the slight separation between the dance floor and the tables.. so that, you can chill at the tables, away from most of the squeezy crowds and still be in the mood... and
instead of a DJ spinning all night long, there are 3 live band performances for the night with a 45 minute interval between each... much like that of a Thai disco.
The band played R&B hits and Rock in English.. which is a plus point over the cheaper Thai discos... as the last performance drew to a close... the crowd started to flock to the dance floor as the DJ took over...
Well, it was a nice night as it really has been awhile since the guys clubbed together...
And the clubbers of the night.
And because photos are never enough =x ... here are the videos~!
Was thoroughly amused that our ice-bucket changed colours over time, thus this video and alittle look at the area around..
and... Clubbing 101: Why you should never leave your drink unattended.
Really love the colour themes in this re-made video from 2003. Really puts the international and universal flow to it.