When I called the guvnuh’s orifice a few weeks ago about the debacle of his $13,000,000 no-bid contract with Paragon whatever (which has no physical business address, no EIN, no website, no business license, no fax number, no general number or any other form of legitimate business presence), it was all I could to keep my Christian bearing, for the human female that barked at my questions…

Yup, barked… as in “woof, woof!”

Okay.

‘Nuff said.

You know, she became particularly irate when – in response to her statement, to which I patiently and attentively listened – I asked, “If this computer expert has some unique and special knowledge and ability as you suggest she does, that rather makes her like God, then, doesn’t it? No one else has either the ability or capacity to do what she has done.“

Yup.

She got mad at that question.

I don’t know why.

It’s rather simple.

And I’m not a media man.

And I told her so.

I just pay the guvnuh’s salary… and Troy’s salary too.

I guess that makes me their boss.

Yup.

I guess it does.

The Orchard Road...

Setahun yang lalu, saya pernah membaca sebuah brosur yang berisi tentang promosi kemeriahan Christmas in Singapore. Sempet kebayang, kapan yah bisa ke sana pas Christmas Season.

Eh, gak nyangka, Tuhan itu baik banget buat kami… Kami diberi-Nya hadiah ini, kesempatan jalan-jalan ke S’pore sekeluarga…. Gratis karena kan dibiayain sama kantor. Lumayan, uang dinasnya lebih dari cukup untuk beli tiket, untuk bayar apartment, untuk jalan-jalan, untuk belanja juga, he he…masih bersisa lagi…huwaaaa….senengnya!!!

Well everyone can go to Singapore, but being there for free, I don’t think everyone can have such that luck!!

Pas mo pergi, udah kepikiran sih, ini kan udah December…berarti kemungkinan besar Christmas Season udah mulai terasa di sana…

Dan begitu kami nyampe…huwaaaa…. Everything is more than we’ve ever expected!!!

Apalagi di Orchard Road-nya. Indaaaaahhhhh dan gemerlaaaaapppppp banget.

Di mana-mana ada giant Christmas Trees. Sepanjang jalan meriah oleh Christmas lamp, patung reindeers yang lucu2 banget, Christmas ornaments…dan semuanya deh, jujur agak susah buat saya to describe it in words…

So, liat foto2nya aja kali’ yah….

Orchard Road during the late afternoon

From the other side :p

The Giant XMas Tree @ Paragon

still in front of the Paragon

@ Takashimaya Shopping Center

on the side of the Orchard Road

note the giant LV bag at the back

The deer and the Santa

the sexy reindeer

Raja could only stare at the lamps around him

inside of the Paragon

the crystal xmas tree

the golden Xmas Tree

the Hippotour... its cool!!!!

the giant PURPLE CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!!! HOOORAAAYYY!!!!!!

Satu hal yang pasti, jalan2 di singapore memang sangat menyenangkan. Tempatnya nyaman banget untuk pedestrians. Lingkungannya modern banget…ternganga-nganga deh melihat kemajuan di sana…apalagi waktu turun ke subway nya…ngeliat bangunan yang sampe 6 lantai di bawah tanah…wuiiihhhh..jadi mikir, tuh ngegalinya gimana yak????

O ya, buat yang doyan shopping, Orchard Road is the one of the best place for shopping. Waktu saya lagi di sana, para cewek lagi pada ngantri to enter the Prada

Wuaaahhhh…kalo gak inget udah punya anak sih mau juga saya belanja banyak di situ… tapi Puji Tuhan, saya masih bisa nahan diri sambil bilang ke diri sendiri… “inget Raja…inget Raja… ”

O ya, ngomongin soal Raja, selama kami jalan-jalan ni anak bener-bener kebingungan ngeliat kesana kemari. Kaget dia ngeliat segitu banyaknya lampu dan segitu banyaknya orang. Yah, Raja memang masih terlalu kecil untuk mengerti dan menikmati semua ini…tapi kami yakin, Raja merasa sangat bahagia.. bukan karena keindahan kota ini, melainkan karena ia bisa menghabiskan begitu banyak waktu menyenangkan bersama papa dan mamanya… Itu yang langka buat Raja!!

Aahhhh….Tuhan memang baik banget buat kami. Banyak sekali hadiah yang diberikan-Nya. Bisa menikmati Christmas Season di Singapore juga adalah merupakan sebuah hadiah untuk kami. Bener-bener hadiah, karena sekali lagi ini gratis!! Gak perlu merogoh kocek tabungan bo’!!!!

Rupanya inilah salah satu alasan mengapa Tuhan membuat saya berkali-kali menolak undangan dinas ke LN sebelumnya, karena Tuhan tahu kapan saat yang terbaik untuk kami…

Duh, jadi pengen nih… next year dapat XMas gift jalan-jalan ke Europe

Oh how fast life is currently moving! I can’t believe it, but all of my classes have ended! First Dj-ing, then latin dance and now African dance! I only have hoola hooping left, thank goodness! So, as a way to fill my time, I have a few new things up my sleeve to keep me busy. I have yet to mention that during all the time that I have been galavanting around the city and working, I have also been doing two full year university French courses. They are taking up a bit of my time, and are more challenging than I originally anticipated, but I need them to apply to Teacher’s college in a couple of years. I have done several online courses during my academic career and have found that Athabasca University is by far the best place to take online courses.  They have the best and most well organized system for delivering material without actually forcing you to go to class.  I have taken an English course on children’s literature, an introduction to women’s studies and now the  two french courses. I have also taken similar style courses through Acadia university that do not compare. I felt this was appropriate to mention in case anyone was interested in taking a course or degree online. Often if you are already in a university program, they will let you take up to 50% of your degree at another institution and Athabasca is a major qualifier, so it can be helpful to anyone who is or is thinking about becoming a student.

In other exciting news, I joined the YMCA! I have decided to become more fitness oriented. In the past I have really dislike the gym, but have decided that if I do this right, I will find a way to like it. I am going to do Aquafit, and a bunch of other classes. This week is tricky because my work schedule is earlier rather than later, but next we I start my regular 9:30 to 5:30 shift, thereby making going to the gym much easier. The times of the classes are very odd but will definitely work. I will let you know all about it when I go for my first workout tomorrow.

The Y is at Spring Garden and South Park Street just up from the Lord Nelson Hotel. If you or someone you know is a member come join me for a work out, I would love a friend to go with!

Stay tuned for other exciting things that you can join and do in this fine city! I’m still working it all out for the next couple of weeks.

And now an update of fun things to do this week!

Wednesday night at the Company House, there is an open mic night where my dear friend Adam will be playing. Remember his name, Adam Sterling, he is both an exceptional guitar player, lyricist and singer. Check out his website by clicking the word AWESOME.

Also, next week at the Paragon on Gottingen, Glen Matlock, yes the former Sex Pistol, is playing an acoustic set. This should be very cool, I am currently trying to get tickets, so perhaps I shall see you all there.

Until next time, stay busy Haligonians!

Spec

   Paragon is offering $29.95 commercial Total Defrag 2010 Special Edition software for free. It is free till 29 November.

Description:-

   File system starts out with all or most of its files contiguous, and becomes more and more fragmented as a result of the file creation and deletion over the time. Thus files and their parts become spread all over the hard disk, which follows the delays in the hard disk work and further lower performance. Total Defrag 2010 is a new comprehensive product for total file system defragmentation and optimization. Built on original Paragon technologies, it performs complete low-level defragmentation that provides almost zero fragmentation level.

It allows you to:

• Perform a complete low-level defragmentation that provides almost zero fragmentation level.
• Speed up and optimize all critical system files and metadata including MFT (Master File Table), directories, paging files, registry hives and others.
• Use 9 File System Optimization Strategies.
• Use one of 2 available modes for defragmentation:Fast or Safe. Safe Mode is slower but it protects your data in case of a power failure during defragmentation.
• Run Paragon Total Defrag without installation. Create a bootable CD or DVD and boot the system and defragment all the available disks directly from it.

Limitation: Special Edition has no 64-bit support.

You must register to get free serial.

Hurry Up!

Download Paragon Total Defrag 2010 Special Edition

Paragon Giveaway Page

Dragon Age: Origins is a recently released game that is one of the precious few to address the effects of organized religion on its world in a non-cynical manner. Instead of being set in a world steeped in nothing but ancient traditions and esoteric ritual, developer Bioware has merged such religious conceits into the “current” storyline of its game in a way that much more reflects reality.

The subtle but brilliant difference here is that every competing faction, every sect that follows the game’s equivalent of Jesus, has a very, very good reason for doing so, for their traditions evolving the way they have, even though most all of them claim a common source.

Most video game RPGs treat organized religion as either a superfluous element of a game’s backstory, or as a huge evil organization that must be destroyed. Here faith systems become the driving force behind the entire plot, finally.

Bei Giveaway of the Day gibt es heute wieder kostenlose Vollversionen von Paragon!

Kostenlos gibt es heute die Programme:

• Paragon Total Defrag 2010 Special Edition

• Paragon NTFS for Mac 6.5

Beide Versionen sind leider auf Englisch – einem geschenken Gaul guckt man aber bekanntlich nicht ins Maul

WORD

paragon [par-uh-gon, -guhn] n. 1. a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence 2. Printing. a 20-point type 3. an unusually large, round pearl ∞ v. 4. to compare; parallel 5. to be a match for; rival

BIRTHDAY

Asa Gray (1810), Dorothy Dix (1861), George Gallup (1901), Imogene Coca (1908), Hank Ballard (1927), Don Cherry (1936), Margaret Atwood (1939), Linda Evans (1942), Graham Parker (1950), Delroy Lindo (1952), Kevin Nealon (1953), Elizabeth Perkins (1960), Owen Wilson (1968), Duncan Sheik (1969), Mike Epps (1970), Chloë Sevigny (1974)

STANDPOINT

OK. What’s irking the shit out of me today is quite simple. People keep asking me, “Why do you write so angry?”

Yes. I write angry. Yes. I am occassionally an angry person. But that doesn’t mean much of anything except I’m one of those folks who’s easily bothered by the people I come into contact with everyday. And you may not be one of those folks. And that’s fine. But maybe you should be.

You see, my problem with people thinking I’m too angry is there aren’t enough of you out there who are remotely angry enough. Being angry or annoyed is not cool because everyone wants everyone to just be cool. But, the truth is, there aren’t enough of you out there acting remotely cool enough.

And, so, if I tend to get a bit animated or a little too passionate about the current state of most everything, you’ll have to forgive me. I’m just not down with everyone being so goddam down about stuff.

QUOTATION

What I’ve learned about teaching is to refer back to the root of that word, which is educo, which means “to pull from.” Education does not mean jamming information into somebody’s head. Rather, it’s that ancient idea that all knowledge is within us; to teach is to help somebody pull it out of themselves. → Alan Arkin

TUNE

Tonight, I’m headed down, with Jer and Ezgi, to World Cafe Live in Philadelphia to see Blind Pilot. I hope I hear “The Story I Heard.” I really can’t imagine a scenario where I wouldn’t.

GALLIMAUFRY

→ Suddenly, pharmaceutical companies have come to the conclusion it might be a good idea to get into the preventive medicine business, instead of the curbing and/or curing side of it. In the next five years, there may be vaccines available for such maladies as Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, Malaria, grass allergies and even something called traveler’s diarrhea. With the soaring prices of prescriptions and the subsequent scramble to find other options like the internet and Canada, maybe someone at one of these companies said somethig like, “Hey, what if we switch gears and actually try to find a genuine way to help people? I mean, we’ve tried everything else, right? Let’s give it a shot.” Funny, how a completely fucked economical situation can bring out the best in people.

→ A group of Native Americans, who’d filed a suit against the Washington Redskins over the use of the name “Redskins,” had their case tossed out by the US Supreme Court yesterday for, from what I can tell, is a complete technicality. I’m no lawyer, though, so I could easily be wrong. However, what I’m completely unwrong about is that the NFL franchise should just give up the name. We’re headed toward the future here, people, let’s keep our eyes on the ball. (Plus, the Redskins are so bad I’m sure hardly anyone would notice if they became the Washington Suckasses.)

→ Jonathan Safran Foer, author of one of my favorite books of all-time, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, has a new non-fiction novel coming out titled Eating Animals. Check out his interview with the AV Club.

Last Sunday, when I looked at the week ahead, I thought it would be a boring one. In fact, 2 days into the week, I was dreading the boredom.

One of the most obvious reason was that my shift was totally different from my kakis for this week (and perhaps the ensuing weeks, since we all pursue a fixed shift pattern). That would mean lunch by myself and no dinner getaways after work.

But it was also at such times that I get to clear my piling stuff.

I got my 2nd Hep B booster (which was like 3 months overdue) and went for the check up for my new insurance. I also went down to city (Vivo) for the 1st time in many many weeks on a weekday to do some shopping.

All these, I did with only doing OT on Friday.

And speaking of Friday, THE black Friday, 2 significant things happened that ended the work week with a ‘bang’. I was 1st tasked to do an external escort (it was a task everyone dreaded, cos it ate into our operations time, as well as deemed as dangerous), which had a special twist in the end.

I also wrote the 1st disciplinary report of my career, although it was not of my intention to do so.

My weekend was packed as well.

I met up with the ZPS gang again at Paragon and had tea at this cafe serving good cakes and pastries. We were so satisfied that we arranged to go back and have its cake buffet a month later

And then I went for my facial (and got painfully squeezed by the PRC beautician) and then a good back massage by the young and vocally impaired guy, who heaved and ho each time he elbowed me. hmmm…

I also went to the bridal salon to rent a suit jacket for my sis’ wedding, all because I promised her to be her emcee for the event. ah… so troublesome. And the jacket did not really suit me, since I liked those that are slim fit. But oh well, we shall see..

Cracking your head to find a nice place for Christmas Dinner? Take a look at Lawry’s Christmas Specials! This will be the their last Christmas at Paragon as they will be re-locating to Mandarin Gallery ( Mandarin Hotel) along Orchard Road in 2010. So, being their last Christmas at Paragon, they are determined to make this a memorable one. Apart from whipping up a sumptuous meal, they have also lined up exciting surprises for the for their guests. Look out for KOOSHI shopping vouchers in the goody bags when you dine with them. Lawry’s are also giving away $50 dining vouchers to our KOOSHI customers when you spent $80 or more in our KOOSHI Retail stores. Come on down and celebrate together! Click here for details of Lawry’s Prime ribs Christmas Menu.

I had breakfast with a collegaue from Paragon Real Estate this morning, Oggi Kashi.  I’ve known Oggi for about 8 years now and he is a Broker Associate these days.  We talked about local trends, financing, momentum, etc.  He just sent me this chart:

Here’s what it all means:    The chart illustrates the difference between an investment made on January 1, 2000 in one of the major U.S. stock indices and one made in either a San Francisco house or condominium.  This is simply a sample analysis to show how real estate usually appreciates over the longer term:  numbers may change dramatically according to the period used in the calculation.

Since it is based upon an all-cash purchase, it does not adjust for the fact that a home bought all cash could be lived in or rented without any mortgage expense, which is certainly a major added value that does not pertain to stock ownership. If one made the calculation based upon a 20% or 25% down-payment, the return on investment on real estate purchased would soar into the hundreds of percent.

Even in periods when the stock markets generate a good return on investment, one should note that significant capital gains taxes apply to stocks, but primary residences occupied for a minimum period of time, are exempt from capital gains taxes for the first $250,000 – $500,000 of gain depending on whether the purchaser was one or two persons.

San Francisco real estate has usually proven to be an excellent investment over the longer term due to the advantages of leverage, the incredible tax benefits of home-ownership in the United States, and local demographic and appreciation trends.

Thanks for passing this along Oggi.

Today spent the whole morning in town. We started off at Vivo City, went to the Toys R Us Store to get the application form. Wrote halfway and suddenly the manager come out say no more vacancy already. T^T Then look aroud the WHOLE Vivo City for part-time job vacancies… Train-ed to Orchard, went to Paragon’s Toys R Us Store, filled up the form. Still, tomorrow going Suntec City’s Toys R Us Store. Haha, hopefully can get in! Don’t ask me why I’m so keen working in Toys R Us. -.- Good evironment I guess~ Haha!

Anyway, K.O.3anguo is getting more and more exciting! Wahahaha, nice nice!

I miss you…

Hey guys, Bangkok not so long ago got a very nice new place to go to, for all ages, especially children but any one who’s in for a treat as well.

An aquarium was built under a department store and it turns out to be the largest Aquarium in southeast Asia because it holds over 30,000 water animals and uses up to 10,000 square meters, so that’s a lot of space. Most common fishes but also important ones like dolphins, sharks, and the different types of fishes are easily found. The department store’s name is Siam Paragon, which is one of the biggest and best around, with high end brand shops to ordinary clothes. T

he selection of food incredibly so you wont’ get bored. teh price for adults to go tot he aquarium is 450 and for children is 280 which is very reasonable for what you yet.

enjoy!

With Champions Online and DC Universe taking up most of the superhero limelight, we tend to forget that City of Heroes is still in the room. City of Heroes is getting along in its life, and despite having just celebrated its fifth birthday this year, the train keeps rolling. City of Heroes remains one of NCSoft’s more popular titles.

The developers over at Paragon have been working tirelessly this year to keep City of Heroes up to date and relevant. Aside from improvements to the customization of your superhero, Paragon announced Going Rogue, an upcoming expansion pack for the title. Set in a Utopian alternate universe to Praetoria, Going Rogue will introduce a new system that dives into the shades of gray in between the Hero and Villain. This expansion will allow heroes to become villains, villains to heroes, allowing each side to experience the opposing side’s cities without having to reroll a character.

More on Going Rogue as it appears. If you attend this year’s Hero Con, you can receive beta keys to the expansion.

Who are my Sisters?
She is that Muslimah you walk past on the street, she is the one you sit next to on the bus, and she is also the one that shares your cubicle at the office. She is the one that stands next to you in salat at the Masjid, the one that shy away from the front rows.

Where do I find my Sisters?
The sisters are all around us, wanting to be identified, needing a hug and a smile. The next time you see that sister, on the street, at the supermarket, or on the bus offer her salaam, introduce yourself, tell her about the mosque where you offer you salat. Plant the seed of sisterhood and friendship, and let Allah, The Sustainer, sustain it and when it blossoms and fruits you shall benefit from it.
The Sister is not her hijab, she is not her clothes, she is one like you, and like you she strives and struggles. Maybe she is yet to prevail over her desires, so tell her about your experiences make du’a with her, join hands with her, together we are stronger.

What do I say to my Sister?
Say salaam alaikum, and wait to receive an even more beautiful response. Tell the sister your name and remember her name for the next time you will say salaam to her.
Don’t tag a sister with names like Hijabite/alhaja, she has a beautiful name you can use. She is just as nervous as you are; together we can explore and expand unchartered territories for the muslim women insha allahu.

i’ve got a be-jillion things on my mind. okay, that’s an exaggeration, but there are definitely a few things on my list of to-do’s in between my mafia-fix, courtesy of The Sopranos and The Godfather Trilogy.

but yes, here are a couple of things i want to achieve, or get started on during my unofficial sabbatical.

1. practice music theory
2. get started on my music workstation
3. finish my paperwork
4. finish packing my room
5. start getting back into shape
6. register a domain and host a blog
7. catalog all the things i don’t need and sell them

but yes, i’ve been getting sidetracked because of my “mafia in the media” fixation and reading Tucker Max’s “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell“. but y’know, i’ve got about two seasons of The Sopranos to go, and one more Godfather movie, so i’m making good speed. probably get started on one of the seven items next week.

anyway, sidetracking me today were some music related commitments. in the A.M i was at a photoshoot with the guys from Shelves to prepare for our gig at the Prince Of Wales next Thursday. Details below:

Well, I’m assuming you want to see what we’ve been up to. This is just my edited version of the stills that Little from fFurious helped us with today.

In the evening, Leeson was invited to Ben Sherman’s VIP (Very Important Plectrum) event, and it was stellar catching bands like Force Vomit and The Fire Fight play, and also just chatting with some old friends from the scene.

In case you’re wondering what the event’s about, basically, bands from all over the world have donated autographed guitar picks and are auctioning them for charity. Ben Sherman Singapore will donate your proceeds to SPH’s Pocket Money Fund for under privileged students. So if you’d like to help with a good cause, check the site out here.

The Fire Fight in action.

So thanks to Ben Sherman, and the folks from Wing Tai for showing us a good time, dressing the bands up in some fine threads, and the gift voucher. I can safely say my drummer and I have already put it to good use.

Met up with Jess & Mich for dinner after work… really irritated by the survey job alr.. has been dragging toooooo long! Hopefully we can finish it asap!!!

Dinner @ paragon Sushi Teh. I LOVE the atmosphere there! Its super nice!! next time no need go sushi teh @ taka anymore. Paragon is perfect! haha~

Jus some random pictures taken there. Only we 3 understand the joke behind these pics! .=X
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I’m trying hard not to laugh! HAHA~

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And we play Wii @ Cine after dinner. Cooking Mama is soooo cute!

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-=mEmOrIeS=-
-Li Ling-

… gibt es heute für lau bei Giveaway of the Day in der englischen Version !

Auch dieses Tool lässt sich mittels weniger Handgriffe mit einer deutschen Bedienoberfläche versehen !

Dazu lädt man sich die deutsche Trial von der Herstellerseite, installiert diese zuerst. Dann das Verzeichnis C:\Programme\Paragon Software\Partition Manager 10.0 Personal\program\resource\lang komplett auf den Desktop kopieren und alle enthaltenen Dateien von “_de” in “_ea” umbenennen !

Das Umbenennen und weitere Vorgehen habe ich unter http://blinkeye.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/drive-backup-professional/ erklärt.

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Viel Spass !