Advocatus Diaboli

The devil's advocate. That's what I've been called. Do I adopt a position that I don't believe in just for the sake of the argument? Perhaps. I'm sure Nick would agree with that one though. Sometimes, I love playing the devil's advocate...just for the fun of it.

If anything though, Nick's archilles' heel in an argument is his short temper. He starts blowing off too soon and that spoils the fun of arguing (I would put it down as debating).

I've been having a bone to pick for the past week. What can I say, I suppose it all stemmed from talking behind people's back. It'd be nice if we could bury the hatchet but I think that some people do hold grudges. I, for one, do not so whenever you're ready to talk, I'm all ears.

Here's one thing though. I believe in cogitationis poenam nemo patitur -nobody should be punished for his/her thoughts. Unless he acts out the thought, then it would be malice aforethought; in which case, can be prosecuted.

In any case, I'm ready to hear when you're ready to speak.

ImageExpo...

Nice piece of software maximizing the use of bluetooth.

The images are the actual screen captures of the screen on my Nokia 6260...pretty cool. Now I know why I love Bluetooth so much!

Only problem is, the software that does it costs about 99 euros!...bloody expensive. I still haven't decided if I'm gonna get it but it's kinda cool.

oh well...

After receiving the $500 voucher from SingTel, I decided to head on down to Hello! SingTel @ OUB to purchase a handset. After much deliberation, I decided on a Nokia 6260.

Pros and Cons of the phone:

1) It's a clamshell (I love clamshells)
2) It's got Symbian OS (allows for PDA like applications to be installed)
3) It's got MMC card support
4) It's got Bluetooth
5) It's quite nice (design-wise)

Cons:

1) It's a Nokia
2) It's a Nokia
3) It's a Nokia
4) Lousy build quality (the flip part is not nice and fitting but can be rocked back n forth)
5) It's $498 - for $100 more, I can get another V3 but I refuse to spend anything beyond the voucher given.
6) The Navigation keys are too far up on the flip
7) It's a Nokia

Sufficed to say, I was pretty happy with the phone. It's a good mobile office tool with applications such as QuickWord and QuickPoint (they allow me to view MS Word and MS Powerpoint documents and presentations respectively).

There's also a head of available software for the Symbian OS, for example, Agile Messenger.

I didn't use the phone until I reached home at about 10.30pm last night. So I followed the instructions and plugged in the phone for it's first charge. Everything was working fine...up till then.

Fast forward to this morning, I went to NUSS for the photo shoot of kids at KRGH. Everything was still fine and dandy and the phone worked, well like a phone should.

I decided then to go down to Wheelock Place to send mom's Nokia 2100 in for repairs (since the "1" key on the keypad was no longer responding). After having to wait from 1.13pm to 2.25pm, I was served (I almost spouted a new goatee during the hour plus long wait).

Sufficed to say, the CSO mentioned that the spare parts for the 2100 were not in stock (this coming from Nokia themselves? REALLY?) and that it would be a 1-2 week wait. Fine...afterall, mom's got the Sony Ericsson to play with so she's content for the moment. So I let them keep the phone.

Meanwhile, I asked about the 6260's bluetooth functionality and whether or not it supports bluetooth internet connectivity through a PC that's on the internet. The CSO said that it shouldn't be a problem so I'll give it a try again when i get back,

However, during the 1 hour plus long wait for the CSO to attend to me, I received a file called Caribe. I dutifully installed it (since I was in the Nokia Service Centre). The CSO took a look at it and mentioned that the phone has to be sent in for re-formatting (that includes the MMC). He says that Caribe's a software that chews up memory AND battery power (in other words, a virus).

I was appalled. After all, I was at the Nokia Service Centre and I barely had the phone for a full 24 hours. What choice did I have? Gawd. The least that Nokia Service Centres could do is to post a warning that anyone receiving files via bluetooth while in their Service Centres (or anywhere else for that matter), should avoid the list of virus like files.

And I thought that really brilliant people worked at Nokia...I guess no I know that anywhere but its main office at Alexandra are manned and managed by idiots. By posting a simple list, they'd save themselves a crap load of unnecessary formatting of phones and memory cards. I guess, it everything worked too well for them, they'd be shaking their legs and obviously, the executives won't want that to happen.

So now, I'm at mom's place, minus the 6260. they said that it'll take 2 hours to reformat and reset the phone + memory card. Hmm...are they still using 9200baud rate RS-232 Serial cables? Does it really need to take 2 hours for a re-format? I've re-formatted my 160GB HDD in under 15 minutes and that's a low-level format too. Geez...anyway, I'll be heading back there in an hour or so.

So that's my experience with Nokia after a 2 year hiatus. Time to seriously boycott the brand.

Motorola V3 still rocks compared to the lemon of a Nokia 6260...and it's only $100 more.

Another shoot

7.40am saw me driving down the PIE today. "This is not how I wanna celebrate my next birthdays", I thought to myself. Waking up at 6am after sleeping at 3am is not the best way to catch me in a good mood in the mornings.

What I found irritating was the fact that people, while driving on an expressway, find that they're required to tap their brakes ever so often. Can't they control their cars properly with the accelerator? Anyway, I was at Raffles Marina before the stipulated time in the morning.

It's interesting how I found out that women (at least alot of them), can't keep things to themselves. They have this inner need to share anything that's been said among friends. It happens irregardless if you're a guy friend of hers or a girl. They just have this inner desire to talk.

Of course, however, everybody talks. It's just that guys usually need lots of either coercing or torture to speak. In any case, if you don't want anything you said to a girl repeated, don't say it. Funny thing is, I already know this but somehow or other, sometimes, I feel the need to share somethings just to take the temperature a little (it's a good gauge).

In any case, I'm enjoying the 3rd and 4th season of The West Wing. I've yet to watch any other television series that's more cerebral than this.

Just a slight disagreement...

This is from the online source at (http://app.mewr.gov.sg/press.asp?id=CDS2136)

(Disclaimer : This is not an article targeted against the Singapore Government but rather an argument against a policy that the Singapore Government is considering.)

My responses to the quotes that I'll put here are my own. Although I am a smoker, I laud the NEA and HPB's effort in reviewing the list of public places in which the smoking ban should be extended with certain exceptions.

The exceptions stem from parts of the statement by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, at the Committee of Supply Debate 2005, 8 March 2005, 2.45 PM

Lets start then...

"... protect non-smokers against the harmful effects of second-hand smoke." which is followed by "My Ministry also plans to extend the ban on smoking to entertainment outlets such as pubs, bars, discos, nightclubs and KTV lounges. In the case of entertainment outlets, it is difficult for patrons to avoid second-hand smoke as these are enclosed areas with limited air circulation..."

Honestly speaking, if a non-smoker decides to go to a pub, bar, disco, nightclub or KTV lounge knowing fully well that it will be patronised by smokers and thus they will inadvertently inhale second-hand smoke and thus increase their risk of heart and lung disease, it is his/her decision to make.

Are non-smokers unable to make their own decisions when it comes to patronising these places?

If non-smokers argue that these places which do not allow smoking do not exist. then my suggestion, instead of a simple (lack of thought solution such as a) blanket prohibition/ban, the government give tax breaks to give incentives to pub, bar, disco, nightclub and KTV lounges to go smoke free.

Then, smokers and non-smokers can decide and have the FREEDOM to CHOOSE which of these places to patronise. Giving partial tax incentives for those that have smoking and non-smoking sections that are isolated from one another is another suggestion (for the wishy washy people out there).

Are Singaporean non-smokers that helpless from the effects of tobacco smoke in the eyes of the Government? Do Singaporean non-smokers lack the ability to decide what they want that they need such "spoon-feeding" laws to take effect and make the decision for them?

If so, why not an outright ban on the sale and import of cigarettes altogether? The Singapore Government has already banned items such as chewing gum for even more trivial and less health related issues why not extend it to include tobacco products.

On a broader issue of banning smoking is places such as pubs, discos, nightclubs and KTV lounges, the Government is not solving the issue of getting people to quit smoking but rather to bring smoking (and to a certain extent, alcoholism) into private property (namely, their own homes) thus increasing the chances of breeding another generation of smokers. People would no longer go to pubs, discos, nightclubs and KTV lounges and simply stay at home to smoke since there's no chance of breaking the prohibition.

I know that people who make the decisions will not read this and in all likelihood, this is an argument would probably fall on deaf ears. But it was fun penning it and putting it down anyways.

Perhaps, if I went to Hong Lim Park and yelled at the top of my cigarette smoke filled lungs, I might feel better about it at the end of the day and invite someone from either the NEA or HPB to take notice...

NOT!

the benefits of growing older...

1) I feel more secure about myself
2) I have more control over my actions
3) I am a little better read than before
4) I am no longer as clueless
5) I don't need diapers when I sleep
6) I can sleep whenever I want
7) I can drive
8) I can afford finer things in life
9) I have the freedom of choice (most of the time at least)
10) I can start forgetting things and use the excuse "I'm getting old"

It's not so bad afterall...although I do realise that I'm growing hair where I don't want. Kinda weird.

Women see me in a different light as well. I can act childish and immature in front of childish and immature people and still get away with it (since I'd be "one of them") or I can act learned, wise and distinguished and spout rubbish and if I sound convincing enough, the gullible will believe whatever I say.

I speak with more reason nowadays although I do occasionally still spout nonsense.

Men, I've noticed, would go through great lengths to gain the attention of a woman. Well, I'd leave the gory details out but sufficed to say, that I've known many and still know of some that have gone through heaps of trouble only to be rejected point blank. If she doesn't like you, take the hint and move on! Vice versa for women.

The babs and morons...(no relation)

She's always got that smile. one that never fails to cheer me up. No doubt it sometimes makes me wish I was a 29 year-old caucasian dude that rides a cool bike. Well, some guys have all the luck (ala Rod Stewart's song - now I know why he sang it).

I was on my way home when the most idiotic/inconsiderate driver I've met on the roads so far ruined a somewhat serene drive. PIE was closed beyond Bt Batok East ave 3 so everyone had to get out there. It was a dual carriage exit and I was on the right lane, making a right turn. The lane to my left was also a right-turn lane, with a slip road that went to the left further back as usual.

So this RAV 4, goes on my lane. He's the first car at the lights, and everyone behind and to the left of him is making a right turn. The moron, decides that right is not the way he wants to go but hey, lets not signal early...lets wait till the lights turn green. Even after the lights turn green, I waited for a full 5 seconds for him to move off (still no signal given). I give him a polite honk to remind him that everyone's waiting to move off. What happens? The moron decides that he wants to turn left and signals (only after the initial honk)...no one on his left is giving way to him but he insists on holding me (and everyone else behind) up.

Taxis sound their honks and I join in the cacophony of loud blaring. But still, the moron waits. Damn dude, haven't you heard of a U-Turn? Or is gas too expensive for you to make one?

I brand people like this into either one of two categories (or both).

1) Complete and utter MORON
2) Totally inconsiderate with a one track mind

In all likely hood, this dude belongs to both categories. Finally, when the road is clear, he proceeds to make and illegal (4 demerit point) left turn. Wouldn't it be simpler if he just made an illegal u-turn later? It amounts to almost the same bloody thing after all. I suppose, it takes all sorts to drive (morons included).

Somethings going on with the expressways today. Almost everyone that I was on had some type of construction (road closure) or other. In any case, I picked up the babs from work and we proceeded to Changi Airport for dinner/supper. She was her usual bubbly self and was absolutely a darl to be with.
Too bad she'd never see me as a potential anything (other than good friend). I suppose, it's best left that way anyhow. We're comfortable the way we are and would most likely end up as lifelong friends.

Anyhow, she's got a full life ahead of her and I sincerely wish her well in her studies and work. :) I must say that she does have the most interesting stories to tell from work. One of which was this guys whispering to her asking for help in seeking books with penis enlargement instructions...yup...yet another clueless dude in this land.

HAHAHA!

A tragedy...

As I sit here and ponder over my previous actions, words and thoughts that I might have let loose in IRC, one thing keeps coming hauntingly back.

That fact that IRC is dominated by gossip loving, nothing to dos. I realised that I had almost stooped to that level but somehow, managed to pull myself out of it before it become out of hand.

People are often susceptible to gossip and some are even naive enough to believe it if the story gets repeated enough by as many people.

A good quote would be from Capt Ronald Spiers of Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st Airborne Div. If a good story gets repeated often enough by enough people, it is believable. Tertius had a rumour about him that he lopped off the heads of Carthaginian slaves and that he was the baddest and meanest warrior about. He never disputed it (for firstly, it would be an attempt at futility and secondly, he might have seen the benefits of it circulating and scaring the shit out of his enemies.)

I suppose there would be little or no point in disputing gossip particularly in a place with as little consequence to my life as IRC. If people choose to believe in those rumours and gossip, then it's best to let them believe in it. After all, it's of no consequence to me. I find that the only way to avoid such gossip is to avoid IRC like the plague. I suppose it was a waste of time and bandwidth anyways.

The only good thing about having been on IRC is that I've managed to pick out some good friends that take me for what I am, irregardless of what they've read about me in there. For that, I am appreciative and I'll always treasure that friendship.

Perhaps in time to come, I would have changed my mind but I doubt so. In any case, I'd expect to have more time to concentrate on work, getting jobs in and improving my social life instead of sitting in front of my computer chatting with people whom I can't put faces to.

Photography 101

PRODUCT SHOOTING 101...

Always make sure that your client KNOWS what he wants before starting the shoot.

I've got lotsa experience with products but when it comes to clients, they think they know best.

Fine...lets shoot it at the angle they want. Forget my experience and expertise and lets just go with what you want. After all, I'm being paid right? WRONG!!!

At the end of the day, they still go back to the angle which I shot the bloody product at so what the heck!? A pure waste of time. What should've been a simple 1 hour shoot ended up taking 5 hours....why? Simply because they didn't know what they wanted and I ended up shooting 4 slightly different angles of the same product showing different sides.

Next comes lighting..."oh can you light the front but not the back?" "Oh the reflective surface...I need to see the text engraved in it" With the lighting specifications you gave? I think NOT!

Anyway, K came in to help out and even he ended up feeling frustrated (although that's nothing new) heh...

Harmless...

I've had this problem since my teenage years regarding women...

What happens, when they play hard to get? Is there a point to it? The guy has admitted that he likes her and would like to see her more than just socially. She however, decides to like him as well but wants to take more time before committing herself into a relationship.

The guy would think, "heck, she likes him enough, what is she waiting for?"

Well, guys (if there are any out there that wants to read this), here's what's on their minds (according to some close female friends that I have).

1) Does he really like me?
2) What if he's just lusting after me?
3) Should I see how persistent persistent he is?
4) Is he the right guy for me?

To be honest, it's hard to answer those questions without taking the dive into a relationship. However, taking the plunge and opening up one's heart isn't so easy. The girl, first and foremost, doesn't want to get hurt emotionally. What do guys do then? Switch to another girl? Well, there are those that are notorious flirts (I can't 100% deny that I'm not) but there are also those that are genuine. Well, the genuine ones will remain true and hold steady - for a period of time. After all, there's only so long that one is willing to wait to obtain something. If it takes too long, then he might not think that she is the right one ( after all, if she does like him enough, she'd be prepared to move along).

It's a very difficult thing to fathom. Emotions, relationship, love. To date, I've yet to get a satisfactory definition of love because, it's one of the hardest to decipher. Something that comes close to it would be, having a sense of security, warmth, happiness and trust in one person is definitive enough. Of course, there's also physical intimacy involved but to women, I believe it's less important than to men (I could be so wrong of course, but, that's what I've been led to believe so far.)

So women who read this, if you agree or disagree, please, enlighten me a little and speak your minds.

Thanks. :)

What's behind the dream?

I don't suppose I'd find an answer to them but I remember this particular dream which I had last night (or rather this morning) vividly.

I had some chronic debilitating back problem which resulted in the amputation of both my legs above the knee. But due to unforeseen circumstances, the doctors gave me a month to live.

I had two schools of thought on that (a thought within a dream is unique and this is more or less the first time it's happened to me).

Firstly, that no matter what happened, if I thought and believed that I did in fact have 30 days to live, when those 30 days are up, I'd die for sure. On the other hand, if I convinced myself that I would continue to live irregardless of what the doctor said, I would actually live past the critical 30-day dateline.

The dream (which I could control to a certain extent), visualised my plight into me being tenant of an apartment served with a 30 day eviction notice (by the way, the dream was in living colour.) If I did not leave within those 30 days, Pierce Brosnan (I'm a big fan of his) would move in.

Anyway, sufficed to say, I refused to live as a cripple and decided that I would go about doing my daily routine with a pair of prosthetic legs. Apart from being slower in running (which I was blamed for something or other - that I couldn't remember what for), I was as normal as anyone else.

Just as the dream was getting good (I was getting intimate with Catherine Zeta-Jones), some idiot decided that it was time to go to work and sounded his car alarm in the carpark downstairs. The sound from the alarm chirp reverberated between my apartment block and the one opposite until it found its way into my bedroom (in which I left the windows opened) and into my ears and woke me up most ungraciously.

I looked at my watch and noticed that the minute hand was about to reach the ¾ mark on the hour past 7am. Damn I thought to myself, I'm not gonna get anymore sleep since I had to get ready for work by 8am.

Today's shoots were pretty uneventful. It started with shooting kids of NUS graduates having a tennis workshop. That was followed by an undergrad vs grad games.

That was when disaster struck. My 10D, for some reason or other, decided that it was time for a shutter replacement and chose to self-destruct the shutter just after shooting approximately 20 shots during the tennis match.

I had to rush back to get the 1Ds (since I didn't really want to lug the heavy thing around. After that, it was porta at Amara Hotel. I had to use the A80 to complete the porta but I think shooting with that little bugger was way better than with the 10D (for porta),

Proceeded on to WC Macs for dinner with Nick and then boom...here I am jotting down what must be the most vivid dream I've had in recent history.

Well, I'm about to knock off to try to figure out if I can continue with the dream since a story that's been interrupted before it ends irritates me to no end.

Pub Crawling...

2:50am...

Just arrived home after pub crawling. Was at Mdm Wongs, Balaclava & Vintage. Wasn't too bad discounting the poorly dressed girls that were there. I did notice some femme fatales though.

3:30am...

Still up...chatting on both MSN and IRC...gawd...I miss the IRC days.