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    November 04

    'V' plotline comparison

     

    V…  the new Daily Show?

    "V"

    “Imagine this. At a time of political turmoil, a charismatic, telegenic new leader arrives virtually out of nowhere. He offers a message of hope and reconciliation based on compromise and promises to marshal technology for a better future that will include universal health care.
    The news media swoons in admiration -- one simpering anchorman even shouts at a reporter who asks a tough question: "Why don't you show some respect?!" The public is likewise smitten, except for a few nut cases who circulate batty rumors on the Internet about the leader's origins and intentions. The leader, undismayed, offers assurances that are soothing, if also just a tiny bit condescending: "Embracing change is never easy."

    So, does that sound like anyone you know?

    Oh, wait -- did I mention the leader is secretly a totalitarian space lizard who's come here to eat us?”

    Hahahahahahahah!  Eh?  Is this entertainment or politics?  Well, it makes a point of sorts so politics it is!

    I still have not watched an episode but doubt I put too much into it our OUT of it.  I just want to be entertained… Jack Bauer for Prez! <grin>.  That said, this show isn’t anti-Obama, the original series used some of the same plot points also.

    As mentioned, I’ll watch this show… hopefully soon

    Credit to Glenn Garvin via Chicago Tribune:

    'V' aims at Obamamania -- chicagotribune.com

    November 02

    Imegresen !

    Spent over 5 hours today for work permit renewal.  They changed the process so now we submit paperwork as if it is the FIRST time!

    Its ok though, in the end we save money because they now are basing fees in large part on a security bond.  That will run the 2k we expected and then renewals are just under a hundred bucks (ringgit).  There might be other fees or costs but I’ll exclude them (like my extension fee).

    In the morning I’ll go and get a few pages added to my passport – its nearly full!  Should get all the approvals done and new permit this month sometime. While the process was really really slow, the customer service was good.  Only a few were grim faced most being friendly.

    Waiting!:

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    Beetle damage

     

    I broke some stuff!  The bug has a small engine problem…  for those that don’t know or cannot tell, I have a dropped valve.  This means the valve is in two parts… one part still inside.  Do not yet know the full damage as I have not pulled the engine yet.  You can also see the broken valve spring.  Bleh!

    ABC.com - V - Home

    NO WAY!  They are bringing have brought “V” back!

    Well, I watched a small trailer on youtube and this looks promising.  I’ll watch the first few and see how it goes.

    Anyone seen Marc Singer lately?

     

    ABC.com - V - Home

    November 01

    What is this thing?

    Grows in a tree and is the size of a potato…

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    Asia Cafe

     

    Went out to eat last night at “Asia Cafe'’ in SS15 and had some Dim Sum, satay, soup, and fruit drinks.  Desert was honeydew fruit and mango.

    Check out the size of the drink!

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    October 15

    The car that uses urine to save the planet

    I’m on a roll commenting about news bites today… this one sounded odd but I have a problem with some of the “features”.

    “To guard against forgetful drivers not filling its AdBlue tank, the Mazda CX-7 diesel will cut its maximum speed if the level of AdBlue falls below a certain level.

    The car will not start if the AdBlue tank is empty. The 15.5-litre tank is mounted under the rear-floor of the CX-7 and Mazda recommends the task is undertaken by an authorised dealer as part of scheduled servicing.

    A gauge and warning lamp warn the driver as the level drops. The AdBlue tank requires refilling every 20,000km and costs about $140 a refill, which works out to roughly $7 per 1000km”

    So, you want one?  This sounds like an expensive pain in the rear.  Just what is “AdBlue”?

    “special man-made liquid similar to human urine to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The compound, called AdBlue, is a mixture of roughly one-third pure urea and two-thirds demineralised water.”

     

    Mazda CX-7

    Mazda CX-7

    The car that uses urine to save the planet

    Armed With A Deadly Burrito - October 14, 2009

    Not much of a comment really but I found the title funny…

     

     

     

    OCTOBER 14--A South Carolina teenager is facing a felony charge for throwing a "deadly missile" at a moving vehicle. The armament in question was a burrito.

     

     

     

    Link:
    Armed With A Deadly Burrito - October 14, 2009

    August 06

    Godzilla!

     

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    This thing was the size of a small car!  Ok, not really.  It was certainly big though.  Spotted outside my office taking a nice stroll through the lot… til we yelled and screamed while chasing after it.

    Not sure if that was dumb or not, but it ran away so I’m just going to call that a “win” for our team.

    August 02

    Getting the bug painted

     

    A little before and after shot here.  Scrambling to try and have this done by Aug 16 for a large event.  Running out of cash!  Actually, didnt have a lot of cash to start with. :)

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    This is just a preview pic… the detailing isnt done and the wheel lip polish hasnt been started.

    About an hour after this pic was taken the car headed to the upholstry shop

    Not sure about what bumper to use yet.

    July 21

    Pink Barnacle? PINK!!

     

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    I have no ideas what these are.  Looks like a barnacle to me.  Crazy.

    July 20

    Domdal’s Bakery - Subang

     

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    Found a new food place near the house.  Its called “Domdal’s Bakery” and is run by a Matt Salleh married to an Malaysian Indian.  But its not me! heh.

    This is the entrance.  Not much for seating but I think the main idea is for takout.  Primary product is “bread” and other baked goodies.

    That doesnt mean the seating was bad… just not good for large groups.  Inside looks kinda like some of the other bakery outlets in town – you know hot dog in bread type stuff but when I asked about it those items are not the main interest but that customers tend to expect them.  So they are avialable but their pride is in the specialty breads.

    Anyway… I didnt sample any of the breads and maybe I should have and this could actually be a review… as it is, all I can really do is describe what we had for Sunday lunch…

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    We both ordered a grilled chicken sandwich.  I forget the proper name from the menu but nevermind that… its the BREAD that is the focus here.

    I found the bread used to be very good!  The chicken was also good but the amount of meat was too little.  The drink chioces were limited but I had no issue with that as orange juice sounded good.

    Note the branded tissues! heh.

     

    The main issue of course is price.  For the RM6.50 I found the sandwich pricing “ok”.  Not bad but not a bargain either.  Would have paid an extra RM1 to get more chicken.

    The juice was waaaay high though.  It might be fresh squeezed or plucked from a tree out back but the RM6 is above the price point I want – I would rather have just regular juice from a can for less $.  Overall?  I give this a thumbs up, just order a different drink and you will be pleased.

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    Edit:  Tried the breakfast set… not bad…  Came with a free coffee added on.

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    July 17

    Reminds me of my Buick

     

    Sad day kinda.  Spotted this car recently and noticed it was similar to the Buick I had.  Reading up on the 222E the specs are not as different – like one might expect.

    It has two turbos but the way the ducting is done looks similar as does the intake.  Even the climate controls were very similar!

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    Not sure how it drives or how quick it is but it could be a fun car and probably accepts modifications easily enough.  cool.  Sad because I dont have anything like it anymore… which has always been true because they are also a lot different.  Enough similar for memory lane though.

    Anyway, I have no idea if this one is modified already and too lazy to search the net.  I suspect some things in the engine compartment are different than OEM but thats a small thing… the overall impression I get wouldnt change.

    Odd that with all the cool things it still has a distributor.  Go Buick!  :)

    Maserati link #1
    Maserati link #2

    Buick link #1 (GNX)
    Buick link #2

    Fun link #1
    Fun link #2

    LiveJournal tags: , ,
    July 12

    iPHONE!

     

    Got my hands on this recently to try out.  Cool interface and attractive build.  Outstanding box construction.

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    Problem?  Its a CLONE!  And didn’t work!

    Could not make calls because the mic was stuck in hands-free mode but hands free didnt work either.  Oh well.

    antenna boost

     

    Using the template at http://freeantennas.com I made a parabolic reflector for the office access point.  It works!  Not a huge gain but noticeable change in signal as reported by Vista/XP.  Hard to prove benefits but it was an interesting project.

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    Computers… from raid?

     

    Not sure what is going on but just check out these stacked computer cases and monitors at one of the police stations!  Why else have them unless from a raid?  Cyber cafe or computer brothel? hehe.

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    Junk for desert!

     

    Went out with friends recently to Madam Kwan’s and for desert I had the “Banana Junk”.

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    What is in it?  Three flavors of ice-cream: Mango, Vanilla, & Strawberry.  Add in some split banana and toppings and you get an interesting mix.  Top it off with an umbrella and arrange everything juuuust so and I can see where the name comes from.  Like this.

    Funky shark fish toy made in China

     

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    Had a look at this toy recently.  Its a “floating” shark that when plugged into a special base holder thing, looks like its swimming.  Problem?  No base to test.

     

     

     

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    Being inquisitive myself and MiniMoke decided to check further…. how does it work?  Can we apply voltage and make it move?  Our initial tests failed

     

     

     

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    So we pulled the cover and found there is NO connectivity!  Thats right, zip for connections.  China made scam!  Check out the board and the empty slot it came from…

    Then we realized it must be wireless and that WE are the dumb ones.  It was funnier to think this didn’t work but still funny how we were fooled.  Or were we…?  smile_regular

    July 04

    Independence Day

     

    “…I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

    You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not…”

    - John Adams

    June 28

    Burger King! Beefacon! Eh, what?


    Decided to go to BK the other day and noticed this sign outside…. advert for the “BEEFACON”.  Me being me I took a picture being SURE this was a funny typo.  I was wrong.

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    ALL media and promo materials were spelled as “BEEFACON”.  Trying to be funny I sounded it out… “Be Fakin”, “Beef Achin(g)” and so on.  I’m the only one laughing.  I STILL dont really get it… normally these things are a play on words but this one just doesn’t ding a bell but best guess is that its pointing out the bacon isnt pork…. and they think *I’M* not funny?  smile_wink

    How was it?  The picture makes it not looks so nice but IT WAS REALLY GOOD.  Look out Carl’s Jr.!  I would think this is the Malaysian answer to the “meat with cheese and more meat” adverts in USA.  There was NO filler but also no quad option.

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