Melvin the Shopaholic comes out with his wish list

With some savings from monthly internship allowance, I might consider buying some stuffs to as rewards upon returning UTP this July.

So, I come out with this Wish List. Share with you all.

WISH LIST
= by Melvin the Shopaholic =

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1 (or TS1)

(I might go for either Silver or Blue)

Initially, I wished for a cool DSLR camera.
However, after dropping Loongloong's camera, I started having phobia holding digital cameras.
My target changed: If I were to buy one, I need a tough guy.

Olympus? User reviews conclude with pretty unacceptable image quality, although it is rugged.
And now, I finally see the launching of Lumix TS1.

Physically, TS1 can withstand 3m water depth, 1.5m drop, and dust (with conditions that you go for service on camera seal annually). On performance wise, short shuttle lag, high ISO, and good zooming (even during video capturing) make it my aim for now.

Unfortunately, it has no touch screen, unlike Chong's Sony.

More reviews and test samples here.

Price: RM1499 (RRP from Panasonic, hope to get lower price in Lowyat)


2. Nike Edge Elite Air Backpack

(Left: Large Backpack, Right: Gear Backpack)

My first initiation was a big backpack for traveling.
And the market price is about, based on a friend who bought backpack.

My target switched to Large Backpack after a visit to Stadium, KLCC. Quite a nice backpack with big capacity, laptop sleeve, and multipocket design. Too bad that grayish blue is the only colour, which made me reconsidering the decision.

It was the time where the bigger Gear Backpack came to me. Found in Nike Shop, it has more pockets and bigger storage space. There is even a zipped compartment at bottom for putting shoes. Cool! And yeah, you can expect that it is more expensive. Colour? Still grayish blue, only.

Well, I make this backpack in pending status. Size matters, price matters, and colour matters also (Where to get a black one in KL?).

Price: RM200 (Large Backpack, after rebate in Stadium), RM269 (Gear Backpack, only available in Nike Shop).


3. Creative HN-605 Headphones

I am now using a Philips earplug. Besides uncomfortable, I need to turn volume up in LRT, which increases the probability of deafness exponentially.
I am looking for a cheap foldable headgear, preferable with noise-cancellation.

Creative HN-605 is a good one for me, in fact. Operated with an AAA battery, it cancels 80% of unwanted noise. Furthermore, it is foldable and can be fit into the travel pouch.

But, there is also flaw to this product.
With noise-cancellation, yes, it gives excellent sound. However, sound becomes far soft when you turn it off. In that case, high battery consumption is expected for preserving sound quality. And I might have to buy rechargeable AAA batteries.
While in some reviews, users reported that the headphone is too small to fit ears. Hmm ... I need to test that. If the condition is not that severe, I would just ignore it.

Price: RM99 (in JB PC Fair years back, might be cheaper now)


For a conservative estimate, this wish list costs me RM1800.
It seems that I have to look for some money, by then.
Part time recruitment, anyone?

Earthquake and Tsunami - 22 July Prediction

None of us can forget the tsunami in 2004, and also the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 (you're right, it's almost one year from now).

So, when such message comes to people's mailbox, chaos is expected.

20090722 - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI PREDICTED

Hi, Please be more cautious as the warnings has been given. Attached a photo for u.

I just received this message from a colleague. I don't know the source of the message; I also don't know the credibility of the content, but just beware. Below is the content on the message:

"Hello there. I just wanted 2 let you know that please stay away from the beaches all around in the month of July. There is a prediction that there will be another tsunami hitting on July 22nd. It is also when there will be sun eclipse. Predicted that it is going 2 be really bad and countries like Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Singapore, Maldives, Australia, Mauritius, Si Lanka, India, Indonesia, Philippines are going 2 be badly hit. Please try and stay away from the beaches in July. Better 2 be safe than sorry. Please pass the word around. Please also pray for all beings."

Thanks and have a nice day.


What does it signify, actually?


When this mail came from Natasya to my mailbox on 8 April, I did some researches and came out with this.

Okay, guys and gals ... Here are how I conclude:

1. The sun eclipse is true. It is said to be the longest total solar eclipse in the century. Source: NASA Website.
2. While tsunami issue is not that easy to say true or false.
   The source is from Japanese Quake and Tsunami Predicted 22 July 2009. The author made an Excel-based simulator to predict earthquake and tsunami. The principle is based on the additional gravitational pull by Moon during solar eclipse, which causes tectonic plates moving up.
   

So, the problem comes now. How far the "gravitational pull" theory is true? If it is true, is the pull that powerful to pull the plates? Don't forget that Indon tsunami happened at morning, where there's no moon right above Indonesia. I admit that I cannot give a certain Yes or No to the "pull" theory. However, I hope it gives everyone a direction on verifying the prediction. Please ask around your friends or peers (especially those who are experts in astronomy, geology, and geophysics) so that we can have an answer on this asap.


From this, Dee sent another mail back to me, telling me something.

Something I think is not right is this: Moon is always on the sky. Simply you cant see it in the morning because the sun light reflected could not reach your eyes due to the bring light sky. Indeed sometime you can see moon in the early or late morning! I had seen that before in my place too!

Yeah, I missed that out. Forgive my lack of common sense :P

With that, we did not see any more reply on the clarification.
Until Snopes comes out with its investigation report.

After visiting California Institute of Technology, Snopes closed the case with two conclusions:

1. Solar eclipse will occur on 22 July 2009. But, its force is NOT enough to pull the tectonic plates. What causes earthquake is the accumulation of strains in the Earth's crust. No external force is involved in the gigantic move (although many people thought nuclear bombing at some corners can make the dominoes moving).
2. Earthquake is not predictable at the moment, even scientists who have spent so much time studying that.

(See the detailed coverage here)


I think this make everyone clear on what scenario we are facing.
The prediction of 22 July Disaster in the email is not justifiable. However, we can't say for sure whether it will happen.
Because everything is the matter of randomness.

(Mourn for the innocent lives lost in earthquake.)

[Joke] The Day the Penis Asked for a Raise

Economy nowadays is not that good. Most of us will have thought of asking for pay raise (although it is merely impossible in reality).

Howey sent me something about salary raise as well - but the subject is ... P. Niss?

Pasted here for sharing. Enjoy!

(DISCLAIMER: Nothing erotic here.)



I, the Penis, hereby request a raise in salary for the following reasons:

• I do physical labor.
• I work at great depths.
• I plunge headfirst into everything I do.
• I do not get weekends or public holidays off.
• I work in a damp environment.
• I work in a dark workplace that has poor ventilation.
• I work in high temperatures.
• My work exposes me to contagious diseases.

Sincerely,
P. Niss

Dear Penis:

After assessing your request, and considering the arguments you have raised, the administration rejects your request for the following reasons:

• You do not work 8 hours straight.
• You fall asleep after brief work periods.
• You do not always follow the orders of the management team.
• You do notstay in your designated area and are often seen visiting other locations.
• You do not take initiative - you need to be pressured and stimulated in order to start working.
• You leave the workplace rather messy at the end of your shift.
• You don't always observe necessary safety regulations, such as wearing the correct protective clothing.
• You will retire well before you should.
• You are unable to work double shifts.
• You sometimes leave your designated work area before you have completed the assigned task.
• And if that were not all, you have been seen constantly entering andexiting the workplace carrying two suspicious-looking bags.

Sincerely,
V. Gina

Cows, Chickens, Palm Civets ... and Pigs?

In recent history, most of the plagues are related to animal consumptions.


Initially, we have cow.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, aka Mad Cow Disease)
starring cows

Then, we come to chickens.

Avian Influenza (aka Bird Flu)
starring chickens and birds

After that, palm civet makes its appearance as well.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (aka SARS)
starring masked palm civets

In April 2009, alleged plague alert comes again. This time, the host is ... pig.

Swine Influenza (aka Pig Flu)
starring pigs

Does it mean being vegetarian is the safest way (to avoid virus from animals)?

Money Makes Slumdog ... A Dog

Our Slumdog "Jai Ho" Millionaire had achieved the history in Oscar, and also the slum in Mumbai.

However, the glory doesn't change anything in the poor community. Yet brings more ugly issues.

Previously, the little "Salim" Azharuddin Ismail was slapped by daddy in front of international media - allegedly. Well, no further clarification nor explanation after all. Up to you whether to believe.

And now, we see another news - item-for-sell ad, I should say.
Our little "Latika" Rubina Ali is on sale at $300,000.

Latika on sale - by his father ...

For Rubina's family, it is the way to make them away from poverty. On the other hand, they claim it (sending her off to rich men) is "the best for Rubina's future".

My view: Money can really make slumdog a dog.

Scholarships for studying master? In Kauhsiong?

Economy slowdown is a big global issue for everyone, especially those who are about to graduate soon.

So, for the freshmen-to-be, the government has suggested a way to counter the bad scenario. Further studies.

Fund offers RM3b in study loans

... For postgraduate studies, the government would use the allocation in the mini-Budget to give RM10,000 to meet the tuition fees of each student and another RM20,000 for study and research material ...

(http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2524450/Article/index_html)

And while viewing UTP eLearning, I found something interesting ...

Att: ME Final Year Students
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung city, Taiwan, ROC – Scholarship of Master program

In order to develop the international cooperation between Taiwan and Asia SouthEast Nations, especially Malaysia, in educational exchange, the KUAS offers a full-time scholarship to ones who are interested in studying Master program of Mechanical Engineering as well as Mold & Die Engineering, Fall 2009 in Taiwan.
...
Interested students need to obtain ME HOD approval before submitting their application.
Thank you.

Wow, studying Master Degree in Taiwan? Nice and envious enough.

国立高雄应用科技大学 www.kuas.edu.my

(By the way, it also provides Chemical Engineering. 高雄应用科技大学化学工程与材料工程系)

I wonder when Taiwan (or China as well) will offer scholarships for Master of Chemical Engineering.

Melvin will be very glad to apply for it, haha ...