July is coming to an End...

Deep breaths, I will soon get some semblance of normalacy in my life... I hope by the end of July.
Methinks I will need to take a short trip to M'sia, see how lah. Not too sure how that would work out. Short trip for work that is...

Not sure if I have mentioned this in my previous blog entry, but I am going to Kuching from the 23-26 July. Frankly, if I knew that I would be this busy, I wouldn't have taken the leave. But as it is, I have already booked the tickets, non-refundable of course. Plus, methinks ZXL will kill me if I were to back out. This is supposed to be our "relak" trip.. not too sure how to relak.. although I am sure I will...

Ooohh.. which brings me to another area of focus, there is a short trekking thing we had signed for. hurhur.. die, I haven't been gyming, as I have been too busy at work. I went for a jog today, think I did about 3km or so.. SUPER SLOW JOG... not too sure how I can keep up... I can only do my best... hurhur.. beside the super fit Ms ZXL.. I am going to be darn diu lian ><

Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning

Date: 03.July 2009
Time: 11:55 pm
Location: Golden Village Plaza Singapura
Kaki: YD
Rating: 4 stars
Language: English (with Chinese subtitles)

Movie Synopsis:
Struggling to make ends meet Rose (Amy Adams) and her sister Norah (Emily Blunt) start an unusual business, a crime scene clean-up/ biohazard removal service - "Sunshine Cleaning". The sisters are backed up by their offbeat father Joe (Academy Award winner Alan Arkin) who jumps from one get rich quick scheme to another to pay the bills and teach his eight year old grandson how to make a million dollars. A delightful bittersweet comedic drama about an unconventional family striving to live the American Dream and deal with life, one mess at a time.

Movie Review:
A delightful flick, with solid performances from the two leads, Adams and Blunt. You may recall Blunt from the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, where she was the "other" secretary, sitting opposite Anne Hathaway. And you all know Amy Adams, from Enchanted and various other movies.

Anyway, this is truly a bittersweet comedy, for once, the synopsis does not lie, and it was fun watching the movie. It truly was. If you have the time, go catch it, or rent the dvd. It's a bit like Juno.. so if you liked Juno, you will like this. It's the same "kind" of movie. Okay, Juno may be a bit better, but this is pretty good too. :)

Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000

Went and bought myself the new Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000. It was a shitty process and through no fault of the retailer. I had gone in, zoomed in for an affordable keyboard that allows for soft keys that doesn't go (clack clack clack), and which would allow for a more comfortable typing (with sufficient spring), so I can expand less energy trying to type.

The instruction on the box had stated that (and it came with a warning ok!) that I was supposed to install the program BEFORE I plug in the wires. So being the high compliance person I am, I installe the program before plugging in the wireless modem that would "talk" to my keyboard and mouse.

Mouse was working fine, but keyboard typed out gibberish. It was a very frustrating night, as I tried to figure out what was wrong. Changed settings in my PC, rebooted, uninstalled, reinstalled, I couldn't get the keyboard to work.

Next step, maybe it's just my PC.. So I used my mom's laptop and installed program, plugged it in, same old same old. Mouse working, keyboard types out rubbish.

And so, the very next day, I had to make another trip down to Sim Lim.. that's transport funds down the drain.. v v irritating. And when I was there, the lady tried out the keyboard on two sepearate PCs, and what do you know, it bloody works!!!

So I was checking the PC settings, etc, and it was exactly the same! So I was a little cheesed off, and I was asking the lady all sorts of questions, to try and idenitfy what was wrong.

And the conclusion? You don't need to install the bloody software!! Just plug and play. WTF?!! Why put about 2/3 warnings telling the user to install a software, that would just screw up the system, and to add a warning to INSTALL THE SOFTWARE BEFORE PLUGGING IN?

Sigh.. so I made my misearable way back, uninstalled everying, and plugged in the wireless and it worked. I am typing out my experience, for those who need help and encounter the same problem, I hope this helps. ><

Movie Review: Duplicity

Date: 03.July 2009
Time: 11:55 pm
Location: Golden Village Plaza Singapura
Kaki: MLSA
Rating: 3.5 stars
Language: English (with Chinese subtitles)

Movie Synopsis:
DUPLICITY is a slick, Soderberghian comic caper in which it's never exactly clear who is being conned. It's easy to see that ex-CIA agent Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts) and former MI6 member Ray Koval (Clive Owen) have a heated history together when they embark on an elaborate mission of corporate espionage. Two rival CEOs (played by the always fantastic Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti) are battling for the top spot in their industry, and a top-secret new product would determine who would wear the crown. But this isn't just about business innovation and profit: Claire and Ray have a plan that would help them get the prized formula and walk away with millions.

Movie Review:
hmm... yes, it's not bad. Quite entertaining, and sufficient to keep me awake for this midnight movie. Was it that great? Not really. The dialogue was witty, the pace was fast, the plot convulated... the ending, surprising (to a certan extent).

All in all, yes, go watch the show. It's more for adults, in that the humour is not slapstick, but more situational and dialogue based. But it would be a nice movie to watch over the weekend or after work.

In fact, it's the type which may not be as entertaining to watch on tv, especially if you have missed the start of the movie. It's a movie-movie, if you get what I mean. :)

Movie Review: Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen

Date: 04 July 2009
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Golden Village Plaza Singapura
Kaki: JoC
Rating: 2 stars
Language: English (with Chinese subtitles)

Movie Synopsis:
In the highly-anticipated "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," debuting June 24, 2009, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.

Movie Review:

The movie? Not great. Effects, good. Script? Like shit. Plot... None.

Read this dude's review here. Kapok-ed this from Mr Brown. All time funny! (the review I mean, although Mr Brown is of course v funny as well)

The next entry

Well... the movie review on Duplicity and Transformers will have to wait. Maybe over this coming weekend. Just arranged to watch Sunshine Clearing... so maybe three movies at a go? Oh darn, I forgot I had wanted to go back to work this Sat... shoot.. maybe this Sunday instead, will have to check if I gotta go to the market to help out this Sun...

It's 1215am, and I only just got back from work... now I am trying to relax and still my mind, cuz I was still thinking of switching on the work laptop to clear a few more things that just came to mind.

But I have to stop, cuz tmr, I have to be at a far-away end of the island location to conduct training, so I have to up about 7am. So I have to relak now... cannot burn out. Today's only Tuesday, but it feels so much like I have been working the whole week... ><

I have been feeling bad, as I have not been able to meet my end of the bargain for quite a number of things... Technically, I know that falls under the category of being overloaded, hence with only 24 hours in a day, there is only so much I can do.

But I cannot help but feel that if I were able to handle it better, I would be able to provide better quality work at a faster pace. ><>

Well, I am saying this now, cuz I am employed. Haha.. wait till I lose my job..

Was thinking, the economy is not recovering much... I wonder when it will, and things start looking up, and everyone's mood will perk up...

sunday...

ahhhh, moment of truth, we are back to sunday. funny how the dread and depression starts to build up as the minutes tick by...

Not even the thought of the wimbledon finals can perk me up. Sure, I am looking forward to the match, but it is not enough to lift up my spirits :(

This is such a depressing entry.

On a happier note, I watched two movies over the weekend - Duplicity and Transformers. Will blog more when I get home.

:) Am on the bus now hehe

Performance Review: Video Games Live

I would do another blog entry on Video Games Live, since I am apt to write about the programs I go to... but Synco has done such a great job of it.. heck... :) Enjoy her version of things.

Click here.

was thinking about life

yeah.. random thoughts like..
1) Am I in the right industry?
2) Is there a right industry?
3) Am I in the right job?
4) Is there a right job?
5) Is everything dependent on me, so it's how I adjust my mindset?
6) If that is the case, then how would I know if I am shortchanging myself?
7) How do you know when to call it quits and when would you be lacking in determination?

Anyway.. yeah. inane thoughts as I watch Serena Williams play.. I cannot believe she would be beaten by Dementieva.. I have always thought of them (both Williams) as being unbeatable.. well, as they always say, the ball is round.

Can't wait for Transformers this Sat.. I think I need some major R&R...