What's Going On.....?

Sunset in Kuala Selangor

First, the team wanted to go to a beach. It was going to be a weekend trip - although I questioned if we could get accommodation on such short notice being the school holidays. I told them I'm not allowed to go near water, ever.

Then, after that, they decided on something else - ride All-Terrain-Vehicles for 3 hours to some waterfall spot somewhere in the jungles in KL, near Zoo Negara. It was going to cost RM 100 per person.

Truth be told - I wasn't feeling that good that they had to cancel the outing because of me. I told them to go ahead but they insisted on making me part of the plans.

Finally, they decided to go see the fireflies in Kuala Selangor. Somehow, all of the plans involved water in someway or the other.

Sure, I've been there once to watch the fireflies. Some of the others haven't. It was a day trip. I was game for it.

We met up late in the afternoon and set off to Klang from Subang Jaya at 3:15pm. A few hours and a few wrong turns later, we arrived at Kuala Selangor at about 6:30 pm.

The arrival.....

A bunch of 20-somethings hogging the playground



Everyone but me.....



Ladies.....



And gentlemen.....



Our rides.....

We were early, the first tour would start at 7:30 pm. We had to entertain ourselves after getting tickets by taking lots of pictures. Tickets were RM 10 each with a bottle of mineral water included. And they only allow a maximum of 4 passengers per boat.

For more photos, please check out this other site.

The river was muddy and there was rubbish floating everywhere. It was a sad sight to see while there was still light. Once the boat ride began, it was near total darkness, we could hardly see anything except for the outline of the trees and the bushes. Surprisingly, there was still some light even though it was almost 8:00 pm.

The fireflies were like Christmas trees lighted up - only in monochromatic-green lights. Good thing we didn't have many mosquito bites this time around! Unfortunately, no pictures allowed of the fireflies. I doubt they would turn out nice in the photos too.

We left after 8:30 pm. Traffic was a nightmare. Somehow, our original destination for dinner was changed on the way. After a few wrong turns (again!), we finally arrived at Port Klang for dinner past 10:30pm.

I was hungry, hot, sweaty and irritated. The car engine was acting up and there was almost no air-conditioning in the car! My eyes were on the temperature gauge throughout the whole journey to Kuala Selangor and back! Gotta get it fixed ASAP! The gauge was irregular, and the picture was taken as soon as we arrived in Port Klang for dinner.

How do you stop an exploding car.....

All in all, fun but tiring experience. Having a problematic car whilst on a roadtrip is definitely a no-no. There's just no peace of mind!

Finally, the finale of "Heroes" Season 1 has aired. What does that mean? Are the people who appear to die at the end, really die? Will we see them again? Will Hiro Nakamura be able to change the past? What happens to the future?

More questions. It was good while it lasted. Now bring on Season 2!

Also managed to do some catching up with old series, namely "Smallville" Season 2. All of it looks familiar but I can't remember where I've seen it. Was it in Melbourne? Did I watch it when it was showing on ASTRO? I'm so far behind, lots of catching up to do.

It's a holiday today and I've done nothing! Just lazed around the entire day. But I have my reasons. I'm nursing a sore throat and a flu. I need my rest for work tomorrow.

Reading Between The Lines.....

It appears that I was wrong about the release date of "The Dark Knight". It isn't in June 2008, but 18 July 2008. That's an even longer wait!

Apparently, I've missed out alot on what has been happening with the official teaser pictures from Warner Bros.

According to this site, the I Believe In Harvey Dent site required visitors to enter an email and a code which in turn revealed a pixel from the de-faced Harvey Dent image. After all of that, only was the Joker's face revealed. That would have been interesting to see bits of the pixels disappearing to reveal Joker's fucked up face. Warner Bros Studio, you're such a tease!

Then today, I read more info that there's something new. The de-faced image of Harvey Dent has been removed, with only the page below displayed.

However, by highlighting the empty spaces or pressing Ctrl-A, it reveals the following:

Someone's idea of a sick joke? The Joker I bet!

Upon further reading, I found out that there were some alphabets that didn't belong, hidden between all the HAHAs on the site. As you can see, the odd ones out are circled in red in the picture below:

All the letters actually make up the words "See You In December"!

Got this info from www.superherohype.com

Does that mean a trailer will be out before the end of the year? Again I'll say this, I can't wait!

I seem to be on a roll lately. Last month, it was 2nd prize for the Easter Egg colouring contest. Today, I won 2nd prize for a Mother's Day competition held at work.

It was a music box with a twirling ballerina. However, on the cover, it looks like its a fairy.

Maybe I should try joining more contests with more attractive prizes!

The Dark Knight.....

I'm so excited that I just have to create a post specifically for my most anticipated movie, the sequel to "Batman Begins", titled "The Dark Knight".

It's scheduled to be released in June 2008. Its so special that I even created a label specifically for it on this blog.

Few weeks back, I blogged about a teaser poster which has since then been announced as a fake.

Fake Poster, but "A" for effort

The image used of the Joker was based on news and titbits that The Joker's face in "The Dark Knight" would be scarred. There was talk of him being a psychopath who indulges in self-mutilation or something like that.

That already had me thinking, anticipating. It would be a different kind of Joker, unlike what we've seen previously, in the first "Batman" movie where The Joker was played by Jack Nicholson. When that "fake" poster appeared, I thought, "Joker's face looks fucked up. But that's a good thing. Can't wait!".

Not long after that, the first official image appeared on the official Warner Brothers site.

First Official Picture from "The Dark Knight"

It wasn't really helpful. The picture doesn't really explain anything. We've seen that logo before. Its the current Batman logo. What is that white flash of light behind it? Questions, questions questions.....

And then, news of a new photo on the website was announced. Clicking on the Batman logo revealed the next picture.

It was a photo of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, done up to look like a campaign poster.

Today, I read of news of a new picture that was released by Warner Brothers.

The image was available on the site I Believe In Harvey Dent Too.

Clicking on that image will in turn reveal, The Joker! But, a Joker that isn't smiling.....

Heath Ledger as The Joker

Yup, they were right. He is scarred. Looks like the entire lower jaw was almost ripped off his face. In fact, this face is even more fucked up than the one in the "fake poster". Its awesome. Things are looking really promising right now.

Its going to be a different Joker alright. See for yourself.

Jack Nicholson as The Joker

I can't wait!!!!!

I'm inflicting self torture on myself looking at all the images, they're spoilers. But June 2008 is almost a year away.

My First Date With Superman

By Rois Rane

I haven't seen him in months. Almost a yer I think. Should I be feeling nervous?

We agreed to meet at the monorail station at about 8:50 pm. Initial plans to meet about 8:30 pm didn't happen. Schedules! Pffttt.....

The deal was for him to buy me Molten Lava Cake from Chilli's Grill & Bar. And I would buy him the Mocha Mud Pie from TGIF's.

At about 8:30 pm, he called me on my cell to tell me he alread arrived at the meeting place.

Oh my god!

The train was scheduled to arrive at 8:50 pm and he was already there. I told him that there was a problem at the train station and the train was delayed. I apologised.

He was such a darling *heart heart heart* and was totally understanding. He said it wasn't my fault, that problems do occur. He said that he would wait for me there. "I'll be here" he said. I felt so bad. I asked him if he had eaten, he said yes and he asked me the same. Good thing he's already eaten before coming to meet me. I would feel bad if he was starving while waiting for me.

I finally arrived at the station and I gave him a call. He said he was just around the corner. He drove up in this shiny white car. I stepped in and there he was in the driver's seat, in his Superman costume, blue with the red and yellow "S" shield on the chest. Just as I remembered it.

So - no flying then, no need to mess up my newly done hair. Which was a good thing. He seemed awfully quiet when I got into the car. Not like the previous correspondence we had online prior to meeting up. What if he was nervous? Why was he acting like that? He told me he was thinking about something. Then off we went.

When we arrived at Chilli's we had to wait a couple of minutes. Good thing they closed at 11:00 pm. The damn train schedules. We got our table and ordered our dessert. I think the Molten Lava cake is the best thing in the world! I should have taken pictures! I told him that the portion was too big for myself. I told Superman to share it with me. He ordered a Chocolate Shake, and I, a guava juice. We talked, ate and drank.

I shouldn't have ordered the cake - its fattening! And I kept insisting that over and over again. Even before I met him when I sent him all those text messages. He just smiled and laughed to himself. What is going on in that head of his?

As it was starting to close, I noticed the table next to ours getting up to go off. 2 ladies were having quite a feast there. I saw nachos, ribs and couldn't quite make out the other plate. They walked off, and they left their keys on the seat!

I called out to them, but they didn't stop and just kept walking. Superman got up, picked up the keys in a swift motion then ran off after them.

Superman saves the day! What a hero!

When he got back, we talked a little more. Then the waiter brought our bill and said they were closing up soon. Superman paid for it this time. I promised him that we will have the Mocha Mud Pie from TGIF's next weekend. Or the next tim we meet.

We talked some more on the way back to the car and on the way home. He was nice enough to send me back home. Again I commented that the Molten Lava Cake was too sinful. I told him that if we go out again next weekend, it will be for something light. Then we can go for the Mocha Mud Pie some other time after that.

Does that mean that there will be a 2nd date, and a 3rd date and so forth?

Time will tell.....

********** THE END**********

The story above was a true story, names have been changed to protect their identities.

*****************************

I've managed to reinstall Windows onto the laptop. Funny thing happened though. I thought I selected a fresh new install which would wipe everything off the main partition.

After the XP setup was done. I noticed that the main C: drive was almost full! Surely Windows XP and Microsoft Office do not take up about 50 GB?!?!?! Something wasn't right. It just doesn't make any fucking sense!

I dug deeper, looking at folders within folders. Then I found the answer. The "reinstall" didn't actually reformat the harddisk. All the old files were still there, in a different folder, under a different username. All the downloaded series were still intact. All the old games installed. All the software and applications. Everything!

On one hand, its a good thing that I still get to keep all my stuff and managed to fix the annoying issue of being not able to open folders via double-click.

On the other hand, I spent almost the entire weekend making the backups onto DVDs. That was a very time consuming task. However, it was the catalyst for me to backup all my files which I believe, has been long overdue and I've procrastinated long enough. This problem with the folders just gave me that little push I needed to be on my way.

Suddenly, the rain clouds were washed away. Clear skies ahead. And the world seems like a much better place already.

The laptop seems to run faster now. But comparing it now to 2 days ago, there was a noticeable lag which I didn't notice before this. Everything seems to run faster and smoother now.

But computing is so much more enjoyable now. Come to think of it, I think a reformat every few months would do the computer good. Tedious work, but alot more benefits in the long run. Maybe this will encourage frequent backups too!

Some random finds from the Net:

It looks like a scene from Fantastic 4 - The Rise Of The Silver Surfer.

From the shot, it looks like Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm have exchanged powers or something. Could it be a dream sequence?

Johnny on the left is supposedly the Human Torch while Ben Grimm is supposed to be The Thing. What's up with the role reversals?

Fantastic 4 scene



See anything.....abnormal? Look again!

No, she is not a he. Or at least I don't think so. (Speaking of which, that Korean transgender, Harisu, has gotten married to a Korean rapper. She was the one whose pictures being forwarded with the title "Most Gorgeous Girl from Korea" or something along those lines).

From what I read from the site where the picture was taken, that picture is not a photo of a real woman, but a 3D image. Wow!!!!!

I looked a little closely, and I think the curls of hair by her neck and the back gives it away a little. Still, very impressive. But then again, it could be a photo of real woman, with some fake hair added in to make it look like a real-looking fake.

Its so confusing, we don't know what's real and not anymore. Just like Harisu. Is she a real woman who was born into a man's body. Or was she really a man who wanted to be a real woman?

Harisu



Harisu and husband, Mickey Jung

Masterpiece.....

I've more or less backed up my "important" files onto DVD. Spent practically the whole afternoon backing up my files. Just a few more and then a final check before I pull the plug on the PC. Give it a fresh new start.

I decided to check out some sites and then I decided to see how Chinny was doing. Funny how she was thinking about getting a tattoo.

It reminded me of what happened a few weeks back during Body Art Day. There's a committee at work that comes up with ideas and activities to make things interesting. Body Art Day was one of it. So was Cartoon Day in which, if you remember, I ended up with these:

Crime fighting is tough, so always have a spare costume

Yes indeed, just look at all the Spider-man movies. In every one of them, his suit is always ripped to shreds. Always.

Now back to the Body Art Day. There's a colleague with an impressive dragon tattoo that spans the entire length of his arm. It was a real/permanent tattoo which he had done in Thailand, I think he said.

Unfortunately, real tattooes were not allowed in the contest so his group resorted to face painting while some other teams had girly stickers all over their faces, even the guys were not spared.

Then, what I drew on my arm caught his attention.

Do you see it?



Look closely.....

He was impressed although he didn't know what it was. I told him it was my name.

If you look carefully, you'll see "r-o-y" in that design.

That impressed him even more. He said I should consider getting a permanent tattoo with that design.

In fact, he wasn't the only one impressed with my design. So were a few other colleagues. Initially, some thought it was some modified Yin-Yang symbol.

One even asked me to design a tattoo for her using her initials. She's already got a couple of tattoos.

How flattering! Someone wants me to design something for her. It would be an honour to think that my designs will be good enough to be permanently inked onto her body - unless of course she decides to laser it off. I told her I'll think about it - she wasn't in a hurry she said.

A couple of other people said that I was very creative, and asked what was I doing working in a call center. I guess there's some truth in that or I wouldn't have come up with this:

2nd Place winner

I should have charged my colleague for the design. Maybe a part-time job as a tattoo artist?

I Want It That Way.....

Tell me why..... ain't nothing but a heartache.....

I found all the icons on my Windows XP icons changed to generic icons on Thursday night/Friday morning. It was perfectly fine when I left for work in the afternoon. I had no idea if the laptop had been infected by a virus or something.

And not only that, whenever I tried to open my folders, a messaged popped up stating that my 30 day trial for the Easy CD Extractor was up and it asked me if I wanted to buy the full version etc. The only logical step was to uninstall the damn thing. And yes, it fixed the problem of the window coming up but something else happened instead.

When I tried to open up my folders, the "Search File/Folder" window automatically pops up! What the fuck?!?!?

Tell me why ..... ain't nothing but a mistake.....

After messing around abit with the folders, I found out that only user-created folders were affected. Windows-related folders like My Documents and My Computer worked fine.

I went Googling to look for solutions. I managed to find the solution to the problem about the icons. On the surface, it looks fine. Now, the only way I can open folders is by a right-click on the mouse and selecting the "Open" command from there.

It really is a pain in the ass because I can't find any way to fix it. Ad-Aware did not find anything unusual. It looks like a reformatting of the harddisk is in the works. I've already started backing up my stuff.

I took the day off. Had to get the passport renewed for the trip to Phuket next month.

I think I've had the grand total of about 4 hours sleep as at 1:06 am, 19th May 2007. I slept about 4:00 am and had to get up before 8:00 am. I was watching "Heroes" - Episode 20 (Five Years Gone)! Can they really change the future? What's happened????? Where are the others? So much seems to be happening now. So many questions. More clues revealed especially for those who paid really close attention in the previous episodes.

Season 1 is about to end! Arghhhhh!!!!! I'm really hooked!

There's this new ATM-like machine at the Immigration Department in Damansara Heights for chip-enabled passport renewals for applicants above 18 years of age. There were on screen instructions, sign boards as well as several officers on hand to assist as well.

All one needs to do is to put the passport on the placeholder, insert the MyKad into the slot, and the machine reads the information off them. Then, thumbprint scans are needed and the photograph placed into an enveloped labelled with your name and contact number which is inserted into another collection machine.

Once all that is done, money is inserted into the ATM-like machine and a receipt is printed. Someone will then come collect the photographs (on an hourly basis I heard). Best of all, it can be collected 2 hours later. Whooopee!

Unfortunately, Ryan had to go through the manual application process but he forgot to bring his MyKad. And the birth cert was required as well. So while they went home to get the documents, I went to HSBC Damansara Utama to get some banking sorted.

I had to wait for them to come pick me up so .....

Damansara Uptown

Headed to the Curve after that to get my eyes checked for my new glasses. Starbucks was giving free samples of their new Banana Java Chip Frappucino. Banana and coffee - it really isn't too bad but I don't think I'll have it in a Grande size. I'll stick to the usual Mocha, Rhumba or something else.

My new glasses will be ready after Wednesday.

Had lunch at Kim Gary's. I think it was Dad's first visit. And what a huge lunch crowd it was. The restaurant was packed! There was a near constant queue at the entrance for seats.

The lunch crowd!!!!!

Peanut Butter and Condensed Milk Toast

Fish Fillet and Spaghetti in Corn Sauce



Cheese Baked Chicken Chop Rice



Cheese Baked Pork Chop Rice

Had a quick walk around and then back to TESCO where the car was parked after lunch as Ryan had tuition.

The Curve

The weather is expected to be warm/hot until September 2007, so says the weathermen. Its terrible. The sky turned a very uncommon shade of orange this evening. I don't know if that's got anything to do with the weather. But I've seen it before. I rushed down to take pictures.

It started out like a small spark.....



The flames started getting bigger .....



From another angle, it looked like it was starting to spread.....



Fire In The Sky.....

Finally, something official from Warner Brothers from "The Dark Knight"!

Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent

In the comics, Harvey Dent is a district attorney who would go on to become Two-Face. On the bottom right of that picture, it says "Paid For By Friends Of Harvey Dent" and I'm assuming Bruce Wayne is one of them. Will he become Two-Face in "The Dark Knight"? Or will he be the villain in the next sequel?

Some of the info I read was that The Joker, will be The Joker from the start of the movie. That means probably no origin story of how be came to be, except maybe in flashbacks. Then again it makes sense as he's already been leaving his Joker playing cards at crime scenes as revealed by Lieutenant James Gordon at the end of "Batman Begins".

Warner Brothers, give me more! I want to see the new Batman costume! I want to see The Joker! I want to see "The Dark Knight" already!

After publishing the last post, I realized where I've seen the fire in the sky before.

It's been staring me in the face all the while, its my friggin' desktop background picture.....

When It All Falls Apart.....

I decided to get a hair cut yesterday and when I opened to door to step out of the house, I saw a dent on my car !!!!!

WHAT THE FUCK ?!?!?!

Barely half a year after I've gotten the car a new body kit, grill and a new coat of paint - this happened?!?!?

I was pissed. And I was pissed. Pissed because no one told me what happened. And this was the way it has always been. Everytime something happens to my car, no one says a word - I have to find out myself by "discovering" the damage myself.

Before - 24th Dec 2006

Is this 'The fucking Secret"?!?!? I remember a portion of the movie where a guy parked his mountain bike by a street lamp/pole. He then proceeded to chain his bike to the pole and then padlocked the chain. Then he proceeded to yank the chain a few times to make sure that it was secure. He looked around, maybe to see if there were any suspicious looking people around who might steal his bike.

When he got back to the pole, his bike was gone. The Secret teachers were saying that by taking the extra precautionary measures while locking his bike, he was thinking or giving out vibes that his bike will be stolen.

After - 1st Feb 2007

Then I remembered looking at my car when I got home after work on Saturday morning at about 1:00 am. I was locking the door after entering the house, and was just looking at the car, admiring the paint etc.

Then, this happened. Was I unconsciously thinking about my car getting damaged? Is this "The Secret" too????? I was just talking about my car in my last post! Coincidence or "The Secret"?

I found out later that someone in an SUV reversed into the car when Mum was driving. He/she paid RM 600 to cover the repairs.

Here's what I don't get, SUVs are supposed to give drivers superior visibility of the road. He/she was in a fucking SUV for god's sake, was he fucking blind?!?!? Was he/she not able to see another vehicle behind. Does he/she not have reverse sensors?

12th May 2007

The damage was one the same side as before - part of the bonnet is bent/crumpled inwards making it higher than the other. The grill is probably cracked and might need to be replaced.

*SIGHS*

Went to a place called "Fasta Pasta" at Ikano yesterday. Daph got this coupon where we get some discount off the 2nd pasta dish

The menu

Frankly don't remember this when I was in Australia. Maybe its a new franchise?

Part of the interior.....

The Lounge/waiting area with a 42inch LG LCD screen



Didn't take a picture of the food as I didn't have lunch and I was hungry!



I don't like olives!



Fasta Pasta is opposite Starbucks at Ikano Power Center

The pasta dishes come in 2 sizes, Asian and the Aussie size. Frankly, I didn't notice any difference between my Aussie Fettucine Cabonara and my sisters Ravioli and Olio. I was told that they ran out of Aussie-sized plates. OK.....

There wasn't really anything special about the food, have yet to try their pizzas or their lagsane. The only good thing I can say is that the orders came pretty fast. They are called "Fasta Pasta" after all..... And oh, they serve a bread basket with butter before your mains arrive.

Will I go back again - tough call, maybe, maybe not. The bill for 4 came up to about RM 100 including drinks.

The Internet has been down for 2 days. Life is difficult without the Internet. I think we're a household of Internet-addicts.

Ryan has been asking if the Net is back. Dad has been asking if the Net is back. I was cursing TMnet for our predicament. Sometimes, all it took was just a reset of the Wireless Router and we're back in business.

Because I didn't have my Internet, I managed to watch 2 movies yesterday - "The Brothers Grimm" starring Matt Damon and Heath Ledger as well as "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: The Dead Man's Chest" with Johnny Depp, Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom.

I was planning to give them a call today to find out what happened. I suspected that it could have been the phone cable. Maybe cockroaches chewed on it or something as we have a long cable from the wall socket downstairs leading up to the hall upstairs.

I took the router downstairs and used a different phone cable as a test. It actually worked. So, we had the answer. Good thing I didn't call TMnet and start screwing them up about the connection. I needed to release my anger at someone for what happened to the car. I was angry because I didn't have Internet for 2 whole days.

And then - Ryan found out that the phone cable from the Wireless Router/Modem was disconnected from the little connector box that joined 2 parts of the cable. If someone had told me that the cable from downstairs to the hall upstairs was 2 cables joined with the connector box, I might have looked there as well! Lesson learnt! Question is - why didn't anyone else look there in the first place?

There are lots of things to read about on the Internet. For example:

YouTube Video: Player - Baby Come Back

First heard, that Vanessa Hudgen's song "Come Back To Me" has a sample of Player's "Baby Come Back". Vanessa Hudgens was one of the stars of the popular Disney Movie - "High School Musical", which I haven't watched. Nevertheless, I decided to check out what Player was all about.

YouTube Video - Vanessa Hudgens - Come Back To Me

Initially, I thought Player was an all Black (African American group). I was wrong. I found out from Wikipedia they were all-White from California.

And one of the dudes, Ron Moss, is now an actor, and he's famous for his role on "The Bold and The Beautiful"!

YouTube Video: Eagles - Hotel California

Why am I listening to 70s music? I have no idea but, they're good songs. What's happening to me?

McPhee-ver

There was a lot of talk about Katharine McPhee's dress in one of the American Idol episodes. I think that was the finals. I don't remember watching that.

I think she's got an album out now. Or a single. Haven't really been paying any attention to the American Idol contestants, ex or current.

I read a rumour somewhere that Katharine McPhee was being considered for the upcoming "Wonder Woman" movie.

Not that I'm a big fan of Wonder Woman but.....

Justice League by Alex Ross

Wonder Woman by Marc Wolfe

Wonder Woman by Terry Dodson



Wonder Woman by Terry and Rachel Dodson

If Katharine McPhee is in it with that skimpy outfit, maybe I'll give it a try to see what the fuss is about.....

Just some random finds on the Net:

Mr. Potato Head Optimus Prime

The Dark Knight Teaser Poster - Real or Fake?

Read that Warner Brothers have not released any official pictures from "The Dark Knight" yet. But if that picture above was a fake - its an impressive fake.

The only thing official:

Teaser poster from the Official Site

I just can't wait for the "The Dark Knight"!